Barclays to quit majority of commodities businesses

LONDON, April 22 (Reuters) - Barclays Plc (LSE: BARC.L - news) said it is quitting the majority of its commodities businesses to join a retreat from the area by a number of banks as tougher regulations make it less profitable.

Barclays will exit from most of its metals, energy and agricultural trading but remain trading precious metals, some oil and gas instruments, and index products, the bank said on Tuesday. The smaller business will be focused on electronic execution, it said.

Barclays is expected to next month unveil a wider reduction in the size of its investment bank, as it attempts to cut costs and improvise profitability by axing areas that have been hardest hit by tougher regulations. (Reporting by Steve Slater; Editing by Huw Jones)