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).

Compare

Total returnBIT vs MAIN

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 13y
BIT +112.9%MAIN +381.5%MAIN compounded faster
100200300400500600Start $1002016201920222025$213$482
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 7

It 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

MetricBITMAIN
P/E ratio7.0511.26
Forward P/E14.04
P/S ratio7.586.66
P/B ratio0.881.57
PEG ratio0.17

Profitability

MetricBITMAIN
Gross margin83.53%100.00%
Operating margin114.70%80.71%
Net margin84.98%58.59%
ROE9.82%13.78%
ROIC5.98%8.64%

Dividends

MetricBITMAIN
Dividend yield12.15%8.04%
Payout ratio139.74%77.90%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBITMAIN
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.

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.