WSR

Real Estate

Whitestone REIT · REIT - Retail · $980M

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
46.6
Below Average

Whitestone REIT scores 46.6/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Real Estate Sector
WSR
46.6
Sector avg
38.4
Quality
Good
Moat
Weak
Growth
Weak
Risk
Neutral
Valuation
Neutral

What is Whitestone REIT?

Whitestone REIT is a community-centered shopping center real estate investment trust focused on open-air neighborhood centers across the Sunbelt. The company targets high-growth, affluent markets where daily-needs retail continues to draw consistent foot traffic.

Whitestone acquires, owns, manages, and redevelops open-air shopping centers in Sunbelt markets. Its strategy centers on curating a tenant mix of national, regional, and local businesses that serve everyday community needs — from groceries and healthcare services to dining and entertainment. Revenue is generated primarily through tenant leases, with the company actively managing its portfolio to maintain occupancy and attract tenants that drive repeat consumer visits.

Whitestone REIT was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

  • Open-air neighborhood shopping center ownership and management
  • Tenant leasing across daily-needs and service categories
  • Property redevelopment and value-add repositioning
  • Community-focused retail environment curation in Sunbelt markets

Is WSR a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates WSR as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key quality dimensions.

Among the five pillars, Quality stands out as the relative bright spot — suggesting Whitestone maintains a reasonable operational foundation compared to its weakest areas. Valuation is rated Neutral, meaning the stock does not appear dramatically mispriced relative to its fundamentals.

Moat, Growth, and Risk are all rated Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation, constrained expansion prospects, and elevated financial or operational vulnerabilities that investors should weigh carefully.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does WSR pay dividends?

Yes — Whitestone REIT pays a dividend.

Whitestone REIT pays a monthly dividend — a cadence that appeals to income-focused investors seeking regular cash flow. The company has maintained consistent dividend payments for over fifteen years, reflecting a long-standing commitment to returning capital to shareholders. As a REIT, Whitestone is required to distribute the majority of its taxable income, making dividends a structural feature of its investment profile.

When does WSR report earnings?

Whitestone REIT reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed REITs.

Whitestone's recent results reflect the dynamics of its Sunbelt-focused portfolio, where occupancy trends and leasing activity in high-growth markets drive performance. The company's ability to maintain tenant quality and manage its capital structure remains central to its quarterly narrative.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Whitestone REIT's investor relations page directly.

WSR Price History

+181.3% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Whitestone REIT?

$
Today it would be worth
$24,363
That's a +144% total return, or +19.5% annualized.

Based on Whitestone REIT'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.

WSR Long-term Outlook

Whitestone's Growth and Risk pillars are both rated Weak, suggesting the near-term fundamental outlook carries more uncertainty than opportunity. The Sunbelt focus provides a structural tailwind from population and income growth in target markets, but limited moat strength means competitive pressures from larger retail landlords could constrain upside. Investors should monitor leasing spreads and occupancy trends as leading indicators of whether the business trajectory improves.

Growth drivers

  • Continued population and income growth in Sunbelt markets driving retail demand
  • Redevelopment and repositioning of existing properties to attract higher-quality tenants
  • Expansion of the community-centered tenant mix to capture daily-needs spending

Key risks

  • Weak moat leaves the portfolio vulnerable to competition from larger, better-capitalized REITs
  • Elevated risk profile may amplify sensitivity to interest rate changes and refinancing costs
  • Constrained growth pipeline limits the pace of portfolio expansion and earnings improvement

WSR vs Peers

Whitestone REIT operates in a competitive open-air retail REIT landscape alongside several peers with distinct strategies and geographic footprints.

SGR-UN.TOWSR scores lower
Slate Grocery REIT

Slate Grocery focuses exclusively on grocery-anchored properties across North America, offering a more defensive tenant profile centered on essential food retail.

BFSSimilar UQS
Saul Centers, Inc.

Saul Centers concentrates its portfolio in the Washington, D.C. metro area, providing geographic concentration in a high-income, stable market rather than Sunbelt diversification.

ALXWSR scores lower
Alexander's, Inc.

Alexander's operates a small, concentrated portfolio of properties in the New York metropolitan area, with a very different market positioning and tenant mix compared to Whitestone's community-center model.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Whitestone REIT do?

Whitestone REIT owns and manages open-air neighborhood shopping centers in Sunbelt markets. The company curates a mix of national, regional, and local tenants providing daily necessities, services, and community-oriented experiences. Its strategy emphasizes high-growth, affluent markets where consistent consumer foot traffic supports stable occupancy.

Does WSR pay dividends?

Yes, Whitestone REIT pays a monthly dividend and has done so consistently for over fifteen years. As a REIT, it is required to distribute most of its taxable income to shareholders. The monthly cadence is relatively uncommon and can appeal to investors who prefer more frequent income distributions.

When does WSR report earnings?

Whitestone REIT reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, in line with standard US-listed REIT practice. For specific dates and the most recent financial results, check Whitestone's official investor relations page, which publishes earnings calendars and press releases.

Is WSR a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates WSR as Below Average overall. While the Quality pillar shows relative strength and Valuation is Neutral, the Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars are all rated Weak. This profile suggests meaningful risks that investors should evaluate carefully before committing capital. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is WSR overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for WSR is rated Neutral, suggesting the stock is neither clearly cheap nor significantly stretched relative to its fundamentals. However, valuation context matters alongside the company's Weak Growth and Risk ratings — a Neutral valuation on a below-average business profile still warrants scrutiny.

How does WSR compare to its competitors?

Whitestone differentiates itself through its Sunbelt community-center focus and monthly dividend structure. Peers like Slate Grocery REIT emphasize grocery-anchored defensive properties, Saul Centers concentrates in the D.C. metro, and Alexander's operates a small New York-focused portfolio. Each reflects a distinct geographic and tenant strategy within the open-air retail REIT space.

What is WSR's market cap bracket?

Whitestone REIT is classified as a small-cap stock. This places it among smaller publicly traded REITs, which can mean less analyst coverage and potentially higher price volatility compared to large-cap or mega-cap peers in the real estate sector.

Who founded Whitestone REIT?

Whitestone REIT was established in 2010 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Founding leadership and corporate history details are publicly available through the company's investor relations materials and SEC filings for those seeking a complete background.

Is WSR a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, WSR's UQS profile raises caution — Weak ratings across Moat, Growth, and Risk suggest the business lacks the durable competitive advantages and low-risk profile typically associated with high-conviction long-term holdings. The Quality pillar provides some offset, but the overall composite is rated Below Average.

What is the main competitive advantage of Whitestone REIT?

Whitestone's positioning in fast-growing, affluent Sunbelt markets is its primary strategic differentiator. By targeting communities with strong population and income growth, the company aims to sustain tenant demand and occupancy. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, indicating this advantage may not be deeply entrenched relative to larger retail REIT competitors.

What sector does WSR belong to?

WSR belongs to the Real Estate sector, specifically operating as a retail REIT focused on open-air neighborhood shopping centers. Investors can explore other [real estate REITs scored by UQS](/sector/real-estate) to compare Whitestone against a broader peer set within the sector.

Unlock Full WSR Analysis

Sign in to unlock the detailed analysis behind the UQS Score.

  • View the complete five-pillar UQS Score breakdown for WSR
  • Access detailed financial metrics behind each pillar rating
  • Compare WSR against sector peers on quality and valuation
  • Track pillar changes as new earnings data is released
  • Screen for stronger-rated REITs using UQS preset filters
Analyze WSR in Detail →

Pro Analysis

WSR — Score History

303540455055Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 8 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 18, 202646.776.123.028.650.158.1+6.6
May 7, 202640.173.223.028.613.755.2+0.1
Apr 28, 202640.073.223.028.613.754.9-0.1
Apr 26, 202640.173.223.028.613.755.30.0
Apr 18, 202640.173.223.028.613.755.6+0.8
Apr 12, 202639.373.223.028.613.750.2-0.7
Apr 5, 202640.073.223.028.813.754.2+2.2
Apr 2, 202637.860.423.037.18.954.8

WSR — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

76.1/100 (25%)

Whitestone REIT demonstrates outstanding capital efficiency and profitability, placing it among the highest-quality businesses in the market.

Return on EquityModerate

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityStrong

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityStrong

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Cash GenerationModerate

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

28.6/100 (20%)

Whitestone REIT faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookWeak

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthWeak

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

50.1/100 (15%)

Whitestone REIT has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.

Debt/EquityWeak

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioStrong

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

57.1/100 (15%)

Whitestone REIT trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.

Earnings YieldWeak

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowStrong

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorStrong

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

23/100 (25%)

Whitestone REIT 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 WSR.

Score Composition

Quality
76.1×25%19.0
Growth
28.6×20%5.7
Risk
50.1×15%7.5
Valuation
57.1×15%8.6
Moat
23.0×25%5.8
Total
46.6Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the WSR UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Whitestone REIT 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 Whitestone REIT'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 Whitestone REIT 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.