Compare StocksARES vs JPM

Ares Management Corporation (ARES) vs JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM)

ARES
Ares Management Corporation
$119.00
VS
JPM
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
$312.47

Rewards

ARES
  • Share count has been reduced by 33% over the past 5 years through buybacks, increasing each share's claim on earnings.
  • Insiders have bought $1.3M worth of stock in the past 3 months — significant skin in the game.
  • PEG ratio of 0.09 suggests the stock is undervalued relative to its growth rate — paying less than 1x for each unit of earnings growth.
JPM
  • JPMorgan Chase & Co. scores 90/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with revenue predictability as the strongest competitive dimension.
  • Each dollar of retained earnings has created $1.79 of earning power — management is creating shareholder value.
  • PEG ratio of 0.87 suggests the stock is undervalued relative to its growth rate — paying less than 1x for each unit of earnings growth.

Risks

ARES
  • Net debt/EBITDA of 9.0x indicates heavy leverage — it would take over 4 years of EBITDA to pay off net debt.
  • Altman Z-Score of 1.36 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.
JPM
  • Gross margin of 0.0% is low, suggesting a competitive or commodity-like market with limited pricing power.
  • Altman Z-Score of 0.30 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.
  • 14 insider sales totaling $73.3M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.

Key Valuation Metrics

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ARES
JPM
Valuation
N/A
Free Cash Flow
N/A
N/A
FCF Yield
N/A
69.59
Trailing P/E
14.95
16.09
Forward P/E
13.28
Quality & Moat
3.74%
ROIC
4.54%
12.77%
ROE
N/A
37.56%
Gross Margin
0.00%
0.09
PEG Ratio
0.87
Balance Sheet Safety
1.63
Debt / Equity
N/A
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
9.04
Net Debt / EBITDA
N/A
4.54%
Dividend Yield
1.92%
ARES: 3Ties: 1JPM: 3
ARESJPM

Historical Fundamentals

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ARES

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

JPM

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

$1 Retained Earnings Test

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ARES
N/A
Net losses over 3 years — test not applicable
Company had negative cumulative retained earnings
Σ Retained
$-2.63B
Δ Market Cap
+$23.73B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
JPM
$3.95
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$120.20B
Δ Market Cap
+$475.31B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

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ARES
141.0% Overvalued
Price is 141.0% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $119.00
Fair Value: $49.38
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
JPM
37.2% Margin of Safety
Price is 37.2% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $312.47
Fair Value: $497.67
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued

Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

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ARES

Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.

JPM

Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.

Economic Moat Score

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ARES
47/100
Narrow Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Narrow moat with reinvestment efficiency as the key competitive advantage. Improving roic consistency would strengthen the moat.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 5 years of fundamental data.
JPM
90/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Wide moat driven primarily by revenue predictability. Reinvestment Efficiency is the area most vulnerable to competitive pressure.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.

Forensic Accounting

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ARES
-2.63
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
JPM
-2.17
Possible Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Ownership Breakdown

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ARES
Insiders 11.4%Institutions 88.5%Retail & Other 0.1%
No. of Institutional Holders1,139
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
JPM
Insiders 0.4%Institutions 75.7%Retail & Other 23.8%
No. of Institutional Holders6,190
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

Insider Buying Activity

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ARES
2
Buys (3M)
2
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $1.33M
OLIAN JUDY D.
Director
$59,726
@ $124.43 · 2026-02-20
BHUTANI ASHISH
Director
$1.27M
@ $126.61 · 2026-02-06
BHUTANI ASHISH
Director
$1.41M
@ $141.33 · 2025-03-11
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
JPM
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

Insider Selling Activity

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ARES
1
Sells (3M)
4
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $7.85M
SAGATI AGHILI NASEEM
General Counsel
$529,032
@ $134.92 · 2026-02-04
SAGATI AGHILI NASEEM
General Counsel
$299,239
@ $161.84 · 2026-01-22
SAGATI AGHILI NASEEM
General Counsel
$3.28M
@ $155.97 · 2025-10-01
SAGATI AGHILI NASEEM
General Counsel
$3.75M
@ $178.40 · 2025-09-10
AROUGHETI MICHAEL J
Chief Executive Officer
$16.98M
@ $153.17 · 2025-03-24
DEVEER ROBERT KIPP III
President
$15.00M
@ $190.02 · 2025-02-06
BERRY RYAN
Officer
$2.62M
@ $180.16 · 2024-12-11
DEVEER ROBERT KIPP III
Officer and Director
$53.15M
@ $177.16 · 2024-12-10
BERRY RYAN
Officer
$980,502
@ $180.14 · 2024-12-09
BERRY RYAN
Officer
$292,425
@ $175.00 · 2024-11-11
BERRY RYAN
Officer
$3.21M
@ $175.18 · 2024-11-06
BERRY RYAN
Officer
$6.72M
@ $167.99 · 2024-10-17
BERRY RYAN
Officer
$3.20M
@ $160.07 · 2024-10-04
BERRY RYAN
Officer
$7.66M
@ $153.30 · 2024-09-19
BERRY RYAN
Officer
$4.77M
@ $146.67 · 2024-09-16
BERRY RYAN
Officer
$9.51M
@ $140.95 · 2024-09-09
DEVEER ROBERT KIPP III
Officer and Director
$6.26M
@ $150.21 · 2024-07-22
OLIAN JUDY D.
Director
$457,865
@ $134.00 · 2024-06-07
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
JPM
14
Sells (3M)
33
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $118.67M
PIEPSZAK JENNIFER A
Chief Operating Officer
$2.80M
@ $306.56 · 2026-04-15
BARNUM JEREMY
Chief Financial Officer
$1.72M
@ $306.55 · 2026-04-15
BACON ASHLEY
Officer
$2.32M
@ $306.55 · 2026-04-15
BEER LORI A
Chief Technology Officer
$970,660
@ $306.59 · 2026-04-15
DIMON JAMES
Chief Executive Officer
$40.00M
@ $306.56 · 2026-04-15
ERDOES MARY E.
Officer
$3.78M
@ $306.57 · 2026-04-15
PETNO DOUGLAS B
Officer
$1.74M
@ $306.58 · 2026-04-15
LEOPOLD ROBIN
Officer
$127,761
@ $295.06 · 2026-03-23
LEOPOLD ROBIN
Officer
$132,684
@ $307.14 · 2026-02-19
ROHRBAUGH TROY L
Officer
$15.36M
@ $307.11 · 2026-02-19
BARNUM JEREMY
Chief Financial Officer
$886,157
@ $306.42 · 2026-02-17
BEER LORI A
Chief Technology Officer
$627,207
@ $306.40 · 2026-02-17
ERDOES MARY E.
Officer
$1.76M
@ $306.41 · 2026-02-17
PETNO DOUGLAS B
Officer
$1.07M
@ $306.40 · 2026-02-17
PIEPSZAK JENNIFER A
Chief Operating Officer
$2.68M
@ $312.79 · 2026-01-16
BARNUM JEREMY
Chief Financial Officer
$904,890
@ $312.79 · 2026-01-16
BACON ASHLEY
Officer
$2.30M
@ $312.79 · 2026-01-16
BEER LORI A
Chief Technology Officer
$640,295
@ $312.80 · 2026-01-16
ERDOES MARY E.
Officer
$1.79M
@ $312.78 · 2026-01-16
PETNO DOUGLAS B
Officer
$1.09M
@ $312.80 · 2026-01-16
LEOPOLD ROBIN
Officer
$301,311
@ $311.92 · 2025-11-07
BAMMANN LINDA B.
Director
$2.83M
@ $297.94 · 2025-09-02
BACON ASHLEY
Officer
$1.39M
@ $267.44 · 2025-06-12
PIEPSZAK JENNIFER A
Chief Operating Officer
$1.61M
@ $262.47 · 2025-06-05
LAKE MARIANNE
Officer
$3.28M
@ $267.08 · 2025-05-16
BEER LORI A
Chief Technology Officer
$1.57M
@ $267.09 · 2025-05-16
PETNO DOUGLAS B
Officer
$2.71M
@ $266.89 · 2025-05-15
BACON ASHLEY
Officer
$1.37M
@ $262.53 · 2025-05-13
ERDOES MARY E.
Officer
$3.69M
@ $262.54 · 2025-05-13
ROHRBAUGH TROY L
Officer
$3.29M
@ $263.08 · 2025-05-12
PIEPSZAK JENNIFER A
Chief Operating Officer
$1.54M
@ $250.76 · 2025-05-06
BARNUM JEREMY
Chief Financial Officer
$10.03M
@ $250.77 · 2025-05-06
BAMMANN LINDA B.
Director
$2.38M
@ $250.00 · 2025-05-06
DIMON JAMES
Chief Executive Officer
$31.50M
@ $235.68 · 2025-04-14
LEOPOLD ROBIN
Officer
$308,652
@ $246.92 · 2025-03-24
PIEPSZAK JENNIFER A
Chief Operating Officer
$1.06M
@ $247.03 · 2025-03-24
ROHRBAUGH TROY L
Officer
$6.18M
@ $247.02 · 2025-03-24
BEER LORI A
Chief Technology Officer
$506,698
@ $246.93 · 2025-03-24
LEOPOLD ROBIN
Officer
$337,610
@ $270.09 · 2025-02-20
PIEPSZAK JENNIFER A
Chief Operating Officer
$1.15M
@ $269.85 · 2025-02-20
ROHRBAUGH TROY L
Officer
$10.12M
@ $269.84 · 2025-02-20
BEER LORI A
Chief Technology Officer
$554,054
@ $269.88 · 2025-02-20
FRIEDMAN STACEY R.
General Counsel
$919,371
@ $278.34 · 2025-02-18
ERDOES MARY E.
Officer
$1.47M
@ $278.37 · 2025-02-18
PETNO DOUGLAS B
Officer
$971,646
@ $278.41 · 2025-02-18
FRIEDMAN STACEY R.
General Counsel
$838,778
@ $253.94 · 2025-01-16
BACON ASHLEY
Officer
$1.81M
@ $253.94 · 2025-01-16
ERDOES MARY E.
Officer
$1.34M
@ $253.97 · 2025-01-16
PETNO DOUGLAS B
Officer
$886,565
@ $253.96 · 2025-01-16
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives

Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.

🎭 Mr. Market's Mood

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ARES
FearGreed
😨Fear(33/100)

"Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
JPM
FearGreed
😐Neutral(60/100)

"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

⚖️ Buffett Signal

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ARES
Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Fear (33)
JPM
Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (60)
View ARES Full AnalysisView JPM Full Analysis
ARES vs JPM: Which Is the Better Buy? | SafetyMargin.io