Key Takeaways Ares Management is exploring a buyout to expand its private equity arm and better compete with larger peers.ARES says it has capacity for organic growth & deals as US retirement plans expand access to private markets.Private equity is about $25B, just over 4% of Ares Management AUM, down from more than 13% in 2014.Ares Management Corp. (ARES) is exploring a potential acquisition to expand its private equity business and better compete with industry leaders such as Blackstone (BX) , KKR & Co. I ...