Compare Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) vs iShares Gold Trust (IAU) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Essex Property Trust, Inc. vs iShares Gold Trust — how do they compare? Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $281.92 (market cap $18.15B), while iShares Gold Trust trades at $82.87. The key difference: Essex Property Trust, Inc. pays a 3.93% dividend while iShares Gold Trust pays none, and Essex Property Trust, Inc. is trading nearer its 52-week high, iShares Gold Trust nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ESS | IAU | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $18.15B | — |
Sector | Real Estate | Commodities - Metals/Agriculture |
52-Week High | $298.33 | $101.57 |
52-Week Low | $239.61 | $62.49 |
Enterprise Value | $24.75B | — |
Dividend Yield | 3.93% | — |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ESS trades at $281.92, down 0.46% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages and oscillators. The company reported a Q2 2026 EPS miss ($0.97 vs. $1.46 expected) but raised full-year guidance, reflecting strong property NOI growth. Revenue reached $1.89B in 2025 with a net income margin of 35.48%, though profitability is projected to moderate in 2026. Recent news highlights institutional buying by Amundi and recognition as a top GreenTech company.
The outlook is mixed: raised guidance and solid fundamentals support upside toward the $305.86 consensus price target, but technical weakness and a high debt load pose near-term risks. Investor sentiment is cautiously optimistic, with 40% of analysts rating the stock a Buy, though the bearish technical picture suggests potential volatility ahead.
IAU, the iShares Gold Trust ETF, is trading at $83.305, up 0.96% with a bullish technical signal overall. The ETF benefits from gold's recent momentum as spot gold approaches $4,430/oz amid cooling inflation data and geopolitical tensions. Moving averages show bullish alignment while oscillators indicate some overbought conditions. Recent news highlights gold's safe-haven appeal with institutional buying and positive price forecasts.
The outlook remains positive given gold's role as an inflation hedge and safe-haven asset, supported by central bank demand and favorable CPI data. Risks include potential Fed policy shifts and dollar strength. Conservative investors favor IAU for its low 0.25% expense ratio and lower volatility compared to mining equities.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
About Essex Property Trust, Inc.
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 →About iShares Gold Trust
IAU is a physically backed ETF that seeks to reflect the performance of the price of gold. It provides a convenient and liquid way for investors to include gold in their portfolios as a potential hedge.
Read more on IAU →
