ABR’s Dividend May Be at Risk

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) is one of the Best REIT Dividend Stocks to Buy in 2025.

Rows of neatly arranged, multi-family homes, symbolizing the company’s large-scale investing opportunities.

The mortgage REIT, which focuses on multifamily properties, had been consistently raising its dividend until mid-2023.

However, Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) paused those increases as rising interest rates began to weigh on the multifamily sector and its earnings. When the REIT last raised its dividend in July 2023, its payout ratio was 75% of its distributable earnings. That figure has since jumped to nearly 150%.

Earnings continued to weaken into 2025, with the company reporting $0.28 per share in distributable earnings for the first quarter, or $0.31 per share when excluding a $7.1 million loss from the sale of two properties. In response, it reduced its dividend to $0.30 per share. If earnings decline further, another cut may be on the table.

That said, the outlook isn’t entirely bleak. While Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) primarily focuses on low-risk multifamily properties, it also generates income from loan origination and servicing fees, single-family rental properties, and commercial real estate. This diversified revenue base can help Arbor maintain steady income across various phases of the economic cycle.

ABR supports a dividend yield of 11.49%, as of June 23.

While we acknowledge the potential of ABR as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

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Disclosure. None.