Should You Buy NatWest Group PLC (NWG) Today? Analysis, Price Targets, and 2026 Outlook.
Conclusion
Hold
Latest Price
18.320
1 Day change
0.60%
52 Week Range
18.550
Analysis Updated At
2026/01/26
NatWest Group PLC (NWG) is not a strong buy for a beginner investor with a long-term strategy at this time. While the company has shown strong financial performance in the latest quarter, the technical indicators and options data suggest a neutral to slightly bearish sentiment in the short term. Additionally, there are no significant positive catalysts or recent news to drive immediate upward momentum. Holding the position or waiting for better entry points may be more prudent.
Technical Analysis
The MACD is below zero and negatively contracting, indicating weak momentum. RSI is neutral at 62.505, and the moving averages are bullish (SMA_5 > SMA_20 > SMA_200). However, the stock is trading near its pivot level (17.328), suggesting limited immediate upside potential. The post-market price drop of -1.92% further indicates bearish sentiment.
Options Data
Bullish
Open Interest Put-Call Ratio
Bearish
Option Volume Put-Call Ratio
The high option volume put-call ratio of 19.04 indicates a significant bearish sentiment in the options market. Implied volatility is relatively high at 39.31, with an IV percentile of 74.8, suggesting elevated uncertainty.
Technical Summary
Sell
4
Buy
9
Positive Catalysts
Strong financial performance in Q3 2025, with revenue up 17.42% YoY, net income up 41.39% YoY, and EPS up 50% YoY. Analysts have raised price targets recently, with JPMorgan maintaining an Overweight rating.
Neutral/Negative Catalysts
Barclays and Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock in recent months, citing valuation concerns and a shift in focus to growth and efficiency. The stock has a 50% chance to decline in the next day, week, and month based on historical patterns. No recent news or significant trading trends from hedge funds or insiders.
Financial Performance
In Q3 2025, NatWest reported strong growth: Revenue increased by 17.42% YoY to $5.78B, net income rose by 41.39% YoY to $2.15B, and EPS grew by 50% YoY to 0.27. Gross margin remained unchanged.
Growth
Profitability
Efficiency
Analyst Ratings and Price Target Trends
Analysts are mixed: JPMorgan recently raised the price target to 750 GBp with an Overweight rating, while Barclays downgraded to Equal Weight and Goldman Sachs downgraded to Neutral. The average price target remains in the range of 685-750 GBp, reflecting moderate upside potential.
Wall Street analysts forecast NWG stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for NWG is 0 USD with a low forecast of 0 USD and a high forecast of 0 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
Analyst Rating
0
Wall Street analysts forecast NWG stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for NWG is 0 USD with a low forecast of 0 USD and a high forecast of 0 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
Buy
Hold
Sell
0
Current: 18.210
Low
0
Averages
0
High
0
0
Current: 18.210
Low
0
Averages
0
High
0
JPMorgan
NULL -> Overweight
maintain
$730 -> $750
AI Analysis
2026-01-20
Reason
JPMorgan
Price Target
$730 -> $750
AI Analysis
2026-01-20
maintain
NULL -> Overweight
Reason
JPMorgan raised the firm's price target on NatWest to 750 GBp from 730 GBp and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares.
Barclays
Overweight -> Equal Weight
downgrade
$700
2026-01-07
Reason
Barclays
Price Target
$700
2026-01-07
downgrade
Overweight -> Equal Weight
Reason
Barclays downgraded NatWest to Equal Weight from Overweight with an unchanged price target of 700 GBp. The firm cites valuation for the downgrade following the stock's recent rally. Barclays is waiting for consensus estimates "to catch up on capital."
Unlock Full Analyst Thesis， Get the complete breakdown of rating reason for NWG
