- Last week's merger deal between Ryland and Standard Pacific was the first big deal since Pulte purchased Centex in 2009, but it could be a sign of things to come as homebuilders look to stock up assets to take advantage of the housing recovery.
- Look to smaller, newly public players as spots for deals, say analysts, pointing to Tri Pointe Homes (NYSE:TPH), Taylor Morrison (NYSE:TMHC), and William Lyon (NYSE:WLH) as three whose share prices have struggled versus those of the larger builders.
- Relative giants like D.R. Horton, PulteGroup, and Lennar already have a sizable presence in key markets, and are less likely to be buyers.
- ETFs: ITB, XHB
- Source: Reuters