Essex Property Trust, Inc. vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $297.2 (market cap $18.82B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $477.64 (market cap $20.04B). The key difference: Essex Property Trust, Inc. and Ulta Beauty Inc are close in size by market cap, and Essex Property Trust, Inc. pays a 3.54% dividend while Ulta Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ESS | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $18.82B | $20.04B |
Sector | Real Estate | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $298.33 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $239.61 | $450.75 |
Enterprise Value | $25.54B | $22.12B |
Dividend Yield | 3.54% | — |
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.
ULTA Beauty trades at $478.30, up 1.96% today, with a neutral technical signal and strong fundamentals including a 47.45% ROE and 9.36% net margin. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 2026, but net cash flow turned negative in 2025. The stock is supported by a loyal customer base and international expansion initiatives, including a new CTO appointment to bolster digital capabilities.
The outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $623.73, implying 30% upside, though risks include competitive pressures and fluctuating cash flows. Analyst sentiment is bullish with 56.5% buy ratings, but investors should monitor margin sustainability and macroeconomic impacts on consumer spending.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →With more than 1,300 stores and a partnership with Target, Ulta Beauty is the largest specialized beauty retailer in the U.S. The firm offers makeup (43% of 2021 sales), fragrances, skin care, and hair care products (20% of 2021 sales), and bath and body items. Ulta offers private-label products and merchandise from more than 500 vendors. It also offers salon services, including hair, makeup, skin, and brow services, in all stores. Most Ulta stores are approximately 10,000 square feet and are in suburban strip centers. Ulta was founded in 1990 and is based in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
Read more on ULTA →