Ares Capital Corporation vs Baxter International Inc — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $18.75 (market cap $13.48B), while Baxter International Inc trades at $22.08 (market cap $11.68B). The key difference: Ares Capital Corporation is the larger of the two by market cap, and Ares Capital Corporation pays the higher dividend (10.22%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ARCC | BAX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $13.48B | $11.68B |
Sector | Financials | Health |
52-Week High | $23.25 | $29.22 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $15.80 |
Dividend Yield | 10.22% | 0.88% |
Enterprise Value | — | $19.35B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Ares Capital (ARCC) trades at $18.78, up 2.01% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong analyst support. The stock shows a P/E of 11.52 and P/B of 0.96, trading below the consensus price target of $20.58. Recent earnings have missed expectations, with Q2 2026 results pending, while revenue declined to $1.51B in 2025 from $1.7B in 2024. A dividend of $0.48 is scheduled for payment on June 30, 2026, supporting income appeal amid mixed sentiment.
ARCC presents a value opportunity with a high dividend yield and undervaluation relative to analyst targets, but faces headwinds from earnings misses and a bearish technical outlook. Risks include revenue volatility and competitive pressures in the BDC space, though institutional buy ratings suggest confidence in recovery potential. Investors should weigh income stability against growth challenges.
Baxter International (BAX) trades at $22.62, up 0.71% on the day, near the consensus price target of $22.67. The stock shows a bullish technical trend with recent earnings beats in Q1 2026, though profitability remains challenged with negative net income margins. Recent news highlights sustainability initiatives and upcoming Q2 2026 earnings, with analyst sentiment mixed but leaning hold.
Outlook hinges on operational turnaround amid margin pressures; upside exists if cost controls and innovation boost profits, but high debt and inconsistent cash flow pose risks. The stock offers speculative value for patient investors betting on recovery, but near-term volatility is likely until earnings stabilize.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 U.S. middle-market companies with investment opportunities as well as in larger companies. Its portfolio comprises of first lien senior secured loans, second lien senior secured loans, and mezzanine debt (subordinated unsecured loan), which may include equity components that are diversified by industry and sector. The company may invest in preferred and common equity investments to a lesser proportion. Its revenue mainly consists of interest and dividend income received from the investment made.
Read more on ARCC →Baxter offers a variety of medical instruments and supplies to caregivers. It enhanced its portfolio of hospital-focused offerings by acquiring Hillrom in late 2021. Legacy Baxter offers tools to help patients with acute and chronic kidney failure. It also sells a variety of injectable therapies for use in care settings, such as IV pumps, and administrative sets.
Read more on BAX →