REFI
Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc.
REIT - Mortgage
Market Cap$258M
5Y Perf.-23.3%
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Stock Comparison
REFI vs SUNS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
SUNS
Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc.
REIT - Residential
Market Cap$103M
5Y Perf.-35.8%
REFI vs SUNS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | REFI | SUNS |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | REIT - Mortgage | REIT - Residential |
| Market Cap | $258M | $103M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $41M | $26M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $36.01B | $12M |
| Gross Margin | 100.0% | 79.9% |
| Operating Margin | — | 53.4% |
| Forward P/E | 6.8x | 6.6x |
| Total Debt | $49.33B | $122M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $14.95B | $6M |
REFI vs SUNS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
REFI
SUNS
| Stock | Jul 24 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Atlantic Re… (REFI) | 100 | 76.7 | -23.3% |
| Sunrise Realty Trus… (SUNS) | 100 | 64.3 | -35.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: REFI vs SUNS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: REFI leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
REFI
Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc.
The Real Estate Income Play
REFI carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.69, yield 100.0%
- 28.5% 10Y total return vs SUNS's -10.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.69, Low D/E 16.0%, current ratio 0.40x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
SUNS
Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc.
The Real Estate Income Play
SUNS is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 148.1%, EPS growth -5.0%
- 148.1% FFO/revenue growth vs REFI's -100.0%
- Lower P/E (6.6x vs 6.8x)
Best for: growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | SUNS | 148.1% FFO/revenue growth vs REFI's -100.0% |
| Value | SUNS | Lower P/E (6.6x vs 6.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | REFI | 871.6% margin vs SUNS's 46.0% |
| Stability / Safety | REFI | Beta 0.69 vs SUNS's 0.86, lower leverage |
| Dividends | REFI | 100.0% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs SUNS's 15.3% |
| Momentum (1Y) | REFI | -3.2% vs SUNS's -12.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | REFI | 33.8% ROA vs SUNS's 4.6% |
REFI vs SUNS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLREFILAGGINGSUNS
SUNSSunrise Realty Trust,…
0leads
REFIChicago Atlantic Real…
5leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs SUNSMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
REFI3/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
REFI2/3
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
REFI4/6
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
REFI6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
REFI2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
REFI leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
REFI is the larger business by revenue, generating $41M annually — 1.6x SUNS's $26M. REFI is the more profitable business, keeping 871.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SUNS's 46.0%. On growth, SUNS holds the edge at +108.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | REFIChicago Atlantic … | SUNSSunrise Realty Tr… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $41M | $26M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $0 | $16M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $36.0B | $12M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$15.2B | -$3M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +100.0% | +79.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | — | +53.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +871.6% | +46.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -366.7% | -13.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -100.0% | +108.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -2.6% | -55.6% |
REFI leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
REFI leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 7.3x trailing earnings, REFI trades at a 10% valuation discount to SUNS's 8.1x P/E.
| Metric | REFIChicago Atlantic … | SUNSSunrise Realty Tr… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $258M | $103M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $34.6B | $219M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 7.29x | 8.12x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 6.76x | 6.58x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 12.93x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | 3.92x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.00x | 0.54x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 0.01x | — |
REFI leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
REFI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
REFI delivers a 46.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $47 in annual profit, vs $7 for SUNS. REFI carries lower financial leverage with a 0.16x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SUNS's 0.67x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), REFI scores 4/9 vs SUNS's 3/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | REFIChicago Atlantic … | SUNSSunrise Realty Tr… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +46.7% | +6.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +33.8% | +4.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | — | +6.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | — | +5.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.16x | 0.67x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $34.4B | $116M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $14.9B | $6M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $49.3B | $122M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 3.53x |
REFI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
REFI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in REFI five years ago would be worth $12,850 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,945 for SUNS. Over the past 12 months, REFI leads with a -3.2% total return vs SUNS's -12.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors REFI at 9.2% vs SUNS's -3.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | REFIChicago Atlantic … | SUNSSunrise Realty Tr… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +3.8% | -13.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -3.2% | -12.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +30.2% | -10.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +28.5% | -10.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +28.5% | -10.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +9.2% | -3.6% |
REFI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
REFI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
REFI is the less volatile stock with a 0.69 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SUNS's 0.86 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. REFI currently trades 80.6% from its 52-week high vs SUNS's 65.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | REFIChicago Atlantic … | SUNSSunrise Realty Tr… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.69x | 0.86x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $15.20 | $11.78 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $10.74 | $7.39 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +80.6% | +65.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 58.1 | 43.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 163K | 104K |
REFI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — REFI and SUNS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates REFI as "Buy" and SUNS as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 97.8% upside for SUNS (target: $15) vs 14.3% for REFI (target: $14). For income investors, REFI offers the higher dividend yield at 100.00% vs SUNS's 15.25%.
| Metric | REFIChicago Atlantic … | SUNSSunrise Realty Tr… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $14.00 | $15.25 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 6 | 8 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +100.0% | +15.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2045.71 | $1.18 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — REFI and SUNS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
REFI leads in 5 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 1 category is tied.
Best OverallChicago Atlantic Real Estat… (REFI)Leads 5 of 6 categories
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REFI vs SUNS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is REFI or SUNS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc.
(SUNS) is the stronger pick with 148. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -100. 0% for Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (REFI). Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (REFI) offers the better valuation at 7. 3x trailing P/E (6. 8x 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.
02Which has the better valuation — REFI or SUNS?
On trailing P/E, Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc.
(REFI) is the cheapest at 7. 3x versus Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc. at 8. 1x. On forward P/E, Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc. is actually cheaper at 6. 6x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — REFI or SUNS?
Over the past 5 years, Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc.
(REFI) delivered a total return of +28. 5%, compared to -10. 5% for Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc. (SUNS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: REFI returned +28. 5% versus SUNS's -10. 5%. 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 — REFI or SUNS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc.
(REFI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 69β versus Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc. 's 0. 86β — meaning SUNS is approximately 25% more volatile than REFI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (REFI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 16% versus 67% for Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — REFI or SUNS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc.
(SUNS) is pulling ahead at 148. 1% versus -100. 0% for Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (REFI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc. grew EPS -5. 0% year-over-year, compared to -10. 6% for Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc.. 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 — REFI or SUNS?
Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc.
(REFI) is the more profitable company, earning 871. 6% net margin versus 46. 0% for Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc. — meaning it keeps 871. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SUNS leads at 64. 2% versus 0. 0% for REFI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — REFI 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.
07Is REFI or SUNS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc.
(SUNS) trades at 6. 6x forward P/E versus 6. 8x for Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. — 0. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SUNS: 97. 8% to $15. 25.
08Which pays a better dividend — REFI or SUNS?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (REFI) offers the highest yield at 100. 0%, versus 15. 3% for Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc. (SUNS).
09Is REFI or SUNS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc.
(REFI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 69), 100. 0% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (REFI: +28. 5%, SUNS: -10. 5%), 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 REFI and SUNS?
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: REFI is a small-cap deep-value stock; SUNS is a small-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>
%
(REFI: -100.0% · SUNS: 108.1%)Net Margin>
%
(REFI: 87156.2% · SUNS: 46.0%)P/E Ratio<
x
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