Generali Asset Management SPA SGR Takes $3.72 Million Position in PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM)

Generali Asset Management SPA SGR purchased a new stake in PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 34,145 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $3,718,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Hager Investment Management Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of PulteGroup in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its holdings in PulteGroup by 74.1% in the fourth quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 322 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in PulteGroup during the 4th quarter valued at $39,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. grew its holdings in PulteGroup by 41.9% during the 4th quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 444 shares of the construction company's stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 131 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Oakworth Capital Inc. increased its position in shares of PulteGroup by 642.2% in the 4th quarter. Oakworth Capital Inc. now owns 475 shares of the construction company's stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 411 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.90% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PHM has been the subject of a number of research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on PulteGroup from $162.00 to $155.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Barclays lowered their price target on PulteGroup from $125.00 to $117.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded PulteGroup from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 6th. Oppenheimer decreased their price objective on shares of PulteGroup from $165.00 to $150.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $135.00 to $134.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 27th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $140.86.

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Insider Activity

In related news, Director Brian P. Anderson sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.45, for a total transaction of $266,125.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 56,617 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,026,879.65. This represents a 4.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, VP Brien P. O'meara sold 3,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.40, for a total value of $372,400.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 11,372 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,209,980.80. This represents a 23.53 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 21,191 shares of company stock worth $2,256,367. 0.83% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

PulteGroup Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE PHM traded down $2.30 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $103.04. 8,818,398 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,878,507. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $108.54 and a 200 day moving average price of $122.21. The company has a market cap of $20.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.00, a PEG ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.86. PulteGroup, Inc. has a 52 week low of $100.35 and a 52 week high of $149.47.

PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The construction company reported $3.50 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.28 by $0.22. PulteGroup had a net margin of 17.18% and a return on equity of 24.43%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that PulteGroup, Inc. will post 12.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

PulteGroup declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase plan on Thursday, January 30th that allows the company to buyback $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the construction company to buy up to 6.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are usually a sign that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

PulteGroup Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.85%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 18th. PulteGroup's payout ratio is currently 5.98%.

PulteGroup Company Profile

PulteGroup, Inc, through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the homebuilding business in the United States. It acquires and develops land primarily for residential purposes; and constructs housing on such land. The company also offers various home designs, including single-family detached, townhomes, condominiums, and duplexes under the Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, and American West brand names.