Is Barclays PLC A Fast Profit Opportunity?

Next Tuesday, Barclays PLC (LON:BARC) will report its results for the first six months of the year. If it can earn the same market rating that rival Lloyds enjoys, then the shares could rise 67%.

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Why so cheap today?

The financial crisis frightened many investors off bank investment for life. These scaredy-cats have missed some big gains. However, I think that shares in Barclays (LSE: BARC) (NYSE: BCS.US) still retain huge profit potential.

Next week’s interim results should provide an indication of just how profitable the company will be this year. If Barclays can show that it is on track, this would help underpin the share price and point the way to further rises.

Share price movement

There is evidence that this is already happening. In the last month, shares in Barclays are up 15%. In that time, the FTSE 100 has managed to increase ‘just’ 10%. At today’s price, Barclays shares trade just 5% off a three-year high.

Prospects

Commentators agree that the US economy is enjoying a broad recovery. The UK economy is also strengthening, with growth forecasts being revised upward. A recent market survey has raised expectations that the eurozone may soon exit recession.

In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 23% this year and today stands at an all-time high. The FTSE 100 is up 17% in the last year and recently traded around a 10-year high.

Strong markets and growing economies are a great cocktail for a bank with a business mix like Barclays’.

Valuation

According to the consensus of analyst profit forecasts, Barclays should make earnings per share (EPS) of 36.4p in 2013. This is then expected to rise 19%, reaching 43.1p next year. These estimates put Barclays shares at a 67% valuation discount to Lloyds and a 57% discount to the rest of the FTSE 100.

According to the last published balance sheet, Barclays has a net asset value of 405p. Despite being profit-making, Barclays is trading at a 27% discount to this figure.

Verdict

In the absence of external shocks, I expect that month-by-month, more and more investors will be inspired by the Barclays bull case. This should deliver a significant re-rating of the shares.

Correctly anticipating such a re-rating is one of the fastest ways to make big gains from shares. If you would like some tips on how you could increase your wealth using the power of stock market then get the Motley Fool research “10 Steps To Making A Million In The Market”. This report is 100% free and will be delivered to your inbox immediately. Just click here to get your copy today.

> David owns shares in Barclays but none of the other companies mentioned.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

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