Ares Capital's Price Drop Attracts Investor Interest
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 26 2026
0mins
Should l Buy ARCC?
Source: Fool
Ares Capital Corp's stock has dropped 3.02% and hit a 20-day low, despite the broader market's positive performance with the Nasdaq-100 up 0.60% and the S&P 500 up 0.37%.
The decline in Ares Capital's stock price has attracted investor interest, as its dividend yield exceeds 9%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.2%. Additionally, the company has raised over $1 billion in new debt capital, enabling substantial investment commitments and demonstrating robust growth potential in a $3 trillion market opportunity.
This price movement may indicate a sector rotation, as investors seek higher yields in the private credit market, despite the overall strength in the broader market.
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Analyst Views on ARCC
Wall Street analysts forecast ARCC stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ARCC is 22.50 USD with a low forecast of 21.00 USD and a high forecast of 24.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
7 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 18.790
Low
21.00
Averages
22.50
High
24.00
Current: 18.790
Low
21.00
Averages
22.50
High
24.00
About ARCC
Ares Capital Corporation is a specialty finance company focused on providing direct loans and other investments in private middle market companies in the United States. The Company invests primarily in first lien senior secured loans (including unitranche loans, which are loans that combine both senior and subordinated debt, generally in a first lien position), and second lien senior secured loans. In addition to senior secured loans, it also invests in subordinated debt, which in some cases includes an equity component, and preferred equity. It also may invest up to 30% of its portfolio in non-qualifying assets. Its investment activities are focused on industries, such as software and services, health care services, commercial and professional services, financial services, commercial and professional services, insurance services, energy, food and beverage and others. The Company is externally managed by Ares Capital Management LLC (investment adviser).
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Private Credit Markets Face AI Disruption Risks
- Increased Pressure on Software Sector: The introduction of new AI tools by Anthropic has triggered a sell-off in software data provider shares, intensifying uncertainty in the private credit market, particularly regarding lending risks to software companies.
- Decline in Asset Management Stocks: Ares Management fell over 12%, Blue Owl Capital dropped more than 8%, and KKR and TPG saw declines of nearly 10% and 7%, respectively, reflecting investor concerns about AI's potential impact on cash flows and default risks.
- Rising Default Risks: UBS Group has warned that in an aggressive disruption scenario, default rates in U.S. private credit could rise to 13%, significantly higher than the projected stress for leveraged loans and high-yield bonds, estimated at 8% and 4%, respectively.
- Liquidity Issues Intensified: Although strains in private credit predate AI concerns, Jeffrey C. Hooke noted that existing liquidity and loan extension issues have been exacerbated by recent developments, adding new challenges to an already pressured sector.
See More
The Impact of Software Concerns on Private Credit and Recommended BDC Stocks to Consider
- Private Credit Sector: The emergence of private credit "cockroaches" indicates a shift in the market, particularly affecting the software sector.
- Investment Opportunities: This situation may present new investment opportunities in shares of business development companies that hold the debt of these affected companies.
See More
The Impact of Software Concerns on BDC Stocks: Reasons Some May Be Good Investment Opportunities
- Private Credit Sector: The private credit sector is facing challenges, likened to "cockroaches" emerging from the software industry.
- Opportunities in Business Development Companies: This situation may present investment opportunities in business development companies that hold the debt of affected firms.
See More
Ares Capital Reports Strong 2025 Financial Results with Record Investments
- Strong Financial Performance: Ares Capital reported core earnings of $0.50 per share in Q4 2025, exceeding its $0.48 quarterly dividend, indicating robust profitability and the likelihood of continued stable dividend payments.
- Record Investment Commitments: The company secured $5.8 billion in new investment commitments in Q4, spanning 30 new portfolio companies and 84 existing ones, with 80% in first-lien, senior-secured loans, reflecting strong market demand and investment capacity.
- Portfolio Expansion: By the end of 2025, Ares Capital's investment portfolio was valued at $29.5 billion, up from $26.7 billion in 2024, underscoring its leadership position and market confidence.
- Future Growth Potential: The company anticipates carrying forward $1.38 per share of excess taxable income for distribution in 2026, enhancing the security of its dividend payments, while increased new investment commitments will further support future dividend stability.
See More
Ares Capital Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
- Strong Financial Performance: Ares Capital reported core earnings per share of $0.50 for Q4 2025 and $2.01 for the full year, fully covering dividends and achieving an ROE exceeding 10%, demonstrating the company's robust ability to maintain stable credit quality and grow its portfolio.
- Record Investment Commitments: The company added over 100 new borrowers in 2025, setting a historical high, with total new commitments reaching $15.8 billion, indicating a proactive business expansion amid market recovery.
- Portfolio Health: By year-end 2025, the portfolio at fair value grew to $29.5 billion, a 3% increase from the prior quarter, with non-accruals at 1.8%, well below historical averages, showcasing effective risk management practices.
- Dividend Stability Confidence: Despite market expectations for further declines in short-term interest rates, management expressed optimism about maintaining dividends, highlighting more than two quarters of spillover income as a buffer for dividend stability.
See More
Ares Capital Announces Earnings Amidst Challenges in Private Credit Sector
- Investor Concerns: Private-credit stocks are facing pressure due to concerns over loans made to software companies.
- Loan Portfolio Update: Investors are eager for updates on the loan portfolios of these private-credit firms, with a key opportunity to assess them coming on Wednesday morning.
See More
Private Credit Markets Face AI Disruption Risks
- Increased Pressure on Software Sector: The introduction of new AI tools by Anthropic has triggered a sell-off in software data provider shares, intensifying uncertainty in the private credit market, particularly regarding lending risks to software companies.
- Decline in Asset Management Stocks: Ares Management fell over 12%, Blue Owl Capital dropped more than 8%, and KKR and TPG saw declines of nearly 10% and 7%, respectively, reflecting investor concerns about AI's potential impact on cash flows and default risks.
- Rising Default Risks: UBS Group has warned that in an aggressive disruption scenario, default rates in U.S. private credit could rise to 13%, significantly higher than the projected stress for leveraged loans and high-yield bonds, estimated at 8% and 4%, respectively.
- Liquidity Issues Intensified: Although strains in private credit predate AI concerns, Jeffrey C. Hooke noted that existing liquidity and loan extension issues have been exacerbated by recent developments, adding new challenges to an already pressured sector.
See More
The Impact of Software Concerns on Private Credit and Recommended BDC Stocks to Consider
- Private Credit Sector: The emergence of private credit "cockroaches" indicates a shift in the market, particularly affecting the software sector.
- Investment Opportunities: This situation may present new investment opportunities in shares of business development companies that hold the debt of these affected companies.
See More
The Impact of Software Concerns on BDC Stocks: Reasons Some May Be Good Investment Opportunities
- Private Credit Sector: The private credit sector is facing challenges, likened to "cockroaches" emerging from the software industry.
- Opportunities in Business Development Companies: This situation may present investment opportunities in business development companies that hold the debt of affected firms.
See More
Ares Capital Reports Strong 2025 Financial Results with Record Investments
- Strong Financial Performance: Ares Capital reported core earnings of $0.50 per share in Q4 2025, exceeding its $0.48 quarterly dividend, indicating robust profitability and the likelihood of continued stable dividend payments.
- Record Investment Commitments: The company secured $5.8 billion in new investment commitments in Q4, spanning 30 new portfolio companies and 84 existing ones, with 80% in first-lien, senior-secured loans, reflecting strong market demand and investment capacity.
- Portfolio Expansion: By the end of 2025, Ares Capital's investment portfolio was valued at $29.5 billion, up from $26.7 billion in 2024, underscoring its leadership position and market confidence.
- Future Growth Potential: The company anticipates carrying forward $1.38 per share of excess taxable income for distribution in 2026, enhancing the security of its dividend payments, while increased new investment commitments will further support future dividend stability.
See More
Ares Capital Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
- Strong Financial Performance: Ares Capital reported core earnings per share of $0.50 for Q4 2025 and $2.01 for the full year, fully covering dividends and achieving an ROE exceeding 10%, demonstrating the company's robust ability to maintain stable credit quality and grow its portfolio.
- Record Investment Commitments: The company added over 100 new borrowers in 2025, setting a historical high, with total new commitments reaching $15.8 billion, indicating a proactive business expansion amid market recovery.
- Portfolio Health: By year-end 2025, the portfolio at fair value grew to $29.5 billion, a 3% increase from the prior quarter, with non-accruals at 1.8%, well below historical averages, showcasing effective risk management practices.
- Dividend Stability Confidence: Despite market expectations for further declines in short-term interest rates, management expressed optimism about maintaining dividends, highlighting more than two quarters of spillover income as a buffer for dividend stability.
See More
Ares Capital Announces Earnings Amidst Challenges in Private Credit Sector
- Investor Concerns: Private-credit stocks are facing pressure due to concerns over loans made to software companies.
- Loan Portfolio Update: Investors are eager for updates on the loan portfolios of these private-credit firms, with a key opportunity to assess them coming on Wednesday morning.
See More
