MetaCap

MFA Financial (MFA) vs Orchid Island Capital (ORC)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

MFA Financial (MFA) has outperformed Orchid Island Capital (ORC) over the past year, losing 20.3% versus a loss of 30.7%. Over five years, MFA leads with a -61.6% price change compared with -79.9% for ORC. Orchid Island Capital is the larger company by market cap ($991.0 million vs $725.8 million), about 1.4 times the size.

On valuation, Orchid Island Capital trades at a lower forward P/E (4.4x vs 5.2x for MFA Financial). Orchid Island Capital offers the higher dividend yield (27.49% vs 20.06%).

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

MFA-20.29%ORC-29.97%
+19%-7%-32%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
MFA-61.14%ORC-80.00%
+6%-39%-84%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

MFA versus ORC key metrics
MetricMFAORC
Share price$7.18$5.02
Market cap$725.81M$990.98M
1-day change+0.42%+0.40%
YTD return-23.20%-30.28%
1-year return-20.29%-30.66%
5-year return-61.56%-79.92%
P/E ratio (TTM)7.113.06
Forward P/E5.194.44
EPS (TTM)$1.01$1.64
Dividend yield20.06%27.49%
Annual dividend$1.44$1.38
52-week high$10.43$8.40
52-week low$7.01$4.85
Distance from 52-week high-31.16%-40.24%
Analyst consensusbuyhold
Avg. price target upside+92.62%+49.40%
Average volume1.64M5.23M
Shares outstanding101.09M197.41M
Employees307—
SectorReal EstateReal Estate
IndustryReal Estate Investment TrustsReal Estate Investment Trusts

Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.

Key differences

  • MFA has outperformed ORC by 10.4 percentage points over the past year.
  • MFA Financial trades at a higher earnings multiple (7.1x vs 3.1x trailing P/E).
  • Orchid Island Capital offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (27.49% vs 20.06%).

About MFA Financial

MFA stock →

MFA Financial, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a real estate investment trust in the United States. It operates through two segments: Mortgage-Related Assets and Lima One.

Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 307 employees

About Orchid Island Capital

ORC stock →

Orchid Island Capital, Inc., a specialty finance company, invests in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) in the United States. The company's RMBS is backed by single-family residential mortgage loans, referred to as Agency RMBS.

Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts

MFA vs ORC FAQ

Which is bigger, MFA Financial or Orchid Island Capital?

Orchid Island Capital (ORC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $990.98M compared with $725.81M for MFA Financial (MFA).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, MFA or ORC?

MFA returned -20.29% over the past 12 months, compared with -30.66% for ORC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which has the lower P/E ratio, MFA or ORC?

ORC has the lower trailing P/E at 3.1, versus 7.1 for MFA. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.

Which pays a higher dividend, MFA Financial or Orchid Island Capital?

Orchid Island Capital has the higher yield at 27.49%, compared with 20.06% for MFA Financial.

Are MFA Financial and Orchid Island Capital in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.

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