Highwoods Properties (NYSE:HIW) Reaches New 1-Year Low on Disappointing Earnings

Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HIW) shares hit a new 52-week low on Wednesday following a dissappointing earnings announcement. The company traded as low as $23.73 and last traded at $23.5260, with a volume of 1650971 shares. The stock had previously closed at $25.99.

The real estate investment trust reported $0.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.84 by ($0.58). Highwoods Properties had a return on equity of 5.48% and a net margin of 15.98%.The firm had revenue of $203.36 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $208.08 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.85 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year. Highwoods Properties has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.400-3.680 EPS.

Highwoods Properties Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be paid a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 17th. Highwoods Properties’s payout ratio is currently 170.94%.

Key Highwoods Properties News

Here are the key news stories impacting Highwoods Properties this week:

• Positive Sentiment: FFO beat: Highwoods reported FFO of $0.90/share vs. the Zacks consensus of $0.84, driven by leasing and rent growth — a sign of operating strength in the portfolio. Highwoods Properties (HIW) Q4 FFO Surpass Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: FY‑2026 guidance raised/affirmed: Management set FY‑2026 EPS guidance (3.400–3.680) that sits above prior consensus, suggesting confidence in cash‑flow recovery and longer‑term earnings power. Highwoods Announces Availability of Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2025 Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Q4 results released — metrics summary: Several coverage pieces summarize Q4 figures and comparisons to Street estimates; these provide detail but add no new catalyst beyond the headline beats/misses. Highwoods Properties (HIW) Q4 Earnings: How Key Metrics Compare to Wall Street Estimates
• Negative Sentiment: GAAP EPS and revenue miss: The company reported GAAP EPS of $0.26 for the quarter versus the consensus ~$0.84 and revenue of $203.36M vs. ~$208.08M — the headline miss likely prompted immediate selling despite the FFO beat. Highwoods Properties Q4 Earnings Snapshot / Conference Call
• Negative Sentiment: $300M ATM equity program announced: Highwoods launched up to $300M of at‑the‑market issuance capacity (equity distribution agreements), which raises short‑term dilution risk and can pressure the stock when activated. Highwoods Properties Launches $300 Million At-The-Market Equity Program

Analysts Set New Price Targets

HIW has been the topic of several research reports. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Highwoods Properties from $31.00 to $30.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 10th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Highwoods Properties from $23.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Highwoods Properties from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, January 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Highwoods Properties from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $29.00 price target for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Highwoods Properties in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $30.75.

Institutional Trading of Highwoods Properties

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd lifted its stake 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 worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 372 shares in the last quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc increased its holdings in Highwoods Properties by 921.4% during the 3rd 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 purchased a new position in shares of Highwoods Properties during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Avalon Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Highwoods Properties during the third quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, SJS Investment Consulting Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Highwoods Properties in the third quarter worth $49,000. 96.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Highwoods Properties Stock Down 9.7%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.09 and a beta of 1.06. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $26.17 and its 200-day moving average is $28.58.

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.