PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the seventeen brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have given a hold recommendation, nine have given a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $142.7143.

Several equities research analysts recently commented on PHM shares. Barclays set a $115.00 price objective on PulteGroup in a report on Monday, December 8th. Citizens Jmp assumed coverage on shares of PulteGroup in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. They set a “market outperform” rating and a $145.00 target price on the stock. BTIG Research assumed coverage on shares of PulteGroup in a report on Monday, December 1st. They set a “neutral” rating on the stock. Zacks Research lowered shares of PulteGroup from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of PulteGroup from $111.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a report on Friday, January 30th.

PulteGroup Stock Down 0.4%

PulteGroup stock opened at $118.21 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $22.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.63, a PEG ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.32. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $130.06 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $126.67. PulteGroup has a 12 month low of $88.07 and a 12 month high of $144.49. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13.

PulteGroup Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.26 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. PulteGroup’s payout ratio is currently 9.35%.

Insider Buying and Selling at PulteGroup

In related news, VP Brien P. O’meara sold 4,000 shares of PulteGroup stock in a transaction on Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.51, for a total value of $542,040.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 8,601 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,165,521.51. The trade was a 31.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Ryan Marshall sold 111,250 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.86, for a total value of $14,891,925.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 659,392 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $88,266,213.12. This trade represents a 14.44% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 149,952 shares of company stock worth $20,162,165. 0.75% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On PulteGroup

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in PHM. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of PulteGroup in the fourth quarter worth approximately $466,653,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in PulteGroup by 126.5% during the fourth quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 4,284,197 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $502,366,000 after buying an additional 2,392,580 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA purchased a new stake in PulteGroup during the third quarter valued at approximately $315,883,000. AGF Management Ltd. bought a new position in PulteGroup in the third quarter worth approximately $174,347,000. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in shares of PulteGroup by 120.4% during the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,703,049 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $225,024,000 after acquiring an additional 930,287 shares during the last quarter. 89.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About PulteGroup

PulteGroup, Inc (NYSE: PHM) is a U.S.-based residential homebuilder that designs, constructs and sells single-family homes and develops master-planned communities. The company operates multiple national and regional brands that target different buyer segments, including first-time buyers, move-up buyers and active-adult customers. Its operations encompass land acquisition and development, home design and construction, community amenities and ongoing customer service and warranty programs.

PulteGroup markets homes under several well-known brands, such as Pulte Homes, Centex and Del Webb, among others, offering a range of product types from entry-level detached homes to larger, higher-end residences and age-restricted active-adult communities.