Record Quarterly EPS and Strong Earnings Growth
Q4 EPS of $1.38; GAAP EPS increased ~16% year-over-year and ~6% sequentially. Excluding unusual items (~$0.08 EPS impact), Q4 would have been an all‑time record, contributing to double-digit earnings growth for 2025.
Broad-Based Revenue Growth and Margin Expansion
Revenue growth and operating margin expansion were broad-based across nearly all business segments. Full-year operating margin expanded by more than one percentage point versus prior year; consolidated margins materially higher excluding $20M of elevated corporate severance and M&A costs.
Strong Sales Events and Private Banking Performance
Total Q4 sales events of $44 million (one of the highest quarterly totals); private banking led with $28 million in net sales events driven by two significant mandates, including SEI's second SWP SaaS client. Company reported its strongest year ever for sales events.
IMS Momentum and Alternative Manager Outsourcing Wins
IMS net sales events were $20 million in Q4 with over two-thirds from U.S.-based alternative managers. Management highlighted a strong pipeline with large alternative managers and expects additional meaningful announcements in April 2026.
Asset Flows and Adviser Momentum
Adviser segment delivered its best net inflow year in over a decade; platform added ~$2 billion of net new assets via tax management and overlay capabilities. SEI reported more than $1 billion of net inflows across two ETFs during the year.
AUA/AUM and LSV Performance
AUA increased ~3% (supported by win momentum and market appreciation); AUM increased ~2% (market appreciation offset modest outflows). LSV AUM rose ~3.5% versus Q3 due to strong fund performance; LSV performance fees were notable (management cited $22M performance fees in the quarter with SEI share materially positive and above prior year by >$3M at SEI's share).
Stratos Partnership Milestone
Completed first close of Stratos partnership in Q4, improving adviser channel reach and providing strategic adviser-centric capabilities. Q4 contribution was modest (~$5M revenue and < $1M operating income in the short consolidation window), with full integration and roll-ups ongoing.
Capital Allocation and Balance Sheet Strength
Q4 share repurchases of $101M; full-year repurchases of $616M (nearly 6% of shares outstanding from 2024). Ended year with ~$400M cash and no debt. Management reaffirmed intent to return 90–100% of free cash flow to shareholders.
Strategic Investments and Tech/Automation Initiatives
Accelerating product launches (ETFs, SMAs, models, select alternatives), investing in platform-level IMS capabilities, and a strategic fourth-quarter investment in 'the band,' an AI-native onboarding OS to scale client onboarding and reduce unit costs.