Associated Banc (NYSE:ASB) Sets New 1-Year High After Earnings Beat

Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE:ASB)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The company traded as high as $27.83 and last traded at $27.8540, with a volume of 339446 shares. The stock had previously closed at $27.30.

The bank reported $0.80 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.11. Associated Banc had a return on equity of 10.36% and a net margin of 19.31%.The business had revenue of $393.52 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $382.06 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.72 EPS.

Associated Banc Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st were paid a $0.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.6%. This is a boost from Associated Banc’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. Associated Banc’s dividend payout ratio is currently 34.66%.

Key Headlines Impacting Associated Banc

Here are the key news stories impacting Associated Banc this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results: ASB posted GAAP EPS of $0.80 and revenue roughly $393–389M (beats consensus), with improving credit metrics and lower provisions — a clear earnings beat. Zacks: ASB Q4 Earnings Beat
• Positive Sentiment: Record annual results: Associated Banc reported record 2025 net income available to common equity of $463M ($2.77/share), signaling stronger full‑year profitability. PR Newswire: Record 2025 Net Income
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts lifted price targets to $30 from $27–29 (RBC, Piper Sandler, Keefe/Bruyette & Woods), implying ~13% upside; the raises provide support for the stock. The Fly: RBC PT Raise The Fly: Piper PT Raise Benzinga: KBW/Other Coverage
• Neutral Sentiment: Detailed coverage and transcripts available: investors can review the earnings call transcript and Q4 snapshots to check guidance, expense outlook and credit commentary. Yahoo: Earnings Call Transcript SeattlePI: Q4 Snapshot
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts retained neutral/sector‑perform/market‑perform ratings despite higher targets, which may limit buying momentum and help explain the stock’s decline today. The Fly: Analyst Ratings

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ASB has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Piper Sandler raised their target price on shares of Associated Banc from $27.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Associated Banc from $27.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $28.00 target price on shares of Associated Banc in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Raymond James Financial restated an “outperform” rating and set a $30.00 price target (up previously from $29.00) on shares of Associated Banc in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on Associated Banc from $32.00 to $30.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $29.10.

Insider Buying and Selling at Associated Banc

In related news, EVP John A. Utz sold 2,135 shares of Associated Banc stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.41, for a total value of $56,385.35. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 109,842 shares in the company, valued at $2,900,927.22. The trade was a 1.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Patrick Edward Ahern sold 30,489 shares of Associated Banc stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.70, for a total transaction of $783,567.30. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 24,055 shares in the company, valued at $618,213.50. The trade was a 55.90% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 35,951 shares of company stock worth $925,756. 1.45% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Associated Banc

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Hantz Financial Services Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Associated Banc by 2,033.9% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,195 shares of the bank’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 1,139 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Associated Banc by 46.8% during the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,279 shares of the bank’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 408 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Associated Banc by 345.5% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,350 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 1,047 shares during the period. Bayforest Capital Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Associated Banc in the 2nd quarter worth $34,000. Finally, Quent Capital LLC bought a new position in Associated Banc in the 3rd quarter worth $34,000. 82.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Associated Banc Trading Down 3.6%

The company has a market capitalization of $4.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.56, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 0.90. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $26.22 and a 200 day moving average of $25.79.

Associated Banc Company Profile

Associated Banc-Corp, through its primary subsidiary Associated Bank, N.A., is a regional financial services company headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The bank operates more than 200 branches across the Midwest, offering community-focused banking solutions for individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. Its emphasis on personalized service and regional decision-making supports long-standing customer relationships.

On the consumer side, Associated Bank provides checking and savings accounts, residential mortgages, home equity lines of credit, auto financing and credit card products.