ARES vs BAC: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of August 2026, ARES and BAC are closely matched. ARES offers the higher yield at 3.86%, BAC has the higher dividend-safety score, and BAC trades at the larger discount to fair value (+25%).
| Metric | ARES | BAC |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 3.86% | 2.05% |
| Annual dividend | $5.40 | $1.28 |
| Payout ratio | 227% | 26% |
| Years of growth | 9 yr | 12 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 22.9% | 8.4% |
| 5-yr total return | 91% | 45% |
| Dividend safety score | 49 (D) | 83 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $82.34 | $77.08 |
| Upside to fair value | -42% | +25% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $47.1B | $436.6B |
| P/E ratio | 64.0 | 14.4 |
Higher yield
ARES
3.86%
Safer dividend
BAC
Grade A
Faster growth
ARES
22.9%
Better value
BAC
+25% upside
ARES vs BAC — FAQ
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