Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (ATLC) vs Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC)

A side-by-side comparison of Atlanticus Holdings Corporation and Capital Southwest Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — ATLC vs CSWC

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
ATLC +2847.9% (+40.3%/yr)CSWC +399.0% (+17.4%/yr)ATLC compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$2,948$499
ATLC CSWC

ATLC vs CSWC: by the numbers

  • •CSWC is the larger company ($1.47B vs $1.41B market cap).
  • •ATLC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (12.16 vs 13.05 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •CSWC converts more revenue to profit (48.19% vs 9.30% net margin).
  • •ATLC grew revenue faster over the past five years (33.60% vs 18.61% CAGR).
  • •CSWC pays a dividend (10.86% yield), while ATLC is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricATLCCSWC
P/E ratio12.1613.05
Forward P/E9.6810.21
PEG ratio1.42N/A
P/S ratio0.856.39
P/B ratio2.011.39

Profitability

MetricATLCCSWC
Gross marginN/A94.33%
Operating margin17.73%76.87%
Net margin9.30%48.19%
ROE20.76%10.46%

Atlanticus Holdings Corporation: Gross margin is not shown for a lender or insurer: its revenue is interest, premiums and fees rather than the sale of goods, so there is no cost of goods sold to measure it against.

Dividends

MetricATLCCSWC
Dividend yieldN/A10.86%
Payout ratioN/A141.48%

Growth (annualized)

MetricATLCCSWC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)33.60%18.61%
EPS CAGR (5Y)6.79%-5.81%
Total return CAGR (5Y)11.24%9.79%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, ATLC or CSWC?
ATLC has the lower trailing P/E: ATLC trades at 12.16 and CSWC at 13.05. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, ATLC or CSWC?
Over the past five years, ATLC grew revenue faster — ATLC at a 33.60% CAGR versus CSWC at 18.61%.
Does ATLC or CSWC pay a bigger dividend?
CSWC pays a dividend (10.86% yield), while ATLC is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Is ATLC or CSWC more profitable?
CSWC runs the higher net margin — ATLC at 9.30% versus CSWC at 48.19%.
How have ATLC and CSWC total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, ATLC delivered 40.96% and CSWC delivered 17.43% annualized total return. 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 October 6, 2026.