Ares Management Announces Launch of Offering of Class A common stock

Rhea-AI Summary

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) announced a public offering of 9,500,000 shares of Class A common stock, with an option for underwriters to purchase an additional 1,425,000 shares. Concurrently, Ares has a share purchase agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation to acquire approximately $250 million of common stock. Proceeds will fund the cash consideration for the planned acquisition of Landmark Partners LLC and other corporate purposes, including debt repayment and strategic growth.

Positive

• The $250 million share purchase agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation signals strong interest from existing investors.
• Use of proceeds from the offering will support the acquisition of Landmark Partners LLC, potentially enhancing Ares' asset management capabilities.

Negative

• Issuing 9,500,000 shares could dilute existing shareholders' equity.
• Dependence on successful completion of the Landmark Acquisition to achieve expected business benefits poses integration risks.

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) (“Ares” or the “Company”) today announced the launch of an underwritten public offering of 9,500,000 shares of Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Class A common stock”), of the Company. Ares expects to grant to the underwriters of the offering an option to purchase up to 1,425,000 additional shares of Class A common stock.

Concurrently with the offering, Ares entered into a share purchase agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (“SMBC”), an existing stockholder, whereby SMBC will acquire, subject to the terms and conditions of such share purchase agreement, approximately $250 million of the Company’s common stock (consisting of a number of shares of non-voting common stock and a number of shares of Class A common stock to be determined by SMBC) at a price per share equal to the public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions. Ares intends to use the net proceeds from the offering and the concurrent private placement for (i) the payment of the cash consideration due in respect of the Company’s previously announced acquisition of Landmark Partners LLC and its subsidiaries (the “Landmark Acquisition”) and related fees, costs and expenses and (ii) general corporate purposes, including repayment of debt or preferred stock, other strategic acquisitions and growth initiatives.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. are acting as the joint bookrunning managers for the offering.

A registration statement on Form S-3 relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and has become effective. The offering may be made only by means of a preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. A copy of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus related to the offering can be obtained for free by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov or by contacting: (a) Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014; (b) RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Attention: Equity Capital Markets, 200 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10281, by telephone at 877-822-4089 or by email at equityprospectus@rbccm.com, or (c) SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. by email at prospectus@smbcnikko-si.com.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor does it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful. Nothing in this press release constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Ares or an investment fund managed by Ares or its affiliates.

About Ares Management Corporation

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager operating integrated groups across Credit, Private Equity, Real Estate and Strategic Initiatives. Ares Management’s investment groups collaborate to deliver innovative investment solutions and consistent, attractive investment returns for fund investors throughout market cycles. As of December 31, 2020, Ares Management's global platform had approximately $197 billion of assets under management with more than 1,450 employees operating across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included herein may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the ability of Ares to consummate the Landmark Acquisition and to effectively integrate the acquired business into our operations and to achieve the expected benefits therefrom. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ares Management Corporation undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein.

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FAQ

What is the purpose of Ares Management's recent stock offering?

Ares Management plans to use the proceeds from the stock offering to fund the acquisition of Landmark Partners LLC and for other corporate purposes.

How many shares is Ares Management offering?

Ares Management is offering 9,500,000 shares of Class A common stock.

Who is purchasing $250 million of Ares Management's stock?

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation is acquiring approximately $250 million of Ares Management's common stock.

What are the potential risks associated with Ares's stock offering?

The stock offering could dilute existing shareholders' equity, and there are risks related to the successful integration of the Landmark Acquisition.