Capital Southwest Corporation Announces 12/31/09 Net Asset Value

DALLAS, Jan. 20, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capital Southwest Corporation
(Nasdaq:CSWC) today reported total net assets at December 31, 2009 of
$456,445,923 equivalent to $121.99 per share. Comparative annual data
is summarized below:

December 31, December 31,
2009 2008

Net assets $456,445,923 $477,738,322

Shares outstanding 3,741,638 3,741,638

Net assets per share $121.99 $127.68

Assuming reinvestment of all dividends and tax credits on retained long-term
capital gains, the December 31, 2009 net asset value was 3.4% below the December
31, 2008 net asset value of $127.68 per share and 11.1% above the March 31, 2009
net asset value of $110.98 per share.

About Capital Southwest Corporation

Capital Southwest is a Dallas-based business development company that provides
patient equity capital to exceptional businesses. As a public company, Capital
Southwest has the flexibility to hold investments indefinitely, which has
provided its portfolio company managers a stable ownership platform since its
founding in 1961. For more information about Capital Southwest, visit the
company's website at www.capitalsouthwest.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain historical information and forward-looking
statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 with respect to the business, financial condition and results of operations
of the Company. The words "believe," "expect,"
"intend," "plan," "should" and similar expressions
are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the
current views, assumptions and expectations of the Company with respect to
future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could
cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that
may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among
others, changes in the markets in which the Company operates and in general
economic and business conditions, competitive pressures, changes in business
strategy and various other factors, both referenced and not referenced in this
press release. Certain factors that may affect the Company and its results of
operations, are included in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 and the Company's
subsequent periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Company does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking
statements.

CONTACT: Capital Southwest Corporation
Gary L. Martin
Tracy L. Morris
972-233-8242