FDUS

Financial Services

Fidus Investment Corporation · Asset Management · $710M

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
50.7
Below Average

Fidus Investment Corporation scores 50.7/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Financial Services Sector
FDUS
50.7
Sector avg
39.7
Quality
Good
Moat
Weak
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Neutral
Valuation
Attractive

What is Fidus Investment Corporation?

Fidus Investment Corporation is a business development company (BDC) focused on providing debt and equity capital to lower middle market companies across the United States. Headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, it has operated in this niche since 2011.

Fidus generates income by deploying capital into lower middle market businesses — typically companies with annual revenues between ten and one hundred fifty million dollars. Its investment toolkit spans senior secured loans, unitranche debt, subordinated debt, mezzanine financing, and preferred equity. The firm targets sectors such as healthcare, business services, aerospace and defense, information technology services, and niche manufacturing. It deliberately avoids turnarounds or distressed situations, focusing instead on companies undergoing buyouts, recapitalizations, or strategic acquisitions.

Fidus Investment Corporation was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Evanston, Illinois.

  • Senior secured and unitranche debt financing
  • Subordinated and mezzanine debt investments
  • Preferred equity and warrant co-investments
  • Growth capital for lower middle market companies
  • Board observation rights alongside debt positions

Is FDUS a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates FDUS as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile across its five analytical pillars.

The Quality and Risk pillars both register as Good, suggesting Fidus maintains a reasonably disciplined portfolio with manageable credit exposure relative to BDC peers. The Valuation pillar is rated Attractive, meaning the stock does not appear richly priced compared to the value the business generates.

The Moat pillar scores Weak — a common trait among BDCs that compete largely on deal access and pricing rather than durable structural advantages. Growth registers as Neutral, reflecting the measured pace typical of income-oriented lending vehicles.

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 FDUS pay dividends?

Yes — Fidus Investment Corporation pays a dividend.

Fidus Investment pays a regular dividend, which is central to the BDC model — regulated investment companies must distribute the vast majority of taxable income to shareholders. FDUS has historically offered an above-average yield relative to the broader market, making it a common holding for income-focused investors. Dividend sustainability depends on the health of the underlying loan portfolio and net investment income.

When does FDUS report earnings?

Fidus Investment Corporation reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with US-listed BDCs and regulated investment companies.

Each quarterly report covers net investment income, net asset value per share, and portfolio credit quality — the metrics most relevant to BDC investors. Performance is closely tied to interest rate conditions and the credit health of lower middle market borrowers.

For the most recent quarter's results and upcoming release dates, visit Fidus Investment Corporation's investor relations page directly.

FDUS Price History

+89.7% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Fidus Investment Corporation?

$
Today it would be worth
$19,903
That's a +99.0% total return, or +14.8% annualized.

Based on Fidus Investment Corporation'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.

FDUS Long-term Outlook

With Growth rated Neutral and Risk rated Good, Fidus appears positioned for steady rather than rapid expansion. The BDC's income-oriented model is less sensitive to economic acceleration and more dependent on maintaining credit quality across its portfolio. An Attractive Valuation rating suggests the market has not priced in outsized optimism, which may offer a margin of safety for patient, income-seeking investors.

Growth drivers

  • Sustained demand for private credit among lower middle market companies
  • Potential for higher net investment income in elevated interest rate environments
  • Selective expansion into adjacent sectors within its established focus areas

Key risks

  • Credit deterioration among borrowers if economic conditions weaken
  • Moat rated Weak, meaning deal flow depends on relationships rather than structural barriers
  • Regulatory constraints on leverage and capital deployment inherent to the BDC structure

FDUS vs Peers

FDUS operates in a competitive private credit landscape alongside other specialty finance and direct lending vehicles.

NCDLFDUS scores higher
Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp.

Nuveen Churchill focuses on upper middle market direct lending, backed by a large institutional asset manager with broader deal origination resources.

VINPFDUS scores lower
Vinci Compass Investments Ltd.

Vinci Compass brings a cross-border investment approach, differentiating itself through geographic diversification beyond the US lower middle market.

NOAHFDUS scores higher
Noah Holdings Limited

Noah Holdings serves high-net-worth clients in China with wealth management and alternative investment products, representing a distinctly different client base and geography.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fidus Investment Corporation do?

Fidus Investment Corporation is a business development company that provides debt and equity capital to lower middle market businesses in the United States. It focuses on sectors like healthcare, business services, and niche manufacturing, deploying capital through senior secured loans, mezzanine debt, and preferred equity.

Does FDUS pay dividends?

Yes, FDUS pays a regular dividend. As a BDC structured as a regulated investment company, Fidus is required to distribute the majority of its taxable income to shareholders. This makes dividend income a core part of the investment thesis for FDUS holders.

When does FDUS report earnings?

Fidus Investment reports earnings quarterly, in line with standard US-listed company requirements. Each report covers net investment income, portfolio credit quality, and net asset value. Check Fidus's investor relations page for the most current schedule.

Is FDUS a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates FDUS as Good overall. The Quality and Risk pillars are both Good, and Valuation is Attractive. However, the Moat pillar is Weak and Growth is Neutral, which are important considerations. The complete pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is FDUS overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for FDUS is rated Attractive, suggesting the stock is not trading at a premium relative to the value the business generates. That said, valuation should always be considered alongside quality and risk factors — all of which are detailed in the full UQS analysis.

How does FDUS compare to its competitors?

FDUS focuses specifically on the US lower middle market, which differentiates it from peers like Nuveen Churchill, which targets larger companies, and Noah Holdings, which operates primarily in China. Each competitor brings a different geographic or market-segment focus to private credit.

What is FDUS's market cap bracket?

FDUS is classified as a small-cap stock. This places it among smaller publicly traded BDCs, which can mean less analyst coverage and lower trading liquidity compared to large-cap financial services companies.

Who founded Fidus Investment Corporation?

Fidus Investment Corporation was founded in 2011. For detailed information on its founding team and corporate history, the company's official investor relations materials and SEC filings are the most reliable sources.

Is FDUS a long-term quality investment?

From a quality indicator perspective, FDUS scores Good on the UQS composite — driven by Good ratings on Quality and Risk, and an Attractive Valuation. The Weak Moat rating is a consideration for long-term holders, as BDCs rely on relationship-driven deal flow rather than structural competitive advantages.

What is the main competitive advantage of Fidus Investment?

Fidus's edge lies in its specialization within the lower middle market — a segment often underserved by larger lenders. Its sector focus and board observation rights help it maintain close relationships with portfolio companies, though the UQS Moat pillar reflects that these advantages are not structurally durable.

What sector does FDUS belong to?

FDUS belongs to the Financial Services sector, specifically within the business development company sub-category. BDCs are regulated investment vehicles that provide financing to small and mid-sized businesses, combining characteristics of private equity and fixed-income lending.

Is FDUS a growth stock or value stock?

FDUS leans toward the value and income side of the spectrum. Its Growth pillar is rated Neutral and its Valuation pillar is Attractive, suggesting it is not priced for rapid expansion. Income-oriented investors typically find BDCs like FDUS more relevant than pure growth seekers.

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Pro Analysis

FDUS — Score History

50556065Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 5 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
Apr 25, 202658.664.625.052.677.294.1-0.3
Apr 22, 202658.964.625.052.677.295.6+0.1
Apr 21, 202658.864.625.052.677.295.60.0
Apr 18, 202658.864.625.052.677.295.3-0.7
Apr 2, 202659.564.625.052.677.2100.0

FDUS — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

64.3/100 (25%)

Fidus Investment Corporation shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.

Return on EquityModerate

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

50.2/100 (20%)

Fidus Investment Corporation shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.

Recent Revenue TrendStrong

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRStrong

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthWeak

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookModerate

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthWeak

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

42.1/100 (15%)

Fidus Investment Corporation has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.

Debt/EquityModerate

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioModerate

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

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

80.1/100 (15%)

Fidus Investment Corporation appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Earnings YieldStrong

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

EV/EBITDA vs SectorModerate

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

25/100 (25%)

Fidus Investment Corporation 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 FDUS.

Score Composition

Quality
64.3×25%16.1
Growth
50.2×20%10.0
Risk
42.1×15%6.3
Valuation
80.1×15%12.0
Moat
25.0×25%6.3
Total
50.7Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the FDUS UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Fidus Investment Corporation 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 Fidus Investment Corporation'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 Fidus Investment Corporation 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.