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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PART C

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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2018

Registration No. 333-            

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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FORM N-2

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

o PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.
o POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.

ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

245 Park Avenue, 44^th Floor
New York, New York 10167
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 750-7300

Joshua M. Bloomstein
General Counsel
Ares Capital Corporation
245 Park Avenue, 44^th Floor
New York, New York 10167
(212) 750-7300
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copies of information to:

Monica J. Shilling
Christopher J. Wu
Proskauer Rose LLP
2049 Century Park East, 32^nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067-3206
(310) 557-2900

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:
From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

                      If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box. ý

                      It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

                      o when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

(1)

Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(o) solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee. The proposed maximum offering price per security will be determined from time to time, by the Registrant in connection with the sale by the Registrant of the securities registered under this registration statement.

(2)

Prior to the initial filing of this registration statement, $1,650,000,000 aggregate principal amount of securities remained registered and unsold pursuant to Registration Statement No. 333-212142, which was initially filed by the Registrant on June 21, 2016 and $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of securities remained registered and unsold pursuant to Registration Statement No. 333-212788, which was initially filed by the Registrant on August 1, 2016. Pursuant to Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, an unused registration fee of $166,155 that was previously paid in connection with the filing of Registration Statement No. 333-212142 and an unused registration fee of $40,280 that was previously paid in connection with the filing of Registration Statement No. 333-212788 have been offset against the registration fee for this registration statement. The amount stated includes a payment of $167,065 paid in connection with the filing of this registration statement and the unused registration fees of $206,435.

(3)

Subject to Note 8 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, or subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock as may be sold, from time to time separately or as units in combination with other securities registered hereunder.

(4)

Includes such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may, from time to time, be issued upon conversion or exchange of other securities registered hereunder, to the extent any such securities are, by their terms, convertible or exchangeable for common stock.

(5)

Subject to Note 8 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of warrants as may be sold, from time to time separately or as units in combination with other securities registered hereunder, representing rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities.

(6)

Subject to Note 8 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate principal amount of debt securities as may be sold, from time to time separately or as units in combination with other securities registered hereunder. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate price to investors not to exceed $3,000,000,000.

(7)

Subject to Note 8 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of units. Each unit may consist of a combination of any one or more of the securities being registered hereunder and may also include securities issued by third parties, including the U.S. Treasury.

(8)

In no event will the aggregate offering price of all securities issued from time to time pursuant to this registration statement exceed $3,000,000,000.

                      THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.

   

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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion, dated March 6, 2018

PROSPECTUS

$3,000,000,000

Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Subscription Rights
Warrants
Units

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              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. 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 mezzanine debt, generally in a first lien position), second lien senior secured loans and mezzanine debt, which in some cases includes an equity component. To a lesser extent, we also make preferred and/or common equity investments.

              We are externally managed by our investment adviser, Ares Capital Management LLC, a subsidiary of Ares Management, L.P., a publicly traded, leading global asset manager. Ares Operations LLC, a subsidiary of Ares Management, L.P., 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 March 5, 2018 the last reported sales price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Select Market was $15.87 per share. The net asset value per share of our common stock at December 31, 2017 (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus on which we determined net asset value) was $16.65.

              Investing in our securities involves risks that are described in the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page 22 of this prospectus, including the risk of leverage.

              We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, up to $3,000,000,000 of 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 SEC may permit. This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement concisely provide important information about us that you should know before investing in our securities. Please read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement before you invest and keep it 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 or on our website at www.arescapitalcorp.com. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains such information.

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              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.

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              The date of this prospectus is                        , 2018.

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              You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement. 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 this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, as applicable. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

              This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), using the "shelf" registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, up to $3,000,000,000 of 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. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Please carefully read this prospectus and the prospectus supplement together with any exhibits and the additional information described under the headings "Available Information" and "Risk Factors" before you make an investment decision.

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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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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" 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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SELECTED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF ARES CAPITAL

              The following selected financial and other data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are derived from our consolidated financial statements, which have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm whose report thereon is included elsewhere in this prospectus. The quarterly financial information 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 periods. The data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Senior Securities," which are included elsewhere in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement.

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ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
As of and For the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013
(dollar amounts in millions, except per share data and as otherwise indicated)

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SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA (Unaudited)
(dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

              You should carefully consider the risk factors described below, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, before you decide whether to make an investment in our securities. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, the net asset value of our common stock and the trading price, if any, of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS

The capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability. Such market conditions may materially and adversely affect debt and equity capital markets, which may have a negative impact on our business and operations.

              From time to time, capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability. For example, between 2008 and 2009, the global capital markets were unstable as evidenced by periodic disruptions in liquidity in the debt capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial services sector, the re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated credit market and the failure of major financial institutions. Despite actions of the U.S. federal government and foreign governments, these events contributed to worsening general economic conditions that materially and adversely impacted the broader financial and credit markets and reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and financial services firms in particular. While market conditions have largely recovered from the events of 2008 and 2009, there have been continuing periods of volatility, some lasting longer than others. For example, the referendum by British voters to exit the European Union ("Brexit") in June 2016 led to further disruption and instability in the global markets. There can be no assurance these market conditions will not repeat themselves or worsen in the future.

              Equity capital may be difficult to raise during periods of adverse or volatile market conditions because, subject to some limited exceptions, as a BDC, we are generally not able to issue additional shares of our common stock at a price less than net asset value without first obtaining approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our independent directors. We generally seek approval from our stockholders so that we have the flexibility to issue up to 25% of our then outstanding shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value. Pursuant to approval granted at a special meeting of stockholders held on May 22, 2017, we currently are permitted to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value, subject to certain limitations and determinations that must be made by our board of directors. Such stockholder approval expires on May 22, 2018. On February 15, 2018, we filed the 2018 Special Meeting Proxy Statement for a special meeting of stockholders, currently expected to take place on May 14, 2018. The 2018 Special Meeting Proxy Statement sets forth a proposal to be voted upon at the special meeting that, if approved by stockholders, would have the effect of extending this approval to the one-year anniversary of the date of the special meeting.

              Volatility and dislocation in the capital markets can also create a challenging environment in which to raise or access debt capital. The reappearance of market conditions similar to those experienced from 2008 through 2009 for any substantial length of time could make it difficult to extend the maturity of or refinance our existing indebtedness or obtain new indebtedness with similar terms and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business. The debt capital that will be available to us in the future, if at all, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions than what we currently experience, including being at a higher cost due to a rising rate

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environment. If we are unable to raise or refinance debt, then our equity investors may not benefit from the potential for increased returns on equity resulting from leverage and we may be limited in our ability to make new commitments or to fund existing commitments to our portfolio companies.

              Significant changes or volatility in the capital markets may also have a negative effect on the valuations of our investments. While most of our investments are not publicly traded, applicable accounting standards require us to assume as part of our valuation process that our investments are sold in a principal market to market participants (even if we plan on holding an investment through its maturity). Significant changes in the capital markets may also affect the pace of our investment activity and the potential for liquidity events involving our investments. Thus, the illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments to access capital if required, and as a result, we could realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded our investments if we were required to sell them for liquidity purposes. An inability to raise or access capital could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Uncertainty about the financial stability of the United States, China and several countries in Europe could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

              Due to federal budget deficit concerns, Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC ("S&P") downgraded the federal government's credit rating from AAA to AA+ for the first time in history on August 5, 2011. Further, Moody's Investor Services, Inc. ("Moody's") and Fitch Ratings, Inc. ("Fitch") had warned that they may downgrade the federal government's credit rating under certain circumstances. Further downgrades or warnings by S&P or other rating agencies, and the United States government's credit and deficit concerns in general, could cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may negatively impact both the perception of credit risk associated with our debt portfolio and our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms. In addition, a decreased U.S. government credit rating could create broader financial turmoil and uncertainty, which may weigh heavily on our financial performance and the value of our common stock.

              Deterioration in the economic conditions in the Eurozone and globally, including instability in financial markets, may pose a risk to our business. In recent years, financial markets have been affected at times by a number of global macroeconomic and political events, including the following: large sovereign debts and fiscal deficits of several countries in Europe and in emerging markets jurisdictions, levels of non-performing loans on the balance sheets of European banks, the potential effect of any European country leaving the Eurozone, the potential effect of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, the potential effect of Scotland leaving the United Kingdom, and market volatility and loss of investor confidence driven by political events, including the general elections in the United Kingdom in June 2017 and in Germany in September 2017 and referenda in the United Kingdom in June 2016 and Italy in December 2016. Market and economic disruptions have affected, and may in the future affect, consumer confidence levels and spending, personal bankruptcy rates, levels of incurrence and default on consumer debt and home prices, among other factors. We cannot assure you that market disruptions in Europe, including the increased cost of funding for certain governments and financial institutions, will not impact the global economy, and we cannot assure you that assistance packages will be available, or if available, be sufficient to stabilize countries and markets in Europe or elsewhere affected by a financial crisis. To the extent uncertainty regarding any economic recovery in Europe negatively impacts consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected.

              In the second quarter of 2015, stock prices in China experienced a significant drop, resulting primarily from continued sell-off of shares trading in Chinese markets. In addition, in August 2015, Chinese authorities sharply devalued China's currency. Since then, the Chinese capital markets have continued to experience periods of instability. These market and economic disruptions have affected,

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and may in the future affect, the U.S. capital markets, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

              The Federal Reserve raised the Federal Funds Rate in December 2015, in December 2016, in March 2017, in June 2017 and again in December 2017, and has announced its intention to continue to raise the federal funds rate over time. These developments, along with the United States government's credit and deficit concerns, the European sovereign debt crisis and the economic slowdown in China, could cause interest rates to be volatile, which may negatively impact our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms.

A failure on our part to maintain our status as a BDC may significantly reduce our operating flexibility.

              If we fail to maintain our status as a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company that is required to register under the Investment Company Act, which would subject us to additional regulatory restrictions and significantly decrease our operating flexibility. In addition, any such failure could cause an event of default under our outstanding indebtedness, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We are dependent upon certain key personnel of Ares for our future success and upon their access to other Ares investment professionals.

              We depend on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of certain key personnel of the Ares Credit Group. We also depend, to a significant extent, on access to the investment professionals of other groups within Ares and the information and deal flow generated by Ares' investment professionals in the course of their investment and portfolio management activities. Our future success depends on the continued service of certain key personnel of the Ares Credit Group. The departure of any of these individuals, or of a significant number of the investment professionals or partners of Ares, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, we cannot assure you that Ares Capital Management will remain our investment adviser or that we will continue to have access to Ares' investment professionals or its information and deal flow. Further, there can be no assurance that Ares Capital will replicate its own or Ares' historical success, and we caution you that our investment returns could be substantially lower than the returns achieved by other Ares-managed funds.

Our financial condition and results of operations depend on our ability to manage future growth effectively.

              Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our ability to acquire suitable investments and monitor and administer those investments, which depends, in turn, on our investment adviser's ability to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria.

              Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of the structuring of our investment process and the ability of our investment adviser to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us. Our executive officers and the members of our investment adviser's investment committee have substantial responsibilities in connection with their roles at Ares and with the other Ares funds, as well as responsibilities under the investment advisory and management agreement. They may also be called upon to provide significant managerial assistance to certain of our portfolio companies. These demands on their time, which will increase as the number of investments grow, may distract them or slow the rate of investment. In order to grow, Ares will need to hire, train, supervise, manage and retain new employees. However, we cannot assure you that Ares will be able to do so effectively. Any failure to manage our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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              In addition, as we grow, we may open up new offices in new geographic regions that may increase our direct operating expenses without corresponding revenue growth.

We may be unable to realize the benefits anticipated by the American Capital Acquisition, including estimated cost savings and synergies, or it may take longer than anticipated to achieve such benefits.

              On January 3, 2017 (the "Acquisition Date"), we completed the American Capital Acquisition. The realization of certain benefits anticipated as a result of the American Capital Acquisition will depend in part on the integration of American Capital's investment portfolio with our investment portfolio and the integration of American Capital's business with our business. There can be no assurance that American Capital's investment portfolio or business can be operated profitably or integrated successfully into our business in a timely fashion or at all. The dedication of management resources to such integration may detract attention from our day-to-day business and there can be no assurance that there will not be substantial costs associated with the transition process or that there will not be other material adverse effects as a result of these integration efforts. Such effects, including but not limited to, incurring unexpected costs or delays in connection with such integration and failure of American Capital's investment portfolio to perform as expected, could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

              We also expect to achieve certain cost savings and synergies from the American Capital Acquisition when the two companies have fully integrated their portfolios. It is possible that our estimates of the potential cost savings and synergies could turn out to be incorrect. If the estimates turn out to be incorrect or we are not able to successfully combine the investment portfolios and businesses of the two companies, the anticipated cost savings and synergies may not be fully realized or realized at all or may take longer to realize than expected.

Our ability to grow depends on our ability to raise capital.

              We will need to periodically access the capital markets to raise cash to fund new investments in excess of our repayments, and we may also need to access the capital markets to refinance existing debt obligations to the extent such maturing obligations are not repaid with availability under our revolving credit facilities or cash flows from operations. We have elected to be treated as a RIC and operate in a manner so as to qualify for the U.S. federal income tax treatment applicable to RICs. Among other things, in order to maintain our RIC status, we must distribute to our stockholders on a timely basis generally an amount equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, and, as a result, such distributions will not be available to fund investment originations or repay maturing debt. We must continue to borrow from financial institutions and issue additional securities to fund our growth. Unfavorable economic or capital market conditions may increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or could result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. An inability to successfully access the capital markets may limit our ability to refinance our existing debt obligations as they come due and/or to fully execute our business strategy and could limit our ability to grow or cause us to have to shrink the size of our business, which could decrease our earnings, if any.

              In addition, with certain limited exceptions, we are only allowed to borrow amounts or issue debt securities or preferred stock, which we refer to collectively as "senior securities," such that our asset coverage, as calculated pursuant to the Investment Company Act, equals at least 200% immediately after such borrowing, which, in certain circumstances, may restrict our ability to borrow or issue debt securities or preferred stock. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our investment adviser's and our board of directors' assessments of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing or issuance of senior securities. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our current Facilities (as defined below), obtain other lines of credit or issue senior securities at all or on terms acceptable to us.

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Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.

              We may issue senior securities or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, up to the maximum amount permitted by the Investment Company Act. Under the provisions of the Investment Company Act, we are permitted, as a BDC, to incur indebtedness or issue senior securities only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as calculated pursuant to the Investment Company Act, equals at least 200% after each such incurrence or issuance. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test, which may prohibit us from paying dividends and could prevent us from maintaining our status as a RIC or may prohibit us from repurchasing shares of our common stock. In addition, our inability to satisfy this test could cause an event of default under our existing indebtedness. If we cannot satisfy this test, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness. Accordingly, any failure to satisfy this test could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. As of December 31, 2017, our asset coverage calculated in accordance with the Investment Company Act was 242%. Also, to generate cash for funding new investments, we may in the future seek to issue additional debt or to securitize certain of our loans. The Investment Company Act may impose restrictions on the structure of any such securitization.

              We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the current net asset value per share of our common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. Any such sale would be dilutive to the net asset value per share of our common stock. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any commission or discount). If our common stock trades at a discount to net asset value, this restriction could adversely affect our ability to raise capital.

              Pursuant to approval granted at a special meeting of stockholders held on May 22, 2017, we currently are permitted to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value, subject to certain limitations and determinations that must be made by our board of directors. Such stockholder approval expires on May 22, 2018. On February 15, 2018, we filed the 2018 Special Meeting Proxy Statement for a special meeting of stockholders, currently expected to take place on May 14, 2018. The 2018 Special Meeting Proxy Statement sets forth a proposal to be voted upon at the special meeting that, if approved by stockholders, would have the effect of extending this approval to the one-year anniversary of the date of the special meeting.

We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing with us.

              Borrowings, also known as leverage, magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and, therefore, increase the risks associated with investing in our securities. We currently borrow under the Facilities and have issued or assumed other senior securities, and in the future may borrow from, or issue additional senior securities to, banks, insurance companies, funds, institutional investors and other lenders and investors. Lenders and holders of such senior securities have fixed dollar claims on our consolidated assets that are superior to the claims of our common stockholders or any preferred stockholders. If the value of our consolidated assets increases, then leveraging would cause the net asset value per share of our common stock to increase more sharply than it would have had we not incurred leverage.

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              Conversely, if the value of our consolidated assets decreases, leveraging would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not incurred leverage. Similarly, any increase in our consolidated income in excess of consolidated interest payable on the borrowed funds would cause our net income to increase more than it would had we not incurred leverage, while any decrease in our consolidated income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not incurred leverage. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to make common stock dividend payments. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful.

              As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately $1.1 billion of outstanding borrowings under the Facilities, approximately $958 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding of the Convertible Unsecured Notes (as defined below) and approximately $2.9 billion in aggregate principal amount outstanding of the Unsecured Notes. In order for us to cover our annual interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness at December 31, 2017, we must achieve annual returns on our December 31, 2017 total assets of at least 1.6%. The weighted average stated interest rate charged on our principal amount of outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2017 was 4.1%. We intend to continue borrowing under the Facilities in the future and we may increase the size of the Facilities or issue additional debt securities or other evidences of indebtedness (although there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so). For more information on our indebtedness, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Recent Developments." Our ability to service our debt depends largely on our financial performance and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. The amount of leverage that we employ at any particular time will depend on our investment adviser's and our board of directors' assessments of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing.

              The Facilities, the SBA Debentures, the Convertible Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes impose financial and operating covenants that restrict our business activities, including limitations that could hinder our ability to finance additional loans and investments or to make the distributions required to maintain our status as a RIC. A failure to renew the Facilities or to add new or replacement debt facilities or to issue additional debt securities or other evidences of indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

              The following table illustrates the effect on return to a holder of our common stock of the leverage created by our use of borrowing at the weighted average stated interest rate of 4.1% as of December 31, 2017, together with (a) our total value of net assets as of December 31, 2017; (b) approximately $4.9 billion in aggregate principal amount of indebtedness outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and (c) hypothetical annual returns on our portfolio of minus 15% to plus 15%.

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In addition to regulatory requirements that restrict our ability to raise capital, the Facilities, the Convertible Unsecured Notes, the Unsecured Notes and the SBA Debentures contain various covenants that, if not complied with, could accelerate repayment under the Facilities, the Convertible Unsecured Notes, the Unsecured Notes and SBA Debentures, thereby materially and adversely affecting our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

              The agreements governing the Facilities, the Convertible Unsecured Notes, the Unsecured Notes and the SBA Debentures require us to comply with certain financial and operational covenants. These covenants may include, among other things:

•

restrictions on the level of indebtedness that we are permitted to incur in relation to the value of our assets;



•

restrictions on our ability to incur liens; and



•

maintenance of a minimum level of stockholders' equity.

              As of the date of this prospectus, we are in compliance in all material respects with the covenants of the Facilities, the Convertible Unsecured Notes, the Unsecured Notes and the SBA Debentures. However, our continued compliance with these covenants depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control. For example, depending on the condition of the public debt and equity markets and pricing levels, unrealized depreciation in our portfolio may increase in the future. Any such increase could result in our inability to comply with our obligation to restrict the level of indebtedness that we are able to incur in relation to the value of our assets or to maintain a minimum level of stockholders' equity.

              Accordingly, although we believe we will continue to be in compliance, there are no assurances that we will continue to comply with the covenants in the Facilities, the Convertible Unsecured Notes, the Unsecured Notes and the SBA Debentures. Failure to comply with these covenants could result in a default under the Facilities, the Convertible Unsecured Notes, the Unsecured Notes or the SBA Debentures that, if we were unable to obtain a waiver from the lenders or holders of such indebtedness, as applicable, such lenders or holders could accelerate repayment under such indebtedness and thereby have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.

              A number of entities compete with us to make the types of investments that we make in middle-market companies. We compete with other BDCs, public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies, insurance companies, hedge funds, and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. Some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the Investment Company Act imposes on us as a BDC and that the Code imposes on us as a RIC. We cannot assure you that the competitive pressures we face will not have a material

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adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, as a result of this competition, we may not be able to pursue attractive investment opportunities from time to time.

              We do not seek to compete primarily based on the interest rates we offer and we believe that some of our competitors may make loans with interest rates that are comparable to or lower than the rates we offer. Rather, we compete with our competitors based on our existing investment platform, seasoned investment professionals, experience and focus on middle-market companies, disciplined investment philosophy, extensive industry focus and flexible transaction structuring. For a more detailed discussion of these competitive advantages, see "Business—Competitive Advantages."

              We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors' pricing, terms and structure. If we match our competitors' pricing, terms and structure, we may experience decreased net interest income and increased risk of credit loss. As a result of operating in such a competitive environment, we may make investments that are on less favorable terms than what we may have originally anticipated, which may impact our return on these investments.

We may be subject to additional corporate-level income taxes if we fail to maintain our status as a RIC.

              We have elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code and operate in a manner so as to qualify for the U.S. federal income tax treatment applicable to RICs. As a RIC, we generally will not pay U.S. federal corporate-level income taxes on our income and net capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends on a timely basis. We will be subject to U.S. federal corporate-level income tax on any undistributed income and/or gains. To maintain our status as a RIC, we must meet certain source of income, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements. We may also be subject to certain U.S. federal excise taxes, as well as state, local and foreign taxes.

              To maintain our RIC status, we must timely distribute an amount equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (as defined by the Code, which generally includes net ordinary income and net short term capital gains) to our stockholders (the "Annual Distribution Requirement"). We have the ability to pay a large portion of our dividends in shares of our stock, and as long as a portion of such dividend is paid in cash and other requirements are met, such stock dividends will be taxable as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This may result in our U.S. stockholders having to pay tax on such dividends, even if no cash is received, and may result in our non-U.S. stockholders being subject to withholding tax in respect of amounts distributed in our stock. Because we use debt financing, we are subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the Investment Company Act and financial covenants under our indebtedness that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to qualify as a RIC. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to maintain our status as a RIC and, thus, may be subject to corporate-level income tax on all of our income and/or gains.

              To maintain our status as a RIC, in addition to the Annual Distribution Requirement, we must also meet certain annual source of income requirements at the end of each taxable year and asset diversification requirements at the end of each calendar quarter. Failure to meet these requirements may result in our having to (a) dispose of certain investments quickly or (b) raise additional capital to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments are in private companies and are generally illiquid, any such dispositions may be at disadvantageous prices and may result in losses. Also, the rules applicable to our qualification as a RIC are complex with many areas of uncertainty. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that we have qualified or will continue to qualify as a RIC. If we fail to maintain our status as a RIC for any reason and become subject to regular "C" corporation income tax, the resulting corporate-level income taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on us and on any investment in us. Certain provisions of the Code

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provide some relief from RIC disqualification due to failures of the source of income and asset diversification requirements, although there may be additional taxes due in such cases. We cannot assure you that we would qualify for any such relief should we fail the source of income or asset diversification requirements.

We may have difficulty paying our required distributions under applicable tax rules if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.

              For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we generally are required to include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount, which may arise, for example, if we receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan or payment in kind ("PIK") interest representing contractual interest added to the loan principal balance and due at the end of the loan term. Such original issue discount or PIK interest is included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we will not receive in cash, including, for example, amounts attributable to hedging and foreign currency transactions.

              Since, in certain cases, we may recognize income before or without receiving cash in respect of such income, we may have difficulty meeting the U.S. federal income tax requirement to distribute generally an amount equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income to maintain our status as a RIC. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and thus be subject to additional corporate-level income taxes. Such a failure could have a material adverse effect on us and on any investment in us. See "Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation as a RIC."

We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.

              General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments and investment opportunities and, accordingly, may have a material adverse effect on our investment objective and rate of return on invested capital. Because we borrow money and may issue debt securities or preferred stock to make investments, our net investment income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds or pay interest or dividends on such debt securities or preferred stock and the rate at which we invest these funds. From time to time, we may also enter into certain hedging transactions to mitigate our exposure to rising borrowing costs. There can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income.

              Trading prices for debt that pays a fixed rate of return tend to fall as interest rates rise. Trading prices tend to fluctuate more for fixed-rate securities that have longer maturities. In the past, we have entered into certain hedging transactions, such as interest rate swap agreements, to mitigate our exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates, and we may do so again in the future. In addition, we may increase our floating rate investments to position the portfolio for rate increases. However, we cannot assure you that such transactions will be successful in mitigating our exposure to interest rate risk. Hedging transactions may also limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to our indebtedness.

              Although we have no policy governing the maturities of our investments, under current market conditions we expect that we will invest in a portfolio of debt generally having maturities of up to 10 years. This means that we are subject to greater risk (other things being equal) than a fund invested solely in shorter-term securities. A decline in the prices of the debt we own could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make an investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate, which could reduce the value of our common stock.

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Most of our portfolio investments are not publicly traded and, as a result, the fair value of these investments may not be readily determinable.

              A large percentage of our portfolio investments are not publicly traded. The fair value of investments that are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable. We value these investments quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors based on, among other things, the input of our management and audit committee and independent valuation firms that have been engaged at the direction of our board of directors to assist in the valuation of each portfolio investment without a readily available market quotation at least once during a trailing 12-month period (with certain de minimis exceptions). The valuation process is conducted at the end of each fiscal quarter, with a portion (based on value) of our valuations of portfolio companies without readily available market quotations subject to review by an independent valuation firm each quarter. However, we may use these independent valuation firms to review the value of our investments more frequently, including in connection with the occurrence of significant events or changes in value affecting a particular investment. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm obtains an understanding of, and performs select procedures relating to, our investment valuation process within the context of performing the integrated audit.

              The types of factors that may be considered in valuing our investments include the enterprise value of the portfolio company (the entire value of the portfolio company to a market participant, including the sum of the values of debt and equity securities used to capitalize the enterprise at a point in time), the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company's ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flows, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, a comparison of the portfolio company's securities to similar publicly traded securities, changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets generally that may affect the price at which similar investments would trade in their principal markets and other relevant factors. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we consider the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate our valuation. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private investments and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these investments existed and may differ materially from the values that we may ultimately realize. Our net asset value per share could be adversely affected if our determinations regarding the fair value of these investments are higher than the values that we realize upon disposition of such investments.

The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.

              As we generally make investments in private companies, substantially all of these investments are subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or are otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities. The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if the need arises. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we could realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded our investments or could be unable to dispose of our investments in a timely manner. In addition, we may face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we or an affiliated manager of Ares has material non-public information regarding such portfolio company.

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.

              We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including the interest rates payable on the debt investments we make, the default rates on such investments, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general

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economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

Our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected if a significant investment fails to perform as expected.

              Our investment portfolio includes investments that may be significant individually or in the aggregate. If a significant investment in one or more companies fails to perform as expected, such a failure could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, and the magnitude of such effect could be more significant than if we had further diversified our portfolio.

There are significant potential conflicts of interest that could impact our investment returns.

              Certain of our executive officers and directors, and members of the investment committee of our investment adviser, serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of other entities and affiliates of our investment adviser and investment funds managed by our investment adviser or its affiliates. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which might not be in our or our stockholders' best interests or may require them to devote time to services for other entities, which could interfere with the time available to provide services to us. Members of our investment adviser's investment committee may have significant responsibilities for other Ares funds. Similarly, although the professional staff of our investment adviser will devote as much time to the management of us as appropriate to enable our investment adviser to perform its duties in accordance with the investment advisory and management agreement, the investment professionals of our investment adviser may have conflicts in allocating their time and services among us, on the one hand, and investment vehicles managed by our investment adviser or one or more of its affiliates, on the other hand. These activities could be viewed as creating a conflict of interest insofar as the time and effort of the professional staff of our investment adviser and its officers and employees will not be devoted exclusively to our business but will instead be allocated between our business and the management of these other investment vehicles.

              In addition, certain Ares funds may have investment objectives that compete or overlap with, and may from time to time invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by, Ares Capital. Consequently, we, on the one hand, and these other entities, on the other hand, may from time to time pursue the same or similar capital and investment opportunities. Ares and our investment adviser endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner, and in any event consistent with any fiduciary duties owed to Ares Capital. Nevertheless, it is possible that we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by investment funds managed by investment managers affiliated with Ares (including our investment adviser). In addition, there may be conflicts in the allocation of investments among us and the funds managed by investment managers affiliated with Ares (including our investment adviser) or one or more of our controlled affiliates or among the funds they manage, including investments made pursuant to the Co-investment Exemptive Order. Further, such other Ares-managed funds may hold positions in portfolio companies in which Ares Capital has also invested. Such investments may raise potential conflicts of interest between Ares Capital and such other Ares-managed funds, particularly if Ares Capital and such other Ares-managed funds invest in different classes or types of securities or investments of the same underlying portfolio company. In that regard, actions may be taken by such other Ares-managed funds that are adverse to Ares Capital's interests, including, but not limited to, during a restructuring, bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding or similar matter occurring at the underlying portfolio company.

              We have from time to time sold assets to IHAM and certain of the IHAM Vehicles and, as part of our investment strategy, we may offer to sell additional assets to vehicles managed by one or more of our affiliates (including IHAM) or we may purchase assets from vehicles managed by one or more of our affiliates (including IHAM). In addition, vehicles managed by one or more of our affiliates

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(including IHAM) may offer assets to or may purchase assets from one another. While assets may be sold or purchased at prices that are consistent with those that could be obtained from third parties in the marketplace, and although these types of transactions generally require approval of one or more independent parties, there may be an inherent conflict of interest in such transactions between us and funds managed by one of our affiliates.

              We pay a base management fee, an income based fee and a capital gains incentive fee to our investment adviser, and reimburse our investment adviser for certain expenses it incurs. In addition, investors in our common stock will invest on a gross basis and receive distributions on a net basis after expenses, resulting in, among other things, a lower rate of return than one might achieve if distributions were made on a gross basis.

              Our investment adviser's base management fee is based on a percentage of our total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds) and, consequently, our investment adviser may have conflicts of interest in connection with decisions that could affect our total assets, such as decisions as to whether to incur indebtedness or to make future investments.

              The income based fees payable by us to our investment adviser that relate to our pre-incentive fee net investment income is computed and paid on income that may include interest that is accrued but not yet received in cash. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of such fee will become uncollectible. Our investment adviser is not under any obligation to reimburse us for any part of the income based fees it received that were based on accrued interest that we never actually receive.

              Our investment advisory and management agreement renews for successive annual periods if approved by our board of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, including, in either case, approval by a majority of our directors who are not "interested persons" of us as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act. However, both we and our investment adviser have the right to terminate the agreement without penalty upon 60 days' written notice to the other party. Moreover, conflicts of interest may arise if our investment adviser seeks to change the terms of our investment advisory and management agreement, including, for example, the terms for compensation to our investment adviser. While any material change to the investment advisory and management agreement must be submitted to stockholders for approval under the Investment Company Act, we may from time to time decide it is appropriate to seek stockholder approval to change the terms of the agreement.

              We are party to an administration agreement with our administrator, Ares Operations, a subsidiary of Ares Management, pursuant to which our administrator furnishes us with administrative services and we pay our administrator at cost our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses (including travel expenses) incurred by our administrator in performing its obligations under our administration agreement, including our allocable portion of the compensation, rent and other expenses of certain of our officers (including our chief compliance officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, general counsel, secretary, treasurer and assistant treasurer) and their respective staffs, but not investment professionals.

              Our portfolio company, IHAM, is party to an administration agreement, referred to herein as the "IHAM administration agreement," with Ares Operations. Pursuant to the IHAM administration agreement, our administrator provides IHAM with administrative services and IHAM reimburses our administrator for all of the actual costs associated with such services, including its allocable portion of our administrator's overhead and the cost of our administrator's officers and respective staff in performing its obligations under the IHAM administration agreement. Prior to entering into the IHAM administration agreement, IHAM was party to a services agreement with our investment adviser, pursuant to which our investment adviser provided similar services.

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              As a result of the arrangements described above, there may be times when the management team of Ares Management (including those members of management focused primarily on managing Ares Capital) has interests that differ from those of yours, giving rise to a conflict.

              Our stockholders may have conflicting investment, tax and other objectives with respect to their investments in us. The conflicting interests of individual stockholders may relate to or arise from, among other things, the nature of our investments, the structure or the acquisition of our investments, and the timing of dispositions of our investments. As a consequence, conflicts of interest may arise in connection with decisions made by our investment adviser, including with respect to the nature or structuring of our investments, that may be more beneficial for one stockholder than for another stockholder, especially with respect to stockholders' individual tax situations. In selecting and structuring investments appropriate for us, our investment adviser will consider the investment and tax objectives of the Company and our stockholders, as a whole, not the investment, tax or other objectives of any stockholder individually.

We are dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect our liquidity, financial condition or results of operations.

              Our business is dependent on our and third parties' communications and information systems. Further, in the ordinary course of our business we or our investment adviser may engage certain third party service providers to provide us with services necessary for our business. Any failure or interruption of those systems or services, including as a result of the termination or suspension of an agreement with any third-party service providers, could cause delays or other problems in our business activities. Our financial, accounting, data processing, backup or other operating systems and facilities may fail to operate properly or become disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors including events that are wholly or partially beyond our control and adversely affect our business. There could be:

•

sudden electrical or telecommunications outages;



•

natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes;



•

disease pandemics;



•

events arising from local or larger scale political or social matters, including terrorist acts; and



•

cyber-attacks.

              These events, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results and negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business by causing a disruption to our operations, a compromise or corruption of our confidential information and/or damage to our business relationships, all of which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and operating results.

              A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information resources. These incidents may be an intentional attack or an unintentional event and could involve gaining unauthorized access to our information systems for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. The result of these incidents may include disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to our business relationships. As our reliance on technology

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has increased, so have the risks posed to our information systems, both internal and those provided by Ares Management and third-party service providers. Ares Management has implemented processes, procedures and internal controls to help mitigate cybersecurity risks and cyber intrusions, but these measures, as well as our increased awareness of the nature and extent of a risk of a cyber-incident, do not guarantee that a cyber-incident will not occur and/or that our financial results, operations or confidential information will not be negatively impacted by such an incident.

Ineffective internal controls could impact our business and operating results.

              Our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls, or fraud. Even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, including any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or if we experience difficulties in their implementation, our business and operating results could be harmed and we could fail to meet our financial reporting obligations.

Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations or the operations of our portfolio companies or our SBIC subsidiary, changes in the interpretation thereof or newly enacted laws or regulations, such as the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act") and Public Law No. 115-97 (the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act"), could require changes to certain business practices of us or our portfolio companies, negatively impact the operations, cash flows or financial condition of us or our portfolio companies, impose additional costs on us or our portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies.

              We and our portfolio companies are subject to regulation by laws and regulations at the local, state, federal and, in some cases, foreign levels. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may be changed from time to time, and new laws and regulations may be enacted. Accordingly, any change in these laws or regulations, changes in their interpretation, or newly enacted laws or regulations could require changes to certain business practices of us or our portfolio companies, negatively impact the operations, cash flows or financial condition of us or our portfolio companies, impose additional costs on us or our portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies.

              On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Act. Many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act have had extended implementation periods and delayed effective dates and have required extensive rulemaking by regulatory authorities. While many of the rules required to be written have been promulgated, some have not yet been implemented. Although the full impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on us and our portfolio companies may not be known for an extended period of time, the Dodd-Frank Act, including the rules implementing its provisions and the interpretation of those rules, may negatively impact the operations, cash flows or financial condition of us or our portfolio companies, impose additional costs on us or our portfolio companies, intensify the regulatory supervision of us or our portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies.

              Over the last several years, there also has been an increase in regulatory attention to the extension of credit outside of the traditional banking sector, raising the possibility that some portion of the non-bank financial sector will be subject to new regulation. While it cannot be known at this time whether any regulation will be implemented or what form it will take, increased regulation of non-bank credit extension could negatively impact our operating results or financial condition, impose additional costs on us, intensify the regulatory supervision of us or otherwise adversely affect our business.

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              On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which significantly changed the Code, including, a reduction in the corporate income tax rate, a new limitation on the deductibility of interest expense, and significant changes to the taxation of income earned from foreign sources and foreign subsidiaries. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act also authorizes the IRS to issue regulations with respect to the new provisions. We cannot predict how the changes in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or regulations or other guidance issued under it, might affect us, our business or the business of our portfolio companies.

              On February 3, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13772 announcing the new Administration's policy to regulate the U.S. financial system in a manner consistent with certain "Core Principles," including regulation that is efficient, effective and appropriately tailored. The Executive Order directed the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the heads of the member agencies of the Financial Stability Oversight Council, to report to the President on the extent to which existing laws, regulations and other government policies promote the Core Principles and to identify any laws, regulations or other government policies that inhibit federal regulation of the U.S. financial system. On June 12, 2017, the U.S. Department of the Treasury published the first of several reports in response to the Executive Order on the depository system covering banks and other savings institutions. On October 6, 2017, the Treasury released a second report outlining ways to streamline and reform the U.S. regulatory system for capital markets, followed by a third report, on October 26, 2017, examining the current regulatory framework for the asset management and insurance industries. Subsequent reports are expected to address: retail and institutional investment products and vehicles; as well as non-bank financial institutions, financial technology, and financial innovation.

              On June 8, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Financial Choice Act, which includes legislation intended to repeal or replace substantial portions of the Dodd-Frank Act. Among other things, the proposed law would repeal the Volcker Rule limiting certain proprietary investment and trading activities by banks, eliminate the authority of regulators to designate asset managers and other large non-bank institutions as "systemically important financial institutions" or "SIFIs," and repeal the Department of Labor ("DOL") "fiduciary rule" governing standards for dealing with retirement plans until the SEC issues standards for similar dealings by broker-dealers and limiting the substance of any subsequent DOL rule to the SEC standards. The bill was referred to the Senate, where it is unlikely to pass as proposed. On November 16, 2017, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators, led by the Senate Banking Committee Chairman, introduced the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (the "Senate Regulatory Relief Bill"). The Senate Regulatory Relief Bill would revise various post-crisis regulatory requirements and provide targeted regulatory relief to certain financial institutions. Among the most significant of its proposed amendments to the Dodd-Frank Act are a substantial increase in the $50 billion asset threshold for automatic regulation of bank holding companies as SIFIs, an exemption from the Volcker Rule for insured depository institutions with less than $10 billion in consolidated assets and lower levels of trading assets and liabilities, as well as amendments to the liquidity leverage ratio and supplementary leverage ratio requirements. On December 5, 2017, the Senate Banking Committee approved the Senate Regulatory Relief Bill. If the legislation is adopted in the Senate, it remains unclear whether and how it would be reconciled with its House-passed counterpart, the Financial Choice Act, which is substantially different in scope and substance, and ultimately approved by both chambers of Congress. At this time it is not possible to determine whether any such particular proposal will become law or its potential impact on us.

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Our investment adviser's liability is limited under the investment advisory and management agreement, and we are required to indemnify our investment adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead our investment adviser to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

              Our investment adviser has not assumed any responsibility to us other than to render the services described in the investment advisory and management agreement, and it will not be responsible for any action of our board of directors in declining to follow our investment adviser's advice or recommendations. Pursuant to the investment advisory and management agreement, our investment adviser and its members and their respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons and members and any other persons or entities affiliated with it will not be liable to us for their acts under the investment advisory and management agreement, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of their duties. We have agreed to indemnify, defend and protect our investment adviser and its members and their respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons and members and any other persons or entities affiliated with it with respect to all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of our investment adviser's duties or obligations under the investment advisory and management agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser for us, and not arising out of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of their duties under the investment advisory and management agreement. These protections may lead our investment adviser to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Investments—Our investment adviser's fee structure may induce it to make certain investments on our behalf, including speculative investments."

We may be obligated to pay our investment adviser certain fees even if we incur a loss.

              Our investment adviser is entitled to income based fees for each fiscal quarter in an amount equal to a percentage of the excess of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for that quarter (before deducting any income based fee and capital gains incentive fees and certain other items) above a threshold return for that quarter. Our pre-incentive fee net investment income for income based fee purposes excludes realized and unrealized capital losses or depreciation and income taxes related to realized gains that we may incur in the fiscal quarter, even if such capital losses or depreciation and income taxes related to realized gains result in a net loss on our statement of operations for that quarter. Thus, we may be required to pay our investment adviser income based fees for a fiscal quarter even if there is a decline in the value of our portfolio or the net asset value of our common stock or we incur a net loss for that quarter.

              Under the investment advisory and management agreement, we will defer cash payment of any income based fee and the capital gains incentive fee otherwise earned by our investment adviser if, during the most recent four full calendar quarter periods 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. These calculations will be adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases. Any such deferred fees will be carried over for payment in subsequent calculation periods to the extent such payment can then be made under the investment advisory and management agreement.

              If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that is structured to provide interest, it is possible that accrued and unpaid interest previously used in the calculation of income based fees will become uncollectible. Our investment adviser is not under any obligation to reimburse us for any part of income based fees it received that was based on accrued income that we never receive.

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Our SBIC subsidiary is subject to SBA regulations.

              Our consolidated subsidiary, Ares Venture Finance, L.P. ("AVF LP"), is a licensed Small Business Investment Company ("SBIC") and is regulated by the Small Business Administration ("SBA"). As of December 31, 2017, AVF LP held approximately $52 million in assets and accounted for approximately 0.4% of our total assets. AVF LP may obtain leverage by issuing the SBA Debentures. As of December 31, 2017, AVF LP had no SBA Debentures outstanding.

              If AVF LP fails to comply with applicable regulations, the SBA could, depending on the severity of the violation, limit or prohibit AVF LP's use of SBA Debentures, declare outstanding SBA Debentures immediately due and payable, and/or limit AVF LP from making new investments. In addition, the SBA could revoke or suspend AVF LP's license for willful or repeated violation of, or willful or repeated failure to observe, any provision of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended (the "Small Business Investment Act") or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder. AVF LP's status as an SBIC does not automatically assure that it will receive SBA Debenture funding. Receipt of SBA leverage funding is dependent upon whether AVF LP is and continues to be in compliance with SBA regulations and policies and whether funding is available. The amount of SBA leverage funding available to SBICs is dependent upon annual Congressional authorizations and in the future may be subject to annual Congressional appropriations. There can be no assurance that there will be sufficient debenture funding available at the times desired by AVF LP. For more information on SBA Debentures or the SBA regulations to which AVF LP is subject, see "Regulation—SBA Regulation."

              We have elected to be treated as a RIC and operate in a manner so as to qualify for the U.S. federal income tax treatment applicable to RICs. Among other things, in order to maintain our RIC status, we must distribute to our stockholders on a timely basis generally an amount equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, which includes taxable income from AVF LP. AVF LP may be limited by SBA regulations from making certain distributions to us that may be necessary to timely make distributions to stockholders and to maintain our status as a RIC. Compliance with the SBA regulations may cause us to fail to qualify as a RIC and consequently result in the imposition of additional corporate-level income taxes on us. Noncompliance with the SBA regulations may result in adverse consequences for AVF LP as described above.

RISKS RELATING TO OUR INVESTMENTS

Declines in market prices and liquidity in the corporate debt markets can result in significant net unrealized depreciation of our portfolio, which in turn would reduce our net asset value.

              As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our board of directors. We may take into account the following types of factors, if relevant, in determining the fair value of our investments: the enterprise value of a portfolio company (the entire value of the portfolio company to a market participant, including the sum of the values of debt and equity securities used to capitalize the enterprise at a point in time), the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company's ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, a comparison of the portfolio company's securities to similar publicly traded securities, changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets generally that may affect the price at which similar investments would trade in their principal markets and other relevant factors. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we use the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate our valuation. While most of our investments are not publicly traded, applicable accounting standards require us to assume as part of our valuation process that our investments are sold in a principal market to market participants (even if we plan on holding an investment through its maturity). As a

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result, volatility in the capital markets can also adversely affect our investment valuations. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized depreciation. The effect of all of these factors on our portfolio can reduce our net asset value (and, as a result our asset coverage calculation) by increasing net unrealized depreciation in our portfolio. Depending on market conditions, we could incur substantial realized losses and may suffer unrealized losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.

              Many of our portfolio companies may be susceptible to economic downturns or recessions and may be unable to repay our loans during these periods. Therefore, during these periods our non-performing assets may increase and the value of our portfolio may decrease if we are required to write down the values of our investments. Adverse economic conditions may also decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could prevent us from increasing investments and harm our operating results. We experienced to some extent such effects as a result of the economic downturn that occurred from 2008 through 2009 and may experience such effects again in any future downturn or recession.

              A portfolio company's failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, acceleration of the time when the loans are due and foreclosure on its assets representing collateral for its obligations, which could trigger cross defaults under other agreements and jeopardize our portfolio company's ability to meet its obligations under the debt that we hold and the value of any equity securities we own. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company.

Investments in privately held middle-market companies involve significant risks.

              We primarily invest in privately held U.S. middle-market companies. Investments in privately held middle-market companies involve a number of significant risks, including the following:

•

these companies may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of us realizing our investment;



•

they typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors' actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns;



•

they typically depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse effect on our portfolio company and, in turn, on us;



•

there is generally little public information about these companies. These companies and their financial information are generally not subject to the Exchange Act (as defined below) and other regulations that govern public companies, and we may be unable to uncover all material information about these companies, which may prevent us from making a fully informed investment decision and cause us to lose money on our investments;

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•

they generally have less predictable operating results and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position;



•

we, our executive officers, directors and our investment adviser may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in our portfolio companies;



•

changes in laws and regulations (including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act), as well as their interpretations, may adversely affect their business, financial structure or prospects; and



•

they may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs.

Our debt investments may be risky and we could lose all or part of our investment.

              The debt that we invest in is typically not initially rated by any rating agency, but we believe that if such investments 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." Therefore, our investments may result in an above average amount of risk and volatility or loss of principal. While the debt we invest in is often secured, such security does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the terms of the loan, or that the value of any collateral will be sufficient to allow us to recover all or a portion of the outstanding amount of the loan should we be forced to enforce our remedies.

              We also may invest in assets other than first and second lien and mezzanine debt investments, including high-yield securities, U.S. government securities, credit derivatives and other structured securities and certain direct equity investments. These investments entail additional risks that could adversely affect our investment returns.

Investments in equity securities, many of which are illiquid with no readily available market, involve a substantial degree of risk.

              We may purchase common and other equity securities. Although common stock has historically generated higher average total returns than fixed income securities over the long-term, common stock also has experienced significantly more volatility in those returns. The equity securities we acquire may fail to appreciate and may decline in value or become worthless and our ability to recover our investment will depend on the underlying portfolio company's success. Investments in equity securities involve a number of significant risks, including:

•

any equity investment we make in a portfolio company could be subject to further dilution as a result of the issuance of additional equity interests and to serious risks as a junior security that will be subordinate to all indebtedness (including trade creditors) or senior securities in the event that the issuer is unable to meet its obligations or becomes subject to a bankruptcy process;



•

to the extent that the portfolio company requires additional capital and is unable to obtain it, we may not recover our investment; and



•

in some cases, equity securities in which we invest will not pay current dividends, and our ability to realize a return on our investment, as well as to recover our investment, will be dependent on the success of the portfolio company. Even if the portfolio company is successful, our ability to realize the value of our investment may be dependent on the

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occurrence of a liquidity event, such as a public offering or the sale of the portfolio company. It is likely to take a significant amount of time before a liquidity event occurs or we can otherwise sell our investment. In addition, the equity securities we receive or invest in may be subject to restrictions on resale during periods in which it could be advantageous to sell them.

              There are special risks associated with investing in preferred securities, including:

•

preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. If we own a preferred security that is deferring its distributions, we may be required to report income for tax purposes before we receive such distributions;



•

preferred securities are subordinated to debt in terms of priority to income and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than debt;



•

preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stock or U.S. government securities; and



•

generally, preferred security holders have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company, subject to limited exceptions.

              Additionally, when we invest in first lien senior secured loans (including unitranche loans), second lien senior secured loans or mezzanine debt, we may acquire warrants or other equity securities as well. Our goal is ultimately to dispose of such equity interests and realize gains upon our disposition of such interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

              We may invest, to the extent permitted by law, in the equity securities of investment funds that are operating pursuant to certain exceptions to the Investment Company Act and in advisers to similar investment funds and, to the extent we so invest, will bear our ratable share of any such company's expenses, including management and performance fees. We will also remain obligated to pay the base management fee, income based fee and capital gains incentive fee to our investment adviser with respect to the assets invested in the securities and instruments of such companies. With respect to each of these investments, each of our common stockholders will bear his or her share of the base management fee, income based fee and capital gains incentive fee due to our investment adviser as well as indirectly bearing the management and performance fees and other expenses of any such investment funds or advisers.

              Also, as a result of the American Capital Acquisition, American Capital's equity investments, including equity investments pursuant to which American Capital controlled a particular portfolio company, became part of our portfolio. We intend to actively seek opportunities over time to dispose of certain of these investments and rotate them into yielding assets consistent with our investment policy. However, there can be no assurance that this strategy will be successful.

There may be circumstances in which our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.

              If one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, even though we may have structured our interest as senior debt, depending on the facts and circumstances, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt holding as an equity investment and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. In addition, lenders can be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by them where they become too involved in the borrower's business or exercise control over the borrower. For example, we could become subject to a lender's liability claim, if, among other things, we actually render significant managerial assistance.

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Our portfolio companies may incur debt or issue equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.

              Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt, or issue other equity securities, that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments. By their terms, such instruments may provide that the holders are entitled to receive payment of dividends, interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments in respect of our investments. These debt instruments would usually prohibit the portfolio companies from paying interest on or repaying our investments in the event and during the continuance of a default under such debt. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of securities ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company typically are entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying such holders, the portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of securities ranking equally with our investments, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other security holders in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

              The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing any junior priority loans we make to our portfolio companies may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements (including agreements governing "first out" and "last out" structures) that we enter into with the holders of senior debt. Under such an intercreditor agreement, at any time that senior obligations are outstanding, we may forfeit certain rights with respect to the collateral to the holders of the senior obligations. These rights may include the right to commence enforcement proceedings against the collateral, the right to control the conduct of such enforcement proceedings, the right to approve amendments to collateral documents, the right to release liens on the collateral and the right to waive past defaults under collateral documents. We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if as a result our rights as junior lenders are adversely affected.

When we are a debt or minority equity investor in a portfolio company, we are often not in a position to exert influence on the entity, and other equity holders and management of the company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our investment in such portfolio company.

              When we make debt or minority equity investments, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company may make business decisions with which we disagree and the other equity holders and management of such company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our investment.

Our portfolio companies may be highly leveraged.

              Some of our portfolio companies may be highly leveraged, which may have adverse consequences to these companies and to us as an investor. These companies may be subject to restrictive financial and operating covenants and the leverage may impair these companies' ability to finance their future operations and capital needs. As a result, these companies' flexibility to respond to changing business and economic conditions and to take advantage of business opportunities may be limited. Further, a leveraged company's income and net assets will tend to increase or decrease at a greater rate than if borrowed money were not used.

Our investment adviser's fee structure may induce it to make certain investments on our behalf, including speculative investments.

              The fees payable by us to our investment adviser may create an incentive for our investment adviser to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The way in which income based fees payable to our

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investment adviser are determined, which are calculated as a percentage of the return on invested capital, may encourage our investment adviser to use leverage to increase the return on our investments. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor the holders of our common stock and the holders of securities convertible into our common stock. In addition, our investment adviser will receive the capital gains incentive fee based, in part, upon net capital gains realized on our investments. Unlike income based fees, there is no hurdle rate applicable to the capital gains incentive fee. As a result, our investment adviser may have a tendency to invest more in investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to income producing securities. Such a practice could result in our investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns.

              The income based fees will be computed and paid on income that has been accrued but not yet received in cash, including as a result of investments with a deferred interest feature such as debt instruments with PIK interest, preferred stock with PIK dividends and zero coupon securities. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of the income based fee will become uncollectible. Our investment adviser is not under any obligation to reimburse us for any part of the fees it received that were based on such accrued interest that we never actually received.

              Because of the structure of the income based fees, it is possible that we may have to pay income based fees in a quarter during which we incur a loss. For example, if we receive pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the hurdle rate for a quarter, we will pay the applicable income based fees even if we have incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized and/or unrealized capital losses. In addition, if market interest rates rise, our investment adviser may be able to invest our funds in debt instruments that provide for a higher return, which would increase our pre-incentive fee net investment income and make it easier for our investment adviser to surpass the fixed hurdle rate and receive income based fees.

Our investments in foreign companies may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.

              Our investment strategy contemplates potential investments in foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes (potentially at confiscatory levels), less liquid markets, less available information than is generally the case in the United States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility.

              Although we expect most of our investments will be U.S. dollar denominated, our investments that are denominated in a foreign currency will be subject to the risk that the value of a particular currency will change in relation to one or more other currencies. Among the factors that may affect currency values are trade balances, the level of short-term interest rates, differences in relative values of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for investment and capital appreciation and political developments. We may employ hedging techniques to minimize these risks, but we cannot assure you that such strategies will be effective or without risk to us.

We may expose ourselves to risks if we engage in hedging transactions.

              We have and may in the future enter into hedging transactions, which may expose us to risks associated with such transactions. We may utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency

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options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates. Use of these hedging instruments may include counter-party credit risk.

              Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions does not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions decline. However, such hedging can establish other positions designed to gain from those same developments, thereby offsetting the decline in the value of such portfolio positions. Such hedging transactions may also limit the opportunity for gain if the values of the underlying portfolio positions should increase. Moreover, it may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that we are not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price.

              The success of our hedging transactions will depend on our ability to correctly predict movements in currencies and interest rates. Therefore, while we may enter into such transactions to seek to reduce currency exchange rate and interest rate risks, unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates or interest rates may result in poorer overall investment performance than if we had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged may vary. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to (or be able to) establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies because the value of those securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations. See also "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates."

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.

RISKS RELATING TO OFFERINGS PURSUANT TO THIS PROSPECTUS

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.

              Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a market price that is less than the net asset value that is attributable to those shares. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. It is not possible to accurately predict whether any shares of our common stock will trade at, above, or below net asset value. In the recent past, the stocks of BDCs as an industry, including at times shares of our common stock, have traded below net asset value and during much of 2009 traded at near

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historic lows as a result of concerns over liquidity, leverage restrictions and distribution requirements. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—The capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability. Such market conditions may materially and adversely affect debt and equity capital markets, which may have a negative impact on our business and operations." When our common stock is trading below its net asset value per share, we will generally not be able to issue additional shares of our common stock at its market price without first obtaining approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our independent directors. Pursuant to approval granted at a special meeting of stockholders held on May 22, 2017, we currently are permitted to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value, subject to certain limitations and determinations that must be made by our board of directors. Such stockholder approval expires on May 22, 2018. On February 15, 2018, we filed the 2018 Special Meeting Proxy Statement for a special meeting of stockholders, currently expected to take place on May 14, 2018. The 2018 Special Meeting Proxy Statement sets forth a proposal to be voted upon at the special meeting that, if approved by stockholders, would have the effect of extending this approval to the one-year anniversary of the date of the special meeting.

There is a risk that investors in our common stock may not receive dividends or that our dividends may not grow over time and that investors in our debt securities may not receive all of the interest income to which they are entitled.

              We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. If we declare a dividend and if more stockholders opt to receive cash distributions rather than participate in our dividend reinvestment plan, we may be forced to sell some of our investments in order to make cash dividend payments.

              In addition, due to the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions. Certain of the Facilities may also limit our ability to declare dividends if we default under certain provisions. Further, if we invest a greater amount of assets in non-income producing securities, it could reduce the amount available for distribution and may also inhibit our ability to make required interest payments to holders of our debt, which may cause a default under the terms of our debt agreements. Such a default could materially increase our cost of raising capital, as well as cause us to incur penalties under the terms of our debt agreements. See "Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions."

Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and of our charter and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.

              The Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter and our bylaws contain provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of Ares Capital or the removal of our directors. We are subject to the Maryland Business Combination Act (the "Business Combination Act"), subject to any applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act. Our board of directors has adopted a resolution exempting from the Business Combination Act any business combination between us and any other person, subject to prior approval of such business combination by our board, including approval by a majority of our disinterested directors. If the resolution exempting business combinations is repealed or our board or disinterested directors do not approve a business combination, the Business Combination Act may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of us and may increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer. Our bylaws exempt from the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act (the "Control Share Acquisition Act") acquisitions of our stock by any person. If we amend our bylaws to repeal the exemption from the Control Share Acquisition Act, subject to any applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act, the Control

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Share Acquisition Act also may make it more difficult for a third party to obtain control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer.

              We have also adopted measures that may make it difficult for a third party to obtain control of us, including provisions of our charter classifying our board of directors into three classes serving staggered three-year terms, and provisions of our charter authorizing our board of directors to classify or reclassify shares of our stock into one or more classes or series, to cause the issuance of additional shares of our stock, and to amend our charter from time to time, without stockholder approval, to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue. These provisions, as well as other provisions of our charter and bylaws, may discourage, delay, defer, make more difficult or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in your best interest.

Investing in our common stock may involve an above average degree of risk.

              The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly speculative and aggressive and, therefore, an investment in our securities may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

              The capital and credit markets have experienced periods of extreme volatility and disruption over the past several years. The market price and liquidity of the market for shares of our common stock may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include:

•

significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of publicly traded RICs, BDCs or other companies in our sector, which are not necessarily related to the operating performance of these companies;



•

price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time;



•

the inclusion or exclusion of our common stock from certain indices;



•

changes in law, regulatory policies or tax guidelines, or interpretations thereof, particularly with respect to RICs or BDCs;



•

loss of our RIC status;



•

our ability to manage our capital resources effectively, including rotating out of certain investments acquired in connection with the American Capital Acquisition and re-deploying such capital effectively and on favorable terms;



•

changes in our earnings or variations in our operating results;



•

changes in the value of our portfolio of investments;



•

any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts;



•

departure of Ares' key personnel;



•

operating performance of companies comparable to us;



•

short-selling pressure with respect to shares of our common stock or BDCs generally;

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•

future sales of our securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our common stock or the conversion of such securities, including the Convertible Unsecured Notes;



•

uncertainty surrounding the strength of the U.S. economy;



•

concerns regarding European sovereign debt;



•

concerns regarding volatility in the Chinese stock market and Chinese currency;



•

general economic trends and other external factors; and



•

loss of a major funding source.

              In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. If our stock price fluctuates significantly, we may be the target of securities litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management's attention and resources from our business.

We may in the future determine to issue preferred stock, which could adversely affect the market value of our common stock.

              The issuance of shares of preferred stock with dividend or conversion rights, liquidation preferences or other economic terms favorable to the holders of preferred stock could adversely affect the market price for our common stock by making an investment in the common stock less attractive. In addition, the dividends on any preferred stock we issue must be cumulative. Payment of dividends and repayment of the liquidation preference of preferred stock must take preference over any dividends or other payments to our common stockholders, and holders of preferred stock are not subject to any of our expenses or losses and are not entitled to participate in any income or appreciation in excess of their stated preference (other than convertible preferred stock that converts into common stock). In addition, under the Investment Company Act, preferred stock constitutes a "senior security" for purposes of the 200% asset coverage test.

The net asset value per share of our common stock may be diluted if we sell shares of our common stock in one or more offerings at prices below the then current net asset value per share of our common stock or securities to subscribe for or convertible into shares of our common stock.

              At a special meeting of stockholders held on May 22, 2017, subject to certain determinations required to be made by our board of directors, our stockholders approved our ability to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock, in an amount not exceeding 25% of our then outstanding common stock, at a price below the then current net asset value per share during a period that began on May 22, 2017 and expires on May 22, 2018. On February 15, 2018, we filed the 2018 Special Meeting Proxy Statement for a special meeting of stockholders, currently expected to take place on May 14, 2018. The 2018 Special Meeting Proxy Statement sets forth a proposal to be voted upon at the special meeting that, if approved by stockholders, would have the effect of extending this approval to the one-year anniversary of the date of the special meeting.

              In addition, at our 2009 annual stockholders meeting, our stockholders approved a proposal authorizing us to sell or otherwise issue warrants or securities to subscribe for or convertible into shares of our common stock subject to certain limitations (including, without limitation, that the number of shares issuable does not exceed 25% of our then outstanding common stock and that the exercise or conversion price thereof is not, at the date of issuance, less than the greater of the market value per share and the net asset value per share of our common stock). The authorization granted to sell or issue warrants or securities to subscribe for or convertible into shares of our common stock has no expiration.

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              Any decision to sell shares of our common stock below its then current net asset value per share or securities to subscribe for or convertible into shares of our common stock would be subject to the determination by our board of directors that such issuance is in our and our stockholders' best interests.

              If we were to sell shares of our common stock below its then current net asset value per share, such sales would result in an immediate dilution to the net asset value per share of our common stock. This dilution would occur as a result of the sale of shares at a price below the then current net asset value per share of our common stock and a proportionately greater decrease in the stockholders' interest in our earnings and assets and their voting interest in us than the increase in our assets resulting from such issuance. Because the number of shares of common stock that could be so issued and the timing of any issuance is not currently known, the actual dilutive effect cannot be predicted.

              In addition, if we issue warrants or securities to subscribe for or convertible into shares of our common stock, subject to certain limitations, the exercise or conversion price per share could be less than net asset value per share at the time of exercise or conversion (including through the operation of anti-dilution protections). Because we would incur expenses in connection with any issuance of such securities, such issuance could result in a dilution of the net asset value per share at the time of exercise or conversion. This dilution would include reduction in net asset value per share as a result of the proportionately greater decrease in the stockholders' interest in our earnings and assets and their voting interest than the increase in our assets resulting from such issuance.

              Further, if our current stockholders do not purchase any shares to maintain their percentage interest, regardless of whether such offering is above or below the then current net asset value per share, their voting power will be diluted. For additional information and hypothetical examples of these risks, see "Sales of Common Stock Below Net Asset Value" and the prospectus supplement pursuant to which such sale is made.

Your interest in us may be diluted if you do not fully exercise your subscription rights in any rights offering. In addition, if the subscription price is less than our net asset value per share, then you will experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of your shares.

              In the event we issue subscription rights, stockholders who do not fully exercise their subscription rights should expect that they will, at the completion of a rights offering pursuant to this prospectus, own a smaller proportional interest in us than would otherwise be the case if they fully exercised their rights. We cannot state precisely the amount of any such dilution in share ownership because we do not know at this time what proportion of the shares will be purchased as a result of such rights offering.

              In addition, if the subscription price is less than the net asset value per share of our common stock, then our stockholders would experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of their shares as a result of the offering. The amount of any decrease in net asset value is not predictable because it is not known at this time what the subscription price and net asset value per share will be on the expiration date of a rights offering or what proportion of the shares will be purchased as a result of such rights offering. Such dilution could be substantial. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Offerings Pursuant to this Prospectus—The net asset value per share of our common stock may be diluted if we sell shares of our common stock in one or more offerings at prices below the then current net asset value per share of our common stock or securities to subscribe for or convertible into shares of our common stock" and "Sales of Common Stock Below Net Asset Value."

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Investors in offerings of our common stock will likely incur immediate dilution upon the closing of such offering.

              We generally expect the public offering price of any offering of shares of our common stock to be higher than the book value per share of our outstanding common stock (unless we offer shares pursuant to a rights offering or after obtaining prior approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our independent directors). Accordingly, investors purchasing shares of our common stock in offerings pursuant to this prospectus may pay a price per share that exceeds the tangible book value per share after such offering.

Our stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan.

              All dividends declared in cash payable to stockholders that are participants in our dividend reinvestment plan are automatically reinvested in shares of our common stock. As a result, our stockholders that opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan will experience dilution in their ownership percentage of our common stock over time.

Our stockholders may experience dilution upon the conversion of the Convertible Unsecured Notes.

              The 2019 Convertible Notes (as defined below) are convertible into shares of our common stock beginning on July 15, 2018 or, under certain circumstances, earlier. The 2022 Convertible Notes (as defined below) are convertible into shares of our common stock beginning on August 1, 2021 or, under certain circumstances, earlier. Upon conversion of the Convertible Unsecured Notes, we have the choice to pay or deliver, as the case may be, at our election, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock. As of December 31, 2017, the conversion price of the 2019 Convertible Notes was effectively $19.99 per share and the conversion price of the 2022 Convertible Notes was effectively $19.39 per share, in each case taking into account certain de minimis adjustments that will be made on the conversion date and subject to further adjustment in certain circumstances. If we elect to deliver shares of common stock upon a conversion at the time our tangible book value per share exceeds the conversion price in effect at such time, our stockholders may incur dilution. In addition, our stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage of common stock upon our issuance of common stock in connection with the conversion of the Convertible Unsecured Notes and any dividends paid on our common stock will also be paid on shares issued in connection with such conversion after such issuance.

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.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

              Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the availability of such common stock for sale (including as a result of the conversion of our Convertible Unsecured Notes into common stock), could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our common stock. If this occurs and continues,

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it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of securities should we desire to do so.

The trading market or market value of our publicly issued debt securities may fluctuate.

              Our publicly issued debt securities may or may not have an established trading market. We cannot assure you that a trading market for our publicly issued debt securities will ever develop or be maintained if developed. In addition to our creditworthiness, many factors may materially adversely affect the trading market for, and market value of, our publicly issued debt securities. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

•

the time remaining to the maturity of these debt securities;



•

the outstanding principal amount of debt securities with terms identical to these debt securities;



•

the ratings assigned by national statistical ratings agencies;



•

the general economic environment;



•

the supply of such debt securities trading in the secondary market, if any;



•

the redemption or repayment features, if any, of these debt securities;



•

the level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally; and



•

market rates of interest higher or lower than rates borne by the debt securities.

              You should also be aware that there may be a limited number of buyers if and when you decide to sell your debt securities. This too may materially adversely affect the market value of the debt securities or the trading market for the debt securities.

Terms relating to redemption may materially adversely affect your return on any debt securities that we may issue.

              If your debt securities are redeemable at our option, we may choose to redeem your debt securities at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on your debt securities. In addition, if your debt securities are subject to mandatory redemption, we may be required to redeem your debt securities also at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on your debt securities. In this circumstance, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as your debt securities being redeemed.

Our credit ratings may not reflect all risks of an investment in our debt securities.

              Our credit ratings are an assessment by third parties of our ability to pay our obligations. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of our debt securities. Our credit ratings, however, may not reflect the potential impact of risks related to market conditions generally or other factors discussed above on the market value of or trading market for the publicly issued debt securities.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

              Some of the statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements concerning:

•

our, or our portfolio companies', future business, operations, operating results or prospects;



•

the return or impact of current and future investments;



•

the impact of a protracted decline in the liquidity of credit markets on our business;



•

the impact of fluctuations in interest rates on our business;



•

the impact of changes in laws or regulations (including the interpretation thereof), including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, governing our operations or the operations of our portfolio companies or the operations of our competitors;



•

the valuation of our investments in portfolio companies, particularly those having no liquid trading market;



•

our ability to successfully integrate our business with the business of American Capital, including rotating out of certain investments acquired in connection therewith and re-deploying such capital effectively and on favorable terms;



•

our ability to recover unrealized losses;



•

our ability to successfully invest any capital raised in an offering;



•

market conditions and our ability to access alternative debt markets and additional debt and equity capital and our ability to manage our capital resources effectively;



•

our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties, including parties to our co-investment program;



•

the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest;



•

uncertainty surrounding the financial stability of the United States, Europe and China;



•

the social, geopolitical, financial, trade and legal implications of Brexit;



•

Middle East turmoil and the potential for volatility in energy prices and its impact on the industries in which we invest;



•

the financial condition of and ability of our current and prospective portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;



•

our expected financings and investments;



•

our ability to successfully complete and integrate any other acquisitions;



•

the outcome and impact of any litigation or other regulatory matters acquired in connection with the American Capital Acquisition;



•

the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;



•

the timing, form and amount of any dividend distributions;



•

the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies; and



•

the ability of our investment adviser to locate suitable investments for us and to monitor and administer our investments.

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              We use words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," "will," "should," "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.

              We have based the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus on information available to us on the date of this prospectus, 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.

              The forward-looking statements in this prospectus are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").

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USE OF PROCEEDS

              Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities for general corporate purposes, which include investing in portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objective. We also expect to use the net proceeds of an offering to repay or repurchase outstanding indebtedness, which may include indebtedness (approximately $4.9 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding as of December 31, 2017) under (a) the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) ($395 million outstanding as of December 31, 2017), (b) the Revolving Funding Facility (as defined below) (approximately $600 million outstanding as of December 31, 2017), (c) the SMBC Funding Facility (as defined below) (approximately $60 million outstanding as of December 31, 2017), (d) the 2018 Convertible Notes (approximately $270 million aggregate principal amount outstanding as of December 31, 2017), (e) the 2019 Convertible Notes (approximately $300 million aggregate principal amount outstanding as of December 31, 2017), (f) the 2022 Convertible Notes (approximately $388 million aggregate principal amount outstanding as of December 31, 2017), (g) the 2018 Notes (as defined below) (approximately $750 million aggregate principal amount outstanding as of December 31, 2017), (h) the 2020 Notes (as defined below) (approximately $600 million aggregate principal amount outstanding as of December 31, 2017), (i) the January 2022 Notes (as defined below) (approximately $600 million aggregate principal amount outstanding as of December 31, 2017), (j) the 2023 Notes (as defined below) (approximately $750 million aggregate principal amount outstanding as of December 31, 2017) and (k) the 2047 Notes (as defined below) (approximately $230 million aggregate principal amount outstanding as of December 31, 2017).

              The interest charged on the indebtedness incurred under the Revolving Credit Facility is based on LIBOR (one-, two-, three- or six-month) plus an applicable spread of either 1.75% or 2.00% or an "alternate base rate" (as defined in the agreements governing the Revolving Credit Facility) plus an applicable spread of either 0.75% or 1.00%, in each case, determined monthly based on the total amount of the borrowing base relative to the total commitments of the Revolving Credit Facility and other debt, if any, secured by the same collateral as the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2017, the one, two, three and six month LIBOR was 1.56%, 1.62%, 1.69% and 1.84%, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, for $2.0 billion of the total Revolving Credit Facility capacity, the expiration date is January 4, 2022, for $37.5 million of the Revolving Credit Facility capacity, the expiration date is May 4, 2021 and for the remaining $45 million, the expiration date is May 4, 2020. The interest charged on the indebtedness incurred under the Revolving Funding Facility is based on LIBOR plus 2.15% per annum or a "base rate" (as defined in the agreements governing the Revolving Funding Facility) of 1.15% per annum. The Revolving Funding Facility is scheduled to expire on January 3, 2022 (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 1.75% or 2.00% over LIBOR or 0.75% or 1.00% 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 SMBC Funding Facility is scheduled to expire on September 14, 2023 (subject to two one-year extension options exercisable upon mutual consent).

              The interest charged on the Convertible Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes is as follows: (a) 4.75% in the case of the 2018 Convertible Notes, (b) 4.375% in the case of the 2019 Convertible Notes, (c) 3.75% in the case of the 2022 Convertible Notes, (d) 4.875% in the case of the 2018 Notes, (e) 3.875% in the case of the 2020 Notes, (f) 3.625% in the case of the January 2022 Notes, (g) 3.500% in the case of the 2023 Notes and (h) 6.875% in the case of the 2047 Notes. The 2018 Convertible Notes, the 2019 Convertible Notes and the 2022 Convertible Notes mature on January 15, 2018, January 15, 2019 and February 1, 2022, respectively. The 2018 Notes, the 2020 Notes, the January 2022 Notes and the 2047 Notes mature on November 30, 2018, January 15, 2020,

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January 19, 2022 and April 15, 2047, respectively. 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." 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" 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 Offerings Pursuant to this Prospectus—Our shares of common stock have traded at a discount from net asset value and may do so again in the future, which could limit our ability to raise additional equity capital."

              The following table sets forth, for the first quarter of the year ended December 31, 2018 and each fiscal quarter for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, 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 March 5, 2018, the last reported closing sales price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Select Market was $15.87 per share, which represented a discount of approximately 4.7% to the net asset value per share reported by us as of December 31, 2017.

              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, 2016, 2017 and 2018:

              Of the $1.52 per share in dividends declared and payable for the year ended December 31, 2017, $1.45 per share was comprised of ordinary income and $0.07 was comprised of long-term capital gains. Of the $1.52 per share in dividends declared and payable for the year ended December 31, 2016, $1.26 per share was comprised of ordinary income and $0.26 was comprised of long-term capital gains.

              To maintain our RIC status under the Code, we must timely distribute an amount equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (as defined by the Code, which generally includes net ordinary income and net short term capital gains) to our stockholders. In addition, we generally will be required to pay an excise tax equal to 4% on certain undistributed taxable income unless we distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of our ordinary income recognized during a calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of our capital gain net income, as defined by the Code, recognized for the one year period ending October 31st in that calendar year, and (iii) any income recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years. The taxable income on which we pay excise tax is generally distributed to our stockholders in the next tax year. Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, we may choose to carry forward such taxable income for distribution in the following year, and pay any applicable excise tax. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recorded a net excise tax expense of $12 million and $12 million, respectively. The net expense for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 each included a net reduction in expense related to the recording of a requested refund resulting from the overpayment of the prior year's excise tax of $1 million and $1 million, respectively. We cannot assure you that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions. We maintain an "opt out" dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a cash dividend, stockholders' cash dividends will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, unless they specifically "opt out" of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash dividends. See "Dividend Reinvestment Plan."

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RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

              For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the ratios of earnings to fixed charges of the Company, computed as set forth below, were as follows:

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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

              The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the "Selected Condensed Consolidated Financial Data of Ares Capital" and our financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement.

OVERVIEW

              We are 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 BDC under the Investment Company Act.

              We are externally managed by Ares Capital Management, a subsidiary of Ares Management, a publicly traded, leading global alternative asset manager, pursuant to our investment advisory and management agreement. Our administrator 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 first lien senior secured loans (including unitranche loans), second lien senior secured loans and mezzanine debt, which in some cases includes an equity component like warrants.

              To a lesser extent, we also make preferred and/or 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. Also, as a result of the American Capital Acquisition, American Capital's equity investments, including equity investments pursuant to which American Capital controlled a particular portfolio company, became part of our portfolio.

              Since our IPO on October 8, 2004 through December 31, 2017, our exited investments resulted in an asset level realized gross internal rate of return to us of approximately 14% (based on original cash invested, net of syndications, of approximately $20.6 billion and total proceeds from such exited investments of approximately $26.4 billion). Internal rate of return is the discount rate that makes the net present value of all cash flows related to a particular investment equal to zero. Internal rate of return is gross of expenses related to investments as these expenses are not allocable to specific investments. Investments are considered to be exited when the original investment objective has been achieved through the receipt of cash and/or non-cash consideration upon the repayment of a debt investment or sale of an investment or through the determination that no further consideration was collectible and, thus, a loss may have been realized. Approximately 65% of these exited investments resulted in an asset level realized gross internal rate of return to us of 10% or greater.

              Additionally, since our IPO on October 8, 2004 through December 31, 2017, our realized gains have exceeded our realized losses by approximately $613 million (excluding a one-time gain on the acquisition of Allied Capital Corporation ("Allied Capital") and realized gains/losses from the extinguishment of debt and other assets). For this same time period, our average annualized net realized gain rate was approximately 1.1% (excluding a one-time gain on the acquisition of Allied Capital and realized gains/losses from the extinguishment of debt and other assets). Net realized gain/loss rates for a particular period are the amount of net realized gains/losses during such period divided by the average quarterly investments at amortized cost in such period.

              Information included herein regarding internal rates of return, realized gains and losses and annualized net realized gain rates are historical results relating to our past performance and are not necessarily indicative of future results, the achievement of which cannot be assured.

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              As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For instance, we generally have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in "qualifying assets," including securities and indebtedness of private U.S. companies and certain public U.S. companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. We also may invest up to 30% of our portfolio in non-qualifying assets, as permitted by the Investment Company Act. See "Regulation." 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.

              We have elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code and operate in a manner so as to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and timely distribute to our stockholders generally at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code, for each year. Pursuant to this election, we generally will not have to pay U.S. federal corporate-level taxes on any income that we distribute to our stockholders provided that we satisfy those requirements.

American Capital Acquisition

              On May 23, 2016, we entered into the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated May 23, 2016 (the "Merger Agreement") to acquire American Capital, a Delaware corporation, in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $4.2 billion. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, American Capital shareholders received total consideration of approximately $18.06 per share comprised of: (i) $14.41 per share from us consisting of approximately $6.48 per share of cash (including a make-up dividend in the amount of $0.07 per share) and 0.483 shares of our common stock for each American Capital share at a value of $7.93 per American Capital share (based on the closing price per share of our common stock on the Acquisition Date), (ii) $2.45 per share of cash from American Capital's sale of American Capital Mortgage Management, LLC, and (iii) approximately $1.20 per share of cash as transaction support provided by Ares Capital Management acting solely on its own behalf. As of the Acquisition Date, the transaction was valued at approximately $4.2 billion. The total cash and stock consideration paid by us was $3.3 billion. In connection with the stock consideration, we issued approximately 112 million shares of our common stock to American Capital's then-existing stockholders (including holders of outstanding in-the-money American Capital stock options), thereby resulting in our then-existing stockholders owning approximately 73.7% of the combined company and then-existing American Capital stockholders owning approximately 26.3% of the combined company. As a result of the American Capital Acquisition, Ares Capital acquired $3.6 billion of assets, including $2.5 billion of investments, and assumed $226 million of liabilities.

              In connection with the American Capital Acquisition, Ares Capital Management also agreed to waive, for each of the first 10 calendar quarters beginning with the second quarter of 2017, the lesser of (x) $10 million of income based fees and (y) the amount of income based fees for such quarter, in each case, to the extent earned and payable by us in such quarter pursuant to and as calculated under our investment advisory and management agreement. See Notes 3 and 16 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 for additional information regarding the American Capital Acquisition.

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PORTFOLIO AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITY

              Our investment activity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is presented below (information presented herein is at amortized cost unless otherwise indicated).

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              As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our investments consisted of the following:

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              The weighted average yields at amortized cost and fair value of the following portions of our portfolio as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

              Ares Capital Management, our investment adviser, employs an investment rating system to categorize our investments. In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, our investment adviser grades the credit risk of all investments on a scale of 1 to 4 no less frequently than quarterly. This system is intended primarily to reflect the underlying risk of a portfolio investment relative to our initial cost basis in respect of such portfolio investment (i.e., at the time of origination or acquisition), although it may also take into account under certain circumstances the performance of the portfolio company's business, the collateral coverage of the investment and other relevant factors. Under this system, investments with a grade of 4 involve the least amount of risk to our initial cost basis. The trends and risk factors for this investment since origination or acquisition are generally favorable, which may include the performance of the portfolio company or a potential exit. Investments

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graded 3 involve a level of risk to our initial cost basis that is similar to the risk to our initial cost basis at the time of origination or acquisition. This portfolio company is generally performing as expected and the risk factors to our ability to ultimately recoup the cost of our investment are neutral to favorable. All investments or acquired investments in new portfolio companies are initially assessed a grade of 3. Investments graded 2 indicate that the risk to our ability to recoup the initial cost basis of such investment has increased materially since origination or acquisition, including as a result of factors such as declining performance and non-compliance with debt covenants; however, payments are generally not more than 120 days past due. An investment grade of 1 indicates that the risk to our ability to recoup the initial cost basis of such investment has substantially increased since origination or acquisition, and the portfolio company likely has materially declining performance. For debt investments with an investment grade of 1, most or all of the debt covenants are out of compliance and payments are substantially delinquent. For investments graded 1, it is anticipated that we will not recoup our initial cost basis and may realize a substantial loss of our initial cost basis upon exit. For investments graded 1 or 2, our investment adviser enhances its level of scrutiny over the monitoring of such portfolio company. The grade of a portfolio investment may be reduced or increased over time.

              We assigned a fair value as of the Acquisition Date to each of the portfolio investments acquired in connection with the American Capital Acquisition. The initial cost basis of each investment acquired was equal to the fair value of such investment as of the Acquisition Date. Many of these portfolio investments were assigned a fair value reflecting a discount to American Capital's cost basis at the time of American Capital's origination or acquisition. Each investment was initially assessed a grade of 3 (i.e., generally the grade we assign a portfolio company at acquisition), reflecting the relative risk to our initial cost basis of such investments. It is important to note that our grading system does not take into account factors or events in respect of the period from when American Capital originated or acquired such portfolio investments or the status of these portfolio investments in terms of compliance with debt facilities, financial performance and similar factors. Rather, it is only intended to measure risk from the time that we acquired the portfolio investment in connection with the American Capital Acquisition. Accordingly, it is possible that the grades of these portfolio investments may be reduced or increased after the Acquisition Date.

              Set forth below is the grade distribution of our portfolio companies as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

              As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the weighted average grade of the investments in our portfolio at fair value was 3.1 and 3.1, respectively.

              As of December 31, 2017, investments on non-accrual status represented 3.1% and 1.4% of the total investments at amortized cost and at fair value, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, investments on non-accrual status represented 2.9% and 0.8% of the total investments at amortized cost and at fair value, respectively.

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Co-Investment Programs

Senior Direct Lending Program

              We have established a joint venture with Varagon to make certain first lien senior secured loans, including certain stretch senior and unitranche loans, primarily to U.S. middle market companies. Varagon was formed in 2013 as a lending platform by American International Group, Inc. and other partners. The joint venture is called the SDLP. In July 2016, we and Varagon and its clients completed the initial funding of the SDLP. In conjunction with the initial funding, we and Varagon and its clients sold investment commitments to the SDLP. Such investment commitments included $529 million of investment commitments sold to the SDLP by us. No realized gains or losses were recorded by us on these transactions. The SDLP may generally commit and hold individual loans of up to $300 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 the SDLP Certificates, and Varagon and its clients provide capital to the SDLP in the form of senior notes, intermediate funding notes and SDLP Certificates. As of December 31, 2017, we and a client of Varagon owned 87.5% and 12.5%, respectively, of the outstanding SDLP Certificates.

              As of December 31, 2017, we and Varagon and its clients had agreed to make capital available to the SDLP of $2.9 billion in the aggregate, of which $591 million is to be made available from us. This capital will only be committed to the SDLP upon approval of transactions by the investment committee of the SDLP. See "—Recent Developments" for more information on the SDLP. Below is a summary of the funded capital and unfunded capital commitments of the SDLP.

              The SDLP Certificates pay a coupon of LIBOR plus 8.0% and also entitle the holders thereof to receive a portion of the excess cash flow from the loan portfolio, after expenses, which may result in a return to the holders of the SDLP Certificates that is greater than the stated coupon. The SDLP Certificates are junior in right of payment to the senior notes and intermediate funding notes.

              The amortized cost and fair value of our SDLP Certificates held by us were $487 million and $487 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2017 and $270 million and $270 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. Our yield on our investment in the SDLP at amortized cost and fair value was 14.5% and 14.5%, respectively, as of December 31, 2017 and 14.0% and 14.0%, respectively as of December 31, 2016. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we earned interest income of $52 million and $13 million, respectively, from our investment in the SDLP Certificates. We are also entitled to certain fees in connection with the SDLP. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, in connection with the SDLP, we earned capital structuring service and other fees totaling $11 million and $6 million, respectively.

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              As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the portfolio was comprised of all first lien senior secured loans primarily to U.S. middle market companies and were in industries similar to the companies in our portfolio. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, none of the loans were on non-accrual status. Below is a summary of the SDLP's portfolio as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

Senior Secured Loan Program

              We and GE had previously co-invested in first lien senior secured loans of middle market companies through an unconsolidated Delaware limited liability company, the SSLP. The SSLP was capitalized as transactions were completed. All portfolio decisions and generally all other decisions in respect of the SSLP were approved by an investment committee of the SSLP consisting of representatives of ours and GE (with approval from a representative of each required). We provided capital to the SSLP in the form of the SSLP Certificates. GE provided capital to the SSLP in the form of senior notes and SSLP Certificates.

              As of June 30, 2017, our investment in the SSLP Certificates at amortized cost and fair value was $1.9 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively, and our yield on our investment in the SSLP Certificates at amortized cost and fair value was 5.8% and 5.8%, respectively. As of June 30, 2017, the SSLP had $1.2 billion in cash and GE's senior notes outstanding totaled $601 million. In July 2017, the SSLP made its monthly waterfall distribution from this cash, which fully repaid the outstanding principal amount of the senior notes of the SSLP with the remaining amounts distributed to the holders of the SSLP Certificates. From this distribution, we received $474 million in respect of our SSLP Certificates. After this distribution, the amortized cost of our SSLP Certificates was $1.5 billion.

              In addition, in July 2017, we and GE agreed to an effective termination of the SSLP whereby on July 26, 2017, we purchased the remaining $1.6 billion in aggregate principal amount of first lien senior secured loans outstanding at par plus accrued and unpaid interest and fees from the SSLP and assumed the SSLP's remaining unfunded loan commitments totaling $50 million. Upon completion of the SSLP Loan Sale, the SSLP made a liquidation distribution to the holders of the SSLP Certificates (the "SSLP Liquidation Distribution"), of which we received $1.5 billion. In connection with the SSLP Liquidation Distribution, we recognized an $18 million realized loss. After completion of the transactions described above, the operations of the SSLP were effectively terminated pursuant to the terms of the documents governing the SSLP and the SSLP no longer has an obligation to fund existing commitments and other amounts in respect of its former portfolio companies.

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              Below is a summary of the funded capital and unfunded capital commitments of the SSLP as of December 31, 2016.

              The amortized cost and fair value of our SSLP Certificates were $1.9 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. Our yield on our investment in the SSLP Certificates at amortized cost and fair value was 7.0% and 7.1%, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we earned interest income of $69 million, $208 million and $276 million, respectively, from our investment in the SSLP Certificates. We were also entitled to certain fees in connection with the SSLP. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, in connection with the SSLP, we earned capital structuring service, sourcing and other fees totaling $5 million, $20 million and $48 million, respectively.

              As of December 31, 2016, the SSLP's portfolio was comprised of all first lien senior secured loans to U.S. middle-market companies and were in industries similar to the companies in our portfolio. As of December 31, 2016, none of these loans were on non-accrual status. Below is a summary of the SSLP's portfolio as of December 31, 2016.

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SSLP Loan Portfolio as of December 31, 2016

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              Selected financial information for the SSLP as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016 was as follows:

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

              Operating results for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

              Net income can vary substantially from period to period due to various factors, including acquisitions, the level of new investment commitments, the recognition of realized gains and losses and

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unrealized appreciation and depreciation. As a result, comparisons of net increase in stockholders' equity resulting from operations may not be meaningful.

Investment Income

              The increase in interest income from investments for the year ended December 31, 2017 from the comparable period in 2016 was primarily due to an increase in the average size of our portfolio, partially offset by a decrease in the weighted average yield of our portfolio. The size of our portfolio increased from an average of $9.0 billion at amortized cost for the year ended December 31, 2016 to an average of $11.4 billion at amortized cost for the comparable period in 2017, which was largely due to the investments acquired as part of the American Capital Acquisition. The weighted average yield of our total portfolio decreased from 9.0% for the year ended December 31, 2016 to 8.5% for the comparable period in 2017. The decline in the weighted average yield was primarily due to the declining yield of the SSLP Certificates up until the SSLP Liquidation Distribution and the effective termination of the SSLP, during the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in capital structuring service fees for the year ended December 31, 2017 from the comparable period in 2016 was due to the increase in new investment commitments (excluding investments acquired as a result of the American Capital Acquisition and investments acquired in the SSLP Loan Sale), which increased from $3.7 billion for year ended December 31, 2016 to $5.9 billion for the comparable period in 2017. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in weighted average capital structuring fees received on new investment commitments, which decreased from 2.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016 to 1.8% for the comparable period in 2017. This decline was primarily due to having a higher percentage of new investment commitments made to existing portfolio companies during the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to the comparable period in 2016. Dividend income for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 included dividends received from IHAM, a wholly owned portfolio company, totaling $40 million and $40 million, respectively. Also during the year ended December 31, 2017, we received $19 million in other non-recurring dividends from non-income producing equity securities compared to $20 million for the comparable period in 2016. The decrease in management and other fees for the year ended December 31, 2017 from the comparable period in 2016 was due to lower sourcing fees from the SSLP resulting from the continued decrease in the size of the SSLP portfolio and eventually the effective termination of the SSLP in July 2017. The increase in other income for the year ended December 31, 2017 from the comparable period in 2016 was primarily attributable to higher amendment fees and administrative agent fees.

              The decrease in interest income from investments for the year ended December 31, 2016 from the comparable period in 2015 was primarily due to a decrease in the weighted average yield of our portfolio, partially offset by an increase in the average size of our portfolio. The weighted average yield of our portfolio decreased from 9.5% for the year ended December 31, 2015 to 9.0% for the comparable period in 2016, primarily driven by the decrease in the yield of the SSLP Certificates. The size of our portfolio increased from an average of $8.6 billion at amortized cost for the year ended December 31, 2015 to an average of $9.0 billion at amortized cost for the comparable period in 2016.

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The increase in capital structuring service fees for the year ended December 31, 2016 from the comparable period in 2015 was due to the increase in weighted average capital structuring fees received on new investment commitments, which increased from 2.5% for the year ended December 31, 2015 to 2.7% for the comparable period in 2016. Dividend income for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 included dividends received from IHAM, totaling $40 million and $50 million, respectively. The dividends received from IHAM for the year ended December 31, 2015 included additional dividends of $10 million that were paid in addition to the quarterly dividends generally paid by IHAM. IHAM paid the additional dividends out of accumulated earnings that had previously been retained by IHAM. Also during the year ended December 31, 2016, we received $20 million in other non-recurring dividends from non-income producing equity securities compared to $9 million for the comparable period in 2015. The decrease in management and other fees for the year ended December 31, 2016 from the comparable period in 2015 was due to lower sourcing fees from the SSLP resulting from a decrease in the size of the SSLP portfolio.

Operating Expenses

              Interest and credit facility fees for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, were comprised of the following:

              Stated interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased from the comparable period in 2016 primarily due to the increase in our average principal amount of debt outstanding. For the year ended December 31, 2017, our average debt outstanding increased to $4.6 billion as compared to $3.9 billion for the comparable period in 2016, which was largely a result of the American Capital Acquisition. The weighted average stated interest rate on our outstanding debt was 4.1% for both the year ended December 31, 2017 and for the comparable period in 2016. Facility fees for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased from the comparable period in 2016 primarily due to the increased

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commitments under our revolving facilities resulting in higher unused commitment fees. Amortization of debt issuance costs for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased from the comparable period in 2016 primarily due to the increase in debt issuance costs in connection with the amendments to the Revolving Credit Facility and Revolving Funding Facility.

              Stated interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased from the comparable period in 2015 primarily due to the decrease in our weighted average stated interest rate of our debt outstanding, partially offset by an increase in the average principal amount of debt outstanding. The weighted average stated interest rate on our outstanding debt was 4.1% for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 5.0% for the comparable period in 2015 primarily as a result of the repayment upon maturity of certain higher cost unsecured convertible notes and increased utilization of our lower cost revolving facilities. For the year ended December 31, 2016, our average principal debt outstanding increased to $3.9 billion as compared to $3.7 billion for the comparable period in 2015. Facility fees for the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased from the comparable period in 2015 primarily due to the increased utilization of our revolving facilities resulting in lower unused commitment fees. Amortization of debt issuance costs and net accretion of discount on notes payable for the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased from the comparable period in 2015 primarily due to the maturity of the $575 aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes and the $230 aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes.

              The increase in base management fees for the year ended December 31, 2017 from the comparable period in 2016 was primarily due to the increase in the average size of the portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2017 (including the approximately $2.5 billion in investments acquired in the American Capital Acquisition) as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in income based fees for the year ended December 31, 2017 from the comparable period in 2016 was primarily due to the pre-incentive fee net investment income, as defined in the investment advisory and management agreement, for the year ended December 31, 2017 being higher than in the comparable period in 2016. As discussed earlier, the year ended December 31, 2017 also reflects the Fee Waiver of $30 million.

              For the year ended December 31, 2017, the capital gains incentive fee expense calculated in accordance with GAAP was $41 million. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the reduction in capital gains incentive fees calculated in accordance with GAAP was $5 million and $27 million, respectively. The capital gains incentive fee expense accrual for the year ended December 31, 2017 changed from the comparable period in 2016 primarily due to net gains on investments, foreign currency and other transactions and the extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2017 of $156 million compared to net losses of $20 million during the year ended December 31, 2016. The capital gains incentive fee expense accrual for the year ended December 31, 2017 included an $11 million accrual related to the American Capital Acquisition as a result of the fair value of the net assets acquired exceeding the fair value of the merger consideration paid by us. The capital gains incentive fee expense accrual for the year ended December 31, 2016 changed from the comparable period in 2015 primarily due to net losses on investments, foreign currency and other transactions and the extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2016 of $20 million compared to net losses of $129 million during the year ended December 31, 2015. The capital gains incentive fee accrued under GAAP includes an accrual related to unrealized capital appreciation, whereas the capital gains incentive fee actually payable under our investment advisory and management agreement does not. There can be no assurance that such unrealized capital appreciation will be realized in the future. The 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 reduction 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. As of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the total capital gains incentive fee accrual calculated in accordance with GAAP was $79 million,

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$38 million and $42 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, there was no capital gains incentive fee actually payable under our investment advisory and management agreement. See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, for more information on the base management fees, income based fees and capital gains incentive fees.

              Administrative fees represent fees paid to Ares Operations for our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Ares Operations in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including our allocable portion of the compensation, rent and other expenses of certain of our executive officers and their respective staffs. Administrative fees incurred related specifically to the American Capital Acquisition are included in professional fees and other costs related to the American Capital Acquisition as discussed below.

              For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred $45 million and $15 million, respectively, in professional fees and other costs related to the American Capital Acquisition. For the year ended December 31, 2017, these costs included $4 million of expenses related to a long term incentive plan liability assumed in the American Capital Acquisition. See Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 for a description of the assumed long term incentive plan liability. For the year ended December 31, 2017, these costs also included $18 million in one-time investment banking fees incurred in January 2017 upon the closing of the American Capital Acquisition.

              Other general and administrative expenses includes professional fees, rent and related utilities, insurance, marketing costs, director's fees and depreciation, among other costs.

Income Tax Expense, Including Excise Tax

              We have elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code and operate in a manner so as to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. To qualify as a RIC, we must generally (among other requirements) timely distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code, for each year. In order to maintain our RIC status, we have made and intend to continue to make the requisite distributions to our stockholders which will generally relieve us from U.S. federal corporate-level income taxes.

              Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, we may choose to carry forward such taxable income in excess of current year dividend distributions from such current year taxable income into the next tax year and pay a 4% excise tax on such income, as required. If we determine that our estimated current year taxable income will be in excess of estimated dividend distributions for the current year from such income, we accrue excise tax on estimated excess taxable income as such taxable income is earned. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we recorded a net expense of $12 million, $12 million and $9 million, respectively, for U.S. federal excise tax. The net expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 each included a net reduction in expense related to the recording of a requested refund resulting from the overpayment of the prior year's excise tax of $1 million, $1 million and $1 million, respectively.

              Certain of our consolidated subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we recorded a net tax expense of approximately $7 million, $9 million and $9 million, respectively, for these subsidiaries. The income tax expense for our taxable consolidated subsidiaries will vary depending on the level of realized gains from the exits of investments held by such taxable subsidiaries during the respective periods.

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Net Realized Gains/Losses

              The net realized gains from the sales, repayments or exits of investments during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were comprised of the following:

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              The net realized gains on investments during the year ended December 31, 2017 consisted of the following:

              During the year ended December 31, 2017, we recognized net realized losses on foreign currency transactions of $20 million. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2017, we redeemed the entire $183 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of the unsecured notes that were scheduled to mature on October 1, 2022 (the "October 2022 Notes"). The October 2022 Notes were redeemed at par plus accrued and unpaid interest for a total redemption price of approximately $185 million, which resulted in a realized loss on the extinguishment of debt of $4 million.

              The net realized gains on investments during the year ended December 31, 2016 consisted of the following:

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              The net realized gains on investments during the year ended December 31, 2015 consisted of the following:

              During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recognized net realized gains on foreign currency transactions of $6 million. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2015, we redeemed the entire $144 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of the unsecured notes that were scheduled to mature on February 15, 2022 (the "February 2022 Notes"). The February 2022 Notes were redeemed at par plus accrued and unpaid interest for a total redemption price of approximately $145 million, which resulted in a realized loss on the extinguishment of debt of $4 million. Also during the year ended December 31, 2016, the $200 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that were scheduled to mature on October 15, 2040 were redeemed at par plus accrued and unpaid interest for a total redemption price of approximately $201 million, which resulted in a realized loss on the extinguishment of debt of $6 million.

Net Unrealized Gains/Losses

              We value our portfolio investments quarterly and the changes in value are recorded as unrealized gains or losses in our consolidated statement of operations. Net unrealized gains and losses for our portfolio for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, were comprised of the following:

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              The changes in net unrealized appreciation and depreciation on investments during the year ended December 31, 2017 consisted of the following:

              During the year ended December 31, 2017, we also recognized net unrealized losses on foreign currency and other transactions of $7 million.

              The changes in net unrealized appreciation and depreciation on investments during the year ended December 31, 2016 consisted of the following:

              During the year ended December 31, 2016, we also recognized net unrealized losses on foreign currency and other transactions of $5 million.

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              The changes in net unrealized appreciation and depreciation on investments during the year ended December 31, 2015 consisted of the following:

              During the year ended December 31, 2015, we also recognized net unrealized gains on foreign currency transactions of $2 million.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

              Our liquidity and capital resources are generated primarily from the net proceeds of public offerings of equity and debt securities, advances from the Revolving Credit Facility, the Revolving Funding Facility and the SMBC Funding Facility (each as defined below, and together, the "Facilities"), net proceeds from the issuance of other securities, including unsecured notes and SBA-guaranteed debentures (the "SBA Debentures"), as well as cash flows from operations.

              As of December 31, 2017, we had $316 million in cash and cash equivalents and $4.9 billion in total aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding ($4.9 billion at carrying value). Subject to leverage, borrowing base and other restrictions, we had approximately $2.5 billion available for additional borrowings under the Facilities and the SBA Debentures as of December 31, 2017.

              We may from time to time seek to retire or repurchase our common stock through cash purchases, as well as retire, cancel or purchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such purchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual and regulatory restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. In addition, we may from time to time enter into additional debt facilities, increase the size of existing facilities or issue additional debt securities, including unsecured debt and/or debt securities convertible into common stock. Any such incurrence or issuance would be subject to prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual and regulatory restrictions and other factors. In accordance with the Investment Company Act, with certain limited exceptions, we are only allowed to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage, calculated pursuant to the Investment Company Act, is at least 200% after such borrowing. On June 21, 2016, we received exemptive relief from the SEC allowing us to modify our calculation of asset coverage requirements to exclude the SBA Debentures. This exemptive relief provides us with increased investment flexibility but also increases our risk related to leverage. As of December 31, 2017, our asset coverage was 242% (excluding the SBA Debentures).

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Equity Capital Activities

              As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our total equity market capitalization was $6.7 billion and $5.2 billion, respectively. There were no sales of our equity securities during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

              On the Acquisition Date, in connection with the American Capital Acquisition, we issued 112 million shares valued at approximately $16.42 per share.

              In September 2015, our board of directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to $100 million in the aggregate of our outstanding common stock in the open market at certain thresholds below our net asset value per share, in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act. The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be determined by us, in our discretion, based upon the evaluation of economic and market conditions, stock price, applicable legal and regulatory requirements and other factors. In May 2016, we suspended our stock repurchase program pending the completion of the American Capital Acquisition. In February 2017, our board of directors authorized an amendment to our stock repurchase program to (a) increase the total authorization under the program from $100 million to $300 million and (b) extend the expiration date of the program from February 28, 2017 to February 28, 2018. Under the stock repurchase program, we may repurchase up to $300 million in the aggregate of our outstanding common stock in the open market at a price per share that meets certain thresholds below our net asset value per share, in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. The program does not require us to repurchase any specific number of shares and we cannot assure stockholders that any shares will be repurchased under the program. The program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time.

              As of December 31, 2017, we had repurchased a total of 0.5 million shares of our common stock in the open market under the stock repurchase program since its inception in September 2015, at an average price of $13.92 per share, including commissions paid, leaving approximately $293 million available for additional repurchases under the program.

              See "—Recent Developments," as well as Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 for a subsequent event relating to our stock repurchase program.

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Debt Capital Activities

              Our debt obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

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              The weighted average stated interest rate and weighted average maturity, both on aggregate principal amount, of all our debt outstanding as of December 31, 2017 were 4.1% and 4.3 years, respectively, and as of December 31, 2016 were 4.2% and 4.8 years, respectively.

              The ratio of total principal amount of debt outstanding to stockholders' equity as of December 31, 2017 was 0.70:1.00 compared to 0.77:1.00 as of December 31, 2016.

Revolving Credit Facility

              We are party to a senior secured revolving credit facility (as amended and restated, the "Revolving Credit Facility"), that allows us to borrow up to $2.1 billion at any one time outstanding. The Revolving Credit Facility consists of a $395 million term loan tranche with a stated maturity date of January 4, 2022 and a $1.7 billion revolving tranche. For $1.6 billion of the revolving tranche, the end of the revolving period and the stated maturity date are January 4, 2021 and January 4, 2022, respectively. For $38 million of the revolving tranche, the end of the revolving period and the stated maturity date are May 4, 2020 and May 4, 2021, respectively. For the remaining $45 million of the revolving tranche, the end of the revolving period and the stated maturity date are May 4, 2019 and May 4, 2020, respectively. The Revolving Credit Facility also provides for a feature that allows us, under certain circumstances, to increase the overall size of the Revolving Credit Facility to a maximum of $3.1 billion. The interest rate charged on the Revolving Credit Facility is based on an applicable spread of either 1.75% or 2.00% over LIBOR or 0.75% or 1.00% over an "alternate base rate" (as defined in the agreements governing the Revolving Credit Facility), in each case, determined monthly based on the total amount of the borrowing base relative to the total commitments of the Revolving Credit Facility and other debt, if any, secured by the same collateral as the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2017, the interest rate in effect was LIBOR plus 1.75%. We are also required to pay a letter of credit fee of either 2.00% or 2.25% per annum on letters of credit issued, determined monthly based on the total amount of the borrowing base relative to the total commitments of the Revolving Credit Facility and other debt, if any, secured by the same collateral as the Revolving Credit Facility. Additionally, we are required to pay a commitment fee of 0.375% per annum on any unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2017, there was $395 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and we were in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility.

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Revolving Funding Facility

              Our consolidated subsidiary, Ares Capital CP Funding LLC ("Ares Capital CP") is party to a revolving funding facility (as amended, the "Revolving Funding Facility"), that allows Ares Capital CP to borrow up to $1 billion at any one time outstanding. The Revolving Funding Facility is secured by all of the assets held by, and the membership interest in, Ares Capital CP. The end of the reinvestment period and the stated maturity date for the Revolving Funding Facility are January 3, 2019 and January 3, 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the interest rate charged on the Revolving Funding Facility was based on LIBOR plus 2.15% per annum or a "base rate" (as defined in the agreements governing the Revolving Funding Facility) plus 1.15% per annum. Ares Capital CP is also required to pay a commitment fee of between 0.50% and 1.50% per annum depending on the size of the unused portion of the Revolving Funding Facility. As of December 31, 2017, there was $600 million outstanding under the Revolving Funding Facility and we and Ares Capital CP were in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Revolving Funding Facility.

SMBC Funding Facility

              Our consolidated subsidiary, Ares Capital JB Funding LLC ("ACJB"), is party to a revolving funding facility (as amended, the "SMBC Funding Facility") that allows ACJB to borrow up to $400 million at any one time outstanding. The SMBC Funding Facility is secured by all of the assets held by ACJB. As of December 31, 2017, the end of the reinvestment period and the stated maturity date for the SMBC Funding Facility were September 14, 2018 and September 14, 2023, respectively. The reinvestment period and the stated maturity date are both subject to two one-year extensions by mutual agreement. The interest rate charged on the SMBC Funding Facility is based on an applicable spread of either 1.75% or 2.00% over LIBOR or 0.75% or 1.00% 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. As of December 31, 2017, the interest rate in effect was LIBOR plus 2.00%. Additionally, ACJB is required to pay a commitment fee of between 0.35% and 0.875% per annum depending on the size of the unused portion of the SMBC Funding Facility. As of December 31, 2017, there was $60 million outstanding under the SMBC Funding Facility and we and ACJB were in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the SMBC Funding Facility.

SBA Debentures

              In April 2015, our consolidated subsidiary, AVF LP, received a license from the SBA to operate as a SBIC under the provisions of Section 301(c) of the Small Business Investment Act. The SBA places certain limitations on the financing of investments by SBICs in portfolio companies, including regulating the types of financings, restricting investments to only include small businesses with certain characteristics or in certain industries, and requiring capitalization thresholds that may limit distributions to us.

              The license from the SBA allows AVF LP to obtain leverage by issuing SBA Debentures, subject to issuance of a capital commitment by the SBA and other customary procedures. Leverage through the SBA Debentures is subject to required capitalization thresholds. Current SBA regulations limit the amount that any SBIC may borrow to $150 million and the original amount committed to AVF LP by the SBA was $75 million. Any undrawn commitments expire on September 30, 2019. The SBA Debentures are non-recourse to us, have interest payable semi-annually, have a 10-year maturity and may be prepaid at any time without penalty. In September 2017, AVF LP fully repaid the $25 million of the aggregate principal amount of the SBA Debentures outstanding at the time, and as a result had $50 million of remaining commitments to AVF LP by the SBA. As of December 31, 2017, AVF LP was in compliance in all material respects with SBA regulatory requirements.

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              The interest rate for the SBA Debentures were fixed at the time the SBA Debentures and other applicable SBA-guaranteed debentures were pooled and sold to the public and were based on a spread over U.S. treasury notes with 10-year maturities. The pooling of newly issued SBA-guaranteed debentures occurred twice per year. The spread included an annual charge as determined by the SBA (the "Annual Charge") as well as a market-driven component. Prior to the 10-year fixed interest rate being determined, the interim interest rate charged for the SBA Debentures was based on LIBOR plus an applicable spread of 0.30% and the Annual Charge. As of December 31, 2016, the weighted average fixed interest rate in effect for the SBA Debentures was 3.48%.

Convertible Unsecured Notes

              We have issued $270 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes that mature on January 15, 2018 (the "2018 Convertible Notes"), $300 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes that mature on January 15, 2019 (the "2019 Convertible Notes") and $388 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes that mature on February 1, 2022 (the "2022 Convertible Notes" and, together with the 2018 Convertible Notes and the 2019 Convertible Notes, the "Convertible Unsecured Notes"). The Convertible Unsecured Notes mature upon their respective maturity dates unless previously converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms. We do not have the right to redeem the Convertible Unsecured Notes prior to maturity. The 2018 Convertible Notes, the 2019 Convertible Notes and the 2022 Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.75%, 4.375% and 3.75%, respectively, per year, payable semi-annually.

              Certain key terms related to the convertible features for each of the Convertible Unsecured Notes as of December 31, 2017 are listed below.

              In certain circumstances, the Convertible Unsecured Notes will be convertible into cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, at their respective conversion rates (listed below as of December 31, 2017) subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments and the requirements of their respective indenture (the "Convertible Unsecured Notes Indentures"). To the extent the 2018 Convertible Notes are converted, we have elected to settle with a combination of cash and shares of our common stock. Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding their respective conversion date (listed below), holders may convert their Convertible Unsecured Notes only under certain circumstances set forth in the respective Convertible Unsecured Notes Indenture. On or after their respective conversion dates until the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding their respective maturity date, holders may convert their Convertible Unsecured Notes at any time. In addition, if we engage in certain corporate events as described in their respective Convertible Unsecured Notes Indenture, holders of the Convertible Unsecured Notes may require us to repurchase for cash all or part of the Convertible Unsecured Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Unsecured Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest through, but excluding, the required repurchase date.

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              In March 2017, we repaid in full $162 million in aggregate principal amount of the unsecured convertible notes due in March 2017 (the "2017 Convertible Notes") at par upon their maturity.

Unsecured Notes

2018 Notes

              We have issued $750 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes, which bear interest at a rate of 4.875% per year and mature on November 30, 2018 (the "2018 Notes"). The 2018 Notes require payment of interest semi-annually, and all principal is due upon maturity. These notes are redeemable in whole or in part at any time at our option at a redemption price equal to par plus a "make whole" premium, as determined pursuant to the indenture governing the 2018 Notes, and any accrued and unpaid interest.

2020 Notes

              We have issued $600 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes, which bear interest at a rate of 3.875% per year and mature on January 15, 2020 (the "2020 Notes"). The 2020 Notes require payment of interest semi-annually, and all principal is due upon maturity. These notes are redeemable in whole or in part at any time at our option at a redemption price equal to par plus a "make whole" premium, if applicable, as determined pursuant to the indenture governing the 2020 Notes, and any accrued and unpaid interest.

January 2022 Notes

              We have issued $600 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes, which bear interest at a rate of 3.625% per year and mature on January 19, 2022 (the "January 2022 Notes"). The January 2022 Notes require payment of interest semi-annually, and all principal is due upon maturity. These notes are redeemable in whole or in part at any time at our option at a redemption price equal to par plus a "make whole" premium, if applicable, as determined pursuant to the indenture governing the January 2022 Notes, and any accrued and unpaid interest.

2023 Notes

              We have issued $750 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes, that mature on February 10, 2023 (the "2023 Notes"). The 2023 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.500% per year, payable semi-annually and all principal is due upon maturity. The 2023 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time at our option at a redemption price equal to par plus a "make whole" premium, if applicable, as determined pursuant to the indenture governing the 2023 Notes, and any accrued and unpaid interest.

2047 Notes

              As part of the Allied Acquisition, we assumed $230 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes which bear interest at a rate of 6.875% and mature on April 15, 2047 (the "2047 Notes" and together with the 2018 Notes, the 2020 Notes, the January 2022 Notes and the 2023 Notes, the "Unsecured Notes"). The 2047 Notes require payment of interest quarterly, and all principal is due upon maturity. These notes are redeemable in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option, at a par redemption price of $25.00 per security plus accrued and unpaid interest.

              See "—Recent Developments," as well as Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 for a subsequent event relating to an additional issuance of unsecured notes.

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              As of December 31, 2017, we were in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Convertible Unsecured Notes Indentures and the indentures governing the Unsecured Notes.

              The Convertible Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes are our senior unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to any future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Convertible Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes; equal in right of payment to our existing and future unsecured indebtedness that is not expressly subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness (including existing unsecured indebtedness that we later secure) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities.

              See Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 for more information on our debt obligations.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

              A summary of the maturities of our principal amounts of debt and other contractual payment obligations as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:

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OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

              We have various commitments to fund investments in our portfolio, as described below.

              As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had the following commitments to fund various revolving and delayed draw senior secured and subordinated loans, including commitments to fund which are at (or substantially at) our discretion:

              Included within the total revolving and delayed draw loan commitments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were delayed draw loan commitments totaling $251 million and $92 million, respectively. Our commitment to fund delayed draw loans is triggered upon the satisfaction of certain pre-negotiated terms and conditions. Generally, the most significant and uncertain term requires the borrower to satisfy a specific use of proceeds covenant. The use of proceeds covenant typically requires the borrower to use the additional loans for the specific purpose of a permitted acquisition or permitted investment, for example. In addition to the use of proceeds covenant, the borrower is generally required to satisfy additional negotiated covenants (including specified leverage levels).

              Also included within the total revolving and delayed draw loan commitments as of December 31, 2017 were commitments to issue up to $158 million in letters of credit through a financial intermediary on behalf of certain portfolio companies. As of December 31, 2017, we had $29 million in letters of credit issued and outstanding under these commitments on behalf of the portfolio companies. For all these letters of credit issued and outstanding, we would be required to make payments to third parties if the portfolio companies were to default on their related payment obligations. Of these letters of credit, $28 million expire in 2018 and $1 million expires in 2019. As of December 31, 2017, we recorded a liability of $7 million for certain letters of credit issued and outstanding and none of the other letters of credit issued and outstanding were recorded as a liability on our balance sheet as such other letters of credit are considered in the valuation of the investments in the portfolio company.

              We also have commitments to co-invest in the SDLP for our portion of the SDLP's commitments to fund delayed draw loans to certain portfolio companies of the SDLP. We previously had commitments to co-invest in the SSLP for our portion of the SSLP's commitments to fund delayed draw loans to certain portfolio companies of the SSLP. See "Senior Direct Lending Program" and "Senior Secured Loan Program" above and Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 for more information.

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              As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we were party to subscription agreements to fund equity investments in private equity investment partnerships as follows:

              In the ordinary course of business, we may sell certain of our investments to third party purchasers. In particular, in connection with the sale of certain controlled portfolio company equity investments (as well as certain other sales), we have, and may continue to do so in the future, agreed to indemnify such purchasers for future liabilities arising from the investments and the related sale transaction. Such indemnification provisions have given rise to liabilities in the past and may do so in the future.

              In addition, in the ordinary course of business, we may guarantee certain obligations in connection with our portfolio companies (in particular, certain controlled portfolio companies). Under these guarantee arrangements, payments may be required to be made to third parties if such guarantees are called upon or if the portfolio companies were to default on their related obligations, as applicable.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

              In January 2018, we issued $600 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on March 1, 2025 (the "2025 Notes"). The 2025 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.25% per year, payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing on September 1, 2018. The 2025 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at the redemption prices as determined pursuant to the indenture governing the 2025 Notes.

              In January 2018, the SDLP's total available capital was increased from $2.9 billion to $6.4 billion. In connection with this expansion, Varagon and its clients agreed to make capital available to the SDLP of up to approximately $5.0 billion and we agreed to make capital available to the SDLP of up to approximately $1.4 billion. We will continue to provide capital to the SDLP in the form of SDLP Certificates, and Varagon and its clients will provide capital to the SDLP in the form of senior notes, intermediate funding notes and SDLP Certificates. Investment of any unfunded amount must be approved by the investment committee of the SDLP consisting of representatives of ours and Varagon (with approval from a representative of each required).

              In February 2018, our board of directors authorized an amendment to our $300 million stock repurchase program to extend the expiration date of the program from February 28, 2018 to February 28, 2019. Under the stock repurchase program, we may repurchase up to $300 million in the aggregate of our outstanding common stock in the open market at a price per share that meets certain thresholds below our net asset value per share, in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be determined by us, in our discretion, based upon the evaluation of economic and market conditions, stock price, applicable legal and regulatory requirements and other factors.

              From January 1, 2018 through February 8, 2018, we made new investment commitments of approximately $938 million, of which $749 million were funded. Of these new commitments, 48% were

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in first lien senior secured loans, 21% were in other equity securities, 18% were in senior subordinated loans, 7% were in second lien senior secured loans and 6% were in investments in the SDLP Certificates to make co-investments with Varagon and its clients in floating rate first lien senior secured loans through the SDLP. Of the approximately $938 million of new investment commitments, 68% were floating rate, 11% were fixed rate and 21% were non-interest bearing. The weighted average yield of debt and other income producing securities funded during the period at amortized cost was 9.6%. We may seek to sell all or a portion of these new investment commitments, although there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so.

              From January 1, 2018 through February 8, 2018, we exited approximately $871 million of investment commitments, Of the total investment commitments exited, 60% were first lien senior secured loans, 33% were second lien senior secured loans, 3% were senior subordinated loans, 3% were investments in the SDLP Certificates and 1% was other equity securities. Of the approximately $871 million of exited investment commitments, 99% were floating rate and 1% was non-interest bearing. The weighted average yield of debt and other income producing securities exited or repaid during the period at amortized cost was 8.5% and the weighted average yield on total investments exited or repaid during the period at amortized cost was 8.3%. On the approximately $871 million of investment commitments exited from January 1, 2018 through February 8, 2018, we recognized total net realized gains of approximately $3 million.

              In addition, as of February 8, 2018, we had an investment backlog and pipeline of approximately $505 million and $240 million, respectively. Investment backlog includes transactions approved by our investment adviser's investment committee and/or for which a formal mandate, letter of intent or a signed commitment have been issued, and therefore we believe are likely to close. Investment pipeline includes transactions where due diligence and analysis are in process, but no formal mandate, letter of intent or signed commitment have been issued. 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.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

              The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with GAAP, and include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Company is an investment company following accounting and reporting guidance in ASC 946. The consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments and reclassifications that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for the fair presentation of the results of the operations and financial condition as of and for the periods presented. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

              Cash and cash equivalents include funds from time to time deposited with financial institutions and short-term, liquid investments in a money market account. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost which approximates fair value.

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Concentration of Credit Risk

              We place our cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions and, at times, cash held in money market accounts may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limit.

Investments

              Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the repayment or sale and the amortized cost basis of the investment using the specific identification method without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized, and include investments charged off during the period, net of recoveries. Unrealized gains or losses primarily reflect the change in investment values, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains or losses when gains or losses are realized.

              Investments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued at such market quotations. In order to validate market quotations, we look at a number of factors to determine if the quotations are representative of fair value, including the source and nature of the quotations. Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available (i.e., substantially all of our investments) are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors, based on, among other things, the input of our investment adviser, audit committee and independent third-party valuation firms that have been engaged at the direction of our board of directors to assist in the valuation of each portfolio investment without a readily available market quotation at least once during a trailing 12-month period (with certain de minimis exceptions) and under a valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process. The valuation process is conducted at the end of each fiscal quarter, and a portion of the Company's investment portfolio at fair value is subject to review by an independent valuation firm each quarter. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm obtains an understanding of, and performs select procedures relating to, our investment valuation process within the context of performing the integrated audit.

              As part of the valuation process, we may take into account the following types of factors, if relevant, in determining the fair value of our investments: the enterprise value of a portfolio company (the entire value of the portfolio company to a market participant, including the sum of the values of debt and equity securities used to capitalize the enterprise at a point in time), the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company's ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, a comparison of the portfolio company's securities to any similar publicly traded securities, changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets, which may affect the price at which similar investments would trade in their principal markets and other relevant factors. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we consider the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate our valuation.

              Because there is not a readily available market value for most of the investments in our portfolio, we value substantially all of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors, as described herein. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values that we may ultimately realize. Further, such investments are generally subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise are less liquid than publicly traded securities. If we were required to liquidate a portfolio investment in a forced or liquidation sale, we could realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded it.

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              In addition, changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the unrealized gains or losses reflected in the valuations currently assigned.

              Our board of directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

•

Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals responsible for the portfolio investment in conjunction with our portfolio management team.



•

Preliminary valuations are reviewed and discussed with our investment adviser's management and investment professionals, and then valuation recommendations are presented to our board of directors.



•

The audit committee of our board of directors reviews these valuations, as well as the input of third parties, including independent third-party valuation firms who have reviewed a portion of the investments in the Company's portfolio at fair value.



•

Our board of directors discusses valuations and ultimately determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio without a readily available market quotation in good faith based on, among other things, the input of our investment adviser, audit committee and, where applicable, independent third-party valuation firms.

              See Note 8 for more information on our valuation process.

Interest and Dividend Income Recognition

              Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis and includes the accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. Discounts from and premiums to par value on securities purchased are accreted/amortized into interest income over the life of the respective security using the effective yield method. The amortized cost of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, if any.

              Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more or when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected in full. Accrued and unpaid interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management's judgment regarding collectability. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid and, in management's judgment, are likely to remain current. We may make exceptions to this policy if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.

              Dividend income on preferred equity securities is recorded as dividend income on an accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are payable by the portfolio company and are expected to be collected. Dividend income on common equity securities is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.

Payment-in-Kind Interest

              We have loans in our portfolio that contain PIK provisions. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each loan agreement, is added to the principal balance of the loan and recorded as interest income. To maintain our status as a RIC, this non-cash source of income must be paid out to stockholders in the form of dividends, even though we have not yet collected the cash.

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Capital Structuring Service Fees and Other Income

              Our investment adviser seeks to provide assistance to our portfolio companies and in return we may receive fees for capital structuring services. These fees are generally only available to us as a result of our underlying investments, are normally paid at the closing of the investments, are generally non-recurring and are recognized as revenue when earned upon closing of the investment. The services that our investment adviser provides vary by investment, but generally include reviewing existing credit facilities, arranging bank financing, arranging equity financing, structuring financing from multiple lenders, structuring financing from multiple equity investors, restructuring existing loans, raising equity and debt capital, and providing general financial advice, which concludes upon closing of the investment. Any services of the above nature subsequent to the closing would generally generate a separate fee payable to us. In certain instances where we are invited to participate as a co-lender in a transaction and do not provide significant services in connection with the investment, a portion of loan fees paid to us in such situations will be deferred and amortized over the estimated life of the loan.

              Other income includes fees for management and consulting services, loan guarantees, commitments, amendments and other services rendered by us to portfolio companies. Such fees are recognized as income when earned or the services are rendered.

Foreign Currency Translation

              Our books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Any foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:

(1)

Fair value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities—at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the period.



(2)

Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses—at the exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions, income or expenses.

              Results of operations based on changes in foreign exchange rates are separately disclosed in the statement of operations, if any. Foreign security and currency translations may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies and U.S. government securities. These risks include, but are not limited to, currency fluctuations and revaluations and future adverse political, social and economic developments, which could cause investments in foreign markets to be less liquid and prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or U.S. government securities.

Derivative Instruments

              We do not utilize hedge accounting and as such we value our derivatives at fair value with the unrealized gains or losses recorded in "net unrealized gains (losses) from foreign currency and other transactions" in our consolidated statement of operations.

Equity Offering Expenses

              Our offering costs are charged against the proceeds from equity offerings when proceeds are received.

Debt Issuance Costs

              Debt issuance costs are amortized over the life of the related debt instrument using the straight line method or the effective yield method, depending on the type of debt instrument.

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Income Taxes

              We have elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code and operate in a manner so as to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. To qualify as a RIC, we must (among other requirements) meet certain source-of- income and asset diversification requirements and timely distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code, for each year. We (among other requirements) have made and intend to continue to make the requisite distributions to our stockholders, which will generally relieve us from U.S. federal corporate-level income taxes.

              Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income in excess of current year dividend distributions from such current year taxable income into the next tax year and pay a 4% excise tax on such income, as required. To the extent that we determine that our estimated current year taxable income will be in excess of estimated dividend distributions for the current year, we accrue excise tax, if any, on estimated excess taxable income as such taxable income is earned.

              Certain of our consolidated subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal and state corporate-level income taxes.

Dividends to Common Stockholders

              Dividends and distributions to common stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount to be paid out as a dividend is determined by our board of directors each quarter and is generally based upon the earnings estimated by management. Net realized capital gains, if any, are generally distributed, although we may decide to retain such capital gains for investment.

              We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of any distributions we declare in cash on behalf of our stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if our board of directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend, then our stockholders who have not "opted out" of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividend. We intend to use primarily newly issued shares to implement the dividend reinvestment plan (so long as we are trading at a premium to net asset value). If our shares are trading at a discount to net asset value and we are otherwise permitted under applicable law to purchase such shares, we may purchase shares in the open market in connection with our obligations under our dividend reinvestment plan. However, we reserve the right to issue new shares of our common stock in connection with our obligations under the dividend reinvestment plan even if our shares are trading below net asset value.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

              The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of actual and contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income or loss and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include the valuation of investments.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

              In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The guidance in this ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Revenue Recognition (Topic 605). Under the new guidance, an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those

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goods or services. The amendments in ASU No. 2014-09 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The application of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

              In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The guidance in this ASU supersedes the leasing guidance in Leases (Topic 840). Under the new guidance, lessees are required to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases previously classified as operating leases. The guidance requires the use of a modified retrospective transition approach, which includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. The amendments in ASU No. 2016-02 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. While we are currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2016-02, we expect an increase to the consolidated balance sheets for the lease assets and associated lease liabilities for our lease agreements previously accounted for as operating leases.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

              We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates and the valuations of our investment portfolio.

Interest Rate Risk

              Interest rate sensitivity refers to the change in our earnings that may result from changes in the level of interest rates. Because we fund a portion of our investments with borrowings, our net investment income is affected by the difference between the rate at which we invest and the rate at which we borrow. As a result, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates."

              As of December 31, 2017, 81% of the investments at fair value in our portfolio bore interest at variable rates, 8% bore interest at fixed rates, 10% were non-interest earning and 1% were on non-accrual status. Additionally, for the variable rate investments, 94% of these investments contained interest rate floors (representing 76% of total investments at fair value). Also, as of December 31, 2017, all the loans made through the SDLP contained interest rate floors. The Facilities all bear interest at variable rates with no interest rate floors, while the SBA Debentures, the Unsecured Notes and the Convertible Unsecured Notes bear interest at fixed rates.

              We regularly measure our exposure to interest rate risk. We assess interest rate risk and manage our interest rate exposure on an ongoing basis by comparing our interest rate sensitive assets to our interest rate sensitive liabilities. Based on that review, we determine whether or not any hedging transactions are necessary to mitigate exposure to changes in interest rates.

              While hedging activities may mitigate our exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates, certain hedging transactions that we may enter into in the future, such as interest rate swap agreements, may also limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to our portfolio investments. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively hedge our interest rate risk. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Investments—We may expose ourselves to risks if we engage in hedging transactions."

              In December 2017, in connection with the $395 million term loan tranche of our Revolving Credit Facility, we entered into a three-year interest rate swap agreement for a total notional amount of $395 million. Under the interest rate swap agreement, we will pay a fixed interest rate of 2.06% and receive a floating rate based on the prevailing one-month LIBOR. See Note 5 to our consolidated

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financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 for more information on the Revolving Credit Facility and see Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 for more information on the interest rate swap.

              Based on our December 31, 2017, balance sheet, the following table shows the annual impact on net income of base rate changes in interest rates (considering interest rate floors for variable rate instruments) assuming no changes in our investment and borrowing structure and reflecting the effect of our interest rate swap agreement discussed in the paragraph above:

              The above sensitivity analysis does not include our collateralized loan obligation ("CLO") equity investments. CLO equity investments are levered structures that are collateralized primarily with first lien floating rate loans that may have LIBOR floors and are levered primarily with floating rate debt that does not have a LIBOR floor. The residual cash flows available to the equity holders of the CLOs will decline as interest rates increase until interest rates surpass the LIBOR floors on the floating rate loans. However, the revenue recognized on our CLO equity investments is calculated using the effective interest method which incorporates a forward LIBOR curve in the projected cash flows. Any change to interest rates that is not in-line with the forward LIBOR curve used in the projections, in either the timing or magnitude of the change, will cause actual distributions to differ from the current projections and will impact the related revenue recognized from these investments.

              Based on our December 31, 2016, balance sheet, the following table shows the annual impact on net income of base rate changes in interest rates (considering interest rate floors for variable rate instruments) assuming no changes in our investment and borrowing structure:

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SENIOR SECURITIES
(dollar amounts in thousands, except per unit data)

              Information about our senior securities (including preferred stock, debt securities and other indebtedness) is shown in the following tables as of the end of the last ten fiscal years. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, on the senior securities table as of December 31, 2017, is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement is a part. The "—"indicates information that the SEC expressly does not require to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities.

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BUSINESS

Ares Capital

              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 BDC under the Investment Company Act. We were founded on April 16, 2004, were initially funded on June 23, 2004 and completed our IPO on October 8, 2004. As of December 31, 2017, we were the largest BDC in the United States with approximately $12.3 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 asset 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 mezzanine debt, generally in a first lien position), second lien senior secured loans and mezzanine debt, which in some cases includes an equity component. First and second lien senior secured loans generally are senior debt instruments that rank ahead of subordinated debt of a given portfolio company. Mezzanine debt is subordinated to senior loans and is generally unsecured. Our investments in corporate borrowers generally range between $30 million and $500 million each and, investments in project finance/power generation projects generally range between $10 million and $200 million. 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 preferred and/or 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. Also, as a result of the American Capital Acquisition, American Capital's equity investments, including equity investments pursuant to which American Capital controlled a particular portfolio company, became part of our portfolio.

              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 connection with our investing activities, we may make commitments with respect to indebtedness or securities of a potential portfolio company substantially in excess of our final investment. In such situations, while we may initially agree to fund up to a certain dollar amount of an investment, we may subsequently syndicate or sell a portion of such amount (including, without limitation, to vehicles managed by our portfolio company, IHAM), such that we are left with a smaller investment than what was reflected in our original commitment. In addition to originating investments, we may also acquire investments in the secondary market (including purchases of a portfolio of investments).

              The first and second lien senior secured loans in which we invest generally have stated terms of three to 10 years and the mezzanine debt investments in which we invest generally have stated terms of up to 10 years, but the expected average life of such first and second lien loans and mezzanine debt is generally between three and seven years. However, we may invest in loans and securities with any

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maturity or duration. 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 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 20 years and its partners have an average of approximately 25 years of experience in leveraged finance, private equity, distressed debt, commercial real estate finance, investment banking and capital markets. We have access to Ares' investment professionals and administrative professionals, who provide assistance in accounting, finance, legal, compliance, operations, information technology and investor relations. As of December 31, 2017, Ares had approximately 390 investment professionals and approximately 615 administrative professionals.

              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. 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.

American Capital Acquisition

              On January 3, 2017, we completed the American Capital Acquisition in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $4.2 billion. In connection with the stock consideration, we issued approximately 112 million shares of our common stock to American Capital's then-existing stockholders (including holders of outstanding in-the-money American Capital stock options), thereby resulting in our then-existing stockholders owning approximately 73.7% of the combined company and then-existing American Capital stockholders owning approximately 26.3% of the combined company.

              In connection with the American Capital Acquisition, Ares Capital Management has agreed to the Fee Waiver. See Notes 3 and 16 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 for additional information regarding the American Capital Acquisition.

Ares Management, L.P.

              Ares is a publicly traded, leading global alternative asset manager. As of December 31, 2017, Ares had over 1,000 employees in over 15 principal and originating offices across the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. Since its inception in 1997, Ares has adhered to a disciplined investment philosophy that focuses on delivering strong risk-adjusted investment returns throughout market cycles. Ares believes each of its three distinct but complementary investment groups in Credit, Private Equity

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and Real Estate is a market leader based on investment performance. Ares was built upon the fundamental principle that each group benefits from being part of the greater whole.

Ares Capital Management LLC

              Ares Capital Management, our investment adviser, is served by an origination, investment and portfolio management team of approximately 100 U.S.-based investment professionals as of December 31, 2017 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.

MARKET OPPORTUNITY

              We believe that current market conditions present attractive opportunities for us to invest in middle-market companies, specifically:

•

We believe that many commercial and investment banks have, in recent years, de-emphasized their service and product offerings to middle-market businesses in favor of lending to large corporate clients and managing capital markets transactions. In addition, these lenders may be constrained in their ability to underwrite and hold bank loans and high yield securities for middle-market issuers as they seek to meet existing and future regulatory capital requirements. These factors may result in opportunities for alternative funding sources to middle-market companies and therefore more new-issue market opportunities for us.



•

We believe disruption and volatility that occurs periodically in the credit markets, reduces capital available to certain capital providers, causing a reduction in competition. When these volatile market conditions occur, they often create opportunities to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns.



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We believe that there is a lack of market participants that are willing to hold meaningful amounts of certain middle-market loans. As a result, we believe our ability to minimize syndication risk for a company seeking financing by being able to hold our loans without having to syndicate them is a competitive advantage.



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We believe that middle-market companies have faced difficulty in raising debt through the capital markets. This approach to financing may become more difficult to the extent institutional investors seek to invest in larger, more liquid offerings, leaving less competition and fewer financing alternatives for middle-market companies.



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We believe there is a large pool of un-invested private equity capital for middle-market businesses. We expect private equity firms will seek to leverage their investments by combining equity capital with senior secured loans and mezzanine debt from other sources such as us.



•

We believe the middle-market represents a significant portion of the overall economy, and the demand for capital by middle-market companies reflects generally stronger growth trends and financial performance. In addition, due to the fragmented nature of the middle-market and the lack of publicly available information, we believe lenders have an opportunity to originate and underwrite investments with more favorable terms, including stronger covenant and reporting packages, as well as better call protection and change of control provisions as compared to the large, broadly syndicated loan market.

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COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

              We believe that we have the following competitive advantages over other capital providers to middle-market companies:

The Ares Platform

              Ares operates three distinct but complementary investment groups, including the Ares Credit Group, the Ares Private Equity Group and the Ares Real Estate Group. We believe our affiliation with Ares provides a distinct competitive advantage through Ares' originations, due diligence, and marketing activities. In particular, we believe that the Ares platform provides us with an advantage through its deal flow generation and investment evaluation process. Ares' asset management platform also provides additional market information, company knowledge and industry insight that benefit our investment and due diligence process. Ares' professionals maintain extensive financial sponsor and intermediary relationships, which provide valuable insight and access to transactions and information.

Seasoned Management Team

              The investment professionals in the Ares Credit Group and members of our investment adviser's investment committee also have significant experience investing across market cycles. This experience also provides us with a competitive advantage in identifying, originating, investing in and managing a portfolio of investments in middle-market companies.

Broad Origination Strategy

              We focus on self-originating most of our investments by pursuing a broad array of investment opportunities in middle-market companies and power generation projects across multiple channels. We also leverage off of the extensive relationships of the broader Ares platform, including relationships with the portfolio companies in the IHAM Vehicles, to identify investment opportunities. We believe that this allows for asset selectivity and that there is a significant relationship between proprietary deal origination and credit performance. We believe that our focus on generating proprietary deal flow and lead investing also gives us greater control over capital structure, deal terms, pricing and documentation and enables us to actively manage our portfolio investments. Moreover, by leading the investment process, we are often able to secure controlling positions in credit tranches, thereby providing additional control in investment outcomes. We also have originated substantial proprietary deal flow from middle-market intermediaries, which often allows us to act as the sole or principal source of institutional capital to the borrower.

Scale and Flexible Transaction Structuring

              We believe that being one of the largest BDCs makes us a more desirable and flexible capital provider, especially in competitive markets. We are flexible with the types of investments we make and the terms associated with those investments. We believe this approach and experience enables our investment adviser to identify attractive investment opportunities throughout economic cycles and across a company's capital structure so we can make investments consistent with our stated investment objective and preserve principal while seeking appropriate risk adjusted returns. In addition, we have the flexibility to provide "one stop" financing with the ability to invest capital across the balance sheet and syndicate and hold larger investments than many of our competitors. We believe that the ability to underwrite, syndicate and hold larger investments benefits our stockholders by (a) potentially increasing net income and earnings through syndication, (b) increasing originated deal flow flexibility, (c) broadening market relationships and deal flow, (d) allowing us to optimize our portfolio composition and (e) allowing us to provide capital to a broader spectrum of middle-market companies, which we believe currently have limited access to capital from traditional lending sources. In addition,

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we believe that the ability to provide capital at every level of the balance sheet provides a strong value proposition to middle-market borrowers and our senior debt capabilities provide superior deal origination and relative value analysis capabilities compared to junior capital focused lenders.

Experience with and Focus on Middle-Market Companies

              Ares has historically focused on investments in middle-market companies and we benefit from this experience. In sourcing and analyzing deals, our investment adviser benefits from Ares' extensive network of relationships focused on middle-market companies, including management teams, members of the investment banking community, private equity groups and other investment firms with whom Ares has had long-term relationships. We believe this network enables us to identify well-positioned prospective portfolio company investments. The Ares Credit Group works closely with Ares' other investment professionals. As of December 31, 2017, Ares oversaw a portfolio of investments in over 1,480 companies, approximately 505 structured assets and over 170 properties across approximately 60 industries, which provides access to an extensive network of relationships and insights into industry trends and the state of the capital markets.

Disciplined Investment Philosophy

              In making its investment decisions, our investment adviser has adopted Ares' long-standing, consistent, credit-based investment approach that was developed over 20 years ago by its founders. Specifically, our investment adviser's investment philosophy, portfolio construction and portfolio management involve an assessment of the overall macroeconomic environment and financial markets and company-specific research and analysis. Its investment approach emphasizes capital preservation, low volatility and minimization of downside risk. In addition to engaging in extensive due diligence from the perspective of a long-term investor, our investment adviser's approach seeks to reduce risk in investments by focusing on:

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businesses with strong franchises and sustainable competitive advantages;



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industries with positive long-term dynamics;



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businesses and industries with cash flows that are dependable and predictable;



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management teams with demonstrated track records and appropriate economic incentives;



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rates of return commensurate with the perceived risks;



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securities or investments that are structured with appropriate terms and covenants; and



•

businesses backed by experienced private equity sponsors.

Extensive Industry Focus

              We seek to concentrate our investing activities in industries with a history of predictable and dependable cash flows and in which the Ares investment professionals have had extensive investment experience. Ares investment professionals have developed long-term relationships with management teams and management consultants in approximately 60 industries, and have accumulated substantial information and identified potential trends within these industries. In turn, we benefit from these relationships, information and identification of potential trends in making investments.

OPERATING AND REGULATORY STRUCTURE

              Our investment activities are managed by our investment adviser and supervised by our board of directors, a majority of whom are independent of Ares and its affiliates. Our investment adviser is registered under the Advisers Act. Under our investment advisory agreement we have agreed to pay

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our investment adviser base management fees, income based fees and capital gains incentive fees. See "—Investment Advisory and Management Agreement". Ares Operations provides us with certain administrative and other services necessary for us to operate pursuant to the administration agreement. See "—Administration Agreement".

              As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For example, we are not generally permitted to co-invest in any portfolio company in which a fund managed by Ares or any of its downstream affiliates (other than us and our downstream affiliates) is also co-investing. On January 18, 2017, we received an order from the SEC that permits us and other BDCs and registered closed-end management investment companies managed by Ares to co-invest in portfolio companies with each other and with affiliated investment funds. Co-investments made under the Co-investment Exemptive Order are subject to compliance with certain conditions and other requirements, which could limit our ability to participate in a co-investment transaction. We may also otherwise co-invest with funds managed by Ares or any of its downstream affiliates, subject to compliance with existing regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and our allocation procedures.

              Also, while we may borrow funds to make investments, our ability to use debt is limited in certain significant aspects. See "Regulation." In particular, BDCs must have at least 200% asset coverage calculated pursuant to the Investment Company Act (i.e., we are permitted to borrow one dollar for every dollar we have in assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities issued by us) in order to incur debt or issue preferred stock (which we refer to collectively as "senior securities"), which requires us to finance our investments with at least as much equity as senior securities in the aggregate. Certain of our credit facilities also require that we maintain asset coverage of at least 200%. As of December 31, 2017, our asset coverage was 242%.

              In addition, as a consequence of us being a RIC under the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our asset growth is dependent on our ability to raise equity capital through the issuance of common stock. RICs generally must distribute substantially all of their investment company taxable income (as defined under the Code) to stockholders as dividends in order to preserve their status as a RIC and not to be subject to additional U.S. federal corporate-level income taxes. This requirement, in turn, generally prevents us from using our earnings to support our operations, including making new investments.

INVESTMENTS

Ares Capital Corporation Portfolio

              We have built an investment portfolio of primarily first and second lien senior secured loans, mezzanine debt and, to a lesser extent, equity investments in private middle-market companies. Our portfolio is well diversified by industry sector and its concentration to any single issuer is limited.

              Our debt investments in corporate borrowers generally range between $30 million and $500 million each and investments in project finance/power generation projects generally range between $10 million and $200 million each. However, the sizes of our investments 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.

              Our preferred and/or common equity investments 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. Also, as a result of the American Capital Acquisition, American Capital's equity investments, including equity investments pursuant to which American Capital controlled a particular portfolio company, became part of our portfolio.

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              In addition, 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 connection with our investing activities, we may make commitments with respect to indebtedness or securities of a potential portfolio company substantially in excess of our expected final hold size. In such situations, while we may initially agree to fund up to a certain dollar amount of an investment, we may subsequently syndicate a portion of such amount such that we are left with a smaller investment than what was reflected in our original commitment. In addition to originating investments, we may also acquire investments in the secondary market (including purchases of a portfolio of investments).

              We make senior secured loans primarily in the form of first lien loans (including unitranche loans) and second lien loans. Our senior secured loans generally have terms of three to ten years. In connection with our senior secured loans we generally receive a security interest in certain of the assets of the borrower and consequently such assets serve as collateral in support of the repayment of such senior secured loans. Senior secured loans are generally exposed to the least amount of credit risk because they typically hold a senior position with respect to scheduled interest and principal payments and security interests in assets of the borrower. However, unlike mezzanine debt, senior secured loans typically do not receive any stock, warrants to purchase stock or other yield enhancements. Senior secured loans may include both revolving lines of credit and term loans.

              Structurally, mezzanine debt usually ranks subordinate in priority of payment to senior secured loans and is often unsecured. However, mezzanine debt ranks senior to preferred and common equity in a borrower's capital structure. Mezzanine debt investments generally offer lenders fixed returns in the form of interest payments and will often provide lenders an opportunity to participate in the capital appreciation of a borrower, if any, through an equity interest. This equity interest typically takes the form of an equity co-investment and/or warrants. Due to its higher risk profile and often less restrictive covenants as compared to senior secured loans, mezzanine debt generally bears a higher stated interest rate than senior secured loans. The equity co-investment and warrants (if any) associated with a mezzanine debt investment typically allow lenders to receive repayment of their principal on an agreed amortization schedule while retaining their equity interest in the borrower. Equity issued in connection with mezzanine debt also may include a "put" feature, which permits the holder to sell its equity interest back to the borrower at a price determined through an agreed formula.

              In making an equity investment, in addition to considering the factors discussed under "—Investment Selection" below, we also consider the anticipated timing of a liquidity event, such as a public offering, sale of the company or redemption of our equity securities.

              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." 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.

Senior Direct Lending Program

              We have established a joint venture with Varagon to make certain first lien senior secured loans, including certain stretch senior and unitranche loans, primarily to U.S. middle market companies. Varagon was formed in 2013 as a lending platform by American International Group, Inc. and other partners. The joint venture is called 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

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$300 million. We may directly co-invest with the SDLP to accommodate larger transactions. 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 the SDLP Certificates, and Varagon and its clients provide capital to the SDLP in the form of senior notes, intermediate funding notes and SDLP Certificates. As of December 31, 2017, we and a client of Varagon owned 87.5% and 12.5%, respectively, of the outstanding SDLP Certificates. The SDLP Certificates pay a coupon of LIBOR plus a stated spread and also entitle the holders thereof to receive a portion of the excess cash flow from the loan portfolio, which may result in a return to the holders of the SDLP Certificates that is greater than the stated coupon. The SDLP Certificates are junior in right of payment to the senior notes and intermediate funding notes.

              As of December 31, 2017, we and Varagon and its clients had agreed to make capital available to the SDLP of $2.9 billion in the aggregate, of which $591 million has been made available from us. This capital will only be committed to the SDLP upon approval of transactions by the investment committee of the SDLP as discussed above.

              For more information on the SDLP, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Portfolio and Investment Activity—Co-Investment Programs—Senior Direct Lending Program" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Recent Developments."

Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P.

              As of December 31, 2017, our portfolio company, IHAM, an SEC-registered investment adviser, managed 21 vehicles and served as the sub-manager/sub-servicer for two other vehicles. As of December 31, 2017, IHAM had assets under management of approximately $4.1 billion. As of December 31, 2017, the amortized cost and fair value of our investment in IHAM was $244 million and $315 million, 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.

              On January 3, 2017, in connection with the American Capital Acquisition, American Capital Asset Management, LLC, a wholly owned portfolio company of American Capital ("ACAM"), merged with and into IHAM, with IHAM remaining as the surviving entity as a wholly owned portfolio company of ours. As a result, IHAM now manages certain funds that were previously managed by ACAM.

              See Notes 4 and 16 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 for more information about IHAM and its role in the American Capital Acquisition.

Industry Composition

              We generally seek to invest in companies in the industries in which Ares' investment professionals have direct expertise. The following is a representative list of the industries in which we have invested:

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Aerospace and Defense



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Automotive Services

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Business Services



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Consumer Products



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Containers and Packaging



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Education



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Environmental Services



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Financial Services



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Food and Beverage



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Healthcare Services



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Investment Funds and Vehicles



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Manufacturing



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Oil and Gas



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Other Services



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Power Generation



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Restaurant and Food Services



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Retail



•

Telecommunications

              However, we may invest in other industries if we are presented with attractive opportunities.

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              The industrial and geographic compositions of our portfolio at fair value as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

              As of December 31, 2017, 3.1% of total investments at amortized cost (or 1.4% of total investments at fair value) were on non-accrual status. As of December 31, 2016, 2.9% of total investments at amortized cost (or 0.8% of total investments at fair value) were on non-accrual status.

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              Since our IPO on October 8, 2004 through December 31, 2017, our exited investments resulted in an asset level realized gross internal rate of return (as discussed in more detail in footnote 1 to the table below) to us of approximately 14% (based on original cash invested, net of syndications, of approximately $20.6 billion and total proceeds from such exited investments of approximately $26.4 billion). Approximately 65% of these exited investments resulted in an asset level realized gross internal rate of return to us of 10% or greater.

              The realized gross internal rate of return, original cash invested, net of syndications, and total proceeds, in each case from exited investments, are listed below from our IPO on October 8, 2004 through the end of each period shown below.

              Additionally, since our IPO on October 8, 2004 through December 31, 2017, our realized gains exceeded our realized losses by approximately $613 million (excluding a one-time gain on the Allied Acquisition) and realized gains/losses from the extinguishment of debt and other assets). For the same time period, our average annualized net realized gain rate was approximately 1.1% (excluding a one-time gain on the Allied Acquisition and realized gains/losses from the extinguishment of debt and other assets). Net realized gain/loss rates for a particular period are the amount of net realized gains/losses during such period divided by the average quarterly investments at amortized cost in such period.

              Information included herein regarding internal rates of return, realized gains and losses and annualized net realized gain rates are historical results relating to our past performance and are not necessarily indicative of future results, the achievement of which cannot be assured.

INVESTMENT SELECTION

              Ares' investment philosophy was developed over 20 years ago and has remained consistent and relevant throughout a number of economic cycles. We are managed using a similar investment philosophy used by the investment professionals of Ares in respect of its other investment funds.

              This investment philosophy involves, among other things:

•

an assessment of the overall macroeconomic environment and financial markets and how such assessment may impact industry and asset selection;



•

company-specific research and analysis; and



•

with respect to each individual company, an emphasis on capital preservation, low volatility and minimization of downside risk.

              The foundation of Ares' investment philosophy is intensive credit investment analysis, a portfolio management discipline based on both market technicals and fundamental value-oriented research, and diversification strategy. We follow a rigorous investment process based on:

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a comprehensive analysis of issuer creditworthiness, including a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the issuer's business;

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an evaluation of management and its economic incentives;



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an analysis of business strategy and industry trends; and



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an in-depth examination of capital structure, financial results and projections.

              We seek to identify those companies exhibiting superior fundamental risk-reward profiles and strong defensible business franchises while focusing on the relative value of the investment across the industry as well as for the specific company.

Intensive Due Diligence

              The process through which an investment decision is made involves extensive research into the target company, its industry, its growth prospects and its ability to withstand adverse conditions. If the senior investment professional responsible for the potential transaction determines that an investment opportunity should be pursued, we will engage in an intensive due diligence process. Approximately 30-40% of the investments initially reviewed by us proceed to this phase. Though each transaction will involve a somewhat different approach, the regular due diligence steps generally undertaken include:

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meeting with the target company's management team to get a detailed review of the business, and to probe for potential weaknesses in business prospects;



•

checking management's backgrounds and references;



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performing a detailed review of historical financial performance, including performance through various economic cycles, and the quality of earnings;



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reviewing both short and long term projections of the business, and sensitizing them for both upside and downside risk;



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visiting headquarters and company operations and meeting with top and middle-level executives;



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contacting customers and vendors to assess both business prospects and standard practices;



•

conducting a competitive analysis, and comparing the issuer to its main competitors on an operating, financial, market share and valuation basis;



•

researching the industry for historic growth trends and future prospects as well as to identify future exit alternatives (including available Wall Street research, industry association literature and general news);



•

assessing asset value and the ability of physical infrastructure and information systems to handle anticipated growth; and



•

investigating legal risks and financial and accounting systems.

Selective Investment Process

              After an investment has been identified and preliminary diligence has been completed, a credit research and analysis report is prepared. This report is reviewed by the senior investment professional in charge of the potential investment. If such senior and other investment professionals are in favor of the potential investment, then it is first presented to the investment committee on a preliminary basis.

              After the investment committee approves continued work on the potential investment, a more extensive due diligence process is employed by the transaction team. Additional due diligence with respect to any investment may be conducted on our behalf by attorneys, independent accountants, and other third party consultants and research firms prior to the closing of the investment, as appropriate on a case-by-case basis. Approximately 7-10% of all investments initially reviewed by us will be

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presented to the investment committee. Approval of an investment for funding requires the approval of the majority of the investment committee of our investment adviser, although unanimous consent is sought.

Issuance of Formal Commitment

              Once we have determined that a prospective portfolio company is suitable for investment, we work with the management and/or sponsor of that company and its other capital providers, including senior, junior and equity capital providers, if any, to finalize the structure of the investment. Approximately 5-7% of the investments initially reviewed by us eventually result in the issuance of formal commitments and the closing of such transactions.

Debt Investments

              We invest in portfolio companies primarily in the form of first lien senior secured loans (including unitranche loans), second lien senior secured loans and mezzanine debt. The first and second lien senior secured loans generally have terms of three to ten years. In connection with our first and second lien senior secured loans we generally receive security interests in certain assets of our portfolio companies that could serve as collateral in support of the repayment of such loans. First and second lien senior secured loans generally have floating interest rates, which may have LIBOR floors, and also may provide for some amortization of principal and excess cash flow payments, with the remaining principal balance due at maturity.

              We structure our mezzanine investments primarily as unsecured subordinated loans that provide for relatively higher fixed interest rates. The mezzanine debt investments generally have terms of up to ten years. These loans typically have interest-only payments, with amortization of principal, if any, deferred to the later years of the mezzanine investment. In some cases, we may enter into loans that, by their terms, convert into equity or additional debt or defer payments of interest (or at least cash interest) for the first few years after our investment. Also, in some cases our mezzanine debt will be secured by a subordinated lien on some or all of the assets of the borrower.

              In some cases, our debt investments may provide for a portion of the interest payable to be PIK interest. To the extent interest is PIK, it will be payable through the increase of the principal amount of the loan by the amount of interest due on the then-outstanding aggregate principal amount of such loan.

              In the case of our first and second lien senior secured loans and mezzanine debt, we tailor the terms of the investment to the facts and circumstances of the transaction and the prospective portfolio company, negotiating a structure that aims to protect our rights and manage our risk while creating incentives for the portfolio company to achieve its business plan and improve its profitability. For example, in addition to seeking a senior position in the capital structure of our portfolio companies, we will seek, where appropriate, to limit the downside potential of our investments by:

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targeting a total return on our investments (including both interest and potential equity appreciation) that compensates us for credit risk;



•

incorporating "put" rights, call protection and LIBOR floors for floating rate loans, into the investment structure; and



•

negotiating covenants in connection with our investments that afford our portfolio companies as much flexibility in managing their businesses as possible, consistent with preservation of our capital. Such restrictions may include affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties, lien protection, change of control provisions and board rights, including either observation or participation rights.

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              We generally require financial covenants and terms that require an issuer to reduce leverage, thereby enhancing credit quality. These methods include: (a) maintenance leverage covenants requiring a decreasing ratio of indebtedness to cash flow over time, (b) maintenance cash flow covenants requiring an increasing ratio of cash flow to the sum of interest expense and capital expenditures and (c) indebtedness incurrence prohibitions, limiting a company's ability to take on additional indebtedness. In addition, by including limitations on asset sales and capital expenditures we may be able to prevent a borrower from changing the nature of its business or capitalization without our consent.

              Our debt investments may include equity features, such as warrants or options to buy a minority interest in the portfolio company. Warrants we receive with our debt investments may require only a nominal cost to exercise, and thus, as a portfolio company appreciates in value, we may achieve additional investment return from this equity interest. We may structure the warrants to provide provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder, as well as puts, or rights to sell such securities back to the portfolio company, upon the occurrence of specified events. In many cases, we also obtain registration rights in connection with these equity interests, which may include demand and "piggyback" registration rights.

Equity Investments

              To a lesser extent, we also make preferred and/or 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. Also, as a result of the American Capital Acquisition, American Capital's equity investments, including equity investments pursuant to which American Capital controlled a particular portfolio company, became part of our portfolio.

ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITIES

              We believe that there may be opportunity for further consolidation in our industry. From time to time, we evaluate potential strategic opportunities, including acquisitions of:

•

asset portfolios;



•

other private and public finance companies, business development companies and asset managers; and



•

selected secondary market assets.

              We have been in, and from time to time may engage in, discussions with counterparties in respect of various potential strategic acquisition and investment transactions, including potential acquisitions of other finance companies, business development companies and asset managers. Some of these transactions could be material to our business and, if completed, could be difficult to integrate, result in increased leverage or dilution and/or subject us to unexpected liabilities. However, none of these discussions has progressed to the point at which the completion of any such transaction could be deemed to be probable or reasonably certain as of the date of this prospectus. Completion of any such transaction would be subject to completion of due diligence, finalization of key business and financial terms (including price) and negotiation of final definitive documentation as well as a number of other factors and conditions including, without limitation, the approval of our board of directors, any required third party consents and, in certain cases, the approval of our stockholders. We cannot predict how quickly the terms of any such transaction could be finalized, if at all. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such transaction would be completed. In connection with evaluating potential strategic acquisition and investment transactions, we have, and may in the future, incur significant expenses for the evaluation and due diligence investigation of these potential transactions.

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ON-GOING RELATIONSHIPS WITH AND MONITORING OF PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

              We closely monitor each investment we make, maintain a regular dialogue with both the management team and other stakeholders and seek specifically tailored financial reporting. In addition, senior investment professionals may take board seats or obtain board observation rights in connection with our portfolio companies. As of December 31, 2017, of our 314 portfolio companies, we were entitled to board seats or board observation rights on 32% of these companies and these companies represented approximately 47% of our portfolio at fair value.

              We seek to exert significant influence post-investment, in addition to covenants and other contractual rights and through board participation, when appropriate, by actively working with management on strategic initiatives. We often introduce managers of companies in which we have invested to other portfolio companies to capitalize on complementary business activities and best practices.

              Our investment adviser employs an investment rating system to categorize our investments. In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, our investment adviser grades the credit risk of all investments on a scale of 1 to 4 no less frequently than quarterly. This system is intended primarily to reflect the underlying risk of a portfolio investment relative to our initial cost basis in respect of such portfolio investment (i.e., at the time of origination or acquisition), although it may also take into account under certain circumstances the performance of the portfolio company's business, the collateral coverage of the investment and other relevant factors. Under this system, investments with a grade of 4 involve the least amount of risk to our initial cost basis. The trends and risk factors for this investment since origination or acquisition are generally favorable, which may include the performance of the portfolio company or a potential exit. Investments graded 3 involve a level of risk to our initial cost basis that is similar to the risk to our initial cost basis at the time of origination or acquisition. This portfolio company is generally performing as expected and the risk factors to our ability to ultimately recoup the cost of our investment are neutral to favorable. All investments or acquired investments in new portfolio companies are initially assessed a grade of 3. Investments graded 2 indicate that the risk to our ability to recoup the initial cost basis of such investment has increased materially since origination or acquisition, including as a result of factors such as declining performance and non-compliance with debt covenants; however, payments are generally not more than 120 days past due. An investment grade of 1 indicates that the risk to our ability to recoup the initial cost basis of such investment has substantially increased since origination or acquisition, and the portfolio company likely has materially declining performance. For debt investments with an investment grade of 1, most or all of the debt covenants are out of compliance and payments are substantially delinquent. For investments graded 1, it is anticipated that we will not recoup our initial cost basis and may realize a substantial loss of our initial cost basis upon exit. For investments graded 1 or 2, our investment adviser enhances its level of scrutiny over the monitoring of such portfolio company. The grade of a portfolio investment may be reduced or increased over time.

              We assigned a fair value as of the Acquisition Date to each of the portfolio investments acquired in connection with the American Capital Acquisition. The initial cost basis of each investment acquired was equal to the fair value of such investment as of the Acquisition Date. Many of these portfolio investments were assigned a fair value reflecting a discount to American Capital's cost basis at the time of American Capital's origination or acquisition. Each investment was initially assessed a grade of 3 (i.e., generally the grade we assign a portfolio company at acquisition), reflecting the relative risk to our initial cost basis of such investments. It is important to note that our grading system does not take into account factors or events in respect of the period from when American Capital originated or acquired such portfolio investments or the status of these portfolio investments in terms of compliance with debt facilities, financial performance and similar factors. Rather, it is only intended to measure risk from the time that we acquired the portfolio investment in connection with the American Capital

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Acquisition. Accordingly, it is possible that the grades of these portfolio investments may be reduced or increased after the Acquisition Date.

              As of December 31, 2017, the weighted average grade of our portfolio at fair value was 3.1. For more information, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Portfolio and Investment Activity."

MANAGERIAL ASSISTANCE

              As a BDC, we must offer, and must provide upon request, significant managerial assistance to certain of our portfolio companies. This assistance could involve, among other things, monitoring the operations of our portfolio companies, participating in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising officers of portfolio companies and providing other organizational and financial guidance. Ares Operations may provide all or a portion of this assistance pursuant to our administration agreement, the costs of which will be reimbursed by us. We may receive fees for these services.

COMPETITION

              Our primary competitors include public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial finance companies, other BDCs and private equity funds, each of which we compete with for financing opportunities. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider more investments and establish more relationships than we do. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the Investment Company Act imposes on us as a BDC. For additional information concerning the competitive risks we face, see "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities."

              We believe that the relationships of the members of our investment adviser's investment committee and of the partners of Ares enable us to learn about, and compete effectively for, financing opportunities with attractive middle-market companies in the industries in which we seek to invest. We believe that Ares' professionals' deep and long-standing direct sponsor relationships and the resulting proprietary transaction opportunities that these relationships often present, provide valuable insight and access to transactions and information. We use the industry information of Ares' investment professionals to which we have access to assess investment risks and determine appropriate pricing for our investments in portfolio companies.

STAFFING

              We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. Services necessary for our business are provided by individuals who are employees or affiliates of our investment adviser, Ares Capital Management, and our administrator, Ares Operations, each of which is a subsidiary of Ares Management, pursuant to the terms of our investment advisory and management agreement and our administration agreement, respectively, each as described below. Each of our executive officers is an employee or affiliate of our investment adviser or our administrator. Our day-to-day investment activities are managed by our investment adviser. Most of the services necessary for the origination of our investment portfolio are provided by investment professionals employed by Ares Capital Management. Ares Capital Management had approximately 100 U.S.-based investment professionals as of December 31, 2017 who focus on origination, transaction development, investment and the ongoing monitoring of our investments. See "Management—Investment Advisory and Management Agreement" below. We reimburse both our investment adviser and our administrator for

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a certain portion of expenses incurred in connection with such staffing, as described in more detail below. Because we have no employees, Ares Capital does not have a formal employee relations policy.

PROPERTIES

              We do not own any real estate or other physical properties materially important to our operation. Our headquarters are currently located at 245 Park Avenue, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10167. We are party to office leases pursuant to which we are leasing office facilities from third parties. For certain of these office leases, we have also entered into separate subleases with Ares Management LLC and IHAM, pursuant to which Ares Management LLC, the sole member of Ares Capital Management, and IHAM sublease a portion of these leases. Ares Management LLC has also entered into separate subleases with us, pursuant to which we sublease certain office spaces from Ares Management LLC.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

              We are party to certain lawsuits in the normal course of business. In addition, American Capital and Allied Capital were involved in various legal proceedings that we assumed in connection with the American Capital Acquisition and the Allied Acquisition, respectively. Furthermore, third parties may try to seek to impose liability on us in connection with our activities or the activities of our portfolio companies. While the outcome of any such legal proceedings cannot at this time be predicted with certainty, we do not expect that these legal proceedings will materially affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

              On May 20, 2013, we were named as one of several defendants in an action filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by the bankruptcy trustee of DSI Renal Holdings LLC ("DSI Renal") and two affiliate companies. On March 17, 2014, the motion by us and the other defendants to transfer the case to the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the "Delaware Court") was granted. On May 6, 2014, the Delaware Court referred the matter to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "Bankruptcy Court"). The complaint alleges, among other things, that each of the named defendants participated in a purported fraudulent transfer involving the restructuring of a subsidiary of DSI Renal. Among other things, the complaint seeks, jointly and severally from all defendants, (1) damages of approximately $425 million, of which the complaint states our individual share is approximately $117 million, and (2) punitive damages. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss all claims on August 5, 2013. On July 20, 2017, the Bankruptcy Court issued an order granting the motion to dismiss certain claims and denying the motion to dismiss certain other claims, including the purported fraudulent transfer claims. The defendants answered the complaint on August 31, 2017. Under the operative scheduling order, discovery will continue until early 2019 with dispositive motions due on April 30, 2019. No trial date has been set. We are currently unable to assess with any certainty whether we may have any exposure in this matter. However, we believe the plaintiff's claims are without merit and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.

              On or about February 10, 2017, shareholders of American Capital filed a second consolidated amended putative shareholder class action complaint allegedly on behalf of holders of the common stock of American Capital against the former members of American Capital's board of directors and certain former American Capital officers (collectively, "the American Capital defendants"), as well as Elliott Management Corporation, Elliott Associates, L.P., Elliott International, L.P. and Elliott International Capital Advisors Inc. (collectively "Elliott") in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland challenging the American Capital Acquisition. This action is a consolidation of putative shareholder complaints filed against the directors of American Capital on June 24, 2016, July 12, 2016, July 21, 2016 and July 27, 2016, which were consolidated and in which an amended consolidated putative shareholder class action complaint was filed on August 18, 2016. The action alleges that the

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directors, officers and Elliott failed to adequately discharge their fiduciary duties to the public shareholders of American Capital by hastily commencing a sales process due to the board's manipulation by Elliott. In the alternative, the complaint alleges Elliott aided and abetted breaches of fiduciary duty by the American Capital directors and officers. The complaint also alleges that the directors and officers failed to obtain for the shareholders the highest value available in the marketplace for their shares in the American Capital Acquisition. The complaint further alleges that the merger was the product of a flawed process due to Elliott's continued manipulation, the use of deal protection devices in the American Capital Acquisition that precluded other bidders from making a higher offer to American Capital and the directors' conflicts of interest due to special benefits, including the full vesting of American Capital stock options and incentive awards or golden parachutes the directors received upon consummation of the proposed merger. Additionally, the complaint alleges that the registration statement, which was filed with the SEC on July 20, 2016 and included a joint proxy statement to American Capital's shareholders, is materially false and misleading because it omits material information concerning the financial and procedural fairness of the American Capital Acquisition. The complaint seeks to recover compensatory damages for all losses resulting from the alleged breaches of fiduciary duty and waste. The American Capital defendants filed their motion to dismiss the second consolidated amended complaint on March 3, 2017. Elliott filed its motion to dismiss the second consolidated amended complaint on April 14, 2017. Briefing on defendants' motions was completed on May 26, 2017. A hearing on the motions to dismiss was scheduled for June 9, 2017 before Judge Ronald Rubin of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland (the "Court"); however, that hearing was stayed as to the American Capital defendants in light of the settlement described below.

              On June 9, 2017, the American Capital defendants reached an agreement in principle with the plaintiffs regarding the proposed settlement of claims asserted against them in this action, and the American Capital defendants and plaintiffs subsequently executed a settlement term sheet (the "Term Sheet") on June 19, 2017. As set forth in the Term Sheet, the American Capital defendants agreed to the proposed settlement solely to eliminate the burden, expense, distraction and uncertainties inherent in further litigation, and without admitting any liability or wrongdoing. On October 11, 2017, the plaintiffs and Elliott advised the Court that they reached an agreement in principle to settle the remaining claims in the case. Notice was sent to stockholders on December 18, 2017 regarding the settlements, and a final hearing to approve the settlements took place on February 16, 2018. At the hearing, the Court entered an order and final judgment approving both settlements and dismissing the matter in its entirety.

              On August 3, 2017, American Capital and one of its former portfolio companies were awarded a judgment plus prejudgment interest by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the "District Court") following a bench trial in a case first filed by one of American Capital's insurance companies concerning coverage for bodily injury claims against American Capital and/or its former portfolio company. The District Court found that the carrier breached its duty to defend American Capital and its former portfolio company against more than 1,000 bodily injury claims and awarded damages plus prejudgment interest. American Capital's carrier filed a notice of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; thereafter, American Capital and its former portfolio company filed a notice of cross appeal. The parties are now in the process of filing their respective briefs in the appeal, which will be fully briefed by late April 2018. It is currently expected the appeal will be adjudicated in late 2018 at the earliest. American Capital's recovery will not be known until such time as the appeal is resolved.

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PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

              The following table describes each of the businesses included in our portfolio and reflects data as of December 31, 2017. Percentages shown for class of investment securities held by us represent percentage of the class owned and do not necessarily represent voting ownership. Percentages shown for equity securities, other than warrants or options, represent the actual percentage of the class of security held before dilution. Percentages shown for warrants and options held represent the percentage of class of security we may own assuming we exercise our warrants or options before dilution.

              We have indicated by footnote portfolio companies (a) where we directly or indirectly own more than 25% of the outstanding voting securities of such portfolio company and, therefore, are presumed to be "controlled" by us under the Investment Company Act and (b) where we directly or indirectly own 5% to 25% of the outstanding voting securities of such portfolio company or where we hold one or more seats on the portfolio company's board of directors and, therefore, are deemed to be an "affiliated person" under the Investment Company Act. We directly or indirectly own less than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of all other portfolio companies (or have no other affiliations with such portfolio companies) listed on the table. We offer to make significant managerial assistance to certain of our portfolio companies. Where we do not hold a seat on the portfolio company's board of directors, we may receive rights to observe such board meetings.

              Where we have indicated by footnote the amount of undrawn commitments to portfolio companies to fund various revolving and delayed draw senior secured and subordinated loans, such undrawn commitments are presented net of (i) standby letters of credit treated as drawn commitments because they are issued and outstanding, (ii) commitments substantially at our discretion and (iii) commitments that are unavailable due to borrowing base or other covenant restrictions.

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ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
PORTFOLIO COMPANIES
As of December 31, 2017
(dollar amounts in millions)
(Unaudited)

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MANAGEMENT

              Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our board of directors. The responsibilities of the board of directors include, among other things, the quarterly valuation of our investments. The size of our board of directors is set at nine members and currently consists of four directors who are "interested persons" of Ares Capital as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act and five directors who are not such "interested persons." We refer to the directors who are non-interested persons as our "independent directors." We refer to our directors who are "interested persons" as our "interested directors." Our board of directors elects our officers, who serve at the discretion of the board of directors. The board of directors maintains an audit committee and nominating and governance committee, and may establish additional committees from time to time as necessary.

              Under our charter and bylaws, our directors are divided into three classes. Directors are elected for staggered terms of three years each, with the term of office of only one of these three classes of directors expiring each year. Each director will hold office for the term to which he or she is elected and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CERTAIN OTHER OFFICERS

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Biographical Information and Discussion of Experience and Qualifications, etc.

Directors

              As described below under "Committees of the Board of Directors—Nominating and Governance Committee," the board of directors has identified certain desired attributes for director nominees. Each of our directors has demonstrated high character and integrity, superior credentials and recognition in his or her respective field and the relevant expertise and experience upon which to be able to offer advice and guidance to our management. Each of our directors also has sufficient time available to devote to the affairs of the Company, is able to work with the other members of the board of directors and contribute to the success of the Company and can represent the long-term interests of the Company's stockholders as a whole. Our directors have been selected such that the board of directors represents a range of backgrounds and experience. Set forth below is biographical information of each director, including a discussion of such director's particular experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that lead us and our board of directors to conclude, as of the date of this prospectus, that such individual should serve as a director, in light of the Company's business and structure.

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Independent Directors

              Steve Bartlett, 70, has served as a director of the Company since 2012 and currently serves on the audit committee. Mr. Bartlett has been a consultant since 2012, providing strategic independent consulting services to several U.S. corporations. From 1999 to 2012, Mr. Bartlett served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Roundtable. Mr. Bartlett currently sits on the board of directors of the Homeownership Preservation Foundation (HPF). In 2001, Mr. Bartlett served on the President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education. Mr. Bartlett previously served as the Mayor of Dallas, Texas from 1991 to 1995, a member of the United States Congress from 1983 to 1991, and a member of the Dallas City Council from 1977 to 1981. Mr. Bartlett also founded Meridian Products Corporation, a manufacturer of injection molded plastics in 1976. Mr. Bartlett previously served on the Board of Governors of the National YMCA, the board of directors of BIPAC and Easter Seals of Greater Washington, D.C., and the board of directors for the following companies: Centene Corporation (NYSE), IMCO Recycling, Inc. (NYSE), KB Home Corporation (NYSE), Sun Coast Industries (NYSE), Intersections Inc. (NASDAQ), Dallas Can! and Grace Presbyterian Village. Mr. Bartlett also served as co-chair of Character Counts of Dallas and chair of the Trinity Trails. Mr. Bartlett also served on the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Board. Mr. Bartlett graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1971, later serving as a guest lecturer at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. We believe that Mr. Bartlett's experience serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Roundtable, his experience in politics (including serving as the Mayor of Dallas, Texas, a member of the United States Congress and a member of the Dallas City Council) and his service as a director of public and private companies provides the board of directors with key experience and insight to the Company, especially with respect to issues specific to boards of directors of public companies and companies in the financial services industry.

              Ann Torre Bates, 59, has served as a director of the Company since 2010 and is currently the chairperson of the audit committee. Ms. Bates currently dedicates her time serving on the boards of directors of several companies primarily in the financial sector. From 1997 to 2012, Ms. Bates was a strategic and financial consultant, principally with respect to corporate finance matters. From 1995 to 1997, Ms. Bates served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of NHP, Inc., a national real estate services firm. From 1991 to 1995, Ms. Bates was Vice President and Treasurer of US Airways, and held various finance positions from 1988 to 1991. She currently serves on the board of directors of United Natural Foods, Inc. and is a director or trustee of 19 investment companies in the Franklin Templeton Group of Mutual Funds. She previously served as a director of Allied Capital Corporation from 2003 to 2010, SLM Corporation from 1997 to 2014 and Navient Corporation from 2014 to 2016. Ms. Bates holds a B.B.A in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame and an M.B.A. in Finance and Economics from Cornell University. We believe that Ms. Bates' experience serving as a director of other public companies in the financial sector, as well as her past experience as a chief financial officer, provides the board of directors and, specifically, the audit committee of the board of directors with valuable knowledge and insight in the financial services sector as well as experience in financial and accounting matters.

              Daniel G. Kelly, Jr., 67, has served as a director of the Company since May 2016 and currently serves on the nominating and governance committee. Mr. Kelly was a Partner of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, an international law firm, from 1999 to 2015, co-founding its Silicon Valley office in 1999. During his time at Davis Polk, Mr. Kelly had an extensive corporate practice representing companies, private equity funds and financial institutions in a broad array of complex transactions, and also acted as a senior advisor to boards and special committees on numerous sensitive matters. He currently serves on the board of directors of American Shared Hospital Services, which is a publicly traded healthcare company, and as a Trustee of Choate Rosemary Hall and on the board of directors of Equality Now, a global organization dedicated to creating a world in which women and girls have the same legal rights as men and boys. Prior to joining Davis Polk, Mr. Kelly was a senior officer of a

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major investment banking firm, the chief legal officer of a New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") listed corporation and a partner involved in management of two other law firms. Mr. Kelly graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in History from Yale University and received his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law where he served as Notes and Comments Editor of the Columbia Law Review. We believe that Mr. Kelly's experience practicing as a corporate lawyer, including his substantial experience in providing advice and counsel on corporate governance and securities law matters to numerous public company clients in a wide variety of industries, provides the board of directors with unique insight on its duties and responsibilities.

              Steven B. McKeever, 57, has served as a director of the Company since 2012 and is currently the chairperson of the nominating and governance committee. Mr. McKeever is the CEO of Hidden Beach Recordings, an independent record label based in Los Angeles, California, which Mr. McKeever founded in 1997. From 1991 to 1995, Mr. McKeever was with Motown Records, where he served as Executive Vice President of Talent and Creative Affairs from 1993 to 1995 and Senior Vice President of Artists and Repertoire from 1991 to 1993. In 1992, Mr. McKeever created MoJAZZ Records, a subsidiary of Motown Records and served as its President. In 1993, he was instrumental in the sale of Motown Records to PolyGram Records. Mr. McKeever eventually left Motown Records in 1995 to work on his own entrepreneurial projects. Mr. McKeever began his career at the law firm of Irell & Manella LLP in Los Angeles as an entertainment lawyer. In 2011, Mr. McKeever served as the Executive Producer of Entertainment for the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. Mr. McKeever currently serves as a director of several organizations, including College Bound (Chairman), African Ancestry.com and The Pacific Institute Spirit Board. He served as a Governor of the Los Angeles Chapter of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (a/k/a The GRAMMYs) from 2001 to 2003 and 2008 to 2010 and gives generous time to various charitable organizations such as The City of Hope. Mr. McKeever received his B.S. from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and received his J.D. from Harvard Law School. We believe that Mr. McKeever's diversity of experiences, in particular his small business and entrepreneurial experience, provides the board of directors with unique insight and expertise into the management of small and middle-market companies.

              Eric B. Siegel, 60, has served as a director of the Company since 2004 and has been the lead independent director of the board of directors since 2010. Mr. Siegel currently serves on the audit committee and the nominating and governance committee. Since 2005, Mr. Siegel has served as Special Advisor to the Chairman of the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club and a member of the Club's Board of Advisors. Mr. Siegel is a director and Chairman of the Executive Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee and member of the Audit Committee and Security Committee of El Paso Electric Company, a NYSE publicly traded utility company. Mr. Siegel is also a past member of the boards of directors of a number of public and private companies, including Kerzner International Ltd. Mr. Siegel is a retired limited partner of Apollo Advisors, L.P. and Lion Advisors, L.P., private investment management firms. Mr. Siegel is a member of the board of directors of the Friends of the Los Angeles Saban Free Clinic and a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Marlborough School. Mr. Siegel holds his B.A. summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa and J.D. Order of the Coif from the University of California at Los Angeles. We believe that Mr. Siegel's experience practicing as a corporate lawyer provides valuable insight to the board of directors on regulatory and risk management issues and his experience as a partner in investment firms and over 20 years of experience serving as a director for both public and private companies provide industry specific knowledge and expertise to the board of directors.

Interested Directors

              Michael J Arougheti, 45, has served as Co-Chairman of the board of directors since July 2014, as a director of the Company since 2009 and as an Executive Vice President of the Company since

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October 2014. Mr. Arougheti previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company from May 2013 to July 2014, and President of the Company from May 2004 to May 2013. Mr. Arougheti is a Co-Founder and the Chief Executive Officer and President of Ares. He additionally serves as a director and the Chief Executive Officer and President of Ares Management GP LLC, Ares' general partner, and on the Board of Directors of Ares Partners Holdco LLC, the seven-member governing body which controls Ares. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Management Committee of Ares. Mr. Arougheti also is a member of the Investment Committee of the investment adviser, and the Ares Credit Group's U.S. and European Direct Lending Investment Committees, the Ares Equity Income Opportunity Strategy Portfolio Review Committee and the Ares Operations Management Group. Mr. Arougheti may from time to time serve as an officer, director or principal of entities affiliated with Ares Management or of investment funds managed by Ares Management and its affiliates. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Arougheti was employed by Royal Bank of Canada, where he was a Managing Partner of the Principal Finance Group of RBC Capital Partners and a member of the firm's Mezzanine Investment Committee. At RBC Capital Partners, Mr. Arougheti oversaw an investment team that originated, managed and monitored a diverse portfolio of middle-market leveraged loans, senior and junior subordinated debt, preferred equity and common stock and warrants on behalf of RBC and other third party institutional investors. Mr. Arougheti joined Royal Bank of Canada in October 2001 from Indosuez Capital, where he was a Principal, responsible for originating, structuring and executing leveraged transactions across a broad range of products and asset classes. Mr. Arougheti also sat on the firm's Investment Committee. Prior to joining Indosuez in 1994, Mr. Arougheti worked at Kidder, Peabody & Co., where he was a member of the firm's Mergers and Acquisitions Group. In addition to serving as chairman of the board of directors of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation, Mr. Arougheti also serves on the boards of directors of Investor Group Services, Riverspace Arts and Operation HOPE. Mr. Arougheti received a B.A. in Ethics, Politics and Economics, cum laude, from Yale University. We believe that Mr. Arougheti's depth of experience in investment management, leveraged finance and financial services, as well as his intimate knowledge of the Company's business and operations, not only gives the board of directors valuable industry-specific knowledge and expertise on these and other matters but also position him well to continue to serve as Co-Chairman of the board of directors. Mr. Arougheti is an interested director because he is an Executive Vice President of the Company, is on the Investment Committee of the investment adviser, is a Co-Founder and the Chief Executive Officer and President of Ares and serves on the Board of Directors of Ares Partners Holdco LLC and as a member of the Board of Directors and Management Committee of Ares.

              R. Kipp deVeer, 45, has served as a director of the Company since 2015 and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. deVeer previously served as President of the Company from May 2013 to July 2014. He joined Ares in May 2004 and currently serves as a Partner of Ares Management GP LLC, Ares' general partner, and on the Board of Directors of Ares Partners Holdco LLC, the seven-member governing body which controls Ares. He is a Partner in and Head of the Ares Credit Group and a member of the Management Committee of Ares. Mr. deVeer may from time to time serve as an officer, director or principal of entities affiliated with Ares Management or of investment funds managed by Ares Management and its affiliates. Mr. deVeer is a member of the Investment Committees of our investment adviser, the Ares Credit Group's U.S. and European Direct Lending Investment Committees and other select Ares Credit Group investment committees. Mr. deVeer is also a director of Ares Management Limited, a subsidiary of Ares Management overseeing the European activities of Ares. Prior to joining Ares, Mr. deVeer was a partner at RBC Capital Partners, a division of Royal Bank of Canada, which led the firm's middle market financing and principal investment business. Mr. deVeer joined RBC in October 2001 from Indosuez Capital, where he was Vice President in the Merchant Banking Group. Previously, Mr. deVeer worked at J.P. Morgan and Co., both in the Special Investment Group of J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. and the Investment Banking Division of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. Mr. deVeer received a B.A. from Yale University and an M.B.A. from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. We believe that

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Mr. deVeer's depth of experience in investment management, leveraged finance and financial services, as well as his intimate knowledge of our business and operations, gives the board of directors valuable industry specific knowledge and expertise on these and other matters. Mr. deVeer is an interested director because he is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, a Partner of Ares Management GP LLC, an officer of and on the Investment Committee of our investment adviser and a member of the Board of Directors of Ares Partners Holdco LLC, and serves on the Management Committee of Ares.

              Robert L. Rosen, 71, has served as a director of the Company since 2004. Since February 2018, Mr. Rosen has been party to a strategic advisory agreement with Ares. Mr. Rosen is the Managing Partner of RLR Capital Partners, which invests principally in the securities of publicly traded North American companies. From 2016 to 2018, Mr. Rosen was a Partner of Ares, from 2013 to 2016, Mr. Rosen was an Operating Advisor to the Ares Management Private Equity Group and, from 2010 to 2013, Mr. Rosen was party to a strategic advisory agreement with Ares. From 2005 to 2008, Mr. Rosen was a Managing Partner of RLR Focus Fund LP, an "active value" hedge fund. From 1995 to 2001, Mr. Rosen served as an exclusive consultant to Apollo Management, L.P. In 1998, Mr. Rosen founded National Financial Partners (NYSE: NFP), an independent provider of financial services to high net worth individuals and small to medium sized corporations. He served as NFP's CEO from 1998 to 2000 and as its Chairman until January 2002. From 1987 to 1993, Mr. Rosen was a Managing Partner of Ballantrae Partners, L.P., an investment partnership. From 1989 to 1993, Mr. Rosen was Chairman and CEO of Damon Corporation, a leading healthcare and laboratory testing company that was ultimately sold to Quest Diagnostics. From 1983 to 1987, Mr. Rosen was Vice Chairman of Maxxam Group. Prior to that, Mr. Rosen spent 12 years at Shearson American Express in positions in research, investment banking and senior management, and for two years was Assistant to Sanford Weill, the then Chairman and CEO of Shearson. Mr. Rosen previously served on the board of directors of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation and Sapient Corporation. Mr. Rosen is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Mr. Rosen holds a B.A. from the City University of New York in Economics and an M.B.A. from the New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business in Finance. We believe that Mr. Rosen's over 35 years of experience as a senior executive of financial services, healthcare services and private equity funds brings broad financial industry and specific investment management insight and experience to the board of directors and that his expertise in finance provides valuable knowledge to the board of directors. Mr. Rosen is an interested director because RLR Capital Partners and Mr. Rosen are parties to a strategic advisory agreement with Ares and Mr. Rosen owns certain equity interests in Ares and its affiliates.

              Bennett Rosenthal, 54, has served as Co-Chairman of our board of directors since 2014, and previously as Chairman of our board of directors since 2004. Mr. Rosenthal is a Co-Founder of Ares and a Partner of Ares Management GP LLC, Ares' general partner. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Ares Partners Holdco LLC, the seven-member governing body which controls Ares. He is Co-Head and a Partner in the Ares Private Equity Group and serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Management Committee of Ares. Mr. Rosenthal also is a member of the Investment Committees of certain funds managed by the Ares Private Equity Group. Mr. Rosenthal may from time to time serve as an officer, director or principal of entities affiliated with Ares Management or of investment funds managed by Ares Management and its affiliates. Mr. Rosenthal joined Ares in 1998 from Merrill Lynch & Co., where he served as a Managing Director in the Global Leveraged Finance Group. Mr. Rosenthal currently serves on the Board of Directors of City Ventures, LLC, Jacuzzi Brands Corporation, the parent entities of CHG Healthcare Holdings L.P., CPG International Inc., Dawn Holdings, Inc., DuPage Medical Group, National Veterinary Associates, Inc., Aspen Dental Management, Inc. and several other private companies. Mr. Rosenthal's previous board of directors experience includes Maidenform Brands, Inc., Hanger, Inc. and Nortek, Inc. Mr. Rosenthal also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Windward School in Los Angeles, and on the Graduate Executive Board of the Wharton School of Business. Mr. Rosenthal graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business where he also received

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his M.B.A. with distinction. We believe that Mr. Rosenthal's intimate knowledge of the business and operations of Ares, extensive experience in the financial industry as well as the management of private equity and debt investments in particular and experience as a director of other public and private companies not only give the board of directors valuable insight but also position him well to continue to serve as Co-Chairman of the board of directors. Mr. Rosenthal is an interested director because he is a Co-Founder of Ares, Partner of Ares Management GP LLC and a member of the Board of Directors of Ares Partners Holdco LLC and serves on the Board of Directors and the Management Committee of Ares.

Executive Officers and Certain Other Officers Who Are Not Directors

              Joshua M. Bloomstein, 44, serves as the General Counsel, Vice President and Secretary of the Company. He joined Ares in November 2006 and currently serves as a Partner and Co General Counsel (Credit) and Deputy General Counsel (Corporate) of Ares Management, and may from time to time serve as an officer, director or principal of entities affiliated with Ares Management or of investment funds managed by Ares Management and its affiliates. Mr. Bloomstein also currently serves as Vice President and Assistant Secretary of American Capital Senior Floating, Ltd. (NASDAQ:ACSF) and Vice President and Assistant Secretary of CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund. Prior to joining Ares, Mr. Bloomstein was an attorney with Latham & Watkins LLP specializing in leveraged buyouts and private equity investments as well as general partnership and corporate matters. Mr. Bloomstein graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science from the State University of New York at Albany and received a J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif.

              Mitchell Goldstein, 51, serves as a Co-President of the Company. Mr. Goldstein previously served as an Executive Vice President of the Company from May 2013 to July 2014. He joined Ares in May 2005 and currently serves as a Partner in and Co-Head of the Ares Credit Group, Vice President of American Capital Senior Floating, Ltd. (NASDAQ:ACSF) and Vice President of CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund. He is a member of the Management Committee of Ares, and may from time to time serve as an officer, director or principal of entities affiliated with Ares Management or of investment funds managed by Ares Management and its affiliates. Mr. Goldstein is a member of the Investment Committees of the investment adviser, select Ares Credit Group U.S. Direct Lending investment committees and the Ivy Hill Asset Management Investment Committee and the Ares Commercial Finance Investment Committee. Prior to joining Ares, Mr. Goldstein worked at Credit Suisse First Boston ("CSFB"), where he was a Managing Director in the Financial Sponsors Group. At CSFB, Mr. Goldstein was responsible for providing investment banking services to private equity funds and hedge funds with a focus on M&A and restructurings as well as capital raisings, including high yield, bank debt, mezzanine debt, and IPOs. Mr. Goldstein joined CSFB in 2000 at the completion of the merger with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Goldstein was at Indosuez Capital, where he was a member of the Investment Committee and a Principal, responsible for originating, structuring and executing leveraged transactions across a broad range of products and asset classes. From 1993 to 1998, Mr. Goldstein worked at Bankers Trust. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund. Mr. Goldstein graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Binghamton with a B.S. in Accounting, received an M.B.A. from Columbia University's Graduate School of Business and is a Certified Public Accountant.

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              Miriam Krieger, 41, serves as Chief Compliance Officer of the Company. She joined Ares in April 2010 and is a Partner and Global Chief Compliance Officer of Ares, as well as Ares' Global Anti-Money Laundering Officer and Global Anti-Corruption Officer and is a member of the Ares Operations Management Group. She also serves as the Chief Compliance Officer of American Capital Senior Floating, Ltd. (NASDAQ:ACSF) and Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P. She may from time to time serve as an officer, director or principal of entities affiliated with Ares Management or of investment funds managed by Ares Management and its affiliates. From March 2008 until joining Ares, Ms. Krieger was Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary of Allied Capital Corporation, where she also served as Executive Vice President from August 2008 until April 2010 and as Senior Vice President from March 2008 to August 2008. Ms. Krieger also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at MCG Capital Corporation, a publicly traded business development company, from 2006 to 2008 and Vice President and Assistant General Counsel from 2004 to 2006. From 2001 to 2004, Ms. Krieger was an associate in the Financial Services Group of the law firm of Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP. Ms. Krieger graduated with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Wellesley College and received a J.D. and an M.A. in Economics from Duke University.

              Scott C. Lem, 40, serves as Chief Accounting Officer, Vice President and Treasurer of the Company. Mr. Lem previously served as Assistant Treasurer of the Company from May 2009 to May 2013. Mr. Lem also currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund, Inc. (NYSE:ARDC) and Chief Accounting Officer of American Capital Senior Floating, Ltd. (NASDAQ:ACSF) and CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund. He is a Managing Director and Chief Accounting Officer, Credit (Direct Lending) in the Ares Finance Department. He may from time to time serve as an officer, director or principal of entities affiliated with Ares Management or of investment funds managed by Ares Management and its affiliates. From July 2003 to December 2008, Mr. Lem served as Controller of Ares Management. Prior to joining Ares in July 2003, Mr. Lem was with Ernst & Young LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP, most recently as a Senior Associate conducting audits for clients across several industries including entertainment, hospitality and real estate. Mr. Lem graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Southern California's Leventhal School of Accounting and summa cum laude with a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business. Mr. Lem has also received an M.B.A. in Finance from UCLA's Anderson School of Management. Mr. Lem is a Certified Public Accountant (Inactive).

              Penni F. Roll, 52, serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. She joined Ares Management in 2010 and now serves as a Partner and Chief Financial Officer of the Ares Credit Group. She also serves as the Chief Financial Officer of American Capital Senior Floating, Ltd. (NASDAQ:ACSF) and CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund, and the Treasurer of Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund (NYSE:ARDC). Ms. Roll is also Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Treasurer of Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P. ("IHAM") and Chief Financial Officer of Ivy Hill Asset Management GP, LLC, IHAM's General Partner, where she also serves on the Board of Managers. She may additionally from time to time serve as an officer, director or principal of other entities affiliated with Ares Management or of other investment funds managed by Ares Management and its affiliates. Prior to joining Ares Management, Ms. Roll served as Chief Financial Officer of Allied Capital Corporation from 1998 until April 2010. Ms. Roll joined Allied Capital Corporation in 1995 as its Controller after serving as a Manager in KPMG LLP's financial services practice. Ms. Roll graduated magna cum laude with a B.S.B.A. in Accounting from West Virginia University.

              Michael L. Smith, 46, serves as a Co-President of the Company. Mr. Smith previously served as an Executive Vice President of the Company from May 2013 to July 2014. Mr. Smith joined Ares in May 2004 and currently serves as a Partner in and Co-Head of the Ares Credit Group and a member of the Management Committee of Ares. From time to time, he may serve as an officer, director or principal of entities affiliated with Ares Management or of investment funds managed by Ares

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Management and its affiliates. Mr. Smith is a member of the Investment Committees of our investment adviser, select Ares Credit Group U.S. Direct Lending investment committees, the Ivy Hill Asset Management Investment Committee and the Ares Commercial Finance Investment Committee. Prior to joining Ares, Mr. Smith was a Partner at RBC Capital Partners, a division of Royal Bank of Canada, which led the firm's middle market financing and principal investment business. Mr. Smith joined RBC in October 2001 from Indosuez Capital, where he was a Vice President in the Merchant Banking Group. Previously, Mr. Smith worked at Kenter, Glastris & Company, and at Salomon Brothers Inc., in their Debt Capital Markets Group and Financial Institutions Group. Mr. Smith received a B.S. in Business Administration, cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame and a Masters in Management from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

              Michael D. Weiner, 65, serves as a Vice President of the Company. Mr. Weiner serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Ares Management GP LLC, Ares' general partner, a Partner and General Counsel in the Ares Legal Group and a member of the Management Committee of Ares. He may from time to time serve as an officer, director or principal of entities affiliated with Ares Management or of investment funds managed by Ares Management and its affiliates. Mr. Weiner has also served as Vice President and General Counsel of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation since 2012, Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund, Inc. and Vice President and Assistant Secretary of CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund. From September 2006 to January 2010, Mr. Weiner served as General Counsel of the Company. He additionally is a member of the Ares Operations Management Group and the Ares Enterprise Risk Committee. Mr. Weiner joined Ares in September 2006. Previously, Mr. Weiner served as General Counsel to Apollo Management, L.P. and had been an officer of the corporate general partners of Apollo since 1992. Prior to joining Apollo, Mr. Weiner was a partner in the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius specializing in corporate and alternative financing transactions, securities law as well as general partnership, corporate and regulatory matters. Mr. Weiner has served on the boards of directors of several corporations. Mr. Weiner currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Mr. Weiner graduated with a B.S. in Business and Finance from the University of California at Berkeley and a J.D. from the University of Santa Clara.

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

              Our board of directors monitors and performs an oversight role with respect to the business and affairs of the Company, including with respect to investment practices and performance, compliance with regulatory requirements and the services, expenses and performance of service providers to the Company. Among other things, our board of directors approves the appointment of our investment adviser, administrator and officers, reviews and monitors the services and activities performed by our investment adviser, administrator and officers and approves the engagement, and reviews the performance of, our independent registered public accounting firm.

              Under the Company's bylaws, our board of directors may designate a chairman to preside over the meetings of the board of directors and meetings of the stockholders and to perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the board of directors. We do not have a fixed policy as to whether the chairman of the board of directors should be an independent director and believe that our flexibility to select our chairman and reorganize our leadership structure from time to time is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

              Presently, Mr. Arougheti and Mr. Rosenthal serve as co-chairs of our board of directors. Mr. Arougheti is an interested director because he is an Executive Vice President of the Company, is on the Investment Committee of the investment adviser, is a Co-Founder and the Chief Executive Officer and President of Ares and serves on the Board of Directors of Ares Partners Holdco LLC and as a member of the Board of Directors and Management Committee of Ares. The Company believes that Mr. Arougheti's depth of experience in investment management, leveraged finance and financial

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services, as well as his intimate knowledge of the Company's business and operations, gives our board of directors valuable industry-specific knowledge and expertise on these and other matters. Mr. Rosenthal is an interested director because he is a Co-Founder of Ares, Partner of Ares Management GP LLC and a member of the Board of Directors of Ares Partners Holdco LLC and serves on the Board of Directors and the Management Committee of Ares. The Company believes that Mr. Rosenthal's history with the Company, familiarity with the Ares investment platform and extensive experience in the management of private equity and debt investments qualifies him to serve as co-chairman of our board of directors. Moreover, we believe that we are best served through our existing leadership structure with Mr. Arougheti and Mr. Rosenthal as co-chairs of our board of directors, as Mr. Arougheti and Mr. Rosenthal's relationships with our investment adviser provide an effective bridge between our board of directors and our investment adviser, thus ensuring an open dialogue between our board of directors and our investment adviser and that both groups act with a common purpose.

              The independent directors have designated a lead independent director whose duties include, among other things, chairing executive sessions of the independent directors, acting as a liaison between the independent directors and the co-chairs of the board of directors and between the independent directors and officers of the Company and our investment adviser, facilitating communication among the independent directors and the Company's counsel, reviewing and commenting on board of director and committee meeting agendas and calling additional meetings of the independent directors as appropriate. In August 2010, the board of directors designated and appointed Mr. Siegel as the lead independent director and Mr. Siegel has served as lead independent director since that time.

              We believe that board leadership structures must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and that our existing board leadership structure is appropriate. However, we continually re-examine our corporate governance policies on an ongoing basis to ensure that they continue to meet the Company's needs.

BOARD'S ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT

              Our board of directors performs its risk oversight function and fulfills its risk oversight responsibilities primarily (1) through its three standing committees, which report to the entire board of directors and are comprised solely of independent directors and (2) by working with our Chief Compliance Officer to monitor risk in accordance with our compliance policies and procedures.

              As described below in more detail under "Committees of the Board of Directors," the audit committee and the nominating and governance committee assist the board of directors in performing its risk oversight function and fulfilling its risk oversight responsibilities. The audit committee's risk oversight responsibilities include overseeing the Company's accounting and financial reporting processes, assisting the board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to the Company's systems of internal controls over financial reporting, audits of the Company's financial statements and disclosure controls and procedures, assisting the board of directors in determining the fair value of securities that are not publicly traded or for which current market values are not readily available, and discussing with management the Company's major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the Company's risk assessment and risk management policies. The nominating and governance committee's risk oversight responsibilities include developing, reviewing and updating certain policies regarding the nomination of directors, identifying, evaluating and nominating directors to fill vacancies on the board of directors or to stand for election by our stockholders, reviewing the Company's policies relating to corporate governance, and overseeing the evaluation of our board of directors and its committees.

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              Our board of directors also performs its risk oversight function and fulfills its risk oversight responsibilities by working with our Chief Compliance Officer to monitor risk in accordance with the Company's policies and procedures. Our Chief Compliance Officer prepares a written report annually discussing the adequacy and effectiveness of the compliance policies and procedures of the Company and certain of its service providers. Our Chief Compliance Officer's report, which is reviewed by and discussed with our board of directors, addresses at a minimum (1) the operation of the compliance policies and procedures of the Company and certain of its service providers since the last report; (2) any material changes to such policies and procedures since the last report; (3) any recommendations for material changes to such policies and procedures as a result of our Chief Compliance Officer's annual review; and (4) any compliance matter that has occurred since the date of the last report about which our board of directors would reasonably need to know to oversee the Company's compliance activities and risks. In addition, our Chief Compliance Officer reports to our board of directors on a quarterly basis with respect to material compliance matters and meets separately in executive session with the independent directors periodically, but in no event less than once each year.

              We believe that our board of directors' role in risk oversight is effective and appropriate given the extensive regulation to which we are already subject as a BDC. Specifically, as a BDC we must comply with certain regulatory requirements and restrictions that control the levels of risk in our business and operations. For example, our ability to incur indebtedness is limited such that our asset coverage must equal at least 200% immediately after each time we incur indebtedness, we generally have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in "qualifying assets" and, subject to certain exceptions, we are subject to restrictions on our ability to engage in transactions with Ares and its affiliates. See "Regulation." In addition, we have elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code. As a RIC we must, among other things, meet certain source of income and asset diversification requirements. See "Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations."

              We believe that the extent of our board of directors' (and its committees') role in risk oversight complements our board of directors' leadership structure because it allows our independent directors, through the three fully independent board committees, a lead independent director, executive sessions with each of our Chief Compliance Officer, our independent registered public accounting firm and independent valuation providers and otherwise, to exercise oversight of risk without any conflict that might discourage critical review.

              We believe that our board of directors' role in risk oversight must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and that our board of directors' existing role in risk oversight is appropriate. However, our board of directors re-examines the manner in which it administers its risk oversight function on an ongoing basis to ensure that it continues to meet the Company's needs.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

              Our board of directors has established an audit committee, a nominating and governance committee and a co-investment committee. We do not have a compensation committee because our executive officers do not receive any direct compensation from us. During 2017, the board of directors held 15 formal meetings, the audit committee held five formal meetings, the nominating and governance committee held two formal meetings, the co-investment committee held 19 formal meetings and the independent directors held one formal meeting. We encourage, but do not require, the directors to attend our annual meeting of stockholders in person.

Audit Committee

              The members of the audit committee are Ms. Bates and Messrs. Bartlett and Siegel, each of whom is independent for purposes of the Investment Company Act and The NASDAQ Global Select

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Market's corporate governance regulations. Ms. Bates currently serves as chairperson of the audit committee.

              The role of the audit committee is to assist our board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by: (1) overseeing the Company's accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the Company's financial statements and internal control over financial reporting and (2) reviewing the financial reports and other financial information provided by the Company to the public. The audit committee is also responsible for approving our independent registered public accounting firm and recommending them to our board of directors (including a majority of the independent directors) for approval and submission to our stockholders for ratification, reviewing with our independent registered public accounting firm the plans and results of the audit engagement, approving professional services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm and reviewing the adequacy of our internal controls and procedures.

              The audit committee also assists our board of directors in determining the fair value of debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or for which current market values are not readily available, and in connection therewith recommends valuation policies to the board of directors, considers valuation issues with respect to liquid securities and reviews valuations of illiquid securities proposed by the investment adviser. The audit committee also receives input from independent valuation firms that have been engaged at the direction of the board of directors to value certain portfolio investments. In addition, the audit committee is responsible for discussing with the Company's officers and management of our investment adviser the Company's major financial risk exposures and the steps that the Company has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the Company's risk assessment and risk management policies. The audit committee also reviews and approves all transactions with related persons of the Company that are brought to the audit committee's attention, including each annual renewal of our investment advisory and management agreement and our administration agreement.

              This description of the audit committee's role and responsibilities is summary in nature, is not exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the charter of the audit committee, which can be accessed via the Company's website at www.arescapitalcorp.com. The contents of the Company's website are not intended to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement, and any references to the Company's website are intended to be inactive textual references only.

              Our board of directors has determined that Ms. Bates is an "audit committee financial expert" within the meaning of the rules of the SEC.

Nominating and Governance Committee

              The members of the nominating and governance committee are Messrs. Kelly, McKeever and Siegel, each of whom is independent for purposes of the Investment Company Act and The NASDAQ Global Select Market's corporate governance regulations. Mr. McKeever currently serves as chairman of the nominating and governance committee. The nominating and governance committee is responsible for (1) developing, reviewing and, as appropriate, updating certain policies regarding the nomination of directors and recommending such policies or any changes in such policies to the board of directors for approval, (2) identifying individuals qualified to become directors, (3) evaluating and recommending to the board of directors nominees to fill vacancies on the board of directors or committees thereof or to stand for election by the stockholders of the Company, (4) reviewing the Company's policies relating to corporate governance and recommending any changes in such policies to the board of directors, and (5) overseeing the evaluation of the board of directors (including its leadership structure) and its committees.

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              In considering possible candidates for election as a director, the nominating and governance committee takes into account, in addition to such other factors as it deems relevant, the desirability of selecting directors who:

•

are of high character and integrity;



•

are accomplished in their respective fields, with superior credentials and recognition;



•

have relevant expertise and experience upon which to be able to offer advice and guidance to the Company's officers and management of the investment adviser and the administrator;



•

have sufficient time available to devote to the affairs of the Company;



•

are able to work with the other members of the board of directors and contribute to the success of the Company;



•

can represent the long-term interests of the Company's stockholders as a whole; and



•

are selected such that the board of directors represents a range of backgrounds and experience.

              The nominating and governance committee also considers all applicable legal and regulatory requirements that govern the composition of the board of directors.

              The nominating and governance committee may consider recommendations for nomination of directors from our stockholders. Nominations made by stockholders must be delivered to or mailed (setting forth the information required by our bylaws) and received at our principal executive offices not earlier than the 150th day and not later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date on which we first mailed our proxy materials for the previous year's annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting has changed by more than 30 days from the prior year, the nomination must be received not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the later of (1) the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or (2) the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of such meeting date is first made.

              This description of the nominating and governance committee's role and responsibilities is summary in nature, is not exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the charter of the nominating and governance committee, which can be accessed via the Company's website at www.arescapitalcorp.com. The contents of the Company's website are not intended to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement, and any references to the Company's website are intended to be inactive textual references only.

Compensation Committee

              The role of the compensation committee is performed by the audit committee, which is comprised entirely of independent directors for purposes of the NASDAQ corporate governance requirements and rules and regulations of the SEC, including the compensation committee requirements of NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(d) and Rule 5605(a)(2). The Company's executive officers do not receive any direct compensation from us. The audit committee charter contains all of the provisions that a compensation committee charter would be required to include under the NASDAQ corporate governance listing requirements and the rules and regulations of the SEC. In addition, pursuant to the audit committee charter, the amounts payable to our investment adviser and our administrator pursuant to our investment advisory and management agreement and administration agreement, respectively, are separately approved by the audit committee. The compensation payable to our investment adviser pursuant to the investment advisory and management agreement is also

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separately approved by a majority of our independent directors in accordance with Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act.

              The specific responsibilities of the audit committee, including those related to compensation, are set forth in the charter of the audit committee, which can be accessed via the Company's website at www.arescapitalcorp.com. The contents of the Company's website are not intended to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement, and any references to the Company's website are intended to be inactive textual references only.

Co-Investment Committee

              The members of the co-investment committee are Ms. Bates and Messrs. Bartlett, Kelly, McKeever and Siegel, each of whom is independent for purposes of the Investment Company Act and The NASDAQ Global Select Market's corporate governance regulations. The co-investment committee is responsible for reviewing and making certain findings in respect of co-investment transactions pursuant to the Co-investment Exemptive Order the Company received from the Commission on January 18, 2017.

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF OUR DIRECTORS

              The following table sets forth the dollar range of our equity securities based on the closing price of our common stock on March 5, 2018 and the number of shares beneficially owned by each of our directors as of December 31, 2017. We are not part of a "family of investment companies," as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act.

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COMPENSATION TABLE

              The following table shows information regarding the compensation earned or actually received by our directors, none of whom is our employee, for services as a director for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. No compensation is paid by us to interested directors. No information has been provided with respect to our executive officers who are not directors since our executive officers do not receive any direct compensation from us.

              The independent directors receive an annual fee of $160,000. They also receive $2,500 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each board meeting and receive $1,000 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each committee meeting. In addition, the chairperson of the audit committee receives an additional annual fee of $10,000, the lead independent director receives an additional annual fee of $15,000, and each chairperson of any other committee receives an additional annual fee of $2,000 for his or her additional services in these capacities. In addition, we purchase directors' and officers' liability insurance on behalf of our directors and officers.

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PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

              We consider the members of the Investment Committee of Ares Capital Management to be our portfolio managers. The following individuals function as portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of our portfolio.

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              None of the individuals listed above is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the portfolio of any other account, except that Messrs. Affolter, deVeer, Goldstein, Miller, Schnabel, Schwartz and Smith are each Partners of the Ares Credit Group. All such individuals have responsibilities with respect to certain funds and managed accounts, which as of December 31, 2017

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had approximately $71.7 billion (including the Company) of assets under management, a portion of which is used to calculate Ares' advisory fees related to such funds and managed accounts. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—There are significant potential conflicts of interest that could impact our investment returns."

              Each of Messrs. Affolter, Arougheti, deVeer, Goldstein, Miller, Schnabel, Schwartz and Smith is responsible for deal origination, execution and portfolio management. In addition to their deal origination, execution and portfolio management responsibilities, (1) Mr. Arougheti also spends a portion of his time on corporate and administrative activities in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer and President of Ares Management, (2) Mr. deVeer also spends a portion of his time on corporate and administrative activities in his capacity as the Company's Chief Executive Officer and as a Partner in and Head of the Ares Credit Group, (3) Messrs. Goldstein and Smith also spend portions of their time on corporate and administrative activities in their capacities as Co-Presidents of the Company and as Partners of the Ares Credit Group and (4) Messrs. Affolter, Miller, Schnabel and Schwartz are each a Partner in the Ares Credit Group. Each of Messrs. Affolter, Arougheti, deVeer, Goldstein, Miller, Schnabel, Schwartz and Smith receives a compensation package that includes some combination of fixed draw and variable incentive compensation based on our performance. None of the portfolio managers receives any direct compensation from us.

              The following table sets forth the dollar range of our equity securities based on the closing price of our common stock on March 5, 2018 and the number of shares beneficially owned by each of the portfolio managers described above as of December 31, 2017 unless otherwise indicated below.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

Management Services

              Ares Capital Management serves as our investment adviser and is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. Subject to the overall supervision of our board of directors, our investment adviser manages the day-to-day operations of, and provides investment advisory and management services to, Ares Capital. Under the terms of the investment advisory and management agreement, our investment adviser:

•

determines the composition of our portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to our portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes;



•

identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments we make (including performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies);



•

closes and monitors the investments we make;

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•

determines the investments and other assets that we purchase, retain or sell; and



•

provides us with such other investment advisory and research and related services as we may from time to time reasonably require.

              Ares Capital Management's services to us under the investment advisory and management agreement are not exclusive, and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities. Similarly, affiliates of our investment adviser may directly or indirectly manage funds or other investment vehicles with investment objectives similar to ours. Accordingly, we may compete with these Ares funds or other investment vehicles managed by our investment adviser and its affiliates for capital and investment opportunities. Ares Capital Management endeavors to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner, and in any event consistent with any fiduciary duties owed to Ares Capital. Nevertheless, it is possible that we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by investment funds or other investment vehicles managed by Ares Capital Management or its affiliates.

Base Management Fee

              Pursuant to the investment advisory and management agreement and subject to the overall supervision of our board of directors, our investment adviser provides investment advisory and management services to us. For providing these services, our investment adviser receives fees from us consisting of a base management fee, an income based fee and a capital gains incentive fee.

              The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.5% based on the average value of our total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds) at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. The base management fee is payable quarterly in arrears.

Income Based Fee

              The income based fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on our net investment income excluding income based fees and capital gains incentive fees ("pre-incentive fee net investment income") for the quarter. Pre- incentive fee net investment income means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that we receive from portfolio companies but excluding fees for providing managerial assistance) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, any expenses payable under the administration agreement, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the income based fee and capital gains incentive fee accrued under GAAP). Pre-incentive fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature such as market discount, debt instruments with PIK interest, preferred stock with PIK dividends and zero coupon securities, accrued income that we have not yet received in cash. Our investment adviser is not under any obligation to reimburse us for any part of the income based fees it received that were based on accrued interest that we never actually received. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—There are significant potential conflicts of interest that could impact our investment returns" and "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We may be obligated to pay our investment adviser certain fees even if we incur a loss."

              Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses, unrealized capital appreciation, unrealized capital depreciation or income tax expense related to realized gains and losses. Because of the structure of the income based fee, it is possible that we may pay such fees in a quarter where we incur a loss. For example, if we receive pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the hurdle rate (as defined below) for a quarter, we will pay the

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applicable income based fee even if we have incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized and/or unrealized capital losses.

              Pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any income based fees and capital gains incentive fees payable during the period) at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, is compared to a fixed "hurdle rate" of 1.75% per quarter. If market credit spreads rise, we may be able to invest in debt instruments that provide for a higher return, which may increase our pre-incentive fee net investment income and make it easier for our investment adviser to surpass the fixed hurdle rate and receive an income based fee based on such net investment income. To the extent we have retained pre-incentive fee net investment income that has been used to calculate the income based fee, it is also included in the amount of our total assets (other than cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds) used to calculate the 1.5% base management fee.

              We pay our investment adviser an income based fee with respect to our pre-incentive fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows:

•

No income based fee in any calendar quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate;



•

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% in any calendar quarter. We refer to this portion of our pre-incentive fee net investment income (which exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 2.1875%) as the "catch-up" provision. The "catch-up" is meant to provide our investment adviser with 20% of the pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply if this net investment income exceeded 2.1875% in any calendar quarter; and



•

20% of the amount of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter.

              The following is a graphical representation of the calculation of the income based fee:

Quarterly Income Based Fee Based on Net Investment Income

Pre-incentive fee net investment income return
(expressed as a percentage of the value of net assets)

Percentage of pre-incentive fee net investment income
allocated to income based fee

              These calculations are adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the quarter.

              In connection with the American Capital Acquisition, our investment adviser has agreed to waive, for each of the first ten calendar quarters beginning with the second calendar quarter of 2017, the lesser of (1) $10 million of income based fees and (2) the amount of income based fees for such

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quarter, in each case, to the extent earned and payable by us in such quarter pursuant to and as calculated under the investment advisory and management agreement.

Capital Gains Incentive Fee

              The capital gains incentive fee is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or, upon termination of our investment advisory and management agreement, as of the termination date) and is calculated at the end of each applicable year by subtracting (1) the sum of our cumulative aggregate realized capital losses and aggregate unrealized capital depreciation from (2) our cumulative aggregate realized capital gains, in each case calculated from October 8, 2004 (the date we completed our IPO). Realized capital gains and losses include gains and losses on investments and foreign currencies, gains and losses on extinguishment of debt and other assets, as well as any income tax and other expenses related to net realized gains and losses. If such amount is positive at the end of such year, then the capital gains incentive fee for such year is equal to 20% of such amount, less the aggregate amount of capital gains incentive fees paid in all prior years. If such amount is negative, then there is no capital gains incentive fee for such year.

              The cumulative aggregate realized capital gains are calculated as the sum of the differences, if positive, between (1) the net sales price of each investment in our portfolio when sold and (2) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

              The cumulative aggregate realized capital losses are calculated as the sum of the amounts by which (1) the net sales price of each investment in our portfolio when sold is less than (2) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

              The aggregate unrealized capital depreciation is calculated as the sum of the differences, if negative, between (1) the valuation of each investment in our portfolio as of the applicable capital gains incentive fee calculation date and (2) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

              Notwithstanding the foregoing, as a result of an amendment to the capital gains incentive fee under the investment advisory and management agreement that was adopted on June 6, 2011, if we are required by GAAP to record an investment at its fair value as of the time of acquisition instead of at the actual amount paid for such investment by us (including, for example, as a result of the application of the acquisition method of accounting), then solely for the purposes of calculating the capital gains incentive fee, the "accreted or amortized cost basis" of an investment shall be the Contractual Cost Basis, which is an amount equal to (1) (A) the actual amount paid by us for such investment plus (B) any amounts recorded in our financial statements as required by GAAP that are attributable to the accretion of such investment plus (C) any other adjustments made to the cost basis included in our financial statements, including PIK interest or additional amounts funded (net of repayments) minus (2) any amounts recorded in our financial statements as required by GAAP that are attributable to the amortization of such investment, whether such calculated Contractual Cost Basis is higher or lower than the fair value of such investment (as determined in accordance with GAAP) at the time of acquisition.

              We defer cash payment of any income based fee and the capital gains incentive fee 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 (1) the aggregate distributions to our stockholders and (2) the 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 our investment advisory and management agreement.

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Examples of Fee Calculation

Example 1—Income Based Fee(1):

Assumptions

Alternative 1

Additional Assumptions

Alternative 2

Additional Assumptions

Alternative 3

Additional Assumptions

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Example 2—Capital Gains Incentive Fee:

Alternative 1:

Assumptions

•

Year 1: $20 million investment made in Company A ("Investment A"), and $30 million investment made in Company B ("Investment B")

•

Year 2: Investment A is sold for $50 million and fair value ("FV") of Investment B determined to be $32 million

•

Year 3: FV of Investment B determined to be $25 million

•

Year 4: Investment B sold for $31 million

The capital gains incentive fee, if any, would be:

•

Year 1: None (No sales transactions)

•

Year 2: $6 million (20% multiplied by $30 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A)

•

Year 3: None; $5 million (20% multiplied by ($30 million realized cumulative capital gains less $5 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $6 million (previous capital gains incentive fee paid in Year 2)

•

Year 4: $200,000; $6.2 million (20% multiplied by $31 million cumulative realized capital gains) less $6 million (capital gains incentive fee paid in Year 2)

Alternative 2

Assumptions

•

Year 1: $20 million investment made in Company A ("Investment A"), $30 million investment made in Company B ("Investment B") and $25 million investment made in Company C ("Investment C")

•

Year 2: Investment A sold for $50 million, FV of Investment B determined to be $25 million and FV of Investment C determined to be $25 million

•

Year 3: FV of Investment B determined to be $27 million and Investment C sold for $30 million

•

Year 4: FV of Investment B determined to be $35 million

•

Year 5: Investment B sold for $20 million

The capital gains incentive fee, if any, would be:

•

Year 1: None (No sales transactions)

•

Year 2: $5 million (20% multiplied by $25 million ($30 million realized capital gains on Investment A less $5 million unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B))

•

Year 3: $1.4 million ($6.4 million (20% multiplied by $32 million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less $3 million unrealized capital depreciation)) less $5 million (capital gains incentive fee paid in Year 2))

•

Year 4: None (No sales transactions)

•

Year 5: None ($5 million (20% multiplied by $25 million (cumulative realized capital gains of $35 million less realized capital losses of $10 million)) less $6.4 million (cumulative capital gains incentive fee paid in Year 2 and Year 3))

              For the year ended December 31, 2017, we incurred $171 million in base management fees, and $134 million in income based fees. The income based fees for the year ended December 31, 2017 were net of the Fee Waiver of $30 million. There was no capital gains incentive fee earned by our investment adviser as calculated under the investment advisory and management agreement for the year ended December 31, 2017. However, in accordance with GAAP, the Company has cumulatively accrued a capital gains incentive fee of $79 million as of December 31, 2017, all of which was not due under the investment advisory and management agreement.

              For the year ended December 31, 2016, we incurred $137 million in base management fees, and $123 million in income based fees. There was no capital gains incentive fee earned by our investment adviser as calculated under the investment advisory and management agreement for the

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year ended December 31, 2016. However, in accordance with GAAP, the Company has cumulatively accrued a capital gains incentive fee of $38 million as of December 31, 2016, all of which was not due under the investment advisory and management agreement.

              For the year ended December 31, 2015, we incurred $134 million in base management fees and $121 million in income based fees. There was no capital gains incentive fee earned by our investment adviser as calculated under the investment advisory and management agreement for the year ended December 31, 2015. However, in accordance with GAAP, the Company cumulatively accrued a capital gains incentive fee of $42 million as of December 31, 2015, all of which was not due under the investment advisory and management agreement.

              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 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, net of any expenses associated with cumulative unrealized capital depreciation or appreciation. If such amount is positive at the end of a period, then GAAP requires the Company 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. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has paid capital gains incentive fees since inception totaling $57 million. 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.

Payment of Our Expenses

              The services of all investment professionals and staff of our investment adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services to us and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, are provided and paid for by our investment adviser. We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including, but not limited to, those relating to: rent for the offices in which we operate, including rent expenses for our investment activities; organization; calculation of our net asset value (including, but not limited to, the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm); expenses incurred by our investment adviser payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisers, in monitoring our financial and legal affairs and in monitoring our investments (including the cost of consultants hired to develop information technology systems designed to monitor our investments) and performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies; interest payable on indebtedness, if any, incurred to finance our investments (including payments to third party vendors for financial information services); offerings of our common stock and other securities; investment advisory and management fees; administration fees; fees payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisers, relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments regardless of whether such transactions are ultimately consummated; costs of marketing; transfer agent and custodial fees; registration fees; listing fees; taxes; independent directors' fees and expenses; costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents with the SEC; the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders, including printing costs; to the extent we are covered by any joint insurance policies, our allocable portion of the insurance premiums for such policies; direct costs and expenses of

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administration, including auditor and legal costs; and all other expenses incurred by us or our administrator in connection with administering our business as described in more detail under "—Administration Agreement" below.

Duration, Termination and Amendment

              At an in-person meeting of our board of directors on March 16, 2011, the form of our current investment advisory and management agreement, including two proposed amendments to our then existing investment advisory and management agreement, was approved by our board of directors with the recommendation that our stockholders vote to approve the proposed amendments. On June 6, 2011, our stockholders approved the proposed amendments, and we entered into a restated investment advisory and management agreement, reflecting such amendments on June 6, 2011. At an in-person meeting of our board of directors on April 26, 2017, our board of directors, including a majority of the directors who are not "interested persons" of the Company as defined in the Investment Company Act, voted to approve the continuation of the investment advisory and management agreement to June 6, 2018. A discussion regarding the basis for our board of directors' approval of the 2011 adoption of the form of our current investment advisory and management agreement is available in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

              Unless terminated earlier, the investment advisory and management agreement will automatically renew for successive annual periods if approved annually by our board of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, including, in either case, approval by a majority of our directors who are not "interested persons" of the Company (as defined in the Investment Company Act). The investment advisory and management agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The investment advisory and management agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days' written notice to the other party.

              Conflicts of interest may arise if our investment adviser seeks to change the terms of our investment advisory and management agreement, including, for example, the amount of the base management fee, the income based fee, the capital gains incentive fee or other compensation terms. Material amendments to our investment advisory and management agreement must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities and by a majority of our independent directors, and we may from time to time decide it is appropriate to seek the requisite approval to change the terms of the agreement.

Indemnification

              The investment advisory and management agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, our investment adviser, its members and their respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons and members and any other persons or entities affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from us for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of our investment adviser's services under the investment advisory and management agreement or otherwise as our investment adviser.

Organization of our Investment Adviser

              Our investment adviser is a Delaware limited liability company that is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. The principal executive offices of Ares Capital Management are located at 2000 Avenue of the Stars, 12th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90067.

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ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

              We are also party to an administration agreement with Ares Operations, an affiliate of our investment adviser and a subsidiary of Ares Management. Our board of directors approved the continuation of our administration agreement on April 26, 2017, which extended the term of the agreement until June 1, 2018. Pursuant to the administration agreement, Ares Operations furnishes us with office equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at our office facilities. Under the administration agreement, Ares Operations also performs, or oversees the performance of, our required administrative services, which include, among other things, providing assistance in accounting, legal, compliance, operations, investor relations and technology, being responsible for the financial records that we are required to maintain and preparing reports to our stockholders and reports filed with the SEC. In addition, Ares Operations assists us in determining and publishing our net asset value, assists us in providing managerial assistance to our portfolio companies, oversees the preparation and filing of our tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to our stockholders, and generally oversees the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others. Payments under the administration agreement are equal to an amount based upon our allocable portion of Ares Operations' overhead and other expenses (including travel expenses) incurred by Ares Operations in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including our allocable portion of the compensation, rent and other expenses of certain of our officers (including our chief compliance officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, general counsel, secretary, treasurer and assistant treasurer) and their respective staffs. The administration agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days' written notice to the other party.

              For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company incurred $12 million in administrative fees. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company incurred an additional $8 million in administrative fees related to the integration of the American Capital Acquisition. These acquisition-related expenses are included in "professional fees and other costs related to the American Capital Acquisition" in the consolidated statement of operations. As of December 31, 2017, $4 million of these fees were unpaid and included in "accounts payable and other liabilities" in our December 31, 2017 consolidated balance sheet.

              For each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company incurred $14 million in administrative fees. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, $4 million and $4 million of these fees were unpaid and included in "accounts payable and other liabilities" in our December 31, 2016 and 2015 consolidated balance sheets, respectively.

Indemnification

              The administration agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, Ares Operations, its members and their respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons and members and any other persons or entities affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from us for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of Ares Operations' services under the administration agreement or otherwise as our administrator.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

              We have procedures in place for the review, approval and monitoring of transactions involving us and certain persons related to us. For example, we have a code of conduct that generally prohibits any of our officers or directors from engaging in any transaction where there is a conflict between such individual's personal interest and our interests. Waivers to the code of conduct can generally only be obtained from the Chief Compliance Officer, the co-chairs of the board of directors or the chairperson of the audit committee and are publicly disclosed as required by applicable law and regulations. In addition, the audit committee is required to review and approve all related-party transactions (as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K, as promulgated under the Securities Act).

              As a BDC, we are also subject to certain regulatory requirements that restrict our ability to engage in certain related-party transactions. We have separate policies and procedures that have been adopted to ensure that we do not enter into any such prohibited transactions without seeking necessary approvals.

              We are party to an investment advisory and management agreement with Ares Capital Management, a subsidiary of Ares Management, an entity in which certain of our directors and officers and members of the investment committee of our investment adviser may have indirect ownership and pecuniary interests. Certain of our directors and officers and members of the investment committee of our investment adviser also serve as officers or principals of other investment managers affiliated with Ares Management that currently, and may in the future, manage investment funds with investment objectives similar to our investment objective. In addition, certain of our directors and officers and members of the investment committee of our investment adviser serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or related line of business as we do or of investment funds managed by our affiliates. Accordingly, we may not be made aware of and/or be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by investment funds managed by advisers affiliated with Ares Management. However, our investment adviser intends to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with our investment adviser's investment allocation policy. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—There are significant potential conflicts of interest that could impact our investment returns."

              In connection with the American Capital Acquisition, our investment adviser has agreed to waive, for each of the first ten calendar quarters beginning with the second quarter of 2017, the lesser of (i) $10 million of income based fees and (ii) the amount of income based fees for such quarter, in each case to the extent earned and payable by us in such quarter pursuant to and as calculated under the investment advisory and management agreement.

              Pursuant to the terms of the administration agreement between Ares Operations and us, Ares Operations, a subsidiary of Ares Management, currently provides us with certain administrative and other services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations, and we reimburse Ares Operations, at cost, for our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses (including travel expenses) incurred by Ares Operations in performing its obligations under our administration agreement, including our allocable portion of the compensation, rent and other expenses of certain of our officers (including our chief compliance officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, general counsel, secretary, treasurer and assistant treasurer) and their respective staffs, but not investment professionals.

              Our portfolio company, IHAM, is party to an administration agreement with Ares Operations, pursuant to which Ares Operations provides IHAM with, among other things, office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services, services relating to the marketing and sale of interests in vehicles managed by IHAM, services of, and oversight of, custodians, depositories, accountants, attorneys, underwriters and such other persons in any other capacity deemed to be necessary. Under the IHAM administration agreement, IHAM reimburses Ares Operations for all of the actual costs associated with such services, including its allocable portion of the compensation, rent

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and other expenses of its overhead and the cost of Ares Operations' officers and respective staff in performing its obligations under the IHAM administration agreement.

              We are party to office leases pursuant to which we are leasing office facilities from third parties. For certain of these office leases, we have also entered into separate subleases with Ares Management LLC, the sole member of the investment adviser, and IHAM, pursuant to which Ares Management LLC and IHAM sublease a portion of these leases. For the year ended December 31, 2017, amounts payable by Ares Management LLC and IHAM to us under these subleases totaled $7 million. Ares Management LLC has also entered into separate subleases with us, pursuant to which we sublease certain office leases from Ares Management LLC. For the year ended December 31, 2017, amounts payable to Ares Management LLC under these subleases totaled $1 million.

              We have entered into agreements with Ares Management LLC and IHAM, pursuant to which Ares Management LLC and IHAM are entitled to use our proprietary portfolio management software. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, amounts payable by Ares Management LLC and IHAM to us under these agreements totaled $0 million.

              We have also entered into a license agreement with Ares Management LLC pursuant to which Ares Management LLC has agreed to grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name "Ares." Under this agreement, we will have a right to use the Ares name for so long as Ares Capital Management remains our investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, we have no legal right to the "Ares" name.

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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

              To our knowledge, as of March 6, 2018, there were no persons that owned 25% or more of our outstanding voting securities and no person would be deemed to control us, as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act.

              The following table sets forth, as of March 6, 2018 (unless otherwise noted), the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by each of our current directors and named executive officers, all directors, executive officers and certain other officers as a group and certain beneficial owners, according to information furnished to us by such persons or publicly available filings.

              Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. Ownership information for those persons who beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock is based upon Schedule 13D, Schedule 13G, Form 13F or other filings by such persons with the SEC and other information obtained from such persons. To our knowledge, as of March 6, 2018, there were no persons that owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Except as otherwise noted below, each person named in the following table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our common stock that he or she beneficially owns.

              The address for Messrs. Arougheti, deVeer, Goldstein, Rosen and Smith, Ms. Roll and certain other officers is c/o Ares Capital Corporation, 245 Park Avenue, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10167. The address for each of the other directors, executive officers and certain other officers is c/o Ares Capital Corporation, 2000 Avenue of the Stars, 12th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90067.

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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

              The net asset value per share of our outstanding shares of common stock is determined quarterly by dividing the value of total assets minus liabilities by the total number of shares outstanding.

              Investments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued at such market quotations. In order to validate market quotations, we look at a number of factors to determine if the quotations are representative of fair value, including the source and nature of the quotations. Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available (i.e., substantially all of our investments) are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors, based on, among other things, the input of our investment adviser, audit committee and independent third-party valuation firms that have been engaged at the direction of our board of directors to assist in the valuation of each portfolio investment without a readily available market quotation at least once during a trailing 12-month period (with certain de minimis exceptions) and under a valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process. We follow ASC 820-10, which expands the application of fair value accounting for investments (see Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017). ASC 820-10 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. ASC 820-10 determines fair value to be the price that would be received for an investment in a current sale, which assumes an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The valuation process is conducted at the end of each fiscal quarter, and a portion of the Company's investment portfolio at fair value is subject to review by an independent valuation firm each quarter. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm obtains an understanding of, and performs select procedures relating to, our investment valuation process within the context of performing the integrated audit.

              As part of the valuation process, we may take into account the following types of factors, if relevant, in determining the fair value of our investments: the enterprise value of a portfolio company (the entire value of the portfolio company to a market participant, including the sum of the values of debt and equity securities used to capitalize the enterprise at a point in time), the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company's ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, a comparison of the portfolio company's securities to similar publicly traded securities, changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets, which may affect the price at which similar investments would trade in their principal markets and other relevant factors. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we consider the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate our valuation.

              Because there is not a readily available market value for most of the investments in our portfolio, we value substantially all of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors, as described herein. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values that we may ultimately realize. Further, such investments are generally subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise are less liquid than publicly traded securities. If we were required to liquidate a portfolio investment in a forced or liquidation sale, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we have previously recorded it.

              In addition, changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the unrealized gains or losses reflected in the valuations currently assigned.

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              Our board of directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

•

Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals responsible for the portfolio investment in conjunction with our portfolio management team.



•

Preliminary valuations are reviewed and discussed with our investment adviser's management and investment professionals, and then valuation recommendations are presented to the board of directors.



•

The audit committee of our board of directors reviews these valuations, as well as the input of third parties, including independent third-party valuation firms who have reviewed a portion of the investments in the Company's portfolio at fair value.



•

The board of directors discusses valuations and ultimately determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio without a readily available market quotation in good faith based on, among other things, the input of our investment adviser, audit committee and, where applicable, independent third- party valuation firms.

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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

              We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of any distributions we declare in cash on behalf of our stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash as provided below. As a result, if our board of directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend, then our stockholders who have not "opted out" of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividends.

              No action is required on the part of a registered stockholder to have their cash dividend reinvested in shares of our common stock. A registered stockholder may elect to receive an entire cash dividend in cash by notifying Computershare Shareowner Services LLC ("Computershare"), the plan administrator and our transfer agent and registrar, in writing so that such notice is received by the plan administrator no later than the record date fixed by the board of directors for dividends to stockholders. The plan administrator will set up an account for shares acquired through the dividend reinvestment plan for each stockholder who has not elected to receive dividends in cash and hold such shares in non-certificated form. Upon request by a stockholder participating in the dividend reinvestment plan, received in writing no later than 10 days prior to the record date, the plan administrator will, instead of crediting fractional shares to the participant's account, issue a check for any fractional share.

              Those stockholders whose shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary may receive dividends in cash by notifying their broker or another financial intermediary of their election.

              We intend to use primarily newly issued shares to implement the dividend reinvestment plan (so long as our shares are trading at or at a premium to net asset value). If our shares are trading at a discount to net asset value and we are otherwise permitted under applicable law to purchase such shares, we intend to purchase shares in the open market in connection with our obligations under our dividend reinvestment plan. However, we reserve the right to issue new shares of our common stock in connection with our obligations under the dividend reinvestment plan even if our shares are trading below net asset value. If newly issued shares are used to implement the dividend reinvestment plan, the number of shares to be issued to a stockholder shall be determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to such stockholder by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of regular trading on The NASDAQ Global Select Market on the dividend payment date. Market price per share on that date shall be the closing price for such shares on The NASDAQ Global Select Market or, if no sale is reported for such day, at the average of their reported bid and asked prices. If shares are purchased in the open market to implement the dividend reinvestment plan, the number of shares to be issued to a stockholder shall be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the cash dividend payable to such stockholder by the weighted average price per share for all shares purchased by the plan administrator in the open market in connection with the dividend. The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after giving effect to payment of the dividend cannot be established until the value per share at which additional shares will be issued has been determined and elections of our stockholders have been tabulated.

              There are no brokerage charges or other charges to stockholders who participate in the dividend reinvestment plan. The plan administrator's fees under the plan are paid by us. If a participant elects by notice to the plan administrator in advance of termination to have the plan administrator sell part or all of the shares held by the plan administrator in the participant's account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan administrator is authorized to deduct a transaction fee of up to $15 plus a $0.12 per share fee from the proceeds.

              Stockholders whose cash dividends are reinvested in shares of our common stock are subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as are stockholders who elect to receive their dividends in cash. A stockholder's initial basis for determining gain or loss upon the sale of stock

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received in a dividend from us will be equal to the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to the stockholder. Any stock received on reinvestment of a cash dividend will have a new holding period for tax purposes commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the U.S. stockholder's account. See "Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations."

              Participants may terminate their accounts under the dividend reinvestment plan by notifying the plan administrator via its website at www.computershare.com/investor, by filling out the transaction request form located at bottom of their statement and sending it to the plan administrator at P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170 or by calling the plan administrator's hotline at 1-866-365-2497.

              The dividend reinvestment plan may be terminated by us upon notice in writing mailed to each participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any dividend by us. All correspondence concerning the dividend reinvestment plan should be directed to the plan administrator via the Internet at www.computershare.com/investor, by mail at P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170 or by telephone at 1-866-365- 2497.

              Additional information about the dividend reinvestment plan may be obtained by contacting the plan administrator via the Internet at www.computershare.com/investor, by mail at P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170 or by telephone at 1-866-365- 2497.

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CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

              The following discussion is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and to an investment in shares of our preferred stock or our common stock and our qualification and taxation as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This discussion does not purport to be a complete description of all of the tax considerations relating thereto. In particular, we have not described certain considerations that may be relevant to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including stockholders subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for securities holdings, pension plans and trusts, financial institutions, persons who hold our preferred stock and our common stock as part of a straddle or a hedging or conversion transaction, and U.S. stockholders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. This discussion assumes that investors hold our preferred stock or common stock as capital assets (within the meaning of the Code). This discussion is based upon the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations, published rulings and court decisions, each as of the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to change, possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") regarding the offerings pursuant to this prospectus or pursuant to the accompanying prospectus supplement unless expressly stated therein. This discussion does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate or gift tax or foreign, state or local tax. It does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if we invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets. It also does not discuss the tax aspects of common or preferred stock sold in units with the other securities being registered.

              If we issue preferred stock that may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for securities or other property or preferred stock with other terms that may have different U.S. federal income tax consequences than those described in this summary, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of such preferred stock will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. This summary does not discuss the consequences of an investment in our subscription rights, debt securities or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our preferred stock, common stock or debt securities or as units in combination with such securities. The U.S. federal income tax consequences of such an investment will be discussed in the relevant prospectus supplement.

              A "U.S. stockholder" is a beneficial owner of shares of our preferred stock or common stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

•

a citizen or individual resident of the United States;



•

a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;



•

a trust, if a court within the United States has primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or



•

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

              A "non-U.S. stockholder" is a beneficial owner of shares of our preferred stock or common stock that is neither a U.S. stockholder nor an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

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              If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of our preferred stock or common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Prospective beneficial owners of shares of our preferred or common stock that are partnerships or partners in such partnerships should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our preferred stock or common stock.

              Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences to investors in our shares will depend on the facts of their particular situation. We encourage investors to consult their own tax advisers regarding the specific consequences of such an investment, including tax reporting requirements, the applicability of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax laws, eligibility for the benefits of any applicable tax treaty and the effect of any possible changes in the tax laws.

ELECTION TO BE TAXED AS A RIC

              As a BDC, we have elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code. As a RIC, we generally will not pay corporate-level income taxes on our income and net capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends on a timely basis. We will be subject to U.S. federal corporate-level income tax on any undistributed income and/or gains. To continue to qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source of income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, we must distribute to our stockholders, for each taxable year, generally an amount equal to at least 90% of our "investment company taxable income," as defined by the Code. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We may be subject to additional corporate-level income taxes if we fail to maintain our status as a RIC."

TAXATION AS A RIC

              If we:

•

qualify as a RIC; and



•

satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement;

then we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our investment company taxable income and net capital gain (generally, net long- term capital gain in excess of net short-term capital loss) we distribute (or are deemed to distribute) to stockholders. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income or capital gain not distributed (or deemed distributed) to our stockholders.

              We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax on certain undistributed income unless we distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our ordinary income for each calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (3) any income recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years (collectively, the "Excise Tax Requirement"). We have paid in the past, and can be expected to pay in the future, such excise tax on a portion of our income.

              Moreover, our ability to dispose of assets to meet our distribution requirements may be limited by (1) the illiquid nature of our portfolio and (2) other requirements relating to our status as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests (as defined below). If we dispose of assets to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement, the Diversification Tests, or the Excise Tax Requirement, we may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous.

              To qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we generally must, among other things:

•

qualify to be treated as a BDC at all times during each taxable year;

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•

derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from (a) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of stock or other securities or other income derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock or securities or (b) net income derived from an interest in a "qualified publicly traded partnership," or "QPTP" (collectively, the "90% Income Test"); and



•

diversify our holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year:



•

at least 50% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities that, with respect to any issuer, do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer; and



•

no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in the securities, other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other RICs, of (i) one issuer, (ii) two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable tax rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or (iii) securities of one or more QPTPs (collectively, the "Diversification Tests").

              We may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive cash, such as income from hedging or foreign currency transactions. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments originally issued at a price less than par or, in certain cases, that have increasing interest rates or that are issued with warrants) or have PIK interest, such original issue discount or PIK interest is included in our investment company taxable income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. As such, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement and/or the Excise Tax Requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount.

              Furthermore, a portfolio company in which we invest may face financial difficulty that requires us to work-out, modify or otherwise restructure our investment in the portfolio company. Any such restructuring could, depending on the specific terms of the restructuring, result in unusable capital losses and future non-cash income.

              In addition, certain of our investment practices may be subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (a) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (b) convert long-term capital gain (currently taxed at lower rates for non-corporate taxpayers) into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (c) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (d) adversely affect the time when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur or (e) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions. We will monitor our transactions and may make certain tax elections in order to mitigate the effects of these provisions; however, no assurance can be given that we will be eligible for any such tax elections or that any elections we make will fully mitigate the effects of these provisions.

              Gain or loss recognized by us from warrants acquired by us as well as any loss attributable to the lapse of such warrants generally will be treated as capital gain or loss. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term or short-term, depending on how long we held a particular warrant.

              Our investment in non-U.S. securities may be subject to non-U.S. income, withholding and other taxes. In that case, our yield on those securities would be decreased. Stockholders will generally not be entitled to claim a U.S. foreign tax credit or deduction with respect to non-U.S. taxes paid by us.

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              If we purchase shares in a "passive foreign investment company" (a "PFIC"), we may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any "excess distribution" or gain from the disposition of such shares, even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by us to our stockholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on us in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. If we invest in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a "qualified electing fund" under the Code (a "QEF"), in lieu of the foregoing requirements, we will be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the QEF, even if such income is not distributed to us. Alternatively, we may elect to mark-to-market at the end of each taxable year our shares in such PFIC; in this case, we will recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such shares, and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value to the extent it does not exceed prior increases included in income. Our ability to make either election will depend on factors beyond our control, and we are subject to limitations which may limit the availability or benefit of these elections. Under either election, we may be required to recognize in any year income in excess of our distributions from PFICs and our proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock during that year, and such income will nevertheless be subject to the Annual Distribution Requirement and will be taken into account for purposes of determining whether we satisfy the Excise Tax Requirement.

              Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time we accrue income, expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time we actually collect such income or pay such expenses or liabilities may be treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts, the disposition of debt denominated in a foreign currency and other financial transactions denominated in foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, may also be treated as ordinary income or loss.

              If we borrow money, we may be prevented by loan covenants from declaring and paying dividends in certain circumstances. Even if we are authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy distribution requirements, under the Investment Company Act, we generally are not permitted to make distributions to our stockholders while our debt obligations and senior securities are outstanding unless certain "asset coverage" tests or other financial covenants are met. Limits on our payment of dividends may prevent us from meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement, and may, therefore, jeopardize our qualification for taxation as a RIC, or subject us to the 4% excise tax on undistributed income.

              Some of the income and fees that we recognize, such as management fees, may not satisfy the 90% Income Test. In order to ensure that such income and fees do not disqualify us as a RIC for a failure to satisfy the 90% Income Test, we may be required to recognize such income or fees through one or more entities treated as U.S. corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. While we expect that recognizing such income through such corporations will assist us in satisfying the 90% Income Test, no assurance can be given that this structure will be respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which could result in such income not being counted towards satisfying the 90% Income Test. If the amount of such income was too great and we were otherwise unable to mitigate this effect, it could result in our disqualification as a RIC. If, as we expect, the structure is respected, such corporations will be required to pay U.S. corporate income tax on their earnings, which ultimately will reduce the yield on such income and fees.

              If we fail to satisfy the 90% Income Test or the Diversification Tests in any taxable year, we may be eligible for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if a penalty tax is paid with respect to each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. Additionally, relief is provided for certain de minimis failures of the diversification requirements where we correct the failure within a specified period. If the applicable relief provisions are not available or cannot be met, all of our income would be subject to corporate-level income tax as described below. We cannot provide assurance that we would qualify for any such relief should we fail the 90% Income Test or the Diversification Test.

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              If we fail to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement or otherwise fail to qualify as a RIC in any taxable year, and are not eligible for relief as described above, we will be subject to tax in that year on all of our taxable income, regardless of whether we make any distributions to our stockholders. In that case, all of our income will be subject to corporate-level income tax, reducing the amount available to be distributed to our stockholders. In contrast, assuming we qualify as a RIC, our U.S. federal corporate-level income tax should be substantially reduced or eliminated. See "Election to Be Taxed as a RIC" above and "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We may be subject to additional corporate-level income taxes if we fail to maintain our status as a RIC."

Capital Loss Carryforwards and Unrealized Losses

              As a RIC, we are permitted to carry forward a net capital loss realized in a taxable year beginning on or before January 1, 2011 to offset our capital gain, if any, realized during the eight years following the year of the loss. A capital loss carryforward realized in a taxable year beginning before January 1, 2011 is treated as a short-term capital loss in the year to which it is carried. We are permitted to carry forward a net capital loss realized in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011 to offset capital gain indefinitely. For net capital losses realized in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011, the excess of our net short-term capital loss over our net long-term capital gain is treated as a short- term capital loss arising on the first day of our next taxable year and the excess of our net long-term capital loss over our net short-term capital gain is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of our next taxable year. If future capital gain is offset by carried-forward capital losses, such future capital gain is not subject to fund-level U.S. federal income tax, regardless of whether distributed to stockholders. A RIC cannot carry back or carry forward any net operating losses.

              It is believed that transactions we have undertaken, including the Allied Acquisition, have resulted in a limitation on our ability to use both our own and Allied Capital's capital loss carryforwards and, potentially, to use unrealized capital losses inherent in the tax basis of our own pre- acquisition assets and Allied Capital's assets we acquired. These limitations, imposed by Section 383 of the Code and based on the principles of Section 382 of the Code, are imposed on an annual basis. Losses in excess of the limitation may be carried forward, subject to the overall eight-year limitation. The Section 382 limitation applied to our and Allied Capital's losses generally will equal the product of the net asset value of each corporation immediately prior to the Allied Acquisition, respectively, and the "long-term tax-exempt rate," published by the IRS, in effect at such time. As of April 2010, the month during which the Allied Acquisition was consummated, the long-term tax-exempt rate was 4.03%. While our ability to utilize losses in the future depends upon a variety of factors that cannot be known in advance, because capital loss carryforwards realized in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011 generally expire eight taxable years following recognition, substantially all of our and Allied Capital's losses may become permanently unavailable. Future transactions we enter into may further limit our ability to utilize losses.

              As of December 31, 2017, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we had capital loss carryforwards of approximately $43 million and other losses limited under Sections 382 of the Code of approximately $0.3 billion. These amounts are estimates and will not be finally determined until we file our 2017 income tax return in 2018.

TAXATION OF U.S. STOCKHOLDERS

              Whether an investment in the shares of our preferred stock or common stock is appropriate for a U.S. stockholder will depend upon that person's particular circumstances. An investment in the shares of our preferred stock or common stock by a U.S. stockholder may have adverse tax consequences. The following summary generally describes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in shares of our preferred stock and common stock by taxable U.S. stockholders and not by U.S. stockholders that generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. U.S.

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stockholders should consult their own tax advisors before investing in shares of our preferred stock or common stock.

Distributions on Our Preferred Stock and Common Stock

              Distributions by us generally are taxable to U.S. stockholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain. Distributions of our investment company taxable income (which is, generally, our ordinary income excluding net capital gain) will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. stockholders to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares of our common stock. Distributions of our net capital gain (which generally is the excess of our net long-term capital gain over our net short-term capital loss) properly reported by us as "capital gain dividends" will be taxable to U.S. stockholders as long-term capital gains (which, under current law, are taxed at preferential rates in the case of individuals, trusts or estates). This is true regardless of U.S. stockholders' holding periods for their preferred stock or common stock and regardless of whether the dividend is paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. stockholder's adjusted tax basis in such stockholder's preferred stock or common stock and, after the adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain to such U.S. stockholder. We have made distributions in excess of our earnings and profits and may continue to do so in the future. As a result, a U.S. stockholder will need to consider the effect of our distributions on such U.S. stockholder's adjusted tax basis in our preferred stock or common stock in their individual circumstances.

              A portion of our ordinary income dividends, but not capital gain dividends, paid to corporate U.S. stockholders may, if certain conditions are met, qualify for the 50% dividends-received deduction to the extent that we have received dividends from certain corporations during the taxable year, but only to the extent such ordinary income dividends are treated as paid out of our earnings and profits. We expect only a small portion of our dividends to qualify for this deduction. A corporate U.S. stockholder may be required to reduce its basis on its preferred stock with respect to certain "extraordinary dividends," as provided under Section 1059 of the Code. Corporate U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisors in determining the application of these rules in their particular circumstances.

              In general, "qualified dividend income" realized by non-corporate U.S. stockholders is taxable at the same rate as net capital gain. Generally, qualified dividend income is dividend income attributable to certain U.S. and foreign corporations, as long as certain holding period requirements are met. As long as certain requirements are met, our dividends paid to non-corporate U.S. stockholders attributable to qualified dividend income may be treated by such U.S. stockholders as qualified dividend income, but only to the extent such ordinary income dividends are treated as paid out of our earnings and profits. We expect only a small portion of our dividends to qualify as qualified dividend income.

              Although we currently intend to distribute any of our net capital gain for each taxable year on a timely basis, we may in the future decide to retain some or all of our net capital gain, and may designate the retained amount as a "deemed distribution." In that case, among other consequences, we will pay tax on the retained amount, each U.S. stockholder will be required to include such stockholder's share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been actually distributed to the U.S. stockholder, and the U.S. stockholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to such stockholder's allocable share of the tax paid thereon by us. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to the U.S. stockholder's adjusted tax basis for such stockholder's preferred stock or common stock.

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capital gain, the amount of tax that individual stockholders will be treated as having paid and for which they will receive a credit would exceed the tax they owe on the retained net capital gain. Such excess generally may be claimed as a credit against a U.S. stockholder's other U.S. federal income tax obligations or may be refunded to the extent it exceeds the stockholder's liability for U.S. federal income tax. A U.S. stockholder that is not subject to U.S. federal income tax or otherwise is not required to file a U.S. federal income tax return would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return on the appropriate form in order to claim a refund for the taxes we paid. In order to utilize the deemed distribution approach, we must provide a written statement to our stockholders reporting the deemed distribution after the close of the relevant taxable year. We cannot treat any of our investment company taxable income as a "deemed distribution."

              For purposes of determining (1) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (2) the amount of dividends paid for that year, we may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If we make such an election, the U.S. stockholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by our U.S. stockholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

              We have the ability to declare a large portion of a dividend in shares of our stock. As long as a portion of such dividend is paid in cash and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, our stockholders will be taxed on 100% of the fair market value of the dividend on the date the dividend is received in the same manner as a cash dividend, even though most of the dividend was paid in shares of our stock, which may result in our U.S. stockholders having to pay tax on such dividends, even if no cash is received, and our non-U.S. stockholders may be subject to withholding tax in respect of amounts distributed in our common stock. In general, any dividend on shares of our preferred stock will be taxable as a dividend, regardless of whether any portion is paid in stock.

              If investors purchase shares of our preferred stock or common stock shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the shares will include the value of the distribution and the investors will be subject to tax on the distribution even though it represents a return of their investment. We have built-up or have the potential to build up large amounts of unrealized gain which, when realized and distributed, could have the effect of a taxable return of capital to stockholders.

              Distributions that we make to our U.S. stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits will not be eligible for the 20% pass-through deduction under Section 199A.

Sale or Other Disposition of Our Preferred Stock or Common Stock

              A U.S. stockholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the U.S. stockholder sells or otherwise disposes of such stockholder's shares of our preferred stock or common stock. The amount of gain or loss will be measured by the difference between such stockholder's adjusted tax basis in the stock sold and the amount of the proceeds received in exchange. Any gain arising from such sale or disposition generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the stockholder has held such stockholder's shares for more than one year. Otherwise, such gain or loss will be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or disposition of shares of our preferred stock or common stock held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received, or undistributed capital gain deemed received, with respect to such shares. In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of shares of our preferred stock or common stock may be disallowed if substantially

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identical stock or securities are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition.

              In general, U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are taxed at preferential rates on their net capital gain (generally, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss for a taxable year, including long-term capital gain derived from an investment in our shares). Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. Corporate U.S. stockholders currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum rate that also applies to ordinary income. Non-corporate U.S. stockholders with net capital losses for a year (i.e., capital loss in excess of capital gain) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each year; any net capital losses of a non-corporate U.S. stockholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent years as provided in the Code. Corporate U.S. stockholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a year, but may carry back such losses for three years or carry forward such losses for five years.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

              We will send to each of our U.S. stockholders, after the end of each calendar year, a notice providing, on a per share and per distribution basis, the amounts includible in such U.S. stockholder's taxable income for such year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the U.S. federal tax status of each year's distributions generally will be reported to the IRS. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on a U.S. stockholder's particular situation.

              We may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax ("backup withholding") from all taxable distributions to any non-corporate U.S. stockholder (1) who fails to furnish us with a correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that such stockholder is exempt from backup withholding or (2) with respect to whom the IRS notifies us has failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect. An individual's taxpayer identification number is his or her social security number. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld under backup withholding is allowed as a credit against the U.S. stockholder's U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such stockholder to a refund, provided that proper information is timely provided to the IRS.

Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income

              An additional 3.8% surtax is imposed on the "net investment income" of certain U.S. holders who are citizens and resident aliens, and on the undistributed "net investment income" of certain estates and trusts. Among other items, "net investment income" includes generally taxable distributions or deemed distributions of stock, such as our preferred stock and our common stock, as well as taxable gain on the disposition of stock, including our preferred stock or common stock.

Withholding and Information Reporting on Foreign Financial Accounts

              Pursuant to Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations thereunder, the relevant withholding agent generally will be required to withhold 30% of any dividends on our preferred stock and common stock and, after December 31, 2018, 30% of the gross proceeds from a sale of our preferred stock and common stock to (i) a foreign financial institution (whether such financial institution is the beneficial owner or an intermediary) unless such foreign financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its U.S. accountholders and meets certain other specified requirements or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity (whether such entity is the beneficial owner or an intermediary) unless such entity certifies that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provides the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner and such entity

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meets certain other specified requirements. In certain cases, the relevant foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity may qualify for an exemption from, or be deemed to be in compliance with, these rules. Certain jurisdictions have entered into agreements with the United States that may supplement or modify these rules. We will not pay any additional amounts in respect to any amounts withheld.

Reportable Transactions

              Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a stockholder recognizes a loss with respect to shares of $2 million or more for a non-corporate stockholder or $10 million or more for a corporate stockholder in any single taxable year (or a greater loss over a combination of years), the stockholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct stockholders of certain portfolio securities in many cases are excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, stockholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to stockholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Significant monetary penalties apply to a failure to comply with this reporting requirement. States may also have a similar reporting requirement. Stockholders should consult their own tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

TAXATION OF NON-U.S. STOCKHOLDERS

              Whether an investment in shares of our preferred stock or common stock is appropriate for a non-U.S. stockholder will depend upon that person's particular circumstances. An investment in shares of our preferred stock or common stock by a non-U.S. stockholder may have adverse tax consequences and, accordingly, may not be appropriate for a non-U.S. stockholder. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisors before investing in our preferred stock or common stock.

Distributions on our Preferred Stock or Common Stock

              Distributions of our investment company taxable income to non-U.S. stockholders will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% (unless lowered or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty) to the extent payable from our current and accumulated earnings and profits unless an exception applies.

              If a non-U.S. stockholder receives distributions and such distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder and, if an income tax treaty applies, attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States of such non-U.S. stockholder, such distributions generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. persons. In that case, we will not be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax if the non-U.S. stockholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements. Special certification requirements apply to a non-U.S. stockholder that is a foreign trust and such entities are urged to consult their own tax advisors.

              Actual or deemed distributions of our net capital gain (which generally is the excess of our net long-term capital gain over our net short-term capital loss) to a non-U.S. stockholder, and gains recognized by a non-U.S. stockholder upon the sale of our preferred stock or common stock, will not be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax and generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless (a) the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder and, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. stockholder in the United States (as discussed above) or (b) the non-U.S. stockholder is an individual, has been present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year, and certain other conditions are satisfied. For a corporate

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non-U.S. stockholder, distributions (both actual and deemed), and gains recognized upon the sale of our preferred stock or common stock that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional "branch profits tax" (unless lowered or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty). Non-U.S. stockholders of our preferred stock or common stock are encouraged to consult their own advisors as to the applicability of an income tax treaty in their individual circumstances.

              In general, no U.S. source withholding taxes will be imposed on dividends paid by RICs to non-U.S. stockholders to the extent the dividends are designated as "interest- related dividends" or "short-term capital gain dividends." Under this exemption, interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends generally represent distributions of interest or short-term capital gain that would not have been subject to U.S. withholding tax at the source if they had been received directly by a non-U.S. stockholder, and that satisfy certain other requirements. No assurance can be given that we will distribute any interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends.

              If we distribute our net capital gain in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions (which we may do in the future), a non-U.S. stockholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the non-U.S. stockholder's allocable share of the tax we pay on the capital gain deemed to have been distributed. In order to obtain the refund, the non-U.S. stockholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number (if one has not been previously obtained) and file a U.S. federal income tax return even if the non-U.S. stockholder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a U.S. federal income tax return.

              We have the ability to declare a large portion of a dividend in shares of our common stock. 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 will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, our non-U.S. stockholders will be taxed on 100% of the fair market value of the dividend on the date the dividend is received in the same manner as a cash dividend (including the application of withholding tax rules described above), even though most of the dividend was paid in shares of our common stock. In such a circumstance, we may be required to withhold all or substantially all of the cash we would otherwise distribute to a non-U.S. stockholder. In general, any dividend on shares of our preferred stock will be taxable as a dividend, regardless of whether any portion is paid in stock.

              A non-U.S. stockholder who is otherwise subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax on dividends unless the non-U.S. stockholder provides us or the dividend paying agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or an acceptable substitute form) or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a non-U.S. stockholder or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding.

              Pursuant to Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations thereunder, the relevant withholding agent generally will be required to withhold 30% of any dividends paid on our preferred stock and common stock and, after December 31, 2018, 30% of the gross proceeds from a sale of our preferred stock and common stock to (i) a foreign financial institution unless such foreign financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its U.S. accountholders and meets certain other specified requirements or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity that is the beneficial owner of the payment unless such entity certifies that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provides the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner and such entity meets certain other specified requirements. If payment of this withholding tax is made, non-U.S. stockholders that are otherwise eligible for an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding taxes with respect to such dividends or proceeds will be required to seek a credit or refund from the IRS to obtain the benefit of such exemption or reduction. In certain cases, the relevant foreign financial

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institution or non-financial foreign entity may qualify for an exemption from, or be deemed to be in compliance with, these rules. Certain jurisdictions have entered into agreements with the United States that may supplement or modify these rules. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the particular consequences to them of this legislation and guidance. We will not pay any additional amounts in respect to any amounts withheld.

FAILURE TO QUALIFY AS A RIC

              If we were unable to qualify for treatment as a RIC, and relief were not available as discussed above, we would be subject to tax on all of our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We would not be able to deduct distributions to stockholders and would not be required to make distributions for tax purposes. Distributions generally would be taxable to our stockholders as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, corporate U.S. stockholders would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the stockholder's tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. If we were to fail to meet the RIC requirements for more than two consecutive years and then sought to requalify as a RIC, we would be subject to tax on any unrealized net built-in gains in the assets held by us during the period in which we failed to qualify as a RIC that are recognized within the subsequent five years, unless we make a special election to pay corporate-level tax on such built-in gains at the time of our requalification as a RIC.

POSSIBLE LEGISLATIVE OR OTHER ACTIONS AFFECTING TAX CONSIDERATIONS

              Prospective investors should recognize that the present U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in shares of our preferred stock or common stock may be modified by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time, and that any such action may affect investments and commitments previously made. The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department, resulting in revisions of regulations and revised interpretations of established concepts as well as statutory changes. Revisions in U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in us.

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

              This prospectus contains a summary of the common stock, preferred stock, subscription rights, debt securities, warrants and units. These summaries are not meant to be a complete description of each security. However, this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms and conditions for each security.

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

              The following description is based on relevant portions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and on our charter and bylaws. This summary is not necessarily complete, and we refer you to the Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws for a more detailed description of the provisions summarized below.

STOCK

              Our authorized stock consists of 600,000,000 shares of stock, par value $0.001 per share, all of which are currently designated as common stock. Our common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "ARCC." On March 5, 2018, the last reported sales price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Select Market was $15.87 per share. There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase our stock. No stock has been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not personally liable for our indebtedness or obligations.

              Under our charter, our board of directors is authorized to classify any unissued shares of stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of stock into one or more classes or series of stock and authorize the issuance of shares of stock without obtaining stockholder approval. As permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter provides that a majority of the entire board of directors, without any action by our stockholders, may amend the charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue.

Common Stock

              All shares of our common stock have equal rights as to earnings, assets, dividends and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Distributions may be paid to the holders of our common stock if, as and when authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of funds legally available therefor. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and are freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract.

              In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay off all indebtedness and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time.

              Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of our directors, and holders of less than a majority of such shares will be unable to elect any director.

              The following are our outstanding classes of capital stock as of March 5, 2018:

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Preferred Stock

              Our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify any unissued shares of stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, including preferred stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the board of directors is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of our preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.

              You should note, however, that any issuance of preferred stock must comply with the requirements of the Investment Company Act. The Investment Company Act requires, among other things, that (a) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to our common stock and before any purchase of common stock is made, such preferred stock together with all other indebtedness and senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be and (b) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock are in arrears by two years or more. Certain matters under the Investment Company Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock. For example, holders of preferred stock would vote separately from the holders of common stock on a proposal to cease operations as a BDC. We believe that the availability for issuance of preferred stock may provide us with increased flexibility in structuring future financings and acquisitions.

LIMITATION ON LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS; INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

              Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final adjudication as being material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision, which eliminates directors' and officers' liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act.

              Our charter authorizes us to obligate ourselves, and our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in that capacity and to pay or reimburse his or her reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The charter and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of us in any of the capacities described above and any of our employees or agents or any employees or agents of our predecessor. In accordance with the Investment Company Act, we will not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such person's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

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              In addition to the indemnification provided for in our bylaws, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and certain of our officers and with members of our investment adviser's investment committee and we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our future directors, members of our investment committee and certain of our officers. The indemnification agreements attempt to provide these directors, officers and other persons the maximum indemnification permitted under Maryland law and the Investment Company Act. The agreements provide, among other things, for the advancement of expenses and indemnification for liabilities that such person may incur by reason of his or her status as a present or former director or officer or member of our investment adviser's investment committee in any action or proceeding arising out of the performance of such person's services as a present or former director or officer or member of our investment adviser's investment committee.

              Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or are threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation's receipt of (x) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (y) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

PROVISIONS OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL CORPORATION LAW AND OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS

              The Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquiror to acquire us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because, among other things, the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms.

Classified Board of Directors

              Our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms, with the term of office of only one of the three classes expiring each year. A classified board may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult. We believe, however, that the longer time required to elect a majority of a classified board of directors helps to ensure the continuity and stability of our management and policies.

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Election of Directors

              Our charter and bylaws provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote in the election of directors will be required to elect a director. Pursuant to the charter, our board of directors may amend the bylaws to alter the vote required to elect directors.

Number of Directors; Vacancies; Removal

              Our charter provides that the number of directors will be set only by the board of directors in accordance with our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that a majority of our entire board of directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors. However, unless our bylaws are amended, the number of directors may never be less than four or more than eleven. Our charter sets forth our election, subject to certain requirements, to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law regarding the filling of vacancies on the board of directors. Accordingly, except as may be provided by the board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any and all vacancies on the board of directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies, subject to any applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act.

              Our charter provides that a director may be removed only for cause, as defined in our charter, and then only by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.

Action by Stockholders

              Under the Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or by unanimous written or electronically transmitted consent instead of a meeting. These provisions, combined with the requirements of our bylaws regarding the calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting of stockholders discussed below, may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting.

Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

              Our bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to the board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (a) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (b) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (c) by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving the advance notice required by the bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of the bylaws. With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the board of directors at a special meeting may be made only (a) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (b) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with the bylaws for the purpose of electing directors, by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving the advance notice required by the bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the bylaws.

              The purpose of requiring stockholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford our board of directors a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of any other proposed business and, to the extent deemed

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necessary or desirable by our board of directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations about such qualifications or business, as well as to provide a more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of stockholders. Although our bylaws do not give our board of directors any power to disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals recommending certain action, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our stockholders.

Calling of Special Meetings of Stockholders

              Our bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by our board of directors and certain of our officers. Additionally, our bylaws provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the stockholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of stockholders must be called by the secretary of the corporation to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.

Approval of Extraordinary Corporate Action; Amendment of Charter and Bylaws

              Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, convert, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business, unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Offerings Pursuant to this Prospectus—Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and of our charter and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock." However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter generally provides for approval of charter amendments and extraordinary transactions by the stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter also provides that certain charter amendments and any proposal for our conversion, whether by merger or otherwise, from a closed-end company to an open-end company or any proposal for our liquidation or dissolution requires the approval of the stockholders entitled to cast at least 80 percent of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter. However, if such amendment or proposal is approved by at least two-thirds of our continuing directors (as defined below) (in addition to approval by our board of directors), such amendment or proposal may be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on such a matter. The "continuing directors" are defined in our charter as our current directors as well as those directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of the continuing directors then on the board of directors.

              Our charter and bylaws provide that the board of directors will have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws.

No Appraisal Rights

              Except with respect to appraisal rights arising in connection with the Control Share Acquisition Act discussed below, as permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter provides that stockholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights unless a majority of our board of directors determines that such rights will apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which stockholders would otherwise be entitled to exercise appraisal rights.

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Control Share Acquisitions

              The Control Share Acquisition Act provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquiror, by officers or by employees who are directors of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock that, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

•

one-tenth or more but less than one-third;



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one-third or more but less than a majority; or



•

a majority or more of all voting power.

              The requisite stockholder approval must be obtained each time an acquiror crosses one of the thresholds of voting power set forth above. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

              A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

              If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations, including, as provided in our bylaws, compliance with the Investment Company Act, which will prohibit any such redemption other than in limited circumstances. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved or, if no such meeting is held, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

              The Control Share Acquisition Act does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

              Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of our shares of stock and, as a result, any control shares of the Company will have the same voting rights as all of the other shares of the Company's common stock. Such provision could be amended or eliminated at any time in the future. However, we will amend our bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act only if the board of directors determines that it would be in our best interests and we determine (after consultation with the SEC staff) that our being subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act does not conflict with the Investment Company Act.

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Business Combinations

              Under Maryland law, "business combinations" between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:

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any person who, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation's outstanding voting stock; or



•

an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding stock of the corporation.

              A person is not an interested stockholder under this statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which such person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.

              After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

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80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and



•

two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.

              These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation's common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.

              The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our board of directors has adopted a resolution that any business combination between us and any other person is exempted from the provisions of the Business Combination Act, provided that the business combination is first approved by the board of directors, including a majority of the independent directors. This resolution, however, may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time. If this resolution is repealed, or the board of directors does not otherwise approve a business combination, the statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

Conflict with the Investment Company Act

              Our bylaws provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the Maryland General Corporation Law, including the Control Share Acquisition Act (if we amend our bylaws to be subject to such act) and the Business Combination Act, or any provision of our charter or bylaws conflicts with any provision of the Investment Company Act, the applicable provision of the Investment Company Act will control.

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR PREFERRED STOCK

              In addition to shares of common stock, our charter authorizes the issuance of preferred stock. If we offer preferred stock under this prospectus, we will issue an appropriate prospectus supplement. We may issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, without stockholder approval. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, our board of directors is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set, subject to the express terms of any of our then outstanding classes or series of stock, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Any such an issuance must adhere to the requirements of the Investment Company Act, Maryland law and any other limitations imposed by law.

              The Investment Company Act currently requires, among other things, that (a) immediately after issuance and before any distribution is made with respect to common stock, the liquidation preference of the preferred stock, together with all other senior securities, must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets (taking into account such distribution), (b) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on the preferred stock are in arrears by two years or more and (c) such class of stock have complete priority over any other class of stock as to distribution of assets and payment of dividends, which dividends shall be cumulative.

              For any class or series of preferred stock that we may issue, our board of directors will determine and the articles supplementary and the prospectus supplement relating to such class or series will describe:

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the designation and number of shares of such class or series;



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the rate and time at which, and the preferences and conditions under which, any dividends will be paid on shares of such class or series, as well as whether such dividends are participating or non-participating;



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any provisions relating to convertibility or exchangeability of the shares of such class or series, including adjustments to the conversion price of such class or series;



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the rights and preferences, if any, of holders of shares of such class or series upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;



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the voting powers, if any, of the holders of shares of such class or series;



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any provisions relating to the redemption of the shares of such class or series;



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any limitations on our ability to pay dividends or make distributions on, or acquire or redeem, other securities while shares of such class or series are outstanding;



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any conditions or restrictions on our ability to issue additional shares of such class or series or other securities;



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if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and



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any other relative powers, preferences and participating, optional or special rights of shares of such class or series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.

              All shares of preferred stock that we may issue will be identical and of equal rank except as to the particular terms thereof that may be fixed by our board of directors, and all shares of each class or series of preferred stock will be identical and of equal rank except as to the dates from which dividends, if any, thereon will be cumulative.

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

GENERAL

              We may issue subscription rights to our stockholders to purchase common stock. Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with a subscription rights offering to our stockholders, we would distribute certificates evidencing the subscription rights and a prospectus supplement to our stockholders on the record date that we set for receiving subscription rights in such subscription rights offering.

              The applicable prospectus supplement would describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

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the period of time the offering would remain open (which shall be open a minimum number of days such that all record holders would be eligible to participate in the offering and shall not be open longer than 120 days);



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the title of such subscription rights;



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the exercise price for such subscription rights (or method of calculation thereof);



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the ratio of the offering (which, in the case of transferable rights, will require a minimum of three shares to be held of record before a person is entitled to purchase an additional share);



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the number of such subscription rights issued to each stockholder;



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the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable and the market on which they may be traded if they are transferable;



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if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;



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the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which such right shall expire (subject to any extension);



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the extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities and the terms of such over-subscription privilege;



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any termination right we may have in connection with such subscription rights offering; and



•

any other terms of such subscription rights, including exercise, settlement and other procedures and limitations relating to the transfer and exercise of such subscription rights.

              We will not offer any subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock under this prospectus or an accompanying prospectus supplement without first filing a new post-effective amendment to the registration statement.

EXERCISE OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

              Each subscription right would entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash such amount of shares of common stock at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Subscription rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights would become void.

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              Subscription rights may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement we will forward, as soon as practicable, the shares of common stock purchasable upon such exercise. To the extent permissible under applicable law, we may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR WARRANTS

              The following is a general description of the terms of the warrants we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any warrants we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants.

              We may issue warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. Such warrants may be issued independently or together with shares of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be attached or separate from such securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

              A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants we may issue, including the following:

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the title of such warrants;



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the aggregate number of such warrants;



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the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;



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the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of such warrants may be payable;



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if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;



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in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;



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in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;



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the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right will expire;



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whether such warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;



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if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants that may be exercised at any one time;



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if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;



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information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;



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the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;



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if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and



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any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

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              We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

              Prior to exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including, in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive principal, premium, if any, or interest payments, on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture or, in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise any voting rights.

              Under the Investment Company Act, we may generally only offer warrants provided that (a) the warrants expire by their terms within ten years, (b) the exercise or conversion price is not less than the current market value at the date of issuance, (c) our stockholders authorize the proposal to issue such warrants, and our board of directors approves such issuance on the basis that the issuance is in the best interests of Ares Capital and its stockholders and (d) if the warrants are accompanied by other securities, the warrants are not separately transferable unless no class of such warrants and the securities accompanying them has been publicly distributed. The Investment Company Act also provides that the amount of our voting securities that would result from the exercise of all outstanding warrants, as well as options and rights, at the time of issuance may not exceed 25% of our outstanding voting securities.

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES

              We may issue debt securities in one or more series. The specific terms of each series of debt securities will be described in the particular prospectus supplement relating to that series. The prospectus supplement may or may not modify the general terms found in this prospectus and will be filed with the SEC. For a complete description of the terms of a particular series of debt securities, you should read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to that particular series.

              As required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, the debt securities are governed by a document called an "indenture." An indenture is a contract between us and U.S. Bank National Association, a financial institution acting as trustee on your behalf, and is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The trustee has two main roles. First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, described in the second paragraph under "Events of Default—Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs." Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties for us.

              Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities and the indenture. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of debt securities. For example, in this section, we use capitalized words to signify terms that are specifically defined in the indenture. Some of the definitions are repeated in this prospectus, but for the rest you will need to read the indenture. We have filed the form of the indenture with the SEC. See "Available Information" for information on how to obtain a copy of the indenture.

              The prospectus supplement, which will accompany this prospectus, will describe the particular series of debt securities being offered, including, among other things:

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the designation or title of the series of debt securities;



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the total principal amount of the series of debt securities;



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the percentage of the principal amount at which the series of debt securities will be offered;



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the date or dates on which principal will be payable;



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the rate or rates (which may be either fixed or variable) and/or the method of determining such rate or rates of interest, if any;



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the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, or the method of determining such date or dates, and the date or dates on which any interest will be payable;



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the terms for redemption, extension or early repayment, if any;



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the currencies in which the series of debt securities are issued and payable;



•

whether the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest, if any, on a series of debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which could be based on one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices) and how these amounts will be determined;



•

the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the City of New York, of payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the debt securities;



•

the denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued;



•

the provision for any sinking fund;



•

any restrictive covenants;

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•

any Events of Default;



•

whether the series of debt securities is issuable in certificated form;



•

any provisions for defeasance or covenant defeasance;



•

if applicable, U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to original issue discount;



•

whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts (and the terms of this option);



•

any provisions for convertibility or exchangeability of the debt securities into or for any other securities;



•

whether the debt securities are subject to subordination and the terms of such subordination;



•

the listing, if any, on a securities exchange; and



•

any other terms.

              The debt securities may be secured or unsecured obligations. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, will be paid by us in immediately available funds.

              We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness if our asset coverage, calculated pursuant to the Investment Company Act, is at least equal to 200% immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any indebtedness and senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit the distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. Specifically, we may be precluded from declaring dividends or repurchasing shares of our common stock unless our asset coverage is at least 200%. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage. For a discussion of the risks associated with leverage, see "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital."

GENERAL

              The indenture provides that any debt securities proposed to be sold under this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement ("offered debt securities") and any debt securities issuable upon the exercise of warrants or upon conversion or exchange of other offered securities ("underlying debt securities") may be issued under the indenture in one or more series.

              For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of or premium or interest, if any, on debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of the debt securities.

              The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder from time to time. Debt securities issued under the indenture, when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the indenture, are called the "indenture securities." The indenture also provides that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of indenture securities. See "Resignation of Trustee" below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term "indenture securities" means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee

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described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.

              The indenture does not contain any provisions that give you protection in the event we issue a large amount of debt or we are acquired by another entity.

              We refer you to the prospectus supplement for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.

              We have the ability to issue indenture securities with terms different from those of indenture securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of indenture securities and issue additional indenture securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.

              We expect that we will usually issue debt securities in book entry only form represented by global securities.

CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE

              If any debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the prospectus supplement will explain the terms and conditions of the conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio (or the calculation method), the conversion or exchange period (or how the period will be determined), if conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at the option of the holder or us, provisions for adjusting the conversion price or the exchange ratio and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the underlying debt securities. These terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other securities to be received by the holders of the debt securities upon conversion or exchange would be calculated according to the market price of the other securities as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement.

PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS

              We will pay interest to the person listed in the applicable trustee's records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each due date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, usually about two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is called the "record date." Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is called "accrued interest."

Payments on Global Securities

              We will make payments on a global security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security. An indirect holder's right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants.

Payments on Certificated Securities

              We will make payments on a certificated debt security as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or

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her address shown on the trustee's records as of the close of business on the regular record date. We will make all payments of principal and premium, if any, by check at the office of the applicable trustee in New York, NY and/or at other offices that may be specified in the prospectus supplement or in a notice to holders against surrender of the debt security.

              Alternatively, if the holder asks us to do so, we will pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date. To request payment by wire, the holder must give the applicable trustee or other paying agent appropriate transfer instructions at least 15 business days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above.

Payment When Offices Are Closed

              If any payment is due on a debt security on a day that is not a business day, we will make the payment on the next day that is a business day. Payments made on the next business day in this situation will be treated under the indenture as if they were made on the original due date, except as otherwise indicated in the accompanying prospectus supplement. Such payment will not result in a default under any debt security or the indenture, and no interest will accrue on the payment amount from the original due date to the next day that is a business day.

              Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

              You will have rights if an Event of Default occurs in respect of the debt securities of your series and is not cured, as described later in this subsection.

              The term "Event of Default" in respect of the debt securities of your series means any of the following (unless the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities states otherwise):

•

We do not pay the principal of, or any premium on, a debt security of the series on its due date, and do not cure this default within 5 days.



•

We do not pay interest on a debt security of the series when due, and such default is not cured within 30 days.



•

We do not deposit any sinking fund payment in respect of debt securities of the series on its due date, and do not cure this default within 5 days.



•

We remain in breach of a covenant in respect of debt securities of the series for 60 days after we receive a written notice of default stating we are in breach. The notice must be sent by either the trustee or holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of debt securities of the series.



•

We file for bankruptcy or certain other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur and remain undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60 days.



•

On the last business day of each of twenty-four consecutive calendar months, we have an asset coverage of less than 100%.



•

Any other Event of Default in respect of debt securities of the series described in the applicable prospectus supplement occurs.

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              An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the same or any other indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except in the payment of principal, premium or interest, if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs

              If an Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. In certain circumstances, a declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series.

              The trustee is not required to take any action under the indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability (called an "indemnity") (Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939). If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. The trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain circumstances. No delay or omission in exercising any right or remedy will be treated as a waiver of that right, remedy or Event of Default.

              Before you are allowed to bypass your trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:

•

You must give your trustee written notice that an Event of Default has occurred and remains uncured.



•

The holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default and must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action.



•

The trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after receipt of the above notice and offer of indemnity.



•

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities must not have given the trustee a direction inconsistent with the above notice during that 60 day period.

              However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt securities on or after the due date.

              Holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may waive any past defaults other than:

•

the payment of principal, any premium or interest; or



•

in respect of a covenant that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder.

              Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and how to declare or cancel an acceleration of maturity.

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              Each year, we will furnish to each trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the indenture and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.

MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION

              Under the terms of the indenture, we are generally permitted to consolidate or merge with another entity. We are also permitted to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another entity. However, unless the prospectus supplement relating to certain debt securities states otherwise, we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:

•

Where we merge out of existence or sell our assets, the resulting entity must agree to be legally responsible for our obligations under the debt securities.



•

Immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have happened and be continuing.



•

Under the indenture, no merger or sale of assets may be made if as a result any of our property or assets or any property or assets of one of our subsidiaries, if any, would become subject to any mortgage, lien or other encumbrance unless either (a) the mortgage, lien or other encumbrance could be created pursuant to the limitation on liens covenant in the indenture without equally and ratably securing the indenture securities or (b) the indenture securities are secured equally and ratably with or prior to the debt secured by the mortgage, lien or other encumbrance.



•

We must deliver certain certificates and documents to the trustee.



•

We must satisfy any other requirements specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities.

MODIFICATION OR WAIVER

              There are three types of changes we can make to the indenture and the debt securities issued thereunder.

Changes Requiring Your Approval

              First, there are changes that we cannot make to your debt securities without your specific approval. The following is a list of those types of changes:

•

change the stated maturity of the principal of or interest on a debt security;



•

reduce any amounts due on a debt security;



•

reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of a security following a default;



•

adversely affect any right of repayment at the holder's option;



•

change the place (except as otherwise described in the prospectus or prospectus supplement) or currency of payment on a debt security;



•

impair your right to sue for payment;



•

adversely affect any right to convert or exchange a debt security in accordance with its terms;



•

modify the subordination provisions in the indenture in a manner that is adverse to holders of the debt securities;

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•

reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to modify or amend the indenture;



•

reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to waive certain defaults;



•

modify any other aspect of the provisions of the indenture dealing with supplemental indentures, modification and waiver of past defaults, changes to the quorum or voting requirements or the waiver of certain covenants; and



•

change any obligation we have to pay additional amounts.

Changes Not Requiring Approval

              The second type of change does not require any vote by the holders of the debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the outstanding debt securities in any material respect. We also do not need any approval to make any change that affects only debt securities to be issued under the indenture after the change takes effect.

Changes Requiring Majority Approval

              Any other change to the indenture and the debt securities would require the following approval:

•

If the change affects only one series of debt securities, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of that series.



•

If the change affects more than one series of debt securities issued under the same indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all of the series affected by the change, with all affected series voting together as one class for this purpose.

              The holders of a majority in principal amount of all of the series of debt securities issued under an indenture, voting together as one class for this purpose, may waive our compliance with some of our covenants in that indenture. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or of any of the matters covered by the bullet points included above under "—Changes Requiring Your Approval."

Further Details Concerning Voting

              When taking a vote, we will use the following rules to decide how much principal to attribute to a debt security:

•

For original issue discount securities, we will use the principal amount that would be due and payable on the voting date if the maturity of these debt securities were accelerated to that date because of a default.



•

For debt securities whose principal amount is not known (for example, because it is based on an index), we will use a special rule for that debt security described in the prospectus supplement.



•

For debt securities denominated in one or more foreign currencies, we will use the U.S. dollar equivalent.

              Debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust money for their payment or redemption. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described later under "Defeasance—Full Defeasance."

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              We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding indenture securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indenture. If we set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of one or more series, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding indenture securities of those series on the record date and must be taken within eleven months following the record date.

              Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the indenture or the debt securities or request a waiver.

DEFEASANCE

              The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement that the provisions of covenant defeasance and full defeasance will not be applicable to that series.

Covenant Defeasance

              If certain conditions are satisfied, we can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called "covenant defeasance." In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay your debt securities. If applicable, you also would be released from the subordination provisions described under "Indenture Provisions—Subordination" below. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:

•

If the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates.



•

We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current U.S. federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves at maturity.

              We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel stating that the above deposit does not require registration by us under the Investment Company Act and a legal opinion and officers' certificate stating that all conditions precedent to covenant defeasance have been complied with.

              If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. For example, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

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Full Defeasance

              If there is a change in U.S. federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called "full defeasance") if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:

•

If the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates.



•

We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current U.S. federal tax law or an IRS ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves at maturity. Under current U.S. federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we paid you your share of the cash and notes or bonds at the time the cash and notes or bonds were deposited in trust in exchange for your debt securities and you would recognize gain or loss on the debt securities at the time of the deposit.



•

We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel stating that the above deposit does not require registration by us under the Investment Company Act and a legal opinion and officers' certificate stating that all conditions precedent to defeasance have been complied with.

              If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If applicable, you would also be released from the subordination provisions described later under "Indenture Provisions—Subordination."

FORM, EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER OF CERTIFICATED REGISTERED SECURITIES

              Holders may exchange their certificated securities, if any, for debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed.

              Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated securities, if any, at the office of their trustee. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders transferring debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.

              Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their certificated securities, if any, but they may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder's proof of legal ownership.

              If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in your prospectus supplement. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.

              If any certificated securities of a particular series are redeemable and we redeem less than all the debt securities of that series, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during

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the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any certificated securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security that will be partially redeemed.

RESIGNATION OF TRUSTEE

              Each trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of indenture securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to these series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.

INDENTURE PROVISIONS—SUBORDINATION

              Upon any distribution of our assets upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities is to be subordinated to the extent provided in the indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (as defined below), but our obligation to you to make payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such subordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected. In addition, no payment on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking fund or interest, if any, may be made on such subordinated debt securities at any time unless full payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal (and premium, if any), sinking fund and interest on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money's worth.

              In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment by us is received by the trustee in respect of subordinated debt securities or by the holders of any of such subordinated debt securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, the payment or distribution must be paid over to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness or on their behalf for application to the payment of all the Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness upon this distribution by us, the holders of such subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to the extent of payments made to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness out of the distributive share of such subordinated debt securities.

              By reason of this subordination, in the event of a distribution of our assets upon our insolvency, certain of our senior creditors may recover more, ratably, than holders of any subordinated debt securities. The indenture provides that these subordination provisions will not apply to money and securities held in trust under the defeasance provisions of the indenture. "Senior Indebtedness" is defined in the indenture as the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on:

•

our indebtedness (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by us), whenever created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed (other than indenture securities issued under the indenture and denominated as subordinated debt securities), unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or under which the same is outstanding it is provided that this indebtedness is not senior or prior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities, and



•

renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any of this indebtedness.

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              If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with the offering of a series of indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement will set forth the approximate amount of our Senior Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.

THE TRUSTEE UNDER THE INDENTURE

              U.S. Bank National Association will serve as the trustee under the indenture.

CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCIES

              Debt securities denominated or payable in foreign currencies may entail significant risks. These risks include the possibility of significant fluctuations in the foreign currency markets, the imposition or modification of foreign exchange controls and potential illiquidity in the secondary market. These risks will vary depending upon the currency or currencies involved and will be more fully described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

BOOK-ENTRY DEBT SECURITIES

              The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), New York, NY, will act as securities depository for the debt securities. The debt securities will be issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC's partnership nominee) or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. One fully registered certificate will be issued for the debt securities, in the aggregate principal amount of such issue, and will be deposited with DTC. If, however, the aggregate principal amount of any issue exceeds $500 million, one certificate will be issued with respect to each $500 million of principal amount, and an additional certificate will be issued with respect to any remaining principal amount of such issue.

              DTC, the world's largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments from over 100 countries that DTC's participants ("Direct Participants") deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants' accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation ("DTCC").

              DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). DTC has a Standard & Poor's rating of AA+. The DTC Rules applicable to its Participants are on file with the SEC. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com.

              Purchases of debt securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the debt securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations

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providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the debt securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in debt securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the debt securities is discontinued.

              To facilitate subsequent transfers, all debt securities deposited by Direct Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC's partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the debt securities; DTC's records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

              Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

              Redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the debt securities within an issue are being redeemed, DTC's practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.

              Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the debt securities unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance with DTC's Procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an Omnibus Proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).

              Redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments on the debt securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC's practice is to credit Direct Participants' accounts upon DTC's receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us or the trustee on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC's records. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name," and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC or its nominee, the trustee, or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is the responsibility of us or the trustee, but disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners will be the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.

              DTC may discontinue providing its services as depository with respect to the debt securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us or the trustee. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, certificates are required to be printed and delivered. We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry-only transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event, certificates will be printed and delivered to DTC.

              The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR UNITS

              The following is a general description of the terms of the units we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any units we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such units. For a complete description of the terms of particular units, you should read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to those particular units.

              We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit may also include debt obligations of third parties, such as U.S. Treasury securities. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security.

              A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any series of units we may issue, including the following:

•

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or transferred separately;



•

a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units;



•

a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units; and



•

whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

              We will not offer any units under this prospectus or an accompanying prospectus supplement without first filing a new post-effective amendment to the registration statement.

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SALES OF COMMON STOCK BELOW NET ASSET VALUE

              Pursuant to approval granted at a special meeting of stockholders held on May 22, 2017, we currently are permitted to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value, subject to certain limitations and determinations that must be made by our board of directors. Such stockholder approval expires on May 22, 2018. On February 15, 2018, we filed a preliminary proxy statement for a special meeting of stockholders, currently expected to take place on May 14, 2018. The 2018 Special Meeting Proxy Statement sets forth a proposal to be voted upon at the special meeting that, if approved by stockholders, would have the effect of extending this approval to the one-year anniversary of the date of the special meeting.

              In order to sell shares of common stock pursuant to this authorization, no additional authorization from our stockholders has to be solicited, but a majority of our directors who have no financial interest in the sale and a majority of our independent directors must (a) find that the sale is in our best interests and in the best interests of our stockholders and (b) in consultation with any underwriter or underwriters of the offering, make a good faith determination as of a time either immediately prior to the first solicitation by us or on our behalf of firm commitments to purchase such shares of common stock, or immediately prior to the issuance of such common stock, that the price at which such shares of common stock are to be sold is not less than a price that closely approximates the market value of those shares of common stock, less any distributing commission or discount.

              In making a determination that an offering of common stock below its net asset value per share is in our and our stockholders' best interests, our board of directors will consider a variety of factors including:

•

the effect that an offering below net asset value per share would have on our stockholders, including the potential dilution to the net asset value per share of our common stock our stockholders would experience as a result of the offering;



•

the amount per share by which the offering price per share and the net proceeds per share are less than our most recently determined net asset value per share;



•

the relationship of recent market prices of par common stock to net asset value per share and the potential impact of the offering on the market price per share of our common stock;



•

whether the estimated offering price would closely approximate the market value of shares of our common stock;



•

the potential market impact of being able to raise capital during the current financial market difficulties;



•

the nature of any new investors anticipated to acquire shares of our common stock in the offering;



•

the anticipated rate of return on and quality, type and availability of investments; and



•

the leverage available to us.

              Our board of directors will also consider the fact that sales of shares of common stock at a discount will benefit our investment adviser as our investment adviser will earn additional investment management fees on the proceeds of such offerings, as it would from the offering of any other of our securities or from the offering of common stock at premium to net asset value per share.

              We will not sell shares of our common stock pursuant to stockholder approval (or any rights, warrants or units to purchase shares of our common stock) under this prospectus or an accompanying prospectus supplement without first filing a new post-effective amendment to the registration statement

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if the cumulative dilution to our net asset value per share from offerings under the registration statement, as amended by such post-effective amendment, exceeds 15%. This would be measured separately for each offering pursuant to the registration statement, as amended by this post-effective amendment, by calculating the percentage dilution or accretion to aggregate net asset value from that offering and then summing the percentage from each offering. For example, if our most recently determined net asset value per share at the time of the first offering is $15.00 and we have 30 million shares of common stock outstanding, the sale of 6 million shares of common stock at net proceeds to us of $7.50 per share (a 50% discount) would produce dilution of 8.33%. If we subsequently determined that our net asset value per share increased to $15.75 on the then 36 million shares of common stock outstanding and then made an additional offering, we could, for example, sell approximately an additional 7.2 million shares of common stock at net proceeds to us of $9.45 per share, which would produce dilution of 6.67%, before we would reach the aggregate 15% limit.

              Sales by us of our common stock at a discount from net asset value per share pose potential risks for our existing stockholders whether or not they participate in the offering, as well as for new investors who participate in the offering. Any sale of common stock at a price below net asset value per share would result in an immediate dilution to existing common stockholders who do not participate in such sale on at least a pro rata basis. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Offerings Pursuant to this Prospectus—The net asset value per share of our common stock may be diluted if we sell shares of our common stock in one or more offerings at prices below the then current net asset value per share of our common stock or securities to subscribe for or convertible into shares of our common stock."

              The following three headings and accompanying tables explain and provide hypothetical examples on the impact of an offering of our common stock at a price less than net asset value per share on three different types of investors:

•

existing stockholders who do not purchase any shares in the offering;



•

existing stockholders who purchase a relatively small amount of shares in the offering or a relatively large amount of shares in the offering; and



•

new investors who become stockholders by purchasing shares in the offering.

Impact on Existing Stockholders Who Do Not Participate in the Offering

              Our existing stockholders who do not participate in an offering below net asset value per share or who do not buy additional shares in the secondary market at the same or lower price as we obtain in the offering (after expenses and commissions) face the greatest potential risks. These stockholders will experience an immediate dilution in the net asset value of the shares of common stock they hold and their net asset value per share. These stockholders will also experience a disproportionately greater decrease in their participation in our earnings and assets and their voting power than the increase we will experience in our assets, potential earning power and voting interests due to such offering. These stockholders may also experience a decline in the market price of their shares, which often reflects to some degree announced or potential increases and decreases in net asset value per share. This decrease could be more pronounced as the size of the offering and level of discounts increases. Further, if current stockholders do not purchase any shares to maintain their percentage interest, regardless of whether such offering is above or below the then current net asset value, their voting power will be diluted.

              The following chart illustrates the level of net asset value dilution that would be experienced by a nonparticipating stockholder in three different hypothetical offerings of different sizes and levels of discount from net asset value per share. It is not possible to predict the level of market price decline that may occur.

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              The examples assume that the issuer has 30 million shares outstanding, $600 million in total assets and $150 million in total liabilities. The current net asset value and net asset value per share are thus $450 million and $15.00. The chart illustrates the dilutive effect on Stockholder A of (a) an offering of 1.5 million shares of common stock (5% of the outstanding shares) at $14.25 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 5% discount from net asset value), (b) an offering of 3 million shares of common stock (10% of the outstanding shares) at $13.50 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 10% discount from net asset value), (c) an offering of 6 million shares of common stock (20% of the outstanding shares) at $12.00 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 20% discount from net asset value) and (d) an offering of 7.5 million shares of common stock (25% of the outstanding shares) at $11.25 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 25% discount from net asset value). The prospectus supplement pursuant to which any discounted offering is made will include a chart based on the actual number of shares of common stock in such offering and the actual discount to the most recently determined net asset value. It is not possible to predict the level of market price decline that may occur.

Impact on Existing Stockholders Who Do Participate in the Offering

              Our existing stockholders who participate in an offering below net asset value per share or who buy additional shares in the secondary market at the same or lower price as we obtain in the offering (after expenses and commissions) will experience the same types of net asset value dilution as the nonparticipating stockholders, although at a lower level, to the extent they purchase less than the same percentage of the discounted offering as their interest in shares of our common stock immediately prior to the offering. The level of net asset value dilution will decrease as the number of shares such

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stockholders purchase increases. Existing stockholders who buy more than such percentage will experience net asset value dilution but will, in contrast to existing stockholders who purchase less than their proportionate share of the offering, experience accretion in net asset value per share over their investment per share and will also experience a disproportionately greater increase in their participation in our earnings and assets and their voting power than our increase in assets, potential earning power and voting interests due to such offering. The level of accretion will increase as the excess number of shares such stockholder purchases increases. Even a stockholder who over-participates will, however, be subject to the risk that we may make additional discounted offerings in which such stockholder does not participate, in which case such a stockholder will experience net asset value dilution as described above in such subsequent offerings. These stockholders may also experience a decline in the market price of their shares, which often reflects to some degree announced or potential increases and decreases in net asset value per share. This decrease could be more pronounced as the size of the offering and level of discounts increases.

              The following chart illustrates the level of dilution and accretion in the hypothetical 20% discount offering from the prior chart (Example 3) for a stockholder that acquires shares equal to (a) 50% of its proportionate share of the offering (i.e., 3,000 shares, which is 0.05% of an offering of 6 million shares) rather than its 0.10% proportionate share and (b) 150% of such percentage (i.e., 9,000 shares, which is 0.15% of an offering of 6 million shares rather than its 0.10% proportionate share). The prospectus supplement pursuant to which any discounted offering is made will include a chart for these examples based on the actual number of shares in such offering and the actual discount from the most recently determined net asset value per share. It is not possible to predict the level of market price decline that may occur.

Impact on New Investors

              Investors who are not currently stockholders and who participate in an offering of shares of our common stock below net asset value, but whose investment per share is greater than the resulting net asset value per share due to selling compensation and expenses paid by us, will experience an immediate decrease, although small, in the net asset value of their shares and their net asset value per share compared to the price they pay for their shares. Investors who are not currently stockholders and

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who participate in an offering of shares of our common stock below net asset value per share and whose investment per share is also less than the resulting net asset value per share due to selling compensation and expenses paid by us being significantly less than the discount per share, will experience an immediate increase in the net asset value of their shares and their net asset value per share compared to the price they pay for their shares. These investors will experience a disproportionately greater participation in our earnings and assets and their voting power than our increase in assets, potential earning power and voting interests due to such offering. These investors will, however, be subject to the risk that we may make additional discounted offerings in which such new stockholder does not participate, in which case such new stockholder will experience dilution as described above in such subsequent offerings. These investors may also experience a decline in the market price of their shares, which often reflects to some degree announced or potential increases and decreases in net asset value per share. This decrease could be more pronounced as the size of the offering and level of discounts increases.

              The following chart illustrates the level of dilution or accretion for new investors that would be experienced by a new investor in the same hypothetical 5%, 10%, 20% and 25% discounted offerings as described in the first chart above. The illustration is for a new investor who purchases the same percentage (0.10%) of the shares in the offering as Stockholder A in the prior examples held immediately prior to the offering. The prospectus supplement pursuant to which any discounted offering is made will include a chart for these examples based on the actual number of shares in such offering and the actual discount from the most recently determined net asset value per share. It is not possible to predict the level of market price decline that may occur.

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ISSUANCE OF WARRANTS OR SECURITIES TO SUBSCRIBE FOR
OR CONVERTIBLE INTO SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK

              At our 2008 annual stockholders meeting, our stockholders approved our ability to sell or otherwise issue warrants or securities to subscribe for or convertible into shares of our common stock, not exceeding 25% of our then outstanding common stock, at an exercise or conversion price that, at the date of issuance, will not be less than the greater of the market value per share of our common stock and the net asset value per share of our common stock. The authorization granted to sell or otherwise issue warrants or securities to subscribe for or convertible into shares of our common stock has no expiration. Any exercise of warrants or securities to subscribe for or convertible into shares of our common stock at an exercise or conversion price that is below net asset value at the time of such exercise or conversion would result in an immediate dilution to existing common stockholders. This dilution would include reduction in net asset value as a result of the proportionately greater decrease in the stockholders' interest in our earnings and assets and their voting interest than the increase in our assets resulting from such offering.

              As a result of obtaining this authorization, in order to sell or otherwise issue such securities, (a) the exercise, conversion or subscription rights in such securities must expire by their terms within 10 years, (b) with respect to any warrants, options or rights to subscribe or convert to our common stock that are issued along with other securities, such warrants, options or rights must not be separately transferable, (c) the exercise or conversion price of such securities must not be less than the greater of the market value per share of our common stock and the net asset value per share of our common stock at the date of issuance of such securities, (d) the issuance of such securities must be approved by a majority of the board of directors who have no financial interest in the transaction and a majority of the independent directors on the basis that such issuance is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and (e) the number of shares of our common stock that would result from the exercise or conversion of such securities and all other securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into shares of our common stock outstanding at the time of issuance of such securities must not exceed 25% of our outstanding common stock at such time.

              We could also sell shares of common stock below net asset value per share in certain other circumstances, including through subscription rights issued in rights offerings. See "Description of Our Subscription Rights" and "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Offerings Pursuant to this Prospectus—Your interest in us may be diluted if you do not fully exercise your subscription rights in any rights offering. In addition, if the subscription price is less than our net asset value per share, then you will experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of your shares."

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REGULATION

              We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act and have elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code. As with other companies regulated by the Investment Company Act, a BDC must adhere to certain substantive regulatory requirements. The Investment Company Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to certain transactions between BDCs and certain affiliates (including any investment advisers or sub-advisers), principal underwriters and certain affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters. Among other things, we generally cannot co-invest in any portfolio company in which a fund managed by Ares or any of its downstream affiliates (other than us and our downstream affiliates) is also co-investing. On January 18, 2017, we received an order from the SEC that permits us and other business development companies and registered closed-end management investment companies managed by Ares to co-invest in portfolio companies with each other and with affiliated investment funds. Co-investments made under the Co-investment Exemptive Order are subject to compliance with certain conditions and other requirements contained in the Co-investment Exemptive Order, which could limit our ability to participate in a co-investment transaction. We may also otherwise co-invest with funds managed by Ares or any of its downstream affiliates, subject to compliance with existing regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and our allocation procedures.

              The Investment Company Act contains certain restrictions on certain types of investments we may make. Specifically, we may only invest up to 30% of our portfolio 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.

              The Investment Company Act also requires that a majority of our directors be persons other than "interested persons," as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act, referred to herein as "independent directors." In addition, the Investment Company Act provides that we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a BDC unless that change is approved by holders of at least a majority of our outstanding voting securities. Under the Investment Company Act, the vote of holders of at least a "majority of outstanding voting securities" means the vote of the holders of the lesser of: (a) 67% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock present at a meeting or represented by proxy if holders of more than 50% of the shares of our common stock are present or represented by proxy or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of our common stock.

              We may invest up to 100% of our assets in securities acquired directly from issuers in privately negotiated transactions. Our intention is to not write (sell) or buy put or call options to manage risks associated with the publicly traded securities of our portfolio companies. We may enter into hedging transactions to manage the risks associated with interest rate and currency fluctuations. We may purchase or otherwise receive warrants or options to purchase the common stock of our portfolio companies in connection with acquisition financings or other investments. In connection with such an acquisition, we may acquire rights to require the issuers of acquired securities or their affiliates to repurchase them under certain circumstances. We also do not intend to acquire securities issued by any investment company that exceed the limits imposed by the Investment Company Act. Under these limits, we generally cannot acquire more than 3% of the voting stock of any investment company (as defined in the Investment Company Act), invest more than 5% of the value of our total assets in the securities of one investment company or invest more than 10% of the value of our total assets in the securities of investment companies in the aggregate. With regard to that portion of our portfolio invested in securities issued by investment companies, it should be noted that such investments might subject our stockholders to additional expenses.

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SBA REGULATION

              In April 2015, our consolidated subsidiary, AVF LP, received a license from the SBA to operate as a SBIC under the provisions of Section 301(c) of the Small Business Investment Act. The SBA places certain limitations on the financing of investments by SBICs in portfolio companies, including regulating the types of financings, restricting investments to only include small businesses with certain characteristics or in certain industries, and requiring capitalization thresholds that may limit distributions to us. AVF LP will invest in small businesses, as such term is defined in the SBA regulations, in accordance with SBA regulations.

              The license from the SBA allows AVF LP to obtain leverage by issuing SBA-guaranteed debentures, subject to the issuance of a capital commitment by the SBA and other customary procedures. SBA-guaranteed debentures carry long-term fixed rates that are generally lower than rates on comparable bank and other debt. Leverage through SBA-guaranteed debentures is subject to required capitalization thresholds. Current SBA regulations limit the amount that any SBIC may borrow to $150 million. Debentures guaranteed by the SBA have a maturity of ten years, require semi-annual payments of interest and do not require any principal payments prior to maturity. AVF LP is subject to regulation and oversight by the SBA, including requirements with respect to reporting financial information, such as the extent of capital impairment if applicable, on a regular basis and annual examinations conducted by the SBA. The SBA, as a creditor, will have a superior claim to AVF LP's assets over our stockholders in the event AVF LP is liquidated or the SBA exercises its remedies under the SBA-guaranteed debentures issued by AVF LP upon an event of default.

              SBICs are designed to stimulate the flow of private investor capital to eligible small businesses as defined by the SBA. Under SBA regulations, SBICs may make loans to eligible small businesses, invest in the equity securities of such businesses and provide them with consulting and advisory services. Under present SBA regulations, eligible small businesses generally include businesses that (together with their affiliates) have a tangible net worth not exceeding $19.5 million for the two most recent fiscal years and have average annual net income after U.S. federal income taxes not exceeding $6.5 million (average net income to be computed without benefit of any carryover loss) for the two most recent fiscal years. In addition, an SBIC must invest 25% of its investment capital in "smaller enterprises," as defined by the SBA. The definition of a smaller enterprise generally includes businesses that have a tangible net worth not exceeding $6 million for the most recent fiscal year and have average annual net income after U.S. federal income taxes not exceeding $2 million (average net income to be computed without benefit of any net carryover loss) for the two most recent fiscal years. SBA regulations also provide alternative size standard criteria to determine eligibility for designation as an eligible small business or smaller enterprise, which criteria depend on the primary industry in which the business is engaged and is based on such factors as the number of employees and gross revenue. However, once an SBIC has invested in an eligible small business, it may continue to make follow on investments in the company, regardless of the size of the company at the time of the follow on investment.

              The SBA prohibits an SBIC from providing funds to small businesses with certain characteristics, such as businesses with the majority of their employees located outside the U.S., or from investing in project finance, real estate, farmland, financial intermediaries or "passive" (i.e., non-operating) businesses. Without prior SBA approval, an SBIC may not invest an amount equal to more than approximately 30% of the SBIC's regulatory capital in any one company and its affiliates.

              The SBA places certain limitations on the financing terms of investments by SBICs in portfolio companies (such as limiting the permissible interest rate on debt securities held by an SBIC in a portfolio company). An SBIC may exercise control over a small business for a period of up to seven years from the date on which the SBIC initially acquires its control position. This control period may be extended for an additional period of time with the SBA's prior written approval.

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              The SBA restricts the ability of an SBIC to lend money to any of its officers, directors and employees or to invest in associates thereof. The SBA also prohibits, without prior SBA approval, a "change of control" of an SBIC or transfers that would result in any person (or a group of persons acting in concert) owning 10% or more of a class of capital stock of a licensed SBIC. A "change of control" is any event which would result in the transfer of the power, direct or indirect, to direct the management and policies of an SBIC, whether through ownership, contractual arrangements or otherwise.

              The SBA regulations require, among other things, an annual periodic examination of a licensed SBIC by an SBA examiner to determine the SBIC's compliance with the relevant SBA regulations, and the performance of a financial audit by an independent auditor.

QUALIFYING ASSETS

              A BDC must have been organized and have its principal place of business in the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) below. Thus, under the Investment Company Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act, which are referred to as qualifying assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the company's total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our business are the following:

(1)

Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the issuer of such securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited exceptions):



(a)

is an eligible portfolio company, or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated person of an eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the SEC. An eligible portfolio company is defined in the Investment Company Act as any issuer that:



(i)

is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States;



(ii)

is not an investment company (other than a small business investment company wholly owned by the BDC) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the Investment Company Act; and



(iii)

does not have any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange;



(b)

is a company that meets the requirements of (a)(i) and (ii) above, but is not an eligible portfolio company because it has issued a class of securities on a national securities exchange, if:



(i)

at the time of the purchase, we own at least 50% of the (x) greatest number of equity securities of such issuer and securities convertible into or exchangeable for such securities; and (y) the greatest amount of debt securities of such issuer, held by us at any point in time during the period when such issuer was an eligible portfolio company; and



(ii)

we are one of the 20 largest holders of record of such issuer's outstanding voting securities; or

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(c)

is a company that meets the requirements of (a)(i) and (ii) above, but is not an eligible portfolio company because it has issued a class of securities on a national securities exchange, if the aggregate market value of such company's outstanding voting and non-voting common equity is less than $250 million.



(2)

Securities of any eligible portfolio company that we control.



(3)

Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities, was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements.



(4)

Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and we already own 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company.



(5)

Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described in (1) through (4) above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities.



(6)

Cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment.

MANAGERIAL ASSISTANCE TO PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

              BDCs generally must offer to make available to the issuer of portfolio securities significant managerial assistance, by either offering, and providing if accepted, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management operations or business objectives of the portfolio company or by exercising a controlling influence over the management or policies of a portfolio company, except in circumstances where either (i) the BDC does not treat such issuer of securities as an eligible portfolio company, or (ii) the BDC purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together and one of the other persons in the group makes available such managerial assistance.

TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS

              Pending investment in other types of "qualifying assets," as described above, our investments may consist of cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as "temporary investments," so that 70% of our assets are qualifying assets. Typically, we will invest in U.S. Treasury bills or in repurchase agreements, provided that such agreements are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. Government or its agencies. A repurchase agreement involves the purchase by an investor, such as us, of a specified security and the simultaneous agreement by the seller to repurchase it at an agreed-upon future date and at a price that is greater than the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate. There is no percentage restriction on the proportion of our assets that may be invested in such repurchase agreements. However, if more than 25% of our total assets constitute repurchase agreements from a single counterparty, we may not meet the Diversification Tests in order to qualify as a RIC. Thus, we do not intend to enter into repurchase agreements with a single counterparty in excess of this limit. Our investment adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of the counterparties with which we enter into repurchase agreement transactions.

INDEBTEDNESS AND SENIOR SECURITIES

              We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, calculated pursuant to the Investment

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Company Act, is at least equal to 200% immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while certain types of indebtedness and senior securities remain outstanding, we may be required to make provisions to prohibit distributions to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. Specifically, we may be precluded from declaring dividends or repurchasing shares of our common stock unless our asset coverage is at least 200%. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage. For a discussion of the risks associated with leverage, see "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital."

CODE OF ETHICS

              We and Ares Capital Management have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to each code may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code's requirements. Our code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to our registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. For information on how to obtain a copy of the code of ethics, see "Available Information."

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

              SEC-registered advisers that have the authority to vote (client) proxies (which authority may be implied from a general grant of investment discretion) are required to adopt policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interests of its clients. Registered advisers also must maintain certain records on proxy voting. In most cases, we invest in securities that do not generally entitle us to voting rights in our portfolio companies. When we do have voting rights, we delegate the exercise of such rights to Ares Capital Management. Ares Capital Management's proxy voting policies and procedures are summarized below:

              In determining how to vote, officers of our investment adviser consult with each other and other investment professionals of Ares, taking into account our and our investors' interests as well as any potential conflicts of interest. Our investment adviser consults with legal counsel to identify potential conflicts of interest. Where a potential conflict of interest exists, our investment adviser may, if it so elects, resolve it by following the recommendation of a disinterested third party, by seeking the direction of our independent directors or, in extreme cases, by abstaining from voting. While our investment adviser may retain an outside service to provide voting recommendations and to assist in analyzing votes, our investment adviser will not delegate its voting authority to any third party.

              An officer of Ares Capital Management keeps a written record of how all such proxies are voted. Our investment adviser retains records of (a) proxy voting policies and procedures, (b) all proxy statements received (or it may rely on proxy statements filed on the SEC's EDGAR system in lieu thereof), (c) all votes cast, (d) investor requests for voting information and (e) any specific documents prepared or received in connection with a decision on a proxy vote. If it uses an outside service, our investment adviser may rely on such service to maintain copies of proxy statements and records, so long as such service will provide a copy of such documents promptly upon request.

              Our investment adviser's proxy voting policies are not exhaustive and are designed to be responsive to the wide range of issues that may be subject to a proxy vote. In general, our investment adviser votes our proxies in accordance with these guidelines unless: (a) it has determined otherwise due to the specific and unusual facts and circumstances with respect to a particular vote, (b) the subject matter of the vote is not covered by these guidelines, (c) a material conflict of interest is present or (d) our investment adviser finds it necessary to vote contrary to its general guidelines to maximize

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stockholder value or the best interests of Ares Capital. In reviewing proxy issues, our investment adviser generally uses the following guidelines:

              Elections of Directors:    In general, our investment adviser will vote proxies in favor of the management-proposed slate of directors. If there is a proxy fight for seats on a portfolio company's board of directors, or our investment adviser determines that there are other compelling reasons for withholding our vote, it will determine the appropriate vote on the matter. Our investment adviser may withhold votes for directors when it (a) believes a direct conflict of interest exists between the interests of the director and the stockholders, (b) concludes that the actions of the director are unlawful, unethical or negligent or (c) believes the board is entrenched in or dealing inadequately with performance problems, and/or acting with insufficient independence between the board and management. Finally, our investment adviser may withhold votes for directors of non-U.S. issuers where there is insufficient information about the nominees disclosed in the proxy statement.

              Appointment of Auditors:    We believe that a portfolio company remains in the best position to choose its independent auditors and our investment adviser will generally support management's recommendation in this regard.

              Changes in Capital Structure:    Changes in a portfolio company's charter or bylaws may be required by state or federal regulation. In general, our investment adviser will cast our votes in accordance with the management on such proposals. However, our investment adviser will consider carefully any proposal regarding a change in corporate structure that is not required by state or federal regulation.

              Corporate Restructurings, Mergers and Acquisitions:    We believe proxy votes dealing with corporate reorganizations are an extension of the investment decision. Accordingly, our investment adviser will analyze such proposals on a case-by-case basis and vote in accordance with its perception of our interests.

              Proposals Affecting Stockholder Rights:    We will generally vote in favor of proposals that give stockholders a greater voice in the affairs of a portfolio company and oppose any measure that seeks to limit such rights. However, when analyzing such proposals, our investment adviser will balance the financial impact of the proposal against any impairment of stockholder rights as well as of our investment in the portfolio company.

              Corporate Governance:    We recognize the importance of good corporate governance. Accordingly, our investment adviser will generally favor proposals that promote transparency and accountability within a portfolio company.

              Anti-Takeover Measures:    Our investment adviser will evaluate, on a case-by-case basis, any proposals regarding anti-takeover measures to determine the measure's likely effect on stockholder value dilution.

              Stock Splits:    Our investment adviser will generally vote with management on stock split matters.

              Limited Liability of Directors:    Our investment adviser will generally vote with management on matters that could adversely affect the limited liability of directors.

              Social and Corporate Responsibility:    Our investment adviser will review proposals related to social, political and environmental issues to determine whether they may adversely affect stockholder value. Our investment adviser may abstain from voting on such proposals where they do not have a readily determinable financial impact on stockholder value.

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              Stockholders may obtain information regarding how we voted proxies with respect to our portfolio securities during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2017 free of charge by making a written request for proxy voting information to our Investor Relations Department at Ares Capital Corporation, 245 Park Avenue, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10167, by calling us at (888) 818-5298 or on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

PRIVACY PRINCIPLES

              We endeavor to maintain the privacy of our recordholders and to safeguard their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information we collect, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select other parties.

              Generally, we will not receive any non-public personal information about recordholders of our common stock, although certain of our recordholders' non-public information may become available to us. The non-public personal information that we may receive falls into the following categories:

•

information we receive from recordholders, whether we receive it orally, in writing or electronically. This includes recordholders' communications to us concerning their investment;



•

information about recordholders' transactions and history with us; and



•

other general information that we may obtain about recordholders, such as demographic and contact information such as address.

              We disclose non-public personal information about recordholders:

•

to our affiliates (such as our investment adviser and administrator) and their employees for everyday business purposes;



•

to our service providers (such as our accountants, attorneys, custodians, transfer agent, underwriters and proxy solicitors) and their employees as is necessary to service recordholder accounts or otherwise provide the applicable service;



•

to comply with court orders, subpoenas, lawful discovery requests, or other legal or regulatory requirements; or



•

as allowed or required by applicable law or regulation.

              When we share non-public recordholder personal information referred to above, the information is made available for limited business purposes and under controlled circumstances designed to protect our recordholders' privacy. The Company does not permit use of recordholder information for any non-business or marketing purpose, nor do we permit third parties to rent, sell, trade or otherwise release or disclose information to any other party.

              The Company's service providers, such as its adviser, administrator, and transfer agent, are required to maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect recordholder non-public personal information; to prevent unauthorized access or use; and to dispose of such information when it is no longer required.

              Personnel of affiliates may access recordholder information only for business purposes. The degree of access is based on the sensitivity of the information and on personnel need for the information to service a recordholder's account or comply with legal requirements.

              If a recordholder ceases to be a recordholder, we will adhere to the privacy policies and practices as described above. We may choose to modify our privacy policies at any time. Before we do so, we will notify recordholders and provide a description of our privacy policy.

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              In the event of a corporate change in control resulting from, for example, a sale to, or merger with, another entity, or in the event of a sale of assets, we reserve the right to transfer non-public personal information of holders of our securities to the new party in control or the party acquiring assets.

OTHER

              We have designated a chief compliance officer and established a compliance program pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act. We are periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the Investment Company Act.

              We are required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect us against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a BDC, we are prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to us or our stockholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person's office.

Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and The NASDAQ Global Select Market Corporate Governance Regulations

              The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Sarbanes-Oxley Act") imposes a wide variety of regulatory requirements on publicly held companies and their insiders. Many of these requirements affect us. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act has required us to review our policies and procedures to determine whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. We will continue to monitor our compliance with all future regulations that are adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance therewith.

              In addition, The NASDAQ Global Select Market has adopted various corporate governance requirements as part of its listing standards. We believe we are in compliance with such corporate governance listing standards. We will continue to monitor our compliance with all future listing standards and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance therewith.

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CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

              Our securities are held under a custody agreement by U.S. Bank National Association. The address of the custodian is Corporate Trust Services, One Federal Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02110. Computershare acts as the transfer agent, dividend paying agent and registrar for our common stock. The principal business address of Computershare is 250 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021.

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BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

              Since we generally acquire and dispose of our investments in privately negotiated transactions, we infrequently use brokers in the normal course of business.

              Subject to policies established by our board of directors, our investment adviser, Ares Capital Management, is primarily responsible for the execution of the publicly traded securities portion of our portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage commissions. Our investment adviser does not expect to execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer, but seeks to obtain the best net results for us, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firm's risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities.

              While our investment adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive trade execution costs, we will not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available. Subject to applicable legal requirements, our investment adviser may select a broker based partly upon brokerage or research services provided to our investment adviser and us and any other clients. In return for such services, we may pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if our investment adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.

              We also pay brokerage commissions incurred in connection with open-market purchases pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan.

              The aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid by us during the three most recent fiscal years is $0.2 million.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

              We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, up to $3,000,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, or units comprised of any combination of the foregoing, in one or more underwritten public offerings, at-the-market offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades, best efforts or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities through underwriters or dealers, directly to one or more purchasers, including existing stockholders in a rights offering, through agents or through a combination of any such methods of sale. In the case of a rights offering, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the number of shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of each right and the other terms of such rights offering. Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. A prospectus supplement or supplements will also describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including: the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale; any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us; any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents' or underwriters' compensation; the public offering price; any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers; and any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed. Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.

              The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices, provided, however, that the offering price per share of our common stock, less any underwriting commissions or discounts, must equal or exceed the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time of the offering except (a) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (b) with the consent of the majority of our common stockholders or (c) under such circumstances as the SEC may permit. The price at which securities may be distributed may represent a discount from prevailing market prices.

              In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions they receive from us and any profit realized by them on the resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified and any such compensation received from us will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The maximum aggregate commission or discount to be received by any member of FINRA or independent broker-dealer will not be greater than 8% of the gross proceeds of the sale of securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. We may also reimburse the underwriter or agent for certain fees and legal expenses incurred by it.

              Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through exercise of the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are

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purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

              Any underwriters that are qualified market makers on the NASDAQ Global Market may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of our common stock. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker's bid, however, the passive market maker's bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

              We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

              Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no trading market, other than our common stock, which is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchanges, but we are not obligated to do so. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

              Under agreements that we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of shares of our securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

              If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase our securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by us. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of our securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.

              We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third parties in such sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

              In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, our securities offered hereby will be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

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LEGAL MATTERS

              The legality of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Proskauer Rose LLP, Los Angeles, California and Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland. Certain legal matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters, if any, by the counsel named in the prospectus supplement.

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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

              KPMG LLP, located at 550 South Hope Street, Suite 1500, Los Angeles, California 90071, is the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company.

              The audited financial statements of the Company included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm whose report thereon is included elsewhere in this prospectus, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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AVAILABLE INFORMATION

              We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2, together with all amendments and related exhibits, under the Securities Act, with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement contains additional information about us and the securities being offered by this prospectus.

              We file with or submit to the SEC annual, quarterly and current periodic reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. This information is available free of charge by calling us collect at (310) 201-4200 or on our website at www.arescapitalcorp.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus and you should not consider such information to be part of this document. You also may inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information, as well as the registration statement and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Such information is also available from the EDGAR database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. You also can obtain copies of such information, after paying a duplicating fee, by sending a request by e-mail to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Branch, Office of Consumer Affairs and Information Services, Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090 or (800) SEC-0330.

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the stockholders and board of directors
Ares Capital Corporation:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

              We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ares Capital Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company"), including the consolidated schedules of investments, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively, the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

              We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB"), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 13, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

              These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

              We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Such procedures also included confirmation of investments as of December 31, 2017, by correspondence with custodians, portfolio companies or agents. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2004.

Los Angeles, California
February 13, 2018

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The stockholders and board of directors
Ares Capital Corporation:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

              We have audited Ares Capital Corporation and subsidiaries' (the "Company") internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

              We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB"), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, including the consolidated schedules of investments, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows, for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 13, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

              The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

              We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

              A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and

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(3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

              Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Los Angeles, California
February 13, 2018

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ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(in millions, except per share data)

   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share data)

   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
As of December 31, 2017
(dollar amounts in millions)

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Derivative Instruments

Foreign currency forward contracts

Interest rate swap

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(1)

Other than the Company's investments listed in footnote 8 below (subject to the limitations set forth therein), the Company does not "Control" any of its portfolio companies, for the purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the "Investment Company Act"). In general, under the Investment Company Act, the Company would "Control" a portfolio company if the Company owned more than 25% of its outstanding voting securities (i.e., securities with the right to elect directors) and/or had the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company. All of the Company's portfolio company investments, which as of December 31, 2017 represented 167% of the Company's net assets or 96% of the Company's total assets, are subject to legal restrictions on sales.

(2)

These assets are pledged as collateral for the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) and, as a result, are not directly available to the creditors of the Company to satisfy any obligations of the Company other than the Company's obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility (see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements).

(3)

These assets are owned by the Company's consolidated subsidiary Ares Capital CP Funding LLC ("Ares Capital CP"), are pledged as collateral for the Revolving Funding Facility (as defined below) and, as a result, are not directly available to the creditors of the Company to satisfy any obligations of the Company other than Ares Capital CP's obligations under the Revolving Funding Facility (see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements).

(4)

These assets are owned by the Company's consolidated subsidiary Ares Capital JB Funding LLC ("ACJB"), are pledged as collateral for the SMBC Funding Facility (as defined below) and, as a result, are not directly available to the creditors of the Company to satisfy any obligations of the Company other than ACJB's obligations under the SMBC Funding Facility (see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements).

(5)

These assets are owned by the Company's consolidated subsidiary Ares Venture Finance, L.P. ("AVF LP"), are pledged as collateral for the SBA-guaranteed debentures (the "SBA Debentures") and, as a result, are not directly available to the creditors of the Company to satisfy any obligations of the Company other than AVF LP's obligations (see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements). AVF LP operates as a Small Business Investment Company ("SBIC") under the provisions of Section 301(c) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended.

(6)

Investments without an interest rate are non-income producing.

(7)

As defined in the Investment Company Act, the Company is deemed to be an "Affiliated Person" because it owns 5% or more of the portfolio company's outstanding voting securities or it has the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company (including through a management

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agreement). Transactions during the year ended December 31, 2017 in which the issuer was an Affiliated Person (but not a portfolio company that the Company is deemed to Control) are as follows:

(8)

As defined in the Investment Company Act, the Company is deemed to be both an "Affiliated Person" and "Control" this portfolio company because it owns more than 25% of the portfolio company's outstanding voting securities or it has the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company

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(including through a management agreement). Transactions during the year ended December 31, 2017 in which the issuer was both an Affiliated Person and a portfolio company that the Company is deemed to Control are as follows:

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(9)

Non-U.S. company or principal place of business outside the U.S. and as a result is not a qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act. Under the Investment Company Act, the Company may not acquire any non-qualifying asset unless, at the time such acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the Company's total assets. Pursuant to Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act, 12% of the Company's total assets are represented by investments at fair value and other assets that are considered "non-qualifying assets" as of December 31, 2017.

(10)

Exception from the definition of investment company under Section 3(c) of the Investment Company Act and as a result is not a qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act. Under the Investment Company Act, the Company may not acquire any non-qualifying asset unless, at the time such acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the Company's total assets.

(11)

Variable rate loans to the Company's portfolio companies bear interest at a rate that may be determined by reference to either the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or an alternate base rate (commonly based on the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate), at the borrower's option, which reset annually (A), semi-annually (S), quarterly (Q), bi-monthly (B), monthly (M) or daily (D). For each such loan, the Company has provided the interest rate in effect on the date presented.

(12)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 1.75% on $63 aggregate principal amount of a "first out" tranche of the portfolio company's senior term debt previously syndicated by the Company into "first out" and "last out" tranches, whereby the "first out" tranche will have priority as to the "last out" tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(13)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 2.00% on $73 aggregate principal amount of a "first out" tranche of the portfolio company's first lien senior secured loans, whereby the "first out" tranche will have priority as to the "last out" tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.

(14)

The Company sold a participating interest of approximately $9 million of aggregate principal amount of the portfolio company's second lien senior secured term loan as a "first out" tranche. As the transaction did not qualify as a "true sale" in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the Company recorded a corresponding $9 million secured borrowing included in "accounts payable and other liabilities" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet."

(15)

The Company is entitled to receive a fixed fee upon the occurrence of certain events as defined in the credit agreement governing the Company's debt investment in the portfolio company. The fair value of such fee is included in the fair value of the debt investment.

(16)

Loan was on non-accrual status as of December 31, 2017.

(17)

Loan includes interest rate floor feature.

(18)

In addition to the interest earned based on the stated contractual interest rate of this security, the certificates entitle the holders thereof to receive a portion of the excess cash flow from the SDLP's loan portfolio, after expenses, which may result in a return to the Company greater than the contractual stated interest rate.

(19)

As of December 31, 2017, no amounts were funded by the Company under this first lien senior secured revolving loan; however, there were letters of credit issued and outstanding through a financial intermediary under the loan. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on letters of credit commitments related to certain portfolio companies.

(20)

As of December 31, 2017, in addition to the amounts funded by the Company under this first lien senior secured revolving loan, there were also letters of credit issued and outstanding through a financial intermediary under the loan. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on letters of credit commitments related to certain portfolio companies.

(21)

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had the following commitments to fund various revolving and delayed draw senior secured and subordinated loans, including commitments to issue letters of credit through a financial intermediary on behalf of certain portfolio companies. Such commitments are subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the documents governing these loans and letters of credit and there can be no assurance that such conditions will be satisfied. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on revolving and delayed draw loan commitments, including commitments to issue letters of credit, related to certain portfolio companies.

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(22)

As of December 31, 2017, the Company was party to subscription agreements to fund equity investments in private equity investment partnerships as follows:

(23)

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had commitments to co-invest in the SDLP for its portion of the SDLP's commitment to fund delayed draw loans of up to $19. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for more information on the SDLP.

(24)

Other than the investments noted by this footnote, the fair value of the Company's investments is determined using unobservable inputs that are significant to the overall fair value measurement. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for more information regarding the fair value of the Company's investments.

(25)

As of December 31, 2017, the net estimated unrealized loss for federal tax purposes was $0.8 billion based on a tax cost basis of $12.7 billion. As of December 31, 2017, the estimated aggregate gross unrealized loss for federal income tax purposes was $1.3 billion and the estimated aggregate gross unrealized gain for federal income tax purposes was $0.5 billion.

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ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
As of December 31, 2016
(dollar amounts in millions)

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Derivative Instruments

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ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(in millions, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As of December 31, 2017
(in millions, except per share data, percentages and as otherwise indicated;
for example, with the word "billion" or otherwise)

1.     ORGANIZATION

        Ares Capital Corporation (the "Company") is a specialty finance company that is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company incorporated in Maryland. The Company has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. The Company has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and operates in a manner so as to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs.

        The Company's investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. The Company invests primarily in first lien senior secured loans (including "unitranche" loans, which are loans that combine both senior and mezzanine debt, generally in a first lien position), second lien senior secured loans and mezzanine debt, which in some cases includes an equity component. To a lesser extent, the Company also makes equity investments.

        The Company is externally managed by Ares Capital Management LLC ("Ares Capital Management" or the Company's "investment adviser"), a subsidiary of Ares Management, L.P. ("Ares Management"), a publicly traded, leading global alternative asset manager, pursuant to an investment advisory and management agreement. Ares Operations LLC ("Ares Operations" or the Company's "administrator"), a subsidiary of Ares Management, provides certain administrative and other services necessary for the Company to operate.

2.     SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

        The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), and include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Company is an investment company following accounting and reporting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 946. The consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments and reclassifications that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for the fair presentation of the results of the operations and financial condition as of and for the periods presented. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

        Cash and cash equivalents include funds from time to time deposited with financial institutions and short-term, liquid investments in a money market account. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost which approximates fair value.

Concentration of Credit Risk

        The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions and, at times, cash held in money market accounts may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limit.

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Investments

        Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the repayment or sale and the amortized cost basis of the investment using the specific identification method without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized, and include investments charged off during the period, net of recoveries. Unrealized gains or losses primarily reflect the change in investment values, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains or losses when gains or losses are realized.

        Investments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued at such market quotations. In order to validate market quotations, the Company looks at a number of factors to determine if the quotations are representative of fair value, including the source and nature of the quotations. Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available (i.e., substantially all of the Company's investments) are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Company's board of directors, based on, among other things, the input of the Company's investment adviser, audit committee and independent third-party valuation firms that have been engaged at the direction of the Company's board of directors to assist in the valuation of each portfolio investment without a readily available market quotation at least once during a trailing 12-month period (with certain de minimis exceptions) and under a valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process. The valuation process is conducted at the end of each fiscal quarter, and a portion of the Company's investment portfolio at fair value is subject to review by an independent valuation firm each quarter. In addition, the Company's independent registered public accounting firm obtains an understanding of, and performs select procedures relating to, the Company's investment valuation process within the context of performing the integrated audit.

        As part of the valuation process, the Company may take into account the following types of factors, if relevant, in determining the fair value of the Company's investments: the enterprise value of a portfolio company (the entire value of the portfolio company to a market participant, including the sum of the values of debt and equity securities used to capitalize the enterprise at a point in time), the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company's ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, a comparison of the portfolio company's securities to any similar publicly traded securities, changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets, which may affect the price at which similar investments would trade in their principal markets and other relevant factors. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, the Company considers the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate its valuation.

        Because there is not a readily available market value for most of the investments in its portfolio, the Company values substantially all of its portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by its board of directors, as described herein. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Company's investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of the Company's investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values that the Company may ultimately realize. Further, such investments are generally subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise are less liquid than publicly traded securities. If the Company was required to liquidate a portfolio investment in a forced or liquidation sale, the Company could realize significantly less than the value at which the Company has recorded it.

        In addition, changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the unrealized gains or losses reflected in the valuations currently assigned.

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        The Company's board of directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

•

The Company's quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals responsible for the portfolio investment in conjunction with the Company's portfolio management team.



•

Preliminary valuations are reviewed and discussed with the Company's investment adviser's management and investment professionals, and then valuation recommendations are presented to the Company's board of directors.



•

The audit committee of the Company's board of directors reviews these valuations, as well as the input of third parties, including independent third-party valuation firms who have reviewed a portion of the investments in the Company's portfolio at fair value.



•

The Company's board of directors discusses valuations and ultimately determines the fair value of each investment in the Company's portfolio without a readily available market quotation in good faith based on, among other things, the input of the Company's investment adviser, audit committee and, where applicable, independent third-party valuation firms.

        See Note 8 for more information on the Company's valuation process.

Interest and Dividend Income Recognition

        Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis and includes the accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. Discounts from and premiums to par value on securities purchased are accreted/amortized into interest income over the life of the respective security using the effective yield method. The amortized cost of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, if any.

        Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more or when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected in full. Accrued and unpaid interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management's judgment regarding collectability. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid and, in management's judgment, are likely to remain current. The Company may make exceptions to this policy if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.

        Dividend income on preferred equity securities is recorded as dividend income on an accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are payable by the portfolio company and are expected to be collected. Dividend income on common equity securities is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.

Payment-in-Kind Interest

        The Company has loans in its portfolio that contain payment-in-kind ("PIK") provisions. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each loan agreement, is added to the principal balance of the loan and recorded as interest income. To maintain the Company's status as a RIC, this non-cash source of income must be paid out to stockholders in the form of dividends, even though the Company has not yet collected the cash.

Capital Structuring Service Fees and Other Income

        The Company's investment adviser seeks to provide assistance to its portfolio companies and in return the Company may receive fees for capital structuring services. These fees are generally only

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available to the Company as a result of the Company's underlying investments, are normally paid at the closing of the investments, are generally non-recurring and are recognized as revenue when earned upon closing of the investment. The services that the Company's investment adviser provides vary by investment, but generally include reviewing existing credit facilities, arranging bank financing, arranging equity financing, structuring financing from multiple lenders, structuring financing from multiple equity investors, restructuring existing loans, raising equity and debt capital, and providing general financial advice, which concludes upon closing of the investment. Any services of the above nature subsequent to the closing would generally generate a separate fee payable to the Company. In certain instances where the Company is invited to participate as a co-lender in a transaction and does not provide significant services in connection with the investment, a portion of loan fees paid to the Company in such situations will be deferred and amortized over the estimated life of the loan.

        Other income includes fees for management and consulting services, loan guarantees, commitments, amendments and other services rendered by the Company to portfolio companies. Such fees are recognized as income when earned or the services are rendered.

Foreign Currency Translation

        The Company's books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Any foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:

(1)

Fair value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities—at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the period.



(2)

Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses—at the exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions, income or expenses.

        Results of operations based on changes in foreign exchange rates are separately disclosed in the statement of operations, if any. Foreign security and currency translations may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies and U.S. government securities. These risks include, but are not limited to, currency fluctuations and revaluations and future adverse political, social and economic developments, which could cause investments in foreign markets to be less liquid and prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies or U.S. government securities.

Derivative Instruments

        The Company does not utilize hedge accounting and as such values its derivatives at fair value with the unrealized gains or losses recorded in "net unrealized gains (losses) from foreign currency and other transactions" in the Company's consolidated statement of operations.

Equity Offering Expenses

        The Company's offering costs are charged against the proceeds from equity offerings when proceeds are received.

Debt Issuance Costs

        Debt issuance costs are amortized over the life of the related debt instrument using the straight line method or the effective yield method, depending on the type of debt instrument.

Income Taxes

        The Company has elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code and operates in a manner so as to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. To qualify as a RIC, the Company must (among

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other requirements) meet certain source-of- income and asset diversification requirements and timely distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of its investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code, for each year. The Company (among other requirements) has made and intends to continue to make the requisite distributions to its stockholders, which will generally relieve the Company from U.S. federal corporate-level income taxes.

        Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, the Company may choose to carry forward taxable income in excess of current year dividend distributions from such current year taxable income into the next tax year and pay a 4% excise tax on such income, as required. To the extent that the Company determines that its estimated current year taxable income will be in excess of estimated dividend distributions for the current year, the Company accrues excise tax, if any, on estimated excess taxable income as such taxable income is earned.

        Certain of the Company's consolidated subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal and state corporate-level income taxes.

Dividends to Common Stockholders

        Dividends and distributions to common stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount to be paid out as a dividend is determined by the Company's board of directors each quarter and is generally based upon the earnings estimated by management. Net realized capital gains, if any, are generally distributed, although the Company may decide to retain such capital gains for investment.

        The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of any distributions the Company declares in cash on behalf of its stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if the Company's board of directors authorizes, and the Company declares, a cash dividend, then the Company's stockholders who have not "opted out" of the Company's dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Company's common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividend. The Company intends to use primarily newly issued shares to implement the dividend reinvestment plan (so long as the Company is trading at a premium to net asset value). If the Company's shares are trading at a discount to net asset value and the Company is otherwise permitted under applicable law to purchase such shares, the Company may purchase shares in the open market in connection with the Company's obligations under the dividend reinvestment plan. However, the Company reserves the right to issue new shares of the Company's common stock in connection with the Company's obligations under the dividend reinvestment plan even if the Company's shares are trading below net asset value.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of actual and contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income or loss and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include the valuation of investments.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

        In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The guidance in this ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Revenue Recognition (Topic 605). Under the new guidance, an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendments in ASU No. 2014-09 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning

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after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The application of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

3.     AGREEMENTS

Investment Advisory and Management Agreement

        The Company is party to an investment advisory and management agreement (the "investment advisory and management agreement") with Ares Capital Management. Subject to the overall supervision of the Company's board of directors, Ares Capital Management provides investment advisory and management services to the Company. For providing these services, Ares Capital Management receives fees from the Company consisting of a base management fee, a fee based on the Company's net investment income ("income based fee") and a fee based on the Company's net capital gains ("capital gains incentive fee"). The investment advisory and management agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days' written notice to the other party.

        The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.5% based on the average value of the Company's total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents, but including assets purchased with borrowed funds) at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. The base management fee is payable quarterly in arrears.

        The income based fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on the Company's pre-incentive fee net investment income, as defined in the investment advisory and management agreement, for the quarter. Pre-incentive fee net investment income means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that the Company receives from portfolio companies but excluding fees for providing managerial assistance) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, any expenses payable under the administration agreement, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the income based fee and capital gains incentive fee accrued under GAAP). Pre-incentive fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature such as market discount, debt instruments with PIK interest, preferred stock with PIK dividends and zero coupon securities, accrued income that the Company has not yet received in cash. The Company's investment adviser is not under any obligation to reimburse the Company for any part of the income based fees it received that was based on accrued interest that the Company never actually received.

        Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses, unrealized capital appreciation, unrealized capital depreciation or income tax expense related to realized gains and losses. Because of the structure of the income based fee, it is possible that the Company may pay such fees in a quarter where the Company incurs a loss. For example, if the Company receives pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the hurdle rate (as defined below) for a quarter, the Company will pay the applicable income based fee even if the Company has incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized and/or unrealized capital losses.

        Pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of the Company's net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any income based fees and capital gains incentive fees payable during the period) at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, is compared to a fixed "hurdle rate" of 1.75% per quarter. If market credit spreads rise, the Company may be able to invest its funds in debt instruments that provide for a higher return, which may increase the Company's pre-incentive fee net investment income and make it easier for the Company's investment adviser to surpass the fixed hurdle rate and receive an income based fee based on such net investment income. To the extent the Company has retained pre-incentive fee net investment income that has been used to calculate the income based fee, it is also

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included in the amount of the Company's total assets (other than cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds) used to calculate the 1.5% base management fee.

        The Company pays its investment adviser an income based fee with respect to the Company's pre-incentive fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows:

•

No income based fee in any calendar quarter in which the Company's pre- incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate;



•

100% of the Company's 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% in any calendar quarter. The Company refers to this portion of its pre-incentive fee net investment income (which exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 2.1875%) as the "catch-up" provision. The "catch-up" is meant to provide the Company's investment adviser with 20% of the pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply if this net investment income exceeded 2.1875% in any calendar quarter; and



•

20% of the amount of the Company's pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter.

        These calculations are adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the quarter.

        In connection with the Company's acquisition of American Capital, Ltd., a Delaware corporation ("American Capital") (the "American Capital Acquisition"), Ares Capital Management agreed to waive, for each of the first ten calendar quarters beginning with the second quarter of 2017, the lesser of (x) $10 of income based fees and (y) the amount of income based fees for such quarter, in each case, to the extent earned and payable by the Company in such quarter pursuant to and as calculated under the Company's investment advisory and management agreement (the "Fee Waiver"). See Note 16 for additional information regarding the American Capital Acquisition.

        The capital gains incentive fee is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or, upon termination of the investment advisory and management agreement, as of the termination date) and is calculated at the end of each applicable year by subtracting (a) the sum of the Company's cumulative aggregate realized capital losses and aggregate unrealized capital depreciation from (b) the Company's cumulative aggregate realized capital gains, in each case calculated from October 8, 2004 (the date the Company completed its initial public offering). Realized capital gains and losses include gains and losses on investments and foreign currencies, gains and losses on extinguishment of debt and from other assets, as well as any income tax and other expenses related to cumulative aggregate realized gains and losses. If such amount is positive at the end of such year, then the capital gains incentive fee for such year is equal to 20% of such amount, less the aggregate amount of capital gains incentive fees paid in all prior years. If such amount is negative, then there is no capital gains incentive fee for such year.

        The cumulative aggregate realized capital gains are calculated as the sum of the differences, if positive, between (a) the net sales price of each investment in the Company's portfolio when sold and (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

        The cumulative aggregate realized capital losses are calculated as the sum of the amounts by which (a) the net sales price of each investment in the Company's portfolio when sold is less than (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

        The aggregate unrealized capital depreciation is calculated as the sum of the differences, if negative, between (a) the valuation of each investment in the Company's portfolio as of the applicable capital gains incentive fee calculation date and (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

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        Notwithstanding the foregoing, as a result of an amendment to the capital gains incentive fee under the investment advisory and management agreement that was adopted on June 6, 2011, if the Company is required by GAAP to record an investment at its fair value as of the time of acquisition instead of at the actual amount paid for such investment by the Company (including, for example, as a result of the application of the asset acquisition method of accounting), then solely for the purposes of calculating the capital gains incentive fee, the "accreted or amortized cost basis" of an investment shall be an amount (the "Contractual Cost Basis") equal to (1) (x) the actual amount paid by the Company for such investment plus (y) any amounts recorded in the Company's financial statements as required by GAAP that are attributable to the accretion of such investment plus (z) any other adjustments made to the cost basis included in the Company's financial statements, including PIK interest or additional amounts funded (net of repayments) minus (2) any amounts recorded in the Company's financial statements as required by GAAP that are attributable to the amortization of such investment, whether such calculated Contractual Cost Basis is higher or lower than the fair value of such investment (as determined in accordance with GAAP) at the time of acquisition.

        There was no capital gains incentive fee earned by the Company's investment adviser as calculated under the investment advisory and management agreement (as described above) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. However, in accordance with GAAP, the Company had cumulatively accrued a capital gains incentive fee of $79 as of December 31, 2017, of which $79 is not currently due under the investment advisory and management agreement. 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 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 plus the aggregate cumulative unrealized capital appreciation, net of any expense associated with cumulative unrealized capital depreciation or appreciation. If such amount is positive at the end of a period, then GAAP requires the Company 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. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has paid capital gains incentive fees since inception totaling $57. 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.

        The Company defers cash payment of any income based fees and capital gains incentive fees otherwise earned by the Company's 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) the aggregate distributions to the Company's stockholders and (b) the change in net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any income based fees and capital gains incentive fees payable during the period) is less than 7.0% of the Company's 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.

        For the year ended December 31, 2017, base management fees were $171 and income based fees were $134. The income based fees for the year ended December 31, 2017 were net of the Fee Waiver of $30. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the capital gains incentive fees calculated in accordance with GAAP was $41. For the year ended December 31, 2017, $11 of capital gains incentive fees

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calculated in accordance with GAAP was recorded in connection with the American Capital Acquisition as a result of the fair value of the net assets acquired exceeding the fair value of the merger consideration paid by the Company. See Note 16 for additional information regarding the American Capital Acquisition. For the year ended December 31, 2016, base management fees were $137 and income based fees were $123. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the reduction in capital gains incentive fees calculated in accordance with GAAP was $5. For the year ended December 31, 2015, base management fees were $134 and income based fees were $121. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the capital gains incentive fees calculated in accordance with GAAP was $27.

        The services of all investment professionals and staff of the Company's investment adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services to the Company and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, are provided and paid for by the Company's investment adviser. The Company bears all other costs and expenses of its operations and transactions, including, but not limited to, those relating to: rent for the offices in which the Company operates, including rent expenses for investment activities of the Company (see Note 7); organization; calculation of the Company's net asset value (including, but not limited to, the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm); expenses incurred by the Company's investment adviser payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisers, in monitoring the Company's financial and legal affairs and in monitoring the Company's investments (including the cost of consultants hired to develop information technology systems designed to monitor the Company's investments) and performing due diligence on the Company's prospective portfolio companies; interest payable on indebtedness, if any, incurred to finance the Company's investments (including payments to third party vendors for financial information services); offerings of the Company's common stock and other securities; investment advisory and management fees; administration fees; fees payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisers, relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments regardless of whether such transactions are ultimately consummated; costs of marketing; transfer agent and custodial fees; registration fees; listing fees; taxes; independent directors' fees and expenses; costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents with the SEC; the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders, including printing costs; to the extent the Company is covered by any joint insurance policies, the Company's allocable portion of the insurance premiums for such policies; direct costs and expenses of administration, including auditor and legal costs; and all other expenses incurred by the Company or its administrator in connection with administering the Company's business as described in more detail under "Administration Agreement" below.

Administration Agreement

        The Company is party to an administration agreement, referred to herein as the "administration agreement", with its administrator, Ares Operations. Pursuant to the administration agreement, Ares Operations furnishes the Company with office equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at the Company's office facilities. Under the administration agreement, Ares Operations also performs, or oversees the performance of, the Company's required administrative services, which include, among other things, providing assistance in accounting, legal, compliance, operations, technology and investor relations, being responsible for the financial records that the Company is required to maintain and preparing reports to its stockholders and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). In addition, Ares Operations assists the Company in determining and publishing its net asset value, assists the Company in providing managerial assistance to its portfolio companies, oversees the preparation and filing of the Company's tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to its stockholders, and generally oversees the payment of its expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Company by others. Payments under the administration agreement are equal to an amount based upon its allocable portion of Ares Operations' overhead and other expenses (including travel expenses) incurred by Ares

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Operations in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including the Company's allocable portion of the compensation, rent and other expenses of certain of its officers (including the Company's chief compliance officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, general counsel, treasurer and assistant treasurer) and their respective staffs. The administration agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days' written notice to the other party.

        For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company incurred $12, $14 and $14 in administrative fees, respectively. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company incurred an additional $8 in administrative fees related to the integration of the American Capital Acquisition. These acquisition-related expenses are included in "professional fees and other costs related to the American Capital Acquisition" in the consolidated statement of operations. As of December 31, 2017, $4 of the administrative fees were unpaid and included in "accounts payable and other liabilities" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

4.     INVESTMENTS

        As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, investments consisted of the following:

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        The industrial and geographic compositions of the Company's portfolio at fair value as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

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        As of December 31, 2017, 3.1% of total investments at amortized cost (or 1.4% of total investments at fair value) were on non-accrual status. As of December 31, 2016, 2.9% of total investments at amortized cost (or 0.8% of total investments at fair value) were on non-accrual status.

Co-Investment Programs

Senior Direct Lending Program

        The Company has established a joint venture with Varagon to make certain first lien senior secured loans, including certain stretch senior and unitranche loans, primarily to U.S. middle market companies. Varagon was formed in 2013 as a lending platform by American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) and other partners. The joint venture is called the SDLP. In July 2016, the Company and Varagon and its clients completed the initial funding of the SDLP. In conjunction with the initial funding, we and Varagon and its clients sold investment commitments to the SDLP. Such investment commitments included $529 of investment commitments sold to the SDLP by the Company. No realized gains or losses were recorded by the Company on these transactions. The SDLP may generally commit and hold individual loans of up to $300. The Company and other accounts managed by the Company's investment adviser and its affiliates may directly co-invest with the SDLP to accommodate larger transactions. 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 the Company and Varagon (with approval from a representative of each required).

        The Company provides 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 SDLP Certificates. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company and a client of Varagon owned 87.5% and 12.5%, respectively, of the outstanding SDLP Certificates.

        As of December 31, 2017, the Company and Varagon and its clients had agreed to make capital available to the SDLP of $2,925 in the aggregate, of which $591 is to be made available from the Company. This capital will only be committed to the SDLP upon approval of transactions by the investment committee of the SDLP as discussed above. Below is a summary of the funded capital and unfunded capital commitments of the SDLP.

        The SDLP Certificates pay a coupon of LIBOR plus 8.0% and also entitle the holders thereof to receive a portion of the excess cash flow from the loan portfolio, after expenses, which may result in a return to the holders of the SDLP Certificates that is greater than the stated coupon. The SDLP Certificates are junior in right of payment to the senior notes and intermediate funding notes.

        The amortized cost and fair value of the SDLP Certificates held by the Company were $487 and $487, respectively, as of December 31, 2017. The Company's yield on its investment in the SDLP at

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amortized cost and fair value was 14.5% and 14.5%, respectively, as of December 31, 2017. The amortized cost and fair value of the SDLP Certificates held by the Company were $270 and $270, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. The Company's yield on its investment in the SDLP at amortized cost and fair value was 14.0% and 14.0%, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company earned interest income of $52 and $13, respectively, from its investment in the SDLP Certificates. The Company is also entitled to certain fees in connection with the SDLP. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, in connection with the SDLP, the Company earned capital structuring service and other fees totaling $11 and $6, respectively.

        As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the SDLP's portfolio was comprised entirely of first lien senior secured loans to U.S. middle market companies and were in industries similar to the companies in the Company's portfolio. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, none of the loans were on non-accrual status. Below is a summary of the SDLP's portfolio.

Senior Secured Loan Program

        The Company and GE had previously co-invested in first lien senior secured loans of middle market companies through the SSLP. The SSLP was capitalized as transactions were completed. All portfolio decisions and generally all other decisions in respect of the SSLP were approved by an investment committee of the SSLP consisting of representatives of the Company and GE (with approval from a representative of each required). The Company provided capital to the SSLP in the form of subordinated certificates (the "SSLP Certificates"). GE provided capital to the SSLP in the form of senior notes and the SSLP Certificates.

        As of June 30, 2017, the Company's investment in the SSLP Certificates at amortized cost and fair value was $1.9 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively. As of June 30, 2017, the SSLP had $1.2 billion in cash and GE's senior notes outstanding totaled $601. In July 2017, the SSLP made its monthly waterfall distribution from this cash, which fully repaid the senior notes of the SSLP with the remaining amounts distributed to the holders of the SSLP Certificates. From this distribution, the Company received $474 in respect of the Company's SSLP Certificates. After this distribution, the Company's amortized cost in its SSLP Certificates was $1.5 billion.

        In addition, in July 2017, the Company and GE agreed to an effective termination of the SSLP whereby on July 26, 2017, the Company purchased the remaining $1.6 billion in aggregate principal amount of first lien senior secured loans outstanding at par plus accrued and unpaid interest and fees from the SSLP (the "SSLP Loan Sale") and assumed the SSLP's remaining unfunded loan commitments totaling $50. Upon completion of the SSLP Loan Sale, the SSLP made a liquidation distribution to the holders of the SSLP Certificates (the "SSLP Liquidation Distribution"), of which the Company received $1.5 billion. In connection with the SSLP Liquidation Distribution, the Company recognized an $18 realized loss. After completion of the transactions above, the operations of the SSLP

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were effectively terminated pursuant to the terms of the documents governing the SSLP and the SSLP no longer has an obligation to fund existing commitments and other amounts in respect of its former portfolio companies.

        Below is a summary of the funded capital and unfunded capital commitments of the SSLP as of December 31, 2016.

        As of December 31, 2016, the amortized cost and fair value of the SSLP Certificates held by the Company were $1,938 and $1,914, respectively. The Company's yield on its investment in the SSLP at amortized cost and fair value was 7.0% and 7.1%, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company earned interest income of $69, $208 and $276, respectively, from its investment in the SSLP Certificates. The Company was also entitled to certain fees in connection with the SSLP. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, in connection with the SSLP, the Company earned capital structuring service, sourcing and other fees totaling $5, $20 and $48, respectively.

        In June 2017, the Company purchased the SSLP's entire $259 aggregate principal amount of first lien senior secured loan investments in Implus Footcare, LLC ("Implus") at fair value of $259. As a result of the transaction, the SSLP fully exited its investment in Implus.

        As of December 31, 2016, the SSLP's portfolio was comprised of all first lien senior secured loans to U.S. middle-market companies and were in industries similar to the companies in the Company's portfolio. As of December 31, 2016, none of these loans were on non-accrual status. Below is a summary of the SSLP's portfolio as of December 31, 2016.

Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P.

        Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P. ("IHAM") is an asset management services company and an SEC-registered investment adviser. The Company has made investments in IHAM, its wholly owned portfolio company and previously made investments in certain vehicles managed by IHAM. As of December 31, 2017, IHAM had assets under management of approximately $4.1 billion. As of December 31, 2017, IHAM managed 21 vehicles and served as the sub-manager/sub-servicer for two other vehicles (these vehicles managed or sub-managed/sub-serviced by IHAM are collectively referred to as the "IHAM Vehicles"). IHAM earns fee income from managing the IHAM Vehicles and has also

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invested in certain of these vehicles as part of its business strategy. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, IHAM had total investments of $229 and $223, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, IHAM had management and incentive fee income of $44, $17 and $20 respectively, and other investment-related income of $26, $24 and $25, respectively.

        In connection with the American Capital Acquisition, which was completed on January 3, 2017 (the "Acquisition Date"), American Capital Asset Management, LLC ("ACAM"), a wholly owned portfolio company of American Capital, merged with and into IHAM, with IHAM remaining as the surviving entity as a wholly owned portfolio company of the Company. As a result of the merger of IHAM and ACAM, the Company's investment in IHAM increased by $179, which was recorded as a capital contribution in the amount of the fair value of the net assets of ACAM as of the Acquisition Date. In January 2017, as a result of sales of certain assets previously held by ACAM, IHAM made a distribution to the Company of $103, which was recorded as a return of the Company's capital contribution discussed above. Also in connection with the American Capital Acquisition, the Company assumed a $7 bridge loan receivable from a consolidated subsidiary of ACAM. Such receivable amount was repaid by IHAM in January 2017. See Note 16 for additional information regarding the American Capital Acquisition. In March 2017, the Company made an additional capital contribution of $50 to IHAM, which was unrelated to the American Capital Acquisition. In June 2017, IHAM made a distribution to the Company of $52, which was recorded as a return of the Company's capital.

        The amortized cost and fair value of the Company's investment in IHAM was $244 and $315, respectively, as of December 31, 2017, and $171 and $229, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company received dividend income distributions from IHAM of $40, $40 and $50, respectively. The dividend income for the year ended December 31, 2015 included additional dividends of $10 for the period in addition to the quarterly dividends generally paid by IHAM. IHAM paid the additional dividends out of accumulated earnings that had previously been retained by IHAM.

        From time to time, IHAM or certain IHAM Vehicles may purchase investments from, or sell investments to, the Company. For any such sales or purchases by the IHAM Vehicles to or from the Company, the IHAM Vehicles must obtain approval from third parties unaffiliated with the Company or IHAM, as applicable. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, IHAM or certain of the IHAM Vehicles purchased $137, $495 and $538, respectively, of investments from the Company. A net realized loss of $0 was recorded by the Company on these transactions for the year end December 31, 2017. Net realized gains of $1 and $1 were recorded by the Company on these transactions for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company purchased $12 of investments from certain of the IHAM Vehicles. The Company made no purchases from IHAM for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

        IHAM is party to an administration agreement, referred to herein as the "IHAM administration agreement," with Ares Operations. Pursuant to the IHAM administration agreement, Ares Operations provides IHAM with, among other things, office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services, services relating to the marketing and sale of interests in vehicles managed by IHAM, services of, and oversight of, custodians, depositories, accountants, attorneys, underwriters and such other persons in any other capacity deemed to be necessary. Under the IHAM administration agreement, IHAM reimburses Ares Operations for all of the actual costs associated with such services, including Ares Operations' allocable portion of the compensation, rent and other expenses of its officers, employees and respective staff in performing its obligations under the IHAM administration agreement.

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5.     DEBT

        In accordance with the Investment Company Act, with certain limited exceptions, the Company is only allowed to borrow amounts such that its asset coverage, calculated pursuant to the Investment Company Act, is at least 200% after such borrowing. On June 21, 2016, the Company, Ares Capital Management, Ares Venture Finance GP LLC and Ares Venture Finance,L.P. ("AVF LP") received exemptive relief from the SEC allowing the Company to modify the Company's calculation of asset coverage requirements to exclude the SBA Debentures (defined below). As such, the Company's ratio of total consolidated assets to outstanding indebtedness may be less than 200%. This exemptive relief provides the Company with increased investment flexibility but also increases the Company's risk related to leverage. As of December 31, 2017 the Company's asset coverage was 242%.

        The Company's outstanding debt as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

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        The weighted average stated interest rate and weighted average maturity, both on aggregate principal amount, of all the Company's outstanding debt as of December 31, 2017 were 4.1% and 4.3 years, respectively, and as of December 31, 2016 were 4.2% and 4.8 years, respectively.

Revolving Credit Facility

        The Company is party to a senior secured revolving credit facility (as amended and restated, the "Revolving Credit Facility"), which allows the Company to borrow up to $2,108 at any one time outstanding. The Revolving Credit Facility consists of a $395 term loan tranche with a stated maturity date of January 4, 2022 and a $1,713 revolving tranche. For $1,630 of the revolving tranche, the end of the revolving period and the stated maturity date are January 4, 2021 and January 4, 2022, respectively. For $38 of the revolving tranche, the end of the revolving period and the stated maturity date are May 4, 2020 and May 4, 2021, respectively. For the remaining $45 of the revolving tranche, the end of the revolving period and the stated maturity date are May 4, 2019 and May 4, 2020, respectively. The Revolving Credit Facility also provides for a feature that allows the Company, under certain circumstances, to increase the overall size of the Revolving Credit Facility to a maximum of $3,095. The Revolving Credit Facility generally requires payments of interest at the end of each LIBOR interest period, but no less frequently than quarterly, on LIBOR based loans, and monthly payments of interest on other loans. From the end of the revolving period to the stated maturity date as applicable for each revolving tranche, the Company is required to repay outstanding principal amounts under such revolving tranche on a monthly basis in an amount equal to 1/12th of the outstanding principal amount at the end of the revolving period.

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        Under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company is required to comply with various covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar revolving credit facilities, including, without limitation, covenants related to: (a) limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens, (b) limitations on certain investments, (c) limitations on certain restricted payments, (d) maintaining a certain minimum stockholders' equity, (e) maintaining a ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries (subject to certain exceptions) of not less than 2.0:1.0, (f) limitations on pledging certain unencumbered assets, and (g) limitations on the creation or existence of agreements that prohibit liens on certain properties of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the documents governing the Revolving Credit Facility. Amounts available to borrow under the Revolving Credit Facility (and the incurrence of certain other permitted debt) are also subject to compliance with a borrowing base that applies different advance rates to different types of assets in the Company's portfolio that are pledged as collateral. As of December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility.

        As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, there was $395 and $571 outstanding, respectively, under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2017, the Revolving Credit Facility also provides for a sub-limit for the issuance of letters of credit for up to an aggregate amount of $150. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had $44 and $28, respectively, in letters of credit issued through the Revolving Credit Facility. The amount available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility is reduced by any letters of credit issued. As of December 31, 2017, there was $1,669 available for borrowing (net of letters of credit issued) under the Revolving Credit Facility.

        Since March 26, 2015, the interest rate charged on the Revolving Credit Facility is based on an applicable spread of either 1.75% or 2.00% over LIBOR or 0.75% or 1.00% over an "alternate base rate" (as defined in the agreements governing the Revolving Credit Facility), in each case, determined monthly based on the total amount of the borrowing base relative to the total commitments of the Revolving Credit Facility and other debt, if any, secured by the same collateral as the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2017, the interest rate in effect was LIBOR plus 1.75%. Prior to and including March 25, 2015, the interest rate charged on the Revolving Credit Facility was based on an applicable spread of 2.00% over LIBOR or an applicable spread of 1.00% over an "alternate base rate." As of December 31, 2017, the one, two, three and six month LIBOR was 1.56%, 1.62%, 1.69% and 1.84%, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, the one, two, three and six month LIBOR was 0.77%, 0.82%, 1.00% and 1.32%, respectively. In addition to the stated interest expense on the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.375% per annum on any unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility. Since March 26, 2015, the Company is also required to pay a letter of credit fee of either 2.00% or 2.25% per annum on letters of credit issued, determined monthly based on the total amount of the borrowing base relative to the total commitments of the Revolving Credit Facility and other debt, if any, secured by the same collateral as the Revolving Credit Facility. Prior to and including March 25, 2015, the Company paid a letter of credit fee of 2.25% per annum on letters of credit issued.

        In December 2017, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to effectively fix the interest rate in connection with the $395 term loan tranche of the Revolving Credit Facility. See Note 6 for more information on the interest rate swap.

        The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by certain assets in the Company's portfolio and excludes investments held by Ares Capital CP under the Revolving Funding Facility, those held by ACJB under the SMBC Funding Facility (as defined below) and those held by AVF LP under the SBA Debentures, each as described below, and certain other investments.

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        For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the components of interest and credit facility fees expense, cash paid for interest expense, average stated interest rates (i.e., rate in effect plus the spread) and average outstanding balances for the Revolving Credit Facility were as follows:

Revolving Funding Facility

        The Company's consolidated subsidiary, Ares Capital CP Funding LLC ("Ares Capital CP"), is party to a revolving funding facility (as amended, the "Revolving Funding Facility"), which allows Ares Capital CP to borrow up to $1,000 at any one time outstanding. The Revolving Funding Facility is secured by all of the assets held by, and the membership interest in, Ares Capital CP. The end of the reinvestment period and the stated maturity date for the Revolving Funding Facility are January 3, 2019 and January 3, 2022, respectively.

        Amounts available to borrow under the Revolving Funding Facility are subject to a borrowing base that applies different advance rates to different types of assets held by Ares Capital CP. Ares Capital CP is also subject to limitations with respect to the loans securing the Revolving Funding Facility, including restrictions on sector concentrations, loan size, payment frequency and status, collateral interests, loans with fixed rates and loans with certain investment ratings, as well as restrictions on portfolio company leverage, which may also affect the borrowing base and therefore amounts available to borrow. The Company and Ares Capital CP are also required to comply with various covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar facilities. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the agreements governing the Revolving Funding Facility. As of December 31, 2017, the Company and Ares Capital CP were in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Revolving Funding Facility.

        As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, there was $600 and $155 outstanding, respectively, under the Revolving Funding Facility. From October 2, 2017 to December 31, 2017, the interest rate charged on the Revolving Funding Facility was based on LIBOR plus 2.15% per annum or a "base rate" (as defined in the agreements governing the Revolving Funding Facility) plus 1.15% per annum. From January 4, 2017 to October 1, 2017, the interest rate charged on the Revolving Funding Facility was based on LIBOR plus 2.30% per annum or a "base rate" plus 1.30% per annum. Prior to and including January 3, 2017, the interest rate charged on the Revolving Funding Facility was based on an applicable spread ranging from 2.25% to 2.50% over LIBOR or ranging from 1.25% to 1.50% over a "base rate" in each case, determined monthly based on the composition of the borrowing base relative to outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Funding Facility. Ares Capital CP is also required to pay a commitment fee between 0.50% and 1.50% per annum depending on the size of the unused portion of the Revolving Funding Facility. Ares Capital CP is also required to pay a commitment termination premium in an amount equal to 1.00% of any commitment reduction prior to January 3, 2018 and 0.50% for any commitment reduction prior to July 3, 2018.

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        For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the components of interest and credit facility fees expense, cash paid for interest expense, average stated interest rates (i.e., rate in effect plus the spread) and average outstanding balances for the Revolving Funding Facility were as follows:

SMBC Funding Facility

        The Company's consolidated subsidiary, Ares Capital JB Funding LLC ("ACJB"), is party to a revolving funding facility (as amended, the "SMBC Funding Facility") with ACJB, as the borrower, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation ("SMBC"), as the administrative agent, collateral agent, and lender, that allows ACJB to borrow up to $400 at any one time outstanding. The SMBC Funding Facility is secured by all of the assets held by ACJB. The end of the reinvestment period and the stated maturity date for the SMBC Funding Facility are September 14, 2018 and September 14, 2023, respectively. The reinvestment period and the stated maturity date are both subject to two one-year extensions by mutual agreement.

        Amounts available to borrow under the SMBC Funding Facility are subject to a borrowing base that applies an advance rate to assets held by ACJB. The Company and ACJB are also required to comply with various covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar facilities. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the documents governing the SMBC Funding Facility. As of December 31, 2017, the Company and ACJB were in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the SMBC Funding Facility.

        As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, there was $60 and $105 outstanding, respectively, under the SMBC Funding Facility. Since June 30, 2015, the interest rate charged on the SMBC Funding Facility is based on an applicable spread of either 1.75% or 2.00% over LIBOR or 0.75% or 1.00% 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. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the interest rate in effect was LIBOR plus 2.00%. Prior to and including June 30, 2015, the interest rate charged on the SMBC Funding Facility was based on an applicable spread of 2.00% over LIBOR or 1.00% over a "base rate." As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the interest rate in effect was based on the one month LIBOR, which was 1.57% and 0.71%, respectively. ACJB is required to pay a commitment fee of between 0.35% and 0.875% per annum depending on the size of the unused portion of the SMBC Funding Facility.

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        For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the components of interest and credit facility fees expense, cash paid for interest expense, average stated interest rates (i.e., rate in effect plus the spread) and average outstanding balances for the SMBC Funding Facility were as follows:

SBA Debentures

        In April 2015, the Company's consolidated subsidiary, Ares Venture Finance, L.P. ("AVF LP"), received a license from the Small Business Administration ("SBA") to operate as a Small Business Investment Company ("SBIC") under the provisions of Section 301(c) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended. The SBA places certain limitations on the financing of investments by SBICs in portfolio companies, including regulating the types of financings, restricting investments to only include small businesses with certain characteristics or in certain industries, and requiring capitalization thresholds that may limit distributions to the Company.

        The license from the SBA allows AVF LP to obtain leverage by issuing SBA-guaranteed debentures (the "SBA Debentures"), subject to issuance of a capital commitment by the SBA and other customary procedures. Leverage through the SBA Debentures is subject to required capitalization thresholds. Current SBA regulations limit the amount that any SBIC may borrow to $150 and the original amount committed to AVF LP by the SBA was $75. Any undrawn commitments expire on September 30, 2019. The SBA Debentures are non-recourse to the Company, have interest payable semi-annually, have a 10-year maturity and may be prepaid at any time without penalty. In September 2017, AVF LP fully repaid the $25 of the aggregate principal amount of the SBA Debentures outstanding at the time, and as a result had $50 of remaining commitments to AVF LP by the SBA.

        The interest rate for the SBA Debentures was fixed at the time the SBA Debentures and other applicable SBA-guaranteed debentures were pooled and sold to the public and were based on a spread over U.S. treasury notes with 10-year maturities. The pooling of newly issued SBA-guaranteed debentures occurred twice per year. The spread included an annual charge as determined by the SBA (the "Annual Charge") as well as a market-driven component. Prior to the 10-year fixed interest rate being determined, the interim interest rate charged for the SBA-guarantee debentures was based on LIBOR plus an applicable spread of 0.30% and the Annual Charge. As of December 31, 2016, the weighted average fixed interest rate in effect for the SBA Debentures was 3.48%.

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        For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the components of interest expense, cash paid for interest expense, average stated interest rate and average outstanding balances for the SBA Debentures were as follows:

Convertible Unsecured Notes

        The Company has issued $270 aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes that mature on January 15, 2018 (the "2018 Convertible Notes"), $300 aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes that mature on January 15, 2019 (the "2019 Convertible Notes") and $388 aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes that mature on February 1, 2022 (the "2022 Convertible Notes" and together with the 2018 Convertible Notes and the 2019 Convertible Notes, the "Convertible Unsecured Notes"). The Convertible Unsecured Notes mature upon their respective maturity dates unless previously converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms. The Company does not have the right to redeem the Convertible Unsecured Notes prior to maturity. The 2018 Convertible Notes, the 2019 Convertible Notes and the 2022 Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.75%, 4.375% and 3.75%, respectively, per year, payable semi-annually.

        In certain circumstances, the Convertible Unsecured Notes will be convertible into cash, shares of the Company's common stock or a combination of cash and shares of its common stock, at the Company's election, at their respective conversion rates (listed below as of December 31, 2017) subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments and the requirements of their respective indenture (the "Convertible Unsecured Notes Indentures"). To the extent the 2018 Convertible Notes are converted, the Company has elected to settle with a combination of cash and shares of its common stock. Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding their respective conversion date (listed below), holders may convert their Convertible Unsecured Notes only under certain circumstances set forth in the Convertible Unsecured Notes Indentures. On or after their respective conversion dates until the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding their respective maturity date, holders may convert their Convertible Unsecured Notes at any time. In addition, if the Company engages in certain corporate events as described in their respective Convertible Unsecured Notes Indenture, holders of the Convertible Unsecured Notes may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or part of the Convertible Unsecured Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Unsecured Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest through, but excluding, the required repurchase date.

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        Certain key terms related to the convertible features for each of the Convertible Unsecured Notes as of December 31, 2017 are listed below.

        As of December 31, 2017, the principal amounts of each series of the Convertible Unsecured Notes exceeded the value of the underlying shares multiplied by the per share closing price of the Company's common stock.

        The Convertible Unsecured Notes Indentures contain certain covenants, including covenants requiring the Company to comply with Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act and to provide financial information to the holders of the Convertible Unsecured Notes under certain circumstances. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the Convertible Unsecured Notes Indentures. As of December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Convertible Unsecured Notes Indentures.

        The Convertible Unsecured Notes are accounted for in accordance with ASC 470-20. Upon conversion of any of the other Convertible Unsecured Notes, the Company intends to pay the outstanding principal amount in cash and to the extent that the conversion value exceeds the principal amount, the Company has the option to pay in cash or shares of the Company's common stock (or a combination of cash and shares) in respect of the excess amount, subject to the requirements of the Convertible Unsecured Notes Indentures. The Company has determined that the embedded conversion options in the Convertible Unsecured Notes are not required to be separately accounted for as a derivative under GAAP. In accounting for the Convertible Unsecured Notes, the Company estimated at the time of issuance separate debt and equity components for each of the Convertible Unsecured Notes. An original issue discount equal to the equity components of the Convertible Unsecured Notes was recorded in "capital in excess of par value" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Additionally, the issuance costs associated with the Convertible Unsecured Notes were allocated to the debt and equity components in proportion to the allocation of the proceeds and accounted for as debt issuance costs and equity issuance costs, respectively.

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        The debt and equity component percentages, the issuance costs and the equity component amounts for each of the Convertible Unsecured Notes are listed below.

        In addition to the original issue discount equal to the equity components of the Convertible Unsecured Notes, the 2018 Convertible Notes and the 2019 Convertible Notes were each issued at a discount. The Company records interest expense comprised of both stated interest expense as well as accretion of any original issue discount.

        As of December 31, 2017, the components of the carrying value of the Convertible Unsecured Notes, the stated interest rate and the effective interest rate were as follows:

        In February 2016, the Company repaid in full the $575 aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes upon their maturity. In June 2016, the Company repaid in full the $230 aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes upon their maturity. In March 2017, the Company repaid in full the $162 aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes (the "2017 Convertible Notes") upon their maturity.

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        For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the components of interest expense and cash paid for interest expense for the Convertible Unsecured Notes, as well as any other convertible unsecured notes outstanding during the periods presented are listed below.

Unsecured Notes

2018 Notes

        The Company has issued $750 in aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on November 30, 2018 (the "2018 Notes"). The 2018 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.875% per year, payable semi-annually and all principal is due upon maturity. The 2018 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time at the Company's option at a redemption price equal to par plus a "make whole" premium, as determined pursuant to the indenture governing the 2018 Notes, and any accrued and unpaid interest. $600 in aggregate principal amount of the 2018 Notes were issued at a discount to the principal amount and $150 in aggregate principal amount of the 2018 Notes were issued at a premium to the principal amount.

2020 Notes

        The Company has issued $600 in aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on January 15, 2020 (the "2020 Notes"). The 2020 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.875% per year, payable semi-annually and all principal is due upon maturity. The 2020 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time at the Company's option at a redemption price equal to par plus a "make whole" premium, if applicable, as determined pursuant to the indenture governing the 2020 Notes, and any accrued and unpaid interest. $400 in aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Notes were issued at a discount to the principal amount and $200 in aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Notes were issued at a premium to the principal amount.

January 2022 Notes

        The Company has issued $600 in aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on January 19, 2022 (the "January 2022 Notes"). The January 2022 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.625% per year, payable semi-annually and all principal is due upon maturity. The January 2022 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time at the Company's option at a redemption price equal to par plus a "make whole" premium, if applicable, as determined pursuant to the indenture governing the January 2022 Notes, and any accrued and unpaid interest. The January 2022 Notes were issued at a discount to the principal amount.

October 2022 Notes

        In June 2017, the Company redeemed the entire $183 in aggregate principal amount outstanding of the unsecured notes that were scheduled to mature on October 1, 2022 (the "October 2022 Notes") in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the October 2022 Notes. The October 2022 Notes bore interest at a rate of 5.875% per year, payable quarterly. The October 2022 Notes were

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redeemed at par plus accrued and unpaid interest for a total redemption price of approximately $185, which resulted in a realized loss on the extinguishment of debt of $4.

2023 Notes

        The Company has issued $750 in aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on February 10, 2023 (the "2023 Notes"). The 2023 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.500% per year, payable semi-annually and all principal is due upon maturity. The 2023 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time at the Company's option at a redemption price equal to par plus a "make whole" premium, if applicable, as determined pursuant to the indenture governing the 2023 Notes, and any accrued and unpaid interest. The 2023 Notes were issued at a discount to the principal amount.

2047 Notes

        As part of the acquisition of Allied Capital Corporation ("Allied Capital") in April 2010 (the "Allied Acquisition"), the Company assumed $230 aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes due on April 15, 2047 (the "2047 Notes" and together with the 2018 Notes, the 2020 Notes, the January 2022 Notes and the 2023 Notes, the "Unsecured Notes"). The 2047 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.875%, payable quarterly and all principal is due upon maturity. The 2047 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company's option, at a par redemption price of $25.00 per security plus accrued and unpaid interest. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the outstanding principal was $230 and $230 respectively, and the carrying value was $182 and $182, respectively. The carrying value represents the outstanding principal amount of the 2047 Notes less the unaccreted purchased discount recorded as a part of the Allied Acquisition.

        See Note 18 for a subsequent event regarding an additional issuance of unsecured notes.

        For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the components of interest expense and cash paid for interest expense for the Unsecured Notes, as well as any other unsecured notes outstanding during the periods presented are listed below.

        The Unsecured Notes contain certain covenants, including covenants requiring the Company to comply with Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act and to provide financial information to the holders of such notes under certain circumstances. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions set forth in the indentures governing such notes. As of December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the respective indentures governing each of the Unsecured Notes.

        The Convertible Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes are the Company's unsecured senior obligations and rank senior in right of payment to any future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Convertible Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes; equal in right of payment to the Company's existing and future unsecured indebtedness that is not expressly subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of its secured indebtedness (including

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existing unsecured indebtedness that the Company later secures) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including trade payables) incurred by the Company's subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities.

6.     DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

        The Company enters into forward currency contracts from time to time to help mitigate the impact that an adverse change in foreign exchange rates would have on the value of the Company's investments denominated in foreign currencies. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the counterparty to these forward currency contracts was Bank of Montreal. Net unrealized gains or losses on foreign currency contracts are included in "net unrealized gains (losses) from foreign currency and other transactions" and net realized gains or losses on forward currency contracts are included in "net realized gains (losses) from foreign currency transactions" in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

        The Company had an agreement with the SDLP to sell certain of the Company's investments to the SDLP at a mutually agreed upon price on a future date (the "Forward Sale Agreement"). The value of the Forward Sale Agreement with the SDLP changed as the fair value of the identified loans changed and as additional loans were added to such agreement. In July 2016, the Company and Varagon and its clients completed the initial funding of the SDLP. In conjunction with the initial funding, the Company and Varagon and its clients sold investment commitments to the SDLP and the Forward Sale Agreement was terminated. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the unrealized gain related to this agreement was included in the "net unrealized gains (losses) from foreign currency and other transactions" in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

        Forward currency contracts and interest rate swaps are considered undesignated derivative instruments.

        Certain information related to the Company's foreign currency forward contracts is presented below as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

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        In December 2017, in connection with the $395 term loan tranche of the Revolving Credit Facility the Company entered into a three-year interest rate swap agreement to mitigate our exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates for a total notional amount of $395 and a maturity date of January 4, 2021. Under the interest rate swap agreement, the Company will pay a fixed interest rate of 2.06% and receive a floating rate based on the prevailing one-month LIBOR, with the ability to elect one, two or three-month LIBOR. As of December 31, 2017 the one-month LIBOR rate in effect was 1.50%. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized $1 in unrealized depreciation related to this swap agreement. As of December 31, 2017, this swap agreement had a fair value of $(1), which is included in the "accounts payable and other liabilities" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Net unrealized gains or losses on the interest rate swap are included in "net unrealized gains (losses) from foreign currency and other transactions."

        Certain information related to the Company's interest rate swap is presented below as of December 31, 2017.

7.     COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

        The Company has various commitments to fund investments in its portfolio as described below. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had the following commitments to fund various revolving and delayed draw senior secured and subordinated loans, including commitments to fund which are at (or substantially at) the Company's discretion:

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        Included within the total revolving and delayed draw loan commitments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were delayed draw loan commitments totaling $251 and $92, respectively. The Company's commitment to fund delayed draw loans is triggered upon the satisfaction of certain pre-negotiated terms and conditions. Generally, the most significant and uncertain term requires the borrower to satisfy a specific use of proceeds covenant. The use of proceeds covenant typically requires the borrower to use the additional loans for the specific purpose of a permitted acquisition or permitted investment, for example. In addition to the use of proceeds covenant, the borrower is generally required to satisfy additional negotiated covenants (including specified leverage levels).

        Also included within the total revolving and delayed draw loan commitments as of December 31, 2017 were commitments to issue up to $158 in letters of credit through a financial intermediary on behalf of certain portfolio companies. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had $29 in letters of credit issued and outstanding under these commitments on behalf of portfolio companies. For all these letters of credit issued and outstanding, the Company would be required to make payments to third parties if the portfolio companies were to default on their related payment obligations. Of these letters of credit, $28 expire in 2018 and $1 expire in 2019. As of December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a liability of $7 for certain letters of credit issued and outstanding and none of the other letters of credit issued and outstanding were recorded as a liability on the Company's balance sheet as such other letters of credit are considered in the valuation of the investments in the portfolio company.

        The Company also has commitments to co-invest in the SDLP for the Company's portion of the SDLP's commitments to fund delayed draw loans to certain portfolio companies of the SDLP. The Company previously had commitments to co-invest in the SSLP for the Company's portion of the SSLP's commitments to fund delayed draw loans to certain portfolio companies of the SSLP. See Note 4 for more information.

        As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company was party to subscription agreements to fund equity investments in private equity investment partnerships as follows:

        In the ordinary course of business, the Company may sell certain of its investments to third party purchasers. In particular, in connection with the sale of certain controlled portfolio company equity investments (as well as certain other sales) the Company has, and may continue to do so in the future, agreed to indemnify such purchasers for future liabilities arising from the investments and the related sale transaction. Such indemnification provisions have given rise to liabilities in the past and may do so in the future.

        In addition, in the ordinary course of business, the Company may guarantee certain obligations in connection with its portfolio companies (in particular, certain controlled portfolio companies). Under these guarantee arrangements, payments may be required to be made to third parties if such guarantees are called upon or if the portfolio companies were to default on their related obligations, as applicable.

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Lease Commitments

        The Company is obligated under a number of operating leases and subleases for office spaces with terms ranging from less than one year to more than 15 years. Total rent expense incurred by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $3, $4 and $4, respectively.

        The following table shows future minimum payments under the Company's operating leases and subleases where it is a sublessee as of December 31, 2017:

        For certain of its operating leases, the Company has entered into subleases including ones with Ares Management and IHAM. See Note 13 for further description of these subleases.

        The following table shows future expected rental payments to be received under the Company's subleases where the Company is the sublessor as of December 31, 2017. The current allocations reflected below are as of December 31, 2017. The allocations in connection with the Company's subleases are subject to change and future review. Further, such allocations are subject to change depending on the composition of, and functions performed by, the staff in each office.

8.     FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

        The Company follows ASC 825-10, which provides companies the option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. ASC 825-10 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities and to more easily understand the effect of the company's choice to use fair value on its earnings. ASC 825-10 also requires entities to display the fair value of the selected assets and liabilities on the face of the balance sheet. The Company has not elected the ASC 825-10 option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. With the exception of the line items entitled "other assets" and "debt," which are reported at amortized cost, all assets and liabilities approximate fair value on the balance sheet. The carrying value of the lines titled "interest receivable," "receivable for open trades," "payable for open trades," "accounts payable and other liabilities," "base management fees payable," "income based fees payable," "capital gains incentive fees payable" and "interest and facility fees payable" approximate fair value due to their short maturity.

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        The Company also follows ASC 820-10, which expands the application of fair value accounting. ASC 820-10 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. ASC 820-10 determines fair value to be the price that would be received for an investment in a current sale, which assumes an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820-10 requires the Company to assume that the portfolio investment is sold in its principal market to market participants or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market, which may be a hypothetical market. Market participants are defined as buyers and sellers in the principal or most advantageous market that are independent, knowledgeable, and willing and able to transact. In accordance with ASC 820-10, the Company has considered its principal market as the market in which the Company exits its portfolio investments with the greatest volume and level of activity. ASC 820-10 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. In accordance with ASC 820-10, these inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•

Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.



•

Level 2—Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.



•

Level 3—Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

        In addition to using the above inputs in investment valuations, the Company continues to employ the net asset valuation policy approved by the Company's board of directors that is consistent with ASC 820-10 (see Note 2). Consistent with the Company's valuation policy, it evaluates the source of inputs, including any markets in which the Company's investments are trading (or any markets in which securities with similar attributes are trading), in determining fair value. The Company's valuation policy considers the fact that because there is not a readily available market value for most of the investments in the Company's portfolio, the fair value of the investments must typically be determined using unobservable inputs.

        The Company's portfolio investments (other than as described below in the following paragraph) are typically valued using two different valuation techniques. The first valuation technique is an analysis of the enterprise value ("EV") of the portfolio company. Enterprise value means the entire value of the portfolio company to a market participant, including the sum of the values of debt and equity securities used to capitalize the enterprise at a point in time. The primary method for determining EV uses a multiple analysis whereby appropriate multiples are applied to the portfolio company's EBITDA (generally defined as net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization). EBITDA multiples are typically determined based upon review of market comparable transactions and publicly traded comparable companies, if any. The Company may also employ other valuation multiples to determine EV, such as revenues or, in the case of certain portfolio companies in the power generation industry, kilowatt capacity. The second method for determining EV uses a discounted cash flow analysis whereby future expected cash flows of the portfolio company are discounted to determine a present value using estimated discount rates (typically a weighted average cost of capital based on costs of debt and equity consistent with current market conditions). The EV analysis is performed to determine the value of equity investments, the value of debt investments in portfolio companies where the Company has control or could gain control through an option or warrant security, and to determine if there is credit impairment for debt investments. If debt investments are credit impaired, an EV analysis may be used to value such debt investments; however, in addition to the methods outlined above, other methods such as a liquidation or wind-down analysis may be utilized to estimate enterprise value. The second valuation technique is a yield analysis, which is typically performed for non-credit impaired debt investments in portfolio companies where the

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Company does not own a controlling equity position. To determine fair value using a yield analysis, a current price is imputed for the investment based upon an assessment of the expected market yield for a similarly structured investment with a similar level of risk. In the yield analysis, the Company considers the current contractual interest rate, the maturity and other terms of the investment relative to risk of the company and the specific investment. A key determinant of risk, among other things, is the leverage through the investment relative to the enterprise value of the portfolio company. As debt investments held by the Company are substantially illiquid with no active transaction market, the Company depends on primary market data, including newly funded transactions, as well as secondary market data with respect to high yield debt instruments and syndicated loans, as inputs in determining the appropriate market yield, as applicable.

        For other portfolio investments such as investments in the SDLP Certificates, discounted cash flow analysis is the primary technique utilized to determine fair value. Expected future cash flows associated with the investment are discounted to determine a present value using a discount rate that reflects estimated market return requirements.

        The following tables summarize the significant unobservable inputs the Company used to value the majority of its investments categorized within Level 3 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. The tables are not intended to be all-inclusive, but instead capture the significant unobservable inputs relevant to the Company's determination of fair values.

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        Changes in market yields, discount rates or EBITDA multiples, each in isolation, may change the fair value of certain of the Company's investments. Generally, an increase in market yields or discount rates or decrease in EBITDA multiples may result in a decrease in the fair value of certain of the Company's investments.

        Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Company's investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of the Company's investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values that the Company may ultimately realize. Further, such investments are generally subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise are less liquid than publicly traded securities. If the Company was required to liquidate a portfolio investment in a forced or liquidation sale, it could realize significantly less than the value at which the Company has recorded it.

        In addition, changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the unrealized gains or losses reflected in the valuations currently assigned.

        The following table presents fair value measurements of cash and cash equivalents, investments and derivatives as of December 31, 2017:

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        The following table presents fair value measurements of cash and cash equivalents, investments and derivatives as of December 31, 2016:

        Transfers between levels, if any, are recognized at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfers occur.

        The following table presents changes in investments that use Level 3 inputs as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017:

        As of December 31, 2017, the net unrealized depreciation on the investments that use Level 3 inputs was $82. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the net transfers out of Level 3 were due to privately held equity investments converting to publicly traded stock.

        For the year ended December 31, 2017, the total amount of gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to the Company's Level 3 assets still held as of December 31, 2017, and reported within the net unrealized gains (losses) from investments, foreign currency and other transactions in the Company's consolidated statement of operations was $107.

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        The following table presents changes in investments that use Level 3 inputs as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016:

        As of December 31, 2016, the net unrealized depreciation on the investments that use Level 3 inputs was $223. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the net transfers out of Level 3 were due to privately held equity investments converting to publicly traded stock.

        For the year ended December 31, 2016, the total amount of gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to the Company's Level 3 assets still held as of December 31, 2016, and reported within the net unrealized gains (losses) from investments, foreign currency and other transactions in the Company's consolidated statement of operations was $(139).

        The following table presents changes in derivatives that use Level 3 inputs as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016:

        As of December 31, 2016, the Company did not have any net unrealized appreciation on the derivatives that use Level 3 inputs.

        Following are the carrying and fair values of the Company's debt obligations as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. Fair value is estimated by discounting remaining payments using applicable current

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market rates, which take into account changes in the Company's marketplace credit ratings, or market quotes, if available.

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        The following table presents fair value measurements of the Company's debt obligations as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

9.     STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

        There were no sales of the Company's equity securities for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. See Note 12 for information regarding shares of common stock issued or purchased in accordance with the Company's dividend reinvestment plan.

        In connection with the American Capital Acquisition, the Company issued 112 shares valued at approximately $1,839. See Note 16 for additional information regarding the American Capital Acquisition.

Stock Repurchase Program

        In September 2015, the Company's board of directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $100 in the aggregate of its outstanding common stock in the open market at certain thresholds below its net asset value per share, in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be determined by the Company, in its discretion, based upon the evaluation of economic and market conditions, stock price, applicable legal and regulatory requirements and other factors. In May 2016, the Company suspended its stock repurchase program pending the completion of the American Capital Acquisition. In February 2017, the Company's board of directors authorized an amendment to its $300 stock repurchase program to (a) increase the total authorization under the program from $100 to $300 and (b) extend the expiration date of the program from February 28, 2017 to February 28, 2018 (see Note 18 for more information). Under the stock repurchase program, the Company may repurchase up to $300 in the aggregate of its outstanding common stock in the open market at a price per share that meets certain thresholds below its net asset value per share, in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. The program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares and it cannot assure stockholders that any shares will be repurchased under the program. The program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time.

        As of December 31, 2017, the Company had repurchased a total of 0.5 shares of its common stock in the open market under the stock repurchase program since the program's inception in September 2015, at an average price of $13.92 per share, including commissions paid, leaving approximately $293 available for additional repurchases under the program. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company did not repurchase any shares of the Company's common stock under the stock repurchase program. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company repurchased a total of 0.4 shares of the Company's common stock in the open market for $5 under the stock repurchase program. The shares were repurchased at an average price of $13.94 per share, including commissions paid.

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10.   EARNINGS PER SHARE

        The following information sets forth the computations of basic and diluted net increase in stockholders' equity resulting from operations per share for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

        For the purpose of calculating diluted net increase in stockholders' equity resulting from operations per share, the average closing price of the Company's common stock for the year ended December 31, 2017 was less than the conversion price for each of the Convertible Unsecured Notes outstanding as of December 31, 2017, as well as any other convertible unsecured notes outstanding during the period. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the average closing price of the Company's common stock was less than the conversion price for each of the Convertible Unsecured Notes outstanding as of December 31, 2016, as well as any other convertible unsecured notes outstanding during the period. Therefore, for all periods presented in the financial statements, the underlying shares for the intrinsic value of the embedded options in the Convertible Unsecured Notes and any other convertible unsecured notes outstanding during the periods presented had no impact on the computation of diluted net increase in stockholders' equity resulting from operations per share.

11.   INCOME AND EXCISE TAXES

        For U.S. Federal income tax purposes, dividends paid and distributions made to the Company's stockholders are reported by the Company to the stockholders as ordinary income, capital gains, or a combination thereof. Dividends paid per common share for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were taxable as follows (unaudited):

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        The following reconciles net increase in stockholders' equity resulting from operations to taxable income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

        Taxable income generally differs from net increase in stockholders' equity resulting from operations for financial reporting purposes due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses, and generally excludes net unrealized gains or losses, as unrealized gains or losses are generally not included in taxable income until they are realized. In addition, on April 1, 2010, the Company acquired Allied Capital in a "tax-free" merger under the Code, which has caused certain merger-related items to vary in their deductibility for GAAP and tax purposes.

        Capital losses in excess of capital gains earned in a tax year may generally be carried forward and used to offset capital gains, subject to certain limitations. As of December 31, 2017, the Company estimates that it will have a capital loss carryforward of approximately $43 available for use in later tax years. Because of the loss limitation rules of the Code, some of the tax basis capital losses may be limited in their use. The unused balance will be carried forward and utilized as gains are realized, subject to such limitations. In addition to the capital loss carryforwards, the Company realized tax basis net losses totaling approximately $0.3 billion from the Allied Capital portfolio since the Allied Acquisition through December 31, 2017, that have not yet been deducted for tax purposes as their deductibility in years since the Allied Acquisition was limited by the Code. While the Company's ability to utilize losses in the future depends upon a variety of factors that cannot be known in advance, substantially all of the Company's capital loss carryforwards and the net realized losses from the Allied Capital portfolio may become permanently unavailable due to limitations by the Code. Unlike the Allied Acquisition, the American Capital Acquisition was treated as a taxable purchase of the American Capital assets for purposes of the Company's taxable income calculations, therefore, there is not expected to be significant unrecognizable losses from the legacy American Capital portfolio.

        For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company had estimated U.S. Federal taxable income in excess of the distributions made from such taxable income during the year, and therefore, the Company has elected to carry forward the excess for distribution to shareholders in 2018. The amount carried forward to 2018 is estimated to be approximately $346, all of which is expected to be ordinary income, although these amounts will not be finalized until the 2017 tax returns are filed in 2018. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had taxable income in excess of the

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distributions made from such taxable income during the year, and therefore, the Company elected to carry forward the excess for distribution to shareholders in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The amounts carried forward to 2017 and 2016 were approximately $339 and $262, respectively. To the extent that the Company determines that its estimated current year annual taxable income will be in excess of estimated current year dividend distributions from such income, the Company accrues excise tax on estimated excess taxable income. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, a net expense of $12, $12 and $9, respectively, was recorded for U.S. federal excise tax. The net expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 each included a reduction in expense related to the recording of a requested refund resulting from the overpayment of the prior year's excise tax of $1, $1 and $1, respectively.

        As of December 31, 2017, the estimated cost basis of investments for U.S. Federal tax purposes was $12.7 billion resulting in estimated gross unrealized gains and losses of $0.5 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, the estimated cost basis of investments for U.S. Federal tax purposes was $9.7 billion resulting in estimated gross unrealized gains and losses of $0.1 billion and $0.8 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the cost of investments for U.S. Federal tax purposes was greater than the amortized cost of investments for book purposes of $11.9 billion and $9.0 billion, respectively, primarily as a result of the Allied Acquisition. The Allied Acquisition qualified as a "tax-free" merger under the Code, which resulted in the acquired assets retaining Allied Capital's cost basis at the merger date.

        In general, the Company may make certain adjustments to the classification of stockholders' equity as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, which may include merger-related items, differences in the book and tax basis of certain assets and liabilities, and nondeductible federal taxes, among other items. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company decreased accumulated overdistributed net investment income by $19, decreased capital in excess of par value by $14 and decreased accumulated undistributed net realized gains on investments, foreign currency translations, extinguishment of debt and other assets by $5. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company increased accumulated undistributed net investment income by $21 and decreased capital in excess of par value by $21. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company decreased accumulated overdistributed net investment income by $17, increased accumulated net realized loss on investments, foreign currency transactions, extinguishment of debt and other assets by $3 and decreased capital in excess of par value by $14.

        Certain of the Company's consolidated subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded a tax expense of approximately $7, $9 and $9, respectively, for these subsidiaries.

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12.   DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

        The following table summarizes the Company's dividends or distributions declared during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

        The Company has a dividend reinvestment plan, whereby the Company may buy shares of its common stock in the open market or issue new shares in order to satisfy dividend reinvestment requests. When the Company issues new shares in connection with the dividend reinvestment plan, the issue price is equal to the closing price of its common stock on the dividend payment date. Dividend reinvestment plan activity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, was as follows:

13.   RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

        In accordance with the investment advisory and management agreement, the Company bears all costs and expenses of the operation of the Company and reimburses its investment adviser or its affiliates for certain of such costs and expenses incurred in the operation of the Company. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company's investment adviser or its affiliates incurred such expenses totaling $5, $5 and $7, respectively.

        The Company is party to office leases pursuant to which it is leasing office facilities from third parties. For certain of these office leases, the Company has also entered into separate subleases with

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Ares Management LLC, the sole member of Ares Capital Management, and IHAM, pursuant to which Ares Management LLC and IHAM sublease a portion of these leases. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, amounts payable to the Company under these subleases totaled $7, $6 and $5, respectively.

        Ares Management LLC has also entered into separate subleases with the Company, pursuant to which the Company subleases certain office spaces from Ares Management LLC. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, amounts payable to Ares Management LLC under these subleases totaled $1, $1 and $1, respectively.

        The Company has also entered into agreements with Ares Management LLC and IHAM, pursuant to which Ares Management LLC and IHAM are entitled to use the Company's proprietary portfolio management software. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, amounts payable to the Company under these agreements totaled $0, $0 and $0, respectively.

        As part of the American Capital Acquisition, the Company assumed a long term incentive plan liability related to certain employees of a subsidiary of ACAM, which is now a subsidiary of IHAM. The liability is determined based on the fair value of certain investments acquired in the American Capital Acquisition. As of December 31, 2017, the liability amount was estimated to be $29 and is included within accounts payable and other liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. This liability will be paid on an annual basis based on exited investments in a given calendar year and the value received upon their exit.

        See Notes 3, 4, 6 and 16 for descriptions of other related party transactions.

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14.   FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

        The following is a schedule of financial highlights as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

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15.   SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA (Unaudited)

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16.   AMERICAN CAPITAL ACQUISITION

        On May 23, 2016, the Company entered into a definitive agreement (the "Merger Agreement") to acquire American Capital. On the Acquisition Date, the Company completed the American Capital Acquisition pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, American Capital shareholders received total consideration of approximately $18.06 per share comprised of: (i) $14.41 per share from the Company consisting of approximately $6.48 per share of cash (including a make-up dividend in the amount of $0.07 per share) and 0.483 shares of the Company's common stock for each American Capital share at a value of $7.93 per American Capital share (based on the closing price per share of the Company's common stock on the Acquisition Date), (ii) $2.45 per share of cash from American Capital's sale of American Capital Mortgage Management, LLC, and (iii) approximately $1.20 per share of cash as transaction support provided by Ares Capital Management acting solely on its own behalf. As of the Acquisition Date, the transaction was valued at approximately $4.2 billion. The total cash and stock consideration paid by the Company was $3.3 billion. In connection with the stock consideration, the Company issued approximately 112 shares of its common stock to American Capital's then-existing stockholders (including holders of outstanding in-the-money American Capital stock options), thereby resulting in the Company's then-existing stockholders owning approximately 73.7% of the combined company and then-existing American Capital stockholders owning approximately 26.3% of the combined company. In addition, in connection with the American Capital Acquisition, Ares Capital Management agreed to waive certain income based fees as described in Note 3.

        The American Capital Acquisition was accounted for in accordance with the asset acquisition method of accounting as detailed in ASC 805-50, Business Combinations-Related Issues. The fair value of the merger consideration paid by the Company was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values as of the date of acquisition and did not give rise to

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goodwill. Since the fair value of the net assets acquired exceeded the fair value of the merger consideration paid by the Company, the Company recognized a deemed contribution from Ares Capital Management.

        The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as a result of the American Capital Acquisition:

        During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company incurred $45 in professional fees and other costs related to the American Capital Acquisition. For the year ended December 31, 2017, these costs included $4 of expenses related to a long term incentive plan liability assumed in the American Capital Acquisition (see Note 13). For the year ended December 31, 2017, these costs also included $18 in one-time investment banking fees incurred in January 2017 upon the closing of the American Capital Acquisition.

17.   LITIGATION

        The Company is party to certain lawsuits in the normal course of business. In addition, American Capital and Allied Capital were involved in various legal proceedings that the Company assumed in

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connection with the American Capital Acquisition and the Allied Acquisition, respectively. Furthermore, third parties may try to seek to impose liability on the Company in connection with the Company's activities or the activities of its portfolio companies. While the outcome of any such legal proceedings cannot at this time be predicted with certainty, the Company does not expect that these legal proceedings will materially affect its business, financial condition or results of operations.

        On May 20, 2013, the Company was named as one of several defendants in an action filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by the bankruptcy trustee of DSI Renal Holdings LLC ("DSI Renal") and two affiliate companies. On March 17, 2014, the motion by the Company and the other defendants to transfer the case to the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the "Delaware Court") was granted. On May 6, 2014, the Delaware Court referred the matter to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "Bankruptcy Court"). The complaint alleges, among other things, that each of the named defendants participated in a purported fraudulent transfer involving the restructuring of a subsidiary of DSI Renal. Among other things, the complaint seeks, jointly and severally from all defendants, (1) damages of approximately $425 million, of which the complaint states the Company's individual share is approximately $117 million, and (2) punitive damages. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss all claims on August 5, 2013. On July 20, 2017, the Bankruptcy Court issued an order granting the motion to dismiss certain claims and denying the motion to dismiss certain other claims, including the purported fraudulent transfer claims. The defendants answered the complaint on August 31, 2017. Under the operative scheduling order, discovery will continue until early 2019 with dispositive motions due on April 30, 2019. No trial date has been set. The Company is currently unable to assess with any certainty whether it may have any exposure in this matter. However, the Company believes the plaintiff's claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself in this matter.

        On or about February 10, 2017, shareholders of American Capital filed a second consolidated amended putative shareholder class action complaint allegedly on behalf of holders of the common stock of American Capital against the former members of American Capital's board of directors and certain former American Capital officers (collectively, the "American Capital defendants"), as well as Elliott Management Corporation, Elliott Associates, L.P., Elliott International, L.P. and Elliott International Capital Advisors Inc. (collectively "Elliott") in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland challenging the American Capital Acquisition. This action is a consolidation of putative shareholder complaints filed against the directors of American Capital on June 24, 2016, July 12, 2016, July 21, 2016 and July 27, 2016, which were consolidated and in which an amended consolidated putative shareholder class action complaint was filed on August 18, 2016. The action alleges that the directors, officers and Elliott failed to adequately discharge their fiduciary duties to the public shareholders of American Capital by hastily commencing a sales process due to the board's manipulation by Elliott. In the alternative, the complaint alleges Elliott aided and abetted breaches of fiduciary duty by the American Capital directors and officers. The complaint also alleges that the directors and officers failed to obtain for the shareholders the highest value available in the marketplace for their shares in the American Capital Acquisition. The complaint further alleges that the merger was the product of a flawed process due to Elliott's continued manipulation, the use of deal protection devices in the American Capital Acquisition that precluded other bidders from making a higher offer to American Capital and the directors' conflicts of interest due to special benefits, including the full vesting of American Capital stock options and incentive awards or golden parachutes the directors received upon consummation of the proposed merger. Additionally, the complaint alleges that the registration statement, which was filed with the SEC on July 20, 2016 and included a joint proxy statement to American Capital's shareholders, is materially false and misleading because it omits material information concerning the financial and procedural fairness of the American Capital Acquisition. The complaint seeks to recover compensatory damages for all losses resulting from the alleged breaches of fiduciary duty and waste. The American Capital defendants filed their motion to dismiss the second consolidated amended complaint on March 3, 2017. Elliott filed its motion to

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dismiss the second consolidated amended complaint on April 14, 2017. Briefing on defendants' motions was completed on May 26, 2017. A hearing on the motions to dismiss was scheduled for June 9, 2017 before Judge Ronald Rubin of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland (the "Court"); however, that hearing was stayed as to the American Capital defendants in light of the settlement described below.

        On June 9, 2017, the American Capital defendants reached an agreement in principle with plaintiffs regarding the proposed settlement of claims asserted against them in this action, and the American Capital defendants and plaintiffs subsequently executed a settlement term sheet (the "Term Sheet") on June 19, 2017. As set forth in the Term Sheet, the American Capital defendants have agreed to the proposed settlement solely to eliminate the burden, expense, distraction and uncertainties inherent in further litigation, and without admitting any liability or wrongdoing. The plaintiffs and American Capital defendants filed a stipulation of settlement and motion for preliminary approval of the settlement with the Court on August 3, 2017. On August 23, 2017, the Court entered an order preliminarily approving the settlement. On August 28, 2017, Elliott filed a cross claim against the American Capital defendants asserting claims for contribution, although the cross claim would not have been expected to result in any additional monetary liability for the American Capital defendants or American Capital.

        On October 11, 2017, the plaintiffs and Elliott advised the Court that they reached an agreement in principle to settle the remaining claims in the case, which would also resolve the cross claims against the American Capital defendants. Both the American Capital defendant settlement and Elliott settlement are subject to Court approval. The parties filed a joint stipulation on or about November 17, 2017, notice was sent to stockholders on December 18, 2017, and a final approval hearing to approve the settlements is scheduled for February 16, 2018. If both settlements are approved, then the case will be dismissed in its entirety.

        There can be no assurance that the Court will approve the proposed settlements. The proposed settlement by the American Capital defendants is not, and should not be construed as, an admission of wrongdoing or liability by any American Capital defendant.

        On August 3, 2017, American Capital and one of its former portfolio companies were awarded a judgment plus prejudgment interest by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the "District Court") following a bench trial in a case first filed by one of American Capital's insurance companies concerning coverage for bodily injury claims against American Capital and/or its former portfolio company. The District Court found that the carrier breached its duty to defend American Capital and its former portfolio company against more than 1,000 bodily injury claims and awarded damages plus prejudgment interest. American Capital's carrier filed a notice of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; thereafter, American Capital and its former portfolio company filed a notice of cross appeal. The parties are now in the process of filing their respective briefs in appeal, which will be fully briefed by late April 2018. It is currently expected the appeal will be adjudicated in late 2018 at the earliest. American Capital's recovery will not be known until such time as the appeal is resolved.

18.   SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

        The Company's management has evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements included herein. There have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would require disclosure in this Form 10-K or would be required to be recognized in the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017, except as disclosed below.

        In January 2018, the Company issued $600 aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on March 1, 2025 (the "2025 Notes"). The 2025 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.25% per

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year, payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing on September 1, 2018. The 2025 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at the Company's option at any time at the redemption prices as determined pursuant to the indenture governing the 2025 Notes.

        In January 2018, the SDLP's total available capital was increased from $2.9 billion to $6.4 billion. In connection with this expansion, Varagon and its clients agreed to make capital available to the SDLP of up to approximately $5.0 billion and the Company agreed to make capital available to the SDLP of up to approximately $1.4 billion. The Company will continue to provide capital to the SDLP in the form of SDLP Certificates, and Varagon and its clients will provide capital to the SDLP in the form of senior notes, intermediate funding notes and SDLP Certificates. Investment of any unfunded amount must be approved by the investment committee of the SDLP consisting of representatives of the Company and Varagon (with approval from a representative of each required).

        In February 2018, the Company's board of directors authorized an amendment to its $300 stock repurchase program to extend the expiration date of the program from February 28, 2018 to February 28, 2019. Under the stock repurchase program, the Company may repurchase up to $300 in the aggregate of its outstanding common stock in the open market at a price per share that meets certain thresholds below its net asset value per share, in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be determined by the Company, in its discretion, based upon the evaluation of economic and market conditions, stock price, applicable legal and regulatory requirements and other factors.

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PART C

Other information

ITEM 25.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(1)

Financial Statements

              The following statements of the Company are included in Part A of this Registration Statement:

(2)

Exhibits

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ITEM 26.    MARKETING ARRANGEMENTS

              The information contained under the heading "Plan of Distribution" on this Registration Statement is incorporated herein by reference and any information concerning any underwriters for a particular offering will be contained in the prospectus supplement related to that offering.

ITEM 27.    OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

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ITEM 28.    PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL

Direct Subsidiaries

              The following list sets forth each of our subsidiaries, the state or country under whose laws the subsidiary is organized, and the percentage of voting securities or membership interests owned by us in such subsidiary:

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Indirect Subsidiaries

              The following list sets forth each of our indirect subsidiaries, the state under whose laws the subsidiary is organized, and the percentage of voting securities or membership interests owned by the sole member of such subsidiary:

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              Each of our direct and indirect subsidiaries listed above is consolidated for financial reporting purposes.

              In addition, we may be deemed to control certain portfolio companies. See "Portfolio Companies" in the Prospectus.

ITEM 29.    NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

              The following table sets forth the approximate number of record holders of our common stock and each class of our senior securities (including bank loans) as of December 31, 2017.

ITEM 30.    INDEMNIFICATION

              Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (1) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (2) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final adjudication as being material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision which eliminates directors' and officers' liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act.

              Our charter authorizes us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act, to obligate us to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her status as a present or former director or officer and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. Our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the Investment Company Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee and who is made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in that capacity and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The charter and bylaws also permit us to, with the approval of the board of directors or a

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duly authorized committee thereof, indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of us in any of the capacities described above and any of our employees or agents or any employees or agents of our predecessor. In accordance with the Investment Company Act, we will not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such person's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. In addition to the indemnification provided for in our bylaws, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and certain of our officers and with members of our investment adviser's investment committee and we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our future directors, members of our investment adviser's investment committee and certain of our officers. The indemnification agreements attempt to provide these directors and senior officers the maximum indemnification permitted under Maryland law and the Investment Company Act. The agreements provide, among other things, for the advancement of expenses and indemnification for liabilities which such person may incur by reason of his or her status as a present or former director or officer or member of our investment adviser's investment committee in any action or proceeding arising out of the performance of such person's services as a present or former director or officer or member of our investment adviser's investment committee.

              Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or are threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation's receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

              The investment advisory and management agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, our investment adviser Ares Capital Management and its officers, managers, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from us for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of our investment adviser's services under the investment advisory and management agreement or otherwise as our investment adviser.

              The administration agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, Ares Operations and its officers, manager, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from us for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of Ares Operations' services under the administration agreement or otherwise as our administrator.

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              Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of ours pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of ours in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

ITEM 31.    BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER

              A description of any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which Ares Capital Management, and each partner, director or executive officer of Ares Capital Management, is or has been, during the past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in Part A of this Registration Statement in the sections entitled "Management." Additional information regarding Ares Capital Management and its officers and directors are set forth in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC File No. 801-63168), and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 32.    LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

              All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of:

(1)

the Company, Ares Capital Corporation, 245 Park Avenue, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10167;



(2)

the transfer agent, Computershare Shareowner Services LLC, P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842;



(3)

the custodian, U.S. Bank National Association, Corporate Trust Services, One Federal Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110; and



(4)

our investment adviser, Ares Capital Management LLC, 2000 Avenue of the Stars, 12th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90067.

ITEM 33.    MANAGEMENT SERVICES

              Not Applicable.

ITEM 34.    UNDERTAKINGS

              The Registrant undertakes:

(1)

to suspend the offering of shares until the prospectus is amended if (a) subsequent to the effective date of its registration statement, the net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the registration statement or (b) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than the net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.



(2)

if the securities being registered are to be offered to existing stockholders pursuant to warrants or rights, and any securities not taken by stockholders are to be reoffered to the

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public, to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters of the securities being registered is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, the Registrant shall undertake to file a post-effective amendment to set forth the terms of such offering;

(3)

to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:



(a)

to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;



(b)

to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and



(c)

to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.



(4)

that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;



(5)

to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;



(6)

that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 497(b), (c), (d) or (e) under the Securities Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A under the Securities Act, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness, provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use;



(7)

that for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:



(a)

any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 497 under the Securities Act;



(b)

the portion of any advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned

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Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

(c)

any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser;



(8)

to file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement, and to suspend any offers or sales pursuant the registration statement until such post-effective amendment has been declared effective under the 1933 Act, in the event its shares of common stock are trading below its net asset value per share and either (a) the Registrant receives, or has been advised by its independent registered accounting firm that it will receive, an audit report reflecting substantial doubt regarding the Registrant's ability to continue as a going concern or (b) the Registrant has concluded that a fundamental change has occurred in its financial position or results of operations;



(9)

to file, at the time of each offering of securities, appropriate legality opinions by post-effective amendment to the registration statement;



(10)

to file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement with respect to any offerings of subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock; and



(11)

to file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement with respect to any offerings of units.

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibits

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SIGNATURES

              Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form N-2 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, in the State of New York, on the 6^th day of March 2018.

              KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints R. Kipp deVeer, Penni F. Roll, Joshua M. Bloomstein and Michael D. Weiner and each of them acting individually, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on Form N-2 and any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

              Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. This document may be executed by the signatories hereto on any number of counterparts, all of which constitute one and the same instrument.

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