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DLR vs IRM
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Digital Realty Trust (DLR) vs. Iron Mountain (IRM) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- DLR and IRM both benefit from surging data center demand driven by AI, with recent quarterly revenues growing 16% and 22%, respectively.
- IRM shows stronger recent momentum, with YTD returns around 60% outperforming DLR's 28%, alongside a higher dividend yield of 2.6% versus 2.5%.
- Both REITs (real estate investment trusts) raised 2026 guidance post-Q1 earnings, reflecting record bookings and backlog growth amid AI infrastructure expansion.
- DLR offers a purer data center play with a larger global portfolio of 300+ facilities, while IRM diversifies with records management and asset lifecycle services.
- Analyst price targets suggest upside for both, averaging $218 for DLR and $129 for IRM, with positive sentiment on AI catalysts.
- Market caps stand at approximately $70B for DLR and $39B for IRM, highlighting scale differences in the REIT sector.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines DLR (Digital Realty Trust) and IRM (Iron Mountain), two REITs capitalizing on the explosive growth in data centers fueled by artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Investors seeking exposure to digital infrastructure will find value in analyzing their business models, recent performance, and market positioning. Traders focused on relative performance and momentum may appreciate insights into price trends, analyst views, and growth drivers. Both stocks have demonstrated resilience in recent market activity, offering a balanced view for portfolio diversification in the real estate and technology sectors.
DLR Overview and Recent Performance
Digital Realty Trust (DLR) is a leading global provider of data center colocation and interconnection solutions, operating over 300 facilities across multiple continents. In recent quarters, the company reported a 16% revenue increase to $1.635 billion, driven by record bookings including a landmark 200-megawatt AI inference lease. This performance prompted raised 2026 core FFO (funds from operations) guidance, reflecting a $1.8 billion backlog and expanded development pipeline to 1.2 gigawatts. Shares have gained approximately 21% over three months and 28% YTD, supported by analyst price target hikes amid strong AI demand. Sentiment has shifted positively due to hyperscale leasing momentum and strategic capacity expansions, positioning DLR favorably in recent market activity.
IRM Overview and Recent Performance
Iron Mountain (IRM) delivers information management services, including records storage and a growing data center platform with nearly 500 megawatts of capacity. Recent quarters showed 21.6% revenue growth to $1.94 billion, with adjusted AFFO (adjusted funds from operations) beating estimates at $1.43 per share. The company raised its 2026 revenue outlook to $7.83-$7.93 billion, highlighting strength in data centers and asset lifecycle management. Shares have surged around 46% in three months and 60% YTD, fueled by partnerships like Google Cloud recognition and robust leasing. Positive sentiment stems from diversification beyond traditional storage into high-growth digital services, enhancing stability and performance in volatile markets.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
DLR and IRM operate as REITs with heavy data center exposure but differ in focus: DLR emphasizes hyperscale colocation globally, while IRM blends secure storage with emerging powered infrastructure. Growth drivers include AI demand, with DLR's massive pipeline contrasting IRM's rapid data center revenue surge (39% recently). Recent momentum favors IRM with superior YTD gains, though DLR leads in scale ($70B vs. $39B market cap). Risk factors involve interest rate sensitivity and power constraints for both, but IRM's legacy business adds revenue stability. Sector exposure is concentrated in digital infrastructure, with market sentiment tilting toward IRM's transformation story versus DLR's established purity.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors IRM due to superior recent momentum, higher YTD returns, and accelerated growth in high-margin segments like data centers amid AI tailwinds. Observable factors such as raised guidance, analyst upgrades, and relative outperformance suggest greater near-term upside probability, though DLR remains compelling for long-term stability via its expansive backlog and global footprint.
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 Disclaimers and Limitations.
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 DLR is a Hold and IRM 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).
DLR’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileIRM’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- DLR’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- IRM’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 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.
DLR’s TA Score shows that 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while IRM’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- DLR’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
- IRM’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
DLR (@Specialty Telecommunications) experienced а -1.14% price change this week, while IRM (@Specialty Telecommunications) price change was +1.36% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Specialty Telecommunications industry was -0.25%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +1.38%, and the average quarterly price growth was +12.38%.
Reported Earning Dates
DLR is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
IRM is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Specialty Telecommunications (-0.25% weekly)Companies belonging to the specialty telecommunications sector provide voice and data transmission via a single method, such as fixed lines, digital subscriber lines (DSL), wireless technology, the internet or competitive local exchange carriers. Telefonica, Liberty Broadband Corp., and Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. are some of the big specialty telecom companies in the U.S.
| DLR | IRM | DLR / IRM | |
| Capitalization | 69B | 37.6B | 184% |
| EBITDA | 3.82B | 2.32B | 164% |
| Gain YTD | 27.707 | 57.950 | 48% |
| P/E Ratio | 52.05 | 137.18 | 38% |
| Revenue | 6.34B | 7.25B | 88% |
| Total Cash | 2.43B | 251M | 967% |
| Total Debt | 19.2B | 19.4B | 99% |
DLR | IRM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 70 | 23 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 69 Overvalued | 98 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 49 | 23 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 81 | 2 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 34 | 14 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 98 | 88 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 45 |
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.
DLR's Valuation (69) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as IRM (98). This means that DLR’s stock grew similarly to IRM’s over the last 12 months.
IRM's Profit vs Risk Rating (23) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as DLR (49). This means that IRM’s stock grew similarly to DLR’s over the last 12 months.
IRM's SMR Rating (2) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is significantly better than the same rating for DLR (81). This means that IRM’s stock grew significantly faster than DLR’s over the last 12 months.
IRM's Price Growth Rating (14) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as DLR (34). This means that IRM’s stock grew similarly to DLR’s over the last 12 months.
IRM's P/E Growth Rating (88) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as DLR (98). This means that IRM’s stock grew similarly to DLR’s over the last 12 months.
| DLR | IRM | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 61% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 76% | 2 days ago 56% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 45% | 2 days ago 80% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 73% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 70% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 69% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 71% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 58% | 15 days ago 55% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 53% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 50% | 2 days ago 61% |
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DLR and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, DLR has been closely correlated with IRM. These tickers have moved in lockstep 69% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if DLR jumps, then IRM could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To DLR | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DLR | 100% | +0.48% | ||
| IRM - DLR | 69% Closely correlated | +0.87% | ||
| DBRG - DLR | 68% Closely correlated | +0.13% | ||
| EQIX - DLR | 59% Loosely correlated | +1.32% | ||
| SPG - DLR | 51% Loosely correlated | -0.55% | ||
| MAC - DLR | 47% Loosely correlated | -1.05% | ||
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