StepStone Group Inc. [STEP] Filings

10-Q 1 step-20240630.htm 10-Q step-20240630

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


☒			QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024


☐			TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _______________________ to ___________________________

Commission file number 001-39510

STEPSTONE GROUP INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware						84-3868757
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)						(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

277 Park Avenue, 45th Floor
New York, NY						10172
(Address of principal executive offices)						(Zip Code)

(212) 351-6100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

STEP

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

☒

Accelerated filer

☐

Non-accelerated filer

☐

Smaller reporting company

☐

Emerging growth company

☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: As of August 6, 2024, there were 67,931,869 shares of the registrant’s Class A common stock, par value $0.001, and 45,889,135 shares of the registrant’s Class B common stock, par value $0.001, outstanding.

Table of Contents


			Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024			6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023			8
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023			9
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023			10
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023			11
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements			13
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			45
Item 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk			76
Item 4. Controls and Procedures			78
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings			78
Item 1A. Risk Factors			79
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			79
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities			79
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures			79
Item 5. Other Information			79
Item 6. Exhibits			80
Signatures			81

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”) includes certain information regarding the historical investment performance of our focused commingled funds and separately managed accounts. An investment in shares of our Class A common stock is not an investment in any StepStone Fund (as defined below). The StepStone Funds are separate, distinct legal entities that are not our subsidiaries. In the event of our bankruptcy or liquidation, you will have no claim against the StepStone Funds. In considering the performance information relating to the StepStone Funds contained herein, current and prospective Class A common stockholders should bear in mind that the performance of the StepStone Funds is not indicative of the possible performance of shares of our Class A common stock and also is not necessarily indicative of the future results of the StepStone Funds, even if fund investments were in fact liquidated on the dates indicated, and we cannot assure you that the StepStone Funds will continue to achieve, or that future StepStone Funds will achieve, comparable results.

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires:

• “StepStone Group Inc.” or “SSG” refers solely to StepStone Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, and not to any of its subsidiaries;

• the “Partnership” refers solely to StepStone Group LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and not to any of its subsidiaries;

• “General Partner” refers to StepStone Group Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and the sole general partner of the Partnership;

• “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” “our company,” “StepStone” and similar terms refer to SSG and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the Partnership;

• “StepStone Funds” or “our funds” refer to our focused commingled funds and our separately managed accounts for which we act as both investment adviser and general partner or managing member;

• references to the “Greenspring acquisition” refer to the acquisition of Greenspring Associates, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (“Greenspring”) that was completed on September 20, 2021;

• references to “FY,” “fiscal” or “fiscal year” are to the fiscal year ended March 31 of the applicable year;

• references to the “Reorganization” refer to the series of transactions immediately before the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”), which was completed on September 18, 2020;

• references to “private markets allocations” or “total capital responsibility” refer to the aggregate amount of our assets under management (“AUM”) and our assets under advisement (“AUA”);

• references to “high-net-worth” individuals refer to individuals with net worth of over $5 million, excluding primary residence;

• references to “mass affluent” individuals refer to individuals with annual income over $200,000 or net worth between $1 million and $5 million, excluding primary residence;

• references to “Consolidated Funds” refer to the StepStone Funds that we are required to consolidate as of the applicable reporting period; and

• references to “SRA” refer to StepStone Group Real Assets LP, references to “SRE” refer to StepStone Group Real Estate LP, references to “SPD” refer to StepStone Group Private Debt AG, and references to “SPW” refer to StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC.

TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES

We own or have rights to trademarks, service marks or trade names that we use in connection with the operation of our business. In addition, our names, logos and website names and addresses are owned by us or licensed by us. We also own or have the rights to copyrights that protect the content of our solutions. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights referred to in this Form 10-Q are listed without the ©, ® and ™ symbols, but we will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensors to these trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding guidance, industry prospects or future results of operations or financial position made in this Form 10-Q are forward-looking. We use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” “plan” and “will” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current plans, estimates and expectations and are inherently uncertain. The inclusion of any forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, global and domestic market and business conditions, our successful execution of business and growth strategies, the favorability of the private markets fundraising environment, successful integration of acquired businesses and regulatory factors relevant to our business, as well as assumptions relating to our operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects, growth strategy and liquidity and the risks and uncertainties described in greater detail under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 and in our subsequent reports filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this Form 10-Q and in our other periodic filings. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

StepStone Group Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


	As of
	June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	141,633	$	143,430
Restricted cash	735		718
Fees and accounts receivable	58,334		56,769
Due from affiliates	100,277		67,531
Investments:
Investments in funds	145,519		135,043
Accrued carried interest allocations	1,328,853		1,354,051
Legacy Greenspring investments in funds and accrued carried interest allocations(1)	617,539		631,197
Deferred income tax assets	195,417		184,512
Lease right-of-use assets, net	95,374		97,763
Other assets and receivables	61,436		60,611
Intangibles, net	294,623		304,873
Goodwill	580,542		580,542
Assets of Consolidated Funds:
Cash and cash equivalents	53,802		38,164
Investments, at fair value	158,222		131,858
Other assets	2,048		1,745
Total assets	$	3,834,354	$	3,788,807
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	$	132,380	$	127,417
Accrued compensation and benefits	124,973		101,481
Accrued carried interest-related compensation	652,123		719,497
Legacy Greenspring accrued carried interest-related compensation(1)	470,003		484,154
Due to affiliates	223,471		212,918
Lease liabilities	118,068		119,739
Debt obligations	172,118		148,822
Liabilities of Consolidated Funds:
Other liabilities	1,757		1,645
Total liabilities	1,894,893		1,915,673
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds	142,547		102,623
Redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries	5,931		115,920
Stockholders’ equity:


Class A common stock, $0.001 par value, 650,000,000 authorized; 67,931,869 and 65,614,902 issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively	68		66
Class B common stock, $0.001 par value, 125,000,000 authorized; 45,889,135 and 45,030,959 issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively	46		45
Additional paid-in capital	363,529		310,293
Retained earnings	2,995		13,768
Accumulated other comprehensive income	297		304
Total StepStone Group Inc. stockholders’ equity	366,935		324,476
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries	1,027,558		974,559
Non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities(1)	147,536		147,042
Non-controlling interests in the Partnership	248,954		208,514
Total stockholders’ equity	1,790,983		1,654,591
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,834,354	$	3,788,807

(1)Reflects amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs for which the Company did not acquire any direct economic interests. See note 5 for more information.

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

StepStone Group Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

The following presents the portion of the condensed consolidated balances presented above attributable to consolidated variable interest entities.


	As of
	June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	67,648	$	46,859
Restricted cash	735		718
Fees and accounts receivable	53,980		52,566
Due from affiliates	29,683		23,986
Investments in funds	40,893		39,590
Legacy Greenspring investments in funds and accrued carried interest allocations	617,539		631,197
Deferred income tax assets	351		349
Lease right-of-use assets, net	16,174		16,665
Other assets and receivables	12,275		11,491
Assets of Consolidated Funds:
Cash and cash equivalents	53,802		38,164
Investments, at fair value	158,222		131,858
Other assets	2,048		1,745
Total assets	$	1,053,350	$	995,188

Liabilities
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	$	27,205	$	27,155
Accrued compensation and benefits	77,918		57,487
Legacy Greenspring accrued carried interest-related compensation	470,003		484,154
Due to affiliates	8,121		5,845
Lease liabilities	16,941		17,415
Liabilities of Consolidated Funds:
Other liabilities	1,757		1,645
Total liabilities	$	601,945	$	593,701

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

StepStone Group Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023
Revenues
Management and advisory fees, net	$	178,015	$	138,115
Performance fees:
Incentive fees	841		6
Carried interest allocations:
Realized	41,804		14,473
Unrealized	(25,170)		49,364
Total carried interest allocations	16,634		63,837
Legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations(1)	(9,089)		(23,947)
Total performance fees	8,386		39,896
Total revenues	186,401		178,011
Expenses
Compensation and benefits:
Cash-based compensation	78,224		70,081
Equity-based compensation	19,179		8,472
Performance fee-related compensation:
Realized	20,848		9,102
Unrealized	(10,923)		24,211
Total performance fee-related compensation	9,925		33,313
Legacy Greenspring performance fee-related compensation(1)	(9,089)		(23,947)
Total compensation and benefits	98,239		87,919
General, administrative and other	41,011		33,277

Total expenses	139,250		121,196
Other income (expense)
Investment income	2,595		3,086
Legacy Greenspring investment loss(1)	(1,255)		(2,866)
Investment income of Consolidated Funds	7,635		2,362
Interest income	2,057		431
Interest expense	(2,990)		(2,012)
Other income (loss)	(351)		227
Total other income	7,691		1,228
Income before income tax	54,842		58,043
Income tax expense	6,797		8,597
Net income	48,045		49,446
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries	16,615		9,630
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities(1)	(1,255)		(2,866)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in the Partnership	13,324		19,860
Less: Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds	5,671		1,553
Less: Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries	362		—
Net income attributable to StepStone Group Inc.	$	13,328	$	21,269

Net income per share of Class A common stock:
Basic	$	0.20	$	0.34
Diluted	$	0.20	$	0.34
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock:
Basic	66,187,754		62,834,818
Diluted	68,593,761		65,739,470

(1)Reflects amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs for which the Company did not acquire any direct economic interests. See notes 3 and 5 for more information.

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

StepStone Group Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

(in thousands)


	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023
Net income	$	48,045	$	49,446
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(22)		(78)

Total other comprehensive loss	(22)		(78)
Comprehensive income before non-controlling interests	48,023		49,368
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries	16,605		9,591
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities	(1,255)		(2,866)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests in the Partnership	13,319		19,843
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds	5,671		1,553
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries	362		—
Comprehensive income attributable to StepStone Group Inc.	$	13,321	$	21,247

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

StepStone Group Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

(in thousands)


	Class A Common Stock		Class B Common Stock		Additional Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		Non-Controlling Interests in Subsidiaries		Non-Controlling Interests in Legacy Greenspring Entities		Non-Controlling Interests in the Partnership		Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance at March 31, 2024	$	66	$	45	$	310,293	$	13,768	$	304	$	974,559	$	147,042	$	208,514	$	1,654,591
Net income (loss)	—		—		—		13,328		—		16,615		(1,255)		13,324		42,012
Other comprehensive loss	—		—		—		—		(7)		(10)		—		(5)		(22)
Contributed capital	—		—		—		—		—		—		7,132		—		7,132
Equity-based compensation	—		—		3,121		—		—		204		—		2,354		5,679
Distributions	—		—		—		—		—		(7,867)		(5,383)		(22,247)		(35,497)

Dividends declared	—		—		—		(24,101)		—		—		—		—		(24,101)



Exchange of Class B and Class C units for Class A common stock and redemption of corresponding Class B common stock	2		(2)		(2)		—		—		—		—		—		(2)
Vesting of Class B2 units and issuance of corresponding Class B common stock at par value	—		3		—		—		—		—		—		—		3



Purchase of non-controlling interests	—		—		(3,149)		—		—		—		—		(2,249)		(5,398)

Settlement of non-controlling interests related to awards of carried interest allocations	—		—		—		—		—		55,579		—		—		55,579
Redemption of redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries	—		—		55,879		—		—		—		—		41,504		97,383
Equity reallocation between controlling and non-controlling interests	—		—		3,763		—		—		(11,522)		—		7,759		—
Deferred tax effect resulting from equity transactions affecting ownership in the Partnership(1)	—		—		(6,376)		—		—		—		—		—		(6,376)
Balance at June 30, 2024	$	68	$	46	$	363,529	$	2,995	$	297	$	1,027,558	$	147,536	$	248,954	$	1,790,983



Balance at March 31, 2023	$	63	$	46	$	610,567	$	160,430	$	461	$	36,380	$	152,658	$	668,182	$	1,628,787
Net income (loss)	—		—		—		21,269		—		9,630		(2,866)		19,860		47,893
Other comprehensive loss	—		—		—		—		(22)		(39)		—		(17)		(78)
Contributed capital	—		—		—		—		—		—		2,578		28		2,606
Equity-based compensation	—		—		2,511		—		—		147		—		1,955		4,613
Distributions	—		—		—		—		—		(8,440)		(454)		(17,273)		(26,167)

Dividends declared	—		—		—		(29,087)		—		—		—		—		(29,087)





Equity reallocation between controlling and non-controlling interests	—		—		(255)		—		—		—		—		255		—
Deferred tax effect resulting from equity transactions affecting ownership in the Partnership(1)	—		—		(24)		—		—		—		—		—		(24)
Balance at June 30, 2023	$	63	$	46	$	612,799	$	152,612	$	439	$	37,678	$	151,916	$	672,990	$	1,628,543

(1)See notes 10 and 13 for more information.

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

StepStone Group Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(in thousands)


	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	48,045	$	49,446
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	11,337		11,987
Unrealized carried interest allocations and investment (income) loss	23,990		(51,893)
Unrealized legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations and investment loss	17,825		27,941
Unrealized performance fee-related compensation	(10,923)		24,211
Unrealized legacy Greenspring performance fee-related compensation	(15,696)		(24,876)

Amortization of deferred financing costs	108		118
Equity-based compensation	18,548		8,472
Change in deferred income taxes	1,030		4,977
Fair value adjustment for acquisition-related contingent consideration	2,864		(1,267)


Other non-cash activities	—		3
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities of Consolidated Funds:
Unrealized investment income of Consolidated Funds	(7,307)		(2,362)
Purchases of investments of Consolidated Funds	(19,706)		(6,231)
Proceeds from sale of investments of Consolidated Funds	649		—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Fees and accounts receivable	(1,565)		(1,641)
Due from affiliates	(32,746)		(8,594)
Other assets and receivables	(942)		6,873
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,465		2,195
Accrued compensation and benefits	10,623		22,048
Due to affiliates	2,044		906
Lease right-of-use assets, net and lease liabilities	718		(4,450)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities of Consolidated Funds:

Other assets and receivables	(303)		(64)
Other liabilities and payables	112		(212)
Net cash provided by operating activities	50,170		57,587

Cash flows from investing activities


Contributions to investments	(11,702)		(5,066)
Distributions received from investments	1,690		659
Contributions to investments in legacy Greenspring entities	(7,132)		(2,578)
Distributions received from investments in legacy Greenspring entities	4,507		255

Purchases of property and equipment	(575)		(7,756)

Net cash used in investing activities	(13,212)		(14,486)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

StepStone Group Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(in thousands)


	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from capital contributions from non-controlling interests	$	—	$	28
Purchase of non-controlling interests	(5,398)		—
Redemption of redeemable non-controlling interests	(12,968)		—


Proceeds from revolving credit facility	25,000		—
Deferred financing costs	(1,813)		—



Distributions to non-controlling interests	(30,114)		(25,713)
Proceeds from capital contributions to legacy Greenspring entities	7,132		2,578
Distributions to non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities	(5,383)		(454)
Dividends paid to common stockholders	(23,807)		(28,277)

Payments to related parties under Tax Receivable Agreements	(9,802)		(7,670)
Other financing activities	1		—
Cash flows from financing activities of Consolidated Funds:
Contributions from redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds	34,253		15,535

Net cash used in financing activities	(22,899)		(43,973)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes	(201)		(716)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	13,858		(1,588)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	182,312		129,517
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	196,170	$	127,929

Supplemental disclosures:


Non-cash operating, investing, and financing activities:


Accrued dividends	$	294	$	810
Deferred tax effect resulting from transactions affecting ownership in the Partnership, including net amounts payable under Tax Receivable Agreements	(6,376)		(24)

Establishment of lease liabilities in exchange for lease right-of-use assets	—		1,239


Settlement of non-controlling interests related to awards of carried interest allocations	55,579		—
Equity issued for redemption of redeemable non-controlling interests	97,383		—

Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	141,633	$	91,733
Restricted cash	735		699
Cash and cash equivalents of Consolidated Funds	53,802		35,497
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	196,170	$	127,929

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

1. Organization

StepStone Group Inc. (“SSG”) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on November 20, 2019 and, following its initial public offering in 2020, acts as a holding company for StepStone Group LP (the “Partnership”). SSG is the sole managing member of StepStone Group Holdings LLC (the “General Partner”), the general partner of the Partnership. Unless otherwise specified, “StepStone” or the “Company” refers to SSG and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the Partnership, throughout the remainder of these notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company is a global private markets investment firm focused on providing customized investment solutions and advisory and data services to its clients. The Company’s clients include some of the world’s largest public and private defined benefit and defined contribution pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies, as well as prominent endowments, foundations, family offices and private wealth clients, including high-net-worth and mass affluent individuals. The Company partners with its clients to develop and build private markets portfolios designed to meet their specific objectives across the private equity, infrastructure, private debt and real estate asset classes. These portfolios utilize several types of synergistic investment strategies with third-party fund managers, including commitments to funds (“primaries”), acquiring stakes in existing funds on the secondary market (“secondaries”) and investing directly into companies (“co-investments”).

The Company, through its subsidiaries, acts as the investment advisor and general partner or managing member to separately managed accounts (“SMAs”) and focused commingled funds (collectively, the “StepStone Funds”).

SSG is a holding company whose principal asset is a controlling financial interest in the Partnership through its ownership of all of the Partnership’s Class A units and 100% of the membership interests in the General Partner of the Partnership. SSG acts as the sole managing member of the General Partner of the Partnership and, as a result, indirectly operates and controls all of the Partnership’s business and affairs. As a result, SSG consolidates the financial results of the Partnership and reports non-controlling interests related to the Class B, Class C and Class D units of the Partnership which are not owned by SSG. The assets and liabilities of the Partnership represent substantially all of SSG’s consolidated assets and liabilities, with the exception of certain deferred income taxes and payables due to affiliates pursuant to tax receivable agreements (see note 10). Each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote and each share of Class B common stock is entitled to five votes. As of June 30, 2024, SSG held approximately 57.7% of the economic interest in the Partnership. As the Partnership’s limited partners exchange their Class B, Class C and Class D units into SSG’s Class A common stock in the future, SSG’s economic interest in the Partnership will increase relative to that of the Class B, Class C and Class D unitholders.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Management believes it has made all necessary adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items) such that the condensed consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and that estimates made in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements are reasonable and prudent. The operating results presented for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned or majority-owned subsidiaries and entities in which the Company is deemed to have a direct or indirect controlling financial interest based on either a variable interest model or voting interest model. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Certain of the StepStone Funds are investment companies that follow specialized accounting under GAAP and reflect their investments at estimated fair value. Accordingly, the carrying value of the Company’s equity method investments in such entities retains the specialized accounting.

Consolidation

The Company consolidates all entities that it controls through a majority voting interest or as the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). Under the VIE model, management first assesses whether the Company has a variable interest in an entity. In evaluating whether the Company holds a variable interest, fees received as a decision maker or in exchange for services (including management fees, incentive fees and carried interest allocations) that are customary and commensurate with the level of services provided, and where the Company does not hold other economic interests in the entity that would absorb more than an insignificant amount of the expected losses or returns of the entity, are not considered variable interests. If the Company has a variable interest in an entity, management further assesses whether that entity is a VIE, and if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary under the VIE model. Entities that do not qualify as VIEs are assessed for consolidation under the voting interest model. The consolidation analysis can generally be performed qualitatively; however, in certain situations a quantitative analysis may also be performed. Investments and redemptions (either by the Company, affiliates of the Company or third parties) or amendments to the governing documents of the respective StepStone Funds that are VIEs could affect the entity’s status as a VIE or the determination of the primary beneficiary.

Under the VIE model, an entity is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE if it holds a controlling financial interest. A controlling financial interest is defined as (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly affect the entity’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Management determines whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes involved with a VIE and reconsiders that conclusion at each reporting date. When assessing whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, management evaluates whether the Company’s involvement, through holding interests directly or indirectly in an entity or contractually through other variable interests, would give the Company a controlling financial interest. This analysis includes an evaluation of the Company’s control rights, as well as the economic interests that the Company holds in the VIE, including indirectly through related parties.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

The Company provides investment advisory services to the StepStone Funds, which have third-party clients. These funds are investment companies and are typically organized as limited partnerships or limited liability companies for which the Company, through its operating subsidiaries, acts as the general partner or managing member. A limited partnership or similar entity is a VIE if the unaffiliated limited partners or members do not have substantive rights to terminate or liquidate the fund or remove the general partner or substantive rights to participate. Certain StepStone Funds are VIEs because they have not granted unaffiliated limited partners or members substantive rights to terminate the fund or remove the general partner or substantive rights to participate. The Company does not consolidate these StepStone Funds because it is not the primary beneficiary of those funds, primarily because it does not hold an interest in those funds that is considered more than insignificant and its fee arrangements are considered customary and commensurate.

The Company has determined that certain of its operating subsidiaries, StepStone Group Real Assets LP (“SRA”), StepStone Group Real Estate LP (“SRE”), StepStone Group Private Debt AG (“SPD”), and StepStone Group Private Wealth LLC (“SPW”) and certain StepStone Funds are VIEs, and that the Company is the primary beneficiary of each entity because it has a controlling financial interest in each entity; accordingly, the Company consolidates these entities. The assets and liabilities of the consolidated VIEs are presented gross in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The assets of the consolidated VIEs may only be used to settle obligations of the consolidated VIEs. See note 4 for more information on both consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs.

In connection with the acquisition of Greenspring Associates, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (“Greenspring”) that was completed on September 20, 2021 (the “Greenspring acquisition”), the Company, indirectly through its subsidiaries, became the sole and/or managing member of certain entities, each of which is the general partner of an investment fund (“legacy Greenspring general partner entities”). The Company did not acquire any direct economic interests attributable to the legacy Greenspring general partner entities, including legacy Greenspring investments in funds and carried interest allocations. However, certain arrangements negotiated as part of the acquisition represent variable interests that could be significant. The Company determined that the legacy Greenspring general partner entities are VIEs and it is the primary beneficiary of each such entity because it has a controlling financial interest in each entity. As a result, the Company consolidates these entities.

The Company and its subsidiaries manages or controls certain entities that constitute client investment funds that have been consolidated in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements (“Consolidated Funds”). Including the results of the Consolidated Funds increases the reported amounts of the assets, liabilities, expenses and cash flows in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, and amounts related to economic interests held by third-party investors are reflected as redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds. The revenues earned by the Company as investment manager of the Consolidated Funds are eliminated in consolidation and generally have no direct effect on the net income attributable to SSG or to Stockholders’ Equity.

Non-Controlling Interests

Non-controlling interests (“NCI”) reflect the portion of income or loss and the corresponding equity attributable to third-party equity holders and employees in certain consolidated subsidiaries that are not 100% owned by the Company. Non-controlling interests are presented as separate components of stockholders’ equity on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets to clearly distinguish between the Company’s interests and the economic interests of third parties and employees in those entities. Net income (loss) attributable to SSG, as reported in the condensed consolidated statements of income, is presented net of the portion of net income (loss) attributable to holders of non-controlling interests. See note 13 for more information on ownership interests in the Company.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries represent the economic interests in SRA, SRE, and SPD (the variable interest entities included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements) held by third parties and employees in those entities. Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries are allocated a share of income or loss in the respective consolidated subsidiary in proportion to their relative ownership interests, after consideration of contractual arrangements that govern allocations of income or loss.

Non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities represent the economic interests in the legacy Greenspring general partner entities. The Company did not acquire any direct economic interests in the legacy Greenspring general partner entities. As a result, all of the net income (loss) attributable to the legacy Greenspring general partner entities is allocated to non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities.

Non-controlling interests in the Partnership represent the economic interests related to the Class B, Class C and Class D units of the Partnership which are not owned by SSG. Non-controlling interests in the Partnership are allocated a share of income or loss in the Partnership in proportion to their relative ownership interests, after consideration of contractual arrangements that govern allocations of income or loss.

Redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds represent the economic interests in the Consolidated Funds which are not held by SSG, but are held by the client investors in the funds. These interests are presented as redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds within the condensed consolidated balance sheets, outside of permanent capital as the investors in these funds generally have the right to withdraw their capital, subject to the terms of the respective contractual agreements. Redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds are allocated a share of income or loss in the respective fund in proportion to their relative ownership interests, after consideration of contractual arrangements that govern allocations of income or loss.

Redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries represent the redeemable economic interests in the consolidated subsidiaries of the Partnership held by third parties and employees in those entities that were established in connection with the Transaction Agreements as described in note 13. Redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries are allocated a share of income or loss in the respective consolidated subsidiary in proportion to their relative ownership interests, after consideration of contractual arrangements that govern allocations of income or loss.

Accounting for Differing Fiscal Periods

The StepStone Funds primarily have a fiscal year end as of December 31. The Company accounts for its investments in the StepStone Funds on a three-month lag due to the timing of receipt of financial information from the investments held by the StepStone Funds. The StepStone Funds primarily invest in private markets funds that generally require at least 90 days following the calendar year end to provide audited financial statements. As a result, the Company uses the December 31 audited financial statements of the StepStone Funds, which reflect the underlying private markets funds as of December 31, to record its investments (including any carried interest allocated by those investments) for its fiscal year-end consolidated financial statements as of March 31. The Company further adjusts the reported carrying values of its investments in the StepStone Funds for its share of capital contributions to and distributions from the StepStone Funds during the three-month lag period. For this interim period ended June 30, 2024, the Company used the March 31, 2024 unaudited financial statements of the StepStone Funds, which reflect the underlying private market funds as of March 31, 2024, to record its investments (including any carried interest allocated from those investments), as adjusted for capital contributions and distributions during the three-month lag period ended June 30, 2024.

The Company does not account for management and advisory fees or incentive fees on a three-month lag.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

To the extent that management becomes aware of any material events that affect the StepStone Funds during the three-month lag period, the effect of the events would be disclosed in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Current Events

In the first half of 2024, signs of easing inflation coupled with the expansion of economic activity at a sustained pace and low unemployment rates contributed to positive returns in most financial markets despite inflation remaining elevated with a sustained period of higher interest rates.

The Company is continuing to closely monitor developments related to inflation, higher interest rates, potential regulatory developments as a result of U.S. elections, banking system volatility, geopolitical tension, unrest or conflicts, including in Russia, Ukraine, and the Middle East, and assess the impact on financial markets and the Company’s business. The Company’s results and the overall industry results have been and may continue to be adversely affected by slowdowns in fundraising activity and the pace of capital deployment, which have resulted in, and may continue to result in, delayed or decreased management fees. Further, fund managers have been unable or less able to exit existing investments profitably. Such conditions have resulted in, and may continue to result in, delayed or decreased performance fee revenues. It is currently not possible to predict the ultimate effects of these events on the financial markets, overall economy and the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements

GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework, which prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability used in measuring financial instruments at fair value. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, including the type of financial instrument, the characteristics specific to the financial instrument and the state of the marketplace – including the existence and transparency of transactions between market participants. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices in active markets generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and therefore a lesser degree of judgment is used in measuring their fair value.

Financial instruments measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed based on the observability of inputs used in the determination of their fair values, as follows:

•Level I – Pricing inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the measurement date.

•Level II – Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the measurement date, and fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies. The types of financial instruments classified in this category include less liquid securities traded in active markets and securities traded in other than active markets.

•Level III – Pricing inputs are unobservable for the financial instruments and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the financial instrument. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and consideration of factors specific to the financial instrument.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

The availability of observable inputs can vary depending on the financial asset or liability and is affected by a wide variety of factors including, for example, the type of instrument, whether the instrument has recently been issued, whether the instrument is traded on an active exchange or in the secondary market, and current market conditions. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for financial instruments categorized in Level III. The variability and availability of the observable inputs affected by the factors described above may result in transfers between Levels I, II, and III.

The Company considers its cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, fees and accounts receivable, accounts payable, investments, revolving credit facility, and contingent consideration obligation balance to be financial instruments. The carrying amounts of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, fees and accounts receivable and accounts payable equal or approximate their fair values due to their nature and/or the relatively short period over which they are held. See note 6 for additional details regarding the fair value of the Company’s contingent consideration obligation balance and see note 8 for additional details regarding the fair value of the Company’s revolving credit facility balance.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists of cash that the Company is contractually obligated to maintain to secure its letters of credit used primarily related to its office facilities and other obligations.

Investments

Investments primarily include the Company’s ownership interests in the StepStone Funds, as general partner or managing member of such funds. The Company accounts for all investments in which it has or is otherwise presumed to have significant influence, but not control, including the StepStone Funds, using the equity method of accounting. The carrying value of these equity method investments is determined based on amounts invested by the Company, adjusted for the Company’s share in the earnings or losses of each investee, after consideration of contractual arrangements that govern allocations of income or loss (including carried interest allocations), less distributions received. Investments include the Company’s cumulative accrued carried interest allocations from the StepStone Funds, which primarily represent performance-based capital allocations, assuming the StepStone Funds were liquidated as of each reporting date in accordance with the funds’ governing documents. Legacy Greenspring investments in funds and accrued carried interest allocations represent the economic interests held by the legacy Greenspring general partner entities in certain funds for which the Company does not have any direct economic interests. All of the economics in respect of such interests are payable to employees and are therefore reflected as non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities and legacy Greenspring performance fee-related compensation. The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable.

Management’s determination of fair value for investments in the underlying funds includes various valuation techniques. These techniques may include a market approach, recent transaction price, net asset value approach, or discounted cash flows, and may use one or more significant unobservable inputs such as EBITDA, revenue multiples, discount rates, weighted average cost of capital, exit multiples, or terminal growth rates.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

Investments of Consolidated Funds

The Company’s Consolidated Funds are investment companies under GAAP and reflect their investments at estimated fair value. The Company has retained the specialized investment company accounting for the Consolidated Funds under GAAP. Investments of the Consolidated Funds are recorded at fair value and the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in fair value is recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of income. In addition, the Consolidated Funds do not consolidate their majority-owned and controlled investments in underlying portfolio companies.

Leases

The Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at inception of the arrangement. A lease is a contract that provides the right to control an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. For identified leases, the Company determines the classification as either an operating or finance lease. The Company’s identified leases primarily consist of operating lease agreements for office space and certain equipment, as the lessee. Operating leases are included in lease right-of-use-assets, net and lease liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Certain leases include lease and non-lease components, which the Company accounts for as a single lease component. Lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities are measured based on the present value of future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. Lease ROU assets include initial direct costs incurred by the Company and are presented net of deferred rent and lease incentives. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of future minimum lease payments. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease, which are included in the measurement of ROU assets and lease liabilities when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise those options.

Operating lease expense associated with minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term in general, administrative and other expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Minimum lease payments for leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See note 14 for more information.

Intangibles and Goodwill

The Company’s finite-lived intangible assets consist of acquired contractual rights to earn future management and advisory fee income and client relationships. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from 8 to 10 years. The Company did not have any intangible assets that were deemed to have an indefinite life as of June 30, 2024.

Finite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. There were no impairment charges related to the Company’s finite-lived intangible assets during the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

Goodwill represents the excess amount of consideration transferred in a business combination above the fair value of the identifiable net assets. Goodwill is assessed for impairment at least annually using a qualitative and, if necessary, a quantitative approach. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test as of January 1, or more frequently, if events and circumstances indicate that an impairment may exist. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. The initial assessment for impairment under the qualitative approach is to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, a quantitative assessment is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The quantitative assessment includes comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the lesser of (a) the difference between the carrying amount of the reporting unit and its fair value and (b) the total carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill.

Revenues

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (“ASC 606”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Revenue is recognized in a manner that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers and for an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The application of ASC 606 requires an entity to identify its contract(s) with a customer, identify the performance obligations in a contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. In determining the transaction price, variable consideration is included only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized would not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. The Company has elected to apply the variable consideration allocation exception for its fee arrangements with its customers.

Management and Advisory Fees, Net

The Company earns management fees for services provided to its SMAs and focused commingled funds. The Company earns advisory fees for services provided to advisory clients where the Company does not have discretion over investment decisions. The Company considers its performance obligations in its customer contracts from which it earns management and advisory fees to be one or more of the following, based on the services promised: asset management services, advisory services and/or the arrangement of administrative services. Management fees include income-based incentive fees, which are based on net investment income of certain funds that are regulated as a business development company (“BDC”). Capital gains-based incentive fees from BDC funds are recognized as performance fees. There have been no capital-gains based incentive fees recognized to date.

The Company recognizes revenues from asset management services and advisory services when control of the promised services is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those services. SMAs are generally contractual arrangements involving an investment management agreement between the Company and a single client, and are typically structured as a partnership or limited liability company for which a subsidiary of SSG serves as the general partner or managing member. Focused commingled funds are structured as limited partnerships or limited liability companies with multiple clients, for which a subsidiary of the Company serves as the general partner or managing member. The Company determined that the individual client or single limited partner or member is the customer with respect to SMAs and advisory clients. Based on certain facts and circumstances specific to each individual fund structure, the Company has determined that for accounting purposes, either the StepStone Fund or the individual investors in the fund may be considered to be the customer for arrangements with focused commingled funds.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

When asset management services and the arrangement of administrative services are the performance obligations promised in a contract, the Company satisfies these performance obligations over time because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the services as they are performed. The transaction price is the amount of consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised services to the customer. Management fees earned from these contracts where the Company has discretion over investment decisions are generally calculated based on a percentage of unaffiliated committed capital or net invested capital, and these amounts are typically billed quarterly. For certain investment funds, management fees are initially based on committed capital during the investment period and on net invested capital through the remainder of the fund’s term. In addition, the management fee rate charged may also be reduced for certain investment funds depending on the contractual arrangement. The management fee basis is subject to factors outside of the Company’s control. Therefore, estimates of future period management fees are not included in the transaction price because those estimates would be considered constrained. Advisory fees from contracts where the Company does not have discretion over investment decisions are generally based on fixed amounts and typically billed quarterly.

Management fees generally exclude reimbursements for expenses paid by the Company on behalf of its customers, including amounts related to certain professional fees and other fund administrative expenses pursuant to the fund’s governing documents. For professional and administrative services that the Company arranges to be performed by third parties on behalf of investment funds, management has concluded that the nature of its promise is to arrange for the services to be provided and, accordingly, the Company does not control the services provided by the third parties before they are transferred to the customer. Therefore, the Company is acting as an agent, and the reimbursements for these professional fees paid on behalf of the investment funds are generally presented on a net basis.

The Company and certain investment funds that it manages have distribution and service agreements with third-party financial institutions, whereby the Company pays a portion of the fees it receives to such institutions for ongoing distribution and servicing of customer accounts. Management has concluded that the Company does not act as principal for the third-party services, as the Company does not control the services provided by the third parties before they are transferred to the customer. Therefore, the Company is acting as an agent, and the management fees are recorded net of these service fees.

The Company may incur certain costs in connection with satisfying its performance obligations for investment management services – primarily employee travel costs – for which it receives reimbursements from its customers. For reimbursable employee travel costs, the Company concluded it controls the services provided by its employees and, therefore, is acting as principal. Accordingly, the Company records the reimbursement for these costs incurred on a gross basis – that is, as revenue in management and advisory fees, net and expense in general, administrative and other expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income. For reimbursable costs incurred in connection with satisfying its performance obligations for administration services, the Company concluded it does not control the services provided by other third parties and, therefore, is acting as agent. Accordingly, the Company records the reimbursement for these costs incurred on a net basis.

Performance Fees

The Company earns two types of performance fee revenues: incentive fees and carried interest allocations, as described below.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

Incentive fees are generally calculated as a percentage of the profits (up to 15%) earned in respect of certain accounts, including certain permanent capital vehicles, for which the Company is the investment adviser, subject to the achievement of minimum return levels or performance benchmarks. Incentive fees are a form of variable consideration and represent contractual fee arrangements in the Company’s contracts with its customers. Incentive fees are typically subject to reversal until the end of a defined performance period, as these fees are affected by changes in the fair value of the assets under management or advisement over such performance period. Moreover, incentive fees that are received prior to the end of the defined performance period are typically subject to clawback, net of tax.

The Company recognizes incentive fee revenue only when these amounts are realized and no longer subject to significant risk of reversal, which is typically at the end of a defined performance period and/or upon expiration of the associated clawback period (i.e., crystallization). However, clawback terms for incentive fees received prior to crystallization only require the return of amounts on a net of tax basis. Accordingly, the tax-related portion of incentive fees received in advance of crystallization is not subject to clawback and is therefore recognized as revenue immediately upon receipt. Incentive fees received in advance of crystallization that remain subject to clawback are recorded as deferred incentive fee revenue and included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Carried interest allocations include the allocation of performance-based fees, commonly referred to as carried interest, to the Company from unaffiliated limited partners in the StepStone Funds in which the Company holds an equity interest. The Company is entitled to a carried interest allocation (typically 5% to 20%) based on cumulative fund or account performance to date, irrespective of whether such amounts have been realized. These carried interest allocations are subject to the achievement of minimum return levels (typically 5% to 10%) in accordance with the terms set forth in each respective fund’s governing documents. The Company accounts for its investment balances in the StepStone Funds, including carried interest allocations, under the equity method of accounting because it is presumed to have significant influence as the general partner or managing member. Accordingly, carried interest allocations are not deemed to be within the scope of ASC 606.

Legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations reflect the allocation of carried interest to legacy Greenspring general partner entities from limited partners in certain legacy Greenspring funds in which the legacy Greenspring general partner entities hold an equity interest. The legacy Greenspring general partner entities are entitled to a carried interest allocation (typically 5% to 20%) based on cumulative fund or account performance to date, irrespective of whether such amounts have been realized. The Company accounts for the investment balances in the legacy Greenspring funds, including carried interest allocations, under the equity method of accounting because it is presumed to have significant influence as the general partner or managing member. Accordingly, legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations are not deemed to be within the scope of ASC 606. The Company does not hold any direct economic interests in the legacy Greenspring general partner entities and thus is not entitled to any carried interest allocation from the legacy funds. All of the carried interest allocations in respect of the legacy Greenspring funds are payable to employees who are considered affiliates of the Company and are therefore reflected as legacy Greenspring performance fee-related compensation in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

The Company recognizes revenue attributable to carried interest allocations from a fund based on the amount that would be due to the Company pursuant to the fund’s governing documents, assuming the fund was liquidated based on the current fair value of its underlying investments as of that date. Accordingly, the amount recognized as carried interest allocation revenue reflects the Company’s share of the gains and losses of the associated fund’s underlying investments measured at their then-fair values, relative to the fair values as of the end of the prior period. The Company records the amount of carried interest allocated to the Company as of each period end as accrued carried interest allocations receivable, which is included as a component of investments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Management’s determination of fair value for investments in the underlying funds includes various valuation techniques. These techniques may include a market approach, recent transaction price, net asset value approach, or discounted cash flows, and may use one or more significant unobservable inputs such as EBITDA, revenue multiples, discount rates, weighted average cost of capital, exit multiples, or terminal growth rates.

Carried interest is realized when an underlying investment is profitably disposed of and the fund’s cumulative returns are in excess of the specific hurdle rates, as defined in the applicable governing documents. Carried interest is subject to reversal to the extent that the amount received to date exceeds the amount due to the Company based on cumulative results. As such, a liability is accrued for potential clawback obligations if amounts previously distributed to the Company would require repayment to a fund if such fund were to be liquidated based on the current fair value of their underlying investments as of the reporting date. Actual repayment obligations generally do not become realized until the end of a fund’s life. As of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, no material amounts for potential clawback obligations had been accrued.

Equity-Based Compensation

Equity-based compensation represents grants of equity-based awards or arrangements to certain employees and directors. The Company accounts for grants of equity-based awards, including restricted stock units (“RSUs”), to certain employees and directors at fair value as of the grant date. The Company recognizes non-cash compensation expense attributable to these grants on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. Expense related to grants of equity-based awards is recognized as equity-based compensation expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income. The fair value of RSUs is determined by the closing stock price on the grant date. Forfeitures of equity-based awards are recognized as they occur. Awards classified as liabilities are remeasured at the end of each reporting period until settlement. Equity-based compensation cost for the employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) is measured as the discount the employee receives upon purchase of shares and the option value of a share when the offering contains a look-back option feature. See note 9 for additional information regarding the Company’s accounting for equity-based awards.

Income Taxes

SSG is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and therefore is subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes on its share of taxable income generated by the Partnership. The Partnership is treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes. As such, income generated by the Partnership flows through to its limited partners, including SSG, and is generally not subject to U.S. federal or state income tax at the Partnership level. The Partnership’s non-U.S. subsidiaries generally operate as corporate entities in non-U.S. jurisdictions, with certain of these entities subject to non-U.S. income taxes. Additionally, certain subsidiaries are subject to local jurisdiction taxes at the entity level, which are reflected within income tax expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income. As a result, the Partnership does not record U.S. federal and state income taxes on income in the Partnership or its subsidiaries, except for certain local and foreign income taxes discussed above.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

Taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method of accounting. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, using tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period when the change is enacted. Deferred tax liabilities are included within accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The principal items giving rise to temporary differences are certain basis differences resulting from exchanges of Partnership units. See Tax Receivable Agreements below.

Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the amount, timing and character of the Company’s future taxable income. When evaluating the realizability of deferred tax assets, all evidence – both positive and negative – is considered. This evidence includes, but is not limited to, expectations regarding future earnings, future reversals of existing temporary tax differences and tax planning strategies.

The Company is subject to the provisions of ASC Subtopic 740-10, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. This standard establishes consistent thresholds as it relates to accounting for income taxes. It defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax return positions in the financial statements as more-likely-than-not to be sustained by the relevant taxing authority and requires measurement of a tax position meeting the more-likely-than-not criterion, based on the largest benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized. If upon performance of an assessment pursuant to this subtopic, management determines that uncertainties in tax positions exist that do not meet the minimum threshold for recognition of the related tax benefit, a liability is recorded in the condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as interest expense and general, administrative and other expenses, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of income. See note 10 for more information.

The Company has elected to account for global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) earned by foreign subsidiaries in the period the tax is incurred.

Tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and respective governmental taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in determining tax expense and in evaluating tax positions, including evaluating uncertainties under GAAP. The Company reviews its tax positions quarterly and adjusts its tax balances as new information becomes available.

Tax Receivable Agreements

The Tax Receivable Agreements provide for payment by SSG to the Class B limited partners, Class C limited partners, Class D limited partners and pre-IPO institutional investors of the Partnership of 85% of the amount of the net cash tax savings, if any, that SSG realizes (or, under certain circumstances, is deemed to realize) as a result of increases in tax basis (and utilization of certain other tax benefits) resulting from (i) SSG’s acquisition of such partners’ and institutional investors’ Partnership units and (ii) in the case of the Exchanges Tax Receivable Agreement, any payments SSG makes under the Exchanges Tax Receivable Agreement (including tax benefits related to imputed interest). SSG will retain the benefit of the remaining 15% of these net cash tax savings under both Tax Receivable Agreements. See note 13 for more information.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income consists of foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on the defined benefit plan sponsored by one of its subsidiaries. The components of accumulated other comprehensive income were as follows:


	As of
	June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	70	$	77
Unrealized gain on defined benefit plan, net	227		227
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$	297	$	304

Segments

The Company operates as one business, a fully-integrated private markets solution provider. The Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), who is the Company’s chief executive officer, utilizes a consolidated approach to assess the performance of and allocate resources to the business. Accordingly, management has concluded that the Company consists of a single operating segment and single reportable segment for accounting and financial reporting purposes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). ASUs issued during the current period not listed below were assessed and determined to either be not applicable to the Company, or not expected to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which amends current guidance to provide optional practical expedients and exceptions, if certain criteria are met, for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that are affected by the reference rate reform. The expedients and exceptions in this update apply only to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Initially the update did not apply to contract modifications or hedging relationships entered into after December 31, 2022, but in December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, which defers the sunset date for applying reference rate reform relief in ASC 848 to December 31, 2024. This guidance is effective for adoption anytime after March 12, 2020, but must be adopted prior to December 31, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which amends current guidance for reportable segment disclosure requirements. The updated disclosure requirements include: (1) reporting of segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss, (2) reporting of an amount for other segment items by reportable segment and a description of its composition, (3) reporting in interim periods of all annual disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets as currently required by Topic 280, (4) reporting of one or more additional measures of segment profit or loss if used by the CODM in assessing segment performance and determining allocation of resources, (5) reporting of the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss, and (6) the requirement for single reportable segment entities to provide all required disclosures in Topic 280 for annual and interim periods. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to include expanded disclosures beginning with its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which amends current guidance to provide expanded disclosure for the rate reconciliation with information about specific categories and reconciling items that meet a specific threshold, and to provide additional information about income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

3. Revenues

The following presents revenues disaggregated by product offering, which aligns with the Company’s performance obligations and the basis for calculating each amount:


	Three Months Ended June 30,
Management and Advisory Fees, Net	2024		2023
Focused commingled funds(1)	$	104,435	$	67,006
SMAs	57,376		55,744
Advisory and other services	14,769		14,101
Fund reimbursement revenues	1,435		1,264
Total management and advisory fees, net	$	178,015	$	138,115

_______________________________

(1)Includes BDC income-based incentive fees of $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. There were no income-based incentive fees for the three months ended June 30, 2023.


	Three Months Ended June 30,
Incentive Fees	2024		2023
SMAs	$	800	$	6
Focused commingled funds	41		—
Total incentive fees	$	841	$	6


	Three Months Ended June 30,
Carried Interest Allocations	2024		2023
SMAs	$	(2,809)	$	40,136
Focused commingled funds	19,443		23,701
Total carried interest allocations	$	16,634	$	63,837


	Three Months Ended June 30,
Legacy Greenspring Carried Interest Allocations	2024		2023
SMAs	$	199	$	—
Focused commingled funds	(9,288)		(23,947)
Total legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations(1)	$	(9,089)	$	(23,947)

_______________________________

(1)The three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 reflect the net effect of gross realized carried interest allocations of $6.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and the reversal of such amounts in unrealized carried interest allocations for such periods.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

The decrease in carried interest allocations for the three months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023 was primarily attributable to lower net unrealized appreciation in the fair value of certain underlying investments in the Company’s private equity funds. The increase in legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily attributable to lower net unrealized depreciation in the fair value of certain underlying fund investments. See note 2 for a discussion of the Company’s accounting policy for investments on a three-month lag.

The Company derives revenues from clients located in both the United States and other countries. The table below presents the Company’s revenues by geographic location:


	Three Months Ended June 30,
Revenues(1)	2024		2023
United States	$	71,758	$	45,093
Non-U.S. countries	114,643		132,918

_______________________________

(1)Revenues are attributed to countries based on client location for SMAs and advisory and other services, or location of investment vehicle for focused commingled funds.

For the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, no individual client represented 10% or more of the Company’s net management and advisory fees. For the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company had management and advisory fee revenues attributable to the United States and Cayman Islands, each of which represented 10% or more of the Company’s net management and advisory fees.

As of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, the Company had $29.6 million and $31.0 million, respectively, of deferred revenues, which is included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company had recognized $6.0 million as revenue from amounts included in the deferred revenue balance as of March 31, 2024.

4. Variable Interest Entities

Consolidated VIEs

The Company consolidates certain VIEs for which it is the primary beneficiary. Such VIEs consist of certain operating entities not wholly-owned by the Company (e.g., SPD, SRA and SRE), SPW, legacy Greenspring general partner entities and certain StepStone Funds. See note 2 for more information on the Company’s accounting policies related to the consolidation of VIEs. The assets of the consolidated VIEs totaled $1,053.4 million and $995.2 million as of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively. The liabilities of the consolidated VIEs totaled $601.9 million and $593.7 million as of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively. The assets of the consolidated VIEs may only be used to settle obligations of the same VIE. In addition, there is no recourse to the Company for the consolidated VIEs’ liabilities, except for certain entities in which there could be a clawback of previously distributed carried interest. As of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, no material amounts previously distributed have been accrued for clawback liabilities.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

Unconsolidated VIEs

The Company holds variable interests in the form of direct equity interests in certain VIEs that are not consolidated because the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss is limited to the potential loss of assets recognized by the Company relating to these unconsolidated entities. The carrying value of the assets and liabilities recognized in the condensed consolidated balance sheets with respect to the Company’s interests in VIEs that were not consolidated is set forth below:


	As of
	June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024
Investments in funds	$	145,519	$	135,043
Legacy Greenspring investments in funds	147,536		147,042
Due from affiliates, net	63,799		34,744
Less: Amounts attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries	30,029		25,362
Less: Amounts attributable to non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities	147,536		147,042
Maximum exposure to loss	$	179,289	$	144,425

5. Investments

The Company’s investments consist of equity method investments primarily related to (i) investments in the StepStone Funds for which it serves as general partner or managing member but does not have a controlling financial interest and (ii) investments of Consolidated Funds. The Company’s equity interest in its equity method investments in the StepStone Funds typically does not exceed 1% in each fund. The Company’s share of the underlying net income or loss attributable to its equity interest in the funds is recorded in investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Investment income attributable to the Consolidated Funds is recorded in investment income of Consolidated Funds. Investment income attributable to investments in certain legacy Greenspring funds for which the Company has no direct economic interests is recorded in legacy Greenspring investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Equity Method Investments

The Company’s equity method investments consist of the following:


	As of
	June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024
Investments in funds(1)	$	145,519	$	135,043
Accrued carried interest allocations	1,328,853		1,354,051
Legacy Greenspring investments in funds and accrued carried interest allocations(2)	617,539		631,197
Total equity method investments	$	2,091,911	$	2,120,291

_______________________________

(1)The Company’s investments in funds were $217.9 million and $204.8 million as of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively. The consolidation of the Consolidated Funds results in the elimination of the Company’s investments in such funds.

(2)Reflects investments in funds of $147.5 million and $147.0 million and carried interest allocations of $470.0 million and $484.2 million as of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

The Company recognized equity method income (loss) of the following:


	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023
Carried interest allocations	$	16,634	$	63,837
Investment income	2,595		3,086
Legacy Greenspring carried interest allocations	(9,089)		(23,947)
Legacy Greenspring investment loss	(1,255)		(2,866)
Total equity method income	$	8,885	$	40,110

As of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, the Company’s investments in one and two SMAs, respectively, each individually represented 10% or more of the total accrued carried interest allocations balance, and in the aggregate represented approximately 15% and 26%, respectively, of the total accrued carried interest allocations balance as of those dates. As of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, the Company’s investments in three commingled funds each individually represented 10% or more of the total legacy Greenspring accrued carried interest allocations balance, and in the aggregate represented approximately 37% and 36%, respectively, of the total legacy Greenspring accrued carried interest allocations balances as of those dates.

Of the total accrued carried interest allocations balance as of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, $652.1 million and $719.5 million, respectively, were payable to affiliates and are included in accrued carried interest-related compensation in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Of the total legacy Greenspring investments in funds and accrued carried interest allocations balance as of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, $470.0 million and $484.2 million, respectively, were payable to employees who are considered affiliates of the Company and are included in legacy Greenspring accrued carried interest-related compensation in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and $147.5 million and $147.0 million, respectively, are reflected as non-controlling interests in legacy Greenspring entities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company evaluates each of its equity method investments to determine if any are considered significant as defined by the SEC. As of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024 and for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, no individual equity method investment held by the Company met the significance criteria. As a result, the Company is not required to provide separate financial statements for any of its equity method investments.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

Investments of Consolidated Funds

The Company consolidates funds and entities when it is deemed to hold a controlling financial interest. The activity of the Consolidated Funds is reflected within the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Investments held by the Consolidated Funds are summarized below:


	Fair Value as of				Percentage of Total Investments as of
	June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024		June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024

Investments of Consolidated Funds:
Equity securities (cost of $21.9 million and $15.6 million as of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively)	$	24,553	$	17,028	16	%	13	%
Partnership and LLC interests (cost of $93.3 million and $76.0 million as of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively)	133,669		114,830		84	%	87	%


Total investments of Consolidated Funds	$	158,222	$	131,858	100	%	100	%

As of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, no individual investment had a fair value greater than 5% of the Company’s total assets.

The following table summarizes the net realized and unrealized gains (losses) from investment activities of the Consolidated Funds:


	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023

Investments of Consolidated Funds:

Net realized gains on investments	$	327	$	—
Net unrealized gains on investments	7,308		2,362

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

6. Fair Value Measurements

The Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. The following tables provide details regarding the classification of these assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy as of the dates presented:

Financial Instruments of the Company


	As of June 30, 2024
	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total








Liabilities
Contingent consideration obligation	$	—	$	—	$	56,312	$	56,312

Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	56,312	$	56,312


	As of March 31, 2024
	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total








Liabilities
Contingent consideration obligation	$	—	$	—	$	53,449	$	53,449
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	53,449	$	53,449

For the financial instruments presented in the tables above, there were no changes in fair value hierarchy levels during the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

A reconciliation from the beginning balance to the closing balance of Level III financial instruments of the Company are set forth below:


	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023
Contingent consideration obligations
Balance, beginning of period:	$	53,449	$	36,745
Additions	—		—
Change in fair value	2,863		(1,267)
Settlements	—		(146)
Balance, end of period:	$	56,312	$	35,332

Changes in unrealized (gains) losses included in earnings related to financial instruments still held at the reporting date	$	2,863	$	(1,267)

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

Contingent Consideration

The fair value of the contingent consideration obligation is based on a discounted cash flow analysis using a probability-weighted average estimate of certain performance targets, including revenue levels. The assumptions used in the analysis are inherently subjective; therefore, the ultimate amount of the contingent consideration obligations may differ materially from the current estimate. The significant unobservable inputs required to value the contingent consideration obligation primarily relate to the future expected revenues and the discount rate applied to the expected future revenues and payments of obligations, which was 7% as of June 30, 2024. The contingent consideration obligation balance is included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of the liabilities are included in general, administrative and other expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Financial Instruments of Consolidated Funds


	As of June 30, 2024
	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total
Assets
Equity securities	$	—	$	—	$	10,697	$	10,697
Partnership and LLC interests	—		—		5,769		5,769
Total assets	$	—	$	—	$	16,466	$	16,466


	As of March 31, 2024
	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total
Assets
Equity securities	$	—	$	—	$	12,421	$	12,421
Partnership and LLC interests	—		—		1,273		1,273
Total assets	$	—	$	—	$	13,694	$	13,694

For the financial instruments presented in the tables above, there were no changes in fair value hierarchy levels during the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

The Company generally values its investment funds, which are generally organized as partnership and LLC interests, using the NAV per share equivalent calculated by the investment manager as a practical expedient in determining an independent fair value. The Company does not categorize within the fair value hierarchy investments where fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. As of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, investments with a combined fair value of $141.8 million and $118.2 million, respectively, are excluded from presentation in the fair value hierarchy as the fair value of these investments were measured at net asset value. As of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, investments with a combined fair value of $16.5 million and $13.7 million, respectively, were classified as Level III investments. The significant unobservable input used to value these investments classified as Level III are the discounts to recent transaction prices.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

A reconciliation from the beginning balance to the closing balance of Level III financial instruments of Consolidated Funds are set forth below:


	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023

Balance, beginning of period:	$	13,694	$	6,901
Transfers into Level III	—		—
Transfers out of Level III	(3,553)		(5,067)
Purchases	6,325		—
Change in fair value	—		—

Balance, end of period:	$	16,466	$	1,834

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings related to financial instruments still held at the reporting date	$	—	$	—

7. Intangibles and Goodwill

Intangible assets consist of management contracts providing economic rights to management and advisory fees and client relationships related to future fundraising, as obtained through the Company’s acquisitions of other businesses.

Intangible assets, net consists of the following:


	As of
	June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024
Management contracts	$	352,002	$	352,002
Client relationships	96,650		96,650

Less: Accumulated amortization	(154,029)		(143,779)
Intangible assets, net	$	294,623	$	304,873

Amortization expense related to intangible assets was $10.5 million and $10.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These amounts are included in general, administrative and other expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

At June 30, 2024, the expected future amortization of finite-lived intangible assets is as follows:


Remainder of FY2025	$	30,751
FY2026	40,810
FY2027	40,776
FY2028	40,759
FY2029	40,759
Thereafter	100,768
Total	$	294,623

The carrying value of goodwill was $580.5 million as of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024. The Company determined there was no indication of goodwill impairment as of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

8. Debt Obligations

The Company is party to a credit agreement, as amended and restated in May 2024 (the “Credit Agreement”), which, among other things, increased the aggregate principal amount of the commitments thereunder to $300.0 million from $225.0 million and extended the maturity date of the revolving facility to May 2029. The Credit Agreement was arranged by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent and collateral agent, and certain other lenders party thereto and provides for a $300.0 million multicurrency revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”). As of June 30, 2024, the Company had $172.1 million outstanding on the Revolver, net of debt issuance costs.

The Company’s debt obligations consist of the following:


	As of
	June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024
Revolver	$	175,000	$	150,000
Less: Debt issuance costs	(2,882)		(1,178)
Total debt obligations	$	172,118	$	148,822

Borrowings under the Revolver bear interest at a variable rate per annum. The Company may designate each borrowing as (i) in the case of any borrowing in U.S. dollars, a base rate loan or a Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) rate loan, (ii) in the case of any borrowing denominated in Euros, a EURIBOR rate loan, (iii) in the case of any borrowing denominated in British Pounds Sterling, a Sterling Overnight Index Average (“SONIA”) loan, (iv) in the case of any borrowing denominated in Swiss Francs, a Swiss Average Rate Overnight (“SARON”) loan, and (v) in the case of any borrowing denominated in Australian dollars, an AUD rate loan. Borrowings bear interest equal to (i) in the case of base rate loans, 1.00% plus the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate, (b) the New York Federal Reserve Bank Rate plus 0.50% and (c) the 1 month Term SOFR, plus 1.10%, (ii) in the case of a Term SOFR rate loan, the Term SOFR rate plus 2.10%, (iii) in the case of a EURIBOR rate loan, the EURIBOR rate multiplied by the Statutory Reserve Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 2.00%, (iv) in the case of a SONIA loan, the Sterling Overnight Index Average plus 2.03%, (v) in the case of a SARON loan, the Swiss Average Rate Overnight plus 2.00%, and (vi) in the case of an AUD rate loan, the AUD Screen Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) multiplied by the Statutory Reserve Rate plus 2.20%, in certain cases subject to applicable interest rate floors. The weighted-average interest rate in effect for the Revolver as of June 30, 2024 was 7.48%.

Borrowings under the Revolver may be repaid at any time during the term of the Credit Agreement and, subject to certain terms and conditions, may be reborrowed prior to the maturity date. Any outstanding principal amounts, together with any accrued interest thereon, shall be due and payable on the maturity date. The maturity date for the Revolver is May 16, 2029.

The Revolver bears a fee on undrawn commitments equal to 0.25% per annum if total utilization of revolving commitments is equal to or greater than 50% and 0.35% per annum if total utilization of revolving commitments is less than 50%.

The carrying value of the Revolver approximates fair value, as the loan is subject to variable interest rates that adjust with changes in market rates and market conditions and the current interest rate approximates that which would be available under similar financial arrangements.

StepStone Group Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts and where noted)

Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, certain of the Company’s assets serve as pledged collateral. In addition, the Credit Agreement contains covenants that, among other things: limit the Company’s ability to incur indebtedness; create, incur or allow liens; transfer or dispose of assets; merge with other companies; make certain investments; pay dividends or make distributions; engage in new or different lines of business; and engage in transactions with affiliates. The Credit Agreement also contains financial covenants requiring the Company to maintain a total net leverage ratio and a minimum total of fee-earning assets under management. As of June 30, 2024, the Company was in compliance with the total net leverage ratio and minimum fee-earning assets under management covenants.

The Company can use available funding capacity under the Revolver to satisfy letters of credit in amounts up to $10.0 million. Amounts used to satisfy the letters of credit reduce the available capacity under the Revolver. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $6.5 million.

9. Equity-Based Compensation

The change in unvested RSUs is as follows:


	Number of RSUs	Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per RSU
Balance as of March 31, 2024	1,422,658	$	27.12
Granted	—	$	—
Vested	—	$	—
Forfeited	(3,295)	$	(28.44)
Balance as of June 30, 2024	1,419,363	$	27.12

Unvested Partnership Units

In June 2024, 2,566,566 outstanding Class B2 units fully vested and were automatically converted into Class B units and all unitholders were entitled to purchase from the Company one share of Class B common stock for each Class B unit at its par value. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, none of the outstanding Class B2 units were forfeited.

As of June 30, 2024, $35.3 million of unrecognized non-cash compensation expense in respect of equity-based awards remained to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 4.3 years.

Liability Classified Awards

The Company recognized $12.9 million and $3.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, of expense related to the fair value of liability classified awards within equity-based compensation expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income. For the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, no amounts were paid related to the settlement of liability classified awards.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company has an ESPP under which eligible employees may purchase shares of Class A common stock of the Company at six-month period intervals for 85% of the lower of the fair market value on either the first or last trading day of the offering period. Employees may purchase up to five thousand dollars worth of shares each six-month offering period, limited to a maximum of 1,000 shares. There were no shares purchased under the ESPP during the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. As of June 30, 2024, the Company has 2,200,000 shares of Class A common stock reserved for future issuances under the ESPP.

StepStone Group Inc. [STEP] Filings
10-Q	[2024-08-08]
10-K	[2024-05-24]
10-Q	[2024-02-08]
10-Q	[2023-11-07]
10-Q	[2023-08-07]
10-K	[2023-05-26]
10-Q	[2023-02-09]
10-Q	[2022-11-07]
10-Q	[2022-08-05]
10-K	[2022-05-31]
10-Q	[2022-02-10]
10-Q	[2021-11-12]
10-Q	[2021-08-12]
10-K	[2021-06-23]
S-1	[2021-03-16]
10-Q	[2021-02-11]
10-Q	[2020-11-12]
S-1	[2020-08-24]