Oaktree Specialty Lending (OCSL) vs Prospect Capital (PSEC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Oaktree Specialty Lending (OCSL) has outperformed Prospect Capital (PSEC) over the past year, losing 7.5% versus a loss of 33.1%. Over five years, OCSL leads with a -47.3% price change compared with -77.5% for PSEC. Oaktree Specialty Lending is the larger company by market cap ($1.03 billion vs $982.2 million), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Prospect Capital trades at a lower forward P/E (5.3x vs 8.6x for Oaktree Specialty Lending). Prospect Capital offers the higher dividend yield (28.26% vs 12.88%).
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 | OCSL | PSEC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $11.65 | $1.84 |
| Market cap | $1.03B | $982.22M |
| 1-day change | -0.43% | +0.55% |
| YTD return | -8.56% | -28.96% |
| 1-year return | -7.47% | -33.09% |
| 5-year return | -47.31% | -77.51% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.27 | 30.67 |
| Forward P/E | 8.56 | 5.26 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.48 | $0.06 |
| Dividend yield | 12.88% | 28.26% |
| Annual dividend | $1.50 | $0.52 |
| 52-week high | $14.31 | $3.13 |
| 52-week low | $10.63 | $1.75 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.59% | -41.21% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +7.30% | +8.70% |
| Average volume | 493.27K | 4.65M |
| Shares outstanding | 88.09M | 533.82M |
| 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
- OCSL has outperformed PSEC by 25.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Prospect Capital trades at a higher earnings multiple (30.7x vs 24.3x trailing P/E).
- Prospect Capital offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (28.26% vs 12.88%).
About Oaktree Specialty Lending
OCSL stock →Oaktree Specialty Lending Corporation is a business development company. The fund specializing in investments in middle market, bridge financing, first and second lien debt financing, unsecured and mezzanine loan, mezzanine debt, senior and junior secured debt, expansions, sponsor-led acquisitions, preferred equity, and management buyouts in small and mid-sized companies.
Financial Services · Asset Management
About Prospect Capital
PSEC stock →Prospect Capital Corporation is a Private Equity, Private Debt and business development company. It specializes in middle market, lower-middle market, mature, mezzanine finance, later stage, emerging growth, leveraged buyouts, refinancing, acquisitions, recapitalizations, turnaround, growth capital, development, capital expenditures and subordinated debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations, cash flow term loans, market place lending and bridge transactions.
Financial Services · Asset Management
OCSL vs PSEC FAQ
Which is bigger, Oaktree Specialty Lending or Prospect Capital?
Oaktree Specialty Lending (OCSL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.03B compared with $982.22M for Prospect Capital (PSEC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, OCSL or PSEC?
OCSL returned -7.47% over the past 12 months, compared with -33.09% for PSEC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, OCSL or PSEC?
OCSL has the lower trailing P/E at 24.3, versus 30.7 for PSEC. 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, Oaktree Specialty Lending or Prospect Capital?
Prospect Capital has the higher yield at 28.26%, compared with 12.88% for Oaktree Specialty Lending.
Are Oaktree Specialty Lending and Prospect Capital in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Asset Management industry within the Financial Services sector.