Essex Property Trust, Inc. vs Williams-Sonoma, Inc. — how do they compare? Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $282.78 (market cap $18.15B), while Williams-Sonoma, Inc. trades at $248.61 (market cap $29.51B). The key difference: Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Essex Property Trust, Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.93%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ESS | WSM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $18.15B | $29.51B |
Sector | Real Estate | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $298.33 | $251.81 |
52-Week Low | $239.61 | $168.64 |
Enterprise Value | $24.75B | $30.35B |
Dividend Yield | 3.93% | 1.21% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ESS trades at $282.11, down 0.39% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages and oscillators. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.97, missing expectations, but raised full-year guidance after strong property NOI growth. Revenue reached $1.89B in 2025 with a net income margin of 35.48%, though profitability is trending lower in 2026. Recent news includes ESS being named a top GreenTech company and signing a 500 MWh energy storage agreement with Juniper Energy.
The outlook is mixed: raised guidance and institutional buying support upside, but technical weakness and earnings miss pose near-term risks. Valuation ratios like P/E of 19.9 and P/S of 9.05 are reasonable for a REIT, yet debt levels and regional market volatility require caution. Analyst consensus is a Moderate Buy with a $305.86 price target, suggesting 8.4% potential upside from current levels.
Williams-Sonoma (WSM) trades at $250.82, down 0.39% on the day, with strong profitability metrics including a 13.81% net income margin and 54.01% ROE. The stock shows a bullish technical trend, supported by moving averages, but RSI levels indicate overbought conditions. Recent earnings beats and a solid dividend history highlight operational strength, though valuation ratios like P/E of 28.09 suggest premium pricing. News coverage remains active, focusing on earnings potential and competitive positioning in the home furnishings sector.
WSM presents a mixed outlook: robust fundamentals and consistent earnings beats support upside, but high valuation and technical overbought signals pose near-term risks. Investor sentiment is cautiously optimistic, with a Moderate Buy analyst consensus and a $231.10 price target slightly below current levels. Key risks include consumer discretionary volatility and competitive pressures, while institutional interest and dividend payments offer stability.
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 a wide retail and direct-to-consumer presence, Williams-Sonoma is a leader in the $300 billion domestic home category, focused on expanding its exposure in the B2B, marketplace, and franchise areas. Namesake Williams-Sonoma (175 stores) offers high-end cooking essentials, while Pottery Barn (189) provides casual home accessories. Brand extensions include Pottery Barn Kids (52) and PBteen. West Elm (121) is an emerging concept for young professionals, and Rejuvenation (9) offers lighting and house parts. Williams-Sonoma also has a business-to-business team that supports projects that range from residential to large-scale commercial.
Read more on WSM →