Ares Management Corp declines amid private credit market concerns
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 22 2026
0mins
Should l Buy ARES?
Source: CNBC
Ares Management Corp's stock has hit a 52-week low, reflecting a significant downturn in the alternative asset management sector.
The decline follows BlackRock's recent implementation of redemption restrictions at its private credit fund, which has negatively impacted investor sentiment across the industry. This has led to increased scrutiny and concerns regarding the stability of private credit markets, affecting firms like Ares Management Corp.
As the market grapples with these challenges, Ares Management Corp's performance may continue to be influenced by broader trends in the private credit sector, particularly as investors reassess their positions in light of recent developments.
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Analyst Views on ARES
Wall Street analysts forecast ARES stock price to rise
10 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 106.280
Low
155.00
Averages
191.40
High
223.00
Current: 106.280
Low
155.00
Averages
191.40
High
223.00
About ARES
Ares Management Corporation is an alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across various asset classes. Its segments include Credit Group, Private Equity Group, Real Assets Group, Secondaries Group, and Other. The Credit Group segment manages credit strategies across the liquid and illiquid spectrum, including liquid credit, alternative credit, direct lending and APAC credit. The Private Equity Group segment categorizes its investment strategies as corporate private equity, special opportunities and APAC private equity. The Real Assets Group segment manages comprehensive equity and debt strategies across real estate and infrastructure investments. The Secondaries Group segment invests in secondary markets across a range of alternative asset class strategies, including private equity, real estate, infrastructure and credit. It has operations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Investor Structure Shift: Unlike the depositors during the 2008 crisis, the current investor base for private credit consists mainly of institutional investors such as pensions and sovereign wealth funds, which are more capable of locking up capital for extended periods, thereby reducing systemic risk.
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- Medallia's Market Position: Medallia is identified as a significant issue within the private credit markets, highlighting its challenges and vulnerabilities.
- Exposure of Firms: Two firms are noted to have the most exposure to Medallia, indicating potential risks for their financial stability.
See More
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- Deteriorating Fundraising Environment: According to a Bain & Company report, Asia-focused private equity funds raised only $58 billion last year, marking the lowest level in over a decade, reflecting weak demand for new funds amid aging assets and underperformance pressures.
- Escalating Geopolitical Risks: The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has made investors more cautious about committing to new funds, particularly as Middle Eastern investment funds pause outbound commitments, leading to a decline in market confidence and a slowdown in fundraising activities.
- Increased Appeal of Large Funds: Despite the challenging fundraising environment, around 60 Asia Pacific-focused funds are actively seeking commitments of over $1 billion each, indicating a preference for top-tier managers, with these funds expected to account for more than 10% of global targeted capital.
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See More
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- Regulatory Environment Improvement: With expectations of easing regulations, particularly regarding the Basel III Endgame implementation, banks are poised to regain competitive advantages in the lending market, potentially attracting more business lending and increasing market share.
- Challenges for Private Credit: The private credit sector is facing intensified pressures as higher interest rates make it difficult for borrowers to repay loans, increasing default risks, while rising investor demand for liquidity may impact capital inflows into private credit.
- Signals from Large Transactions: Recent active participation of banks in large financing deals, such as multi-billion-dollar leveraged loans for Electronic Arts and Sealed Air, indicates a strong willingness to engage in significant transactions when market conditions permit, potentially enhancing competition in the market.
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