Meritage Homes reports first quarter 2021 results including an 88% increase in diluted EPS, 470 bps increase in home closing gross margin and 25% increase in closings over prior year

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE: MTH), a leading U.S. homebuilder, reported first quarter results for the period ended March 31, 2021.

 
Summary Operating Results (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
     
    Three Months Ended March 31,
    2021   2020   % Chg
Homes closed (units)   2,890     2,316     25 %
Home closing revenue   $ 1,079,982     $ 890,417     21 %
Average sales price - closings   $ 374     $ 384     (3 )%
Home orders (units)   3,458     3,102     11 %
Home order value   $ 1,349,130     $ 1,179,938     14 %
Average sales price - orders   $ 390     $ 380     3 %
Ending backlog (units)   5,240     3,568     47 %
Ending backlog value   $ 2,082,259     $ 1,388,517     50 %
Average sales price - backlog   $ 397     $ 389     2 %
Earnings before income taxes   $ 165,977     $ 86,833     91 %
Net earnings   $ 131,843     $ 71,152     85 %
Diluted EPS   $ 3.44     $ 1.83     88 %
                       

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

"2021 is off to a solid start with robust demand that never really slowed down from an exceptional 2020," Steven J. Hilton, executive chairman of Meritage Homes, stated. "Our average absorption pace for the first quarter of 2021 of 5.8 per month was 35% higher than prior year, resulting from the strength in the housing market, even as we managed our spec starts and the corresponding orders pace in most communities to align with constraints in the supply chain today. The current environment, coupled with our strategy centered on affordable entry-level and first move-up homes, enabled Meritage Homes to produce the highest first quarter of orders and closings in the company's history as well as the highest quarterly home closing gross margin since 2006.

"Absent large interest rate increases, we believe the current market demand will continue through 2021 at a minimum, and provide the homebuilding industry ongoing pricing power to offset commodity and other cost increases. Mortgage interest rates remain very affordable despite recent upticks, strong demographic homebuying trends persist for millennials and baby boomers, and the supply of new and resale homes is still constrained."

“Our closings of 2,890 homes this quarter were 25% higher than the first quarter of 2020," Phillippe Lord, chief executive officer of Meritage Homes, commented. "Quarterly sales orders of 3,458 homes were up 11% compared to the same period of 2020, despite an 18% decline in average community count. For the first quarter of 2021, home closing revenue of $1.1 billion was 21% greater than prior year, which combined with a 24.7% home closing gross margin, produced an 88% year-over-year increase in our diluted earnings per share to $3.44."

"At March 31, 2021, we had 203 active communities, in line with our guidance and slightly up from 195 at December 31, 2020. Despite weather and some delays in the building materials supply channel, we were able to open our expected communities on time. We remain on track to reach our goal of 300 communities by mid-2022. Given our strong pipeline of community openings, we expect to see an increase of approximately 20% in our community count by December 31, 2021 from the current level," Mr. Lord remarked. "During the quarter, we invested significantly for additional growth by spending nearly $370 million on land acquisition and development. 5,900 net new lots were secured, a 106% increase year-over-year, which brings our total lot supply to over 58,000 lots.

"In addition to all of the progress we made within our existing geographies, we are excited to announce our first new market entry since 2016. With five communities already under contract in Myrtle Beach, our new Coastal Carolinas division will encompass Myrtle Beach, Charleston and the surrounding areas, and will further expand our East region operations," Mr. Lord added. "We will start gathering interest lists for these communities in the next few quarters ahead of the community openings in 2022."

Mr. Lord concluded, "Based on robust selling conditions and confidence in our ability to deliver our backlog, we are projecting 11,700-12,700 annual home closings and approximately $4.55-4.85 billion in total home closing revenue for 2021. In addition, we anticipate home closing gross margin of approximately 25.0% and an effective tax rate of about 23.0%, and expect to realize diluted EPS in the range of $13.75-14.75."

FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

  • The total orders of 3,458 for the first quarter of 2021 reflected an increase of 11% year-over-year, driven by a 35% increase in absorption pace from 4.3 to 5.8 per month. Entry-level represented 76% of first quarter 2021 orders, compared to 61% in the same quarter in 2020. Strong housing demand enabled Meritage to achieve higher absorptions across all its markets, although first quarter 2021 average community count declined 18% from the first quarter of the prior year. Absorptions were up 67% in the East region, 34% in the Central region and 13% in the West region. The favorable market conditions also drove the year-over-year increase in average sales price ("ASP") for both orders and backlog, despite the company's shift in product mix toward entry-level homes.

  • The 21% year-over-year increase in home closing revenue to $1.1 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 was due to 25% higher home closing volume partially offset by a 3% reduction in closing ASP, which was primarily attributable to the shift to entry-level homes. ASPs also reflected pricing increases as a result of the sustained housing demand.

  • The 470 bps improvement in first quarter 2021 home closing gross margin to 24.7% from 20.0% a year ago mainly resulted from higher ASPs, as well as the additional closing volume and efficiencies gained from streamlined operations. These factors mitigated record high lumber prices and increases in other commodity costs.

  • Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were 9.8% of first quarter 2021 home closing revenue, a 90 bps improvement over 10.7% in the first quarter of 2020. This improvement was due to greater leverage of fixed expenses on higher home closing revenue, in addition to cost savings from technology enhancements, particularly as related to the company's sales and marketing efforts.

  • The first quarter effective income tax rate was 20.6% in 2021 compared to 18.1% in 2020. The reduced rate in both years primarily stems from eligible energy tax credits on qualifying energy-efficient homes closed under the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act enacted in December 2019.

  • First quarter 2021 pre-tax margin increased 560 bps to 15.2%, compared to 9.6% in the first quarter of 2020. Net earnings were $131.8 million ($3.44 per diluted share) for the first quarter of 2021, an 85% increase over $71.2 million ($1.83 per diluted share) for the first quarter of 2020. Strong earnings growth reflected higher closing volume, pricing power, expanded gross margin and improved overhead leverage, which combined with a lower outstanding share count, led to an 88% year-over-year improvement in earnings per diluted share.

BALANCE SHEET

  • Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2021 totaled $716.4 million, compared to $745.6 million at December 31, 2020, primarily as a result of net cash used for investments in real estate and share repurchases. Real estate assets increased from $2.8 billion at December 31, 2020 to $3.0 billion at March 31, 2021, reflecting an increase in sold inventory and greater spend on land acquisition and development which was partially offset by a decrease in spec inventory.

  • A total of over 58,000 lots were owned or controlled as of March 31, 2021, compared to approximately 41,500 total lots at March 31, 2020. 5,900 net new lots were added in the first quarter of 2021, representing 43 future communities, of which 95% are for entry-level communities.

  • Debt-to-capital and net debt-to-capital ratios were 29.2% and 10.9%, respectively, at March 31, 2021, which were in line with 30.3% and 10.5%, respectively, at December 31, 2020.

  • The company repurchased 100,000 shares of stock for a total of $8.4 million during the first quarter of 2021.

  • On April 15, 2021, the company closed the offering of $450 million 3.875% senior notes due 2029 and received approximately $444.0 million in net proceeds. On March 31, 2021, the company issued a notice of redemption for April 30, 2021 for all of its $300 million aggregate principal amount of 7.00% senior notes due 2022 ("2022 Notes"). The early redemption of the 2022 Notes is expected to result in approximately $18.2 million of early extinguishment of debt charges in the second quarter of 2021.

CONFERENCE CALL

Management will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter results at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time (11:00 a.m. Eastern Time) on Thursday, April 29, 2021. The call will be webcast live with an accompanying slideshow available on the "Investor Relations" page of the company's website at https://investors.meritagehomes.com. Telephone participants will be able to join by dialing in to 1-877-407-6951 US toll free or 1-412-902-0046 on the day of the call.

A replay of the call will be available via webcast beginning at approximately 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time (3:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on April 29, 2021 and extending through May 13, 2021, at https://investors.meritagehomes.com.

 
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Income Statements
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
     
    Three Months Ended March 31,
    2021   2020   Change $   Change %
Homebuilding:              
  Home closing revenue $ 1,079,982     $ 890,417     $ 189,565     21 %
  Land closing revenue 3,799     10,596     (6,797 )   (64 )%
  Total closing revenue 1,083,781     901,013     182,768     20 %
  Cost of home closings (813,327 )   (712,057 )   101,270     14 %
  Cost of land closings (3,252 )   (10,213 )   (6,961 )   (68 )%
  Total cost of closings (816,579 )   (722,270 )   94,309     13 %
  Home closing gross profit 266,655     178,360     88,295     50 %
  Land closing gross profit 547     383     164     43 %
  Total closing gross profit 267,202     178,743     88,459     49 %
Financial Services:              
  Revenue 4,751     3,912     839     21 %
  Expense (2,171 )   (1,735 )   436     25 %
  Earnings from financial services unconsolidated entities and other, net 1,180     661     519     79 %
  Financial services profit 3,760     2,838     922     32 %
Commissions and other sales costs (67,744 )   (61,173 )   6,571     11 %
General and administrative expenses (37,949 )   (34,170 )   3,779     11 %
Interest expense (90 )   (16 )   74     463 %
Other income, net 798     611     187     31 %
Earnings before income taxes 165,977     86,833     79,144     91 %
Provision for income taxes (34,134 )   (15,681 )   18,453     118 %
Net earnings $ 131,843     $ 71,152     $ 60,691     85 %
               
Earnings per common share:              
  Basic         Change $ or
shares
  Change %
  Earnings per common share $ 3.50     $ 1.87     $ 1.63     87 %
  Weighted average shares outstanding 37,644     38,085     (441 )   (1 )%
  Diluted              
  Earnings per common share $ 3.44     $ 1.83     $ 1.61     88 %
  Weighted average shares outstanding 38,339     38,817     (478 )   (1 )%
                         


 
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
         
    March 31, 2021   December 31, 2020
Assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 716,433     $ 745,621  
Other receivables   102,860     98,573  
Real estate (1)   2,975,121     2,778,039  
Deposits on real estate under option or contract   64,355     59,534  
Investments in unconsolidated entities   4,001     4,350  
Property and equipment, net   37,308     38,933  
Deferred tax asset   33,329     36,040  
Prepaids, other assets and goodwill   105,009     103,308  
Total assets   $ 4,038,416     $ 3,864,398  
Liabilities:        
Accounts payable   $ 199,667     $ 175,250  
Accrued liabilities   310,527     296,121  
Home sale deposits   30,973     25,074  
Loans payable and other borrowings   23,344     23,094  
Senior notes, net   997,212     996,991  
Total liabilities   1,561,723     1,516,530  
Stockholders' Equity:        
Preferred stock        
Common stock   378     375  
Additional paid-in capital   452,741     455,762  
Retained earnings   2,023,574     1,891,731  
Total stockholders’ equity   2,476,693     2,347,868  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 4,038,416     $ 3,864,398  


(1) Real estate – Allocated costs:
       
Homes under contract under construction   $ 1,008,648     $ 873,365  
Unsold homes, completed and under construction   328,125     357,861  
Model homes   77,264     82,502  
Finished home sites and home sites under development   1,561,084     1,464,311  
Total real estate   $ 2,975,121     $ 2,778,039  
                 


 
Supplemental Information and Non-GAAP Financial Disclosures (Dollars in thousands – unaudited):
   
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2021   2020
Depreciation and amortization $ 6,535     $ 7,011  
       
Summary of Capitalized Interest:      
Capitalized interest, beginning of period $ 58,940     $ 82,014  
Interest incurred 16,092     16,535  
Interest expensed (90 )   (16 )
Interest amortized to cost of home and land closings (17,402 )   (20,371 )
Capitalized interest, end of period $ 57,540     $ 78,162  
       
  March 31, 2021   December 31, 2020
Senior notes, net, loans payable and other borrowings $ 1,020,556     $ 1,020,085  
Stockholders' equity 2,476,693     2,347,868  
Total capital $ 3,497,249     $ 3,367,953  
Debt-to-capital 29.2 %   30.3 %
       
Senior notes, net, loans payable and other borrowings $ 1,020,556     $ 1,020,085  
Less: cash and cash equivalents (716,433 )   (745,621 )
Net debt $ 304,123     $ 274,464  
Stockholders’ equity 2,476,693     2,347,868  
Total net capital $ 2,780,816     $ 2,622,332  
Net debt-to-capital 10.9 %   10.5 %
           


 
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
     
    Three Months Ended March 31,
    2021   2020
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net earnings   $ 131,843     $ 71,152  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization   6,535     7,011  
Stock-based compensation   5,367     6,437  
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities   (750 )   (684 )
Distribution of earnings from unconsolidated entities   1,100     849  
Other   2,651     164  
Changes in assets and liabilities:        
Increase in real estate   (193,395 )   (45,207 )
Increase in deposits on real estate under option or contract   (4,821 )   (3,266 )
(Increase)/decrease in other receivables, prepaids and other assets   (7,118 )   7,557  
Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities   38,743     (1,956 )
Increase in home sale deposits   5,899     1,856  
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities   (13,946 )   43,913  
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Investments in unconsolidated entities   (1 )   (1 )
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated entities       1,000  
Purchases of property and equipment   (4,993 )   (5,331 )
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment   84     96  
Maturities/sales of investments and securities   2,566     83  
Payments to purchase investments and securities   (2,566 )   (83 )
Net cash used in investing activities   (4,910 )   (4,236 )
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Proceeds from Credit Facility, net       500,000  
Repayment of loans payable and other borrowings   (1,947 )   (1,009 )
Repurchase of shares   (8,385 )   (60,813 )
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities   (10,332 )   438,178  
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents   (29,188 )   477,855  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   745,621     319,466  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 716,433     $ 797,321  
                 


 
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Operating Data
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended March 31,
    2021   2020
    Homes   Value   Homes   Value
Homes Closed:                
Arizona   410     $ 137,268     459     $ 151,244  
California   277     171,899     208     134,802  
Colorado   175     84,263     186     91,684  
West Region   862     393,430     853     377,730  
Texas   963     318,385     774     255,909  
Central Region   963     318,385     774     255,909  
Florida   417     140,828     236     93,789  
Georgia   146     55,139     115     41,998  
North Carolina   299     107,013     222     79,417  
South Carolina   85     27,846     53     17,405  
Tennessee   118     37,341     63     24,169  
East Region   1,065     368,167     689     256,778  
Total   2,890     $ 1,079,982     2,316     $ 890,417  
                 
Homes Ordered:                
Arizona   602     $ 222,435     570     $ 183,371  
California   286     173,391     352     224,930  
Colorado   169     89,779     199     98,466  
West Region   1,057     485,605     1,121     506,767  
Texas   1,115     391,968     1,059     342,990  
Central Region   1,115     391,968     1,059     342,990  
Florida   479     179,109     317     119,443  
Georgia   164     61,557     156     54,984  
North Carolina   419     157,687     287     101,255  
South Carolina   76     26,402     87     27,914  
Tennessee   148     46,802     75     26,585  
East Region   1,286     471,557     922     330,181  
Total   3,458     $ 1,349,130     3,102     $ 1,179,938  
                 
Order Backlog:                
Arizona   1,185     $ 429,171     622     $ 218,497  
California   453     276,202     289     182,361  
Colorado   202     110,279     209     104,335  
West Region   1,840     815,652     1,120     505,193  
Texas   1,782     645,959     1,333     459,888  
Central Region   1,782     645,959     1,333     459,888  
Florida   612     253,188     452     189,193  
Georgia   174     64,355     174     62,777  
North Carolina   574     214,079     284     101,305  
South Carolina   111     39,785     105     34,963  
Tennessee   147     49,241     100     35,198  
East Region   1,618     620,648     1,115     423,436  
Total   5,240     $ 2,082,259     3,568     $ 1,388,517  
                             


 
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Operating Data
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended March 31,
    2021   2020
    Ending   Average   Ending   Average
Active Communities:                
Arizona   33     33.0     33     32.0  
California   19     17.5     29     26.5  
Colorado   12     11.5     13     15.5  
West Region   64     62.0     75     74.0  
Texas   59     61.0     78     77.5  
Central Region   59     61.0     78     77.5  
Florida   30     30.5     34     33.5  
Georgia   12     9.5     15     16.5  
North Carolina   24     22.5     20     22.5  
South Carolina   6     6.0     7     8.0  
Tennessee   8     7.5     12     10.5  
East Region   80     76.0     88     91.0  
Total   203     199.0     241     242.5  
                         

About Meritage Homes Corporation

Meritage Homes is the sixth-largest public homebuilder in the United States, based on homes closed in 2020. The Company offers a variety of homes that are designed with a focus on entry-level and first move-up buyers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Meritage Homes has delivered over 135,000 homes in its 36-year history, and has a reputation for its distinctive style, quality construction, and award-winning customer experience. The Company is the industry leader in energy-efficient homebuilding and an eight-time recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence Award since 2013 for innovation and industry leadership in energy efficient homebuilding.

For more information, visit www.meritagehomes.com.

The information included in this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include expectations about the housing market in general, and our projected 2021 home closings, home closing revenue, gross margins, effective tax rate, diluted earnings per share and future community counts.

Such statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of Company management and current market conditions, which are subject to significant uncertainties and fluctuations. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The Company makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or changes in these expectations. Meritage's business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. As a result of those risks and uncertainties, the Company's stock and note prices may fluctuate dramatically. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: changes in interest rates and the availability and pricing of residential mortgages; inflation in the cost of materials used to develop communities and construct homes; our ability to obtain performance and surety bonds in connection with our development work; the ability of our potential buyers to sell their existing homes; legislation related to tariffs; the adverse effect of slow absorption rates; impairments of our real estate inventory; cancellation rates; competition; home warranty and construction defect claims; failures in health and safety performance; fluctuations in quarterly operating results; our level of indebtedness; our ability to obtain financing if our credit ratings are downgraded; our potential exposure to and impacts from natural disasters or severe weather conditions; the availability and cost of finished lots and undeveloped land; the success of our strategy to offer and market entry-level and first move-up homes; a change to the feasibility of projects under option or contract that could result in the write-down or write-off of earnest or option deposits; our limited geographic diversification; the replication of our energy-efficient technologies by our competitors; shortages in the availability and cost of subcontract labor; our exposure to information technology failures and security breaches and the impact thereof; the loss of key personnel; changes in tax laws that adversely impact us or our homebuyers; our inability to prevail on contested tax positions; failure to comply with laws and regulations; our compliance with government regulations; negative publicity that affects our reputation; disruptions to our business by COVID-19, fear of a similar event, and measures that federal, state and local governments and/or health authorities implement to address it; and other factors identified in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 under the caption "Risk Factors," which can be found on our website at www.investors.meritagehomes.com.

   
Contacts: Emily Tadano, VP Investor Relations
  (480) 515-8979 (office)
  investors@meritagehomes.com
   


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Source: Meritage Homes Corporation