In addition, if you have questions about the merger or this document, would like additional copies of this document or need to obtain proxy cards or other information related to the proxy solicitation, you may contact Georgeson, Allied Capital's proxy solicitor, at the address and telephone number listed below. You will not be charged for any of these documents that you request.

Georgeson
199 Water Street, 26th Floor
New York, New York 10038
Banks and Brokers Call (212) 440-9800
All Others Call Toll-Free (866) 695-6072

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Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This document shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

PRELIMINARY—SUBJECT TO COMPLETION—DATED FEBRUARY 4, 2010

MERGER PROPOSED—YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT

Dear Stockholder,

        On October 26, 2009, Ares Capital Corporation, or "Ares Capital," and Allied Capital Corporation, or "Allied Capital," announced a strategic business combination in which ARCC Odyssey Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ares Capital, or "Merger Sub," would merge with and into Allied Capital and, immediately thereafter, Allied Capital would merge with and into Ares Capital.

        If the merger of Merger Sub and Allied Capital is completed, holders of Allied Capital common stock will have a right to receive 0.325 shares of Ares Capital common stock for each share of Allied Capital common stock held immediately prior to such merger. In connection with such merger, Ares Capital expects to issue a maximum of approximately 58.3 million shares of its common stock (assuming that holders of all "in-the-money" Allied Capital stock options elect to be cashed out), subject to adjustment in certain limited circumstances.

        Ares Capital and Allied Capital are specialty finance companies that are closed-end, non-diversified management investment companies. They are both incorporated in Maryland and have elected to be regulated as business development companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Ares Capital's investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. Allied Capital has a similar investment objective to achieve current income and capital gains.

        The market value of the merger consideration will fluctuate with the market price of Ares Capital common stock. The following table shows the closing sale prices of Ares Capital common stock and Allied Capital common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, or "NASDAQ," and the New York Stock Exchange, or the "NYSE," respectively, on October 23, 2009, the last full trading day before the public announcement of the merger, and on [    •    ], 2010, the last full trading day before the date of this document.

        This table also shows the implied value of the merger consideration proposed for each share of Allied Capital common stock, which was calculated by multiplying the closing price of Ares Capital common stock on those dates by 0.325, the exchange ratio.

        The market prices of both Ares Capital common stock and Allied Capital common stock will fluctuate before the merger. You should obtain current stock price quotations for Ares Capital and Allied Capital common stock. Ares Capital common stock trades on NASDAQ under the symbol "ARCC." Allied Capital common stock trades on the NYSE and NASDAQ under the symbol "ALD."

        The merger and subsequent combination are intended to qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and holders of Allied Capital common stock are not expected to recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the exchange of shares of Allied Capital common stock for shares of Ares Capital common stock, except with respect to any cash received instead of fractional shares of Ares Capital common stock.

        Your vote is extremely important. At a special meeting of Ares Capital stockholders, Ares Capital stockholders will be asked to vote on the issuance of Ares Capital common stock in connection with

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the merger. The stock issuance proposal requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all of the votes cast on the matter at a meeting at which a quorum is present.

        Whether or not you expect to attend the Ares Capital special meeting in person, Ares Capital urges you to submit your proxy as promptly as possible by: (1) accessing the Internet website specified on your enclosed proxy card, (2) calling the telephone number specified on your enclosed proxy card or (3) completing, signing and dating the enclosed proxy card and returning it in the postage-paid envelope provided. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction card furnished to you by such record holder. If you have any questions about the merger or need assistance voting your shares, please call D. F. King & Co., Inc., which is assisting Ares Capital with the solicitation of proxies, toll-free at 1-800-967-7635 or call collect at 1-212-269-5550.

        At a special meeting of Allied Capital stockholders, Allied Capital stockholders will be asked to vote on the approval of the merger and the merger agreement. The affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the shares of Allied Capital common stock outstanding and entitled to vote is required to approve such matters.

        After careful consideration, the board of directors of Ares Capital unanimously recommends that its stockholders vote "FOR" approval of the issuance of the shares of Ares Capital common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement described in this document and "FOR" approval of the proposal to adjourn the Ares Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Ares Capital special meeting to approve the foregoing proposal.

        This document concisely describes the special meetings, the merger, the documents related to the merger and other related matters that an Ares Capital stockholder ought to know before voting on the proposals described herein and should be retained for future reference. Please carefully read this entire document, including "Risk Factors" beginning on page 41, for a discussion of the risks relating to the merger. You also can obtain information about Ares Capital and Allied Capital from documents that each has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for instructions on how to obtain such information.

        The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved the Ares Capital common stock to be issued under this document or determined if this document is accurate or adequate. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

        The date of this document is [    •    ], 2010 and it is first being mailed or otherwise delivered to Ares Capital stockholders on or about [    •    ], 2010.

        In addition, if you have questions about the merger or this document, would like additional copies of this document or need to obtain proxy cards or other information related to the proxy solicitation, you may contact D.F. King & Co., Inc., Ares Capital's proxy solicitor, at the address and telephone number listed below. You will not be charged for any of these documents that you request.

D.F. King & Co., Inc.
48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor
New York, New York 10005
1-800-967-7635 (toll free) or 1-212-269-5550 (call collect)

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF ALLIED CAPITAL

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To the Stockholders of Allied Capital Corporation:

        You are cordially invited to a special meeting of stockholders of Allied Capital Corporation, or "Allied Capital," to be held at [    •    ] on March 26, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to consider and vote on the following matters:

1.

A proposal to approve the merger of ARCC Odyssey Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ares Capital Corporation, or "Ares Capital," with and into Allied Capital and to approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger, as such agreement may be amended from time to time, or the "merger agreement," dated as of October 26, 2009, among Allied Capital, Ares Capital and ARCC Odyssey Corp.; and



2.

A proposal to approve the adjournment of the Allied Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Allied Capital special meeting to approve the foregoing proposal.

        You have the right to receive notice of and to vote at the Allied Capital special meeting if you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on February 2, 2010. Whether or not you expect to be present in person at the Allied Capital special meeting, please sign the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the postage-paid envelope provided or authorize your proxy by telephone or through the Internet. Instructions are shown on the proxy card.

        You have the option to revoke the proxy at any time prior to the vote at the meeting or to vote your shares personally on request if you attend the meeting.

        The Allied Capital board of directors has unanimously approved the merger and the merger agreement and unanimously recommends that Allied Capital stockholders vote "FOR" approval of the merger and the merger agreement and "FOR" approval of the proposal to adjourn the Allied Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Allied Capital special meeting to approve the foregoing proposal.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Miriam G. Krieger
Executive Vice President
and Corporate Secretary

Washington, DC
[    •    ], 2010

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YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ALLIED CAPITAL SPECIAL MEETING IN PERSON, ALLIED CAPITAL URGES YOU TO SUBMIT YOUR PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE BY: (1) ACCESSING THE INTERNET WEBSITE SPECIFIED ON YOUR ENCLOSED PROXY CARD, (2) CALLING THE TELEPHONE NUMBER SPECIFIED ON YOUR ENCLOSED PROXY CARD OR (3) COMPLETING, SIGNING AND DATING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURNING IT IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction card furnished to you by such record holder.

This document provides a description of the merger, the merger agreement and the matters to be considered at the Allied Capital special meeting. Allied Capital urges you to read this document and its annexes carefully and in their entirety. If you have any questions concerning the merger, the matters to be considered at the Allied Capital special meeting or this document, would like additional copies of this document or need help voting your shares, please contact Allied Capital's proxy solicitor:

Georgeson
199 Water Street, 26th Floor
New York, New York 10038
Banks and Brokers Call (212) 440-9800
All Others Call Toll-Free (866) 695-6072

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Ares Capital Corporation
280 Park Avenue, 22nd Floor
Building East
New York, NY 10017

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MARCH 26, 2010

To the Stockholders of Ares Capital Corporation:

        Notice is hereby given that Ares Capital Corporation, a Maryland corporation, or "Ares Capital," will hold a Special Meeting of the Stockholders of Ares Capital, or the "Ares Capital special meeting," on March 26, 2010 at 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, at [    •    ], [    •    ], [    •    ], [    •    ], United States [    •    ] for the following purposes:

        1.     To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the issuance of the shares of Ares Capital common stock to be issued pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, as such agreement may be amended from time to time, or the "merger agreement," dated as of October 26, 2009, among Ares Capital, Allied Capital Corporation, or "Allied Capital," and ARCC Odyssey Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ares Capital; and

        2.     To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the adjournment of the Ares Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Ares Capital special meeting to approve the foregoing proposal.

        You have the right to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Ares Capital special meeting if you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on February 2, 2010. Whether or not you expect to be present in person at the Ares Capital special meeting, we urge you to promptly fill out, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the postage-paid envelope provided or authorize your proxy by telephone or through the Internet. Instructions are shown on the proxy card.

        You have the option to revoke the proxy at any time prior to the vote at the meeting or to vote your shares personally on request if you attend the meeting.

        The Ares Capital board of directors has unanimously approved the merger and the merger agreement and the issuance of the shares of Ares Capital common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement and unanimously recommends that Ares Capital stockholders vote "FOR" approval of the issuance of the shares of Ares Capital common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement and "FOR" approval of the proposal to adjourn the Ares Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Ares Capital special meeting to approve the foregoing proposal.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Merritt S. Hooper
Secretary

New York, New York
[    •    ], 2010

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YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

        WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ARES CAPITAL SPECIAL MEETING IN PERSON, ARES CAPITAL URGES YOU TO SUBMIT YOUR PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE BY (1) ACCESSING THE INTERNET WEBSITE SPECIFIED ON YOUR ENCLOSED PROXY CARD, (2) BY CALLING THE TELEPHONE NUMBER SPECIFIED ON YOUR ENCLOSED PROXY CARD OR (3) BY COMPLETING, SIGNING AND DATING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURNING IT IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction card furnished to you by such record holder.

        This document provides a description of the merger, the merger agreement and the matters to be considered at the Ares Capital special meeting. Ares Capital urges you to read this document and its annexes carefully and in their entirety. If you have any questions concerning the merger, the matters to be considered at the Ares Capital special meeting or this document, would like additional copies of this document or need help voting your shares, please contact Ares Capital's proxy solicitor:

D. F. King & Co., Inc.
48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor
New York, New York 10005
1-800-967-7635 (toll free)
1-212-269-5550 (call collect)

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ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

        This document, which forms part of a registration statement on Form N-14 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the "SEC," by Ares Capital (File No. 333-163760), constitutes a prospectus of Ares Capital under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, or the "Securities Act," with respect to the shares of Ares Capital common stock to be issued to Allied Capital common stockholders as required by the merger agreement.

        This document also constitutes a joint proxy statement of Ares Capital and Allied Capital under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the "Exchange Act." It also constitutes a notice of meeting with respect to the special meetings of Allied Capital common stockholders, at which Allied Capital common stockholders will be asked to vote on a proposal to approve the merger and the merger agreement, and Ares Capital common stockholders, at which Ares Capital common stockholders will be asked to vote on the issuance of Ares Capital common stock in connection with the merger.

        You should rely only on the information contained in this document. No one has been authorized to provide you with information that is different from that contained in this document. This document is dated [    •    ], 2010. You should not assume that the information contained in this document is accurate as of any date other than that date. Neither the mailing of this document to Ares Capital common stockholders or Allied Capital common stockholders nor the issuance by Ares Capital of common stock in connection with the merger will create any implication to the contrary.

        This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

        Except where the context otherwise indicates, information contained in this document regarding Ares Capital has been provided by Ares Capital and information contained in this document regarding Allied Capital has been provided by Allied Capital.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETINGS AND THE MERGER

        The questions and answers below highlight only selected information from this document. They do not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read carefully this entire document to fully understand the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger and subsequent combination, and the voting procedures for the Allied Capital and Ares Capital special meetings. Unless otherwise indicated in this document or the context otherwise requires, throughout this document we generally refer to Ares Capital Corporation and, where applicable, its consolidated subsidiaries as "Ares Capital," its investment adviser Ares Capital Management LLC as "Ares Capital Management" or as "investment adviser," Ares Management LLC, the sole member of Ares Capital Management, as "Ares Management," Ares Operations LLC as "Ares Operations," Ares Partners Management Company LLC and its affiliated companies (other than portfolio companies of its affiliated funds), including Ares Management, as "Ares," Allied Capital Corporation and, where applicable, its consolidated subsidiaries as "Allied Capital," ARCC Odyssey Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ares Capital, as "Merger Sub," the merger of Merger Sub with and into Allied Capital as the "merger," the merger of Allied Capital with and into Ares Capital as the "subsequent combination" and the effective time of the merger as the "effective time."

Q:    Why am I receiving these materials?

A:

Allied Capital and Ares Capital are sending these materials to their respective stockholders to help them decide how to vote their shares of Allied Capital or Ares Capital common stock, as the case may be, at their respective special meetings concerning the merger. At the Allied Capital special meeting, Allied Capital common stockholders will be asked to vote on a proposal to approve the merger and the merger agreement or approval to adjourn the Allied Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Allied Capital special meeting to approve the foregoing proposal. At the Ares Capital special meeting, Ares Capital common stockholders will be asked to vote on the issuance of Ares Capital common stock in connection with the merger or approval to adjourn the Ares Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Ares Capital special meeting to approve the foregoing proposal. Information about these meetings and the merger is contained in this document.

The boards of directors of Allied Capital and Ares Capital have both unanimously approved the merger and the merger agreement as in the best interests of Allied Capital and Ares Capital, respectively, and their respective stockholders. Please see the section entitled "The Merger—Reasons for the Merger" for an important discussion of the merger.

This document summarizes the information regarding the matters to be voted upon at the special meetings of Allied Capital and Ares Capital. However, you do not need to attend your special meeting to vote your shares. You may simply sign the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the postage-paid envelope provided or authorize your proxy by telephone or through the Internet. Instructions are shown on the proxy card. It is very important that you vote your shares at your special meeting. The merger cannot be completed unless Allied Capital stockholders approve the merger and the merger agreement and Ares Capital stockholders approve the issuance of Ares Capital common stock in connection with the merger.

If you hold some or all of your shares in a brokerage account, your broker will not be permitted to vote your shares unless you provide them with instructions on how to vote your shares. For this reason, you should provide your broker with instructions on how to vote your shares or arrange to attend your special meeting and vote your shares in person. Stockholders are urged to authorize proxies by telephone or the Internet if their broker has provided them with the opportunity to do so. See your voting instruction form for details. If your broker holds your shares and you attend your special meeting in person, please bring a letter from your broker identifying you as the beneficial owner of the shares and authorizing you to vote your shares at the special meeting.

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If you are an Allied Capital stockholder and do not provide your broker with instructions or vote at the Allied Capital special meeting, it will have the same effect as a vote "against" approval of the merger and the merger agreement.

Q:    When and where is the Allied Capital special meeting?

A:

The Allied Capital special meeting will take place on March 26, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at [    •    ] , [    •    ], [    •    ], [    •    ], United States [    •    ].

Q:    When and where is the Ares Capital special meeting?

A:

The Ares Capital special meeting will take place on March 26, 2010 at 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, at [    •    ], [    •    ], [    •    ], [    •    ], United States [    •    ].

Q:    What is happening at the Allied Capital special meeting?

A:

Allied Capital stockholders are being asked to consider and vote on the following matters at their special meeting:

•

a proposal to approve the merger and the merger agreement among Ares Capital, Allied Capital and Merger Sub, as such agreement may be amended from time to time; and

•

a proposal to approve the adjournment of the Allied Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Allied Capital special meeting to approve the foregoing proposal.

Q:    What is happening at the Ares Capital special meeting?

A:

Ares Capital stockholders are being asked to consider and vote on the following matters at their special meeting:

•

a proposal to approve the issuance of the shares of Ares Capital common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement among Ares Capital, Allied Capital and Merger Sub, as such agreement may be amended from time to time; and

•

a proposal to approve the adjournment of the Ares Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Ares Capital special meeting to approve the foregoing proposal.

Q:    What will happen in the merger and subsequent combination?

A:

Subject to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will be accomplished in two steps. In the first step, Merger Sub will merge with and into Allied Capital and the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease. Immediately thereafter, in the subsequent combination, Allied Capital will merge with and into Ares Capital and the separate corporate existence of Allied Capital will cease. Ares Capital will be the surviving entity of the subsequent combination and Ares Capital will succeed to and assume all the rights and obligations of Allied Capital and will continue its existence as a corporation under Maryland law. The transaction has been structured in two steps to avoid certain potential adverse tax consequences that could result in the unlikely event that the transaction failed to qualify as a "reorganization," within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the "Code," and Allied Capital failed to qualify as a regulated investment company, or "RIC."

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Q:    What will Allied Capital stockholders receive in the merger?

A:

Each Allied Capital stockholder will be entitled to receive 0.325 shares of Ares Capital common stock for each share of Allied Capital common stock owned by such Allied Capital stockholder immediately prior to the merger, or the "exchange ratio," subject to the payment of cash instead of fractional shares. For example, if an Allied Capital stockholder currently owns 100 shares of Allied Capital common stock, then, as a result of the merger, the stockholder will receive 32 shares of Ares Capital common stock, plus cash instead of the fractional 0.5 share of Ares Capital common stock, in exchange for the stockholder's 100 shares of Allied Capital common stock.

On October 23, 2009, the last full trading day before the public announcement of the merger, the closing price of Ares Capital common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, or "NASDAQ," was $10.69. Based upon this closing price, each share of Allied Capital common stock had an implied value of $3.47 per share and the aggregate value of the stock consideration in the merger, including outstanding "in-the-money" options (assuming a value per Allied Capital common share of $3.47), would have been approximately $648 million. On [    •    ], 2010, the last full trading day prior to the date of this document, the closing price of Ares Capital common stock on NASDAQ was $[    •    ], and the closing price of Allied Capital's shares of common stock on the New York Stock Exchange, or the "NYSE," was $[    •    ]. Based upon this closing price, each share of Allied Capital common stock had an implied value of $[    •    ] per share and the aggregate value of the stock consideration in the merger, including outstanding "in-the-money" options (assuming a value per Allied Capital common share of $[    •    ]), would have been approximately $[    •    ] million.

Until the merger is completed, the value of the shares of Ares Capital common stock to be issued in the merger will continue to fluctuate but the number of shares to be issued to Allied Capital stockholders will remain fixed.

The term "implied value" refers to the value of the Ares Capital common stock that Allied Capital stockholders would receive if the merger took place on a given day, based on the market price of Ares Capital common stock on such date. The value of Ares Capital common stock to be received in the merger will continue to fluctuate and, as a result, Allied Capital stockholders will not know the value of the Ares Capital common stock they will receive in the merger at the time they vote.

Q:    Is the exchange ratio subject to any adjustment?

A:

Generally, no. The exchange ratio will only be adjusted if the outstanding shares of Ares Capital common stock have themselves been increased, decreased, changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities as a result of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, combination or exchange of shares, or if a stock dividend (other than as a result of shares delivered pursuant to Ares Capital's dividend reinvestment plan) or dividend payable in any other securities shall be declared with a record date prior to closing or if any other similar event shall have occurred.

Q:    Who is responsible for paying the expenses relating to completing the merger, including the preparation of this document and the solicitation of proxies?

A:

In general, Allied Capital and Ares Capital will each be responsible for its own expenses incurred in connection with the completion of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. However, the costs and expenses of printing and mailing the registration statement (of which this document forms a part) and all filing and other fees paid to the SEC in connection with the merger and all filing and other fees in connection with any filing under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, or the "HSR Act," will be borne equally by Allied Capital and Ares Capital. See "Description of the Merger Agreement—Expenses and Fees."

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Q:    What will happen to Allied Capital stock options at the effective time?

A:

At the effective time, each Allied Capital stock option that has not been exercised will be cancelled and, if the exercise price of such option is less than the product of (1) the average closing price per share of Ares Capital common stock for the five consecutive trading days immediately preceding the closing and (2) the exchange ratio of 0.325, then the holder of such option will have the right to receive, at such holder's election, cash or shares of Ares Capital common stock (and cash, without interest, instead of any fractional shares) in an amount equal to such difference. Holders of Allied Capital stock options should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the tax consequences of their election and any cash or stock received by them.

Q:    Will I receive dividends after the merger?

A:

Ares Capital currently intends to distribute quarterly dividends to its stockholders. For a history of the dividends and distributions paid by Ares Capital since January 1, 2008, see "Market Price, Dividend and Distribution Information." The amount and timing of past dividends and distributions are not a guarantee of any future dividends or distributions, or the amount thereof, the payment, timing and amount of which will be determined by Ares Capital's board of directors and depend on Ares Capital's cash requirements, its financial condition and earnings, contractual restrictions, legal and regulatory considerations and other factors. See "Ares Capital Dividend Reinvestment Plan" for additional information regarding Ares Capital's dividend reinvestment plan.

For a history of the dividends and distributions paid by Allied Capital since January 1, 2008, see "Market Price, Dividend and Distribution Information."

No dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Ares Capital common stock will be paid to any former Allied Capital stockholders who held their shares in certificated form and who have not surrendered their certificates to the exchange agent for shares of Ares Capital common stock until such certificates are surrendered in accordance with the letter of transmittal. Following the surrender of any such certificates in accordance with the letter of transmittal, the record holders of such certificates shall be entitled to receive, without interest, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the effective time payable with respect to shares of Ares Capital common stock exchangeable for such certificates and not previously paid.

Q:    Is the merger subject to any third party consents?

A:

Yes, under the merger agreement, Ares Capital's obligation to complete the merger is subject to the prior receipt of certain approvals, confirmations and consents required to be obtained from certain agents, lenders, noteholders and other parties. As of the date of this document, Ares Capital and Allied Capital believe that, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, they have obtained all necessary third party consents other than stockholder approvals and, if necessary, rating agency confirmation with respect to the notes, or "CLO Notes," under its on-balance-sheet debt securitization, or "Debt Securitization."

On January 22, 2010, Ares Capital entered into an agreement to amend and restate its senior secured revolving credit facility, or the "Credit Facility." The amendment and restatement of the Credit Facility, among other things, increases the size of the facility from $525 million to $690 million (comprised of $615 million in commitments on a stand-alone basis and an additional $75 million in commitments contingent upon the closing of the merger), extends the maturity date to January 22, 2013, modifies pricing and permits certain mergers, including a merger of the type currently contemplated by the merger agreement. The Credit Facility also includes an "accordion" feature that allows Ares Capital, under certain circumstances, to increase the Credit Facility's size

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to a maximum of $897.5 million prior to the closing of the merger and up to a maximum of $1.05 billion upon the closing of the merger.

On that same date, Ares Capital also combined its existing $225 million amortizing Ares Capital CP Funding LLC facility, or the "CP Funding Facility," with its existing $200 million revolving Ares Capital CP Funding II LLC facility, or the "CP Funding II Facility," into a single $400 million revolving securitized facility. The combined CP Funding Facility, among other things, converted the existing facility from an amortizing facility to a revolving facility, extended the maturity date to January 22, 2013 (with two one-year extension options, subject to mutual consent), modified the pricing structure of the CP Funding Facility and pre-approved the merger. In connection with the combination, Ares Capital terminated the CP Funding II Facility.

On January 29, 2010, Allied Capital entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, or the "Credit Agreement," pursuant to which Allied Capital obtained its $250 million senior secured term loan, or the "Term Loan." The proceeds of the Term Loan were used to refinance Allied Capital's private notes and bank facility. In connection with entering into the Term Loan, Allied Capital used the proceeds from the Term Loan and cash on hand from asset sales and repayments to repay its private notes and bank facility in full. On January 29, 2010, after giving effect to the refinancing and the full repayment of the private notes and bank facility, Allied Capital had total outstanding debt of $995.5 million and cash and investments in money market and other securities of approximately $128 million. The Term Loan matures on February 28, 2011 and is subject to certain mandatory prepayments prior to maturity, including repayments related to asset dispositions. The Term Loan generally becomes due and payable upon a change of control or merger; except that, in certain circumstances, the Term Loan may be assumed by Ares Capital in connection with the consummation of the merger. Borrowings under the Term Loan will bear interest based on LIBOR or a base rate and the Term Loan will initially bear interest at a rate per annum of 4.74%. In addition to the interest paid on the Term Loan, Allied Capital incurred other fees and costs associated with the repayment and refinancing and will also incur additional exit fees, which increase over the term of the loan, as the Term Loan is repaid. Consistent with the terms of the private notes and bank facility, Allied Capital has granted the Term Loan lenders a blanket lien on a substantial portion of its assets.

For more information, see "The Merger—Third Party Consents Required for the Merger."

Q:    How does Ares Capital's investment objective and strategy differ from Allied Capital's?

A:

Like Allied Capital, Ares Capital is a specialty finance company that is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company. Both Allied Capital and Ares Capital are incorporated in Maryland and have elected to be regulated as business development companies, or "BDCs," under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the "Investment Company Act." Ares Capital's investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. Allied Capital has a similar investment objective to achieve current income and capital gains. Ares Capital and Allied Capital each focus on making investments in privately-held companies.

Allied Capital has primarily invested in debt and equity securities of private companies in a variety of industries. However, from time to time, Allied Capital has invested in companies that are public, but lack access to additional public capital. Allied Capital's private finance portfolio primarily is composed of debt and equity investments. Allied Capital's private finance portfolio includes buyout transactions in which it holds investments in senior debt, subordinated debt and equity (preferred and/or voting or non-voting common) where Allied Capital's equity ownership represents a significant portion of the equity, but may or may not represent a controlling interest. Ares Capital generally has not historically engaged in such buyout transactions. In addition to managing its own assets, Allied Capital manages certain funds that also invest in the debt and

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equity securities of primarily private middle-market companies in a variety of industries and broadly syndicated senior secured loans. Allied Capital's typical investments are in companies that operate in diverse industries with EBITDA, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, of between $5 million and $150 million.

Ares Capital concentrates on making investments in companies with annual EBITDA of between $10 million and $250 million. Ares Capital has built an investment portfolio of primarily first and second lien loans, mezzanine debt and to a lesser extent equity investments in private middle-market companies. Ares Capital's portfolio is well diversified by industry sector and its concentration to any single issuer is limited. Ares Capital's debt investments have ranged between $10 million and $100 million each, although the investment sizes may be more or less than the targeted range. Ares Capital's investment sizes are expected to grow with Ares Capital's capital availability. To a lesser extent, Ares Capital also makes equity investments. Ares Capital's equity investments have generally been less than $20 million each but may grow with Ares Capital's capital availability and are usually made in conjunction with loans extended by Ares Capital. The proportion of these investments will change over time given Ares Capital's views on, among other things, the economic and credit environment in which Ares Capital operates.

Q:    How will the combined company be managed following the merger?

A:

Unlike Allied Capital, Ares Capital is an externally managed closed end fund. Upon completion of the merger and subsequent combination, the current directors and officers of Ares Capital are expected to continue in their current positions and Ares Capital's investment adviser, Ares Capital Management, will externally manage the combined company.

At the effective time, Ares Capital's board of directors will be increased by at least one member and Ares Capital will submit the name of one member of Allied Capital's board of directors for consideration to Ares Capital's nominating and governance committee to fill the vacancy.

Q:    What is expected to happen to annual expenses following the merger?

A:

As is shown in more detail in "Comparative Fees and Expenses," and based on the assumptions described in that section, in the first year following the merger, absent any change in Allied Capital's interest expense, annual expenses as a percentage of consolidated net assets attributable to common stock is estimated to (1) increase for Ares Capital stockholders from 8.91% on a stand-alone basis to 16.24% on a pro forma combined basis and (2) decrease for Allied Capital stockholders from 21.29% on a stand-alone basis to 16.24% on a pro forma combined basis. The pro forma estimated increase to Ares Capital stockholders results primarily from the pro forma combined interest payments on borrowed funds, which reflect Allied Capital's significantly higher average borrowings and interest expense of 10.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Allied Capital and Ares Capital expect that as a result of completed and anticipated asset sales and debt repayments and refinancings the combined company's interest payments on borrowed funds in the first year following the merger will be less than the amounts used in such pro forma combined estimate and, accordingly, that estimated total expenses will be lower than as reflected in the pro forma combined estimate as of September 30, 2009.

Q:    Are Allied Capital stockholders able to exercise dissenters' rights?

A:

No. Allied Capital stockholders will not be entitled to exercise dissenters' rights with respect to any matter to be voted upon at their special meeting. Any Allied Capital stockholder may abstain from or vote against any of such matters.

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Q:    Are Ares Capital stockholders able to exercise dissenters' rights?

A:

No. Ares Capital stockholders will not be entitled to exercise dissenters' rights with respect to any matter to be voted upon at their special meeting. Any Ares Capital stockholder may abstain from or vote against any of such matters.

Q:    When do you expect to complete the merger and subsequent combination?

A:

While there can be no assurance as to the exact timing, or that the merger will be completed at all, we are working to complete the merger in the first quarter of 2010. We currently expect to complete the merger promptly following receipt of the required approvals at the Allied Capital and Ares Capital special meetings and satisfaction of the other closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement. The subsequent combination will occur immediately after the merger is completed.

Q:    Is the merger expected to be taxable to Allied Capital stockholders?

A:

The merger and subsequent combination are intended to qualify as a "reorganization," within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and it is a condition to Ares Capital's and Allied Capital's respective obligations to complete the merger that each of them receives a legal opinion to that effect. Holders of Allied Capital common stock are not expected to recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the exchange of shares of Allied Capital common stock for shares of Ares Capital common stock in the merger, except with respect to cash received instead of fractional shares of Ares Capital common stock. Holders of Allied Capital common stock should read "Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger" for a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger and subsequent combination to Allied Capital stockholders. Tax matters can be complicated and the tax consequences of the merger to you will depend on your particular tax situation. Holders of Allied Capital common stock should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the tax consequences of the merger to them.

Q:    What happens if the merger is not consummated?

A:

If the merger is not approved by the requisite vote of Allied Capital's stockholders or the issuance of shares of Ares Capital common stock in connection with the merger is not approved by the requisite vote of Ares Capital's stockholders, or if the merger is not completed for any other reason, Allied Capital's stockholders will not receive any payment for their shares in connection with the merger. Instead, Allied Capital will remain an independent public company and its common stock will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE. In addition, under circumstances specified in the merger agreement, Allied Capital may be required to pay Ares Capital a termination fee of $30 million ($15 million if Allied Capital stockholders do not approve the merger and the merger agreement) and Ares Capital may be required to pay Allied Capital a termination fee of $30 million ($30 million if Ares Capital stockholders do not approve the issuance of shares of Ares Capital common stock in the merger). See "Description of the Merger Agreement—Termination of the Merger Agreement."

Q:    What Allied Capital stockholder vote is required to approve the merger and the merger agreement?

A:

The affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the shares of Allied Capital common stock outstanding and entitled to vote on the matter is required to approve the merger and the merger agreement. Stockholders who abstain or who fail to (1) return their proxies, (2) instruct the proxy solicitor on how to cast their vote by telephone or via the Internet pursuant to the instructions

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shown on the proxy card or (3) vote at the Allied Capital special meeting, will have the same effect as if they voted "against" the merger agreement and the merger.

Q:    What Ares Capital stockholder vote is required to approve the issuance of Ares Capital common stock in connection with the merger?

A:

Approval of the issuance of the shares of Ares Capital common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all of the votes cast on the matter at a meeting at which a quorum is present.

Q:    Does Allied Capital's board of directors recommend approval of the merger and the merger agreement and the proposal to adjourn the Allied Capital special meeting if necessary?

A:

Yes. Allied Capital's board of directors, including its independent directors, unanimously approved the merger and the merger agreement and recommends that Allied Capital stockholders vote "FOR" approval of the merger and the merger agreement and "FOR" approval of the proposal to adjourn the Allied Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Allied Capital special meeting to approve the proposal.

Q:    Does Ares Capital's board of directors recommend approval of the issuance of Ares Capital common stock in connection with the merger and the proposal to adjourn the Ares Capital special meeting if necessary?

A:

Yes. Ares Capital's board of directors, including its independent directors, unanimously approved the merger and the merger agreement, including the issuance of common stock in connection therewith, and recommends that Ares Capital stockholders vote "FOR" approval of the issuance of Ares Capital common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement and "FOR" approval of the proposal to adjourn the Ares Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Ares Capital special meeting to approve the foregoing proposal.

Q:    Did the boards of directors of Allied Capital and Ares Capital receive opinions from financial advisors regarding the exchange ratio?

A:

In connection with the merger, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, or "BofA Merrill Lynch," and Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P., or "Sandler O'Neill," Allied Capital's financial advisors, delivered to Allied Capital's board of directors their separate written opinions, each dated October 25, 2009, as to the fairness, from a financial point of view and as of the date of such opinion, of the exchange ratio to the holders of Allied Capital common stock. The full text of these opinions, which describe, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, factors considered and limitations on the review undertaken, are attached to this document and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as Annex B-2 and Annex C-2, respectively. BofA Merrill Lynch's and Sandler O'Neill's respective opinions were provided to Allied Capital's board of directors for the benefit and use of Allied Capital's board of directors in connection with and for purposes of its evaluation of the exchange ratio from a financial point of view. The written opinions do not address any other aspect of the merger and do not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how to vote or act in connection with the merger.

Similarly, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., or "J.P. Morgan," delivered its written opinion to Ares Capital's board of directors that, as of October 26, 2009, and based upon and subject to the factors, assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth therein, the exchange ratio in the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to Ares Capital. The full text of the written opinion of J.P. Morgan, dated October 26, 2009, which sets forth the assumptions made, matters

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considered and limits on the review undertaken, is attached as Annex D-2 to this document and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Ares Capital stockholders are urged to read the opinion in its entirety. J.P. Morgan's written opinion is addressed to the board of directors of Ares Capital, is directed only to the exchange ratio in the merger and does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of Ares Capital as to how such stockholder should vote at the Ares Capital special meeting. The summary of the opinion of J.P. Morgan set forth in this document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such opinion.

Q:    What do I need to do now?

A:

We urge you to read carefully this entire document, including its annexes. You should also review the documents referenced under "Where You Can Find More Information" and consult with your accounting, legal and tax advisors.

Q:    If I am an Allied Capital stockholder, how do I vote my shares?

A:

You may indicate how you want to vote on your proxy card and then sign and mail your proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope as soon as possible so that your shares may be represented at the Allied Capital special meeting. You may instruct the proxy solicitor on how to cast your vote by calling the proxy solicitor or via the Internet pursuant to the instructions shown on the proxy card. If you are a record stockholder, you may also attend the Allied Capital special meeting in person instead of submitting a proxy.

Unless your shares are held in a brokerage account, if you sign, date and send your proxy card and do not indicate how you want to vote on a proposal, your proxy will be voted "FOR" the approval of the merger and the merger agreement or "FOR" approval of the proposal to adjourn the Allied Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Allied Capital special meeting to approve the proposal. If your shares are held in a brokerage account, or in "street name," please see the answer to the next question.

If you fail to (1) return your proxy card, (2) instruct the proxy solicitor on how to cast your vote by telephone or via the Internet pursuant to the instructions shown on the proxy card or (3) vote at the Allied Capital special meeting, or if you "abstain," the effect will be the same as a vote "against" the merger and the merger agreement.

With respect to the adjournment proposal, a vote to "abstain" will have no effect on the vote on such matter.

Q:    If I am an Allied Capital stockholder and some or all of my shares are held in a brokerage account, or in "street name," will my broker vote my shares for me?

A:

No. With respect to the merger and adjournment proposals, if you do not provide your broker with instructions on how to vote your street name shares, your broker will not be permitted to vote them.

For this reason, you should provide your broker with instructions on how to vote your shares or arrange to attend the Allied Capital special meeting and vote your shares in person. If you do not provide your broker with instructions or attend the Allied Capital special meeting, it will have the same effect as a vote "against" approval of the merger and the merger agreement. Stockholders are urged to authorize proxies by telephone or the Internet if their broker has provided them with the opportunity to do so. See your voting instruction form for details.

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If your broker holds your shares and you attend the Allied Capital special meeting in person, please bring a letter from your broker identifying you as the beneficial owner of the shares and authorizing you to vote your shares at the Allied Capital special meeting.

Q:    If I am an Ares Capital stockholder, how do I vote my shares?

A:

You may indicate how you want to vote on your proxy card and then sign and mail your proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope as soon as possible so that your shares may be represented at the Ares Capital special meeting. You may also instruct the proxy solicitor on how to cast your vote by calling the proxy solicitor or via the Internet pursuant to the instructions shown on the proxy card. If you are a record stockholder, you may also attend the Ares Capital special meeting in person instead of submitting a proxy.

Unless your shares are held in a brokerage account, if you sign, date and send your proxy card and do not indicate how you want to vote on a proposal, your proxy will be voted "FOR" the approval of the issuance of Ares Capital common stock in connection with the merger or "FOR" approval of the proposal to adjourn the Ares Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Ares Capital special meeting to approve the foregoing proposal. If your shares are held in a brokerage account or in "street name," please see the answer to the next question.

If you fail to (1) return your proxy card, (2) instruct the proxy solicitor on how to cast your vote by telephone or via the Internet pursuant to the instructions shown on the proxy card or (3) vote at the Ares Capital special meeting, or if you "abstain," there will be no effect on the vote on the issuance of Ares Capital common stock in connection with the merger.

With respect to the adjournment proposal, a vote to "abstain" will also have no effect on the vote on such matter.

Q:    If I am an Ares Capital stockholder and some or all of my shares are held in a brokerage account, or in "street name," will my broker vote my shares for me?

A:

No. With respect to the issuance of Ares Capital common stock in connection with the merger and the adjournment proposal, if you do not provide your broker with instructions on how to vote your street name shares, your broker will not be permitted to vote them.

For this reason, you should provide your broker with instructions on how to vote your shares or arrange to attend the Ares Capital special meeting and vote your shares in person. With respect to the proposal to approve the issuance of shares of Ares Capital common stock in connection with the merger, broker shares for which written authority to vote has not been obtained will not be treated as votes cast on the matter and will have no effect on the vote on such proposal. Stockholders are urged to authorize proxies by telephone or the Internet if their broker has provided them with the opportunity to do so. See your voting instruction form for details.

If your broker holds your shares and you attend the Ares Capital special meeting in person, please bring a letter from your broker identifying you as the beneficial owner of the shares and authorizing you to vote your shares at the Ares Capital special meeting.

Q:    If I am an Allied Capital stockholder, what happens if I sell my shares before the Allied Capital special meeting?

A:

The record date of the Allied Capital special meeting is earlier than the date the merger is expected to be completed. If you transfer your shares of Allied Capital common stock after the record date but before the Allied Capital special meeting, you will retain your right to vote at the Allied Capital special meeting, but will have transferred the right to receive 0.325 shares of Ares

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Capital common stock, subject to the payment of cash instead of fractional shares, for each share of Allied Capital common stock owned immediately prior to the merger. In order to receive the 0.325 shares of Ares Capital common stock for each share of Allied Capital common stock owned, subject to the payment of cash instead of fractional shares, you must hold your shares through completion of the merger.

Q:    If I want to change my vote, what can I do?

A:

You may change your vote at any time before your special meeting takes place. To do so, you may either complete and submit a new proxy card or send a written notice stating that you would like to revoke your proxy. You may also change your vote by calling the applicable proxy solicitor or via the Internet pursuant to the instructions shown on the proxy card and simply authorizing a new proxy to vote your shares. The last recorded vote will be the vote that is counted. In addition, you may elect to attend your special meeting and vote in person, as described above.

Q:    If I am an Allied Capital stockholder and my shares are represented by stock certificates, should I send them in now?

A:

No. Allied Capital stockholders should not send in their stock certificates at this time. If the merger is consummated, Ares Capital's exchange agent will send former Allied Capital stockholders who held their shares in certificated form a letter of transmittal explaining what they must do to exchange their Allied Capital stock certificates for the merger consideration payable to them. Former Allied Capital stockholders who held their shares in uncertificated form will receive a confirmation as to the Ares Capital common stock issued in exchange for such Allied Capital common stock and cash instead of fractional shares without any action on the part of such holders.

Q:    Whom can I contact with any additional questions?

Q:    Where can I find more information about Ares Capital and Allied Capital?

A:

You can find more information about Ares Capital and Allied Capital in the documents described under "Where You Can Find More Information."

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SUMMARY

        This summary highlights some of the information contained elsewhere in this document. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you may want to consider. We urge you to read carefully this entire document, including "Risk Factors" beginning on page 41, and the other documents we refer you to for a more complete understanding of the merger and subsequent combination. See "Where You Can Find More Information." Certain items in this summary include a page reference directing you to a more complete description of that item.

Allied Capital and Ares Capital Propose a Merger of Merger Sub into Allied Capital Followed Immediately by a Merger of Allied Capital into Ares Capital (page 118)

        Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, in the merger, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Allied Capital and, immediately thereafter, in the subsequent combination, Allied Capital will be merged with and into Ares Capital. Ares Capital will be the surviving entity of the subsequent combination and, following the subsequent combination, Allied Capital will no longer exist as a separate corporation. As a result, all of Allied Capital's assets, liabilities and subsidiaries immediately before the subsequent combination will become assets, liabilities and subsidiaries of Ares Capital.

        After the merger, based on the number of shares of Ares Capital common stock issued and outstanding on the date hereof and assuming that holders of all "in-the-money" Allied Capital stock options elect to be cashed out, Ares Capital stockholders will own approximately 69% of the combined company's outstanding common stock and Allied Capital stockholders will own approximately 31% of the combined company's outstanding common stock.

        The merger agreement is attached as Annex A to this document and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Allied Capital and Ares Capital encourage their respective stockholders to read the merger agreement carefully and in its entirety, as it is the principal legal document governing the merger.

The Parties to the Merger

Allied Capital Corporation
1919 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 721-6100

        Like Ares Capital, Allied Capital is a specialty finance company that is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company. Both Allied Capital and Ares Capital are incorporated in Maryland and have elected to be regulated as BDCs under the Investment Company Act. Unlike Ares Capital, Allied Capital is internally managed. Allied Capital and Ares Capital each focus on making investments in privately-held companies.

        Similar to Ares Capital, Allied Capital's investment objective is to achieve current income and capital gains. In order to achieve this objective, Allied Capital has primarily invested in debt and equity securities of private companies in a variety of industries. However, from time to time, Allied Capital has invested in companies that are public, but lack access to additional public capital.

        Allied Capital's private finance portfolio primarily is composed of debt and equity investments. Debt investments include senior loans, unitranche debt (an instrument that combines both senior and subordinated financing, generally in a first lien position) or subordinated debt (with or without equity features). The junior debt that Allied Capital has in its portfolio is lower in repayment priority than the senior debt and is also known as mezzanine debt. Allied Capital's portfolio contains equity investments generally for a minority equity stake in portfolio companies and includes equity features, such as nominal cost warrants, received in conjunction with its debt investments.

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        Allied Capital's private finance portfolio includes buyout transactions in which it holds investments in senior debt, subordinated debt and equity (preferred and/or voting or non-voting common) where Allied Capital's equity ownership represents a significant portion of the equity, but may or may not represent a controlling interest. If Allied Capital invests in non-voting equity in a buyout investment, it generally has an option to acquire a controlling stake in the voting securities of the portfolio company at fair market value. Ares Capital generally has not historically engaged in such buyout transactions.

        In addition to managing its own assets, Allied Capital manages (either directly or through one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries) certain funds that also invest in the debt and equity securities of primarily private middle-market companies in a variety of industries and broadly syndicated senior secured loans.

Ares Capital Corporation
280 Park Avenue, 22nd Floor
Building East
New York, NY 10017
(212) 750-7300

        Like Allied Capital, Ares Capital is a specialty finance company that is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company. Both Ares Capital and Allied Capital are incorporated in Maryland and have elected to be regulated as BDCs under the Investment Company Act. Unlike Allied Capital, Ares Capital is externally managed.

        Similar to Allied Capital, Ares Capital's investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. Ares Capital invests primarily in U.S. middle-market companies, where it believes the supply of primary capital is limited and the investment opportunities are most attractive. However, Ares Capital may from time to time invest in larger companies.

        Ares Capital has built an investment portfolio of primarily first and second lien loans, mezzanine debt (which in some cases include an equity component like warrants) and to a lesser extent equity investments in private middle-market companies. Ares Capital's portfolio is well diversified by industry sector and its concentration to any single issuer is limited. Ares Capital's debt investments have ranged between $10 million and $100 million each, although the investment sizes may be more or less than the targeted range. Ares Capital's investment sizes are expected to grow with Ares Capital's capital availability. To a lesser extent, Ares Capital also makes equity investments. Ares Capital's equity investments have generally been less than $20 million each but may grow with Ares Capital's capital availability and are usually made in conjunction with loans extended by Ares Capital. The proportion of these investments will change over time given Ares Capital's views on, among other things, the economic and credit environment in which Ares Capital operates.

ARCC Odyssey Corp.
280 Park Avenue, 22nd Floor
Building East
New York, NY 10017
(212) 750-7300

        Merger Sub is a Maryland corporation and a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of Ares Capital. Merger Sub was formed in connection with and for the sole purpose of the merger with Allied Capital.

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In the Merger, Allied Capital Common Stockholders Will Have a Right to Receive 0.325 of a Share of Ares Capital Common Stock per Share of Allied Capital Common Stock (page 118)

        If the merger is consummated, each share of Allied Capital common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time will be converted into the right to receive 0.325 of a share of Ares Capital common stock, subject to the payment of cash instead of fractional shares. To the extent that Allied Capital stockholders have shares represented by stock certificates, they should not send in any stock certificates until they receive written instructions to do so.

What Holders of Allied Capital Stock Options Will Receive (page 143)

        At the effective time, each Allied Capital stock option that has not been exercised will be cancelled and, if the exercise price of such option is less than the product of (1) the average closing price per share of Ares Capital common stock for the five consecutive trading days immediately preceding the closing and (2) the exchange ratio of 0.325, then the holder of such option will have the right to receive, at such holder's election, cash or shares of Ares Capital common stock (and cash, without interest, instead of any fractional shares) in an amount equal to such difference. Holders of Allied Capital stock options should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the tax consequences of their election and any cash or stock received by them.

Special Meeting of Allied Capital Common Stockholders (page 83)

        Allied Capital plans to hold its special meeting of common stockholders on March 26, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at [    •    ], [    •    ], [    •    ], [    •    ], United States [    •    ]. At the Allied Capital special meeting, holders of Allied Capital common stock will be asked to consider and vote on the following matters:

•

a proposal to approve the merger and the merger agreement; and



•

a proposal to approve the adjournment of the Allied Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Allied Capital special meeting to approve the foregoing proposal.

        You can vote at the Allied Capital special meeting if you owned Allied Capital common stock at the close of business on February 2, 2010. As of that date, there were approximately 179,940,040 shares of Allied Capital common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Approximately 9,802,168 of such total outstanding shares, or 5.4%, were owned beneficially or of record by directors and executive officers of Allied Capital.

Special Meeting of Ares Capital Common Stockholders (page 86)

        Ares Capital plans to hold its special meeting of common stockholders on March 26, 2010 at 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, at [    •    ], [    •    ], [    •    ], [    •    ], United States [    •    ]. At the Ares Capital special meeting, holders of Ares Capital common stock will be asked to consider and vote on the following matters:

•

a proposal to approve the issuance of the shares of Ares Capital common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement; and



•

a proposal to approve the adjournment of the Ares Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Ares Capital special meeting to approve the foregoing proposal.

        You can vote at the Ares Capital special meeting if you owned Ares Capital common stock at the close of business on February 2, 2010. As of that date, there were approximately 130,944,674 shares of Ares Capital common stock outstanding and entitled to vote, approximately 306,490 of which, or less

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than 1%, were owned beneficially or of record by directors and executive officers of Ares Capital. In addition, Ares Investments LLC, or "Ares Investments," an affiliate of Ares Capital's investment adviser, owned approximately 2,859,882 shares or 2.2% of the total shares of Ares Capital common stock outstanding as of such date.

Comparative Market Price of Securities (page 181)

        Ares Capital common stock trades on NASDAQ under the symbol "ARCC." Allied Capital common stock trades on the NYSE and NASDAQ under the symbol "ALD."

        The following table presents the closing prices and most recently determined net asset values per share of Ares Capital common stock and Allied Capital common stock, as well as the implied value of Allied Capital common stock (as determined by multiplying the closing price of Ares Capital common stock on those dates by the exchange ratio of 0.325), on the last full trading day before public announcement of the merger and the last full trading day prior to the date of this document.

        The term "implied value" refers to the value of the Ares Capital common stock that Allied Capital stockholders would receive if the merger took place on a given day, based on the market price of Ares Capital common stock or its net asset value per share, as applicable, on such date. The value of Ares Capital common stock to be received in the merger will continue to fluctuate and, as a result, Allied Capital stockholders will not know the value of the Ares Capital common stock they will receive in the merger at the time they vote.

        For each share of Allied Capital common stock held immediately prior to the effective date, holders of Allied Capital common stock will be entitled to receive 0.325 of a share of Ares Capital common stock, subject to the payment of cash instead of fractional shares. The market prices of both Ares Capital common stock and Allied Capital common stock will fluctuate prior to the merger. You should obtain current stock price quotations for Ares Capital common stock and Allied Capital common stock.

Dividends (page 181)

        Ares Capital currently intends to distribute quarterly dividends to its stockholders. For a history of the dividends and distributions paid by Ares Capital since January 1, 2008, see "Market Price, Dividend and Distribution Information." The amount and timing of past dividends and distributions are not a guarantee of any future dividends or distributions, or the amount thereof, the payment, timing and amount of which will be determined by Ares Capital's board of directors and depend on Ares Capital's cash requirements, its financial condition and earnings, contractual restrictions, legal and regulatory considerations and other factors. See "Ares Capital Dividend Reinvestment Plan" for additional information regarding Ares Capital's dividend reinvestment plan.

        For a history of the dividends and distributions paid by Allied Capital since January 1, 2008, see "Market Price, Dividend and Distribution Information."

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The Merger Is Intended to Be Tax-Free to Allied Capital Common Stockholders as to the Shares of Ares Capital Common Stock They Receive (page 170)

        The merger and subsequent combination are intended to qualify as a "reorganization," within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and it is a condition to Ares Capital and Allied Capital's respective obligations to complete the merger that each of them receives a legal opinion to that effect. Accordingly, the merger generally will be tax-free to Allied Capital stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes as to the shares of Ares Capital common stock they receive in the merger, except for any gain or loss that may result from the receipt of cash instead of fractional shares of Ares Capital common stock that they would otherwise be entitled to receive.

        Holders of Allied Capital common stock should read "Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger" for a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger. Tax matters can be complicated and the tax consequences of the merger to Allied Capital stockholders will depend on their particular tax situation. Holders of Allied Capital common stock should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the tax consequences of the merger to them.

The Merger Will Be Accounted for as a "Business Combination" (page 169)

        The merger will be treated as a "business combination" using the acquisition method of accounting, with Ares Capital treated as the acquirer under generally accepted accounting principles, or "GAAP."

Reasons for the Merger (page 129)

Allied Capital

        Allied Capital's board of directors believes that the merger represents the best alternative that is reasonably available to Allied Capital. Allied Capital's board of directors consulted with Allied Capital's management as well as its financial advisors and legal advisors and considered numerous factors, including the ones described below, and, as a result, determined that the merger is in Allied Capital's best interests and the best interests of Allied Capital's stockholders. Certain material factors considered by Allied Capital's board of directors, including its independent directors, in evaluating the merger include, among others:

•

Resumption of Dividend Payments.  The receipt of shares of Ares Capital common stock in exchange for shares of Allied Capital common stock will likely permit Allied Capital's stockholders to receive dividend payments again by taking advantage of Ares Capital's dividend which has been consistently paid on a quarterly basis since April 2006 in an amount of at least $0.35 per share.



•

Improved Access to Debt Capital Markets on More Favorable Terms.  It was anticipated that the combined company would be able to access debt capital with lower interest rates and longer maturities than was available to Allied Capital on a stand alone basis.



•

Improved Ability to Access the Equity Capital Markets.  Ares Capital was recently able to access the equity capital markets even at a price below its net asset value per share.



•

Lack of Liquidity/Flexibility.  The merger would reduce the pressure to sell assets to retire costly debt with stringent amortization requirements in an effort to de-lever the Allied Capital balance sheet.



•

Increased Portfolio Diversity.  The merger will increase portfolio diversity and concentration of lower risk debt investments.



•

Thorough Review of Strategic Alternatives.  Allied Capital engaged in a thorough review of the strategic alternatives reasonably believed to be available to Allied Capital, including, among

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other alternatives, to continue as a stand-alone entity, recapitalize the company and partner with a strategic investor and assessed the difficulties associated with pursuing each strategic alternative.

•

Strategic and Business Considerations.  Because Allied Capital's stockholders will be stockholders of Ares Capital following the merger and subsequent combination, Allied Capital stockholders stand to participate in the future growth of Ares Capital.



•

Terms of the Merger Agreement.  The exchange ratio of 0.325 shares of Ares Capital common stock to be received in exchange for each share of Allied Capital common stock represents a 27.3% premium to the closing price of Allied Capital common stock on October 23, 2009, based on the closing price of Allied Capital common stock and Ares Capital common stock on that date (which was the last full trading day before public announcement of the merger).



•

Opinion of Its Financial Advisors.  The financial analyses reviewed and discussed with Allied Capital's board of directors by representatives of BofA Merrill Lynch and Sandler O'Neill (a summary of which is attached as Annex B-1 and Annex C-1 to this document, respectively, and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), as well as the oral opinions of BofA Merrill Lynch and Sandler O'Neill rendered to Allied Capital's board of directors on October 25, 2009 (which were subsequently confirmed in writing by delivery of written opinions dated the same date, attached as Annex B-2 and Annex C-2 to this document, respectively, and incorporated by reference herein in their entirety) with respect to the fairness, from a financial point of view and as of the date of the opinions, of the exchange ratio to the holders of Allied Capital common stock.



•

Tax Free Treatment of Merger.  The merger and subsequent combination are expected to be treated as a "reorganization" under Section 368(a) of the Code and will generally be tax free.

        The foregoing list does not include all the factors that Allied Capital's board of directors considered in making its decision. For a further discussion of the material factors considered by Allied Capital's board of directors, see "The Merger—Reasons for the Merger."

Ares Capital

        Ares Capital's board of directors consulted with representatives of management, its investment adviser, Ares Capital Management, as well as Ares Capital's financial, legal and other advisors and considered numerous factors, including the ones described below, and, as a result, determined that the merger is in Ares Capital's best interests and the best interests of Ares Capital's stockholders.

        Certain material factors considered by Ares Capital's board of directors, including its independent directors, include, among others:

•

Increased Scale and Presence in Middle Market.  The unique opportunity to acquire a franchise of Allied Capital's size and scope and the fact that the combined company will have a broad and diverse platform from which to provide capital to middle-market companies, including the ability to originate larger transactions with larger final hold positions.



•

Continued Access to Capital.  The combined company is expected to have access to capital even in a credit challenged environment to reinvest in its portfolio and to pursue new attractive investment opportunities in what Ares Capital's management believes is a compelling investment environment following the credit dislocation.



•

More Diversified Asset Base.  The limited overlap of assets and investments of Allied Capital and Ares Capital will further limit single issuer and industry credit exposure of the combined company following the merger.

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•

Strengthened Asset Management Platform.  The merger will create a large scale middle-market asset management platform that is expected to bring meaningful information and deal flow benefits.



•

Accretive to NAV and Core EPS.  The merger is expected to be accretive to Ares Capital's net asset value and core earnings per share in the first year following its closing.



•

Cost Savings/Synergies.  The merger is expected to result in cost savings and synergies for the combined company.



•

Change of Control Payments.  As an inducement for Ares Capital and Merger Sub to enter into the merger agreement, certain Allied Capital key executives agreed to waive, contingent on the closing of the merger, a portion of the change-of-control payments that otherwise might be due to them under their respective employment or retention agreements.



•

Ability to Unlock Potential Value in Allied Capital's Portfolio.  Allied Capital has limited liquidity, which has required it to sell assets in order to de-lever its balance sheet and satisfy stringent debt amortization requirements. Ares Capital's management believes that it will have the time, capital and expertise to re-position Allied Capital's existing portfolio into higher yielding, cash generating securities with less volatility because the combined company will face less pressure to sell assets in the portfolio at an inopportune time. To the extent asset sales are deemed necessary or advisable by the combined company, the combined company would have the flexibility to sell Ares Capital's assets as well.



•

Opinion of Its Financial Advisor.  The financial analyses reviewed and discussed with Ares Capital's board of directors by representatives of J.P. Morgan (a summary of which is attached as Annex D-1 to this document and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), as well as the oral opinion of J.P. Morgan rendered to Ares Capital's board of directors on October 25, 2009, which opinion was confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated October 26, 2009, attached as Annex D-2 to this document and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, to the effect that, as of that date, and based upon and subject to the factors, assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth therein, the exchange ratio in the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to Ares Capital.

        The foregoing list does not include all the factors that Ares Capital's board of directors considered in making its decision. For a further discussion of the material factors considered by Ares Capital's board of directors, see "The Merger—Reasons for the Merger."

Risks Relating to the Proposed Merger (page 41)

        The merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are subject to the following risks. Allied Capital and Ares Capital stockholders should carefully consider these risks before deciding how to vote on the proposals to be voted on at their respective special meetings. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Merger" below for a more detailed discussion of these factors.

•

Because the market price of Ares Capital common stock will fluctuate, Allied Capital common stockholders cannot be sure of the market value of the merger consideration they will receive until the closing date.



•

Allied Capital stockholders and Ares Capital stockholders will experience a reduction in percentage ownership and voting power in the combined company as a result of the merger.



•

Ares Capital may be unable to realize the benefits anticipated by the merger and subsequent combination, including estimated cost savings and synergies, or it may take longer than anticipated to achieve such benefits.

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•

Allied Capital's and Ares Capital's inability to obtain certain third party approvals, confirmations and consents with respect to certain of their outstanding indebtedness could delay or prevent the completion of the merger.



•

The transactions contemplated by the merger agreement may trigger certain "change of control" provisions and other restrictions in contracts of Allied Capital, Ares Capital or their affiliates and the failure to obtain any required consents or waivers could adversely impact the combined company.



•

Several lawsuits have been filed against Allied Capital, members of Allied Capital's board of directors, Ares Capital and Merger Sub challenging the merger. An adverse ruling in any such lawsuit may prevent the merger from becoming effective within the expected timeframe or at all. If the merger is consummated, these lawsuits and other legal proceedings could have a material impact on the results of operations, cash flows or financial condition of the combined company.



•

Allied Capital has received an unsolicited non-binding acquisition proposal from Prospect Capital, which may complicate or delay or prevent completion of the merger.



•

The opinions obtained by Allied Capital and Ares Capital from their respective financial advisors will not reflect changes in circumstances between signing the merger agreement and completion of the merger.



•

If the merger does not close, neither Ares Capital nor Allied Capital will benefit from the expenses incurred in its pursuit.



•

Termination of the merger agreement could negatively impact Allied Capital and Ares Capital.



•

Under certain circumstances, Allied Capital and Ares Capital are obligated to pay each other a termination fee upon termination of the merger agreement.



•

The merger agreement limits Allied Capital's ability to pursue alternatives to the merger.



•

The merger is subject to closing conditions, including stockholder approvals, that, if not satisfied or waived, will result in the merger not being completed, which may result in material adverse consequences to Allied Capital's business and operations.



•

Certain persons related to Allied Capital have interests in the merger that differ from the interests of Allied Capital stockholders.



•

Allied Capital will be subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the merger is pending.



•

The shares of Ares Capital common stock to be received by Allied Capital common stockholders as a result of the merger will have different rights associated with them than shares of Allied Capital common stock currently held by them.



•

The market price of Ares Capital common stock after the merger may be affected by factors different from those affecting Allied Capital common stock or Ares Capital common stock currently.



•

Allied Capital stockholders who hold their shares in certificated form and who do not timely surrender their Allied Capital common stock certificates for Ares Capital common stock after the completion of the merger will be deemed to have elected to receive dividends and other distributions declared after the completion of the merger with respect to Ares Capital common stock in the form of Ares Capital common stock in accordance with Ares Capital's dividend reinvestment plan and, as a result, may suffer adverse tax consequences.

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        In addition, stockholders should carefully consider the other matters described in "Risk Factors" in determining whether to approve the merger and the merger agreement, in the case of Allied Capital stockholders, and approve the issuance of Ares Capital common stock in connection with the merger, in the case of Ares Capital stockholders. If any of the events described in such section occurs, Ares Capital, Allied Capital or, following the merger and subsequent combination, the combined company's business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Allied Capital's Board of Directors Unanimously Recommends That Allied Capital Stockholders Vote "FOR" Approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement (page 141)

        Allied Capital's board of directors, including its independent directors, believes that the merger is advisable and in the best interest of Allied Capital's stockholders and unanimously recommends that its stockholders vote "FOR" approval of the merger and the merger agreement.

Ares Capital's Board of Directors Unanimously Recommends That Ares Capital Stockholders Vote "FOR" Approval of the Issuance of Ares Capital Common Stock in Connection with the Merger (page 141)

        Ares Capital's board of directors, including its independent directors, unanimously approved the merger and the merger agreement, including the issuance of Ares Capital common stock in connection therewith, and recommends that Ares Capital stockholders vote "FOR" approval of the issuance of the Ares Capital common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement and "FOR" approval of the proposal to adjourn the Ares Capital special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Ares Capital special meeting to approve the foregoing proposal.

Certain Persons Related to Allied Capital Have Interests in the Merger that Differ from Your Interests (page 143)

        Certain persons related to Allied Capital have financial interests in the merger that are different from, and/or in addition to, the interests of Allied Capital's stockholders. The members of Allied Capital's board of directors were aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in evaluating and negotiating the merger agreement and the merger and in recommending to Allied Capital stockholders that the merger and the merger agreement be approved. These interests are described in more detail in the section of this document entitled "The Merger—Interests of Certain Persons Related to Allied Capital in the Merger."

        Based on the assumptions set forth in "The Merger—Interests of Certain Persons Related to Allied Capital in the Merger," Allied Capital's named executive officers may be entitled to receive aggregate payments of approximately $6,086,663 for accelerated vesting and payout of stock options upon completion of the merger. The maximum amounts that would be payable to Allied Capital's named executive officers in the aggregate under each of their current employment agreements or retention agreements, assuming that certain conditions regarding change of control and termination are met, would be approximately $28,585,957. In addition, Allied Capital may be required to pay up to $12,875,000 plus health care continuation coverage for up to 12 months to certain of its officers, other than its named executive officers, pursuant to the terms of certain retention agreements. Certain existing executive officers of Allied Capital may, however, become paid employees of Ares Capital, one of its portfolio companies or subsidiaries or its investment adviser. See "The Merger—Interests of Certain Persons Related to Allied Capital in the Merger" for a further description of these interests, including the payments that each named executive officer is or may be entitled to receive upon completion of the merger.

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Ares Capital's Investment Adviser Has Interests in the Merger that Differ from the Interests of Ares Capital Stockholders (page 150)

        Ares Capital's investment adviser, Ares Capital Management, has financial interests in the merger that are different from, and/or in addition to, the interests of Ares Capital's stockholders. For example, Ares Capital Management's management fee is based on a percentage of Ares Capital's total assets. Because total assets under management will increase as a result of the merger, the dollar amount of Ares Capital Management's management fee will increase as a result of the merger. In addition, the incentive fee payable by Ares Capital to Ares Capital Management may be positively impacted as a result of the merger. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements."

        Ares Capital Management has committed to defer up to $15 million in base management and incentive fees for each of the first two years following the merger if certain earnings targets are not met to help support consistent cash flows and the combined company's dividend payments.

Allied Capital and Ares Capital Stockholders Do Not Have Dissenters' Rights

        Neither Allied Capital's nor Ares Capital's stockholders will be entitled to exercise dissenters' rights in connection with the merger under Maryland law.

Allied Capital and Ares Capital Have Agreed When and How Allied Capital Can Consider Third-Party Acquisition Proposals (page 162)

        Allied Capital has agreed to, and will cause its affiliates, consolidated subsidiaries and its and each of their respective officers, directors, managers, employees and other advisors, representatives and agents to, immediately cease and cause to be terminated all discussions and negotiations with respect to a "Takeover Proposal" (as defined in the merger agreement) from a third party and not to directly or indirectly solicit or take any other action (including providing information) with the intent to solicit any inquiry, proposal or offer with respect to a Takeover Proposal.

        However, if Allied Capital receives a bona fide unsolicited Takeover Proposal from a third party and its board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with reputable outside legal counsel and financial advisers experienced in such matters, that failure to consider such proposal would breach the duties of its directors under applicable law, and the Takeover Proposal constitutes or is reasonably likely to result in a "Superior Proposal" (as defined in the merger agreement), Allied Capital may engage in discussions and negotiations with such third party so long as certain notice and other procedural requirements are satisfied. In addition, subject to certain procedural requirements (including the ability of Ares Capital to revise its offer) and the payment of a $30 million termination fee, Allied Capital may terminate the merger agreement and enter into an agreement with a third party who makes a Superior Proposal.

        Allied Capital's board of directors, together with its external legal and financial advisors, has carefully reviewed and analyzed the proposals submitted by Prospect Capital Corporation, or "Prospect Capital." Allied Capital's board of directors has concluded that the unsolicited offer does not constitute, and is not reasonably likely to result in, a Superior Proposal and is not in the best interests of Allied Capital or its stockholders and, therefore, has not authorized any negotiations with Prospect Capital. As a part of its determination, Allied Capital sought, and obtained, permission from Ares Capital to engage in a discussion with Prospect Capital about the financial assumptions of Prospect Capital's offer, with a specific focus on the stability and safety of Prospect Capital's dividend. Allied Capital's financial advisors met with representatives of Prospect Capital (which had not retained financial advisors) on the evening of February 1, 2010 for this purpose, and did not receive any information that alleviated the concerns of Allied Capital's board with Prospect Capital's offer, including, without limitation, the concern about Prospect Capital's inability to generate sufficient earnings to support its current dividend levels.

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Merger Requires the Approval of Allied Capital Stockholders Holding at Least Two-Thirds of Votes Entitled to Be Cast (page 83)

        The affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of Allied Capital common stock outstanding and entitled to vote is required to approve the merger and the merger agreement. Stockholders who abstain or who fail to (1) return their proxies, (2) instruct the proxy solicitor on how to cast their vote by telephone or via the Internet pursuant to the instructions shown on the proxy card or (3) vote at the Allied Capital special meeting, will have the same effect as if they voted "against" the merger agreement and the merger.

Votes Required to Approve the Issuance of Shares of Ares Capital Common Stock (page 86)

        The affirmative vote of at least a majority of all of the votes cast on the matter at a meeting at which a quorum is present is required to approve the issuance of the shares of Ares Capital common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement.

Completion of the Merger (page 153)

        While there can be no assurances as to the exact timing, or that the merger will be completed at all, Allied Capital and Ares Capital are working to complete the merger in the first quarter of 2010. As more fully described in this document and in the merger agreement, the completion of the merger depends on a number of conditions being satisfied or, where legally permissible, waived.

Conditions That Must Be Satisfied or Waived for the Merger to Occur (page 164)

        While there can be no assurances as to the exact timing, or that the merger will be completed at all, we are working to complete the merger in the first quarter of 2010. As more fully described in this document and in the merger agreement, the obligations of Allied Capital and Ares Capital to complete the merger are subject to the satisfaction or, where permissible, waiver of the following conditions:

•

the approvals of Allied Capital and Ares Capital stockholders are obtained at their respective special meetings;



•

the shares of Ares Capital stock to be issued in connection with the merger have been authorized for listing on NASDAQ;



•

the registration statement, of which this document forms a part, has become effective and no stop order suspending its effectiveness has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been initiated by the SEC;



•

no order or law preventing or making illegal the consummation of the merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement is in effect;



•

all regulatory approvals required to consummate the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and all statutory waiting periods required by applicable law have expired;



•

the receipt by each of Ares Capital and Allied Capital of a legal opinion with respect to certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger;



•

the truth and correctness of the representations and warranties of each other party in the merger agreement, subject to the materiality standards provided in the merger agreement, and the receipt by each party of a certificate from the other party to that effect;



•

the performance by each other party in all material respects of their obligations under the merger agreement and the receipt by each party of a certificate from the other party to that effect;

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•

since the date of the merger agreement, there has not occurred any condition, change or event that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect in respect of the other party, other than certain previously disclosed matters; and



•

the absence of certain bankruptcy and insolvency related events with respect to the other party and its consolidated subsidiaries (other than, in the case of Allied Capital, Ciena Capital LLC, or "Ciena").

        In addition, the obligation of Ares Capital to complete the merger is subject to the satisfaction or, where permissible, waiver of the following conditions:

•

Allied Capital has delivered a certificate stating that it is not and has not been within the preceding five years a "United States real property holding corporation" for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and



•

consents in respect of certain outstanding debt of Allied Capital and Ares Capital have been obtained.

        We cannot be certain when, or if, the conditions to the merger will be satisfied or waived or that the merger will ever be completed.

Termination of the Merger Agreement (page 166)

        The merger agreement contains certain termination rights for Allied Capital or Ares Capital, as applicable, including if:

•

the parties mutually agree to terminate;



•

a government entity that must grant a regulatory approval has issued a final and non-appealable denial;



•

a governmental entity has issued a final and non-appealable order or promulgated a law prohibiting or making illegal the merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;



•

the merger has not been completed by June 30, 2010;



•

the stockholders of Allied Capital fail to approve the merger and the merger agreement;



•

the stockholders of Ares Capital fail to approve the issuance of Ares Capital common stock in connection with the merger;



•

a Special Termination Event occurs;



•

there is a breach by Allied Capital, on the one hand, or Ares Capital or Merger Sub, on the other, that would result in a failure of the conditions of Ares Capital and Merger Sub or Allied Capital, as the case may be, to close (subject to cure, if curable);



•

either Allied Capital or Ares Capital changes its recommendation that its stockholders vote to approve the matters described in this document to be voted on at their respective special meetings;



•

either Allied Capital or Ares Capital fails to cause a vote of its respective stockholders to occur in respect of the matters described in this document to be voted on at their respective special meetings prior to June 30, 2010;



•

Allied Capital enters into an agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal, provided that prior to doing so it pays Ares Capital a $30 million termination fee;

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•

a tender or exchange offer or a Takeover Proposal is publicly announced and Allied Capital fails to recommend against such offer or reaffirm its recommendation of the merger;



•

Allied Capital or Ares Capital materially breaches its obligation to use reasonable best efforts to obtain stockholder approval or recommend the matters described in this document to be voted on at their respective special meetings; or



•

Allied Capital breaches the non-solicitation provisions.

        The Prospect Capital proposal is a third party acquisition proposal for purposes of the eleventh and twelfth bullet points above.

Termination Fee (page 166)

        The merger agreement provides that, in connection with the termination of the merger agreement under specified circumstances, Allied Capital may be required to pay Ares Capital a termination fee of $30 million ($15 million if Allied Capital stockholders do not approve the merger and the merger agreement) and Ares Capital may be required to pay Allied Capital a reverse termination fee of $30 million ($30 million if Ares Capital stockholders do not approve the issuance of shares of Ares Capital common stock in the merger).

Board of Directors and Management of the Combined Company Following Completion of the Merger (page 152)

        Upon completion of the merger and subsequent combination, the current directors and officers of Ares Capital are expected to continue in their current positions and Ares Capital's investment adviser, Ares Capital Management, will externally manage the combined company. At the effective time, Ares Capital's board of directors will be increased by at least one member and Ares Capital will submit the name of one member of Allied Capital's board of directors for consideration to Ares Capital's nominating and governance committee to fill the vacancy.

Third Party Consents Required for the Merger (page 151)

        Under the merger agreement, Ares Capital's obligation to complete the merger is subject to the prior receipt of certain approvals, confirmations and consents required to be obtained from certain agents, lenders, noteholders and other parties. As of the date of this document, Ares Capital and Allied Capital believe that, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, they have obtained all necessary third party consents other than stockholder approvals and, if necessary, rating agency confirmation with respect to the Debt Securitization.

        On January 22, 2010, Ares Capital amended and restated the Credit Facility. The amendment and restatement, among other things, increases the size of the Credit Facility from $525 million to $690 million (comprised of $615 million in commitments on a stand-alone basis and an additional $75 million in commitments contingent upon the closing of the merger), extends the maturity date to January 22, 2013, modifies pricing and permits certain mergers, including a merger of the type currently contemplated by the merger agreement. The Credit Facility also includes an "accordion" feature that allows Ares Capital, under certain circumstances, to increase the Credit Facility's size to a maximum of $897.5 million prior to the closing of the merger and up to a maximum of $1.05 billion upon the closing of the merger.

        On that same date, Ares Capital also combined its existing $225 million amortizing CP Funding Facility with its existing $200 million revolving CP Funding II Facility into a single $400 million revolving securitized facility. The combined CP Funding Facility, among other things, converted the existing facility from an amortizing facility to a revolving facility, extended the maturity date to January 22, 2013 (with two one-year extension options, subject to mutual consent), modified the pricing

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structure of the CP Funding Facility and pre-approved the merger. In connection with the combination, Ares Capital terminated the CP Funding II Facility.

        On January 29, 2010, Allied Capital entered into the Credit Agreement pursuant to which Allied Capital obtained the Term Loan. The proceeds of the Term Loan were used to refinance Allied Capital's private notes and bank facility. In connection with entering into the Term Loan, Allied Capital used the proceeds from the Term Loan and cash on hand from asset sales and repayments to repay its private notes and bank facility in full. On January 29, 2010, after giving effect to the refinancing and the full repayment of the private notes and bank facility, Allied Capital had total outstanding debt of $995.5 million and cash and investments in money market and other securities of approximately $128 million. The Term Loan matures on February 28, 2011 and is subject to certain mandatory prepayments prior to maturity, including repayments related to asset dispositions. The Term Loan generally becomes due and payable upon a change of control or merger; except that, in certain circumstances, the Term Loan may be assumed by Ares Capital in connection with the consummation of the merger. Borrowings under the Term Loan will bear interest based on LIBOR or a base rate and the Term Loan will initially bear interest at a rate per annum of 4.74%. In addition to the interest paid on the Term Loan, Allied Capital incurred other fees and costs associated with the repayment and refinancing and will also incur additional exit fees, which increase over the term of the loan, as the Term Loan is repaid. Consistent with the terms of the private notes and bank facility, Allied Capital has granted the Term Loan lenders a blanket lien on a substantial portion of its assets.

        Although not a condition to either Allied Capital's or Ares Capital's obligation to complete the merger, certain agreements of Allied Capital and Ares Capital or their affiliates, including with respect to certain managed funds of Allied Capital and its affiliates, will or may require the consent or waiver of one or more counterparties in connection with the merger or subsequent combination. The failure to obtain any such consent or waiver may permit such counter-parties to terminate, or otherwise increase their rights or the combined company's obligations under, such agreements because the merger, subsequent combination or other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement may violate an anti-assignment, change of control or other provision relating to any of such transactions. If this happens, Ares Capital may have to seek to replace that agreement with a new agreement or seek an amendment to such agreement. Allied Capital and Ares Capital cannot assure you that Ares Capital will be able to replace or amend any such agreement on comparable terms or at all.

The Rights of Allied Capital Common Stockholders Following the Merger Will Be Different (page 402)

        The rights of Allied Capital's stockholders are currently governed by Maryland law and Allied Capital's charter and bylaws. When the merger is completed, Allied Capital's stockholders will become stockholders of Ares Capital, a Maryland corporation, and their rights will be governed by Maryland law and Ares Capital's charter and bylaws. The rights of Allied Capital's stockholders and the rights of Ares Capital's stockholders differ in certain respects.

The Unsolicited Offer from Prospect Capital (page 135)

        On January 14, 2010, Prospect Capital proposed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Allied Capital in a stock-for-stock merger. On January 19, 2010, the board of directors of Allied Capital unanimously rejected the unsolicited non-binding offer. On January 26, 2010, Prospect Capital renewed its unsolicited non-binding proposal and increased its proposed share exchange ratio from 0.385 Prospect Capital shares for each Allied Capital share to 0.40 Prospect Capital shares for each Allied Capital share. The Allied Capital board, after consulting with its management and its financial and legal advisors, has determined that Prospect Capital's proposal does not constitute, and is not reasonably likely to result in, a Superior Proposal.

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        In reaching that determination, Allied Capital's board took into account, among other things, its belief that a merger with Allied Capital would put Prospect Capital's dividend at risk, resulting in a near term dividend cut, Ares Capital Management's commitment to defer up to $15 million in base management and incentive fees for each of the first two years following the merger if certain earnings targets are not met, Prospect Capital's lack of managerial expertise, the conditional nature of Prospect Capital's offer, the relative liquidity of Prospect Capital and Ares Capital, the belief that Prospect Capital's management platform is inferior to that of Ares Capital, the belief that Prospect Capital's recent acquisition of Patriot Capital Funding, Inc. weakens, rather than strengthens, Prospect Capital, Prospect Capital's track record of highly dilutive equity capital raises and the belief that Prospect Capital's portfolio is riskier than that of Ares Capital. Allied Capital's board further determined that the Prospect Capital offer did not measure up to the merger on all of the criteria that Allied Capital's board considered in determining to accept the Ares Capital proposal and enter into the merger agreement. Accordingly, Allied Capital's board also unanimously reaffirmed its recommendation that Allied Capital's stockholders vote in favor of the merger and the merger agreement. See "The Merger—The Unsolicited Proposal from Prospect."

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COMPARATIVE FEES AND EXPENSES

        The following tables are intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in the common stock of Allied Capital and Ares Capital bears directly or indirectly and, based on the assumptions set forth below, the pro forma costs and expenses estimated to be incurred by the combined company in the first year following the merger. Allied Capital and Ares Capital 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 document contains a reference to fees or expenses paid or to be paid by "you," "Allied Capital" or "Ares Capital," stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in Allied Capital or Ares Capital, as applicable.

(1)

Purchases of shares of common stock of Allied Capital or Ares Capital on the secondary market are not subject to sales charges, but may be subject to brokerage commissions or other charges. The table does not include any sales load (underwriting discount or commission) that stockholders may have paid in connection with their purchase of shares of Allied Capital or Ares Capital common stock.

(2)

The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in "Other expenses."

(3)

"Consolidated net assets attributable to common stock" equals stockholders' equity at September 30, 2009. For Pro Forma Combined, the stockholders' equity for Pro Forma Ares Capital Combined as of September 30, 2009 was used from the pro forma information beginning on page 89.

(4)

Allied Capital does not have an investment adviser and is internally managed by its management team under the supervision of its board of directors. Therefore, Allied Capital pays operating costs associated with employing a management team and investment professionals instead of paying investment advisory fees. As a result, the estimate of the annual expenses Allied Capital incurs in connection with the employment of such employees is included in the line item "Other expenses" and, accordingly, any comparison of the individual items of Allied Capital and Ares Capital set forth under "Estimated annual expenses" above may not be informative because Allied Capital is

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internally managed and Ares Capital is externally managed. The pro forma combined company estimated annual expenses are consistent with the information presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements included in this document. See "Unaudited Selected Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data."

(5)

Ares Capital is externally managed by its investment adviser, Ares Capital Management. Following completion of the merger, the combined company will continue to be externally managed by Ares Capital Management and the pro forma combined company management fee has been calculated in a manner consistent with Ares Capital's investment advisory and management agreement. Ares Capital's management fee is currently 1.5% of its total assets other than cash and cash equivalents (which includes assets purchased with borrowed amounts). For the purposes of this table, Ares Capital has assumed that it maintains no cash or cash equivalents and that the management fee remains at 1.5% as set forth in its current investment advisory and management agreement. Ares Capital may from time to time decide it is appropriate to change the terms of such agreement. Under the Investment Company Act, any material change to its investment advisory and management agreement must be submitted to its stockholders for approval. The 2.53% reflected on the table is calculated on Ares Capital's net assets (rather than its total assets). See "Management of Ares Capital—Investment Advisory and Management Agreement."

(6)

This item represents Ares Capital's investment adviser's incentive fees based on annualizing actual amounts earned on its pre-incentive fee net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and assumes that the incentive fees earned at the end of September 30, 2009 will be based on the actual realized capital gains as of September 30, 2009, computed net of realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation. It also assumes that this fee will remain constant although it is based on Ares Capital's performance and will not be paid unless Ares Capital achieves certain goals. The combined company may have capital gains and interest income that could result in the payment of an incentive fee to its investment adviser in the first year after completion of the merger. Since its inception, the average quarterly incentive fee payable to its investment adviser has been approximately 0.56% of its weighted net assets (2.24% on an annualized basis). The pro forma combined company incentive fees have been calculated in a manner consistent with Ares Capital's investment advisory and management agreement. For more detailed information about incentive fees previously incurred by Ares Capital, please see Note 3 to its consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2009.

The incentive fee consists of two parts:

The first, payable quarterly in arrears, equals 20% of Ares Capital's pre-incentive fee net investment income (including interest that is accrued but not yet received in cash), subject to a 2.00% quarterly (8% annualized) hurdle rate and a "catch-up" provision measured as of the end of each calendar quarter. Under this provision, in any calendar quarter, Ares Capital's investment adviser receives no incentive fee until Ares Capital's net investment income equals the hurdle rate of 2.00% but then receives, as a "catch-up," 100% of its pre-incentive fee net investment income with respect to that portion of such pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 2.50%. The effect of this provision is that, if pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds 2.50% in any calendar quarter, Ares Capital's investment adviser will receive 20% of its pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply.

The second part, payable annually in arrears for each calendar year, equals 20% of Ares Capital's realized capital gains on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of the year, if any, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fees.

Ares Capital will defer cash payment of any incentive fee otherwise earned by its investment adviser if, during the most recent four full calendar quarter period ending on or prior to the date

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such payment is to be made, the sum of (1) its aggregate distributions to its stockholders and (2) its change in net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any incentive fees payable during the period) is less than 8.0% of its net assets at the beginning of such period. These calculations will be adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases. See "Management of Ares Capital—Investment Advisory and Management Agreement."

(7)

"Interest payments on borrowed funds" represents an estimate of annualized interest expenses based on actual interest and credit facility expenses incurred for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Allied Capital's average borrowings were $1.8 billion and cash paid for interest expense was $141 million and Ares Capital's average borrowings were $865 million and cash paid for interest expense was $15.1 million. Allied Capital had outstanding borrowings of $1.6 billion at September 30, 2009. Ares Capital had outstanding borrowings of $767.9 million at September 30, 2009. The amount of leverage that Allied Capital or Ares Capital may employ at any particular time will depend on, among other things, Allied Capital and Ares Capital's boards of directors' and, in the case of Ares Capital, its investment adviser's assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Ares Capital—Ares Capital borrows money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing with Ares Capital." See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Allied Capital—Allied Capital's use of leverage magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in Allied Capital."

(8)

This is based on the assumption that borrowings and interest costs after the merger will remain the same as those costs prior to the merger. Ares Capital and Allied Capital expect that as a result of completed and anticipated asset sales, debt repayments and refinancings the combined company's interest payments on borrowed funds in the first year following the merger will be less than the amounts used in the pro forma combined estimate and, accordingly, that estimated total expenses will be lower than as reflected in the pro forma combined estimate as of September 30, 2009.

(9)

Includes overhead expenses, including, in the case of Ares Capital, payments under its administration agreement based on its allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Ares Operations in performing its obligations under such administration agreement. In the case of Allied Capital, such expenses are based on annualized employee, employee stock options and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. In the case of Ares Capital, such expenses are based on annualized "Other expenses" for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. See "Management of Ares Capital—Administration Agreement." For the pro forma combined company, "Other expenses" were based on the amount indicated in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The holders of shares of Allied Capital and Ares Capital common stock (and not the holders of their debt securities or preferred stock, if any) indirectly bear the cost associated with their annual expenses.

(10)

With respect to "Acquired fund fees and expenses," Allied Capital and Ares Capital stockholders indirectly bear the expenses of underlying investment companies managed by third parties in which Allied Capital and Ares Capital invest. This amount includes the fees and expenses of investment companies in which Allied Capital or Ares Capital is invested as of September 30, 2009. Certain of these investment companies are subject to management fees, which generally range from 1% to 2.5% of total net assets, or incentive fees, which generally range between 15% to 25% of net profits. When applicable, fees and expenses are based on historic fees and expenses for the investment companies. For those investment companies with little or no operating history, fees and expenses are based on expected fees and expenses stated in the investment companies' offering memorandum, private placement memorandum or other similar communication without giving effect to any performance. Future fees and expenses for these investment companies may be

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substantially higher or lower because certain fees and expenses are based on the performance of the investment companies, which may fluctuate over time. The amount of Allied Capital's average net assets used in calculating this percentage was based on average net assets of $1.3 billion for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009. The amount of Ares Capital's average net assets used in calculating this percentage was based on average net assets of $1.1 billion for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009.

(11)

"Total annual expenses" as a percentage of consolidated net assets attributable to common stock are higher than the total annual expenses percentage would be for a company that is not leveraged. Allied Capital and Ares Capital borrow money to leverage and increase their total assets. The SEC requires that the "Total annual expenses" percentage be calculated as a percentage of net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any incentive fees payable during the period), rather than the total assets, including assets that have been funded with borrowed monies.

Example

        The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in Allied Capital, Ares Capital or, following the merger, the combined company's common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, each of Allied Capital and Ares Capital has assumed that it would have no additional leverage, that none of its assets are cash or cash equivalents and that its annual operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above. Transaction expenses related to the merger are not included in the following example.

(1)

The above illustration assumes that Allied Capital, Ares Capital and, following the merger, the combined company will not realize any capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation. In the case of Ares Capital, the expenses you would pay, based on a $1,000 investment and assuming a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains (and therefore subject to the capital gain incentive fee), and otherwise making the same assumptions in the example above, would be: 1 year, $75; 3 years, $220; 5 years, $359; and 10 years, $683. In the case of the pro forma combined company following the merger, the expenses you would pay, based on a $1,000 investment and assuming a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains (and therefore subject to the capital gain incentive fee), and otherwise making the same assumptions in the example above, would be: 1 year, $162; 3 years, $437; 5 years, $657; and 10 years, $1,033. However, cash payment of the capital incentive fee would be deferred if, during the most recent four full calendar quarter period ending on or prior to the date the payment set forth in the example is to be made, the sum of (a) Ares Capital's aggregate distributions to its stockholders and (b) its change in net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any incentive fees payable during the period) was less than 8.0% of its net assets at the beginning of such period (as adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases).

        The foregoing table is to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in Allied Capital, Ares Capital or, following the merger, the combined company's common

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stock will bear directly or indirectly. While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5% annual return, performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. In the case of Ares Capital, the incentive fee 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 above, is not included in the example. If Ares Capital were to achieve sufficient returns on its investments, including through the realization of capital gains, to trigger an incentive fee of a material amount, its expenses, and returns to its investors, would be higher.

        In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value, if Ares Capital's board of directors authorizes and Ares Capital declares a cash dividend, participants in its dividend reinvestment plan who have not otherwise elected to receive cash will receive a number of shares of its common stock determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to a participant by the market price per share of Ares Capital common stock at the close of trading on the valuation date for the dividend. See "Ares Capital Dividend Reinvestment Plan" for additional information regarding Ares Capital's dividend reinvestment plan.

This example and the expenses in the table above should not be considered a representation of Allied Capital, Ares Capital or, following the merger, the combined company's future expenses as actual expenses (including the cost of debt, if any, and other expenses) may be greater or less than those shown.

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SELECTED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF ALLIED CAPITAL

        You should read the condensed consolidated financial information below with Allied Capital's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein. Financial information at and for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 has been derived from Allied Capital's financial statements that were audited by KPMG LLP. Quarterly financial information is derived from unaudited financial data, but in the opinion of Allied Capital's management, reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary to present fairly the results for such interim periods. Interim results at and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Allied Capital" and "Senior Securities of Allied Capital" below for more information.

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