Equity Residential Provides 2026 Performance Guidance
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3d ago
0mins
Should l Buy EQR?
Source: seekingalpha
Equity Residential's stock rose 3.18% as it reached a 20-day high, reflecting positive market conditions.
The company announced its 2026 performance guidance, projecting a physical occupancy rate of 96.4% and revenue growth between 1.2% and 3.2%. However, it also indicated a significant expected decline in EPS for 2026, ranging from $1.44 to $1.56, which suggests challenges ahead.
Despite the cautious outlook on profitability, the stock's rise indicates investor confidence in the company's operational strategies amid broader market strength.
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Analyst Views on EQR
Wall Street analysts forecast EQR stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for EQR is 70.87 USD with a low forecast of 60.95 USD and a high forecast of 80.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
14 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 61.770
Low
60.95
Averages
70.87
High
80.00
Current: 61.770
Low
60.95
Averages
70.87
High
80.00
About EQR
Equity Residential is a real estate investment trust. The Company is focused on the acquisition, development, and management of residential properties located in and around cities. The Company’s primary business is the acquisition, development, and management of multifamily residential properties, which includes the generation of rental and other related income through the leasing of apartment units to residents. The Company owns and operates rental apartment properties, with a presence in Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Southern California (including Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego), San Francisco and Seattle, and an expanding presence in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth and Austin. The Company owns investments in approximately 311 properties located in 10 states consisting of over 84,249 apartment units. ERP Operating Limited Partnership (ERPOP) conducts the multifamily residential property business of Equity Residential.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Equity Residential Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Rental Market Challenges: In 2025, Equity Residential faced challenges in the rental housing sector, with same-store NOI results meeting initial guidance, yet revenue momentum decelerated in the second half, although San Francisco and New York are expected to remain strong, impacting future growth.
- Stock Buyback Strategy: The company repurchased approximately $206 million of its stock in Q4 2025, totaling $300 million for the year, reflecting management's belief that the company's public market valuation is undervalued compared to private market values, indicating strong capital allocation confidence.
- Operational Efficiency Gains: The reported portfolio occupancy stood at 96.4%, with the lowest resident turnover in company history, emphasizing that new competitive supply and job growth are key drivers, while ongoing automation and AI applications are expected to further reduce on-site payroll costs.
- Optimistic Financial Outlook: The company anticipates same-store revenue growth between 1.5% and 3% for 2026, with renewal rates around 4.5%, while capital allocation will focus on stock buybacks using proceeds from property sales, showcasing confidence in future market conditions.
See More
Equity Residential Releases 2026 Performance Guidance
- Financial Overview: Equity Residential reported a Q4 FFO of $1.03, aligning with expectations, while revenue of $781.91 million, reflecting a 2.0% year-over-year increase, fell short by $5.36 million, indicating challenges in revenue growth.
- 2026 Performance Guidance: The company anticipates a physical occupancy rate of 96.4% for 2026, with revenue growth projected between 1.2% and 3.2%, and expense growth between 3.0% and 4.0%, highlighting pressure on cost control.
- Earnings Expectations: EPS for 2026 is expected to range from $1.44 to $1.56, representing a 49.0% decline at the midpoint compared to 2025 actuals, indicating a significant drop in future profitability.
- FFO Projections: The forecast for 2026 FFO per share is between $3.98 and $4.10, with a 2.5% growth at the midpoint compared to 2025 actuals, reflecting cautious optimism regarding the company's future financial performance.
See More
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL REPORTS Q4 ADJUSTED FFO PER SHARE OF USD 1.03
- Equity Residential Q4 Adjusted FFO: The company reported an adjusted funds from operations (FFO) of $1.03 per share for the fourth quarter.
- Performance Overview: This figure reflects the company's performance in the residential real estate sector, indicating stability and growth in their operations.
See More
Equity Residential Projects Q1 EPS Between $0.29 and $0.33
- Equity Residential Outlook: The company has provided its earnings per share (EPS) guidance for the first quarter, estimating it to be between $0.29 and $0.33.
- Financial Performance: This outlook reflects the company's expectations for its financial performance in the upcoming quarter.
See More
Equity Residential Projects FY EPS Between $1.44 and $1.56
Equity Residential Outlook: The company projects a financial outlook for fiscal year earnings per share (EPS) ranging from $1.44 to $1.56.
Market Performance: This forecast indicates a positive trend in the company's performance, reflecting confidence in its operational strategies and market conditions.
See More
Equity Residential Projects FY Normalized FFO Per Share Between $4.02 and $4.14
Equity Residential Outlook: The normalized funds from operations (FFO) per share for Equity Residential is projected to range between $4.02 and $4.14.
Financial Performance: This outlook indicates a stable financial performance for the company, reflecting its operational efficiency and market conditions.
See More
Equity Residential Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Rental Market Challenges: In 2025, Equity Residential faced challenges in the rental housing sector, with same-store NOI results meeting initial guidance, yet revenue momentum decelerated in the second half, although San Francisco and New York are expected to remain strong, impacting future growth.
- Stock Buyback Strategy: The company repurchased approximately $206 million of its stock in Q4 2025, totaling $300 million for the year, reflecting management's belief that the company's public market valuation is undervalued compared to private market values, indicating strong capital allocation confidence.
- Operational Efficiency Gains: The reported portfolio occupancy stood at 96.4%, with the lowest resident turnover in company history, emphasizing that new competitive supply and job growth are key drivers, while ongoing automation and AI applications are expected to further reduce on-site payroll costs.
- Optimistic Financial Outlook: The company anticipates same-store revenue growth between 1.5% and 3% for 2026, with renewal rates around 4.5%, while capital allocation will focus on stock buybacks using proceeds from property sales, showcasing confidence in future market conditions.
See More
Equity Residential Releases 2026 Performance Guidance
- Financial Overview: Equity Residential reported a Q4 FFO of $1.03, aligning with expectations, while revenue of $781.91 million, reflecting a 2.0% year-over-year increase, fell short by $5.36 million, indicating challenges in revenue growth.
- 2026 Performance Guidance: The company anticipates a physical occupancy rate of 96.4% for 2026, with revenue growth projected between 1.2% and 3.2%, and expense growth between 3.0% and 4.0%, highlighting pressure on cost control.
- Earnings Expectations: EPS for 2026 is expected to range from $1.44 to $1.56, representing a 49.0% decline at the midpoint compared to 2025 actuals, indicating a significant drop in future profitability.
- FFO Projections: The forecast for 2026 FFO per share is between $3.98 and $4.10, with a 2.5% growth at the midpoint compared to 2025 actuals, reflecting cautious optimism regarding the company's future financial performance.
See More
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL REPORTS Q4 ADJUSTED FFO PER SHARE OF USD 1.03
- Equity Residential Q4 Adjusted FFO: The company reported an adjusted funds from operations (FFO) of $1.03 per share for the fourth quarter.
- Performance Overview: This figure reflects the company's performance in the residential real estate sector, indicating stability and growth in their operations.
See More
Equity Residential Projects Q1 EPS Between $0.29 and $0.33
- Equity Residential Outlook: The company has provided its earnings per share (EPS) guidance for the first quarter, estimating it to be between $0.29 and $0.33.
- Financial Performance: This outlook reflects the company's expectations for its financial performance in the upcoming quarter.
See More
Equity Residential Projects FY EPS Between $1.44 and $1.56
Equity Residential Outlook: The company projects a financial outlook for fiscal year earnings per share (EPS) ranging from $1.44 to $1.56.
Market Performance: This forecast indicates a positive trend in the company's performance, reflecting confidence in its operational strategies and market conditions.
See More
Equity Residential Projects FY Normalized FFO Per Share Between $4.02 and $4.14
Equity Residential Outlook: The normalized funds from operations (FFO) per share for Equity Residential is projected to range between $4.02 and $4.14.
Financial Performance: This outlook indicates a stable financial performance for the company, reflecting its operational efficiency and market conditions.
See More
