Hancock Whitney Co. (NASDAQ:HWC) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Hancock Whitney Co. (NASDAQ:HWC) has earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the nine ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $62.56.

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Raymond James reissued 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. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on Hancock Whitney from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Stephens restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $74.00 price target (up previously from $68.00) on shares of Hancock Whitney in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. DA Davidson increased their price objective on shares of Hancock Whitney from $62.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Hancock Whitney from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of HWC. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in Hancock Whitney in the third quarter valued at $28,000. Grove Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in shares of Hancock Whitney in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in Hancock Whitney in the 4th quarter valued at about $49,000. nVerses Capital LLC acquired a new position in Hancock Whitney during the 3rd quarter valued at about $72,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its position in Hancock Whitney by 9.7% in the 4th quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,911 shares of the company’s stock worth $105,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares during the last quarter. 81.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Hancock Whitney Price Performance

Hancock Whitney stock opened at $59.86 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.15 billion, a PE ratio of 11.34 and a beta of 1.27. Hancock Whitney has a 52 week low of $41.43 and a 52 week high of $62.40. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $57.50 and its 200 day simple moving average is $54.47. 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) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 21st. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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 posted $1.26 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Hancock Whitney will post 5.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hancock Whitney Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.01%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 5th. This is an increase from Hancock Whitney’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. Hancock Whitney’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.30%.

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.