Wells Fargo & Company Cuts Hercules Capital (NYSE:HTGC) Price Target to $17.00

Hercules Capital (NYSE:HTGC) had its price target reduced by Wells Fargo & Company from $18.00 to $17.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the financial services provider’s stock.

HTGC has been the subject of several other research reports. Piper Sandler cut Hercules Capital from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their price target for the company from $20.50 to $17.50 in a report on Friday. Lucid Cap Mkts raised Hercules Capital to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Hercules Capital in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Capital One Financial set a $19.75 price objective on shares of Hercules Capital in a report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Hercules Capital from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, December 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $19.39.

Hercules Capital Stock Performance

NYSE:HTGC opened at $15.61 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $2.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.53 and a beta of 0.84. Hercules Capital has a twelve month low of $15.40 and a twelve month high of $22.04. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $18.33 and its 200-day moving average price is $18.44. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03.

Hercules Capital (NYSE:HTGC) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $141.57 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.49 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Hercules Capital will post 1.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hercules Capital Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 4th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 25th will be issued a $0.07 dividend. This represents a $0.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 25th. Hercules Capital’s payout ratio is 87.43%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Hercules Capital by 79.6% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,381 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 612 shares during the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. raised its position in Hercules Capital by 173.4% in the second quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,386 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 879 shares during the period. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Hercules Capital during the second quarter worth $27,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hercules Capital during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Caitlin John LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hercules Capital in the third quarter valued at $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 19.69% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Hercules Capital

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 operational strength: originations rose sharply year‑over‑year and management described a strong quarter with record performance and rising investment income — factors that support future yield and portfolio growth. MSN: Q4 originations rise
• Neutral Sentiment: Dividend/debt optionality highlighted: management is weighing a supplemental dividend and the use of new debt against current valuation — a potential shareholder return but with balance‑sheet implications; outcome will be a near‑term catalyst. Yahoo: Dividend and debt considerations
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts cut targets: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered its price target to $19 (still an outperform) and Wells Fargo trimmed its target to $17 while maintaining overweight — downward revisions reduce headline upside and likely pressured the stock. Benzinga: Analyst target cuts
• Negative Sentiment: Earnings nuance — EPS met estimates but revenue missed and expenses rose year‑over‑year; EPS of $0.48 matched consensus but revenue was $133.3M vs. $141.6M expected, and operating costs increased, which dented the headline print. Zacks: Q4 results
• Negative Sentiment: High trading volume and near‑term uncertainty: the stock saw elevated volume on the print and mixed messages on capital allocation (dividend vs. debt), creating selling pressure until the board provides clearer guidance. MarketBeat: Earnings & materials

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.