Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC) vs Lakeland Financial Corporation (LKFN)

A side-by-side comparison of Capital Southwest Corporation and Lakeland Financial 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.

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Total return — CSWC vs LKFN

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CSWC +399.0% (+17.4%/yr)LKFN +113.3% (+7.9%/yr)CSWC compounded faster over this window
100200300400500Start $10020182020202220242026$499$213
CSWC LKFN

CSWC vs LKFN: by the numbers

  • •CSWC is the larger company ($1.48B vs $1.45B market cap).
  • •CSWC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (13.12 vs 13.36 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •CSWC converts more revenue to profit (48.19% vs 26.04% net margin).
  • •CSWC grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.61% vs 13.42% CAGR).
  • •CSWC pays the higher dividend yield (10.86% vs 3.53%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCSWCLKFN
P/E ratio13.1213.36
Forward P/E10.2613.31
PEG ratioN/A3.37
P/S ratio6.423.40
P/B ratio1.391.88

Profitability

MetricCSWCLKFN
Gross margin94.33%N/A
Operating margin76.87%31.81%
Net margin48.19%26.04%
ROE10.46%14.38%

Lakeland Financial 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

MetricCSWCLKFN
Dividend yield10.86%3.53%
Payout ratio141.48%47.25%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCSWCLKFN
Revenue CAGR (5Y)18.61%13.42%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-5.81%3.96%
Total return CAGR (5Y)9.79%-1.77%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CSWC or LKFN?
CSWC has the lower trailing P/E: CSWC trades at 13.12 and LKFN at 13.36. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CSWC or LKFN?
Over the past five years, CSWC grew revenue faster — CSWC at a 18.61% CAGR versus LKFN at 13.42%.
Does CSWC or LKFN pay a bigger dividend?
CSWC yields 10.86% and LKFN yields 3.53% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CSWC or LKFN more profitable?
CSWC runs the higher net margin — CSWC at 48.19% versus LKFN at 26.04%.
How have CSWC and LKFN total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CSWC delivered 17.43% and LKFN delivered 7.84% 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.