Is FDS or MAIN cheaper?

On trailing earnings, MAIN is cheaper: FDS trades at a 14.22 P/E and MAIN at 10.73.

Which has grown faster, FDS or MAIN?

Over the past five years, MAIN grew revenue faster — FDS at a 9.32% CAGR versus MAIN at 16.32%.

Does FDS or MAIN pay a bigger dividend?

FDS yields 2.02% and MAIN yields 7.32% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is FDS or MAIN more profitable?

MAIN runs the higher net margin — FDS at 24.48% versus MAIN at 58.59%.

Which has been the better investment, FDS or MAIN?

Over the past 10-year, MAIN delivered the higher annualized total return — FDS at 4.69% versus MAIN at 12.74%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) vs Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN)

MAIN leads on 10 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of FactSet Research Systems Inc. and Main Street Capital Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 21, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

FDS

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

$8.06B

$221.29Financial Services

MAIN

Main Street Capital Corporation

$4.74B

$50.97Financial Services

Total return — FDS vs MAIN

growth of $100 · last 19y

FDS +209.3%MAIN +239.8%MAIN compounded faster

FDS MAIN

FDS vs MAIN: by the numbers

•FDS is the larger company ($8.06B vs $4.74B market cap).
•MAIN trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.73 vs 14.22 P/E).
•MAIN converts more revenue to profit (58.59% vs 24.48% net margin).
•MAIN grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.32% vs 9.32% CAGR).
•MAIN pays the higher dividend yield (7.32% vs 2.02%).

Which is better, FDS or MAIN?

Metric tally: FDS 4 · MAIN 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueMAIN(lower P/E)

GrowthMAIN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeMAIN(higher dividend yield)

QualityFDS(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	FDS	MAIN
P/E ratio	14.22	10.73●
Forward P/E	11.45●	13.40
P/S ratio	3.42●	6.35
P/B ratio	3.85	1.49●
PEG ratio	2.05	0.16●

Profitability

Metric	FDS	MAIN
Gross margin	51.94%	86.39%●
Operating margin	31.17%	66.79%●
Net margin	24.48%	58.59%●
ROE	27.61%●	13.78%
ROIC	16.24%●	8.64%

Dividends

Metric	FDS	MAIN
Dividend yield	2.02%	7.32%●
Payout ratio	28.34%	67.57%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	FDS	MAIN
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	9.32%	16.32%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	9.87%	65.11%●
Total return CAGR (5Y)	-6.45%	12.80%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, FDS or MAIN?: It depends on your goal. value: MAIN (lower P/E); growth: MAIN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MAIN (higher dividend yield); quality: FDS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MAIN leads 10 to 4.
Is FDS or MAIN cheaper?: On trailing earnings, MAIN is cheaper: FDS trades at a 14.22 P/E and MAIN at 10.73.
Which has grown faster, FDS or MAIN?: Over the past five years, MAIN grew revenue faster — FDS at a 9.32% CAGR versus MAIN at 16.32%.
Does FDS or MAIN pay a bigger dividend?: FDS yields 2.02% and MAIN yields 7.32% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is FDS or MAIN more profitable?: MAIN runs the higher net margin — FDS at 24.48% versus MAIN at 58.59%.
Which has been the better investment, FDS or MAIN?: Over the past 10-year, MAIN delivered the higher annualized total return — FDS at 4.69% versus MAIN at 12.74%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full FDS analysis Full MAIN analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

FactSet Research Systems P/E ratio Main Street Capital P/E ratio FactSet Research Systems dividend yield Main Street Capital dividend yield FactSet Research Systems ROE Main Street Capital ROE FactSet Research Systems operating margin Main Street Capital operating margin FactSet Research Systems revenue growth Main Street Capital revenue growth FactSet Research Systems free cash flow Main Street Capital free cash flow

FactSet Research Systems & Main Street Capital appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Fastest Revenue Growth Stocks Highest ROE Stocks Highest Operating Margin Stocks

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 21, 2026.