CCAP vs GBDC

For growth investors, Golub Capital BDC, Inc.

(GBDC) is the stronger pick with 42. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 17. 4% for Crescent Capital BDC, Inc. (CCAP). Crescent Capital BDC, Inc. (CCAP) offers the better valuation at 7. 6x trailing P/E (8. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Crescent Capital BDC, Inc. (CCAP) a "Buy" — based on 5 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.

On trailing P/E, Crescent Capital BDC, Inc.

(CCAP) is the cheapest at 7. 6x versus Golub Capital BDC, Inc. at 9. 4x. On forward P/E, Crescent Capital BDC, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 3x.

Over the past 5 years, Golub Capital BDC, Inc.

(GBDC) delivered a total return of +33. 5%, compared to +31. 7% for Crescent Capital BDC, Inc. (CCAP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GBDC returned +61. 2% versus CCAP's +52. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Golub Capital BDC, Inc.

(GBDC) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 64β versus Crescent Capital BDC, Inc. 's 0. 67β — meaning CCAP is approximately 4% more volatile than GBDC relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Golub Capital BDC, Inc.

(GBDC) is pulling ahead at 42. 5% versus 17. 4% for Crescent Capital BDC, Inc. (CCAP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Golub Capital BDC, Inc. grew EPS 4. 4% year-over-year, compared to -9. 0% for Crescent Capital BDC, Inc.. 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.

Crescent Capital BDC, Inc.

(CCAP) is the more profitable company, earning 400. 0% net margin versus 43. 2% for Golub Capital BDC, Inc. — meaning it keeps 400. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: GBDC leads at 78. 9% versus 0. 0% for CCAP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GBDC leads at 81. 5%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, Crescent Capital BDC, Inc.

(CCAP) trades at 8. 3x forward P/E versus 9. 3x for Golub Capital BDC, Inc. — 0. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GBDC: 7. 7% to $14. 33.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Golub Capital BDC, Inc. (GBDC) offers the highest yield at 10. 4%, versus 0. 3% for Crescent Capital BDC, Inc. (CCAP).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Golub Capital BDC, Inc.

(GBDC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 64), 10. 4% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (GBDC: +61. 2%, CCAP: +52. 3%), 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.

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.

GBDC pays a dividend while CCAP does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.