Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (DLR) vs Welltower Inc. (WELL)
A side-by-side comparison of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and Welltower 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.
Total return — DLR vs WELL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yDLR vs WELL: by the numbers
- •WELL is the larger company ($169.72B vs $69.77B market cap).
- •DLR converts more revenue to profit (11.67% vs 10.67% net margin).
- •WELL grew revenue faster over the past five years (23.85% vs 9.91% CAGR).
- •DLR pays the higher dividend yield (2.63% vs 1.30%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | DLR | WELL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 91.10 | 124.62 |
| Forward P/E | 69.63 | 82.92 |
| P/S ratio | 10.19 | 13.46 |
| P/B ratio | 2.54 | 3.66 |
| EV / EBITDA | 26.75 | 58.93 |
| FCF yield | 1.96% | 1.57% |
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 Welltower 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 | DLR | WELL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 55.39% | 38.82% |
| Operating margin | 17.87% | 5.40% |
| Net margin | 11.67% | 10.67% |
| ROE | 2.91% | 2.90% |
| ROIC | 2.25% | 0.96% |
Dividends
| Metric | DLR | WELL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.63% | 1.30% |
| Payout ratio | 235.75% | 162.43% |
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.
Welltower 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 | DLR | WELL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.91% | 23.85% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 29.87% | -9.79% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 12.36% | 17.78% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.20% | 25.30% |
Frequently asked
- Which has grown faster, DLR or WELL?
- Over the past five years, WELL grew revenue faster — DLR at a 9.91% CAGR versus WELL at 23.85%.
- Does DLR or WELL pay a bigger dividend?
- DLR yields 2.63% and WELL yields 1.30% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is DLR or WELL more profitable?
- DLR runs the higher net margin — DLR at 11.67% versus WELL at 10.67%.
- How have DLR and WELL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, DLR delivered 10.50% and WELL delivered 16.35% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Digital Realty Trust & Welltower 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 11, 2026.