Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HIW) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HIW) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,220,000 shares, an increase of 19.2% from the December 31st total of 4,380,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 989,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.3 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on HIW shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Highwoods Properties from $32.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on Highwoods Properties from $35.00 to $31.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 2nd. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on Highwoods Properties from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Highwoods Properties from $24.00 to $29.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy 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 $30.86.

Highwoods Properties Price Performance

NYSE HIW traded up $0.17 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $29.73. The company had a trading volume of 1,033,770 shares, compared to its average volume of 707,320. The company has a market capitalization of $3.15 billion, a PE ratio of 22.19 and a beta of 1.24. Highwoods Properties has a twelve month low of $21.46 and a twelve month high of $36.78. The company has a current ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $30.43 and a 200-day moving average price of $31.64.

Highwoods Properties Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be paid a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.73%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. Highwoods Properties’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 149.25%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Highwoods Properties

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of Highwoods Properties during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $48,000. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its position in Highwoods Properties by 12.0% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 3,052 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $93,000 after purchasing an additional 327 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in Highwoods Properties by 269.8% during the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,221 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $108,000 after purchasing an additional 2,350 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Highwoods Properties by 55.8% in the 3rd quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,260 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $109,000 after purchasing an additional 1,167 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Highwoods Properties by 35.1% in the 3rd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 4,114 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $135,000 after purchasing an additional 1,069 shares during the last quarter. 96.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Highwoods Properties Company Profile

Highwoods Properties, Inc, headquartered in Raleigh, is a publicly-traded (NYSE:HIW), fully-integrated office real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns, develops, acquires, leases and manages properties primarily in the best business districts (BBDs) of Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh, Richmond and Tampa.