Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at JLL (NYSE: JLL) and the best and worst performers in the real estate services industry.

Technology has been a double-edged sword in real estate services. On the one hand, internet listings are effective at disseminating information far and wide, casting a wide net for buyers and sellers to increase the chances of transactions. On the other hand, digitization in the real estate market could potentially disintermediate key players like agents who use information asymmetries to their advantage.

The 13 real estate services stocks we track reported a strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 0.8% below.

While some real estate services stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 1.1% since the latest earnings results.

JLL (NYSE: JLL)

Founded in 1999 through the merger of Jones Lang Wootton and LaSalle Partners, JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a company specializing in real estate advisory and investment management services.

JLL reported revenues of $5.75 billion, up 12.1% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 4.1%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a mixed quarter for the company with a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

"Broad-based revenue growth and the 28% increase in Adjusted EPS in the first quarter are a reflection of JLL's multi-year focus on platform differentiation, efficiency and resiliency," said Christian Ulbrich, JLL CEO.

The stock is down 2% since reporting and currently trades at $224.92.

Is now the time to buy JLL? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q1: The Real Brokerage (NASDAQ: REAX)

Founded in Toronto, Canada in 2014, The Real Brokerage (NASDAQ: REAX) is a technology-driven real estate brokerage firm combining a tech-centric model with an agent-centric philosophy.

The Real Brokerage reported revenues of $354 million, up 76.3% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 6.3%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The Real Brokerage delivered the fastest revenue growth among its peers. However, the results were likely priced into the stock as it’s traded sideways since reporting. Shares currently sit at $4.45.

Is now the time to buy The Real Brokerage? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: eXp World (NASDAQ: EXPI)

Founded in 2009, eXp World (NASDAQ: EXPI) is a real estate company known for its virtual, cloud-based approach to real estate brokerage.

eXp World reported revenues of $954.9 million, up 1.3% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 4%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 3% since the results and currently trades at $8.93.

Read our full analysis of eXp World’s results here.

Newmark (NASDAQ: NMRK)

Founded in 1929, Newmark (NASDAQ: NMRK) provides commercial real estate services, including leasing advisory, global corporate services, investment sales and capital markets, property and facilities management, valuation and advisory, and consulting.

Newmark reported revenues of $665.5 million, up 21.8% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 8.9%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also logged EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Newmark had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $11.04.

Read our full, actionable report on Newmark here, it’s free.

CBRE (NYSE: CBRE)

Established in 1906, CBRE (NYSE: CBRE) is one of the largest commercial real estate services firms in the world.

CBRE reported revenues of $8.91 billion, up 12.3% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 0.6%. It was a very strong quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is up 2.4% since reporting and currently trades at $124.94.

Read our full, actionable report on CBRE here, it’s free.

Market Update

The Fed’s interest rate hikes throughout 2022 and 2023 have successfully cooled post-pandemic inflation, bringing it closer to the 2% target. Inflationary pressures have eased without tipping the economy into a recession, suggesting a soft landing. This stability, paired with recent rate cuts (0.5% in September 2024 and 0.25% in November 2024), fueled a strong year for the stock market in 2024. The markets surged further after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, with major indices reaching record highs in the days following the election. Still, questions remain about the direction of economic policy, as potential tariffs and corporate tax changes add uncertainty for 2025.

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