ARES CAPITAL CORP 8-K

What Happened
Ares Capital Corporation held its annual meeting of stockholders on May 7, 2026 (record date March 2, 2026; 718,022,845 shares outstanding). Stockholders elected three Class I directors to serve until the 2029 annual meeting and ratified the selection of KPMG LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2026. Vote tabulations certified by the inspector of election were provided in the filing.

Key Details

• Director elections (terms through 2029):
  • Ann Torre Bates — For: 227,599,186; Against: 22,887,186; Abstain: 5,483,619; Broker non-votes: 256,591,998.
  • Steven B. McKeever — For: 193,224,033; Against: 58,930,014; Abstain: 3,815,944; Broker non-votes: 256,591,998.
  • Michael J. Arougheti — For: 234,472,961; Against: 18,006,707; Abstain: 3,490,323; Broker non-votes: 256,591,998.
• Auditor ratification: KPMG LLP was approved as the independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026 — For: 490,881,757; Against: 16,126,434; Abstain: 5,553,798.

Why It Matters
Board elections and auditor ratification are governance actions that affect oversight of the company. Re-election of the three directors maintains board continuity through 2029, while ratifying KPMG confirms the auditor responsible for reviewing 2026 financial statements. The filing contains vote totals and shows a sizable number of broker non-votes on the director ballots, which can reflect how shares held by brokers were voted (or not) on non-routine matters. The 8-K does not include financial results or other operational disclosures.