BUZZ — NatWest rises after Barclays lifts rating to overweight from equalweight

* Shares of British lender NatWest up 3% at 673 p — stock is top gainer on FTSE 100 * Barclays upgrades stock to "overweight" from "equal-weight" and raises target price to 850p from 740p * NatWest's leading rates gearing leaves it best placed among UK peers to monetise a steeper curve, while manageable funding costs and bank tax concerns present a potential buying opportunity, analysts at Barclays say * 16 of 20 analysts covering the stock have a "buy" or higher rating and 4 "hold"; median PT is 805 p -- LSEG data * YTD, stock has risen ~3% (Reporting by Tuhina in Bengaluru) ((tuhina@thomsonreuters.com)