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Equus Total Return Closed Fund (EQS)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
08/28/2025: EQS (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 16.23% | Avg. Invested days 39 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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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-cap companies. It transitioned over time to focus on direct investments and co-investments in private companies.
Core Business Areas
- Direct Investments: Equus makes direct investments in privately held companies, often alongside other investors.
- Co-Investments: Equus participates in co-investments with private equity firms and other financial sponsors.
Leadership and Structure
The company is led by its management team, overseen by a board of directors. Organizational structure is typical of a closed-end fund, with investment professionals managing the portfolio.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Private Equity Investments: Equus invests in diverse sectors, generally in private companies. As a closed-end fund, direct market share data in specific products isn't readily available since its 'product' is access to these private holdings. Competitors are other BDCs, private equity funds and investment managers.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The industry involves private equity investing, which is competitive. Factors such as economic growth, interest rates, and regulatory changes affect the market.
Positioning
Equus focuses on small-cap companies and co-investments and differentiates itself with this specific investment focus.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The Total Addressable Market is in the billions of dollars, considering all private equity investments. Equus is positioned to capture a portion of this TAM through its specific investment strategy.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Experienced Management Team
- Access to Co-Investment Opportunities
- Established Investment Process
- Diversified Portfolio across several companies
Weaknesses
- Small Market Capitalization
- Limited Liquidity
- Dependence on External Funding
- Closed-end Fund Structure Limitations
Opportunities
- Growth in Private Equity Market
- Increasing Demand for Co-Investments
- Potential for Portfolio Company Exits
- Expanding Investment Mandate
Threats
- Economic Downturn
- Increased Competition
- Regulatory Changes
- Volatility in Financial Markets
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- Main Street Capital (MAIN)
- Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC)
- Blackstone Secured Lending Fund (BXSL)
Competitive Landscape
Equus has a smaller market capitalization compared to its competitors, creating significant disadvantage when it comes to deal sourcing, and capital availablility.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Historical growth is dependent on the fund's investments.
Future Projections: Future growth depends on the private equity market and fund performance.
Recent Initiatives: Review recent company reports for latest strategic initiatives.
Summary
Equus Total Return, Inc. is a closed-end fund focused on private equity investments, offering unique access to small-cap and co-investment opportunities. However, the fund has low liquidity and market capitalization, which may expose it to fluctuations and make it hard for them to grow significantly when compared to the market. External factors, like changes in the economy and financial markets, may hurt its long term returns. Equus needs to carefully manage its investments and adapt to changing market conditions to maximize shareholder value.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company Filings (SEC)
- Financial News Outlets
- Market Data Providers
Disclaimers:
The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be based on thorough research and consultation with a financial advisor.
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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