Zacks Research Weighs in on Hancock Whitney Q2 Earnings

Hancock Whitney Co. (NASDAQ:HWC) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q2 2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of Hancock Whitney in a research report issued on Tuesday, February 11th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $1.38 for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $1.25. The consensus estimate for Hancock Whitney’s current full-year earnings is $5.43 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Hancock Whitney’s Q3 2025 earnings at $1.45 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $1.48 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $1.44 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $1.43 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.43 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $5.60 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $6.29 EPS.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $74.00 price objective (up previously from $68.00) on shares of Hancock Whitney in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on Hancock Whitney from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. StockNews.com lowered Hancock Whitney from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, Raymond James reissued a “strong-buy” rating and set a $72.00 price objective (up previously from $64.00) on shares of Hancock Whitney in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $62.56.

Hancock Whitney Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:HWC opened at $60.13 on Thursday. Hancock Whitney has a 1-year low of $41.56 and a 1-year high of $62.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.17 billion, a PE ratio of 11.39 and a beta of 1.27. The business’s 50 day moving average is $57.53 and its 200-day moving average is $54.55. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05.

Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC) last released 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.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hancock Whitney

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised 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 valued at $105,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares during the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC raised its position in Hancock Whitney by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 20,358 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,221,000 after purchasing an additional 227 shares during the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Hancock Whitney by 1.9% during the fourth quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 12,845 shares of the company’s stock worth $703,000 after acquiring an additional 238 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE raised its position in shares of Hancock Whitney by 11.4% during the fourth quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,581 shares of the company’s stock worth $141,000 after acquiring an additional 265 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BTC Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Hancock Whitney by 4.6% during the fourth quarter. BTC Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,121 shares of the company’s stock worth $390,000 after acquiring an additional 311 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.22% of the company’s stock.

Hancock Whitney Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 5th will be given a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.99%. The ex-dividend date 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 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.