Retail investors can get liquid, exchange-traded exposure to private credit and private equity through business development companies (BDCs). These are a unique type of stock that doesn’t quite operate like a regular public company.
Like real estate investment trusts (REITs) and master limited partnerships (MLPs), BDCs are pass-through vehicles. That means they avoid paying corporate income tax as long as they distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders, resulting in high dividend yields.
But despite their appeal, the BDC space is both narrow and complex. These firms have different mandates, risk levels, and portfolio exposures, and they often use leverage.
That’s why due diligence is especially important before investing in a BDC. In this article, we’ll walk through how BDCs work, what to watch out for, and how to compare your options.
Overview
What is a Business Development Company (BDC)?
BDCs can trace their roots back to the Investment Company Act of 1940, but the modern BDC structure didn’t emerge until a 1980 amendment to that act.
The goal was to bridge Wall Street and Main Street by allowing ordinary investors to access private-market opportunities -- namely, lending to and investing in small and mid-sized U.S. businesses that typically don’t have access to public capital markets.
Most BDCs are structured as Regulated Investment Companies (RICs), which means they’re not taxed at the entity level as long as they distribute at least 90% of their taxable income each year to shareholders. This pass-through setup is what allows BDCs to offer such high dividend yields.
There are many different types of BDCs, depending on their market segment focus. Some specialize in the middle market, generally companies with $10 million to $1 billion in annual revenue. Others may lean more toward venture capital-style equity investments in earlier-stage firms.
Regardless of strategy, all BDCs share one common feature: They use a combination of private credit and private equity to build their portfolios.
The credit side often consists of senior secured loans, mezzanine debt, or subordinated debt. On the equity side, BDCs may take direct stakes in companies or hold preferred equity.
Hybrid instruments like convertible debt and warrants are also common, offering upside participation along with some downside protection.
It’s also worth noting that although BDCs invest in private companies, the BDCs themselves are publicly traded, fully audited, and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
That gives investors many of the same safeguards and disclosures as traditional listed stocks.
Business Development Company (BDC)
Best BDC stocks
Best BDC stocks for July 2025
The following BDCs were screened for relatively stable net asset values (NAV), sustainable dividend coverage, and consistent underwriting discipline. All figures are accurate as of July 7, 2025.
Ares Capital Corporation
Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC 0.35%) is the largest BDC by market capitalization and has long been considered a bellwether in the space.
Backed by Ares Management Corp. (ARES 2.13%), one of the world’s largest alternative asset managers, ARCC benefits from a deep credit platform and strong sponsor relationships.
It typically trades at a modest premium (1.13 times) to net asset value (NAV), reflecting investor confidence in its underwriting quality. It offers an 8.74% dividend yield.
Blackstone Secured Lending Fund
Blackstone Secured Lending Fund (BXSL 0.03%) is managed by Blackstone Credit, part of alternative asset manager Blackstone Inc. (BX -0.01%).
Like ARCC, it tends to focus on senior secured loans and benefits from access to large-scale origination networks. As of July 2025, it trades at a 1.14 times premium to NAV and yields 10.02%.
Its association with Blackstone’s robust risk controls and capital markets infrastructure is a key reason for its popularity with yield-focused investors.
Blue Owl Capital Corporation
Blue Owl Capital Corporation (OBDC -0.2%) is the flagship BDC of Blue Owl Capital Inc. (OWL -1.43%), one of the fastest-growing names in alternative asset management.
OBDC focuses on upper middle market direct lending and has quickly become one of the larger players in the BDC space in terms of market cap.
Despite its size and institutional backing, it currently trades just under NAV at 0.97 times. It offers an 11.51% dividend yield, making it one of the higher-yielding options on this list.
Main Street Capital Corporation
Main Street Capital (MAIN 0.4%) stands out in the BDC universe as one of the few internally managed BDCs. Its management team is employed directly by the fund rather than a third-party manager.
This structure tends to better align incentives with shareholders. MAIN also pays monthly dividends, a rarity among BDCs, and has developed a reputation for conservatism and consistency.
These factors contribute to its significant NAV premium, the highest in the BDC universe in mid-2025 at 1.91 times. Its dividend yield sits at 7.21%.
Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.
Sixth Street Specialty Lending (TSLX 0.2%) is externally managed by Sixth Street Partners, a firm with a strong background in complex and opportunistic credit strategies.
TSLX often participates in special situations and distressed debt, setting it apart from more traditional senior lending-focused peers. A typical Sixth Street deal involves bespoke terms and higher spread lending, often with strong covenants and equity kickers.
As of July 2025, TSLX trades at a 1.43 times premium to NAV and offers an 8.74% dividend yield.
Advantages
Advantages of investing in BDC stocks
The main advantage of investing in BDC stocks is the potential for higher-than-average income.
BDCs are known for offering yields that often exceed those of REITs and MLPs, and sometimes rival the income generated from high-yield bonds or covered-call exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This income is made possible by the legal requirement that most BDCs distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders.
Another key benefit is liquidity. Unlike traditional private equity or private credit funds, which typically involve multiyear lockups or limited redemption windows, many BDCs (especially the larger names) trade on major stock exchanges with high volume and tight bid-ask spreads.
Finally, adding BDCs can enhance portfolio diversification. Because they invest in private loans and equity positions that behave differently from public equities or bonds, BDCs may offer low correlation to traditional asset classes. This could help smooth overall portfolio volatility across market cycles.
Risks and considerations
Risks and considerations when investing in BDCs
One important consideration every BDC investor needs to monitor is the fund’s NAV.
NAV represents the fair market value of the BDC’s assets, mainly its loans and equity stakes in private companies, minus any liabilities, divided by the number of shares outstanding. It’s typically reported quarterly.
However, that figure is not the same as the market price you pay for the stock, which may trade at a discount or premium to NAV. In most asset classes, buying above NAV would be a red flag.
But in the BDC space, a premium can signal perceived quality and strong investor demand. Conversely, a persistent discount to NAV may suggest governance concerns or deteriorating asset quality.
BDC investors must also understand and accept several risks. Interest rate risk is one of the biggest. Since BDCs borrow money to lend at higher rates, their profits rely on the spread between borrowing costs and lending returns. When interest rates change, especially quickly, it can squeeze margins and hurt earnings.
Another key issue is management alignment. Some BDCs, like MAIN, are internally managed, meaning executives are on payroll and generally more aligned with shareholders. Many others, however, are externally managed and charge fees based on assets, which can incentivize growth over performance.
Lastly, because BDCs trade as stocks, they carry market risk. Even if the underlying loan portfolios are sound, a broad market sell-off or recession can still drag down BDC share prices, sometimes well below NAV.
How to invest
Steps to invest in BDCs
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
Related investing topics
Investing in BDC stocks
Investing in BDC stocks gives everyday investors rare access to the private credit and private equity markets, two areas typically reserved for institutions.
These unique vehicles are designed to pass through the majority of their income to shareholders, which often results in significantly higher yields than traditional stocks or bonds.
On top of that, most BDCs are listed on major exchanges and trade with strong liquidity, making them easy to buy and sell just like any other stock.
However, BDCs are not without risks. Investors need to monitor premiums or discounts to NAV, understand how interest rate changes can affect profit margins, and evaluate how aligned management is with shareholder interests.
While the income potential is strong, the space is narrow, complex, and can be volatile during economic downturns. With proper due diligence, however, BDCs can be a valuable addition to an income-focused portfolio.
BDC Stocks: FAQ
What is a BDC stock?
A BDC stock is a publicly traded company that provides financing to small and mid-sized private businesses, offering investors exposure to private credit and equity.
Which BDC is the best to invest in?
It depends on your goals, but Main Street Capital is consistently popular, trading at a premium due to its internally managed structure, monthly payouts, and history of special dividends.
Is BDC a good investment?
BDCs can be a good investment for income-focused investors who already hold a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds.
Who are the largest BDCs?
As of July 4, 2025, the largest BDCs by market capitalization were Ares Capital Corporation at $15.46 billion, Blue Owl Capital Corporation at $7.48 billion, and Blackstone Secured Lending Fund at $7.17 billion.
