State Street’s asset-management arm acquired a minority holding in Coller Capital to tap the growing market for secondhand stakes in private markets https://t.co/d3y34WyrqF ...

Core Viewpoint - Ares Management Corporation is a prominent alternative asset manager with a focus on diversifying revenue streams and expanding its presence in the energy infrastructure sector [1][3][4]. Group 1: Company Overview - Ares Management operates through various segments including Tradable Credit, Direct Lending, Private Equity, and Real Estate, catering to diverse investment needs [1]. - The company competes with major asset managers such as Blackstone and Apollo Global Management in the alternative investment market [1]. Group 2: Stock Performance and Analyst Sentiment - The consensus price target for Ares Management's stock has decreased from $191.88 to $180.67 over the past year, indicating a slight adjustment in analysts' expectations [2]. - Despite the decrease, the price target has remained stable over the last month and quarter, reflecting steady analyst sentiment [2][5]. Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - Ares is actively expanding in the energy infrastructure sector and is focusing on private wealth and insurance to diversify its revenue streams [3][5]. - The company has successfully raised $5.3 billion for infrastructure projects, aiming to attract high-net-worth clients to enhance its higher-margin business [3]. - Ares anticipates margin expansion as synergies from acquisitions are realized, supported by strong free cash flow yield and robust dividend growth [4].

Core Points - Aedifica, a public regulated real estate company, has issued a press release regarding transparency notifications from Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and BlackRock, Inc. [1] Group 1 - Aedifica is listed on Euronext Brussels and Euronext Amsterdam [1]

Economic Outlook - The economy is perceived to be in good shape, with companies performing well and showing decent revenues, while labor market conditions are more challenging [10][24] - There is a significant displacement in labor expected over the next few years due to technological advancements, particularly in data centers and logistics [4][6] - The current labor market is characterized by low hiring and firing, with companies opting to maintain their existing workforce while evaluating business growth [8][9] Inflation and Interest Rates - Inflation metrics are running higher than desired, with core PCE at approximately 2.5% over six months and other metrics closer to 3% [2][3] - The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates in December, influenced by concerns over the labor market and inflation dynamics [1][16] - The impact of interest rates on capital expenditures (capex) has diminished compared to previous decades, as large companies now fund capex through free cash flow rather than relying on interest rate adjustments [15][19] Corporate Performance and M&A Activity - Companies are experiencing increased productivity through advancements in technology, leading to lower costs and improved earnings [6][7] - The current environment has led to a surge in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), as companies seek to grow and vertically integrate using data and AI [6][7] - There is a notable disparity in economic performance, with high-income sectors thriving while low-income sectors struggle [24] Housing Market - The housing market is facing challenges, with insufficient new home construction despite lower mortgage rates, which have recently dropped to around 6% [12][13] - Increased housing supply could enhance labor mobility and address some inflationary pressures related to shelter costs [13][14] Debt and Fiscal Risks - The level of national debt remains a tail risk, with 90% of U.S. government debt maturing in two years, necessitating continuous refinancing [18][19] - Maintaining nominal GDP growth above the cost of debt is crucial for economic stability and reducing leverage [21][22]

Core Viewpoint - Strive, a Nasdaq-listed asset manager, is launching an initial public offering of a new class of preferred shares to pay dividends, aiming to raise funds for acquiring more bitcoin and expanding operations [1][2]. Group 1: Preferred Stock Offering - The Series A Variable Rate Perpetual Preferred Stock, named SATA, is designed to pay an initial 12% annual dividend, distributed monthly in cash [2]. - Strive plans to offer 1.25 million SATA shares to investors, with proceeds potentially allocated for bitcoin acquisitions, income-generating assets, working capital, or repurchasing common stock [2][4]. - A $12 per share dividend reserve will be established to cover the first year of distributions [5]. Group 2: Current Holdings and Market Position - Strive currently holds just under 6,000 BTC, valued at approximately $637 million, which could increase to around 11,000 BTC if the all-stock merger with Semler Scientific is completed [2]. - The company's common stock has experienced a significant sell-off, trading at a discount to the value of its bitcoin holdings, leading to a market net asset value (mNAV) below 1 [3]. Group 3: Market Context and Strategy - The decision to issue preferred stock is influenced by the actions of other bitcoin treasury firms, which have also begun issuing preferred shares to raise capital for bitcoin purchases [4]. - Strive intends to maintain SATA's trading range between $95 and $105 per share by adjusting dividend rates, with unpaid dividends compounding monthly, potentially reaching up to 20% annually [4]. - The offering occurs amid a broader decline in digital asset treasury stocks, many of which are trading below the value of their underlying holdings, restricting their ability to raise new funds [6].

Core Insights - Neuberger Berman was established in 1939 with the primary goal of delivering compelling long-term investment results for clients [1] - The firm operates with a culture focused on deep fundamental research, investment insight, and continuous innovation [1] - Neuberger Berman manages a diverse range of investment strategies including equity, fixed income, private equity, and hedge funds [1] Company Overview - The firm has a global presence with offices in 39 cities across 26 countries [1] - Neuberger Berman employs 763 investment professionals and a total of 2,850 employees [1] - The company has achieved high retention rates among senior investment staff and has been recognized in the Pensions & Investments "Best Places to Work in Money Management" survey since 2014 [1] Investment Philosophy - As a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager, Neuberger Berman is aligned with the long-term interests of clients [1] - The firm has no external parent or public shareholders, allowing it to focus solely on its core mission [1] - Employee compensation is directly linked to team and firm strategies, fostering a collaborative investment approach [1] Financial Metrics - As of June 30, 2025, Neuberger Berman manages $538 billion in assets [1]

Core Viewpoint - The credit markets are showing a diverging picture, with strong investment-grade borrowers funding AI data centers while speculative or "zombie" firms struggle under high interest rates [1] Group 1: Credit Market Dynamics - Strong investment-grade borrowers are successfully financing AI data centers [1] - Speculative or "zombie" firms are facing challenges due to high interest rates [1] Group 2: Default Cycle Expectations - The default cycle is expected to continue but remain contained [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Ares Management reported a 28% year-over-year increase in management fees, totaling $971 million, and a 39% increase in fee-related earnings (FRE) [22][23] - Realized income for the quarter increased by 34% year-over-year, reaching $456 million [29] - Assets under management (AUM) grew to over $595 billion, with fee-paying AUM increasing to $368 billion, both up 28% year-over-year [8][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The firm raised over $30 billion in new capital during the quarter, marking the highest quarter on record, and has raised over $77 billion year-to-date [6][7] - Gross deployment reached over $41 billion, a 55% increase from the previous quarter and 30% above the previous high [8] - The infrastructure secondaries fund closed at $3.3 billion, exceeding its hard cap due to strong investor demand [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced strong demand for private credit strategies, with $19.3 billion raised in credit strategies during the quarter [11] - Approximately 40% of third-quarter inflows came from outside the U.S., indicating strong international demand [16] - The diversified non-traded REIT saw record fundraising, driven by a leading 1031 exchange program [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Ares Management aims to continue increasing its quarterly dividend, with a 20% increase announced for the current quarter [4][5] - The company is focused on expanding its wealth management platform and enhancing its distribution capabilities globally [18] - Ares is positioning itself to benefit from potential credit cycle opportunities, emphasizing its asset-light model and strong capital base [39][40] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the current market environment, noting a rebound in transaction activity and strong M&A volumes expected in the fourth quarter [19] - The firm anticipates continued strong demand for its institutional funds and expects to exceed last year's fundraising record of $93 billion [15][48] - Management highlighted the resilience of its credit portfolios and the low realized loss rates, indicating a healthy credit environment [33][39] Other Important Information - Ares launched the "Promote Giving" initiative, committing to donate a portion of fund performance fees to charitable organizations [20][21] - The company is actively investing in expanding its investment teams across various products and geographies [40] Q&A Session Summary Question: Real estate market outlook and Ares' position - Management highlighted Ares' position as the third-largest institutional real estate manager, benefiting from scale and a vertically integrated platform [43][44] Question: Fundraising outlook for next year - Management expressed confidence in surpassing previous fundraising records, driven by strong performance and diverse strategies [47][48] Question: Impact of lower yields in private credit - Management indicated that investor appetite for private credit remains strong, as private credit spreads continue to offer better relative returns compared to traded alternatives [53][54] Question: Update on GCP transaction integration - Management reported positive integration progress with GCP, enhancing Ares' real estate platform and expanding opportunities in data centers [62][63] Question: Asset-based finance market strategy - Management discussed the significant growth in asset-based finance deployment, with nearly double the deployment in Q3 compared to Q2 [80]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Ares Management reported a 28% year-over-year increase in management fees, totaling $971 million, and a 39% increase in fee-related earnings (FRE) [6][22] - Realized income increased by 34% year-over-year, reaching $456 million, with after-tax realized income per share of Class A stock growing by 25% [22][29] - Assets under management (AUM) rose to over $595 billion, with fee-paying AUM increasing to $368 billion, both up 28% year-over-year [8][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The firm raised over $30 billion in new capital during the quarter, the highest on record, contributing to a year-to-date total of over $77 billion [7][8] - Gross deployment reached over $41 billion, a 55% increase from the previous quarter and 30% above the previous high [8] - The infrastructure secondaries fund closed at $3.3 billion, exceeding its hard cap due to strong investor demand, making it one of the largest in the market [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The firm experienced strong demand for private credit strategies, with $19.3 billion raised in credit strategies during the quarter [11][12] - The wealth management segment saw a record $5.4 billion in equity inflows, with significant contributions from international markets, particularly Japan [16][18] - The diversified non-traded REIT achieved the highest quarterly common stock raise in over two years, maintaining a 20% market share in the 1031 exchange space [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Ares Management aims to continue increasing its quarterly dividend, with a 20% increase announced for the current quarter [4][5] - The company is focused on expanding its investment strategies, including launching new funds in various sectors such as digital infrastructure and special situations [15][40] - Ares is positioning itself to benefit from potential credit cycle changes, emphasizing its asset-light model and strong fundraising capabilities [39][40] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the current credit market conditions, indicating that recent bankruptcies are isolated incidents and not indicative of a broader credit cycle downturn [32][33] - The firm anticipates strong M&A activity and deployment opportunities in the upcoming quarters, supported by improving financing conditions [19][20] - Management highlighted the ongoing demand for durable income and differentiated private market solutions, which positions Ares favorably for future growth [8][19] Other Important Information - Ares has committed to donating a portion of fund performance fees to charitable organizations through the Promote Giving initiative, reflecting the firm's core values [20][21] - The company is actively investing in expanding its investment teams and capabilities across various products and geographies [40] Q&A Session Summary Question: Real estate market outlook and Ares' position - Management highlighted Ares' strong position as the third-largest institutional real estate manager, benefiting from scale and a vertically integrated platform [43][44] Question: Fundraising outlook for next year - Management expressed confidence in surpassing the previous record of $93 billion in fundraising, driven by strong performance and diverse strategies [47][48] Question: Impact of lower yields in private credit - Management indicated that investor appetite for private credit remains strong, as it offers relative returns compared to traded alternatives, and lower rates could lead to increased transaction activity [53][54] Question: Update on GCP transaction integration - Management reported positive integration progress with GCP, enhancing Ares' real estate platform and expanding opportunities in data centers [61][63] Question: Wealth fundraising acceleration - Management noted strong momentum in wealth fundraising, particularly from new product launches and international markets, with expectations for continued growth [70][71] Question: Acquisition of BlueCove and Liquid Credit - Management discussed the strategic fit of BlueCove within Ares' insurance capabilities, anticipating significant growth and synergies from the acquisition [73][74] Question: Asset-based finance market strategy - Management outlined a balanced approach to sourcing opportunities in both rated and non-rated markets, with significant deployment growth expected [78][80]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Ares Management reported a 28% year-over-year increase in management fees, totaling $971 million, and a 39% increase in fee-related earnings (FRE) [5][20] - Realized income increased by 34% year-over-year, reaching $456 million, with after-tax realized income per share of Class A stock growing by 25% [19][27] - Assets under management (AUM) rose to over $595 billion, with fee-paying AUM increasing to $368 billion, both up 28% year-over-year [6][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The firm raised over $30 billion in new capital during the quarter, marking the highest quarter on record, and has raised over $77 billion year-to-date [5][6] - The infrastructure secondaries fund closed at $3.3 billion, exceeding its initial hard cap due to strong investor demand, making it one of the largest in the market [9] - In alternative credit, the open-ended core alternative credit fund raised over $1 billion, bringing total AUM to over $7.4 billion, positioning it as the largest non-rated asset-based finance fund [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted strong demand for private credit strategies from both institutional and individual investors, with a significant increase in fundraising across various sectors [8][14] - The third quarter saw record fundraising for diversified non-traded REITs, driven by a leading 1031 exchange program [15] - Approximately 40% of third-quarter inflows came from outside the U.S., indicating strong international demand [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Ares Management aims to continue increasing its quarterly dividend, with a 20% increase announced for the current quarter [3][4] - The firm is focused on expanding its wealth management platform and enhancing its distribution capabilities globally, particularly in the semi-liquid product space [16][65] - The company is well-positioned to benefit from a potential credit cycle, leveraging its asset-light model and significant dry powder for deployment [36][37] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the current market environment, anticipating strong M&A activity and improved financing conditions [17][18] - The firm expects to exceed last year's fundraising record of $93 billion, driven by strong performance and investor demand [5][46] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a diversified product lineup to meet evolving investor needs [16][46] Other Important Information - Ares Management is leading an industry initiative called Promote Giving, committing to donate a portion of fund performance fees to charitable organizations [19] - The company has raised its AUM target for semi-liquid wealth products from $100 billion to $125 billion, reflecting strong advisor demand [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on real estate market positioning - Management highlighted their global real estate business as the third-largest institutional manager, benefiting from scale and a vertically integrated platform, with significant deployment increases noted [40][41][42] Question: Fundraising outlook for next year - Management expressed confidence in surpassing previous fundraising records, attributing this to strong underlying performance and a diverse strategy mix [44][46] Question: Impact of lower yields in private credit - Management indicated that investor appetite for private credit remains strong, as relative returns compared to traded alternatives are still favorable, despite potential lower yields [49][50] Question: Update on GCP transaction integration - Management reported positive integration progress with GCP, highlighting growth opportunities in real estate and data centers as key areas of focus [57][58][60] Question: Asset-based finance market strategy - Management discussed their balanced approach to sourcing opportunities in both rated and non-rated markets, with significant deployment growth observed [73][75]