By Dawn Wotapka Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- The debt-ceiling debate, a political nail-biter gripping much of the nation, isn't dramatically impacting home builder PulteGroup's (PHM) business, the company said in a conference call with analysts and investors Thursday. Some real estate industry watchers report that the situation, which could result in higher borrowing costs, has some consumers too nervous to consider buying a home. "I have been pleasantly surprised it does not appear to have had much of an impact," Chief Executive Richard Dugas said. Still, "it's frustrating for everybody to watch what's going on," he said. Earlier Thursday, Pulte, the nation's second-largest builder by annual closings, reported a second-quarter loss of $55.4 million, or $0.15 a share, compared with net income of $76.3 million or $0.20, from a year earlier. Revenue fell to $927 million from $1.3 billion. -By Dawn Wotapka, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2193; dawn.wotapka@dowjones.com
