HTGC vs ARCC: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared
Hercules Capital, Inc.Ares Capital Corporation
Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day
HTGC vs ARCC at a glance
Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC) and Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) are compared below using data through the September 25, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.
Over the past year, ARCC returned +3.19% with dividends reinvested, compared with -0.37% for HTGC. HTGC currently yields 11.08% (trailing 12-month) against 10.00% for ARCC. Across five years the total-return gap is +78.31% for HTGC vs +54.09% for ARCC.
The higher-yielding fund (HTGC) has trailed on 1-year total return. Yield only measures the income a fund pays; total return also counts the change in share price, so it is the fuller basis for comparing the two.
| Metric | HTGC | ARCC |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $16.97 | $19.20 |
| Dividend yield | 11.08% (TTM) | 10.00% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | — | — |
| Pays | quarterly | quarterly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $1.88 (4 payments) | $1.92 (4 payments) |
| Issuer | — | — |
| Inception | — | — |
Performance: HTGC vs ARCC
Total return assumes every distribution is reinvested. Switch to price return to see the change in share price alone.
Total Return (%) · dividends reinvested · Sep 25, 2025 – Sep 25, 2026
Overview
Key fund stats as of the latest close.
Total returns
Price change plus dividends paid, by holding period. Best in each period is outlined.
Recent dividend payments
The latest 12 distributions per share for each fund, newest first.
| HTGC | ARCC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 2026 | $0.470 | Sep 15, 2026 | $0.480 |
| May 14, 2026 | $0.470 | Jun 15, 2026 | $0.480 |
| Feb 25, 2026 | $0.470 | Mar 13, 2026 | $0.480 |
| Nov 12, 2025 | $0.470 | Dec 15, 2025 | $0.480 |
| Aug 12, 2025 | $0.470 | Sep 15, 2025 | $0.480 |
| May 13, 2025 | $0.470 | Jun 13, 2025 | $0.480 |
| Feb 26, 2025 | $0.470 | Mar 14, 2025 | $0.480 |
| Nov 13, 2024 | $0.400 | Dec 13, 2024 | $0.480 |
| Aug 13, 2024 | $0.480 | Sep 13, 2024 | $0.480 |
| May 13, 2024 | $0.480 | Jun 14, 2024 | $0.480 |
| Feb 27, 2024 | $0.480 | Mar 14, 2024 | $0.480 |
| Nov 14, 2023 | $0.480 | Dec 14, 2023 | $0.480 |
HTGC vs ARCC: common questions
Which pays a higher dividend, HTGC or ARCC?
As of September 25, 2026, HTGC yields 11.08% (trailing 12-month) and ARCC yields 10.00% (trailing 12-month), so HTGC currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.
Which has performed better, HTGC or ARCC?
Over the past year with dividends reinvested, HTGC returned -0.37% and ARCC returned +3.19%. Over five years, HTGC returned +78.31% and ARCC returned +54.09%. Past performance does not predict future results.
What would $10,000 in HTGC vs ARCC be worth after one year?
With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before September 25, 2026 would have grown to about $9,963 in HTGC and $10,319 in ARCC.
How often do HTGC and ARCC pay dividends?
HTGC pays quarterly (4 payments in the last 12 months) and ARCC pays quarterly (4 payments).
Is HTGC or ARCC the better investment?
It depends on your goals, time horizon and tax situation. Income-focused investors often weigh yield and payment frequency, while long-term investors usually compare total return and fees. Dividend Duel is an educational tool and does not provide investment advice.
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Figures come from end-of-day prices and distributions and are recalculated after every trading session; see our methodology. This page is for education only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Read the full disclosure.