Whitestone REIT (NYSE:WSR) Sees Significant Decline in Short Interest

Whitestone REIT (NYSE:WSR) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 301,700 shares, a drop of 28.6% from the February 13th total of 422,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 223,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.4 days. Currently, 0.6% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently weighed in on WSR. StockNews.com began coverage on Whitestone REIT in a report on Wednesday. They set a “hold” rating for the company. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Whitestone REIT from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 29th. Finally, JMP Securities reaffirmed a “market outperform” rating and issued a $16.00 price objective on shares of Whitestone REIT in a report on Tuesday, December 10th.

Whitestone REIT Price Performance

NYSE WSR traded up $0.16 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $14.46. The company had a trading volume of 240,765 shares, compared to its average volume of 266,402. The company has a market capitalization of $732.49 million, a PE ratio of 35.28, a P/E/G ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a current ratio of 2.17, a quick ratio of 2.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $13.59 and a 200-day moving average price of $13.86. Whitestone REIT has a twelve month low of $10.77 and a twelve month high of $15.36.

Whitestone REIT Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 12th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be issued a $0.045 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.54 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.73%. Whitestone REIT’s dividend payout ratio is presently 76.06%.

About Whitestone REIT

Whitestone REIT (NYSE: WSR) is a community-centered real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, owns, operates, and develops open-air, retail centers located in some of the fastest growing markets in the country: Phoenix, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Our centers are convenience focused: merchandised with a mix of service-oriented tenants providing food (restaurants and grocers), self-care (health and fitness), services (financial and logistics), education and entertainment to the surrounding communities.