Ares Management (ARES) vs KKR (KKR)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Ares Management (ARES) has outperformed KKR (KKR) over the past year, losing 22.4% versus a loss of 28.2%. Over five years, ARES leads with a +51.5% price change compared with +35.3% for KKR. KKR is the larger company by market cap ($82.72 billion vs $38.57 billion), about 2.1 times the size, while Ares Management is growing revenue faster (+28.9% vs -11.0%).
On valuation, KKR trades at a lower forward P/E (12.2x vs 16.3x for Ares Management). Ares Management offers the higher dividend yield (4.25% vs 0.85%). KKR converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.2% versus 11.1%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ARES | KKR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $116.26 | $89.56 |
| Market cap | $38.57B | $82.72B |
| 1-day change | +0.44% | -0.12% |
| YTD return | -28.07% | -29.75% |
| 1-year return | -22.39% | -28.20% |
| 5-year return | +51.52% | +35.27% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 53.58 | 28.61 |
| Forward P/E | 16.28 | 12.15 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.17 | $3.13 |
| Dividend yield | 4.25% | 0.85% |
| Annual dividend | $4.94 | $0.76 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.76B | $19.46B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +28.86% | -11.04% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $527.36M | $2.37B |
| Net margin | 11.09% | 12.18% |
| 52-week high | $181.19 | $144.84 |
| 52-week low | $95.80 | $82.67 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -35.84% | -38.17% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +26.14% | +39.38% |
| Average volume | 2.17M | 4.30M |
| Shares outstanding | 223.96M | 897.64M |
| Employees | 4,343 | 5,043 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Investment Managers | Investment Managers |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- KKR is about 2.1 times larger than Ares Management by market value ($82.72B vs $38.57B).
- Ares Management trades at a higher earnings multiple (53.6x vs 28.6x trailing P/E).
- Ares Management offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.25% vs 0.85%).
- Ares Management grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+28.86% vs -11.04%).
About Ares Management
ARES stock →Ares Management Corporation operates as an alternative asset manager. Its Direct Lending Group segment provides financing solutions to small-to-medium sized companies.
Finance · Investment Managers · 4,343 employees
About KKR
KKR stock →KKR & Co. Inc.
Finance · Investment Managers · 5,043 employees
ARES vs KKR FAQ
Which is bigger, Ares Management or KKR?
KKR (KKR) is larger, with a market capitalization of $82.72B compared with $38.57B for Ares Management (ARES).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ARES or KKR?
ARES returned -22.39% over the past 12 months, compared with -28.20% for KKR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ARES or KKR?
KKR has the lower trailing P/E at 28.6, versus 53.6 for ARES. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Ares Management or KKR?
Ares Management has the higher yield at 4.25%, compared with 0.85% for KKR.
Are Ares Management and KKR in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Investment Managers industry within the Finance sector.