Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (DLR) vs Ventas, Inc. (VTR)

A side-by-side comparison of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and Ventas, 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 VTR

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
DLR +182.8% (+11.0%/yr)VTR +83.6% (+6.3%/yr)DLR compounded faster over this window
100200300Start $10020182020202220242026$283$184
DLR VTR

DLR vs VTR: by the numbers

  • DLR is the larger company ($69.77B vs $43.75B market cap).
  • DLR converts more revenue to profit (11.67% vs 4.13% net margin).
  • VTR grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.91% vs 9.91% CAGR).
  • DLR pays the higher dividend yield (2.63% vs 2.24%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDLRVTR
P/E ratio91.10166.63
Forward P/E69.63154.38
P/S ratio10.196.79
P/B ratio2.542.99
EV / EBITDA26.7524.66
FCF yield1.96%N/A

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 Ventas, 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

MetricDLRVTR
Gross margin55.39%-2.58%
Operating margin17.87%12.94%
Net margin11.67%4.13%
ROE2.91%1.82%
ROIC2.25%2.81%

Dividends

MetricDLRVTR
Dividend yield2.63%2.24%
Payout ratio235.75%370.37%

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.

Ventas, 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)

MetricDLRVTR
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.91%11.91%
EPS CAGR (5Y)29.87%-14.16%
FCF CAGR (5Y)12.36%0.22%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.20%13.45%

Frequently asked

Which has grown faster, DLR or VTR?
Over the past five years, VTR grew revenue faster — DLR at a 9.91% CAGR versus VTR at 11.91%.
Does DLR or VTR pay a bigger dividend?
DLR yields 2.63% and VTR yields 2.24% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DLR or VTR more profitable?
DLR runs the higher net margin — DLR at 11.67% versus VTR at 4.13%.
How have DLR and VTR total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, DLR delivered 10.50% and VTR delivered 7.06% 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.