Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions

GLAD vs PSEC

Gladstone Capital Corporation versus Prospect Capital Corporation — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.

PSEC wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but GLAD can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.

Scorecard at a glance

Dimension	GLAD	PSEC	Winner
Yield	9.69%	21.46%	PSEC wins
Dividend safety	3.0/10	1.9/10	GLAD wins
Growth trend	+1.46% vs 5y	+8.11% vs 5y	GLAD wins
Volatility (beta)	0.92	0.77	PSEC wins
Scale	$428M	$1.2B	PSEC wins
Tax efficiency	Qualified-eligible	Qualified-eligible	Tie
Overall	2 wins	3 wins	PSEC wins

Dimension by dimension

PSEC wins on yield (21.46% vs 9.69%)

On a $10,000 investment that's about $1177 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.

PSEC's higher yield (21.46%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus GLAD's 9.69% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.

GLAD: 9.69%PSEC: 21.46%

GLAD wins on safety (3.0/10 vs 1.9/10)

Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. GLAD scores better on the weighted average of those factors.

GLAD (3.0/10) scores 1.1 points higher than PSEC (1.9/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.

GLAD: 3.0/10PSEC: 1.9/10

GLAD shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend

GLAD's yield is 1.46% above its 5y average, versus 8.11% for PSEC. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.

GLAD: +1.46% vs 5yPSEC: +8.11% vs 5y

PSEC is less volatile (beta 0.77 vs 0.92)

Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.

GLAD: 0.92PSEC: 0.77

PSEC is 2.7× larger by market cap

Larger companies tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.

GLAD: $428MPSEC: $1.2B

Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions

Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.

GLAD: Qualified-eligiblePSEC: Qualified-eligible

How we compare these

Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.

This is educational, not investment advice.Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.

Frequently asked

Which is better for income, GLAD or PSEC?

PSEC wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but GLAD can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.

GLAD vs PSEC: which has a higher dividend yield?

GLAD yields 9.69% and PSEC yields 21.46%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $1177 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.

Is GLAD or PSEC a safer dividend in 2026?

GLAD scores 3.0/10 (Risky) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. PSEC scores 1.9/10 (Risky). GLAD is the safer pick on our scoring model.

Which has better dividend growth, GLAD or PSEC?