This Stock's 10% Yield Beats the Market. Its 10-Year Return Doesn't. Is It a Value Trap, or a Real Opportunity?

A 10% dividend yield is alluring in today's market, where the S&P 500's dividend yield is around 1%. However, when that same investment has delivered a 4.7% average annual total return over the past decade, it looks less like an opportunity and more like a trap.

Those numbers present a real conundrum for investors considering Ladder Capital (NYSE:LADR) these days. Here's why I think the real estate investment trust (REIT) is a real opportunity right now despite its lackluster returns over the past decade.

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From a trap to an opportunity

Ladder Capital has had its struggles over the past decade due to the pandemic. The commercial mortgage REIT had to slash its dividend (from $0.34 per share to $0.20 per share) and take several other steps to shore up its liquidity due to the impact of work-from-home on its office properties, which made it difficult for borrowers to remain current on their loans.

However, the company has come a long way over the last several years. It has much less exposure to the office sector (currently 21% of its $2.8 billion loan portfolio, with most of its loans newer vintages originated since 2024). It has also significantly enhanced its financial profile, as it's now the only investment-grade commercial mortgage REIT. It has also been rebuilding its earnings and dividend.

Despite all that progress, Ladder Capital trades at a more than 30% discount to its book value. The company expects to earn its way back to book value by rotating more of its portfolio into loans, growing its earnings, repurchasing shares, and increasing its dividend, which has already risen 15% since the post-pandemic reset.

A quick comparison

While Ladder Capital trades at a discount to its book value, other REITs trade at a premium to their book values. For example, leading residential mortgage REIT AGNC Investment (NASDAQ:AGNC) ended the second quarter with a tangible book value of $8.59 per share. Its share price currently trades at a premium of more than 10% to its book value. AGNC trades at a premium even though its portfolio consists almost entirely of Agency MBS, pools of residential mortgages guaranteed against credit losses by government agencies. These are highly liquid, fixed-income investments that help support its static monthly dividend.

Ladder Capital, on the other hand, invests in senior secured first mortgages on commercial real estate that primarily have floating rates. As a result, the rates on these loans rise with interest rates. Meanwhile, the REIT also invests in high-quality commercial mortgage bonds and directly owns commercial real estate. The company's owned real estate portfolio provides stable, growing rental income and appreciation potential. It's a diversified, high-quality investment portfolio that should support a growing dividend and rising share price.

Ladder Capital is a compelling investment opportunity

Ladder Capital's lackluster returns over the past decade likely have investors believing the high-yielding REIT is still a value trap. However, I think it has become a real opportunity. It trades at a steep discount to its book value, which should rise as it grows its loan portfolio, supporting continued dividend increases. That upside, along with its high yield, is why I recently initiated a position in Ladder Capital and plan to build it over time.

Matt DiLallo has positions in Ladder Capital. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.