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$1.7 trillion-dollar ETF giant State Street says 401(k) market about to face new low-cost challenger
CNBC· 2025-11-07 15:05
Core Insights - The SEC's recent decision to allow fund companies to create ETF share classes of traditional mutual funds is expected to lead to a significant increase in new ETFs in the market, but State Street Investment Management plans to take a different approach by offering mutual fund share classes of its ETF strategies in the U.S. retirement plan market [1][2][11] Group 1: Market Opportunity - State Street identifies the retirement plan market, particularly 401(k) and 403(b) plans, as a $4 trillion opportunity where ETFs have not been traditionally represented as core index fund options [3] - The company aims to leverage its existing $1.7 trillion in ETF assets to create competitive offerings in this market [5][12] Group 2: Competitive Advantages - State Street's scale and low fees provide a competitive edge in offering portfolio options to investors and retirement plan sponsors [4][12] - The "in-kind flows" used in ETF management can lead to lower costs and better performance over time for retirement investors, as large institutions can redeem ETF shares without forcing the sale of investments [6][7] Group 3: Industry Context - The mutual fund industry is expected to rapidly adopt the SEC's new ETF provision, with over 70 fund providers having applications pending [9][10] - The current government shutdown has delayed State Street's plans to introduce ETFs as mutual funds in the retirement market [11] Group 4: Strategic Focus - State Street's strategy is not solely about marketing specific ETF strategies but about creating a structure that integrates the efficiency of ETFs into more markets [16] - The fragmentation in the retirement industry, with various legal wrappers for portfolio strategies, presents a challenge that State Street aims to address [17][18]
Brookfield Asset Management .(BAM) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-11-07 15:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Quarterly fee-related earnings grew 17% year-over-year to $754 million, while distributable earnings increased 7% to $661 million [5][25] - Fee-bearing capital reached $581 billion, an 8% increase year-over-year, driven by record fundraising [5][24] - The margin for the quarter was 58%, consistent with the prior year, and up 1% over the last 12 months [26][27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Infrastructure and renewable power raised $30 billion, deployed $30 billion, and monetized over $10 billion at approximately 20% returns over the past 12 months [11] - The private equity business launched its seventh vintage, focusing on essential service businesses, with expectations for it to be the largest fund ever [18][20] - Real estate business saw approximately $23 billion in property sales, representing $10 billion of equity value over the past 12 months [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global M&A volumes increased nearly 25% year-over-year, with $1 trillion in announced deals in the third quarter, the highest since 2021 [7][8] - The demand for electricity is increasing at an unprecedented rate, driven by electrification trends and the surge in electricity demand from data centers [16][17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is launching an AI Infrastructure Fund to capture opportunities in AI-related infrastructure investments, estimated to exceed $7 trillion over the next decade [14] - A landmark partnership with the U.S. government to construct $80 billion in new nuclear power reactors positions the company at the forefront of clean energy initiatives [18] - The company aims to double its business by 2030, with plans to expand product offerings and diversify its investor base [30][31] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong fundraising momentum and expects 2026 to exceed 2025 levels [37][38] - The company is well-positioned to meet the increasing demand for power solutions, leveraging its renewable power business [17][23] - Management highlighted the importance of operational improvement as a key driver of value creation in the current economic environment [73] Other Important Information - The company declared a quarterly dividend of $43.75 per share, payable on December 31 [32] - The acquisition of the remaining 26% in Oaktree Capital Management is expected to close in the first half of 2026, enhancing the company's credit capabilities [9][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Fundraising momentum and management fee growth outlook for 2026 - Management expects fundraising to exceed 2024 levels and anticipates strong growth in management fees driven by new acquisitions and fundraising [37][38] Question: Credit business fee rate and growth aspirations - The elevated fee rate was driven by a mix shift and one-off transaction fees, with a positive trend expected in the credit business [42][43] Question: Integration benefits from acquiring Oaktree - The acquisition will allow for operational synergies, improved marketing, and client service capabilities, enhancing overall value [49][52] Question: Retail market momentum and distribution strategy - The company is seeing robust momentum in the retail market and is focused on building relationships with key stakeholders to capture growth opportunities [55][56] Question: Corporate direct lending outlook - Management remains cautious about direct lending due to competition but sees strong opportunities in credit related to real assets and infrastructure [60][61] Question: Private equity fund outlook amidst market backdrop - The company is optimistic about its private equity fund due to its focus on essential assets and consistent performance across market cycles [72][75] Question: Broadening the client base for fundraising - The company has dedicated teams targeting small and medium-sized institutions, family offices, and insurance institutions, leading to significant growth [79][80]
Brookfield Asset Management .(BAM) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-11-07 15:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Quarterly fee-related earnings grew 17% year-over-year to $754 million, while distributable earnings increased 7% to $661 million [5][25] - Fee-bearing capital reached $581 billion, an 8% increase year-over-year, driven by record fundraising [5][24] - The company raised $30 billion in the third quarter, bringing total inflows over the past 12 months to more than $100 billion [7][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The infrastructure and renewable power franchise raised $30 billion, deployed $30 billion, and monetized over $10 billion at approximately 20% returns over the past 12 months [11] - The private equity business launched its seventh vintage, focusing on essential service businesses, with expectations for it to be the largest fund ever [18][75] - The real estate business sold approximately $23 billion of properties, representing $10 billion of equity value over the past 12 months [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global M&A volumes increased nearly 25% year-over-year, with $1 trillion in announced deals in the third quarter, the highest since 2021 [8] - The demand for electricity is increasing at an unprecedented rate, driven by electrification trends and the surge in electricity demand from data centers [16][17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is launching an AI Infrastructure Fund to capture opportunities in AI-related infrastructure investments, estimated to exceed $7 trillion over the next decade [14] - A landmark partnership with the U.S. government to construct $80 billion of new nuclear power reactors was announced, positioning the company at the center of clean baseload power development [18] - The company plans to double its business by 2030, with fee-related earnings reaching $5.8 billion and fee-bearing capital reaching $1.2 trillion [31] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong fundraising momentum and expects 2026 to exceed 2025 levels [37][38] - The company is well-positioned to meet the increasing demand for power solutions, leveraging its renewable power business [17][23] - Management highlighted the importance of operational improvement as a key driver of value creation in the current economic environment [73] Other Important Information - The company declared a quarterly dividend of $43.75 per share, payable on December 31 to shareholders of record as of November 28 [32] - The acquisition of the remaining 26% in Oaktree Capital Management is expected to close in the first half of 2026, enhancing the company's credit capabilities [9][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Fundraising momentum and management fee growth outlook for 2026 - Management expects fundraising to exceed 2024 levels and anticipates strong growth in management fees driven by new acquisitions and fundraising [37][38] Question: Credit business fee rate and growth aspirations - The elevated fee rate was driven by a mix shift and one-off transaction fees, with a positive trend expected in the credit business [42][43] Question: Integration benefits from acquiring Oaktree - The acquisition will allow for operational synergies, improved marketing capabilities, and enhanced client service [49][52] Question: Retail market momentum and distribution strategy - The company is seeing robust momentum in the retail market and is focused on building relationships with key stakeholders to capture growth opportunities [55][56] Question: Private equity outlook amidst market backdrop - The private equity business is expected to perform well due to its focus on essential assets and operational improvement, differentiating it from peers [73][75]
KKR(KKR) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-11-07 15:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported fee-related earnings of $1.15 per share, total operating earnings of $1.55 per share, and adjusted net income of $1.41 per share, all of which are among the highest in its history as a public company [4][6] - Management fees reached $1.1 billion, up 19% year-over-year, with a healthy growth of 16% excluding catch-up fees [4][5] - Total transaction and monitoring fees were $328 million, while capital markets fees were strong at $276 million, driven by private equity and infrastructure activities [5][6] - Adjusted net income was $1.3 billion, or $1.41 per share, reflecting an 8% increase year-over-year [7][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The insurance segment reported operating earnings of $305 million, with a run rate around $250 million [6] - Strategic Holdings operating earnings were $58 million for the quarter, significantly ahead of the previous year [6] - Realized performance and investment income totaled $935 million within the asset management segment [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company raised $43 billion in capital during Q3, marking the second-highest fundraising quarter in its history [8][9] - Inflows from Global Atlantic within credit were $15 billion, significantly up year-over-year [9] - The private equity and real asset business lines raised $16 billion of capital in the quarter [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is evolving its insurance business to extend the duration of its book and leverage its global investment management capabilities [12][14] - There is a focus on raising third-party capital to grow Global Atlantic in a capital-efficient manner [13][14] - The company aims to achieve $4.50+ in fee-related earnings per share and $7+ in after-tax adjusted net income per share by 2026 [23][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the fundraising momentum and the ability to achieve 2026 guidance despite potential challenges in the monetization environment [24][26] - The company noted that the current monetization environment is constructive, with expectations for continued strong performance [26][34] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a conservative approach to capital deployment and portfolio construction [29][30] Other Important Information - The company has over $1 billion in monetization activity, indicating a healthy portfolio maturity [7][8] - There is a focus on cash outcomes in segment reporting, with a conservative approach to recognizing earnings [19][20] - The company expects to take a one-time charge related to the Asia Private Equity Fund, which will impact net realized performance income in Q4 [22][23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you summarize the international perspective regarding investor demand in Asia? - Management noted that investor demand for Asia continues to increase, with a broad understanding of opportunities in markets like Japan, India, and Southeast Asia [36][37] Question: What is the normalized level of ROE for the insurance business? - Management indicated that they expect to achieve an all-in ROE of over 20% as the insurance business matures and third-party capital contributions increase [42][55] Question: How do you see the capital markets business expanding from the GA side? - Management highlighted the potential for significant capital markets opportunities, estimating hundreds of millions of dollars annually as the business develops [60][61] Question: Can you elaborate on how changes in the insurance business enhance client partnerships? - Management emphasized that owning an insurance company provides a better understanding of client needs, allowing for improved service and competitive advantages [70]
KKR(KKR) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-11-07 15:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported fee-related earnings of $1.15 per share, total operating earnings of $1.55 per share, and adjusted net income of $1.41 per share, all of which are among the highest in its history as a public company [3][6] - Management fees reached $1.1 billion, up 19% year over year, with a healthy growth of 16% excluding catch-up fees [3][4] - Total operating earnings were $1.55 per share, a record quarter and 17% ahead of the previous quarter [5][6] - Adjusted net income was $1.3 billion, or $1.41 per share, reflecting an 8% increase year over year [6][7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The insurance segment reported operating earnings of $305 million, maintaining a run rate around $250 million [5] - Strategic Holdings operating earnings were $58 million for the quarter, significantly ahead of the previous year [5] - Realized performance and investment income totaled $935 million within the asset management segment [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company raised $43 billion in capital during Q3, marking the second-highest fundraising quarter in its history [8][9] - Inflows from Global Atlantic within credit were $15 billion, significantly up year over year [9] - The private equity and real asset business lines raised $16 billion of capital in the quarter [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is evolving its insurance business to extend the duration of its book and leverage its global investment management capabilities [12][13] - There is a focus on raising more third-party capital across its IV Sidecar strategy to grow Global Atlantic in a capital-efficient manner [12][13] - The company aims to achieve $4.50+ in fee-related earnings per share and $7+ in after-tax adjusted net income per share by 2026 [25][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving 2026 guidance, citing strong fundraising momentum and a constructive monetization environment [26][27] - The company noted that while the monetization environment is currently favorable, it may delay some activities if conditions deteriorate [27] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a disciplined approach to investment pacing and portfolio construction [30][31] Other Important Information - The company has over $1 billion in monetization activity, indicating the strength and maturity of its portfolio [6] - The company has $126 billion of dry powder available for future investments, positioning it well for growth [10] - The company expects to see a significant increase in third-party capital capacity, which could translate to over $60 billion of additional fee-paying AUM [17][18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you summarize your international perspective, particularly regarding Asia? - Management noted increasing investor demand for Asia, with a broad understanding of opportunities in markets like Japan, India, and Southeast Asia [36][37] Question: What is the normalized level of ROE for the insurance business? - Management indicated that they expect to achieve an all-in ROE of over 20% as the portfolio matures and third-party capital contributions increase [49][50] Question: How do you see the capital markets business expanding? - Management highlighted the potential for significant annual opportunities in capital markets, driven by the capabilities built out in distribution and origination [54][55] Question: What are the expectations for fee-related earnings in 2026? - Management expressed confidence in achieving the $4.50+ target for fee-related earnings per share, driven by strong fundraising and operational leverage [46][47] Question: How will the changes in the insurance business improve client partnerships? - Management emphasized that owning an insurance company allows for a better understanding of client needs and enhances the quality of engagement with insurance CIOs and CEOs [62]
Brookfield Asset Management .(BAM) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-11-07 15:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Quarterly fee-related earnings grew 17% year-over-year to $754 million, while distributable earnings increased 7% to $661 million [5][25] - Fee-bearing capital reached $581 billion, an 8% increase year-over-year, driven by record fundraising [5][24] - The company raised $30 billion in the third quarter, bringing total inflows over the past 12 months to more than $100 billion, marking the highest pace of organic fundraising ever [6][27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The infrastructure and renewable power franchise raised $30 billion, deployed $30 billion, and monetized over $10 billion at approximately 20% returns over the past 12 months [11] - The company is launching an AI Infrastructure Fund, anticipating AI-related infrastructure investments to exceed $7 trillion over the next decade [13] - In the private equity business, the company launched its seventh vintage of its flagship strategy, focusing on essential service businesses [18][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global M&A volumes increased nearly 25% year-over-year, with $1 trillion in announced deals in the third quarter, the highest level since 2021 [6][7] - The company noted improving transaction conditions and a resilient global economy despite trade uncertainties [6][7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to double its business by 2030, with plans to expand product offerings and diversify its investor base [30][31] - A landmark partnership with the U.S. government to construct $80 billion of new nuclear power reactors was announced, positioning the company at the center of clean baseload power development [18] - The company is focused on capturing opportunities in AI infrastructure, energy transition, and essential real assets, aligning with global trends of digitalization, decarbonization, and deglobalization [23][33] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in a strong fundraising year for 2026, expecting to exceed 2025 levels [34][35] - The company anticipates continued growth in fee-related earnings driven by acquisitions and new fundraising initiatives [36] - Management highlighted a solid balance sheet and a strong liquidity position, with $2.6 billion in liquidity at quarter-end [31][32] Other Important Information - The company declared a quarterly dividend of $43.75 per share, payable on December 31 to shareholders of record as of November 28 [32] - The company is actively monetizing stabilized assets, selling approximately $23 billion of properties over the past 12 months [20][22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Fundraising momentum into 2026 - Management expects fundraising in 2026 to exceed 2025 levels, driven by infrastructure and private equity flagships [34][35] Question: Credit business fee rates - The elevated fee rate in the credit business was driven by a mix shift and one-off transaction fees, with a positive trend expected [37][39] Question: Oaktree acquisition benefits - The acquisition of Oaktree will unlock operational synergies, enhance marketing capabilities, and improve client service [42][44] Question: Retail market momentum - The company is seeing robust momentum in the retail market, with new product launches expected to drive growth [45][46] Question: Corporate direct lending outlook - Management noted that while competition in corporate lending is intensifying, private credit remains a significant and growing component of global finance [49][52] Question: Private equity fundraising outlook - The company is optimistic about raising its largest private equity fund ever, focusing on essential assets that generate consistent results [56][57]
Goldman Sachs Sees Hamilton Lane As A Winner In Booming Alternative Investments Market
Benzinga· 2025-11-07 14:38
Core Insights - The asset management landscape is evolving, with companies employing innovative strategies and strong partnerships gaining investor interest [1] - Goldman Sachs analyst upgraded Hamilton Lane Inc. to Buy, with a price forecast of $165, indicating over 30% upside potential [1][2] Company Performance - Hamilton Lane's strong position in the alternative asset management sector, particularly in Wealth/Evergreen funds and Secondaries, is highlighted [2] - The company's Evergreen franchise manages approximately $14 billion in NAV, contributing over 30% to fee-related revenue, the highest among alternative managers [4] - Recent financial results show Hamilton Lane reported adjusted EPS of $1.54, exceeding estimates, and revenue of $190.9 million, surpassing consensus [6] Growth Projections - Fee-related earnings (FRE) are expected to grow at a 27% compound annual rate from 2025 to 2027, driven by management fees from Evergreen products and performance-fee contributions [3] - Earnings per share are projected to grow at a 20% annual rate, supported by a significant performance-fee pool with unrealized value [3] Valuation Metrics - Hamilton Lane shares are currently trading at 21 times next-twelve-month P/E, below the historical average of 27× and peers' 23× [5] - Goldman Sachs estimates for EPS are $5.36 for 2025, $6.28 for 2026, and $7.77 for 2027, reflecting expected margin and revenue acceleration [5]
Don't Blame The Decline In Stock Prices On Layoffs
Seeking Alpha· 2025-11-07 14:08
Core Insights - Lawrence Fuller has 30 years of experience managing portfolios, starting at Merrill Lynch and later founding Fuller Asset Management, achieving his goal of independence [1] - Fuller manages the Focused Growth portfolio on Dub, a copy-trading platform approved by US securities regulators, allowing retail investors to automatically copy chosen managers' trades [1] - The Portfolio Architect, led by Fuller, focuses on economic and market outlooks, offering an all-weather investment strategy aimed at consistent risk-adjusted returns [1] Company Overview - Fuller Asset Management (FAM) is a state-registered investment adviser, providing educational content and investment strategies without making specific offers for securities [3] - The firm emphasizes that past performance is not indicative of future results and that investments involve risks [4] Services Offered - The Portfolio Architect provides portfolio construction guidance, access to an "All-Weather" model portfolio, a dividend and options income portfolio, and various market insights [1] - Services include a daily brief on current events, a week-ahead newsletter, technical and fundamental reports, trade alerts, and 24/7 chat support [1]
Victory Capital(VCTR) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-11-07 14:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved record-high gross flows and net flows finished just under flat for the quarter, with total assets reaching $313 billion [5] - Adjusted EBITDA set a new all-time quarterly high at $191 million, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 52.7% [5][22] - Adjusted earnings per diluted share rose to a record $1.63, up 4% from the second quarter and 20% higher than the quarter preceding the Amundi transaction [5][22] - Revenue increased 3% from the second quarter to $361.2 million, with average assets for the quarter rising 7% quarter over quarter [21] - The company returned a total of $163 million to shareholders in the quarter, marking an all-time high [22][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Long-term gross flows rose 10% quarter over quarter to $17 billion, reflecting the expanded U.S. distribution team and strong sales outside the U.S. [5][24] - Multiple investment franchises generated positive net long-term flows, including Victory Income Investors, Pioneer Investments, RS Global, Trivalent, and the VictoryShares ETF platform [24] - Year-to-date positive net flows for the ETF platform reached $5.4 billion, representing a 53% organic growth rate [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company currently manages $52 billion of AUM from clients outside the U.S. across 60 countries, with net flows remaining positive [7] - 17% of total AUM was from investors outside the United States as of quarter end [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to be a $1 trillion firm, focusing on strategic acquisitions that enhance its competitive position and shareholder value [34][36] - The integration process at Pioneer Investments is ahead of plan, with $86 million of net expense synergies achieved on a run-rate basis [6][40] - The company is investing in expanding its distribution capacity outside the U.S. and launching new UCITS products [8][9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the distribution opportunities outside the U.S. and the potential for significant growth in 2026 [11][48] - The company anticipates a transformational opportunity in the non-U.S. segment, with strong sales expected from legacy Victory products [48] - Management highlighted the importance of strategic acquisitions in a fragmented industry, emphasizing the need for firms to partner to grow [36][72] Other Important Information - The company has achieved $86 million of net expense synergies and expects to reach a total of $110 million [6][25] - The balance sheet remains strong with $116 million of cash and a net leverage ratio of 1.1x, providing financial flexibility for growth [22][28] Q&A Session Summary Question: M&A Strategy and Focus - Management aims for strategic acquisitions rather than purely financial transactions, with a focus on enhancing the company's capabilities and shareholder value [34][36] Question: Pioneer Acquisition Synergies - The company is ahead of synergy targets due to conservative planning and the identification of operational efficiencies [38][40] Question: Non-U.S. Business Performance - Positive net sales have primarily come from the Pioneer franchise, with expectations for increased flows from legacy Victory products in 2026 [46][48] Question: Inorganic Pipeline and Risks - The inorganic pipeline is full, with active discussions ongoing, and the environment for acquisitions has improved [72][73] Question: Integration Challenges with Alternatives - Management is aware of cultural integration challenges and has been patient in observing the market before pursuing acquisitions in the alternatives space [77]
Victory Capital(VCTR) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-11-07 14:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved record-high gross flows and net flows finished just under flat for the quarter, with total assets reaching $313 billion [5] - Adjusted EBITDA set a new all-time quarterly high at $191 million, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 52.7% [5][22] - Adjusted earnings per diluted share rose to a record $1.63, up 4% from the second quarter and 20% higher than the quarter immediately preceding the Amundi transaction [5][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Long-term gross flows rose 10% quarter over quarter to $17 billion, reflecting the expanded U.S. distribution team and strong sales outside the U.S. [5][21] - Multiple investment franchises generated positive net long-term flows, including Victory Income Investors, Pioneer Investments, RS Global, Trivalent, and the Victory Shares ETF platform [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company currently manages $52 billion of AUM from clients outside the U.S. from 60 countries, where net flows remain positive [7] - 17% of total AUM was from investors outside the United States as of quarter end [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to be a trillion-dollar firm, focusing on strategic acquisitions that enhance its competitive position and shareholder value [34] - The integration process at Pioneer Investments is ahead of plan, with approximately $86 million of net expense synergies achieved on a run-rate basis [6][25] - The company is investing in expanding its distribution capacity outside the U.S. and launching new UCITS products [8][9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the distribution opportunities outside the U.S. and the potential for significant growth in 2026 and beyond [11][46] - The company anticipates a phase of intense consolidation in the industry, which it is well-positioned to navigate [35] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 1.8 million shares during the quarter and has $355 million of capacity remaining on its repurchase authorization [6][27] - The balance sheet remains strong with $116 million of cash and a net leverage ratio of 1.1 times, providing financial flexibility for growth initiatives [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: M&A Strategy and Focus - Management emphasized that all acquisitions will be strategic, aiming for size and scale while also considering smaller, highly strategic deals [34] Question: Pioneer Acquisition Synergies - The company is ahead of synergy targets due to conservative planning and the discovery of operational efficiencies during integration [36][38] Question: Non-U.S. Business Performance - Positive net sales have primarily come from the Pioneer franchise, with expectations for increased flows from legacy Victory products in 2026 [45][46] Question: Inorganic Pipeline and Risks - The inorganic pipeline is full, with active discussions ongoing, and the environment for acquisitions has improved [71][72] Question: Integration Challenges with Alternatives - Management is aware of cultural integration challenges and has been patient in observing the market before pursuing acquisitions in the alternatives space [76]