NREF
NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc.
REIT - Mortgage
Market Cap$295M
5Y Perf.-3.3%
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Stock Comparison
NREF vs WELL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
WELL
Welltower Inc.
REIT - Healthcare Facilities
Market Cap$149.25B
5Y Perf.+320.4%
NREF vs WELL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | NREF | WELL |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | REIT - Mortgage | REIT - Healthcare Facilities |
| Market Cap | $295M | $149.25B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $126M | $11.63B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $105M | $1.43B |
| Gross Margin | 90.2% | 39.1% |
| Operating Margin | 128.8% | 4.4% |
| Forward P/E | 9.6x | 78.4x |
| Total Debt | $4.46B | $21.38B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $34M | $5.03B |
NREF vs WELL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
NREF
WELL
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| NexPoint Real Estat… (NREF) | 100 | 96.7 | -3.3% |
| Welltower Inc. (WELL) | 100 | 420.4 | +320.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: NREF vs WELL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: WELL leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and capital preservation and lower volatility. NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
NREF
NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc.
The Real Estate Income Play
NREF is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 14.3%, EPS growth 189.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 46.2%
- Lower P/E (9.6x vs 78.4x)
- 83.3% margin vs WELL's 12.3%
Best for: growth exposure
WELL
Welltower Inc.
The Real Estate Income Play
WELL carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.13, yield 1.3%
- 223.1% 10Y total return vs NREF's 50.8%
- 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 | WELL | 35.8% FFO/revenue growth vs NREF's 14.3% |
| Value | NREF | Lower P/E (9.6x vs 78.4x) |
| Quality / Margins | NREF | 83.3% margin vs WELL's 12.3% |
| Stability / Safety | WELL | Beta 0.13 vs NREF's 0.79, lower leverage |
| Dividends | NREF | 3.7% yield, vs WELL's 1.3% |
| Momentum (1Y) | WELL | +42.7% vs NREF's +23.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | WELL | 2.3% ROA vs NREF's 2.0%, ROIC 0.5% vs 2.3% |
NREF vs WELL — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
NREF vs WELL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLNREFLAGGINGWELL
WELLWelltower Inc.
1leads
NREFNexPoint Real Estate …
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs WELLMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
NREF4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
NREF6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
NREF6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
WELL5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NREF 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 — 92.2x NREF's $126M. NREF is the more profitable business, keeping 83.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to WELL's 12.3%. On growth, WELL holds the edge at +40.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | NREFNexPoint Real Est… | WELLWelltower Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $126M | $11.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $165M | $2.8B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $105M | $1.4B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $23M | $2.5B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +90.2% | +39.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +128.8% | +4.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +83.3% | +12.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +18.2% | +21.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -11.1% | +40.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +92.0% | +22.5% |
NREF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
NREF leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 5.4x trailing earnings, NREF trades at a 97% valuation discount to WELL's 153.3x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, NREF's 28.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than WELL's 66.4x.
| Metric | NREFNexPoint Real Est… | WELLWelltower Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $295M | $149.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $4.7B | $165.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 5.35x | 153.25x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 9.65x | 78.42x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.48x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 28.35x | 66.40x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.34x | 13.99x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.69x | 3.35x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 12.88x | 52.41x |
NREF leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NREF leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NREF delivers a 14.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $14 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 NREF's 5.35x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), WELL scores 7/9 vs NREF's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | NREFNexPoint Real Est… | WELLWelltower Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +14.4% | +3.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.0% | +2.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +2.3% | +0.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +3.2% | +0.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 5.35x | 0.49x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $4.4B | $16.3B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $34M | $5.0B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $4.5B | $21.4B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.88x | 0.26x |
NREF leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
WELL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in WELL five years ago would be worth $30,234 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,658 for NREF. Over the past 12 months, WELL leads with a +42.7% total return vs NREF's +23.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors WELL at 42.5% vs NREF's 18.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | NREFNexPoint Real Est… | WELLWelltower Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +15.6% | +14.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +23.5% | +42.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +65.8% | +189.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +26.6% | +202.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +50.8% | +223.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +18.3% | +42.5% |
WELL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — NREF and WELL each lead in 1 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 NREF's 0.79 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | NREFNexPoint Real Est… | WELLWelltower Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.79x | 0.13x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $16.06 | $219.59 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $12.36 | $142.65 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.3% | +97.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 76.8 | 60.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 53K | 2.6M |
Evenly matched — NREF and WELL each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — NREF and WELL each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates NREF as "Hold" and WELL as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 6.3% upside for WELL (target: $227) vs -5.0% for NREF (target: $15). For income investors, NREF offers the higher dividend yield at 3.66% vs WELL's 1.30%.
| Metric | NREFNexPoint Real Est… | WELLWelltower Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $15.00 | $226.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 6 | 34 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.7% | +1.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.58 | $2.76 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — NREF and WELL each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
NREF leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). WELL leads in 1 (Total Returns). 2 tied.
Best OverallNexPoint Real Estate Financ… (NREF)Leads 3 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
NREF vs WELL: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NREF or WELL a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Welltower Inc.
(WELL) is the stronger pick with 35. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 14. 3% for NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NREF). NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NREF) offers the better valuation at 5. 4x trailing P/E (9. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Welltower Inc. (WELL) a "Buy" — based on 34 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 — NREF or WELL?
On trailing P/E, NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc.
(NREF) is the cheapest at 5. 4x versus Welltower Inc. at 153. 3x. On forward P/E, NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. is actually cheaper at 9. 6x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — NREF or WELL?
Over the past 5 years, Welltower Inc.
(WELL) delivered a total return of +202. 3%, compared to +26. 6% for NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NREF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WELL returned +223. 1% versus NREF's +50. 8%. 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 — NREF or WELL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Welltower Inc.
(WELL) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 13β versus NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. 's 0. 79β — meaning NREF is approximately 492% 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 5% for NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — NREF or WELL?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Welltower Inc.
(WELL) is pulling ahead at 35. 8% versus 14. 3% for NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NREF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. grew EPS 189. 2% year-over-year, compared to -11. 5% for Welltower Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NREF leads at 46. 2% 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 — NREF or WELL?
NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc.
(NREF) is the more profitable company, earning 83. 3% net margin versus 8. 8% for Welltower Inc. — meaning it keeps 83. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NREF leads at 129. 7% versus 3. 3% for WELL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NREF leads at 88. 9%, 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 NREF or WELL more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc.
(NREF) trades at 9. 6x forward P/E versus 78. 4x for Welltower Inc. — 68. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for WELL: 6. 3% to $226. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — NREF or WELL?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NREF) offers the highest yield at 3. 7%, versus 1. 3% for Welltower Inc. (WELL).
09Is NREF 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, +223. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (WELL: +223. 1%, NREF: +50. 8%), 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 NREF 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.
In terms of investment character: NREF is a small-cap deep-value stock; WELL is a mid-cap high-growth stock. 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>
%
(NREF: -11.1% · WELL: 40.3%)Net Margin>
%
(NREF: 83.3% · WELL: 12.3%)P/E Ratio<
x
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