Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) vs Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HST)
A side-by-side comparison of Essex Property Trust, Inc. and Host Hotels & Resorts, 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 — ESS vs HST
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yESS vs HST: by the numbers
- •ESS is the larger company ($17.40B vs $15.00B market cap).
- •ESS converts more revenue to profit (21.63% vs 16.51% net margin).
- •HST grew revenue faster over the past five years (32.68% vs 6.01% CAGR).
- •HST pays the higher dividend yield (7.51% vs 3.78%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ESS | HST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 42.12 | 14.90 |
| Forward P/E | 47.92 | 15.89 |
| P/S ratio | 9.03 | 2.41 |
| P/B ratio | 3.27 | 2.35 |
| EV / EBITDA | 20.52 | 11.09 |
| FCF yield | 5.76% | 6.75% |
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.
For REITs like Host Hotels & Resorts, 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 | ESS | HST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 69.38% | 2.62% |
| Operating margin | 43.88% | 14.44% |
| Net margin | 21.63% | 16.51% |
| ROE | 7.83% | 16.08% |
| ROIC | 4.34% | 6.84% |
Dividends
| Metric | ESS | HST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.78% | 7.51% |
| Payout ratio | 160.50% | 113.61% |
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.
Host Hotels & Resorts, 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 | ESS | HST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.01% | 32.68% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 3.68% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 8.10% | 8.15% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 0.30% | 12.16% |
Frequently asked
- Which has grown faster, ESS or HST?
- Over the past five years, HST grew revenue faster — ESS at a 6.01% CAGR versus HST at 32.68%.
- Does ESS or HST pay a bigger dividend?
- ESS yields 3.78% and HST yields 7.51% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ESS or HST more profitable?
- ESS runs the higher net margin — ESS at 21.63% versus HST at 16.51%.
- How have ESS and HST total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ESS delivered 5.62% and HST delivered 7.68% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Essex Property Trust & Host Hotels & Resorts 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.