A yr in the past, shares in Lloyds Banking Group (LSE:LLOY) had been buying and selling at round 45p. Now, the inventory’s nearer the 60p mark. 

There’s no query Lloyds shares had been higher worth a yr in the past than they’re at the moment. However buyers shouldn’t be too hasty in pondering they’ve missed the boat.

Costly vs costlier

There’s a distinction between a inventory being costlier than it was and it being costly, full cease. And arguably, the Lloyds share price is sort of illustration of this. 

Proper now, the common price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of the FTSE 100 is 15. Regardless of a stellar efficiency over the past yr, Lloyds shares commerce at a big low cost to this, at a P/E ratio of just below 8. 

Equally, the common FTSE 100 inventory trades at a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 1.8. Once more, Lloyds is less expensive, at a P/B ratio of 0.77.

The share price could be 30% increased than it was this time final yr, nevertheless it nonetheless appears low cost in comparison with the broader index. So it’s potential the inventory has simply gone from being nice worth a yr in the past to good worth at the moment.

Financial institution shares

It’s price noting that financial institution shares usually commerce at decrease multiples than different companies. That’s as a result of it may be more durable to earn a living within the banking business than elsewhere. 

For one factor, income may be extremely cyclical – when rates of interest are excessive, banks can usually earn extra from the loans they subject, boosting their earnings. However the reverse is true when rates of interest come down.

In the mean time, it appears like an rate of interest minimize is on the playing cards this yr. Which may trigger the likes of Lloyds to register decrease income and go away it unable to keep up its dividend funds. 

It’s not all doom and gloom although. The worst end result for banks like Lloyds is that if debtors default on their mortgage obligations and decrease rates of interest would scale back the prospect of this occurring.

What units Lloyds aside? 

It’s additionally necessary to consider what differentiates Lloyds from the opposite FTSE 100 banks. Each Barclays and NatWest commerce at low P/E multiples and are to some extent delicate to adjustments in rates of interest.

One of many foremost benefits Lloyds has is its deposit base. It has the biggest share of UK retail banking deposits and this helps shield it from a key threat for banks. 

Banks use deposits to finance their lending exercise. However a buyer can ask for his or her cash at any time and the financial institution doesn’t have capability to recall somebody’s mortgage to cowl it.

That is period threat. The simplest safety is a big base of deposits which are unlikely to be withdrawn on the similar time – and that is what a number one retail banking place provides Lloyds.

Is it too late to purchase?

Lloyds shares was once cheaper than they’re now. However they nonetheless commerce at a low P/E ratio in comparison with the FTSE 100 common. 

This implies the inventory could possibly be good worth, even when decrease rates of interest weigh on future earnings. Consequently, I don’t assume it will be loopy to purchase Lloyds shares at at the moment’s costs.