HIW vs CNS Comparison

Highwoods Properties Inc is a fully integrated office REIT that owns, develops, acquires, leases, and manages office properties mainly in the best business districts of Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh, Richmond, and Tampa. Its principal business is the operation, acquisition, and development of rental office properties, with no material inter-segment transactions. The Company evaluates performance by geographic location, and the operating results by geographic grouping are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker. The core portfolio consists mainly of office properties in its key markets, with the majority of revenue derived from its Raleigh properties.

Cohen & Steers is a niche asset manager concentrating on real estate securities. The firm invests primarily in the equity shares of real estate investment trusts, with holdings in domestic and international real estate securities accounting for nearly two-thirds of its $99.5 billion in managed assets at the end of May 2026. Cohen & Steers also manages portfolios dedicated to preferred securities, utilities stocks, and other high-yield offerings. The firm's distribution is balanced among its closed-end funds, open-end funds, and institutional accounts. During the past four calendar quarters, the company garnered 39% (25%) of its managed assets (base management fees) from institutional clients, 48% (55%) from open-end funds, and 13% (20%) from closed-end funds.