Whitestone REIT (NYSE:WSR) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Whitestone REIT (NYSE:WSR) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 629,565 shares, an increase of 21.4% from the January 29th total of 518,526 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 181,739 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.5 days. Currently, 1.3% of the company’s shares are short sold. Currently, 1.3% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 181,739 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.5 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on WSR. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH initiated coverage on shares of Whitestone REIT in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $17.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup reissued a “market outperform” rating on shares of Whitestone REIT in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised Whitestone REIT to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Whitestone REIT from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Maxim Group reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Whitestone REIT in a research note on Monday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $16.50.

Whitestone REIT Trading Up 0.4%

WSR opened at $15.20 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. Whitestone REIT has a 52 week low of $11.43 and a 52 week high of $15.50. The stock has a market cap of $775.25 million, a PE ratio of 15.99 and a beta of 0.77. The business has a 50 day moving average of $14.48 and a 200-day moving average of $13.40.

Whitestone REIT (NYSE:WSR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 25th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.28 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $43.92 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $41.27 million. Whitestone REIT had a return on equity of 11.23% and a net margin of 31.04%.Whitestone REIT has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.100-1.140 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Whitestone REIT will post 0.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Whitestone REIT declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback plan on Friday, December 19th that allows the company to buyback $50.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization allows the real estate investment trust to buy up to 7.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Whitestone REIT Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 16th will be paid a dividend of $0.1425 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 16th. This represents a $0.57 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.8%. Whitestone REIT’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 43.16%.

About Whitestone REIT

Whitestone REIT is a real estate investment trust headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, that specializes in the acquisition, development and management of retail and mixed-use properties. The company’s portfolio is concentrated in high-growth Texas markets, including the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, Houston, Austin and San Antonio, where it primarily owns open-air neighborhood and community shopping centers. Whitestone REIT focuses on convenience- and necessity-based retail, partnering with grocers, fitness operators, service providers and other essential tenants to drive consistent foot traffic and stable occupancy.

In addition to property ownership, Whitestone REIT provides asset and property management services, leasing expertise and development capabilities.