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Victory Capital Holdings, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose on higher average AUM: Revenue rose 3.7% from the fourth quarter to $388.0 million, which the company attributed to higher average AUM and annual fee crystallization. Year on year, revenue rose 76.7% to $388.0 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS rose: Adjusted EBITDA rose 3.3% to $204.0 million. Adjusted net income with tax benefit per diluted share rose to $1.82 from $1.78. GAAP diluted EPS was $1.33, against $1.32 in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Long-term gross sales reached a high: Long-term gross flows were $18.9 billion, up from $17.1 billion in the fourth quarter and $9.3 billion a year earlier. Total gross flows were $19.2 billion. Source
  • Long-term net outflows narrowed: Long-term net outflows were $457 million, down from $2.1 billion in the fourth quarter. Short-term net outflows were $197 million, bringing total net outflows to $654 million. Source
  • Market declines cut AUM by $2.8 billion: Total AUM fell $3.9 billion to $309.8 billion, mainly from negative market action of $2.8 billion and net outflows of $0.7 billion. Average AUM was $318.7 billion. Source
  • Operating expenses rose on acquisition costs: Operating expenses rose 3.6% to $228.8 million. Compensation rose $4.9 million on the annual payroll tax and benefits reset, and acquisition-related costs rose $7.1 million. Source
  • Quarterly record share repurchases: The company repurchased about 2 million shares, a quarterly record. Combined with dividends paid, total returns to shareholders were $185 million in the quarter. Source
  • Pioneer synergies mostly recognized: About $104 million of the expected $110 million in net expense synergies had been recognized at quarter end. Management said the Pioneer Investments integration is substantially complete. Source

“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,”

David Brown, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Quarterly cash dividend SourcePayable June 25, 2026$0.50 per shareRaised from $0.49 per share
Net expense synergies (Pioneer Investments) SourceWithin 2026$110 million totalKept

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose on higher average AUM: Revenue rose 3.7% from the fourth quarter to $388.0 million, which the company attributed to higher average AUM and annual fee crystallization. Year on year, revenue rose 76.7% to $388.0 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS rose: Adjusted EBITDA rose 3.3% to $204.0 million. Adjusted net income with tax benefit per diluted share rose to $1.82 from $1.78. GAAP diluted EPS was $1.33, against $1.32 in the fourth quarter. Source
  • GAAP net income edged lower: GAAP net income fell 0.6% to $112.1 million from $112.8 million. Operating income rose to $159.2 million from $153.2 million, while income tax expense rose to $35.7 million from $28.8 million. Source
  • Year-on-year growth reflects Amundi US: Compared with the first quarter of 2025, GAAP net income rose 80.9% and adjusted EBITDA rose 75.3% to $204.0 million. Current results include the Amundi US acquisition, which closed April 1, 2025. Source

Regions and vehicles

  • Non-U.S. share of AUM rose: Non-U.S. AUM was $55.0 billion, or 18% of total AUM, against $54.8 billion or 17% at December 31, 2025. U.S. AUM was $254.8 billion, or 82% of total. Source
  • Alternative investments led net inflows: Alternative Investments recorded net inflows of $2,757 million on gross inflows of $6,718 million. Non-U.S. Equity recorded net inflows of $959 million. Source
  • Equity and fixed income net outflows: Global/U.S. mid cap equity had net outflows of $1,643 million, U.S. small cap equity $1,079 million, U.S. large cap equity $899 million and fixed income $569 million. Source

“Our net flows improved meaningfully during the quarter as we continue to execute and make investments into our distribution channels.”

David Brown, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

ETFs, mutual funds and performance

  • ETF platform drew net inflows: ETF AUM rose to $16.4 billion from $15.0 billion, with net inflows of $1.3 billion. Management said the platform continued to generate net inflows through intermediary channels. Source
  • Mutual funds had net outflows: Mutual funds had net outflows of $3.6 billion, against $3.7 billion in the fourth quarter. Separate accounts and other vehicles had net inflows of $1.6 billion. Source
  • Share of AUM outperforming benchmarks: Shares of AUM outperforming benchmarks were 71%, 67%, 68% and 81% over 1, 3, 5 and 10 years, against 63%, 63%, 68% and 78% at December 31, 2025. The company said 68% of rated mutual fund and ETF AUM is rated four or five stars by Morningstar. Source
  • Strategies offered fell to 179: The company offered 179 investment strategies at March 31, 2026, against 187 at December 31, 2025, through its Investment Franchises and Solutions Platform. Source
  • Multiple franchises had positive flows: Management said several Investment Franchises had positive net flows in the quarter and the company continues to build momentum in various strategies and products. Source

Flows and demand

  • Long-term gross sales reached a high: Long-term gross flows were $18.9 billion, up from $17.1 billion in the fourth quarter and $9.3 billion a year earlier. Total gross flows were $19.2 billion. Source
  • Long-term net outflows narrowed: Long-term net outflows were $457 million, down from $2.1 billion in the fourth quarter. Short-term net outflows were $197 million, bringing total net outflows to $654 million. Source
  • Market declines cut AUM by $2.8 billion: Total AUM fell $3.9 billion to $309.8 billion, mainly from negative market action of $2.8 billion and net outflows of $0.7 billion. Average AUM was $318.7 billion. Source
  • International channel had net inflows: The international distribution channel delivered net inflows again in the quarter, after net inflows in the prior period. Non-U.S. AUM was $55.0 billion at quarter end. Source

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

David Brown, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Operating expenses rose on acquisition costs: Operating expenses rose 3.6% to $228.8 million. Compensation rose $4.9 million on the annual payroll tax and benefits reset, and acquisition-related costs rose $7.1 million. Source
  • GAAP operating margin edged higher: GAAP operating margin was 41.0%, up 10 basis points from 40.9%. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 52.6%, down 20 basis points from 52.8%. Source
  • Fee crystallization lifted revenue: Revenue rose mainly on higher average AUM and the crystallization of certain annual fees. AUM revenue realization was 47.6 basis points, up from 47.4 in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Expenses rose with higher average AUM: Operating expenses rose 80.6% year on year, which the company attributed to variable expenses on higher average AUM and an expanded business. Source

Capital and shareholder returns

  • Quarterly record share repurchases: The company repurchased about 2 million shares, a quarterly record. Combined with dividends paid, total returns to shareholders were $185 million in the quarter. Source
  • Share count and treasury stock: Treasury stock at cost rose to $930.4 million from $786.0 million. Diluted weighted average shares were 64.4 million, down from 65.3 million in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Debt and cash position: Total debt outstanding was approximately $980 million, against $983 million in the prior release. Cash and cash equivalents were $75.8 million at March 31, 2026, down from $163.7 million. Source
  • Operating cash flow declined: Cash flow from operations was $121.0 million, against $145.1 million in the fourth quarter and $81.1 million a year earlier. Source

Strategy, integration and acquisitions

  • Acquisitions remain a strategic priority: Management said inorganic growth remains a strategic priority and that its pipeline of acquisitions is extensive, with the company very active. Source
  • Disciplined approach to deals: Management said the company only pursues transactions that make it better, and that its acquisition approach has always been disciplined. Source
  • Pioneer synergies mostly recognized: About $104 million of the expected $110 million in net expense synergies had been recognized at quarter end. Management said the Pioneer Investments integration is substantially complete. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 May 2026

  • Dividend payable June 25, 2026: The regular quarterly dividend is payable June 25, 2026, to shareholders of record on June 10, 2026. Source

Risks management discussed

  • External: Market declines reduced AUM by $2.8 billion in the quarter, the main driver of the $3.9 billion fall in total AUM. Source
  • Demand: Mutual funds had net outflows of $3.6 billion in the quarter, and total long-term net outflows were $457 million. Source
  • Operational: Acquisition-related costs rose $7.1 million in the quarter, adding to operating expenses during the integration period. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said it remains on track to achieve the full $110 million of net expense synergies within 2026. Source
  • Not stated: The prior release said the company intended to continue meaningful share repurchases; this release reports about 2 million shares repurchased in the quarter.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.