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1. Company Snapshot

1.a. Company Description

Capital Southwest Corporation is a business development company specializing in credit and private equity and venture capital investments in middle market companies, mezzanine, later stage, mature, late venture, emerging growth, buyouts, recapitalizations and growth capital investments.It does not invest in startups, publicly traded companies, real estate developments, project finance opportunities, oil and gas exploration businesses, troubled companies, turnarounds, and companies in which significant senior management is departing.In lower middle market, the firm typically invests in growth financing, bolt-on acquisitions, new platform acquisitions, refinancing, dividend recapitalizations, sponsor-led buyouts, and management buyouts situations.


The investment structures are Unitranche debt, subordinated debt, senior debt, first and second lien debt, and preferred and common equity.The firm makes equity co-investments alongside debt investments, up to 20% of total check and only makes non-control investments.It prefers to invest in Industrial manufacturing and services, value-added distribution, healthcare products and services, business services, specialty chemicals, food and beverage, tech-enabled services and SaaS models.


The firm seeks to invest in energy services and products, industrial technologies, and specialty chemicals and products.Within energy services and products, the firm seeks to invest in each segment of the industry, including upstream, midstream and downstream, excluding exploration and production with a focus on differentiated products and services, equipment and tool rental, consumable products, and drilling and completion chemicals.Within industrial technologies, it seeks to invest in automation and process controls, handling and packaging equipment, industrial filtration and fluid handling, measurement, monitoring and testing, professional tools, and sensors and instrumentation.


Within and specialty chemicals and products, the firm seeks to invest in businesses that develop and manufacture highly differentiated chemicals and products including adhesives, coatings and sealants, catalysts and absorbents, cosmeceuticals, fine chemicals, flavors and fragrances, performance lubricants, polymers, plastics and composites, chemical dispensing and filtration equipment, professional and industrial trade consumables and tools, engineered solutions for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical installations, specified high performance materials for fire protection and oilfield applications.It may also invest in exceptional opportunities in building products.The firm seeks to invest in the United States.


The firm seeks to make investments ranging from $5 to $25 million in securities.It seeks to make equity investments ranging from $5 million to $50 million and debt investments between $5 million and $20 million and co-invest in transaction size up to $40 million.It prefers to invest in companies with revenues approaching above $10 million, profitable operations, historical growth rate of at least 15 percent per year.


Within the lower middle market, it seeks to invest in with less than $15 million in EBITDA and also opportunistically invests in the upper middle market, generally defined as companies with EBITDA in excess of $50 million.In addition to making direct investments, the firm allocates capital to syndicated first and second lien term loans in the upper middle market.Criteria for Upper Middle Market Syndicated 1st Lien is EBITDA Size more than $30 million, Closing Leverage greater than 4 times, investment hold size between $5 million and $7 million, investment yield greater than 6.5%.


Criteria for Upper Middle Market Syndicated 2nd Lien is EBITDA Size more than $50 million, Closing Leverage greater than 6 times, investment hold size between $5 million and $7 million, investment yield greater than 9%.It prefers to take a majority and minority stake.The firm has the flexibility to hold investments for very long period in its portfolio companies.


It may also invest through warrants.The firm prefers to take Board participation in its portfolio companies.Capital Southwest Corporation was founded on April 19, 1961 and is based in Dallas, Texas.

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1.b. Last Insights on CSWC

Capital Southwest Corporation's recent performance was driven by a strong Q3 fiscal 2025 earnings release, with pre-tax net investment income of $0.64 per share and a solid dividend yield of 11%. The company's portfolio, primarily composed of secure first-lien debt investments, provides a lower-risk profile and stable returns. Additionally, Capital Southwest's ability to deploy new funds and its resilience in a higher-for-longer interest rate environment make it an attractive investment. Recent earnings show net investment income per share of $0.63, with potential for future profit growth. The company's high dividend yield is fully supported by net investment income, and its efficient cost structure makes it a compelling opportunity for income-focused investors.

1.c. Company Highlights

2. Capital Southwest's Strong Q3 FY2026 Earnings: A Closer Look

Capital Southwest reported a robust financial performance in its third quarter fiscal year 2026 earnings call, with pretax net investment income of 60¢ per share and total investment income of $61.4 million, up from $56.9 million in the prior quarter. The company's earnings per share (EPS) came in at $0.64, in line with analyst estimates. The net asset value (NAV) per share increased to $16.75 per share, up from $16.62 per share in the prior quarter. The company's financial performance was driven by its growing on-balance-sheet credit portfolio, which ended the quarter at $1.8 billion, representing 19% year-over-year growth.

Publication Date: Feb -22

📋 Highlights
  • Strong Pretax Net Investment Income:: Generated 60¢ per share, with undistributed taxable income (UTI) of $1.02 per share.
  • Dividend Declaration:: Paid 58¢ in regular quarterly dividends and 6¢ supplemental dividend, totaling 64¢ per share for Q1 2026.
  • Portfolio Growth and Commitments:: Closed $244 million in new commitments, achieving 19% YoY growth to $1.8 billion in on-balance-sheet credit portfolio.
  • High-Yield Portfolio Returns:: Credit portfolio delivered 11.3% weighted average yield with 3.6x EBITDA leverage, driven by 90% first-lien investments.
  • Joint Venture Impact:: Launched a first-out senior loan JV targeting 5–5.75% spreads, enhancing access to lower-middle-market deals with higher yields (+100 bps).

Portfolio Composition and Performance

The company's credit portfolio is well-diversified, with 90% first lien senior secured debt, 0.8% second lien senior secured debt, and 9.1% equity co-investments. The portfolio generated a weighted average yield of 11.3% with weighted average leverage through its security of 3.6 times EBITDA. The company's disciplined approach to risk management and strong relationships with private equity sponsors continue to result in sourcing and winning opportunities with attractive risk-return profiles.

Growth Initiatives and Joint Venture

Capital Southwest recently announced a first-out senior loan joint venture with a private credit asset manager, which is expected to enhance its competitiveness in the lower middle market. The joint venture will allow the company to participate in larger, higher-quality deals with tighter spreads while maintaining disciplined hold sizes. The company has also grown its sponsor relationships and added new team members to enhance origination capabilities.

Valuation and Dividend Yield

With a Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B) of 1.32 and a Dividend Yield of 12.95%, Capital Southwest's valuation appears attractive. The company's strong financial performance and growth initiatives are expected to drive future value creation. Analysts estimate next year's revenue growth at 10.5%, which is expected to further support the company's dividend yield.

Risk Management and AI Assessment

The company has a conservative underwriting approach, with weighted average leverage for cyclical segments at 4.2 times. They structure deals recognizing potential consumer pullback. Additionally, the company evaluates AI risk in its portfolio and new originations, having formed an AI committee and incorporated AI risk assessment into its investment committee process.

3. NewsRoom

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10%+ Dividends And Stress-Free Retirement: My Top 2 Picks

Feb -19

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Beyond 10% Yield: Using The 'Circle Of Virtue' To Build An Income Fortress

Feb -15

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If I Had To Retire With 2 BDCs, These Would Be My Picks

Feb -15

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Capital Southwest: I Went To Dallas For This Safe 11% Dividend Yield Paid Monthly

Feb -15

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I Wouldn't Want To Retire Without The 3 Most Undervalued Income Machines

Feb -13

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2 BDCs To Dump Before They Cut Their Dividend

Feb -12

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Why More BDCs Are Likely To Cut Their Dividends

Feb -10

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High-Yield Wreck Your Retirement? Here Is Your Path To Recovery

Feb -09

4. Business Breakdown

4.a. Revenues by Country

4.b. Revenues by Segment

5. Expected revenues mid-term growth (10.20%)

6. Segments

Investment and Related Activities

Expected Growth: 10.2%

Capital Southwest's Investment and Related Activities segment is poised for growth driven by increasing demand for middle-market financing, a strong pipeline of investment opportunities, and the company's expertise in providing tailored financing solutions.

7. Detailed Products

Investment Capital

Capital Southwest Corporation provides investment capital to middle-market companies, supporting their growth and expansion plans.

Mezzanine Financing

The company offers mezzanine financing solutions to businesses, providing a flexible and patient source of capital for growth and acquisitions.

Unitranche Financing

Capital Southwest provides unitranche financing solutions, offering a single, flexible financing solution for businesses.

Equity Co-Investments

The company participates in equity co-investments alongside private equity sponsors, supporting the growth and development of portfolio companies.

Loan Portfolio Management

Capital Southwest manages a portfolio of loans to middle-market companies, providing a stable source of income and supporting the growth of its borrowers.

8. Capital Southwest Corporation's Porter Forces

Forces Ranking

Threat Of Substitutes

Capital Southwest Corporation operates in a niche market, providing capital to small and medium-sized businesses. While there are some substitutes available, such as traditional banks and other financial institutions, the company's specialized services and expertise in the middle market provide a competitive advantage.

Bargaining Power Of Customers

Capital Southwest Corporation's customers are typically small and medium-sized businesses, which have limited bargaining power. The company's diversified customer base and long-term relationships with customers also reduce the bargaining power of individual customers.

Bargaining Power Of Suppliers

Capital Southwest Corporation's suppliers are primarily financial institutions and investors, which have limited bargaining power. The company's strong financial position and diversified funding sources also reduce the bargaining power of suppliers.

Threat Of New Entrants

The threat of new entrants in the business development company (BDC) industry is low due to the significant barriers to entry, including regulatory hurdles and the need for specialized expertise and resources. Capital Southwest Corporation's established position and strong reputation also make it difficult for new entrants to compete.

Intensity Of Rivalry

The BDC industry is moderately competitive, with several established players competing for market share. However, Capital Southwest Corporation's diversified investment portfolio and strong relationships with customers and partners help to mitigate the intensity of rivalry.

9. SWOT Analysis

10. Capital Structure

10.a. Balance Sheet

10.b. Weighted Average Cost of capital

Value
Debt Weight 50.51%
Debt Cost 5.65%
Equity Weight 49.49%
Equity Cost 10.07%
WACC 7.84%
Leverage 102.06%

11. Quality Control: Capital Southwest Corporation passed 3 out of 9 key points

12.a Historical Valuation

12.b Price/Earnings Ratio

12.c Margin Valuation

12.d Peers Valuation

Peers Group Analysis

Stock-Card
Fidus

A-Score: 7.5/10

Value: 7.7

Growth: 3.9

Quality: 8.3

Yield: 10.0

Momentum: 5.0

Volatility: 10.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
SLR Investment

A-Score: 7.3/10

Value: 6.4

Growth: 6.6

Quality: 6.3

Yield: 10.0

Momentum: 4.5

Volatility: 10.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
New Mountain Finance

A-Score: 6.8/10

Value: 7.8

Growth: 3.9

Quality: 7.5

Yield: 10.0

Momentum: 2.5

Volatility: 9.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Capital Southwest

A-Score: 6.8/10

Value: 6.2

Growth: 3.2

Quality: 7.8

Yield: 10.0

Momentum: 4.0

Volatility: 9.7

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
MidCap Financial

A-Score: 6.5/10

Value: 5.1

Growth: 5.4

Quality: 5.4

Yield: 10.0

Momentum: 3.5

Volatility: 9.7

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
WhiteHorse Finance

A-Score: 6.3/10

Value: 8.3

Growth: 3.6

Quality: 6.4

Yield: 10.0

Momentum: 1.5

Volatility: 8.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Peers Metrics

12.e Scoring Insights

12.f DCF BETA

Parameters

Short Term Growth

Short term Time

Long-Term Growth

WACC

Target Price

22.76$

Current Price

22.76$

Potential

-0.00%

Expected Cash-Flows