News Details

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: VCTR) (“Victory Capital” or “the Company”) today reported record financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.

"We had an exceptional first quarter, reporting record revenue, record Adjusted EBITDA, and record earnings per share, while simultaneously achieving an all-time high in long-term quarterly gross sales,” said David Brown, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our net flows improved meaningfully during the quarter as we continue to execute and make investments into our distribution channels.

"Our investment performance also improved during the quarter and remains excellent. As of March 31, 2026, 71%, 67%, 68%, and 81% of our AUM outperformed benchmarks over the respective 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods. In addition, 68% of our rated AUM in mutual funds and ETFs was rated four or five stars overall by Morningstar.

“The integration of Pioneer Investments is substantially complete. At quarter end, we had recognized approximately $104 million of the expected $110 million in total net expense synergies, and we remain on track to achieve the full $110 million within 2026.

"Two areas that helped fuel our improved sales results for the quarter are the VictoryShares ETF platform, which continues to generate strong net inflows across our intermediary channels, and our international distribution channel, which delivered net inflows again for the quarter. Additionally, multiple Investment Franchises had positive net flows for the quarter as we continue to build momentum in various investment strategies and products.

"We continued to return capital to shareholders, repurchasing a quarterly record of 2 million shares of VCTR common stock during the quarter. Combined with dividends paid, this returned a total of $185 million to shareholders in the quarter.

"Inorganic growth remains a strategic priority, and our pipeline of acquisition opportunities is extensive and we are very active. Our approach has always been, and will remain, disciplined. The strength of our business allows us to be selective, and we only pursue transactions that make our Company better.

"As always, we continue to focus on serving our clients, which is our top priority.”

The table below presents AUM, and certain GAAP and non-GAAP (“adjusted”) financial results. Due to rounding, AUM values and other amounts in this press release may not add up precisely to the totals provided.

AUM, Flows and Investment Performance

At March 31, 2026, Victory Capital had total client assets of $313.1 billion, assets under management of $309.8 billion, and other assets of $3.3 billion. Total AUM decreased by $3.9 billion to $309.8 billion at March 31, 2026, compared with $313.8 billion at December 31, 2025. The decrease was primarily due to negative market action of $2.8 billion and net outflows of $0.7 billion. Net flows were comprised of $0.5 billion and $0.2 billion of long-term and short-term net outflows, respectively. Total gross flows for the first quarter were $19.2 billion, including long-term gross flows of $18.9 billion.

As of March 31, 2026, Victory Capital offered 179 investment strategies through its multiple autonomous Investment Franchises and Solutions Platform. The table below presents outperformance against benchmarks by AUM as of March 31, 2026.

First Quarter 2026 Compared with Fourth Quarter 2025

Revenue increased 3.7% to $388.0 million in the first quarter, compared with $374.1 million in the fourth quarter, primarily due to higher average AUM and crystallization of certain annual fees over the comparable period. GAAP operating margin expanded 10 basis points in the first quarter to 41.0%, up from 40.9% in the fourth quarter primarily due to a $13.9 million increase in revenue partially offset by a $7.9 million increase in total operating expense. Operating expenses increased 3.6% to $228.8 million in the first quarter, compared to $220.9 million in the fourth quarter, primarily due to a $4.9 million increase in compensation related expenses associated with annual payroll tax and benefits reset and higher earnings and a $7.1 million increase in acquisition-related costs partially offset by decreases in other general and administrative expenses. First quarter GAAP net income decreased 0.6% to $112.1 million, or $1.33 per diluted share, down from $112.8 million, or $1.32 per diluted share, in the prior quarter.

Adjusted net income with tax benefit increased 1.0% to $153.2 million, or $1.82 per diluted share in the first quarter, up from $151.7 million, or $1.78 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter. Adjusted EBITDA increased 3.3% to $204.0 million in the first quarter, versus $197.5 million in the fourth quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 20 basis points in the first quarter of 2026 to 52.6% compared with 52.8% in the prior quarter.

First Quarter 2026 Compared with First Quarter 2025

On April 1, 2025, the Company completed the acquisition of Amundi US and reintroduced the brand Pioneer Investments for the acquired business and investment products. Current quarter results reflect the acquisition of Amundi US, which closed on April 1, 2025. Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2026, increased 76.7% to $388.0 million, compared with $219.6 million in the same quarter of 2025 as a result of higher average AUM over the comparable period. Operating expenses increased 80.6% to $228.8 million, compared with $126.7 million in last year’s first quarter, reflecting variable operating expenses that rose as a result of higher average AUM and an expanded business. GAAP operating margin contracted 130 basis points to 41.0% in the first quarter, from 42.3% in the same quarter of 2025. GAAP net income increased 80.9% to $112.1 million, or $1.33 per diluted share, in the first quarter compared with $62.0 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, in the same quarter of 2025.

Adjusted net income with tax benefit increased 73.9% to $153.2 million, or $1.82 per diluted share, in the first quarter, compared with $88.1 million, or $1.36 per diluted share in the same quarter last year. Adjusted EBITDA increased 75.3% to $204.0 million, compared with $116.4 million in the same quarter of last year. Year-over-year, adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 40 basis points to 52.6% in the first quarter of 2026, compared with 53.0% in the same quarter last year.

Balance Sheet / Capital Management

The total debt outstanding as of December 31, 2025 was approximately $980 million.

For the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company repurchased approximately 2 million shares of Common Stock.

The Company’s Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share. The dividend is payable on June 25, 2026, to shareholders of record on June 10, 2026.

Conference Call, Webcast and Slide Presentation

The Company will host a conference call tomorrow morning, May 7, at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss the results. Analysts and investors may participate in the question-and-answer session. To participate in the conference call, please call 1-833-461-5787 (domestic) or 1-585-542-9983 (international), shortly before 8:00 a.m. ET and reference Meeting ID: 966192980. A live, listen-only webcast will also be available via the investor relations section of the Company’s website at https://ir.vcm.com. Prior to the call, a supplemental slide presentation that will be used during the conference call will be available on the Events and Presentations page of the Company’s investor relations website. For anyone who is unable to join the live event, an archive of the webcast will be available for replay shortly after the call concludes.

About Victory Capital

Victory Capital (NASDAQ: VCTR) is a diversified global asset management firm with $313.1 billion in total client assets, as of March 31, 2026. We serve institutional, intermediary, and individual clients through our Investment Franchises and Solutions Platform, which manage specialized investment strategies across traditional and alternative asset classes. Our differentiated approach combines the power of investment autonomy with the support of a robust, fully integrated operational and distribution platform. Clients have access to focused, top-tier investment talent equipped with comprehensive resources designed to deliver competitive long-term performance.

Victory Capital is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. To learn more, visit www.vcm.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (X), and LinkedIn.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable U.S. federal and non-U.S. securities laws. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as “target,” “believe,” “expect,” “aim,” “intend,” “may,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “budget,” “continue,” “estimate,” “future,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “will,” “can have,” “likely,” “should,” “would,” “could” and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for Victory Capital’s future business and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond Victory Capital's control and could cause Victory Capital's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the expected results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements.

Although it is not possible to identify all of these risks and factors, they include, among others, the following: reductions in the assets under management (“AUM”) based on investment performance, client withdrawals, difficult market conditions and other factors such as the ongoing conflicts and potential military conflicts in Iran, Ukraine, Venezuela, China/Taiwan, and/or the Middle East, a pandemic, tariffs or trade restrictions; the nature of the Company’s contracts and investment advisory agreements; the Company's ability to maintain historical returns and sustain our historical growth; the Company's dependence on third parties to market our strategies and provide products or services for the operation of our business; the Company's ability to retain key investment professionals or members of our senior management team; the Company's reliance on the technology systems supporting our operations; the Company's ability to successfully acquire and integrate new companies; risks associated with expected benefits of the Amundi US transaction and the related impact on the Company’s business; the concentration of the Company’s investments in long only small- and mid-cap equity and U.S. clients; risks and uncertainties associated with non-U.S. investments; the Company's efforts to establish and develop new teams and strategies; the ability of the Company’s investment teams to identify appropriate investment opportunities; the Company's ability to limit employee misconduct; the Company's ability to meet the guidelines set by our clients; the Company's exposure to potential litigation (including administrative or tax proceedings) or regulatory actions; the Company's ability to implement effective information and cyber security policies, procedures and capabilities; the Company's substantial indebtedness; the potential impairment of the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets; disruption to the operations of third parties whose functions are integral to the Company’s ETF platform; the Company's determination that we are not required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940; the fluctuation of the Company’s expenses; the Company's ability to respond to recent trends in the investment management industry; the level of regulation on investment management firms and the Company’s ability to respond to regulatory developments; the competitiveness of the investment management industry; and other risks and factors included, but not limited to, those listed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 26, 2026, which is accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

In light of these risks, uncertainties and other factors, the forward-looking statements contained in this press release might not prove to be accurate. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and Victory Capital undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Information Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Victory Capital uses non-GAAP financial measures referred to as Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income to measure the operating profitability of the Company. These measures eliminate the impact of one-time acquisition, restructuring and integration costs and demonstrate the ongoing operating earnings metrics of the Company. The Company has included these non-GAAP measures to provide investors with the same financial metrics used by management to assess the operating performance of the Company.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjustments made to GAAP Net Income to calculate Adjusted EBITDA, as applicable, are:

• Adding back income tax expense;
• Adding back interest paid on debt and other financing costs, net of interest income;
• Adding back depreciation on property and equipment;
• Adding back other business taxes;
• Adding back amortization expense on acquisition-related intangible assets;
• Adding back share-based compensation expense associated with equity awards in connection with acquisitions and certain one-time performance-based shares;
• Adding back direct incremental costs of acquisitions, including restructuring costs;
• Adding back debt issuance cost expense;
• Adjusting for earnings/losses on equity method investments.

Adjusted Net Income

Adjustments made to GAAP Net Income to calculate Adjusted Net Income, as applicable, are:

• Adding back other business taxes;
• Adding back amortization expense on acquisition-related intangible assets;
• Adding back share-based compensation expense associated with equity awards in connection with acquisitions and certain one-time performance-based shares;
• Adding back direct incremental costs of acquisitions, including restructuring costs;
• Adding back debt issuance cost expense;
• Subtracting an estimate of income tax expense applied to the sum of the adjustments above.

Tax Benefit of Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets

Due to Victory Capital’s acquisitive nature, tax deductions allowed on acquired intangible assets and goodwill provide it with additional significant supplemental economic benefit. The tax benefit of goodwill and intangible assets represent the tax benefits associated with deductions allowed for intangible assets and goodwill generated from prior acquisitions in which the Company received a step-up in basis for tax purposes. Acquired intangible assets and goodwill may be amortized for tax purposes, generally over a 15-year period. The tax benefit from amortization on these assets is included to show the full economic benefit of deductions for all acquired intangible assets with a step-up in tax basis.