Blackstone Sells $964M Apartment Portfolio To Equity Residential
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 07 2024
0mins
Source: Benzinga
Blackstone and Equity Residential Deal: Blackstone Inc. has entered into a deal with Equity Residential to sell 11 apartment properties for approximately $964 million, which includes units in Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Denver, expected to close in Q3 2024.
Investment in Westwood Professional Services: Blackstone also announced a majority investment in Westwood Professional Services, enhancing its portfolio in renewable energy and infrastructure development, while Westwood's management retains a minority stake.
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Analyst Views on EQR
Wall Street analysts forecast EQR stock price to rise
14 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 63.050
Low
60.95
Averages
70.87
High
80.00
Current: 63.050
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.
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Announces New Board Appointments
- New Board Members: Pebblebrook Hotel Trust has announced the election of Nina P. Jones and Bill Bayless to its Board of Trustees, with Jones effective March 1, 2026, and Bayless expected to join in Q4 2026; both bring extensive real estate and capital markets experience that will support the company's strategic execution and long-term shareholder value creation.
- Jones's Background: Nina P. Jones previously served as Vice President and Portfolio Manager at T. Rowe Price, accumulating over 15 years of real estate investment experience, and currently holds board positions at Simon Property Group and Equity Residential, suggesting her governance and audit expertise will add significant value to Pebblebrook.
- Bayless's Achievements: Bill Bayless, CEO of Maslow Campus Communities, has been involved in nearly $30 billion in real estate transactions and played a key role in the $13 billion sale of American Campus Communities in 2022, indicating that his M&A experience will aid Pebblebrook in strategic adjustments and balance sheet optimization.
- Board Refreshment Framework: Pebblebrook also announced a new principles-based board refreshment framework aimed at ensuring board independence and diversity through annual evaluations and skills matrix updates, supporting the goal of an average independent trustee tenure of no more than 12 years by the 2027 shareholder meeting.
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
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Announces New Board Appointments
- New Board Members: Pebblebrook Hotel Trust has announced the election of Nina P. Jones and Bill Bayless to its Board of Trustees, with Jones effective March 1, 2026, and Bayless expected to join in Q4 2026; both bring extensive real estate and capital markets experience that will support the company's strategic execution and long-term shareholder value creation.
- Jones's Background: Nina P. Jones previously served as Vice President and Portfolio Manager at T. Rowe Price, accumulating over 15 years of real estate investment experience, and currently holds board positions at Simon Property Group and Equity Residential, suggesting her governance and audit expertise will add significant value to Pebblebrook.
- Bayless's Achievements: Bill Bayless, CEO of Maslow Campus Communities, has been involved in nearly $30 billion in real estate transactions and played a key role in the $13 billion sale of American Campus Communities in 2022, indicating that his M&A experience will aid Pebblebrook in strategic adjustments and balance sheet optimization.
- Board Refreshment Framework: Pebblebrook also announced a new principles-based board refreshment framework aimed at ensuring board independence and diversity through annual evaluations and skills matrix updates, supporting the goal of an average independent trustee tenure of no more than 12 years by the 2027 shareholder meeting.
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
