KKR & Co. (KKR): What to Expect from Q1 2026 Earnings
Key Takeaways
- Analysts expect KKR to report Q1 2026 EPS of around $1.28, up 11% from $1.15 in Q1 2025.
- Revenue consensus stands at approximately $1.43 billion to $2.4 billion, reflecting robust year-over-year expansion.
- AUM (assets under management) projected to reach $767 billion, a 3% increase, with fee-paying AUM at $624 billion.
- Focus on fee-related earnings growth amid continued capital inflows and private market strength.
- Conference call scheduled for May 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss results.
- Historical beats suggest potential for positive surprise, though estimates have softened recently.
Earnings Context and Why It Matters
As a leading global investment firm focused on private equity, real assets, and credit, KKR & Co. Inc. is under the spotlight ahead of its Q1 2026 earnings. In my view, these results will provide key insights into fundraising momentum, fee generation, and capital deployment at a time when alternative asset managers are navigating volatile markets. With AUM already surpassing $700 billion in prior periods, investors like myself are watching closely for signs of sustained inflows despite economic uncertainty. Recent quarters have demonstrated resilient fee-related earnings that help offset variability in carried interest, and this report will be crucial for assessing the health of private markets, capital return potential, and KKR's competitive edge through its diversified strategies compared to peers like Blackstone.
Earnings Expectations
Wall Street anticipates KKR to deliver EPS of $1.28 for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, marking an 11.3% rise from $1.15 reported last year. Revenue estimates vary but center around $1.43 billion (Zacks) to $2.4 billion (other sources), up significantly from prior periods due to higher management and transaction fees. Key metrics include AUM at $766.9 billion (up 3.1% YoY) and fee-paying AUM at $624.2 billion (up 3.3%), driven by $30 billion in expected new capital raised. In Q1 2025, KKR posted adjusted EPS of $1.15 (beating $1.13 consensus) with fee-related revenues up 22% to $1.2 billion, setting a high bar. Investors are eyeing management fees (~$1.15 billion expected, +25%) and FRE stability. Historically, KKR has beaten EPS estimates in recent quarters, though recent revisions trend lower. One thing that stands out to me is how these figures underscore the firm's ability to grow fees even in uncertain times.
Market Reaction and Investor Sentiment
Heading into earnings, sentiment around KKR remains cautiously optimistic, supported by strong fundraising and private equity tailwinds. Shares have traded around $103-$104 recently, reflecting steady performance amid broader market gains. Key risks include softer-than-expected fees if exits slow or mark-to-market pressures emerge in credit/real assets. Historical post-earnings moves average 5-10%, with beats driving upside. Options imply ~8% volatility, signaling positioned traders await guidance on 2026 AUM growth toward $1 trillion. From what I see, this positioning reflects confidence in KKR's trajectory.
Discovering Opportunities with Tickeron’s AI Screener
In my research process, I often turn to Tickeron’s AI Screener, an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool that helps traders and investors filter the market based on technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs using customizable filters such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics. The screener identifies trade ideas, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities more efficiently than manual screening, empowering data-driven decisions across asset classes. I also checked this using Tickeron’s AI Screener to see how KKR compares to others in the industry, which reinforced my focus on its fee growth potential.
Forward Outlook and Key Factors to Monitor
Post-earnings, the focus will shift to KKR's guidance on capital raising, deployment, and fee growth. Management has targeted $1 trillion AUM by 2030, supported by recurring management fees projected over $5 billion annually at 70% margins. This is important because it highlights the stability of the business model.
Investors should track fee-related earnings margins, new dry powder levels, and portfolio company performance amid interest rate dynamics. Credit and real assets inflows remain vital, as does M&A activity for carried interest realization. I’m watching these closely, along with upcoming catalysts like Q2 results in August, regulatory shifts impacting private markets, and macro trends such as inflation or recession signals. Monitoring industry peers will provide context on comparative fundraising and exit environment health. Ultimately, balanced growth in private equity, insurance, and strategic holdings will underscore KKR's long-term compounding potential without over-relying on volatile performance fees.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
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Financial writer and active order flow futures trader with a focus on fundamental analysis, macroeconomic factors, and equity research. I make in-depth blogs on stocks and ETFs, bridging the gap between raw market data and real-world trading decisions.
KKR in downward trend: 10-day moving average moved below 50-day moving average on September 16, 2026
The 10-day moving average for KKR crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on September 16, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 10 of 12 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 83%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
KKR moved below its 50-day moving average on September 10, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where KKR declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 68%.
The Aroon Indicator for KKR entered a downward trend on October 13, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator entered the oversold zone -- be on the watch for KKR's price rising or consolidating in the future. That's also the time to consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Stochastic Oscillator suggests the stock price trend may be in a reversal from a downward trend to an upward trend. 38 of 61 cases where KKR's Stochastic Oscillator exited the oversold zone resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 62%.
The 50-day moving average for KKR moved above the 200-day moving average on September 25, 2026. This could be a long-term bullish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an upward trend.
Following a +2.18% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where KKR advanced for three days, in 240 of 331 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 73%.
KKR may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 67 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 72 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly worse than average price growth. KKR’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 78 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. KKR’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 82, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 81 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.936) is normal, around the industry mean (3.263). P/E Ratio (29.789) is within average values for comparable stocks, (27.022). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.398) is also within normal values, averaging (1.319). KKR has a moderately low Dividend Yield (0.008) as compared to the industry average of (0.081). P/S Ratio (4.382) is also within normal values, averaging (15.860).
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 85 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 92 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
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