Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In "long context," investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.While many investors like to look for momentum i ...

Key Takeaways HWC shares hit a 52-week high of $67.10, gaining 23.2% over six months and beating the industry.Hancock Whitney's revenues saw a 3.5% CAGR over five years, supported by expansion plans and loan growth.HWC's expanding NIM, solid balance sheet, dividend hikes and new buyback plan support shareholder value.Shares of Hancock Whitney Corp. (HWC) touched a new 52-week high of $67.10 per share in yesterday’s trading session to finally close at $66.05. Over the last six months, the HWC stock has gaine ...

Hancock Whitney (HWC) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.Since ...

Core Viewpoint - Hancock Whitney Corporation has authorized a new stock buyback program allowing the purchase of up to 5% of its outstanding common stock, replacing the previous program that was fully utilized in Q4 2025 [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Buyback Program Details - The new Stock Buyback Program is effective from January 1, 2026, and will expire on December 31, 2026 [2]. - The company may repurchase shares through various methods including open market purchases, block purchases, accelerated share repurchase plans, and privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions [2]. - The Board of Directors retains the right to terminate or amend the Stock Buyback Program at any time before the expiration date [2]. Group 2: Company Background - Hancock Whitney has a long-standing history since the late 1800s, emphasizing core values such as Honor & Integrity, Strength & Stability, Commitment to Service, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility [3]. - The company provides a wide range of financial products and services across multiple states, including traditional and online banking, commercial and small business banking, private banking, trust and investment services, healthcare banking, and mortgage services [3]. - Hancock Whitney operates combined loan and deposit production offices in metropolitan areas such as Nashville, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia [3].

NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and Hancock Whitney Bank will award $15,000 to New Orleans, Louisiana, homeowner Ivan Watkins, during a ceremonial check presentation on Monday, December 1, 2025. The funds are part of more than 500,000 in Disaster Rebuilding Assistance (DRA) grants awarded to nearly 40 Gulf Coast homeowners to rebuild in the wake of disasters. Mr. Watkins will use the funds to install a resilient roof that will help protect his ho. ...

Core Insights - Hancock Whitney has appointed Mary Elizabeth Stringer as the Director of Government Affairs, a newly created position aimed at enhancing the bank's governmental affairs strategy [1] - The role is designed to align with the bank's business priorities and improve engagement across its multi-state operations [1] - The banking industry operates in a highly regulated environment, making effective governmental affairs crucial for success [1]

Core Viewpoint - Hancock Whitney's Q3 2025 earnings exceeded estimates, driven by growth in non-interest income and net interest income (NII), despite facing challenges from higher expenses and lower deposit balances [2][4][6]. Financial Performance - Earnings per share for Q3 2025 were $1.49, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.41, and reflecting a 12% increase year-over-year [2]. - Net income reached $127.5 million, a 10.3% rise from the previous year, compared to an estimate of $119.5 million [3]. - Total revenues were $385.7 million, up 4.9% year-over-year, but fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $387.9 million [4]. Income and Expenses - Non-interest income totaled $106 million, marking a 10.5% increase, driven by growth in nearly all components except other income [5]. - Total non-interest expenses rose 4.4% to $212.8 million, slightly below the projected $217.4 million [5]. - The efficiency ratio improved to 54.10% from 54.42% in the prior year, indicating enhanced profitability [5]. Loan and Deposit Trends - Total loans stood at $23.6 billion, a slight increase from the prior quarter, while total deposits decreased by 1.3% to $28.7 billion [6]. - Management anticipates low single-digit growth in deposit balances for the fourth quarter, with public deposits expected to increase by $200-$300 million [12]. Credit Quality - The provision for credit losses was $12.7 million, down 31.9% from the previous year, indicating improved credit quality [7]. - Net charge-offs were 0.19% of average total loans, a decrease of 11 basis points from the prior year [7]. Capital Ratios and Profitability - As of September 30, 2025, the Tier 1 leverage ratio improved to 11.46%, and the common equity Tier 1 ratio rose to 14.08% [8]. - Return on average assets increased to 1.46% from 1.32%, while return on average common equity rose to 11.58% from 11.43% [8]. Share Repurchase Activity - In the reported quarter, Hancock Whitney repurchased 0.66 million shares at an average price of $60.45 per share [10]. Future Outlook - Management expects NII to grow at the lower end of the 3-4% range in Q4 2025, with a modest expansion in net interest margin [13]. - Adjusted non-interest expenses are projected to rise 4-5% in 2025, with plans to hire additional personnel for revenue generation [14]. - The company aims for an adjusted return on assets between 1.40% and 1.50% by Q4 2027 [16]. Market Sentiment - The stock has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating expectations for an in-line return in the coming months [20].

Financial Performance - Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $127.47 million, compared to $115.57 million in the prior year, marking a year-over-year growth of approximately 10.5%[15] - Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $360,501,000, an increase from $338,741,000 in the same period of 2024, representing a growth of approximately 6.5%[24] - Comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $180.83 million, compared to $298.01 million in the same period of 2024, showing a decrease of about 39.4%[17] - Comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, totaled $550,133,000, compared to $484,372,000 for the same period in 2024, indicating an increase of about 13.6%[24] - Basic earnings per common share for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $1.50, up from $1.33 in 2024, representing a 12.8% increase[125] Asset and Liability Management - Total assets increased to $35.77 billion as of September 30, 2025, compared to $35.08 billion at the end of 2024, reflecting a growth of approximately 1.96%[13] - Total deposits decreased to $28.66 billion as of September 30, 2025, from $29.49 billion at the end of 2024, a decline of about 2.8%[13] - The allowance for loan losses was $313.64 million as of September 30, 2025, slightly down from $318.88 million at the end of 2024, indicating a decrease of approximately 1.1%[13] - The company experienced a net decrease in deposits of $833,101,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2025[24] - The company reported a net increase in short-term borrowings of $1,252,505,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2025[24] Income and Expense Analysis - Net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $279.74 million, up from $271.76 million in the same period of 2024, representing an increase of about 2.9%[15] - Noninterest income for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $106.00 million, an increase from $95.90 million in the same period of 2024, representing an increase of approximately 10.9%[15] - Total noninterest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $212.75 million, compared to $203.84 million in the prior year, reflecting an increase of approximately 4.4%[15] - Total other noninterest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $48.588 million, compared to $45.271 million for the same period in 2024[121] - Total other noninterest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $21.456 million, compared to $20.472 million in 2024, reflecting a 4.8% increase[122] Loan Portfolio and Credit Quality - Total loans increased to $23,596,565 thousand as of September 30, 2025, up from $23,299,447 thousand at December 31, 2024, representing a growth of 1.28%[51] - The allowance for credit losses totaled $341,510 thousand at September 30, 2025, compared to $342,764 thousand at September 30, 2024, reflecting a slight decrease[64] - Nonaccrual loans increased to $113,554 thousand as of September 30, 2025, compared to $97,335 thousand at December 31, 2024, indicating a rise of 16.66%[66] - The provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $34,217 thousand, compared to $43,656 thousand for the same period in 2024, a decrease of 21.66%[62] - The total balance of commercial non-real estate loans as of September 30, 2025, was $57,892 thousand, representing 0.60% of the portfolio[68] Securities and Investments - The amortized cost of available-for-sale securities was $6.203 billion with a fair value of $5.794 billion as of September 30, 2025[37] - The total debt securities held to maturity amounted to $2.198 billion with a fair value of $2.065 billion as of September 30, 2025[38] - The fair value of available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses totaled approximately $4.008 billion as of September 30, 2025[44] - The Company held no securities classified as trading at September 30, 2025[38] - The Company evaluated its held-to-maturity municipal obligation portfolio for credit loss, resulting in negligible credit losses and no allowance for credit loss recorded[45] Derivatives and Hedging - The notional amount of derivatives designated as hedging instruments was $2.12 billion as of September 30, 2025, with total derivative assets of $111.539 million and liabilities of $106.586 million[92] - The Company recorded $203.5 million of fair value hedges that became effective during the nine months ending September 30, 2025, impacting interest income[96] - The aggregate fair value of derivative instruments with credit risk-related contingent features was $17.5 million at September 30, 2025, down from $39.1 million at December 31, 2024[111] - The fair value of derivative liabilities was reported at $106,582,000 as of September 30, 2025, compared to $160,623,000 as of December 31, 2024[150] - The Company’s level 3 derivative liability decreased from $2,089,000 at December 31, 2024, to $1,855,000 at September 30, 2025[161] Shareholder and Capital Management - The company repurchased 1,762,500 shares of common stock for $100,930,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2025[24] - Common shares outstanding were 8.1 million at September 30, 2025, excluding treasury shares valued at $354.3 million[114] - The company repurchased 1.8 million shares at an average cost of $56.80 per share during the nine months ended September 30, 2025[115] - The balance of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) was $(416.460) million as of September 30, 2025, compared to $(606.092) million at December 31, 2024[117] - The Company had commitments to extend credit totaling $9.474 billion as of September 30, 2025, an increase from $9.249 billion at December 31, 2024[145] Risk Management and Economic Outlook - Interest rate risk management policies are in place to stabilize net interest income under varying rate environments[324] - A 300 basis point increase in interest rates is projected to increase net interest income by 4.15% in Year 1 and 10.54% in Year 2[327] - Economic Value of Equity (EVE) is expected to decrease by 7.93% with a 300 basis point increase in interest rates[330] - The company is currently less sensitive to changes in short-term rate movements due to a shift in funding mix towards more rate-sensitive deposits[327] - Management intends to mitigate interest rate risk through various strategies, including modifying loan and deposit pricing and adjusting the composition of earning assets[327]

Core Insights - Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ: HWC) has seen its shares decline recently, but overall, the Mississippi-based bank has experienced growth over the past six months [1] Company Overview - The company adopts a long-term, buy-and-hold investment strategy, focusing on stocks that can consistently deliver high-quality earnings, particularly in the dividend and income sectors [1] Investment Perspective - The analyst expresses a beneficial long position in HWC shares, indicating confidence in the bank's future performance [2]

Core Viewpoint - Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ: HWC) has experienced a decline in share price over the past few weeks, but the Mississippi-based bank has still seen an overall increase in its stock value over the last six months [1]. Group 1: Company Performance - The bank's shares have added to their value despite recent declines, indicating resilience in its stock performance [1]. Group 2: Investment Strategy - The investment approach favored is a long-term, buy-and-hold strategy, particularly focusing on stocks that can consistently deliver high-quality earnings, often found in the dividend and income sectors [1].