FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | ||||
Contacts: | Brent Anderson, VP Investor Relations | |||
(972) 580-6360 (office) | ||||
Brent.Anderson@meritagehomes.com |
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | %Chg | 2013 | 2012 | %Chg | |||||||||||||||||
Homes closed (units) | 1,418 | 1,197 | 18 | % | 3,791 | 2,998 | 26 | % | ||||||||||||||
Home closing revenue | $ | 483,147 | $ | 334,880 | 44 | % | $ | 1,249,897 | $ | 820,242 | 52 | % | ||||||||||
Average sales price - closings | $ | 341 | $ | 280 | 22 | % | $ | 330 | $ | 274 | 20 | % | ||||||||||
Home orders (units) | 1,300 | 1,204 | 8 | % | 4,484 | 3,701 | 21 | % | ||||||||||||||
Home order value | $ | 473,924 | $ | 366,752 | 29 | % | $ | 1,567,719 | $ | 1,060,910 | 48 | % | ||||||||||
Average sales price - orders | $ | 365 | $ | 305 | 20 | % | $ | 350 | $ | 287 | 22 | % | ||||||||||
Ending backlog (units) | 2,190 | 1,618 | 35 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Ending backlog value | $ | 805,580 | $ | 489,522 | 65 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Average sales price - backlog | $ | 368 | $ | 303 | 22 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 38,191 | $ | 6,784 | 463 | % | $ | 78,375 | $ | 10,035 | 681 | % | ||||||||||
Diluted EPS | $ | 0.99 | $ | 0.19 | 421 | % | $ | 2.05 | $ | 0.30 | 583 | % |
• | Net earnings increased $31.4 million or 463% over 2012 to $38.2 million ($0.99 per diluted share) in the third quarter of 2013, as compared to net earnings of $6.8 million ($0.19 per diluted share) in the third quarter of 2012. The increase in 2013 earnings was primarily due to higher home closing revenue and gross margins, coupled with overhead expense leverage. Prior year results also included an $8.7 million charge related to litigation surrounding a Nevada joint venture. The 2013 results included a tax provision of $18.6 million, compared to $0.2 million in the prior year. |
• | Home closing revenue increased 44% due to the combination of an 18% increase in home closings and a 22% increase in average sales price over the prior year period. All regions grew home closings, revenue and average prices over the prior year. This was the eighth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in home closing revenue, and the highest level of home closings by Meritage since the fourth quarter of 2008. |
• | Home closing gross margin increased to 22.8% in the third quarter of 2013, a year-over-year improvement of 420 basis points compared to 18.6% in the third quarter of 2012, and a sequential improvement of 130 basis points compared to a 21.5% home closing gross margin in the second quarter of 2013. It is the highest gross margin Meritage has produced since the second quarter of 2006. The significant margin growth reflects both home price appreciation and effective management of construction costs. |
• | Commissions and other sales costs in the third quarter improved 80 basis points on higher closing volumes, decreasing to 6.9% of home closing revenue in 2013 from 7.7% in 2012. |
• | General and administrative expenses declined to 5.0% of total third quarter closing revenue in 2013, from 5.6% in 2012, due to operating leverage. The majority of the $5.2 million increase over last year was the result of additional hiring and compensation expense. |
• | Interest expense decreased to $3.5 million or 0.7% of closing revenue in the third quarter of 2013, compared to $5.0 million or 1.5% of closing revenue in the third quarter of 2012, as a greater portion of interest incurred was capitalized. |
• | Pre-tax earnings margin increased 950 basis points to 11.5% in the third quarter of 2013, compared to 2.0% in the prior year. |
• | Total order value grew 29% over the third quarter of 2012 due to the combination of an 8% increase in orders and a 20% increase in the average selling price of homes ordered. Total order value and backlog grew in each of Meritage's active markets except California, where the pace of orders moderated as prices were increased. The average sales price on orders of approximately $365,000 was the highest for Meritage in more than eight years, reflecting the combination of a greater portion of orders in higher-priced communities and states, in addition to home price appreciation. |
• | Meritage added 14 net new communities during the third quarter of 2013, including three from the Nashville acquisition, and ended the quarter with 179 total active communities, a 17% increase year over year from 153 at September 30, 2012. |
• | Average orders per active community during the third quarter was 7.6 in 2013 compared to 7.9 in 2012. The average reflects an increase of 21% in Texas over the third quarter of 2012, while California, Florida and Colorado sold the most homes per average community, at 10.6, 9.1 and 8.0, respectively. |
• | Order cancellation rates remained historically low at 14% for the third quarter of 2013 compared to 13% in the third quarter of 2012. |
• | Ending backlog value increased 65% over the third quarter of 2012, combining a 22% increase in average price with 35% growth of orders in backlog. The Carolinas and Colorado grew backlog value by 177% and 158%, respectively, while Florida and Texas each grew backlog value by 76% over the prior year. |
• | Net earnings of $78.4 million for the first nine months of 2013 included a $3.8 million loss on early extinguishment of debt and a tax provision of $33.4 million, compared to net earnings of $10.0 million for the first nine months of 2012, which included a $5.8 million loss on early extinguishment of debt and a $4.8 million tax benefit, in addition to the $8.7 million charge related to the Nevada joint venture litigation. |
• | Home closings and closing revenue for the first nine months of the year increased 26% and 52%, respectively, for 2013 over 2012, reflecting a 20% increase in the average sales price of closings. |
• | Year-to-date home closing gross margin improved by 330 basis points to 21.5% for 2013, compared to 18.2% for 2012. |
• | Total year-to-date selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 200 basis points to 12.3% of total closing revenue in 2013 compared to 14.3% in 2012, reflecting increased operating leverage. |
• | Year-to-date net orders through September 30 increased 21% in 2013 over 2012, and in combination with a 22% increase in average sales price, drove a 48% increase in total order value year over year. |
• | Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at September 30, 2013 increased to a total of $311.3 million, compared to $295.5 million at December 31, 2012. |
• | Meritage spent approximately $166.7 million on land acquisition and development in the third quarter of 2013, and contracted for approximately 3,700 new lots in addition to 500 lots added with the Phillips Builders acquisition. |
• | Total lot supply at September 30, 2013 was approximately 25,000 lots, equating to approximately 5.0 years supply based on trailing twelve months' closings, compared to approximately 17,800 lots at September 30, 2012, the equivalent of 4.6 years supply. Approximately 71% of the September 30, 2013 lot supply was owned. |
• | Of the 29% of lots controlled under option and purchase contracts as of September 30, 2013, approximately 1,350 lots were secured through land bank arrangements in 2013. The total finished lot purchase price of these lots owned by land bankers is approximately $127 million. Meritage has the option to purchase these lots over time, which reduces the Company's initial cash outlays for these lot positions. |
• | Total real estate assets increased to $1.3 billion at September 30, 2013, compared to $1.0 billion a year ago and $1.1 billion at the beginning of 2013. |
• | Stockholders’ equity increased by 14% or $98.1 million year-to-date in 2013, ending at $792.3 million as of September 30, 2013, compared to $694.2 million at December 31, 2012. |
• | Net debt-to-capital ratio remained at 38.1% as of September 30, 2013, consistent with December 31, 2012, and the Company had no borrowings against its $135 million revolving credit facility. |
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||||||
Homebuilding: | |||||||||||||||||
Home closing revenue | $ | 483,147 | $ | 334,880 | $ | 1,249,897 | $ | 820,242 | |||||||||
Land closing revenue | 8,933 | 7,763 | 28,568 | 8,846 | |||||||||||||
Total closing revenue | 492,080 | 342,643 | 1,278,465 | 829,088 | |||||||||||||
Cost of home closings | (372,772 | ) | (272,726 | ) | (981,557 | ) | (671,029 | ) | |||||||||
Cost of land closings | (6,126 | ) | (7,493 | ) | (24,139 | ) | (8,833 | ) | |||||||||
Total cost of closings | (378,898 | ) | (280,219 | ) | (1,005,696 | ) | (679,862 | ) | |||||||||
Home closing gross profit | 110,375 | 62,154 | 268,340 | 149,213 | |||||||||||||
Land closing gross profit | 2,807 | 270 | 4,429 | 13 | |||||||||||||
Total closing gross profit | 113,182 | 62,424 | 272,769 | 149,226 | |||||||||||||
Financial Services: | |||||||||||||||||
Revenue | 1,684 | 253 | 3,960 | 253 | |||||||||||||
Expense | (901 | ) | (317 | ) | (2,229 | ) | (484 | ) | |||||||||
Earnings from financial services unconsolidated entities and other, net | 3,511 | 3,049 | 9,784 | 6,974 | |||||||||||||
Financial services profit | 4,294 | 2,985 | 11,515 | 6,743 | |||||||||||||
Commissions and other sales costs | (33,467 | ) | (25,855 | ) | (90,526 | ) | (67,950 | ) | |||||||||
General and administrative expenses | (24,412 | ) | (19,209 | ) | (66,587 | ) | (50,446 | ) | |||||||||
Earnings/(loss) from other unconsolidated entities, net | 46 | (74 | ) | (229 | ) | (348 | ) | ||||||||||
Interest expense | (3,462 | ) | (5,009 | ) | (13,113 | ) | (18,718 | ) | |||||||||
Other income/(expense), net | 605 | (8,276 | ) | 1,760 | (7,481 | ) | |||||||||||
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | — | — | (3,796 | ) | (5,772 | ) | |||||||||||
Earnings before income taxes | 56,786 | 6,986 | 111,793 | 5,254 | |||||||||||||
(Provision for)/benefit from income taxes | (18,595 | ) | (202 | ) | (33,418 | ) | 4,781 | ||||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 38,191 | $ | 6,784 | $ | 78,375 | $ | 10,035 | |||||||||
Earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||
Basic | |||||||||||||||||
Earnings per share | $ | 1.05 | $ | 0.19 | $ | 2.17 | $ | 0.30 | |||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding | 36,226 | 35,216 | 36,060 | 33,541 | |||||||||||||
Diluted | |||||||||||||||||
Earnings per share | $ | 0.99 | $ | 0.19 | $ | 2.05 | $ | 0.30 | |||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding | 38,865 | 35,761 | 38,771 | 34,010 |
September 30, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 177,584 | $ | 170,457 | ||||
Investments and securities | 92,846 | 86,074 | ||||||
Restricted cash | 40,904 | 38,938 | ||||||
Other receivables | 35,711 | 20,290 | ||||||
Real estate (1) | 1,345,214 | 1,113,187 | ||||||
Real estate not owned | 481 | — | ||||||
Deposits on real estate under option or contract | 34,911 | 14,351 | ||||||
Investments in unconsolidated entities | 10,662 | 12,085 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 18,690 | 15,718 | ||||||
Deferred tax asset | 80,390 | 77,974 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 36,693 | 26,488 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 1,874,086 | $ | 1,575,562 | ||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 76,647 | $ | 49,801 | ||||
Accrued liabilities | 178,247 | 96,377 | ||||||
Home sale deposits | 28,183 | 12,377 | ||||||
Liabilities related to real estate not owned | 346 | — | ||||||
Senior, senior subordinated, convertible senior notes and other borrowings | 798,337 | 722,797 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 1,081,760 | 881,352 | ||||||
Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||||
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 | — | — | ||||||
Common stock, par value $0.01 | 362 | 356 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 409,984 | 390,249 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 381,980 | 303,605 | ||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 792,326 | 694,210 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 1,874,086 | $ | 1,575,562 | ||||
(1) Real estate – Allocated costs: | ||||||||
Homes under contract under construction | $ | 316,508 | $ | 192,948 | ||||
Unsold homes, completed and under construction | 123,602 | 107,466 | ||||||
Model homes | 78,017 | 62,411 | ||||||
Finished home sites and home sites under development | 721,492 | 634,106 | ||||||
Land held for development | 53,053 | 56,118 | ||||||
Land held for sale | 19,630 | 21,650 | ||||||
Communities in mothball status | 32,912 | 38,488 | ||||||
Total real estate | $ | 1,345,214 | $ | 1,113,187 |
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | |||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | $ | 2,511 | $ | 2,299 | $ | 7,169 | $ | 5,913 | ||||||||
Summary of Capitalized Interest: | ||||||||||||||||
Capitalized interest, beginning of period | $ | 26,294 | $ | 17,836 | $ | 21,600 | $ | 14,810 | ||||||||
Interest incurred | 12,508 | 11,654 | 37,876 | 33,819 | ||||||||||||
Interest expensed | (3,462 | ) | (5,009 | ) | (13,113 | ) | (18,718 | ) | ||||||||
Interest amortized to cost of home, land closings and impairments | (6,342 | ) | (4,296 | ) | (17,365 | ) | (9,726 | ) | ||||||||
Capitalized interest, end of period | $ | 28,998 | $ | 20,185 | $ | 28,998 | $ | 20,185 | ||||||||
September 30, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||||||
Notes payable and other borrowings | $ | 798,337 | $ | 722,797 | ||||||||||||
Less: cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and investments and securities | (311,334 | ) | (295,469 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net debt | 487,003 | 427,328 | ||||||||||||||
Stockholders’ equity | 792,326 | 694,210 | ||||||||||||||
Total capital | $ | 1,279,329 | $ | 1,121,538 | ||||||||||||
Net debt-to-capital | 38.1 | % | 38.1 | % |
Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 78,375 | $ | 10,035 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 7,169 | 5,913 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation | 7,040 | 6,095 | ||||||
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | 3,796 | 5,772 | ||||||
Excess income tax benefit from stock-based awards | (1,733 | ) | — | |||||
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities | (9,555 | ) | (6,626 | ) | ||||
Deferred tax asset valuation benefit | (4,614 | ) | (7,709 | ) | ||||
Distribution of earnings from unconsolidated entities | 10,796 | 6,118 | ||||||
Other | 3,071 | 1,976 | ||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Increase in real estate | (221,668 | ) | (190,509 | ) | ||||
(Increase)/decrease in deposits on real estate under option or contract | (20,425 | ) | 2,192 | |||||
Increase in receivables and prepaid expenses and other assets | (14,224 | ) | (1,882 | ) | ||||
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 106,862 | 31,204 | ||||||
Increase in home sale deposits | 15,584 | 5,169 | ||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (39,526 | ) | (132,252 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (9,717 | ) | (7,139 | ) | ||||
Maturities of investments and securities | 132,900 | 190,701 | ||||||
Payments to purchase investments and securities | (139,672 | ) | (109,798 | ) | ||||
Other | (20,334 | ) | (3,020 | ) | ||||
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities | (36,823 | ) | 70,744 | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
Repayments of senior and senior subordinated notes | (102,822 | ) | (315,080 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes | 175,000 | 426,500 | ||||||
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net | — | 87,125 | ||||||
Other | 11,298 | (5,600 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 83,476 | 192,945 | ||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 7,127 | 131,437 | ||||||
Beginning cash and cash equivalents | 170,457 | 173,612 | ||||||
Ending cash and cash equivalents (2) | $ | 177,584 | $ | 305,049 |
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
September 30, 2013 | September 30, 2012 | |||||||||||||
Homes | Value | Homes | Value | |||||||||||
Homes Closed: | ||||||||||||||
Arizona | 301 | $ | 96,562 | 243 | $ | 59,519 | ||||||||
California | 259 | 113,954 | 244 | 88,748 | ||||||||||
Colorado | 104 | 43,033 | 83 | 27,639 | ||||||||||
Nevada | 1 | 245 | 22 | 4,113 | ||||||||||
West Region | 665 | 253,794 | 592 | 180,019 | ||||||||||
Texas | 509 | 136,249 | 434 | 104,041 | ||||||||||
Central Region | 509 | 136,249 | 434 | 104,041 | ||||||||||
Carolinas | 62 | 24,361 | 40 | 14,459 | ||||||||||
Florida | 176 | 66,464 | 131 | 36,361 | ||||||||||
Tennessee | 6 | 2,279 | — | — | ||||||||||
East Region | 244 | 93,104 | 171 | 50,820 | ||||||||||
Total | 1,418 | $ | 483,147 | 1,197 | $ | 334,880 | ||||||||
Homes Ordered: | ||||||||||||||
Arizona | 234 | $ | 80,748 | 229 | $ | 70,315 | ||||||||
California | 165 | 84,741 | 248 | 94,974 | ||||||||||
Colorado | 96 | 44,178 | 88 | 28,925 | ||||||||||
Nevada | — | — | 22 | 4,384 | ||||||||||
West Region | 495 | 209,667 | 587 | 198,598 | ||||||||||
Texas | 545 | 157,868 | 425 | 106,116 | ||||||||||
Central Region | 545 | 157,868 | 425 | 106,116 | ||||||||||
Carolinas | 72 | 28,971 | 36 | 12,709 | ||||||||||
Florida | 177 | 74,312 | 156 | 49,329 | ||||||||||
Tennessee | 11 | 3,106 | — | — | ||||||||||
East Region | 260 | 106,389 | 192 | 62,038 | ||||||||||
Total | 1,300 | $ | 473,924 | 1,204 | $ | 366,752 |
Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
September 30, 2013 | September 30, 2012 | |||||||||||||
Homes | Value | Homes | Value | |||||||||||
Homes Closed: | ||||||||||||||
Arizona | 744 | $ | 233,447 | 593 | $ | 153,190 | ||||||||
California | 784 | 329,414 | 489 | 172,575 | ||||||||||
Colorado | 298 | 112,238 | 227 | 75,816 | ||||||||||
Nevada | 38 | 8,900 | 39 | 7,402 | ||||||||||
West Region | 1,864 | 683,999 | 1,348 | 408,983 | ||||||||||
Texas | 1,312 | 343,924 | 1,190 | 277,436 | ||||||||||
Central Region | 1,312 | 343,924 | 1,190 | 277,436 | ||||||||||
Carolinas | 153 | 57,849 | 84 | 30,513 | ||||||||||
Florida | 456 | 161,846 | 376 | 103,310 | ||||||||||
Tennessee | 6 | 2,279 | — | — | ||||||||||
East Region | 615 | 221,974 | 460 | 133,823 | ||||||||||
Total | 3,791 | $ | 1,249,897 | 2,998 | $ | 820,242 | ||||||||
Homes Ordered: | ||||||||||||||
Arizona | 886 | $ | 284,139 | 738 | $ | 200,258 | ||||||||
California | 730 | 331,933 | 714 | 258,053 | ||||||||||
Colorado | 358 | 154,251 | 266 | 88,012 | ||||||||||
Nevada | 24 | 5,795 | 61 | 11,455 | ||||||||||
West Region | 1,998 | 776,118 | 1,779 | 557,778 | ||||||||||
Texas | 1,689 | 472,507 | 1,370 | 332,007 | ||||||||||
Central Region | 1,689 | 472,507 | 1,370 | 332,007 | ||||||||||
Carolinas | 218 | 87,461 | 109 | 38,841 | ||||||||||
Florida | 568 | 228,527 | 443 | 132,284 | ||||||||||
Tennessee | 11 | 3,106 | — | — | ||||||||||
East Region | 797 | 319,094 | 552 | 171,125 | ||||||||||
Total | 4,484 | $ | 1,567,719 | 3,701 | $ | 1,060,910 | ||||||||
Order Backlog: | ||||||||||||||
Arizona | 391 | $ | 131,508 | 303 | $ | 92,300 | ||||||||
California | 261 | 127,107 | 307 | 113,126 | ||||||||||
Colorado | 202 | 92,102 | 109 | 35,689 | ||||||||||
Nevada | — | — | 27 | 5,129 | ||||||||||
West Region | 854 | 350,717 | 746 | 246,244 | ||||||||||
Texas | 877 | 260,900 | 576 | 148,065 | ||||||||||
Central Region | 877 | 260,900 | 576 | 148,065 | ||||||||||
Carolinas | 114 | 46,953 | 49 | 16,944 | ||||||||||
Florida | 315 | 137,691 | 247 | 78,269 | ||||||||||
Tennessee | 30 | 9,319 | — | — | ||||||||||
East Region | 459 | 193,963 | 296 | 95,213 | ||||||||||
Total | 2,190 | $ | 805,580 | 1,618 | $ | 489,522 |
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, 2013 | September 30, 2012 | |||||||||||
Beg. | End | Beg. | End | |||||||||
Active Communities: | ||||||||||||
Arizona | 36 | 39 | 32 | 34 | ||||||||
California | 13 | 18 | 20 | 19 | ||||||||
Colorado | 12 | 12 | 8 | 8 | ||||||||
Nevada | — | — | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
West Region | 61 | 69 | 62 | 63 | ||||||||
Texas | 71 | 73 | 68 | 68 | ||||||||
Central Region | 71 | 73 | 68 | 68 | ||||||||
Carolinas | 13 | 15 | 5 | 7 | ||||||||
Florida | 20 | 19 | 16 | 15 | ||||||||
Tennessee | — | 3 | — | — | ||||||||
East Region | 33 | 37 | 21 | 22 | ||||||||
Total | 165 | 179 | 151 | 153 |
Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, 2013 | September 30, 2012 | |||||||||||
Beg. | End | Beg. | End | |||||||||
Active Communities: | ||||||||||||
Arizona | 38 | 39 | 37 | 34 | ||||||||
California | 17 | 18 | 20 | 19 | ||||||||
Colorado | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | ||||||||
Nevada | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
West Region | 68 | 69 | 69 | 63 | ||||||||
Texas | 65 | 73 | 67 | 68 | ||||||||
Central Region | 65 | 73 | 67 | 68 | ||||||||
Carolinas | 7 | 15 | 3 | 7 | ||||||||
Florida | 18 | 19 | 18 | 15 | ||||||||
Tennessee | — | 3 | — | — | ||||||||
East Region | 25 | 37 | 21 | 22 | ||||||||
Total | 158 | 179 | 157 | 153 |