Burford Capital (BUR) vs Oaktree Specialty Lending (OCSL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Oaktree Specialty Lending (OCSL) has outperformed Burford Capital (BUR) over the past year, losing 7.5% versus a loss of 69.5%. Over five years, OCSL leads with a -47.3% price change compared with -67.8% for BUR. Oaktree Specialty Lending is the larger company by market cap ($1.04 billion vs $755.4 million), about 1.4 times the size.
On valuation, Burford Capital trades at a lower forward P/E (6.4x vs 8.7x for Oaktree Specialty Lending). Oaktree Specialty Lending offers the higher dividend yield (12.72% vs 1.83%).
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 | BUR | OCSL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $3.44 | $11.79 |
| Market cap | $755.41M | $1.04B |
| 1-day change | -1.71% | +1.20% |
| YTD return | -60.76% | -8.56% |
| 1-year return | -69.46% | -7.47% |
| 5-year return | -67.80% | -47.31% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 24.56 |
| Forward P/E | 6.45 | 8.66 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-7.70 | $0.48 |
| Dividend yield | 1.83% | 12.72% |
| Annual dividend | $0.063 | $1.50 |
| 52-week high | $11.66 | $14.31 |
| 52-week low | $3.29 | $10.63 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -70.50% | -17.61% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +153.49% | +6.02% |
| Average volume | 1.82M | 492.67K |
| Shares outstanding | 219.60M | 88.09M |
| Employees | 172 | — |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Finance: Consumer 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
- OCSL has outperformed BUR by 62.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Oaktree Specialty Lending offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (12.72% vs 1.83%).
About Burford Capital
BUR stock →Burford Capital Limited provides legal finance products and services worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Principal Finance, and Asset Management and Other Services.
Finance · Finance: Consumer Services · 172 employees
About Oaktree Specialty Lending
OCSL stock →Oaktree Specialty Lending Corporation is a business development company. The fund specializing in investments in middle market, bridge financing, first and second lien debt financing, unsecured and mezzanine loan, mezzanine debt, senior and junior secured debt, expansions, sponsor-led acquisitions, preferred equity, and management buyouts in small and mid-sized companies.
Finance · Finance: Consumer Services
BUR vs OCSL FAQ
Which is bigger, Burford Capital or Oaktree Specialty Lending?
Oaktree Specialty Lending (OCSL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.04B compared with $755.41M for Burford Capital (BUR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BUR or OCSL?
OCSL returned -7.47% over the past 12 months, compared with -69.46% for BUR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Burford Capital or Oaktree Specialty Lending?
Oaktree Specialty Lending has the higher yield at 12.72%, compared with 1.83% for Burford Capital.
Are Burford Capital and Oaktree Specialty Lending in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Finance: Consumer Services industry within the Finance sector.