REIT - Retail
Compare Stocks
2 / 10Stock Comparison
PECO vs WHLR
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
REIT - Retail
PECO vs WHLR — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | REIT - Retail | REIT - Retail |
| Market Cap | $5.07B | $127M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $739M | $99M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $115M | $12M |
| Gross Margin | 71.1% | 66.8% |
| Operating Margin | 37.6% | 38.8% |
| Forward P/E | 54.1x | — |
| Total Debt | $2.49B | $484M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $4M | $24M |
PECO vs WHLR — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Feb 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phillips Edison & C… (PECO) | 100 | 700.5 | +600.5% |
| Wheeler Real Estate… (WHLR) | 100 | 0.0 | -100.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PECO vs WHLR
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
PECO carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.27, yield 2.8%
- Rev growth 10.7%, EPS growth 74.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 8.4%
- 7.0% 10Y total return vs WHLR's 100.2%
WHLR is the clearest fit if your priority is defensive.
- Beta 2.39, yield 5.2%, current ratio 8.91x
- 5.2% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs PECO's 2.8%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 10.7% FFO/revenue growth vs WHLR's -4.0% | |
| Value | Better valuation composite | |
| Quality / Margins | 15.6% margin vs WHLR's 11.9% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.27 vs WHLR's 2.39, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 5.2% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs PECO's 2.8% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +17.4% vs WHLR's -99.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 2.0% ROA vs WHLR's 1.9%, ROIC 3.0% vs 4.9% |
PECO vs WHLR — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
PECO vs WHLR — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PECO leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PECO is the larger business by revenue, generating $739M annually — 7.4x WHLR's $99M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 15.6% (PECO) to 11.9% (WHLR). On growth, PECO holds the edge at +7.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $739M | $99M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $542M | $62M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $115M | $12M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $207M | $4M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +71.1% | +66.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +37.6% | +38.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +15.6% | +11.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +28.0% | +4.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.0% | -8.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +14.3% | -100.0% |
Valuation Metrics
WHLR leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, WHLR's 9.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than PECO's 16.3x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $5.1B | $127M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $7.6B | $587M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 45.26x | -0.03x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 54.15x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.58x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 16.26x | 9.88x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 6.93x | 1.27x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.16x | 1.34x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 23.93x | 31.60x |
Profitability & Efficiency
WHLR leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WHLR delivers a 12.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $12 in annual profit, vs $4 for PECO. PECO carries lower financial leverage with a 0.96x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to WHLR's 5.11x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), WHLR scores 6/9 vs PECO's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +4.5% | +12.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.0% | +1.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.0% | +4.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.0% | +6.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.96x | 5.11x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.5B | $460M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $4M | $24M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.5B | $484M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.17x | 1.44x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
PECO leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in PECO five years ago would be worth $74,391 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $0 for WHLR. Over the past 12 months, PECO leads with a +17.4% total return vs WHLR's -99.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors PECO at 13.1% vs WHLR's -99.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +15.4% | -93.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +17.4% | -99.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +44.8% | -100.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +643.9% | -100.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +697.0% | +100.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +13.1% | -99.0% |
Risk & Volatility
PECO leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PECO is the less volatile stock with a 0.27 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than WHLR's 2.39 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. PECO currently trades 98.9% from its 52-week high vs WHLR's 0.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.27x | 2.39x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $40.71 | $904.50 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $32.84 | $1.03 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.9% | +0.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 60.3 | 32.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 786K | 238K |
Analyst Outlook
WHLR leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates PECO as "Buy" and WHLR as "Buy". For income investors, WHLR offers the higher dividend yield at 5.15% vs PECO's 2.81%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $39.60 | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 14 | 5 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.8% | +5.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.13 | $0.06 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
PECO leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). WHLR leads in 3 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency).
PECO vs WHLR: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PECO or WHLR a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Phillips Edison & Company, Inc.
(PECO) is the stronger pick with 10. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -4. 0% for Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (WHLR). Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO) offers the better valuation at 45. 3x trailing P/E (54. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO) a "Buy" — based on 14 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 — PECO or WHLR?
Over the past 5 years, Phillips Edison & Company, Inc.
(PECO) delivered a total return of +643. 9%, compared to -100. 0% for Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (WHLR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PECO returned +697. 0% versus WHLR's +100. 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 — PECO or WHLR?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Phillips Edison & Company, Inc.
(PECO) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 27β versus Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. 's 2. 39β — meaning WHLR is approximately 777% more volatile than PECO relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 96% versus 5% for Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — PECO or WHLR?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Phillips Edison & Company, Inc.
(PECO) is pulling ahead at 10. 7% versus -4. 0% for Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (WHLR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. grew EPS 100. 0% year-over-year, compared to 74. 5% for Phillips Edison & Company, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, WHLR leads at 9. 4% 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 — PECO or WHLR?
Phillips Edison & Company, Inc.
(PECO) is the more profitable company, earning 15. 2% net margin versus 8. 7% for Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. — meaning it keeps 15. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WHLR leads at 36. 4% versus 27. 2% for PECO. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WHLR leads at 21. 4%, 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 — PECO or WHLR?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (WHLR) offers the highest yield at 5. 2%, versus 2. 8% for Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO).
07Is PECO or WHLR better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Phillips Edison & Company, Inc.
(PECO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 27), 2. 8% yield, +697. 0% 10Y return). Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (WHLR) carries a higher beta of 2. 39 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PECO: +697. 0%, WHLR: +100. 2%), 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 PECO and WHLR?
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: PECO is a small-cap quality compounder stock; WHLR is a small-cap income-oriented 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.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform both.
You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.