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Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) logo

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

Dividend AristocratS&P 500
ESS|Real Estate|REIT - Residential|$263.55|P/E 29.8|MCap 18.2B|NYSE

Last update: May 9, 2026 at 09:32

Dividend Safety Rating

65/ 100Safe

ESS's dividend appears safe and well-supported. Strengths include a 49.5% cfo payout ratio & 121.9 debt-to-equity. Areas of concern: 115.9% earnings payout ratio & 0.3x current ratio. As a Dividend Aristocrat with 25+ consecutive years of increases, ESS has a proven commitment to shareholders. As a REIT, higher payout ratios are normal since they are required to distribute most taxable income.

Based on 14 of 15 metrics

Strengths

  • Operating Margin: 35.2%Healthy operating margin provides a wide buffer.
  • Gross Margin: 68.1%High gross margin signals strong pricing power.
  • Dividend Streak: Aristocrat (25+ yrs)Long, uninterrupted dividend track record.

Risks

  • Current Ratio: 0.3xLimited short-term liquidity to meet obligations.
  • Earnings Payout Ratio: 115.9%High earnings payout ratio leaves little safety margin.

Payout & Coverage

Caution
Earnings Payout Ratio
115.9%Warning
FCF Payout Ratio
69.9%Caution
CFO Payout Ratio
49.5%Safe
Interest Coverage
3.7xCaution

Balance Sheet

Caution
Net Debt / Total Assets
N/AN/A
Current Ratio
0.3xDanger
Debt-to-Equity
121.9Safe

Profitability

Safe
Return on Equity
10.6%Caution
Operating Margin
35.2%Very Safe
Gross Margin
68.1%Very Safe
Profit Margin Stability
StableSafe

Dividend Track Record

Very Safe
Dividend Streak
Aristocrat (25+ yrs)Very Safe
Dividend Cut
NoneVery Safe
5-Year Dividend CAGR
4.1%Caution
Earnings Stability
GrowingVery Safe

About Essex Property Trust, Inc.

Essex Property Trust, Inc. is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in the multifamily residential sector. It focuses on the ownership, operation, management, acquisition, development, and redevelopment of apartment communities, primarily in supply-constrained West Coast markets including urban and suburban submarkets of Southern California, Northern California, and Seattle. The company maintains ownership interests in approximately 259 apartment communities comprising over 63,000 apartment homes, with additional properties in active development. Essex Property Trust, Inc. emphasizes high-quality, large-scale properties that serve residents in vibrant coastal economies, supporting stable rental housing demand driven by strong job and income growth in these regions. Founded in 1971 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, it plays a key role in providing residential real estate exposure within the REIT industry, catering to investors seeking income-oriented opportunities in premium apartment markets.

Dividend Overview

Dividend Yield

3.91%

Annual Dividend

$10.30

Frequency

Quarterly

Payout Ratio

115.86%

FCF Payout Ratio

69.87%

Stock Price

$263.55

52-Week Range

$238.46 $294.09

Dividend History (2016–2025)

ESS annual dividend per share and yield history

Earnings & Profitability

ESS earnings per share and net profit margin

Key Dates

Last Ex-Dividend Date

March 31, 2026

Last Payment Date

April 15, 2026

Dividend Growth

3-Year Dividend CAGR

4.91%

5-Year Dividend CAGR

4.10%

10-Year Dividend CAGR

5.84%

3-Year Total Growth

15.45%

5-Year Total Growth

22.26%

10-Year Total Growth

76.39%

Dividend Aristocrat (25+ yrs)

This company has increased its dividend for 25+ consecutive years.

Income Calculator

ESS Dividend Calculator

Total Investment

$26,355.00

Annual Income

$1,030.00

Quarterly Income

$257.50

Monthly Income

$85.83

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is ESS's current dividend yield?
Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) currently has a dividend yield of 3.91%, based on a stock price of $263.55 and an annual dividend of $10.30.
When is ESS's next dividend payment date?
ESS's next ex-dividend date is 2026-03-31 and the next payment date is 2026-04-15. You must own the stock before the ex-dividend date to receive the upcoming payment.
How much does ESS pay in dividends per year?
Essex Property Trust, Inc. paid $10.16 per share in annual dividends in 2025. The dividends are paid quarterly.
Has ESS been increasing its dividend?
Yes, Essex Property Trust, Inc. is a Dividend Aristocrat (25+ yrs). Its dividend has grown at a 5-year CAGR of 4.10%, a 3-year CAGR of 4.91% and a 10-year CAGR of 5.84%.
Is ESS's dividend safe?
Essex Property Trust, Inc. has a payout ratio of 115.86%. Its free cash flow payout ratio is 69.87%. The payout ratio is above 100%, which may indicate the company is paying more in dividends than it earns. This could be unsustainable long-term.
How is ESS's Dividend Safety Rating calculated?
The Dividend Safety Rating evaluates Essex Property Trust, Inc.'s dividend sustainability across four categories: Payout & Coverage (30%), Balance Sheet (20%), Profitability (20%), and Dividend Track Record (30%). Each metric is rated from "Very Safe" to "Danger" based on industry-standard thresholds, with sector-specific adjustments for real estate companies. The overall score ranges from 0 to 100.

Want to understand how we rate dividend safety? Read our full methodology

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This page is not investment advice. The content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Financial data, including dividend history, earnings, balance sheet metrics, and the Dividend Safety Rating, is provided for informational purposes only. Data may be delayed or differ from official filings. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always verify with official sources before making investment decisions.

Market data provided by Twelve Data.