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Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc (REFI)
NASDAQ:REFI
US Market

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

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Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc

(NASDAQ:REFI)

63Neutral
REFI's overall stock score of 63 reflects a balance of strengths and challenges. The strong balance sheet and cash flow stability are offset by concerns over zero revenue and reliance on financing. Attractive valuation and high dividend yield provide investor appeal. The latest earnings call highlights positive strategic management, though industry pressures remain a concern. Improvement in revenue generation is critical for a higher score.
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. S&P 500 (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 through the interest income earned on its loan portfolio. The company provides loans secured by commercial real estate, and it earns money by charging interest on these loans. Additionally, REFI may generate fee income through loan origination fees, servicing fees, and other related financial services. The company’s earnings are significantly influenced by the volume of loans originated, the interest rates applied, and the quality of its credit underwriting process. Strategic partnerships with real estate operators and financial institutions also play a role in expanding its loan portfolio and enhancing revenue opportunities.

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc Financial Statement Overview

Summary
REFI's financials are mixed. A strong balance sheet reflects financial resilience with low leverage. However, the income statement shows irregularities with zero revenue in the latest year, raising concerns about core operations. Cash flows are stable, though the reliance on financing in 2024 warrants attention. Addressing revenue generation is crucial for 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.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income StatementTotal Revenue
54.78M57.33M48.86M11.08M
Gross Profit
54.11M48.54M-3.84B10.17M
EBIT
-7.19B38.53M34.91M9.57M
EBITDA
0.0044.46M34.91M9.57M
Net Income Common Stockholders
37.05M38.71M32.29M9.50M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
26.40B7.90M344.99M80.25M
Total Assets
435.15M359.23M343.27M278.17M
Total Debt
49.10B66.00M58.00M197.72M
Net Debt
22.70B58.10M52.28M117.47M
Total Liabilities
126.19M87.37M79.24M14.09M
Stockholders Equity
308.96B271.85M264.03M264.08M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
23.16M28.42M17.01M6.67M
Operating Cash Flow
23.16M28.42M17.01M6.67M
Investing Cash Flow
-39.30M-1.93M-125.24M-145.22M
Financing Cash Flow
34.64B-24.31M33.71M218.80M

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price15.01
Price Trends
50DMA
14.64
Positive
100DMA
14.84
Positive
200DMA
14.61
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.11
Negative
RSI
64.06
Neutral
STOCH
86.51
Negative
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 15.01 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 14.30, above the 50-day MA of 14.64, and above the 200-day MA of 14.61, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.11 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 64.06 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 86.51 is Negative, 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 (60)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
67
Neutral
$238.76M6.7614.14%12.67%54.49%-17.44%
63
Neutral
$313.88M7.9512.86%12.56%-1.31%-10.24%
61
Neutral
$260.59M6.5219.15%13.94%11.78%65.73%
60
Neutral
$2.82B11.080.22%8543.15%6.09%-16.11%
52
Neutral
$206.58M19.693.99%17.88%440.31%21.03%
52
Neutral
$360.95M-11.91%34.98%-45.51%-3658.39%
48
Neutral
$266.23M-2.33%18.59%-52.08%10.36%
* Real Estate Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
REFI
Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc
15.01
1.15
8.30%
ACRE
Ares Commercial
4.94
-1.02
-17.11%
EARN
Ellington Residential Mortgage
5.50
-0.70
-11.29%
NREF
NexPoint Real Estate ate Finance
14.77
2.78
23.19%
AOMR
Angel Oak Mortgage
10.16
-0.47
-4.42%
CMTG
Claros Mortgage Trust, Inc.
2.59
-5.84
-69.28%

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 07, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 2.81%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 06, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflects a cautious yet stable performance. While the company maintains strong dividend payouts and a robust pipeline, it faces challenges in net interest income and limited new loan originations. The company's strategic restructuring of troubled loans and a strong debt service coverage ratio highlight its resilience.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Consistency in Dividend Payouts
The company maintained a dividend payout ratio of 90% to 100% for the 2025 tax year, with a first quarter dividend of $0.47 per common share.
Strong Debt Service Coverage
Debt service coverage ratio was approximately 6.2 to 1, significantly above the required 1.35 to 1.
Robust Cannabis Pipeline
The cannabis pipeline across the Chicago Atlantic platform stands at $462 million, indicating potential future growth.
Top Performing Mortgage REIT
Chicago Atlantic remains the third top-performing exchange-listed mortgage REIT, aiming to reach the number one position.
Negative Updates
Decrease in Net Interest Income
Net interest income decreased by 7.3% from $14.1 million in Q4 2024 to $13 million in Q1 2025, primarily due to a decrease in non-recurring fees.
Limited Loan Originations
Gross originations during the quarter were only $4.4 million, significantly lower compared to previous quarters.
Restructuring of Loan Number Nine
The restructuring led to a decrease in yield and required operational and balance sheet restructuring.
Company Guidance
During the first quarter of 2025, Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. provided guidance indicating a cautious yet optimistic approach to portfolio growth. The company reported a loan portfolio principal of $407 million across 30 portfolio companies, with a weighted average yield to maturity of 16.9%. Gross originations for the quarter were $4.4 million, offset by sales and repayments of $9.2 million. The cannabis lending pipeline stands at $462 million, reflecting a mixture of disciplined patience and strategic selection amidst industry uncertainties. Chicago Atlantic aims for net portfolio growth in 2025, leveraging a balanced mix of fixed and floating-rate loans with high floors to navigate interest rate volatility. The company maintains a total leverage of 28% and a debt service coverage ratio of 6.2 to 1. Distributable earnings per share remained stable at $0.47, supporting a dividend payout ratio of 90% to 100% for the tax year. The company continues to focus on low leverage profiles and fundamentally sound growth initiatives, striving to outperform its industry peers and maintain a leading position in the cannabis lending market.

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate ate Finance Inc Corporate Events

DividendsFinancial Disclosures
Chicago Atlantic Reports Q4 2024 Financial Results
Neutral
Mar 12, 2025

On March 12, 2025, Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024. The company reported a decrease in net income and distributable earnings compared to the previous year, attributed to a decline in interest income due to a lower prime rate. Despite these challenges, the company maintained a strong loan portfolio and liquidity position, with significant investments in new and existing borrowers. The company also declared regular and special dividends for the fourth quarter of 2024, highlighting its commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

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.