ARCC vs BXSL
Ares Capital Corporation compared with Blackstone Secured Lending Fund on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
ARCC
Ares Capital Corporation
TTM yield · Quarterly
BXSL
Blackstone Secured Lending Fund
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- BXSL yields more today: 12.58% vs 9.75% (forward).
- BXSL has grown its payout faster: 5.8%/yr vs -0.2%/yr over the last 3 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- Over the last year ARCC delivered the higher total return: -3.5% vs -8.0% (price change plus payouts).
- ARCC raises fewer payout-risk flags on our heuristic (moderate vs elevated).
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | ARCC | BXSL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $19.70 | $24.49 |
| TTM yield | 9.75% | 12.58% |
| Forward yield | 9.75% | 12.58% |
| Annual payout per share | $1.92 | $3.08 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Sep 15, 2026 (declared) | Sep 30, 2026 (declared) |
| Payout ratio (earnings) | 143% | 243% |
| 1-year payout growth | +0.0% | +0.0% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +3.7% | — |
| Consecutive years of increases | 0 years | 0 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| 1-year total return | -3.5% | -8.0% |
| 1-year price return | -12.1% | -18.3% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 14.1B | 5.7B |
| Years paying | 21.7 | 4.7 |
| Payout risk (heuristic) | Moderate | Elevated |
| Sector / category | Financial Services | Financial Services |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| ARCC | BXSL | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 507.6 | 408.3 |
| Income per year | $975 | $1,258 |
| Income per month (avg) | $81 | $105 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model ARCC · Model BXSL
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCC Sep 15, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | $0.48 | Declared |
| ARCC Dec 15, 2026 | Dec 30, 2026 | $0.48 | Est. |
| ARCC Mar 16, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 | $0.48 | Est. |
| BXSL Sep 30, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | $0.77 | Declared |
| BXSL Dec 30, 2026 | Jan 13, 2027 | $0.77 | Est. |
| BXSL Mar 31, 2027 | Apr 14, 2027 | $0.77 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
ARCCBXSL
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, ARCC or BXSL?
BXSL currently has the higher trailing yield: ARCC yields 9.75% and BXSL yields 12.58%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do ARCC and BXSL pay?
ARCC pays every quarter and BXSL pays every quarter. ARCC's next ex-date is Sep 15, 2026 and BXSL's is Sep 30, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, ARCC or BXSL?
BXSL has grown its payout faster: 5.8%/yr vs -0.2%/yr over the last 3 years.
Is ARCC or BXSL better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. ARCC and BXSL differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.