Blackstone Mortgage Trust leads the pack with estimates due to higher originations and dividend.
In addition to estimated loan closings of $735 million, higher-than-expected dividends (at $0.27 up from $0.21) suggest earnings “greater than our previous forecast,” analysts wrote.
Total originations of $2 billion to date are driving the increase in the 2013-2014 estimates to $1 and $2.02 from $0.82 from $1.97, respectively, according to the report.
Analysts “modestly reduced” estimates of Starwood Property Trust’s third-quarter results based on recent equity increases, but also noted that earnings will benefit from expected higher occupancy.
Even though the equity raise “is partly offset by increased originations,” analysts lowered third- and fourth-quarter estimates. As a result the new forecast for third-quarter originations is $1.2 billion, down from $750 million.
