Essex Property Trust, Inc. vs Walmart Stores Inc — how do they compare? Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $297.51 (market cap $18.82B), while Walmart Stores Inc trades at $114.9 (market cap $895.52B). The key difference: Walmart Stores Inc is far larger — about 47.6× 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 | WMT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $18.82B | $895.52B |
Sector | Real Estate | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $298.33 | $134.20 |
52-Week Low | $239.61 | $95.05 |
Enterprise Value | $25.54B | $958.97B |
Dividend Yield | 3.54% | 0.88% |
Volume | — | 5,675,288 |
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.
Walmart (WMT) trades at $113.70, down 0.94% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals. The stock shows consistent earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q2 2026 EPS expected at $0.74. Revenue grew to $681.0B in 2025, and net income margin improved to 2.85%. Recent news highlights Walmart's AI initiatives and philanthropic efforts, while technical indicators point to near-term resistance at $115.
The outlook for WMT is positive based on robust fundamentals and analyst consensus, with a price target of $142.10 implying 25% upside. Risks include competitive pressure from Amazon and potential legal issues from recent lawsuits. Institutional sentiment remains bullish, supporting long-term growth prospects amid near-term volatility.
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 →Walmart Inc. operates discount stores, supercenters, and neighborhood markets. The Company offers merchandise such as apparel, house wares, small appliances, electronics, musical instruments, books, home improvement, shoes, jewelry, toddler, games, household essentials, pets, pharmaceutical products, party supplies, and automotive tools. Walmart serves customers worldwide.
Read more on WMT →