Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE:HTGC) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE:HTGC) have been given a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” by the eight research firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, four have issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $18.7083.

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on HTGC shares. Piper Sandler lowered shares of Hercules Capital from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and lowered their target price for the company from $20.50 to $17.50 in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Hercules Capital from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, December 20th. Lucid Cap Mkts raised Hercules Capital to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price on Hercules Capital from $20.00 to $19.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price target on Hercules Capital from $19.50 to $15.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 13th.

Key Hercules Capital News

Here are the key news stories impacting Hercules Capital this week:

• Positive Sentiment: There was a brief intraday bounce noted recently, showing the stock can rally on short‑term flows despite pressure — a sign traders can create short‑term moves even as headlines turn negative. Hercules Capital (HTGC) Advances
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation and investor‑note pieces are re‑examining whether current prices reflect long‑term value vs. near‑term risk; these analyses are useful for longer‑term shareholders weighing whether recent weakness is a buying opportunity or warning sign. Is It Time To Reassess Hercules Capital?
• Negative Sentiment: Hagens Berman filed a securities class action after the Hunterbrook report; the complaint cites alleged copying of Google Ventures sourcing, misstated marks and questions about PIK loans — allegations that directly target the firm’s underwriting and disclosure practices. Hagens Berman Class Action Notice
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple plaintiff firms (Glancy, Faruqi, Pomerantz, Rosen, Levi & Korsinsky, Robbins, Schall, etc.) are actively soliciting lead plaintiffs and reminding investors of a May 19, 2026 deadline — the concentrated legal solicitations amplify headline risk and the probability of expensive, drawn‑out litigation. Glancy Lead Plaintiff Notice
• Negative Sentiment: Some firms quantify near‑term investor damages (Levi & Korsinsky citing a $1.22 per‑share decline after the corrective report) and analysts/columnists warn that any software‑sector markdowns or loan revaluations could turn the apparent valuation discount into realized losses. That elevates downside risk for holders. Levi & Korsinsky Investor Alert

Insider Transactions at Hercules Capital

In related news, CEO Scott Bluestein acquired 7,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 27th. The shares were bought at an average price of $14.35 per share, for a total transaction of $100,450.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 2,516,379 shares in the company, valued at $36,110,038.65. This trade represents a 0.28% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Thomas J. Fallon acquired 20,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 27th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $14.20 per share, with a total value of $284,000.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 150,369 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,135,239.80. The trade was a 15.34% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders purchased 117,015 shares of company stock worth $1,749,620. 1.80% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hercules Capital

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new position in shares of Hercules Capital in the third quarter valued at $11,199,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd boosted its stake in Hercules Capital by 425.6% during the second quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 580,414 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $10,610,000 after buying an additional 469,989 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG increased its holdings in Hercules Capital by 26.8% in the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,671,860 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $31,464,000 after buying an additional 353,092 shares during the period. Muzinich & Co. Inc. increased its holdings in Hercules Capital by 34.5% in the 4th quarter. Muzinich & Co. Inc. now owns 1,335,787 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $25,140,000 after buying an additional 342,967 shares during the period. Finally, HRT Financial LP raised its stake in shares of Hercules Capital by 100.9% in the 2nd quarter. HRT Financial LP now owns 558,010 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $10,200,000 after buying an additional 280,198 shares in the last quarter. 19.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Hercules Capital Stock Down 1.5%

Shares of Hercules Capital stock opened at $14.55 on Thursday. Hercules Capital has a 12-month low of $13.70 and a 12-month high of $19.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $15.68 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $17.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.95 and a beta of 0.83.

Hercules Capital (NYSE:HTGC) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.48 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.48. Hercules Capital had a net margin of 63.80% and a return on equity of 15.97%. The company had revenue of $133.25 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $141.57 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.49 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Hercules Capital will post 1.96 earnings per share for the current year.

Hercules Capital Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 4th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 25th were paid a dividend of $0.07 per share. This represents a $0.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 25th. Hercules Capital’s dividend payout ratio is presently 87.43%.

Hercules Capital Company Profile

Hercules Capital, Inc is a specialty finance company organized as a business development company (BDC) that provides tailored debt financing solutions to high‐growth companies. Through its external management structure, Hercules Capital extends senior secured loans, subordinated debt and growth capital designed to support research and development, expansion initiatives and working capital needs. The firm primarily partners with venture capital and private equity sponsors to finance innovative enterprises across various developmental stages.

The company’s investment portfolio is concentrated in technology, life sciences and sustainable and renewable technology sectors, reflecting its focus on industries with strong growth prospects and recurring capital requirements.