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EQR vs IRM
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Equity Residential (EQR) vs. Iron Mountain (IRM) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- EQR, a residential REIT, reported strong Q1 2026 results with normalized FFO (funds from operations, a key REIT profitability metric) of $0.99 per share, beating estimates, driven by high occupancy over 96% in coastal markets.
- IRM, a specialty REIT focused on data centers and information management, posted Q1 2026 revenue growth of 21.6% to $1.94 billion, with analysts raising price targets amid robust demand.
- IRM has significantly outperformed EQR in recent market activity, with YTD gains around 54% versus EQR's approximately 6%, reflecting stronger momentum in digital services.
- Both offer attractive dividend yields—EQR around 4.3%, IRM about 2.6%—but IRM shows higher revenue growth potential from data center expansion.
- EQR maintains lower beta (0.77, a measure of volatility relative to the market), appealing for stability, while IRM's beta (1.23) indicates greater sensitivity to market moves.
- Market caps stand at roughly $24.4 billion for EQR and $39 billion for IRM, highlighting IRM's larger scale in specialized REIT sectors.
Introduction
Equity Residential (EQR) and Iron Mountain (IRM) represent distinct segments within the real estate investment trust (REIT) landscape: residential apartments versus information management and data centers. This stock comparison evaluates their recent performance, growth drivers, and relative positioning in the current market environment. Investors seeking income through dividends, exposure to housing demand, or high-growth digital infrastructure may find value in analyzing these REITs. With interest rate dynamics and sector-specific catalysts influencing REIT valuations, understanding their contrasts aids in portfolio diversification and informed trading decisions.
EQR Overview and Recent Performance
Equity Residential (EQR), an S&P 500 member, owns and manages over 80,000 apartment units primarily in coastal U.S. markets like New York and San Francisco, plus high-growth areas such as Atlanta and Denver. As a multifamily residential REIT, it benefits from steady rental demand amid urbanization and housing shortages.
In recent weeks, EQR stock has shown resilience, trading around $65 with YTD gains of about 6%. Q1 2026 results highlighted normalized FFO of $0.99 per share, exceeding estimates, fueled by over 96% occupancy and same-store revenue strength in key markets. The company repurchased $220 million in shares, signaling confidence. Sentiment has improved with stabilizing rents and easing new supply pressures, though elevated interest rates pose refinancing risks. Trading above its 200-day moving average, EQR reflects cautious optimism in residential recovery.
IRM Overview and Recent Performance
Iron Mountain (IRM) is a global leader in information management, serving over 240,000 customers, including 95% of Fortune 1000 firms. Operating as a specialty REIT, it provides records storage, data centers, and asset lifecycle management across 61 countries, capitalizing on digital transformation trends.
Recent market activity has propelled IRM shares near $132, with YTD returns exceeding 54% and strong one-year gains. Q1 2026 delivered revenue of $1.94 billion, up 21.6% year-over-year, alongside net income of $149 million. Analysts, including Truist at $140, have lifted targets on data center and ALM (asset lifecycle management) growth. Momentum stems from AI-driven demand and acquisitions like ACT Logistics, with shares hitting new highs. Elevated debt levels remain a watchpoint amid volatility.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Business models diverge sharply: EQR's residential focus yields stable rental income but faces apartment supply gluts and affordability headwinds, while IRM's hybrid storage-data model taps explosive data center growth amid AI proliferation. Growth drivers favor IRM's 21%+ revenue surges versus EQR's modest 2.5%, though EQR offers higher dividend yield (4.3% vs. 2.6%).
Recent momentum tilts to IRM with superior YTD and multi-month gains, contrasting EQR's steadier recovery. Risk profiles differ—EQR's lower beta (0.77) suits defensive plays amid rate uncertainty, while IRM's higher beta (1.23) amplifies upside but exposes to economic swings and debt (higher leverage). Sector exposure positions EQR in housing cycles, IRM in tech infrastructure. Market sentiment leans bullish on IRM's catalysts, trading at a premium P/E (~140 vs. EQR's 26), trading off stability for expansion potential.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI favors IRM over EQR in the current environment, driven by stronger trend consistency, revenue acceleration from data centers, and superior relative performance. While EQR provides stability and income appeal, IRM's positioning amid digital demand suggests a higher probability of near-term outperformance, albeit with elevated volatility.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is EQR is a Hold and IRM is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
EQR’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileIRM’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- EQR’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- IRM’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
EQR’s TA Score shows that 7 TA indicator(s) are bullish while IRM’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- EQR’s TA Score: 7 bullish, 4 bearish.
- IRM’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
EQR (@Media Conglomerates) experienced а -2.53% price change this week, while IRM (@Specialty Telecommunications) price change was -2.93% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Media Conglomerates industry was -0.14%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +1.34%, and the average quarterly price growth was +5.65%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Specialty Telecommunications industry was -2.39%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.09%, and the average quarterly price growth was +5.77%.
Reported Earning Dates
EQR is expected to report earnings on Jul 28, 2026.
IRM is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Media Conglomerates (-0.14% weekly)Companies that operate in these three (or more) areas: broadcasting, cable TV, publishing and movies/entertainment. The companies usually have a large share in these markets. Walt Disney Co . is an example.
@Specialty Telecommunications (-2.39% weekly)Companies belonging to the specialty telecommunications sector provide voice and data transmission via a single method, such as fixed lines, digital subscriber lines (DSL), wireless technology, the internet or competitive local exchange carriers. Telefonica, Liberty Broadband Corp., and Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. are some of the big specialty telecom companies in the U.S.
| EQR | IRM | EQR / IRM | |
| Capitalization | 23.9B | 37.2B | 64% |
| EBITDA | 2.32B | 2.32B | 100% |
| Gain YTD | 3.698 | 52.007 | 7% |
| P/E Ratio | 25.55 | 135.95 | 19% |
| Revenue | 3.11B | 7.25B | 43% |
| Total Cash | 34.7M | 251M | 14% |
| Total Debt | 8.64B | 19.4B | 45% |
EQR | IRM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 63 | 29 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 91 Overvalued | 98 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 92 | 25 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 74 | 2 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 51 | 22 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 55 | 89 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 42 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
EQR's Valuation (91) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as IRM (98). This means that EQR’s stock grew similarly to IRM’s over the last 12 months.
IRM's Profit vs Risk Rating (25) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is significantly better than the same rating for EQR (92). This means that IRM’s stock grew significantly faster than EQR’s over the last 12 months.
IRM's SMR Rating (2) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is significantly better than the same rating for EQR (74). This means that IRM’s stock grew significantly faster than EQR’s over the last 12 months.
IRM's Price Growth Rating (22) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as EQR (51). This means that IRM’s stock grew similarly to EQR’s over the last 12 months.
EQR's P/E Growth Rating (55) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is somewhat better than the same rating for IRM (89). This means that EQR’s stock grew somewhat faster than IRM’s over the last 12 months.
| EQR | IRM | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 67% | 3 days ago 69% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 55% | 3 days ago 66% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 52% | 3 days ago 53% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 58% | 3 days ago 51% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 53% | 3 days ago 58% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 51% | 3 days ago 69% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 13 days ago 52% | 7 days ago 71% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 53% | 5 days ago 55% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 54% | 3 days ago 67% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 39% | 3 days ago 61% |
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