Fidus Investment (FDUS) vs FS Specialty Lending Fund (FSSL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
FS Specialty Lending Fund is the larger company by market cap ($885.2 million vs $759.2 million), about 1.2 times the size. On valuation, FS Specialty Lending Fund trades at a lower forward P/E (7.4x vs 9.7x for Fidus Investment). Fidus Investment pays a dividend yielding 9.01%, while FS Specialty Lending Fund does not currently pay one.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Head-to-head
| Metric | FDUS | FSSL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $19.09 | $11.66 |
| Market cap | $759.22M | $885.20M |
| 1-day change | +1.43% | +1.83% |
| YTD return | -2.49% | — |
| 1-year return | -5.81% | — |
| 5-year return | +7.36% | — |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 9.18 | 19.76 |
| Forward P/E | 9.67 | 7.38 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.08 | $0.59 |
| Dividend yield | 9.01% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.72 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $21.15 | $15.00 |
| 52-week low | $16.87 | $10.75 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.74% | -22.27% |
| Analyst consensus | none | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.62% | — |
| Average volume | 328.63K | 291.67K |
| Shares outstanding | 39.77M | 75.92M |
| 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
- FS Specialty Lending Fund trades at a higher earnings multiple (19.8x vs 9.2x trailing P/E).
- Fidus Investment offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (9.01% vs 0.00%).
About Fidus Investment
FDUS stock →Fidus Investment Corporation is a business development company. It specializing in leveraged buyouts, refinancings, change of ownership transactions, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions, mezzanine, growth capital, business expansion, lower middle market investments, debt investments, subordinated and second lien loans, senior secured and unitranche debt, preferred equity, warrants, subordinated debt, senior subordinated notes, junior secured loans, and unitranche loans.
Finance · Finance/Investors Services
FDUS vs FSSL FAQ
Which is bigger, Fidus Investment or FS Specialty Lending Fund?
FS Specialty Lending Fund (FSSL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $885.20M compared with $759.22M for Fidus Investment (FDUS).
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FDUS or FSSL?
FDUS has the lower trailing P/E at 9.2, versus 19.8 for FSSL. 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, Fidus Investment or FS Specialty Lending Fund?
Fidus Investment pays a dividend yielding 9.01%, while FS Specialty Lending Fund does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Fidus Investment and FS Specialty Lending Fund in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Finance/Investors Services industry within the Finance sector.