Ares Capital Corporation vs Badger Meter Inc — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $19.96 (market cap $14.35B), while Badger Meter Inc trades at $135.56 (market cap $3.95B). The key difference: Ares Capital Corporation is far larger — about 3.6× Badger Meter Inc's market cap, and Ares Capital Corporation pays the higher dividend (9.61%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ARCC | BMI | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.35B | $3.95B |
Sector | Financials | Technology |
52-Week High | $22.68 | $193.09 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $113.41 |
Dividend Yield | 9.61% | 1.17% |
Enterprise Value | — | $3.86B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ARCC trades at $20.01, up 1.99% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. Recent earnings show Q2 2026 EPS of $0.47, slightly below the $0.4731 estimate, continuing a trend of minor misses. Revenue declined to $1.51B in 2025 from $1.7B in 2024, with net income margin at 81.77%. The stock offers a high dividend yield, with consistent payouts highlighted in recent news.
Outlook is mixed: strong analyst buy consensus (75%) and a stable dividend history support income investors, but declining revenue and tight dividend coverage pose risks. Price target consensus is $19.63, below the current price, suggesting limited upside. Macro risks in private credit, per WSJ on August 9, 2026, add caution.
Badger Meter (BMI) trades at $138.86, up 1.23% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $155.20. Recent earnings show a Q2 2026 beat but misses in prior quarters, while financials indicate solid profitability with a 14.27% net income margin. The stock faces headwinds from multiple class-action lawsuits alleging securities fraud, as reported by Business Wire and GlobeNewsWire in early August 2026, though insider buying by a VP in late July signals confidence.
The outlook is mixed: strong fundamentals and analyst upside support growth, but legal risks and earnings volatility pose challenges. Investors may find value if legal concerns resolve, but caution is warranted due to potential sentiment pressure from ongoing litigation.
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 →Badger Meter provides industry-leading water management solutions. Its smart measurement hardware and software analytics help water utilities and industrial customers optimize operations and conserve natural resources.
Read more on BMI →