NYC vs AFCG vs REFI vs CMCT

For growth investors, Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc.

(REFI) is the stronger pick with 15. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -39. 6% for Advanced Flower Capital Inc. (AFCG). Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (REFI) offers the better valuation at 6. 9x trailing P/E (6. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (REFI) a "Buy" — based on 6 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.

Over the past 5 years, Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc.

(REFI) delivered a total return of +24. 7%, compared to -96. 0% for Creative Media & Community Trust Corporation (CMCT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: REFI returned +24. 7% versus NYC's -93. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), American Strategic Investment Co.

(NYC) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 26β versus Advanced Flower Capital Inc. 's 1. 86β — meaning AFCG is approximately -803% more volatile than NYC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (REFI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 32% versus 5% for American Strategic Investment Co. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc.

(REFI) is pulling ahead at 15. 2% versus -39. 6% for Advanced Flower Capital Inc. (AFCG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Creative Media & Community Trust Corporation grew EPS 98. 4% year-over-year, compared to -218. 8% for Advanced Flower Capital Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, REFI leads at 8. 9% 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.

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc.

(REFI) is the more profitable company, earning 57. 1% net margin versus -228. 3% for American Strategic Investment Co. — meaning it keeps 57. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: REFI leads at 57. 1% versus -196. 9% for NYC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AFCG leads at 90. 7%, 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.

In this comparison, REFI (100.

0% yield), CMCT (100. 0% yield), AFCG (28. 1% yield) pay a dividend. NYC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, American Strategic Investment Co.

(NYC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 26)). Advanced Flower Capital Inc. (AFCG) carries a higher beta of 1. 86 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (NYC: -93. 8%, AFCG: -42. 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.

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: NYC is a small-cap quality compounder stock; AFCG is a small-cap income-oriented stock; REFI is a small-cap high-growth stock; CMCT is a small-cap income-oriented stock. AFCG, REFI, CMCT pay a dividend while NYC does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.