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PulteGroup Earnings Signal Potential Entry Points for Investors

new home construction

Key Points

  • There are growing signs of concern in the homebuilding industry, especially after PulteGroup stock shows the most recent figures.
  • Other indicators for housing mean trouble for the real estate sector in the coming quarters, as there is an inventory and affordability issue today.
  • Price action in the homebuilder's index and peers to PulteGroup show what markets think of the space today; it's not good.
  • Five stocks we like better than PulteGroup.
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PulteGroup Today

PulteGroup, Inc. stock logo
PHMPHM 90-day performance
PulteGroup
$101.76 -3.28 (-3.12%)
As of 03/28/2025 03:59 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Polygon.io. Learn more.
52-Week Range
$100.35
$149.47
Dividend Yield
0.86%
P/E Ratio
6.92
Price Target
$140.86

There are discussions in mainstream media suggesting a housing shortage to explain current affordability challenges in real estate. However, with rising listings and inventories, the picture appears more nuanced.

PulteGroup Inc. NYSE: PHM recently reported quarterly earnings, causing the stock to dip over 6% in one day, reflecting market concerns. Some key performance indicators (KPIs) suggest softening demand, though this may not signal a systemic issue just yet.

Investors will be watching if trends seen in PulteGroup extend to other homebuilders like Toll Brothers Inc. NYSE: TOL and D.R. Horton Inc. NYSE: DHI. For broader insights into the sector, the SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF NYSEARCA: XHB can provide additional context on market sentiment and housing trends.

PulteGroup Reports 12% Revenue Growth, But Faces KPI Challenges

While PulteGroup's latest earnings report showcases 12% revenue growth to $4.3 billion and a 16% increase in net earnings to $3.35 per share, other metrics offer a more tempered outlook.

The home sale gross margin eased to 28.8% from 29.5% last year. Though not a major drop, it highlights the company’s efforts to manage rising construction costs amid elevated home prices.

Net new orders totaled 7,031, just slightly below last year’s 7,065. While growth remains modest, consistent demand reflects some stability in a challenging market.

PulteGroup Stock Forecast Today

12-Month Stock Price Forecast:
$140.86
38.42% Upside
Moderate Buy
Based on 17 Analyst Ratings
Current Price$101.76
High Forecast$195.00
Average Forecast$140.86
Low Forecast$117.00
PulteGroup Stock Forecast Details

Though PulteGroup reported strong income and EPS growth, the timing of sales can influence these figures. A clearer view emerges from the cash flow statement, with operating cash flow declining from $1.9 billion last year to $1.1 billion this quarter.

While this signals some pressure, the company remains positioned to manage near-term challenges effectively.

With building permits slowing and active listings up 50% to 940,000, according to Federal Reserve data, supply and affordability will continue to shape the market. However, steady demand suggests the potential for gradual improvements.

These pressures aren't limited to PulteGroup, as the broader homebuilding sector faces similar challenges. Still, new projects and upcoming earnings reports offer opportunities for cautious optimism.

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Investors Monitor KPIs to Gauge Homebuilders’ Future Performance

While PulteGroup's stock fell over 6% in a single day, peers like Toll Brothers and D.R. Horton also saw declines of 3.5% and 2.9%, respectively. The broader homebuilders ETF followed suit, dropping 2.4%, suggesting that diversification offers limited protection from current market pressures.

Investors are now watching to see if other homebuilders report similar challenges in their key performance indicators (KPIs). Cancellation rates, in particular, serve as a key indicator of future demand recovery.

For PulteGroup, cancellations rose to 9.6% this quarter, slightly higher than the same period last year. D.R. Horton reported a more significant cancellation rate of 18%, intensifying concerns about housing demand.

Toll Brothers, with its focus on luxury homes, is especially vulnerable to cancellation risks, as it caters to a segment often considered more resilient during economic slowdowns. However, its 6.4% cancellation rate is now close to PulteGroup's, raising questions about the strength of high-end housing demand.

Although these stocks still trade near their 52-week highs, investors may need to exercise patience as the market determines whether these names will continue on a bullish path or face further headwinds. Encouraging signs of demand could stabilize the sector, but current trends highlight the importance of monitoring these KPIs closely.

PulteGroup’s Fundamentals Signal Upside Despite Market Challenges

Even though some of the fundamentals in housing seem to be facing some headwinds, investors can lean on the fact that PulteGroup stock (after the recent sell-off) now trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of only 10.3x to be well below the broader S&P 500 index's valuation.

A new buying opportunity could be considered in PulteGroup at these valuations, particularly with the new interest rate cut path the Fed is undertaking today.

PulteGroup, Inc. (PHM) Price Chart for Monday, March, 31, 2025

Should You Invest $1,000 in PulteGroup Right Now?

Before you consider PulteGroup, you'll want to hear this.

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While PulteGroup currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

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Gabriel Osorio-Mazilli
About The Author

Gabriel Osorio-Mazilli

Contributing Author

Value Stocks, Asian Markets, Macro Economics

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Companies Mentioned in This Article

CompanyMarketRank™Current PricePrice ChangeDividend YieldP/E RatioConsensus RatingConsensus Price Target
PulteGroup (PHM)
4.9724 of 5 stars
$101.76-3.1%0.86%6.92Moderate Buy$140.86
SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB)N/A$96.10-2.7%0.80%12.26Moderate Buy$96.10
Toll Brothers (TOL)
4.8754 of 5 stars
$105.15-3.4%0.95%7.24Moderate Buy$147.57
D.R. Horton (DHI)
4.9504 of 5 stars
$125.87-3.2%1.27%8.90Hold$170.93
PulteGroup (PHM)
4.9724 of 5 stars
$101.76-3.1%0.86%6.92Moderate Buy$140.86
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