Investors Buy Large Volume of Call Options on PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM)

PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM - Get Free Report) was the recipient of unusually large options trading activity on Wednesday. Traders bought 9,941 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 1,498% compared to the average daily volume of 622 call options.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have weighed in on PHM. Barclays cut their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $100.00 to $98.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on shares of 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 boosted their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday. Evercore ISI raised their price target on PulteGroup from $161.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, UBS Group cut their price target 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 equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $135.08.

PulteGroup Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:PHM opened at $114.06 on Thursday. PulteGroup has a 12 month low of $88.07 and a 12 month high of $149.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.86 billion, a PE ratio of 8.04, a PEG ratio of 0.32 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $103.01 and a 200-day moving average of $104.77.

PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The construction company reported $2.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.47 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $3.89 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.86 billion. PulteGroup had a net margin of 16.45% and a return on equity of 22.86%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.10 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that PulteGroup will post 12.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

PulteGroup Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 17th were given a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 17th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.77%. PulteGroup's dividend payout ratio is currently 6.21%.

Institutional Trading of PulteGroup

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. WPG Advisers LLC bought a new position in PulteGroup in the first quarter worth $25,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of PulteGroup in the fourth quarter worth $37,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. lifted its stake in shares of PulteGroup by 43.0% in the 4th quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 349 shares of the construction company's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the period. American National Bank & Trust bought a new position in PulteGroup in the first quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of PulteGroup during the 4th quarter worth $43,000. 89.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.

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