Compare Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) vs Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) Price & Performance
Price performance
Price movement over the last 24 hours
Key statistics
Key statistics
Ares Capital Corporation vs Paychex, Inc. — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $18.75 (market cap $13.48B), while Paychex, Inc. trades at $108.43 (market cap $38.25B). The key difference: Paychex, Inc. is far larger — about 2.8× 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 | PAYX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $13.48B | $38.25B |
Sector | Financials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $23.25 | $147.99 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $85.57 |
Dividend Yield | 10.22% | 4.43% |
Enterprise Value | — | $41.73B |
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.
Paychex (PAYX) trades at $107.54, up 1.16% with a bullish technical signal and consistent earnings beats. The stock shows strong profitability with 27.03% net margin and 44.77% ROE, though valuation ratios like P/E of 22 and P/S of 5.95 are elevated. Recent Q1 2026 EPS of $1.32 beat expectations, and the company maintains dividend payments with a $1.19 distribution scheduled for May 29, 2026. Cash flow from operations remains robust at $1.90B for 2025.
Outlook is cautiously optimistic with a consensus price target of $110.00, though analyst ratings are mixed (63.33% Hold). Key risks include macroeconomic sensitivity to small business hiring and integration challenges from acquisitions. The stock's current price near resistance at $110 suggests limited near-term upside without significant catalysts.
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 Paychex, Inc.
Paychex is a leading provider of payroll, human capital management, and insurance solutions servicing small and midsize clients primarily in the United States. The company, established in 1979, services over 730,000 clients and pays over 1 in 12 U.S. private-sector workers. Alongside its traditional payroll services, Paychex offers HCM solutions such as benefits administration and time and attendance software, as well as human resources outsourcing and insurance agency services.
Read more on PAYX →
