EFC-PC
Real EstateEllington Financial Inc. · REIT - Mortgage · $3B
What is Ellington Financial Inc.?
Ellington Financial Inc. is a mortgage-focused REIT that acquires and manages a broad range of financial assets across residential, commercial, and consumer credit markets in the United States.
The company generates income by acquiring and managing mortgage-backed securities, residential and commercial mortgage loans, consumer loans, and related financial instruments. As a REIT, Ellington Financial is required to distribute the vast majority of its taxable income to shareholders as dividends. Its strategy spans agency and non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial real estate debt, collateralized loan obligations, and consumer asset-backed securities — creating a diversified but complex credit-focused portfolio.
Ellington Financial was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Old Greenwich, Connecticut.
- Residential mortgage-backed securities (agency and non-agency)
- Commercial mortgage loans and CMBS
- Consumer loans and asset-backed securities
- Corporate debt, equity, and loan investments
- Mortgage-related and non-mortgage derivatives
Is EFC-PC a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates EFC-PC as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key pillars.
On the positive side, the Quality pillar registers as Good, suggesting the underlying business maintains reasonable operational characteristics relative to peers. The Valuation pillar also comes in as Good, indicating the preferred shares may not be excessively priced relative to fundamentals.
However, both the Moat and Risk pillars are rated Weak — a notable concern for investors prioritizing capital preservation. The Growth pillar sits at Neutral, offering limited upside catalyst from that dimension.
See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does EFC-PC pay dividends?
Yes — Ellington Financial Inc. pays a dividend.
EFC-PC pays a regular dividend, consistent with Ellington Financial's REIT structure, which requires distributing at least ninety percent of taxable income to shareholders. Preferred share dividends like those on EFC-PC typically carry a fixed or floating rate and rank senior to common equity distributions. Income-focused investors often consider preferred REIT shares for their relatively predictable payout cadence.
When does EFC-PC report earnings?
Ellington Financial reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed REITs.
Quarterly results for mortgage REITs like Ellington Financial tend to reflect changes in net interest income, book value per share, and credit spread dynamics across their portfolio. Given the Neutral Growth and Weak Risk pillar ratings, recent performance likely reflects a cautious operating environment rather than strong expansion.
For the most recent quarter's results, visit Ellington Financial's official investor relations page.
EFC-PC Price History
+37.6% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Ellington Financial Inc.?
Based on Ellington Financial Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
EFC-PC Long-term Outlook
The UQS Growth pillar for EFC-PC sits at Neutral, suggesting the company is not positioned for outsized expansion in the near term. The Weak Risk pillar points to meaningful sensitivity — likely tied to interest rate movements, credit spread volatility, and leverage dynamics common in mortgage REIT strategies. While the Good Valuation label offers some cushion, investors should weigh that against the structural risks embedded in a complex, leveraged credit portfolio.
Growth drivers
- Potential spread compression benefits if interest rates stabilize or decline
- Diversified credit exposure across residential, commercial, and consumer assets
- REIT distribution requirements supporting consistent income generation
Key risks
- High sensitivity to interest rate and credit spread volatility
- Weak Moat rating signals limited competitive differentiation in the mortgage REIT space
- Leverage inherent in mortgage-backed securities portfolios amplifies downside risk
EFC-PC vs Peers
EFC-PC operates in a competitive preferred securities and mortgage REIT landscape alongside several comparable instruments.
Senior notes from MFA Financial rank higher in the capital structure than preferred equity, offering a different risk-return profile for fixed-income-oriented investors.
MFA Financial's 9.000% senior notes provide another fixed-income alternative within the mortgage REIT sector, with seniority over preferred and common equity.
EFC-PD is another preferred share series from the same issuer, Ellington Financial, making it a direct sibling security with potentially different coupon terms or call provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ellington Financial do?
Ellington Financial acquires and manages a diversified portfolio of financial assets, including residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, consumer loans, corporate debt, and related derivatives. It operates as a REIT, distributing the majority of its taxable income to shareholders as dividends.
Does EFC-PC pay dividends?
Yes, EFC-PC pays a regular dividend. As a preferred share series of a REIT, it carries a fixed or floating distribution that ranks senior to common equity. Ellington Financial's REIT status requires it to distribute at least ninety percent of taxable income annually.
When does EFC-PC report earnings?
Ellington Financial reports on a quarterly cadence, consistent with US-listed REITs. For exact dates and the most recent results, check the company's investor relations page directly, as our data source does not cover specific upcoming earnings dates.
Is EFC-PC a good stock to buy?
The UQS Score rates EFC-PC as Below Average overall. While the Quality and Valuation pillars are rated Good, the Weak Moat and Weak Risk ratings highlight meaningful concerns. Whether it fits your portfolio depends on your income needs and risk tolerance — the full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is EFC-PC overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for EFC-PC is rated Good, suggesting the preferred shares are not obviously overpriced relative to fundamentals. However, valuation alone does not determine suitability — the Weak Risk rating is an important counterbalance to consider alongside any valuation assessment.
How does EFC-PC compare to its competitors?
EFC-PC competes in the mortgage REIT preferred and senior notes space alongside instruments like MFA Financial's senior notes and Ellington's own EFC-PD series. Each carries different capital structure seniority and coupon structures. The UQS platform provides side-by-side quality scoring for a more structured comparison.
What is EFC-PC's market cap bracket?
Ellington Financial Inc. falls within the mid-cap bracket. As a preferred share series, EFC-PC's individual market size reflects the outstanding preferred equity rather than the full enterprise value of the company.
Who founded Ellington Financial?
Ellington Financial was founded by the team behind Ellington Management Group, a Connecticut-based investment firm with deep roots in mortgage and structured credit markets. The company was incorporated in 2007 and has been headquartered in Old Greenwich, Connecticut since its formation.
Is EFC-PC a long-term quality investment?
From a long-term quality perspective, the UQS Score rates EFC-PC as Below Average. The Weak Moat rating suggests limited structural competitive advantages, and the Weak Risk pillar points to ongoing sensitivity to credit and rate cycles. The Good Quality pillar offers some reassurance, but long-term durability warrants careful review.
What is the main competitive advantage of Ellington Financial?
Ellington Financial's primary edge lies in its affiliation with Ellington Management Group, a specialist in mortgage and structured credit strategies. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, reflecting the broadly competitive and rate-sensitive nature of the mortgage REIT sector.
What sector does EFC-PC belong to?
EFC-PC belongs to the Real Estate sector, specifically within the mortgage REIT sub-category. Mortgage REITs differ from equity REITs in that they primarily invest in mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities rather than owning physical properties.
Is EFC-PC a growth stock or income stock?
EFC-PC is best characterized as an income instrument. As a preferred share of a REIT, it is designed to deliver regular fixed distributions rather than capital appreciation. The UQS Growth pillar sits at Neutral, reinforcing that growth is not the primary value proposition here.
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Pro Analysis
EFC-PC — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 42.0 | 64.9 | 15.0 | 55.3 | 0.5 | 72.9 | 0.0 |
| May 12, 2026 | 42.0 | 64.9 | 15.0 | 55.3 | 0.5 | 72.7 | +0.1 |
| May 11, 2026 | 41.9 | 64.9 | 15.0 | 55.3 | 0.5 | 72.1 | +1.6 |
| May 10, 2026 | 40.3 | 50.0 | 15.0 | 55.3 | 1.1 | 85.7 | -0.1 |
| May 8, 2026 | 40.4 | 50.0 | 15.0 | 55.3 | 1.1 | 85.9 | -0.3 |
| May 3, 2026 | 40.7 | 60.7 | 15.0 | 55.3 | 0.0 | 71.8 | -0.1 |
| May 1, 2026 | 40.8 | 60.7 | 15.0 | 55.3 | 0.0 | 71.9 | -0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 40.9 | 60.7 | 15.0 | 55.3 | 0.0 | 72.5 | +0.1 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 40.8 | 60.7 | 15.0 | 55.3 | 0.0 | 72.2 | -0.1 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 40.9 | 60.7 | 15.0 | 55.3 | 0.0 | 72.6 | -2.7 |
EFC-PC — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 64.9/100 (25%)Ellington Financial Inc. shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 55.3/100 (20%)Ellington Financial Inc. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 0.5/100 (15%)Ellington Financial Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 73.0/100 (15%)Ellington Financial Inc. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 15/100 (25%)Ellington Financial Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for EFC-PC.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the EFC-PC UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Ellington Financial Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Ellington Financial Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Ellington Financial Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.