Bloomfield Hills, MI, October 27, 2005--Pulte Homes in the third quarter reported earnings that were up 43% to $395.4 million, or $1.50 a share, compared with year-earlier net income of $259.1 million, or $1.03 a share, as adjusted for a stock split.
Analysts has forecast earnings of $1.39 a share.
The company’s sales increased 27% to $3.8 billion, up from $3 billion a year earlier.
Domestic net new home orders for the quarter grew to 12,062, up from 10,109 in the year-earlier quarter.
Pulte's backlog as of Sept. 30 was valued at $8 billion, and consisted of 23,666 homes, up from $6.4 billion, and 20,400 homes a year earlier.
Chief executive Richard J. Dugas said in a statement that the company expects full-year earnings of $5.35 to $5.45 a share, based on the year-to-date performance.
