SAJ
Saratoga Investment Corp 8.00%
Investment - Banking & Investment Services
Market Cap$414M
5Y Perf.+2.1%
Compare Stocks
4 / 10Try these comparisons:
Stock Comparison
SAJ vs GLAD vs ARCC vs FSCO
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
GLAD
Gladstone Capital Corporation
Asset Management
Market Cap$452M
5Y Perf.-2.2%
ARCC
Ares Capital Corporation
Asset Management
Market Cap$13.61B
5Y Perf.-3.5%
FSCO
FS Credit Opportunities Corp.
Asset Management
Market Cap$1.02B
5Y Perf.+0.5%
SAJ vs GLAD vs ARCC vs FSCO — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | SAJ | GLAD | ARCC | FSCO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Investment - Banking & Investment Services | Asset Management | Asset Management | Asset Management |
| Market Cap | $414M | $452M | $13.61B | $1.02B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $94M | $145M | $3.15B | $254M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $39M | $28M | $1.15B | $188M |
| Gross Margin | 44.7% | 87.3% | 75.7% | 81.3% |
| Operating Margin | 33.9% | 55.5% | 69.7% | 77.5% |
| Forward P/E | 10.3x | 10.3x | 9.9x | 5.4x |
| Total Debt | $782M | $398M | $15.99B | $453M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $148M | $32M | $924M | $189M |
SAJ vs GLAD vs ARCC vs FSCO — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
SAJ
GLAD
ARCC
FSCO
| Stock | Nov 22 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saratoga Investment… (SAJ) | 100 | 102.1 | +2.1% |
| Gladstone Capital C… (GLAD) | 100 | 97.8 | -2.2% |
| Ares Capital Corpor… (ARCC) | 100 | 96.5 | -3.5% |
| FS Credit Opportuni… (FSCO) | 100 | 100.5 | +0.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SAJ vs GLAD vs ARCC vs FSCO
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: FSCO leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Saratoga Investment Corp 8.00% is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
SAJ
Saratoga Investment Corp 8.00%
The Banking Pick
SAJ is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure is your priority.
- Rev growth 35.4%, EPS growth 184.5%
- 35.4% NII/revenue growth vs FSCO's -17.4%
- +7.9% vs FSCO's -16.4%
Best for: growth exposure
GLAD
Gladstone Capital Corporation
The Banking Pick
GLAD is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 174.7% 10Y total return vs ARCC's 139.2%
Best for: long-term compounding
ARCC
Ares Capital Corporation
The Financial Play
ARCC lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
Best for: financial services exposure
FSCO
FS Credit Opportunities Corp.
The Banking Pick
FSCO carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 3 yrs, beta 0.64, yield 13.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.64, Low D/E 31.9%, current ratio 5.84x
- Beta 0.64, yield 13.9%, current ratio 5.84x
- NIM 8.9% vs ARCC's 3.6%
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | SAJ | 35.4% NII/revenue growth vs FSCO's -17.4% |
| Value | FSCO | Lower P/E (5.4x vs 9.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | FSCO | Efficiency ratio 0.0% vs GLAD's 0.3% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | FSCO | Beta 0.64 vs ARCC's 0.77, lower leverage |
| Dividends | FSCO | 13.9% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs GLAD's 12.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | SAJ | +7.9% vs FSCO's -16.4% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | FSCO | Efficiency ratio 0.0% vs GLAD's 0.3% |
SAJ vs GLAD vs ARCC vs FSCO — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLFSCOLAGGINGARCC
Who Leads Where
FSCO leads in 3 of 6 categories
SAJ leads 0 • GLAD leads 0 • ARCC leads 0 • 3 tied
Explore the data ↓ARCCAres Capital Corporat…
0leads
GLADGladstone Capital Cor…
0leads
SAJSaratoga Investment C…
0leads
FSCOFS Credit Opportuniti…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs SAJvs GLADMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
FSCO3/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
FSCO6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
FSCO3/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — SAJ and FSCO each lead in 2 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ARCC is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.1B annually — 33.4x SAJ's $94M. FSCO is the more profitable business, keeping 74.2% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SAJ's 29.8%.
| Metric | SAJSaratoga Investme… | GLADGladstone Capital… | ARCCAres Capital Corp… | FSCOFS Credit Opportu… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $94M | $145M | $3.1B | $254M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.3B | $28M | $2.0B | — |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $39M | $28M | $1.1B | — |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $23M | -$70M | $1.1B | — |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +44.7% | +87.3% | +75.7% | +81.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +33.9% | +55.5% | +69.7% | +77.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +29.8% | +40.1% | +41.3% | +74.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +2.1% | +30.1% | +36.3% | +26.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +15.6% | -100.0% | -63.9% | — |
Evenly matched — SAJ and FSCO each lead in 2 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
FSCO leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 5.4x trailing earnings, FSCO trades at a 57% valuation discount to SAJ's 12.7x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, FSCO's 6.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SAJ's 32.8x.
| Metric | SAJSaratoga Investme… | GLADGladstone Capital… | ARCCAres Capital Corp… | FSCOFS Credit Opportu… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $414M | $452M | $13.6B | $1.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.0B | $817M | $28.7B | $1.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 12.70x | 7.84x | 10.19x | 5.42x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 10.34x | 10.31x | 9.92x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | 0.99x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 32.78x | 6.68x | 13.09x | 6.53x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.40x | 3.12x | 4.33x | 4.02x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.91x | 0.94x | 0.93x | 0.72x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 2.10x | 10.35x | 11.92x | 15.21x |
FSCO leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FSCO leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FSCO delivers a 13.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $6 for GLAD. FSCO carries lower financial leverage with a 0.32x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SAJ's 1.99x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SAJ scores 8/9 vs FSCO's 3/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | SAJSaratoga Investme… | GLADGladstone Capital… | ARCCAres Capital Corp… | FSCOFS Credit Opportu… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.3% | +5.7% | +8.1% | +13.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.2% | +3.2% | +3.8% | +8.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +2.0% | +7.2% | +5.7% | +8.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.7% | +9.4% | +7.5% | +9.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.99x | 0.83x | 1.12x | 0.32x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $634M | $365M | $15.1B | $264M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $148M | $32M | $924M | $189M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $782M | $398M | $16.0B | $453M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.83x | 1.27x | 2.98x | 4.14x |
FSCO leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
FSCO leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in FSCO five years ago would be worth $17,050 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $13,040 for SAJ. Over the past 12 months, SAJ leads with a +7.9% total return vs FSCO's -16.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors FSCO at 19.7% vs SAJ's 8.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | SAJSaratoga Investme… | GLADGladstone Capital… | ARCCAres Capital Corp… | FSCOFS Credit Opportu… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +2.3% | -0.5% | -4.9% | -15.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +7.9% | -12.8% | +0.4% | -16.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +26.3% | +40.4% | +34.2% | +71.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +30.4% | +34.8% | +47.0% | +70.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +30.4% | +174.7% | +139.2% | +70.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +8.1% | +12.0% | +10.3% | +19.7% |
FSCO leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — SAJ and FSCO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
FSCO is the less volatile stock with a 0.64 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ARCC's 0.77 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SAJ currently trades 95.3% from its 52-week high vs FSCO's 67.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | SAJSaratoga Investme… | GLADGladstone Capital… | ARCCAres Capital Corp… | FSCOFS Credit Opportu… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.73x | 0.73x | 0.77x | 0.64x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $26.92 | $29.50 | $23.42 | $7.65 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.05 | $16.54 | $17.40 | $4.13 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +95.3% | +67.8% | +81.0% | +67.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 59.9 | 58.0 | 56.7 | 54.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2K | 224K | 7.5M | 2.0M |
Evenly matched — SAJ and FSCO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — SAJ and GLAD and FSCO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: GLAD as "Hold", ARCC as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 15.4% upside for ARCC (target: $22) vs 8.4% for GLAD (target: $22). For income investors, FSCO offers the higher dividend yield at 13.94% vs ARCC's 2.02%.
| Metric | SAJSaratoga Investme… | GLADGladstone Capital… | ARCCAres Capital Corp… | FSCOFS Credit Opportu… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Hold | Buy | — |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $21.67 | $21.88 | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 14 | 32 | — |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +11.4% | +12.2% | +2.0% | +13.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.93 | $2.45 | $0.38 | $0.72 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — SAJ and GLAD and FSCO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
FSCO leads in 3 of 6 categories — strongest in Valuation Metrics and Profitability & Efficiency. 3 categories are tied.
Best OverallFS Credit Opportunities Cor… (FSCO)Leads 3 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
SAJ vs GLAD vs ARCC vs FSCO: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SAJ or GLAD or ARCC or FSCO a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Saratoga Investment Corp 8.
00% (SAJ) is the stronger pick with 35. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -17. 4% for FS Credit Opportunities Corp. (FSCO). FS Credit Opportunities Corp. (FSCO) offers the better valuation at 5. 4x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) a "Buy" — based on 32 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 — SAJ or GLAD or ARCC or FSCO?
On trailing P/E, FS Credit Opportunities Corp.
(FSCO) is the cheapest at 5. 4x versus Saratoga Investment Corp 8. 00% at 12. 7x. On forward P/E, Ares Capital Corporation is actually cheaper at 9. 9x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SAJ or GLAD or ARCC or FSCO?
Over the past 5 years, FS Credit Opportunities Corp.
(FSCO) delivered a total return of +70. 5%, compared to +30. 4% for Saratoga Investment Corp 8. 00% (SAJ). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GLAD returned +174. 7% versus SAJ's +30. 4%. 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 — SAJ or GLAD or ARCC or FSCO?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), FS Credit Opportunities Corp.
(FSCO) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 64β versus Ares Capital Corporation's 0. 77β — meaning ARCC is approximately 20% more volatile than FSCO relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, FS Credit Opportunities Corp. (FSCO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 32% versus 199% for Saratoga Investment Corp 8. 00% — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — SAJ or GLAD or ARCC or FSCO?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Saratoga Investment Corp 8.
00% (SAJ) is pulling ahead at 35. 4% versus -17. 4% for FS Credit Opportunities Corp. (FSCO). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Saratoga Investment Corp 8. 00% grew EPS 184. 5% year-over-year, compared to -41. 2% for Gladstone Capital 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 — SAJ or GLAD or ARCC or FSCO?
FS Credit Opportunities Corp.
(FSCO) is the more profitable company, earning 74. 2% net margin versus 29. 8% for Saratoga Investment Corp 8. 00% — meaning it keeps 74. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FSCO leads at 77. 5% versus 33. 9% for SAJ. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GLAD leads at 87. 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 SAJ or GLAD or ARCC or FSCO more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) trades at 9.
9x forward P/E versus 10. 3x for Saratoga Investment Corp 8. 00% — 0. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ARCC: 15. 4% to $21. 88.
08Which pays a better dividend — SAJ or GLAD or ARCC or FSCO?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
FS Credit Opportunities Corp. (FSCO) offers the highest yield at 13. 9%, versus 2. 0% for Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC).
09Is SAJ or GLAD or ARCC or FSCO better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, FS Credit Opportunities Corp.
(FSCO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 64), 13. 9% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FSCO: +70. 5%, SAJ: +30. 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 SAJ and GLAD and ARCC and FSCO?
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: SAJ is a small-cap high-growth stock; GLAD is a small-cap high-growth stock; ARCC is a mid-cap high-growth stock; FSCO 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.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform all of them.
Revenue Growth>
%
(SAJ: 35.4% · GLAD: 20.4%)Net Margin>
%
(SAJ: 29.8% · GLAD: 40.1%)P/E Ratio<
x
(SAJ: 12.7x · GLAD: 7.8x)You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.