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FFIN vs HWC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? First Financial Bankshares (FFIN) vs. Hancock Whitney (HWC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both FFIN and HWC are regional banks with comparable year-to-date gains near 10%, reflecting resilience in the banking sector amid recent market activity.
- HWC trades at a lower price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.2 compared to FFIN's 17.7, indicating potentially better value for growth-oriented investors.
- FFIN exhibits lower volatility with a beta of 0.83 versus HWC's 1.03, appealing to stability-focused portfolios.
- Recent FFIN first-quarter 2026 earnings beat estimates, driving positive momentum, while HWC anticipates net interest income (NII) growth of 5-6% for the year.
- Dividend yields are similar, with HWC at 2.67% and FFIN at 2.33%, supported by recent repurchase and dividend actions.
- Analyst targets suggest modest upside for both, with HWC showing stronger potential at around 10% above current levels.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines FFIN and HWC, two regional banks serving the U.S. South, amid ongoing interest rate dynamics and economic recovery signals. Investors and traders interested in financial sector exposure, value plays, or dividend stability may find value in evaluating their relative performance, valuation metrics, and market positioning. With both stocks demonstrating resilience in recent market activity, this analysis highlights contrasts in growth drivers, risk profiles, and sentiment shifts to inform portfolio decisions in the current environment.
FFIN Overview and Recent Performance
First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (FFIN) is a Texas-based financial holding company focused on community banking, offering commercial and consumer loans, deposits, and trust services across its subsidiaries. In recent weeks, FFIN shares have shown upward momentum following first-quarter 2026 earnings that exceeded expectations, with earnings per share (EPS) of $0.50 topping estimates by $0.03 and revenue growth supporting higher net interest income. The company renewed its stock repurchase program for up to 5 million shares, bolstering shareholder value. Trading near $32.60 with a market cap of approximately $4.7 billion, FFIN benefits from strong profitability metrics like a 42% profit margin and return on equity (ROE) of 14.6%, though its price-to-book ratio of 2.4 reflects a premium valuation. Sentiment has improved on operational efficiency and regional economic tailwinds.
HWC Overview and Recent Performance
Hancock Whitney Corporation (HWC), headquartered in Gulfport, Mississippi, operates as a regional bank providing deposit, lending, and wealth management services across the Gulf South, including Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. Recent market activity has seen HWC maintain steady performance ahead of its first-quarter 2026 earnings release, with prior fourth-quarter 2025 results meeting EPS expectations at $1.49. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 11% to $0.50 per share and projects 5-6% NII growth alongside mid-single-digit loan expansion for 2026. Shares trade around $69.35 with a $5.7 billion market cap, supported by a 33% profit margin and ROE of 11.3%. Positive analyst updates, including raised price targets, have influenced favorable sentiment amid commercial lending strength.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
FFIN emphasizes community-oriented banking in Texas, prioritizing asset quality and low-risk lending, while HWC has broader commercial and industrial exposure across multiple states, driving higher revenue of $1.5 billion trailing twelve months (TTM) versus FFIN’s $622 million. Growth drivers differ: HWC eyes loan expansion and NII uplift, contrasting FFIN’s focus on efficiency and buybacks. Recent momentum favors FFIN post-earnings surge, but HWC shows superior TTM net income at $484 million. Risk factors include interest rate sensitivity for both, though FFIN’s lower beta offers reduced volatility. Sector exposure is similar in regional banking, but market sentiment leans toward HWC for value via its lower P/E and forward multiples.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI models currently lean toward HWC based on superior valuation metrics, higher analyst target upside, and projected NII growth amid stable regional demand. While FFIN excels in stability and recent earnings momentum, HWC’s relative positioning suggests higher probability of outperformance in the near term, contingent on earnings delivery and economic conditions.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full Disclaimers and Limitations.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is FFIN is a Hold and HWC is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
FFIN’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileHWC’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- FFIN’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- HWC’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
FFIN’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while HWC’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- FFIN’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- HWC’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
FFIN (@Regional Banks) experienced а -0.72% price change this week, while HWC (@Regional Banks) price change was -0.56% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Regional Banks industry was +1.31%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +5.68%, and the average quarterly price growth was +13.55%.
Reported Earning Dates
FFIN is expected to report earnings on Jul 16, 2026.
HWC is expected to report earnings on Jul 21, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Regional Banks (+1.31% weekly)Regional banks have a smaller reach than major banks, and cater mostly to one region of a country, such as a state or within a group of states. They offer services often similar – albeit with some limitations/smaller scale – compared to major banks. Taking deposits, making loans, mortgages, leases, credit cards , fund management, insurance and investment banking. SunTrust Banks, State Street Corp., M&T Bank Corp. are some examples of U.S. regional banks.
| FFIN | HWC | FFIN / HWC | |
| Capitalization | 4.8B | 5.84B | 82% |
| EBITDA | N/A | N/A | - |
| Gain YTD | 12.305 | 12.827 | 96% |
| P/E Ratio | 17.98 | 14.56 | 123% |
| Revenue | 635M | 1.44B | 44% |
| Total Cash | 265M | 556M | 48% |
| Total Debt | 21.1M | 1.68B | 1% |
FFIN | HWC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 31 | 31 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 87 Overvalued | 47 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 38 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 34 | 23 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 50 | 45 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 70 | 24 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 85 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
HWC's Valuation (47) in the Regional Banks industry is somewhat better than the same rating for FFIN (87). This means that HWC’s stock grew somewhat faster than FFIN’s over the last 12 months.
HWC's Profit vs Risk Rating (38) in the Regional Banks industry is somewhat better than the same rating for FFIN (100). This means that HWC’s stock grew somewhat faster than FFIN’s over the last 12 months.
HWC's SMR Rating (23) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as FFIN (34). This means that HWC’s stock grew similarly to FFIN’s over the last 12 months.
HWC's Price Growth Rating (45) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as FFIN (50). This means that HWC’s stock grew similarly to FFIN’s over the last 12 months.
HWC's P/E Growth Rating (24) in the Regional Banks industry is somewhat better than the same rating for FFIN (70). This means that HWC’s stock grew somewhat faster than FFIN’s over the last 12 months.
| FFIN | HWC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 72% | 2 days ago 76% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 70% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 66% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 58% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 62% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 61% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 23 days ago 65% | 8 days ago 66% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 74% | 2 days ago 76% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 46% | 2 days ago 49% |
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FFIN and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, FFIN has been closely correlated with UBSI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 85% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if FFIN jumps, then UBSI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To FFIN | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FFIN | 100% | +1.01% | ||
| UBSI - FFIN | 85% Closely correlated | +1.17% | ||
| UCB - FFIN | 84% Closely correlated | +1.61% | ||
| SFNC - FFIN | 84% Closely correlated | +1.28% | ||
| HWC - FFIN | 84% Closely correlated | +0.78% | ||
| TRMK - FFIN | 83% Closely correlated | +0.90% | ||
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HWC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, HWC has been closely correlated with UCB. These tickers have moved in lockstep 87% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if HWC jumps, then UCB could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To HWC | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HWC | 100% | +0.78% | ||
| UCB - HWC | 87% Closely correlated | +1.61% | ||
| UBSI - HWC | 87% Closely correlated | +1.17% | ||
| FNB - HWC | 87% Closely correlated | +0.71% | ||
| ASB - HWC | 87% Closely correlated | +0.62% | ||
| FULT - HWC | 87% Closely correlated | +0.66% | ||
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