Key Takeaways BX's Q4 distributable EPS rose 4% to $1.75, beating estimates on higher AUM despite revenue decline.Fee-earning AUM grew 11% to $921.7B, with total AUM hitting a record $1.27T on $71.5B in inflows.Total segment revenues dropped 4% in Q4, while GAAP expenses surged 42% year over year.Blackstone’s (BX)  fourth-quarter 2025 distributable earnings of $1.75 per share handily surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.52. The figure rose 4% from the prior-year quarter.Results benefited from a rise ...

Core Insights - BlackRock's fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $13.16 exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.39, marking a 10.3% increase year-over-year [1][8] - The company's assets under management (AUM) reached a record high of $14.04 trillion, driven by net inflows of $268 billion during the quarter [5][8] - Despite revenue growth, total expenses rose significantly, impacting net income [4][9] Financial Performance - BlackRock's net income on a GAAP basis for Q4 2025 was $1.13 billion, a decline of 32.5% from the prior-year quarter [2] - Quarterly revenues were reported at $7.01 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.75 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 23.4% [3][8] - For the full year 2025, adjusted earnings were $48.09 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $47.35, with a year-over-year rise of 10.3% [2] Expense Analysis - Total quarterly expenses amounted to $5.35 billion, up 48.4% year-over-year, attributed to increases across all cost components [4] - Non-operating expenses were reported at $54 million, contrasting with an income of $28 million in the prior-year quarter [4] AUM and Inflows - As of December 31, 2025, AUM totaled $14.04 trillion, reflecting a year-over-year rise of 21.6% [5] - The average AUM for the year was $13.73 trillion, which rose 18.8% year-over-year [5] Capital Deployment - BlackRock repurchased shares worth $1.6 billion in 2025 and announced a quarterly cash dividend of $5.73 per share, a 10% increase from the previous payout [6] - The board approved an additional 7 million share repurchase authorization [6] Strategic Outlook - The company is focusing on diversifying its offerings and improving its revenue mix, with recent acquisitions expected to enhance its position as a global asset manager [9] - Elevated expenses remain a significant challenge for the company [9]

Core Insights - Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN) reported preliminary assets under management (AUM) of $1.69 trillion as of October 31, 2025, reflecting a 1.7% increase from the previous month driven by market performance and the acquisition of Apera Asset Management, despite long-term net outflows of $2 billion [1][7]. AUM Breakdown - Equity assets reached $697.5 billion, up 1.6% from the prior month - Alternative AUM increased by 2.2% to $269.7 billion - Fixed income AUM slightly decreased to $437.1 billion - Multi-asset AUM was $196.4 billion, a 1.3% increase - Cash management balance rose significantly by 12.2% to $88.1 billion [2][7]. Market Performance and Outlook - October showed continued improvement for BEN, with total AUM growth supported by positive market movements and the Apera Asset Management acquisition, despite ongoing outflows - Gains across equity, multi-asset, alternative, and cash management segments indicate steady progress - The company's inorganic expansion is expected to enhance long-term growth prospects [3][7]. Stock Performance - Over the past year, BEN shares have increased by 7.8%, contrasting with a 10.1% decline in the industry [4].

Core Insights - Apollo Global Management, LLC's third-quarter 2025 adjusted net income per share was $2.17, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.77 and up from $1.85 year-over-year [1][10] Financial Performance - The company reported total revenues of $1.1 billion, reflecting a 23.9% year-over-year increase and surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.6% [4] - Total expenses rose 22.3% year-over-year to $192 million [4] - Net income attributable to Apollo Global on a GAAP basis was $1.71 billion, significantly up from $787 million in the prior-year quarter [3] Assets Under Management (AUM) - Fee-earnings AUM increased 24.3% year-over-year to $685 billion, driven by strong management fee growth and record capital solutions fees [5] - As of September 30, 2025, total AUM reached $908 billion, up 23.9% year-over-year, benefiting from $136 billion in inflows from Asset Management and $84 billion from Retirement Services [6] Strategic Developments - The acquisition of Bridge Investment Holdings enhanced Apollo Global's scale in real estate equity and improved its origination capabilities [2][9] - The company announced a quarterly cash distribution of 51 cents per share, payable on November 28, 2025 [8] Market Position - Apollo Global's organic growth and increasing AUM balance indicate positive momentum across its platform, with robust origination volume across various investing activities [9]

Core Insights - BlackRock and Goldman Sachs reported strong Q3 earnings, exceeding expectations and achieving record assets under management (AUM) [1][3][4] Financial Performance - BlackRock's Q3 sales reached $6.5 billion, a 25% increase from $5.19 billion year-over-year, surpassing estimates of $6.24 billion [3] - Goldman Sachs reported Q3 sales of $15.18 billion, up 19% from $12.69 billion a year ago, exceeding estimates of $14.14 billion [4] - BlackRock's Q3 earnings per share (EPS) increased nearly 1% to $11.55, beating expectations of $11.19 by 3% [3] - Goldman Sachs' Q3 EPS climbed nearly 46% to $12.25, compared to $8.40 in the same quarter last year, beating expectations of $11.11 by 10% [4] Assets Under Management - BlackRock's AUM rose 17% year-over-year to a record $13.5 trillion, maintaining its position as the largest global asset manager [5] - Goldman Sachs' AUM reached a new peak of $3.45 trillion, increasing 11% year-over-year [5] Valuation Metrics - Goldman Sachs trades at a forward earnings multiple of 16X, which is a discount compared to the S&P 500's 25X and BlackRock's 24X [6] - Goldman Sachs also trades near a preferred level of less than 2X forward sales, while BlackRock trades at 8X, which is a premium to the S&P 500's 5X [8] Dividend Comparison - Goldman Sachs offers a current yield of 2.03%, slightly higher than BlackRock's 1.8%, both exceeding the S&P 500's average of 1.11% [10] Investment Outlook - Both BlackRock and Goldman Sachs are considered viable investments, with Goldman Sachs potentially receiving a buy rating due to expected earnings estimate revisions following its strong Q3 performance [12]

Core Viewpoint - Apollo Global Management, Inc. (APO) is expected to report an increase in both earnings and revenues for the second quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year, despite elevated expenses impacting results [1][7]. Financial Performance Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for APO's earnings is $1.85, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 12.8% [2]. - The consensus estimate for sales is $1.01 billion, indicating a year-over-year rise of 8.4% [2]. Assets Under Management (AUM) Insights - Total AUM is projected to reach $812.1 billion, representing a sequential increase of 3.5% [3][7]. - AUM growth is supported by overall asset inflows and the company's diversified asset classes, client bases, and geographies [3]. Fee-Related Earnings Estimates - The consensus estimate for management fees is $794.2 million, indicating a sequential rise of 3.1% [4]. - Fee-related performance fees are estimated at $55.6 million, reflecting a 3% increase from the previous quarter [4]. - Net capital solutions fees and other are estimated at $162.3 million, suggesting a sequential decline of 5.4% [4]. Expense Considerations - Elevated expenses are anticipated due to ongoing investments in capital formation and credit investing teams, as well as merger-related charges [5][7]. Earnings Prediction Model - The likelihood of Apollo beating earnings estimates is low, with an Earnings ESP of -0.36% and a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) [6].

Group 1 - Raymond James Financial (RJF) shares have performed strongly over the past year, gaining approximately 44% [1] - Rising markets have contributed to an increase in assets under management (AUM) and associated fees [1] - Higher interest rates are supporting net interest income for the company [1]

Core Insights - KKR & Co. Inc. reported an adjusted net income per share of $1.15 for Q1 2025, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.13 and up from $0.97 in the prior-year quarter [1] - The company's total revenues reached $1.2 billion, a 21.6% increase year-over-year, driven by higher management fees and transaction fees, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.19 billion [3] - Total assets under management (AUM) grew 14.8% year-over-year to $664.3 billion, with fee-paying AUM increasing 11.7% to $526 billion [4] Financial Performance - KKR's total operating earnings rose 15.6% year-over-year to $1.11 billion, supported by a 23% increase in fee-related earnings to $822.6 million [5] - The net loss attributable to the company on a GAAP basis was $185.9 million, contrasting with a net income of $682.2 million in the same quarter last year [2] - Total segment expenses increased by 18.8% to $377.5 million, reflecting the company's ongoing expansion and operational costs [3] Market Position and Outlook - KKR is expected to leverage its strong fundraising capabilities to capitalize on lucrative investment opportunities in the future [6] - The company is experiencing significant growth in fee-related and total operating earnings, although elevated expenses due to global expansion and a challenging operating environment are concerns [6] - KKR currently holds a Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell), indicating market sentiment towards the stock [7]