Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Estimate for HTGC Earnings

Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE:HTGC) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research lifted their Q4 2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of Hercules Capital in a report issued on Thursday, March 13th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the financial services provider will earn $0.51 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $0.50. The consensus estimate for Hercules Capital’s current full-year earnings is $1.96 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Hercules Capital’s Q3 2026 earnings at $0.52 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.54 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $2.03 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $2.20 EPS.

Hercules Capital (NYSE:HTGC) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The financial services provider reported $0.49 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.49. The firm had revenue of $121.78 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $124.09 million. Hercules Capital had a net margin of 53.28% and a return on equity of 17.19%.

A number of other analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Compass Point lifted their price objective on shares of Hercules Capital from $18.25 to $20.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised Hercules Capital from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $19.50 to $21.50 in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, JMP Securities reiterated a “market outperform” rating and set a $22.00 price objective on shares of Hercules Capital in a research report on Friday, February 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $21.40.

Hercules Capital Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HTGC opened at $18.84 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.70 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a quick ratio of 2.72, a current ratio of 2.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $20.40 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $19.80. Hercules Capital has a twelve month low of $16.95 and a twelve month high of $22.04.

Hercules Capital Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 5th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 26th were given a dividend of $0.47 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 26th. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.98%. Hercules Capital’s payout ratio is 99.38%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in Hercules Capital during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Hercules Capital by 177.2% in the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,802 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 1,152 shares during the last quarter. Estabrook Capital Management increased its stake in shares of Hercules Capital by 239.0% in the fourth quarter. Estabrook Capital Management now owns 1,878 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 1,324 shares during the period. Archer Investment Corp raised its holdings in Hercules Capital by 345.4% during the 4th quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 2,325 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 1,803 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new stake in Hercules Capital during the 4th quarter valued at $48,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 19.69% of the company’s stock.

About Hercules Capital

Hercules Capital, Inc is a business development company. The firm specializing in providing venture debt, debt, senior secured loans, and growth capital to privately held venture capital-backed companies at all stages of development from startups to expansion stage including select publicly listed companies and select special opportunity lower middle market companies that require additional capital to fund acquisitions, recapitalizations and refinancing and established-stage companies.