MetaCap

Central Securities (CET) vs Equus Total Return (EQS)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.

Summary

Central Securities (CET) has outperformed Equus Total Return (EQS) over the past year, gaining 8.3% versus a loss of 61.2%. Over five years, CET leads with a +28.2% price change compared with -60.4% for EQS. Central Securities pays a dividend yielding 4.94%, while Equus Total Return does not currently pay one.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

CET+8.25%EQS-61.17%
+14%-27%-67%
Oct 9, 20251 yearOct 9, 2026
CET+29.96%EQS-61.17%
+36%-15%-66%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

CET versus EQS key metrics
MetricCETEQS
Share price$55.87$0.8388
Market cap—$11.72M
1-day change+0.74%+4.85%
YTD return+10.18%-40.51%
1-year return+8.25%-61.17%
5-year return+28.17%-60.43%
P/E ratio (TTM)7.54—
EPS (TTM)$7.41$-1.28
Dividend yield4.94%0.00%
Annual dividend$2.76$0.00
52-week high$57.39$2.29
52-week low$47.82$0.77
Distance from 52-week high-2.65%-63.37%
Average volume28.24K11.75K
Shares outstanding—13.97M
SectorFinanceFinance
IndustryFinance/Investors ServicesFinance/Investors 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

  • CET has outperformed EQS by 69.4 percentage points over the past year.
  • Central Securities offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.94% vs 0.00%).

About Central Securities

CET stock →

Central Securities Corporation is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm invests in the public equity markets of the United States.

Finance · Finance/Investors Services

About Equus Total Return

EQS stock →

Equus Total Return, Inc. is a business development company (BDC) specializing in leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, corporate partnerships/joint ventures, growth and expansion capital, acquisition financing, roll-up acquisition strategies, operational turnarounds, recapitalizations of existing businesses, special situations, equity and equity-oriented securities issued by privately owned companies, debt securities including subordinate debt, debt convertible into common or preferred stock, or debt combined with warrants and common and preferred stock, and preferred equity financing.

Finance · Finance/Investors Services

CET vs EQS FAQ

Which stock has performed better over the past year, CET or EQS?

CET returned +8.25% over the past 12 months, compared with -61.17% for EQS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which pays a higher dividend, Central Securities or Equus Total Return?

Central Securities pays a dividend yielding 4.94%, while Equus Total Return does not currently pay a regular dividend.

Are Central Securities and Equus Total Return in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Finance/Investors Services industry within the Finance sector.

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