Empirical Finance LLC Sells 6,463 Shares of PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM)

Empirical Finance LLC lessened its holdings in PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM - Free Report) by 45.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,719 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 6,463 shares during the quarter. Empirical Finance LLC's holdings in PulteGroup were worth $841,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vest Financial LLC raised its holdings in PulteGroup by 111.5% in the 4th quarter. Vest Financial LLC now owns 22,159 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $2,413,000 after buying an additional 11,682 shares during the last quarter. NatWest Group plc raised its holdings in PulteGroup by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. NatWest Group plc now owns 62,547 shares of the construction company's stock worth $6,811,000 after purchasing an additional 525 shares during the last quarter. Generate Investment Management Ltd raised its holdings in PulteGroup by 13.2% during the 4th quarter. Generate Investment Management Ltd now owns 113,497 shares of the construction company's stock worth $12,360,000 after purchasing an additional 13,203 shares during the last quarter. Lecap Asset Management Ltd. bought a new position in PulteGroup during the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,257,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in PulteGroup during the 4th quarter worth approximately $85,000. Institutional investors own 89.90% of the company's stock.

PulteGroup Stock Up 0.7 %

NYSE PHM traded up $0.75 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $107.45. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,519,276 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,269,826. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $113.02 and its 200 day simple moving average is $126.35. PulteGroup, Inc. has a twelve month low of $100.24 and a twelve month high of $149.47. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.30, a PEG ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.68.

PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The construction company reported $3.50 earnings per share (EPS) 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%. Analysts anticipate that PulteGroup, Inc. will post 12.43 earnings per share for the current year.

PulteGroup Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.82%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 18th. PulteGroup's dividend payout ratio is 5.98%.

PulteGroup declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, January 30th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the construction company to purchase up to 6.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often a sign that the company's board believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on PHM shares. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $125.00 to $117.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Bank of America lowered their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $135.00 to $134.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 27th. Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $146.00 to $119.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $140.00 to $124.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $165.00 to $140.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $140.86.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, VP Brien P. O'meara sold 3,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.40, for a total value of $372,400.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 11,372 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,209,980.80. The trade was a 23.53 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Todd N. Sheldon sold 15,191 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.50, for a total transaction of $1,617,841.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 74,758 shares in the company, valued at $7,961,727. This trade represents a 16.89 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 21,191 shares of company stock valued at $2,256,367 in the last three months. 0.83% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

PulteGroup 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.