CDP vs BXP vs SLG vs DEA

For growth investors, SL Green Realty Corp.

(SLG) is the stronger pick with 42. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 4% for COPT Defense Properties (CDP). COPT Defense Properties (CDP) offers the better valuation at 23. 7x trailing P/E (23. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate COPT Defense Properties (CDP) 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, COPT Defense Properties (CDP) is the cheapest at 23.

7x versus Easterly Government Properties, Inc. at 80. 3x. On forward P/E, COPT Defense Properties is actually cheaper at 23. 7x.

Over the past 5 years, COPT Defense Properties (CDP) delivered a total return of +34.

2%, compared to -37. 0% for Easterly Government Properties, Inc. (DEA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CDP returned +58. 6% versus BXP's -27. 8%. 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), COPT Defense Properties (CDP) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

38β versus SL Green Realty Corp. 's 1. 21β — meaning SLG is approximately 219% more volatile than CDP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Easterly Government Properties, Inc. (DEA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 123% versus 2% for BXP, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), SL Green Realty Corp.

(SLG) is pulling ahead at 42. 0% versus 1. 4% for COPT Defense Properties (CDP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: BXP, Inc. grew EPS 1833% year-over-year, compared to -21. 2% for SL Green Realty Corp.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SLG leads at 5. 2% 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.

COPT Defense Properties (CDP) is the more profitable company, earning 19.

9% net margin versus -8. 8% for SL Green Realty Corp. — meaning it keeps 19. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BXP leads at 55. 7% versus 15. 4% for SLG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BXP leads at 60. 6%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, COPT Defense Properties (CDP) trades at 23.

7x forward P/E versus 69. 7x for Easterly Government Properties, Inc. — 46. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for BXP: 21. 3% to $72. 10.

In this comparison, DEA (9.

0% yield), BXP (6. 8% yield), CDP (3. 8% yield) pay a dividend. SLG does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, COPT Defense Properties (CDP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

38), 3. 8% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CDP: +58. 6%, SLG: -25. 8%), 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.

In terms of investment character: CDP is a small-cap income-oriented stock; BXP is a small-cap income-oriented stock; SLG is a small-cap high-growth stock; DEA is a small-cap income-oriented stock. CDP, BXP, DEA pay a dividend while SLG does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.