ARI

Real Estate

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. · REIT - Mortgage · $1B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
28.4
Poor

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. scores 28.4/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Real Estate Sector
ARI
28.4
Sector avg
38.4
Quality
Neutral
Moat
Weak
Growth
Weak
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Neutral

What is Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc.?

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance is a New York-based commercial mortgage REIT that deploys capital into real estate debt across the United States. It operates under the Apollo Global Management umbrella and focuses exclusively on the lending side of commercial real estate.

ARI originates and manages commercial real estate loans rather than owning physical properties. Revenue comes primarily from interest income on first mortgage loans and subordinate financings extended to commercial property owners and developers. As a REIT, the company is required to distribute at least ninety percent of its taxable income to shareholders, which shapes its capital allocation strategy. The portfolio is concentrated in senior and mezzanine debt positions across major commercial property types.

The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in New York City.

  • Commercial first mortgage loan origination
  • Subordinate and mezzanine real estate financing
  • Other commercial real estate-related debt investments
  • REIT-structured income distribution to shareholders

Is ARI a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates ARI as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key pillars.

The Quality and Valuation pillars both register as Good, suggesting the company's financial reporting quality is reasonable relative to peers and that the current market price does not appear stretched given underlying fundamentals. Valuation being rated Good can be meaningful for income-focused investors weighing entry points.

The Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars all score Weak — a combination that signals limited competitive differentiation, constrained earnings expansion potential, and above-average exposure to credit and rate-related risks inherent in commercial mortgage lending.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does ARI pay dividends?

Yes — Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. pays a dividend.

ARI pays a regular dividend, which is a structural feature of its REIT status rather than a discretionary choice — the company must distribute the majority of taxable income to maintain tax-advantaged treatment. Income-seeking investors often screen for commercial mortgage REITs like ARI specifically for this yield. The sustainability of that dividend depends heavily on credit performance across the loan portfolio.

When does ARI report earnings?

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with US-listed equity standards.

Quarterly results for commercial mortgage REITs like ARI are closely watched for loan book credit quality, repayment activity, and distributable earnings relative to the dividend. The interplay between interest rate movements and floating-rate loan income has been a recurring theme in recent reporting periods.

For the most recent quarter's results and management commentary, visit Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance's investor relations page directly.

ARI Price History

+25.8% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$13,476
That's a +34.8% total return, or +6.1% annualized.

Based on Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

ARI Long-term Outlook

The Weak Growth and Weak Risk pillar ratings suggest the near-term fundamental outlook carries more uncertainty than typical for the broader real estate sector. Loan repayments, credit losses on office and transitional properties, and the direction of interest rates are the primary variables shaping the earnings trajectory. The Good Valuation rating indicates the market may already be pricing in a degree of these headwinds, which could limit further downside — but also caps near-term upside absent a meaningful improvement in credit conditions.

Growth drivers

  • Potential recovery in commercial real estate transaction volumes driving new loan origination
  • Floating-rate loan structure that can benefit from a higher-for-longer rate environment
  • Apollo Global Management's deal sourcing network providing access to quality borrowers

Key risks

  • Credit deterioration in office and transitional property loans
  • Rate cuts reducing net interest income on floating-rate assets
  • Refinancing risk if borrowers struggle to exit loans at maturity

ARI vs Peers

ARI competes in the commercial mortgage REIT space alongside several other debt-focused real estate lenders.

ABRARI scores lower
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.

Arbor focuses heavily on multifamily bridge and agency lending, giving it a different property-type mix than ARI's broader commercial focus.

LADRSimilar UQS
Ladder Capital Corp

Ladder combines real estate lending with a securities portfolio and net-lease property ownership, making it a more diversified balance sheet than ARI's pure debt model.

EFCARI scores lower
Ellington Financial Inc.

Ellington spans both residential and commercial mortgage credit, offering investors broader real estate debt exposure than ARI's commercial-only mandate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance do?

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance originates and manages commercial real estate loans — primarily first mortgage loans and subordinate financings — rather than owning physical properties. It earns income from interest on those loans and operates as a REIT, distributing the majority of taxable income to shareholders.

Does ARI pay dividends?

Yes, ARI pays a regular dividend. As a REIT, it is required to distribute at least ninety percent of its taxable income to maintain its tax-advantaged status. The dividend level is tied to distributable earnings, which fluctuate with loan repayments, credit losses, and interest rate movements.

When does ARI report earnings?

ARI reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed companies. For exact dates and the most recent results, check Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance's investor relations page, as our data source does not cover specific upcoming earnings dates.

Is ARI a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates ARI as Below Average overall. While Quality and Valuation pillars are rated Good, the Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars are all Weak. That combination suggests meaningful challenges that income-focused investors should weigh carefully. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.

Is ARI overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for ARI is rated Good, suggesting the stock does not appear overpriced relative to its fundamentals at current levels. However, valuation alone does not determine investment merit — the Weak Risk and Weak Growth ratings are important context for any valuation assessment.

How does ARI compare to its competitors?

ARI operates in the commercial mortgage REIT space alongside peers like Arbor Realty Trust, Ladder Capital, and Ellington Financial. Each has a distinct lending focus — multifamily, diversified balance sheet, or mixed residential and commercial credit. UQS Score provides side-by-side pillar comparisons for Pro members.

What is ARI's market cap bracket?

ARI is classified as a small-cap stock. This places it below large-cap commercial real estate peers in terms of total market value, which can affect liquidity, analyst coverage, and institutional ownership levels.

Who founded Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance?

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance was founded in 2009 as a vehicle affiliated with Apollo Global Management, one of the largest alternative asset managers globally. Founding context and corporate history are publicly available through the company's SEC filings and investor relations materials.

Is ARI a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, UQS Score rates ARI as Below Average. The Weak Moat pillar suggests limited durable competitive advantages, while Weak Growth and Weak Risk ratings indicate the business faces structural headwinds. Long-term holders should monitor credit quality and dividend sustainability closely.

What is the main competitive advantage of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance?

ARI's primary differentiator is its affiliation with Apollo Global Management, which provides deal flow, underwriting expertise, and institutional relationships. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this as Weak, indicating that these advantages may not translate into durable pricing power or barriers to entry versus peers.

What sector does ARI belong to?

ARI belongs to the Real Estate sector, specifically the commercial mortgage REIT sub-category. Unlike equity REITs that own properties, commercial mortgage REITs like ARI generate returns through interest income on real estate loans rather than rental income or property appreciation.

Is ARI a growth stock or value stock?

Based on UQS pillar ratings, ARI leans toward neither category cleanly. The Growth pillar is Weak, ruling out a growth stock classification. The Valuation pillar is Good, which has value-oriented characteristics — but the Weak Risk rating tempers the typical value investor appeal.

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Pro Analysis

ARI — Score History

202530354045Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 30/36 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 23, 202628.657.415.017.60.046.50.0
May 22, 202628.657.515.017.60.046.50.0
May 21, 202628.657.515.017.60.046.3-0.1
May 20, 202628.757.515.017.60.046.9+0.1
May 19, 202628.657.515.017.60.046.6-0.1
May 17, 202628.757.515.017.60.046.90.0
May 16, 202628.757.515.017.60.046.8+0.1
May 14, 202628.657.415.017.60.046.3-0.1
May 13, 202628.757.415.017.60.047.2+0.1
May 12, 202628.657.415.017.60.046.50.0

ARI — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

57.4/100 (25%)

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityStrong

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityStrong

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Cash GenerationWeak

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

17.6/100 (20%)

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookWeak

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthWeak

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

0.0/100 (15%)

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Debt/EquityWeak

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

45.2/100 (15%)

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.

Earnings YieldStrong

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowModerate

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioWeak

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorModerate

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

15/100 (25%)

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for ARI.

Score Composition

Quality
57.4×25%14.3
Growth
17.6×20%3.5
Risk
0.0×15%0.0
Valuation
45.2×15%6.8
Moat
15.0×25%3.8
Total
28.4Poor

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the ARI UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.