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Upturn AI SWOT - About
Equus Total Return Closed Fund (EQS)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
10/22/2025: EQS (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 21.87% | Avg. Invested days 48 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  3.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/22/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 18.48M USD | Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price - |
Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price - | ||
Volume (30-day avg) - | Beta 0.69 | 52 Weeks Range 0.74 - 1.52 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 0.74 - 1.52 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) -0.91 |
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin - | Operating Margin (TTM) -319.82% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) -2.95% | Return on Equity (TTM) -31.06% |
Valuation
Trailing PE - | Forward PE - | Enterprise Value 19402196 | Price to Sales(TTM) 13.9 |
Enterprise Value 19402196 | Price to Sales(TTM) 13.9 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 5.09 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA - | Shares Outstanding 13586200 | Shares Floating 4678670 |
Shares Outstanding 13586200 | Shares Floating 4678670 | ||
Percent Insiders 60.61 | Percent Institutions 1.09 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Equus Total Return Closed Fund
Company Overview
History and Background
Equus Total Return, Inc. (EQS) was founded in 1991 as a closed-end fund focused on investing in small and micro-cap companies. Its objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation for its shareholders.
Core Business Areas
- Direct Investments: Equus makes direct investments in private companies across diverse industries, typically focusing on companies needing capital for growth or turnaround.
- Private Equity: The fund also makes investments in private equity limited partnerships or similar entities.
Leadership and Structure
The leadership team consists of the CEO and other key executives overseeing investment strategies and operations. The company is structured as a publicly traded closed-end fund.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Private Company Investments: Equus Total Return Closed Fund invests in various private companies. Market share for any specific company is dependent on the sector of the economy they operate within. Competitors vary across sector and within each direct investments' space. Revenue is generated from investment appreciation and dividend income.
- Private Equity Investments: Investments in private equity limited partnerships. Market share is determined within the Private Equity arena. Competitors include other Private Equity Investment groups. Revenue is derived from overall PE market value gains.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The closed-end fund industry is characterized by funds that raise a fixed amount of capital through an IPO and then trade on exchanges. Private equity and direct investments are subject to economic cycles and sector-specific trends.
Positioning
Equus Total Return Closed Fund positions itself as a specialist in small and micro-cap investments, offering exposure to a segment of the market that may be underserved by larger firms. Its competitive advantages include industry experience and deal sourcing capabilities.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
TAM for micro and small-cap private equity investments is substantial but varies widely based on economic conditions. Equus is positioned to capture a small fraction given its limited capital base.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Experienced management team
- Focus on niche market segment (small/micro-cap)
- Direct investment capabilities
Weaknesses
- Small asset base compared to larger funds
- Illiquidity of private investments
- Volatility in net asset value (NAV)
Opportunities
- Underserved small/micro-cap market
- Potential for value creation through active management
- Economic recovery boosting portfolio companies
Threats
- Economic downturn impacting portfolio companies
- Increased competition in private equity
- Regulatory changes affecting investment strategies
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- FSK
- PSEC
- ARCC
Competitive Landscape
Equus Total Return Closed Fund competes with larger business development companies (BDCs) with more capital. Its advantage lies in potentially identifying undervalued micro-cap companies and generating high returns.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Historical growth has been inconsistent due to the illiquidity and unpredictable nature of private investments. No specific annual percentage growth can be cited.
Future Projections: Future growth is dependent on successful deployment of capital and the performance of existing portfolio companies. Analyst estimates are generally not widely available for closed-end funds focused on private investments.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include sourcing new investment opportunities and actively managing existing portfolio holdings.
Summary
Equus Total Return Closed Fund operates in the specialized area of micro-cap investments, offering unique exposure to this market segment. Its small asset base and illiquid investments make it a higher-risk investment. Successfully managing the portfolio is critical for long-term growth. External market conditions and competition in the private equity space can also affect its performance.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company website
- SEC filings
- Financial news sources
Disclaimers:
The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Market share data is based on estimates. Financial data may not be current.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Equus Total Return Closed Fund
Exchange NYSE | Headquaters Houston, TX, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1992-09-11 | CEO & Director Mr. John A. Hardy | ||
Sector Financial Services | Industry Asset Management | Full time employees - | Website https://www.equuscap.com |
Full time employees - | Website https://www.equuscap.com | ||
Equus Total Return, Inc. is a business development company (BDC) specializing in leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, corporate partnerships/joint ventures, growth and expansion capital, acquisition financing, roll-up acquisition strategies, operational turnarounds, recapitalizations of existing businesses, special situations, equity and equity-oriented securities issued by privately owned companies, debt securities including subordinate debt, debt convertible into common or preferred stock, or debt combined with warrants and common and preferred stock, and preferred equity financing. It invests in middle market companies and acts as a lead investor. It invests in technology, telecommunication, financial services, natural resource and industrial manufacturing and services. It invests in companies engaged in the alternative energy, real estate, healthcare, education, e-learning, leisure and entertainment, and foreign investment sector in the United States, China, India, and Europe. It investments include common and preferred stock, debt convertible into common or preferred stock, debt combined with warrants and options, and other rights to acquire common or preferred stock. It seeks to invest in companies between $1 million and $25 million with revenues between $5 million and $150 million with EBITDA between $2 million and $50 million. It seeks to take control and non-control equity positions. Equus Total Return, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is based in Houston, Texas with additional office in Vancouver, Canada.
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