Zacks Research Boosts Earnings Estimates 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) - Analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q3 2025 EPS estimates for shares of Hancock Whitney in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, August 4th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $1.39 per share for the quarter, up from their previous 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.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a "strong-buy" rating on shares of Hancock Whitney in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Piper Sandler raised their price target on Hancock Whitney from $70.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. DA Davidson raised their price target on Hancock Whitney from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Stephens cut their price objective 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. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded Hancock Whitney from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating and raised their price objective for the company from $62.00 to $63.00 in a research note on Friday, July 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Hancock Whitney currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $66.71.

Hancock Whitney Stock Down 0.1%

NASDAQ HWC traded down $0.06 on Thursday, reaching $58.19. The company had a trading volume of 172,153 shares, compared to its average volume of 719,492. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.93 billion, a PE ratio of 10.72 and a beta of 1.11. Hancock Whitney has a 1 year low of $43.90 and a 1 year high of $62.90. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $57.85 and a 200-day moving average of $55.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.81.

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

Hancock Whitney Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 15th. Investors of record on Friday, September 5th will be paid a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 5th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. Hancock Whitney's payout ratio is currently 33.15%.

Institutional Trading of Hancock Whitney

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HWC. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its stake in shares of Hancock Whitney by 929.5% during the 2nd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 453 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 409 shares during the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new position in Hancock Whitney in the first quarter worth $31,000. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its stake in 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 buying an additional 599 shares during the last quarter. Virtus Advisers LLC bought a new stake in Hancock Whitney in the first quarter valued at $41,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in shares of Hancock Whitney by 6,107.7% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 807 shares of the company's stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 794 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.22% of the company's stock.

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.