Ares Administration has reported a “report first quarter” in fundraising for 2026, which reached just below $30bn (£22bn), with the bulk pushed by its non-public credit score platform regardless of investor anxiousness over the asset class.
In its first-quarter outcomes, the Los Angeles-headquartered agency reported progress in each earnings and belongings below administration (AUM). Complete AUM rose to $644.3bn within the first quarter of 2026, a rise of 18 per cent yr on yr, with $422.6bn attributable to personal credit score.
One other notable determine within the earnings launch was $29.5bn in new commitments in the course of the quarter, of which $20.4bn got here from its credit score platform. Inside this, Ares’ US direct lending technique raised $9.5bn, European direct lending raised $4bn, and liquid credit score methods contributed $3.4bn.
The agency additionally reported internet inflows of $27.9bn for the quarter and capital deployment of $32.3bn, together with $17.2bn from its drawdown funds.
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“We reported robust first quarter outcomes highlighted by continued progress throughout our key monetary metrics, together with report first quarter fundraising of $30bn, up greater than 45 per cent yr over yr,” mentioned Michael Arougheti, chief govt officer of Ares. “We’re on observe for an additional report yr of fundraising as we proceed to see broad-based investor demand throughout our platform.”
Ares posted constructive returns throughout most of its credit score methods, with its different credit score technique returning 3.9 per cent for the quarter. Nevertheless, its company non-public fairness technique returned unfavorable 1.1 per cent.
Arougheti added: “We additionally proceed to see robust basic efficiency throughout our funding portfolios regardless of the risky market surroundings.”
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Ares’ fundraising power comes amid considerations over non-public credit score’s publicity to software program, with the US wealth market already displaying pressure. Some managers have advised Different Credit score Investor that they’re struggling to boost capital from new entrants over latest months amid latest volatility and investor jitters.
General, Ares’ internet earnings rose to $142.6m, up from the prior yr, whereas fee-paying AUM stood at $399.6bn, in response to its first quarter outcomes.
“Robust inflows and deployment contributed to AUM and fee-paying AUM yr over yr progress of 18 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively, which contributed to 25 per cent progress in administration charges and bettering working margins,” mentioned Jarrod Phillips, chief monetary officer of Ares.
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