Optimism in the Financial Sector Despite Underperformance
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 6 hours ago
0mins
Should l Buy HBAN?
Source: Yahoo Finance
- 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.
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Analyst Views on HBAN
Wall Street analysts forecast HBAN stock price to rise
15 Analyst Rating
12 Buy
2 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 18.010
Low
16.00
Averages
20.23
High
23.00
Current: 18.010
Low
16.00
Averages
20.23
High
23.00
About HBAN
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is an asset regional bank holding company. The Company, through its bank subsidiary, Huntington National Bank and its affiliates provide 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. It operates more than 1,000 branches in 14 states, with certain businesses operating in extended geographies. Its Consumer & Regional Banking segment offers financial products and services to consumer and business customers, including deposits, lending, payments, mortgage banking, dealer financing, investment management, and other financial products and services. Its Commercial Banking segment provides expertise through banks, 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.
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
Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the Week Ending February 6
- Investor Focus: Benzinga's Stock Whisper Index utilizes proprietary data and pattern recognition each week to highlight five undervalued stocks that deserve attention, assisting investors in finding new opportunities amidst information overload.
- Market Dynamics: While retail traders face challenges with numerous methods available, the index aims to reveal overlooked stocks by filtering information, thereby enhancing investors' decision-making capabilities.
- Data Source: Benzinga Pro provides the latest market dynamics and headlines, ensuring investors can access key information that impacts the market, thereby improving the effectiveness of their investment strategies.
- Ongoing Attention: Benzinga encourages investors to stay tuned for next week's report and to follow Benzinga Pro for the latest market-moving stories, ensuring they do not miss potential investment opportunities.
See More
Huntington Bank to Transfer $28 Billion Wealth Management Division to Ameriprise
Ameriprise Financial's New Partnership: Ameriprise Financial has secured a deal to provide brokerage services and technology support to Huntington National Bank.
Focus on Institutional Business: This agreement marks a significant win for Ameriprise's institutional business segment.
See More
Latest Wall Street Rating Updates
- AMD Rating Reaffirmed: Barclays reiterates its overweight rating on AMD, citing the company's growing share in the PC and server markets, alongside significant spending potential from clients like OpenAI, indicating strong future growth in AI.
- Airbnb Upgrade: Citizens upgrades Airbnb from market perform to market outperform with a price target of $160, anticipating multiple upcoming catalysts that could drive the stock beyond current expectations.
- GE Vernova Rating Recovery: Baird upgrades GE Vernova from neutral to outperform, asserting that concerns about capacity are overblown and that the energy infrastructure cycle is still in its early stages, positioning GE Vernova as a key beneficiary.
- Broadridge Financial Upgrade: DA Davidson raises Broadridge's rating from hold to buy, arguing that the recent 30% decline in shares presents a buying opportunity, maintaining a price target of $228 as the sell-off is seen as excessive.
See More
Huntington Bancshares Completes Merger with Cadence Bank
- Merger Completion: Huntington Bancshares has officially completed its merger with Cadence Bank on February 2, 2026, positioning Huntington as the eighth-largest bank in Texas and the number one bank in Mississippi by deposit market share, significantly enhancing its market presence.
- Asset Growth: Post-merger, Huntington's total assets reach approximately $279 billion, with $221 billion in deposits and $187 billion in loans, providing robust support for its expansion into high-growth markets across the South and Texas.
- Branch Network Expansion: The addition of Cadence's 390 branches will expand Huntington's network to nearly 1,400 locations across 21 states, with plans to maintain Cadence's branches and invest in their growth, thereby enhancing customer service capabilities.
- New Board Members: Huntington's Board has appointed three new directors, all former Cadence Bank directors, whose extensive experience will provide crucial support for Huntington's strategic development, driving future growth and innovation.
See More
Huntington Bancshares Completes Merger with Cadence Bank
- Merger Completion: Huntington Bancshares has officially completed its merger with Cadence Bank as of February 2, 2026, significantly enhancing its market share in Texas and Mississippi, making it the eighth-largest bank in Texas and the number one bank in Mississippi, which is expected to accelerate growth in southern markets.
- Asset Scale Expansion: Post-merger, Huntington's total assets reach $279 billion, with deposits totaling $221 billion and loans amounting to $187 billion, which will enhance its competitiveness nationwide and lay a solid foundation for future expansion.
- New Board Members: Huntington's Board of Directors has appointed three new members, including former Cadence Bank Chairman and CEO Dan Rollins, along with two other executives with extensive banking experience, which will bring fresh perspectives and strategic guidance to enhance corporate governance.
- Enhanced Customer Service: The merger will integrate Cadence's 390 branches with Huntington's network, creating nearly 1,400 locations, allowing Cadence customers to continue banking at existing branches, with account system conversions expected by mid-2026, thereby improving customer experience.
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
Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the Week Ending February 6
- Investor Focus: Benzinga's Stock Whisper Index utilizes proprietary data and pattern recognition each week to highlight five undervalued stocks that deserve attention, assisting investors in finding new opportunities amidst information overload.
- Market Dynamics: While retail traders face challenges with numerous methods available, the index aims to reveal overlooked stocks by filtering information, thereby enhancing investors' decision-making capabilities.
- Data Source: Benzinga Pro provides the latest market dynamics and headlines, ensuring investors can access key information that impacts the market, thereby improving the effectiveness of their investment strategies.
- Ongoing Attention: Benzinga encourages investors to stay tuned for next week's report and to follow Benzinga Pro for the latest market-moving stories, ensuring they do not miss potential investment opportunities.
See More
Huntington Bank to Transfer $28 Billion Wealth Management Division to Ameriprise
Ameriprise Financial's New Partnership: Ameriprise Financial has secured a deal to provide brokerage services and technology support to Huntington National Bank.
Focus on Institutional Business: This agreement marks a significant win for Ameriprise's institutional business segment.
See More
Latest Wall Street Rating Updates
- AMD Rating Reaffirmed: Barclays reiterates its overweight rating on AMD, citing the company's growing share in the PC and server markets, alongside significant spending potential from clients like OpenAI, indicating strong future growth in AI.
- Airbnb Upgrade: Citizens upgrades Airbnb from market perform to market outperform with a price target of $160, anticipating multiple upcoming catalysts that could drive the stock beyond current expectations.
- GE Vernova Rating Recovery: Baird upgrades GE Vernova from neutral to outperform, asserting that concerns about capacity are overblown and that the energy infrastructure cycle is still in its early stages, positioning GE Vernova as a key beneficiary.
- Broadridge Financial Upgrade: DA Davidson raises Broadridge's rating from hold to buy, arguing that the recent 30% decline in shares presents a buying opportunity, maintaining a price target of $228 as the sell-off is seen as excessive.
See More
Huntington Bancshares Completes Merger with Cadence Bank
- Merger Completion: Huntington Bancshares has officially completed its merger with Cadence Bank on February 2, 2026, positioning Huntington as the eighth-largest bank in Texas and the number one bank in Mississippi by deposit market share, significantly enhancing its market presence.
- Asset Growth: Post-merger, Huntington's total assets reach approximately $279 billion, with $221 billion in deposits and $187 billion in loans, providing robust support for its expansion into high-growth markets across the South and Texas.
- Branch Network Expansion: The addition of Cadence's 390 branches will expand Huntington's network to nearly 1,400 locations across 21 states, with plans to maintain Cadence's branches and invest in their growth, thereby enhancing customer service capabilities.
- New Board Members: Huntington's Board has appointed three new directors, all former Cadence Bank directors, whose extensive experience will provide crucial support for Huntington's strategic development, driving future growth and innovation.
See More
Huntington Bancshares Completes Merger with Cadence Bank
- Merger Completion: Huntington Bancshares has officially completed its merger with Cadence Bank as of February 2, 2026, significantly enhancing its market share in Texas and Mississippi, making it the eighth-largest bank in Texas and the number one bank in Mississippi, which is expected to accelerate growth in southern markets.
- Asset Scale Expansion: Post-merger, Huntington's total assets reach $279 billion, with deposits totaling $221 billion and loans amounting to $187 billion, which will enhance its competitiveness nationwide and lay a solid foundation for future expansion.
- New Board Members: Huntington's Board of Directors has appointed three new members, including former Cadence Bank Chairman and CEO Dan Rollins, along with two other executives with extensive banking experience, which will bring fresh perspectives and strategic guidance to enhance corporate governance.
- Enhanced Customer Service: The merger will integrate Cadence's 390 branches with Huntington's network, creating nearly 1,400 locations, allowing Cadence customers to continue banking at existing branches, with account system conversions expected by mid-2026, thereby improving customer experience.
See More
