Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE) Information


A Brief History of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation

Company Formation and Early Years

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE) was formed in 2011 as a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on originating and investing in commercial real estate loans and related investments. The company was created to capitalize on the recovery of the commercial real estate market following the financial crisis of 2008.

Growth and Expansion

In the years following its inception, ACRE expanded its portfolio significantly. By December 31, 2023, the company had a total loan portfolio valued at approximately $2.1 billion, which included various types of commercial mortgage loans.

Recent Financial Performance (2024)

As of September 30, 2024, ACRE reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $24.3 million, compared to a net income of $546,000 for the same period in 2023. The loss per share was $0.45, reflecting the challenges faced in the commercial real estate sector due to macroeconomic pressures.

Financial Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Total Revenue $16.7 million $23.9 million
Total Expenses $9.3 million $6.6 million
Net Income (Loss) $(5.9) million $9.2 million
Dividends Declared $0.25 per share $0.33 per share

Current Loan Portfolio Status

As of September 30, 2024, ACRE's portfolio consisted of 40 loans held for investment, with an outstanding principal balance of approximately $1.8 billion. The company faced challenges with five loans classified as non-accrual, totaling a carrying value of $287.4 million.

Market Challenges and Strategic Adjustments

The company has been navigating a challenging market environment characterized by high inflation and increased interest rates. As a result, ACRE's provision for current expected credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $(17.2) million, a significant reduction compared to $44.4 million for the same period in 2023.

Loan Type Outstanding Principal Carrying Amount Weighted Average Yield
Senior Mortgage Loans $1.8 billion $1.8 billion 7.5%
Subordinated Debt and Preferred Equity $49.1 million $43.8 million 6.2%

Recent Acquisitions

In June 2024, ACRE acquired an office property in California through foreclosure, with a prior loan amount of $33.2 million. Additionally, in September 2024, the company acquired another office property in North Carolina, previously backed by a $68.6 million senior mortgage loan.

Future Outlook

As of November 5, 2024, ACRE reported liquidity of approximately $134 million, which includes $92 million in unrestricted cash. The company continues to adapt its strategies in response to evolving market conditions to stabilize its financial performance.



A Who Owns Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE)

Ownership Structure

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE) is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ACRE. As of September 30, 2024, the company had a total of 54,532,393 shares issued and outstanding.

Institutional Ownership

As of early 2024, ACRE's institutional ownership was approximately 62.5%. Major institutional shareholders include:

  • BlackRock, Inc.: 12.3% ownership
  • The Vanguard Group: 10.5% ownership
  • State Street Corporation: 9.8% ownership
  • Invesco Ltd.: 5.1% ownership

Major Shareholders

The largest shareholders of ACRE as of January 2024 are detailed below:

Shareholder Shares Owned Percentage Ownership
BlackRock, Inc. 6,712,000 12.3%
The Vanguard Group 5,732,000 10.5%
State Street Corporation 5,347,000 9.8%
Invesco Ltd. 2,770,000 5.1%
Other Institutional Investors 24,971,393 46.8%

Management Ownership

Management and insiders own a combined total of approximately 2.2% of the company. Key management personnel holdings include:

  • CEO: 0.9% ownership
  • CFO: 0.5% ownership
  • Other executives: 0.8% ownership

Historical Stock Performance

As of September 30, 2024, ACRE's stock price was $10.30, reflecting a decline of 15.6% year-to-date. The stock's performance over the last year has been influenced by various market factors, including interest rate changes and economic conditions affecting commercial real estate.

Dividend Information

ACRE declared a total of $0.75 per share in dividends for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, amounting to a total cash payout of $41.4 million.

Recent Developments

In the first quarter of 2024, ACRE completed several strategic transactions, including the acquisition of a mixed-use property in Florida and an office property in California through foreclosure. These acquisitions are expected to enhance the company's portfolio and provide additional revenue streams.

Conclusion

As of 2024, Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation is primarily owned by institutional investors, with significant stakes held by major asset management firms. The company's management also retains a modest ownership stake, indicating alignment with shareholder interests.



Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE) Mission Statement

Company Overview

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE) is primarily focused on originating, acquiring, and managing a diversified portfolio of commercial real estate loans and related investments. The company's mission statement emphasizes its commitment to delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns to its stockholders through a disciplined investment strategy.

Mission Statement

The mission statement of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation is centered around the following key elements:

  • Investment Strategy: ACRE aims to invest in high-quality, income-producing commercial real estate assets across various markets.
  • Risk Management: The company focuses on effective risk management practices to protect its investment portfolio and ensure long-term sustainability.
  • Stockholder Value: ACRE is dedicated to maximizing stockholder value through prudent asset management and strategic growth initiatives.
  • Market Leadership: ACRE strives to be a leader in the commercial real estate finance sector, leveraging its expertise and industry relationships.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, ACRE reported the following financial metrics:

Metric Amount (in thousands)
Net Income (Loss) $(24,329)
Operating Activities Cash Flow $28,477
Investing Activities Cash Flow $255,246
Financing Activities Cash Flow $(321,835)
Dividends Declared (per share) $0.75

Investment Portfolio

As of September 30, 2024, ACRE's loans held for investment portfolio consisted of:

Loan Type Outstanding Principal (in millions) Carrying Amount (in millions) Weighted Average Effective Yield Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)
Senior Mortgage Loans $1,768.984 $1,799.286 7.5% 0.9
Subordinated Debt $43.789 $49.130 6.2% 1.4

Recent Developments

In 2024, ACRE has experienced significant events impacting its portfolio:

  • Acquisition of an office property in California through foreclosure, previously collateralized by a $33.2 million senior mortgage loan.
  • Realized loss of $16.4 million on the derecognition of the senior mortgage loan associated with the California property.
  • Significant cash flow from investing activities, totaling $255.246 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2024, ACRE reported the following liquidity and capital resources:

Category Amount (in thousands)
Total Commitments $1,927,321
Funded Commitments $(1,848,416)
Total Unfunded Commitments $78,905
Liquidity (Cash + Availability) $134,000


How Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE) Works

Business Model

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE) operates primarily as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that focuses on originating and investing in commercial real estate loans. The company engages in the acquisition and management of real estate properties and loans held for investment. ACRE's portfolio consists of senior mortgage loans, subordinated debt, and preferred equity investments.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, ACRE reported the following financial metrics:

Metric Value (in thousands)
Total Revenue $52,141
Total Expenses $26,769
Net Income (Loss) $(24,329)
Earnings (Loss) per Share (Basic) $(0.45)
Dividends Declared per Share $0.75

Loan Portfolio

As of September 30, 2024, ACRE's loans held for investment portfolio had the following characteristics:

Loan Type Outstanding Principal (in millions) Carrying Amount (in millions) Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)
Senior Mortgage Loans $1,799.3 $1,768.0 7.5% 0.9
Subordinated Debt and Preferred Equity Investments $49.1 $43.8 6.2% 1.4
Total Loans Held for Investment $1,848.4 $1,812.8 7.5% 0.9

Real Estate Owned

ACRE's real estate owned consists of properties acquired through foreclosure or other means. As of September 30, 2024, the company reported:

Property Type Valuation (in millions) Current Status
Office Properties $140.9 Held for Investment
Office Properties $14.5 Held for Sale

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of November 5, 2024, ACRE had approximately $134 million in liquidity, including:

  • $92 million in unrestricted cash
  • $42 million available under Secured Funding Agreements

Cash Flow Analysis

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, ACRE experienced the following cash flow dynamics:

Cash Flow Category Net Cash (in thousands)
Operating Activities $28,477
Investing Activities $255,246
Financing Activities $(321,835)
Net Change in Cash $(38,112)

Dividend Policy

ACRE's dividend declarations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, include:

Date Declared Amount per Share Total Amount (in thousands)
August 6, 2024 $0.25 $13,809
May 9, 2024 $0.25 $13,812
February 22, 2024 $0.25 $13,802
Total Dividends Declared $0.75 $41,423


How Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE) generates revenue primarily through interest income from loans held for investment and revenue from real estate owned.

Revenue Source 2024 Q3 Revenue (in thousands) 2023 Q3 Revenue (in thousands) 2024 YTD Revenue (in thousands) 2023 YTD Revenue (in thousands)
Interest Income $39,345 $52,819 $124,225 $154,260
Revenue from Real Estate Owned $4,709 $809 $11,619 $809
Total Revenue $16,653 $23,883 $52,141 $75,374

Interest Income

The company earns interest income by providing loans secured by commercial real estate. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, ACRE reported interest income of $124.2 million from a weighted average of earning assets of $2.1 billion. The interest expense during the same period was $83.7 million, leading to a net interest margin of approximately $40.5 million.

Revenue from Real Estate Owned

As of September 30, 2024, ACRE recognized revenue from real estate owned amounting to $11.6 million for the year. This revenue stems from properties acquired through foreclosure, which include:

  • Mixed-use property in Florida: $9.9 million for 2024 YTD
  • Office property in California: $1.4 million for 2024 YTD
  • Office property in North Carolina: $0.3 million for 2024 YTD

Operating Expenses

ACRE incurs various operating expenses related to management fees, professional fees, and expenses from real estate owned. In Q3 2024, total expenses were reported at $9.3 million, compared to $6.6 million in Q3 2023.

Expense Type 2024 Q3 Amount (in thousands) 2023 Q3 Amount (in thousands)
Management and Incentive Fees $2,654 $2,974
Professional Fees $681 $682
General and Administrative Expenses $1,939 $1,691
Expenses from Real Estate Owned $3,164 $480
Total Expenses $9,309 $6,602

Debt and Financing

ACRE uses various financing agreements to fund its operations. As of September 30, 2024, the outstanding balances under these agreements were:

Financing Source Outstanding Balance (in thousands) Total Commitment (in thousands)
Wells Fargo Facility $212,506 $450,000
Citibank Facility $228,727 $325,000
Morgan Stanley Facility $199,377 $250,000
Total Secured Funding Agreements $640,610 $1,100,000

Current Expected Credit Losses

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, ACRE recognized a provision for current expected credit losses of $17.2 million, reflecting the company's assessment of potential losses in its loan portfolio.

Liquidity Position

As of November 5, 2024, ACRE reported approximately $134 million in liquidity, which included $92 million in unrestricted cash and $42 million available under secured funding agreements.

Stockholder Returns

ACRE declared total cash dividends of $41.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, representing $0.75 per share. For the same period in 2023, total dividends declared were $56.6 million, or $1.03 per share.

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Resources:

  1. Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  2. SEC Filings – View Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.