Ares Management Corporation (ARES)

Ares Management Corp. reported its Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 results on February 5, 2026, which included a record year in new investment commitments and portfolio expansion. Despite robust year-over-year growth, record fundraising, and AUM surpassing $600 billion, the stock experienced a post-earnings selloff due to a "double-miss" on Q4 EPS and revenue. Ares also announced a 20% increase in its quarterly common stock dividend. In Q3 2025, Ares closed its largest fundraising quarter ever, raising over $30 billion. The acquisition of GCP International's international business significantly boosted its real estate AUM by $45.3 billion.

Ares Management Corporation's business model is designed to generate consistent investment returns throughout market cycles, mitigating significant demand seasonality. While there are some cyclical trends in new investment initiation, the company emphasizes flexible capital solutions and diversification across asset classes. The firm's focus on stable management fees also contributes to a more consistent revenue stream.

Ares Management Corporation is a global alternative investment manager providing investment solutions across credit, real estate, private equity, and infrastructure. The company aims to deliver flexible capital and generate consistent investment returns. Its strategies include managing liquid and illiquid credit, public and private equity and debt in real estate, corporate private equity, infrastructure, and secondaries. Ares offers listed vehicles and wealth management solutions.

Ares Management Corporation has a global presence with approximately 4,200 employees across North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. The company has 27 offices in the Americas, 18 in Europe/Middle East, and 15 in Asia Pacific. Its headquarters are in Los Angeles, California.

Ares Management Corporation has maintained a strong brand reputation, characterized by significant growth and successful fundraising. The company reported a record year in new investment commitments and portfolio expansion in 2025. Its assets under management (AUM) reached approximately $596 billion as of September 30, 2025, demonstrating substantial growth. Ares's strategic acquisitions, such as the March 2025 acquisition of GCP International's international business, have further solidified its standing as a major global real estate investor. The firm's ability to consistently attract capital underscores its positive market perception and investor confidence.

Ares Management Corporation's ownership is diversified, with significant institutional and individual holdings. As of February 6, 2026, the company had 1255 institutional owners and shareholders. Major institutional owners include Vanguard Group Inc., Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc., and BlackRock, Inc. Following its 2014 IPO and 2018 C-corp conversion, ownership expanded to include public shareholders and a broader base of institutional investors, though founders and insiders retain meaningful stakes.