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

Updated on October 4, 2025

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

Company Profile

Both ESS and WELL 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	WELL
Company Name	Essex Property Trust, Inc.	Welltower Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Real Estate	Real Estate
GICS Industry	Residential REITs	Health Care REITs
Market Capitalization	18.50 billion USD	119.97 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 7, 1994	March 19, 1980
Security Type	REIT	REIT

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ESS and WELL 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ESS	WELL
5-Day Price Return	1.16%	4.19%
13-Week Price Return	-5.55%	15.88%
26-Week Price Return	-12.60%	18.88%
52-Week Price Return	-9.14%	40.05%
Month-to-Date Return	-0.94%	5.86%
Year-to-Date Return	-6.23%	41.35%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.41M	5.21M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.48M	2.98M
3-Month Volatility	24.66%	18.24%
Beta	0.85	0.92

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.

WELL

3.42%

Health Care REITs Industry

Max: 10.39%
Q3: 6.95%
Median: 5.08%
Q1: 2.35%
Min: 1.71%

WELL’s Return on Equity of 3.42% is on par with the norm for the Health Care REITs industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

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

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.

WELL

12.18%

Health Care REITs Industry

Max: 58.90%
Q3: 41.92%
Median: 27.62%
Q1: 7.47%
Min: -32.95%

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

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

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.

WELL

14.52%

Health Care REITs Industry

Max: 92.65%
Q3: 49.54%
Median: 38.20%
Q1: 14.70%
Min: -22.55%

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

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ESS	WELL
Return on Equity (TTM)	14.44%	3.42%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.16%	2.16%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	43.51%	12.18%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	52.69%	14.52%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	70.55%	40.56%

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.

WELL

1.92

Health Care REITs Industry

Max: 2.86
Q3: 1.87
Median: 1.49
Q1: 0.26
Min: 0.06

WELL’s Current Ratio of 1.92 is in the upper quartile for the Health Care REITs industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

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

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.

WELL

0.45

Health Care REITs Industry

Max: 1.14
Q3: 1.00
Median: 0.95
Q1: 0.73
Min: 0.35

Falling into the lower quartile for the Health Care REITs industry, WELL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.45 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

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

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.

WELL

1.96

Health Care REITs Industry

Max: 5.10
Q3: 2.88
Median: 1.84
Q1: 1.17
Min: 0.43

WELL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.96 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Health Care REITs industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ESS	WELL
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	1.92
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.17	1.92
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.20	0.45
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	8.86	1.96

Growth

Revenue Growth

ESS vs. WELL: 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

ESS vs. WELL: 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)

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.

WELL

1.43%

Health Care REITs Industry

Max: 8.56%
Q3: 6.40%
Median: 6.02%
Q1: 3.59%
Min: 1.51%

WELL’s Dividend Yield of 1.43% is below the typical range for the Health Care REITs industry. This indicates that shareholder returns are likely driven more by potential capital appreciation than by dividend income.

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

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.

WELL

150.35%

Health Care REITs Industry

Max: 234.45%
Q3: 218.09%
Median: 153.06%
Q1: 99.53%
Min: 0.00%

WELL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 150.35% is within the typical range for the Health Care REITs industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ESS	WELL
Dividend Yield (TTM)	3.70%	1.43%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	79.64%	150.35%

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.

WELL

105.33

Health Care REITs Industry

Max: 79.81
Q3: 46.18
Median: 26.23
Q1: 23.21
Min: 13.95

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

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

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.

WELL

12.82

Health Care REITs Industry

Max: 20.59
Q3: 11.86
Median: 7.62
Q1: 4.92
Min: 3.19

WELL’s P/S Ratio of 12.82 is in the upper echelon for the Health Care 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 vs. WELL: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Health Care REITs industry benchmarks.

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.

WELL

2.80

Health Care REITs Industry

Max: 2.80
Q3: 2.04
Median: 1.58
Q1: 0.90
Min: 0.54

WELL’s P/B Ratio of 2.80 is in the upper tier for the Health Care 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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ESS	WELL
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	21.54	105.33
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	9.37	12.82
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	3.24	2.80
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	74.77	45.53