Release Date: April 25, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
- Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Inc (ARI, Financial) committed to $650 million of new loans in Q1, with a strong focus on residential properties and data centers.
- The company completed an additional four transactions totaling over $700 million post-quarter end, bringing year-to-date volume to $1.5 billion.
- ARI's loan portfolio grew to $7.7 billion, up from $7.1 billion at year-end, with a weighted average yield of 7.9%.
- The company successfully reduced its net exposure on the 111 West 57th Street project by $29 million due to strong sales momentum.
- ARI has a robust presence in the European market, supported by a dedicated team in London, which provides a competitive advantage in sourcing and managing assets.
Negative Points
- Q1 earnings were slightly below the current quarterly dividend rate, covering only 96% of the dividends.
- The general CECL allowance increased by $4 million, reflecting a cautious stance on the macroeconomic outlook.
- There is increased capital markets volatility and recessionary fears, which could impact the real estate market.
- The company faces potential risks in the hospitality sector if a recession occurs, due to the quick movement of cash flows in this asset class.
- The balance of the 111 West 57th Street project increased from $390 million at year-end to $403 million due to additional costs.
Q & A Highlights
Q: Can you provide an update on the specific CECL tied to 111 West 57th and Liberty Center?
A: Stuart Rothstein, CEO, explained that the specific CECL is primarily tied to these two assets. They expect to sell the Liberty Center asset later this year and are confident in its valuation. Sales momentum at 111 West 57th is positive, and they anticipate more capital coming through resolutions by the end of the year.
Q: How is the current market volatility affecting loan repayments and new money deployment?
A: Stuart Rothstein noted that the market remains robust, with credit market volatility being more muted than in equity markets. They do not anticipate a slowdown in transactions. The main concern is whether a potential recession would be shallow or prolonged, but currently, the need to deploy capital outweighs recession fears.
Q: With the senior mezz loan A at 111 West 57th becoming senior, will you start recognizing interest income again?
A: Stuart Rothstein clarified that they will not turn income back on, as it would effectively mean paying themselves. Instead, they will keep income turned off and any better-than-expected recovery will come through reserve recovery rather than near-term income.
Q: Can you provide updates on the Berlin and Chicago office assets, as well as the Manhattan office and Cleveland multifamily?
A: Scott Weiner, CIO, stated that the Berlin office is working on a modification with new equity and a major lease, expecting it to improve. The Chicago office has seen positive leasing and additional equity. The Manhattan office is exploring recapitalization and potential conversion to multifamily. The Cleveland multifamily is performing well with new management and capital.
Q: How is ARI managing its European exposure, and what advantages does it offer?
A: Stuart Rothstein explained that ARI has a dedicated team in London, led by Ben Eppley, managing European operations. The lack of an active securitization market in Europe allows ARI to handle larger deals, providing a competitive advantage. They hedge everything back to dollars to avoid FX risks.
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
