Calamos Strategic Total Return (CSQ) 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
Calamos Strategic Total Return (CSQ) has outperformed Main Street Capital (MAIN) over the past year, gaining 6.2% versus a loss of 12.3%. Over five years, MAIN leads with a +27.2% price change compared with +12.3% for CSQ. Main Street Capital is the larger company by market cap ($5.07 billion vs $3.29 billion), about 1.5 times the size.
On valuation, Calamos Strategic Total Return trades at a lower trailing P/E (3.1x vs 10.9x for Main Street Capital). Main Street Capital offers the higher dividend yield (5.70% vs 3.00%).
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 | CSQ | MAIN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $20.51 | $54.18 |
| Market cap | $3.29B | $5.07B |
| 1-day change | -0.44% | -1.08% |
| YTD return | +6.82% | -10.28% |
| 1-year return | +6.21% | -12.29% |
| 5-year return | +12.26% | +27.18% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 3.14 | 10.88 |
| Forward P/E | — | 13.95 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.53 | $4.98 |
| Dividend yield | 3.00% | 5.70% |
| Annual dividend | $0.615 | $3.09 |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $493.40M |
| 52-week high | $21.17 | $65.23 |
| 52-week low | $16.41 | $48.95 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -3.12% | -16.94% |
| Analyst consensus | — | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | — | +11.35% |
| Average volume | 185.82K | 529.96K |
| Shares outstanding | 160.37M | 93.51M |
| Employees | — | 110 |
| Sector | Financial Services | Financial Services |
| Industry | Asset Management | Asset Management |
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
- CSQ has outperformed MAIN by 18.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Main Street Capital trades at a higher earnings multiple (10.9x vs 3.1x trailing P/E).
- Main Street Capital offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.70% vs 3.00%).
About Calamos Strategic Total Return
CSQ stock →Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund is a closed ended balanced mutual fund launched by Calamos Investments LLC. The fund is managed by Calamos Advisors LLC.
Financial Services · Asset Management
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.
Financial Services · Asset Management · 110 employees
CSQ vs MAIN FAQ
Which is bigger, Calamos Strategic Total Return or Main Street Capital?
Main Street Capital (MAIN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.07B compared with $3.29B for Calamos Strategic Total Return (CSQ).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CSQ or MAIN?
CSQ returned +6.21% 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, CSQ or MAIN?
CSQ has the lower trailing P/E at 3.1, versus 10.9 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, Calamos Strategic Total Return or Main Street Capital?
Main Street Capital has the higher yield at 5.70%, compared with 3.00% for Calamos Strategic Total Return.
Are Calamos Strategic Total Return and Main Street Capital in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Asset Management industry within the Financial Services sector.