Essex Property Trust, Inc. vs Unilever plc — how do they compare? Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $298.49 (market cap $18.82B), while Unilever plc trades at $61.4 (market cap $129.57B). The key difference: Unilever plc is far larger — about 6.9× Essex Property Trust, Inc.'s market cap, and Unilever plc pays the higher dividend (3.71%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ESS | UL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $18.82B | $129.57B |
Sector | Real Estate | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $298.33 | $74.59 |
52-Week Low | $239.61 | $55.05 |
Enterprise Value | $25.54B | $155.02B |
Dividend Yield | 3.54% | 3.71% |
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.
Unilever (UL) trades at $62.49, up 2.71% with a bullish technical signal. Recent earnings misses contrast with strong profitability margins and a 53.32% ROE. The company is divesting its food business to McCormick and investing in innovation, while maintaining a $0.54 dividend. Cash flow improved to $1.91B net in 2024 after a volatile period.
Outlook remains mixed: valuation appears fair with a P/E of 20.83, but revenue declines and execution risks on strategic deals pose challenges. Analyst sentiment is cautious with only 24% buy ratings. The stock offers stability through dividends but faces headwinds in sales growth and competitive pressures.
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 →Unilever is a diversified personal product (42% of 2021 sales by value), home care (20%), and packaged food (38%) company. Its brands include Knorr soups and sauces, Hellmann's mayonnaise, Lipton teas, Axe and Dove skin products, and the TRESemme haircare brand. The firm has been acquisitive in recent years
Read more on UL →