Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (DLR) vs Simon Property Group, Inc. (SPG)

A side-by-side comparison of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and Simon Property Group, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnDLR vs SPG

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
DLR +182.8% (+11.0%/yr)SPG +57.6% (+4.7%/yr)DLR compounded faster over this window
100200300Start $10020182020202220242026$283$158
DLR SPG

DLR vs SPG: by the numbers

  • DLR is the larger company ($69.77B vs $66.42B market cap).
  • SPG converts more revenue to profit (66.39% vs 11.67% net margin).
  • DLR grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.91% vs 8.17% CAGR).
  • SPG pays the higher dividend yield (4.35% vs 2.63%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDLRSPG
P/E ratio91.1014.49
Forward P/E69.6330.81
P/S ratio10.199.57
P/B ratio2.5414.98
EV / EBITDA26.7518.94
FCF yield1.96%4.89%

For REITs like Digital Realty 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.

For REITs like Simon Property 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.

Profitability

MetricDLRSPG
Gross margin55.39%84.58%
Operating margin17.87%47.40%
Net margin11.67%66.39%
ROE2.91%103.91%
ROIC2.25%8.68%

Dividends

MetricDLRSPG
Dividend yield2.63%4.35%
Payout ratio235.75%62.94%

Digital Realty 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.

Simon Property 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.

Growth (annualized)

MetricDLRSPG
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.91%8.17%
EPS CAGR (5Y)29.87%31.55%
FCF CAGR (5Y)12.36%1.52%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.20%15.37%

Frequently asked

Which has grown faster, DLR or SPG?
Over the past five years, DLR grew revenue faster — DLR at a 9.91% CAGR versus SPG at 8.17%.
Does DLR or SPG pay a bigger dividend?
DLR yields 2.63% and SPG yields 4.35% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DLR or SPG more profitable?
SPG runs the higher net margin — DLR at 11.67% versus SPG at 66.39%.
How have DLR and SPG total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, DLR delivered 10.50% and SPG delivered 5.06% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 11, 2026.