Analyst Ratings February 2, 2026

KeyBanc Stands by Overweight Call on AppFolio, Flags ARPU and Product Drivers for 2026

Analyst maintains $255 target after finance-team meetings as results beat estimates amid mixed reactions from other brokers

By Caleb Monroe APPF
KeyBanc Stands by Overweight Call on AppFolio, Flags ARPU and Product Drivers for 2026
APPF

KeyBanc reaffirmed its Overweight rating and $255.00 price target on AppFolio following discussions with the company’s VP of Finance, citing confidence in average revenue per user expansion and several product initiatives that could underpin 2026 growth. The stock has weakened recently, and other analysts have adjusted price targets following AppFolio's fourth-quarter results and 2026 guidance.

Key Points

  • KeyBanc reaffirmed an Overweight rating on AppFolio with a $255 price target after meetings with VP of Finance Bill Schroeder, citing ARPU expansion potential.
  • AppFolio reported Q4 2025 results that beat estimates - EPS $1.39 vs $1.25 forecast and revenue $248.0 million vs $246.56 million forecast - while the stock has fallen over 13% in the past week and trades near a 52-week low of $186.45.
  • Several analysts revised price targets or commentary following results and guidance: DA Davidson lowered its target to $275, Piper Sandler to $245, KeyBanc adjusted to $255 from $270, and William Blair reiterated an Outperform rating.

Summary: KeyBanc has reiterated an Overweight rating on AppFolio and left its price target at $255.00 after meetings with VP of Finance Bill Schroeder. The firm highlighted ARPU expansion potential and three named product initiatives as possible growth drivers for 2026. The call comes after AppFolio reported fourth-quarter results that beat consensus estimates, but the stock has slid recently and other analysts have issued mixed revisions to their targets.

KeyBanc's $255 price objective implies roughly a 34% upside from the stock's most recent quoted level of $189.88, according to the figures cited. InvestingPro data referenced by the firm indicates the share price is trading below its Fair Value model. Market action has been weak: the stock has dropped 13.24% over the last week and is trading close to a 52-week low of $186.45.

The analyst meetings were scheduled after AppFolio released its fourth-quarter results last week. KeyBanc said those discussions increased its conviction that AppFolio can expand average revenue per user - a key unit-economics metric - which aligns with the company’s 19.72% revenue growth over the trailing twelve months.

In its write-up, KeyBanc called out three specific offerings it views as potential contributors to 2026 revenue expansion: Resident Onboarding Lift (Second Nature), LiveEZ, and RealmX Performers. These products were singled out as examples of the company’s growth initiatives currently in development.

The firm also clarified an accounting detail disclosed by AppFolio: a one-time Stack partner payment included in Other Revenue was already accounted for in the company’s previously issued guidance for 2025, according to KeyBanc.

Overall, KeyBanc concluded that AppFolio is executing on its plan and has several development-stage opportunities that support a positive outlook for the business.

Earnings and analyst reactions

AppFolio’s reported fourth-quarter 2025 results topped analyst expectations, with earnings per share of $1.39 versus a forecast of $1.25, and revenue of $248.0 million compared with a projected $246.56 million. Despite those beats, multiple firms have moved their price targets or reiterated stances in recent days.

DA Davidson trimmed its price target to $275 from $325, citing weaker-than-expected value-added services revenue and describing the company’s 2026 guidance as conservative. Piper Sandler cut its target to $245 from $350 after AppFolio provided 2026 revenue growth guidance of 16.7%, which the firm said fell short of Wall Street expectations. KeyBanc itself adjusted a prior target to $255 from $270 while noting accelerating revenue growth of 21.9% year-over-year. William Blair maintained an Outperform rating, highlighting accelerating unit additions, revenue growth, and strong free cash flow.

Taken together, these analyst moves portray a mixed reception among research firms even after a quarter that outperformed consensus on the headline numbers.


Implication for investors: The maintained Overweight from KeyBanc signals continued confidence in AppFolio’s ability to grow ARPU and expand around targeted product offerings, but recent price weakness and divergent analyst reactions underscore uncertainty about the pace and mix of revenue growth going into 2026.

Risks

  • Recent stock price volatility and proximity to a 52-week low present downside risk for investors - impacts equity market participants and shareholder returns.
  • Analyst target reductions and mixed reactions to 2026 guidance reflect uncertainty around value-added services revenue and future growth pace - impacts analyst coverage and investor sentiment.
  • Company guidance for 2026 revenue growth (16.7%) that fell short of expectations introduces execution and forecasting risk for future results - impacts corporate revenue forecasts and market expectations.

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