Housing Starts Shine Light on 2 Homebuilding Stocks
Schaeffers Investment Research·2025-08-19 18:32

Group 1: Housing Market Overview - The housing market is experiencing mixed signals, with privately owned housing starts for July at an adjusted annual rate of 1.428 million, exceeding analysts' estimates, while building permits fell by 2.8% from June, missing expectations [1] - Despite the mixed data, Lennar Corp and Toll Brothers Inc are seeing afternoon gains in their stock prices [1] Group 2: Lennar Corp (LEN) Analysis - Lennar's stock is trading 1.6% higher at $133.52, following a rally to its highest level since January, with a 22% increase over the past three months [2] - The stock has started consolidating above the 200-day moving average, a significant trendline it had been below since early December [2] - The Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio for Lennar is 1.28, ranking in the 97th percentile of readings from the past year, indicating a potential unwinding of pessimism [3] Group 3: Toll Brothers Inc (TOL) Analysis - Toll Brothers' stock is up 0.6% to $132.17, with fiscal third-quarter results expected after market close [4] - BofA Global Research has raised Toll Brothers' price target to $145 from $132, reflecting positive sentiment [4] - The stock has a mixed history of post-earnings performance, having settled lower after three of its most recent quarterly reports, including an 8.5% drop in May 2024 [5] - Options markets are pricing in a larger next-day swing of 6.6%, compared to an average of 4.6% over the last two years [5]