Stephen Kim Quotations

The fact is that housing demand has not slowed meaningfully, nor have supply constraints been noticeably undermined, and the large, public builders are set to post significantly higher price growth, margins and earnings than the Street currently expects.

Overall, we continue to expect the group to be volatile yet directionless here as seasonally depressed winter data are reported over the next several weeks, but remain convinced that the group is positioned to rally on the back of stronger than expected spring-order data.

We continue to be impressed with the improved pace and quality of new product introductions.

The problem is, things can't get any better, or that's the perception out there in the marketplace. In fact we would concur with that opinion. This is a notoriously cyclical sector; that isn't likely to change any time soon. Housing starts are at absolute peak levels. People are concerned where the upside is.

Why don't you ... downgrade the quality of the carpet or whatever, raise the price 5% ... and know that the person will probably just buy up the nicer carpet anyway?

While housing prices and margins may be climbing to stratospheric levels, it is important to recognize that they are still climbing and driving earnings higher,