MAA vs. O: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 3, 2025

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

Company Profile

Both MAA and O 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	MAA	O
Company Name	Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.	Realty Income Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Real Estate	Real Estate
GICS Industry	Residential REITs	Retail REITs
Market Capitalization	16.75 billion USD	55.28 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 28, 1994	October 18, 1994
Security Type	REIT	REIT

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MAA and O 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MAA	O
5-Day Price Return	-0.50%	1.35%
13-Week Price Return	-5.59%	5.52%
26-Week Price Return	-15.06%	7.48%
52-Week Price Return	-11.43%	-3.09%
Month-to-Date Return	-4.18%	3.45%
Year-to-Date Return	-9.60%	13.82%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.86M	6.36M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.90M	5.44M
3-Month Volatility	19.28%	16.05%
Beta	0.80	0.78

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

MAA

9.60%

Residential REITs Industry

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

MAA’s Return on Equity of 9.60% is on par with the norm for the Residential REITs industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

O

2.36%

Retail REITs Industry

Max: 16.17%
Q3: 9.03%
Median: 6.12%
Q1: 3.81%
Min: -3.17%

O’s Return on Equity of 2.36% is in the lower quartile for the Retail REITs industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

MAA vs. O: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Retail REITs industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

MAA

25.98%

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.

O

16.77%

Retail REITs Industry

Max: 75.53%
Q3: 49.82%
Median: 28.35%
Q1: 20.68%
Min: -8.79%

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

MAA vs. O: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Retail REITs industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

MAA

29.76%

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.

O

15.23%

Retail REITs Industry

Max: 102.11%
Q3: 58.14%
Median: 38.63%
Q1: 25.00%
Min: -8.87%

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

MAA vs. O: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Retail REITs industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MAA	O
Return on Equity (TTM)	9.60%	2.36%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.84%	1.32%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	25.98%	16.77%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	29.76%	15.23%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	58.85%	92.63%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

MAA

0.13

Residential REITs Industry

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

MAA’s Current Ratio of 0.13 aligns with the median group of the Residential REITs industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

O

1.47

Retail REITs Industry

Max: 1.74
Q3: 0.97
Median: 0.55
Q1: 0.32
Min: 0.07

O’s Current Ratio of 1.47 is in the upper quartile for the Retail REITs industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

MAA vs. O: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Residential REITs and Retail REITs industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

MAA

0.85

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 1.64
Q3: 1.10
Median: 0.83
Q1: 0.68
Min: 0.28

MAA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.85 is typical for the Residential REITs industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

O

0.72

Retail REITs Industry

Max: 2.06
Q3: 1.27
Median: 0.92
Q1: 0.68
Min: 0.34

O’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.72 is typical for the Retail REITs industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

MAA vs. O: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Residential REITs and Retail REITs industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

MAA

4.01

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 5.11
Q3: 4.01
Median: 2.53
Q1: 1.52
Min: 0.52

MAA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.01 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Residential REITs industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

O

2.15

Retail REITs Industry

Max: 4.31
Q3: 3.30
Median: 2.15
Q1: 1.29
Min: -0.08

O’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.15 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Retail REITs industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

MAA vs. O: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Retail REITs industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MAA	O
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.13	1.47
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.05	1.47
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.85	0.72
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	4.01	2.15

Growth

Revenue Growth

MAA vs. O: 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

MAA vs. O: 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)

MAA

4.29%

Residential REITs Industry

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

MAA’s Dividend Yield of 4.29% is consistent with its peers in the Residential REITs industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

O

5.08%

Retail REITs Industry

Max: 6.92%
Q3: 5.10%
Median: 4.50%
Q1: 3.89%
Min: 2.37%

O’s Dividend Yield of 5.08% is consistent with its peers in the Retail REITs industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

MAA vs. O: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Retail REITs industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

MAA

122.73%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 214.13%
Q3: 138.72%
Median: 103.63%
Q1: 84.15%
Min: 22.05%

MAA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 122.73% is within the typical range for the Residential REITs industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

O

308.01%

Retail REITs Industry

Max: 195.40%
Q3: 125.60%
Median: 85.02%
Q1: 51.07%
Min: 12.86%

At 308.01%, O’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Retail REITs industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.

MAA vs. O: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Retail REITs industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MAA	O
Dividend Yield (TTM)	4.29%	5.08%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	122.73%	308.01%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MAA

28.62

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.

O

60.69

Retail REITs Industry

Max: 42.04
Q3: 28.02
Median: 21.98
Q1: 15.79
Min: 6.89

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

MAA vs. O: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Retail REITs industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MAA

7.44

Residential REITs Industry

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

MAA’s P/S Ratio of 7.44 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.

O

10.18

Retail REITs Industry

Max: 13.05
Q3: 9.54
Median: 6.95
Q1: 5.59
Min: 3.06

O’s P/S Ratio of 10.18 is in the upper echelon for the Retail 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.

MAA vs. O: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Retail REITs industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

MAA

2.93

Residential REITs Industry

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

MAA’s P/B Ratio of 2.93 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.

O

1.33

Retail REITs Industry

Max: 2.70
Q3: 1.64
Median: 1.05
Q1: 0.91
Min: 0.58

O’s P/B Ratio of 1.33 is within the conventional range for the Retail 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.

MAA vs. O: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Residential REITs and Retail REITs industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MAA	O
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	28.62	60.69
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	7.44	10.18
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.93	1.33
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	69.77	597.48