Ares Capital Corporation vs KeyCorp — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $19.96 (market cap $14.35B), while KeyCorp trades at $22.7 (market cap $24.31B). The key difference: KeyCorp is the larger of the two by market cap, and Ares Capital Corporation pays the higher dividend (9.61%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ARCC | KEY | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.35B | $24.31B |
Sector | Financials | Financials |
52-Week High | $22.68 | $23.99 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $16.78 |
Dividend Yield | 9.61% | 3.62% |
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.
KeyCorp (KEY) trades at $22.73, up 0.31% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $29.41. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat estimates with EPS of $0.44, driven by net interest income growth and fee expansion. The acquisition of Clearwater UK bolsters its investment banking presence, while a 3.6% dividend yield adds income appeal.
Outlook is positive with earnings momentum and strategic acquisitions supporting growth, but risks include interest rate sensitivity and competitive pressures. Wall Street sentiment is bullish with 61% buy ratings, though net cash flow volatility and modest ROE of 2.72% warrant caution for value-focused investors.
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 →With assets of over $170 billion, Ohio-based KeyCorp's bank footprint spans 16 states, but it is predominantly concentrated in its two largest markets: Ohio and New York. KeyCorp is primarily focused on serving middle-market commercial clients through a hybrid community/corporate bank model.
Read more on KEY →