Ares Capital Corporation vs Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $19.86 (market cap $14.34B), while Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF trades at $18.19. The key difference: Ares Capital Corporation pays a 9.61% dividend while Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF pays none, and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Ares Capital Corporation nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ARCC | QYLD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.34B | — |
Sector | Financials | Income / Options Overlay |
52-Week High | $22.68 | $18.52 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $16.46 |
Dividend Yield | 9.61% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ARCC trades at $19.87, down 0.55% with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages. The company reported $1.51B revenue and $1.30B net income for 2025, maintaining an 86.25% profit margin. Recent earnings show slight misses against expectations, but dividend coverage remains stable at 104% with a 9.9% yield. Analyst consensus is strongly bullish with 24 buy ratings and a $19.63 price target.
The stock presents income appeal with its high dividend yield and stable payout history, though recent earnings compression and rising non-accruals to 2.4% signal credit quality concerns. Private credit sector strain and potential rate cuts pose medium-term risks to net investment income, which is 71% variable-rate exposed.
QYLD trades at $18.18, up 0.14% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but bearish oscillators. The ETF offers a high distribution yield near 12% through covered call strategies on the Nasdaq-100, though historical data shows it has underperformed the index in strong bull markets. Recent dividends include $0.18 and $0.19 payouts in mid-2026.
Outlook is mixed: QYLD provides substantial income for risk-averse investors in sideways markets, but caps upside potential. Key risks include erosion of net asset value during rallies and competition from lower-fee alternatives. Analyst sentiment is divided, with some upgrades highlighting yield appeal amid volatility.
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 →QYLD is an ETF that follows a covered call strategy on the NASDAQ 100 Index. The fund holds a long position in the stocks of the NASDAQ 100 and simultaneously writes (sells) call options on the index. The primary goal is to generate monthly income from the option premiums. This strategy can reduce portfolio volatility and provide income, but it limits potential capital appreciation from a significant rise in the NASDAQ 100 Index.
Read more on QYLD →