Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC) P/E Ratio History
Historical price-to-earnings valuation from 1997 to 2026
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CSWC Valuation Context
How does the current P/E compare to historical and market benchmarks?
P/E Ratio Analysis
As of May 6, 2026, Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC) trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.5x, with a stock price of $24.30 and trailing twelve-month earnings per share of $1.54.
The current P/E is 26% above its 5-year average of 13.1x. Over the past five years, CSWC's P/E has ranged from a low of 7.9x to a high of 17.2x, placing the current valuation at the 95th percentile of its historical range.
Compared to the Financial Services sector median P/E of 13.3x, CSWC trades at a 24% premium to its sector peers. The sector includes 779 companies with P/E ratios ranging from 0.0x to 197.4x.
Relative to the broader market, CSWC trades at a notable discount to the S&P 500 median P/E of 25.1x. Investors should consider the company's growth prospects, competitive position, and earnings quality when evaluating whether the current valuation is justified.
For a comprehensive intrinsic value estimate using discounted cash flow analysis, see our CSWC DCF Valuation Calculator →
Note: P/E ratio is just one valuation metric. It does not account for balance sheet strength, cash flow quality, or growth sustainability. Always conduct comprehensive due diligence before making investment decisions.
CSWC P/E vs Peers
P/E ratio compared to closely matched public peers
| Company | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | PEG Ratio | EPS Growth (1Y) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $14B | 10.4 | 1.01 | -24% | |
| $4B | 9.4 | 0.31 | +4% | |
| $222M | 4.5Lowest | 4.43 | +49%Best | |
| $871M | 9.4 | 0.26Best | -3% | |
| $908M | 12.7 | 1.43 | -49% | |
| $1B | 8.2 | - | -1% | |
| $1B | 31.2 | - | -46% | |
| $728M | 8.3 | 0.65 | -3% | |
| $5B | 9.8 | 0.42 | +12% | |
| $3B | 9.0 | - | +15% |
Peers sorted by market capitalization. P/E below peers may indicate undervaluation or lower growth expectations. Consider PEG ratio for growth-adjusted comparison.
CSWC Historical P/E Data (1997–2026)
Quarterly P/E ratios calculated from closing price and TTM EPS
| Quarter | Date | Price | TTM EPS | P/E Ratio | vs Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 Q3 | Wed Dec 31 2025 00:00:00 GM | $22.15 | $1.89 | 11.7x | -29% |
| FY2026 Q2 | $21.86 | $1.55 | 14.1x | -14% | |
| FY2026 Q1 | Mon Jun 30 2025 00:00:00 GM | $22.04 | $1.59 | 13.9x | -16% |
| FY2025 Q4 | Mon Mar 31 2025 00:00:00 GM | $22.32 | $1.42 | 15.7x | -4% |
| FY2025 Q3 | $21.82 | $1.39 | 15.7x | -5% | |
| FY2025 Q2 | Mon Sep 30 2024 00:00:00 GM | $25.29 | $1.66 | 15.2x | -7% |
| FY2025 Q1 | Sun Jun 30 2024 00:00:00 GM | $26.09 | $1.75 | 14.9x | -9% |
| FY2024 Q4 | Sun Mar 31 2024 00:00:00 GM | $24.96 | $2.07 | 12.1x | -27% |
| FY2024 Q3 | Sun Dec 31 2023 00:00:00 GM | $23.70 | $2.27 | 10.4x | -36% |
| FY2024 Q2 | Sat Sep 30 2023 00:00:00 GM | $22.90 | $1.79 | 12.8x | -22% |
| FY2024 Q1 | Fri Jun 30 2023 00:00:00 GM | $19.72 | $1.56 | 12.6x | -23% |
| FY2023 Q4 | Fri Mar 31 2023 00:00:00 GM | $17.78 | $1.03 | 17.2x | +5% |
Average P/E for displayed period: 16.4x
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Start ComparisonCSWC — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying CSWC stock.
Is CSWC stock overvalued or undervalued?
CSWC trades at 16.5x P/E, above its 5-year average of 13.1x. The 95th percentile ranking indicates a premium to historical valuation.
How does CSWC's valuation compare to peers?
Capital Southwest Corporation P/E of 16.5x compares to sector median of 13.3x. The premium reflects expected growth above peers.
What is CSWC's PEG ratio?
CSWC PEG ratio is N/A. Above 2.0 indicates premium valuation relative to growth rate. Historical P/E data spans 1997-2026.