Stepstone Group Inc.NASDAQ: STEP

StepStone Group Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Results

NEW YORK, Feb. 05, 2026 (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 December 31, 2025. This represents results for the third 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 March 13, 2026, to the holders of record as of the close of business on February 27, 2026.

StepStone issued a full detailed presentation of its third 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, February 5, 2026, at 5:00 pm ET to discuss the Company’s results for the third 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/BI7dc23d7d84474da18f5bf6eb6bc55276. 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 December 31, 2025, StepStone was responsible for approximately $811 billion of total capital, including $220 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

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

Percentage Change

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

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
2025

2024

2025

vs.
FQ3'25

vs. FQ3'25
YTD

Financial Highlights

GAAP Results

Management and advisory fees, net

$

190,840

$

213,401

$

211,173

$

215,489

$

239,932

$

553,613

$

666,594

26

%

20

%

Total revenues

339,023

377,729

364,287

454,225

586,511

797,101

1,405,023

73

%

76

%

Total performance fees

148,183

164,328

153,114

238,736

346,579

243,488

738,429

134

%

203

%

Net income (loss)

(287,163

)

13,153

(12,011

)

(575,490

)

(162,435

)

(185,980

)

(749,936

)

(43

)%

303

%

Net loss per share of Class A common stock:

Basic

$

(2.61

)

$

(0.24

)

$

(0.49

)

$

(4.66

)

$

(1.55

)

$

(2.32

)

$

(6.72

)

(40

)%

190

%

Diluted

$

(2.61

)

$

(0.24

)

$

(0.49

)

$

(4.66

)

$

(1.55

)

$

(2.32

)

$

(6.72

)

(40

)%

190

%

Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock:

Basic

73,687,289

75,975,770

77,846,710

78,561,587

79,465,039

69,561,254

78,627,273

8

%

13

%

Diluted

73,687,289

75,975,770

77,846,710

78,561,587

79,465,039

69,561,254

78,627,273

8

%

13

%

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

$

0.24

$

0.24

$

0.24

$

0.28

$

0.28

$

0.69

$

0.80

17

%

16

%

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

$

—

$

—

$

0.40

$

—

$

—

$

0.15

$

0.40

na

167

%

Accrued carried interest allocations

1,474,543

1,495,664

1,585,209

1,733,922

1,835,862

25

%

Non-GAAP Results(3)

Fee revenues(4)

$

191,832

$

214,662

$

212,740

$

217,461

$

241,133

$

555,827

$

671,334

26

%

21

%

Adjusted revenues

243,905

295,861

237,467

282,342

494,500

673,858

1,014,309

103

%

51

%

Fee-related earnings (“FRE”)

74,118

94,081

81,246

78,633

89,236

218,123

249,115

20

%

14

%

FRE margin(5)

39

%

44

%

38

%

36

%

37

%

39

%

37

%

Gross realized performance fees

52,073

81,199

24,727

64,881

253,367

118,031

342,975

387

%

191

%

Performance fee-related earnings (“PRE”)

26,596

41,543

13,022

33,886

131,152

62,939

178,060

393

%

183

%

Adjusted net income (“ANI”)

52,659

80,603

48,534

66,709

79,858

163,469

195,101

52

%

19

%

Adjusted weighted-average shares

118,935,179

118,869,111

122,292,943

122,462,594

122,590,230

118,740,805

122,449,155

3

%

3

%

ANI per share

$

0.44

$

0.68

$

0.40

$

0.54

$

0.65

$

1.38

$

1.59

48

%

15

%

Key Business Drivers/Operating Metrics(in billions)

Assets under management (“AUM”)(6)

$

179.2

$

189.4

$

199.3

$

209.1

$

219.8

23

%

Assets under advisement (“AUA”)(6)

518.7

519.7

524.2

561.6

591.3

14

%

Fee-earning AUM (“FEAUM”)

114.2

121.4

127.2

132.8

138.6

21

%

Undeployed fee-earning capital (“UFEC”)

21.7

24.6

28.7

29.8

32.7

51

%

_______________________________
(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

December 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

266,075

$

244,791

Restricted cash

564

502

Fees and accounts receivable

79,669

80,871

Due from affiliates

334,942

92,723

Investments:

Investments in funds

292,994

183,694

Accrued carried interest allocations

1,835,862

1,495,664

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

670,631

629,228

Deferred income tax assets

583,565

382,886

Lease right-of-use assets, net

84,016

91,841

Other assets and receivables

61,058

62,869

Intangibles, net

233,251

263,872

Goodwill

580,542

580,542

Assets of Consolidated Funds:

Cash and cash equivalents

111,377

44,511

Investments, at fair value

105,150

415,011

Other assets

1,758

17,688

Total assets

$

5,241,454

$

4,586,693

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

$

87,118

$

89,731

Accrued compensation and benefits

2,404,228

736,695

Accrued carried interest-related compensation

960,513

757,968

Legacy Greenspring accrued carried interest-related compensation(1)

536,484

495,739

Due to affiliates

354,610

331,821

Lease liabilities

106,497

113,519

Debt obligations

270,246

269,268

Liabilities of Consolidated Funds:

Other liabilities

2,305

17,580

Total liabilities

4,722,001

2,812,321

Redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds

171,870

377,897

Redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

7,914

6,327

Stockholders’ equity:

Class A common stock, $0.001 par value, 650,000,000 authorized; 80,135,346 and 76,761,399 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively

80

77

Class B common stock, $0.001 par value, 125,000,000 authorized; 39,017,716 and 39,656,954 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively

39

40

Additional paid-in capital

486,542

421,057

Accumulated deficit

(866,331

)

(242,546

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

876

728

Total StepStone Group Inc. stockholders’ equity

(378,794

)

179,356

Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

948,365

1,056,510

Non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities(1)

134,147

133,489

Non-controlling interests in the Partnership

(364,049

)

20,793

Total stockholders’ equity

339,669

1,390,148

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

5,241,454

$

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 Loss (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Three Months Ended December 31,

Nine Months Ended December 31,

2025

2024

2025

2024

Revenues

Management and advisory fees, net

$

239,932

$

190,840

$

666,594

$

553,613

Performance fees:

Incentive fees

207,954

22,369

213,046

26,365

Carried interest allocations:

Realized

46,703

24,282

129,985

83,718

Unrealized

101,985

93,325

338,681

120,370

Total carried interest allocations

148,688

117,607

468,666

204,088

Legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations(1)

(10,063

)

8,207

56,717

13,035

Total performance fees

346,579

148,183

738,429

243,488

Total revenues

586,511

339,023

1,405,023

797,101

Expenses

Compensation and benefits:

Cash-based compensation

107,114

85,203

303,447

246,298

Equity-based compensation

468,808

486,418

1,541,996

542,929

Performance fee-related compensation:

Realized

122,215

25,477

164,915

55,092

Unrealized

69,050

49,670

202,134

66,495

Total performance fee-related compensation

191,265

75,147

367,049

121,587

Legacy Greenspring performance fee-related compensation(1)

(10,063

)

8,207

56,717

13,035

Total compensation and benefits

757,124

654,975

2,269,209

923,849

General, administrative and other

50,640

43,130

138,846

134,202

Total expenses

807,764

698,105

2,408,055

1,058,051

Other income (expense)

Investment income

9,829

1,064

19,131

5,710

Legacy Greenspring investment income (loss)(1)

(527

)

1,167

4,168

(4,119

)

Investment income of Consolidated Funds

21,282

15,037

88,997

30,878

Interest income

2,455

2,559

8,175

7,632

Interest expense

(5,123

)

(3,008

)

(14,082

)

(9,510

)

Other income (loss)

(1,312

)

(2,452

)

5,818

(1,626

)

Total other income

26,604

14,367

112,207

28,965

Loss before income tax

(194,649

)

(344,715

)

(890,825

)

(231,985

)

Income tax benefit

(32,214

)

(57,552

)

(140,889

)

(46,005

)

Net loss

(162,435

)

(287,163

)

(749,936

)

(185,980

)

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

24,562

27,226

62,421

62,966

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

(527

)

1,167

4,168

(4,119

)

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

(82,207

)

(134,760

)

(369,275

)

(107,856

)

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

18,564

10,905

79,180

23,101

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

624

314

1,587

983

Net loss attributable to StepStone Group Inc.

$

(123,451

)

$

(192,015

)

$

(528,017

)

$

(161,055

)

Net loss per share of Class A common stock:

Basic

$

(1.55

)

$

(2.61

)

$

(6.72

)

$

(2.32

)

Diluted

$

(1.55

)

$

(2.61

)

$

(6.72

)

$

(2.32

)

Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock:

Basic

79,465,039

73,687,289

78,627,273

69,561,254

Diluted

79,465,039

73,687,289

78,627,273

69,561,254

(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

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
2025

2024

2025

Focused commingled funds(1)(2)

$

105,718

$

124,604

$

120,036

$

127,085

$

144,277

$

318,371

$

391,398

Separately managed accounts

66,245

67,695

70,379

71,685

75,226

185,014

217,290

Advisory and other services

17,458

19,927

19,939

16,259

18,395

47,134

54,593

Fund reimbursement revenues(1)

2,411

2,436

2,386

2,432

3,235

5,308

8,053

Fee revenues

$

191,832

$

214,662

$

212,740

$

217,461

$

241,133

$

555,827

$

671,334

_______________________________
(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

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
2025

2024

2025

Income-based incentive fees

$

2,120

$

3,377

$

4,408

$

5,334

$

5,998

$

4,580

$

15,740


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

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
2025

2024

2025

Total revenues

$

339,023

$

377,729

$

364,287

$

454,225

$

586,511

$

797,101

$

1,405,023

Unrealized carried interest allocations

(93,325

)

(21,177

)

(88,883

)

(147,813

)

(101,985

)

(120,370

)

(338,681

)

Deferred incentive fees

—

(513

)

—

671

(1,544

)

2,451

(873

)

Legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations

(8,207

)

(61,306

)

(39,637

)

(27,143

)

10,063

(13,035

)

(56,717

)

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

992

1,261

1,567

1,972

1,201

2,214

4,740

Incentive fees for the Consolidated Funds(2)

5,422

(133

)

133

430

254

5,497

817

Adjusted revenues

$

243,905

$

295,861

$

237,467

$

282,342

$

494,500

$

673,858

$

1,014,309

_______________________________
(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

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
2025

2024

2025

GAAP management and advisory fees, net

$

190,840

$

213,401

$

211,173

$

215,489

$

239,932

$

553,613

$

666,594

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

992

1,261

1,567

1,972

1,201

2,214

4,740

Fee revenues

$

191,832

$

214,662

$

212,740

$

217,461

$

241,133

$

555,827

$

671,334

GAAP incentive fees

$

22,369

$

5,910

$

190

$

4,902

$

207,954

$

26,365

$

213,046

Adjustments(2)

5,422

(646

)

133

1,101

(1,290

)

7,948

(56

)

Adjusted incentive fees

$

27,791

$

5,264

$

323

$

6,003

$

206,664

$

34,313

$

212,990

GAAP cash-based compensation

$

85,203

$

85,510

$

95,985

$

100,348

$

107,114

$

246,298

$

303,447

Adjustments(3)

339

—

(17

)

(17

)

—

(374

)

(34

)

Adjusted cash-based compensation

$

85,542

$

85,510

$

95,968

$

100,331

$

107,114

$

245,924

$

303,413

GAAP equity-based compensation

$

486,418

$

126,197

$

188,718

$

884,470

$

468,808

$

542,929

$

1,541,996

Adjustments(4)

(483,958

)

(123,263

)

(184,509

)

(880,154

)

(464,124

)

(535,690

)

(1,528,787

)

Adjusted equity-based compensation

$

2,460

$

2,934

$

4,209

$

4,316

$

4,684

$

7,239

$

13,209

GAAP general, administrative and other

$

43,130

$

43,152

$

42,914

$

45,292

$

50,640

$

134,202

$

138,846

Adjustments(5)

(13,418

)

(11,015

)

(11,597

)

(11,111

)

(10,541

)

(49,661

)

(33,249

)

Adjusted general, administrative and other

$

29,712

$

32,137

$

31,317

$

34,181

$

40,099

$

84,541

$

105,597

GAAP interest income

$

2,559

$

3,218

$

2,496

$

3,224

$

2,455

$

7,632

$

8,175

Interest income earned by the Consolidated Funds(6)

(887

)

(1,600

)

(998

)

(1,273

)

(4

)

(3,157

)

(2,275

)

Adjusted interest income

$

1,672

$

1,618

$

1,498

$

1,951

$

2,451

$

4,475

$

5,900

GAAP other income (loss)

$

(2,452

)

$

(31,024

)

$

5,152

$

1,978

$

(1,312

)

$

(1,626

)

$

5,818

Adjustments(7)

1,883

30,606

(4,159

)

(1,073

)

660

729

(4,572

)

Adjusted other income (loss)

$

(569

)

$

(418

)

$

993

$

905

$

(652

)

$

(897

)

$

1,246

______________________________
(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

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
2025

2024

2025

Income (loss) before income tax

$

(344,715

)

$

9,950

$

(20,350

)

$

(675,826

)

$

(194,649

)

$

(231,985

)

$

(890,825

)

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

(32,765

)

(33,369

)

(30,725

)

(27,645

)

(115,887

)

(69,528

)

(174,257

)

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

(1,167

)

(2,934

)

(3,382

)

(1,313

)

527

4,119

(4,168

)

Unrealized carried interest allocations

(93,325

)

(21,177

)

(88,883

)

(147,813

)

(101,985

)

(120,370

)

(338,681

)

Unrealized performance fee-related compensation

49,670

27,777

44,357

88,727

69,050

66,495

202,134

Unrealized investment (income) loss

656

(6,007

)

(9,572

)

3,726

(8,268

)

(954

)

(14,114

)

Impact of Consolidated Funds

(6,892

)

(35,723

)

(24,407

)

(43,864

)

(18,944

)

(23,890

)

(87,215

)

Deferred incentive fees

—

(513

)

—

671

(1,544

)

2,451

(873

)

Equity-based compensation(2)

483,958

123,263

184,509

880,154

464,124

535,690

1,528,787

Amortization of intangibles

10,250

10,250

10,207

10,207

10,207

30,750

30,621

Tax Receivable Agreements adjustments through earnings

—

(348

)

—

(1,302

)

—

—

(1,302

)

Non-core items(3)

2,094

32,474

686

99

106

17,580

891

Pre-tax ANI

67,764

103,643

62,440

85,821

102,737

210,358

250,998

Income taxes(4)

(15,105

)

(23,040

)

(13,906

)

(19,112

)

(22,879

)

(46,889

)

(55,897

)

ANI

52,659

80,603

48,534

66,709

79,858

163,469

195,101

Income taxes(4)

15,105

23,040

13,906

19,112

22,879

46,889

55,897

Realized carried interest allocations

(24,282

)

(75,935

)

(24,404

)

(58,878

)

(46,703

)

(83,718

)

(129,985

)

Realized performance fee-related compensation

25,477

39,656

11,705

30,995

122,215

55,092

164,915

Realized investment income

(1,720

)

(3,379

)

(940

)

(2,516

)

(1,560

)

(4,756

)

(5,016

)

Adjusted incentive fees(5)

(27,791

)

(5,264

)

(323

)

(6,003

)

(206,664

)

(34,313

)

(212,990

)

Adjusted interest income(6)

(1,672

)

(1,618

)

(1,498

)

(1,951

)

(2,451

)

(4,475

)

(5,900

)

Interest expense

3,008

3,191

4,534

4,425

5,123

9,510

14,082

Adjusted other (income) loss(7)

569

418

(993

)

(905

)

652

897

(1,246

)

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

32,765

33,369

30,725

27,645

115,887

69,528

174,257

FRE

$

74,118

$

94,081

$

81,246

$

78,633

$

89,236

$

218,123

$

249,115

_______________________________
(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

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
2025

2024

2025

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

$

21,063

$

30,451

$

26,672

$

24,791

$

32,280

$

49,340

$

83,743

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

11,702

2,918

4,053

2,854

83,607

20,188

90,514

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

$

32,765

$

33,369

$

30,725

$

27,645

$

115,887

$

69,528

$

174,257


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

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
2025

2024

2025

FRE attributable to profits interests issued in the private wealth subsidiary

$

2,956

$

6,399

$

8,469

$

10,103

$

14,354

$

5,581

$

32,926

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

11,137

(224

)

(14

)

31

83,172

11,394

83,189

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

$

14,093

$

6,175

$

8,455

$

10,134

$

97,526

$

16,975

$

116,115


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

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
2025

2024

2025

FRE attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

$

18,107

$

24,052

$

18,203

$

14,688

$

17,926

$

43,759

$

50,817

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

565

3,142

4,067

2,823

435

8,794

7,325

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

$

18,672

$

27,194

$

22,270

$

17,511

$

18,361

$

52,553

$

58,142

(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

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
2025

2024

2025

Transaction costs

$

12

$

179

$

605

$

24

$

47

$

824

$

676

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

2,476

(205

)

64

58

59

16,317

181

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

(394

)

—

—

—

—

409

—

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

$

2,094

$

32,474

$

686

$

99

$

106

$

17,580

$

891

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

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
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%

1.2%

1.3%

1.3%

1.3%

1.3%

1.3%

Blended statutory rate

22.3%

22.2%

22.3%

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 nine months ended December 31, 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

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
2025

2024

2025

FRE

$

74,118

$

94,081

$

81,246

$

78,633

$

89,236

$

218,123

$

249,115

Fee revenues

191,832

214,662

212,740

217,461

241,133

555,827

671,334

FRE margin

39

%

44

%

38

%

36

%

37

%

39

%

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

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

(in thousands)

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
2025

2024

2025

Incentive fees

$

22,369

$

5,910

$

190

$

4,902

$

207,954

$

26,365

$

213,046

Realized carried interest allocations

24,282

75,935

24,404

58,878

46,703

83,718

129,985

Unrealized carried interest allocations

93,325

21,177

88,883

147,813

101,985

120,370

338,681

Legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations

8,207

61,306

39,637

27,143

(10,063

)

13,035

56,717

Total performance fees

148,183

164,328

153,114

238,736

346,579

243,488

738,429

Unrealized carried interest allocations

(93,325

)

(21,177

)

(88,883

)

(147,813

)

(101,985

)

(120,370

)

(338,681

)

Legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations

(8,207

)

(61,306

)

(39,637

)

(27,143

)

10,063

(13,035

)

(56,717

)

Incentive fee revenues for the Consolidated Funds(1)

5,422

(133

)

133

430

254

5,497

817

Deferred incentive fees

—

(513

)

—

671

(1,544

)

2,451

(873

)

Gross realized performance fees

52,073

81,199

24,727

64,881

253,367

118,031

342,975

Realized performance fee-related compensation

(25,477

)

(39,656

)

(11,705

)

(30,995

)

(122,215

)

(55,092

)

(164,915

)

PRE

$

26,596

$

41,543

$

13,022

$

33,886

$

131,152

$

62,939

$

178,060

______________________________
(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

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
2025

2024

2025

ANI

$

52,659

$

80,603

$

48,534

$

66,709

$

79,858

$

163,469

$

195,101

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

73,687,289

75,975,770

77,846,710

78,561,587

79,465,039

69,561,254

78,627,273

Assumed vesting of RSUs

491,014

270,492

347,813

509,007

590,042

695,423

482,776

Assumed vesting and exchange of Class B2 units(1)

—

—

—

—

—

573,185

—

Assumed purchase under ESPP

—

—

—

—

—

702

—

Exchange of Class B units in the Partnership(2)

41,729,937

40,122,028

39,608,270

39,500,159

39,094,629

44,251,143

39,400,266

Exchange of Class C units in the Partnership(2)

1,016,737

965,761

960,025

947,580

931,103

1,496,518

946,186

Exchange of Class D units in the Partnership(2)

2,010,202

1,535,060

3,530,125

2,944,261

2,509,417

2,162,580

2,992,654

Adjusted weighted-average shares

118,935,179

118,869,111

122,292,943

122,462,594

122,590,230

118,740,805

122,449,155

ANI per share

$

0.44

$

0.68

$

0.40

$

0.54

$

0.65

$

1.38

$

1.59

_______________________________
(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

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

Percentage Change

(in millions)

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
2025

2024

2025

vs. FQ3'25

Separately Managed Accounts

Beginning balance

$

62,121

$

69,974

$

73,174

$

76,708

$

78,207

$

58,897

$

73,174

26

%

Contributions(1)

9,033

3,874

3,013

2,559

2,627

12,841

8,199

(71

)%

Distributions(2)

(1,000

)

(1,225

)

(1,010

)

(725

)

(1,117

)

(2,365

)

(2,852

)

12

%

Market value, FX and other(3)

(180

)

551

1,531

(335

)

611

601

1,807

na

Ending balance

$

69,974

$

73,174

$

76,708

$

78,207

$

80,328

$

69,974

$

80,328

15

%

Focused Commingled Funds

Beginning balance

$

42,294

$

44,192

$

48,216

$

50,511

$

54,584

$

34,961

$

48,216

29

%

Contributions(1)

2,520

3,403

2,022

3,547

3,245

10,295

8,814

29

%

Distributions(2)

(682

)

(313

)

(392

)

(580

)

(547

)

(1,625

)

(1,519

)

(20

)%

Market value, FX and other(3)

60

934

665

1,106

941

561

2,712

na

Ending balance

$

44,192

$

48,216

$

50,511

$

54,584

$

58,223

$

44,192

$

58,223

32

%

Total

Beginning balance

$

104,415

$

114,166

$

121,390

$

127,219

$

132,791

$

93,858

$

121,390

27

%

Contributions(1)

11,553

7,277

5,035

6,106

5,872

23,136

17,013

(49

)%

Distributions(2)

(1,682

)

(1,538

)

(1,402

)

(1,305

)

(1,664

)

(3,990

)

(4,371

)

(1

)%

Market value, FX and other(3)

(120

)

1,485

2,196

771

1,552

1,162

4,519

na

Ending balance

$

114,166

$

121,390

$

127,219

$

132,791

$

138,551

$

114,166

$

138,551

21

%

_______________________________
(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)

December 31,
2024

March 31,
2025

June 30,
2025

September 30,
2025

December 31,
2025

vs. FQ3'25

FEAUM

Private equity

$

62,811

$

65,007

$

66,428

$

69,932

$

73,193

17%

Infrastructure

23,411

23,830

26,090

27,007

27,897

19%

Private debt

17,882

19,517

21,435

22,443

23,882

34%

Real estate

10,062

13,036

13,266

13,409

13,579

35%

Total

$

114,166

$

121,390

$

127,219

$

132,791

$

138,551

21%

Separately managed accounts

$

69,974

$

73,174

$

76,708

$

78,207

$

80,328

15%

Focused commingled funds

44,192

48,216

50,511

54,584

58,223

32%

Total

$

114,166

$

121,390

$

127,219

$

132,791

$

138,551

21%

AUM(1)

Private equity

$

93,404

$

95,937

$

100,540

$

106,408

$

112,190

20%

Infrastructure

36,156

37,026

40,087

42,437

44,624

23%

Private debt

31,987

37,133

39,242

40,438

42,269

32%

Real estate

17,665

19,284

19,445

19,864

20,716

17%

Total

$

179,212

$

189,380

$

199,314

$

209,147

$

219,799

23%

Separately managed accounts

$

109,305

$

114,806

$

120,649

$

124,991

$

130,111

19%

Focused commingled funds

55,142

59,410

62,672

68,014

73,375

33%

Advisory AUM

14,765

15,164

15,993

16,142

16,313

10%

Total

$

179,212

$

189,380

$

199,314

$

209,147

$

219,799

23%

AUA

Private equity

$

263,420

$

262,884

$

262,472

$

283,034

$

301,403

14%

Infrastructure

67,100

69,027

71,126

78,762

86,955

30%

Private debt

19,325

19,726

20,874

23,402

24,173

25%

Real estate

168,807

168,047

169,679

176,357

178,810

6%

Total

$

518,652

$

519,684

$

524,151

$

561,555

$

591,341

14%

Total capital responsibility(2)

$

697,864

$

709,064

$

723,465

$

770,702

$

811,140

16%

_____________________________
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 December 31, 2025 reflects final data for the prior period (September 30, 2025), adjusted for net new client account activity through December 31, 2025. NAV data for underlying investments is as of September 30, 2025, as reported by underlying managers up to the business day occurring on or after 100 days following September 30, 2025. When NAV data is not available by the business day occurring on or after 100 days following September 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 December 31, 2025 reflects final data for the prior period (September 30, 2025), adjusted for net new client account activity through December 31, 2025. NAV data for underlying investments is as of September 30, 2025, as reported by underlying managers up to the business day occurring on or after 100 days following September 30, 2025. When NAV data is not available by the business day occurring on or after 100 days following September 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.