HTGC
Hercules Capital, Inc.
Asset Management
Market Cap$3.02B
5Y Perf.+47.6%
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Stock Comparison
HTGC vs OBDC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
OBDC
Blue Owl Capital Corporation
Financial - Credit Services
Market Cap$5.84B
5Y Perf.-4.7%
HTGC vs OBDC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | HTGC | OBDC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Asset Management | Financial - Credit Services |
| Market Cap | $3.02B | $5.84B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $547M | $1.68B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $289M | $544M |
| Gross Margin | 87.2% | 75.3% |
| Operating Margin | 66.7% | 73.2% |
| Forward P/E | 8.4x | 8.6x |
| Total Debt | $2.30B | $9.30B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $57M | $10M |
HTGC vs OBDC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
HTGC
OBDC
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hercules Capital, I… (HTGC) | 100 | 147.6 | +47.6% |
| Blue Owl Capital Co… (OBDC) | 100 | 95.3 | -4.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: HTGC vs OBDC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: OBDC leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Hercules Capital, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
HTGC
Hercules Capital, Inc.
The Banking Pick
HTGC is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.69, yield 8.6%
- 173.0% 10Y total return vs OBDC's 43.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.69, current ratio 1.44x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
OBDC
Blue Owl Capital Corporation
The Banking Pick
OBDC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth 52.6%, EPS growth -19.0%
- 52.6% NII/revenue growth vs HTGC's 27.0%
- Efficiency ratio 0.0% vs HTGC's 0.2% (lower = leaner)
Best for: growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | OBDC | 52.6% NII/revenue growth vs HTGC's 27.0% |
| Value | HTGC | Lower P/E (8.4x vs 8.6x) |
| Quality / Margins | OBDC | Efficiency ratio 0.0% vs HTGC's 0.2% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | HTGC | Beta 0.69 vs OBDC's 0.84, lower leverage |
| Dividends | OBDC | 12.6% yield, vs HTGC's 8.6% |
| Momentum (1Y) | HTGC | +5.7% vs OBDC's -3.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | OBDC | Efficiency ratio 0.0% vs HTGC's 0.2% |
HTGC vs OBDC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLHTGCLAGGINGOBDC
OBDCBlue Owl Capital Corp…
2leads
HTGCHercules Capital, Inc.
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs OBDCMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
HTGC3/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
OBDC3/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
HTGC8/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
HTGC5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
HTGC2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
OBDC1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HTGC leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
OBDC is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.7B annually — 3.1x HTGC's $547M. HTGC is the more profitable business, keeping 62.1% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to OBDC's 37.4%.
| Metric | HTGCHercules Capital,… | OBDCBlue Owl Capital … |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $547M | $1.7B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $381M | $539M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $289M | $544M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$352M | $2.1B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +87.2% | +75.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +66.7% | +73.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +62.1% | +37.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -77.8% | +103.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -20.7% | -110.2% |
HTGC leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
OBDC leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 8.9x trailing earnings, HTGC trades at a 6% valuation discount to OBDC's 9.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, OBDC's 12.2x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than HTGC's 14.4x.
| Metric | HTGCHercules Capital,… | OBDCBlue Owl Capital … |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.0B | $5.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $5.3B | $15.1B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 8.89x | 9.48x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 8.43x | 8.58x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.16x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 14.41x | 12.20x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 5.52x | 3.48x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.45x | 0.80x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 3.35x |
OBDC leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
HTGC leads this category, winning 8 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
HTGC delivers a 13.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $7 for OBDC. HTGC carries lower financial leverage with a 1.04x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to OBDC's 1.26x.
| Metric | HTGCHercules Capital,… | OBDCBlue Owl Capital … |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +13.2% | +7.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +6.4% | +3.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +6.6% | +6.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +8.8% | +7.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.04x | 1.26x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.2B | $9.3B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $57M | $10M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.3B | $9.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 4.34x | 0.96x |
HTGC leads this category, winning 8 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
HTGC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in HTGC five years ago would be worth $14,806 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $13,641 for OBDC. Over the past 12 months, HTGC leads with a +5.7% total return vs OBDC's -3.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors HTGC at 18.0% vs OBDC's 9.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | HTGCHercules Capital,… | OBDCBlue Owl Capital … |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -10.3% | -3.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +5.7% | -3.3% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +64.2% | +32.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +48.1% | +36.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +173.0% | +43.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +18.0% | +9.7% |
HTGC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
HTGC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
HTGC is the less volatile stock with a 0.69 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than OBDC's 0.84 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. HTGC currently trades 83.6% from its 52-week high vs OBDC's 77.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | HTGCHercules Capital,… | OBDCBlue Owl Capital … |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.69x | 0.84x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $19.67 | $15.19 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $13.70 | $10.52 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +83.6% | +77.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 67.7 | 61.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.5M | 5.5M |
HTGC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
OBDC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates HTGC as "Buy" and OBDC as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 23.3% upside for OBDC (target: $15) vs 15.1% for HTGC (target: $19). For income investors, OBDC offers the higher dividend yield at 12.64% vs HTGC's 8.62%.
| Metric | HTGCHercules Capital,… | OBDCBlue Owl Capital … |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $18.92 | $14.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 31 | 13 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +8.6% | +12.6% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.42 | $1.49 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.2% | +2.5% |
OBDC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
HTGC leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). OBDC leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook).
Best OverallHercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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HTGC vs OBDC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is HTGC or OBDC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Blue Owl Capital Corporation (OBDC) is the stronger pick with 52.
6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 27. 0% for Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC). Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC) offers the better valuation at 8. 9x trailing P/E (8. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC) a "Buy" — based on 31 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 — HTGC or OBDC?
On trailing P/E, Hercules Capital, Inc.
(HTGC) is the cheapest at 8. 9x versus Blue Owl Capital Corporation at 9. 5x. On forward P/E, Hercules Capital, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 4x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — HTGC or OBDC?
Over the past 5 years, Hercules Capital, Inc.
(HTGC) delivered a total return of +48. 1%, compared to +36. 4% for Blue Owl Capital Corporation (OBDC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HTGC returned +173. 0% versus OBDC's +43. 4%. 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 — HTGC or OBDC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Hercules Capital, Inc.
(HTGC) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 69β versus Blue Owl Capital Corporation's 0. 84β — meaning OBDC is approximately 21% more volatile than HTGC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 104% versus 126% for Blue Owl Capital Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — HTGC or OBDC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Blue Owl Capital Corporation (OBDC) is pulling ahead at 52.
6% versus 27. 0% for Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Hercules Capital, Inc. grew EPS 14. 9% year-over-year, compared to -19. 0% for Blue Owl Capital Corporation. 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 — HTGC or OBDC?
Hercules Capital, Inc.
(HTGC) is the more profitable company, earning 62. 1% net margin versus 37. 4% for Blue Owl Capital Corporation — meaning it keeps 62. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: OBDC leads at 73. 2% versus 66. 7% for HTGC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HTGC leads at 87. 2%, 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 HTGC or OBDC more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Hercules Capital, Inc.
(HTGC) trades at 8. 4x forward P/E versus 8. 6x for Blue Owl Capital Corporation — 0. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for OBDC: 23. 3% to $14. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — HTGC or OBDC?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Blue Owl Capital Corporation (OBDC) offers the highest yield at 12. 6%, versus 8. 6% for Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC).
09Is HTGC or OBDC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Hercules Capital, Inc.
(HTGC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 69), 8. 6% yield, +173. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (HTGC: +173. 0%, OBDC: +43. 4%), 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 HTGC and OBDC?
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.
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>
%
(HTGC: 27.0% · OBDC: 52.6%)Net Margin>
%
(HTGC: 62.1% · OBDC: 37.4%)P/E Ratio<
x
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