Financial Analysis: CBL & Associates Properties (OTCMKTS:CBLAQ) versus National Health Investors (NYSE:NHI)

National Health Investors (NYSE:NHI) and CBL & Associates Properties (OTCMKTS:CBLAQ) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends and valuation.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

62.5% of National Health Investors shares are owned by institutional investors. 7.3% of National Health Investors shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 20.1% of CBL & Associates Properties shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares National Health Investors and CBL & Associates Properties”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
National Health Investors	$335.18 million	10.33	$135.65 million	$3.12	23.76
CBL & Associates Properties	$535.29 million	N/A	$6.55 million	N/A	N/A

National Health Investors has higher earnings, but lower revenue than CBL & Associates Properties.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for National Health Investors and CBL & Associates Properties, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
National Health Investors	0	2	2	0	2.50
CBL & Associates Properties	0	0	0	0	0.00

National Health Investors presently has a consensus price target of $85.50, suggesting a potential upside of 15.34%. Given National Health Investors’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe National Health Investors is more favorable than CBL & Associates Properties.

Profitability

This table compares National Health Investors and CBL & Associates Properties’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
National Health Investors	38.53%	10.11%	5.12%
CBL & Associates Properties	6.19%	10.34%	1.38%

Summary

National Health Investors beats CBL & Associates Properties on 7 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About National Health Investors

Incorporated in 1991, National Health Investors, Inc. (NYSE:NHI) is a real estate investment trust specializing in sale, leasebacks, joint-ventures, senior housing operating partnerships, and mortgage and mezzanine financing of need-driven and discretionary senior housing and medical investments. NHI's portfolio consists of independent living, assisted living and memory care communities, entrance-fee retirement communities, skilled nursing facilities, and specialty hospitals.

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.