Capital Southwest (CSWC) vs Gladstone Capital (GLAD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Capital Southwest (CSWC) has outperformed Gladstone Capital (GLAD) over the past year, gaining 12.2% versus a loss of 9.3%. Over five years, CSWC leads with a -14.4% price change compared with -18.1% for GLAD. Capital Southwest is the larger company by market cap ($1.51 billion vs $428.1 million), about 3.5 times the size.
On valuation, Gladstone Capital trades at a lower forward P/E (9.6x vs 10.2x for Capital Southwest). Capital Southwest offers the higher dividend yield (9.78% vs 9.74%).
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 | CSWC | GLAD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $23.74 | $18.95 |
| Market cap | $1.51B | $428.14M |
| 1-day change | +1.06% | +1.23% |
| YTD return | +6.05% | -9.39% |
| 1-year return | +12.23% | -9.35% |
| 5-year return | -14.36% | -18.11% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 13.12 | 8.90 |
| Forward P/E | 10.17 | 9.62 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.81 | $2.13 |
| Dividend yield | 9.78% | 9.74% |
| Annual dividend | $2.32 | $1.85 |
| 52-week high | $25.75 | $21.73 |
| 52-week low | $19.37 | $16.54 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -7.81% | -12.79% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +6.57% | +16.09% |
| Average volume | 627.57K | 165.58K |
| Shares outstanding | 63.73M | 22.59M |
| Employees | 36 | — |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Textiles | Textiles |
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
- Capital Southwest is about 3.5 times larger than Gladstone Capital by market value ($1.51B vs $428.14M).
- CSWC has outperformed GLAD by 21.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Capital Southwest trades at a higher earnings multiple (13.1x vs 8.9x trailing P/E).
About Capital Southwest
CSWC stock →Capital Southwest Corporation is a business development company. The firm specializes in credit and private equity and venture capital investments in lower middle market companies, mezzanine, later stage, mature, late venture, emerging growth, buyouts, industry consolidation, recapitalizations and growth capital investments.
Consumer Discretionary · Textiles · 36 employees
About Gladstone Capital
GLAD stock →Gladstone Capital Corporation is a business development company specializing in private equity and venture capital investments with a focus on lower middle market, growth capital, add on acquisitions, change of control, buy & build strategies, debt refinancing, debt investments in senior term loans, revolving loans, secured first and second lien term loans, senior subordinated loans, unitranche loans, junior subordinated loans, and mezzanine loans and equity investments in the form of common stock, preferred stock, limited liability company interests, or warrants. The fund also makes private equity investments in acquisitions, buyouts and recapitalizations, and refinancing existing debts.
Consumer Discretionary · Textiles
CSWC vs GLAD FAQ
Which is bigger, Capital Southwest or Gladstone Capital?
Capital Southwest (CSWC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.51B compared with $428.14M for Gladstone Capital (GLAD).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CSWC or GLAD?
CSWC returned +12.23% over the past 12 months, compared with -9.35% for GLAD (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CSWC or GLAD?
GLAD has the lower trailing P/E at 8.9, versus 13.1 for CSWC. 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, Capital Southwest or Gladstone Capital?
Capital Southwest has the higher yield at 9.78%, compared with 9.74% for Gladstone Capital.
Are Capital Southwest and Gladstone Capital in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Textiles industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.