Zacks Research Expects Higher Earnings for Associated Banc

Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE:ASB) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research increased their FY2026 earnings estimates for Associated Banc in a research report issued on Thursday, December 18th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the bank will post earnings per share of $2.77 for the year, up from their previous forecast of $2.76. The consensus estimate for Associated Banc’s current full-year earnings is $2.43 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Associated Banc’s FY2027 earnings at $2.98 EPS.

Associated Banc (NYSE:ASB) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The bank reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.66 by $0.07. Associated Banc had a net margin of 7.23% and a return on equity of 9.45%. The business had revenue of $390.71 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $377.94 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.56 EPS.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $28.00 price target on shares of Associated Banc in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Associated Banc in a report on Monday. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating on shares of Associated Banc in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Raymond James Financial restated an “outperform” rating and set a $30.00 target price (up from $29.00) on shares of Associated Banc in a report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Barclays cut their price target on shares of Associated Banc from $32.00 to $30.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $28.20.

Associated Banc Stock Performance

NYSE:ASB opened at $26.44 on Friday. Associated Banc has a fifty-two week low of $18.32 and a fifty-two week high of $27.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 0.90. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $25.63 and a 200 day moving average price of $25.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.12, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 0.81.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Associated Banc

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Associated Banc by 1.6% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,151,111 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $101,256,000 after buying an additional 67,219 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Associated Banc by 139.1% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 2,748,667 shares of the bank’s stock worth $61,927,000 after acquiring an additional 1,598,951 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Associated Banc by 32.5% in the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,629,549 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $67,606,000 after acquiring an additional 645,676 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Associated Banc by 679.4% during the 3rd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 2,223,694 shares of the bank’s stock worth $57,171,000 after acquiring an additional 1,938,393 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Associated Banc during the 2nd quarter worth about $48,373,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.98% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Associated Banc

In related news, EVP John A. Utz sold 2,135 shares of Associated Banc stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.41, for a total value of $56,385.35. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 109,842 shares in the company, valued at $2,900,927.22. The trade was a 1.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Patrick Edward Ahern sold 30,489 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.70, for a total transaction of $783,567.30. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 24,055 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $618,213.50. This trade represents a 55.90% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 35,951 shares of company stock valued at $925,756. Corporate insiders own 1.45% of the company’s stock.

Associated Banc Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st were paid a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. This is a boost from Associated Banc’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. Associated Banc’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 102.13%.

About Associated Banc

Associated Banc-Corp, through its primary subsidiary Associated Bank, N.A., is a regional financial services company headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The bank operates more than 200 branches across the Midwest, offering community-focused banking solutions for individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. Its emphasis on personalized service and regional decision-making supports long-standing customer relationships.

On the consumer side, Associated Bank provides checking and savings accounts, residential mortgages, home equity lines of credit, auto financing and credit card products.