KB Home Plunges 10.18% to Monthly Low on Weak 2026 Guidance, Housing Downturn

Generated by AI AgentAinvest Movers RadarReviewed byAInvest News Editorial Team
Friday, Dec 19, 2025 4:47 pm ET1min read
Aime RobotAime Summary

- KB Home's shares plunged 10.18% to a monthly low amid weak 2026 guidance and deteriorating housing market fundamentals.

- Projected 2026 housing revenue ($5.10–$6.10B) and gross margins (15.4–16.0%) fell below 2025 levels, signaling margin compression and pricing pressures.

- Q4 2025 deliveries dropped 9% YoY, with average prices falling to $465,600, reflecting waning demand amid high mortgage rates and affordability challenges.

- Analysts cut price targets to $54–$56 as backlog shrank 25% to 3,128 homes ($1.4B), highlighting reduced revenue visibility and industry-wide margin pressures.

The share price fell to its lowest level so far this month, with an intraday decline of 10.18%.

KB Home’s recent selloff reflects a confluence of bearish factors, including weak 2026 guidance and deteriorating housing market fundamentals. The company projected 2026 housing revenues of $5.10–$6.10 billion, below 2025’s $6.21 billion, while Q1 2026 delivery forecasts of 2,300–2,500 homes lagged consensus expectations. Margins are also under pressure, with expected Q1 2026 gross profit margins of 15.4–16.0%, down from 17.8% in 2025, as pricing competition and elevated land costs erode profitability. A 9% year-over-year drop in Q4 2025 deliveries and a 7% decline in average selling prices to $465,600 further underscore waning demand amid high mortgage rates and affordability challenges.

Broader industry headwinds amplify the bearish outlook. KB Home’s backlog of 3,128 homes, valued at $1.40 billion, represents a sharp decline from 4,434 homes ($2.24 billion) in Q4 2024, signaling reduced future revenue visibility. Analysts have downgraded price targets, with RBC and Wolfe Research lowering expectations to $54 and $56, respectively. While the company returned $600 million to shareholders in 2025 and maintains a $900 million share repurchase authorization, market skepticism persists over its ability to offset macroeconomic pressures, including near-7% mortgage rates and industry-wide margin compression. Investors are now closely monitoring Q1 2026 order trends and cost-cutting initiatives to assess recovery potential.

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