TRIN
Trinity Capital Inc.
Asset Management
Market Cap$1.18B
5Y Perf.+13.5%
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Stock Comparison
TRIN vs CGBD
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CGBD
Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc.
Asset Management
Market Cap$859M
5Y Perf.+9.5%
TRIN vs CGBD — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | TRIN | CGBD |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Asset Management | Asset Management |
| Market Cap | $1.18B | $859M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $232M | $168M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $154M | $74M |
| Gross Margin | 100.0% | 59.2% |
| Operating Margin | 93.1% | 54.7% |
| Forward P/E | 8.2x | 8.1x |
| Total Debt | $1.31B | $968M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $19M | $30M |
TRIN vs CGBD — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
TRIN
CGBD
| Stock | Jan 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity Capital Inc. (TRIN) | 100 | 113.5 | +13.5% |
| Carlyle Secured Len… (CGBD) | 100 | 109.5 | +9.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: TRIN vs CGBD
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CGBD leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Trinity Capital Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
TRIN
Trinity Capital Inc.
The Banking Pick
TRIN is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.69, yield 11.6%
- Rev growth -2.2%, EPS growth -6.7%
- 84.5% 10Y total return vs CGBD's 47.8%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
CGBD
Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc.
The Banking Pick
CGBD carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for sleep-well-at-night.
- Lower volatility, beta 0.61, current ratio 2.67x
- Lower P/E (8.1x vs 8.2x)
- Efficiency ratio 0.0% vs TRIN's 0.1% (lower = leaner)
Best for: sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | TRIN | -2.2% NII/revenue growth vs CGBD's -2.9% |
| Value | CGBD | Lower P/E (8.1x vs 8.2x) |
| Quality / Margins | CGBD | Efficiency ratio 0.0% vs TRIN's 0.1% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | CGBD | Beta 0.61 vs TRIN's 0.69, lower leverage |
| Dividends | TRIN | 11.6% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs CGBD's 0.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | TRIN | +39.0% vs CGBD's -1.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CGBD | Efficiency ratio 0.0% vs TRIN's 0.1% |
TRIN vs CGBD — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLTRINLAGGINGCGBD
CGBDCarlyle Secured Lendi…
1leads
TRINTrinity Capital Inc.
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs CGBDMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
TRIN4/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
CGBD3/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
TRIN5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
TRIN6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
TRIN2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
TRIN leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
TRIN and CGBD operate at a comparable scale, with $232M and $168M in trailing revenue. TRIN is the more profitable business, keeping 58.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CGBD's 53.0%.
| Metric | TRINTrinity Capital I… | CGBDCarlyle Secured L… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $232M | $168M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $195M | $76M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $154M | $74M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $25M | -$53M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +100.0% | +59.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +93.1% | +54.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +58.4% | +53.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -2.3% | +62.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +23.3% | -5.7% |
TRIN leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
CGBD leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 7.5x trailing earnings, CGBD trades at a 14% valuation discount to TRIN's 8.7x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, TRIN's 11.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CGBD's 19.6x.
| Metric | TRINTrinity Capital I… | CGBDCarlyle Secured L… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.2B | $859M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $2.5B | $1.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 8.68x | 7.46x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 8.19x | 8.13x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.82x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.43x | 19.59x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 5.08x | 5.12x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.08x | 0.73x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 8.24x |
CGBD leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
TRIN leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
TRIN delivers a 14.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $15 in annual profit, vs $6 for CGBD. CGBD carries lower financial leverage with a 1.07x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to TRIN's 1.20x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CGBD scores 6/9 vs TRIN's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | TRINTrinity Capital I… | CGBDCarlyle Secured L… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +14.7% | +6.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +6.6% | +2.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +7.9% | +3.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +10.2% | +4.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.20x | 1.07x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $1.3B | $938M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $19M | $30M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.3B | $968M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.54x | 0.95x |
TRIN leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
TRIN leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in TRIN five years ago would be worth $18,159 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $14,846 for CGBD. Over the past 12 months, TRIN leads with a +39.0% total return vs CGBD's -1.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors TRIN at 25.5% vs CGBD's 8.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | TRINTrinity Capital I… | CGBDCarlyle Secured L… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +17.6% | -2.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +39.0% | -1.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +97.5% | +26.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +81.6% | +48.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +84.5% | +47.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +25.5% | +8.0% |
TRIN leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — TRIN and CGBD each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CGBD is the less volatile stock with a 0.61 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than TRIN's 0.69 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. TRIN currently trades 97.9% from its 52-week high vs CGBD's 81.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | TRINTrinity Capital I… | CGBDCarlyle Secured L… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.69x | 0.61x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $17.38 | $14.49 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $13.75 | $10.61 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +97.9% | +81.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 76.6 | 57.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.3M | 785K |
Evenly matched — TRIN and CGBD each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
TRIN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates TRIN as "Buy" and CGBD as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 27.3% upside for CGBD (target: $15) vs 0.9% for TRIN (target: $17). For income investors, TRIN offers the higher dividend yield at 11.56% vs CGBD's 0.19%.
| Metric | TRINTrinity Capital I… | CGBDCarlyle Secured L… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $17.17 | $15.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 7 | 7 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +11.6% | +0.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.97 | $0.02 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
TRIN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
TRIN leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). CGBD leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Best OverallTrinity Capital Inc. (TRIN)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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TRIN vs CGBD: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is TRIN or CGBD a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Trinity Capital Inc.
(TRIN) is the stronger pick with -2. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -2. 9% for Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. (CGBD). Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. (CGBD) offers the better valuation at 7. 5x trailing P/E (8. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Trinity Capital Inc. (TRIN) a "Buy" — based on 7 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 — TRIN or CGBD?
On trailing P/E, Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc.
(CGBD) is the cheapest at 7. 5x versus Trinity Capital Inc. at 8. 7x. On forward P/E, Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — TRIN or CGBD?
Over the past 5 years, Trinity Capital Inc.
(TRIN) delivered a total return of +81. 6%, compared to +48. 5% for Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. (CGBD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TRIN returned +84. 5% versus CGBD's +47. 8%. 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 — TRIN or CGBD?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc.
(CGBD) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 61β versus Trinity Capital Inc. 's 0. 69β — meaning TRIN is approximately 12% more volatile than CGBD relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. (CGBD) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 107% versus 120% for Trinity Capital Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — TRIN or CGBD?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Trinity Capital Inc.
(TRIN) is pulling ahead at -2. 2% versus -2. 9% for Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. (CGBD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. grew EPS -3. 7% year-over-year, compared to -6. 7% for Trinity Capital 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.
06Which has better profit margins — TRIN or CGBD?
Trinity Capital Inc.
(TRIN) is the more profitable company, earning 58. 4% net margin versus 53. 0% for Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. — meaning it keeps 58. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TRIN leads at 93. 1% versus 54. 7% for CGBD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — TRIN leads at 100. 0%, 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 TRIN or CGBD more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc.
(CGBD) trades at 8. 1x forward P/E versus 8. 2x for Trinity Capital Inc. — 0. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CGBD: 27. 3% to $15. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — TRIN or CGBD?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Trinity Capital Inc. (TRIN) offers the highest yield at 11. 6%, versus 0. 2% for Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. (CGBD).
09Is TRIN or CGBD better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Trinity Capital Inc.
(TRIN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 69), 11. 6% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (TRIN: +84. 5%, CGBD: +47. 8%), 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 TRIN and CGBD?
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.
TRIN pays a dividend while CGBD 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>
%
(TRIN: -2.2% · CGBD: -2.9%)Net Margin>
%
(TRIN: 58.4% · CGBD: 53.0%)P/E Ratio<
x
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