Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) vs Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN)

MAIN leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though CHTR is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Charter Communications, Inc. and Main Street Capital Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — CHTR vs MAIN

growth of $100 · last 16y
CHTR +316.6%MAIN +230.1%CHTR compounded faster
05001k2k2k3kStart $10020132016201920222025$417$330
CHTR MAIN

CHTR vs MAIN: by the numbers

  • CHTR is the larger company ($20.59B vs $4.84B market cap).
  • CHTR trades at the lower earnings multiple (3.94 vs 10.95 P/E).
  • MAIN converts more revenue to profit (58.59% vs 9.03% net margin).
  • MAIN grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.32% vs 2.25% CAGR).
  • MAIN pays a dividend (7.75% yield) while CHTR does not currently pay one.

Which is better, CHTR or MAIN?

Metric tally: CHTR 7 · MAIN 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCHTR(lower P/E)
GrowthMAIN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityMAIN(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCHTRMAIN
P/E ratio3.9410.95
Forward P/E3.2313.67
P/S ratio0.346.48
P/B ratio1.131.52
PEG ratio1.470.17
EV / EBITDA5.5914.88
FCF yield21.79%7.26%

Profitability

MetricCHTRMAIN
Gross margin43.26%86.39%
Operating margin24.11%66.79%
Net margin9.03%58.59%
ROE30.11%13.78%
ROIC7.23%8.64%

Dividends

MetricCHTRMAIN
Dividend yield7.75%
Payout ratio73.01%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCHTRMAIN
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.25%16.32%
EPS CAGR (5Y)18.42%65.11%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-10.92%55.68%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-26.64%12.64%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CHTR or MAIN?
It depends on your goal. value: CHTR (lower P/E); growth: MAIN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: MAIN (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MAIN leads 9 to 7.
Is CHTR or MAIN cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CHTR is cheaper: CHTR trades at a 3.94 P/E and MAIN at 10.95.
Which has grown faster, CHTR or MAIN?
Over the past five years, MAIN grew revenue faster — CHTR at a 2.25% CAGR versus MAIN at 16.32%.
Does CHTR or MAIN pay a bigger dividend?
MAIN pays a dividend (7.75% yield) while CHTR does not currently pay one.
Is CHTR or MAIN more profitable?
MAIN runs the higher net margin — CHTR at 9.03% versus MAIN at 58.59%.
Which has been the better investment, CHTR or MAIN?
Over the past 10-year, MAIN delivered the higher annualized total return — CHTR at -4.18% versus MAIN at 13.03%. 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 13, 2026.