HTGC
Hercules Capital, INC
NYSE
10-Q: Hercules Capital Reports First Quarter 2024 Results, Portfolio Shows Strong Growth
Sentiment:
Quarterly Report
2 May 2024 4:17 PM
Hercules Capital's first quarter 2024 results show a significant increase in investment income and a growing portfolio, despite some unrealized depreciation.
Better than expected
The company's net investment income increased by approximately 21% year-over-year.
The company's total assets increased by approximately 8% since the end of 2023.
The company's net asset value per share increased by approximately 2% since the end of 2023.
Capital raise
The company issued and sold 3.7 million shares of its common stock through its equity distribution agreement, receiving net proceeds of approximately $66.4 million.
As of March 31, 2024, approximately 13.6 million shares remain available for issuance and sale under the current equity distribution agreement.
Summary
- Hercules Capital reported a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $91.0 million for the first quarter of 2024.
- The company's total investment income reached $121.6 million, up from $105.1 million in the same period last year.
- Net investment income was $79.2 million, compared to $65.5 million in the first quarter of 2023.
- The company experienced a net realized gain of $8.2 million and a net change in unrealized appreciation of $3.6 million.
- The company's total assets increased to $3.7 billion, up from $3.4 billion at the end of 2023.
- The company's total debt outstanding was $1.8 billion as of March 31, 2024.
- The company's net asset value per share increased to $11.63 from $11.43 at the end of 2023.
Sentiment
Score: 7
Explanation: The document presents a generally positive outlook with strong growth in investment income and net asset value, but also acknowledges some risks and unrealized depreciation. The company's performance is solid, but the macroeconomic environment and potential for credit losses temper the overall sentiment.
Positives
- The company's net investment income increased by approximately 21% year-over-year.
- The company's total assets increased by approximately 8% since the end of 2023.
- The company's net asset value per share increased by approximately 2% since the end of 2023.
- The company has a significant amount of unfunded commitments, which represents potential for future growth.
Negatives
- The company experienced a net change in unrealized depreciation of $3.6 million, indicating some portfolio investments decreased in value.
- The company's operating expenses increased to $42.4 million, up from $39.6 million in the same period last year.
- The company's cash and cash equivalents decreased to $50.2 million from $98.9 million at the end of 2023.
Risks
- The company's portfolio is subject to market risks, including changes in interest rates and credit quality.
- The company's portfolio is concentrated in technology, life sciences, and sustainable and renewable technology industries, which may be subject to volatility.
- The company's portfolio companies are primarily privately held, which may make valuation more difficult.
- The company's portfolio companies may be impacted by macroeconomic events, including inflation, interest rate volatility, and potential recession.
- The company's debt investments are subject to credit risk, and some may be placed on non-accrual status.
Future Outlook
The company intends to continue to operate in order to generate cash flows from operations, including income earned from investments in our portfolio companies. Our primary use of funds will be investments in portfolio companies and cash distributions to holders of our common stock.
Management Comments
- Management believes they and their portfolio are well positioned to manage the current environment.
- Management will continue to monitor macroeconomic market developments and their related impact to their business.
Industry Context
The company operates in the specialty finance sector, focusing on high-growth, innovative companies in technology, life sciences, and sustainable and renewable technology industries. This sector is characterized by high margins, high growth rates, consolidation and product and market extension opportunities. The company's performance is influenced by the overall health of the venture capital market and the success of its portfolio companies.
Comparison to Industry Standards
- Hercules Capital's core yield on debt investments was 14.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, which is within the range of other BDCs focused on venture debt.
- The company's net asset value per share increased to $11.63, which is a positive indicator compared to some BDCs that have experienced NAV declines.
- The company's total return of 13.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, is a strong performance compared to the average BDC total return.
- The company's portfolio is concentrated in technology and life sciences, which is a common strategy for BDCs focused on venture debt, but may be more volatile than BDCs with more diversified portfolios.
- The company's use of floating rate debt investments is a common strategy for BDCs to benefit from rising interest rates, but may also expose them to interest rate risk.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders benefit from the increase in net asset value per share and the continued payment of dividends.
- Employees benefit from the company's continued growth and profitability.
- Portfolio companies benefit from the company's continued investment and support.
- Creditors benefit from the company's strong financial position and ability to repay its obligations.
Next Steps
- The company will continue to monitor macroeconomic market developments and their related impact to their business.
- The company will continue to evaluate its overall liquidity position and take proactive steps to maintain the appropriate liquidity position based upon the current circumstances.
Related Party Transactions
- The Adviser Subsidiary has entered into investment management agreements with its privately offered Adviser Funds, and it receives management fees based on the assets under management of the Adviser Funds.
- The Company has a shared services agreement with the Adviser Subsidiary, through which the Adviser Subsidiary has access to the Company's human capital resources and other resources and infrastructure.
- The Company may from time-to-time make investments alongside the Adviser Funds or assign a portion of investments to the Adviser Funds in accordance with the Companys allocation policy.
Key Dates
- 2018-09-24: Date of issuance of the 2033 Notes.
- 2020-02-05: Date of issuance of the February 2025 Notes.
- 2020-06-03: Date of issuance of the June 2025 Notes.
- 2020-10-27: Date Hercules Capital IV, L.P. received its license to operate as a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC).
- 2020-11-04: Date of issuance of the March 2026 A Notes.
- 2021-03-04: Date of issuance of the March 2026 B Notes.
- 2021-09-16: Date of issuance of the September 2026 Notes.
- 2022-01-20: Date of issuance of the January 2027 Notes.
- 2022-06-22: Date of issuance of the 2031 Asset-Backed Notes.
- 2023-05-05: Date of the 2023 Equity Distribution Agreement.
- 2024-03-06: Date of declaration of the base and supplemental cash distributions.
- 2024-03-31: End of the reporting period.
- 2024-04-25: Date of declaration of the supplemental cash distribution.
- 2024-05-21: Date of payment of the base and supplemental cash distributions.
Keywords
Business Development Company, BDC, Venture Capital, Debt Financing, Technology, Life Sciences, Sustainable Technology, Renewable Technology, Structured Debt, Private Equity, Investment Income, Net Asset Value, Unfunded Commitments, Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk
HTGC
Hercules Capital, INC
NYSE
Sector: Financial Services
Filings with Classifications
Delay expected
8 July 2025 2:09 PM
Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Amendment
- The filing is a remediation for a disclosure that should have been submitted in 2021, indicating a delay in the initial reporting of beneficial ownership.
Capital raise
20 June 2025 4:17 PM
Annual Meeting Results
- Proposal 3 sought authorization for the Company to sell or issue shares of its common stock at a price below its then-current net asset value (NAV) per share.
- This proposal was not authorized by stockholders, which limits the company's ability to raise capital through equity issuance below NAV.
Capital raise
16 June 2025 5:23 PM
Debt Offering and Credit Facility Amendment
- The company issued and sold $350,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 6.000% Notes due 2030 in a public offering.
Capital raise
1 May 2025 4:30 PM
Earnings Release
- The company closed an offering of $287.5 million of 4.750% convertible unsecured notes due 2028.
- During the first quarter 2025, the Company sold 2.0 million shares of common stock under the equity ATM program for total net proceeds of $39.4 million (net of $0.7 million of offering expenses).
- During April 2025, the Company sold 2.2 million shares of common stock under the equity ATM program for total net proceeds of $41.5 million (net of $0.3 million of offering expenses).
Worse than expected
1 May 2025 4:16 PM
Quarterly Report
- The company experienced a net decrease in net assets resulting from operations, indicating a less favorable financial performance compared to previous periods.
- Net realized losses were recorded for the period, suggesting challenges in the company's investment strategies.
- There was a net change in unrealized depreciation on investments, indicating a decline in the value of the company's portfolio.
Capital raise
24 April 2025 9:04 PM
Proxy Statement
- The company is seeking authorization to sell or issue shares of its common stock at a price below its then-current net asset value per share.
- The company has no immediate plans to sell or issue shares of its common stock at a price below net asset value, but is asking for stockholder approval now so that it has flexibility if in the future it determines that such a sale is in stockholders best interests.
- These sales typically must be undertaken quickly in an attempt to protect the value of your investment so it is critical that we have stockholder approval ahead of time.
Better than expected
24 April 2025 4:16 PM
Proxy Statement
- The company's performance relative to its peer group was generally at or above the 90th percentile, and in most cases at the 100th percentile, measured using ROAA, ROE and AASR.
Capital raise
24 April 2025 4:16 PM
Proxy Statement
- Hercules Capital is seeking stockholder approval to sell or issue Shares, in one or multiple public or private offerings, at a purchase price below the then-current NAV during the 12-month period expiring on the anniversary of the Annual Meeting, subject to the conditions and stockholder protections described herein.
- The number of Shares sold or issued in Below-NAV Sale may not exceed 25% of the number of thencurrent outstanding Shares.
- The purchase price of each Share sold in a Below-NAV Sale may not be more than 25% below the then-current NAV per Share.
Capital raise
6 March 2025 1:35 AM
Capital Markets Transaction
- Hercules Capital is issuing $250 million in convertible unsecured notes due 2028 in a private placement.
- The initial purchasers have an option to purchase an additional $37.5 million to cover overallotments.
- The notes are convertible into common stock at an initial conversion price of approximately $21.48 per share.
- The company intends to use the net proceeds for investments and general corporate purposes.
Capital raise
5 March 2025 7:53 AM
8-K Filing
- Hercules Capital plans to offer $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of its Convertible Unsecured Notes due 2028.
- 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.
Capital raise
13 February 2025 4:30 PM
Earnings Release
- During Q4 2024, the Company sold 8.0 million shares of common stock under the agreement for total net proceeds of approximately $152.0 million (net of $1.6 million of offering expenses).
- During January 2025, the Company sold 2.0 million shares of common stock under the equity ATM program for total net proceeds of $39.8 million (net of $0.3 million of offering expenses).
- The Company has 30.0 million shares remaining available for issuance and sale under the equity ATM program, as of December 31, 2024.
Worse than expected
13 February 2025 4:30 PM
Earnings Release
- Q4 2024 NII decreased compared to Q4 2023 due to a lower weighted average yield on the debt investment portfolio and an increase in total net operating expenses.
Capital raise
12 December 2024 4:40 PM
Equity Offering Announcement
- Hercules Capital may issue and sell up to 30,000,000 shares of its common stock.
- The company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund investments in debt and equity securities, make acquisitions, retire certain debt obligations, and for other general corporate purposes.
Capital raise
12 December 2024 11:36 AM
Prospectus Supplement
- Hercules Capital is offering up to 30 million shares of common stock through an at-the-market offering.
- The company intends to use the net proceeds to fund investments, acquisitions, retire debt, and for general corporate purposes.
Worse than expected
12 December 2024 11:36 AM
Prospectus Supplement
- The document indicates that the company may sell shares below NAV, which would result in immediate dilution to existing shareholders.
Better than expected
2 December 2024 4:47 PM
Credit Facility Amendment
- The increase in the credit facility and the extension of the maturity dates are better than the previous terms.
Better than expected
30 October 2024 4:30 PM
Quarterly Report
- The company reported record total investment income and net investment income, exceeding previous results and expectations.
Worse than expected
30 October 2024 4:16 PM
Quarterly Report
- The company's net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) was negative for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.
- The company's net realized gain (loss) was negative for the three months ended September 30, 2024.
Capital raise
30 October 2024 4:16 PM
Quarterly Report
- The Company may from time-to-time issue and sell shares of its common stock through public or ATM offerings.
- The Company currently sells shares through its equity distribution agreement with JMP Securities LLC (JMP) and Jefferies LLC (the 2023 Equity Distribution Agreement).
- The 2023 Equity Distribution Agreement provides that the Company may offer and sell up to 25.0 million shares of its common stock from time to time through JMP or Jefferies, as the Company's sales agents.
- Sales of the Company's common stock, if any, may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be at the market, as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the NYSE or similar securities exchange or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
- Additionally, on August 7, 2023, the Company sold 6.5 million shares of common stock through an upsized public offering pursuant to an underwriting agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, UBS Securities, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC as joint book-running managers to sell.
- As of September 30, 2024, approximately 13.6 million shares remain available for issuance and sale under the current equity distribution agreement.
Delay expected
16 August 2024 4:16 PM
Shareholder Meeting Results
- The annual meeting was initially held on June 20, 2024, and then adjourned to August 15, 2024, specifically to vote on Proposal 3.
Capital raise
16 August 2024 4:16 PM
Shareholder Meeting Results
- The document details the approval for the company to sell or issue shares of its common stock at a price below its then-current NAV per share.
- This authorization provides the company with the option to raise capital by issuing shares below NAV.
Better than expected
1 August 2024 4:20 PM
Quarterly Report
- The company reported record total gross fundings, total investment income, and net investment income, all exceeding previous periods.
Capital raise
21 June 2024 8:32 AM
Annual Meeting Results
- Proposal 3, which was adjourned, concerns the authorization of the Company to sell or issue shares of its common stock at a price below its then-current NAV per share.
Delay expected
21 June 2024 8:32 AM
Annual Meeting Results
- The vote on Proposal 3, regarding the authorization to sell shares below NAV, was delayed and will be held on August 15, 2024.
Better than expected
2 May 2024 4:31 PM
Quarterly Report
- The company reported record Q1 commitments and fundings, significantly exceeding previous periods.
- Net investment income increased by 20.9% year-over-year, indicating strong financial performance.
- The company's net asset value per share increased by 1.7%, demonstrating growth in shareholder value.
Capital raise
2 May 2024 4:31 PM
Quarterly Report
- The company sold 3.7 million shares of common stock under the ATM program during Q1 2024 for net proceeds of approximately $66.4 million.
- The company has 13.6 million shares remaining available for issuance and sale under the equity ATM program.
Capital raise
2 May 2024 4:17 PM
Quarterly Report
- The company issued and sold 3.7 million shares of its common stock through its equity distribution agreement, receiving net proceeds of approximately $66.4 million.
- As of March 31, 2024, approximately 13.6 million shares remain available for issuance and sale under the current equity distribution agreement.
Better than expected
2 May 2024 4:17 PM
Quarterly Report
- The company's net investment income increased by approximately 21% year-over-year.
- The company's total assets increased by approximately 8% since the end of 2023.
- The company's net asset value per share increased by approximately 2% since the end of 2023.
Capital raise
23 April 2024 4:18 PM
Proxy Statement
- The company is seeking authorization to sell or issue shares below NAV, up to 25% of outstanding shares, with a maximum discount of 25%.
- The company argues that this flexibility is needed to take advantage of investment opportunities during volatile market conditions, maintain RIC status, manage debt-to-equity ratios, and avoid less favorable capital-raising methods.
Capital raise
15 February 2024 4:31 PM
Earnings Release
- The company sold 6.5 million shares of common stock under the ATM program for total net proceeds of approximately $99.9 million during Q4 2023.
- The company has 17.3 million shares remaining available for issuance and sale under the equity ATM program.
Better than expected
15 February 2024 4:31 PM
Earnings Release
- The company's Q4 and full-year results exceeded expectations with record total investment income and net investment income.
- The company's core yield of 14.3% for Q4 2023 exceeded the expected annual range of 13.8% to 14.0%.
Disclaimer: This summary was generated by artificial intelligence and its accuracy is not guaranteed. The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, recommendation, or endorsement of any kind. It may contain errors or omissions. You should not rely on this information to make financial decisions. Always seek the advice of a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. Use of this information is at your own risk.