Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC) Hits New 1-Year High – What’s Next?

Hancock Whitney Corporation (NASDAQ:HWC)’s share price reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $71.20 and last traded at $69.7870, with a volume of 234135 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $67.60.

Hancock Whitney News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Earnings beat: HWC reported Q4 EPS of $1.49 vs. $1.48 consensus, a modest beat that supports valuation after the quarter. Hancock Whitney Reports Fourth Quarter 2025 EPS of $1.49
• Positive Sentiment: Loan and income growth: Management highlighted strengthening loan growth and higher net interest income (NII) plus non‑interest fee income as drivers of the quarter. These are constructive for future revenue streams. HWC Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates on Fee Income & NII, Shares Dip
• Positive Sentiment: Guidance and capital: Management outlined 2026 targets of roughly 5%–6% NII growth and mid‑single‑digit loan growth and reported strong capital levels, which supports dividend/capital return optionality. Hancock Whitney outlines 5-6% NII growth and mid-single-digit loan expansion
• Neutral Sentiment: Full disclosure available: The company posted a slide deck and the earnings call transcript; investors can review details on credit charge composition, expense drivers and portfolio moves for more color. Hancock Whitney Corporation 2025 Q4 – Results – Earnings Call Presentation
• Negative Sentiment: Expenses and credit provisions rose: Higher operating expenses and increased credit provisions trimmed the quarter’s net benefit, a key reason some investors sold on the print. HWC Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates on Fee Income & NII, Shares Dip
• Negative Sentiment: Bond portfolio restructuring risk: Management noted bond‑portfolio restructuring that may pressure near‑term results and increase volatility in NII as positions are adjusted. Hancock Whitney posts mixed Q4 results, loan growth strengthens

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have weighed in on HWC. Raymond James Financial upped their price target on Hancock Whitney from $72.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Barclays started coverage on shares of Hancock Whitney in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $76.00 target price on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Hancock Whitney in a report on Monday, December 29th. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on shares of Hancock Whitney from $72.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Hancock Whitney from $71.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hancock Whitney presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $75.00.

Hancock Whitney Trading Up 2.4%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.79 billion, a PE ratio of 12.38 and a beta of 1.05. The business’s 50-day moving average is $63.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $61.66.

Hancock Whitney Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th were given a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.6%. Hancock Whitney’s payout ratio is 32.20%.

Institutional Trading of Hancock Whitney

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. True Wealth Design LLC grew its position in Hancock Whitney by 929.5% during the 2nd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 453 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 409 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc grew its holdings in shares of Hancock Whitney by 67.6% during the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 627 shares of the company’s stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 253 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in Hancock Whitney in the 3rd quarter valued at about $45,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in Hancock Whitney by 6,107.7% during the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 807 shares of the company’s stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 794 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC lifted its position in Hancock Whitney by 84,400.0% during the 3rd quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 845 shares of the company’s stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 844 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.22% of the company’s stock.

Hancock Whitney Company Profile

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.