MetaCap

American Assets (AAT) vs Empire State Realty (ESRT)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

American Assets (AAT) has outperformed Empire State Realty (ESRT) over the past year, gaining 7.2% versus a loss of 42.4%. Over five years, AAT leads with a -45.7% price change compared with -59.1% for ESRT. American Assets is the larger company by market cap ($1.66 billion vs $1.37 billion), about 1.2 times the size.

On valuation, American Assets trades at a lower trailing P/E (74.0x vs 223.5x for Empire State Realty). American Assets offers the higher dividend yield (6.34% vs 3.13%).

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

AAT+7.25%ESRT-42.40%
+33%-10%-53%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
AAT-43.85%ESRT-56.98%
+13%-26%-66%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

AAT versus ESRT key metrics
MetricAATESRT
Share price$21.46$4.47
Market cap$1.66B$1.37B
1-day change-0.19%+0.90%
YTD return+13.37%-31.44%
1-year return+7.25%-42.40%
5-year return-45.67%-59.07%
P/E ratio (TTM)74.00223.50
Forward P/E—74.50
EPS (TTM)$0.29$0.02
Dividend yield6.34%3.13%
Annual dividend$1.36$0.14
52-week high$25.97$8.04
52-week low$17.72$3.93
Distance from 52-week high-17.37%-44.40%
Analyst consensusunderperformhold
Avg. price target upside+9.51%+20.81%
Average volume437.12K3.03M
Shares outstanding61.40M172.17M
Employees232642
SectorReal EstateReal Estate
IndustryREIT - DiversifiedREIT - Diversified

Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.

Key differences

  • AAT has outperformed ESRT by 49.6 percentage points over the past year.
  • Empire State Realty trades at a higher earnings multiple (223.5x vs 74.0x trailing P/E).
  • American Assets offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.34% vs 3.13%).

About American Assets

AAT stock →

American Assets Trust, Inc. is a full service, vertically integrated and self-administered real estate investment trust.

Real Estate · REIT - Diversified · 232 employees

About Empire State Realty

ESRT stock →

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. is a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of well-leased, top of tier, modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets.

Real Estate · REIT - Diversified · 642 employees

AAT vs ESRT FAQ

Which is bigger, American Assets or Empire State Realty?

American Assets (AAT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.66B compared with $1.37B for Empire State Realty (ESRT).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, AAT or ESRT?

AAT returned +7.25% over the past 12 months, compared with -42.40% for ESRT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which has the lower P/E ratio, AAT or ESRT?

AAT has the lower trailing P/E at 74.0, versus 223.5 for ESRT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.

Which pays a higher dividend, American Assets or Empire State Realty?

American Assets has the higher yield at 6.34%, compared with 3.13% for Empire State Realty.

Are American Assets and Empire State Realty in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the REIT - Diversified industry within the Real Estate sector.

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