ACRE

EX-99.1

2 acreq2-26exhibit991.htm

EX-99.1

Document

Exhibit 99.1

ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION REPORTS

SECOND QUARTER 2026 RESULTS

Second quarter GAAP net income of $4.4 million or $0.08 per diluted common share and

Distributable Earnings1 of $6.9 million or $0.12 per diluted common share

- Subsequent to the three months ended June 30, 2026 -

Declared third quarter 2026 dividend of $0.15 per common share

NEW YORK—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (the “Company”) (NYSE:ACRE), a specialty finance company primarily engaged in directly originating and investing in commercial real estate loans and related investments, reported generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) net income of $4.4 million or $0.08 per diluted common share and Distributable Earnings1 of $6.9 million or $0.12 per diluted common share for the second quarter of 2026.

“We continue to make advancements in repositioning our portfolio, addressing risk rated 4 and 5 loans, and reducing office loans and REO properties, while investing in new loans,” said Bryan Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation. “Supported by the Ares platform, in the second quarter, we closed $130 million of new loan commitments, bringing the total new loan commitments to over $900 million in the last twelve months.”

“During the second quarter, we maintained our balance sheet flexibility with moderate leverage and available capital of over $100 million to support our business priorities,” said Jeff Gonzales, Chief Financial Officer of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation. “We continue to execute the goals we have outlined, which we believe will allow us to rebuild earnings to levels that are expected to meet or exceed the current dividend level.”

(1) Distributable Earnings (Loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to Schedule I for the definition and reconciliation of Distributable Earnings (Loss).

1

COMMON STOCK DIVIDEND

On May 7, 2026, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a regular cash dividend of $0.15 per common share for the second quarter of 2026. The second quarter 2026 dividend was paid on July 15, 2026 to common stockholders of record as of June 30, 2026.

On August 4, 2026, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a regular cash dividend of $0.15 per common share for the third quarter of 2026. The third quarter 2026 dividend will be payable on October 15, 2026 to common stockholders of record as of September 30, 2026.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Company issued a presentation of its second quarter 2026 results, which can be viewed at www.arescre.com on the Investor Resources section of our home page under Events and Presentations. The presentation is titled “Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Presentation.” The Company also filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 2026.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION

On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, the Company invites all interested persons to attend its webcast/conference call at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss its second quarter 2026 financial results.

All interested parties are invited to participate via telephone or the live webcast, which will be hosted on a webcast link located on the Home page of the Investor Resources section of the Company’s website at www.arescre.com. Please visit the website to test your connection before the webcast. Domestic callers can access the conference call by dialing +1 (800) 343-5172. International callers can access the conference call by dialing +1 (203) 518-9856. Please provide passcode ACREQ226. All callers are asked to dial in 10-15 minutes prior to the call so that name and company information can be collected. For interested parties, an archived replay of the call will be available through September 4, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to domestic callers by dialing +1 (800) 723-0532 and to international callers by dialing +1 (402) 220-2655. An archived replay will also be available through September 4, 2026 on a webcast link located on the Home page of the Investor Resources section of the Company’s website.

ABOUT ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (the “Company”) is a specialty finance company primarily engaged in directly originating and investing in commercial real estate loans and related investments. Through its national direct origination platform, the Company provides a broad offering of flexible and reliable financing solutions for commercial real estate owners and operators. The Company invests in whole and co-invested senior mortgage loans, as well as subordinate financings, mezzanine debt and preferred equity, with an emphasis on providing value added financing on a variety of properties located in liquid markets across the United States. Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation elect

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acre-20260210False000152937700015293772026-02-102026-02-10

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 10, 2026

ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Maryland 001-35517 45-3148087 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

245 Park Avenue, 42nd Floor, New York, NY 10167 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (212) 750-7300

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) N/A

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, $0.01 par value per shareACRENew York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 10, 2026, the registrant issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2025. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On February 10, 2026, the registrant made available on its website an earnings presentation with respect to its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2025. A copy of the presentation is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated herein by reference.

The information disclosed under Item 2.02 and Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)          Exhibits:

Exhibit Number Description 99.1 Press Release, dated February 10, 2026 99.2

Presentation of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation, dated February 10, 2026

104Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

Date: February 10, 2026By:/s/ Jeffrey M. Gonzales

Name:Jeffrey M. Gonzales Title:Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer