Barclays (BCS) vs Lloyds Banking Group Plc (LYG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Lloyds Banking Group Plc (LYG) has outperformed Barclays (BCS) over the past year, gaining 19.2% versus a gain of 12.5%. Over five years, BCS leads with a +107.4% price change compared with +101.5% for LYG. Lloyds Banking Group Plc is the larger company by market cap ($77.54 billion vs $76.74 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Barclays trades at a lower forward P/E (7.0x vs 8.4x for Lloyds Banking Group Plc). Lloyds Banking Group Plc offers the higher dividend yield (0.74% vs 0.50%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BCS | LYG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $23.00 | $5.40 |
| Market cap | $76.74B | $77.54B |
| 1-day change | -2.83% | -2.88% |
| YTD return | -9.63% | +1.89% |
| 1-year return | +12.52% | +19.21% |
| 5-year return | +107.39% | +101.49% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.88 | 12.56 |
| Forward P/E | 6.96 | 8.40 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.59 | $0.43 |
| Dividend yield | 0.50% | 0.74% |
| Annual dividend | $0.115 | $0.04 |
| 52-week high | $28.69 | $6.34 |
| 52-week low | $19.29 | $4.42 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -19.83% | -14.83% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +30.09% | +21.85% |
| Average volume | 4.39M | 14.49M |
| Shares outstanding | 3.34B | 14.36B |
| Employees | 93,000 | 60,061 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Commercial Banks | Commercial Banks |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Lloyds Banking Group Plc trades at a higher earnings multiple (12.6x vs 8.9x trailing P/E).
About Barclays
BCS stock →Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through Barclays UK; Barclays UK Corporate Bank; Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management; Barclays Investment Bank; and Barclays US Consumer Bank segments.
Finance · Commercial Banks · 93,000 employees
About Lloyds Banking Group Plc
LYG stock →Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial products and services for retail and commercial customers in the United Kingdom. It operates in three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions and Investments.
Finance · Commercial Banks · 60,061 employees
BCS vs LYG FAQ
Which is bigger, Barclays or Lloyds Banking Group Plc?
Lloyds Banking Group Plc (LYG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $77.54B compared with $76.74B for Barclays (BCS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BCS or LYG?
LYG returned +19.21% over the past 12 months, compared with +12.52% for BCS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BCS or LYG?
BCS has the lower trailing P/E at 8.9, versus 12.6 for LYG. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Barclays or Lloyds Banking Group Plc?
Lloyds Banking Group Plc has the higher yield at 0.74%, compared with 0.50% for Barclays.
Are Barclays and Lloyds Banking Group Plc in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Commercial Banks industry within the Finance sector.