Ares Capital (ARCC -0.15%) just reported its second-quarter financial results and declared its latest dividend payment. However, it continues to experience a slower transaction environment, which is causing a bit of a drag on core earnings. Expand NASDAQ : ARCC Ares Capital Today's Change ( -0.15 %) $ -0.03 Current Price $ 19.98 Key Data Points Market Cap $14B Market cap calculated using publicly traded shares outstanding only. Ares Capital's core earnings have fallen below its dividend for the second quarter in a row. Ares Capital's streak should continueEven though Ares Capital's core earnings remained below its dividend payment during the second quarter, it has built up a meaningful cushion to support its payment.