LADENBURG THALM/SH SH Has Lowered Expectations for Hercules Capital (NYSE:HTGC) Stock Price

Hercules Capital (NYSE:HTGC) had its price objective dropped by LADENBURG THALM/SH SH from $21.00 to $20.00 in a report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a “buy” rating on the financial services provider’s stock. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH’s target price would indicate a potential upside of 21.67% from the company’s previous close.

A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on HTGC. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on shares of Hercules Capital from $16.50 to $17.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on shares of Hercules Capital from $19.00 to $18.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 16th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Hercules Capital in a research note on Wednesday, June 17th. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Hercules Capital from $15.00 to $15.50 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Finally, Citizens Jmp reduced their price objective on shares of Hercules Capital from $24.00 to $22.00 and set a “market outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hercules Capital currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $18.46.

Hercules Capital Price Performance

HTGC stock traded up $0.50 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $16.44. 1,752,137 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,078,209. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.08 billion, a PE ratio of 9.29 and a beta of 0.79. Hercules Capital has a 52 week low of $13.70 and a 52 week high of $19.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.89 and a quick ratio of 1.89. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $15.69 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.84.

Hercules Capital (NYSE:HTGC) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The financial services provider reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.50. Hercules Capital had a return on equity of 16.05% and a net margin of 59.85%.The firm had revenue of $134.41 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $146.71 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.50 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Hercules Capital will post 1.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hercules Capital

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC increased its position in Hercules Capital by 5.9% in the 1st quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 17,241 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $331,000 after buying an additional 959 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its holdings in Hercules Capital by 85.9% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 22,854 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $439,000 after acquiring an additional 10,559 shares in the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth boosted its holdings in Hercules Capital by 26.0% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 15,747 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $302,000 after acquiring an additional 3,250 shares in the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its stake in Hercules Capital by 81.8% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 4,780 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $87,000 after acquiring an additional 2,151 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Hercules Capital by 1.6% during the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 78,951 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,443,000 after acquiring an additional 1,252 shares in the last quarter. 19.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Hercules Capital News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly earnings met expectations: HTGC reported earnings of $0.50 per share, matching analyst estimates and the year-ago result. Record total investment income increased 8.5% year over year, supporting the company’s earnings performance. HTGC Q2 Earnings Meet Estimates, Stock Up on Record Investment Income
• Positive Sentiment: Distribution remains supported by earnings: Hercules declared a strong second-quarter distribution, which may appeal to income-focused investors and signals confidence in the company’s cash-generation capacity. Hercules Capital Announces Strong Q2 Distribution Backed by Earnings
• Positive Sentiment: Management expects significant prepayments: HTGC forecast $200 million to $300 million of third-quarter prepayments and is targeting a core yield of approximately 11.8% to 12%. Prepayments could generate liquidity and potentially support fee income or reinvestment opportunities. Hercules Capital Expects Q3 Prepayments and Targets Core Yield
• Neutral Sentiment: Mixed operating results: Revenue rose 8.4% year over year to $134.4 million, but it fell short of the approximately $146.7 million analyst consensus. Net margin was 59.85% and return on equity was 16.05%. Hercules Capital Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results
• Negative Sentiment: Higher expenses pressured performance: Although investment income reached a record, rising expenses limited the benefit to earnings. Investors may also focus on the revenue miss and whether future prepayments reduce recurring interest income.

About Hercules Capital

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.