LIEN
Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc.
Asset Management
Market Cap$206M
5Y Perf.-35.6%
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Stock Comparison
LIEN vs CSWC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CSWC
Capital Southwest Corporation
Asset Management
Market Cap$1.42B
5Y Perf.-2.5%
LIEN vs CSWC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | LIEN | CSWC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Asset Management | Asset Management |
| Market Cap | $206M | $1.42B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $54M | $164M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $33M | $103M |
| Gross Margin | 77.3% | 66.5% |
| Operating Margin | 63.6% | 48.5% |
| Forward P/E | 6.2x | 10.0x |
| Total Debt | $25.00B | $956M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $2.93B | $43M |
LIEN vs CSWC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
LIEN
CSWC
| Stock | Feb 22 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Atlantic BD… (LIEN) | 100 | 64.4 | -35.6% |
| Capital Southwest C… (CSWC) | 100 | 97.5 | -2.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LIEN vs CSWC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: LIEN leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Capital Southwest Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for dividend income and shareholder returns and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
LIEN
Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc.
The Banking Pick
LIEN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- Rev growth 202.2%, EPS growth 57.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.12, Low D/E 8.2%, current ratio 0.24x
- Beta 0.12, yield 1.1%, current ratio 0.24x
Best for: growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night
CSWC
Capital Southwest Corporation
The Banking Pick
CSWC is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 3 yrs, beta 0.81, yield 10.2%
- 233.4% 10Y total return vs LIEN's -6.2%
- NIM 7.0% vs LIEN's 0.0%
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | LIEN | 202.2% NII/revenue growth vs CSWC's 7.7% |
| Value | LIEN | Lower P/E (6.2x vs 10.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | LIEN | Efficiency ratio 0.1% vs CSWC's 0.2% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | LIEN | Beta 0.12 vs CSWC's 0.81, lower leverage |
| Dividends | CSWC | 10.2% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs LIEN's 1.1% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CSWC | +32.8% vs LIEN's +2.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | LIEN | Efficiency ratio 0.1% vs CSWC's 0.2% |
LIEN vs CSWC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCSWCLAGGINGLIEN
LIENChicago Atlantic BDC,…
2leads
CSWCCapital Southwest Cor…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs LIENMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
LIEN3/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
LIEN4/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CSWC6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CSWC6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
CSWC2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LIEN leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CSWC is the larger business by revenue, generating $164M annually — 3.0x LIEN's $54M. LIEN is the more profitable business, keeping 61.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CSWC's 43.1%.
| Metric | LIENChicago Atlantic … | CSWCCapital Southwest… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $54M | $164M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $35M | $142M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $33M | $103M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $3.0B | -$69M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +77.3% | +66.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +63.6% | +48.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +61.3% | +43.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -377.1% | -132.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -62.5% | +113.3% |
LIEN leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
LIEN leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 6.2x trailing earnings, LIEN trades at a 62% valuation discount to CSWC's 16.2x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CSWC's 27.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than LIEN's 645.0x.
| Metric | LIENChicago Atlantic … | CSWCCapital Southwest… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $206M | $1.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $22.3B | $2.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 6.17x | 16.24x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 6.17x | 10.01x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 644.99x | 27.35x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.79x | 8.67x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.00x | 1.38x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
LIEN leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CSWC leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CSWC delivers a 10.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $10 in annual profit, vs $0 for LIEN. LIEN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.08x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CSWC's 1.08x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), LIEN scores 2/9 vs CSWC's 1/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | LIENChicago Atlantic … | CSWCCapital Southwest… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +0.0% | +10.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.0% | +4.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +0.0% | +3.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +0.0% | +4.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 1 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.08x | 1.08x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $22.1B | $913M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2.9B | $43M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $25.0B | $956M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 27.63x | 2.91x |
CSWC leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CSWC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CSWC five years ago would be worth $15,167 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,379 for LIEN. Over the past 12 months, CSWC leads with a +32.8% total return vs LIEN's +2.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CSWC at 20.6% vs LIEN's 15.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | LIENChicago Atlantic … | CSWCCapital Southwest… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -9.7% | +10.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +2.7% | +32.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +52.5% | +75.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -6.2% | +51.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -6.2% | +233.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +15.1% | +20.6% |
CSWC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — LIEN and CSWC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LIEN is the less volatile stock with a 0.12 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CSWC's 0.81 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CSWC currently trades 97.7% from its 52-week high vs LIEN's 78.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | LIENChicago Atlantic … | CSWCCapital Southwest… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.12x | 0.81x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $11.44 | $24.43 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $9.01 | $19.37 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +78.8% | +97.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 46.0 | 59.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 62K | 662K |
Evenly matched — LIEN and CSWC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
CSWC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
For income investors, CSWC offers the higher dividend yield at 10.25% vs LIEN's 1.06%.
| Metric | LIENChicago Atlantic … | CSWCCapital Southwest… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $23.58 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 10 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.1% | +10.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 3 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.10 | $2.45 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
CSWC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CSWC leads in 3 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). LIEN leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Best OverallCapital Southwest Corporati… (CSWC)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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LIEN vs CSWC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LIEN or CSWC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc.
(LIEN) is the stronger pick with 202. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 7. 7% for Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC). Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. (LIEN) offers the better valuation at 6. 2x trailing P/E (6. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC) a "Buy" — based on 10 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 — LIEN or CSWC?
On trailing P/E, Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc.
(LIEN) is the cheapest at 6. 2x versus Capital Southwest Corporation at 16. 2x. On forward P/E, Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. is actually cheaper at 6. 2x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — LIEN or CSWC?
Over the past 5 years, Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC) delivered a total return of +51.
7%, compared to -6. 2% for Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. (LIEN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CSWC returned +233. 4% versus LIEN's -6. 2%. 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 — LIEN or CSWC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc.
(LIEN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 12β versus Capital Southwest Corporation's 0. 81β — meaning CSWC is approximately 606% more volatile than LIEN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. (LIEN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 8% versus 108% for Capital Southwest Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — LIEN or CSWC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc.
(LIEN) is pulling ahead at 202. 2% versus 7. 7% for Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. grew EPS 57. 0% year-over-year, compared to -28. 3% for Capital Southwest Corporation. 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 — LIEN or CSWC?
Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc.
(LIEN) is the more profitable company, earning 61. 3% net margin versus 43. 1% for Capital Southwest Corporation — meaning it keeps 61. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: LIEN leads at 63. 6% versus 48. 5% for CSWC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LIEN leads at 77. 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 LIEN or CSWC more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc.
(LIEN) trades at 6. 2x forward P/E versus 10. 0x for Capital Southwest Corporation — 3. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — LIEN or CSWC?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC) offers the highest yield at 10. 2%, versus 1. 1% for Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. (LIEN).
09Is LIEN or CSWC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc.
(LIEN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 12), 1. 1% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (LIEN: -6. 2%, CSWC: +233. 4%), 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 LIEN and CSWC?
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.
In terms of investment character: LIEN is a small-cap high-growth stock; CSWC is a small-cap deep-value stock. 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>
%
(LIEN: 202.2% · CSWC: 7.7%)Net Margin>
%
(LIEN: 61.3% · CSWC: 43.1%)P/E Ratio<
x
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