WD vs JLL vs CBRE vs NMRK

For growth investors, Newmark Group, Inc.

(NMRK) is the stronger pick with 21. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 9. 0% for Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (WD). 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 Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (WD) a "Buy" — based on 15 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, Newmark Group, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 9x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Newmark Group, Inc. wins at 0. 76x 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 -35. 8% for Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (WD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CBRE returned +405. 3% versus NMRK's +30. 4%. 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), CBRE Group, Inc.

(CBRE) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 12β versus Newmark Group, Inc. 's 1. 58β — meaning NMRK is approximately 41% more volatile than CBRE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 44% versus 129% for Walker & Dunlop, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(NMRK) is pulling ahead at 21. 9% versus 9. 0% for Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (WD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Newmark Group, Inc. grew EPS 100. 0% year-over-year, compared to -48. 6% for Walker & Dunlop, 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.

Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

(WD) is the more profitable company, earning 4. 6% net margin versus 2. 9% for CBRE Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 4. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WD leads at 17. 3% 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, Newmark Group, Inc. (NMRK) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 76x 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, Newmark Group, Inc. (NMRK) trades at 8. 9x forward P/E versus 19. 2x for CBRE Group, Inc. — 10. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for WD: 31. 6% to $72. 00.

In this comparison, WD (5.

0% yield), NMRK (0. 5% yield) pay a dividend. JLL, CBRE do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

(WD) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (5. 0% yield, +200. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (WD: +200. 6%, 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (WD (Financial Services) and JLL (Real Estate) and CBRE (Real Estate) and NMRK (Real Estate)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: WD is a small-cap income-oriented stock; JLL is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; CBRE is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; NMRK is a small-cap high-growth stock. WD, NMRK pay a dividend while JLL, CBRE 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.