ARE vs. HIW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 29, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ARE and HIW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Both ARE and HIW are Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). These entities are required to distribute the majority of their taxable income to shareholders, often resulting in higher dividend yields.

Symbol	ARE	HIW
Company Name	Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.	Highwoods Properties, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Real Estate	Real Estate
GICS Industry	Office REITs	Office REITs
Market Capitalization	13.95 billion USD	3.40 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	May 28, 1997	June 8, 1994
Security Type	REIT	REIT

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ARE and HIW by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

ARE vs. HIW: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ARE	HIW
5-Day Price Return	5.57%	5.48%
13-Week Price Return	16.15%	4.41%
26-Week Price Return	-14.49%	5.44%
52-Week Price Return	-32.82%	-3.36%
Month-to-Date Return	6.92%	6.20%
Year-to-Date Return	-16.23%	0.75%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.24M	1.02M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.69M	0.99M
3-Month Volatility	30.08%	22.06%
Beta	1.33	1.26

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ARE

-0.06%

Office REITs Industry

Max: 9.47%
Q3: 6.07%
Median: 3.22%
Q1: 0.83%
Min: -0.08%

ARE has a negative Return on Equity of -0.06%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

HIW

5.43%

Office REITs Industry

Max: 9.47%
Q3: 6.07%
Median: 3.22%
Q1: 0.83%
Min: -0.08%

HIW’s Return on Equity of 5.43% is on par with the norm for the Office REITs industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

ARE vs. HIW: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Office REITs industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ARE

-0.32%

Office REITs Industry

Max: 74.75%
Q3: 44.46%
Median: 31.39%
Q1: 5.85%
Min: -0.35%

In the Office REITs industry, Net Profit Margin is often not the primary profitability metric.

HIW

15.91%

Office REITs Industry

Max: 74.75%
Q3: 44.46%
Median: 31.39%
Q1: 5.85%
Min: -0.35%

In the Office REITs industry, Net Profit Margin is often not the primary profitability metric.

ARE vs. HIW: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Office REITs industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ARE

12.67%

Office REITs Industry

Max: 91.62%
Q3: 51.67%
Median: 42.78%
Q1: 23.56%
Min: 14.93%

In the Office REITs industry, Operating Profit Margin is often not the primary measure of operational efficiency.

HIW

22.18%

Office REITs Industry

Max: 91.62%
Q3: 51.67%
Median: 42.78%
Q1: 23.56%
Min: 14.93%

In the Office REITs industry, Operating Profit Margin is often not the primary measure of operational efficiency.

ARE vs. HIW: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Office REITs industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ARE	HIW
Return on Equity (TTM)	-0.06%	5.43%
Return on Assets (TTM)	-0.03%	2.13%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	-0.32%	15.91%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	12.67%	22.18%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	71.25%	67.21%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ARE

0.40

Office REITs Industry

Max: 1.49
Q3: 1.22
Median: 0.67
Q1: 0.44
Min: 0.14

ARE’s Current Ratio of 0.40 falls into the lower quartile for the Office REITs industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

HIW

1.36

Office REITs Industry

Max: 1.49
Q3: 1.22
Median: 0.67
Q1: 0.44
Min: 0.14

HIW’s Current Ratio of 1.36 is in the upper quartile for the Office REITs industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

ARE vs. HIW: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Office REITs industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ARE

0.77

Office REITs Industry

Max: 1.62
Q3: 1.32
Median: 0.87
Q1: 0.73
Min: 0.42

ARE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.77 is typical for the Office REITs industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

HIW

1.41

Office REITs Industry

Max: 1.62
Q3: 1.32
Median: 0.87
Q1: 0.73
Min: 0.42

HIW’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Office REITs industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.41. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

ARE vs. HIW: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Office REITs industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ARE

2.75

Office REITs Industry

Max: 3.98
Q3: 3.37
Median: 1.66
Q1: 1.16
Min: 0.14

ARE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.75 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Office REITs industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

HIW

1.73

Office REITs Industry

Max: 3.98
Q3: 3.37
Median: 1.66
Q1: 1.16
Min: 0.14

HIW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.73 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Office REITs industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

ARE vs. HIW: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Office REITs industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ARE	HIW
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.40	1.36
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.40	1.36
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.77	1.41
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	2.75	1.73

Growth

Revenue Growth

ARE vs. HIW: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ARE vs. HIW: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ARE

6.74%

Office REITs Industry

Max: 6.88%
Q3: 5.94%
Median: 4.58%
Q1: 3.82%
Min: 1.22%

With a Dividend Yield of 6.74%, ARE offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Office REITs industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

HIW

6.80%

Office REITs Industry

Max: 6.88%
Q3: 5.94%
Median: 4.58%
Q1: 3.82%
Min: 1.22%

With a Dividend Yield of 6.80%, HIW offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Office REITs industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

ARE vs. HIW: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Office REITs industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ARE

174.29%

Office REITs Industry

Max: 231.12%
Q3: 180.65%
Median: 94.76%
Q1: 87.60%
Min: 1.02%

ARE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 174.29% is within the typical range for the Office REITs industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

HIW

123.06%

Office REITs Industry

Max: 231.12%
Q3: 180.65%
Median: 94.76%
Q1: 87.60%
Min: 1.02%

HIW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 123.06% is within the typical range for the Office REITs industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

ARE vs. HIW: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Office REITs industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ARE	HIW
Dividend Yield (TTM)	6.74%	6.80%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	174.29%	123.06%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ARE

Office REITs Industry

Max: 48.29
Q3: 44.14
Median: 23.60
Q1: 18.77
Min: 6.08

The P/E Ratio is often not the primary metric for valuation in the Office REITs industry.

HIW

24.71

Office REITs Industry

Max: 48.29
Q3: 44.14
Median: 23.60
Q1: 18.77
Min: 6.08

The P/E Ratio is often not the primary metric for valuation in the Office REITs industry.

ARE vs. HIW: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Office REITs industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ARE

4.21

Office REITs Industry

Max: 14.09
Q3: 9.33
Median: 6.96
Q1: 4.25
Min: 2.65

In the lower quartile for the Office REITs industry, ARE’s P/S Ratio of 4.21 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

HIW

3.93

Office REITs Industry

Max: 14.09
Q3: 9.33
Median: 6.96
Q1: 4.25
Min: 2.65

In the lower quartile for the Office REITs industry, HIW’s P/S Ratio of 3.93 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

ARE vs. HIW: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Office REITs industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ARE

0.73

Office REITs Industry

Max: 2.06
Q3: 1.34
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.68
Min: 0.57

ARE’s P/B Ratio of 0.73 is within the conventional range for the Office REITs industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

HIW

1.41

Office REITs Industry

Max: 2.06
Q3: 1.34
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.68
Min: 0.57

HIW’s P/B Ratio of 1.41 is in the upper tier for the Office REITs industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

ARE vs. HIW: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Office REITs industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ARE	HIW
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	--	24.71
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	4.21	3.93
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	0.73	1.41
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	539.86	17.94