Zacks Research Lifts Earnings Estimates for Hancock Whitney

Hancock Whitney Co. (NASDAQ:HWC) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q2 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Hancock Whitney in a report issued on Thursday, February 20th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the company will earn $1.44 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $1.43. The consensus estimate for Hancock Whitney’s current full-year earnings is $5.53 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Hancock Whitney’s Q3 2026 earnings at $1.47 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $5.65 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $6.45 EPS.

Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on Hancock Whitney from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. Raymond James reiterated a “strong-buy” rating and set a $72.00 target price (up from $64.00) on shares of Hancock Whitney in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $74.00 price target (up previously from $68.00) on shares of Hancock Whitney in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Hancock Whitney from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Hancock Whitney currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $62.56.

Hancock Whitney Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of Hancock Whitney stock opened at $56.31 on Monday. Hancock Whitney has a 1-year low of $41.56 and a 1-year high of $62.40. The company has a market capitalization of $4.85 billion, a PE ratio of 10.66 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The business has a 50-day moving average of $57.58 and a 200-day moving average of $55.06.

Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 21st. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.28 by $0.12. Hancock Whitney had a net margin of 22.40% and a return on equity of 11.56%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.26 earnings per share.

Hancock Whitney Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th will be given a $0.45 dividend. This is an increase from Hancock Whitney’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 5th. Hancock Whitney’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.09%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hancock Whitney

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. GTS Securities LLC acquired a new position in Hancock Whitney in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $339,000. Vise Technologies Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Hancock Whitney in the 4th quarter worth approximately $231,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its position in Hancock Whitney by 11.9% during the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 275,920 shares of the company’s stock valued at $15,098,000 after purchasing an additional 29,437 shares during the period. Voloridge Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Hancock Whitney by 38.9% during the 4th quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 200,930 shares of the company’s stock worth $10,995,000 after buying an additional 56,296 shares during the last quarter. Finally, iSAM Funds UK Ltd increased its position in Hancock Whitney by 15.8% in the fourth quarter. iSAM Funds UK Ltd now owns 15,318 shares of the company’s stock worth $838,000 after buying an additional 2,088 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 81.22% of the company’s stock.

Hancock Whitney Company Profile

Hancock Whitney Corporation operates as the financial holding company for Hancock Whitney Bank that provides traditional and online banking services to commercial, small business, and retail customers. It offers various transaction and savings deposit products consisting of brokered deposits, time deposits, and money market accounts; treasury management services, secured and unsecured loan products including revolving credit facilities, and letters of credit and similar financial guarantees; and trust and investment management services to retirement plans, corporations, and individuals, and investment advisory and brokerage products.