Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance $ARI Shares Purchased by Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC

Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its position in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI) by 251.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 171,808 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock after buying an additional 122,970 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC owned about 0.12% of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance worth $1,718,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of ARI. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 43.4% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 21,016 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $201,000 after acquiring an additional 6,358 shares in the last quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue lifted its holdings in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 7.6% in the 2nd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 76,150 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $736,000 after purchasing an additional 5,358 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 55.6% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 4,059 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 1,451 shares during the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 15.7% during the 2nd quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 78,451 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $759,000 after purchasing an additional 10,635 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MAS Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 3.6% during the second quarter. MAS Advisors LLC now owns 41,516 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $402,000 after buying an additional 1,455 shares in the last quarter. 54.43% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance this week:

• Positive Sentiment: ARI announced the sale of a large commercial real‑estate loan portfolio (~$9 billion) to an Apollo group insurer, which markets reported as generating a meaningful one‑time gain and pushed the stock higher on the news. This transaction explains recent upside and likely improves near‑term cash/liquidity metrics. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Gains on Sale of $9B Portfolio
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks notes the stock jumped ~5.5% on above‑average volume after recent headlines but cautions that FFO/earnings estimate revisions do not yet support sustained momentum, signaling limited confirmatory analyst upgrades. Apollo Commerical Finance (ARI) Soars 5.5%: Is Further Upside Left in the Stock?
• Neutral Sentiment: The company set February 10 (after‑market) for its Q4 and full‑year 2025 results and a Feb 11 conference call. Investors should watch the earnings release for details on the $9B sale accounting, realized gains, and guidance which will drive the next directional move. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. Announces Dates for Fourth Quarter and Year End 2025 Earnings Release and Conference Call
• Neutral Sentiment: ARI published its 2025 dividend tax treatment details (breakdown of ordinary vs. qualified amounts). This clarifies tax reporting for income investors but is unlikely to move the stock materially by itself. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. Announces 2025 Dividend Income Tax Treatment
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts and coverage pieces flagged structural concerns: some outlets raised the possibility the REIT could substantially shrink or even dissolve following the intra‑group sale, creating uncertainty about future distributions and the company’s independent franchise value. That risk likely pressured sentiment after the initial pop. Apollo REIT Could Dissolve After Selling $9B Loan Portfolio To Insurance Subsidiary
• Negative Sentiment: Consensus broker recommendations remain cautious (consensus “Hold”), and some commentators warn the recent price spike lacks supporting upward revisions to FFO estimates—suggesting limited follow‑through absent clearer earnings/cash‑return outcomes. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Hold” by Brokerages

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Stock Performance

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance stock opened at $10.83 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $10.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.11. The stock has a market cap of $1.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 90.32 and a quick ratio of 90.32. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has a 1-year low of $7.70 and a 1-year high of $11.20.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.30 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.28 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $63.88 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $49.15 million. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance had a return on equity of 8.34% and a net margin of 51.40%. On average, analysts expect that Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance will post 0.63 EPS for the current year.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.2%. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance’s dividend payout ratio is currently 112.36%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Stuart Rothstein sold 52,072 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.16, for a total value of $529,051.52. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 229,709 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,333,843.44. The trade was a 18.48% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.68% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on ARI shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from $10.50 to $11.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from $10.75 to $11.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, January 3rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $10.88.

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.