Compare Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) vs Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Ares Capital Corporation vs Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $19.94 (market cap $14.35B), while Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund trades at $43.68. The key difference: Ares Capital Corporation pays a 9.61% dividend while Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund pays none, and Ares Capital Corporation is trading nearer its 52-week high, Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ARCC | XLU | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.35B | — |
Sector | Financials | — |
52-Week High | $22.68 | $47.73 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $41.31 |
Dividend Yield | 9.61% | — |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
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.
XLU trades at $43.61, up 0.51% with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The ETF benefits from AI-driven power demand, with recent news highlighting increased call option activity and sector momentum. Support sits at $42-43 while resistance is at $44-45. The utilities sector is gaining attention as AI data centers drive electricity consumption growth.
The outlook remains mixed with technical weakness offset by strong sector fundamentals. AI power demand creates growth opportunities, but regulatory risks and interest rate sensitivity pose challenges. The ETF's defensive income characteristics provide stability amid market volatility.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Ares Capital Corporation
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 →About Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund
In seeking to track the performance of the index, the fund employs a replication strategy. It generally invests substantially all, but at least 95%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the index. The index includes securities of companies from the following industries: electric utilities; water utilities; multi-utilities; independent power and renewable electricity producers; and gas utilities. The fund is non-diversified.
Read more on XLU →
