Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC) AI Stock Analysis

NASDAQ: CSWCAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

CSWC AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC) is an internally managed business development company specializing in credit and equity investments in middle-market businesses. In FY2026, the company generated revenue of $245.9M and net income of $113.0M, supporting a forward dividend yield of 13.17%. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $237.2M with an operating margin of 87.6%.

Market cap
$1.47B
Revenue (TTM)
$237.2M
P/E
12.8x
fwd 11.4x
1Y return
26.8%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$25.08
8.7% vs last close

Bull case

  • Revenue expanded at a 5-year CAGR of 27.6% through FY2026, supported by an operating margin of 87.6% over the trailing twelve months.
  • The stock delivers an annualized forward dividend yield of 13.17% with a 42-year track record of consecutive dividend payments.
  • Total debt-to-equity stands at 0.46, supported by $1.06B in shareholders' equity as of June 30, 2026.

Bear case

  • Share count has increased 200.9% over the past 5 years, creating significant equity dilution.
  • Quarterly earnings fell 17.8% year-over-year in the period ended June 30, 2026, with current fiscal year EPS projected to decline 5.7% to $2.24.
  • Free cash flow remained negative in FY2026 at -$193.5M, reflecting continued net cash deployment into investments.

What Capital Southwest does

Capital Southwest Corporation, based in Dallas, Texas, operates as a business development company specializing in credit, private equity, and venture capital investments primarily in middle market companies. Founded in 1961, the firm targets mature and growth-oriented companies in industries including industrial manufacturing, healthcare products and services, specialty chemicals, and technology-enabled services such as SaaS models. Financing structures include unitranche debt, subordinated debt, senior debt, first and second lien debt, as well as preferred and common equity. Investment sizes range from $5 million to $50 million for equity and $5 million to $20 million for debt, with capacity for transactions up to $40 million.

Growth and profitability

Between FY2021 and FY2026, Capital Southwest generated a 5-year revenue compound annual growth rate of 27.6%. Revenue rose from $102.9M in FY2022 to $163.8M in FY2025, before growing 50.1% to $245.9M in FY2026. Net income reached $113.0M in FY2026 with an operating margin of 76.9% and a net margin of 45.9%, yielding an EPS of $2.37. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue was $237.2M with a profit margin of 46.7%. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 9.1% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings declined 17.8%.

CSWC income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, Capital Southwest held $58.5M in cash and short-term investments alongside total debt of $483.9M, resulting in net debt of $425.4M. Shareholders' equity was $1.06B against total assets of $2.32B, reflecting a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 0.26. In FY2026, operating cash flow was -$193.5M and free cash flow was -$193.5M, while capital expenditures were $286,000. Cash usage included $147.2M in dividends paid, while share count expanded 200.9% over five years.

CSWC balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

At a last close of $23.08, Capital Southwest carries a market capitalization of $1.47B and an enterprise value of $2.64B. The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 12.8x and a forward P/E of 11.4x, slightly above the median of its US-listed Financial Services peers at 12.1x trailing and 10.8x forward. Its price-to-sales ratio of 6.2x is higher than the peer median of 3.2x, while its price-to-book ratio is 1.4x. Over the trailing 1-year period, CSWC returned 26.8%, outperforming the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%, but its 5-year return of 50.2% trailed SPY's 83.0%.

CSWC key metrics →

CSWC dividend

Capital Southwest offers an annualized forward dividend of $3.04, representing a dividend yield of 13.17% with a payout ratio of 35.3%. The company has paid consecutive dividends for 42 years, delivering a 5-year annualized dividend growth rate of 4.6%. Its last ex-dividend date was December 15, 2026.

CSWC dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street coverage consists of 3 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, and 3 Hold ratings, with zero Sell ratings. The mean price target of $25.08 represents an upside of 8.7% compared to the last close of $23.08. For the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, consensus estimates project revenue of $266.6M and an EPS of $2.24. Over the last four quarters, the company beat EPS estimates twice. The next earnings release is scheduled for November 2, 2026.

CSWC forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • Liquidity metrics show a current ratio of 0.26 with $58.5M in cash against $483.9M in total debt as of June 30, 2026.
  • The stock's valuation of 6.2x price-to-sales trades well above the US-listed Financial Services median of 3.2x.
  • Free cash flow has been negative across each of the last five fiscal years, including -$218.9M in FY2025 and -$193.5M in FY2026.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this CSWC AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: CSWC income statement, CSWC balance sheet, CSWC key metrics, CSWC analyst forecast, CSWC chart. See the CSWC stock overview for the latest quote and news.

CSWC AI stock analysis FAQ

What dividend does Capital Southwest pay?

Capital Southwest pays an annualized forward dividend of $3.04 per share, which equates to a dividend yield of 13.17%. It has maintained a consecutive payout record for 42 years.

When is Capital Southwest's next earnings report?

The company's next earnings report is scheduled for November 2, 2026. In the prior four quarters, it beat consensus EPS estimates two times.

How much debt does Capital Southwest have?

As of June 30, 2026, Capital Southwest had $483.9M in total debt and $58.5M in cash, resulting in net debt of $425.4M and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46.

What are analysts' price targets for CSWC?

The consensus mean price target is $25.08, which is 8.7% above the last close price of $23.08. Coverage consists of 3 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, and 3 Hold ratings.

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