ARCC vs. BCS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 11, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ARCC and BCS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

ARCC is a standard domestic listing, while BCS trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.

Symbol	ARCC	BCS
Company Name	Ares Capital Corporation	Barclays PLC
Country	United States	United Kingdom
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Capital Markets	Banks
Market Capitalization	13.87 billion USD	71.45 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	October 5, 2004	September 9, 1986
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ARCC and BCS by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

ARCC vs. BCS: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	BCS
5-Day Price Return	-3.53%	-0.38%
13-Week Price Return	-12.66%	13.18%
26-Week Price Return	-8.60%	27.63%
52-Week Price Return	-6.42%	64.21%
Month-to-Date Return	-3.63%	-0.22%
Year-to-Date Return	-10.14%	41.25%
10-Day Avg. Volume	6.26M	19.81M
3-Month Avg. Volume	4.16M	20.99M
3-Month Volatility	15.53%	21.15%
Beta	0.64	1.74

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ARCC

10.05%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 22.24%
Median: 13.52%
Q1: 8.61%
Min: -4.25%

ARCC’s Return on Equity of 10.05% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

BCS

12.12%

Banks Industry

Max: 25.40%
Q3: 15.55%
Median: 12.00%
Q1: 8.98%
Min: -0.10%

BCS’s Return on Equity of 12.12% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

ARCC vs. BCS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Banks industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ARCC

44.94%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 69.91%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 24.30%
Q1: 13.06%
Min: -15.18%

A Net Profit Margin of 44.94% places ARCC in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

BCS

Banks Industry

Max: 54.20%
Q3: 35.73%
Median: 28.97%
Q1: 22.56%
Min: 6.98%

Net Profit Margin data for BCS is currently unavailable.

ARCC vs. BCS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Banks industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ARCC

48.72%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 84.86%
Q3: 47.16%
Median: 32.23%
Q1: 18.65%
Min: -21.87%

An Operating Profit Margin of 48.72% places ARCC in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

BCS

Banks Industry

Max: 63.35%
Q3: 44.73%
Median: 37.24%
Q1: 28.25%
Min: 12.28%

Operating Profit Margin data for BCS is currently unavailable.

ARCC vs. BCS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Banks industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	BCS
Return on Equity (TTM)	10.05%	12.12%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.80%	0.57%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	44.94%	--
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	48.72%	--
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	50.28%	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ARCC

1.07

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.37
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.56
Min: 0.04

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

BCS

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

For the Banks industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

ARCC vs. BCS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Capital Markets and Banks industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ARCC

1.01

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.52
Q3: 2.79
Median: 0.96
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

BCS

3.86

Banks Industry

Max: 5.78
Q3: 2.66
Median: 1.05
Q1: 0.40
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.

ARCC vs. BCS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Capital Markets and Banks industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ARCC

2.48

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 107.59
Q3: 48.41
Median: 10.85
Q1: 4.56
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

BCS

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks industry.

ARCC vs. BCS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Banks industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	BCS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	--
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	--
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.01	3.86
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	2.48	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

ARCC vs. BCS: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ARCC vs. BCS: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ARCC

8.69%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.02%
Q3: 4.54%
Median: 2.55%
Q1: 1.27%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 8.69%, ARCC offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Capital Markets industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

BCS

0.00%

Banks Industry

Max: 11.03%
Q3: 6.00%
Median: 3.87%
Q1: 2.41%
Min: 0.00%

BCS currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

ARCC vs. BCS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Banks industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ARCC

89.80%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 199.38%
Q3: 99.28%
Median: 60.67%
Q1: 32.00%
Min: 0.00%

ARCC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 89.80% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

BCS

22.39%

Banks Industry

Max: 134.24%
Q3: 79.39%
Median: 55.09%
Q1: 36.09%
Min: 0.00%

BCS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 22.39% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

ARCC vs. BCS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Banks industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	BCS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	8.69%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	89.80%	22.39%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ARCC

10.33

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 51.69
Q3: 29.42
Median: 17.58
Q1: 12.55
Min: 5.59

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, ARCC’s P/E Ratio of 10.33 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

BCS

5.98

Banks Industry

Max: 22.69
Q3: 13.75
Median: 10.32
Q1: 7.73
Min: 2.59

In the lower quartile for the Banks industry, BCS’s P/E Ratio of 5.98 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

ARCC vs. BCS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Banks industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ARCC

4.64

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.65
Q3: 7.29
Median: 4.53
Q1: 2.26
Min: 0.04

ARCC’s P/S Ratio of 4.64 aligns with the market consensus for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

BCS

Banks Industry

Max: 4.90
Q3: 2.98
Median: 2.24
Q1: 1.59
Min: 0.45

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.

ARCC vs. BCS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Banks industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ARCC

1.09

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.83
Q3: 5.12
Median: 2.66
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.37

ARCC’s P/B Ratio of 1.09 is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

BCS

0.63

Banks Industry

Max: 2.09
Q3: 1.40
Median: 1.11
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.29

BCS’s P/B Ratio of 0.63 is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

ARCC vs. BCS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Capital Markets and Banks industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	BCS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	10.33	5.98
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	4.64	--
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.09	0.63
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	15.23	2.60