KREF
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
REIT - Mortgage
Market Cap$422M
5Y Perf.-59.4%
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Stock Comparison
KREF vs RC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
RC
Ready Capital Corporation
REIT - Mortgage
Market Cap$330M
5Y Perf.-65.2%
KREF vs RC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | KREF | RC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | REIT - Mortgage | REIT - Mortgage |
| Market Cap | $422M | $330M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $442M | $-9M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-104M | $-311M |
| Gross Margin | 87.1% | 100.0% |
| Operating Margin | 48.0% | — |
| Total Debt | $4.69B | $6.04B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $85M | $144M |
KREF vs RC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
KREF
RC
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| KKR Real Estate Fin… (KREF) | 100 | 40.6 | -59.4% |
| Ready Capital Corpo… (RC) | 100 | 34.8 | -65.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: KREF vs RC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: KREF leads in 5 of 6 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Ready Capital Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
KREF
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
The Real Estate Income Play
KREF carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.87, yield 15.2%
- Rev growth -22.7%, EPS growth -6.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 1.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.87, current ratio 0.32x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
RC
Ready Capital Corporation
The Real Estate Income Play
RC is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 5.4% 10Y total return vs KREF's -9.2%
- 59.3% yield, vs KREF's 15.2%
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | KREF | -22.7% FFO/revenue growth vs RC's -93.0% |
| Quality / Margins | KREF | -23.6% margin vs RC's -15.9% |
| Stability / Safety | KREF | Beta 0.87 vs RC's 1.17 |
| Dividends | RC | 59.3% yield, vs KREF's 15.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | KREF | -16.7% vs RC's -47.0% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | KREF | -1.6% ROA vs RC's -3.7% |
KREF vs RC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLKREFLAGGINGRC
RCReady Capital Corpora…
1leads
KREFKKR Real Estate Finan…
5leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs RCMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
KREF3/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
KREF2/3
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
KREF5/6
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
KREF4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
KREF2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
RC1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KREF leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KREF and RC operate at a comparable scale, with $442M and -$9M in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from -23.6% (KREF) to -15.9% (RC). On growth, KREF holds the edge at -13.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | KREFKKR Real Estate F… | RCReady Capital Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $442M | -$9M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $140M | -$95M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$104M | -$311M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $65M | $366M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +87.1% | +100.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +48.0% | — |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -23.6% | -15.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +14.8% | -187.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -13.8% | -69.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -5.4% | -86.2% |
KREF leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
KREF leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | KREFKKR Real Estate F… | RCReady Capital Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $422M | $330M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $5.0B | $6.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -6.26x | -0.78x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 18.35x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.92x | 12.07x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.36x | 0.18x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 6.33x | — |
KREF leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KREF leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KREF delivers a -8.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-8 in annual profit, vs $-17 for RC. RC carries lower financial leverage with a 3.12x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to KREF's 3.83x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KREF scores 4/9 vs RC's 1/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | KREFKKR Real Estate F… | RCReady Capital Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -8.4% | -16.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -1.6% | -3.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.4% | — |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.5% | — |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 1 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 3.83x | 3.12x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $4.6B | $5.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $85M | $144M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $4.7B | $6.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.84x | — |
KREF leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
KREF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in KREF five years ago would be worth $6,401 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $5,520 for RC. Over the past 12 months, KREF leads with a -16.7% total return vs RC's -47.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors KREF at -0.3% vs RC's -23.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | KREFKKR Real Estate F… | RCReady Capital Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -17.6% | -4.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -16.7% | -47.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -0.8% | -55.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -36.0% | -44.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -9.2% | +5.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -0.3% | -23.7% |
KREF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
KREF leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
KREF is the less volatile stock with a 0.87 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than RC's 1.17 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. KREF currently trades 65.8% from its 52-week high vs RC's 42.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | KREFKKR Real Estate F… | RCReady Capital Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.87x | 1.17x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $9.98 | $4.75 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $5.29 | $1.51 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +65.8% | +42.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 53.1 | 62.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 2.1M |
KREF leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
RC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates KREF as "Buy" and RC as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 22.5% upside for RC (target: $3) vs 6.5% for KREF (target: $7). For income investors, RC offers the higher dividend yield at 59.25% vs KREF's 15.23%.
| Metric | KREFKKR Real Estate F… | RCReady Capital Cor… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $7.00 | $2.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 12 | 16 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +15.2% | +59.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.00 | $1.21 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +10.3% | +24.9% |
RC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
KREF leads in 5 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). RC leads in 1 (Analyst Outlook).
Best OverallKKR Real Estate Finance Tru… (KREF)Leads 5 of 6 categories
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KREF vs RC: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is KREF or RC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
(KREF) is the stronger pick with -22. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -93. 0% for Ready Capital Corporation (RC). Analysts rate KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. (KREF) a "Buy" — based on 12 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 is the better long-term investment — KREF or RC?
Over the past 5 years, KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
(KREF) delivered a total return of -36. 0%, compared to -44. 8% for Ready Capital Corporation (RC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: RC returned +5. 4% versus KREF's -9. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — KREF or RC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
(KREF) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 87β versus Ready Capital Corporation's 1. 17β — meaning RC is approximately 34% more volatile than KREF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Ready Capital Corporation (RC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 4% for KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — KREF or RC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
(KREF) is pulling ahead at -22. 7% versus -93. 0% for Ready Capital Corporation (RC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Ready Capital Corporation grew EPS -217. 9% year-over-year, compared to -652. 6% for KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, KREF leads at 1. 6% annualised revenue growth. 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.
05Which has better profit margins — KREF or RC?
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
(KREF) is the more profitable company, earning -10. 3% net margin versus -1593. 0% for Ready Capital Corporation — meaning it keeps -10. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KREF leads at 59. 3% versus 0. 0% for RC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — RC leads at 100. 0%, 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.
06Which pays a better dividend — KREF or RC?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Ready Capital Corporation (RC) offers the highest yield at 59. 3%, versus 15. 2% for KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. (KREF).
07Is KREF or RC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
(KREF) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 87), 15. 2% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (KREF: -9. 2%, RC: +5. 4%), 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.
08What are the main differences between KREF and RC?
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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