Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC) Price Target Analysis
Wall Street analyst price targets, ratings consensus & upside potential · Updated May 1, 2026
Current Price
$24.30
Price Target
$22.50
Target Range
$22.00 — $23.00
Analyst Rating
Buy
Forward P/E10.2x
Trailing P/E16.5x
Forward PEG—
Implied Growth+55.2%
Median Target$22.50
Analyst Spread4.4%
Price Forecast (1 Year)
Last 12 months price action with 12-month analyst target path
Bear Case
$22
-9.5%
Consensus
$23
-7.4%
Bull Case
$23
-5.3%
CSWC Price Target Analysis
Updated May 6, 2026As of May 6, 2026, Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC) has a Wall Street consensus price target of $22.50, based on estimates from 10 covering analysts. With the stock currently trading at $24.30, this represents a potential downside of -7.4%. The company has a market capitalization of $1.44B.
Analyst price targets range from a low of $22.00 to a high of $23.00, representing a 4% spread in expectations. The median target of $22.50 aligns closely with the consensus average. The tight target dispersion indicates high conviction among analysts.
The current analyst consensus rating is Buy, with 7 analysts rating the stock as a Buy or Strong Buy,3 rating it Hold, and 0 rating it Sell or Strong Sell. This overwhelmingly bullish sentiment suggests analysts see significant catalysts for upside ahead.
From a valuation perspective, CSWC trades at a trailing P/E of 16.5x and forward P/E of 10.2x. Analysts expect EPS to grow +55.2% over the next year.
Investment Context: Price targets represent analyst expectations for the next 12 months and should be considered alongside your own research. Targets are based on analysts' assumptions about earnings growth, margins, and market conditions which may change. For sector-specific context, view other Financial Services stocks.
Analyst Sentiment Comparison
Industry Peer AnalysisAvg Peer Upside+14.5%
Avg Forward P/E9.2x
Peers with Coverage9 / 10
| Company | Market Cap | Price | Target | Upside | Rating | Fwd P/E | Analysts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 ARCCAres Capital Corporation | $13.9B | $19.35 | $21.88 | +13.1% | Buy | 10.1x | 32 |
 GBDCGolub Capital BDC, Inc. | $3.5B | $13.40 | $14.33 | +6.9% | Buy | 9.3x | 11 |
 TPVGTriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. | $222M | $5.48 | $8.95 | +63.3% | Hold | 5.9x | 12 |
 SLRCSLR Investment Corp. | $871M | $15.97 | $16.25 | +1.8% | Buy | 9.9x | 15 |
 PFLTPennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. | $908M | $9.15 | $10.50 | +14.8% | Buy | 8.1x | 11 |
 TRINTrinity Capital Inc. | $1.4B | $16.97 | $17.17 | +1.2% | Buy | 8.2x | 7 |
 OCSLOaktree Specialty Lending Corporation | $1.1B | $12.16 | $12.00 | -1.3% | Hold | 8.0x | 12 |
 FDUSFidus Investment Corporation | $728M | $19.18 | — | — | Buy | 9.5x | 12 |
 MAINMain Street Capital Corporation | $5.1B | $57.36 | $67.00 | +16.8% | Hold | 14.2x | 14 |
 HTGCHercules Capital, Inc. | $3.0B | $16.57 | $18.92 | +14.2% | Buy | 8.5x | 31 |
Upside Potential Comparison
TPVGMAINPFLTHTGCARCCGBDCSLRCTRINSee CSWC's True Return
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Start ComparisonCSWC — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying CSWC stock.
What is the CSWC stock price target for 2026?
Wall Street's consensus price target for CSWC is $22.5, -7.4% from its current price of $24.3. The below-market target from 10 analysts suggests limited near-term appreciation.
Is CSWC a buy, sell, or hold?
CSWC has a consensus rating of "Buy" based on 10 Wall Street analysts. The rating breakdown is predominantly bullish, with 7 Buy/Strong Buy ratings. The consensus 12-month price target of $22.5 implies -7.4% downside from current levels.
Is CSWC stock overvalued or undervalued?
With a forward P/E of 10.1857x, CSWC trades at a relatively low valuation. The consensus target of $22.5 implies -7.4% move, suggesting the market may be pricing in risks.
How high can CSWC stock go?
The most bullish Wall Street analyst has a price target of $23 for CSWC, while the most conservative target is $22. The consensus of $22.5 represents the median expectation. These targets typically reflect 12-month expectations.
How many analysts cover CSWC stock?
CSWC is moderately covered, with 10 analysts providing price targets and ratings. Of these, 0 have Strong Buy ratings, 7 have Buy ratings, 3 recommend Hold, and 0 have Sell or Strong Sell ratings. Higher analyst coverage generally indicates greater institutional interest and more reliable consensus estimates.
What is the CSWC stock forecast?
The 12-month CSWC stock forecast based on 10 Wall Street analysts shows a consensus price target of $22.5, with estimates ranging from $22 (bear case) to $23 (bull case). The median consensus rating is "Buy".
What is CSWC's forward P/E ratio?
CSWC trades at a forward P/E ratio of 10.2x based on next-twelve-months earnings estimates compared to a trailing P/E of 16.5x. The lower forward P/E indicates analysts expect earnings growth. A forward P/E is useful for comparing valuations when earnings are expected to change significantly.
Should I buy CSWC stock?
Analysts are cautious on CSWC, with 0 Sell ratings and a price target of $22.5 (-7.4% from current price). The "Buy" consensus suggests careful evaluation before buying. This information is for educational purposes only. Always conduct your own research, consider your financial situation, and consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Why do CSWC price targets vary so much?
CSWC analyst price targets range from $22 to $23, a 4% tight range reflecting strong analyst consensus. Differences stem from varying assumptions about revenue growth, profit margins, competitive dynamics, and valuation multiples. The $22.5 consensus represents the middle ground.