Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE:HTGC) Shares Acquired by BNP Paribas Financial Markets

BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its stake in Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE:HTGC) by 93.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 102,674 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 49,606 shares during the quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets owned approximately 0.06% of Hercules Capital worth $2,063,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of HTGC. Avior Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Hercules Capital by 177.2% during the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,802 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 1,152 shares during the period. Estabrook Capital Management raised its stake in Hercules Capital by 239.0% during the fourth quarter. Estabrook Capital Management now owns 1,878 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 1,324 shares during the period. Archer Investment Corp grew its position in Hercules Capital by 345.4% in the 4th quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 2,325 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 1,803 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP bought a new position in Hercules Capital in the 4th quarter worth about $48,000. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its position in Hercules Capital by 199.6% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 4,042 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $81,000 after purchasing an additional 2,693 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 19.69% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Nikos Theodosopoulos acquired 5,999 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 8th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $17.49 per share, with a total value of $104,922.51. Following the purchase, the director now owns 11,960 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $209,180.40. This trade represents a 100.64% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.90% of the company’s stock.

Hercules Capital Trading Up 1.2%

Shares of NYSE:HTGC opened at $17.80 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.06 and a beta of 0.97. Hercules Capital, Inc. has a 1-year low of $15.65 and a 1-year high of $22.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 2.72 and a current ratio of 2.72. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $17.96 and a 200 day moving average price of $19.26.

Hercules Capital (NYSE:HTGC) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The financial services provider reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.46 by ($0.01). Hercules Capital had a return on equity of 17.19% and a net margin of 53.28%. The business had revenue of $102.10 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $125.43 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.50 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Hercules Capital, Inc. will post 1.96 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hercules Capital Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 20th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 13th will be paid a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 13th. Hercules Capital’s dividend payout ratio is 120.30%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on HTGC shares. Compass Point upped their target price on shares of Hercules Capital from $18.25 to $20.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Piper Sandler decreased their target price on shares of Hercules Capital from $23.00 to $20.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price on shares of Hercules Capital from $21.50 to $20.50 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. JMP Securities restated a “market outperform” rating and issued a $22.00 target price on shares of Hercules Capital in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Hercules Capital from $21.00 to $19.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 28th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Hercules Capital has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $19.92.

Hercules Capital Profile

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.