Ares Management Raises $31 Billion in Third Quarter

The investment firm bolstered its capital reserves through strong demand in its credit and real assets groups.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Corporate Finance

Isometric editorial illustration showing a monolithic structure of steel and stone, representing institutional capital and financial stability. — Ares Management secured $31 billion in new capital during the third quarter of 2026, driven by growth in its credit and real assets businesses. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Ares Management successfully secured $31 billion in new capital during the third quarter of 2026. The influx was primarily driven by robust activity across the firm's private credit, real estate, and infrastructure businesses.

Why it matters

The capital raises reflect continued strong appetite from both institutional and wealth management channels for alternative assets. The firm's expansion remains bolstered by its 2025 acquisition of GCP International.

Ares reported $524.2 million in fee-related earnings, an 11% increase for the quarter. Total assets under management reached $690.6 billion, supported by $34.8 billion in capital deployment.

The players

Ares Management

A global alternative asset manager headquartered in Los Angeles that specializes in credit, private equity, and real assets.

GCP International

An investment firm that was acquired by Ares Management in 2025 to expand the firm's global platform.

The details

The firm's credit group accounted for $15.2 billion of the new capital, while the real assets division contributed $11.2 billion. As of September 30, 2026, Ares held $173.8 billion in dry powder available for future investments.

Ares acquired GCP International in 2025.
The firm raised $31 billion in new capital during Q3 2026.
Financial data reflects the period ending September 30, 2026.
Increased investing activity is expected throughout Q4 2026.

Market Dynamics

Ares Management is currently operating under the compliance mandates of the SEC's Private Fund Adviser Rules. This growth trajectory highlights how leading firms are scaling their private credit operations within the current regulatory environment.

Shareholders and stakeholders should note the reported after-tax realized income of $1.26 per share for the quarter. The firm's high level of uninvested capital indicates a significant capacity to pursue new market opportunities heading into the end of the year.

The takeaway

The surge in capital deployment suggests that firms remain aggressive in seeking yields through direct lending and infrastructure debt. Investors should monitor how the firm utilizes its $173.8 billion in uninvested capital as it enters a period of expected high activity in the final quarter.