Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
EFC vs SPG
ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC 1EL REIT versus Simon Property Group Inc. — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
SPG wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but EFC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
EFC or SPG — which is better?
SPG wins this comparison 3–2 across 6 dimensions. SPG yields 4.18% — lower than EFC's 11.58% — and carries a 7.3/10 dividend safety score (Solid) vs 3.5/10 for EFC (Weak). SPG wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but EFC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, EFC generates 11.58% vs 4.18% — a 7.40% difference that translates to $7,400 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, SPG scores 7.3/10 (Solid) vs 3.5/10 (Weak) for EFC — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | EFC | SPG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 11.58% | 4.18% | EFC wins |
| Dividend safety | 3.5/10 | 7.3/10 | SPG wins |
| Growth trend | -0.55% vs 5y | -0.81% vs 5y | SPG wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.93 | 1.33 | EFC wins |
| Scale | $1.7B | $80.6B | SPG wins |
| Tax efficiency | Ordinary income | Ordinary income | Tie |
| Overall | 2 wins | 3 wins | SPG wins |
Dimension by dimension
EFC wins on yield (11.58% vs 4.18%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $740 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
EFC's higher yield (11.58%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus SPG's 4.18% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
SPG wins on safety (7.3/10 vs 3.5/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. SPG scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
SPG (7.3/10) scores 3.8 points higher than EFC (3.5/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
SPG shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
SPG's yield is 0.81% below its 5y average, versus 0.55% for EFC. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
EFC is less volatile (beta 0.93 vs 1.33)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
SPG is 47.7× larger by market cap
Larger companies tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
Both have similar tax-treatment concerns
Both pay primarily ordinary-income distributions (covered call ETF, REIT, or mREIT). Hold in a tax-advantaged account for the cleanest treatment.
Full breakdown per ticker: are EFC dividends qualified and are SPG dividends qualified — each with the after-tax income at every federal bracket.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice. Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
EFC or SPG — which is better?
SPG is better on our scoring, winning 3–2 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. SPG wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but EFC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, EFC or SPG?
SPG wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but EFC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
EFC vs SPG: which has a higher dividend yield?
EFC yields 11.58% and SPG yields 4.18%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $740 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is EFC or SPG a safer dividend in 2026?
EFC scores 3.5/10 (Weak) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. SPG scores 7.3/10 (Solid). SPG is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, EFC or SPG?
SPG's yield is 0.81% below its 5y average, versus 0.55% for EFC. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
EFC vs SPG: which is more tax-efficient?
Both pay primarily ordinary-income distributions (covered call ETF, REIT, or mREIT). Hold in a tax-advantaged account for the cleanest treatment.
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Compare both against your actual holdings
Put EFC and SPG into the free analyzer with the rest of your portfolio. You'll see what each one contributes to your annual income, your weighted safety score, and whether adding SPG diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.