MetaCap

American Assets (AAT) vs SmartStop Self Storage REIT (SMA)

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 SmartStop Self Storage REIT (SMA) over the past year, gaining 8.1% versus a loss of 8.5%. SmartStop Self Storage REIT is the larger company by market cap ($1.88 billion vs $1.68 billion), about 1.1 times the size. On valuation, SmartStop Self Storage REIT trades at a lower trailing P/E (61.7x vs 74.5x for American Assets).

American Assets offers the higher dividend yield (6.29% vs 2.42%).

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

Relative performance

AAT+7.25%SMA-8.48%
+32%+6%-20%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
AAT+15.38%SMA-0.24%
+39%+13%-12%
Mar 31, 20255 yearsOct 5, 2026

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

Head-to-head

AAT versus SMA key metrics
MetricAATSMA
Share price$21.61$32.71
Market cap$1.68B$1.88B
1-day change+0.70%-0.30%
YTD return+14.16%+6.04%
1-year return+8.10%-8.48%
5-year return-45.29%—
P/E ratio (TTM)74.5261.72
Forward P/E—50.44
EPS (TTM)$0.29$0.53
Dividend yield6.29%2.42%
Annual dividend$1.36$0.793
52-week high$25.97$38.69
52-week low$17.72$29.41
Distance from 52-week high-16.79%-15.46%
Analyst consensusunderperformbuy
Avg. price target upside+8.75%+12.63%
Average volume437.49K745.08K
Shares outstanding61.40M55.37M
Employees2321,000
SectorReal EstateReal Estate
IndustryReal Estate Investment TrustsReal Estate Investment Trusts

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 SMA by 16.6 percentage points over the past year.
  • American Assets offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.29% vs 2.42%).

About American Assets

AAT stock →

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

Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 232 employees

About SmartStop Self Storage REIT

SMA stock →

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. is a self-managed REIT with a fully integrated operations team of more than 1,000 self-storage professionals focused on growing the SmartStop Self Storage brand.

Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 1,000 employees

AAT vs SMA FAQ

Which is bigger, American Assets or SmartStop Self Storage REIT?

SmartStop Self Storage REIT (SMA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.88B compared with $1.68B for American Assets (AAT).

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

AAT returned +8.10% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.48% for SMA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

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

SMA has the lower trailing P/E at 61.7, versus 74.5 for AAT. 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 SmartStop Self Storage REIT?

American Assets has the higher yield at 6.29%, compared with 2.42% for SmartStop Self Storage REIT.

Are American Assets and SmartStop Self Storage REIT in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.

More comparisons