There are discussions in mainstream media suggesting a housing shortage to explain current affordability challenges in real estate. However, with rising listings and inventories, the picture appears more nuanced.

PulteGroup Inc. (NYSE: PHM) recently reported quarterly earnings, causing the stock to dip over 6% in one day, reflecting market concerns. Some key performance indicators (KPIs) suggest softening demand, though this may not signal a systemic issue just yet.

Investors will be watching if trends seen in PulteGroup extend to other homebuilders like Toll Brothers Inc. (NYSE: TOL) and D.R. Horton Inc. (NYSE: DHI). For broader insights into the sector, the SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (NYSEARCA: XHB) can provide additional context on market sentiment and housing trends.

PulteGroup Reports 12% Revenue Growth, But Faces KPI Challenges

While PulteGroup's latest earnings report showcases 12% revenue growth to $4.3 billion and a 16% increase in net earnings to $3.35 per share, other metrics offer a more tempered outlook.

The home sale gross margin eased to 28.8% from 29.5% last year. Though not a major drop, it highlights the company’s efforts to manage rising construction costs amid elevated home prices.

Net new orders totaled 7,031, just slightly below last year’s 7,065. While growth remains modest, consistent demand reflects some stability in a challenging market.

Though PulteGroup reported strong income and EPS growth, the timing of sales can influence these figures. A clearer view emerges from the cash flow statement, with operating cash flow declining from $1.9 billion last year to $1.1 billion this quarter.

While this signals some pressure, the company remains positioned to manage near-term challenges effectively.

With building permits slowing and active listings up 50% to 940,000, according to Federal Reserve data, supply and affordability will continue to shape the market. However, steady demand suggests the potential for gradual improvements.

These pressures aren't limited to PulteGroup, as the broader homebuilding sector faces similar challenges. Still, new projects and upcoming earnings reports offer opportunities for cautious optimism.

Investors Monitor KPIs to Gauge Homebuilders’ Future Performance

While PulteGroup's stock fell over 6% in a single day, peers like Toll Brothers and D.R. Horton also saw declines of 3.5% and 2.9%, respectively. The broader homebuilders ETF followed suit, dropping 2.4%, suggesting that diversification offers limited protection from current market pressures.

Investors are now watching to see if other homebuilders report similar challenges in their key performance indicators (KPIs). Cancellation rates, in particular, serve as a key indicator of future demand recovery.

For PulteGroup, cancellations rose to 9.6% this quarter, slightly higher than the same period last year. D.R. Horton reported a more significant cancellation rate of 18%, intensifying concerns about housing demand.

Toll Brothers, with its focus on luxury homes, is especially vulnerable to cancellation risks, as it caters to a segment often considered more resilient during economic slowdowns. However, its 6.4% cancellation rate is now close to PulteGroup's, raising questions about the strength of high-end housing demand.

Although these stocks still trade near their 52-week highs, investors may need to exercise patience as the market determines whether these names will continue on a bullish path or face further headwinds. Encouraging signs of demand could stabilize the sector, but current trends highlight the importance of monitoring these KPIs closely.

PulteGroup’s Fundamentals Signal Upside Despite Market Challenges

Even though some of the fundamentals in housing seem to be facing some headwinds, investors can lean on the fact that PulteGroup stock (after the recent sell-off) now trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of only 10.3x to be well below the broader S&P 500 index's valuation.

A new buying opportunity could be considered in PulteGroup at these valuations, particularly with the new interest rate cut path the Fed is undertaking today.