Ares Capital Corporation vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $19.98 (market cap $14.35B), while Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF trades at $34.31. The key difference: Ares Capital Corporation pays a 9.61% dividend while Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF pays none, and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Ares Capital Corporation nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ARCC | SCHD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.35B | — |
Sector | Financials | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $22.68 | $34.19 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $26.44 |
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.
SCHD, the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF, trades at $33.90, up 0.59% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. The ETF focuses on high-quality U.S. dividend-paying stocks, offering income stability. Recent news highlights its popularity among retirees for generating passive income, with institutional buying activity noted in Q2 2026 filings.
The outlook for SCHD remains positive for income-focused investors, leveraging dividend growth and low costs. Risks include interest rate sensitivity and market volatility affecting dividend stocks. Analyst sentiment is generally favorable, emphasizing its role in diversified retirement portfolios.
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 →SCHD is an ETF that tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. It selects high-quality companies with a consistent track record of paying dividends, focusing on financial strength metrics like cash flow to total debt and return on equity, and excluding REITs. The fund aims to provide both income and capital appreciation, making it a popular choice for long-term, dividend-focused investors.
Read more on SCHD →