BDC Comparison
ARCC vs HTGC vs MAIN: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A side-by-side comparison of Ares Capital Corporation, Hercules Capital, Inc. and Main Street Capital Corporation covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated July 15, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| ARCC | HTGC | MAIN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ares Capital Corporation | Hercules Capital, Inc. | Main Street Capital Corporation |
| Issuer | Ares Management | Hercules Capital | Main Street Capital |
| Last Close | $18.79 as of July 15, 2026 | $16.04 as of July 15, 2026 | $53.09 as of July 15, 2026 |
| Distribution yield | 10.30% | 11.81% | 13.00% |
| Distribution Safety Score | 93 | 88 | 73 |
| Expense ratio | — | — | — |
| AUM | — | — | — |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Underlying index | — | — | — |
| Objective | — | — | — |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Beta | 0.62 | 0.738 | 0.725 |
| Last dividend | $0.4800 | $0.4700 | $0.2650 |
| Ex-dividend date | 06/15/2026 | 05/14/2026 | 09/08/2026 |
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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), HTGC (Hercules Capital, Inc.), MAIN (Main Street Capital Corporation) are dividend-paying business development companies (BDCs) that take different approaches.
MAIN offers the highest reported yield at 13.00%, followed by HTGC at 11.81%, ARCC at 10.30%.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment: ARCC generates ~$85.83/month, HTGC generates ~$98.42/month, MAIN generates ~$108.33/month at current distribution rates.
Strategy & risk
ARCC is a business development company; HTGC is a business development company; MAIN is a business development company.
Security details
ARCC (Ares Capital Corporation) is a business development company. HTGC (Hercules Capital, Inc.) is a business development company. MAIN (Main Street Capital Corporation) is a business development company.
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Frequently asked questions
Which of ARCC, HTGC, MAIN is best for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. MAIN currently offers the highest reported distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility, and funds without an established distribution history have no comparable yield to evaluate. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between ARCC, HTGC, MAIN?
ARCC (Ares Capital Corporation) is a business development company, issued by Ares Management. HTGC (Hercules Capital, Inc.) is a business development company, issued by Hercules Capital. MAIN (Main Street Capital Corporation) is a business development company, issued by Main Street Capital.
Can I hold ARCC, HTGC, MAIN together?
Yes — nothing prevents holding them together. 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 generate in each?
$10,000 in ARCC yields ~$85.83/month ($1,030.00/year). $10,000 in HTGC yields ~$98.42/month ($1,181.00/year). $10,000 in MAIN yields ~$108.33/month ($1,300.00/year).
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