Topic: How To Invest

Pat: What are your thoughts and recommendations on Hercules Technology Growth Capital? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Hercules Technology Growth Capital, $15.31, symbol HTGC on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 63.3 million; Market cap: $982.9 million; www.htgc.com), provides loans to venture capital-backed technology companies in a range of fields, including biotechnology, life sciences and renewable energy. Since it started up in December 2003, Hercules has committed more than $4.4 billion to over 290 companies. It looks for firms with annual revenue between $10 million and $200 million. Hercules aims to cut its risk by concentrating on senior secured debt investments and diversifying its funding across many firms. The company also aims to tailor its investments to what it sees as the direction of the overall economy. For example, if it thinks we’re in a “very robust, vibrant economy” and a predictable and stable capital market, it will move toward earlier stages of technology. If it thinks we’re in an “unpredictable, precarious economy,” it will move toward life sciences and later-stage companies. The shares yield a very high 8.1%. All in all, the company’s focus…