WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. (WHF) AI Stock Analysis
WHF AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchWhiteHorse Finance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WHF) is a closed-end business development company focused on senior secured loans for lower middle market firms. The company reported TTM revenue of $65.3M with an operating margin of 66.3% and net EPS of $0.78. WHF shares yield 13.18% with a trailing P/E of 9.7x, outperforming the S&P 500 over the past year with a 24.2% return.
- Market cap
- $162.4M
- Revenue (TTM)
- $65.3M
- P/E
- 9.7x fwd 7.1x
- 1Y return
- 24.2% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $7.83 3.6% vs last close
Bull case
- The stock delivers a high dividend yield of 13.18% backed by 15 consecutive years of dividend payments.
- Shares trade at attractive multiples relative to peers, including a forward P/E of 7.1x and a price-to-book ratio of 0.6x.
- WHF has delivered strong near-term momentum, gaining 24.2% over the trailing 1-year period and trading 14.8% above its 200-day moving average.
Bear case
- Analyst sentiment is cautious, with no Buy ratings, 4 Holds, and 1 Sell rating alongside a modest mean price target upside of 3.6%.
- Earnings have missed expectations in 3 of the last 4 quarters, and FY2026 EPS is projected to decline 14.1% to $0.97.
- The balance sheet carries significant leverage, with net debt of $296.9M, a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29, and a current ratio of 0.30.
What WhiteHorse Finance does
WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. operates as a non-diversified business development company specializing in senior secured loans within the lower middle market and growth capital sectors. Headquartered in the United States, it focuses primarily on domestic opportunities, targeting companies with enterprise values ranging from $50 million to $350 million. The company aims to provide financing solutions between $5 million and $25 million per investment across various industries. Operating as a closed-end management company, WhiteHorse Finance originates and manages structured senior secured loans to support mid-sized businesses with growth and operational stability while generating income for shareholders.
Growth and profitability
WhiteHorse Finance has seen significant top-line volatility, posting a 5-year revenue CAGR of 1.0% from FY2020 to FY2025. Annual revenue grew 22.5% in FY2022 to $43.3M and 28.4% in FY2023 to $55.6M, before falling 69.3% to $17.1M in FY2024. In FY2025, revenue rebounded 121.6% to $37.9M, accompanied by net income of $14.3M and EPS of $1.01. For the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2026, revenue stood at $65.3M with a net profit margin of 26.9%. While quarterly revenue fell 23.7% year-over-year in the quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly earnings grew 398.5%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, WhiteHorse Finance held $27.9M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $324.9M, resulting in net debt of $296.9M. Shareholders' equity was $252.8M, representing a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29 and a current ratio of 0.30. In FY2025, the company generated $19.3M in operating cash flow and free cash flow. Capital allocation in FY2025 included $36.6M paid in dividends and $7.4M directed toward share buybacks, while total shares outstanding grew 3.5% over the past 5 years.
Valuation and performance
WhiteHorse Finance trades at a trailing P/E of 9.7x and a forward P/E of 7.1x, both below the median of its US-listed Financial Services peers at 12.1x and 10.8x, respectively. Its price-to-sales ratio of 2.5x and EV-to-EBITDA of 6.5x also compare favorably to peer medians of 3.2x and 11.7x. The stock trades at a price-to-book ratio of 0.6x. Over the past year, WHF gained 24.2%, outpacing the S&P 500 return of 16.8%, but its 5-year return of -5.9% trails the S&P 500 return of 83.0%.
WHF dividend
WhiteHorse Finance offers an annual forward dividend of $1.00 per share, which translates to a dividend yield of 13.18%. The company has paid dividends for 15 consecutive years, though its 5-year annualized dividend growth stands at -1.4%. The payout ratio is 91.5%, and the most recent ex-dividend date was October 30, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage consists of 5 analysts, with 4 Hold ratings and 1 Sell rating. The mean price target is $7.83, representing an upside of 3.6% compared to the October 16, 2026 closing price of $7.56. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project revenue of $60.8M and EPS of $0.97. WHF has beaten earnings estimates in 1 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings release is scheduled for November 9, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- A high dividend payout ratio of 91.5% alongside negative 5-year dividend growth of -1.4% may pressure long-term payout sustainability.
- Annual revenue has displayed severe volatility, falling 69.3% in FY2024 before surging 121.6% in FY2025.
- Quarterly revenue for the period ended June 30, 2026 dropped 23.7% year-over-year, lagging the sector median growth rate of 10.1%.
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 WHF AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. (WHF). 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: WHF income statement, WHF balance sheet, WHF key metrics, WHF analyst forecast, WHF chart. See the WHF stock overview for the latest quote and news.
WHF AI stock analysis FAQ
What is WhiteHorse Finance's dividend yield and payout schedule?
WhiteHorse Finance has an annual forward dividend of $1.00, yielding 13.18% with a payout ratio of 91.5%. Its dividend payment frequency is classified as Other, with an ex-dividend date of October 30, 2026.
What are Wall Street analysts forecasting for WHF?
Analysts maintain 4 Hold ratings and 1 Sell rating, with a mean price target of $7.83, implying a 3.6% potential upside from the last close of $7.56. Full-year FY2026 EPS is estimated at $0.97 on revenue of $60.8M.
How does WhiteHorse Finance's valuation compare to its peers?
WHF trades at a trailing P/E of 9.7x and forward P/E of 7.1x, below the US-listed Financial Services peer medians of 12.1x and 10.8x. It also trades at a price-to-book ratio of 0.6x and EV-to-EBITDA of 6.5x.
When is WhiteHorse Finance's next earnings report?
WhiteHorse Finance is scheduled to report its next quarterly financial results on November 9, 2026.