Extra Space Storage Inc.
(EXR) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on self-storage properties. It is one of the largest self-storage operators in the US, known for its expansive national portfolio and focus on operational efficiency in a fragmented industry.
Updated: February 19, 2026, 16:00 EST
Based on the provided analysis, here is a comprehensive assessment of EXR.
Technical Analysis EXR shows a strong intermediate-term uptrend with significant outperformance against the market over the last three months. However, it is currently experiencing short-term weakness and notable volatility. Trading in the upper-middle of its 52-week range, the stock is not in an extreme overbought condition, suggesting there may be room for recovery after the recent pullback.
Fundamentals & Valuation Fundamentally, EXR presents a mixed picture. While it maintains solid net profit margins and strong operational cash flow, there are concerns regarding volatile quarterly performance, margin pressure, and weak returns on equity and assets. The valuation appears demanding, with high trailing and forward P/E ratios and a lofty EV/EBITDA multiple, indicating the stock is priced for significant future growth that current fundamentals may not fully support.
Risk Assessment The primary risk is elevated volatility, as the stock's high beta suggests it will be more sensitive to market swings. While there is no significant short-term bearish speculation, the company remains exposed to broader economic risks inherent to the real estate sector, such as interest rate changes.
Buy Recommendation EXR is a Hold. The stock's robust intermediate-term trend and strong cash flow generation are positive factors. However, these are currently outweighed by its rich valuation, recent margin pressure, and high volatility. Investors should wait for a more attractive entry point or clearer signs of sustained fundamental improvement before considering a purchase.
*This is not investment advice, for reference only.*
Based on the analysis, here is a 12-month outlook for EXR:
The primary near-term catalyst for EXR is a potential rebound spurred by its strong intermediate-term uptrend and operational cash flow, provided it can navigate current margin pressures. The key risk remains its high sensitivity to market volatility (high beta) and broader economic factors, particularly interest rate changes that impact the real estate sector, which could accentuate downside moves given its rich valuation. With a demanding valuation not currently supported by analyst targets, a conservative target price range would be in line with a "Hold" rating, suggesting the stock is likely to trade within a wide band around the current price of $145, struggling for significant appreciation until fundamentals show more consistent improvement.
Most Wall Street analysts are optimistic about Extra Space Storage Inc.'s 12-month outlook, with consensus target around $146.09, indicating expected upside potential.
Overall, EXR has investment potential but also faces challenges. Here are key factors to weigh before investing.
EXR has demonstrated strong relative outperformance over the past quarter but faces recent short-term pressure.
Over the past month, the stock has declined 2.13%, indicating recent weakness; however, its 9.85% three-month gain and 9.58% outperformance versus the market highlight a robust intermediate-term uptrend. The stock's beta of 1.264 suggests it has been more volatile than the broader market during this period.
Currently trading at $145.69, EXR sits approximately 65% above its 52-week low but remains over 10% below its high, positioning it in the upper-middle range of its yearly window. Given the recent pullback from the high and the substantial 21.5% maximum drawdown experienced in the past year, the stock is not in an extreme overbought condition.
| Period | EXR Return | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 1m | +0.4% | +1.0% |
| 3m | +10.7% | +1.9% |
| 6m | +7.8% | +6.5% |
| 1y | -6.3% | +12.1% |
| ytd | +11.5% | +0.2% |
Revenue & Profitability: EXR exhibits volatile quarterly performance, with Q3 2025 revenue declining sequentially to $778 million while maintaining a solid net profit margin of 21.9%. However, the gross profit ratio dropped significantly to 39.5% from 70.9% in Q2, indicating margin pressure despite a tax benefit boosting bottom-line results. The company's profitability metrics show inconsistency between quarters, warranting close monitoring of cost structure stability.
Financial Health: The company maintains moderate leverage with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00 and total debt to capitalization of 50.1%, though interest coverage remains weak at 0.37 times. Operating cash flow conversion is strong at 58.8% of revenue, but the cash ratio of just 0.07 indicates limited immediate liquidity despite adequate current ratio metrics.
Operational Efficiency: EXR demonstrates modest returns with ROE at 1.25% and ROA at 0.58%, reflecting challenges in generating strong returns from its asset base. The asset turnover ratio of 0.027 suggests relatively low revenue generation efficiency relative to total assets, while the company's capital expenditure coverage ratio of 54.4x indicates strong ability to fund investments from operations.
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Try Now & Get Tesla Stock RewardBased on the provided metrics, EXR appears richly valued. The TTM PE ratio of 33.94 is elevated, and this is further underscored by a significantly higher forward PE of 43.94, suggesting expectations of declining earnings. The high EV/EBITDA ratio of 41.26 and a negative PEG ratio, which often results from negative earnings growth projections, reinforce a picture of potential overvaluation based on current fundamentals.
A peer comparison cannot be conclusively performed due to the unavailability of industry average data. Without benchmark figures for the REIT or self-storage sector, it is impossible to determine if EXR's elevated PE ratios and enterprise value multiples are consistent with its industry peers or represent an outlier. Therefore, the valuation assessment is incomplete without this contextual industry data.
Volatility Risk: EXR's beta of 1.264 indicates it is likely to experience greater price swings than the broader market, introducing elevated volatility risk. This is further evidenced by a significant one-year maximum drawdown of -21.5%, highlighting the potential for substantial losses during market downturns.
Other Risks: The absence of any significant short interest suggests there is little market-driven speculation on a price decline, which can be viewed as a positive. However, potential risks may instead stem from broader economic factors, such as sensitivity to interest rate changes affecting the real estate sector and unexpected shifts in commercial real estate demand or supply.
Bearish. Despite strong market positioning, EXR faces near-term headwinds including fading post-pandemic growth, margin volatility, and a rich valuation with an elevated forward P/E. Its high beta also suggests above-market volatility. This stock is currently more suitable for risk-tolerant, long-term investors who can withstand potential short-term pressure for the steady dividend.
Based on the provided data, EXR stock appears overvalued.
Key metrics like a high trailing PE (33.94) and an even higher forward PE (43.94) suggest the market price incorporates aggressive growth expectations that are not supported by fundamentals. This is highlighted by a negative PEG ratio, which indicates anticipated negative earnings growth, and modest returns (ROE of 1.25%). While a direct industry comparison is unavailable, these valuation multiples are high by absolute standards, especially given the signs of profitability volatility and margin pressure noted in the analysis.
Based on a comprehensive analysis, here are the key risks of holding Extra Space Storage (EXR):
1. High financial leverage is a critical vulnerability, as the notably weak interest coverage ratio of 0.37x severely limits the company's ability to service its debt, especially in a rising interest rate environment. 2. The company faces clear profitability and operational efficiency challenges, evidenced by a significant quarterly drop in gross margin and persistently low ROE/ROA, indicating pressure on its core business model. 3. The stock carries elevated market and volatility risk, with a beta of 1.26 and a material maximum drawdown of -21.5% in the past year, making it susceptible to larger swings than the broader market.
Based on the provided analysis through 2025, here is a forecast for EXR stock performance through 2026:
My forecast for EXR's 2026 price is a base case range of $140-$155 and a bull case of up to $170, contingent on stabilizing interest rates and improving operational efficiency. Key growth drivers include its strong operational cash flow to fund investments and a potential market-wide rebound in real estate, while main assumptions are that margin pressures from the volatile quarterly performance begin to ease and leverage does not increase. This forecast carries significant uncertainty, primarily due to the stock's high sensitivity to interest rates and the broader economy, which could severely impact its demanding valuation if conditions deteriorate.