Stepstone Group Inc.NASDAQ: STEP

StepStone Group Reports Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Results

· Issued by Stepstone Group Inc. via GlobeNewswire

NEW YORK, Nov. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StepStone Group Inc. (Nasdaq: STEP), a global private markets investment firm focused on providing customized investment solutions and advisory and data services, today reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. This represents results for the second quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. The Board of Directors of the Company has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per share of Class A common stock, payable on December 15, 2025, to the holders of record as of the close of business on November 28, 2025.

StepStone issued a full detailed presentation of its second quarter fiscal 2026 results, which can be accessed by visiting the Company’s website at https://shareholders.stepstonegroup.com.

Webcast and Earnings Conference Call

Management will host a webcast and conference call today, Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 5:00 pm ET to discuss the Company’s results for the second quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. The webcast will be made available on the Shareholders section of the Company’s website at https://shareholders.stepstonegroup.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to register. A replay will also be available on the Shareholders section of the Company’s website approximately two hours after the conclusion of the event.

To join as a live participant in the question and answer portion of the call, participants must register at https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI6110359ebc534347ba5e789875bc419c. Upon registering you will receive the dial-in number and a PIN to join the call as well as an email confirmation with the details.

About StepStone Group

StepStone Group Inc. (Nasdaq: STEP) is a global private markets investment firm focused on providing customized investment solutions and advisory and data services to its clients. As of September 30, 2025, StepStone was responsible for approximately $771 billion of total capital, including $209 billion of assets under management. StepStone’s clients include some of the world’s largest public and private defined benefit and defined contribution pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies, as well as prominent endowments, foundations, family offices and private wealth clients, which include high-net-worth and mass affluent individuals. StepStone partners with its clients to develop and build private markets portfolios designed to meet their specific objectives across the private equity, infrastructure, private debt and real estate asset classes.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” “plan” and “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current plans, estimates and expectations and are inherently uncertain. The inclusion of any forward-looking information in this release should not be regarded as a representation that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, global and domestic market and business conditions, our successful execution of business and growth strategies, the favorability of the private markets fundraising environment, successful integration of acquired businesses and regulatory factors relevant to our business, as well as assumptions relating to our operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects, growth strategy and liquidity and the risks and uncertainties described in greater detail under the “Risk Factors” section of our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 23, 2025, and in our subsequent reports filed with the SEC, as such factors may be updated from time to time. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), we use the following non-GAAP financial measures: fee revenues, adjusted revenues, adjusted net income (on both a pre-tax and after-tax basis), adjusted net income per share, adjusted weighted-average shares, fee-related earnings, fee-related earnings margin, gross realized performance fees and performance fee-related earnings. We have provided this non-GAAP financial information, which is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP, as information supplemental and in addition to the financial measures presented in this earnings release that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented in this earnings release. The presentation of these measures should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures in this earnings release may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry or across different industries. For definitions of these non-GAAP measures and reconciliations to applicable GAAP measures, please see the section titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Definitions and Reconciliations.”

Financial Highlights and Key Business Drivers/Operating Metrics

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended September 30,

Percentage Change

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

September 30,
2024

December 31, 
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

2024

2025

vs.
FQ2'25

vs. FQ2'25
YTD

Financial Highlights

GAAP Results

Management and advisory fees, net

$

184,758

$

190,840

$

213,401

$

211,173

$

215,489

$

362,773

$

426,662

17

%

18

%

Total revenues

271,677

339,023

377,729

364,287

454,225

458,078

818,512

67

%

79

%

Total performance fees

86,919

148,183

164,328

153,114

238,736

95,305

391,850

175

%

311

%

Net income (loss)

53,138

(287,163

)

13,153

(12,011

)

(575,490

)

101,183

(587,501

)

na

na

Net income (loss) per share of Class A common stock:

Basic

$

0.26

$

(2.61

)

$

(0.24

)

$

(0.49

)

$

(4.66

)

$

0.46

$

(5.17

)

na

na

Diluted

$

0.26

$

(2.61

)

$

(0.24

)

$

(0.49

)

$

(4.66

)

$

0.46

$

(5.17

)

na

na

Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock:

Basic

68,772,051

73,687,289

75,975,770

77,846,710

78,561,587

67,486,964

78,206,102

14

%

16

%

Diluted

69,695,315

73,687,289

75,975,770

77,846,710

78,561,587

69,147,549

78,206,102

13

%

13

%

Quarterly dividend per share of Class A common stock(1)

$

0.24

$

0.24

$

0.24

$

0.24

$

0.28

$

0.45

$

0.52

17

%

16

%

Supplemental dividend per share of Class A common stock(2)

$

—

$

—

$

—

$

0.40

$

—

$

0.15

$

0.40

na

167

%

Accrued carried interest allocations

1,381,110

1,474,543

1,495,664

1,585,209

1,733,922

26

%

Non-GAAP Results(3)

Fee revenues(4)

$

185,481

$

191,832

$

214,662

$

212,740

$

217,461

$

363,995

$

430,201

17

%

18

%

Adjusted revenues

208,788

243,905

295,861

237,467

282,342

429,953

519,809

35

%

21

%

Fee-related earnings (“FRE”)

72,349

74,118

94,081

81,246

78,633

144,005

159,879

9

%

11

%

FRE margin(5)

39

%

39

%

44

%

38

%

36

%

40

%

37

%

Gross realized performance fees

23,307

52,073

81,199

24,727

64,881

65,958

89,608

178

%

36

%

Performance fee-related earnings (“PRE”)

14,540

26,596

41,543

13,022

33,886

36,343

46,908

133

%

29

%

Adjusted net income (“ANI”)

53,569

52,659

80,603

48,534

66,709

110,810

115,243

25

%

4

%

Adjusted weighted-average shares

118,774,233

118,935,179

118,869,111

122,292,943

122,462,594

118,643,088

122,378,231

3

%

3

%

ANI per share

$

0.45

$

0.44

$

0.68

$

0.40

$

0.54

$

0.93

$

0.94

20

%

1

%

Key Business Drivers/Operating Metrics(in billions)

Assets under management (“AUM”)(6)

$

176.1

$

179.2

$

189.4

$

199.3

$

209.1

19

%

Assets under advisement (“AUA”)(6)

505.9

518.7

519.7

524.2

561.6

11

%

Fee-earning AUM (“FEAUM”)

104.4

114.2

121.4

127.2

132.8

27

%

Undeployed fee-earning capital (“UFEC”)

29.7

21.7

24.6

28.7

29.8

—

%

_______________________________
(1) Dividends paid, as reported in this table, relate to the preceding quarterly period in which they were earned.
(2) The supplemental cash dividend relates to earnings in respect of our full fiscal years 2024 and 2025, respectively.
(3) Fee revenues, adjusted revenues, FRE, FRE margin, gross realized performance fees, PRE, ANI, adjusted weighted-average shares and ANI per share are non-GAAP measures. See the definitions of these measures and reconciliations to the respective, most comparable GAAP measures under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Definitions and Reconciliations.”
(4) Excludes the impact of consolidating the Consolidated Funds. See reconciliation of GAAP measures to adjusted measures that follows.
(5) FRE margin is calculated by dividing FRE by fee revenues.
(6) AUM/AUA reflects final data for the prior period, adjusted for net new client account activity through the period presented. Does not include post-period investment valuation or cash activity. Net asset value (“NAV”) data for underlying investments is as of the prior period, as reported by underlying managers up to the business day occurring on or after 100 days, or 115 days at the fiscal year-end, following the prior period end. When NAV data is not available by the business day occurring on or after 100 days, or 115 days at the fiscal year-end, following the prior period end, such NAVs are adjusted for cash activity following the last available reported NAV.

StepStone Group Inc.
GAAP Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

As of

September 30, 2025

March 31, 2025

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

229,824

$

244,791

Restricted cash

531

502

Fees and accounts receivable

81,435

80,871

Due from affiliates

117,621

92,723

Investments:

Investments in funds

210,162

183,694

Accrued carried interest allocations

1,733,922

1,495,664

Legacy Greenspring investments in funds and accrued carried interest allocations(1)

679,470

629,228

Deferred income tax assets

524,320

382,886

Lease right-of-use assets, net

86,646

91,841

Other assets and receivables

57,661

62,869

Intangibles, net

243,458

263,872

Goodwill

580,542

580,542

Assets of Consolidated Funds:

Cash and cash equivalents

136,353

44,511

Investments, at fair value

647,827

415,011

Other assets

2,335

17,688

Total assets

$

5,332,107

$

4,586,693

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

$

93,310

$

89,731

Accrued compensation and benefits

1,826,201

736,695

Accrued carried interest-related compensation

891,485

757,968

Legacy Greenspring accrued carried interest-related compensation(1)

544,919

495,739

Due to affiliates

346,952

331,821

Lease liabilities

109,458

113,519

Debt obligations

269,920

269,268

Liabilities of Consolidated Funds:

Other liabilities

24,076

17,580

Total liabilities

4,106,321

2,812,321

Redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds

671,705

377,897

Redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

7,290

6,327

Stockholders’ equity:

Class A common stock, $0.001 par value, 650,000,000 authorized; 79,124,247 and 76,761,399 issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively

79

77

Class B common stock, $0.001 par value, 125,000,000 authorized; 39,133,716 and 39,656,954 issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively

39

40

Additional paid-in capital

485,919

421,057

Accumulated deficit

(720,431

)

(242,546

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

935

728

Total StepStone Group Inc. stockholders’ equity

(233,459

)

179,356

Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

927,728

1,056,510

Non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities(1)

134,551

133,489

Non-controlling interests in the Partnership

(282,029

)

20,793

Total stockholders’ equity

546,791

1,390,148

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

5,332,107

$

4,586,693

(1) Reflects amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs for which the Company did not acquire any direct economic interests.

StepStone Group Inc.
GAAP Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Three Months Ended September 30,

Six Months Ended September 30,

2025

2024

2025

2024

Revenues

Management and advisory fees, net

$

215,489

$

184,758

$

426,662

$

362,773

Performance fees:

Incentive fees

4,902

3,155

5,092

3,996

Carried interest allocations:

Realized

58,878

17,632

83,282

59,436

Unrealized

147,813

52,215

236,696

27,045

Total carried interest allocations

206,691

69,847

319,978

86,481

Legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations(1)

27,143

13,917

66,780

4,828

Total performance fees

238,736

86,919

391,850

95,305

Total revenues

454,225

271,677

818,512

458,078

Expenses

Compensation and benefits:

Cash-based compensation

100,348

82,871

196,333

161,095

Equity-based compensation

884,470

37,332

1,073,188

56,511

Performance fee-related compensation:

Realized

30,995

8,767

42,700

29,615

Unrealized

88,727

27,748

133,084

16,825

Total performance fee-related compensation

119,722

36,515

175,784

46,440

Legacy Greenspring performance fee-related compensation(1)

27,143

13,917

66,780

4,828

Total compensation and benefits

1,131,683

170,635

1,512,085

268,874

General, administrative and other

45,292

50,061

88,206

91,072

Total expenses

1,176,975

220,696

1,600,291

359,946

Other income (expense)

Investment income (loss)

(1,210

)

2,051

9,302

4,646

Legacy Greenspring investment income (loss)(1)

1,313

(4,031

)

4,695

(5,286

)

Investment income of Consolidated Funds

46,044

8,206

67,715

15,841

Interest income

3,224

3,016

5,720

5,073

Interest expense

(4,425

)

(3,512

)

(8,959

)

(6,502

)

Other income

1,978

1,177

7,130

826

Total other income

46,924

6,907

85,603

14,598

Income (loss) before income tax

(675,826

)

57,888

(696,176

)

112,730

Income tax expense (benefit)

(100,336

)

4,750

(108,675

)

11,547

Net income (loss)

(575,490

)

53,138

(587,501

)

101,183

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

9,242

19,125

37,859

35,740

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities(1)

1,313

(4,031

)

4,695

(5,286

)

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in the Partnership

(259,946

)

13,580

(287,068

)

26,904

Less: Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds

39,659

6,525

60,616

12,196

Less: Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

384

307

963

669

Net income (loss) attributable to StepStone Group Inc.

$

(366,142

)

$

17,632

$

(404,566

)

$

30,960

Net income (loss) per share of Class A common stock:

Basic

$

(4.66

)

$

0.26

$

(5.17

)

$

0.46

Diluted

$

(4.66

)

$

0.26

$

(5.17

)

$

0.46

Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock:

Basic

78,561,587

68,772,051

78,206,102

67,486,964

Diluted

78,561,587

69,695,315

78,206,102

69,147,549

(1) Reflects amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs for which the Company did not acquire any direct economic interests.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Definitions and Reconciliations

Fee Revenues

Fee revenues represents management and advisory fees, net, including amounts earned from the Consolidated Funds which are eliminated in consolidation. We believe fee revenues is useful to investors because it presents the net amount of management and advisory fee revenues attributable to us.

The table below presents the components of fee revenues.

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

September
30, 2024

December
31, 2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September
30, 2025

2024

2025

Focused commingled funds(1)(2)

$

107,855

$

105,718

$

124,604

$

120,036

$

127,085

$

212,653

$

247,121

Separately managed accounts

61,393

66,245

67,695

70,379

71,685

118,769

142,064

Advisory and other services

14,907

17,458

19,927

19,939

16,259

29,676

36,198

Fund reimbursement revenues(1)

1,326

2,411

2,436

2,386

2,432

2,897

4,818

Fee revenues

$

185,481

$

191,832

$

214,662

$

212,740

$

217,461

$

363,995

$

430,201

_______________________________
(1)      Reflects the add-back of management and advisory fee revenues for the Consolidated Funds, which have been eliminated in consolidation.
(2)      Includes income-based incentive fees from certain funds:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

September
30, 2024

December
31, 2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September
30, 2025

2024

2025

Income-based incentive fees

$

1,347

$

2,120

$

3,377

$

4,408

$

5,334

$

2,460

$

9,742

Adjusted Revenues

Adjusted revenues represents the components of revenues used in the determination of ANI and comprise fee revenues, adjusted incentive fees and realized carried interest allocations. We believe adjusted revenues is useful to investors because it presents a measure of realized revenues.

The table below shows a reconciliation of revenues to adjusted revenues.

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

September
30, 2024

December
31, 2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September
30, 2025

2024

2025

Total revenues

$

271,677

$

339,023

$

377,729

$

364,287

$

454,225

$

458,078

$

818,512

Unrealized carried interest allocations

(52,215

)

(93,325

)

(21,177

)

(88,883

)

(147,813

)

(27,045

)

(236,696

)

Deferred incentive fees

2,445

—

(513

)

—

671

2,451

671

Legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations

(13,917

)

(8,207

)

(61,306

)

(39,637

)

(27,143

)

(4,828

)

(66,780

)

Management and advisory fee revenues for the Consolidated Funds(1)

723

992

1,261

1,567

1,972

1,222

3,539

Incentive fees for the Consolidated Funds(2)

75

5,422

(133

)

133

430

75

563

Adjusted revenues

$

208,788

$

243,905

$

295,861

$

237,467

$

282,342

$

429,953

$

519,809

_______________________________
(1) Reflects the add-back of management and advisory fee revenues for the Consolidated Funds, which have been eliminated in consolidation.
(2) Reflects the add-back of incentive fees for the Consolidated Funds, which have been eliminated in consolidation.

Adjusted Net Income

Adjusted net income, or “ANI,” is a non-GAAP performance measure that we present before the consolidation of StepStone Funds on a pre-tax and after-tax basis used to evaluate profitability. ANI represents the after-tax net realized income attributable to us. ANI does not reflect legacy Greenspring carried interest allocation revenues, legacy Greenspring carried interest-related compensation and legacy Greenspring investment income (loss) as none of the economics are attributable to us. The components of revenues used in the determination of ANI (“adjusted revenues”) comprise fee revenues, adjusted incentive fees and realized carried interest allocations. In addition, ANI excludes: (a) unrealized carried interest allocation revenues and related compensation, (b) unrealized investment income (loss), (c) equity-based compensation for awards granted prior to and in connection with our IPO, profits interests issued by our non-wholly owned subsidiaries, and unrealized mark-to-market changes in the fair value of the profits interests issued in the private wealth subsidiary, (d) amortization of intangibles, (e) net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in our subsidiaries and realized gains attributable to the profits interests issued in the private wealth subsidiary, (f) charges associated with acquisitions and corporate transactions, and (g) certain other items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating performance (as listed in the table below). ANI is fully taxed at our blended statutory rate. We believe ANI and adjusted revenues are useful to investors because they enable investors to evaluate the performance of our business across reporting periods.

Fee-Related Earnings

Fee-related earnings, or “FRE,” is a non-GAAP performance measure used to monitor our baseline earnings from recurring management and advisory fees. FRE is a component of ANI and comprises fee revenues less adjusted expenses which are operating expenses other than (a) performance fee-related compensation, (b) equity-based compensation for awards granted prior to and in connection with our IPO, profits interests issued by our non-wholly owned subsidiaries, and unrealized mark-to-market changes in the fair value of the profits interests issued in the private wealth subsidiary, (c) amortization of intangibles, (d) charges associated with acquisitions and corporate transactions, and (e) certain other items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating performance (as listed in the table below). FRE is presented before income taxes. We believe FRE is useful to investors because it provides additional insight into the operating profitability of our business and our ability to cover direct base compensation and operating expenses from total fee revenue.

The table below shows a reconciliation of GAAP measures to additional non-GAAP measures. We use the non-GAAP measures presented below as components when calculating FRE and ANI (as defined below). We believe these additional non-GAAP measures are useful to investors in evaluating both the baseline earnings from recurring management and advisory fees, which provide additional insight into the operating profitability of our business, and the after-tax net realized income attributable to us, allowing investors to evaluate the performance of our business. These additional non-GAAP measures remove the impact of Consolidated Funds that we are required to consolidate under GAAP, and certain other items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating performance.

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

September
30, 2024

December
31, 2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September
30, 2025

2024

2025

GAAP management and advisory fees, net

$

184,758

$

190,840

$

213,401

$

211,173

$

215,489

$

362,773

$

426,662

Management and advisory fee revenues for the Consolidated Funds(1)

723

992

1,261

1,567

1,972

1,222

3,539

Fee revenues

$

185,481

$

191,832

$

214,662

$

212,740

$

217,461

$

363,995

$

430,201

GAAP incentive fees

$

3,155

$

22,369

$

5,910

$

190

$

4,902

$

3,996

$

5,092

Adjustments(2)

2,520

5,422

(646

)

133

1,101

2,526

1,234

Adjusted incentive fees

$

5,675

$

27,791

$

5,264

$

323

$

6,003

$

6,522

$

6,326

GAAP cash-based compensation

$

82,871

$

85,203

$

85,510

$

95,985

$

100,348

$

161,095

$

196,333

Adjustments(3)

(285

)

339

—

(17

)

(17

)

(713

)

(34

)

Adjusted cash-based compensation

$

82,586

$

85,542

$

85,510

$

95,968

$

100,331

$

160,382

$

196,299

GAAP equity-based compensation

$

37,332

$

486,418

$

126,197

$

188,718

$

884,470

$

56,511

$

1,073,188

Adjustments(4)

(34,947

)

(483,958

)

(123,263

)

(184,509

)

(880,154

)

(51,732

)

(1,064,663

)

Adjusted equity-based compensation

$

2,385

$

2,460

$

2,934

$

4,209

$

4,316

$

4,779

$

8,525

GAAP general, administrative and other

$

50,061

$

43,130

$

43,152

$

42,914

$

45,292

$

91,072

$

88,206

Adjustments(5)

(21,900

)

(13,418

)

(11,015

)

(11,597

)

(11,111

)

(36,243

)

(22,708

)

Adjusted general, administrative and other

$

28,161

$

29,712

$

32,137

$

31,317

$

34,181

$

54,829

$

65,498

GAAP interest income

$

3,016

$

2,559

$

3,218

$

2,496

$

3,224

$

5,073

$

5,720

Interest income earned by the Consolidated Funds(6)

(1,363

)

(887

)

(1,600

)

(998

)

(1,273

)

(2,270

)

(2,271

)

Adjusted interest income

$

1,653

$

1,672

$

1,618

$

1,498

$

1,951

$

2,803

$

3,449

GAAP other income (loss)

$

1,177

$

(2,452

)

$

(31,024

)

$

5,152

$

1,978

$

826

$

7,130

Adjustments(7)

(1,082

)

1,883

30,606

(4,159

)

(1,073

)

(1,154

)

(5,232

)

Adjusted other income (loss)

$

95

$

(569

)

$

(418

)

$

993

$

905

$

(328

)

$

1,898

______________________________
(1) Reflects the add-back of management and advisory fee revenues for the Consolidated Funds, which have been eliminated in consolidation.
(2) Reflects the add-back of incentive fee revenues for the Consolidated Funds, which have been eliminated in consolidation, and deferred incentive fees that are not included in GAAP revenues.
(3) Reflects the removal of compensation paid to certain employees as part of an acquisition earn-out and unrealized amounts associated with cash-based incentive awards tracked to the performance of a designated investment fund.
(4) Reflects the removal of equity-based compensation for awards granted prior to and in connection with the IPO, profits interests issued by our non-wholly owned subsidiaries, and unrealized mark-to-market changes in the fair value of the profits interests issued in the private wealth subsidiary.
(5) Reflects the removal of amortization of intangibles, transaction-related costs, unrealized mark-to-market changes in fair value for contingent consideration obligation and other non-core operating income and expenses.
(6) Reflects the removal of interest income earned by the Consolidated Funds.
(7) Reflects the removal of amounts for Tax Receivable Agreements adjustments recognized as other income (loss), loss associated with payment made in connection with a secondary transaction executed by one of our private wealth funds and the impact of consolidation of the Consolidated Funds.

The table below shows a reconciliation of income (loss) before income tax to ANI and FRE.

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

September
30, 2024

December
31, 2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September
30, 2025

2024

2025

Income (loss) before income tax

$

57,888

$

(344,715

)

$

9,950

$

(20,350

)

$

(675,826

)

$

112,730

$

(696,176

)

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries(1)

(17,812

)

(32,765

)

(33,369

)

(30,725

)

(27,645

)

(36,763

)

(58,370

)

Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities

4,031

(1,167

)

(2,934

)

(3,382

)

(1,313

)

5,286

(4,695

)

Unrealized carried interest allocations

(52,215

)

(93,325

)

(21,177

)

(88,883

)

(147,813

)

(27,045

)

(236,696

)

Unrealized performance fee-related compensation

27,748

49,670

27,777

44,357

88,727

16,825

133,084

Unrealized investment (income) loss

(430

)

656

(6,007

)

(9,572

)

3,726

(1,610

)

(5,846

)

Impact of Consolidated Funds

(9,267

)

(6,892

)

(35,723

)

(24,407

)

(43,864

)

(16,998

)

(68,271

)

Deferred incentive fees

2,445

—

(513

)

—

671

2,451

671

Equity-based compensation(2)

34,947

483,958

123,263

184,509

880,154

51,732

1,064,663

Amortization of intangibles

10,250

10,250

10,250

10,207

10,207

20,500

20,414

Tax Receivable Agreements adjustments through earnings

—

—

(348

)

—

(1,302

)

—

(1,302

)

Non-core items(3)

11,349

2,094

32,474

686

99

15,486

785

Pre-tax ANI

68,934

67,764

103,643

62,440

85,821

142,594

148,261

Income taxes(4)

(15,365

)

(15,105

)

(23,040

)

(13,906

)

(19,112

)

(31,784

)

(33,018

)

ANI

53,569

52,659

80,603

48,534

66,709

110,810

115,243

Income taxes(4)

15,365

15,105

23,040

13,906

19,112

31,784

33,018

Realized carried interest allocations

(17,632

)

(24,282

)

(75,935

)

(24,404

)

(58,878

)

(59,436

)

(83,282

)

Realized performance fee-related compensation

8,767

25,477

39,656

11,705

30,995

29,615

42,700

Realized investment income

(1,621

)

(1,720

)

(3,379

)

(940

)

(2,516

)

(3,036

)

(3,456

)

Adjusted incentive fees(5)

(5,675

)

(27,791

)

(5,264

)

(323

)

(6,003

)

(6,522

)

(6,326

)

Adjusted interest income(6)

(1,653

)

(1,672

)

(1,618

)

(1,498

)

(1,951

)

(2,803

)

(3,449

)

Interest expense

3,512

3,008

3,191

4,534

4,425

6,502

8,959

Adjusted other (income) loss(7)

(95

)

569

418

(993

)

(905

)

328

(1,898

)

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries(1)

17,812

32,765

33,369

30,725

27,645

36,763

58,370

FRE

$

72,349

$

74,118

$

94,081

$

81,246

$

78,633

$

144,005

$

159,879

_______________________________
(1) Reflects the portion of pre-tax ANI attributable to non-controlling interests in our subsidiaries and realized gains attributable to the profits interests issued in the private wealth subsidiary:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

September
30, 2024

December
31, 2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September
30, 2025

2024

2025

FRE attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries and profits interests

$

14,969

$

21,063

$

30,451

$

26,672

$

24,791

$

28,277

$

51,463

Performance related earnings / other income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries and profits interests

2,843

11,702

2,918

4,053

2,854

8,486

6,907

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries and profits interests

$

17,812

$

32,765

$

33,369

$

30,725

$

27,645

$

36,763

$

58,370

The contribution to pre-tax ANI attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries and profits interests and performance related earnings / other income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries and profits interests presented above specifically related to the profits interests issued in the private wealth subsidiary is presented below.

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

September
30, 2024

December
31, 2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September
30, 2025

2024

2025

FRE attributable to profits interests issued in the private wealth subsidiary

$

2,051

$

2,956

$

6,399

$

8,469

$

10,103

$

2,625

$

18,572

Performance related earnings / other income (loss) attributable to profits interests issued in the private wealth subsidiary

206

11,137

(224

)

(14

)

31

257

17

Net income attributable to profits interests issued in the private wealth subsidiary

$

2,257

$

14,093

$

6,175

$

8,455

$

10,134

$

2,882

$

18,589

The contribution to pre-tax ANI attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries and performance related earnings / other income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries presented above specifically not attributable to the profits interests issued in the private wealth subsidiary is presented below.

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

September
30, 2024

December
31, 2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September
30, 2025

2024

2025

FRE attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

$

12,918

$

18,107

$

24,052

$

18,203

$

14,688

$

25,652

$

32,891

Performance related earnings / other income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

2,637

565

3,142

4,067

2,823

8,229

6,890

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

$

15,555

$

18,672

$

27,194

$

22,270

$

17,511

$

33,881

$

39,781

(2) Reflects equity-based compensation for awards granted prior to and in connection with the IPO, profits interests issued by our non-wholly owned subsidiaries, and unrealized mark-to-market changes in the fair value of the profits interests issued in the private wealth subsidiary.
(3) Includes (income) expense related to the following non-core operating income and expenses:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

September
30, 2024

December
31, 2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September
30, 2025

2024

2025

Transaction costs

$

140

$

12

$

179

$

605

$

24

$

812

$

629

(Gain) loss on change in fair value for contingent consideration obligation

10,888

2,476

(205

)

64

58

13,841

122

Compensation paid to certain employees as part of an acquisition earn-out

321

(394

)

—

—

—

803

—

Unrealized amounts associated with cash-based incentive awards tracked to investment funds

—

—

—

17

17

—

34

Loss on payment made in connection with private wealth fund secondary transaction

—

—

32,500

—

—

—

—

Other non-core items

—

—

—

—

—

30

—

Total non-core operating income and expenses

$

11,349

$

2,094

$

32,474

$

686

$

99

$

15,486

$

785

(4) Represents corporate income taxes at a blended statutory rate applied to pre-tax ANI:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended September 30,

September
30, 2024

December
31, 2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September
30, 2025

2024

2025

Federal statutory rate

21.0

%

21.0

%

21.0

%

21.0

%

21.0

%

21.0

%

21.0

%

Combined state, local and foreign rate

1.3

%

1.3

%

1.2

%

1.3

%

1.3

%

1.3

%

1.3

%

Blended statutory rate

22.3

%

22.3

%

22.2

%

22.3

%

22.3

%

22.3

%

22.3

%

(5) Reflects the add-back of incentive fee revenues for the Consolidated Funds, which have been eliminated in consolidation, and deferred incentive fees that are not included in GAAP revenues.
(6) Reflects the removal of interest income earned by the Consolidated Funds.
(7) Reflects the removal of Tax Receivable Agreements adjustments recognized as other income (loss) ($1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and $1.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025), loss associated with payment made in connection with a secondary transaction executed by one of our private wealth funds ($32.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025), and the impact of consolidation of the Consolidated Funds.

Fee-Related Earnings Margin

FRE margin is a non-GAAP performance measure which is calculated by dividing FRE by fee revenues. We believe FRE margin is an important measure of profitability on revenues that are largely recurring by nature. We believe FRE margin is useful to investors because it enables them to better evaluate the operating profitability of our business across periods.

The table below shows a reconciliation of FRE to FRE margin.

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

September
30, 2024

December
31, 2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September
30, 2025

2024

2025

FRE

$

72,349

$

74,118

$

94,081

$

81,246

$

78,633

$

144,005

$

159,879

Fee revenues

185,481

191,832

214,662

212,740

217,461

363,995

430,201

FRE margin

39

%

39

%

44

%

38

%

36

%

40

%

37

%

Gross Realized Performance Fees

Gross realized performance fees represents realized carried interest allocations and adjusted incentive fees. We believe gross realized performance fees is useful to investors because it presents the total performance fees realized by us.

Performance Fee-Related Earnings

Performance fee-related earnings, or “PRE,” represents gross realized performance fees less realized performance fee-related compensation. We believe PRE is useful to investors because it presents the performance fees attributable to us, net of amounts paid to employees as performance fee-related compensation.

The table below shows a reconciliation of total performance fees to gross realized performance fees and PRE.

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

September
30, 2024

December
31, 2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September
30, 2025

2024

2025

Incentive fees

$

3,155

$

22,369

$

5,910

$

190

$

4,902

$

3,996

$

5,092

Realized carried interest allocations

17,632

24,282

75,935

24,404

58,878

59,436

83,282

Unrealized carried interest allocations

52,215

93,325

21,177

88,883

147,813

27,045

236,696

Legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations

13,917

8,207

61,306

39,637

27,143

4,828

66,780

Total performance fees

86,919

148,183

164,328

153,114

238,736

95,305

391,850

Unrealized carried interest allocations

(52,215

)

(93,325

)

(21,177

)

(88,883

)

(147,813

)

(27,045

)

(236,696

)

Legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations

(13,917

)

(8,207

)

(61,306

)

(39,637

)

(27,143

)

(4,828

)

(66,780

)

Incentive fee revenues for the Consolidated Funds(1)

75

5,422

(133

)

133

430

75

563

Deferred incentive fees

2,445

—

(513

)

—

671

2,451

671

Gross realized performance fees

23,307

52,073

81,199

24,727

64,881

65,958

89,608

Realized performance fee-related compensation

(8,767

)

(25,477

)

(39,656

)

(11,705

)

(30,995

)

(29,615

)

(42,700

)

PRE

$

14,540

$

26,596

$

41,543

$

13,022

$

33,886

$

36,343

$

46,908

______________________________
(1) Reflects the add-back of incentive fee revenues for the Consolidated Funds, which have been eliminated in consolidation.

Adjusted Weighted-Average Shares and Adjusted Net Income Per Share

ANI per share measures our per-share earnings assuming all Class B units, Class C units and Class D units in the Partnership were exchanged for Class A common stock in SSG, including the dilutive impact of outstanding equity-based awards. ANI per share is calculated as ANI divided by adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding. We believe adjusted weighted-average shares and ANI per share are useful to investors because they enable investors to better evaluate per-share operating performance across reporting periods.

The following table shows a reconciliation of diluted weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding to adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding used in the computation of ANI per share.

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended September 30,

September
30, 2024

December
31, 2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September
30, 2025

2024

2025

ANI

$

53,569

$

52,659

$

80,603

$

48,534

$

66,709

$

110,810

$

115,243

Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding – Basic

68,772,051

73,687,289

75,975,770

77,846,710

78,561,587

67,486,964

78,206,102

Assumed vesting of RSUs

921,166

491,014

270,492

347,813

509,007

798,186

428,850

Assumed vesting and exchange of Class B2 units(1)

—

—

—

—

—

861,344

—

Assumed purchase under ESPP

2,098

—

—

—

—

1,055

—

Exchange of Class B units in the Partnership(2)

45,212,921

41,729,937

40,122,028

39,608,270

39,500,159

45,518,634

39,553,919

Exchange of Class C units in the Partnership(2)

1,626,812

1,016,737

965,761

960,025

947,580

1,737,720

953,768

Exchange of Class D units in the Partnership(2)

2,239,185

2,010,202

1,535,060

3,530,125

2,944,261

2,239,185

3,235,592

Adjusted weighted-average shares

118,774,233

118,935,179

118,869,111

122,292,943

122,462,594

118,643,088

122,378,231

ANI per share

$

0.45

$

0.44

$

0.68

$

0.40

$

0.54

$

0.93

$

0.94

_______________________________
(1) The Class B2 units fully vested in June 2024.
(2) Assumes the full exchange of Class B units, Class C units or Class D units in the Partnership for Class A common stock of SSG pursuant to the Class B Exchange Agreement, Class C Exchange Agreement or Class D Exchange Agreement, respectively.     

Key Operating Metrics

We monitor certain operating metrics that are either common to the asset management industry or that we believe provide important data regarding our business. Refer to the Glossary below for a definition of each of these metrics.

Fee-Earning AUM

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended September 30,

Percentage Change

(in millions)

September
30, 2024

December
31, 2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September
30, 2025

2024

2025

vs. FQ2'25

Separately Managed Accounts

Beginning balance

$

60,272

$

62,121

$

69,974

$

73,174

$

76,708

$

58,897

$

73,174

27

%

Contributions(1)

1,723

9,033

3,874

3,013

2,559

3,808

5,572

49

%

Distributions(2)

(535

)

(1,000

)

(1,225

)

(1,010

)

(725

)

(1,365

)

(1,735

)

36

%

Market value, FX and other(3)

661

(180

)

551

1,531

(335

)

781

1,196

na

Ending balance

$

62,121

$

69,974

$

73,174

$

76,708

$

78,207

$

62,121

$

78,207

26

%

Focused Commingled Funds

Beginning balance

$

40,084

$

42,294

$

44,192

$

48,216

$

50,511

$

34,961

$

48,216

26

%

Contributions(1)

2,122

2,520

3,403

2,022

3,547

7,775

5,569

67

%

Distributions(2)

(282

)

(682

)

(313

)

(392

)

(580

)

(943

)

(972

)

106

%

Market value, FX and other(3)

370

60

934

665

1,106

501

1,771

199

%

Ending balance

$

42,294

$

44,192

$

48,216

$

50,511

$

54,584

$

42,294

$

54,584

29

%

Total

Beginning balance

$

100,356

$

104,415

$

114,166

$

121,390

$

127,219

$

93,858

$

121,390

27

%

Contributions(1)

3,845

11,553

7,277

5,035

6,106

11,583

11,141

59

%

Distributions(2)

(817

)

(1,682

)

(1,538

)

(1,402

)

(1,305

)

(2,308

)

(2,707

)

60

%

Market value, FX and other(3)

1,031

(120

)

1,485

2,196

771

1,282

2,967

(25)%

Ending balance

$

104,415

$

114,166

$

121,390

$

127,219

$

132,791

$

104,415

$

132,791

27

%

_______________________________
(1) Contributions consist of new capital commitments that earn fees on committed capital and capital contributions to funds and accounts that earn fees on net invested capital or NAV.
(2) Distributions consist of returns of capital from funds and accounts that pay fees on net invested capital or NAV and reductions in fee-earning AUM from funds that moved from a committed capital to net invested capital fee basis or from funds and accounts that no longer pay fees.
(3) Market value, FX and other primarily consist of changes in market value appreciation (depreciation) for funds that pay on NAV and the effect of foreign exchange rate changes on non-U.S. dollar denominated commitments. The three months ended March 31, 2025 include a $0.6 billion secondary transaction within focused commingled funds.   

Asset Class Summary

Three Months Ended

Percentage Change

(in millions)

September
30, 2024

December
31, 2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September
30, 2025

vs. FQ2'25

FEAUM

Private equity

$

57,136

$

62,811

$

65,007

$

66,428

$

69,932

22

%

Infrastructure

20,986

23,411

23,830

26,090

27,007

29

%

Private debt

16,975

17,882

19,517

21,435

22,443

32

%

Real estate

9,318

10,062

13,036

13,266

13,409

44

%

Total

$

104,415

$

114,166

$

121,390

$

127,219

$

132,791

27

%

Separately managed accounts

$

62,121

$

69,974

$

73,174

$

76,708

$

78,207

26

%

Focused commingled funds

42,294

44,192

48,216

50,511

54,584

29

%

Total

$

104,415

$

114,166

$

121,390

$

127,219

$

132,791

27

%

AUM(1)

Private equity

$

91,891

$

93,404

$

95,937

$

100,540

$

106,408

16

%

Infrastructure

35,392

36,156

37,026

40,087

42,437

20

%

Private debt

31,854

31,987

37,133

39,242

40,438

27

%

Real estate

16,996

17,665

19,284

19,445

19,864

17

%

Total

$

176,133

$

179,212

$

189,380

$

199,314

$

209,147

19

%

Separately managed accounts

$

107,252

$

109,305

$

114,806

$

120,649

$

124,991

17

%

Focused commingled funds

53,870

55,142

59,410

62,672

68,014

26

%

Advisory AUM

15,011

14,765

15,164

15,993

16,142

8

%

Total

$

176,133

$

179,212

$

189,380

$

199,314

$

209,147

19

%

AUA

Private equity

$

255,125

$

263,420

$

262,884

$

262,472

$

283,034

11

%

Infrastructure

62,891

67,100

69,027

71,126

78,762

25

%

Private debt

19,328

19,325

19,726

20,874

23,402

21

%

Real estate

168,519

168,807

168,047

169,679

176,357

5

%

Total

$

505,863

$

518,652

$

519,684

$

524,151

$

561,555

11

%

Total capital responsibility(2)

$

681,996

$

697,864

$

709,064

$

723,465

$

770,702

13

%

_____________________________
Note: Amounts may not sum to total due to rounding. AUM/AUA reflects final data for the prior period, adjusted for net new client account activity through the period presented, and does not include post-period investment valuation or cash activity. Net asset value (“NAV”) data for underlying investments is as of the prior period, as reported by underlying managers up to the business day occurring on or after 100 days, or 115 days at the fiscal year-end, following the prior period end. When NAV data is not available by the business day occurring on or after 100 days, or 115 days at the fiscal year-end, following the prior period end, such NAVs are adjusted for cash activity following the last available reported NAV.
(1) Allocation of AUM by asset class is presented by underlying investment asset classification.
(2) Total capital responsibility equals assets under management (AUM) plus assets under advisement (AUA).

Contacts

Shareholder Relations:
Seth Weiss
shareholders@stepstonegroup.com 
1-212-351-6106

Media:
Brian Ruby / Chris Gillick / Matt Lettiero, ICR
StepStonePR@icrinc.com 
1-203-682-8268

Glossary

Assets under advisement, or “AUA,” consists of client assets for which we do not have full discretion to make investment decisions but play a role in advising the client or monitoring their investments. We generally earn revenue for advisory-related services on a contractual fixed fee basis. Advisory-related services include asset allocation, strategic planning, development of investment policies and guidelines, screening and recommending investments, legal negotiations, monitoring and reporting on investments, and investment manager review and due diligence. Advisory fees vary by client based on the scope of services, investment activity and other factors. Most of our advisory fees are fixed, and therefore, increases or decreases in AUA do not necessarily lead to proportionate changes in revenue. We believe AUA is a useful metric for assessing the relative size of our advisory business.

Our AUA is calculated as the sum of (i) the NAV of client portfolio assets for which we do not have full discretion and (ii) the unfunded commitments of clients to the underlying investments. Our AUA reflects the investment valuations in respect of the underlying investments of our client accounts on a three-month lag, adjusted for new client account activity through the period end. Our AUA does not include post-period investment valuation or cash activity. AUA as of September 30, 2025 reflects final data for the prior period (June 30, 2025), adjusted for net new client account activity through September 30, 2025. NAV data for underlying investments is as of June 30, 2025, as reported by underlying managers up to the business day occurring on or after 100 days following June 30, 2025. When NAV data is not available by the business day occurring on or after 100 days following June 30, 2025, such NAVs are adjusted for cash activity following the last available reported NAV.

Assets under management, or “AUM,” primarily reflects the assets associated with our separately managed accounts (“SMAs”) and focused commingled funds. We classify assets as AUM if we have full discretion over the investment decisions in an account or have responsibility or custody of assets. Although management fees are based on a variety of factors and are not linearly correlated with AUM, we believe AUM is a useful metric for assessing the relative size and scope of our asset management business.

Our AUM is calculated as the sum of (i) the net asset value (“NAV”) of client portfolio assets, including the StepStone Funds and (ii) the unfunded commitments of clients to the underlying investments and the StepStone Funds. Our AUM reflects the investment valuations in respect of the underlying investments of our funds and accounts on a three-month lag, adjusted for new client account activity through the period end. Our AUM does not include post-period investment valuation or cash activity. AUM as of September 30, 2025 reflects final data for the prior period (June 30, 2025), adjusted for net new client account activity through September 30, 2025. NAV data for underlying investments is as of June 30, 2025, as reported by underlying managers up to the business day occurring on or after 100 days following June 30, 2025. When NAV data is not available by the business day occurring on or after 100 days following June 30, 2025, such NAVs are adjusted for cash activity following the last available reported NAV.

Consolidated Funds refer to the StepStone Funds that we are required to consolidate as of the applicable reporting period. We consolidate funds and other entities in which we hold a controlling financial interest.

Consolidated VIEs refer to the variable interest entities that we are required to consolidate as of the applicable reporting period. We consolidate VIEs in which we hold a controlling financial interest.

Fee-earning AUM, or “FEAUM,” reflects the assets from which we earn management fee revenue (i.e., fee basis) and includes assets in our SMAs, focused commingled funds and assets held directly by our clients for which we have fiduciary oversight and are paid fees as the manager of the assets. Our SMAs and focused commingled funds typically pay management fees based on capital commitments, net invested capital and, in certain cases, NAV, depending on the fee terms. Management fees are only marginally affected by market appreciation or depreciation because substantially all of the StepStone Funds pay management fees based on capital commitments or net invested capital. As a result, management fees and FEAUM are not materially affected by changes in market value. We believe FEAUM is a useful metric in order to assess assets forming the basis of our management fee revenue.

Legacy Greenspring entities refers to certain entities for which the Company, indirectly through its subsidiaries, became the sole and/or managing member in connection with the Greenspring acquisition.

SSG refers solely to StepStone Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, and not to any of its subsidiaries.

StepStone Funds refer to SMAs and focused commingled funds of the Company, including acquired Greenspring funds, for which the Partnership or one of its subsidiaries acts as both investment adviser and general partner or managing member.

The Partnership refers solely to StepStone Group LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and not to any of its subsidiaries.

Total capital responsibility equals AUM plus AUA. AUM includes any accounts for which StepStone Group has full discretion over the investment decisions, has responsibility to arrange or effectuate transactions, or has custody of assets. AUA refers to accounts for which StepStone Group provides advice or consultation but for which the firm does not have discretionary authority, responsibility to arrange or effectuate transactions, or custody of assets.

Undeployed fee-earning capital represents the amount of capital commitments to StepStone Funds that has not yet been invested or considered active but will generate management fee revenue once invested or activated. We believe undeployed fee-earning capital is a useful metric for measuring the amount of capital that we can put to work in the future and thus earn management fee revenue thereon.