Between PulteGroup and D.R. Horton, Which Stock Looks Set to Break Out?
D.R. Horton surged 7% during the past Week. You may be tempted to buy more, or may want to reduce your exposure. But there is an entirely different perspective you might be missing. Is there a better alternative? Turns out, its peer PulteGroup gives you more. PulteGroup (PHM) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs D.R. Horton (DHI) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in PHM
- PHM’s quarterly revenue growth was -1.6%, vs. DHI’s -3.2%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 1.8%, ahead of DHI’s -6.9%.
- PHM leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 19.3% and 3-year average of 20.6%.
These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The table highlights how DHI’s fundamentals stack up against those of PHM on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| DHI | PHM | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 10.8 | 7.7 | PHM |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | -3.2% | -1.6% | PHM |
| Last 12 Months | -6.9% | 1.8% | PHM |
| Last 3 Year Average | 0.9% | 5.4% | PHM |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 12.9% | 19.3% | PHM |
| Last 3 Year Average | 15.4% | 20.6% | PHM |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 74.4% | 169.8% | PHM |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: DHI Revenue Comparison | PHM Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: DHI Operating Income Comparison | PHM Operating Income Comparison
See detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell PHM Stock and Buy or Sell DHI Stock. Below we compare market return and related metrics across years.
Historical Market Performance
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| DHI Return | 59% | -17% | 72% | -7% | 4% | 11% | 144% | ||
| PHM Return | 34% | -19% | 129% | 6% | 9% | 14% | 224% | <=== | |
| S&P 500 Return | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 2% | 86% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| DHI Win Rate | 75% | 42% | 58% | 58% | 50% | 100% | 64% | ||
| PHM Win Rate | 67% | 42% | 58% | 58% | 50% | 100% | 62% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 67% | 100% | 71% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| DHI Max Drawdown | -4% | -44% | 0% | -11% | -17% | -3% | -13% | ||
| PHM Max Drawdown | -5% | -36% | 0% | -3% | -15% | 0% | -10% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | 0% | -7% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] 2026 data is for the year up to 1/13/2026 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read PHM Dip Buyer Analyses and DHI Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.
Still not sure about DHI or PHM? Consider portfolio approach.
Portfolios Beat Stock Picking
Stocks soar and sink – the key is staying invested. A balanced portfolio keeps you in the market, boosts gains and reduces single stock risk
The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a collection of 30 stocks, has a track record of comfortably outperforming its benchmark that includes all 3 – the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.