AMREP Stock Dips Post Q2 Earnings as Land Sales Slide, Margins Improve

Core Viewpoint - AMREP Corporation (AXR) has experienced significant declines in both net income and revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, primarily due to a sharp drop in land sale revenues, while home sale revenues showed improvement [2][4][8]. Financial Performance - For Q2 fiscal 2026, AMREP reported a net income of $1.2 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, a 70.3% decrease from $4 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, in the same quarter last year [2]. - Revenue for the quarter fell 21.1% year over year to $9.4 million from $11.9 million [2]. - For the first six months of fiscal 2026, net income totaled $5.9 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, down 27.3% from $8.1 million, or $1.51 per diluted share, in the prior-year period, while revenue declined 12.1% to $27.3 million from $30.9 million [3]. Segment Performance - Land sale revenues plummeted 85.9% in Q2 and 45.3% for the six-month period, attributed to fewer land transactions [4]. - Home sale revenues increased by 44.8% in Q2 and 20.7% for the six months, driven by a higher number of homes sold [4]. - Other revenues, including landscaping and rental-related income, rose 18.6% in Q2 and 11.6% for the six-month period [4]. Profitability Metrics - Land sale gross margins improved to 80% in Q2 and 70% for the six-month period, compared to 60% and 52% respectively a year earlier [5]. - Home sale gross margins also improved to 25% from 20% in both comparable periods, despite higher input costs [5]. - Operating income declined 64.4% to $1.1 million in Q2 from $3.1 million a year earlier, reflecting lower land sale activity and higher cost pressures [6]. Management Insights - Management cited ongoing challenges such as municipal entitlement delays and infrastructure issues affecting land development and homebuilding activities [7]. - The company has adjusted its operating strategy by offering sales incentives, reducing certain home prices, slowing housing starts, and leasing completed homes to address demand softness [7]. Market Influences - The decline in earnings was mainly due to a significant reduction in land sale revenues, while homebuilding activity improved but faced pressure from higher construction costs [8]. - Interest income, although a positive contributor, declined 20.3% on a quarterly basis [8]. Future Outlook - AMREP did not provide formal earnings or revenue guidance but indicated that revenues and margins may continue to fluctuate due to market uncertainty and affordability constraints [9]. - The company expects reduced land sale revenues in fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025, given a scaled-back development pipeline [9]. Strategic Developments - AMREP amended its revolving line of credit, extending the maturity to August 2028 and increasing the borrowing capacity to $6.5 million [10]. - The company expanded its portfolio of leased homes, ending the quarter with 28 homes rented to residential tenants, up from 21 at the end of the prior fiscal year [10].