ESS vs. SBAC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ESS and SBAC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
Both ESS and SBAC 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 | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Essex Property Trust, Inc. | SBA Communications Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Real Estate | Real Estate |
| GICS Industry | Residential REITs | Specialized REITs |
| Market Capitalization | 18.50 billion USD | 20.86 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | June 7, 1994 | June 16, 1999 |
| Security Type | REIT | REIT |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ESS and SBAC 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 | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.16% | -0.96% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -5.55% | -17.67% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -12.60% | -9.94% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -9.14% | -18.98% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.94% | -5.61% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -6.23% | -5.13% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.41M | 1.29M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.48M | 0.94M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.66% | 24.25% |
| Beta | 0.85 | 0.80 |
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.
SBAC
-1.71%
Specialized REITs Industry
- Max
- 21.01%
- Q3
- 17.78%
- Median
- 8.42%
- Q1
- 6.83%
- Min
- -1.71%
SBAC has a negative Return on Equity of -1.71%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
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.
SBAC
32.25%
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.
SBAC
52.34%
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 | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 14.44% | -1.71% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.16% | 8.21% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 43.51% | 32.25% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 52.69% | 52.34% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 70.55% | 76.94% |
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.
SBAC
0.37
Specialized REITs Industry
- Max
- 1.74
- Q3
- 1.08
- Median
- 0.58
- Q1
- 0.34
- Min
- 0.10
SBAC’s Current Ratio of 0.37 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.
SBAC
43.14
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 43.14, SBAC 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.
SBAC
2.90
Specialized REITs Industry
- Max
- 5.24
- Q3
- 3.92
- Median
- 2.94
- Q1
- 2.07
- Min
- 1.14
SBAC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.90 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Specialized REITs industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ESS | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.71 | 0.37 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.17 | 0.35 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.20 | 43.14 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 8.86 | 2.90 |
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.
SBAC
2.18%
Specialized REITs Industry
- Max
- 6.92%
- Q3
- 5.29%
- Median
- 4.71%
- Q1
- 3.25%
- Min
- 2.16%
SBAC’s Dividend Yield of 2.18% 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.
SBAC
51.48%
Specialized REITs Industry
- Max
- 338.69%
- Q3
- 202.75%
- Median
- 125.21%
- Q1
- 107.89%
- Min
- 16.73%
SBAC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 51.48% is in the lower quartile for the Specialized REITs industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ESS | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.70% | 2.18% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 79.64% | 51.48% |
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.
SBAC
23.63
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.
SBAC
7.62
Specialized REITs Industry
- Max
- 10.35
- Q3
- 8.84
- Median
- 8.28
- Q1
- 5.39
- Min
- 1.68
SBAC’s P/S Ratio of 7.62 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.
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.
SBAC
82.55
Specialized REITs Industry
- Max
- 13.73
- Q3
- 7.48
- Median
- 2.56
- Q1
- 1.70
- Min
- 0.71
At 82.55, SBAC’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 | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.54 | 23.63 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 9.37 | 7.62 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.24 | 82.55 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 74.77 | 19.55 |