Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NYSE:ARI) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NYSE:ARI - Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,780,000 shares, an increase of 14.9% from the March 31st total of 3,290,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 789,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.8 days.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Stock Down 1.1 %

ARI traded down $0.12 during trading on Monday, reaching $10.68. 599,654 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 772,093. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 67.73 and a current ratio of 67.74. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $10.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $11.01. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has a twelve month low of $9.22 and a twelve month high of $12.74. The stock has a market cap of $1.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.60 and a beta of 1.67.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th were issued a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 13.11%. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance's payout ratio is 466.67%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ARI has been the subject of several recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from $11.00 to $10.50 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. Bank of America downgraded Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and set a $10.50 price target for the company. in a research report on Monday, March 4th. Finally, TheStreet upgraded shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from a "d+" rating to a "c-" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $10.50.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Stuart Rothstein sold 40,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.60, for a total value of $424,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 415,292 shares in the company, valued at $4,402,095.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.61% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ARI. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC bought a new stake in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance during the first quarter worth approximately $56,000. Naples Money Management LLC acquired a new position in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in the 4th quarter valued at $64,000. EMC Capital Management increased its position in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 134.6% during the 3rd quarter. EMC Capital Management now owns 6,922 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $70,000 after buying an additional 3,971 shares during the period. J.P. Morgan Private Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance during the third quarter worth $105,000. Finally, HighPoint Advisor Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in the fourth quarter valued at about $132,000. Institutional investors own 54.43% of the company's stock.

About Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

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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