Foundry Partners LLC Makes New $12.94 Million Investment in Hancock Whitney Co. (NASDAQ:HWC)

Foundry Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hancock Whitney Co. (NASDAQ:HWC - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 236,423 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $12,937,000. Foundry Partners LLC owned approximately 0.27% of Hancock Whitney at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Grove Bank & Trust bought a new stake in Hancock Whitney during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Hancock Whitney in the fourth quarter worth $49,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust increased its holdings in Hancock Whitney by 9.7% in the fourth quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,911 shares of the company's stock valued at $105,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares during the period. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC bought a new position in Hancock Whitney during the 4th quarter worth $138,000. Finally, US Bancorp DE lifted its holdings in Hancock Whitney by 11.4% during the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,581 shares of the company's stock worth $141,000 after buying an additional 265 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 81.22% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

HWC has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Raymond James restated a "strong-buy" rating and set a $72.00 price objective (up from $64.00) on shares of Hancock Whitney in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $74.00 price target (up previously from $68.00) on shares of Hancock Whitney in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Hancock Whitney from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $62.56.

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Hancock Whitney Stock Down 2.9 %

Shares of NASDAQ:HWC traded down $1.32 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $44.88. 239,863 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 565,671. The stock has a market cap of $3.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.48 and a beta of 0.99. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $54.68 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $55.27. Hancock Whitney Co. has a 12-month low of $41.56 and a 12-month high of $62.40. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05.

Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 21st. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.28 by $0.12. Hancock Whitney had a net margin of 22.40% and a return on equity of 11.56%. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.26 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Hancock Whitney Co. will post 5.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Hancock Whitney Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th were paid a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.01%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 5th. This is an increase from Hancock Whitney's previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. Hancock Whitney's dividend payout ratio is 34.09%.

About Hancock Whitney

Hancock Whitney Corporation operates as the financial holding company for Hancock Whitney Bank that provides traditional and online banking services to commercial, small business, and retail customers. It offers various transaction and savings deposit products consisting of brokered deposits, time deposits, and money market accounts; treasury management services, secured and unsecured loan products including revolving credit facilities, and letters of credit and similar financial guarantees; and trust and investment management services to retirement plans, corporations, and individuals, and investment advisory and brokerage products.