THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LGI Homes, Inc. (NASDAQ: LGIH) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025. “Our team delivered a solid finish to the year and further strengthened the foundation that supports our long-term growth plans,” said Eric Lipar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LGI Homes. “During the quarter, we closed 1,362 homes, including 61 currently and previously leased homes. Of this total, 1,301 homes contributed d ...

Housebuilding in England is on track to fall to its lowest level in more than a decade, pushing Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes further out of reach https://t.co/sH5oqTfvCY ...

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures showed fluctuations following a mixed close on Friday, with major indices experiencing weekly losses: S&P 500 down 1.4%, Dow down 1.2%, and Nasdaq down 2.1% [1][2] Index Performance - Dow Jones increased by 0.02%, S&P 500 decreased by 0.14%, Nasdaq 100 fell by 0.47%, and Russell 2000 dropped by 0.21% [3] Stocks in Focus - ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. surged by 34.46% after agreeing to be acquired by Hapag-Lloyd for $35.00 per share, totaling approximately $4.2 billion [5] - Ocular Therapeutix Inc. rose by 33.56% ahead of announcing topline data for its Phase 3 trial in wet AMD [6] - Toll Brothers Inc. was down by 0.07% with expected earnings of $2.11 per share on revenue of $1.85 billion [7] Analyst Insights - Renowned economist Mohamed El-Erian predicts a "tense tug-of-war" for the U.S. economy in 2026, highlighting a potential decoupling of GDP growth from job creation, which may exacerbate economic inequality [10][11] - El-Erian emphasizes a shift from broad market narratives to a focus on companies effectively integrating AI, indicating that 2026 will require a recalibration of investment strategies [12]

Company Overview - PulteGroup, Inc. (PHM) is a homebuilding company based in Atlanta, Georgia, with a market cap of $27.4 billion. The company engages in selling and constructing homes, developing residential land, and providing mortgage financing and title insurance services to home buyers [1]. Stock Performance - PHM shares have outperformed the broader market over the past year, gaining 33.6% compared to the S&P 500 Index's increase of 11.8%. Year-to-date, PHM stock is up 21.6%, while the S&P 500 has experienced a slight decline [2]. - Compared to the SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB), which gained about 14.5% over the past year, PHM's year-to-date gains also surpass the ETF's 17.9% returns [3]. Market Demand and Strategy - PulteGroup's strong performance is attributed to high demand in the Midwest, Northeast, and Florida, which has offset weaknesses in Texas and Western markets. The company's Del Webb communities have seen increased active adult sign-ups, contributing to higher gross margins [3]. - To address softer demand, PulteGroup has increased sales incentives and is shifting towards built-to-order homes. Management expresses optimism for the spring 2026 selling season due to improved affordability and lower mortgage rates [3]. Financial Results - In Q4, PulteGroup reported an adjusted EPS of $2.88, exceeding Wall Street expectations of $2.78. The company's revenue reached $4.6 billion, surpassing forecasts of $4.3 billion [4]. - For the current fiscal year ending in December, analysts project an 11.6% decline in EPS to $10.11 on a diluted basis. PulteGroup has a strong earnings surprise history, beating consensus estimates in each of the last four quarters [4]. Analyst Ratings - Among 17 analysts covering PHM stock, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy," consisting of eight "Strong Buy" ratings, one "Moderate Buy," seven "Holds," and one "Strong Sell" [5]. - The current analyst configuration is more bullish than two months ago, with seven analysts now suggesting a "Strong Buy" [6].

Company Overview - Lennar Corporation, based in Miami, Florida, constructs and sells single-family attached and detached homes, and engages in buying and selling residential land. The company has a market capitalization of $30.2 billion and also provides mortgage financing, title insurance, commercial real estate, investment management, and other financial services [1]. Stock Performance - Over the past year, Lennar's shares have underperformed the broader market, declining by 1.2%, while the S&P 500 Index has increased by nearly 11.8%. However, in 2026, Lennar's stock has risen by 19%, outperforming the S&P 500's slight decline on a year-to-date basis [2]. - Compared to the iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF, which gained about 10.3% over the past year, Lennar's year-to-date returns have surpassed the ETF's 17.9% gains [3]. Market Challenges and Strategic Shifts - Lennar's performance has been negatively impacted by a challenging housing market characterized by affordability issues and weak consumer confidence, resulting in lower sales volume and increased incentives. The company is adapting by shifting towards more affordable homes and adopting an asset-light strategy, investing in technology, and streamlining operations. The outlook remains cautiously optimistic, with hopes for rate moderation and government initiatives to enhance affordability [3]. Earnings Forecast - For the current fiscal year ending in November, analysts project Lennar's earnings per share (EPS) to decline by 20.1% to $6.44 on a diluted basis. The company's earnings surprise history has been disappointing, missing consensus estimates in three of the last four quarters while beating forecasts once [4]. Analyst Ratings - Among the 19 analysts covering Lennar stock, the consensus rating is a "Hold," which includes two "Strong Buy" ratings, nine "Holds," one "Moderate Sell," and seven "Strong Sells" [4]. - The overall rating has improved slightly from a month ago, now reflecting a "Moderate Sell" with one analyst suggesting a "Strong Buy." Wells Fargo's analyst maintained a "Hold" rating with a price target of $105, while the mean price target is $107.15, and the highest price target of $140 indicates a potential upside of 14.5% [5].

Company Overview - Green Brick Partners, Inc. (NYSE:GRBK) is a diversified homebuilder and land developer focusing on high-growth U.S. markets, utilizing strategic land acquisition and subsidiary builders for scalable and sustainable residential development [4]. Investment Position - Green Brick Partners is David Einhorn's largest holding, representing 27.51% ($699.26 million) of his total portfolio [1]. Stock Performance - As of February 13, 2026, shares of Green Brick Partners were up approximately 34% over the previous year and nearly 29% year-to-date, indicating increasing investor confidence despite a competitive homebuilding environment [2]. Market Recognition - On January 16, 2026, Green Brick announced that several of its master-planned communities were recognized among the best developments in North Texas and the country, with communities like Eastridge and Lakehaven receiving repeat accolades [3]. - Green Brick was ranked as the third-largest homebuilder in North Texas by new home closings, with nine of its communities featured in the Dallas Business Journal's Top 40 rankings, highlighting land quality, brand strength, and execution [3].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and the risks associated with following dubious financial advice from social media influencers, advocating for a more traditional, passive investment approach as promoted by Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger [3][4][6]. Financial Literacy and Advice - A significant portion of young Americans, specifically 42% of those aged 18 to 29, seek financial advice on social media, highlighting a concerning trend in financial literacy [4]. - Only 48% of adults could correctly answer more than half of the financial questions in the 2025 TIAA Institute-GFLEC Personal Finance Index, indicating a widespread lack of financial knowledge [3]. Investment Strategies - Buffett and Munger argue that most investors struggle to outperform the market, making index funds a suitable choice for average investors, with the S&P 500 delivering an average annual return of over 14% in the past decade [6][7]. - From 2003 to 2023, 98.6% of actively managed domestic equity funds underperformed the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index, reinforcing the case for passive investing [7]. Real Estate Investment - Berkshire Hathaway has invested nearly $1 billion in homebuilding companies, indicating a belief in the growing demand for U.S. housing [13]. - Platforms like Arrived allow investors to buy shares in rental properties without the responsibilities of homeownership, making real estate investment more accessible [14][15]. - Lightstone DIRECT offers accredited investors direct access to multifamily real estate opportunities, with a historical net IRR of 27.6% and a 2.54x historical net equity multiple since 2004 [21].

32,409,009+$23.23+16.46%$164.32[Applied Materials][AMAT]• Vol: A Housing ETF Up 15.7% Despite 38% Plunge in Key Residential Demand Factor - 24/7 Wall St.[S&P 5006,835.60 -0.18%][Dow Jones49,472.00 -0.04%][Nasdaq 10024,720.00 -0.16%][Russell 20002,647.23 +1.20%][FTSE 10010,453.70 +0.18%][Nikkei 22557,538.00 +0.91%][Investing]# A Housing ETF Up 15.7% Despite 38% Plunge in Key Residential Demand Factor### Quick ReadSPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) gained 15.7% year to date. DR Horton (DHI) and PulteGroup (PHM) ...

Company Overview - TRI Pointe Homes, Inc. is a leading homebuilding company in the United States, focusing on the design, construction, and sale of single-family homes, competing with major builders like Lennar Corporation and D.R. Horton, Inc. [1] Recent Developments - On February 13, 2026, Oppenheimer downgraded NYSE:TPH from an "Outperform" to a "Perform" rating amid an ongoing investigation into TRI Pointe's proposed sale to Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd. [2][5] - The proposed sale will provide shareholders with $47 per share in cash, reflecting a significant increase of 26.80% in the stock price, which was $46.37 at the time of the downgrade [2][3][5] Market Performance - The current stock price of $46.37 shows a change of $9.80, with fluctuations between $46.25 and $46.46 today, marking its highest price over the past year, while the lowest price in the past year was $27.90 [3] - The company's market capitalization is approximately $3.99 billion, indicating its size and value in the market [4][5] - Today's trading volume for NYSE:TPH is 22.31 million shares, indicating active investor interest [4][5] Investigation Details - The investigation by Monteverde & Associates, led by Class Action Attorney Juan Monteverde, aims to ensure the fairness of the sale terms for shareholders [2][4]

Core Viewpoint - Tri Pointe Homes Inc. is set to be acquired by Japan-based Sumitomo Forestry for $4.5 billion, resulting in a significant increase in its stock price, reflecting strong investor interest [1][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Tri Pointe Homes has signed a definitive agreement for an all-cash acquisition at $47 per share, representing a 28.5% premium over its previous closing price of $36.57 [3]. - The acquisition will involve a subsidiary of Sumitomo Forestry merging with Tri Pointe Homes, making it a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Forestry America, Inc. [3][4]. Group 2: Market Reaction - Following the acquisition announcement, Tri Pointe's stock reached an all-time high of $46.47 during intra-day trading, ultimately closing up 26.80% at $46.37 [1]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - The CEO of Tri Pointe Homes stated that the transaction provides compelling cash value for shareholders and supports the company's long-term growth strategy as an independent brand within a larger platform [5].