Stock Traders Buy High Volume of Put Options on Apollo Global Management (NYSE:APO)

Apollo Global Management Inc. (NYSE:APO) saw some unusual options trading activity on Wednesday. Stock investors purchased 36,147 put options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 470% compared to the typical daily volume of 6,337 put options.

Key Headlines Impacting Apollo Global Management

Here are the key news stories impacting Apollo Global Management this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Apollo-managed funds and affiliates completed a €3 billion capital solution for Bayer. The transaction adds a major investment to Apollo’s portfolio and demonstrates its continued ability to execute large, complex financings. Apollo Funds Complete €3 Billion Capital Solution for Bayer
• Positive Sentiment: Apollo and other long-term investors provided $585 million of financing to The Executive Centre, a flexible-office operator with more than 260 locations across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. The funds will refinance debt and support expansion, highlighting Apollo’s private-credit origination activity and potential fee income. Apollo Provides $585 Million Financing to The Executive Centre
• Positive Sentiment: Apollo-owned Michaels reportedly used a $101 million tariff refund to repurchase debt. Reducing debt at the portfolio company could lower interest expense and improve credit quality, though the benefit accrues primarily to the investment rather than directly to Apollo’s operating results. Michaels Uses $101 Million Tariff Refund to Repurchase Debt
• Neutral Sentiment: Reports say Apollo is in talks to acquire Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy Synthes orthopedics unit for approximately $20 billion. The deal could provide a large investment opportunity, but the reports remain unconfirmed and the scale raises questions about financing, valuation and execution. Apollo in Talks to Buy J&J Orthopedics Unit
• Neutral Sentiment: Apollo was mentioned among private-equity firms reportedly interested in acquiring Ashland, but the sales process and Apollo’s participation have not been confirmed. Apollo Reportedly Interested in Ashland
• Negative Sentiment: Traders purchased 36,147 APO put options, roughly 470% above typical daily put volume. The activity signals elevated near-term hedging or bearish speculation, although options flow alone does not establish a fundamental change in Apollo’s outlook.
• Negative Sentiment: House Oversight recommended holding former Apollo CEO Leon Black in contempt over a subpoena dispute involving Jeffrey Epstein-related records. The issue is primarily tied to Black personally, but could create reputational noise for Apollo. House Oversight Recommends Contempt Resolution for Leon Black

Insider Activity at Apollo Global Management

In other news, CFO Martin Kelly sold 3,000 shares of Apollo Global Management stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $140.84, for a total transaction of $422,520.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 396,533 shares in the company, valued at $55,847,707.72. The trade was a 0.75% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 8.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Apollo Global Management

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Osbon Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Apollo Global Management during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. lifted its stake in Apollo Global Management by 484.1% in the 1st quarter. Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. now owns 257 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares during the last quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in Apollo Global Management in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC acquired a new stake in Apollo Global Management in the first quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Apollo Global Management during the second quarter worth $31,000. 77.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

APO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Apollo Global Management from $165.00 to $164.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded Apollo Global Management to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 20th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on Apollo Global Management from $140.00 to $126.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on Apollo Global Management from $137.00 to $146.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on Apollo Global Management from $132.00 to $157.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $152.15.

Apollo Global Management Trading Up 1.5%

NYSE:APO traded up $1.93 on Wednesday, reaching $128.93. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 670,036 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,333,904. The firm has a market cap of $76.14 billion, a PE ratio of 47.21, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 1.70 and a current ratio of 1.70. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $128.59 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $123.56. Apollo Global Management has a 1-year low of $99.56 and a 1-year high of $153.29.

Apollo Global Management (NYSE:APO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The financial services provider reported $2.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.16 by ($0.05). Apollo Global Management had a net margin of 5.22% and a return on equity of 14.01%. The business had revenue of $5.57 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.65 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.92 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Apollo Global Management will post 8.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Apollo Global Management Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 19th were issued a $0.5625 dividend. This represents a $2.25 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 19th. Apollo Global Management’s dividend payout ratio is 82.42%.

About Apollo Global Management

Apollo Global Management, Inc (NYSE: APO) is a global alternative asset manager that provides investment management and retirement services. The company serves institutional investors, businesses and individual investors through a range of strategies focused on private equity, credit, real assets and other long-term investments.

Apollo’s asset-management business invests across industries and geographies, with activities that include corporate and structured credit, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and hybrid strategies.