Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fundraising in Q1 2025 reached a record $3.2 billion, contributing to a target of $6 billion for the year [6][24] - Fee-related earnings (FRE) were $42.6 million or $0.27 per share, reflecting a 2116% year-over-year growth [6][8] - Assets under management (AUM) grew to $46 billion, a 43% increase year-over-year and over 9% sequentially [10][26] - Distributable earnings were $37 million or $0.23 per share, up 12% year-over-year [8][32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fee-earning AUM increased to $35 billion, a 46% year-over-year growth and 6% sequentially [10][28] - Organic net inflows into fee-earning AUM were over $700 million, representing an annualized organic growth rate of over 8.6% [7][26] - Management fee revenue for Q1 was $77.3 million, up 28% year-over-year, but down 17% sequentially due to seasonal factors [28][29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Approximately 20% of fee-earning AUM were in permanent capital vehicles, which is a key long-term objective [13][22] - Strong demand from Asian sovereign wealth fund investors led to $1 billion in commitments during the quarter [14][15] - Local investors accounted for approximately 17% of fundraising in Q1 2025, indicating a growing interest in alternative investments [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to diversify its investment strategies and product offerings, enhancing resilience against global uncertainties [23][24] - The focus is on organic growth through customized investment accounts and special managed accounts, moving away from a product-centric model [6][12] - The company is positioned to benefit from geopolitical shifts, with a low exposure to U.S. tariffs and a focus on local consumption markets in Latin America [17][39] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving the $6 billion fundraising target despite global uncertainties [24][31] - The company believes Latin America is becoming a more attractive destination for capital, benefiting from low geopolitical risks and strong local consumption [18][39] - Management anticipates that the ongoing trade conflicts may lead to increased foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region [42] Other Important Information - The company has a net debt of approximately $143 million, with a net debt to FRE ratio well below one time [32] - The effective tax rate for the quarter was 9.2%, with expectations to trend towards 10% by 2027 [32] - A quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share was approved for 2025, with intentions to repurchase shares throughout the year [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: How are portfolios positioned regarding higher tariffs in the U.S.? - Management indicated that most investments are Latin America-oriented, with minimal exposure to Mexico, and sectors are resilient and locally driven [37][39] Question: Could Chinese institutions divert allocations from U.S. to LatAm? - Management confirmed that there is increased interest from Asian investors, with significant commitments already made [43][45] Question: Is there potential upside to the $6 billion fundraising target? - Management maintained the $6 billion target but acknowledged the strong start with $3.2 billion raised in Q1 [52][54] Question: Update on integration of M&A completed last year? - Management reported that 2025 is focused on integration, with no major issues encountered and synergies expected to improve margins [70][74] Question: Overview of the $3.5 billion pending fee AUM? - Management stated that most pending AUM will be allocated to infrastructure and GPMS verticals, with an average management fee of 96 basis points expected [78][80]

Core Insights - Baron is an asset management firm that specializes in growth equity investment solutions [1] - Founded in 1982, Baron has established a reputation for its long-term, fundamental, and active approach to growth investing [1] - Research remains a central component of Baron's business model, as it was originally founded as an equity research firm [1]

TORONTO, May 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sprott Asset Management LP (“Sprott Asset Management”), a subsidiary of Sprott Inc., on behalf of the Sprott Physical Silver Trust (NYSE: PSLV) (TSX: PSLV / PSLV.U) (the “Trust”), a closed-ended mutual fund trust created to invest and hold substantially all of its assets in physical silver bullion, today announced that it has updated its at-the-market equity program to issue up to U.S.$1 billion of units of the Trust (“Units”) in the United States and Canada. Distri ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fundraising in Q1 2025 totaled a record $3.2 billion, contributing to a target of $6 billion for the year [6][13] - Fee related earnings (FRE) were $42.6 million or $0.27 per share, representing a 2116% year-over-year growth [6][9] - Assets under management (AUM) grew to $46 billion, a 43% increase year-over-year and over 9% sequentially [11][26] - Distributable earnings were $37 million or $0.23 per share, up 12% year-over-year [9][33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fee earning AUM reached $35 billion, up 46% year-over-year and 6% sequentially [11][26] - Organic net inflows into fee earning AUM were over $700 million, reflecting an annualized growth rate of 8.6% [7][28] - Management fee revenue for Q1 was $77.3 million, up 28% year-over-year, driven by acquisitions [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Approximately 20% of fee earning AUM were in permanent capital vehicles, a key long-term objective [14][22] - Strong demand from Asian sovereign wealth funds resulted in $1 billion of commitments in customized investment accounts [14][20] - Local investors accounted for about 17% of fundraising in Q1 2025, indicating growing interest in alternative strategies [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to diversify and grow both organically and inorganically, enhancing resilience amid global uncertainty [23][24] - Focus on local consumption markets and resilient sectors such as healthcare and agribusiness [19][40] - The strategy includes increasing the proportion of assets that earn fees based on net asset value, which supports long-term compounding [7][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to weather economic uncertainty and potential global recession, highlighting Latin America's attractiveness for investment [17][18] - The company anticipates that geopolitical tensions may lead to increased foreign direct investment in Latin America [18][20] - Management remains cautious about extrapolating Q1 fundraising success across the entire year due to the unpredictable nature of large customized accounts [16][53] Other Important Information - The company expects FRE margins to fall within the range of 58% to 60% for the full year [32][72] - The effective tax rate for Q1 was 9.2%, with expectations to trend towards 10% by 2027 [33] - A quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share was approved for 2025 [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: How are portfolios positioned from higher tariffs in the U.S.? - Management indicated that most investments are Latin America-oriented, with minimal exposure to Mexico, and sectors are resilient and locally driven [40][42] Question: Could Chinese institutions divert allocations from U.S. to LatAm? - Management confirmed that conversations with Chinese investors have intensified, reflecting a shift away from U.S. exposure [45][48] Question: Is there potential upside to the $6 billion fundraising target? - Management maintained the $6 billion target but acknowledged the strong start with $3.2 billion raised in Q1 [52][53] Question: Update on integration of M&A completed last year? - Management reported that 2025 is focused on integration, with no major issues encountered and synergies expected to improve margins [67][72] Question: Overview of the $3.5 billion pending fee AUM? - Management indicated that most of the pending fee AUM will be allocated to infrastructure and GPMS, with deployment expected over the next four to six quarters [78][80]

Franklin Resources, Inc. Second Quarter 2025 Results May 2, 2025 | Investor Presentation Jenny Johnson President Chief Executive Officer Matthew Nicholls Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer Chief Operating Officer Adam Spector Executive Vice President Head of Global Distribution Forward-looking statements and non-GAAP financial information This commentary contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors. This comment ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated record fee-related earnings (FRE) of $559 million, representing a 21% increase year over year [6][44] - Spread-related earnings (SRE) excluding notable items were $826 million, with adjusted net income of $1.1 billion or $1.82 per share [5][45] - Assets under management (AUM) increased by 17% year over year to $785 billion, with record inflows of $43 billion in the quarter [6][34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The credit business showed strong performance with origination of $56 billion, a nearly 30% growth year over year [31] - Private equity fund performance was highlighted, with Fund 10 achieving a net IRR of 19%, significantly outperforming industry peers [15] - In retirement services, the company raised $26 billion in the first quarter, driven by strong demand for guaranteed income products [18][38] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a tightening of BBB corporate spreads below 100 basis points, a level not seen since 1998 [12] - The equity market saw significant concentration, with 10 stocks in the S&P 500 accounting for 40% of the index [11] - The company experienced increased competition in retail sales of fixed annuities, despite tighter spreads [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasized a focus on origination as a source of excess return, willing to reduce leverage and wait for favorable market conditions [8][10] - The strategy includes a pivot towards private assets, with expectations of increased demand from traditional asset managers [22][24] - The company is actively pursuing partnerships with traditional asset managers to integrate private assets into their offerings [88][90] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management described the current market as volatile but expressed confidence in the company's positioning and ability to navigate challenges [27][41] - The outlook for the company remains positive, with expectations of continued strong performance in capital formation and asset origination [34][40] - Management acknowledged potential headwinds from competitive pressures and interest rate changes but remains focused on long-term growth [47][60] Other Important Information - The company announced the acquisition of Bridge Investment Group for approximately $1.5 billion, expected to enhance its real estate capabilities [49] - The company has $64 billion of dry powder available for investment, positioning it well for future opportunities [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you break down the lower SRE and the conditions that could make you less conservative? - Management explained that they underwrite based on spread and ROE, with a focus on maintaining a mid-teens ROE. They are currently prioritizing cash and lower-risk assets to prepare for wider spreads in the future [55][61] Question: How are flows in the AAA channel and the durability of April flows? - Management reported strong momentum in the wealth channel, with AAA flows remaining stable and a positive outlook for the rest of the year [67][68] Question: What is the outlook for institutional demand amid market volatility? - Management expressed optimism about institutional demand, noting that they have historically under-earned their fair share and see significant opportunities for growth [72][78] Question: How does the company view the potential backlash from foreign LPs reducing allocations to U.S. markets? - Management acknowledged the risk but emphasized that the U.S. capital markets remain essential for global funding needs, suggesting that Apollo is well-positioned to navigate these dynamics [102][104]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated record fee-related earnings (FRE) of $559 million, representing a 21% increase year over year [6][7] - Spread-related earnings (SRE) excluding notable items were $826 million, with adjusted net income at $1.1 billion or $1.82 per share [6][7] - Assets Under Management (AUM) increased by 17% year over year to $785 billion, with record inflows of $43 billion in the quarter [7][34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The asset management segment saw FRE growth driven by an 18% increase in management fees, particularly strong in credit, which grew by 23% [44] - Origination activity reached $56 billion, a nearly 30% growth year over year, with significant contributions from diversified channels [31][34] - Athene's net invested assets grew by 15% year over year, driven by record organic inflows across various channels [46][38] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a tightening of BBB corporate spreads below 100 basis points, a level not seen since 1998, indicating a highly competitive market environment [12][13] - The retail channel for fixed annuities experienced increased competition, with tighter spreads leading to a strategic focus on less competitive channels [18][19] - The company raised $26 billion in the first quarter and an additional $10 billion in April, investing in safer assets like cash and treasuries [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasizes a focus on origination as a source of excess return, with a willingness to reduce leverage and wait for favorable market conditions [9][11] - The strategy includes leveraging partnerships with traditional asset managers to integrate private assets into their offerings, anticipating a significant demand for private investments [86][90] - The company is positioned to capitalize on market volatility, with a strong pipeline of proprietary origination and a focus on maintaining a balance between capital growth and origination capacity [78][88] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management described the current market as one of "hyper U.S. exceptionalism," with significant global capital flowing into U.S. markets [11][12] - The outlook includes expectations for continued strong demand for guaranteed income products due to an aging population and higher interest rates [17][20] - Management remains cautious about the competitive landscape and potential headwinds from rising costs and market volatility, but is optimistic about the company's positioning and origination capabilities [21][48] Other Important Information - The company announced the acquisition of Bridge Investment Group for approximately $1.5 billion, expected to enhance its real estate business [49] - The company is focused on maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation, returning $1.7 billion to shareholders over the past year through dividends and share repurchases [49] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you break down the lower SRE and the conditions that could make you less conservative? - Management explained that they underwrite based on spread and ROE, with a focus on maintaining a mid-teens ROE. They are cautious due to competitive pressures and rising costs, but see potential for wider spreads in the future [55][61] Question: How are flows in the wealth channel, particularly AAA? - Management reported strong momentum in the wealth channel, with significant growth in inflows and a positive outlook for the remainder of the year [67][70] Question: What is the outlook for institutional demand amidst market volatility? - Management expressed optimism about institutional demand, noting that they have historically under-earned their fair share and see opportunities for growth in this area [73][78] Question: How does the company view the impact of foreign LPs reducing allocations to private markets? - Management acknowledged the potential risk but emphasized that the company's diversified business mix provides insulation against such dynamics [101][102]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted earnings per share for Q1 2025 was $2.23, down from $2.38 in Q1 2024 but up from $2.12 in Q4 2024 [21] - Q1 2025 adjusted net revenue was $1.8 billion, a slight increase from Q1 2024 but down 3.6% from Q4 2024 [23] - Net outflows for the quarter were $8.6 billion, primarily driven by U.S. equities and rebalancing activity [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Target date franchise saw net inflows of $6.3 billion, led by blend products [22] - Fixed income had strong net inflows of $5.4 billion, mainly from institutional clients [22] - ETF business achieved net inflows of $3.26 billion, with eight ETFs each receiving over $100 million in inflows [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - 99% of target date assets outperformed their peer group over three, five, and ten-year periods [10] - 60% of funds beat their peer groups across one, three, five, and ten-year timeframes [8] - Mixed results were observed in alternative portfolios, with private lending strategies generating the strongest gains [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is expanding its retirement solutions internationally, including partnerships in Japan and Korea [12][13] - Focus on enhancing ETF offerings and integrating strong equity research with hedging strategies [14] - Continued emphasis on managing expenses while investing in strategic initiatives [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged policy-driven market volatility affecting assets under management and revenues [7] - The outlook for 2025 remains largely unchanged, with expectations for improved flows relative to 2024 [58] - Management is optimistic about the growth potential in ETFs and private market alternatives [35][53] Other Important Information - The company maintains a strong balance sheet with $3.3 billion in cash and discretionary investments [19] - A quarterly dividend of $1.27 was announced, marking the 39th consecutive year of increases [19] - The company is recognized for its workplace culture and investment performance, receiving multiple accolades [16][17] Q&A Session Summary Question: ETF business growth and future opportunities - Management expressed excitement about the ETF business, highlighting strong performance and plans for future offerings [30][31] Question: Update on private lending and O Credit - Management noted $20 billion in private market alternatives, with O Credit seeing slower growth but potential for improvement [42][44] Question: Access to private market alternatives in retirement plans - Management indicated that private market alternatives will eventually gain access to defined contribution plans, but the timing is uncertain [48][53] Question: Flows and sales momentum outlook - Management reported that the flow outlook for the year is largely unchanged, with expectations for improvement in 2025 [58][61] Question: Fee rate dynamics - Management explained that the decrease in effective fee rate was driven by structural shifts towards lower-cost vehicles [65] Question: Expansion of retirement solutions outside the U.S. - Management detailed various international partnerships and the tailored approach to retirement solutions in different markets [72][75]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted earnings per share for Q1 2025 was $2.23, down from $2.38 in Q1 2024 but up from $2.12 in Q4 2024 [18] - Q1 2025 net outflows were $8.6 billion, primarily driven by U.S. equities and rebalancing activity [18] - Adjusted net revenue for Q1 2025 was $1.8 billion, marginally increasing from Q1 2024 but down 3.6% from Q4 2024 [20] - Adjusted operating expenses for Q1 2025 totaled $1.1 billion, a 7.4% increase from Q1 2024 [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Target date franchise had net inflows of $6.3 billion, led by blend products [19] - Fixed income saw strong net inflows of $5.4 billion, primarily from institutional clients [19] - ETF business achieved net inflows of $3.26 billion, with eight ETFs each having inflows over $100 million [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The effective fee rate for Q1 2025 was 40 basis points, declining from the prior quarter and Q1 2024 due to a mix shift in assets [21] - Equity assets under management decreased from 52% to 49% of total AUM, while fixed income and multi-asset increased [63] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is expanding its retirement strategies beyond the U.S., including partnerships in Japan and Korea [10][11] - Focus on enhancing ETF offerings and building a robust pipeline of new products [12][36] - The company aims to leverage its capabilities in private market alternatives to meet growing client demand [49][85] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged policy-driven market volatility impacting assets under management and revenues [6] - The outlook for 2025 remains largely unchanged, with expectations for improved flows relative to 2024 [55] - Management is cautious about the competitive landscape in private lending and alternative investments [40][46] Other Important Information - The company maintains a strong balance sheet with $3.3 billion in cash and discretionary investments [16] - A quarterly dividend of $1.27 was announced, marking the 39th consecutive year of increases [16] - The company is being thoughtful about controllable expenses while investing in strategic initiatives [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Steps to drive ETF success and future opportunities - Management highlighted strong performance, scaling products, and investment in sales capabilities as keys to ETF success [28][30] Question: Update on private lending and investor appetite - Private market alternatives total approximately $20 billion, with OHA seeing $54 million in flows for the quarter [40] Question: Potential for alternative investments in U.S. retirement channels - Management believes there will eventually be access to private market alternatives in defined contribution plans [45] Question: Flows and sales momentum outlook - The flow outlook for the year is largely unchanged, with expectations for improvement relative to 2024 [55] Question: Fee rate dynamics and future expectations - The decrease in effective fee rate was driven by structural shifts towards lower-cost vehicles [62] Question: Capital allocation and inorganic growth opportunities - The company is considering share buybacks and M&A opportunities, particularly in private market alternatives [81][85]

A copy of this presentation, which includes additional information, is available at investors.troweprice.com. Data as of March 31, 2025, unless otherwise noted. All figures are USD, unless otherwise noted. Forward-Looking Statement This presentation, and other statements that T. Rowe Price may make, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to T. Rowe Price's future financial or business performance, strategies, or expectations. F ...