MSDL vs. BBDC

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (MSDL) and Barings BDC, Inc. (BBDC).

Performance

MSDL vs. BBDC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (MSDL) and Barings BDC, Inc. (BBDC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MSDL vs. BBDC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MSDL Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund	-12.50%	-10.85%	10.95%
BBDC Barings BDC, Inc.	-7.54%	8.84%	17.95%

Fundamentals

EPS MSDL : $1.58 BBDC : $400.78
PE Ratio MSDL : 8.85 BBDC : 0.02
PEG Ratio MSDL : 0.12 BBDC : 0.00
PS Ratio MSDL : 4.06 BBDC : 3.03
Total Revenue (TTM) MSDL : $299.77M BBDC : $190.47M
Gross Profit (TTM) MSDL : $100.38M BBDC : $115.30M
EBITDA (TTM) MSDL : $94.60M BBDC : $100.74M

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSDL achieves a -12.50% return, which is significantly lower than BBDC's -7.54% return.

MSDL

• 1D: 2.20%
• 1M: -2.57%
• YTD: -12.50%
• 6M: -7.60%
• 1Y: -21.21%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BBDC

• 1D: 1.60%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: -7.54%
• 6M: -0.22%
• 1Y: -2.12%
• 3Y*: 13.78%
• 5Y*: 6.68%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Return for Risk

MSDL vs. BBDC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MSDL

MSDL Risk / Return Rank: 7
MSDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
MSDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
MSDL Omega Ratio Rank: 9
MSDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
MSDL Martin Ratio Rank: 3

BBDC

BBDC Risk / Return Rank: 34
BBDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
BBDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
BBDC Omega Ratio Rank: 31
BBDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
BBDC Martin Ratio Rank: 35

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

MSDL vs. BBDC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (MSDL) and Barings BDC, Inc. (BBDC). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	MSDL	BBDC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.94	-0.10	-0.84
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.31	0.01	-1.32
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.84	1.00	-0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.88	-0.16	-0.72
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.84	-0.47	-1.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSDL vs. BBDC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSDL Sharpe Ratio is -0.94, which is lower than the BBDC Sharpe Ratio of -0.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSDL and BBDC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MSDL	BBDC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.94	-0.10	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.35	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.28	0.25	-0.53

Correlation

The correlation between MSDL and BBDC is 0.41, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

MSDL vs. BBDC - Dividend Comparison

MSDL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.97%, which matches BBDC's 13.85% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
MSDL Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund	13.97%	12.14%	10.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
BBDC Barings BDC, Inc.	13.85%	12.96%	10.87%	11.89%	11.66%	7.44%	7.07%	5.25%	21.24%

Drawdowns

MSDL vs. BBDC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSDL drawdown since its inception was -29.68%, smaller than the maximum BBDC drawdown of -48.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSDL and BBDC.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSDL	BBDC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.68%	-48.45%	+18.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.03%	-17.03%	-8.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.55%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-27.62%	-10.67%	-16.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.26%	-8.04%	-3.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.98%	6.10%	+5.88%

Volatility

MSDL vs. BBDC - Volatility Comparison

Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (MSDL) has a higher volatility of 6.72% compared to Barings BDC, Inc. (BBDC) at 6.29%. This indicates that MSDL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BBDC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSDL	BBDC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.72%	6.29%	+0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.39%	13.12%	+3.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.58%	21.57%	+1.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.36%	18.95%	+4.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.36%	24.20%	-0.84%

Financials