FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | ||||
Contacts: | Brent Anderson, VP Investor Relations | |||
(972) 580-6360 (office) | ||||
Brent.Anderson@meritagehomes.com |
Three Months Ended December 31, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | %Chg | 2013 | 2012 | %Chg | |||||||||||||||||
Homes closed (units) | 1,468 | 1,240 | 18 | % | 5,259 | 4,238 | 24 | % | ||||||||||||||
Home closing revenue | $ | 533,492 | $ | 364,118 | 47 | % | $ | 1,783,389 | $ | 1,184,360 | 51 | % | ||||||||||
Average sales price - closings | $ | 363 | $ | 294 | 24 | % | $ | 339 | $ | 279 | 21 | % | ||||||||||
Home orders (units) | 1,131 | 1,094 | 3 | % | 5,615 | 4,795 | 17 | % | ||||||||||||||
Home order value | $ | 414,584 | $ | 353,862 | 17 | % | $ | 1,982,303 | $ | 1,414,772 | 40 | % | ||||||||||
Average sales price - orders | $ | 367 | $ | 323 | 13 | % | $ | 353 | $ | 295 | 20 | % | ||||||||||
Ending backlog (units) | 1,853 | 1,472 | 26 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Ending backlog value | $ | 686,672 | $ | 479,266 | 43 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Average sales price - backlog | $ | 371 | $ | 326 | 14 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 46,089 | $ | 95,128 | (52 | )% | $ | 124,464 | $ | 105,163 | 18 | % | ||||||||||
Diluted EPS | $1.19 | $2.49 | (52 | )% | $3.25 | $3.00 | 8 | % |
• | Net earnings of $46.1 million ($1.19 per diluted share) were net of a $19.8 million provision for income taxes, while prior year net earnings of $95.1 million ($2.49 per diluted share) included a $71.5 million net tax benefit primarily due to the reversal of a majority of our deferred tax asset valuation allowances. |
• | Home closing revenue increased 47% due to an 18% increase in home closings combined with a 24% increase in average price over the prior year period. The strongest growth was in the expanded East Region (Florida, the Carolinas and Tennessee), which grew closings and home closing revenue by 58% and 116%, respectively, compared to 31% growth in home closing revenue in both the West and Central Regions. |
• | The total value of homes ordered increased 17%, primarily due to a 13% increase in average selling price combined with a 3% increase in order volume. Average sales price for the fourth quarter increased to $367,000 from $323,000 in 2012. The fourth quarter of 2013 was Meritage's eleventh consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in home orders, and monthly sales improved sequentially every month throughout the quarter, before including the Company's new Tennessee division, which added 26 orders in the fourth quarter of 2013. |
• | An average of 6.2 orders per community during the fourth quarter 2013 was the second highest fourth quarter in the last eight years, exceeded only by 2012’s 7.0 average orders per community. California and Colorado sold the highest number of homes per average community. |
• | Cancellation rates increased to 15% in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to 13% in the fourth quarter of 2012, but still remained well below historical rates for the Company. |
• | Ending backlog of orders was up 26% over the prior year, and the total value of orders in backlog was up 43%, aided by a 14% increase in the average sales price per home. |
• | Home closing gross profit increased 80% over the prior year, and home closing gross margin increased by 430 basis points to 23.2% in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to 18.9% in the fourth quarter of 2012. Increased margins reflected the Company’s success in managing smaller increases in its cost of sales relative to rising home prices. |
• | Commissions and selling expenses decreased by 60 basis points from the prior year, to 6.8% of home closing revenue in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to 7.4% of home closing revenue in the fourth quarter of 2012, as higher closing revenue resulted in greater leverage of the fixed components within selling costs. |
• | General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2013 decreased by 30 basis points to 4.6% of total closing revenue in 2013, compared to 4.9% of total closing revenue in 2012, despite increasing by $7.2 million over the prior year, primarily due to hiring of additional employees and higher compensation expense. |
• | Interest expense decreased to $2.0 million or 0.4% of closing revenue in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to $5.5 million or 1.5% of closing revenue in the fourth quarter of 2012, as more interest was capitalized to assets under development. |
• | Earnings before income taxes increased 179% to $65.9 million from $23.6 million in the fourth quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively. Pretax margin for the fourth quarter increased 570 basis points to 12.2% in 2013 compared to 6.5% in 2012. |
• | Net income of $124.5 million for the full year of 2013 included a $53.2 provision for income taxes and a $3.8 million loss on early extinguishment of debt, compared to 2012’s net income of $105.2 million, which included a net tax benefit of $76.3 million and a $5.8 million loss on early extinguishment of debt. |
• | Home closings and closing revenue increased 24% and 51%, respectively, for 2013 as compared to 2012. |
• | 2013 home closing gross margins improved by 360 basis points to 22.0% compared to 18.4% for 2012. |
• | Net orders for the year increased 17% in 2013 over 2012, and total order value increased 40% year over year, aided by a 20% increase in average sales prices. |
• | The total value of orders in backlog at year-end 2013 was 43% higher than the prior year’s ending backlog. |
• | Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and securities at December 31, 2013, totaled $363.8 million, compared to $295.5 million at December 31, 2012. During 2013, Meritage received approximately $280 million from the sale of $175 million of 4.50% senior notes due 2018 and $100 million of its 7.15% senior notes due 2020 (sold at a premium of $106.699 for a yield of 5.875%). Approximately $100 million of the capital raised was used to fully retire the Company’s 7.731% senior subordinated notes due 2017. In January 2014, the company also issued approximately 2.53 million shares of common stock for net proceeds of approximately $110 million. |
• | Meritage Homes expanded into the Nashville, Tennessee market through the acquisition of Phillips Builders in August 2013, which added approximately 500 lots to Meritage's total lot inventory. |
• | Real estate assets increased by $292.1 million for the year 2012, ending at $1.4 billion at December 31, 2013, compared to $1.1 billion at December 31, 2012. Approximately 61% of the increase was in finished home sites (lots) and home sites under development, as Meritage acquired and developed lots for new communities in growing markets. |
• | Meritage ended the quarter with approximately 25,700 total lots under control, of which 74% were owned and 26% controlled under option and purchase contracts, compared to approximately 20,800 total lots at December 31, 2012. Based on its trailing twelve months’ closings, Meritage controlled a 4.9 year supply of lots at the end of 2013. |
• | Net debt-to-capital ratio at December 31, 2013 was 39.1%, compared to 38.1% at December 31, 2012. Giving effect to the January equity offering, Meritage’s pro forma net debt-to-capital ratio would have been 31.2%. |
• | The Company increased the borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility to $200 million from $135 million during the fourth quarter, providing additional liquidity for working capital and growth, while also eliminating all restrictions on cash previously required under its letters of credit facilities. |
Three Months Ended December 31, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||||||
Homebuilding: | |||||||||||||||||
Home closing revenue | $ | 533,492 | $ | 364,118 | $ | 1,783,389 | $ | 1,184,360 | |||||||||
Land closing revenue | 2,702 | 468 | 31,270 | 9,314 | |||||||||||||
Total closing revenue | 536,194 | 364,586 | 1,814,659 | 1,193,674 | |||||||||||||
Cost of home closings | (409,918 | ) | (295,355 | ) | (1,391,475 | ) | (966,384 | ) | |||||||||
Cost of land closings | (2,627 | ) | (258 | ) | (26,766 | ) | (9,091 | ) | |||||||||
Total cost of closings | (412,545 | ) | (295,613 | ) | (1,418,241 | ) | (975,475 | ) | |||||||||
Home closing gross profit | 123,574 | 68,763 | 391,914 | 217,976 | |||||||||||||
Land closing gross profit | 75 | 210 | 4,504 | 223 | |||||||||||||
Total closing gross profit | 123,649 | 68,973 | 396,418 | 218,199 | |||||||||||||
Financial Services: | |||||||||||||||||
Revenue | 2,077 | 526 | 6,037 | 779 | |||||||||||||
Expense | (1,037 | ) | (497 | ) | (3,266 | ) | (981 | ) | |||||||||
Earnings from financial services unconsolidated entities and other, net | 3,399 | 3,483 | 13,183 | 10,457 | |||||||||||||
Financial services profit | 4,439 | 3,512 | 15,954 | 10,255 | |||||||||||||
Commissions and other sales costs | (36,190 | ) | (26,883 | ) | (126,716 | ) | (94,833 | ) | |||||||||
General and administrative expenses | (24,923 | ) | (17,739 | ) | (91,510 | ) | (68,185 | ) | |||||||||
Earnings/(loss) from other unconsolidated entities, net | (149 | ) | 124 | (378 | ) | (224 | ) | ||||||||||
Interest expense | (1,979 | ) | (5,526 | ) | (15,092 | ) | (24,244 | ) | |||||||||
Other income/(loss), net | 1,032 | 1,139 | 2,792 | (6,342 | ) | ||||||||||||
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | — | — | (3,796 | ) | (5,772 | ) | |||||||||||
Earnings before income taxes | 65,879 | 23,600 | 177,672 | 28,854 | |||||||||||||
(Provision for)/benefit from income taxes | (19,790 | ) | 71,528 | (53,208 | ) | 76,309 | |||||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 46,089 | $ | 95,128 | $ | 124,464 | $ | 105,163 | |||||||||
Earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||
Basic | |||||||||||||||||
Earnings per share | $ | 1.27 | $ | 2.67 | $ | 3.45 | $ | 3.09 | |||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding | 36,240 | 35,595 | 36,105 | 34,057 | |||||||||||||
Diluted | |||||||||||||||||
Earnings per share | $ | 1.19 | $ | 2.49 | $ | 3.25 | $ | 3.00 | |||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding | 38,905 | 38,308 | 38,801 | 35,172 |
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 274,136 | $ | 170,457 | ||||
Investments and securities | 89,687 | 86,074 | ||||||
Restricted cash | — | 38,938 | ||||||
Other receivables | 38,983 | 20,290 | ||||||
Real estate (1) | 1,405,299 | 1,113,187 | ||||||
Real estate not owned | 289 | — | ||||||
Deposits on real estate under option or contract | 51,595 | 14,351 | ||||||
Investments in unconsolidated entities | 11,638 | 12,085 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 22,099 | 15,718 | ||||||
Deferred tax asset | 70,404 | 77,974 | ||||||
Prepaids, other assets and goodwill | 39,231 | 26,488 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 2,003,361 | $ | 1,575,562 | ||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 68,018 | $ | 49,801 | ||||
Accrued liabilities | 166,611 | 96,377 | ||||||
Home sale deposits | 21,996 | 12,377 | ||||||
Liabilities related to real estate not owned | 289 | — | ||||||
Senior, senior subordinated, convertible senior notes and other borrowings | 905,055 | 722,797 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 1,161,969 | 881,352 | ||||||
Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||||
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 | — | — | ||||||
Common stock, par value $0.01 | 362 | 356 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 412,961 | 390,249 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 428,069 | 303,605 | ||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 841,392 | 694,210 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 2,003,361 | $ | 1,575,562 | ||||
(1) Real estate – Allocated costs: | ||||||||
Homes under contract under construction | $ | 262,633 | $ | 192,948 | ||||
Unsold homes, completed and under construction | 147,889 | 107,466 | ||||||
Model homes | 81,541 | 62,411 | ||||||
Finished home sites and home sites under development | 813,135 | 634,106 | ||||||
Land held for development | 52,100 | 56,118 | ||||||
Land held for sale | 19,112 | 21,650 | ||||||
Communities in mothball status | 28,889 | 38,488 | ||||||
Total real estate | $ | 1,405,299 | $ | 1,113,187 |
Three Months Ended December 31, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | $ | 2,765 | $ | 2,283 | $ | 9,934 | $ | 8,196 | ||||||||
Summary of Capitalized Interest: | ||||||||||||||||
Capitalized interest, beginning of period | $ | 28,998 | $ | 20,185 | $ | 21,600 | $ | 14,810 | ||||||||
Interest incurred | 13,276 | 12,316 | 51,152 | 46,135 | ||||||||||||
Interest expensed | (1,979 | ) | (5,526 | ) | (15,092 | ) | (24,244 | ) | ||||||||
Interest amortized to cost of home, land closings and impairments | (7,303 | ) | (5,375 | ) | (24,668 | ) | (15,101 | ) | ||||||||
Capitalized interest, end of period | $ | 32,992 | $ | 21,600 | $ | 32,992 | $ | 21,600 | ||||||||
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | Proforma Dec 31, 2013 (includes Jan 2014 equity offering) | ||||||||||||||
Notes payable and other borrowings | $ | 905,055 | $ | 722,797 | $ | 905,055 | ||||||||||
Stockholders' equity | 841,392 | 694,210 | 951,731 | |||||||||||||
Total capital | 1,746,447 | 1,417,007 | 1,856,786 | |||||||||||||
Debt-to-capital | 51.8 | % | 51.0 | % | 48.7 | % | ||||||||||
Notes payable and other borrowings | $ | 905,055 | $ | 722,797 | $ | 905,055 | ||||||||||
Less: cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and investments and securities | (363,823 | ) | (295,469 | ) | (474,162 | ) | ||||||||||
Net debt | 541,232 | 427,328 | 430,893 | |||||||||||||
Stockholders’ equity | 841,392 | 694,210 | 951,731 | |||||||||||||
Total net capital | $ | 1,382,624 | $ | 1,121,538 | $ | 1,382,624 | ||||||||||
Net debt-to-capital | 39.1 | % | 38.1 | % | 31.2 | % |
Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 124,464 | $ | 105,163 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 9,934 | 8,196 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation | 9,483 | 8,319 | ||||||
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | 3,796 | 5,772 | ||||||
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities | (12,805 | ) | (10,233 | ) | ||||
Deferred tax asset valuation benefit | (8,666 | ) | (77,974 | ) | ||||
Distribution of earnings from unconsolidated entities | 13,013 | 9,648 | ||||||
Other | 15,851 | 2,380 | ||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Increase in real estate | (281,944 | ) | (299,185 | ) | ||||
(Increase)/decrease in deposits on real estate under option or contract | (36,974 | ) | 824 | |||||
Increase in receivables and prepaid expenses and other assets | (18,429 | ) | (6,301 | ) | ||||
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 86,604 | 29,385 | ||||||
Increase in home sale deposits | 9,397 | 3,519 | ||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (86,276 | ) | (220,487 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (15,783 | ) | (10,863 | ) | ||||
Maturities of investments and securities | 163,012 | 198,201 | ||||||
Payments to purchase investments and securities | (166,619 | ) | (136,823 | ) | ||||
Cash paid for acquisitions | (18,624 | ) | — | |||||
Decrease/(increase) in restricted cash | 38,938 | (26,792 | ) | |||||
Other | 107 | 121 | ||||||
Net cash provided by investing activities | 1,031 | 23,844 | ||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
Repayments of senior and senior subordinated notes | (102,822 | ) | (315,080 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes | 281,699 | 426,500 | ||||||
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net | — | 87,113 | ||||||
Other | 10,047 | (5,045 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 188,924 | 193,488 | ||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 103,679 | (3,155 | ) | |||||
Beginning cash and cash equivalents | 170,457 | 173,612 | ||||||
Ending cash and cash equivalents (2) | $ | 274,136 | $ | 170,457 |
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||||
Homes | Value | Homes | Value | |||||||||||
Homes Closed: | ||||||||||||||
Arizona | 297 | $ | 96,408 | 232 | $ | 67,910 | ||||||||
California | 205 | 98,472 | 243 | 91,813 | ||||||||||
Colorado | 107 | 46,555 | 65 | 20,991 | ||||||||||
Nevada | — | — | 22 | 4,042 | ||||||||||
West Region | 609 | 241,435 | 562 | 184,756 | ||||||||||
Texas | 522 | 148,853 | 465 | 113,206 | ||||||||||
Central Region | 522 | 148,853 | 465 | 113,206 | ||||||||||
Carolinas | 86 | 35,361 | 33 | 11,375 | ||||||||||
Florida | 235 | 102,220 | 180 | 54,781 | ||||||||||
Tennessee | 16 | 5,623 | — | — | ||||||||||
East Region | 337 | 143,204 | 213 | 66,156 | ||||||||||
Total | 1,468 | $ | 533,492 | 1,240 | $ | 364,118 | ||||||||
Homes Ordered: | ||||||||||||||
Arizona | 184 | $ | 62,139 | 178 | $ | 56,426 | ||||||||
California | 169 | 78,828 | 251 | 103,275 | ||||||||||
Colorado | 107 | 46,837 | 98 | 35,391 | ||||||||||
Nevada | — | — | 9 | 2,018 | ||||||||||
West Region | 460 | 187,804 | 536 | 197,110 | ||||||||||
Texas | 437 | 133,608 | 389 | 97,458 | ||||||||||
Central Region | 437 | 133,608 | 389 | 97,458 | ||||||||||
Carolinas | 80 | 31,626 | 33 | 11,772 | ||||||||||
Florida | 128 | 53,801 | 136 | 47,522 | ||||||||||
Tennessee | 26 | 7,745 | — | — | ||||||||||
East Region | 234 | 93,172 | 169 | 59,294 | ||||||||||
Total | 1,131 | $ | 414,584 | 1,094 | $ | 353,862 |
Twelve Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||||
Homes | Value | Homes | Value | |||||||||||
Homes Closed: | ||||||||||||||
Arizona | 1,041 | $ | 329,855 | 825 | $ | 221,100 | ||||||||
California | 989 | 427,886 | 732 | 264,388 | ||||||||||
Colorado | 405 | 158,793 | 292 | 96,807 | ||||||||||
Nevada | 38 | 8,900 | 61 | 11,444 | ||||||||||
West Region | 2,473 | 925,434 | 1,910 | 593,739 | ||||||||||
Texas | 1,834 | 492,777 | 1,655 | 390,642 | ||||||||||
Central Region | 1,834 | 492,777 | 1,655 | 390,642 | ||||||||||
Carolinas | 239 | 93,210 | 117 | 41,888 | ||||||||||
Florida | 691 | 264,066 | 556 | 158,091 | ||||||||||
Tennessee | 22 | 7,902 | — | — | ||||||||||
East Region | 952 | 365,178 | 673 | 199,979 | ||||||||||
Total | 5,259 | $ | 1,783,389 | 4,238 | $ | 1,184,360 | ||||||||
Homes Ordered: | ||||||||||||||
Arizona | 1,070 | $ | 346,278 | 916 | $ | 256,684 | ||||||||
California | 899 | 410,761 | 965 | 361,328 | ||||||||||
Colorado | 465 | 201,088 | 364 | 123,403 | ||||||||||
Nevada | 24 | 5,795 | 70 | 13,473 | ||||||||||
West Region | 2,458 | 963,922 | 2,315 | 754,888 | ||||||||||
Texas | 2,126 | 606,115 | 1,759 | 429,465 | ||||||||||
Central Region | 2,126 | 606,115 | 1,759 | 429,465 | ||||||||||
Carolinas | 298 | 119,087 | 142 | 50,613 | ||||||||||
Florida | 696 | 282,328 | 579 | 179,806 | ||||||||||
Tennessee | 37 | 10,851 | — | — | ||||||||||
East Region | 1,031 | 412,266 | 721 | 230,419 | ||||||||||
Total | 5,615 | $ | 1,982,303 | 4,795 | $ | 1,414,772 | ||||||||
Order Backlog: | ||||||||||||||
Arizona | 278 | $ | 97,239 | 249 | $ | 80,816 | ||||||||
California | 225 | 107,463 | 315 | 124,588 | ||||||||||
Colorado | 202 | 92,384 | 142 | 50,089 | ||||||||||
Nevada | — | — | 14 | 3,105 | ||||||||||
West Region | 705 | 297,086 | 720 | 258,598 | ||||||||||
Texas | 792 | 245,655 | 500 | 132,317 | ||||||||||
Central Region | 792 | 245,655 | 500 | 132,317 | ||||||||||
Carolinas | 108 | 43,218 | 49 | 17,341 | ||||||||||
Florida | 208 | 89,272 | 203 | 71,010 | ||||||||||
Tennessee | 40 | 11,441 | — | — | ||||||||||
East Region | 356 | 143,931 | 252 | 88,351 | ||||||||||
Total | 1,853 | $ | 686,672 | 1,472 | $ | 479,266 |
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||
Beg. | End | Beg. | End | |||||||||
Active Communities: | ||||||||||||
Arizona | 39 | 40 | 34 | 38 | ||||||||
California | 18 | 22 | 19 | 17 | ||||||||
Colorado | 12 | 14 | 8 | 12 | ||||||||
Nevada | — | — | 2 | 1 | ||||||||
West Region | 69 | 76 | 63 | 68 | ||||||||
Texas | 73 | 70 | 68 | 65 | ||||||||
Central Region | 73 | 70 | 68 | 65 | ||||||||
Carolinas | 15 | 17 | 7 | 7 | ||||||||
Florida | 19 | 20 | 15 | 18 | ||||||||
Tennessee | 3 | 5 | — | — | ||||||||
East Region | 37 | 42 | 22 | 25 | ||||||||
Total | 179 | 188 | 153 | 158 |
Twelve Months Ended | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||
Beg. | End | Beg. | End | |||||||||
Active Communities: | ||||||||||||
Arizona | 38 | 40 | 37 | 38 | ||||||||
California | 17 | 22 | 20 | 17 | ||||||||
Colorado | 12 | 14 | 10 | 12 | ||||||||
Nevada | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | ||||||||
West Region | 68 | 76 | 69 | 68 | ||||||||
Texas | 65 | 70 | 67 | 65 | ||||||||
Central Region | 65 | 70 | 67 | 65 | ||||||||
Carolinas | 7 | 17 | 3 | 7 | ||||||||
Florida | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 | ||||||||
Tennessee | — | 5 | — | — | ||||||||
East Region | 25 | 42 | 21 | 25 | ||||||||
Total | 158 | 188 | 157 | 158 |