Ares Capital Corporation vs PepsiCo, Inc. — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $20.01 (market cap $14.35B), while PepsiCo, Inc. trades at $138.23 (market cap $187.99B). The key difference: PepsiCo, Inc. is far larger — about 13.1× 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 | PEP | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.35B | $187.99B |
Sector | Financials | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $22.68 | $170.44 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $134.95 |
Dividend Yield | 9.61% | 4.3% |
Enterprise Value | — | $230.48B |
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.
PepsiCo (PEP) trades at $137.69, down 0.95% on the day, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The company maintains strong profitability with 10.78% net margin and 51.59% ROE, though Q3 2026 earnings are pending. Recent news highlights price adjustments on snack products and sponsorship changes, while analysts maintain a consensus Buy rating with $158.79 price target.
PEP offers steady dividend income and operational stability, but faces near-term pressure from consumer resistance to price hikes and competitive threats. The stock trades below consensus target with mixed technical indicators, presenting potential value for long-term investors willing to navigate current volatility and margin pressures.
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 →PepsiCo is one of the largest food and beverage companies globally. It makes, markets, and sells a slew of brands across the beverage and snack categories, including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Doritos, Lays, and Ruffles. The firm uses a largely integrated go-to-market model, though it does leverage third-party bottlers, contract manufacturers, and distributors in certain markets. In addition to company-owned trademarks, Pepsi manufactures and distributes other brands through partnerships and joint ventures with companies such as Starbucks. The firm segments its operations into five primary geographies, with North America (comprising Frito-Lay North America, Quaker Foods North America, and North America beverages) constituting around 60% of consolidated revenue.
Read more on PEP →