Hancock Whitney Trades Near 52-Week High: Should You Buy the Stock?

Core Viewpoint - Hancock Whitney Corp. (HWC) shares are performing well, trading near a 52-week high of $63.82, with a 12.3% increase over the past three months, outperforming the industry and Zacks Finance sector, but underperforming close peers [1][9]. Financial Performance - HWC's net interest income (NII) has a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% over five years ending in 2024, driven by higher rates and loan growth [6]. - The net interest margin (NIM) expanded to 3.37% in 2024 from 3.34% in 2023 and 3.26% in 2022, with continued growth in the first half of 2025 [6][10]. - Total revenues (TE) experienced a CAGR of 3.5% from 2019 to 2024, while total loans saw a CAGR of 1.9% during the same period [9]. Growth Initiatives - The company has launched a multi-year organic growth plan, focusing on hiring revenue-generating associates and expanding its presence in Florida and Texas, which is expected to enhance fee revenues [8]. - HWC's bond restructuring, asset repricing, and balance sheet deleveraging strategies are anticipated to support NIM [7]. Balance Sheet Strength - As of June 30, 2025, HWC had total debt of $1.26 billion and cash and cash equivalents of $1.12 billion, indicating a strong liquidity position [10]. - The common equity tier 1 ratio and total capital ratio were 14.03% and 15.87%, respectively, well above regulatory requirements, reflecting a robust capital position [12]. Dividend and Share Repurchase - In January 2025, HWC announced a 12.5% increase in its quarterly dividend to 45 cents per share, with an annualized dividend growth rate of 11.6% over the past five years [12]. - The company has a share repurchase plan authorizing the buyback of 4.3 million shares through December 31, 2026, with approximately 3.21 million shares remaining available as of June 30, 2025 [15]. Analyst Sentiment - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is $5.60 per share for 2025 and $5.90 for 2026, indicating growth of 5.3% and 5.4%, respectively [17][20]. - HWC's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 10.82X, below the industry average, suggesting potential for upside [20]. Competitive Position - HWC's return on equity (ROE) stands at 11.21%, slightly below the industry's 11.64%, indicating room for improvement in capital allocation efficiency [23]. - Compared to peers, Bank OZK has a higher ROE of 13.24%, while F.N.B. Corp has a lower ROE of 7.94% [25]. Future Outlook - The anticipated rate cut by the Federal Reserve is expected to bolster HWC's NII and NIM, supporting loan growth and profitability [5][26]. - Overall, HWC's strategic initiatives and strong financial metrics position it favorably for potential investment opportunities [27].