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CTRE vs WELL
Which Stock Would AI Choose? CareTrust REIT (CTRE) vs. Welltower (WELL) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- CareTrust REIT (CTRE) is a smaller, acquisition-driven healthcare REIT (real estate investment trust) weighted toward skilled nursing and triple-net leases, while Welltower (WELL) is the sector's largest player, built around a senior housing operating platform.
- Welltower has delivered stronger recent operational momentum, with same-store net operating income (NOI) growth exceeding 20% for many consecutive quarters, whereas CareTrust's growth is more dependent on external investment volume.
- The two stocks present a classic scale-versus-growth trade-off: CareTrust offers a higher dividend yield and a lower valuation, while Welltower commands a premium multiple tied to its operating leverage and scale.
- Recent market activity has shown divergence, with Welltower trading near 52-week highs and CareTrust pulling back from earlier levels despite raising guidance.
- Investors can track deeper developments on dedicated pages for CTRE Major News and CTRE Today's Price Move, as well as WELL Major News and WELL Today's Price Move.
- For a data-driven view of current market conditions, explore the curated Trending AI Robots section to see which strategies are positioned for today's environment.
Introduction
CareTrust REIT and Welltower are both healthcare real estate investment trusts (REITs), but they represent sharply different approaches to the same long-term demographic theme: an aging population. Comparing them highlights a broader question investors frequently face—whether to favor a smaller, higher-yielding, externally driven growth story or a dominant, premium-valued operator with proven internal growth. This stock comparison is most relevant to income-oriented investors, REIT specialists, and traders evaluating relative performance and market positioning across the healthcare property sector. The sections below examine each company's recent results, momentum, risk profile, and how a quantitative system might weigh the two.
CTRE Overview and Recent Performance
CareTrust REIT, Inc. (CTRE) is a self-administered REIT that owns, acquires, and leases skilled nursing, seniors housing, and other healthcare-related properties, primarily under long-term triple-net leases, with a growing presence in the United Kingdom. Its growth model leans heavily on disciplined external investment. In recent quarters, the company reported a substantial ramp in deal activity, closing roughly $1.1 billion of year-to-date investments at a blended stabilized yield of about 8.9%, spanning U.S. skilled nursing, U.K. care homes, and a small senior housing operating (SHOP) portfolio. CareTrust also raised its full-year 2026 funds from operations (FFO) guidance, increased its quarterly dividend to $0.39 per share, and received an investment-grade upgrade from Moody's. Despite this, the share price eased over a recent multi-month stretch, with a roughly 12% pullback over one 90-day period, suggesting that near-term sentiment cooled even as fundamentals strengthened.
WELL Overview and Recent Performance
Welltower Inc. (WELL) is an S&P 500 company and the largest healthcare REIT, focused on senior housing operating communities across the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Unlike CareTrust's lease-heavy model, Welltower operates many of its properties directly, which gives it direct exposure to occupancy and pricing trends. That model has produced exceptional recent results: same-store NOI has grown more than 20% year over year for well over a dozen consecutive quarters, supported by rising occupancy and revenue per occupied room. Welltower has also raised its normalized FFO guidance and increased its quarterly dividend by 15% to $0.85 per share, while recycling capital out of outpatient medical and post-acute assets into higher-growth senior housing. The stock has traded near 52-week highs, though it has shown signs of consolidation in recent weeks after a strong run.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron operates hundreds of AI Trading Bots that collectively trade thousands of different tickers, yet only a select group earns placement in the curated Trending AI Robots section. These bots span a wide range of trading styles, strategies, timeframes, performance statistics, and the specific tickers they monitor, so the selection varies as market conditions shift. The "trending" designation highlights strategies that are currently among the best-suited to prevailing conditions rather than a fixed, one-size-fits-all list. This approach lets traders review which automated approaches are resonating right now and compare their risk profiles. If you are interested in seeing which AI-driven strategies are currently favored across the market, visit the Trending AI Robots page to explore the available options.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The clearest contrast between the two names is structural. CTRE earns most of its revenue from rent under long-term, triple-net leases, providing steadier, more predictable cash flows but making growth contingent on continuous acquisitions. WELL, by contrast, operates the majority of its communities, exposing it to operating costs but also to the full upside of occupancy gains and pricing power. This explains the valuation gap: Welltower trades at a premium multiple and a dividend yield near 1.2%, while CareTrust offers a higher yield and a lower multiple. Risk profiles differ as well—CareTrust's concentration in skilled nursing and reliance on external capital raises sensitivity to acquisition yields and interest rates, whereas Welltower's operating model is more sensitive to labor costs and demand conditions. On momentum, Welltower's internal NOI growth has been more consistent, while CareTrust's recent share-price softness stands in contrast to its improving fundamentals.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, operating stability, and relative positioning, Tickeron's AI would likely lean toward WELL in the current environment. Welltower's durable, double-digit same-store growth, large scale, and improving capital allocation suggest a more reliable upward trend, even as its premium valuation introduces a degree of near-term risk. CareTrust's higher yield and lower valuation make it an appealing value alternative, but its dependence on external deal flow introduces more variability. The assessment is probabilistic rather than definitive, and relative momentum could shift if either company's catalysts—acquisition yields for CareTrust or occupancy trends for Welltower—change materially.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CTRE is a Buy and WELL is a Buy.
CTRE in upward trend: price rose above 50-day moving average on November 04, 2026
CTRE moved above its 50-day moving average on November 04, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend. In 31 of 41 similar past instances, the stock price increased further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 76%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on November 02, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on CTRE as a result. In 52 of 80 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 65%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for CTRE just turned positive on October 12, 2026. Looking at past instances where CTRE's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 27 of 46 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 59%.
The 10-day moving average for CTRE crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on November 10, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 11 of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 73%.
Following a +4.52% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where CTRE advanced for three days, in 217 of 324 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 67%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 4 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
The 50-day moving average for CTRE moved below the 200-day moving average on October 09, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where CTRE declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 49%.
CTRE broke above its upper Bollinger Band on November 06, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for CTRE entered a downward trend on October 19, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 8 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 58, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 49 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. CTRE’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 60 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 74 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly better than average sales and a considerably profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 97 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.010) is normal, around the industry mean (3.134). P/E Ratio (23.881) is within average values for comparable stocks, (30.791). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.370) is also within normal values, averaging (1.649). Dividend Yield (0.041) settles around the average of (0.050) among similar stocks. CTRE's P/S Ratio (18.762) is very high in comparison to the industry average of (6.013).
WELL's RSI Oscillator ascends from oversold territory
The RSI Indicator for WELL moved out of oversold territory on October 08, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from a downward trend to an upward trend. Traders may want to buy the stock or call options. The A.I.dvisor looked at 13 similar instances when the indicator left oversold territory. In 12 of the 13 cases the stock moved higher. This puts the odds of a move higher at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on November 02, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on WELL as a result. In 54 of 77 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 70%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for WELL just turned positive on October 30, 2026. Looking at past instances where WELL's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 27 of 41 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 66%.
WELL moved above its 50-day moving average on October 30, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for WELL crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 23, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 7 of 13 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 54%.
Following a +1.43% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where WELL advanced for three days, in 226 of 352 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 64%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 7 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where WELL declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 48%.
WELL broke above its upper Bollinger Band on November 04, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for WELL entered a downward trend on October 19, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 2 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 58, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 24 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating outstanding price growth. WELL’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 66 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 86 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 98 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (3.804) is normal, around the industry mean (3.134). WELL has a moderately high P/E Ratio (110.365) as compared to the industry average of (30.791). WELL's Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (3.660) is slightly higher than the industry average of (1.649). Dividend Yield (0.014) settles around the average of (0.050) among similar stocks. WELL's P/S Ratio (13.316) is slightly higher than the industry average of (6.013).
CTRE | WELL | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 22 | 38 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 97 Overvalued | 98 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 8 | 2 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 74 | 86 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 49 | 24 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 60 | 66 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 75 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
CTRE's Valuation (97) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as WELL (98). This means that CTRE’s stock grew similarly to WELL’s over the last 12 months.
WELL's Profit vs Risk Rating (2) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as CTRE (8). This means that WELL’s stock grew similarly to CTRE’s over the last 12 months.
CTRE's SMR Rating (74) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as WELL (86). This means that CTRE’s stock grew similarly to WELL’s over the last 12 months.
WELL's Price Growth Rating (24) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as CTRE (49). This means that WELL’s stock grew similarly to CTRE’s over the last 12 months.
CTRE's P/E Growth Rating (60) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as WELL (66). This means that CTRE’s stock grew similarly to WELL’s over the last 12 months.
| CTRE | WELL | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 3 days ago 90% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 41% | 1 day ago 45% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 65% | 1 day ago 70% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 59% | 1 day ago 66% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 1 day ago 64% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 63% | 1 day ago 61% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 49% | 6 days ago 48% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 46% | 1 day ago 50% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 44% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CTRE’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green while WELL’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- CTRE’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- WELL’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CTRE’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WELL’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CTRE’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- WELL’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
CTRE (@Publishing: Books/Magazines) experienced а +1.74% price change this week, while WELL (@Publishing: Books/Magazines) price change was +0.09% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Publishing: Books/Magazines industry was -1.94%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +1.20%, and the average quarterly price growth was -0.50%.
Reported Earning Dates
CTRE is expected to report earnings on Feb 11, 2027.
WELL is expected to report earnings on Feb 16, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Publishing: Books/Magazines (-1.94% weekly)The industry includes companies that publish and market books and magazines/periodicals. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Meredith Corporation and Scholastic Corporation are some of the biggest companies in this industry. Like many other industries, publishing companies have branched out into online/digital publications (while retaining their original print business), to capture the burgeoning market in electronic media. Business could be cyclical in certain cases, since weak consumer sentiment during an economic downturn might depress sales of some magazines and books.
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CTRE and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CTRE has been closely correlated with OHI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 81% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if CTRE jumps, then OHI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To CTRE | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTRE | 100% | -0.59% | ||
| OHI - CTRE | 81% Closely correlated | -1.19% | ||
| SBRA - CTRE | 73% Closely correlated | -1.64% | ||
| LTC - CTRE | 72% Closely correlated | -1.33% | ||
| AHR - CTRE | 71% Closely correlated | -0.27% | ||
| NHI - CTRE | 69% Closely correlated | -2.61% | ||
More | ||||
WELL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, WELL has been closely correlated with VTR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 82% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if WELL jumps, then VTR could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To WELL | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WELL | 100% | -0.13% | ||
| VTR - WELL | 82% Closely correlated | +0.09% | ||
| AHR - WELL | 75% Closely correlated | -0.27% | ||
| OHI - WELL | 70% Closely correlated | -1.19% | ||
| LTC - WELL | 66% Closely correlated | -1.33% | ||
| CTRE - WELL | 66% Closely correlated | -0.59% | ||
More | ||||
| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| CAPE | 32.84 | 0.06 | +0.18% |
| DoubleLine Shiller CAPE U.S. Equities ETF (CAPE) | |||
| SMLL | 22.75 | 0.04 | +0.16% |
| Harbor Active Small Cap ETF (SMLL) | |||
| VHT | 349.35 | 0.54 | +0.15% |
| Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) | |||
| DVAL | 15.72 | N/A | N/A |
| BrandywineGLOBAL - Dynamic US Large Cap Value ETF (DVAL) | |||
| ECH | 35.66 | -0.20 | -0.56% |
| iShares MSCI Chile ETF (ECH) | |||