BDC Comparison
ARCC vs FSK: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Ares Capital Corporation and FS KKR Capital Corp. covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated July 15, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| ARCC | FSK | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ares Capital Corporation | FS KKR Capital Corp. |
| Issuer | Ares Management | FS Investments |
| Last Close | $18.79 as of July 15, 2026 | $10.79 as of July 15, 2026 |
| Distribution yield | 10.30% | 21.83% |
| Distribution Safety Score | 93 | 44 |
| Expense ratio | — | — |
| AUM | — | — |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | — | — |
| Objective | — | — |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | N/A | N/A |
| Beta | 0.62 | 0.898 |
| Last dividend | $0.4800 | $0.4200 |
| Ex-dividend date | 06/15/2026 | 06/17/2026 |
Bottom lineChoose ARCC if you want private-credit income through a business development company. Choose FSK if you want higher current income (21.83% vs 10.30% for ARCC).
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each business development company at current yields.
Want to go deeper?
Add these BDCs to a sample portfolio and forecast your dividend income over 5+ years — no signup required.
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
ARCC (Ares Capital Corporation) and FSK (FS KKR Capital Corp.) are both quarterly-pay dividend-paying business development companies (BDCs), but they take different approaches.
FSK offers the higher yield at 21.83% vs 10.30% for ARCC. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
Who should choose each?
Choose ARCC
Ares Capital Corporation
- Want private-credit exposure — a BDC lending to middle-market companies.
- Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 0.6 vs 0.9 for FSK.
Choose FSK
FS KKR Capital Corp.
- Want higher current income — FSK yields 21.83% vs 10.30% for ARCC.
- Want private-credit exposure — a BDC lending to middle-market companies.
Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, ARCC would generate roughly $85.83/month, while FSK would produce $181.92/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
Strategy & risk
ARCC is a business development company, while FSK is a business development company. Beta is 0.62 for ARCC and 0.898 for FSK, indicating ARCC is less volatile relative to the market.
Security details
ARCC (Ares Capital Corporation) is a business development company. FSK (FS KKR Capital Corp.) is a business development company.
Enjoyed this page?
Do us a favor — if you found this comparison useful, please share it with a friend researching dividend investments.
Frequently asked questions
Is ARCC or FSK better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. FSK currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between ARCC and FSK?
ARCC (Ares Capital Corporation) is a business development company, while FSK (FS KKR Capital Corp.) is a business development company. They are issued by Ares Management and FS Investments respectively.
Can I hold both ARCC and FSK?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
How much income does $10,000 in ARCC vs FSK generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in ARCC would generate roughly $85.83 per month ($1,030.00 annually). The same in FSK would produce about $181.92 per month ($2,183.00 annually).
More comparisons to explore
People also compare ARCC with
Popular comparisons
Still deciding? Compare them against your own portfolio
See how each business development company fits alongside your real holdings — forecast future income, analyze overlap, and gauge risk. Start a free 7-day Dividend Vision trial and make the call with your full portfolio in view.