Analysts Set Ares Commercial Real Estate Co. (NYSE:ACRE) Price Target at $5.81

Ares Commercial Real Estate Co. (NYSE:ACRE) has earned a consensus rating of “Reduce” from the six brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a hold rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $5.81.

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. UBS Group lowered their price target on Ares Commercial Real Estate from $6.00 to $5.25 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on Ares Commercial Real Estate from $6.00 to $5.50 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Ares Commercial Real Estate from $6.00 to $5.50 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, JMP Securities reaffirmed a “market perform” rating on shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate in a research report on Thursday, February 13th.

Ares Commercial Real Estate Price Performance

NYSE ACRE opened at $4.70 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $5.20 and a 200 day simple moving average of $6.17. Ares Commercial Real Estate has a twelve month low of $4.61 and a twelve month high of $7.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $257.55 million, a PE ratio of -7.22 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.17, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 0.87.

Ares Commercial Real Estate Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 12.78%. Ares Commercial Real Estate’s dividend payout ratio is currently -92.31%.

Insider Transactions at Ares Commercial Real Estate

In related news, VP Anton Feingold sold 7,615 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.68, for a total transaction of $43,253.20. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 78,360 shares in the company, valued at $445,084.80. This trade represents a 8.86 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 2.80% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ares Commercial Real Estate

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Summit Securities Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate by 139.7% in the fourth quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 6,700 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 3,905 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC increased its holdings in Ares Commercial Real Estate by 211.0% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 7,741 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 5,252 shares in the last quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC acquired a new stake in Ares Commercial Real Estate during the 4th quarter valued at $54,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. bought a new position in Ares Commercial Real Estate in the 4th quarter valued at $69,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its stake in Ares Commercial Real Estate by 17.1% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 11,733 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $82,000 after purchasing an additional 1,711 shares in the last quarter. 41.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ares Commercial Real Estate Company Profile

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation, a specialty finance company, originates and invests in commercial real estate (CRE) loans and related investments in the United States. It provides a range of financing solutions for the owners, operators, and sponsors of CRE properties. The company originates senior mortgage loans, subordinate debt and preferred equity products, mezzanine loans, and other CRE investments, including commercial mortgage-backed securities.