SEI Completes First Stage of Strategic Investment in Stratos Wealth Holdings
Rhea-AI Summary
SEI (NASDAQ: SEIC) completed the first stage of a strategic investment in Stratos Wealth Holdings on Dec. 3, 2025, buying the U.S. Stratos business for approximately $441 million, representing ~81% of the total transaction value.
SEI will pay a total cash consideration of approximately $544 million for 57.5% of SEI-Eclipse Holding Company; legacy holders retain 42.5% subject to put/call rights that could ultimately lead to 100% ownership. Stratos operates across 29 states with a network of more than 350 advisors. A second-stage purchase of Stratos' Mexico-based NSC business is expected to close in 2026, subject to regulatory approval.
Positive
- U.S. Stratos business purchase: $441 million
- SEI equity investment: $544 million for 57.5% stake
- Stratos distribution: >350 advisors across 29 states
- Combination enhances SEI technology, custody, and asset management
Negative
- Legacy holders retain 42.5% subject to put/call rights
- Second-stage Mexico NSC acquisition subject to regulatory approval in 2026
- Final 100% ownership contingent on put/call exercise and approvals
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, SEIC gained 1.30%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
SEIC gained 2.01% alongside modest strength in key asset-management peers: BEN up 0.86%, IVZ up 0.78%, EQH up 2.23%, NTRS up 1.68%, and TROW up 2.01%. With no peers in the momentum scanner, the move appears more company-specific than a broad sector rotation.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 04 | Wealth momentum update | Positive | +0.2% | Reported strong global wealth-platform activity and major client migration to SEI. |
| Dec 03 | Strategic acquisition news | Positive | +1.3% | Announced first-stage Stratos investment, expanding advisor network and advice platform. |
| Nov 18 | Advisory partnership | Positive | -0.7% | Syverson Strege chose SEI platform for migrating about $1B in client assets. |
| Nov 12 | Platform enhancement | Positive | +0.2% | Expanded tax and overlay tools aimed at improving after-tax outcomes for clients. |
| Oct 29 | Platform client win | Positive | -1.5% | Clermont Trust USA went live on SEI Wealth Platform for sub-$1B institutions. |
Recent SEI news has generally been positive and growth-focused, with share reactions modest and mixed—three instances of positive alignment and two divergences, including occasional pullbacks on constructive platform and partnership updates.
This announcement fits a series of growth and platform-expansion updates for SEI in late 2025. Recent news highlighted sustained wealth management momentum, including 13 client implementations and a migration of $41.5 billion AUM, plus new partnerships like migrating $1 billion in assets from Syverson Strege. Platform enhancements in tax management and new SWP clients also featured. Today’s Stratos transaction adds a sizable advisor network and advice platform to that trajectory.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement describes SEI’s first-stage strategic investment in Stratos, committing about $544 million for a 57.5% stake in SEI‑Eclipse and access to a network of more than 350 advisors across 29 states. It follows a series of platform wins and capability expansions in 2025. Key factors to monitor include closing of the Mexico NSC transaction expected in 2026, integration progress, advisor retention, and how the combined platform supports scalable, fee-based wealth management growth.
Key Terms
alternative investments financial
ocio services financial
put/call rights financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Business Partnership Highlights Commitment to Helping Advisors Scale and Grow
As previously announced, Founder and CEO Jeff Concepcion will continue to lead the Stratos business, which will operate under its brand and as an affiliated business of SEI. Stratos' client service model, including custodial relationships, will continue, and its current offerings will be reinforced by SEI's capabilities across technology, custody, operations, and asset management.
Commenting on the partnership, CEO Ryan Hicke said:
"There are three core growth opportunities in wealth management: advice, asset management, and administration. We've built world-class administration and asset management platforms that enable the more effective delivery and execution of advice, and Stratos further enhances our ecosystem with an advice platform that respects advisor independence and capitalizes on trends in fee-based wealth management.
"We believe in the value of advice, and by combining our strengths in all three areas and fostering mutual learning across them, we can enhance the solutions and services we provide across all intermediaries, help them scale their businesses, and drive powerful, sustainable growth."
Concepcion added:
"Our success reflects our commitment to providing the flexibility, personalized service, robust solutions, and independence that advisors need to achieve their growth objectives. The breadth and strength of SEI's capabilities, including alternative investments and OCIO services, will enhance our ability to deliver on that commitment while scaling our own operations.
"SEI's evolution over the last few years has been remarkable, and its ecosystem powers its clients' transformation. We're thrilled to have a partner investing in this next step of our growth journey, so we can help advisors serve their clients more seamlessly and position their businesses for future success."
Based in
Subject to applicable regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, the second stage of the transaction to purchase the
About SEI®
SEI (NASDAQ: SEIC) is a leading global provider of financial technology, operations, and asset management services within the financial services industry. SEI tailors its solutions and services to help clients more effectively deploy their capital—whether that's money, time, or talent—so they can better serve their clients and achieve their growth objectives. As of Sept. 30, 2025, SEI manages, advises, or administers approximately
About Stratos Wealth Holdings
Stratos is a family of companies including affiliated registered investment advisors. Stratos supports a network of independent financial advisors by providing flexible affiliation models, including a hybrid option, and practice management consulting, operations, IT, and compliance services. Financial advisors associated through the Stratos network of registered investment advisors advise and service approximately
Forward-looking statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In some cases you can identify forward- looking statements by terminology, such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "remain" and "continue" or "appear." SEI's forward-looking statements include its current expectations as to:
- the benefits that SEI's clients may derive from its capabilities;
- the going-forward operating model for Stratos;
- SEI's ability to realize the various aspects of its strategic rationale for the Stratos partnership;
- the benefits that Stratos may derive from SEI's investment and capabilities; and
- the degree to which the put/call features of the transaction will be exercised.
You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as they are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management and subject to significant risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond management's control or are subject to change. Although management believes the assumptions upon which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, they could be inaccurate. Some of the risks and important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those described in SEI's forward-looking statements can be found in the "Risk Factors" section of SEI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Company Contact: | Media Contact: |
Leslie Wojcik | Eric Hazard |
SEI | Vested |
+1 610-676-4191 | +1 917-765-8720 |
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SOURCE SEI
FAQ
What did SEI announce about its investment in Stratos (SEIC) on Dec. 3, 2025?
How much of SEI-Eclipse Holding Company will SEI own after the transaction for SEIC investors?
How large is Stratos' advisor network included in SEI's deal (SEIC)?
When will SEI complete the second stage of the Stratos transaction (SEIC)?
What business capabilities does SEI bring to Stratos (SEIC)?
Are there regulatory or closing conditions that could affect SEI's purchase of Stratos (SEIC)?
