Intel stock spikes after report of possible US government stake
Investing.com - Piper Sandler raised its price target on Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC) to $72.00 from $70.00 on Wednesday, while maintaining an Overweight rating on the stock. According to InvestingPro data, three analysts have recently revised their earnings estimates upward, with the stock currently trading at an attractive P/E ratio of 10.7x.
The bank reported strong second-quarter 2025 results, driven by approximately 6% loan growth on an annualized basis. Asset quality improved during the quarter, with criticized commercial loans decreasing 4% quarter-over-quarter to $569.3 million, while non-accrual loans fell 9% to $94.9 million. The $5 billion market cap bank has maintained dividend payments for 38 consecutive years, currently offering a 3.09% yield.
Hancock Whitney’s net interest margin rose 6 basis points quarter-over-quarter to 3.49%, which helped increase net interest income by $6.7 million compared to the previous quarter. Core fee income also grew by $3.7 million, led by increases in trust and card revenue. InvestingPro subscribers can access 6 additional key insights about Hancock Whitney’s financial health and growth prospects.
The bank completed its acquisition of Sabal Trust Company on May 7, 2025, and has hired 10 net new bankers in high-growth markets. Hancock Whitney also plans to open five new financial centers in Dallas, indicating continued expansion efforts.
The company engaged in active capital management during the quarter, repurchasing $39.3 million in shares while maintaining a CET1 ratio of 14.03%, which Piper Sandler noted demonstrates the bank’s financial strength alongside its peer-leading pre-provision net revenue.
In other recent news, Hancock Whitney Corporation reported its second-quarter 2025 earnings, revealing a slight miss in earnings per share (EPS) compared to market forecasts. The company posted an EPS of $1.32, slightly below the expected $1.36, and revenue came in at $375.48 million, also slightly below expectations. Despite these minor misses, the company showed strong operational metrics, with net interest income rising by 2% and an improved efficiency ratio of 54.91%. Additionally, Hancock Whitney demonstrated resilience with a 6% annualized loan growth, underscoring robust business performance.
In a related development, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised its price target for Hancock Whitney to $64.00 from $63.00, maintaining a Market Perform rating. The firm cited positive factors such as net interest margin expansion and stable credit metrics as reasons for the target increase. Analysts at KBW also increased their earnings estimates for the company by 2-3%, attributing this to higher net interest income projections and a successful share buyback strategy.
Furthermore, Hancock Whitney completed its acquisition of Sable Trust Company, which closed on May 2. This acquisition is expected to contribute positively to the company’s fee income, particularly in trust fees. Hancock Whitney continues to focus on organic growth, planning to add 30 new bankers this year, and is optimistic about its future prospects, projecting low single-digit loan growth for 2025.
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