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ELS vs ARCC: Dividend Comparison 2026

ELS yields 4.00% · 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 $15.8K in total portfolio value
10 years
ELS
ELS
4.00%
Share price
$50.00
Annual div
$2.00
5Y div CAGR
5%
Payout ratio
50%
After 10 yrs · $10,000 · DRIP
Portfolio value
$28.0K
Annual income
$899.19
Full ELS 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 — ELS vs ARCC

Annual dividend income

MetricELSARCC
Forward yield4.00%9.06%
Annual dividend / share$2.00$1.92
Payout ratio50%88%
1-year div growth5%2%
5-year div CAGR5%3.1%
Portfolio after 10y$28.0K$43.8K
Annual income after 10y$899.19$2,279.31
Total dividends collected$6.4K$15.5K
Payment frequencyquarterlyquarterly
SectorStockBDC

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

YearELS PortfolioELS Income/yrARCC PortfolioARCC Income/yrGap
1$11,120$420.00$11,774$933.74$654.00ARCC
2$12,357$458.31$13,808$1,045.61$1.5KARCC
3$13,721$499.76$16,135$1,166.34$2.4KARCC
4$15,227$544.58$18,786$1,296.19$3.6KARCC
5$16,885$593.02$21,800$1,435.41$4.9KARCC
6$18,713$645.34$25,215$1,584.23$6.5KARCC
7$20,724$701.81$29,076$1,742.84$8.4KARCC
8$22,938$762.73$33,430$1,911.44$10.5KARCC
9$25,372$828.41$38,328$2,090.21$13.0KARCC
10$28,047$899.19$43,827$2,279.31$15.8KARCC

ELS vs ARCC: Complete Analysis 2026

ELSStock

ELS is a dividend-paying stock. Use this calculator to estimate your future dividend income, DRIP compounding returns, and passive income potential from investing in ELS shares.

Full ELS Calculator →

ARCCBDC

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 ELS or ARCC better for dividend income in 2026?
ELS currently offers a 4.00% yield (2.00/share/year) while ARCC offers 9.06% (1.92/share/year). ARCC provides higher current income. However, ELS has grown its dividend faster (5% 5Y CAGR), which may lead to better long-term income through compounding.
How much would $10,000 in ELS vs ARCC earn per year?
With $10,000 invested today: ELS pays approximately $400/year. ARCC pays approximately $906/year. With DRIP reinvestment over 10 years, these grow to $899/year (ELS) and $2,279/year (ARCC).
Does ELS or ARCC pay monthly dividends?
ELS pays quarterly dividends. ARCC pays quarterly dividends. Neither pay monthly — both use a quarterly schedule, 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.