Essex Property Trust, Inc. vs UnitedHealth Group Inc — how do they compare? Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $298.49 (market cap $18.82B), while UnitedHealth Group Inc trades at $421.43 (market cap $380.08B). The key difference: UnitedHealth Group Inc is far larger — about 20.2× 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 | UNH | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $18.82B | $380.08B |
Sector | Real Estate | Health |
52-Week High | $298.33 | $431.68 |
52-Week Low | $239.61 | $237.77 |
Enterprise Value | $25.54B | $426.76B |
Dividend Yield | 3.54% | 2.22% |
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.
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) trades at $425.19, down 0.91% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages. The stock shows strong fundamentals with revenue growth to $447.57B in 2025 and consistent earnings beats, though net margins have compressed. Recent news highlights strategic moves to reduce pediatric prior authorizations, aiming to improve care access and operational efficiency.
Outlook remains positive with an 82.69% analyst buy rating and $438.33 consensus target, but risks include regulatory lawsuits and debt levels. The aging U.S. population and tech investments provide growth tailwinds, yet investors should monitor margin pressures and legal challenges from state Medicaid suits.
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 →UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest private health insurers, providing medical benefits to 50 million members globally, including 5 million outside the U.S. at the end of 2021. As a leader in employer-sponsored, self-directed, and government-backed insurance plans, UnitedHealth has obtained massive scale in managed care. Along with its insurance assets, UnitedHealth's continued investments in its Optum franchises have created a healthcare services colossus that spans everything from medical and pharmaceutical benefits to providing outpatient care and analytics to both affiliated and third-party customers.
Read more on UNH →