Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
PFLT vs PSEC
PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. versus Prospect Capital Corporation — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
PSEC wins 4–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but PFLT can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
PSEC wins this comparison 4–0 across 6 dimensions. PSEC yields 18.96% — higher than PFLT's 16.36% — and carries a 2.6/10 dividend safety score (Risky) vs 1.9/10 for PFLT (Risky). PSEC wins 4–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but PFLT can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, PSEC generates 18.96% vs 16.36% — a 2.60% difference that translates to $2,600 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, PSEC scores 2.6/10 (Risky) vs 1.9/10 (Risky) for PFLT — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | PFLT | PSEC | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 16.36% | 18.96% | PSEC wins |
| Dividend safety | 1.9/10 | 2.6/10 | PSEC wins |
| Growth trend | +5.44% vs 5y | +4.92% vs 5y | PSEC wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.74 | 0.78 | Tie |
| Scale | $734M | $1.1B | PSEC wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 0 wins | 4 wins | PSEC wins |
Dimension by dimension
PSEC wins on yield (18.96% vs 16.36%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $260 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
PSEC's higher yield (18.96%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus PFLT's 16.36% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
PSEC wins on safety (2.6/10 vs 1.9/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. PSEC scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
PSEC (2.6/10) scores 0.7 points higher than PFLT (1.9/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
PSEC shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
PSEC's yield is 4.92% above its 5y average, versus 5.44% for PFLT. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
Volatility (beta) is similar
Both tickers move with comparable sensitivity to the broader market.
PSEC is 1.6× larger by market cap
Larger companies tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
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.
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, PFLT or PSEC?
PSEC wins 4–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but PFLT can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
PFLT vs PSEC: which has a higher dividend yield?
PFLT yields 16.36% and PSEC yields 18.96%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $260 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is PFLT or PSEC a safer dividend in 2026?
PFLT scores 1.9/10 (Risky) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. PSEC scores 2.6/10 (Risky). PSEC is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, PFLT or PSEC?
PSEC's yield is 4.92% above its 5y average, versus 5.44% for PFLT. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
PFLT vs PSEC: which is more tax-efficient?
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.
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