Essex Property Trust, Inc. vs McDonald's Corp — how do they compare? Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $298.49 (market cap $18.82B), while McDonald's Corp trades at $270.98 (market cap $188.25B). The key difference: McDonald's Corp is far larger — about 10× Essex Property Trust, 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 | MCD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $18.82B | $188.25B |
Sector | Real Estate | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $298.33 | $341.06 |
52-Week Low | $239.61 | $264.54 |
Enterprise Value | $25.54B | $241.96B |
Dividend Yield | 3.54% | 2.81% |
Volume | — | 2,230,036 |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ESS trades at $297.29, down slightly by 0.28% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q2 2026 results expected soon. Fundamentals show robust profitability with a 30.03% net income margin and $669.67M net income for 2025, though valuation ratios like a P/E of 32.93 appear elevated. Recent news highlights sustainability initiatives and inclusion in the Russell Microcap Index.
The outlook for ESS is cautiously optimistic, supported by high West Coast rental demand and AI-driven employment growth. Risks include elevated debt levels and Seattle market weakness. Analysts are mixed with a $294.25 consensus price target, slightly below the current price, suggesting limited near-term upside amid solid operational performance.
McDonald's (MCD) trades at $268.94, down 1.35% on the day, with a bearish technical signal driven by moving averages. The stock shows strong fundamentals, including a 31.62% net income margin and consistent revenue growth, reaching $26.89B in 2025. Recent news highlights the company's 'McDonald's NEXT' strategy focusing on automation and menu innovation to counter competition and inflation pressures.
The outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $326.36, implying 21% upside, supported by 59.68% analyst buy ratings. Key risks include inflationary cost pressures on franchisee margins and high long-term debt of $38.42B. Earnings momentum is mixed, with a Q2 2026 estimate of $3.33 EPS to watch.
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 →McDonald's Corporation franchises and operates fast-food restaurants in the global restaurant industry. The Company's restaurants serves a variety of value-priced menu products in countries around the world.
Read more on MCD →