WHITESTONE REIT DL-,001

Shareholders of Whitestone REIT have approved a full cash takeover by certain Ares real estate funds at $19.00 per share, valuing the company at about $1.7 billion. The transaction is expected to close on or around July 14, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. The stock is trading near its 52-week high; however, analysts consider it overvalued relative to fair value after a nearly 56% price gain in the past year. » Mere på de.investing.com

Whitestone REIT has signed a lease with architecture and engineering firm Parkhill for about 5,800 square feet at BLVD Place in Houston’s Uptown District. The space is on the second floor of the 217,074-square-foot mixed-use complex, whose anchor tenants are Whole Foods and Frost Bank. Whitestone acquired the property in 2017, has since optimized the tenant mix and also signed a lease with a national sports provider for rooftop space. The stock trades near its 52-week high; the company offers a 3.5% dividend yield and has raised the dividend four years in a row. » Mere på de.investing.com

The stock of Whitestone REIT rose about 3.5% after reports that private-equity firms such as Blackstone and TPG had expressed interest in a takeover and signed confidentiality agreements. Whitestone has engaged Bank of America to run the sale process, which begins shortly after reports of proxy fights over seats on the board of directors. Major shareholder MCB had earlier submitted an offer of $15.20 per share; the company has long been under pressure from investors over its cost structure and corporate governance. » Mere på de.investing.com

Whitestone reported Q4 2025 earnings per share of $0.43 (258% above consensus) and revenue of $43.9 million, both well above expectations. Occupancy rose to a record 94.6%, and the focus on 1,500–3,000 ft² "shop spaces" is driving higher rents and stable cash flows. Balance-sheet improvement is reflected in a decline in Debt/EBITDAre from 9.1x to 7.0x, and management forecasts Core FFO per share of $1.10–$1.14 for 2026 with increased renovation investments of $20–30 million. » Mere på de.investing.com

MCB Real Estate, which holds about a 9.2% stake in Whitestone REIT, is urging the board to respond to a cash offer of $15.20 per share and is threatening to vote against all incumbent directors at the next annual meeting if it does not. The offer represents an 8% premium to the current share price and was a 21% premium when first offered on November 3, 2025; MCB says it is willing to raise the price if Whitestone allows due diligence and demonstrates a higher value. MCB has retained Wells Fargo as financial advisor and Vinson & Elkins as legal counsel and states the offer is not subject to a financing condition. » Mere på de.investing.com