Ares Capital Corporation vs First Trust NASDAQ 100 Technology Index Fund — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $19.95 (market cap $14.35B), while First Trust NASDAQ 100 Technology Index Fund trades at $315.63. The key difference: Ares Capital Corporation pays a 9.61% dividend while First Trust NASDAQ 100 Technology Index Fund pays none, and First Trust NASDAQ 100 Technology Index Fund is trading nearer its 52-week high, Ares Capital Corporation nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ARCC | QTEC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.35B | — |
Sector | Financials | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $22.68 | $335.74 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $207.03 |
Dividend Yield | 9.61% | — |
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.
QTEC trades at $316.59, up 1.7% with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The ETF, tracking NASDAQ-100 technology stocks, lacks disclosed P/E and P/S ratios. A small dividend of $0.03 is scheduled for June 2026, with support at $313 and resistance at $319.
Outlook remains positive due to strong technical momentum, though overbought RSI signals caution. Risks include tech sector volatility and reliance on broad market trends. Analyst coverage highlights its role for diversified tech exposure without specific ratings available.
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 →QTEC is an ETF that seeks to track the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index. The fund provides targeted exposure to companies within the NASDAQ-100 that are classified as technology or telecommunications companies, focusing on firms involved in software, hardware, and related services. QTEC is a tool for investors seeking focused exposure to high-growth, large-cap technology companies listed on the NASDAQ exchange.
Read more on QTEC →