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Q1 income lags plan as Ares (NYSE: ARES) still targets over $350M in 2026

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Ares Management Corporation released preliminary guidance on a key profit measure. The company expects realized net performance income of about $75 million for the quarter ending March 31, 2026, up from $41 million a year earlier but below its previously communicated expectation of about $100 million for the quarter. Management attributes the shortfall mainly to timing, as certain European-style funds are now expected to generate realized net performance income in later quarters of 2026. Despite the weaker quarter, Ares continues to expect to generate over $350 million in realized net performance income for full-year 2026, compared with $169 million in 2025, while emphasizing that these figures are preliminary and subject to change.

Positive

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Negative

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Insights

Ares flags softer Q1 performance income but reiterates strong 2026 outlook.

Ares Management now expects realized net performance income of about $75 million for Q1 2026, versus $41 million a year earlier but below its earlier Q1 expectation of about $100 million. The company links this mainly to timing in realizing carry from certain European-style funds.

Crucially, Ares "continues to expect" over $350 million of realized net performance income for full-year 2026, more than double the $169 million reported for 2025. That suggests the update is more a quarterly shift than a change in full-year performance expectations, though management highlights typical forward-looking risks and that actual Q1 results may differ from these preliminary figures.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure Disclosure
Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.
Q1 2026 realized net performance income (expected) $75 million Preliminary estimate for quarter ending March 31, 2026
Q1 2025 realized net performance income $41 million Actual for quarter ended March 31, 2025
Prior Q1 2026 expectation $100 million Previously communicated expected realized net performance income
Full-year 2026 realized net performance income target Over $350 million Management expectation for year ending December 31, 2026
Full-year 2025 realized net performance income $169 million Actual for year ended December 31, 2025
realized net performance income financial
"it preliminarily expects realized net performance income for the quarter ending March 31, 2026 to be approximately $75 million"
Regulation FD Disclosure regulatory
"Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure."
European-style funds financial
"primarily due to the expected timing of realized net performance income generated by certain European-style funds"
forward-looking statements regulatory
"Statements included herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933"
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
______________________________________________________
 
FORM 8-K
 CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) March 31, 2026
 
ARES MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
 
Delaware 001-36429 80-0962035
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1400, Los Angeles, CA 90067
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
(310201-4100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per shareARESNew York Stock Exchange
6.75% Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock, par value $0.01 per shareARES.PRBNew York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o


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Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

Ares Management Corporation (the “Company”) is furnishing this Current Report on Form 8-K to disclose that, based on information currently available, it preliminarily expects realized net performance income for the quarter ending March 31, 2026 to be approximately $75 million, compared to $41 million in realized net performance income for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

This preliminary expected amount is below the Company’s previously communicated expectation of approximately $100 million in realized net performance income for the quarter ending March 31, 2026, primarily due to the expected timing of realized net performance income generated by certain European-style funds, which is now expected to be realized in future quarters during the full year ending December 31, 2026. The Company continues to expect to generate over $350 million in realized net performance income for the full year ending December 31, 2026, compared to $169 million in realized net performance income for the full year ended December 31, 2025.

The information disclosed above is based on the Company’s preliminary estimates of realized net performance income for the quarter ending March 31, 2026 and the Company’s actual results for the quarter ending March 31, 2026 may differ, possibly materially, from these preliminary estimates. This information regarding realized net performance income is not intended to predict or represent realized net investment income, Realized Income, or any other financial information for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. It is also not indicative of the results that may be expected for any other period, including the full year ending December 31, 2026. As a result, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the information presented above and should view this information in the context of the Company’s full first quarter results when such results are disclosed by the Company in its Quarterly Report for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. The information presented above is based on current management expectations that involve substantial risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, such information. The Company assumes no duty to update these preliminary estimates except as required by law.

The information disclosed under this Item 7.01 is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which reflect our current views with respect to realized net performance income. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “foresees” or negative versions of those words, other comparable words or other statements that do not relate to historical or factual matters. The forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects, growth strategy and liquidity. Actual results may vary materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.



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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
   ARES MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
   
Dated: March 31, 2026   
    
  By:/s/ Jarrod Phillips
  Name:Jarrod Phillips
  Title:Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial & Accounting Officer)



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FAQ

What Q1 2026 realized net performance income does Ares (ARES) expect?

Ares currently expects about $75 million of realized net performance income for Q1 2026. This is higher than the $41 million reported for Q1 2025, but lower than its previously communicated expectation of about $100 million for the same 2026 quarter.

How does Ares’ Q1 2026 outlook compare to its prior expectation?

Ares’ preliminary estimate of about $75 million in realized net performance income for Q1 2026 is below its earlier expectation of about $100 million. The company mainly attributes this to timing of realizations in certain European-style funds, now expected later in 2026.

What full-year 2026 realized net performance income does Ares (ARES) target?

Ares continues to expect generating over $350 million in realized net performance income for full-year 2026. This compares with $169 million in realized net performance income for full-year 2025, indicating management still anticipates substantial year-over-year growth despite a softer first quarter.

Why is Ares’ Q1 2026 realized net performance income below plan?

The company cites the expected timing of realized net performance income from certain European-style funds as the main reason. These funds are now anticipated to realize more income in later quarters of 2026, shifting results away from the quarter ending March 31, 2026.

Are Ares’ preliminary Q1 2026 figures final and reliable for decisions?

No. Ares emphasizes these are preliminary estimates of realized net performance income for Q1 2026 and actual results may differ, possibly materially. The company cautions that investors should consider this information alongside its full first-quarter results once formally reported.

Does this Ares (ARES) update cover realized net investment income or Realized Income?

No. The company specifies that its disclosure relates only to realized net performance income for Q1 and full-year 2026. It states that this information is not intended to predict or represent realized net investment income, Realized Income, or other financial metrics for the period.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

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