EFC-PD

Real Estate

Ellington Financial Inc. · REIT - Mortgage · $2B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
43.5
Below Average

Ellington Financial Inc. scores 43.5/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Real Estate Sector
EFC-PD
43.5
Sector avg
38.4
Quality
Good
Moat
Weak
Growth
Good
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Good

What is Ellington Financial Inc.?

Ellington Financial Inc. is a mortgage-focused real estate investment trust headquartered in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. The company acquires and manages a broad range of mortgage-related and consumer financial assets across the United States.

Ellington Financial generates income by acquiring and managing residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, mortgage loans, consumer loans, and related financial instruments. As a REIT, the company is required to distribute the substantial majority of its taxable income to shareholders as dividends. Revenue flows primarily from interest income on its diversified portfolio of credit-sensitive and agency-backed assets, along with returns from corporate debt, collateralized loan obligations, and other strategic investments.

Ellington Financial LLC was incorporated in 2007 and operates from 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 collateralized loan obligations
  • Mortgage-related and non-mortgage derivatives

Is EFC-PD a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates EFC-PD as Below Average overall, reflecting a mixed fundamental profile across its five pillars.

The Quality and Growth pillars both register as Good, suggesting the company maintains a reasonable earnings foundation and demonstrates some forward momentum relative to its peer group. The Valuation pillar also reads as Good, indicating the preferred shares may not carry excessive pricing relative to fundamentals.

The Moat and Risk pillars both register as Weak — a meaningful flag for investors, pointing to limited competitive durability and elevated exposure to credit, interest rate, or leverage-related risks common in mortgage REIT structures.

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-PD pay dividends?

Yes — Ellington Financial Inc. pays a dividend.

EFC-PD 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-PD typically carry a fixed rate and rank ahead of common equity distributions. Income-focused investors often consider preferred REIT shares for their relatively predictable payout cadence.

When does EFC-PD report earnings?

Ellington Financial reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed REITs.

The company's Quality and Growth pillar ratings suggest its earnings profile has held up reasonably well relative to sector peers, though the Weak Risk rating warrants attention when reviewing quarterly results. Portfolio composition and net interest income trends are key metrics to watch each reporting period.

For the most recent quarter's results, visit Ellington Financial's investor relations page directly.

EFC-PD Price History

+27.3% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Ellington Financial Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$10,742
That's a +7.4% total return, or +7.4% annualized.

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-PD Long-term Outlook

Ellington Financial's Good Growth pillar suggests the business has identifiable expansion levers, though the Weak Risk pillar tempers the outlook — particularly given the sensitivity of mortgage REIT portfolios to interest rate movements and credit spread volatility. The Good Valuation pillar indicates the preferred shares are not priced at a significant premium, which may offer some cushion if conditions tighten. Investors should weigh the income potential against the structural risks embedded in leveraged mortgage credit strategies.

Growth drivers

  • Diversified asset base spanning agency, non-agency, and consumer credit
  • REIT distribution requirements supporting consistent income generation
  • Opportunities in non-QM and jumbo residential mortgage markets

Key risks

  • Interest rate sensitivity across the leveraged mortgage portfolio
  • Credit spread widening affecting non-agency and consumer asset values
  • Weak Moat rating signals limited pricing power or structural competitive advantage

EFC-PD vs Peers

Ellington Financial's preferred shares operate in a competitive landscape of mortgage REITs and structured credit vehicles.

ARREFC-PD scores lower
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc.

ARMOUR focuses almost exclusively on agency mortgage-backed securities, offering a narrower but more government-backed credit profile than Ellington's diversified approach.

EFC-PCSimilar UQS
Ellington Financial Inc.

EFC-PC is another preferred share series from the same issuer, making it a direct structural sibling to EFC-PD with potentially different terms and priority.

MFANEFC-PD scores higher
MFA Financial, Inc. 8.875% Senior Notes

MFAN represents senior debt from MFA Financial, sitting higher in the capital structure than preferred equity and offering a different risk-return tradeoff for fixed-income investors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ellington Financial do?

Ellington Financial acquires and manages a diversified portfolio of mortgage-related and consumer financial assets. This includes residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, mortgage loans, consumer loans, and corporate debt instruments. The company operates as a REIT, distributing the majority of its taxable income to shareholders.

Does EFC-PD pay dividends?

Yes, EFC-PD pays a regular dividend. As a preferred share series of a REIT, it carries a fixed distribution that ranks ahead of common equity payments. Ellington Financial's REIT status requires it to distribute at least ninety percent of taxable income, supporting the preferred dividend.

When does EFC-PD report earnings?

Ellington Financial reports on a quarterly cadence, consistent with US-listed REITs. For the most current earnings dates and recent results, check the company's investor relations page directly, as our data source does not cover specific upcoming dates.

Is EFC-PD a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates EFC-PD as Below Average overall. While the Quality, Growth, and Valuation pillars read as Good, the Weak Moat and Weak Risk ratings highlight meaningful structural concerns. Whether it fits your portfolio depends on your income objectives and risk tolerance — the full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.

Is EFC-PD overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for EFC-PD is rated Good, suggesting the preferred shares are not priced at an obvious premium relative to fundamentals. That said, valuation for preferred REIT securities should always be considered alongside the issuer's credit quality and interest rate environment.

How does EFC-PD compare to its competitors?

Compared to peers like ARMOUR Residential REIT and MFA Financial's senior notes, EFC-PD sits within a different part of the capital structure and credit strategy. Ellington's diversified asset approach differs from ARMOUR's agency-only focus, while MFAN represents senior debt rather than preferred equity.

What is EFC-PD's market cap bracket?

Ellington Financial falls within the mid-cap bracket. This places it among moderately sized mortgage REITs — larger than micro- or small-cap peers but well below the mega-cap tier dominated by the largest diversified financial institutions.

Who founded Ellington Financial?

Ellington Financial was founded with ties to Ellington Management Group, a Connecticut-based investment firm specializing in mortgage and structured credit strategies. The company was incorporated in 2007. For detailed founding history, publicly available filings and the company's website provide authoritative context.

Is EFC-PD a long-term quality indicator?

From a long-term quality perspective, EFC-PD's Good Quality pillar is a constructive signal, but the Weak Moat and Weak Risk ratings suggest the issuer faces structural challenges in sustaining competitive advantages over time. Long-term holders should monitor how the portfolio navigates credit cycles and rate environments.

What is the main competitive advantage of Ellington Financial?

Ellington Financial's primary edge lies in its diversified exposure across agency, non-agency, consumer, and commercial credit assets — a broader mandate than many single-strategy mortgage REITs. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, indicating it may not translate into durable pricing power or structural defensibility.

What sector does EFC-PD belong to?

EFC-PD belongs to the Real Estate sector, specifically within the mortgage REIT sub-category. Mortgage REITs differ from equity REITs in that they invest in debt instruments secured by real estate rather than owning physical properties directly.

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Pro Analysis

EFC-PD — Score History

3540455055Apr 12Apr 20Apr 28May 6May 14May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 8 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 12, 202643.564.916.065.80.567.0+0.2
May 11, 202643.364.916.065.80.565.8+0.2
May 8, 202643.150.016.065.80.089.7+0.9
May 4, 202642.260.716.065.80.065.5-0.1
May 3, 202642.360.716.065.80.066.4+0.1
Apr 26, 202642.260.716.065.80.065.70.0
Apr 18, 202642.260.716.065.80.065.6-3.5
Apr 12, 202645.760.716.065.80.089.4

EFC-PD — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

64.9/100 (25%)

Ellington Financial Inc. shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.

Return on EquityModerate

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityStrong

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityStrong

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Cash GenerationWeak

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

65.8/100 (20%)

Ellington Financial Inc. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRStrong

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthWeak

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookStrong

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

0.5/100 (15%)

Ellington Financial Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Debt/EquityWeak

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

67.1/100 (15%)

Ellington Financial Inc. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.

Earnings YieldStrong

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorWeak

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

16/100 (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-PD.

Score Composition

Quality
64.9×25%16.2
Growth
65.8×20%13.2
Risk
0.5×15%0.1
Valuation
67.1×15%10.1
Moat
16.0×25%4.0
Total
43.5Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the EFC-PD 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.