Insider Trading February 23, 2026

Huntington Bancshares Director Buys $252,901 in Stock as Bank Expands Through Cadence Deal

Gary Torgow acquires 14,200 shares; Huntington’s scale grows to roughly $279 billion in assets following Cadence merger amid continued analyst support

By Caleb Monroe HBAN
Huntington Bancshares Director Buys $252,901 in Stock as Bank Expands Through Cadence Deal
HBAN

Huntington Bancshares director Gary Torgow purchased 14,200 shares of HBAN common stock on February 19, 2026, for $17.81 per share, a transaction valued at about $252,901. The move comes as the bank finalizes its merger with Cadence Bank, taking Huntington’s assets to roughly $279 billion and expanding its branch network to nearly 1,400 locations. Analysts have signaled continued confidence even as some earnings estimates have been revised.

Key Points

  • Director Gary Torgow purchased 14,200 shares of Huntington Bancshares on February 19, 2026, at $17.81 per share, totaling about $252,901.
  • Post-Cadence merger, Huntington’s assets are approximately $279 billion with $221 billion in deposits, $187 billion in loans, and nearly 1,400 branches across 21 states; analysts including Evercore ISI and Morgan Stanley continue to rate the stock positively.
  • HBAN was trading at $17.08 with a P/E ratio of 12.31, a dividend yield of 3.44%, and InvestingPro flagged the company as undervalued relative to its Fair Value.

Director Gary Torgow of Huntington Bancshares (NASDAQ:HBAN) bought 14,200 shares of the company’s common stock on February 19, 2026, according to a Form 4 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The shares were acquired at $17.81 apiece, bringing the total consideration for the transaction to approximately $252,901.

Following that purchase, the filing shows Torgow directly holds 943,340.95 shares of Huntington Bancshares. The disclosure also notes indirect holdings of 5,675 shares through a spouse. At the time the report referenced market data, HBAN was trading at $17.08 and carried a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.31. An InvestingPro analysis cited in the filing indicates the company is trading below its assessed Fair Value.

Investors may also note Huntington’s dividend profile: the bank pays a dividend yield of 3.44% and has maintained dividend distributions for 56 consecutive years. The Form 4 filing and related materials reference InvestingPro as a source for additional ProTips and deeper valuation and financial analysis for HBAN.


The share purchase occurs against the backdrop of a major strategic transaction for the bank. Huntington recently completed its merger with Cadence Bank, a deal that significantly broadened the company’s footprint in Texas and the Southeast. Post-merger, Huntington’s balance sheet stands at about $279 billion in total assets, with roughly $221 billion in deposits and approximately $187 billion in loans. The acquisition added 390 branches and expands Huntington’s network to nearly 1,400 locations spanning 21 states.

Analysts have reacted to the expanded scale with varying forms of support. Evercore ISI initiated coverage of Huntington Bancshares with an Outperform rating and a $21.00 price target, citing the bank’s increased presence in growth markets. Morgan Stanley reiterated an Overweight rating with a $21.00 price target and continued to list Huntington as a top pick. The coverage noted a recent revision of its 2027 earnings per share guidance to a range of $1.90-1.93, and Morgan Stanley remained optimistic citing higher revenue targets.

Truist Securities also maintained a Buy rating on Huntington, though it adjusted its earnings-per-share estimates downward for both 2026 and 2027. Collectively, these analyst actions reflect continued institutional interest even as certain forecasts have been moderated.

The transaction by a sitting director, combined with the completed Cadence integration and ongoing analyst support, leaves Huntington positioned with greater scale in markets targeted for growth. For readers seeking expanded valuation context and more granular financial metrics, the filing notes that InvestingPro provides additional analysis and ProTips on HBAN.

Risks

  • Huntington revised its 2027 earnings-per-share guidance to a range of $1.90-1.93, indicating uncertainty around future profitability - this affects banking and financials analysts' projections.
  • Truist Securities lowered its EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027, reflecting downward adjustments to near-term earnings expectations that impact investor outlook in the regional banking sector.
  • The price at which the director purchased shares ($17.81) is higher than the reported trading price ($17.08), underscoring short-term market price volatility in the financials sector.

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