Hercules Capital holds annual meeting, defers key proposal By Investing.com

On June 20, 2024, Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE:) conducted its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where several key decisions were made while one significant proposal was adjourned to a later date.

The San Mateo-based specialty finance company, which provides venture debt to high-growth, innovative venture capital-backed companies, reported the results of the meeting in a recent 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

During the meeting, shareholders elected three independent directors to the company’s board. Gayle Crowell, Thomas J. Fallon, and Nikos Theodosopoulos were appointed as Class II independent directors, each to serve until 2027 or until their successors are elected and qualified.

The election results showed a majority of votes in favor, with Gayle Crowell receiving 60,621,744 votes for, Thomas J. Fallon receiving 60,426,092, and Nikos Theodosopoulos receiving 67,717,749.

Additionally, an advisory vote to approve the company’s named executive officer compensation passed with 60,966,984 votes for. The shareholders also ratified the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) as the independent public accountant for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, with a significant majority of 117,365,924 votes for.

One matter, however, was deferred. The proposal to authorize the company to sell or issue shares of its common stock at a price below its then-current net asset value (NAV) per share was adjourned without opening the polls. The chair of the Annual Meeting postponed the decision on this proposal to August 15, 2024, when the meeting will reconvene at the same virtual location at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

The adjournment of this proposal indicates a delay in the potential for Hercules Capital to engage in capital raising activities that could dilute current shareholders but potentially provide the company with additional capital for operations or investment.

The information presented in this article is based on the company’s SEC filing and is intended to provide shareholders and the public with a clear understanding of the outcomes of the Annual Meeting. The adjourned proposal will be revisited in August, and the decisions made at the meeting will influence the company’s governance and financial strategies moving forward.

In other recent news, Hercules Capital Inc has demonstrated strong financial performance in the first quarter of 2024, with record levels of investment funding activity and a rise in net asset value (NAV) of 1.7%.

The company’s robust operating return on equity (ROE) was 18%, and despite a decrease in the core portfolio, Hercules Capital continues to produce one of the highest ROEs in its sector. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods have acknowledged this solid performance, adjusting their outlook on Hercules Capital shares and increasing the price target from $18.00 to $19.00.

Moreover, Piper Sandler has expressed confidence in Hercules Capital, raising the firm’s price target on the stock to $21.50, reflecting the company’s robust origination prospects and credit strength. Hercules Capital’s recent performance included a core earnings beat and record originations, contributing to a 10% sequential growth in its portfolio.

Furthermore, Hercules Capital reported a significant year-over-year increase in total investment income and net investment income, with total investment income reaching $121.6 million, a 16% increase year-over-year, and net investment income growing by 21% year-over-year to $79.2 million.

The company also originated a record $956 million in gross debt and equity commitments, and funded a record $605.2 million. These are recent developments that reflect the company’s commitment to maintaining high credit quality and asset diversification.

InvestingPro Insights

As Hercules Capital, Inc. navigates through its governance and financial strategies post-Annual Meeting, it is worth noting some key metrics and tips from InvestingPro that highlight the company’s financial health and market performance. Hercules Capital boasts a solid market capitalization of $3.17 billion, reflecting a significant presence in the specialty finance industry.

The company’s P/E ratio stands at an attractive 8.97, suggesting that its stock could be undervalued compared to earnings. Hercules Capital has demonstrated impressive revenue growth, with the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 showing a 31.94% increase, underlining the company’s ability to expand its revenue streams effectively.

InvestingPro Tips reveal that Hercules Capital has been a consistent dividend payer, maintaining payments for 20 consecutive years, which could be a significant factor for income-focused investors. Moreover, the stock has experienced a high return over the last decade and is currently trading near its 52-week high, indicating strong market confidence in the company’s performance.

For those considering a deeper dive into Hercules Capital’s potential, InvestingPro offers additional tips to guide investment decisions. Use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an extra 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, and access the full list of 11 tips available on InvestingPro to help assess the company’s prospects.

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