Essex Property Trust, Inc. vs Macy's Inc — how do they compare? Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $297.05 (market cap $18.82B), while Macy's Inc trades at $24.04 (market cap $6.25B). The key difference: Essex Property Trust, Inc. is far larger — about 3× Macy's Inc's market cap, and Essex Property Trust, Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.54%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ESS | M | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $18.82B | $6.25B |
Sector | Real Estate | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $298.33 | $25.96 |
52-Week Low | $239.61 | $11.90 |
Enterprise Value | $25.54B | $10.06B |
Dividend Yield | 3.54% | 3.22% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Essex Property Trust (ESS) trades at $293.32, down 1.61% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages. The stock shows strong profitability with a 30.03% net income margin and has beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters. Recent news highlights include the upcoming Q2 2026 earnings release and inclusion in the Russell Microcap Index, reflecting positive momentum.
The outlook for ESS is cautiously optimistic, driven by robust West Coast rental demand and AI-driven employment growth. Risks include elevated debt levels and Seattle market weakness. Analysts maintain a mixed consensus with a $294.25 price target, suggesting limited near-term upside from current levels amid balanced sentiment.
Macy's (M) trades at $24.04, up 3.55% today, with a bullish technical signal and positive earnings momentum after beating estimates in three consecutive quarters. The stock shows attractive valuation metrics with a P/E of 9.82 and P/S of 0.29, while recent news highlights strategic initiatives including AI integration and leadership appointments. Cash flow trends improved in 2025 with net cash flow of $273 million, though revenue declined slightly to $23.01 billion.
Outlook remains cautiously optimistic with a consensus price target of $24.83 offering modest upside. Key opportunities include operational efficiency gains and luxury segment growth, while risks involve competitive retail pressures and macroeconomic sensitivity. Institutional interest is growing with Berkshire Hathaway's recent 3 million share purchase (Barron's, June 22, 2026).
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Founded in 1858 and based in New York City, Macy's operates 570 stores under the Macy's nameplate, 58 stores under the Bloomingdale's nameplate, and 160 freestanding Bluemercury specialty beauty stores (as of the end of fiscal-year 2021). Macy's also operates e-commerce sites and licenses two Bloomingdale's stores in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Women's apparel, accessories, shoes, cosmetics, and fragrances comprised 59% of Macy's 2021 sales.
Read more on M →