HomeCompareSO vs ARCC

SO vs ARCC: Dividend Comparison 2026

SO yields 3.42% · 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 $22.1K in total portfolio value
10 years
SO
The Southern Company
3.42%
Share price
$84.20
Annual div
$2.88
5Y div CAGR
3.1%
Payout ratio
72%
After 10 yrs · $10,000 · DRIP
Portfolio value
$21.7K
Annual income
$613.85
Full SO 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 — SO vs ARCC

Annual dividend income

MetricSOARCC
Forward yield3.42%9.06%
Annual dividend / share$2.88$1.92
Payout ratio72%88%
1-year div growth3%2%
5-year div CAGR3.1%3.1%
Portfolio after 10y$21.7K$43.8K
Annual income after 10y$613.85$2,279.31
Total dividends collected$4.7K$15.5K
Payment frequencyquarterlyquarterly
SectorUtilitiesBDC

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

YearSO PortfolioSO Income/yrARCC PortfolioARCC Income/yrGap
1$10,833$352.65$11,774$933.74$941.00ARCC
2$11,728$375.81$13,808$1,045.61$2.1KARCC
3$12,692$400.29$16,135$1,166.34$3.4KARCC
4$13,727$426.14$18,786$1,296.19$5.1KARCC
5$14,839$453.42$21,800$1,435.41$7.0KARCC
6$16,034$482.21$25,215$1,584.23$9.2KARCC
7$17,316$512.58$29,076$1,742.84$11.8KARCC
8$18,692$544.59$33,430$1,911.44$14.7KARCC
9$20,167$578.32$38,328$2,090.21$18.2KARCC
10$21,749$613.85$43,827$2,279.31$22.1KARCC

SO vs ARCC: Complete Analysis 2026

SOUtilities

Southern Company is a Dividend Aristocrat with 23+ consecutive years of increases. It serves 9M+ customers across Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi through its regulated electric and gas utilities. Vogtle Unit 4 nuclear plant completion in 2024 adds decades of low-carbon baseload generation capacity.

Full SO 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 SO or ARCC better for dividend income in 2026?
SO currently offers a 3.42% yield (2.88/share/year) while ARCC offers 9.06% (1.92/share/year). ARCC provides higher current income. However, ARCC has grown its dividend faster (3.1% 5Y CAGR), which may lead to better long-term income through compounding.
How much would $10,000 in SO vs ARCC earn per year?
With $10,000 invested today: SO pays approximately $342/year. ARCC pays approximately $906/year. With DRIP reinvestment over 10 years, these grow to $614/year (SO) and $2,279/year (ARCC).
Does SO or ARCC pay monthly dividends?
SO 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.
📬

Get this SO vs ARCC comparison by email

Save your analysis + get weekly dividend insights. Free forever.

More comparisons

SO vs NEESO vs DUKSO vs DSO vs AEPSO vs EXCSO vs MAINSO vs HTGCSO vs GBDCARCC vs MAINARCC vs HTGCARCC vs GBDCARCC vs ORCC

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