SCHEDULE 13G/A: Antony Ressler Maintains Significant Stake in Ares Management Corporation, Holding 37.9% Beneficial Ownership

Antony P. Ressler, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Ares Management Corporation, has filed an amended Schedule 13G, reaffirming his substantial beneficial ownership of 37.9% in the company's Class A common stock as of December 31, 2024.

Summary

• Antony P. Ressler beneficially owns an aggregate of 118,743,571 shares of Ares Management Corporation's Class A common stock.
• This aggregate ownership represents 37.9% of the total Class A shares outstanding, calculated based on 203,362,482 Class A Shares outstanding and an additional 109,806,689 Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of AOG Units.
• Ressler holds sole voting and dispositive power over 1,775,153 Class A Shares, which are held by a charitable foundation for which he serves as trustee.
• He holds shared voting and dispositive power over 116,968,418 shares, primarily through Ares Owners Holdings L.P. ('Ares Owners').
• The shared ownership includes 7,161,729 Class A Shares and 109,806,689 partnership units of Ares Holdings L.P. ('AOG Units'), which are convertible one-for-one into Class A Shares.
• Ares Owners holds 4,935,625 Class A Shares and 49,764,375 AOG Units on behalf of Ressler or a vehicle he controls as a limited partner.
• Ressler, as a Board Member of Ares Partners Holdco LLC (general partner of Ares Owners), generally has veto authority over decisions of the Board Members.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The document is a factual, legally mandated disclosure of beneficial ownership and does not contain information that would significantly alter the sentiment towards the company's operational or financial performance. It confirms a stable, high level of insider ownership.

Positives

• The significant beneficial ownership by co-founder Antony P. Ressler, at 37.9%, demonstrates strong alignment of interests between management and shareholders.
• A large insider stake can signal confidence in the company's long-term strategy and performance.

Risks

• The Reporting Person explicitly disclaims the existence of, or membership in, a 'group' within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Act and Rule 13d-5(b) thereunder with Ares Owners, Ares Partners, and other Board Members, and disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by them, which could be a point of regulatory scrutiny if a 'group' were deemed to exist.

Future Outlook

The document does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future performance or strategic outlook.

Management Comments

• Antony P. Ressler expressly disclaims the existence of, or membership in, a 'group' within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Act and Rule 13d-5(b) thereunder with Ares Owners, Ares Partners, and the other Board Members.
• Ressler also disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to any Class A Shares beneficially owned by Ares Owners, Ares Partners, or the other Board Members, stating that the filing does not constitute an admission of such beneficial ownership for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Act.

Industry Context

This filing is a routine disclosure of beneficial ownership by a key executive in the alternative asset management industry. High insider ownership, especially by founders, is common in this sector and often viewed positively as it aligns management's interests with long-term shareholder value creation.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• Ares Owners Holdings L.P. holds 4,935,625 Class A Shares and 49,764,375 AOG Units on behalf of Antony P. Ressler, or a vehicle controlled by him, as a limited partner of Ares Owners. This represents a significant related party holding within the overall ownership structure.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The continued high level of beneficial ownership by a co-founder and executive chairman like Antony P. Ressler typically signals strong alignment of interests, potentially reassuring shareholders about long-term strategic commitment and stability.

Key Dates

Keywords

Ares Management Corporation, Antony P. Ressler, Beneficial Ownership, Schedule 13G, Class A Common Stock, AOG Units, Insider Ownership, Investment Management, Alternative Asset Management