Core Viewpoint - Meritage Homes reported weaker-than-expected Q3 2025 results, with earnings and revenues declining year-over-year, attributed to ongoing housing market challenges and increased costs [2][3][4]. Earnings & Revenue Discussion - Earnings per share (EPS) of $1.39 fell 18.7% short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.71 and declined 48% year-over-year from $2.67 [4]. - Total revenues amounted to $1.424 billion, down from $1.597 billion reported in the year-ago period [4]. - Total closing revenues were $1.42 billion, an 11% decline from the prior-year quarter and missing the consensus mark of $1.52 billion by 6.6% [5]. Segment Details - Home closing revenues of $1.40 billion declined 12% from the prior-year quarter due to lower average selling prices (ASPs) and reduced closing volumes [6]. - The company closed 3,685 units, down 7% from the year-ago quarter, with an ASP of $380,000, a 5% decline year-over-year [7]. - The quarter-end backlog totaled 1,699 units, down 26% year-over-year, with a backlog value decrease of 28% to $670 million [8]. Cost and Margin Analysis - Home closing gross margin contracted 570 basis points to 19.1%, primarily due to increased buyer incentives and higher lot costs [8]. - SG&A expenses as a percentage of home closing revenues rose to 10.8% from 9.9% in the prior-year quarter, driven by reduced leverage on lower revenues [9]. Financial Position and Shareholder Returns - The company ended the quarter with $729 million in cash and equivalents, up from $652 million at year-end 2024, with a debt-to-capital ratio of 25.7% [11]. - During the quarter, Meritage returned $85 million to shareholders, including $55 million in share repurchases and $30 million in dividends [12]. Q4 2025 Guidance - The company expects home closings between 3,800 and 4,000 homes, with projected home closing revenues between $1.46 billion and $1.54 billion [13]. - EPS is expected to be between $1.51 and $1.70, down from $2.36 reported a year ago [13]. Estimate Revisions and Market Outlook - There has been a downward trend in estimates, with the consensus estimate shifting -12.57% [14]. - Meritage has a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), indicating expectations of below-average returns in the coming months [16]. Industry Comparison - Meritage belongs to the Zacks Building Products - Home Builders industry, where PulteGroup reported revenues of $4.4 billion, a year-over-year change of -1.6% [17].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2025, pre-tax income was $48 million, net income was $37 million, and adjusted net income was $46 million, reflecting increases of 7% and 10% sequentially [13] - Home sales revenues were $955 million, down 2% sequentially, while deliveries of homes declined by 4% [13] - Adjusted home building gross margin improved to 20.1% from 20% in Q2, driven by lower direct costs offsetting higher incentives [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company delivered 2,486 homes, hitting the high end of guidance, with an average sales price of $384,000, up 2% quarter-over-quarter [4][13] - Net new contracts for Q3 were 2,386 homes, a decline of 6% sequentially, but better than the historical average decline of 9% [8] - The ending community count increased by 5% year-over-year to 321 communities [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company holds top 10 positions in 13 of the 50 largest U.S. markets, with expectations for mid-single-digit percentage growth in community count by year-end 2025 [6] - The average cycle time for home deliveries improved to 115 calendar days, with one-third of divisions achieving 100 days or less [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to deepen its market share in existing markets while controlling costs and maintaining an adequate supply of land [18] - The strategy includes investing in people, processes, and systems to drive operational improvements, with expectations for growth to be realized once the market normalizes [6][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while home buyer demand has been muted due to economic uncertainty, there is pent-up demand for affordable homes supported by demographic trends [5] - The company expects that any interest rate relief and improvement in consumer confidence will unlock buyer demand [5] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $20 million of its shares in Q3, totaling 6% of shares outstanding year-to-date [4][17] - The company completed a private offering of $500 million in senior notes, providing flexibility with leverage management [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Adjusted gross margin performance - Management attributed the adjusted gross margin exceeding guidance to successful cost controls and lower direct costs, despite increased incentives [20] Question: Impact of adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) - Management noted a significant increase in ARMs usage among buyers, which helps address affordability challenges, and expects this trend to continue [21] Question: Community count guidance - Management confirmed a mid-single-digit increase in community count by year-end, indicating a significant ramp-up in Q4 [25][26] Question: Consumer behavior and incentives - Management observed cautious consumer behavior, particularly at entry-level price points, and anticipates increased incentives in Q4 due to competition [28] Question: SG&A cost reductions - Management highlighted operational efficiencies and headcount adjustments as key drivers for lower SG&A costs, with a focus on maintaining efficiency going forward [32][33] Question: Lot abandonment and future projects - Management explained that they are underwriting to current market conditions, leading to the exit from certain projects, while maintaining a steady owned lot count [35] Question: Average sales price dynamics - Management clarified that the sequential lift in average sales price was primarily driven by a favorable mix of deliveries rather than incentives [38] Question: Tariff impact for next year - Management stated it is too early to estimate the impact of tariffs for next year, as the situation remains fluid [41]