ESS vs. IRM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ESS and IRM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
Both ESS and IRM 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 | ESS | IRM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Essex Property Trust, Inc. | Iron Mountain Incorporated |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Real Estate | Real Estate |
| GICS Industry | Residential REITs | Specialized REITs |
| Market Capitalization | 18.50 billion USD | 30.20 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 7, 1994 | February 1, 1996 |
| Security Type | REIT | REIT |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ESS and IRM 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ESS | IRM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.16% | 1.45% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -5.55% | 2.33% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -12.60% | 19.59% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -9.14% | -13.94% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.94% | 0.31% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -6.23% | -2.71% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.41M | 1.63M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.48M | 1.53M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.66% | 28.14% |
| Beta | 0.85 | 1.15 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
IRM
85.19%
Specialized REITs Industry
- Max
- 21.01%
- Q3
- 17.78%
- Median
- 8.42%
- Q1
- 6.83%
- Min
- -1.71%
IRM’s Return on Equity of 85.19% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Specialized REITs industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
IRM
0.64%
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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
IRM
16.17%
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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ESS | IRM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 14.44% | 85.19% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.16% | 0.22% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 43.51% | 0.64% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 52.69% | 16.17% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 70.55% | 66.77% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
IRM
0.63
Specialized REITs Industry
- Max
- 1.74
- Q3
- 1.08
- Median
- 0.58
- Q1
- 0.34
- Min
- 0.10
IRM’s Current Ratio of 0.63 aligns with the median group of the Specialized REITs industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
IRM
685.59
Specialized REITs Industry
- Max
- 5.86
- Q3
- 3.80
- Median
- 1.22
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.16
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 685.59, IRM 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
IRM
1.36
Specialized REITs Industry
- Max
- 5.24
- Q3
- 3.92
- Median
- 2.94
- Q1
- 2.07
- Min
- 1.14
In the lower quartile for the Specialized REITs industry, IRM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.36 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ESS | IRM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.71 | 0.63 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.17 | 0.54 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.20 | 685.59 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 8.86 | 1.36 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ESS
3.70%
Residential REITs Industry
- Max
- 4.67%
- Q3
- 4.30%
- Median
- 3.71%
- Q1
- 3.53%
- Min
- 3.04%
ESS’s Dividend Yield of 3.70% is consistent with its peers in the Residential REITs industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
IRM
2.84%
Specialized REITs Industry
- Max
- 6.92%
- Q3
- 5.29%
- Median
- 4.71%
- Q1
- 3.25%
- Min
- 2.16%
IRM’s Dividend Yield of 2.84% 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
IRM
400.99%
Specialized REITs Industry
- Max
- 338.69%
- Q3
- 202.75%
- Median
- 125.21%
- Q1
- 107.89%
- Min
- 16.73%
At 400.99%, IRM’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Specialized REITs industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ESS | IRM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.70% | 2.84% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 79.64% | 400.99% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ESS
21.54
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.
IRM
728.24
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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ESS
9.37
Residential REITs Industry
- Max
- 13.08
- Q3
- 9.23
- Median
- 7.38
- Q1
- 6.12
- Min
- 5.65
ESS’s P/S Ratio of 9.37 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.
IRM
4.67
Specialized REITs Industry
- Max
- 10.35
- Q3
- 8.84
- Median
- 8.28
- Q1
- 5.39
- Min
- 1.68
In the lower quartile for the Specialized REITs industry, IRM’s P/S Ratio of 4.67 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
IRM
1,254.25
Specialized REITs Industry
- Max
- 13.73
- Q3
- 7.48
- Median
- 2.56
- Q1
- 1.70
- Min
- 0.71
At 1,254.25, IRM’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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ESS | IRM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.54 | 728.24 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 9.37 | 4.67 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.24 | 1,254.25 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 74.77 | 429.07 |