tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (REFI)
:REFI
US Market
Advertisement

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc (REFI) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
345 Followers

Top Page

REFI

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc

(NASDAQ:REFI)

Rating:67Neutral
Price Target:
$15.00
▲(4.17% Upside)
Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance Inc. has a solid overall stock score driven by strong valuation metrics and positive technical indicators. The earnings call further supports the company's strategic growth, despite financial performance challenges. Investors should consider the high dividend yield and low P/E ratio as key strengths.
Positive Factors
Dividend Yield
REFI maintained its quarterly dividend of $0.47, representing a current yield of 11.9%, which is considered attractive to investors.
Earnings Performance
REFI reported adjusted distributable EPS of $0.56, beating both Citizens JMP and consensus estimates of $0.52 and $0.48, respectively, driven by a positive interest rate spread on the loan book and lower G&A expenses.
Negative Factors
Valuation Concerns
Shares of REFI currently trade at 1.05x P/B, above the mortgage REIT peer group of 0.73x, reflecting concerns about a larger premium despite the outsized yield profile.

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc (REFI) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionChicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. operates as a commercial real estate finance company in the United States. It originates, structures, and invests in first mortgage loans and alternative structured financings secured by commercial real estate properties. The company offers senior loans to state-licensed operators and property owners in the cannabis industry. It has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (REIT) and would not be subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. The company was incorporated in 2021 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.
How the Company Makes MoneyChicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance Inc. generates revenue primarily through long-term leases with cannabis operators, which provide a steady stream of rental income. The company's revenue model is anchored in its strategy of acquiring properties that are leased to licensed cannabis businesses under triple-net lease agreements. In these arrangements, tenants are responsible for property expenses such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance, allowing REFI to maintain a predictable cash flow. Additionally, REFI may benefit from property appreciation and potential refinancing opportunities. The company may also engage in strategic partnerships with cannabis operators to enhance its portfolio, thereby contributing to its overall earnings.

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 07, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 05, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call revealed strong growth in the cannabis pipeline, extension of credit facilities, and increased net interest income. Despite challenges such as a loan on nonaccrual status and increased leverage, the company shows robust performance and strategic positioning, particularly in the New York market.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Increase in Cannabis Pipeline
The cannabis pipeline across the Chicago Atlantic platform increased from $462 million a quarter ago to nearly $650 million, indicating strong potential for net portfolio growth.
Extension of Credit Facility
Chicago Atlantic extended its credit facility from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2028, with no change to economic terms, enhancing its ability to support growth.
Net Interest Income Growth
Net interest income grew by 10.6% from $13 million in Q1 to $14.4 million in Q2, driven by nonrecurring fees and new deployments.
Strong Loan Portfolio Performance
Loan portfolio principal totaled $421.9 million with a weighted average yield-to-maturity of 16.8%. The debt service coverage ratio was 4.27:1, significantly above the requirement of 1.35:1.
Distributable Earnings Increase
Distributable earnings per share increased to $0.52 from $0.47 in the previous quarter.
Robust New York Market Development
The New York market developed well with 23 dispensaries operating successfully, improving product quality and diversity.
Negative Updates
Loan on Nonaccrual Status
Loan #6 was placed on nonaccrual status, contributing to an increase in the CECL reserve from $3.3 million to $4.4 million.
Increase in Total Leverage
Total leverage increased to 39% of book equity from 28% in the previous quarter.
Challenges in Predicting Prepayments
Prepayments were higher than expected in early Q3, creating uncertainty in capital redeployment despite a strong pipeline of opportunities.
Company Guidance
During the Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Call, several key metrics and guidance were highlighted. The cannabis pipeline increased significantly from $462 million to nearly $650 million, driven by M&A activities, operational reorganizations, and ESOP transactions. The loan portfolio principal stood at $421.9 million across 30 companies, with a weighted average yield-to-maturity of 16.8%. Gross originations totaled $16.5 million, with $10 million attributed to an upsize and refinance, and $6.5 million funded to existing borrowers. As of June 30, 2025, the portfolio comprised 40.7% fixed rate and 59.3% floating rate loans. The company maintained a debt service coverage ratio of approximately 4.27:1, and net interest income increased by 10.6% to $14.4 million in Q2. The book value per common share was $14.71, with approximately 21.5 million shares outstanding. Distributable earnings per share were $0.52, with a dividend payout expectation between 90% to 100% for the 2025 tax year. The call also emphasized the company's disciplined capital deployment strategy, focusing on fundamentally sound growth initiatives and maintaining a low levered risk-return profile insulated from cannabis equity volatility.

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc Financial Statement Overview

Summary
The financial performance of REFI is mixed. The balance sheet is strong with low leverage and high equity, but the income statement shows concerning irregularities with zero revenue in the latest year. Cash flows are stable, though reliance on financing in 2024 is notable. Overall, the company needs to address revenue generation to sustain long-term stability.
Income Statement
30
Negative
The income statement shows significant volatility with a complete absence of revenue in the latest year. Historical revenue growth was strong until 2023, but the abrupt stop is concerning. The company's net profit margin is high due to significant net income despite zero revenue, indicating irregularities or non-operational income. Overall, the income statement highlights potential instability and requires further investigation into the revenue absence.
Balance Sheet
75
Positive
The balance sheet is robust with a high equity ratio, indicating financial stability. The debt-to-equity ratio is low, showing conservative leverage. The company's stockholders' equity has grown consistently, reflecting solid financial health. However, the high cash and equivalents in 2024 against zero revenue may require scrutiny.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
Cash flows are stable, with strong operating cash flow and free cash flow in 2023. The free cash flow growth rate is positive, but the significant financing cash inflow in 2024 might indicate reliance on external funding. The operating cash flow to net income ratio suggests efficient cash generation from operations.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue60.47M54.78M63.00M51.47M11.08M
Gross Profit-949.37M55.53M54.22M44.97M10.17M
EBITDA45.40M44.20M44.46M34.91M9.57M
Net Income38.05M37.05M38.71M32.29M9.50M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets455.21B435.15M359.23M343.27M278.17M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments35.56B26.40M7.90M5.72M80.25M
Total Debt49.22B49.10B66.00M58.00M197.72M
Total Liabilities145.19B126.19M87.37M79.24M14.09M
Stockholders Equity310.03B308.96M271.85M264.03M264.08M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow21.33B23.16M28.42M17.01M6.67M
Operating Cash Flow24.12M23.16M28.42M17.01M6.67M
Investing Cash Flow-15.77M-39.30M-1.93M-125.24M-145.22M
Financing Cash Flow20.14M34.64M-24.31M33.71M218.80M

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price14.40
Price Trends
50DMA
13.85
Positive
100DMA
13.90
Positive
200DMA
14.18
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.16
Negative
RSI
59.98
Neutral
STOCH
56.75
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For REFI, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 14.4 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 14.15, above the 50-day MA of 13.85, and above the 200-day MA of 14.18, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.16 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 59.98 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 56.75 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for REFI.

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc Risk Analysis

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc disclosed 108 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
67
Neutral
$302.42M7.8212.63%14.31%1.75%-7.07%
63
Neutral
$7.02B13.41-0.50%6.86%4.08%-25.24%
63
Neutral
$235.75M6.4114.91%12.74%75.08%-21.03%
61
Neutral
$213.34M15.166.89%17.02%271.03%31.81%
61
Neutral
$274.33M6.1221.74%13.00%25.17%
48
Neutral
$276.13M-3.30%15.59%-27.60%62.75%
48
Neutral
$521.54M-21.24%22.08%-65.30%-318.17%
* Real Estate Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
REFI
Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc
14.40
0.68
4.96%
ACRE
Ares Commercial
5.13
-0.96
-15.76%
EARN
Ellington Residential Mortgage
5.64
-0.23
-3.92%
NREF
NexPoint Real Estate ate Finance
15.39
0.86
5.92%
AOMR
Angel Oak Mortgage
10.05
0.96
10.56%
CMTG
Claros Mortgage Trust
3.85
-3.80
-49.67%

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Chicago Atlantic Extends Credit Facility Maturity Date
Positive
Aug 7, 2025

On August 5, 2025, Chicago Atlantic Lincoln, LLC, a subsidiary of Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc., amended its secured revolving credit facility to extend the maturity date from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2028, with an option for an additional one-year extension. This amendment, announced on August 7, 2025, is part of the company’s strategy to manage its loan portfolio effectively and capitalize on growth opportunities in the cannabis sector, as demonstrated by their second quarter financial results.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 22, 2025