Hancock Whitney Hits 52-Week High: Should You Buy the Stock Now?

Core Viewpoint - Hancock Whitney Corp. (HWC) shares reached a 52-week high of $67.10, closing at $66.05, with a 23.2% increase over the last six months, outperforming the industry and S&P 500 Index [1][8]. Group 1: Stock Performance - HWC stock has outperformed Bank OZK (OZK) but underperformed F.N.B. Corp (FNB) over the past six months, with FNB and OZK shares increasing by 27.7% and 7.7%, respectively [2]. - The stock's performance indicates a strong upward trend, suggesting potential for further growth despite reaching a new high [4]. Group 2: Revenue and Growth Factors - HWC's total revenues have experienced a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5% from 2019 to 2024, with continued growth expected in the first nine months of 2025 [5][8]. - The company announced a multi-year organic growth plan, including hiring additional associates and expanding its presence in Florida and Texas [6]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 revenues is projected at $1.51 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 4.7%, while the 2026 estimate is $1.59 billion, indicating a growth of 4.9% [9][10]. Group 3: Financial Metrics - HWC's net interest margin (NIM) is expected to expand due to relatively higher interest rates and stabilizing deposit costs, with the NIM rising to 3.37% in 2024 from 3.34% in 2023 [12][13]. - The company maintains a solid balance sheet with total debt of $2.10 billion and cash and deposits amounting to $1.43 billion as of September 30, 2025 [14]. - HWC has received investment-grade ratings of BBB and Baa3, indicating a strong capital position and ability to meet debt obligations [15]. Group 4: Shareholder Value and Dividends - HWC announced a 12.5% increase in its quarterly dividend to 45 cents per share in January 2025, following a 33.3% hike in 2024 [16]. - A new share repurchase plan was approved to buy back up to 5% of its shares, enhancing shareholder value through efficient capital distributions [17][18]. Group 5: Analyst Sentiments - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HWC's 2025 earnings remains at $5.70 per share, with a slight upward revision for 2026 earnings to $5.96, indicating growth rates of 7.1% and 4.6% for 2025 and 2026, respectively [20]. - HWC's current trailing P/E ratio of 11.71X is below the industry average of 12.55, suggesting the stock is undervalued compared to peers [22].