ABR: You Need To Know About This Attractive Stock With A Whopping Yield
ABR has a massive yield and a consistent dividend for income investors.
Are you looking for ways to make your money work for you and to earn a higher yield than you can find with a high-yield savings or money market account? You can invest in stocks that pay quarterly dividends and offer a high yield.
Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE: ABR) invests in a broad portfolio of real estate. The company pays out a huge quarterly dividend to shareholders. The company has consistently raised its dividend over the years.
I'll break down ABR's business model, quality of management, moat, market valuation, revenue, financial health, and the bull and bear arguments for buying or avoiding Arbor Realty Trust as an investor.
Here's everything you need to know about this attractive stock with a whopping yield!

1. Investment Summary: Arbor Realty Trust (ABR)
Arbor Realty Trustis a finance company that specializes in lending to owners of multifamily properties. Multifamily properties are known as apartments. ABR generates revenue primarily through the interest spread on its loan portfolio and fees from loan origination and servicing.
Arbor Realty Trust is known for its massive dividend yield (10.26%). The company's dividend yield is a central attraction for income investors. The high income comes with significant risk. The business is vulnerable to fluctuations in interest rates. The health of the United States' real estate market is another risk.
ABR is a stock for investors who prioritize current income and can tolerate volatility. ABR isn't for those seeking stable growth or capital appreciation.
Key Point: ABR's expertise lies in lending multifamily loans, offering a high yield and a consistent dividend for income investors.
2. Investment Thesis
Arbor Realty Trust represents a high-risk, high-reward income investment.
The stability of the multifamily housing sector and the company's management ability to navigate interest rate cycles directly connect to the success of Arbor Realty Trust.
ABR's potential for a high and sustainable yield is compelling for REIT and income investors. There is always the risk of a dividend cut. However, ABR has a consistent track record of raising its dividend for twelve years, so the risk is minimal. The share price could depreciate during an economic downturn. But that would be an opportunity to buy more shares if you enjoy the monthly dividend payments.
Key Point: ABR is worth considering if you like REITs or are an income investor.
3. What Is Arbor Realty Trust's Business Model?
Arbor Realty's business model involves borrowing and lending money. The specific type of loan that they specialize in borrowing and loaning out is called a Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security. Arbor Realty earns revenue by providing structured business loans and agency loans.
Arbor obtains the funds to make these loans from two primary sources.
Cheap Borrowing
ABR borrows money in bulk from big Wall Street banks and institutions at low, short-term rates.
Securitization
ABR bundles hundreds of these individual loans into a single financial product called a CMBS (Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security). ABR then sells it to institutional investors like pension funds. The securitization process provides Arbor with capital to make new loans and earns the company hefty fees.
How ABR Makes A Profit
Arbor's profit comes from the difference, referred to as the "spread", between:
Their Low Cost of Funds: What ABR pays to borrow from big banks.
Their High Yield on Loans: The interest ABR charges their borrowers.
ABR's Core Business Segments
ABR has two main business segments that are sources of the company's revenue.
Structured Business Loans
Structured business loans are ABR's primary financial source. Arbor Realty originates, sells, and services these multifamily loans. The fees from these business loans are a massive part of the company's income.
Agency Loans
ABR also originates agency loans. Agency loans are backed by government-sponsored enterprises like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These loans are a lower-risk, lower-reward part of Arbor's business.
Key Point: Arbor acts as a crucial middleman in the real estate market, profiting from the spread between their borrowing costs and the interest they charge, plus fees for their services to clients.
4. Arbor Realty Trust's Management Team
Arbor Realty Trust has a strong CEO and management team that aligns with shareholders.
CEO
Mr. Ivan Paul Kaufman, J.D., is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ArborCrowd Holding Company, LLC. Mr. Kaufman is the President and Director at Arbor Realty SR, Inc. Mr. Kaufman started Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. and has been its Chairman, CEO, and President since June 2003. Mr. Kaufman is the founder and has been CEO and President of Arbor Commercial Mortgage LLC, which manages Arbor Realty Trust Inc., since 1993.
He's the Chairman of Arbor Commercial Mortgage LLC. He's the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Arbor Commercial Funding LLC. He's the big boss over at Arbor Realty Collateral Management, LLC. Mr. Kaufman is also the Co-founder and Principal of Arbor Management Acquisition Company (AMAC). Arbor Management Acquisition Company is a national commercial real estate investor and operator formed in 2012.
Management
The CEO has 22.3 years of experience leading the company. The CEO Ivan Kaufman owns 1.06% of the company's shares, which is worth an estimated $26 million.
The leadership team has 6.6 years' worth of experience. The leadership team has a stake of 0.19% to 1.06%. The board members have an average of 7.3 years of experience.
The board members of ABR also have varying levels of stakes in the company, from owning 0.0041% to 1.06%.
Shareholder Alignment
Management's interests are strongly aligned with shareholders. Founder and CEO Ivan Kaufman owns a significant personal stake in the company. The management team also owns varying percentages in the company. The CEO and management team's wealth will grow with the stock price. The executive compensation structure is also heavily tied to performance metrics, such as distributable earnings, which directly drive the dividend. This ensures that what is good for management is also good for the shareholders who depend on the company for income.
Key Point: Arbor is helmed by an experienced and founder-led management team with a proven history of prudent risk management through various economic cycles.
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5. Does Arbor Have A Moat?
Arbor's moat consists of the company's specialization and expertise. ABR has three main moats.
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