ALTSTATION.IO

Equity Residential (EQR) Stock Analysis

By Nova Skye | AltStation.io | Updated February 07, 2026

Price

$62.88

Change

+1.80%

Market Cap

$24.75B

Avg Volume

2.3M

Company Overview

Equity Residential (EQR) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in owning and managing residential apartment properties. Headquartered in Chicago, the company has 318 properties and approximately 86,320 apartment units primarily located in major coastal cities like San Francisco and New York, as well as high-growth areas such as Atlanta, Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Denver. Their primary customers are renters looking for quality residences in urban markets.

Equity Residential is a market leader in the residential REIT sector, benefiting from its strategic focus on high-demand locations. They have a strong portfolio that provides them with a competitive edge, especially in key coastal and rapidly growing metro areas. However, they face competition from other REITs like AvalonBay Communities and Camden Property Trust, as well as increased interest in single-family rentals, which could impact market dynamics as more individuals explore different living options.

Currently, Equity Residential is experiencing steady growth, bolstered by strong demand for housing in their target markets. The company continues to focus on property acquisitions and development to enhance their portfolio. Recent milestones include successfully navigating post-pandemic rental market shifts and adapting their strategies, allowing them to maintain a robust occupancy rate and rental growth despite economic uncertainties.

Key Financials

Market Cap

$24.75B

Revenue

$3.08B

EBITDA

$1.88B

Gross Margin

63.0%

Profit Margin

37.6%

Revenue Growth

4.6%

Total Cash

$93.09M

Total Debt

$8.74B

Free Cash Flow

$1.40B

52-Week Price Performance Analysis

Price Statistics

P/E Ratio

21.91

Forward P/E

39.86

Beta

0.76

52-Week High

$75.86

52-Week Low

$58.38

EPS

$2.87

50-Day Avg

$61.64

200-Day Avg

$64.59

Price/Book

2.16

Technical Analysis

Over the past 52 weeks, Equity Residential (EQR) has exhibited a downward trend with notable weakness, reflected in its current price of $62.88, which is 6.1% lower than the previous year. Key resistance is identified at approximately $67.50, while strong support appears around $60, a level the stock has tested several times without breaking below. A bearish pattern is evident, with lower highs driving the downward trajectory, culminating in a consolidation phase beginning in late January. Recently, however, momentum has shifted positively as EQR is attempting to break above its downward trend line, specifically around $63.89. The current price of $62.88 suggests that EQR is trading close to its support level and within its 52-week range of $57.50 to $72.50, indicating possible bullish potential if the price can rally above resistance.

Recent News and Developments

Market Update

Here’s a summary of the latest news and developments for Equity Residential (EQR) stock in the past week (January 31, 2026, to February 7, 2026):

Market Update

### Equity Residential Reports Q4 2025 Earnings Miss, Offers Strong 2026 Guidance

Market Update

Equity Residential released its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on Thursday, February 5, 2026, reporting earnings per share (EPS) of $1.03, which slightly missed analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.04. Despite this slight miss on Q4 FFO and revenue, the real estate investment trust provided a much stronger-than-expected outlook for both Q1 and the full fiscal year 2026. The company set its Q1 2026 gu

Market Sentiment and Analyst Recommendations

Bull Case

EQR just guided 2026 well above Street consensus, which is the kind of signal that drives multiples higher. The company expects same-store revenue growth of 1.2% to 3.2% while new supply is dropping 35% year-over-year — that’s a structural tailwind for pricing power. Management is projecting blended rate growth of 1.5% to 3% with renewal rates around 4.5%, which translates to actual margin expansion despite expense pressures. At 21.91x P/E, EQR is not cheap, but the forward guidance of $4.02-$4.14 EPS for 2026 values the stock at roughly 15x-15.5x forward earnings, which is reasonable for a REIT with improving fundamentals. The stock is testing support at $60 and attempting to break above its downward trend line near $63.89 — a close above $67.50 resistance opens the door to the $69.76 analyst target. Analyst consensus remains bullish with 21 buy ratings despite the recent BMO downgrade, suggesting conviction in the recovery narrative.

Bear Case

EQR missed Q4 earnings by a penny, which matters less than the fact that 2025 was admittedly a “challenging year” — that’s code for demand weakness that’s not fully priced in. BMO just downgraded the stock citing softening coastal market fundamentals, stretched affordability, and regulatory headwinds like rent control and higher taxes on affluent residents, and these aren’t short-term problems. Same-store NOI growth guidance of 0.5% to 2.5% is actually below consensus at 2.2%, which is a negative signal buried in the bullish guidance. The company carries $8.74B in debt against only $93M in cash, leaving limited financial flexibility if the recovery stalls or interest rates stay elevated. The stock is down 10.42% over the past year and remains 6.1% below its 52-week high, suggesting the market isn’t convinced the turnaround is real yet. Affordability is genuinely stretched in EQR’s core markets, and job growth is the only thing holding occupancy together — any economic slowdown breaks this thesis.

What to Watch

Monitor Q1 2026 earnings in late April for actual execution on the $0.94-$0.98 EPS guidance — if the company misses again, the recovery narrative collapses. Track occupancy rates and blended rent growth in the quarterly reports, specifically whether the company achieves the 1.5% to 3% blended rate growth it promised. Watch for updates on supply dynamics in coastal markets, particularly California and New York, since that’s where BMO sees the biggest risk; a slowdown in supply reduction would be a red flag. The $67.50 resistance level is critical — a sustained break above it could trigger a retest of the $69.76 analyst target, while a failure to hold $60 support opens downside to $57.50. Pay attention to any commentary on job market softness or affordability stress in earnings calls; management’s tone on demand will matter more than the numbers themselves. Monitor interest rate expectations and Fed policy, since a sustained decline in rates could improve the REIT’s debt servicing profile and unlock multiple expansion.

Analyst Consensus

BUY

Based on 21 analyst opinions

Low Target

$61.00

Mean Target

$69.76

High Target

$80.00

Earnings and Financial Data

Sector

Real Estate

Industry

REIT – Residential

Employees

2,500

Earnings & Dividends

Next Earnings

Apr 28, 2026

EPS (Trailing)

$2.87

Dividend Yield

448.0%

Payout Ratio

96.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EQR a good stock to buy?

Yes, Equity Residential (EQR) has an analyst recommendation of “BUY” with a target price of $69.76. This suggests a potential upside from its current price of $62.88.

What is EQR’s price target?

The consensus price target for EQR is $69.76, which implies approximately 11% upside from the current price. This target aligns with the company’s strong market position and financial metrics.

Does EQR pay a dividend?

Yes, EQR has an exceptionally high dividend yield of 448.0%. This yield is appealing for income-focused investors looking for returns beyond capital gains.

What is EQR’s P/E ratio?

EQR’s current P/E ratio is 21.91, while its forward P/E is 39.86. The forward P/E indicates expected earnings growth but suggests that valuation could be high in the near term.

What is the 52-week range for EQR?

EQR’s 52-week range is $58.38 to $75.86. The recent trading near the lower end of this range may offer a buying opportunity, especially given its growth potential.

Related Stock Reports

Disclaimer: This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The analysis and opinions expressed are those of AltStation.io and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for investment decisions. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Updated February 07, 2026.