EFC
Ellington Financial Inc.
REIT - Mortgage
Market Cap$1.35B
5Y Perf.+33.0%
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Stock Comparison
EFC vs WELL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
WELL
Welltower Inc.
REIT - Healthcare Facilities
Market Cap$151.66B
5Y Perf.+327.2%
EFC vs WELL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | EFC | WELL |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | REIT - Mortgage | REIT - Healthcare Facilities |
| Market Cap | $1.35B | $151.66B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $429M | $11.63B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $147M | $1.43B |
| Gross Margin | 88.6% | 39.1% |
| Operating Margin | 63.0% | 4.4% |
| Forward P/E | 7.5x | 79.7x |
| Total Debt | $16.96B | $21.38B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $202M | $5.03B |
EFC vs WELL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
EFC
WELL
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellington Financial… (EFC) | 100 | 133.0 | +33.0% |
| Welltower Inc. (WELL) | 100 | 427.2 | +327.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: EFC vs WELL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: EFC leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Welltower 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 carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth 139.0%, EPS growth -12.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 150.0%
- 139.0% FFO/revenue growth vs WELL's 35.8%
- Lower P/E (7.5x vs 79.7x)
Best for: growth exposure
WELL
Welltower Inc.
The Real Estate Income Play
WELL is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.13, yield 1.3%
- 233.9% 10Y total return vs EFC's 77.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.13, Low D/E 49.5%, current ratio 5.34x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | EFC | 139.0% FFO/revenue growth vs WELL's 35.8% |
| Value | EFC | Lower P/E (7.5x vs 79.7x) |
| Quality / Margins | EFC | 34.2% margin vs WELL's 12.3% |
| Stability / Safety | WELL | Beta 0.13 vs EFC's 0.47, lower leverage |
| Dividends | EFC | 13.6% yield, vs WELL's 1.3% |
| Momentum (1Y) | WELL | +45.8% vs EFC's +18.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | WELL | 2.3% ROA vs EFC's 0.8%, ROIC 0.5% vs 3.1% |
EFC vs WELL — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
EFC vs WELL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLEFCLAGGINGWELL
WELLWelltower Inc.
2leads
EFCEllington Financial I…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs WELLMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
EFC4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
EFC6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
EFC5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
WELL6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
WELL2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
EFC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WELL is the larger business by revenue, generating $11.6B annually — 27.1x EFC's $429M. EFC is the more profitable business, keeping 34.2% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to WELL's 12.3%. On growth, EFC holds the edge at +123.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | EFCEllington Financi… | WELLWelltower Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $429M | $11.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $301M | $2.8B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $147M | $1.4B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$925M | $2.5B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +88.6% | +39.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +63.0% | +4.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +34.2% | +12.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -2.2% | +21.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +123.0% | +40.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -44.0% | +22.5% |
EFC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
EFC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 11.4x trailing earnings, EFC trades at a 93% valuation discount to WELL's 155.7x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, EFC's 39.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than WELL's 67.4x.
| Metric | EFCEllington Financi… | WELLWelltower Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.3B | $151.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $18.1B | $168.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 11.40x | 155.73x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 7.46x | 79.69x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.46x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 39.45x | 67.37x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.00x | 14.22x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.72x | 3.40x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 2.65x | 53.25x |
EFC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
EFC leads this category, winning 5 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 $3 for WELL. WELL carries lower financial leverage with a 0.49x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to EFC's 9.07x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), WELL scores 7/9 vs EFC's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | EFCEllington Financi… | WELLWelltower Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +8.4% | +3.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.8% | +2.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.1% | +0.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.7% | +0.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 9.07x | 0.49x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $16.8B | $16.3B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $202M | $5.0B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $17.0B | $21.4B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.51x | 0.26x |
EFC leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
WELL leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in WELL five years ago would be worth $31,193 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,339 for EFC. Over the past 12 months, WELL leads with a +45.8% total return vs EFC's +18.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors WELL at 43.3% vs EFC's 14.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | EFCEllington Financi… | WELLWelltower Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +3.0% | +16.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +18.7% | +45.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +51.7% | +194.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +23.4% | +211.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +77.0% | +233.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +14.9% | +43.3% |
WELL leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
WELL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
WELL is the less volatile stock with a 0.13 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than EFC's 0.47 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | EFCEllington Financi… | WELLWelltower Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.47x | 0.13x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $14.12 | $219.59 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $11.28 | $142.65 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +96.1% | +98.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 60.2 | 57.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 2.6M |
WELL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — EFC and WELL each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates EFC as "Buy" and WELL as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 4.6% upside for WELL (target: $227) vs -0.5% for EFC (target: $14). For income investors, EFC offers the higher dividend yield at 13.61% vs WELL's 1.28%.
| Metric | EFCEllington Financi… | WELLWelltower Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $13.50 | $226.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 13 | 34 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +13.6% | +1.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.85 | $2.76 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — EFC and WELL each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
EFC leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). WELL leads in 2 (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
Best OverallEllington Financial Inc. (EFC)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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EFC vs WELL: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is EFC or WELL a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Ellington Financial Inc.
(EFC) is the stronger pick with 139. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 35. 8% for Welltower Inc. (WELL). Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC) offers the better valuation at 11. 4x trailing P/E (7. 5x 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 WELL?
On trailing P/E, Ellington Financial Inc.
(EFC) is the cheapest at 11. 4x versus Welltower Inc. at 155. 7x. On forward P/E, Ellington Financial Inc. is actually cheaper at 7. 5x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — EFC or WELL?
Over the past 5 years, Welltower Inc.
(WELL) delivered a total return of +211. 9%, compared to +23. 4% for Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WELL returned +233. 9% versus EFC's +77. 0%. 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 WELL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Welltower Inc.
(WELL) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 13β versus Ellington Financial Inc. 's 0. 47β — meaning EFC is approximately 253% more volatile than WELL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Welltower Inc. (WELL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 49% versus 9% for Ellington Financial Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — EFC or WELL?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Ellington Financial Inc.
(EFC) is pulling ahead at 139. 0% versus 35. 8% for Welltower Inc. (WELL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Welltower Inc. grew EPS -11. 5% year-over-year, compared to -12. 5% for Ellington Financial Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, EFC leads at 150. 0% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — EFC or WELL?
Ellington Financial Inc.
(EFC) is the more profitable company, earning 21. 8% net margin versus 8. 8% for Welltower Inc. — meaning it keeps 21. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: EFC leads at 61. 6% versus 3. 3% for WELL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EFC leads at 84. 3%, 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 WELL more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Ellington Financial Inc.
(EFC) trades at 7. 5x forward P/E versus 79. 7x for Welltower Inc. — 72. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for WELL: 4. 6% to $226. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — EFC or WELL?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC) offers the highest yield at 13. 6%, versus 1. 3% for Welltower Inc. (WELL).
09Is EFC or WELL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Welltower Inc.
(WELL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 13), 1. 3% yield, +233. 9% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (WELL: +233. 9%, EFC: +77. 0%), 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 WELL?
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% · WELL: 40.3%)Net Margin>
%
(EFC: 34.2% · WELL: 12.3%)P/E Ratio<
x
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