Is PulteGroup a Better Buy Than D.R. Horton?
Even as D.R. Horton fell -17% during the past Month, its peer PulteGroup may be a better choice. Consistently evaluating alternatives is core to sound investment approach. 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 -7.4%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 1.8%, ahead of DHI’s -7.3%.
- PHM leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 19.3% and 3-year average of 20.6%.
A single stock can be risky, but there is a huge value to a broader, diversified approach. Should you buy one stock you like or build a portfolio designed to win across cycles? Our numbers show that the Trefis High Quality Portfolio has turned stock-picking uncertainty into market-beating consistency. This portfolio is incorporated in the asset allocation strategy of Empirical Asset Management — a Boston area wealth manager and Trefis partner — whose asset allocation framework yielded positive returns during the 2008-09 period when the S&P lost more than 40%.
DHI operates as a homebuilder across multiple U.S. regions, constructing single-family and attached homes, while offering mortgage financing, title insurance, and closing services. PHM acquires and develops residential land, constructs housing, controls over 228,000 lots, and provides mortgage financing primarily for homebuyers.
Valuation & Performance Overview
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| DHI | PHM | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 9.0 | 6.9 | PHM |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | -7.4% | -1.6% | PHM |
| Last 12 Months | -7.3% | 1.8% | PHM |
| Last 3 Year Average | 2.9% | 5.4% | PHM |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 14.2% | 19.3% | PHM |
| Last 3 Year Average | 16.3% | 20.6% | PHM |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 102.8% | 227.3% | 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
But do these numbers tell the full story? Read Buy or Sell PHM Stock to see if PulteGroup’s edge holds up under the hood or if D.R. Horton still has cards to play (see Buy or Sell DHI Stock).
Historical Market Performance
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| DHI Return | 32% | 59% | -17% | 72% | -7% | 5% | 200% | ||
| PHM Return | 13% | 34% | -19% | 129% | 6% | 10% | 228% | <=== | |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 112% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| DHI Win Rate | 67% | 75% | 42% | 58% | 58% | 50% | 58% | ||
| PHM Win Rate | 67% | 67% | 42% | 58% | 58% | 50% | 57% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | 64% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| DHI Max Drawdown | -45% | -4% | -44% | 0% | -11% | -17% | -20% | ||
| PHM Max Drawdown | -54% | -5% | -36% | 0% | -3% | -15% | -19% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -12% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year up to 11/3/2025 (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.
Whatever your view on either of these stocks, investing in one or two stocks remains a risky proposition. Instead, 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.