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EQR vs ESS
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Equity Residential (EQR) vs. Essex Property Trust (ESS) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Equity Residential (EQR) and Essex Property Trust (ESS) are both apartment-focused real estate investment trusts (REITs), with EQR offering broader geographic exposure and ESS concentrated on West Coast markets.
- Recent market activity shows EQR trading near $69 with a higher dividend yield of approximately 4.5% compared to ESS at around 4.0%, alongside a lower trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 21.2 versus 24.6.
- EQR is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 22, 2026, while ESS follows on July 30, 2026, providing near-term catalysts for both.
- ESS demonstrated revenue growth and core funds from operations (FFO) beats in its first-quarter 2026 results, supported by high occupancy in tech-influenced regions.
- Relative performance has been mixed over the past year, with ESS slightly outperforming EQR in total return amid differing regional demand dynamics.
- Both stocks benefit from multifamily sector trends but face common pressures from supply additions and interest rate sensitivity.
Introduction
Equity Residential (EQR) and Essex Property Trust (ESS) represent two leading apartment REITs frequently compared by investors seeking exposure to residential real estate. This analysis examines their business models, recent performance, and market positioning to assist traders and long-term investors evaluating relative value within the multifamily sector. The comparison is particularly relevant for those monitoring REITs sensitive to economic cycles, demographic shifts, and regional housing demand.
EQR Overview and Recent Performance
Equity Residential (EQR) owns, manages, and develops multifamily properties across major U.S. markets, emphasizing urban and suburban apartments. In recent weeks, the stock has traded around $69 to $70, reflecting modest gains amid broader real estate sector stability. Key developments include the declaration of a $0.7025 per share quarterly dividend and anticipation surrounding second-quarter 2026 earnings due July 22. Sentiment has been influenced by expectations for stable revenue growth and funds from operations (FFO), with analysts noting resilience in core markets despite ongoing supply pressures in certain cities.
ESS Overview and Recent Performance
Essex Property Trust (ESS) focuses on high-quality apartment communities primarily in California and select West Coast markets, capitalizing on tech-driven employment and limited housing supply. Recent market activity has highlighted continued revenue expansion, with first-quarter 2026 results showing same-property revenue growth of 2.9% and core FFO outperformance. The stock has maintained levels near recent highs, supported by occupancy rates around 96.5%. Upcoming second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 30 represent the next focal point, as investors assess ongoing demand trends in its concentrated geographic footprint.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Equity Residential (EQR) operates with a wider national footprint, providing diversification across multiple regions, whereas Essex Property Trust (ESS) maintains a more concentrated West Coast presence that can amplify both upside from local economic strength and downside from regional slowdowns. Valuation metrics favor Equity Residential (EQR) with its lower trailing P/E and higher dividend yield, potentially appealing to income-oriented investors. Recent momentum shows ESS benefiting from stronger same-property NOI growth in its core markets, while Equity Residential (EQR) offers comparatively steadier dividend support. Risk factors include interest rate sensitivity for both, though ESS faces greater exposure to California-specific regulatory and supply dynamics. Market sentiment remains balanced, with neither stock exhibiting pronounced outperformance in the most recent period.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including valuation metrics, dividend stability, and earnings timing, Tickeron’s AI models would currently assign a modestly higher probability of favorable relative positioning to Equity Residential (EQR) over Essex Property Trust (ESS) in the near term. This assessment draws from Equity Residential (EQR)’s lower P/E ratio, elevated yield, and diversified exposure, which may support more consistent trend behavior amid sector-wide uncertainties. ESS retains strengths in occupancy and regional catalysts but carries higher concentration risk. The edge remains probabilistic and subject to incoming earnings data.
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 EQR is a Buy and ESS is a StrongBuy.
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).
EQR’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileESS’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- EQR’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- ESS’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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.
EQR’s TA Score shows that 2 TA indicator(s) are bullish while ESS’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- EQR’s TA Score: 2 bullish, 4 bearish.
- ESS’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
EQR (@Media Conglomerates) experienced а -1.70% price change this week, while ESS (@Media Conglomerates) price change was -3.87% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Media Conglomerates industry was +0.35%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -0.58%, and the average quarterly price growth was +0.32%.
Reported Earning Dates
EQR is expected to report earnings on Nov 03, 2026.
ESS is expected to report earnings on Oct 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Media Conglomerates (+0.35% 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.
| EQR | ESS | EQR / ESS | |
| Capitalization | 25.2B | 18.1B | 139% |
| EBITDA | 2.32B | 1.48B | 157% |
| Gain YTD | 10.088 | 10.925 | 92% |
| P/E Ratio | 29.34 | 43.90 | 67% |
| Revenue | 3.11B | 1.91B | 163% |
| Total Cash | N/A | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 8.64B | 6.86B | 126% |
EQR | ESS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 62 | 32 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 71 Overvalued | 73 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 92 | 86 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 76 | 70 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 37 | 33 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 32 | 10 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
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.
EQR's Valuation (71) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as ESS (73). This means that EQR’s stock grew similarly to ESS’s over the last 12 months.
ESS's Profit vs Risk Rating (86) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as EQR (92). This means that ESS’s stock grew similarly to EQR’s over the last 12 months.
ESS's SMR Rating (70) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as EQR (76). This means that ESS’s stock grew similarly to EQR’s over the last 12 months.
ESS's Price Growth Rating (33) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as EQR (37). This means that ESS’s stock grew similarly to EQR’s over the last 12 months.
ESS's P/E Growth Rating (10) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as EQR (32). This means that ESS’s stock grew similarly to EQR’s over the last 12 months.
| EQR | ESS | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 46% | 1 day ago 54% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 58% | 1 day ago 67% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 42% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 56% | 1 day ago 50% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 46% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 47% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 52% | 3 days ago 52% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 53% | 23 days ago 45% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | N/A | 1 day ago 61% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
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EQR and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, EQR has been closely correlated with AVB. These tickers have moved in lockstep 88% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if EQR jumps, then AVB could also see price increases.