<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-18-026623.txt : 20180425
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-18-026623.hdr.sgml : 20180425
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20180425163101
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-18-026623
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEFA14A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		4
FILED AS OF DATE:		20180425
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20180425
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20180425

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ARES CAPITAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001287750
		IRS NUMBER:				331089684
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		DEFA14A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	814-00663
		FILM NUMBER:		18774729

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		245 PARK AVENUE, 44TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10167
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2127507300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		245 PARK AVENUE, 44TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10167
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>DEFA14A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a18-11162_3defa14a.htm
<DESCRIPTION>DEFA14A
<TEXT>


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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="4" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES<br>  </font></b><b><font size="4" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="4" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SCHEDULE 14A</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of<br> the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;)</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;">
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<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Filed by the Registrant&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font face="Wingdings">x</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Filed by a Party other than the Registrant</font>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face="Wingdings">o</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box:</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>    </td>
<td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Preliminary Proxy Statement</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>    </td>
<td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Confidential, for   Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>    </td>
<td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Definitive Proxy Statement</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>    </td>
<td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Definitive Additional Materials</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>    </td>
<td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Soliciting Material under &#167;240.14a-12</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="4" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-weight:bold;">ARES CAPITAL   CORPORATION</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
<td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Name   of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
<td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
<td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
<td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Name   of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
<td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
<td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Payment of Filing Fee (Check the   appropriate box):</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>    </td>
<td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">No fee required.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>    </td>
<td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Fee computed on table below per   Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(1)</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title of each class of securities to   which transaction applies:</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(2)</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Aggregate number of securities to   which transaction applies:</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(3)</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Per unit price or other underlying value   of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the   amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was   determined):</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(4)</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Proposed maximum aggregate value of   transaction:</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(5)</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Total fee paid:</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>    </td>
<td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Fee paid previously with preliminary   materials.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>    </td>
<td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check box if any part of the fee is   offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing   for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous   filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date   of its filing.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(1)</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Amount Previously Paid:</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(2)</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Form, Schedule or Registration   Statement No.:</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(3)</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Filing Party:</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(4)</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date Filed:</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr height="0">
<td width="36" style="border:none;"></td>
<td width="31" style="border:none;"></td>
<td width="2" style="border:none;"></td>
<td width="639" style="border:none;"></td>   </tr> </table>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade align="left" style="color:#010101;"></div>
</div>
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<div>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;">
<tr>
<td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.9%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><img width="193" height="69" src="g111623bei001.jpg"></font></p>    </td>
<td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.1%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 31.8pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 31.8pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">245 Park Avenue, 44th Floor</font></p>
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 31.8pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">New York, NY 10167</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">TIME IS SHORT</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">PLEASE VOTE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD TODAY</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">April&nbsp;25, 2018</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Dear Stockholder:</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><font style="font-size:10.0pt;">According to our latest records, we have not yet received your voting instructions for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Ares Capital Corporation to be held on Monday, May&nbsp;14, 2018. <b>Your vote is extremely important, no matter how many shares you hold. &#160;If we do not receive your vote, we may have to adjourn and continue to request stockholder participation in order to obtain enough votes to approve the proposals</b></font>.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">For the reasons set forth in the proxy statement, dated March&nbsp;27, 2018, the Board of Directors recommends that you vote <b>&#147;FOR&#148; </b>all director nominees in Proposal 1 and<b> &#147;FOR&#148; </b>Proposal 2. <b>Please understand that it is critical that we receive your vote so that we may complete the business of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.</b></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Using the control number provided on the enclosed proxy card, please vote via the internet at www.proxyvote.com as soon as possible or alternatively, please sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy card.</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">If you need assistance voting your shares, please call D.F. King toll-free at (866) 796-7186 or collect at (212) 269-5550. On behalf of your Board of Directors, thank you for your cooperation and continued support.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Sincerely,</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><img width="168" height="34" src="g111623bei002.gif"></font></p>    </td>
<td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><img width="154" height="70" src="g111623bei003.gif"></font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Michael J Arougheti</font></p>    </td>
<td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Bennett Rosenthal</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Co-Chairman   of the Board of Directors</font></i></p>    </td>
<td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Co-Chairman   of the Board of Directors</font></i></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade align="left" style="color:#010101;"></div>
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