Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC) Shares Gap Down – Here’s Why

Hancock Whitney Corporation (NASDAQ:HWC)’s share price gapped down before the market opened on Thursday. The stock had previously closed at $72.38, but opened at $65.00. Hancock Whitney shares last traded at $63.6510, with a volume of 542,379 shares.

Latest Hancock Whitney News

Investors following HWC have been watching these news items:

• Neutral Sentiment: Hancock Whitney agreed to acquire Trustmark Corporation in an approximately $3.2 billion all-stock deal. The transaction could expand the bank’s scale, while the stock-funded consideration and integration risks may temper the potential benefit. Hancock Whitney Corporation to Acquire Trustmark Corporation Hancock Whitney to buy Trustmark in ~$3.2B all-stock deal
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research trimmed several 2027 and 2028 EPS forecasts, including its FY2027 estimate to $7.12 from $7.22 and FY2028 estimate to $7.68 from $7.72. The analyst maintained a Hold rating; the revisions suggest slightly softer earnings expectations. Hancock Whitney analyst estimate updates

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Piper Sandler upped their target price on shares of Hancock Whitney from $87.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 21st. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Hancock Whitney in a research note on Wednesday, October 21st. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Hancock Whitney from $87.00 to $86.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 22nd. Stephens cut their price objective on shares of Hancock Whitney from $86.00 to $85.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Hancock Whitney from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $84.56.

Hancock Whitney Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $73.29 and a 200 day moving average price of $71.05. The company has a market capitalization of $5.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.13 and a beta of 0.98.

Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 20th. The company reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.66. Hancock Whitney had a net margin of 20.51% and a return on equity of 11.65%. The business had revenue of $421.91 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $421.75 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.49 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Hancock Whitney Corporation will post 6.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hancock Whitney Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, December 4th will be paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 4th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. Hancock Whitney’s dividend payout ratio is currently 40.24%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hancock Whitney

In other Hancock Whitney news, insider Emory L. Mayfield, Jr. sold 4,990 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.40, for a total transaction of $381,236.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 15,565 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,189,166. The trade was a 24.28% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.92% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Hancock Whitney

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Allworth Financial LP acquired a new position in Hancock Whitney in the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC acquired a new position in Hancock Whitney during the second quarter worth $55,000. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hancock Whitney in the third quarter worth about $55,000. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in shares of Hancock Whitney by 26.0% in the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 852 shares of the company’s stock worth $64,000 after buying an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Hancock Whitney during the 2nd quarter worth about $74,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.22% of the company’s stock.

Hancock Whitney Company Profile

Hancock Whitney is a bank holding company headquartered in Gulfport, Mississippi, whose principal subsidiary is Hancock Whitney Bank. The company provides personal and business banking services, including deposit accounts, loans, treasury management, mortgage lending, and online and mobile banking. It also offers wealth management, trust, and investment services. The bank serves customers across the Gulf South, with operations in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Texas. Its history includes roots in Hancock County Bank, founded in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, in 1899, and Whitney National Bank, established in New Orleans in 1883.