MAIN vs ARCC: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared
Main Street Capital CorporationAres Capital Corporation
Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day
MAIN vs ARCC at a glance
This page compares Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN) with Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) using prices and distributions through September 25, 2026. The numbers update automatically after each trading session.
With dividends reinvested, ARCC has led over the last 12 months at +3.19% versus -6.67% for MAIN. ARCC currently yields 10.00% (trailing 12-month) against 7.84% for MAIN. Across five years the total-return gap is +97.09% for MAIN vs +54.09% for ARCC.
ARCC leads on both current yield and 1-year total return. Yields and returns move with markets, so check the longer periods below before drawing conclusions.
| Metric | MAIN | ARCC |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $55.10 | $19.20 |
| Dividend yield | 7.84% (TTM) | 10.00% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | — | — |
| Pays | monthly | quarterly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $4.32 (16 payments) | $1.92 (4 payments) |
| Issuer | — | — |
| Inception | — | — |
Performance: MAIN 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.
| MAIN | ARCC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 21, 2026 | $0.300 | Sep 15, 2026 | $0.480 |
| Sep 8, 2026 | $0.265 | Jun 15, 2026 | $0.480 |
| Aug 7, 2026 | $0.265 | Mar 13, 2026 | $0.480 |
| Jul 8, 2026 | $0.265 | Dec 15, 2025 | $0.480 |
| Jun 22, 2026 | $0.300 | Sep 15, 2025 | $0.480 |
| Jun 8, 2026 | $0.260 | Jun 13, 2025 | $0.480 |
| May 8, 2026 | $0.260 | Mar 14, 2025 | $0.480 |
| Apr 8, 2026 | $0.260 | Dec 13, 2024 | $0.480 |
| Mar 20, 2026 | $0.300 | Sep 13, 2024 | $0.480 |
| Mar 6, 2026 | $0.260 | Jun 14, 2024 | $0.480 |
| Feb 6, 2026 | $0.260 | Mar 14, 2024 | $0.480 |
| Jan 8, 2026 | $0.260 | Dec 14, 2023 | $0.480 |
MAIN vs ARCC: common questions
Which pays a higher dividend, MAIN or ARCC?
As of September 25, 2026, MAIN yields 7.84% (trailing 12-month) and ARCC yields 10.00% (trailing 12-month), so ARCC currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.
Which has performed better, MAIN or ARCC?
Over the past year with dividends reinvested, MAIN returned -6.67% and ARCC returned +3.19%. Over five years, MAIN returned +97.09% and ARCC returned +54.09%. Past performance does not predict future results.
What would $10,000 in MAIN vs ARCC be worth after one year?
With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before September 25, 2026 would have grown to about $9,333 in MAIN and $10,319 in ARCC.
How often do MAIN and ARCC pay dividends?
MAIN pays monthly (16 payments in the last 12 months) and ARCC pays quarterly (4 payments).
Is MAIN 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.
Related comparisons
More side-by-side comparisons with MAIN and ARCC.
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.