Huntington Bank (HBAN) Q4 Earnings Miss Expectations, Stock Declines
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 22 2026
0mins
Should l Buy HBANL?
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Earnings Report: Huntington Bank's Q4 earnings per share fell short of market expectations, with an 11% revenue growth overshadowed by higher-than-expected expenses, leading to a stock decline that reflects market concerns about future performance.
- Expense Growth: The company anticipates a 10% to 11% increase in expenses for 2026, exceeding investor expectations, partly due to one-time integration costs associated with the Vertex deal, which may impact investor confidence.
- Market Outlook: Despite the expense pressures, Huntington Bank remains optimistic about 2026, projecting revenue growth between 11% and 14%, indicating its competitive position and growth potential in the market.
- Operating Leverage: The bank achieved nearly a 3% increase in operating margins in 2025 and expects to expand margins by 1.5% to 2% in 2026, demonstrating a strong balance between profitability and reinvestment.
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Analyst Views on HBANL
Wall Street analysts forecast HBANL stock price to rise
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Current: 25.490
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Current: 25.490
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About HBANL
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a diversified regional bank holding company. The Company, through its bank subsidiary, Huntington National Bank and its subsidiaries (the Bank), provides consumers, small and middle-market businesses, corporations, municipalities, and other organizations with a comprehensive suite of banking, payments, wealth management, and risk management products and services. Its Consumer & Regional Banking segment provides an array of financial products and services to consumer and business customers including, but not limited to, deposits, lending, payments, mortgage banking, dealer financing, investment management, trust, brokerage, insurance, and other financial products and services. Its Commercial Banking segment provides expertise through bankers, capabilities, and digital channels, which include a comprehensive set of product offerings. Its target clients span from mid-market to large corporates across a national footprint.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Morgan Stanley Lowers Huntington Target Amid Macro Pressures
- Target Price Cut: Morgan Stanley has lowered its price target for Huntington Bancshares (NASDAQ:HBAN) from $23 to $21 while maintaining an Overweight rating, reflecting concerns over macroeconomic pressures affecting bank stocks.
- Industry Pullback: The median bank stock in Morgan Stanley's coverage has declined approximately 5% over the past 30 days, primarily driven by worries surrounding the ongoing Middle East conflict and its potential impact on economic growth and inflation.
- Revenue Growth Outlook: Management expects net interest income to grow by 10% to 13% in 2026, supported by projected loan growth of 11% to 12% and deposit growth of 8% to 9%, with fee revenues anticipated to increase by 13% to 16%.
- Digital Investment Focus: The company highlighted ongoing investments in digital capabilities and expansion into new and existing markets, with the 2026 outlook for standalone growth in net interest income, assets, deposits, and fees generally exceeding 2025 levels.
See More
Optimism in the Financial Sector Despite Underperformance
- Regional Banks Undervalued: Dory Wiley, CEO of Commerce Street Holdings, asserts that despite the overall poor performance of the financial sector, regional banks maintain strong fundamentals with high capital ratios and good deposits, indicating their potential value.
- Sustained Profitability Growth: Wiley notes that banks are currently valued at a forward P/E of only 10 times earnings, and with good growth rates, these stocks could realistically reach a valuation range of 15 to 18 times, reflecting market confidence in their future performance.
- Superior Credit Quality: He emphasizes that the credit underwriting quality in the banking sector is at its historical best, and while some individual banks may face weaknesses, the overall health of the industry provides reassurance to investors.
- Abundant Market Opportunities: Despite concerns over AI disruption, Wiley remains optimistic about investment opportunities in bank stocks, believing there is significant growth potential across small, mid, and large-cap banks that investors should consider.
See More
Huntington Bank (HBAN) Q4 Earnings Miss Expectations, Stock Declines
- Earnings Report: Huntington Bank's Q4 earnings per share fell short of market expectations, with an 11% revenue growth overshadowed by higher-than-expected expenses, leading to a stock decline that reflects market concerns about future performance.
- Expense Growth: The company anticipates a 10% to 11% increase in expenses for 2026, exceeding investor expectations, partly due to one-time integration costs associated with the Vertex deal, which may impact investor confidence.
- Market Outlook: Despite the expense pressures, Huntington Bank remains optimistic about 2026, projecting revenue growth between 11% and 14%, indicating its competitive position and growth potential in the market.
- Operating Leverage: The bank achieved nearly a 3% increase in operating margins in 2025 and expects to expand margins by 1.5% to 2% in 2026, demonstrating a strong balance between profitability and reinvestment.
See More
Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) Reports 11% Revenue Growth in Q4 2025
- Strong Performance: Huntington Bancshares reported Q4 2025 earnings per share of $0.30, with an adjusted EPS of $0.37, reflecting a 9% year-over-year increase, which underscores the company's robust revenue and profitability, solidifying its market position.
- Loan and Deposit Growth: Average loans increased by 14.4% year-over-year, while deposits rose 5.1% quarter-over-quarter, indicating effective strategies in customer acquisition and fund management, which are expected to drive future revenue growth.
- Accelerated Strategic Partnerships: The integration with Veritex was completed in 187 days, with Cadence's systems migration projected for mid-2026, expected to yield significant cost and revenue synergies, further enhancing the company's competitive edge.
- Optimistic Outlook: Management anticipates net interest income growth of 10% to 13% in 2026, emphasizing continued investment in digital capabilities and market expansion to support long-term growth objectives.
See More
Small Banks Thrive with PE Ratios Below 11 Amid Market Optimism
- Banking Resilience: Small and regional banks have demonstrated strong performance after enduring a 500 basis point rate shock, maintaining historical high capital ratios, indicating robust risk resilience and potential for increased profitability in the future.
- PE Ratio Advantage: While money center banks trade at forward PE ratios between 13 and 16, small and regional banks are priced below 11, growing faster, suggesting that investors can achieve higher returns by opting for smaller banks.
- Yield Attractiveness: For instance, Huntington offers a yield three times that of JP Morgan, highlighting the appeal of small banks in terms of yield distribution, which has garnered increased investor interest.
- Rapidly Growing Community Banks: Third Coast Bankshares and South Plains Financial in Texas are among the fastest-growing community banks, priced at or below 11 times forward PE ratios, showcasing their competitive edge and investment potential in the market.
See More
TD Cowen Reaffirms Buy Rating for Huntington Bancshares Incorporated - Preferred Stock (HBANL)
TD Cowen's Recommendation: On October 20, 2025, TD Cowen maintained a Buy recommendation for Huntington Bancshares Incorporated - Preferred Stock (NasdaqGS:HBANL), with an average one-year price target of $30.00/share, indicating a potential upside of 16.86% from its closing price of $25.67/share.
Institutional Holdings and Changes: There are 30 funds reporting positions in HBANL, with a slight decrease in total shares owned by institutions. Notable changes include a 9.01% decrease in shares held by iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF, while Global X U.S. Preferred ETF increased its holdings by 27.63%.
See More
Morgan Stanley Lowers Huntington Target Amid Macro Pressures
- Target Price Cut: Morgan Stanley has lowered its price target for Huntington Bancshares (NASDAQ:HBAN) from $23 to $21 while maintaining an Overweight rating, reflecting concerns over macroeconomic pressures affecting bank stocks.
- Industry Pullback: The median bank stock in Morgan Stanley's coverage has declined approximately 5% over the past 30 days, primarily driven by worries surrounding the ongoing Middle East conflict and its potential impact on economic growth and inflation.
- Revenue Growth Outlook: Management expects net interest income to grow by 10% to 13% in 2026, supported by projected loan growth of 11% to 12% and deposit growth of 8% to 9%, with fee revenues anticipated to increase by 13% to 16%.
- Digital Investment Focus: The company highlighted ongoing investments in digital capabilities and expansion into new and existing markets, with the 2026 outlook for standalone growth in net interest income, assets, deposits, and fees generally exceeding 2025 levels.
See More
Optimism in the Financial Sector Despite Underperformance
- Regional Banks Undervalued: Dory Wiley, CEO of Commerce Street Holdings, asserts that despite the overall poor performance of the financial sector, regional banks maintain strong fundamentals with high capital ratios and good deposits, indicating their potential value.
- Sustained Profitability Growth: Wiley notes that banks are currently valued at a forward P/E of only 10 times earnings, and with good growth rates, these stocks could realistically reach a valuation range of 15 to 18 times, reflecting market confidence in their future performance.
- Superior Credit Quality: He emphasizes that the credit underwriting quality in the banking sector is at its historical best, and while some individual banks may face weaknesses, the overall health of the industry provides reassurance to investors.
- Abundant Market Opportunities: Despite concerns over AI disruption, Wiley remains optimistic about investment opportunities in bank stocks, believing there is significant growth potential across small, mid, and large-cap banks that investors should consider.
See More
Huntington Bank (HBAN) Q4 Earnings Miss Expectations, Stock Declines
- Earnings Report: Huntington Bank's Q4 earnings per share fell short of market expectations, with an 11% revenue growth overshadowed by higher-than-expected expenses, leading to a stock decline that reflects market concerns about future performance.
- Expense Growth: The company anticipates a 10% to 11% increase in expenses for 2026, exceeding investor expectations, partly due to one-time integration costs associated with the Vertex deal, which may impact investor confidence.
- Market Outlook: Despite the expense pressures, Huntington Bank remains optimistic about 2026, projecting revenue growth between 11% and 14%, indicating its competitive position and growth potential in the market.
- Operating Leverage: The bank achieved nearly a 3% increase in operating margins in 2025 and expects to expand margins by 1.5% to 2% in 2026, demonstrating a strong balance between profitability and reinvestment.
See More
Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) Reports 11% Revenue Growth in Q4 2025
- Strong Performance: Huntington Bancshares reported Q4 2025 earnings per share of $0.30, with an adjusted EPS of $0.37, reflecting a 9% year-over-year increase, which underscores the company's robust revenue and profitability, solidifying its market position.
- Loan and Deposit Growth: Average loans increased by 14.4% year-over-year, while deposits rose 5.1% quarter-over-quarter, indicating effective strategies in customer acquisition and fund management, which are expected to drive future revenue growth.
- Accelerated Strategic Partnerships: The integration with Veritex was completed in 187 days, with Cadence's systems migration projected for mid-2026, expected to yield significant cost and revenue synergies, further enhancing the company's competitive edge.
- Optimistic Outlook: Management anticipates net interest income growth of 10% to 13% in 2026, emphasizing continued investment in digital capabilities and market expansion to support long-term growth objectives.
See More
Small Banks Thrive with PE Ratios Below 11 Amid Market Optimism
- Banking Resilience: Small and regional banks have demonstrated strong performance after enduring a 500 basis point rate shock, maintaining historical high capital ratios, indicating robust risk resilience and potential for increased profitability in the future.
- PE Ratio Advantage: While money center banks trade at forward PE ratios between 13 and 16, small and regional banks are priced below 11, growing faster, suggesting that investors can achieve higher returns by opting for smaller banks.
- Yield Attractiveness: For instance, Huntington offers a yield three times that of JP Morgan, highlighting the appeal of small banks in terms of yield distribution, which has garnered increased investor interest.
- Rapidly Growing Community Banks: Third Coast Bankshares and South Plains Financial in Texas are among the fastest-growing community banks, priced at or below 11 times forward PE ratios, showcasing their competitive edge and investment potential in the market.
See More
TD Cowen Reaffirms Buy Rating for Huntington Bancshares Incorporated - Preferred Stock (HBANL)
TD Cowen's Recommendation: On October 20, 2025, TD Cowen maintained a Buy recommendation for Huntington Bancshares Incorporated - Preferred Stock (NasdaqGS:HBANL), with an average one-year price target of $30.00/share, indicating a potential upside of 16.86% from its closing price of $25.67/share.
Institutional Holdings and Changes: There are 30 funds reporting positions in HBANL, with a slight decrease in total shares owned by institutions. Notable changes include a 9.01% decrease in shares held by iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF, while Global X U.S. Preferred ETF increased its holdings by 27.63%.
See More
