Essex Property Trust, Inc. vs Zillow Group Inc Class C — how do they compare? Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $269.13 (market cap $17.26B), while Zillow Group Inc Class C trades at $29.35 (market cap $6.59B). The key difference: Essex Property Trust, Inc. is far larger — about 2.6× Zillow Group Inc Class C's market cap, and Essex Property Trust, Inc. pays a 3.86% dividend while Zillow Group Inc Class C pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Essex Property Trust, Inc. for 111 Days and Zillow Group Inc Class C for 39 Days on average.
| ESS | Z | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $17.26B | $6.59B |
Volume | 454,464 | 9,134,294 |
Sector | Real Estate | Media |
52-Week High | $298.33 | $78.04 |
52-Week Low | $239.61 | $27.13 |
Typical Hold Time | 111 Days | 39 Days |
Enterprise Value | $23.86B | $6.47B |
Dividend Yield | 3.86% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ESS trades at $268.05, down 1.63% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company reported mixed quarterly earnings, missing in Q4 2025 and Q2 2026 but beating in Q1 2026, with Q3 2026 results pending. Revenue reached $1.89B in 2025, with a net income margin of 21.48%, while valuation ratios like a P/E of 41.83 suggest a premium. Recent news highlights strong Q2 2026 results, raised guidance, and a declared dividend of $2.59 per share.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic, supported by operational strength and resolved litigation, but high valuation and earnings volatility pose risks. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $303.41 price target, indicating potential upside, though investors should monitor debt levels and consistent earnings delivery against expectations.
Zillow Group (Z) trades at $27.28, down 1.52% on the day, with technical indicators signaling a bearish trend amid weak moving averages. The company reported revenue of $2.58 billion in 2025, with net income turning positive at $23 million, and recent quarters show mixed earnings performance with two beats and one miss. Analyst sentiment is divided, with a consensus price target of $60.33, while news highlights focus on market competition and AI integration in real estate.
The stock faces headwinds from a challenging housing market and high valuation multiples, but long-term growth potential exists through its transaction platform expansion and AI initiatives. Risks include interest rate sensitivity and competitive pressures, yet institutional analyst coverage remains largely neutral to positive, suggesting cautious optimism for recovery if execution improves.
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 →Zillow Group is an online real estate company that simplifies buying, selling, renting, and financing properties. It partners with agents, brokers, and landlords, combining technology with quality service. Its brands include Zillow, Trulia, StreetEasy, and Hotpads.
Read more on Z →