Hercules Capital Receives Confirmed BBB Investment Grade Rating with Revised Outlook to Positive from Morningstar DBRS

Rhea-AI Summary

Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC) receives a BBB investment grade credit and corporate rating from Morningstar DBRS, with a trend revision to Positive. The rating reflects the company's strong franchise in VC financing, solid credit performance, and diversified funding profile.

Financial Analyst

The recent confirmation of Hercules Capital's BBB investment grade credit and corporate rating, with a trend revision from stable to positive by Morningstar DBRS, indicates a robust financial position and a promising outlook for the company. This news is significant for investors as credit ratings are critical indicators of a company's ability to repay its debts, which can influence its borrowing costs and investment appeal. The positive trend revision suggests that Hercules Capital is expected to maintain or improve its creditworthiness, which could potentially lead to lower interest rates on debt and increased investor confidence.

The company's diversified venture and growth stage lending business model is highlighted as a key strength, along with disciplined underwriting practices. These factors are essential in mitigating risk in the highly volatile venture capital financing sector. A diversified portfolio can cushion the company against defaults by spreading risk across various investments, while disciplined underwriting suggests that the company is selective in its investment choices, seeking to minimize bad debts and maximize returns.

For stakeholders, the confirmation of a strong credit rating with a positive outlook may signal a stable investment environment and the potential for growth. However, investors should also consider the inherent risks associated with lending to early-stage companies, which typically have higher default rates than more established firms.

Risk Management Expert

The acknowledgment of Hercules Capital's well-designed risk management framework by DBRS is a testament to the company's ability to navigate the complex risk landscape of venture capital lending. Effective risk management is important for financial institutions, especially those dealing with startups and growth-stage companies, as it helps in identifying, assessing and controlling potential losses.

Hercules Capital's historical credit performance, which has remained strong across multiple economic cycles, indicates a resilient and adaptable approach to risk. The company's solid underwriting and portfolio monitoring performance further reinforce its risk management capabilities. For investors, these attributes are indicative of a company that is well-prepared to handle economic downturns and market volatility, thereby potentially offering a more secure investment proposition.

However, as with all investment decisions, it is important to recognize that past performance is not always indicative of future results. Investors should continue to monitor the company's risk management practices and credit performance, especially in the context of the rapidly changing economic landscape.

Market Research Analyst

The positive rating revision for Hercules Capital reflects not only the company's individual performance but also its strategic positioning within the venture capital (VC) financing ecosystem. As a marquee lender with a scaled on-balance sheet investment portfolio, Hercules Capital is an influential player in this niche market. The VC financing sector is known for its high growth potential and companies like Hercules that provide specialty financing are critical enablers of innovation and growth for startups and established companies alike.

The company's broad and diversified funding profile, along with conservative regulatory leverage, suggests a stable capital structure that can appeal to risk-averse investors. This stability is particularly important in an industry where the ability to continuously provide funding can make or break the success of venture-backed companies. The positive outlook from DBRS could further enhance Hercules Capital's reputation among potential clients and investors, potentially leading to new business opportunities and partnerships.

Investors should consider the broader industry trends, such as the current state of the venture capital market and the appetite for risk in the overall economy, when evaluating the impact of this news on Hercules Capital's future performance.

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE: HTGC) (“Hercules” or the “Company”), the largest and leading specialty financing provider to innovative venture, growth and established stage companies backed by some of the leading and top-tier venture capital and select private equity firms, today announced that Morningstar DBRS (“DBRS”) has confirmed Hercules’ investment grade credit and corporate rating of BBB with a trend revision from Stable to Positive, as well as its underlying analysis.

“We are very pleased that DBRS has confirmed our BBB investment grade credit and corporate rating and revised the outlook to positive,” stated Seth Meyer, chief financial officer of Hercules. “This rating reflects the scale of our differentiated and diversified venture and growth stage lending business model and our commitment to disciplined underwriting which is exemplified in our financial and operational excellence.”

The confirmed BBB rating with a trend revision to Positive reflects the Company’s continued solid franchise as a marquee lender in the VC financing ecosystem with a scaled on balance sheet investment portfolio. Historical credit performance has been strong, underpinned by a well-designed risk management framework, and demonstrated solid underwriting and portfolio monitoring performance across multiple economic cycles. The Company also has a broad, diversified funding profile and conservative regulatory leverage.

About Hercules Capital, Inc.

Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE: HTGC) is the leading and largest specialty finance company focused on providing senior secured venture growth loans to high-growth, innovative venture capital-backed companies in a broad variety of technology, life sciences and sustainable and renewable technology industries. Since inception (December 2003), Hercules has committed approximately $19 billion to over 640 companies and is the lender of choice for entrepreneurs and venture capital firms seeking growth capital financing. Companies interested in learning more about financing opportunities should contact info@htgc.com, or call 650.289.3060.

Hercules, through its wholly owned subsidiary business, Hercules Adviser LLC (“Hercules Adviser”), also maintains an asset management business through which it manages investments for external parties (“Adviser Funds”). Hercules Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Hercules’ common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol “HTGC.” In addition, Hercules has one retail bond issuance of 6.25% Notes due 2033 (NYSE: HCXY).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We may use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “should,” “may” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and should not be relied upon in making any investment decision. Such statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations. While we cannot identify all such risks and uncertainties, we urge you to read the risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other materials that we publicly file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements made in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Hercules assumes no obligation to update any such statements in the future.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321884722/en/

Michael Hara

Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

Hercules Capital, Inc.

(650) 433-5578

mhara@htgc.com

Source: Hercules Capital, Inc.

What is the ticker symbol for Hercules Capital, Inc. mentioned in the press release?

The ticker symbol for Hercules Capital, Inc. is HTGC.

What rating did Morningstar DBRS give to Hercules Capital, Inc.?

Morningstar DBRS confirmed Hercules Capital, Inc.'s investment grade credit and corporate rating of BBB with a trend revision to Positive.

What factors contributed to the positive rating for Hercules Capital, Inc.?

The positive rating reflects the company's strong franchise in VC financing, solid historical credit performance, well-designed risk management framework, and diversified funding profile.

Who commented on the rating confirmation for Hercules Capital, Inc.?

Seth Meyer, the chief financial officer of Hercules, commented on the rating confirmation and trend revision to Positive.