MML Investors Services LLC Sells 288 Shares of Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR)

MML Investors Services LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR) by 7.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,837 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock after selling 288 shares during the quarter. MML Investors Services LLC’s holdings in Equity Residential were worth $286,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its stake in shares of Equity Residential by 806.4% during the third quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 4,259,145 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $317,136,000 after buying an additional 3,789,234 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its position in Equity Residential by 1,459.8% during the 3rd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 1,949,473 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $145,158,000 after acquiring an additional 1,824,494 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC increased its holdings in Equity Residential by 29.0% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 7,746,494 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $576,804,000 after purchasing an additional 1,741,840 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in Equity Residential by 8.3% in the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 7,745,615 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $576,737,000 after purchasing an additional 591,866 shares in the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI raised its position in Equity Residential by 679.0% in the second quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 594,774 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $40,528,000 after purchasing an additional 518,424 shares during the last quarter. 92.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Equity Residential Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of Equity Residential stock opened at $72.22 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.13 and a current ratio of 0.13. Equity Residential has a 52-week low of $57.33 and a 52-week high of $78.83. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $73.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $72.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $27.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.60, a P/E/G ratio of 5.90 and a beta of 0.92.

Equity Residential Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.675 per share. This represents a $2.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. Equity Residential’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 110.66%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently issued reports on EQR shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Equity Residential from $68.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, September 16th. Barclays began coverage on Equity Residential in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $83.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com cut Equity Residential from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Scotiabank lowered their price target on shares of Equity Residential from $81.00 to $78.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of Equity Residential from $75.00 to $76.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research note on Monday, September 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $78.14.

About Equity Residential

Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, is focused on the acquisition, development and management of residential properties located in and around dynamic cities that attract affluent long-term renters. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 305 properties consisting of 80,683 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Southern California, and an expanding presence in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft.