By Michele Maatouk
Date: Monday 10 Aug 2026
LONDON (ShareCast) - (Sharecast News) - Citi downgraded Legal & General on Monday to 'sell' from 'neutral' on valuation grounds and cut the price target to 245p from 251p as it noted the shares are up 19% year to date.
The bank said it was cutting its 2026-27 remittances by 4.5% following the first-half results. "This reflects lower pension buyout volumes underwritten at a reduced IFRS margin offset by higher operating profit from asset management driven by lower CIR, and an additional £100m per annum from asset optimisation actions," it said.
Citi said its core operating profit forecast continues to be broadly in-line with Visible Alpha consensus in 2026 and 2027.
"Our core operating EPS is expected to grow by 8% YoY compared to the company's communicated 9% outlook," it said.
The bank said it was making no changes to its 2026 dividend per share estimate.
At 0948 BST, the shares were down 1.7% at 311p.
| Currency | UK Pounds |
| Price | 305.00p |
| Change Today | 5.80p |
| 52 Week High | 316.40p |
| 52 Week Low | 233.70p |
| Volume | 17,026,642 |
| Shares Issued | 5,526m |
| Market Cap | £16,853m |