Empowered Funds LLC Acquires Shares of 11,995 Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HIW)

Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new stake in Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HIW - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 11,995 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock, valued at approximately $367,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in HIW. Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of Highwoods Properties in the third quarter worth approximately $48,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its holdings in shares of Highwoods Properties by 12.0% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 3,052 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $93,000 after buying an additional 327 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of Highwoods Properties by 269.8% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,221 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $108,000 after buying an additional 2,350 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Highwoods Properties by 55.8% during the 3rd quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,260 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $109,000 after acquiring an additional 1,167 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its position in Highwoods Properties by 35.1% in the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 4,114 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $135,000 after acquiring an additional 1,069 shares in the last quarter. 96.31% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Highwoods Properties Trading Down 0.8 %

HIW traded down $0.23 during trading on Friday, hitting $29.22. 1,289,709 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 932,986. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.76 and a beta of 1.24. Highwoods Properties, Inc. has a 12-month low of $23.14 and a 12-month high of $36.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.25. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $29.71 and a 200 day moving average of $31.57.

Highwoods Properties (NYSE:HIW - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.85 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $0.85. Highwoods Properties had a net margin of 12.37% and a return on equity of 4.33%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Highwoods Properties, Inc. will post 3.36 EPS for the current year.

Highwoods Properties Announces Dividend

The firm 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 6.84%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. Highwoods Properties's payout ratio is 210.53%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have weighed in on HIW. StockNews.com downgraded Highwoods Properties from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price 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. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Highwoods Properties from $24.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Highwoods Properties from $32.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Highwoods Properties from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $30.71.

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.