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CPT vs ESS
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Camden Property Trust (CPT) vs. Essex Property Trust (ESS) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both CPT and ESS are leading multifamily REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts), with CPT focused on high-growth Sunbelt markets and ESS on premium West Coast regions.
- CPT has outperformed year-to-date with a 6.55% return compared to ESS's 0.38%.
- Dividend yields are comparable at approximately 4.17% for CPT and 4.03% for ESS, appealing to income-focused investors.
- CPT recently settled a $53 million antitrust lawsuit, while both await Q1 2026 earnings reports.
- Multifamily sector sentiment improves with easing new supply, benefiting both but favoring CPT's growth markets.
- Tickeron's AI analysis leans toward CPT for stronger relative momentum and positioning.
Introduction
This comparison pits two S&P 500 multifamily REITs, CPT and ESS, against each other in the current residential real estate landscape. Both companies own and manage large portfolios of apartment communities amid shifting supply dynamics and economic uncertainty. Investors seeking stable dividends, sector exposure, or growth potential in housing demand will find value in evaluating their business models, recent market behavior, and risk profiles. As apartment supply eases and job growth supports occupancy, relative performance highlights key trade-offs for portfolio allocation.
CPT Overview and Recent Performance
Camden Property Trust (CPT) is a real estate investment trust specializing in multifamily apartments, owning interests in 172 properties with 58,759 homes across high-growth U.S. markets, primarily in the Sunbelt region including Texas and the Southeast. The company emphasizes development and redevelopment to capitalize on strong employment and migration trends. In recent market activity, CPT shares have posted modest gains over the past 30 days, trading around $101.75 with a market cap of $10.66 billion. Year-to-date returns stand at 6.55%, supported by positive multifamily demand but tempered by a $53 million settlement in an antitrust lawsuit related to pricing software. Leadership changes, including a new CEO, and upcoming Q1 earnings have influenced sentiment, with analysts noting potential for improved supply dynamics.
ESS Overview and Recent Performance
Essex Property Trust (ESS) operates as a fully integrated REIT focused on multifamily properties in West Coast markets, particularly California, with ownership in 259 communities totaling over 63,000 apartment homes. Its strategy centers on premium urban and suburban locations benefiting from high barriers to entry and robust rental demand. Shares have shown resilience in recent weeks, hovering near $255.37 with a larger market cap of $16.47 billion. Performance over the past 30 days reflects stabilization, though year-to-date gains lag at 0.38%. Key influences include expectations for Q1 earnings on April 28 and earlier dividend hikes, alongside sector-wide optimism from declining new supply. West Coast exposure provides rent growth advantages but carries regulatory risks.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
CPT and ESS share multifamily REIT models but diverge in geographic exposure: CPT's Sunbelt emphasis offers growth from migration and job expansion, contrasting ESS's West Coast focus on affluent demographics and higher rents. Recent momentum favors CPT with superior YTD returns, while ESS benefits from a lower P/E ratio (24.58 vs. 28.74). Dividend yields are closely matched, supporting income stability. Risk factors include CPT's recent legal settlement and ESS's sensitivity to California regulations. Market sentiment tilts positive for both as apartment supply eases, but CPT positions better for long-term demand shifts.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron's AI currently favors CPT over ESS, driven by stronger year-to-date momentum, advantageous Sunbelt market positioning amid supply normalization, and balanced growth catalysts. While ESS offers scale and valuation appeal, CPT's trend consistency suggests higher probability of outperformance in the near term.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CPT is a Hold and ESS is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CPT’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileESS’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- CPT’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- ESS’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CPT’s TA Score shows that 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while ESS’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CPT’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
- ESS’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
CPT (@Media Conglomerates) experienced а -4.76% price change this week, while ESS (@Media Conglomerates) price change was -2.45% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Media Conglomerates industry was -2.93%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -0.79%, and the average quarterly price growth was -0.07%.
Reported Earning Dates
CPT is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
ESS is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Media Conglomerates (-2.93% weekly)Companies that operate in these three (or more) areas: broadcasting, cable TV, publishing and movies/entertainment. The companies usually have a large share in these markets. Walt Disney Co . is an example.
| CPT | ESS | CPT / ESS | |
| Capitalization | 10.8B | 17.6B | 61% |
| EBITDA | 1.16B | 1.48B | 78% |
| Gain YTD | 0.094 | 6.775 | 1% |
| P/E Ratio | 30.44 | 30.79 | 99% |
| Revenue | 1.57B | 1.91B | 82% |
| Total Cash | 40.7M | 135M | 30% |
| Total Debt | 4.25B | 6.86B | 62% |
CPT | ESS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 77 | 66 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 22 Undervalued | 28 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 94 | 83 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 76 | 70 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 50 | 34 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 98 | 40 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 65 | 75 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
CPT's Valuation (22) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as ESS (28). This means that CPT’s stock grew similarly to ESS’s over the last 12 months.
ESS's Profit vs Risk Rating (83) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as CPT (94). This means that ESS’s stock grew similarly to CPT’s over the last 12 months.
ESS's SMR Rating (70) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as CPT (76). This means that ESS’s stock grew similarly to CPT’s over the last 12 months.
ESS's Price Growth Rating (34) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as CPT (50). This means that ESS’s stock grew similarly to CPT’s over the last 12 months.
ESS's P/E Growth Rating (40) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CPT (98). This means that ESS’s stock grew somewhat faster than CPT’s over the last 12 months.
| CPT | ESS | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 50% | 3 days ago 60% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 60% | 3 days ago 64% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 53% | 3 days ago 44% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 43% | 3 days ago 44% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 52% | 3 days ago 47% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 57% | 3 days ago 54% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 13 days ago 53% | 16 days ago 51% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 56% | 3 days ago 45% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 48% | 3 days ago 48% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 52% | 3 days ago 43% |
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ESS and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ESS has been closely correlated with AVB. These tickers have moved in lockstep 90% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if ESS jumps, then AVB could also see price increases.