Summary of Apollo Global Management Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Apollo Global Management (NYSE: APO) - **Date**: December 10, 2025 - **Context**: Discussion at Goldman Sachs Financial Services Conference Key Industry Insights Private Credit Market - **Current State**: The private credit market is experiencing uncertainty, but Apollo primarily operates in the investment-grade space, which is less affected by market jitters [2][3] - **Definition Issues**: There is confusion surrounding the term "private credit," which encompasses various asset classes. Apollo plans to clarify this with a definitive guide [3] - **Risk Assessment**: Private credit is viewed as a de-risking trade compared to equities, with lower default rates than high-yield bonds. Investors are reallocating funds from equities to private credit for better risk-adjusted returns [4][5] Origination as Growth Driver - **Origination Focus**: Apollo emphasizes origination as the core of its business model, differentiating itself from traditional asset managers who invest based on available capital [9][10] - **Current Performance**: The firm has achieved strong origination volumes, exceeding five-year targets within the first year, with stable spreads around 300 basis points over treasuries [7][10] - **Collaboration with Banks**: Apollo collaborates with banks to originate loans, focusing on long-dated, high-quality assets, which are in high demand due to a global industrial renaissance [12][13] Emerging Opportunities - **AI and Infrastructure**: The demand for capital in sectors like AI and infrastructure is unprecedented. Apollo is cautious about taking on renewal risks associated with these investments [14][15] - **Wealth Market Growth**: The wealth management sector is expected to grow significantly, with Apollo positioned to benefit from a flight to quality in credit products [24][25] Financial Performance and Strategy Fundraising and Client Base - **Diverse Client Demand**: Apollo's client base has expanded beyond traditional institutional investors to include retail and insurance companies, indicating a growing acceptance of private assets [18][19] - **Future Fundraising**: The firm anticipates that fundraising will be driven by its ability to originate quality assets rather than merely raising capital [20][22] Hybrid and Private Equity - **Hybrid Business Growth**: Apollo's hybrid business is expected to be its fastest-growing segment, offering attractive risk-reward profiles [41][42] - **Private Equity Outlook**: While private equity remains a strong asset class, it is not viewed as a growth business. Apollo plans to raise over $20 billion in its next vintage [40][43] Athene and Insurance Strategy - **Athene's Role**: Athene is seen as a strategic asset for Apollo, allowing the firm to earn higher fees on originated assets. The focus is on achieving mid-double-digit returns [46][48] - **Market Positioning**: Apollo aims to leverage Athene to support guaranteed income products for retirees while capitalizing on the demand for investment-grade assets [50] Conclusion - Apollo Global Management is well-positioned for growth in the evolving financial landscape, with a strong focus on origination, a diverse client base, and strategic investments in private credit and hybrid assets. The firm is navigating market challenges while capitalizing on emerging opportunities in sectors like AI and infrastructure.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q1 was reported at $120.2 million, exceeding the outlook range, with a gross margin of 39.5%, which is 300 basis points higher than the prior year [26][28] - SG&A expenses were $44.5 million, a 7% improvement from $47.7 million a year ago, driven by lower management compensation and reductions in other G&A expenses [29] - Adjusted EBITDA improved to $3.1 million, representing a 2.5% adjusted EBITDA margin [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - On-demand segment revenue declined by 16% year-over-year to $44.4 million, but segment-adjusted EBITDA improved to $4.4 million, or a 10% margin [30] - Consulting segment revenue was $43.6 million, a decline of 22% from the prior year, with segment-adjusted EBITDA at $5 million, or an 11.6% margin [30] - Europe and Asia-Pacific segment revenue grew by 5% year-over-year to $19.9 million, with segment-adjusted EBITDA of $0.8 million, or a 4.2% margin [31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Europe and Asia-Pacific achieved solid growth, with a strong pipeline for Q2, driven by deepening multinational client relationships and expanding local client bases [24] - Demand for CFO advisory and digital transformation offerings remains strong, with a focus on cost efficiency and process automation [24][26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is transforming from a professional staffing organization to a diversified platform combining on-demand talent with consulting and outsourced services, focusing on CFO advisory and digital transformation [5][8] - The strategy includes enhancing the addressable market and becoming known for a focused set of solutions, with a unique value proposition based on agility, expertise, and experience [6][10] - The company is actively redesigning its cost structure to fit the current size and scale of the business, aiming for a more stable and profitable operation [15][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the global macro environment remains uncertain and slow-moving for professional services, but they are positioning the business for an upturn [3][12] - The company expects to maintain revenue stability through Q2, with an outlook for revenue between $115 million and $120 million [32][33] - Management emphasized the importance of improving sales execution and driving an efficient cost structure to deliver more value [33] Other Important Information - The company has a strong balance sheet with $77.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and zero outstanding debt [31] - The company is targeting venture-backed AI startups for outsourced services, capitalizing on the broader venture funding environment [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Pricing Trends - Management indicated that while staffing rates have remained steady, there are pricing pressures in consulting, but the value provided allows for rate increases on new projects [37][38] Question: Pipeline and Cross-Selling - The pipeline is seeing an increase in $1 million+ deals, with expectations for continued growth through cross-selling efforts [39] Question: Revenue Guidance Breakdown - Revenue guidance for Q2 indicates continued strength in Europe and Asia-Pacific, while on-demand and consulting segments are expected to perform similarly to Q1 [42] Question: Regional Demand Differences - Demand is strong in the West Coast and Southeast regions, attributed to team tenure and alignment with client priorities [45] Question: Client Spending Appetite - Management noted that client appetite for spending remains choppy, with ongoing uncertainty affecting the operating environment [61] Question: Board Refresh Impact - New board members bring fresh perspectives, focusing on optimizing bottom-line performance and fostering collaborative teams [63][64]