Looking back on consumer discretionary - real estate services stocks’ Q1 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including JLL (NYSE: JLL) and its peers.

The Consumer Discretionary sector, by definition, is made up of companies selling non-essential goods and services. When economic conditions deteriorate or tastes shift, consumers can easily cut back or eliminate these purchases. For long-term investors with five-year holding periods, this creates a structural challenge: the sector is inherently hit-driven, with low switching costs and fickle customers. As a result, only a handful of companies can reliably grow demand and compound earnings over long periods, which is why our bar is high and High Quality ratings are rare. Real estate services companies provide brokerage, property management, appraisal, and advisory services, earning transaction-based commissions and recurring management fees. Tailwinds include long-term housing demand driven by demographic growth, technology platforms that expand market access, and commercial real estate complexity that sustains advisory needs. Headwinds are pronounced: rising interest rates directly suppress transaction volumes by reducing housing affordability and commercial deal activity. Commission-rate compression, driven by discount brokerages and regulatory changes, erodes per-transaction revenue. The industry is highly cyclical, with revenue swings amplified by leverage. PropTech (property technology) disruptors threaten traditional intermediary models.

The 14 consumer discretionary - real estate services stocks we track reported a strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.3% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 2.7% above.

While some consumer discretionary - real estate services stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 4.4% since the latest earnings results.

JLL (NYSE: JLL)

Founded in 1999 through the merger of Jones Lang Wootton and LaSalle Partners, JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a company specializing in real estate advisory and investment management services.

JLL reported revenues of $6.39 billion, up 11.1% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 6.6%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue and EPS estimates.

"JLL achieved very strong results to start the year," said Christian Ulbrich, JLL CEO.

The stock is down 6.8% since reporting and currently trades at $315.78.

Is now the time to buy JLL? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI)

Founded in 1971, Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI) specializes in commercial real estate investment sales, financing, research, and advisory services.

Marcus & Millichap reported revenues of $171.5 million, up 18.2% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 5.7%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 3.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $30.08.

Is now the time to buy Marcus & Millichap? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: RE/MAX (NYSE: RMAX)

Short for Real Estate Maximums, RE/MAX (NYSE: RMAX) operates a real estate franchise network spanning over 100 countries and territories.

RE/MAX reported revenues of $70.23 million, down 5.7% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income and EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 13% since the results and currently trades at $9.63.

Read our full analysis of RE/MAX’s results here.

Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK)

With expertise in the commercial real estate sector, Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a global Chicago-based real estate firm offering a comprehensive range of services to clients.

Cushman & Wakefield reported revenues of $2.54 billion, up 11% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 4.7%. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is down 7.8% since reporting and currently trades at $13.34.

Read our full, actionable report on Cushman & Wakefield here, it’s free.

Compass (NYSE: COMP)

Fueled by its mission to replace the "paper-driven, antiquated workflow" of buying a house, Compass (NYSE: COMP) is a digital-first company operating a residential real estate brokerage in the United States.

Compass reported revenues of $2.70 billion, up 99.4% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 1.2%. It was a very strong quarter as it also produced EBITDA guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Compass achieved the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 15.5% since reporting and currently trades at $8.38.

Read our full, actionable report on Compass here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

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