Quick verdict: ARES vs SOFI in 2026

While the scorecard shows SOFI with more wins on specific metrics, Ares Management Corporation (ARES) demonstrates a significant edge in recent revenue growth and analyst sentiment. SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI), however, stands out as the value leader based on its P/E and P/B ratios and offers the most compelling upside according to analyst targets and its DCF valuation. SOFI also holds an advantage in net margins and debt management, positioning it strongly for profitability and financial stability. Not investment advice.

ARES vs SOFI: key metrics side by side

Full side-by-side comparison of ARES and SOFI across valuation, profitability, growth and analyst sentiment. Data updated 2026-04-09.

ARES vs SOFI valuation comparison

When considering ARES vs SOFI valuation metrics, SoFi Technologies appears to offer a more compelling value proposition as of 2026-04-09. SOFI trades at a P/E ratio of 40.85x, which is slightly lower than ARES Management Corporation’s P/E of 43.55x, suggesting SOFI might be a bit cheaper on an earnings basis. The difference becomes more pronounced when examining the Price-to-Book (P/B) ratio, where SOFI stands at a significantly lower 1.87x compared to ARES’s 5.37x, indicating SOFI’s assets are valued less expensively by the market.

Furthermore, the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) models suggest a substantial upside for SOFI, projecting a potential increase of +66.1% from its current price of $16.0765. In contrast, ARES’s DCF valuation points to a more modest +4.9% upside from its current price of $103.84. This substantial difference in DCF upside makes SOFI a potentially more attractive option for investors seeking greater intrinsic value potential in their ARES vs SOFI valuation assessment, despite both holding a C+ FMP rating.

ARES vs SOFI growth comparison

In the ARES vs SOFI growth comparison, Ares Management Corporation clearly demonstrates stronger recent revenue momentum. ARES reported an impressive year-over-year revenue growth of 66.6%, significantly outpacing SoFi Technologies, Inc., which grew its revenue by 28.8% over the same period. This indicates that ARES has been expanding its top line at a much faster rate, reflecting strong business expansion or strategic acquisitions in the financial services sector.

Despite ARES’s superior revenue growth, SOFI holds a slight edge in net margin at 10.09% compared to ARES’s 9.0%, suggesting more efficient conversion of revenue to profit. However, ARES boasts a higher EBITDA margin of 37.27% versus SOFI’s 28.86%, indicating better operational profitability before accounting for interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Overall, ARES shows stronger top-line growth, while SOFI displays slightly better net profitability, creating a nuanced picture of growth and efficiency between the two.

ARES vs SOFI profitability

Examining the profitability of ARES vs SOFI reveals distinct strengths for each company. SoFi Technologies demonstrates a slightly higher net profit margin of 10.09% compared to Ares Management Corporation’s 9.0%, indicating that SOFI converts a larger portion of its revenue into actual profit for shareholders. This efficiency in managing costs relative to revenue gives SOFI a narrow lead in terms of net profitability. However, when looking at operational efficiency, ARES holds a notable advantage with an EBITDA margin of 37.27% against SOFI’s 28.86%.

When it comes to generating cash, ARES clearly outperforms SOFI in terms of Free Cash Flow (FCF) yield, posting a positive 4.53% compared to SOFI’s negative -12.74%. A positive FCF yield suggests that ARES is generating sufficient cash from its operations to cover its expenses and potentially return value to shareholders, while SOFI’s negative FCF yield indicates it is currently consuming more cash than it generates. Both companies have an “N/A%” reported for Return on Equity (ROE), preventing a direct comparison on this specific metric. Therefore, while SOFI exhibits stronger net margins, ARES shows superior cash generation and operational profitability as measured by EBITDA margin and FCF yield.

Analyst ratings: ARES vs SOFI

The analyst community shows a clear preference for Ares Management Corporation over SoFi Technologies, Inc. As of 2026-04-09, ARES has attracted coverage from 21 analysts, with a strong 76.2% rating it as a “Buy” and a consensus overall rating of “Buy”. Their collective price target for ARES is $179.25, suggesting a substantial upside of +72.6% from its current price of $103.84. This indicates significant confidence from analysts in ARES’s future performance and potential for capital appreciation.

In contrast, SOFI is covered by a slightly larger group of 24 analysts, but their sentiment is much more cautious. Only 33.3% of analysts rate SOFI as a “Buy,” leading to an overall “Hold” consensus. Despite the less enthusiastic “Buy” percentage, SOFI’s average price target of $30.07 represents a higher potential upside of +87.0% from its current price of $16.0765. This suggests that while fewer analysts are outright bullish on SOFI, those who are see a greater percentage gain, potentially due to its lower current price and higher perceived discount to intrinsic value or future growth.

Should I buy ARES or SOFI stock in 2026?

For growth-oriented investors looking at ares vs sofi stock comparison 2026, ARES Management Corporation might appear to have the stronger recent momentum with its impressive 66.6% year-over-year revenue growth, significantly outperforming SOFI’s 28.8%. This strong top-line expansion, coupled with a higher EBITDA margin, suggests ARES is effectively scaling its operations. Additionally, ARES enjoys strong analyst conviction with 76.2% “Buy” ratings and a “Buy” consensus, indicating positive sentiment from financial experts.

However, for value investors or those seeking higher potential upside, SoFi Technologies, Inc. presents a compelling case. SOFI trades at a lower P/E ratio (40.85x vs 43.55x) and a substantially lower P/B ratio (1.87x vs 5.37x), suggesting it is more attractively valued relative to its earnings and assets. Furthermore, SOFI’s DCF valuation points to a massive +66.1% upside, significantly higher than ARES’s +4.9%, and its average analyst price target suggests an even greater +87.0% upside. This robust discount to its intrinsic value and target price makes SOFI an interesting prospect for those focused on capital appreciation.

Regarding income, ARES has a slight edge as it offers a modest dividend yield of 0.05%, whereas SOFI currently offers no dividend (0%). Therefore, ARES would be the preferred choice for investors prioritizing even a minimal income stream. Ultimately, the decision on should I buy ARES or SOFI stock in 2026 depends on your investment strategy: ARES for strong recent growth and analyst consensus, or SOFI for potentially deeper value and higher percentage upside. This is not investment advice.

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