MFA

Based on MFA 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.

What does MFA Financial do?

MFA Financial is a mortgage REIT that invests in residential mortgage assets, including non-agency and agency mortgage-backed securities, credit risk transfer securities, and whole loans across performing and non-performing categories. It earns income primarily through the spread between its borrowing costs and the yields on its mortgage assets.

Does MFA pay dividends?

Yes, MFA Financial pays a regular dividend. As a REIT, it is required to distribute at least ninety percent of its taxable income to shareholders, making dividends a central component of its investor return profile. The yield is generally elevated compared to broad equity benchmarks, reflecting the income-focused nature of the business.

When does MFA report earnings?

MFA Financial follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence for US-listed companies. For the most current earnings dates and recent results, check MFA Financial's investor relations page, as specific dates can shift.

Is MFA a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates MFA as Below Average overall. Its Quality and Valuation pillars are relative strengths, but Moat and Risk are both rated Weak — reflecting structural vulnerabilities common to mortgage REITs. Whether MFA fits a portfolio depends on an investor's income needs and tolerance for interest rate and credit risk.

Is MFA overvalued?

MFA's Valuation pillar is rated Good, suggesting the stock is not trading at a stretched premium relative to its fundamentals. For income-focused investors, this may represent a more reasonable entry point compared to peers, though valuation alone does not offset the Weak Risk profile.

How does MFA compare to its competitors?

MFA differentiates itself through a diversified mix of non-agency MBS, agency MBS, and whole loans — broader than agency-only peers like ORC and more credit-focused than some alternatives. Compared to PMT, MFA lacks a direct link to a large origination platform. See the full competitor breakdown on the UQS platform.

What is MFA's market cap bracket?

MFA Financial is classified as a small-cap company. This places it below large institutional mortgage REITs in terms of total market value, which can affect liquidity and the breadth of analyst coverage the stock receives.

Who founded MFA Financial?

MFA Financial was incorporated in 1998. Detailed founding history, including early leadership, is publicly available through the company's official filings and investor relations materials.

Is MFA a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, MFA's profile is mixed. The Strong Quality pillar suggests operational dependability in generating income, but the Weak Moat and Weak Risk ratings indicate limited durable competitive advantage and meaningful macro sensitivity — factors that matter over longer holding periods.

What is the main competitive advantage of MFA Financial?

MFA's primary edge lies in its diversified exposure across residential mortgage asset types, which can provide some buffer relative to single-strategy peers. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, reflecting that mortgage REITs broadly operate in a capital-markets-driven space with limited structural differentiation.

What sector does MFA belong to?

MFA Financial operates in the Real Estate sector, specifically within the mortgage REIT sub-category. Unlike equity REITs that own physical properties, mortgage REITs like MFA invest in mortgage loans and securities, making their performance more closely tied to interest rates and credit markets.

Is MFA a growth stock or value stock?

MFA is best characterized as an income-oriented stock rather than a traditional growth vehicle. Its Growth pillar is rated Neutral and Valuation is rated Good, suggesting modest earnings trajectory expectations with pricing that does not reflect aggressive growth assumptions — typical of mature mortgage REITs.

MFA Financial, Inc. demonstrates outstanding capital efficiency and profitability, placing it among the highest-quality businesses in the market.

MFA Financial, Inc. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.

MFA Financial, Inc. has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.

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

MFA 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 MFA.

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for MFA 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 MFA 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 MFA 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.