HIW
Real EstateHighwoods Properties, Inc. · REIT - Office · $3B
What is Highwoods Properties, Inc.?
Highwoods Properties is a Raleigh-based office REIT focused on premier business districts across the Sun Belt and Southeast. Listed on the NYSE and a member of the S&P MidCap 400, it operates as a fully integrated real estate platform.
Highwoods owns, develops, acquires, leases, and manages office properties concentrated in what it calls the best business districts — high-demand submarkets within major metros. Revenue comes primarily from long-term office leases with corporate tenants. Its footprint spans Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Richmond, and Tampa, giving it geographic diversification across growing southeastern and mid-Atlantic markets.
Highwoods was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Class-A office space in best business districts
- Property development and redevelopment services
- Leasing and tenant relationship management
- Acquisition and disposition of office assets
- Integrated property management platform
Is HIW a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates HIW as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key pillars.
The Quality pillar earns a Good label, suggesting the underlying business generates reasonably stable cash flows relative to its asset base. Valuation also registers as Good, meaning the stock does not appear expensive relative to its fundamentals — a relevant consideration for income-oriented investors evaluating office REITs.
Both the Moat and Growth pillars are rated Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation and constrained near-term expansion prospects — challenges common across the office REIT sector in the current environment.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does HIW pay dividends?
Yes — Highwoods Properties, Inc. pays a dividend.
Highwoods pays a regular dividend, consistent with its REIT structure, which requires distributing the majority of taxable income to shareholders. For income-focused investors, this cadence can be an important component of total return. The sustainability of that dividend depends on occupancy trends and leasing activity across its portfolio — factors worth monitoring given the broader office sector's ongoing pressures.
When does HIW report earnings?
Highwoods Properties reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed REITs.
Results in recent periods have reflected the broader challenges facing office landlords, including tenant demand shifts and leasing velocity. Portfolio occupancy and same-store net operating income trends are the key metrics to watch each quarter.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance updates, visit Highwoods Properties' investor relations page directly.
HIW Price History
-27.2% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Highwoods Properties, Inc.?
Based on Highwoods Properties, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
HIW Long-term Outlook
The UQS Growth pillar's Weak rating signals that near-term expansion of earnings or portfolio scale faces real obstacles. Office demand remains uneven across markets, and while Sun Belt cities where Highwoods concentrates have fared better than coastal gateway markets, leasing conditions are still challenging. The Neutral Risk rating suggests the balance sheet and operational structure are not in acute distress, but the path to meaningful growth improvement is not straightforward.
Growth drivers
- Sun Belt market exposure in cities with above-average employment growth
- Potential for lease-up of existing vacant space as corporate tenants make longer-term decisions
- Selective development or redevelopment of best business district assets
Key risks
- Continued softness in office demand and hybrid work adoption reducing space needs
- Weak Moat rating reflects limited pricing power relative to tenants and competing landlords
- Elevated capital requirements for property maintenance and tenant improvement packages
HIW vs Peers
Highwoods competes with other publicly traded office REITs, each with distinct geographic and tenant strategies.
SL Green focuses almost exclusively on Manhattan office properties, giving it a very different market exposure than Highwoods's Sun Belt and Southeast concentration.
COPT specializes in office and data center properties serving U.S. government and defense contractors, a niche that insulates it from typical commercial office demand cycles.
Kilroy operates primarily on the West Coast in tech-heavy markets, with a portfolio skewed toward life science and creative office tenants rather than traditional corporate users.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Highwoods Properties do?
Highwoods Properties is a fully integrated office REIT that owns, develops, leases, and manages office buildings in premier business districts across eight southeastern and mid-Atlantic cities. It generates revenue through long-term leases with corporate tenants and operates its entire real estate platform in-house.
Does HIW pay dividends?
Yes, Highwoods pays a regular dividend. As a REIT, it is required to distribute the majority of its taxable income to shareholders, making dividend payments a core feature of the investment. Investors should monitor occupancy and leasing trends, which directly influence dividend sustainability.
When does HIW report earnings?
Highwoods reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed REITs. For exact dates and the most recent results, check the investor relations section of the Highwoods Properties website.
Is HIW a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates HIW as Below Average overall. While the Quality and Valuation pillars show relative strength, the Weak Moat and Growth ratings highlight meaningful challenges. Whether it fits a portfolio depends on an investor's income needs, risk tolerance, and view on the office sector. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is HIW overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for HIW is rated Good, suggesting the stock does not appear expensive relative to its fundamentals. For office REITs, valuation must be weighed alongside occupancy risk and growth constraints — context that the full UQS analysis provides.
How does HIW compare to its competitors?
Highwoods differentiates itself through its Sun Belt and Southeast focus, targeting best business districts in cities like Nashville, Charlotte, and Tampa. Peers like SL Green concentrate on Manhattan, Kilroy on West Coast tech markets, and COPT on defense-related tenants — each representing a distinct risk and demand profile.
What is HIW's market cap bracket?
Highwoods Properties is a mid-cap company and a member of the S&P MidCap 400 Index. Mid-cap REITs like HIW typically offer more liquidity than smaller peers while still carrying sector-specific risks tied to office demand cycles.
Who founded Highwoods Properties?
Highwoods Properties was founded in 1994. Detailed founding history, including key executives involved at inception, is publicly available through the company's official history and SEC filings.
Is HIW a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, HIW's Below Average UQS Score reflects concerns primarily around Moat and Growth. The Good Quality rating suggests operational stability, but sustained long-term value creation depends on whether office demand in its markets recovers and whether the company can improve its competitive positioning over time.
What is the main competitive advantage of Highwoods Properties?
Highwoods focuses on best business district properties in Sun Belt cities that have seen stronger employment growth than many coastal markets. This geographic positioning is its primary differentiator, though the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak relative to broader real estate peers.
What sector does HIW belong to?
HIW belongs to the Real Estate sector, specifically classified as an office REIT. Office REITs have faced heightened scrutiny since the rise of hybrid work, making sector context an important lens when evaluating HIW's fundamentals and valuation.
Is HIW a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, HIW leans toward value territory — the Valuation pillar is rated Good while the Growth pillar is rated Weak. This profile is more consistent with an income and value-oriented holding than a growth-driven one.
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Pro Analysis
HIW — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2026 | 39.6 | 57.3 | 23.0 | 28.4 | 27.9 | 64.6 | 0.0 |
| May 12, 2026 | 39.6 | 57.3 | 23.0 | 28.4 | 27.9 | 64.4 | -5.9 |
| May 7, 2026 | 45.5 | 69.4 | 23.0 | 28.1 | 47.1 | 64.8 | -0.2 |
| May 3, 2026 | 45.7 | 69.4 | 23.0 | 28.1 | 47.1 | 65.9 | -0.1 |
| Apr 25, 2026 | 45.8 | 69.4 | 23.0 | 28.1 | 47.1 | 66.8 | 0.0 |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 45.8 | 69.4 | 23.0 | 28.1 | 47.1 | 66.6 | -0.1 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 45.9 | 69.4 | 23.0 | 28.1 | 47.1 | 67.1 | -0.1 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 46.0 | 69.4 | 23.0 | 28.1 | 47.1 | 68.3 | +1.0 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 45.0 | 69.4 | 23.0 | 28.1 | 47.1 | 61.5 | -0.2 |
| Apr 9, 2026 | 45.2 | 69.4 | 23.0 | 28.1 | 47.1 | 62.9 | +0.1 |
HIW — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 57.3/100 (25%)Highwoods Properties, Inc. shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 28.7/100 (20%)Highwoods Properties, Inc. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 27.9/100 (15%)Highwoods Properties, Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 63.3/100 (15%)Highwoods Properties, Inc. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 23/100 (25%)Highwoods Properties, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for HIW.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the HIW UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Highwoods Properties, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Highwoods Properties, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Highwoods Properties, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.