ARES CAPITAL CORP

Regulatory Filings • Apr 16, 2015

DEFA14A 1 a2224305zdefa14a.htm DEFA14A QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

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Filed by the Registrant ý
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
o	Preliminary Proxy Statement
o	Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
o	Definitive Proxy Statement
ý	Definitive Additional Materials
o	Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

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ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
ý	No fee required.
o	Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
	(1)	Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
	(2)	Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
	(3)	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):
	(4)	Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
	(5)	Total fee paid:
o	Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
o	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.
	(1)	Amount Previously Paid:
	(2)	Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
	(3)	Filing Party:
	(4)	Date Filed:

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ZEQ.=1,SEQ=1,EFW="2224305",CP="ARES CAPITAL CORP",DN="1",CHK=16837,FOLIO='blank',FILE='DISK122:[15ZBB1.15ZBB49701]BA49701A.;3',USER='JFUSS',CD='16-APR-2015;12:32' THIS IS THE END OF A COMPOSITION COMPONENT

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245 Park Avenue, 44th Floor New York, NY 10167

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TIME IS SHORT PLEASE VOTE YOUR PROXY TODAY

April 16, 2015

Dear Stockholder:

According to our latest records, we have not yet received your voting instructions for the Special Meeting of Stockholders of Ares Capital Corporation to be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2015. Your vote is extremely important, no matter how many shares you hold. If we do not receive your vote, we may have to adjourn and continue to request stockholder participation to reach a required quorum.

For the reasons set forth in the proxy statement, dated March 13, 2015, the Board of Directors recommends that you vote "FOR" the proposal. Please vote via the internet at www.proxyvote.com as soon as possible or alternatively, please sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy card.

Please understand that it is critical that we receive your vote so that we may complete the business of the Special Meeting of Stockholders without additional delay.

If you need assistance voting your shares, please call D.F. King toll-free at 800-848-2998 or collect at (212) 269-5550. On behalf of your Board of Directors, thank you for your cooperation and continued support.

Sincerely,

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Michael J Arougheti Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors Bennett Rosenthal Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors

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QuickLinks

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