Hercules Capital Inc
NYSE: HTGC · FINANCIAL SERVICES · ASSET MANAGEMENT
Updated 2026-04-29
Hercules Capital Inc (HTGC) Stock Valuation Analysis
Fair value estimate, historical valuation range, and quality signals for HTGC.
Valued
Fundamentals support the current valuation. Strong combination of growth, quality, and price.
HTGC historical valuation range
Where current P/E sits in HTGC's own 5Y range.
HTGC intrinsic value (DCF)
DCF-based fair value estimate vs current market price.
Standard discounted cash flow models produce unreliable output for unprofitable or near-breakeven companies. Revenue-based multiples such as P/S and EV/Sales, combined with the historical valuation position above, give a more reliable read for this stock.
Intrinsic value calculated using discounted cash flow (DCF) model based on projected free cash flows, discount rate, and terminal growth assumptions. A positive margin of safety indicates the current price is below estimated fair value, providing a cushion against estimation error.
HTGC valuation signals
Quick-read green flags, caution flags, and risks based on current metrics.
P/E Ratio — History
Current: 8.46x
P/S Ratio — History
Current: 5.50x
Is HTGC overvalued in 2026?
Hercules Capital Inc (HTGC) currently trades at $15.50 per share with a market capitalization of $2,928,634,000.00. Based on our multi-factor framework, the stock looks attractively valued with a Smart Value Score of 78/100. This score blends growth quality, financial health, and price attractiveness into a single institutional-grade read.
The stock trades at a P/E ratio of 8.5x, below its 5-year median of 8.6x. The PEG ratio of 0.53 suggests earnings growth is outpacing the multiple, a classic sign of undervaluation.
Looking at its own history, HTGC is currently trading cheaper than 56% of the last 5Y on P/E. This places it in the 44th percentile of its historical range, a reasonable but unremarkable position.
A standard DCF model does not produce reliable output for HTGC under current conditions. For unprofitable or near-breakeven companies, revenue-based multiples such as EV/Sales and historical P/S percentile are more informative than intrinsic value calculations.
The Piotroski F-Score of 5/9 puts financial quality in a middling range, neither a standout strength nor an obvious red flag.
Bottom line: HTGC looks attractively valued on our framework, with a Smart Value Score of 78/100. The combination of reasonable price, healthy growth, and quality fundamentals makes it worth serious consideration.
Frequently asked questions
Is HTGC overvalued in 2026?
Based on a Smart Value Score of 78/100, HTGC is not overvalued. Fundamentals support the current price and offer reasonable margin of safety.
What is HTGC's fair value?
Standard DCF is unreliable for HTGC due to its current profitability profile. Revenue-based approaches such as EV/Sales or historical P/S percentile are more informative for this stock.
What P/E ratio does HTGC trade at?
HTGC trades at a P/E of 8.5x on trailing twelve-month earnings, compared to its 5-year median of 8.6x.
Is HTGC a buy based on valuation?
WallStSmart does not issue buy or sell recommendations. Our Smart Value Score of 78/100 reflects the combined read on growth, quality, and price. The profile skews favorable for long-term accumulation.
How does HTGC's valuation compare to its history?
On P/E, HTGC currently sits in the 44th percentile of its own 5Y range. That is below its long-run median relative to where it has traded over the period.
What is HTGC's Smart Value Score?
HTGC's Smart Value Score is 78/100. The Smart Value Score is a proprietary WallStSmart metric blending growth quality, financial health, and valuation attractiveness into a single 0-100 read. Scores above 75 are rare and indicate strong multi-factor alignment.