DA Davidson Research Analysts Lift Earnings Estimates for Hancock Whitney Co. (NASDAQ:HWC)

Hancock Whitney Co. (NASDAQ:HWC - Free Report) - Stock analysts at DA Davidson increased their FY2024 EPS estimates for Hancock Whitney in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, April 17th. DA Davidson analyst G. Tenner now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $4.95 per share for the year, up from their prior estimate of $4.90. DA Davidson has a "Buy" rating and a $57.00 price target on the stock. The consensus estimate for Hancock Whitney's current full-year earnings is $4.80 per share. DA Davidson also issued estimates for Hancock Whitney's FY2025 earnings at $5.21 EPS.

HWC has been the topic of several other research reports. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and issued a $52.00 price target (down previously from $55.00) on shares of Hancock Whitney in a research note on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of Hancock Whitney from $51.00 to $45.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 8th. Stephens reiterated an "equal weight" rating and set a $50.00 target price on shares of Hancock Whitney in a research report on Wednesday. Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of Hancock Whitney from $50.00 to $46.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Hancock Whitney from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Sunday, March 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $49.75.

Hancock Whitney Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:HWC traded up $0.07 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $42.73. 652,438 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 508,820. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.70 billion, a PE ratio of 9.96 and a beta of 1.33. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $43.55 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $42.43. Hancock Whitney has a 12 month low of $31.02 and a 12 month high of $49.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 0.81.

Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 16th. The company reported $1.26 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $308.41 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $355.51 million. Hancock Whitney had a return on equity of 12.08% and a net margin of 19.07%. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.65 earnings per share.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hancock Whitney

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Hancock Whitney in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $46,846,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. bought a new stake in Hancock Whitney during the 4th quarter worth about $38,143,000. Wasatch Advisors LP bought a new stake in Hancock Whitney during the 1st quarter worth about $22,744,000. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of Hancock Whitney by 15.0% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,567,941 shares of the company's stock worth $238,218,000 after buying an additional 596,516 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Hancock Whitney by 183.1% in the 2nd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 442,487 shares of the company's stock valued at $19,616,000 after acquiring an additional 286,206 shares in the last quarter. 81.22% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hancock Whitney

In related news, insider Joseph S. Exnicios sold 9,857 shares of Hancock Whitney stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.15, for a total transaction of $464,757.55. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 30,159 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,421,996.85. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, insider Joseph S. Exnicios sold 9,857 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, January 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.15, for a total value of $464,757.55. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 30,159 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,421,996.85. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, COO D Shane Loper sold 17,690 shares of Hancock Whitney stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.81, for a total value of $828,068.90. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 71,148 shares in the company, valued at $3,330,437.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 35,225 shares of company stock valued at $1,634,014. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hancock Whitney Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 5th were issued a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 4th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.81%. Hancock Whitney's dividend payout ratio is presently 27.97%.

About Hancock Whitney

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.