Ares Management Corporation (ARES)

Ares Management Corporation (ARES) is a premier global alternative investment manager specializing in credit, real estate, private equity, and infrastructure, headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Led by CEO Michael Arougheti, Ares’s strategic mission is to "provide flexible capital to support businesses while delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns for our investors." The company holds a formidable industry position as one of the world’s largest direct lenders and a leader in "Private Credit," an asset class that has exploded in 2025 as traditional bank lending remains constrained. Ares’s vision is to be the primary partner for middle-market companies globally, offering a "Full Capital Stack" solution. In late 2025, ARES stock has outperformed the broader financial sector, with the ARES stock price reaching record levels following a Q3 report that showed Fee-Related Earnings (FRE) growing 39% year-over-year.

The business operations of Ares are diversified across five core investment groups: Credit, Real Estate, Private Equity, Secondaries, and Infrastructure. As of September 30, 2025, the company manages a massive $595 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM), with nearly $150 billion in "Dry Powder" ready for deployment. A primary growth driver is the "Retail Wealth" initiative, as Ares raised its 2028 AUM target for semi-liquid products to $125 billion. The 2026 strategic roadmap focuses on "Global Digital Infrastructure," including a new dedicated fund to finance the AI-driven data center boom. Ares holds an "Origination Moat," utilizing its deep relationship network to source private deals that are inaccessible to passive index funds. The company’s "Ares Insurance Solutions" (AIS) has also become a critical engine, managing billions for insurance partners seeking higher yields in private debt. For value-seeking investors, ARES stock offers a rare combination of 40%+ operating margins and high-visibility recurring management fees, making it a defensive powerhouse in a volatile credit environment.

Ares Management Corporation (ARES) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). For investors tracking ARES stock, the company’s ability to maintain a cumulative average annual loss rate of just one basis point in its direct lending strategy over two decades is a key metric of its "Credit Alpha." The ARES stock price is frequently driven by fundraising cycles and the expansion of its European and Asian credit platforms. For those researching ARES stock, the company’s 2025 performance underscores its transformation from a niche credit shop into a diversified alternative asset giant that rivals Blackstone and Apollo.