Ares Commercial Real Estate: The Safest Dividend Is The One That's Just Been Cut (Upgrade)

filo/iStock via Getty Images As part of my portfolio review process last year, I sold Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (NYSE:ACRE) due to growing dividend risks. Ares Commercial Real Estate's payout ratio had risen substantially above 100% in the third quarter, which made a dividend cut that much more probable. The commercial trust indeed slashed its first quarter dividend by 24.2% to $0.25 per share, but this new payout is better covered by the trust's distributable earnings. I think that the safest ...