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PulteGroup Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 23 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net income and EPS declined: Net income was $347 million, or $1.79 per diluted share, against $523 million, or $2.57, a year earlier. Diluted shares averaged 193.4 million against 203.7 million. Source
  • Home sale revenues fell 12%: Home sale revenues were $3.3 billion, down 12% from $3.7 billion a year earlier, on 6,102 closings against 6,583. Source
  • Home sale gross margin fell 3.1 points: Home sale gross margin was 24.4% against 27.5% a year earlier. Management tied the decline to higher incentives and to reducing excess spec inventory. Source
  • Net new orders rose 3%: Net new orders rose 3% to 8,034 homes, valued at $4.6 billion, against 7,765 homes and $4.5 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Backlog value fell year on year: Backlog was 10,427 homes worth $6.5 billion, against $7.2 billion a year earlier. Year-end 2025 backlog was 8,495 homes and $5.3 billion. Source
  • Share repurchases of $308 million: The company repurchased 2.4 million common shares for $308 million, at an average price of $127.39 per share. Source
  • Buyers concerned about affordability: Management said buyers are concerned about affordability and the economy but still want homeownership, as shown by 3% growth in net new orders. Source

“Our first quarter results reflect PulteGroup’s ability to successfully navigate current market conditions as we work to meet buyer demand, turn our assets and drive high returns”

PulteGroup President and CEO Ryan Marshall

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Share repurchase authorization SourceRemaining authorization as of the release date$2.1 billionRaised

What changed from last quarter

  • New: The Board approved a $1.5 billion increase to the share repurchase authorization, which the release states brings the remaining authorization to $2.1 billion. Source

Earnings and revenue

  • Net income and EPS declined: Net income was $347 million, or $1.79 per diluted share, against $523 million, or $2.57, a year earlier. Diluted shares averaged 193.4 million against 203.7 million. Source
  • Home sale revenues fell 12%: Home sale revenues were $3.3 billion, down 12% from $3.7 billion a year earlier, on 6,102 closings against 6,583. Source
  • Homebuilding pre-tax income declined: Homebuilding pre-tax income was $436.8 million against $645.3 million; consolidated pre-tax income was $449.4 million against $681.1 million a year earlier. Source

Segments and regions

  • Closings rose in Florida and Southeast: Florida closings were 1,689 against 1,650 and Southeast closings 1,228 against 1,193. Northeast, Midwest, Texas and West closings were lower than a year earlier. Source
  • Florida orders rose most: Florida net new orders rose to 2,206 from 1,869, the largest regional increase. Northeast rose to 441 from 404; Midwest, Texas and West were lower than a year earlier. Source
  • Backlog lower in most regions: Northeast backlog rose to 687 from 680. Southeast, Florida, Midwest, Texas and West backlog was lower than a year earlier. Source

“we see a consumer with concerns about affordability and the economy, but still desirous of homeownership as demonstrated by the 3% growth in our first quarter net new orders”

PulteGroup President and CEO Ryan Marshall

Margins, costs and pricing

  • Home sale gross margin fell 3.1 points: Home sale gross margin was 24.4% against 27.5% a year earlier. Management tied the decline to higher incentives and to reducing excess spec inventory. Source
  • SG&A rose as share of revenue: SG&A was $380 million, or 11.5% of home sale revenues, against $393 million, or 10.5%, a year earlier. Source
  • Average selling price fell 5%: Average sales price was $542,000, down 5% from $570,000 a year earlier. The fourth-quarter 2025 average was $573,000 per the prior quarter release. Source
  • Financial services pre-tax income fell: Financial services pre-tax income was $13 million against $36 million a year earlier. Mortgage capture rate was 85% against 86%. Source

Demand and order book

  • Net new orders rose 3%: Net new orders rose 3% to 8,034 homes, valued at $4.6 billion, against 7,765 homes and $4.5 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Backlog value fell year on year: Backlog was 10,427 homes worth $6.5 billion, against $7.2 billion a year earlier. Year-end 2025 backlog was 8,495 homes and $5.3 billion. Source
  • Community count up 9%: Average community count was 1,043, up 9% from a year earlier and from 1,014 in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source

“Given these dynamics, we continue to intelligently manage sales, incentives and production to best position the Company for near- and long-term success.”

PulteGroup President and CEO Ryan Marshall

Capital and shareholder returns

  • Land spending of $1.3 billion: Management said the company invested $1.3 billion in land acquisition and development and returned $360 million to shareholders in the quarter. Source
  • Share repurchases of $308 million: The company repurchased 2.4 million common shares for $308 million, at an average price of $127.39 per share. Source
  • Dividend per share up from $0.22: Cash dividends declared were $0.26 per share against $0.22 a year earlier. Dividends paid in the quarter were $52.0 million. Source
  • Debt-to-capital rose to 12.3%: Debt-to-capital was 12.3% against 11.2% at December 31, 2025. Cash was $1.8 billion against $2.0 billion, and notes payable rose to $1.82 billion from $1.63 billion. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose: Net cash from operations was $159.8 million against $134.2 million. Inventory build used $376.4 million, against $270.6 million a year earlier. Source
  • House and land inventory rose: House and land inventory was $13.3 billion at March 31, 2026, up from $12.9 billion at December 31, 2025. Source

Demand environment and management view

  • Buyers concerned about affordability: Management said buyers are concerned about affordability and the economy but still want homeownership, as shown by 3% growth in net new orders. Source
  • Sales, incentives and production managed: Management said it manages sales, incentives and production to position the company for near- and long-term success. Source
  • Market conditions navigated: Management said results reflect the company's ability to navigate current market conditions while it works to meet buyer demand and turn its assets. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Closings (units) Source6,102
Net new orders (units) Source8,034
Unit backlog Source10,427
Average community count Source1,043
Average selling price Source$542,000
Mortgage capture rate Source85%

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management said buyers have concerns about affordability and the economy. Source
  • External: Management named domestic and global dynamics as affecting the demand environment. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.