EGP vs FR

For growth investors, EastGroup Properties, Inc.

(EGP) is the stronger pick with 13. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 8. 6% for First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (FR). First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (FR) offers the better valuation at 33. 0x trailing P/E (29. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (FR) a "Buy" — based on 29 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

(FR) is the cheapest at 33. 0x versus EastGroup Properties, Inc. at 41. 1x. On forward P/E, First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. is actually cheaper at 29. 5x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: EastGroup Properties, Inc. wins at 2. 95x versus First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. 's 7. 20x.

Over the past 5 years, EastGroup Properties, Inc.

(EGP) delivered a total return of +48. 2%, compared to +42. 3% for First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (FR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: EGP returned +287. 0% versus FR's +207. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), EastGroup Properties, Inc.

(EGP) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 52β versus First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. 's 0. 68β — meaning FR is approximately 30% more volatile than EGP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, EastGroup Properties, Inc. (EGP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 50% versus 93% for First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), EastGroup Properties, Inc.

(EGP) is pulling ahead at 13. 0% versus 8. 6% for First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (FR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: EastGroup Properties, Inc. grew EPS 4. 5% year-over-year, compared to -13. 8% for First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, EGP leads at 14. 0% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

(EGP) is the more profitable company, earning 35. 7% net margin versus 34. 0% for First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. — meaning it keeps 35. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FR leads at 42. 3% versus 39. 9% for EGP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EGP leads at 43. 3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, EastGroup Properties, Inc. (EGP) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 95x versus First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. 's 7. 20x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (FR) trades at 29. 5x forward P/E versus 35. 5x for EastGroup Properties, Inc. — 6. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FR: 5. 3% to $65. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

EastGroup Properties, Inc. (EGP) offers the highest yield at 2. 8%, versus 2. 8% for First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (FR).

For long-horizon retirement investors, EastGroup Properties, Inc.

(EGP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 52), 2. 8% yield, +287. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (EGP: +287. 0%, FR: +207. 2%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Real Estate sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.