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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
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Why Hancock Whitney (HWC) is a Top Momentum Stock for the Long-Term
It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Many investors also have a go-to methodology that helps guide their buy and sell decisions. One way to find winning stocks based on your preferred way of investing is to use the Zacks Style Scores, which are indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing types: value, growth, and momentum. Momentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks. Based in Gulfport, MS, Hancock Whitney Corporation (previously Hancock Holding Company) is a bank and financial holding company. It operates through 180 full-service bank branches and 222 automated teller machines (ATMs) across the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida and Texas. Further, the company also operates combined loan and deposit production offices in Nashville, TN and Atlanta, GA. HWC is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock, with a Momentum Style Score of B and VGM Score of B. Shares are down 2.4% over the past one week and up 10.8% over the past four weeks. HWC has gained 20.2% in the last one-year period as well. Looking at trading volume, an average of 678,100 shares exchanged hands over the last 20 trading days. Momentum investors also pay close attention to a company's earnings. For HWC, two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.02 to $5.53 per share for 2025. HWC boasts an average earnings surprise of 7.2%. HWC should be on investors' short list because of its impressive earnings fundamentals, a good Zacks Rank, and strong Momentum and VGM Style Scores. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Hancock Whitney Corporation (HWC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
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Hancock Whitney (HWC) Earnings Expected to Grow: What to Know Ahead of Next Week's Release
Hancock Whitney (HWC) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2025. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price. The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 15, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower. While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise. This holding company of Whitney Bank and Hancock Bank is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.34 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +2.3%. Revenues are expected to be $371.26 million, up 3.2% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period. Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core. The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only. A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP. Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell). For Hancock Whitney, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +3.42%. On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2. So, this combination indicates that Hancock Whitney will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number. For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Hancock Whitney would post earnings of $1.28 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.38, delivering a surprise of +7.81%. Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times. An earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss. That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Hancock Whitney appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release. Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Hancock Whitney Corporation (HWC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HWC Q1 Deep Dive: Fee Income and Deposit Costs Offset Loan Headwinds
Regional bank Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC) missed Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025 as sales rose 2.2% year on year to $364.7 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.38 per share was 7.1% above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy HWC? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $364.7 million vs analyst estimates of $369 million (2.2% year-on-year growth, 1.2% miss) Adjusted EPS: $1.38 vs analyst estimates of $1.29 (7.1% beat) Market Capitalization: $4.62 billion Hancock Whitney's first quarter results delivered modest top-line growth but failed to meet Wall Street's revenue expectations, while non-GAAP profitability outperformed consensus forecasts. Management attributed this performance to disciplined expense controls, robust fee income across most categories, and continued expansion of its net interest margin, aided by lower deposit costs. CEO John Hairston described the quarter as a 'very strong start to 2025,' highlighting stable deposit mix and the company's focus on shifting toward more granular, full-relationship lending. However, loan balances declined due to higher payoffs in large healthcare and commercial non-real estate segments, partially offsetting production gains in targeted areas. Looking ahead, Hancock Whitney's guidance for the remainder of 2025 is shaped by expectations for low single-digit loan growth, further fee income expansion with the Sable Trust acquisition, and ongoing cost discipline. Management acknowledged uncertainty from macroeconomic trends, particularly tariffs and client sentiment, but remains optimistic for stronger loan growth in the second half of the year. CFO Mike Achary emphasized, 'We believe we can continue to achieve modest NIM expansion and NII primarily by the impact of lower deposit rates, low single-digit loan growth, and continued repricing of cash flows from both the bond and fixed-rate loan portfolios.' Management pointed to strong fee income, lower deposit costs, and a stable deposit mix as key drivers of profitability, while loan growth lagged due to sector-specific payoffs and macro headwinds. Fee income momentum: The company reported growth across most fee categories, including trust, investment management, and specialty lines such as SBA and syndication fees. Management expects continued strength as new hires expand client relationships and the Sable Trust acquisition bolsters wealth management revenues. Net interest margin expansion: Net interest margin (NIM) improved, driven by a reduction in overall funding costs and a favorable mix of deposits. CDs continued to reprice at lower rates, and management anticipates this trend will persist, supporting further NIM gains throughout the year. Loan balances declined: Loan balances fell primarily due to large payoffs in healthcare and commercial non-real estate, even as production in targeted growth areas remained solid. CEO John Hairston noted that new hires in equipment finance and other areas contributed positively but could not fully offset the payoffs this quarter. Expense control sustained: Expenses were well managed, with only a 1% increase over the quarter. Management reiterated its commitment to holding expense growth in the 4-5% range for the year, including integration costs for the Sable Trust acquisition. Deposit mix stability: Despite a decline in total deposits due to seasonal public fund outflows, non-interest-bearing deposit balances increased, and the company maintained a stable 36% mix in these lower-cost accounts, which supports profitability and funding flexibility. Hancock Whitney's outlook for 2025 centers on expanding fee income, maintaining cost controls, and navigating uncertain loan demand amid shifting macroeconomic conditions. Fee income expansion with Sable Trust: Management expects the recently announced Sable Trust acquisition to contribute meaningfully to non-interest income, with further upside from organic growth in wealth management, treasury services, and specialty fee lines. These areas are projected to offset slower loan growth and provide more stable revenue streams. Loan growth timing and hiring impact: The company anticipates loan growth will be weighted toward the second half of the year, with new relationship bankers in key markets such as Texas, Florida, and equipment finance expected to drive origination. However, management cautioned that ongoing uncertainty from tariffs and client sentiment could delay production pipelines or reduce demand from larger clients. Cost discipline and margin resilience: Continued focus on cost control—including lighter incentive compensation and process efficiencies—should help absorb the incremental expense base from the Sable Trust integration. Management expects modest net interest margin expansion even under varying interest rate scenarios, with deposit repricing and funding mix as key levers. In the coming quarters, our analyst team will be tracking (1) the pace of loan growth as hiring ramps up and new producers mature in key markets, (2) the integration and revenue contribution from the Sable Trust acquisition, and (3) the impact of further deposit repricing on net interest margin. Additionally, we will watch for shifts in client sentiment tied to tariffs or broader economic volatility that could affect lending demand and credit quality. Hancock Whitney currently trades at $54.87, down from $56.80 just before the earnings. Is there an opportunity in the stock?The answer lies in our full research report (it's free). Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs. While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
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Why Hancock Whitney (HWC) is a Top Dividend Stock for Your Portfolio
Whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities, all investors love seeing their portfolios score big returns. But when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments. While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends make up large portions of long-term returns, and in many cases, dividend contributions surpass one-third of total returns. Based in Gulfport, Hancock Whitney (HWC) is in the Finance sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of -1.43%. Currently paying a dividend of $0.45 per share, the company has a dividend yield of 3.34%. In comparison, the Banks - Southeast industry's yield is 2.43%, while the S&P 500's yield is 1.62%. Taking a look at the company's dividend growth, its current annualized dividend of $1.80 is up 20% from last year. Hancock Whitney has increased its dividend 2 times on a year-over-year basis over the last 5 years for an average annual increase of 9.80%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Hancock Whitney's current payout ratio is 33%, meaning it paid out 33% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend. Earnings growth looks solid for HWC for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 is $5.51 per share, representing a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 3.57%. Investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons, from tax advantages and decreasing overall portfolio risk to considerably improving stock investing profits. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout. High-growth firms or tech start-ups, for example, rarely provide their shareholders a dividend, while larger, more established companies that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options. Income investors have to be mindful of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, HWC is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Hancock Whitney Corporation (HWC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
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Hancock Whitney (HWC) is a Top Dividend Stock Right Now: Should You Buy?
All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus. While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases. Based in Gulfport, Hancock Whitney (HWC) is in the Finance sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of -2.7%. The holding company of Whitney Bank and Hancock Bank is paying out a dividend of $0.45 per share at the moment, with a dividend yield of 3.38% compared to the Banks - Southeast industry's yield of 2.41% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.56%. Taking a look at the company's dividend growth, its current annualized dividend of $1.80 is up 20% from last year. In the past five-year period, Hancock Whitney has increased its dividend 2 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 9.80%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Hancock Whitney's current payout ratio is 33%, meaning it paid out 33% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend. Earnings growth looks solid for HWC for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 is $5.51 per share, which represents a year-over-year growth rate of 3.57%. Investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons, from tax advantages and decreasing overall portfolio risk to considerably improving stock investing profits. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout. For instance, it's a rare occurrence when a tech start-up or big growth business offers their shareholders a dividend. It's more common to see larger companies with more established profits give out dividends. During periods of rising interest rates, income investors must be mindful that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle. With that in mind, HWC is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Hancock Whitney Corporation (HWC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
