Ex-Dividend Reminder: Ameris Bancorp, Blackstone Mortgage Trust and Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

Ameris Bancorp (ABCB), Blackstone Mortgage Trust Inc (BXMT), and Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Inc. (ARI) are set to trade ex-dividend on September 30, 2025, for their upcoming quarterly dividends of $0.20, $0.47, and $0.25, respectively. This will result in expected share price adjustments of approximately 0.27% for ABCB, 2.52% for BXMT, and 2.43% for ARI, all else being equal. These payouts translate to estimated annualized yields of 1.07% for ABCB, 10.09% for BXMT, and 9.73% for ARI, highlighting the importance of assessing dividend history for stability, especially for the higher-yielding real estate investment trusts.

Analysis

Three distinct dividend profiles emerge from the upcoming ex-dividend event on September 30, 2025, for Ameris Bancorp (ABCB), Blackstone Mortgage Trust (BXMT), and Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (ARI). Ameris Bancorp, a financial institution, offers a modest annualized yield of 1.07% from its $0.20 quarterly dividend, consistent with its stock's minimal 0.1% daily gain and neutral sentiment. In stark contrast, mortgage REITs BXMT and ARI present high annualized yields of 10.09% and 9.73%, respectively. This elevated yield, however, is coupled with signs of market apprehension; both stocks traded down on the day (-0.7% for BXMT and -1.6% for ARI) and registered mildly negative sentiment scores. The article correctly notes that the ex-dividend date will trigger a mechanical price drop commensurate with the dividend yield—approximately 2.52% for BXMT and 2.43% for ARI—a significant technical event for short-term holders. The cautionary note regarding the unpredictability of dividends is particularly relevant for the high-yielding REITs, implying that their attractiveness is contingent on the stability of underlying profits, which is not guaranteed.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Investors seeking to capture the upcoming dividends must own the shares before the September 30, 2025, ex-dividend date, but should be prepared for the corresponding mechanical drop in the share prices of BXMT and ARI, which are substantial at over 2%.
• The significant yield differential suggests divergent risk profiles; the low 1.07% yield from ABCB may appeal to more conservative, capital-appreciation focused investors, while the high yields of BXMT and ARI are suited for income-focused investors who can tolerate higher potential volatility.
• Given the daily price declines and negative sentiment for the high-yielding REITs, it is crucial to perform due diligence on the historical stability of earnings and payouts for BXMT and ARI to assess the sustainability of their respective 10.09% and 9.73% yields.