Ares Management
Ares Management is a publicly traded global alternative asset manager (NYSE: ARES) operating across credit, real estate, infrastructure, private equity, and secondaries. It manages $644 billion in AUM, serving over 3,500 institutions, 480+ insurance companies, and a growing private wealth channel.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Ares Management does
Ares Management Corporation is a publicly traded (NYSE: ARES) global alternative asset manager founded in 1997, headquartered in Los Angeles, with approximately 4,400 employees, 60+ offices across 35+ countries, and $644.3 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2026. The firm operates a platform-plus-modules architecture across five core business segments — Credit, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Private Equity, and Secondaries — distributing products through publicly listed entities (ARES, ARCC, ACRE, ARDC), evergreen/perpetual wealth vehicles (ASIF, APMF, AREIT, AIREIT, ACIF), closed-end funds (Pathfinder asset-based finance), and specialized strategies (Ares Systematic Credit, the secondaries platform anchored by Lexington Partners and Ares Secondaries). Customers span over 3,500 institutional investors (pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, foundations), 480+ insurance companies, and a growing private wealth channel, with Ares targeting $125 billion from wealth clients by September 2028.
Ares generates revenue primarily through recurring management fees on its AUM base — approximately 93% of management fees derive from perpetual or long-dated capital — augmented by performance fees, carried interest, and realized net performance income. Q1 2026 management fees exceeded $1 billion for the first time, on full-year 2025 revenue of approximately $6.5 billion. The firm monetizes proprietary technology through acquired platforms: BlueCove Limited (systematic fixed-income, $5.5B AUM, 60 professionals) and SLR Consulting (ESG and sustainability services, 2,300+ employees), alongside organic capabilities such as the U.S. direct lending platform that closed $53 billion across 348 transactions in the trailing twelve months. The platform has grown aggressively through serial acquisitions (American Capital 2016, Black Creek 2021, Landmark Partners 2021 at $1.08B, Capital Automotive 2022 at $3.8B, Crescent Point 2023, GCP International 2024–2025 at up to $5.2B, Whitestone REIT 2026 at $1.7B) and operates with $158 billion of available capital, including record Q1 2026 fundraising of $30 billion (up 45%+ year over year).
Ares Management firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ares Management
- Legal name
- Ares Management Corporation
- Website
- https://aresmgmt.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Ares Management is a publicly traded global alternative asset manager (NYSE: ARES) operating across credit, real estate, infrastructure, private equity, and secondaries. It manages $644 billion in AUM, serving over 3,500 institutions, 480+ insurance companies, and a growing private wealth channel.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ares Management industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Alternative Asset Management
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Open-End Investment Funds (525910), Other Investment Pools and Funds (5259), Miscellaneous Financial Investment Activities (523999)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282), Life Insurance (6311), Asset-Backed Securities (6189)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Institutional Separate Accounts & SMAs (Mandates) (FSAAAGAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Multi-Asset Solutions for Institutional (Pensions/Endowments/Sovereigns) (FSAAAJAJ), Insurance-Integrated Wealth Managers (RIA + Insurance Solutions) (FSAAACAI)
Keywords
Where Ares Management is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Ares Management business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Management Fees: Management fees charged on assets under management across credit, real estate, infrastructure, private equity, and secondaries strategies. Fees are predominantly derived from perpetual or long-dated capital (approximately 93% of management fees), providing earnings stability. Management fees exceeded $1 billion for the first time in Q1 2026, with fee-paying AUM growing 19% year over year.
- Performance / Incentive Fees (Carried Interest): Performance income and realized net performance income from investment activities, particularly from European carry structures. Expected approximately $75 million in Q1 2026 realized net performance income, up from $41 million a year earlier, with European carry expected to rise from $150 million in 2025 to $350 million in 2026.
- Diversified Alternative Investment Management: Full spectrum of alternative investment strategies including credit (direct lending, asset-based finance, systematic credit), real estate (debt and equity), infrastructure (debt and equity), private equity, and secondaries. Serves institutional investors, insurance companies, and private wealth clients globally.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Ares Management product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ares Management is a global alternative asset manager that invests across five core business segments: credit, real estate, infrastructure, private equity, and secondaries. The firm manages $644.3 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2026, delivering investment solutions through direct lending, asset-based finance, systematic credit, infrastructure debt, real estate equity and debt, private equity, and secondary market strategies. It serves institutional investors (3,500+), insurance companies (480+ globally), and financial advisors/wealth management professionals through both closed-end funds and evergreen/perpetual vehicles, as well as publicly listed entities on the NYSE.
Product overview
Ares Management is a global alternative asset manager operating a platform-plus-modules architecture across five core business segments: Credit, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Private Equity, and Secondaries. The platform offers publicly listed entities (ARES, ARCC, ACRE, ARDC), evergreen/perpetual strategies (ASIF, APMF, SME Opps, AREIT, AIREIT, AREX, ACI), closed-end funds, and specialized strategies including Ares Systematic Credit and Pathfinder asset-based finance funds. The firm manages $644 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2026, serving institutional investors, financial advisors, insurance companies, and high net worth individuals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ares Credit Group: The credit investment arm of Ares Management covering various credit strategies including direct lending, structured credit, and liquid credit.
- Ares Systematic Credit
- Ares Alternative Credit
- Ares Infrastructure Debt
Products and services
- Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC)
- Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE)
- Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund (ARDC)
- Ares Strategic Income Fund (ASIF)
- Ares Private Markets Fund (APMF)
- Ares Sports, Media and Entertainment Opportunities (SME Opps)
- Ares Real Estate Income Trust (AREIT)
- Ares Industrial Real Estate Income Trust (AIREIT)
- Ares Real Estate Exchange (AREX)
- Ares Core Infrastructure Fund (ACI)
- Ares Global Credit Income Fund (AGCIF)
- Ares Diversified Credit Fund (ADCF)
- Ares Systematic Credit
- Pathfinder Fund III
- Ares Acquisition III (SPAC)
Quantifiable outcome
- $30 billion record Q1 2026 fundraising, up 45%+ year over year
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Ares Management
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ares Management technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Ares Management partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and notable.
- Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC)coreAres Capital Corporation is Ares Management's NYSE-listed business development company (BDC), externally managed by Ares Capital Management. A shareholder derivative lawsuit filed May 26, 2026 alleges ARCC's advisory fees rose 53% over five years to $773 million in 2025, with concerns about software concentration and leverage masking.
- Scion GroupcoreAres Management and Scion Group formed a joint venture to acquire a 12-property, 7,578-bed U.S. student housing portfolio for approximately $910 million from Harrison Street Asset Management. The portfolio spans 10 states near major universities including Notre Dame, Ohio State, and James Madison. Scion becomes the world's largest owner of student housing with this acquisition.
- Baker HughesminorBaker Hughes provides compression equipment for the $13 billion CommonWealth LNG export terminal backed by Ares Management and project financing partners. The 9.5 million tonnes per annum facility is expected to begin operations in 2030.
- Energy Transfer LPnotableThe Rover Pipeline is operated by an affiliate of Energy Transfer LP, which connects the Appalachian Basin — the largest U.S. natural gas-producing region — to demand centers across North America.
- BlueCove LimitedcoreAres Management completed its acquisition of BlueCove Limited, a London-based systematic fixed-income manager, integrating the business as Ares Systematic Credit within the Ares Credit Group. The acquisition added approximately $5.5 billion in AUM and a team of 60 professionals, bringing the Ares Credit Group's total AUM to $397 billion as of September 30, 2025.
- Crescent PointcoreAres Management completed its acquisition of Crescent Point on October 2, 2023, primarily through issuance of Ares Class A common shares. The transaction was immediately accretive and involved legal representation from Latham & Watkins, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and Milbank LLP.
- SLR Consulting LimitednotableAres Management acquired SLR Consulting Limited from Charterhouse Capital Partners in September 2022. Under Charterhouse's ownership, SLR expanded significantly in ESG and sustainability services, growing to over 2,300 employees worldwide and transforming into a leading ESG consultancy.
- Capital Automotive LLCcoreAres Management acquired Capital Automotive LLC from Brookfield Asset Management Inc. for $3.8 billion, including cash and debt. The deal was in progress for two years before completion.
- Point Vision GroupnotableAres Management acquired a majority stake in Point Vision Group, a French ophthalmology network comprising 48 ophthalmology centers, from Abenex. Bpifrance held a minority stake and founders held a reinvestment stake. The transaction concluded after a competitive bidding process.
- Apex Clean EnergynotableFunds managed by Ares Management acquired a majority stake in Apex Clean Energy in 2021 to support its transition to a renewable energy independent power producer (IPP). The transaction provided growth capital for expansion in energy storage, distributed energy resources, and green fuels.
Scale indicators24 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Ares Management competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Blackstone: Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset manager and Ares' most direct competitor across private credit, real estate, infrastructure, and secondaries. Recent transactions (e.g., Rover Pipeline stake sale to Ares) confirm significant overlap in strategies, deal sourcing, and institutional LP relationships.
- Apollo Global Management: Apollo is a leading global alternative asset manager with a particularly strong credit and insurance (Athene) franchise directly comparable to Ares' credit and Aspida platforms. Co-investing alongside Ares in deals (e.g., GoodLife financing) underscores overlapping coverage and direct competition for the same institutional and insurance clients.
- KKR & Co. KKR is a global alternative asset manager with comparable scale across credit, real estate, infrastructure, and private equity. Like Ares, KKR has expanded its insurance and private wealth channels and competes head-to-head in direct lending and asset-based finance fundraising.
- Brookfield Asset Management: Brookfield is a major global alternative manager with leading infrastructure, real estate, and credit franchises. Sold Capital Automotive LLC to Ares for $3.8B, demonstrating both overlap and transactional overlap with Ares' real estate and infrastructure strategies.
- Carlyle Group: Carlyle is a global alternative asset manager with comparable credit, private equity, and real estate offerings. Ares' Q1 2026 first-time investment in Carlyle Secured Lending (per 13F filing) reflects the increasingly intertwined BDC ecosystem where the two firms compete for similar middle-market lending opportunities.
- Blue Owl Capital: Blue Owl is a leading alternative asset manager focused on private credit, GP strategic capital, and real estate — directly comparable to Ares' credit and secondaries franchises. Ares increased its stake in Blue Owl Technology Finance in Q1 2026, highlighting BDC ecosystem overlap and head-to-head competition in direct lending.
- Oaktree Capital Management: Oaktree is a credit-focused alternative manager (now part of Brookfield) with deep expertise in high-yield, distressed, and private credit. Highly comparable to Ares' Ares Credit Group across both liquid credit (where BlueCove adds parallel systematic capability) and private credit.
- Golub Capital: Golub Capital is a large direct-lending and asset-based lending firm with a publicly listed BDC (GBDC). Ares increased its stake in Golub Capital BDC in Q1 2026, signaling both BDC ecosystem overlap and direct competition for middle-market sponsor-backed lending opportunities.
- Bain Capital: Bain Capital is a major private equity, credit, and secondaries manager with comparable fundraising scale and institutional LP relationships. Joined Ares Secondaries and Lexington Partners in the Osaic recapitalization, demonstrating direct overlap in continuation vehicle and secondary transaction activity.
Emerging players
- StepStone Group: StepStone is a global private markets investment firm with a growing secondaries and co-investment platform, partially overlapping with Ares' Secondaries segment (Lexington Partners). Comparable as a complementary capital partner and competitor in continuation vehicles and fund-of-funds solutions.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ares Management social profiles
Digital presenceAres Management financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ares Management leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Ares Management subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries9 records
Ares Management funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ares Management M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A44 records
Investments179 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ares Management
What does Ares Management do?
Ares Management is a global alternative asset manager that invests across five core business segments: credit, real estate, infrastructure, private equity, and secondaries. The firm manages $644.3 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2026, delivering investment solutions through direct lending, asset-based finance, systematic credit, infrastructure debt, real estate equity and debt, private equity, and secondary market strategies. It serves institutional investors (3,500+), insurance companies (480+ globally), and financial advisors/wealth management professionals through both closed-end funds and evergreen/perpetual vehicles, as well as publicly listed entities on the NYSE.
Is Ares Management a public or private company?
Ares Management is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Ares Management founded?
Ares Management was founded in 1997. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Ares Management based?
Ares Management is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ares Management make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Management Fees are the primary driver. The others are performance / Incentive Fees (Carried Interest) and diversified Alternative Investment Management.
Who are Ares Management's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Blackstone, Apollo Global Management, KKR & Co., Brookfield Asset Management, Carlyle Group, Blue Owl Capital, Oaktree Capital Management, Golub Capital and Bain Capital. StepStone Group is listed as an emerging player.
Does Ares Management have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ares Management.
What industry is Ares Management in?
Ares Management's product category is Alternative Asset Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAAAGAL, Institutional Separate Accounts & SMAs (Mandates), with a secondary code of FSAAAJAJ, Multi-Asset Solutions for Institutional (Pensions/Endowments/Sovereigns). Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.