Highwoods Properties(HIW) ZACKS·2025-04-30 15:25Core Viewpoint - Highwoods Properties Inc. (HIW) reported a first-quarter 2025 FFO per share of 83 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 82 cents but lower than the previous year's 89 cents, indicating mixed performance amid healthy leasing activity and rent growth [1][3] Financial Performance - Rental and other revenues totaled $200.4 million, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $205.2 million and representing a 5.4% year-over-year decline [2] - The average in-place cash rent increased by 2.5% per square foot compared to the prior year, while same-property cash NOI decreased by 3.4% year over year to $132.3 million [3] Leasing Activity - Highwoods engaged in second-generation leasing activity covering 700,000 square feet, including 252,000 square feet of new leases, with a dollar-weighted average lease term of 5.3 years [4] - GAAP rent growth was reported at 12.8%, and net effective rents were 21% higher than the average of the previous five quarters [4] Portfolio Management - The company acquired the Advance Auto Parts Tower, a Class AA office building in Raleigh, for $138 million, and sold non-core office buildings in Tampa, FL, for $145 million [5] Balance Sheet and Liquidity - Highwoods reported total available liquidity exceeding $700 million, which includes cash, revolving credit facility availability, and undrawn joint venture construction loans [6] - The net debt-to-adjusted EBITDAre ratio was reported at 6.4, slightly up from 6.29 at the end of December 2024 [6] Guidance Revision - The company raised its 2025 FFO per share guidance to a range of $3.31-$3.47 from the previous $3.26-$3.44, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate currently at $3.35 [7] - Expected growth in same-property cash NOI is projected between -4.0% and -2.0%, with average occupancy anticipated to be between 85% and 86.5% [7]