Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of The Carlyle Group Inc. (CG)

You're looking past the Q3 2025 headline numbers-like a record $474 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM) or the 12% year-over-year jump in Fee-Related Earnings (FRE) to $312 million-to understand the real engine of The Carlyle Group Inc. (CG): its core philosophy. How does a firm that generated $1.3 billion in distributable earnings year-to-date maintain that momentum and serve as a responsible steward of capital in a volatile market? Do their stated values of integrity and collaboration truly drive the investment decisions that shape their massive Global Credit and Private Equity segments?

The Carlyle Group Inc. (CG) Overview

You need a clear picture of The Carlyle Group Inc. (CG) to understand its strategy, so let's start with the fundamentals: this firm is a global investment giant that manages and deploys private capital across three core segments. Founded in 1987 in Washington, D.C., Carlyle quickly grew from a boutique investment bank to one of the world's largest alternative asset managers, taking its name from the iconic Carlyle Hotel in New York where the founders first met.

The firm's offerings span a complex range of investment strategies, but you can simplify them into three main buckets: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Investment Solutions (Carlyle AlpInvest). They don't just buy and sell companies; they specialize in leveraged buyouts, real assets like infrastructure and real estate, and credit solutions such as direct lending. The goal is always to invest wisely and create value for their investors.

For a sense of scale, The Carlyle Group Inc.'s current sales-measured as trailing twelve-month (TTM) revenue ending September 30, 2025-stand at approximately $3.91 billion. That's a significant top line, but as you know, in this business, the real story is in the fee-generating assets and earnings. You're defintely right to look past the headline revenue number.

• Founded: 1987 in Washington, D.C.
• Core Segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, Carlyle AlpInvest.
• Current TTM Revenue (Sep 2025): Approximately $3.91 billion.

Q3 2025 Financial Performance and Growth Drivers

Looking at the latest results for the third quarter of 2025, the numbers tell a story of strategic shift. While the reported GAAP revenue for Q3 2025 was $332.7 million, the firm's overall sales fell short of analyst expectations, coming in at $782.5 million, marking a 12.6% year-over-year decline. This dip was largely due to a quieter period for private equity exits and volatile public markets, which is just part of the cycle in this industry.

But here's the critical takeaway: the core, recurring business is actually accelerating. Fee-Related Earnings (FRE), which is the money from management fees and the most stable part of the business, hit $312 million for the quarter, an increase of 12% year-over-year. Year-to-date, FRE reached $946 million, up 16% from the prior year. This growth is the result of a deliberate shift toward more resilient income streams.

The main product sales driving this Fee-Related Earnings growth are coming from Global Credit and Carlyle AlpInvest (the Investment Solutions segment). Over 55% of the firm-wide FRE now originates from these two segments, a massive jump from about 25% just five years ago. Plus, the global wealth channel is a powerhouse, achieving a record fundraising quarter with $3 billion in new inflows. That's a clear signal that the market is embracing their credit and secondary solutions.

The Carlyle Group Inc.'s Industry Leadership and Core Purpose

The Carlyle Group Inc. is a definitive leader in the alternative asset management space, and its success is grounded in a clear purpose: to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies, and the communities in which they operate. This isn't corporate fluff; it's the mandate that drives the deployment of their massive capital base.

The firm's sheer size makes it a market mover. As of September 30, 2025, The Carlyle Group Inc. manages a record $474 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM). This scale allows them to access deals and drive operational improvements that smaller firms simply can't touch. They are actively focused on accelerating growth in their credit, insurance, and wealth management platforms, which is where the real near-term opportunity lies.

The firm's continued ability to generate significant Distributable Earnings-which were $368 million in Q3 2025-demonstrates their capacity to turn asset management into real cash returns for shareholders. If you want to dive deeper into who is betting on this strategy and why, you should read Exploring The Carlyle Group Inc. (CG) Investor Profile: Who's Buying and Why?

The Carlyle Group Inc. (CG) Mission Statement

You're looking for the bedrock of a firm that manages nearly half a trillion dollars, and with The Carlyle Group Inc. (CG), that foundation is clear: generate superior returns for investors while acting as a responsible steward of their capital. This mission isn't just a plaque on a wall; it's the operating mandate that guides every investment decision and strategic move, especially as they navigate the shifting tides of 2025.

For a global alternative asset manager, the mission is the ultimate risk-mitigation tool and growth driver. It ensures every team, from Global Private Equity to Carlyle AlpInvest, is aligned on the core purpose: to invest wisely and create value. This focus is why the firm's Assets Under Management (AUM) stood at a massive $474.1 billion as of September 30, 2025, according to their 10-Q filing. That's a lot of capital relying on a clear, actionable mission.

Differentiated Investment Management Services

The first core component is providing differentiated investment management services. This is where the rubber meets the road-it means not just buying assets, but actively creating value through operational expertise and a global network. They aren't passive players; they're operating partners.

In the first quarter of 2025, the firm's focus on this differentiation led to a record Fee-Related Earnings (FRE) margin of 58%. This kind of margin doesn't come from luck; it comes from having unique, high-value products. For instance, the Carlyle AlpInvest segment, which focuses on investment solutions, generated $66 million in FRE in Q1 2025, nearly doubling the prior year's first quarter. That growth is a direct result of scaling specialized platforms like secondaries and portfolio finance, which offer solutions competitors can't easily replicate. You can learn more about who is funding this growth by Exploring The Carlyle Group Inc. (CG) Investor Profile: Who's Buying and Why?

Attractive Returns

Let's be honest, the primary goal for any investor is attractive returns. The Carlyle Group Inc. defines its success by its ability to deliver superior financial results, often by identifying value where others don't. This requires a disciplined approach to risk and a deep understanding of market cycles.

The financial results for 2025 show this commitment in action. The firm generated $17 billion of organic quarterly inflows in the third quarter alone. Investors don't commit that kind of money without confidence in the return profile. Furthermore, the firm has consistently returned capital, declaring a quarterly dividend of $0.35 per common share for Q3 2025. Here's the quick math: strong inflows plus consistent payouts equals investor trust. They even raised their full-year FRE growth guidance to approximately 10%, up from 6%, citing strong first-half performance. That's a clear signal of confidence in their ability to execute and generate profit.

Responsible Stewards of Capital

The third component, being a responsible steward of capital, is more critical now than ever. It means integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions, not as a side project, but as a core value-creation lever. Honestly, this is where the long-term money is being made.

The Carlyle Group Inc. has backed this commitment with concrete, measurable targets. For example, their focus on climate action is evident in their portfolio companies: 93% of their in-scope companies' Scope 1 and 2 emissions are now covered by Paris-aligned climate goals. This significantly exceeds their own 2025 target of 75%. This isn't just about being good; it's about smart investing, as companies with better ESG profiles often show greater resilience and long-term value. What this estimate hides, though, is the complexity of implementation across diverse portfolio companies, but the high compliance rate shows defintely a strong push from the top.

• Integrate ESG into due diligence.
• Drive operational improvements in portfolio companies.
• Maintain the highest ethical standards.
• Align interests with limited partners.

The Carlyle Group Inc. (CG) Vision Statement

You're looking for the bedrock principles that guide a firm managing nearly half a trillion dollars, and with The Carlyle Group Inc. (CG), the vision is simple but potent: invest wisely to create value and make a positive impact. This isn't just Wall Street jargon; it's the operating mandate that drove their Assets Under Management (AUM) to a staggering $474 billion as of September 30, 2025, up from $465 billion just three months prior.

The firm's purpose is clear: to deploy private capital across its three segments-Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Carlyle AlpInvest-to benefit all stakeholders. It's a dual-mandate approach, blending strong financial performance with a commitment to broader societal outcomes. Honestly, that balance is what separates the long-term players from the short-term speculators in this market.

The first pillar of Carlyle's mission is generating strong, risk-adjusted returns for its investors. This is the financial engine, and the 2025 numbers show that engine is running hot. For the twelve months ending September 30, 2025, the firm's net income was approximately $0.662 billion, a massive year-over-year increase.

The focus on fee-related earnings (FRE) is a key indicator of operational health, showing consistent, predictable revenue. In the second quarter of 2025, Fee-Related Earnings hit $323 million, an 18% jump from the prior year. That kind of growth in the core business means they are defintely building a sustainable model, not just relying on market swings.

• Q2 2025 Distributable Earnings: $431 million.
• Q3 2025 Diluted EPS: $1.63.
• Goal: Capitalizing on opportunities across global markets.

The quick math shows their strategy of scaling strategic areas like Carlyle AlpInvest and Insurance Solutions is working, driving those distributable earnings (DE) up 26% in Q2 2025. You want to see that kind of execution from a firm managing your capital.

This is where the 'positive impact' part of the mission comes in, focusing on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors. It's not just a compliance checkbox anymore; it's a value-creation lever. Carlyle's commitment to being a responsible steward of capital is a core differentiator in a crowded private equity landscape.

For example, their commitment to climate action is concrete: they exceeded their target, with over 75% of their in-scope companies' Scope 1 and 2 emissions now covered by Paris-aligned climate goals. That's a real, measurable action that mitigates risk and attracts institutional capital increasingly focused on sustainability. Plus, they are still working toward a 2030 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions across their portfolio companies by 25%.

Here's the breakdown of how they approach this stewardship:

• Integrate ESG into investment due diligence.
• Drive operational improvements in portfolio companies.
• Contribute positively to the communities they invest in.

To be fair, this focus is crucial for attracting the next wave of capital, especially from large pension funds and sovereign wealth funds.

A firm's core values are the behavioral guardrails, and for Carlyle, integrity, excellence, teamwork, and accountability are the non-negotiables. Integrity means maintaining the highest ethical standards and transparency in all dealings, which is vital when you are deploying private capital globally.

Excellence is the pursuit of superior performance, which translates into the rigorous due diligence and active management that underpins their investment process. This commitment to operational quality is what allows them to consistently generate value for their investors, which you can read more about here: The Carlyle Group Inc. (CG): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money.

What this commitment hides is the sheer amount of work required to maintain that standard across 27 offices and over 2,400 employees worldwide. It requires a culture where accountability is paramount, ensuring every team member is aligned with the mission of creating value and impact. That alignment is the real secret sauce.

The Carlyle Group Inc. (CG) Core Values

You're looking for the bedrock principles that drive a firm managing nearly half a trillion dollars, and that's smart. The Carlyle Group Inc.'s (CG) core values aren't just posters on a wall; they are the operating manual for how they deploy $474 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM) as of September 30, 2025. This firm's success-evidenced by the $1.2 billion in Fee-Related Earnings (FRE) over the last twelve months-is directly tied to three non-negotiable values: Integrity, Innovation, and Creating Value. These aren't soft concepts; they map directly to risk management and return generation.

Honestly, in a market where trust is the most valuable currency, you need to know exactly what kind of partner you have. Carlyle's approach is authoritative, but it's also deeply pragmatic. They use these values to manage the $90 billion of available capital (dry powder) they currently hold, ensuring every dollar is deployed responsibly. For a deeper look at who's betting on this strategy, you should check out Exploring The Carlyle Group Inc. (CG) Investor Profile: Who's Buying and Why?

Integrity: The Non-Negotiable Foundation

Integrity is the first and most critical value. It's not just about avoiding legal trouble; it's about building the long-term trust required to manage institutional capital. When you're managing money for pensions and sovereign wealth funds, the highest ethical standards, transparency, and accountability are defintely the price of entry. Carlyle's commitment here is visible in their compliance infrastructure.

For example, this value dictates their strict adherence to global regulatory standards and their comprehensive, mandatory compliance training for all employees. They know that a single lapse can erode years of investor confidence, which is why transparent reporting is so crucial. They returned more than $2 billion in capital to shareholders over the last 12 months through dividends and repurchases, and that kind of capital movement demands crystal-clear communication.

Innovation: Adapting to a Changing Market

The private equity world is not static, so innovation is a survival mechanism. It's about leveraging new technologies and developing creative investment strategies to find alpha (returns above a benchmark) where others can't. Carlyle embraces this by investing heavily in data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure to enhance their investment decision-making processes.

Here's the quick math: if you can use AI to spot operational efficiencies in a portfolio company 12 months faster than a competitor, that's a direct increase in your exit multiple. Their focus on innovation is also evident in their product development, like the strategic push into their Global Wealth platform, which is set to launch toward the end of 2025. This move is designed to diversify fundraising streams and capture the growing demand from high-net-worth individuals for private market access.

• Invest in emerging tech for better deal sourcing.
• Develop new products to meet evolving investor needs.
• Foster a culture of continuous operational improvement.

Creating Value: Beyond the Financial Return

Creating Value is about generating attractive financial returns, but it now fundamentally includes being a responsible steward of capital. This is where Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors move from a side project to a core investment driver. Investors today demand that their capital makes a positive impact, and Carlyle is responding with concrete targets.

A clear example is their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across their portfolio companies by 25% by 2030. This isn't just a feel-good goal; it's a risk mitigation strategy, protecting long-term asset value from climate-related risks. They've even developed a six-month curriculum to help their portfolio companies measure their carbon footprints and set science-based targets. Plus, their Global Private Equity segment returned $19 billion in capital to investors over the past year, showing that this value-creation strategy is delivering real-world results.

• Drive operational improvements in portfolio companies.
• Integrate ESG factors into all investment decisions.
• Commit to measurable sustainability targets like the 25% emissions reduction goal.