Ares Capital Corporation vs Diageo plc — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $19.95 (market cap $14.35B), while Diageo plc trades at $94.51 (market cap $53.75B). The key difference: Diageo plc is far larger — about 3.7× 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 | DEO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.35B | $53.75B |
Sector | Financials | Technology |
52-Week High | $22.68 | $115.33 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $72.47 |
Dividend Yield | 9.61% | 3.42% |
Enterprise Value | — | $73.25B |
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.
Diageo (DEO) trades at $96.35, up 3.83% with bullish technical signals from moving averages. The company reported mixed FY2026 results with a 2% organic sales decline but 2% operating profit growth, supported by cost savings. Analyst consensus leans positive with 48.65% buy ratings, though valuation metrics appear elevated with a P/E of 31.16. Recent news highlights a $1 billion cost-cutting plan and strategic focus on spirits and Guinness to drive turnaround.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic with management's restructuring program expected to improve margins and cash flow. Key risks include ongoing weakness in North American markets and competitive pressures. Wall Street sees potential upside with recent target increases, but investors should monitor execution of the turnaround plan amid challenging market conditions.
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 →Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Guinness. It operates a vast portfolio of spirits and beers across more than 180 countries.
Read more on DEO →