Ares Capital Corporation vs Bank of Montreal — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $19.96 (market cap $14.35B), while Bank of Montreal trades at $181.45 (market cap $127.25B). The key difference: Bank of Montreal is far larger — about 8.9× Ares Capital Corporation's market cap, and Ares Capital Corporation pays the higher dividend (9.61%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ARCC | BMO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.35B | $127.25B |
Sector | Financials | Financials |
52-Week High | $22.68 | $183.65 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $112.54 |
Dividend Yield | 9.61% | 2.68% |
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.
BMO trades at $181.55, up 0.4% with a bullish technical signal. The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters, with Q2 2026 EPS expected at $2.66. Recent strategic moves include the $1.44 billion sale of Moneris and the acquisition of Euroz Hartleys' Australian capital markets business, strengthening its global metals and mining franchise. The stock shows strong fundamental performance with 25.92% net income margin and 11.05% ROE.
BMO presents a balanced investment case with solid earnings momentum and strategic expansion, though trading near resistance at $182. Key opportunities include consistent dividend payments and global banking recognition, while risks involve interest rate sensitivity and competitive pressures in the North American banking sector.
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 →Bank of Montreal is a diversified financial-services provider based in North America, operating four business segments: Canadian personal and commercial banking, U.S. P&C banking, wealth management, and capital markets. The bank's operations are primarily in Canada, with a material portion also in the U.S.
Read more on BMO →