ESS
BEARISH
$255.37
Live
Essex Property Trust, Inc. · NYSE
Target $278.13
(+8.9%)
$238.46
52W Range
$294.09
At a glance
Key valuation, profitability, growth, and risk metrics.
Updated Apr 27, 2026
Market cap
$16.47B
P/E
24.58
ROE
12.2%
Profit margin
34.6%
Debt/Equity
1.19
Dividend yield
4.03%
AI Analysis
AI-powered fundamental assessment
Confidence
85%
ESS exhibits significant valuation misalignment, trading at $255.37 despite a Graham Number of $141.78 and an Intrinsic Value of $72.73. The Piotroski F-Score of 4/9 indicates only stable health, while a crashing YoY earnings growth of -68.70% and a PEG ratio of 7.02 suggest the stock is severely overpriced relative to its growth profile. Furthermore, a dividend payout ratio of 98.85% leaves virtually no margin for error, making the current yield precarious. The combination of a 0/100 technical trend and deteriorating earnings fundamentals supports a bearish outlook.
Key Strengths
Strong profit margins (34.60%) and gross margins (68.58%)
Substantial market capitalization of $16.47B providing scale
Consistent dividend yield of 4.03%
Manageable Debt/Equity ratio (1.19) relative to REIT sector averages
Positive 3-year price performance (+37.7%)
Key Risks
Severe valuation premium over Graham and Intrinsic value estimates
Dramatic decline in YoY earnings growth (-68.70%)
Unsustainable dividend payout ratio (98.85%)
Critically low liquidity ratios (Current Ratio: 0.15, Quick Ratio: 0.06)
Bearish technical trend (0/100) and high Forward P/E (41.72)
AI Fair Value Estimate
Based on comprehensive analysis
$132.25
-48.2% below current price
Performance Snowflake
Multi-dimensional analysis across 5 key categories
Overall
36
Weak
20
25
50
45
40
AI Verdict
Overvalued with deteriorating fundamentals
Key drivers: Earnings collapse, Valuation gap, Dividend sustainability
Confidence
90%
Value
20/100
Ref P/E 24.58, PEG 7.02, Graham Number $141.78
Positives
No standout positives identified.
Watchpoints
- Price is 80% above Graham Number
- PEG ratio of 7.02 is extreme
- Forward P/E is significantly higher than current P/E
Future
25/100
Ref Growth rates
Positives
- Slight Q/Q revenue growth (5.54%)
Watchpoints
- YoY Earnings growth at -68.70%
- Forward P/E expansion suggests lower expected earnings
Past
50/100
Ref Historical trends
Positives
- Strong 3-year growth (+37.7%)
Watchpoints
- Negative 1-year return (-4.0%)
- Inconsistent quarterly earnings surprises
Health
45/100
Ref Piotroski F-Score 4/9
Positives
- Debt/Equity is lower than sector average (1.19 vs 2.64)
Watchpoints
- Piotroski F-Score 4/9 is mediocre
- Current ratio of 0.15 indicates severe liquidity constraints
Dividend
40/100
Ref Yield 4.03%, Payout 98.85%
Positives
- Attractive 4.03% yield
Watchpoints
- Payout ratio of 98.85% is nearly 100% of earnings
Stock Price & Analyst Targets
Real-time price movements and analyst price targets
Current Price
$255.37
Analyst Target
$278.13
Upside/Downside
+8.9%
Multi-Horizon Performance vs Peers
Price momentum across 5Y → 1W horizons for ESS and closest competitors.
Updated 2026-04-24
| Company | 5Y | 3Y | 1Y | 6M | 1M | 1W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ESS
Essex Property Trust, Inc.
Primary
|
+2.9% | +37.7% | -4.0% | -1.5% | +6.6% | +0.2% |
|
REG
Regency Centers Corporation
Peer
|
+65.4% | +50.7% | +17.6% | +14.4% | +5.9% | +3.2% |
|
HST
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
Peer
|
+42.8% | +44.2% | +58.1% | +31.2% | +6.1% | +5.2% |
|
BEKE
KE Holdings Inc.
Peer
|
-73.3% | -5.8% | -31.2% | -14.2% | -3.7% | +1.7% |
|
LAMR
Lamar Advertising Company
Peer
|
+77.0% | +53.2% | +28.1% | +16.8% | +0.3% | +4.5% |
ESS
Essex Property Trust, Inc.
Primary
5Y
+2.9%
3Y
+37.7%
1Y
-4.0%
6M
-1.5%
1M
+6.6%
1W
+0.2%
REG
Regency Centers Corporation
Peer
5Y
+65.4%
3Y
+50.7%
1Y
+17.6%
6M
+14.4%
1M
+5.9%
1W
+3.2%
HST
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
Peer
5Y
+42.8%
3Y
+44.2%
1Y
+58.1%
6M
+31.2%
1M
+6.1%
1W
+5.2%
BEK
KE Holdings Inc.
Peer
5Y
-73.3%
3Y
-5.8%
1Y
-31.2%
6M
-14.2%
1M
-3.7%
1W
+1.7%
LAM
Lamar Advertising Company
Peer
5Y
+77.0%
3Y
+53.2%
1Y
+28.1%
6M
+16.8%
1M
+0.3%
1W
+4.5%
Positive values indicate cumulative gains over the specified period. Comparables pulled from the same sector to highlight whether momentum is stock-specific or industry-wide.
Historical Performance Trends
Long-term financial metrics and growth patterns
Revenue & Net Income
Profit & Operating Margins
Return on Equity (ROE)
Quarterly Revenue Growth
Historical data shows last 12 quarters (3 years)
Valuation Metrics
Key valuation ratios and pricing indicators
P/E Ratio
24.58
Forward P/E
41.72
PEG Ratio
7.02
P/B Ratio
2.97
P/S Ratio
8.51
EV/Revenue
12.11
EV/EBITDA
18.67
Market Cap
$16.47B
Profitability
Profit margins and return metrics
Profit Margin
34.6%
Operating Margin
32.86%
Gross Margin
68.58%
ROE
12.23%
ROA
3.1%
Growth
Revenue and earnings growth rates
Revenue Growth
+3.2%
Earnings Growth
-68.7%
Q/Q Revenue Growth
+5.54%
Q/Q Earnings Growth
-68.7%
Financial Health
Balance sheet strength and liquidity metrics
Debt/Equity
1.19
Moderate
Current Ratio
0.15
Weak
Quick Ratio
0.06
Poor
Cash/Share
$1.21
Financial Statement Flow
Interactive flow visualization showing how money moves through the company Q4 2025
Revenue
$0.5B
Gross Margin
67.9%
Op. Margin
31.7%
Net Margin
16.8%
Total Assets
$13.2B
Liabilities
$7.4B
Equity
$5.5B
Debt/Equity
1.34x
Operating CF
$0.2B
CapEx
$-0.0B
Free Cash Flow
$0.2B
FCF Yield
83%
Quarterly Earnings History
EPS performance vs analyst estimates
2026-04-28
$N/A
2026-02-04
$1.25
-14.6% surprise
2025-10-29
$2.56
+57.0% surprise
2025-07-29
$1.48
+5.1% surprise
Real Estate Sector Comparison
Comparing ESS against 158 companies in the Real Estate sector
(6 bullish, 31 neutral, 121 bearish)
P/E Ratio
24.58
This Stock
vs
42.45
Sector Avg
-42.1%
(Discount)
Return on Equity (ROE)
12.23%
This Stock
vs
-35.03%
Sector Avg
-134.9%
(Below Avg)
Profit Margin
34.6%
This Stock
vs
11.41%
Sector Avg
+203.4%
(Superior)
Debt to Equity
1.19
This Stock
vs
2.5
Sector Avg
-52.3%
(Less Debt)
Revenue Growth
3.2%
This Stock
vs
17600.73%
Sector Avg
-100.0%
(Slower)
Current Ratio
0.15
This Stock
vs
8.23
Sector Avg
-98.1%
(Weaker)
Similar Companies
Peer comparison within the same industry
| Company | AI Rating | Market Cap | P/E | ROE | Profit Margin | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ESS
Essex Property Trust, Inc.
|
BEARISH | $16.47B | 24.58 | 12.2% | 34.6% | $255.37 | |
|
REG
Regency Centers Corporation
|
NEUTRAL | $15.13B | 28.7 | 7.7% | 32.7% | $80.93 | Compare |
|
HST
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
|
NEUTRAL | $14.03B | 18.31 | 11.5% | 12.5% | $20.14 | Compare |
|
BEKE
KE Holdings Inc.
|
BEARISH | $19.05B | 39.3 | 5.0% | 3.4% | $16.9 | Compare |
|
LAMR
Lamar Advertising Company
|
BEARISH | $13.54B | 23.16 | 57.2% | 25.9% | $133.43 | Compare |
ESS
Essex Property...
BEARISH
Mkt Cap
$16.5B
P/E
24.6
ROE
12.2%
Price
$255.37
Recent Insider Trading
Insider buy and sell transactions from the last 6 months
| Date | Insider | Position | Transaction | Shares | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-29 | KLEIMAN ANGELA L | Chief Executive Officer | Gift | 2,534 | - |
| 2025-12-12 | KLEIMAN ANGELA L | Chief Executive Officer | Stock Award | 23,974 | - |
| 2025-12-12 | PAK BARBARA | Chief Financial Officer | Stock Award | 8,144 | - |
| 2025-12-12 | MORRISON ANNE | General Counsel | Stock Award | 7,441 | - |
KLEIMAN ANGELA L
Chief Executive Officer
2025-12-29
2,534 shares
KLEIMAN ANGELA L
Chief Executive Officer
2025-12-12
23,974 shares
PAK BARBARA
Chief Financial Officer
2025-12-12
8,144 shares
MORRISON ANNE
General Counsel
2025-12-12
7,441 shares
Insider transactions can signal confidence or concerns about company prospects
SEC Filings
Recent regulatory filings from the SEC EDGAR database
DEF 14A
10-K
8-K
10-Q
8-K
10-Q
8-K
8-K
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR. AI summaries generated automatically.
Wall Street Analysts
Professional analyst ratings and price targets
Consensus
HOLD
23 analysts
Wells Fargo
2026-04-23
Equal-Weight
Equal-Weight
Evercore ISI Group
2026-04-06
In-Line
In-Line
Barclays
2026-03-06
Equal-Weight
Equal-Weight
Scotiabank
2026-03-04
Sector Outperform
Sector Outperform
Baird
2026-03-02
Neutral
Neutral
Raymond James
2026-02-27
Outperform
Market Perform
Cantor Fitzgerald
2026-02-09
Overweight
Overweight
BMO Capital
2026-01-09
Outperform
Market Perform
UBS
2026-01-08
Neutral
Neutral
Truist Securities
2025-12-16
Hold
Hold
Past News Coverage
Recent headlines mentioning ESS from our newsroom.
Newest → oldest
No matching news yet.