Key Takeaways KKR is slated to report Q4 results Feb. 5, with revenues expected to rise but earnings to fall year over year.Management fees may rise 20.4%, and total AUM is projected to be up 16.1% in Q4 2025.Divestiture of Janney units allows KKR to monetize assets and focus on core alternative investments.KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR) is slated to report fourth-quarter 2025 results on Feb. 5, 2026, before the opening bell. Its earnings in the quarter are expected to have decreased year over year, while revenues ar ...

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to complement the Zacks Rank, aiding investors in selecting stocks likely to outperform the market in the short term [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - Stocks are rated from A to F based on value, growth, and momentum, with higher scores indicating a better chance of outperforming the market [3] - The Style Scores are categorized into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score, each focusing on different investment strategies [3][4][5][6] Value Score - The Value Score identifies stocks trading below their intrinsic value by analyzing financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales [3] Growth Score - The Growth Score evaluates a company's future potential by examining projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score helps investors capitalize on price trends by assessing recent price changes and earnings estimate revisions [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the three Style Scores to highlight stocks with attractive value, strong growth prospects, and positive momentum [6] Zacks Rank Integration - The Zacks Rank utilizes earnings estimate revisions to simplify portfolio building, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically yielding an average annual return of +23.83% since 1988 [7] - Investors are encouraged to select stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal returns [9] Stock Highlight: Blackstone Inc. - Blackstone Inc. is a prominent asset manager with total AUM of $1.24 trillion as of September 30, 2025, and is recognized as the first major alternative asset manager in the S&P Index [11] - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of B, indicating potential for growth [11] - Blackstone is projected to achieve year-over-year earnings growth of 14.9% for the current fiscal year, supported by positive earnings estimate revisions [12]

Core Viewpoint - Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN) is a global investment management firm with a market cap of $12.4 billion, managing over $1.6 trillion in assets and expected to announce its fiscal first-quarter earnings for 2026 soon [1] Financial Performance - Analysts anticipate BEN to report a profit of $0.57 per share on a diluted basis for the upcoming quarter, reflecting a 3.4% decrease from $0.59 per share in the same quarter last year [2] - For the full fiscal year, EPS is projected to be $2.50, which is a 12.6% increase from $2.22 in fiscal 2025, with further growth expected to $2.80 in fiscal 2027 [3] Stock Performance - BEN stock has outperformed the S&P 500 Index, gaining 18.2% over the past 52 weeks compared to the index's 16.9% increase, and also surpassed the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund's 13.9% gains during the same period [4] Growth Drivers - The company's outperformance is attributed to strong alternative assets, ETF inflows, and digital investment solutions, with $22.9 billion raised in private markets and $1.7 billion in digital-asset AUM growth [5] Recent Results - On November 7, BEN shares fell over 4% after reporting Q4 results, with an adjusted EPS of $0.67 exceeding Wall Street's expectations of $0.57, and revenue reaching $2.3 billion, surpassing forecasts of $2.1 billion [6] Analyst Ratings - The consensus opinion on BEN stock is cautious, with a "Hold" rating overall; among 12 analysts, three recommend a "Strong Buy," four a "Hold," one a "Moderate Sell," and four a "Strong Sell," with an average price target of $24.45 indicating a potential upside of 2.7% [7]

Core Insights - The integration of alternative investments into client portfolios is evolving from an opportunistic add-on to a calculated component of portfolio construction, reflecting a structural shift in advisor strategies [2][3][5] Group 1: Portfolio Construction and Strategy - Alternative investments can be categorized into three types: income and low-volatility growth, growth alternatives, and real assets for inflation hedging, depending on client risk and return profiles [1] - Private credit is utilized for income and downside support, while private equity and venture capital are sought for long-term growth, emphasizing pacing and vintage diversification [2] - Advisors are increasingly using alternatives as a core part of portfolio construction, with 50% allocating at least 10% of client assets to alternatives and 75% allocating at least 5% [3][5] Group 2: Client Demand and Market Trends - Higher-net-worth clients often inquire about alternative investments after reaching significant financial milestones, typically around $1 million in investable assets [8] - The demand for alternatives is driven by a desire for diversification and risk management rather than solely for market-beating returns [8][9] - The trend towards alternative investments is supported by an extended bull market in equities, which has become concentrated and expensive [5] Group 3: Technology and Accessibility - Technology and AI are streamlining access to alternative investments, making it easier for financial advisors to introduce these strategies to clients [6] - 77% of advisors utilize model portfolios for alternative investing, with 55% valuing analysis tools as essential technology features [7] Group 4: Risk Management and Client Concerns - Clients are increasingly focused on ensuring their portfolios are not overly reliant on a single market environment, with alternatives providing a means to manage concentration risk [10][11] - Alternatives can reduce volatility drag during withdrawal phases, but they also come with trade-offs such as less liquidity, complexity, and higher fees [9]

Core Insights - Franklin Resources (BEN) is actively expanding through acquisitions and partnerships to enhance its alternative investments and multi-asset solutions offerings [2][11] - The acquisition of Apera Asset Management significantly increased BEN's alternative credit assets under management (AUM) by over $90 billion, bringing total alternative asset strategies to nearly $270 billion as of September 30, 2025 [3] - The company is focusing on higher-growth asset classes, particularly alternatives, to capture incremental flows and support long-term AUM expansion [7] Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships - In October 2025, Franklin Resources completed the acquisition of Apera Asset Management, enhancing its position in the alternative credit market [3] - In September 2025, Franklin partnered with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, DigitalBridge, and Actis to expand its private infrastructure platform [4] - In July 2024, Franklin collaborated with SBI Holdings to enter the ETF and digital assets space, targeting younger investors [5] - The acquisition of Putnam Investments in January 2024 boosted Franklin's defined-contribution AUM above $100 billion [5] Market Position and Competitiveness - Franklin's strategic moves have strengthened its presence in the separately managed account (SMA) market and expanded its capabilities across private debt, real estate, hedge funds, and private equity [6] - The company's focus on alternatives aligns with industry trends, enhancing its competitive positioning and potential for sustained revenue growth [7] - Peers like BlackRock and T. Rowe Price are also pursuing similar inorganic growth strategies through acquisitions and partnerships [8][12] Financial Performance and Valuation - Franklin's shares have increased by 1.7% over the past three months, contrasting with an 18.2% decline in the industry [14] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 8.71X, below the industry average of 13.98 [16] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates year-over-year earnings growth of 12.6% and 12.5% for 2026 and 2027, respectively, although recent estimates have been revised downward [18]

Core Insights - There is a growing consumer interest in alternative investments, prompting financial advisors to emphasize the importance of finding appropriate investment methods [1][2] - Alternative investments encompass a wide range of assets beyond traditional cash, stocks, and bonds, including private-market assets, real estate, commodities, and cryptocurrencies [1] - Younger investors are increasingly disillusioned with conventional investments, leading to a trend termed "financial nihilism," with a significant portion of Americans expressing interest in alternative assets [3][4] Investment Trends - U.S.-based ETFs have seen over $1 trillion in inflows this year, with a notable portion directed towards gold and crypto ETFs, indicating a shift in investment preferences [2] - A survey by Charles Schwab revealed that two-thirds of Americans believe investing success requires diversifying beyond traditional assets, with 45% interested in alternatives like private equity and hedge funds [3][4] Regulatory Changes - Recent executive orders and SEC changes are facilitating access to alternative investments, particularly in workplace retirement plans and the launch of spot crypto ETFs [5] Investment Strategies - Financial advisors recommend using ETFs to gain exposure to alternative investments, as they can mitigate complexities such as liquidity issues associated with direct investments [6][7] - It is advised to limit alternative investments to 10%-15% of a large portfolio and under 5% for smaller portfolios, with traditional stocks and bonds still being preferable for major financial goals [8] Historical Performance - Historical data shows that investing in a diversified basket of stocks, such as the S&P 500, has proven to be highly profitable over the long term, with significant returns on investments made decades ago [10][11]

Core Viewpoint - AllianceBernstein (AB) is positioned as a significant player in the investment management sector, with analysts expressing optimism about its stock performance and potential growth opportunities [2][5]. Company Overview - AllianceBernstein is a global investment management firm providing a comprehensive range of investment solutions, including equities, fixed income, and alternative investments [1]. - The company competes with major firms like BlackRock and Vanguard in the asset management industry [1]. Stock Performance and Analyst Insights - An analyst from Bernstein has set a price target of $43 for AB, indicating a potential increase of approximately 9.39% from its trading price of $39.31 at the time [2][6]. - Zacks Investment Research highlights that AB may be undervalued, with its current price of $39.70 suggesting potential for growth [3][6]. - AB's stock has shown volatility, with a daily trading range between $39.48 and $39.81, and over the past year, it has fluctuated from a low of $32.28 to a high of $43.30, indicating room for growth [4][6]. Market Position - AB has a market capitalization of approximately $4.39 billion and a trading volume of 30,045 shares on the NYSE, reinforcing its status as a significant player in the investment management sector [5].

Core Insights - Major players in the wealth management space, Edward Jones and Focus Financial, are actively discussing the adoption of alternative investments during the CAIS Summit in Los Angeles [1] Edward Jones - Edward Jones is introducing alternative investment options to its 20,000 advisors, many of whom lack experience with alternatives, due to the firm's traditional client base [2] - The firm has partnered with CAIS to expand alternative options while launching Edward Jones Generations, a private client service for U.S. high-net-worth investors [2] - Chubak highlighted the challenge of varying advisor readiness, with some needing minimal tools to engage with alternatives while others require extensive education [3] - The firm is segmenting its advisors to focus on those with the greatest opportunities, rather than attempting to engage all 20,000 advisors at once [4] Focus Financial - Focus Financial's CEO, Nathanson, noted that firms within its network already cater to high-net-worth investors with significant allocations to private markets, providing insights for broader expansion into this asset class [4] - Nathanson emphasized the importance of holistic advice and adapting to market changes, stating that moving into private markets is a recognition of current realities [5] - The firm views the adoption of alternatives as a necessary evolution to remain competitive in the changing market landscape [5]

Core Insights - CAIS, a New York City-based alternative investment platform, has expanded partnerships with Envestnet, Orion, and Vestmark to enhance the management of public and private assets for users [1][3] Group 1: Partnerships and Integrations - The new partnerships will allow users to manage the full lifecycle of alternative investments, reducing operational friction in onboarding, trade processing, fund administration, and custodial connectivity [4] - The integration with Envestnet will provide advisors a single platform to source, allocate, and oversee alternative investments, transforming portfolio management across asset classes [5] - Orion Wealth Management emphasizes that collaboration with CAIS will streamline the integration of public and private investments, enhancing efficiency and transparency for clients [5] - Vestmark's integration with CAIS aims to create a modern foundation for advisors to build diversified portfolios and operate more efficiently [5] Group 2: Industry Context and Trends - The announcement follows CAIS's earlier capability to integrate with third-party TAMPs and managed account platforms, indicating a trend towards expanding access to private markets [2][3] - The industry is witnessing a convergence of technology and alternative investments, which is redefining wealth management practices [5]

Core Insights - RIAs are lagging behind wirehouses in adopting alternative investments for clients, with significant differences in client allocations and operational support [1][3][4] RIA Client Allocations - National RIAs report that 29.9% of their clients hold alternative investments, with a weighted average allocation of 11.2%, implying that 3.35% of client assets are allocated to alternatives [2] - The broader RIA market shows an implied client allocation to alternatives at just 0.78%, significantly trailing wirehouses and broker/dealers [3] Wirehouse and Broker/Dealer Performance - Wirehouse clients have the highest implied allocation to alternatives at 3.75%, with a high average weighted allocation of 16.1% [4] - Independent broker/dealers report that 8.7% of their clients have allocations to alternatives, with an average allocation of 13.4%, surpassing the RIA segment [5] Future Expectations - Committed national RIAs expect to increase their share of clients with alternative investments to 35% by 2026, while wirehouses anticipate reaching 29% and independent broker/dealers 13% [6] - National RIAs forecast that the weighted average for client allocations to alternatives will rise to 15% [6] Operational Challenges - RIAs face hurdles in adopting alternatives due to a lack of operational support, limiting them to registered funds that offer liquidity and ease of reporting [7]