Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE:ABR) versus CBL & Associates Properties (OTCMKTS:CBLAQ) Critical Survey

Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE:ABR) and CBL & Associates Properties (OTCMKTS:CBLAQ) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, risk, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, valuation and profitability.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Arbor Realty Trust and CBL & Associates Properties’ top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Arbor Realty Trust	$1.33 billion	1.92	$371.43 million	$1.61	8.39
CBL & Associates Properties	$535.29 million	N/A	$6.55 million	N/A	N/A

Arbor Realty Trust has higher revenue and earnings than CBL & Associates Properties.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

57.3% of Arbor Realty Trust shares are held by institutional investors. 3.7% of Arbor Realty Trust shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 20.1% of CBL & Associates Properties shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Arbor Realty Trust and CBL & Associates Properties’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Arbor Realty Trust	26.05%	17.04%	2.81%
CBL & Associates Properties	1.22%	0.95%	0.13%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Arbor Realty Trust and CBL & Associates Properties, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Arbor Realty Trust	2	2	2	0	2.00
CBL & Associates Properties	0	0	0	0	N/A

Arbor Realty Trust presently has a consensus target price of $14.71, indicating a potential upside of 9.27%. Given Arbor Realty Trust’s higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Arbor Realty Trust is more favorable than CBL & Associates Properties.

Summary

Arbor Realty Trust beats CBL & Associates Properties on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Arbor Realty Trust

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. invests in a diversified portfolio of structured finance assets in the multifamily, single-family rental, and commercial real estate markets in the United States. The company operates through Structured Business and Agency Business segments. It primarily invests in bridge and mezzanine loans, including junior participating interests in first mortgages, and preferred and direct equity, as well as real estate-related joint ventures, real estate-related notes, and various mortgage-related securities. In addition, the company offers bridge financing products to borrowers who seek short-term capital to be used in an acquisition of property; financing by making preferred equity investments in entities that directly or indirectly own real property; mezzanine financing in the form of loans that are subordinate to a conventional first mortgage loan and senior to the borrower's equity in a transaction; junior participation financing in the form of a junior participating interest in the senior debt; and financing products to borrowers who are looking to acquire conventional, workforce, and affordable single-family housing. Further, it underwrites, originates, sells, and services multifamily mortgage loans through conduit/commercial mortgage-backed securities programs. The company qualifies as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes. It generally would not be subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Uniondale, New York.

About CBL & Associates Properties

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. is a real estate investment trust, which owns and operates retail properties. The firm engages in owning, developing, acquiring, leasing, managing and operating regional shopping malls, open-air centers, community centers and office properties. It operates through Malls and All Other segments. Its properties include Malls, Associated Centers, Community Centers, Office Buildings, Construction Properties and Mortgages. The company was founded on July 13, 1993 and is headquartered in Chattanooga, TN.