Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) Stock Forecast & Price Target

Huntington Bancshares is demonstrating strong organic growth in both loans and deposits, with end-of-period loans increasing by $1.2 billion and deposits by $1.3 billion as of February 28. Management anticipates a yearly margin expansion of approximately 10 basis points, primarily driven by fixed asset repricing and optimized deposit costs, which is expected to enhance net interest income. Additionally, recent acquisitions are expected to bolster consumer banking capabilities and contribute to sustained growth in the franchise, particularly in high-growth markets across the Southeast and the Carolinas, reinforcing a positive outlook for the bank's performance.

Huntington Bancshares has experienced a significant decline of 12.3% year-to-date, the worst performance among its peer group, largely due to a challenging economic environment that is likely to hinder loan growth and deposit-gathering efforts. The financial outlook for the bank appears grim, as revised earnings per share (EPS) estimates for 2026 and 2027 have been decreased to $1.62 and $1.92, respectively, reflecting an anticipated reduction in purchase accounting accretion and heightened credit costs. Additionally, ongoing execution risks related to the integration of recent acquisitions further contribute to concerns over lending opportunities and profit margins amidst a deteriorating economic backdrop.