# Ares Management Q2 2026 fundraising and expansion

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ares-management-q2-2026-fundraising
> Updated: 2026-08-03T03:33:22.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 3.

In late July 2026 Ares Management reported a record $36 billion of gross capital raised in Q2, lifting assets under management 17 % year‑over‑year to roughly $671 billion. Fee‑related earnings rose 20 % to $491 million and realized income jumped 31 % to $522 million, while fee‑paying AUM grew 17 % to about $410 billion. The firm ended the quarter with $170 billion of dry‑powder, declared a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share (over 20 % higher than a year earlier), and noted that about 70 % of the capital raised came from sources outside the four largest credit fund families. The CFO said the company expects to hit the upper end of its full‑year margin‑expansion guidance.

Following the fundraising, CEO Michael Arougheti said Ares is evaluating a larger private‑equity platform, including a possible acquisition of middle‑market buyout firm Leonard Green & Partners. The expanded cash pool gives Ares capacity to fund acquisitions, refinancings, infrastructure and real‑estate projects, and it now boasts its biggest forward‑investment pipeline despite a slower transaction environment.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-03: Ares Management Eyes Larger Private‑Equity Platform as Fundraising Hits $36 Billion

Ares Management plans to grow its private‑equity platform, possibly acquiring Leonard Green, after record $36 B fundraising and $170 B of dry‑powder in Q2 2026.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ares-management-eyes-larger-privateequity-platform-as-fundraising-hits-36-billion

### 2026-07-31: Ares Management posts record $36 bn Q2 fundraising and fee growth

Ares Management raised $36 bn in Q2, total AUM hit $671 bn, fee‑related earnings rose 20% to $491 m and it declared a $1.35 dividend per share.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ares-management-posts-record-36-bn-q2-fundraising-and-fee-growth

### 2026-07-29: Ares Management Raises Record $36 B in Q2 2026 Private‑Credit Fundraising

Ares Management raised a record $36 billion in Q2 2026, boosting AUM to $671 billion, fee earnings to $491 million, and deploying $35.9 billion across credit and real‑asset strategies.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ares-capital-extends-17year-dividend-streak-as-earnings-hold-steady

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Cite as: Ares Management Q2 2026 fundraising and expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ares-management-q2-2026-fundraising