Ares Capital Corporation vs State Street PDR S&P Retail ETF — how do they compare? Ares Capital Corporation trades at $19.96 (market cap $14.35B), while State Street PDR S&P Retail ETF trades at $89.79. The key difference: Ares Capital Corporation pays a 9.61% dividend while State Street PDR S&P Retail ETF pays none, and State Street PDR S&P Retail ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Ares Capital Corporation nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ARCC | XRT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.35B | — |
Sector | Financials | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $22.68 | $92.35 |
52-Week Low | $17.45 | $77.28 |
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.
XRT trades at $90.82, up 1.08% with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The ETF shows neutral oscillators like RSI at 57.83, while ADX indicates a strong trend. Support lies at $90 and resistance at $91. Recent retail sales growth and positive economic data provide a favorable backdrop, though sentiment is mixed amid inflation concerns.
Outlook is cautiously optimistic with retail sector momentum, but risks include consumer sentiment pressures and valuation headwinds. The ETF's diversification offers stability, yet macroeconomic shifts could impact performance. Investors should weigh technical strength against fundamental uncertainties in the retail space.
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 →XRT is an equal-weighted ETF that tracks the U.S. retail sector. It provides diversified exposure to apparel, automotive, and online retailers, including well-known names like Amazon, Target, and Costco.
Read more on XRT →