LADR

Financial Services

Ladder Capital Corp · Financial - Mortgages · $1B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
37.3
Below Average

Ladder Capital Corp scores 37.3/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Financial Services Sector
LADR
37.3
Sector avg
39.7
Quality
Good
Moat
Weak
Growth
Weak
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Attractive

What is Ladder Capital Corp?

Ladder Capital Corp is a commercial real estate finance company structured as a REIT, headquartered in New York City. It operates across three segments: loans, securities, and direct real estate ownership, giving it a diversified footprint within commercial property markets.

Ladder Capital generates revenue by originating first mortgage loans on commercial properties, investing in commercial mortgage-backed securities and agency securities, and owning a portfolio of commercial and residential real estate assets. Its lending activity targets both stabilized properties and transitional assets undergoing renovation or repositioning. As a REIT, the company is required to distribute the large majority of its taxable income to shareholders, making dividend payments a structural feature of its business model.

Ladder Capital was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in New York City, New York.

  • Conduit and balance sheet first mortgage loan origination
  • Commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) investments
  • U.S. Agency Securities and corporate bond holdings
  • Direct ownership of commercial and residential real estate
  • Mezzanine and subordinated debt structured finance products

Is LADR a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates LADR as Below Average overall, reflecting a mixed profile where certain strengths are offset by meaningful structural concerns.

The Quality pillar stands out as the relative bright spot within Ladder Capital's profile, suggesting the business maintains reasonable operational discipline. The Valuation pillar is rated Attractive, meaning the stock does not appear expensive relative to its fundamentals — a potential point of interest for value-oriented investors.

The Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars all register as Weak, indicating limited competitive differentiation, constrained growth prospects, and elevated risk factors that investors should weigh carefully.

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 LADR pay dividends?

Yes — Ladder Capital Corp pays a dividend.

Ladder Capital pays a regular dividend, consistent with its REIT structure that requires distributing at least ninety percent of taxable income to shareholders. This makes LADR a candidate for income-focused investors. The sustainability of that dividend, however, is worth examining alongside the company's Weak Risk and Growth pillar ratings before drawing conclusions.

When does LADR report earnings?

Ladder Capital reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed REITs and equities.

Ladder Capital's results reflect the dynamics of commercial real estate lending and securities markets, which can be sensitive to interest rate movements and credit conditions. The company's diversified three-segment structure provides some revenue variability across cycles, though growth has remained constrained.

For the most recent quarter's results, visit Ladder Capital's investor relations page directly.

LADR Price History

+32.0% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Ladder Capital Corp?

$
Today it would be worth
$13,599
That's a +36.0% total return, or +6.3% annualized.

Based on Ladder Capital Corp'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.

LADR Long-term Outlook

Ladder Capital's fundamental outlook is shaped by Weak Growth and Weak Risk pillar ratings, suggesting limited near-term expansion and meaningful exposure to credit and rate-cycle headwinds. The Attractive Valuation label indicates the market may already be pricing in these concerns. The Good Quality rating provides some foundation, but investors should weigh whether valuation alone justifies exposure given the broader risk profile.

Growth drivers

  • Transitional loan origination activity as commercial properties are repositioned
  • Potential spread income from CMBS and agency securities portfolios
  • Opportunistic real estate asset acquisitions in dislocated markets

Key risks

  • Interest rate sensitivity across the loan and securities portfolios
  • Credit deterioration risk in transitional and commercial real estate lending
  • Weak Moat rating signals limited pricing power relative to peers

LADR vs Peers

Ladder Capital operates in a competitive commercial real estate finance space alongside several other mortgage REITs with overlapping strategies.

EFCLADR scores lower
Ellington Financial Inc.

Ellington Financial focuses more heavily on residential mortgage assets and consumer loans, giving it a different credit exposure mix than Ladder's commercial-first approach.

TWOLADR scores higher
Two Harbors Investment Corp.

Two Harbors concentrates primarily on agency residential mortgage-backed securities, making it more rate-sensitive but less exposed to commercial real estate credit risk.

CIMLADR scores higher
Chimera Investment Corporation

Chimera invests across both agency and non-agency residential mortgage assets, distinguishing it from Ladder's commercial real estate lending and CMBS focus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ladder Capital do?

Ladder Capital is a commercial real estate finance company and REIT. It originates first mortgage loans on commercial properties, invests in commercial mortgage-backed securities and agency securities, and directly owns a portfolio of commercial and residential real estate assets across the United States.

Does LADR pay dividends?

Yes, Ladder Capital pays a regular dividend. As a REIT, it is required to distribute the large majority of its taxable income to shareholders. Income-focused investors often consider LADR for this reason, though the Weak Risk pillar rating is worth factoring into any dividend sustainability assessment.

When does LADR report earnings?

Ladder Capital reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed REITs. For exact dates and the most recent results, check Ladder Capital's official investor relations page, as our data source does not cover specific upcoming earnings dates.

Is LADR a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates LADR as Below Average overall. The Valuation pillar is Attractive and Quality is rated Good, but Moat, Growth, and Risk all register as Weak. Whether that combination suits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance and income objectives. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.

Is LADR overvalued?

Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, LADR is rated Attractive, suggesting the stock is not expensive relative to its fundamentals. This may reflect the market pricing in the company's weaker growth and risk profile. Investors should view valuation in context of the broader Below Average overall score.

How does LADR compare to its competitors?

Ladder Capital differs from peers like Ellington Financial, Two Harbors, and Chimera primarily through its commercial real estate focus — combining loan origination, CMBS investing, and direct property ownership. Many competitors lean more heavily toward residential mortgage assets, giving each firm a distinct risk and income profile.

What is LADR's market cap bracket?

Ladder Capital is classified as a small-cap company. This places it in a size tier where liquidity and analyst coverage may be more limited than large-cap peers, which is a factor some investors consider when assessing position sizing and trading costs.

Who founded Ladder Capital?

Ladder Capital was founded in 2008. For detailed information on its founding team and corporate history, the company's official website and SEC filings provide publicly available background on its leadership and origins.

Is LADR a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, LADR's Below Average UQS Score — driven by Weak Moat, Growth, and Risk ratings — suggests caution. The Good Quality pillar and Attractive Valuation offer some offset, but durable competitive advantages and consistent growth are generally important for long-term compounding. Pro members can view the complete analysis.

What is the main competitive advantage of Ladder Capital?

Ladder Capital's diversified three-segment model — spanning loan origination, securities investment, and direct property ownership — provides some revenue diversification relative to single-strategy mortgage REITs. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, indicating limited structural competitive advantages compared to broader sector peers.

What sector does LADR belong to?

Ladder Capital belongs to the Real Estate sector, specifically operating as a commercial real estate finance company structured as a mortgage REIT. Investors can explore other [real estate sector stocks](/sector/real-estate) on UQS Score to compare quality profiles across the space.

Unlock Full LADR Analysis

Sign in to unlock the detailed analysis behind the UQS Score.

  • View the exact UQS pillar scores for LADR
  • Access complete financial metrics and trend data
  • Compare LADR against sector peers side by side
  • Screen for Attractive-valuation REITs across the market
  • Get the full analyst-style quality breakdown in one view
Analyze LADR in Detail →

Pro Analysis

LADR — Score History

30354045Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 17 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 21, 202637.468.415.021.10.681.4-1.3
May 14, 202638.768.415.021.10.690.3+0.2
May 12, 202638.568.415.021.10.689.1+2.9
May 8, 202635.650.015.021.11.2100.0-2.8
Apr 26, 202638.467.415.021.10.789.50.0
Apr 22, 202638.467.415.021.10.789.70.0
Apr 21, 202638.467.715.021.10.789.60.0
Apr 19, 202638.467.415.021.10.789.8-0.3
Apr 18, 202638.768.515.021.10.789.9-1.1
Apr 17, 202639.868.515.021.10.797.2+0.3

LADR — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

68.4/100 (25%)

Ladder Capital Corp shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityStrong

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityModerate

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Cash GenerationStrong

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

21.1/100 (20%)

Ladder Capital Corp faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthWeak

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookWeak

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

0.6/100 (15%)

Ladder Capital Corp 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

81.3/100 (15%)

Ladder Capital Corp appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Earnings YieldStrong

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

Price to Free Cash FlowStrong

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

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

EV/EBITDA vs SectorWeak

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

15/100 (25%)

Ladder Capital Corp 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 LADR.

Score Composition

Quality
68.4×25%17.1
Growth
21.1×20%4.2
Risk
0.6×15%0.1
Valuation
81.3×15%12.2
Moat
15.0×25%3.8
Total
37.3Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the LADR UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Ladder Capital Corp 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 Ladder Capital Corp'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 Ladder Capital Corp 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.