PulteGroup Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NYSE:PHM)

PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM) saw unusually large options trading on Wednesday. Traders acquired 9,941 call options on the company. This represents an increase of approximately 1,498% compared to the average daily volume of 622 call options.

Institutional Trading of PulteGroup

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of PulteGroup in the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Private Wealth Management Group LLC increased its holdings in PulteGroup by 281.7% in the 3rd quarter. Private Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 271 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in PulteGroup during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. High Point Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in PulteGroup during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Rexford Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of PulteGroup in the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.90% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

PHM has been the subject of several recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $144.00 price target on shares of PulteGroup in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Wall Street Zen upgraded PulteGroup from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, January 11th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $134.00 to $143.00 in a report on Friday, January 30th. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $128.00 to $136.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of PulteGroup from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, PulteGroup has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $140.15.

PulteGroup Stock Up 3.0%

PHM stock opened at $134.43 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.20 billion, a PE ratio of 12.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.33. PulteGroup has a 52 week low of $88.07 and a 52 week high of $142.11. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $125.06 and a 200 day moving average of $125.21.

PulteGroup Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 16th were given a $0.26 dividend. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 16th. This is a positive change from PulteGroup’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. PulteGroup’s payout ratio is currently 9.35%.

PulteGroup Company Profile

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.