CBRE Group, Inc. (CBRE) vs Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS)
A side-by-side comparison of CBRE Group, Inc. and Essex Property Trust, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Total return — CBRE vs ESS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCBRE vs ESS: by the numbers
- •CBRE is the larger company ($37.59B vs $17.34B market cap).
- •ESS converts more revenue to profit (21.63% vs 2.98% net margin).
- •CBRE grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.83% vs 6.01% CAGR).
- •ESS pays a dividend (3.78% yield), while CBRE has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CBRE | ESS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 29.78 | 41.97 |
| Forward P/E | 16.57 | 47.75 |
| P/S ratio | 0.86 | 9.00 |
| P/B ratio | 4.48 | 3.26 |
| EV / EBITDA | 20.57 | 20.47 |
| FCF yield | 2.50% | 5.78% |
For REITs like CBRE Group, Inc., GAAP P/E is distorted: heavy non-cash property depreciation depresses reported earnings and overstates the multiple. Real-estate companies are valued on funds from operations (FFO / AFFO) and price-to-FFO — see the Funds From Operations section. The P/E is shown for reference only.
For REITs like Essex Property Trust, Inc., GAAP P/E is distorted: heavy non-cash property depreciation depresses reported earnings and overstates the multiple. Real-estate companies are valued on funds from operations (FFO / AFFO) and price-to-FFO — see the Funds From Operations section. The P/E is shown for reference only.
Profitability
| Metric | CBRE | ESS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 17.66% | 69.38% |
| Operating margin | 3.61% | 43.88% |
| Net margin | 2.98% | 21.63% |
| ROE | 15.49% | 7.83% |
| ROIC | 5.77% | 4.34% |
Dividends
| Metric | CBRE | ESS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 3.78% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 160.50% |
CBRE Group, Inc.'s payout ratio is measured against GAAP earnings, which non-cash depreciation depresses for REITs — the dividend is conventionally assessed against funds from operations (FFO / AFFO) instead, so the GAAP figure overstates the payout burden.
Essex Property Trust, Inc.'s payout ratio is measured against GAAP earnings, which non-cash depreciation depresses for REITs — the dividend is conventionally assessed against funds from operations (FFO / AFFO) instead, so the GAAP figure overstates the payout burden.
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CBRE | ESS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 11.83% | 6.01% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.62% | 3.68% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -13.21% | 8.10% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.71% | 0.30% |
Frequently asked
- Which has grown faster, CBRE or ESS?
- Over the past five years, CBRE grew revenue faster — CBRE at a 11.83% CAGR versus ESS at 6.01%.
- Does CBRE or ESS pay a bigger dividend?
- ESS pays a dividend (3.78% yield), while CBRE has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is CBRE or ESS more profitable?
- ESS runs the higher net margin — CBRE at 2.98% versus ESS at 21.63%.
- How have CBRE and ESS total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CBRE delivered 17.55% and ESS delivered 5.62% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CBRE & Essex Property Trust appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 13, 2026.