Group 1: GRUPO CIBEST SA - GRUPO CIBEST SA is Colombia's largest bank by assets and has the highest market share in deposit products and loans [1] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and its current year earnings estimate has increased by 7% over the last 60 days [1] - GRUPO CIBEST SA has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 7.56, significantly lower than the industry average of 11.60, and holds a Value Score of A [2] Group 2: CION Investment Corporation - CION Investment Corporation primarily provides senior secured loans to U.S. middle-market companies and also carries a Zacks Rank of 1 [2] - The earnings estimate for CION has increased by 2.2% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a P/E ratio of 6.94, compared to the industry average of 8.90, and possesses a Value Score of B [3] Group 3: SB Financial Group - SB Financial Group offers a comprehensive range of financial services for consumers and small businesses, including wealth management and lending [4] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 and its current year earnings estimate has increased by 9.9% over the last 60 days [4] - SB Financial Group has a P/E ratio of 9.09, lower than the industry average of 12.40, and holds a Value Score of B [5]

Group 1: CION Investment Corporation - CION Investment Corporation is a business development company that primarily provides senior secured loans to U.S. middle-market companies [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 2.2% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and offers a dividend yield of 14.9%, which is higher than the industry average of 11.2% [1] Group 2: GRUPO CIBEST SA - GRUPO CIBEST SA is Colombia's largest bank in terms of assets and has the largest market participation in deposit products and loans [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 7% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and offers a dividend yield of 11%, significantly above the industry average of 3.1% [2] Group 3: Phillips 66 - Phillips 66 is a diversified and integrated energy company operating 13 refineries in the United States, with a total refining capacity of 2.2 million barrels per day [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 12.9% over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and offers a dividend yield of 3.4%, which is higher than the industry average of 2.8% [3]

Group 1 - Prospect Capital Corporation (NASDAQ:PSEC) has made an $18 million investment in The Ridge, a physician-led addiction treatment facility [1][2][3] - The investment includes a first lien senior secured term loan and equity investment, aimed at supporting The Ridge's growth in the high-end substance abuse market [2][3] - The Ridge offers a range of services from detoxification to outpatient care, integrating clinical treatments with holistic therapies [2] Group 2 - Wells Fargo analyst Finian O'Shea has reiterated a Sell rating on Prospect Capital, maintaining a price target of $2.5 [4] - The company's net debt to total assets ratio stands at 30.4%, indicating a relatively high level of leverage [4] - Prospect Capital is strategically exiting its real estate investments, which yield 4.5%, impacting income from this segment [4] - Despite challenges, Prospect has diversified its funding strategy with $12.2 billion of commitments from 48 banks as of Q2 FY2025 [4] Group 3 - Prospect Capital Corporation is a business development company focused on lending to and investing in private businesses, generating current income and long-term capital appreciation [5]

Core Insights - The article discusses the performance of active U.S. small-cap managers, highlighting their strong long-term performance relative to the Russell 2000 index, particularly during value stock-led periods [2][3][4] Small-Cap Management Performance - Active small-cap managers outperformed the Russell 2000 index 58% of the time over rolling 5-year periods, with an 82% success rate during value-led periods and only 15% during growth-led periods [3] - 65% of the analyzed periods were value-led, indicating a favorable environment for active management [3] - When the Russell 2000's annualized 5-year return was 5% or lower, value stocks outperformed growth stocks only 48% of the time, but they averaged higher returns [4] - In periods with annualized 5-year returns between 5-10%, value stocks exceeded growth stocks 70% of the time, relevant as small-cap returns are expected to be in this range over the next five years [4] Hedge Fund Interest in Penny Stocks - The article lists the 12 best NASDAQ penny stocks to buy according to hedge funds, emphasizing the strategy of imitating top hedge fund picks to outperform the market [5][9] - The methodology involved shortlisting the largest companies trading under $5 on the NASDAQ and ranking them by the number of hedge fund holders [7][8] Company Highlights - **Prospect Capital Corporation (NASDAQ:PSEC)**: - Price as of September 12: $2.79, with 11 hedge fund holders [10] - Recently completed an $18 million investment in The Ridge, a physician-led addiction treatment facility [10][11] - The company has a net debt to total assets ratio of 30.4%, indicating high leverage, and is strategically exiting a real estate investment yielding 4.5% [13][14] - **Tilray Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:TLRY)**: - Price as of September 12: $1.12, with 12 hedge fund holders [15] - Recently partnered with the Denver Broncos to launch a new lineup of spirits, celebrating their ongoing collaboration [15][16] - Analyst Kaumil Gajrawala raised the price target from $1.50 to $2, maintaining a Buy rating, influenced by the rescheduling of cannabis regulations in the U.S. [19][20]

Group 1: Economic Trends - The integration of AI tools allows businesses to grow without increasing employee headcount, leading to a "growth without headcount" revolution across the economy [1][9] - The US added only 22,000 new jobs in August and 107,000 jobs over the last four months, falling short of the estimated 100,000 new jobs needed monthly to keep up with population growth [1] Group 2: Small Business Sentiment - Small businesses are increasingly optimistic due to the efficiency brought by AI, as reflected in the Small Business Optimism Index reaching a five-month high [2] Group 3: Investment Opportunities - FS Credit Opportunities (FSCO), a small-business lender, has benefited from the shift towards AI, rewarding investors with a 5.1% dividend raise, now yielding 11% paid monthly [3][5] - The Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) captures the automation-driven profitability boom with a 40% tech allocation and offers a 9.7% monthly dividend [12][13] Group 4: Corporate Strategies - Major companies like Microsoft and Amazon are reducing their workforce while enhancing efficiency through AI, indicating a trend where tech companies are replacing human labor with machines [9][11]

Company Overview - PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. has acquired a portfolio of approximately $250 million of assets from TSO Puma SPV, LLC, an affiliate of Towerbrook Capital Partners [1] - The acquisition is part of the winding down of PennantPark-TSO Senior Loan Fund, LP, and includes assets familiar to the Company's investment adviser [1] - The average spread and credit statistics of the acquired assets are generally in line with the existing portfolio of PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. [1] Financial Impact - The acquisition is expected to optimize the portfolio and be accretive to net investment income by approximately two cents per share per quarter [2] Investment Strategy - PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd. primarily invests in U.S. middle-market private companies through floating rate senior secured loans, including first lien secured debt, second lien secured debt, and subordinated debt [2] - The Company may also invest in equity investments from time to time [2] Management Background - PennantPark Investment Advisers, LLC manages approximately $10 billion of investable capital, including potential leverage, and has been operational since 2007 [3] - The firm provides a comprehensive range of financing solutions to private equity firms, their portfolio companies, and other middle-market borrowers [3]

Core Viewpoint - Great Elm Capital Corp. (GECC) has successfully raised approximately $15 million through the issuance of 1.3 million shares, representing 9.9% of its outstanding common stock, to an affiliate of newly appointed director Booker Smith, indicating strong institutional support and confidence in the company's turnaround strategy [1][3]. Group 1: Capital Raise and Financial Impact - The capital raise at $11.65 per share contributes to GECC's ongoing growth, with nearly $30 million raised in equity over the past 12 months, enhancing the company's balance sheet and supporting its long-term investment strategy [2][3]. - The additional capital allows GECC to pursue attractive investment opportunities in the current market, reflecting a vote of confidence in the company's progress since its turnaround began in March 2022 [3]. Group 2: Investment Strategy - GECC's investment strategy focuses on generating sustainable income and total return through investments in debt instruments, income-producing equity, and specialty finance businesses [3][4]. - The company is an externally managed business development company that aims for capital appreciation by investing in debt and income-generating equity securities, including specialty finance businesses and collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) [4].

Core Viewpoint - Capital Southwest Corporation has declared monthly regular dividends of $0.1934 per share for October, November, and December 2025, along with a quarterly supplemental dividend of $0.06 per share payable in December 2025 [1][2]. Dividend Details - The regular monthly dividends for the quarter ending December 31, 2025, are scheduled as follows: - October 31, 2025: $0.1934 per share [2] - November 28, 2025: $0.1934 per share [2] - December 31, 2025: $0.1934 per share [2] - The total regular dividends per share for the quarter will amount to $0.58, with the supplemental dividend adding an additional $0.06, leading to total dividends of $0.64 per share for the quarter [2]. Dividend Reinvestment Plan - Capital Southwest offers a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) that allows registered stockholders to automatically reinvest dividends into additional shares of the company's common stock [3]. Company Overview - Capital Southwest Corporation is a Dallas-based business development company with approximately $1.8 billion in investments at fair value as of June 30, 2025 [4]. - The company focuses on middle market lending, providing investments ranging from $5 million to $50 million across various capital structures, including first lien, second lien, and non-control equity co-investments [4]. - As a public company with a permanent capital base, Capital Southwest has the flexibility to offer creative financing solutions and support the long-term growth of its portfolio companies [4].

Group 1: CION Investment Corporation - CION Investment Corporation is a business development company that primarily provides senior secured loans to U.S. middle-market companies [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 2.2% over the last 60 days [1] - CION has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and a dividend yield of 13.8%, compared to the industry average of 10.7% [1] Group 2: Millicom International Cellular - Millicom International Cellular is a leading international operator of cellular telephony services, primarily in emerging markets [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its next year earnings has increased by 6.1% over the last 60 days [2] - Millicom has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and a dividend yield of 6.7%, compared to the industry average of 2.7% [3] Group 3: Enbridge - Enbridge is a leading energy infrastructure company [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 3.3% over the last 60 days [3] - Enbridge has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and a dividend yield of 5.8%, compared to the industry average of 4.5% [3]

Core Viewpoint - Great Elm Capital Corp. has amended its revolving credit facility with City National Bank, increasing its borrowing capacity and reducing interest rates, which reflects the company's strong operational performance and enhances its financial flexibility [1][2]. Group 1: Credit Facility Amendment - The borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility has been increased from $25.0 million to $50.0 million, with the potential to reach a maximum of $90.0 million under certain conditions [1]. - The interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility has been reduced from SOFR plus 3.00% to SOFR plus 2.50% [1]. Group 2: Management Commentary - The CEO of Great Elm Capital Corp. expressed satisfaction with the amendment, highlighting it as a testament to the company's growing capital base and operational performance since the initial commitment in 2021 [2]. - The amendment is seen as a strategic move to reduce borrowing costs and enhance the company's ability to fund attractive investment opportunities with favorable risk-adjusted returns [2]. Group 3: Company Overview - Great Elm Capital Corp. is an externally managed business development company focused on generating current income and capital appreciation through investments in debt and income-generating equity securities, including specialty finance businesses and CLOs [3].