Equity Residential Stock Report - October 2025

Publication Date: October 28, 2025

Company Overview

Equity Residential (NYSE: EQR), headquartered in Chicago, is a leading Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that specializes in the acquisition, development, and management of residential properties. As a member of the S&P 500, Equity Residential has positioned itself as a dominant player in the residential real estate sector, focusing on affluent long-term renters in urban environments. The company currently owns or has investments in 317 properties, amounting to 85,936 apartment units across diverse markets, including major cities like Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Seattle, San Francisco, and Southern California. Additionally, Equity Residential is expanding its footprint in burgeoning markets such as Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Austin.

This analysis aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of Equity Residential's current stock performance, financial health, market sentiment, and investment outlook based on the company's recent developments and historical performance.

52-Week Price Performance Analysis

52-Week Price Performance Chart

Analyzing the 52-week stock chart for Equity Residential reveals an overall bearish trend characterized by sustained selling pressure. The stock has experienced a decline of approximately 11.24% over the past year, reflecting a consistent downtrend marked by a downward-sloping green trendline and a declining moving average.

Key technical indicators highlight significant resistance and support levels essential for investors assessing entry and exit points.

• Resistance Level: The most prominent resistance zone is around $72.50. This level, which the stock failed to breach multiple times, was notably tested in November 2024 and again in subsequent months. An upward movement past this level could signal a potential reversal of the current trend.

• Support Level: On the downside, the critical support level is identified at $60.00. This level provided a temporary bottom for the stock in June 2025. A failure to hold above this price could pave the way for deeper losses.

In the context of momentum, Equity Residential's current trading price of $61.88 is slightly below its fifty-day moving average of $64.20. Recent patterns indicate slight consolidation around $63.31, suggesting a pause in the downtrend; however, the lack of a clear breakout indicates that investors should remain cautious and attentive to potential reversal signals.

Financial Performance and Metrics

Equity Residential has showcased robust financial performance, underscoring its strong market position. Key financial metrics from the latest disclosures include:

• Total Revenue: Approximately $3.04 billion, highlighting the company's ability to generate considerable income from its residential properties.
• EBITDA: Reported at $1.86 billion, which reflects healthy operational profitability.

In addition, the company's financial health is highlighted by the following metrics:

• Funds From Operations (FFO): An important REIT performance metric, EQR reported a 4.3% increase in FFO to $0.98 per share in Q2 2025, while same-store revenue growth was 2.7%, driven by solid performance in the San Francisco and East Coast markets.

Considering the shares outstanding (381,898,057), with a short interest of 6,045,220 shares (a short percentage of 0.0215), indicates limited bearish sentiment toward the stock. This low short interest suggests investor confidence in Equity Residential's performance and stability moving forward.

Recent News and Developments

As of October 28, 2025, several recent developments may impact Equity Residential's stock performance:

• Analyst Upgrade: The recent upgrade from analysts to a "Strong Buy" rating reflects confidence in the company's apartment demand and resilient leasing trends. This positive sentiment may lead to increased investor interest and stock price momentum (Simply Wall St).

• Financial Guidance: Equity Residential has reaffirmed its financial guidance for the full year 2025, expecting same-store revenue growth between 2.6% and 3.2%, as well as maintaining a physical occupancy target of 96.4% (GuruFocus).

• Executive Transitions: Key executive changes were announced, with CFO Robert Garechana taking on the role of Chief Investment Officer while Bret McLeod, previously of Great Wolf Resorts, will assume the CFO position. These leadership adjustments aim to enhance the company's investment and financial strategies (GuruFocus).

Market Sentiment and Analyst Recommendations

Market sentiment regarding Equity Residential is predominantly positive, supported by analysts' price targets and recommendations. The following key insights emerge:

• Current Trading Price: As of October 28, the stock price is $61.88, signaling potential for appreciation given the target high price of $80.50.
• Target Mean Price: Analysts' consensus indicates a target mean price of approximately $73.66, with the median target price at $74.00. These metrics underscore a favorable outlook for investors.
• Analyst Recommendations: With 22 analyst opinions contributing to overall sentiment, the recommendation mean stands at 2.31, where a score of 1 corresponds to a "Strong Buy" and 5 to a "Strong Sell." The evidence suggests a consensus toward a "buy," showcasing optimism regarding Equity Residential's future valuation.

Conclusion

Equity Residential presents a compelling investment opportunity rooted in its strong financial performance, sound operational fundamentals, and resilient revenue generation capabilities. Despite recent price fluctuations and bearish trends observed in the stock, the combination of positive analyst sentiment, robust growth projections, and strategic leadership changes signals potential recovery and growth. While risks remain due to market volatility, the overall outlook for Equity Residential remains promising, warranting attention from retail investors seeking entry into residential real estate.

As always, retail investors should conduct their research and consider their financial situation before making investment decisions.