Lloyds Banking Group

What is Lloyds Banking Group Stock?

Lloyds Banking Group plc was founded in 2009 when Lloyds TSB acquired banking and insurance giant HBOS. Lloyds TSB itself was established following a 1995 merger, but the financial services company can trace its roots over three hundred years ago when Taylors and Lloyds opened shop in Birmingham in 1765. Alongside Barclays, HSBC, and NatWest Group, Lloyds has been part of the UK’s ‘Big Four’ banks for a long time.

The company is headquartered in London, UK, but it also has a registered office in Edinburgh, Scotland. Lloyds Bank has footprints in various overseas locations, but it is in the UK where it has a strong footing. Lloyds practically serves every community in the UK through its 3 core business segments:

• Retail
• Commercial Banking
• Insurance and Wealth

Overall, the company has over 30 million customers and 13 unique solid brands. Lloyds is also the UK’s largest digital bank, and it has the widest branch network in the country. Furthermore, Lloyds Bank finances about a third of the UK’s new-build properties, and it has always featured as one of the biggest taxpayers in the country. The company has played a vital role in shaping the UK’s economy for centuries and it continues to do so to date.

Lloyds Banking Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange, where it trades under the ticker symbol LLOY. The company is also cross-listed on the New York Stock Exchange, (NYSE), trading under the ticker symbol LYG.

Lloyds Stock History

LLOY stock is quoted in GBX (British Pence) rather than in pounds. The company has never implemented any stock splits in its recent history. LLOY stock started with a price of circa 350p at the turn of the millennium and initially edged higher to above 400p by May 2002. The stock has suffered since, never really coming close to regaining those ‘lofty highs’.

The stock started drifting lower, making a temporary trough at circa 150p in March 2003, before kick-starting a gradual but steady rally that saw the LLOY stock breach the psychological 300p price barrier. It, however, failed to sustain above that level, with the banking industry particularly hit hard during the 2007/8 Great Recession. The stock tumbled sharply during that period, reaching lows of circa 20p by late February 2009. Since then, LLOY shares have failed to break above 100p. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic also saw the stock tumble to lows of just above 20p, but the subsequent recovery as of July 2021 has seen the stock push towards the now psychological 50p price handle.

Lloyds is a consistent dividend payer, but the company has always adjusted its payouts in tandem with underlying business realities.

How to Trade LLOY Stock

Here are some of the factors to consider when trading LLOY stock:

• Legislative and Taxation Policy
  The banking industry has globally been subjected to closer regulatory scrutiny after its controversial role in the 2008 Great Recession. There have been numerous legislative and taxation policies that have directly targeted the sector. As one of the leading financial services companies in the UK, Lloyd Bank will be one of the most affected when legislative, and taxation changes are implemented.
• Political and Economic Conditions
  Banking stocks, such as LLOY, take their directional cue from the underlying political and economic conditions. In recent years, LLOY has suffered from the political crisis arising out of Brexit and economic uncertainty in the UK. Generally, a stable political environment and a growing economy provide tailwinds for the stock, whereas an uncertain political situation and a slowing economy will weigh heavily on the LLOY stock.
• Monetary Policy
  Like other banking stocks, LLOY is very sensitive to changes in the monetary policy environment. In particular, the stock is reactive to changes in interest rates. Higher rates tend to inspire higher LLOY prices, whereas lower rates pressure the stock lower. Higher rates denote a growing underlying economy and boost bank margins, while lower rates usually imply a slowing economy as well as lower bank margins.
• New Product Rollout
  Banks have, in recent years, been required to innovate to not only thrive but also survive. Lloyds Banking Group is especially an innovative bank that caters to diverse communities around the world. This underlines why it is the largest digital bank in the UK. Nonetheless, when new products are released, investors will always evaluate whether they expose the bank to unwarranted risks about the potential reward. Low-risk products will inspire investor confidence in the LLOY stock, whereas high-risk products will provide headwinds for the stock.
• Periodic Earnings Reports
  The Lloyds Bank fiscal year runs from January to December, and the company releases quarterly and annual reports that update investors on the performance of the company. Lloyds is a leading financial services provider, and investors watch its performance closely: positive numbers are good for the stock, while weak figures usually inspire negative sentiment.

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