$ARES

Alternative investment fundraising fell 14% to $134.4B through September, with credit strategies down 48% to $42.5B, while non-credit fundraising rose 24% to $91.9B. Hard assets, including real estate and infrastructure, raised $44.7B, up 39%, with infrastructure up 67% and real estate up 18%. Private placements accounted for 52% of fundraising, up from 40% a year ago. Blackstone led with 13% of sponsor fundraising, while Cliffwater launched a new real assets fund.

Ares Management (ARES) reports Q3 earnings on Oct. 29. The stock is down 21.9% YTD, with analysts cutting estimates. Key focus is on $114B of AUM not yet generating fees. Q2 beat estimates, but shares fell post-earnings. Q3 EPS consensus is $1.2569, down from $1.4214 90 days ago.

TransAlta (TSX: TA, NYSE: TAC) sold a 49% stake in its Oklahoma wind portfolio to Ares for $1B, retaining control. Proceeds will strengthen its balance sheet and fund growth projects. It also acquired two gas plants in Colorado for $1.1B, expanding its US footprint. The wind assets are expected to generate $100M in Adjusted EBITDA in 2026, according to the company.

Ares Management reports Q3 earnings with revenue expected at $1.31B (down 21% YoY) and EPS at $1.25 (up 5% YoY). Fee-related earnings grew to $491M last quarter, with margin expansion expected. Investors focus on fee growth and BDC outflows amid a 9.5% stock decline since last quarter. Management highlights record dry powder and potential fee income.

Autonomous Research lowered its price target for Ares Management from $165 to $160. The company's stock is currently trading at $116.29, up 0.58% year-to-date but down 28.05% over 5 days. The adjustment reflects changes in valuation and earnings per share revisions.

Ares Management (ARES) and Norges Bank Investment Management formed a €1.5 billion European logistics investment partnership. Ares will target modern logistics assets, leveraging its Marq Logistics platform. Ares manages $121 billion in real estate assets as of June 2026.

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) agreed to acquire Infinity Transportation Equipment Leasing, LLC from The Global Atlantic Financial Group for $2.9 billion. The deal, expected to close in Q1 2027, is subject to regulatory approvals. Ares had $622.5 billion in assets under management at year-end 2025.

Ares Management, a New York-listed credit manager, has submitted an offer for Rio Tinto's $7 billion power infrastructure assets in Australia and Canada. Ares has engaged JPMorgan and UBS for due diligence and funding advice, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Analysts updated ratings and price targets for Ares Management (ARES), State Street (STT), and US Bancorp (USB). Wells Fargo maintained a Buy rating on ARES with a $136 target. Bank of America reiterated a Hold on STT with a $186 target. Barclays kept a Buy on USB with a $75 target. All three stocks have consensus Moderate Buy ratings with upside potential.

Morgan Stanley lowered its price target for Ares Management from $160 to $149. The company's stock is currently at $114.03, up 1.37% over 5 days but down 29.45% year-to-date. The adjustment may impact investor sentiment and trading decisions.