Hercules Capital (NYSE:HTGC) Stock

HERCULES CAPITAL INC

Hercules Capital

Hercules Capital Inc is a specialty finance company that provides senior secured loans to high-growth, venture capital-backed companies in various technology, life sciences, and sustainable and renewable technology industries. It invests majorly in structured debt with warrants and, to a lesser extent, in senior debt and equity investments. The company lends to and invests in portfolio companies in various technology-related industries, including technology, drug discovery and development, biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, and sustainable and renewable technology.

Hercules Capital Inc

US drug giant Merck &amp; Co Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) reportedly approached Swiss biotech MoonLake Immunotherapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MLTX#NASDAQ">MLTX</a>) with a bid exceeding $3 billion.
While MoonLake turned down the initial offer, talks may be revived.
The potential deal signals renewed dealmaking activity as investor pressure has mounted on Merck to secure new assets, especially as its blockbuster <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer drug Keytruda</a> faces patent expiration as early as 2028.
MoonLake Immunotherapeutics&#8217; lead development asset sonelokimab is a novel investigational Nanobody&nbsp;for inflammatory diseases.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/health-care/25/05/45701905/merck-kandlelit-trials-spark-hope-lung-cancer-trials" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Merck KANDLELIT Trials Spark Hope For Hard-To-Treat Cancers</a>
Sonelokimab inhibits IL-17A and IL-17F by inhibiting the IL-17A/A, IL-17A/F, and IL-17F/F dimers that drive inflammation.
Merck is also grappling with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44983460/mercks-q1-earnings-beat-wall-street-adjusts-2025-profit-outlook-as-tariffs-may-result-in-incremental-cost-of-200-million" rel="noreferrer noopener">falling sales of its Gardasil</a> vaccine in China and underwhelming uptake of its new hypertension drug, Winrevair.
Per a Financial Times <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/5899ea69-e5fe-49f1-8ada-79f26c9254d8" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a> on Monday, Merck made a nonbinding offer earlier this year, valuing MoonLake above its $2.6 billion market capitalization.
Founded in 2021 by former McKinsey partner Jorge Santos da Silva, MoonLake has garnered investor interest, with its stock price climbing nearly 50% over the past two years.
The FT report added that the company hired Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to advise on the sale process.
Over the past year, Merck shares have dropped 39%, significantly underperforming the broader S&amp;P 500 pharmaceutical index, which declined by 11%.
In April, MoonLake Immunotherapeutics entered into an agreement with Hercules Capital, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTGC#NASDAQ">HTGC</a>) for up to $500 million in non-dilutive capital, of which $75 million will be drawn down at close and additional tranches will become available upon achievement of certain pre-specified milestones that are aligned with MoonLake&#8217;s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/g44624282/moonlake-secures-up-to-500-million-in-non-dilutive-financing-from-hercules-capital-and-announces-a" rel="noreferrer noopener">strategy and funding needs</a>.
In January, MoonLake announced that patients have been screened in three new trials across three new indications <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/01/g42869804/moonlake-initiates-three-new-clinical-trials-and-further-expands-the-portfolio-of-indications-for-" rel="noreferrer noopener">to evaluate sonelokimab</a>.
The clinical program for sonelokimab now includes patients with adolescent hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP), and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), as well as adult patients with HS and active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
This increases the number of clinical trials led by MoonLake to ten and aligns with the company&#8217;s plan to enroll over 3,000 patients in clinical trials with sonelokimab since its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/05/g45358838/moonlake-immunotherapeutics-reports-first-quarter-2025-financial-results-and-provides-a-business-u" rel="noreferrer noopener">founding in 2021</a>.
Price Action: MLTX stock is trading higher by 21.1% to $49.84 premarket at last check Tuesday.
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Photo by tada images via Shutterstock

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Merck's Dealmaking Intensifies With MoonLake Bid As Keytruda Patent Cliff Nears: Report

Hercules Capital (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTGC#NYSE">HTGC</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.45 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.47 by 4.26 percent. This is a 10 percent decrease over earnings of $0.50 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $119.50 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $122.19 million by 2.21 percent. This is a 1.69 percent decrease over sales of $121.55 million the same period last year.

Earnings

Earnings Misses

Hercules Capital Q1 EPS $0.45 Misses $0.47 Estimate, Sales $119.50M Miss $122.19M Estimate

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Earnings Scheduled For May 1, 2025

Wells Fargo analyst Finian O'Shea maintains Hercules Capital (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTGC#NYSE">HTGC</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $21 to $19.

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

Wells Fargo Maintains Overweight on Hercules Capital, Lowers Price Target to $19

In today's unpredictable market, investors seeking high yields need to balance risk and reward carefully. With rising volatility, inflation concerns, and fluctuating interest rates, a well-diversified portfolio is crucial to sustaining durable income.
For income-focused <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44709542/investors-just-poured-3m-into-this-whatsapp-job-app-for-hispanic-immigrants-and-its-already-helping-800-find-work">investors</a>, especially those nearing, or in retirement, capital preservation and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43897884/dividend-investor-making-5-000-per-month-with-632-000-reveals-portfolio-it-takes-time-but-its-doable">dividend</a> sustainability are just as important as yield. A mix of low-volatility assets, tax-efficient strategies, and recession-resistant sectors can help counter market turbulence while delivering consistent cash flow.
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<li>Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
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Reddit has witnessed this balance struggle in a post an investor has created. The 50-year-old poster has spent years building a high-yield portfolio in a brokerage account, but now his main goal is reliable monthly income without sacrificing the principal.
The investor is open to various asset classes such as stocks, bonds, real estate investment trusts, closed-end funds, and/or business development companies but wants to avoid yield traps and foreign stocks due to tax complications.
&#8220;I need durable income. [Ford Motor Company (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/f#NYSE">F</a>)] is a no, it's a yield trap and has been for years. [Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/schd#NYSE">SCHD</a>)] and [Schwab U.S. REIT ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/schh#NYSE">SCHH</a>)] are great funds, but the yield is too low. I own SCHD in my growth portfolio but continue to sell some every year as I convert to income. Also want to diversify away from options. They are great for income but tend to fluctuate as supply/demand does in down markets,&#8221; he said.
His questions to Reddit investors are what high-yield – over 8% – stocks, ETFs, or funds can sustain payouts long-term, whether there are low-risk business development companies or closed-end funds that won't cut dividends in a downturn, and how can he further diversify beyond his current holdings.
Trending: The secret weapon in billionaire investor portfolios that you almost certainly don't own yet. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">See which asset class has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 (1995-2024) – and with near-zero correlation.</a>
Redditors have offered a mix of ETF recommendations, individual stock picks, and broader portfolio strategies, so let&#8217;s dive into those.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Investor Seeks 8% or More High-Yield Holdings For Durable Income – Reddit Suggests Assets</h2>
Focus on High-Quality BDCs and CEFs for Steady Income
Several commenters recommended business development companies and closed-end funds as core holdings for high, sustainable yields.
&#8220;Two closed-end funds that I like a lot are [Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/eoi#NYSE">EOI</a>)] and [Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/eos#NYSE">EOS</a>)]. They have been around since 2005, have mostly favorable tax treatment on their distributions, and have had better total returns than [JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jepi#NYSE">JEPI</a>)​] and [JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jepq#NASDAQ">JEPQ</a>)​],&#8221; a commenter suggested.
Without adding anything else, this Redditor shared several assets for the investor to research: &#8220;[Ares Capital Corp. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/arcc#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>)], [Blue Owl Capital Corp. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/obdc#NYSE">OBDC</a>)], [Blackstone Secured Lending Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bxsl#NYSE">BXSL</a>)], [Capital Southwest Corp. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cswc#NASDAQ">CSWC</a>)], [Hercules Capital (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/htgc#NYSE">HTGC</a>)], [Barings BDC (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bbdc#NYSE">BBDC</a>)], [Bain Capital Specialty Finance (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bcsf#NYSE">BCSF</a>)], [Fidus Investment Corp. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/fdus#NASDAQ">FDUS</a>)], [Carlyle Secured Lending (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cgbd#NASDAQ">CGBD</a>)], [Sixth Street Specialty Lending (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tslx#NYSE">TSLX</a>)].&#8221;
&#8220;On the same boat (53 years old). Started late but trying to catch up with high-yield stocks. My stocks are: [Ares Capital Corp. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/arcc#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>)], [Main Street Capital Corp. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/main#NYSE">MAIN</a>)​], OBDC, HTGC, [Realty Income Corp. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/o#NYSE">O</a>)], [VICI Properties (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vici#NYSE">VICI</a>)], [Altria Group (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mo#NYSE">MO</a>)], and [British American Tobacco (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bti#NYSE">BTI</a>)]. The last two are the best performers so far,&#8221; a Reddit user wrote.
See Also: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now</a>.
Consider Covered-Call ETFs for Tax-Efficient Monthly Income
Given the poster&#8217;s preference for tax-efficient income, several commenters highlighted covered-call ETFs as strong options.
&#8220;[Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/kbwy#NASDAQ">KBWY</a>)], [VanEck Mortgage REIT Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mort#NYSE">MORT</a>)], [NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/qqqi#NASDAQ">QQQI</a>)], JEPQ, [Goldman Sachs Nasdaq-100 Core Premium Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gpiq#NYSE">GPIQ</a>)], [NEOS S&amp;P 500 High Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/spyi#NYSE">SPYI</a>)], JEPI, [Goldman Sachs S&amp;P 500 Core Premium Income ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gpix#NASDAQ">GPIX</a>)], and [NEOS Russell 2000 High Income ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/iwmi#NASDAQ">IWMI</a>)] are a few. They will probably stay lower during the current volatile cycle, but should do well long term I would think,&#8221; a commenter recommended.
A user mentioned a real estate investment trust option, noting that it pays around 9.5% yield and has a 0.50% expense ratio.
&#8220;Aside from the covered call funds like JEPQ, QQQI, [TappAlpha SPY Growth &amp; Daily Income ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tspy#NASDAQ">TSPY</a>)], and the like, there&#8217;s a [real estate investment trust] ETF from Hoya Capital called [Hoya Capital High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/riet#NYSE">RIET</a>)] with a 0.50% expense ratio that pays about a 9.5% yield and seems pretty steady.&#8221;
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50-Year-Old Investor Craves 8%+ Yield, Snubs Ford, Chases Durable Dividends – 'I Am Willing To Consider Anything' For Monthly Income

UBS analyst Vilas Abraham maintains Hercules Capital (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTGC#NYSE">HTGC</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $20 to $18.

UBS Maintains Neutral on Hercules Capital, Lowers Price Target to $18

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Shares of capital market companies are trading higher following President Trump's decision to implement a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for all countries except China.

Hercules Capital (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTGC#NYSE">HTGC</a>) has been analyzed by 4 analysts in the last three months, revealing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
The table below provides a concise overview of recent ratings by analysts, offering insights into the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and drawing comparisons with the preceding months for a holistic perspective.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
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<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets assessed by analysts reveal further insights, featuring an average target of $20.62, a high estimate of $22.00, and a low estimate of $20.00. Experiencing a 2.69% decline, the current average is now lower than the previous average price target of $21.19. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1744135239_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Diving into Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Exploration</h2>
A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive Hercules Capital is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
&#x7C; Analyst &#x7C; Analyst Firm &#x7C; Action Taken &#x7C; Rating &#x7C;Current Price Target&#x7C; Prior Price Target &#x7C; 
&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;-----------------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;-----------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C; 
&#x7C;Paul Johnson &#x7C;Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods&#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $20.50&#x7C;$21.50 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Crispin Love &#x7C;Piper Sandler &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $20.00&#x7C;$23.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Casey Alexander &#x7C;Compass Point &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Neutral &#x7C; $20.00&#x7C;$18.25 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Brian McKenna &#x7C;JMP Securities &#x7C;Maintains &#x7C;Market Outperform&#x7C; $22.00&#x7C;$22.00 &#x7C;
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Hercules Capital. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Delving into assessments, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings communicate expectations for the relative performance of Hercules Capital compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Gaining insights, analysts provide estimates for the future value of Hercules Capital's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into Hercules Capital's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HTGC/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Hercules Capital analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>About Hercules Capital</h2>
Hercules Capital Inc is a specialty finance company that provides senior secured loans to high-growth, venture capital-backed companies in various technology, life sciences, and sustainable and renewable technology industries. It invests majorly in structured debt with warrants and, to a lesser extent, in senior debt and equity investments. The company lends to and invests in portfolio companies in various technology-related industries, including technology, drug discovery and development, biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, and sustainable and renewable technology.
<h3>Hercules Capital: A Financial Overview</h3>
Market Capitalization: Positioned above industry average, the company's market capitalization underscores its superiority in size, indicative of a strong market presence.
Revenue Challenges: Hercules Capital's revenue growth over 3M faced difficulties. As of 31 December, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -40.98%. This indicates a decrease in top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Financials sector.
Net Margin: Hercules Capital's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 74.7%. This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health.
Return on Equity (ROE): Hercules Capital's ROE lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns on equity capital. With an ROE of 3.2%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): Hercules Capital's ROA falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 1.64%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns from its assets.
Debt Management: Hercules Capital's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 0.9.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.
Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
If you want to keep track of which analysts are outperforming others, you can view updated analyst ratings along withanalyst success scores in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
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What Analysts Are Saying About Hercules Capital Stock

Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods analyst Paul Johnson maintains Hercules Capital (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTGC#NYSE">HTGC</a>) with a Outperform and lowers the price target from $21.5 to $20.5.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Maintains Outperform on Hercules Capital, Lowers Price Target to $20.5

Piper Sandler analyst Crispin Love maintains Hercules Capital (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTGC#NYSE">HTGC</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $23 to $20.

Piper Sandler Maintains Overweight on Hercules Capital, Lowers Price Target to $20

The additional capital strengthens MoonLake's balance sheet and provides financial support to rapidly advance sonelokimab and bring to market an investigational ~40 kDa humanized Nanobody designed to directly target sites of inflammation by inhibiting all relevant IL-17 dimers (namely the IL-17A/A, IL-17A/F, and IL-17F/F dimers) and penetrating difficult-to-reach inflamed tissues.

MoonLake Enters Agreement With Hercules Capital For Up To $500M In Non-Dilutive Capital

<a href="https://in.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44376666/high-yield-dividend-investor-making-12900-per-year-names-10-favorite-stocks-took-me-almost-3-years-to-get-to-this-point">Dividend</a> investing has long been a favorite strategy for retirees and income-focused investors. Unlike growth-oriented assets, which depend on share price appreciation, dividend-paying stocks generate regular payouts.
But why do so many investors run to dividend stocks and ETFs? Dividends offer a way to compound wealth by reinvesting the generated income while also providing financial stability in <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44476778/author-says-dave-ramsey-is-completely-ignorant-of-sequence-of-returns-risk-questions-whether-1-million-is-really-enough-for-retirement">retirement</a>. High-quality dividend companies also have a history of increasing payouts year after year, helping investors keep up with inflation.
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Still, total returns are also important in investing, as one investor demonstrated. The investor, a Reddit user who shared his journey in the r/Dividends community, is a 61-year-old retiree who spent 37 years building his portfolio on growth before switching to a dividend strategy when approaching retirement. He ultimately crafted a portfolio yielding around 8% and named his top holdings in the thread.
&#8220;My big break was being mostly cash in early 2020 because I felt the market had gotten too expensive. That was largely luck but it worked great. March 2020 was really fun. I spent between $1 million to $2 million on stocks in about 30 days and the resulting market rise after that secured my retirement. When I started learning about dividends, I included it as one option but still looked at it from a perspective of total returns,&#8221; he shared.
Now, he lives comfortably off dividends, rarely selling stocks for income, and relying on growing dividend payouts. The investor has shared his holdings in the Reddit community, so let&#8217;s see what they are.
Trending: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/warren-buffet-make-money-when-you-sleep"> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $100.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Retiree Living Off Dividends Shares Top 10 Holdings in Reddit Investing Community</h2>
AbbVie
AbbVie (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>) is a global biopharmaceutical company focusing on the research and development of advanced treatments for complex diseases. Investors love ABBV because of its strong product portfolio and its steady dividend history, paying approximately 3.23% annually in dividends.
Arbor Realty Trust
A real estate investment trust with a high yield, Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABR#NYSE">ABR</a>) focuses on originating and servicing loans for multifamily and commercial real estate. The company pays investors around 14.11% in dividends annually.
Broadcom
A tech dividend grower, Broadcom (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) is known for semiconductors and software, and despite a modest yield, it raises payouts aggressively. AVGO has a 1.24% dividend yield per year.
Hercules Capital
Hercules Capital (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTGC#NYSE">HTGC</a>) is a business development company that offers venture debt to technology and life sciences companies. Investors love HTGC since it offers high dividend yields and exposure to emerging growth companies. The company pays investors around 9.39% in dividends.
Mastercard
Mastercard (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>) is a well-known global technology company operating in the payments industry. MA pays investors approximately 0.56% in dividends yearly.
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Realty Income Corporation
A real estate investment trust, Realty Income Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/O#NYSE">O</a>) is known as &#8220;the monthly dividend company&#8221; since it pays investors every month. O owns over 6,500 properties under long-term lease agreements and has a very diversified property portfolio, paying 5.76% per year in dividends.
Target
Operating as a general merchandise retailer selling a wide assortment of products, such as household essentials, apparel, and electronics, Target (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) generates approximately 4.23% in dividends.
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTI#NYSE">VTI</a>) tracks the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index, covering virtually all investable U.S. stocks. With a dividend of around 1.35% per year, the ETF is loved by investors because it offers broad exposure to the U.S. equity market with low expense ratios.​
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF
Tracking the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHD#NYSE">SCHD</a>) focuses on high-dividend-yielding U.S. stocks. SCHD generates around 3.81% in dividends.
Invesco S&amp;P SmallCap 600 Revenue ETF
Paying around 1.47% in dividends per year, Invesco S&amp;P SmallCap 600 Revenue ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RWJ#NYSE">RWJ</a>) tracks the performance of the S&amp;P SmallCap 600 Revenue-Weighted Index. Investors love RWJ because it provides exposure to small-cap U.S. companies weighted by earnings.
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ABBV

AVGO

Retired At 58, He 'Spent Between $1M-$2M On Stocks' – Investor Who Built An 8% Yield Portfolio And Lives Off Dividends Shares Top Holdings

Under the terms of this loan agreement, $30 million was funded on the execution of the agreement and will be used to repay the Company's existing $26.5 million debt facility.&nbsp;
An additional $100 million will become available upon FDA approval of MOLBREEVI and certain other milestones.&nbsp;
The final $70 million may be made available upon request by the Company and at the discretion of Hercules Capital.&nbsp;

SVRA

Savara Enters Loan And Security Agreement With Hercules Capital For Up To $200M

Hercules Capital shares are trading lower after the company announced a $250 million convertible notes offering.

Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTGC#NYSE">HTGC</a>) ("Hercules" or the "Company"), today announced that it plans to make an offering of $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of its Convertible Unsecured Notes due 2028 (the "Convertible Notes"). The Company plans to grant the initial purchasers an option to purchase up to an additional $37.5 million principal amount of the Convertible Notes to cover overallotments, if any. The Convertible Notes will be offered only to qualified institutional buyers (as defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")) pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to certain non-U.S. persons outside of the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether, when or on what terms the offering may be completed.
The Convertible Notes will be unsecured, will pay interest semiannually and will be convertible under specified circumstances based on a conversion rate to be determined. Upon conversion, the Company will pay or deliver, at the Company's election, cash, shares of the Company's common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, subject to an irrevocable settlement method election that may be made by the Company. The Company will not have the right to redeem the Convertible Notes prior to maturity. The Convertible Notes will mature on September 1, 2028, unless repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date. The interest rate, initial conversion rate and other terms of the Convertible Notes are to be determined upon negotiations between the Company and the initial purchasers.
The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering (i) to fund investments in debt and equity securities in accordance with its investment objective and (ii) for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Offerings

HCXY

Hercules Capital Plans $250M Convertible Debt Offering to Fund Investments and Growth

Compass Point analyst Casey Alexander maintains Hercules Capital (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTGC#NYSE">HTGC</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $18.25 to $20.

Compass Point Maintains Neutral on Hercules Capital, Raises Price Target to $20

In the preceding three months, 4 analysts have released ratings for Hercules Capital (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTGC#NYSE">HTGC</a>), presenting a wide array of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
The table below summarizes their recent ratings, showcasing the evolving sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts provide deeper insights through their assessments of 12-month price targets, revealing an average target of $21.88, a high estimate of $22.00, and a low estimate of $21.50. Witnessing a positive shift, the current average has risen by 2.34% from the previous average price target of $21.38.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1739566816_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Decoding Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Look</h2>
In examining recent analyst actions, we gain insights into how financial experts perceive Hercules Capital. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Brian McKenna</td>
<td>JMP Securities</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Market Outperform</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mitch Germain</td>
<td>JMP Securities</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Market Outperform</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Paul Johnson</td>
<td>Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$21.50</td>
<td>$19.50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brian McKenna</td>
<td>JMP Securities</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Market Outperform</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Hercules Capital. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Offering insights into predictions, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Hercules Capital compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Hercules Capital's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Considering these analyst evaluations in conjunction with other financial indicators can offer a comprehensive understanding of Hercules Capital's market position. Stay informed and make well-informed decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HTGC/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Hercules Capital analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Delving into Hercules Capital's Background</h2>
Hercules Capital Inc is a specialty finance company engaged in providing senior secured loans to high-growth, venture capital-backed companies in a variety of technology, life sciences, and sustainable and renewable technology industries. It invests majorly in structured debt with warrants and, to a lesser extent, in senior debt and equity investments. The company lends to and invests in portfolio companies in various technology-related industries including technology, drug discovery and development, biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, and sustainable and renewable technology.
<h3>Understanding the Numbers: Hercules Capital's Finances</h3>
Market Capitalization Perspectives: The company's market capitalization falls below industry averages, signaling a relatively smaller size compared to peers. This positioning may be influenced by factors such as perceived growth potential or operational scale.
Revenue Growth: Hercules Capital's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 30 September, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 75.62%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the company achieved a growth rate higher than the average among peers in Financials sector.
Net Margin: Hercules Capital's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional net margin, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable net margin of 75.99%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of 3.71%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Hercules Capital's ROA surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 1.88% ROA, the company effectively utilizes its assets for optimal returns.
Debt Management: With a high debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, Hercules Capital faces challenges in effectively managing its debt levels, indicating potential financial strain.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Experts in banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their comprehensive research involves attending company conference calls and meetings, analyzing financial statements, and engaging with insiders to generate what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

What 4 Analyst Ratings Have To Say About Hercules Capital

JMP Securities analyst Brian McKenna reiterates Hercules Capital (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTGC#NYSE">HTGC</a>) with a Market Outperform and maintains $22 price target.

Reiteration

JMP Securities Reiterates Market Outperform on Hercules Capital, Maintains $22 Price Target

Hercules Capital Q4 NII $0.49

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Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital

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Earnings Scheduled For February 13, 2025

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