SELF vs. MAA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SELF (Global Self Storage, Inc.) and MAA (Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Real Estate sector — SELF in REIT - Industrial, MAA in REIT - Residential. Over the past 10 years, SELF returned 6.03%/yr vs 6.33%/yr for MAA. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

SELF vs. MAA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global Self Storage, Inc. (SELF) and Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SELF achieves a 2.24% return, which is significantly higher than MAA's -4.96% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SELF having a 6.03% annualized return and MAA not far ahead at 6.33%.

SELF

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -7.55%
• YTD: 2.24%
• 6M: 5.12%
• 1Y: -3.96%
• 3Y*: 6.94%
• 5Y*: 2.71%
• 10Y*: 6.03%

MAA

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: -4.96%
• 6M: -2.39%
• 1Y: -13.35%
• 3Y*: -0.96%
• 5Y*: -0.99%
• 10Y*: 6.33%

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

SELF vs. MAA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SELF Global Self Storage, Inc.	2.24%	1.18%	22.06%	0.62%	-10.03%	49.12%	-0.41%	16.65%	-9.45%	2.05%
MAA Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.	-4.96%	-6.36%	19.94%	-10.44%	-29.75%	85.87%	-0.64%	42.52%	-1.06%	6.28%

Correlation

The correlation between SELF and MAA is 0.10, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2008	0.13

Fundamentals

EPS SELF : $0.17 MAA : $4.58
PE Ratio SELF : 29.48 MAA : 28.14
PS Ratio SELF : 4.53 MAA : 6.83
Total Revenue (TTM) SELF : $12.75M MAA : $1.66B
Gross Profit (TTM) SELF : $5.10M MAA : $450.10M
EBITDA (TTM) SELF : $4.33M MAA : $1.28B

Return for Risk

SELF vs. MAA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SELF

SELF Risk / Return Rank: 27
SELF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
SELF Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
SELF Omega Ratio Rank: 25
SELF Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
SELF Martin Ratio Rank: 27

MAA

MAA Risk / Return Rank: 12
MAA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
MAA Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
MAA Omega Ratio Rank: 13
MAA Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
MAA Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

SELF vs. MAA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global Self Storage, Inc. (SELF) and Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA). 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.

	SELF	MAA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.23	-0.73	+0.50
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.21	-0.95	+0.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	0.89	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.42	-0.70	+0.27
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.70	-1.21	+0.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SELF vs. MAA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SELF Sharpe Ratio is -0.23, which is higher than the MAA Sharpe Ratio of -0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SELF and MAA, 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

	SELF	MAA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.23	-0.73	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	-0.05	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22	0.26	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.44	-0.15

Drawdowns

SELF vs. MAA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SELF drawdown since its inception was -45.24%, smaller than the maximum MAA drawdown of -60.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SELF and MAA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SELF	MAA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.24%	-60.29%	+15.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.31%	-19.49%	+6.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.00%	-26.41%	+8.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.33%	-45.01%	+14.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.55%	-45.01%	+13.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.21%	-32.84%	+24.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.52%	-10.39%	-1.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.07%	11.49%	-3.42%

Volatility

SELF vs. MAA - Volatility Comparison

Global Self Storage, Inc. (SELF) has a higher volatility of 4.36% compared to Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA) at 4.06%. This indicates that SELF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MAA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SELF	MAA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.36%	4.06%	+0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.55%	13.55%	-1.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.47%	18.33%	-0.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.31%	22.10%	+7.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.07%	24.12%	+3.95%

Dividends

SELF vs. MAA - Dividend Comparison

SELF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.64%, more than MAA's 4.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MAA Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.	4.72%	4.36%	3.80%	4.96%	2.98%	1.79%	3.16%	2.91%	3.86%	3.46%	3.35%	3.39%
SELF Global Self Storage, Inc.	5.64%	5.69%	5.44%	6.26%	5.64%	4.56%	6.48%	6.05%	6.63%	5.64%	5.45%	8.80%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SELF and MAA in my portfolio?

SELF and MAA have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SELF or MAA?

SELF has higher volatility (4.36%) compared to MAA (4.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SELF dropped -45.24% vs MAA's -60.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SELF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.23 vs -0.73), 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.