Hancock Whitney Q2 EPS Forecast Lifted by Zacks Research

Hancock Whitney Co. (NASDAQ:HWC) – Research analysts at Zacks Research increased their Q2 2026 earnings per share estimates for Hancock Whitney in a report issued on Thursday, February 20th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $1.44 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $1.43. 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 Q3 2026 earnings at $1.47 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $5.65 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $6.45 EPS.

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

Hancock Whitney Stock Up 0.4 %

HWC stock opened at $56.31 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $4.85 billion, a PE ratio of 10.66 and a beta of 1.27. Hancock Whitney has a 12 month low of $41.56 and a 12 month high of $62.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $57.58 and a 200 day simple moving average of $55.06.

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, beating the consensus estimate of $1.28 by $0.12. Hancock Whitney had a net margin of 22.40% and a return on equity of 11.56%. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.26 earnings per share.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Hancock Whitney during the 4th quarter valued at $54,605,000. Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in Hancock Whitney during the fourth quarter valued at $24,775,000. Point72 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in Hancock Whitney during the fourth quarter valued at $13,796,000. Foundry Partners LLC purchased a new position in Hancock Whitney in the fourth quarter valued at about $12,937,000. Finally, Barclays PLC increased its position in Hancock Whitney by 69.5% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 544,471 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,795,000 after purchasing an additional 223,275 shares during the last quarter. 81.22% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Hancock Whitney Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 5th. This is a boost from Hancock Whitney’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. Hancock Whitney’s payout ratio is 34.09%.

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.