Bull case
The bull case requires both strong earnings delivery and the market pricing EQH more generously than it does today.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where EQH stock could go
The bull case requires both strong earnings delivery and the market pricing EQH more generously than it does today.
The base case reflects analyst consensus expectations — steady delivery without requiring a major catalyst or re-rating.
The bear case reflects a scenario where earnings shortfalls or multiple compression combine to materially reduce the stock from its current level.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

Equitable Holdings is a diversified financial services company offering retirement, investment, and insurance products. It generates revenue primarily through fees from its retirement accounts (~60% of earnings) and insurance premiums (~25%), with investment management contributing the remainder. The company's competitive advantage lies in its established brand recognition in the retirement planning space and its distribution network of financial professionals.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $-1.21/$1.71 | -170.8% | $2.4B/$4.0B | -40.8% |
| Q4 2025 | $1.48/$1.61 | -8.1% | $1.4B/$3.5B | -58.5% |
| Q1 2026 | $1.76/$1.75 | +0.6% | $3.3B/$4.0B | -17.0% |
| Q2 2026 | $1.62/$1.60 | +1.3% | $4.2B/$3.9B | +7.1% |
EQH beat EPS estimates in 2 of 4 tracked quarters. Mixed delivery makes the upcoming report a key data point for re-rating.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Latest annual revenue by reported region
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $38 — implies -9.4% from today's price.
| Metric | EQH | S&P 500 | Financial Services | 5Y Avg EQH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 6.1x | 19.1x-68% | 10.5x-42% | — |
| Trailing PE | -9.1x | 25.2x-136% | 13.4x-168% | 9.1x-199% |
| PEG Ratio | — | 1.75x | 1.03x | — |
| EV/EBITDA | — | 15.3x | 11.4x | 4.9x |
| Price/FCF | 18.1x | 21.3x-15% | 10.6x+70% | 15.6x+16% |
| Price/Sales | 1.1x | 3.1x-66% | 2.3x-53% | 1.2x-15% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.41% | 1.88% | 2.68% | 2.32% |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolEQH posts -12.6% net margin with -49.3% ROE — the core signals of underwriting discipline and capital efficiency.
Premium revenue, margins, and returns
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
Traditional FCF and debt/FCF ratios are not meaningful for financial companies. Focus on ROE and ROA above.
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. For financial companies, ROE and ROA are the primary health signals — FCF-based metrics are not applicable.
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
Recessions or economic slowdowns can significantly reduce demand for financial products, negatively impacting EQH's financial performance. This could lead to a substantial decline in revenue and profitability.
EQH has experienced substantial net losses due to derivative and investment losses, raising concerns about its risk management strategies. These losses could undermine investor confidence and affect future capital raising efforts.
Fluctuations in interest rates can adversely affect the profitability of EQH's investment products, which may influence earnings and stock price. A significant rise in rates could lead to decreased demand for certain financial products.
Changes in financial regulations may increase compliance costs or limit EQH's product offerings, potentially impacting revenue streams. Regulatory scrutiny could also lead to fines or sanctions that affect financial stability.
The financial services sector is highly competitive, requiring EQH to constantly innovate and adapt to maintain market share. Failure to effectively compete could result in lost revenue and diminished market presence.
EQH's financial products, particularly variable annuities, are sensitive to equity market and interest rate fluctuations. This volatility can impact liabilities and profitability, leading to unpredictable financial performance.
High operational costs, including compensation and distribution-related payments, coupled with net losses, suggest potential inefficiencies within EQH. These challenges could hinder the company's ability to achieve sustainable profitability.
Cybersecurity remains a significant threat to EQH's operations, with potential breaches leading to financial losses and reputational damage. The increasing sophistication of cyber threats necessitates ongoing investment in security measures.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
Equitable's Wealth Management segment is a key driver, with earnings surging approximately 40%. This segment has seen a 25% increase in Advisory Assets Under Management (AUM), reaching $83 billion, contributing to a total AUM of $122 billion.
The pending all-stock merger with Corebridge Financial, valued at around $22 billion, is expected to accelerate earnings growth and enhance capital returns. This merger aims to create a robust retirement and wealth management platform with significant AUM and customer reach.
EQH is considered undervalued, with a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis indicating a 58.5% discount to its intrinsic value. The company is also targeting substantial capital returns for 2026, estimated at around $4.20 per share, representing a yield of over 10%.
A significant number of Wall Street analysts have issued 'Buy' or 'Strong Buy' ratings for EQH, with average 12-month price targets suggesting a potential upside of 35-38%. Some analysts have set even higher targets, indicating strong confidence in the stock's future performance.
Equitable has launched a new 403(b) pooled employer plan for nonprofits, which expands its retirement services footprint. This initiative is expected to enhance fee-based revenue through asset gathering, further supporting the company's growth strategy.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EQH EQH Equitable Holdings, Inc. | $12.3B | 6.1x | +9.5% | -12.6% | Buy | +35.3% |
LNC LNC Lincoln National Corporation | $6.4B | 4.9x | +21.9% | 11.4% | Hold | +15.6% |
PRU PRU Prudential Financial, Inc. | $34.9B | 7.4x | -5.9% | 5.6% | Hold | +4.0% |
MET MET MetLife, Inc. | $52.3B | 8.2x | +6.3% | 4.4% | Buy | +20.4% |
PFG PFG Principal Financial Group, Inc. | $22.0B | 10.9x | -0.3% | 7.6% | Hold | -6.9% |
VOY VOYA Voya Financial, Inc. | $7.5B | 8.4x | -3.2% | — | Buy | +12.3% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
EQH returns capital mainly through $2.8B/year in buybacks (22.9% buyback yield), with a modest 2.41% dividend — combining for 25.3% total shareholder yield. The dividend has grown for 8 consecutive years.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.27 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $1.05 | +11.7% | 19.9% | 22.1% |
| 2024 | $0.94 | +9.3% | 8.2% | 10.2% |
| 2023 | $0.86 | +10.3% | 9.1% | 11.6% |
| 2022 | $0.78 | +9.9% | 9.7% | 12.4% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
Equitable Holdings, Inc. (EQH) is rated Buy by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 21 analysts covering the stock, 20 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 1 rate it Hold, and 0 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $59, implying +35.3% from the current price of $44.
The Wall Street consensus price target for EQH is $59 based on 21 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $63 (+44.1% from today), and the low-end target is $57 (+30.4%).
EQH trades at 6.1x times forward earnings. The stock currently trades at a discount to the broader market. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals slightly overvalued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for EQH in 2026 are: (1) Economic Downturns — Recessions or economic slowdowns can significantly reduce demand for financial products, negatively impacting EQH's financial performance. (2) Significant Net Losses — EQH has experienced substantial net losses due to derivative and investment losses, raising concerns about its risk management strategies. (3) Interest Rate Risk — Fluctuations in interest rates can adversely affect the profitability of EQH's investment products, which may influence earnings and stock price. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates EQH will report consensus revenue of $12.0B (+9.5% year-over-year) and EPS of $-0.79 (+83.5% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $11.7B in revenue.
A confirmed upcoming earnings date for EQH is not yet available. Check the Earnings section above for the most recent quarterly report dates and forward estimates.
Equitable Holdings, Inc. (EQH) generated $737M in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 6.7%. EQH returns capital to shareholders through dividends (2.4% yield) and share repurchases ($2.8B TTM).