ARES

ares-20260710

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) July 10, 2026

ARES MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware 001-36429 80-0962035

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1400, Los Angeles, CA 90067

(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)

(310) 201-4100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per shareARESNew York Stock Exchange

6.75% Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock, par value $0.01 per shareARES.PRBNew York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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Item 2.02 Results of Operation and Financial Condition.

The information contained in Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 2.02.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

Ares Management Corporation (the “Company”) is furnishing this Current Report on Form 8-K to disclose that, based on information currently available, it preliminarily expects realized net performance income for the quarter ending June 30, 2026 to be in excess of $50 million, compared to $16 million in realized net performance income for the quarter ended June 30, 2025.

Realized net performance income is a component of realized income, which is a non-GAAP (as defined herein) financial measure used by management to evaluate the performance of the business based on operating performance and the contribution of each of the business segments to that performance. Refer to the Company’s earnings presentation, which may be accessed at https://ir.ares.com, for detailed definitions and reconciliations of the Company’s performance measures. The Company is not able to provide a reconciliation of its non-GAAP financial measures for the quarter ending June 30, 2026 to the most comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) without unreasonable effort because the Company has not completed its financial closing procedures as of the date of this filing.

The information disclosed above is based on the Company’s preliminary estimate of realized net performance income for the quarter ending June 30, 2026 and the Company’s actual results for the quarter ending June 30, 2026 may differ, possibly materially, from this preliminary estimate. This information regarding realized net performance income is not intended to predict or represent realized net investment income, realized income, or any other financial information for the quarter ending June 30, 2026. It is also not indicative of the results that may be expected for any other period, including the full year ending December 31, 2026. As a result, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the information presented above and should view this information in the context of the Company’s full second quarter results when such results are disclosed by the Company in its Quarterly Report for the quarter ending June 30, 2026. The information presented above is based on current management expectations that involve substantial risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from

EX-99.1

2 a2026q1-ex991.htm

EX-99.1

Document

Exhibit 99.1

ARES MANAGEMENT CORPORATION REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2026 RESULTS

NEW YORK--Ares Management Corporation (NYSE:ARES) today reported its financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2026.

GAAP net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation was $142.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. On a basic and diluted basis, net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation per share of Class A and non-voting common stock was $0.46 for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.

After-tax realized income was $452.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. After-tax realized income per share of Class A common stock was $1.24 for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. Fee related earnings were $464.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.

“We reported strong first quarter results highlighted by continued growth across our key financial metrics, including record first quarter fundraising of $30 billion, up more than 45% year over year,” said Michael Arougheti, Chief Executive Officer of Ares. “We are on track for another record year of fundraising as we continue to see broad-based investor demand across our platform. We also continue to see strong fundamental performance across our investment portfolios despite the volatile market environment.”

“Strong inflows and deployment contributed to AUM and fee-paying AUM year over year growth of 18% and 19%, respectively, which contributed to 25% growth in management fees and improving operating margins,” said Jarrod Phillips, Chief Financial Officer of Ares. “Supported by our expanding global platform, a record investment pipeline and nearly $160 billion of available capital, we are well positioned to invest our capital opportunistically and meet our financial objectives for the year.”

Common Stock Dividend

Ares declared a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share of its Class A and non-voting common stock, payable on June 30, 2026 to its Class A and non-voting common stockholders of record at the close of business on June 16, 2026.

Preferred Stock Dividend

Ares declared a quarterly dividend of $0.84375 per share of its 6.75% Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock, payable on July 1, 2026 to its preferred stockholders of record at the close of business on June 15, 2026.

Dividend Reinvestment Program

Ares has a Dividend Reinvestment Program for its Class A common stockholders that will be effective for the quarterly dividend on June 30, 2026. Equiniti Trust Company is engaged to administer the plan on behalf of Ares. Additional information can be located on the Investor Resources section of our website.

Additional Information

Ares issued a full detailed presentation of its first quarter 2026 results, which can be viewed at www.aresmgmt.com on the Investor Resources section of our home page under Events and Presentations. The presentation is titled “First Quarter 2026 Earnings Presentation.”

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Ares will host a conference call on May 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss first quarter results. All interested parties are invited to participate via telephone or the live webcast, which will be hosted on a webcast link located on the Home page of the Investor Resources section of our website at http://www.aresmgmt.com. Please visit the website to test your connection before the webcast. Domestic callers can access the conference call by dialing +1 (800) 245-3047. International callers can access the conference call by dialing +1 (203) 518-9765. All callers are asked to dial in 10-15 minutes prior to the call so that name and company information can be collected and to reference the conference ID ARESQ126. For interested parties, an archived replay of the call will be available through June 1, 2026 to domestic callers by dialing +1 (800) 839-2393 and to international callers by dialing +1 (402) 220-7206. An archived replay will also be available through June 1, 2026 on a webcast link located on the Home page of the Investor Resources section of our website.

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About Ares Management Corporation

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across the credit, real estate, private equity and infrastructure asset classes. We seek to advance our stakeholders’ long-term goals by providing flexible capital that supports businesses and creates value for our investors and within our communities. By collaborating across our investment groups, we aim to generate consistent and attractive investment returns throughout market cycles. As of March 31, 2026, Ares Management Corporation’s global platform had over $644 billion of assets under management, with operations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.aresmgmt.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

St

ares-202602050001176948false00011769482026-02-052026-02-050001176948us-gaap:CommonClassAMember2026-02-052026-02-050001176948ares:A6.75SeriesBMandatoryConvertiblePreferredStockParValue0.01PerShareMember2026-02-052026-02-05

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) February 5, 2026

ARES MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware 001-36429 80-0962035 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1400, Los Angeles, CA 90067 (Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code) (310) 201-4100 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) N/A (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per shareARESNew York Stock Exchange 6.75% Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock, par value $0.01 per shareARES.PRBNew York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

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Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 5, 2026, the registrant issued a press release announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025. The text of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

The information disclosed under this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1 hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On February 5, 2026, the registrant issued a press release announcing the declaration of a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share of its Class A common stock, payable on March 31, 2026 to its Class A common stockholders of record as of March 17, 2026. The registrant also issued a detailed earnings presentation announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025. The text of the press release and earnings presentation is included as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2, respectively, to this Form 8-K.

The information disclosed under this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 and 99.2 hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)                               Exhibits:

Exhibit Number Description

99.1 Press Release of Ares Management Corporation, dated February 5, 2026

99.2 Earnings Presentation of Ares Management Corporation, dated February 5, 2026

104Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

ARES MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

Dated: February 5, 2026

By:/s/ Jarrod Phillips Name:Jarrod Phillips Title:Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial & Accounting Officer)

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