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.
GLAD and PSEC are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
GLAD or PSEC — which is better?
Neither GLAD nor PSEC wins outright — the two are nearly equivalent across all 6 dimensions, making the choice largely a matter of which account you hold them in and personal preference on yield vs stability. GLAD and PSEC are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
On yield alone, PSEC generates 27.10% vs 9.69% — a 17.41% difference that translates to $17,410 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, GLAD scores 3.0/10 (Risky) vs 1.9/10 (Risky) for PSEC — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | GLAD | PSEC | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 9.69% | 27.10% | PSEC wins |
| Dividend safety | 3.0/10 | 1.9/10 | GLAD wins |
| Growth trend | +1.46% vs 5y | +14.00% vs 5y | GLAD wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.92 | 0.83 | Tie |
| Scale | $428M | $769M | PSEC wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 2 wins | 2 wins | Tie |
Dimension by dimension
PSEC wins on yield (27.10% vs 9.69%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $1741 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
PSEC's higher yield (27.10%) 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 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 shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
GLAD's yield is 1.46% above its 5y average, versus 14.00% for PSEC. 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 1.8× 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.
Full breakdown per ticker: are GLAD dividends qualified and are PSEC dividends qualified — each with the after-tax income at every federal bracket.
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
GLAD or PSEC — which is better?
Neither — GLAD and PSEC tie 2–2 across the six dimensions we score. GLAD and PSEC are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
Which is better for income, GLAD or PSEC?
GLAD and PSEC are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
GLAD vs PSEC: which has a higher dividend yield?
GLAD yields 9.69% and PSEC yields 27.10%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $1741 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?
GLAD's yield is 1.46% above its 5y average, versus 14.00% for PSEC. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
GLAD 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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Compare both against your actual holdings
Put GLAD and PSEC into the free analyzer with the rest of your portfolio. You'll see what each one contributes to your annual income, your weighted safety score, and whether adding either diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.