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WSR vs WHLR
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
REIT - Retail
WSR vs WHLR — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | REIT - Retail | REIT - Retail |
| Market Cap | $974M | $122M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $165M | $99M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $50M | $12M |
| Gross Margin | 68.8% | 66.8% |
| Operating Margin | 32.9% | 38.8% |
| Forward P/E | 49.1x | — |
| Total Debt | $644M | $484M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $5M | $24M |
WSR vs WHLR — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitestone REIT (WSR) | 100 | 308.3 | +208.3% |
| Wheeler Real Estate… (WHLR) | 100 | 0.0 | -100.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: WSR vs WHLR
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
WSR carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 3 yrs, beta 0.28
- Rev growth 3.4%, EPS growth 31.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 4.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.28, current ratio 2.86x
WHLR is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 100.2% 10Y total return vs WSR's 88.3%
- 5.4% yield; 1-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 3.4% FFO/revenue growth vs WHLR's -4.0% | |
| Value | Better valuation composite | |
| Quality / Margins | 30.6% margin vs WHLR's 11.9% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.28 vs WHLR's 2.39, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 5.4% yield; 1-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +54.5% vs WHLR's -99.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 4.4% ROA vs WHLR's 1.9%, ROIC 3.7% vs 4.9% |
WSR vs WHLR — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
WSR vs WHLR — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WSR leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WSR is the larger business by revenue, generating $165M annually — 1.7x WHLR's $99M. WSR is the more profitable business, keeping 30.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to WHLR's 11.9%. On growth, WSR holds the edge at +8.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $165M | $99M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $91M | $62M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $50M | $12M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $36M | $4M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +68.8% | +66.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +32.9% | +38.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +30.6% | +11.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +21.6% | +4.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +8.0% | -8.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -100.0% | -100.0% |
Valuation Metrics
WHLR leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, WHLR's 9.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than WSR's 18.0x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $974M | $122M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.6B | $582M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 19.96x | -0.03x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 49.12x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.43x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 18.03x | 9.79x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 6.06x | 1.21x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.12x | 1.29x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 19.19x | 30.27x |
Profitability & Efficiency
WHLR leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WHLR delivers a 12.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $12 in annual profit, vs $11 for WSR. WSR carries lower financial leverage with a 1.39x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to WHLR's 5.11x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), WSR scores 7/9 vs WHLR's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +11.1% | +12.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.4% | +1.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.7% | +4.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.8% | +6.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.39x | 5.11x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $639M | $460M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $5M | $24M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $644M | $484M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.52x | 1.44x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
WSR leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in WSR five years ago would be worth $22,598 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $0 for WHLR. Over the past 12 months, WSR leads with a +54.5% total return vs WHLR's -99.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors WSR at 33.6% vs WHLR's -99.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +38.3% | -93.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +54.5% | -99.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +138.5% | -100.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +126.0% | -100.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +88.3% | +100.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +33.6% | -99.0% |
Risk & Volatility
WSR leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
WSR is the less volatile stock with a 0.28 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than WHLR's 2.39 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. WSR currently trades 99.7% from its 52-week high vs WHLR's 0.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.28x | 2.39x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $19.01 | $904.50 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $11.43 | $1.03 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +99.7% | +0.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 82.1 | 22.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 479K | 219K |
Analyst Outlook
WSR leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates WSR as "Hold" and WHLR as "Buy". WHLR is the only dividend payer here at 5.38% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $18.25 | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 16 | 5 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +5.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.06 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.2% | 0.0% |
WSR leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). WHLR leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency).
WSR vs WHLR: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is WSR or WHLR a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Whitestone REIT (WSR) is the stronger pick with 3.
4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -4. 0% for Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (WHLR). Whitestone REIT (WSR) offers the better valuation at 20. 0x trailing P/E (49. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (WHLR) a "Buy" — based on 5 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — WSR or WHLR?
Over the past 5 years, Whitestone REIT (WSR) delivered a total return of +126.
0%, compared to -100. 0% for Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (WHLR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WHLR returned +100. 2% versus WSR's +88. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — WSR or WHLR?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Whitestone REIT (WSR) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
28β versus Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. 's 2. 39β — meaning WHLR is approximately 757% more volatile than WSR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Whitestone REIT (WSR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 139% versus 5% for Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — WSR or WHLR?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Whitestone REIT (WSR) is pulling ahead at 3.
4% versus -4. 0% for Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (WHLR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. grew EPS 100. 0% year-over-year, compared to 31. 9% for Whitestone REIT. Over a 3-year CAGR, WHLR leads at 9. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
05Which has better profit margins — WSR or WHLR?
Whitestone REIT (WSR) is the more profitable company, earning 31.
0% net margin versus 8. 7% for Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. — meaning it keeps 31. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WHLR leads at 36. 4% versus 33. 3% for WSR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WSR leads at 68. 8%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Which pays a better dividend — WSR or WHLR?
In this comparison, WHLR (5.
4% yield) pays a dividend. WSR does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
07Is WSR or WHLR better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Whitestone REIT (WSR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
28)). Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (WHLR) carries a higher beta of 2. 39 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (WSR: +88. 3%, WHLR: +100. 2%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
08What are the main differences between WSR and WHLR?
Both stocks operate in the Real Estate sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: WSR is a small-cap quality compounder stock; WHLR is a small-cap income-oriented stock. WHLR pays a dividend while WSR does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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