Court Approval: The Court of King’s Bench of Alberta has granted final approval for STEP Energy Services' acquisition plan involving multiple ARC Energy Fund 8 partnerships, marking a significant step in the company's strategic restructuring.
Shareholder Support: STEP's shareholders approved the plan at a special meeting on December 12, 2025, reflecting investor confidence in the company's future direction and growth potential.
Acquisition Details: The acquisition will enable ARC Energy Fund 8 and its partnerships to acquire all outstanding common shares of STEP not already owned, which is expected to further consolidate resources and enhance market competitiveness.
Future Outlook: The acquisition is anticipated to close on December 16, 2025, and if successful, will provide STEP with a stronger capital base to support its expansion and innovation in the North American market.
STEP
$63.435+Infinity%1D
Analyst Views on STEP
Wall Street analysts forecast STEP stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for STEP is 76.00 USD with a low forecast of 66.00 USD and a high forecast of 83.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
6 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast STEP stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for STEP is 76.00 USD with a low forecast of 66.00 USD and a high forecast of 83.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
4 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 64.400
Low
66.00
Averages
76.00
High
83.00
Current: 64.400
Low
66.00
Averages
76.00
High
83.00
Barclays
Equal Weight
maintain
$69 -> $71
2025-12-12
New
Reason
Barclays
Price Target
$69 -> $71
2025-12-12
New
maintain
Equal Weight
Reason
Barclays raised the firm's price target on Stepstone Group to $71 from $69 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm adjusted targets in the brokers, asset managers and exchanges group as part of its 2026. Market conditions "look constructive" going into 2026, particularly for the alternative asset managers and wealth brokers, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Barclays sees a more mixed outlook for the exchanges and traditional asset managers.
Oppenheimer
Chris Kotowski
Outperform
maintain
$83 -> $85
2025-11-10
Reason
Oppenheimer
Chris Kotowski
Price Target
$83 -> $85
2025-11-10
maintain
Outperform
Reason
Oppenheimer analyst Chris Kotowski raised the firm's price target on Stepstone Group to $85 from $83 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm notes the company reported strong Q2 adjusted net income per share of 54c versus its 48c and consensus 49c. The beat versus Oppenheimer's estimates was mainly due to higher than modeled carried interest, which came in at $59M, $11M ahead of its $48M estimate, which is inherently lumpy.
Barclays
Equal Weight
maintain
$70 -> $69
2025-11-07
Reason
Barclays
Price Target
$70 -> $69
2025-11-07
maintain
Equal Weight
Reason
Barclays lowered the firm's price target on Stepstone Group to $69 from $70 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares following the fiscal Q2 report.
Morgan Stanley
Michael Cyprys
Equal Weight
maintain
$61 -> $66
2025-10-21
Reason
Morgan Stanley
Michael Cyprys
Price Target
$61 -> $66
2025-10-21
maintain
Equal Weight
Reason
Morgan Stanley analyst Michael Cyprys raised the firm's price target on Stepstone Group to $66 from $61 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm updated its price targets for Alternative Asset Mgrs, North America under its coverage, the analyst tells investors. While credit concerns will likely dominate near-term market valuations, capital markets rebound is on track, the firm adds.
About STEP
StepStone Group Inc. is a global private markets investment firm focused on providing customized investment solutions and advisory and data services to its clients. The Company partners with its clients to develop and build private markets portfolios designed to meet their specific objectives across the private equity, infrastructure, private debt and real estate asset classes. These portfolios utilize several types of synergistic investment strategies with third-party fund managers, including commitments to funds (primaries), acquiring stakes in existing funds on the secondary market (secondaries) and investing directly into companies (co-investments). It provides its clients with tailored reporting packages, including customized performance benchmarks as well as compliance, administration and tax capabilities. The Company, through its subsidiaries, acts as the investment advisor and general partner or managing member to separately managed accounts and focused commingled funds.
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.
