Zacks Research Boosts Earnings Estimates for Associated Banc

Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE:ASB) – Research analysts at Zacks Research increased their FY2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Associated Banc in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, November 12th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the bank will post earnings per share of $3.00 for the year, up from their prior forecast of $2.95. The consensus estimate for Associated Banc’s current full-year earnings is $2.99 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Associated Banc’s Q2 2027 earnings at $0.82 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $0.85 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $3.24 EPS.

Associated Banc (NYSE:ASB) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 22nd. The bank reported $0.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.76 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $468.51 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $463.69 million. Associated Banc had a return on equity of 10.75% and a net margin of 19.87%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.73 EPS.

Other analysts have also issued reports about the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Associated Banc from $36.00 to $35.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 29th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Associated Banc from $35.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 3rd. Piper Sandler upped their price target on shares of Associated Banc from $34.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, October 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Associated Banc from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Friday, October 23rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Associated Banc from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b+)” rating in a research report on Monday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Associated Banc currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $32.70.

Associated Banc Price Performance

Associated Banc stock opened at $30.84 on Friday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $29.72 and its two-hundred day moving average is $28.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.92. The firm has a market cap of $5.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 0.80. Associated Banc has a 52 week low of $23.87 and a 52 week high of $32.46.

Associated Banc Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 1st. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.2%. This is a positive change from Associated Banc’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. Associated Banc’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 33.22%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Associated Banc news, EVP Patrick Ahern sold 1,309 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.85, for a total value of $40,382.65. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 43,743 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,349,471.55. This trade represents a 2.91% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Associated Banc

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its position in Associated Banc by 14.6% in the second quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 400,453 shares of the bank’s stock worth $12,322,000 after purchasing an additional 51,068 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. raised its holdings in Associated Banc by 134.1% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 433,405 shares of the bank’s stock worth $11,208,000 after purchasing an additional 248,265 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new position in Associated Banc during the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,702,000. Hsbc Holdings PLC acquired a new position in Associated Banc during the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,892,000. Finally, BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in Associated Banc during the 2nd quarter valued at about $715,927,000. Institutional investors own 82.98% of the company’s stock.

About Associated Banc

Associated Banc-Corp is a bank holding company headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Its principal subsidiary, Associated Bank, provides banking and financial services to individuals, businesses, and organizations. The company offers consumer and commercial banking products, including deposit accounts, mortgage and other lending, business financing, and cash-management services. It also provides wealth management and related financial services. Associated Bank primarily serves customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota through its branches and other service channels.