v3.20.4

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Jun. 30, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Jun. 30, 2019 | Mar. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value | [1] | $ 141,620 |  |  |  | $ 71,850 |  |  |  | $ 141,620 | $ 71,850
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities |  | 27,344 | $ 11,443 | $ 5,643 | $ (6,497) | 3,262 | $ 2,796 | $ 2,354 | $ 1,797 | 37,933 | 10,209
Investment in Loan Originator |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value |  | 79,500 |  |  |  | 40,600 |  |  |  | 79,500 | 40,600
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value |  | $ 13,600 |  |  |  | $ 28,500 |  |  |  | $ 13,600 | $ 28,500
[1] | Ellington Financial Inc.'s Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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