Highwoods Properties (HIW) vs National Health Investors (NHI)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Highwoods Properties (HIW) has outperformed National Health Investors (NHI) over the past year, losing 7.6% versus a loss of 13.9%. Over five years, NHI leads with a +14.3% price change compared with -37.3% for HIW. Highwoods Properties is the larger company by market cap ($3.26 billion vs $3.18 billion), about 1.0 times the size, while National Health Investors is growing revenue faster (+12.1% vs -2.4%).
On valuation, National Health Investors trades at a lower forward P/E (19.3x vs 41.5x for Highwoods Properties). Highwoods Properties offers the higher dividend yield (6.89% vs 5.67%). National Health Investors converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 37.9% versus 20.2%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | HIW | NHI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $29.04 | $64.85 |
| Market cap | $3.26B | $3.18B |
| 1-day change | -0.48% | +0.42% |
| YTD return | +13.01% | -15.44% |
| 1-year return | -7.60% | -13.94% |
| 5-year return | -37.31% | +14.30% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.23 | 18.74 |
| Forward P/E | 41.49 | 19.33 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.51 | $3.46 |
| Dividend yield | 6.89% | 5.67% |
| Annual dividend | $2.00 | $3.68 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $806.11M | $375.63M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -2.39% | +12.07% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $162.65M | $142.18M |
| Operating margin | 67.58% | — |
| Net margin | 20.18% | 37.85% |
| 52-week high | $35.44 | $91.38 |
| 52-week low | $20.45 | $63.51 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.06% | -29.03% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +11.33% | +26.26% |
| Average volume | 1.24M | 377.82K |
| Shares outstanding | 110.31M | 49.11M |
| Employees | 315 | 32 |
| Sector | Real Estate | Real Estate |
| Industry | Real Estate Investment Trusts | Real Estate Investment Trusts |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Highwoods Properties offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.89% vs 5.67%).
- National Health Investors is more profitable, keeping 37.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 20.2 cents for Highwoods Properties.
- National Health Investors grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+12.07% vs -2.39%).
About Highwoods Properties
HIW stock →Highwoods Properties, Inc. is a publicly traded fully integrated office real estate investment trust 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.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 315 employees
About National Health Investors
NHI stock →National Health Investors, Inc. is a self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT).
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 32 employees
HIW vs NHI FAQ
Which is bigger, Highwoods Properties or National Health Investors?
Highwoods Properties (HIW) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.26B compared with $3.18B for National Health Investors (NHI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HIW or NHI?
HIW returned -7.60% over the past 12 months, compared with -13.94% for NHI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HIW or NHI?
NHI has the lower trailing P/E at 18.7, versus 19.2 for HIW. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Highwoods Properties or National Health Investors?
Highwoods Properties has the higher yield at 6.89%, compared with 5.67% for National Health Investors.
Are Highwoods Properties and National Health Investors in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.