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Capital Southwest Corp. (CSWC)
NASDAQ:CSWC

Capital Southwest (CSWC) AI Stock Analysis

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Capital Southwest

(NASDAQ:CSWC)

Rating:77Outperform
Price Target:
$24.00
â–²(8.60%Upside)
Capital Southwest demonstrates strong financial performance with robust profitability and strategic growth. The high dividend yield and positive earnings call sentiment further enhance its appeal. However, cash flow challenges and leveraged balance sheet pose risks that require attention.
Positive Factors
Earnings
Capital Southwest reported solid earnings with interest and dividend income totaling $47M, and fee income rising significantly compared to the previous quarter.
Investment Portfolio
The investment portfolio increased 13% sequentially to $1.70B, driven by strong originations, which is a positive indication of growth.
Negative Factors
Base Rates and Yields
Lower base rates are putting downward pressure on portfolio yields, which is a challenge for CSWC.
Market Competition
Competition across the industry remains fierce, putting pressure on spreads in the direct lending market.

Capital Southwest (CSWC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Capital Southwest Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCapital 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.
How the Company Makes MoneyCapital Southwest makes money through interest income from its debt investments and capital gains from its equity investments. The company generates revenue by providing loans and making equity investments in small to mid-sized businesses, which pay interest or dividends back to CSWC. Additionally, the firm may realize capital gains when it exits equity investments at a higher valuation. CSWC manages its portfolio to maintain a balance between risk and return, often partnering with other financial institutions to diversify risk and enhance deal flow. The company's revenue is significantly influenced by the performance of its portfolio companies, market interest rates, and overall economic conditions.

Capital Southwest Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 14, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: 8.76%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 11, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted significant growth in the investment portfolio, strong financial performance, successful capital raising efforts, and consistent dividend growth. However, it also acknowledged challenges posed by geopolitical uncertainties, tariff risks, and potential spread compression. Despite these challenges, the positive developments and achievements outweigh the risks and uncertainties.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Investment Portfolio Growth
The investment portfolio grew by approximately $300 million, or 21%, from $1.5 billion to $1.8 billion.
Decreased Non-Accruals and Improved Debt Portfolio Quality
Non-accruals at fair value decreased from 2.3% to 1.7%, and the weighted average leverage in the investment portfolio reduced to 3.5 times.
Significant Unrealized Appreciation in Equity Portfolio
Unrealized appreciation grew from $38.5 million, or $0.85 per share, to $53.2 million, or $1 per share.
Successful Capital Raising and Diversification
Raised over $300 million in new debt capital commitments and secured a second SBIC license for an additional $175 million in debt capital.
Consistent Dividend Growth
Increased regular dividends from $2.24 per share in fiscal year 2024 to $2.31 per share in fiscal year 2025, with an additional $0.23 per share in supplemental dividends.
Robust Financial Performance
Generated pre-tax net investment income of $0.56 per share with a 110% dividend coverage for the 12 months ended March 31, 2025.
Strong Equity Portfolio Performance
Equity portfolio marked at 142% of cost, representing $53.2 million in embedded unrealized appreciation.
Improved Corporate Ratings
BBB minus corporate ratings affirmed by Moody's and Fitch, and secure debt rating upgraded from BBB minus to BBB flat.
Negative Updates
Geopolitical and Economic Uncertainties
Trade policy changes and government cost reductions have created uncertainty impacting the lower rental market and causing potential slower M&A activities.
Exposure to Tariff Risks
Identified 7% of the debt portfolio at fair value as having moderate risk due to tariff exposure, with 1% having both moderate risk and a loan-to-value above 50%.
Potential Spread Compression
Lenders may compete harder for deals due to macroeconomic uncertainties, which could lead to spread compression in the lower middle market.
Company Guidance
During Capital Southwest's fourth quarter fiscal year 2025 earnings call, significant guidance was provided regarding the company's financial performance and strategic direction. The investment portfolio grew by approximately $300 million, or 21%, reaching $1.8 billion, while the weighted average leverage was reduced to 3.5 times. The equity portfolio saw unrealized appreciation increase from $38.5 million to $53.2 million, translating to $1 per share. The company raised over $300 million in new debt capital, including a $230 million convertible bond issuance and $75 million in secured debt commitments. Additionally, $180 million was raised through the ATM equity program. With an affirmed BBB minus corporate rating and an upgraded secure debt rating by Fitch, Capital Southwest maintained its dividend growth, increasing regular dividends from $2.24 to $2.31 per share and paying $0.23 in supplemental dividends. The adjusted pre-tax net investment income was $0.61 per share, with a robust undistributed taxable income balance of $0.79 per share. The company declared a $0.58 regular dividend and a $0.06 supplemental dividend for the June 2025 quarter. Amidst geopolitical uncertainties and trade policy changes, the company identified limited exposure to tariffs with only 7% of its debt portfolio at moderate risk. Capital Southwest plans to leverage its balance sheet, which is positioned with low leverage and significant liquidity, to navigate current market conditions and continue its strategic investment approach.

Capital Southwest Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Capital Southwest shows strong revenue and profitability growth with effective cost management. However, cash flow challenges and reliance on external financing are significant concerns. The balance sheet is stable but leveraged, which could pose risks if financial conditions worsen.
Income Statement
78
Positive
Capital Southwest has shown impressive revenue growth with a significant increase from 2024 to 2025. The gross and net profit margins are strong, indicating efficient management of costs relative to revenues. EBIT and EBITDA margins are also robust, reflecting effective operational control. However, the historical volatility in revenue growth may denote potential challenges in sustaining this trajectory.
Balance Sheet
72
Positive
The company maintains a moderate debt-to-equity ratio, suggesting a balanced approach to leveraging debt and equity. The return on equity is commendable, indicating solid profitability for shareholders. The equity ratio implies a stable asset financing structure, yet the relatively high liabilities compared to equity could pose risks if financial conditions worsen.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Capital Southwest faces challenges in cash flow management, with negative operating and free cash flows indicating potential liquidity issues. The operating cash flow to net income ratio shows inconsistency, suggesting a need for improved cash generation efficiency. Positive financing cash flow reflects reliance on external funding, which might not be sustainable long-term.
BreakdownMar 2025Mar 2024Mar 2023Mar 2022Mar 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue204.44M138.53M90.33M83.00M72.58M
Gross Profit204.44M109.06M58.70M80.77M72.58M
EBITDA181.27M88.91M71.69M65.46M57.53M
Net Income118.18M83.39M33.09M42.81M50.88M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.88B1.56B1.26B973.96M735.58M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments43.22M32.27M21.59M11.43M31.61M
Total Debt394.02M774.05M637.64M528.59M381.30M
Total Liabilities999.21M801.08M667.28M553.09M399.33M
Stockholders Equity883.63M755.68M590.41M420.87M336.25M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-217.26M-188.51M-227.38M-184.67M-68.25M
Operating Cash Flow-217.26M-188.50M-227.10M-182.68M-68.25M
Investing Cash Flow-1.67M-13.00K-281.00K-2.00M-103.92M
Financing Cash Flow231.52M199.20M237.53M164.49M86.12M

Capital Southwest Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price22.10
Price Trends
50DMA
20.34
Positive
100DMA
20.68
Positive
200DMA
21.18
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.46
Negative
RSI
72.29
Negative
STOCH
87.96
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CSWC, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 22.1 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 21.02, above the 50-day MA of 20.34, and above the 200-day MA of 21.18, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.46 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 72.29 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 87.96 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for CSWC.

Capital Southwest Risk Analysis

Capital Southwest disclosed 60 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Capital Southwest reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Capital Southwest Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (67)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$1.21B15.068.52%11.62%13.86%-29.53%
72
Outperform
$907.70M6.4117.56%14.50%46.14%34.91%
71
Outperform
$877.78M10.008.86%10.16%14.33%25.35%
70
Outperform
$1.02B11.427.59%11.91%93.63%24.41%
67
Neutral
$16.85B11.659.71%3.90%11.61%-9.60%
66
Neutral
$969.78M8.569.87%11.97%12.24%-3.21%
65
Neutral
$1.14B10.698.11%12.13%-3.55%-20.43%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CSWC
Capital Southwest
22.10
-1.70
-7.14%
NMFC
New Mountain Finance
10.58
-0.45
-4.08%
PFLT
Pennantpark $
10.37
-0.06
-0.58%
SLRC
SLR Investment Corp.
16.19
1.61
11.04%
BCSF
Bain Capital Specialty Finance
14.95
0.06
0.40%
TRIN
Trinity Capital
14.04
1.61
12.95%

Capital Southwest Corporate Events

Dividends
Capital Southwest Shifts to Monthly Dividends
Positive
Jun 11, 2025

On June 11, 2025, Capital Southwest Corporation announced a transition from quarterly to monthly dividend payments, starting in July 2025. The company declared total dividends of $0.64 per share for the quarter ending September 30, 2025, which includes monthly regular dividends of $0.1934 per share for July, August, and September, and a supplemental dividend of $0.06 per share payable in September. This change is seen as a shareholder-friendly initiative, reflecting the company’s strong earnings and credit quality, and is expected to benefit all shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (CSWC) stock is a Buy with a $23.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Capital Southwest stock, see the CSWC Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and FinancingDividendsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Capital Southwest Reports Strong Q4 2025 Financial Results
Positive
May 14, 2025

Capital Southwest Corporation announced its financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and year ended March 31, 2025. The company reported a total investment portfolio of $1.8 billion, with significant growth in both credit and equity portfolios. The firm generated a pre-tax net investment income of $28.5 million for the quarter and paid dividends totaling $0.64 per share. The company also increased its borrowing capacity and received a license to operate a second SBIC subsidiary, enhancing its access to cost-effective debt capital. These developments indicate a strong financial performance and strategic positioning for future growth.

The most recent analyst rating on (CSWC) stock is a Hold with a $21.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Capital Southwest stock, see the CSWC Stock Forecast page.

Dividends
Capital Southwest Announces Regular and Supplemental Dividends
Positive
Apr 28, 2025

On April 28, 2025, Capital Southwest Corporation announced a regular dividend of $0.58 per share and a supplemental dividend of $0.06 per share for the quarter ending June 30, 2025. The dividends will be payable on June 30, 2025, with an ex-dividend date of June 13, 2025. This announcement reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to providing returns to its shareholders, supported by its dividend reinvestment plan, which allows registered stockholders to reinvest dividends into additional shares.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jun 12, 2025