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Compare Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) vs Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) Price & Performance

Essex Property Trust, Inc.Trade
Packaging Corporation of AmericaTrade

Price performance (Past 24H)

Key statistics

Essex Property Trust, Inc. vs Packaging Corporation of America — how do they compare? Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $298.49 (market cap $18.82B), while Packaging Corporation of America trades at $233.91 (market cap $20.30B). The key difference: Essex Property Trust, Inc. and Packaging Corporation of America are close in size by market cap, and Essex Property Trust, Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.54%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.

ESSPKG
Market Cap
$18.82B$20.30B
Sector
Real EstateTechnology
52-Week High
$298.33$246.31
52-Week Low
$239.61$191.41
Enterprise Value
$25.54B$24.13B
Dividend Yield
3.54%2.63%

Aura AI Summary

Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

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.

Packaging Corporation of America

Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) trades at $231.26, up 2.44% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported mixed quarterly earnings, beating Q1 2026 estimates but missing Q3 and Q4 2025. Fundamentals show solid profitability with an 8.04% net margin and 16.21% ROE, though valuation ratios appear elevated. The company recently announced a 20% dividend increase, signaling confidence in cash generation.

The outlook is cautiously optimistic, supported by analyst consensus and a dividend hike, but tempered by recent earnings misses and margin pressure. Key opportunities include market share gains and operational efficiency, while risks involve input cost inflation, competitive pressures, and potential earnings volatility. The stock trades below the consensus price target of $256.14, suggesting potential upside.

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 Packaging Corporation of America

Packaging Corporation of America is a leading producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in North America. The company also produces white papers, which include printing and writing papers. PKG operates as an integrated manufacturer, with a strong focus on high-quality and sustainable packaging solutions for e-commerce, food and beverage, and other industrial and consumer markets.

Read more on PKG