Central Securities (CET) vs Main Street Capital (MAIN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Central Securities (CET) has outperformed Main Street Capital (MAIN) over the past year, gaining 7.7% versus a loss of 12.3%. Over five years, CET leads with a +27.8% price change compared with +27.2% for MAIN. On valuation, Central Securities trades at a lower trailing P/E (7.5x vs 11.0x for Main Street Capital).
Main Street Capital offers the higher dividend yield (5.66% vs 4.96%).
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 | CET | MAIN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $55.62 | $54.56 |
| Market cap | — | $5.10B |
| 1-day change | -0.18% | +1.20% |
| YTD return | +9.88% | -10.28% |
| 1-year return | +7.71% | -12.29% |
| 5-year return | +27.83% | +27.18% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 7.46 | 10.96 |
| Forward P/E | — | 14.05 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.46 | $4.98 |
| Dividend yield | 4.96% | 5.66% |
| Annual dividend | $2.76 | $3.09 |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $493.40M |
| 52-week high | $57.39 | $65.23 |
| 52-week low | $47.82 | $48.95 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -3.08% | -16.36% |
| Analyst consensus | — | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | — | +10.58% |
| Average volume | 28.46K | 532.40K |
| Shares outstanding | — | 93.51M |
| Employees | — | 110 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Finance/Investors Services | Finance/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 MAIN by 20.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Main Street Capital trades at a higher earnings multiple (11.0x vs 7.5x trailing P/E).
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 Main Street Capital
MAIN stock →Main Street Capital Corporation is a business development company and a small business investment company specializing in direct and indirect investments. In direct investments, the firm specializes in private equity capital to lower middle market companies.
Finance · Finance/Investors Services · 110 employees
CET vs MAIN FAQ
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CET or MAIN?
CET returned +7.71% over the past 12 months, compared with -12.29% for MAIN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CET or MAIN?
CET has the lower trailing P/E at 7.5, versus 11.0 for MAIN. 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, Central Securities or Main Street Capital?
Main Street Capital has the higher yield at 5.66%, compared with 4.96% for Central Securities.
Are Central Securities and Main Street Capital in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Finance/Investors Services industry within the Finance sector.