Squarepoint Ops LLC Buys Shares of 550,556 Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance $ARI

Key Points

• Squarepoint Ops LLC acquired 550,556 shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in the second quarter, valued at about $5.88 million and representing a 0.43% stake. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 54.43% of ARI.
• ARI shares opened at $6.64, near their 12-month low of $6.43 and well below the 12-month high of $11.24. The company reported a quarterly loss of $2.62 per share on $44.38 million in revenue.
• Analyst sentiment is cautious, with a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $11.33. The company also announced a sharply increased quarterly dividend of $3.75 per share, though its reported payout ratio was 125%.

Squarepoint Ops LLC purchased a new position in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 550,556 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock, valued at approximately $5,880,000. Squarepoint Ops LLC owned 0.43% of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Renaissance Technologies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance during the 1st quarter worth about $3,459,000. Greenland Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in the second quarter valued at approximately $9,238,000. Readystate Asset Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance during the first quarter valued at approximately $4,760,000. NewGen Asset Management Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance during the first quarter valued at approximately $3,228,000. Finally, Family Manage LLC bought a new stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance during the first quarter worth approximately $1,682,000. 54.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Stock Down 0.5%

Shares of NYSE:ARI opened at $6.64 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $7.37 and a two-hundred day moving average of $9.58. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has a 12-month low of $6.43 and a 12-month high of $11.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $854.17 million, a P/E ratio of 8.31 and a beta of 1.36.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 10th. The real estate investment trust reported ($2.62) earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $44.38 million for the quarter. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance had a net margin of 55.49% and a return on equity of 7.39%. Equities research analysts expect that Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance will post -0.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 30th were paid a dividend of $3.75 per share. This is an increase from Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance's previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. This represents a $15.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 225.7%. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance's dividend payout ratio is presently 125.00%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on ARI. Weiss Ratings lowered Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from a "hold (c)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a report on Monday, August 31st. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Sunday, September 6th. BTIG Research downgraded shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, June 25th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $11.33.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Profile

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc NYSE: ARI is a real estate finance company structured as a real estate investment trust (REIT). The company focuses on originating, acquiring and managing a diversified portfolio of commercial real estate debt and preferred equity investments. As an externally managed vehicle, ARI leverages the expertise and resources of an affiliate of Apollo Global Management, a leading global alternative investment manager.

ARI's investment strategy is centered on providing first mortgage loans, mezzanine debt financing, bridge loans and preferred equity across a broad range of property types, including office, retail, industrial and multifamily assets.

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