Company Description
J.W. Mays, Inc. (MAYS) is a real estate company whose business centers on owning and leasing commercial properties. According to available information, the company is engaged in leasing office and retail space to tenants under operating leases, with properties located in several communities in New York State, including Brooklyn, Circleville, Fishkill, Jamaica, Levittown, and Massapequa. Its common stock, with a par value of $1 per share, trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol MAYS.
The company is incorporated in New York and operates in the sector described as operators of nonresidential buildings. Its activities, as described in public disclosures, focus on commercial real estate, where income is generated through rental arrangements with tenants occupying office and retail premises. These leases are characterized as operating leases in the company’s description, indicating that J.W. Mays, Inc. retains ownership of the underlying properties while tenants use the space under contractual agreements.
Corporate structure and shareholder base
J.W. Mays, Inc. has a single class of voting security, its common stock. A definitive proxy statement describes the outstanding shares of common stock and notes that each share is entitled to one vote on matters presented at shareholder meetings. The proxy materials also outline the presence of significant shareholders, including entities and trusts that collectively hold a substantial portion of the company’s outstanding common stock. These disclosures indicate a concentrated ownership structure, with certain related parties and entities, such as Weinstein Enterprises, Inc. and its subsidiaries, identified as beneficial owners of a notable percentage of the shares.
The proxy statement further explains how proxies are solicited, how shareholders may vote in person or by proxy at the annual meeting, and how quorum and voting outcomes are determined. It also describes the use of an independent registered public accounting firm and the process by which shareholders are asked to ratify the appointment of that firm.
Governance and annual meeting matters
In its public filings, J.W. Mays, Inc. provides details about its annual meeting of shareholders. The company calls an annual meeting to elect directors, fix the number of directors, ratify the appointment of its independent auditors, and hold advisory votes on executive compensation and the frequency of such advisory votes. A Form 8-K describing an annual meeting reports that shareholders approved the election of the company’s nominees for director, fixed the number of directors, ratified the appointment of Prager Metis CPAs as the independent registered public accounting firm for a specified fiscal year, and approved an advisory resolution on the compensation of named executive officers, as well as an advisory proposal on the frequency of future compensation advisory votes.
The definitive proxy statement provides additional context on how shareholders can vote, including instructions for those who hold shares directly and those who hold shares in “street name” through a bank, broker, or other nominee. It also explains how proxies may be revoked and the role of a proxy solicitation firm engaged by the company.
Regulatory reporting and financial disclosures
J.W. Mays, Inc. files periodic and current reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Several Form 8-K filings describe the company’s practice of issuing press releases to report financial results for specific periods. In one Form 8-K, the company notes that it issued a press release reporting revenues and net loss for a three-month period and providing a comparison to revenues and net income for the same period in the prior year. In another Form 8-K, the company reports that it issued a press release presenting revenues and net loss for three- and twelve-month periods, along with comparisons to the prior-year periods. These filings indicate that the company communicates key financial metrics such as revenues and net income or net loss through press releases that are furnished as exhibits to its current reports.
The company’s filings also identify the exchange on which its securities are listed and confirm that its common stock is registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The filings specify that the company is not an emerging growth company, as indicated by the unchecked box in the relevant section of the Form 8-K.
Real estate focus and geographic footprint
According to the available company description, J.W. Mays, Inc. owns and leases commercial properties in New York. The properties are located in Brooklyn, Circleville, Fishkill, Jamaica, Levittown, and Massapequa. The company leases office and retail space to tenants under operating leases, which reflects a business model centered on commercial property ownership and tenant occupancy. While the filings and descriptions do not provide further breakdown of tenant types or specific property uses beyond office and retail space, they establish that the company’s operations are tied to nonresidential buildings in these New York locations.
Shareholder information and beneficial ownership
The definitive proxy statement for J.W. Mays, Inc. includes detailed tables of beneficial ownership of common stock by certain shareholders and members of a family group. It identifies Weinstein Enterprises, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries as beneficial owners of a significant portion of the company’s outstanding common stock, with those subsidiaries directly holding shares. The proxy statement also explains that members of the Shulman family and related trusts beneficially own a substantial number of shares, both directly and through their interests in Weinstein Enterprises, Inc. and various trusts. These disclosures provide insight into the concentration of ownership and the role of family-related entities in the company’s shareholder base.
The proxy statement describes how beneficial ownership is calculated and presents footnotes explaining the relationships between entities and individuals, including trustees and beneficiaries of trusts that hold shares of the company. This information is presented to comply with SEC requirements regarding the disclosure of beneficial ownership by significant shareholders and management.
Use of proxies and voting mechanics
In its proxy materials, J.W. Mays, Inc. outlines the mechanics of voting at the annual meeting. The company explains that shareholders of record as of a specified record date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter properly presented. The proxy statement describes how a quorum is determined, how proxies will be voted if properly executed and returned, and how broker non-votes and abstentions are treated for purposes of determining voting outcomes.
The proxy statement also describes the role of an external firm retained to assist with proxy solicitation and notes that the company may reimburse brokerage houses and other nominees for forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. These details illustrate the company’s approach to corporate governance and shareholder communication as disclosed in its SEC filings.
Summary
Overall, J.W. Mays, Inc. is described in public sources as a New York-incorporated real estate company that owns and leases commercial properties, focusing on office and retail space under operating leases in several New York communities. Its common stock trades on NASDAQ under the symbol MAYS, and its governance practices, shareholder base, and financial reporting approach are documented through its proxy statements and current reports filed with the SEC.
Stock Performance
Mays (J.W.) (MAYS) stock last traded at $46.35. Over the past 12 months, the stock has gained 23.3%. At a market capitalization of $93.4M, MAYS is classified as a micro-cap stock with approximately 2.0M shares outstanding.
Latest News
SEC Filings
Mays (J.W.) has filed 5 recent SEC filings, including 3 Form 8-K, 2 Form 10-Q. The most recent filing was submitted on March 12, 2026. SEC filings provide transparency into a company's financial condition, material events, and regulatory compliance. View all MAYS SEC filings →
Financial Highlights
Mays (J.W.) generated $22.5M in revenue over the trailing twelve months, operating income reached -$154K (-0.7% operating margin), and net income was -$136K, reflecting a -0.6% net profit margin. Diluted earnings per share stood at $-0.07. The company generated $2.5M in operating cash flow.
Upcoming Events
Short Interest History
Short interest in Mays (J.W.) (MAYS) currently stands at 1.3 thousand shares, down 3.9% from the previous reporting period, representing 0.4% of the float. Over the past 12 months, short interest has decreased by 39.2%. This relatively low short interest suggests limited bearish sentiment. With 24.0 days to cover, it would take significant time for short sellers to close their positions based on average trading volume.
Days to Cover History
Days to cover for Mays (J.W.) (MAYS) currently stands at 24.0 days, up 143.9% from the previous period. This elevated days-to-cover ratio indicates it would take over two weeks of average trading volume for short sellers to exit their positions, suggesting potential for a short squeeze if positive news emerges. The days to cover has increased 84.6% over the past year, indicating either rising short interest or declining trading volume. The ratio has shown significant volatility over the period, ranging from 1.1 to 268.0 days.
MAYS Company Profile & Sector Positioning
Mays (J.W.) (MAYS) operates in the Operators of Nonresidential Buildings sector and is listed on the NASDAQ.