Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI) Short Interest Update

Key Points

• Short interest in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has surged by 31.3%, reaching 3,610,000 shares as of July 31st, indicating increased bearish sentiment among investors.
• CEO Stuart Rothstein sold 52,074 shares of the company's stock on June 16th, decreasing his ownership position by 13.49%.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, with a yield of 9.7%, despite having a significant negative dividend payout ratio.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI - Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totaling 3,610,000 shares, anincreaseof31.3% from the July 15th total of 2,750,000 shares. Approximately2.6% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,180,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,180,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.1 days. Approximately2.6% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ARI has been the subject of a number of research reports. JMP Securities reiterated a "market perform" rating on shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from $10.50 to $10.75 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from $8.00 to $9.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from $10.00 to $10.50 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $10.31.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Price Performance

ARI traded up $0.08 on Tuesday, reaching $10.36. The company had a trading volume of 737,200 shares, compared to its average volume of 914,224. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $9.91 and a 200 day simple moving average of $9.67. The company has a market cap of $1.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -73.99, a P/E/G ratio of 0.30 and a beta of 1.50. 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 has a 52-week low of $7.70 and a 52-week high of $10.61.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Monday, June 30th were paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 30th. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -714.29%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its position in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 6.2% during the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 195,554 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $1,694,000 after acquiring an additional 11,427 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $578,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC grew its position in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 783.8% during the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 4,366 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 3,872 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC grew its position in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 27.4% during the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 419,608 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $3,633,000 after acquiring an additional 90,146 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Guggenheim Capital LLC grew its position in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 31.3% during the fourth quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 42,542 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $368,000 after acquiring an additional 10,145 shares during the last quarter. 54.43% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Company 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.