Xior ( OTCPK:XIORF ) is a Belgian REIT focusing on a specific sub-segment of (semi-) residential real estate. The REIT is one of the largest entities in Europe focusing on student housing and is active in excess of 40 cities in eight countries. AboutHe is the leader of the investment group European Small Cap Ideas which offers exclusive access to actionable research on appealing Europe-focused investment opportunities not found elsewhere. The a focus is on high-quality ideas in the small-cap space, with emp ...

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Buying a home for a college student at 23 of 121 universities it surveyed was cheaper than paying for room and board, according to the Mortgage Research Network. The results don't align perfectly with geography or population. Colleges in Chicago, Milwaukee and Cincinnati show modest gains for homeowners, along with southern colleges in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Columbia, South Carol ...

Industry Overview - The Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Residential industry is currently facing challenges due to oversupply and economic uncertainty, particularly in the Sun Belt region, leading to weakened rents and occupancy levels [1][4] - The industry includes companies that own, develop, and manage various residential properties, generating revenue primarily through renting spaces to tenants [3] Current Market Dynamics - A surge in new apartment construction has resulted in modest rent declines and slight dips in occupancy, forcing landlords to offer concessions to attract and retain tenants [4][5] - Broader macroeconomic pressures, including tariffs and labor market strains, are impacting renter affordability and investor sentiment [6][7] Demand and Retention - Despite the oversupply, strong rental demand persists due to demographic-driven household formation and high homeownership costs, which limit the ability of renters to purchase homes [2][8] - Landlords are focusing on property upgrades and enhancing resident experiences to support tenant retention and drive renewal lease growth [9] Industry Performance - The REIT and Equity Trust - Residential industry has underperformed the broader Finance sector and the S&P 500, declining 16.6% over the past year compared to the S&P 500's 19.9% increase [14] - The industry's Zacks Industry Rank is 161, placing it in the bottom 34% of around 250 Zacks industries, indicating dim near-term prospects [11][12] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-FFO ratio of 15.15, which is above the Finance sector's forward P/E of 17.60 but below the S&P 500's forward P/E of 23.39 [17] - Over the last five years, the industry has traded between a high of 26.19 and a low of 13.61, with a median of 16.98 [21] Company Highlights - **Equity Residential (EQR)**: Focused on urban and high-density suburban areas, EQR is expected to benefit from favorable apartment market demand, with projected same-store revenue growth of 2.6-3.2% for 2025 [22][24] - **UDR, Inc.**: Manages a diversified portfolio of A/B quality properties, experiencing low resident turnover and benefiting from healthy demand amid favorable demographic trends [27][29] - **American Homes 4 Rent (AMH)**: Focuses on single-family rentals, benefiting from strong demand as millennials transition from apartments to single-family homes, with high occupancy rates averaging around 96% [31][34]

Industry Overview - The Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Residential industry is currently facing several headwinds, including economic uncertainty, slower job growth, federal job cuts, and new tariffs, which are negatively impacting consumer confidence and household formation [1][5] - Elevated supply in certain regions is placing downward pressure on rents, limiting growth potential in the near to mid-term [1][7] - Despite these challenges, rental demand remains historically strong, supported by favorable demographics and the growing affordability gap between renting and homeownership [2][9] Economic Factors - Job growth has slowed considerably in early 2025, with federal job cuts and tariffs creating additional drag on the labor market, affecting consumer confidence and financial stability [5][6] - The U.S. residential real estate market is experiencing strong fundamentals, with record-setting demand providing a tailwind for occupancy and rent growth [9][10] Market Performance - The REIT and Equity Trust - Residential industry has underperformed the broader Zacks Finance sector and the S&P 500 over the past year, returning 8% compared to the S&P 500's increase of 8.1% and the Finance sector's rally of 15.8% [14] - The industry's current valuation is at a forward 12-month price-to-FFO ratio of 16.35X, which is above the Finance sector's forward P/E of 15.30X but below the S&P 500's forward P/E of 19.88X [15] Company Highlights - **Equity Residential**: Positioned to benefit from favorable apartment market conditions, with a strong presence in urban and high-density suburban areas. The company has a healthy balance sheet with nearly $1.95 billion in liquidity and an A-rated balance sheet [16][18][19] - **Essex Property Trust**: Focused on the West Coast market, benefiting from healthy demand for residential units and favorable affordability conditions. The company maintains a healthy balance sheet and is leveraging technology for operational efficiency [20][21][22] - **UMH Properties, Inc.**: Operates 141 manufactured home communities and has seen an increase in occupancy rates. The company announced a 4.7% increase in its quarterly common stock dividend, reflecting solid operating results [23][25][26][27]