v3.26.1
CONSOLIDATION
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]  
CONSOLIDATION
14. CONSOLIDATION
Deconsolidation of Funds

Certain funds that have historically been consolidated in the financial statements are no longer consolidated because: (i) such funds have been liquidated or dissolved; or (ii) the Company is no longer deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entities (“VIEs”) as it no longer has a significant economic interest.

Investments in Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

The Company consolidates entities in which the Company has a variable interest and, as the general partner or investment manager, has both the power to direct the most significant activities and a significant economic interest. Investments in the consolidated VIEs are reported at fair value and represent the Company’s maximum exposure to loss.

Investments in Non-Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

The Company holds interests in certain VIEs that are not consolidated as the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company’s interest in such entities generally is in the form of direct equity interests, fixed fee arrangements or both. The maximum exposure to loss represents the potential loss of assets by the Company relating to its direct investments in these non-consolidated entities. Investments in the non-consolidated VIEs are carried at fair value.

The Company’s interests in consolidated and non-consolidated VIEs, as presented within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, its respective maximum exposure to loss relating to non-consolidated VIEs, and its net income attributable to non-controlling interests related to consolidated VIEs, as presented within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, are as follows:
As of March 31,As of December 31,
20262025
Maximum exposure to loss attributable to the Company’s investment in non-consolidated VIEs
$442,385 $469,455 
Maximum exposure to loss attributable to the Company’s investment in consolidated VIEs1,363,147 1,346,592 
Assets of consolidated VIEs
12,786,632 13,468,979 
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs
8,556,436 9,354,024 
Three months ended March 31,
20262025
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests related to consolidated VIEs$27,025 $52,976 
Consolidating Schedules
The following supplemental financial information illustrates the consolidating effects of the Consolidated Funds on the Company’s financial condition, results from operations and cash flows:
 As of March 31, 2026
 Consolidated
Company Entities 
Consolidated
Funds 
Eliminations Consolidated 
Assets    
Cash and cash equivalents$568,779 $— $— $568,779 
Investments (includes $4,029,460 of accrued carried interest)
6,997,871 — (1,478,194)5,519,677 
Due from affiliates1,364,027 — (16,382)1,347,645 
Other assets1,042,457 — — 1,042,457 
Right-of-use operating lease assets564,572 — — 564,572 
Intangible assets, net2,141,645 — — 2,141,645 
Goodwill3,463,416 — — 3,463,416 
Assets of Consolidated Funds
Cash and cash equivalents— 869,305 — 869,305 
Investments, at fair value— 12,709,020 — 12,709,020 
Receivable for securities sold— 95,079 — 95,079 
Other assets— 73,338 — 73,338 
Total assets$16,142,767 $13,746,742 $(1,494,576)$28,394,933 
Liabilities    
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities$1,231,541 $— $(148)$1,231,393 
Accrued compensation422,524 — — 422,524 
Due to affiliates796,802 — — 796,802 
Performance related compensation payable3,018,340 — — 3,018,340 
Debt obligations4,386,476 — — 4,386,476 
Operating lease liabilities730,133 — — 730,133 
Liabilities of Consolidated Funds
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities— 113,760 (756)113,004 
Due to affiliates— 15,369 (15,369)— 
Payable for securities purchased— 281,807 — 281,807 
CLO loan obligations, at fair value— 6,861,827 (63,017)6,798,810 
Fund borrowings— 2,232,365 — 2,232,365 
Total liabilities10,585,816 9,505,128 (79,290)20,011,654 
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable interest in Ares Operating Group entities23,879   23,879 
Non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds 4,241,614 (1,264,923)2,976,691 
Non-controlling interest in Ares Operating Group entities1,404,842  (47,568)1,357,274 
Stockholders’ Equity
Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized (30,000,000 shares issued and outstanding)
1,460,030 — — 1,460,030 
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,500,000,000 shares authorized (221,961,696 shares issued and outstanding)
2,220 — — 2,220 
Non-voting common stock, $0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized (3,489,911 shares issued and outstanding)
35 — — 35 
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized (1,000 shares issued and outstanding)
— — — — 
Class C common stock, $0.01 par value, 499,999,000 shares authorized (104,328,294 shares issued and outstanding)
1,043 — — 1,043 
Additional paid-in-capital4,307,484 — (102,795)4,204,689 
Accumulated deficit(1,656,571)— — (1,656,571)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax13,989 — — 13,989 
       Total stockholders’ equity4,128,230  (102,795)4,025,435 
       Total equity5,533,072 4,241,614 (1,415,286)8,359,400 
 Total liabilities, redeemable interest, non-controlling interests and equity$16,142,767 $13,746,742 $(1,494,576)$28,394,933 
 As of December 31, 2025
 Consolidated
Company Entities 
Consolidated
Funds 
EliminationsConsolidated 
Assets    
Cash and cash equivalents$488,896 $— $— $488,896 
Investments (includes $3,972,748 of accrued carried interest)
6,940,314 — (1,431,867)5,508,447 
Due from affiliates1,446,083 — (25,865)1,420,218 
Other assets1,032,138 — — 1,032,138 
Right-of-use operating lease assets517,351 — — 517,351 
Intangible assets, net2,115,830 — — 2,115,830 
Goodwill3,454,107 — — 3,454,107 
Assets of Consolidated Funds
Cash and cash equivalents— 959,088 — 959,088 
Investments, at fair value— 12,844,886 — 12,844,886 
Receivable for securities sold— 228,442 228,442 
Other assets— 63,966 63,966 
Total assets$15,994,719 $14,096,382 $(1,457,732)$28,633,369 
Liabilities    
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities$1,204,618 $— $(151)$1,204,467 
Accrued compensation472,978 — — 472,978 
Due to affiliates810,409 — — 810,409 
Performance related compensation payable2,951,333 — — 2,951,333 
Debt obligations3,941,415 — — 3,941,415 
Operating lease liabilities669,999 — — 669,999 
Liabilities of Consolidated Funds
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities— 105,722 (585)105,137 
Due to affiliates— 25,021 (25,021)— 
Payable for securities purchased— 165,391 — 165,391 
CLO loan obligations, at fair value— 7,424,717 (65,645)7,359,072 
Fund borrowings— 2,251,780 — 2,251,780 
Total liabilities10,050,752 9,972,631 (91,402)19,931,981 
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable interest in Ares Operating Group entities25,296   25,296 
Non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds 4,123,751 (1,219,893)2,903,858 
Non-controlling interest in Ares Operating Group entities1,543,823  (47,052)1,496,771 
Stockholders’ Equity
Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized (30,000,000 shares issued and outstanding)
1,460,030 — — 1,460,030 
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,500,000,000 shares authorized (218,465,429 shares issued and outstanding)
2,185 — — 2,185 
Non-voting common stock, $0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized (3,489,911 shares issued and outstanding)
35 — — 35 
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized (1,000 shares issued and outstanding)
— — — — 
Class C common stock, $0.01 par value, 499,999,000 shares authorized (105,079,121 shares issued and outstanding)
1,051 — — 1,051 
Additional paid-in-capital4,342,063 — (99,385)4,242,678 
Accumulated deficit(1,452,259)— — (1,452,259)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax21,743 — — 21,743 
       Total stockholders’ equity4,374,848  (99,385)4,275,463 
       Total equity5,918,671 4,123,751 (1,366,330)8,676,092 
       Total liabilities, redeemable interest, non-controlling interests and equity$15,994,719 $14,096,382 $(1,457,732)$28,633,369 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2026
 Consolidated
Company Entities 
Consolidated
Funds 
Eliminations Consolidated
Revenues    
Management fees$1,011,040 $— $(21,513)$989,527 
Carried interest allocation162,749 — (16,118)146,631 
Incentive fees161,934 — — 161,934 
Principal investment income29,012 — (28,535)477 
Administrative, transaction and other fees97,950 — (83)97,867 
Total revenues1,462,685  (66,249)1,396,436 
Expenses    
Compensation and benefits692,407 — — 692,407 
Performance related compensation228,336 — — 228,336 
General, administrative and other expenses240,437 — — 240,437 
Expenses of the Consolidated Funds— 28,878 (21,595)7,283 
Total expenses1,161,180 28,878 (21,595)1,168,463 
Other income (expense)    
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments(2,842)— 6,231 3,389 
Interest and dividend income7,099 — — 7,099 
Interest expense(50,760)— — (50,760)
Other income, net24,495 — 65 24,560 
Net realized and unrealized gains on investments of the Consolidated Funds— 139,908 (5,892)134,016 
Interest and other income of the Consolidated Funds— 105,445 — 105,445 
Interest expense of the Consolidated Funds— (138,633)(168)(138,801)
Total other income (expense), net(22,008)106,720 236 84,948 
Income before taxes279,497 77,842 (44,418)312,921 
Income tax expense56,095 3,777 — 59,872 
Net income223,402 74,065 (44,418)253,049 
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds— 74,065 (44,418)29,647 
Net income attributable to Ares Operating Group entities223,402   223,402 
Less: Net loss attributable to redeemable interest in Ares Operating Group entities(1,113)— — (1,113)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group entities81,926 — — 81,926 
Net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation142,589   142,589 
Less: Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends declared25,313   25,313 
Net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation Class A and non-voting common stockholders$117,276 $ $ $117,276 
 Three months ended March 31, 2025
 Consolidated
Company Entities 
Consolidated
Funds 
EliminationsConsolidated
Revenues    
Management fees$826,881 $— $(9,894)$816,987 
Carried interest allocation165,126 — (5,118)160,008 
Incentive fees32,058 — (10)32,048 
Principal investment income26,839 — (4,841)21,998 
Administrative, transaction and other fees57,888 — (124)57,764 
Total revenues1,108,792  (19,987)1,088,805 
Expenses
Compensation and benefits657,125 — — 657,125 
Performance related compensation122,633 — — 122,633 
General, administrative and other expenses227,914 — — 227,914 
Expenses of the Consolidated Funds— 16,684 (10,028)6,656 
Total expenses1,007,672 16,684 (10,028)1,014,328 
Other income (expense)
Net realized and unrealized gains on investments10,631 — (10,363)268 
Interest and dividend income18,203 — (547)17,656 
Interest expense(36,387)— — (36,387)
Other expense, net(10,508)— (206)(10,714)
Net realized and unrealized gains on investments of the Consolidated Funds— 83,727 4,679 88,406 
Interest and other income of the Consolidated Funds— 160,072 — 160,072 
Interest expense of the Consolidated Funds— (157,377)4,637 (152,740)
Total other income (expense), net(18,061)86,422 (1,800)66,561 
Income before taxes83,059 69,738 (11,759)141,038 
Income tax expense15,535 2,002 — 17,537 
Net income67,524 67,736 (11,759)123,501 
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds— 67,736 (11,759)55,977 
Net income attributable to Ares Operating Group entities67,524   67,524 
Less: Net income attributable to redeemable interest in Ares Operating Group entities316 — — 316 
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group entities20,038 — — 20,038 
Net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation47,170   47,170 
Less: Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends declared25,313   25,313 
Net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation Class A and non-voting common stockholders$21,857 $ $ $21,857 
Three months ended March 31, 2026
 Consolidated
Company Entities 
Consolidated
Funds
EliminationsConsolidated
Cash flows from operating activities  
Net income$223,402 $74,065 $(44,418)$253,049 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities236,257 — 16,610 252,867 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities allocable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds— (357,804)5,893 (351,911)
Cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities34,441 — 20,236 54,677 
Cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities allocable to non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds— 101,833 96,000 197,833 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities494,100 (181,906)94,321 406,515 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of disposals(15,643)— — (15,643)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired8,477 — — 8,477 
Net cash used in investing activities(7,166)  (7,166)
Cash flows from financing activities 
Proceeds from Credit Facility505,000 — — 505,000 
Proceeds from Term Loan399,415 — — 399,415 
Repayments of Credit Facility(460,000)— — (460,000)
Dividends and distributions (522,752)— — (522,752)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards(318,428)— — (318,428)
Other financing activities12,719 — — 12,719 
Allocable to redeemable and non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds:
Contributions from redeemable and non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds— 344,448 (6,762)337,686 
Distributions to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds— (82,056)2,224 (79,832)
Borrowings under loan obligations by Consolidated Funds— 824,531 — 824,531 
Repayments under loan obligations by Consolidated Funds— (991,250)— (991,250)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(384,046)95,673 (4,538)(292,911)
Effect of exchange rate changes(23,005)(3,550)— (26,555)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents79,883 (89,783)89,783 79,883 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period488,896 959,088 (959,088)488,896 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$568,779 $869,305 $(869,305)$568,779 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:
Equity issued in connection with acquisition-related activities$15,997 $— $— $15,997 
 Three months ended March 31, 2025
Consolidated
Company Entities 
Consolidated
Funds
EliminationsConsolidated
Cash flows from operating activities  
Net income$67,524 $67,736 $(11,759)$123,501 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities267,697 — 42,636 310,333 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities allocable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds— 980,313 (11,344)968,969 
Cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities372,073 — (144,367)227,706 
Cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities allocable to non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds— 164,586 199,108 363,694 
Net cash provided by operating activities707,294 1,212,635 74,274 1,994,203 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of disposals(21,975)— — (21,975)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired(1,722,715)— — (1,722,715)
Net cash used in investing activities(1,744,690)  (1,744,690)
Cash flows from financing activities 
Proceeds from Credit Facility1,125,000 — — 1,125,000 
Repayments of Credit Facility(140,000)— — (140,000)
Dividends and distributions (445,088)— — (445,088)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards(396,722)— — (396,722)
Other financing activities457 — — 457 
Allocable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds: 
Contributions from redeemable and non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds— 123,707 (34,627)89,080 
Distributions to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds— (321,741)3,567 (318,174)
Borrowings under loan obligations by Consolidated Funds— 172,606 — 172,606 
Repayments under loan obligations by Consolidated Funds— (1,264,886)— (1,264,886)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities143,647 (1,290,314)(31,060)(1,177,727)
Effect of exchange rate changes4,309 34,465 — 38,774 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents(889,440)(43,214)43,214 (889,440)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period1,507,976 1,227,489 (1,227,489)1,507,976 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$618,536 $1,184,275 $(1,184,275)$618,536 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:
Equity issued in connection with acquisition-related activities$1,657,881 $— $— $1,657,881