Ensign Peak Advisors Inc Has $11.02 Million Stake in PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM)

Ensign Peak Advisors Inc boosted its position in PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM - Free Report) by 4.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 101,163 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,005 shares during the period. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc's holdings in PulteGroup were worth $11,017,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PHM. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in PulteGroup in the fourth quarter worth approximately $427,562,000. Amundi lifted its position in shares of PulteGroup by 77.9% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,636,562 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $180,775,000 after acquiring an additional 716,716 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in shares of PulteGroup by 6.1% during the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 11,937,866 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,300,034,000 after acquiring an additional 683,592 shares during the last quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP lifted its position in shares of PulteGroup by 118.8% during the 4th quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 783,581 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $85,332,000 after acquiring an additional 425,492 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP lifted its position in shares of PulteGroup by 45.6% during the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,065,190 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $115,999,000 after acquiring an additional 333,361 shares during the last quarter. 89.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

PulteGroup Stock Up 1.5%

Shares of NYSE PHM traded up $1.57 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $104.34. The company had a trading volume of 1,402,057 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,001,190. PulteGroup, Inc. has a twelve month low of $88.07 and a twelve month high of $149.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 0.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.91 billion, a PE ratio of 7.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.37. The stock's 50 day moving average is $100.86 and its 200-day moving average is $110.99.

PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The construction company reported $2.57 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.47 by $0.10. PulteGroup had a net margin of 17.18% and a return on equity of 24.43%. The business had revenue of $3.89 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.86 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.10 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that PulteGroup, Inc. will post 12.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

PulteGroup declared that its board 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 typically a sign that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

PulteGroup Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 17th will be paid a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 17th. PulteGroup's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.21%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently commented on PHM. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded PulteGroup from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 6th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on PulteGroup from $116.00 to $109.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on PulteGroup from $140.00 to $120.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Wedbush reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $135.00 price objective on shares of PulteGroup in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, UBS Group reduced their target price on PulteGroup from $151.00 to $141.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $134.69.

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.