Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
EFC vs STAG
ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC 1EL REIT versus STAG Industrial, Inc. — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
EFC and STAG are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
EFC or STAG — which is better?
Neither EFC nor STAG wins outright — the two are nearly equivalent across all 6 dimensions, making the choice largely a matter of which account you hold them in and personal preference on yield vs stability. EFC and STAG are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
On yield alone, EFC generates 11.58% vs 4.13% — a 7.45% difference that translates to $7,450 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, STAG scores 5.2/10 (Mixed) 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 | STAG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 11.58% | 4.13% | EFC wins |
| Dividend safety | 3.5/10 | 5.2/10 | STAG wins |
| Growth trend | -0.55% vs 5y | +0.09% vs 5y | EFC wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.93 | 0.96 | Tie |
| Scale | $1.7B | $7.4B | STAG wins |
| Tax efficiency | Ordinary income | Ordinary income | Tie |
| Overall | 2 wins | 2 wins | Tie |
Dimension by dimension
EFC wins on yield (11.58% vs 4.13%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $745 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 STAG's 4.13% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
STAG wins on safety (5.2/10 vs 3.5/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. STAG scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
STAG (5.2/10) scores 1.7 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.
EFC shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
EFC's yield is 0.55% below its 5y average, versus 0.09% for STAG. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
Volatility (beta) is similar
Both tickers move with comparable sensitivity to the broader market.
STAG is 4.4× 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 STAG 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 STAG — which is better?
Neither — EFC and STAG tie 2–2 across the six dimensions we score. EFC and STAG are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
Which is better for income, EFC or STAG?
EFC and STAG are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
EFC vs STAG: which has a higher dividend yield?
EFC yields 11.58% and STAG yields 4.13%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $745 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is EFC or STAG a safer dividend in 2026?
EFC scores 3.5/10 (Weak) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. STAG scores 5.2/10 (Mixed). STAG is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, EFC or STAG?
EFC's yield is 0.55% below its 5y average, versus 0.09% for STAG. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
EFC vs STAG: 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 STAG 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 either diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.