HTGC vs ARCC: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared

Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC) and Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) are compared below using data through the November 9, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.

Over the past year, ARCC returned +5.85% with dividends reinvested, compared with +1.98% for HTGC. HTGC currently yields 11.48% (trailing 12-month) against 9.92% for ARCC. Across five years the total-return gap is +60.63% for HTGC vs +49.35% 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.

Across 1,265 shared trading dates from October 26, 2021 to November 9, 2026, the largest observed peak-to-trough decline with dividends reinvested was -36.10% for HTGC and -21.78% for ARCC. These figures use the same available dates for both instruments, exclude intraday moves, and are not forecasts.

HTGC's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.470 to $0.470 per share across 4 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.

ARCC's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.480 to $0.480 per share across 4 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.

Fund expense ratios are annual operating costs, not a bill added to the historical returns shown here. Trading spreads, brokerage costs and personal taxes can reduce an investor's realized return.

Identify whether each instrument is a company, a preferred-security fund or a BDC fund. Review credit exposure, leverage and expenses in its documents before interpreting the distribution rate.

Review Hercules Capital, Inc. (HTGC) payment history and Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) payment history before choosing assumptions for the dividend reinvestment calculator. Run each scenario separately; the calculator uses your rates rather than importing these historical returns.

For a cash target, use the income goal calculator. Read our guide to comparing dividend ETFs and data and editorial approach for context on the historical figures.