Aviva PLC Grows Holdings in PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM)

Aviva PLC increased its holdings in shares of PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM - Free Report) by 44.6% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 129,725 shares of the construction company's stock after acquiring an additional 40,002 shares during the period. Aviva PLC owned approximately 0.06% of PulteGroup worth $14,127,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Logan Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of PulteGroup by 67.7% in the 3rd quarter. Logan Capital Management Inc. now owns 14,797 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $2,124,000 after purchasing an additional 5,976 shares in the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC increased its holdings in PulteGroup by 38.1% in the third quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 121,299 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $17,410,000 after buying an additional 33,472 shares in the last quarter. Nilsine Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of PulteGroup by 929.2% during the 4th quarter. Nilsine Partners LLC now owns 20,574 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $2,240,000 after acquiring an additional 18,575 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of PulteGroup by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 4,559 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $496,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares during the period. Finally, Argyle Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of PulteGroup by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Argyle Capital Management LLC now owns 42,241 shares of the construction company's stock worth $4,600,000 after acquiring an additional 641 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.90% of the company's stock.

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PulteGroup Trading Up 0.8 %

PHM stock traded up $0.70 during trading on Friday, reaching $94.38. 2,580,035 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,990,343. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.11 billion, a PE ratio of 6.42, a P/E/G ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The business's 50 day moving average price is $103.40 and its 200-day moving average price is $117.74. PulteGroup, Inc. has a 52-week low of $88.07 and a 52-week high of $149.47.

PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results 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 return on equity of 24.43% and a net margin of 17.18%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that PulteGroup, Inc. will post 12.32 earnings per share for the current year.

PulteGroup Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 18th were issued a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 18th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.93%. PulteGroup's dividend payout ratio is currently 5.98%.

PulteGroup declared that its board has authorized a share repurchase plan on Thursday, January 30th that permits the company to repurchase $1.50 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the construction company to purchase up to 6.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often an indication that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays lowered their target price on PulteGroup from $117.00 to $100.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Wedbush restated an "outperform" rating and set a $135.00 target price on shares of PulteGroup in a report on Friday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $165.00 to $140.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $146.00 to $119.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Oppenheimer cut their price objective on PulteGroup from $165.00 to $150.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $139.64.

Insider Buying and Selling at PulteGroup

In other news, Director Brian P. Anderson sold 2,500 shares of PulteGroup 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 sale, the director now owns 56,617 shares in the company, valued at $6,026,879.65. This trade represents a 4.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Brien P. O'meara sold 3,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.40, for a total transaction of $372,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 11,372 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,209,980.80. This trade represents a 23.53 % 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 over the last three months. 0.76% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.