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Upturn AI SWOT - About
Equus Total Return Closed Fund (EQS)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
09/16/2025: EQS (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
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 39.93% | Avg. Invested days 43 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  3.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 09/16/2025 |
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 business development company (BDC) focused on investing in smaller, publicly traded companies and private companies. Its investment strategy has evolved over time, adapting to changing market conditions and opportunities.
Core Business Areas
- Direct Investments: Equus invests directly in private companies, providing capital for growth, acquisitions, or recapitalizations.
- Publicly Traded Securities: The fund also invests in publicly traded securities, seeking to generate capital appreciation.
- Real Estate: The fund has investment in Real Estate companies.
Leadership and Structure
Equus Total Return is led by its Board of Directors and management team. Details of the current leadership structure are available on their corporate website. The organizational structure is typical of a closed-end fund, with an investment advisor managing the portfolio.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Private Equity Investments: Equus focuses on providing capital to smaller private companies primarily in the United States. Market share data is not readily available as this is a private market. Competitors include other BDCs and private equity firms focused on the lower middle market. Specific competitors are difficult to quantify in terms of exact market share.
- Public Equity Investments: Equus also invests in publicly traded securities, which offer liquidity and potential capital appreciation. Market share data isn't relevant for this portion, but its investments compete with all other publicly traded stocks.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The closed-end fund industry is influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, and investor sentiment. The environment is highly competitive, with numerous funds seeking to attract investor capital. BDCs are impacted by regulations and availability of capital for smaller businesses.
Positioning
Equus is positioned as a specialist in the lower middle market, focusing on providing capital and expertise to smaller companies. Its competitive advantage lies in its experience and relationships within this niche.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The TAM for private equity investments in the lower middle market is substantial, estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars annually. Equus is positioned to capture a small portion of this TAM through its targeted investment strategy.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Experience in the lower middle market
- Diversified investment portfolio
- Active management approach
Weaknesses
- Small market capitalization
- Potential for illiquidity in private investments
- Dependence on management expertise
Opportunities
- Increasing demand for capital in the lower middle market
- Potential for undervalued investment opportunities
- Expanding into new investment strategies
Threats
- Economic downturn impacting portfolio companies
- Increased competition from other private equity firms
- Regulatory changes affecting BDCs
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- FSK
- PNNT
- ARCC
- SLRC
Competitive Landscape
Equus is a smaller player compared to larger BDCs. Its focus on smaller companies gives it some differentiation, but it faces significant competition for capital and investment opportunities.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Equus's historical growth can be assessed based on its past financial performance and investment activity. Analysis of past annual reports is required.
Future Projections: Future projections require analysis of analyst reports and company guidance, if available.
Recent Initiatives: Equus's recent strategic initiatives would be detailed in its press releases and investor presentations.
Summary
Equus Total Return is a small closed-end fund specializing in the lower middle market. Its strengths lie in its focused strategy and experience, but it faces risks related to its size and the illiquidity of private investments. Monitoring economic conditions and competition is crucial for its future performance.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- SEC filings (10-K, 10-Q)
- Company website
- Financial news sources (e.g., Bloomberg, Reuters)
- Financial data providers
Disclaimers:
This analysis is based on publicly available information and does not constitute investment advice. Market share estimates are approximate and based on available data.
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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