Compare Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Ares Capital Corporation vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $18.77 (market cap $13.48B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $123.58 (market cap $305.12B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 22.6× 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 | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $13.48B | $305.12B |
Sector | Financials | Health |
52-Week High | $23.25 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $77.60 |
Dividend Yield | 10.22% | 2.75% |
Enterprise Value | — | $348.54B |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
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.
Merck (MRK) trades at $123.585, up 0.04% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong institutional interest. The company reported robust 2025 results with $65.01B revenue and $18.25B net income, beating EPS estimates in recent quarters. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth initiatives amid a favorable analyst consensus.
The outlook for MRK is positive, supported by earnings beats, a high analyst buy rating (67.57%), and a consensus price target of $135.14. Key risks include rising debt levels and potential regulatory pressures, but the stock's solid fundamentals and acquisition strategy present a compelling opportunity for growth-oriented investors.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Ares Capital Corporation
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 →About Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck makes pharmaceutical products to treat several conditions in a number of therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infections. Within cancer, the firm's immuno-oncology platform is growing as a major contributor to overall sales. The company also has a substantial vaccine business, with treatments to prevent hepatitis B and pediatric diseases as well as HPV and shingles. Additionally, Merck sells animal health-related drugs. From a geographical perspective, just under half of the firm's sales are generated in the United States.
Read more on MRK →
