Saul Centers (BFS) vs Easterly Government Properties (DEA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Easterly Government Properties (DEA) has outperformed Saul Centers (BFS) over the past year, gaining 4.9% versus a loss of 4.1%. Over five years, BFS leads with a -35.5% price change compared with -57.6% for DEA. Easterly Government Properties is the larger company by market cap ($1.13 billion vs $1.03 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Saul Centers trades at a lower trailing P/E (30.2x vs 121.0x for Easterly Government Properties). Saul Centers offers the higher dividend yield (7.98% vs 7.83%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BFS | DEA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $29.58 | $22.99 |
| Market cap | $1.03B | $1.13B |
| 1-day change | -1.07% | -1.20% |
| YTD return | -6.18% | +8.49% |
| 1-year return | -4.12% | +4.93% |
| 5-year return | -35.54% | -57.60% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 30.18 | 121.00 |
| Forward P/E | — | 88.42 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.98 | $0.19 |
| Dividend yield | 7.98% | 7.83% |
| Annual dividend | $2.36 | $1.80 |
| 52-week high | $38.42 | $25.96 |
| 52-week low | $29.16 | $20.56 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -23.01% | -11.44% |
| Average volume | 113.58K | 403.77K |
| Shares outstanding | 24.72M | 47.32M |
| Sector | Real Estate | Real Estate |
| Industry | Real Estate Investment Trusts | Real 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
- Easterly Government Properties trades at a higher earnings multiple (121.0x vs 30.2x trailing P/E).
BFS vs DEA FAQ
Which is bigger, Saul Centers or Easterly Government Properties?
Easterly Government Properties (DEA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.13B compared with $1.03B for Saul Centers (BFS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BFS or DEA?
DEA returned +4.93% over the past 12 months, compared with -4.12% for BFS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BFS or DEA?
BFS has the lower trailing P/E at 30.2, versus 121.0 for DEA. 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, Saul Centers or Easterly Government Properties?
Saul Centers has the higher yield at 7.98%, compared with 7.83% for Easterly Government Properties.
Are Saul Centers and Easterly Government Properties in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.