Ares Management Corp 10-K

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2025. Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2025, the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to accomplish their objectives at the reasonable assurance level. Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 31, 2025 that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over financial reporting includes maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions; providing reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of our consolidated financial statements; providing reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of company assets are made in accordance with management authorization; and providing reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of company assets that could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that a material misstatement of our consolidated financial statements would be prevented or detected. Management has excluded the GCP Acquisition from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as the acquisition was completed during 2025, and the GCP Acquisition did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in 2025. GCP International constituted approximately 2% of total assets of the Company as of December 31, 2025 and approximately 6% of revenues for the year then ended. Management expects to include GCP International in the assessment of internal control over financial reporting and audit of internal control over financial reporting for 2026. Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2025. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Their report follows. 167 Table of Contents Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Ares Management Corporation Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting We have audited Ares Management Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025 based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the “COSO criteria”). In our opinion, Ares Management Corporation (the “Company”) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on the COSO criteria. As indicated in the accompanying Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of GLP Capital Partners Limited and certain of its affiliates, excluding its operations in Greater China (“GCP International”), which is included in the 2025 consolidated financial statements of the Company and constituted 2% of total assets as of December 31, 2025 and 6% of revenues for the year then ended. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of GCP International. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated statements of financial condition of the Company as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2025, and the related notes and our report dated February 25, 2026 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. Basis for Opinion The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Los Angeles, California February 25, 2026 168 Table of Contents Item 9B. Other Information Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans During the three months ended December 31, 2025, none of our directors or executive officers adopted or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement”, as such term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K. Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections Not applicable. PART III. Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of December 31, 2025. Item 11. Executive Compensation The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of December 31, 2025. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of December 31, 2025. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of December 31, 2025. Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of December 31, 2025. 169 Table of Contents PART IV. Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules (a) Documents Filed with Report: Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42) Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (b) Exhibits. The following is a list of all exhibits filed or furnished as part of this report. Exhibit No. Description 3.1 Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Ares Management Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on May 6, 2021). 3.2 Bylaws of Ares Management Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on November 15, 2018). 3.3 Certificate of Designations of 6.75% Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on October 10, 2024). 4.1* Description of Ares Management Corporation’s Securities. 4.2 Indenture dated as of June 15, 2020 among Ares Finance Co. II LLC, Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Investments L.P., Ares Management LLC, Ares Investments Holdings LLC, Ares Finance Co. LLC and Ares Offshore Holdings L.P. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on June 15, 2020). 4.3 First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 15, 2020 among Ares Finance Co. II LLC, Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Investments L.P., Ares Management LLC, Ares Investments Holdings LLC, Ares Finance Co. LLC and Ares Offshore Holdings L.P. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on June 15, 2020). 4.4 Form of 3.250% Senior Note due 2030 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on June 15, 2020). 4.5 Indenture dated as of June 30, 2021 among Ares Finance Co. III LLC, Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Investments Holdings LLC, Ares Management LLC, Ares Finance Co. LLC, Ares Finance Co. II LLC and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on July 1, 2021). 4.6 Form of 4.125% Fixed Rate Resettable Subordinated Notes due 2051 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on July 1, 2021). 4.7 Indenture dated as of January 21, 2022 among Ares Finance Co. IV LLC, Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Investments Holdings LLC, Ares Management LLC, Ares Finance Co. LLC, Ares Finance Co. II LLC, Ares Finance Co. III LLC and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on January 21, 2022). 4.8 First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 21, 2022 among Ares Finance Co. IV LLC, Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Investments Holdings LLC, Ares Management LLC, Ares Finance Co. LLC, Ares Finance Co. II LLC, Ares Finance Co. III LLC and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on January 21, 2022). 4.9 Form of 3.650% Senior Note due 2052 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on January 21, 2022). 170 Table of Contents Exhibit No. Description 4.10 Base Indenture, dated as of November 10, 2023, by and between Ares Management Corporation and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on November 13, 2023). 4.11 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 10, 2023, by and among Ares Management Corporation, Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Management LLC, Ares Investments Holdings LLC, Ares Finance Co. LLC, Ares Finance Co. II LLC, Ares Finance Co. III LLC and Ares Finance Co. IV LLC, as the guarantors, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on November 13, 2023). 4.12 Form 6.375% Senior Notes due 2028 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on November 13, 2023). 4.13 Form of 6.75% Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on October 10, 2024). 4.14 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 11, 2024, by and among Ares Management Corporation, as the issuer, Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Management LLC, Ares Investments Holdings LLC, Ares Finance Co. LLC, Ares Finance Co. II LLC, Ares Finance Co. III LLC and Ares Finance Co. IV LLC, as the guarantors, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on October 11, 2024). 4.15 Form of 5.600% Senior Notes due 2054 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on October 11, 2024). 10.1 Sixth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Ares Holdings L.P., dated May 8, 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on May 12, 2025). 10.2 Investor Rights Agreement, dated November 26, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022). 10.3# Third Amended & Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022). 10.4 Sixth Amended and Restated Exchange Agreement, dated May 8, 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on May 12, 2025). 10.5* Fifth Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement, dated February 24, 2026. 10.6 Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2014, by and among Ares Holdings LLC, Ares Domestic Holdings L.P., Ares Investments LLC, Ares Real Estate Holdings L.P., the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-194919) filed with the SEC on April 28, 2014). 10.7 Amendment No. 1, dated as of July 15, 2014, to the Sixth Amended and Restated Senior Credit Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2014, by and among Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Domestic Holdings L.P., Ares Investments L.P., Ares Real Estate Holdings L.P., the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on November 12, 2014). 10.8 Amendment No. 2, dated as of September 24, 2014, to the Sixth Amended and Restated Senior Credit Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2014, by and among Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Domestic Holdings L.P., Ares Investments L.P., Ares Real Estate Holdings L.P., the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on November 12, 2014). 10.9 Amendment No. 3, dated as of July 23, 2015, to the Sixth Amended and Restated Senior Credit Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2014, by and among Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Domestic Holdings L.P., Ares Investments L.P., Ares Real Estate Holdings L.P., the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8‑K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on July 28, 2015). 10.10 Amendment No. 4, dated as of August 5, 2015, to the Sixth Amended and Restated Senior Credit Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2014, by and among Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Domestic Holdings L.P., Ares Investments L.P., Ares Real Estate Holdings L.P., the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8‑K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on August 7, 2015). 171 Table of Contents Exhibit No. Description 10.11 Amendment No. 5, dated as of December 16, 2015, to the Sixth Amended and Restated Senior Credit Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2014, by and among Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Domestic Holdings L.P., Ares Investments L.P., Ares Real Estate Holdings L.P., the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8‑K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on December 21, 2015). 10.12 Amendment No. 6, dated as of May 23, 2016, to the Sixth Amended and Restated Senior Credit Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2014, by and among Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Domestic Holdings L.P., Ares Investments L.P., Ares Real Estate Holdings L.P., the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on May 26, 2016). 10.13 Amendment No. 7, dated as of February 24, 2017, to the Sixth Amended and Restated Senior Credit Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2014, by and among Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Investments L.P., the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (File No. 001-36429), filed with the SEC on February 27, 2017). 10.14 Amendment No. 8, dated as of March 21, 2019, to the Sixth Amended and Restated Senior Credit Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2014, by and among Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Investments L.P., the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on March 26, 2019). 10.15 Amendment No. 9, dated as of March 30, 2020, to the Sixth Amended and Restated Senior Credit Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2014, by and among Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Investments L.P., the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on April 1, 2020). 10.16 Amendment No. 10, dated as of March 31, 2021, to the Sixth Amended and Restated Senior Credit Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2014, by and among Ares Holdings L.P., Ares Investments L.P., the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on April 2, 2021). 10.17 Amendment No. 11, dated as of March 31, 2022, to the Sixth Amended and Restated Senior Credit Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2014, by and among Ares Holdings L.P., the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on April 6, 2022). 10.18 Amendment No. 12, dated as of March 28, 2024, to the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2014, by and among Ares Holdings L.P., the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on April 3, 2024). 10.19 Amendment No. 13, dated as of April 22, 2025, to the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2014, by and among Ares Holdings L.P., the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on April 25, 2025). 10.20 Second Amended and Restated Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, dated June 6, 2019, between Ares Capital Corporation and Ares Capital Management LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on November 6, 2019). 10.21# Form of Restricted Unit Agreement under the Second Amended & Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 POS (File No. 333-225271) filed with the SEC on November 26, 2018). 10.22# Form of Option Agreement under the Second Amended & Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022). 10.23# Form of ARCC Incentive Fee Award (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S‑1/A (File No. 333-194919) filed with the SEC on April 11, 2014). 10.24# Form of Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Carry Vehicles (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (File No. 001-36429), filed with the SEC on February 29, 2016). 10.25# Form of Supplemental Agreement for Carried Interest (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (File No. 001-36429), filed with the SEC on February 29, 2016). 172 Table of Contents Exhibit No. Description 10.26# Form of Annual Incentive Fee Award Letter (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (File No. 001-36429), filed with the SEC on February 27, 2017). 10.27# Form of Annual Incentive Fee Award Letter (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on February 27, 2024). 10.28# Form of Deferred Restricted Unit Agreement under the Second Amended & Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 POS (File No. 333-225271) filed with the SEC on November 26, 2018). 10.29 Investor Rights Agreement, dated March 31, 2020, by and between Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Ares Management Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022). 10.30# Form of Executive Officer Time-Based Restricted Unit Agreement under the Second Amended & Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021). 10.31# Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022). 10.32 Nomination Agreement, dated February 23, 2022, by and between Ares Management Corporation and Ares Partners Holdco LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022). 10.33# Form of Restricted Unit Agreement under the Third Amended & Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan. 10.34# Form of Deferred Restricted Unit Agreement under the Third Amended & Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan. 10.35# Ares Management Corporation 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Annex B to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement (File No. 001-36429) filed with the Commission on April 28, 2023). 10.36# Form of Restricted Unit Agreement under the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-273232) filed with the SEC on July 13, 2023). 10.37# Form of Deferred Restricted Unit Agreement under the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-273232) filed with the SEC on July 13, 2023). 10.38# Form of Director Restricted Unit Agreement under the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-273232) filed with the SEC on July 13, 2023). 10.39# Form of Executive Officer Time-Based Restricted Unit Agreement under the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-273232) filed with the SEC on July 13, 2023). 10.40# Form of Executive Officer Performance-Based Restricted Unit Agreement under the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-273232) filed with the SEC on July 13, 2023). 10.41# Form of Annual Incentive Fee Restricted Unit Agreement under the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on February 27, 2024). 10.42 Form of Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on February 27, 2024). 19 Insider Trading Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on February 27, 2025). 21.1* Subsidiaries of Ares Management Corporation. 23.1* Consent of Ernst and Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. 31.1* Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a). 173 Table of Contents Exhibit No. Description 31.2* Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a). 32.1** Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. 97 Policy Relating to Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation (Clawback Policy) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 97 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (File No. 001-36429) filed with the SEC on February 27, 2025). 101.INS* Inline XBRL Instance Document. 101.SCH* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. 101.CAL* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. 101.DEF* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. 101.LAB* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. 101.PRE* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. 104* Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. * Filed herewith. ** These certifications are not deemed filed by the SEC and are not to be incorporated by reference in any filing we make under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, irrespective of any general incorporation language in any filings. # Denotes a management contract or compensation plan or arrangement. Item 16. Form 10-K Summary None. 174 Table of Contents SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. ARES MANAGEMENT CORPORATION Dated: February 25, 2026 By: /s/ Michael J Arougheti Name: Michael J Arougheti Title: Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) 175 Table of Contents Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. By: /s/ Antony P. Ressler Name: Antony P. Ressler Dated: February 25, 2026 Title: Executive Chairman & Co-Founder By: /s/ Michael J Arougheti Name: Michael J Arougheti Dated: February 25, 2026 Title: Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) By: /s/ Jarrod Phillips Name: Jarrod Phillips Dated: February 25, 2026 Title: Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial & Accounting Officer) By: /s/ R. Kipp deVeer Name: R. Kipp deVeer Dated: February 25, 2026 Title: Director & Co-President By: /s/ David B. Kaplan Name: David B. Kaplan Dated: February 25, 2026 Title: Director & Co-Founder By: /s/ Bennett Rosenthal Name: Bennett Rosenthal Dated: February 25, 2026 Title: Director, Co-Founder & Chairman of Private Equity Group By: /s/ Ashish Bhutani Name: Ashish Bhutani Dated: February 25, 2026 Title: Director By: /s/ Antoinette Bush Name: Antoinette Bush Dated: February 25, 2026 Title: Director By: /s/ Paul G. Joubert Name: Paul G. Joubert Dated: February 25, 2026 Title: Director By: /s/ Michael Lynton Name: Michael Lynton Dated: February 25, 2026 Title: Director By: /s/ Eileen Naughton Name: Eileen Naughton Dated: February 25, 2026 Title: Director By: /s/ Judy D. Olian Name: Dr. Judy D. Olian Dated: February 25, 2026 Title: Director 176 Table of Contents INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42 ) F-2 Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 F-4 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 F-5 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 F-6 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 F-7 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 F-8 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-9 F-1 Table of Contents Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Ares Management Corporation Opinion on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Ares Management Corporation (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2025, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2025, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated February 25, 2026 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. Basis for Opinion These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. Critical Audit Matters The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate. F-2 Table of Contents Valuation of underlying investments of equity method investments Description of the Matter At December 31, 2025, the carrying value of the Company’s investments totaled $5,508.4 million, primarily consisting of equity method - carried interest of $3,972.7 million, equity method private investment partnership interests - principal of $526.4 million and equity method private investment partnership interests and other (held at fair value) of $675.8 million. Management applies valuation techniques using significant unobservable inputs to arrive at the fair value of the underlying investments held by the equity method private investment partnership (“underlying investments”). The fair value of the underlying investments, as estimated by management, impacts the Company’s equity method - carried interest and equity method private investment partnership interests - principal. The valuation techniques applied and the significant unobservable inputs are discussed in Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements. Auditing the fair value of the underlying investments that are valued using significant unobservable inputs is complex and involves a high degree of auditor subjectivity to address the higher estimation uncertainty. How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s investment valuation process for the underlying investments. This included management’s review controls over the assessment of the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used to estimate the fair value of the underlying investments and management’s review of the completeness and accuracy of the data used in these estimates. Our audit procedures included, among others, evaluating, on a sample basis, the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used by the Company in valuing the underlying investments and testing, on a sample basis, the mathematical accuracy of the related valuation models. For example, for a sample of underlying investments that were valued using the market approach, we performed procedures to evaluate the appropriateness of significant unobservable inputs such as the selected earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization multiples or revenue multiples that were derived from comparable companies. These procedures included assessing the appropriateness of management’s determination of the comparable companies, and, where applicable, comparing the selected multiples to market observed transactions of such companies. For a sample of underlying investments that were valued using the discounted cash flow valuation technique, we performed procedures to evaluate the appropriateness of significant unobservable inputs such as the selected discount rates and projections of future cash flows. These procedures included comparing the selected discount rates to market data and/or recalculating these discount rates, such as the underlying investment’s weighted average cost of capital. In addition, these procedures included comparing future projections to the current performance and the historical growth rates of the investees as well as to the growth rates of publicly traded comparable companies. In some instances, with the involvement of our valuation specialists, we independently developed fair value estimates using market information and compared our estimates to the fair value of the underlying investments. We searched for and evaluated information that corroborated or contradicted the significant unobservable inputs. We also evaluated subsequent events and transactions and considered whether they corroborated or contradicted the year-end valuations. F-3 Table of Contents Accounting for the acquisition of GCP International Description of the Matter As disclosed in Note 3 of the consolidated financial statements, the Company acquired the international business of GLP Capital Partners Limited and certain of its affiliates, excluding its operations in Greater China (“GCP International”) in 2025 for total consideration of $3,916.5 million. The transaction was accounted for as a business combination. Identifiable intangible assets acquired through this business combination primarily consisted of indefinite-lived management contracts, finite-lived intangible assets-management contracts (collectively, “management contracts”) and finite-lived intangible assets-client relationships with acquisition-date fair values of $749.6 million, $473.3 million and $107.2 million, respectively. Auditing the Company’s accounting for its acquisition of GCP International was complex due to the significant estimation uncertainty in determining the fair value of management contracts. The significant estimation uncertainty was primarily due to the sensitivity of the fair value to underlying assumptions about future performance of the acquired business in the Company’s discounted cash flow model used to measure the management contracts. These significant assumptions included the revenue growth rates and future fundraising assumptions, which form the basis of the forecasted results, and the discount rate. These significant assumptions are forward-looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions. How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s acquisition process. This included management’s review controls over the fair valuation techniques and significant assumptions and inputs used to estimate the fair value of the management contracts, as well as management’s review of the completeness and accuracy of the data used in the management contracts valuation model. To test the fair value of the management contracts, our procedures included, among others, involving internal valuation specialists to assist in our evaluation of the Company’s valuation methodology and significant assumptions included in the fair value estimate, including testing the revenue growth rates and future fundraising assumptions that form the basis of the forecasted results, the discount rate, as well as testing the mathematical accuracy of the Company’s valuation model. For example, we performed sensitivity analyses for certain significant assumptions by comparing such assumptions to current industry, market, and/or economic trends; assumptions used to value similar intangible assets of other acquisitions; and the historical results of the acquired business. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2011. Los Angeles, California February 25, 2026 F-4 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data) As of December 31, 2025 2024 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 488,896 $ 1,507,976 Investments (includes accrued carried interest of $ 3,972,748 and $ 3,495,115 as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively) 5,508,447 4,644,775 Due from affiliates 1,420,218 1,056,608 Other assets 1,032,138 774,654 Right-of-use operating lease assets 517,351 511,319 Intangible assets, net 2,115,830 975,828 Goodwill 3,454,107 1,162,636 Assets of Consolidated Funds: Cash and cash equivalents 959,088 1,227,489 Investments held in trust account — 550,800 Investments, at fair value 12,844,886 12,187,044 Receivable for securities sold 228,442 202,782 Other assets 63,966 82,397 Total assets $ 28,633,369 $ 24,884,308 Liabilities Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities $ 1,204,467 $ 363,872 Accrued compensation 472,978 280,894 Due to affiliates 810,409 500,480 Performance related compensation payable 2,951,333 2,537,203 Debt obligations 3,941,415 2,558,914 Operating lease liabilities 669,999 641,864 Liabilities of Consolidated Funds: Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 105,137 323,100 Payable for securities purchased 165,391 332,406 CLO loan obligations, at fair value 7,359,072 9,672,189 Fund borrowings 2,251,780 275,000 Total liabilities 19,931,981 17,485,922 Commitments and contingencies Redeemable interest in Consolidated Funds — 550,700 Redeemable interest in Ares Operating Group entities 25,296 23,496 Non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds 2,903,858 2,025,666 Non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group entities 1,496,771 1,254,878 Stockholders’ Equity Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock, $ 0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized ( 30,000,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and 2024) 1,460,030 1,458,771 Class A common stock, $ 0.01 par value, 1,500,000,000 shares authorized ( 218,465,429 shares and 199,872,571 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively) 2,185 1,999 Non-voting common stock, $ 0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized ( 3,489,911 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and 2024) 35 35 Class B common stock, $ 0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized ( 1,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and 2024) — — Class C common stock, $ 0.01 par value, 499,999,000 shares authorized ( 105,079,121 shares and 109,806,689 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively) 1,051 1,098 Additional paid-in-capital 4,242,678 2,936,794 Accumulated deficit ( 1,452,259 ) ( 837,294 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 21,743 ( 17,757 ) Total stockholders’ equity 4,275,463 3,543,646 Total equity 8,676,092 6,824,190 Total liabilities, redeemable interest, non-controlling interests and equity $ 28,633,369 $ 24,884,308 See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. F-5 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Consolidated Statements of Operations (Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data) Year ended December 31, 2025 2024 2023 Revenues Management fees $ 3,680,467 $ 2,942,126 $ 2,551,150 Carried interest allocation 1,153,976 390,180 618,579 Incentive fees 362,453 344,157 276,627 Principal investment income 48,149 45,424 36,516 Administrative, transaction and other fees 356,437 162,894 149,012 Total revenues 5,601,482 3,884,781 3,631,884 Expenses Compensation and benefits 2,565,625 1,731,747 1,486,698 Performance related compensation 1,094,355 449,564 607,522 General, administrative and other expenses 996,075 736,501 660,146 Expenses of Consolidated Funds 52,711 20,879 43,492 Total expenses 4,708,766 2,938,691 2,797,858 Other income (expense) Net realized and unrealized gains on investments 307,582 16,570 77,573 Interest and dividend income 47,451 43,054 19,276 Interest expense ( 171,642 ) ( 142,966 ) ( 106,276 ) Other income (expense), net ( 319,745 ) 627 4,819 Net realized and unrealized gains on investments of Consolidated Funds 551,076 313,963 262,700 Interest and other income of Consolidated Funds 575,273 933,349 995,545 Interest expense of Consolidated Funds ( 595,818 ) ( 835,335 ) ( 754,600 ) Total other income, net 394,177 329,262 499,037 Income before taxes 1,286,893 1,275,352 1,333,063 Income tax expense 198,535 164,617 172,971 Net income 1,088,358 1,110,735 1,160,092 Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds 253,904 295,772 274,296 Net income attributable to Ares Operating Group entities 834,454 814,963 885,796 Less: Net income attributable to redeemable interest in Ares Operating Group entities 1,349 103 226 Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group entities 305,743 351,118 411,244 Net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation 527,362 463,742 474,326 Less: Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends declared 101,250 22,781 — Net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation Class A and non-voting common stockholders $ 426,112 $ 440,961 $ 474,326 Net income per share of Class A and non-voting common stock Basic $ 1.71 $ 2.04 $ 2.44 Diluted $ 1.71 $ 2.04 $ 2.42 Weighted-average shares of Class A and non-voting common stock Basic 217,361,945 198,054,451 184,523,524 Diluted 217,361,945 198,054,451 195,773,426 Substantially all revenue is earned from affiliated funds of the Company. See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. F-6 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Amounts in Thousands) Year ended December 31, 2025 2024 2023 Net income $ 1,088,358 $ 1,110,735 $ 1,160,092 Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax 79,089 ( 32,221 ) 19,855 Total comprehensive income 1,167,447 1,078,514 1,179,947 Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds 273,121 283,042 278,813 Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to redeemable interest in Ares Operating Group entities 2,100 ( 300 ) 185 Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group entities 325,364 344,157 417,267 Comprehensive income attributable to Ares Management Corporation $ 566,862 $ 451,615 $ 483,682 See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. F-7 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Amounts in Thousands) Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Class A Common Stock Non- voting Common Stock Class C Common Stock Additional Paid-in-Capital Accumulated Deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Non-Controlling Interest in Ares Operating Group Entities Non-Controlling Interest in Consolidated Funds Total Equity Balance as of December 31, 2022 $ — $ 1,739 $ 35 $ 1,172 $ 1,970,754 $ ( 369,475 ) $ ( 14,986 ) $ 1,135,023 $ 1,074,356 $ 3,798,618 Changes in ownership interests and related tax benefits — 59 — ( 2 ) ( 60,755 ) — — 93,956 ( 313,781 ) ( 280,523 ) Issuances of common stock — 26 — — 239,519 — — — — 239,545 Capital contributions — — — — — — — 3,887 320,185 324,072 Dividends and distributions — — — — — ( 599,934 ) — ( 427,849 ) ( 101,128 ) ( 1,128,911 ) Net income — — — — — 474,326 — 411,244 274,296 1,159,866 Currency translation adjustment, net of tax — — — — — — 9,356 6,023 4,517 19,896 Equity compensation — — — — 155,606 — — 100,185 — 255,791 Stock option exercises — 47 — — 85,912 — — — — 85,959 Balance as of December 31, 2023 — 1,871 35 1,170 2,391,036 ( 495,083 ) ( 5,630 ) 1,322,469 1,258,445 4,474,313 Changes in ownership interests and related tax benefits — 96 — ( 73 ) ( 87,278 ) — — ( 23,841 ) ( 30,954 ) ( 142,050 ) Issuance of Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock 1,458,771 — — — — — — — — 1,458,771 Issuances of common stock — 31 — 1 407,093 — — 7,724 — 414,849 Capital contributions — — — — — — — 3,373 639,154 642,527 Dividends and distributions ( 22,781 ) — — — — ( 783,172 ) — ( 527,422 ) ( 124,021 ) ( 1,457,396 ) Net income 22,781 — — — — 440,961 — 351,118 295,772 1,110,632 Currency translation adjustment, net of tax — — — — — — ( 12,127 ) ( 6,961 ) ( 12,730 ) ( 31,818 ) Equity compensation — — — — 224,433 — — 128,418 — 352,851 Stock option exercises — 1 — — 1,510 — — — — 1,511 Balance as of December 31, 2024 1,458,771 1,999 35 1,098 2,936,794 ( 837,294 ) ( 17,757 ) 1,254,878 2,025,666 6,824,190 Changes in ownership interests and related tax benefits — 82 — ( 50 ) ( 825,335 ) — — 239,241 454,068 ( 131,994 ) Adjustment to issuance costs of Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock 1,259 — — — — — — — — 1,259 Issuances of common stock — 104 — 3 1,642,214 — — 15,561 — 1,657,882 Capital contributions — — — — — — — 1,463 1,017,538 1,019,001 Dividends and distributions ( 101,250 ) — — — — ( 1,041,077 ) — ( 591,280 ) ( 866,535 ) ( 2,600,142 ) Net income 101,250 — — — — 426,112 — 305,743 253,904 1,087,009 Currency translation adjustment, net of tax — — — — — — 39,500 19,621 19,217 78,338 Equity compensation — — — — 489,005 — — 251,544 — 740,549 Balance as of December 31, 2025 $ 1,460,030 $ 2,185 $ 35 $ 1,051 $ 4,242,678 $ ( 1,452,259 ) $ 21,743 $ 1,496,771 $ 2,903,858 $ 8,676,092 See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. F-8 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Amounts in Thousands) Year ended December 31, 2025 2024 2023 Cash flows from operating activities Net income $ 1,088,358 $ 1,110,735 $ 1,160,092 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Equity compensation expense 740,549 352,851 255,965 Depreciation and amortization 243,149 158,578 231,712 Net realized and unrealized gains on investments ( 315,369 ) ( 21,463 ) ( 90,737 ) Changes in value of contingent earnout arrangements 349,706 — — Investments purchased ( 220,846 ) ( 580,744 ) ( 507,932 ) Proceeds from sale of investments 324,434 683,638 206,163 Other non-cash amounts 923 11,755 74 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities allocable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds: Net realized and unrealized gains on investments ( 551,076 ) ( 313,963 ) ( 262,700 ) Investments purchased ( 8,284,076 ) ( 5,927,444 ) ( 8,847,856 ) Proceeds from sale of investments 9,830,928 7,569,165 8,149,617 Other non-cash amounts ( 212,962 ) ( 48,963 ) ( 101,465 ) Cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities: Net carried interest and incentive fees receivable ( 37,802 ) ( 188,174 ) ( 48,858 ) Due to/from affiliates 184,751 223,498 ( 220,421 ) Other assets ( 228,410 ) ( 252,644 ) 21,532 Accrued compensation and benefits 132,401 ( 7,096 ) 20,383 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 91,962 148,384 27,864 Cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities allocable to redeemable and non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds: Change in cash and cash equivalents held at Consolidated Funds 268,401 ( 77,978 ) ( 424,870 ) Net cash relinquished with deconsolidation of Consolidated Funds ( 151,500 ) ( 46,205 ) ( 623 ) Change in other assets and receivables held at Consolidated Funds 42,359 ( 49,774 ) ( 20,247 ) Change in other liabilities and payables held at Consolidated Funds ( 28,921 ) 46,998 219,046 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 3,266,959 2,791,154 ( 233,261 ) Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of disposals ( 72,178 ) ( 91,509 ) ( 67,183 ) Acquisitions, net of cash acquired ( 1,731,461 ) ( 67,895 ) ( 43,896 ) Net cash used in investing activities ( 1,803,639 ) ( 159,404 ) ( 111,079 ) Cash flows from financing activities Net proceeds from issuance of Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock — 1,458,771 — Net proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock — 407,124 — Proceeds from Credit Facility 2,860,000 1,210,000 1,410,000 Proceeds from issuance of senior notes — 736,010 499,010 Repayments of Credit Facility ( 1,480,000 ) ( 2,105,000 ) ( 1,215,000 ) Repayment of senior notes — ( 250,000 ) — Dividends and distributions ( 1,756,688 ) ( 1,310,896 ) ( 1,030,666 ) Stock option exercises — 1,511 85,959 Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards ( 436,869 ) ( 227,532 ) ( 157,007 ) Other financing activities 1,914 2,285 2,943 Allocable to redeemable and non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds: Contributions from redeemable and non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds 847,431 639,154 855,456 Distributions to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds ( 866,535 ) ( 124,021 ) ( 101,128 ) Redemptions of redeemable interests in Consolidated Funds ( 509,503 ) — ( 1,045,874 ) Borrowings under loan obligations by Consolidated Funds 1,551,874 359,351 1,387,297 Repayments under loan obligations by Consolidated Funds ( 2,638,793 ) ( 2,228,351 ) ( 398,864 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ( 2,427,169 ) ( 1,431,594 ) 292,126 Effect of exchange rate changes ( 55,231 ) ( 40,454 ) 10,501 Net change in cash and cash equivalents ( 1,019,080 ) 1,159,702 ( 41,713 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1,507,976 348,274 389,987 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 488,896 $ 1,507,976 $ 348,274 Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities: Equity issued in connection with acquisition-related activities $ 1,657,882 $ 21,002 $ 239,545 Equity issued in connection with settlement of management incentive program $ — $ — $ 245,647 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid during the period for interest $ 675,802 $ 866,760 $ 722,643 Cash paid during the period for income taxes $ 91,333 $ 107,570 $ 62,007 See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. F-9 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) 1. ORGANIZATION Ares Management Corporation (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, together with its subsidiaries, is a leading global alternative investment manager operating integrated groups across Credit, Real Assets, Secondaries and Private Equity . Information about segments should be read together with “Note 15. Segment Reporting.” Subsidiaries of the Company serve as the general partners and/or investment managers to various funds and managed accounts within each investment group (the “Ares Funds”). These subsidiaries provide investment advisory services to the Ares Funds in exchange for management fees. The accompanying audited financial statements include the consolidated results of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company is a holding company that operates and controls all of the businesses and affairs of and conducts all of its material business activities through Ares Holdings L.P. (“Ares Holdings”). Ares Holdings represents all the activities of the “Ares Operating Group” or “AOG” and may be referred to interchangeably. The Company, indirectly through its wholly owned subsidiary, Ares Holdco LLC, is the general partner of the Ares Operating Group entity. The Company manages or controls certain entities that have been consolidated in the accompanying financial statements as described in “Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” These entities include Ares Funds, co-investment vehicles, structured financing vehicles, collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”) (collectively, the “Consolidated Funds”). Including the results of the Consolidated Funds significantly increases the reported amounts of the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows within the accompanying consolidated financial statements. However, the Consolidated Funds results included herein have no direct effect on the net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation or to its stockholders’ equity, except where accounting for a redemption or liquidation preference requires the reallocation of ownership based on specific terms of a profit sharing agreement. Instead, economic ownership interests of the investors in the Consolidated Funds are reflected as redeemable and non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds. Further, cash flows allocable to redeemable and non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds are specifically identifiable within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The Company’s Consolidated Funds are investment companies under GAAP based on the following characteristics: the Consolidated Funds obtain funds from one or more investors and provide investment management services and the Consolidated Funds’ business purpose and substantive activities are investing funds for returns from capital appreciation and/or investment income. Therefore, investments of Consolidated Funds are recorded at fair value and the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in an investment’s fair value is recognized on a current basis within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Additionally, the Consolidated Funds do not consolidate their majority-owned and controlled investments in portfolio companies. In the preparation of these consolidated financial statements, the Company has retained the investment company accounting for the Consolidated Funds under GAAP. All of the investments held and CLO loan obligations issued by the Consolidated Funds are presented at their estimated fair values within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Net income attributable to holders of subordinated notes of the CLOs is presented within net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company has reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current year presentation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues, expenses and other income (expense) during the reporting periods. Assumptions and estimates regarding the valuation of investments involve a high degree of judgment and complexity F-10 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) and may have a significant impact on net income. Actual results could differ from these estimates and such differences could be material to the consolidated financial statements. Principles of Consolidation The Company consolidates those entities in which it has a direct or indirect controlling financial interest based on either a variable interest entity (“VIE”) model or voting interest entity (“VOE”) model. As such, the Company consolidates (i) entities that the Company concludes are VIEs in which the Company has more than insignificant economic interest and power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities, and for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and (ii) entities in which it holds a majority voting interest or has majority ownership and control over the operational, financial and investing decisions of that entity. The Company determines whether an entity should be consolidated by first evaluating whether it holds a variable interest in the entity. Fees that are customary and commensurate with the level of services provided by the Company, and where the Company does not hold other economic interests in the entity that would absorb more than an insignificant amount of the expected losses or returns of the entity, would not be considered a variable interest. The Company factors in all economic interests, including proportionate interests through related parties, to determine if fees are considered a variable interest. As the Company’s interests in funds are primarily management fees, carried interest, incentive fees, and/or insignificant direct or indirect equity interests through related parties, the Company is not considered to have a variable interest in these entities. Entities that are not VIEs are further evaluated for consolidation under the VOE model. Variable Interest Entities The Company considers an entity to be a VIE if any of the following conditions exist: (i) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support; (ii) the holders of equity investment at risk, as a group, lack either the direct or indirect ability through voting rights or similar rights to make decisions that have a significant effect on the success of the entity or the obligation to absorb the expected losses or right to receive the expected residual returns; or (iii) the voting rights of some equity investors are disproportionate to their obligation to absorb losses of the entity, their rights to receive returns from an entity, or both and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with disproportionately few voting rights. The Company consolidates all VIEs for which it is the primary beneficiary. The Company determines it is the primary beneficiary when it has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes involved with a VIE and continuously reconsiders the conclusion. In evaluating whether the Company is the primary beneficiary, the Company evaluates its direct and indirect economic interests in the entity. The consolidation analysis is generally performed qualitatively, however, if the primary beneficiary is not readily determinable, a quantitative analysis may also be performed. This analysis requires judgment. These judgments include: (i) determining whether the equity investment at risk is sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support; (ii) evaluating whether the equity holders, as a group, can make decisions that have a significant effect on the success of the entity; (iii) determining whether two or more parties’ equity interests should be aggregated; (iv) determining whether the equity investors have proportionate voting rights to their obligations to absorb losses or rights to receive returns from an entity; and (v) evaluating the nature of relationships and activities of the parties involved in determining which party within a related-party group is most closely associated with a VIE and hence would be deemed the primary beneficiary. The Company has transferred certain financial interests to structured financing vehicles that it manages, including but not limited to collateralized fund obligations, rated note feeders and private asset-backed notes, among other secondary solutions. These financial interests include the Company’s capital interests and rights to performance income in its managed funds. The transfer of these financial interests subjects the Company to a maximum risk of loss equal to the value of the transferred financial interests in the event that these structured financing vehicles or the underlying financial interests do not meet stated performance thresholds, which typically results in a variable interest and the consolidation of these investment vehicles by the Company. F-11 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Consolidated CLOs The Company has determined that the fair value of the financial assets of the Consolidated CLOs, which are mostly Level II assets within the GAAP fair value hierarchy, are more observable than the fair value of the financial liabilities of its Consolidated CLOs, which are mostly Level III liabilities within the GAAP fair value hierarchy. As a result, the financial assets of Consolidated CLOs are measured at fair value and the financial liabilities of the Consolidated CLOs are measured in consolidation as: (i) the sum of the fair value of the financial assets, and the carrying value of any nonfinancial assets held temporarily, less (ii) the sum of the fair value of any beneficial interests retained by the Company (other than those that represent compensation for services), and the Company’s carrying value of any beneficial interests that represent compensation for services. The resulting amount is allocated to the individual financial liabilities (other than the beneficial interests retained by the Company). The loan obligations issued by the CLOs are collateralized by diversified asset portfolios and by structured debt or equity. In exchange for managing the collateral for the CLOs, the Company typically earns a variety of management fees, including senior and subordinated management fees, and in some cases, contingent incentive fee income. Investors in the CLOs generally have no recourse against the Company for any losses sustained in the capital structure of each CLO. Fair Value Measurements GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework that prioritizes the inputs used in measuring financial instruments at fair value into three levels based on their market price observability. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, including the type of instrument and the characteristics specific to the instrument. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices from an active market or for which fair value can be measured based on actively quoted prices generally have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment inherent in measuring fair value. Financial assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value are classified as follows: • Level I —Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments. • Level II —Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in inactive markets; and model-derived valuations with directly or indirectly observable significant inputs. Level II inputs include prices in markets with few transactions, non-current prices, prices for which little public information exists or prices that vary substantially over time or among brokered market makers. Other inputs include interest rate, yield curve, volatility, prepayment risk, loss severity, credit risk and default rate. • Level III —Valuations that rely on one or more significant unobservable inputs. These inputs reflect the Company’s assessment of the assumptions that market participants would use to value the instrument based on the best information available. Management’s determination of fair value includes various valuation techniques. These techniques may include market approach, recent transaction price, net asset value (“NAV”), discounted cash flows, as well as probability distributed models, and may use one or more significant unobservable inputs such as EBITDA or revenue multiples, broker quotes and/or third-party pricing services, discount rates, weighted average cost of capital, volatility, exit multiples, terminal growth rates and other unobservable inputs. In some instances, an instrument may fall into more than one level of the fair value hierarchy. In such instances, the instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest of the three levels (with Level III being the lowest) that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of an input requires judgment and considers factors specific to the instrument. The Company accounts for the transfer of assets into or out of each fair value hierarchy level as of the beginning of the reporting period. Financial Instrument Valuations The valuation techniques used by the Company to measure fair value maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The valuation techniques applied to investments held by the Company and by the Consolidated Funds vary depending on the nature of the investment. F-12 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) CLOs and CLO loan obligations: The fair value of CLOs held by the Company are estimated based on either a third-party pricing service or broker quote and are classified as Level III. The Company measures its CLO loan obligations of the Consolidated Funds by first determining whether the fair values of the financial assets or financial liabilities of its Consolidated CLOs are more observable. Contingent consideration: The Company generally determines the fair value of its contingent consideration liabilities by using a probability weighted expected return method, including the Monte Carlo simulation. These models consider a range of assumptions including historical experience, prior period performance, current progress towards targets, probability-weighted scenarios, and management’s own assumptions. The discount rate used is determined based on the weighted average cost of capital for the Company. Once the associated targets are achieved, the contingent consideration is reported at the settlement amount. The fair value of the Company’s contingent consideration liabilities are classified as Level III. Liabilities recorded in connection with the Company’s contingent consideration are included within accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and the associated changes in fair value are included within other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Corporate debt, bonds, bank loans, securitization vehicles and derivative instruments: The fair value of corporate debt, bonds, bank loans, securitization vehicles and derivative instruments is estimated based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources supported by observable inputs. These investments are generally classified as Level II. The Company obtains prices from independent pricing services that generally utilize broker quotes and may use various other pricing techniques, which take into account appropriate factors such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other data. If management is only able to obtain a single broker quote, or utilizes a pricing model, such securities will generally be classified as Level III. Equity and equity-related securities: Securities traded on a national securities exchange are stated at the last reported sales price on the day of valuation. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are classified as Level I. Securities that trade in markets that are not considered to be active but are valued based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources supported by observable inputs obtained by the Company from independent pricing services are classified as Level II. Securities that have market prices that are not readily available, utilize valuation models of third-party pricing service or internal models using unobservable inputs to determine the fair value are classified as Level III. Money market funds and U.S. treasury securities: The fair value of money market funds that invest in treasury-backed securities and U.S. treasury securities is estimated using quoted market prices in active markets. These investments are classified as Level I. Partnership interests: The Company generally values its investments using the NAV per share equivalent calculated by the investment manager as a practical expedient to determining an independent fair value or estimates based on various valuation models of third-party pricing services, as well as internal models. The Company does not categorize within the fair value hierarchy investments where fair value is measured using the NAV per share practical expedient. In limited circumstances, the Company may determine, based on its own due diligence and investment procedures, that NAV per share does not represent fair value. In such circumstances, the Company will estimate the fair value in good faith and in a manner that it reasonably chooses. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, NAV per share represented the fair value of the Company’s investments in partnership interests. The substantial majority of the Company’s private commingled funds are closed-ended, and accordingly, do not permit investors to redeem their interests other than in limited circumstances that are beyond the control of the Company, such as instances in which retaining the interest could cause the investor to violate a law, regulation or rule. The Company also has open-ended and evergreen funds where investors have the right to withdraw their capital, subject to the terms of the respective constituent documents, over periods generally ranging from one month to three years . In addition, the Company has minority investments in vehicles that may only have a single other investor that may allow such investors to terminate the fund pursuant to the terms of the applicable constituent documents of such vehicle. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents for the Company includes investments with maturities at purchase of less than three months, money market funds and demand deposits. Cash and cash equivalents held at Consolidated Funds represents cash that, although F-13 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) not legally restricted, is not available to support the general liquidity needs of the Company, as the use of such amounts is generally limited to the activities of the Consolidated Funds. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had cash balances with financial institutions in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limits. The Company monitors the credit standing of these financial institutions. Investments Held in Trust Account Investments held in trust account represents funds raised through the initial public offerings of the Company’s sponsored SPACs that are presented within Consolidated Funds. The funds raised are held in a trust account that is restricted for use and may only be used for purposes of completing an initial business combination or redemption of public shares as set forth in the trust agreement. The portfolio of investments for the SPACs is comprised of United States (“U.S.”) government securities or money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act that invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. The investments typically have original maturities of six months or less when purchased and are recorded at fair value. Interest income received on such investments is separately presented from the overall change in fair value and is recognized within interest and other income of Consolidated Funds within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Any remaining change in fair value of such investments, that is not recognized as interest income, is recognized within net realized and unrealized gains on investments of Consolidated Funds within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Investments The investments of the Company are reflected within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value, with unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from changes in fair value reflected as a component of net realized and unrealized gains on investments within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Certain investments are denominated in foreign currency and are translated into U.S. dollars at each reporting date. Equity Method Investments The Company accounts for its investments in which it has or is otherwise presumed to have significant influence, including investments in unconsolidated funds, strategic investments and carried interest, using the equity method of accounting. The carrying amounts of equity method investments are reflected in investments within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The carrying value of investments accounted for using equity method accounting is determined based on amounts invested by the Company, adjusted for the equity in earnings or losses of the investee allocated based on the respective partnership agreements, less distributions received. The Company evaluates the equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable. Except for carried interest, the Company’s share of the investee’s income and expenses for the Company’s equity method investments is presented either within principal investment income or net realized and unrealized gains on investments within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Carried interest allocation is presented separately as a revenue line item within the Consolidated Statements of Operations, and the accrued carried interest is presented within investments within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. In addition, certain of the Company’s equity method investments are reported at fair value. The fair value option has been elected to simplify the accounting for certain financial instruments. The fair value option election is irrevocable and is applied to financial instruments on an individual basis at initial recognition or at eligible remeasurement events. Changes in the fair value of such instruments with the fair value option elected are presented within net realized and unrealized gains on investments within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Derivative Instruments In the normal course of business, the Company and the Consolidated Funds are exposed to certain risks relating to their ongoing operations and use various types of derivative instruments primarily to mitigate against interest rate and foreign exchange risk. The derivative instruments are not designated as hedging instruments. The Company uses various derivative instruments from time to time depending on the risks being managed and generally include foreign currency forward contracts, interest rate swaps, asset swaps and warrants. F-14 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The Company reports each of its derivative instruments at fair value within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as either other assets or accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. These amounts may be offset to the extent that there is a legal right to offset and if elected by management. Derivative instruments are marked-to-market based upon quotations from pricing services or by the Company and the change in value, if any, is recorded as an unrealized gain (loss). Upon settlement of the instrument, the Company records any realized gain (loss). Changes in value are reflected within net realized and unrealized gains on investments within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Business Combinations The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, under which the purchase price of the acquisition, including the fair value of certain elements of contingent consideration, is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using the fair values determined by management as of the acquisition date. Contingent consideration obligations are recognized as of the acquisition date at fair value based on the probability that contingency will be realized. Any fair value of purchase consideration in excess of the fair value of the assets acquired less liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Conversely, any excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired in excess of the purchase consideration is recognized as a bargain purchase gain. Critical estimates in valuing certain of the intangible assets acquired include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows, future fundraising assumptions, expected useful life, discount rates and income tax rates. The acquisition method of accounting allows for a measurement period for up to one year after the acquisition date to make adjustments to the purchase price allocation as the Company obtains more information regarding asset valuations and liabilities assumed. Acquisition-related costs incurred in connection with a business combination are expensed as incurred. Goodwill and Intangible Assets Intangible Assets The Company’s finite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of contractual rights to earn future management fees from the acquired management contracts. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, ranging from approximately 1.0 to 13.5 years. The fair value of an acquired management contract is recorded as an intangible asset and is amortized over the life of the contract. Amortization is included as part of general, administrative and other expenses within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company tests finite-lived intangible assets for impairment if certain events occur or circumstances change indicating that the carrying amount of the intangible asset may not be recoverable. If, after assessing qualitative factors, the Company believes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the finite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, the Company will evaluate impairment quantitatively. The Company evaluates if the carrying amount of the intangible asset is recoverable by comparing the estimated undiscounted cash flows attributable to the intangible asset being evaluated with its carrying amount. If an impairment is determined to exist by management, the Company accelerates amortization expense so that the carrying amount represents fair value. The Company estimates fair value using a discounted future cash flow methodology. The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of contractual rights to earn future management fees from the acquired management contracts that were determined to have indefinite useful lives. The Company tests indefinite-lived intangible assets annually for impairment, or if certain events occur or circumstances change indicating that the carrying amount of the intangible asset may not be recoverable or if these assets are subsequently determined to have a finite useful life. If, after assessing qualitative factors, the Company believes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, the Company will evaluate impairment quantitatively to determine and record the amount of impairment as the excess of the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset over its fair value. Inherent in such fair value determinations are certain judgments and estimates relating to future cash flows, including the Company’s strategic plans with regard to the indefinite-lived intangible assets. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price of an acquired business over the fair value of its identifiable net assets. The Company tests goodwill annually for impairment, or if an event occurs or circumstances change such that it is more likely than not to reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. If, after assessing qualitative factors, the F-15 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Company believes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company will evaluate impairment quantitatively and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit over its fair value. Inherent in such fair value determinations are certain judgments and estimates relating to future cash flows, including the Company’s interpretation of current economic indicators and market valuations, and assumptions about the Company’s strategic plans with regard to its operations. Due to the uncertainties associated with such estimates, actual results could differ from such estimates . Fixed Assets Fixed assets, consisting of furniture, fixtures, computer hardware, equipment, internal-use software and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Fixed assets are presented within other assets within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Direct costs associated with developing, purchasing or otherwise acquiring software for internal use are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of the software, beginning when the software is ready for its intended purpose. Costs incurred for upgrades and enhancements that will not result in additional functionality are expensed as incurred. Fixed assets are depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over an asset’s estimated useful life, with the corresponding depreciation and amortization expense presented within general, administrative and other expenses within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The estimated useful life for leasehold improvements is the lesser of the lease term or the life of the asset, while other fixed assets and internal-use software are generally depreciated between three and seven years . Fixed assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Leases The Company enters into operating and finance leases for corporate offices and certain equipment and makes the determination if an arrangement constitutes a lease at inception. Operating leases are presented within right-of-use operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Finance lease assets are capitalized as a component of fixed assets and finance lease liabilities are presented within accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are expensed as incurred and not capitalized within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Right-of-use operating lease assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company uses the implicit rate when readily determinable. The right-of-use operating lease asset also includes any lease prepayments and excludes lease incentives. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the company will exercise that option. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. Lease expense is primarily recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Right-of-use operating lease assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Non-Controlling Interests The non-controlling interests in AOG entities represent a component of equity and net income attributable to the owners of the Ares Operating Group Units (“AOG Units”) that are not held directly or indirectly by the Company. These owners consist predominantly of Ares Owners Holdings L.P. but also include other strategic distribution partnerships with whom the Company has established joint ventures and other non-controlling strategic investors. Non-controlling interests in AOG entities are adjusted for contributions to and distributions from AOG during the reporting period and are allocated income from the AOG entities either based on their historical ownership percentage for the proportional number of days in the reporting period or based on the activity associated with certain membership interests. F-16 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds represents a component of equity and net income attributable to ownership interests that third parties hold in Consolidated Funds. Redeemable Interest Redeemable interest in AOG entities represents third-party ownership interests in investments that were acquired in connection with a historical acquisition. Income (loss) is allocated based on the ownership percentage attributable to the redeemable interest. At each balance sheet date, the carrying value of the redeemable interest is presented at the redemption amount, to the extent that the redemption amount exceeds the initial measurement on the date of acquisition. The Company recognizes changes in the redemption amount with corresponding adjustments against retained earnings, or additional paid-in-capital in the absence of retained earnings, within stockholders’ equity within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Redeemable interest in Consolidated Funds represented the Class A ordinary shares issued by the Company’s sponsored SPAC (the “Class A ordinary shares”), as applicable. The Class A ordinary shares were redeemable for cash by the public shareholders until the completion of a business combination or tender offer associated with shareholder approval provisions. The Class A ordinary shareholders had redemption rights that were considered to be outside of the SPAC’s control. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company’s revenue is based on contracts with a determinable transaction price and distinct performance obligations with probable collectability. Revenues are not recognized until the performance obligation(s) are satisfied. Management Fees Management fees are generally based on a defined percentage of capital commitments, invested capital, NAV or the fair value of assets, among others. Substantially all management fees are earned from affiliated funds of the Company. The contractual terms of management fees vary by fund structure and investment strategy. Management fees are recognized as revenue in the period advisory services are rendered, subject to the Company’s assessment of collectability. Management fees also include a quarterly fee on the net investment income (“Part I Fees”) from certain publicly-traded funds and perpetual wealth vehicles. Part I Fees are predictable and recurring in nature, not subject to contingent repayment and generally cash-settled each quarter, unless subject to a payment deferral. Carried Interest Allocation In certain fund structures, carried interest is allocated to the Company based on cumulative fund performance to date, subject to the achievement of minimum return levels in accordance with the respective terms set out in each fund’s investment management agreement. At the end of each reporting period, a fund will allocate carried interest applicable to the Company based upon an assumed liquidation of that fund’s net assets on the reporting date, irrespective of whether such amounts have been realized. Carried interest is recorded to the extent such amounts have been allocated, and may be subject to reversal to the extent that the amount allocated exceeds the amount due to the general partner or investment manager based on a fund’s cumulative investment returns. As the fair value of underlying assets varies between reporting periods, it is necessary to make adjustments to amounts recorded as carried interest to reflect either: (i) positive performance resulting in an increase in the carried interest allocated to the Company; or (ii) negative performance that would cause the amount due to the Company to be less than the amount previously recognized as revenue, resulting in a reversal of previously recognized carried interest allocated to the Company. Accrued carried interest as of the reporting date is recorded within investments within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Carried interest is realized when an underlying investment is profitably disposed of, or upon the return of each limited partner’s capital plus a preferred return, and the fund’s cumulative returns are in excess of the specific hurdle rates as defined in the applicable investment management agreements or governing documents. Since carried interest is subject to reversal, the Company may need to accrue for potential repayment of previously received carried interest. This accrual represents all F-17 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) amounts previously distributed to the Company that would need to be repaid to the funds if the funds were to be liquidated based on the current fair value of the underlying funds’ investments as of the reporting date. The actual repayment obligations, however, generally does not become realized until the end of a fund’s life. The Company accounts for carried interest, which represents a performance-based capital allocation from an investment fund to the Company, as earnings from financial assets. The Company recognizes carried interest allocation as a separate revenue line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations with accrued carried interest as of the reporting date reported within investments within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Carried interest allocation is earned from affiliated funds of the Company. Incentive Fees Incentive fees earned on the performance of certain fund structures that are recognized based on the fund’s performance during a measurement period, subject to the achievement of minimum return levels in accordance with the respective terms set out in each fund’s investment management agreement. Incentive fees are realized at the end of a measurement period, typically annually. Once realized, such fees are no longer subject to reversal. Principal Investment Income Principal investment income consists of interest and dividend income and net realized and unrealized gains (losses) from the equity method investments where the Company serves as general partner. Administrative, Transaction and Other Fees The Company earns other sources of revenue that are classified as administrative, transaction or other fees. These fees are recognized as revenue in the period in which the related services are rendered. Administrative fees represent fees that the Company earns for providing administrative services to certain funds. These fees may either reflect expense reimbursements for costs incurred by certain professionals in performing services for a fund or may be based on fixed percentage of a fund’s invested capital. Transaction fees are typically earned from the arrangement and origination of loans and are generated primarily from funds within the direct lending strategy. Other fees includes various property-related fees earned from certain real estate and digital infrastructure funds, such as acquisition, leasing, development and property management. Other fees may also include: (i) sales-based and asset-based fees from the Company’s perpetual wealth vehicles and 1031 exchange programs; and (ii) capital markets transaction fees earned for participating as an underwriter and/or acting as an advisor on capital markets transactions. Equity-Based Compensation The Company recognizes expense related to equity-based compensation for which it receives employee services in exchange for equity instruments of the Company. Equity-based compensation expense is associated with restricted units and restricted stock (collectively, “unvested awards”) granted under the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”). Equity-based compensation expense for unvested awards is determined based on the fair value of the respective equity award on the grant date and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period with a corresponding increase in additional paid-in-capital. The grant date fair value of these equity awards is determined by the most recent closing price of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. The Company recognizes share-based award forfeitures in the period they occur as a reversal of previously recognized compensation expense. The reduction in compensation expense is determined based on the specific awards forfeited during that period. The holders of restricted units, other than awards that have not yet been issued as described in Note 13. Equity Compensation, generally have the right to receive as current compensation an amount in cash equal to: (i) the amount of any dividend paid with respect to a share of Class A common stock multiplied by (ii) the number of restricted units held at the time such dividends are declared (“Dividend Equivalent”). When units are forfeited, the cumulative amount of Dividend Equivalents previously paid is reclassified to compensation and benefits expense within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. F-18 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The Company records deferred tax assets or liabilities for equity compensation plan awards based on deductions for income tax purposes of equity-based compensation recognized at the statutory tax rate in the jurisdiction in which the Company is expected to receive a tax deduction. In addition, differences between the deferred tax assets recognized in accordance with GAAP and the actual tax deduction reported in the Company’s income tax returns are presented within income tax expense within the Consolidated Statements of Operations before taking into consideration the tax effects of the investment in AOG. Equity-based compensation expense is presented within compensation and benefits within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Performance Related Compensation The Company has agreed to pay to certain professionals a portion of the carried interest and incentive fees earned from certain funds, including revenue from Consolidated Funds that is eliminated in consolidation. Depending on the nature of each fund, carried interest and incentive fees may be structured as a fixed percentage subject to vesting based on continued employment or service (generally a period from six to 10 years) or as an annual award that is payable for the particular performance year if the recipient remains employed through the payment date. Other limitations may apply to carried interest and incentive fees as set forth in the applicable governing documents of the fund or award documentation. Performance related compensation is recognized in the same period that the related carried interest and incentive fees are recognized. Performance related compensation can be reversed during periods when there is a reversal of carried interest that was previously recognized. Performance related compensation may also include a portion of the profits from certain of the Company’s strategic investments that are payable to professionals although the profits generated from these strategic investments represent investment income and are not reported within performance income. Performance related compensation payable represents the amounts payable to professionals who are entitled to a proportionate share of carried interest in one or more funds and include the associated payroll-related taxes. The liability is calculated based upon the changes to realized and unrealized carried interest. Performance related compensation payable may include any unpaid allocations to charitable organizations as part of the Company’s philanthropic initiatives. Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments Realized gains (losses) may occur when the Company redeems all or a portion of its investment, when the Company receives dividends or distributions, or at the end of an investment’s life. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) results from changes in the fair value of the underlying investment as well as from the reversal of previously recognized unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at the time an investment is realized. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are presented together as net realized and unrealized gains on investments within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Also, the Company’s share of the investee’s income and expenses for the Company’s equity method investments that it does not manage is presented within net realized and unrealized gains on investments. Interest and Dividend Income Interest, dividends and other investment income are included within interest and dividend income. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis using the effective interest method to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected. Dividends and other investment income are recorded when the right to receive payment is established . Foreign Currency The U.S. dollar is the Company’s functional currency; however, certain transactions of the Company may not be denominated in U.S. dollars. Income and expense and gain and loss transactions denominated in foreign currencies are generally translated into U.S. dollars monthly using the average exchange rates during the respective transaction period. Foreign exchange revaluation arising from these transactions is recognized within other income (expense), net within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2023, the Company recognized $ 17.0 million and $ 9.1 million, respectively, in transaction losses related to foreign currencies revaluation. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized $ 0.6 million in transaction gain related to foreign currencies revaluation. In addition, the consolidated results include certain foreign subsidiaries that use functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates as of F-19 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) the reporting date. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are recorded to currency translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive income. Income Taxes The Company elects to be taxed as a corporation and all earnings allocated to the Company are subject to U.S. corporate income taxes. A provision for corporate level income taxes imposed on unrealized gains and income items as well as taxes imposed on certain subsidiaries’ earnings is included in the consolidated tax provision. Also included in the consolidated tax provision are entity level income taxes incurred by certain Consolidated Funds. The portion of consolidated earnings not allocated to the Company flows through to owners of the AOG entities without being taxed at the corporate level. Income taxes are accounted for using the liability method of accounting. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, using tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized as income, in the period when the change is enacted. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current and deferred tax liabilities are reported on a net basis and the deferred tax assets, net is presented within other assets within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The Company analyzes its tax filing positions in all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns for all open tax years in these jurisdictions. The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit recognized in the financial statements for a particular tax position is based on the largest benefit that is more likely than not to be realized. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted as appropriate for changes in facts and circumstances, such as significant amendments to existing tax law, new regulations or interpretations by the taxing authorities, new information obtained during a tax examination, or resolution of an examination. Tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and respective governmental taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in determining tax expense and in evaluating tax positions, including evaluating uncertainties under GAAP. The Company reviews its tax positions quarterly and adjusts its tax balances as new legislation is passed or new information becomes available. Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share of Class A and non-voting common stock is computed by dividing income available to Class A and non-voting common stockholders by the weighted-average number shares of Class A and non-voting common stock outstanding during the period. Income available to Ares Management Corporation represents net income attributable to Class A and non-voting common stockholders after giving effect to the Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends declared. Basic earnings per share of Class A and non-voting common stock is computed by using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation method under which earnings per share is calculated for shares of Class A and non-voting common stock and participating securities considering both dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings as if all such earnings had been distributed during the period. Because the holders of unvested restricted units have the right to participate in dividends when declared, the unvested restricted units are considered participating securities to the extent they are expected to vest. Diluted earnings per share of Class A and non-voting common stock is computed by dividing income available to Class A and non-voting common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of Class A and non-voting common stock outstanding during the period, increased to include the number of additional shares of Class A common stock that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive securities had been issued. Potentially dilutive securities include unvested restricted units, Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock and AOG Units exchangeable for shares of Class A common stock. The effect of potentially dilutive securities is reflected in diluted earnings per share of Class A and non-voting common stock using the more dilutive result of the treasury stock and if-converted methods or the two-class method. The treasury stock method is used to determine potentially dilutive securities resulting from unvested restricted units granted under the Equity Incentive Plan. The if-converted method is used to determine the potentially dilutive effect resulting from the conversion of shares of the Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock to shares of Class A common stock as of the beginning of the period. F-20 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income consists of net income and foreign currency translation adjustments. Recent Accounting Pronouncements The Company considers the applicability and impact of all accounting standard updates (“ASU”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). ASUs not listed below were assessed and either determined to be not applicable or expected to have minimal impact on its consolidated financial statements. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 requires disclosure of disaggregated income taxes paid in both U.S. and foreign jurisdictions, prescribes standard categories for the components of the effective tax rate reconciliation and modifies other income tax-related disclosures. ASU 2023-09 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Early adoption is permitted and the amendments in this update should be applied on a prospective basis, though retrospective adoption is permitted. Information presented within “Note 11. Income Taxes” reflects the impact from the prospective adoption of ASU 2023-09. In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses . ASU 2024-03 requires disaggregated disclosure of certain expenses in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, including purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation and intangible asset amortization. The amendments in this update also require disclosure of: (i) the expense captions from the Consolidated Statements of Operations that include each of the relevant expense categories; (ii) a qualitative description of the amounts remaining in relevant expense captions that are not separately disaggregated quantitatively; and (iii) total selling expenses and a definition of such expenses. ASU 2024-03 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2027. Early adoption is permitted and the amendments in this update may be applied on a prospective or retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance. In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-06, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software. ASU 2025-06 clarifies the threshold for capitalizing internal-use software costs to be based on when (i) management has authorized and committed to funding the software project and (ii) it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. ASU 2025-06 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2028. Early adoption is permitted and the amendments in this update may be applied on a prospective, retrospective or modified basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance. 3. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS Acquisition of GCP International On March 1, 2025, the Company completed the acquisition of the international business of GLP Capital Partners Limited and certain of its affiliates, excluding its operations in Greater China (“GCP International”), and existing capital commitments to certain managed funds (such acquisition of GCP International and the capital commitments, the “GCP Acquisition”). The GCP Acquisition adds complementary real estate and digital infrastructure investment capabilities and expands the Company’s geographic presence. The activities of GCP International are included within the Real Assets Group segment. The acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $ 3.9 billion, which consisted of the following: Cash $ 1,793,557 Equity (1) 1,657,881 Contingent consideration (2) 465,080 Total $ 3,916,518 (1) 9.6 million shares of Class A common stock and 0.1 million AOG Units were issued in connection with the GCP Acquisition purchase consideration. (2) See “Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies” for a further description of the contingent consideration from the GCP Acquisition. F-21 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The following is a summary of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the GCP Acquisition as of March 1, 2025, based upon third party valuations of certain intangible assets. The purchase price allocation is preliminary and subject to change during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, as additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed at close of the GCP Acquisition. The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are estimated to be: Cash $ 61,436 Other tangible assets 438,604 Intangible assets Management contracts 473,300 Client relationships 107,200 Finite-lived intangible assets 580,500 Indefinite-lived management contracts 749,600 Total intangible assets 1,330,100 Total identifiable assets acquired 1,830,140 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 198,943 Net identifiable assets acquired 1,631,197 Goodwill 2,285,321 Net assets acquired $ 3,916,518 Certain management contracts were determined to have indefinite useful lives at the time of the GCP Acquisition and are not subject to amortization. As of March 1, 2025, the remaining management contracts and client relationships had a weighted average amortization period of 5.8 years and 7.6 years, respectively. As of March 1, 2025, the carrying value of goodwill associated with GCP Acquisition was $ 2.3 billion, of which $ 1.1 billion is deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill is entirely allocated to the Real Assets Group segment and is attributable primarily to expected synergies and the assembled workforce of GCP International. In connection with the GCP Acquisition, various components of the agreed-upon purchase price are required to be accounted for as compensation because the payments were made to certain individuals that became employees of the Company following the GCP Acquisition. Because these components are required to be accounted for as compensation, the associated amounts have been excluded from purchase consideration. For the year ended December 31, 2025, $ 48.5 million of acquisition related compensation costs were expensed and recorded within compensation and benefits within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Because the purchase price included components of cash and equity, the individuals that became employees of the Company also received a portion of their sales proceeds in the form of equity, which was recorded as equity compensation expense. For the year ended December 31, 2025, $ 110.0 million of equity compensation expense was recognized from the immediate vesting of 0.6 million restricted units, of which 0.2 million shares were withheld for taxes. Additionally, there were 2.3 million unvested equity awards and 0.2 million unvested AOG Unit awards related to these arrangements (collectively, the “Unvested GCP Equity Purchase Price”) as of March 1, 2025. In connection with the Unvested GCP Equity Purchase Price, equity compensation expense of $ 113.3 million was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2025. The total compensation expense expected to be recognized in all future periods associated with the Unvested GCP Equity Purchase Price is $ 277.0 million as of December 31, 2025 and is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted average period of 2.8 years. The Company has incurred $ 68.7 million of acquisition related costs, of which $ 35.3 million was incurred during the year ended December 31, 2025. These acquisition related costs were expensed and reported within general, administrative and other expenses. The acquired business from the GCP Acquisition generated revenues and net income of $ 359.7 million and $ 114.7 million, respectively, are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations before giving effect to corporate level taxes for the period from March 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. The Company did not acquire all of the assets or assume all of the liabilities of the legacy business. GCP International represents an aggregation of various businesses and components of other businesses that operate in different jurisdictions, each that historically used a different basis of accounting. There are no historical financial statements that apply consistent management assumptions and use a consistent basis of accounting. Therefore, it is impracticable to provide pro forma information on revenues and earnings for the GCP Acquisition. F-22 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) 4. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Intangible Assets, Net The following table summarizes the carrying value, net of accumulated amortization, of the Company’s intangible assets: Weighted Average Amortization Period (in years) as of December 31, 2025 As of December 31, 2025 2024 Management contracts 4.7 $ 1,023,893 $ 590,675 Client relationships 6.8 317,920 210,720 Other 0.0 — 500 Finite-lived intangible assets 1,341,813 801,895 Foreign currency translation 6,884 ( 789 ) Total finite-lived intangible assets 1,348,697 801,106 Less: accumulated amortization ( 550,267 ) ( 393,078 ) Finite-lived intangible assets, net 798,430 408,028 Management contracts 1,317,400 567,800 Indefinite-lived management contracts 1,317,400 567,800 Intangible assets, net $ 2,115,830 $ 975,828 During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $ 2.3 million to the fair value of management contracts of certain CLOs within the Credit Group. The primary indicator of impairment was the lower than expected future fee revenue resulting from the earlier than expected end to the useful lives of these CLOs. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $ 8.9 million to the fair value of management contracts of certain funds within the Credit Group, Real Assets Group and Secondaries Group. The primary indicator of impairment was the lower than expected future fee revenue generated from these funds. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $ 78.7 million primarily related to the value of client relationships from the acquisition of Landmark Partners, LLC (the “Landmark Acquisition”). The primary indicator of impairment was the lower than expected fee paying assets under management in a private equity secondaries fund from existing investors as of the date of the Landmark Acquisition. Amortization expense associated with intangible assets, excluding the accelerated amortization described above, was $ 193.4 million, $ 116.3 million and $ 126.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and has been presented within general, administrative and other expenses within in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company removed $ 40.6 million of fully-amortized cost basis of intangible assets. As of December 31, 2025, future annual amortization of finite-lived intangible assets for the years 2026 through 2030 and thereafter is estimated to be: Year Amortization 2026 $ 184,898 2027 174,251 2028 143,234 2029 112,952 2030 70,396 Thereafter 112,699 Total $ 798,430 F-23 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Goodwill The following table summarizes the carrying value of the Company’s goodwill: Credit Group Real Assets Group Secondaries Group Private Equity Group Total Balance as of December 31, 2023 $ 256,679 $ 277,205 $ 417,630 $ 172,462 $ 1,123,976 Acquisitions — 35,091 — 4,605 39,696 Reallocation 55,658 — — ( 55,658 ) — Foreign currency translation ( 305 ) ( 727 ) ( 3 ) ( 1 ) ( 1,036 ) Balance as of December 31, 2024 312,032 311,569 417,627 121,408 1,162,636 Acquisitions — 2,285,242 — — 2,285,242 Foreign currency translation 1,798 4,418 13 — 6,229 Balance as of December 31, 2025 $ 313,830 $ 2,601,229 $ 417,640 $ 121,408 $ 3,454,107 In connection with the acquisition of the equity interests in Walton Street Capital Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V. and certain of its affiliates in the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company allocated $ 28.4 million of the purchase price to goodwill. In the first quarter of 2024, the Company changed its segment composition. The special opportunities strategy, historically part of the Private Equity Group, was renamed to opportunistic credit and integrated into the Credit Group. In connection with this segment reorganization, the Company had an associated change in its reporting units and reallocated goodwill of $ 55.7 million from the Private Equity Group to the Credit Group using a relative fair value allocation approach. There was no impairment of goodwill recorded during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. The impact of foreign currency translation adjustments is reflected within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. 5. INVESTMENTS The following table summarizes the Company’s investments: As of Percentage of total investments as of December 31, December 31, 2025 2024 2025 2024 Equity method investments Equity method - carried interest (1) $ 3,972,748 $ 3,495,115 72.1 % 75.2 % Equity method private investment partnership interests - principal 526,372 536,912 9.6 11.6 Equity method private investment partnership interests and other (held at fair value) 675,777 411,417 12.3 8.9 Equity method private investment partnership interests and other 61,306 55,461 1.1 1.2 Total equity method investments 5,236,203 4,498,905 95.1 96.9 Collateralized loan obligations 13,217 19,040 0.2 0.4 Fixed income securities 11,252 22,793 0.2 0.5 Collateralized loan obligations and fixed income securities, at fair value 24,469 41,833 0.4 0.9 Common stock and other equity securities, at fair value 247,775 104,037 4.5 2.2 Total investments $ 5,508,447 $ 4,644,775 (1) Includes carried interest held at fair value of $ 118.1 million as of December 31, 2025. F-24 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Equity Method Investments The Company’s equity method investments include investments that are not consolidated but over which the Company exerts significant influence. The Company evaluates each of its equity method investments to determine if any were significant as defined by guidance from the SEC. As of and for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, no individual equity method investment held by the Company met the significance criteria. The following tables present summarized financial information for the Company’s equity method investments, which are primarily funds managed by the Company: As of and for the Year Ended December 31, 2025 Credit Group Real Assets Group Secondaries Group Private Equity Group Other Total Statement of Financial Condition Investments $ 29,976,380 $ 36,607,529 $ 8,018,942 $ 6,070,640 $ 95,963 $ 80,769,454 Total assets 34,026,287 38,857,374 8,216,784 6,170,635 98,950 87,370,030 Total liabilities 7,857,741 14,995,035 1,976,349 189,556 974 25,019,655 Total equity 26,168,546 23,862,339 6,240,435 5,981,079 97,976 62,350,375 Statement of Operations Interest and dividend income $ 2,619,911 $ 1,386,146 $ 1,385 $ 114,025 $ — $ 4,121,467 Expenses ( 879,571 ) ( 806,547 ) ( 195,787 ) ( 80,679 ) ( 3,354 ) ( 1,965,938 ) Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) from investments 327,980 787,161 533,124 680,687 ( 7,842 ) 2,321,110 Income tax expense ( 10,000 ) ( 26,417 ) — ( 752 ) — ( 37,169 ) Net income (loss) $ 2,058,320 $ 1,340,343 $ 338,722 $ 713,281 $ ( 11,196 ) $ 4,439,470 As of and for the Year Ended December 31, 2024 Credit Group Real Assets Group Secondaries Group Private Equity Group Other Total Statement of Financial Condition Investments $ 24,635,069 $ 19,966,560 $ 15,191,773 $ 5,906,807 $ 35,804 $ 65,736,013 Total assets 27,987,915 21,368,342 15,632,653 5,897,152 36,519 70,922,581 Total liabilities 6,403,988 7,535,764 4,304,893 151,502 100 18,396,247 Total equity 21,583,927 13,832,578 11,327,760 5,745,650 36,419 52,526,334 Statement of Operations Interest and dividend income $ 2,357,057 $ 1,018,717 $ 10,508 $ 196,756 $ — $ 3,583,038 Expenses ( 893,272 ) ( 564,678 ) ( 507,192 ) ( 67,667 ) ( 1,001 ) ( 2,033,810 ) Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) from investments 556,170 382,681 208,947 496,096 ( 417 ) 1,643,477 Income tax expense ( 5,884 ) ( 9,341 ) — ( 27,554 ) — ( 42,779 ) Net income (loss) $ 2,014,071 $ 827,379 $ ( 287,737 ) $ 597,631 $ ( 1,418 ) $ 3,149,926 As of and for the Year Ended December 31, 2023 Credit Group Real Assets Group Secondaries Group Private Equity Group Other Total Statement of Operations Interest and dividend income $ 2,584,262 $ 1,036,710 $ 1,960 $ 133,749 $ — $ 3,756,681 Expenses ( 862,257 ) ( 632,433 ) ( 482,478 ) ( 88,841 ) ( 1,658 ) ( 2,067,667 ) Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) from investments 525,776 ( 599,200 ) 373,064 322,165 ( 7,316 ) 614,489 Income tax benefit (expense) ( 28,334 ) ( 10,197 ) — 22,587 ( 19 ) ( 15,963 ) Net income (loss) $ 2,219,447 $ ( 205,120 ) $ ( 107,454 ) $ 389,660 $ ( 8,993 ) $ 2,287,540 F-25 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The following table presents the Company’s share of net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains (losses) from its equity method investments, which are included within principal investment income, net realized and unrealized gains on investments, and interest and dividend income within the Consolidated Statements of Operations: Year ended December 31, 2025 2024 2023 Total net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to equity method investments $ 319,286 $ 52,350 $ 86,729 With respect to the Company’s equity method investments, the material assets are expected to generate either long term capital appreciation and/or interest and dividend income, the material liabilities are debt instruments collateralized by, or related to, the financing of the assets and net income is materially comprised of the changes in fair value of these net assets. Equity Method Investments Held at Fair Value The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of the Company’s equity method investments held at fair value, which are included within net realized and unrealized gains on investments within the Consolidated Statements of Operations: Year ended December 31, 2025 2024 2023 Equity method private investment partnership interests and other (held at fair value) $ 258,148 $ ( 4,762 ) $ 50,772 Investments of the Consolidated Funds The following table summarizes investments held in the Consolidated Funds: Fair Value as of Percentage of total investments as of December 31, December 31, 2025 2024 2025 2024 Fixed income investments Loans and securitization vehicles $ 5,507,199 $ 7,907,449 42.9 % 62.1 % U.S. treasury securities — 550,800 — 4.3 Bonds 280,911 418,069 2.2 3.3 Total fixed income investments 5,788,110 8,876,318 45.1 69.7 Partnership interests 3,791,056 2,000,380 29.6 15.7 Equity securities 3,265,720 1,861,146 25.4 14.6 Total investments, at fair value $ 12,844,886 $ 12,737,844 F-26 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) 6. FAIR VALUE Fair Value of Financial Instruments Held by the Company and Consolidated Funds The following tables summarize the financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value for the Company and the Consolidated Funds as of December 31, 2025: Financial Instruments of the Company Level I Level II Level III Total Assets, at fair value Investments: Common stock, other equity securities and equity method investments $ 152,163 $ 95,612 $ 675,777 $ 923,552 Common stock and other equity securities - carried interest 68,250 — 49,813 118,063 Collateralized loan obligations and fixed income securities — — 24,469 24,469 Total investments, at fair value 220,413 95,612 750,059 1,066,084 Derivatives-foreign currency forward contracts — 18,230 — 18,230 Total assets, at fair value $ 220,413 $ 113,842 $ 750,059 $ 1,084,314 Liabilities, at fair value Derivatives-foreign currency forward contracts $ — $ ( 2,627 ) $ — $ ( 2,627 ) Contingent consideration — — ( 765,370 ) ( 765,370 ) Total liabilities, at fair value $ — $ ( 2,627 ) $ ( 765,370 ) $ ( 767,997 ) Financial Instruments of the Consolidated Funds Level I Level II Level III Investments Measured at NAV Total Assets, at fair value Investments: Fixed income investments: Loans and securitization vehicles $ — $ 4,873,684 $ 633,515 $ — $ 5,507,199 Bonds — 280,911 — — 280,911 Total fixed income investments — 5,154,595 633,515 — 5,788,110 Partnership interests — — — 3,791,056 3,791,056 Equity securities — 262,271 3,003,449 — 3,265,720 Total investments, at fair value — 5,416,866 3,636,964 3,791,056 12,844,886 Derivatives: Foreign currency forward contracts — 4,889 — — 4,889 Total derivative assets, at fair value — 4,889 — — 4,889 Total assets, at fair value $ — $ 5,421,755 $ 3,636,964 $ 3,791,056 $ 12,849,775 Liabilities, at fair value Loan obligations of CLOs $ — $ ( 7,359,072 ) $ — $ — $ ( 7,359,072 ) Derivatives: Foreign currency forward contracts — ( 4,842 ) — — ( 4,842 ) Asset swaps — — ( 114 ) — ( 114 ) Total derivative liabilities, at fair value — ( 4,842 ) ( 114 ) — ( 4,956 ) Total liabilities, at fair value $ — $ ( 7,363,914 ) $ ( 114 ) $ — $ ( 7,364,028 ) F-27 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The following tables summarize the financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value for the Company and the Consolidated Funds as of December 31, 2024: Financial Instruments of the Company Level I Level II Level III Investments Measured at NAV Total Assets, at fair value Cash equivalents: Money market funds $ 1,071,071 $ — $ — $ — $ 1,071,071 Investments: Common stock and other equity securities — 104,037 411,179 — 515,216 Collateralized loan obligations and fixed income securities — — 41,833 — 41,833 Partnership interests — — — 238 238 Total investments, at fair value — 104,037 453,012 238 557,287 Derivatives-foreign currency forward contracts — 3,737 — — 3,737 Total assets, at fair value $ 1,071,071 $ 107,774 $ 453,012 $ 238 $ 1,632,095 Liabilities, at fair value Derivatives-foreign currency forward contracts $ — $ ( 216 ) $ — $ — $ ( 216 ) Contingent consideration — — ( 17,550 ) — ( 17,550 ) Total liabilities, at fair value $ — $ ( 216 ) $ ( 17,550 ) $ — $ ( 17,766 ) Financial Instruments of the Consolidated Funds Level I Level II Level III Investments Measured at NAV Total Assets, at fair value Investments: Fixed income investments: Loans and securitization vehicles $ — $ 7,313,632 $ 593,817 $ — $ 7,907,449 U.S. treasury securities 550,800 — — — 550,800 Bonds — 418,069 — — 418,069 Total fixed income investments 550,800 7,731,701 593,817 — 8,876,318 Partnership interests — — — 2,000,380 2,000,380 Equity securities 28,603 2,615 1,829,928 — 1,861,146 Total investments, at fair value 579,403 7,734,316 2,423,745 2,000,380 12,737,844 Derivatives-foreign currency forward contracts — 2,995 — — 2,995 Total assets, at fair value $ 579,403 $ 7,737,311 $ 2,423,745 $ 2,000,380 $ 12,740,839 Liabilities, at fair value Loan obligations of CLOs $ — $ ( 9,672,189 ) $ — $ — $ ( 9,672,189 ) Derivatives: Foreign currency forward contracts — ( 2,888 ) — — ( 2,888 ) Asset swaps — — ( 1,846 ) — ( 1,846 ) Total derivative liabilities, at fair value — ( 2,888 ) ( 1,846 ) — ( 4,734 ) Total liabilities, at fair value $ — $ ( 9,675,077 ) $ ( 1,846 ) $ — $ ( 9,676,923 ) F-28 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The following tables set forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level III measurements: Level III Assets and Liabilities of the Company Equity Securities Fixed Income Contingent Consideration Total Balance as of December 31, 2024 $ 411,179 $ 41,833 $ ( 17,550 ) $ 435,462 Established in connection with acquisition (see Note 9) — — ( 465,080 ) ( 465,080 ) Transfer in (1) 27,162 11,492 — 38,654 Transfer out (1) ( 10,000 ) ( 28,271 ) — ( 38,271 ) Purchases (2) 10,646 219,846 — 230,492 Sales/settlements (3) ( 1,348 ) ( 219,961 ) 18,380 ( 202,929 ) Change in fair value — — ( 301,120 ) ( 301,120 ) Realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net 287,951 ( 470 ) — 287,481 Balance as of December 31, 2025 $ 725,590 $ 24,469 $ ( 765,370 ) $ ( 15,311 ) Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation and fair value included in earnings related to financial assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date $ 287,952 $ 1,036 $ ( 301,120 ) $ ( 12,132 ) Level III Net Assets of Consolidated Funds Equity Securities Fixed Income Derivatives, Net Total Balance as of December 31, 2024 $ 1,829,927 $ 593,817 $ ( 1,846 ) $ 2,421,898 Transfer in (1) 268,897 305,265 — 574,162 Transfer out (1) ( 819 ) ( 387,091 ) — ( 387,910 ) Purchases (2) 780,989 1,203,376 124 1,984,489 Sales/settlements (3) ( 61,117 ) ( 1,087,510 ) — ( 1,148,627 ) Realized and unrealized appreciation, net 185,572 5,658 1,608 192,838 Balance as of December 31, 2025 $ 3,003,449 $ 633,515 $ ( 114 ) $ 3,636,850 Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation included in earnings related to financial assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date $ 185,739 $ ( 1,535 ) $ 1,587 $ 185,791 (1) Transfers in and out include changes in the observability of inputs used in valuations and changes due to the consolidation and deconsolidation of funds. (2) Purchases include paid-in-kind interest and securities received in connection with restructurings. (3) Sales/settlements include distributions, principal redemptions, securities disposed of in connection with restructurings and contingent consideration payments. Level III Assets and Liabilities of the Company Equity Securities Fixed Income Contingent Consideration Total Balance as of December 31, 2023 $ 412,491 $ 126,294 $ — $ 538,785 Established in connection with acquisition — — ( 17,550 ) ( 17,550 ) Transfer in (1) — 39,636 — 39,636 Transfer out (1) ( 872 ) — — ( 872 ) Purchases (2) 1,453 436,649 — 438,102 Sales/settlements (3) ( 2,382 ) ( 561,492 ) — ( 563,874 ) Realized and unrealized appreciation, net 489 746 — 1,235 Balance as of December 31, 2024 $ 411,179 $ 41,833 $ ( 17,550 ) $ 435,462 Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation included in earnings related to financial assets still held at the reporting date $ ( 904 ) $ 2,172 $ — $ 1,268 F-29 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Level III Net Assets of Consolidated Funds Equity Securities Fixed Income Derivatives, Net Total Balance as of December 31, 2023 $ 1,190,400 $ 740,113 $ ( 1,291 ) $ 1,929,222 Transfer in (1) — 87,505 — 87,505 Transfer out (1) ( 1,017 ) ( 154,961 ) — ( 155,978 ) Purchases (2) 518,369 877,311 130 1,395,810 Sales/settlements (3) ( 114 ) ( 960,839 ) — ( 960,953 ) Realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net 122,289 4,688 ( 685 ) 126,292 Balance as of December 31, 2024 $ 1,829,927 $ 593,817 $ ( 1,846 ) $ 2,421,898 Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation included in earnings related to financial assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date $ 123,659 $ 2,237 $ ( 744 ) $ 125,152 (1) Transfers in and out include changes in the observability of inputs used in valuations and changes due to the consolidation and deconsolidation of funds. (2) Purchases include paid-in-kind interest and securities received in connection with restructurings. (3) Sales/settlements include distributions, principal redemptions and securities disposed of in connection with restructurings. Transfers out of Level III were generally attributable to certain investments that experienced a more significant level of market activity during the period and thus were valued using observable inputs either from independent pricing services or multiple brokers. Transfers into Level III were generally attributable to certain investments that experienced a less significant level of market activity during the period and thus were only able to obtain one or fewer quotes from a broker or independent pricing service. F-30 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The following tables summarize the quantitative inputs and assumptions used for the Company’s and the Consolidated Funds’ Level III measurements as of December 31, 2025: Level III Measurements of the Company Fair Value Valuation Technique(s) Significant Unobservable Input(s) Range Weighted Average Assets Equity securities $ 307,942 Transaction price (1) N/A N/A N/A 100,000 Market yield analysis Market interest rate 8.0 % 8.0 % 84,737 Market approach Multiple of book value 0.6 x - 1.5 x 1.2 x 81,905 Option pricing model Volatility 50.0 % 50.0 % 58,060 Monte Carlo simulation Volatility 52.5 % 52.5 % 59,136 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 11.0 % - 17.0 % 14.0 % 33,810 Market approach EBITDA multiple (2) 11.0 x - 13.0 x 11.8 x Fixed income investments 13,217 Broker quotes and/or third-party pricing services N/A N/A N/A 11,252 Market yield analysis Market interest rate 16.5 % 16.5 % Total assets $ 750,059 Liabilities Contingent consideration $ ( 765,370 ) Monte Carlo simulation Discount rate 5.8 % - 6.6 % 5.8 % Volatility 10.0 % - 11.1 % 10.0 % Total liabilities $ ( 765,370 ) Level III Measurements of the Consolidated Funds Fair Value Valuation Technique(s) Significant Unobservable Input(s) Range Weighted Average Assets Equity securities $ 1,295,564 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 9.0 % - 20.0 % 11.0 % 1,078,401 Market approach Multiple of book value 1.0 x - 1.7 x 1.3 x 350,000 Transaction price (1) N/A N/A N/A 278,992 Market approach EBITDA multiple (2) 5.4 x - 33.0 x 13.9 x 492 Market approach Yield 10.5 % - 14.0 % 9.1 % Fixed income investments 370,588 Market approach Yield 6.1 % - 14.0 % 9.2 % 232,261 Broker quotes and/or third-party pricing services N/A N/A N/A 29,484 Transaction price (1) N/A N/A N/A 1,182 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 12.2 % - 20.0 % 12.3 % Total assets $ 3,636,964 Liabilities Derivative instruments $ ( 114 ) Broker quotes and/or third-party pricing services N/A N/A N/A Total liabilities $ ( 114 ) (1) Transaction price consists of securities purchased or restructured. The Company determined that there was no change to the valuation based on the underlying assumptions used at the closing of such transactions. (2) “EBITDA” in the table above is a non-GAAP financial measure and refers to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. F-31 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The following tables summarize the quantitative inputs and assumptions used for the Company’s and the Consolidated Funds’ Level III measurements as of December 31, 2024: Level III Measurements of the Company Fair Value Valuation Technique(s) Significant Unobservable Input(s) Range Weighted Average Assets Equity securities $ 168,387 Transaction price (1) N/A N/A N/A 100,000 Market approach Yield 8.0 % 8.0 % 57,659 Market approach Multiple of book value 1.0 x - 1.1 x 1.0 x Discounted cash flow Discount rate 10.0 % - 14.0 % 12.0 % 56,918 Market approach Multiple of book value 1.2 x - 1.7 x 1.4 x 19,205 Option pricing model Volatility 35.0 % 35.0 % 8,489 Market approach Earnings multiple 15.4 x 15.4 x 521 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 18.5 % - 21.5 % 20.0 % Fixed income investments 22,283 Transaction price (1) N/A N/A N/A 19,040 Broker quotes and/or third-party pricing services N/A N/A N/A 510 Other N/A N/A N/A Total assets $ 453,012 Liabilities Contingent consideration $ ( 17,550 ) Monte Carlo simulation Discount rate 6.6 % - 6.9 % 6.8 % Volatility 11.1 % 11.1 % Total liabilities $ ( 17,550 ) Level III Measurements of the Consolidated Funds Fair Value Valuation Technique(s) Significant Unobservable Input(s) Range Weighted Average Assets Equity securities $ 985,109 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 10.0 % - 20.0 % 13.0 % 835,432 Market approach Multiple of book value 1.0 x - 1.7 x 1.4 x 8,598 Market approach EBITDA multiple (2) 5.6 x - 34.6 x 10.7 x 789 Other N/A N/A N/A Fixed income investments 308,675 Broker quotes and/or third-party pricing services N/A N/A N/A 284,950 Market approach Yield 7.4 % - 28.6 % 9.9 % 192 Other N/A N/A N/A Total assets $ 2,423,745 Liabilities Derivative instruments $ ( 1,846 ) Broker quotes and/or third-party pricing services N/A N/A N/A Total liabilities $ ( 1,846 ) (1) Transaction price consists of securities purchased or restructured. The Company determined that there has been no change to the valuation based on the underlying assumptions used at the closing of such transactions. (2) “EBITDA” in the table above is a non-GAAP financial measure and refers to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. The Consolidated Funds have limited partnership interests in private equity funds managed by the Company that are valued using NAV per share. The terms and conditions of these funds do not allow for redemptions without certain events or approvals that are outside the Company’s control. F-32 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The following table summarizes the investments held at fair value and unfunded commitments of the Consolidated Funds interests valued using NAV per share: As of December 31, 2025 2024 Investments (held at fair value) $ 3,791,056 $ 2,000,380 Unfunded commitments 3,658,819 932,473 7. DEBT The following table summarizes the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ debt obligations: As of December 31, 2025 2024 Original Borrowing Amount Carrying Value Fair Value (1) Interest Rate Carrying Value Interest Rate Credit Facility (2) N/A $ 1,380,000 $ 1,380,000 4.86 % $ — — % Senior notes due 11/10/2028 (3) 500,000 496,785 529,140 6.42 495,677 6.42 Senior notes due 6/15/2030 (4) 400,000 397,954 379,280 3.28 397,501 3.28 Senior notes due 2/1/2052 (5) 500,000 485,011 348,840 3.77 484,601 3.77 Senior notes due 10/11/2054 (6) 750,000 736,355 709,073 5.65 736,010 5.65 Subordinated notes due 6/30/2051 (7) 450,000 445,310 443,943 4.13 445,125 4.13 Total debt obligations $ 3,941,415 $ 3,790,276 $ 2,558,914 (1) The senior notes and subordinated notes would be classified as Level II within the fair value hierarchy and fair value is based on quoted prices in inactive markets. (2) In April 2025, the Company amended its Credit Facility to, among other things: (i) extend the maturity from March 31, 2029 to April 22, 2030; (ii) increase commitments from $ 1.400 billion, with an accordion feature of $ 600.0 million, to $ 1.840 billion with an accordion feature of $ 660.0 million; and (iii) provide a sub-limit for the issuance of swingline loans up to an aggregate amount of $ 75.0 million (with the amount available for borrowing under the Credit Facility amendment being reduced by any swingline loans issued). The Credit Facility has a variable interest rate based on Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) or a base rate plus an applicable margin, with an unused commitment fee paid quarterly, which is subject to change with the Company’s underlying credit agency rating. As of December 31, 2025, base rate loans bear interest calculated based on the prime rate and the SOFR loans bear interest calculated based on SOFR plus 1.00 %. The unused commitment fee is 0.09 % per annum. The Credit Facility has a base rate and SOFR floor of zero . (3) The senior notes were issued by the Company at 99.80 % of the face amount with interest paid semi-annually. The Company may redeem the senior notes prior to maturity, subject to the terms of the indenture governing the senior notes. (4) The senior notes were issued by Ares Finance Co. II LLC, an indirect subsidiary of the Company, at 99.77 % of the face amount with interest paid semi-annually. The Company may redeem the senior notes prior to maturity, subject to the terms of the indenture governing the senior notes. (5) The senior notes were issued by Ares Finance Co. IV LLC, an indirect subsidiary of the Company, at 97.78 % of the face amount with interest paid semi-annually. The Company may redeem the senior notes prior to maturity, subject to the terms of the indenture governing the senior notes. (6) The senior notes were issued by the Company at 99.24 % of the face amount with interest paid semi-annually. The Company may redeem the senior notes prior to maturity, subject to the terms of the indenture governing the senior notes. (7) The subordinated notes were issued by Ares Finance Co. III LLC, an indirect subsidiary of the Company with interest paid semi-annually at a fixed rate of 4.125 %. Beginning June 30, 2026, the interest rate will reset on every fifth year based on the five-year U.S. Treasury Rate plus 3.237 %. The Company may redeem the subordinated notes prior to maturity or defer interest payments up to five consecutive years, subject to the terms of the indenture governing the subordinated notes. As of December 31, 2025, the Company and its subsidiaries were in compliance with all covenants under the debt obligations. The Company typically incurs and pays debt issuance costs when entering into a new debt obligation or when amending an existing debt agreement. Debt issuance costs related to the various senior notes (the “Senior Notes”) and the subordinated notes (the “Subordinated Notes”) are recorded as a reduction of the corresponding debt obligation, and debt issuance costs related to the Credit Facility are included within other assets within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. All debt issuance costs are amortized over the remaining term of the related obligation into interest expense within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. F-33 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The following table presents the activity of the Company’s debt issuance costs: Credit Facility Senior Notes Subordinated Notes Unamortized debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2023 $ 4,213 $ 11,784 $ 5,059 Debt issuance costs incurred 1,832 8,662 — Amortization of debt issuance costs ( 1,187 ) ( 1,721 ) ( 184 ) Unamortized debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2024 4,858 18,725 4,875 Debt issuance costs incurred 2,181 11 — Amortization of debt issuance costs ( 1,279 ) ( 1,745 ) ( 184 ) Unamortized debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2025 $ 5,760 $ 16,991 $ 4,691 Loan Obligations of the Consolidated CLOs Loan obligations of the Consolidated Funds that are CLOs and other financing obligations (“Consolidated CLOs”) represent amounts due to holders of debt securities issued by the Consolidated CLOs. The Company measures the loan obligations of the Consolidated CLOs using the fair value of the financial assets of its Consolidated CLOs. The following loan obligations were outstanding and classified as liabilities of the Consolidated CLOs: As of December 31, 2025 2024 Fair Value of Loan Obligations Weighted Average Interest Rate Weighted Average Remaining Maturity (in years) Fair Value of Loan Obligations Weighted Average Interest Rate Weighted Average Remaining Maturity (in years) Senior secured notes $ 6,561,286 5.19 % 9.0 $ 8,937,972 6.08 % 8.0 Subordinated notes (1) 797,786 N/A 10.4 734,217 N/A 5.6 Total loan obligations of Consolidated CLOs $ 7,359,072 $ 9,672,189 (1) The notes do not have contractual interest rates; instead, holders of the notes receive a variable rate of interest amounting to the excess cash flows generated by each Consolidated CLO. Loan obligations of the Consolidated CLOs are collateralized by the assets held by the Consolidated CLOs, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, corporate loans and corporate bonds, among other securities and financial interests. The assets of one Consolidated CLO may not be used to satisfy the liabilities of another Consolidated CLO. Loan obligations of the Consolidated CLOs include floating rate notes, deferrable floating rate notes, revolving lines of credit and subordinated notes. Amounts borrowed under the notes are repaid based on available cash flows subject to priority of payments under each Consolidated CLO’s governing documents. Based on the terms of these facilities, the creditors of the facilities have no recourse to the Company. Credit Facilities of the Consolidated Funds Certain Consolidated Funds maintain credit facilities to fund investments between capital drawdowns. These facilities generally are collateralized by the net assets of the Consolidated Funds or the unfunded capital commitments of the Consolidated Funds’ limited partners, bear an annual commitment fee based on unfunded commitments and contain various affirmative and negative covenants and reporting obligations, including restrictions on additional indebtedness, liens, margin stock, affiliate transactions, dividends and distributions, release of capital commitments and portfolio asset dispositions. The creditors of these facilities only have recourse to the Company to the extent the debt is guaranteed by the Company. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Consolidated Funds were in compliance with all covenants under such credit facilities. F-34 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The Consolidated Funds had the following credit facilities outstanding: As of December 31, 2025 2024 Total Capacity Outstanding Loan Fair Value Weighted Average Interest Rate Weighted Average Remaining Maturity (in years) Total Capacity Outstanding Loan Weighted Average Interest Rate Credit Facilities (1) $ 4,878,724 $ 2,251,780 $ 2,251,780 5.95 % 3.4 $ 554,000 $ 275,000 7.52 % (1) The credit facilities have varying maturities and bear interest at spreads to market rates or at stated fixed rates. The fair values of floating-rate borrowings approximate the carrying value as the interest rate on the borrowings is a floating rate. The fair values of fixed-rate borrowings approximate the carrying value as the facility arrangements were recently entered into. These liabilities would be classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy. 8. OTHER ASSETS The components of other assets were as follows: As of December 31, 2025 2024 Other assets of the Company Accounts and interest receivable $ 188,139 $ 169,007 Fixed assets, net 227,826 177,671 Deferred tax assets, net 352,291 241,894 Other assets 263,882 186,082 Total other assets of the Company $ 1,032,138 $ 774,654 Other assets of Consolidated Funds Dividends and interest receivable $ 32,228 $ 70,657 Income tax and other receivables 31,738 11,740 Total other assets of Consolidated Funds $ 63,966 $ 82,397 Fixed Assets, Net The components of fixed assets were as follows: As of December 31, 2025 2024 Office and computer equipment $ 81,867 $ 62,920 Internal-use software 35,023 29,119 Leasehold improvements 227,178 166,250 Fixed assets, at cost 344,068 258,289 Less: accumulated depreciation ( 116,242 ) ( 80,618 ) Fixed assets, net $ 227,826 $ 177,671 For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, depreciation expense was $ 45.2 million, $ 32.2 million and $ 31.4 million, respectively, and is included within general, administrative and other expenses within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company disposed of $ 8.7 million of fixed assets. 9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Indemnification Arrangements Consistent with standard business practices in the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts that contain indemnities for affiliates of the Company, persons acting on behalf of the Company or such affiliates and third parties. The terms of the indemnities vary from contract to contract and the Company’s maximum exposure under these arrangements cannot be determined and has not been recorded within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. As of F-35 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) December 31, 2025, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote. Commitments As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had aggregate unfunded commitments to invest in funds it manages or to support certain strategic initiatives of $ 1,172.9 million and $ 1,451.4 million, respectively. Guarantees As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company’s maximum exposure to losses from guarantees was $ 7.1 million and $ 1.1 million, respectively. The guarantee agreements that the Company enters into with financial institutions are primarily to guarantee credit facilities held by certain funds. In the ordinary course of business, the guarantee of credit facilities held by funds may indicate control and result in consolidation of the fund. Contingent Earnout Arrangements GCP International In connection with the GCP Acquisition during the first quarter of 2025, the Company established two arrangements with the sellers and with certain of its professionals that became employees of the Company, including (i) an earnout arrangement related to the data center business (“DC Earnout”) based on the achievement of revenue targets of certain digital infrastructure funds; and (ii) an earnout arrangement related to the Japan business (“Japan Earnout”) based on the achievement of fundraising targets of certain Japanese real estate funds. The DC Earnout and Japan Earnout represent contingent liabilities not to exceed $ 1.0 billion and $ 0.5 billion, respectively. The portion of the DC Earnout and Japan Earnout attributable to the sellers represents a component of purchase consideration that will be accounted for as contingent consideration. As of March 1, 2025, the fair value of these contingent liabilities was $ 465.1 million and was recorded within accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The contingent liabilities are subject to change over the measurement periods, which will end no later than June 30, 2028. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the change in fair value from the acquisition date of $ 298.0 million is presented within other income (expense), net within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company expects to settle the contingent liabilities at the Company’s discretion with no less than 15.0 % cash and the remaining balance in equity. As of December 31, 2025, the fair value of the contingent liabilities was $ 763.0 million. The portion of the DC Earnout and Japan Earnout attributable to the professionals that became employees of the Company requires continued service through the measurement periods. The Company expects to settle the contingent liabilities at the Company’s discretion with no less than 15.0 % cash and the remaining balance in equity awards. The DC Earnout and Japan Earnout are remeasured each period with incremental changes in fair value for the cash and equity components of these liabilities recognized within compensation and benefits expense within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Following the measurement period end dates, the cash components will be paid and the equity awards will be granted at fair value for the balance of the liability. As of December 31, 2025, the fair value of the contingent liabilities was $ 327.0 million. Compensation expense of $ 70.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 was recorded within compensation and benefits within the Consolidated Statements of Operations with an equal offset presented within accrued compensation within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The unpaid liabilities at the respective measurement period end dates will be reclassified from liability to additional paid-in-capital. Any compensation expense associated with the DC Earnout and Japan Earnout that was not previously recorded through the final measurement period end date will be recognized as equity-based compensation expense over the remaining service periods ranging from three to six years , measured from the GCP Acquisition close date. F-36 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Other Arrangements The Company also entered into various other contingent earnout arrangements in connection with acquisitions. The revenue target was achieved for one of the earnouts and the associated liability was settled during the year ended December 31, 2025. The fair value of the contingent liability related to this earnout was $ 31.1 million and the associated liability for this portion of the award was settled with a $ 26.0 million cash payment during the year ended December 31, 2025 and the remaining amount equity-settled was reclassified to additional paid-in-capital. For the portion of the earnout attributable to employees, compensation expense of $ 8.0 million and $ 0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, is presented within compensation and benefits within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the portion of the earnout classified as contingent consideration, change in fair value of $ 2.9 million was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2025 and is presented within other income (expense), net within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The maximum exposure for the remaining contingent earnout arrangements was $ 175.0 million and $ 115.0 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the fair value of these contingent liabilities attributable to employees was $ 24.2 million and $ 88.9 million, respectively, of which $ 7.8 million and $ 29.3 million, respectively, has been recorded within accrued compensation within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Compensation expense of $( 21.5 ) million, $ 21.5 million and $ 6.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, is presented within compensation and benefits within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In connection with anticipated fundraising for a future APAC private equity fund, the Company determined the revenue targets associated with this earnout arrangement are not expected to be achieved. As a result, the Company reversed $ 25.0 million of previously recognized compensation expense associated with this arrangement during the year ended December 31, 2025. The remaining portions of these contingent earnout arrangements were classified as contingent consideration. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the fair value of these contingent liabilities was $ 2.3 million and $ 2.1 million, respectively, and has been recorded within accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. For the year ended December 31, 2025, change in fair value of $ 0.2 million is presented within other income (expense), net within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Carried Interest Carried interest is affected by changes in the fair values of the underlying investments in the funds that are advised by the Company. Valuations, on an unrealized basis, can be significantly affected by a variety of external factors including, but not limited to, public equity market volatility, industry trading multiples and interest rates. Generally, if at the termination of a fund (and increasingly at interim points in the life of a fund), the fund has not achieved investment returns that exceed the preferred return threshold or the general partner has received net profits over the life of the fund in excess of its allocable share under the applicable partnership agreement, the Company will be obligated to repay carried interest that was received by the Company in excess of the amounts to which the Company is entitled. This contingent obligation is normally reduced by income taxes paid by the Company related to its carried interest. Senior professionals of the Company who have received carried interest distributions are responsible for funding their proportionate share of any contingent repayment obligations. However, the governing agreements of certain of the Company’s funds provide that if a current or former professional does not fund his or her respective share for such fund, then the Company may have to fund additional amounts beyond what was received in carried interest, although the Company will generally retain the right to pursue any remedies under such governing agreements against those carried interest recipients who fail to fund their obligations. Additionally, at the end of the life of the funds there could be a payment due to a fund by the Company if the Company has received more carried interest than was ultimately earned. The general partner obligation amount, if any, will depend on final realized values of investments at the end of the life of the fund. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, if the Company assumed all existing investments were worthless, the amount of carried interest subject to potential repayment, net of tax distributions, which may differ from the recognition of revenue, would have been $ 125.6 million and $ 59.6 million, respectively, of which $ 99.8 million and $ 39.5 million, respectively, is reimbursable to the Company by certain professionals who are the recipients of such carried interest. Management believes the possibility of all of the investments becoming worthless is remote. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, if the funds were liquidated at their fair values, there would be no material contingent repayment obligation or liability. F-37 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Litigation From time to time, the Company is named as a defendant in legal actions relating to transactions and other matters conducted in the ordinary course of business. Although there can be no assurance of the outcome of such legal actions, in the opinion of management, the Company does not have a potential liability related to any current legal proceeding or claim that would individually or in the aggregate materially affect its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Leases The Company’s leases primarily consists of operating leases for office space and certain office equipment. The Company’s leases have remaining lease terms up to 18 years. The tables below present certain supplemental quantitative disclosures regarding the Company’s operating leases: Maturity of operating lease liabilities As of December 31, 2025 2026 $ 72,615 2027 69,712 2028 79,756 2029 74,020 2030 72,381 Thereafter 645,496 Total future payments 1,013,980 Less: interest 343,981 Total operating lease liabilities $ 669,999 Year ended December 31, Classification within general, administrative and other expenses 2025 2024 2023 Operating lease expense $ 88,617 $ 66,812 $ 49,531 Year ended December 31, Supplemental information on the measurement of operating lease liabilities 2025 2024 2023 Operating cash flows for operating leases $ 68,039 $ 55,439 $ 45,103 Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 53,574 308,377 168,876 As of December 31, Lease term and discount rate 2025 2024 Weighted-average remaining lease terms (in years) 12.9 14.1 Weighted-average discount rate 5.8 % 5.8 % F-38 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) 10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Substantially all of the Company’s revenue is earned from its affiliates. The related accounts receivable are included within due from affiliates within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, except that accrued carried interest, which is predominantly due from affiliated funds, is presented separately within investments within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The Company has investment management agreements with the Ares Funds that it manages. In accordance with these agreements, these Ares Funds may bear certain operating costs and expenses which are initially paid by the Company and subsequently reimbursed by the Ares Funds. Employees and other related parties may be permitted to participate in co-investment vehicles that generally invest in Ares Funds alongside fund investors. Participation is limited by law to individuals who qualify under applicable securities laws. These co-investment vehicles generally do not require these individuals to pay management fees, carried interest or incentive fees. Carried interest and incentive fees from the funds can be distributed to professionals or their related entities on a current basis, subject, in the case of carried interest programs, to repayment by the subsidiary of the Company that acts as general partner of the relevant fund in the event that certain specified return thresholds are not ultimately achieved. The professionals have personally guaranteed, subject to certain limitations, the obligations of these subsidiaries in respect of this general partner obligation. Such guarantees are several, and not joint, and are limited to distributions received by the relevant recipient. The Company considers its professionals and non-consolidated funds to be affiliates. Amounts due from and to affiliates were composed of the following: As of December 31, 2025 2024 Due from affiliates Management fees receivable from non-consolidated funds $ 817,767 $ 636,835 Incentive fee receivable from non-consolidated funds 150,674 172,235 Payments made on behalf of and amounts due from non-consolidated funds and employees 451,777 247,538 Due from affiliates—Company $ 1,420,218 $ 1,056,608 Due to affiliates Management fee received in advance and rebates payable to non-consolidated funds $ 10,197 $ 5,767 Tax receivable agreement liability 579,893 402,359 Realized carried interest and incentive fees payable 206,270 78,692 Payments made by non-consolidated funds on behalf of and payable by the Company 14,049 13,662 Due to affiliates—Company $ 810,409 $ 500,480 Due from and Due to Ares Funds and Portfolio Companies In the normal course of business, the Company pays certain expenses on behalf of Consolidated Funds and non-consolidated funds for which it is reimbursed. Conversely, Consolidated Funds and non-consolidated funds may pay certain expenses that are reimbursed by the Company. Certain expenses initially paid by the Company, primarily professional services, travel and other costs associated with particular portfolio company holdings, are subject to reimbursement by the portfolio companies. F-39 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) 11. INCOME TAXES The Company’s effective income tax rate is dependent on many factors, including the estimated nature and amounts of income and expenses allocated to the non-controlling interests without being subject to federal, state and local income taxes at the corporate level. Additionally, the Company’s effective tax rate is influenced by the amount of income tax provision recorded for any affiliated funds and co-investment vehicles that are consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company files its tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which it operates. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax authorities. With limited exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to income tax audits by taxing authorities for any years prior to 2021. Although the outcome of tax audits is always uncertain, the Company does not believe the outcome of any future audit will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The provision for income taxes attributable to the Company and the Consolidated Funds, consisted of the following: Year ended December 31, Provision for Income Taxes 2025 2024 2023 The Company Current U.S. federal income tax expense $ 55,531 $ 63,292 $ 34,051 State and local income tax expense 15,456 14,326 13,316 Foreign income tax expense 44,869 24,841 24,029 115,856 102,459 71,396 Deferred U.S. federal income tax expense 87,010 50,182 85,610 State and local income tax expense 12,370 7,819 15,872 Foreign income tax benefit ( 22,829 ) ( 2,917 ) ( 3,730 ) 76,551 55,084 97,752 Total U.S. federal income tax expense 142,541 113,474 119,661 State and local income tax expense 27,826 22,145 29,188 Foreign income tax expense 22,040 21,924 20,299 Income tax expense 192,407 157,543 169,148 Consolidated Funds Current Foreign income tax expense (benefit) ( 434 ) ( 1,331 ) 3,823 ( 434 ) ( 1,331 ) 3,823 Deferred U.S. federal income tax expense 6,562 8,405 — 6,562 8,405 — Total U.S. federal income tax expense 6,562 8,405 — Foreign income tax expense (benefit) ( 434 ) ( 1,331 ) 3,823 Income tax expense 6,128 7,074 3,823 Total Provision for Income Taxes Total current income tax expense 115,422 101,128 75,219 Total deferred income tax expense 83,113 63,489 97,752 Income tax expense $ 198,535 $ 164,617 $ 172,971 F-40 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The disaggregation of income before taxes is effective with the adoption of ASU 2023-09 and consisted of the following: Year ended December 31, 2025 U.S. $ 1,102,366 Foreign 184,527 Total $ 1,286,893 The reconciliation of taxes from the statutory tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate changed with the adoption of ASU 2023-09 and is presented below: Year ended December 31, 2025 U.S. federal statutory rate $ 270,248 21.0 % State and local taxes, net of federal benefit (1) 24,214 1.9 Effect of cross-border tax laws: United Kingdom 15,601 1.2 Japan 15,187 1.2 Singapore 5,214 0.4 Other jurisdictions 6,673 0.5 Foreign tax effects United Kingdom: Statutory tax rate differential 3,046 0.2 Other rate differential items ( 16,343 ) ( 1.3 ) Japan: Statutory tax rate differential 2,800 0.2 Other rate differential items ( 8,377 ) ( 0.7 ) Singapore: Statutory tax rate differential ( 4,698 ) ( 0.4 ) Other rate differential items 5,833 0.5 Other foreign jurisdictions: Statutory tax rate differential 1,339 0.1 Other rate differential items ( 4,223 ) ( 0.3 ) Tax credits Foreign tax credits ( 12,864 ) ( 1.0 ) Research and development tax credits ( 699 ) ( 0.1 ) Other business tax credits ( 1,702 ) ( 0.1 ) Changes in valuation allowance ( 950 ) ( 0.1 ) Nontaxable or nondeductible items Nondeductible executive compensation expense 19,710 1.5 Other, net 2,874 0.2 Other adjustments Income passed through to non-controlling interests ( 124,348 ) ( 9.6 ) Effective tax rate $ 198,535 15.3 % (1) State taxes in California and New York and local taxes New York City comprise the majority of the state and local taxes, net of federal benefit. F-41 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The reconciliation of the statutory tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate for periods prior to the adoption of ASU 2023-09 is as follows: Year ended December 31, 2024 2023 Income tax expense at federal statutory rate 21.0 % 21.0 % Income passed through to non-controlling interests ( 9.3 ) ( 9.6 ) State and local taxes, net of federal benefit 1.4 1.7 Foreign taxes ( 0.7 ) ( 0.7 ) Permanent items 0.1 0.2 Disallowed executive compensation 0.3 0.2 Other, net 0.1 0.3 Valuation allowance — ( 0.1 ) Total effective rate 12.9 % 13.0 % The disaggregated presentation of income taxes paid that is effective with the adoption of ASU 2023-09 is presented below: Year ended December 31, 2025 Federal income tax $ 35,700 State and local income tax 26,777 Foreign income tax 28,856 Total $ 91,333 The following jurisdictions represent approximately 5% of total income taxes paid (net of refunds), or if less than 5%, represent the largest jurisdictions: Year ended December 31, 2025 State and local income tax New York $ 3,415 New York City 10,702 California 3,941 Foreign income tax United Kingdom $ 14,426 Japan 5,419 Deferred Taxes The income tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. Deferred tax assets, net of the Company are included within other assets within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Deferred tax liabilities, net of the Consolidated Funds are included within accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. F-42 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) As of December 31, Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities of the Company 2025 2024 Deferred tax assets Amortizable tax basis for AOG Unit exchanges $ 638,725 $ 451,343 Net operating losses and capital loss carryforwards 34,415 1,888 Other, net 30,708 9,793 Total gross deferred tax assets 703,848 463,024 Valuation allowance ( 941 ) ( 941 ) Total net deferred tax assets 702,907 462,083 Deferred tax liabilities Investment in partnerships ( 350,616 ) ( 220,189 ) Total deferred tax liabilities ( 350,616 ) ( 220,189 ) Deferred tax assets, net $ 352,291 $ 241,894 As of December 31, Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities of the Consolidated Funds 2025 2024 Deferred tax assets Net operating losses $ 9,295 $ 7,932 Total gross deferred tax assets 9,295 7,932 Valuation allowance ( 279 ) ( 1,229 ) Total net deferred tax assets 9,016 6,703 Deferred tax liabilities Investments in partnerships ( 23,984 ) ( 15,108 ) Total deferred tax liabilities ( 23,984 ) ( 15,108 ) Deferred tax liabilities, net $ ( 14,968 ) $ ( 8,405 ) In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is probable that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining whether the deferred taxes are realizable, the Company considers the period of expiration of the tax asset, historical and projected taxable income, and tax liabilities for the tax jurisdiction in which the tax asset is located. Valuation allowances are provided to reduce the amounts of deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized based on an assessment of positive and negative evidence, including estimates of future taxable income necessary to realize future deductible amounts. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had net operating loss (“NOLs”) carryforwards in the United States and foreign jurisdictions associated with its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had $ 99.0 million and $ 7.6 million, respectively, of NOL carryforwards and other tax attributes related to its foreign jurisdictions to reduce future income taxes. With limited exceptions, the deferred tax assets related to operating losses in foreign jurisdictions and certain capital loss carryforwards meet the more likely than not threshold and do not have a valuation allowance recorded for the net balance. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the valuation allowance for the Company’s deferred tax assets was $ 0.9 million, associated with NOLs in certain foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Consolidated Funds had $ 42.7 million and $ 36.4 million, respectively, of NOL carryforwards and other tax attribute to reduce future income taxes for which a partial valuation allowance has been provided. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets of the Consolidated Funds was $ 0.3 million and $ 1.2 million, respectively, associated with NOL carryforwards related to its Consolidated funds. The NOL carryforwards generally have no expiry. As of, and for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, the Company had no significant uncertain tax positions. F-43 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) 12. EARNINGS PER SHARE The Company has Class A and non-voting common stock outstanding. The non-voting common stock has the same economic rights as the Class A common stock; therefore, earnings per share is presented on a combined basis. Income of the Company has been allocated on a proportionate basis to the two common stock classes. Basic earnings per share of Class A and non-voting common stock is computed by using the two-class method. Diluted earnings per share of Class A and non-voting common stock is computed using the more dilutive method of either the two-class method or the treasury stock and if-converted methods. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the two-class method was the more dilutive method. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the treasury stock method was the more dilutive method. The computation of diluted earnings per share excludes the following restricted units and AOG Units as their effect would have been anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method: Year ended December 31, 2025 2024 2023 Restricted units N/A N/A 2,071 AOG Units N/A N/A 118,804,252 The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share: Year ended December 31, 2025 2024 2023 Basic earnings per share of Class A and non-voting common stock Net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation Class A and non-voting common stockholders $ 426,112 $ 440,961 $ 474,326 Dividends declared and paid on Class A and non-voting common stock ( 985,543 ) ( 742,970 ) ( 571,923 ) Distributions on unvested restricted units ( 42,570 ) ( 30,766 ) ( 21,303 ) Dividends in excess of earnings available to Class A and non-voting common stockholders $ ( 602,001 ) $ ( 332,775 ) $ ( 118,900 ) Basic weighted-average shares of Class A and non-voting common stock 217,361,945 198,054,451 184,523,524 Dividends in excess of earnings per share of Class A and non-voting common stock $ ( 2.77 ) $ ( 1.68 ) $ ( 0.64 ) Dividend declared and paid per Class A and non-voting common stock 4.48 3.72 3.08 Basic earnings per share of Class A and non-voting common stock $ 1.71 $ 2.04 $ 2.44 Diluted earnings per share of Class A and non-voting common stock Net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation Class A and non-voting common stockholders $ 426,112 $ 440,961 $ 474,326 Distributions on unvested restricted units ( 42,570 ) ( 30,766 ) — Net income available to Class A and non-voting common stockholders $ 383,542 $ 410,195 $ 474,326 Effect of dilutive shares: Restricted units — — 9,347,318 Options — — 1,902,584 Diluted weighted-average shares of Class A and non-voting common stock 217,361,945 198,054,451 195,773,426 Diluted earnings per share of Class A and non-voting common stock $ 1.71 $ 2.04 $ 2.42 F-44 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) 13. EQUITY COMPENSATION Equity-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures, recorded by the Company is presented in the following table: Year ended December 31, 2025 2024 2023 Unvested awards $ 730,448 $ 352,851 $ 255,965 AOG Unit awards 10,101 — — Total equity-based compensation expense $ 740,549 $ 352,851 $ 255,965 Equity Incentive Plan Equity-based compensation is generally granted under the 2023 Ares Management Corporation Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”). The total number of shares available to be issued under the Equity Incentive Plan resets based on a formula defined in the Equity Incentive Plan and may increase on January 1 of each year. On January 1, 2025, the total number of shares available for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan reset to 51,846,506 shares and as of December 31, 2025, 45,127,175 shares remained available for issuance. Generally, unvested awards are forfeited upon termination of employment in accordance with the Equity Incentive Plan. The Company recognizes forfeitures as a reversal of previously recognized compensation expense in the period the forfeiture occurs. Unvested Awards Each unvested award represents either a share of the Company’s Class A common stock that is subject to restriction or a restricted unit, representing an unfunded, unsecured right of the holder to receive a share of the Company’s Class A common stock on a specific date. The unvested awards vest and the restrictions lapse or are settled in shares of Class A common stock, as applicable, over service periods up to five years from the grant date, in each case generally subject to the holder’s continued employment as of the applicable vesting date (subject to accelerated vesting upon certain qualifying terminations of employment or retirement eligibility provisions). Compensation expense associated with unvested awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. Restricted units are delivered net of the holder’s payroll-related taxes upon vesting. For the year ended December 31, 2025, 5.4 million restricted units vested and 3.1 million shares of Class A common stock were delivered to the holders. For the year ended December 31, 2024, 4.2 million restricted units vested and 2.3 million shares of Class A common stock were delivered to the holders. The holders of restricted units, other than awards that have not yet been issued, generally have the right to receive as current compensation an amount in cash equal to: (i) the amount of any dividend paid with respect to a share of Class A common stock multiplied by (ii) the number of restricted units held at the time such dividends are declared (“Dividend Equivalent”). The following table summarizes the Company’s dividends declared and Dividend Equivalents paid during the year ended December 31, 2025: Record Date Dividends Per Share Dividend Equivalents Paid March 17, 2025 $ 1.12 $ 21,489 June 16, 2025 1.12 20,958 September 16, 2025 1.12 21,095 December 17, 2025 1.12 21,027 F-45 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The following table presents unvested awards’ activity: Unvested Awards Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Unvested Award Balance as of December 31, 2024 17,968,940 $ 79.11 Granted 7,455,032 185.19 Vested ( 5,393,967 ) 80.37 Forfeited ( 269,399 ) 100.68 Balance as of December 31, 2025 19,760,606 $ 118.49 The total compensation expense expected to be recognized in all future periods associated with unvested awards is $ 1,532.7 million as of December 31, 2025 and is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted average period of 3.3 years. Other Equity-Based Compensation In connection with the GCP Acquisition, the Company granted 0.3 million AOG Unit awards to certain professionals. Of the total AOG Unit awards granted, 0.1 million units vested on the close date of the GCP Acquisition and the remaining 0.2 million units vest in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the GCP Acquisition close date, subject to the holder’s continued employment as of the applicable vesting dates. The weighted average grant date fair value per unvested AOG Unit award was $ 170.94 . The total compensation expense expected to be recognized in all future periods associated with unvested AOG Unit awards is $ 26.2 million as of December 31, 2025 and is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted average period of 2.2 years. See “Note 3. Business Combinations” for a further description of the equity compensation expense from the GCP Acquisition. 14. EQUITY AND REDEEMABLE INTEREST Common Stock The Company’s common stock consists of Class A, Class B, Class C and non-voting common stock, each $ 0.01 par value per share. The non-voting common stock has the same economic rights as the Class A common stock. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (“SMBC”) is the sole holder of the non-voting common stock. The Class B common stock and Class C common stock are non-economic and holders are not entitled to dividends from the Company or to receive any assets of the Company in the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company. Ares Management GP LLC is the sole holder of the Class B common stock and Ares Voting LLC (“Ares Voting”) is the sole holder of the Class C common stock. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), the Company’s common stockholders are entitled to vote on all matters on which stockholders of a corporation are generally entitled to vote under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), including the election of the Company’s board of directors. Holders of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share of the Company’s Class A common stock. On any date on which the Ares Ownership Condition (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) is satisfied, holders of shares of the Company’s Class B common stock are, in the aggregate, entitled to a number of votes equal to (x) four times the aggregate number of votes attributable to the Company’s Class A common stock minus (y) the aggregate number of votes attributable to the Company’s Class C common stock. On any date on which the Ares Ownership Condition is not satisfied, holders of shares of the Company’s Class B common stock are not entitled to vote on any matter submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders. The holder of shares of the Company’s Class C common stock is generally entitled to a number of votes equal to the number of AOG Units (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) held of record by each Ares Operating Group Limited Partner (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) other than the Company and its subsidiaries. Changes in Class C common stock are directly proportional to changes in Ares Owners Holdings L.P.’s ownership interest in the AOG entities. The Company has a stock repurchase program that allows for the repurchase of up to $ 750.0 million of shares of Class A common stock. Under the program, shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, including in reliance on Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Act. The renewal of the program is F-46 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) subject to authorization by the Company’s board of directors on an annual basis. As of December 31, 2025, the program was scheduled to expire in March 2026. In February 2026, the renewal of the program was authorized by the Company’s board of directors and will expire in March 2027. Repurchases under the program, if any, will depend on the prevailing market conditions and other factors. During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not repurchase any shares as part of the stock repurchase program. The following table presents the changes in each class of common stock: Class A Common Stock Non-Voting Common Stock Class B Common Stock Class C Common Stock Total Balance as of December 31, 2024 199,872,571 3,489,911 1,000 109,806,689 313,170,171 Issuance of common stock, net of shares retired for tax 10,471,054 — — 303,500 10,774,554 Exchanges of AOG Units 5,031,068 — — ( 5,031,068 ) — Vesting of restricted unit awards, net of shares withheld for tax 3,090,736 — — — 3,090,736 Balance as of December 31, 2025 218,465,429 3,489,911 1,000 105,079,121 327,035,461 The following table presents each partner’s AOG Units and corresponding ownership interest in each of the AOG entities, as well as its daily average ownership of AOG Units in each of the AOG entities: Daily Average Ownership As of December 31, 2025 As of December 31, 2024 Year ended December 31, AOG Units Direct Ownership Interest AOG Units Direct Ownership Interest 2025 2024 2023 Ares Management Corporation 221,955,340 67.87 % 203,362,482 64.94 % 66.95 % 63.61 % 60.83 % Ares Owners Holdings L.P. 105,079,121 32.13 109,806,689 35.06 33.05 36.39 39.17 Total 327,034,461 100.00 % 313,169,171 100.00 % The Company’s ownership percentage of the AOG Units will continue to change upon: (i) the vesting of restricted units that were granted under the Equity Incentive Plan; (ii) the exchange of AOG Units for shares of Class A common stock; (iii) the cancellation of AOG Units in connection with certain individuals’ forfeiture of AOG Units upon termination of employment; and (iv) the issuance of new AOG Units, including in connection with acquisitions, among other strategic reasons. Holders of the AOG Units, subject to any applicable transfer restrictions, may up to four times each year (subject to the terms of the exchange agreement) exchange their AOG Units for shares of Class A common stock on a one -for-one basis. Equity is reallocated among partners upon a change in ownership to ensure each partners’ capital account properly reflects their respective claim on the residual value of the Company. This change is reflected as either a reallocation of interest or as dilution within the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity. Preferred Stock As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had 30,000,000 shares of Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock outstanding. When, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors, dividends on the Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock are payable quarterly at a rate per annum equal to 6.75 %. Dividends on Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock are cumulative and the Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock, unless previously converted or redeemed, will automatically convert into the Company’s Class A common stock on October 1, 2027. Unless converted earlier in accordance with its terms, each share of Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock will automatically convert on the mandatory conversion date into between 0.2717 and 0.3260 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, in each case, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. The conversion rate that will apply to mandatory conversions will be determined based on the average of the daily volume-weighted average prices over the 20 consecutive trading days beginning on, and including, the 21st scheduled trading day immediately before October 1, 2027. Holders of shares of Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock have the option to convert all or any portion of their shares of Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock at any time. The conversion rate applicable to any early conversion may in certain circumstances be increased to compensate holders of the Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock for certain unpaid accumulated dividends. F-47 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Redeemable Interest Redeemable interest in AOG entities represents third-party ownership interests in certain investments and is presented at the redemption amount within mezzanine equity within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. As of December 31, 2024, 50,000,000 of AAC II (as defined below) Class A ordinary shares were presented at the redemption amount within mezzanine equity within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. In September 2025, Kodiak AI, Inc. (Nasdaq: KDK) (f/k/a Ares Acquisition Corporation II, or “AAC II”) completed a business combination with Kodiak Robotics, Inc. In connection with the transaction, AAC II was renamed KDK, and the Company’s investments in AAC II were converted into various interests in KDK, including KDK common shares and warrants, as well as unvested KDK common shares and the potential to receive additional KDK common shares, each subject to certain performance conditions. These investments represent non-controlling financial interests and are presented within investments within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Following the business combination, the Company no longer held a controlling financial interest in AAC II, resulting in the deconsolidation of AAC II. For the year ended December 31, 2025, changes in value of the Company’s investments in KDK included: (i) $ 68.3 million of unrealized performance income related to KDK common shares; and (ii) $ 49.8 million of unrealized performance income related to KDK common shares subject to vesting upon achievement of certain performance conditions. These investments were received in exchange for previously held AAC II Class A ordinary shares with a nominal cost basis, and the changes in value are presented within carried interest allocation within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recognized net unrealized gains of $ 27.8 million related to the remainder of its investments in KDK, presented within net realized and unrealized gains on investments within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company’s investments in KDK common shares and warrants are classified as Level I in the fair value hierarchy. The Company’s investments in unvested KDK common shares and the potential to receive additional KDK common shares, each subject to performance conditions, are classified as Level III, with fair value determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. F-48 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The following table summarizes the activities associated with the redeemable interest in AOG entities: Total Balance as of December 31, 2022 $ 93,129 Changes in ownership interests and related tax benefits ( 66,507 ) Distributions ( 2,883 ) Net income 226 Currency translation adjustment, net of tax ( 41 ) Equity compensation 174 Balance as of December 31, 2023 24,098 Distributions ( 302 ) Net income 103 Currency translation adjustment, net of tax ( 403 ) Balance as of December 31, 2024 23,496 Distributions ( 300 ) Net income 1,349 Currency translation adjustment, net of tax 751 Balance as of December 31, 2025 $ 25,296 The following table summarizes the activities associated with the redeemable interest in Consolidated Funds: Total Balance as of December 31, 2022 $ 1,013,282 Gross proceeds from the initial public offering of AAC II 500,000 Change in redemption value 55,530 Redemptions from Class A ordinary shares of Ares Acquisition Corporation (formerly NYSE: AAC) ( 1,045,874 ) Balance as of December 31, 2023 522,938 Change in redemption value 27,762 Balance as of December 31, 2024 550,700 Redemptions from Class A ordinary shares of AAC II ( 509,503 ) Change in redemption value 21,707 Deconsolidation of AAC II ( 62,904 ) Balance as of December 31, 2025 $ — 15. SEGMENT REPORTING The Company operates through its distinct operating segments . The Company operating segments are summarized below: Credit Group : The Credit Group manages credit strategies across the liquid and illiquid spectrum, including liquid credit, alternative credit, opportunistic credit, direct lending and Asia-Pacific (“APAC”) credit. Real Assets Group : The Real Assets Group manages comprehensive equity and debt strategies across real estate and infrastructure investments. Secondaries Group : The Secondaries Group invests in secondary markets across a range of alternative asset class strategies, including private equity, real estate, infrastructure and credit. Private Equity Group : The Private Equity Group broadly categorizes its investment strategies as corporate private equity and APAC private equity. Other : Other represents a compilation of operating segments and strategic investments that seek to expand the Company’s reach and its scale in new and existing global markets but individually are not yet material to the Company’s results. These results include activities from: (i) Ares Insurance Solutions (“AIS”), the Company’s insurance platform that provides solutions to insurance clients including asset management, capital solutions and corporate development; (ii) the F-49 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) SPACs sponsored by the Company; (iii) a venture capital business with fund strategies that are focused on growth-stage companies and applied artificial intelligence, among others; and (iv) other initiatives, such as activities from the Company’s investments in certain structured financing vehicles. The Operations Management Group (the “OMG”) consists of shared resource groups to support the Company’s operating segments by providing infrastructure and administrative support in the areas of accounting/finance, operations, information technology, legal, compliance, human resources, strategy, relationship management, and distribution, including the Company’s wealth distribution platform, Ares Wealth Management Solutions (“AWMS”). AWMS facilitates the product development, distribution, marketing and client management activities for investment offerings in the global wealth management channel. Additionally, the OMG provides services to certain of the Company’s managed funds and vehicles, which may reimburse the OMG for expenses either equal to the costs of services provided or as a percentage of invested capital. The OMG’s revenues and expenses are not allocated to the Company’s operating segments but the Company does consider the financial results of the OMG when evaluating its financial performance. Segment Profit Measure : Realized income (“RI”), which includes fee related earnings (“FRE”) as a component, supplements and should be considered in addition to, and not in lieu of, the Consolidated Statements of Operations prepared in accordance with GAAP. RI, a non-GAAP measure, is an operating metric used by management to evaluate performance of the business based on operating performance and the contribution of each of the business segments to that performance, while removing the fluctuations of unrealized income and expenses, which may or may not be eventually realized at the levels presented and whose realizations depend more on future outcomes than current business operations. RI differs from income before taxes by excluding: (i) operating results of the Consolidated Funds; (ii) depreciation and amortization expense; (iii) the effects of changes arising from corporate actions; (iv) unrealized gains and losses related to carried interest, incentive fees and investment performance; and adjusts for certain other items that the Company believes are not indicative of operating performance. Changes arising from corporate actions include equity-based compensation expenses, the amortization of intangible assets, transaction costs associated with mergers, acquisitions and capital activities, underwriting costs and expenses incurred in connection with corporate reorganization. Placement fee adjustment represents the net portion of either expense deferral or amortization of upfront fees to placement agents that is presented to match the timing of expense recognition with the period over which management fees are expected to be earned from the associated fund for segment purposes but have been expensed in advance in accordance with GAAP. For periods in which the amortization of upfront fees for segment purposes is higher than the GAAP expense, the placement fee adjustment is presented as a reduction to RI. Management believes RI is a more appropriate metric to evaluate the Company’s current business operations. FRE, a non-GAAP measure that is a component of RI, is used to assess core operating performance by determining whether recurring revenue, primarily consisting of management fees and fee related performance revenues, is sufficient to cover operating expenses and to generate profits. FRE differs from income before taxes computed in accordance with GAAP as it excludes net performance income, investment income and adjusts for certain other items that the Company believes are not indicative of its core operating performance. Fee related performance revenues, together with fee related performance compensation, is presented within FRE because it represents incentive fees from perpetual capital vehicles that is measured and eligible to be received on a recurring basis and not dependent on realization events from the underlying investments. The Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is its Chief Executive Officer. The CODM makes operating decisions and assesses the performance of each of the Company’s business segments based on financial and operating metrics and other data that is presented before giving effect to the consolidation of any of the Consolidated Funds. Consequently, all segment data excludes the assets, liabilities and operating results related to the Consolidated Funds and non-consolidated funds. Total assets by segments is not disclosed because such information is not used by the Company’s CODM in evaluating the segments. Many of the Ares Funds managed by the Company have mandates that allow for investing across different geographic regions, including North America, South America, Europe, APAC and the Middle East. The primary geographic region in which the Company invests in is North America and the majority of its revenues are generated in North America. F-50 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The following tables present the financial results for the Company’s operating segments, as well as the OMG: Year ended December 31, 2025 Credit Group Real Assets Group Secondaries Group Private Equity Group Other Total Segments OMG Total Management fees $ 2,529,312 $ 678,355 $ 276,292 $ 139,172 $ 59,791 $ 3,682,922 $ — $ 3,682,922 Fee related performance revenues 210,356 35,665 55,288 — — 301,309 — 301,309 Other fees 52,895 181,104 6,580 1,824 2,700 245,103 27,604 272,707 Compensation and benefits ( 788,989 ) ( 315,616 ) ( 91,834 ) ( 60,701 ) ( 26,066 ) ( 1,283,206 ) ( 534,113 ) ( 1,817,319 ) General, administrative and other expenses ( 178,863 ) ( 114,848 ) ( 37,920 ) ( 21,975 ) ( 9,021 ) ( 362,627 ) ( 301,692 ) ( 664,319 ) Fee related earnings 1,824,711 464,660 208,406 58,320 27,404 2,583,501 ( 808,201 ) 1,775,300 Performance income—realized 383,892 99,813 177 42,402 — 526,284 — 526,284 Performance related compensation—realized ( 257,290 ) ( 67,883 ) ( 106 ) ( 31,994 ) — ( 357,273 ) — ( 357,273 ) Realized net performance income 126,602 31,930 71 10,408 — 169,011 — 169,011 Investment income (loss)—realized 14,321 31,356 1,645 ( 15,659 ) 8,425 40,088 1,355 41,443 Interest income 6,704 6,895 1,176 2,025 14,489 31,289 2,907 34,196 Interest expense ( 20,041 ) ( 92,787 ) ( 7,998 ) ( 15,555 ) ( 34,898 ) ( 171,279 ) ( 363 ) ( 171,642 ) Realized net investment income (loss) 984 ( 54,536 ) ( 5,177 ) ( 29,189 ) ( 11,984 ) ( 99,902 ) 3,899 ( 96,003 ) Realized income $ 1,952,297 $ 442,054 $ 203,300 $ 39,539 $ 15,420 $ 2,652,610 $ ( 804,302 ) $ 1,848,308 Year ended December 31, 2024 Credit Group Real Assets Group Secondaries Group Private Equity Group Other Total Segments OMG Total Management fees $ 2,177,816 $ 401,968 $ 197,287 $ 137,130 $ 43,229 $ 2,957,430 $ — $ 2,957,430 Fee related performance revenues 202,703 — 28,834 — — 231,537 — 231,537 Other fees 41,819 27,263 222 1,695 523 71,522 20,357 91,879 Compensation and benefits ( 692,309 ) ( 160,357 ) ( 66,290 ) ( 56,830 ) ( 21,482 ) ( 997,268 ) ( 421,268 ) ( 1,418,536 ) General, administrative and other expenses ( 161,872 ) ( 56,768 ) ( 33,881 ) ( 21,449 ) ( 6,584 ) ( 280,554 ) ( 220,019 ) ( 500,573 ) Fee related earnings 1,568,157 212,106 126,172 60,546 15,686 1,982,667 ( 620,930 ) 1,361,737 Performance income—realized 326,202 60,317 361 43,299 — 430,179 — 430,179 Performance related compensation—realized ( 207,794 ) ( 37,283 ) 110 ( 36,334 ) — ( 281,301 ) — ( 281,301 ) Realized net performance income 118,408 23,034 471 6,965 — 148,878 — 148,878 Investment income (loss)—realized 21,159 5,184 2,565 1,926 9,467 40,301 ( 650 ) 39,651 Interest income 11,671 7,649 972 1,970 35,810 58,072 1,723 59,795 Interest expense (1) ( 31,285 ) ( 29,763 ) ( 29,144 ) ( 18,906 ) ( 33,142 ) ( 142,240 ) ( 701 ) ( 142,941 ) Realized net investment income (loss) 1,545 ( 16,930 ) ( 25,607 ) ( 15,010 ) 12,135 ( 43,867 ) 372 ( 43,495 ) Realized income $ 1,688,110 $ 218,210 $ 101,036 $ 52,501 $ 27,821 $ 2,087,678 $ ( 620,558 ) $ 1,467,120 (1) Interest expense was historically allocated among our segments based only on the cost basis of the Company’s balance sheet investments. Beginning in the first quarter of 2025, the Company changed its interest expense allocation methodology to consider the growing sources of financing requirements, including the cost of acquisitions in addition to the cost basis of its balance sheet investments. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. F-51 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Year ended December 31, 2023 Credit Group Real Assets Group Secondaries Group Private Equity Group Other Total Segments OMG Total Management fees $ 1,853,326 $ 389,437 $ 174,942 $ 126,721 $ 27,087 $ 2,571,513 $ — $ 2,571,513 Fee related performance revenues 167,333 334 12,782 — — 180,449 — 180,449 Other fees 36,640 29,695 22 1,693 374 68,424 23,685 92,109 Compensation and benefits ( 624,741 ) ( 153,870 ) ( 62,160 ) ( 58,408 ) ( 15,812 ) ( 914,991 ) ( 361,124 ) ( 1,276,115 ) General, administrative and other expenses ( 115,546 ) ( 46,789 ) ( 21,199 ) ( 16,949 ) ( 3,119 ) ( 203,602 ) ( 200,613 ) ( 404,215 ) Fee related earnings 1,317,012 218,807 104,387 53,057 8,530 1,701,793 ( 538,052 ) 1,163,741 Performance income—realized 323,733 20,990 5,460 65,716 — 415,899 — 415,899 Performance related compensation—realized ( 211,976 ) ( 12,768 ) ( 4,678 ) ( 52,984 ) — ( 282,406 ) — ( 282,406 ) Realized net performance income 111,757 8,222 782 12,732 — 133,493 — 133,493 Investment income (loss)—realized 36,490 3,392 4,523 ( 712 ) 2,962 46,655 ( 470 ) 46,185 Interest income 9,788 3,165 344 38 13,831 27,166 1,218 28,384 Interest expense (1) ( 20,643 ) ( 23,433 ) ( 27,119 ) ( 14,331 ) ( 20,593 ) ( 106,119 ) ( 156 ) ( 106,275 ) Realized net investment income (loss) 25,635 ( 16,876 ) ( 22,252 ) ( 15,005 ) ( 3,800 ) ( 32,298 ) 592 ( 31,706 ) Realized income $ 1,454,404 $ 210,153 $ 82,917 $ 50,784 $ 4,730 $ 1,802,988 $ ( 537,460 ) $ 1,265,528 (1) Interest expense was historically allocated among our segments based only on the cost basis of the Company’s balance sheet investments. Beginning in the first quarter of 2025, the Company changed its interest expense allocation methodology to consider the growing sources of financing requirements, including the cost of acquisitions in addition to the cost basis of its balance sheet investments. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The following table presents the components of the Company’s operating segments’ revenue, expenses and realized net investment income (loss): Year ended December 31, 2025 2024 2023 Segment revenues Management fees $ 3,682,922 $ 2,957,430 $ 2,571,513 Fee related performance revenues 301,309 231,537 180,449 Other fees 245,103 71,522 68,424 Performance income—realized 526,284 430,179 415,899 Total segment revenues $ 4,755,618 $ 3,690,668 $ 3,236,285 Segment expenses Compensation and benefits $ 1,283,206 $ 997,268 $ 914,991 General, administrative and other expenses 362,627 280,554 203,602 Performance related compensation—realized 357,273 281,301 282,406 Total segment expenses $ 2,003,106 $ 1,559,123 $ 1,400,999 Segment realized net investment income (loss) Investment income—realized $ 40,088 $ 40,301 $ 46,655 Interest income 31,289 58,072 27,166 Interest expense ( 171,279 ) ( 142,240 ) ( 106,119 ) Total segment realized net investment loss $ ( 99,902 ) $ ( 43,867 ) $ ( 32,298 ) F-52 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The following table reconciles the Company’s consolidated revenues to segment revenue: Year ended December 31, 2025 2024 2023 Total consolidated revenue $ 5,601,482 $ 3,884,781 $ 3,631,884 Performance income—unrealized ( 762,534 ) ( 109,533 ) ( 305,370 ) Management fees of Consolidated Funds eliminated in consolidation 44,772 46,597 48,201 Performance income of Consolidated Funds eliminated in consolidation 33,873 28,135 13,672 Administrative, transaction and other fees of Consolidated Funds eliminated in consolidation 9,669 525 7,166 Administrative fees (1) ( 93,613 ) ( 70,363 ) ( 63,144 ) OMG revenue ( 27,604 ) ( 20,357 ) ( 23,685 ) Principal investment income, net of eliminations ( 48,149 ) ( 45,424 ) ( 36,516 ) Net revenue of non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries ( 2,278 ) ( 23,693 ) ( 35,923 ) Total consolidation adjustments and reconciling items ( 845,864 ) ( 194,113 ) ( 395,599 ) Total segment revenue $ 4,755,618 $ 3,690,668 $ 3,236,285 (1) Represents administrative fees from expense reimbursements that are presented within administrative, transaction and other fees within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and are netted against the respective expenses for segment reporting. The following table reconciles the Company’s consolidated expenses to segment expenses: Year ended December 31, 2025 2024 2023 Total consolidated expenses $ 4,708,766 $ 2,938,691 $ 2,797,858 Performance related compensation-unrealized ( 594,661 ) ( 36,823 ) ( 206,923 ) Expenses of Consolidated Funds added in consolidation ( 106,639 ) ( 69,320 ) ( 93,167 ) Expenses of Consolidated Funds eliminated in consolidation 53,928 48,441 50,108 Administrative fees (1) ( 93,613 ) ( 70,363 ) ( 62,773 ) OMG expenses ( 835,805 ) ( 641,287 ) ( 561,737 ) Acquisition and merger-related expense ( 65,363 ) ( 57,360 ) ( 12,000 ) Equity compensation expense ( 740,549 ) ( 352,851 ) ( 255,790 ) Acquisition-related compensation expense (2) ( 105,202 ) ( 38,150 ) ( 7,334 ) Placement fee adjustment 3,891 ( 5,715 ) 5,819 Depreciation and amortization expense ( 241,925 ) ( 157,341 ) ( 233,185 ) Expense of non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries 20,278 1,201 ( 19,877 ) Total consolidation adjustments and reconciling items ( 2,705,660 ) ( 1,379,568 ) ( 1,396,859 ) Total segment expenses $ 2,003,106 $ 1,559,123 $ 1,400,999 (1) Represents administrative fees from expense reimbursements that are presented within administrative, transaction and other fees within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and are netted against the respective expenses for segment reporting. (2) Represents bonus payments, a portion of earnouts and other costs recorded in connection with various acquisitions that are recorded as compensation expense and are presented within compensation and benefits within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. See “Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies” for a further description of the various contingent earnout arrangements. F-53 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) The following table reconciles the Company’s consolidated other income to segment realized net investment loss: Year ended December 31, 2025 2024 2023 Total consolidated other income $ 394,177 $ 329,262 $ 499,037 Investment income—unrealized ( 467,995 ) ( 5,613 ) ( 178,481 ) Interest and other investment loss—unrealized 27,299 — — Other income, net of Consolidated Funds added in consolidation ( 526,448 ) ( 379,090 ) ( 492,848 ) Total consolidated other expense (income), net of Consolidated Funds eliminated in consolidation 34,932 ( 12,835 ) ( 16,485 ) OMG other (income) expense ( 11,119 ) ( 4,413 ) 1,074 Principal investment income 138,608 38,367 155,632 Other (income) expense, net 303,200 ( 12,172 ) 976 Other loss (income) of non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries 7,444 2,627 ( 1,203 ) Total consolidation adjustments and reconciling items ( 494,079 ) ( 373,129 ) ( 531,335 ) Total segment realized net investment loss $ ( 99,902 ) $ ( 43,867 ) $ ( 32,298 ) The following table presents the reconciliation of income before taxes as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations to segment results of RI and FRE: Year ended December 31, 2025 2024 2023 Income before taxes $ 1,286,893 $ 1,275,352 $ 1,333,063 Adjustments: Depreciation and amortization expense 241,925 157,341 233,185 Equity compensation expense 740,549 352,851 255,419 Acquisition-related compensation expense (1) 105,202 38,150 7,334 Acquisition, merger and transaction-related expense 65,363 57,360 12,000 Placement fee adjustment ( 3,891 ) 5,715 ( 5,819 ) OMG expense, net 797,082 616,517 539,126 Other (income) expense, net 303,200 ( 12,172 ) 976 Income before taxes of non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries ( 15,112 ) ( 22,267 ) ( 17,249 ) Income before taxes of non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds, net of eliminations ( 260,032 ) ( 302,846 ) ( 278,119 ) Total performance income—unrealized ( 762,534 ) ( 109,533 ) ( 305,370 ) Total performance related compensation—unrealized 594,661 36,823 206,923 Total net investment income—unrealized ( 440,696 ) ( 5,613 ) ( 178,481 ) Realized income 2,652,610 2,087,678 1,802,988 Total performance income—realized ( 526,284 ) ( 430,179 ) ( 415,899 ) Total performance related compensation—realized 357,273 281,301 282,406 Total net investment loss—realized 99,902 43,867 32,298 Fee related earnings $ 2,583,501 $ 1,982,667 $ 1,701,793 (1) Represents bonus payments, a portion of earnouts and other costs recorded in connection with various acquisitions that are recorded as compensation expense and are presented within compensation and benefits within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. See “Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies” for a further description of the various contingent earnout arrangements. F-54 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) 16. CONSOLIDATION Deconsolidation of Funds As of the end of the reporting period, certain funds that have historically been consolidated in the financial statements are no longer consolidated because: (i) such funds have been liquidated or dissolved; or (ii) the Company is no longer deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIEs as it no longer has a significant economic interest. Investments in Consolidated Variable Interest Entities The Company consolidates entities in which the Company has a variable interest and, as the general partner or investment manager, has both the power to direct the most significant activities and a potentially significant economic interest. Investments in the consolidated VIEs are reported at fair value and represent the Company’s maximum exposure to loss. Investments in Non-Consolidated Variable Interest Entities The Company holds interests in certain VIEs that are not consolidated as the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company’s interest in such entities generally is in the form of direct equity interests, fixed fee arrangements or both. The maximum exposure to loss represents the potential loss of assets by the Company relating to its direct investments in these non-consolidated entities. Investments in the non-consolidated VIEs are carried at fair value. The Company’s interests in consolidated and non-consolidated VIEs, as presented within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, its respective maximum exposure to loss relating to non-consolidated VIEs, and its net income attributable to non-controlling interests related to consolidated VIEs, as presented within the Consolidated Statements of Operations, are as follows: As of December 31, 2025 2024 Maximum exposure to loss attributable to the Company’s investment in non-consolidated VIEs (1) $ 469,455 $ 386,927 Maximum exposure to loss attributable to the Company’s investment in consolidated VIEs (1) 1,346,592 791,133 Assets of consolidated VIEs 13,468,979 13,698,611 Liabilities of consolidated VIEs 9,354,024 10,879,735 (1) The Company’s maximum exposure of loss for CLO securities was $ 78.4 million as of December 31, 2025, which represents the fair value of its capital interests in CLOs that are managed by the Company. Year ended December 31, 2025 2024 2023 Net income attributable to non-controlling interests related to consolidated VIEs $ 271,362 $ 269,743 $ 204,571 F-55 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Consolidating Schedules The following supplemental financial information illustrates the consolidating effects of the Consolidated Funds on the Company’s financial condition, results from operations and cash flows: As of December 31, 2025 Consolidated Company Entities Consolidated Funds Eliminations Consolidated Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 488,896 $ — $ — $ 488,896 Investments (includes $ 3,972,748 of accrued carried interest) 6,940,314 — ( 1,431,867 ) 5,508,447 Due from affiliates 1,446,083 — ( 25,865 ) 1,420,218 Other assets 1,032,138 — — 1,032,138 Right-of-use operating lease assets 517,351 — — 517,351 Intangible assets, net 2,115,830 — — 2,115,830 Goodwill 3,454,107 — — 3,454,107 Assets of Consolidated Funds Cash and cash equivalents — 959,088 — 959,088 Investments, at fair value — 12,844,886 — 12,844,886 Receivable for securities sold — 228,442 — 228,442 Other assets — 63,966 — 63,966 Total assets $ 15,994,719 $ 14,096,382 $ ( 1,457,732 ) $ 28,633,369 Liabilities Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities $ 1,204,618 $ — $ ( 151 ) $ 1,204,467 Accrued compensation 472,978 — — 472,978 Due to affiliates 810,409 — — 810,409 Performance related compensation payable 2,951,333 — — 2,951,333 Debt obligations 3,941,415 — — 3,941,415 Operating lease liabilities 669,999 — — 669,999 Liabilities of Consolidated Funds Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities — 105,722 ( 585 ) 105,137 Due to affiliates — 25,021 ( 25,021 ) — Payable for securities purchased — 165,391 — 165,391 CLO loan obligations, at fair value — 7,424,717 ( 65,645 ) 7,359,072 Fund borrowings — 2,251,780 — 2,251,780 Total liabilities 10,050,752 9,972,631 ( 91,402 ) 19,931,981 Commitments and contingencies Redeemable interest in Ares Operating Group entities 25,296 — — 25,296 Non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds — 4,123,751 ( 1,219,893 ) 2,903,858 Non-controlling interest in Ares Operating Group entities 1,543,823 — ( 47,052 ) 1,496,771 Stockholders’ Equity Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock, $ 0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized ( 30,000,000 shares issued and outstanding) 1,460,030 — — 1,460,030 Class A common stock, $ 0.01 par value, 1,500,000,000 shares authorized ( 218,465,429 shares issued and outstanding) 2,185 — — 2,185 Non-voting common stock, $ 0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized ( 3,489,911 shares issued and outstanding) 35 — — 35 Class B common stock, $ 0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized ( 1,000 shares issued and outstanding) — — — — Class C common stock, $ 0.01 par value, 499,999,000 shares authorized ( 105,079,121 shares issued and outstanding) 1,051 — — 1,051 Additional paid-in-capital 4,342,063 — ( 99,385 ) 4,242,678 Accumulated deficit ( 1,452,259 ) — — ( 1,452,259 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax 21,743 — — 21,743 Total stockholders’ equity 4,374,848 — ( 99,385 ) 4,275,463 Total equity 5,918,671 4,123,751 ( 1,366,330 ) 8,676,092 Total liabilities, redeemable interest, non-controlling interests and equity $ 15,994,719 $ 14,096,382 $ ( 1,457,732 ) $ 28,633,369 F-56 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) As of December 31, 2024 Consolidated Company Entities Consolidated Funds Eliminations Consolidated Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,507,976 $ — $ — $ 1,507,976 Investments (includes $ 3,495,115 of accrued carried interest) 5,485,012 — ( 840,237 ) 4,644,775 Due from affiliates 1,236,450 — ( 179,842 ) 1,056,608 Other assets 774,654 — — 774,654 Right-of-use operating lease assets 511,319 — — 511,319 Intangible assets, net 975,828 — — 975,828 Goodwill 1,162,636 — — 1,162,636 Assets of Consolidated Funds Cash and cash equivalents — 1,227,489 — 1,227,489 Investments held in trust account — 550,800 — 550,800 Investments, at fair value — 12,187,044 — 12,187,044 Receivable for securities sold — 202,782 — 202,782 Other assets — 82,397 — 82,397 Total assets $ 11,653,875 $ 14,250,512 $ ( 1,020,079 ) $ 24,884,308 Liabilities Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities $ 364,152 $ — $ ( 280 ) $ 363,872 Accrued compensation 280,894 — — 280,894 Due to affiliates 500,480 — — 500,480 Performance related compensation payable 2,537,203 — — 2,537,203 Debt obligations 2,558,914 — — 2,558,914 Operating lease liabilities 641,864 — — 641,864 Liabilities of Consolidated Funds Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities — 323,566 ( 466 ) 323,100 Due to affiliates — 178,409 ( 178,409 ) — Payable for securities purchased — 332,406 — 332,406 CLO loan obligations, at fair value — 9,793,645 ( 121,456 ) 9,672,189 Fund borrowings — 275,000 — 275,000 Total liabilities 6,883,507 10,903,026 ( 300,611 ) 17,485,922 Commitments and contingencies Redeemable interest in Consolidated Funds — 550,700 — 550,700 Redeemable interest in Ares Operating Group entities 23,496 — — 23,496 Non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds — 2,796,786 ( 771,120 ) 2,025,666 Non-controlling interest in Ares Operating Group entities 1,236,767 — 18,111 1,254,878 Stockholders’ Equity Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock, $ 0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized ( 30,000,000 shares issued and outstanding) 1,458,771 — — 1,458,771 Class A common stock, $ 0.01 par value, 1,500,000,000 shares authorized ( 199,872,571 shares issued and outstanding) 1,999 — — 1,999 Non-voting common stock, $ 0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized ( 3,489,911 shares issued and outstanding) 35 — — 35 Class B common stock, $ 0.01 par value, 1000 shares authorized ($ 1,000 shares issued and outstanding) — — — — Class C common stock, $ 0.01 par value, 499,999,000 shares authorized ( 109,806,689 shares issued and outstanding) 1,098 — — 1,098 Additional paid-in-capital 2,903,253 — 33,541 2,936,794 Accumulated deficit ( 837,294 ) — — ( 837,294 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax ( 17,757 ) — — ( 17,757 ) Total stockholders’ equity 3,510,105 — 33,541 3,543,646 Total equity 4,746,872 2,796,786 ( 719,468 ) 6,824,190 Total liabilities, redeemable interest, non-controlling interests and equity $ 11,653,875 $ 14,250,512 $ ( 1,020,079 ) $ 24,884,308 F-57 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Year ended December 31, 2025 Consolidated Company Entities Consolidated Funds Eliminations Consolidated Revenues Management fees $ 3,725,239 $ — $ ( 44,772 ) $ 3,680,467 Carried interest allocation 1,185,584 — ( 31,608 ) 1,153,976 Incentive fees 364,718 — ( 2,265 ) 362,453 Principal investment income 138,608 — ( 90,459 ) 48,149 Administrative, transaction and other fees 366,106 — ( 9,669 ) 356,437 Total revenues 5,780,255 — ( 178,773 ) 5,601,482 Expenses Compensation and benefits 2,565,625 — — 2,565,625 Performance related compensation 1,094,355 — — 1,094,355 General, administrative and other expense 996,075 — — 996,075 Expenses of the Consolidated Funds — 106,639 ( 53,928 ) 52,711 Total expenses 4,656,055 106,639 ( 53,928 ) 4,708,766 Other income (expense) Net realized and unrealized gains on investments 346,588 — ( 39,006 ) 307,582 Interest and dividend income 48,039 — ( 588 ) 47,451 Interest expense ( 171,642 ) — — ( 171,642 ) Other expense, net ( 320,324 ) — 579 ( 319,745 ) Net realized and unrealized gains on investments of the Consolidated Funds — 554,513 ( 3,437 ) 551,076 Interest and other income of the Consolidated Funds — 575,273 — 575,273 Interest expense of the Consolidated Funds — ( 603,338 ) 7,520 ( 595,818 ) Total other income (expense), net ( 97,339 ) 526,448 ( 34,932 ) 394,177 Income before taxes 1,026,861 419,809 ( 159,777 ) 1,286,893 Income tax expense 192,407 6,128 — 198,535 Net income 834,454 413,681 ( 159,777 ) 1,088,358 Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds — 413,681 ( 159,777 ) 253,904 Net income attributable to Ares Operating Group entities 834,454 — — 834,454 Less: Net income attributable to redeemable interest in Ares Operating Group entities 1,349 — — 1,349 Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group entities 305,743 — — 305,743 Net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation 527,362 — — 527,362 Less: Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends declared 101,250 — — 101,250 Net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation Class A and non-voting common stockholders $ 426,112 $ — $ — $ 426,112 F-58 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Year ended December 31, 2024 Consolidated Company Entities Consolidated Funds Eliminations Consolidated Revenues Management fees $ 2,988,723 $ — $ ( 46,597 ) $ 2,942,126 Carried interest allocation 416,995 — ( 26,815 ) 390,180 Incentive fees 345,477 — ( 1,320 ) 344,157 Principal investment income 38,367 — 7,057 45,424 Administrative, transaction and other fees 163,419 — ( 525 ) 162,894 Total revenues 3,952,981 — ( 68,200 ) 3,884,781 Expenses Compensation and benefits 1,731,747 — — 1,731,747 Performance related compensation 449,564 — — 449,564 General, administrative and other expense 736,501 — — 736,501 Expenses of the Consolidated Funds — 69,320 ( 48,441 ) 20,879 Total expenses 2,917,812 69,320 ( 48,441 ) 2,938,691 Other income (expense) Net realized and unrealized gains on investments 31,214 — ( 14,644 ) 16,570 Interest and dividend income 48,484 — ( 5,430 ) 43,054 Interest expense ( 142,966 ) — — ( 142,966 ) Other income, net 605 — 22 627 Net realized and unrealized gains on investments of the Consolidated Funds — 291,534 22,429 313,963 Interest and other income of the Consolidated Funds — 933,349 — 933,349 Interest expense of the Consolidated Funds — ( 845,793 ) 10,458 ( 835,335 ) Total other income (expense), net ( 62,663 ) 379,090 12,835 329,262 Income before taxes 972,506 309,770 ( 6,924 ) 1,275,352 Income tax expense 157,543 7,074 — 164,617 Net income 814,963 302,696 ( 6,924 ) 1,110,735 Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds — 302,696 ( 6,924 ) 295,772 Net income attributable to Ares Operating Group entities 814,963 — — 814,963 Less: Net income attributable to redeemable interest in Ares Operating Group entities 103 — — 103 Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group entities 351,118 — — 351,118 Net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation 463,742 — — 463,742 Less: Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends declared 22,781 — — 22,781 Net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation Class A and non-voting common stockholders $ 440,961 $ — $ — $ 440,961 F-59 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Year ended December 31, 2023 Consolidated Company Entities Consolidated Funds Eliminations Consolidated Revenues Management fees $ 2,599,351 $ — $ ( 48,201 ) $ 2,551,150 Carried interest allocation 631,150 — ( 12,571 ) 618,579 Incentive fees 277,728 — ( 1,101 ) 276,627 Principal investment income 155,632 — ( 119,116 ) 36,516 Administrative, transaction and other fees 156,178 — ( 7,166 ) 149,012 Total revenues 3,820,039 — ( 188,155 ) 3,631,884 Expenses Compensation and benefits 1,486,698 — — 1,486,698 Performance related compensation 607,522 — — 607,522 General, administrative and other expense 660,579 — ( 433 ) 660,146 Expenses of the Consolidated Funds — 93,167 ( 49,675 ) 43,492 Total expenses 2,754,799 93,167 ( 50,108 ) 2,797,858 Other income (expense) Net realized and unrealized gains on investments 76,415 — 1,158 77,573 Interest and dividend income 29,850 — ( 10,574 ) 19,276 Interest expense ( 106,276 ) — — ( 106,276 ) Other income (expense), net ( 10,285 ) — 15,104 4,819 Net realized and unrealized gains on investments of the Consolidated Funds — 239,802 22,898 262,700 Interest and other income of the Consolidated Funds — 1,010,649 ( 15,104 ) 995,545 Interest expense of the Consolidated Funds — ( 757,603 ) 3,003 ( 754,600 ) Total other income (expense), net ( 10,296 ) 492,848 16,485 499,037 Income before taxes 1,054,944 399,681 ( 121,562 ) 1,333,063 Income tax expense 169,148 3,823 — 172,971 Net income 885,796 395,858 ( 121,562 ) 1,160,092 Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds — 395,858 ( 121,562 ) 274,296 Net income attributable to Ares Operating Group entities 885,796 — — 885,796 Less: Net income attributable to redeemable interest in Ares Operating Group entities 226 — — 226 Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group entities 411,244 — — 411,244 Net income attributable to Ares Management Corporation Class A and non-voting common stockholders $ 474,326 $ — $ — $ 474,326 F-60 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Year ended December 31, 2025 Consolidated Company Entities Consolidated Funds Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities Net income $ 834,454 $ 413,681 $ ( 159,777 ) $ 1,088,358 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Equity compensation expense 740,549 — — 740,549 Depreciation and amortization 243,149 — — 243,149 Net realized and unrealized gains on investments ( 438,992 ) — 123,623 ( 315,369 ) Changes in value of contingent earnout arrangements 349,706 — — 349,706 Investments purchased ( 349,387 ) — 128,541 ( 220,846 ) Proceeds from sale of investments 474,211 — ( 149,777 ) 324,434 Other non-cash amounts 923 — — 923 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities allocable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds: Net realized and unrealized gains on investments — ( 554,513 ) 3,437 ( 551,076 ) Investments purchased — ( 8,284,076 ) — ( 8,284,076 ) Proceeds from sale of investments — 9,830,928 — 9,830,928 Other non-cash amounts — ( 212,962 ) — ( 212,962 ) Cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities: Net carried interest and incentive fees receivable ( 76,075 ) — 38,273 ( 37,802 ) Due to/from affiliates 338,727 — ( 153,976 ) 184,751 Other assets ( 228,410 ) — — ( 228,410 ) Accrued compensation and benefits 132,401 — — 132,401 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 91,832 — 130 91,962 Cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities allocable to non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds: Change in cash and cash equivalents held at Consolidated Funds — — 268,401 268,401 Net cash relinquished with deconsolidation of Consolidated Funds — ( 151,500 ) — ( 151,500 ) Change in other assets and receivables held at Consolidated Funds — ( 163,403 ) 205,762 42,359 Change in other liabilities and payables held at Consolidated Funds — ( 28,801 ) ( 120 ) ( 28,921 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 2,113,088 849,354 304,517 3,266,959 Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of disposals ( 72,178 ) — — ( 72,178 ) Acquisitions, net of cash acquired ( 1,731,461 ) — — ( 1,731,461 ) Net cash used in investing activities ( 1,803,639 ) — — ( 1,803,639 ) Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from Credit Facility 2,860,000 — — 2,860,000 Repayments of Credit Facility ( 1,480,000 ) — — ( 1,480,000 ) Dividends and distributions ( 1,756,688 ) — — ( 1,756,688 ) Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards ( 436,869 ) — — ( 436,869 ) Other financing activities 1,914 — — 1,914 Allocable to redeemable and non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds: Contributions from redeemable and non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds — 906,990 ( 59,559 ) 847,431 Distributions to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds — ( 889,978 ) 23,443 ( 866,535 ) Redemptions of redeemable interests in Consolidated Funds — ( 509,503 ) — ( 509,503 ) Borrowings under loan obligations by Consolidated Funds — 1,551,874 — 1,551,874 Repayments under loan obligations by Consolidated Funds — ( 2,638,793 ) — ( 2,638,793 ) Net cash used in financing activities ( 811,643 ) ( 1,579,410 ) ( 36,116 ) ( 2,427,169 ) Effect of exchange rate changes ( 65,915 ) 10,684 — ( 55,231 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents ( 568,109 ) ( 719,372 ) 268,401 ( 1,019,080 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1,507,975 1,227,490 ( 1,227,489 ) 1,507,976 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 939,866 $ 508,118 $ ( 959,088 ) $ 488,896 Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities: Equity issued in connection with acquisition-related activities $ 1,657,882 $ — $ — $ 1,657,882 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid during the period for interest $ 165,392 $ 510,410 $ — $ 675,802 Cash paid during the period for income taxes $ 91,015 $ 318 $ — $ 91,333 F-61 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Year ended December 31, 2024 Consolidated Company Entities Consolidated Funds Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities Net income $ 814,963 $ 302,696 $ ( 6,924 ) $ 1,110,735 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Equity compensation expense 352,851 — — 352,851 Depreciation and amortization 158,578 — — 158,578 Net realized and unrealized gains on investments ( 3,399 ) — ( 18,064 ) ( 21,463 ) Investments purchased ( 606,536 ) — 25,792 ( 580,744 ) Proceeds from sale of investments 799,221 — ( 115,583 ) 683,638 Other non-cash amounts 11,755 — — 11,755 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities allocable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds: Net realized and unrealized gains on investments — ( 291,534 ) ( 22,429 ) ( 313,963 ) Investments purchased — ( 5,927,444 ) — ( 5,927,444 ) Proceeds from sale of investments — 7,569,165 — 7,569,165 Other non-cash amounts — ( 48,963 ) — ( 48,963 ) Cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities: Net carried interest and incentive fees receivable ( 214,989 ) — 26,815 ( 188,174 ) Due to/from affiliates 214,999 — 8,499 223,498 Other assets ( 252,644 ) — — ( 252,644 ) Accrued compensation and benefits ( 7,096 ) — — ( 7,096 ) Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 137,021 — 11,363 148,384 Cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities allocable to non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds: Change in cash and cash equivalents held at Consolidated Funds — — ( 77,978 ) ( 77,978 ) Net cash relinquished with deconsolidation of Consolidated Funds — ( 46,205 ) — ( 46,205 ) Change in other assets and receivables held at Consolidated Funds — ( 44,647 ) ( 5,127 ) ( 49,774 ) Change in other liabilities and payables held at Consolidated Funds — 47,464 ( 466 ) 46,998 Net cash provided by operating activities 1,404,724 1,560,532 ( 174,102 ) 2,791,154 Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of disposals ( 91,509 ) — — ( 91,509 ) Acquisitions, net of cash acquired ( 67,895 ) — — ( 67,895 ) Net cash used in investing activities ( 159,404 ) — — ( 159,404 ) Cash flows from financing activities Net proceeds from issuance of Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock 1,458,771 — — 1,458,771 Net proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock 407,124 — — 407,124 Proceeds from Credit Facility 1,210,000 — — 1,210,000 Proceeds from issuance of senior notes 736,010 — — 736,010 Repayments of Credit Facility ( 2,105,000 ) — — ( 2,105,000 ) Repayment of senior notes ( 250,000 ) — — ( 250,000 ) Dividends and distributions ( 1,310,896 ) — — ( 1,310,896 ) Stock option exercises 1,511 — — 1,511 Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards ( 227,532 ) — — ( 227,532 ) Other financing activities 2,285 — — 2,285 Allocable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds: Contributions from redeemable and non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds — 569,479 69,675 639,154 Distributions to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds — ( 150,470 ) 26,449 ( 124,021 ) Borrowings under loan obligations by Consolidated Funds — 359,351 — 359,351 Repayments under loan obligations by Consolidated Funds — ( 2,228,351 ) — ( 2,228,351 ) Net cash used in financing activities ( 77,727 ) ( 1,449,991 ) 96,124 ( 1,431,594 ) Effect of exchange rate changes ( 7,892 ) ( 32,562 ) — ( 40,454 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents 1,159,701 77,979 ( 77,978 ) 1,159,702 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 348,274 1,149,511 ( 1,149,511 ) 348,274 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 1,507,975 $ 1,227,490 $ ( 1,227,489 ) $ 1,507,976 Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities: Equity issued in connection with acquisition-related activities $ 21,002 $ — $ — $ 21,002 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid during the period for interest $ 132,645 $ 734,115 $ — $ 866,760 Cash paid during the period for income taxes $ 107,193 $ 377 $ — $ 107,570 F-62 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) Year ended December 31, 2023 Consolidated Company Entities Consolidated Funds Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities Net income $ 885,796 $ 395,858 $ ( 121,562 ) $ 1,160,092 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Equity compensation expense 255,965 — — 255,965 Depreciation and amortization 231,712 — — 231,712 Net realized and unrealized gains on investments ( 197,874 ) — 107,137 ( 90,737 ) Investments purchased ( 726,051 ) — 218,119 ( 507,932 ) Proceeds from sale of investments 214,938 — ( 8,775 ) 206,163 Other non-cash amounts 74 — — 74 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities allocable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds: Net realized and unrealized gains on investments — ( 239,802 ) ( 22,898 ) ( 262,700 ) Investments purchased — ( 8,847,856 ) — ( 8,847,856 ) Proceeds from sale of investments — 8,149,617 — 8,149,617 Other non-cash amounts — ( 101,465 ) — ( 101,465 ) Cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities: Net carried interest and incentive fees receivable ( 61,429 ) — 12,571 ( 48,858 ) Due to/from affiliates ( 200,704 ) — ( 19,717 ) ( 220,421 ) Other assets 21,532 — — 21,532 Accrued compensation and benefits 20,383 — — 20,383 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 28,765 — ( 901 ) 27,864 Cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities allocable to non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds: Change in cash and cash equivalents held at Consolidated Funds — — ( 424,870 ) ( 424,870 ) Net cash relinquished with deconsolidation of Consolidated Funds — ( 623 ) — ( 623 ) Change in other assets and receivables held at Consolidated Funds — ( 53,916 ) 33,669 ( 20,247 ) Change in other liabilities and payables held at Consolidated Funds — 219,046 — 219,046 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 473,107 ( 479,141 ) ( 227,227 ) ( 233,261 ) Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of disposals ( 67,183 ) — — ( 67,183 ) Acquisitions, net of cash acquired ( 43,896 ) — — ( 43,896 ) Net cash used in investing activities ( 111,079 ) — — ( 111,079 ) Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from Credit Facility 1,410,000 — — 1,410,000 Proceeds from issuance of senior notes 499,010 — — 499,010 Repayments of Credit Facility ( 1,215,000 ) — — ( 1,215,000 ) Dividends and distributions ( 1,030,666 ) — — ( 1,030,666 ) Stock option exercises 85,959 — — 85,959 Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards ( 157,007 ) — — ( 157,007 ) Other financing activities 2,943 — — 2,943 Allocable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds: Contributions from non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds — 1,071,575 ( 216,119 ) 855,456 Distributions to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds — ( 119,604 ) 18,476 ( 101,128 ) Redemptions of redeemable interests in Consolidated Funds — ( 1,045,874 ) — ( 1,045,874 ) Borrowings under loan obligations by Consolidated Funds — 1,387,297 — 1,387,297 Repayments under loan obligations by Consolidated Funds — ( 398,864 ) — ( 398,864 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ( 404,761 ) 894,530 ( 197,643 ) 292,126 Effect of exchange rate changes 1,020 9,481 — 10,501 Net change in cash and cash equivalents ( 41,713 ) 424,870 ( 424,870 ) ( 41,713 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 389,987 724,641 ( 724,641 ) 389,987 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 348,274 $ 1,149,511 $ ( 1,149,511 ) $ 348,274 Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities: Equity issued in connection with acquisition-related activities $ 239,545 $ — $ — $ 239,545 Equity issued in connection with settlement of management incentive program $ 245,647 $ — $ — $ 245,647 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid during the period for interest $ 98,920 $ 623,723 $ — $ 722,643 Cash paid during the period for income taxes $ 61,563 $ 444 $ — $ 62,007 F-63 Table of Contents Ares Management Corporation Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted) 17. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS The Company evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after December 31, 2025 through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued. During this period, the Company had the following material subsequent events that require disclosure: In February 2026, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $ 1.35 per share of Class A and non-voting common stock payable on March 31, 2026 to common stockholders of record at the close of business on March 17, 2026. In February 2026, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $ 0.84375 per share of Series B mandatory convertible preferred stock payable on April 1, 2026 to preferred stockholders of record on March 15, 2026. F-64