NEW YORK, July 22, 2026, 16:08 EDT
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated NASDAQ:HBAN closed Wednesday up 0.6% at $18.27 per share following the end of U.S. cash trading. Investors are awaiting Thursday’s results to see if deal-driven growth delivers per-share improvement.
This quarter is Huntington’s first full reporting period following its acquisition of Cadence, completed on February 1. The transaction expands the company’s scale and raises its anticipated earnings.
Preliminary figures from multiple sources indicate earnings per share ranging from 36 cents to 39 cents. Expected revenue is reported between $2.80 billion and $2.84 billion. Adjusted earnings per share for Q1 came in at 37 cents.
The contrast becomes clear in a quarter-on-quarter comparison:
| Metric | Q1 2026 actual | Q2 2026 preliminary | Sequential change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net interest income | $1.891 billion | $2.100 billion | Rises 11.1% |
| Noninterest income | $682.0 million | $727.8 million | Up 6.7% |
| EPS, versus adjusted Q1 | $0.37 | $0.36-$0.39 | Moves from a drop of 2.7% to a gain of 5.4% |
The company’s report details Q1 results. Q2 numbers are sourced from initial external projections. The shifts indicate differences between these values.
Revenue is expected to grow at a rate ranging from the high single digits to the low double digits. Earnings per share might either edge down slightly or rise by as much as 5.4%. This could pose a hurdle for investors.
The gap is partially explained by math. For Q1, Huntington reported 1.901 billion diluted average shares, up 28.3% compared to the prior-year period.
The second issue concerns costs. Estimates show higher expenses for personnel, technology, and integration. Huntington reported $271 million in significant pre-tax items for the first quarter, primarily related to acquisitions.
Margin acts as a buffer. Net interest margin rose to 3.24% in the first quarter, compared with 3.15% in the previous quarter. Whether this gain can be maintained will hinge on how deposit pricing develops.
Jefferies Financial Group NYSE:JEF analyst David Chiaverini cut Huntington to hold on July 6, setting a $19 price target and citing “a lingering M&A-related discount.” The downgrade was prompted by the requirement for clearer insight into integration, deposit expenses, and margin prospects. Google
Competitors posted stronger profit increases quarter-on-quarter last week. Citizens Financial Group NYSE:CFG raised second-quarter net interest income by 4% and posted a 15% gain in EPS. Fifth Third Bancorp NYSE:FITB reported a 14% increase in net interest income, with adjusted EPS at $1.02.
Cadence and Veritex contributed to higher first-quarter loan and deposit balances for Huntington, making it essential to assess organic growth for a clearer view of the headline figures.
The stock gained 0.8% over the five sessions after July 15. Despite this, shares remained 6.1% below their peak from February 6. Market expectations seemed evenly poised.
Thursday’s report and the 9 a.m. EDT call are expected to drive estimate changes for the upcoming week. Investors will be watching costs, margin projections and updates on the timetable for synergies.
In April, CEO Steve Steinour said Huntington was “driving toward our committed expense and revenue synergies.” He also noted that the Cadence conversion would take place in June. Thursday delivers the initial full-quarter assessment. Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
Risks: Any projected revenue growth may be countered by higher deposit costs, softer loan activity or charges from integration. Conversely, quicker-than-expected synergies, strong credit trends or solid fee income could lift outcomes beyond initial forecasts.
Merely scaling up further will not suffice. The subsequent step depends on the profit allocated per share.
