Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC) Sets New 52-Week High – Still a Buy?

Hancock Whitney Corporation (NASDAQ:HWC) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $79.67 and last traded at $79.5050, with a volume of 19253 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $79.04.

Hancock Whitney News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Hancock Whitney this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research increased its estimates for the first and second quarters of 2028 to $1.85 and $1.92 per share, respectively, from $1.83 and $1.88. These revisions suggest some confidence in Hancock Whitney’s longer-term earnings outlook.
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks Research maintained a Hold rating. The firm now projects 2026 EPS of $6.42 and 2027 EPS of $7.22, compared with current full-year consensus EPS of $6.45. The changes are relatively small but indicate limited near-term earnings momentum.
• Neutral Sentiment: A Seeking Alpha analysis argued that mergers and acquisitions and higher interest rates have supported Hancock Whitney’s rally, but downgraded the stock, implying that much of the favorable outlook may already be reflected in the valuation. Hancock Whitney: M&A And Higher Rates Justify The Rally (Downgrade)
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks reduced its EPS forecasts for every listed 2026–2027 period: Q3 2026 to $1.62 from $1.63, Q4 2026 to $1.73 from $1.75, FY2026 to $6.42 from $6.45, Q1 2027 to $1.72 from $1.73, Q2 2027 to $1.77 from $1.79, Q3 2027 to $1.83 from $1.84, and FY2027 to $7.22 from $7.24. The broad-based cuts are a modest negative catalyst because they point to slightly lower expected profitability.
• Neutral Sentiment: Reported short interest was zero shares as of August 11, unchanged from the prior report. Because the data show no measurable short position, it provides little indication of potential buying pressure or bearish sentiment.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

HWC has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Hancock Whitney from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 9th. Raymond James Financial reissued a “strong-buy” rating and issued a $87.00 price target on shares of Hancock Whitney in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Benchmark increased their price target on shares of Hancock Whitney from $84.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of Hancock Whitney in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, DA Davidson lifted their price objective on shares of Hancock Whitney from $79.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $83.78.

Hancock Whitney Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.36 billion, a PE ratio of 15.53 and a beta of 0.95. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $74.68 and a 200-day moving average price of $69.68.

Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.55. The company had revenue of $403.57 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $398.89 million. Hancock Whitney had a return on equity of 11.36% and a net margin of 21.81%.Hancock Whitney’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.37 EPS. Research analysts expect that Hancock Whitney Corporation will post 6.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hancock Whitney Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 4th will be given a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 4th. Hancock Whitney’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.22%.

Insider Activity at Hancock Whitney

In other Hancock Whitney news, CFO Michael M. Achary sold 22,694 shares of Hancock Whitney stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.18, for a total transaction of $1,728,828.92. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 44,160 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,364,108.80. This trade represents a 33.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Christine L. Pickering sold 417 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.16, for a total transaction of $28,005.72. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 25,066 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,683,432.56. The trade was a 1.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.92% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Allworth Financial LP purchased a new position in Hancock Whitney in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Torren Management LLC purchased a new stake in Hancock Whitney in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Hancock Whitney in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Root Financial Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Hancock Whitney by 70.9% in the first quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 612 shares of the company’s stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 254 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc boosted its stake in shares of Hancock Whitney by 67.6% during the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 627 shares of the company’s stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 253 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.22% of the company’s stock.

About Hancock Whitney

Hancock Whitney Corporation (NASDAQ: HWC) is a regional financial services company headquartered in Gulfport, Mississippi. The firm was established in April 2019 through the merger of Hancock Holding Company and Whitney Holding Corporation, each of which traced its roots to the late 19th century. This combination created one of the largest bank holding companies in the Gulf South region, with a network of branches serving both urban and rural communities.

The company’s core business activities include commercial banking, retail banking and wealth management services.