This High-Yield Lender Paying Nearly $0.50 Quarterly Has Plummeted 51%, but One Fund Just Made a Big Bet On It

By Jonathan Ponciano – Mar 20, 2026 at 11:16AM ESTKey PointsDiameter Capital bought 2,272,393 FSK shares in the fourth quarter.The move marked a new position for Diameter, with the quarter-end position value increasing by $33.65 million. The new position makes up 3.8% of AUM.Diameter Capital Partners initiated a new position in FS KKR Capital Corp. (FSK 1.62%), acquiring 2,272,393 shares worth an estimated $33.65 million during the fourth quarter, according to a February 17, 2026, SEC filing.What happenedAccording to its SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, Diameter Capital Partners reported a new holding in FS KKR Capital Corp, buying 2,272,393 shares during the fourth quarter. The net increase in position value at quarter-end was $33.65 million, reflecting both the purchase and changes in share price during the period.What else to knowThis was a new position, with the stake representing 3.8% of Diameter’s reportable AUM as of December 31, 2025.Top five holdings after the filing:NASDAQ: SATS: $409.57 million (45.8% of AUM)NYSE: MBC: $66.35 million (7.4% of AUM)NYSE: TDS: $43.76 million (4.9% of AUM)NYSE: SILA: $40.79 million (4.6% of AUM)NYSE: FSK: $33.65 million (3.8% of AUM)As of Friday, FSK shares were priced at $9.99, down 51% over the past year and well underperforming the S&P 500, which is instead up about 16% in the same period.Company overviewMetricValueRevenue (TTM)$113 millionNet income (TTM)$11 millionDividend yield25%Price (as of Friday)$9.99Company snapshotFS KKR Capital provides customized credit solutions, primarily through senior secured and subordinated debt investments in private U.S. middle market companies.The firm generates revenue mainly from interest income on debt securities, with additional upside from equity interests and opportunistic investments in corporate bonds.It targets private middle market firms in the United States, focusing on companies with annual revenues between $10 million and $2.5 billion and EBITDA of $50 million to $100 million.FS KKR Capital Corp. is a business development company specializing in debt investments for U.S. middle market firms. The company leverages its expertise to structure senior secured loans and, to a lesser extent, subordinated debt, often obtaining equity interests as part of its transactions. Its strategy centers on providing tailored credit solutions to established private companies.What this transaction means for investorsThis move is interesting because it leans into one of the most out-of-favor corners of the market right now: private credit. FS KKR Capital’s recent stock performance shows the firm clearly facing some pressure, and the financials do as well. Net investment income still held up at $0.48 per share last quarter, enough to cover its dividend, but earnings swung to a loss, and net asset value drifted lower to $20.89. That gap between NAV and a stock price under $10 is doing most of the talking.So does Diameter’s move signal it believes the market has potentially overcorrected? For a fund that already holds concentrated positions in names like EchoStar and Telephone and Data Systems, this fits a pattern. These are capital structure plays where downside is often tied to credit quality, and upside comes from income and mean reversion. If credit conditions stabilize, the discount to NAV and double-digit yield could look compelling. However, if they worsen, leverage cuts both ways.About the AuthorJonathan Ponciano is a contributing stock market analyst at The Motley Fool. He has nearly a decade of experience as a financial journalist, most recently as an editor and senior reporter at Forbes focused on markets, technology, and entrepreneurship. Jonathan has also written for Investopedia and the Los Angeles Business Journal. He holds a dual B.A. in Business Journalism and Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School. A North Carolina native now based in New York City, Jonathan has also lived in Mexico City and Los Angeles.CMFjonponcStocks MentionedFs Kkr CapitalNYSE: FSK$10.00(-1.62%)-$0.17*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.