Company Overview - SEI has been selected by Nephila Capital Ltd. to support its back- and middle-office operations across North America and the UK [1] - Nephila has over 20 years of experience in managing institutional assets in the reinsurance industry and is one of the largest insurance linked securities managers globally, with approximately $7 billion in assets under management [2][9] - As of June 30, 2025, SEI manages, advises, or administers approximately $1.7 trillion in assets [5] Market Insights - The insurance linked securities (ILS) market is projected to nearly double from approximately $100 billion to $200 billion by 2032 [2] - Asset managers like Nephila are seeking strategic partners to enhance efficiency through comprehensive services such as reconciliation, payment processing, and data aggregation [2] Strategic Partnership - Nephila's Head of Operations emphasized the need for a strategic partner with a proven track record in managing complex products and scalable infrastructure [3] - SEI's technology-driven solutions are tailored to help Nephila achieve its strategic goals and enhance operational efficiency [4] - SEI's global footprint and stability are seen as beneficial for supporting Nephila's long-term growth in the complex ILS industry [4]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Investment Management industry is experiencing growth driven by asset growth, digital transformation, evolving investment vehicles, deeper personalization, and strategic scale [1] - The industry consists of companies managing securities and funds for clients, earning revenue through service fees or commissions [3] Investment Trends - Asset inflows are expected to continue driving growth in assets under management (AUM), with institutional interest increasing from pension funds, endowments, and insurers [4] - There is a notable rise in inflows into alternative investments, including index funds, private credit funds, and ETFs, alongside growing interest in tokenized assets [5] - The industry is witnessing ongoing mergers and partnerships to enhance scale, reduce costs, and improve resilience [6][7] Financial Performance - The Zacks Investment Management industry has outperformed the S&P 500 Index and the broader finance sector, with a collective stock increase of 58.5% over the past two years [13] - The industry's current trailing 12-month price-to-tangible book ratio (P/TB) is 4.64X, indicating a significant discount compared to the S&P 500's 12.98X [17] Company Highlights - **T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (TROW)**: As of June 30, 2025, TROW had $1.68 trillion in AUM, with a CAGR of 2.3% over the past four years. The company is focusing on expanding its business through partnerships and acquisitions [24][27][28] - **SEI Investments Company (SEIC)**: SEIC reported $517.5 billion in AUM as of June 30, 2025, with a CAGR of 8.2% over the past five years. The company is enhancing its technology and expanding its global presence through strategic acquisitions [32][33][36] - **Federated Hermes, Inc. (FHI)**: FHI had $845.7 billion in AUM as of June 30, 2025, with a CAGR of 7.4% over the past four years. The company is actively seeking alliances and acquisitions to drive AUM growth [40][42]

Company Overview - SEI Investments Company (NASDAQ: SEIC) is a leading global provider of financial technology, operations, and asset management services within the financial services industry [3] - As of June 30, 2025, SEI manages, advises, or administers approximately $1.7 trillion in assets [3] Upcoming Event - SEI will host its Investor Day in New York City on September 18, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT, aimed at institutional investors and industry analysts [1] - Presentations will be delivered by SEI's executive leadership, covering the company's markets, solutions, platforms, and future growth strategies [1] Public Engagement - The public is invited to view the presentation and listen to the conference webcast, which will also be available for replay shortly after the conference [2]

Core Insights - SEI has appointed Robert Hum as Head of Investment Product Development and Activation to enhance its investment product strategies and portfolio outcomes [1][4] - Hum brings 15 years of experience from BlackRock and Ladenburg Thalmann, where he managed over $2 billion in assets [2] - Heather Corkery has transitioned to support Hum, focusing on product activation strategies and user experience optimization [3] Company Strategy - SEI aims to strengthen its investment solutions by building a dedicated team to identify market trends and client needs [4] - The company is focused on enhancing access to private markets and improving investment products and model allocations [4] - SEI manages approximately $1.7 trillion in assets as of June 30, 2025, indicating its significant presence in the financial services industry [6] Leadership and Expertise - Robert Hum's diverse experience in ETF construction and implementation is expected to drive SEI's growth in new markets [4] - Heather Corkery's 20 years of experience at SEI will contribute to the depth of investment expertise within the new team [3] - Both leaders emphasize SEI's client-centric approach and the importance of leveraging technology and operations for competitive advantage [5]

Core Insights - BlackRock Inc. (BLK) achieved a record $12.53 trillion in assets under management (AUM) for Q2 2025, marking a 17.7% year-over-year growth, driven by higher inflows in equity and fixed income instruments [1][8] - Digital assets saw a significant increase of 329.3% during the quarter, highlighting BlackRock's strategic focus on the cryptocurrency sector [2] - The company has been expanding its AUM through product diversification and acquisitions, with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2% from 2019 to 2024 [2] AUM Growth and Inflows - BlackRock's AUM growth was supported by inflows of $152 billion in the first half of 2025, continuing a multi-year upward trend [2][8] - The company became the first asset manager to surpass the $12 trillion mark in AUM [1][8] Acquisitions and Expansion - In July 2025, BlackRock agreed to acquire ElmTree Funds and completed the buyout of HPS Investment Partners to enhance its private market offerings [3] - The acquisition of Preqin for $3.2 billion in March 2025 further strengthened its private markets capabilities [3] - Previous acquisitions, including Global Infrastructure Partners in October 2024, have bolstered BlackRock's infrastructure offerings [3] ETF and Active Equity Focus - BlackRock is enhancing its iShares unit, which offers over 1,400 ETFs globally, and has received approval for spot Bitcoin and ether ETFs [4] - The company is also increasing its focus on the active equity business to support AUM growth [4] Peer Comparison - Competitors like SEI Investments and Invesco are also focusing on AUM growth, with SEI's AUM at $517.5 billion (up 10% year-over-year) and Invesco's AUM at $2 trillion (up 16.6%) as of June 30, 2025 [5][6] Price Performance and Valuation - BlackRock's shares have increased by 15.5% over the past six months, outperforming the industry growth of 2.4% [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 22.44X, which is above the industry average [9] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates an 8.6% year-over-year rise in BlackRock's 2025 earnings and a 9.6% growth for 2026, with upward revisions for both years [10]

Core Viewpoint - BlackRock, Inc. has demonstrated strong stock performance with a 20.6% increase over the past three months, outperforming major indices and peers, supported by strategic acquisitions and product diversification efforts [1][11]. Group 1: Stock Performance - BlackRock's shares have risen 20.6% in the last three months, outperforming the S&P 500 index and the Zacks Finance sector [1]. - The stock has outperformed SEI Investments but underperformed Invesco Ltd. [1]. Group 2: Strategic Acquisitions - BlackRock has been expanding its market presence through strategic acquisitions, including the buyout of HPS Investment Partners and ElmTree Funds, enhancing its private market offerings [6][8]. - The acquisition of Preqin for approximately $3.2 billion in March 2025 and Global Infrastructure Partners in October 2024 further solidifies its infrastructure capabilities [7][8]. - The company has also acquired Kreos Capital in 2023, reflecting a consistent strategy of strengthening its market share through acquisitions [8]. Group 3: Assets Under Management (AUM) - BlackRock's total AUM reached a record $12.52 trillion as of June 30, 2025, with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2% [10]. - The company experienced net inflows of $152 billion in the first half of 2025 and $641 billion in the previous year, driven by its strong ETF operations [10][11]. - The focus on diversifying its product suite is expected to bolster revenue and reduce concentration risk, aiding AUM growth [13]. Group 4: Financial Performance and Capital Distributions - BlackRock announced a 2% increase in its quarterly dividend to $5.21 per share, with a history of five dividend increases over the past five years [16]. - The company has a 45% dividend payout ratio, which is competitive compared to its peers [16]. - In the first half of 2025, BlackRock repurchased $750 million worth of shares and plans to continue with at least $375 million in quarterly repurchases [19]. Group 5: Analyst Sentiments and Valuation - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BlackRock's earnings in 2025 and 2026 has been revised upward to $47.35 and $51.91, indicating expected growth of 8.6% and 9.6% respectively [20][22]. - BlackRock's price-to-book ratio of 3.57X is lower than the industry average of 3.92X, suggesting the stock is trading at a discount [23][28]. - The company's return on equity (ROE) stands at 15.83%, outperforming the industry average of 10.60% [28].

Core Insights - Affiliated Managers Group Inc. (AMG) reported second-quarter 2025 economic earnings of $5.39 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.26 and reflecting a 15.4% increase from the prior-year quarter [1][8] - The company's total assets under management (AUM) rose by 10% to $771 billion, with net client cash inflows of $8.1 billion contributing to this growth [4][8] - Despite the positive AUM growth, total revenues declined by 1.4% year over year to $493.2 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $510.2 million, while total consolidated expenses increased by 14.8% to $412.7 million [3][8] Financial Performance - Economic net income for the quarter was $159.2 million, up 2.1% year over year, surpassing the estimate of $151.5 million [2] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 1% to $219.7 million, slightly above the projected $214.8 million [3] - The company's cash and cash equivalents decreased to $361 million from $950 million as of December 31, 2024, while total debt remained stable at $2.62 billion [5] Shareholder Actions - During the second quarter, AMG repurchased shares worth $100 million, indicating a commitment to returning value to shareholders [6] Market Position - AMG is positioned for growth due to successful partnerships, global distribution capabilities, and a diverse product mix, although concerns remain regarding substantial intangible assets and a challenging operating environment [7]

Core Insights - GQG Partners has launched its first ETF, the GQG US Equity ETF, utilizing SEI's Advisors' Inner Circle Fund series trust as its operational platform, marking a significant expansion of their nine-year partnership [1][2][3] - The ETF launched on July 14, 2025, with over $200 million in assets under management, facilitated by a strategic private fund conversion under Section 351, which allows for a tax-efficient transition to an ETF structure [2][3] - The active ETF market in the U.S. is projected to grow from $856 billion in 2024 to $11 trillion by 2035, indicating a strong demand for active ETF products [3][6] Company Overview - SEI is a leading global provider of financial technology, operations, and asset management services, managing approximately $1.7 trillion in assets as of June 30, 2025 [7] - SEI's Advisors' Inner Circle Fund provides a scalable infrastructure for investment managers, supporting the launch of various investment vehicles, including mutual funds and ETFs [4][5] - GQG Partners manages $172.4 billion in client assets as of June 30, 2025, focusing on long-only equity strategies for institutions, advisors, and individuals [9]

Key Takeaways Franklin Resources Inc. (BEN) is scheduled to report third-quarter fiscal 2025 results (ended June 30) on August 1, before market open. BEN's quarterly earnings and revenues are anticipated to have declined from the year-ago reported levels. In the last reported quarter, Franklin's earnings met the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Results were affected by lower revenues and assets under management (AUM). Yet, lower expenses supported the results to some extent. BEN's earnings beat the consensus estim ...

Core Insights - SEI has appointed Amy Sliwinski as Executive Vice President and Chief People and Culture Officer to enhance global talent strategies and support the company's growth objectives [1][3][4] Company Overview - SEI is a leading global provider of financial technology, operations, and asset management services, managing approximately $1.7 trillion in assets as of June 30, 2025 [6] Leadership and Strategy - Sliwinski's role will focus on transforming human resource processes, including talent management, professional development, and company culture, to align with SEI's business goals [1][2] - The appointment is part of SEI's strategic focus on investing in areas that drive growth, emphasizing the importance of people in the company's success [3][4] Previous Experience - Prior to joining SEI, Sliwinski served as Chief Human Resource Officer at SKF, where she implemented significant changes in recruitment and employee engagement [2] - She has held senior leadership roles at Santander Bank, focusing on performance management and development programs [2] Vision and Goals - Sliwinski expressed her commitment to fostering connections among employees, clients, and community partners to drive SEI's success [5] - The company aims to deepen expertise, optimize operations, and cultivate a culture aligned with its values as it pursues growth strategies [3][4]