Cousins Properties (CUZ) vs Essential Properties Realty (EPRT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Cousins Properties (CUZ) has outperformed Essential Properties Realty (EPRT) over the past year, losing 1.7% versus a loss of 14.6%. Over five years, EPRT leads with a -14.1% price change compared with -31.3% for CUZ. Essential Properties Realty is the larger company by market cap ($5.43 billion vs $4.56 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Essential Properties Realty trades at a lower forward P/E (18.1x vs 69.3x for Cousins Properties). Essential Properties Realty offers the higher dividend yield (4.95% vs 4.62%). Essential Properties Realty converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 45.1% versus 4.1%.
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 | CUZ | EPRT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $27.72 | $25.05 |
| Market cap | $4.56B | $5.43B |
| 1-day change | +0.69% | +0.40% |
| YTD return | +6.79% | -15.88% |
| 1-year return | -1.71% | -14.64% |
| 5-year return | -31.26% | -14.11% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 693.00 | 19.42 |
| Forward P/E | 69.30 | 18.11 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.04 | $1.29 |
| Dividend yield | 4.62% | 4.95% |
| Annual dividend | $1.28 | $1.24 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $993.82M | $561.22M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +16.00% | +24.82% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $40.50M | $253.01M |
| Gross margin | 68.35% | — |
| Operating margin | 67.75% | 64.13% |
| Net margin | 4.08% | 45.08% |
| 52-week high | $32.95 | $34.73 |
| 52-week low | $21.03 | $24.62 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.87% | -27.87% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +21.03% | +44.31% |
| Average volume | 1.48M | 1.86M |
| Shares outstanding | 164.60M | 216.27M |
| Employees | 351 | 56 |
| 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
- CUZ has outperformed EPRT by 12.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Cousins Properties trades at a higher earnings multiple (693.0x vs 19.4x trailing P/E).
- Essential Properties Realty is more profitable, keeping 45.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 4.1 cents for Cousins Properties.
- Essential Properties Realty grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+24.82% vs +16.00%).
About Cousins Properties
CUZ stock →Cousins Properties Incorporated is a fully integrated, self-administered, and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company, based in Atlanta, GA and acting through its operating partnership, Cousins Properties LP, primarily invests in Class A office buildings located in high-growth Sun Belt markets.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 351 employees
About Essential Properties Realty
EPRT stock →Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. is an internally managed REIT that acquires, owns and manages primarily single-tenant properties that are net leased on a long-term basis to companies operating service-oriented or experience-based businesses.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 56 employees
CUZ vs EPRT FAQ
Which is bigger, Cousins Properties or Essential Properties Realty?
Essential Properties Realty (EPRT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.43B compared with $4.56B for Cousins Properties (CUZ).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CUZ or EPRT?
CUZ returned -1.71% over the past 12 months, compared with -14.64% for EPRT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CUZ or EPRT?
EPRT has the lower trailing P/E at 19.4, versus 693.0 for CUZ. 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, Cousins Properties or Essential Properties Realty?
Essential Properties Realty has the higher yield at 4.95%, compared with 4.62% for Cousins Properties.
Are Cousins Properties and Essential Properties Realty in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.