BUR
Burford Capital Limited
Asset Management
Market Cap$1.13B
5Y Perf.-7.6%
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Stock Comparison
BUR vs PFLT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
PFLT
PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd.
Asset Management
Market Cap$888M
5Y Perf.+7.6%
BUR vs PFLT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | BUR | PFLT |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Asset Management | Asset Management |
| Market Cap | $1.13B | $888M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $472M | $172M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $86M | $118M |
| Gross Margin | 72.3% | 45.6% |
| Operating Margin | 53.7% | 39.4% |
| Forward P/E | 6.1x | 7.9x |
| Total Debt | $1.78B | $1.78B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $470M | $123M |
BUR vs PFLT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
BUR
PFLT
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burford Capital Lim… (BUR) | 100 | 92.4 | -7.6% |
| PennantPark Floatin… (PFLT) | 100 | 107.6 | +7.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: BUR vs PFLT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: PFLT leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Burford Capital Limited is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
BUR
Burford Capital Limited
The Banking Pick
BUR is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night.
- Lower volatility, beta 2.36, Low D/E 54.6%, current ratio 56.30x
- Lower P/E (6.1x vs 7.9x)
Best for: sleep-well-at-night
PFLT
PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd.
The Banking Pick
PFLT carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 3 yrs, beta 0.79, yield 13.5%
- Rev growth 2.2%, EPS growth -48.6%
- 72.6% 10Y total return vs BUR's 32.1%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | PFLT | 2.2% NII/revenue growth vs BUR's -56.2% |
| Value | BUR | Lower P/E (6.1x vs 7.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | PFLT | Efficiency ratio 0.1% vs BUR's 0.2% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | PFLT | Beta 0.79 vs BUR's 2.36 |
| Dividends | PFLT | 13.5% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs BUR's 2.4% |
| Momentum (1Y) | PFLT | +1.5% vs BUR's -62.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | PFLT | Efficiency ratio 0.1% vs BUR's 0.2% |
BUR vs PFLT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
Segment breakdown not available.
BUR vs PFLT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLPFLTLAGGINGBUR
BURBurford Capital Limit…
2leads
PFLTPennantPark Floating …
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs BURMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
PFLT3/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
BUR6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
BUR6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
PFLT6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
PFLT2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
PFLT2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PFLT leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BUR is the larger business by revenue, generating $472M annually — 2.8x PFLT's $172M. PFLT is the more profitable business, keeping 38.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to BUR's 31.0%.
| Metric | BURBurford Capital L… | PFLTPennantPark Float… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $472M | $172M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $154M | $39M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $86M | $118M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $206M | $242M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +72.3% | +45.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +53.7% | +39.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +31.0% | +38.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +45.8% | +55.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -114.8% | +40.9% |
PFLT leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
BUR leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 7.8x trailing earnings, BUR trades at a 37% valuation discount to PFLT's 12.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, BUR's 9.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than PFLT's 37.7x.
| Metric | BURBurford Capital L… | PFLTPennantPark Float… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.1B | $888M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $2.4B | $2.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 7.83x | 12.43x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 6.08x | 7.93x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.40x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 9.62x | 37.66x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.39x | 5.18x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.35x | 0.77x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 5.23x | 9.34x |
BUR leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BUR leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PFLT delivers a 11.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $11 in annual profit, vs $3 for BUR. BUR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.55x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to PFLT's 1.65x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), BUR scores 5/9 vs PFLT's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | BURBurford Capital L… | PFLTPennantPark Float… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +2.7% | +11.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.3% | +4.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.9% | +2.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.2% | +2.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.55x | 1.65x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $1.3B | $1.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $470M | $123M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.8B | $1.8B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.58x | 0.35x |
BUR leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
PFLT leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in PFLT five years ago would be worth $11,718 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,318 for BUR. Over the past 12 months, PFLT leads with a +1.5% total return vs BUR's -62.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors PFLT at 5.7% vs BUR's -25.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | BURBurford Capital L… | PFLTPennantPark Float… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -41.0% | -0.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -62.3% | +1.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -59.2% | +18.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -56.8% | +17.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +32.1% | +72.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -25.8% | +5.7% |
PFLT leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PFLT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PFLT is the less volatile stock with a 0.79 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than BUR's 2.36 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. PFLT currently trades 82.3% from its 52-week high vs BUR's 34.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | BURBurford Capital L… | PFLTPennantPark Float… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.36x | 0.79x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $15.10 | $10.88 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.59 | $7.68 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +34.2% | +82.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 50.5 | 68.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 4.1M | 987K |
PFLT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
PFLT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates BUR as "Buy" and PFLT as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 103.3% upside for BUR (target: $11) vs 17.3% for PFLT (target: $11). For income investors, PFLT offers the higher dividend yield at 13.47% vs BUR's 2.41%.
| Metric | BURBurford Capital L… | PFLTPennantPark Float… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $10.50 | $10.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 3 | 11 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.4% | +13.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 3 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.12 | $1.21 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.5% | 0.0% |
PFLT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
PFLT leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). BUR leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency).
Best OverallPennantPark Floating Rate C… (PFLT)Leads 4 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
BUR vs PFLT: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is BUR or PFLT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd.
(PFLT) is the stronger pick with 2. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -56. 2% for Burford Capital Limited (BUR). Burford Capital Limited (BUR) offers the better valuation at 7. 8x trailing P/E (6. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Burford Capital Limited (BUR) a "Buy" — based on 3 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — BUR or PFLT?
On trailing P/E, Burford Capital Limited (BUR) is the cheapest at 7.
8x versus PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. at 12. 4x. On forward P/E, Burford Capital Limited is actually cheaper at 6. 1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — BUR or PFLT?
Over the past 5 years, PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd.
(PFLT) delivered a total return of +17. 2%, compared to -56. 8% for Burford Capital Limited (BUR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PFLT returned +72. 6% versus BUR's +32. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — BUR or PFLT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd.
(PFLT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 79β versus Burford Capital Limited's 2. 36β — meaning BUR is approximately 199% more volatile than PFLT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Burford Capital Limited (BUR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 55% versus 165% for PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — BUR or PFLT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd.
(PFLT) is pulling ahead at 2. 2% versus -56. 2% for Burford Capital Limited (BUR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. grew EPS -48. 6% year-over-year, compared to -75. 9% for Burford Capital Limited. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — BUR or PFLT?
PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd.
(PFLT) is the more profitable company, earning 38. 7% net margin versus 31. 0% for Burford Capital Limited — meaning it keeps 38. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BUR leads at 53. 7% versus 39. 4% for PFLT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BUR leads at 72. 3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is BUR or PFLT more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Burford Capital Limited (BUR) trades at 6.
1x forward P/E versus 7. 9x for PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. — 1. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for BUR: 103. 3% to $10. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — BUR or PFLT?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. (PFLT) offers the highest yield at 13. 5%, versus 2. 4% for Burford Capital Limited (BUR).
09Is BUR or PFLT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd.
(PFLT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 79), 13. 5% yield). Burford Capital Limited (BUR) carries a higher beta of 2. 36 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PFLT: +72. 6%, BUR: +32. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between BUR and PFLT?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(BUR: -56.2% · PFLT: 2.2%)Net Margin>
%
(BUR: 31.0% · PFLT: 38.7%)P/E Ratio<
x
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