Digital Realty (DLR) vs Equinix (EQIX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Equinix (EQIX) has outperformed Digital Realty (DLR) over the past year, gaining 31.1% versus a gain of 3.0%. Over five years, EQIX leads with a +32.0% price change compared with +22.3% for DLR. Equinix is the larger company by market cap ($101.81 billion vs $68.16 billion), about 1.5 times the size, while Digital Realty is growing revenue faster (+10.0% vs +5.4%).
On valuation, Equinix trades at a lower forward P/E (55.7x vs 65.3x for Digital Realty). Digital Realty offers the higher dividend yield (2.70% vs 1.91%). Digital Realty converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 21.4% versus 14.6%.
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 | DLR | EQIX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $180.47 | $1,031.77 |
| Market cap | $68.16B | $101.81B |
| 1-day change | -2.26% | -1.49% |
| YTD return | +16.65% | +34.67% |
| 1-year return | +3.04% | +31.09% |
| 5-year return | +22.32% | +32.04% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 87.61 | 66.39 |
| Forward P/E | 65.34 | 55.69 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.06 | $15.54 |
| Dividend yield | 2.70% | 1.91% |
| Annual dividend | $4.88 | $19.70 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $6.11B | $9.22B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.04% | +5.36% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.31B | $1.35B |
| Gross margin | — | 51.09% |
| Operating margin | 10.77% | 20.05% |
| Net margin | 21.41% | 14.65% |
| 52-week high | $208.14 | $1,128.68 |
| 52-week low | $146.23 | $720.62 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -13.29% | -8.59% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +23.81% | +19.62% |
| Average volume | 2.29M | 537.30K |
| Shares outstanding | 371.00M | 98.67M |
| Employees | 4,282 | 13,716 |
| 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
- EQIX has outperformed DLR by 28.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Digital Realty trades at a higher earnings multiple (87.6x vs 66.4x trailing P/E).
- Digital Realty is more profitable, keeping 21.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 14.6 cents for Equinix.
About Digital Realty
DLR stock →Digital Realty Trust, Inc. brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 4,282 employees
About Equinix
EQIX stock →Equinix, Inc. shortens the path to boundless connectivity anywhere in the world.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 13,716 employees
DLR vs EQIX FAQ
Which is bigger, Digital Realty or Equinix?
Equinix (EQIX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $101.81B compared with $68.16B for Digital Realty (DLR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DLR or EQIX?
EQIX returned +31.09% over the past 12 months, compared with +3.04% for DLR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DLR or EQIX?
EQIX has the lower trailing P/E at 66.4, versus 87.6 for DLR. 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, Digital Realty or Equinix?
Digital Realty has the higher yield at 2.70%, compared with 1.91% for Equinix.
Are Digital Realty and Equinix in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.