Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE:ASB) Given Consensus Rating of “Hold” by Brokerages

Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE:ASB) has been assigned a consensus rating of “Hold” from the eleven brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $29.10.

Several research firms have commented on ASB. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on shares of Associated Banc from $29.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Friday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Associated Banc in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Associated Banc from $32.00 to $30.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Associated Banc from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday. Finally, Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $30.00 price target (up previously from $29.00) on shares of Associated Banc in a research report on Monday, October 27th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Patrick Edward Ahern sold 30,489 shares of Associated Banc stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.70, for a total value 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP John A. Utz sold 2,135 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.41, for a total transaction of $56,385.35. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 109,842 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,900,927.22. This represents a 1.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders sold 35,951 shares of company stock worth $925,756. Insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Associated Banc

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ASB. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in shares of Associated Banc by 2,033.9% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,195 shares of the bank’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,139 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Associated Banc by 46.8% in the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,279 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 408 shares during the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC bought a new position in Associated Banc in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Associated Banc by 345.5% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,350 shares of the bank’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 1,047 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bayforest Capital Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Associated Banc in the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 82.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Associated Banc Stock Performance

Shares of ASB stock opened at $26.47 on Monday. Associated Banc has a fifty-two week low of $18.32 and a fifty-two week high of $28.02. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $26.22 and its two-hundred day moving average is $25.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The firm has a market cap of $4.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.56, a PEG ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 0.79.

Associated Banc (NYSE:ASB) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The bank reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.11. Associated Banc had a return on equity of 10.25% and a net margin of 19.31%.The business had revenue of $393.52 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $382.06 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.72 EPS. Analysts predict that Associated Banc will post 2.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Associated Banc Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st were given a dividend of $0.24 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. This is an increase from Associated Banc’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.6%. Associated Banc’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 34.66%.

Associated Banc News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Associated Banc this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results: ASB posted GAAP EPS of $0.80 and revenue roughly $393–389M (beats consensus), with improving credit metrics and lower provisions — a clear earnings beat. Zacks: ASB Q4 Earnings Beat
• Positive Sentiment: Record annual results: Associated Banc reported record 2025 net income available to common equity of $463M ($2.77/share), signaling stronger full‑year profitability. PR Newswire: Record 2025 Net Income
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts lifted price targets to $30 from $27–29 (RBC, Piper Sandler, Keefe/Bruyette & Woods), implying ~13% upside; the raises provide support for the stock. The Fly: RBC PT Raise The Fly: Piper PT Raise Benzinga: KBW/Other Coverage
• Neutral Sentiment: Detailed coverage and transcripts available: investors can review the earnings call transcript and Q4 snapshots to check guidance, expense outlook and credit commentary. Yahoo: Earnings Call Transcript SeattlePI: Q4 Snapshot
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts retained neutral/sector‑perform/market‑perform ratings despite higher targets, which may limit buying momentum and help explain the stock’s decline today. The Fly: Analyst Ratings

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.