Essex Property Trust, Inc. vs Vistra Corp — how do they compare? Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $297.51 (market cap $18.82B), while Vistra Corp trades at $152.5 (market cap $54.03B). The key difference: Vistra Corp is far larger — about 2.9× 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 | VST | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $18.82B | $54.03B |
Sector | Real Estate | Technology |
52-Week High | $298.33 | $217.92 |
52-Week Low | $239.61 | $134.71 |
Enterprise Value | $25.54B | $75.78B |
Dividend Yield | 3.54% | 0.57% |
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.
Vistra Corp. (VST) trades at $151.22, down 4.55% in the last session, showing recent volatility amid mixed earnings results. The stock exhibits bullish technical signals with strong analyst support (90.9% buy ratings) and a consensus price target of $253, representing significant upside. Recent earnings showed a Q1 2026 beat but Q3-Q4 2025 misses, while fundamentals reveal strong profitability (ROE 74.92%) and improving margins projected for 2026.
The outlook remains positive with AI-driven power demand catalysts and long-term PPAs with major tech companies supporting growth. Key risks include power price volatility, high debt levels, and execution risks on growth projects. The current valuation at 26.79 P/E appears reasonable given projected earnings growth and strategic positioning in the energy transition.
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 →Vistra is a leading integrated retail electricity and power generation company that serves as a critical infrastructure provider for the digital economy. It operates a diversified portfolio of zero-carbon nuclear and renewable assets alongside a massive, flexible natural gas fleet, positioning it as an indispensable partner for energy-intensive AI data centers and industrial electrification.
Read more on VST →