Caxton Associates LLP Buys Shares of 123,579 Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance $ARI

Key Points

• Caxton Associates LLP has acquired 123,579 shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE: ARI), valued at approximately $1.18 million, representing 0.09% of the company's stock.
• Insider transactions revealed that CEO Stuart Rothstein sold 52,074 shares for about $511,887, reducing his ownership by 13.49% to 333,854 shares.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share with a yield of 9.1%, highlighting a significant dividend payout ratio of -714.29%.

Caxton Associates LLP bought a new stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 123,579 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock, valued at approximately $1,183,000. Caxton Associates LLP owned approximately 0.09% of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its holdings in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 57.9% in the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 3,425 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 1,256 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC increased its stake in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 39.2% during the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,858 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 1,087 shares in the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 94.1% during the 1st quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 5,909 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 2,864 shares in the last quarter. Accuvest Global Advisors purchased a new position in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance during the 1st quarter worth approximately $107,000. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance during the 1st quarter worth approximately $111,000. 54.43% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

In related news, CEO Stuart Rothstein sold 52,074 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.83, for a total transaction of $511,887.42. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 333,854 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,281,784.82. This trade represents a 13.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.68% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on ARI shares. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from $10.00 to $10.50 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from $10.50 to $10.75 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $10.31.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Stock Up 0.4%

Shares of NYSE ARI opened at $11.03 on Wednesday. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has a 1 year low of $7.70 and a 1 year high of $11.05. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $10.09 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.73. The firm has a market cap of $1.53 billion, a P/E ratio of -78.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.32 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 98.25 and a current ratio of 98.25.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 30th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.1%. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -714.29%.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Profile

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that originates, acquires, invests in, and manages commercial first mortgage loans, subordinate financings, and other commercial real estate-related debt investments in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe.

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