CGBD

Financial Services

Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. · Asset Management · $740M

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
47.7
Below Average

Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. scores 47.7/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Financial Services Sector
CGBD
47.7
Sector avg
39.7
Quality
Neutral
Moat
Weak
Growth
Good
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Good

What is Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc.?

Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. (CGBD) is a business development company focused on providing debt financing to middle-market companies across the United States and select international markets. It operates under the management of the Carlyle Group's credit platform.

CGBD generates income by making direct loans — primarily first lien and senior secured — to middle-market businesses with annual EBITDA in the range that qualifies as mid-sized. Target sectors include healthcare, aerospace and defense, software, business services, and food and beverage. The BDC structure requires it to distribute the majority of its taxable income to shareholders, making dividend income central to its investment thesis.

The company was incorporated in 2017 and is headquartered in New York City.

  • First lien and senior secured loans to middle-market borrowers
  • Second lien and mezzanine debt investments
  • Equity co-investments alongside debt positions
  • Exposure to sectors including healthcare, software, and defense
  • Investments spanning the US and select international jurisdictions

Is CGBD a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates CGBD as Below Average overall, reflecting a mixed picture across its five quality pillars.

The Growth and Valuation pillars both carry Good ratings, suggesting the portfolio has shown expansion and that the stock is not obviously expensive relative to what it offers. These are meaningful positives for income-oriented investors evaluating BDCs.

The Moat and Risk pillars are both rated Weak, which points to limited competitive differentiation and above-average exposure to credit and market risks — a meaningful consideration for any investor.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does CGBD pay dividends?

Yes — Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. pays a dividend.

CGBD pays a regular dividend, which is a structural feature of business development companies — BDCs must distribute most of their taxable income to maintain their tax-advantaged status. For income-focused investors, this makes the dividend a core part of total return. Yield levels fluctuate with net investment income and portfolio performance, so reviewing recent distributions is advisable.

When does CGBD report earnings?

Carlyle Secured Lending reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with US-listed BDCs.

Quarterly results for BDCs like CGBD typically reflect net investment income, net asset value per share movement, and portfolio credit quality. Investors should pay attention to non-accrual rates and portfolio composition shifts, as these drive income sustainability.

For the most recent quarter's results and upcoming reporting dates, visit Carlyle Secured Lending's investor relations page directly.

CGBD Price History

+56.7% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$15,382
That's a +53.8% total return, or +9.0% annualized.

Based on Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

CGBD Long-term Outlook

The Good Growth pillar rating suggests CGBD's portfolio has been expanding in a way that supports near-term income generation. However, the Weak Risk pillar indicates that credit quality and macro sensitivity remain meaningful headwinds. Middle-market lending tends to be cyclical, and tighter credit conditions could pressure net investment income over time. The Good Valuation rating offers some cushion, but the overall Below Average UQS Score reflects that risks are not fully offset by growth or quality.

Growth drivers

  • Continued deployment of capital into senior secured middle-market loans
  • Sector diversification across healthcare, software, and defense reducing single-industry exposure
  • Carlyle Group's credit platform providing deal sourcing advantages

Key risks

  • Weak Moat rating signals limited pricing power and competitive differentiation in BDC lending
  • Weak Risk pillar points to credit concentration and interest rate sensitivity
  • BDC structures are sensitive to rising default rates in economic downturns

CGBD vs Peers

CGBD operates in a competitive BDC and credit-focused landscape alongside several peers with differing strategies and risk profiles.

SEC.TOSimilar UQS
Senvest Capital Inc.

Senvest operates as a diversified investment firm with a broader mandate than pure BDC lending, including equity-oriented strategies.

NMFCCGBD scores higher
New Mountain Finance Corporation

NMFC focuses on defensive growth sectors and tends to emphasize lower-volatility middle-market credits compared to a broader sector mix.

ECCWCGBD scores higher
Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.

Eagle Point concentrates on CLO equity and debt tranches, giving it a structurally different risk and income profile than direct-lending BDCs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Carlyle Secured Lending do?

Carlyle Secured Lending is a business development company that makes direct loans — primarily senior secured and first lien — to middle-market businesses. It targets sectors like healthcare, software, aerospace, and business services, generating income that is largely passed through to shareholders as dividends.

Does CGBD pay dividends?

Yes, CGBD pays a regular dividend. As a BDC, it is required to distribute most of its taxable income to shareholders. The dividend is a central component of the total return for investors holding this stock, though the amount can vary with portfolio performance.

When does CGBD report earnings?

Carlyle Secured Lending reports on a quarterly cadence, standard for US-listed BDCs. For exact reporting dates and the most recent results, check the company's investor relations page directly.

Is CGBD a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates CGBD as Below Average overall. While the Growth and Valuation pillars are rated Good, the Moat and Risk pillars are both Weak. Investors should weigh the income potential against the credit and competitive risks before making a decision. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.

Is CGBD overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for CGBD is rated Good, suggesting the stock does not appear expensive relative to its fundamentals on a qualitative basis. However, valuation alone does not determine investment suitability — the Weak Risk and Moat ratings are important context.

How does CGBD compare to its competitors?

Compared to peers like New Mountain Finance and Eagle Point Credit, CGBD offers a diversified middle-market lending approach backed by the Carlyle platform. Each competitor has a distinct strategy — from CLO-focused income to defensive sector lending — making direct comparison dependent on an investor's income and risk preferences.

What is CGBD's market cap bracket?

CGBD is classified as a small-cap stock. This places it among the smaller publicly traded BDCs, which can mean lower liquidity and higher price volatility compared to large-cap financial companies.

Who founded Carlyle Secured Lending?

Carlyle Secured Lending was established in 2017 as a BDC managed by an affiliate of The Carlyle Group, one of the world's largest alternative asset management firms. Founding details are publicly available through the company's SEC filings.

Is CGBD a long-term quality investment?

From a long-term quality standpoint, the UQS Score rates CGBD as Below Average, driven by Weak Moat and Risk pillar ratings. While the dividend income stream may appeal to income investors, the limited competitive moat and elevated risk profile are factors to monitor over a longer holding period.

What is the main competitive advantage of Carlyle Secured Lending?

CGBD's primary advantage is its affiliation with The Carlyle Group's credit platform, which provides deal sourcing scale and underwriting resources. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, indicating this advantage may not translate into durable pricing power relative to BDC peers.

What sector does CGBD belong to?

CGBD operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically within the business development company segment. BDCs are regulated investment vehicles that provide debt and equity financing to small and mid-sized businesses, functioning similarly to closed-end funds.

Is CGBD a growth stock or value stock?

CGBD sits closer to an income and value orientation. The UQS Growth pillar is rated Good and Valuation is rated Good, but the overall Below Average UQS Score reflects that quality and risk factors temper the growth story. It is best understood as an income vehicle rather than a pure growth investment.

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Pro Analysis

CGBD — Score History

4045505560Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 16 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 21, 202647.757.325.061.625.073.70.0
May 19, 202647.757.325.061.625.073.40.0
May 16, 202647.757.325.061.625.073.70.0
May 15, 202647.757.325.061.625.073.3-0.1
May 14, 202647.857.325.062.125.073.3-1.0
May 10, 202648.857.325.067.125.073.30.0
May 1, 202648.857.325.067.125.073.4-0.1
Apr 26, 202648.957.325.067.125.074.00.0
Apr 25, 202648.957.325.067.125.074.2-0.4
Apr 24, 202649.357.325.067.125.077.2+0.1

CGBD — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

57.3/100 (25%)

Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityStrong

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityStrong

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Cash GenerationWeak

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

61.6/100 (20%)

Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.

Recent Revenue TrendModerate

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthWeak

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookStrong

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

25.0/100 (15%)

Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Debt/EquityModerate

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

73.3/100 (15%)

Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.

Earnings YieldStrong

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorWeak

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

25/100 (25%)

Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for CGBD.

Score Composition

Quality
57.3×25%14.3
Growth
61.6×20%12.3
Risk
25.0×15%3.8
Valuation
73.3×15%11.0
Moat
25.0×25%6.3
Total
47.7Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the CGBD UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.