StepStone Group Reports Fourth Quarter And Fiscal Year 2023 Results

May 24, 2023 at 4:05 PM EDT

NEW YORK, May 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StepStone Group Inc. (Nasdaq: STEP), a global private markets investment firm focused on providing customized investment solutions and advisory and data services, today reported results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. The Board of Directors of the Company has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share of Class A common stock, and a supplemental dividend of $0.25 per share of Class A common stock, both payable on June 30, 2023, to the holders of record as of the close of business on June 15, 2023.

StepStone issued a full detailed presentation of its fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 results, which can be accessed by visiting the Company’s website at https://shareholders.stepstonegroup.com or by clicking here.

Webcast and Earnings Conference Call

Management will host a webcast and conference call on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 5:00 pm ET to discuss the Company’s results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. The conference call will also be made available on the Shareholders section of the Company's website at https://shareholders.stepstonegroup.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register.

The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-0784 (United States) or 1-201-689-8560 (international).

A replay of the call will also be available approximately two hours after the live event through June 7, 2023. To access the replay, dial 1-844-512-2921 (United States) or 1-412-317-6671 (international). The replay PIN is 13737647. The replay can also be accessed on the Shareholders section of the Company's website at https://shareholders.stepstonegroup.com.

About StepStone

StepStone Group Inc. (Nasdaq: STEP) is a global private markets investment firm focused on providing customized investment solutions and advisory, data and administrative services to its clients. As of March 31, 2023, StepStone was responsible for approximately $621 billion of total capital, including $138 billion of assets under management. StepStone's clients include some of the world's largest public and private defined benefit and defined contribution pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies, as well as prominent endowments, foundations, family offices and private wealth clients, which include high-net-worth and mass affluent individuals. StepStone partners with its clients to develop and build private markets portfolios designed to meet their specific objectives across the private equity, infrastructure, private debt and real estate asset classes.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” “plan” and “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current plans, estimates and expectations and are inherently uncertain. The inclusion of any forward-looking information in this release should not be regarded as a representation that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, global and domestic market and business conditions, successful execution of business and growth strategies and regulatory factors relevant to our business, as well as assumptions relating to our operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects, growth strategy and liquidity and the risks and uncertainties described in greater detail under the “Risk Factors” section of our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2022, and in our annual report on Form 10-K to be filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, as such factors may be updated from time to time. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), we use the following non-GAAP financial measures: adjusted revenues, adjusted net income (on both a pre-tax and after-tax basis), adjusted net income per share, fee-related earnings and fee-related earnings margin. We have provided this non-GAAP financial information, which is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP, as information supplemental and in addition to the financial measures presented in this earnings release that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented in this earnings release. The presentation of these measures should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures in this earnings release may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry or across different industries. For definitions of these non-GAAP measures and reconciliations to applicable GAAP measures, please see the section titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Definitions and Reconciliations.”

Financial Highlights and Key Business Drivers/Operating Metrics
 
 Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31, Percentage Change
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)March 31,
2022
June 30,
2022
September
30, 2022
December
31, 2022
March 31,
2023
  2022  2023  vs.
FQ4'22
vs.
FY'22
Financial Highlights           
GAAP Results           
Management and advisory fees, net$112,229 $116,732 $119,121 $128,753 $132,573  $380,257 $497,179  18%31%
Total revenues 364,690  (77,218) (158,495) (4,235) 172,374   1,365,525  (67,574) (53)%na
Net income (loss) 103,607  (21,471) (67,065) (13,555) 56,816   484,281  (45,275) (45)%na
Net income (loss) per share of Class A common stock:           
Basic$0.69 $(0.18)$(0.48)$(0.11)$0.46  $3.89 $(0.30) (33)%na
Diluted$0.69 $(0.18)$(0.48)$(0.11)$0.46  $3.84 $(0.30) (33)%na
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock – Basic 60,792,227  61,144,139  61,407,834  62,192,899  62,805,788   49,833,760  61,884,671    
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock – Diluted 64,238,991  61,144,139  61,407,834  62,192,899  65,831,409   53,600,250  61,884,671    
Quarterly dividend per share of Class A common stock(1)$0.15 $0.20 $0.20 $0.20 $0.20  $0.44 $0.80  33%82%
Supplemental dividend per share of Class A common stock(1)$ $ $ $ $  $ $  nana
Accrued carried interest allocations$1,480,515 $1,366,314 $1,189,323 $1,126,386 $1,227,173     (17)% 
            
Non-GAAP Results(2)           
Management and advisory fees, net(3)$112,229 $116,732 $119,121 $128,753 $132,720  $380,257 $497,326  18%31%
Adjusted revenues 145,109  190,339  150,638  148,053  152,940   594,006  641,970  5%8%
Fee-related earnings (“FRE”) 35,882  36,617  39,044  42,701  37,796   122,242  156,158  5%28%
Fee-related earnings margin(4) 32% 31% 33% 33% 28%  32% 31%   
Gross realized performance fees 32,880  73,607  31,517  19,300  20,220   213,749  144,644  (39)%(32)%
Adjusted net income (“ANI”) 43,714  47,134  37,261  31,153  27,115   172,943  142,663  (38)%(18)%
Adjusted weighted-average shares 114,663,599  114,466,962  114,606,326  114,651,163  114,765,635   107,191,661  114,618,105    
ANI per share$0.38 $0.41 $0.33 $0.27 $0.24  $1.61 $1.24  (37)%(23)%
            
Key Business Drivers/Operating Metrics(in billions)           
Assets under management (“AUM”)(5)$134.5 $136.5 $135.0 $134.0 $138.4     3% 
Assets under advisement (“AUA”)(5) 435.9  451.9  466.7  468.0  482.2     11% 
Fee-earning AUM (“FEAUM”) 75.2  78.6  80.1  83.0  85.4     14% 
Undeployed fee-earning capital (“UFEC”) 17.0  17.1  16.5  14.0  15.7     (8)% 

_______________________________
(1) Dividends paid, as reported in this table, relate to the preceding quarterly period in which they were earned.
(2) Adjusted revenues, fee-related earnings, fee-related earnings margin, adjusted net income, adjusted weighted-average shares and ANI per share are non-GAAP measures. See the definitions of these measures and reconciliations to the respective, most comparable GAAP measures under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Definitions and Reconciliations.”
(3) Excludes the impact of consolidating the Consolidated Funds. See reconciliation of GAAP measures to adjusted measures that follows.
(4) Fee-related earnings margin is calculated by dividing fee-related earnings by management and advisory fees, net.
(5) AUM/AUA reflects final data for the prior period, adjusted for net new client account activity through the period presented. Does not include post-period investment valuation or cash activity. Net asset value (“NAV”) data for underlying investments is as of the prior period, as reported by underlying managers up to 100 days, or 114 days at the fiscal year-end, following the prior period end. When NAV data is not available 100 days, or 114 days at the fiscal year-end, following the prior period end, such NAVs are adjusted for cash activity following the last available reported NAV.     


StepStone Group Inc.
GAAP Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 As of March 31,
  2023  2022
Assets   
Cash and cash equivalents$102,565 $116,386
Restricted cash 955  1,063
Fees and accounts receivable 44,450  34,141
Due from affiliates 54,322  19,369
Investments:   
Investments in funds 115,187  107,045
Accrued carried interest allocations 1,227,173  1,480,515
Legacy Greenspring investments in funds and accrued carried interest allocations(1) 770,652  1,334,581
Deferred income tax assets 44,358  27,866
Lease right-of-use assets, net 101,130  61,065
Other assets and receivables 44,060  27,426
Intangibles, net 354,645  398,126
Goodwill 580,542  580,542
Assets of Consolidated Funds:   
Cash and cash equivalents 25,997  
Investments, at fair value 30,595  
Other assets 772  
Total assets$3,497,403 $4,188,125
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity   
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities$89,396 $80,541
Accrued compensation and benefits 66,614  46,397
Accrued carried interest-related compensation 644,517  763,557
Legacy Greenspring accrued carried interest-related compensation(1) 617,994  1,140,101
Due to affiliates 205,424  199,355
Lease liabilities 121,224  70,965
Debt obligations 98,351  62,879
Liabilities of Consolidated Funds:   
Other liabilities 566  
Total liabilities 1,844,086  2,363,795
Redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds 24,530  
Stockholders’ equity:   
Class A common stock, $0.001 par value, 650,000,000 authorized; 62,834,791 and 61,141,306 issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively 63  61
Class B common stock, $0.001 par value, 125,000,000 authorized; 46,420,141 and 47,149,673 issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively 46  48
Additional paid-in capital 610,567  587,243
Retained earnings 160,430  229,615
Accumulated other comprehensive income 461  658
Total StepStone Group Inc. stockholders’ equity 771,567  817,625
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries 36,380  32,063
Non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities(1) 152,658  194,480
Non-controlling interests in the Partnership 668,182  780,162
Total stockholders’ equity 1,628,787  1,824,330
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$3,497,403 $4,188,125

(1) Reflects amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs for which the Company did not acquire any direct economic interests.


StepStone Group Inc.
GAAP Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
 Three Months Ended March 31, Year Ended March 31,
  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Revenues       
Management and advisory fees, net$132,573  $112,229  $497,179  $380,257 
Performance fees:       
Incentive fees 1,318   5,588   9,663   11,593 
Carried interest allocations:       
Realized 18,693   31,665   131,089   200,718 
Unrealized 100,753   133,062   (253,342)  585,851 
Total carried interest allocations 119,446   164,727   (122,253)  786,569 
Legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations(1) (80,963)  82,146   (452,163)  187,106 
Total revenues 172,374   364,690   (67,574)  1,365,525 
Expenses       
Compensation and benefits:       
Cash-based compensation 69,990   59,265   252,180   197,482 
Equity-based compensation 9,335   3,633   24,940   13,996 
Performance fee-related compensation:       
Realized 12,755   5,086   79,846   91,208 
Unrealized 53,515   84,757   (119,039)  312,903 
Total performance fee-related compensation 66,270   89,843   (39,193)  404,111 
Legacy Greenspring performance fee-related compensation(1) (80,963)  82,146   (452,163)  187,106 
Total compensation and benefits 64,632   234,887   (214,236)  802,695 
General, administrative and other 35,612   38,419   147,159   110,468 
Total expenses 100,244   273,306   (67,077)  913,163 
Other income (expense)       
Investment income (loss) 2,964   5,319   (2,509)  26,160 
Legacy Greenspring investment income (loss)(1) (11,148)  14,696   (44,075)  32,586 
Investment income of Consolidated Funds 4,420      9,315    
Interest income 853   8   1,921   337 
Interest expense (1,674)  (476)  (4,189)  (1,113)
Other income (loss) (40)  4,911   (1,420)  2,249 
Total other income (expense) (4,625)  24,458   (40,957)  60,219 
Income (loss) before income tax 67,505   115,842   (41,454)  512,581 
Income tax expense 10,689   12,235   3,821   28,300 
Net income (loss) 56,816   103,607   (45,275)  484,281 
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries 9,358   7,871   35,194   26,608 
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities(1) (11,148)  14,696   (44,075)  32,586 
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in the Partnership 28,420   39,225   (19,772)  231,202 
Less: Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds 1,385      1,776    
Net income (loss) attributable to StepStone Group Inc.$28,801  $41,815  $(18,398) $193,885 
Net income (loss) per share of Class A common stock:       
Basic$0.46  $0.69  $(0.30) $3.89 
Diluted$0.46  $0.69  $(0.30) $3.84 
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock:       
Basic 62,805,788   60,792,227   61,884,671   49,833,760 
Diluted 65,831,409   64,238,991   61,884,671   53,600,250 

(1) Reflects amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs for which the Company did not acquire any direct economic interests.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Definitions and Reconciliations

Management and Advisory Fees, Net

The following table presents the components of adjusted management and advisory fees, net.

 Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31,
(in thousands)March 31,
2022
June 30,
2022
September
30, 2022
December
31, 2022
March 31,
2023
  2022 2023
Focused commingled funds(1)$49,552$52,742$51,553$60,680$62,093 $148,725$227,068
Separately managed accounts 47,181 50,460 52,179 53,515 54,033  174,318 210,187
Advisory and other services 14,860 12,984 13,788 13,926 15,546  55,523 56,244
Fund reimbursement revenues(1) 636 546 1,601 632 1,048  1,691 3,827
Management and advisory fees, net$112,229$116,732$119,121$128,753$132,720 $380,257$497,326

_______________________________
(1) Reflects the add-back of management and advisory fee revenues for the Consolidated Funds, which have been eliminated in consolidation.

Adjusted Revenues

Adjusted revenues represents the components of revenues used in the determination of ANI and comprise net management and advisory fees, incentive fees (including the deferred portion) and realized carried interest allocations. We believe adjusted revenues is useful to investors because it presents a measure of realized revenues.

The table below shows a reconciliation of revenues to adjusted revenues.

 Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31,
(in thousands)March 31,
2022
June 30,
2022
September
30, 2022
December
31, 2022
March 31,
2023
  2022  2023 
Total revenues$364,690 $(77,218)$(158,495)$(4,235)$172,374  $1,365,525 $(67,574)
Unrealized carried interest allocations (133,062) 113,950  176,778  63,367  (100,753)  (585,851) 253,342 
Deferred incentive fees (4,373)   3,683    209   1,438  3,892 
Legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations (82,146) 153,607  128,672  88,921  80,963   (187,106) 452,163 
Management and advisory fee revenues for the Consolidated Funds(1)         147     147 
Adjusted revenues$145,109 $190,339 $150,638 $148,053 $152,940  $594,006 $641,970 

_______________________________
(1) Reflects the add-back of management and advisory fee revenues for the Consolidated Funds, which have been eliminated in consolidation.

The table below shows a reconciliation of GAAP measures to additional non-GAAP measures. We use the non-GAAP measures presented below as components when calculating ANI and FRE.

 Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31,
(in thousands)March 31,
2022
June 30,
2022
September
30, 2022
December
31, 2022
March 31,
2023
  2022  2023 
GAAP management and advisory fees, net$112,229 $116,732 $119,121 $128,753 $132,573  $380,257 $497,179 
Management and advisory fee revenues for the Consolidated Funds(1)         147     147 
Management and advisory fees, net$112,229 $116,732 $119,121 $128,753 $132,720  $380,257 $497,326 
         
GAAP cash-based compensation$59,265 $60,061 $59,501 $62,628 $69,990  $197,482 $252,180 
Adjustments(2) (2,306) (691) (740) (520) (653)  (2,413) (2,604)
Adjusted cash-based compensation$56,959 $59,370 $58,761 $62,108 $69,337  $195,069 $249,576 
         
GAAP equity-based compensation$3,633 $3,714 $3,783 $8,108 $9,335  $13,996 $24,940 
Adjustments(3) (3,212) (3,071) (3,125) (7,444) (8,274)  (13,174) (21,914)
Adjusted equity-based compensation$421 $643 $658 $664 $1,061  $822 $3,026 
         
GAAP general, administrative and other$38,419 $34,232 $33,733 $43,582 $35,612  $110,468 $147,159 
Adjustments(4) (19,452) (14,130) (13,075) (20,302) (11,086)  (48,344) (58,593)
Adjusted general, administrative and other$18,967 $20,102 $20,658 $23,280 $24,526  $62,124 $88,566 
         
GAAP interest income$8 $11 $356 $701 $853  $337 $1,921 
Interest income earned by the Consolidated Funds(5)         (195)    (195)
Non-GAAP interest income$8 $11 $356 $701 $658  $337 $1,726 
         
GAAP other income (loss)$4,911 $(1,104)$(634)$358 $(40) $2,249 $(1,420)
Adjustments(6) (4,951)       86   (3,560) 86 
Adjusted other income (loss)$(40)$(1,104)$(634)$358 $46  $(1,311)$(1,334)

______________________________
(1) Reflects the add-back of management and advisory fee revenues for the Consolidated Funds, which have been eliminated in consolidation.
(2) Reflects the removal of severance and compensation paid to certain employees as part of an acquisition earn-out.
(3) Reflects the removal of equity-based compensation for awards granted prior to and in connection with the IPO, profits interests issued by our non-wholly owned subsidiaries, and unrealized mark-to-market changes in the fair value of the profits interests issued in connection with the Private Wealth Transaction.
(4) Reflects the removal of lease remeasurement adjustments, accelerated depreciation of leasehold improvements for changes in lease terms, amortization of intangibles, transaction-related costs and other non-core operating income and expenses.
(5) Reflects the removal of interest income earned by the Consolidated Funds.
(6) Reflects the removal of amounts for Tax Receivable Agreements adjustments recognized as other income (loss) and the removal of the impact of consolidation of the Consolidated Funds.

Adjusted Net Income

Adjusted net income, or “ANI”, is a non-GAAP performance measure that we present on a pre-tax and after-tax basis used to evaluate profitability. ANI represents the after-tax net realized income attributable to us. The components of revenues used in the determination of ANI (“adjusted revenues”) comprise net management and advisory fees, incentive fees (including the deferred portion) and realized carried interest allocations. In addition, ANI excludes: (a) unrealized carried interest allocation revenues and related compensation, (b) unrealized investment income, (c) equity-based compensation for awards granted prior to and in connection with our IPO, profits interests issued by our non-wholly owned subsidiaries, and unrealized mark-to-market changes in the fair value of the profits interests issued in connection with the Private Wealth Transaction, (d) amortization of intangibles and (e) certain other items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating performance, including charges associated with acquisitions and corporate transactions, contract terminations and employee severance. ANI does not reflect legacy Greenspring carried interest allocation revenues, legacy Greenspring carried interest-related compensation and legacy Greenspring investment income as none of the economics are attributable to us. ANI is income before taxes fully taxed at our blended statutory rate. We believe ANI and adjusted revenues are useful to investors because they enable investors to evaluate the performance of our business across reporting periods.

Fee-Related Earnings

Fee-related earnings, or “FRE”, is a non-GAAP performance measure used to monitor our baseline earnings from recurring management and advisory fees. FRE is a component of ANI and comprises net adjusted management and advisory fees, less adjusted expenses which are operating expenses other than (a) performance fee-related compensation, (b) equity-based compensation for awards granted prior to and in connection with our IPO, profits interests issued by our non-wholly owned subsidiaries, and unrealized mark-to-market changes in the fair value of the profits interests issued in connection with the Private Wealth Transaction, (c) amortization of intangibles, and (d) certain other items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating performance, including charges associated with acquisitions and corporate transactions, contract terminations and employee severance. FRE is presented before income taxes. We believe FRE is useful to investors because it provides additional insight into the operating profitability of our business and our ability to cover direct base compensation and operating expenses from total fee revenue.

Fee-Related Earnings Margin

Fee-related earnings margin is a non-GAAP performance measure which is calculated by dividing fee-related earnings by management and advisory fees, net. We believe fee-related earnings margin is an important measure of profitability on revenues that are largely recurring by nature. We believe fee-related earnings margin is useful to investors because it enables them to better evaluate the operating profitability of our business across periods.

The table below shows a reconciliation of fee-related earnings to fee-related earnings margin.

 Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31,
(in thousands)March 31,
2022
June 30,
2022
September
30, 2022
December
31, 2022
March 31,
2023
  2022  2023 
Fee-related earnings$35,882 $36,617 $39,044 $42,701 $37,796  $122,242 $156,158 
Management and advisory fees, net 112,229  116,732  119,121  128,753  132,720   380,257  497,326 
Fee-related earnings margin 32% 31% 33% 33% 28%  32% 31%

Gross Realized Performance Fees

Gross realized performance fees represents realized carried interest allocations and incentive fees, including the deferred portion and excluding legacy Greenspring entities. We believe gross realized performance fees is useful to investors because it presents the total performance fees realized by us.

Net Realized Performance Fees

Net realized performance fees represents gross realized performance fees, less realized performance fee-related compensation and excluding legacy Greenspring entities. We believe net realized performance fees is useful to investors because it presents the performance fees attributable to us, net of amounts paid to employees as performance fee-related compensation.

The table below shows a reconciliation of realized performance fees to gross and net realized performance fees.

 Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31,
(in thousands)March 31,
2022
June 30,
2022
September
30, 2022
December
31, 2022
March 31,
2023
  2022  2023 
Realized carried interest allocations(1)$31,665 $73,607 $22,469 $16,320 $18,693  $200,718 $131,089 
Incentive fees 5,588    5,365  2,980  1,318   11,593  9,663 
Deferred incentive fees (4,373)   3,683    209   1,438  3,892 
Gross realized performance fees 32,880  73,607  31,517  19,300  20,220   213,749  144,644 
Realized performance fee-related compensation(1) (5,086) (41,735) (13,630) (11,726) (12,755)  (91,208) (79,846)
Net realized performance fees$27,794 $31,872 $17,887 $7,574 $7,465  $122,541 $64,798 

_______________________________
(1) Excludes legacy Greenspring entities.

The table below shows a reconciliation of income (loss) before income tax to ANI and FRE.

 Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31,
(in thousands)March 31,
2022
June 30,
2022
September
30, 2022
December
31, 2022
March 31,
2023
  2022  2023 
Income (loss) before income tax$115,842  (20,185)$(74,487)$(14,287)$67,505  $512,581 $(41,454)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries(1) (8,759) (8,116) (9,985) (10,802) (10,151)  (28,100) (39,054)
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities (14,696) 8,604  15,357  8,966  11,148   (32,586) 44,075 
Unrealized carried interest allocations (133,062) 113,950  176,778  63,367  (100,753)  (585,851) 253,342 
Unrealized performance fee-related compensation 84,757  (54,553) (86,126) (31,875) 53,515   312,903  (119,039)
Unrealized investment (income) loss (3,488) 3,070  5,795  1,354  (2,207)  (17,661) 8,012 
Impact of Consolidated Funds       (4,895) (4,002)    (8,897)
Deferred incentive fees (4,373)   3,683    209   1,438  3,892 
Equity-based compensation(2) 3,212  3,071  3,125  7,444  8,274   13,174  21,914 
Amortization of intangibles 11,049  10,871  10,870  10,870  10,870   24,497  43,481 
Tax Receivable Agreements adjustments through earnings (4,951)       (244)  (3,560) (244)
Non-core items(3) 10,709  3,950  2,945  9,952  733   26,260  17,580 
Pre-tax adjusted net income 56,240  60,662  47,955  40,094  34,897   223,095  183,608 
Income taxes(4) (12,526) (13,528) (10,694) (8,941) (7,782)  (50,152) (40,945)
Adjusted net income 43,714  47,134  37,261  31,153  27,115   172,943  142,663 
Income taxes(4) 12,526  13,528  10,694  8,941  7,782   50,152  40,945 
Realized carried interest allocations (31,665) (73,607) (22,469) (16,320) (18,693)  (200,718) (131,089)
Realized performance fee-related compensation(5) 5,086  41,735  13,630  11,726  12,755   91,208  79,846 
Realized investment income (1,831) (1,969) (2,104) (673) (757)  (8,499) (5,503)
Incentive fees (5,588)   (5,365) (2,980) (1,318)  (11,593) (9,663)
Deferred incentive fees 4,373    (3,683)   (209)  (1,438) (3,892)
Non-GAAP interest income(6) (8) (11) (356) (701) (658)  (337) (1,726)
Interest expense 476  587  817  1,111  1,674   1,113  4,189 
Adjusted other (income) loss(6)(7) 40  1,104  634  (358) (46)  1,311  1,334 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries(1) 8,759  8,116  9,985  10,802  10,151   28,100  39,054 
Fee-related earnings$35,882 $36,617 $39,044 $42,701 $37,796  $122,242 $156,158 

_______________________________
(1) Reflects the portion of pre-tax adjusted net income of our subsidiaries attributable to non-controlling interests:

 Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31,
(in thousands)March 31,
2022
June 30,
2022
September
30, 2022
December
31, 2022
March 31,
2023
  2022 2023
Fee-related earnings attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries$8,458$8,514 $10,149 $10,167$9,843 $27,583$38,673
Non fee-related earnings (losses) attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries 301 (398) (164) 635 308  517 381
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries$8,759$8,116 $9,985 $10,802$10,151 $28,100$39,054

(2) Reflects equity-based compensation for awards granted prior to and in connection with the IPO, profits interests issued by our non-wholly owned subsidiaries, and unrealized mark-to-market changes in the fair value of the profits interests issued in connection with the Private Wealth Transaction.
(3) Includes (income) expense related to the following non-core operating income and expenses:

 Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31,
(in thousands)March 31,
2022
June 30,
2022
September
30, 2022
December
31, 2022
March 31,
2023
  2022 2023 
Transaction costs$427$3$ $6,812$38  $14,247$6,853 
Lease remeasurement adjustments   (2,709)      (2,709)
Accelerated depreciation of leasehold improvements for changes in lease terms   210  631 631    1,472 
Severance costs 1,518 44 134  42 73   1,625 293 
(Gain) loss on change in fair value for contingent consideration obligation 7,976 3,256 4,704  1,989 (588)  9,600 9,361 
Compensation paid to certain employees as part of an acquisition earn-out 788 647 606  478 579   788 2,310 
Total non-core operating income and expenses$10,709$3,950$2,945 $9,952$733  $26,260$17,580 

(4) Represents corporate income taxes at a blended statutory rate applied to pre-tax adjusted net income:

 Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31,
 March 31,
2022
June 30,
2022
September
30, 2022
December
31, 2022
March 31,
2023
 2022 2023 
Federal statutory rate21.0%21.0%21.0%21.0%21.0% 21.0%21.0%
Combined state, local and foreign rate1.3%1.3%1.3%1.3%1.3% 1.5%1.3%
Blended statutory rate22.3%22.3%22.3%22.3%22.3% 22.5%22.3%

The decrease in the blended statutory rate for fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was due to updates in our state apportionment. The three months ended March 31, 2022 reflect a true-up to adjust fiscal 2022 to a blended statutory rate of 22.5%.

(5) Includes carried interest-related compensation expense related to the portion of net carried interest allocation revenue attributable to equity holders of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries that are not 100% owned:

 Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31,
(in thousands)March 31,
2022
June 30,
2022
September
30, 2022
December
31, 2022
March 31,
2023
  2022 2023
Realized carried interest-related compensation$1,307$4,397$2,412$2,208$2,358 $1,804$11,375

(6) Excludes the impact of consolidating the Consolidated Funds.
(7) Excludes amounts for Tax Receivable Agreements adjustments recognized as other income (loss) ($244 thousand and $4,951 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $244 thousand and $3,560 thousand in fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively).

Adjusted Net Income Per Share

ANI per share measures our per-share earnings assuming all Class B units and Class C units in the Partnership were exchanged for Class A common stock in SSG, including the dilutive impact of outstanding equity-based awards. ANI per share is calculated as ANI divided by adjusted shares outstanding. We believe ANI per share is useful to investors because it enables them to better evaluate per-share operating performance across reporting periods.

The following table shows a reconciliation of diluted weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding to adjusted shares outstanding used in the computation of ANI per share.

 Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31,
 March 31,
2022
June 30,
2022
September
30, 2022
December
31, 2022
March 31,
2023
  2022 2023
Adjusted net income$43,714$47,134$37,261$31,153$27,115 $172,943$142,663
         
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding – Basic 60,792,227 61,144,139 61,407,834 62,192,899 62,805,788  49,833,760 61,884,671
Assumed vesting of RSUs 982,028 798,326 913,479 457,818 524,576  1,289,809 669,966
Assumed vesting and exchange of Class B2 units 2,464,736 2,448,833 2,466,194 2,486,197 2,501,045  2,476,681 2,475,501
Exchange of Class B units in the Partnership(1) 47,495,784 47,146,840 46,889,995 46,662,062 46,420,141  52,028,095 46,780,724
Exchange of Class C units in the Partnership(2) 2,928,824 2,928,824 2,928,824 2,852,187 2,514,085  1,563,316 2,807,243
Adjusted shares 114,663,599 114,466,962 114,606,326 114,651,163 114,765,635  107,191,661 114,618,105
         
Adjusted net income per share$0.38$0.41$0.33$0.27$0.24 $1.61$1.24

_______________________________
(1) Assumes the full exchange of Class B units in the Partnership for Class A common stock of SSG pursuant to the Class B Exchange Agreement.
(2) Assumes the full exchange of Class C units in the Partnership for Class A common stock of SSG pursuant to the Class C Exchange Agreement.

Key Operating Metrics

We monitor certain operating metrics that are either common to the asset management industry or that we believe provide important data regarding our business.

Fee-Earning AUM

 Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31, Percentage
Change
(in millions)March 31,
2022
June 30,
2022
September
30, 2022
December
31, 2022
March 31,
2023
  2022  2023  vs. FQ4'22
Separately Managed Accounts          
Beginning balance$45,899 $49,586 $52,198 $52,881 $53,420  $40,561 $49,586  16%
Contributions(1) 5,150  3,371  1,760  2,149  2,378   11,839  9,658  (54)%
Distributions(2) (1,398) (445) (588) (2,178) (997)  (3,235) (4,208) (29)%
Market value, FX and other(4) (65) (314) (489) 568  544   421  309  na
Ending balance$49,586 $52,198 $52,881 $53,420 $55,345  $49,586 $55,345  12%
           
Focused Commingled Funds          
Beginning balance$25,333 $25,587 $26,352 $27,236 $29,565  $11,447 $25,587  17%
Contributions(1) 1,088  1,160  1,139  2,497  713   4,364  5,509  (34)%
Distributions(2) (814) (382) (304) (168) (308)  (1,564) (1,162) (62)%
Acquisitions(3)            11,407    na
Market value, FX and other(4) (20) (13) 49    116   (67) 152  na
Ending balance$25,587 $26,352 $27,236 $29,565 $30,086  $25,587 $30,086  18%
           
Total          
Beginning balance$71,232 $75,173 $78,550 $80,117 $82,985  $52,008 $75,173  16%
Contributions(1) 6,238  4,531  2,899  4,646  3,091   16,203  15,167  (50)%
Distributions(2) (2,212) (827) (892) (2,346) (1,305)  (4,799) (5,370) (41)%
Acquisitions(3)            11,407    na
Market value, FX and other(4) (85) (327) (440) 568  660   354  461  na
Ending balance$75,173 $78,550 $80,117 $82,985 $85,431  $75,173 $85,431  14%

_______________________________
(1) Contributions consist of new capital commitments that earn fees on committed capital and capital contributions to funds and accounts that earn fees on net invested capital or NAV.
(2) Distributions consist of returns of capital from funds and accounts that pay fees on net invested capital or NAV and reductions in fee-earning AUM from funds that moved from a committed capital to net invested capital fee basis or from funds and accounts that no longer pay fees.
(3) Fiscal 2022 includes $11.4 billion of focused commingled funds added as a result of the Greenspring acquisition.
(4) Market value, FX and other primarily consist of changes in market value appreciation (depreciation) for funds that pay on NAV and the effect of foreign exchange rate changes on non-U.S. dollar denominated commitments.

Asset Class Summary

 Three Months Ended Percentage
Change
(in millions)March 31,
2022
June 30,
2022
September
30, 2022
December
31, 2022
March 31,
2023
 vs. FQ4'22
FEAUM       
Private equity$40,396$41,944$42,781$45,048$45,766 13%
Real estate 4,824 5,417 5,367 5,541 6,030 25%
Infrastructure 17,737 18,395 18,592 18,314 19,274 9%
Private debt 12,216 12,794 13,377 14,082 14,361 18%
Total$75,173$78,550$80,117$82,985$85,431 14%
        
Separately managed accounts$49,586$52,198$52,881$53,420$55,345 12%
Focused commingled funds 25,587 26,352 27,236 29,565 30,086 18%
Total$75,173$78,550$80,117$82,985$85,431 14%
        
AUM(1)       
Private equity$75,593$75,683$72,169$70,868$71,611 (5)%
Real estate 10,546 10,938 11,516 11,372 12,891 22%
Infrastructure 26,027 26,285 27,749 27,324 27,285 5%
Private debt 22,326 23,631 23,583 24,437 26,592 19%
Total$134,492$136,537$135,017$134,001$138,379 3%
        
Separately managed accounts$78,615$79,504$78,625$77,797$82,243 5%
Focused commingled funds 43,866 44,658 43,928 43,289 43,062 (2)%
Advisory AUM 12,011 12,375 12,464 12,915 13,074 9%
Total$134,492$136,537$135,017$134,001$138,379 3%
        
Advisory AUA       
Private equity$227,593$234,368$239,640$239,270$242,461 7%
Real estate 149,492 156,851 162,691 164,072 171,668 15%
Infrastructure 43,633 45,000 47,538 47,833 50,700 16%
Private debt 15,177 15,661 16,831 16,823 17,362 14%
Total$435,895$451,880$466,700$467,998$482,191 11%
        
Total capital responsibility(2)$570,387$588,417$601,717$601,999$620,570 9%

_____________________________
Note: Amounts may not sum to total due to rounding. AUM/AUA reflects final data for the prior period, adjusted for net new client account activity through the period presented. Does not include post-period investment valuation or cash activity. Net asset value (“NAV”) data for underlying investments is as of the prior period, as reported by underlying managers up to 100 days, or 114 days at the fiscal year-end, following the prior period end. When NAV data is not available 100 days, or 114 days at the fiscal year-end, following the prior period end, such NAVs are adjusted for cash activity following the last available reported NAV.

(1) Allocation of AUM by asset class is presented by underlying investment asset classification.
(2) Total capital responsibility equals assets under management (AUM) plus assets under advisement (AUA).

Contacts

Shareholder Relations:
Seth Weiss
shareholders@stepstonegroup.com 
1-212-351-6106

Media:
Brian Ruby / Chris Gillick, ICR
StepStonePR@icrinc.com 
1-203-682-8268

Glossary

Assets under management, or “AUM”, primarily reflects the assets associated with our SMAs and focused commingled funds. We classify assets as AUM if we have full discretion over the investment decisions in an account or have responsibility or custody of assets. Although management fees are based on a variety of factors and are not linearly correlated with AUM, we believe AUM is a useful metric for assessing the relative size and scope of our asset management business.

Our AUM is calculated as the sum of (i) the net asset value (“NAV”) of client portfolio assets, including the StepStone Funds and (ii) the unfunded commitments of clients to the underlying investments and the StepStone Funds. Our AUM reflects the investment valuations in respect of the underlying investments of our funds and accounts on a three-month lag, adjusted for new client account activity through the period end. Our AUM does not include post-period investment valuation or cash activity. AUM as of March 31, 2023 reflects final data for the prior period (December 31, 2022), adjusted for net new client account activity through March 31, 2023. NAV data for underlying investments is as of December 31, 2022, as reported by underlying managers up to 114 days following December 31, 2022. When NAV data is not available 114 days following December 31, 2022, such NAVs are adjusted for cash activity following the last available reported NAV.

Assets under advisement, or “AUA”, consists of client assets for which we do not have full discretion to make investment decisions but play a role in advising the client or monitoring their investments. We generally earn revenue for advisory-related services on a contractual fixed fee basis. Advisory-related services include asset allocation, strategic planning, development of investment policies and guidelines, screening and recommending investments, legal negotiations, monitoring and reporting on investments, and investment manager review and due diligence. Advisory fees vary by client based on the scope of services, investment activity and other factors. Most of our advisory fees are fixed, and therefore, increases or decreases in AUA do not necessarily lead to proportionate changes in revenue.

Our AUA is calculated as the sum of (i) the NAV of client portfolio assets for which we do not have full discretion and (ii) the unfunded commitments of clients to the underlying investments. Our AUA reflects the investment valuations in respect of the underlying investments of our client accounts on a three-month lag, adjusted for new client account activity through the period end. Our AUA does not include post-period investment valuation or cash activity. AUA as of March 31, 2023 reflects final data for the prior period (December 31, 2022), adjusted for net new client account activity through March 31, 2023. NAV data for underlying investments is as of December 31, 2022, as reported by underlying managers up to 114 days following December 31, 2022. When NAV data is not available 114 days following December 31, 2022, such NAVs are adjusted for cash activity following the last available reported NAV.

Total capital responsibility equals AUM plus AUA. AUM includes any accounts for which StepStone Group has full discretion over the investment decisions, has responsibility to arrange or effectuate transactions, or has custody of assets. AUA refers to accounts for which StepStone Group provides advice or consultation but for which the firm does not have discretionary authority, responsibility to arrange or effectuate transactions, or custody of assets.

Fee-earning AUM, or “FEAUM”, reflects the assets from which we earn management fee revenue (i.e., fee basis) and includes assets in our SMAs, focused commingled funds and assets held directly by our clients for which we have fiduciary oversight and are paid fees as the manager of the assets. Our SMAs and focused commingled funds typically pay management fees based on capital commitments, net invested capital and, in certain cases, NAV, depending on the fee terms. Management fees are only marginally affected by market appreciation or depreciation because substantially all of the StepStone Funds pay management fees based on capital commitments or net invested capital. As a result, management fees and FEAUM are not materially affected by changes in market value.

Undeployed fee-earning capital represents the amount of capital commitments to StepStone Funds that has not yet been invested or considered active but will generate management fee revenue once this capital is invested or activated.

Legacy Greenspring entities refers to certain entities for which the Company, indirectly through its subsidiaries, became the sole and/or managing member in connection with the Greenspring acquisition.

StepStone Funds refer to focused commingled funds and separately managed accounts of the Company, including acquired Greenspring funds, for which the Partnership or one of its subsidiaries acts as both investment adviser and general partner or managing member.

Consolidated Funds refer to the StepStone Funds that we are required to consolidate as of the applicable reporting period. We consolidate funds and other entities in which we hold a controlling financial interest.

Private Wealth Transaction refers to new arrangements entered into by which certain members of the StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC (“SPW”) team received a profits interest in SPW and concurrently entered into an option agreement which provides that, (i) we have the right to acquire the profits interest at the end of any fiscal quarter after June 30, 2027, in exchange for payment of a call price and (ii) the SPW management team, through an entity named CH Equity Partners, LLC (formerly known as Conversus Holdings LLC), has the right to put the profits interest to us on June 30, 2026 or at the end of any fiscal quarter thereafter, in exchange for payment of a put price.

SSG refers solely to StepStone Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, and not to any of its subsidiaries.

The Partnership refers solely to StepStone Group LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and not to any of its subsidiaries.