Prudential Financial Inc. Has $3.69 Million Stake in Hancock Whitney Co. (NASDAQ:HWC)

Prudential Financial Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Hancock Whitney Co. (NASDAQ:HWC) by 7.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 63,084 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 4,219 shares during the period. Prudential Financial Inc. owned 0.07% of Hancock Whitney worth $3,687,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Grove Bank & Trust acquired a new position in shares of Hancock Whitney during the fourth quarter valued at about $31,000. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in Hancock Whitney during the 4th quarter worth approximately $49,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its holdings in Hancock Whitney by 9.7% in the fourth quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,911 shares of the company’s stock worth $105,000 after acquiring an additional 169 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE grew its stake in Hancock Whitney by 11.4% in the fourth quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,581 shares of the company’s stock valued at $141,000 after acquiring an additional 265 shares during the period. Finally, TD Private Client Wealth LLC increased its holdings in shares of Hancock Whitney by 30.7% during the third quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 2,941 shares of the company’s stock valued at $150,000 after acquiring an additional 691 shares in the last quarter. 81.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Hancock Whitney Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ HWC opened at $51.86 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $4.47 billion, a PE ratio of 9.82 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $56.11 and its 200-day moving average price is $55.45. Hancock Whitney Co. has a twelve month low of $41.56 and a twelve month high of $62.40.

Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 21st. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 in the previous year, the company earned $1.26 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Hancock Whitney Co. will post 5.53 EPS for the current year.

Hancock Whitney Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 5th were issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was 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 34.09%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently issued reports on HWC. StockNews.com raised shares of Hancock Whitney from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on shares of Hancock Whitney from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. Raymond James restated a “strong-buy” rating and issued a $72.00 target price (up previously from $64.00) on shares of Hancock Whitney in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $74.00 price target (up previously from $68.00) on shares of Hancock Whitney in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Hancock Whitney has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $62.56.

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.