Ares Capital Corporation vs iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $19.95 (market cap $14.35B), while iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF trades at $100.75. The key difference: Ares Capital Corporation pays a 9.61% dividend while iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF pays none, and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Ares Capital Corporation nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ARCC | IEFA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.35B | — |
Sector | Financials | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $22.68 | $101.09 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $84.72 |
Dividend Yield | 9.61% | — |
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.
IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) trades at $101.09, up 1.1% with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The fund provides exposure to developed international markets excluding the US and Canada, with a competitive 0.07% expense ratio and 3.30% dividend yield. Recent news highlights its role in diversification strategies amid S&P 500 concentration concerns.
The outlook remains positive given international diversification benefits and potential Fed rate cut catalysts. Key risks include developed market monetary policy shifts and currency fluctuations. Analyst sentiment favors IEFA for its cost efficiency and income generation, though emerging market alternatives offer different growth profiles.
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 →IEFA tracks the MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index, offering broad exposure to large, mid, and small-cap stocks in developed markets across Europe, Australasia, and the Far East. It serves as a low-cost core holding for international diversification, excluding the U.S. and Canada.
Read more on IEFA →