AHH vs CBRE vs JLL vs BXP

For growth investors, CBRE Group, Inc.

(CBRE) is the stronger pick with 13. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -59. 7% for Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc. (AHH). Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL) offers the better valuation at 20. 0x trailing P/E (14. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate CBRE Group, Inc. (CBRE) a "Buy" — based on 20 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL) is the cheapest at 20.

0x versus CBRE Group, Inc. at 38. 1x. On forward P/E, Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated is actually cheaper at 14. 5x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated wins at 0. 89x versus CBRE Group, Inc. 's 1. 65x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, CBRE Group, Inc.

(CBRE) delivered a total return of +68. 8%, compared to -27. 7% for BXP, Inc. (BXP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CBRE returned +405. 3% versus BXP's -27. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc.

(AHH) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 70β versus Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated's 1. 26β — meaning JLL is approximately 79% more volatile than AHH relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 44% versus 2% for BXP, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), CBRE Group, Inc.

(CBRE) is pulling ahead at 13. 4% versus -59. 7% for Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc. (AHH). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: BXP, Inc. grew EPS 1833% year-over-year, compared to -138. 2% for Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CBRE leads at 9. 6% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

BXP, Inc.

(BXP) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 9% net margin versus 2. 0% for Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc. — meaning it keeps 7. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BXP leads at 55. 7% versus 3. 2% for CBRE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — JLL leads at 99. 0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 89x versus CBRE Group, Inc. 's 1. 65x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL) trades at 14. 5x forward P/E versus 35. 7x for BXP, Inc. — 21. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AHH: 28. 3% to $8. 25.

In this comparison, AHH (11.

5% yield), BXP (6. 8% yield) pay a dividend. CBRE, JLL do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc.

(AHH) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 70), 11. 5% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AHH: +12. 0%, JLL: +191. 8%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Real Estate sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: AHH is a small-cap income-oriented stock; CBRE is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; JLL is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; BXP is a small-cap income-oriented stock. AHH, BXP pay a dividend while CBRE, JLL do not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.