Q1 2026 Carlyle Group Inc Earnings Call

May 7, 2026

Operator: Good day, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to The Carlyle Group Q1 2026 Earnings Call. All lines have been placed on a listen-only mode, and the floor will be open for questions and comments following the presentation. To ask a question at that time, simply press star followed by the 1 on your telephone keypad. If you'd like to withdraw your question, press star one again. At this time, it is my pleasure to turn the floor over to your host, Daniel Harris, Head of Investor Relations. Sir, the floor is yours.

Speaker #1: Good day, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Carlyle Group First Quarter 2026 earnings call. All lines have been placed on the listen-only mode, and the floor will be open for questions and comments following the presentation.

Speaker #1: To ask a question at that time, simply press star, followed by the number 1 on your telephone keypad. If you'd like to withdraw your question, press star 1 again.

Speaker #1: At this time, it is my pleasure to turn the floor over to your host, Daniel Harris, Head of Investor Relations. Sir, the floor is yours.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Operator. Good morning and welcome to Carlyle's First Quarter 2026 earnings call. With me on the call this morning is our Chief Executive Officer, Harvey Schwartz, and our Chief Financial Officer, Justin Pluff.

Daniel Harris: Thank you, operator. Good morning and welcome to Carlyle's Q1 2026 Earnings Call. With me on the call this morning is our Chief Executive Officer, Harvey Schwartz, and our Chief Financial Officer, Justin Plouffe. Earlier this morning, we issued a press release and a detailed earnings presentation, which is available on our investor relations website. This call is being webcast, and a replay will be available. We will refer to certain non-GAAP financial measures during today's call. These measures should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. We have provided reconciliation of these measures to GAAP in our earnings release to the extent reasonably available. Any forward-looking statements made today do not guarantee future performance, and undue reliance should not be placed on them.

Speaker #2: Earlier this morning, we issued a press release and a detailed earnings presentation, which is available on our Investor Relations website. This call is being webcast and replay will be available.

Speaker #2: We will refer to certain non-GAAP financial measures during today's call. These measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Speaker #2: We have provided reconciliation of these measures to GAAP in our earnings release to the extent reasonably available. Any forward-looking statements made today do not guarantee future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them.

Speaker #2: These statements are based on current management expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties including those identified in the risk factor section of our annual report on Form 10-K that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated.

Daniel Harris: These statements are based on current management expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including those identified in the Risk Factors section of our annual report on Form 10-K, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Carlyle assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements at any time. In order to ensure participation by all those on the line today, please limit yourself to one question and then return to the queue for any additional follow-ups. With that, let me turn the call over to our Chief Executive Officer, Harvey Schwartz.

Speaker #2: Carlyle assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements at any time. In order to ensure participation by all those on the line today, please limit yourself to one question, and then return to the queue for any additional follow-ups.

Speaker #2: And with that, let me turn the call over to our Chief Executive Officer, Harvey Schwartz.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Dan. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us. We wrapped up another strong quarter, headlined by record U.S. buyout realizations, a high level of inflows, fee-related earnings of $300 million, and a 47% margin.

Harvey Schwartz: Thanks, Dan. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us. We wrapped up another strong quarter headlined by record U.S. buyout realizations, a high level of inflows, fee-related earnings of $300 million, and a 47% margin. Momentum across the platform continues to accelerate and performance remains strong, reinforcing our confidence in our strategic plan. These results came against a complex global backdrop. Before we go deeper into the quarter, I want to spend a few minutes on the environment and the global macro trends. Geopolitical uncertainty and splintering are front of mind for investors and are influencing capital allocation and investment decisions. Of course, this is not new. Over the past 5 years, we've navigated COVID, the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, and now the war in the Middle East.

Speaker #3: Momentum across the platform continues to accelerate and performance remains strong reinforcing our confidence in our strategic plan. These results came against a complex global backdrop, and before we go deeper into the quarter, I want to spend a few minutes on the environment and the global macro trends.

Speaker #3: Geopolitical uncertainty and splintering are front of mind for investors, and are influencing capital allocation and investment decisions. new. Over the past five years, we've navigated COVID, the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, and now the war in the Middle East.

Speaker #3: As a result, there are two subjects that every government official I meet with wants to discuss. National security and stimulating economic growth. By national security, I mean both investment and traditional defense, but also energy security.

Harvey Schwartz: As a result, there are two subjects that every government official I meet with wants to discuss: national security and stimulating economic growth. By national security, I mean both investment in traditional defense but also energy security. The focus on economic growth and competition across regions is intense, with a focus on reindustrialization and onshoring top of mind. Underpinning all of this change is an increasing need for capital and innovative client solutions. Everywhere I go in the world, the message is the same. The demand for private capital continues to grow. Our team and the breadth of our platform is well-positioned in this environment. Our diversified set of businesses span private equity, real assets, private and liquid credit, and Carlyle AlpInvest. In today's environment, diversification is a distinct advantage.

Speaker #3: The focus on economic growth and competition across regions is intense, with a focus on reindustrialization and onshoring top of mind. Underpinning all of this change is an increasing need for capital and innovative client solutions.

Speaker #3: Everywhere I go in the world, the message is the same: the demand for private capital continues to grow. Our team and the breadth of our platform is well positioned in this environment.

Speaker #3: Our diversified set of businesses spans private equity, real assets, private and liquid credit, and Carlyle Alpha Invests. In today's environment, diversification is a distinct advantage.

Speaker #3: Our deep sector expertise in aerospace and defense, industrials, energy, and healthcare maps directly towards a growing investment opportunity set. And we've been doing this at scale for decades.

Harvey Schwartz: Our deep sector expertise in aerospace and defense, industrials, energy, and healthcare maps directly towards a growing investment opportunity set. We've been doing this at scale for decades. Before Justin and I run through the quarter's financial performance, I would like to highlight an important milestone from earlier this week. We closed the first of its kind investment solution, anchored by a $5 billion commitment secured for our next vintage US buyout fund. This innovation provides a capital-efficient way to address our clients' needs. It's a solution that provides both access to our next US buyout fund and simultaneously offers them a tailored solution to provide liquidity. This solution underscores how we are leveraging Carlyle AlpInvest capabilities in portfolio finance and secondaries alongside our private equity platform to deliver differentiated outcomes for our investors. It was truly a win-win for our investors and for Carlyle.

Speaker #3: Now, before Justin and I run through the quarter's financial performance, I would like to highlight an important milestone from earlier this week. To close the first of its kind investment solution, anchored by a $5 billion commitment secured for our next vintage US buyout fund.

Speaker #3: This innovation provides a capital-efficient way to address our clients' needs. It's a solution that provides both access to our next US buyout fund and simultaneously offers them a tailored solution to provide liquidity.

Speaker #3: This solution underscores how we are leveraging Carlyle Alpha Invest's capabilities in portfolio finance and secondaries alongside our private equity platform to deliver differentiated outcomes for our investors.

Speaker #3: It was truly a win-win for our investors and for Carlyle. Through this structure, several cornerstone investors have increased their exposure to U.S. buyout, further demonstrating their confidence in our platform and continued interest in the core sectors we focus on.

Harvey Schwartz: Through this structure, several cornerstone investors have increased their exposure to US buyout, further demonstrating their confidence in our platform and continued interest in the core sectors we focus on. It's important to note that we haven't launched fundraising for the next US buyout fund. That will come later this year. Let me move on to some of the strong activity trends we saw in the quarter. As you have seen in prior quarters, we continue to return capital to investors at a faster pace than the industry. Realizations were more than $12 billion, reflecting the high quality of our portfolio and continued prioritization of returning capital to our fund investors.

Speaker #3: Also, it's important to note that we haven't launched fundraising for the next US buyout fund. That will come later this year. Let me move on to some of the strong activity trends we saw in the quarter.

Speaker #3: Have you seen in prior quarters, we continue to return capital to investors at a faster pace than the industry. Realizations were more than $12 billion.

Speaker #3: Reflecting the high quality of our portfolio and continued prioritization of returning capital to our fund investors. It is also worth noting that we returned a record amount of capital to US buyout fund investors this quarter.

Harvey Schwartz: It is also worth noting that we returned a record amount of capital to US buyout fund investors this quarter, a rate which is more than 40% higher than our prior record set in 2021. We continue to have a deep set of assets to monetize for our investors. Deployment was $10 billion in the quarter, and we also announced 2 large transactions that will close in the coming months, the $8 billion carve-out of the coatings business from BASF and the $3 billion acquisition of MAI Capital Management. We also invested $4 billion in private credit and nearly $4 million across a diverse set of strategies in Carlyle AlpInvest. These transactions should also contribute to a pickup in transaction fee revenue in the coming quarters. On inflows, we had a great start to the year, attracting $13 billion of new capital.

Speaker #3: A rate which is more than 40% higher than our prior record set in 2021. We continue to have a deep set of assets to monetize for our investors.

Speaker #3: Deployment was $10 billion in the quarter. And we also announced two large transactions that will close in the coming months: the $8 billion carve-out of the Coatings Business from BASF and the $3 billion acquisition of MAI Capital Management.

Speaker #3: We also invested $4 billion in private credit and nearly $4 billion across a diverse set of strategies in Carlyle Alpha Invests. These transactions should also contribute to a pickup in transaction fee revenue in the coming had a great start to the year, attracting $13 billion of new capital.

Speaker #3: In Carlyle Alpha Invests, we raised nearly $7 billion in the quarter, reflecting strong demand for our broad set of secondaries, co-investment, and portfolio finance strategies.

Harvey Schwartz: In Carlyle AlpInvest, we raised nearly $7 billion in the quarter, reflecting strong demand for a broad set of secondaries, co-investment, and portfolio finance strategies. We also saw sustained inflows in our wealth vehicles, including CAPM and Caps. AlpInvest is benefiting from both favorable market dynamics and strong performance. In Global Credit, we raised $4 billion in the quarter. Demand remains strong across our diversified platform. We had a first close on a new closed-end asset-backed finance strategy. That strategy now tops $12 billion, up more than 30% compared to last year. In summary, Carlyle continues to benefit from a diversified platform that can provide durable results across dynamic changes in geopolitics and market environments.

Speaker #3: We also saw a sustained inflows in our wealth vehicles, including CAPM and CAPS. Alpha Invests is benefiting from both favorable market dynamics and strong performance.

Speaker #3: In global credit, we raised $4 billion in the quarter. Demand remains strong across our diversified platform. We had a first close on a new closed-end asset-backed finance strategy that strategy now tops $12 billion.

Speaker #3: Up more than 30% compared to last year. In summary, Carlyle continues to benefit from a diversified platform that can provide durable results across dynamic changes in geopolitics and market environments.

Speaker #3: As you would expect, two months after the shareholder update, we remain quite confident that we will reach or exceed the targets we laid out for you in February.

Harvey Schwartz: As you would expect, two months after the shareholder update, we remain quite confident that we will reach or exceed the targets we laid out for you in February. With that, let me turn the call over to Justin.

Speaker #3: With that, let me turn the call over to Justin.

Speaker #4: Thanks, Harvey. Good morning, everyone. In the first quarter, we generated distributable earnings of $327 million or 89 cents per share. Fee-related earnings were $300 million at a 47% margin, compared to $290 million in Q4.

Justin Plouffe: Thanks, Harvey. Good morning, everyone. In Q1, we generated distributable earnings of $327 million or $0.89 per share. Fee-related earnings were $300 million at a 47% margin compared to $290 million in Q4. Fund management fees were $545 million, up 4% year over year, driven by continued growth in Carlyle AlpInvest and Global Credit. Carlyle AlpInvest continues to be a great growth story with a record level of AUM and record inflows during the quarter. Our underlying recurring fee base continues to grow, we expect to see management fees accelerate over the next 2 years, consistent with the path we laid out at our shareholder update.

Speaker #4: Fund management fees were $545 million up 4% year over year, driven by continued growth in Carlyle Alpha Invests and global credit. Carlyle Alpha Invests continues to be a great growth story, with a record level of AUM and record inflows during the quarter.

Speaker #4: Our underlying recurring fee base continues to grow, and we expect to see management fees accelerate over the next two years consistent with the path we laid out at our shareholder update.

Speaker #4: Fee-related performance revenues of $45 million in the quarter were 15% higher year over year, driven by growth in our evergreen wealth strategies where AUM now stands at $19 billion.

Justin Plouffe: Fee-related performance revenues of $45 million in the quarter were 15% higher year over year, driven by growth in our Evergreen Wealth strategies, where AUM now stands at $19 billion. That's 4 times the level from just 3 years ago. We produced $54 million in transaction fees in Q1, and we expect this to increase next quarter, driven by the completion of several transactions that have already signed or closed. In Q1, we generated $12 billion of realized proceeds, our 3rd-best quarter ever. Net realized performance revenue of $21 million this quarter was lower year over year, but this was simply a matter of composition. Most of the Q1 exits were in funds not yet realizing carry, notably Carlyle Partners VII and Carlyle Partners VIII.

Speaker #4: That's four times the level from just three years ago. We produced $54 million in transaction fees in Q1, and we expect this to increase next quarter, driven by the completion of several transactions that have already signed or closed.

Speaker #4: In Q1, we generated $12 billion of realized proceeds. Our third-best quarter ever. Net realized performance revenue of $21 million this quarter was lower year over year, but this was simply a matter of composition.

Speaker #4: Most of the first quarter exits were in funds not yet realizing carry, notably CP7 and CP8. As we continue to return capital to fund investors, and drive value creation, we expect our level of NRPR to increase.

Justin Plouffe: As we continue to return capital to fund investors and drive value creation, we expect our level of NRPR to increase. We have several transactions that should drive realized carry over the remainder of 2026, notably in our fourth Japan Buyout Fund, third Financial Services Fund, and fourth European Technology Fund. Let me turn to some details on our individual segments. In Carlyle AlpInvest, FRE was $68 million in Q1, higher year over year, despite having $13 million less in catch-up fees for the quarter. Total AUM reached a record $107 billion, up 20% year over year. Record quarterly inflows of $6.8 billion were driven by broad-based institutional and wealth activity across the platform. Net accrued performance revenues reached $643 million, a 13% increase year over year.

Speaker #4: We have several transactions that should drive realized carry over the remainder of 2026, notably in our fourth Japan buyout fund, third financial services fund, and fourth European technology fund.

Speaker #4: Now let me turn to some details on our individual segments. In Carlyle Alpha Invest, FRE was $68 million in Q1, higher year over year despite having $13 million less in catch-up fees for the quarter.

Speaker #4: Total AUM reached a record $107 billion. Up 20% year over year. Record quarterly inflows of $6.8 billion were driven by broad-based institutional and wealth activity across the platform.

Speaker #4: Net accrued performance revenues reached $643 million, a 13% increase year over year. Carlyle Alpha Invests continues to show great momentum with our next vintage funds expected to have first closings later this year.

Justin Plouffe: Carlyle AlpInvest continues to show great momentum, with our next vintage funds expected to have first closings later this year. In Global Credit, FRE was $93 million in the quarter. Management fees of $147 million increased 6%, while transaction fees were modestly lower. Total AUM of $209 billion was up 5% from a year ago, and inflows of $3.9 billion in the quarter were led by the $1.5 billion first close of our new asset-backed finance fund. For the last 12 months, credit inflows totaled $25 billion. We continue to see strength in the credit metrics of our underlying portfolio across our diversified credit platform. In direct lending, our current non-accrual rate is only 1%, and our inception to date loss rate over 13 years is just eight basis points per annum.

Speaker #4: In global credit, FRE was $93 million in the quarter. Management fees of $147 million increased 6%, while transaction fees were modestly lower. Total AUM of $209 billion was up 5% from a year ago, and inflows of $3.9 billion.

Speaker #4: Quarter were led by the $1.5 billion first close of our new asset-backed finance fund. For the last 12 months, credit inflows totaled $25 billion.

Speaker #4: We continue to see strength in the credit metrics of our underlying portfolio across our diversified credit platform. In direct lending, our current non-accrual rate is only 1%, and our inception-to-date loss rate over 13 years is just 8 basis points per annum.

Speaker #4: In structured credit, our default rate of about 50 basis points remains at half the industry average. We continue to actively manage the entire portfolio, and we feel well-positioned to take advantage if credit markets experience increased volatility over the rest of 2026.

Justin Plouffe: In structured credit, our default rate of about 50 basis points remains at half the industry average. We continue to actively manage the entire portfolio, and we feel well-positioned to take advantage if credit markets experience increased volatility over the rest of 2026. In Global Private Equity, FRE of $140 million in Q1 was in line with Q1 last year. The key operating metrics for this business, notably fundraising and realizations, show strong momentum. As Harvey noted, we already have earmarked $5 billion in commitments for our next vintage US buyout strategy. This was a fantastic outcome. The solution broadly leveraged the entire firm and highlights our differentiated ability to deliver tailored solutions for our LPs. We returned a record $7 billion in proceeds to US buyout investors this quarter.

Speaker #4: In global private equity, FRE of $140 million in the first quarter was in line with Q1 last year, but the key operating metrics for this business, notably fundraising and realizations, show strong momentum.

Speaker #4: As Harvey noted, we already have earmarked $5 billion in commitments for our next vintage US buyout strategy. This was a fantastic outcome. The solution broadly leveraged the entire firm and highlights our differentiated ability to deliver tailored solutions for our LPs.

Speaker #4: We returned a record $7 billion in proceeds to U.S. buyout investors this quarter. CP7 alone returned nearly $5 billion of proceeds, driving DPI in the fund to more than 70%, with nearly $17 billion in remaining fair value.

Justin Plouffe: CP seven alone returned nearly $5 billion of proceeds, driving DPI in the fund to more than 70% with nearly $17 billion in remaining fair value. We've made great progress for CP seven investors over the past 2 years and expect to continue returning capital for at least the next several quarters before we start realizing carry from this fund. Shifting to the balance sheet, we ended the quarter in a strong position. Balance sheet assets attributable to Carlyle shareholders, including cash, net accrued performance revenues, and investments net of debt totaled approximately $5 billion or roughly $14 per share. We declared a quarterly dividend of $0.35 per common share, in line with the quarterly level in 2025.

Speaker #4: We've made great progress for CP7 investors over the past two years, and expect to continue returning capital for at least the next several quarters before we start realizing carry from this fund.

Speaker #4: Shifting to the balance sheet, we entered the quarter in a strong position. Balance sheet assets attributable to Carlyle shareholders including cash, net accrued performance revenues, and investments net of debt totaled approximately $5 billion or roughly $14 per share.

Speaker #4: We declared a quarterly dividend of 35 cents per common share in line with the quarterly level in 2025. We repurchased or withheld $3.8 million shares totaling $205 million in the quarter, and we have $1.9 billion remaining on our $2 billion repurchase authorization.

Justin Plouffe: We repurchased or withheld 3.8 million shares, totaling $205 million in the quarter, and we have $1.9 billion remaining on our $2 billion repurchase authorization. Our diluted share count of 360 million is down over the past year. We remain disciplined and opportunistic in how we think about capital allocation. Investing in growth remains the priority, but share repurchases are an important part of the equation as well, and we will continue to be active on that front. Looking ahead, we enter the Q2 with strong momentum. Dry powder of $96 billion is a record and up 13% year-over-year. Our platform is diversified across strategies, geographies, and client channels, making us extremely well-positioned to navigate the current market and continue creating value for our investors and shareholders.

Speaker #4: Our diluted share count of 360 million is down over the past year. We remain disciplined in opportunistic in how we think about capital allocation, investing in growth remains the priority, but share repurchases are an important part of the equation as well, and we will continue to be active on that front.

Speaker #4: Looking ahead, we enter the second quarter with strong momentum. Dry powder of 96 billion is a record and up 13% year over year. Our platform is diversified across strategies geographies and client channels making us extremely well-positioned to navigate the current market and continue creating value for our investors and shareholders.

Speaker #4: As we said at our February shareholder update, our growth plan is grounded in a bottoms-up organic strategy clear path to $200 billion of inflows, $1.9 billion in fee-related earnings, and $6 or more per share in DE by the end of 2028.

Justin Plouffe: As we said at our February shareholder update, our growth plan is grounded in a bottoms-up organic strategy for each of our businesses. We see a clear path to $200 billion of inflows, $1.9 billion in fee related earnings, and $6 or more in per share in DE by the end of 2028. We fully expect to achieve or exceed each of these goals. With that, let me turn it back to the operator to take your questions.

Speaker #4: We fully expect to achieve or exceed each of these goals. With that, let me turn it back to the operator to take your questions.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, the floor is now open for questions. If you do have a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad at this time.

Operator: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, the floor is now open for questions. If you do have a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad at this time. Again, that's star one if you do have a question or comment. We'll take our first question from Alexander Blostein from Goldman Sachs. Please go ahead, Alex.

Speaker #1: Again, that's star one if you do have a question or comment. And we'll take our first question from Alex Blowstein from Goldman Sachs. Please go ahead, Alex.

Speaker #3: Hi, good morning, everybody. Thank you for taking the question. I was hoping we'll get started with a couple of questions just around the structure that you announced earlier this week.

Alexander Blostein: Hi. Good morning, everybody. Thank you for taking the question. I was hoping we could start with a couple of questions just around the structure that you announced earlier earlier this week. Obviously quite unique and a creative way to move the franchise forward. I was hoping, Harvey, you could expand on how the solution was originated. Just maybe spend a couple of minutes on the actual dynamics within the structure. There's a couple of things going on. How the assets will be coming into the SPV and how it's ultimately funded?

Alex Blostein: Hi. Good morning, everybody. Thank you for taking the question. I was hoping we could start with a couple of questions just around the structure that you announced earlier earlier this week. Obviously quite unique and a creative way to move the franchise forward. I was hoping, Harvey, you could expand on how the solution was originated. Just maybe spend a couple of minutes on the actual dynamics within the structure. There's a couple of things going on. How the assets will be coming into the SPV and how it's ultimately funded?

Speaker #3: Obviously, quite unique and a creative way to move the franchise forward. I was hoping Harvey, you could expand on how this solution was originated, maybe spend a couple of minutes on the actual dynamics within the structure.

Speaker #3: There's a couple of things going on, but how the assets will be coming in into the SPV and how it's ultimately funded. Curious also on the response from other LPs, and then ultimately when it comes to financial implications for Carlyle, anything we need to think about with respect to changes in economics either to fund seven or eight or how the fee structure will work for fund nine.

Alexander Blostein: Curious also on the response from other LPs, and then ultimately, when it comes to financial implications for Carlyle, anything we need to think about with respect to changes in economics, either to Carlyle Partners VII or Carlyle Partners VIII or how the fee structure will work for Carlyle Partners IX?

Alex Blostein: Curious also on the response from other LPs, and then ultimately, when it comes to financial implications for Carlyle, anything we need to think about with respect to changes in economics, either to Carlyle Partners VII or Carlyle Partners VIII or how the fee structure will work for Carlyle Partners IX?

Speaker #4: Great. Thanks for the question, Alex. So maybe take a step back for a minute. The Carlyle Alpha Invest platform often, sort of secondhand, is thought of by people as a secondary business.

Harvey Schwartz: Great. Thanks for the question, Alex. Maybe take a step back for a minute. You know, the Carlyle AlpInvest platform often sort of secondhand, is thought of by people as a secondaries business. As you're seeing, for the last couple years, as we've strategically repositioned the platform, it really is obviously much more than that. It's secondaries, it's co-invest, it's a primary business, and it's a solutions business. One of the most, you know, important parts of that business is this growing solutions business, which really is about providing GPs with thoughtful solutions when they wanna take incremental exposure or LPs, where LPs wanna dynamically manage their portfolios. They've had huge success providing LPs with that value.

Speaker #4: And as you're seeing for the last couple of years, as we've strategically repositioned the platform, it really is obviously much more than that. It's secondary to its co-invest.

Speaker #4: It's a primary business, and it's a solutions business. And one of the most important parts of that business is this growing solutions business, which really is about providing GPs with thoughtful solutions when they want to take incremental exposure or LPs where LPs want a dynamically managed their portfolios.

Speaker #4: And they've had huge success providing LPs with that value. The genesis of this was really thinking about how Carlyle could, as a very capital-light firm, optimize the use of our capital that we knew of strategic LPs that wanted to reposition their portfolios in ways that made sense for them.

Harvey Schwartz: The genesis of this was really thinking about how Carlyle could, as a very capital-light firm, optimize the use of our capital. We knew of strategic LPs that wanted to reposition their portfolios in ways that made sense for them. They also wanted increased exposure to US buyout. We were able to come up with this solution, which is not particularly complicated, but I would say for this industry, is innovative, creative, and again, solves our clients' objectives. You know, for the firm, obviously, and the team, it's a good outcome because it's a cornerstone financing of $5-plus billion at full fees. There's no impact.

Speaker #4: They also wanted to increase exposure to US buyout. And we were able to come up with this solution, which is not particularly complicated, but I would say for this industry, is innovative, creative, and again, solves our clients' objectives.

Speaker #4: For the firm, obviously, and the team, it's a good outcome because it's a cornerstone financing of $5-plus billion at full fees. There's no impact. The most important thing about putting this together was obviously solving for our LPs' needs, but also ensuring that there was perfect alignment with the fund.

Harvey Schwartz: The most important thing about putting this together was obviously solving for our LPs' needs, but also ensuring that there was perfect alignment with the fund and the future fund raise. All of that was really critical to how we brought this together. In terms of the firm and alignment, you know, there's a subordinated portion of equity where the firm is aligned there too, supporting, which obviously our LPs love. I think this really reflects where this industry is going. I can tell you, the solutions business already had huge momentum because of what they're able to provide LPs and GPs.

Speaker #4: And the future fund raise and so all of that was really critical to how we brought this together. In terms of the firm and alignment, there's a subordinated portion of equity where the firm is aligned there too, supporting, which obviously our LPs love.

Speaker #4: But I think this really reflects where this industry is going. And I can tell you the solutions business was already at huge momentum because of what they're able to provide LPs and GPs but since announcing this, the phone's been ringing off the hook.

Harvey Schwartz: Since announcing this, the phone's been ringing off the hook with people looking to engage in terms of how they can either replicate this and create value for their LPs or their GPs. I just think this is a direction of travel for the industry, but you really have to have the thoughtful experience of a Carlyle AlpInvest team to actually bring this together.

Speaker #4: With people looking to engage in terms of how they can either replicate this and create value for their LPs or their GPs. And so I just think this is a direction to travel for the industry.

Speaker #4: But you really have to have the thoughtful experience of a Carlyle Alpha Invest team to actually bring this together.

Speaker #1: Alex, does that complete the question?

Operator: Alex, does that complete your question?

Speaker #3: Oh, yes.

Alexander Blostein: Oh, yes. Thank you. Sorry.

Alex Blostein: Oh, yes. Thank you. Sorry.

Harvey Schwartz: Thanks, Alex.

Speaker #4: Thanks, Alex.

Speaker #1: Thank you. And we'll take our next question from Ken Worthington from JPMorgan. Please go ahead, Ken.

Operator: Thank you. We'll take our next question from Kenneth Worthington from J.P. Morgan. Please go ahead, Ken.

Kenneth Worthington: Hi, good morning. Thanks for taking the question. Wanted to dig into the outlook for carry in private equity and AlpInvest. You know, for private equity, can you talk us through cash carry in Japan 4 and Financial Services 2 and 3 while we wait for CP 7 and 8 to kind of come into cash carry? For AlpInvest, carry comp was the lowest level I think we've seen on record. Are we sort of at the point where carry is coming from funds in AlpInvest with really better economics for shareholders?

Ken Worthington: Hi, good morning. Thanks for taking the question. Wanted to dig into the outlook for carry in private equity and AlpInvest. You know, for private equity, can you talk us through cash carry in Japan 4 and Financial Services 2 and 3 while we wait for CP 7 and 8 to kind of come into cash carry? For AlpInvest, carry comp was the lowest level I think we've seen on record. Are we sort of at the point where carry is coming from funds in AlpInvest with really better economics for shareholders?

Speaker #3: Hi, good morning. Thanks for taking the question. Wanted to dig into the outlook for Carrie and private equity and Alpha Invest. And for private equity, can you talk us through Cash Carrie and Japan 4 and financial services 2 and 3 while we wait for CP7 and 8 to kind of come into Cash Carrie?

Speaker #3: And for Alpha Invest, Carrie Comp was the lowest level I think we've seen on record. Are we sort of at the point where Carrie is coming from funds and Alpha Invest with really better economics for shareholders?

Speaker #4: Yeah. So let me take the Alpha Invest side first. As you probably know, Alpha Invest has a European-style waterfall. So a little bit more difficult to predict.

Justin Plouffe: Let me take the AlpInvest side first. As you probably know, AlpInvest has a European style waterfall, a little bit more difficult to predict. I think the most important thing for AlpInvest is the returns continue to be really great. Tremendous momentum in that business. Admittedly hard to predict the timing of carry, as long as the returns continue to be strong, ultimately, you know, that's gonna be a great outcome. We've got a variety of deals that are already signed, closed or deeply in process in some of our other funds. You noted Japan Buyout, you noted Europe Tech. Those are all gonna come through, we would expect, in the next few quarters.

Speaker #4: I think the most important thing for Alpha Invest is the returns continue to be really great. So tremendous momentum in that business. Admittedly, hard to predict the timing of Carrie, but as long as the returns continue to be strong, then ultimately, that's going to be a great outcome.

Speaker #4: We've got a variety of deals that are already signed, closed, or deeply in process in some of our other funds. You noted Japan buyout.

Speaker #4: You noted Europe tech. So those are all going to come through. We would expect in the next few quarters. Again, I'm hesitant to give specifics on timing and amounts because some of those are public and it will depend on pricing and market environment over the next few quarters.

Justin Plouffe: I'm hesitant to give specifics on timing and amounts because some of those are public, and it will depend on pricing and market environment over the next few quarters. Those are very near term. They're well along the way. In the rest of 2026, they will definitely come through. We're pretty optimistic about the future, next few quarters of carry realizations. Lot of activity going on around the firm, lot of great returns for shareholders.

Speaker #4: But those are very near-term. They're well along the way. And the rest of 2026, they will definitely come through. So we're pretty optimistic about the future in the next few quarters of carry realizations—a lot of activity going on around the firm, a lot of great returns for shareholders.

Speaker #3: Great. Thank you.

Kenneth Worthington: Great. Thank you.

Ken Worthington: Great. Thank you.

Speaker #1: Thank you. And we'll take our next question from Steve Chubak from Wolf Research. Please go ahead, Steve.

Operator: Thank you. We'll take our next question from Steven Chubek from Wolfe Research. Please go ahead, Steve.

Speaker #5: Good morning. This is Brendan O'Brien, filling in for Steven.

Brendan O'Brien: Good morning. This is Brendan O'Brien filling in for Steven.

Justin Plouffe: Hey, Brendan.

Harvey Schwartz: Hey, Brendan.

Speaker #3: Good morning.

Brendan O'Brien: Morning. Just wanted to touch on the AlpInvest business. You know, you guys have had a lot of success in the wealth channel with your CAPMs and CAPM products. However, the practice of day one markups has come under increased scrutiny of late, with one of your competitors seeing pretty meaningful outflows in their retail product as a result. I understand you may not wanna overreact to the headlines, but just given what we're seeing in some of the other asset classes within the retail space, it does seem reasonable to be a bit more front-footed here. Just wanted to give you an opportunity to respond to this criticism, whether you're considering any changes to your approach, and if you're seeing this have an impact on your conversations with advisors.

Speaker #5: Just wanted to touch on the Alpha Invest is that Alpha Invest business. You guys have had a lot of success in the wealth channel with your caps and cap end products.

Speaker #5: However, the practice of day one markups has come under increased scrutiny of late, with one of your competitors seeing pretty meaningful outflows in their retail product as a result.

Speaker #5: I understand you may not want to overreact to the headlines, but just given what we're seeing in some of the other asset classes within the retail space, it does seem reasonable to be a bit more front-footed here.

Speaker #5: So just wanted to give you an opportunity to respond to this criticism, whether you're considering any changes to your approach. And if you're seeing this have an impact on your conversations with advisors.

Speaker #4: So the conversation with advisors remains very robust. And you see that, obviously, in the inflows. In terms of any practices, we're not changing any of our practices.

Justin Plouffe: The conversation with advisors remains very robust, and you see that obviously in the inflows. In terms of any practices, we're not changing any of our practices. You know, the industry participates in different types of asset pools. The team has always, for the most part, purchased asset pools that are much closer to par. Historically, when we've had our best performance, in this business for 25 years is actually buying higher performing assets. The team doesn't really historically buy deep discounted, very aged assets. But the reception continues to be very strong. As Justin pointed out, the performance has been very strong. We feel really quite good about our partnerships and the platform and the engagement from advisors. Thanks.

Harvey Schwartz: The conversation with advisors remains very robust, and you see that obviously in the inflows. In terms of any practices, we're not changing any of our practices. You know, the industry participates in different types of asset pools. The team has always, for the most part, purchased asset pools that are much closer to par. Historically, when we've had our best performance, in this business for 25 years is actually buying higher performing assets. The team doesn't really historically buy deep discounted, very aged assets. But the reception continues to be very strong. As Justin pointed out, the performance has been very strong. We feel really quite good about our partnerships and the platform and the engagement from advisors. Thanks.

Speaker #4: The industry, participates in different types of asset pools. The team has always for the most part purchased asset pools that are much closer to par.

Speaker #4: Historically, what we've had our best performance in this business for 25 years is actually buying higher-performing assets. So we don't the team doesn't really historically buy deep discounted very aged assets.

Speaker #4: But the reception continues to be very strong. As Justin pointed out, the performance has been very strong. And so we feel really quite good about our partnerships and the platform and the engagement from advisors.

Speaker #4: Thanks.

Operator: Thank you. We'll take our next call from Brennan Hawken from BMO Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: Thank you. And we'll take our next call from Brendan Hawken from VMO Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Brennan Hawken: Good morning. Thanks for taking my question.

Speaker #6: Good morning. Thanks for taking my question.

Brennan Hawken: Good morning. Thanks for taking my question.

Speaker #4: Hey, Brendan.

Harvey Schwartz: Hey, Brennan.

Brennan Hawken: Base. Hey, Harvey. How are you?

Speaker #6: Hey, Harvey. How are you?

Speaker #4: Good, man.

Harvey Schwartz: Good, man.

Speaker #6: So excellent. Bases, we're relatively flat year over year, although they didn't benefit from catch-ups here this quarter clearly. You guys have spoken a lot about how active the back half of the year in particular is going to be for fundraising.

Brennan Hawken: Excellent. Base fees were relatively flat year over year, although they didn't benefit from catch-ups here this quarter, clearly. You guys have spoken a lot about how active H2 in particular is gonna be for fundraising, you know, with the super cycle coming up. Could you maybe walk us through your expectations for what the profile of the base fee growth will look like as we progress through that fundraising and it starts to hit the top line? Thanks.

Speaker #6: With the super cycle coming up, but could you maybe walk us through your expectations for what the profile of the base fee growth will look like as we progress to hit the top line?

Speaker #6: Thanks.

Speaker #4: Yeah, sure, Brendan. Thanks for the question. Look, the base fees were up 4% year over year. They're up 7% on an LTM to LTM basis.

Justin Plouffe: Sure, Brennan. Thanks for the question. Look, the base fees were up 4% year over year. They're up 7% on a LTM to LTM basis. We expect that to accelerate. You mentioned the super cycle and fundraising. We're just really starting that for AlpInvest, for private equity. We're gonna have opportunistic credit out for the credit business. We're entering a period where we think our fundraising will really accelerate. You know, we had, as you know, a couple of funds, a step down. We're past that now.

Speaker #4: We expect that to accelerate. You mentioned the super cycle and fundraising. We're just really starting that for Alpha Invest, for private equity. We're going to have opportunistic credit out for the credit business.

Speaker #4: So we're entering a period where we think our fundraising will really accelerate. We have, as you know, a couple of funds step down. We're past that now.

Speaker #4: So that rate that you see today, 7% LTM over LTM, I expect that to accelerate as we go into the super cycle because we're getting really great feedback from LPs and that bodes well for the next few quarters of fundraising.

Justin Plouffe: That rate that you see today, 7% LTM over LTM, I expect that to accelerate as we go into this super cycle, because we're getting really great feedback from LPs and that bodes well for the next few quarters of fundraising.

Operator: Thank you. We'll take our next question from Michael Brown. Please go ahead, Mike.

Speaker #1: Thank you. And we'll take our next question from Mike Brown. Please go ahead, Mike.

Speaker #6: Great. Good morning, guys. I wanted to ask another question on the wealth channel. So CTAC is a diversified credit fund. You have a small portion of direct lending exposure in there.

Michael Brown: Great. Good morning, guys. Wanted to ask another question on the wealth channel. CTAC is a diversified credit fund. You have a small portion of direct lending exposure in there, yet it still saw elevated redemptions last quarter. Why do you think that's the case? Was it just kind of caught up more in the private credit direct lending fears? When you think about maybe the coming quarters, do you think the redemption requests and gross sales could differentiate going forward? Maybe how are you messaging that kind of more different aspect to the wealth channel? Do you think that message is kind of getting through to the channel?

Mike Brown: Great. Good morning, guys. Wanted to ask another question on the wealth channel. CTAC is a diversified credit fund. You have a small portion of direct lending exposure in there, yet it still saw elevated redemptions last quarter. Why do you think that's the case? Was it just kind of caught up more in the private credit direct lending fears? When you think about maybe the coming quarters, do you think the redemption requests and gross sales could differentiate going forward? Maybe how are you messaging that kind of more different aspect to the wealth channel? Do you think that message is kind of getting through to the channel?

Speaker #6: Yet it still saw elevated redemptions last quarter. Why do you think that's the case? And was it just kind of caught up more in the private credit direct lending fears?

Speaker #6: And when you think about maybe the coming quarters, do you think the redemption requests and gross sales could differentiate going forward? And maybe how are you messaging that kind of more different aspect to the wealth channel?

Speaker #6: And do you think that message is kind of getting through to the channel?

Speaker #4: Yeah. I spent a lot of time with advisors. I think that the message is getting through. CTAC is quite diversified, as you know. There's over 900 names.

Justin Plouffe: Yeah. You know, I spent a lot of time with advisors. I think that the message is getting through. You know, CTAC is

Harvey Schwartz: Yeah. You know, I spent a lot of time with advisors. I think that the message is getting through. You know, CTAC is

Harvey Schwartz: Quite diversified, as you know. There's over 900 names. It's across the platform. It's marked daily. It's one of the few solutions, maybe the only solution out there that's marked daily. I think we've been marking it daily for over 5 years, going back to 2020. Advisors respond really well to that. I think when you have an environment like we've seen in the last quarter, where we were later in the queue for redemptions, so they were building through the course of the quarter. Sort of going from one fund to the next fund, I think that was, you know, to be expected. There was no surprise for us in that. The performance remained strong in the advisor engagement.

Speaker #4: It's a cross-the-platform. It's marked daily. It's one of the few solutions maybe the only solution out there that's marked daily. I think we've been marking that daily for over five years.

Speaker #4: I think going back to 2020. And so advisors respond really well to that. I think when you have an environment like we've seen in the last quarter where you and remember, we were later in the queue for redemptions.

Speaker #4: And so they were building through the course of the quarter. And so, sort of going from one fund to the next fund, I think that was to be expected.

Speaker #4: There was no surprise for us in that. The performance remained strong. The advisor engagement. I think we probably will likely just given what you see across the industry, if I had to guess, it's a bit of a guess.

Harvey Schwartz: I think we probably will likely just, given what you see across the industry, if I had to guess, it's a bit of a guess, I think this period of redemptions may persist for a little while. Some of the analysts have come out with their forecasts. I think that's reasonable. CTAC has a diversified marked daily credit solution, offers a lot of benefits. The long-term trajectory we feel quite good about.

Speaker #4: I think this period of redemptions may persist for a little while. Some of the analysts have come out with their forecasts. I think that's reasonable.

Speaker #4: But CTAC as a diversified marked daily credit solution, offers a lot of benefits. So the long-term trajectory, we feel quite good about.

Speaker #1: Thank you. And next, we'll go to Bill Katz from TD Cowen. Please go ahead.

Operator: Thank you. Next we'll go to William Katz from TD Cowen. Please go ahead.

Speaker #7: Okay. Excuse me. Thank you very much for taking the questions. Good morning, everybody. I'd like to sort of maybe click into the credit portfolio a little bit.

William Katz: Okay. Excuse me. Thank you very much for taking the questions. Good morning, everybody. I'd like to sort of maybe click into the credit portfolio a little bit. If I look at the AUM, TP AUM have been relatively stable now for better part of a year or so. I was wondering if you could maybe speak to the opportunity. I think you were sort of talking about direct lending, what you're seeing in the insurance channel. Curiously, yesterday, one of your peers had some very pointed commentary about the efficacy of CLOs. I was also wondering if you could talk about maybe the durability of that business as well. Thank you.

Bill Katz: Okay. Excuse me. Thank you very much for taking the questions. Good morning, everybody. I'd like to sort of maybe click into the credit portfolio a little bit. If I look at the AUM, TP AUM have been relatively stable now for better part of a year or so. I was wondering if you could maybe speak to the opportunity. I think you were sort of talking about direct lending, what you're seeing in the insurance channel. Curiously, yesterday, one of your peers had some very pointed commentary about the efficacy of CLOs. I was also wondering if you could talk about maybe the durability of that business as well. Thank you.

Speaker #7: If I look at the AUM, they've been fee-paying AUM has been relatively stable now for a better part of a year or so. I was wondering if you could maybe speak to the opportunity, I think you were sort of talking about direct lending, what you're seeing in the insurance channel, and then curiously, yes, they want to appear to have some very pointed commentary about the efficacy of CLOs.

Speaker #7: And I was also wondering if you could talk about maybe the durability of that business as well. Thank you.

Speaker #4: Sure. Well, we're seeing good fundraising momentum in credit. We raised nearly $4 billion in the quarter, really. And a broad-based basis. As you know, Bill, we've been resetting many of our CLOs over the past few years.

Justin Plouffe: Sure. Well, we're seeing good fundraising momentum in credit. We raised nearly $4 billion in Q1, really in a broad-based basis. You know, as you know, Bill, we've been resetting many of our CLOs over the past few years, that's really stabilized the CLO-based fees going forward. You know, CLOs went through the financial crisis, they did incredibly well. There is a very well-established investor base for CLOs, we actually feel great about that business. Importantly, the most important thing, our investment performance and credit has been really strong. You know, we've been managing CLOs for 25 years. We've got half the level of defaults as the industry does in direct lending. We have a fantastic track record that I think investors have been very responsive to as we continue to grow that business.

Speaker #4: So that's really stabilized the CLO base fees going forward. CLOs went through the financial crisis, and they did incredibly well. There is a very well-established investor base for CLOs.

Speaker #4: So we actually feel great about that business. Importantly, the most important thing, our investment performance in credit has been really strong. We've been managing CLOs for 25 years.

Speaker #4: We've got half the level of defaults as the industry does in direct lending. We have a fantastic track record that I think investors have been very responsive to as we continue to grow that business.

Speaker #4: So private credit, CLOs, these have reached exit velocity in terms of being asset classes that have a place in the financial system. They're not going anywhere.

Justin Plouffe: You know, private credit, CLOs, these have reached exit velocity in terms of being asset classes that have a place in the financial system. They're not going anywhere. With the track record that we have, we think we're incredibly well-positioned to continue to grow in both areas, frankly.

Speaker #4: And with the track record that we have, we think we're incredibly well-positioned to continue to grow in both areas, frankly.

Speaker #5: Yeah, the only thing I'd add to that, Bill, is that in conversations with institutional investors, a lot of the headlines that have been coming around about the wealth channel and direct lending, have really piqued the interest of institutional investors.

Harvey Schwartz: Yeah. The only thing I'd add to that, Bill, is that in conversations with institutional investors, a lot of the headlines that have been coming around about the wealth channel and direct lending have really piqued the interest of institutional investors. As you know, we added significant resources to our team over the past six months, so we feel really well-positioned with the new team to build market share across the platform. Actually the momentum feels quite good. Obviously, we don't have some of the challenges that some of the other market participants have in our portfolio. We feel very well-positioned and feel really good about the CLO business.

Speaker #5: And as you know, we added significant resources to our team over the past six months. So we feel really well-positioned with the new team to build market share across the platform.

Speaker #5: So actually, the momentum feels quite good. And obviously, we don't have some of the challenges that some of the other market participants have in our portfolio.

Speaker #5: So we feel very well-positioned. And feel really good about the CLO business. Thanks, Bill.

William Katz: Thanks, Bill.

Bill Katz: Thanks, Bill.

Speaker #1: Next. Excellent. Thank you. And our next question comes from Dan Fannon from Jefferies. Please go ahead.

Operator: Excellent. Thank you. Our next question comes from Daniel Fannon from Jefferies. Please go ahead.

Daniel Fannon: Thanks. Good morning. Wanted to follow up on credit one more time here, just in terms of the management fee growth, and it's been a bit more stagnant in recent quarters. Curious about the ins and outs in terms of what you're fundraising versus what's leaving and maybe the mix and change in fees as we think about the products as we go through the rest of this year.

Speaker #6: Thanks. Good morning. I wanted to follow up on credit one more time here, just in terms of the management fee growth. And it's been a bit more stagnant in recent quarters.

Dan Fannon: Thanks. Good morning. Wanted to follow up on credit one more time here, just in terms of the management fee growth, and it's been a bit more stagnant in recent quarters. Curious about the ins and outs in terms of what you're fundraising versus what's leaving and maybe the mix and change in fees as we think about the products as we go through the rest of this year.

Speaker #6: So curious about the ins and outs in terms of what your fundraising versus what's leaving. And maybe the mix and change in fees as we think about the products as we go through the rest of this year.

Speaker #4: Sure. Well, I'll note credit management fees up 10% at LTM basis. So we are seeing good momentum there. For a bit, there was some CLO runoff, which has now been stabilized as we've gone through so many resets in the past couple of years.

Justin Plouffe: Sure. Well, I'll note, you know, credit management fee is up 10% at LTM basis. We are seeing good momentum there. For a bit, there was some CLO runoff, which has now been stabilized as we've gone through so many resets in the past couple of years. The other thing I'd note is, you know, we're coming to market hopefully soon with our opportunistic fund. That's a higher fee product. We're raising capital in direct lending, having good success with our private BDC there. That's another product that would have higher fees than CLOs. I think you'll continue to see the mix improve, and again, tremendous momentum in that platform.

Speaker #4: The other thing I'd note is we're coming to market hopefully soon with our opportunistic fund. That's a higher fee product. We're raising capital in direct lending.

Speaker #4: Having good success with our private BDC there. That's another product that would have higher fees than CLOs. So I think you'll continue to see the mix improve and again, tremendous momentum in that platform.

Speaker #4: If you think back seven, eight years ago, it was really only a CLO business. Now it is incredibly diversified and durable. No matter what's going on in the market, we have a strategy that can take advantage of it.

Justin Plouffe: If you think back 7, 8 years ago, it was really only a CLO business. Now it is incredibly diversified and durable. No matter what's going on in the market, we have a strategy that can take advantage of it. That's gonna lead to, I think, great fundraising as we go through and navigate these different cycles, where maybe a direct-only shop isn't so well-positioned to take advantage.

Speaker #4: So that's going to lead to, I think, great fundraising as we go through and navigate these different cycles. We're maybe a direct-only shop isn't so well-positioned to take advantage.

Speaker #1: Thank you. And our next question comes from Michael Davitt from Autonomous Research. Please go ahead.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from Patrick Davitt from Autonomous Research. Please go ahead.

Patrick Davitt: Hey, good morning, everyone. It's Patrick Davitt. I go by my middle name. I have a follow-up on Brendan's fee growth questions. I know it wasn't an explicit part of the Investor Day debt guidance, but during the Q&A, you suggested a path to mid to high single digit FRE growth this year. Do you still think that's achievable? If so, what are the big levers that get you there after the slower Q1? Thank you.

Speaker #8: Hey, good morning, everyone. It's Patrick Davitt. I go by my middle name. I have a follow-up on Brennan's fee growth questions. I know it wasn't an explicit part of the investor day.

Michael Davitt: Hey, good morning, everyone. It's Patrick Davitt. I go by my middle name. I have a follow-up on Brendan's fee growth questions. I know it wasn't an explicit part of the Investor Day debt guidance, but during the Q&A, you suggested a path to mid to high single digit FRE growth this year. Do you still think that's achievable? If so, what are the big levers that get you there after the slower Q1? Thank you.

Speaker #8: Debt guidance, but during the Q&A you suggested a path to mid to high single-digit FRE growth this year. Do you still think that's achievable?

Speaker #8: And if so, what are the big levers that get you there after the slower 1Q? Thank you.

Speaker #5: Yeah. We feel confident about that. Those numbers. If there was a change in that, we would update you. Q1, again, I feel really good about the momentum given the fundraising and we expect things to accelerate.

Justin Plouffe: Yeah, I think we feel confident about that, those numbers. If there was a change in that, we would update you. In Q1, again, I feel really good about the momentum given the fundraising, we expect things to accelerate. Obviously, we can't predict the environment. The world's been a little bit complex. Yeah, we feel confident about the trajectory.

Harvey Schwartz: Yeah, I think we feel confident about that, those numbers. If there was a change in that, we would update you. In Q1, again, I feel really good about the momentum given the fundraising, we expect things to accelerate. Obviously, we can't predict the environment. The world's been a little bit complex. Yeah, we feel confident about the trajectory.

Speaker #5: Obviously, we can't predict the environment. The world's been a little bit complex. But yeah, we feel confident about the trajectory.

Speaker #1: Excellent. And our next question comes from Michael Cypress from Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead, Michael.

Operator: Excellent. Our next question comes from Michael Cyprys from Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead, Michael.

Speaker #4: Hey, good morning. Thanks for taking the question. I wanted to ask about AI thanks. Hey, I wanted to ask about AI deployment across the portfolio of companies just curious where you're seeing any sort of AI-driven revenue uplift versus cost savings in the portfolio, how you might quantify any of the benefits you're seeing so far.

Michael Cyprys: Hey, good morning. Thanks for taking the question. Wanted to ask about AI.

Justin Plouffe: Hey, Michael.

Harvey Schwartz: Hey, Michael.

Michael Cyprys: Thanks. Hey, wanted to ask about AI deployment across the portfolio companies. Just curious where you're seeing any sort of AI-driven revenue uplift versus cost savings in the portfolio, how you might quantify any of the benefits you're seeing so far, and your expectations as you look out in terms of AI as a source of value creation. Maybe you could talk about how easy it is, what's hard, and any sort of lessons learned from adoption so far.

Speaker #4: And your expectations as you look out in terms of AI as a source of value creation. Maybe you could talk about how easy it is, what's hard, and any sort of lessons learned from adopting so far.

Speaker #3: I would say that I would say the adoption think we're obviously you've seen it is where sectors where we're not as exposed. Obviously, in software and things like that.

Justin Plouffe: I would say that, I would say the adoption is steady. I think we're obviously, you've seen it, is where, sectors where we're not as exposed, obviously in software and things like that. I think obviously in high scale automated functions like accounting, lots of processing, rule-based systems, you're starting to see the adoption rate. I would say across the firm, taking a step back, we're leaning in very, very heavily into the data science and AI that I would call sort of, what's becoming table stakes in terms of how to think about the point of investment, the 360-degree review of where the opportunity set relates to deploying AI, how to think about disruption, how to drive revenues. All that's becoming table stakes.

Harvey Schwartz: I would say that, I would say the adoption is steady. I think we're obviously, you've seen it, is where, sectors where we're not as exposed, obviously in software and things like that. I think obviously in high scale automated functions like accounting, lots of processing, rule-based systems, you're starting to see the adoption rate. I would say across the firm, taking a step back, we're leaning in very, very heavily into the data science and AI that I would call sort of, what's becoming table stakes in terms of how to think about the point of investment, the 360-degree review of where the opportunity set relates to deploying AI, how to think about disruption, how to drive revenues. All that's becoming table stakes.

Speaker #3: I think obviously in high-scale automated functions like accounting, lots of processing, we'll base systems. You're starting to see the adoption rate. I would say across the firm, taking a step back, we're leaning in very, very heavily into the data science and AI, and I would call sort of what's becoming table stakes.

Speaker #3: In terms of how to think about the point of investment, the 360-degree review of where the opportunity set relates to deploying AI, how to think about disruption, how to drive revenues.

Speaker #3: And so all that's becoming table stakes. I don't have any specific story to share with you that I would call sort of earth-shattering, but I would say the momentum is meaningful.

Justin Plouffe: I don't have any specific story to share with you that I would call sort of earth shattering, but I would say the momentum is meaningful. The CEO buy-in at the portfolio level is quite high. Obviously with the advances that the models are coming out with, literally almost feels weekly, it gives you the opportunity to obviously engage a level where you're really starting to begin to see efficiency and productivity gains. I think it's gonna overall take a little longer than people might expect, but it's still a step function change in the way things will operate.

Harvey Schwartz: I don't have any specific story to share with you that I would call sort of earth shattering, but I would say the momentum is meaningful. The CEO buy-in at the portfolio level is quite high. Obviously with the advances that the models are coming out with, literally almost feels weekly, it gives you the opportunity to obviously engage a level where you're really starting to begin to see efficiency and productivity gains. I think it's gonna overall take a little longer than people might expect, but it's still a step function change in the way things will operate.

Speaker #3: The CEO buy-in at the portfolio level is quite high. And obviously, with the advances that with, literally almost feels weekly it gives you the opportunity to obviously engage at a level where you're really starting to begin to see efficiencies and productivity gains but I think it's going to overall take a little longer than people might expect, but it's still a step function change in the way things will operate.

Speaker #1: Thank you. And our next question comes from Ben Rubin from Evercore. Please go ahead, Ben.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from Benjamin Budish from Evercore. Please go ahead, Ben.

Speaker #8: Hi. Good morning. Thanks for taking my question. I wanted to ask another one on thank you. I wanted to ask another one on your secondaries business, maybe from a different angle.

Benjamin Budish: Hi. Good morning. Thanks for taking my question.

Ben Rubin: Hi. Good morning. Thanks for taking my question.

Justin Plouffe: Go ahead.

Benjamin Budish: I wanted to ask another one on your secondaries business, maybe from a different angle. On last quarter's call, you noted that the software represents a relatively small proportion of overall firm-wide AUM. Is it fair to assume that exposure to software for AlpInvest and for the secondaries industry more broadly is probably higher, just given the timing of when capital was raised and the type of companies that were coming to market for liquidity at the time? I was hoping you could just touch on your approach to risk management for your secondaries platform, and how do you manage concentration risk as it relates to certain industries or even vintage years where entry multiples were probably higher than they've been historically? Thank you.

Ben Rubin: I wanted to ask another one on your secondaries business, maybe from a different angle. On last quarter's call, you noted that the software represents a relatively small proportion of overall firm-wide AUM. Is it fair to assume that exposure to software for AlpInvest and for the secondaries industry more broadly is probably higher, just given the timing of when capital was raised and the type of companies that were coming to market for liquidity at the time? I was hoping you could just touch on your approach to risk management for your secondaries platform, and how do you manage concentration risk as it relates to certain industries or even vintage years where entry multiples were probably higher than they've been historically? Thank you.

Speaker #8: On last quarter's call, you noted that the software represents a relatively small proportion of overall firm-wide AUM, but is it fair to assume that exposure to software for Alp Invest and for the secondaries industry more broadly is probably higher just given the timing of when capital was raised and the type of companies that were coming to market for liquidity at the time?

Speaker #8: So I was hoping you could just touch on your approach to risk management for your secondaries platform and how do you manage concentration risk as it relates to certain industries or even vintage years where entry multiples were probably higher than they've been historically.

Speaker #8: Thank you.

Speaker #4: Yeah. Thanks for the question. The Alp Invest team is incredibly thoughtful about managing diversification. Not just on a manager basis or a position basis, but also on a vintage basis.

Justin Plouffe: Yeah, thanks for the question. The AlpInvest team is incredibly thoughtful about managing diversification, not just on a manager basis or a position basis, but also on a vintage basis. Their software exposure is low to mid-teens across different portfolios. I would characterize that as market weight or below market weight. The vintage question that you asked about, that is incredibly important, and I think one of the great values that AlpInvest brings to the table is that they create portfolios that are diversified in vintage exposure. They've been doing this for 25 years, have gone through multiple cycles, are thoughtful about that, so I expect that that will serve them well as we find out what some of these 2022 and 2023 vintage deals, you know, really end up looking like.

Speaker #4: Their software exposure is low to mid-teens across different portfolios. I would characterize that as market weight or below market weight. But the vintage question that you asked about, that is incredibly important.

Speaker #4: And I think one of the great values that Alp Invest brings to the table is that they create portfolios that are diversified in vintage exposure.

Speaker #4: They've been doing this for 25 years, have gone through multiple cycles, are thoughtful about that. So I expect that that will serve them well as we find out what some of these 22 and 23 vintage deals really end up looking like.

Speaker #1: Thank you. And our final question comes from Brian Bedell from Deutsche Bank. Please go ahead, Brian.

Operator: Thank you. Our final question comes from Brian Bedell from Deutsche Bank. Please go ahead, Brian.

Speaker #8: Great. Thanks. Good morning. Thanks for squeezing me in here. Maybe just to talk about transaction fees. So the long-term growth trajectory here and also the short-term, you mentioned, I think, with some transactions you expect a pickup in QQ, just wondering if you could comment whether you think that could approach a record on a quarterly basis.

Brian Bedell: Great. Thanks. Good morning. Thanks for squeezing me in here. Maybe just to talk about transaction fees. The long-term growth trajectory here and also the short term, you mentioned, I think, with some transactions, you expect a pickup in Q2. Just wondering if you could comment whether you think that could approach a record on a quarterly basis, but then more importantly, that growth trajectory over the long term, and the efforts that you guys have been making in enhancing that business. We've seen good growth obviously over the last two years. Is that effort getting more mature, or do you still think you're in early innings in this process?

Speaker #8: But then more importantly, that growth trajectory over the long-term in the efforts that you guys have been making in enhancing that business, we've seen good growth, obviously, over the last two years.

Speaker #8: Is that effort getting more mature or do you still think you're an early innings in this process?

Speaker #4: Well, we definitely do like records around here. I don't know if Q2 will be a record, but we do feel good about the trajectory because we already have seen a lot of activity in the first month of Q2.

Justin Plouffe: Well, we definitely do like records around here. I don't know if Q2 will be a record, but we do feel good about the trajectory because we already have seen a lot of activity in the first month of Q2. You know, that's why I said I expect that number will go up. Look, remember, our capital markets business really is derived from deals that Carlyle is doing across our broader platform. It's a natural expansion of that business that you'd expect to see as we build the rest of the business out. You know, quarter to quarter, it'll depend obviously on what's happening in the market. Just over the last couple years, we've really started to capture all the work that we were doing across the entire platform.

Speaker #4: So that's why I said I expect that number will go up. Look, remember, our capital markets business really is derived from deals that Carlyle was doing across our broader platform.

Speaker #4: So it's a natural expansion of that business that you'd expect to see as we build the rest of the business out. So quarter to quarter, it'll depend, obviously, on what's happening in the market.

Speaker #4: But just over the last couple of years, we've really started to capture all the work that we were doing across the entire platform. And as you continue to see all of our businesses grow, you'll continue to see the capital markets business grow alongside of it.

Justin Plouffe: As you continue to see all of our businesses grow, you will continue to see the capital markets business grow alongside of it.

Speaker #1: Excellent. Thank you. And that will conclude our Q&A session. I'd like to turn the floor back to Daniel Harris for closing remarks.

Operator: Excellent. Thank you. That will conclude our Q&A session. I'd like to turn the floor back to Daniel Harris for closing remarks.

Speaker #5: Thank you, everyone, for your time today. If you have any follow-up questions, please reach out to investor relations after the call. We look forward to speaking with you again next quarter.

Daniel Harris: Thank you everyone for your time today. If you have any follow-up questions, please reach out to investor relations after the call. We look forward to speaking with you again next quarter.

Operator: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, this does conclude today's teleconference. We thank you for your participation. You may disconnect your lines at this time, and have a great day.