Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS) Rating Lowered to “Sell” at Wall Street Zen

Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS) was downgraded by Wall Street Zen from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report issued on Saturday.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Scotiabank increased their price objective on Essex Property Trust from $290.00 to $307.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on Essex Property Trust from $306.00 to $312.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday. Piper Sandler upped their target price on Essex Property Trust from $310.00 to $352.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on Essex Property Trust in a research report on Friday, June 26th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $320.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price target on Essex Property Trust from $273.00 to $286.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $304.69.

Essex Property Trust Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ESS opened at $284.68 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $286.95 and its 200-day simple moving average is $266.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.60. Essex Property Trust has a one year low of $238.46 and a one year high of $303.35. The firm has a market cap of $18.29 billion, a PE ratio of 44.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 12.23 and a beta of 0.69.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Mary Kasaris sold 600 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $279.45, for a total value of $167,670.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 2,394 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $669,003.30. The trade was a 20.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 3.47% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in ESS. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Essex Property Trust during the fourth quarter worth $230,690,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its position in shares of Essex Property Trust by 973.0% in the 3rd quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 743,954 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $199,127,000 after purchasing an additional 674,617 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in Essex Property Trust by 21.9% during the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,679,607 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $439,520,000 after buying an additional 301,349 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in Essex Property Trust by 31.3% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 958,090 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $250,714,000 after buying an additional 228,165 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rush Island Management LP grew its stake in Essex Property Trust by 26.8% during the 1st quarter. Rush Island Management LP now owns 807,893 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $195,510,000 after buying an additional 170,682 shares during the last quarter. 96.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting Essex Property Trust

Here are the key news stories impacting Essex Property Trust this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Essex raised the midpoint of its full-year 2026 core funds from operations (FFO) outlook by $0.20 and forecast third-quarter core FFO of $3.99. The higher outlook reflects resilient rental demand and better-than-expected property performance. Essex raises full-year core FFO midpoint
• Positive Sentiment: Second-quarter FFO exceeded analysts’ expectations as same-property net operating income and revenue increased. Northern California was the standout market, helping support the company’s raised 2026 view. ESS Q2 FFO beats estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Citizens JMP upgraded ESS from “market perform” to “outperform” and assigned a $330 price target, while RBC raised its target from $306 to $312 and maintained an “outperform” rating. The upgrades indicate improving analyst confidence after the earnings report. Essex upgraded at Citizens RBC raises Essex price target
• Neutral Sentiment: Management highlighted a regional divide: Northern California rent growth remains strong, but conditions are less uniform across Essex’s other markets. This creates some uncertainty around the pace and breadth of future growth. Essex Property Trust ups guidance amid regional divide

About Essex Property Trust

Essex Property Trust, Inc (NYSE: ESS) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that acquires, develops, owns and operates multifamily residential properties. The company focuses on market-rate apartment communities and delivers a full suite of property services including leasing, resident services, asset management, and capital improvement programs designed to preserve and enhance long‑term property values.

Essex concentrates its portfolio in West Coast markets, with a significant presence in California and the Pacific Northwest.