Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI – Get a rating) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report delivered Friday to clients and investors, Zacks.com reports.

According to Zacks, “Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. is focused on investing in, acquiring and managing performing commercial real estate mortgages, commercial mortgage-backed securities, commercial real estate debt and loans, and other real estate investments The Company is a commercial real estate finance company that is managed and advised by ACRIFI Management, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, LLC.

Shares of ARI rose $0.11 on Friday, hitting $13.39. The company had a trading volume of 607,066 shares, compared to an average volume of 1,279,606. The company has a market capitalization of $1.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.56 and a beta of 1 ,22. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $13.34 and a 200-day moving average price of $14.22. The company has a quick ratio of 71.68, a current ratio of 71.68 and a leverage ratio of 0.80. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has a 12-month low of $12.10 and a 12-month high of $16.94.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI – Get a rating) last released its quarterly results on Tuesday, February 8. The real estate investment trust reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.32 for the quarter, beating consensus analyst estimates of $0.30 by $0.02. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance achieved a return on equity of 8.92% and a net margin of 81.92%. During the same period last year, the company earned earnings per share of $0.33. Equity research analysts expect Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance to post EPS of 1.19 for the current year.

Large investors have recently changed their positions in the stock. Marshall Wace North America LP acquired a new stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in Q1 for approximately $25,000. Gemmer Asset Management LLC increased its position in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 234.0% during the 4th quarter. Gemmer Asset Management LLC now owns 1,927 shares of the real estate investment trust worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 1,350 shares during the period. Evolution Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance during Q3 for $32,000. Quadrant Capital Group LLC increased its stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 305.4% in Q4. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 2,161 shares of the real estate investment trust worth $28,000 after buying 1,628 additional shares in the last quarter. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 83.3% in the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 2,200 shares of the real estate investment trust worth $29,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors hold 57.32% of the company’s shares.

About Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (Get a rating)

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. is a real estate investment trust that originates, acquires, invests in and manages performing commercial real estate mortgages, subordinate financings and other debt investments related to commercial real estate. It offers lending programs including Senior Loans, Subordinated Debt, Bridge Loans and Preferred Shares.

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