Zillow Group Faces Decline Amid Mixed Earnings and Legal Costs
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 11 2026
0mins
Should l Buy Z?
Source: Newsfilter
Zillow Group's stock has declined significantly, hitting a 52-week low, as the company grapples with mixed earnings results and rising legal costs.
The recent earnings report revealed that Zillow's revenues and profits fell short of market expectations, compounded by increasing legal expenses that have raised investor concerns about future profitability. Analysts have cautioned about competitive risks, noting that these challenges could lead to uncertain margins and heightened investor risk aversion. The combination of disappointing earnings and legal issues has resulted in a notable drop in stock price, reflecting diminished market confidence in Zillow's growth prospects.
As Zillow navigates these challenges, the implications for its future performance remain uncertain. The company must address its legal costs while striving to improve profitability and maintain investor confidence in a competitive market.
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Analyst Views on Z
Wall Street analysts forecast Z stock price to rise
8 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 44.980
Low
70.00
Averages
87.40
High
100.00
Current: 44.980
Low
70.00
Averages
87.40
High
100.00
About Z
Zillow Group, Inc. helps people find and get the home they want by connecting them with digital solutions, dedicated partners and agents, and buying, selling, financing, and renting experiences. The Company’s affiliates, subsidiaries, and brands include Zillow, Zillow Premier Agent, Zillow Home Loans, Zillow Rentals, Trulia, Out East, StreetEasy, HotPads, ShowingTime+, Spruce, and Follow Up Boss. It helps renters, buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals across all their residential real estate needs through its housing super app, which serves as an ecosystem of connected solutions for the tasks and services related to moving. It provides integrated transaction experience for movers through Zillow, its network of partners, its affiliated brands, and through a comprehensive suite of marketing software and technology solutions for the real estate industry, including ShowingTime+, Follow Up Boss and Spruce. It offers multifamily property managers a variety of advertising products.
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.
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See More
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- Data Platform Advantage: CoStar's commercial data platform, built on nearly four decades of data collection and a 93% renewal rate, creates a deep lock-in effect that is difficult to replicate; despite its stock price being nearly halved in the past six months, its commercial core remains robust.
- Residential Investment Dilemma: CoStar invested $850 million into Homes.com in 2025, resulting in a net operating loss, and although management plans to cut over $300 million in investment, breakeven for this segment is not expected until 2030.
- Margin Improvement: The information and marketplace segment achieved a 47% profit margin in Q3 2025, up 400 basis points year-over-year, driven by a 23% increase in CRE transaction volume, showcasing the strength of its core business.
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- Data Network Effects: CoStar has established a robust data network by connecting 8.5 million properties with over 230,000 professionals, facilitating deal closures and demonstrating its competitive edge in the commercial real estate sector.
- High Renewal Rates: CoStar boasts a 93% quarterly renewal rate, with its multifamily marketplace Apartments.com achieving a remarkable 99% renewal rate, underscoring the platform's significance and customer stickiness in the industry.
- Investment and Buyback: Despite an $850 million investment in Homes.com leading to net operating losses, CoStar plans to cut $300 million in spending and has authorized a $1.5 billion stock buyback, projecting an EBITDA of approximately $770 million for 2026, indicating confidence in future profitability.
See More
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- In-Game Housing Launch: Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft officially introduces player housing, marking a significant upgrade in gameplay that is expected to attract more players and enhance user engagement.
- Zillow Collaboration: Zillow partners with Blizzard to launch Zillow for Warcraft®, a dedicated microsite that allows players to browse a curated selection of in-game homes from Azeroth, enhancing the immersive experience of the game.
- Enhanced User Experience: With Zillow's custom experience, players can explore in-game homes more intuitively, increasing their engagement with the virtual world while also opening new market opportunities for Zillow.
- Market Potential: This collaboration not only showcases Zillow's innovative capabilities in the gaming sector but may also attract a crossover audience of real estate enthusiasts and gamers, further expanding its user base and brand influence.
See More
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- Virtual Home Exploration: Zillow for Warcraft features 3D home tours and SkyTour-style visuals, showcasing player-created and Blizzard-designed homes, which not only boosts player creativity and self-expression but also provides Zillow with a new platform to enhance its brand presence in the gaming sector.
- Marketing Collaboration: This partnership is supported by a co-branded campaign across social media, Reddit, and TikTok, encouraging players to share their virtual homes, which further elevates Zillow's brand visibility and attracts the attention of younger audiences.
- Brand Strategy Alignment: Zillow's “Someday Starts Today” brand campaign complements this collaboration by emphasizing its mission to help people realize their housing dreams in the real world, while also showcasing its cultural and gaming influence, thereby reinforcing its market leadership.
See More
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