Should You Buy Ares Capital While It's Below $21?

Core Viewpoint - Ares Capital (ARCC) presents a compelling investment opportunity due to its high dividend yield, attractive valuation, and strong position in the growing direct lending market Group 1: Dividend Yield - Ares Capital offers a forward dividend yield of 9.3%, appealing to income investors [3] - The company has maintained or grown its dividend for over 16 consecutive years, indicating a strong commitment to sustaining this trend [4] Group 2: Valuation - Ares Capital's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is only 10.6, making it appear undervalued compared to the broader market [5] - The trailing 12-month P/E ratio is over 20% below the average level of the last 10 years, suggesting a current buying opportunity [7] Group 3: Market Opportunity - The demand for direct lending is increasing, with Ares Capital positioned to benefit as banks tighten capital availability [9] - The total addressable market for Ares Capital is estimated at $5.4 trillion when including businesses with annual revenue over $1 billion [10] - Ares Capital is the largest publicly traded BDC, with a strong balance sheet and diverse portfolio, enhancing its competitive advantage [11]