Exhibit 99.1
Contacts: |
|
Investor Relations: |
|
Corporate Communications: |
|
|
Brent Anderson |
|
Jane Hays |
|
|
Director Investor Relations |
|
Vice President-Corp. Develop. |
|
|
(972) 543-8207 |
|
(972) 543-8123 |
meritage
homes reports 19th consecutive year of record revenue
and home closings in 2006
FULL YEAR RESULTS (2006 COMPARED TO 2005):
· Closed 10,487 homes (+11%) with ASP of $328K (+3%) for $3.4 billion home closing revenue (+15%)
· Net earnings of $225 million (-12%), or $8.32 diluted EPS (-6%)
· Gross margin of 20.6%, after $78 million of land-related write-offs and impairments
· Total lot supply reduced to 44,075 at year-end (-19%), within target of 4-5 year supply
· After-tax return on assets of 11% and return on equity of 24%, within target ranges
· Net debt-to-capital ratio of 40% at year-end
· Stockholders equity increased to $1.0 billion (+18%)
· Total outstanding shares reduced 4% after repurchasing a total of 2.0 million shares
· Net orders for 7,778 homes (-26%) total $2.5 billion (-31%); after cancellations of 35% on a gross order decline of 13%
· Order backlog at year-end of 3,685 homes (-42%) valued at $1.2 billion (-45%)
FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS (2006 COMPARED TO 2005):
· Closed 2,601 homes (-19%) with ASP of
$315K (-3%) for $819 million home closing
revenue (-21%)
· Net earnings of $9.0 million (-91%), or $.34 diluted EPS, after $63 million of land-related write-offs and impairments; $1.90 diluted EPS exclusive of land-related charges
· Gross margin of 12.2%, after 763bps reduction due to land-related charges
· Net orders for 1,202 homes (-42%) after record high cancellations of 48% on a gross order decline of 24%
Scottsdale, Arizona (January 24, 2007) Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE: MTH) today announced fourth-quarter and full year results for the period ended December 31, 2006.
Summary Operating Results (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
As of and for the Year Ended |
|
||||||||||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
% Chg |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
% Chg |
|
||||
Homes closed (units) |
|
2,601 |
|
3,214 |
|
-19 |
% |
10,487 |
|
9,406 |
|
11 |
% |
||||
Home closing revenue |
|
$ |
819,318 |
|
$ |
1,040,711 |
|
-21 |
% |
$ |
3,444,286 |
|
$ |
2,996,946 |
|
15 |
% |
Sales orders (units) |
|
1,202 |
|
2,072 |
|
-42 |
% |
7,778 |
|
10,571 |
|
-26 |
% |
||||
Sales order value |
|
$ |
354,539 |
|
$ |
723,363 |
|
-51 |
% |
$ |
2,462,747 |
|
$ |
3,580,855 |
|
-31 |
% |
Ending backlog (units) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,685 |
|
6,394 |
|
-42 |
% |
||||
Ending backlog value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,200,061 |
|
$ |
2,181,600 |
|
-45 |
% |
||
Net Earnings(1),(2) |
|
$ |
9,024 |
|
$ |
101,977 |
|
-91 |
% |
$ |
225,354 |
|
$ |
255,665 |
|
-12 |
% |
Diluted EPS(1),(2) |
|
$ |
0.34 |
|
$ |
3.53 |
|
-90 |
% |
$ |
8.32 |
|
$ |
8.88 |
|
-6 |
% |
(1) The three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2006 include after-tax stock compensation charges of $1.7M and $8.5M, respectively. The three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2006 also include after-tax severance and related costs of $0.4M and $8.3M, respectively.
(2) The twelve-month period ended December 31, 2005 includes an after-tax charge of $19.7M related to debt refinancing.
Record revenue and home closings reported for 2006
Meritage Homes reported its 19th consecutive year of record revenue and home closings for 2006, and net earnings were just $30 million short of all-time record 2005 net earnings, after including $78 million in 2006 write-offs related to lot option deposits and inventory valuation impairments. Record total revenue of $3.5 billion in 2006 was driven by an all-time high of 10,487 home closings at an average price of approximately $328,000, compared to 9,406 homes closed at an average price of approximately $319,000 for total revenue of $3.0 billion in 2005.
Gross margin for the full year was 20.6%, down from 23.6% for the full year 2005. The reduction in gross margin reflects price concessions and write-offs related to options and inventory discussed above. Excluding these charges, the gross margin for 2006 was 22.8%, a 71 bps decline from 2005.
Full year 2006 net earnings were $225 million or $8.32 per diluted share, compared to $256 million net earnings or $8.88 per diluted share reported in 2005. Net earnings in 2006 were reduced by after-tax charges of $8.5 million for stock-based compensation expense related to the adoption of SFAS 123R and $8.3 million of after-tax severance and related costs. Net earnings in 2005 were reduced by a $19.7 million after-tax charge for debt refinancing.
For the full year 2006, after including all land-related charges, Meritage reported after-tax return on assets (ROA) of 10.7% and after-tax return on shareholders equity (ROE) of 24.1%, compared to 15.8% and 37.2% for 2005. While lower than 2005, these key measures of management effectiveness are within the Companys target ranges and are expected to be among the best in the industry for 2006, based on preliminary results reported to date by homebuilders.
We are pleased to have achieved record home closings and revenue for 2006, and to report net earnings that place 2006 as the second best year in Meritages history, even after the additional charges
2
we recorded due to depressed market conditions, said Meritage Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Steven J. Hilton. In response to slower market conditions, we are managing the business more conservatively by slowing new investments in land, re-negotiating construction contracts on existing projects and aggressively managing overhead. At the same time, we are intensifying our sales efforts to be even more competitive.
Meritage maintains strong balance sheet
Despite the land-related write-offs and impairments in 2006, which on an after-tax basis represented just 5% of shareholders equity at December 31, 2006, the Company maintained a strong balance sheet and ample liquidity. At year-end, net debt-to-capital ratio was 40.2% in 2006 compared to 38.2% in 2005, significantly better than other Ba2/BB- rated homebuilders, and comparable to many investment-grade homebuilders. Total funds available under Meritages existing bank credit facility stood at $449 million at December 31, 2006, after considering the facilitys borrowing base availability. During 2006, the credit facility was extended and expanded from $600 million to $850 million to provide additional liquidity and flexibility for future operations.
Total assets grew to $2.2 billion from $2.0 billion during the year, as slowing sales resulted in a $144 million increase in real estate inventories, including increases in lot, land and unsold home inventories, partially offset by lower inventories of pre-sold homes under construction at year-end 2006.
Based on our expectations for fewer deliveries this year, we have limited our new investment in lot positions and are working to maintain our target of a four to five-year lot supply, explained Mr. Hilton.
Management was successful in reducing total lot supply to 44,075 lots at December 31, 2006, which represents a 4.2-year supply of lots based on 2006 deliveries, a 19% decrease from 54,109 lots at December 31, 2005. The percentage of lots controlled under purchase agreements, joint ventures and option contracts declined to 83% from 91% a year earlier, reflecting the cancellation of approximately 7,200 lots controlled under options.
Our use of options to control land reduces our capital at risk and has helped limit our land-related write-offs as home prices have fallen in certain markets, continued Hilton. In those markets where home sales have deteriorated most over the last year, the reduction in residual land values has exceeded the 10% we typically put up in option deposits. While forfeiting these contracts is difficult, we believe this strategy has protected us from potentially much greater losses.
Higher cancellations increased the inventory of unsold homes relative to the Companys strategic targets and long-term averages. Meritage had 545 unsold completed homes and another 820 unsold homes under construction at year-end 2006, together representing 32% of total inventory, compared to 14% at year-end 2005.
3
Fourth quarter results reduced by land-related write-offs
Meritage delivered 2,601 homes at an average sales price of approximately $315,000 in the fourth quarter 2006, a 19% decrease in volume coupled with a 3% decrease in price, compared to 3,214 homes at an average price of approximately $324,000 in the fourth quarter 2005. Quarterly home closing revenue declined 21% to $819 million, from $1.0 billion reported last year. The Company reported lower fourth quarter closings in all divisions except those in Texas and Colorado.
We closed 4% more homes, an 11% increase in home closing revenue over last years fourth quarter results for Texas, commented Mr. Hilton. Meritage has a 20-year history in Texas and we are one of the largest homebuilders in the state, with 121 active communities that contributed 34% of our total home closing revenue in the fourth quarter of 2006. We believe our large presence and successful history in Texas are advantages for us in comparison to other homebuilders.
Fourth quarter 2006 total revenue and net earnings were $821 million and $9 million, or $.34, per diluted share, well under the $1.0 billion total revenue and net earnings of $102 million, or $3.53 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter 2005. These results reflected lower demand and lower average sales prices in most of the markets where Meritage operates, which reduced the Companys quarterly gross margin to 12.2% from 24.6% last year, including land-related charges in 2006. Before these charges, gross margin in the fourth quarter 2006 was 19.8%.
Re-evaluating lot options and revaluing inventories to reflect current conditions resulted in $63 million of additional land-related charges in the quarter for inventory impairments and forfeited lot option deposits. No such charges were incurred in 2005. These land-related charges reduced fourth quarter 2006 gross margin by 763 basis points, and reduced net earnings by $42 million, or $1.56 per diluted share. Excluding these charges, diluted earnings per share would have been $1.90.
Total selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were flat in the fourth quarter 2006 compared to 2005. Although management has been successful in controlling overhead, these reductions were more than offset by higher sales and marketing costs targeted at improving Meritages competitiveness in more challenging market conditions. SG&A costs also reflect $2.2 million pre-tax expenses for stock-based compensation in the fourth quarter 2006 related to the adoption of SFAS 123R and $3.0 million for the write-off of intangible assets related to a trade name acquired in a previous acquisition, which will no longer be used.
Orders and backlog reflect continued softness
Net orders declined 42% in the fourth quarter to 1,202 homes, from 2,072 homes in the fourth quarter 2005, reflecting slower sales and higher cancellations in the quarter. Total cancellations represented 22% of beginning backlog and 48% of gross orders in the quarter, compared to 13% and 32% respectively in the previous year.
Home sales slowed in the fourth quarter in most major markets across the southern and western United States, including Texas. While we saw improved cancellation rates in a few markets, our overall cancellation rate increased. Division managers are monitoring their order backlogs closely, and proactively
4
cancelled many contracts in the fourth quarter where buyers were not performing as required to close on their homes, said Mr. Hilton.
Meritage had 213 communities open for sales at year-end, compared to 184 at year-end 2005 and 213 at September 30, 2006. While the total community count remained flat in the fourth quarter, lower absorption rates kept many communities from selling out as expected during 2006.
Average order prices were 16% lower year-over-year for the fourth quarter, and 7% lower for the full year 2006 over 2005, due to an increase in the percentage of orders from lower-priced markets in Texas and price concessions in nearly all markets. As a result of lower sales volume and selling prices, higher cancellations and increased closings in the last twelve months, units in backlog declined 42% year-over-year and 45% in total dollar value, to 3,685 homes valued at $1.2 billion, from 6,394 homes valued at $2.2 billion at December 31, 2005.
Positioning for future opportunities
Based on our reduced backlog and order trends in the last few quarters, we expect 2007 will be a difficult year, concluded Mr. Hilton. We are continuing to manage our business conservatively until we see conditions improve enough to enable us to be more aggressive. Meritage has a strong balance sheet and we have taken steps to protect it by reducing our cost structure and deferring new capital investments.
I am confident in our strategy and our ability to adapt to dynamic market conditions. We are adjusting our tactics while continuing to evaluate opportunities to strengthen our competitive position and continue to produce superior returns for our stockholders. As market conditions improve, I believe that Meritage will be positioned to compete successfully and grow again.
Awards and recognition
Meritage was selected to the Forbes Platinum 400 list of Americas Best-Managed Big Companies for the fourth consecutive year, based on the Companys rankings within its peer group on five-year and 12-month sales and earnings growth, total return to shareholders, consensus forecasts for long-term earnings growth and debt to capital ratios.
Meritage Homes was recently named Builder of the Year by the Texas Association of Builders, its fifth time in the last six years to be honored. Meritage is celebrating 20 years of homebuilding in Texas this year.
Conference call and webcast
The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results of the quarter. The call will be webcast and accompanying materials will be accessible on the Investor Relations page of the Companys website at http://www.meritagehomes.com. The dial-in number is 800-237-9752 with a passcode of Meritage, and participants are encouraged to dial in five minutes before the call begins. A replay of the call will be available after 12:00 p.m. EDT January 25, 2007, through midnight February 25, 2007, on the websites noted above, or by dialing
5
888-286-8010, and referencing passcode 96731037. The webcast replay will also be available on the Investor Relations page of the Companys website, and through CCBN for two weeks at www.fulldisclosure.com.
6
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Operating Results
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
Year Ended |
|
||||||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||||
Operating results |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Home closing revenue |
|
$ |
819,318 |
|
$ |
1,040,711 |
|
$ |
3,444,286 |
|
$ |
2,996,946 |
|
Land closing revenue |
|
1,875 |
|
202 |
|
17,034 |
|
4,156 |
|
||||
Total closing revenue |
|
821,193 |
|
1,040,913 |
|
3,461,320 |
|
3,001,102 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Home closing gross profit |
|
100,671 |
|
256,414 |
|
711,988 |
|
706,453 |
|
||||
Land closing gross profit (loss) |
|
(708 |
) |
9 |
|
642 |
|
537 |
|
||||
Total closing gross profit |
|
99,963 |
|
256,423 |
|
712,630 |
|
706,990 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Commissions and other sales costs |
|
(59,531 |
) |
(53,139 |
) |
(216,341 |
) |
(160,114 |
) |
||||
General and administrative expenses |
|
(36,064 |
) |
(42,450 |
) |
(164,477 |
) |
(124,979 |
) |
||||
Other income, net |
|
9,253 |
|
9,372 |
|
32,197 |
|
25,805 |
|
||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(31,477 |
) |
||||
Earnings before provision for income taxes |
|
13,621 |
|
170,206 |
|
364,009 |
|
416,225 |
|
||||
Provision for income taxes |
|
(4,597 |
) |
(68,229 |
) |
(138,655 |
) |
(160,560 |
) |
||||
Net earnings(1),(2) |
|
$ |
9,024 |
|
$ |
101,977 |
|
$ |
225,354 |
|
$ |
255,665 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Earnings per share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Basic: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Earnings per share |
|
$ |
0.35 |
|
$ |
3.74 |
|
$ |
8.52 |
|
$ |
9.48 |
|
Weighted average shares outstanding |
|
26,133 |
|
27,267 |
|
26,448 |
|
26,977 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Diluted: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Earnings per share |
|
$ |
0.34 |
|
$ |
3.53 |
|
$ |
8.32 |
|
$ |
8.88 |
|
Weighted average shares outstanding |
|
26,557 |
|
28,902 |
|
27,102 |
|
28,787 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Non-GAAP Reconciliations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total closing gross profit |
|
$ |
99,963 |
|
$ |
256,423 |
|
$ |
712,630 |
|
$ |
706,990 |
|
Add: Land-related write-offs/impairments |
|
62,665 |
|
|
|
78,268 |
|
|
|
||||
Adjusted closing gross profit |
|
162,628 |
|
256,423 |
|
790,898 |
|
706,990 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Earnings before provision for income taxes |
|
13,621 |
|
170,206 |
|
364,009 |
|
416,225 |
|
||||
Add: Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,477 |
|
||||
Add: Land-related write-offs/impairments |
|
62,665 |
|
|
|
78,268 |
|
|
|
||||
Adjusted earnings before provision of income |
|
76,286 |
|
170,206 |
|
442,277 |
|
447,702 |
|
||||
Adjusted provision for income taxes |
|
(25,746 |
) |
(68,229 |
) |
(168,468 |
) |
(172,373 |
) |
||||
Adjusted net earnings |
|
$ |
50,540 |
|
$ |
101,977 |
|
$ |
273,809 |
|
$ |
275,329 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Adjusted basic earnings per share |
|
$ |
1.93 |
|
$ |
3.74 |
|
$ |
10.35 |
|
$ |
10.21 |
|
Adjusted diluted earnings per share |
|
$ |
1.90 |
|
$ |
3.53 |
|
$ |
10.10 |
|
$ |
9.56 |
|
(1) The three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2006 include after-tax stock compensation charges of $1.7M and $8.5M, respectively. The three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2006 also include after-tax severance and related costs of $0.4M and $8.3M, respectively.
(2) The twelve-month period ended December 31, 2005 includes an after-tax charge of $19.7M related to debt refinancing.
7
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP Financial Disclosures
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
As of and for the Year Ended |
|
||||||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||||
EBITDA reconciliation:(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net earnings |
|
$ |
9,024 |
|
$ |
101,977 |
|
$ |
225,354 |
|
$ |
255,665 |
|
Provision for income taxes |
|
4,597 |
|
68,229 |
|
138,655 |
|
160,560 |
|
||||
Interest amortized to cost of sales |
|
10,199 |
|
11,681 |
|
42,986 |
|
38,796 |
|
||||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
8,457 |
|
4,455 |
|
23,729 |
|
17,207 |
|
||||
EBITDA |
|
$ |
32,277 |
|
$ |
186,342 |
|
$ |
430,724 |
|
$ |
472,228 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Interest coverage ratio: (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
EBITDA |
|
|
|
|
|
430,724 |
|
$ |
472,228 |
|
|||
Interest incurred |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
52,063 |
|
$ |
43,034 |
|
||
Interest coverage ratio |
|
|
|
|
|
8.3 |
|
11.0 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Debt to EBITDA ratio: (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Notes payable and other borrowings |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
733,276 |
|
$ |
592,124 |
|
||
EBITDA |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
430,724 |
|
$ |
472,228 |
|
||
Debt to EBITDA ratio |
|
|
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
1.3 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
After-tax stockholder returns: (4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net earnings |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
225,354 |
|
$ |
255,665 |
|
||
Average assets |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,111,567 |
|
$ |
1,618,376 |
|
||
Average equity |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
935,599 |
|
$ |
686,780 |
|
||
After-tax return on assets |
|
|
|
|
|
10.7 |
% |
15.8 |
% |
||||
After-tax return on equity |
|
|
|
|
|
24.1 |
% |
37.2 |
% |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net debt-to-capital: (5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Notes payable and other borrowings |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
733,276 |
|
$ |
592,124 |
|
||
Less: cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
|
56,710 |
|
65,812 |
|
||||
Net debt |
|
|
|
|
|
676,566 |
|
526,312 |
|
||||
Stockholders equity |
|
|
|
|
|
1,006,832 |
|
851,005 |
|
||||
Capital |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,683,398 |
|
$ |
1,377,317 |
|
||
Net debt-to-capital |
|
|
|
|
|
40.2 |
% |
38.2 |
% |
8
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Balance Sheet Data
(In thousands)
|
|
At December 31, |
|
||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total assets |
|
$ |
2,170,525 |
|
$ |
1,971,357 |
|
Real estate |
|
1,535,871 |
|
1,392,267 |
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
56,710 |
|
65,812 |
|
||
Total liabilities |
|
1,163,693 |
|
1,120,352 |
|
||
Notes payable and other borrowings |
|
733,276 |
|
592,124 |
|
||
Stockholders equity |
|
1,006,832 |
|
851,005 |
|
||
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Operating Data (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
4th Quarter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||||||||
|
|
Beg. |
|
End |
|
Beg. |
|
End |
|
Beg. |
|
End |
|
Beg. |
|
End |
|
Active Communities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
California |
|
27 |
|
26 |
|
18 |
|
20 |
|
20 |
|
26 |
|
18 |
|
20 |
|
Nevada |
|
5 |
|
5 |
|
6 |
|
6 |
|
6 |
|
5 |
|
6 |
|
6 |
|
West Region |
|
32 |
|
31 |
|
24 |
|
26 |
|
26 |
|
31 |
|
24 |
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arizona |
|
41 |
|
42 |
|
35 |
|
35 |
|
35 |
|
42 |
|
26 |
|
35 |
|
Texas |
|
121 |
|
121 |
|
101 |
|
108 |
|
108 |
|
121 |
|
89 |
|
108 |
|
Colorado |
|
5 |
|
6 |
|
4 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
6 |
|
0 |
|
3 |
|
Central Region |
|
167 |
|
169 |
|
140 |
|
146 |
|
146 |
|
169 |
|
115 |
|
146 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Florida * |
|
14 |
|
13 |
|
10 |
|
12 |
|
12 |
|
13 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
East Region |
|
14 |
|
13 |
|
10 |
|
12 |
|
12 |
|
13 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
213 |
|
213 |
|
174 |
|
184 |
|
184 |
|
213 |
|
139 |
|
184 |
|
* 2005 results for Florida include Colonial Homes and Greater Homes only since acquisition, in February and September 2005, respectively.
9
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Operating Data (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
For the Three Months Ended December 31, |
|
As of and For the Year Ended December 31, |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||||||||||||
|
|
Homes |
|
Value |
|
Homes |
|
Value |
|
Homes |
|
Value |
|
Homes |
|
Value |
|
||||
Homes Closed: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
California |
|
305 |
|
$ |
154,648 |
|
497 |
|
$ |
279,626 |
|
1,471 |
|
$ |
820,583 |
|
1,627 |
|
$ |
947,228 |
|
Nevada |
|
82 |
|
30,799 |
|
249 |
|
92,245 |
|
620 |
|
244,343 |
|
541 |
|
201,907 |
|
||||
West Region |
|
387 |
|
185,447 |
|
746 |
|
371,871 |
|
2,091 |
|
1,064,926 |
|
2,168 |
|
1,149,135 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Arizona |
|
880 |
|
300,289 |
|
1,013 |
|
311,099 |
|
3,355 |
|
1,102,662 |
|
3,122 |
|
873,137 |
|
||||
Texas |
|
1,173 |
|
277,343 |
|
1,124 |
|
249,094 |
|
4,263 |
|
996,739 |
|
3,576 |
|
787,204 |
|
||||
Colorado |
|
23 |
|
8,026 |
|
8 |
|
2,809 |
|
112 |
|
40,875 |
|
8 |
|
2,809 |
|
||||
Central Region |
|
2,076 |
|
585,658 |
|
2,145 |
|
563,002 |
|
7,730 |
|
2,140,276 |
|
6,706 |
|
1,663,150 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Florida * |
|
138 |
|
48,213 |
|
323 |
|
105,838 |
|
666 |
|
239,084 |
|
532 |
|
184,661 |
|
||||
East Region |
|
138 |
|
48,213 |
|
323 |
|
105,838 |
|
666 |
|
239,084 |
|
532 |
|
184,661 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total |
|
2,601 |
|
$ |
819,318 |
|
3,214 |
|
$ |
1,040,711 |
|
10,487 |
|
$ |
3,444,286 |
|
9,406 |
|
$ |
2,996,946 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Homes Ordered: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
California |
|
151 |
|
$ |
74,127 |
|
209 |
|
$ |
131,979 |
|
983 |
|
$ |
529,435 |
|
1,646 |
|
$ |
976,921 |
|
Nevada |
|
49 |
|
28,575 |
|
138 |
|
54,669 |
|
328 |
|
139,668 |
|
653 |
|
249,104 |
|
||||
West Region |
|
200 |
|
102,702 |
|
347 |
|
186,648 |
|
1,311 |
|
669,103 |
|
2,299 |
|
1,226,025 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Arizona |
|
329 |
|
91,139 |
|
706 |
|
260,078 |
|
1,833 |
|
611,266 |
|
3,558 |
|
1,174,452 |
|
||||
Texas |
|
669 |
|
168,256 |
|
906 |
|
223,142 |
|
4,299 |
|
1,069,437 |
|
4,264 |
|
983,579 |
|
||||
Colorado |
|
27 |
|
9,866 |
|
1 |
|
561 |
|
125 |
|
47,836 |
|
40 |
|
14,631 |
|
||||
Central Region |
|
1,025 |
|
269,261 |
|
1,613 |
|
483,781 |
|
6,257 |
|
1,728,539 |
|
7,862 |
|
2,172,662 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Florida * |
|
(23 |
) |
(17,424 |
) ** |
112 |
|
52,934 |
|
210 |
|
65,105 |
|
410 |
|
182,168 |
|
||||
East Region |
|
(23 |
) |
(17,424 |
) |
112 |
|
52,934 |
|
210 |
|
65,105 |
|
410 |
|
182,168 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total |
|
1,202 |
|
$ |
354,539 |
|
2,072 |
|
$ |
723,363 |
|
7,778 |
|
$ |
2,462,747 |
|
10,571 |
|
$ |
3,580,855 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Order Backlog: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
California |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
226 |
|
$ |
129,816 |
|
714 |
|
$ |
420,964 |
|
||
Nevada |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
57 |
|
21,725 |
|
349 |
|
126,400 |
|
||||
West Region |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
283 |
|
151,541 |
|
1,063 |
|
547,364 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Arizona |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
905 |
|
347,306 |
|
2,427 |
|
838,702 |
|
||||
Texas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,209 |
|
582,163 |
|
2,173 |
|
509,465 |
|
||||
Colorado |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45 |
|
18,783 |
|
32 |
|
11,822 |
|
||||
Central Region |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,159 |
|
948,252 |
|
4,632 |
|
1,359,989 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Florida * |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
243 |
|
100,268 |
|
699 |
|
274,247 |
|
||||
East Region |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
243 |
|
100,268 |
|
699 |
|
274,247 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,685 |
|
$ |
1,200,061 |
|
6,394 |
|
$ |
2,181,600 |
|
* 2005 results for Florida include Colonial Homes and Greater Homes only since acquisition, in February and September 2005, respectively.
** Negative balance represents the total value/unit of orders cancelled exceeding the value/unit of new orders taken.
10
About Meritage Homes Corporation
Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE:MTH) is a leader in the homebuilding industry. The Company is ranked by Builder magazine as the 13th largest homebuilder in the U.S. and was recently selected for the fourth consecutive year to Forbes Platinum 400 - Best-Managed Big Companies in America. Meritage is in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, ranks #615 on the 2006 Fortune 1000 list and has appeared on Fortunes Fastest Growing Companies in America list in five of the last seven years. Meritage operates in many of the dominant homebuilding markets of the southern and western United States, including six of the top 10 single-family housing markets in the country, and has reported 19 consecutive years of record revenue through 2006. For more information about the Company, visit www.meritagehomes.com. Meritage is a member of the Public Home Builders Council of America (www.phbca.org).
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include those regarding the Companys results compared to other public homebuilders, managements expectations of fewer deliveries and a difficult environment in 2007, our goal of maintaining a four to five year supply of lots and expectations concerning the Texas homebuilding markets. Such statements are based upon preliminary financial and operating data, the current beliefs and expectations of Company management, and current market conditions, which are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The Company makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or changes in these expectations.
Meritages business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including: fluctuations in demand, competition, sales orders, cancellation rates and home prices in our markets; potential write-downs or write-offs of assets or deposits; interest rates and changes in the availability and pricing of residential mortgages; housing affordability; our success in locating and negotiating potential acquisitions; successful integration of acquired operations with existing operations; our investments in land and development joint ventures; our dependence on key personnel and the availability of satisfactory subcontractors; materials and labor costs; our ability to take certain actions because of restrictions contained in the indentures for our senior notes and the agreement for our unsecured credit facility; our lack of geographic diversification; the cost and availability of insurance, including the unavailability of insurance for the presence of mold; our potential exposure to natural disasters; the impact of construction defect and home warranty claims; demand for and acceptance of our homes; changes in the availability and pricing of real estate in the markets in which we operate; our ability to acquire additional land or options to acquire additional land on acceptable terms, particularly in our start-up markets; our exposure to obligations under performance and surety bonds, performance guarantees and letters of credit; general economic slow downs; consumer confidence, which can be impacted by economic and other factors such as terrorism, war, or threats thereof and changes in energy prices or stock markets; inflation in the cost of materials used to construct our homes; our level of indebtedness and our ability to raise additional capital when and if needed; legislative or other initiatives that seek to restrain growth or new housing construction or similar measures and other factors identified in documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in our Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005, and our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, under the caption Risk Factors. As a result of these and other factors, the Companys stock and note prices may fluctuate dramatically.
# # #
11