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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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Filed Pursuant to Rule 497
Registration No. 333-223482

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated September 4, 2018)

$350,000,000

4.625% Convertible Notes due 2024

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                       We are offering $350,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 4.625% convertible notes due 2024, which we refer to as the notes. The notes will bear interest at a rate of 4.625% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning September 1, 2019. The notes will mature on March 1, 2024. In addition, we have granted the underwriters an option to purchase, for settlement within a period of 13 days from, and including, the date notes are first issued, up to an additional $52,500,000 aggregate principal amount of notes.

                       Holders may convert their notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding December 1, 2023 only under the following circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on June 30, 2019 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; (2) during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period (the "measurement period") in which the trading price (as defined herein) per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; or (3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events. On or after December 1, 2023 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances. Upon conversion, we will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, as described in this prospectus supplement.

                       The conversion rate will initially be 50.2930 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $19.88 per share of common stock). The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment in some events but will not be adjusted for any accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, following certain corporate events that occur prior to the maturity date, we will increase the conversion rate for a holder who elects to convert its notes in connection with such a corporate event in certain circumstances.

                       We may not redeem the notes prior to maturity. No sinking fund is provided for the notes.

                       If we undergo a fundamental change, then, subject to a limited exception described in this prospectus supplement, holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or part of their notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

                       The notes will be our senior unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to our existing and future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes; equal in right of payment to our existing and future unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness (including 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.

                       We do not intend to apply to list the notes on any securities exchange or any automated dealer quotation system. Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "ARCC." The last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Select Market on March 5, 2019 was $17.29 per share.

                       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 Corporation, a publicly traded, leading global alternative asset manager. Ares Operations LLC, a subsidiary of Ares Management Corporation, provides certain administrative and other services necessary for us to operate.

                       Investing in the notes involves risks that are described in the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page S-17 of this prospectus supplement and page 22 of the accompanying prospectus, including the risk of leverage.

                       This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus concisely provide important information about us that you should know before investing in the notes. Please read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus 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. The information on the websites referred to herein is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

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                       The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional $52,500,000 total aggregate principal amount of notes offered hereby for settlement within a period of 13 days from, and including, the date notes are first issued hereunder. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total public offering price will be $394,450,000, the total underwriting discount (sales load) paid by us will be $2,012,500, and total proceeds, before expenses, to us will be $392,437,500.

                       THE NOTES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF A BANK AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

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

                       Delivery of the notes in book-entry form only through The Depository Trust Company will be made on or about March 8, 2019.

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The date of this prospectus supplement is March 5, 2019.

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

Prospectus Supplement
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

              Some of the statements in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying 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 supplement and the accompanying prospectus involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements concerning:

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



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the return or impact of current and future investments;



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



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the impact of fluctuations in interest rates on our business;



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



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



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our ability to recover unrealized losses;



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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;



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



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



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



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



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



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



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our expected financings and investments;



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our ability to successfully complete and integrate any other acquisitions;



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the outcome and impact of any litigation;



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the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;



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the timing, form and amount of any dividend distributions;



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



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

              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

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"Risk Factors" in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus and the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

              We have based the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus on information available to us as of their respective dates, 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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

              The forward-looking statements in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying 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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FEES AND EXPENSES

              The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor that converts the notes into shares of 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

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in the example, except as specifically set forth below. Transaction expenses are not included in the following example.

              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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RISK FACTORS

              You should carefully consider the risk factors described below and under the caption "Risk Factors" in the accompanying prospectus, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, 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. As used in "—Risks Relating to the Notes and Ownership of our Common Stock" below, "we," "us," "our," "the Company" and "Ares Capital" refer to Ares Capital Corporation and not to its consolidated subsidiaries. Otherwise, in this "Risk Factors" section, unless the context otherwise requires, such terms refer to Ares Capital Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

RISKS RELATING TO THE NOTES AND OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON STOCK

The notes will be unsecured and therefore will be effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we have currently incurred or may incur in the future.

              The notes will not be secured by any of our assets or any of the assets of our subsidiaries. As a result, the notes are effectively subordinated, or junior, to any secured indebtedness we or our subsidiaries have currently incurred and may incur in the future (or any indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, the holders of any of our existing or future secured indebtedness and the secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries may assert rights against the assets pledged to secure that indebtedness in order to receive full payment of their indebtedness before the assets may be used to pay other creditors, including the holders of the notes. As of February 28, 2019, we had $1.9 billion aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by certain assets in our portfolio and excludes investments held by Ares Capital CP Funding LLC ("Ares Capital CP") under the Revolving Funding Facility, those held by Ares Capital JB Funding LLC ("ACJB") under the SMBC Funding Facility and certain other investments; the indebtedness thereunder is therefore effectively senior to the notes to the extent of the value of such assets.

The notes will be structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.

              The notes are obligations exclusively of Ares Capital and not of any of our subsidiaries. None of our subsidiaries is a guarantor of the notes and the notes are not required to be guaranteed by any subsidiaries we may acquire or create in the future. A significant portion of the indebtedness required to be consolidated on our balance sheet is held through subsidiary financing vehicles and secured by certain assets of such subsidiaries. For example, the secured indebtedness with respect to the Revolving Funding Facility and the SMBC Funding Facility are held through our consolidated subsidiaries, Ares Capital CP and ACJB, respectively. The assets of such subsidiaries are not directly available to satisfy the claims of our creditors, including holders of the notes. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt Capital Activities" for more detail on the Revolving Funding Facility and the SMBC Funding Facility.

              Except to the extent we are a creditor with recognized claims against our subsidiaries, all claims of creditors (including trade creditors) and holders of preferred stock, if any, of our subsidiaries

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will have priority over our equity interests in such subsidiaries (and therefore the claims of our creditors, including holders of the notes) with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries. Even if we are recognized as a creditor of one or more of our subsidiaries, our claims would still be effectively subordinated to any security interests in the assets of any such subsidiary and to any indebtedness or other liabilities of any such subsidiary senior to our claims. Consequently, the notes will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of any of our subsidiaries and any subsidiaries that we may in the future acquire or establish as financing vehicles or otherwise. As of February 28, 2019 we had $470 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Funding Facility and $245 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness under the SMBC Funding Facility.

              All of such indebtedness would be structurally senior to the notes. In addition, our subsidiaries may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, all of which would be structurally senior to the notes.

Recent and future regulatory actions and other events may adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of the notes.

              We expect that many investors in, and potential purchases of, the notes will employ, or seek to employ, a convertible arbitrage strategy with respect to the notes. Investors that employ a convertible arbitrage strategy with respect to convertible debt instruments typically implement that strategy by selling short the common stock underlying the notes and dynamically adjusting their short position while they hold the notes. Investors may also implement this strategy by entering into swaps on the common stock in lieu of or in addition to short selling the common stock. As a result, any specific rules regulating short selling of securities or equity swaps or other governmental action that interferes with the ability of market participants to effect short sales or equity swaps with respect to our common stock could adversely affect the ability of investors in the notes to conduct the convertible arbitrage strategy that we believe they will employ, or seek to employ, with respect to the notes. This could, in turn, adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of the notes.

              The SEC and other regulatory authorities have implemented various rules and taken certain actions, and may in the future adopt additional rules and take other actions, that may impact those engaging in short selling activity involving equity securities (including our common stock). These rules and actions include Rule 201 of SEC Regulation SHO, the adoption by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., and the national securities exchanges of a "limit up-limit down" program, the imposition of market-wide circuit breakers that halt trading of securities for certain periods following specific market declines, and the implementation of certain regulatory reforms required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Any governmental or regulatory action that restricts investors' ability to effect short sales of our common stock or enter into equity swaps on our common stock could depress the trading price of, and the liquidity of the market for, the notes.

              In addition, the liquidity of the market for our common stock may decline, which could reduce the number of shares available for lending in connection with short sale transactions and the number of counterparties willing to enter into an equity swap on our common stock with a note investor. If investors and potential purchasers seeking to employ a convertible note arbitrage strategy are unable to borrow or enter into equity swaps on our common stock on commercially reasonable terms, then the trading price of, and the liquidity of the market for, the notes may significantly decline.

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Volatility in the market price and trading volume of our common stock could adversely impact the trading price of the notes.

              The stock market over the past several years has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated to the operating performance of companies. The market price of our common stock could fluctuate significantly for many reasons, including in response to the risks described in this section, elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or for reasons unrelated to our operations, such as reports by industry analysts, investor perceptions or negative announcements by our portfolio companies or competitors regarding their own performance, as well as industry conditions and general financial, economic and political instability. A decrease in the market price of our common stock would likely adversely impact the trading price of the notes. The price of our common stock could also be affected by possible sales of our common stock by investors who view the notes as a more attractive means of equity participation in us and by hedging or arbitrage trading activity that we expect to develop involving our common stock. This trading activity could, in turn, affect the trading prices of the notes.

              In addition, the capital and credit markets have experienced periods of volatility and disruption over the past several years. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market price of securities issued by many companies for reasons often unrelated to their operating performance. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect our stock price, regardless of our operating results.

              We are required to continue to meet certain listing standards in order for our common stock to remain listed on the Nasdaq. If we were to be delisted by the Nasdaq, the liquidity of our common stock would be materially impaired.

We may not have, or have the ability to raise, the funds necessary to settle conversions of the notes or to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change, and our debt may contain limitations on our ability to pay cash or deliver shares of our common stock upon conversion or repurchase of the notes.

              Holders of the notes will have the right to require us to repurchase their notes upon the occurrence of a fundamental change at a repurchase price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, as described under "Description of Notes—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes." In addition, upon conversion of the notes, unless we elect to deliver solely shares of our common stock to settle such conversion (other than cash in lieu of any fractional share), we will be required to make cash payments in respect of the notes being converted as described under "Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Settlement Upon Conversion." However, we may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to make repurchases of notes surrendered therefor or notes being converted. In addition, our ability to repurchase the notes or to pay cash upon conversions of the notes may be limited by law, by regulatory authority or by agreements governing our indebtedness, including our Revolving Credit Facility. We will not pay cash upon conversion or repurchase of the notes if prohibited by our current or future indebtedness. Our failure to repurchase notes at a time when the repurchase is required by the indenture or to pay any cash payable on future conversions of the notes as required by the indenture would constitute a default under the indenture. A default under the indenture or the fundamental change itself could also lead to a default under agreements governing our indebtedness. If the repayment of the related indebtedness were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or grace periods, we may not have sufficient funds to repay the indebtedness and repurchase the notes or make cash payments upon conversions thereof.

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The conditional conversion feature of the notes, if triggered, may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

              In the event the conditional conversion feature of the notes is triggered, holders of notes will be entitled to convert the notes at any time during specified periods at their option. See "Description of Notes—Conversion Rights" If one or more holders elect to convert their notes, unless we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation by delivering solely shares of our common stock (other than cash in lieu of any fractional share), we would be required to settle a portion or all of our conversion obligation through the payment of cash, which could adversely affect our liquidity.

The accounting method for convertible debt securities that may be settled in cash, such as the notes, is the subject of recent changes that could have a material effect on our reported financial results.

              The accounting method for reflecting the notes on our balance sheet, accruing interest expense for the notes and reflecting the underlying shares of our common stock in our reported diluted earnings per share may adversely affect our reported earnings and financial condition.

              We expect that, under applicable accounting principles, the initial liability carrying amount of the notes will be the fair value of a similar debt instrument that does not have a conversion feature, valued using our cost of capital for straight, unconvertible debt. We expect to reflect the difference between the net proceeds from this offering and the initial carrying amount as a debt discount for accounting purposes, which will be amortized into interest expense over the term of the notes. As a result of this amortization, the interest expense that we expect to recognize for the notes for accounting purposes will be greater than the cash interest payments we will pay on the notes, which will result in lower reported income or higher reported loss. The lower reported income or higher reported loss resulting from this accounting treatment could depress the trading price of our common stock and the notes.

              In addition, because we currently intend to settle conversions by paying the conversion value in cash up to the principal amount being converted and any excess in shares, we expect to be eligible to use the treasury stock method of accounting to reflect the shares underlying the notes in our diluted earnings per share. Under this method, if the conversion value of the notes exceeds their principal amount for a reporting period, then we will calculate our diluted earnings per share assuming that all the notes were converted and that we issued shares of our common stock to settle the excess. However, if reflecting the notes in diluted earnings per share in this manner is anti-dilutive, or if the conversion value of the notes does not exceed their principal amount for a reporting period, then the shares underlying the notes will not be reflected in our diluted earnings per share. In addition, if accounting standards change in the future and we are not permitted to use the treasury stock method of accounting, then our diluted earnings per share may decline.

              Furthermore, if any of the conditions to the convertibility of the notes is satisfied, then we may be required under applicable accounting standards to reclassify the liability carrying value of the notes as a current, rather than a long-term, liability. This reclassification could be required even if no noteholders convert their notes and could materially reduce our reported working capital.

Future sales of our common stock in the public market or issuance of securities senior to our common stock could lower the market price for our common stock and adversely impact the value of the notes.

              We periodically access the capital markets to raise cash to fund new investments. We are regularly in discussions with third parties regarding potential capital raising opportunities, both in the public debt and equity capital markets as well as in the private markets. In the future, we may sell additional shares of our common stock or equity-related securities to raise capital. We cannot predict the size of future issuances or the effect, if any, that they may have on the market price for our common stock or the value of the notes. As permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, our

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charter provides that the 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. The issuance and sale of substantial amounts of common stock, or the perception that such issuances and sales may occur, could adversely affect the trading price of the notes and the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional securities. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Our ability to grow depends on our ability to raise capital." in the accompanying prospectus.

Holders of notes will not be entitled to any rights with respect to our common stock, but will be subject to all changes made with respect to them to the extent our conversion obligation includes shares of our common stock.

              Holders of notes will not be entitled to any rights with respect to our common stock (including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on our common stock) prior to the conversion date (as defined below) relating to such notes, if any (if we have elected to settle the relevant conversion by delivering solely shares of our common stock, other than cash in lieu of any fractional share) or the last VWAP trading day of the relevant observation period (if we elect to pay and deliver, as the case may be, a combination of cash and shares of our common stock in respect of the relevant conversion), but holders of notes will be subject to all changes affecting our common stock. For example, if an amendment is proposed to our certificate of incorporation or bylaws requiring stockholder approval and the record date for determining the stockholders of record entitled to vote on the amendment occurs prior to the conversion date related to a holder's conversion of its notes (if we have elected to settle the relevant conversion by delivering solely shares of our common stock, other than cash in lieu of any fractional share) or the last VWAP trading day of the relevant observation period (if we elect to pay and deliver, as the case may be, a combination of cash and shares of our common stock in respect of the relevant conversion), such holder will not be entitled to vote on the amendment, although such holder will nevertheless be subject to any changes affecting our common stock.

The conditional conversion feature of the notes could result in your receiving less than the value of our common stock into which the notes would otherwise be convertible.

              Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding December 1, 2023, you may convert your notes only if specified conditions are met. If the specific conditions for conversion are not met, you will not be able to convert your notes, and you may not be able to receive the value of the cash, common stock or a combination of cash and common stock, as applicable, into which the notes would otherwise be convertible.

Upon conversion of the notes, you may receive less valuable consideration than expected because the value of our common stock may decline after you exercise your conversion right but before we settle our conversion obligation.

              Under the notes, a converting holder will be exposed to fluctuations in the value of our common stock during the period from the date such holder surrenders notes for conversion until the date we settle our conversion obligation.

              Upon conversion of the notes, we have the option to pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock. If we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation in cash or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, the amount of consideration that you will receive upon conversion of your notes will be determined by reference to the volume weighted average prices of our common stock for each VWAP trading day in a 15 VWAP trading day observation period. As described under "Description of Notes—Conversion

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Rights—Settlement Upon Conversion," this period would be (i) if the relevant conversion date occurs prior to December 1, 2023, the 15 consecutive VWAP trading day period beginning on, and including, the second VWAP trading day after such conversion date; and (ii) if the relevant conversion date occurs on or after December 1, 2023, the 15 consecutive VWAP trading days beginning on, and including, the 16th scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. Accordingly, if the price of our common stock decreases during this period, the amount and/or value of consideration you receive will be adversely affected. In addition, if the market price of our common stock at the end of such period is below the average of the volume weighted average price of our common stock during such period, the value of any shares of our common stock that you will receive in satisfaction of our conversion obligation will be less than the value used to determine the number of shares that you will receive.

              If we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation in solely shares of our common stock upon conversion of the notes, we will be required to deliver the shares of our common stock, together with cash for any fractional share, on the second business day following the relevant conversion date (provided that we will settle on the maturity date (or, if the maturity date is not a business day, the immediately following business day) any conversions to which physical settlement applies and whose conversion date occurs after the regular record date immediately preceding the maturity date). Accordingly, if the price of our common stock decreases during this period, the value of the shares that you receive will be adversely affected and would be less than the conversion value of the notes on the conversion date.

The notes are not protected by restrictive covenants; we may incur substantially more debt or take other actions that would intensify the risks described herein.

              The indenture governing the notes does not contain any financial or operating covenants or restrictions on the payments of dividends, the incurrence of indebtedness or the issuance or repurchase of securities by us or any of our subsidiaries. The indenture contains no covenants or other provisions to afford protection to holders of the notes in the event of a fundamental change or other corporate transaction involving us except to the extent described under "Description of Notes—Fundamental Change Permits Holders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes," "Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Adjustment to Shares Delivered Upon Conversion Upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change" and "Description of Notes—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets."

              Despite our current consolidated debt levels, we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional debt in the future, subject to the restrictions contained in the Investment Company Act and our debt instruments, some of which may be secured debt. We will not be restricted under the terms of the indenture governing the notes from incurring additional debt, securing existing or future debt, recapitalizing our debt or taking a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the indenture governing the notes that could have the effect of diminishing our ability to make payments on the notes when due. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing with us" in the accompanying prospectus.

The adjustment to the conversion rate for notes converted in connection with a make-whole fundamental change may not adequately compensate you for any lost value of your notes as a result of such transaction.

              If a make-whole fundamental change (as defined herein) occurs prior to maturity, under certain circumstances, we will increase the conversion rate by a number of additional shares of our common stock for notes converted in connection with such make-whole fundamental change. The increase in the conversion rate will be determined based on the date on which the specified corporate transaction becomes effective and the price paid (or deemed to be paid) per share of our common

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stock in such transaction, as described below under "Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Adjustment to Shares Delivered Upon Conversion Upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change." The adjustment to the conversion rate for notes converted in connection with a make-whole fundamental change may not adequately compensate you for any lost value of your notes as a result of such transaction. In addition, if the price of our common stock in the transaction is greater than $24.00 per share or less than $17.29 (in each case, subject to adjustment), no additional shares will be added to the conversion rate.

              Moreover, in no event will the conversion rate exceed 57.8368 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustments in the same manner as the conversion rate as set forth under "Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Conversion Rate Adjustments."

              Our obligation to increase the conversion rate upon the occurrence of a make-whole fundamental change could be considered a penalty, in which case the enforceability thereof would be subject to general principles of reasonableness of economic remedies.

The conversion rate of the notes may not be adjusted for all dilutive events.

              The conversion rate of the notes is subject to adjustment for certain events, including, but not limited to, the issuance of certain stock dividends on our common stock, the issuance of certain rights or warrants, subdivisions, combinations, distributions of capital stock, indebtedness, or assets, cash dividends above a specified threshold and certain issuer tender or exchange offers as described under "Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Conversion Rate Adjustments." However, the conversion rate will not be adjusted for other events, such as a third-party tender or exchange offer or an issuance of common stock for cash, that may adversely affect the trading price of the notes or our common stock. An event that adversely affects the value of the notes may occur, and that event may not result in an adjustment to the conversion rate.

Some significant restructuring transactions may not constitute a fundamental change, in which case we would not be obligated to offer to repurchase the notes.

              Upon the occurrence of a fundamental change, you have the right to require us to repurchase your notes. However, the fundamental change provisions will not afford protection to holders of notes in the event of other transactions that could adversely affect the notes. For example, transactions such as leveraged recapitalizations, refinancings, restructurings, or acquisitions initiated by us may not constitute a fundamental change requiring us to repurchase the notes. In the event of any such transaction, the holders would not have the right to require us to repurchase the notes, even though each of these transactions could increase the amount of our indebtedness, or otherwise adversely affect our capital structure or any credit ratings, thereby adversely affecting the holders of notes.

Provisions of the notes could discourage an acquisition of us by a third party.

              Certain provisions of the notes could make it more difficult or more expensive for a third party to acquire us. Upon the occurrence of certain transactions constituting a fundamental change, holders of the notes will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase all of their notes or any portion of the principal amount of such notes in integral multiples of $1,000. We may also be required to increase the conversion rate in the event of certain transactions constituting a make-whole fundamental change. These provisions could discourage an acquisition of us by a third party.

We cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop for the notes.

              The notes are a new issue of securities and there is no existing trading market for the notes. We do not intend to apply to list the notes on any securities exchange or to arrange for quotation on any automated dealer quotation system. We have been informed by the underwriters that they currently

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intend to make a market in the notes after the offering is completed. However, the underwriters may cease their market making at any time without notice. In addition, any market making activity will be subject to limits imposed by law. In addition, the liquidity of the trading market in the notes, and the market price quoted for the notes, may be adversely affected by changes in the overall market for this type of security and by changes in our financial performance or prospects or in the prospects for companies in our industry generally. As a result, we cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop for the notes. If an active trading market does not develop or is not maintained, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected. In that case you may not be able to sell your notes at a particular time or you may not be able to sell your notes at a favorable price.

Any adverse rating of the notes may cause their trading price to fall.

              If a rating service were to rate the notes and if such other rating service, were to lower its rating on the notes below the rating initially assigned to the notes or otherwise announces its intention to put the notes on credit watch, the trading price of the notes could decline.

You may be subject to tax if we make or fail to make certain adjustments to the conversion rate of the notes even though you do not receive a corresponding cash distribution.

              The conversion rate of the notes will be adjusted in certain circumstances, which may, in some circumstances (generally including adjustments to the conversion rate to compensate holders of the notes for distributions of cash or property to our stockholders), result in a deemed distribution to a holder of our notes even though they have not received any cash or property as a result of such adjustments. Adjustments to the conversion rate made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing the dilution of the interest of the U.S. Holders of the notes generally will not be deemed to result in such a distribution. Any deemed distribution will be taxed in the same manner as an actual distribution even if a holder of the notes has not received any cash or property as a result of such adjustments. Applicable withholding taxes (including backup withholding) may apply to any deemed dividends. If any withholding taxes (including backup withholding) are paid on behalf of a holder, then those withholding taxes may be withheld from future interest and payments upon the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of the notes. For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an adjustment to the conversion rate, see "Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations."

The notes may be issued with original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes.

              The stated principal amount of the notes may exceed their issue price (as defined below under "Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders of Notes—Original Issue Discount") by an amount that equals or exceeds the statutory de minimis amount and, accordingly, the notes may be issued with original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to such excess. If the notes are issued with original issue discount, U.S. Holders (as defined below under "Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders of Notes") will be required to include such original issue discount in their gross income as it accrues, in advance of their receipt of cash attributable to such original issue discount. See "Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations."

Our credit ratings may not reflect all risks of an investment in the notes.

              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 the notes. 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 notes.

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Our bylaws designate the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders' ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees.

              Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that Court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division, will be the sole and exclusive forum for: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any Internal Corporate Claim, as such term is defined in Section 1-101(p) of the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended (the "MGCL"), including, without limitation, (a) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any of our directors or officers or other employees to us or to our stockholders or (b) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors or officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or our charter or bylaws or (iii) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors or officers or other employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in our shares shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented and waived any objection to this exclusive forum provision of our bylaws, as the same may be amended from time to time. Our board of directors, without stockholder approval, adopted this exclusive forum provision so that we can respond to such litigation more efficiently, reduce the costs associated with our responses to such litigation, particularly litigation that might otherwise be brought in multiple forums, and make it less likely that plaintiffs' attorneys will be able to employ such litigation to coerce us into otherwise unjustified settlements. However, this exclusive forum provision may limit a stockholder's ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that such stockholder believes is favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, if any, and may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers or other employees, if any. We believe the risk of a court declining to enforce this exclusive forum provision is remote, as the General Assembly of Maryland has specifically amended the MGCL to authorize the adoption of such provision. However, if a court were to find such provision inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings notwithstanding that the MGCL expressly provides that the charter or bylaws of a Maryland corporation may require that any Internal Corporate Claim be brought only in courts sitting in one or more specified jurisdictions, we may incur additional costs that we do not currently anticipate associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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

              Conflicts may arise in allocating and structuring investments, time, services, expenses or resources among the investment activities of Ares funds, Ares, other Ares-affiliated entities and the employees of Ares. 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.

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              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 (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 (including our investment adviser).

              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. Ares, from time to time, incurs fees, costs, and expenses on behalf of more than one fund. To the extent such fees, costs, and expenses are incurred for the account or benefit of more than one fund, each such fund will typically bear an allocable portion of any such fees, costs, and expenses in proportion to the size of its investment in the activity or entity to which such expense relates (subject to the terms of each fund's governing documents) or in such other manner as Ares considers fair and equitable under the circumstances such as the relative fund size or capital available to be invested by such funds. Where a fund's governing documents do not permit the payment of a particular expense, Ares will generally pay such fund's allocable portion of such expense. 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. We are currently allowed to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage, as calculated pursuant to the Investment Company Act, equals at least 200% after such borrowing. Effective on June 21, 2019 (unless we receive earlier stockholder approval), our asset coverage requirement applicable to senior securities will be reduced from 200% to 150% (i.e., the revised regulatory leverage limitation permits BDCs to double the amount of borrowings, such that we would be able to borrow up to two dollars for every dollar we have in assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by

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senior securities issued by us). Accordingly, our investment adviser may have conflicts of interest in connection with decisions to use increased leverage permitted under our modified asset coverage requirement applicable to senior securities, as the incurrence of such additional indebtedness would result in an increase in the base management fees payable to our investment adviser and may also result in an increase in the income based fees and capital gains incentive fees payable to our investment adviser.

              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.

              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

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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.

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

              A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the information resources of us or our portfolio companies. These incidents may be an intentional attack or an unintentional event and could involve gaining unauthorized access to our information systems or those of our portfolio companies for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. We and our investment adviser's employees have been and expect to continue to be the target of fraudulent calls, emails and other forms of activities. 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 business relationships. The costs related to cyber or other security threats or disruptions may not be fully insured or indemnified by other means. As our and our portfolio companies' reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our information systems, both internal and those provided by Ares Management and third-party service providers, and the information systems of our portfolio companies. 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. In addition, cybersecurity has become a top priority for regulators around the world, and some jurisdictions have enacted laws requiring companies to notify individuals of data security breaches involving certain types of personal data. If we fail to comply with the relevant laws and regulations, we could suffer financial losses, a disruption of our businesses, liability to investors, regulatory intervention or reputational damage.

Because the notes will initially be held in book-entry form, noteholders must rely on DTC's procedures to exercise their rights and remedies.

              We will initially issue the notes in the form of one or more "global notes" registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Beneficial interests in global notes will be shown on, and transfers of global notes will be effected only through, the records maintained by DTC. Except in limited circumstances, we will not issue certificated notes. See "Description of Notes—Book Entry, Settlement and Clearance." Accordingly, if you own a beneficial interest in a global note, then you will not be considered an owner or holder of the notes. Instead, DTC or its nominee will be the sole holder of the notes. Payments of principal, interest and other amounts on global notes will be made to the paying agent, who will remit the payments to DTC. We expect that DTC will then credit those payments to the DTC participant accounts that hold book-entry interests in the global notes and that those participants will credit the payments to indirect DTC participants. Unlike persons who have certificated notes registered in their names, owners of beneficial interests in global notes will not have the direct right to act on our solicitations for consents or requests for waivers or other actions from noteholders. Instead, those beneficial owners will be permitted to act only to the extent that they have received appropriate proxies to do so from DTC or, if applicable, a DTC participant. The applicable procedures for the granting of these proxies may not be sufficient to enable owners of beneficial interests in global notes to vote on any requested actions on a timely basis.

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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, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014, are derived from our consolidated financial statements, which have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm whose report thereon is included elsewhere in the accompanying 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 supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

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ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
As of and For the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016 2015 and 2014
(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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USE OF PROCEEDS

              We estimate that the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of the notes in this offering will be approximately $339.6 million (or approximately $390.7 million if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional notes), after deducting the underwriting discount of approximately $1.8 million (or approximately $2.0 million if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional notes) payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $1.6 million payable by us.

              We expect to use the net proceeds of this offering to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility ($1.9 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding as of February 28, 2019), the Revolving Funding Facility ($470 million aggregate principal amount outstanding as of February 28, 2019) and/or the SMBC Funding Facility ($245 million aggregate principal amount outstanding as of February 28, 2019).

              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 1.875% or an "alternate base rate" (as defined in the agreements governing the Revolving Credit Facility) plus an applicable spread of either 0.75% or 0.875%, in each case, determined monthly based on the total amount of the borrowing base relative to the total commitments of the Revolving Credit Facility and other debt, if any, secured by the same collateral as the Revolving Credit Facility. As of February 28, 2019, the one, two, three and six month LIBOR was 2.49%, 2.57%, 2.63% and 2.69%, respectively. The Revolving Credit Facility consists of a $414 million term loan tranche with a stated maturity date of March 30, 2023 and a $1.7 billion revolving tranche. As of February 28, 2019, for $1.6 billion of the revolving tranche of the Revolving Credit Facility, the expiration date is March 30, 2023, for $50 million of the revolving tranche, the expiration date is January 4, 2022 and for the remaining $45 million, the expiration date is May 4, 2020. The interest rate charged on the indebtedness incurred under the Revolving Funding Facility is based on LIBOR plus 2.00% per annum or a "base rate" (as defined in the agreements governing the Revolving Funding Facility) plus 1.00% per annum. The Revolving Funding Facility is scheduled to expire on January 3, 2024 (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, 2024 (subject to two one-year extension options exercisable upon mutual consent).

              Affiliates of certain of the underwriters are lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Revolving Funding Facility and/or the SMBC Funding Facility. Accordingly, affiliates of certain of the underwriters may receive more than 5% of the proceeds of this offering to the extent such proceeds are used to repay or repurchase outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Revolving Funding Facility and/or the SMBC Funding Facility.

              We may reborrow under the credit facilities described above for general corporate purposes, which include investing in portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objective.

              Investing in portfolio companies could include investments in our investment backlog and pipeline that, as of February 28, 2019, were approximately $920 million and $75 million, respectively. Please note that the consummation of any of the investments in this backlog and pipeline depends upon, among other things, one or more of the following: satisfactory completion of our due diligence investigation of the prospective portfolio company, our acceptance of the terms and structure of such investment and the execution and delivery of satisfactory transaction documentation. In addition, we may sell all or a portion of these investments and certain of these investments may result in the repayment of existing investments. We cannot assure you that we will make any of these investments or that we will sell all or any portion of these investments.

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CAPITALIZATION

              The following table sets forth our actual capitalization at December 31, 2018. You should read this table together with "Use of Proceeds" described in this prospectus supplement and our most recent balance sheet included elsewhere in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

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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 supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Further, the financial information and other data set forth below subsequent to the completion of the American Capital Acquisition (as defined below) on January 3, 2017, reflect the results of the combined company and the financial information and other data prior to the completion of the American Capital Acquisition does not give effect to the American Capital Acquisition, unless otherwise noted. For this reason, period to period comparisons may not be meaningful.

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 business development company ("BDC") under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the "Investment Company Act").

              We are externally managed by Ares Capital Management LLC ("Ares Capital Management" or our "investment adviser"), a subsidiary of Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) ("Ares Management"), a publicly traded, leading global alternative asset manager, pursuant to our investment advisory and management agreement. Ares Operations LLC ("Ares Operations" or our "administrator"), 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 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.

              Since our initial public offering ("IPO") on October 8, 2004 through December 31, 2018, 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 $24.7 billion and total proceeds from such exited investments of approximately $31.8 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 63% of these exited investments resulted in an asset level realized gross internal rate of return to us of 10% or greater.

              Additionally, since the closing of the American Capital Acquisition on January 3, 2017 through December 31, 2018, exited investments acquired in the American Capital Acquisition resulted in an asset level realized gross internal rate of return to us of approximately 37% (based on original amounts invested of approximately $1.7 billion and total proceeds from such exited investments of approximately $2.3 billion).

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              Additionally, since our IPO on October 8, 2004 through December 31, 2018, our realized gains have exceeded our realized losses by approximately $1.0 billion (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 1.2% (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.

              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. 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 regulated investment company ("RIC") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (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 a definitive agreement (the "Merger Agreement") to acquire American Capital, Ltd. ("American Capital"), a Delaware corporation (the "American Capital Acquisition") in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $4.2 billion. At January 3, 2017 (the "Acquisition Date"), 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.

              In connection with 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 and ending with the third quarter of 2019, 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 payable by us in such quarter pursuant to and as calculated under our investment advisory and management agreement (the "Fee Waiver"). See Notes 3 and 16 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 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, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is presented below.

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              As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, 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, 2018 and 2017 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 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

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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, 2018 and 2017:

              As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the weighted average grade of the investments in our portfolio at fair value was 3.0 and 3.1, respectively.

              As of December 31, 2018, investments on non-accrual status represented 2.5% and 0.6% of the total investments at amortized cost and at fair value, 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.

Co-Investment Program

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 Senior Direct Lending Program LLC (d/b/a the "Senior Direct Lending Program" or the "SDLP"). In July 2016, we and Varagon and its clients completed the initial funding of the SDLP. The SDLP may generally commit and hold individual loans of up to $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).

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              We provide capital to the SDLP in the form of subordinated certificates (the "SDLP Certificates"), and Varagon and its clients provide capital to the SDLP in the form of senior notes, intermediate funding notes and SDLP Certificates. As of December 31, 2018, we and a client of Varagon owned 87.5% and 12.5%, respectively, of the outstanding SDLP Certificates.

              As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we and Varagon and its clients had agreed to make capital available to the SDLP of $6.4 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively, in the aggregate, of which $1,444 million and $591 million, respectively, 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. Below is a summary of the funded capital and unfunded capital commitments of the SDLP.

              The SDLP Certificates pay a coupon of the London Interbank Offered Rate ("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 $652 million and $652 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2018 and $487 million and $487 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2017. Our yield on our investment in the SDLP at amortized cost and fair value was 15.0% and 15.0%, respectively, as of December 31, 2018 and 14.5% and 14.5%, respectively, as of December 31, 2017. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we earned interest income of $87 million, $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, 2018, 2017 and 2016, in connection with the SDLP, we earned capital structuring service and other fees totaling $16 million, $11 million and $6 million, respectively.

              As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, 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

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our portfolio. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, none of the loans were on non-accrual status. Below is a summary of the SDLP's portfolio as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

              Selected financial information for the SDLP as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, was as follows:

 

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SDLP Loan Portfolio as of December 31, 2018

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SDLP Loan Portfolio as of December 31, 2017

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

              Operating results for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 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 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, 2018 from the comparable period in 2017 was primarily due to an increase in the average size of our portfolio and an increase in the weighted average yield of our portfolio. The size of our portfolio increased from an average of $11.4 billion at amortized cost for the year ended December 31, 2017 to an average of $11.9 billion at amortized cost for the comparable period in 2018. The weighted average yield of our total portfolio increased from 8.5% for the year ended December 31, 2017 to 9.0% for the comparable period in 2018 primarily due to an increase in LIBOR during the period. The increase in capital structuring service fees for the year ended December 31, 2018 from the comparable period in 2017 was primarily due to the increase in new investment commitments (excluding investments acquired in the American Capital Acquisition and investments acquired in the SSLP Loan Sale in 2017), which increased from $5.9 billion for year ended December 31, 2017 to $8.0 billion for the comparable period in 2018. The weighted average capital structuring fees received on new investment commitments remained steady at 1.8% for the year ended December 31, 2018 from the comparable period in 2017.

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Dividend income for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 included dividends received from Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P. ("IHAM"), a wholly owned portfolio company, totaling $58 million and $40 million, respectively. Also during the year ended December 31, 2018, we received $12 million in other non-recurring dividends from non-income producing equity securities compared to $19 million for the comparable period in 2017. The increase in other income for the year ended December 31, 2018 from the comparable period in 2017 was primarily due to higher amendment fees and administrative agent fees.

              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 made a liquidation distribution to the holders of the SSLP Certificates (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 from the American Capital Acquisition and investments acquired from the SSLP Loan Sale in 2017), 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 other income for the year ended December 31, 2017 from the comparable period in 2016 was primarily attributable to the decrease in sourcing fees from the SSLP for the year ended December 31, 2017 from the comparable period in 2016 resulting from the continued decrease in the size of the SSLP portfolio and eventually the effective termination of the SSLP in July 2017. This decrease was partially offset by higher amendment fees and administrative agent fees for the year ended December 31, 2017 from the comparable period in 2016.

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Operating Expenses

              Interest and credit facility fees for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, were comprised of the following:

              Stated interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased from the comparable period in 2017 primarily due to the increase in our average principal amount of debt outstanding. For the year ended December 31, 2018, our average debt outstanding increased to $4.8 billion as compared to $4.6 billion for the comparable period in 2017. The weighted average stated interest rate on our outstanding debt was 4.1% for both the year ended December 31, 2018 and for the comparable period in 2017. Facility fees for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased from the comparable period in 2017 primarily due to lower utilization of our revolving facilities resulting in higher unused commitment fees.

              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 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.

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              The increase in base management fees for the year ended December 31, 2018 from the comparable period in 2017 was primarily due to the increase in the average size of the portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. 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, 2018 from the comparable period in 2017 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, 2018 being higher than in the comparable period in 2017. 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 years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 also reflect the Fee Waiver of $40 million and $30 million, respectively.

              For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the capital gains incentive fee expense calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") was $33 million and $41 million, respectively. 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. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the reduction in capital gains incentive fees calculated in accordance with GAAP was $5 million. The capital gains incentive fee expense accrual for the year ended December 31, 2018 changed from the comparable period in 2017 primarily due to the $11 million accrual related to the American Capital Acquisition during the year ended December 31, 2017 as discussed above, partially offset by higher net gains on investments, foreign currency and other transactions and the extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2018 of $164 million compared to net gains of $156 million during the year ended December 31, 2017. 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 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, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the total capital gains incentive fee accrual calculated in accordance with GAAP was $112 million, $79 million and $38 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, the capital gains incentive fee actually payable under our investment advisory and management agreement was $50 million. As of December 31, 2017, 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, 2018, 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

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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, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred $3 million, $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 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, among other costs, professional fees, insurance, fees and expenses related to evaluating and making investments in portfolio companies and independent directors' fees.

Income Tax Expense, Including Excise Tax

              We have elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code and intend to operate so as to qualify for RIC status. 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. 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 exceed our 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, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recorded a net expense of $14 million, $12 million and $12 million, respectively, for U.S. federal excise tax. The net expense for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 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 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, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recorded a net tax expense of approximately $5 million, $7 million and $9 million, respectively, for these subsidiaries. The net 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, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were comprised of the following:

              The net realized gains on investments during the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted of the following:

              During the year ended December 31, 2018, we also recognized net realized gains on foreign currency and other transactions of $13 million.

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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 also recognized net realized losses on foreign currency and other transactions of $20 million.

              During the year ended December 31, 2017, we redeemed the entire $183 million 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 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:

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

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on investments for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, were comprised of the following:

              The changes in net unrealized appreciation and depreciation on investments during the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted of the following:

              During the year ended December 31, 2018, we also recognized net unrealized gains on foreign currency and other transactions of $16 million.

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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 transactions of $5 million.

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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, as well as cash flows from operations.

              As of December 31, 2018, we had $296 million in cash and cash equivalents and $5.3 billion in total aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding ($5.2 billion at carrying value). Subject to leverage, borrowing base and other restrictions, we had approximately $1.6 billion available for additional borrowings under the Facilities as of December 31, 2018.

              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, we are currently allowed to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage, calculated pursuant to the Investment Company Act, is at least 200% after such borrowings. On June 21, 2018, our board of directors, including a "required majority" (as such term is defined in Section 57(o) of the Investment Company Act) of our board of directors, approved the application of the modified asset coverage requirement set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the Investment Company Act, as amended by the Small Business Credit Availability Act. As a result, effective on June 21, 2019 (unless we receive earlier stockholder approval), our asset coverage requirement applicable to senior securities will be reduced from 200% to 150% (i.e., the revised regulatory leverage limitation permits BDCs to double the amount of borrowings, such that we would be able to borrow up to two dollars for every dollar we have in assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities issued by us). As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate principal amount outstanding of the senior securities issued by us was $5.3 billion. As of December 31, 2018, our asset coverage was 236%.

Equity Capital Activities

              As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, our total equity market capitalization was $6.6 billion and $6.7 billion, respectively. On the Acquisition Date, in connection with the American Capital Acquisition, we issued 112 million shares valued at approximately $16.42 per share. There were no other issuances of our equity securities during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

              We are authorized under our stock repurchase program to purchase up to $300 million (as of December 31, 2018) 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 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. 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 expiration date of the stock repurchase program is February 28, 2019. The program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time.

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              As of December 31, 2018, 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. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock under the stock repurchase program.

              See "Recent Developments," as well as Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 for a subsequent event relating to our stock repurchase program.

Debt Capital Activities

              Our debt obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

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              The weighted average stated interest rate and weighted average maturity, both on aggregate principal amount outstanding, of all our debt outstanding as of December 31, 2018 were 4.1% and 4.8 years, respectively, and as of December 31, 2017 were 4.1% and 4.3 years, respectively.

              The ratio of total principal amount of debt outstanding to stockholders' equity as of December 31, 2018 was 0.73:1.00 compared to 0.70:1.00 as of December 31, 2017.

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 $414 million term loan tranche with a stated maturity date of March 30, 2023 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 March 30, 2022 and March 30, 2023, respectively. For $50 million 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 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 1.875% over LIBOR or 0.75% or 0.875% 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, 2018, 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 2.125% 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

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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, 2018, there was $1.1 billion outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and we were in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility.

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 $1.0 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, 2022 and January 3, 2024, respectively. The interest rate charged on the Revolving Funding Facility is based on LIBOR plus 2.00% per annum or a "base rate" (as defined in the agreements governing the Revolving Funding Facility) plus 1.00% 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, 2018, there was $520 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. The end of the reinvestment period and the stated maturity date for the SMBC Funding Facility are September 14, 2019 and September 14, 2024, 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, 2018, the interest rate in effect was LIBOR plus 1.75%. 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, 2018, there was $245 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.

Convertible Unsecured Notes

              We have issued $300 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes that mature on January 15, 2019 (the "2019 Convertible Notes") and $388 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes that mature on February 1, 2022 (the "2022 Convertible Notes" and together with 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 2019 Convertible Notes and the 2022 Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.375% and 3.75%, respectively, per year, payable semi-annually.

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              Certain key terms related to the convertible features for each of the Convertible Unsecured Notes as of December 31, 2018 are listed below.

              In certain circumstances, assuming the respective conversion dates above have not already passed, 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, 2018) subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments and the requirements of their respective indenture (the "Convertible Unsecured Notes Indentures"). To the extent the 2019 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 above), 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.

              In January 2018, we repaid in full the $270 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes due in January 2018 (the "2018 Convertible Notes") at par upon their maturity. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis—Recent Developments," as well as Note 18 for a subsequent event regarding the 2019 Convertible Notes.

Unsecured Notes

2018 Notes

              We had issued $750 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes, which bore interest at a rate of 4.875% per year, payable semi-annually, that matured and were fully repaid on November 30, 2018 (the "2018 Notes").

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

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"make whole" premium, if applicable, as determined pursuant to the indenture governing the 2020 Notes, and any accrued and unpaid interest.

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 "2022 Notes"). The 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 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.

2025 Notes

              We have issued $600 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on March 1, 2025 (the "2025 Notes"). The 2025 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.250% per year, payable semi-annually and all principal is due upon maturity. The 2025 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 2025 Notes, and any accrued and unpaid interest.

2047 Notes

              As part of the Allied Acquisition, we assumed $230 million in 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 2022 Notes, the 2023 Notes and the 2025 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.

              As of December 31, 2018, 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, 2018 for more information on our debt obligations.

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CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

              A summary of the maturities of our principal amounts of debt and other contractual payment obligations as of December 31, 2018 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, 2018 and 2017, 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, 2018 and 2017 were delayed draw loan commitments totaling $627 million and $251 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, 2018 were commitments to issue up to $248 million in letters of credit through a financial intermediary on behalf of certain portfolio companies. As of December 31, 2018, we had $26 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, $23 million expire in 2019 and $3 million expire in 2020. As of December 31, 2018, we recorded a liability of $1 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. See "Senior Direct Lending Program" above and Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 for more information.

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              As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, 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 2019, we repaid in full the $300 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Convertible Notes upon their maturity. The 2019 Convertible Notes bore interest at a rate of 4.375% per year, payable semi-annually.

              In February 2019, our board of directors authorized an amendment to our stock repurchase program to (a) increase the total authorization under the program from $300 million to $500 million and (b) extend the expiration date of the program from February 28, 2019 to February 15, 2020. Under the stock repurchase program, we may repurchase up to $500 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, 2019 through February 7, 2019, we made new investment commitments of approximately $623 million, of which $577 million were funded. Of these new commitments, 45% were in first lien senior secured loans, 40% were in second lien senior secured loans, 13% were in the subordinated certificates of the SDLP and 2% were in preferred equity securities. Of the approximately $623 million of new investment commitments, 98% were floating rate and 2% fixed rate. The weighted average yield of debt and other income producing securities funded during the period at amortized cost was 10.0%. 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, 2019 through February 7, 2019, we exited approximately $469 million of investment commitments. Of the total investment commitments exited, 74% were first lien senior secured loans and 26% were second lien senior secured loans. Of the approximately $469 million of

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exited investment commitments, 100% were floating rate. The weighted average yield of debt and other income producing securities exited or repaid during the period at amortized cost was 9.0% and the weighted average yield on total investments exited or repaid during the period at amortized cost was 9.0%. On the approximately $469 million of investment commitments exited from January 1, 2019 through February 7, 2019, we recognized total net realized gains of approximately $2 million.

              In addition, as of February 7, 2019, we had an investment backlog and pipeline of approximately $1,435 million and $150 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

              The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets, and any other parameters used in determining such estimates could cause actual results to differ. Our critical accounting policies, including those relating to the valuation of our investment portfolio, are described below. The critical accounting policies should be read in connection with our risk factors as disclosed in "Risk Factors" of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 for more information on our critical accounting policies.

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 our investment portfolio at fair value is subject to review by an independent valuation firm each quarter. In addition, our independent

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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.

              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 our 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 m