Bain Capital Specialty Finance (BCSF) vs Carlyle Secured Lending (CGBD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Carlyle Secured Lending (CGBD) has outperformed Bain Capital Specialty Finance (BCSF) over the past year, losing 14.3% versus a loss of 22.5%. Over five years, CGBD leads with a -25.1% price change compared with -28.5% for BCSF. Carlyle Secured Lending is the larger company by market cap ($719.4 million vs $691.5 million), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Carlyle Secured Lending trades at a lower forward P/E (7.3x vs 8.0x for Bain Capital Specialty Finance). Bain Capital Specialty Finance offers the higher dividend yield (15.76% vs 14.83%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BCSF | CGBD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $10.66 | $10.46 |
| Market cap | $691.50M | $719.35M |
| 1-day change | -0.09% | +0.53% |
| YTD return | -23.29% | -16.73% |
| 1-year return | -22.51% | -14.33% |
| 5-year return | -28.49% | -25.07% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 10.77 | 20.91 |
| Forward P/E | 7.97 | 7.30 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.99 | $0.50 |
| Dividend yield | 15.76% | 14.83% |
| Annual dividend | $1.68 | $1.55 |
| 52-week high | $14.70 | $13.28 |
| 52-week low | $10.55 | $9.95 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -27.48% | -21.27% |
| Analyst consensus | none | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.48% | +18.22% |
| Average volume | 435.36K | 525.36K |
| Shares outstanding | 64.87M | 68.80M |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Finance/Investors Services | Finance: Consumer Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Carlyle Secured Lending trades at a higher earnings multiple (20.9x vs 10.8x trailing P/E).
About Bain Capital Specialty Finance
BCSF stock →Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc. is business development company specializing in direct loans to middle-market companies.
Finance · Finance/Investors Services
About Carlyle Secured Lending
CGBD stock →Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. is business development company specializing in first lien debt, senior secured loans, second lien senior secured loan unsecured debt, mezzanine debt and investments in equities.
Finance · Finance: Consumer Services
BCSF vs CGBD FAQ
Which is bigger, Bain Capital Specialty Finance or Carlyle Secured Lending?
Carlyle Secured Lending (CGBD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $719.35M compared with $691.50M for Bain Capital Specialty Finance (BCSF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BCSF or CGBD?
CGBD returned -14.33% over the past 12 months, compared with -22.51% for BCSF (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BCSF or CGBD?
BCSF has the lower trailing P/E at 10.8, versus 20.9 for CGBD. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Bain Capital Specialty Finance or Carlyle Secured Lending?
Bain Capital Specialty Finance has the higher yield at 15.76%, compared with 14.83% for Carlyle Secured Lending.
Are Bain Capital Specialty Finance and Carlyle Secured Lending in the same industry?
Both are in the Finance sector, but in different industries: Finance/Investors Services for Bain Capital Specialty Finance and Finance: Consumer Services for Carlyle Secured Lending.