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DLR vs IRM
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Digital Realty (DLR) vs. Iron Mountain (IRM) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both DLR and IRM are real estate investment trusts (REITs) leveraged to AI-driven data center demand, but they take very different paths to that exposure.
- Digital Realty is a pure-play global data center operator, while Iron Mountain is a diversified information-management company using a legacy records business to fund a fast-growing data center push.
- Both companies raised full-year guidance in recent quarters, supported by record leasing backlogs and double-digit renewal pricing.
- Iron Mountain has posted stronger year-to-date share-price momentum, though its valuation multiple and leverage remain elevated relative to peers.
- Digital Realty offers a larger, connectivity-rich global footprint and steadier margin profile, but carries a substantial development capital program.
- Each stock carries a near-term consensus rating of "Hold" from major research providers, signaling balanced risk-reward setups after recent rallies.
Introduction
Investors seeking exposure to the artificial intelligence infrastructure boom increasingly weigh two distinct REITs: Digital Realty and Iron Mountain. While both generate cash flow from data centers, their underlying business models and risk profiles differ materially. This stock comparison examines how each company is positioned in the current market environment, focusing on recent performance, growth drivers, leverage, and relative market positioning. Growth-oriented traders watching data center momentum, as well as income-focused investors evaluating dividend-paying REITs, may find this head-to-head useful when assessing where the AI trade offers the most durable opportunity.
DLR Overview and Recent Performance
DLR, Digital Realty Trust, is one of the world's largest data center, colocation, and interconnection providers, operating a global portfolio across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Its platform pairs large hyperscale facilities with connectivity-rich, multi-tenant campuses that support cloud and enterprise workloads.
Recent market activity reflects strong underlying demand. In its latest quarterly report, Digital Realty posted total operating revenue up roughly 29% year over year, with funds from operations (FFO, a key profitability measure for REITs that adds back non-cash charges) surpassing consensus estimates. Management raised its full-year core FFO outlook, citing a record backlog of signed-but-not-commenced leases and sharply higher renewal rental rates. The company's portfolio occupancy has ticked higher, and its development pipeline remains heavily pre-leased, which supports revenue visibility. These fundamentals helped the stock gain roughly 10% in a recent four-week span. Offsetting factors include a large multi-billion-dollar development program and a debt load approaching $19 billion, which keep financing conditions and execution risk central to the story.
IRM Overview and Recent Performance
IRM, Iron Mountain Incorporated, is a diversified information-management REIT best known for physical records storage, but it has expanded aggressively into data centers, asset lifecycle management (ALM, the handling and resale or recycling of IT equipment), and digital solutions. This hybrid model lets a mature, cash-generative records franchise help fund higher-growth segments.
Recent performance reflects that transformation. Iron Mountain reported total revenue up nearly 19% year over year in its latest quarter, while its data center, ALM, and digital businesses collectively grew more than 50%. Data center revenue specifically has been expanding at a roughly 40% pace, and the company has raised full-year guidance on the back of strong leasing. Adjusted funds from operations (AFFO, which adjusts FFO for recurring capital costs) also beat estimates. The stock has delivered substantial year-to-date gains. However, the shares trade at an elevated earnings multiple, the company carries net debt of roughly $17 billion, and its traditional paper-records business faces gradual long-term secular decline, making pricing and newer business lines critical to sustained growth.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
From a business-model standpoint, Digital Realty is a concentrated bet on digital infrastructure, with interconnection revenue and global scale differentiating it from newer entrants. Iron Mountain, by contrast, blends a stable legacy storage business with faster-growing data center and digital segments, creating a more diversified but more complex revenue mix.
On growth drivers, both rely on AI and cloud capacity demand, but Iron Mountain's expansion is comparatively earlier-stage and faster-growing off a smaller base, while Digital Realty's growth is broader and more established. Recent momentum has favored Iron Mountain, which posted a sharper year-to-date advance, though that run has left its price-to-earnings ratio well above the specialized REIT average.
Risk profiles also diverge. Digital Realty faces heavy development spending and financing sensitivity, whereas Iron Mountain contends with higher leverage, lower net income relative to revenue, and the gradual digitalization of its core records business. In terms of market sentiment, both stocks have attracted analyst target increases and guidance raises, yet each carries a consensus "Hold" rating, reflecting caution after sizable rallies.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors, Tickeron's AI would likely lean toward DLR on a stability-adjusted basis, favoring its larger global footprint, pure-play data center exposure, and steadier margin structure, which tend to produce more consistent trend signals. At the same time, IRM has demonstrated stronger recent relative momentum and a faster-growing data center segment, traits that momentum-oriented AI models may reward. Because the two profiles emphasize different trade-offs, an AI assessment would more likely express a probabilistic, conditions-dependent preference rather than a definitive choice, with the balance shifting toward DLR when stability and breadth are prioritized and toward IRM when momentum and growth acceleration dominate.
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 DLR is a Buy and IRM is a Buy.
Momentum Indicator for DLR turns positive, indicating new upward trend
DLR saw its Momentum Indicator move above the 0 level on October 27, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new upward move. Traders may want to consider buying the stock or buying call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 81 similar instances where the indicator turned positive. In 58 of the 81 cases, the stock moved higher in the following days. The odds of a move higher are at 72%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for DLR just turned positive on October 27, 2026. Looking at past instances where DLR's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 29 of 45 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 64%.
DLR moved above its 50-day moving average on November 09, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +5.08% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where DLR advanced for three days, in 200 of 314 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 64%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 39 of 66 cases where DLR's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 59%.
The 50-day moving average for DLR moved below the 200-day moving average on October 29, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where DLR declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 63%.
DLR broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 29, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for DLR entered a downward trend on October 26, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 6 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 50 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 78, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 58 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. DLR’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 87 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 97 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.420) is normal, around the industry mean (1.837). DLR's P/E Ratio (81.023) is considerably higher than the industry average of (27.919). DLR's Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (11.445) is very high in comparison to the industry average of (2.612). Dividend Yield (0.028) settles around the average of (0.043) among similar stocks. DLR's P/S Ratio (9.461) is slightly higher than the industry average of (5.594).
IRM in upward trend: price may ascend as a result of having broken its lower Bollinger Band on November 05, 2026
IRM may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options. In 24 of 30 cases where IRM's price broke its lower Bollinger Band, its price rose further in the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 80%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator is in the oversold zone. Keep an eye out for a move up in the foreseeable future.
The 10-day moving average for IRM crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on November 02, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 8 of 14 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 57%.
Following a +5.07% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where IRM advanced for three days, in 258 of 372 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 69%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on November 05, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on IRM as a result. In 52 of 88 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 59%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for IRM turned negative on November 05, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 45 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 25 of the 45 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 56%.
IRM moved below its 50-day moving average on November 05, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 50-day moving average for IRM moved below the 200-day moving average on November 03, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where IRM declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 56%.
The Aroon Indicator for IRM entered a downward trend on October 27, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 2 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 14 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is seriously undervalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: IRM's P/B Ratio (-24.757) is very low in comparison to the industry average of (1.837). IRM has a moderately high P/E Ratio (75.546) as compared to the industry average of (27.919). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.100) is also within normal values, averaging (2.612). Dividend Yield (0.032) settles around the average of (0.043) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (4.448) is also within normal values, averaging (5.594).
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 27 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 78, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 60 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. IRM’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 94 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
DLR | IRM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 34 | 32 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 97 Overvalued | 14 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 27 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 87 | 2 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 58 | 60 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 6 | 94 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 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.
IRM's Valuation (14) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is significantly better than the same rating for DLR (97). This means that IRM’s stock grew significantly faster than DLR’s over the last 12 months.
IRM's Profit vs Risk Rating (27) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as DLR (50). 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 (87). This means that IRM’s stock grew significantly faster than DLR’s over the last 12 months.
DLR's Price Growth Rating (58) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as IRM (60). This means that DLR’s stock grew similarly to IRM’s over the last 12 months.
DLR's P/E Growth Rating (6) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is significantly better than the same rating for IRM (94). This means that DLR’s stock grew significantly faster than IRM’s over the last 12 months.
| DLR | IRM | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 59% | 1 day ago 74% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 72% | 1 day ago 59% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 64% | 1 day ago 56% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 65% | 1 day ago 59% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 64% | 1 day ago 60% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 64% | 1 day ago 69% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 63% | 9 days ago 56% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 80% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 61% | 1 day ago 57% |
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 overvalued. 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 1 FA rating(s) are green while IRM’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- DLR’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 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 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while IRM’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- DLR’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- IRM’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
DLR (@Specialty Telecommunications) experienced а +2.36% price change this week, while IRM (@Specialty Telecommunications) price change was -3.76% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Specialty Telecommunications industry was -0.87%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -3.24%, and the average quarterly price growth was -8.71%.
Reported Earning Dates
DLR is expected to report earnings on Feb 18, 2027.
IRM is expected to report earnings on Feb 25, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Specialty Telecommunications (-0.87% 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.
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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 72% 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.
IRM and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, IRM has been closely correlated with DLR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 70% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if IRM jumps, then DLR could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To IRM | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRM | 100% | +4.06% | ||
| DLR - IRM | 70% Closely correlated | +3.39% | ||
| EQIX - IRM | 65% Loosely correlated | +4.13% | ||
| CSR - IRM | 63% Loosely correlated | +0.51% | ||
| KIM - IRM | 57% Loosely correlated | +1.02% | ||
| DBRG - IRM | 57% Loosely correlated | N/A | ||
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