Entropy Technologies LP Makes New $1.30 Million Investment in PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM)

Entropy Technologies LP acquired a new stake in PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM) in the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor acquired 11,924 shares of the construction company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,299,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Fortitude Family Office LLC lifted its stake in PulteGroup by 115.1% in the third quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 185 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Transcendent Capital Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of PulteGroup in the third quarter worth about $29,000. Hager Investment Management Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of PulteGroup in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in PulteGroup during the 4th quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, JNBA Financial Advisors bought a new position in PulteGroup during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $43,000. Institutional investors own 89.90% of the company’s stock.

PulteGroup Trading Up 0.6 %

PHM opened at $106.55 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. PulteGroup, Inc. has a 52 week low of $100.24 and a 52 week high of $149.47. The stock has a market cap of $21.85 billion, a PE ratio of 7.24, a PEG ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.68. The business has a 50 day moving average of $115.02 and a 200-day moving average of $126.92.

PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The construction company reported $3.50 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.28 by $0.22. PulteGroup had a return on equity of 24.43% and a net margin of 17.18%. Equities research analysts predict that PulteGroup, Inc. will post 12.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

PulteGroup declared that its board has initiated a stock buyback plan on Thursday, January 30th that allows the company to buyback $1.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the construction company to purchase up to 6.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

PulteGroup Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.83%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 18th. PulteGroup’s payout ratio is currently 5.98%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have weighed in on PHM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on PulteGroup from $162.00 to $155.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Oppenheimer dropped their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $165.00 to $150.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Evercore ISI cut their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $198.00 to $195.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on shares of PulteGroup from $140.00 to $124.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on PulteGroup from $165.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $140.86.

About PulteGroup

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.