Zacks Research Expects Higher Earnings for Hancock Whitney

Key Points

• Zacks Research has raised its Q3 2025 earnings per share estimate for Hancock Whitney from $1.36 to $1.39, outpacing the current full-year earnings estimate of $5.53 per share.
• Hancock Whitney recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share, translating to an annualized dividend yield of 3.1% and a payout ratio of 33.15%.
• The company's stock has experienced a price increase target from various analysts, with current ratings indicating a consensus of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $66.71.

Hancock Whitney Corporation (NASDAQ:HWC - Free Report) - Equities research analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q3 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Hancock Whitney in a report issued on Monday, August 4th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $1.39 for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $1.36. 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 Q4 2025 earnings at $1.43 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $1.38 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.50 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $5.71 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.53 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $1.58 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $6.25 EPS.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on HWC. Stephens cut their target price on Hancock Whitney from $73.00 to $69.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Piper Sandler upped their target price on Hancock Whitney from $70.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Hovde Group upped their target price on Hancock Whitney from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Hancock Whitney from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday. Finally, DA Davidson upped their target price on Hancock Whitney from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Hancock Whitney has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $66.71.

Hancock Whitney Price Performance

Shares of Hancock Whitney stock opened at $58.61 on Thursday. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $57.73 and its 200-day simple moving average is $55.51. Hancock Whitney has a 52 week low of $43.90 and a 52 week high of $62.90. The company has a market capitalization of $5.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.79 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05.

Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 15th. The company reported $1.37 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.36 by $0.01. Hancock Whitney had a return on equity of 11.21% and a net margin of 23.28%. The business had revenue of $377.98 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $375.99 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.31 EPS.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hancock Whitney

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HWC. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Hancock Whitney by 10.3% in the 4th quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 11,769 shares of the company's stock worth $644,000 after acquiring an additional 1,103 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its stake in Hancock Whitney by 27.5% in the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 255,776 shares of the company's stock worth $13,996,000 after acquiring an additional 55,233 shares during the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. raised its stake in Hancock Whitney by 4.7% in the 4th quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 43,566 shares of the company's stock worth $2,384,000 after acquiring an additional 1,946 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its stake in Hancock Whitney by 11.9% in the 4th quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 13,733 shares of the company's stock worth $751,000 after acquiring an additional 1,459 shares during the last quarter. Finally, LSV Asset Management raised its stake in Hancock Whitney by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 436,200 shares of the company's stock worth $23,869,000 after acquiring an additional 14,700 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.22% of the company's stock.

Hancock Whitney Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 5th. Hancock Whitney's dividend payout ratio is currently 33.15%.

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.

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