J. W. Mays (MAYS)
Market Price (12/24/2025): $38.3 | Market Cap: $77.2 MilSector: Real Estate | Industry: Real Estate Services
J. W. Mays (MAYS)
Market Price (12/24/2025): $38.3Market Cap: $77.2 MilSector: Real EstateIndustry: Real Estate Services
Investment Highlights Why It Matters Detailed financial logic regarding cash flow yields vs trend-riding momentum.
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 12% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -55%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -100% | Not profitable at operating income levelOp Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -0.7 Mil, Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is -3.1% |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 26% | Expensive valuation multiplesP/CFOPrice/(Cash Flow from Operations). CFO is cash before capital expenditures. is 29x | |
| Weak revenue growthRev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is 0.2%, Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -5.2% | ||
| Significant short interestShort Interest Days-to-CoverDTC = (Short Interest Share Quantity) / (Average Daily Trading Volume). Reflects how many days it would take to cover (close out) the short interest based on average volumes. High DTC can signify an increased risk of a short squeeze. is 28.18 | ||
| Key risksMAYS key risks include [1] tenant instability and revenue loss within its geographically concentrated real estate portfolio, Show more. |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 12% |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 26% |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -55%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -100% |
| Not profitable at operating income levelOp Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -0.7 Mil, Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is -3.1% |
| Expensive valuation multiplesP/CFOPrice/(Cash Flow from Operations). CFO is cash before capital expenditures. is 29x |
| Weak revenue growthRev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is 0.2%, Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -5.2% |
| Significant short interestShort Interest Days-to-CoverDTC = (Short Interest Share Quantity) / (Average Daily Trading Volume). Reflects how many days it would take to cover (close out) the short interest based on average volumes. High DTC can signify an increased risk of a short squeeze. is 28.18 |
| Key risksMAYS key risks include [1] tenant instability and revenue loss within its geographically concentrated real estate portfolio, Show more. |
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Analysis | Feedback
J. W. Mays (MAYS) experienced a -0.7% stock movement, primarily influenced by the following factors observed around the most recent available date:1. Significant Net Loss Reported in Q1 2025. The company reported a net loss of $334,027, or ($.17) per share, for the three months ended October 31, 2025. This was a notable decline compared to a net income of $26,657, or $.01 per share, in the same period the previous year.
2. Decline in Rental Income. J. W. Mays, Inc. saw a decrease in rental income, which fell to $5.251 million from $5.539 million year-over-year. This reduction was primarily attributed to the loss of tenants and rent concessions.
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Stock Movement Drivers
Fundamental Drivers
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Market Drivers
9/23/2025 to 12/23/2025| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| MAYS | -0.7% | |
| Market (SPY) | 3.7% | 37.3% |
| Sector (XLRE) | -4.3% | 42.6% |
Fundamental Drivers
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Market Drivers
6/24/2025 to 12/23/2025| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| MAYS | -6.1% | |
| Market (SPY) | 13.7% | 3.0% |
| Sector (XLRE) | -4.2% | -30.3% |
Fundamental Drivers
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Market Drivers
12/23/2024 to 12/23/2025| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| MAYS | -14.2% | |
| Market (SPY) | 16.7% | -29.8% |
| Sector (XLRE) | 1.4% | -23.9% |
Fundamental Drivers
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Market Drivers
12/24/2023 to 12/23/2025| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| MAYS | -10.1% | |
| Market (SPY) | 48.4% | -21.1% |
| Sector (XLRE) | 7.1% | -20.8% |
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| MAYS Return | -27% | 80% | 18% | -13% | 5% | -14% | 23% |
| Peers Return | -25% | 66% | -13% | 7% | 14% | -7% | 24% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 17% | 114% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| MAYS Win Rate | 33% | 67% | 58% | 50% | 42% | 50% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 40% | 83% | 40% | 53% | 57% | 40% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 73% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| MAYS Max Drawdown | -40% | -0% | -9% | -15% | -0% | -18% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -58% | -4% | -29% | -15% | -9% | -20% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: KIM, FRT, BRX, SITC, REG.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/23/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | MAYS | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -36.0% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 56.3% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -45.7% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 84.2% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 302 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -34.6% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 52.8% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 959 days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -82.9% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 484.0% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 1,331 days | 1,480 days |
Compare to OPEN, GBR, GYRO, CLBZ, GTSG
In The Past
J. W. Mays's stock fell -36.0% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 8/9/2022. A -36.0% loss requires a 56.3% gain to breakeven.
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AI Analysis | Feedback
Here are 1-2 brief analogies for J. W. Mays (MAYS):
A Vornado Realty Trust, but focused on a few large commercial buildings primarily in the NYC metro area.
Simon Property Group for individual urban commercial buildings, rather than a portfolio of malls.
AI Analysis | Feedback
- Commercial Real Estate Leasing: Leasing of retail, office, and industrial space in its owned properties to various tenants.
AI Analysis | Feedback
J. W. Mays (MAYS) operates as a real estate company that owns, operates, and develops commercial retail properties in New York. Its business model involves leasing these properties to various tenants.
Therefore, J. W. Mays primarily sells to other companies, which are its commercial retail tenants. However, according to the company's latest annual report (10-K filing for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2023), no single tenant accounted for more than 10% of total revenue.
This indicates that J. W. Mays does not have individually identifiable "major customers" that represent a significant concentration of its revenue. Its customer base consists of a diverse range of retail businesses that lease space in its properties located in Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island, New York.
Due to the absence of any major customers meeting the 10% revenue threshold and the company's practice of not disclosing specific individual tenants unless they are material, it is not possible to list specific names of "major customer companies."
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Lloyd J. Shulman Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Shulman serves as the Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Operating Officer of J. W. Mays, Inc.. The management team, of which he is a part, has an average tenure of 30.7 years with the company. J.W. Mays was acquired by a group led by Lloyd I. Goldman in 1986, and Lloyd J. Shulman has been a key figure in leadership since then.
Ward N. Lyke, Jr. Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer
Mr. Lyke has held the position of Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer, and Treasurer since January 2024. He has been an Executive Vice President and Officer of J. W. Mays, Inc. since 1984, and served as Assistant Treasurer since 2003. Mr. Lyke manages key functions for the Company's accounting, finance, and treasury strategies, including risk management.
George Silva Vice President, Operations
Mr. Silva serves as the Vice President of Operations for J. W. Mays, Inc..
Mark S. Greenblatt Director, Vice President, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer
Mr. Greenblatt holds multiple roles including Director, Vice President, Treasurer, and Principal Financial Officer.
Salvatore Cappuzzo Secretary
Mr. Cappuzzo is the Secretary of J. W. Mays, Inc..
AI Analysis | Feedback
The primary risks to J. W. Mays (MAYS), a commercial real estate holding company, revolve around the dynamics of the commercial real estate market, the costs associated with property management, and its concentrated ownership structure.
- Challenges in the Commercial Real Estate Market and Tenant Stability: J. W. Mays' revenue is almost exclusively derived from leasing its commercial properties, primarily located in the New York City metropolitan area and Ohio. The business is highly susceptible to factors such as the financial stability of its tenants, the increasing competition from online retail affecting demand for physical store space, and the long-term trend of remote work reducing the need for commercial office space. Recent financial reports indicate a decrease in rental income due to tenant losses and rent concessions.
- Increasing Costs for Property Development and Tenant Improvements: The company faces the risk of escalating costs required to prepare ("fit up") properties for new tenants. These rising expenses could limit J. W. Mays' ability to develop its properties and secure new leases, potentially delaying revenue-generating opportunities if adequate financing is not readily available.
- Risks Related to Ownership Structure: J. W. Mays has a controlling shareholder group that possesses significant voting power. This presents a risk that decisions made by this group, while somewhat mitigated by a board of directors with a majority of independent members, may primarily favor their interests and not always align with the interests of all shareholders.
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The clear emerging threat for J. W. Mays (MAYS) is the ongoing and accelerating structural shift in consumer behavior towards e-commerce and away from traditional brick-and-mortar retail, significantly diminishing demand for large commercial retail spaces. This trend forces property owners like J. W. Mays to undertake costly and complex redevelopment or repurposing projects to attract new types of tenants (e.g., experiential retail, logistics, non-retail commercial uses, residential conversions) or risk prolonged vacancies and declining asset value. This parallels historical disruptions where new business models (like Netflix's streaming) rendered established ones (Blockbuster's physical rentals) obsolete.
AI Analysis | Feedback
J. W. Mays, Inc. (MAYS) operates primarily as a real estate holding and management company, generating revenue through leasing retail space in its commercial properties. The company's properties are located within the New York City metropolitan area and Circleville, Ohio, United States. The addressable market for J. W. Mays's main services is the retail commercial real estate market in the United States. The U.S. commercial real estate market size is estimated at USD 1.70 trillion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.94 trillion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61% during this period. In 2024, the retail sector accounted for approximately 27% of the sales volume across the four major commercial real estate sectors in the U.S. Based on these figures, the estimated addressable market for retail commercial real estate in the U.S. in 2025 is approximately USD 459 billion (27% of USD 1.70 trillion). This market size is for the U.S. region.AI Analysis | Feedback
Here are 3 expected drivers of future revenue growth for J. W. Mays (MAYS) over the next 2-3 years:- Increased Rental Income from Existing Tenants: J. W. Mays, as a real estate company, derives a significant portion of its revenue from rental income. Recent financial reports indicate an increase in revenues attributed to higher rent from existing tenants. This suggests that the company may continue to implement rent adjustments or benefit from escalating clauses in its current lease agreements, leading to revenue growth.
- Growth in New Leases and Occupancy: The company's recent earnings show an increase in revenue partly due to new leases. Continued efforts in securing new tenants for its commercial real estate spaces, particularly in locations like Brooklyn, New York, and Circleville, Ohio, will contribute to future revenue expansion.
- Strategic Capital Expenditures and Property Enhancements: J. W. Mays anticipates investing an additional $1.5 million in capital expenditures over the next twelve months. These investments could be directed towards improving existing properties, making them more attractive to potential tenants, or expanding current facilities, which can lead to higher occupancy rates and increased rental income in the future.
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Capital Allocation Decisions (Last 3-5 Years)
Share Issuance
- As of September 2, 2025, J.W. Mays, Inc. had 2,015,780 shares of common stock outstanding.
- The number of shares outstanding remained relatively stable at 2.02 million as of October 28, 2025.
Capital Expenditures
- The Company anticipated incurring an additional $2.2 million in capital expenditures over the twelve months ending July 31, 2025, including estimated costs to complete improvements.
- J.W. Mays Inc. expected approximately $1.2 million in capital expenditures over the next twelve months as of April 30, 2024, primarily focused on tenant improvements and other property enhancements.
- For the year ended July 31, 2025, significant capital expenditures included $43,430 for elevators at the Fishkill, New York building, and initial costs of $100,928 for new tenant improvements at the Bond Street building in Brooklyn, New York (with total costs for that project reaching $1,005,490 when completed in September 2024).
Trade Ideas
Select ideas related to MAYS. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10312025 | MPW | Medical Properties Trust | Special | Short Squeeze PotentialShort Squeeze PotentialHas potential for a short squeeze. High short interest, rising short interest and high debt. | -1.3% | -1.3% | -5.8% |
Research & Analysis
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Peer Comparisons for J. W. Mays
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 31.93 |
| Mkt Cap | 8.4 |
| Rev LTM | 1,300 |
| Op Inc LTM | 466 |
| FCF LTM | 485 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 441 |
| CFO LTM | 616 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 589 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 5.7% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 5.0% |
| Rev Chg Q | 5.6% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 1.4% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 34.4% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 33.9% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | 0.0% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 47.4% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 47.7% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 37.0% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 43.1% |
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 10312025 | 12112025 | 10-Q 10/31/2025 |
| 7312025 | 10232025 | 10-K 7/31/2025 |
| 4302025 | 6122025 | 10-Q 4/30/2025 |
| 1312025 | 3132025 | 10-Q 1/31/2025 |
| 10312024 | 12122024 | 10-Q 10/31/2024 |
| 7312024 | 10242024 | 10-K 7/31/2024 |
| 4302024 | 6132024 | 10-Q 4/30/2024 |
| 1312024 | 3142024 | 10-Q 1/31/2024 |
| 10312023 | 12072023 | 10-Q 10/31/2023 |
| 7312023 | 10192023 | 10-K 7/31/2023 |
| 4302023 | 6082023 | 10-Q 4/30/2023 |
| 1312023 | 3092023 | 10-Q 1/31/2023 |
| 10312022 | 12082022 | 10-Q 10/31/2022 |
| 7312022 | 10202022 | 10-K 7/31/2022 |
| 4302022 | 6092022 | 10-Q 4/30/2022 |
| 1312022 | 3102022 | 10-Q 1/31/2022 |
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| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |
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