Ares Capital Corporation vs W W Grainger Inc — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $19.9 (market cap $14.34B), while W W Grainger Inc trades at $1,308.88 (market cap $61.32B). The key difference: W W Grainger Inc is far larger — about 4.3× 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 | GWW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.34B | $61.32B |
Sector | Financials | Technology |
52-Week High | $22.68 | $1.40K |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $918.18 |
Dividend Yield | 9.61% | 0.77% |
Enterprise Value | — | $63.53B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ARCC trades at $19.875, down 0.53% on the day, with strong analyst support showing 24 buy ratings and a consensus price target of $19.63. The stock maintains a bullish technical signal with moving averages supporting upward momentum, though oscillators indicate some near-term pressure. Recent earnings showed Q2 2026 EPS of $0.47, slightly below expectations, while the company continues its 17-year dividend streak with consistent $0.48 quarterly payments.
The outlook remains positive with solid fundamentals including 81.77% net income margin and 6.88% ROE, though investors should monitor declining revenue trends from $1.7B in 2024 to projected $1.2B in 2026. Key risks include private credit market strain and dividend coverage tightening to 104%, while institutional confidence remains high with no sell ratings among 32 analysts covering the stock.
W.W. Grainger (GWW) trades at $1,308.06, up 0.82% on the day, with strong recent earnings beats in Q1 and Q2 2026. The stock shows a bearish technical signal despite robust fundamentals, including a 47.92% ROE and rising revenue. Analysts maintain a cautious stance with a consensus price target of $1,320, while recent news highlights operational strength and market share gains.
Outlook remains mixed; solid earnings growth and margin expansion support upside, but high valuation multiples and bearish technicals pose near-term risks. Investors should weigh strong cash flow and dividend stability against potential volatility from macroeconomic pressures.
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 →Grainger is a leading broad-line distributor of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products. It serves millions of customers worldwide through an integrated network of branches and digital platforms.
Read more on GWW →