8. EQUITY

Total equity increased $525.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2014 to $1.3 billion. This increase was primarily driven by the issuance of additional shares of our class A common stock in January and April 2014. See below for further discussion of the share issuance.

Share and Share Equivalents

Authorized Capital

We have the authority to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of 100,000,000 shares of class A common stock and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Subject to applicable NYSE listing requirements, our board of directors is authorized to cause us to issue additional shares of authorized stock without stockholder approval. In addition, to the extent not issued, currently authorized stock may be reclassified between class A common stock and preferred stock.

Class A Common Stock and Deferred Stock Units

Holders of shares of our class A common stock are entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and are entitled to receive such dividends as may be authorized by our board of directors and declared by us, in all cases subject to the rights of the holders of shares of outstanding preferred stock, if any. On January 14, 2014, we issued 9,775,000 shares of class A common stock in a public offering at a price to the underwriters of $26.25 per share. We generated net proceeds from the issuance of $256.1 million after underwriting discounts and other offering expenses. On April 7, 2014, we issued 9,200,000 shares of class A common stock in a public offering at a price to the underwriters of $27.72 per share. We generated net proceeds from the issuance of $254.8 million after underwriting discounts and other offering expenses.

In addition to our class A common stock, we also issue deferred stock units to certain members of our board of directors in lieu of cash compensation for services rendered. These deferred stock units are non-voting, but carry the right to receive dividends in the form of additional deferred stock units in an amount equivalent to the cash dividends paid to holders of shares of class A common stock. During the three months ended June 30, 2014, we issued 2,851 shares of class A common stock to Joshua A. Polan in exchange for his deferred stock units upon his decision not to stand for reelection to our board of directors.

The following table details the movement in our outstanding shares of class A common stock, restricted class A common stock, and deferred stock units:


	Six Months Ended June 30,
Common Stock Outstanding⁽¹⁾	2014			2013
Beginning balance		29,602,884			3,016,405
Issuance of class A common stock		19,130,868			25,875,000
Issuance of deferred stock units		10,009			3,070
Vesting of restricted class A common stock		(155,867	)		—

Ending balance		48,587,894			28,894,475

(1)	Deferred stock units held by members of our board of directors totalled 108,391 and 92,824 as of June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

At the Market Stock Offering Program

On May 9, 2014, we entered into equity distribution agreements, or ATM Agreements, pursuant to which we may sell, from time to time, up to an aggregate sales price of $200.0 million of our class A common stock. Sales of class A common stock made pursuant to the ATM Agreements, if any, may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Actual sales will depend on a variety of factors including market conditions, the trading price of our class A common stock, capital needs, and our determination of the appropriate sources of funding to meet such needs. As of June 30, 2014, we had not sold any shares of class A common stock under the ATM Agreements.

Preferred Stock

We do not have any shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2014.

Dividends

We generally intend to distribute each year substantially all of our taxable income, which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP, to our stockholders to comply with the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Internal Revenue Code.

Our dividend policy remains subject to revision at the discretion of our board of directors. All distributions will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our taxable income, our financial condition, our maintenance of REIT status, applicable law, and other factors as our board of directors deems relevant.

On June 13, 2014, we declared a dividend of $0.48 per share, or $23.3 million, which was paid on July 15, 2014 to stockholders of record as of June 30, 2014. On March 14, 2014, we declared a dividend of $0.48 per share, or $18.9 million, which was paid on April 15, 2014 to stockholders of record as of March 31, 2014. No dividends were declared during the six months ended June 30, 2013.

Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan

On March 25, 2014, we adopted a dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan, under which we registered and reserved for issuance, in the aggregate, 10,000,000 shares of class A common stock. Under the dividend reinvestment component of this plan, our class A common stockholders can designate all or a portion of their cash dividends to be reinvested in additional shares of class A common stock. The direct stock purchase component allows stockholders and new investors, subject to our approval, to purchase shares of class A common stock directly from us. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, we issued one share of class A common stock under the dividend reinvestment component and zero shares under the direct stock purchase plan component. As of June 30, 2014, 9,999,999 shares of class A common stock, in the aggregate remain available for issuance under the dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan.

Earnings Per Share

We calculate our basic and diluted earnings per share using the two-class method for all periods presented as the unvested shares of our restricted class A common stock qualify as participating securities, as defined by GAAP. These restricted shares have the same rights as our other shares of class A common stock, including participating in any gains and losses, and therefore have been included in our basic and diluted net income per share calculation.

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share based on the weighted-average of our shares of class A common stock, restricted class A common stock, and deferred stock units outstanding ($ in thousands, except per share data):


	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Net income (loss)⁽¹⁾	$	33,466	$	2,748	$	46,531	$	(367	)
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic and diluted		47,977,813		12,401,274		43,000,242		7,734,774

Per share amount, basic and diluted	$	0.70	$	0.22	$	1.08	$	(0.05	)

(1)	Represents net income (loss) attributable to Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc.

Refer to Note 14 for the allocation of our results of operations to each of our operating segments.

Other Balance Sheet Items

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

As of June 30, 2014, total accumulated other comprehensive income was $2.7 million, representing the currency translation adjustment on assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency. Of the total accumulated other comprehensive income, $1.9 million represents the currency translation adjustment for the six months ended June 30, 2014. We did not have any accumulated other comprehensive income or loss as of, or for the six months ended June 30, 2013.

Non-controlling Interests

The non-controlling interests included on our consolidated balance sheets represent the equity interests in CT Legacy Partners that are not owned by us. A portion of CT Legacy Partners’ consolidated equity and results of operations are allocated to these non-controlling interests based on their pro rata ownership of CT Legacy Partners. The following table details the components of non-controlling interests in CT Legacy Partners ($ in thousands):


	June 30, 2014
Restricted cash	$	11,392
Accrued interest receivable, prepaid expenses, and other assets		62,015
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities		(271	)

CT Legacy Partners equity	$	73,136

Equity interests owned by Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc.		(30,419	)

Non-controlling interests in CT Legacy Partners	$	42,717