Price movement over the last 24 hours
Ares Capital Corporation vs Hershey Co — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $18.77 (market cap $13.48B), while Hershey Co trades at $174.78 (market cap $35.23B). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 2.6× Ares Capital Corporation's market cap, and Ares Capital Corporation pays the higher dividend (10.22%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ARCC | HSY | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $13.48B | $35.23B |
Sector | Financials | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $23.25 | $236.28 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $162.31 |
Dividend Yield | 10.22% | 3.34% |
Enterprise Value | — | $40.03B |
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.
HSY trades at $173.66, up 1.17% with recent earnings beats and easing cocoa costs supporting fundamentals. Technicals are bearish with resistance at $175, while valuation metrics like a P/E of 32.34 suggest premium pricing. The company maintains strong cash flow and a 3.22% dividend yield, with Q2 2026 earnings due July 30, 2026, as a key catalyst.
Outlook: Upside exists to the $210.33 consensus target if margin recovery continues, but high debt and volatile input costs pose risks. Analyst sentiment is cautious with 65.7% hold ratings, reflecting balanced growth and valuation concerns amid competitive 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 →Hershey is a leading confectionery manufacturer in the U.S. (around a $25 billion market), controlling around 46% of the domestic chocolate space (per IRI). Beyond its namesake label, the firm's mix has expanded over the last 85 years and now consists of 100 brands, including Reese's, Kit Kat, Kisses, and Ice Breakers. Hershey's products are sold in about 80 countries, albeit with just a high-single-digit percentage of sales coming from markets outside the U.S., including Brazil, India, and Mexico. The firm has sought inorganic opportunities to extend its reach beyond its core confection business, adding Amplify Snack Brands and its Skinny Pop ready-to-eat popcorn to its mix and Pirate Brands (including the Pirate's Booty, Smart Puffs, and Original Tings brands) over the past few years.
Read more on HSY →