Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC) P/E Ratio History
Premium ValuationTrading at 15.9x vs 5Y avg 13.6x · 95th percentile · Premium to historical baseline · Data 1997–2027
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P/E Ratio Analysis
As of November 9, 2026, Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC) trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.9x, with a stock price of $23.26 and trailing twelve-month earnings per share of $1.46.
The current P/E is 17% above its 5-year average of 13.6x. Over the past five years, CSWC's P/E has ranged from a low of 9.6x 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 12.1x, CSWC trades at a 32% premium to its sector peers. The sector includes 763 companies with P/E ratios ranging from 0.0x to 190.1x.
Relative to the broader market, CSWC trades at a notable discount to the S&P 500 median P/E of 21.8x. 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 Cross-Benchmark Valuation
How does the current P/E compare to sector peers and the broader market?
CSWC P/E vs Peers
Mid-Cap and Venture BDCs peers sorted by market cap
| Company | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | PEG Ratio | EPS Growth (1Y) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $14B | 15.7 | 1.53 | -24% | |
| $3B | 22.6 | 0.73 | +4% | |
| $177M | 8.2Lowest | 8.05 | +49%Best | |
| $644M | 11.1 | 0.31 | -3% | |
| $683M | 13.6 | 1.53 | -49% | |
| $1B | 9.1 | - | -7% | |
| $1B | 26.1 | - | -46% | |
| $746M | 9.6 | 0.76 | -3% | |
| $5B | 12.0 | 0.18Best | -6% | |
| $3B | 9.1 | - | +15% |
Lower P/E can signal a discount or weaker growth expectations; PEG adds growth context.
CSWC Historical P/E Data (1997–2027)
Quarterly P/E ratios calculated from closing price and TTM EPS
| Quarter | Period End | Price | TTM EPS | P/E Ratio | vs Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2027 Q2 | Sep 30 2026 | $23.13 | $1.70 | 13.6x | -17% |
| FY2027 Q1 | - | $23.77 | $1.81 | 13.1x | -20% |
| FY2026 Q4 | - | $22.12 | $1.90 | 11.6x | -29% |
| FY2026 Q3 | Dec 31 2025 | $22.15 | $1.79 | 12.4x | -24% |
| FY2026 Q2 | - | $21.86 | $1.55 | 14.1x | -14% |
| FY2026 Q1 | Jun 30 2025 | $22.04 | $1.59 | 13.9x | -15% |
| FY2025 Q4 | Mar 31 2025 | $22.32 | $1.42 | 15.7x | -4% |
| FY2025 Q3 | - | $21.82 | $1.39 | 15.7x | -4% |
| FY2025 Q2 | Sep 30 2024 | $25.29 | $1.66 | 15.2x | -7% |
| FY2025 Q1 | Jun 30 2024 | $26.09 | $1.75 | 14.9x | -9% |
| FY2024 Q4 | Mar 31 2024 | $24.96 | $2.07 | 12.1x | -26% |
| FY2024 Q3 | Dec 31 2023 | $23.70 | $2.27 | 10.4x | -36% |
| FY2024 Q2 | Sep 30 2023 | $22.90 | $1.79 | 12.8x | -22% |
| FY2024 Q1 | Jun 30 2023 | $19.72 | $1.56 | 12.6x | -23% |
| FY2023 Q4 | Mar 31 2023 | $17.78 | $1.03 | 17.2x | +5% |
| FY2023 Q3 | Dec 31 2022 | $17.10 | $1.32 | 12.9x | -21% |
| FY2023 Q2 | Sep 30 2022 | $16.94 | $1.77 | 9.6x | -41% |
| FY2023 Q1 | - | $18.42 | $1.23 | 15.0x | -8% |
| FY2022 Q4 | - | $23.73 | $1.84 | 12.9x | -21% |
| FY2022 Q3 | Dec 31 2021 | $25.28 | $1.60 | 15.8x | -3% |
| FY2022 Q2 | - | $25.18 | $1.86 | 13.5x | -17% |
| FY2022 Q1 | Jun 30 2021 | $23.23 | $2.94 | 7.9x | -52% |
| FY2021 Q4 | Mar 31 2021 | $22.16 | $2.72 | 8.1x | -50% |
| FY2021 Q3 | - | $17.75 | $0.79 | 22.5x | +38% |
| FY2020 Q3 | - | $20.81 | $0.75 | 27.7x | +70% |
| FY2020 Q2 | Sep 30 2019 | $21.80 | $1.38 | 15.8x | -3% |
| FY2020 Q1 | Jun 30 2019 | $20.95 | $1.63 | 12.9x | -21% |
| FY2019 Q4 | Mar 31 2019 | $21.04 | $1.97 | 10.7x | -35% |
| FY2019 Q3 | Dec 31 2018 | $19.22 | $2.30 | 8.4x | -49% |
| FY2019 Q2 | Sep 30 2018 | $18.98 | $2.68 | 7.1x | -57% |
| FY2019 Q1 | Jun 30 2018 | $18.11 | $2.82 | 6.4x | -61% |
| FY2018 Q4 | Mar 31 2018 | $17.02 | $2.44 | 7.0x | -57% |
| FY2018 Q3 | Dec 31 2017 | $16.55 | $1.88 | 8.8x | -46% |
| FY2018 Q2 | Sep 30 2017 | $17.13 | $1.74 | 9.8x | -40% |
| FY2018 Q1 | Jun 30 2017 | $16.08 | $1.64 | 9.8x | -40% |
| FY2017 Q4 | Mar 31 2017 | $16.91 | $1.47 | 11.5x | -30% |
| FY2017 Q3 | Dec 31 2016 | $16.15 | $1.40 | 11.5x | -29% |
| FY2017 Q2 | Sep 30 2016 | $14.70 | $0.84 | 17.5x | +7% |
| FY2016 Q3 | - | $13.88 | $1.66 | 8.4x | -49% |
| FY2016 Q2 | Sep 30 2015 | $17.40 | $3.72 | 4.7x | -71% |
| FY2016 Q1 | - | $18.33 | $2.32 | 7.9x | -52% |
| FY2015 Q4 | - | $17.04 | $3.46 | 4.9x | -70% |
| FY2015 Q3 | Dec 31 2014 | $13.92 | $1.22 | 11.4x | -30% |
| FY2015 Q2 | - | $13.13 | $2.88 | 4.6x | -72% |
| FY2015 Q1 | Jun 30 2014 | $13.22 | $7.76 | 1.7x | -90% |
| FY2014 Q4 | Mar 31 2014 | $12.75 | $7.09 | 1.8x | -89% |
| FY2014 Q3 | - | $12.80 | $9.86 | 1.3x | -92% |
| FY2014 Q2 | Sep 30 2013 | $12.56 | $7.99 | 1.6x | -90% |
| FY2014 Q1 | Jun 30 2013 | $12.65 | $8.39 | 1.5x | -91% |
| FY2013 Q4 | Mar 31 2013 | $10.55 | $7.02 | 1.5x | -91% |
| FY2013 Q3 | Dec 31 2012 | $9.14 | $9.40 | 1.0x | -94% |
| FY2013 Q2 | Sep 30 2012 | $10.27 | $11.00 | 0.9x | -94% |
| FY2013 Q1 | Jun 30 2012 | $9.44 | $5.99 | 1.6x | -90% |
| FY2012 Q4 | Mar 31 2012 | $8.68 | $5.97 | 1.5x | -91% |
| FY2012 Q3 | Dec 31 2011 | $7.48 | $2.78 | 2.7x | -84% |
| FY2012 Q1 | - | $8.47 | $2.19 | 3.9x | -76% |
| FY2011 Q4 | - | $8.40 | $3.57 | 2.4x | -86% |
| FY2011 Q3 | Dec 31 2010 | $9.53 | $3.42 | 2.8x | -83% |
| FY2011 Q2 | - | $8.33 | $4.20 | 2.0x | -88% |
| FY2011 Q1 | Jun 30 2010 | $8.07 | $4.56 | 1.8x | -89% |
| FY2010 Q4 | Mar 31 2010 | $8.34 | $4.57 | 1.8x | -89% |
| FY2008 Q1 | Jun 30 2007 | $14.30 | $8.43 | 1.7x | -90% |
| FY2007 Q4 | Mar 31 2007 | $14.10 | $7.51 | 1.9x | -89% |
| FY2007 Q3 | Dec 31 2006 | $11.59 | $10.05 | 1.2x | -93% |
| FY2007 Q2 | Sep 30 2006 | $10.93 | $4.54 | 2.4x | -85% |
| FY2007 Q1 | Jun 30 2006 | $9.59 | $5.64 | 1.7x | -90% |
| FY2006 Q4 | Mar 31 2006 | $8.76 | $6.22 | 1.4x | -91% |
| FY2006 Q3 | Dec 31 2005 | $8.31 | $3.41 | 2.4x | -85% |
| FY2006 Q2 | Sep 30 2005 | $7.82 | $3.29 | 2.4x | -85% |
| FY2006 Q1 | - | $8.23 | $1.57 | 5.2x | -68% |
| FY2005 Q4 | - | $7.26 | $0.92 | 7.9x | -52% |
| FY2005 Q3 | Dec 31 2004 | $7.21 | $3.33 | 2.2x | -87% |
| FY2005 Q2 | - | $6.97 | $3.42 | 2.0x | -88% |
| FY2005 Q1 | Jun 30 2004 | $7.23 | $4.73 | 1.5x | -91% |
| FY2004 Q4 | Mar 31 2004 | $6.93 | $5.55 | 1.2x | -92% |
| FY2004 Q3 | Dec 31 2003 | $5.69 | $2.53 | 2.2x | -86% |
| FY2004 Q2 | - | $5.23 | $1.89 | 2.8x | -83% |
| FY2004 Q1 | Jun 30 2003 | $5.18 | $0.92 | 5.6x | -65% |
| FY2002 Q4 | Mar 31 2002 | $6.31 | $1.68 | 3.8x | -77% |
| FY2002 Q3 | Dec 31 2001 | $6.06 | $1.81 | 3.3x | -80% |
| FY2002 Q2 | Sep 30 2001 | $5.69 | $0.53 | 10.7x | -34% |
| FY2002 Q1 | Jun 30 2001 | $5.83 | $0.50 | 11.7x | -29% |
| FY1999 Q3 | - | $7.94 | $0.01 | 794.0x | +4762% |
| FY1999 Q2 | Sep 30 1998 | $7.48 | $0.14 | 53.4x | +227% |
| FY1999 Q1 | - | $8.99 | $3.77 | 2.4x | -85% |
| FY1998 Q4 | - | $8.63 | $5.18 | 1.7x | -90% |
| FY1998 Q3 | Dec 31 1997 | $8.44 | $3.40 | 2.5x | -85% |
| FY1998 Q2 | - | $6.76 | $3.93 | 1.7x | -89% |
| FY1998 Q1 | Jun 30 1997 | $6.56 | $3.23 | 2.0x | -88% |
| FY1997 Q4 | Mar 31 1997 | $6.23 | $2.13 | 2.9x | -82% |
| FY1997 Q3 | - | $6.61 | $2.99 | 2.2x | -86% |
| FY1997 Q2 | Sep 30 1996 | $6.22 | $2.90 | 2.1x | -87% |
Average P/E for displayed period: 16.3x
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CSWC — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying CSWC stock.
What is CSWC's P/E ratio?
Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC) trailing twelve-month P/E ratio is 15.9x, based on TTM diluted EPS of $1.46. The 5-year average P/E is 13.6x and the historical range spans 9.6x to 17.2x.
Is CSWC stock overvalued or undervalued?
CSWC trades at 15.9x P/E, near its 5-year average of 13.6x. The 95th percentile ranking within the 9.6x–17.2x historical range places valuation within normal bounds.
Is CSWC stock expensive?
CSWC is fairly valued relative to its own history. The current P/E of 15.9x is near the 5-year average of 13.6x (95th percentile of historical range).
What is CSWC's historical P/E range?
Over the past 5 years, CSWC's P/E ratio has ranged from 9.6x to 17.2x, with a median of 13.6x and an average of 13.6x. The current P/E of 15.9x places the stock at the 95th percentile of this range. Full historical data spans 1997–2027.
How does CSWC's P/E compare to the S&P 500?
CSWC trades at 15.9x P/E versus the S&P 500 median of 21.8x. The 27% discount to the market suggests lower growth expectations or perceived higher risk.
How does CSWC's valuation compare to Financial Services peers?
Capital Southwest Corporation P/E of 15.9x compares to the Financial Services sector median of 12.1x. The premium reflects expected growth above peers or stronger fundamentals. See the peer comparison table on this page for ticker-by-ticker P/E and PEG.
What is CSWC's PEG ratio?
CSWC PEG ratio is N/A, based on a P/E of 15.9x and EPS growth of 29.3%. PEG normalises P/E by growth and helps compare stocks with different earnings trajectories.
What is CSWC's earnings yield?
CSWC earnings yield is 6.27%, the inverse of its 15.9x P/E ratio. Earnings yield represents the percentage of each dollar invested that the company earns. It can be compared directly to bond yields to assess relative attractiveness of stocks versus fixed income.