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HCXY Stock Analysis 2026 - Hercules Capital, Inc. AI Rating

HCXY NYSE MD CIK: 0001280784
Recently Updated • Analysis: Apr 11, 2026 • SEC Data: 2025-12-31
SELL
72% Conf
Pending
Analysis scheduled

📊 HCXY Key Takeaways

Revenue: $507.9M
Net Margin: 66.9%
Free Cash Flow: $-425.9M
Current Ratio: N/A
Debt/Equity: 1.03x
EPS: $1.85
AI Rating: SELL with 72% confidence

Is HCXY a Good Investment? Thesis Analysis

Claude

Despite strong net profit margins (66.9%) and decent return metrics, Hercules Capital faces critical cash flow deterioration with -$425.8M operating cash burn and net income growth of only 0.8%, indicating poor earnings quality. The combination of significant leverage (1.03x Debt/Equity), minimal cash reserves ($56.9M against $2.4B liabilities), and stagnant earnings growth raises sustainability concerns.

Why Buy HCXY? Key Strengths

Claude
  • + Exceptional net profit margin of 66.9% indicating efficient investment operations
  • + Solid return metrics with ROE of 15.3% and ROA of 7.4%
  • + Modest revenue growth of 8.7% year-over-year demonstrating ongoing business activity

HCXY Investment Risks to Consider

Claude
  • ! Critical negative operating cash flow of -$425.8M with FCF margin of -83.9%, indicating unsustainable cash burn
  • ! Stagnant net income growth of only 0.8% YoY combined with minimal cash position ($56.9M) relative to $2.4B liabilities
  • ! Elevated leverage ratio of 1.03x Debt/Equity amplifies financial risk, particularly concerning given negative cash generation

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Operating cash flow trend and path to positive cash generation
  • * Net income growth acceleration and earnings quality
  • * Debt reduction progress and leverage ratio improvement

HCXY Financial Metrics

Revenue
$507.9M
Net Income
$339.7M
EPS (Diluted)
$1.85
Free Cash Flow
$-425.9M
Total Assets
$4.6B
Cash Position
$56.9M

💡 AI Analyst Insight

The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.

HCXY Profitability Ratios

Gross Margin N/A
Operating Margin N/A
Net Margin 66.9%
ROE 15.3%
ROA 7.4%
FCF Margin -83.9%

HCXY vs Default Sector

How Hercules Capital, Inc. compares to Default sector averages

Net Margin
HCXY 66.9%
vs
Sector Avg 12.0%
HCXY Sector
ROE
HCXY 15.3%
vs
Sector Avg 15.0%
HCXY Sector
Current Ratio
HCXY 0.0x
vs
Sector Avg 1.8x
HCXY Sector
Debt/Equity
HCXY 1.0x
vs
Sector Avg 0.7x
HCXY Sector

Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.

Is HCXY Overvalued or Undervalued?

Based on fundamental analysis, Hercules Capital, Inc. has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Default sector in 2026.

Return on Equity
15.3%
Sector avg: 15%
Net Profit Margin
66.9%
Sector avg: 12%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
1.03x
Sector avg: 0.7x

Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.

HCXY Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Current Ratio
N/A
Quick Ratio
N/A
Debt/Equity
1.03x
Debt/Assets
51.7%
Interest Coverage
N/A
Long-term Debt
$2.3B

HCXY 5-Year Financial Trend & Growth Analysis

HCXY 5-year financial data:
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

5-Year Trend Summary: Hercules Capital, Inc.'s revenue has remained relatively flat over the 5-year period, with a 0% decline. The most recent EPS of $2.31 reflects profitable operations.

HCXY Growth Metrics (YoY)

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
-83.9%
Free cash flow / Revenue

HCXY Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
-$425.8M
Cash generated from operations
Stock Buybacks
$6.5M
Shares repurchased (TTM)
Capital Expenditures
$89.0K
Investment in assets
Dividends Paid
$326.0M
Returned to shareholders

HCXY SEC 10-K & 10-Q Filing Analysis

Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Hercules Capital, Inc. (CIK: 0001280784)

📋 Recent SEC Filings

Date Form Document Action
Mar 30, 2026 4 xslF345X06/primarydocument.xml View →
Mar 30, 2026 4 xslF345X06/primarydocument.xml View →
Mar 30, 2026 4 xslF345X06/primarydocument.xml View →
Mar 30, 2026 4 xslF345X06/primarydocument.xml View →
Mar 30, 2026 4 xslF345X06/primarydocument.xml View →

Frequently Asked Questions about HCXY

What is the AI rating for HCXY?

Hercules Capital, Inc. (HCXY) has an AI rating of SELL with 72% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are HCXY's key strengths?

Claude: Exceptional net profit margin of 66.9% indicating efficient investment operations. Solid return metrics with ROE of 15.3% and ROA of 7.4%.

What are the risks of investing in HCXY?

Claude: Critical negative operating cash flow of -$425.8M with FCF margin of -83.9%, indicating unsustainable cash burn. Stagnant net income growth of only 0.8% YoY combined with minimal cash position ($56.9M) relative to $2.4B liabilities.

What is HCXY's revenue and growth?

Hercules Capital, Inc. reported revenue of $507.9M.

Does HCXY pay dividends?

Hercules Capital, Inc. pays dividends, with $326.0M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.

Where can I find HCXY SEC filings?

Official SEC filings for Hercules Capital, Inc. (CIK: 0001280784) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.

What is HCXY's EPS?

Hercules Capital, Inc. has a diluted EPS of $1.85.

How is the AI analysis conducted?

Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.

Is HCXY a good stock to buy right now?

Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, Hercules Capital, Inc. has a SELL rating with 72% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above before making a decision. This is not investment advice.

Is HCXY stock overvalued or undervalued?

Valuation metrics for HCXY: ROE of 15.3% (sector avg: 15%), net margin of 66.9% (sector avg: 12%). Higher ROE suggests strong returns relative to peers.

Should I buy HCXY stock in 2026?

Our dual AI analysis gives Hercules Capital, Inc. a combined SELL rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability above sector average. Always conduct your own research.

What is HCXY's free cash flow?

Hercules Capital, Inc.'s operating cash flow is $-425.8M, with capital expenditures of $89.0K. FCF margin is -83.9%.

How does HCXY compare to other Default stocks?

Vs Default sector averages: Net margin 66.9% (avg: 12%), ROE 15.3% (avg: 15%), current ratio N/A (avg: 1.8).

Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: Apr 11, 2026 | Data as of: 2025-12-31 | Powered by Claude AI