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

NASDAQ: REFIAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

REFI AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (REFI) is a mortgage real estate investment trust focused on commercial real estate and senior loans to state-licensed cannabis operators. Over the trailing twelve months, the company generated $48.8M in revenue with an operating margin of 62.7%. With a forward dividend yield of 20.15%, its shares trade at a trailing P/E of 6.8x.

Market cap
$238.5M
Revenue (TTM)
$48.8M
P/E
6.8x
fwd 5.4x
1Y return
-11.6%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$15.12
62.5% vs last close

Bull case

  • Chicago Atlantic offers an annual forward dividend yield of 20.15%, supported by an annual payout of $1.88 per share.
  • The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 6.8x and forward P/E of 5.4x, both well below the US-listed Real Estate peer medians of 21.6x and 23.5x.
  • Analysts maintain a mean price target of $15.12, implying 62.5% upside from the recent closing price of $9.31.

Bear case

  • The company's dividend payout ratio stands at 133.3%, with FY2025 dividends paid of $43.8M outpacing free cash flow of $28.8M.
  • In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue fell 7.5% and quarterly earnings dropped 17.1% year-over-year.
  • Chicago Atlantic registered 0 EPS beats over the last 4 quarters, while consensus EPS for FY2026 is projected to drop 21.1% to $1.32.

What Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance does

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. functions in the commercial real estate finance sector within the United States. The company specializes in originating, structuring, and investing in first mortgage loans and alternative structured financings secured by commercial real estate properties. A distinctive part of its portfolio is providing senior loans tailored specifically for state-licensed operators and property owners in the cannabis industry. Operating as a real estate investment trust, the company distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to shareholders to benefit from favorable tax treatment. Founded in 2021, the company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Growth and profitability

Following revenue of $11.08B in FY2021, Chicago Atlantic reported revenue of $48.9M in FY2022, $57.3M in FY2023, $54.8M in FY2024, and $63.1M in FY2025. Over the 4 years from FY2021 to FY2025, revenue CAGR was -72.5%. Net income reached $36.0M in FY2025 with a net margin of 57.1% and EPS of $1.74, down from an operating margin of 80.7% and net income of $37.0M in FY2024. For the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue growth fell 7.5% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings declined 17.1%. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue was $48.8M and EPS was $1.37.

REFI income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, Chicago Atlantic held $13.4M in cash and short-term investments alongside total debt of $140.5M, resulting in net debt of $127.2M. Shareholders' equity stood at $301.6M against total assets of $461.7M, representing a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47 and a current ratio of 0.40. In FY2025, operating cash flow and free cash flow both totaled $28.8M. During that fiscal year, the company paid $43.8M in dividends, while share count expanded 24.4% over 5 years.

REFI balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

At a share price of $9.31, Chicago Atlantic carries a market cap of $238.5M and an enterprise value of $365.7M. The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 6.8x and a forward P/E of 5.4x, both lower than the median of its US-listed Real Estate peers at 21.6x and 23.5x, respectively. Its price-to-book ratio is 0.9x and EV-to-revenue stands at 7.8x. Over the past year, the stock returned -11.6%, trailing the S&P 500 return of 16.8%. The shares trade 10.3% below their 200-day average.

REFI key metrics →

REFI dividend

Chicago Atlantic pays an annual forward dividend of $1.88 per share, which represents a dividend yield of 20.15%. Dividends are distributed on a quarterly frequency and have been paid for 6 consecutive years. The company recorded its last ex-dividend date on September 30, 2026. However, its dividend payout ratio stands at 133.3%, reflecting FY2025 dividends paid of $43.8M compared to free cash flow of $28.8M.

REFI dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street coverage consists of 2 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, and 2 Hold ratings, with zero Sell or Strong Sell ratings. The mean price target is $15.12, representing upside of 62.5% from the last close of $9.31. Over the last 4 quarters, the company recorded 0 EPS beats. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project revenue of $54.8M and EPS of $1.32, marking a 21.1% decline. The next earnings date is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

REFI forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • The current ratio stands at 0.40, indicating short-term liquidity constraints relative to near-term obligations.
  • Net debt reached $127.2M against cash and short-term investments of only $13.4M as of June 30, 2026.
  • The stock price declined 11.6% over the past 1 year, underperforming the S&P 500 index return of 16.8%.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this REFI AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (REFI). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: REFI income statement, REFI balance sheet, REFI key metrics, REFI analyst forecast, REFI chart. See the REFI stock overview for the latest quote and news.

REFI AI stock analysis FAQ

What dividend does Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance pay?

Chicago Atlantic pays a forward annual dividend of $1.88 per share, corresponding to a dividend yield of 20.15%. Dividends are distributed quarterly, with a recorded payout ratio of 133.3%.

When does Chicago Atlantic report earnings next?

The company is scheduled to report its next earnings on November 3, 2026. Consensus forecasts estimate FY2026 EPS of $1.32 on revenue of $54.8M.

How is Chicago Atlantic valued compared to its peers?

The stock trades at a forward P/E of 5.4x and a price-to-book ratio of 0.9x. This represents a discount to the median of its US-listed Real Estate peers, which trades at a forward P/E of 23.5x.

What is the analyst outlook for REFI stock?

Analysts have issued 2 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, and 2 Hold ratings on REFI. The mean price target is $15.12, which is 62.5% above the last closing price of $9.31.

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