47,499 Shares in PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM) Acquired by Kessler Investment Group LLC

Kessler Investment Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 47,499 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $4,883,000. PulteGroup accounts for about 2.4% of Kessler Investment Group LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in PulteGroup during the fourth quarter worth about $37,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. increased its position in PulteGroup by 43.0% during the fourth quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 349 shares of the construction company's stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares during the period. American National Bank & Trust bought a new position in PulteGroup in the 1st quarter valued at about $39,000. Quarry LP bought a new position in PulteGroup in the 4th quarter valued at about $43,000. Finally, Sentry Investment Management LLC bought a new position in PulteGroup in the 1st quarter valued at about $61,000. 89.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

PulteGroup Price Performance

Shares of PHM traded up $1.12 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $105.56. The company had a trading volume of 2,995,971 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,023,014. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $101.61 and its 200 day simple moving average is $104.99. PulteGroup, Inc. has a 1-year low of $88.07 and a 1-year high of $149.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.80. The company has a market capitalization of $21.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.44, a P/E/G ratio of 0.31 and a beta of 1.29.

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, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.47 by $0.10. PulteGroup had a net margin of 16.45% and a return on equity of 22.86%. The company had revenue of $3.89 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.86 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.10 EPS. Analysts expect that PulteGroup, Inc. will post 12.32 EPS for the current year.

PulteGroup Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 2nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 17th will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 17th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.83%. PulteGroup's dividend payout ratio is presently 6.21%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Wedbush reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $135.00 target price on shares of PulteGroup in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $161.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of PulteGroup from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, March 6th. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $100.00 to $98.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $151.00 to $141.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $134.69.

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.