Barclays vs Samsung: Revenue, Profit and Business Model
Barclays reported ~$35.4B of revenue in FY2025 and ~$8.2B of net income. Samsung reported ~$236.9B of revenue in FY2025 and ~$31.4B of net income.
Latest financial snapshot
Financial summary
Barclays
Barclays reported revenue of about $35.4 billion (GBP 26.82 billion) and net income of about $8.14 billion (GBP 6.17 billion) in 2025, up from about $32 billion (GBP 24.25 billion) and about $7.02 billion (GBP 5.32 billion) in 2024. The UK retail bank produces steady profits, while the investment bank needs large capital reserves and earns unevenly, doing well in strong markets and poorly in weak ones. For years activist investors pressed management to shrink or sell the investment bank, arguing that its volatile earnings held down the group's valuation.
Samsung
Samsung's earnings follow the memory cycle. Revenue fell from ~$215 billion (KRW 302.2 trillion) in 2022 to ~$184 billion (KRW 258.9 trillion) in 2023 during a chip downturn, then recovered to ~$214 billion (KRW 300.9 trillion) in 2024 and ~$237 billion (KRW 333.6 trillion) in 2025, when net income reached about $31.5 billion (KRW 44.3 trillion). In 2026, AI server demand created a memory shortage. Q1 operating profit of ~$40.6 billion (KRW 57.2 trillion) exceeded the full-year 2025 total, and Q2 reached ~$63.5 billion (KRW 89.5 trillion) on ~$122 billion (KRW 171.5 trillion) revenue. Higher memory costs also squeezed Samsung's own devices: the MX and Networks unit lost ~$497 million (KRW 0.7 trillion) in Q2 2026 on ~$23.6 billion (KRW 33.2 trillion) revenue.
Revenue and profit by year
Barclays
| Year | Revenue | Net income | Margin | Growth | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | ~$35.4B | ~$8.2B | 23.0% | +10.6% | Source |
| FY2024 | ~$32B | ~$7B | 21.9% | +3.2% | Source |
| FY2023 | ~$31B | ~$5.6B | 18.2% | -1.0% | Source |
| FY2022 | ~$31.3B | ~$6.6B | 21.2% | +5.1% | Source |
| FY2021 | ~$29.8B | ~$8.2B | 27.5% | — | Source |
Samsung
| Year | Revenue | Net income | Margin | Growth | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | ~$236.9B | ~$31.4B | 13.3% | +10.9% | Source |
| FY2024 | ~$213.6B | ~$23.9B | 11.2% | +16.2% | Source |
| FY2023 | ~$183.8B | ~$10.3B | 5.6% | -14.3% | Source |
| FY2022 | ~$214.6B | ~$38.9B | 18.1% | +8.1% | Source |
| FY2021 | ~$198.5B | ~$27.9B | 14.0% | — | Source |
Where the revenue comes from
Barclays
- Net Interest Income (Retail & Mortgages)~45%
The foundational engine of the ring-fenced Barclays UK entity, generated from the spread between interest earned on a $254 billion+ mortgage book and commercial loans, and the interest paid on a stable, low-cost retail deposit base. This stream provides predictable, counter-cyclical cash flows that anchor the bank's overall profitability and fund its domestic lending operations.
- Corporate & Institutional Banking Fees~25%
Revenue derived from providing sophisticated treasury management, cross-border trade finance, foreign exchange (FX) hedging, and syndicated lending solutions to multinational corporations and large institutional clients. This capital-efficient stream generates substantial fee-based income that is largely uncorrelated with the domestic interest rate cycle.
- FICC Trading & Market Making~20%
The most valuable asset of the investment bank, generating revenues through market-making, proprietary trading, and client facilitation in European credit, interest rate derivatives, and emerging market currencies. This stream is volatile but generates exceptional, counter-cyclical profits during periods of macroeconomic and geopolitical market volatility.
- Wealth Management & Advisory Fees~10%
A rapidly scaling, capital-light revenue stream derived from management fees, performance fees, and advisory commissions generated by the bank's private banking and asset management operations for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals across the UK and Europe.
Samsung
- Memory semiconductors
- Foundry and system LSI
- Galaxy smartphones and mobile devices
- Display panels
- TVs and appliances
- Network equipment
- Harman automotive and audio
Business model and strategy
Barclays
How it makes money
Barclays operates a 'universal banking' model, aiming to do everything for everyone. In the UK, they operate like a traditional utility, taking in cheap consumer deposits and issuing mortgages and credit cards (Barclaycard). Globally, the investment bank generates revenue entirely differently, acting as a large middleman.
Growth strategy
Under pressure to lift its share price, Barclays is cutting costs and shifting toward businesses that need less capital. It announced a restructuring to shrink the investment bank's share of the group and reinvest in its retail and corporate businesses. The goal is steadier, more predictable returns for shareholders.
Competitive advantage
Barclays' advantage is a strong position in UK retail banking and the scale of Barclaycard, which give it a stable, low-cost deposit base. In investment banking, its position dates from buying Lehman Brothers' North American operations in 2008, which gave it a large presence on Wall Street. It is one of the few non-American banks that competes with JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs in the US market.
Samsung
How it makes money
Samsung earns money from two groups of businesses. Device Solutions (DS) makes and sells memory (DRAM, HBM, NAND), System LSI chips such as Exynos processors and ISOCELL image sensors, and contract foundry manufacturing.
Growth strategy
Samsung's growth plan centers on AI memory: ramping HBM4 for Nvidia and AMD accelerators, developing HBM4E, and adding DRAM capacity at Pyeongtaek. In foundry it is pursuing 2nm gate-all-around production and building its Taylor, Texas fab to win customers from TSMC. On the device side it relies on Galaxy AI features, foldables and premium TVs to defend share against Apple and Chinese brands.
Competitive advantage
Samsung's edge is manufacturing scale and breadth. It is the largest memory producer and one of only three major DRAM makers, alongside SK hynix and Micron. That lets it capture pricing upswings like the 2026 AI-driven shortage.
Questions about Barclays vs Samsung
Which company has higher revenue — Barclays PLC or Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Barclays PLC reported ~$35.4B (FY2025), while Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. reported ~$236.9B (FY2025). By last reported revenue, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is the larger business, with Barclays PLC reporting a smaller revenue base.
What is the market cap of Barclays PLC vs Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Barclays PLC's market capitalisation stands at $41.2B, while Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.'s is $1.33T. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. carries the higher market valuation, reflecting investors' expectations of its future earnings power relative to Barclays PLC.
Which is more financially efficient — Barclays PLC or Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Barclays PLC generates $427k / employee in revenue per employee, while Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. generates $914k / employee. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. shows higher revenue efficiency per headcount, though this reflects business model differences — capital-light software companies routinely outperform labour-intensive manufacturers on this metric.
How do Barclays PLC and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. make money?
Barclays PLC and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. generate revenue in fundamentally different ways. Barclays PLC: Barclays operates a 'universal banking' model, aiming to do everything for everyone. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.: Samsung earns money from two groups of businesses.
Which company is valued higher relative to revenue — Barclays PLC or Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
On a price-to-sales (P/S) basis, Barclays PLC trades at 1.2x P/S and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. at 5.6x P/S. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. commands a higher revenue multiple, typically indicating that investors expect faster growth or higher future margins compared to Barclays PLC. A higher multiple is not inherently better — it may also signal that the stock is priced for perfection.
Is Barclays PLC bigger than Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
By last reported revenue, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (~$236.9B (FY2025)) is the larger company compared to Barclays PLC (~$35.4B (FY2025)). Revenue scale is one dimension of size — market capitalisation, employee count, and geographic reach are also relevant depending on the context.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Barclays vs Samsung overview