HCXY
Hercules Capital, Inc.
Asset Management
Market Cap$3.48B
5Y Perf.-3.1%
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Stock Comparison
HCXY vs KKR
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
KKR
KKR & Co. Inc.
Asset Management
Market Cap$89.86B
5Y Perf.+263.2%
HCXY vs KKR — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | HCXY | KKR |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Asset Management | Asset Management |
| Market Cap | $3.48B | $89.86B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $492M | $19.26B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $339M | $2.37B |
| Gross Margin | 97.6% | 41.8% |
| Operating Margin | 87.8% | 2.4% |
| Forward P/E | 12.7x | 16.5x |
| Total Debt | $2.30B | $54.77B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $57M | $6M |
HCXY vs KKR — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
HCXY
KKR
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hercules Capital, I… (HCXY) | 100 | 96.9 | -3.1% |
| KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR) | 100 | 363.2 | +263.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: HCXY vs KKR
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: HCXY leads in 7 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
HCXY
Hercules Capital, Inc.
The Banking Pick
HCXY carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.49, yield 5.9%
- Rev growth 18.3%, EPS growth 14.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.49, current ratio 5.79x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
KKR
KKR & Co. Inc.
The Banking Pick
KKR is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 7.1% 10Y total return vs HCXY's 52.2%
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | HCXY | 18.3% NII/revenue growth vs KKR's -11.0% |
| Value | HCXY | Lower P/E (12.7x vs 16.5x) |
| Quality / Margins | HCXY | Efficiency ratio 0.1% vs KKR's 0.4% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | HCXY | Beta 0.49 vs KKR's 1.70 |
| Dividends | HCXY | 5.9% yield, vs KKR's 0.8% |
| Momentum (1Y) | HCXY | +5.3% vs KKR's -10.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | HCXY | Efficiency ratio 0.1% vs KKR's 0.4% |
HCXY vs KKR — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
HCXY vs KKR — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLHCXYLAGGINGKKR
KKRKKR & Co. Inc.
1leads
HCXYHercules Capital, Inc.
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs KKRMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
HCXY4/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
HCXY3/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
HCXY7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
KKR4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
HCXY2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HCXY leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KKR is the larger business by revenue, generating $19.3B annually — 39.2x HCXY's $492M. HCXY is the more profitable business, keeping 69.1% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to KKR's 12.3%.
| Metric | HCXYHercules Capital,… | KKRKKR & Co. Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $492M | $19.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $432M | $9.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $339M | $2.4B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$426M | $7.5B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +97.6% | +41.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +87.8% | +2.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +69.1% | +12.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -86.6% | +49.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +29.7% | -1.7% |
HCXY leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
HCXY leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 13.4x trailing earnings, HCXY trades at a 69% valuation discount to KKR's 43.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, HCXY's 13.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than KKR's 20.3x.
| Metric | HCXYHercules Capital,… | KKRKKR & Co. Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.5B | $89.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $5.7B | $144.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 13.36x | 43.07x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 12.65x | 16.50x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.25x | 20.30x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 7.08x | 4.67x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.11x | 1.18x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 9.44x |
HCXY leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
HCXY leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
HCXY delivers a 15.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $16 in annual profit, vs $3 for KKR. KKR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.67x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to HCXY's 1.04x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KKR scores 6/9 vs HCXY's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | HCXYHercules Capital,… | KKRKKR & Co. Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +15.8% | +3.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +7.8% | +0.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +7.8% | +0.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +10.4% | +0.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.04x | 0.67x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.2B | $54.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $57M | $6M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.3B | $54.8B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 17.03x | 3.29x |
HCXY leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
KKR leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in KKR five years ago would be worth $18,046 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,049 for HCXY. Over the past 12 months, HCXY leads with a +5.3% total return vs KKR's -10.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors KKR at 27.8% vs HCXY's 7.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | HCXYHercules Capital,… | KKRKKR & Co. Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -0.3% | -21.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +5.3% | -10.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +23.3% | +108.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +20.5% | +80.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +52.2% | +711.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +7.2% | +27.8% |
KKR leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
HCXY leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
HCXY is the less volatile stock with a 0.49 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than KKR's 1.70 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. HCXY currently trades 96.1% from its 52-week high vs KKR's 65.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | HCXYHercules Capital,… | KKRKKR & Co. Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.49x | 1.70x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $25.71 | $153.87 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $5.93 | $82.67 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +96.1% | +65.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 61.8 | 55.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 3K | 6.6M |
HCXY leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — HCXY and KKR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
For income investors, HCXY offers the higher dividend yield at 5.91% vs KKR's 0.80%.
| Metric | HCXYHercules Capital,… | KKRKKR & Co. Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $143.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 26 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +5.9% | +0.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 6 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.46 | $0.80 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.2% | +0.1% |
Evenly matched — HCXY and KKR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
HCXY leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). KKR leads in 1 (Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallHercules Capital, Inc. (HCXY)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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HCXY vs KKR: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is HCXY or KKR a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Hercules Capital, Inc.
(HCXY) is the stronger pick with 18. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -11. 0% for KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR). Hercules Capital, Inc. (HCXY) offers the better valuation at 13. 4x trailing P/E (12. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR) a "Buy" — based on 26 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — HCXY or KKR?
On trailing P/E, Hercules Capital, Inc.
(HCXY) is the cheapest at 13. 4x versus KKR & Co. Inc. at 43. 1x. On forward P/E, Hercules Capital, Inc. is actually cheaper at 12. 7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — HCXY or KKR?
Over the past 5 years, KKR & Co.
Inc. (KKR) delivered a total return of +80. 5%, compared to +20. 5% for Hercules Capital, Inc. (HCXY). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KKR returned +711. 5% versus HCXY's +52. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — HCXY or KKR?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Hercules Capital, Inc.
(HCXY) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 49β versus KKR & Co. Inc. 's 1. 70β — meaning KKR is approximately 250% more volatile than HCXY relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 67% versus 104% for Hercules Capital, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — HCXY or KKR?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Hercules Capital, Inc.
(HCXY) is pulling ahead at 18. 3% versus -11. 0% for KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Hercules Capital, Inc. grew EPS 14. 9% year-over-year, compared to -28. 7% for KKR & Co. Inc.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — HCXY or KKR?
Hercules Capital, Inc.
(HCXY) is the more profitable company, earning 69. 1% net margin versus 12. 3% for KKR & Co. Inc. — meaning it keeps 69. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HCXY leads at 87. 8% versus 2. 4% for KKR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HCXY leads at 97. 6%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is HCXY or KKR more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Hercules Capital, Inc.
(HCXY) trades at 12. 7x forward P/E versus 16. 5x for KKR & Co. Inc. — 3. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — HCXY or KKR?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Hercules Capital, Inc. (HCXY) offers the highest yield at 5. 9%, versus 0. 8% for KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR).
09Is HCXY or KKR better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Hercules Capital, Inc.
(HCXY) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 49), 5. 9% yield). KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR) carries a higher beta of 1. 70 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (HCXY: +52. 2%, KKR: +711. 5%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between HCXY and KKR?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: HCXY is a small-cap high-growth stock; KKR is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(HCXY: 18.3% · KKR: -11.0%)Net Margin>
%
(HCXY: 69.1% · KKR: 12.3%)P/E Ratio<
x
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