Barclays Launches New SMID Index
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 12 hours ago
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- Index Launch: Barclays has introduced the Shiller Barclays CAPE® US SMID Sector Index, expanding its long-standing index family to provide systematic sector exposure with a value-oriented bias for investors.
- Value Opportunity Capture: Utilizing the Cyclically Adjusted Price Earnings (CAPE®) methodology developed by economist Robert Shiller, the index aims to identify long-term value opportunities while incorporating momentum signals to mitigate value traps.
- Market Dynamics Adaptation: In an environment of heightened market concentration and widening valuation dispersion, investors are increasingly reassessing allocations beyond traditional large-cap indexes, with SMID stocks gaining attention due to their distinct valuation and revenue characteristics.
- Transparent Rebalancing Mechanism: The index employs a transparent, rules-based mechanism to regularly evaluate and rebalance selected SMID sectors, utilizing relative CAPE® measures and momentum indicators to ensure stable returns across different market cycles.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy BCS?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on BCS
About BCS
Barclays PLC is a diversified bank with five divisions comprising Barclays UK, Barclays UK Corporate Bank, Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management, Barclays Investment Bank and Barclays US Consumer Bank. The Barclays UK division represents businesses that sit within the United Kingdom ring-fenced bank, Barclays Bank UK PLC and its subsidiaries, and comprises Personal Banking, UK Business Banking and Barclaycard Consumer UK. The Barclays UK Corporate Bank division offers lending, trade and working capital, liquidity, payments, and FX solutions for corporate clients. Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management division comprises the Private Bank, Wealth Management, and Investments businesses. Barclays Investment Bank division incorporates the Global Markets, Investment Banking, and International Corporate Banking businesses. Barclays US Consumer Bank division represents the United States credit card business, focused on the partnership market, as well as an online deposit franchise.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Barclays Launches New SMID Index
- Index Launch: Barclays has introduced the Shiller Barclays CAPE® US SMID Sector Index, expanding its long-standing index family to provide systematic sector exposure with a value-oriented bias for investors.
- Value Opportunity Capture: Utilizing the Cyclically Adjusted Price Earnings (CAPE®) methodology developed by economist Robert Shiller, the index aims to identify long-term value opportunities while incorporating momentum signals to mitigate value traps.
- Market Dynamics Adaptation: In an environment of heightened market concentration and widening valuation dispersion, investors are increasingly reassessing allocations beyond traditional large-cap indexes, with SMID stocks gaining attention due to their distinct valuation and revenue characteristics.
- Transparent Rebalancing Mechanism: The index employs a transparent, rules-based mechanism to regularly evaluate and rebalance selected SMID sectors, utilizing relative CAPE® measures and momentum indicators to ensure stable returns across different market cycles.
See More
India's Unique Position in the Global AI Race
- Labor Force Advantage: India, with the world's second-largest workforce, is seen as lagging in the global AI race compared to the US and China; however, its low labor costs enable data collection and robot training, which is expected to drive rapid growth in related industries.
- Data Collection Market: As the robot market is projected to grow to $200 billion in the next decade, Indian companies are quickly emerging to meet contract demands from the US and China, although increased competition has halved data collection prices.
- Technological Innovation: Neocambrian AI launched a robotics data factory in Noida, aiming to collect 100 million hours of video data to enhance robot dexterity, showcasing India's potential in developing operating systems for robots.
- Market Transformation: Humyn Labs focuses on data conversion, planning to transition from data collectors to data owners, emphasizing India's significant role in the global human labor marketplace, akin to its success in the information technology sector.
See More
Rosen Law Firm Investigates Barclays Securities Fraud Claims
- Securities Fraud Investigation: Rosen Law Firm is investigating potential securities claims against Barclays for allegedly issuing materially misleading business information, with exposure amounting to £600 million (approximately $809.7 million), potentially leading to significant investor losses.
- Class Action Preparation: The firm is preparing a class action lawsuit against Barclays, allowing investors to seek compensation without any out-of-pocket fees, aiming to protect investor rights and recover losses incurred due to misleading information.
- Stock Price Impact: On February 27, 2026, Barclays' American Depositary Shares fell by 3.99% due to concerns over its £600 million exposure to Market Financial Solutions Ltd, with an additional decline of 2.3% on March 2, 2026, reflecting market anxiety about the bank's financial stability.
- Firm's Reputation: Rosen Law Firm is renowned for its successful track record in securities class actions, having recovered over $438 million for investors in 2019 alone, underscoring its expertise and influence in handling such cases effectively.
See More
Latest Wall Street Rating Updates
- Citi Upgrade: Citi upgraded Macerich from Neutral to Buy, raising the target price from $24 to $28, indicating strong balance sheet strength that is expected to drive stock price appreciation.
- Citizens Initiation: Citizens initiated coverage on Bitdeer Holdings and Mara Holdings, stating that these bitcoin miners have significant potential to outperform the market by repurposing existing power capacity for high-performance computing.
- Mizuho's Biotech Outlook: Mizuho initiated coverage of Sol-Gel Technologies with an Outperform rating and a $285 price target, suggesting that the biotech firm is well-positioned for future growth in a competitive landscape.
- Goldman on Twilio: Goldman Sachs initiated coverage of Twilio with a Buy rating and a 12-month price target of $300, highlighting expected margin upside that reflects strong confidence in the company's financial prospects.
See More
S&P 500 Rises 9% Year-to-Date Amid Economic Headwinds
- Strong Earnings Drive: In Q1, S&P 500 companies reported a 12% revenue growth, the highest since 2022, and a 29% earnings growth, the best since 2021, indicating a robust recovery in corporate profitability that boosts market confidence.
- Sector Leaders: The technology and communication services sectors achieved earnings growth of 55% and 49%, respectively, primarily driven by the artificial intelligence infrastructure build-out, highlighting the significant impact of AI investments on market dynamics and future growth potential.
- Optimistic Market Expectations: Wall Street analysts anticipate continued strong performance from S&P 500 companies in the remaining quarters of 2026, with full-year revenue expected to rise by 11% and earnings by 23%, further propelling stock market gains and reflecting investor optimism about future prospects.
- Risks and Opportunities: Despite the optimistic outlook, investors should remain cautious of potential risks, including strained U.S.-Iran relations and high inflation, alongside Trump's plans to impose new tariffs this summer, suggesting a focus on reasonably valued stocks may be prudent.
See More
S&P 500 Returns 9% Year-to-Date Amid Economic Uncertainty
- Strong Earnings Drive: S&P 500 companies reported a 12% revenue growth in Q1, the highest since 2022, alongside a 29% earnings growth, demonstrating robust economic resilience despite high inflation and geopolitical risks.
- AI Investment Leadership: The technology and communication services sectors achieved earnings growth of 55% and 49%, respectively, indicating that investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure are driving market performance and becoming a key growth driver for the future.
- Upward Revision of Targets: The median year-end target among 19 Wall Street analysts is 7,850, up from 7,600 earlier this year, implying a 5% upside from the current level, with an expected full-year return of 15%.
- Market Risk Warnings: Despite strong market performance, investors should be cautious of the risks posed by strained U.S.-Iran relations and inflation exceeding the Federal Reserve's target, suggesting a focus on reasonably valued stocks rather than chasing expensive IPOs.
See More
Barclays Launches New SMID Index
- Index Launch: Barclays has introduced the Shiller Barclays CAPE® US SMID Sector Index, expanding its long-standing index family to provide systematic sector exposure with a value-oriented bias for investors.
- Value Opportunity Capture: Utilizing the Cyclically Adjusted Price Earnings (CAPE®) methodology developed by economist Robert Shiller, the index aims to identify long-term value opportunities while incorporating momentum signals to mitigate value traps.
- Market Dynamics Adaptation: In an environment of heightened market concentration and widening valuation dispersion, investors are increasingly reassessing allocations beyond traditional large-cap indexes, with SMID stocks gaining attention due to their distinct valuation and revenue characteristics.
- Transparent Rebalancing Mechanism: The index employs a transparent, rules-based mechanism to regularly evaluate and rebalance selected SMID sectors, utilizing relative CAPE® measures and momentum indicators to ensure stable returns across different market cycles.
See More
India's Unique Position in the Global AI Race
- Labor Force Advantage: India, with the world's second-largest workforce, is seen as lagging in the global AI race compared to the US and China; however, its low labor costs enable data collection and robot training, which is expected to drive rapid growth in related industries.
- Data Collection Market: As the robot market is projected to grow to $200 billion in the next decade, Indian companies are quickly emerging to meet contract demands from the US and China, although increased competition has halved data collection prices.
- Technological Innovation: Neocambrian AI launched a robotics data factory in Noida, aiming to collect 100 million hours of video data to enhance robot dexterity, showcasing India's potential in developing operating systems for robots.
- Market Transformation: Humyn Labs focuses on data conversion, planning to transition from data collectors to data owners, emphasizing India's significant role in the global human labor marketplace, akin to its success in the information technology sector.
See More
Rosen Law Firm Investigates Barclays Securities Fraud Claims
- Securities Fraud Investigation: Rosen Law Firm is investigating potential securities claims against Barclays for allegedly issuing materially misleading business information, with exposure amounting to £600 million (approximately $809.7 million), potentially leading to significant investor losses.
- Class Action Preparation: The firm is preparing a class action lawsuit against Barclays, allowing investors to seek compensation without any out-of-pocket fees, aiming to protect investor rights and recover losses incurred due to misleading information.
- Stock Price Impact: On February 27, 2026, Barclays' American Depositary Shares fell by 3.99% due to concerns over its £600 million exposure to Market Financial Solutions Ltd, with an additional decline of 2.3% on March 2, 2026, reflecting market anxiety about the bank's financial stability.
- Firm's Reputation: Rosen Law Firm is renowned for its successful track record in securities class actions, having recovered over $438 million for investors in 2019 alone, underscoring its expertise and influence in handling such cases effectively.
See More
Latest Wall Street Rating Updates
- Citi Upgrade: Citi upgraded Macerich from Neutral to Buy, raising the target price from $24 to $28, indicating strong balance sheet strength that is expected to drive stock price appreciation.
- Citizens Initiation: Citizens initiated coverage on Bitdeer Holdings and Mara Holdings, stating that these bitcoin miners have significant potential to outperform the market by repurposing existing power capacity for high-performance computing.
- Mizuho's Biotech Outlook: Mizuho initiated coverage of Sol-Gel Technologies with an Outperform rating and a $285 price target, suggesting that the biotech firm is well-positioned for future growth in a competitive landscape.
- Goldman on Twilio: Goldman Sachs initiated coverage of Twilio with a Buy rating and a 12-month price target of $300, highlighting expected margin upside that reflects strong confidence in the company's financial prospects.
See More
S&P 500 Rises 9% Year-to-Date Amid Economic Headwinds
- Strong Earnings Drive: In Q1, S&P 500 companies reported a 12% revenue growth, the highest since 2022, and a 29% earnings growth, the best since 2021, indicating a robust recovery in corporate profitability that boosts market confidence.
- Sector Leaders: The technology and communication services sectors achieved earnings growth of 55% and 49%, respectively, primarily driven by the artificial intelligence infrastructure build-out, highlighting the significant impact of AI investments on market dynamics and future growth potential.
- Optimistic Market Expectations: Wall Street analysts anticipate continued strong performance from S&P 500 companies in the remaining quarters of 2026, with full-year revenue expected to rise by 11% and earnings by 23%, further propelling stock market gains and reflecting investor optimism about future prospects.
- Risks and Opportunities: Despite the optimistic outlook, investors should remain cautious of potential risks, including strained U.S.-Iran relations and high inflation, alongside Trump's plans to impose new tariffs this summer, suggesting a focus on reasonably valued stocks may be prudent.
See More
S&P 500 Returns 9% Year-to-Date Amid Economic Uncertainty
- Strong Earnings Drive: S&P 500 companies reported a 12% revenue growth in Q1, the highest since 2022, alongside a 29% earnings growth, demonstrating robust economic resilience despite high inflation and geopolitical risks.
- AI Investment Leadership: The technology and communication services sectors achieved earnings growth of 55% and 49%, respectively, indicating that investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure are driving market performance and becoming a key growth driver for the future.
- Upward Revision of Targets: The median year-end target among 19 Wall Street analysts is 7,850, up from 7,600 earlier this year, implying a 5% upside from the current level, with an expected full-year return of 15%.
- Market Risk Warnings: Despite strong market performance, investors should be cautious of the risks posed by strained U.S.-Iran relations and inflation exceeding the Federal Reserve's target, suggesting a focus on reasonably valued stocks rather than chasing expensive IPOs.
See More
