This post shows you how a disciplined, data-backed system can help you beat the market. You will learn how Barclays delivered a 137% return in just 21 months, and how you could have captured it using our Shareholder Yield strategy.
You will see exactly why we picked it and how our rules (like only buying in uptrends) kept risk low. This is not guesswork. It is a repeatable system that can help you build wealth, stress less, and retire comfortably. Ready to find your next Barclays? Read on.
Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
Case Study: How Barclays Delivered a 137% Return in Just 21 Months
Most investors overlooked Barclays in 2023. We did not.
In September of that year, we recommended Barclays PLC (LSE: BARC) in the Shareholder Yield Letter. Back then, the share price was just £1.508. It was cheap, ignored, and returned a LOT of cash to shareholders. A textbook setup for our Shareholder Yield strategy.
Fast forward to June 2025: Total Return (including dividends): +137.1%
Here is how we spotted the opportunity, before the market did.
What We Saw in Barclays (September 2023)
While most investors were focused on litigation headlines, horror stories about banks not being investable from the financial crisis and macro fears, we focused on fundamentals. Barclays passed our 23-point investment checklist, including:
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Shareholder Yield: 10.5% (4.6% dividend + 5.9% buybacks)
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Consistent Profitability: EPS growth of 34.5%
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Cost Discipline: Low cost to income ratio and a 98.3% drop in litigation expenses
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Capital Strength: CET1 capital ratio comfortably within target range
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Progressive Dividends: +20% increase Year on Year
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Buybacks: Over £1.25 billion returned in 2023 alone
This was not a story stock. It was a cash machine, returning value to shareholders quarter after quarter.
And most importantly: The market was rising. The MSCI World Index was above its 200-day moving average, a core condition for any new recommendation we make.
To sign up for the Shareholder Yield Letter right NOW! - Click here
Our Strategy in Action
Barclays was not a lucky pick. It was the result of a disciplined, repeatable system.
Our Shareholder Yield strategy focuses on:
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Large-cap market leaders
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Strong free cash flow
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High dividend and buyback yield
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Strict risk controls, including a 20% trailing stop-loss
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Only buying in uptrends (avoiding correlated downturns)
It is based on research from Jim O'Shaughnessy and our own backtests, which show that high shareholder yield stocks consistently outperform over the long term.
What Happened Next
From 7 September 2023 to 6 June 2025, Barclays returned:
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2023: +2.0%
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2024: +79.5%
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2025 YTD: +26.5%
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Total Return (incl. dividends): +137.1%
This is not a small-cap moonshot. Barclays is one of the largest banks in Europe. Yet, disciplined investors who followed our system were rewarded with outsized gains, and consistent income.
What This Means for You
If you are:
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Seeking high returns with lower stress
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Tired of speculation and poor dividend advice
Then the Shareholder Yield Letter may be exactly what you are looking for.
We only invest when the market trend is up. We focus on quality. And we let the numbers guide every decision. This is how you get both peace of mind and performance.
Ready to Get the Next Barclays?
Join the Shareholder Yield Letter and start receiving high-conviction, large-cap ideas, just like Barclays.
Why not sign up right now to start building your high-yield, low-stress portfolio today.
To sign up for the Shareholder Yield Letter right NOW! - Click here
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How did you know Barclays would go up before everyone else?
We followed a simple system. Barclays had high profits, strong cash flow, and was buying back shares. It checked all 23 boxes on our investment checklist. Most people looked at the news. We looked at the numbers.
2. Why do you only invest when markets are rising?
Because falling markets bring trouble. Even strong stocks get dragged down. We wait until the overall market is stable and moving up before buying. That way, we avoid buying into big drops.
3. What is “Shareholder Yield” and why does it matter?
It is the money a company gives back to investors: dividends plus share buybacks. It shows the company values its owners. Barclays gave back over 10% a year. That is a great sign.
4. What if I miss a pick like Barclays? Is it too late?
Not at all. Our system finds new stocks like Barclays every year. The key is to follow the process and stay consistent. This is not about one big win. It is about steady wins over time.
5. How do you decide when to sell a stock?
We use a 20% stop-loss rule. If a stock drops 20% from its high, we sell. No emotion, no guessing. Just a rule to protect your money.
6. Is this better than just buying dividend stocks?
Yes. We look at both dividends and buybacks. Dividends is not the only way a company can return cash to its shareholders that is why we include buybacks as well.
7. Can I really do this on my own?
Yes. That is the whole point. We give you the ideas and the system. You stay in control. No need to trust the news or Wall Street. Just follow the steps and let the numbers guide you.
To sign up for the Shareholder Yield Letter right NOW! - Click here
