WPC
W. P. Carey Inc.
REIT - Diversified
Market Cap$16.05B
5Y Perf.+24.8%
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Stock Comparison
WPC vs ADC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
ADC
Agree Realty Corporation
REIT - Retail
Market Cap$9.12B
5Y Perf.+21.0%
WPC vs ADC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | WPC | ADC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | REIT - Diversified | REIT - Retail |
| Market Cap | $16.05B | $9.12B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.99B | $750M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $517M | $220M |
| Gross Margin | 68.2% | 87.6% |
| Operating Margin | 43.3% | 48.0% |
| Forward P/E | 29.0x | 38.8x |
| Total Debt | $8.72B | $3.35B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $155M | $16M |
WPC vs ADC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
WPC
ADC
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| W. P. Carey Inc. (WPC) | 100 | 124.8 | +24.8% |
| Agree Realty Corpor… (ADC) | 100 | 121.0 | +21.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: WPC vs ADC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: WPC leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and dividend income and shareholder returns. Agree Realty Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
WPC
W. P. Carey Inc.
The Real Estate Income Play
WPC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.02, yield 4.9%
- Beta 0.02, yield 4.9%, current ratio 0.18x
- Lower P/E (29.0x vs 38.8x)
Best for: income & stability and defensive
ADC
Agree Realty Corporation
The Real Estate Income Play
ADC is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 16.4%, EPS growth -0.6%, 3Y rev CAGR 18.7%
- 137.3% 10Y total return vs WPC's 85.7%
- Lower volatility, beta -0.14, Low D/E 53.5%, current ratio 0.83x
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | ADC | 16.4% FFO/revenue growth vs WPC's 8.9% |
| Value | WPC | Lower P/E (29.0x vs 38.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | ADC | 29.3% margin vs WPC's 26.0% |
| Stability / Safety | ADC | Lower D/E ratio (53.5% vs 107.2%) |
| Dividends | WPC | 4.9% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs ADC's 4.0% |
| Momentum (1Y) | WPC | +24.9% vs ADC's +3.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | WPC | 2.9% ROA vs ADC's 2.3%, ROIC 3.5% vs 2.8% |
WPC vs ADC — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
WPC vs ADC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLWPCLAGGINGADC
ADCAgree Realty Corporat…
2leads
WPCW. P. Carey Inc.
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs ADCMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
ADC4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
WPC5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
WPC5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
ADC4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ADC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WPC is the larger business by revenue, generating $2.0B annually — 2.6x ADC's $750M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 29.3% (ADC) to 26.0% (WPC). On growth, ADC holds the edge at +18.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | WPCW. P. Carey Inc. | ADCAgree Realty Corp… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.0B | $750M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.4B | $638M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $517M | $220M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.1B | $110M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +68.2% | +87.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +43.3% | +48.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +26.0% | +29.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +56.8% | +14.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +10.6% | +18.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +40.4% | +19.0% |
ADC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
WPC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 34.7x trailing earnings, WPC trades at a 19% valuation discount to ADC's 42.9x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, WPC's 19.2x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ADC's 20.2x.
| Metric | WPCW. P. Carey Inc. | ADCAgree Realty Corp… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $16.0B | $9.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $24.6B | $12.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 34.68x | 42.91x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 28.99x | 38.75x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 113.14x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 19.17x | 20.22x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 9.35x | 12.70x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.99x | 1.35x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 14.71x | 18.09x |
WPC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WPC leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WPC delivers a 6.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $6 in annual profit, vs $4 for ADC. ADC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.53x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to WPC's 1.07x.
| Metric | WPCW. P. Carey Inc. | ADCAgree Realty Corp… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +6.3% | +3.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.9% | +2.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.5% | +2.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.6% | +3.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.07x | 0.53x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $8.6B | $3.3B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $155M | $16M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $8.7B | $3.4B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.73x | 2.54x |
WPC leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ADC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ADC five years ago would be worth $12,993 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,731 for WPC. Over the past 12 months, WPC leads with a +24.9% total return vs ADC's +3.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ADC at 7.7% vs WPC's 5.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | WPCW. P. Carey Inc. | ADCAgree Realty Corp… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +14.3% | +6.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +24.9% | +3.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +17.4% | +24.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +27.3% | +29.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +85.7% | +137.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +5.5% | +7.7% |
ADC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — WPC and ADC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ADC is the less volatile stock with a -0.14 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than WPC's 0.02 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. WPC currently trades 96.7% from its 52-week high vs ADC's 92.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | WPCW. P. Carey Inc. | ADCAgree Realty Corp… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.02x | -0.14x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $75.69 | $82.08 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $59.34 | $69.56 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +96.7% | +92.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 53.3 | 43.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.1M | 1.1M |
Evenly matched — WPC and ADC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — WPC and ADC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates WPC as "Hold" and ADC as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 9.9% upside for ADC (target: $84) vs 0.0% for WPC (target: $73). For income investors, WPC offers the higher dividend yield at 4.88% vs ADC's 4.03%.
| Metric | WPCW. P. Carey Inc. | ADCAgree Realty Corp… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $73.20 | $83.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 20 | 32 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +4.9% | +4.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 3 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $3.57 | $3.06 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.0% |
Evenly matched — WPC and ADC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
ADC leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). WPC leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). 2 tied.
Best OverallW. P. Carey Inc. (WPC)Leads 2 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
WPC vs ADC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is WPC or ADC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Agree Realty Corporation (ADC) is the stronger pick with 16.
4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 8. 9% for W. P. Carey Inc. (WPC). W. P. Carey Inc. (WPC) offers the better valuation at 34. 7x trailing P/E (29. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Agree Realty Corporation (ADC) a "Buy" — based on 32 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 — WPC or ADC?
On trailing P/E, W.
P. Carey Inc. (WPC) is the cheapest at 34. 7x versus Agree Realty Corporation at 42. 9x. On forward P/E, W. P. Carey Inc. is actually cheaper at 29. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — WPC or ADC?
Over the past 5 years, Agree Realty Corporation (ADC) delivered a total return of +29.
9%, compared to +27. 3% for W. P. Carey Inc. (WPC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ADC returned +137. 3% versus WPC's +85. 7%. 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 — WPC or ADC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Agree Realty Corporation (ADC) is the lower-risk stock at -0.
14β versus W. P. Carey Inc. 's 0. 02β — meaning WPC is approximately -117% more volatile than ADC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Agree Realty Corporation (ADC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 53% versus 107% for W. P. Carey Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — WPC or ADC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Agree Realty Corporation (ADC) is pulling ahead at 16.
4% versus 8. 9% for W. P. Carey Inc. (WPC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: W. P. Carey Inc. grew EPS 1. 0% year-over-year, compared to -0. 6% for Agree Realty Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, ADC leads at 18. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — WPC or ADC?
Agree Realty Corporation (ADC) is the more profitable company, earning 28.
4% net margin versus 27. 2% for W. P. Carey Inc. — meaning it keeps 28. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ADC leads at 47. 4% versus 44. 4% for WPC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ADC leads at 87. 7%, 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 WPC or ADC more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, W.
P. Carey Inc. (WPC) trades at 29. 0x forward P/E versus 38. 8x for Agree Realty Corporation — 9. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ADC: 9. 9% to $83. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — WPC or ADC?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
W. P. Carey Inc. (WPC) offers the highest yield at 4. 9%, versus 4. 0% for Agree Realty Corporation (ADC).
09Is WPC or ADC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Agree Realty Corporation (ADC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0.
14), 4. 0% yield, +137. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ADC: +137. 3%, WPC: +85. 7%), 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 WPC and ADC?
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: WPC is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; ADC 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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Revenue Growth>
%
(WPC: 10.6% · ADC: 18.7%)Net Margin>
%
(WPC: 26.0% · ADC: 29.3%)P/E Ratio<
x
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