Foundry Partners LLC Trims Stock Position in Hancock Whitney Co. (NASDAQ:HWC)

Foundry Partners LLC lowered its position in shares of Hancock Whitney Co. (NASDAQ:HWC - Free Report) by 11.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 183,241 shares of the company's stock after selling 23,332 shares during the period. Foundry Partners LLC owned about 0.21% of Hancock Whitney worth $8,904,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in HWC. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hancock Whitney in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. raised its position in Hancock Whitney by 136.8% during the 2nd quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 1,011 shares of the company's stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 584 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd increased its stake in shares of Hancock Whitney by 81.0% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 760 shares of the company's stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 340 shares during the period. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new position in shares of Hancock Whitney during the fourth quarter worth about $45,000. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Hancock Whitney by 151.1% during the first quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 904 shares of the company's stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 544 shares in the last quarter. 81.22% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Hancock Whitney Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:HWC traded up $1.54 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $44.27. 601,286 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 508,926. The stock has a market cap of $3.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.32 and a beta of 1.33. Hancock Whitney Co. has a twelve month low of $31.02 and a twelve month high of $49.65. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $43.58 and a 200-day moving average price of $42.61. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06.

Hancock Whitney Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 5th were given a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 4th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.71%. Hancock Whitney's dividend payout ratio is presently 27.97%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on HWC shares. Citigroup raised Hancock Whitney from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $48.00 to $50.00 in a report on Wednesday. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on Hancock Whitney from $50.00 to $46.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Stephens reissued an "equal weight" rating and issued a $50.00 target price on shares of Hancock Whitney in a report on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on shares of Hancock Whitney from $51.00 to $45.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 8th. Finally, DA Davidson raised their price objective on shares of Hancock Whitney from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hancock Whitney currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $50.71.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Joseph S. Exnicios sold 9,857 shares of Hancock Whitney stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.15, for a total transaction 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 document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Hancock Whitney 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 value of $464,757.55. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 30,159 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,421,996.85. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, COO D Shane Loper sold 17,690 shares of the stock in a transaction on 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 directly owns 71,148 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,330,437.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 31,183 shares of company stock worth $1,450,992 over the last ninety days. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.

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