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

Updated on August 31, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	ARCC	CRCL
Company Name	Ares Capital Corporation	Circle Internet Group
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Capital Markets	Software
Market Capitalization	15.80 billion USD	33.13 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	October 5, 2004	June 5, 2025
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ARCC and CRCL 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. CRCL: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	CRCL
5-Day Price Return	1.45%	5.38%
13-Week Price Return	1.86%	--
26-Week Price Return	-3.24%	--
52-Week Price Return	6.82%	--
Month-to-Date Return	-1.02%	-28.08%
Year-to-Date Return	2.33%	58.57%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.86M	8.33M
3-Month Avg. Volume	3.75M	24.84M
3-Month Volatility	12.19%	--
Beta	0.76	-5.55

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ARCC

10.05%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 21.61%
Median: 13.77%
Q1: 8.31%
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.

CRCL

Software Industry

Max: 59.01%
Q3: 21.98%
Median: 7.15%
Q1: -11.12%
Min: -51.24%

Return on Equity data for CRCL is currently unavailable.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ARCC

44.94%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 66.67%
Q3: 35.11%
Median: 23.49%
Q1: 13.63%
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.

CRCL

-8.98%

Software Industry

Max: 48.14%
Q3: 18.23%
Median: 5.60%
Q1: -9.22%
Min: -49.36%

CRCL has a negative Net Profit Margin of -8.98%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ARCC

48.72%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 86.40%
Q3: 46.46%
Median: 32.80%
Q1: 18.32%
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.

CRCL

-2.10%

Software Industry

Max: 57.34%
Q3: 20.60%
Median: 7.84%
Q1: -8.72%
Min: -51.37%

CRCL has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -2.10%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	CRCL
Return on Equity (TTM)	10.05%	--
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.80%	--
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	44.94%	-8.98%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	48.72%	-2.10%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	50.28%	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ARCC

1.07

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.76
Q3: 1.89
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.54
Min: -0.41

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

CRCL

1.03

Software Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.31
Median: 1.45
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.24

CRCL’s Current Ratio of 1.03 falls into the lower quartile for the Software industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ARCC

1.01

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.62
Q3: 2.84
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.32
Min: 0.00

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

CRCL

0.09

Software Industry

Max: 2.14
Q3: 0.90
Median: 0.29
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

CRCL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.09 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ARCC

2.48

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 126.03
Q3: 60.98
Median: 11.77
Q1: 4.95
Min: -36.26

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

CRCL

Software Industry

Max: 67.02
Q3: 19.86
Median: 0.70
Q1: -12.50
Min: -53.00

Interest Coverage Ratio data for CRCL is currently unavailable.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	CRCL
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	1.03
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	1.03
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.01	0.09
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	2.48	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

ARCC vs. CRCL: 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. CRCL: 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

7.69%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.26%
Q3: 4.86%
Median: 2.78%
Q1: 1.22%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 7.69%, ARCC offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Capital Markets industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

CRCL

0.00%

Software Industry

Max: 0.08%
Q3: 0.03%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

CRCL 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. CRCL: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Software industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ARCC

89.80%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 200.72%
Q3: 101.92%
Median: 57.97%
Q1: 32.36%
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.

CRCL

0.00%

Software Industry

Max: 1.32%
Q3: 0.53%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

CRCL has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	CRCL
Dividend Yield (TTM)	7.69%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	89.80%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ARCC

11.68

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 58.89
Q3: 31.00
Median: 18.54
Q1: 12.09
Min: 5.24

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, ARCC’s P/E Ratio of 11.68 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

CRCL

Software Industry

Max: 149.35
Q3: 100.21
Median: 47.97
Q1: 26.77
Min: 11.68

P/E Ratio data for CRCL is currently unavailable.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ARCC

5.25

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.49
Q3: 7.41
Median: 4.68
Q1: 2.25
Min: 0.04

ARCC’s P/S Ratio of 5.25 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.

CRCL

10.95

Software Industry

Max: 25.24
Q3: 13.52
Median: 8.15
Q1: 4.87
Min: 0.98

CRCL’s P/S Ratio of 10.95 aligns with the market consensus for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ARCC

1.09

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.48
Q3: 4.94
Median: 2.42
Q1: 1.21
Min: 0.38

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.

CRCL

17.02

Software Industry

Max: 30.95
Q3: 14.91
Median: 7.75
Q1: 3.60
Min: 0.38

CRCL’s P/B Ratio of 17.02 is in the upper tier for the Software industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	CRCL
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	11.68	--
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.25	10.95
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.09	17.02
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	17.21	65.02