Stepstone Group Inc logo

Stepstone Group Inc(STEP)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$42.98
10/28/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for STEP

10/28/2026: STEP (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Stepstone Group is a global asset manager specializing in private markets, providing customized investment solutions to institutional and private wealth clients. The firm’s strength lies in its research-driven, data-centric approach and its successful expansion into the private wealth channel. Its primary investment story revolves around the secular shift of capital toward alternative assets. However, investors should be mindful of risks related to performance fee volatility, sensitivity to interest rates, and intensifying competition within the alternative management space. The stock may suit investors seeking long-term growth exposure to private markets, though it requires monitoring of exit activity and market exit environments.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorStrong fitThe company benefits from the secular expansion of the private markets asset class.
Momentum investorMixed fitMomentum is conditional on positive market cycles for private equity exits.
Value investorMixed fitThe stock often trades at a premium due to its asset management business model.
Dividend investorStrong fitStepStone provides a reliable dividend stream supported by recurring management fees.
Low-risk investorWeak fitHigh sensitivity to equity market and interest rate volatility makes it less suitable for risk-averse investors.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMedium / highThe stock is sensitive to market sentiment surrounding alternative asset demand.
Valuation riskMediumP/E multiples can expand or contract based on performance fee expectations.
Competition risk (alternative asset management)HighIntense competition for capital and talent impacts growth prospects.
Business qualityStrongThe recurring fee revenue base provides a high-quality foundation.
Dividend incomeMediumDividends are stable but secondary to capital appreciation.
Execution riskMediumScaling private wealth distribution requires continuous investment in technology and headcount.

Price Behavior

Downtrend
PRICE PATH

Downtrend

The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.

Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Choppy

The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 22.56%
Avg. Invested days 55
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 3.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/28/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
STEP receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
STEP has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with soft financial health, moderate growth momentum, and strong ownership. In FY2026 versus FY2025, strong revenue growth (+69.7%) is partially offset by negative earnings growth (-190.3%), soft cash generation (FCF margin 3.2%), weak profitability (net margin -26.2%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
STEP's financial health is soft, with the relatively strongest area being moderate liquidity, including working-capital and asset support (WC/assets 16.5%). Operating efficiency is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 2-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Revenue growth is STEP's strongest growth driver at +69.7% FY2026 versus FY2025 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, while earnings growth (-190.3%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (+6.7%, moderate) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 98.3% and approximately 91.6% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 5.54% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 14.55%
Millennium Management LLC 6.83%
Wellington Management Company LLP 6.31%
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. 6.28%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 5.68%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
STEP generates approximately $510 of gross profit, $-513 of operating income, and $32 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2026 results. Operating losses explain the 1-star rating, with weak cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 16.60%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
STEP has a liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

High VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Mid-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 5.41B USD
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 64.7
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 64.7
Volume (30-day avg) 985.4K shares
Beta 1.28
52 Weeks Range 38.60 - 75.39
Updated Date 10/28/2026
52 Weeks Range 38.60 - 75.39
Updated Date 10/28/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 2.67%
Basic EPS (TTM) -7.68

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Management FeesRecurring fees based on AUM from institutional and private wealth accounts.This is the 'bread and butter' stable income for the company.
Performance FeesFees earned when investments exceed certain return benchmarks.These are 'bonus' revenues that grow significantly during strong market cycles.
Advisory/OtherConsulting and reporting services provided to clients.This segment provides steady service-based income.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-11-05
When After Market
Estimate 0.58
Actual -

Profitability

Profit Margin -30.54%
Operating Margin (TTM) -54.06%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) -11.64%
Return on Equity (TTM) -61.4%

Valuation

Trailing PE -
Forward PE 17.42
Enterprise Value 4.31B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.7
Enterprise Value 4.31B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.7
Enterprise Value to Revenue 2.15
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 16.5
Shares Outstanding 82.29M
Shares Floating 75.36M
Shares Outstanding 82.29M
Shares Floating 75.36M
Percent Insiders 5.54
Percent Institutions 98.27

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.