WallStSmart

Ares Commercial Real Estate (ACRE)vsStarwood Property Trust Inc (STWD)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Starwood Property Trust Inc generates 654% more annual revenue ($547.93M vs $72.68M). STWD leads profitability with a 75.1% profit margin vs -1.2%. ACRE appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.57. STWD earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 67/100 (B-).

ACRE

Hold

41

out of 100

Grade: D

Growth: 4.0Profit: 2.0Value: 4.0Quality: 3.8
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: -0.23

STWD

Strong Buy

67

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 8.7Profit: 6.0Value: 7.3Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.21
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

Intrinsic value data unavailable for ACRE.

STWDUndervalued (+66.4%)

Margin of Safety

+66.4%

Fair Value

$53.82

Current Price

$17.48

$36.34 discount

UndervaluedFair: $53.82Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ACRE1 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Price/BookValuation
0.5x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

STWD5 strengths · Avg: 9.6/10
Price/BookValuation
1.0x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
75.1%10/10

Keeps 75 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
62.6%10/10

Revenue surging 62.6% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
78.0%10/10

Earnings expanding 78.0% YoY

P/E RatioValuation
15.1x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Areas to Watch

ACRE4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Market CapQuality
$260.23M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

PEG RatioValuation
2.572/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Return on EquityProfitability
-0.2%2/10

ROE of -0.2% — below average capital efficiency

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-81.7%2/10

Revenue declined 81.7%

STWD3 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Return on EquityProfitability
6.0%3/10

ROE of 6.0% — below average capital efficiency

PEG RatioValuation
2.732/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.212/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ACRE

The strongest argument for ACRE centers on Price/Book.

Bull Case : STWD

The strongest argument for STWD centers on Price/Book, Profit Margin, Revenue Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 75.1% and operating margin at 11.2%. Revenue growth of 62.6% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : ACRE

The primary concerns for ACRE are Market Cap, PEG Ratio, Return on Equity. Debt-to-equity of 2.06 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : STWD

The primary concerns for STWD are Return on Equity, PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

ACRE profiles as a turnaround stock while STWD is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

ACRE carries more volatility with a beta of 1.28 — expect wider price swings.

STWD is growing revenue faster at 62.6% — sustainability is the question.

STWD generates stronger free cash flow (190M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

STWD scores higher overall (67/100 vs 41/100), backed by strong 75.1% margins and 62.6% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Ares Commercial Real Estate

REAL ESTATE · REIT - MORTGAGE · USA

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation, a specialized finance company, originates and invests in commercial real estate loans (CRE) and related investments in the United States. The company is headquartered in New York, New York.

Starwood Property Trust Inc

REAL ESTATE · REIT - MORTGAGE · USA

Starwood Property Trust, Inc. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) in the United States and Europe. The company is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?