Q2 2025 StepStone Group Inc Earnings Call

Seth Weiss: Joining me on today's call are Scott Hart, Chief Executive Officer, Jason Ment, President and Co-Chief Operating Officer, Mike McCabe, Head of Strategy, and David Park, Chief Financial Officer. During our prepared remarks, we will be referring to a presentation which is available on our Investor Relations website at shareholders.stepstonegroup.com. Before we begin, I'd like to remind everyone that this conference call, as well as the presentation, contains certain forward-looking statements regarding the company's expected operating and financial performance for future periods. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current plans, estimates, and expectations, and are inherently uncertain and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and assumptions.

Joining me on today's call are Scott Hart, Chief Executive Officer, Jason <unk>, President and co Chief Operating Officer, Mike Mccabe head of strategy and David Clark Chief Financial Officer.

During our prepared remarks, we will be referring to a presentation, which is available on our investor relations website at shareholders that steps down good dot com.

Before we begin I'd like to remind everyone that this conference call as well as the presentation contains certain forward looking statements regarding the company's expected operating and financial performance for future periods.

Looking statements reflect management's current plans estimates and expectations and are inherently uncertain and are subject to various risks uncertainties and assumptions actual results for future periods may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward looking statements due to changes in circumstances, where a number of risks or other factors.

Seth Weiss: Actual results for future periods may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these four looking statements due to changes in circumstances or a number of risks or other factors that are described in the risk factor section of Stepstone's periodic filing. These forward-looking statements are made only as of today and accept as required. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any of them.

Is that are described in the risk factors section of Stepson's periodic filings. These forward looking statements are made only as of today and except as required we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of that.

Seth Weiss: Today's presentation contains references to non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliation for the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in our earnings release, our presentation, and our filings with the SEC.

Today's presentation contains references to non-GAAP financial measures.

Conciliation for the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in our earnings release, our presentation and our filings with the SEC.

Seth Weiss: Turning to our financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2025. Beginning with slide three, we reported gap net income of $53.1 million. Gap net income attributable to Stepstone Group Incorporated was $17.6 million or $0.26 per share. Moving to slide five, we generated fee-related earnings of $72.3 million, up 65% from the prior year quarter, and we generated an FRE margin of 39%. The quarter reflected retroactive fees primarily from our private equity secondaries fund, special situation real estate secondaries fund, and infrastructure co-investment. Retroactive fees contributed $14.9 million to revenue, which compares to retroactive fees of $3.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024.

Turning to our financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2025.

Beginning with slide three we reported GAAP net income of $53 $1 million.

GAAP net income attributable to steps down group incorporated was $17 6 million or 26 cents per share.

Moving to slide five we generated fee related earnings of $72 $3 million up 65% from the prior year quarter, and we generated an FRE margin of 39%.

The quarter reflected retroactive piece, primarily from our private equity Secondaries Fund special situations real estate Secondaries fund and infrastructure co investment fund.

Retroactive fees contributed $14 $9 million to revenue, which compares to retroactive fees of $3 $7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024.

Seth Weiss: Finally, we earned $53.6 million in adjusted net income for the quarter, or $0.45 per share. This is up from $30.2 million, or $0.26 per share, in the second quarter of last fiscal year, driven by both higher fee-related earnings and higher net realized performance fees.

Finally, we earned 53 $6 million and adjusted net income for the quarter or <unk> 45 per share.

Scott: Outcome $32 million or 26 cents per share in the second quarter of last fiscal year, driven by both higher fee related earnings and higher net realized performance fees I'll now hand, the call over to Scott.

Scott Hart: I'll now hand the call over to Scott.

Scott Hart: Thank you, Seth, and good evening, everyone. After posting record results last quarter, we generated even higher fee-related earnings in our fiscal Q2, driven by continued growth in our fee-earning assets. We achieved several fundraising milestones this quarter. We closed the fifth vintage of our private equity secondaries fund at a total fund size of $4.8 billion, our largest commingled fund to date. We generated nearly $850 million in private wealth subscriptions and surpassed $5 billion in net asset value in our private wealth platform. We're benefiting from multiple evergreen funds and market, a strong distribution network, growing brand recognition, and strong investment performance.

Scott: Thank you Seth and good evening, everyone. After.

Scott: After posting record results last quarter, we generated even higher fee related earnings in our fiscal Q2, driven by continued growth in our fee, earning assets, we achieved several fundraising milestones this quarter.

Scott: We closed the fifth vintage of our private equity Secondaries Fund had a total fund size of $4 $8 billion, our largest commingled fund to date.

Scott: We generated nearly $850 million in private wealth subscriptions and surpassed $5 billion of net asset value in our private wealth platform.

Scott: We are benefiting from multiple evergreen funds and market a strong distribution network growing brand recognition and strong investment performance.

Scott Hart: In the four years since the launch of S-Prime, our first retail-focused ever green fund, Stepstone Private Wealth has evolved into a meaningful contributor to AUM and earnings growth. While we continue to invest in the platform, Private Wealth revenue growth is meaningfully outpacing our incremental investments, which is helping to drive operating leverage for the entire firm. Firm-wide, we grew Fearing AUM by $4 billion and produced another strong quarter of gross AUM inflows of nearly $6 billion across the Stepstone platform. Turning to our financial results, we generated $185 million in management and advisory fees and $72 million in fee-related earnings, which are up 30% and 65% year-over-year, respectively.

Scott: In the four years since the launch of best Brian Our first retail focused evergreen fund steps known private wealth has evolved into a meaningful contributor to our AUM and earnings growth.

Scott: We continue to invest in the platform private wealth revenue growth is meaningfully outpacing our incremental investments, which is helping to drive operating leverage for the entire firm.

Scott: Firm wide, we grew fee, earning AUM by $4 billion and produced another strong quarter of gross AUM inflows of nearly $6 billion across the steps down platform.

Scott: Turning to our financial results, we generated $185 million in management and advisory fees and $72 million in fee related earnings, which were up 30% and 65% year over year, respectively.

Scott Hart: This is our strongest fee-related revenue and fee-related earnings on record, even as retroactive fees moderated slightly from last quarter's record level. Excluding the impact of retroactive fees, our fee-related revenue and fee-related earnings increased 23 percent and 44 percent year-on-year, respectively. Driven by robust growth in our fearing AUM, particularly in our commingled funds and our evergreen private wealth Our FRE margin was 39% for the quarter. If you were to exclude the impact of retroactive fees, our FRE margin was 34% for both the quarter and the trailing 12 months, our best quarterly and 12-month core margin levels on record.

Scott: Our strongest fee related revenue and fee related earnings on record, even as retroactive fees moderated slightly from last quarters record level.

Scott: Excluding the impact of a retroactive fees our fee related revenue and fee related earnings increased 23% to 44% year on year, respectively, driven by robust growth in our fee, earning AUM, particularly in our commingled funds and our evergreen private wealth funds.

Scott: Our FRE margin was 39% for the quarter. If you were to exclude the impact of retroactive fees. Our FRE margin was 34% for both the quarter and the trailing 12 months, our best quarterly and 12 month core margin levels on record we are reaping the benefits of operating leverage even as we continue to invest for long term growth.

Scott Hart: We are reaping the benefits of operating leverage even as we continue to invest for long-term growth.

Scott Hart: Shifting gears, in September we hosted the Stepstone 360 Conference, our annual event for private markets, clients, and investors. The sentiment from our clients at this year's conference was undoubtedly more positive than in its prior two years, and demand for our offerings and solutions remains very high. Global financial market performance has been strong in the last 12 months, but private market investors still face this thing challenging. While pressure from the denominator effect has abated, constraints on liquidity remain a challenge due to the extended period of subdued market activity and corresponding realization. Appropriately, liquidity was a prevalent theme in our conference.

Scott: Shifting gears in September we hosted the steps down 360 conference our annual event for private markets clients and investors the sentiment from our clients at this year's conference was undoubtedly more positive than in the prior two years and demand for our offerings and solutions remains very high.

Scott: Global financial market performance has been strong in the last 12 months, the private market investors still faced distinct challenges what.

Scott: More pressure from the denominator effect has abated constraints on liquidity remained a challenge due to the extended period of subdued market activity and a corresponding realizations.

Scott: Appropriately liquidity was a prevalent theme at our conference.

Scott Hart: I would like to share some insights from our SPI database on transaction volumes and asset valuation. When we look at the private markets over the last 25 years, annual realizations have averaged just over 20% of the prior year's net asset value. Over the last three years, this pace of monetization has been cut in half to the lowest levels we have seen since the dot-com bubble burst of the early 2000s and the global financial crisis of 2008 and 2009. While the muted pace of realizations is similar to those periods, the duration of this slowdown has been more protracted compared to the decelerations of the dot-com era and the financial crisis.

Scott: I would like to share some insights from our spy database on transaction volumes and asset valuations when.

Scott: When we look at the private markets over the last 25 years annual realizations have averaged just over 20% of the prior year's net asset value over.

Scott: Over the last three years. This pace of monetization has been cut in half to the lowest levels. We've seen since the dot com bubble burst in the early two thousands and the global financial crisis of 2008 and 2009.

Scott: Although muted pace of realizations are similar to those periods. The duration of this slowdown has been more protracted compared to the deceleration of the dot com era and the financial crisis.

Scott Hart: However, today's private markets are fundamentally different from those of 2002 and 2009. The slowdowns and modernizations in the 2000s were accompanied by significant price declines, but private market asset values today are broadly higher than they were a couple years ago. There are pockets of weakness in parts of the real estate and venture capital markets, but the corrections in those areas have been more modest than the bear markets of the past. Some of the drivers of today's mutual realizations, such as shifting interest rates and wide bid-ask spreads, have started to ease and are expected to continue easing in the coming period.

Scott: However, today's private marks are fundamentally different from those of 2002 and 2009, the slowdowns and monetization in the two thousands were accompanied by significant price declines.

Scott: The market asset values today are broadly higher than they were a couple of years ago.

Scott: There are pockets of weakness in parts of the real estate and venture capital markets, but the corrections in those areas have been more modest in the bear market of the past.

Scott: Some of the drivers of today's meeting realizations, such as shifting interest rates and wide bid ask spreads have started to ease and are expected to continue easing in the coming periods other.

Scott Hart: Other drivers, such as the emergence of longer duration investments in infrastructure and venture capital, or the trend of general partners holding on to high-performing assets for longer periods of time, are more structural. Over the last two and a half years, the median age of investments in the ground has steadily risen. Among mature US PE buyout funds, the number of unrealized investments that have been held for at least five years is now greater than 50%, which is the first time the median hold period has crossed the five-year threshold since we have tracked this data. While this is reflective of slower activity the last three years, it also represents an opportunity for the coming years, as those assets are ripe for harvest.

Scott: Other drivers such as the emergence of longer duration investments in infrastructure and venture capital or the trend of general partners holding on to high performing assets for longer periods of time are more structural over.

Scott: Over the last two and a half years. The median age of investments in the ground has steadily risen among mature USP buyout funds. The number of unrealized investments that have been held for at least five years is now greater than 50%, which is the first time. The median hold period has crossed the five year threshold since we've tracked this data.

This is reflective of slower activity last three years. It also represents an opportunity for the coming years as those assets are ripe for harvest.

Scott Hart: Encouragingly, we are starting to see liquidity pick up within Stepstone funds. Realizations have slowly improved over the last year since hitting a low in the first half of fiscal 2024. We have not yet seen a widespread resumption of full asset sales, but sponsors are leveraging alternative means of harvesting investments, including partial asset sales, dividend recapitalization, and the use of continuation vehicles. We expect liquidity to continue to trend up in the coming periods as full-scale M&A and IPOs come back into the market, but the path may not be linear. In this environment of shifting liquidity, we are continuously seeing clients approach Stepstone for our solutions.

Scott: Encouragingly, we're starting to see liquidity pickup within steps down funds realizations have slowly improved over the last year since hitting a low in the first half of fiscal 2024, we've not yet seen a widespread resumption of full asset sales, but sponsors are leveraging alternative means of harvesting investments, including partial asset sales dividend recapitalization.

Scott: And the use of continuation vehicles.

Scott: We expect liquidity to continue to trend up in the coming periods, it's full scale M&A and ipos come back into the market, but the path may not be linear.

Scott: In this environment of shifting liquidity, we are continuously seeing clients approach step stone for our solutions. This is particularly true with Lps and GPS are more options to manage liquidity with the continued development of the secondaries market our experience data and modeling capabilities provide increasingly valuable insights for our clients to model the likelihood of various outcomes.

Scott Hart: This is particularly true as LPs and GPs have more options to manage liquidity with the continued development of the secondaries market. Our experience, data, and modeling capabilities provide increasingly valuable insights for our clients to model the likelihood of various outcomes and plan for their capital and cash needs.

Scott: And plan for their capital and cash needs.

Michael McCabe: And I'll turn the call over to Mike to talk about fundraising and progression of fee-earning AUM in more detail.

Scott: I'll now turn the call over to Mike to talk about fundraising and progression of fee, earning AUM in more detail.

Michael McCabe: Thanks, Scott. Turning to slide eight, we generated over $30 billion of gross AUM inflows during the last 12 months, our best 12-month period ever. Over $21 billion of these inflows came from our separately managed accounts, and nearly $9 billion came from our focused commingled funds. In the quarter, our commingled fund additions included approximately $600 million in our private equity secondaries fund for a final fund size of $4.8 billion. Other notable comingo fundraisers included interim closes in our Special Situations Real Estate Secondaries Fund and our Infrastructure Co-Investment Fund, which collectively contributed about $300 million in the quarter.

Mike: Thanks Scott.

Mike: Turning to slide eight we generated over $30 billion of gross AUM inflows during the last 12 months, our best 12 months period ever.

Mike: $21 billion of these inflows came from our separately managed accounts and nearly $9 billion came from our focused commingled funds.

Mike: In the quarter, our Commingled fund additions included approximately $600 million in our private equity Secondaries fund for a final fund size of $4 8 billion.

Mike: Other notable commingled fundraisers included interim closes in our special situations real estate Secondaries fund and our infrastructure co investment fund, which collectively contributed about $300 million in the quarter.

Michael McCabe: As Scott mentioned, we also generated nearly $850 million of subscriptions at our Stepstone Private Wealth Evergreen Fund. Our private wealth platform is now greater than $5 billion.

Speaker Change: As Scott mentioned, we also generated nearly $850 million of subscriptions that are steps so in private wealth evergreen funds.

Speaker Change: Our private wealth platform is now greater than $5 billion.

Michael McCabe: While this still represents a relatively modest share of our total fee-earning AUM, our private wealth vehicles are making up an increasing share of new flows, which provides a positive boost to our growth and a favorable mix shift to our fee rates and our margins. Turning to managed accounts, we generated nearly $4 billion of new additions, which more than replenished the deployment of $1.5 billion out of our Undeployed Fee Earning Capital, or UFEC, balance.

Speaker Change: While this still represents a relatively modest share of our total fee, earning AUM, our private wealth vehicles are making up an increasing share of new flows which provides a positive boost to our growth and a favorable mix shift to our fee rates and our margin.

Speaker Change: Turning to managed accounts, we generated nearly $4 billion of new additions, which more than replenish the deployment of $1 $5 billion out of our unemployed fee, earning capital are you affect balance.

Michael McCabe: Slide 9 shows our fee-earning AUM by structure and asset class. For the quarter, we grew fee-earning assets by $4 billion. As mentioned, we continue to grow our undeployed fee-earning capital to nearly $30 billion, our highest level ever. The combination of our fee-earning AUM and UFEC grew to $134 billion, up 5% sequentially and up 27% year-over-year, providing us with a high degree of visibility for continued growth in management fees as capital is deployed or activated. We mentioned on our last call that we anticipated that we would activate over $4 billion of capital from our managed accounts by the end of this calendar year.

Speaker Change: Slide nine shows our fee, earning AUM by structure and asset class for the quarter, we grew fee, earning assets by $4 billion.

Speaker Change: As mentioned, we continue to grow our unemployed fee, earning capital to nearly $30 billion, our highest level ever.

Speaker Change: The combination of our fee, earning AUM and <unk> grew to $134 billion.

Up 5% sequentially and up 27% year over year, providing us with a high degree of visibility for continued growth in management fees as capital is deployed or activated.

Speaker Change: We mentioned on our last call that we anticipated that we would activate over $4 billion of capital from our managed accounts by the end of this calendar year.

Michael McCabe: We activated this capital in October, which will be reflected in our fee-earning AUM in the quarter ending December 31st. Offsetting this will be a roughly $500 million distribution in our commingled funds from the roll-off of a legacy private equity secondaries fund, which we expect to be reflected in the upcoming quarter.

Speaker Change: We activated this capital in October, which will be reflected in our fee, earning AUM in the quarter ending December 31.

Speaker Change: Offsetting this will be a roughly $500 million distribution at our commingled funds from the roll off of the legacy private equity secondary as time, which we expect to be reflected in the upcoming quarter.

Michael McCabe: Slide 10 shows the evolution of our management and advisory fees. We generated a blended management fee rate of 63 basis points for the last 12 months, higher than the 59 basis points from the prior fiscal year, as we benefited from retroactive fees and a higher fee rate from our private wealth offering.

Speaker Change: Slide 10 shows the evolution of our management and advisory fees reached.

Speaker Change: We generated a blended management fee rate of 63 basis points for the last 12 months higher than the 59 basis points from the prior fiscal year as we benefited from a retroactive fees at a higher fee rate from our private wealth offerings.

David Park: I'll now turn the call over to David.

David: I'll now turn the call over to David.

David Park: Thanks, Mike. I'd like to turn your attention to slide 12 to touch on our financial highlights. As Scott mentioned, this was another very strong quarter for fee revenues and fee-related earnings. For the quarter, we earned management and advisory fees of $135 million, up 30% from the prior year quarter. The increase was driven by strong growth in fee-earning AUM across commercial structures, a favorable impact from retroactive fees, and a higher blended average fee rate. Fee-related earnings were $72 million for the quarter, up 65% from a year ago. We generated an FRE margin of 39% for the quarter, up more than 800 basis points versus the prior year quarter.

David: Thanks, Mike I'd like to turn your attention to slide 12 to touch on our financial highlights.

As Scott mentioned this was another very strong quarter for fee revenues and fee related earnings.

David: For the quarter, we earned management and advisory fees of $185 million up 30%.

David: <unk> from the prior year quarter.

David: The increase was driven by strong growth in fee, earning AUM across commercial structures and favorable impact from retroactive fees and a higher blended average fee rate.

David: Fee related earnings were $72 million for the quarter of 65% from a year ago. We.

David: We generated an FRE margin of 39% for the quarter up more than 800 basis points versus the prior year quarter.

David Park: Normalizing for retroactive fees, core FRE margins were over 34% and expanded 500 basis points versus the prior year period. Moving to expenses, cash-based compensation was $83 million, up 6% from last quarter and up 11% from the prior year. The growth reflected increased headcount, primarily driven by annual hires for our analyst class, and continued investment in our business development and private wealth teams. General and administrative expenses were $28 million, up $1.5 million sequentially, and up $5 million from a year ago.

David: Normalizing for retroactive fees core FRE margins were over 34% and expanded 500 basis points versus the prior year period.

David: Moving to expenses cash based compensation was $83 million.

David: Up 6% from last quarter and up 11% from the prior year with.

David: The growth reflected increased head count primarily driven by annual hires for our analyst class and continued investment in our business development and private wealth teams.

David: General and administrative expenses were $28 million.

David: One $5 million sequentially and up $5 million from a year ago.

David Park: The sequential increase in GNA was mostly a function of our annual Stepstone 360 conference, which occurred in September this year, as opposed to the typical October schedule. Gross realized performance fees were $23 million for the quarter and $15 million net of related compensation expenses. Well, down from last quarter, net performance fees were up over 150% from a year ago. As previously mentioned, realized performance fees can be lumpy quarter to quarter. When viewed over a rolling 12-month period, our net performance fees have increased each quarter since the low point from a year ago. Looking ahead, we expect to generate seasonal incentive fees in our upcoming fiscal third quarter primarily related to our Spring Private Wealth Fund.

David: The sequential increase in G&A was mostly a function of our annual steps down 360 conference which occurred in September this year as opposed to the typical October schedule.

David: Gross realized performance fees were $23 million for the quarter and $15 million net of related compensation expense.

David: While down from last quarter net performance fees were up over 150% from a year ago.

David: As previously mentioned realized performance fees can be lumpy quarter to quarter when viewed over a rolling 12 month period, our net performance fees have increased each quarter since the low point from a year ago.

David: Looking ahead, we expect to generate seasonal incentive fees in our upcoming fiscal third quarter, primarily related to our spring private wealth fund.

David Park: We expect these incentive fees to be larger than last year's private wealth incentive fees, given growth in the fund.

David: We expect these incentive fees to be larger than last year's private wealth incentive fees given growth in the fund.

David Park: As a reminder, the bottom-line contribution from private wealth incentive fees is relatively lighter compared to our other performance fees, after accounting for performance-fee related compensation and the profits in trade. Adjusted net income per share was $0.45, up 73% from a year ago, driven by growth in fee-related revenues, FRE margin expansion, and higher net performance. Moving to key items on the balance sheet on slide 13, net accrued carry finished the quarter at just over $700 million, up 4% from last quarter and up 10% from the last 12 months. We view our $700 million of net accrued carry as potential future performance fees that will convert to cash as realizations start to pick up.

David: As a reminder, the bottomline contribution from private wealth incentive fees is relatively lighter compared to our other performance fees after accounting for a performance fee related compensation and the profits interest.

David: Adjusted net income per share was <unk> 45 of 73% from a year ago driven by growth in fee related revenues FRE margin expansion and higher net performance fees.

David: Moving to key items on the balance sheet on slide 13, net accrued carry finished the quarter at just over $700 million.

David: Up 4% from last quarter and up 10% from the last 12 months.

David: We view, our $700 million of net accrued carry as potential future performance fees that will convert to cash as realizations start to pick up.

David Park: Our net accrued carry is relatively mature, with over 80% tied to programs that are older than five years, which means that these programs are ready to harvest. And of this amount, over 50% is sourced from vehicles with deal-by-deal waterfalls, meaning realized carry may be payable at time of investment exit. Our own investment portfolio ended the quarter at $232 million, and we had unfunded commitments to our investment programs of $117 million as of quarter end.

David: Our net accrued carry is relatively mature with over 80% tied to programs that are older than five years, which means that these programs are ready to harvest.

David: And of this amount over 50% in source from vehicles with deal by deal waterfalls.

David: Realized carry may be payable at time of investment exited.

David: Our own investment portfolio ended the quarter at $232 million and.

David: And we had unfunded commitments to our investment programs of $117 million as of quarter end.

David Park: Finally, I want to highlight the private debt offering we closed on last month. We issued $175 million of 5.52% senior notes with a five-year maturity. We are using the net proceeds of this issuance to pay down the outstanding balance of our revolver, which stood at $175 million as of September 30th. By terming out this debt, we are lowering our interest costs by approximately 200 basis points or a little more than $3 million per year based on our interest rates and outstanding debt balance as of September 30th. Our revolver will stay in place as a source of liquidity to provide added flexibility.

David: Finally, I want to highlight the private debt offering we closed on last month.

David: We issued $175 million of five 5% to 2% senior notes with a five year maturity.

David: We're using the net proceeds of this issuance to pay down the outstanding balance of our revolver, which stood at $175 million as of September 30th.

David: By terming out this debt, we are lowering our interest costs by approximately 200 basis points or a little more than $3 million per year based on our interest rates and outstanding debt balance as of September 30th.

David: Our revolver will stay in place as a source of liquidity to provide added flexibility.

Seth Weiss: This concludes our prepared remarks. I'll now turn it back over to the operator to open the line for any questions.

David: This concludes our prepared remarks, I'll now turn it back over to the operator to open the line for any questions.

Operator: Thank you, dear participants. As a reminder, if you wish to ask a question over the phone, please press star 1-1 on your telephone keypad and wait for your name to be announced. To withdraw a question, please press star 1-1 again.

Speaker Change: Thank you Jeb participants as a reminder, each wish to ask a question over the phone. Please press star one on your telephone keypad and wait for name to be announced to withdraw your question. Please press star one again.

Operator: Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. This will take a few moments.

Speaker Change: Mr. Baber composite can narrow studies will take a few moments.

Alexander Blostein: And now we're going to take our first question. and it comes from the land of Alex Blostein from Goldman Sachs. Your line is open. Please ask your question.

Speaker Change: And now we'll go and take our first question.

Speaker Change: And it comes from the line of Alex <unk> from Goldman Sachs. Your line is open. Please ask your question.

Alexander Blostein: Hey, good afternoon, guys. Thank you for taking the question. I was hoping we could start with a with a discussion on private equity, secondaries business, and kind of piggybacking on your liquidity comments. And just curious to think about, you know, increase in velocity of capital with perhaps, you know, stronger M&A backdrop, and maybe more equity issuance, and how does that impact sort of growth and volumes in the secondary markets? Is it reasonable to think that secondary volumes could still sort of grow off of the recent levels? Or do you think, you know, sort of healthier public markets backdrop could take away from some of that opportunity and kind of how you think about deploying that?

Alex: Hey, good afternoon, guys. Thank you for taking the question.

Alex: When we could start with a discussion on private equity secondaries business.

Alex: And kind of piggybacking on your liquidity comments and just curious to think about increase in velocity of capital with perhaps a stronger M&A backdrop and may be more equity issuance and how does that impact sort of growth in volumes in the secondary markets is it reasonable to think that secondary volumes could still sort of grow off of the recent levels.

Alex: Or do you think.

Alex: Sort of healthier public markets backdrop could take away from some of that opportunity and kind of how you think about deploying that capital.

Scott Hart: Sure. Thanks, Alex, for the question.

Alex: Sure. Thanks, Alex for the question. This is this is Scott So look I think as we look at 2024, certainly seems like we are in line for another record year of activity in the private equity secondaries market here, yes, as we've talked about Atlanta in prior quarters that driven by both the LP Secondaries Maher.

Scott Hart: This is Scott. So, look, I think as we look at 2024, certainly it seems like we're in line for another record year of activity in the private equity secondaries market here. As we've talked about at length in prior quarters, that's driven by both the LP secondaries market as well as the trend towards more GP-led secondaries. And, look, I think for us, we probably think not only about the overall market activity, but our own level of activity within the business here. I think we are well-suited to capitalize on both the LP and the GP-led trend.

Alex: As well as the trend towards more GP led secondaries.

Alex: And look I think for US, we probably think not only about the overall market activity, but our own level of activity within.

Alex: Within the business here I think we are well suited to capitalize on both the LP and the GP led trend and when you think about the overall size of some of our funds again, we mentioned that this current private equity Secondaries fund the largest one that we've raised the data at $4 $8 billion.

Scott Hart: And when you think about the overall size of some of our funds, again, we mentioned that this current private equity secondaries fund, the largest one that we've raised to date at $4.8 billion, that still leaves plenty of room for growth when you think about it relative to other players in the private equity secondaries market, not to mention some of the other asset classes outside of private equity where we are leaders in the asset class as well. So, look, overall, you know, we spent a lot of time looking at the supply and the demand side of the equation here, think that private equity secondaries is still an area that is under capitalized relative to the opportunity, and that LPs and GPs alike will tap that market really through the cycle here, creating continued opportunities for groups like us.

Alex: That still leaves plenty of room for growth when you think about it relative to other players in the private equity secondaries market not to mention some of the other asset classes outside of private equity, where we are leaders in the asset class as well. So look overall, we spent a lot of time looking at the supply and the demand side of the equation here.

Alex: Equity secondary is still an area that is under capitalized relative to the opportunity in that LP, then GPS alike will tap that market really through the cycle here, creating continued opportunities for groups like us.

Alexander Blostein: Got it. Thanks for that.

Speaker Change: Got it thanks for that and then my second question just around profitability and FRE margins.

Michael McCabe: And then my second question just around profitability and FRE margins, you know, ex-retro fees sounds like north of 34%, which is obviously quite healthy. Nice expansion there. How are you thinking about it going forward? I know you always try to balance sort of growth and that, you know, top line and the investments you're making in the business, but do you guys feel like we're at a point where there's enough scale in the business to deliver a more consistent FRE margin expansion, obviously normalizing for retro fees for the next couple of years? And what's kind of the goalpost of where that could go?

Speaker Change: Retrofit it sounds like north of 35%, sorry, 34%, which is obviously quite healthy nice nice expansion there.

Speaker Change: Are you thinking about it going forward I know you always try to balance sort of growth and that top line and the investments youre, making in the business, but do you guys feel like we're at a point, where there is enough scale in the business to deliver a more consistent.

Speaker Change: <unk> margin expansion, obviously normalizing for retrofits for the next couple of years, and what's kind of the goalposts of where that could go.

Michael McCabe: Hey, Alex. It's Mike here. We're very pleased with the way our margins have evolved over the last year or so, and in line with many of the expectations that we had set over the last couple of years. So, we're very pleased. And I think a lot of the margin expansion that you're seeing is the result of operating leverage and scale. But I think as a management team, our priority continues to invest in the platform for growth, where there are opportunities to grow the business organically, and in other areas of the business, whether it's private wealth or data.

Speaker Change: Hey, Alex its Mike here.

Mike: We're very pleased with the way our margins have evolved over the last year or so in line with many of the expectations that we had said over the last couple of years. So we're very pleased and I think a lot of the margin expansion that youre seeing is the result of operating leverage and scale, but I think as a management team our priority continues to invest in the platform for <unk>.

Mike: Growth, where there are opportunities to grow the business organically and in other areas of the business, whether it's private wealth of our data so investing for growth is still our priority, but the scale that we're able to reach across the various asset classes and distribution channels is certainly generating some operating leverage.

Michael McCabe: So, investing for growth is still our priority, but the scale that we're able to reach across the various asset classes and distribution channels is certainly generating some operating leverage that you're seeing flow through as we had expected.

Speaker Change: Seeing flow through as we had expected, but Dave I don't know, if there's anything you'd like to add.

David Park: But, David, I don't know if there's anything you'd like to add. Yeah, I just add that, you know, we've had 34% core FRE margins over the last two quarters, and I'd say that's a reasonable jumping-off point going forward. But you should expect to see us continue hiring for the remainder of this fiscal year. So, you should see incremental growth in compensation as well as G&A. And that's on the core margins. But on a reported FRE margin basis, you should expect additional retroactive fees for the remainder of the year. Our PE Secondaries Fund, which had its final close in September, was the largest contributor to the retro fees this year.

Dave: Just to add that.

Dave: We've had 34% core FRE margins over the last two quarters.

Dave: And I'd say, that's a reasonable jumping off point going forward, but you should expect to see us continue hiring for the remainder of this fiscal year. So you should see incremental growth in compensation as well as G&A and that's on the core margins, but on a reported FRE margin basis, you should expect additional retroactive fees for the remainder of the year.

Dave: The RP Secondaries fund, which had its final close in September was largest contributor to the retro fees. This year, but aside from that we do have a few funds and market that will generate retro fees with each closing and these include our real estate Secondaries fund our infrastructure co investment fund and our growth equity fund.

David Park: But aside from that, we do have a few funds in market that will generate retro fees with each closing, and these include our Real Estate Secondaries Fund, our Infrastructure Co-Investment Fund, and our Growth Equity Fund.

Speaker Change: Great. Thank you guys.

Operator: Thank you. Now we're going to take our next question.

Dave: Thank you.

Dave: Now we will go and take over next question.

Benjamin Budish: And the question comes to the line of Ben Budish from Barclays. Your line is open. Please ask your question.

Dave: And the question comes from the line of Ben <unk> from Barclays. Your line is open. Please ask your question.

Benjamin Budish: Hi, good evening and thanks for taking my question. Maybe following up somewhat on the margin question, just thinking about what a pickup and carry next year could mean. So I guess maybe on the carry side, Scott, you talked about how in a normal year you might realize, you know, 25% of your accrued balance. What do you think that could look like next year given your comments that this is sort of unlike past sort of crises where private market assets are looking quite healthy?

Speaker Change: Hi, good evening and thanks for taking my question, maybe following up somewhat on the margin question, just thinking about what a pick up and carry next year could mean, so I guess, maybe on the carrier side, Scott you talked about how in a normal year you might realize 25% of your accrued balance what do you think that could look like next year given your comments that this is sort of.

Speaker Change: Like past crises, where private market assets are looking quite healthy and then the kind of margin component is how do you think about what stepson may do with sort of those higher levels of proceeds is there an opportunity to accelerate your FRE margin expansion or how else do you think about deploying that capital.

Benjamin Budish: And then the kind of margin component is how do you think about, you know, what Stepstone may do with sort of those higher levels of proceeds? Is there an opportunity to accelerate your F3 margin expansion or how else do you think about deploying that capital?

Scott Hart: So let me start by talking about the realization outlook, and then we can kind of come back on the second question around margins there. But look, as you heard me say during the call here, I'm certainly encouraged by the fact that we have seen things start to recover off of their lows in sort of mid-2023. But that recovery stalled a bit in the first half of the year here, and so we certainly haven't seen anything like a return to 2021 levels, have not even seen a return to longer-term averages. And again, some of the things that we point to as the reasons are that we've really seen much more activity that we would characterize as partial realizations as opposed to full realizations.

Speaker Change: Yes, So let me start by talking about.

Speaker Change: The realization outlook and then we can kind of come back on the second question around.

Speaker Change: Margins, there, but if you look at it.

Speaker Change: Let me say during the call here.

Speaker Change: Certainly encouraged by the fact that we have seen things start to recount recover off of their lows in sort of mid 2023.

Speaker Change: But that recovery stalled a bit in the first half of the year here and so we certainly haven't seen anything like a return to 2021 levels have not even seen a return to longer term averages and again some of the things that we point to is the reasons are that we've really seen much more activity that we would characterize as partial realizations as.

Speaker Change: Those two full realizations I think in terms of what I would point you to for next year.

Scott Hart: I think in terms of what I would point you to for next year is, look, when you look at since our IPO, the quarterly trend in net realized performance, you have now seen both the lows and the highs, right, the lows of COVID and of calendar 2023, as well as the highs of calendar 2021, and, you know, can look at sort of what the longer-term averages are there or the kind of rolling LTM numbers to kind of give you a sense for how we would think about a slightly more normalized level of realizations next year.

Speaker Change: When you look at since our IPO the quarterly trend in net realized performance fees you have now seen both the lows and the highs and lows of Covid.

Speaker Change: Calendar 2023, as well as the high end of calendar 2021, and can look at sort of what the longer term averages are there or the kind of rolling LTM.

Speaker Change: The numbers to kind of give you a sense for how we would think about a slightly more normalized level of realizations next year and then the only other thing I would add is look even when we look across our own portfolio. We are encouraged that while it doesn't show up in the numbers yet today.

Scott Hart: And then the only other thing I would add is, look, even when we look across our own portfolio, we are encouraged that while it doesn't show up in the numbers yet today, there have been some announced full realizations that we would expect to kind of work through the pipeline and close sometime during the next calendar year, which I think is encouraging us as well here.

Speaker Change: There have been some announced full realizations that we would expect to kind of work through the pipeline and close sometime during the next calendar year, which I think is encouraging us as well here, but why don't I.

Michael McCabe: But why don't I let Mike comment here about the second part of your question. Yeah, so Ben, on the margin question as it relates to, you know, any pickup in carried interest or performance fees, you know, to the extent that we are seeing a pickup in performance fees, as you know, we bill those fees, the cash bills throughout the year. And like we did last year, we issue a supplemental dividend that's payable in June subject to board approval. And I think that number came out to roughly 15 cents per share last year. And as we experience a pickup in performance fees throughout the rest of this year, we'll continue to build and then distribute it at the end of the year.

Speaker Change: I'll, let Mike comment here about that your the second part of your question yes.

Mike: Yes, so Ben on the margin question as it relates to any pickup in carried interest or performance fees.

Speaker Change: To the extent that we are seeing a pickup in performance fees as you know we build those fee the cash builds throughout the year and like we did last year, we issue a supplemental dividend payable in June subject to board approval and I think that number came out to roughly <unk> 15 per share last year and as Ed as we.

Speaker Change: Pick up in performance fees throughout the rest of this year, what will continue to build and then distribute it at the end of the year.

Benjamin Budish: Does that answer your question, Ben?

Speaker Change: Does that answer your question about yes, yes. It does thank you may.

Benjamin Budish: Yes. Yes, it does. Thank you.

Benjamin Budish: Maybe just one kind of separate follow-up and kind of an industry-wide question. You know, at least yesterday's market reaction tells us that everyone expects that the next year or two are going to be fantastic for the alternative asset industry. I'm just curious, in your seat as a solutions provider, how are LPs thinking about, you know, in particular allocations to private equity? Should a kind of meaningful pickup in DPI result in higher allocations, or should we just think about it as more broadly in terms of like a healthy ecosystem? Because I think the sort of expectation is, you know, credit, infrastructure, some of these newer areas, there's room to go, but private equity is quite mature.

Speaker Change: Maybe just one kind of separate follow up kind of an industry wide question.

Speaker Change: At least yesterdays market reaction tells us that everyone expects that the next year or two we're going to be fantastic for the alternatives industry, just curious and you see it as a solutions provider how our LP is thinking about in particular allocations to private equity.

Speaker Change: Should a kind of meaningful pickup in DPI result in higher allocations or should we just think about it is more broadly in terms of like a healthy ecosystem, because I think the sort of expectation as credit infrastructure. Some of these newer areas. There's room to go but private equity is quite mature, but just I'm just curious what your thoughts are there.

Scott Hart: But just curious what your thoughts are there.

Scott Hart: Yeah, look, and I think in the conversations that we have been having with LPs really around the world, and you've heard us say this in the past, but while we have seen that LPs in private equity were for a period of time temporarily overallocated relative to their target allocations, what we were hearing very few LPs talk about was reducing those private equity target allocations. If anything, those were flat to growing in certain parts of the world, growing from a low base, and therefore had room to run.

Speaker Change: Yes look I think in.

Speaker Change: The conversations that we have been having with LP is really around the world and you've heard us say this in the past but.

Speaker Change: While we have seen that Lps in private equity where for a period of time temporarily over allocated relative to their target allocations. What we are hearing very few lp's talk about was reducing those private equity target allocations if anything those were <unk>.

Speaker Change: Flat to growing in certain parts of the world growing from a low base and therefore had at room to run and so I would tell you that even in recent conversations at our 360 conference that we referenced during the call that long term commitment to the private equity asset class continues to be strong the belief in the diversification.

Scott Hart: And so I would tell you that even in recent conversations at our 360 conference that we referenced during the call, the long-term commitment to the private equity asset class continues to be strong. The belief in the diversification benefits, the strong risk-adjusted returns, the control orientation of the asset class continues to be strong. And so we feel the interest there is healthy, even if not starting from as low of a base as some of the other asset classes.

Speaker Change: <unk> benefits of strong risk adjusted returns the control orientation of the asset class.

Speaker Change: Continues to be to be strong and so we feel the interest there.

Speaker Change: Healthy, even if not starting from as low a base in some of the other asset classes.

Speaker Change: Okay. Thank you very much.

Operator: Thank you. Now we're going to take our next question.

Speaker Change: Thank you.

Speaker Change: Now I will then take over next question.

Kenneth Worthington: And the question comes to the line of Kenneth Worthington from J.P. Morgan. Your line is open.

Speaker Change: And the question comes from the line of Ken Worthington from Jpmorgan. Your line is open. Please ask your question.

Kenneth Worthington: Please ask your question. Hi, good evening. Thanks for taking the question. If we look at the undeployed fee earning capital, it seems like the pipeline is building at a fast pace. Now, not just this quarter or last quarter, but this has been going on for some time.

Ken Worthington: Hi, good evening, thanks for taking the question.

Ken Worthington: If we look at the underplayed fee, earning capital it seems like the pipeline is building at a faster pace not just this quarter or last quarter, but this has been going on for some time I guess, maybe two questions. Here. One is are the characteristics of this pipeline changing versus what you saw a couple of years.

Kenneth Worthington: I guess maybe two questions here. One is, are the characteristics of this pipeline changing versus what you saw a couple of years ago? Like, are you winning more business further in advance? Are the contracts longer tenured? Is more of it invested versus committed, or maybe nothing has changed? So, one, has anything sort of changed with what you're winning? And then secondly, the pipeline's $30 billion now. How long should we – what's reasonable to think about the conversion of the pipeline into fee-paying AUM? And is it front-end loaded, back-end loaded? Is it just straight linear? Like, how do we think about that?

Speaker Change: Got it.

Speaker Change: Are you winning more business further in advance or the contracts longer tenured.

Speaker Change: As more of it investment first committed or maybe nothing has changed so one has anything sort of changed with what you're winning and then secondly.

Speaker Change: The pipeline's $30 billion now.

Speaker Change: How long should we what's reasonable to think about the conversion of the pipeline into fee paying AUM and is it front end loaded back end loaded is it just straight linear like how do we think about that so first two questions. Thanks.

Kenneth Worthington: So, those two questions. Thanks.

Scott Hart: Yeah, perfect. Thanks, Ken, for the question. So you're right. The undeployed fear and capital balance has grown over time here to just under $30 billion. What I would tell you is actually the characteristics have not changed, other than perhaps the size of some of the accounts which have continued to grow. You've heard us point in the past to our 90% plus re-up rate with separate account clients and the fact that on average those accounts tend to grow 30% upon re-up. So some of the numbers have grown larger, but overall the characteristics in terms of the separate accounts, the strategy, the mix of asset classes I would say has not changed dramatically.

Speaker Change: Perfect. Thanks, Thanks, Ken for the question, so you're right the unemployed bearing capital balance has grown over time here to just under $30 billion, what I would tell you it's actually the characteristics have not changed.

Speaker Change: Other than perhaps the size of some of the accounts, which have continued to grow we you've heard us point in the past to our 90% plus re up rate with separate account clients and the fact that on average those accounts tend to grow 30% upon re up so some of the numbers have grown larger but overall the characteristics in terms.

Speaker Change: Terms of that.

Speaker Change: The separate account. This strategy is the mix of asset classes I would say has not changed dramatically. The only other thing I would highlight is going to kind of play into the second part of your question is that we have had some of these situations where the capital doesn't actually have to be deployed. It just has not been activated yet due to the timing of the fund raise.

Scott Hart: The only other thing I would highlight, and it's going to kind of play into the second part of your question, is that we have had some of these situations where the capital doesn't actually have to be deployed. It just has not been activated yet due to the timing of the fundraise, meaning that we brought on the new separate account or commingled fund before the prior one was fully invested. And so the reason I say that leads me to the second answer to your question. So that $30 billion we mentioned during the prepared remarks, we've had over $4 billion of that that already activated here in October.

Speaker Change: <unk>, meaning that we brought on the new separate account or Commingled fund before the prior one was fully invested and so the reason I say it leaves me a second answer to your question. So that $30 billion. We mentioned during the prepared remarks, we've had over $4 billion of bad debt already activated here in October so that brings us down to.

Scott Hart: So that brings us down to closer to $25, $26 billion. And then when you look in our presentation where we show the sort of fearing AUM overview and walk through, you can see that we had about a billion and a half of deployed capital from the UFEC balance this quarter. If you kind of run rate that and get to $6 billion of annual deployment, even though we haven't sort of fully recovered from a deployment standpoint, it implies about a four-year time period to invest the rest of the capital right in line with the three to five years that we have always guided to.

Speaker Change: Closer to $25 $26 billion and then when you look in our in our presentation, where we show the sort of fee, earning AUM overview and walked through you can see that we had about $1 billion of half of deployed capital from unemployed.

Speaker Change: The <unk> balance this quarter, if you kind of run rate that you get to $6 billion of annual deployment, even though we haven't fully recovered from a deployment standpoint implies about a four year time period to invest the rest of the capital right in line with the three to five years that we've always guided to so.

Scott Hart: So that's how we think about it, something we keep a close eye on in terms of whether we'll be able to be very selective while we deploy that capital over time. But I'd continue to point you to that three to five-year time period. And the one thing that is going to front load it is, again, these activations as opposed to deployment, which have happened here in the fiscal third quarter.

Speaker Change: That's how we think about it is something we keep a close eye on in terms of.

Speaker Change: Whether we'll be able to.

Speaker Change: To be very selective while we deploy that capital over over time.

Speaker Change: But I would continue to point you to add three to five year time period and the one thing that he is going to front loaded is again these activations as opposed to deployment, which will which would have happened here in the fiscal third quarter.

Michael McCabe: Okay, perfect. Mike, to pick on you, wealth management is going swimmingly. What's next? Are the priorities distribution? Are the priorities products?

Speaker Change: Okay perfect.

Speaker Change: Mike to pick on you.

Speaker Change: Wealth management's going swimmingly.

Speaker Change: What's next.

Michael McCabe: As you think about the roadmap, where are you investing company resources to kind of continue the success that you've had thus far? Sure. Thanks, Ken. Maybe I'll take us back to the Investor Day dialogue that we had, where we prioritized, I think Scott shared a really interesting graph of the evolution of the various asset classes. And so what we think about, you know, what's next, if that's the question, that we expect the other asset classes, infrastructure, real estate, and credit, to start hitting that inflection point that was presented during our Investor Day that showed, you know, call it, you know, 10, 12 years into our private equity business, we started, you know, achieving certain levels of scale, and scale matters in this business.

Speaker Change: The priority is distribution of the priorities product.

Speaker Change: As you think about the road map, where argue investing company resources to kind of continue the success that you've had thus far.

Speaker Change: Sure. Thanks, Ken.

Speaker Change: Maybe I will take us back to the Investor day dialog that we had where we prioritize adding Scott shared are really interesting graph of the evolution of the various asset classes and so when we think about what's next if thats the question.

Speaker Change: We expect the other asset classes infrastructure real estate and credit to start hitting that inflection point that was presented during our investor day that showed call. It 10 to 12 years into our private equity business we started.

Speaker Change: Keeping certain levels of scale and scale matters in this business or various other asset classes. There are now hitting those threshold pivot points of scale, where we expect to see continued growth rates in those areas. So to the extent that there is investment in growth you can expect us to continue to build out those teams backed by this.

Michael McCabe: Our various other asset classes are now hitting those threshold pivot points of scale where we expect to see continued growth rates in those areas. So to the extent that there's investment in growth, you know, you could expect us to continue to build out those teams, backed by the second part of your question is continue investment in business development across the world. And we'll continue to bring on business development hires to support all the asset classes. But last but not least, you know, the private wealth channel, as we mentioned on our prepared remarks, cleared the $5 billion mark this quarter.

Speaker Change: Second part of your question is continue investment in business development across the World and we will continue to bring on business development hires to support all the asset classes, but last but not least.

Speaker Change: The private wealth channel as we mentioned on our prepared remarks cleared the $5 billion Mark this quarter and all of our products seem to be being received quite well across our various distribution platforms. Both domestically here in the U S and abroad, so nothing too new Ken but I.

Michael McCabe: And all of our products seem to be being received quite well across our various distribution platforms, both domestically here in the US and abroad. So nothing too new, Ken, but I think you can expect to see the other asset classes continue to accelerate in growth and distribution and wealth management continue to grow quite nicely going forward.

Speaker Change: I think you could expect to see the other asset classes continued to accelerate in growth and distribution in wealth management continued to grow quite nicely going forward.

Operator: Thank you very much. Thank you.

Speaker Change: Okay, great. Thank you very much.

Speaker Change: Thank you.

Michael Cyprys: Dear participants, as a reminder, if you wish to ask a question over the phone, please press star 11 on your telephone keypad and wait for a name to be announced. And now we'll go and take our next question. And the question comes from the line of Michael Cyprys from Morgan Stanley.

Speaker Change: Yeah participants as a reminder, if you wish to ask a question over the phone. Please press star one on the telephone keypad and Batesville and aim to be announced.

Speaker Change: And now we'll go and take over next question.

Speaker Change: And the question comes from the line of Michael <unk> from Morgan Stanley. Your line is open. Please ask your question.

Michael Cyprys: Your line is open.

Michael Cyprys: Please ask your question. Great, thank you. Good evening.

Speaker Change: Great. Thank you good evening.

Scott Hart: Just a question on M&A. Over the years, you've done a number of acquisitions, expanding across to different asset classes, geographies, and distribution reach as well. I'm curious, as you look at the platform today, where there might be opportunities to expand even further, and how do you think about capturing opportunities across the private markets as you look out over the next five years?

Speaker Change: Just a question on M&A over the years, you've done a number of acquisitions expanding across two different asset classes geographies and distribution reach as well as curious as you look at the platform today, where there might be opportunities to expand even further and how do you think about that.

Speaker Change: <unk>.

Speaker Change: Communities.

Speaker Change: The private markets as you look out over the next five five years. Thank you.

Scott Hart: Thank you. That's it. Thanks, Mike. Sure. I mean, M&A has been an important part of Stepstone's growth in building out the various asset classes as well as distribution capabilities and in private wealth. I think from an M&A standpoint, we have built out the platform pretty much in line with the vision that we have set to be the trusted global partner in the private markets industry. So I think as far as our platform is concerned, it's largely built out to the extent that there is a way to either accelerate or enhance something we're currently doing like we did in 2021 with the acquisition of Greenspring, which really scaled up our venture capital capabilities.

Speaker Change: Thanks, Mike.

Speaker Change: Sure I mean, M&A has been an important part of step stones growth and building out the various asset classes as well as distribution capabilities and in private wealth.

Speaker Change: I think from an M&A standpoint, we have built out the platform.

Speaker Change: Pretty much in line with the vision that we have set to be the trusted global partner in the private markets industry. So I think as far as our platform is concerned it's largely built out to the extent that there is a way to either accelerate or enhance something were currently doing like we did in 2021 with the acquisition of Green.

Speaker Change: <unk>, which really scaled up our venture capital capabilities.

Scott Hart: I think we have a great track record of onboarding senior experienced teams and bringing on organizations that will help accelerate or enhance something that we currently do. Hard to see us deviating much from our current platform design. But as we emphasized late last year and over the years, buying in the NCI is a form of internal M&A that we continue to focus on. And as you know, we've hardwired and prewired the buying of NCI over the next several years. And that is largely the focus of our M&A and do so in an accretive way.

Speaker Change: I think we have a great track record of on boarding senior experienced teams and bringing on organizations that will help accelerate our hand is something that we currently do.

Speaker Change: Hard to see us deviating much from our current platform design.

Speaker Change: But as we emphasized late last year and over the years buying in the NCI as a form of internal M&A that we continue to focus on and as you know we have hard wired and pre wired the buying of NCI over the next several years and that is largely.

Speaker Change: The focus of our M&A and do so in an accretive way.

Scott Hart: Great, thanks for that.

Great. Thanks for that and then just maybe shifting gears over to the wealth side post election here with the scope for maybe more supportive regulatory environment for financial services, just curious how youre thinking about the scope for all to penetrate and access to four one K channel, which to this point has.

Jason Ment: And then just maybe shifting gears over to the wealth side, post-election here, with scope for maybe more supportive regulatory environment for financial services. Just curious how you're thinking about the scope for all to penetrate and access the 401k channel, which to this point has been out of reach. How might those be overcome? What products might be best suited for the 401k channel? How is Stepstone positioning for that? And how might your ticker technology be employed here to access that channel?

Speaker Change: Been out of reach.

Speaker Change: Okay.

Speaker Change: Sure.

Speaker Change: Those be overcome what products might be best suited for the 401K channel how it steps on positioning for that and how might your ticker technology be employed here.

Speaker Change: Access that channel.

Jason Ment: Thanks, Mike, Jason here. And I think it's on your end, but you're breaking up. But I think I've got the gist of the question.

Mike Jason: Thanks, Mike Jason here.

Speaker Change: I think it's on your end, but youre breaking up but I think I've got the gist of the question.

Jason Ment: In terms of private markets for the US defined contribution market, we think that the path forward is going to be within target date. first and foremost, as opposed to being line item menu selection in the 401k lineup for the individual. It's not to say that it couldn't happen, but we think it's best suited inside the target date wrapper, leading to, you know, a better tenor match. in terms of the products that are suited, there's already some adoption within the target date community of private real estate, typically in the open-end core and core plus markets. And so clearly, that was a signal from the marketplace that the structure, right, being able to enter over time, being able to exit over time was important.

Speaker Change: In terms of private markets for the U S defined contribution market, we think that the path forward is going to be within target dates.

Speaker Change: First and foremost as opposed to being line item menu selection in the 401K lineup for the individuals it's not to say that it couldnt happen, but we think it's best suited inside the target data breach.

Speaker Change: <unk>.

Speaker Change: Leading to.

Speaker Change: A better tenor match in.

Speaker Change: In terms of the products that are suited.

Theres already.

Speaker Change: Some adoption within the target date community of <unk>.

Speaker Change: Real estate typically in the open and core and core plus markets and so clearly that was a signal from the marketplace that the structure right being able to enter over time being able to exit over time was important and so I think that the technology that's.

Jason Ment: And so I think that the technology that's developed in the wealth channel for the individual personal account, whether it be the tender structures or otherwise, are relatively well-suited. Whether it stays in a 40-act wrapper with a ticker or not, they tend to be well-suited, I believe, for that target date community to adopt.

Speaker Change: In the wealth channel for the individual personal account, whether it be the tender structures or otherwise are relatively well suited whether it stays in a 40 act wrapper with a ticker or not.

Speaker Change: They tend to be well suited I believe for that target date community.

Jason Ment: The, you know, change in administration, surely I would expect that, you know, at the top level, a more deregulatory environment could be supportive. We don't believe here at Stepstone that regulatory action is required in any way or legislative action is required in any way for the target date community to adopt private markets. And in fact, again, I would just point to the fact that it actually already is happening in the real estate market. And I think that's kind of proof that it works.

Speaker Change: To adopt.

Speaker Change: That's.

Speaker Change: Change in administration shortly I would expect that.

Speaker Change: At the top level.

Speaker Change: More deregulatory environment.

Speaker Change: Be supportive we don't believe here at step stone that regulatory action is required in any way or legislative action is required in any way for the target date community to adopt private markets and in fact again I would just point to the fact that it actually already is happening in the real estate.

Speaker Change: And I think thats kind of proof that it works.

Jason Ment: We're still in the very early stages from an education perspective with that marketplace. There are a lot of different flavors of what DC looks like, who administers it within companies or within asset management platforms, and we're on a journey of educating that populace as to not only the investment merits, but exactly how the product would work, how it would work with their mid and back office, the vendors in that space, to the extent they're different from the ones that we typically deal with, etc. So something that we are very focused on, have been for nearly a decade now in educating that populace, and something that when we look outside the U.S., we've been doing for nearly 15 years now and working with the defined contribution plans in a number of different geographies outside the U.S.

Speaker Change: We're still in the very early stages from an education perspective.

Speaker Change: With that marketplace. There are a lot of different flavors of what D. C. It looks like who administers that within companies or within asset management platforms and we're we're on a we're on a journey of educating the populous as to not only be investment merits, but exactly how.

Speaker Change: The product would work how we would work with.

Speaker Change: Their mid and back office the vendors in that space to the extent they are different from the ones that we typically deal with et cetera. So something that we are very focused on have been for <unk>.

Speaker Change: Nearly a decade, now and educating that that that populous and something that when we look outside the U S. We've been doing for nearly 15 years now and working with the defined contribution.

Speaker Change: Our plans in a number of different geographies outside the U S. So we've got kind of proven case studies of how it works and it works well.

Jason Ment: So we've got kind of proven case studies of how it works and that it works well.

Speaker Change: Great. Thanks, so much.

Operator: Thank you.

Speaker Change: Thank you.

Operator: Dear participants, as a last reminder, if you wish to ask a question, please press star one one on your telephone keypad.

Speaker Change: Yeah participants as a last reminder, if you wish to ask a question. Please press star one on the telephone keypad.

Operator: Dear speakers, there are no further questions.

Speaker Change: Dear speakers there are no further questions I would now like to hand over the call to the management team for any closing remarks.

Scott Hart: I would now like to hand over the call to the management team for any closing remarks.

Scott Hart: Great.

Seth Weiss: Well, in that case, thanks, everyone, for your continued interest in the Stepstone story and for your time today. We look forward to connecting with you again next quarter.

Speaker Change: Great well in that case, thanks, everyone for your continued interest in the steps down starting for your time today, we look forward to connecting with you again next quarter. Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. That does conclude our conference today. Thank you for participating. You may now all disconnect.

Speaker Change: That does conclude our conference for today. Thank you for participating you may now disconnect have a nice day.

Operator: Have a nice day.

Speaker Change: Okay.

Speaker Change: [music].

Speaker Change: Okay.

Speaker Change: Okay.

Speaker Change: Yeah.

Speaker Change: Okay.

Speaker Change: Okay.

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Speaker Change: Okay.

Okay.