Total Revenue

–1.7% (from $121.553M in Q1 2024 to $119.511M in Q1 2025)

The slight decline in total revenue is driven by reduced components of investment income in Q1 2025 relative to Q1 2024, where previous periods benefited from higher interest income from a larger underlying principal amount and record gross fundings. " "

Interest and Dividend Income (ex. Fee)

–11.8% (from $115.779M in Q1 2024 to $102.099M in Q1 2025)

The decline reflects a reduction in the weighted average principal outstanding and lower dividend distributions compared to the previous strong performance in Q1 2024, where the investment portfolio and noncash interest income (e.g., PIK interest in FY 2024) supported higher income levels. " "

Fee Income

–32% (from $5.774M in Q1 2024 to $3.939M in Q1 2025)

The significant drop in fee income is primarily attributable to lower accelerated fee income from early repayments and reduced fee income from expired commitments; these components were relatively higher in Q1 2024, compensating for other stable fee components in that period. " "

Net Increase in Net Assets from Ops

–44.7% (from $90,964K in Q1 2024 to $50,337K in Q1 2025)

This sharp decline is largely due to a reduction in net investment income alongside increased net realized losses and unfavorable unrealized changes, contrasting with Q1 2024 when stronger investment performance yielded higher net asset increases. " "

Total Assets

+9% (from $3,696,033K in Q1 2024 to $4,031,211K in Q1 2025)

The rise in total assets is mainly driven by an increase in the fair value of investments and improved cash balances, a continuation of the previous period’s trend where new investments bolstered asset growth despite some declines in other asset categories. " "

Debt, Net

+13% (from $1,751,998K in Q1 2024 to $1,976,623K in Q1 2025)

The increase in net debt reflects additional borrowing and higher utilization of available credit facilities, following a similar trend seen in FY 2024 and continuing into Q1 2025 with an increased principal outstanding. " "

Net Asset Value per Share

–0.7% (from $11.63 in Q1 2024 to $11.55 in Q1 2025)

Despite operational gains, the slight drop in NAV per share is due to net unrealized losses on investments and dilution from new share issuances, which offset some of the accretion benefits observed in the previous period. " "

Operating Cash Flow

Improved by 7.7% (from –$240.891M in Q1 2024 to –$222.197M in Q1 2025)

The improvement in operating cash flow is due to relatively lower net purchases of investments and decreased cash outflow from principal and fee repayments than in Q1 2024, highlighting more efficient cash usage compared to the previous period’s heavier investment activity. " "

Core Yield

Q2 2025

12.25% to 12.75% " "

12% to 12.5% "

lowered

Prepayment Activity

Q2 2025

$100 million to $200 million " "

$200 million to $250 million " "

raised

Interest Expense

Q2 2025

expected to remain flat " "

expected to increase with balance growth "

raised

SG&A Expenses

Q2 2025

$23.5 million to $24.5 million " "

$25 million to $26 million "

raised

RIA Expense Allocation

Q2 2025

$2.8 million " "

$2.9 million "

raised

Quarterly Dividend from RIA

Q2 2025

$1.8 million to $2 million " "

$1.9 million to $2.1 million "

raised

Liquidity and Leverage

Previously, documents from Q4 2024 " " " , Q3 2024 " " and Q2 2024 " " emphasized strong liquidity across the platform, disciplined management of available capital (including ATM programs and SBIC facilities) and a conservative approach to leverage, with leverage maintained at the lower end of its target range.

In Q1 2025, Hercules Capital reported over $1 billion of available liquidity (with convertible note issuance, ATM activity and additional capital raises) and noted that while GAAP leverage increased modestly, both GAAP and regulatory leverage remain at the low end of their target range, with an opportunistic stance to increase leverage if beneficial. " " " "

The company continues to maintain strong liquidity and a conservative leverage profile. The approach remains consistent over periods with minor adjustments to leverage levels as market opportunities arise.

Credit Quality and Risk

Documents from Q4 2024 " " , Q3 2024 " and Q2 2024 " " stressed a stable credit portfolio with proactive management, disciplined underwriting and modest rating adjustments – including careful attention to nonaccruals and proactive downgrades when needed.

In Q1 2025, the credit portfolio remained stable with slight changes in weighted average credit ratings and minimal movements in nonaccrual loans, while enhanced portfolio monitoring continued to be emphasized amid broader market uncertainties. " "

The focus on stable credit quality continues, with consistent proactive monitoring and disciplined underwriting across periods. There is no major shift, only minor adjustments in credit grade percentages, reflecting steady sentiment and risk management.

Deal Flow and Funding Pipeline

Q4 2024 " " and Q3 2024 " " acknowledged solid deal flow with robust commitments and moderate pending commitments despite seasonal slowdowns, whereas Q2 2024 " " " highlighted record funding activity for the first half.

Q1 2025 saw record-high gross commitments and fundings (with over $1 billion in commitments and strong net debt portfolio growth) with a noticeable shift towards a higher emphasis on technology companies, along with an expanded pipeline of pending commitments. " " "

The deal flow is trending upward, with increasing activity and a stronger focus on technology. The pipeline shows robust growth and a shift toward quality later-stage opportunities. Overall, the pipeline momentum is improving compared to previous periods.

Dividend and Yield Stability

Earlier periods (Q4 2024 " " , Q3 2024 " " " and Q2 2024 " ) consistently reported solid dividend coverage with base and supplemental distributions and maintained strong yield metrics despite slight compression due to rate declines and portfolio mix shifts.

In Q1 2025, the base and supplemental dividend remains stable at $0.47 per share, with core yield slightly declining (from 12.9% to 12.6%) and expectations for Q2 2025 core yields around 12%–12.5%, reflecting pressure from declining base rates and spread compression. " " "

Dividend stability remains a priority with consistent distributions, while yields are slowly compressing due to the persistent low-rate environment. The company continues to balance shareholder returns with yield management.

Macroeconomic Volatility and Market Conditions

Q2 2024 " " and Q3 2024 " " " discussed higher-than-normal volatility driven by elections, Fed moves and global uncertainties affecting capital markets, while Q4 2024 " " indicated cautious optimism as uncertainties started to resolve.

In Q1 2025, macroeconomic volatility remains a key theme, with further evidence of companies freezing decision making amid uncertainty. However, Hercules Capital is positioning itself to capitalize on the volatility, leveraging market disruptions to drive demand for its capital solutions. " " "

The focus on macro volatility is consistent across periods. While earlier periods reflected more caution, Q1 2025 shows a strategic move toward exploiting market volatility, maintaining an overall opportunistic and resilient outlook despite ongoing uncertainty.

Prepayment Dynamics and Margin Pressure

Q2 2024 " " , Q3 2024 " " and Q4 2024 " " " reported significant prepayment activity with legacy higher-yield assets being replaced by new deals at slightly lower yields, leading to modest core yield compression, with strategies in place to manage margin pressure.

In Q1 2025, early loan prepayments were lower than guidance (approximately $132 million), resulting in lower net investment income per share; margin pressure continued as core yield declined modestly from Q4 2024 levels, with the company countering this through high-quality originations and plans to leverage opportunistically in Q2 2025. " " "

Prepayment dynamics and margin pressures continue to be managed actively. Although yield compression persists due to declining base rates, the firm’s strategic use of leverage and focus on quality originations is intended to mitigate these pressures. The approach remains consistent with a careful balance between growth and margin resilience.

Regulatory and Policy Uncertainty

Q2 2024 " mentioned uncertainty due to the presidential election and global geopolitical tensions; Q3 2024 " addressed industry regulatory challenges like the AFFE issue and asset restrictions; Q4 2024 " " " saw discussions about post-election regulatory easing and anticipatory adjustments to the new administration's policies.

In Q1 2025, regulatory uncertainty continues with new emphasis on evolving messaging from the current administration, concerns about FDA turnover affecting life sciences and potential tariff impacts on drug discovery, though these factors are not expected to materially harm the portfolio. " " "

Regulatory and policy uncertainty remains a persistent theme. There is an evolution from general election-driven concerns to more sector-specific issues (e.g., FDA, tariffs) in Q1 2025. Despite uncertainty, the company remains cautious yet confident in its diverse exposure and proactive adjustments.

Interest Rate Environment and Sensitivity

Q2 2024 " " and Q3 2024 " focused on how rate declines (including a 50–100 bp cut) and rate floors impacted yields and deal flow, while Q4 2024 " " " detailed the sensitivity of core and effective yields to rate reductions, and the strategic use of rate floors to mitigate further declines.

In Q1 2025 there is limited direct discussion, but the commentary continues to refer implicitly to the effects of declining yields and maintained opportunities in a low-rate environment. The strategic themes from previous periods carry forward despite fewer explicit details in Q1 2025.

The interest rate environment remains a key sensitivity, with consistent challenges posed by rate cuts and yield compression. Even though Q1 2025 provides fewer specifics, the overall strategic approach to mitigate sensitivity via leverage and rate floors persists consistently across periods.

Election and Political Uncertainty

Q2 2024 " anticipated increased volatility from the presidential election; Q3 2024 " " " " highlighted significant uncertainty pre-election (with concerns about potential paralysis and delayed financing) and nuanced sector impacts; Q4 2024 " noted that once election and Fed uncertainties resolved, business momentum increased.

In Q1 2025, discussion of political uncertainty centers on the change in administration and its resulting market impact, with uncertainty continuing to influence capital demand, although the company remains well-positioned to take advantage of emerging opportunities. "

Election and political uncertainty has been a recurring theme. The sentiment evolved from high pre-election caution in Q3 to a more positive momentum post-election in Q4, with Q1 2025 still acknowledging the uncertainty from a new administration while positioning the firm to capitalize on market shifts.