Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2025, the company raised $112 billion of capital, reflecting strong demand from various investor types [7] - Fee-bearing capital increased by 12% year-over-year to over $600 billion, with fee-related earnings reaching a record $3 billion, up 22% year-over-year [8] - Distributable earnings were $2.7 billion, an increase of 14% from the prior year [8][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In renewable power, significant investments included acquiring Neoen and National Grid's US renewables platform [15] - The private equity sector saw investments in Chemelex, a global industrial technology business [15] - Infrastructure investments included Hotwire Communications and Colonial Pipeline, enhancing the company's footprint in essential services [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company entered 2026 with a favorable market backdrop, characterized by stabilized interest rates and resilient economic growth [9] - There is renewed global demand for real assets that generate stable cash flows, particularly in the context of inflation protection [9][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to double its business by 2030 and achieve a 15% annualized earnings growth [10] - A significant focus is on expanding access to private assets for individual investors through retirement and long-duration savings vehicles [10] - The company is well-positioned to capture growth opportunities in infrastructure, private equity, and credit sectors [25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about 2026, expecting strong fundraising momentum and growth across various platforms [25] - The company anticipates a record year for fundraising, particularly in private equity and infrastructure [19][25] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong balance sheet and liquidity to support growth initiatives [33] Other Important Information - The board of directors approved a 15% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.50025 per share, payable on March 31, 2026 [34] - The company plans to enhance disclosure around partner managers to provide clearer insights into its evolving platform [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is secondaries a strategically important area for the company? - Management acknowledged that secondaries are a growing segment and will be opportunistic in exploring this area, focusing on highly additive opportunities [37][38] Question: Can you elaborate on the growth outlook for 2026? - Management expects growth rates in the mid- to high teens, driven by strong fundraising and deployment activity, with several initiatives expected to add $200 million to fee-related earnings [40][42] Question: How does the company view AI-related disruption? - Management sees AI as a net positive, with minimal exposure to software businesses, focusing instead on long-term contracted real assets [48][49] Question: What is the company's liquidity position? - The company has over $3 billion in liquidity, which supports growth initiatives and capital deployment [52][56] Question: How is the company positioned in the credit market? - Management noted robust demand for credit, particularly in real asset and asset-backed lending, with modest redemptions in private wealth strategies [76][77] Question: What is the outlook for the wealth channel? - The company expects continued growth in the wealth channel, driven by new product launches and strong early reception [80][81]

Core Viewpoint - StepStone Group Inc. reported its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, highlighting a quarterly cash dividend declaration and significant financial metrics [1][4]. Financial Highlights - The company reported total revenues of $364.287 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, representing a 95% increase compared to the same quarter in the previous year [9]. - Management and advisory fees, net, were $211.173 million, a 19% increase from the previous quarter [9]. - The net loss for the quarter was $12.011 million, compared to a net income of $48.045 million in the same quarter last year [9][19]. - The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per share of Class A common stock, payable on September 15, 2025 [1]. Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Fee revenues for the quarter were reported at $212.740 million, a 19% increase from the previous quarter [9]. - Adjusted revenues were $237.467 million, reflecting a 7% decrease compared to the previous quarter [9]. - Fee-related earnings (FRE) were $81.246 million, with a FRE margin of 38% [9][10]. - Adjusted net income (ANI) was $48.534 million, with ANI per share at $0.40, a 17% decrease from the previous quarter [10]. Key Business Drivers - As of June 30, 2025, StepStone managed approximately $723 billion in total capital, including $199 billion in assets under management (AUM), which represents an 18% increase year-over-year [4][10]. - Fee-earning AUM increased by 27% to $127.2 billion [10]. - The company reported a 4% increase in undeployed fee-earning capital, totaling $28.7 billion [10].