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).

Compare

Total return — AFG vs MAIN

growth of $100 · last 19y
AFG +360.6%MAIN +232.0%AFG compounded faster
100200300400500Start $1002011201520192023$461$332
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 10

It 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

MetricAFGMAIN
P/E ratio13.1110.48
Forward P/E11.8513.09
P/S ratio1.416.20
P/B ratio2.461.46
PEG ratio3.250.16

Profitability

MetricAFGMAIN
Gross margin32.36%86.39%
Operating margin13.68%66.79%
Net margin10.78%58.59%
ROE18.79%13.78%
ROIC9.67%8.64%

Dividends

MetricAFGMAIN
Dividend yield5.02%8.09%
Payout ratio69.05%73.01%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAFGMAIN
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.

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.