Stellus Capital: The Dividend Cut Finally Stopped The Bleeding (Rating Upgrade)

Cain Lee 9.05K Followers Follow Summary Stellus Capital Investment Corporation is upgraded to hold as recent distribution cuts and improved NAV signal stabilization, despite ongoing portfolio contraction. Its dividend yield stands at 11.8%, now fully covered by net investment income, but coverage remains thin and sustainability is uncertain amid elevated non-accruals. Portfolio growth is challenged by negative net investment activity and high non-accruals, though future redeployment of $140M in non-earning assets and a new SBIC license could support expansion. It trades at a 33.8% discount to NAV, reflecting persistent investor skepticism despite recent buybacks and incremental balance sheet improvements. narvo vexar/iStock via Getty Images Overview When I previously covered Stellus Capital Investment Corporation ( SCM ), I issued a sell rating because of the ongoing NAV erosion at the time. Since then, SCM just reported its Q2 earnings and the This article was written by Cain Lee 9.05K Followers Follow Financial analyst by day and a seasoned investor by passion, I've been involved in the world of investing for over 15 years and honed my skills in analyzing lucrative opportunities within the market.I specialize in uncovering high quality dividend stocks and other assets that offer potential for long term-growth that pack a serious punch for bill-paying potential. I use myself as an example that with a solid base of classic dividend growth stocks, sprinkling in some Business Development Companies, REITs, and Closed End Funds can be a highly efficient way to boost your investment income while still capturing a total return that follows traditional index funds. I created a hybrid system between growth and income and manage to still capture a total return that is on par with the S&P. Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.