ESS vs. CPT

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

ESS (Essex Property Trust, Inc.) and CPT (Camden Property Trust) are both stocks. Both operate in the REIT - Residential industry within the Real Estate sector. Over the past 10 years, ESS returned 6.49%/yr vs 7.55%/yr for CPT. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

ESS vs. CPT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) and Camden Property Trust (CPT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESS achieves a 10.01% return, which is significantly higher than CPT's 3.75% return. Over the past 10 years, ESS has underperformed CPT with an annualized return of 6.49%, while CPT has yielded a comparatively higher 7.55% annualized return.

ESS

• 1D: -1.20%
• 1M: 7.00%
• YTD: 10.01%
• 6M: 14.13%
• 1Y: 5.10%
• 3Y*: 10.51%
• 5Y*: 1.70%
• 10Y*: 6.49%

CPT

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 8.87%
• YTD: 3.75%
• 6M: 12.33%
• 1Y: 1.52%
• 3Y*: 3.86%
• 5Y*: 0.18%
• 10Y*: 7.55%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ESS vs. CPT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESS Essex Property Trust, Inc.	10.01%	-4.98%	18.36%	21.97%	-37.76%	52.40%	-18.09%	25.92%	4.83%	6.82%
CPT Camden Property Trust	3.75%	-1.48%	21.31%	-7.64%	-35.58%	83.40%	-2.28%	24.21%	-0.98%	13.33%

Correlation

The correlation between ESS and CPT is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 1994	0.66

The correlation between ESS and CPT shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (all time) to 0.83 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

EPS ESS : $9.59 CPT : $3.60
PE Ratio ESS : 29.41 CPT : 31.40
PEG Ratio ESS : 2.06 CPT : 0.88
PS Ratio ESS : 7.14 CPT : 10.30
Total Revenue (TTM) ESS : $1.91B CPT : $1.18B
Gross Profit (TTM) ESS : $1.32B CPT : $725.73M
EBITDA (TTM) ESS : $1.44B CPT : $1.12B

Return for Risk

ESS vs. CPT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ESS

ESS Risk / Return Rank: 47
ESS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
ESS Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
ESS Omega Ratio Rank: 42
ESS Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
ESS Martin Ratio Rank: 48

CPT

CPT Risk / Return Rank: 41
CPT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
CPT Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
CPT Omega Ratio Rank: 36
CPT Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
CPT Martin Ratio Rank: 44

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ESS vs. CPT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) and Camden Property Trust (CPT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ESS	CPT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.25	0.08	+0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.46	0.25	+0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.03	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.31	0.10	+0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.52	0.18	+0.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESS vs. CPT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESS Sharpe Ratio is 0.25, which is higher than the CPT Sharpe Ratio of 0.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESS and CPT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ESS	CPT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25	0.08	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	0.01	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25	0.31	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.39	+0.12

Drawdowns

ESS vs. CPT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESS drawdown since its inception was -62.67%, smaller than the maximum CPT drawdown of -75.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESS and CPT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESS	CPT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.67%	-75.31%	+12.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.49%	-16.05%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.77%	-24.87%	+4.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.87%	-50.22%	+6.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.84%	-50.22%	+5.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.50%	-26.22%	+17.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.86%	-12.91%	+2.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.80%	8.58%	+1.22%

Volatility

ESS vs. CPT - Volatility Comparison

Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) and Camden Property Trust (CPT) have volatilities of 5.19% and 5.21%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESS	CPT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.19%	5.21%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.23%	14.28%	-0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.86%	19.39%	+1.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.71%	22.69%	+1.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.82%	24.37%	+1.45%

Dividends

ESS vs. CPT - Dividend Comparison

ESS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.65%, less than CPT's 3.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CPT Camden Property Trust	3.73%	3.82%	3.55%	4.03%	3.36%	1.93%	3.32%	3.02%	3.50%	3.26%	8.62%	3.65%
ESS Essex Property Trust, Inc.	3.65%	3.88%	2.57%	3.73%	4.15%	2.37%	3.50%	2.59%	3.03%	2.90%	2.75%	2.41%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESS and CPT in my portfolio?

ESS and CPT have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESS or CPT?

CPT has higher volatility (5.21%) compared to ESS (5.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESS dropped -62.67% vs CPT's -75.31%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.25 vs 0.08), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.