Essex Property Trust, Inc. vs Altria Group Inc — how do they compare? Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $269.13 (market cap $17.26B), while Altria Group Inc trades at $71.26 (market cap $119.25B). The key difference: Altria Group Inc is far larger — about 6.9× Essex Property Trust, Inc.'s market cap, and Altria Group Inc pays the higher dividend (6.22%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Essex Property Trust, Inc. for 111 Days and Altria Group Inc for 154 Days on average.
| ESS | MO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $17.26B | $119.25B |
Volume | 454,464 | 11,178,169 |
Sector | Real Estate | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $298.33 | $74.92 |
52-Week Low | $239.61 | $54.72 |
Typical Hold Time | 111 Days | 154 Days |
Enterprise Value | $23.86B | $141.46B |
Dividend Yield | 3.86% | 6.22% |
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.
Altria Group (MO) trades at $69.39, up 1.22% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The stock shows strong profitability with a 39% net income margin and a 6.6% dividend yield, though recent earnings have been mixed with two misses in the last four quarters. Cash flow improved in 2025 with net cash flow of $1.33 billion, but the balance sheet carries negative equity of -$2.24 billion due to high liabilities.
The outlook is balanced: analyst consensus is bullish with a $69.71 price target, but risks include regulatory pressures on tobacco, declining margins, and high debt. The dividend appears sustainable from cash flow, yet negative equity and business shrinkage pose long-term concerns for income-focused investors.
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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 →Altria comprises Philip Morris USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, John Middleton, Helix Innovations, and Philip Morris Capital, although the company plans to wind down Philip Morris Capital by the end of 2022. It holds a 10% interest in the world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev. Through its tobacco subsidiaries, Altria holds the leading position in cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in the United States and the number-two spot in machine-made cigars. The company's Marlboro brand is the leading cigarette brand in the U.S. with a 43% share in 2020. Altria holds strategic investments in JUUL Labs (35% economic interest) and Cronos (42%).
Read more on MO →