Hancock (NASDAQ:HBHC) was upgraded by investment analysts at Sandler O’Neill from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report released on Thursday, Marketbeat reports.
Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. BidaskClub lowered shares of Hancock from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. Hovde Group upgraded shares of Hancock from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $58.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 27th. Zacks Investment Research upgraded shares of Hancock from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $56.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 19th. SunTrust Banks reiterated a “hold” rating and set a $53.00 price target on shares of Hancock in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Finally, ValuEngine lowered shares of Hancock from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, November 17th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. The stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $52.83.
Shares of Hancock (NASDAQ:HBHC) traded up $0.70 on Thursday, hitting $51.30. 475,400 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 441,182. The company has a market cap of $4,369.79, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. Hancock has a 1 year low of $41.05 and a 1 year high of $53.35.
In other Hancock news, insider Samuel B. Kendricks sold 2,982 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.62, for a total value of $144,984.84. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.15% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its holdings in Hancock by 25.9% in the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,820 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $137,000 after purchasing an additional 581 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its holdings in Hancock by 14.2% in the 2nd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 3,248 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $159,000 after purchasing an additional 404 shares in the last quarter. Sabal Trust CO bought a new position in Hancock in the 3rd quarter worth $216,000. Adviser Investments LLC bought a new position in Hancock in the 3rd quarter worth $224,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP raised its holdings in Hancock by 82.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 4,745 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $232,000 after purchasing an additional 2,138 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.21% of the company’s stock.
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About Hancock
Hancock Holding Company is a financial services company that provides a network of service financial choices to the Gulf South region, through its bank subsidiary, Whitney Bank (the Bank), a Mississippi state bank. The Company operates through overall banking operations segment. The Bank operates under brands, such as Hancock Bank in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, and Whitney Bank in Louisiana and Texas.
