SCM
Stellus Capital Investment Corporation
Asset Management
Market Cap$274M
5Y Perf.+20.1%
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Stock Comparison
SCM vs SLRC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
SLRC
SLR Investment Corp.
Asset Management
Market Cap$745M
5Y Perf.-18.8%
SCM vs SLRC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | SCM | SLRC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Asset Management | Asset Management |
| Market Cap | $274M | $745M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $104M | $220M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $27M | $73M |
| Gross Margin | 76.1% | 73.3% |
| Operating Margin | 61.6% | 72.9% |
| Forward P/E | 9.4x | 8.5x |
| Total Debt | $593M | $1.15B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $20M | $16M |
SCM vs SLRC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
SCM
SLRC
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stellus Capital Inv… (SCM) | 100 | 120.1 | +20.1% |
| SLR Investment Corp. (SLRC) | 100 | 81.2 | -18.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SCM vs SLRC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: SLRC leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Stellus Capital Investment Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
SCM
Stellus Capital Investment Corporation
The Banking Pick
SCM is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.70
- Rev growth 25.3%, EPS growth -46.9%
- 135.4% 10Y total return vs SLRC's 64.4%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
SLRC
SLR Investment Corp.
The Banking Pick
SLRC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for bank quality.
- NIM 5.9% vs SCM's 0.0%
- Lower P/E (8.5x vs 9.4x)
- Efficiency ratio 0.0% vs SCM's 0.1% (lower = leaner)
Best for: bank quality
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | SCM | 25.3% NII/revenue growth vs SLRC's 24.8% |
| Value | SLRC | Lower P/E (8.5x vs 9.4x) |
| Quality / Margins | SLRC | Efficiency ratio 0.0% vs SCM's 0.1% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | SCM | Beta 0.70 vs SLRC's 0.76, lower leverage |
| Dividends | SLRC | 12.0% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | SLRC | -1.0% vs SCM's -13.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | SLRC | Efficiency ratio 0.0% vs SCM's 0.1% |
SCM vs SLRC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLSLRCLAGGINGSCM
SCMStellus Capital Inves…
0leads
SLRCSLR Investment Corp.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs SCMMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
SLRC3/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
SLRC3/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
Tied
—
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
SLRC4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SLRC leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SLRC is the larger business by revenue, generating $220M annually — 2.1x SCM's $104M. SLRC is the more profitable business, keeping 42.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SCM's 26.1%.
| Metric | SCMStellus Capital I… | SLRCSLR Investment Co… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $104M | $220M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $0 | $73M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $27M | $73M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $83.64T | -$73M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +76.1% | +73.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +61.6% | +72.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +26.1% | +42.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -235.8% | -32.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -40.0% | -100.0% |
SLRC leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
SLRC leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 8.0x trailing earnings, SLRC trades at a 21% valuation discount to SCM's 10.2x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, SLRC's 11.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SCM's 13.3x.
| Metric | SCMStellus Capital I… | SLRCSLR Investment Co… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $274M | $745M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $847M | $1.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 10.18x | 8.04x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 9.37x | 8.48x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.23x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.33x | 11.47x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.65x | 3.39x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.00x | 0.75x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
SLRC leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
Evenly matched — SCM and SLRC each lead in 4 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SLRC delivers a 7.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $7 in annual profit, vs $0 for SCM. SCM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SLRC's 1.15x.
| Metric | SCMStellus Capital I… | SLRCSLR Investment Co… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +0.0% | +7.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.0% | +2.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +0.0% | +5.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +0.0% | +7.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 1.15x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $573M | $1.1B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $20M | $16M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $593M | $1.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.82x | 1.06x |
Evenly matched — SCM and SLRC each lead in 4 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SLRC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SCM five years ago would be worth $12,848 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $11,622 for SLRC. Over the past 12 months, SLRC leads with a -1.0% total return vs SCM's -13.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SLRC at 9.4% vs SCM's -1.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | SCMStellus Capital I… | SLRCSLR Investment Co… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -21.0% | -8.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -13.7% | -1.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -3.0% | +31.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +28.5% | +16.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +135.4% | +64.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -1.0% | +9.4% |
SLRC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — SCM and SLRC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SCM is the less volatile stock with a 0.70 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SLRC's 0.76 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SLRC currently trades 79.4% from its 52-week high vs SCM's 62.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | SCMStellus Capital I… | SLRCSLR Investment Co… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.70x | 0.76x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $15.39 | $17.20 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $8.43 | $13.41 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +62.8% | +79.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 50.9 | 33.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 207K | 404K |
Evenly matched — SCM and SLRC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates SCM as "Hold" and SLRC as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 37.0% upside for SCM (target: $13) vs 19.0% for SLRC (target: $16). SLRC is the only dividend payer here at 12.01% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | SCMStellus Capital I… | SLRCSLR Investment Co… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $13.25 | $16.25 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 8 | 15 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +12.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $1.64 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
SLRC leads in 3 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 2 categories are tied.
Best OverallSLR Investment Corp. (SLRC)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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SCM vs SLRC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SCM or SLRC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (SCM) is the stronger pick with 25.
3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 24. 8% for SLR Investment Corp. (SLRC). SLR Investment Corp. (SLRC) offers the better valuation at 8. 0x trailing P/E (8. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate SLR Investment Corp. (SLRC) a "Buy" — based on 15 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 — SCM or SLRC?
On trailing P/E, SLR Investment Corp.
(SLRC) is the cheapest at 8. 0x versus Stellus Capital Investment Corporation at 10. 2x. On forward P/E, SLR Investment Corp. is actually cheaper at 8. 5x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SCM or SLRC?
Over the past 5 years, Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (SCM) delivered a total return of +28.
5%, compared to +16. 2% for SLR Investment Corp. (SLRC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SCM returned +135. 4% versus SLRC's +64. 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 — SCM or SLRC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (SCM) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
70β versus SLR Investment Corp. 's 0. 76β — meaning SLRC is approximately 9% more volatile than SCM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (SCM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 115% for SLR Investment Corp. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — SCM or SLRC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (SCM) is pulling ahead at 25.
3% versus 24. 8% for SLR Investment Corp. (SLRC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: SLR Investment Corp. grew EPS -3. 4% year-over-year, compared to -46. 9% for Stellus Capital Investment 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 — SCM or SLRC?
SLR Investment Corp.
(SLRC) is the more profitable company, earning 42. 0% net margin versus 26. 1% for Stellus Capital Investment Corporation — meaning it keeps 42. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SLRC leads at 72. 9% versus 61. 6% for SCM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SCM leads at 76. 1%, 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 SCM or SLRC more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, SLR Investment Corp.
(SLRC) trades at 8. 5x forward P/E versus 9. 4x for Stellus Capital Investment Corporation — 0. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SCM: 37. 0% to $13. 25.
08Which pays a better dividend — SCM or SLRC?
In this comparison, SLRC (12.
0% yield) pays a dividend. SCM does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is SCM or SLRC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, SLR Investment Corp.
(SLRC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 76), 12. 0% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SLRC: +64. 4%, SCM: +135. 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 SCM and SLRC?
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.
SLRC pays a dividend while SCM 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.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(SCM: 25.3% · SLRC: 24.8%)Net Margin>
%
(SCM: 26.1% · SLRC: 42.0%)P/E Ratio<
x
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