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AMT vs. ESS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

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Here’s a clear look at AMT and ESS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Both AMT and ESS are Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). These entities are required to distribute the majority of their taxable income to shareholders, often resulting in higher dividend yields.

SymbolAMTESS
Company NameAmerican Tower CorporationEssex Property Trust, Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorReal EstateReal Estate
GICS IndustrySpecialized REITsResidential REITs
Market Capitalization95.18 billion USD18.48 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateFebruary 27, 1998June 7, 1994
Security TypeREITREIT

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AMT and ESS by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

AMT vs. ESS: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolAMTESS
5-Day Price Return-3.08%1.85%
13-Week Price Return-4.88%-2.54%
26-Week Price Return6.12%-9.20%
52-Week Price Return-9.78%-9.16%
Month-to-Date Return-2.46%2.86%
Year-to-Date Return10.83%-6.24%
10-Day Avg. Volume2.41M0.43M
3-Month Avg. Volume2.39M0.49M
3-Month Volatility20.03%24.41%
Beta0.880.84

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

AMT

36.23%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max
37.66%
Q3
20.19%
Median
8.96%
Q1
6.32%
Min
-1.71%

In the upper quartile for the Specialized REITs industry, AMT’s Return on Equity of 36.23% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

ESS

14.44%

Residential REITs Industry

Max
12.21%
Q3
9.45%
Median
7.42%
Q1
2.50%
Min
0.37%

ESS’s Return on Equity of 14.44% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Residential REITs industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

AMT vs. ESS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Specialized REITs and Residential REITs industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

AMT

12.60%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max
67.81%
Q3
40.70%
Median
25.91%
Q1
11.01%
Min
1.95%

In the Specialized REITs industry, Net Profit Margin is often not the primary profitability metric.

ESS

43.51%

Residential REITs Industry

Max
67.49%
Q3
38.86%
Median
25.74%
Q1
7.62%
Min
0.15%

In the Residential REITs industry, Net Profit Margin is often not the primary profitability metric.

AMT vs. ESS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Specialized REITs and Residential REITs industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

AMT

45.53%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max
107.13%
Q3
55.10%
Median
41.03%
Q1
17.97%
Min
5.94%

In the Specialized REITs industry, Operating Profit Margin is often not the primary measure of operational efficiency.

ESS

52.69%

Residential REITs Industry

Max
54.06%
Q3
45.82%
Median
29.89%
Q1
19.34%
Min
5.28%

In the Residential REITs industry, Operating Profit Margin is often not the primary measure of operational efficiency.

AMT vs. ESS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Specialized REITs and Residential REITs industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolAMTESS
Return on Equity (TTM)36.23%14.44%
Return on Assets (TTM)2.07%6.16%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)12.60%43.51%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)45.53%52.69%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)74.37%70.55%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

AMT

0.61

Specialized REITs Industry

Max
1.74
Q3
1.13
Median
0.59
Q1
0.35
Min
0.09

AMT’s Current Ratio of 0.61 aligns with the median group of the Specialized REITs industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

ESS

0.71

Residential REITs Industry

Max
1.28
Q3
0.64
Median
0.21
Q1
0.12
Min
0.00

ESS’s Current Ratio of 0.71 is in the upper quartile for the Residential REITs industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

AMT vs. ESS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Specialized REITs and Residential REITs industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

AMT

10.10

Specialized REITs Industry

Max
4.54
Q3
3.26
Median
1.09
Q1
0.58
Min
0.16

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 10.10, AMT operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Specialized REITs industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

ESS

1.20

Residential REITs Industry

Max
1.62
Q3
1.10
Median
0.83
Q1
0.69
Min
0.28

ESS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Residential REITs industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.20. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

AMT vs. ESS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Specialized REITs and Residential REITs industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

AMT

5.07

Specialized REITs Industry

Max
5.24
Q3
4.05
Median
2.99
Q1
2.10
Min
1.28

AMT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.07 is in the upper quartile for the Specialized REITs industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

ESS

8.86

Residential REITs Industry

Max
5.11
Q3
4.01
Median
2.53
Q1
1.52
Min
0.52

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.86, ESS demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Residential REITs industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

AMT vs. ESS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Specialized REITs and Residential REITs industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolAMTESS
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.610.71
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.510.17
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)10.101.20
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)5.078.86

Growth

Revenue Growth

AMT vs. ESS: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

AMT vs. ESS: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

AMT

3.18%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max
7.06%
Q3
5.09%
Median
4.51%
Q1
3.18%
Min
1.78%

AMT’s Dividend Yield of 3.18% is consistent with its peers in the Specialized REITs industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

ESS

3.77%

Residential REITs Industry

Max
4.21%
Q3
3.83%
Median
3.40%
Q1
3.27%
Min
2.80%

ESS’s Dividend Yield of 3.77% is consistent with its peers in the Residential REITs industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

AMT vs. ESS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Specialized REITs and Residential REITs industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

AMT

111.40%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max
295.93%
Q3
182.11%
Median
119.31%
Q1
65.42%
Min
43.86%

AMT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 111.40% is within the typical range for the Specialized REITs industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

ESS

79.64%

Residential REITs Industry

Max
210.87%
Q3
145.45%
Median
102.94%
Q1
84.58%
Min
17.15%

ESS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 79.64% is in the lower quartile for the Residential REITs industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

AMT vs. ESS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Specialized REITs and Residential REITs industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolAMTESS
Dividend Yield (TTM)3.18%3.77%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)111.40%79.64%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AMT

74.85

Specialized REITs Industry

Max
85.59
Q3
64.69
Median
29.09
Q1
18.22
Min
8.79

The P/E Ratio is often not the primary metric for valuation in the Specialized REITs industry.

ESS

21.11

Residential REITs Industry

Max
177.01
Q3
109.22
Median
31.26
Q1
25.84
Min
8.46

The P/E Ratio is often not the primary metric for valuation in the Residential REITs industry.

AMT vs. ESS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Specialized REITs and Residential REITs industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

AMT

9.43

Specialized REITs Industry

Max
14.35
Q3
9.60
Median
8.74
Q1
5.61
Min
1.63

AMT’s P/S Ratio of 9.43 aligns with the market consensus for the Specialized REITs industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

ESS

9.19

Residential REITs Industry

Max
12.50
Q3
10.33
Median
8.01
Q1
6.55
Min
5.06

ESS’s P/S Ratio of 9.19 aligns with the market consensus for the Residential REITs industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

AMT vs. ESS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Specialized REITs and Residential REITs industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

AMT

27.87

Specialized REITs Industry

Max
11.33
Q3
5.68
Median
2.69
Q1
1.81
Min
0.71

At 27.87, AMT’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Specialized REITs industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

ESS

3.24

Residential REITs Industry

Max
4.49
Q3
2.83
Median
2.20
Q1
1.42
Min
0.67

ESS’s P/B Ratio of 3.24 is in the upper tier for the Residential REITs industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

AMT vs. ESS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Specialized REITs and Residential REITs industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolAMTESS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)74.8521.11
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)9.439.19
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)27.873.24
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)25.8773.29