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

Updated on August 22, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	ARCC	TSLX
Company Name	Ares Capital Corporation	Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Capital Markets	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	15.72 billion USD	2.29 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	October 5, 2004	March 21, 2014
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	TSLX
5-Day Price Return	-1.63%	0.17%
13-Week Price Return	1.73%	6.45%
26-Week Price Return	-3.42%	7.97%
52-Week Price Return	6.96%	16.08%
Month-to-Date Return	-1.50%	-0.08%
Year-to-Date Return	1.83%	13.90%
10-Day Avg. Volume	3.42M	0.39M
3-Month Avg. Volume	3.93M	0.49M
3-Month Volatility	13.02%	17.18%
Beta	0.76	0.89

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.

TSLX

11.68%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 21.61%
Median: 13.77%
Q1: 8.31%
Min: -4.25%

TSLX’s Return on Equity of 11.68% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

ARCC vs. TSLX: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

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.

TSLX

39.55%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 66.67%
Q3: 35.11%
Median: 23.49%
Q1: 13.63%
Min: -15.18%

A Net Profit Margin of 39.55% places TSLX in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

ARCC vs. TSLX: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

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.

TSLX

47.62%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 86.40%
Q3: 46.46%
Median: 32.80%
Q1: 18.32%
Min: -21.87%

An Operating Profit Margin of 47.62% places TSLX 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.

ARCC vs. TSLX: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	TSLX
Return on Equity (TTM)	10.05%	11.68%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.80%	5.35%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	44.94%	39.55%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	48.72%	47.62%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	50.28%	56.00%

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.

TSLX

4.16

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.

ARCC vs. TSLX: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

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.

TSLX

1.07

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.

ARCC vs. TSLX: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

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.

TSLX

3.80

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.

ARCC vs. TSLX: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	TSLX
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	4.16
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	2.20
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.01	1.07
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	2.48	3.80

Growth

Revenue Growth

ARCC vs. TSLX: 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. TSLX: 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.

TSLX

7.38%

Capital Markets Industry

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

With a Dividend Yield of 7.38%, TSLX offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Capital Markets industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

ARCC vs. TSLX: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

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.

TSLX

90.08%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 200.72%
Q3: 101.92%
Median: 57.97%
Q1: 32.36%
Min: 0.00%

TSLX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 90.08% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

ARCC vs. TSLX: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	TSLX
Dividend Yield (TTM)	7.69%	7.38%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	89.80%	90.08%

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.

TSLX

12.20

Capital Markets Industry

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

TSLX’s P/E Ratio of 12.20 is within the middle range for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

ARCC vs. TSLX: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

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.

TSLX

4.83

Capital Markets Industry

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

TSLX’s P/S Ratio of 4.83 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.

ARCC vs. TSLX: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

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.

TSLX

1.38

Capital Markets Industry

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

TSLX’s P/B Ratio of 1.38 is within the conventional range for the Capital Markets industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

ARCC vs. TSLX: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ARCC	TSLX
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	11.68	12.20
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.25	4.83
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.09	1.38
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	17.21	6.67