BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust (BIT) vs Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN)
MAIN leads on 7 of 12 compared metrics, though BIT is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust and Main Street Capital Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 25, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
BIT
BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust
$12.19Financial ServicesAt close: Jul 24, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
MAIN
Main Street Capital Corporation
$53.47Financial ServicesAt close: Jul 24, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — BIT vs MAIN
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 13yBIT +112.9%MAIN +381.5%MAIN compounded faster
BIT MAIN
BIT vs MAIN: by the numbers
- •MAIN is the larger company ($4.97B vs $696M market cap).
- •BIT trades at the lower earnings multiple (7.05 vs 11.26 P/E).
- •BIT converts more revenue to profit (84.98% vs 58.59% net margin).
- •MAIN grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.32% vs -1.19% CAGR).
- •BIT pays the higher dividend yield (12.15% vs 8.04%).
Which is better, BIT or MAIN?
Metric tally: BIT 5 · MAIN 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueBIT(lower P/E)
GrowthMAIN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeBIT(higher dividend yield)
QualityMAIN(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | BIT | MAIN |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 7.05● | 11.26 |
| Forward P/E | — | 14.04 |
| P/S ratio | 7.58 | 6.66● |
| P/B ratio | 0.88● | 1.57 |
| PEG ratio | — | 0.17 |
Profitability
| Metric | BIT | MAIN |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 83.53% | 100.00%● |
| Operating margin | 114.70%● | 80.71% |
| Net margin | 84.98%● | 58.59% |
| ROE | 9.82% | 13.78%● |
| ROIC | 5.98% | 8.64%● |
Dividends
| Metric | BIT | MAIN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 12.15%● | 8.04% |
| Payout ratio | 139.74% | 77.90% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | BIT | MAIN |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | -1.19% | 16.32%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -10.31% | 65.11%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 1.58% | 13.57%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, BIT or MAIN?
- It depends on your goal. value: BIT (lower P/E); growth: MAIN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: BIT (higher dividend yield); quality: MAIN (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MAIN leads 7 to 5.
- Is BIT or MAIN cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, BIT is cheaper: BIT trades at a 7.05 P/E and MAIN at 11.26.
- Which has grown faster, BIT or MAIN?
- Over the past five years, MAIN grew revenue faster — BIT at a -1.19% CAGR versus MAIN at 16.32%.
- Does BIT or MAIN pay a bigger dividend?
- BIT yields 12.15% and MAIN yields 8.04% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is BIT or MAIN more profitable?
- BIT runs the higher net margin — BIT at 84.98% versus MAIN at 58.59%.
- Which has been the better investment, BIT or MAIN?
- Over the past 10-year, MAIN delivered the higher annualized total return — BIT at 6.44% versus MAIN at 13.04%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
BlackRock Multi-Sector Income P/E ratioMain Street Capital P/E ratioBlackRock Multi-Sector Income dividend yieldMain Street Capital dividend yieldBlackRock Multi-Sector Income ROEMain Street Capital ROEBlackRock Multi-Sector Income operating marginMain Street Capital operating marginBlackRock Multi-Sector Income revenue growthMain Street Capital revenue growthBlackRock Multi-Sector Income free cash flowMain Street Capital free cash flow
BlackRock Multi-Sector Income & 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 July 25, 2026.