ARE
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
REIT - Office
Market Cap$7.89B
5Y Perf.-70.3%
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Stock Comparison
ARE vs WELL vs VTR vs CTRE
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
WELL
Welltower Inc.
REIT - Healthcare Facilities
Market Cap$149.25B
5Y Perf.+320.4%
VTR
Ventas, Inc.
REIT - Healthcare Facilities
Market Cap$41.15B
5Y Perf.+147.6%
CTRE
CareTrust REIT, Inc.
REIT - Healthcare Facilities
Market Cap$8.82B
5Y Perf.+112.1%
ARE vs WELL vs VTR vs CTRE — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ARE | WELL | VTR | CTRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | REIT - Office | REIT - Healthcare Facilities | REIT - Healthcare Facilities | REIT - Healthcare Facilities |
| Market Cap | $7.89B | $149.25B | $41.15B | $8.82B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.90B | $11.63B | $6.13B | $468M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-1.02B | $1.43B | $260M | $335M |
| Gross Margin | 68.2% | 39.1% | -4.3% | 86.8% |
| Operating Margin | -42.8% | 4.4% | 13.4% | 69.1% |
| Forward P/E | 78.8x | 78.4x | 118.0x | 26.6x |
| Total Debt | $12.76B | $21.38B | $13.22B | $894M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $549M | $5.03B | $741M | $198M |
ARE vs WELL vs VTR vs CTRE — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
ARE
WELL
VTR
CTRE
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria Real Est… (ARE) | 100 | 29.7 | -70.3% |
| Welltower Inc. (WELL) | 100 | 420.4 | +320.4% |
| Ventas, Inc. (VTR) | 100 | 247.6 | +147.6% |
| CareTrust REIT, Inc. (CTRE) | 100 | 212.1 | +112.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ARE vs WELL vs VTR vs CTRE
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CTRE leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for dividend income and shareholder returns. WELL and VTR also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
ARE
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
The Real Estate Income Play
ARE is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if income & stability is your priority.
- Dividend streak 15 yrs, beta 0.95, yield 11.7%
- 11.7% yield, 15-year raise streak, vs CTRE's 3.2%
Best for: income & stability
WELL
Welltower Inc.
The Real Estate Income Play
WELL is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night.
- Lower volatility, beta 0.13, Low D/E 49.5%, current ratio 5.34x
- +42.7% vs ARE's -30.9%
Best for: sleep-well-at-night
VTR
Ventas, Inc.
The Real Estate Income Play
VTR is the clearest fit if your priority is defensive.
- Beta 0.01, yield 2.1%, current ratio 0.96x
- Beta 0.01 vs ARE's 0.95
Best for: defensive
CTRE
CareTrust REIT, Inc.
The Real Estate Income Play
CTRE carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 108.8%, EPS growth 96.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 36.5%
- 265.1% 10Y total return vs WELL's 223.1%
- 108.8% FFO/revenue growth vs ARE's -2.6%
- Lower P/E (26.6x vs 118.0x)
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | CTRE | 108.8% FFO/revenue growth vs ARE's -2.6% |
| Value | CTRE | Lower P/E (26.6x vs 118.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | CTRE | 71.5% margin vs ARE's -35.3% |
| Stability / Safety | VTR | Beta 0.01 vs ARE's 0.95 |
| Dividends | ARE | 11.7% yield, 15-year raise streak, vs CTRE's 3.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | WELL | +42.7% vs ARE's -30.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CTRE | 6.7% ROA vs ARE's -2.9%, ROIC 6.1% vs -2.7% |
ARE vs WELL vs VTR vs CTRE — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
ARE vs WELL vs VTR vs CTRE — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLARELAGGINGVTR
Who Leads Where
CTRE leads in 2 of 6 categories
ARE leads 2 • WELL leads 1 • VTR leads 1
Explore the data ↓VTRVentas, Inc.
1leads
WELLWelltower Inc.
1leads
CTRECareTrust REIT, Inc.
2leads
AREAlexandria Real Estat…
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs CTREvs WELLMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CTRE5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
ARE4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CTRE8/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
WELL5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
VTR2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
ARE2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CTRE leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WELL is the larger business by revenue, generating $11.6B annually — 24.8x CTRE's $468M. CTRE is the more profitable business, keeping 71.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ARE's -35.3%. On growth, CTRE holds the edge at +99.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | AREAlexandria Real E… | WELLWelltower Inc. | VTRVentas, Inc. | CTRECareTrust REIT, I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.9B | $11.6B | $6.1B | $468M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $74M | $2.8B | $2.3B | $428M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$1.0B | $1.4B | $260M | $335M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.4B | $2.5B | $1.4B | $400M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +68.2% | +39.1% | -4.3% | +86.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -42.8% | +4.4% | +13.4% | +69.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -35.3% | +12.3% | +4.2% | +71.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +48.4% | +21.9% | +22.4% | +85.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -9.7% | +40.3% | +22.0% | +99.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +31.9% | +22.5% | 0.0% | +2.9% |
CTRE leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
ARE leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 25.2x trailing earnings, CTRE trades at a 84% valuation discount to VTR's 160.3x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CTRE's 23.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ARE's 135.6x.
| Metric | AREAlexandria Real E… | WELLWelltower Inc. | VTRVentas, Inc. | CTRECareTrust REIT, I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $7.9B | $149.2B | $41.1B | $8.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $20.1B | $165.6B | $53.6B | $9.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -5.40x | 153.25x | 160.26x | 25.17x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 78.79x | 78.42x | 118.01x | 26.58x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | 1.19x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 135.65x | 66.40x | 24.31x | 23.03x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.66x | 13.99x | 7.05x | 18.51x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.41x | 3.35x | 3.18x | 2.00x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 5.58x | 52.41x | 31.25x | 23.27x |
ARE leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CTRE leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CTRE delivers a 8.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $9 in annual profit, vs $-5 for ARE. CTRE carries lower financial leverage with a 0.22x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to VTR's 1.05x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), WELL scores 7/9 vs CTRE's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | AREAlexandria Real E… | WELLWelltower Inc. | VTRVentas, Inc. | CTRECareTrust REIT, I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -5.0% | +3.5% | +2.1% | +8.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -2.9% | +2.3% | +1.0% | +6.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -2.7% | +0.5% | +2.5% | +6.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -3.6% | +0.6% | +3.2% | +7.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.67x | 0.49x | 1.05x | 0.22x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $12.2B | $16.3B | $12.5B | $696M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $549M | $5.0B | $741M | $198M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $12.8B | $21.4B | $13.2B | $894M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -4.37x | 0.26x | 1.40x | 8.44x |
CTRE leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
WELL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in WELL five years ago would be worth $30,234 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $3,887 for ARE. Over the past 12 months, WELL leads with a +42.7% total return vs ARE's -30.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors WELL at 42.5% vs ARE's -21.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | AREAlexandria Real E… | WELLWelltower Inc. | VTRVentas, Inc. | CTRECareTrust REIT, I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -5.5% | +14.3% | +12.6% | +9.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -30.9% | +42.7% | +33.9% | +40.3% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -51.0% | +189.5% | +94.2% | +117.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -61.1% | +202.3% | +74.8% | +96.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -8.6% | +223.1% | +65.0% | +265.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -21.2% | +42.5% | +24.8% | +29.6% |
WELL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
VTR leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
VTR is the less volatile stock with a 0.01 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ARE's 0.95 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. VTR currently trades 97.8% from its 52-week high vs ARE's 51.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | AREAlexandria Real E… | WELLWelltower Inc. | VTRVentas, Inc. | CTRECareTrust REIT, I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.95x | 0.13x | 0.01x | 0.14x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $88.24 | $219.59 | $88.50 | $41.72 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $39.41 | $142.65 | $61.76 | $27.72 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +51.7% | +97.0% | +97.8% | +94.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 52.2 | 60.2 | 56.2 | 54.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.5M | 2.6M | 3.4M | 2.5M |
VTR leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
ARE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: ARE as "Hold", WELL as "Buy", VTR as "Buy", CTRE as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 20.7% upside for ARE (target: $55) vs 4.9% for VTR (target: $91). For income investors, ARE offers the higher dividend yield at 11.74% vs WELL's 1.30%.
| Metric | AREAlexandria Real E… | WELLWelltower Inc. | VTRVentas, Inc. | CTRECareTrust REIT, I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $55.00 | $226.50 | $90.80 | $42.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 24 | 34 | 32 | 19 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +11.7% | +1.3% | +2.1% | +3.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 15 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $5.35 | $2.76 | $1.86 | $1.27 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% | +0.0% |
ARE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CTRE leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). ARE leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook).
Best OverallAlexandria Real Estate Equi… (ARE)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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ARE vs WELL vs VTR vs CTRE: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ARE or WELL or VTR or CTRE a better buy right now?
For growth investors, CareTrust REIT, Inc.
(CTRE) is the stronger pick with 108. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -2. 6% for Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (ARE). CareTrust REIT, Inc. (CTRE) offers the better valuation at 25. 2x trailing P/E (26. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Welltower Inc. (WELL) a "Buy" — based on 34 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.
02Which has the better valuation — ARE or WELL or VTR or CTRE?
On trailing P/E, CareTrust REIT, Inc.
(CTRE) is the cheapest at 25. 2x versus Ventas, Inc. at 160. 3x. On forward P/E, CareTrust REIT, Inc. is actually cheaper at 26. 6x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ARE or WELL or VTR or CTRE?
Over the past 5 years, Welltower Inc.
(WELL) delivered a total return of +202. 3%, compared to -61. 1% for Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (ARE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CTRE returned +265. 1% versus ARE's -8. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — ARE or WELL or VTR or CTRE?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Ventas, Inc.
(VTR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 01β versus Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. 's 0. 95β — meaning ARE is approximately 9918% more volatile than VTR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CareTrust REIT, Inc. (CTRE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 22% versus 105% for Ventas, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — ARE or WELL or VTR or CTRE?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), CareTrust REIT, Inc.
(CTRE) is pulling ahead at 108. 8% versus -2. 6% for Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (ARE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Ventas, Inc. grew EPS 184. 2% year-over-year, compared to -568. 9% for Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CTRE leads at 36. 5% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — ARE or WELL or VTR or CTRE?
CareTrust REIT, Inc.
(CTRE) is the more profitable company, earning 67. 3% net margin versus -48. 2% for Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. — meaning it keeps 67. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CTRE leads at 67. 2% versus -40. 5% for ARE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ARE leads at 68. 9%, 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.
07Is ARE or WELL or VTR or CTRE more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, CareTrust REIT, Inc.
(CTRE) trades at 26. 6x forward P/E versus 118. 0x for Ventas, Inc. — 91. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ARE: 20. 7% to $55. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — ARE or WELL or VTR or CTRE?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (ARE) offers the highest yield at 11. 7%, versus 1. 3% for Welltower Inc. (WELL).
09Is ARE or WELL or VTR or CTRE better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, CareTrust REIT, Inc.
(CTRE) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 14), 3. 2% yield, +265. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CTRE: +265. 1%, ARE: -8. 6%), 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.
10What are the main differences between ARE and WELL and VTR and CTRE?
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.
In terms of investment character: ARE is a small-cap income-oriented stock; WELL is a mid-cap high-growth stock; VTR is a mid-cap high-growth stock; CTRE is a small-cap high-growth stock. 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.
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