Ares Capital (NASDAQ:ARCC) Bolsa

ARES CAPITAL CORP

Ares Capital

Ares Capital Corp is a United States-based closed-ended specialty finance company. Its investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. The company focuses on investing primarily in first lien senior secured loans (including unitranche loans, which are loans that combine both senior and subordinated debt, generally in a first lien position) and second lien senior secured loans. In addition to senior secured loans, the company also invests in subordinated loans and preferred equity, it also makes common equity investments.

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Ares Capital Corporation - Closed End Fund

Ares Capital Corp

During the last three months, 6 analysts shared their evaluations of Ares Capital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>), revealing diverse outlooks from bullish to bearish.
In the table below, you'll find a summary of their recent ratings, revealing the shifting sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the previous months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $22.08, a high estimate of $23.00, and a low estimate of $21.00. A negative shift in sentiment is evident as analysts have decreased the average price target by 2.95%. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1752699806_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Investigating Analyst Ratings: An Elaborate Study</h2>
A clear picture of Ares Capital's perception among financial experts is painted with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Doug Harter</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$22.50</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Finian O'Shea</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
<td>$21.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kenneth Lee</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$23.00</td>
<td>$24.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Finian O'Shea</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$21.00</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Finian O'Shea</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
<td>$23.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Melissa Wedel</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
<td>$24.50</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Ares Capital. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Delving into assessments, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings communicate expectations for the relative performance of Ares Capital compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts explore the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Ares Capital's stock. This examination reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Analyzing these analyst evaluations alongside relevant financial metrics can provide a comprehensive view of Ares Capital's market position. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ARCC/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Ares Capital analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Unveiling the Story Behind Ares Capital</h2>
Ares Capital Corp is a United States-based closed-ended specialty finance company. Its investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. The company focuses on investing primarily in first lien senior secured loans (including unitranche loans, which are loans that combine both senior and subordinated debt, generally in a first lien position) and second lien senior secured loans. In addition to senior secured loans, the company also invests in subordinated loans and preferred equity, it also makes common equity investments.
<h3>Key Indicators: Ares Capital's Financial Health</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization is below the industry average, suggesting that it is relatively smaller compared to peers. This could be due to various factors, including perceived growth potential or operational scale.
Revenue Growth: Ares Capital's revenue growth over a period of 3M has faced challenges. As of 31 March, 2025, the company experienced a revenue decline of approximately -44.65%. This indicates a decrease in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Financials sector.
Net Margin: Ares Capital's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 87.96%. This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health.
Return on Equity (ROE): Ares Capital's ROE falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of 1.78%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Ares Capital's ROA is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.85%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 1.02.
<h2>The Basics of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
Some analysts will also offer forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide further guidance on stocks. Investors who use analyst ratings should note that this specialized advice comes from humans and may be subject to error.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Analyst Ratings

The Analyst Verdict: Ares Capital In The Eyes Of 6 Experts

UBS analyst Doug Harter maintains Ares Capital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $22 to $22.5.

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Price Target

UBS Maintains Neutral on Ares Capital, Raises Price Target to $22.5

Market veteran Warren Buffett, famous for his value investing, is indirectly invested in high-dividend yield stocks via Berkshire Hathaway Inc.&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRA#NYSE">BRA</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) subsidiary New England Asset Management.
What Happened: In 1998, Berkshire Hathaway acquired General Re Corp., which in turn owned New England Asset Management (NEAM).
Therefore, NEAM is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. While Buffett doesn&#8217;t directly oversee NEAM&#8217;s investment decisions, the portfolio managed by NEAM is considered part of Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s overall holdings.
Thus, according to its 13F filings, NEAM holds at least nine stocks that have a dividend yield ranging from 5% to 10.5%.
While most of these nine stocks constitute less than 1% of NEAM&#8217;s 122 holdings as of the end of the first quarter of 2025, only Kraft Heinz Co. is common between Berkshire and NEAM&#8217;s portfolio.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Company</td>
<td>Value (as of March 31)</td>
<td>% Of Holdings (as of March 31)</td>
<td>Number Of Shares</td>
<td>Change From Dec. 31, 2024 (in %)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kraft Heinz Co. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KHC#NASDAQ">KHC</a>)</td>
<td>$2.215 million</td>
<td>0.40%</td>
<td>72,810</td>
<td>1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Golub Capital BDC Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GBDC#NASDAQ">GBDC</a>)</td>
<td>$3.525 million</td>
<td>0.60%</td>
<td>232,876</td>
<td>0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ares Capital Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>)</td>
<td>$5.005 million</td>
<td>0.80%</td>
<td>225,900</td>
<td>0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>)</td>
<td>$3.939 million</td>
<td>0.60%</td>
<td>155,448</td>
<td>1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>)</td>
<td>$2.407 million</td>
<td>0.40%</td>
<td>39,476</td>
<td>1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Campbell&#8217;s Co. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CPB#NASDAQ">CPB</a>)</td>
<td>$2.582 million</td>
<td>0.40%</td>
<td>64,690</td>
<td>1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Realty Income Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/O#NYSE">O</a>)</td>
<td>$3.198 million</td>
<td>0.50%</td>
<td>55,140</td>
<td>NEW</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lamar Advertising Co. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LAMR#NASDAQ">LAMR</a>)</td>
<td>$6.577 million</td>
<td>1.10%</td>
<td>57,805</td>
<td>1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>)</td>
<td>$8.926 million</td>
<td>1.40%</td>
<td>196,795</td>
<td>9%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Meanwhile, these stocks have not performed well on a year-to-date basis, but their high dividend yields are what make them lucrative, as per <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
These yields are considered high when compared to the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&#8217;s 1.2% dividend yield as of March 21, highlights <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SPY/dividends">Benzinga</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Company</td>
<td>Dividend Yield</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kraft Heinz Co. </td>
<td>6.10%</td>
<td>-14.10%</td>
<td>-17.23%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Golub Capital BDC Inc. </td>
<td>10.50%</td>
<td>-2.75%</td>
<td>-5.29%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ares Capital Corp. </td>
<td>8.60%</td>
<td>0.95%</td>
<td>6.46%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pfizer Inc. </td>
<td>6.70%</td>
<td>-3.72%</td>
<td>-7.58%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. </td>
<td>5.30%</td>
<td>-17.17%</td>
<td>15.12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Campbell&#8217;s Co. </td>
<td>5.00%</td>
<td>-26.15%</td>
<td>-31.60%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Realty Income Corp.</td>
<td>5.60%</td>
<td>9.30%</td>
<td>8.97%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lamar Advertising Co. </td>
<td>5.00%</td>
<td>2.12%</td>
<td>4.26%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Verizon Communications Inc.</td>
<td>6.30%</td>
<td>7.09%</td>
<td>4.26%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46293440/tom-lee-loves-ethereum-but-is-solana-quietly-taking-over-this-expert-says-sol-will-outperform-eth-heres-more">Tom Lee Loves Ethereum, But Is Solana Quietly Taking Over? This Expert Says SOL Will &#8216;Outperform&#8217; ETH — Here&#8217;s More</a>
Why It Matters: Investors keenly follow the trades of the &#8216;Oracle of Omaha&#8217; &#8211; Buffett, for a deeper insight into his expertise.
His direct and indirect investments through Berkshire or other subsidiaries or holding companies influence the decisions of several investors.
Berkshire&#8217;s top holdings as of the first quarter 13F filings include Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), American Express Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>), Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>), Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), and Chevron Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>).
Price Action: The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, rose slightly in premarket on Wednesday. The SPY was up 0.011% at $620.41, while the QQQ advanced 0.049% to $552.61, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46269226/stocks-just-hit-rare-golden-cross-for-1st-time-since-2023-heres-what-it-means-for-investors">Stocks Just Hit Rare Golden Cross For 1st Time Since 2023 — Here&#8217;s What It Means For Investors</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: mark reinstein / Shutterstock.com

Warren Buffett's Quiet Dividend Play: 9 High-Yield Stocks Held By A Berkshire Subsidiary

Ares Capital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>) has been analyzed by 7 analysts in the last three months, revealing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
The table below provides a concise overview of recent ratings by analysts, offering insights into the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and drawing comparisons with the preceding months for a holistic perspective.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts' evaluations of 12-month price targets offer additional insights, showcasing an average target of $21.86, with a high estimate of $23.00 and a low estimate of $21.00. Observing a downward trend, the current average is 4.08% lower than the prior average price target of $22.79. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1751032826_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Decoding Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Look</h2>
The analysis of recent analyst actions sheds light on the perception of Ares Capital by financial experts. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Finian O'Shea</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
<td>$21.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kenneth Lee</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$23.00</td>
<td>$24.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Finian O'Shea</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$21.00</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Finian O'Shea</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
<td>$23.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Melissa Wedel</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
<td>$24.50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Doug Harter</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$21.00</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Paul Johnson</td>
<td>Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
<td>$23.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Ares Capital. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Delving into assessments, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings communicate expectations for the relative performance of Ares Capital compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Ares Capital's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Considering these analyst evaluations in conjunction with other financial indicators can offer a comprehensive understanding of Ares Capital's market position. Stay informed and make well-informed decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ARCC/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Ares Capital analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Unveiling the Story Behind Ares Capital</h2>
Ares Capital Corp is a United States-based closed-ended specialty finance company. Its investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. The company focuses on investing primarily in first lien senior secured loans (including unitranche loans, which are loans that combine both senior and subordinated debt, generally in a first lien position) and second lien senior secured loans. In addition to senior secured loans, the company also invests in subordinated loans and preferred equity, it also makes common equity investments.
<h3>Breaking Down Ares Capital's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization reflects a smaller scale relative to peers. This could be attributed to factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Decline in Revenue: Over the 3M period, Ares Capital faced challenges, resulting in a decline of approximately -44.65% in revenue growth as of 31 March, 2025. This signifies a reduction in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Financials sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Net Margin: Ares Capital's net margin is impressive, surpassing industry averages. With a net margin of 87.96%, the company demonstrates strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Ares Capital's ROE is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of 1.78%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.85%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: Ares Capital's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 1.02, the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Analyst ratings serve as essential indicators of stock performance, provided by experts in banking and financial systems. These specialists diligently analyze company financial statements, participate in conference calls, and engage with insiders to generate quarterly ratings for individual stocks.
Some analysts will also offer forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide further guidance on stocks. Investors who use analyst ratings should note that this specialized advice comes from humans and may be subject to error.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

What Analysts Are Saying About Ares Capital Stock

Wells Fargo analyst Finian O'Shea maintains Ares Capital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $21 to $22.

Wells Fargo Maintains Overweight on Ares Capital, Raises Price Target to $22

In the current session, the stock is trading at $22.04, after a 0.36% increase. Over the past month, Ares Capital Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>) stock increased by 5.77%, and in the past year, by 2.93%. With performance like this, long-term shareholders are optimistic but others are more likely to look into the price-to-earnings ratio to see if the stock might be overvalued.

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1749060023_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>Evaluating Ares Capital P/E in Comparison to Its Peers</h3>
The P/E ratio is used by long-term shareholders to assess the company's market performance against aggregate market data, historical earnings, and the industry at large. A lower P/E could indicate that shareholders do not expect the stock to perform better in the future or it could mean that the company is undervalued. 
Compared to the aggregate P/E ratio of the 33.94 in the Capital Markets industry, Ares Capital Inc. has a lower P/E ratio of 10.76. Shareholders might be inclined to think that the stock might perform worse than it's industry peers. It's also possible that the stock is undervalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1749060023_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In summary, while the price-to-earnings ratio is a valuable tool for investors to evaluate a company's market performance, it should be used with caution. A low P/E ratio can be an indication of undervaluation, but it can also suggest weak growth prospects or financial instability. Moreover, the P/E ratio is just one of many metrics that investors should consider when making investment decisions, and it should be evaluated alongside other financial ratios, industry trends, and qualitative factors. By taking a comprehensive approach to analyzing a company's financial health, investors can make well-informed decisions that are more likely to lead to successful outcomes.

Intraday Update

Markets

P/E Ratio Insights for Ares Capital

General

Ares Capital Prices Public Offering of $750M In Aggregate Principal Amount Of 5.500% Notes Due 2030

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Shares of companies within the broader financial sector are higher after the US and China agreed to a temporary reduction in most tariffs on each other's goods.

Ares Capital's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NYSE">ARCC</a>) short percent of float has risen 20.18% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 18.68 million shares sold short, which is 2.74% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.99 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Ares Capital Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1746727219_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Ares Capital has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Ares Capital's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Ares Capital's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.72%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Trading Ideas

What Does the Market Think About Ares Capital?

RBC Capital analyst Kenneth Lee maintains Ares Capital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>) with a Outperform and lowers the price target from $24 to $23.

RBC Capital Maintains Outperform on Ares Capital, Lowers Price Target to $23

Investors are turning to dividend stocks to guard their portfolios against market volatility amid trade wars and recession risks. Data from <a href="https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/documents/research/research-sp500-dividend-aristocrats.pdf">S&amp;P Global </a>shows that from Dec. 29, 1989, through the end of February, the S&amp;P 500 Dividend Aristocrats outperformed the S&amp;P 500 in 66.67% of the months when the broader index posted a loss.
A few days ago, a dividend investor <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/dividends/comments/1jxqcdg/finally_reached_1m_4km_income_update_on_the_story/">shared</a> his income report and investing journey on r/Dividends, a Reddit community with over 700,000 followers. The portfolio screenshots shared by the investor on the social platform showed his monthly dividend income was roughly $3,960. The investor, around 40, said he started investing at the age of 20.
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<li>Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;"At the time I never took it seriously and just putting in like 20-50$ a month," he said. "I ‘seriously' started at around 23-24 when I was putting in approx, 300$ on average (that was a huge for me back then), and now averaging at around 2-2.5k per month."
The investor said while it's difficult to see his portfolio suffering declines amid the current market environment, he's playing the "long game" and believes stocks will eventually go in a positive territory.&nbsp;
The investor said he's never been a "big spender" and has expenses of about €700 a month. He lives in Europe where cost of living is not "that high," he wrote.
"Other than that we have two old cars (20 and 15 years) &#8211; included in above expenses. We don't wear fancy clothes or spend money on impressing others (this can cost you a fortune)," he added.&nbsp;
Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
Let's take a look at some of the key dividend stocks in his portfolio.
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF&nbsp;
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHD#NYSE">SCHD</a>) tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index and provides exposure to some of the top dividend stocks trading in the U.S., including Verizon (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>), Coca-Cola (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>), ConocoPhillips (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COP#NYSE">COP</a>), Lockheed Martin (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) and Chevron (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>).&nbsp;
JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF&nbsp;
JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JEPI#NYSE">JEPI</a>) makes money by investing in some of the most notable large-cap U.S. stocks and selling call options.&nbsp;
Ares Capital&nbsp;
Ares Capital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>), a business development company, was one of the top stocks in the investor&#8217;s portfolio. He earned $1,920 in annual dividends from the stock.
Public Storage&nbsp;
Public Storage (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSA#NYSE">PSA</a>) is a California-based REIT that operates self-storage facilities. The stock has a dividend yield of 4.1%. BofA Securities recently <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/news/4433284-public-storage-extra-space-storage-upgraded-on-positive-self-storage-reits-sector-view">upgraded</a> the stock to Buy from Neutral and raised its price target to $368 from $349.
See Also: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now</a>.
SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;
With a 1.2% dividend yield, SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) provides investors exposure to the broader US market. The investor made $1,218 in annual dividends from his investment in the fund.&nbsp;
Altria Group
Altria Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MO#NYSE">MO</a>) has a dividend yield of about 7%. The tobacco giant accounted for about $800 in annual dividend income for the investor, according to the screenshots he shared on the social media platform.&nbsp;
PepsiCo Inc
Beverage giant Pepsi (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) has <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=pepsi+dividend+increase+consecuitve+years&amp;oq=pepsi+dividend+increase+consecuitve+years&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgcIBRAhGI8CMgcIBhAhGI8C0gEINTgxN2owajeoAgCwAgA&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8">increased</a> its dividends for over 50 consecutive years. The company recently reported first-quarter earnings that missed Wall Street estimates while revenue beat expectations. The stock yields 4%.&nbsp;
Johnson &amp; Johnson
Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) is one of the most reliable dividend stocks, having raised its payouts for 63 <a href="https://www.investor.jnj.com/news/news-details/2025/Johnson--Johnson-Announces-63rd-Consecutive-Year-of-Dividend-Increase-Raises-Quarterly-Dividend-by-4-8/default.aspx">consecutive</a> years. The stock is up 8% so far this year. The company recently <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/news/4431340-johnson-johnson-projects-400m-tariff-impact">flagged</a> a $400 million hit related to President Donald Trump's tariffs.
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Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

JEPI

SCHD

40-Year-Old Making $4K a Month in Dividends Reveals His Top 8 Stocks — 'We Don't Wear Fancy Clothes or Spend Money on Impressing Others'

Wells Fargo analyst Finian O'Shea maintains Ares Capital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $22 to $21.

Wells Fargo Maintains Overweight on Ares Capital, Lowers Price Target to $21

Ares Capital shares are trading lower after the company reported worse-than-expected Q1 financial results.

Ares Capital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.50 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.54 by 7.41 percent. This is a 15.25 percent decrease over earnings of $0.59 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $732.00 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $777.10 million by 5.80 percent. This is a 4.42 percent increase over sales of $701.00 million the same period last year.

Earnings

Earnings Misses

Ares Capital Q1 Adj. EPS $0.50 Misses $0.54 Estimate, Sales $732.00M Miss $777.10M Estimate

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Earnings Scheduled For April 29, 2025

Ares Capital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>) is preparing to release its quarterly earnings on Tuesday, 2025-04-29. Here's a brief overview of what investors should keep in mind before the announcement.
Analysts expect Ares Capital to report an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.54.
The market awaits Ares Capital's announcement, with hopes high for news of surpassing estimates and providing upbeat guidance for the next quarter.
It's important for new investors to understand that guidance can be a significant driver of stock prices.
<h3>Historical Earnings Performance</h3>
In the previous earnings release, the company missed EPS by $0.03, leading to a 1.6% drop in the share price the following trading session.
Here's a look at Ares Capital's past performance and the resulting price change:

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Quarter</th>
<th>Q4 2024</th>
<th>Q3 2024</th>
<th>Q2 2024</th>
<th>Q1 2024</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>EPS Estimate</td>
<td>0.58</td>
<td>0.59</td>
<td>0.58</td>
<td>0.60</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EPS Actual</td>
<td>0.55</td>
<td>0.58</td>
<td>0.61</td>
<td>0.59</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Price Change %</td>
<td>-2.0%</td>
<td>-1.0%</td>
<td>-2.0%</td>
<td>-1.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745856160_0.png" alt="eps graph" />
<h3>Stock Performance</h3>
Shares of Ares Capital were trading at $21.11 as of April 25. Over the last 52-week period, shares are up 2.64%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders are likely bullish going into this earnings release. 
<h3>Analyst Views on Ares Capital</h3>
For investors, staying informed about market sentiments and expectations in the industry is paramount. This analysis provides an exploration of the latest insights on Ares Capital.
Ares Capital has received a total of 9 ratings from analysts, with the consensus rating as Outperform. With an average one-year price target of $22.83, the consensus suggests a potential 8.15% upside.
<h3>Peer Ratings Comparison</h3>
In this analysis, we delve into the analyst ratings and average 1-year price targets of Franklin Resources, SEI Investments and T. Rowe Price Group, three key industry players, offering insights into their relative performance expectations and market positioning.
<ul>
<li>Analysts currently favor an Neutral trajectory for Franklin Resources, with an average 1-year price target of $19.62, suggesting a potential 7.06% downside.</li>
<li>Analysts currently favor an Neutral trajectory for SEI Investments, with an average 1-year price target of $83.25, suggesting a potential 294.36% upside.</li>
<li>Analysts currently favor an Neutral trajectory for T. Rowe Price Group, with an average 1-year price target of $96.14, suggesting a potential 355.42% upside.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Peers Comparative Analysis Summary</h3>
The peer analysis summary offers a detailed examination of key metrics for Franklin Resources, SEI Investments and T. Rowe Price Group, providing valuable insights into their respective standings within the industry and their market positions and comparative performance.

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>Consensus</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
<th>Gross Profit</th>
<th>Return on Equity</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Blue Owl Capital</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>27.80%</td>
<td>$336.88M</td>
<td>1.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Franklin Resources</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>13.08%</td>
<td>$1.83B</td>
<td>1.19%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SEI Investments</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>-1.05%</td>
<td>$297.69M</td>
<td>6.72%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T. Rowe Price Group</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>11.11%</td>
<td>$947.60M</td>
<td>4.16%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Key Takeaway:
Ares Capital ranks at the top for Revenue Growth and Gross Profit among its peers. It is in the middle for Return on Equity.
<h3>Discovering Ares Capital: A Closer Look</h3>
Ares Capital Corp is a United States-based closed-ended specialty finance company. Its investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. The company focuses on investing primarily in first lien senior secured loans (including unitranche loans, which are loans that combine both senior and subordinated debt, generally in a first lien position) and second lien senior secured loans. In addition to senior secured loans, the company also invests in subordinated loans and preferred equity, it also makes common equity investments.
<h3>Key Indicators: Ares Capital's Financial Health</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Positioned below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization faces constraints in size. This could be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Revenue Growth: Ares Capital's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has faced challenges. As of 31 December, 2024, the company experienced a revenue decline of approximately -11.49%. This indicates a decrease in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Financials sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 90.84%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): Ares Capital's ROE falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of 2.73%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Ares Capital's ROA lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns from its assets. With an ROA of 1.29%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Debt Management: Ares Capital's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 1.03.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ARCC/earnings">To track all earnings releases for Ares Capital visit their earnings calendar on our site.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Uncovering Potential: Ares Capital's Earnings Preview

Wells Fargo analyst Finian O'Shea maintains Ares Capital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $23 to $22.

Wells Fargo Maintains Overweight on Ares Capital, Lowers Price Target to $22

In the preceding three months, 8 analysts have released ratings for Ares Capital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>), presenting a wide array of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
The following table summarizes their recent ratings, shedding light on the changing sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts provide deeper insights through their assessments of 12-month price targets, revealing an average target of $22.94, a high estimate of $24.50, and a low estimate of $21.00. Experiencing a 0.52% decline, the current average is now lower than the previous average price target of $23.06. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745532052_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Breaking Down Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Examination</h2>
A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive Ares Capital is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
&#x7C; Analyst &#x7C; Analyst Firm &#x7C; Action Taken &#x7C; Rating &#x7C;Current Price Target&#x7C; Prior Price Target &#x7C; 
&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;-----------------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C; 
&#x7C;Melissa Wedel &#x7C;JP Morgan &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $22.00&#x7C;$24.50 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Doug Harter &#x7C;UBS &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Neutral &#x7C; $21.00&#x7C;$22.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Paul Johnson &#x7C;Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods&#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $22.00&#x7C;$23.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Kenneth Lee &#x7C;RBC Capital &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $24.00&#x7C;$23.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Paul Johnson &#x7C;Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods&#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $23.00&#x7C;$22.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Finian O'Shea &#x7C;Wells Fargo &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $23.00&#x7C;$24.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Melissa Wedel &#x7C;JP Morgan &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $24.50&#x7C;$23.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Timothy O'Shea &#x7C;Wells Fargo &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $24.00&#x7C;$23.00 &#x7C;
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Ares Capital. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Providing a comprehensive analysis, analysts offer qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Ares Capital compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for Ares Capital's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into Ares Capital's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ARCC/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Ares Capital analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Delving into Ares Capital's Background</h2>
Ares Capital Corp is a United States-based closed-ended specialty finance company. Its investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. The company focuses on investing primarily in first lien senior secured loans (including unitranche loans, which are loans that combine both senior and subordinated debt, generally in a first lien position) and second lien senior secured loans. In addition to senior secured loans, the company also invests in subordinated loans and preferred equity, it also makes common equity investments.
<h3>Ares Capital: Financial Performance Dissected</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Falling below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization reflects a reduced size compared to peers. This positioning may be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Decline in Revenue: Over the 3M period, Ares Capital faced challenges, resulting in a decline of approximately -11.49% in revenue growth as of 31 December, 2024. This signifies a reduction in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Financials sector.
Net Margin: Ares Capital's net margin is impressive, surpassing industry averages. With a net margin of 90.84%, the company demonstrates strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Ares Capital's ROE falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of 2.73%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Ares Capital's ROA is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 1.29%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 1.03.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Where Ares Capital Stands With Analysts

JP Morgan analyst Melissa Wedel maintains Ares Capital (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARCC#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $24.5 to $22.

JP Morgan Maintains Overweight on Ares Capital, Lowers Price Target to $22

In today's unpredictable market, investors seeking high yields need to balance risk and reward carefully. With rising volatility, inflation concerns, and fluctuating interest rates, a well-diversified portfolio is crucial to sustaining durable income.
For income-focused <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44709542/investors-just-poured-3m-into-this-whatsapp-job-app-for-hispanic-immigrants-and-its-already-helping-800-find-work">investors</a>, especially those nearing, or in retirement, capital preservation and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43897884/dividend-investor-making-5-000-per-month-with-632-000-reveals-portfolio-it-takes-time-but-its-doable">dividend</a> sustainability are just as important as yield. A mix of low-volatility assets, tax-efficient strategies, and recession-resistant sectors can help counter market turbulence while delivering consistent cash flow.
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<li>Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
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Reddit has witnessed this balance struggle in a post an investor has created. The 50-year-old poster has spent years building a high-yield portfolio in a brokerage account, but now his main goal is reliable monthly income without sacrificing the principal.
The investor is open to various asset classes such as stocks, bonds, real estate investment trusts, closed-end funds, and/or business development companies but wants to avoid yield traps and foreign stocks due to tax complications.
&#8220;I need durable income. [Ford Motor Company (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/f#NYSE">F</a>)] is a no, it's a yield trap and has been for years. [Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/schd#NYSE">SCHD</a>)] and [Schwab U.S. REIT ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/schh#NYSE">SCHH</a>)] are great funds, but the yield is too low. I own SCHD in my growth portfolio but continue to sell some every year as I convert to income. Also want to diversify away from options. They are great for income but tend to fluctuate as supply/demand does in down markets,&#8221; he said.
His questions to Reddit investors are what high-yield – over 8% – stocks, ETFs, or funds can sustain payouts long-term, whether there are low-risk business development companies or closed-end funds that won't cut dividends in a downturn, and how can he further diversify beyond his current holdings.
Trending: The secret weapon in billionaire investor portfolios that you almost certainly don't own yet. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">See which asset class has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 (1995-2024) – and with near-zero correlation.</a>
Redditors have offered a mix of ETF recommendations, individual stock picks, and broader portfolio strategies, so let&#8217;s dive into those.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Investor Seeks 8% or More High-Yield Holdings For Durable Income – Reddit Suggests Assets</h2>
Focus on High-Quality BDCs and CEFs for Steady Income
Several commenters recommended business development companies and closed-end funds as core holdings for high, sustainable yields.
&#8220;Two closed-end funds that I like a lot are [Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/eoi#NYSE">EOI</a>)] and [Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/eos#NYSE">EOS</a>)]. They have been around since 2005, have mostly favorable tax treatment on their distributions, and have had better total returns than [JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jepi#NYSE">JEPI</a>)​] and [JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jepq#NASDAQ">JEPQ</a>)​],&#8221; a commenter suggested.
Without adding anything else, this Redditor shared several assets for the investor to research: &#8220;[Ares Capital Corp. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/arcc#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>)], [Blue Owl Capital Corp. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/obdc#NYSE">OBDC</a>)], [Blackstone Secured Lending Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bxsl#NYSE">BXSL</a>)], [Capital Southwest Corp. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cswc#NASDAQ">CSWC</a>)], [Hercules Capital (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/htgc#NYSE">HTGC</a>)], [Barings BDC (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bbdc#NYSE">BBDC</a>)], [Bain Capital Specialty Finance (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bcsf#NYSE">BCSF</a>)], [Fidus Investment Corp. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/fdus#NASDAQ">FDUS</a>)], [Carlyle Secured Lending (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cgbd#NASDAQ">CGBD</a>)], [Sixth Street Specialty Lending (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tslx#NYSE">TSLX</a>)].&#8221;
&#8220;On the same boat (53 years old). Started late but trying to catch up with high-yield stocks. My stocks are: [Ares Capital Corp. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/arcc#NASDAQ">ARCC</a>)], [Main Street Capital Corp. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/main#NYSE">MAIN</a>)​], OBDC, HTGC, [Realty Income Corp. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/o#NYSE">O</a>)], [VICI Properties (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vici#NYSE">VICI</a>)], [Altria Group (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mo#NYSE">MO</a>)], and [British American Tobacco (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bti#NYSE">BTI</a>)]. The last two are the best performers so far,&#8221; a Reddit user wrote.
See Also: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now</a>.
Consider Covered-Call ETFs for Tax-Efficient Monthly Income
Given the poster&#8217;s preference for tax-efficient income, several commenters highlighted covered-call ETFs as strong options.
&#8220;[Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/kbwy#NASDAQ">KBWY</a>)], [VanEck Mortgage REIT Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mort#NYSE">MORT</a>)], [NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/qqqi#NASDAQ">QQQI</a>)], JEPQ, [Goldman Sachs Nasdaq-100 Core Premium Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gpiq#NYSE">GPIQ</a>)], [NEOS S&amp;P 500 High Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/spyi#NYSE">SPYI</a>)], JEPI, [Goldman Sachs S&amp;P 500 Core Premium Income ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gpix#NASDAQ">GPIX</a>)], and [NEOS Russell 2000 High Income ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/iwmi#NASDAQ">IWMI</a>)] are a few. They will probably stay lower during the current volatile cycle, but should do well long term I would think,&#8221; a commenter recommended.
A user mentioned a real estate investment trust option, noting that it pays around 9.5% yield and has a 0.50% expense ratio.
&#8220;Aside from the covered call funds like JEPQ, QQQI, [TappAlpha SPY Growth &amp; Daily Income ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tspy#NASDAQ">TSPY</a>)], and the like, there&#8217;s a [real estate investment trust] ETF from Hoya Capital called [Hoya Capital High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/riet#NYSE">RIET</a>)] with a 0.50% expense ratio that pays about a 9.5% yield and seems pretty steady.&#8221;
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Image: Shutterstock

Small Cap

BBDC

BCSF

BXSL

CGBD

CSWC

FDUS

GPIQ

GPIX

HTGC

NEOS ETF Trust NEOS Russell 2000 High Income ETF

IWMI

JEPQ

Powershares Kbw Premium Yield Equity Reit Portfolio

KBWY

MAIN

MORT

QQQI

RIET

SCHH

SPYI

TSLX

TSPY

VICI

50-Year-Old Investor Craves 8%+ Yield, Snubs Ford, Chases Durable Dividends – 'I Am Willing To Consider Anything' For Monthly Income

Press Releases

Ares Capital Corporation Appoints Jim Miller as Co-President

Ares Capital Corporation Prices Public Offering of $1 Billion 5.800% Unsecured Notes Due 2032

Ares Capital Corporation Schedules Earnings Release for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024

Ares Capital Corporation Announces Tax Reporting Information for Calendar Year 2024

Ares Capital Corporation Appoints Kort Schnabel as Chief Executive Officer

Ares Capital Corporation Announces December 31, 2024 Financial Results and Declares First Quarter 2025 Dividend of $0.48 Per Share

Ares Capital Corporation Schedules Earnings Release for The First Quarter Ended March 31, 2025

Ares Capital Corporation Announces March 31, 2025 Financial Results and Declares Second Quarter 2025 Dividend of $0.48 Per Share

Ares Capital Corporation Prices Public Offering of $750 Million 5.500% Unsecured Notes Due 2030

Ares Capital Corporation Schedules Earnings Release For The Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2025

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