Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC) Stock Analysis — April 2026 Rating, Price, and Forecast
Company Overview — What Does Ellington Financial Inc. Do?
Ellington Financial Inc., through its subsidiary, Ellington Financial Operating Partnership LLC, acquires and manages mortgage-related, consumer-related, corporate-related, and other financial assets in the United States. The company acquires and manages residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) backed by prime jumbo, Alt-A, manufactured housing, and subprime residential mortgage loans; RMBS for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by the U.S. government agency or the U.S. government-sponsored entity; residential mortgage loans; commercial mortgage-backed securities; and commercial mortgage loans and other commercial real estate debt. It also provides collateralized loan obligations; mortgage-related and non-mortgage-related derivatives; corporate debt and equity securities; corporate loans; and other strategic investments. In addition, the company offers consumer loans and asset-backed securities backed by consumer and commercial assets. Ellington Financial LLC was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC) is classified as a small-cap stock in the Real Estate sector. The company is led by CEO Laurence E. Penn and employs approximately 170 people. With a market capitalization of $1.5B, EFC is one of the notable companies in the Real Estate sector.
Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC) Stock Rating — Reduce (April 2026)
As of April 2026, Ellington Financial Inc. receives a Reduce rating with a composite score of 35.3/100 and 2 out of 5 stars from the Blank Capital Research quantitative model.EFC ranks #3,109 out of 4,446 stocks in our coverage universe. Within the Real Estate sector, Ellington Financial Inc. ranks #40 of 57 stocks, placing it in the lower half of its Real Estate peers. The rating is generated by a multi-factor model that weighs quality (30%), momentum (25%), value (15%), investment (10%), stability (10%), and short interest (10%).
EFC Stock Price and 52-Week Range
Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC) currently trades at $12.51. The stock lost $0.08 (0.6%) in the most recent trading session. The 52-week high for EFC is $14.12, which means the stock is currently trading -11.4% from its annual peak. The 52-week low is $11.12, putting the stock 12.5% above its annual trough. Recent trading volume was 1.1M shares, reflecting moderate market activity.
Is EFC Overvalued or Undervalued? — Valuation Analysis
Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC) carries a value factor score of 39/100 in the Blank Capital model, signaling premium valuation that prices in significant future growth. The trailing price-to-earnings ratio is 9.92x, compared to the Real Estate sector average of 32.31x — a discount of 69%. The price-to-book ratio stands at 0.80x, versus the sector average of 1.18x. The price-to-sales ratio is 8.84x, compared to 0.80x for the average Real Estate stock. On an enterprise value basis, EFC trades at 12.47x EV/EBITDA, versus 8.62x for the sector.
At current multiples, Ellington Financial Inc. trades at a premium to most Real Estate peers. This elevated valuation may be justified if the company can sustain above-average growth rates and profitability, but it also creates downside risk if earnings disappoint expectations.
Ellington Financial Inc. Profitability — ROE, Margins, and Quality Score
Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC) earns a quality factor score of 10/100, signaling below-average profitability metrics relative to the broader market. The return on equity (ROE) is 8.1%, compared to the Real Estate sector average of 1.5%, which is below typical expectations for high-quality companies. Return on assets (ROA) comes in at 0.8% versus the sector average of 0.8%.
On a margin basis, Ellington Financial Inc. reports gross margins of 0.0%, compared to 26.0% for the sector. The operating margin is -29.5% (sector: 3.7%). Net profit margin stands at 88.5%, versus 1.8% for the average Real Estate stock. Revenue growth is running at 48.0% on a trailing basis, compared to 6.1% for the sector. Profitability is below benchmark levels, which may reflect industry headwinds, elevated reinvestment, or structural challenges.
EFC Debt, Balance Sheet, and Financial Health
Ellington Financial Inc. has a debt-to-equity ratio of 934.0%, compared to the Real Estate sector average of 60.0%. This elevated leverage warrants close monitoring, as it increases the company's sensitivity to rising interest rates and economic downturns. The current ratio is 1.11x, suggesting adequate working capital coverage. Total debt on the balance sheet is $2.80B. Cash and equivalents stand at $185M.
EFC has a beta of 0.51, meaning it is less volatile than the S&P 500, making it a relatively defensive holding. The stability factor score for Ellington Financial Inc. is 89/100, indicating low-volatility characteristics and consistent price behavior that appeals to risk-averse investors.
Ellington Financial Inc. Revenue and Earnings History — Quarterly Trend
In TTM 2026, Ellington Financial Inc. reported revenue of $170M and earnings per share (EPS) of $1.19. Net income for the quarter was $151M. Gross margin was 0.0%. Operating income came in at $-47M.
In FY 2025, Ellington Financial Inc. reported revenue of $190M and earnings per share (EPS) of $1.19. Net income for the quarter was $151M. Revenue grew -37.9% year-over-year compared to FY 2024. Operating income came in at $-49M.
In Q3 2025, Ellington Financial Inc. reported revenue of $50M and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.29. Net income for the quarter was $38M. Revenue grew 47.9% year-over-year compared to Q3 2024. Operating income came in at $-7M.
In Q2 2025, Ellington Financial Inc. reported revenue of $43M and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.45. Net income for the quarter was $51M. Revenue grew 29.0% year-over-year compared to Q2 2024. Operating income came in at $-14M.
Over the past 8 quarters, Ellington Financial Inc. has demonstrated a growth trajectory, with revenue expanding from $34M to $170M. Investors analyzing EFC stock should weigh these quarterly trends alongside the valuation and quality metrics discussed above.
EFC Dividend Yield and Income Analysis
Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC) currently pays a dividend yield of 12.1%. At this yield, a $10,000 investment in EFC stock would generate approximately $$1214.00 in annual dividend income. With a net margin of 88.5%, the dividend appears well-covered by earnings, suggesting sustainable payouts going forward.
EFC Momentum and Technical Analysis Profile
Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC) has a momentum factor score of 35/100, signaling weak relative price performance. Stocks with low momentum scores have historically tended to continue underperforming in the near term. The investment factor score is 23/100, which measures capital allocation efficiency and asset growth patterns. The short interest score of 67/100 reflects moderate short selling activity.
EFC vs Competitors — Real Estate Sector Ranking and Peer Comparison
Within the Real Estate sector, Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC) ranks #40 out of 57 stocks based on the Blank Capital composite score. This places EFC in the lower half of all Real Estate stocks in our coverage universe. Key competitors and sector peers include Urban Edge Properties (UE) with a score of 51.9/100, Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc. (KW) with a score of 48.0/100, AMREP CORP. (AXR) with a score of 49.0/100, GETTY REALTY CORP /MD/ (GTY) with a score of 53.1/100, and Curbline Properties Corp. (CURB) with a score of 50.5/100.
Comparing EFC against the S&P 500 benchmark is also instructive for understanding relative performance. Investors can view the full EFC vs S&P 500 (SPY) comparison to assess how Ellington Financial Inc. stacks up against the broader market across all factor dimensions.
EFC Next Earnings Date
No upcoming earnings date has been announced for Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC) at this time. Check the earnings calendar for the latest scheduling updates across all stocks in our coverage universe.
Should You Buy EFC? — Investment Thesis Summary
The quantitative profile for Ellington Financial Inc. suggests caution. The quality score of 10/100 flags below-average profitability. The value score of 39/100 indicates premium valuation. Momentum is weak at 35/100, a headwind for near-term performance. Low volatility (stability score 89/100) reduces downside risk.
In summary, Ellington Financial Inc. (EFC) earns a Reduce rating with a composite score of 35.3/100 as of April 2026. The rating is derived from the Blank Capital Research methodology, which combines six factor dimensions into a single quantitative ranking. Investors should consider these quantitative signals alongside their own fundamental research, risk tolerance, and investment time horizon before making buy or sell decisions on EFC stock.
Related Resources for EFC Investors
Explore more research and tools: EFC vs S&P 500 comparison, top Real Estate stocks, stock screener, our methodology, quality factor explained, value factor explained, momentum factor explained. Compare EFC head-to-head with peers: EFC vs UE, EFC vs KW, EFC vs AXR.