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Equity Residential (EQR) logo

Equity Residential

S&P 500
EQR|Real Estate|REIT - Residential|$65.54|P/E 26.2|MCap 25.3B|NYSE

Last update: May 9, 2026 at 09:32

Dividend Safety Rating

64/ 100Safe

EQR's dividend appears safe and well-supported. Strengths include a 46.3% cfo payout ratio & 78.4 debt-to-equity. Areas of concern: 111.2% earnings payout ratio & 83.2% fcf payout ratio. As a REIT, higher payout ratios are normal since they are required to distribute most taxable income.

Based on 15 of 15 metrics

Strengths

  • Debt-to-Equity: 78.4Conservative debt level relative to equity.
  • Operating Margin: 27.4%Healthy operating margin provides a wide buffer.
  • Gross Margin: 61.3%High gross margin signals strong pricing power.

Risks

  • Current Ratio: 0.1xLimited short-term liquidity to meet obligations.
  • Earnings Payout Ratio: 111.2%High earnings payout ratio leaves little safety margin.
  • FCF Payout Ratio: 83.2%Free cash flow is tight relative to the dividend.

Payout & Coverage

Caution
Earnings Payout Ratio
111.2%Warning
FCF Payout Ratio
83.2%Warning
CFO Payout Ratio
46.3%Safe
Interest Coverage
4.8xCaution

Balance Sheet

Caution
Net Debt / Total Assets
40.6%Caution
Current Ratio
0.1xDanger
Debt-to-Equity
78.4Very Safe

Profitability

Safe
Return on Equity
8.7%Caution
Operating Margin
27.4%Very Safe
Gross Margin
61.3%Very Safe
Profit Margin Stability
ModerateCaution

Dividend Track Record

Very Safe
Dividend Streak
11+ yrsVery Safe
Dividend Cut
NoneVery Safe
5-Year Dividend CAGR
2.7%Caution
Earnings Stability
GrowingVery Safe

About Equity Residential

Equity Residential is a publicly traded real estate investment trust focused on the acquisition, development, and management of apartment properties in dynamic urban markets across the United States. The company owns and operates communities primarily in high-demand coastal gateway cities including Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Seattle, San Francisco, and Southern California, with an established presence in these areas that attract affluent long-term renters. It also maintains operations in expanding markets such as Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Austin. Equity Residential emphasizes creating thriving residential communities through strategic property investments, typically targeting complexes with 100 or more units, and employs flexible deal structures like all-cash transactions, joint ventures, and operating partnership units as an UPREIT. Committed to environmental, social, and governance principles, the company integrates sustainability into its operations to manage climate risks and enhance asset value. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, since its public listing in 1993, Equity Residential plays a key role in the multifamily housing sector by providing quality rental housing in prime locations.

Dividend Overview

Dividend Yield

4.25%

Annual Dividend

$2.78

Frequency

Quarterly

Payout Ratio

111.18%

FCF Payout Ratio

83.22%

Stock Price

$65.54

52-Week Range

$57.57 $71.80

Dividend History (2016–2025)

EQR annual dividend per share and yield history

Earnings & Profitability

EQR earnings per share and net profit margin

Key Dates

Last Ex-Dividend Date

March 30, 2026

Last Payment Date

April 10, 2026

Dividend Growth

3-Year Dividend CAGR

3.27%

5-Year Dividend CAGR

2.70%

10-Year Dividend CAGR

2.22%

3-Year Total Growth

10.14%

5-Year Total Growth

14.25%

10-Year Total Growth

24.59%

Income Calculator

EQR Dividend Calculator

Total Investment

$6,554.00

Annual Income

$278.20

Quarterly Income

$69.55

Monthly Income

$23.18

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is EQR's current dividend yield?
Equity Residential (EQR) currently has a dividend yield of 4.25%, based on a stock price of $65.54 and an annual dividend of $2.78.
When is EQR's next dividend payment date?
EQR's next ex-dividend date is 2026-03-30 and the next payment date is 2026-04-10. You must own the stock before the ex-dividend date to receive the upcoming payment.
How much does EQR pay in dividends per year?
Equity Residential paid $2.75 per share in annual dividends in 2025. The dividends are paid quarterly.
Has EQR been increasing its dividend?
Equity Residential has grown its dividend at a 5-year CAGR of 2.70% and a 10-year CAGR of 2.22%.
Is EQR's dividend safe?
Equity Residential has a payout ratio of 111.18%. Its free cash flow payout ratio is 83.22%. The payout ratio is above 100%, which may indicate the company is paying more in dividends than it earns. This could be unsustainable long-term.
How is EQR's Dividend Safety Rating calculated?
The Dividend Safety Rating evaluates Equity Residential's dividend sustainability across four categories: Payout & Coverage (30%), Balance Sheet (20%), Profitability (20%), and Dividend Track Record (30%). Each metric is rated from "Very Safe" to "Danger" based on industry-standard thresholds, with sector-specific adjustments for real estate companies. The overall score ranges from 0 to 100.

Want to understand how we rate dividend safety? Read our full methodology

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This page is not investment advice. The content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Financial data, including dividend history, earnings, balance sheet metrics, and the Dividend Safety Rating, is provided for informational purposes only. Data may be delayed or differ from official filings. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always verify with official sources before making investment decisions.

Market data provided by Twelve Data.