Elme Communities (ELME) AI Stock Analysis

NYSE: ELMEAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

ELME AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

Elme Communities (ELME) is a residential real estate investment trust focused on properties in the Washington Metro area. Over the trailing twelve months, the company generated $247.6M in revenue but reported a net profit margin of -74.7% and diluted EPS of -$1.53. The stock closed at $1.76 on October 16, 2026, following a 1-year decline of 89.5%.

Market cap
$156.4M
Revenue (TTM)
$247.6M
P/E
—
fwd 43.5x
1Y return
-89.5%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$18.00
922.7% vs last close

Bull case

  • Free cash flow reached $95.0M in FY2024, supported by $95.2M in operating cash flow.
  • The stock trades at an EV-to-EBITDA multiple of 3.0x, which is below the US-listed Real Estate median of 14.7x.
  • The mean analyst price target of $18.00 represents a 922.7% premium over the recent closing price of $1.76.

Bear case

  • ELME shares declined 89.5% over the past year, while the S&P 500 gained 16.8%.
  • The company reported a trailing twelve-month net profit margin of -74.7% and diluted EPS of -$1.53.
  • Total debt stood at $251.0M as of June 30, 2026, resulting in net debt of $209.8M relative to shareholders' equity of $167.7M.

What Elme Communities does

Elme Communities is a real estate company specializing in the ownership and operation of properties in the Washington Metro area. As of October 29, 2020, its portfolio contained 45 properties, encompassing approximately 3.7 million square feet of commercial space and 6,863 multifamily apartment units. This footprint consisted of 22 multifamily properties, 15 office properties, and 8 retail centers. The company leverages localized market dynamics across this mix of residential, office, and retail assets.

Growth and profitability

Elme Communities increased its annual revenue from $176.0M in FY2020 to $241.9M in FY2024, achieving a 5-year revenue CAGR of 6.5%. Revenue expanded 23.8% in FY2022, 8.9% in FY2023, and 6.2% in FY2024. Operating margins fluctuated from -1.4% in FY2020 to 9.7% in FY2024, while standing at -3.4% over the trailing twelve months. Net losses persisted annually, moving from -$15.7M in FY2020 to -$13.1M in FY2024, alongside a trailing twelve-month profit margin of -74.7%. In the latest quarter ending June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue increased 1.7% year-over-year to support trailing twelve-month revenue of $247.6M.

ELME income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, Elme Communities held $41.3M in cash and short-term investments alongside total debt of $251.0M, resulting in net debt of $209.8M. The debt-to-equity ratio stood at 1.50, and the current ratio was 8.09 against total assets of $460.4M and shareholders' equity of $167.7M. In FY2025, cash utilization included $73,200 in capital expenditures, $274,800 in share buybacks, and $63.7M in dividends paid. Free cash flow was reported at $95.0M in FY2024.

ELME balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

At a closing price of $1.76, Elme Communities has a market capitalization of $156.4M and an enterprise value of $361.7M. Its forward P/E of 43.5x sits above the 23.5x median of its US-listed Real Estate peers. Conversely, its price-to-sales multiple of 0.6x and EV-to-EBITDA of 3.0x trade below the peer medians of 3.7x and 14.7x, respectively. The stock fell 89.5% over the past year and 91.9% over five years, lagging the S&P 500 benchmark returns of 16.8% and 83.0% over the same respective periods.

ELME key metrics →

ELME dividend

Elme Communities maintains an annual forward dividend of $0.72, with a recorded dividend yield of 0.00% and a payout ratio of 342.9%. The company has paid dividends for 40 consecutive years, though its 5-year annualized dividend growth was -14.8%. Total dividends paid equaled $63.7M in FY2025, and its last ex-dividend date was October 23, 2026.

ELME dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street coverage includes 1 Hold rating and no Buy or Sell ratings. The mean price target is $18.00, representing a 922.7% premium over the last close of $1.76. Analysts project an EPS of -$0.11 for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, and -$0.08 for the next fiscal year. The company beat EPS estimates in 1 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings date is October 22, 2026.

ELME forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • The dividend payout ratio reached 342.9%, while dividend growth over the past five years was -14.8%.
  • Operating margin was -3.4% on a trailing twelve-month basis, remaining below the peer median of 25.9%.
  • The company has missed EPS expectations in 3 of the last 4 quarters, recording only 1 earnings beat.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this ELME AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of Elme Communities (ELME). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: ELME income statement, ELME balance sheet, ELME key metrics, ELME analyst forecast, ELME chart. See the ELME stock overview for the latest quote and news.

ELME AI stock analysis FAQ

What is the dividend payout for Elme Communities?

Elme Communities offers an annual forward dividend of $0.72 with a payout ratio of 342.9%. The company has maintained consecutive dividend payments for 40 years.

How has ELME stock performed relative to the market?

ELME stock fell 89.5% over the past year and 91.9% over five years. In comparison, the S&P 500 gained 16.8% and 83.0% over those respective timeframes.

What does Elme Communities' balance sheet look like?

As of June 30, 2026, Elme Communities held $41.3M in cash and short-term investments against $251.0M in total debt. This corresponds to a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50 and a current ratio of 8.09.

When is the next earnings release for Elme Communities?

The next earnings date is October 22, 2026. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts estimate an EPS of -$0.11.

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