Zacks Research Boosts Earnings Estimates for Hancock Whitney

Hancock Whitney Co. (NASDAQ:HWC) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q1 2026 earnings estimates for shares of Hancock Whitney in a report issued on Thursday, April 3rd. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the company will earn $1.41 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $1.40. 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 Q1 2026 earnings at $1.41 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $5.74 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $5.74 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.48 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.48 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $6.54 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $6.54 EPS.

A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on HWC. Raymond James restated a “strong-buy” rating and set a $72.00 price target (up previously from $64.00) on shares of Hancock Whitney in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $74.00 target price (up previously from $68.00) on shares of Hancock Whitney in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Hancock Whitney from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $62.56.

Hancock Whitney Trading Down 10.3 %

HWC stock opened at $47.53 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $4.09 billion, a PE ratio of 9.00 and a beta of 1.24. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $55.73 and its 200 day moving average is $55.38. Hancock Whitney has a 12 month low of $41.56 and a 12 month high of $62.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79.

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

Hancock Whitney Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th were paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 5th. This is an increase from Hancock Whitney’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.79%. Hancock Whitney’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 34.09%.

Institutional Trading of Hancock Whitney

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Grove Bank & Trust bought a new stake in shares of Hancock Whitney during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its position in shares of Hancock Whitney by 554.6% in the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 707 shares of the company’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 599 shares during the period. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Hancock Whitney in the fourth quarter worth $49,000. GeoWealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Hancock Whitney in the fourth quarter valued at about $65,000. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Hancock Whitney in the 4th quarter valued at $92,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.