Ares Capital Corporation vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $19.95 (market cap $14.35B), while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF trades at $708.89. The key difference: Ares Capital Corporation pays a 9.61% dividend while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF pays none, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Ares Capital Corporation nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ARCC | VOO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.35B | — |
Sector | Financials | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $22.68 | $710.71 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $580.93 |
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.
VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) trades at $710.71, up 0.6% with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The ETF tracks the S&P 500 index, which recently reclaimed record highs amid strong corporate earnings and AI-driven optimism. Technical indicators show overbought conditions with RSI at 94.45 on the 6-day timeframe, while support levels begin at $708. JPMorgan raised its S&P 500 year-end target to 8,000, citing earnings strength and AI investment payoffs.
The outlook remains positive given robust earnings growth and institutional confidence, though near-term consolidation risks exist from overbought technicals and valuation concerns. Key risks include market breadth weakness and potential September volatility. The ETF's low-cost structure and diversification continue to attract long-term investors seeking S&P 500 exposure.
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 →VOO is a foundational ETF that tracks the S&P 500 Index, providing exposure to 500 of the largest and most established companies in the United States. Renowned for its ultra-low expense ratio and tax efficiency, it serves as a core building block for long-term investors seeking to capture the total return of the U.S. large-cap market in a single, highly liquid vehicle.
Read more on VOO →