STAG vs REXR

For growth investors, STAG Industrial, Inc.

(STAG) is the stronger pick with 10. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 7. 1% for Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (REXR). STAG Industrial, Inc. (STAG) offers the better valuation at 26. 1x trailing P/E (37. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate STAG Industrial, Inc. (STAG) a "Buy" — based on 21 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, STAG Industrial, Inc.

(STAG) is the cheapest at 26. 1x versus Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. at 41. 3x. On forward P/E, Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. is actually cheaper at 30. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. wins at 2. 76x versus STAG Industrial, Inc. 's 18. 40x.

Over the past 5 years, STAG Industrial, Inc.

(STAG) delivered a total return of +29. 7%, compared to -20. 2% for Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (REXR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: STAG returned +153. 7% versus REXR's +138. 1%. 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), STAG Industrial, Inc.

(STAG) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 55β versus Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. 's 0. 88β — meaning REXR is approximately 61% more volatile than STAG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (REXR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 40% versus 90% for STAG Industrial, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), STAG Industrial, Inc.

(STAG) is pulling ahead at 10. 1% versus 7. 1% for Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (REXR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: STAG Industrial, Inc. grew EPS 40. 4% year-over-year, compared to -28. 3% for Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, REXR leads at 16. 7% 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.

STAG Industrial, Inc.

(STAG) is the more profitable company, earning 32. 4% net margin versus 21. 1% for Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. — meaning it keeps 32. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: REXR leads at 37. 9% versus 37. 7% for STAG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — REXR leads at 77. 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, Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (REXR) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 76x versus STAG Industrial, Inc. 's 18. 40x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (REXR) trades at 30. 4x forward P/E versus 37. 5x for STAG Industrial, Inc. — 7. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for STAG: 19. 6% to $45. 50.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (REXR) offers the highest yield at 5. 0%, versus 4. 0% for STAG Industrial, Inc. (STAG).

For long-horizon retirement investors, STAG Industrial, Inc.

(STAG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 55), 4. 0% yield, +153. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (STAG: +153. 7%, REXR: +138. 1%), 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.