Ares Capital Reports Q1 Earnings Decline
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 4d ago
0mins
Should l Buy ARCC?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Earnings Decline: Ares Capital Corp. reported first-quarter earnings of $293 million, or $0.41 per share, which represents a decline from $357 million and $0.55 per share in the same period last year, indicating pressure on profitability.
- Adjusted Earnings: Excluding certain items, the company reported adjusted earnings of $0.50 per share, which, while lower than the previous year, still reflects a degree of profitability amidst challenges.
- Revenue Growth: The company's revenue increased by 4.5% year-over-year to $793 million, up from $759 million last year, suggesting potential for continued revenue expansion despite earnings challenges.
- Market Reaction: The decline in earnings, despite revenue growth, may negatively impact investor confidence, leading to potential stock price volatility.
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Analyst Views on ARCC
Wall Street analysts forecast ARCC stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ARCC is 22.50 USD with a low forecast of 21.00 USD and a high forecast of 24.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
7 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 18.790
Low
21.00
Averages
22.50
High
24.00
Current: 18.790
Low
21.00
Averages
22.50
High
24.00
About ARCC
Ares Capital Corporation is a specialty finance company focused on providing direct loans and other investments in private middle market companies in the United States. The Company invests primarily in first lien senior secured loans (including unitranche loans, which are loans that combine both senior and subordinated debt, generally in a first lien position), and second lien senior secured loans. In addition to senior secured loans, it also invests in subordinated debt, which in some cases includes an equity component, and preferred equity. It also may invest up to 30% of its portfolio in non-qualifying assets. Its investment activities are focused on industries, such as software and services, health care services, commercial and professional services, financial services, commercial and professional services, insurance services, energy, food and beverage and others. The Company is externally managed by Ares Capital Management LLC (investment adviser).
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Record Investment Commitments: The company secured $5.8 billion in new investment commitments in Q4, spanning 30 new portfolio companies and 84 existing ones, with 80% in first-lien, senior-secured loans, reflecting strong market demand and investment capacity.
- Portfolio Expansion: By the end of 2025, Ares Capital's investment portfolio was valued at $29.5 billion, up from $26.7 billion in 2024, underscoring its leadership position and market confidence.
- Future Growth Potential: The company anticipates carrying forward $1.38 per share of excess taxable income for distribution in 2026, enhancing the security of its dividend payments, while increased new investment commitments will further support future dividend stability.
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- Record Investment Commitments: The company added over 100 new borrowers in 2025, setting a historical high, with total new commitments reaching $15.8 billion, indicating a proactive business expansion amid market recovery.
- Portfolio Health: By year-end 2025, the portfolio at fair value grew to $29.5 billion, a 3% increase from the prior quarter, with non-accruals at 1.8%, well below historical averages, showcasing effective risk management practices.
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See More
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