On the stock market since 1994, it operates in the world of real estate. It has 1,688 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
Average growth of 7% a year over the last 4 years. Every year shown ended in profit.
The gap is $6.7B. In times of high interest rates, a gap like that can squeeze a company.
Executives buying with their own money is usually read as confidence in the company’s future.
We compared this company with its own sector across five subjects.
A score of 50 means class average.
Profit power and business quality lead the class.
A solid grade overall — yet the debt outweighs the cash. The strength here comes from earnings power.
Clearly below the class average.
This grade is a blend: the profit side is strong, the sales tempo slow.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
Valuation: The stock trades at a price that looks expensive next to its earnings; that can cap future returns.
The stock trades 20% below its peak. The market has trimmed its expectations for the company.
The net profit margin is 35% — still a thick cushion, though costs have been eating into it lately.
Over the last 12 months, company executives reported 21 buys and 19 sells. Management buying with its own money is usually read as a good sign.
It pays out $10.32 per share each year — regular cash for whoever holds the stock.
Today’s price already includes part of tomorrow’s optimism. Report-card grade: 39/100.
On our five-subject report card, ESS sits near the top of the class. A high grade doesn’t mean “guaranteed win” — it means “the evidence looks strong for now.”
The takeaway: ESS is an established business that has proven its profits for years. The real debate isn’t the quality of the business — it’s whether the price paid for the stock is too high.
The total grade weighs these five subjects against the sector — it isn’t a simple average of the five.