Analyst Reiterates Hold Rating Amid Cautious Outlook
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 11 2026
0mins
Should l Buy ZG?
Source: Benzinga
- Earnings Power Outlook: The analyst expects that in 2025, the company could achieve 50% incremental margins excluding legal costs, but with those costs included, margins are projected to remain in the 30%-40% range, indicating uncertainty in short-term profitability.
- Revenue Growth Potential: Although revenue growth is expected to slow from 16% in 2026 to 11% in 2027, the analyst notes that a recovery in the housing market could serve as the most significant revenue catalyst, likely leading to gradual revenue increases.
- Impact of Legal Costs: The analyst believes that rising legal expenses are putting pressure on the company's short-term profitability, although a decline in these costs is anticipated by 2027, which could improve earnings visibility.
- Quarterly Results and Guidance: The fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA fell 2% short of expectations, while first-quarter guidance was 5% below projections primarily due to rising costs; however, the analyst has improved expectations for the second half of 2026, indicating enhanced operating leverage.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy ZG?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on ZG
Wall Street analysts forecast ZG stock price to rise
17 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
7 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 42.150
Low
66.00
Averages
85.00
High
100.00
Current: 42.150
Low
66.00
Averages
85.00
High
100.00
About ZG
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.
Opendoor Technologies Faces Massive Losses Amid Housing Market Challenges
- Massive Losses: Opendoor reported a staggering $1.3 billion loss in 2025, a 231% increase from the previous year, indicating severe challenges to profitability amid a struggling housing market that jeopardizes future financial stability.
- Inventory Management Strategy: In 2025, Opendoor sold 11,791 homes and purchased 8,241, with management intentionally reducing acquisitions due to market conditions, a strategy that mitigates short-term risks but limits growth potential in market share.
- New CEO's Challenges: CEO Kaz Nejatian aims to boost home purchases and leverage artificial intelligence for faster property flips, yet this high-risk strategy may not yield profitability, as historical precedents suggest difficulties in sustaining such business models.
- Declining Stock Trend: Opendoor's stock has plummeted 53% from its 52-week high, currently trading at $5.08, with analysts predicting that if the new strategy fails, the stock could plummet back to its all-time low of $0.51, representing a potential downside of 90%.
See More
Opendoor Faces Ongoing Downward Pressure
- Stock Volatility: Opendoor's stock hit an all-time low of $0.51 in June last year, peaked at $10.87 in September, and has since settled at $5.08, indicating market concerns about its future prospects.
- Poor Financial Performance: In 2025, Opendoor reported a staggering loss of $1.3 billion, a 231% increase from the previous year, despite selling 11,791 homes, as the deteriorating market conditions hinder profitability.
- Intensifying Market Competition: Amidst a sluggish U.S. housing market, competitors like Zillow and Redfin have shut down their direct buying operations, highlighting the fragility of this business model under current conditions.
- Strategic Adjustment Challenges: New CEO Kaz Nejatian aims to increase home purchases and leverage artificial intelligence for efficiency, but given historical industry challenges, the success of this strategy remains uncertain, potentially leading to further stock declines.
See More
US Mortgage Applications Rise 3.2% Amid Market Volatility
- Mortgage Application Growth: According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, total mortgage application volume rose by 3.2% last week, indicating the kickoff of the spring market despite ongoing volatility from the Middle East situation.
- Increased Buyer Demand: The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased by 7.8%, 11% higher than the same week last year, demonstrating heightened buyer activity as winter weather improves.
- Refinancing Applications Slightly Up: Refinance applications rose by just 0.5% last week but were 81% higher than the same week a year ago, suggesting that borrowers are still seeking lower rates despite market fluctuations.
- Popularity of Adjustable-Rate Loans: The share of adjustable-rate mortgage applications increased to nearly 9%, reflecting consumer interest in lower rates, albeit with higher associated risks.
See More
Innovative Real Estate Model: Focusing on People, Not Properties
- Commercial Real Estate Expansion: Ryan Serhant's firm currently derives about 10% of its business from commercial real estate, a figure that is rapidly growing, indicating his strategy to attract new investors by capitalizing on price stabilization opportunities in regions like Florida and the Carolinas.
- Market Recovery Signals: Serhant notes that despite previous struggles in the office sector, the increase in foot traffic and activity indicates a strong recovery, providing renewed confidence and opportunities for investment in commercial real estate.
- Tech-Driven Services: His S.MPLE AI platform aims to automate administrative and marketing tasks, allowing agents to better connect with clients, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening market competitiveness.
- Branded Residence Strategy: In collaboration with JDS Development Group, Serhant sold 100 units in the Mercedes-Benz residential project in Miami within four days, demonstrating the significant impact of brand recognition in the luxury real estate market, attracting buyers from around the globe.
See More
February Home Sales Show Modest Rebound Amid Challenges
- Sales Increase: Existing home sales in February rose by 1.7% from January to an annualized rate of 4.09 million units, according to the National Association of Realtors, although this reflects a 1.4% decline year-over-year, indicating ongoing market weakness.
- Wage vs. Price Growth: Chief Economist Lawrence Yun highlighted that wage growth is now outpacing home price growth by nearly four percentage points, and while mortgage rates are significantly lower than last year, actual housing demand remains muted.
- Inventory Levels: There were 1.29 million units for sale at the end of February, a 2.4% increase from January, yet this remains below the six-month supply considered balanced, reflecting a sluggish supply growth trend.
- First-Time Buyer Share: First-time buyers accounted for 34% of total sales, up from 31% a year ago, indicating an increase in market participation among new buyers despite low inventory and high prices.
See More
Three Stocks Indicating Confidence Through Significant Buybacks
Stock Buybacks Announced: Three leading companies have announced substantial buyback programs, with one energy firm planning to repurchase shares worth $10 billion, indicating strong confidence in their market positions.
Chenier Energy's Performance: Chenier Energy has seen its shares rise over 250% in the past five years, benefiting from strong demand for liquefied natural gas, and has recently increased its buyback capacity to $10.2 billion.
FICO's Market Challenges: FICO, a major player in consumer credit scoring, has faced a 30% decline in its stock over the past year due to market pressures and regulatory changes, despite maintaining solid revenue growth.
Zillow's Buyback Strategy: Zillow has significantly increased its buyback capacity to $1.3 billion, representing over 11% of its market capitalization, as it aims to capitalize on attractive pricing in the current market environment.
See More
Opendoor Technologies Faces Massive Losses Amid Housing Market Challenges
- Massive Losses: Opendoor reported a staggering $1.3 billion loss in 2025, a 231% increase from the previous year, indicating severe challenges to profitability amid a struggling housing market that jeopardizes future financial stability.
- Inventory Management Strategy: In 2025, Opendoor sold 11,791 homes and purchased 8,241, with management intentionally reducing acquisitions due to market conditions, a strategy that mitigates short-term risks but limits growth potential in market share.
- New CEO's Challenges: CEO Kaz Nejatian aims to boost home purchases and leverage artificial intelligence for faster property flips, yet this high-risk strategy may not yield profitability, as historical precedents suggest difficulties in sustaining such business models.
- Declining Stock Trend: Opendoor's stock has plummeted 53% from its 52-week high, currently trading at $5.08, with analysts predicting that if the new strategy fails, the stock could plummet back to its all-time low of $0.51, representing a potential downside of 90%.
See More
Opendoor Faces Ongoing Downward Pressure
- Stock Volatility: Opendoor's stock hit an all-time low of $0.51 in June last year, peaked at $10.87 in September, and has since settled at $5.08, indicating market concerns about its future prospects.
- Poor Financial Performance: In 2025, Opendoor reported a staggering loss of $1.3 billion, a 231% increase from the previous year, despite selling 11,791 homes, as the deteriorating market conditions hinder profitability.
- Intensifying Market Competition: Amidst a sluggish U.S. housing market, competitors like Zillow and Redfin have shut down their direct buying operations, highlighting the fragility of this business model under current conditions.
- Strategic Adjustment Challenges: New CEO Kaz Nejatian aims to increase home purchases and leverage artificial intelligence for efficiency, but given historical industry challenges, the success of this strategy remains uncertain, potentially leading to further stock declines.
See More
US Mortgage Applications Rise 3.2% Amid Market Volatility
- Mortgage Application Growth: According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, total mortgage application volume rose by 3.2% last week, indicating the kickoff of the spring market despite ongoing volatility from the Middle East situation.
- Increased Buyer Demand: The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased by 7.8%, 11% higher than the same week last year, demonstrating heightened buyer activity as winter weather improves.
- Refinancing Applications Slightly Up: Refinance applications rose by just 0.5% last week but were 81% higher than the same week a year ago, suggesting that borrowers are still seeking lower rates despite market fluctuations.
- Popularity of Adjustable-Rate Loans: The share of adjustable-rate mortgage applications increased to nearly 9%, reflecting consumer interest in lower rates, albeit with higher associated risks.
See More
Innovative Real Estate Model: Focusing on People, Not Properties
- Commercial Real Estate Expansion: Ryan Serhant's firm currently derives about 10% of its business from commercial real estate, a figure that is rapidly growing, indicating his strategy to attract new investors by capitalizing on price stabilization opportunities in regions like Florida and the Carolinas.
- Market Recovery Signals: Serhant notes that despite previous struggles in the office sector, the increase in foot traffic and activity indicates a strong recovery, providing renewed confidence and opportunities for investment in commercial real estate.
- Tech-Driven Services: His S.MPLE AI platform aims to automate administrative and marketing tasks, allowing agents to better connect with clients, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening market competitiveness.
- Branded Residence Strategy: In collaboration with JDS Development Group, Serhant sold 100 units in the Mercedes-Benz residential project in Miami within four days, demonstrating the significant impact of brand recognition in the luxury real estate market, attracting buyers from around the globe.
See More
February Home Sales Show Modest Rebound Amid Challenges
- Sales Increase: Existing home sales in February rose by 1.7% from January to an annualized rate of 4.09 million units, according to the National Association of Realtors, although this reflects a 1.4% decline year-over-year, indicating ongoing market weakness.
- Wage vs. Price Growth: Chief Economist Lawrence Yun highlighted that wage growth is now outpacing home price growth by nearly four percentage points, and while mortgage rates are significantly lower than last year, actual housing demand remains muted.
- Inventory Levels: There were 1.29 million units for sale at the end of February, a 2.4% increase from January, yet this remains below the six-month supply considered balanced, reflecting a sluggish supply growth trend.
- First-Time Buyer Share: First-time buyers accounted for 34% of total sales, up from 31% a year ago, indicating an increase in market participation among new buyers despite low inventory and high prices.
See More
Three Stocks Indicating Confidence Through Significant Buybacks
Stock Buybacks Announced: Three leading companies have announced substantial buyback programs, with one energy firm planning to repurchase shares worth $10 billion, indicating strong confidence in their market positions.
Chenier Energy's Performance: Chenier Energy has seen its shares rise over 250% in the past five years, benefiting from strong demand for liquefied natural gas, and has recently increased its buyback capacity to $10.2 billion.
FICO's Market Challenges: FICO, a major player in consumer credit scoring, has faced a 30% decline in its stock over the past year due to market pressures and regulatory changes, despite maintaining solid revenue growth.
Zillow's Buyback Strategy: Zillow has significantly increased its buyback capacity to $1.3 billion, representing over 11% of its market capitalization, as it aims to capitalize on attractive pricing in the current market environment.
See More
