- Insider confidence: CEO Kort Schnabel disclosed a 13,000‑share purchase on Oct. 31 at a $20.39 average price (Form 4 filed Nov. 3). 1
- Dividend locked in: ARCC’s Q4 2025 dividend of $0.48/share is payable Dec. 30 to holders of record Dec. 15. At today’s ~$20.20 price, the forward yield is ~9.5%. 2
- Fundamentals in focus: In Q3 2025, Core EPS was $0.50 (covering the dividend), GAAP EPS $0.57, and NAV/share rose to $20.01—which management described as another record. 2
- What moved today: Weekend investor coverage kept ARCC in the dividend spotlight, and a new note flagged position changes among smaller holders. 3
What’s new on November 9, 2025
- Investor attention stays high: The Motley Fool highlighted ARCC among the “smartest dividend stocks” to consider now, citing its elevated yield and long-term total-return record since 2004. While opinionated, it underscores ongoing retail interest around the name. 3
- Holdings churn headlines: MarketBeat’s weekend feed noted updated filings including a stake reduction by Golden State Wealth Management LLC—typical of 13F-driven flows that can color near-term sentiment but rarely change the long-term story alone. 4
By the numbers — Ares Capital’s Q3 2025 snapshot
- Earnings:GAAP EPS $0.57; Core EPS $0.50. With a $0.48 dividend, coverage was a little over 1.04× this quarter. 2
- Balance sheet & liquidity:Cash $1.0B, total debt $15.6B, with about $5.2B of undrawn capacity on credit facilities. Debt/equity 1.09× (1.02× net of available cash). 2
- Portfolio scale & mix:$28.7B of investments at fair value across 587 portfolio companies; 61% first‑lien exposure, 71% floating‑rate by fair value. 2
- Credit quality:Non‑accruals were ~1.8% of cost (about 1.0% of fair value) at quarter‑end—still low by historical BDC standards. 2
- Origination pulse (platform context): ARCC is managed by Ares Management. Ares reported $15.2B of U.S. direct‑lending commitments closed in Q3 and $49.3B over the past 12 months, reinforcing robust deal flow behind ARCC’s pipeline. 5
Dividend watch: dates, yield and coverage
- Declared:$0.48 regular quarterly dividend.
- Record date:Dec. 15, 2025.
- Payable:Dec. 30, 2025.
At today’s price (~$20.20), the forward yield is ~9.5% ($1.92 annualized ÷ price). With Core EPS of $0.50, the Q3 payout was covered by earnings, a constructive signal for income investors tracking coverage and spillover income. 2
Insider buying: why it matters
CEO Kort Schnabel’s open‑market purchase—13,000 shares for $265,070—adds a tangible vote of confidence from the top. The Form 4 shows prices ranged $20.29–$20.49 on Oct. 31. Insider buys don’t guarantee performance, but they often support sentiment when paired with stable fundamentals and dividend coverage. 1
Valuation check (today)
- Price vs. NAV: With ARCC near $20.20 and NAV/share at $20.01, shares trade around a ~1% premium to NAV—roughly in line with a “quality at par” setup that many income investors favor when credit quality is steady. (NAV from Q3 release; price from live quote above.) 2
What to watch next
- Dividend logistics: Settlement into the Dec. 30 payable date; trading dynamics as the Dec. 15 record date approaches. 2
- Credit trends: Keep an eye on non‑accruals, realized losses, and repayments given a moderating rate backdrop and sponsor exits. 2
- Origination pace: Ares’ platform activity (debt commitments, deal mix) often foreshadows ARCC deployment and fee income trajectory. 5
Media & analyst chatter you may have missed this week
- Insider‑buy + yield screens: ARCC popped up in BNK Invest’s Top Dividend Stock with Insider Buying roundup after the CEO purchase, pegging yield near 9.47% at mid‑week prices. 6
- Earnings‑call briefs: Roundups highlighted 10% annualized ROE and a sequential EPS uptick cited around the call. (For primary details, defer to the official Business Wire release.) 7
Bottom line
For Nov. 9, 2025, the ARCC narrative remains income‑first with steady coverage, record NAV/share, and fresh insider alignment—all against a backdrop of healthy direct‑lending origination at its manager. Near‑par valuation to NAV gives investors a clean read on total‑return expectations heading into year‑end, with the Dec. 30 dividend the next tangible catalyst. 2
Sources
- Ares Capital Q3 2025 press release (dividend, NAV, liquidity, portfolio & credit metrics). 2
- SEC Form 4 (CEO insider purchase on Oct. 31, 2025). 1
- Ares Management press update (Q3 2025 U.S. direct‑lending origination). 5
- Investor/press coverage (dividend features, weekend highlights; holdings changes). 6
This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Do your own research (DYOR) and consider consulting a licensed advisor.
