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More top-performing CAPS members are feeling bullish about Apollo Investment (Nasdaq: AINV ) these days -- after spending the first half of 2009 stuck at four-star rank, the stock has finally breached five-star status once again, if only briefly. A total of 1,046 members have given their opinion on Apollo Investment, with many of them offering analysis and commentary explaining the recent optimism.
Business development company Apollo Investment blew away consensus expectations in its fiscal first quarter, earning 59 cents a share, while analysts were looking for 34 cents. The company also lowered its expenses and pleased CAPS members by raising its dividend. While rivals like American Capital (Nasdaq: ACAS ) and Allied Capital (NYSE: ALD ) see their stocks suffering as they post losses, Apollo Investment says it sees less competition ahead and plans to capitalize on attractive opportunities in the market. There are fewer hedge funds and other highly leveraged investment vehicles today investing in subordinated debt, and Apollo is calling on Citigroup (NYSE: C ) , Bank of America (NYSE: BAC ) , Merrill Lynch, and JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM ) Securities to help it raise money to pay down debt and fund deals -- those aiding companies that are outside the scope of major banks like these but still need sources of financing.
Similar to competitor Ares Capital (Nasdaq: ARCC ) , Apollo benefited from the recent rally in the market as it saw net realized and unrealized gains on its investments. After Apollo's own shares have seen big gains in recent months, some CAPS members still see some untapped value not reflected in the price and see long-term upside potential.
So do you think Apollo Investment is deserving of its new status? Add your own thoughts in the comment box below, or head on over to CAPS and see what the very best CAPS analysts are saying now about the company.
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