Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (HOV) AI Stock Analysis

NYSE: HOVAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

HOV AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (HOV) is a US residential homebuilder that designs, constructs, and sells single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums. For the trailing twelve months, the company generated $2.82B in revenue with a net profit margin of 0.6% and diluted EPS of $1.04. Over the past year, HOV stock returned -22.3%, closing at $97.27 on October 16, 2026.

Market cap
$570.0M
Revenue (TTM)
$2.82B
P/E
93.5x
fwd 13.5x
1Y return
-22.3%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$74.00
-23.9% vs last close

Bull case

  • In FY2025, Hovnanian generated $166.2M in free cash flow, supported by $188.3M in operating cash flow.
  • The company forward P/E ratio of 13.5x is lower than the US-listed Consumer Cyclical peer median of 14.1x.
  • Hovnanian maintains solid liquidity with a current ratio of 2.34 and held $258.3M in cash and short-term investments as of July 31, 2026.

Bear case

  • For the quarter ended July 31, 2026, Hovnanian reported an 11.8% year-over-year revenue decline and a 26.8% decrease in quarterly earnings.
  • The company carries significant leverage with total debt of $934.9M and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14 as of July 31, 2026.
  • The sole covering analyst maintains a Sell rating with a $74.00 price target, implying a -23.9% downside from the $97.27 share price.

What Hovnanian Enterprises does

Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. operates as a residential homebuilder in the United States, designing, constructing, marketing, and selling homes. Established in 1959 and headquartered in Matawan, New Jersey, the company offers single-family detached homes, attached townhomes and condominiums, urban infill projects, and active lifestyle communities. Its developments frequently include amenities like clubhouses, swimming pools, tennis courts, and open areas. Hovnanian serves first-time buyers, move-up buyers, luxury home seekers, and empty nesters. Additionally, the company provides complementary services such as mortgage loans and title insurance to assist clients throughout the home purchase process.

Growth and profitability

Between FY2021 and FY2024, Hovnanian grew annual revenue from $2.78B to $3.00B, before revenue fell 0.9% to $2.98B in FY2025. Over the 5-year period from FY2020 to FY2025, revenue grew at a CAGR of 4.9%. Net income decreased from $607.8M in FY2021 to $63.9M in FY2025, with net margin narrowing from 21.8% to 2.1%. Operating margin also compressed from 9.5% in FY2021 to 2.4% in FY2025. In the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $2.82B with EPS of $1.04. For the latest quarter ended July 31, 2026, quarterly revenue fell 11.8% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings declined 26.8%.

HOV income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of July 31, 2026, Hovnanian reported $258.3M in cash and short-term investments alongside total debt of $934.9M, resulting in net debt of $676.6M. The company maintains a current ratio of 2.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14 on shareholders equity of $818.7M. In FY2025, the company generated $188.3M in operating cash flow and $166.2M in free cash flow. Capital allocation in FY2025 included $22.1M in capital expenditures, $30.2M in share buybacks, and $10.7M in dividends paid.

HOV balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

At a share price of $97.27, Hovnanian trades at a trailing P/E of 93.5x, well above the 18.0x median of its US-listed Consumer Cyclical peers. Its forward P/E of 13.5x sits below the peer median of 14.1x, while its EV/EBITDA of 18.0x exceeds the peer median of 11.1x. HOV trades at a price-to-sales multiple of 0.2x compared to the peer median of 0.7x. Over the past year, HOV delivered a return of -22.3%, underperforming the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%.

HOV key metrics →

What analysts expect

Wall Street analyst coverage includes 1 Sell rating, with 0 Strong Buy, Buy, Hold, or Strong Sell ratings. The mean price target is $74.00, representing a -23.9% comparison against the last close of $97.27. For the fiscal year ending October 31, 2026, consensus estimates project revenue of $2.83B and EPS of $3.99, an expected EPS decline of 46.3%. Hovnanian has beaten EPS estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings date is December 3, 2026.

HOV forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • With a beta of 1.82, Hovnanian stock experiences substantially higher price volatility than the broader equity market.
  • Trailing net profit margin compressed to 0.6% over the last twelve months, down from 21.8% reported in FY2021.
  • Earnings for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2026, are projected to decrease 46.3% to an EPS of $3.99.
  • HOV shares trade 17.7% below their 200-day moving average and have dropped 22.3% over the past year.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this HOV AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (HOV). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: HOV income statement, HOV balance sheet, HOV key metrics, HOV analyst forecast, HOV chart. See the HOV stock overview for the latest quote and news.

HOV AI stock analysis FAQ

What is Hovnanian Enterprises core business?

Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. designs, builds, markets, and sells residential housing, including single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums across the United States. It also provides complementary financial services such as mortgage loans and title insurance.

What is HOV valuation multiple?

HOV trades at a trailing P/E of 93.5x and a forward P/E of 13.5x. Its price-to-sales ratio is 0.2x and enterprise value stands at $1.51B.

How much debt does Hovnanian hold?

As of July 31, 2026, Hovnanian carried $934.9M in total debt against $258.3M in cash and short-term investments, resulting in net debt of $676.6M. Its debt-to-equity ratio was 1.14.

What are analysts forecasting for Hovnanian upcoming earnings?

Analysts project FY2026 EPS of $3.99, reflecting a 46.3% decline, on estimated revenue of $2.83B. The lone analyst rating is Sell, with a mean price target of $74.00.

When is Hovnanian next earnings report?

The next earnings date for Hovnanian is scheduled for December 3, 2026.

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