Core Viewpoint - Affiliated Managers Group (AMG) has experienced significant stock performance, reaching a 52-week high, driven by strong quarterly results and a strategic pivot towards alternative investments [1][8][27]. Group 1: Stock Performance - AMG shares hit a new 52-week high of $276.24, closing at $266.16, with a year-to-date increase of 43.9%, contrasting with a 16.9% decline in the industry [1]. - The stock has consistently performed better than peers such as Janus Henderson Group plc and SEI Investments Company [1]. Group 2: Quarterly Performance - AMG reported economic earnings per share of $6.10, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.83, marking a 26.6% year-over-year increase [2]. - The company anticipates net income for the fourth quarter of 2025 to be between $189 million and $223 million, with economic earnings projected between $8.10 and $9.26 per share [3]. Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - AMG has shifted focus towards private markets and liquid alternatives since 2021, resulting in strong client inflows and offsetting weaknesses in traditional asset categories [4]. - New partnerships announced this year are expected to add approximately $24 billion to AUM across private markets and liquid alternatives [4][5]. Group 4: Alternatives and AUM - As of September 30, 2025, alternatives made up nearly 44% of total AUM and contributed about 55% of AMG's earnings [6]. - The company aims to increase earnings from alternatives to over 66% in the coming years, enhancing its ability to manage market volatility [6]. Group 5: Financial Position - AMG has sufficient liquidity to support its expansion plans, bolstered by divestitures and a recent sale of its interest in Comvest Partners' private credit business for $285 million [9][10]. - As of September 30, 2025, AMG's total debt was $2.37 billion, with cash and cash equivalents of $476.1 million, and it has a $1.25 billion revolving credit facility [17]. Group 6: Revenue and Earnings Outlook - The company expects performance fees in 2025 to range between $110 million and $150 million, with revenue growth estimates of 1.9% and 8% for 2025 and 2026, respectively [14][23]. - Analysts project an 18.7% increase in earnings for 2025 and an 18.9% growth for 2026, with upward revisions in earnings estimates over the past month [23]. Group 7: Shareholder Returns - AMG prioritizes share repurchases, with plans to buy back at least $500 million worth of shares in 2025, having repurchased $350 million in the first nine months of 2025 [19][18]. - The company has a history of share repurchase authorizations, with nearly 3.4 million shares remaining available for repurchase as of September 30, 2025 [18].

Core Insights - Franklin Resources modestly surpassed analysts' expectations for Q3 FY2025 in both revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share, with EPS at $0.49 versus an estimate of $0.48 and GAAP revenue reaching $2,064.0 million compared to a consensus of $1,582.2 million [1][2] - Despite the positive surprise, both revenue and profit metrics declined year-over-year, with GAAP revenue down 2.8% and operating income down 30.7% [2][5] - The company experienced improved net flows outside of its Western Asset Management subsidiary, although pressures from Western continued to impact overall profitability and margins [1][6] Financial Performance - Non-GAAP EPS for Q3 FY2025 was $0.49, down 18% from $0.60 in Q3 FY2024 [2] - GAAP revenue was $2,064.0 million, a decrease of 2.8% from $2,122.9 million in the previous year [2] - Operating income fell to $154.1 million, a 30.7% decline year-over-year [2] - Operating margin decreased to 7.5% from 10.5% a year ago, while adjusted operating margin narrowed to 23.7% from 25.7% [2][5] - Assets under management (AUM) were $1,611.8 billion, down 2.1% from the previous year [2][6] Business Overview - Franklin Resources manages a diverse range of investment portfolios across various asset classes, with a business model focused on collecting management fees based on AUM [3][4] - The company aims to capture client assets through mutual funds, ETFs, separately managed accounts, and alternative investment strategies [4] Growth Areas - Alternative investments are a significant growth area, with fundraising totaling $19.0 billion year-to-date, including $15.7 billion in private markets [7] - The company announced an agreement to acquire a majority interest in Apera Asset Management, enhancing its capabilities in private credit [7] - The ETF platform achieved record assets of $44.1 billion, supported by $4.3 billion in positive flows, marking 15 consecutive quarters of inflows [8] Geographic Performance - The international business performed well, with AUM from outside the U.S. nearing $500 billion, and positive net flows reported in both the EMEA region and the Americas ex-U.S. [9] Cost Management and Shareholder Returns - The company is focused on expense control, with FY2025 expenses expected to remain consistent with the previous year, excluding performance compensation related to acquisitions [9] - A quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share was declared, reflecting a 3% increase from the same period last year, alongside a share buyback of 7.3 million shares [10] Strategic Focus - Management emphasized priorities such as the integration of new acquisitions, expansion in alternatives, and disciplined cost management, with a goal to reduce costs by $200–$250 million entering FY2026 [11] - The firm's institutional "won-but-unfunded" pipeline reached a record $24.4 billion, indicating strong future potential [11] - Ongoing investments in ETFs, digital asset vehicles, and custom indexing are part of the company's strategy to diversify its product lineup [12]