Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HIW) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Hold” by Analysts

Shares of Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HIW) have been given an average recommendation of “Hold” by the eight analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $31.6667.

Several brokerages recently weighed in on HIW. Citigroup increased their target price on Highwoods Properties from $24.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded Highwoods Properties from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $33.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Wednesday. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Highwoods Properties from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Highwoods Properties from $24.00 to $26.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, June 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Highwoods Properties from $23.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its position in shares of Highwoods Properties by 88.6% in the 3rd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 792 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 372 shares during the last quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Highwoods Properties by 752.0% during the second quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,065 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 940 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its stake in Highwoods Properties by 292.5% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,680 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 1,252 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Highwoods Properties by 285.8% in the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,983 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 1,469 shares during the period. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Highwoods Properties by 97.4% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,242 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 1,106 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.31% of the company’s stock.

Highwoods Properties Price Performance

Shares of Highwoods Properties stock opened at $31.53 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a current ratio of 1.68. Highwoods Properties has a 52-week low of $20.45 and a 52-week high of $35.44. The company has a fifty day moving average of $30.86 and a 200-day moving average of $26.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.74 and a beta of 1.05.

Highwoods Properties (NYSE:HIW) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.85 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.86 by ($0.01). Highwoods Properties had a return on equity of 7.06% and a net margin of 20.74%.The business had revenue of $216.38 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $212.15 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.89 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. Highwoods Properties has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.460-3.700 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Highwoods Properties will post 3.53 EPS for the current year.

Highwoods Properties Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 17th. Highwoods Properties’s dividend payout ratio is currently 131.58%.

Highwoods Properties announced that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Wednesday, April 22nd that permits the company to buyback $250.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the real estate investment trust to purchase up to 9.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Highwoods Properties Company Profile

Highwoods Properties, Inc is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, leases and manages office properties. The company’s portfolio is primarily focused on Class A office space, with an emphasis on high-quality buildings in key urban and suburban submarkets. Highwoods seeks to generate long-term, recurring revenues through a mix of in-place lease renewals, strategic dispositions and build-to-suit developments. Its asset management platform drives operational efficiencies and tenant service initiatives across its holdings.

Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, Highwoods Properties has expanded its presence to eight major metropolitan regions across the Southeastern United States and Texas.