Ares Capital Corporation vs Monolithic Power Systems Inc — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $20.01 (market cap $14.35B), while Monolithic Power Systems Inc trades at $1,419.98 (market cap $67.87B). The key difference: Monolithic Power Systems Inc is far larger — about 4.7× 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 | MPWR | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.35B | $67.87B |
Sector | Financials | Utilities |
52-Week High | $22.68 | $1.69K |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $820.74 |
Dividend Yield | 9.61% | 0.58% |
Enterprise Value | — | $66.48B |
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.
Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) trades at $1,401.54, up 3.12% today, reflecting strong momentum after recent earnings beats. The stock exhibits a bullish technical trend, supported by robust fundamentals including 24.5% net income margin and 21.98% ROE. Recent Q2 2026 results showed EPS of $6.50, exceeding estimates, with revenue growth driven by AI infrastructure demand. Analyst sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive with 88% buy ratings.
The outlook for MPWR is favorable due to accelerating AI-driven revenue and expanding margins, though high valuation multiples (P/E 84.26) pose a risk if growth slows. Investor optimism is tempered by potential overvaluation and sensitivity to tech sector volatility. The consensus price target of $1,870 suggests upside, but execution risks and competitive pressures warrant caution.
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 →Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. is a global leader in high-performance, analog, and mixed-signal semiconductors. The company specializes in power management solutions, providing integrated circuits (ICs) for a wide range of applications, including computing, automotive, industrial, and communications. MPWR's proprietary process technology is designed to deliver highly energy-efficient and compact power solutions, positioning the company as a key supplier for the next generation of electronic devices.
Read more on MPWR →