RNS No 5565d
BARCLAYS PLC
5 August 1999

PART 4                                
                                                                            
                     ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

CHANGES IN REPORTING OF GROUP STRUCTURE IN 1999
Since 1st January 1999, a number of changes have been made to the Group's
reporting structure.  Major changes, for which comparative figures have been
restated, as appropriate, are:

Retail Financial Services has re-organised the management of its business
around customer segments to deliver services and products.  For reporting
purposes it is organised into Retail Customers, Wealth Management and
Barclaycard.  Retail Customers and Wealth Management have absorbed the
relevant customer segments from the previous business groupings of UK Retail
Banking, International Premier, Private, Savings and Investment and Africa
and Caribbean, with Barclaycard remaining unaffected.

Retail Customers comprises UK Retail Banking (excluding UK Premier), the
African business, UK retail mutual funds and Barclays Life.  Wealth
Management comprises the former International Premier, Private, Savings and
Investment business (excluding UK retail mutual funds and Barclays Life), UK
Premier and the Caribbean business.

The Structured Export Finance business and a number of large corporate
assets have been transferred from Barclays Capital to Corporate Banking.

Certain internal charges have been re-allocated between Retail Financial
Services and Corporate Banking.  In addition, Retail Financial Services has
revised its presentation of income and costs within its profit and loss
account.  There is no effect on total Group revenue or costs as a result of
these changes.


RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On 27th July 1999, Barclays announced the appointment of Matthew Barrett as
Group Chief Executive and as a director of Barclays PLC and Barclays Bank
PLC with effect from 1st October 1999, when Sir Peter Middleton will step
down as Group Chief Executive, continuing in his role as Group Chairman.

On 2nd July 1999, the Group announced the appointment of David Allvey as
Finance Director of Barclays PLC and Barclays Bank PLC.  He will join the
boards of both companies as a director on 1st September 1999 and succeed
Oliver Stocken as Finance Director on 20th September 1999.  Oliver Stocken
will retire as a director of Barclays PLC and Barclays Bank PLC on 30th
September 1999.


ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS
In June 1999 the Group increased its holding in Banque du Caire Barclays
International (subsequently renamed Cairo Barclays SAE) from 49% to 60%.
This entity is now accounted for as a subsidiary.

Details of significant disposals in the period are set out under exceptional
items on page 17.


ACCOUNTING POLICIES
A change in policy has arisen from the adoption in 1999 of Financial
Reporting Standard 12 "Provisions, Liabilities and Assets" (FRS 12).  The
Group has a number of vacant leasehold properties where unavoidable costs
exceed anticipated income for which a provision is now required under
FRS 12.  Previously costs and income in relation to these properties were
only recognised as they arose.

The change in policy has resulted in a prior year adjustment and the profit
and loss accounts and balance sheets for previous years have been restated.
This has resulted in a net charge to shareholders' funds of #81m as at 1st
January 1999 comprising the cumulative impact of prior year reductions in
net interest income, net provisions for property costs and associated tax
credits.  Comparative figures have been restated with the effect that
shareholders' funds have been reduced by #63m at 1st January 1998.  Profit
before tax for the six months to 31st December 1998 and 30th June 1998 has
been reduced by #22m and #1m respectively.

There have been no other significant changes to the accounting policies as
described in the 1998 Annual report.


CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRESENTATION
The classification of certain items of income and costs have been reviewed
and #25m has been offset between costs and income to more appropriately
reflect the nature of the transactions involved.  In view of the amounts
involved no restatements have been made.

There have been no other changes in accounting presentation from that
reflected in the 1998 Annual report.


REVIEW OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY AUDITORS
The unaudited financial information for Barclays PLC comprising pages 7 and
9, 39 to 49 and 52 to 56 have been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers and
their report relating to it is included on page 58.


GROUP SHARE SCHEMES
The trustees of the Group's share schemes may make purchases of Barclays PLC
ordinary shares in the market following the announcement of the Group's
results in August 1999 for the purposes of those schemes' current and future
requirements.  The total number of ordinary shares purchased would not be
material in relation to the issued share capital of Barclays PLC.


FILINGS WITH THE SEC
This report is being furnished as a Form 6-K with the Securities and
Exchange Commission in the United States of America.


                              NOTES (UNAUDITED)

                                          Half-year ended
1.  Loans and advances to banks     30.6.99  31.12.98  30.6.98
                                         #m        #m       #m
    Banking business                                          
    Loans and advances to banks      14,239    20,357   19,749
    Less - provisions                  (25)      (41)     (24)
                                     14,214    20,316   19,725
    Trading business                 25,805    16,296   18,109
    Total loans and advances to      40,019    36,612   37,834
    banks

   Of the total loans and advances to banks, placings with banks were
   #35.2bn at 30th June 1999 (31st December 1998: #32.8bn, 30th June: 1998
   #31.7bn).  The majority of placings have a residual maturity of less
   than one year.

                                          Half-year ended
2.  Loans and advances to           30.6.99  31.12.98  30.6.98
    customers
                                         #m        #m       #m
    Banking business                                          
    Loans subject to non-recourse                             
    finance arrangements                255       278      304
    Less: non returnable finance      (245)     (269)    (294)
                                         10         9       10
    Loans and advances to            85,306    77,663   72,519
    customers
    Finance lease receivables         5,700     5,776    5,875
                                     91,016    83,448   78,404
    Less - provisions               (1,982)   (1,902)  (1,833)
         - interest in suspense        (82)      (77)     (88)
                                     88,952    81,469   76,483
    Trading business                 17,094    14,641   31,670
    Total loans and advances to     106,046    96,110  108,153
    customers


3. Provisions for bad and doubtful debts
                                          Half-year ended
                                    30.6.99  31.12.98  30.6.98
    Credit risk provisions               #m        #m       #m
    Provisions at beginning of        1,862     1,781    1,761
    period
    Exchange and other adjustments     (23)        12      (7)
    Amounts written off                                       
     United Kingdom                   (240)     (318)    (188)
     Other European Union              (21)      (30)     (13)
     United States                        -       (5)      (2)
     Rest of the World                 (13)       (6)      (3)
                                      (274)     (359)    (206)
    Recoveries (analysed below)          40        81       95
    Sub-total                         1,605     1,515    1,643
                                                             
    Provisions charged against profit:
    New and increased specific                                
    provisions
     United Kingdom                     372       489      262
     Other European Union                13        20       11
     United States                       12         7        4
     Rest of the World                   27        10       13
                                        424       526      290
                                                             
    Less: Releases of specific                                
          provisions
     United Kingdom                    (49)      (43)     (38)
     Other European Union              (10)      (20)     (11)
     United States                      (6)       (3)      (5)
     Rest of the World                  (5)       (9)      (6)
                                       (70)      (75)     (60)
                                                             
    Less: Recoveries                                          
     United Kingdom                    (35)      (77)     (79)
     Other European Union               (2)       (2)      (2)
     United States                      (2)       (1)     (12)
     Rest of the World                  (1)       (1)      (2)
                                       (40)      (81)     (95)
                                                             
    Net specific provisions charge      314       370      135
    General provision -                   8      (23)        3
    charge/(release)
    Net credit risk charge to           322       347      138
    profit
                                                             
    Provisions at end of period       1,927     1,862    1,781

    Country risk provisions                                   
    Provisions at beginning of period    81        76       89
    Exchange and other adjustments        -         -        1
    Amounts written off (net of           1      (11)      (5)
    recoveries)
    Net specific provision releases     (2)       (4)      (9)
    General provision charge              -        20        -
    Provisions at end of period          80        81       76
                                                             
    Total provisions at end of period 2,007     1,943    1,857
                                      
   The United Kingdom charge against profit in the second half of 1998
   included #153m in respect of exposure to Russian counterparties.

   Total provisions for bad and doubtful debts at end of period comprise:

                                          Half-year ended
                                    30.6.99  31.12.98  30.6.98
    Specific - credit risk               #m        #m       #m
     United Kingdom                   1,007       928      801
     Other European Union               153       213      225
     United States                       30        23       24
     Rest of the World                   75        35       45
                                      1,265     1,199    1,095
    Specific - country risk              15        16       31
    Total specific provisions         1,280     1,215    1,126
    General provisions                  
               - credit risk            662       663      686
               - country risk            65        65       45
                                      2,007     1,943    1,857

   The geographic analysis of provisions shown above is based on location
   of office.


                                          Half-year ended
4.  Other assets                    30.6.99  31.12.98  30.6.98
                                         #m        #m       #m
    Own shares                           48        43       43
    Balances arising from off-                                
    balance sheet financial          12,110    13,725   14,908
    instruments
    Shareholders' interest in long-                           
    term assurance fund                 539       530      488
    London Metal Exchange warrants                            
    and other metals trading            385       457      535
    positions
    Sundry debtors                    1,680     1,862    2,345
    Prepayments and accrued income    2,130     2,552    2,763
                                     16,892    19,169   21,082

'Own shares' represent Barclays PLC shares held in employee benefit trusts
that have not yet vested unconditionally with the eligible employees.

                                          Half-year ended
5.  Other liabilities               30.6.99  31.12.98  30.6.98
                                         #m        #m       #m
    Obligations under finance           145       141      146
    leases payable
    Balances arising from                                     
    off-balance sheet financial      13,267    15,849   15,744
    instruments
    Short positions in securities    19,786    13,682   15,013
    Current tax                         537       479      670
    Sundry creditors                  2,379     3,199    3,116
    Accruals and deferred income      2,894     3,074    2,672
    Provisions for liabilities and    1,492     1,353    1,398
    charges
    Dividend                            263       414      232
                                     40,763    38,191   38,991


6. Potential credit risk lendings

   The following table presents an analysis of potential credit risk
   lendings in accordance with the US Securities and Exchange Commission
   guidelines.  Additional categories of disclosure are included, however,
   to record lendings where interest continues to be accrued and where
   either interest is being suspended or specific provisions have been
   raised.  Normal US banking practice would be to place such lendings on
   non-accrual status.

   The amounts, the geographical presentation of which is based on the
   location of the office recording the transaction, are stated before
   deduction of the value of security held, specific provisions carried or
   interest suspended.

    Non-performing lendings         30.6.99  31.12.98  30.6.98
                                         #m        #m       #m
    Non-accrual lendings:                                     
    United Kingdom                    1,004       985      824
    Foreign                             268       282      283
                                                              
    Accruing lendings where                                   
    interest is being suspended:
    United Kingdom                      308       266      245
    Foreign                             131       118      125
                                                              
    Other accruing lendings                                   
    against which provisions have
    been made:
    United Kingdom                      444       457      370
    Foreign                             124       134      123
                                                              
    Sub-totals:                                               
    United Kingdom                    1,756     1,708    1,439
    Foreign                             523       534      531
                                                              
    Accruing lendings 90 days                                  
    overdue, against which no
    provisions have been made:
    United Kingdom                      276       309      382
    Foreign                              19        19       13
                                                              
    Reduced rate lendings:                                    
    United Kingdom                        6         7        9
    Foreign                               -         -        -
                                                              
    Total non-performing lendings                             
    United Kingdom                    2,038     2,024    1,830
    Foreign                             542       553      544
                                      2,580     2,577    2,374
                                                                            
UK non-performing lendings were broadly unchanged.  Increases in credit card
and other consumer non-performing lendings were offset by write-offs.
                                                                            

   Potential problem lendings: In addition to the above, the following
   table shows lendings which are current as to payment of principal and
   interest, but where serious doubt exists as to the ability of the
   borrower to comply with repayment terms in the near future.

                                    30.6.99  31.12.98  30.6.98
                                        #bn       #bn      #bn
    United Kingdom                      0.6       0.6      0.7
    Foreign                             0.1       0.1      0.1
                                        0.7       0.7      0.8

                                    30.6.99  31.12.98  30.6.98
    Credit risk provision coverage        %         %        %
    of:
     - credit risk non-performing      77.9      75.2     78.7
       lendings
     - total potential credit risk     60.7      59.4     59.4
       lendings


                                         Half-year ended
                                   30.6.99  31.12.98  30.6.98
    Interest forgone on non-             #m        #m       #m
    performing lendings:
    Interest income that would                                
    have been recognised under           84        74      108
    original contractual terms
    Interest income included in        (27)      (32)     (31)
    profit
    Interest forgone                     57        42       77

7. Exposure to countries subject to International Monetary Fund liquidity
   support programmes

   Amounts outstanding, net of provisions, and commitments to
   counterparties in countries which are subject to International Monetary
   Fund liquidity support programmes were as follows:

                                    30.6.99  31.12.98  30.6.98
    Asia                                #bn       #bn      #bn
    Indonesia                           0.1       0.1      0.2
    South Korea                         0.4       0.5      0.5
    Thailand                            0.1       0.1      0.2
                                        0.6       0.7      0.9
    Latin America                                             
    Brazil                              0.9       0.9      0.8
                                                             
    Eastern Europe                                            
    Russia                                -         -      0.5
                                        1.5       1.6      2.2

   Of the total of #1.5bn, #1.0bn (31st December 1998: #1.0bn, 30th June
   1998: #1.1bn) was related to banks, #0.3bn (31st December 1998: #0.4bn,
   30th June 1998: #0.8bn) to governments and #0.2bn (31st December 1998:
   #0.2bn, 30th June 1998: #0.3bn) to other corporate bodies, including
   project finance companies, and was mainly in respect of loans, off-
   balance sheet financial instruments and debt securities.  Off-balance
   sheet financial instruments and debt securities are marked to market.

   The Group has a Brazilian associate, Banco Barclays e Galicia SA, which
   is equity accounted.  At 30th June 1999 the 50% holding was included in
   the balance sheet at a value of #48m (31st December 1998: #47m, 30th
   June 1998: #43m), which is included in the figures above.

   Of the above exposures #22m (31st December 1998: #35m, 30th June 1998:
   #12m) were non-performing (interest not being accrued) as at 30th June
   1999.  In the second half of 1998 the Group raised a general provision
   of #20m in respect of country transfer risk arising from its business
   world wide, including exposure in these countries.  The balance of such
   provisions at 30th June 1999 is #65m, this being in addition to #662m of
   general provision held against credit risk.

8. Cross-border outstandings

   At 30th June 1999, countries where Barclays cross-border outstandings
   exceeded 1% of assets were the United States, Germany and France.  In
   this context, assets comprise total assets as presented in the
   consolidated balance sheet and include acceptances.  On this basis total
   assets amounted to #242,583m at 30th June 1999 (31st December 1998:
   #220,564m).

    Cross-border outstandings                    As %    Total
    exceeding 1% of assets                  of assets       #m
                                                              
    At 30th June 1999                                         
    United States                                 2.2    5,401
    Germany                                       2.0    4,746
    France                                        1.3    3,184
                                                              
    At 31st December 1998                                     
    United States                                 3.3    7,211
    Germany                                       1.4    3,142
    France                                        1.4    3,094
    Netherlands                                   1.3    2,772
    Japan                                         1.1    2,420
                                                                            
   As at 30th June 1999, the countries with aggregate cross-border
   outstandings between 0.75% and 1% of total Group assets were Japan at
   #1,908m and the Netherlands at #1,892m.  At 31st December 1998, Barclays
   had no countries in this category.

9. European Economic and Monetary Union

   The Group's implementation of the euro in the first week of January 1999
   was very successful. Barclays believes it is competitively placed to
   meet the needs of its customers for the euro.

   Some planning for the possibility of UK entry has taken place and
   Barclays is participating in follow-up work identified by the Government
   in its National Changeover Plan.  The Group's current policy is not to
   incur significant expenditure until there is more certainty about a
   decision to enter.  It is too early to give any meaningful estimate of
   the cost of preparing for UK entry.

10. Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure

   Barclays has confidence in its readiness for the Year 2000.
   
   The Barclays Group Year 2000 Programme, initiated in 1996, is
   responsible for Year 2000 projects across the Group world wide.  A
   Programme Board of executives representing all Group businesses is
   chaired by the Director, Planning, Operations and Technology, who
   reports directly to the Chairman and Chief Executive.

   During the first half of 1999 Barclays has continued working to ensure
   that its mission critical systems (those which could have an immediate
   and observable impact on the Group's customers and therefore its ability
   to continue to operate effectively) can deal satisfactorily with the
   Year 2000.  All mission critical IT systems, including embedded systems,
   have now been tested and are Year 2000 ready.

   Together with other banks and external network providers Barclays has
   taken part in successful testing of the key industry infrastructure in
   the United Kingdom including the cheque clearing and electronic payment
   systems, credit cards and ATMs.  Barclays will continue to participate
   in industry-wide testing throughout the remainder of 1999.  Where
   appropriate, similar joint testing is undertaken in other countries in
   which it operates.

   As a result of working closely with key suppliers the Group has been
   able to satisfy itself as to their current, or planned, state of
   readiness and the support arrangements required for the cutover to the
   new year.  The Year 2000 readiness of approximately 1,500 of Barclays
   most critical counterparties is being assessed centrally and procedures
   are in place to ensure that credit exposure to those, and other banks
   with whom the Group has a relationship, is managed with Year 2000
   readiness in mind.

   The Group collates and analyses information on specific aspects of the
   preparedness of countries in which it operates using data from a variety
   of sources.  Barclays continues to evaluate significant potential Year
   2000 impacts on its funding capability and incorporates such risks into
   the capital and liquidity plans.

   Awareness campaigns have been undertaken for corporate, small business
   and personal customers in the United Kingdom and some overseas areas.
   Information gathered from these campaigns, the results of surveys and
   other internal initiatives have allowed the Group to continue to
   evaluate the preparedness of the corporate and small business customer
   base and this information has been used to inform the Group's risk
   management activities.

   In the United Kingdom Barclays has co-operated with other major
   financial institutions in order to support public confidence concerning
   the Year 2000 by working closely with the British Bankers Association in
   the production of an information leaflet "Your Money and the Millennium"
   and with Action 2000 on "Facts Not Fiction".  In June Barclays issued
   its own leaflet, "The Millennium Bug - It's business as usual with
   Barclays into 2000" and launched in the United Kingdom a telephone
   helpline to address specific Year 2000 questions from staff and
   customers.  A Year 2000 Website (www.y2000.barclays.com) gives further
   information on the Programme.

   Despite all these actions Barclays is not taking its progress for
   granted.  All systems changes are now subject to "Clean Management"
   processes in order to prevent the Year 2000 problem being reintroduced.
   In order to further mitigate the risk associated with the introduction
   of new systems a "Change Freeze" regime has been implemented across the
   Barclays Group the first element of which commenced in July.

   It is a prudent planning scenario that there could be some disruption
   caused directly or indirectly by the Year 2000 issue.  Contingency plans
   across the Group are therefore being reviewed and updated, and are being
   augmented with continuity plans to mitigate the possible effects of the
   Year 2000.  At the end of July Barclays had completed an initial cutover
   plan which defines how the Group will operate across the change from
   1999 into 2000.  This includes the establishment and testing of a
   network of command centres, internal and external communications and
   participation in industry testing during the non-business days.  This
   work will continue to be refined during the remainder of 1999
   incorporating market requirements.

   The total cost of the Year 2000 Programme is estimated not to exceed
   #250m (including #20m of capitalised costs) for the four year period
   ending December 2000.  The total amount spent on the Year 2000 Programme
   to the end of June was about #180m (including #15m of capitalised costs)
   of which #35m was incurred in the half year to June 1999.  Year 2000
   costs include correction, testing, third party assurance and contingency
   planning.

   Cautionary statement

   Certain of the statements contained in the foregoing Year 2000 Readiness
   Disclosure are forward looking statements within the meaning of the
   United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995.  Barclays
   expectations about the anticipated business, operational and financial
   risks to it from Year 2000 problems are subject to a number of
   uncertainties.  The foregoing Readiness Disclosure of Year 2000,
   therefore, should be read in conjunction with the cautionary statements
   contained in Barclays Annual Report on Form 20-F for 1998.

11. Legal proceedings

   Barclays is party to various legal proceedings, the ultimate resolution
   of which is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the
   financial position of the Group.

12. Geographical analysis
                                          Half-year ended
                                    30.6.99  31.12.98  30.6.98
    Profit before tax                    #m        #m       #m
     United Kingdom                     622       437    1,046
     Other European Union               177       130      111
     United States                      103         2       65
     Rest of the World                   68        38       66
                                        970       607    1,288
                                                             
                                    30.6.99  31.12.98  30.6.98
    Total assets                         #m        #m       #m
     United Kingdom                 170,607   154,446  183,371
     Other European Union            18,288    18,490   20,231
     United States                   35,407    24,886   23,720
     Rest of the World               16,963    21,672   21,634
                                    241,265   219,494  248,956


13. Contingent liabilities and commitments
                                          Half-year ended
                                    30.6.99  31.12.98  30.6.98
    Contingent liabilities               #m        #m       #m
     Acceptances and endorsements     1,331     1,384    1,531
     Guarantees and assets                                    
     pledged as collateral security  11,011     8,784    6,861
     Other contingent liabilities     5,359     5,069    5,181
                                     17,701    15,237   13,573
                                                             
    Commitments                                               
     Standby facilities, credit                               
     lines and other commitments     73,376    68,191   63,545


14. Off-balance sheet financial instruments, including derivatives

   The tables set out below analyse the contract or underlying principal
   amounts of derivative financial instruments held for trading purposes
   and for the purposes of managing the Group's structural exposures.

    Foreign exchange derivatives    30.6.99   31.12.98   30.6.98
                                         #m         #m        #m
    Contract or underlying                                      
    principal amount
    Forward foreign exchange        233,836    263,958   323,816
    Currency swaps                   81,025     79,447    65,537
    Other exchange rate related      65,460    101,310   183,648
    contracts
                                    380,321    444,715   573,001
                                                               
    Interest rate derivatives                                   
                                                               
    Contract or underlying                                      
    principal amount
    Interest rate swaps             900,052    787,486   690,780
    Forward rate agreements          69,513     99,960   164,726
    OTC options bought and sold     232,236    222,589   189,712
    Other interest rate related     124,381    104,003   222,366
    contracts
                                  1,326,182  1,214,038 1,267,584
                                                               
    Equity, stock index and                                     
    commodity derivatives
    Contract or underlying           55,961     51,347    57,865
    principal amount

   Other exchange rate related contracts are primarily OTC options.  Other
   interest rate related contracts are primarily exchange traded options
   and futures.

   Derivatives entered into as trading transactions, together with any
   associated hedging thereof, are measured at fair value and the resultant
   profits and losses are included in dealing profits.  The tables below
   summarise the positive and negative fair values of such derivatives,
   including an adjustment for netting where the Group has the ability to
   insist on net settlement which is assured beyond doubt, based on a legal
   right that would survive the insolvency of the counterparty.


    Positive fair values           30.6.99  31.12.98   30.6.98
                                        #m        #m        #m
                                                              
    Foreign exchange derivatives     6,090     9,913     9,222
    Interest rate derivatives       16,573    20,083    13,062
    Equity, stock index and          2,289     2,240     2,939
    commodity derivatives
    Effect of netting              (12,842)  (18,511)  (10,315)
                                    12,110    13,725    14,908
                                                             
    Negative fair values                                      
                                                              
    Foreign exchange derivatives     6,836    12,062     9,012
    Interest rate derivatives       16,517    19,603    13,446
    Equity, stock index and          2,756     2,695     3,601
    commodity derivatives
    Effect of netting              (12,842)  (18,511)  (10,315)
                                    13,267    15,849    15,744

   Deferred profits and losses on hedging activities

   Derivative instruments used to manage risk on transactions which are
   superseded, cease to be effective or are terminated early are measured
   at fair value.  Any profits or losses arising are deferred and amortised
   into interest income or expense over the remaining life of the asset,
   liability, position or cashflow previously being hedged.

   The table below summarises the deferred profits and losses at 30th June
   1999, all of which are in respect of interest rate derivatives:

                           Under       One to  Over five   Total
                        one year   five years      years        
                              #m           #m         #m      #m
    Deferred profits                                          
    being  amortised           5            5          1      11
    Deferred losses                                            
    being amortised            2            2          -       4

15. Market risk

   Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse movements in the
   level or volatility of market prices, which can occur in the interest
   rate, foreign exchange, equity and commodity markets.  It is incurred as
   a result of both trading and asset/liability management activities.

   The market risk management policies of the Group are determined by the
   Group Risk Management Committee, which also determines overall market
   risk appetite.  The Group's policy is that exposure to market risk
   arising from trading activities is concentrated in Barclays Capital.
   The Group's banking businesses are also subject to market risk, which
   arises in relation to non-trading positions, such as capital balances,
   demand deposits and customer originated transactions and flows.
   
   The Group uses a 'value at risk' measure as the primary mechanism for
   controlling market risk.  Daily Value at Risk (DVAR) is an estimate,
   with a confidence level of 98%, of the potential loss which might arise
   if the current positions were to be held unchanged for one business day.
   Daily losses exceeding the DVAR figure are likely to occur, on average,
   only twice in every one hundred business days.  Actual outcomes are
   monitored regularly to test the validity of the assumptions made in the
   calculation of DVAR.


   Barclays Capital Trading activities

   In Barclays Capital, the formal process for the management of risk is
   through the Barclays Capital Risk Management Committee.  Day-to-day
   responsibility for market risk lies with the Chief Executive of Barclays
   Capital, supported by a dedicated global market risk management unit
   that operates independently of the business areas.

   In the fourth quarter of 1998, Barclays Capital closed its non-customer
   related proprietary trading businesses and its secondary market
   corporate bond inventory was substantially reduced.  This reduction in
   risk contributed to a decrease in DVAR from #22.8m at 30th June 1998 to
   #12.2m at 31st December 1998.  The lower risk profile was maintained in
   the first half of 1999, with a DVAR of #14.5m being recorded on 30th
   June 1999.  The average, maximum and minimum daily values of DVAR were
   estimated as follows:

    DVAR                         Half-year ended
                                  30th June 1999
                             Average    High    Low
                                 #m       #m     #m
    Interest rate risk         10.1     13.1    6.2
    Foreign exchange risk       3.7     11.7    1.0
    Equities risk               1.8      3.7    0.6
    Commodities risk            0.8      1.5    0.5
    Diversification effect     (3.4)               
    Total DVAR                 13.0     20.4    7.7

                        Half-year ended         Half-year ended
                        31st December 1998      30th June 1998
                       Average   High   Low  Average   High   Low
                           #m     #m    #m       #m     #m    #m
    Interest Rate Risk   16.2   36.6   9.6     13.9   24.2   9.5
    Foreign Exchange      5.3   13.2   1.2      6.4   13.9   3.7
    Risk
    Equities Risk         3.3    7.9   1.3      2.6    3.5   1.7
    Commodities Risk      0.8    1.5   0.6      1.6    2.9   0.8
    Diversification     (3.9)                 (4.4)             
    Effect
    Total                21.7   43.3  12.2     20.1   31.6  15.9

   In February 1999, Barclays Capital implemented historical simulation as
   the standard method for calculating DVAR, having previously used mainly
   a variance/covariance calculation.  Compared with the previous approach,
   historical simulation is considered to give better risk aggregation, a
   more accurate estimate of options risk and a more realistic assessment
   of the statistical distribution of low probability extreme losses.  The
   new method, currently based on a one-year historical sample, is now used
   for the majority of the Barclays Capital businesses, the main exception
   being that a historical simulation method is still being developed for
   the Commodities business.  The new approach has been approved by the
   Financial Services Authority for calculating regulatory capital for
   general market risk.

   All 1999 figures reported in the above table are based on the new
   method, while the 1998 figures use the old approach.  The Group estimate
   that the change to the new methodology increased the reported average
   DVAR for the first half of 1999 by around 10% to 15%.  This increase is
   due to the new methodology placing equal weighting on all data points in
   the sample, whereas the old methodology placed greater weighting on more
   recent data points.  As a result, the new method places more emphasis on
   the higher levels of market volatility during the second half of 1998.


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