Federated Hermes NYSE: FHI held its annual shareholder meeting on Thursday, during which shareholders elected directors, approved an amendment to the company’s stock incentive plan, and heard management discuss recent operating results, strategic acquisitions, and dividend actions.
Board actions and leadership transitions
Chris Donahue, chairman, president and chief executive officer, opened the meeting by introducing directors and executives participating in person and by phone, including Joseph Bartolacci, Karen Hanlon, Marie Milie Jones, Thomas R. Donahue, and John B. Fisher.
Donahue noted previously announced leadership changes involving Fisher and Paul Uhlman. Fisher will transition to chairman of the Federated Advisory Companies following the meeting. Donahue thanked Fisher “for his 16 years of service as a board member, 28 years of service as an executive officer, and 47 years of service as an employee of the company.”
Uhlman, a vice president of Federated Hermes, was nominated for election as a director at the meeting, Donahue said. Donahue also said that, effective later in the day, Uhlman will move from president of Federated Securities Corp. to succeed Fisher as president and executive officer of Federated Advisory Companies. Bryan M. Burke, formerly national sales director of Strategic Solutions and an executive vice president of Federated Securities Corp., is slated to replace Uhlman as president of Federated Securities Corp., according to Donahue.
Director elections and stock plan amendment approved
During the business portion of the meeting, Peter Germain, executive vice president, secretary and chief legal officer, reported that only the voting shares of a revocable trust holding the company’s Class A common stock were entitled to vote and that the trustees were represented on the line, establishing a quorum.
Germain said the board nominated the following individuals for election as directors to serve until the next annual meeting: Joseph C. Bartolacci, J. Christopher Donahue, Karen L. Hanlon, Thomas R. Donahue, Marie Milie Jones, and Paul Uhlman. Germain, acting as inspector of elections, reported that all shares entitled to vote “have voted affirmatively for each of the nominees for director,” and the nominees were elected.
Shareholders also approved an amendment to the stock incentive plan to reserve an additional 5 million shares of Class B common stock for issuance under the plan. Germain reported that all shares entitled to vote voted affirmatively on the proposal.
Dividend increase and upcoming earnings communications
Following the formal adjournment of the business meeting, Donahue provided company updates, including a dividend increase. He said the board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.38 per share, up from $0.34 per share in the prior quarter. The dividend is payable May 15 to shareholders of record on May 8, 2026.
Donahue also directed shareholders to the company’s press release on results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, which he said would be issued in the afternoon and available on the SEC’s website and the company’s website. He added that Federated Hermes planned to host its quarterly earnings call the next morning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
Q1 2026 asset levels and acquisition update
Donahue said that in the first quarter of 2026, Federated’s total managed assets reached $907 billion, which he described as a record. He attributed the increase primarily to higher money market assets and flows into equity offerings.
- Money market assets reached $685 billion, which Donahue said was also a record.
- Equity assets reached a record $101 billion.
- Fixed income assets totaled $100 billion.
- Total separate account assets reached a record $288 billion.
Donahue said the company’s “diversified business mix once again supports our franchise for all seasons.”
He also highlighted an acquisition completed on April 9, 2026: a majority interest in FCP Fund Manager, L.P., a privately held U.S. real estate investment manager with client assets of more than $3 billion. The business will operate as Federated Hermes FCP Manager, LLC, Donahue said, adding that the deal “extends our real estate footprint into major U.S. markets” and supports the company’s efforts to expand private markets and alternatives. Donahue said the firm’s alternative private market asset class includes private equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure, and long/short offerings.
2025 results and business highlights
Looking back at full-year 2025, Donahue said the company marked its 70th year by posting “strong gains in earnings” and “solid sales.” He reported that earnings per share increased 59% to $5.13 on net income of $403 million for 2025.
Donahue said the company’s performance supported its shareholder-return commitments, including four quarterly dividends totaling $1.33 per share in 2025 and 112 consecutive quarterly dividend payments as of year-end.
Additional 2025 highlights cited by Donahue included:
- Revenue growth of 10%.
- Positive net equity sales approaching $5 billion.
- Fixed income assets exceeding $100 billion at year-end.
- Record separate account assets at year-end.
- A majority investment in Rivington Energy Management Limited, a U.K.-based renewable energy project development business.
- Product expansion with the launch of two ETFs and two collective investment trusts.
- Beginning management of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s treasury pool for local government entities and nonprofit organizations.
- Private markets fundraising efforts, ending 2025 with $19 billion in alternative and private market assets.
Donahue said the company intends to continue embracing digital innovation in money market funds and to invest in projects aimed at supporting a global customer base. He also credited the work of more than 2,000 employees for the company’s accomplishments.
The meeting concluded without any shareholder questions; the operator reported that no shareholders entered the queue during the question-and-answer period.
About Federated Hermes NYSE: FHI
Federated Hermes, Inc is a global investment manager that provides a range of asset management solutions to institutional and individual investors. The company offers active strategies across equity, fixed income, multi-asset, liquidity, and alternative investments. Through its suite of mutual funds, separate accounts and collective investment vehicles, Federated Hermes seeks to deliver performance-driven outcomes aligned with client objectives and risk tolerances.
In addition to traditional investment management, Federated Hermes has developed specialized capabilities in sustainability and responsible investing, integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) research into its investment process.
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