Ares Management Corp faces challenges amid private credit market strain
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 20 2026
0mins
Should l Buy ARES?
Source: CNBC
Ares Management Corp's stock has hit a 5-day low, reflecting broader market concerns as the Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500 indices decline.
The private credit market is facing significant strain, with rising borrowing costs and tightening financing conditions impacting investment activity. Analysts have noted that the current credit stress is exposing structural weaknesses in the private market model, leading to decreased confidence among investors and affecting firms like Ares Management.
As the market grapples with these challenges, Ares Management's performance may be influenced by the ongoing shifts in investor sentiment and the overall health of the private credit sector.
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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: 123.150
Low
155.00
Averages
191.40
High
223.00
Current: 123.150
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.
Wealthy Investors Cut Private Equity Investments Amid Concerns
- Investment Reduction Trend: In the first quarter, wealthy individuals significantly reduced their investments in private equity funds, indicating growing concerns about valuations and credit quality across the private capital sector, with KKR and Ares attracting less capital to their evergreen vehicles compared to last year, reflecting a lack of market confidence.
- Private Credit Decline: Private credit experienced the steepest fundraising decline, dropping 30% from both the previous quarter and the same period last year, closely tied to Blue Owl's decision to halt redemptions at its inaugural retail fund, leading to an overall decline in alternative investment fundraising to $180 billion for 2026.
- Increased Redemption Requests: Fears about AI's impact on software companies have driven mounting investor redemption requests from private credit vehicles, with EQT executives stating that without the private credit issues, the firm would have raised over €1 billion more in the quarter, highlighting the sector's vulnerabilities.
- Infrastructure and Real Estate Growth: Despite the overall downward trend, quarterly inflows to evergreen property funds rose over 25% year-on-year, indicating that certain asset classes remain favored by investors in uncertain market conditions, potentially providing support for future investment opportunities.
See More
Ares Management Corporation Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights
- AUM Growth: Ares Management's assets under management (AUM) increased by 18% year-over-year to $644 billion, with fee-paying AUM rising 19% to $400 billion, indicating strong market performance and enhanced client trust.
- Record Fundraising: The company achieved a record $30 billion in gross capital raised in Q1 2026, a 46% increase compared to the previous year, reflecting strong demand for its products and setting the stage for future investment opportunities.
- Management Fees Milestone: Quarterly management fees exceeded $1 billion for the first time, marking a 22% year-over-year increase, which signifies a substantial improvement in profitability and operational efficiency, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the market.
- Optimistic Outlook: Management anticipates a compound annual growth rate of 16% to 20% for 2026, particularly in free cash flow and dividends, demonstrating confidence in achieving financial objectives and capitalizing on market opportunities.
See More
Ares Management Reports Record $30 Billion Fundraising Amid Private Credit Stability
- Record Fundraising: Ares Management achieved approximately $30 billion in fundraising during the first quarter, demonstrating robust performance in the private credit sector, which further solidifies its stable base among institutional clients and enhances market confidence.
- Credit Business Growth: Ares Capital Corp (ARCC) indicated in its quarterly results that it expects limited impact from industry liquidity pressures, particularly regarding loans to software companies, showcasing its effective risk management capabilities.
- Market Dynamics Shift: While Blackstone's BCRED faces weaker investor demand and redemption pressures, and AIG has reduced its private credit activities due to market conditions, Ares's performance has attracted investor attention, driving its stock price up sharply.
- Accelerated M&A Activity: Lazard announced an agreement to acquire private equity advisory firm Campbell Lutyens for approximately $575 million, signaling the rapid expansion of the secondary market for private credit and equity assets, further advancing the private capital advisory business.
See More
Ares Management Corporation Declares Quarterly Dividend of $1.35
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Ares Management Corporation declares a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating stable cash flow and profitability, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- Yield Analysis: The forward yield of 4.65% provides investors with a relatively attractive return, further solidifying Ares's appeal in the high-yield investment space amidst competitive market conditions.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend is payable on June 30, with a record date of June 16 and an ex-dividend date also set for June 16, ensuring shareholders receive their earnings promptly and reinforcing investor confidence.
- Market Reaction Expectations: Following the dividend announcement, market attention on Ares Management may increase, particularly in the current high-yield investment environment, potentially drawing in more investors seeking stable returns.
See More
Ares Management Reports Weaker-Than-Expected Q1 Earnings Despite AUM Growth
- Earnings Performance: Ares Management reported Q1 after-tax realized income per share of $1.24, falling short of the $1.33 consensus, although it rose from $1.09 a year ago, indicating volatility in profitability.
- AUM Growth: The company’s assets under management (AUM) reached $644.3 billion, exceeding the Visible Alpha estimate of $640.6 billion, and growing from $622.5 billion in Q4 2025 and $545.9 billion in Q1 2025, reflecting strong market demand.
- Fees and Revenue: Management fees increased by 26% year-over-year to $464.4 million, although the growth rate slowed from 33% in the previous quarter, demonstrating effective cost management that improved operating margins.
- Capital Deployment: Ares deployed $32.3 billion of capital in Q1, down from $45.8 billion in Q4 but up from $31.4 billion in Q1 2025, indicating the company’s flexibility and adaptability in capital allocation amidst market conditions.
See More
ARES MANAGEMENT STOCK RISES 1% FOLLOWING Q1 RESULTS
- Stock Performance: Ares Management shares increased by 1% following the release of their Q1 results.
- Financial Results: The Q1 results provided insights into the company's financial health and performance metrics.
- Market Reaction: Investors responded positively to the earnings report, reflecting confidence in Ares Management's strategies.
- Future Outlook: The results may influence future investment decisions and market expectations for Ares Management.
See More
Wealthy Investors Cut Private Equity Investments Amid Concerns
- Investment Reduction Trend: In the first quarter, wealthy individuals significantly reduced their investments in private equity funds, indicating growing concerns about valuations and credit quality across the private capital sector, with KKR and Ares attracting less capital to their evergreen vehicles compared to last year, reflecting a lack of market confidence.
- Private Credit Decline: Private credit experienced the steepest fundraising decline, dropping 30% from both the previous quarter and the same period last year, closely tied to Blue Owl's decision to halt redemptions at its inaugural retail fund, leading to an overall decline in alternative investment fundraising to $180 billion for 2026.
- Increased Redemption Requests: Fears about AI's impact on software companies have driven mounting investor redemption requests from private credit vehicles, with EQT executives stating that without the private credit issues, the firm would have raised over €1 billion more in the quarter, highlighting the sector's vulnerabilities.
- Infrastructure and Real Estate Growth: Despite the overall downward trend, quarterly inflows to evergreen property funds rose over 25% year-on-year, indicating that certain asset classes remain favored by investors in uncertain market conditions, potentially providing support for future investment opportunities.
See More
Ares Management Corporation Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights
- AUM Growth: Ares Management's assets under management (AUM) increased by 18% year-over-year to $644 billion, with fee-paying AUM rising 19% to $400 billion, indicating strong market performance and enhanced client trust.
- Record Fundraising: The company achieved a record $30 billion in gross capital raised in Q1 2026, a 46% increase compared to the previous year, reflecting strong demand for its products and setting the stage for future investment opportunities.
- Management Fees Milestone: Quarterly management fees exceeded $1 billion for the first time, marking a 22% year-over-year increase, which signifies a substantial improvement in profitability and operational efficiency, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the market.
- Optimistic Outlook: Management anticipates a compound annual growth rate of 16% to 20% for 2026, particularly in free cash flow and dividends, demonstrating confidence in achieving financial objectives and capitalizing on market opportunities.
See More
Ares Management Reports Record $30 Billion Fundraising Amid Private Credit Stability
- Record Fundraising: Ares Management achieved approximately $30 billion in fundraising during the first quarter, demonstrating robust performance in the private credit sector, which further solidifies its stable base among institutional clients and enhances market confidence.
- Credit Business Growth: Ares Capital Corp (ARCC) indicated in its quarterly results that it expects limited impact from industry liquidity pressures, particularly regarding loans to software companies, showcasing its effective risk management capabilities.
- Market Dynamics Shift: While Blackstone's BCRED faces weaker investor demand and redemption pressures, and AIG has reduced its private credit activities due to market conditions, Ares's performance has attracted investor attention, driving its stock price up sharply.
- Accelerated M&A Activity: Lazard announced an agreement to acquire private equity advisory firm Campbell Lutyens for approximately $575 million, signaling the rapid expansion of the secondary market for private credit and equity assets, further advancing the private capital advisory business.
See More
Ares Management Corporation Declares Quarterly Dividend of $1.35
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Ares Management Corporation declares a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating stable cash flow and profitability, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- Yield Analysis: The forward yield of 4.65% provides investors with a relatively attractive return, further solidifying Ares's appeal in the high-yield investment space amidst competitive market conditions.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend is payable on June 30, with a record date of June 16 and an ex-dividend date also set for June 16, ensuring shareholders receive their earnings promptly and reinforcing investor confidence.
- Market Reaction Expectations: Following the dividend announcement, market attention on Ares Management may increase, particularly in the current high-yield investment environment, potentially drawing in more investors seeking stable returns.
See More
Ares Management Reports Weaker-Than-Expected Q1 Earnings Despite AUM Growth
- Earnings Performance: Ares Management reported Q1 after-tax realized income per share of $1.24, falling short of the $1.33 consensus, although it rose from $1.09 a year ago, indicating volatility in profitability.
- AUM Growth: The company’s assets under management (AUM) reached $644.3 billion, exceeding the Visible Alpha estimate of $640.6 billion, and growing from $622.5 billion in Q4 2025 and $545.9 billion in Q1 2025, reflecting strong market demand.
- Fees and Revenue: Management fees increased by 26% year-over-year to $464.4 million, although the growth rate slowed from 33% in the previous quarter, demonstrating effective cost management that improved operating margins.
- Capital Deployment: Ares deployed $32.3 billion of capital in Q1, down from $45.8 billion in Q4 but up from $31.4 billion in Q1 2025, indicating the company’s flexibility and adaptability in capital allocation amidst market conditions.
See More
ARES MANAGEMENT STOCK RISES 1% FOLLOWING Q1 RESULTS
- Stock Performance: Ares Management shares increased by 1% following the release of their Q1 results.
- Financial Results: The Q1 results provided insights into the company's financial health and performance metrics.
- Market Reaction: Investors responded positively to the earnings report, reflecting confidence in Ares Management's strategies.
- Future Outlook: The results may influence future investment decisions and market expectations for Ares Management.
See More
