Essex Property Trust Inc (ESS)vsMid-America Apartment Communities Inc (MAA)
ESS
Essex Property Trust Inc
$298.33
+0.29%
REAL ESTATE · Cap: $19.41B
MAA
Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc
$142.19
+0.49%
REAL ESTATE · Cap: $16.04B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc generates 13% more annual revenue ($2.21B vs $1.97B). ESS leads profitability with a 29.1% profit margin vs 17.6%. MAA appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 7.03. ESS earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 53/100 (C-).
ESS
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
MAA
Hold50
out of 100
Grade: D+
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+35.0%
Fair Value
$402.15
Current Price
$298.33
$103.82 discount
Intrinsic value data unavailable for MAA.
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Strong operational efficiency at 35.2%
Keeps 29 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Reasonable price relative to book value
Strong operational efficiency at 26.6%
Areas to Watch
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Elevated debt levels
Expensive relative to growth rate
Earnings declined 47.8%
0.8% revenue growth
ROE of 7.0% — below average capital efficiency
Elevated debt levels
Weak financial health signals
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : ESS
The strongest argument for ESS centers on Operating Margin, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 29.1% and operating margin at 35.2%.
Bull Case : MAA
The strongest argument for MAA centers on Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 17.6% and operating margin at 26.6%.
Bear Case : ESS
The primary concerns for ESS are P/E Ratio, Debt/Equity, PEG Ratio.
Bear Case : MAA
The primary concerns for MAA are Revenue Growth, Return on Equity, Debt/Equity. A P/E of 40.9x leaves little room for execution misses.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
ESS profiles as a mature stock while MAA is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
MAA carries more volatility with a beta of 0.74 — expect wider price swings.
ESS is growing revenue faster at 6.4% — sustainability is the question.
ESS generates stronger free cash flow (267M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
ESS scores higher overall (53/100 vs 50/100), backed by strong 29.1% margins. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Essex Property Trust Inc
REAL ESTATE · REIT - RESIDENTIAL · USA
Essex Property Trust is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that invests in apartments, primarily on the West Coast of the United States.
Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc
REAL ESTATE · REIT - RESIDENTIAL · USA
Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust based in Memphis, Tennessee that invests in apartments in the Southeastern United States and the Southwestern United States.
Compare with Other REIT - RESIDENTIAL Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?