Dividend comparison

ARCC vs MAIN: Which Is Better for Income?

Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Ares Capital Corporation and Main Street Capital Corporation, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.

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ARCC vs MAIN: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
  • Income. ARCC pays more income, yielding 10.43% over the last twelve months versus 8.15% for MAIN. That is about $228 more a year on $10,000. ARCC pays quarterly, MAIN pays monthly.
  • Performance. Over the last 5 years, MAIN returned 69.9% versus 28.1% for ARCC, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $16,994 in MAIN and $12,810 in ARCC.
  • Risk. MAIN has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -27.1%, against -23.3% for ARCC.
  • Dividend growth. MAIN grew its yearly payout 13.2% a year over the last 4 years, versus 4.3% for ARCC.

Bottom line: ARCC fits better if you care most about more income today and smaller drawdowns. MAIN fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth.

Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
MetricARCC
Ares Capital Corporation
MAIN
Main Street Capital Corporation
Dividend yield (TTM)10.43%8.15%
Dividend / share (TTM)$1.92$4.33
Payout frequencyQuarterlyMonthly
Last dividend$0.4800 on Sep 30, 2026$0.2650 on Oct 15, 2026
Ex-dividend dateSep 15, 2026Dec 8, 2026
Next payment—$0.2650 on Nov 13, 2026
Dividend growth (CAGR)4.3% over 4 yrs13.2% over 4 yrs
Price$18.51$53.36
Payout ratio (TTM)138.4%77.3%
Dividend growth streak—4 years
Beta0.660.75
Max drawdown (5Y)-23.3%-27.1%
Market cap$13.44B$5.03B
ExchangeNASDAQNYSE
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.

ARCC

$86.91/mo

$1043 /yr at 10.43% yield

MAIN

$67.89/mo

$815 /yr at 8.15% yield

Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. ARCC pays quarterly; MAIN pays monthly.
YearARCCMAIN
2025$1.9200$4.2300
2024$1.9200$4.1100
2023$1.9200$3.6950
2022$1.8700$2.9450
2021$1.6200$2.5750
Strategy: Alternative income
Income vehicles outside ordinary stocks and bonds: real estate investment trusts, preferred shares, business development companies that lend to private firms, and energy pipeline partnerships. Each is structured to pass most of its earnings through to shareholders, which is why yields are high. Their payouts depend on rents, loan books or pipeline volumes rather than on corporate dividend policy.

These income streams are sensitive to interest rates and credit conditions, and much of the income is taxed as ordinary income rather than qualified dividends.

Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $12,810 in ARCC and $16,994 in MAIN.
PeriodARCCMAIN
1 month-4.59%-4.53%
3 months-3.44%-3.63%
Year to date-8.50%-11.64%
1 year-5.56%-7.51%
3 years18.12%61.01%
5 years28.10%69.94%
  • ARCC
  • MAIN
72145218202120222023202420252026128170

Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Quick verdict

ARCC fits better if you care most about more income today and smaller drawdowns. MAIN fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.

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Frequently asked questions

Is ARCC or MAIN better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. ARCC currently yields 10.43% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while MAIN yields 8.15%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between ARCC and MAIN?
Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) is a stock listed on NASDAQ. Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN) is a stock listed on NYSE. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which has performed better, ARCC or MAIN?
Over the last 5 years, MAIN has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: ARCC returned 28.1% and MAIN returned 69.9%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, ARCC or MAIN?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, MAIN has been riskier: ARCC fell as much as 23.3% and MAIN as much as 27.1%. Their betas are 0.66 and 0.75.
How often do ARCC and MAIN pay dividends?
ARCC pays quarterly and MAIN pays monthly.
How much income does $10,000 in ARCC vs MAIN generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in ARCC would generate roughly $86.91 per month ($1043 annually). The same amount in MAIN would produce about $67.89 per month ($815 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both ARCC and MAIN?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare ARCC vs MAIN with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how ARCC and MAIN fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.

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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.