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

Updated on October 6, 2025

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

Company Profile

Both DLR 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.

Symbol	DLR	ESS
Company Name	Digital Realty Trust, Inc.	Essex Property Trust, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Real Estate	Real Estate
GICS Industry	Specialized REITs	Residential REITs
Market Capitalization	61.25 billion USD	18.27 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	October 29, 2004	June 7, 1994
Security Type	REIT	REIT

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of DLR 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	DLR	ESS
5-Day Price Return	3.67%	-0.66%
13-Week Price Return	2.17%	-6.94%
26-Week Price Return	23.07%	-13.73%
52-Week Price Return	10.49%	-9.75%
Month-to-Date Return	2.01%	-1.19%
Year-to-Date Return	-0.55%	-7.35%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.38M	0.36M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.66M	0.48M
3-Month Volatility	20.80%	24.67%
Beta	1.14	0.75

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

DLR

6.37%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 21.01%
Q3: 17.78%
Median: 8.42%
Q1: 6.83%
Min: -1.71%

DLR’s Return on Equity of 6.37% is in the lower quartile for the Specialized REITs industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

ESS

14.44%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 17.50%
Q3: 9.60%
Median: 6.78%
Q1: 3.88%
Min: -0.69%

In the upper quartile for the Residential REITs industry, ESS’s Return on Equity of 14.44% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

DLR

23.98%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 70.20%
Q3: 38.00%
Median: 23.98%
Q1: 6.53%
Min: -1.41%

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

ESS

43.51%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 53.28%
Q3: 43.51%
Median: 25.98%
Q1: 9.99%
Min: -0.30%

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

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

DLR

12.40%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 107.13%
Q3: 54.03%
Median: 42.12%
Q1: 16.28%
Min: 5.86%

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

ESS

52.69%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 54.66%
Q3: 47.76%
Median: 29.76%
Q1: 18.99%
Min: -0.66%

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

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	DLR	ESS
Return on Equity (TTM)	6.37%	14.44%
Return on Assets (TTM)	3.00%	6.16%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	23.98%	43.51%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	12.40%	52.69%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	57.91%	70.55%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

DLR

1.35

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 1.74
Q3: 1.08
Median: 0.58
Q1: 0.34
Min: 0.10

DLR’s Current Ratio of 1.35 is in the upper quartile for the Specialized REITs industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

ESS

0.71

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 1.58
Q3: 0.84
Median: 0.56
Q1: 0.10
Min: 0.00

ESS’s Current Ratio of 0.71 aligns with the median group of the Residential REITs industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

DLR

0.81

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 5.86
Q3: 3.80
Median: 1.22
Q1: 0.73
Min: 0.16

DLR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.81 is typical for the Specialized REITs industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

ESS

1.20

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 1.64
Q3: 1.10
Median: 0.83
Q1: 0.68
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.

DLR 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)

DLR

2.12

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 5.24
Q3: 3.92
Median: 2.94
Q1: 2.07
Min: 1.14

DLR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.12 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Specialized REITs industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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.

DLR 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

Symbol	DLR	ESS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.35	0.71
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.35	0.17
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.81	1.20
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	2.12	8.86

Growth

Revenue Growth

DLR 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

DLR 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)

DLR

2.89%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 6.92%
Q3: 5.29%
Median: 4.71%
Q1: 3.25%
Min: 2.16%

DLR’s Dividend Yield of 2.89% is in the lower quartile for the Specialized REITs industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

ESS

3.75%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 4.67%
Q3: 4.30%
Median: 3.71%
Q1: 3.53%
Min: 3.04%

ESS’s Dividend Yield of 3.75% is consistent with its peers in the Residential REITs industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

DLR

123.72%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 338.69%
Q3: 202.75%
Median: 125.21%
Q1: 107.89%
Min: 16.73%

DLR’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 123.72% 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: 214.13%
Q3: 138.72%
Median: 103.63%
Q1: 84.15%
Min: 22.05%

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.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	DLR	ESS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.89%	3.75%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	123.72%	79.64%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

DLR

42.85

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 119.95
Q3: 64.19
Median: 27.78
Q1: 23.88
Min: 5.25

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

ESS

21.23

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 76.72
Q3: 44.45
Median: 28.89
Q1: 22.94
Min: 9.90

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

DLR 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)

DLR

10.27

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 10.35
Q3: 8.84
Median: 8.28
Q1: 5.39
Min: 1.68

DLR’s P/S Ratio of 10.27 is in the upper echelon for the Specialized REITs industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

ESS

9.24

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 13.08
Q3: 9.23
Median: 7.38
Q1: 6.12
Min: 5.65

ESS’s P/S Ratio of 9.24 is in the upper echelon for the Residential REITs industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

DLR 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)

DLR

2.56

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 13.73
Q3: 7.48
Median: 2.56
Q1: 1.70
Min: 0.71

DLR’s P/B Ratio of 2.56 is within the conventional range for the Specialized REITs industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

ESS

3.24

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 4.07
Q3: 2.62
Median: 2.08
Q1: 1.46
Min: 0.68

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.

DLR 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

Symbol	DLR	ESS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	42.85	21.23
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	10.27	9.24
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.56	3.24
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	1,739.54	73.72