Highwoods Properties (NYSE:HIW) Reaches New 52-Week Low – Time to Sell?

Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HIW) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $21.11 and last traded at $21.2150, with a volume of 118033 shares. The stock had previously closed at $21.59.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Highwoods Properties in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Highwoods Properties from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Sunday, March 15th. Truist Financial dropped their target price on Highwoods Properties from $29.00 to $23.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 17th. Robert W. Baird set a $29.00 target price on Highwoods Properties in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. Finally, Mizuho cut their price target on Highwoods Properties from $30.00 to $25.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $27.78.

Highwoods Properties Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. The stock has a market cap of $2.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.12 and a beta of 1.07. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $24.20 and its two-hundred day moving average is $27.19.

Highwoods Properties (NYSE:HIW) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 10th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.26 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.84 by ($0.58). Highwoods Properties had a net margin of 20.10% and a return on equity of 6.86%. The business had revenue of $203.36 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $208.08 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.85 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year. Highwoods Properties has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.400-3.680 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Highwoods Properties, Inc. will post 3.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Highwoods Properties Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 17th were given a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.7%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 17th. Highwoods Properties’s payout ratio is 136.99%.

Institutional Trading of Highwoods Properties

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Highwoods Properties by 88.6% in the third quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 792 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 372 shares during the period. Bell Investment Advisors Inc raised its stake in shares of Highwoods Properties by 921.4% during the third quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 858 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 774 shares during the last quarter. Beacon Financial Strategies CORP acquired a new stake in shares of Highwoods Properties during the fourth quarter worth $34,000. Avalon Trust Co purchased a new position in Highwoods Properties in the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, SJS Investment Consulting Inc. purchased a new position in Highwoods Properties in the 3rd quarter valued at $49,000. 96.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.