Barclays PLC: Setting Its Sights on $40B U.S. Card Surge—Will This Bold Bet Pay Off?

Barclays has reported its results for the first quarter of 2025, highlighting a blend of strengths and challenges within its operations and financial metrics. The group’s performance indicates progress towards strategic goals despite a backdrop characterized by economic uncertainty and market volatility. In Q1 2025, Barclays reported a return on tangible equity (RoTE) of 14%, demonstrating an improvement from the previous year’s 12.3%. This increase is attributable to strong income growth across all five divisions, particularly with notable performances in the Investment Bank and Barclays UK. Total income rose by 11% to £7.7 billion, with a 19% rise in pre-tax profit, largely fuelled by positive operating leverage and a disciplined cost approach.