Ares Capital Corporation vs iShares 1 3 Year Treasury Bond ETF — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $19.75 (market cap $14.34B), while iShares 1 3 Year Treasury Bond ETF trades at $81.95. The key difference: Ares Capital Corporation pays a 9.61% dividend while iShares 1 3 Year Treasury Bond ETF pays none, and Ares Capital Corporation is trading nearer its 52-week high, iShares 1 3 Year Treasury Bond ETF nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ARCC | SHY | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.34B | — |
Sector | Financials | Fixed Income |
52-Week High | $22.68 | $83.18 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $81.77 |
Dividend Yield | 9.61% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ARCC trades at $19.98, down 0.15% on the day, with a P/E of 14.9 and P/B of 1.03. Recent quarterly earnings have consistently missed expectations, with Q2 2026 EPS of $0.47 falling short of the $0.4731 estimate. Technical indicators show a bullish moving average signal but bearish oscillators, with RSI at 78.37 suggesting overbought conditions. The company maintains a strong dividend yield of approximately 9.6% with consistent $0.48 quarterly payments.
While ARCC offers attractive income with its high dividend yield and strong analyst support (24 buy ratings), investors face risks from declining revenue trends and compressed earnings. The stock trades near consensus price targets, limiting near-term upside potential. Credit quality concerns in the private lending sector and potential interest rate sensitivity present additional headwinds for this business development company.
SHY, the iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF, trades at $81.955, up 0.12% on the day, with a bearish technical signal driven by moving averages. Recent news highlights institutional accumulation, including Barry Investment Advisors increasing its stake by 48.1% in Q2 2026 (SEC filing, August 10, 2026), amid fluctuating Treasury yields influenced by inflation data and Middle East tensions. The ETF maintains a steady dividend schedule, with recent payouts of $0.24-$0.25 per share.
Outlook remains cautious due to interest rate uncertainty and inflation pressures, offering income stability but limited growth. Risks include Fed policy shifts and oil-price volatility, while institutional buying signals defensive positioning. The neutral oscillator reading suggests short-term consolidation near current levels.
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 →SHY provides exposure to U.S. Treasury bonds with remaining maturities between one and three years. It is a low-risk, highly liquid ETF designed for capital preservation and short-term income, featuring 2026 top holdings across various Treasury Notes.
Read more on SHY →