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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration No.: 333-279023

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated May 1, 2024)

$1,000,000,000

Common Stock

We have entered into separate equity distribution agreements, each dated July 30, 2024, with each of Truist Securities, Inc., Jefferies LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Regions Securities LLC (each, a “sales agent”), and our investment adviser, Ares Capital Management LLC (“Ares Capital Management”), and our administrator, Ares Operations LLC (“Ares Operations”) (collectively, the “equity distribution agreements”), relating to the offer and sale of shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the equity distribution agreements, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $1,000,000,000 from time to time through the sales agents.

Ares Capital Corporation is a specialty finance company that is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company incorporated in Maryland. We have elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Our investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. We invest 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, we also invest in subordinated loans (sometimes referred to as mezzanine debt) and preferred equity. To a lesser extent, we also make common equity investments.

We are externally managed by our investment adviser, Ares Capital Management, a subsidiary of Ares Management Corporation, a publicly traded, leading global alternative investment manager. Ares Operations, a subsidiary of Ares Management Corporation, provides certain administrative and other services necessary for us to operate.

Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “ARCC.” On July 29, 2024, the official close price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market was $20.89 per share. The net asset value per share of our common stock at June 30, 2024 (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus supplement on which we determined net asset value) was $19.61.

Sales of shares of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be made in transactions that are deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), including without limitation sales made directly on or through The Nasdaq Global Select Market, sales made to or through market makers and sales made through any other existing trading market or electronic communications network, and by any other method permitted by law, including but not limited to privately negotiated transactions, which may include block trades, as we and the sales agents may agree. None of the sales agents are required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of shares of our common stock but will make all sales using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with their normal trading and sales practices on mutually agreed terms between the sales agents and us.

Each of the sales agents will be entitled to compensation of up to 1.50% of the gross sales price for any shares of common stock sold through it as a sales agent under the equity distribution agreements, as further described herein under the caption “Plan of Distribution.” In connection with the sale of shares of common stock on our behalf, each sales agent may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of each sales agent may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. The sales price per share of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, less commissions payable under the applicable equity distribution agreement and discounts, if any, will not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time of such sale. Our investment adviser may, from time to time, in its sole discretion, pay some or all of the commissions payable under the equity distribution agreements or make additional supplemental payments to ensure that the sales price per share of our common stock in connection with all of the offerings made hereunder will not be less than our current net asset value per share. Any such payments made by our investment adviser will not be subject to reimbursement by us.

Investing in our common stock involves risks. Before making a decision to invest in our common stock, you should carefully consider the matters discussed under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 14 of the accompanying prospectus and the matters discussed in the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus concisely provide important information about us that you should know before investing in our common stock. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with this offering (such free writing prospectus and this prospectus supplement collectively referred to hereinafter as the “prospectus supplement”). Please read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference, before you invest and keep them for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This information is available free of charge by calling us collect at (310) 201-4200, by sending an e-mail to us at [email protected] or on our website at www.arescapitalcorp.com. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains such information. The information on the websites referred to herein is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

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The date of this prospectus supplement is July 30, 2024.

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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, or any other information to which we have referred you. We have not, and the sales agents have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the sales agents are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, as applicable. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in the accompanying prospectus. If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus, this prospectus supplement will apply and will supersede that information in the accompanying prospectus.

Prospectus Supplement

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We use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “project,” “estimates,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. Our actual results and condition could differ materially from those implied or expressed in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including the factors set forth in “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus and the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the documents we incorporate by reference herein and therein.

We have based the forward-looking statements on information available to us as of the filing date of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, as applicable, including any documents incorporated by reference, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we have filed or in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, registration statements on Form N-2, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

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THE COMPANY

This summary highlights some of the information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you may want to consider. You should read carefully the more detailed information set forth under “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus and the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company” and “Ares Capital” refer to Ares Capital Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries; “Ares Capital Management” and “our investment adviser” refer to Ares Capital Management LLC; “Ares Operations” and “our administrator” refer to Ares Operations LLC; and “Ares” and “Ares Management” refer to Ares Management Corporation and its affiliated companies (other than portfolio companies of its affiliated funds).

Overview

Ares Capital, a Maryland corporation, is a specialty finance company that is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company. We have elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Investment Company Act”). We were founded on April 16, 2004, were initially funded on June 23, 2004 and completed our initial public offering on October 8, 2004. As of June 30, 2024, we were the largest publicly traded BDC by market capitalization and had approximately $26.1 billion of total assets.

We are externally managed by our investment adviser, Ares Capital Management, a subsidiary of Ares Management (NYSE: ARES), a publicly traded, leading global alternative investment manager, pursuant to our investment advisory and management agreement. Our administrator, Ares Operations, a subsidiary of Ares Management, provides certain administrative and other services necessary for us to operate.

Our investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. We invest primarily in U.S. middle-market companies, where we believe the supply of primary capital is limited and the investment opportunities are most attractive. However, we may from time to time invest in larger or smaller companies. We generally use the term “middle-market” to refer to companies with annual EBITDA between $10 million and $250 million. As used herein, EBITDA represents net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization.

We invest 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, we also invest in subordinated loans (sometimes referred to as mezzanine debt) and preferred equity. First and second lien senior secured loans generally are senior debt instruments that rank ahead of subordinated debt of a given portfolio company. Subordinated debt and preferred equity are subordinated to senior loans and are generally unsecured. Our investments in corporate borrowers generally range between $30 million and $500 million each. However, the investment sizes may be more or less than these ranges and may vary based on, among other things, our capital availability, the composition of our portfolio and general micro- and macro-economic factors.

To a lesser extent, we also make common equity investments, which have generally been non-control equity investments of less than $20 million (usually in conjunction with a concurrent debt investment). However, we may increase the size or change the nature of these investments.

The proportion of these types of investments will change over time given our views on, among other things, the economic and credit environment in which we are operating. In pursuit of our investment objective, we generally seek to self-originate investments and lead the investment process.

The instruments in which we invest typically are not rated by any rating agency, but we believe that if such instruments were rated, they would be below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service, lower than “BBB-” by Fitch Ratings or lower than “BBB-” by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services), which, under the guidelines established by these entities, is an indication of having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Bonds that are rated below investment grade are sometimes referred to as “high yield bonds” or “junk bonds.” We may invest without limit in debt or other securities of any rating, as well as debt or other securities that have not been rated by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

We believe that our investment adviser, Ares Capital Management, is able to leverage the current investment platform, resources and existing relationships of Ares Management with financial sponsors, financial institutions, hedge funds and other investment firms

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to provide us with attractive investment opportunities. In addition to deal flow, the Ares investment platform assists our investment adviser in analyzing, structuring and monitoring investments. Ares has been in existence for over 25 years and its partners have an average of approximately 25 years of investment experience in managing, advising, underwriting and restructuring companies. We have access to Ares’ investment professionals and administrative professionals, who provide assistance in accounting, finance, legal, compliance, operations, information technology, human resources and investor relations. As of March 31, 2024, Ares had over 1,000 investment professionals and over 1,850 administrative professionals.

While our primary focus is to generate current income and capital appreciation through investments in first and second lien senior secured loans, subordinated debt and preferred equity and, to a lesser extent, equity securities of eligible portfolio companies, we also may invest up to 30% of our portfolio in non-qualifying assets, as permitted by the Investment Company Act. See “Regulation” in the accompanying prospectus. Specifically, as part of this 30% basket, we may invest in entities that are not considered “eligible portfolio companies” (as defined in the Investment Company Act), including companies located outside of the United States, entities that are operating pursuant to certain exceptions under the Investment Company Act, and publicly traded entities whose public equity market capitalization exceeds the levels provided for under the Investment Company Act.

Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P.

As of June 30, 2024, our portfolio company, Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P. (“IHAM”), an asset manager and an SEC-registered investment adviser, managed 21 vehicles (such vehicles are collectively referred to as, the “IHAM Vehicles”). As of June 30, 2024, IHAM had assets under management of approximately $13.2 billion. As of June 30, 2024, the amortized cost and fair value of our investment in IHAM was $1.7 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively. In connection with IHAM’s registration as a registered investment adviser, on March 30, 2012, we received exemptive relief from the SEC allowing us to, subject to certain conditions, own directly or indirectly up to 100% of IHAM’s outstanding equity interests and make additional investments in IHAM. From time to time, IHAM or certain IHAM Vehicles may purchase investments from us or sell investments to us, in each case for a price equal to the fair market value of such investments determined at the time of such transactions.

For more information on IHAM, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Portfolio and Investment Activity—Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P.” and Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 7, 2024 and incorporated by reference herein (the “2023 Annual Report”) and our consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on July 30, 2024 and incorporated by reference herein (the “Q2 2024 Quarterly Report”).

Senior Direct Lending Program

We have established a joint venture with Varagon Capital Partners (“Varagon”) to make certain first lien senior secured loans, including certain stretch senior and unitranche loans, primarily to U.S. middle-market companies. The joint venture is called the Senior Direct Lending Program, LLC (d/b/a the “Senior Direct Lending Program” or the “SDLP”). In July 2016, we and Varagon and its clients completed the initial funding of the SDLP. The SDLP may generally commit and hold individual loans of up to $450 million. The SDLP is capitalized as transactions are completed and all portfolio decisions and generally all other decisions in respect of the SDLP must be approved by an investment committee of the SDLP consisting of representatives of ours and Varagon (with approval from a representative of each required).

We provide capital to the SDLP in the form of subordinated certificates (the “SDLP Certificates”), and Varagon and its clients provide capital to the SDLP in the form of senior notes, intermediate funding notes and the SDLP Certificates. As of June 30, 2024, we and a client of Varagon owned 87.5% and 12.5%, respectively, of the outstanding SDLP Certificates.

As of June 30, 2024, we and Varagon and its clients had agreed to make capital available to the SDLP of $6.2 billion in the aggregate, of which approximately $5.0 billion has been funded. As of June 30, 2024, we agreed to make available to the SDLP (subject to the approval of the SDLP as described above) $1.4 billion, of which $1.3 billion was funded. As of June 30, 2024, the SDLP had commitments to fund delayed draw loans to certain of its portfolio companies of $231 million, which had been approved by the investment committee of the SDLP as described above, of which $56 million was committed by us. For more information on the SDLP, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Portfolio and Investment Activity — Senior Direct Lending Program” and Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included in our 2023 Annual Report and Q2 2024 Quarterly Report.

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Ares Capital Management LLC

Ares Capital Management, our investment adviser, is served by origination, investment and portfolio management and valuation teams of approximately 190 U.S.-based investment professionals as of March 31, 2024 and led by certain partners of the Ares Credit Group: Kipp deVeer, Mitchell Goldstein and Michael Smith. Ares Capital Management leverages off of Ares’ investment platform and benefits from the significant capital markets, trading and research expertise of Ares’ investment professionals. Ares Capital Management’s investment committee has eight members primarily comprised of certain of the U.S.-based partners of the Ares Credit Group.

Our Corporate Information

Our administrative offices are located at 2000 Avenue of the Stars, 12^th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90067, telephone number (310) 201-4200, and our principal executive offices are located at 245 Park Avenue, 44^th Floor, New York, New York 10167, telephone number (212) 750-7300.

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FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear, directly or indirectly, based on the assumptions set forth below. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus contains a reference to our fees or expenses, we will pay such fees and expenses out of our net assets and, consequently, stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in Ares Capital.

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For purposes of this table, we have assumed that these fees will be payable (in the case of the capital gains incentive fee) and that they will remain constant, although they are based on our performance and will not be paid unless we achieve certain goals. We expect to invest or otherwise utilize all of the net proceeds from this offering within three months of the date of completion of this offering and may have capital gains and interest income that could result in the payment of these fees to our investment adviser in the first year after completion of offerings pursuant to this prospectus. Since our IPO through June 30, 2024, the average quarterly fees accrued related to income based fees and capital gains incentive fees (including capital gains incentive fees accrued under GAAP even though they may not be payable) have been approximately 0.69% of our weighted average net assets for such period (2.75% on an annualized basis). For more detailed information on the calculation of our income based fees and capital gains incentive fees, please see below. For more detailed information about income based fees and capital gains incentive fees previously incurred by us, please see Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements in our 2023 Annual Report and Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements in our Q2 2024 Quarterly Report.

Income based fees are payable quarterly in arrears in an amount equal to 20% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income (including interest that is accrued but not yet received in cash), subject to a 1.75% quarterly (7.0% annualized) hurdle rate and a “catch-up” provision measured as of the end of each calendar quarter. Under this provision, in any calendar quarter, our investment adviser receives no income based fees until our net investment income equals the hurdle rate of 1.75% but then receives, as a “catch-up,” 100% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income with respect to that portion of such pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 2.1875%. The effect of this provision is that, if pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter, our investment adviser will receive 20% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply.

Capital gains incentive fees are payable annually in arrears in an amount equal to 20% of our realized capital gains on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of the year, if any, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of capital gains incentive fees paid in all prior years.

We will defer cash payment of any income based fees and capital gains incentive fees otherwise earned by our investment adviser if, during the most recent four full calendar quarter period ending on or prior to the date such payment is to be made, the sum of (a) our aggregate distributions to our stockholders and (b) our change in net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any income based fees or capital gains incentive fees accrued during the period) is less than 7.0% of our net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness) at the beginning of such period. Any deferred income based fees and capital gains incentive fees are carried over for payment in subsequent calculation periods to the extent such payment is payable under the investment advisory and management agreement.

These calculations will be adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases.

See “Item 1. Business — Investment Advisory and Management Agreement” in our 2023 Annual Report.

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Example

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed that we would have no additional leverage, that none of our assets are cash or cash equivalents and that our annual operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above and that an investor would pay the transaction expenses set forth above, including a sales load of 1.50% (agents’ discounts and commissions with respect to the shares sold in this offering). Income based fees and the capital gains incentive fees under the investment advisory and management agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or have an insignificant impact on the expense amounts shown below, are not included in the example, except as specifically set forth below.

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The foregoing table is to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. If we were to achieve sufficient returns on our investments, including through the realization of capital gains, to trigger income based fees or capital gains incentive fees of a material amount, our expenses, and returns to our investors, would be higher. In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value, if our board of directors authorizes and we declare a cash dividend, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan who have not otherwise elected to receive cash will receive a number of shares of our common stock determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the valuation date for the dividend. See “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities—Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities—Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in our 2023 Annual Report and “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

This example and the expenses in the table above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses as actual expenses (including the cost of debt, if any, and other expenses) that we may incur in the future and such actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown.

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Affiliates of the sales agents are lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility and/or the SMBC Funding Facility. Accordingly, affiliates of certain of the sales agents may receive more than 5% of the proceeds of this offering to the extent such proceeds are used to repay or repurchase outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility and/or the SMBC Funding Facility. We intend to use any net proceeds from this offering that are not applied as described above for general corporate purposes, which include investing in portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objective.

Investing in portfolio companies could include investments in our investment backlog and pipeline that, as of July 24, 2024, were approximately $2.9 billion and $40 million, respectively. Please note that the consummation of any of the investments in this backlog and pipeline depends upon, among other things, one or more of the following: satisfactory completion of our due diligence investigation of the prospective portfolio company, our acceptance of the terms and structure of such investment and the execution and delivery of satisfactory transaction documentation. In addition, we may sell all or a portion of these investments and certain of these investments may result in the repayment of existing investments. We cannot assure you that we will make any of these investments or that we will sell all or any portion of these investments.

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If we have reason to believe that shares of our common stock are no longer an “actively-traded security” as defined under Rule 101(c)(l) of Regulation M under the Exchange we will promptly notify the sales agents and sales of shares of our common stock pursuant to the equity distribution agreements will be suspended until in our collective judgment Rule 101(c)(1) or another exemptive provision has been satisfied.

The offering of shares of our common stock pursuant to the equity distribution agreements will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all of the shares of our common stock subject to the equity distribution agreements or (ii) the termination of the equity distribution agreements as permitted therein.

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Proceeds of the sale of shares of our common stock pursuant to this offering may be used to repay or repurchase outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Revolving Funding Facility, the SMBC Funding Facility and/or the BNP Funding Facility. Affiliates of the sales agents are lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility and/or the SMBC Funding Facility. Accordingly, affiliates of certain of the sales agents may receive more than 5% of the proceeds of this offering to the extent such proceeds are used to repay or repurchase outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility and/or the SMBC Funding Facility.

The principal business address of Truist Securities, Inc. is 3333 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30326. The principal business address of Jefferies LLC is 520 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022. The principal business address of Mizuho Securities USA LLC is 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020. The principal business address of RBC Capital Markets, LLC is 200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10281. The principal business address of Regions Securities LLC is 615 S. College Street, Suite 600, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

This prospectus constitutes an “exempt offering document” as defined in and for the purposes of applicable Canadian securities laws. No prospectus has been filed with any securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada in connection with the offer and sale of the shares. No securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada has reviewed or in any way passed upon this prospectus or on the merits of the shares and any representation to the contrary is an offence.

Canadian investors are advised that this prospectus has been prepared in reliance on section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (“NI 33-105”). Pursuant to section 3A.3 of NI 33-105, we and the underwriters in the offering are exempt from the requirement to provide Canadian investors with certain conflicts of interest disclosure required pursuant to subsection 2.1(1) of NI 33-105.

Resale Restrictions

The offer and sale of the shares to investors resident or located in Canada is being made on a private placement basis only and is exempt from the requirement that we prepare and file a prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws. Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made in accordance with Canadian prospectus requirements, a statutory exemption from the prospectus requirements, in a transaction exempt from the prospectus requirements or otherwise under a discretionary exemption from the prospectus requirements granted by the applicable local Canadian securities regulatory authority. These resale restrictions may under certain circumstances apply to resales of the shares outside of Canada.

Representations of Purchasers

Each Canadian investor who purchases the shares will be deemed to have represented to us, the underwriters and to each dealer from whom a purchase confirmation is received, as applicable, that the investor is (i) purchasing as principal, or is deemed to be purchasing as principal in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws; (ii) an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or, in Ontario, as such term is defined in section 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario); and (iii) a “permitted client” as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations.

Taxation and Eligibility for Investment

The prospectus does not address the Canadian tax considerations applicable to the acquisition, holding or disposition of the shares. No representation or warranty is hereby made as to the tax consequences to a resident, or deemed resident, of Canada of an investment in the shares or with respect to the eligibility of the shares for investment by such investor under relevant Canadian federal and provincial legislation and regulations.

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Rights of Action for Damages or Rescission

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Language of Documents

Upon receipt of this document, each Canadian investor hereby confirms that it has expressly requested that all documents evidencing or relating in any way to the sale of the securities described herein (including for greater certainty any purchase confirmation or any notice) be drawn up in the English language only. Par la réception de ce document, chaque investisseur canadien confirme par les présentes qu’il a expressément exigé que tous les documents faisant foi ou se rapportant de quelque manière que ce soit à la vente des valeurs mobilières décrites aux présentes (incluant, pour plus de certitude, toute confirmation d’achat ou tout avis) soient rédigés en anglais seulement.

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to comprise a part of this prospectus supplement. Any reports filed by us with the SEC subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference herein.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement our filings listed below and any future filings that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement until all of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been sold or we otherwise terminate the offering of these securities; provided, however, that information “furnished” under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K or other information “furnished” to the SEC that is not deemed filed is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that have been previously filed with the SEC:

See “Available Information” in the accompanying prospectus for information on how to obtain a copy of these filings.

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PROSPECTUS

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Subscription Rights

Warrants

Units

Ares Capital Corporation is a specialty finance company that is a closed end, non-diversified management investment company incorporated in Maryland. We have elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Our investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. We invest 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, we also invest in subordinated debt (sometimes referred to as mezzanine debt), which in some cases includes an equity component, and preferred equity. To a lesser extent, we also make common equity investments. We are externally managed by our investment adviser, Ares Capital Management LLC, a subsidiary of Ares Management Corporation, a publicly traded, leading global alternative investment manager. Ares Operations LLC, a subsidiary of Ares Management Corporation, provides certain administrative and other services necessary for us to operate.

Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “ARCC.” On April 24, 2024, the official close price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market was $20.79, per share. The net asset value per share of our common stock at March 31, 2024 (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus on which we determined net asset value) was $19.53.

Investing in our securities involves risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 14 of this prospectus, including the risk of leverage.

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock, warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, or units comprised of any combination of the foregoing, which we refer to, collectively, as the “securities.” The preferred stock, debt securities, subscription rights and warrants (including as part of a unit) offered hereby may be convertible or exchangeable into shares of our common stock. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. In the event we offer common stock, the offering price per share of our common stock less any underwriting commissions or discounts will generally not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time we make the offering. However, we may issue shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus at a price per share that is less than our net asset value per share (a) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (b) with the prior approval of the majority of our common stockholders or (c) under such circumstances as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) may permit. This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to an offering of our securities. We will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The accompanying prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, before investing in our securities and keep them for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This information is available free of charge by calling us collect at (310) 201-4200, by sending an e-mail to us at [email protected] or on our website at www.arescapitalcorp.com. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains such information. The information on the websites referred to herein is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement.

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

The date of this prospectus is May 1, 2024.

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, or any other information to which we have referred you. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement or any such free writing prospectus is, or will be, accurate only as of the dates on their respective covers. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since any such date.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights some of the information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you may want to consider. You should read carefully the more detailed information set forth under “Risk Factors” and the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement. Except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company” and “Ares Capital” refer to Ares Capital Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries; “Ares Capital Management” and “our investment adviser” refer to Ares Capital Management LLC; “Ares Operations” and “our administrator” refer to Ares Operations LLC; and “Ares” and “Ares Management” refer to Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) and its affiliated companies (other than portfolio companies of its affiliated funds).

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THE COMPANY

Overview

Ares Capital, a Maryland corporation, is a specialty finance company that is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company. We have elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Investment Company Act”). We were founded on April 16, 2004, were initially funded on June 23, 2004 and completed our initial public offering (“IPO”) on October 8, 2004. As of March 31, 2024, we were the largest publicly traded BDC by market capitalization and had approximately $24.3 billion of total assets.

We are externally managed by our investment adviser, Ares Capital Management, a subsidiary of Ares Management, a publicly traded, leading global alternative investment manager, pursuant to our investment advisory and management agreement. Our administrator, Ares Operations, a subsidiary of Ares Management, provides certain administrative and other services necessary for us to operate.

Our investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. We invest primarily in U.S. middle-market companies, where we believe the supply of primary capital is limited and the investment opportunities are most attractive. However, we may from time to time invest in larger or smaller companies. We generally use the term “middle-market” to refer to companies with annual EBITDA between $10 million and $250 million. As used herein, EBITDA represents net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization.

We invest 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, we also invest in subordinated debt (sometimes referred to as mezzanine debt), which in some cases includes an equity component, and preferred equity. First and second lien senior secured loans generally are senior debt instruments that rank ahead of subordinated debt of a given portfolio company. Subordinated debt and preferred equity are subordinated to senior loans and are generally unsecured. Our investments in corporate borrowers generally range between $30 million and $500 million each. However, the investment sizes may be more or less than these ranges and may vary based on, among other things, our capital availability, the composition of our portfolio and general micro- and macro-economic factors.

To a lesser extent, we also make common equity investments, which have generally been non-control equity investments of less than $20 million (usually in conjunction with a concurrent debt investment). However, we may increase the size or change the nature of these investments.

The proportion of these types of investments will change over time given our views on, among other things, the economic and credit environment in which we are operating. In pursuit of our investment objective, we generally seek to self-originate investments and lead the investment process. The instruments in which we invest typically are not rated by any rating agency, but we believe that if such instruments were rated, they would be below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service, lower than “BBB−” by Fitch Ratings or lower than “BBB−” by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services), which, under the guidelines established by these entities, is an indication of having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Bonds that are rated below investment grade are sometimes referred to as “high yield bonds” or “junk bonds.” We may invest without limit in debt or other securities of any rating, as well as debt or other securities that have not been rated by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

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We believe that our investment adviser, Ares Capital Management, is able to leverage the current investment platform, resources and existing relationships of Ares Management with financial sponsors, financial institutions, hedge funds and other investment firms to provide us with attractive investment opportunities. In addition to deal flow, the Ares investment platform assists our investment adviser in analyzing, structuring and monitoring investments. Ares has been in existence for over 25 years and its partners have an average of approximately 25 years of investment experience in managing, advising, underwriting and restructuring companies. We have access to Ares’ investment professionals and administrative professionals, who provide assistance in accounting, finance, legal, compliance, operations, information technology, human resources and investor relations. As of December 31, 2023, Ares had over 950 investment professionals and over 1,850 administrative professionals.

While our primary focus is to generate current income and capital appreciation through investments in first and second lien senior secured loans, subordinated debt and preferred equity and, to a lesser extent, equity securities of eligible portfolio companies, we also may invest up to 30% of our portfolio in non-qualifying assets, as permitted by the Investment Company Act. See “Regulation” below. Specifically, as part of this 30% basket, we may invest in entities that are not considered “eligible portfolio companies” (as defined in the Investment Company Act), including companies located outside of the United States, entities that are operating pursuant to certain exceptions under the Investment Company Act, and publicly traded entities whose public equity market capitalization exceeds the levels provided for under the Investment Company Act.

See “Business” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information about us.

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Our Corporate Information

Our administrative offices are located at 2000 Avenue of the Stars, 12th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90067, telephone number (310) 201-4200, and our principal executive offices are located at 245 Park Avenue, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10167, telephone number (212) 750-7300.

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OFFERINGS

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock, warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, or units comprised of any combination of the foregoing, on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. We will offer our securities at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The offering price per share of our common stock, less any underwriting commissions or discounts, generally will not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time of an offering. However, we may issue shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus at a price per share that is less than our net asset value per share (a) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (b) with the prior approval of the majority of our common stockholders or (c) under such other circumstances as the SEC may permit. Any such issuance of shares of our common stock below net asset value may be dilutive to the net asset value of our common stock. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Common Stock and Publicly Traded Notes” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus.

We may offer our securities directly to one or more purchasers, including existing stockholders in a rights offering, through agents that we designate from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers. The prospectus supplement relating to each offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of our securities, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters or among our underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. See “Plan of Distribution” below. We may not sell any of our securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of our securities. Set forth below is additional information regarding offerings of our securities:

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FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear, directly or indirectly, based on the assumptions set forth below. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this table contains a reference to our fees or expenses, we will pay such fees and expenses out of our net assets and, consequently, stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in Ares Capital.

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GAAP requires that the capital gains incentive fee accrual consider the cumulative aggregate unrealized capital appreciation in the calculation, as a capital gains incentive fee would be payable if such unrealized capital appreciation were realized, even though such unrealized capital appreciation is not permitted to be considered in calculating the fee actually payable under the Investment Company Act or the investment advisory and management agreement. This GAAP accrual is calculated using the aggregate cumulative realized capital gains and losses and aggregate cumulative unrealized capital depreciation included in the calculation of the capital gains incentive fee actually payable under the investment advisory and management agreement plus the aggregate cumulative unrealized capital appreciation. If such amount is positive at the end of a period, then GAAP requires us to record a capital gains incentive fee equal to 20% of such cumulative amount, less the aggregate amount of actual capital gains incentive fees paid or capital gains incentive fees accrued under GAAP in all prior periods. The resulting accrual for any capital gains incentive fee under GAAP in a given period may result in an additional expense if such cumulative amount is greater than in the prior period or a reversal of previously recorded expense if such cumulative amount is less than in the prior period. If such cumulative amount is negative, then there is no accrual. There can be no assurance that such unrealized capital appreciation will be realized in the future or that the amount accrued for will ultimately be paid.

For purposes of this table, we have assumed that these fees will be payable (in the case of the capital gains incentive fee) and that they will remain constant, although they are based on our performance and will not be paid unless we achieve certain goals. We expect to invest or otherwise utilize all of the net proceeds from securities registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part pursuant to a particular prospectus supplement within three months of the date of the offering pursuant to such prospectus supplement and may have capital gains and interest income that could result in the payment of these fees to our investment adviser in the first year after completion of offerings pursuant to this prospectus. Since our IPO through March 31, 2024, the average quarterly fees accrued related to income based fees and capital gains incentive fees (including capital gains incentive fees accrued under GAAP even though they may not be payable) have been approximately 0.69% of our weighted average net assets for such period (2.75% on an annualized basis). For more detailed information on the calculation of our income based fees and capital gains incentive fees, please see below. For more detailed information about income based fees and capital gains incentive fees previously incurred by us, please see Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Income based fees are payable quarterly in arrears in an amount equal to 20% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income (including interest that is accrued but not yet received in cash), subject to a 1.75% quarterly (7.0% annualized) hurdle rate and a “catch-up” provision measured as of the end of each calendar quarter. Under this provision, in any calendar quarter, our investment adviser receives no income based fees until our net investment income equals the hurdle rate of 1.75% but then receives, as a “catch-up,” 100% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income with respect to that portion of such pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 2.1875%. The effect of this provision is that, if pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter, our investment adviser will receive 20% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply.

Capital gains incentive fees are payable annually in arrears in an amount equal to 20% of our realized capital gains on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of the year, if any, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of capital gains incentive fees paid in all prior years.

We will defer cash payment of any income based fees and capital gains incentive fees otherwise earned by our investment adviser if, during the most recent four full calendar quarter period ending on or prior to the date such payment is to be made, the sum of (a) our aggregate distributions to our stockholders and (b) our change in net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any income based fees or capital gains incentive fees accrued during the period) is less than 7.0% of our net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness) at the beginning of such period. Any deferred income based fees and capital gains incentive fees are carried over for payment in subsequent calculation periods to the extent such payment is payable under the investment advisory and management agreement.

These calculations will be adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases.

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See “Business” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Investment Advisory and Management Agreement.”

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Example

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed that we would have no additional leverage, that none of our assets are cash or cash equivalents and that our annual operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above. Income based fees and the capital gains incentive fees under the investment advisory and management agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or have an insignificant impact on the expense amounts shown below, are not included in the example, except as specifically set forth below. Transaction expenses are not included in the following example. In the event that shares to which this prospectus relates are sold to or through underwriters, a corresponding prospectus supplement will restate this example to reflect the applicable sales load.

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The foregoing table is to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. If we were to achieve sufficient returns on our investments, including through the realization of capital gains, to trigger income based fees or capital gains incentive fees of a material amount, our expenses, and returns to our investors, would be higher. In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value, if our board of directors authorizes and we declare a cash dividend, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan who have not otherwise elected to receive cash will receive a number of shares of our common stock determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the valuation date for the dividend. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” below for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

This example and the expenses in the table above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses as actual expenses (including the cost of debt, if any, and other expenses) that we may incur in the future and such actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown.

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial data set forth in the following table as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are derived from our consolidated financial statements, which have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm whose reports thereon are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, certain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement, or our Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, which may be obtained from www.sec.gov or upon request. The financial data set forth in the following table as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 is derived from our unaudited financial statements, but in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary to present fairly the results of such interim period. Interim results as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024. You should read these financial highlights in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement, or our Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

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We may initially invest a portion of the net proceeds of offerings pursuant to this prospectus primarily in high-quality short-term investments, which will generate lower rates of return than those expected from the interest generated on first and second lien senior secured loans and mezzanine debt.

We may initially invest a portion of the net proceeds of offerings pursuant to this prospectus primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality short-term investments. These securities generally earn yields substantially lower than the income that we anticipate receiving once we are fully invested in accordance with our investment objective. As a result, we may not, for a time, be able to achieve our investment objective and/or we may need to, for a time, decrease the amount of any dividend that we may pay to our stockholders to a level that is substantially lower than the level that we expect to pay when the net proceeds of offerings are fully invested in accordance with our investment objective. If we do not realize yields in excess of our expenses, we may incur operating losses and the market price of our shares may decline.

Our stockholders may receive shares of our common stock as dividends, which could result in adverse cash flow consequences to them.

In order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement applicable to RICs, we have the ability to declare a large portion of a dividend in shares of our common stock instead of in cash. As long as a portion of such dividend is paid in cash (which portion could be as low as 20%) and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution would be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a stockholder would be taxed on 100% of the fair market value of the shares received as part of the dividend on the date a stockholder received it in the same manner as a cash dividend, even though most of the dividend was paid in shares of our common stock.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, including the documents we incorporate by reference herein and therein, involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements concerning:

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We use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “project,” “estimates,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. Our actual results and condition could differ materially from those implied or expressed in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including the factors set forth in “Risk Factors” and the other information included in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, including the documents we incorporate by reference herein and therein.

We have based the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus on information available to us on the filing date of this prospectus or the prospectus supplement, as applicable, including any documents incorporated by reference, and we assume no obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statements. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we have filed or in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

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The interest charged on the indebtedness incurred under the Revolving Credit Facility is based on Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% (one-, three- or six-month) (or an alternate rate of interest for certain loans, commitments and/or other extensions of credit denominated in Sterling, Canadian Dollars, Euros and certain other foreign currencies plus a spread adjustment, if applicable) and an applicable spread of either 1.75% or 1.875% or an “alternate base rate” (as defined in the agreements governing the Revolving Credit Facility) plus an applicable spread of either 0.75% or 0.875%, in each case, determined monthly based on the total amount of the borrowing base relative to the sum of (i) the greater of (a) the aggregate amount of revolving exposure and term loans outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and (b) 85% of the total commitments of the Revolving Credit Facility (or, if higher, the total revolving exposure) plus (ii) other debt, if any, secured by the same collateral as the Revolving Credit Facility. As of April 24, 2024, the one-, three- and six-month SOFR was 5.32%, 5.32% and 5.29%, respectively. The stated maturity date for approximately $107 million of revolving commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility is March 31, 2025, the stated maturity date for approximately $269 million of revolving commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility is March 31, 2026 and the stated maturity date for approximately $3.005 billion of revolving commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility is April 12, 2029. The stated maturity date for $28 million of term loan commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility is March 31, 2025, the stated maturity date for $41 million of term loan commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility is March 31, 2026, the stated maturity date for $70 million of term loan commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility is April 19, 2028 and the stated maturity date for $968 million of term loan commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility is April 12, 2029. The interest rate charged on the indebtedness incurred under the Revolving Funding Facility is based on SOFR plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% or a “base rate” (as defined in the agreements governing the Revolving Funding Facility) plus an applicable spread of 1.90% per annum. The stated maturity date of the Revolving Funding Facility is December 29, 2026 (subject to extension exercisable upon mutual consent). The interest rate charged on the indebtedness incurred under the SMBC Funding Facility is based on an applicable spread of either (i) 2.50% over one month SOFR or (ii) 1.50% over a “base rate” (as defined in the agreements governing the SMBC Funding Facility), in each case, determined monthly based on the amount of the average borrowings outstanding under the SMBC Funding Facility. The stated maturity date of the SMBC Funding Facility is March 28, 2029 (subject to two one-year extension options exercisable upon mutual consent). The interest rate charged on the indebtedness incurred under the BNP Funding Facility is based on an applicable SOFR or a “base rate” (as defined in the agreements governing the BNP Funding Facility) plus a margin of (i) 2.50% during the reinvestment period and (ii) 3.00% following the reinvestment period. The stated maturity date of the BNP Funding Facility is April 20, 2028 (subject to a one-year extension option exercisable upon mutual consent).

The supplement to this prospectus relating to an offering may more fully identify the use of the proceeds from such offering. We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds of an offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus and its related prospectus supplement will be used for the above purposes within three months of any such offering, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objective, but no longer than within six months of any such offerings.

While our primary focus is to generate current income and capital appreciation through investments in first and second lien senior secured loans and mezzanine debt and, to a lesser extent, equity securities of eligible portfolio companies, we also may invest up to 30% of our portfolio in non-qualifying assets, as permitted by the Investment Company Act. See “Regulation” below. Specifically, as part of this 30% basket, we may invest in entities that are not considered “eligible portfolio companies” (as defined in the Investment Company Act), including companies located outside of the United States, entities that are operating pursuant to certain exceptions under the Investment Company Act, and publicly traded entities whose public equity market capitalization exceeds the levels provided for under the Investment Company Act. Pending such investments, we will invest a portion of the net proceeds primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality short-term investments. These securities generally earn yields substantially lower than the income that we anticipate receiving once we are fully invested in accordance with our investment objective. As a result, we may not, for a time, be able to achieve our investment objective and/or we may need to, for a time, decrease the amount of any dividend that we may pay to our stockholders to a level that is substantially lower than the level that we expect to pay when the net proceeds of offerings are fully invested in accordance with our investment objective. If we do not realize yields in excess of our expenses, we may incur operating losses and the market price of our common stock and debt securities may decline. See “Regulation—Temporary Investments” below for additional information about temporary investments we may make while waiting to make longer-term investments in pursuit of our investment objective.

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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “ARCC.” Our common stock has historically traded at prices both above and below our net asset value per share. It is not possible to predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below net asset value. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Common Stock and Publicly Traded Notes—Our shares of common stock have traded at a discount from net asset value and may do so again, which could limit our ability to raise additional equity capital” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following table sets forth, for the first quarter of the year ending December 31, 2024 and each fiscal quarter for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the net asset value per share of our common stock, the range of high and low closing sales prices of our common stock, the closing sales price as a premium (discount) to net asset value and the dividends or distributions declared by us. On April 24, 2024, the last reported closing sales price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market was $20.79 per share, which represented a premium of approximately 6.45% to the net asset value per share reported by us as of March 31, 2024.

We currently intend to distribute dividends or make distributions to our stockholders on a quarterly basis out of assets legally available for distribution. We may also distribute additional dividends or make additional distributions to our stockholders from time to time. Our quarterly and additional dividends or distributions, if any, will be determined by our board of directors.

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The following table summarizes our dividends or distributions declared and payable for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023 and the first quarter of the year ending December 31, 2024: