EQR vs. MAA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EQR (Equity Residential) and MAA (Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the REIT - Residential industry within the Real Estate sector. Over the past 10 years, EQR returned 4.36%/yr vs 6.33%/yr for MAA. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

EQR vs. MAA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Equity Residential (EQR) and Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EQR achieves a 7.48% return, which is significantly higher than MAA's -4.96% return. Over the past 10 years, EQR has underperformed MAA with an annualized return of 4.36%, while MAA has yielded a comparatively higher 6.33% annualized return.

EQR

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 1.60%
• YTD: 7.48%
• 6M: 9.32%
• 1Y: -1.08%
• 3Y*: 5.92%
• 5Y*: 0.21%
• 10Y*: 4.36%

MAA

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: -4.96%
• 6M: -2.39%
• 1Y: -13.35%
• 3Y*: -0.96%
• 5Y*: -0.99%
• 10Y*: 6.33%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EQR vs. MAA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EQR Equity Residential	7.48%	-8.57%	20.81%	8.34%	-32.46%	57.33%	-23.61%	26.16%	7.08%	2.19%
MAA Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.	-4.96%	-6.36%	19.94%	-10.44%	-29.75%	85.87%	-0.64%	42.52%	-1.06%	6.28%

Correlation

The correlation between EQR and MAA is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 1994	0.63

Over the past year, EQR and MAA have become more correlated (0.87) than their long-term average of 0.63, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Fundamentals

EPS EQR : $2.47 MAA : $4.58
PE Ratio EQR : 26.85 MAA : 28.14
PS Ratio EQR : 8.21 MAA : 6.83
Total Revenue (TTM) EQR : $3.12B MAA : $1.66B
Gross Profit (TTM) EQR : $1.63B MAA : $450.10M
EBITDA (TTM) EQR : $2.53B MAA : $1.28B

Return for Risk

EQR vs. MAA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

EQR

EQR Risk / Return Rank: 35
EQR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
EQR Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
EQR Omega Ratio Rank: 31
EQR Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
EQR Martin Ratio Rank: 37

MAA

MAA Risk / Return Rank: 12
MAA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
MAA Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
MAA Omega Ratio Rank: 13
MAA Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
MAA Martin Ratio Rank: 13

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

EQR vs. MAA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Equity Residential (EQR) and Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	EQR	MAA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.05	-0.73	+0.68
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.06	-0.95	+1.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	0.89	+0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.09	-0.70	+0.60
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.17	-1.21	+1.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EQR vs. MAA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EQR Sharpe Ratio is -0.05, which is higher than the MAA Sharpe Ratio of -0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EQR and MAA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EQR	MAA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.05	-0.73	+0.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	-0.05	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18	0.26	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.44	-0.09

Drawdowns

EQR vs. MAA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EQR drawdown since its inception was -67.40%, which is greater than MAA's maximum drawdown of -60.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EQR and MAA.

Drawdown Indicators

	EQR	MAA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.40%	-60.29%	-7.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.70%	-19.49%	+4.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.12%	-26.41%	+4.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.32%	-45.01%	+5.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.91%	-45.01%	-0.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.28%	-32.84%	+16.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.14%	-10.39%	-1.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.30%	11.49%	-3.19%

Volatility

EQR vs. MAA - Volatility Comparison

Equity Residential (EQR) has a higher volatility of 4.50% compared to Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA) at 4.06%. This indicates that EQR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MAA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EQR	MAA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.50%	4.06%	+0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.25%	13.55%	+0.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.92%	18.33%	+1.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.45%	22.10%	+0.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.94%	24.12%	+0.82%

Dividends

EQR vs. MAA - Dividend Comparison

EQR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.20%, less than MAA's 4.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EQR Equity Residential	4.20%	4.37%	2.82%	4.33%	4.24%	2.66%	4.07%	2.81%	3.27%	3.16%	20.22%	2.71%
MAA Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.	4.72%	4.36%	3.80%	4.96%	2.98%	1.79%	3.16%	2.91%	3.86%	3.46%	3.35%	3.39%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EQR and MAA in my portfolio?

EQR and MAA have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EQR or MAA?

EQR has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to MAA (4.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EQR dropped -67.40% vs MAA's -60.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EQR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.05 vs -0.73), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.