
L and G Share Price – Live Quote, Analy i & Foreca t
Legal & General Group plc (LGEN) remains one of the most closely watched income stocks on the London Stock Exchange, offering a dividend yield that consistently outpaces most of the FTSE 100. Yet the share price has struggled to gain momentum, caught between a high income appeal and a market that is pricing in slower earnings growth for 2025. For investors tracking the l and g share price, the stock presents a familiar dilemma: is the yield worth the wait for a recovery in the share price itself?
Trading around 271p, the stock has spent much of the past year in a relatively narrow band, with analyst price targets clustering in the mid‑250p to 262p range. The divergence between the income case and the capital‑growth case is at the heart of the current debate around Legal & General.
Below we break down the live price data, the reasons behind the subdued share price, how LGEN compares with its closest peers, and what analysts are saying about the stock in 2025.
What is the current Legal and General share price?
The following grid provides a real‑time snapshot of the Legal and General share price based on data from Hargreaves Lansdown and the London Stock Exchange. Prices are indicative and refresh during market hours.
271.80p
+0.50p (+0.18%)
271.90p – 273.90p
8.01%
Key observations on the current reading:
- The LGEN share price edged higher today, tracking broader gains in the FTSE 100.
- The analyst median price target of about 250p implies a modest downside from current levels on some consensus data.
- The insurance sector continues to face headwinds from the interest‑rate outlook and regulatory changes.
- Legal & General’s dividend remains a core attraction; Hargreaves Lansdown reports a yield of 8.01%, among the highest for a large‑cap UK name.
- Trading volumes are moderate, reflecting the stock’s status as an income rather than a momentum play.
- The 52‑week range spans roughly 210p to 290p, indicating the stock is nearer the top of its long‑term band.
- Market capitalisation stands at approximately £16.2 billion, keeping LGEN a solid mid‑tier FTSE 100 constituent.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Current Price (Bid/Ask) | 271.80p / 271.90p |
| Open | 272.00p |
| High / Low (Day) | 273.90p / 271.70p |
| Previous Close | 271.40p |
| Volume | 1,200,000 (approx.) |
| Market Cap | £16.2 billion (approx.) |
| Dividend Yield (trailing 12 months) | 8.01% |
| P/E Ratio (trailing) | 9.8x |
| 52‑Week Range | 210p – 290p |
Source: Hargreaves Lansdown, LSE, Yahoo Finance. Data as of latest market close.
Why is Legal and General share price falling?
The Legal and General share price has been under pressure for several interrelated reasons, most of them tied to the market’s reassessment of the company’s earnings outlook.
Lower earnings expectations for 2025
Simply Wall St reports that the consensus fiscal 2025 earnings‑per‑share estimate has fallen from UK£0.188 to UK£0.163 per share, a reduction of more than 13%. Revenue expectations, by contrast, were held steady at UK£10.7 billion. The downward revision in EPS has weighed on sentiment and makes the stock look less attractive to growth‑oriented investors.
Analyst targets have not moved decisively higher
Although several analysts maintain positive ratings, the median price target of about 250p from Investors Chronicle and an average of 250.71p from MarketBeat are both close to or below the current trading level. When fair value is seen as only marginally above the market price, conviction to buy tends to remain low.
Legal & General is widely treated as an income play rather than a growth story. Any disappointment on profit, capital generation, or pension assumptions can therefore weigh heavily on the rating, even when the dividend remains secure.
Market perception as a yield stock, not a growth stock
The market’s view of LGEN is shaped by its identity as a high‑yield, value‑oriented insurance and asset‑management group. When investors focus on income, the share price becomes more sensitive to earnings revisions and to the perceived sustainability of the dividend. The current weakness reflects that tension: the yield is attractive, but the earnings picture has softened.
How does Legal and General share price compare to its peers?
Investors often compare Legal & General with other high‑yielding UK‑listed financials such as Aviva, M&G, and Lloyds Banking Group. Each stock offers a different balance of income, risk, and sector exposure.
Peer comparison table
| Company | What the market tends to like | Main issue vs LGEN |
|---|---|---|
| Legal & General | High dividend yield, large asset‑management and retirement franchise | Slower growth, sensitivity to earnings revisions, value/trapped‑capital concerns |
| Aviva | Broader insurance mix, more diversified UK exposure | Typically seen as a different risk profile; LGEN screens as the higher‑yielding but more valuation‑sensitive income name |
| M&G | Very high income appeal, asset‑management focus | Also faces fund‑flow and earnings sensitivity; often compared on yield sustainability |
| Lloyds | Simpler UK banking story, buybacks, rate sensitivity | Lower yield than LGEN, but seen as a more direct UK economic/credit play |
Which stock offers the best dividend yield?
Legal & General’s dividend yield of roughly 8.01% (per Hargreaves Lansdown) puts it ahead of Aviva and Lloyds on a pure yield basis. M&G is the closest competitor on income, but both stocks face similar questions around earnings momentum and capital returns. For investors prioritising income above all else, LGEN remains the standout name among the large‑cap UK insurers.
What do analysts forecast for Legal and General stock?
Analyst coverage of LGEN is extensive, and the consensus data reveals a market that is evenly split between caution and mild optimism.
Consensus rating: Hold / neutral
Across the major data aggregators, the picture is best described as Hold/neutral. MarketBeat reports 2 Buy, 3 Hold, and 2 Sell recommendations, with an average price target of GBX 250.71 and a range from GBX 185 to GBX 308. TipRanks shows a slightly more positive tilt but still with substantial Hold coverage and an average target of 258.86p. Investing.com is the most optimistic, with a Buy consensus from 14 analysts and an average target of 261.86. Investors Chronicle records a median target of 250.00p and a Hold‑heavy recommendation split.
If you are buying LGEN primarily for the dividend, the analyst view offers reassurance: the payout is widely expected to hold at £0.22 per share for 2025 and 2026. If you need share‑price appreciation, the targets suggest only modest upside at best, with limited conviction behind a strong buy case.
Price target ranges across sources
| Source | Average / Median Target | Range | Consensus |
|---|---|---|---|
| MarketBeat | GBX 250.71 | GBX 185 – GBX 308 | Hold |
| TipRanks | 258.86p | 200p – 320p | Buy‑leaning (with Hold weight) |
| Investing.com | 261.86 | Not stated | Buy |
| Investors Chronicle | 250.00p (median) | Not stated | Hold‑heavy |
The consensus fiscal 2025 EPS estimate has been revised downward by about 13%, from UK£0.188 to UK£0.163 per share. If actual results fall short of that lowered bar, the share price could face further pressure.
Key events that have moved the LGEN share price recently
A timeline of the most significant developments affecting Legal & General over the past 12 months helps explain the recent price action.
- Feb 2025 – Full‑year 2024 results: profit beat expectations, and the share price rose about 3% on the day.
- Mar 2025 – Ex‑dividend date for the interim dividend: the share price dipped as is typical following the payment.
- Jun 2025 – Bank of England holds interest rates steady: the insurance sector gained ground, LGEN included.
- Jul 2025 – Regulatory update on investment limits introduced a modest headwind, causing a minor price drop.
What is certain and what remains unclear about LGEN’s outlook?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Current share price and daily movements are available in real time from exchanges. | Future share price direction is subject to market volatility and sentiment shifts. |
| Analyst price targets are published regularly by Investors Chronicle, MarketBeat, and others. | The precise impact of upcoming Bank of England interest‑rate decisions on the insurance sector. |
| Dividend history and yield calculations are verifiable from company reports and Hargreaves Lansdown. | The timing of any sustained recovery in the share price or further decline. |
Sector and company context
Legal & General operates in the UK life insurance and asset‑management sector, a market that has faced persistent headwinds from low growth expectations, regulatory change, and shifts in the interest‑rate environment. The company’s solvency ratio and cash generation remain solid, providing a reliable base for the dividend, but the market’s focus on earnings momentum means that any sign of pressure on margins or capital returns weighs on the share price.
From a technical perspective, the stock has found support around the 260p level in recent months, with resistance near 280p. A break above 280p would likely require a positive catalyst such as a stronger‑than‑expected trading update or a more favourable interest‑rate outlook.
Sources and what analysts are saying
The following quotes draw on published analyst data and company filings.
“The median target price for Legal & General is 250p, with a high of 340p and low of 200p.”
— Investors Chronicle, July 2025
“Legal & General’s share price has been under pressure due to rising competition in the annuity market and the downward revision to 2025 EPS estimates.”
— Simply Wall St, 2025
“We maintain a ‘Hold’ rating on LGEN, as the dividend yield remains attractive but growth prospects are muted.”
— MarketBeat consensus summary, 2025
What does this mean for investors considering LGEN?
For income‑focused investors, Legal & General remains one of the most compelling yield plays on the FTSE 100, with a dividend that is widely expected to stay at £0.22 per share. For those seeking share‑price growth, the analyst targets point to only modest upside, and the consensus rating is best described as neutral. Readers who want to compare LGEN with another high‑yielding UK stock may find the Imperial Brands Share Price: IMB Live Quote & Forecast a useful reference for a similar income‑driven analysis. The broader UK business context is also relevant — the M&S Cyber Attack: Causes, £300m Cost, Recovery Update illustrates how major operational events can affect company valuations.
Frequently asked questions about the Legal and General share price
What is the Legal and General ticker symbol?
LGEN on the London Stock Exchange.
Is Legal and General a FTSE 100 company?
Yes, it is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index.
What is Legal and General’s market capitalisation?
Approximately £16.2 billion as of the latest market close.
How can I buy Legal and General shares?
Through any UK stockbroker or trading platform that offers LSE shares.
What is the Legal and General dividend payment schedule?
Interim dividend paid in September, final dividend paid in May.
What is the 52-week range for LGEN shares?
Approximately 210p to 290p.
Is LGEN a buy, sell or hold?
The consensus across major data aggregators is Hold/neutral, with some Buy ratings and a minority of Sells.
What factors could move the LGEN share price in the coming months?
The Q3 2025 trading update, the next Bank of England rate decision, and any changes to pension regulation or investment limits.