FDA approves Novo Nordisk's new Wegovy® HD injection, delivering the highest weight loss to date for a Wegovy® injection, adding to its already expansive clinical profile Accessibility StatementSkip Navigation PLAINSBORO, N.J., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk today announced US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a new higher dose of Wegovy®, Wegovy® HD (semaglutide) injection 7.2 mg, which demonstrated substantial weight loss in adults with obesity in the STEP UP trial.1,2 Wegovy® HD ...

Stepstone Group Inc. (NASDAQ:STEP) is one of the 10 best financial stocks with highest upside potential. On March 10, Stepstone Group Inc. (NASDAQ:STEP) disclosed that the board had approved a program for repurchasing up to $100 million worth of the company’s Class A common stock. The company’s Head of Strategy, Mike McCabe, reflected on its capital-efficient business model, which generates substantial free cash flow to support consistent quarterly dividend growth. McCabe stated: “In addition to our norm ...

Core Insights - Crowd Street has announced the availability of three new funds from StepStone on its private market investment platform, enhancing investment opportunities for its members [1][2]. Fund Details - The new funds include: - **StepStone Private Markets (SPRIM)**: A core solution for private equity, secondaries, co-investments, and real assets, aiming for long-term capital appreciation and diversification [4]. - **StepStone Private Venture and Growth Fund (SPRING)**: A diversified venture capital and growth equity fund focused on the innovation economy, investing across various sectors [6][7]. - **StepStone Private Credit Income Fund (CRDEX)**: A private credit fund that provides access to a diversified portfolio focused on senior secured direct lending [9]. Strategic Collaboration - The partnership between Crowd Street and StepStone aims to provide members with greater choice, flexibility, and diversification across multiple asset classes, including private credit, private equity, and venture capital [2][3]. Educational Initiatives - Crowd Street is committed to investor education, having launched a new Education Center and published guides on private equity and private credit investing to help investors navigate the private markets [3][10]. Company Background - Crowd Street empowers its members to achieve financial goals through self-directed private market investments, offering a marketplace of alternative investment opportunities that were previously limited to a select group [12]. StepStone Overview - StepStone is a global private markets investment firm managing approximately $811 billion in total capital, with $220 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2025 [5].

Core Insights - StepStone Group Inc. has announced the appointment of 11 new partners, 1 new senior managing director, and 18 new managing directors, reflecting the firm's growth and strong performance [1][2] Company Overview - StepStone Group Inc. is a global private markets investment firm that provides customized investment solutions, advisory, and data services [6] - As of December 31, 2025, StepStone managed approximately $811 billion in total capital, including $220 billion in assets under management [6] - The firm's clientele includes large public and private pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, endowments, foundations, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals [6] Leadership Changes - Scott Hart, Partner and CEO, expressed pride in recognizing the new leaders for their contributions to client results and the firm's success [2] - Phil Cummins has been appointed as the new Senior Managing Director, focusing on Venture Capital and Growth Equity [3] - The new Managing Directors come from various teams, including Private Equity, Venture Capital and Growth Equity, Business Development, Private Debt, and Real Estate [5]

Core Viewpoint - StepStone Group Inc. has authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $100 million for its Class A common stock, reflecting its capital-efficient business model and commitment to returning value to shareholders [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Repurchase Program - The stock repurchase program allows StepStone to buy back shares through various means, including open market purchases and privately negotiated transactions, with the timing and amount determined by management based on market conditions [2]. - The program is designed to complement the company's ongoing dividend strategy, which includes a recurring annual supplemental dividend alongside its normal quarterly dividend [2]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Client Base - As of December 31, 2025, StepStone managed approximately $811 billion in total capital, with $220 billion in assets under management, indicating a strong position in the private markets investment sector [3]. - The company serves a diverse clientele, including large public and private pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, endowments, foundations, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals, showcasing its broad market reach [3].

Core Insights - The survey conducted by Bain & Company and StepStone Group reveals that value creation is a critical driver of success for buyout general partners (GPs) as they navigate the evolving investment landscape in 2026 [1][3][5] - There is a sustained demand for co-investments and continued growth of secondary markets as essential portfolio management tools for GPs and limited partners (LPs) [1][3] Survey Overview - The survey was conducted between December 2025 and January 2026, gathering insights from over 100 investment and investor relations professionals primarily in North America and Europe [2] - The aim was to provide a forward-looking perspective on GPs' strategies and expectations for the upcoming year, complementing historical performance data [2] Key Findings - GPs are adapting to a challenging investment environment where traditional methods of value creation, such as multiple expansion, are no longer sufficient [5] - The most significant obstacle in deal-making is valuation disagreements, which hindered many deals from closing in 2025 [8] - Approximately 25% of GPs have launched or completed a continuation vehicle recently, with around 40% planning to explore this option in the next couple of years to return capital to investors [8] - Fee pressures are reshaping fund economics, with about one-third of GPs offering scale or early-bird discounts to investors during their last fundraising [8] - The impact of AI is most pronounced in deal sourcing and due diligence, with GPs reporting the highest returns from generative AI in these areas [8]

Core Insights - StepStone Real Estate (SRE) has been recognized with two first place ranks by PERE, highlighting its leadership in the real estate sector [1][4] - The company received the European Deal of the Year award for the recapitalization of Vitalia, emphasizing the success of its GP-led secondaries platform [2][4] Company Overview - StepStone Group Inc. is a global private markets investment firm managing approximately $811 billion in total capital, with $220 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2025 [3] - The firm's clientele includes major public and private pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, endowments, foundations, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals [3] - StepStone focuses on developing customized investment solutions across private equity, infrastructure, private debt, and real estate asset classes [3]

Company Overview - StepStone Group Inc. is a global private markets investment firm that provides customized investment solutions and advisory and data services to clients [2] - As of December 31, 2025, StepStone managed approximately $811 billion in total capital, which includes $220 billion in assets under management [2] - The firm's clients consist of large public and private pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, endowments, foundations, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals [2] Upcoming Events - Scott Hart, CEO, and Mike McCabe, Head of Strategy, are scheduled to present at the RBC Capital Markets Global Financial Institutions Conference on March 10, 2026, at 4:00 pm ET [1] - A live webcast and replay of the presentation will be available on the StepStone website [1]

Core Insights - StepStone Group partners with Utmost to provide UK clients access to a comprehensive suite of private market strategies, enhancing portfolio diversification and long-term financial outcomes [1][2][3] Company Overview - StepStone Group is a global private markets investment firm with approximately $811 billion in total capital and $220 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2025 [5] - Utmost is a leading provider of insurance-based wealth solutions, managing assets of £107.1 billion as of June 30, 2025 [7] Partnership Details - The partnership allows Utmost's clients to access StepStone's evergreen global private markets strategies, including Private Equity, Venture Capital & Growth, Private Credit, and Private Infrastructure [1][2] - This collaboration aims to support government-backed initiatives encouraging investment in unlisted equities and private markets [2] Market Trends - There is a growing interest among UK Wealth Managers in private markets, aligning with the long-term investment horizons of StepStone's evergreen semi-liquid fund range [3] - StepStone has experienced significant growth in its private wealth business, tripling its assets under management in the past fifteen months due to increasing demand for evergreen funds [4]

Core Viewpoint - Zinzino is expanding its operations into Peru, marking a significant step in its global growth strategy, with the launch scheduled for February 10, 2026 [1] Group 1: Expansion Details - The company has generated monthly sales of approximately SEK 1.5 million through its global web shop in Peru [1] - This expansion builds on Zinzino's established success in other Latin American markets, creating strong cross-border synergies for partners and customers [1] - Peru is seen as an attractive market for direct selling due to its growing entrepreneurial culture and increasing demand for flexible income opportunities [1] Group 2: Market Potential - There is a rising consumer interest in health, preventive care, and personalized nutrition solutions in Peru, supporting long-term market potential for Zinzino's science-based concept [1] - The CEO of Zinzino, Dag Bergheim Pettersen, emphasizes the strong potential for Peruvian partners to achieve long-term success with the company's test-based concept [1] Group 3: Operational Support - The launch will allow Zinzino's Independent Partners to utilize the company's existing regional infrastructure and experience for local business development [1] - Zinzino's digital platform and business model align well with the expanding digital commerce landscape in Peru, where community-driven sales are significant [1] - Customer and partner support will be coordinated by the Latin American team, with assistance from the local country manager and regional sales management [1]