WSR vs NTST vs NNN vs EPRT

For growth investors, NETSTREIT Corp.

(NTST) is the stronger pick with 30. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 4% for Whitestone REIT (WSR). Whitestone REIT (WSR) offers the better valuation at 20. 0x trailing P/E (49. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate NETSTREIT Corp. (NTST) a "Buy" — based on 18 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, Whitestone REIT (WSR) is the cheapest at 20.

0x versus NETSTREIT Corp. at 254. 5x. On forward P/E, NNN REIT, Inc. is actually cheaper at 21. 7x — 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: Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. wins at 1. 01x versus NNN REIT, Inc. 's 1. 94x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Whitestone REIT (WSR) delivered a total return of +126.

0%, compared to +14. 9% for NETSTREIT Corp. (NTST). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: EPRT returned +189. 7% versus NNN's +37. 5%. 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), Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.

(EPRT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 01β versus Whitestone REIT's 0. 27β — meaning WSR is approximately 1762% more volatile than EPRT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (EPRT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 60% versus 139% for Whitestone REIT — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), NETSTREIT Corp.

(NTST) is pulling ahead at 30. 0% versus 3. 4% for Whitestone REIT (WSR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: NETSTREIT Corp. grew EPS 150. 0% year-over-year, compared to -3. 7% for NNN REIT, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NTST leads at 28. 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.

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.

(EPRT) is the more profitable company, earning 45. 0% net margin versus 3. 5% for NETSTREIT Corp. — meaning it keeps 45. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: EPRT leads at 64. 5% versus 25. 7% for NTST. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NTST leads at 99. 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.

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, Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (EPRT) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 01x versus NNN REIT, Inc. 's 1. 94x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, NNN REIT, Inc. (NNN) trades at 21. 7x forward P/E versus 65. 8x for NETSTREIT Corp. — 44. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for EPRT: 16. 0% to $36. 50.

In this comparison, NNN (5.

3% yield), NTST (4. 1% yield), EPRT (3. 7% yield) pay a dividend. WSR does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.

(EPRT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 01), 3. 7% yield, +189. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (EPRT: +189. 7%, WSR: +88. 5%), 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: WSR is a small-cap quality compounder stock; NTST is a small-cap high-growth stock; NNN is a small-cap income-oriented stock; EPRT is a small-cap high-growth stock. NTST, NNN, EPRT pay a dividend while WSR 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.