SmarterDividends
ARCC

Ares Capital Corporation

ARCC

Financial Services · Asset Management · Stock · quarterly payer

$19.11

Fairly valued · -6% Add to Portfolio

Forward Yield

10.05%

Annual Dividend

$1.92

Payout Ratio

157%

5-Yr Growth

3.7%

Ex-Date

Dec 15, 2026

Frequency

Quarterly

Key facts about ARCC's dividend

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 2, 2026, Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) has a forward dividend yield of 10.05%, based on an annual dividend of $1.92 per share and a share price of $19.11.
  • As of Nov 2, 2026, ARCC's dividend safety grade from SmarterDividends is C (59 out of 100), which rates the dividend as borderline.
  • ARCC last cut its regular dividend in 2020.
  • ARCC's next ex-dividend date is Dec 15, 2026, with payment on Dec 29, 2026. Shares must be owned before that date to receive the dividend.
  • As of Nov 2, 2026, ARCC pays out 157% of its trailing 12-month earnings as dividends (its payout ratio).
  • ARCC's dividend has grown at an average rate of 3.7% a year over the past five years.
  • As of Nov 2, 2026, SmarterDividends' blended fair-value estimate for ARCC is $18.03 per share, 6% below the $19.11 share price, so ARCC screens as fairly valued.
  • Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) pays its dividend quarterly, 4 times a year.
  • Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) has raised its regular dividend 18 times and cut it 4 times across the 88 payments on record since 2004. Its most recent change was a 4.3% increase to $0.480 per share, going ex-dividend on Mar 14, 2023. The last cut went ex-dividend on Mar 13, 2020.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "ARCC Dividend: Yield, Safety Grade & Next Ex-Date," updated Nov 2, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/stocks/ARCC

Summary

As of Nov 2, 2026, Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) yields 10.05% ($1.92 a year per share) and has a dividend safety grade of C (59/100).

Is ARCC a good dividend stock?

Yes, with caveats

Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 10.05% ($1.92/yr), with 0 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of C. It's a solid income payer, but check the caveats below before buying.

Advantages

    Risks

    • Cut its dividend in 2020
    • Elevated payout ratio (157%)
    • Very high yield can signal elevated risk
    • Share price is down over the past 5 years

    Key Data

    Dividend Yield
    10.05%
    Payout Ratio
    157%
    Annual Dividend
    $1.92
    5-Yr Avg Growth
    3.7%
    Ex-Dividend Date
    Dec 15, 2026
    Years of Growth
    0
    Frequency
    quarterly
    Beta
    —
    Market Cap
    $13.8B
    P/E Ratio
    15.7
    5-Yr Total Return
    -6%
    52-Week Range
    $17.40 – $21.14
    Dividend Safety
    C · 59/100
    Ever Cut?
    Yes (2020)

    ARCC dividend raises and cuts

    Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) has raised its regular dividend 18 times and cut it 4 times across the 88 payments on record since 2004. Its most recent change was a 4.3% increase to $0.480 per share, going ex-dividend on Mar 14, 2023. The last cut went ex-dividend on Mar 13, 2020.

    Ex-dateChangeOld → newMove
    Mar 14, 2023Raise$0.460 → $0.480+4.3%
    Sep 14, 2022Raise$0.450 → $0.460+2.2%
    Mar 14, 2022Raise$0.410 → $0.450+9.8%
    Sep 14, 2021Raise$0.400 → $0.410+2.5%
    Mar 13, 2020Cut$0.420 → $0.400−4.8%
    Mar 14, 2019Raise$0.390 → $0.420+7.7%
    Sep 13, 2018Raise$0.380 → $0.390+2.6%
    Jun 12, 2014Cut$0.430 → $0.380−11.6%
    Dec 12, 2013Raise$0.380 → $0.430+13.2%
    Mar 13, 2013Cut$0.430 → $0.380−11.6%
    Sep 12, 2012Raise$0.370 → $0.430+16.2%
    Mar 13, 2012Raise$0.360 → $0.370+2.8%
    Show all 22 changes since 2005
    Ex-dateChangeOld → newMove
    Dec 13, 2011Raise$0.350 → $0.360+2.9%
    Jun 11, 2009Cut$0.420 → $0.350−16.7%
    Jun 12, 2008Raise$0.414 → $0.420+1.5%
    Sep 12, 2007Raise$0.404 → $0.414+2.4%
    Mar 15, 2007Raise$0.394 → $0.404+2.5%
    Sep 13, 2006Raise$0.374 → $0.394+5.3%
    Jun 13, 2006Raise$0.355 → $0.374+5.6%
    Mar 22, 2006Raise$0.335 → $0.355+5.9%
    Sep 14, 2005Raise$0.315 → $0.335+6.2%
    Jun 28, 2005Raise$0.296 → $0.315+6.7%
    Every ARCC payment →Download every raise and cut (CSV)
    ARCC ex-dividend date & scheduleNext ex-date Dec 15, 2026 · full ex-dividend historyView →ARCC dividend historyEvery payment, totals by year, raises and cutsView →

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is ARCC a good dividend stock?

    Yes, with caveats. Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 10.05% ($1.92/yr), with 0 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of C. It's a solid income payer, but check the caveats below before buying.

    Is ARCC undervalued?

    Based on a blend of discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings-multiple estimate, ARCC's fair value is about $18.03 versus a $19.11 share price — so it looks fairly valued (-6% vs. fair value).

    Is ARCC's dividend safe?

    ARCC has a dividend-safety grade of C (59/100), based on its payout coverage, free-cash-flow, 0-year growth streak, a dividend cut in 2020, debt and yield-versus-history.

    What is ARCC's fair value?

    Our blended fair-value estimate for ARCC is about $18.03 per share, about 6% below the current $19.11 price — combining a discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings multiple.

    Is ARCC a buy, hold, or sell?

    We don't issue formal ratings, but on the data ARCC screens as "yes, with caveats" and fairly valued. Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 10.05% ($1.92/yr), with 0 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of C. It's a solid income payer, but check the caveats below before buying. This is research for your own analysis, not investment advice.

    Will ARCC cut its dividend?

    ARCC earns a dividend-safety grade of C (59/100), and has cut its dividend before (last in 2020). A higher score means lower cut risk based on payout coverage, cash flow and history — but no score guarantees a dividend.

    Does ARCC pay a dividend?

    Yes. Ares Capital Corporation pays a quarterly dividend of about $1.92 per share annually, a forward yield of roughly 10.05%.

    What is ARCC's dividend yield?

    As of Nov 2, 2026, ARCC's forward dividend yield is 10.05%, based on a $1.92 annual dividend and a $19.11 share price.

    What is ARCC's dividend per share?

    As of Nov 2, 2026, ARCC pays $1.92 per share per year, distributed on a quarterly basis.

    What is ARCC's dividend payout ratio?

    As of Nov 2, 2026, ARCC's payout ratio is 157% of trailing 12-month earnings — an elevated level worth watching, as it leaves less cushion if earnings dip.

    How many years has ARCC grown its dividend?

    ARCC does not currently have a long dividend-growth streak on record.

    When is the next ARCC ex-dividend date?

    As of Nov 2, 2026, the next ex-dividend date on record for ARCC is Dec 15, 2026.

    Income Calculator

    At $1.92 / yr per share

    Per payment (quarterly)$48.00
    Annual$192.00
    Monthly avg$16.00

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