Oaktree Specialty Lending Corporation Stock News

Investing in high-yield stocks that grow their payouts regularly offers attractive total returns and protects purchasing power against inflation over the long term. However, not all high-yielding dividend growth stocks are worth buying. As a result, caution is needed when investing in high-yield, high-growth stocks.

BDCs are currently exposed to multiple structural headwinds. It is very difficult to substantiate a bullish case for the BDC sector. In my view, to achieve alpha, one would have to go far out on the risk curve.

Once in a while, it makes sense for investors to reassess their holdings. Going back to the roots is critical to stay on track for what we have defined as our investment goals from the start. Recently, when I went through my entire holdings list, one of the questions I was asking myself was whether I'd be happy holding a particular stock until (and in) my retirement.

OCSL's YTD total return is -14.87%, significantly underperforming the S&P 500 (+23%) and peers like GBDC (+11.92%). Q4-24 weighted average yield fell to 9.9% from 12% in Q4-23, signaling lower-quality investments. Key loans from Astra, nThrive, and Telestream entered nonaccrual status, impacting portfolio income and credit quality.

Big dividend stocks are on a big holiday sale this Christmas season. Even in some of the most in-favor sectors of the high-yield space, bargains can still be found. I share some well-covered 11-14% dividend yields that can be found on the bargain rack.

NEW YORK, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., a leading specialist investment bank to the financial services and fintech sectors, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF), announces the upcoming index rebalancing for the fourth quarter of 2024.

Oaktree Specialty Lending reported a $0.01 per share miss in net investment income for Q4, but the BDC managed to support its dividend with NII. Despite rising non-accrual percentages, the BDC's change in management fee structure is a positive. OCSL's first-lien strategy, with 82% of funds in senior secured first liens, supports its reputation as a stable dividend payer.

BDCs offer attractive opportunities for income investors to enhance their portfolio yields. Yet, since the yields are so enticing, the chances are high for getting caught in value traps. In the article I elaborate on two BDCs that are very close to cutting their dividends with a high probability of making the announcements in 2025.