Truist Securities Raises Highwoods Properties PT to $33, Maintains Hold Rating

Truist Securities Raises Highwoods Properties PT to $33, Maintains Hold Rating

Title: Truist Securities Raises Highwoods Properties Price Target to $33, Maintains Hold Rating

Truist Securities has recently upgraded its price target for Highwoods Properties (HIW) to $33, while maintaining a Hold rating. This move comes amid a period of strong performance for the company, which has seen its stock price rise significantly despite challenges in the broader office REIT sector.

Highwoods Properties has demonstrated resilience and growth in the face of high interest rates and shifting work trends. The company's stock has outperformed peers, rising 43% from 2023 to 2024 and trading near analysts' $32 price target. Truist's upgrade reflects the company's strategic positioning in high-demand markets and improved fundamentals [1].

The REIT's robust portfolio, which includes 27.4 million rentable square feet (RSF) of in-service properties and 1.4 million RSF under development, has contributed to its success. Strong leasing activity in Q2 2025, totaling 920,000 square feet, highlights the company's ability to capitalize on market demand. With a 85.6% occupancy rate and a $700 million liquidity buffer, Highwoods Properties is well-positioned for future growth [1].

Despite a higher risk profile, indicated by a beta of 1.23, Highwoods Properties has delivered a 3-year return of 30.96%, outpacing the S&P 500. The company's 6.4% dividend yield provides income investors with a defensive anchor. Truist's upgraded 2025 funds from operations (FFO) forecast to $3.42 per share and 2026 projection of $3.57 underscore confidence in the company's earnings resilience [1].

The stock's recent performance has seen it trade near analyst price targets, with a consensus "Hold" rating and an average 12-month price target of $32.00. Analysts remain cautiously optimistic, with some targets ranging from $30.00 to $35.00. The stock has outperformed the low end of these targets, trading near the upper bound of the forecast range [1].

Truist's upgrade signals a favorable risk-reward setup for investors. The current valuation presents an opportunity to capitalize on a REIT with tangible net operating income (NOI) growth and a defensive yield. Despite sector-wide challenges, Highwoods Properties' focus on high-growth markets and disciplined capital allocation positions it to outperform [1].

References
1. [Highwoods Properties (HIW) Stock Forecast & Price Target](https://www.marketbeat.com/stocks/NYSE/HIW/forecast/)
2. [Highwoods Properties Gets A Vote Of Confidence From Truist](https://finimize.com/content/highwoods-properties-gets-a-vote-of-confidence-from-truist)
3. [Highwoods Properties - 31 Year Stock Price History](https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/HIW/highwoods-properties/stock-price-history)
4. [HIW: Highwoods Properties - Full Company Report](https://www.zacks.com/stock/research/HIW/company-reports)
5. [Highwoods Properties, Inc. (HIW) Dividends](https://www.digrin.com/stocks/detail/HIW/)