MAIN vs ARCC: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
A head-to-head dividend comparison of Main Street Capital Corporation and Ares Capital Corporation — yield, payout safety, growth and total return. MAIN wins more categories overall.
| Metric | MAIN | ARCC |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 8.42% | 10.16% |
| Annual dividend | $4.38 | $1.92 |
| Payout ratio | 90% | 118% |
| Years of growth | 17 yr | 5 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 4.5% | 3.7% |
| 5-yr total return | 26% | -4% |
| Dividend safety score | 54 (C) | 55 (C) |
| Frequency | monthly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $4.8B | $13.6B |
| P/E ratio | 11.0 | 11.6 |
Higher yield
ARCC
10.16%
Safer dividend
ARCC
Grade C
Faster growth
MAIN
4.5%
MAIN vs ARCC — FAQ
Data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.