Barclays (BCS) vs NatWest Group (NWG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
NatWest Group (NWG) has outperformed Barclays (BCS) over the past year, gaining 16.1% versus a gain of 12.5%. Over five years, NWG leads with a +146.0% price change compared with +107.4% for BCS. Barclays is the larger company by market cap ($76.57 billion vs $67.94 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Barclays trades at a lower forward P/E (6.9x vs 8.0x for NatWest Group). NatWest Group offers the higher dividend yield (2.04% 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 | NWG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $22.95 | $17.15 |
| Market cap | $76.57B | $67.94B |
| 1-day change | -0.22% | -0.58% |
| YTD return | -9.63% | -2.00% |
| 1-year return | +12.52% | +16.11% |
| 5-year return | +107.39% | +145.98% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.86 | 8.58 |
| Forward P/E | 6.94 | 7.95 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.59 | $2.00 |
| Dividend yield | 0.50% | 2.04% |
| Annual dividend | $0.115 | $0.35 |
| 52-week high | $28.69 | $19.42 |
| 52-week low | $19.29 | $13.76 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -20.01% | -11.69% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +30.37% | +27.76% |
| Average volume | 4.46M | 3.53M |
| Shares outstanding | 3.34B | 3.96B |
| Employees | 93,000 | 59,000 |
| 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
- NatWest Group offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.04% vs 0.50%).
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 NatWest Group
NWG stock →NatWest Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates through the Retail Banking, Private Banking, and Commercial & Institutional segments.
Finance · Commercial Banks · 59,000 employees
BCS vs NWG FAQ
Which is bigger, Barclays or NatWest Group?
Barclays (BCS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $76.57B compared with $67.94B for NatWest Group (NWG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BCS or NWG?
NWG returned +16.11% 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 NWG?
NWG has the lower trailing P/E at 8.6, versus 8.9 for BCS. 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 NatWest Group?
NatWest Group has the higher yield at 2.04%, compared with 0.50% for Barclays.
Are Barclays and NatWest Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Commercial Banks industry within the Finance sector.