Ares Capital (ARCC) vs Circle Internet Group (CRCL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Ares Capital (ARCC) has outperformed Circle Internet Group (CRCL) over the past year, losing 7.1% versus a loss of 45.6%. Circle Internet Group is the larger company by market cap ($20.49 billion vs $13.32 billion), about 1.5 times the size. On valuation, Ares Capital trades at a lower forward P/E (9.6x vs 57.2x for Circle Internet Group).
Ares Capital pays a dividend yielding 10.35%, while Circle Internet Group does not currently pay one.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ARCC | CRCL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $18.56 | $80.71 |
| Market cap | $13.32B | $20.49B |
| 1-day change | +0.57% | -0.17% |
| YTD return | -8.80% | +1.94% |
| 1-year return | -7.10% | -45.64% |
| 5-year return | -12.31% | — |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 13.85 | 55.28 |
| Forward P/E | 9.60 | 57.15 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.34 | $1.46 |
| Dividend yield | 10.35% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.92 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $2.75B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +63.86% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.30B | $-69.51M |
| Operating margin | — | -3.51% |
| Net margin | — | -2.53% |
| 52-week high | $21.14 | $159.47 |
| 52-week low | $17.40 | $49.90 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.23% | -49.39% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +11.94% | +30.80% |
| Average volume | 4.47M | 13.75M |
| Shares outstanding | 718.02M | 234.69M |
| Employees | — | 1,100 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Finance: Consumer Services | Finance: Consumer Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- ARCC has outperformed CRCL by 38.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Circle Internet Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (55.3x vs 13.8x trailing P/E).
- Ares Capital offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (10.35% vs 0.00%).
About Ares Capital
ARCC stock →Ares Capital Corporation is a business development company specializing in growth capital, acquisition, recapitalization, mezzanine debt, restructurings, rescue financing, and leveraged buyout transactions of middle market companies. It also makes growth capital and general refinancing.
Finance · Finance: Consumer Services
About Circle Internet Group
CRCL stock →Circle Internet Group, Inc. operates as a platform, network, and market infrastructure for stablecoin and blockchain applications.
Finance · Finance: Consumer Services · 1,100 employees
ARCC vs CRCL FAQ
Which is bigger, Ares Capital or Circle Internet Group?
Circle Internet Group (CRCL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $20.49B compared with $13.32B for Ares Capital (ARCC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ARCC or CRCL?
ARCC returned -7.10% over the past 12 months, compared with -45.64% for CRCL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ARCC or CRCL?
ARCC has the lower trailing P/E at 13.8, versus 55.3 for CRCL. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Ares Capital or Circle Internet Group?
Ares Capital pays a dividend yielding 10.35%, while Circle Internet Group does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Ares Capital and Circle Internet Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Finance: Consumer Services industry within the Finance sector.