Hercules Capital (NYSE:HTGC) Price Target Lowered to $22.00 at Citizens Jmp

Hercules Capital (NYSE:HTGC) had its price objective dropped by analysts at Citizens Jmp from $24.00 to $22.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “market outperform” rating on the financial services provider’s stock. Citizens Jmp’s price objective points to a potential upside of 39.99% from the company’s current price.

Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on HTGC. UBS Group decreased their price objective on Hercules Capital from $19.50 to $15.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 13th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Hercules Capital from $18.00 to $17.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on 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 lowered Hercules Capital from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 24th. Finally, Piper Sandler reduced their price target on Hercules Capital from $17.50 to $16.50 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $18.04.

Hercules Capital Price Performance

Shares of HTGC opened at $15.72 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a current ratio of 1.48. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $14.97 and a 200 day simple moving average of $17.00. Hercules Capital has a 52-week low of $13.70 and a 52-week high of $19.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.89 billion, a PE ratio of 8.59 and a beta of 0.83.

Hercules Capital (NYSE:HTGC) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.48. Hercules Capital had a return on equity of 15.97% and a net margin of 63.80%.The business had revenue of $133.25 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $141.57 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.49 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Hercules Capital will post 1.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Scott Bluestein purchased 30,000 shares of Hercules Capital stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $15.08 per share, with a total value of $452,400.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 2,509,379 shares in the company, valued at $37,841,435.32. The trade was a 1.21% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Nikos Theodosopoulos acquired 6,165 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were bought at an average price of $15.93 per share, for a total transaction of $98,208.45. Following the purchase, the director owned 18,923 shares in the company, valued at approximately $301,443.39. This represents a 48.32% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders have acquired 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 large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake in Hercules Capital by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 3,647,184 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $68,969,000 after acquiring an additional 28,757 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC grew its holdings in Hercules Capital by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 1,823,405 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $34,316,000 after buying an additional 29,292 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG grew 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 in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc grew its holdings in Hercules Capital by 17.9% in the 4th quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 1,382,084 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $26,004,000 after buying an additional 209,854 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Muzinich & Co. Inc. grew 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 in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 19.69% of the company’s stock.

More Hercules Capital News

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

• Neutral Sentiment: Hercules scheduled its Q1 2026 earnings release and conference call for May 5, 2026 — an imminent event that could clarify recent performance and guidance and serve as the next material catalyst for the stock. Hercules Capital Announces Date for Release of First Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Conference Call
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple law firms have filed or are soliciting lead‑plaintiff participation in a securities class action covering purchases from May 1, 2025 through Feb 27, 2026; these notices signal formal litigation risk and potential future settlements or damages exposure for HTGC. HTGC DEADLINE ALERT: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Reminds Hercules Capital (HTGC) Investors of Securities Class Action Deadline on May 19, 2026
• Negative Sentiment: Hagens Berman and other firms cite a critical short report (“The Myth of Hercules Capital”) alleging poor sourcing practices and other weaknesses — the report has been used as a basis for investor suits and heightens reputational and regulatory risk. INVESTOR NOTICE: Hercules Capital (HTGC) Investors with Substantial Losses Have Opportunity to Lead Investor Class Action – Hagens Berman
• Negative Sentiment: A shareholder has sued the Hercules board alleging an inflated NAV and undisclosed software risk — a separate governance/valuation claim that could increase legal costs and investor uncertainty. Shareholder sues Hercules Capital board over alleged inflated NAV, hidden software risk

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.