Hancock Whitney Announces Capital Return Initiatives with New Share Repurchase Plan

Hancock Whitney US4101201097

Regional bank Hancock Whitney has outlined a dual approach to capital allocation, authorizing a fresh share repurchase program and distributing its quarterly dividend. These moves highlight the company's strategy to return capital to shareholders.

The bank's Board of Directors approved a new repurchase mandate on December 10, 2025. This authorization permits the buyback of up to 5% of its outstanding common shares, with the program scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026. This follows the complete utilization of the previous repurchase plan during the fourth quarter. Concurrently, a cash dividend of $0.45 per share is payable today, December 15, 2025, to shareholders of record as of December 5.

Financial Performance and Operational Metrics

Hancock Whitney's recent operational results provide context for these decisions. For the second quarter of 2025, the company reported diluted earnings per share of $1.32. Its loan portfolios saw a 2% sequential increase, reaching $23.5 billion, while deposits experienced a slight 1% decline to $29.0 billion. The net interest margin improved by 6 basis points to 3.49%.

The acquisition of Sabal Trust, completed on May 2, 2025, is projected to bolster fee-based income by 9–10% year-over-year. Management's guidance, based on its Q2 outlook, anticipates low single-digit loan growth for the full year 2025 and incorporates expectations for three Federal Reserve interest rate cuts totaling 75 basis points.

Market Perspective and Technical Analysis

The stock closed at $65.62 on December 12, 2025. Over the prior 30 days, it has advanced by 11.85%, trading within a 52-week range of $43.90 to $66.62. The company's current market capitalization stands at approximately $5.49 billion.

The consensus price target among analysts is $70.25, suggesting a potential upside of roughly 6.6% from recent levels. However, technical analysis presents a mixed picture. While the MACD indicator and Bollinger Bands show bullish signals on weekly and monthly charts, the KST and Dow Theory have turned slightly negative on a weekly basis. Daily moving averages, conversely, remain generally positive. This divergence contributed to a technical rating downgrade from "Buy" to "Hold" on December 12.

Outlook and Considerations

The ultimate impact of the repurchase program on the share price will be contingent on its execution pace and volume. In the near term, a reduction in the share count can provide support by boosting per-share metrics and decreasing float. For sustained performance, however, the market will focus on the bank's continued operational execution, credit quality trends, and the broader interest rate environment.

Key Data Summary:
* New Buyback: Approved Dec. 10, 2025; for up to 5% of shares; starts Jan. 1, 2026.
* Dividend: $0.45 per share, paid Dec. 15, 2025.
* Recent Stock Price: $65.62 (close on Dec. 12, 2025).
* Market Cap: ~$5.49 billion.
* Analyst Price Target: $70.25 consensus.