PulteGroup, Inc. (PHM), D.R. Horton, Inc. (DHI), Lennar Corporation (LEN): Housing Construction on the Rise

Rising household income due to an improving economic environment and an increasing employment rate once again makes housing affordable for an average American. This is evident from the increasing number of new housing units owned in the US. Although the current level is still far below the housing units owned in 2006-07, the recent increase in residential construction is a positive signal for the housing industry. In light of the expected economic recovery and a decline in the unemployment rate, this industry will inch closer to the highs achieved in the past. I analyze the three largest and most widely covered housing construction companies in the US.

The three giants

PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM) is the largest publicly-traded residential construction company in the US in terms of market capitalization. The company has seen an improvement in all of its operating statistics in 2012, due to an increase in the number of houses sold, new orders received and backlog. The company’s backlog and new orders receipts increased by 35% and 4% respectively, year-over-year. In 2012, the company was able to generate profits for the first time in the last six years. However, the company is expected to continue reporting profits in the midst of improving market conditions.

D.R. Horton, Inc. (NYSE:DHI), the largest company in terms of revenue, has also experienced a substantial improvement in its revenues and margins. The company is expected to continue to dominate the residential construction in the future as well, as its backlog units increased by an amazing 54% in the most recent quarter. In light of a lower order cancellation rate together with a huge increase in new orders placed, the future of the company looks promising. The company has one of the highest margins in the industry. As the economy improves, I believe its margins will return to their historic levels.

Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN) has also experienced improved revenues and margins, backed by new orders placed across all regions. The company also offers one of the most attractive dividend yields in the industry. The company’s backlog units increased by more than 80% in the most recent quarter, which provides an indication of better financial results to be reported in the future as well. Current performance of the company is substantially lower than the results reported in early 2000s. Thus, the company has a substantial room for growth. As the company’s revenues and profits improve, I expect the company’s distributions to shareholders to increase as well.

The industry environment

As US economy entered recession, it saw the number of foreclosure filings increase rapidly and then more than double by mid-2008. Furthermore, the high rate of housing units nearing completion created an excess supply of homes in the US economy. The combined result of these two factors was a sharp decline in the prices of houses. Hence, residential construction companies suffered heavy losses as they were unable to sell new properties at a profit.