American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG) vs Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN)
MAIN leads on 10 of 14 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of American Financial Group, Inc. and Main Street Capital Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 25, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
AFG
American Financial Group, Inc.
$138.23Financial Services
MAIN
Main Street Capital Corporation
$49.80Financial Services
Total return — AFG vs MAIN
growth of $100 · last 19yAFG +360.6%MAIN +232.0%AFG compounded faster
AFG MAIN
AFG vs MAIN: by the numbers
- •AFG is the larger company ($11.48B vs $4.63B market cap).
- •MAIN trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.48 vs 13.11 P/E).
- •MAIN converts more revenue to profit (58.59% vs 10.78% net margin).
- •MAIN grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.32% vs 3.20% CAGR).
- •MAIN pays the higher dividend yield (8.09% vs 5.02%).
Which is better, AFG or MAIN?
Metric tally: AFG 4 · MAIN 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMAIN(lower P/E)
GrowthMAIN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMAIN(higher dividend yield)
QualityAFG(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AFG | MAIN |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 13.11 | 10.48● |
| Forward P/E | 11.85● | 13.09 |
| P/S ratio | 1.41● | 6.20 |
| P/B ratio | 2.46 | 1.46● |
| PEG ratio | 3.25 | 0.16● |
Profitability
| Metric | AFG | MAIN |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 32.36% | 86.39%● |
| Operating margin | 13.68% | 66.79%● |
| Net margin | 10.78% | 58.59%● |
| ROE | 18.79%● | 13.78% |
| ROIC | 9.67%● | 8.64% |
Dividends
| Metric | AFG | MAIN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 5.02% | 8.09%● |
| Payout ratio | 69.05% | 73.01% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AFG | MAIN |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.20% | 16.32%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 4.03% | 65.11%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 8.89% | 11.60%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AFG or MAIN?
- It depends on your goal. value: MAIN (lower P/E); growth: MAIN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MAIN (higher dividend yield); quality: AFG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MAIN leads 10 to 4.
- Is AFG or MAIN cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MAIN is cheaper: AFG trades at a 13.11 P/E and MAIN at 10.48.
- Which has grown faster, AFG or MAIN?
- Over the past five years, MAIN grew revenue faster — AFG at a 3.20% CAGR versus MAIN at 16.32%.
- Does AFG or MAIN pay a bigger dividend?
- AFG yields 5.02% and MAIN yields 8.09% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AFG or MAIN more profitable?
- MAIN runs the higher net margin — AFG at 10.78% versus MAIN at 58.59%.
- Which has been the better investment, AFG or MAIN?
- Over the past 10-year, AFG delivered the higher annualized total return — AFG at 12.66% versus MAIN at 12.46%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
American Financial P/E ratioMain Street Capital P/E ratioAmerican Financial dividend yieldMain Street Capital dividend yieldAmerican Financial ROEMain Street Capital ROEAmerican Financial operating marginMain Street Capital operating marginAmerican Financial revenue growthMain Street Capital revenue growthAmerican Financial free cash flowMain Street Capital free cash flow
American Financial & Main Street Capital appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 25, 2026.