Core Insights - Meritage Homes Corporation reported a challenging third quarter for 2025, with significant declines in home closing revenue and net earnings compared to the previous year [4][6][10]. Financial Performance - Homes closed in Q3 2025 totaled 3,685 units, a decrease of 7% from 3,942 units in Q3 2024 [2]. - Home closing revenue for Q3 2025 was $1.4 billion, down 12% from $1.6 billion in Q3 2024 [2][6]. - The average sales price for homes closed in Q3 2025 was $380,000, a 5% decrease from $402,000 in Q3 2024 [2][6]. - Net earnings for Q3 2025 were $99 million ($1.39 per diluted share), a 49% decrease from $196 million ($2.67 per diluted share) in Q3 2024 [2][8]. - For the first nine months of 2025, net earnings were $369 million ($5.13 per diluted share), down 40% from $614 million ($8.36 per diluted share) in the same period of 2024 [2][8]. Operational Highlights - The company ended Q3 2025 with a backlog of 1,699 homes, a decrease of 26% from 2,284 homes at the end of Q3 2024 [2][6]. - The average sales price of homes in backlog was $394,000, down 3% from $408,000 in Q3 2024 [2][6]. - The company achieved a backlog conversion rate of 211%, with nearly 60% of Q3 closings coming from intra-quarter sales [5]. Strategic Initiatives - Meritage Homes increased its community count to 334, a 20% year-over-year increase, indicating a focus on expanding its market presence [4][10]. - The company returned $85 million to shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases in Q3 2025, totaling nearly $237 million for the first nine months of the year [5][11]. - Land acquisition and development spending was reduced to $528 million in Q3 2025, down from $617 million in Q3 2024, reflecting a strategic response to market conditions [11]. Guidance and Outlook - For Q4 2025, the company expects home closing volume between 3,800 and 4,000 units, with revenue projected at $1.46 to $1.54 billion [10]. - The anticipated home closing gross margin for Q4 2025 is between 19% and 20% [10].
Meritage Homes reports third quarter 2025 results