Is ADC or ARCC a better dividend investment in 2026?

ADC currently yields 4.39% with a 5.2% 5-year dividend growth rate. ARCC yields 9.06% with 3.1% growth. The better choice depends on your goal: ARCC offers higher current income, while ADC is better for long-term compounding. Use the DRIP calculator above to model your specific scenario.

What is the dividend yield difference between ADC and ARCC?

ADC has a forward dividend yield of 4.39% (3.00/share annually). ARCC yields 9.06% (1.92/share annually). The yield gap is 4.67 percentage points.

How much would $10,000 in ADC vs ARCC pay in dividends per year?

With $10,000 invested: ADC would pay approximately $439/year in dividends. ARCC would pay approximately $906/year. With DRIP reinvestment over 10 years, these amounts grow substantially due to compounding.

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ADC vs ARCC: Dividend Comparison 2026

Q: Does ADC or ARCC pay monthly dividends?

ADC pays monthly dividends. ARCC pays quarterly dividends. Monthly payers are preferred by investors who want regular cash flow to cover living expenses.

ADC yields 4.39% · ARCC yields 9.06% · See full DRIP projection below

vsEnter any two US tickers

After 10 years · $10,000 invested · DRIP enabled

🏆 ARCC wins by $20.3K in total portfolio value

INVESTMENT

TIME HORIZON10 years

ADC

Agree Realty Corporation

4.39%

Share price

$68.40

Annual div

$3.00

5Y div CAGR

5.2%

Payout ratio

73%

After 10 yrs · $10,000 · DRIP

Portfolio value

$23.5K

Annual income

$1,093.74

Full ADC calculator →

ARCC

Ares Capital Corporation

9.06%

Share price

$21.20

Annual div

$1.92

5Y div CAGR

3.1%

Payout ratio

88%

After 10 yrs · $10,000 · DRIP

Portfolio value

$43.8K

Annual income

$2,279.31

Full ARCC calculator →

Portfolio growth — ADC vs ARCC

Annual dividend income

MetricADCARCC

Forward yield	4.39%	9.06% ✓
Annual dividend / share	$3.00 ✓	$1.92
Payout ratio	73% ✓	88%
1-year div growth	2.8% ✓	2%
5-year div CAGR	5.2% ✓	3.1%
Portfolio after 10y	$23.5K	$43.8K ✓
Annual income after 10y	$1,093.74	$2,279.31 ✓
Total dividends collected	$7.4K	$15.5K ✓
Payment frequency	monthly	quarterly
Sector	REIT	BDC

Year-by-year: ADC vs ARCC ($10,000, DRIP)

Year	ADC Portfolio	ADC Income/yr	ARCC Portfolio	ARCC Income/yr	Gap
1	$10,871	$461.40	$11,774	$933.74	$903.00 → ARCC
2	$11,824	$506.91	$13,808	$1,045.61	$2.0K → ARCC
3	$12,866	$557.16	$16,135	$1,166.34	$3.3K → ARCC
4	$14,006	$612.66	$18,786	$1,296.19	$4.8K → ARCC
5	$15,254	$674.00	$21,800	$1,435.41	$6.5K → ARCC
6	$16,622	$741.82	$25,215	$1,584.23	$8.6K → ARCC
7	$18,120	$816.86	$29,076	$1,742.84	$11.0K → ARCC
8	$19,763	$899.90	$33,430	$1,911.44	$13.7K → ARCC
9	$21,565	$991.86	$38,328	$2,090.21	$16.8K → ARCC
10	$23,543	$1,093.74	$43,827	$2,279.31	$20.3K → ARCC

ADC vs ARCC: Complete Analysis 2026

ADC — REIT

Agree Realty is a net-lease REIT focused on high-quality retail tenants including Walmart, Home Depot, and Tractor Supply. Its monthly dividend and focus on investment-grade tenants make it a conservative REIT alternative to Realty Income. Conservative leverage and disciplined acquisition strategy set it apart.

Full ADC Calculator →

ARCC — BDC

Ares Capital is the largest Business Development Company by assets. It provides financing to middle market companies and pays a generous quarterly dividend plus occasional special dividends. With $21B+ in AUM and diversified exposure across industries, ARCC is the benchmark BDC for income investors.

Full ARCC Calculator →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ADC or ARCC better for dividend income in 2026?

ADC currently offers a 4.39% yield (3.00/share/year) while ARCC offers 9.06% (1.92/share/year). ARCC provides higher current income. However, ADC has grown its dividend faster (5.2% 5Y CAGR), which may lead to better long-term income through compounding.

How much would $10,000 in ADC vs ARCC earn per year?

With $10,000 invested today: ADC pays approximately $439/year. ARCC pays approximately $906/year. With DRIP reinvestment over 10 years, these grow to $1,094/year (ADC) and $2,279/year (ARCC).

Does ADC or ARCC pay monthly dividends?

ADC pays monthly dividends. ARCC pays quarterly dividends. ADC pays monthly, which is preferred by investors who need regular cash flow.

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⚠️ Educational purposes only. Not financial advice. All projections use historical data; actual results will vary.