Essex Property Trust, Inc. vs Zoom Video Communications, Inc. — how do they compare? Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $296.5 (market cap $18.82B), while Zoom Video Communications, Inc. trades at $93.75 (market cap $27.15B). The key difference: Zoom Video Communications, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Essex Property Trust, Inc. pays a 3.54% dividend while Zoom Video Communications, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ESS | ZM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $18.82B | $27.15B |
Sector | Real Estate | Technology |
52-Week High | $298.33 | $111.88 |
52-Week Low | $239.61 | $69.77 |
Enterprise Value | $25.54B | $19.49B |
Dividend Yield | 3.54% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Essex Property Trust (ESS) trades at $293.32, down 1.61% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages. The stock shows strong profitability with a 30.03% net income margin and has beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters. Recent news highlights include the upcoming Q2 2026 earnings release and inclusion in the Russell Microcap Index, reflecting positive momentum.
The outlook for ESS is cautiously optimistic, driven by robust West Coast rental demand and AI-driven employment growth. Risks include elevated debt levels and Seattle market weakness. Analysts maintain a mixed consensus with a $294.25 price target, suggesting limited near-term upside from current levels amid balanced sentiment.
Zoom Communications (ZM) trades at $93.03, up 2.07% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and support near $91. The company reported Q1 2026 EPS of $1.55, beating expectations, and maintains strong profitability with a 77.4% gross margin. Recent news highlights AI product launches and the acquisition of Common Room, signaling growth initiatives. Cash flow from operations remains robust at $1.95 billion for 2025, though net cash flow was negative due to investing and financing activities.
The stock appears undervalued with a P/E of 13.64 relative to earnings growth, supported by a $118.79 analyst price target. Key risks include competitive pressure from Microsoft and Google, while the Anthropic stake offers upside potential. Institutional sentiment is mixed with 38.8% buy ratings, but insider selling and fluctuating cash flows warrant caution for near-term volatility.
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 →Zoom Video Communications, Inc. develops a people-centric cloud service that transforms real-time collaboration experience. The Company offers unified meeting experience, a cloud service that provides a 3-in-1 meeting platform with HD video conferencing, mobility, and web meetings. Zoom Video Communications serves customers worldwide.
Read more on ZM →