Essex Property Trust, Inc. vs Hilton Hotels Corporation Common Stock — how do they compare? Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $269.79 (market cap $17.26B), while Hilton Hotels Corporation Common Stock trades at $324.43 (market cap $72.76B). The key difference: Hilton Hotels Corporation Common Stock is far larger — about 4.2× Essex Property Trust, Inc.'s market cap, and Essex Property Trust, Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.86%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Essex Property Trust, Inc. for 111 Days and Hilton Hotels Corporation Common Stock for 138 Days on average.
| ESS | HLT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $17.26B | $72.76B |
Volume | 454,464 | 1,148,634 |
Sector | Real Estate | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $298.33 | $350.22 |
52-Week Low | $239.61 | $256.96 |
Typical Hold Time | 111 Days | 138 Days |
Enterprise Value | $23.86B | $85.78B |
Dividend Yield | 3.86% | 0.19% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ESS trades at $268.05, down 1.63% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company reported mixed quarterly earnings, missing in Q4 2025 and Q2 2026 but beating in Q1 2026, with Q3 2026 results pending. Revenue reached $1.89B in 2025, with a net income margin of 21.48%, while valuation ratios like a P/E of 41.83 suggest a premium. Recent news highlights strong Q2 2026 results, raised guidance, and a declared dividend of $2.59 per share.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic, supported by operational strength and resolved litigation, but high valuation and earnings volatility pose risks. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $303.41 price target, indicating potential upside, though investors should monitor debt levels and consistent earnings delivery against expectations.
Hilton Worldwide (HLT) trades at $320.5, down 0.65% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $348.11. The company has consistently beaten earnings expectations in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 results expected soon. Revenue has grown steadily from $8.8B in 2022 to $12.04B in 2025, though net income margins have fluctuated. Recent news highlights institutional buying and positive travel trends for 2027.
The outlook for HLT is positive, supported by strong earnings performance, analyst optimism, and growth in travel demand. Key risks include high debt levels, with debt-to-asset ratio rising to 73.88% in 2025, and sensitivity to economic cycles affecting travel spending. The stock offers potential upside to the consensus target, but investors should monitor debt management and macroeconomic conditions.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Essex Property Trust owns a portfolio of 253 apartment communities with over 62,000 units and is developing three additional properties with 571 units. The company focuses on owning large, high-quality properties on the West Coast in the urban and suburban submarkets of Southern California, Northern California, and Seattle.
Read more on ESS →Hilton Worldwide Holdings operates 1,074,791 rooms across its 18 brands addressing the midscale through luxury segments as of Dec. 31, 2021. Hampton and Hilton are the two largest brands by total room count at 28% and 21%, respectively, as of Dec. 31, 2021. Recent brands launched over the last few years include Home2, Curio, Canopy, Tru, and Tempo. Managed and franchised represent the vast majority of adjusted EBITDA, predominantly from the Americas regions.
Read more on HLT →