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Ares Management Corp - Quarter Report: 2017 June (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10‑Q
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017
OR
¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from             to            

Commission File No. 001‑36429
ARES MANAGEMENT, L.P.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
80‑0962035
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
2000 Avenue of the Stars, 12th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
(310) 201‑4100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days: Yes x  No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S‑T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x  No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non‑accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨
Accelerated filer x
Non‑accelerated filer ¨
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ¨
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨  No x
The number of common units representing limited partner interests outstanding as of July 28, 2017 was 82,145,734.

 



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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
    
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Forward‑Looking Statements
This report contains forward‑looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. You can identify these forward‑looking statements by the use of forward‑looking words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words. The forward‑looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. Such forward‑looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects, growth strategy and liquidity. Some of these factors are described in this report and in our Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, under the headings “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors.” These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and other cautionary statements that are included in this report and in our other periodic filings. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those indicated in these forward‑looking statements. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on these forward‑looking statements. Any forward‑looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward‑looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.
Under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), we are required to consolidate (a) entities other than limited partnerships and entities similar to limited partnerships in which we hold a majority voting interest or have majority ownership and control over the operational, financial and investing decisions of that entity, including Ares‑affiliates and affiliated funds and co‑investment entities, for which we are presumed to have controlling financial interests, and (b) entities that we concluded are variable interest entities (“VIEs”), including limited partnerships and collateralized loan obligations, for which we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary. When an entity is consolidated, we reflect the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows of the entity in our consolidated financial statements on a gross basis, subject to eliminations from consolidation, including the elimination of the management fees, performance fees and other fees that we earn from the entity. However, the presentation of performance fee compensation and other expenses associated with generating such revenues is not affected by the consolidation process. In addition, as a result of the consolidation process, the net income attributable to third‑party investors in consolidated entities is presented as net income attributable to redeemable interests and non‑controlling interests in Consolidated Funds in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In this form, in addition to presenting our results on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, we present revenues, expenses and other results on a (i) “segment basis,” which deconsolidates these entities and therefore shows the results of our reportable segments without giving effect to the consolidation of the entities and (ii) “Stand Alone basis,” which shows the results of our reportable segments on a combined segment basis together with our Operations Management Group. In addition to our three segments, we have an Operations Management Group (the “OMG”) that consists of five independent, shared resource groups to support our reportable segments by providing infrastructure and administrative support in the areas of accounting/finance, operations/information technology, business development/corporate strategy, legal/compliance and human resources. The OMG’s expenses are not allocated to our three reportable segments but we consider the cost structure of the OMG when evaluating our financial performance. This information constitutes non‑GAAP financial information within the meaning of Regulation G, as promulgated by the SEC. Our management uses this information to assess the performance of our reportable segments and our OMG, and we believe that this information enhances the ability of unitholders to analyze our performance. For more information, see “Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 14. Segment Reporting.”

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Glossary
When used in this report, unless the context otherwise requires:
“ARCC Part I Fees” refers to a quarterly performance fee on the investment income from Ares Capital Corporation (NASDAQ: ARCC) (“ARCC”);

“Ares Operating Group Unit” or an “AOG Unit” refer to, collectively, a partnership unit in each of the Ares Operating Group entities;

“assets under management” or “AUM” refers to the assets we manage. For our funds other than CLOs, our AUM represents the sum of the net asset value of such funds, the drawn and undrawn debt (at the fund‑level including amounts subject to restrictions) and uncalled committed capital (including commitments to funds that have yet to commence their investment periods). For our funds that are CLOs, our AUM represents subordinated notes (equity) plus all drawn and undrawn debt tranches;

“CLOs” refers to “our funds” which are structured as collateralized loan obligations;

“Consolidated Funds” refers collectively to certain Ares‑ affiliated funds, related co‑investment entities and certain CLOs that are required under GAAP to be consolidated in our consolidated financial statements;

“Co‑Founders” refers to Michael Arougheti, David Kaplan, John Kissick, Antony Ressler and Bennett Rosenthal;

“Credit Facility” refers to the revolving credit facility of the Ares Operating Group;

“distributable earnings” or “DE”, a non-GAAP measure, is an operating metric that assesses our performance without the effects of our consolidated funds and the impact of unrealized income and expenses, which generally fluctuate with fair value changes. Among other things, this metric also is used to assist in determining amounts potentially available for distribution. However, the declaration, payment, and determination of the amount of distributions to unitholders, if any, is at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors, which may change our distribution policy at any time. Distributable earnings is calculated as the sum of fee related earnings, realized performance fees, realized performance fee compensation, realized net investment and other income, and is reduced by expenses arising from transaction costs associated with acquisitions, placement fees and underwriting costs, expenses incurred in connection with corporate reorganization and depreciation. Distributable earnings differs from income before taxes computed in accordance with GAAP as it is typically presented before giving effect to unrealized performance fees, unrealized performance fee compensation, unrealized net investment income, amortization of intangibles, and equity compensation expense. DE is presented prior to the effect of income taxes attributable to Ares Holdings, Inc. and to distributions made to our preferred unitholders, unless otherwise noted;

“economic net income” or “ENI”, a non-GAAP measure, is an operating metric used by management to evaluate total operating performance, a decision tool for deployment of resources, and an assessment of the performance of our business segments. ENI differs from net income by excluding (a) income tax expense, (b) operating results of our Consolidated Funds, (c) depreciation and amortization expense, (d) the effects of changes arising from corporate actions, and (e) certain other items that we believe are not indicative of our total operating performance. Changes arising from corporate actions include equity-based compensation expenses, the amortization of intangible assets, transaction costs associated with mergers, acquisitions and capital transactions, placement fees and underwriting costs and expenses incurred in connection with corporate reorganization;

“fee paying AUM” or “FPAUM” refers to the AUM on which we directly earn management fees. Fee paying AUM is equal to the sum of all the individual fee bases of our funds that directly contribute to our management fees;

“fee related earnings” or “FRE”, a non-GAAP measure, refers to a component of ENI that is used to assess core operating performance by determining whether recurring revenue, primarily consisting of management fees, is sufficient to cover operating expenses and to generate profits. FRE differs from income before taxes computed in accordance with GAAP as it adjusts for the items included in the calculation of ENI and excludes performance fees, performance fee compensation, investment income from our Consolidated Funds and non-consolidated funds and certain other items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating performance;


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“Holdco Members” refers to Messrs. Arougheti, Kaplan, Ressler, Rosenthal and deVeer;

“Incentive generating AUM” or “IGAUM” refers to the AUM of our funds that are currently generating, on a realized or unrealized basis, performance fee revenue. It generally represents the NAV of our funds for which we are entitled to receive a performance fee, excluding capital committed by us and our professionals (which generally is not subject to a performance fee). With respect to ARCC, only ARCC Part II Fees can be generated from IGAUM;

“Incentive eligible AUM” or “IEAUM” refers to the AUM of our funds that are eligible to produce performance fee revenue, regardless of whether or not they are currently generating performance fees. It generally represents the NAV plus uncalled equity of our funds for which we are entitled to receive a performance fee, excluding capital committed by us and our professionals (which generally is not subject to a performance fee);

“management fees” refers to fees we earn for advisory services provided to our funds, which are generally based on a defined percentage of fair value of assets, total commitments, invested capital, net asset value, net investment income, total assets or par value of the investment portfolios managed by us and also include ARCC Part I Fees that are classified as management fees as they are predictable and recurring in nature, not subject to contingent repayment and generally cash‑settled each quarter;

“net inflows of capital” refers to net new commitments during the period, including equity and debt commitments and gross inflows into our open-ended managed accounts and sub-advised accounts, as well as equity offerings by our publicly traded vehicles minus redemptions from our open-ended funds, managed accounts and sub-advised accounts.

“net performance fees” refers to performance fees net of performance fee compensation, which is the portion of the performance fees earned from certain funds that is payable to professionals;

“our funds” refers to the funds, alternative asset companies, co-investment vehicles and other entities and accounts that are managed or co‑managed by the Ares Operating Group, and which are structured to pay fees. It also includes funds managed by Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P., a wholly owned portfolio company of ARCC, and a registered investment adviser;

“permanent capital” refers to capital of our funds that do not have redemption provisions or a requirement to return capital to investors upon exiting the investments made with such capital, except as required by applicable law, which funds currently consist of ARCC, Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (“ACRE”) and Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund, Inc. (“ARDC”). Such funds may be required, or elect, to return all or a portion of capital gains and investment income;

“performance fees” refers to fees we earn based on the performance of a fund, which are generally based on certain specific hurdle rates as defined in the fund’s investment management or partnership agreements and may be either an incentive fee or carried interest;

“performance related earnings” or “PRE”, a non-GAAP measure, is used to assess our investment performance net of performance fee compensation. PRE differs from income (loss) before taxes computed in accordance with GAAP as it only includes performance fees, performance fee compensation and total investment and other income that we earn from our Consolidated Funds and non-consolidated funds;

“SEC” refers to the Securities and Exchange Commission;

“Senior Notes” or the "AFC Notes" refers to senior notes of a wholly owned subsidiary of Ares Holding;

“Term Loans” refers to term loans of a wholly owned subsidiary of AM LLC.

Many of the terms used in this report, including AUM, FPAUM, ENI, FRE, PRE and DE, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. In addition, our definitions of AUM and FPAUM are not based on any definition of AUM or FPAUM that is set forth in the agreements governing the investment funds that we manage and may differ from definitions of AUM or FPAUM set forth in other agreements to which we are a party. Further, ENI, FRE, PRE and DE are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. We use ENI, FRE, PRE and DE as measures of operating performance, not as measures of liquidity. ENI, FRE, PRE and DE should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for

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operating income, net income, operating cash flows, or other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. The use of ENI, FRE, PRE and DE without consideration of related GAAP measures is not adequate due to the adjustments described above. Our management compensates for these limitations by using ENI, FRE, PRE and DE as supplemental measures to our GAAP results. We present these measures to provide a more complete understanding of our performance as our management measures it. Amounts and percentages throughout this report may reflect rounding adjustments and consequently totals may not appear to sum.


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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements

Ares Management, L.P. 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition 
(Amounts in Thousands, Except Unit Data)
 
As of June 30,
 
As of December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Assets
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
137,256

 
$
342,861

Investments (includes fair value investments of $577,280 and $448,336 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)
598,681

 
468,471

Performance fees receivable
1,082,775

 
759,099

Due from affiliates
157,372

 
162,936

Deferred tax asset, net
39,080

 
6,731

Other assets
101,520

 
65,565

Intangible assets, net
47,766

 
58,315

Goodwill
143,824

 
143,724

Assets of Consolidated Funds:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
424,652

 
455,280

Investments, at fair value
3,441,802

 
3,330,203

Due from affiliates
5,503

 
3,592

Dividends and interest receivable
6,797

 
8,479

Receivable for securities sold
52,494

 
21,955

Other assets
4,927

 
2,501

Total assets
$
6,244,449

 
$
5,829,712

Liabilities
 
 
 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
$
84,745

 
$
83,336

Accrued compensation
89,100

 
131,736

Due to affiliates
23,891

 
17,564

Performance fee compensation payable
844,789

 
598,050

Debt obligations
510,856

 
305,784

Liabilities of Consolidated Funds:
 
 
 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
33,638

 
21,056

Payable for securities purchased
231,634

 
208,742

CLO loan obligations, at fair value
3,093,598

 
3,031,112

Fund borrowings
83,725

 
55,070

Total liabilities
4,995,976

 
4,452,450

Commitments and contingencies

 

Preferred equity (12,400,000 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016)
298,761

 
298,761

Non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds
345,462

 
338,035

Non-controlling interest in Ares Operating Group entities
333,641

 
447,615

Controlling interest in Ares Management, L.P. :
 

 
 

Partners' Capital (82,131,000 units and 80,814,732 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2017 and at December 31, 2016, respectively)
278,012

 
301,790

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(7,403
)
 
(8,939
)
Total controlling interest in Ares Management, L.P
270,609

 
292,851

Total equity
1,248,473

 
1,377,262

Total liabilities and equity
$
6,244,449

 
$
5,829,712


See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Ares Management, L.P. 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations  
(Amounts in Thousands, Except Unit Data)
(unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees (includes ARCC Part I Fees of $19,143, $52,400 and $28,999, $57,624 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively)
$
180,768

 
$
158,521

 
$
352,813

 
$
316,954

Performance fees
338,024

 
203,151

 
393,196

 
173,204

Administrative and other fees
15,098

 
7,863

 
29,538

 
15,392

Total revenues
533,890

 
369,535

 
775,547

 
505,550

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
131,219

 
112,654

 
255,558

 
223,333

Performance fee compensation
261,705

 
151,896

 
302,407

 
130,566

General, administrative and other expenses
50,751

 
38,686

 
98,089

 
78,648

Transaction support expense

 

 
275,177

 

Expenses of the Consolidated Funds
4,522

 
699

 
8,433

 
926

Total expenses
448,197

 
303,935

 
939,664

 
433,473

Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment income and net interest income (expense) (includes interest expense of $5,354, $10,233 and $4,828, $9,683 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively)
(2,252
)
 
4,993

 
(4,387
)
 
1,634

Other income, net
2,822

 
5,673

 
19,318

 
10,914

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
30,079

 
(3,151
)
 
32,734

 
1,991

Investment income and net interest income of the Consolidated Funds (includes interest expense of $26,875, $58,197 and $18,607, $41,056 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively)
11,451

 
9,690

 
21,621

 
17,022

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments of the Consolidated Funds
(12,713
)
 
201

 
19,323

 
(29,606
)
Total other income
29,387

 
17,406

 
88,609

 
1,955

Income (loss) before taxes
115,080

 
83,006

 
(75,508
)

74,032

Income tax expense (benefit)
1,253

 
(4,434
)
 
(33,011
)
 
231

Net income (loss)
113,827

 
87,440

 
(42,497
)
 
73,801

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds
(8,647
)
 
1,054

 
7,208

 
(10,925
)
Less: Net income attributable to redeemable interests in Ares Operating Group entities

 
339

 

 
349

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group entities
72,596

 
48,473

 
(58,449
)
 
49,893

Net income attributable to Ares Management, L.P.
49,878

 
37,574

 
8,744


34,484

Less: Preferred equity distributions paid
5,425

 

 
10,850

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Ares Management, L.P. common unitholders
$
44,453

 
$
37,574

 
$
(2,106
)

$
34,484

Net income (loss) attributable to Ares Management, L.P. per common unit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.54

 
$
0.46

 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
0.42

Diluted
$
0.53

 
$
0.46

 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
0.42

Weighted-average common units:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
81,829,086

 
80,715,723

 
81,469,967

 
80,699,387

Diluted
84,319,882

 
82,332,193

 
81,469,967

 
81,752,468

Distribution declared and paid per common unit
$
0.13

 
$
0.15

 
$
0.41

 
$
0.35



Substantially all revenue is earned from affiliated funds of the Company. See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.  

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Ares Management, L.P. 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income  
(Amounts in Thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net income (loss)
$
113,827

 
$
87,440

 
$
(42,497
)
 
$
73,801

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
2,029

 
(7,628
)
 
5,471

 
(10,325
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
115,856

 
79,812

 
(37,026
)
 
63,476

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds
(8,818
)
 
1,054

 
7,038

 
(10,925
)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to redeemable interests in Ares Operating Group entities

 
306

 

 
304

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group entities
74,461

 
43,768

 
(54,344
)
 
43,526

Comprehensive income attributable to Ares Management, L.P.
$
50,213


$
34,684

 
$
10,280

 
$
30,571

 
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.


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Ares Management, L.P.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity 
(Amounts in Thousands)
(unaudited)


 
Preferred
Equity
 
Partners'
Capital
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Non-controlling
Interest in
Ares Operating
Group Entities
 
 
Non-controlling
Interest in Consolidated
Funds
 
Total
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2016
$
298,761

 
$
301,790

 
$
(8,939
)
 
$
447,615

 
 
$
338,035

 
$
1,377,262

Changes in ownership interests

 
(1,068
)
 

 
(13,034
)
 
 

 
(14,102
)
Contributions

 

 

 
1,884

 
 
47,265

 
49,149

Distributions
(10,850
)
 
(33,400
)
 

 
(68,915
)
 
 
(46,876
)
 
(160,041
)
Net income (loss)
10,850

 
(2,106
)
 

 
(58,449
)
 
 
7,208

 
(42,497
)
Currency translation adjustment

 

 
1,536

 
4,105

 
 
(170
)
 
5,471

Equity compensation

 
12,796

 

 
20,435

 
 

 
33,231

Balance at June 30, 2017
$
298,761


$
278,012


$
(7,403
)

$
333,641



$
345,462


$
1,248,473

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.


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Ares Management, L.P.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
(Amounts in Thousands) 
(unaudited)
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(42,497
)
 
$
73,801

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(92,537
)
 
23,103

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities allocable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds
(61,985
)
 
58,401

Cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities
(144,249
)
 
(76,356
)
Cash flows due to changes in operating assets and liabilities allocable to non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds
37,108

 
(9,924
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(304,160
)
 
69,025

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net
(21,194
)
 
(5,273
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(21,194
)
 
(5,273
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Proceeds from credit facility
165,000

 
147,000

Proceeds from term notes
70,009

 

Repayments of credit facility
(30,000
)
 
(257,000
)
Proceeds from the issuance of preferred equity, net of issuance costs

 
298,971

Distributions 
(102,315
)
 
(82,462
)
Preferred equity distributions
(10,850
)
 

Net settlement of vested common units
(13,471
)
 

Stock option exercise
1,036

 

Excess tax benefit related to stock option exercise
81

 

Other financing activities
1,583

 
(569
)
Allocable to non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds:
 

 
 

Contributions from non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds
47,265

 
48,122

Distributions to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds
(46,876
)
 
(23,228
)
Borrowings under loan obligations by Consolidated Funds
1,314,026

 
750

Repayments under loan obligations by Consolidated Funds
(1,287,425
)
 
(45,612
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
108,063

 
85,972

Effect of exchange rate changes
11,686

 
(6,619
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(205,605
)

143,105

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
342,861

 
121,483

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
137,256

 
$
264,588

 
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

11

Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)


1. ORGANIZATION 
Ares Management, L.P. ("the Company"), a Delaware limited partnership, is a leading global alternative asset management firm that operates three distinct but complementary investment groups: the Credit Group, the Private Equity Group and the Real Estate Group. Information about segments should be read together with Note 14, “Segment Reporting.” Subsidiaries of the Company serve as the general partners and/or investment managers to various investment funds and managed accounts within each investment group (the “Ares Funds”), which are generally organized as pass-through entities for income tax purposes. Such subsidiaries provide investment advisory services to the Ares Funds in exchange for management fees. Ares is managed and operated by its general partner, Ares Management GP LLC. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Ares” or the “Company” refer to Ares Management, L.P. together with its subsidiaries.
The Company is a holding partnership, and the Company’s sole assets are equity interests in Ares Holdings Inc. (“AHI”), Ares Offshore Holdings, Ltd., and Ares AI Holdings L.P. In this quarterly report, the following of the Company’s subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Ares Operating Group”: Ares Offshore Holdings L.P. (“Ares Offshore”), Ares Holdings L.P. (“Ares Holdings”), and Ares Investments L.P. (“Ares Investments”). The Company, indirectly through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is the general partner of each of the Ares Operating Group entities. The Company operates and controls all of the businesses and affairs of and conducts all of its material business activities through the Ares Operating Group.
Non-Controlling Interests in Ares Operating Group Entities
The non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group (“AOG”) entities represent a component of equity and net income attributable to the owners of the Ares Operating Group Units (“AOG Units”) that are not held directly or indirectly by the Company. These interests are adjusted for contributions to and distributions from AOG during the reporting period and are allocated income from the AOG entities based on their historical ownership percentage for the proportional number of days in the reporting period. 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The condensed consolidated financial statements, including these notes, are unaudited and exclude some of the disclosures required in annual financial statements. Management believes it has made all necessary adjustments so that the condensed consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and that estimates made in preparing its condensed consolidated financial statements are reasonable and prudent. The operating results presented for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the SEC.
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts and activities of the AOG entities, their consolidated subsidiaries and certain Consolidated Funds. These Consolidated Funds include certain Ares-affiliated funds, related co-investment entities and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) (collectively, the “Consolidated Funds”) managed by Ares Management LLC (“AM LLC”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Including the results of the Consolidated Funds significantly increases the reported amounts of the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements; however, the Consolidated Funds results included herein have no direct effect on the net income attributable to controlling interests or on total controlling equity. Instead, economic ownership interests of the investors in the Consolidated Funds are reflected as non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Further, cash flows allocable to non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds are specifically identifiable in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
The Company has reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current year presentation.


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Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




Transaction Support Expense
On January 3, 2017, ARCC and American Capital, Ltd. (“ACAS”) consummated a merger transaction valued at approximately $4.2 billion (the "ARCC-ACAS Transaction"). To support the ARCC-ACAS Transaction, the Company, through its subsidiary Ares Capital Management LLC, which serves as the investment adviser to ARCC, paid $275.2 million to ACAS shareholders in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the merger agreement.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Company considers the applicability and impact of all Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB") Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") issued. ASUs not listed below were assessed and either determined to be not applicable or expected to have minimal impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition:
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU provides alternative methods of adoption. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Deferral of the Effective Date. ASU 2015-14 defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to December 15, 2017 for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after that date and permits early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. In March, April and May 2016, the FASB issued additional ASUs clarifying certain aspects of ASU 2014-09. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 was not changed by the additional guidance.
During 2016, four ASUs: ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations; ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing; ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients; and ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, were issued to provide clarification to previously issued revenue recognition guidance (ASU 2014-09) that has not yet been implemented. These updates are required to be adopted with ASU 2014-09, but are not expected to change its application by the Company.
While the Company continues to evaluate the impact of the above revenue recognitions guidance, and cannot currently quantify the impact of the guidance, the Company has begun an assessment of the impact. The assessment includes a detailed review of investment management agreements, establishing which agreements are expected to be in place, and understanding when revenue would be recognized under those agreements. The primary contracts impacted by this standard crystallize revenue on an annual basis but could have elements that prevent annual recognition subject to management’s evaluation of the investment management agreements in consideration of the new standard and its subsequent clarification.

Other Guidance:
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The objective of the guidance in ASU 2016-02 is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and liabilities in the balance sheet and disclosing key information. ASU 2016-02 amends previous lease guidance, which required a lessee to categorize and account for leases as either operating leases or capital leases, and instead requires a lessee to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset on the entity’s balance sheet for all leases with terms that exceed one year. The lease liability and right-of-use asset are to be carried at the present value of remaining expected future lease payments. The guidance should be applied using a modified retrospective approach. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently compiling all leases and right–of–use terms to evaluate the impact of this guidance on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist with evaluating whether a transaction should be accounted for as an acquisition or a disposal of a business. This ASU provides specific evaluation process, and factors that should be used in this determination. The guidance should be applied prospectively. ASU 2017-01 is effective for

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Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. This guidance will not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. Currently, goodwill impairment requires an entity to perform a two-step test to determine the amount of goodwill impairment. In Step 1, an entity compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the entity performs Step 2 and compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill for that reporting unit. An impairment charge equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill for the reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill is recorded, limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 simplifies the goodwill impairment test by removing Step 2 of the test. An entity will apply a one-step quantitative test and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The new guidance does not amend the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment. The guidance should be applied prospectively. ASU 2017-04 is effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. This guidance will not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets. ASU 2017-05 clarifies the application of current accounting guidance to the derecognition of nonfinancial assets, including partial sales of nonfinancial assets. This ASU specifies that an entity should allocate the consideration to each distinct asset using the guidance established in ASC 606 on allocating the transaction price to performance obligations. For partial sales of nonfinancial assets, ASU 2017-05 also requires an entity to derecognize a portion of the nonfinancial asset when the entity no longer has a controlling financial interest in the legal entity holding the asset and the entity has transferred control of the asset in accordance with ASC 606. Any noncontrolling or retained interest should be measured at fair value. The guidance should be adopted using either a full or modified retrospective approach. ASU 2017-05 is effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting. ASU 2017-09 clarifies the application of current accounting guidance to the modification of share-based compensation awards. This ASU specifies that an entity should account for the impact of an award modification in accordance with ASC Topic 718 unless all of the following conditions are met: (i) the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award prior to the modification; (ii) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the original award prior to the modification; and (iii) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or liability instrument is the same as the original award. The guidance should be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date. ASU 2017-09 is effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. This guidance will not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.



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Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




3. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Net
The Company's intangible assets include acquired management contracts, client relationships, a trade name, and the future benefits of managing new assets for existing clients that were recognized at fair value as of their acquisition dates.
The following table summarizes the carrying value, net of accumulated amortization, for the Company's intangible assets:
 
Weighted Average Amortization Period as of June 30, 2017
 
As of June 30,
 
As of December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Management contracts
2.0 years
 
$
67,306

 
$
111,939

Client relationships
11.0 years
 
38,600

 
38,600

Trade name
5.0 years
 
3,200

 
3,200

Intangible assets
 
 
109,106


153,739

Foreign currency translation
 
 

 
(3,205
)
Total intangible assets
 
 
109,106


150,534

Less: accumulated amortization
 
 
(61,340
)
 
(92,219
)
Intangible assets, net
 
 
$
47,766


$
58,315

Amortization expense associated with intangible assets was $5.2 million and $7.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $10.5 million and $14.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and is presented within general, administrative and other expenses within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company removed $41.4 million of intangible assets that were fully amortized.
Goodwill
The following table summarizes the carrying value of the Company's goodwill assets:
 
Credit
 
Private
Equity
 
Real
Estate
 
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2016
$
32,196

 
$
58,600

 
$
52,928


$
143,724

Foreign currency translation

 

 
100

 
100

Balance as of June 30, 2017
$
32,196

 
$
58,600

 
$
53,028

 
$
143,824

There was no impairment of goodwill recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. The impact of foreign currency translation is reflected within other comprehensive income.

4. INVESTMENTS
The Company’s investments are comprised of: (i) investments presented at fair value as a result of the election of the fair value option or in accordance with investment company accounting, (ii) equity method investments (using equity method or fair value option) and (iii) held-to-maturity investments. 

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Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




Fair Value Investments, excluding Equity Method Investments Held at Fair Value 
 
Fair value at
 
Fair value as a
percentage of total investments at
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Private Investment Partnership Interests:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AREA Sponsor Holdings, LLC
$
25,711

 
$
28,898

 
4.6
%
 
6.8
%
ACE II Master Fund, L.P. (1)(2)
19,897

 
22,042

 
3.6
%
 
5.2
%
Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund III, L.P.
125,097

 
97,549

 
22.3
%
 
22.9
%
Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund IV, L.P. (2)
43,443

 
37,308

 
7.8
%
 
8.7
%
Resolution Life L.P.
33,410

 
33,410

 
6.0
%
 
7.8
%
Other private investment partnership interests (1)(3)
146,577

 
118,075

 
26.2
%
 
27.7
%
Total private investment partnership interests (cost: $270,555 and $256,638 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)
394,135


337,282

 
70.5
%
 
79.1
%
Collateralized loan obligations (cost: $165,706 and $89,743 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)(3)
164,807

 
89,111

 
29.3
%
 
20.9
%
Common stock (cost: $1,128 and $124 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)(3)
1,234

 
100

 
0.2
%
 
0.0
%
Total fair value investments (cost: $437,389 and $346,505 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)
$
560,176


$
426,493







 
(1)
Investment or portion of the investment is denominated in foreign currency; fair value is translated into U.S. dollars at each reporting date.
(2)
Represents underlying security that is held through various legal entities.
(3)
No single issuer or investment had a fair value that exceeded 5% of the Company's total assets.
Equity Method Investments
The Company’s equity method investments include investments that are not consolidated but over which the Company exerts significant influence. The Company's equity method investments, including those where the fair value option was elected, are summarized below:
 
As of June 30,
 
As of December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Equity method investment
$
3,480

 
$
3,616

Equity method investments at fair value
17,104

 
21,843

Total equity method investments
$
20,584


$
25,459

The material assets of the Company's equity method investments are investments for which long term capital appreciation is expected, the material liabilities are debt instruments collateralized by, or related to, the financing of the assets and net income is primarily comprised of the changes in fair value of these net assets.

Held-to-Maturity Investments
The Company classifies certain investments as held-to-maturity investments when the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are reported as investments and are recorded at amortized cost. A summary of the cost and fair value of CLO notes classified as held-to maturity investments is as follows:
 
As of June 30,
 
As of December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Amortized cost
$
17,921

 
$
16,519

Unrealized gain (loss), net
142

 
(116
)
Fair value
$
18,063

 
$
16,403


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Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




Based on the Company's ability and intent to hold the investments until maturity and the underlying credit performance of such investments, the Company has determined that the net unrealized losses are temporary impairments as of December 31, 2016.
There were no sales of held-to-maturity investments during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. All contractual maturities are greater than 10 years as of June 30, 2017. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because underlying collateral may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
Investments of the Consolidated Funds
Investments held in the Consolidated Funds are summarized below:
 
Fair value at
 
Fair value as a percentage of total investments at
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
United States:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer discretionary
$
753,922

 
$
665,773

 
21.8
%
 
20.0
%
Consumer staples
45,708

 
64,840

 
1.3
%
 
1.9
%
Energy
74,433

 
45,409

 
2.2
%
 
1.4
%
Financials
162,618

 
139,285

 
4.7
%
 
4.2
%
Healthcare, education and childcare
264,325

 
246,403

 
7.7
%
 
7.4
%
Industrials
142,110

 
149,632

 
4.1
%
 
4.5
%
Information technology
122,366

 
194,394

 
3.6
%
 
5.8
%
Materials
130,831

 
139,994

 
3.8
%
 
4.2
%
Telecommunication services
217,617

 
261,771

 
6.3
%
 
7.9
%
Utilities
40,373

 
47,800

 
1.2
%
 
1.4
%
Total fixed income securities (cost: $1,956,026 and $1,945,977 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)
1,954,303


1,955,301

 
56.7
%

58.7
%
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy
271

 
421

 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
Partnership and LLC interests
217,740

 
171,696

 
6.3
%
 
5.2
%
Total equity securities (cost: $192,265 and $149,872 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)
218,011


172,117

 
6.3
%

5.2
%

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Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




 
Fair value at
 
Fair value as a percentage of total investments at
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Europe:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer discretionary
$
353,662

 
$
274,678

 
10.3
%
 
8.2
%
Consumer staples
53,666

 
39,197

 
1.6
%
 
1.2
%
Financials
54,523

 
28,769

 
1.6
%
 
0.9
%
Healthcare, education and childcare
139,683

 
111,589

 
4.1
%
 
3.4
%
Industrials
84,965

 
118,466

 
2.5
%
 
3.6
%
Information technology
39,657

 
49,507

 
1.2
%
 
1.5
%
Materials
151,706

 
124,629

 
4.4
%
 
3.7
%
Telecommunication services
104,514

 
118,632

 
3.0
%
 
3.6
%
Utilities
12,246

 
4,007

 
0.4
%
 
0.1
%
Total fixed income securities (cost: $1,050,273 and $892,108 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)
994,622


869,474

 
29.1
%

26.2
%
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer staples
1,645

 
1,517

 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
Healthcare, education and childcare
45,063

 
41,329

 
1.3
%
 
1.2
%
Telecommunication services

 
24

 
%
 
0.0
%
Total equity securities (cost: $67,199 and $67,290 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)
46,708


42,870

 
1.3
%

1.2
%
Asia and other:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer discretionary
20,587

 
24,244

 
0.6
%
 
0.7
%
Financials

 
1,238

 
%
 
0.0
%
Healthcare, education and childcare

 
10,010

 
%
 
0.3
%
Telecommunication services
11,917

 
8,696

 
0.3
%
 
0.3
%
Total fixed income securities (cost: $32,149 and $46,545 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)
32,504


44,188

 
0.9
%

1.3
%
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer discretionary
38,843

 
44,642

 
1.1
%
 
1.3
%
Consumer staples
46,746

 
50,101

 
1.4
%
 
1.5
%
Healthcare, education and childcare
44,637

 
32,598

 
1.3
%
 
1.0
%
Industrials
16,578

 
16,578

 
0.5
%
 
0.5
%
Total equity securities (cost: $122,418 and $122,418 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)
146,804


143,919

 
4.3
%

4.3
%

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Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




 
Fair value at
 
Fair value as a percentage of total investments at
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Canada:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer discretionary
$
3,277

 
$

 
0.1
%
 
%
Consumer staples
2,764

 
5,256

 
0.1
%
 
0.2
%
Energy
16,488

 
12,830

 
0.5
%
 
0.4
%
Healthcare, education and childcare

 
15,509

 
%
 
0.5
%
Industrials
1,266

 
1,401

 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
Telecommunication services
10,659

 
13,852

 
0.3
%
 
0.4
%
Total fixed income securities (cost: $34,299 and $48,274 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)
34,454


48,848

 
1.0
%

1.5
%
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer discretionary
7,532

 
164

 
0.2
%
 
0.0
%
Total equity securities (cost: $17,202 and $408 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)
7,532

 
164

 
0.2
%
 
0.0
%
Australia:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer discretionary
4,347

 
5,627

 
0.1
%
 
0.2
%
Energy
2,517

 
6,046

 
0.1
%
 
0.2
%
Industrials

 
2,926

 
%
 
0.1
%
Utilities

 
21,154

 
%
 
0.6
%
Total fixed income securities (cost: $8,087 and $37,975 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)
6,864


35,753

 
0.2
%

1.1
%
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utilities

 
17,569

 
%
 
0.5
%
Total equity securities (cost: $0 and $18,442 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)


17,569

 
%

0.5
%
Total fixed income securities
3,022,747

 
2,953,564

 
87.9
%
 
88.8
%
Total equity securities
419,055

 
376,639

 
12.1
%
 
11.2
%
Total investments, at fair value
$
3,441,802


$
3,330,203







At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, no single issuer or investments, including derivative instruments and underlying portfolio investments of the Consolidated Funds, had a fair value that exceeded 5.0% of the Company’s total assets.

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Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




5. FAIR VALUE
Fair Value Measurements
GAAP establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework that prioritizes the inputs used in measuring financial instruments at fair value into three levels based on their market observability. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, including the type of instrument and the characteristics specific to the instrument. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices from an active market or for which fair value can be measured based on actively quoted prices generally have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment inherent in measuring fair value.
Financial assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value are classified as follows:
Level I—Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.
Level II—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in inactive markets; and model‑derived valuations with directly or indirectly observable significant inputs. Level II inputs include prices in markets with few transactions, non-current prices, prices for which little public information exists or prices that vary substantially over time or among brokered market makers. Other inputs include interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment risks, loss severities, credit risks and default rates.
Level III—Valuations that rely on one or more significant unobservable inputs. These inputs reflect the Company’s assessment of the assumptions that market participants would use to value the instrument based on the best information available.
In some instances, an instrument may fall into more than one level of the fair value hierarchy. In such instances, the instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest of the three levels (with Level III being the lowest) that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of an input requires judgment and considers factors specific to the instrument. The Company accounts for the transfer of assets into or out of each fair value hierarchy level as of the beginning of the reporting period.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments Held by the Company and Consolidated Funds
The tables below summarize the financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value for the Company and Consolidated Funds as of June 30, 2017:
Financial Instruments of the Company
 
Level I 
 
Level II 
 
Level III 
 
Investments
Measured
at NAV
 
Total 
Investments, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed income-collateralized loan obligations
 
$

 
$

 
$
164,807

 
$

 
$
164,807

Equity securities
 
236

 
998

 

 

 
1,234

Partnership interests
 

 

 
33,410

 
377,829

 
411,239

Total investments, at fair value
 
236


998


198,217


377,829


577,280

Derivative assets, at fair value
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign exchange contracts
 

 
384

 

 

 
384

Total derivative assets, at fair value
 


384






384

Total assets, at fair value
 
$
236


$
1,382


$
198,217


$
377,829


$
577,664

Liabilities, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 
$

 
$
(3,737
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(3,737
)
Total derivative liabilities
 


(3,737
)




 
(3,737
)
Contingent consideration
 

 

 
(1,940
)
 

 
(1,940
)
Total liabilities, at fair value
 
$


$
(3,737
)

$
(1,940
)

$


$
(5,677
)

20

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




Financial Instruments of the Consolidated Funds
 
Level I 
 
Level II 
 
Level III 
 
Total 
Investments, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed income investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds
 
$

 
$
96,698

 
$
8,833

 
$
105,531

Loans
 

 
2,732,616

 
173,466

 
2,906,082

Collateralized loan obligations
 

 
5,856

 
5,280

 
11,136

Total fixed income investments
 


2,835,170


187,579


3,022,749

Equity securities
 
55,039

 

 
146,274

 
201,313

Partnership interests
 

 

 
217,740

 
217,740

Total investments, at fair value
 
55,039


2,835,170


551,593


3,441,802

Derivative assets, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other
 

 

 
2,809

 
2,809

Total derivative assets, at fair value
 




2,809


2,809

Total assets, at fair value
 
$
55,039


$
2,835,170


$
554,402


$
3,444,611

Liabilities, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan obligations of CLOs
 
$

 
$
(3,093,598
)
 
$

 
$
(3,093,598
)
Total liabilities, at fair value
 
$


$
(3,093,598
)

$


$
(3,093,598
)
The tables below summarize the financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value for the Company and Consolidated Funds as of December 31, 2016:
Financial Instruments of the Company
 
Level I 
 
Level II 
 
Level III 
 
Investments
Measured
at NAV
 
Total 
Investments, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed income-collateralized loan obligations
 
$

 
$

 
$
89,111

 
$

 
$
89,111

Equity securities
 
100

 

 

 

 
100

Partnership interests
 

 

 
33,410

 
325,715

 
359,125

Total investments, at fair value
 
100




122,521


325,715


448,336

Derivative assets, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 

 
3,171

 

 

 
3,171

Total derivative assets, at fair value
 


3,171






3,171

Total assets, at fair value
 
$
100


$
3,171


$
122,521


$
325,715


$
451,507

Liabilities, at fair value
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Contingent considerations
 
$

 
$

 
$
(22,156
)
 
$

 
$
(22,156
)
Total liabilities, at fair value
 
$


$


$
(22,156
)

$


$
(22,156
)

21

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




Financial Instruments of the Consolidated Funds
 
Level I
 
Level II
 
Level III
 
Total
Investments, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed income investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds
 
$

 
$
104,886

 
$
37,063

 
$
141,949

Loans
 

 
2,606,423

 
199,217

 
2,805,640

Collateralized loan obligations
 

 

 
5,973

 
5,973

Total fixed income investments
 


2,711,309


242,253


2,953,562

Equity securities
 
56,662

 
17,569

 
130,690

 
204,921

Partnership interests
 

 

 
171,696

 
171,696

Other
 

 
24

 

 
24

Total investments, at fair value
 
56,662


2,728,902


544,639


3,330,203

Derivative assets, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 

 
529

 

 
529

Other
 

 

 
291

 
291

Total derivative assets, at fair value
 


529


291


820

Total assets, at fair value
 
$
56,662


$
2,729,431


$
544,930


$
3,331,023

Liabilities, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other derivative liabilities
 
$

 
$

 
$
(2,999
)
 
$
(2,999
)
Loan obligations of CLOs
 

 
(3,031,112
)
 

 
(3,031,112
)
Total liabilities, at fair value
 
$


$
(3,031,112
)

$
(2,999
)

$
(3,034,111
)
The following tables set forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level III measurements for the three months ended June 30, 2017:
 
 
Level III Assets
 
Level III Liabilities
Level III Assets and Liabilities of the Company
 
Fixed Income
 
Partnership 
Interests
 
Total
 
Contingent Considerations
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
108,253

 
$
33,410

 
$
141,663

 
$
1,909

Purchases(1)
 
60,242

 

 
60,242

 

Sales(2)
 
(3,324
)
 

 
(3,324
)
 

Realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net
 
(364
)
 

 
(364
)
 
31

Balance, end of period
 
$
164,807


$
33,410


$
198,217


$
1,940

Increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation/depreciation included in earnings related to financial assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date
 
$
(625
)
 
$

 
$
(625
)
 
$
31

Level III Assets of Consolidated Funds
 
Equity Securities
 
Fixed Income
 
Partnership
Interests
 
Derivatives, Net
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
142,358

 
$
278,829

 
$
196,690

 
$
845

 
$
618,722

Transfer in
 
444

 
18,356

 

 

 
18,800

Transfer out
 

 
(108,757
)
 

 

 
(108,757
)
Purchases(1)
 

 
56,292

 
50,000

 

 
106,292

Sales(2)
 

 
(60,481
)
 
(30,000
)
 

 
(90,481
)
Settlements, net
 

 

 

 
(888
)
 
(888
)
Amortized discounts/premiums
 

 
(78
)
 

 
(100
)
 
(178
)
Realized and unrealized appreciation, net
 
3,472

 
3,418

 
1,050

 
2,952

 
10,892

Balance, end of period
 
$
146,274


$
187,579


$
217,740


$
2,809


$
554,402

Increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation/depreciation included in earnings related to financial assets still held at the reporting date
 
$
3,472

 
$
(277
)
 
$
1,050

 
$
3,145

 
$
7,390

 
(1)
Purchases include paid‑in‑kind interest and securities received in connection with restructurings.

22

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




(2)
Sales include distributions, principal redemptions and securities disposed of in connection with restructurings.
The following tables set forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level III measurements for the three months ended June 30, 2016:
 
 
Level III Assets
 
Level III Liabilities
Level III Assets and Liabilities of the Company
 
Fixed Income
 
Partnership 
Interests
 
Total
 
Contingent Considerations
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
54,118

 
$
58,203

 
$
112,321

 
$
41,059

Purchases(1)
 
4

 
1,667

 
1,671

 

Sales(2)
 
(1,517
)
 

 
(1,517
)
 

Realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net
 
1,550

 
(15,124
)
 
(13,574
)
 
(24
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
54,155

 
$
44,746

 
$
98,901

 
$
41,035

Increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation/depreciation included in earnings related to financial assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date
 
$
718

 
$
(15,123
)
 
$
(14,405
)
 
$
(24
)
Level III Assets of Consolidated Funds
 
Equity Securities
 
Fixed Income
 
Partnership Interests
 
Derivatives, Net
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
141,805

 
$
212,209

 
$
103,621

 
$
(4,127
)
 
$
453,508

Transfer in
 

 
83,608

 

 

 
83,608

Transfer out
 
(15,384
)
 
(31,290
)
 

 

 
(46,674
)
Purchases(1)
 
9,668

 
32,622

 
5,800

 

 
48,090

Sales(2)
 

 
(48,276
)
 

 

 
(48,276
)
Settlements, net
 

 

 

 
88

 
88

Amortized discounts/premiums
 

 
255

 

 
(206
)
 
49

Realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net
 
7,245

 
(11,756
)
 
6,019

 
2,169

 
3,677

Balance, end of period
 
$
143,334

 
$
237,372

 
$
115,440

 
$
(2,076
)
 
$
494,070

Increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation/depreciation included in earnings related to financial assets still held at the reporting date
 
$
7,245

 
$
(2,340
)
 
$
6,020

 
$
1,967

 
$
12,892

 
(1)
Purchases include paid‑in‑kind interest and securities received in connection with restructurings.
(2)
Sales include distributions, principal redemptions and securities disposed of in connection with restructurings.

The following tables set forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level III measurements for the six months ended June 30, 2017:
 
 
Level III Assets
 
Level III Liabilities
Level III Assets and Liabilities of the Company
 
Fixed Income
 
Partnership 
Interests
 
Total
 
Contingent Considerations
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
89,111

 
$
33,410

 
$
122,521

 
$
22,156

Purchases(1)
 
80,684

 
169

 
80,853

 

Sales(2)
 
(5,241
)
 

 
(5,241
)
 

Realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net
 
253

 
(169
)
 
84

 
(20,216
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
164,807

 
$
33,410

 
$
198,217

 
$
1,940

Increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation/depreciation included in earnings related to financial assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date
 
$
(155
)
 
$

 
$
(155
)
 
$
61


23

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




Level III Assets of Consolidated Funds
 
Equity Securities
 
Fixed Income
 
Partnership
Interests
 
Derivatives, Net
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
130,690

 
$
242,253

 
$
171,696

 
$
(2,708
)
 
$
541,931

Transfer in
 

 
34,182

 

 

 
34,182

Transfer out
 
(6,160
)
 
(108,806
)
 

 

 
(114,966
)
Purchases(1)
 
6,692

 
93,111

 
73,000

 

 
172,803

Sales(2)
 

 
(76,714
)
 
(30,000
)
 

 
(106,714
)
Settlements, net
 

 

 

 
1,966

 
1,966

Amortized discounts/premiums
 

 
46

 

 
216

 
262

Realized and unrealized appreciation, net
 
15,052

 
3,507

 
3,044

 
3,335

 
24,938

Balance, end of period
 
$
146,274

 
$
187,579

 
$
217,740

 
$
2,809

 
$
554,402

Increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation/depreciation included in earnings related to financial assets still held at the reporting date
 
$
15,749

 
$
(785
)
 
$
3,044

 
$
3,914

 
$
21,922

 
(1)
Purchases include paid‑in‑kind interest and securities received in connection with restructurings.
(2)
Sales include distributions, principal redemptions and securities disposed of in connection with restructurings.
The following tables set forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level III measurements for the six months ended June 30, 2016:
 
 
Level III Assets
 
Level III Liabilities
Level III Assets and Liabilities of the Company
 
Fixed Income
 
Partnership 
Interests
 
Total
 
Contingent Considerations
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
55,752

 
$
51,703

 
$
107,455

 
$
40,831

Purchases(1)
 
7

 
8,167

 
8,174

 

Sales(2)
 
(2,293
)
 

 
(2,293
)
 

Realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net
 
689

 
(15,124
)
 
(14,435
)
 
204

Balance, end of period
 
$
54,155

 
$
44,746

 
$
98,901

 
$
41,035

Increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation/depreciation included in earnings related to financial assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date
 
$
(455
)
 
$
(15,123
)
 
$
(15,578
)
 
$
204

Level III Assets of Consolidated Funds
 
Equity Securities
 
Fixed Income
 
Partnership Interests
 
Derivatives, Net
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
129,809

 
$
249,490

 
$
86,902

 
$
(10,307
)
 
$
455,894

Transfer in
 

 
72,636

 

 

 
72,636

Transfer out
 
(344
)
 
(68,427
)
 

 

 
(68,771
)
Purchases(1)
 
9,668

 
45,951

 
13,100

 

 
68,719

Sales(2)
 

 
(46,865
)
 
(300
)
 

 
(47,165
)
Settlements, net
 

 

 

 
589

 
589

Amortized discounts/premiums
 

 
696

 

 
84

 
780

Realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net
 
4,201

 
(16,109
)
 
15,738

 
7,558

 
11,388

Balance, end of period
 
$
143,334

 
$
237,372

 
$
115,440

 
$
(2,076
)
 
$
494,070

Increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation/depreciation included in earnings related to financial assets still held at the reporting date
 
$
4,202

 
$
(7,566
)
 
$
15,654

 
$
6,878

 
$
19,168

 
(1)
Purchases include paid‑in‑kind interest and securities received in connection with restructurings.
(2)
Sales include distributions, principal redemptions and securities disposed of in connection with restructurings.


24

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




The Company recognizes transfers between the levels as of the beginning of the period. Transfers out of Level III were generally attributable to certain investments that experienced a more significant level of market activity during the period and thus were valued using observable inputs either from independent pricing services or multiple brokers. Transfers into Level III were generally attributable to certain investments that experienced a less significant level of market activity during the period and thus were only able to obtain one or fewer quotes from a broker or independent pricing service. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, two of the Company's investments totaling $7.5 million were transferred from a Level II to a Level I fair value measurement. The investments transferred are equity securities that were previously thinly traded that now have significant levels of market activity to support quoted market prices as of June 30, 2017. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, there were no transfers between Level I and Level II fair value measurements.
The following table summarizes the quantitative inputs and assumptions used for the Company’s Level III measurements as of June 30, 2017:
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique(s)
 
Significant Unobservable Input(s)
 
Range
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Partnership interests
$
33,410

 
Other
 
N/A
 
N/A
Collateralized loan obligations
164,807

 
Broker quotes and/or 3rd party pricing services
 
N/A
 
N/A
Total
$
198,217

 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contingent consideration liability
$
1,940

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
6.4%
Total
$
1,940

 
 
 
 
 
 

The following table summarizes the quantitative inputs and assumptions used for the Company’s Level III measurements as of December 31, 2016:
 
Fair Value 
 
Valuation Technique(s) 
 
Significant Unobservable Input(s)
 
Range
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Partnership interests
$
33,410

 
Other
 
N/A
 
N/A
Collateralized loan obligations
89,111

 
Broker quotes and/or 3rd party pricing services
 
N/A
 
N/A
Total
$
122,521

 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contingent consideration liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
20,278

 
Other
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
1,878

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
6.5%
Total
$
22,156

 
 
 
 
 
 


25

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




The following table summarizes the quantitative inputs and assumptions used for the Consolidated Funds’ Level III measurements as of June 30, 2017:
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique(s)
 
Significant Unobservable Input(s)
 
Range
 
Weighted
Average
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
46,707

 
Enterprise value market multiple analysis
 
EBITDA multiple(2)
 
2.3x - 7.9x
 
2.5x
 
61,215

 
Market approach (comparable companies)
 
Net income multiple
Illiquidity discount
 
30.0x - 45.0x
25.0%
 
36.5x
25.0%
 
271

 
Broker quotes and/or 3rd party pricing services
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
217,740

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
17.0%
 
17.0%
 
38,081

 
Recent transaction price(1)
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
Fixed income securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
134,462

 
Broker quotes and/or 3rd party pricing services
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
52,909

 
Income approach
 
Yield
 
6.0% - 14.3%
 
9.4%
 
208

 
Market approach (comparable companies)
 
EBITDA multiple(2)
 
5.6x
 
5.6x
Derivative instruments of Consolidated Funds
2,809

 
Broker quotes and/or 3rd party pricing services
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
Total assets
$
554,402

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Recent transaction price consists of securities recently purchased or restructured. The Company determined that there was no change to the valuation based on the underlying assumptions used at the closing of such transactions.
(2)
“EBITDA” in the table above is a non-GAAP financial measure and refers to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization.
The following table summarizes the quantitative inputs and assumptions used for the Consolidated Funds’ Level III measurements as of December 31, 2016:
 
Fair Value 
 
Valuation Technique(s) 
 
Significant Unobservable Input(s) 
 
Range
 
Weighted
Average
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
43,011

 
Enterprise value market multiple analysis
 
EBITDA multiple(2)
 
2.0x - 11.2x
 
2.3x
 
32,598

 
Market approach (comparable companies)
 
Net income multiple
Illiquidity discount
 
30.0x - 40.0x
25.0%
 
35.0x
25.0%
 
421

 
Broker quotes and/or 3rd party pricing services
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
171,696

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
20%
 
20%
 
54,660

 
Recent transaction price(1)
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
Fixed income securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
170,231

 
Broker quotes and/or 3rd party pricing services
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
6,693

 
Enterprise value market multiple analysis
 
EBITDA multiple(2)
 
7.1x
 
7.1x
 
5,473

 
Income approach
 
Collection rates
 
1.2x
 
1.2x
 
28,595

 
Income approach
 
Yield
 
6.0% - 13.6%
 
10.9%
 
24,052

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
7.8% - 15.3%
 
11.1%
 
1,776

 
Market approach (comparable companies)
 
EBITDA multiple(2)
 
6.5x
 
6.5x
 
4,887

 
Recent transaction price(1)
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
546

 
Market approach
 
EBITDA multiple(2)
 
6.1x
 
6.1x
Derivative instruments of Consolidated Funds
291

 
Broker quotes and/or 3rd party pricing services
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
Total assets
$
544,930

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives instruments of Consolidated Funds
$
(2,999
)
 
Broker quotes and/or 3rd party pricing services
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
Total liabilities
$
(2,999
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Recent transaction price consists of securities purchased or restructured. The Company determined that there has been no change to the valuation based on the underlying assumptions used at the closing of such transactions.
(2)
“EBITDA” in the table above is a non-GAAP financial measure and refers to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization.


26

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




The Company's investments valued using net asset value (“NAV”) per share have terms and conditions that do not allow for redemption without certain events or approvals that are outside the Company's control. A summary of fair value by segment and the remaining unfunded commitment are presented below:
 
 
As of June 30, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
Segment
 
Fair Value 
 
Unfunded 
Commitments
 
Fair Value
 
Unfunded 
Commitments
Credit Group
 
$
62,812

 
$
71,352

 
$
53,131

 
$
30,896

Private Equity Group
 
217,531

 
329,962

 
181,096

 
96,687

Real Estate Group
 
79,028

 
55,355

 
71,669

 
35,708

Non-core investments(1)
 
18,458

 
32,435

 
19,819

 
34,500

Totals
 
$
377,829


$
489,104


$
325,715


$
197,791

 
(1) Non-core investments are held at the Company's Operations Management Group ("OMG").

27

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




6. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
In the normal course of business, the Company and the Consolidated Funds are exposed to certain risks relating to their ongoing operations and use various types of derivative instruments primarily to mitigate against credit and foreign exchange risk. The derivative instruments are not designated as hedging instruments under the accounting standards for derivatives and hedging. The Company recognizes all of its derivative instruments at fair value as either assets or liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition within other assets or accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, respectively. These amounts may be offset to the extent that there is a legal right to offset and if elected by management.
The following tables identify the fair value and notional amounts of derivative contracts by major product type on a gross basis for the Company and the Consolidated Funds as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:  
 
 
As of June 30, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
 
Assets 
 
Liabilities 
 
Assets 
 
Liabilities 
The Company
 
Notional(1)
 
Fair Value
 
Notional(1)
 
Fair Value
 
Notional(1)
 
Fair Value
 
Notional(1)
 
Fair Value
Foreign exchange contracts
 
$
32,616

 
$
384

 
$
84,564

 
$
3,737

 
$
62,830

 
$
3,171

 
$

 
$

Total derivatives, at fair value(2)
 
$
32,616

 
$
384

 
$
84,564

 
$
3,737

 
$
62,830

 
$
3,171

 
$

 
$

 
 
As of June 30, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Assets 
 
Liabilities 
Consolidated Funds 
 
Notional(1)
 
Fair Value
 
Notional(1)
 
Fair Value
 
Notional(1)
 
Fair Value
 
Notional(1)
 
Fair Value
Foreign exchange contracts
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
25,304

 
$
529

 
$

 
$

Other financial instruments
 
8,011

 
2,809

 

 

 
3,575

 
291

 
(204
)
 
(2,999
)
Total derivatives, at fair value(3)
 
8,011


2,809






28,879


820


(204
)

(2,999
)
Other—equity(4)
 

 

 

 

 
253

 
24

 

 

Total
 
$
8,011


$
2,809


$


$


$
29,132


$
844


$
(204
)

$
(2,999
)
 
(1)
Represents the total contractual amount of derivative assets and liabilities outstanding.
(2)
As of June 30, 2017, the Company had the right to, but elected not to, offset $0.4 million of its derivative assets and liabilities. As of December 31, 2016, the Company did not have any derivative liabilities to offset its derivative assets.
(3)
As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Consolidated Funds offset $0.1 million and $1.4 million of their derivative assets and liabilities, respectively.
(4)
Includes the fair value of warrants which are presented as equity securities within investments of the Consolidated Funds in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.


28

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




7. DEBT
The following table summarizes the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ debt obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of June 30, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
Debt Origination Date
 
Maturity
 
Original Borrowing Amount
 
Carrying
Value
 
Interest Rate
 
Carrying
Value
 
Interest Rate
Credit Facility(1)
Revolver
 
2/24/2022
 
N/A

 
$
135,000

 
2.65%
 
$

 
—%
Senior Notes(2)
10/8/2014
 
10/8/2024
 
$
250,000

 
244,992

 
4.21%
 
244,684

 
4.21%
2015 Term Loan(3)
9/2/2015
 
7/29/2026
 
$
35,250

 
35,073

 
3.02%
 
35,063

 
2.74%
2016 Term Loan(4)
12/21/2016
 
1/15/2029
 
$
26,376

 
25,991

 
2.88%
 
26,037

 
2.66%
2017 Term Loan A(4)
3/22/2017
 
1/22/2028
 
$
17,600

 
17,470

 
2.70%
 
N/A

 
N/A
2017 Term Loan B(4)
5/10/2017
 
10/15/2029
 
$
35,198

 
35,124

 
2.63%
 
N/A

 
N/A
2017 Term Loan C(4)
6/22/2017
 
7/30/2029
 
$
17,211

 
17,206

 
2.75%
 
N/A

 
N/A
Total debt obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
510,856

 
 
 
$
305,784

 
 
 
(1)
The AOG entities are borrowers under the Credit Facility, which, as amended in February 2017, provides a $1.04 billion revolving line of credit. It has a variable interest rate based on LIBOR or a base rate plus an applicable margin with an unused commitment fee paid quarterly, which is subject to change with the Company’s underlying credit agency rating. As of June 30, 2017, base rate loans bear interest calculated based on the base rate plus 0.50% and the LIBOR rate loans bear interest calculated based on LIBOR plus 1.50%. The unused commitment fee is 0.20% per annum. There is a base rate and LIBOR floor of zero.
(2)
The Senior Notes were issued in October 2014 by Ares Finance Co. LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, at 98.268% of the face amount with interest paid semi-annually. The Company may redeem the Senior Notes prior to maturity, subject to the terms of the indenture.
(3)
The 2015 Term Loan was entered into in August 2015 by a subsidiary of the Company that acts as a manager to a CLO. The 2015 Term Loan is secured by collateral in the form of CLO senior tranches owned by the Company. To the extent the assets are not sufficient to cover the Term Loan, there is no further recourse to the Company to fund or repay the remaining balance. Interest is paid quarterly, and the Company also pays a fee of 0.025% of a maximum investment amount.
(4)
The 2016 and 2017 Term Loans ("Term Loans") were entered into by a subsidiary of the Company. The Term Loans are secured by collateral in the form of CLO senior tranches and subordinated notes owned by the Company. Collateral associated with one of the Term Loans may be used to satisfy outstanding liabilities of another term loan should the collateral fall short. To the extent the assets associated with these Term Loans are not sufficient, there is no further recourse to the Company to fund or repay the remaining balance. Interest is paid quarterly, and the Company also pays a fee of 0.03% of a maximum investment amount.

Debt obligations of the Company and its subsidiaries are reflected at cost, net of debt issuance costs of the Senior Notes and Term Loans, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. As of June 30, 2017, the Company and its subsidiaries were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Facility, Senior Notes and Term Loan obligations. 
The Company typically incurs and pays debt issuance costs when entering into a new debt obligation or when amending an existing debt agreement. Debt issuance costs may be recorded as a reduction of the corresponding debt obligation and are amortized over the term of the obligation. The following table shows the activity of the Company's debt issuance costs:
 
Credit Facility(1)
 
Senior Notes(2)
 
Term Loans(2)
Unamortized debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2016
$
4,800

 
$
1,803

 
$
526

Debt issuance costs incurred
3,343

 

 
276

Amortization of debt issuance costs
(863
)
 
(116
)
 
(32
)
Unamortized debt issuance costs as of June 30, 2017
$
7,280

 
$
1,687

 
$
770

 
(1) Unamortized debt issuance costs of the Credit Facility are included in other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
(2) Unamortized debt issuance costs of the Senior Notes and Term Loans are presented on a net basis with the net carrying value of the Company’s debt obligations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.


29

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




Loan Obligations of the Consolidated CLOs
Loan obligations of the Consolidated Funds that are CLOs ("Consolidated CLOs") represent amounts due to holders of debt securities issued by the Consolidated CLOs. The Company measures the loan obligations of the Consolidated CLOs using the fair value of the financial assets of its Consolidated CLOs. Several of the Consolidated CLOs issued preferred shares representing the subordinated interests that are mandatorily redeemable upon the maturity dates of the senior secured loan obligations. As a result, these shares have been classified as liabilities and are included in CLO loan obligations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 the following loan obligations were outstanding and classified as liabilities of the Company’s Consolidated CLOs:
 
As of June 30, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
Loan
Obligations
 
Fair Value of
Loan Obligations
 
Weighted 
Average
Remaining Maturity 
In Years 
 
Loan
Obligations
 
Fair Value of Loan Obligations
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Maturity 
In Years 
Senior secured notes(1)
$
2,914,099

 
$
2,905,347

 
9.78
 
$
2,839,779

 
$
2,841,440

 
9.68
Subordinated notes(2)
257,209

 
188,251

 
10.05
 
284,046

 
189,672

 
9.97
Total loan obligations of Consolidated CLOs
$
3,171,308

 
$
3,093,598

 
 
 
$
3,123,825

 
$
3,031,112

 
 
 
(1)
Original borrowings under the senior secured notes totaled $3.2 billion, with various maturity dates ranging from October 2024 to April 2030. The weighted average interest rate as of June 30, 2017 was 3.72%.
(2)
Original borrowings under the subordinated notes totaled $257.2 million, with various maturity dates ranging from October 2024 to April 2030. They do not have contractual interest rates, but instead receive distributions from the excess cash flows generated by each Consolidated CLO.
Loan obligations of the Consolidated CLOs are collateralized by the assets held by the Consolidated CLOs, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, corporate loans, corporate bonds and other securities. The assets of one Consolidated CLO may not be used to satisfy the liabilities of another Consolidated CLO. Loan obligations of the Consolidated CLOs include floating rate notes, deferrable floating rate notes, revolving lines of credit and subordinated notes. Amounts borrowed under the notes are repaid based on available cash flows subject to priority of payments under each Consolidated CLO’s governing documents. Based on the terms of these facilities, the creditors of the facilities have no recourse to the Company.
Credit Facilities of the Consolidated Funds
Certain Consolidated Funds maintain credit facilities to fund investments between capital drawdowns. These facilities generally are collateralized by the unfunded capital commitments of the Consolidated Funds’ limited partners, bear an annual commitment fee based on unfunded commitments and contain various affirmative and negative covenants and reporting obligations, including restrictions on additional indebtedness, liens, margin stock, affiliate transactions, dividends and distributions, release of capital commitments and portfolio asset dispositions. The creditors of these facilities have no recourse to the Company except to the extent the debt is guaranteed by a subsidiary or if a general partner is liable for the Consolidated Fund’s liabilities under the applicable law. Credit facilities of the Consolidated Funds are reflected at cost in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Consolidated Funds were in compliance with all covenants under such credit facilities.

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Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




The Consolidated Funds had the following revolving bank credit facilities and term loan outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of June 30, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
Consolidated Funds' Debt Facilities
 
Maturity Date
 
Total Capacity
 
Outstanding
Loan(1)
 
Effective Rate
 
Outstanding Loan(1)
 
Effective Rate
 
Credit Facilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1/1/2023
 
$
18,000

 
$
12,942

 
2.75%
 
$
12,942

 
2.38%
 
 
 
6/30/2018
 
45,686

 
11,422

 
1.55%
(2)
42,128

 
1.55%
(2)
 
 
3/7/2018
 
71,500

 
50,000

 
2.39%
 
N/A

 
N/A
 
Revolving Term Loan
 
8/19/2019
 
14,286

 
9,361

 
5.55%
 
N/A

 
N/A
 
Total borrowings
 
 
 
 
 
$
83,725

 
 
 
$
55,070

 
 
 
 
(1)
The fair values of the borrowings approximate the carrying value as the interest rate on the borrowings is a floating rate.
(2)
The effective rate is based on the three month EURIBOR or zero, whichever is higher, plus an applicable margin.

8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Indemnification Arrangements
Consistent with standard business practices in the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts that contain indemnities for affiliates of the Company, persons acting on behalf of the Company or such affiliates and third parties. The terms of the indemnities vary from contract to contract and the Company’s maximum exposure under these arrangements cannot be determined and has not been recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. As of June 30, 2017, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Commitments
As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had aggregate unfunded commitments of $586.5 million and $535.3 million, respectively, including commitments to both non-consolidated funds and Consolidated Funds. Total unfunded commitments included $32.4 million and $89.2 million in commitments to funds not managed by the Company as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
 In connection with the acquisition of EIF, contingent consideration was payable to EIF’s former membership interest holders if certain funds and co-investment vehicles met certain revenue and fee paying commitment targets during their commitment periods. The fair value of contingent consideration liabilities are reviewed on a quarterly basis and are subject to change until the liability is settled, with the related impact recorded to the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations within other income (expense), net. Since the revenue and fee paying targets were not met, the liability associated with the EIF contingent consideration, which was $20.3 million as of December 31, 2016, was reversed in the first quarter of 2017, resulting in a $20.3 million gain.
ARCC Fee Waiver
In conjunction with the ARCC-ACAS Transaction, the Company agreed to waive up to $10 million per quarter of ARCC's Part I Fees for ten calendar quarters, which began in the second quarter of 2017. ARCC Part I Fees will only be waived to the extent they are paid. If Part I Fees are less than $10 million in any single quarter the shortfall will not carryover to the subsequent quarters. There are nine remaining quarters as part of the fee waiver agreement, with a maximum of $90 million in potential waivers. ARCC Part I Fees are shown net of the fee waiver.

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Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




Performance Fees
Generally, if at the termination of a fund (and increasingly at interim points in the life of a fund), the fund has not achieved investment returns that (in most cases) exceed the preferred return threshold or (in all cases) the general partner receives net profits over the life of the fund in excess of its allocable share under the applicable partnership agreement, the Company will be obligated to repay carried interest that was received by the Company in excess of the amounts to which the Company is entitled. This contingent obligation is normally reduced by income taxes paid by the Company related to its carried interest. 
At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, if the Company assumed all existing investments were worthless, the amount of performance fees subject to potential repayment, net of tax, which may differ from the recognition of revenue, would have been approximately $451.7 million and $418.3 million, respectively, of which approximately $350.5 million and $323.9 million, respectively, is reimbursable to the Company by certain professionals who are the recipients of such performance fees. Management believes the possibility of all of the investments becoming worthless is remote. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, if the funds were liquidated at their fair values, there would be no repayment obligation, and accordingly, the Company did not record a contingent repayment liability as of either date.
Litigation
From time to time, the Company is named as a defendant in legal actions relating to transactions conducted in the ordinary course of business. Although there can be no assurance of the outcome of such legal actions, in the opinion of management, the Company does not have a potential liability related to any current legal proceeding or claim that would individually or in the aggregate materially affect its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Substantially all of the Company’s revenue is earned from its affiliates, including management fees, performance fees, and administrative expense reimbursements. The related accounts receivable are included within due from affiliates within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, except that performance fees receivable are presented separately within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
The Company has investment management agreements with various funds and accounts that it manages. In accordance with these agreements, the Consolidated Funds bear certain operating costs and expenses which are initially paid by the Company and subsequently reimbursed by the Consolidated Funds.
The Company also has entered into agreements with related parties to be reimbursed for its expenses incurred for providing administrative services to such related parties, including ARCC, ACRE, ARDC, Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P., ACF FinCo I L.P, and CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund.
Employees and other related parties may be permitted to participate in co-investment vehicles that invest in Ares funds alongside fund investors. Participation is limited by law to individuals who qualify under applicable securities laws. These employee co-investment vehicles generally do not require the participants to pay management or performance fees.
Performance fees from the funds can be distributed to professionals on a current basis, subject to repayment by the subsidiary of the Company that acts as general partner of the relevant fund in the event that certain specified return thresholds are not ultimately achieved. The professionals have personally guaranteed, subject to certain limitations, the obligations of these subsidiaries in respect of this general partner obligation. Such guarantees are several and not joint, and are limited to distributions received by the relevant recipient.

32

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




The Company considers its professionals and non-consolidated funds to be affiliates. Amounts due from and to affiliates were comprised of the following:
 
As of June 30,
 
As of December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Due from affiliates:
 
 
 
Management fees receivable from non-consolidated funds
$
115,437

 
$
123,781

Payments made on behalf of and amounts due from non-consolidated funds and employees
41,935

 
39,155

Due from affiliates—Company
$
157,372

 
$
162,936

Amounts due from portfolio companies and non-consolidated funds
$
5,503

 
$
3,592

Due from affiliates—Consolidated Funds
$
5,503

 
$
3,592

Due to affiliates:
 

 
 

Management fee rebate payable to non-consolidated funds
$
5,120

 
$
7,914

Management fees received in advance
7,720

 
1,788

Tax receivable agreement liability
4,748

 
4,748

Payments made by non-consolidated funds on behalf of and payable by the Company
6,303

 
3,114

Due to affiliates—Company
$
23,891

 
$
17,564

 
Due from Ares Funds and Portfolio Companies
In the normal course of business, the Company pays certain expenses on behalf of Consolidated Funds and non-consolidated funds for which it is reimbursed. Amounts advanced on behalf of Consolidated Funds are eliminated in consolidation. Certain expenses initially paid by the Company, primarily professional services, travel and other costs associated with particular portfolio company holdings are subject to reimbursement by the portfolio companies.

10. INCOME TAXES
A substantial portion of the Company’s earnings flow through to owners of the Company without being subject to entity level income taxes. Consequently, a significant portion of the Company’s earnings reflects no provision for income taxes except those for foreign, state, city and local income taxes incurred at the entity level. A portion of the Company’s operations is held through AHI, as well as corporate subsidiaries of Ares Holdings and Ares Investments, which are U.S. corporations for tax purposes. AHI is subject to U.S. corporate tax on earnings that flow through from Ares Holdings with respect to both AOG Units and preferred units. The income of these U.S. corporations is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes and certain of its foreign subsidiaries are subject to foreign income taxes (for which a foreign tax credit can generally offset U.S. corporate taxes imposed on the same income). The Company’s income tax provision includes corporate level income taxes and entity level income taxes, as well as income taxes incurred by certain affiliated funds that are consolidated in these financial statements. The Company had an income tax expense of $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, and an income tax benefit of $4.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company had an income tax benefit of $33.0 million primarily driven by the one-time ARCC-ACAS transaction support payment compared to an income tax expense of $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016.
The Company’s effective income tax rate is dependent on many factors, including the estimated nature of many amounts and the mix of revenues and expenses between U.S. corporate subsidiaries that are subject to income taxes and those subsidiaries that are not. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company has utilized the discrete effective tax rate method to calculate its interim income tax provision. The discrete method is applied when the application of the estimated annual effective tax rate is impractical because it is not possible to reliably estimate the annual effective tax rate. The discrete method treats the year to date period as if it was the annual period and determines the income tax expense or benefit on that basis. Additionally, the Company’s effective tax rate is influenced by the amount of income tax provision recorded for any affiliated funds that are consolidated in these financial statements. Consequently, the effective income tax rate is subject to significant variation from period to period.

33

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




The Company files its tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which it operates. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by federal, state, local and foreign tax regulators. As of June 30, 2017, the Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns for the years 2013 through 2017 are open under the normal statute of limitations and therefore subject to examination. State and local tax returns are generally subject to audit from 2012 to 2017. Foreign tax returns are generally subject to audit from 2011 to 2017. Although the outcome of tax audits is always uncertain, the Company does not believe the outcome of any future audit will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

11. EARNINGS PER COMMON UNIT
Basic earnings per common unit are computed by dividing income available to common unitholders by the weighted‑average number of common units outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common unit are computed using the more dilutive method of either the two-class method or the treasury stock method.
For the three months ended June 30, 2017 and the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the treasury stock method was the more dilutive method for the unvested restricted units. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the two-class method was the more dilutive method for the unvested restricted units. No participating securities had rights to undistributed earnings during any period presented.
The computation of diluted earnings per common unit for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 excludes the following options, restricted units and AOG Units, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive:
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Options
21,155,026

 
23,363,784

 
21,244,858

 
23,429,835

Restricted units
39,082

 
64,516

 
14,463,590

 
94,363

AOG units
130,249,329

 
132,350,586

 
130,325,826

 
132,366,701

The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common unit:
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net income (loss) attributable to Ares Management, L.P. common unitholders
$
44,453

 
$
37,574

 
$
(2,106
)
 
$
34,484

Earnings distributed to participating securities (restricted units)
(419
)
 
(180
)
 
(1,246
)
 
(408
)
Preferred stock dividends(1)

 
(4
)
 

 
(8
)
Net income (loss) available to common unitholders
$
44,034

 
$
37,390

 
$
(3,352
)
 
$
34,068

Basic weighted-average common units
81,829,086

 
80,715,723

 
81,469,967

 
80,699,387

Basic earnings per common unit
$
0.54

 
$
0.46

 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
0.42

Net income (loss) attributable to Ares Management, L.P. common unitholders
$
44,453

 
$
37,574

 
$
(2,106
)
 
$
34,484

Earnings distributed to participating securities (restricted units)

 

 
(1,246
)
 

Preferred stock dividends(1)

 
(4
)
 

 
(8
)
Net income (loss) available to common unitholders
$
44,453

 
$
37,570

 
$
(3,352
)

$
34,476

Effect of dilutive units:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted units
2,490,796

 
1,616,470

 

 
1,053,081

Diluted weighted-average common units
84,319,882

 
82,332,193

 
81,469,967

 
81,752,468

Diluted earnings per common unit
$
0.53

 
$
0.46

 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
0.42

 
(1)
Dividends relate to the preferred shares that were issued by Ares Real Estate Holdings LLC and were redeemed on July 1, 2016.

34

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




12. EQUITY COMPENSATION
Equity Incentive Plan
In 2014, the Company adopted the Ares Management, L.P. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Equity Incentive Plan"). Based on a formula as defined in the Equity Incentive Plan, the total number of units available to be issued under the Equity Incentive Plan resets and may increase on January 1 each year.  Accordingly, on January 1, 2017, the total number of units available for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan increased to 30,397,280 units, and as of June 30, 201724,305,433 units remain available for issuance.
Generally, unvested phantom units, restricted units and options are forfeited upon termination of employment in accordance with the Equity Incentive Plan. The Company recognizes forfeitures as a reversal of previously recognized compensation expense in the period the forfeiture occurs.
Equity-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures is included in the following table:
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Restricted units
$
14,601

 
$
4,684

 
$
25,818

 
$
9,448

Options
3,931

 
4,547

 
7,413

 
8,460

Phantom units
385

 
305

 
775

 
801

Equity-based compensation expense
$
18,917

 
$
9,536

 
$
34,006

 
$
18,709

Restricted Units
Each restricted unit represents an unfunded, unsecured right of the holder to receive a common unit on a specific date. The restricted units generally vest and are settled in common units either (i) at a rate of one-third per year, beginning on the third anniversary of the grant date, (ii) in their entirety on the fifth anniversary of the grant date, or (iii) at a rate of one quarter per year, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. Compensation expense associated with restricted units is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award.
The holders of restricted units generally have the right to receive as current compensation an amount in cash equal to (i) the amount of any distribution paid with respect to a common unit multiplied by (ii) the number of restricted units held at the time such distributions are declared (“Distribution Equivalent”). For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, Distribution Equivalents were made to the holders of restricted units in the aggregate amount of $1.8 million and $6.0 million, respectively, which are presented as distributions within the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity. When units are forfeited, the cumulative amount of distribution equivalents previously paid is reclassified to compensation and benefits expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The following table presents unvested restricted units’ activity during the six months ended June 30, 2017:
 
Restricted Units
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value Per Unit
Balance - January 1, 2017
8,058,372

 
$
16.38

Granted
7,944,144

 
18.61

Vested
(1,757,514
)
 
16.48

Forfeited
(388,694
)
 
18.40

Balance - June 30, 2017
13,856,308

 
$
17.58

The total compensation expense expected to be recognized in all future periods associated with the restricted units is approximately $199.5 million as of June 30, 2017 and is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted average period of 3.92 years.

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Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




Options
A summary of options activity during the six months ended June 30, 2017 is presented below:
 
Options
 
Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
Weighted Average
Remaining Life
(in years)
 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Balance - January 1, 2017
22,232,134

 
$
19.00

 
7.35
 
 
Granted

 

 
 
 
Exercised
(54,500
)
 
19.00

 
 
 
Expired
(389,575
)
 
19.00

 
 
 
Forfeited
(633,033
)
 
19.00

 
 
 
Balance - June 30, 2017
21,155,026

 
$
18.99

 
6.87
 
$

Exercisable at June 30, 2017
7,151,023

 
$
19.00

 
6.86
 
$

As of June 30, 2017, there was $30.9 million of total unrecognized compensation expense that is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted average period of 1.85 years.
Phantom Units
A summary of unvested phantom unit activity during the six months ended June 30, 2017 is presented below:
 
 
Phantom Units
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value Per Unit
Balance - January 1, 2017
 
266,138

 
$
19.00

Vested
 
(87,222
)
 
19.00

Forfeited
 
(7,036
)
 
19.00

Balance - June 30, 2017
 
171,880

 
$
19.00

The fair value of the phantom unit awards is remeasured at each reporting period and was $17.90 per unit as of June 30, 2017. Based on the fair value of the awards at June 30, 2017,  $2.8 million of unrecognized compensation expense in connection with phantom units outstanding is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.84 years. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company paid $1.7 million to settle any vested phantom units.

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Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




13. EQUITY
Ares Management, L.P.

Common Units:
Common units represent limited partnership interests in the Company.  The holders of common units are entitled to participate pro rata in distributions from the Company and to exercise the rights or privileges that are available to common unitholders under the Company’s partnership agreement. The common unitholders have limited voting rights and have no right to remove the Company’s general partner, Ares Management GP LLC, or, except in limited circumstances, to elect the directors of the general partner.
The following table presents each partner's AOG units and corresponding ownership interest in each of the Ares Operating Group entities as of June 30, 2017, as well as its daily average ownership of AOG Units in each of the Ares Operating Group entities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daily Average Ownership
 
 
As of June 30, 2017
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
AOG Units
 
Direct Ownership Interest
 
AOG Units
 
Direct Ownership Interest
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Ares Management, L.P.
 
82,131,000

 
38.68
%
 
80,814,732

 
38.26
%
 
38.58
%
 
37.88
%
 
38.47
%
 
37.87
%
Ares Owners Holding L.P.
 
117,710,070

 
55.43
%
 
117,928,313

 
55.82
%
 
55.53
%
 
56.25
%
 
55.63
%
 
56.26
%
Affiliate of Alleghany Corporation
 
12,500,000

 
5.89
%
 
12,500,000

 
5.92
%
 
5.89
%
 
5.87
%
 
5.90
%
 
5.87
%
Total
 
212,341,070

 
100.00
%
 
211,243,045

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred Equity
As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had 12,400,000 units of Series A Preferred Equity (the “Preferred Equity”) outstanding. When, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors, distributions on the Preferred Equity are payable quarterly at a rate per annum equal to 7.00%. The Preferred Equity may be redeemed at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 30, 2021, at a price of $25.00 per unit.

Secondary Offering
    
Pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated March 2, 2017, AREC Holdings Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority ("ADIA" or “the selling unitholder”) sold 7,500,000 units of the Company's common units through a public secondary offering. The Company did not receive any of the proceeds from the offering. The transaction closed on March 2, 2017. The Company incurred approximately $0.7 million of expenses related to the secondary offering transaction. The fees related to the secondary offering were non-operating expenses and are included in other income (expense), net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The selling unitholder paid the underwriting discounts and commissions and/or similar charges incurred for the sale of the common units.




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Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




14. SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company operates through its three distinct operating segments. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company reclassified certain expenses from OMG to its operating segments. Historical results have been modified to conform to the current period presentation.
The Company’s three operating segments are:
Credit Group: The Company’s Credit Group is a leading manager of credit strategies across the non-investment grade credit universe in the U.S. and Europe, with approximately $67.4 billion of assets under management and 139 funds as of June 30, 2017. The Credit Group offers a range of credit strategies across the liquid and illiquid spectrum, including syndicated loans, high yield bonds, credit opportunities, structured credit investments and U.S. and European direct lending. The Credit Group provides solutions for traditional fixed income investors seeking to access the syndicated loans and high yield bond markets and capitalizes on opportunities across traded corporate credit. It additionally provides investors access to directly originated fixed and floating rate credit assets and the ability to capitalize on illiquidity premiums across the credit spectrum. The Credit Group’s syndicated loans strategy focuses on liquid, traded non-investment grade secured loans to corporate issuers. The high yield bond strategy seeks to deliver a diversified portfolio of liquid, traded non-investment grade corporate bonds, including secured, unsecured and subordinated debt instruments. Credit opportunities is a “go anywhere” strategy seeking to capitalize on market inefficiencies and relative value opportunities across the capital structure. The structured credit strategy invests across the capital structures of syndicated collateralized loan obligation vehicles (CLOs) and in directly-originated asset-backed instruments comprised of diversified portfolios of consumer and commercial assets. The Company has one of the largest self-originating direct lending platforms in the U.S. and European middle markets, providing one-stop financing solutions for small-to-medium sized companies, which the Company believes are increasingly underserved by traditional lenders. The Credit Group conducts its U.S. direct lending activities primarily through ARCC, the largest business development company as of June 30, 2017, by both market capitalization and total assets. In addition, the Credit Group manages a commercial finance business that provides asset-based and cash flow loans to small and middle-market companies, as well as asset-based facilities to specialty finance companies. The Credit Group’s European direct lending platform is one of the most significant participants in the European middle-market, focusing on self-originated investments in illiquid middle-market credits.
Private Equity Group:  The Company’s Private Equity Group has approximately $25.8 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2017, broadly categorizing its investment strategies as corporate private equity, U.S. power and energy infrastructure and special situations. As of June 30, 2017 the group managed five corporate private equity commingled funds focused on North America and Europe and two focused on greater China, five commingled funds and six related co-investment vehicles focused on U.S. power and energy infrastructure and three special situations funds. In its North American and European flexible capital strategy, the Company targets opportunistic majority or shared-control investments in businesses with strong franchises and attractive growth opportunities in North America and Europe. The U.S. power and energy infrastructure strategy targets U.S. energy infrastructure-related assets across the power generation, transmission and midstream sectors, seeking attractive risk-adjusted equity returns with current cash flow and capital appreciation. The special situations strategy seeks to invest opportunistically across a broad spectrum of distressed or mispriced investments, including corporate debt, rescue capital, private asset-backed investments, post-reorganization securities and non-performing portfolios.
Real Estate Group:  The Company’s Real Estate Group manages comprehensive public and private equity and debt strategies, with approximately $10.8 billion of assets under management across 43 funds as of June 30, 2017. Real Estate equity strategies focus on applying hands-on value creation initiatives to mismanaged and capital-starved assets, as well as new development, ultimately selling stabilized assets back into the market. The Real Estate Group manages both a value-add strategy and an opportunistic strategy.  The value-add strategy seeks to create value by buying assets at attractive valuations and through active asset management of income-producing properties across the U.S. and Western Europe. The opportunistic strategy focuses on manufacturing core assets through development, redevelopment and fixing distressed capital structures across major properties in the U.S. and Europe.  The Company’s debt strategies leverage the Real Estate Group’s diverse sources of capital to directly originate and manage commercial mortgage investments on properties that range from stabilized to requiring hands-on value creation.  In addition to managing private debt funds, the Real Estate Group makes debt investments through a publicly traded commercial mortgage real estate investment trust, ACRE. 
The Company has an Operations Management Group (the “OMG”) that consists of five shared resource groups to support the Company’s operating segments by providing infrastructure and administrative support in the areas of accounting/finance,

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Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




operations/information technology, business development/corporate strategy, legal/compliance and human resources. Additionally, the OMG provides services to certain of the Company’s investment companies and partnerships, which reimburse the OMG for expenses equal to the costs of services provided. The OMG’s expenses are not allocated to the Company’s three reportable segments but the Company does consider the cost structure of the OMG when evaluating its financial performance.
Non-GAAP Measures: These measures supplement and should be considered in addition to, and not in lieu of, the Consolidated Statements of Operations prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Economic net income (“ENI”), a non-GAAP measure, is an operating metric used by management to evaluate total operating performance, a decision tool for deployment of resources, and an assessment of the performance of the Company’s business segments. ENI differs from net income by excluding (a) income tax expense, (b) operating results of the Consolidated Funds, (c) depreciation and amortization expense, (d) placement fees and underwriting costs (e) the effects of changes arising from corporate actions, and (f) certain other items that the Company believes are not indicative of its total operating performance. Changes arising from corporate actions include equity-based compensation expenses, the amortization of intangible assets, transaction costs associated with mergers and acquisitions and capital transactions, and expenses incurred in connection with corporate reorganization.  
Fee related earnings (“FRE”), a non-GAAP measure, refers to a component of ENI that is used to assess core operating performance by determining whether recurring revenue, primarily consisting of management fees,  is sufficient to cover operating expenses and to generate profits. FRE differs from income before taxes computed in accordance with GAAP as it adjusts for the items included in the calculation of ENI and excludes performance fees, performance fee compensation, investment income from the Consolidated Funds and non-consolidated funds and certain other items that the Company believes are not indicative of its core operating performance.
Performance related earnings (“PRE”), a non-GAAP measure, is used to assess the Company’s investment performance net of performance fee compensation. PRE differs from income (loss) before taxes computed in accordance with GAAP as it only includes performance fees, performance fee compensation and total investment and other income earned from the Consolidated Funds and non-consolidated funds.
Distributable earnings (“DE”), a non-GAAP measure, is an operating metric that assesses the Company’s performance without the effects of the Consolidated Funds and the impact of unrealized income and expenses, which generally fluctuate with fair value changes. Among other things, this metric also is used to assist in determining amounts potentially available for distribution. However, the declaration, payment, and determination of the amount of distributions to unitholders, if any, is at the sole discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors, which may change the distribution policy at any time. Distributable earnings is calculated as the sum of fee related earnings, realized performance fees, realized performance fee compensation, realized net investment and other income, and is reduced by expenses arising from transaction costs associated with acquisitions, placement fees and underwriting costs, expenses incurred in connection with corporate reorganization and depreciation. Distributable earnings differs from income before taxes computed in accordance with GAAP as it is typically presented before giving effect to unrealized performance fees, unrealized performance fee compensation, unrealized net investment income, amortization of intangibles and equity compensation expense. DE is presented prior to the effect of income taxes attributable to Ares Holdings, Inc. and to distributions made to the Company’s preferred unitholders, unless otherwise noted.
Management makes operating decisions and assesses the performance of each of the Company’s business segments based on financial and operating metrics and other data that is presented before giving effect to the consolidation of any of the Consolidated Funds. Consequently, all segment data excludes the assets, liabilities and operating results related to the Consolidated Funds and non‑consolidated funds.

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Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




The following table presents the financial results for the Company’s operating segments, as well as the OMG, for the three months ended June 30, 2017:
 
Credit Group
 
Private Equity Group
 
Real
Estate Group
 
Total
Segments
 
OMG
 
Total
Management fees (Credit Group includes ARCC Part I Fees of $19,143)
$
112,654

 
$
56,427

 
$
16,479

 
$
185,560

 
$

 
$
185,560

Other fees
5,663

 
338

 
19

 
6,020

 

 
6,020

Compensation and benefits
(44,754
)
 
(18,388
)
 
(9,714
)
 
(72,856
)
 
(30,990
)
 
(103,846
)
General, administrative and other expenses
(7,949
)
 
(4,345
)
 
(3,091
)
 
(15,385
)
 
(18,961
)
 
(34,346
)
Fee related earnings
65,614


34,032


3,693

 
103,339

 
(49,951
)
 
53,388

Performance fees—realized
7,883

 
64,780

 
1,467

 
74,130

 

 
74,130

Performance fees—unrealized
5,093

 
228,747

 
29,789

 
263,629

 

 
263,629

Performance fee compensation—realized
(1,898
)
 
(50,914
)
 
(161
)
 
(52,973
)
 

 
(52,973
)
Performance fee compensation—unrealized
(6,079
)
 
(184,021
)
 
(18,632
)
 
(208,732
)
 

 
(208,732
)
Net performance fees
4,999


58,592


12,463

 
76,054

 

 
76,054

Investment income—realized
2,525

 
2,717

 
373

 
5,615

 
1,340

 
6,955

Investment income (loss)—unrealized
(3,450
)
 
25,354

 
1,134

 
23,038

 
(2,728
)
 
20,310

Interest and other investment income (expense)
2,958

 
1,983

 
1,534

 
6,475

 
225

 
6,700

Interest expense
(3,065
)
 
(1,397
)
 
(429
)
 
(4,891
)
 
(463
)
 
(5,354
)
Net investment income (loss)
(1,032
)

28,657


2,612

 
30,237

 
(1,626
)
 
28,611

Performance related earnings
3,967


87,249


15,075

 
106,291

 
(1,626
)
 
104,665

Economic net income
$
69,581


$
121,281


$
18,768

 
$
209,630

 
$
(51,577
)
 
$
158,053

Distributable earnings
$
67,010

 
$
47,973

 
$
4,747

 
$
119,730

 
$
(50,038
)
 
$
69,692

The following table presents the financial results for the Company’s operating segments, as well as the OMG, for the three months ended June 30, 2016:
 
Credit Group
 
Private Equity Group
 
Real
Estate Group
 
Total
Segments
 
OMG
 
Total
Management fees (Credit Group includes ARCC Part I Fees of $28,999)
$
109,141

 
$
37,241

 
$
16,230

 
$
162,612

 
$

 
$
162,612

Other fees
550

 
334

 
435

 
1,319

 

 
1,319

Compensation and benefits
(45,937
)
 
(15,495
)
 
(10,633
)
 
(72,065
)
 
(24,988
)
 
(97,053
)
General, administrative and other expenses
(6,799
)
 
(3,324
)
 
(2,511
)
 
(12,634
)
 
(14,679
)
 
(27,313
)
Fee related earnings
56,955


18,756


3,521


79,232


(39,667
)

39,565

Performance fees—realized
16,024

 
62,779

 
2,801

 
81,604

 

 
81,604

Performance fees—unrealized
16,351

 
105,702

 
1,261

 
123,314

 

 
123,314

Performance fee compensation—realized
(754
)
 
(50,224
)
 
(53
)
 
(51,031
)
 

 
(51,031
)
Performance fee compensation—unrealized
(14,604
)
 
(84,488
)
 
(1,773
)
 
(100,865
)
 

 
(100,865
)
Net performance fees
17,017


33,769


2,236


53,022




53,022

Investment income (loss)—realized
(280
)
 
3,406

 
695

 
3,821

 
(31
)
 
3,790

Investment income (loss)—unrealized
5,391

 
2,061

 
(1,067
)
 
6,385

 
(11,904
)
 
(5,519
)
Interest and other investment income (expense)
8,098

 
8,206

 
36

 
16,340

 
(19
)
 
16,321

Interest expense
(2,450
)
 
(1,397
)
 
(272
)
 
(4,119
)
 
(709
)
 
(4,828
)
Net investment income (loss)
10,759


12,276


(608
)

22,427


(12,663
)

9,764

Performance related earnings
27,776


46,045


1,628


75,449


(12,663
)

62,786

Economic net income
$
84,731


$
64,801


$
5,149


$
154,681


$
(52,330
)

$
102,351

Distributable earnings
$
73,342

 
$
40,310

 
$
7,781

 
$
121,433

 
$
(44,613
)
 
$
76,820




40

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




The following table presents the financial results for the Company’s operating segments, as well as the OMG, for the six months ended June 30, 2017:
 
Credit Group
 
Private Equity Group
 
Real
Estate Group
 
Total
Segments
 
OMG
 
Total
Management fees (Credit Group includes ARCC Part I Fees of $52,400)
$
234,001

 
$
96,246

 
$
32,094

 
$
362,341

 
$

 
$
362,341

Other fees
10,166

 
678

 
10

 
10,854

 

 
10,854

Compensation and benefits
(96,096
)
 
(31,606
)
 
(19,450
)
 
(147,152
)
 
(57,304
)
 
(204,456
)
General, administrative and other expenses
(15,915
)
 
(8,543
)
 
(5,822
)
 
(30,280
)
 
(38,349
)
 
(68,629
)
Fee related earnings
132,156

 
56,775

 
6,832

 
195,763

 
(95,653
)
 
100,110

Performance fees—realized
16,661

 
64,780

 
1,494

 
82,935

 

 
82,935

Performance fees—unrealized
8,029

 
260,984

 
43,877

 
312,890

 

 
312,890

Performance fee compensation—realized
(7,183
)
 
(50,914
)
 
(177
)
 
(58,274
)
 

 
(58,274
)
Performance fee compensation—unrealized
(7,537
)
 
(209,526
)
 
(27,070
)
 
(244,133
)
 

 
(244,133
)
Net performance fees
9,970

 
65,324

 
18,124

 
93,418

 

 
93,418

Investment income—realized
2,843

 
3,296

 
2,156

 
8,295

 
3,199

 
11,494

Investment income (loss)—unrealized
1,139

 
33,900

 
690

 
35,729

 
(4,135
)
 
31,594

Interest and other investment income
2,939

 
2,135

 
1,353

 
6,427

 
1,099

 
7,526

Interest expense
(5,523
)
 
(2,910
)
 
(861
)
 
(9,294
)
 
(939
)
 
(10,233
)
Net investment income (loss)
1,398

 
36,421

 
3,338

 
41,157

 
(776
)
 
40,381

Performance related earnings
11,368

 
101,745

 
21,462

 
134,575

 
(776
)
 
133,799

Economic net income
$
143,524

 
$
158,520

 
$
28,294

 
$
330,338

 
$
(96,429
)
 
$
233,909

Distributable earnings
$
131,282

 
$
69,887

 
$
7,860

 
$
209,029

 
$
(98,428
)
 
$
110,601

The following table presents the financial results for the Company’s operating segments, as well as the OMG, for the six months ended June 30, 2016:
 
Credit Group
 
Private Equity Group
 
Real
Estate Group
 
Total
Segments
 
OMG
 
Total
Management fees (Credit Group includes ARCC Part I Fees of $57,624)
$
216,388

 
$
75,917

 
$
32,975

 
$
325,280

 
$

 
$
325,280

Other fees
659

 
674

 
693

 
2,026

 

 
2,026

Compensation and benefits
(89,846
)
 
(29,859
)
 
(21,868
)
 
(141,573
)
 
(51,265
)
 
(192,838
)
General, administrative and other expenses
(12,109
)
 
(6,564
)
 
(5,952
)
 
(24,625
)
 
(31,230
)
 
(55,855
)
Fee related earnings
115,092

 
40,168

 
5,848

 
161,108

 
(82,495
)
 
78,613

Performance fees—realized
22,202

 
62,779

 
2,972

 
87,953

 

 
87,953

Performance fees—unrealized
(12,696
)
 
93,279

 
5,383

 
85,966

 

 
85,966

Performance fee compensation—realized
(2,737
)
 
(50,224
)
 
(53
)
 
(53,014
)
 

 
(53,014
)
Performance fee compensation—unrealized
1,833

 
(75,379
)
 
(4,006
)
 
(77,552
)
 

 
(77,552
)
Net performance fees
8,602

 
30,455

 
4,296

 
43,353

 

 
43,353

Investment income (loss)—realized
(198
)
 
3,374

 
563

 
3,739

 
(88
)
 
3,651

Investment income (loss)—unrealized
3,796

 
(8,096
)
 
1,732

 
(2,568
)
 
(11,519
)
 
(14,087
)
Interest and other investment income (expense)
15,677

 
8,115

 
928

 
24,720

 
(68
)
 
24,652

Interest expense
(4,898
)
 
(2,802
)
 
(546
)
 
(8,246
)
 
(1,437
)
 
(9,683
)
Net investment income (loss)
14,377

 
591

 
2,677

 
17,645

 
(13,112
)
 
4,533

Performance related earnings
22,979

 
31,046

 
6,973

 
60,998

 
(13,112
)
 
47,886

Economic net income
$
138,071

 
$
71,214

 
$
12,821

 
$
222,106

 
$
(95,607
)
 
$
126,499

Distributable earnings
$
139,815

 
$
58,681

 
$
10,459

 
$
208,955

 
$
(90,854
)
 
$
118,101



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Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




The following table presents the components of the Company’s operating segments’ revenue, expenses and other income (expense):
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Segment Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees (includes ARCC Part I Fees of $19,143, $52,400 and $28,999, $57,624 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively)
$
185,560

 
$
162,612

 
$
362,341

 
$
325,280

Other fees
6,020

 
1,319

 
10,854

 
2,026

Performance fees—realized
74,130

 
81,604

 
82,935

 
87,953

Performance fees—unrealized
263,629

 
123,314

 
312,890

 
85,966

Total segment revenues
$
529,339

 
$
368,849

 
$
769,020

 
$
501,225

Segment Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
$
72,856

 
$
72,065

 
$
147,152

 
$
141,573

General, administrative and other expenses
15,385

 
12,634

 
30,280

 
24,625

Performance fee compensation—realized
52,973

 
51,031

 
58,274

 
53,014

Performance fee compensation—unrealized
208,732

 
100,865

 
244,133

 
77,552

Total segment expenses
$
349,946

 
$
236,595

 
$
479,839

 
$
296,764

Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment income (loss)—realized
$
5,615

 
$
3,821

 
$
8,295

 
$
3,739

Investment income (loss)—unrealized
23,038

 
6,385

 
35,729

 
(2,568
)
Interest and other investment income (expense)
6,475

 
16,340

 
6,427

 
24,720

Interest expense
(4,891
)
 
(4,119
)
 
(9,294
)
 
(8,246
)
Total other income (expense)
$
30,237

 
$
22,427

 
$
41,157

 
$
17,645


The following table reconciles segment revenue to Ares consolidated revenues:
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Total segment revenue
$
529,339

 
$
368,849

 
$
769,020

 
$
501,225

Revenue of Consolidated Funds eliminated in consolidation
(4,310
)
 
(4,842
)
 
(11,916
)
 
(7,453
)
Administrative fees(1)
9,132

 
6,544

 
18,738

 
13,366

Performance fees reclass(2)
(217
)
 
(1,016
)
 
(241
)
 
(1,588
)
Revenue of non-controlling interests in consolidated
subsidiaries(3)
(54
)
 

 
(54
)
 

Total consolidated adjustments and reconciling items
4,551

 
686

 
6,527

 
4,325

Total consolidated revenue
$
533,890

 
$
369,535

 
$
775,547


$
505,550

 
(1)
Represents administrative fees that are presented in administrative and other fees in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and are netted against the respective expenses for segment reporting.
(2)
Related to performance fees for AREA Sponsor Holdings LLC, an investment pool. Changes in value of this investment are reflected within other income (expense) in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(3)
Adjustments for administrative fees reimbursed and other revenue items attributable to certain of our joint venture partners.

42

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




The following table reconciles segment expenses to Ares consolidated expenses:
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Total segment expenses
$
349,946

 
$
236,595

 
$
479,839

 
$
296,764

Expenses of Consolidated Funds added in consolidation
8,825

 
5,288

 
19,334

 
11,267

Expenses of Consolidated Funds eliminated in consolidation
(4,303
)
 
(4,589
)
 
(10,901
)
 
(10,341
)
Administrative fees(1)
9,132

 
6,544

 
18,738

 
13,366

OMG expenses
49,951

 
39,667

 
95,653

 
82,495

Acquisition and merger-related expenses
724

 
85

 
276,060

 
353

Equity compensation expense
18,917

 
9,536

 
34,006

 
18,709

Placement fees and underwriting costs
6,383

 
1,754

 
9,822

 
2,684

Amortization of intangibles
5,274

 
7,121

 
10,549

 
14,384

Depreciation expense
2,774

 
1,934

 
5,990

 
3,792

Expenses of non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries(2)
574

 

 
574

 

Total consolidation adjustments and reconciling items
98,251

 
67,340

 
459,825

 
136,709

Total consolidated expenses
$
448,197

 
$
303,935

 
$
939,664


$
433,473

 
(1)
Represents administrative fees that are presented in administrative and other fees in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and are netted against the respective expenses for segment reporting.
(2)
Adjustments to eliminate costs being borne by certain of our joint venture partners.
The following table reconciles segment other income (expense) to Ares consolidated other income:
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Total other income (expense)
$
30,237

 
$
22,427

 
$
41,157

 
$
17,645

Other income (expense) from Consolidated Funds added in consolidation, net
(3,150
)
 
7,168

 
35,295

 
(15,635
)
Other income (expense) from Consolidated Funds eliminated in consolidation, net
3,731

 
(566
)
 
(6,874
)
 
11,673

Other income of non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries(1)
5

 

 
5

 

OMG other expense
(1,626
)
 
(12,663
)
 
(776
)
 
(13,112
)
Performance fee reclass(2)
217

 
1,016

 
241

 
1,588

Changes in fair value of contingent consideration
(32
)
 
24

 
20,216

 
(204
)
Offering costs
5

 

 
(655
)
 

Total consolidation adjustments and reconciling items
(850
)
 
(5,021
)
 
47,452

 
(15,690
)
Total consolidated other income
$
29,387

 
$
17,406

 
$
88,609


$
1,955

 
(1)
Adjustments to eliminate costs being borne by certain of our joint venture partners.
(2)
Related to performance fees for AREA Sponsor Holdings LLC. Changes in value of this investment are reflected within other (income) expense in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

    



43

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




The following table presents the reconciliation of income before taxes as reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations to segment results of ENI, FRE, PRE and DE:
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Economic net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before taxes
$
115,080

 
$
83,006

 
$
(75,508
)
 
$
74,032

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of intangibles
5,274

 
7,121

 
10,549

 
14,384

Depreciation expense
2,774

 
1,934

 
5,990

 
3,792

Equity compensation expenses
18,917

 
9,536

 
34,006

 
18,709

Acquisition and merger-related expenses
756

 
61

 
255,844

 
557

Placement fees and underwriting costs
6,383

 
1,754

 
9,822

 
2,684

OMG expenses, net
51,577

 
52,330

 
96,429

 
95,607

Offering costs
(5
)
 

 
655

 

(Income) loss before taxes of non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries(1)
623

 

 
623

 

(Income) loss before taxes of non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds, net of eliminations
8,251

 
(1,061
)
 
(8,072
)
 
12,341

Total consolidation adjustments and reconciling items
94,550

 
71,675


405,846


148,074

Economic net income
209,630

 
154,681


330,338


222,106

Total performance fees income - realized
(74,130
)
 
(81,604
)
 
(82,935
)
 
(87,953
)
Total performance fees income - unrealized
(263,629
)
 
(123,314
)
 
(312,890
)
 
(85,966
)
Total performance fee compensation - realized
52,973

 
51,031

 
58,274

 
53,014

Total performance fee compensation - unrealized
208,732

 
100,865

 
244,133

 
77,552

Total investment income
(30,237
)
 
(22,427
)
 
(41,157
)
 
(17,645
)
Fee related earnings
103,339

 
79,232


195,763


161,108

Performance fees—realized
74,130

 
81,604

 
82,935

 
87,953

Performance fee compensation—realized
(52,973
)
 
(51,031
)
 
(58,274
)
 
(53,014
)
Investment and other income (expense) realized, net
4,522

 
14,657

 
5,907

 
18,828

Additional adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividend equivalent(2)
(1,520
)
 
(706
)
 
(4,201
)
 
(1,390
)
One-time acquisition costs(2)
(11
)
 
(12
)
 
(23
)
 
(282
)
Income tax expense(2)
(381
)
 
(249
)
 
(607
)
 
(481
)
Non-cash items
322

 
683

 
136

 
847

Placement fees and underwriting costs(2)
(6,383
)
 
(1,747
)
 
(9,822
)
 
(2,685
)
Depreciation and amortization(2)
(1,315
)
 
(998
)
 
(2,785
)
 
(1,929
)
Distributable earnings
$
119,730

 
$
121,433


$
209,029


$
208,955

Performance related earnings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Economic net income
$
209,630

 
$
154,681


$
330,338


$
222,106

Less: fee related earnings
(103,339
)
 
(79,232
)

(195,763
)

(161,108
)
Performance related earnings
$
106,291


$
75,449


$
134,575


$
60,998

 
(1)
Adjustments to eliminate costs being borne by certain of our joint venture partners.
(2)
Certain costs are reduced by the amounts attributable to OMG, which is excluded from segment results. 

44

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




15. CONSOLIDATION
Investments in Consolidated Variable Interest Entities  
The Company consolidates entities in which the Company has a variable interest and, as the general partner or investment manager, has both the power to direct the most significant activities and a potentially significant economic interest. Investments in the consolidated VIEs are reported at their carrying value, which approximates fair value, and represents the Company’s maximum exposure to loss.
Investments in Non-Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
The Company holds interests in certain VIEs that are not consolidated as the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company's interest in such entities generally is in the form of direct equity interests, fixed fee arrangements or both. The maximum exposure to loss represents the potential loss of assets by the Company relating to these non-consolidated entities. Investments in the non-consolidated VIEs are carried at fair value.
The Company's interests and the Consolidated Funds' interests in consolidated and non-consolidated VIEs, as presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, and their respective maximum exposure to loss relating to non-consolidated VIEs are as follows:
 
As of June 30,
 
As of December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Maximum exposure to loss attributable to the Company's investment in non-consolidated VIEs
$
371,688

 
$
268,950

Maximum exposure to loss attributable to the Company's investment in consolidated VIEs
$
140,478

 
$
153,746

Assets of consolidated VIEs
$
3,936,175

 
$
3,822,010

Liabilities of consolidated VIEs
$
3,471,917

 
$
3,360,329

 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests related to consolidated VIEs
$
(8,647
)
 
$
1,054

 
$
7,208

 
$
(10,925
)


45

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




CONSOLIDATING SCHEDULES
The following supplemental financial information illustrates the consolidating effects of the Consolidated Funds on the Company's financial condition as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and results from operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.  
 
As of June 30, 2017
 
Consolidated
Company 
Entities 
 
Consolidated
Funds 
 
Eliminations 
 
Consolidated 
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
137,256

 
$

 
$

 
$
137,256

Investments (includes fair value investments of $577,280)
739,159

 

 
(140,478
)
 
598,681

Performance fees receivable
1,085,407

 

 
(2,632
)
 
1,082,775

Due from affiliates
162,380

 

 
(5,008
)
 
157,372

Deferred tax asset, net
39,080

 

 

 
39,080

Other assets
101,520

 

 

 
101,520

Intangible assets, net
47,766

 

 

 
47,766

Goodwill
143,824

 

 

 
143,824

Assets of Consolidated Funds
 

 
 

 
 

 


Cash and cash equivalents

 
424,652

 

 
424,652

Investments, at fair value

 
3,441,802

 

 
3,441,802

Due from affiliates

 
5,503

 

 
5,503

Dividends and interest receivable

 
6,797

 

 
6,797

Receivable for securities sold

 
52,494

 

 
52,494

Other assets

 
4,927

 

 
4,927

Total assets
$
2,456,392

 
$
3,936,175

 
$
(148,118
)
 
$
6,244,449

Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
$
84,745

 
$

 
$

 
$
84,745

Accrued compensation
89,100

 

 

 
89,100

Due to affiliates
23,891

 

 

 
23,891

Performance fee compensation payable
844,789

 

 

 
844,789

Debt obligations
510,856

 

 

 
510,856

Liabilities of Consolidated Funds
 

 
 

 
 

 


Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 
33,638

 

 
33,638

Due to affiliates

 
7,639

 
(7,639
)
 

Payable for securities purchased

 
231,634

 

 
231,634

CLO loan obligations, at fair value

 
3,115,281

 
(21,683
)
 
3,093,598

Fund borrowings

 
83,725

 

 
83,725

Total liabilities
1,553,381

 
3,471,917

 
(29,322
)
 
4,995,976

Commitments and contingencies


 


 


 


Preferred equity (12,400,000 units issued and outstanding)
298,761

 

 

 
298,761

Non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds

 
464,258

 
(118,796
)
 
345,462

Non-controlling interest in Ares Operating Group entities
333,641

 

 

 
333,641

Controlling interest in Ares Management, L.P.:
 

 
 

 
 

 


Partners' Capital (82,131,000 units issued and outstanding)
278,012

 

 

 
278,012

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(7,403
)
 

 

 
(7,403
)
Total controlling interest in Ares Management, L.P.
270,609

 

 

 
270,609

Total equity
903,011


464,258


(118,796
)

1,248,473

Total liabilities and equity
$
2,456,392


$
3,936,175


$
(148,118
)

$
6,244,449


46

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




 
As of December 31, 2016
 
Consolidated
Company 
Entities 
 
Consolidated
Funds 
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated 
Assets
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
342,861

 
$

 
$

 
$
342,861

Investments (includes fair value investments of $448,336)
622,215

 

 
(153,744
)
 
468,471

Performance fees receivable
767,429

 

 
(8,330
)
 
759,099

Due from affiliates
169,252

 

 
(6,316
)
 
162,936

Deferred tax asset, net
6,731

 

 

 
6,731

Other assets
65,565

 

 

 
65,565

Intangible assets, net
58,315

 

 

 
58,315

Goodwill
143,724

 

 

 
143,724

Assets of Consolidated Funds
 
 
 

 
 

 


Cash and cash equivalents

 
455,280

 

 
455,280

Investments, at fair value

 
3,330,203

 

 
3,330,203

Due from affiliates

 
3,592

 

 
3,592

Dividends and interest receivable

 
8,479

 

 
8,479

Receivable for securities sold

 
21,955

 

 
21,955

Other assets

 
2,501

 

 
2,501

Total assets
$
2,176,092


$
3,822,010


$
(168,390
)

$
5,829,712

Liabilities
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
$
83,336

 
$

 
$

 
$
83,336

Accrued compensation
131,736

 

 

 
131,736

Due to affiliates
17,959

 

 
(395
)
 
17,564

Performance fee compensation payable
598,050

 

 

 
598,050

Debt obligations
305,784

 

 

 
305,784

Liabilities of Consolidated Funds
 
 
 

 
 

 


Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 
21,056

 

 
21,056

Due to affiliates

 
10,599

 
(10,599
)
 

Payable for securities purchased

 
208,742

 

 
208,742

CLO loan obligations, at fair value

 
3,064,862

 
(33,750
)
 
3,031,112

Fund borrowings

 
55,070

 

 
55,070

Total liabilities
1,136,865


3,360,329


(44,744
)

4,452,450

Commitments and contingencies


 


 


 


Preferred equity (12,400,000 units issued and outstanding)
298,761

 

 

 
298,761

Non-controlling interest in Consolidated Funds

 
461,681

 
(123,646
)
 
338,035

Non-controlling interest in Ares Operating Group entities
447,615

 

 

 
447,615

Controlling interest in Ares Management, L.P.:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Partners' Capital (80,814,732 units issued and outstanding)
301,790

 

 

 
301,790

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(8,939
)
 

 

 
(8,939
)
Total controlling interest in Ares Management, L.P.
292,851

 

 

 
292,851

Total equity
1,039,227


461,681


(123,646
)

1,377,262

Total liabilities and equity
$
2,176,092


$
3,822,010


$
(168,390
)
 
$
5,829,712


 

47

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




 
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Consolidated
Company 
Entities 
 
Consolidated
Funds 
 
Eliminations 
 
Consolidated 
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Management fees (includes ARCC Part I Fees of $19,143)
$
185,560

 
$

 
$
(4,792
)
 
$
180,768

Performance fees
337,542

 

 
482

 
338,024

Administrative and other fees
15,098

 

 

 
15,098

Total revenues
538,200




(4,310
)

533,890

Expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Compensation and benefits
131,219

 

 

 
131,219

Performance fee compensation
261,705

 

 

 
261,705

General, administrative and other expense
50,751

 

 

 
50,751

Expenses of the Consolidated Funds

 
8,825

 
(4,303
)
 
4,522

Total expenses
443,675


8,825


(4,303
)

448,197

Other income (expense)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Investment income and net interest expense (includes interest expense of $5,354)
(1,497
)
 

 
(755
)
 
(2,252
)
Other income, net
2,822

 

 

 
2,822

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
27,481

 

 
2,598

 
30,079

Investment income and net interest income of the Consolidated Funds (includes interest expense of $26,875)

 
(4,103
)
 
15,554

 
11,451

Net realized and unrealized loss on investments of the Consolidated Funds

 
953

 
(13,666
)
 
(12,713
)
Total other income
28,806


(3,150
)

3,731


29,387

Income (loss) before taxes
123,331


(11,975
)

3,724


115,080

Income tax expense (benefit)
857

 
396

 

 
1,253

Net income (loss)
122,474


(12,371
)

3,724


113,827

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

 
(12,371
)
 
3,724

 
(8,647
)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group entities
72,596

 

 

 
72,596

Net income attributable to Ares Management, L.P.
49,878






49,878

Less: Preferred equity distributions paid
5,425

 

 

 
5,425

Net income attributable to Ares Management, L.P. common unitholders
$
44,453


$


$


$
44,453


48

Table of Contents
Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




 
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Consolidated
Company 
Entities 
 
Consolidated
Funds 
 
Eliminations 
 
Consolidated 
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Management fees (includes ARCC Part I Fees of $28,999)
$
162,612

 
$

 
$
(4,091
)
 
$
158,521

Performance fees
203,902

 

 
(751
)
 
203,151

Administrative and other fees
7,863

 

 

 
7,863

Total revenues
374,377




(4,842
)

369,535

Expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Compensation and benefits
112,654

 

 

 
112,654

Performance fee compensation
151,896

 

 

 
151,896

General, administrative and other expense
38,686

 

 

 
38,686

Expenses of the Consolidated Funds

 
5,288

 
(4,589
)
 
699

Total expenses
303,236


5,288


(4,589
)

303,935

Other income (expense)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Investment income and net interest and investment income (includes interest expense of $4,828)
5,845

 

 
(852
)
 
4,993

Other income, net
5,673

 

 

 
5,673

Net realized and unrealized loss on investments
(714
)
 

 
(2,437
)
 
(3,151
)
Investment income and net interest income of the Consolidated Funds (includes interest expense of $18,607)

 
8,336

 
1,354

 
9,690

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments of the Consolidated Funds

 
(1,168
)
 
1,369

 
201

Total other income
10,804

 
7,168

 
(566
)
 
17,406

Income before taxes
81,945


1,880


(819
)

83,006

Income tax expense (benefit)
(4,441
)
 
7

 

 
(4,434
)
Net income
86,386

 
1,873

 
(819
)
 
87,440

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

 
1,873

 
(819
)
 
1,054

Less: Net income attributable to redeemable interests in Ares Operating Group entities
339

 

 

 
339

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group entities
48,473

 

 

 
48,473

Net income attributable to Ares Management, L.P. common unitholders
$
37,574


$


$


$
37,574

 

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Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Consolidated
Company 
Entities 
 
Consolidated
Funds 
 
Eliminations 
 
Consolidated 
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Management fees (includes ARCC Part I Fees of $52,400)
$
362,341

 
$

 
$
(9,528
)
 
$
352,813

Performance fees
395,584

 

 
(2,388
)
 
393,196

Administrative and other fees
29,538

 

 

 
29,538

Total revenues
787,463




(11,916
)

775,547

Expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Compensation and benefits
255,558

 

 

 
255,558

Performance fee compensation
302,407

 

 

 
302,407

General, administrative and other expense
98,089

 

 

 
98,089

Transaction support expense
275,177

 

 

 
275,177

Expenses of the Consolidated Funds

 
19,334

 
(10,901
)
 
8,433

Total expenses
931,231


19,334


(10,901
)

939,664

Other income (expense)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Investment income and net interest expense (includes interest expense of $10,233)
(2,458
)
 

 
(1,929
)
 
(4,387
)
Other income, net
19,318

 

 

 
19,318

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
43,328

 

 
(10,594
)
 
32,734

Investment income and net interest income of the Consolidated Funds (includes interest expense of $58,197)

 
3,903

 
17,718

 
21,621

Net realized and unrealized income on investments of the Consolidated Funds

 
31,392

 
(12,069
)
 
19,323

Total other income
60,188


35,295


(6,874
)

88,609

Income (loss) before taxes
(83,580
)

15,961


(7,889
)

(75,508
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
(33,875
)
 
864

 

 
(33,011
)
Net income (loss)
(49,705
)

15,097


(7,889
)

(42,497
)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds

 
15,097

 
(7,889
)
 
7,208

Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group entities
(58,449
)
 

 

 
(58,449
)
Net income attributable to Ares Management, L.P.
8,744






8,744

Less: Preferred equity distributions paid
10,850

 

 

 
10,850

Net loss attributable to Ares Management, L.P. common unitholders
$
(2,106
)

$


$


$
(2,106
)



50

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Ares Management, L.P.
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data and As Otherwise Noted)




 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Consolidated
Company 
Entities 
 
Consolidated
Funds 
 
Eliminations 
 
Consolidated 
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Management fees (includes ARCC Part I Fees of $57,624)
$
325,280

 
$

 
$
(8,326
)
 
$
316,954

Performance fees
172,331

 

 
873

 
173,204

Administrative and other fees
15,392

 

 

 
15,392

Total revenues
513,003

 

 
(7,453
)
 
505,550

Expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Compensation and benefits
223,333

 

 

 
223,333

Performance fee compensation
130,566

 

 

 
130,566

General, administrative and other expense
78,648

 

 

 
78,648

Expenses of the Consolidated Funds

 
11,267

 
(10,341
)
 
926

Total expenses
432,547

 
11,267

 
(10,341
)
 
433,473

Other income (expense)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Investment income and net interest income (includes interest expense of $9,683)
3,852

 

 
(2,218
)
 
1,634

Other income, net
10,914

 

 

 
10,914

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(8,849
)
 

 
10,840

 
1,991

Investment income and net interest income of the Consolidated Funds (includes interest expense of $41,056)

 
13,610

 
3,412

 
17,022

Net realized and unrealized loss on investments of the Consolidated Funds

 
(29,245
)
 
(361
)
 
(29,606
)
Total other income (expense)
5,917

 
(15,635
)
 
11,673

 
1,955

Income (loss) before taxes
86,373

 
(26,902
)
 
14,561

 
74,032

Income tax expense (benefit)
1,647

 
(1,416
)
 

 
231

Net income (loss)
84,726

 
(25,486
)
 
14,561

 
73,801

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

 
(25,486
)
 
14,561

 
(10,925
)
Less: Net income attributable to redeemable interests in Ares Operating Group entities
349

 

 

 
349

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group entities
49,893

 

 

 
49,893

Net income attributable to Ares Management, L.P. common unitholders
$
34,484

 
$

 
$

 
$
34,484



16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after June 30, 2017 through the date the condensed consolidated financial statements were issued. During this period the Company had the following material subsequent events that require disclosure:
In August 2017, the board of directors of the Company's general partner declared a quarterly distribution of $0.31 per common unit to common unitholders of record at the close of business on August 18, 2017, with a payment date of September 1, 2017.

In August 2017, the board of directors of the Company's general partner declared a quarterly distribution of $0.4375 per preferred equity unit to preferred equity unitholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2017, with a payment date of September 30, 2017.

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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations
Ares Management, L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership formed on November 15, 2013. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Partnership” and “the Company” are intended to mean the business and operations of Ares Management, L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The following discussion analyzes the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership. “Consolidated Funds” refers collectively to certain Ares‑affiliated funds, related co‑ investment entities and certain CLOs that are required under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) to be consolidated in our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q. Additional terms used by the Company are defined in the Glossary and throughout the Management's Discussion and Analysis in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in the 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ares Management, L.P.
Amounts and percentages presented throughout our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations may reflect rounded results in thousands (unless otherwise indicated) and consequently, totals may not appear to sum.

Our Business
We are a leading global alternative asset manager that operates through three distinct but complementary investment groups, which are our reportable segments. Our reportable segments are Credit Group, Private Equity Group and Real Estate Group. For a detailed description of our reportable segments, see Note 14, "Segment Reporting," to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, we reclassified certain expenses from OMG to our operating segments. Historical results have been modified to conform to the current period presentation.
The focus of our business model is to provide our investment management capabilities through various funds and products that meet the needs of a wide range of institutional and retail investors. Our revenues consist primarily of management fees and performance fees, as well as investment income and administrative expense reimbursements. Management fees are generally based on a defined percentage of average fair value of assets, total commitments, invested capital, net asset value, net investment income or par value of the investment portfolios we manage. Performance fees are based on certain specific hurdle rates as defined in the funds' applicable investment management or partnership agreements and represent either an incentive fee or carried interest. Other income (expense) typically represents the investment income, realized gains (losses) and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from the investments of the Company and the Consolidated Funds, as well as interest expense. We provide administrative services to certain of our affiliated funds that are presented within administrative and other fees for GAAP reporting, but are presented net of respective expenses for segment reporting purposes. We also receive transaction fees from certain affiliated funds for activities related to fund transactions, such as loan originations. In accordance with GAAP, we are required to consolidate those funds in which we hold a significant economic interest and substantive control rights. However, for segment reporting purposes, we present revenues and expenses on a combined segment basis, which shows the results of our reportable segments without giving effect to the consolidation of the funds. Accordingly, our segment revenues consist of management fees, other income, realized and unrealized performance fees, and net investment income. Our segment expenses consist of compensation and benefits, net of administrative fees, general, administrative and other expenses, net of administrative fees, as well as realized and unrealized performance fee compensation.
Trends Affecting Our Business
We believe that our disciplined investment philosophy across our three distinct but complementary investment groups contributes to the stability of our firm’s performance throughout market cycles. Additionally, as approximately 76% of our assets under management were in funds with a contractual life of three years or more and approximately 51% were in funds with a contractual life of seven years or more. As of June 30, 2017, our funds have a stable base of committed capital enabling us to invest in assets with a long term focus over different points in a market cycle and to take advantage of market volatility. However, our results of operations, including the fair value of our AUM, are affected by a variety of factors, including conditions in the global financial markets and the economic and political environments, particularly in the United States and Western Europe.
Credit markets continued to advance through the second quarter of 2017 in the face of a number of headwinds as improving corporate fundamentals, declining treasury yields and benign macroeconomic volatility supported investor sentiment. Healthy corporate fundamentals coupled with macroeconomic strength enabled the Federal Reserve to raise the federal funds rate by an

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additional 0.25%, marking the second rate increase in 2017 and the third since December 2016. The yield curve continued to flatten during the second quarter of 2017 as headline inflation figures remained low and demand for longer dated bonds remained elevated. Consequently, the high yield market experienced strong returns of 2.14% as measured by the BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Master II Index for the second quarter of 2017, as longer duration assets benefited from the decline in 10-year Treasury yields. With short-term rates on the rise, demand for floating rate assets and robust CLO issuance continued to support the leveraged loan market, which returned 0.75% during the second quarter of 2017 according to the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index. As the second quarter came to a close, a dramatic shift in sentiment caused a spike in 10-year Treasury yields as revisions for better than expected domestic growth reverberated throughout the market. Additionally, renewed fears of oversupply in the oil markets emerged toward the end of the second quarter of 2017 leading to “quiet volatility” in credit markets as prices reacted to moves in the oil market.
Despite significant geopolitical activity, European credit markets exhibited strong performance in the second quarter of 2017 with the BofA Merrill Lynch European High Yield Index and the Credit Suisse Western European Leveraged Loan Index gaining 2.37% and 1.34%, respectively. The combination of the election in France, the special election in Britain and a decrease in the Eurozone’s jobless rate to a seven-year low has been positive for a region that has endured sluggish economic expansion since the Financial Crisis. Similar to the U.S., while the macroeconomic backdrop in Europe has improved, inflationary data continues to remain low and well below the 2% target set by the European Central Bank (“ECB”) and struggled to achieve despite years of stimulus measures. Nonetheless, the ECB President signaled at the end of June 2017 that policy makers may start winding down their bond purchases, potentially ending years of accommodative monetary policy. The result has caused a definitive sell off in global bonds and an increase in yields as investors prepare for official policy changes heading into the third quarter of 2017.
For our businesses, these markets and economies have created opportunities, particularly for the Credit Group’s direct lending and liquid alternative credit strategies, which utilize flexible investment mandates to manage portfolios through market cycles. As market conditions shift and default risk and interest rate risk come under greater focus, having the ability to move up and down the capital structure enables the Credit Group to reduce risk and enhance returns. Similarly, given our broad capabilities in leveraged loans, such flexibility enables our Credit Group to reduce sensitivities to changing interest rates by increasing allocations to floating rate leveraged loans. On a market value basis, approximately 77% of the debt assets within our Credit Group are floating rate instruments, which we believe helps mitigate volatility associated with changes in the treasury curve.
Notwithstanding the potential opportunities represented by market volatility, future earnings, cash flows and distributions are affected by a range of factors, including realizations of our funds’ investments, which are subject to significant fluctuations from period to period.
See "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Item 1A. herein, for a discussion of the risks to which our businesses are subject.
ARCC and American Capital, Ltd. Merger Agreement

On January 3, 2017, ARCC completed its acquisition of American Capital, Ltd. ("ACAS") pursuant to a definitive merger agreement entered into in May 2016 (the "ARCC-ACAS Transaction"). To support the ARCC-ACAS Transaction, we, through our subsidiary Ares Capital Management LLC, which serves as the investment adviser to ARCC, provided $275.2 million of cash consideration to ACAS shareholders upon the closing of the ARCC-ACAS Transaction in accordance with the terms and conditions of the merger agreement. In addition, we agreed to waive up to $10 million per quarter of ARCC's Part I Fees for ten calendar quarters, which began in the second quarter of 2017. We received a favorable private letter ruling from the IRS in the second quarter of 2017 which supports the full deductibility of the $275.2 million support payment in the 2017 tax year.
Consolidation and Deconsolidation of Ares Funds
Pursuant to GAAP, we consolidate the Consolidated Funds into our financial results as presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q. These funds represented approximately 4.4% of our AUM as of June 30, 20172.6% of our management fees and 0.6% of our performance fees for the six months ended June 30, 2017. As of June 30, 2017, we consolidated seven CLOs and nine private funds, and as of June 30, 2016, we consolidated five CLOs and nine private funds.
The consolidation of these funds significantly impacted interest and other income of Consolidated Funds, interest and other expenses of Consolidated Funds, net investment gains (losses) of Consolidated Funds and non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds, among others, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. Further, the consolidation of these funds may impact our management fees and performance fees reported under GAAP to the extent these fees are eliminated upon consolidation.  For the actual impact that consolidation had on our results, see the Consolidating Schedules within Note 15, “Consolidation”, to our condensed consolidated financial statements included herein.

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The assets and liabilities of our Consolidated Funds are held within separate legal entities and, as a result, the liabilities of our Consolidated Funds are non-recourse to us. Generally, the consolidation of our Consolidated Funds has a significant gross-up effect on our assets, liabilities and cash flows but has no direct net effect on the net income attributable to us. The net economic ownership interests of our Consolidated Funds, to which we have no economic rights, are reflected as non-controlling interests in the Consolidated Funds in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
We generally deconsolidate funds we advise and CLOs when we are no longer deemed to have a controlling interest in the entity. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, there were no entities liquidated or dissolved and no non-VIEs experienced a significant change in ownership or control that resulted in deconsolidation during the period.
The performance of our Consolidated Funds is not necessarily consistent with, or representative of, the combined performance trends of all of our funds.
Managing Business Performance
Non‑GAAP Financial Measures
We use the following non-GAAP measures to assess and track our performance:
Economic Net Income (ENI)
Fee Related Earnings (FRE)
Performance Related Earnings (PRE)
Distributable Earnings (DE)

The specific components and calculations of these non‑GAAP measures are discussed in greater detail in Note 14, "Segment Reporting," to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q. These non‑GAAP financial measures supplement and should be considered in addition to and not in lieu of the results of operations, presented and discussed further under “Results of Operations—Consolidated Results of Operations", which are prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a reconciliation of these measures to the most comparable measure in accordance with GAAP, see Note 14, “Segment Reporting,” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q.
Operating Metrics
We monitor certain operating metrics that are common to the alternative asset management industry, which are discussed below.
Assets Under Management
Assets under management refers to the assets we manage. We view AUM as a metric to measure our investment and fundraising performance as it reflects assets generally at fair value plus available uncalled capital. For our funds other than CLOs, our AUM equals the sum of the following:
net asset value (“NAV”) of such funds;
the drawn and undrawn debt (at the fund‑level including amounts subject to restrictions); and
uncalled committed capital (including commitments to funds that have yet to commence their investment periods).
NAV refers to the fair value of all the assets of a fund less the fair value of all liabilities of the fund.
For funds that are CLOs, our AUM is equal to subordinated notes (equity) plus all drawn and undrawn debt tranches.

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The tables below provide the period-to-period rollforwards of our total AUM by segment for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Credit Group
 
Private Equity Group
 
Real Estate Group
 
Total AUM
Balance at 3/31/2017
$
65,231

 
$
24,653

 
$
9,941

 
$
99,825

Net new par/equity commitments
2,083

 
281

 
502

 
2,866

Net new debt commitments
2,267

 

 
236

 
2,503

Distributions
(3,446
)
 
(660
)
 
(168
)
 
(4,274
)
Change in fund value
1,312

 
1,496

 
281

 
3,089

Balance at 6/30/2017
$
67,447

 
$
25,770

 
$
10,792

 
$
104,009

Average AUM(1)
$
66,341

 
$
25,212

 
$
10,368

 
$
101,921

 
Credit Group
 
Private Equity Group
 
Real Estate Group
 
Total AUM
Balance at 3/31/2016
$
58,263

 
$
25,061

 
$
10,183

 
$
93,507

Net new par/equity commitments
2,639

 
35

 
400

 
3,074

Net new debt commitments
1,242

 

 
100

 
1,342

Distributions
(2,025
)
 
(859
)
 
(562
)
 
(3,446
)
Change in fund value
206

 
577

 
3

 
786

Balance at 6/30/2016
$
60,325

 
$
24,814

 
$
10,124

 
$
95,263

Average AUM(1)
$
59,295

 
$
24,938

 
$
10,155

 
$
94,388

 
(1) Represents the quarterly average of beginning and ending balances.
The tables below provide the period-to-period rollforwards of our total AUM by segment for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Credit Group
 
Private Equity Group
 
Real Estate Group
 
Total AUM
Balance at 12/31/2016
$
60,466

 
$
25,041

 
$
9,752

 
$
95,259

Acquisitions
3,605

 

 

 
3,605

Net new par/equity commitments
4,354

 
323

 
521

 
5,198

Net new debt commitments
2,736

 

 
509

 
3,245

Distributions
(5,656
)
 
(1,303
)
 
(375
)
 
(7,334
)
Change in fund value
1,942

 
1,709

 
385

 
4,036

Balance at 6/30/2017
$
67,447

 
$
25,770

 
$
10,792

 
$
104,009

Average AUM(1)
$
64,381

 
$
25,154

 
$
10,162

 
$
99,697

 
Credit Group
 
Private Equity Group
 
Real Estate Group
 
Total AUM
Balance at 12/31/2015
$
60,386

 
$
22,978

 
$
10,269

 
$
93,633

Net new par/equity commitments
3,125

 
2,154

 
514

 
5,793

Net new debt commitments
1,542

 

 
100

 
1,642

Distributions
(5,605
)
 
(899
)
 
(868
)
 
(7,372
)
Change in fund value
877

 
581

 
109

 
1,567

Balance at 6/30/2016
$
60,325

 
$
24,814

 
$
10,124

 
$
95,263

Average AUM(1)
$
59,658

 
$
24,284

 
$
10,192

 
$
94,134

 
(1) Represents the quarterly average of beginning and ending balances.
Please refer to “— Results of Operations by Segment” for a more detailed presentation of AUM by segment for each of the periods presented.

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The graphs below present our Incentive Generating AUM and Incentive Eligible AUM by segment as of June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
aresmanageme_chart-05713.jpgaresmanageme_chart-07119.jpg
 
 
Credit
 
Private Equity
 
Real Estate
 

As of June 30, 2017 and 2016, our uninvested AUM, which we refer to as dry powder, was $24.8 billion and $24.3 billion, respectively, primarily attributable to our funds in the Credit Group and the Private Equity Group.
Fee Paying Assets Under Management
The following components generally comprise our FPAUM:
The amount of limited partner, third party capital commitments and debt commitments eligible to pay management fees for certain closed-end funds within the reinvestment period in the Credit Group, funds in the Private Equity Group and certain private funds in the Real Estate Group;
The amount of limited partner invested capital for the aforementioned closed-end funds beyond the reinvestment period as well as the structured assets funds in the Credit Group, certain managed accounts within their reinvestment period, the mezzanine fund in the Credit Group, European commingled funds in the Credit Group and co-invest vehicles in the Real Estate Group;
The gross amount of aggregate collateral balance, for CLOs, at par, adjusted for defaulted or discounted collateral; and
The portfolio value, gross asset value or NAV, adjusted in certain instances for cash or certain accrued expenses, for the remaining funds in the Credit Group, ARCC, certain managed accounts in the Credit Group and certain debt funds in the Real Estate Group.
The tables below provide the period‑to‑period rollforwards of our total FPAUM by segment for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Credit Group
 
Private Equity Group
 
Real Estate Group
 
Total
FPAUM Balance at 3/31/2017
$
45,696

 
$
17,182

 
$
6,357

 
$
69,235

Commitments
1,251

 
281

 
390

 
1,922

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage
1,265

 
456

 
154

 
1,875

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage
(2,684
)
 
(570
)
 
(96
)
 
(3,350
)
Change in fund value
756

 
(57
)
 
85

 
784

Change in fee basis
225

 

 
(236
)
 
(11
)
FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2017
$
46,509

 
$
17,292

 
$
6,654

 
$
70,455

Average FPAUM(1)
$
46,103

 
$
17,238

 
$
6,506

 
$
69,847


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Credit Group
 
Private Equity Group
 
Real Estate Group
 
Total
FPAUM Balance at 3/31/2016
$
39,605

 
$
12,008

 
$
6,674

 
$
58,287

Commitments
1,060

 

 
59

 
1,119

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage
987

 
30

 
233

 
1,250

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage
(1,300
)
 
(102
)
 
(228
)
 
(1,630
)
Change in fund value
234

 
(58
)
 
(80
)
 
96

Change in fee basis

 
(25
)
 
(14
)
 
(39
)
FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2016
$
40,586

 
$
11,853

 
$
6,644

 
$
59,083

Average FPAUM(1)
$
40,097

 
$
11,931

 
$
6,659

 
$
58,687

 
(1) Represents the quarterly average of beginning and ending balances.
The tables below provide the period‑to‑period rollforwards of our total FPAUM by segment for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Credit Group
 
Private Equity Group
 
Real Estate Group
 
Total
FPAUM Balance at 12/31/2016
$
42,709

 
$
11,314

 
$
6,540

 
$
60,563

Acquisitions
2,789

 

 

 
2,789

Commitments
1,783

 
7,922

 
390

 
10,095

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage
2,282

 
837

 
207

 
3,326

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage
(4,503
)
 
(918
)
 
(270
)
 
(5,691
)
Change in fund value
1,224

 
(336
)
 
71

 
959

Change in fee basis
225

 
(1,527
)
 
(284
)
 
(1,586
)
FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2017
$
46,509

 
$
17,292

 
$
6,654

 
$
70,455

Average FPAUM(1)
$
44,971

 
$
15,262

 
$
6,517

 
$
66,750

 
Credit Group
 
Private Equity Group
 
Real Estate Group
 
Total
FPAUM Balance at 12/31/2015
$
39,925

 
$
12,462

 
$
6,757

 
$
59,144

Commitments
1,271

 

 
173

 
1,444

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage
1,830

 
22

 
266

 
2,118

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage
(2,981
)
 
(161
)
 
(388
)
 
(3,530
)
Change in fund value
601

 
(168
)
 
(41
)
 
392

Change in fee basis
(60
)
 
(302
)
 
(123
)
 
(485
)
FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2016
$
40,586

 
$
11,853

 
$
6,644

 
$
59,083

Average FPAUM(1)
$
40,039

 
$
12,108

 
$
6,692

 
$
58,839

 
(1) Represents the quarterly average of beginning and ending balances.
Please refer to “— Results of Operations by Segment” for detailed information by segment of the activity affecting total FPAUM for each of the periods presented.

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The charts below present FPAUM by its fee basis as of June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
aresmanageme_chart-08641.jpgaresmanageme_chart-09644.jpg
FPAUM: $59,083
FPAUM: $70,455

The components of our AUM, including the portion that is FPAUM, are presented below as of June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
aresmanageme_chart-10729.jpgaresmanageme_chart-11732.jpg
AUM: $95,263
AUM: $104,009
(1) Includes $6.4 billion and $8.7 billion of AUM of funds from which we indirectly earn management fees as of June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

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Fund Performance Metrics
Fund performance information for our investment funds that are considered to be “significant funds” is included throughout this discussion with analysis to facilitate an understanding of our results of operations for the periods presented. Our significant funds include those that contributed at least 1% of our total management fees for the six months ended June 30, 2017 or comprised at least 1% of the Company’s total FPAUM as of June 30, 2017, and for which we have sole discretion for investment decisions within the fund. In addition to management fees, each of our significant funds may generate performance fees upon the achievement of performance hurdles. The fund performance information reflected in this discussion and analysis is not indicative of our overall performance. An investment in the Company is not an investment in any of our funds. Past performance is not indicative of future results. As with any investment there is always the potential for gains as well as the possibility of losses. There can be no assurance that any of these funds or our other existing and future funds will achieve similar returns.

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Table of Contents

Results of Operations
Consolidated Results of Operations
The following table and discussion sets forth information regarding our consolidated results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. We consolidate funds where we are deemed to hold a controlling financial interest. The Consolidated Funds are not necessarily the same entities in each year presented due to changes in ownership, changes in limited partners' rights, and the creation and termination of funds. The consolidation of these funds had no effect on net income attributable to us for the periods presented.
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees (includes ARCC Part I Fees of $19,143, $52,400 and $28,999, $57,624 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively)
$
180,768

 
$
158,521

 
$
22,247

 
14
 %
 
$
352,813

 
$
316,954

 
$
35,859

 
11
 %
Performance fees
338,024

 
203,151

 
134,873

 
66
 %
 
393,196

 
173,204

 
219,992

 
127
 %
Administrative and other fees
15,098

 
7,863

 
7,235

 
92
 %
 
29,538

 
15,392

 
14,146

 
92
 %
Total revenues
533,890

 
369,535

 
164,355

 
44
 %
 
775,547

 
505,550

 
269,997

 
53
 %
Expenses
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
131,219

 
112,654

 
(18,565
)
 
(16
)%
 
255,558

 
223,333

 
(32,225
)
 
(14
)%
Performance fee compensation
261,705

 
151,896

 
(109,809
)
 
(72
)%
 
302,407

 
130,566

 
(171,841
)
 
(132
)%
General, administrative and other expenses
50,751

 
38,686

 
(12,065
)
 
(31
)%
 
98,089

 
78,648

 
(19,441
)
 
(25
)%
Transaction support expense

 

 

 
NM

 
275,177

 

 
(275,177
)
 
NM

Expenses of the Consolidated Funds
4,522

 
699

 
(3,823
)
 
NM

 
8,433

 
926

 
(7,507
)
 
NM

Total expenses
448,197


303,935

 
(144,262
)
 
(47
)%
 
939,664

 
433,473

 
(506,191
)
 
(117
)%
Other income (expense)
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment income and net interest income (expense) (includes interest expense of $5,354, $10,233 and $4,828, $9,683 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively)
(2,252
)
 
4,993

 
(7,245
)
 
NM

 
(4,387
)
 
1,634

 
(6,021
)
 
NM

Other income, net
2,822

 
5,673

 
(2,851
)
 
(50
)%
 
19,318

 
10,914

 
8,404

 
77
 %
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
30,079

 
(3,151
)
 
33,230

 
NM

 
32,734

 
1,991

 
30,743

 
NM

Investment income and net interest income of the Consolidated Funds (includes interest expense of $26,875, $58,197 and $18,607, $41,056 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively)
11,451

 
9,690

 
1,761

 
18
 %
 
21,621

 
17,022

 
4,599

 
27
 %
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments of the Consolidated Funds
(12,713
)
 
201

 
(12,914
)
 
NM

 
19,323

 
(29,606
)
 
48,929

 
NM

Total other income
29,387


17,406

 
11,981

 
69
 %
 
88,609

 
1,955

 
86,654

 
NM

Income (loss) before taxes
115,080


83,006

 
32,074

 
39
 %
 
(75,508
)
 
74,032

 
(149,540
)
 
NM

Income tax expense (benefit)
1,253

 
(4,434
)
 
(5,687
)
 
NM

 
(33,011
)
 
231

 
33,242

 
NM

Net income (loss)
113,827


87,440

 
26,387

 
30
 %
 
(42,497
)
 
73,801

 
(116,298
)
 
NM

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds
(8,647
)
 
1,054

 
(9,701
)
 
NM

 
7,208

 
(10,925
)
 
18,133

 
NM

Less: Net income attributable to redeemable interests in Ares Operating Group entities

 
339

 
(339
)
 
NM

 

 
349

 
(349
)
 
NM

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in Ares Operating Group entities
72,596

 
48,473

 
24,123

 
50
 %
 
(58,449
)
 
49,893

 
(108,342
)
 
NM

Net income attributable to Ares Management, L.P.
49,878


37,574

 
12,304

 
33
 %
 
8,744

 
34,484

 
(25,740
)
 
(75
)%
Less: Preferred equity distributions paid
5,425

 

 
(5,425
)
 
NM

 
10,850

 

 
(10,850
)
 
NM

Net income (loss) attributable to Ares Management, L.P. common unitholders
$
44,453


$
37,574

 
6,879

 
18
 %
 
$
(2,106
)
 
$
34,484

 
(36,590
)
 
NM

 
NM - Not Meaningful

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Table of Contents

The following section discusses the period-over-period fluctuations of our consolidated results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 2016. Additional details behind the fluctuations attributable to a particular segment are included in "—Results of Operations by Segment" for each of the segments.
Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Compared to Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 
Revenues
Management Fees.  Total management fees increased by $22.2 million, or 14%, to $180.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $35.9 million, or 11%, to $352.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases are primarily attributed to fees generated by our Private Equity Group funds, including the launch of Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund V, L.P. (“ACOF V”) and an increase in management fees generated by Ares Energy Investors Fund V, L.P. ("EIF V"), which included one time catch-up fees of $5.5 million and $5.8 million in the current three and six month periods, respectively. Within the Credit Group, base management fees generated by ARCC increased proportionally with fee paying assets attributable to ARCC's acquisition of ACAS, but were mostly offset by a reduction in ARCC Part I Fees in accordance with the $10 million fee waiver under the ARCC-ACAS Transaction agreement, which became effective in the second quarter of 2017. Management fees generated by our Real Estate Group remained consistent for the comparative periods.
Performance Fees.  Performance fees increased by $134.9 million to $338.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $220.0 million to $393.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. Including the impact of Consolidated Funds, the Private Equity Group and the Real Estate Group had increases in performance fees of $125.3 million and $28.0 million, respectively, for the three month comparative periods, partially offset by a $18.4 million decrease in fees from the Credit Group for the same period. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, including the impact of Consolidated Funds, performance fees attributable to the Private Equity Group, Real Estate Group and Credit Group increased by $165.8 million, $38.4 million and $15.8 million, respectively, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. For more detail regarding the fluctuations of performance fees within each of the segments, see "—Results of Operations by Segment" for each of the segments.
Administrative and Other Fees.  Administrative fees and other fees increased by $7.2 million, or 92%, to $15.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $14.1 million, or 92%, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases in the current year periods were primarily due to an increase in fees associated with certain funds within the Credit Group, from which we earned transaction fees of $4.8 million and $8.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. We began to recognize fees based on transactions in the fourth quarter of 2016, which we expect to continue in future periods but at a diminishing rate as capital is fully deployed. In addition, administrative fees included $8.5 million and $17.1 million of compensation and benefits expense reimbursements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, of which $2.6 million and $5.5 million, respectively, are related to temporary employees that are assisting with the integration of ACAS into ARCC. Comparatively, administrative fee reimbursements offsetting compensation and benefits were $6.1 million and $11.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.
Expenses
Compensation and Benefits.  Compensation and benefits expenses increased by $18.6 million, or 16%, to $131.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $32.2 million, or 14%, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, compensation and benefits expenses increased due to an increase in headcount, including an additional $5.7 million and $11.2 million, respectively, attributable to employees hired in connection with ARCC's acquisition of ACAS, of which $3.4 million and $6.4 million, respectively, related to temporary employees assisting with the integration. In addition, equity compensation increased $9.4 million and $15.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the respective prior year periods due to additional restricted stock units granted in the current year.
Performance Fee Compensation.  Performance fee compensation increased by $109.8 million to $261.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $171.8 million to $302.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The change in performance fee compensation expense directly correlates with the change in our performance fees before giving effect to the performance fees earned from our Consolidated Funds that are eliminated upon consolidation.

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General, Administrative and Other Expenses. General, administrative and other expenses increased by $12.1 million, or 31%, to $50.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $19.4 million, or 25%, to $98.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. Payments to professional service providers increased by $4.7 million and $7.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the prior year periods due to several information technology initiatives to support various system implementations, process improvement initiatives and new fund structuring costs. In addition, placement fees increased $5.5 million and $7.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the prior year respective periods, primarily due to three funds within our Credit Group during the current six month period. Also impacting the six months ended June 30, 2017 was a $2.5 million one-time non-income tax paid during the first quarter of 2017.
Transaction Support Expense. Transaction support expense represents a one-time payment of $275.2 million that we made, through our subsidiary Ares Capital Management LLC, to ACAS shareholders during the first quarter of 2017 upon the closing of ARCC’s acquisition of ACAS. In connection with this acquisition, our AUM increased by $3.6 billion and FPAUM increased by $2.8 billion at closing. No similar expenses were incurred in the other periods presented.
Expenses of the Consolidated Funds. Expenses of the Consolidated Funds increased by $3.8 million to $4.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $7.5 million to $8.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases were primarily due to two funds we began consolidating in late 2016 and an increase in professional fee expenses in several Credit Group funds.
Other Income (Expense)
When evaluating the changes in other income (expense), we separately analyze the other income generated by the Company from the investment returns generated by our Consolidated Funds.
Investment Income and Net Interest Income (Expense). Investment income and net interest income (expense) of the Company decreased by $7.2 million from investment and net interest income of $5.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 to investment income and net interest expense of $2.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. Investment income and net interest income (expense) of the Company decreased from investment and net interest income of $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 to investment income and net interest expense of $4.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, ACOF III had a partial sale and recapitalization of a portfolio company which resulted in a $8.3 million dividend distribution that did not recur during the current periods. Interest expense also increased $0.5 million and $0.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the prior year periods as a result of term loans that were entered into in connection with new CLO investments.
Other Income (Expense), Net. Other income of the Company decreased by $2.9 million to $2.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016, primarily as a result of a decrease of $2.8 million in transaction gains from the revaluation of certain assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies.
Other income of the Company increased by $8.4 million to $19.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. Other income for the current year period was primarily comprised of the gain recorded in connection with the reversal of the EIF contingent consideration of $20.3 million in the first quarter of 2017. This gain was offset by $0.2 million of transaction losses from the revaluation of certain assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and by $0.7 million in offering costs related to our secondary offering for the six months ended June 30, 2017. In comparison, for the six months ended June 30, 2016, other income included transaction gains of $11.1 million from the revaluation of certain assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies.
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments. Net gain (loss) on investments of the Company increased by $33.2 million to a $30.1 million net gain for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to a net investment loss of $3.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, net investment gains increased by $30.7 million to $32.7 million, compared to the prior year period. The increases were primarily attributable to ACOF III, which had increases in net investment gains of $41.4 million and $30.2 million for the three and six month respective periods due to market appreciation in one of its portfolio companies that completed its initial public offering. The increase for the three month period was partially offset by the combined net depreciation of $7.0 million from our investments in our corporate private equity funds from small declines across multiple funds.
Investment Income and Net Interest Income (Expense) of the Consolidated Funds. Investment income and net interest income of the Consolidated Funds increased by $1.8 million, or 18%, to $11.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $4.6 million, or 27%, to $21.6 million for the six months ended June 30,

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Table of Contents

2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases were primarily driven by increases in interest and dividend income of the underlying investments of the Consolidated Funds within our Credit Group.
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments of the Consolidated Funds. Net gain (loss) on investments of the Consolidated Funds decreased by $12.9 million from a net investment gain of $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 to a net investment loss of $12.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease is primarily driven by lower valuations on certain investments within an Asian corporate private equity fund and a commercial finance fund offset by improved valuations of Euro denominated direct lending funds, as the Euro strengthened against the U.S. dollar during the most recent quarter.
Net gain (loss) on investments of the Consolidated Funds increased from a net investment loss of $29.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 to a net investment gain of $19.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase is driven by unrealized appreciation on certain investments in an Asian corporate privative equity fund and appreciation recognized in a direct lending fund that primarily holds European investments as the Euro strengthened against the U.S. dollar, offset by lower valuations of underlying investments in a commercial finance fund.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit).  Not all Company and Consolidated Fund entities are subject to taxes. As a result, income taxes may not move in tandem with income before taxes. Specifically, the Company’s investment income and performance fees are generally not subject to income tax.
For the three months ended June 30, 2017 we had an income tax expense of $1.3 million compared to an income tax benefit of $4.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, our income tax benefit was $33.0 million, compared to an income tax expense of $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The tax benefit for the six months ended June 30, 2017, was largely driven by the pre-tax losses recognized in the current year resulting from the $275.2 million transaction support payment made in connection with ARCC's acquisition of ACAS.
Non-Controlling and Redeemable Interests.  Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling and redeemable interests in Ares Operating Group entities represents results attributable to the owners of AOG Units that are not held by Ares Management, L.P. and is allocated based on the weighted average daily ownership of the AOG unitholders. The former owners of Indicus Advisors, LLP, a company we acquired in 2011, exercised the put option on their redeemable interest during the third quarter of 2016, at which time the redeemable interest in Ares Operating Group entities ceased to exist.
Net income attributable to non-controlling and redeemable interests in Ares Operating Group entities increased $23.8 million to $72.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016. Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling and redeemable interests in Ares Operating Group entities decreased from a net income of $50.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 to a net loss of $58.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The weighted average daily ownership for non-controlling and redeemable AOG unitholders was 61.42% and 61.53% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to 62.12% for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.


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Segment Analysis
For segment reporting purposes, revenues and expenses are presented on a basis that excludes the results of our Consolidated Funds. As a result, segment revenues from management fees, performance fees and investment income are different than those presented on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP because revenues recognized from Consolidated Funds are eliminated in consolidation. Furthermore, expenses and the effects of other income (expense) are different than related amounts presented on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP due to the exclusion of the results of Consolidated Funds.
Discussed below are our results of operations for each of our three reportable segments. In addition to the three segments, we separately discuss the OMG. This information is used by our management to make operating decisions, assess performance and allocate resources.
ENI and Other Measures
The following table sets forth FRE, PRE, ENI and DE by segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. FRE, PRE, ENI and DE are non‑GAAP financial measures our management uses when making resource deployment decisions and in assessing performance of our segments (see the Glossary for definitions of each of these non-GAAP financial measures and how they are being used by management).
 
Three Months Ended
 
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
Six Months Ended
 
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
June 30,
 
 
June 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Fee related earnings:
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit Group
$
65,614

 
$
56,955

 
$
8,659

 
15
 %
 
$
132,156

 
$
115,092

 
$
17,064

 
15
 %
Private Equity Group
34,032

 
18,756

 
15,276

 
81
 %
 
56,775

 
40,168

 
16,607

 
41
 %
Real Estate Group
3,693

 
3,521

 
172

 
5
 %
 
6,832

 
5,848

 
984

 
17
 %
Operations Management Group
(49,951
)
 
(39,667
)
 
(10,284
)
 
(26
)%
 
(95,653
)
 
(82,495
)
 
(13,158
)
 
(16
)%
Fee related earnings
$
53,388

 
$
39,565

 
13,823

 
35
 %
 
$
100,110

 
$
78,613

 
21,497

 
27
 %
Performance related earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit Group
$
3,967

 
$
27,776

 
(23,809
)
 
(86
)%
 
$
11,368

 
$
22,979

 
(11,611
)
 
(51
)%
Private Equity Group
87,249

 
46,045

 
41,204

 
89
 %
 
101,745

 
31,046

 
70,699

 
228
 %
Real Estate Group
15,075

 
1,628

 
13,447

 
NM

 
21,462

 
6,973

 
14,489

 
208
 %
Operations Management Group
(1,626
)
 
(12,663
)
 
11,037

 
87
 %
 
(776
)
 
(13,112
)
 
12,336

 
94
 %
Performance related earnings
$
104,665

 
$
62,786

 
41,879

 
67
 %
 
$
133,799

 
$
47,886

 
85,913

 
179
 %
Economic net income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit Group
$
69,581

 
$
84,731

 
(15,150
)
 
(18
)%
 
$
143,524

 
$
138,071

 
5,453

 
4
 %
Private Equity Group
121,281

 
64,801

 
56,480

 
87
 %
 
158,520

 
71,214

 
87,306

 
123
 %
Real Estate Group
18,768

 
5,149

 
13,619

 
264
 %
 
28,294

 
12,821

 
15,473

 
121
 %
Operations Management Group
(51,577
)
 
(52,330
)
 
753

 
1
 %
 
(96,429
)
 
(95,607
)
 
(822
)
 
(1
)%
Economic net income
$
158,053

 
$
102,351

 
55,702

 
54
 %
 
$
233,909

 
$
126,499

 
107,410

 
85
 %
Distributable earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit Group
$
67,010

 
$
73,342

 
(6,332
)
 
(9
)%
 
$
131,282

 
$
139,815

 
(8,533
)
 
(6
)%
Private Equity Group
47,973

 
40,310

 
7,663

 
19
 %
 
69,887

 
58,681

 
11,206

 
19
 %
Real Estate Group
4,747

 
7,781

 
(3,034
)
 
(39
)%
 
7,860

 
10,459

 
(2,599
)
 
(25
)%
Operations Management Group
(50,038
)
 
(44,613
)
 
(5,425
)
 
(12
)%
 
(98,428
)
 
(90,854
)
 
(7,574
)
 
(8
)%
Distributable earnings
$
69,692

 
$
76,820

 
(7,128
)
 
(9
)%
 
$
110,601

 
$
118,101

 
(7,500
)
 
(6
)%
 
NM - Not Meaningful


64

Table of Contents

Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Measures to Consolidated GAAP Financial Measures
Income before provision for income taxes is the GAAP financial measure most comparable to ENI, FRE, PRE and DE. The following table presents the reconciliation of income before taxes as reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations to ENI, FRE, PRE and DE (in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Economic net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before taxes
$
115,080

 
$
83,006

 
$
(75,508
)
 
$
74,032

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of intangibles
5,274

 
7,121

 
10,549

 
14,384

Depreciation expense
2,774

 
1,934

 
5,990

 
3,792

Equity compensation expenses
18,917

 
9,536

 
34,006

 
18,709

Acquisition and merger-related expenses
756

 
61

 
255,844

 
557

Placement fees and underwriting costs
6,383

 
1,754

 
9,822

 
2,684

Offering costs
(5
)
 

 
655

 

(Income) loss before taxes of non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries(1)
623

 

 
623

 

(Income) loss before taxes of non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds, net of eliminations
8,251

 
(1,061
)
 
(8,072
)
 
12,341

Economic net income
158,053

 
102,351

 
233,909

 
126,499

Unconsolidated performance fees income - realized
(74,130
)
 
(81,604
)
 
(82,935
)
 
(87,953
)
Unconsolidated performance fees income - unrealized
(263,629
)
 
(123,314
)
 
(312,890
)
 
(85,966
)
Unconsolidated performance fee compensation - realized
52,973

 
51,031

 
58,274

 
53,014

Unconsolidated performance fee compensation - unrealized
208,732

 
100,865

 
244,133

 
77,552

Unconsolidated net investment income
(28,611
)
 
(9,764
)
 
(40,381
)
 
(4,533
)
Fee related earnings
53,388

 
39,565

 
100,110

 
78,613

Unconsolidated performance fees—realized
74,130

 
81,604

 
82,935

 
87,953

Unconsolidated performance fee compensation—realized
(52,973
)
 
(51,031
)
 
(58,274
)
 
(53,014
)
Unconsolidated investment and other income realized, net(2)
5,620

 
13,921

 
9,067

 
17,258

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
One-time acquisition costs(2)
(724
)
 
(84
)
 
(883
)
 
(344
)
Dividend equivalent(2)
(1,744
)
 
(783
)
 
(5,205
)
 
(1,754
)
Equity income
322

 
683

 
136

 
847

Income tax (expense) benefit(2)
825

 
(3,367
)
 
(818
)
 
(4,982
)
Placement fees and underwriting costs(2)
(6,383
)
 
(1,754
)
 
(9,822
)
 
(2,684
)
Non-cash depreciation and amortization
(2,774
)
 
(1,934
)
 
(5,990
)
 
(3,792
)
Offering costs
5

 

 
(655
)
 

Distributable earnings
$
69,692

 
$
76,820

 
$
110,601

 
$
118,101

Performance related earnings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Economic net income
$
158,053

 
$
102,351

 
$
233,909

 
$
126,499

Less: fee related earnings
(53,388
)
 
(39,565
)
 
(100,110
)
 
(78,613
)
Performance related earnings
$
104,665

 
$
62,786

 
$
133,799

 
$
47,886

 
(1) Adjustments to eliminate costs being borne by certain of our joint venture partners.
(2) Certain costs are reduced by the amounts attributable to OMG, which is excluded from segment results. 

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The following table reconciles unconsolidated performance fee income to our consolidated GAAP performance fee income (in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Unconsolidated performance fee income - realized
$
74,130

 
$
81,604

 
$
82,935

 
$
87,953

Performance fee income - realized earned from Consolidated Funds
(4,664
)
 

 
(8,086
)
 

Performance fee - realized reclass(1)
(1,200
)
 
(2,712
)
 
(1,200
)
 
(2,883
)
Performance fee income - realized
$
68,266


$
78,892


$
73,649


$
85,070

Unconsolidated performance fee income - unrealized
$
263,629

 
$
123,314

 
$
312,890

 
$
85,966

Performance fee income - unrealized earned from Consolidated Funds
5,146

 
(751
)
 
5,698

 
873

Performance fee - unrealized reclass(1)
983

 
1,696

 
959

 
1,295

Performance fee income - unrealized
$
269,758


$
124,259


$
319,547


$
88,134

Total GAAP performance fee income
$
338,024


$
203,151


$
393,196


$
173,204

 
(1) Related to performance fees for AREA Sponsor Holdings LLC. Changes in value of this investment are reflected within other (income) expense in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The following table reconciles unconsolidated other income to our consolidated GAAP other income (in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Unconsolidated net investment income
$
28,611

 
$
9,764

 
$
40,381

 
$
4,533

Net investment income (loss) from Consolidated Funds
581

 
6,602

 
28,421

 
(3,962
)
Performance fee - reclass(1)
217

 
1,016

 
241

 
1,588

Change in value of contingent consideration
(32
)
 
24

 
20,216

 
(204
)
Offering costs
5

 

 
(655
)
 

(Income) loss before taxes of non-controlling interests in Consolidated subsidiaries(2)
5

 

 
5

 

Total GAAP other income
$
29,387


$
17,406


$
88,609


$
1,955

 
(1) Related to performance fees for AREA Sponsor Holdings LLC. Changes in value of this investment are reflected within other (income) expense in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Adjustments to eliminate costs being borne by certain of our joint venture partners.

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Results of Operations by Segment
Credit Group
The following table sets forth certain statement of operations data and certain other data of our Credit Group segment for the periods presented.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
Six Months Ended
 
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
June 30,
 
 
June 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Management fees (includes ARCC Part I Fees of $19,143, $52,400 and $28,999, $57,624 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively)
$
112,654

 
$
109,141

 
$
3,513

 
3
 %
 
$
234,001

 
$
216,388

 
$
17,613

 
8
 %
Other fees
5,663

 
550

 
5,113

 
NM

 
10,166

 
659

 
9,507

 
NM

Compensation and benefits
(44,754
)
 
(45,937
)
 
1,183

 
3
 %
 
(96,096
)
 
(89,846
)
 
(6,250
)
 
(7
)%
General, administrative and other expenses
(7,949
)
 
(6,799
)
 
(1,150
)
 
(17
)%
 
(15,915
)
 
(12,109
)
 
(3,806
)
 
(31
)%
Fee Related Earnings
65,614

 
56,955

 
8,659

 
15
 %
 
132,156

 
115,092

 
17,064

 
15
 %
Performance fees-realized
7,883

 
16,024

 
(8,141
)
 
(51
)%
 
16,661

 
22,202

 
(5,541
)
 
(25
)%
Performance fees-unrealized
5,093

 
16,351

 
(11,258
)
 
(69
)%
 
8,029

 
(12,696
)
 
20,725

 
NM

Performance fee compensation-realized
(1,898
)
 
(754
)
 
(1,144
)
 
(152
)%
 
(7,183
)
 
(2,737
)
 
(4,446
)
 
(162
)%
Performance fee compensation-unrealized
(6,079
)
 
(14,604
)
 
8,525

 
58
 %
 
(7,537
)
 
1,833

 
(9,370
)
 
NM

Net performance fees
4,999

 
17,017

 
(12,018
)
 
(71
)%
 
9,970

 
8,602

 
1,368

 
16
 %
Investment income (loss)-realized
2,525

 
(280
)
 
2,805

 
NM

 
2,843

 
(198
)
 
3,041

 
NM

Investment income (loss)-unrealized
(3,450
)
 
5,391

 
(8,841
)
 
NM

 
1,139

 
3,796

 
(2,657
)
 
(70
)%
Interest and other investment income
2,958

 
8,098

 
(5,140
)
 
(63
)%
 
2,939

 
15,677

 
(12,738
)
 
(81
)%
Interest expense
(3,065
)
 
(2,450
)
 
(615
)
 
(25
)%
 
(5,523
)
 
(4,898
)
 
(625
)
 
(13
)%
Net investment income (loss)
(1,032
)
 
10,759

 
(11,791
)
 
NM

 
1,398

 
14,377

 
(12,979
)
 
(90
)%
Performance related earnings
3,967

 
27,776

 
(23,809
)
 
(86
)%
 
11,368

 
22,979

 
(11,611
)
 
(51
)%
Economic net income
$
69,581

 
$
84,731

 
(15,150
)
 
(18
)%
 
$
143,524

 
$
138,071

 
5,453

 
4
 %
Distributable earnings
$
67,010

 
$
73,342

 
(6,332
)
 
(9
)%
 
$
131,282

 
$
139,815

 
(8,533
)
 
(6
)%
 
NM - Not meaningful

Accrued performance fees for the Credit Group are comprised of the following:
 
As of June 30,
 
As of December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
CLOs
$
3,765

 
$
8,182

CSF
18,998

 
26,416

ACE II
19,655

 
16,427

ACE III
24,331

 
11,541

Other credit funds
49,387

 
42,386

Total Credit Group
$
116,136

 
$
104,952


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Table of Contents

Net performance fee revenues for the Credit Group are comprised of the following:
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Realized
 
Unrealized
 
Net
 
Realized
 
Unrealized
 
Net
 
(Dollars in thousands)
CLOs
$
4,680

 
$
(5,682
)
 
$
(1,002
)
 
$
14,755

 
$
(8,489
)
 
$
6,266

CSF

 
(2,123
)
 
(2,123
)
 

 
13,736

 
13,736

ACE II
3,201

 
(652
)
 
2,549

 

 
1,704

 
1,704

ACE III

 
6,350

 
6,350

 

 
3,319

 
3,319

Other credit funds
2

 
7,200

 
7,202

 
1,269

 
6,081

 
7,350

Total Credit Group
$
7,883

 
$
5,093

 
$
12,976

 
$
16,024

 
$
16,351

 
$
32,375

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Realized
 
Unrealized
 
Net
 
Realized
 
Unrealized
 
Net
 
(Dollars in thousands)
CLOs
$
4,883

 
$
(4,487
)
 
$
396

 
$
17,651

 
$
(9,867
)
 
$
7,784

CSF

 
(7,418
)
 
(7,418
)
 

 
(15,790
)
 
(15,790
)
ACE II
3,201

 
2,558

 
5,759

 

 
4,394

 
4,394

ACE III

 
11,542

 
11,542

 

 
6,402

 
6,402

Other credit funds
8,577

 
5,834

 
14,411

 
4,551

 
2,165

 
6,716

Total Credit Group
$
16,661

 
$
8,029

 
$
24,690

 
$
22,202

 
$
(12,696
)
 
$
9,506


The following tables present the components of the change in performance fees - unrealized for the Credit Group:
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Performance Fees - Realized
 
Increases
 
Decreases
 
Performance Fees - Unrealized
 
Performance Fees - Realized
 
Increases
 
Decreases
 
Performance Fees - Unrealized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
CLOs
$
(4,680
)
 
$
233

 
$
(1,235
)
 
$
(5,682
)
 
$
(14,755
)
 
$
6,289

 
$
(23
)
 
$
(8,489
)
CSF

 

 
(2,123
)
 
(2,123
)
 

 
13,736

 

 
13,736

ACE II
(3,201
)
 
2,549

 

 
(652
)
 

 
1,704

 

 
1,704

ACE III

 
6,350

 

 
6,350

 

 
3,319

 

 
3,319

Other credit funds
(2
)
 
7,982

 
(780
)
 
7,200

 
(1,269
)
 
7,569

 
(219
)
 
6,081

Total Credit Group
$
(7,883
)

$
17,114


$
(4,138
)

$
5,093

 
$
(16,024
)

$
32,617


$
(242
)

$
16,351

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Performance Fees - Realized
 
Increases
 
Decreases
 
Performance Fees - Unrealized
 
Performance Fees - Realized
 
Increases
 
Decreases
 
Performance Fees - Unrealized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
CLOs
$
(4,883
)
 
$
897

 
$
(501
)
 
$
(4,487
)
 
$
(17,651
)
 
$
8,040

 
$
(256
)
 
$
(9,867
)
CSF

 

 
(7,418
)
 
(7,418
)
 

 

 
(15,790
)
 
(15,790
)
ACE II
(3,201
)
 
5,759

 

 
2,558

 

 
4,394

 

 
4,394

ACE III

 
11,542

 

 
11,542

 

 
6,402

 

 
6,402

Other credit funds
(8,577
)
 
14,700

 
(289
)
 
5,834

 
(4,551
)
 
9,580

 
(2,864
)
 
2,165

Total Credit Group
$
(16,661
)
 
$
32,898

 
$
(8,208
)
 
$
8,029

 
$
(22,202
)
 
$
28,416

 
$
(18,910
)
 
$
(12,696
)


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Table of Contents

Credit Group—Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Compared to Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
Fee Related Earnings:
Fee related earnings increased by $8.7 million, or 15%, to $65.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $17.1 million, or 15%, to $132.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. Fee related earnings were impacted by fluctuations of the following components:
Management Fees. Total management fees increased by $3.5 million, or 3%, to $112.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $17.6 million, or 8%, to $234.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. In the current year periods, Ares Capital Europe III, L.P. (“ACE III”) generated an additional $2.5 million and $4.6 million in management fees for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, as additional capital was deployed in the current period for investments. Additionally, ARCC's acquisition of ACAS in the first quarter of 2017 increased FPAUM by approximately $2.8 billion, which drove increases of $9.7 million and $13.7 million in management fees generated by ARCC in the current three and six month periods, respectively. The full impact of the additional fee paying assets were realized in the second quarter, as both the beginning and ending asset bases included the acquired assets. Conversely, in the second quarter of 2017, we waived $10 million of ARCC Part I Fees, which offset the ARCC management fee increase. Primarily as a result of the fee waiver, ARCC Part I Fees for the three and six month respective periods decreased $9.9 million and $5.2 million, respectively.
The effective management fee rate decreased from 1.03% and 1.05% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, to 0.97% and 1.03% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. ARCC Part I Fees contributed 0.16% towards the total effective management fee rate of the Credit Group for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to 0.27% for the three months ended June 30, 2016. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, ARCC Part I Fees contributed 0.23% towards the total effective management fee rate of the Credit Group, compared to 0.28% for the six months ended June 30, 2016. In the second quarter of 2017, we waived $10 million of ARCC Part I Fees, which reduced the effective management fee rate attributable to ARCC Part I Fees in the current year periods.
Other Fees. Other fees increased by $5.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $9.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases resulted from a transaction fee based on the amount of loans funded from certain U.S. direct lending funds that we began recognizing in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Compensation and Benefits.  Compensation and benefits expenses decreased by $1.2 million, or 3%, to $44.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016. ARCC Part I compensation decreased $5.9 million in the current quarter in line with the decrease in ARCC Part I Fee revenue. Excluding this decrease, compensation and benefits expenses increased $4.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the prior year period, primarily due to an increase in headcount, of which $2.1 million was related to the ARCC-ACAS Transaction.
Compensation and benefits expenses increased by $6.3 million, or 7%, to $96.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. Excluding the impact of the ARCC-ACAS Transaction, compensation and benefits expenses increased $5.1 million for the current year period, primarily due to additional headcount and merit increases, compared to the prior year. Compensation costs related to employees hired in connection with the ARCC-ACAS Transaction were $4.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, which were partially offset by a $2.9 million decrease in ARCC Part I compensation due to the decrease in ARCC Part I Fee revenue. Compensation and benefits expenses represented 39.7% and 41.1% of management fees for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to 42.1% and 41.5% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.
General, Administrative and Other Expenses.  General, administrative and other expenses increased by $1.2 million, or 17%, to $7.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $3.8 million, or 31%, to $15.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases in the current year periods were primarily due to occupancy and business support costs associated with increased staffing levels.
Performance Related Earnings:
Performance related earnings decreased by $23.8 million to $4.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $11.6 million to $11.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017

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Table of Contents

compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. Performance related earnings were impacted by fluctuations of the following components:
Net Performance Fees. Net performance fees include realized and unrealized performance fees, net of realized and unrealized performance fee compensation. The impact of reversals of previously recognized performance fee revenue and the corresponding performance fee compensation expense is reflected as a reduction in unrealized performance fees and unrealized performance fee compensation.  
Net performance fees decreased by $12.0 million to $5.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016. The decrease was primarily due to lower market appreciation within our syndicated loans strategy compared to the prior year period when capital markets were benefiting from a broad based rally and certain funds were generating performance fees within their catch up period.
Net performance fees increased by $1.4 million to $10.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase in net performance fees was driven by increases in E.U. direct lending funds which are generating returns in excess of the hurdle rates on a growing capital base.
Net Investment Income (Loss).  Net investment income (loss) decreased by $11.8 million from net investment income of $10.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 to a net investment loss of $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. Transaction gains decreased by $5.7 million from $6.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 to $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 from the revaluation of certain assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, included within interest and other investment income. Additionally, there was depreciation of $7.1 million from our investments in our syndicated loan funds due to compression in the markets and the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro compared to the prior year period.
Net investment income decreased by $13.0 million to $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The decrease was mostly driven by transaction losses of $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to transaction gains of $10.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from the revaluation of certain assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies.
Economic Net Income:
Economic net income is comprised of fee related earnings and performance related earnings. Economic net income decreased by $15.2 million, or 18%, to $69.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $5.5 million, or 4%, to $143.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases were a result of the fluctuations described above.
Distributable Earnings:
DE decreased by $6.3 million, or 9%, to $67.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $8.5 million, or 6%, to $131.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. DE was negatively impacted by decreases of $1.5 million and $6.3 million in net realized investment and other income, and of $9.3 million and $10.0 million in net realized performance fees for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. Increases in non-core expenses, primarily driven by placement fees related to new fund launches and by dividend equivalent payments made on unvested restricted stock, of $4.2 million and $9.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the prior year periods also contributed to the decrease of DE. Partially offsetting these decreases, FRE increased by $8.7 million and $17.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the prior year periods.

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Table of Contents

Credit Group—Assets Under Management
The tables below provide the period‑to‑period rollforwards of AUM for the Credit Group for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Syndicated Loans
 
High Yield
 
Credit Opportunities
 
Structured Credit
 
U.S. Direct Lending
 
E.U. Direct Lending
 
Total Credit Group
Balance at 3/31/2017
$
16,761

 
$
4,693

 
$
3,366

 
$
4,260

 
$
26,293

 
$
9,858

 
$
65,231

Net new par/ equity commitments
465

 
53

 
(35
)
 
169

 
1,431

 

 
2,083

Net new debt commitments
881

 

 

 

 
815

 
571

 
2,267

Distributions
(1,699
)
 
(341
)
 
(15
)
 

 
(1,094
)
 
(297
)
 
(3,446
)
Change in fund value
181

 
97

 
35

 
82

 
282

 
635

 
1,312

Balance at 6/30/2017
$
16,589

 
$
4,502

 
$
3,351

 
$
4,511

 
$
27,727

 
$
10,767

 
$
67,447

Average AUM(1)
$
16,675

 
$
4,598

 
$
3,359

 
$
4,386

 
$
27,010

 
$
10,313

 
$
66,341

 
Syndicated Loans
 
High Yield
 
Credit Opportunities
 
Structured Credit
 
U.S. Direct Lending
 
E.U. Direct Lending
 
Total Credit Group
Balance at 3/31/2016
$
17,030

 
$
3,442

 
$
3,067

 
$
3,275

 
$
22,252

 
$
9,197

 
$
58,263

Net new par/ equity commitments
186

 
869

 
302

 
578

 
(1
)
 
705

 
2,639

Net new debt commitments
510

 

 

 

 
400

 
332

 
1,242

Distributions
(774
)
 
(85
)
 
(95
)
 
(45
)
 
(908
)
 
(118
)
 
(2,025
)
Change in fund value
(24
)
 
105

 
55

 
145

 
195

 
(270
)
 
206

Balance at 6/30/2016
$
16,928

 
$
4,331

 
$
3,329

 
$
3,953

 
$
21,938

 
$
9,846

 
$
60,325

Average AUM(1)
$
16,979

 
$
3,887

 
$
3,198

 
$
3,614

 
$
22,095

 
$
9,522

 
$
59,295

 
(1) Represents the quarterly average of beginning and ending balances.
The tables below provide the period‑to‑period rollforwards of AUM for the Credit Group for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Syndicated Loans
 
High Yield
 
Credit Opportunities
 
Structured Credit
 
U.S. Direct Lending(1)
 
E.U. Direct Lending
 
Total Credit Group
Balance at 12/31/2016
$
17,260

 
$
4,978

 
$
3,304

 
$
4,254

 
$
21,110

 
$
9,560

 
$
60,466

Acquisitions

 

 

 

 
3,605

 

 
3,605

Net new par/ equity commitments
519

 
110

 
(28
)
 
169

 
3,370

 
214

 
4,354

Net new debt commitments
1,290

 

 

 

 
875

 
571

 
2,736

Distributions
(2,716
)
 
(766
)
 
(29
)
 
(114
)
 
(1,559
)
 
(472
)
 
(5,656
)
Change in fund value
236

 
180

 
104

 
202

 
326

 
894

 
1,942

Balance at 6/30/2017
$
16,589

 
$
4,502

 
$
3,351

 
$
4,511

 
$
27,727

 
$
10,767

 
$
67,447

Average AUM(2)
$
16,870

 
$
4,724

 
$
3,340

 
$
4,342

 
$
25,043

 
$
10,062

 
$
64,381

 
Syndicated Loans
 
High Yield
 
Credit Opportunities
 
Structured Credit
 
U.S. Direct Lending(1)
 
E.U. Direct Lending
 
Total Credit Group
Balance at 12/31/2015
$
17,618

 
$
3,303

 
$
3,714

 
$
3,102

 
$
23,594

 
$
9,055

 
$
60,386

Net new par/ equity commitments
245

 
961

 
253

 
800

 
(2
)
 
868

 
3,125

Net new debt commitments
510

 

 

 

 
700

 
332

 
1,542

Distributions
(1,583
)
 
(143
)
 
(700
)
 
(49
)
 
(2,656
)
 
(474
)
 
(5,605
)
Change in fund value
138

 
210

 
62

 
100

 
302

 
65

 
877

Balance at 6/30/2016
$
16,928

 
$
4,331

 
$
3,329

 
$
3,953

 
$
21,938

 
$
9,846

 
$
60,325

Average AUM(2)
$
17,192

 
$
3,692

 
$
3,370

 
$
3,444

 
$
22,594

 
$
9,366

 
$
59,658

 
(1) Distributions of $1.6 billion and $2.7 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, include $0.9 billion and $1.0 billion reduction in leverage, respectively, related to the paydown associated with the Senior Secured Loan Program (the "SSLP").
(2) Represents the quarterly average of beginning and ending balances.


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Table of Contents

Credit Group—Fee Paying AUM
The tables below provide the period‑to‑period rollforwards of fee paying AUM for the Credit Group for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Syndicated Loans
 
High Yield
 
Credit Opportunities
 
Structured Credit
 
U.S. Direct Lending
 
E.U. Direct Lending
 
Total Credit Group
FPAUM Balance at 3/31/2017
$
15,564

 
$
4,693

 
$
2,784

 
$
3,176

 
$
14,273

 
$
5,206

 
$
45,696

Commitments
1,068

 
49

 

 
80

 
54

 

 
1,251

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage

 
3

 
18

 
112

 
791

 
341

 
1,265

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage
(1,704
)
 
(341
)
 
(36
)
 
(40
)
 
(300
)
 
(263
)
 
(2,684
)
Change in fund value
134

 
99

 
31

 
86

 
227

 
179

 
756

Change in fee basis

 

 

 

 

 
225

 
225

FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2017
$
15,062

 
$
4,503

 
$
2,797

 
$
3,414

 
$
15,045

 
$
5,688

 
$
46,509

Average FPAUM(1)
$
15,313

 
$
4,598

 
$
2,791

 
$
3,295

 
$
14,659

 
$
5,447

 
$
46,103

 
Syndicated Loans
 
High Yield
 
Credit Opportunities
 
Structured Credit
 
U.S. Direct Lending
 
E.U. Direct Lending
 
Total Credit Group
FPAUM Balance at 3/31/2016
$
16,508

 
$
3,441

 
$
2,416

 
$
2,555

 
$
10,348

 
$
4,337

 
$
39,605

Commitments
184

 
869

 

 
7

 

 

 
1,060

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage
3

 

 
88

 
158

 
315

 
423

 
987

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage
(726
)
 
(85
)
 
(92
)
 
(54
)
 
(339
)
 
(4
)
 
(1,300
)
Change in fund value
(35
)
 
105

 
52

 
113

 
121

 
(122
)
 
234

FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2016
$
15,934

 
$
4,330

 
$
2,464

 
$
2,779

 
$
10,445

 
$
4,634

 
$
40,586

Average FPAUM(1)
$
16,221

 
$
3,886

 
$
2,440

 
$
2,667

 
$
10,397

 
$
4,486

 
$
40,097

 
(1) Represents the quarterly average of beginning and ending balances.
The tables below provide the period‑to‑period rollforwards of fee paying AUM for the Credit Group for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Syndicated Loans
 
High Yield
 
Credit Opportunities
 
Structured Credit
 
U.S. Direct Lending
 
E.U. Direct Lending
 
Total Credit Group
FPAUM Balance at 12/31/2016
$
15,998

 
$
4,978

 
$
2,705

 
$
3,128

 
$
11,292

 
$
4,608

 
$
42,709

Acquisitions

 

 

 

 
2,789

 

 
2,789

Commitments
1,523

 
96

 
3

 
80

 
81

 

 
1,783

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage

 
14

 
42

 
147

 
1,165

 
914

 
2,282

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage
(2,630
)
 
(766
)
 
(49
)
 
(131
)
 
(612
)
 
(315
)
 
(4,503
)
Change in fund value
171

 
181

 
96

 
190

 
330

 
256

 
1,224

Change in fee basis

 

 

 

 

 
225

 
225

FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2017
$
15,062

 
$
4,503

 
$
2,797

 
$
3,414

 
$
15,045

 
$
5,688

 
$
46,509

Average FPAUM(1)
$
15,541

 
$
4,725

 
$
2,762

 
$
3,239

 
$
13,537

 
$
5,167

 
$
44,971

 
Syndicated Loans
 
High Yield
 
Credit Opportunities
 
Structured Credit
 
U.S. Direct Lending
 
E.U. Direct Lending
 
Total Credit Group
FPAUM Balance at 12/31/2015
$
17,180

 
$
3,303

 
$
2,607

 
$
2,559

 
$
10,187

 
$
4,089

 
$
39,925

Commitments
242

 
961

 
61

 
7

 

 

 
1,271

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage
3

 

 
88

 
193

 
557

 
989

 
1,830

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage
(1,541
)
 
(142
)
 
(292
)
 
(64
)
 
(610
)
 
(332
)
 
(2,981
)
Change in fund value
50

 
208

 
60

 
84

 
311

 
(112
)
 
601

Change in fee basis

 

 
(60
)
 

 

 

 
(60
)
FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2016
$
15,934

 
$
4,330

 
$
2,464

 
$
2,779

 
$
10,445

 
$
4,634

 
$
40,586

Average FPAUM(1)
$
16,541

 
$
3,691

 
$
2,495

 
$
2,631

 
$
10,327

 
$
4,354

 
$
40,039



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The charts below present FPAUM for the Credit Group by its fee basis as of June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
aresmanageme_chart-09107.jpgaresmanageme_chart-10093.jpg
FPAUM: $40,586
FPAUM: $46,509


The components of our AUM, including the portion that is FPAUM, for the Credit Group are presented below as of June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
aresmanageme_chart-11126.jpgaresmanageme_chart-12290.jpg
AUM: $60,325
AUM: $67,447
(1) Includes $6.4 billion and $8.7 billion of AUM of funds for which we indirectly earn management fees as of June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Credit Group—Fund Performance Metrics as of June 30, 2017
The Credit Group managed 139 funds as of June 30, 2017 across the liquid and illiquid credit strategies. ARCC contributed approximately 56% of the Credit Group’s total management fees for the six months ended June 30, 2017. In addition to ARCC, we have seven additional significant funds which contributed approximately 10% of the Credit Group’s management fees for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Our significant funds that are not drawdown funds include ARCC; Ares ELIS XI, Ltd. ("ELIS XI"), a 2013 vintage separately managed account focused on syndicated loans in the United States; two sub-advised funds; and two separately managed accounts over which we exercise sole investment discretion. Our significant drawdown funds include Ares Capital Europe II, L.P. (“ACE II”), a 2013 vintage commingled fund focused on direct lending to European middle market

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companies and ACE III, a 2015 vintage commingled fund focused on direct lending to European middle market companies. We do not present fund performance metrics for significant funds with less than two years of historical information.
The following table presents the performance data for our significant funds in the Credit Group that are not drawdown funds:
 
 
 
As of June 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Returns(%)(1)
 
 
 
Year of
 
AUM
 
Current Quarter
 
Year-To-Date
 
Since Inception(2)
 
Primary
Investment Strategy
Fund
Inception
 
(in millions)
 
Gross
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Net
 
ARCC(3)
2004
 
$
13,766

 
N/A
 
2.6
 
N/A
 
5.3
 
N/A
 
11.8
 
U.S. Direct Lending
Sub-advised Client A(4)
2007
 
709

 
2.4
 
2.3
 
4.4
 
4.2
 
8.0
 
7.6
 
High Yield
Sub-advised Client B(4)
2009
 
677

 
1.0
 
0.9
 
2.0
 
1.7
 
6.5
 
5.9
 
Syndicated Loans
ELIS XI(4)
2013
 
682

 
1.2
 
1.1
 
2.3
 
2.1
 
3.4
 
2.9
 
Syndicated Loans
Separately Managed Account Client A(4)
2015
 
1,120

 
1.8
 
1.8
 
6.6
 
6.4
 
6.7
 
6.4
 
Structured Credit
Separately Managed Account Client B
2016
 
811

 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
High Yield
 
(1)
Returns are time-weighted rates of return and include the reinvestment of income and other earnings from securities or other investments and reflect the deduction of all trading expenses.
(2)
Since inception returns are annualized.
(3)
Net returns are calculated using the fund's NAV and assume dividends are reinvested at the closest quarter-end NAV to the relevant quarterly ex-dividend dates. Additional information related to ARCC can be found in its financial statements filed with the SEC, which are not part of this report.
(4)
Gross returns do not reflect the deduction of management fees or any other expenses. Net returns are calculated by subtracting the applicable management fee from the gross returns on a monthly basis.
The following table presents the performance data of our significant drawdown funds:
 
 
 
 
 
As of June 30, 2017 (Dollars in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year of Inception
 
AUM
 
Original Capital Commitments
 
Cumulative Invested Capital
 
Realized Proceeds(1)
 
Unrealized Value(2)
 
Total Value
 
MoIC
 
IRR(%)
 
Primary
Investment Strategy
Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross(3)
 
Net(4)
 
Gross(5)
 
Net(6)
 
ACE II(7)
2013
 
$
1,502

 
$
1,216

 
$
962

 
$
327

 
$
876

 
$
1,203

 
1.3x
 
1.2x
 
10.3
 
7.4
 
E.U. Direct Lending
ACE III(8)
2015
 
4,862

 
2,822

 
1,414

 
49

 
1,485

 
1,534

 
1.1x
 
1.1x
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
E.U. Direct Lending
 
(1)
Realized proceeds represent the sum of all cash distributions to all partners and if applicable, exclude tax and incentive distributions made to the general partner.
(2)
Unrealized value represents the fund's NAV reduced by the accrued incentive allocation, if applicable. There can be no assurance that unrealized values will be realized at the valuations indicated.
(3)
The gross multiple of invested capital (“MoIC”) is calculated at the fund-level and is based on the interests of the fee-paying limited partners and if applicable, excludes interests attributable to the non-fee paying limited partners and/or the general partner which does not pay management fees or performance fees. The gross MoIC is before giving effect to management fees, performance fees as applicable and other expenses.
(4)
The net MoIC is calculated at the fund-level and is based on the interests of the fee-paying limited partners and if applicable, excludes those interests attributable to the non-fee paying limited partners and/or the general partner which does not pay management fees or performance fees. The net MoIC is after giving effect to management fees, performance fees as applicable and other expenses.
(5)
The gross IRR is an annualized since inception gross internal rate of return of cash flows to and from the fund and the fund’s residual value at the end of the measurement period. Gross IRR reflects returns to the fee-paying limited partners and if applicable, excludes interests attributable to the non-fee paying limited partners and/or the general partner which does not pay management fees or performance fees. The cash flow dates used in the gross IRR calculation are based on the actual dates of the cash flows. Gross IRRs are calculated before giving effect to management fees, performance fees as applicable, and other expenses.
(6)
The net IRR is an annualized since inception net internal rate of return of cash flows to and from the fund and the fund’s residual value at the end of the measurement period. Net IRRs reflect returns to the fee-paying limited partners and if applicable, exclude interests attributable to the non-fee paying limited partners and/or the general partner who does not pay management fees or performance fees. The cash flow dates used in the net IRR calculations are based on the actual dates of the cash flows. The net IRRs are calculated after giving effect to management fees, performance fees as applicable, and other expenses.
(7)
ACE II is made up of two feeder funds, one denominated in U.S. dollars and one denominated in Euros. The gross and net IRR and gross and net MoIC presented in the chart are for the U.S. dollar denominated feeder fund as that is the larger of the two feeders. The gross and net IRR for the Euro denominated feeder fund are 12.9% and 9.7%, respectively. The gross and net MoIC for the Euro denominated feeder fund are 1.4x and 1.3x, respectively. Original capital commitments are converted to U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of the fund's closing. All other values for ACE II are for the combined fund and are converted to U.S. dollars at the prevailing quarter-end

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exchange rate. The variance between the gross and net MoICs and the net IRRs for the U.S. dollar denominated and Euro denominated feeder funds is driven by the U.S. GAAP mark-to-market reporting of the foreign currency hedging program in the U.S. dollar denominated feeder fund. The feeder fund will be holding the foreign currency hedges until maturity, and therefore is expected to ultimately recognize a gain while mitigating the currency risk associated with the initial principal investments.
(8)
ACE III is made up of two feeder funds, one denominated in U.S. dollars and one denominated in Euros. The gross and net MoIC presented in the chart are for the Euro denominated feeder fund as that is the larger of the two feeders. The gross and net MoIC for the U.S. dollar denominated feeder fund are 1.1x and 1.1x, respectively. Original capital commitments are converted to U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of the fund's closing. All other values for ACE III are for the combined fund and are converted to U.S. dollars at the prevailing quarter-end exchange rate.


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Table of Contents

Private Equity Group
The following table sets forth certain statement of operations data and certain other data of our Private Equity Group segment for the periods presented.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
Six Months Ended
 
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
June 30,
 
 
June 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Management fees
$
56,427

 
$
37,241

 
$
19,186

 
52
 %
 
$
96,246

 
$
75,917

 
$
20,329

 
27
 %
Other fees
338

 
334

 
4

 
1
 %
 
678

 
674

 
4

 
1
 %
Compensation and benefits
(18,388
)
 
(15,495
)
 
(2,893
)
 
(19
)%
 
(31,606
)
 
(29,859
)
 
(1,747
)
 
(6
)%
General, administrative and other expenses
(4,345
)
 
(3,324
)
 
(1,021
)
 
(31
)%
 
(8,543
)
 
(6,564
)
 
(1,979
)
 
(30
)%
Fee Related Earnings
34,032

 
18,756

 
15,276

 
81
 %
 
56,775

 
40,168

 
16,607

 
41
 %
Performance fees-realized
64,780

 
62,779

 
2,001

 
3
 %
 
64,780

 
62,779

 
2,001

 
3
 %
Performance fees-unrealized
228,747

 
105,702

 
123,045

 
116
 %
 
260,984

 
93,279

 
167,705

 
180
 %
Performance fee compensation-realized
(50,914
)
 
(50,224
)
 
(690
)
 
(1
)%
 
(50,914
)
 
(50,224
)
 
(690
)
 
(1
)%
Performance fee compensation-unrealized
(184,021
)
 
(84,488
)
 
(99,533
)
 
(118
)%
 
(209,526
)
 
(75,379
)
 
(134,147
)
 
(178
)%
Net performance fees
58,592

 
33,769

 
24,823

 
74
 %
 
65,324

 
30,455

 
34,869

 
114
 %
Investment income-realized
2,717

 
3,406

 
(689
)
 
(20
)%
 
3,296

 
3,374

 
(78
)
 
(2
)%
Investment income (loss)-unrealized
25,354

 
2,061

 
23,293

 
NM

 
33,900

 
(8,096
)
 
41,996

 
NM

Interest and other investment income
1,983

 
8,206

 
(6,223
)
 
(76
)%
 
2,135

 
8,115

 
(5,980
)
 
(74
)%
Interest expense
(1,397
)
 
(1,397
)
 

 
 %
 
(2,910
)
 
(2,802
)
 
(108
)
 
(4
)%
Net investment income
28,657

 
12,276

 
16,381

 
133
 %
 
36,421

 
591

 
35,830

 
NM

Performance related earnings
87,249

 
46,045

 
41,204

 
89
 %
 
101,745

 
31,046

 
70,699

 
228
 %
Economic net income
$
121,281

 
$
64,801

 
56,480

 
87
 %
 
$
158,520

 
$
71,214

 
87,306

 
123
 %
Distributable earnings
$
47,973

 
$
40,310

 
7,663

 
19
 %
 
$
69,887

 
$
58,681

 
11,206

 
19
 %
 
NM - Not meaningful

Accrued performance fees for the Private Equity Group are comprised of the following:
 
As of June 30,
 
As of December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
ACOF III
$
526,484

 
$
342,958

ACOF IV
330,232

 
234,207

EIF V
14,071

 
16,510

Other funds
14,045

 
30,174

Total Private Equity Group
$
884,832

 
$
623,849

    
    

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Table of Contents

Net performance fee revenues for the Private Equity Group are comprised of the following:
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Realized
 
Unrealized
 
Net
 
Realized
 
Unrealized
 
Net
 
(Dollars in thousands)
ACOF III
$
4,263

 
$
206,293

 
$
210,556

 
$
62,085

 
$
(42,636
)
 
$
19,449

ACOF IV
55,853

 
41,203

 
97,056

 

 
142,553

 
142,553

ACOF V

 
(5,719
)
 
(5,719
)
 

 

 

EIF V

 
(2,477
)
 
(2,477
)
 

 

 

Other funds
4,664

 
(10,553
)
 
(5,889
)
 
694

 
5,785

 
6,479

Total Private Equity Group
$
64,780


$
228,747


$
293,527

 
$
62,779

 
$
105,702

 
$
168,481

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Realized
 
Unrealized
 
Net
 
Realized
 
Unrealized
 
Net
 
(Dollars in thousands)
ACOF III
$
4,263

 
$
183,526

 
$
187,789

 
$
62,085

 
$
7,345

 
$
69,430

ACOF IV
55,853

 
96,026

 
151,879

 

 
83,945

 
83,945

ACOF V

 

 

 

 

 

EIF V

 
(2,439
)
 
(2,439
)
 

 

 

Other funds
4,664

 
(16,129
)
 
(11,465
)
 
694

 
1,989

 
2,683

Total Private Equity Group
$
64,780

 
$
260,984

 
$
325,764

 
$
62,779

 
$
93,279

 
$
156,058

    
The following tables present the components of the change in performance fees - unrealized for the Private Equity Group:
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Performance Fees - Realized
 
Increases
 
Decreases
 
Performance Fees - Unrealized
 
Performance Fees - Realized
 
Increases
 
Decreases
 
Performance Fees - Unrealized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
ACOF III
$
(4,263
)
 
$
210,556

 
$

 
$
206,293

 
$
(62,085
)
 
$
19,449

 
$

 
$
(42,636
)
ACOF IV
(55,853
)
 
97,056

 

 
41,203

 

 
142,553

 

 
142,553

ACOF V

 

 
(5,719
)
 
(5,719
)
 

 

 

 

EIF V

 

 
(2,477
)
 
(2,477
)
 

 

 

 

Other funds
(4,664
)
 
5

 
(5,894
)
 
(10,553
)
 
(694
)
 
6,593

 
(114
)
 
5,785

Total Private Equity Group
$
(64,780
)
 
$
307,617

 
$
(14,090
)
 
$
228,747

 
$
(62,779
)
 
$
168,595

 
$
(114
)
 
$
105,702

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Performance Fees - Realized
 
Increases
 
Decreases
 
Performance Fees - Unrealized
 
Performance Fees - Realized
 
Increases
 
Decreases
 
Performance Fees - Unrealized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
ACOF III
$
(4,263
)
 
$
187,789

 
$

 
$
183,526

 
$
(62,085
)
 
$
69,430

 
$

 
$
7,345

ACOF IV
(55,853
)
 
151,879

 

 
96,026

 

 
83,945

 

 
83,945

ACOF V

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EIF V

 

 
(2,439
)
 
(2,439
)
 

 

 

 

Other funds
(4,664
)
 
1,014

 
(12,479
)
 
(16,129
)
 
(694
)
 
5,572

 
(2,889
)
 
1,989

Total Private Equity Group
$
(64,780
)
 
$
340,682

 
$
(14,918
)
 
$
260,984

 
$
(62,779
)
 
$
158,947

 
$
(2,889
)
 
$
93,279



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Private Equity Group—Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Compared to Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
Fee Related Earnings:
Fee related earnings increased by $15.3 million, or 81%, to $34.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $16.6 million, or 41%, to $56.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. Fee related earnings were impacted by fluctuations of the following components:
Management Fees.  Total management fees increased by $19.2 million, or 52%, to $56.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $20.3 million, or 27%, to $96.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase was primarily attributable to ACOF V, which began generating fees in March 2017 totaling $27.3 million and $36.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. In addition, EIF V held its final close, generating additional management fees of $7.1 million and $7.9 million, of which $5.5 million and $5.8 million represented one time catch-up fees, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. Partially offsetting these increases, management fees generated by Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund IV, L.P. (“ACOF IV”) decreased by $11.2 million and $14.8 million for the three and six month respective periods due to a reduced fee rate and change in fee base in connection with the launch of ACOF V. Additionally, management fees attributable to certain U.S. power and energy infrastructure funds decreased $3.1 million and $6.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, as a result of portfolio realizations which reduced the fee bases of the funds.
The effective management fee rate decreased from 1.25% and 1.27% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, to 1.18% and 1.20%, excluding the effect of one-time catch-up fees, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The decreases in the effective management fee rate resulted from a reduced fee rate at ACOF IV. The decreases were partially offset by ACOF V management fees initiating in March 2017, which had a greater offsetting impact in the six month period.
Compensation and Benefits.  Compensation and benefits expenses increased by $2.9 million, or 19%, to $18.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $1.7 million, or 6%, to $31.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases for the three and six month comparative periods were primarily due to increases in salary and benefits expense as a result of additional headcount needed to support ACOF V's increasing asset base, as well as merit based increases. The increase in the six months ended June 30, 2017 was partially offset by the reversal of previously accrued compensation in the first quarter of 2017 resulting from certain EIF fundraising targets that were not met. Compensation and benefits expenses represented 32.6% and 32.8% of management fees for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to 41.6% and 39.3% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.
General, Administrative and Other Expenses.  General, administrative and other expenses increased by $1.0 million, or 31%, to $4.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the prior year period and by $2.0 million, or 30%, to $8.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases in the current year periods were primarily due to increases in recruiting fees, due to the hiring of new personnel, and increases in occupancy and information technology expenses that were impacted by additional headcount.
Performance Related Earnings:
Performance related earnings increased by $41.2 million to $87.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $70.7 million to $101.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. Performance related earnings were impacted by fluctuations of the following components:
 Net Performance Fees. Net performance fees include realized and unrealized performance fees, net of realized and unrealized performance fee compensation. The impact of reversals of previously recognized performance fee revenue and the corresponding performance fee compensation expense is reflected as a reduction in unrealized performance fees and unrealized performance fee compensation.
Net performance fees increased by $24.8 million to $58.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $34.9 million to $65.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases in net performance fees for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017

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were primarily driven by significant market appreciation in one of ACOF III's retail portfolio companies following its initial public offering.
Net Investment Income.  Net investment income increased by $16.4 million to $28.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016. The increase was primarily driven by market appreciation of ACOF III, as discussed above in performance fees, resulting in an increase in net realized and unrealized gains of $41.4 million compared to the prior year period. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in dividend income of $7.8 million from ACOF III. Also offsetting the increase were decreases of: (i) $5.2 million in market depreciation on our investment in our Asian corporate private equity fund primarily attributable to a decrease in market value of two publicly traded investments; (ii) $3.0 million in net returns of certain special situations funds as a result of depreciation of underlying investments; (iii) $2.9 million in net returns on our investment in EIF V primarily as a result of a reallocation of capital due to the final equity closing; and (iv) $6.8 million in net returns from our remaining investments in the corporate private equity funds as a result of net depreciation of underlying investments.
Net investment income increased by $35.8 million to $36.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in net realized and unrealized gains of $30.2 million on our investment in ACOF III, primarily due to appreciation of one of its investments, partially offset by a decrease in dividend income of $7.8 million from our investment in ACOF III, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the prior year period. Additionally, there was an increase of $16.4 million in unrealized appreciation from our Asian corporate private equity fund, primarily attributable to two of its portfolio investments: a public company and a private company with increased operating performance.

Economic Net Income:
Economic net income is comprised of fee related earnings and performance related earnings. Economic net income increased by $56.5 million to $121.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $87.3 million to $158.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases were a result of the fluctuations described above.
Distributable Earnings:
DE increased by $7.7 million, or 19%, to $48.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $11.2 million, or 19%, to $69.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. DE was positively impacted by increases in FRE of $15.3 million and $16.6 million for the three and six months respective periods, and increases in net realized performance fees of $1.3 million for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2017. The increases in DE were partially offset by decreases in net realized investment and other income of $8.1 million and $6.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the prior year periods.

Private Equity Group—Assets Under Management
The tables below provide the period‑to‑period rollforwards of AUM for the Private Equity Group for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Corporate Private Equity
 
Private Equity - EIF
 
Special Situations
 
Total Private Equity Group
Balance at 3/31/2017
$
18,384

 
$
4,574

 
$
1,695

 
$
24,653

Net new equity commitments
(3
)
 
284

 

 
281

Distributions
(535
)
 
(32
)
 
(93
)
 
(660
)
Change in fund value
1,624

 
(100
)
 
(28
)
 
1,496

Balance at 6/30/2017
$
19,470

 
$
4,726

 
$
1,574

 
$
25,770

Average AUM(1)
$
18,927

 
$
4,650

 
$
1,635

 
$
25,212


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Corporate Private Equity
 
Private Equity - EIF
 
Special Situations
 
Total Private Equity Group
Balance at 3/31/2016
$
18,153

 
$
5,123

 
$
1,785

 
$
25,061

Net new equity commitments
35

 

 

 
35

Distributions
(646
)
 
(160
)
 
(53
)
 
(859
)
Change in fund value
536

 
(4
)
 
45

 
577

Balance at 6/30/2016
$
18,078

 
$
4,959

 
$
1,777

 
$
24,814

Average AUM(1)
$
18,116

 
$
5,041

 
$
1,781

 
$
24,938

 
 
(1)
Represents the quarterly average of beginning and ending balances.
The tables below provide the period‑to‑period rollforwards of AUM for the Private Equity Group for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Corporate Private Equity
 
Private Equity - EIF
 
Special Situations
 
Total Private Equity Group
Balance at 12/31/2016
$
18,162

 
$
5,143

 
$
1,736

 
$
25,041

Net new equity commitments
23

 
300

 

 
323

Distributions
(553
)
 
(609
)
 
(141
)
 
(1,303
)
Change in fund value
1,838

 
(108
)
 
(21
)
 
1,709

Balance at 6/30/2017
$
19,470

 
$
4,726

 
$
1,574

 
$
25,770

Average AUM(2)
$
18,672

 
$
4,814

 
$
1,668

 
$
25,154

 
Corporate Private Equity(1)
 
Private Equity - EIF
 
Special Situations
 
Total Private Equity Group
Balance at 12/31/2015
$
15,908

 
$
5,207

 
$
1,863

 
$
22,978

Net new equity commitments
2,154

 

 

 
2,154

Distributions
(647
)
 
(176
)
 
(76
)
 
(899
)
Change in fund value
663

 
(72
)
 
(10
)
 
581

Balance at 6/30/2016
$
18,078

 
$
4,959

 
$
1,777

 
$
24,814

Average AUM(2)
$
17,380

 
$
5,096

 
$
1,808

 
$
24,284

 
(1)
Net new equity commitments represent commitments to ACOF V for the six months ended June 30, 2016.
(2)
Represents the quarterly average of beginning and ending balances.

Private Equity Group—Fee Paying AUM
The tables below provide the period‑to‑period rollforwards of fee paying AUM for the Private Equity Group for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Corporate Private Equity
 
Private Equity - EIF
 
Special Situations
 
Total Private Equity Group
FPAUM Balance at 3/31/2017
$
12,720

 
$
3,865

 
$
597

 
$
17,182

Commitments
(3
)
 
284

 

 
281

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage
230

 
9

 
217

 
456

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage
(510
)
 
(24
)
 
(36
)
 
(570
)
Change in fund value

 
(53
)
 
(4
)
 
(57
)
FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2017
$
12,437

 
$
4,081

 
$
774

 
$
17,292

Average FPAUM(1)
$
12,579

 
$
3,973

 
$
686

 
$
17,238


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Corporate Private Equity
 
Private Equity - EIF
 
Special Situations
 
Total Private Equity Group
FPAUM Balance at 3/31/2016
$
6,686

 
$
4,429

 
$
893

 
$
12,008

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage
17

 
6

 
7

 
30

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage

 
(46
)
 
(56
)
 
(102
)
Change in fund value

 
(58
)
 

 
(58
)
Change in fee basis
(25
)
 

 

 
(25
)
FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2016
$
6,678

 
$
4,331

 
$
844

 
$
11,853

Average FPAUM(1)
$
6,682

 
$
4,380

 
$
869

 
$
11,931

 
(1) Represents the quarterly average of beginning and ending balances.
The tables below provide the period‑to‑period rollforwards of fee paying AUM for the Private Equity Group for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Corporate Private Equity
 
Private Equity - EIF
 
Special Situations
 
Total Private Equity Group
FPAUM Balance at 12/31/2016
$
6,454

 
$
4,232

 
$
628

 
$
11,314

Commitments
7,622

 
300

 

 
7,922

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage
409

 
169

 
259

 
837

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage
(521
)
 
(332
)
 
(65
)
 
(918
)
Change in fund value

 
(288
)
 
(48
)
 
(336
)
Change in fee basis
(1,527
)
 

 

 
(1,527
)
FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2017
$
12,437

 
$
4,081

 
$
774

 
$
17,292

Average FPAUM(1)
$
10,537

 
$
4,059

 
$
666

 
$
15,262

 
Corporate Private Equity
 
Private Equity - EIF
 
Special Situations
 
Total Private Equity Group
FPAUM Balance at 12/31/2015
$
6,957

 
$
4,454

 
$
1,051

 
$
12,462

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage
16

 
10

 
(4
)
 
22

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage

 
(46
)
 
(115
)
 
(161
)
Change in fund value

 
(80
)
 
(88
)
 
(168
)
Change in fee basis
(295
)
 
(7
)
 

 
(302
)
FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2016
$
6,678

 
$
4,331

 
$
844

 
$
11,853

Average FPAUM(1)
$
6,774

 
$
4,405

 
$
929

 
$
12,108

 
(1) Represents the quarterly average of beginning and ending balances.

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The charts below present FPAUM for the Private Equity Group by its fee basis as of June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
aresmanageme_chart-08812.jpgaresmanageme_chart-10139.jpg
FPAUM: $11,853
FPAUM: $17,292

The components of our AUM, including the portion that is FPAUM, for the Private Equity Group are presented below as of June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
aresmanageme_chart-11080.jpgaresmanageme_chart-12410.jpg
AUM: $24,814
AUM: $25,770


Private Equity Group—Fund Performance Metrics as of June 30, 2017
The Private Equity Group managed 21 commingled funds and related co-investment vehicles as of June 30, 2017. ACOF III, ACOF IV, ACOF V, U.S. Power Fund III (“USPF III”), U.S. Power Fund IV (“USPF IV”) and EIF V, each considered a significant fund, combined for approximately 94% of the Private Equity Group’s management fees for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Our Corporate Private Equity funds focus on majority or shared-control investments, principally in under-capitalized companies in North America, Europe and Asia. ACOF III and ACOF IV are in harvest mode, meaning they are generally not seeking to deploy capital into new investment opportunities, while ACOF V is in deployment mode. Each of our U.S. power and energy infrastructure funds focuses on generating long-term, stable cash-flowing investments in the power generation, transmission and midstream energy sector. USPF III and USPF IV are in harvest mode, while EIF V is in deployment mode.

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The following table presents the performance data for our significant funds in the Private Equity Group, all of which are drawdown funds:
 
 
 
 
 
As of June 30, 2017 (Dollars in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year of Inception
 
AUM
 
Original Capital Commitments
 
Cumulative Invested Capital
 
Realized Proceeds(1)
 
Unrealized Value(2)
 
Total Value
 
MoIC
 
IRR(%)
 
Primary Investment Strategy
Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross(3)
 
Net(4)
 
Gross(5)
 
Net(6)
 
USPF III
2007
 
$
926

 
$
1,350

 
$
1,807

 
$
1,732

 
$
912

 
$
2,644

 
1.5x
 
1.4x
 
8.5
 
5.9
 
U.S. Power and Energy Infrastructure
ACOF III
2008
 
4,709

 
3,510

 
3,867

 
5,671

 
4,363

 
10,034

 
2.6x
 
2.2x
 
31.7
 
23.7
 
Corporate Private Equity
USPF IV
2010
 
1,953

 
1,688

 
1,772

 
742

 
1,724

 
2,466

 
1.4x
 
1.3x
 
12.7
 
9.5
 
U.S. Power and Energy Infrastructure
ACOF IV
2012
 
6,278

 
4,700

 
3,733

 
1,324

 
5,093

 
6,417

 
1.7x
 
1.5x
 
24.9
 
16.8
 
Corporate Private Equity
ACOF V
2017
 
7,794

 
7,850

 
716

 
9

 
707

 
716

 
1.0x
 
0.9x
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
Corporate Private Equity
EIF V(7)
2015
 
875

 
801

 
264

 
75

 
299

 
375

 
1.4x
 
1.5x
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
U.S. Power and Energy Infrastructure
 
(1)
Realized proceeds represent the sum of all cash dividends, interest income, other fees and cash proceeds from realizations of interests in portfolio investments.
(2)
Unrealized value represents the fair market value of remaining investments. There can be no assurance that unrealized investments will be realized at the valuations indicated.
(3)
The gross MoIC is calculated at the investment-level and is based on the interests of all partners. The gross MoIC is before giving effect to management fees, performance fees as applicable and other expenses.
(4)
The net MoIC for the U.S. power and energy infrastructure funds is calculated at the fund-level. The net MoIC for the corporate private equity funds is calculated at the investment-level. For all funds, the net MoIC is based on the interests of the fee-paying limited partners and if applicable, excludes those interests attributable to the non-fee paying limited partners and/or the general partner who does not pay management fees or performance fees. The net MoIC is after giving effect to management fees, performance fees as applicable and other expenses.
(5)
The gross IRR is an annualized since inception gross internal rate of return of cash flows to and from investments and the residual value of the investments at the end of the measurement period. Gross IRRs reflect returns to all partners. Cash flows used in the gross IRR calculation are assumed to occur at month-end. The gross IRRs are calculated before giving effect to management fees, performance fees as applicable, and other expenses.
(6)
The net IRR for the U.S. power and energy infrastructure funds is an annualized since inception net internal rate of return of cash flows to and from the fund and the fund’s residual value at the end of the measurement period. The cash flow dates used in the net IRR calculations are based on the actual dates of the cash flows. The net IRR for the corporate private equity funds is an annualized since inception net internal rate of return of cash flows to and from investments and the residual value of the investments at the end of the measurement period. Cash flows used in the net IRR calculations are assumed to occur at month end. For all funds, the net IRRs reflect returns to the fee-paying limited partners and if applicable, exclude interests attributable to the non-fee paying limited partners and/or the general partner who does not pay management fees or performance fees. The net IRRs are calculated after giving effect to management fees, performance fees as applicable, and other expenses.
(7)
The Gross MoIC is lower than the Net MoIC due to the fund's utilization of a credit facility to fund an investment that is currently under construction and not generating cash flow.


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Real Estate Group
The following table sets forth certain statement of operations data and certain other data of our Real Estate Group segment for the periods presented.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
Six Months Ended
 
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
June 30,
 
 
June 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Management fees
$
16,479

 
$
16,230

 
$
249

 
2
 %
 
$
32,094

 
$
32,975

 
$
(881
)
 
(3
)%
Other fees
19

 
435

 
(416
)
 
(96
)%
 
10

 
693

 
(683
)
 
(99
)%
Compensation and benefits
(9,714
)
 
(10,633
)
 
919

 
9
 %
 
(19,450
)
 
(21,868
)
 
2,418

 
11
 %
General, administrative and other expenses
(3,091
)
 
(2,511
)
 
(580
)
 
(23
)%
 
(5,822
)
 
(5,952
)
 
130

 
2
 %
Fee Related Earnings
3,693

 
3,521

 
172

 
5
 %
 
6,832

 
5,848

 
984

 
17
 %
Performance fees-realized
1,467

 
2,801

 
(1,334
)
 
(48
)%
 
1,494

 
2,972

 
(1,478
)
 
(50
)%
Performance fees-unrealized
29,789

 
1,261

 
28,528

 
NM

 
43,877

 
5,383

 
38,494

 
NM

Performance fee compensation-realized
(161
)
 
(53
)
 
(108
)
 
(204
)%
 
(177
)
 
(53
)
 
(124
)
 
(234
)%
Performance fee compensation-unrealized
(18,632
)
 
(1,773
)
 
(16,859
)
 
NM

 
(27,070
)
 
(4,006
)
 
(23,064
)
 
NM

Net performance fees
12,463

 
2,236

 
10,227

 
NM

 
18,124

 
4,296

 
13,828

 
NM

Investment income-realized
373

 
695

 
(322
)
 
(46
)%
 
2,156

 
563

 
1,593

 
283
 %
Investment income (loss)-unrealized
1,134

 
(1,067
)
 
2,201

 
NM

 
690

 
1,732

 
(1,042
)
 
(60
)%
Interest and other investment income
1,534

 
36

 
1,498

 
NM

 
1,353

 
928

 
425

 
46
 %
Interest expense
(429
)
 
(272
)
 
(157
)
 
(58
)%
 
(861
)
 
(546
)
 
(315
)
 
(58
)%
Net investment income (loss)
2,612

 
(608
)
 
3,220

 
NM

 
3,338

 
2,677

 
661

 
25
 %
Performance related earnings
15,075

 
1,628

 
13,447

 
NM

 
21,462

 
6,973

 
14,489

 
208
 %
Economic net income
$
18,768

 
$
5,149

 
13,619

 
264
 %
 
$
28,294

 
$
12,821

 
15,473

 
121
 %
Distributable earnings
$
4,747

 
$
7,781

 
(3,034
)
 
(39
)%
 
$
7,860

 
$
10,459

 
(2,599
)
 
(25
)%
 
NM - Not Meaningful

Accrued performance fees for the Real Estate Group are comprised of the following:
 
As of June 30,
 
As of December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
EPEP II
$
2,457

 
$

US VIII
20,709

 
12,575

EF IV
32,106

 
4,052

Other real estate funds
29,167

 
22,001

Subtotal
84,439

 
38,628

Other fee generating funds(1)
15,553

 
16,675

Total Real Estate Group
$
99,992

 
$
55,303

 
 
(1)
Relates to investment income from AREA Sponsor Holdings LLC that is reclassified for segment reporting to align with the character of the underlying income generated.

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Net performance fee revenues for the Real Estate Group are comprised of the following:
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Realized
 
Unrealized
 
Net
 
Realized
 
Unrealized
 
Net
 
(Dollars in thousands)
EPEP II
$

 
$
2,457

 
$
2,457

 
$

 
$

 
$

US VIII

 
4,074

 
4,074

 

 
994

 
994

EF IV

 
18,964

 
18,964

 

 

 

Other real estate funds
267

 
5,277

 
5,544

 
89

 
1,962

 
2,051

Subtotal
267


30,772


31,039

 
89

 
2,956

 
3,045

Other fee generating funds(1)
1,200

 
(983
)
 
217

 
2,712

 
(1,695
)
 
1,017

Total Real Estate Group
$
1,467


$
29,789


$
31,256

 
$
2,801


$
1,261


$
4,062

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Realized
 
Unrealized
 
Net
 
Realized
 
Unrealized
 
Net
 
(Dollars in thousands)
EPEP II
$

 
$
2,457

 
$
2,457

 
$

 
$

 
$

US VIII

 
8,134

 
8,134

 

 
2,375

 
2,375

EF IV

 
28,055

 
28,055

 

 

 

Other real estate funds
294

 
6,190

 
6,484

 
89

 
4,302

 
4,391

Subtotal
294

 
44,836

 
45,130

 
89

 
6,677

 
6,766

Other fee generating funds(1)
1,200

 
(959
)
 
241

 
2,883

 
(1,294
)
 
1,589

Total Real Estate Group
$
1,494

 
$
43,877

 
$
45,371

 
$
2,972

 
$
5,383

 
$
8,355

 
(1)
Relates to investment income from AREA Sponsor Holdings LLC that is reclassified for segment reporting to align with the character of the underlying income generated.

The following tables present the components of the change in performance fees - unrealized for the Real Estate Group:
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Performance Fees - Realized
 
Increases
 
Decreases
 
Performance Fees - Unrealized
 
Performance Fees - Realized
 
Increases
 
Decreases
 
Performance Fees - Unrealized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
EPEP II
$

 
$
2,457

 
$

 
$
2,457

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

US VIII

 
4,074

 

 
4,074

 

 
994

 

 
994

EF IV

 
18,964

 

 
18,964

 

 

 

 

Other real estate funds
(267
)
 
5,660

 
(116
)
 
5,277

 
(89
)
 
4,188

 
(2,137
)
 
1,962

Subtotal
(267
)

31,155


(116
)

30,772


(89
)

5,182


(2,137
)

2,956

Other fee generating funds(1)
(1,200
)
 
827

 
(610
)
 
(983
)
 
(2,712
)
 
1,562

 
(545
)
 
(1,695
)
Total Real Estate Group
$
(1,467
)

$
31,982


$
(726
)

$
29,789


$
(2,801
)

$
6,744


$
(2,682
)

$
1,261

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Performance Fees - Realized
 
Increases
 
Decreases
 
Performance Fees - Unrealized
 
Performance Fees - Realized
 
Increases
 
Decreases
 
Performance Fees - Unrealized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
EPEP II
$

 
$
2,457

 
$

 
$
2,457

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

US VIII

 
8,134

 

 
8,134

 

 
2,375

 

 
2,375

EF IV

 
28,055

 

 
28,055

 

 

 

 

Other real estate funds
(294
)
 
6,999

 
(515
)
 
6,190

 
(89
)
 
6,316

 
(1,925
)
 
4,302

Subtotal
(294
)
 
45,645

 
(515
)
 
44,836

 
(89
)
 
8,691

 
(1,925
)
 
6,677

Other fee generating funds(1)
(1,200
)
 
1,149

 
(908
)
 
(959
)
 
(2,883
)
 
2,819

 
(1,230
)
 
(1,294
)
Total Real Estate Group
$
(1,494
)
 
$
46,794

 
$
(1,423
)
 
$
43,877

 
$
(2,972
)
 
$
11,510

 
$
(3,155
)
 
$
5,383

 
(1)
Relates to investment income from AREA Sponsor Holdings LLC that is reclassified for segment reporting to align with the character of the underlying income generated.


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Real Estate Group—Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Compared to Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
Fee Related Earnings:
Fee related earnings increased by $0.2 million, or 5%, to $3.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $1.0 million, or 17%, to $6.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. Fee related earnings were impacted by fluctuations of the following components:
Management Fees.  Total management fees increased by $0.2 million, or 2%, to $16.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and decreased by $0.9 million, or 3%, to $32.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. Management fees generated by Ares European Property Enhancement Program II, L.P. ("EPEP II") increased $1.2 million and $1.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the prior year respective periods. Conversely, one of our U.S. Real Estate Equity funds is winding down, which resulted in management fee reductions of $0.7 million and $1.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the prior year periods.
The effective management fee rate increased from 0.92% and 0.96% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, to 0.97% for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2017. The increases in our effective management fee rates are primarily driven by certain funds with a split fee rate that increased as committed capital was invested.
Compensation and Benefits.  Compensation and benefits expenses decreased by $0.9 million, or 9%, to $9.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $2.4 million, or 11%, to $19.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The decreases were due to a reduction in headcount, including a reorganization of the group's management team that occurred in the latter half of 2016. Compensation and benefits expenses represented 58.9% and 60.6% of management fees for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to 65.5% and 66.3% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.
General, Administrative and Other Expenses.  General, administrative and other expenses increased $0.6 million to $3.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to fundraising and structuring costs related to a new U.S. equity fund.
General, administrative and other expenses remained relatively flat at $5.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $6.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016.
Performance Related Earnings:
Performance related earnings increased by $13.4 million to $15.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $14.5 million to $21.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. Performance related earnings were impacted by fluctuations of the following components:
Net Performance Fees.  Net performance fees include realized and unrealized performance fees, net of realized and unrealized performance fee compensation. The impact of reversals of previously recognized performance fee revenue and the corresponding performance fee compensation expense is reflected as a reduction in unrealized performance fees and performance fee compensation.
Net performance fees increased by $10.2 million to $12.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $13.8 million to $18.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases in net performance fees for the three months ended June 30, 2017 were primarily driven by favorable real estate market fundamentals in both the U.S. and Europe that have supported high quality performance in the current year, including net performance fee increases of $7.6 million and $11.2 million attributable to Ares European Real Estate Fund IV (“EF IV”) for the three and six month comparative periods, respectively,

Net Investment Income (Loss).  Net investment income (loss) increased by $3.2 million from a net investment loss of $0.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 to net investment income of $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. Net investment income increased by $0.7 million to $3.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases were driven by: (i) investments in E.U. equity funds, which experienced increases of $0.7 million and $0.6 million in net realized and unrealized gains for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, as a result of an increase in portfolio valuations; (ii) an increase of $0.4 million in net realized and unrealized gains on our

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investments in U.S. equity strategies as a result of appreciation of property valuations for the three month period; and (iii) a $1.4 million increase in transaction gains from the revaluation of certain assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies compared to the prior year period as the Euro strengthened against the U.S. dollar.
Economic Net Income:
Economic net income is comprised of fee related earnings and performance related earnings. Economic net income increased by $13.6 million, or 264%, to $18.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $15.5 million to $28.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases were a result of the fluctuations described above.
Distributable Earnings:
DE decreased by $3.0 million, or 39%, to $4.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $2.6 million, or 25%, to $7.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The decreases in DE were partially due to decreases in net realized performance fees of $1.4 million and $1.6 million for the three and six month respective periods. In addition, DE was negatively impacted by increases in non-core expenses of $1.2 million and $2.4 million, primarily driven by placement fees, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the prior year periods, respectively. The decreases in DE were partially offset by increases in FRE of $0.2 million and $1.0 million for the three and six months respective periods.

Real Estate Group—Assets Under Management
The tables below provide the period‑to‑period rollforwards of AUM for the Real Estate Group for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Real Estate Equity - U.S.
 
Real Estate Equity - E.U.
 
Real Estate Debt
 
Total Real Estate Group
Balance at 3/31/2017
$
4,136

 
$
3,050

 
$
2,755

 
$
9,941

Net new equity commitments
502

 

 

 
502

Net new debt commitments

 

 
236

 
236

Distributions
(74
)
 
(86
)
 
(8
)
 
(168
)
Change in fund value
95

 
179

 
7

 
281

Balance at 6/30/2017
$
4,659

 
$
3,143

 
$
2,990

 
$
10,792

Average AUM(1)
$
4,398

 
$
3,097

 
$
2,873

 
$
10,368

 
Real Estate Equity - U.S.
 
Real Estate Equity - E.U.
 
Real Estate Debt
 
Total Real Estate Group
Balance at 3/31/2016
$
4,538

 
$
3,124

 
$
2,521

 
$
10,183

Net new equity commitments
300

 
100

 

 
400

Net new debt commitments

 

 
100

 
100

Distributions
(361
)
 
(54
)
 
(147
)
 
(562
)
Change in fund value
68

 
(75
)
 
10

 
3

Balance at 6/30/2016
$
4,545

 
$
3,095

 
$
2,484

 
$
10,124

Average AUM(1)
$
4,542

 
$
3,110

 
$
2,503

 
$
10,155

 
(1) Represents the quarterly average of beginning and ending balances.

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The tables below provide the period‑to‑period rollforwards of AUM for the Real Estate Group for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Real Estate Equity - U.S.
 
Real Estate Equity - E.U.
 
Real Estate Debt
 
Total Real Estate Group
Balance at 12/31/2016
$
4,106

 
$
3,100

 
$
2,546

 
$
9,752

Net new equity commitments
521

 

 

 
521

Net new debt commitments

 

 
509

 
509

Distributions
(93
)
 
(204
)
 
(78
)
 
(375
)
Change in fund value
125

 
247

 
13

 
385

Balance at 6/30/2017
$
4,659

 
$
3,143

 
$
2,990

 
$
10,792

Average AUM(1)
$
4,300

 
$
3,098

 
$
2,764

 
$
10,162

 
Real Estate Equity - U.S.
 
Real Estate Equity - E.U.
 
Real Estate Debt
 
Total Real Estate Group
Balance at 12/31/2015
$
4,617

 
$
3,059

 
$
2,593

 
$
10,269

Net new equity commitments
300

 
214

 

 
514

Net new debt commitments

 

 
100

 
100

Distributions
(509
)
 
(134
)
 
(225
)
 
(868
)
Change in fund value
137

 
(44
)
 
16

 
109

Balance at 6/30/2016
$
4,545

 
$
3,095

 
$
2,484

 
$
10,124

Average AUM(1)
$
4,567

 
$
3,093

 
$
2,532

 
$
10,192

 
(1) Represents the quarterly average of beginning and ending balances.

Real Estate Group—Fee Paying AUM
The tables below provide the period‑to‑period rollforwards of fee paying AUM for the Real Estate Group for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Real Estate Equity - U.S.
 
Real Estate Equity - E.U.
 
Real Estate Debt
 
Total Real Estate Group
FPAUM Balance at 3/31/2017
$
2,758

 
$
2,484

 
$
1,115

 
$
6,357

Commitments
390

 

 

 
390

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage
153

 

 
1

 
154

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage
(62
)
 
(26
)
 
(8
)
 
(96
)
Change in fund value

 
78

 
7

 
85

Change in fee basis
(236
)
 

 

 
(236
)
FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2017
$
3,003

 
$
2,536

 
$
1,115

 
$
6,654

Average FPAUM(1)
$
2,881

 
$
2,510

 
$
1,115

 
$
6,506

 
Real Estate Equity - U.S.
 
Real Estate Equity - E.U.
 
Real Estate Debt
 
Total Real Estate Group
FPAUM Balance at 3/31/2016
$
3,071

 
$
2,593

 
$
1,010

 
$
6,674

Commitments
59

 

 

 
59

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage
77

 
28

 
128

 
233

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage
(210
)
 
(11
)
 
(7
)
 
(228
)
Change in fund value
2

 
(93
)
 
11

 
(80
)
Change in fee basis

 
(14
)
 

 
(14
)
FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2016
$
2,999

 
$
2,503

 
$
1,142

 
$
6,644

Average FPAUM(1)
$
3,035

 
$
2,548

 
$
1,076

 
$
6,659

 
(1) Represents the quarterly average of beginning and ending balances.

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The tables below provide the period‑to‑period rollforwards of fee paying AUM for the Real Estate Group for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Real Estate Equity - U.S.
 
Real Estate Equity - E.U.
 
Real Estate Debt
 
Total Real Estate Group
FPAUM Balance at 12/31/2016
$
2,891

 
$
2,531

 
$
1,118

 
$
6,540

Commitments
390

 

 

 
390

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage
204

 

 
3

 
207

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage
(198
)
 
(46
)
 
(26
)
 
(270
)
Change in fund value

 
51

 
20

 
71

Change in fee basis
(284
)
 

 

 
(284
)
FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2017
$
3,003

 
$
2,536

 
$
1,115

 
$
6,654

Average FPAUM(1)
$
2,884

 
$
2,517

 
$
1,116

 
$
6,517

 
Real Estate Equity - U.S.
 
Real Estate Equity - E.U.
 
Real Estate Debt
 
Total Real Estate Group
FPAUM Balance at 12/31/2015
$
3,204

 
$
2,555

 
$
998

 
$
6,757

Commitments
59

 
114

 

 
173

Subscriptions/deployment/increase in leverage
77

 
48

 
141

 
266

Redemptions/distributions/decrease in leverage
(345
)
 
(28
)
 
(15
)
 
(388
)
Change in fund value
4

 
(63
)
 
18

 
(41
)
Change in fee basis

 
(123
)
 

 
(123
)
FPAUM Balance at 6/30/2016
$
2,999

 
$
2,503

 
$
1,142

 
$
6,644

Average FPAUM(1)
$
3,092

 
$
2,550

 
$
1,050

 
$
6,692

 
(1) Represents the quarterly average of beginning and ending balances.
The charts below present FPAUM for the Real Estate Group by its fee basis as of June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
aresmanageme_chart-07878.jpgaresmanageme_chart-08922.jpg
FPAUM: $6,644
FPAUM: $6,654
(1) Market value/other includes ACRE fee paying AUM, which is based on ACRE's stockholders' equity.

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The components of our AUM, including the portion that is FPAUM, for the Real Estate Group are presented below as of June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
aresmanageme_chart-09901.jpgaresmanageme_chart-10700.jpg
AUM: $10,124
AUM: $10,792


Real Estate Group—Fund Performance Metrics as of June 30, 2017
The Real Estate Group managed 43 funds in real estate debt and real estate equity as of June 30, 2017. Two funds in our Real Estate Group, each considered a significant fund, combined for approximately 34% of the Real Estate Group’s management fees for the six months ended June 30, 2017: EF IV, a commingled fund focused on real estate assets located in Europe, with a focus on the United Kingdom, France and Germany; and EPEP II, a commingled fund focused on Europe. We do not show fund performance metrics for significant funds with less than two years of historical information.
The following table presents the performance data for our significant funds in the Real Estate Group, all of which are drawdown funds:
 
 
 
 
 
As of June 30, 2017 (Dollars in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year of Inception
 
AUM
 
Original Capital Commitments
 
Cumulative Invested Capital
 
Realized Proceeds(1)
 
Unrealized Value(2)
 
Total Value
 
MoIC
 
IRR(%)
 
Primary
Investment Strategy
Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross(3)
 
Net(4)
 
Gross(5)
 
Net(6)
 
EF IV(7)
2014
 
$
1,304

 
$
1,302

 
$
875

 
$
94

 
$
1,082

 
$
1,176

 
1.3x
 
1.2x
 
21.0
 
13.0
 
E.U. Real Estate Equity
EPEP II(8)
2015
 
766

 
747

 
228

 
16

 
257

 
273

 
1.2x
 
1.1x
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
E.U. Real Estate Equity
 
(1)
Realized proceeds include distributions of operating income, sales and financing proceeds received.
(2)
Unrealized value represents the fair market value of remaining investments. There can be no assurance that unrealized investments will be realized at the valuations indicated.
(3)
The gross MoIC is calculated at the investment level and is based on the interests of all partners. The gross MoIC for all funds is before giving effect to management fees, performance fees as applicable and other expenses.
(4)
The net MoIC is calculated at the fund-level and is based on the interests of the fee-paying partners and, if applicable, excludes interests attributable to the non fee-paying partners and/or the general partner who does not pay management fees or performance fees or has such fees rebated outside of the fund. The net MoIC is after giving effect to management fees, performance fees as applicable and other expenses.
(5)
The gross IRR is an annualized since inception gross internal rate of return of cash flows to and from investments and the residual value of the investments at the end of the measurement period. Gross IRRs reflect returns to all partners. Cash flows used in the gross IRR calculation are assumed to occur at quarter-end. The gross IRRs are calculated before giving effect to management fees, performance fees as applicable, and other expenses.
(6)
The net IRR is an annualized since inception net internal rate of return of cash flows to and from the fund and the fund’s residual value at the end of the measurement period. Net IRRs reflect returns to the fee-paying partners and, if applicable, excludes interests attributable to the non fee-paying partners and/or the general partner who does not pay management fees or performance fees or has such fees rebated outside of the fund. The cash flow dates used in the net IRR calculation are based on the actual dates of the cash flows. The net IRRs are calculated after giving effect to management fees, performance fees as applicable, and other expenses.

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(7)
EF IV is made up of two parallel funds, one denominated in U.S. dollars and one denominated in Euros. The gross and net MoIC and gross and net IRR presented in the chart are for the U.S. dollar denominated parallel fund as that is the larger of the two funds. The gross and net IRRs for the Euro denominated parallel fund are 21.3% and 13.5%, respectively. The gross and net MoIC for the Euro denominated parallel fund are 1.3x and 1.2x, respectively. Original capital commitments are converted to U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of fund's closing.  All other values for EF IV are for the combined fund and are converted to U.S. dollars at the prevailing quarter-end exchange rate.
(8)
EPEP II is made up of dual currency investors and Euro currency investors. The gross and net MoIC presented in the chart are for dual currency investors as dual currency investors represent the largest group of investors in the fund. Multiples exclude foreign currency gains and losses since dual currency investors fund capital contributions and receive distributions in local deal currency (GBP or EUR) and therefore, do not realize foreign currency gains or losses. The gross and net MoIC for the Euro currency investors, which include foreign currency gains and losses, are 1.2x and 1.1x, respectively. Original capital commitments are converted to U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of fund's closing. All other values for EPEP II are for the combined fund and are converted to U.S. dollars at the prevailing quarter-end exchange rate.


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Operations Management Group
The following table sets forth certain statement of operations data and certain other data of the OMG on a standalone basis for the periods presented.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
Six Months Ended
 
Favorable (Unfavorable)
 
June 30,
 
 
June 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Compensation and benefits
$
(30,990
)
 
$
(24,988
)
 
$
(6,002
)
 
(24
)%
 
$
(57,304
)
 
$
(51,265
)
 
$
(6,039
)
 
(12
)%
General, administrative and other expenses
(18,961
)
 
(14,679
)
 
(4,282
)
 
(29
)%
 
(38,349
)
 
(31,230
)
 
(7,119
)
 
(23
)%
Fee Related Earnings
(49,951
)
 
(39,667
)
 
(10,284
)
 
(26
)%
 
(95,653
)
 
(82,495
)
 
(13,158
)
 
(16
)%
Investment income (loss)-realized
1,340

 
(31
)
 
1,371

 
NM

 
3,199

 
(88
)
 
3,287

 
NM

Investment loss-unrealized
(2,728
)
 
(11,904
)
 
9,176

 
77
 %
 
(4,135
)
 
(11,519
)
 
7,384

 
64
 %
Interest and other investment income (expense)
225

 
(19
)
 
244

 
NM

 
1,099

 
(68
)
 
1,167

 
NM

Interest expense
(463
)
 
(709
)
 
246

 
35
 %
 
(939
)
 
(1,437
)
 
498

 
35
 %
Net investment loss
(1,626
)
 
(12,663
)
 
11,037

 
87
 %
 
(776
)
 
(13,112
)
 
12,336

 
94
 %
Performance related earnings
(1,626
)
 
(12,663
)
 
11,037

 
87
 %
 
(776
)
 
(13,112
)
 
12,336

 
94
 %
Economic net income
$
(51,577
)
 
$
(52,330
)
 
753

 
1
 %
 
$
(96,429
)
 
$
(95,607
)
 
(822
)
 
(1
)%
Distributable earnings
$
(50,038
)
 
$
(44,613
)
 
(5,425
)
 
(12
)%
 
$
(98,428
)
 
$
(90,854
)
 
(7,574
)
 
(8
)%
 
NM - Not Meaningful

Operations Management Group—Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Compared to Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
Fee Related Earnings:
Fee related earnings decreased by $10.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $13.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. Fee related earnings were impacted by fluctuations of the following components:
Compensation and Benefits.  Compensation and benefits expenses increased by $6.0 million to $31.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $6.0 million to $57.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases were due to additional headcount and merit based increases. Some of the additional headcount included employees hired in connection with ARCC's acquisition of ACAS, however ACAS-related compensation expenses were largely offset by the corresponding administrative fee reimbursements that are presented as a reduction to compensation expense.
General, Administrative and Other Expenses.  General, administrative and other expenses increased by $4.3 million, or 29%, to $19.0 million for three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $7.1 million, or 23%, to $38.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increases in the current year periods were primarily due to several information technology initiatives to support various system implementations and process improvement initiatives, as well as increased occupancy and business support costs associated with increased staffing levels. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, general, administrative and other expenses also includes a $2.5 million one-time non-income tax paid during the first quarter of 2017.
Performance Related Earnings:
Performance related earnings increased by $11.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $12.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. Performance related earnings were impacted by the fluctuations in net investment loss:

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Net Investment Loss. Net investment loss decreased by $11.0 million to $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $12.3 million to $0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. Net investment losses in the prior year periods were primarily due to unrealized losses of $14.1 million on our minority interest equity method investment in Deimos Management Holdings LLC due to the winding down of its operations. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, our other fund investments in non-core investment strategies experienced net realized and unrealized losses of $1.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
Economic Net Income:
Economic net income is comprised of fee related earnings and performance related earnings. Economic net income increased by $0.8 million, or 1%, for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and decreased by $0.8 million, or 1%, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase and decrease were a result of the fluctuations described above.
Distributable Earnings:
DE decreased by $5.4 million, or 12%, for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 and by $7.6 million, or 8%, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. DE was negatively impacted by FRE decreases of $10.3 million and $13.2 million for the three and six month respective periods. The decrease was partially offset by increases in net realized investment and other income of $1.8 million and $4.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, and decreases in non-core expenses, such as acquisition expenses and underwriting costs, of $3.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively, compared to the prior year periods.



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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources and Uses of Liquidity
Our sources of liquidity are (1) cash on hand, (2) net working capital, (3) cash from operations, including management fees, which are collected monthly, quarterly or semi-annually, net realized performance fees, which are unpredictable as to amount and timing and fund distributions related to our investments that are also unpredictable as to amount and timing, and (4)  net borrowing provided by the Credit Facility. As of June 30, 2017, our cash and cash equivalents were $137.3 million, including investments in money market funds, and we had $135.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our $1.04 billion Credit Facility. The ability to make drawings under the Credit Facility is subject to a leverage covenant. We believe that these sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund our working capital requirements and to meet our commitments in the ordinary course of business for the foreseeable future.
We expect that our primary liquidity needs will continue to be to (1) provide capital to facilitate the growth of our existing investment management businesses, (2) fund a portion of our investment commitments, (3) provide capital to facilitate our expansion into businesses that are complementary to our existing investment management businesses, (4) pay operating expenses, including cash compensation to our employees and payments under the tax receivable agreement (“TRA”), (5) fund capital expenditures, (6) service our debt, (7) pay income taxes and (8) make distributions to our common and preferred unitholders in accordance with our distribution policy.

In the normal course of business, we have made distributions to our existing owners, including distributions sourced from investment income and performance fees. If cash flows from operations were insufficient to fund distributions over a sustained period of time, we expect that we would suspend paying such distributions. Unless quarterly distributions have been declared and paid (or declared and set apart for payment) on the preferred units, we may not declare or pay or set apart payment for distributions on any common units during the period. Dividends on the preferred units are not cumulative and the preferred units are not convertible into common units or any other security.
Net realized performance fees also provide a source of liquidity. Performance fees are realized when a portfolio investment is profitably monetized and the fund’s cumulative returns are in excess of the preferred return or hurdle rate. Performance fees are typically realized at the end of each fund’s measurement period when investment performance exceeds a stated benchmark or hurdle rate.
Our accrued performance fees by segment as of June 30, 2017 are set forth below:
 
As of June 30, 2017
 
Accrued Performance Fees
 
Eliminations(1)
 
Consolidated Accrued Performance Fees
Segment
(Dollars in thousands)
Credit Group
$
116,136

 
$

 
$
116,136

Private Equity Group
884,832

 
(2,632
)
 
882,200

Real Estate Group
84,439

 

 
84,439

Total
$
1,085,407

 
$
(2,632
)
 
$
1,082,775

 
(1)
Amounts represent accrued performance fees earned from Consolidated Funds that are eliminated in consolidation.
Our condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the cash flows of our operating businesses as well as the results of our Consolidated Funds. The assets of our Consolidated Funds, on a gross basis, are significantly larger than the assets of our operating businesses and therefore have a substantial effect on our reported cash flows. The primary cash flow activities of our Consolidated Funds include: (1) raising capital from third-party investors, which is reflected as non-controlling interests of our Consolidated Funds when required to be consolidated into our condensed consolidated financial statements, (2) financing certain investments by issuing debt, (3) purchasing and selling investment securities, (4) generating cash through the realization of certain investments, (5) collecting interest and dividend income and (6) distributing cash to investors. Our Consolidated Funds are treated as investment companies for financial accounting purposes under GAAP; therefore, the character and classification of all Consolidated Fund transactions are presented as cash flows from operations.

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Cash Flows
The significant captions and amounts from our consolidated financial statements, which include the effects of our Consolidated Funds and CLOs in accordance with GAAP, are summarized below. Negative amounts represent a net outflow, or use of cash.
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in millions)
Statements of cash flows data
    
 
    
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
(304
)
 
$
69

Net cash used in investing activities
(21
)
 
(5
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
108

 
86

Effect of foreign exchange rate change
11

 
(7
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
$
(206
)
 
$
143

Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities is primarily driven by our earnings in the respective periods after adjusting for non-cash compensation and performance fees. Cash used to purchase investments, as well as the proceeds from the sale of such investments, is also reflected in the operating activities of the Company and our Consolidated Funds.
Our net cash flows used in operating activities were $304.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $69.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. For the six months ended June 30, 2017 net purchases of investments were $143.7 million compared to net sales and paydowns of investments of $20.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The change in cash provided by (used in) operating activities was also driven by fluctuations in our net income (loss) and by net investment activities.
Our increasing working capital needs reflect the growth of our business, while the capital requirements needed to support fund-related activities vary based upon the specific investment activities being conducted during such period. The movements within our Consolidated Funds do not adversely impact our liquidity or earnings trends. We believe that our ability to generate cash from operations, as well as the capacity under the Credit Facility, provides us with the necessary liquidity to manage short-term fluctuations in working capital and to meet our short-term commitments.
Investing Activities
Our investing activities generally reflect cash used for certain acquisitions and purchases of fixed assets. Purchases of fixed assets were $21.2 million and $5.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in fixed asset purchases relates to furniture, fixtures, equipment and leasehold improvements related to a new office location in Los Angeles.
Financing Activities
Net cash flows provided by financing activities were $108.1 million and $86.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, financing activities represented a source of cash primarily from net borrowings on debt facilities of the Company and our Consolidated funds. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, net cash inflows were primarily due to net proceeds from our preferred stock issuance, which was partially offset by net repayments of the debt facilities of the Company and our Consolidated funds and distributions to AOG and common unitholders.
Net borrowings from our debt obligations were $205.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to net repayments of $110.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. In the current year period, we had net borrowings under the Credit Facility and the new Term Loans used to support purchases of CLOs that we manage within our risk retention vehicles. Our Consolidated Funds had net borrowings of $26.6 million for six months ended June 30, 2017 from their debt obligations as compared to net repayments of $44.9 million of their debt obligations for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase in net borrowing activity in 2017 for the Consolidated Funds is related the launch of new CLOs.
    Distributions to our preferred, AOG and common unitholders were $113.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $82.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase in distributions is consistent with the increase in distributable earnings. Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2016 also included $299.0

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million of net proceeds from the issuance of our preferred equity. For our Consolidated Funds, net contributions were $0.4 million and $24.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Capital Resources
The following table summarizes the Company's debt obligations (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of June 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Debt Origination Date
 
Maturity
 
Original Borrowing Amount
 
Carrying
Value
 
Interest Rate
 
Carrying
Value
 
Interest Rate
Credit Facility(1)
Revolver
 
2/24/2022
 
N/A

 
$
135,000

 
2.65%
 
$

 
—%
Senior Notes(2)
10/8/2014
 
10/8/2024
 
$
250,000

 
244,992

 
4.21%
 
244,684

 
4.21%
2015 Term Loan(3)
9/2/2015
 
7/29/2026
 
$
35,250

 
35,073

 
3.02%
 
35,063

 
2.74%
2016 Term Loan(4)
12/21/2016
 
1/15/2029
 
$
26,376

 
25,991

 
2.88%
 
26,037

 
2.66%
2017 Term Loan A(4)
3/22/2017
 
1/22/2028
 
$
17,600

 
17,470

 
2.70%
 
N/A

 
N/A
2017 Term Loan B(4)
5/10/2017
 
10/15/2029
 
$
35,198

 
35,124

 
2.63%
 
N/A

 
N/A
2017 Term Loan C(4)
6/22/2017
 
7/30/2029
 
$
17,211

 
17,206

 
2.75%
 
N/A

 
N/A
Total debt obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
510,856

 
 
 
$
305,784

 
 
 
(1)
The AOG entities are borrowers under the Credit Facility, which, as amended in February 2017, provides a $1.04 billion revolving line of credit. It has a variable interest rate based on LIBOR or a base rate plus an applicable margin with an unused commitment fee paid quarterly, which is subject to change with the Company’s underlying credit agency rating. As of June 30, 2017, base rate loans bear interest calculated based on the base rate plus 0.50% and the LIBOR rate loans bear interest calculated based on LIBOR plus 1.50%. The unused commitment fee is 0.20% per annum. There is a base rate and LIBOR floor of zero.
(2)
The Senior Notes were issued in October 2014 by Ares Finance Co. LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, at 98.268% of the face amount with interest paid semi-annually. The Company may redeem the Senior Notes prior to maturity, subject to the terms of the indenture.
(3)
The 2015 Term Loan was entered into in August 2015 by a subsidiary of the Company that acts as a manager to a CLO. The 2015 Term Loan is secured by collateral in the form of CLO senior tranches owned by the Company. To the extent the assets are not sufficient to cover the Term Loan, there is no further recourse to the Company to fund or repay the remaining balance. Interest is paid quarterly, and the Company also pays a fee of 0.025% of a maximum investment amount.
(4)
The 2016 and 2017 Term Loans ("Term Loans") were entered into by a subsidiary of the Company. The Term Loans are secured by collateral in the form of CLO senior tranches and subordinated notes owned by the Company. Collateral associated with one of the Term Loans may be used to satisfy outstanding liabilities of another term loan should the collateral fall short. To the extent the assets associated with these Term Loans are not sufficient, there is no further recourse to the Company to fund or repay the remaining balance. Interest is paid quarterly, and the Company also pays a fee of 0.03% of a maximum investment amount.

As of June 30, 2017, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Facility, Senior Notes and Term Loan obligations.
On February 24, 2017, we amended our Credit Facility to, among other things, increase the size of the Credit Facility from $1.03 billion to $1.04 billion and extend the maturity date from April 2019 to February 2022. Under the terms of the amended Credit Facility, based on our current credit agency ratings, the stated interest rate is LIBOR plus 1.50% with an unused commitment fee of 0.20%.

We intend to use a portion of our available liquidity to make cash distributions to our preferred and common unitholders on a quarterly basis in accordance with our distribution policies. Our ability to make cash distributions to our preferred and common unitholders is dependent on a myriad of factors, including among others: general economic and business conditions; our strategic plans and prospects; our business and investment opportunities; timing of capital calls by our funds in support of our commitments; our financial condition and operating results; working capital requirements and other anticipated cash needs; contractual restrictions and obligations; legal, tax and regulatory restrictions; restrictions on the payment of distributions by our subsidiaries to us and other relevant factors.
We are required to maintain minimum net capital balances for regulatory purposes for our United Kingdom subsidiary and for our subsidiary that operates as a broker-dealer. These net capital requirements are met in part by retaining cash, cash‑equivalents and investment securities. As a result, we may be restricted in our ability to transfer cash between different operating entities and jurisdictions. As of June 30, 2017, we were required to maintain approximately $26.5 million in liquid net

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assets within these subsidiaries to meet regulatory net capital and capital adequacy requirements. We remain in compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Holders of AOG Units, subject to the terms of the exchange agreement, may exchange their AOG Units for Ares Management, L.P. common units on a one-for-one basis. Subsequent exchanges are expected to result in increases in the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of Ares Management, L.P. that otherwise would not have been available. These increases in tax basis may increase (for tax purposes) depreciation and amortization and therefore reduce the amount of tax that Ares Management, L.P.’s wholly owned subsidiaries that are taxable as corporations for U.S. federal income purposes, which we refer to as the “corporate taxpayers,” would otherwise be required to pay in the future. The corporate taxpayers entered into the TRA with the TRA recipients that will provide for the payment by the corporate taxpayers to the TRA Recipients of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income tax or franchise tax that the corporate taxpayers actually realize as a result of these increases in tax basis and of certain other tax benefits related to entering into the TRA, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the TRA and interest accrued thereon. This payment obligation is an obligation of the corporate taxpayers and not of Ares Management, L.P. Future payments under the TRA in respect of subsequent exchanges are expected to be substantial.
Preferred Equity
As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had 12,400,000 units of Series A Preferred Units (the “Preferred Equity”) outstanding. When, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors, distributions on the Preferred Equity are paid quarterly at a rate per annum equal to 7.00%. The Preferred Equity may be redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 30, 2021, at a price of $25.00 per unit.
Cash distributions to our common unitholders may be impacted by any corporate tax liability owed by Ares Holdings, Inc. (“AHI”), the wholly owned U.S. corporate subsidiary of the Company. In connection with the Preferred Equity issuance, the Ares Operating Group issued mirror preferred units (“GP Mirror Units”) paying the same 7.00% rate per annum to wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company including AHI. Although income allocated in respect of distributions on the GP Mirror Units made to AHI is subject to tax, cash distributions to our preferred unitholders will not be reduced on account of any income taxes owed by AHI. As a result, the amounts ultimately distributed by us to our common unitholders may be reduced by any corporate taxes imposed on AHI.

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Critical Accounting Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. In applying many of these accounting principles, we need to make assumptions, estimates or judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in our consolidated financial statements. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. These assumptions, estimates or judgments, however, are both subjective and subject to change, and actual results may differ from our assumptions and estimates. If actual amounts are ultimately different from our estimates, the revisions are included in our results of operations for the period in which the actual amounts become known. For a summary of our significant accounting policies, see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. For a summary of our critical accounting estimates, please see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Fair Value Measurement
The table below summarizes the valuation of investments and other financial instruments included within our AUM, by segment and fair value hierarchy levels, as of June 30, 2017:
 
Credit
 
Private Equity
 
Real Estate
 
Total
 
(Dollars in millions)
Level I
$
783

 
$
3,196

 
$

 
$
3,979

Level II
9,782

 
506

 
(42
)
 
10,246

Level III
26,549

 
11,676

 
5,534

 
43,759

Total fair value
37,114

 
15,378

 
5,492

 
57,984

Other net asset value and available capital(1)
30,333

 
10,392

 
5,300

 
46,025

Total AUM
$
67,447

 
$
25,770

 
$
10,792

 
$
104,009

 
(1)
Includes fund net non-investment assets, AUM for funds that are not reported at fair value and available capital (uncalled equity capital and undrawn debt).

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Information regarding recent accounting pronouncements and their impact on the Company can be found in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” in the “Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Off‑Balance Sheet Arrangements
In the normal course of business, we engage in off‑balance sheet arrangements, including transactions in derivatives, guarantees, commitments, indemnifications and potential contingent repayment obligations. See Note 8, "Commitments and Contingencies," to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Commitments and Contingencies
Capital Commitments
As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had aggregate unfunded commitments of $586.5 million and $535.3 million, respectively, including commitments to both non-consolidated funds and Consolidated Funds. Total unfunded commitments included $32.4 million and $89.2 million in unfunded commitments to funds not managed by us as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
ARCC Fee Waiver

In conjunction with the ARCC-ACAS Transaction, we agreed to waive up to $10 million per quarter of ARCC's Part I Fees for ten calendar quarters, which began in the second quarter of 2017. ARCC Part I Fees will only be waived to the extent

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they are paid. If Part I Fees are less than $10 million in any single quarter the shortfall will not carryover to the subsequent quarters. There are nine remaining quarters as part of the fee waiver agreement with a maximum of $90 million in potential waivers. ARCC Part I Fees are shown net of the fee waiver.
Indemnifications
Consistent with standard business practices in the normal course of business, we enter into contracts that contain indemnities for our affiliates, persons acting on our behalf or such affiliates and third parties. The terms of the indemnities vary from contract to contract and the maximum exposure under these arrangements, if any, cannot be determined and has not been recorded in our consolidated financial statements. As of June 30, 2017, we have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expect the risk of loss to be remote.
Contingent Obligations
Generally, if at the termination of a fund (and increasingly at interim points in the life of a fund), the fund has not achieved investment returns that (in most cases) exceed the preferred return threshold or (in all cases) the general partner receives net profits over the life of the fund in excess of its allocable share under the applicable partnership agreement, the Company will be obligated to repay carried interest that was received by the Company in excess of the amounts to which the Company is entitled. This contingent obligation is normally reduced by income taxes paid by the Company related to its carried interest. 
The partnership documents governing our funds generally include a contingent repayment provision that, if triggered, may give rise to a contingent obligation that may require the general partner to return amounts to the fund for distribution to investors. Therefore, performance fees, generally, are subject to reversal in the event that the funds incur future losses. These losses are limited to the extent of the cumulative performance fees recognized in income to date. Due in part to our investment performance and the fact that our performance fees are generally determined on a liquidation basis, as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, if the funds were liquidated at their fair values, there would have been no contingent repayment obligation or liability. There can be no assurance that we will not incur a contingent repayment obligation in the future. If all of the existing investments were deemed worthless, the amount of cumulative revenues that has been recognized would be reversed. We believe that the possibility of all of the existing investments becoming worthless is remote. At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, had we assumed all existing investments were worthless, the amount of carried interest, net of tax, subject to contingent repayment would have been approximately $451.7 million and $418.3 million, respectively, of which approximately $350.5 million and $323.9 million, respectively, would be reimbursable to the Company by certain professionals who are the recipients of such performance fees.
Performance fees are also affected by changes in the fair values of the underlying investments in the funds that we advise. Valuations, on an unrealized basis, can be significantly affected by a variety of external factors including, but not limited to, bond yields and industry trading multiples.
Our senior professionals who have received carried interest distributions are responsible for funding their proportionate share of any contingent repayment obligations. However, the governing agreements of certain of our funds provide that if a current or former professional from such funds does not fund his or her respective share, then we may have to fund additional amounts beyond what we received in carried interest, although we will generally retain the right to pursue any remedies that we have under such governing agreements against those carried interest recipients who fail to fund their obligations.
Additionally, at the end of the life of the funds there could be a payment due to a fund by us if we have recognized more performance fees than was ultimately earned. The general partner obligation amount, if any, will depend on final realized values of investments at the end of the life of the fund.

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Our primary exposure to market risk is related to our role as general partner or investment adviser to our investment funds and the sensitivity to movements in the fair value of their investments, including the effect on management fees, performance fees and investment income.
The market price of investments may significantly fluctuate during the period of investment. Investments may decline in value due to factors affecting securities markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to such investment, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. They may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.
Our credit orientation has been a central tenet of our business across our debt and equity investment strategies. Our investment professionals benefit from our independent research and relationship networks in over 50 industries, and insights from our portfolio of active investments. We believe the combination of high-quality proprietary information flow and a consistent, rigorous approach to managing investments across our strategies has been, and we believe will continue to be, a major driver of our strong risk-adjusted returns and the stability and predictability of our income.
There have been no material changes in our market risks for the six months ended June 30, 2017. For additional information on our market risks, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is accessible on the SEC's website at sec.gov.
Item 4.  Controls And Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a‑15(e) and 15d‑15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our co-principal executive officers and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2017. Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, our principal executive officers and principal financial officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2017, the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to accomplish their objectives at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a‑15(f) and 15d‑15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended June 30, 2017 that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II.
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
From time to time we are involved in various legal proceedings, lawsuits and claims incidental to the conduct of our business, some of which may be material. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we were not subject to any material pending legal proceedings. Our businesses are also subject to extensive regulation, which may result in regulatory proceedings against us.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors
For a discussion of our other potential risks and uncertainties, see the information under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our 2016 Form 10‑K.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

Item 5.  Other Information
None.


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Item 6.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a)Exhibits.
The following is a list of all exhibits filed or furnished as part of this report.
Exhibit
No.
    
Description
3.1

 
Certificate of Limited Partnership of Ares Management, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (File No. 001-36429, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2016).
3.2

 
Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Ares Management, L.P. dated June 8, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8‑K (File No. 001‑36429) filed with the SEC on June 9, 2016).
31.1*

 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a‑14(a).
31.2*

 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a‑14(a).
32.1*

 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
101.INS*

 
XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH*

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL*

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF*

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB*

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE*

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
 
*   Filed herewith.


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SIGNATURES

 
ARES MANAGEMENT, L.P.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
Ares Management GP LLC, its general partner
 
 
 
 
Dated: August 7, 2017
By:
 
/s/ Antony P. Ressler
 
 
Name:
Antony P. Ressler
 
 
Title:
Chairman, Co‑Founder & Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dated: August 7, 2017
By:
 
/s/ Michael R. McFerran
 
 
Name:
Michael R. McFerran
 
 
Title:
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




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