PulteGroup Stock Gains After Q2 Earnings and Revenue Beat

Core Insights - PulteGroup Inc. reported better-than-expected second-quarter 2024 results, with adjusted earnings and total revenues exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate [1][3]. Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings were $3.03 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.92 by 3.8%, but down from $3.58 in the same quarter last year [3]. - Total revenues reached $4.4 billion, exceeding the consensus mark of $4.37 billion by 0.8%, but decreased 4.3% from $4.6 billion year-over-year [3]. Segment Analysis - Homebuilding segment revenues fell 4.1% year-over-year to $4.3 billion, with home sale revenues also down 4.1% to $4.27 billion [4]. - The number of homes closed decreased by 5.7% to 7,639 units, while the average selling price (ASP) of homes delivered increased by 1.8% to $559,000 [5]. - Net new home orders declined 7.4% year-over-year to 7,083 units, with the value of new orders down 10.8% to $3.89 billion [5][6]. Backlog and Margins - The backlog of homes yet to be closed was 10,779 units, down from 12,982 units a year ago, with potential housing revenues from the backlog decreasing to $6.84 billion from $8.11 billion [6]. - Home sales gross margin decreased by 290 basis points year-over-year to 27%, while SG&A expenses as a percentage of home sales revenues increased by 100 basis points to 9.1% [6]. Financial Services - Revenues from the Financial Services segment dropped 9.4% year-over-year to $101.2 million, with pretax income declining to $43 million from $63 million a year ago [7]. Cash Position - At the end of the second quarter, cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash totaled $1.27 billion, down from $1.65 billion at the end of 2024 [8]. - Net cash provided by operating activities was $421.7 million, down from $657.3 million in the prior-year period [9]. Market Outlook - CEO Ryan Marshall highlighted challenges in the spring selling season due to high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty, but noted improved consumer sentiment during periods of rate declines [2].