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Meritage Homes reports fourth quarter 2023 results

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE: MTH), a leading U.S. homebuilder, today announced fourth quarter and full year results for the periods ended December 31, 2023.

Summary Operating Results (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
  Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
  2023
  2022
  % Chg   2023
  2022
  % Chg
Homes closed (units)   3,951       4,540     (13 )%     13,976       14,106     (1 )%
Home closing revenue $ 1,641,523     $ 1,984,063     (17 )%   $ 6,056,784     $ 6,207,498     (2 )%
Average sales price – closings $ 415     $ 437     (5 )%   $ 433     $ 440     (2 )%
Home orders (units)   2,892       1,808     60  %     13,193       11,759     12  %
Home order value $ 1,198,744     $ 703,706     70  %   $ 5,675,892     $ 5,255,600     8  %
Average sales price – orders $ 415     $ 389     6  %   $ 430     $ 447     (4 )%
Ending backlog (units)               2,549       3,332     (23 )%
Ending backlog value             $ 1,088,137     $ 1,524,775     (29 )%
Average sales price – backlog             $ 427     $ 458     (7 )%
Earnings before income taxes $ 258,869     $ 342,249     (24 )%   $ 949,430     $ 1,289,318     (26 )%
Net earnings $ 198,851     $ 262,365     (24 )%   $ 738,748     $ 992,192     (26 )%
Diluted EPS $ 5.38     $ 7.09     (24 )%   $ 19.93     $ 26.74     (25 )%


MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

“Healthy homebuying demand in the fourth quarter of 2023 led to Meritage’s strong orders finish to the year, as interest rates retreated below 7% and consumer confidence started to recover. The underlying macro fundamentals indicate favorable need-based demand for millennials and now Generation Z right behind them, which together with the continuing shortage of existing homes for sale, are driving buyers to new homes. We capitalized on these market conditions utilizing our available move-in ready inventory to grow our orders year-over-year by 60% for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 12% for full year 2023,” said Steven J. Hilton, executive chairman of Meritage Homes.

“The Meritage team’s exceptional execution in the fourth quarter of 2023 and our spec building strategy resulted in 3,951 homes delivered, our second highest quarterly home closings in company history, and a record 110% quarterly backlog conversion,” added Phillippe Lord, chief executive officer of Meritage Homes. “Home closing revenue of $1.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 combined with home closing gross margin of 25.2% and SG&A leverage of 10.7% generated $5.38 in diluted EPS. We increased our book value per share 17% year-over-year to $126.61 at December 31, 2023 and generated a return on equity of 17% for full year 2023.”*

Mr. Lord concluded, “Thank you to our employees for achieving yet another great year, generating value for our shareholders. As the economy stabilizes, we believe entry-level buyers will continue to gain confidence that now is the right time to buy a home. With our growing spec inventory levels, Meritage is well-positioned to take advantage of this positive demand environment.”

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

YEAR TO DATE RESULTS

BALANCE SHEET & LIQUIDITY

CONFERENCE CALL
Management will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter 2023 results at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time (10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) on Thursday, February 1, 2024. To listen, please go to Meritage’s Investor Relations page for the live webcast or dial in to 1-877-407-6951 US toll free or 1-412-902-0046. A replay will be available on the Investor Relations page.

* The Company’s return on equity is calculated as net income for the trailing twelve months divided by average shareholders’ equity for the trailing five quarters. The Company’s book value per share is calculated as shareholders’ equity for the period divided by the shares outstanding as of the last day of the period.

Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Income Statements
(In thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
    Three Months Ended December 31,
      2023       2022     Change $   Change %
Homebuilding:              
  Home closing revenue $ 1,641,523     $ 1,984,063     $ (342,540 )   (17 )%
  Land closing revenue   11,682       7,328       4,354     59  %
  Total closing revenue   1,653,205       1,991,391       (338,186 )   (17 )%
  Cost of home closings   (1,228,426 )     (1,484,071 )     255,645     (17 )%
  Cost of land closings   (9,104 )     (7,600 )     (1,504 )   20  %
  Total cost of closings   (1,237,530 )     (1,491,671 )     254,141     (17 )%
  Home closing gross profit   413,097       499,992       (86,895 )   (17 )%
  Land closing gross profit/(loss)   2,578       (272 )     2,850     (1048 )%
  Total closing gross profit   415,675       499,720       (84,045 )   (17 )%
Financial Services:              
  Revenue   7,200       7,357       (157 )   (2 )%
  Expense   (3,218 )     (3,236 )     18     (1 )%
  Earnings from financial services unconsolidated entities and other, net   2,418       1,918       500     26  %
  Financial services profit   6,400       6,039       361     6  %
Commissions and other sales costs   (107,145 )     (110,459 )     3,314     (3 )%
General and administrative expenses   (68,972 )     (56,614 )     (12,358 )   22  %
Interest expense                    %
Other income, net   12,911       3,563       9,348     262  %
Earnings before income taxes   258,869       342,249       (83,380 )   (24 )%
Provision for income taxes   (60,018 )     (79,884 )     19,866     (25 )%
Net earnings $ 198,851     $ 262,365     $ (63,514 )   (24 )%
               
Earnings per common share:              
  Basic         Change $ or shares   Change %
  Earnings per common share $ 5.46     $ 7.17     $ (1.71 )   (24 )%
  Weighted average shares outstanding   36,446       36,571       (125 )    %
  Diluted              
  Earnings per common share $ 5.38     $ 7.09     $ (1.71 )   (24 )%
  Weighted average shares outstanding   36,947       37,009       (62 )    %
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Income Statements
(In thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
    Twelve Months Ended December 31,
      2023       2022     Change $   Change %
Homebuilding:              
  Home closing revenue $ 6,056,784     $ 6,207,498     $ (150,714 )   (2 )%
  Land closing revenue   56,229       61,229       (5,000 )   (8 )%
  Total closing revenue   6,113,013       6,268,727       (155,714 )   (2 )%
  Cost of home closings   (4,554,671 )     (4,434,480 )     (120,191 )   3  %
  Cost of land closings   (51,786 )     (49,646 )     (2,140 )   4  %
  Total cost of closings   (4,606,457 )     (4,484,126 )     (122,331 )   3  %
  Home closing gross profit   1,502,113       1,773,018       (270,905 )   (15 )%
  Land closing gross profit   4,443       11,583       (7,140 )   (62 )%
  Total closing gross profit   1,506,556       1,784,601       (278,045 )   (16 )%
Financial Services:              
  Revenue   25,250       23,476       1,774     8  %
  Expense   (12,128 )     (11,133 )     (995 )   9  %
  (Loss)/earnings from financial services unconsolidated entities and other, net   (656 )     5,951       (6,607 )   (111 )%
  Financial services profit   12,466       18,294       (5,828 )   (32 )%
Commissions and other sales costs   (384,911 )     (323,266 )     (61,645 )   19  %
General and administrative expenses   (231,722 )     (192,984 )     (38,738 )   20  %
Interest expense         (41 )     41     (100 )%
Other income, net   47,948       2,714       45,234     1667  %
Loss on early extinguishment of debt   (907 )           (907 )   N/A
Earnings before income taxes   949,430       1,289,318       (339,888 )   (26 )%
Provision for income taxes   (210,682 )     (297,126 )     86,444     (29 )%
Net earnings $ 738,748     $ 992,192     $ (253,444 )   (26 )%
               
Earnings per common share:              
  Basic         Change $ or shares   Change %
  Earnings per common share $ 20.17     $ 27.04     $ (6.87 )   (25 )%
  Weighted average shares outstanding   36,619       36,694       (75 )    %
  Diluted              
  Earnings per common share $ 19.93     $ 26.74     $ (6.81 )   (25 )%
  Weighted average shares outstanding   37,069       37,101       (32 )    %
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
 
    December 31, 2023   December 31, 2022
Assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 921,227     $ 861,561  
Other receivables     266,972       215,019  
Real estate (1)     4,721,291       4,358,263  
Deposits on real estate under option or contract     111,364       76,729  
Investments in unconsolidated entities     17,170       11,753  
Property and equipment, net     48,953       38,635  
Deferred tax assets, net     47,573       45,452  
Prepaids, other assets and goodwill     218,584       164,689  
Total assets   $ 6,353,134     $ 5,772,101  
Liabilities:        
Accounts payable   $ 271,650     $ 273,267  
Accrued liabilities     424,764       360,615  
Home sale deposits     36,605       37,961  
Loans payable and other borrowings     13,526       7,057  
Senior notes, net     994,689       1,143,590  
Total liabilities     1,741,234       1,822,490  
Stockholders’ Equity:        
Preferred stock            
Common stock     364       366  
Additional paid-in capital     290,955       327,878  
Retained earnings     4,320,581       3,621,367  
Total stockholders’ equity     4,611,900       3,949,611  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 6,353,134     $ 5,772,101  
(1)Real estate – Allocated costs:        
Homes under contract under construction     704,206     $ 822,428  
Unsold homes, completed and under construction     1,260,855       1,155,543  
Model homes     118,252       97,198  
Finished home sites and home sites under development     2,637,978       2,283,094  
Total real estate   $ 4,721,291     $ 4,358,263  
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
 
    Twelve Months Ended December 31,
      2023       2022  
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net earnings   $ 738,748     $ 992,192  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization     25,334       24,748  
Stock-based compensation     22,511       22,333  
Loss on early extinguishment of debt     907        
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities     (6,371 )     (6,093 )
Distribution of earnings from unconsolidated entities     6,792       5,900  
Other     4,115       10,863  
Changes in assets and liabilities:        
Increase in real estate     (357,408 )     (624,522 )
(Increase)/decrease in deposits on real estate under option or contract     (36,140 )     10,463  
Increase receivables, prepaids and other assets     (64,169 )     (102,950 )
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities     22,609       76,985  
Decrease in home sale deposits     (1,356 )     (4,649 )
Net cash provided by operating activities     355,572       405,270  
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Investments in unconsolidated entities     (5,991 )     (5,796 )
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated entities     137        
Purchases of property and equipment     (38,192 )     (26,971 )
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment     423       481  
Maturities/sales of investments and securities     750       1,032  
Payments to purchase investments and securities     (750 )     (1,032 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (43,623 )     (32,286 )
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Repayment of loans payable and other borrowings     (2,798 )     (20,455 )
Repayment of senior notes     (150,884 )      
Dividends paid     (39,534 )      
Repurchase of shares     (59,067 )     (109,303 )
Net cash used in financing activities     (252,283 )     (129,758 )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents     59,666       243,226  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     861,561       618,335  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 921,227     $ 861,561  
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Operating Data
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 

We aggregate our homebuilding operating segments into reporting segments based on similar long-term economic characteristics and geographical proximity. Our three reportable homebuilding segments are as follows:

                 
    Three months ended December 31,
    2023   2022
    Homes   Value   Homes   Value
Homes Closed:                
West Region   1,155     563,723   1,217     662,580
Central Region   1,242     464,571   1,417     565,630
East Region   1,554     613,229   1,906     755,853
Total   3,951   $ 1,641,523   4,540   $ 1,984,063
                 
Homes Ordered:                
West Region   722     373,941   462     223,482
Central Region   1,054     392,421   614     208,309
East Region   1,116     432,382   732     271,915
Total   2,892   $ 1,198,744   1,808   $ 703,706
    Twelve months ended December 31,
    2023   2022
    Homes   Value   Homes   Value
Homes Closed:                
West Region   4,109     2,107,095   4,092     2,202,109
Central Region   4,486     1,798,939   4,556     1,835,498
East Region   5,381     2,150,750   5,458     2,169,891
Total   13,976   $ 6,056,784   14,106   $ 6,207,498
                 
Homes Ordered:                
West Region   3,983     2,046,251   3,098     1,710,156
Central Region   4,291     1,678,484   3,641     1,501,591
East Region   4,919     1,951,157   5,020     2,043,853
Total   13,193   $ 5,675,892   11,759   $ 5,255,600
                 
Order Backlog:                
West Region   746     379,785   872     459,873
Central Region   768     289,375   963     425,371
East Region   1,035     418,977   1,497     639,531
Total   2,549   $ 1,088,137   3,332   $ 1,524,775
                                 
    Three months ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
    2023   2022   2023   2022
    Ending   Average   Ending   Average   Ending   Average   Ending   Average
Active Communities:                                
West Region   78   81.0   94   98.0   78   90.0   94   92.4
Central Region   88   85.0   81   77.5   88   83.0   81   76.6
East Region   104   105.0   96   97.5   104   103.4   96   106.2
Total   270   271.0   271   273.0   270   276.4   271   275.2
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Supplemental and Non-GAAP information
(Unaudited)
 
Supplemental Information (Dollars in thousands):
 
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
    2023       2022       2023       2022  
Depreciation and amortization 7,758     $ 7,203     25,334     $ 24,748  
               
Summary of Capitalized Interest:              
Capitalized interest, beginning of period $ 58,476     $ 62,090     $ 60,169     $ 56,253  
Interest incurred   12,845       15,036       57,759       60,599  
Interest expensed                     (41 )
Interest amortized to cost of home and land closings   (16,805 )     (16,957 )     (63,412 )     (56,642 )
Capitalized interest, end of period $ 54,516     $ 60,169     $ 54,516     $ 60,169  


Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Information (Dollars in thousands):

This press release and management’s comments and discussion about our operating results included in this press release reflect certain adjustments, including home closing gross profit, home closing gross margin, and debt-to-capital ratios. These are considered non-GAAP financial measures and should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, the comparable GAAP financial measures. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are relevant and useful to investors in understanding our operating results and may be helpful in comparing the Company with other companies in the homebuilding industry to the extent they provide similar information. We encourage investors to understand the methods used by other companies in the homebuilding industry to calculate these non-GAAP financial measures and any adjustments thereto before comparing to our non-GAAP financial measures.

Home Closing Gross Margin
    Three Months Ended
December 31,
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
    2023     2022     2023     2022  
Home closing gross profit   $ 413,097     $ 499,992     $ 1,502,113     $ 1,773,018  
Home closing gross margin   25.2 %   25.2 %   24.8 %   28.6 %
                         
Add: Write-off of terminated land deals   3,211     4,203     5,308     15,811  
Add: Warranty adjustments                    —        10,916         10,916  
Less: Retroactive vendor rebates                    —        (5,446 )       (5,446 )
Adjusted home closing gross profit   $ 416,308     $ 509,665     $ 1,507,421     $ 1,794,299  
Adjusted home closing gross margin   25.4 %   25.7 %   24.9 %   28.9 %
 
Debt-to-Capital Ratios
  December 31, 2023   December 31, 2022
Senior notes, net, loans payable and other borrowings $ 1,008,215     $ 1,150,647  
Stockholders’ equity   4,611,900       3,949,611  
Total capital $ 5,620,115     $ 5,100,258  
Debt-to-capital   17.9 %     22.6 %
       
Senior notes, net, loans payable and other borrowings $ 1,008,215     $ 1,150,647  
Less: cash and cash equivalents   (921,227 )     (861,561 )
Net debt $ 86,988     $ 289,086  
Stockholders’ equity   4,611,900       3,949,611  
Total net capital $ 4,698,888     $ 4,238,697  
Net debt-to-capital    1.9 %     6.8 %

ABOUT MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION
Meritage Homes is the fifth-largest public homebuilder in the United States, based on homes closed in 2022. The Company offers energy-efficient and affordable entry-level and first move-up homes. Operations span across Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Meritage Homes has delivered over 175,000 homes in its 38-year history, and has a reputation for its distinctive style, quality construction, and award-winning customer experience. The Company is an industry leader in energy-efficient homebuilding, a ten-time recipient of both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence Award and ENERGY STAR® Residential New Construction Market Leader Award, as well as a three-time recipient of the EPA’s 2023 Indoor airPLUS Leader Award.

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.

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 mortgage interest rates and the availability and pricing of residential mortgages; inflation in the cost of materials used to develop communities and construct homes; cancellation rates; supply chain and labor constraints; the ability of our potential buyers to sell their existing homes; our ability to acquire and develop lots may be negatively impacted if we are unable to obtain performance and surety bonds; the adverse effect of slow absorption rates; legislation related to tariffs; impairments of our real estate inventory; 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 money 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 of our employees and representatives to comply with laws and regulations; our compliance with government regulations related to our financial services operations; negative publicity that affects our reputation; potential disruptions to our business by an epidemic or pandemic, 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, 2022 and our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 under the caption “Risk Factors,” which can be found on our website at https://investors.meritagehomes.com.

Contact
Emily Tadano, VP Investor Relations and ESG
(480) 515-8979
investors@meritagehomes.com


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