EFC
Ellington Financial Inc.
REIT - Mortgage
Market Cap$1.30B
5Y Perf.+28.4%
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Stock Comparison
EFC vs MFA
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MFA
MFA Financial, Inc.
REIT - Mortgage
Market Cap$975M
5Y Perf.+41.3%
EFC vs MFA — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | EFC | MFA |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | REIT - Mortgage | REIT - Mortgage |
| Market Cap | $1.30B | $975M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $429M | $343M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $147M | $134M |
| Gross Margin | 88.6% | 120.4% |
| Operating Margin | 63.0% | 77.1% |
| Forward P/E | 7.2x | 7.0x |
| Total Debt | $16.96B | $10.99B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $202M | $213M |
EFC vs MFA — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
EFC
MFA
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellington Financial… (EFC) | 100 | 128.4 | +28.4% |
| MFA Financial, Inc. (MFA) | 100 | 141.3 | +41.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: EFC vs MFA
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MFA leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Ellington Financial Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
EFC
Ellington Financial Inc.
The Real Estate Income Play
EFC is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 75.7% 10Y total return vs MFA's 10.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.47, current ratio 0.08x
- Beta 0.47 vs MFA's 0.77
Best for: long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night
MFA
MFA Financial, Inc.
The Real Estate Income Play
MFA carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.77, yield 18.7%
- Rev growth 213.0%, EPS growth 104.9%
- Beta 0.77, yield 18.7%, current ratio 2.18x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | MFA | 213.0% FFO/revenue growth vs EFC's 139.0% |
| Value | MFA | Lower P/E (7.0x vs 7.2x) |
| Quality / Margins | MFA | 39.1% margin vs EFC's 34.2% |
| Stability / Safety | EFC | Beta 0.47 vs MFA's 0.77 |
| Dividends | MFA | 18.7% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs EFC's 14.1% |
| Momentum (1Y) | EFC | +13.6% vs MFA's +10.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MFA | 1.1% ROA vs EFC's 0.8%, ROIC 4.4% vs 3.1% |
EFC vs MFA — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLMFALAGGINGEFC
EFCEllington Financial I…
2leads
MFAMFA Financial, Inc.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs EFCMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
MFA5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
MFA6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
EFC5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
EFC2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
MFA2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — EFC and MFA each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
EFC and MFA operate at a comparable scale, with $429M and $343M in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 39.1% (MFA) to 34.2% (EFC). On growth, EFC holds the edge at +123.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | EFCEllington Financi… | MFAMFA Financial, In… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $429M | $343M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $301M | $266M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $147M | $134M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $0 | $162M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +88.6% | +120.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +63.0% | +77.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +34.2% | +39.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +75.5% | +47.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +123.0% | -100.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -44.0% | -135.5% |
Evenly matched — EFC and MFA each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
MFA leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 5.7x trailing earnings, MFA trades at a 48% valuation discount to EFC's 11.0x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, MFA's 17.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than EFC's 39.3x.
| Metric | EFCEllington Financi… | MFAMFA Financial, In… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.3B | $975M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $18.1B | $11.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 11.01x | 5.68x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 7.20x | 6.96x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.44x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 39.35x | 17.04x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.93x | 1.11x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.70x | 0.55x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 2.56x | 12.79x |
MFA leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MFA leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
EFC delivers a 8.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $8 in annual profit, vs $7 for MFA. MFA carries lower financial leverage with a 6.01x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to EFC's 9.07x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), EFC scores 6/9 vs MFA's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | EFCEllington Financi… | MFAMFA Financial, In… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +8.4% | +7.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.8% | +1.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.1% | +4.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.7% | +5.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 9.07x | 6.01x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $16.8B | $10.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $202M | $213M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $17.0B | $11.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.51x | 1.34x |
MFA leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
EFC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in EFC five years ago would be worth $12,124 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,671 for MFA. Over the past 12 months, EFC leads with a +13.6% total return vs MFA's +10.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors EFC at 14.3% vs MFA's 10.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | EFCEllington Financi… | MFAMFA Financial, In… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -0.4% | +4.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +13.6% | +10.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +49.2% | +34.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +21.2% | -3.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +75.7% | +10.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +14.3% | +10.2% |
EFC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
EFC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
EFC is the less volatile stock with a 0.47 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MFA's 0.77 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | EFCEllington Financi… | MFAMFA Financial, In… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.47x | 0.77x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $14.12 | $10.57 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $11.28 | $8.78 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +92.8% | +90.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 57.8 | 52.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 1.3M |
EFC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
MFA leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates EFC as "Buy" and MFA as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 7.3% upside for MFA (target: $10) vs 3.1% for EFC (target: $14). For income investors, MFA offers the higher dividend yield at 18.74% vs EFC's 14.10%.
| Metric | EFCEllington Financi… | MFAMFA Financial, In… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $13.50 | $10.25 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 13 | 22 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +14.1% | +18.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.85 | $1.79 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.6% |
MFA leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
MFA leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). EFC leads in 2 (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
Best OverallMFA Financial, Inc. (MFA)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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EFC vs MFA: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is EFC or MFA a better buy right now?
For growth investors, MFA Financial, Inc.
(MFA) is the stronger pick with 213. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 139. 0% for Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC). MFA Financial, Inc. (MFA) offers the better valuation at 5. 7x trailing P/E (7. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC) a "Buy" — based on 13 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — EFC or MFA?
On trailing P/E, MFA Financial, Inc.
(MFA) is the cheapest at 5. 7x versus Ellington Financial Inc. at 11. 0x. On forward P/E, MFA Financial, Inc. is actually cheaper at 7. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — EFC or MFA?
Over the past 5 years, Ellington Financial Inc.
(EFC) delivered a total return of +21. 2%, compared to -3. 3% for MFA Financial, Inc. (MFA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: EFC returned +75. 7% versus MFA's +10. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — EFC or MFA?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Ellington Financial Inc.
(EFC) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 47β versus MFA Financial, Inc. 's 0. 77β — meaning MFA is approximately 65% more volatile than EFC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, MFA Financial, Inc. (MFA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 6% versus 9% for Ellington Financial Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — EFC or MFA?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), MFA Financial, Inc.
(MFA) is pulling ahead at 213. 0% versus 139. 0% for Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MFA Financial, Inc. grew EPS 104. 9% year-over-year, compared to -12. 5% for Ellington Financial Inc.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — EFC or MFA?
Ellington Financial Inc.
(EFC) is the more profitable company, earning 21. 8% net margin versus 20. 2% for MFA Financial, Inc. — meaning it keeps 21. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MFA leads at 78. 8% versus 61. 6% for EFC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MFA leads at 96. 2%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is EFC or MFA more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, MFA Financial, Inc.
(MFA) trades at 7. 0x forward P/E versus 7. 2x for Ellington Financial Inc. — 0. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MFA: 7. 3% to $10. 25.
08Which pays a better dividend — EFC or MFA?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
MFA Financial, Inc. (MFA) offers the highest yield at 18. 7%, versus 14. 1% for Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC).
09Is EFC or MFA better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Ellington Financial Inc.
(EFC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 47), 14. 1% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (EFC: +75. 7%, MFA: +10. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between EFC and MFA?
Both stocks operate in the Real Estate sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(EFC: 123.0% · MFA: -100.0%)Net Margin>
%
(EFC: 34.2% · MFA: 39.1%)P/E Ratio<
x
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