Fidus Investment (FDUS) and Trinity Capital (TRIN) stand out as high-yield BDCs with differentiated strategies and disciplined risk management. FDUS focuses on lower middle-market companies, combining debt and equity investments, resulting in strong alignment and a 10% yield with robust dividend coverage. TRIN leverages internally sourced venture and equipment finance deals, utilizes interest rate floors to mitigate rate risk, and delivers a 12% yield with consistent dividend growth.

Trinity Capital earns a marginal Buy rating, driven by its attractive 13-14% yield despite elevated valuation risks. TRIN's rerating phase appears largely complete, with shares now trading at a premium (~1.08x NAV), and NAV expansion stalled since 2022. NII durability remains solid, but dividend coverage is thin; future returns hinge on credit quality and yield stability rather than further rerating.

Trinity Capital is shifting to monthly dividend distributions starting in January which is a shareholder-friendly move that has placed the security as my top income pick for 2026. Since its listing, the BDC has grown its net asset value on a nominal and per share basis at a sustained upward path. Strong 2026 GDP growth and Fed rate cuts only being brought in from the second half of next year reduce the risk TRIN faces in a pivotal year.

Hercules Capital and Trinity Capital are leading BDCs specializing in venture lending to innovation-driven small and medium businesses. As the Fed cuts interest rates, BDC companies face the risk of margin compression. However, HTGC and TRIN are better positioned to adapt to these changes, which supports my 'Buy' rating for both.

Trinity Capital stands out in the BDC space for its ~14% dividend yield, niche growth strategy, internal management, growing net investment income and rising book value. However, it faces risks, including relatively low first lien loans, relatively low floating rate debt, interest rate sensitivity and investment style. This report reviews all of the above and then concludes with my strong opinion on investing.

Hercules Capital and Trinity Capital are best positioned among BDCs to sustain base dividends amid possible lower interest rates. Both HTGC and TRIN benefit from strong fundamentals, investment-grade credit ratings, robust liquidity, and internally managed structures, supporting dividend stability. Contractual interest rate floors and NAV premiums provide HTGC and TRIN with defensive advantages over peers facing greater earnings declines from rate cuts.

Trinity Capital has dipped by just over 11% from its near-term peak, expanding its fully covered dividend yield to 14%. The BDC is pushing ahead with portfolio growth, with its total debt investments at cost valued at $2.03 billion at the end of the third quarter, up 8.5% sequentially. NII downside from Fed rate cuts will be limited, due to a majority of loans being embedded with interest rate floors, and with 40.6% of TRIN's outstanding borrowing at a floating rate.

Trinity Capital Inc. ( TRIN ) Q3 2025 Earnings Call November 5, 2025 12:00 PM EST Company Participants Ben Malcolmson - Head of Investor Relations Kyle Brown - CEO, President, Chief Investment Officer & Director Michael Testa - Chief Accounting Officer Gerald Harder - Chief Operating Officer Conference Call Participants Casey Alexander - Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC, Research Division John Hecht - Jefferies LLC, Research Division Paul Johnson - Keefe, Bruyette, & Woods, Inc., Research Division Finian O'Shea - Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division Sean-Paul Adams - B. Riley Securities, Inc., Research Division Christopher Nolan - Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., Research Division Presentation Operator " Ben Malcolmson Head of Investor Relations " Kyle Brown CEO, President, Chief Investment Officer & Director " Michael Testa Chief Accounting Officer " Gerald Harder Chief Operating Officer " Casey Alexander Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC, Research Division " Compass Point Research John Hecht Jefferies LLC, Research Division " Jefferies LLC Unknown Analyst " Paul Johnson Keefe, Bruyette, & Woods, Inc., Research Division " Keefe, Bruyette, & Woods Finian O'Shea Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division " Wells Fargo Securities Sean-Paul Adams B.

Trinity Capital Inc. remains a Buy despite the recent BDC sector selloff, supported by strong fundamentals, consistent dividends, and record NAV growth. Trinity Capital reported Q2 2025 investment income up 27%, NII up 30%, and NAV up 36% year-over-year, with low non-accruals and robust portfolio diversification. Fears of lower interest rates are overblown for TRIN, as its funding costs would fall and portfolio structure limits negative NII impact, supporting future earnings.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Town Lane and Trinity Capital Advisors Announce Uptown Charlotte Office Acquisition.