Meritage Homes reports second quarter 2025 results

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE: MTH), the fifth-largest U.S. homebuilder, reported second quarter results for the period ended June 30, 2025.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

"Meritage delivered a solid performance in the second quarter of 2025 with 3,914 homes sold generating a strong average absorption pace of 4.3 net sales per month on our improved average community count of 301. We were able to navigate the challenging selling conditions despite elevated mortgage interest rates and weakened consumer confidence," said Steven J. Hilton, executive chairman of Meritage Homes. "We believe our go-to market strategy of move-in ready inventory will allow us to remain competitive in the changing environment and focus on growing market share."

"Our improved cycle times and spec strategy drove 4,170 closings this quarter, with more than half of these deliveries coming from intra-quarter sales, translating to a backlog conversion rate of 208%," added Phillippe Lord, chief executive officer of Meritage Homes. "We generated home closing revenue of $1.6 billion and achieved home closing gross margin of 21.4% excluding $4.2 million in terminated land deal charges, which contributed to diluted EPS of $2.04. We increased our book value per share 10% year-over-year and generated a return on equity of 12.5% for the twelve months ended June 30, 2025."*

"Aligning our capital allocation with the current market conditions, we reduced our land acquisition and development spend to $509 million this quarter, targeting around $2.0 billion for the full year, down from $2.5 billion previously. We also increased our return of cash to shareholders beyond our guidance to $76 million in second quarter 2025 spend on cash dividends and share repurchases—tripling our quarterly buyback commitment," concluded Mr. Lord. "We believe we were well-positioned from a liquidity perspective at June 30, 2025 with cash of $930 million and a net debt-to-capital ratio of 14.6%."

SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

• Orders of 3,914 homes for the second quarter of 2025 increased 3% year-over-year as a result of a 7% increase in average community count and partially offset by a 4% decrease in average absorption pace. Second quarter 2025 average sales price ("ASP") on orders of $395,000 was down 5% from the second quarter of 2024 due to increased utilization of financing incentives.

• The 5% year-over-year decrease in home closing revenue in the second quarter of 2025 to $1.6 billion was the result of a 6% decrease in ASP on closings to $387,000, which was partially offset by a 1% higher home closing volume of 4,170 homes. ASP on closings were primarily impacted by greater utilization of financing incentives this year.

• Home closing gross margin of 21.1% decreased 480 bps in the second quarter of 2025 from 25.9% in the prior year due to increased utilization of financing incentives as well as higher lot costs and terminated land deal walk-away charges, all of which were partially offset by savings in direct costs. Second quarter 2025 home closing gross margin included $4.2 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges, compared to $1.4 million in the prior year. Excluding the terminated land deal walk-away charges, adjusted home closing gross margin was 21.4% and 26.0% for second quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively.

• Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") as a percentage of second quarter 2025 home closing revenue were 10.2% compared to 9.3% in the second quarter of 2024, primarily as a result of higher commissions, start-up overhead costs of newer divisions and maintenance costs related to increased spec inventory, as well as reduced leverage of fixed costs on lower home closing revenue.

• The second quarter effective income tax rate was 23.9% in 2025 compared to 22.1% in 2024. The higher tax rate in 2025 reflects fewer homes qualifying for energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, given the new higher construction thresholds required to earn the tax credits this year.

• Net earnings were $147 million ($2.04 per diluted share) for the second quarter 2025, a 37% decrease from $232 million ($3.15 per diluted share) for the second quarter of 2024, mainly resulting from lower gross margins as well as higher SG&A and tax rates.
  

YEAR TO DATE RESULTS

• Total sales orders for the first six months of 2025 were flat year-over-year, reflecting a 7% increase in average communities and a 6% decrease in average absorption pace compared to the first half of 2024.

• Home closing revenue decreased 6% in the first six months of 2025 to $3.0 billion, mainly driven by a 6% decrease in ASP on closings and a 1% decline in home closing volume. ASP on closings for the first six months of 2025 reflected greater utilization of financing incentives compared to prior year.

• Home closing gross margin of 21.5% decreased 440 bps in the first half of 2025 from 25.9% in the prior year due to greater utilization of financing incentives, higher lot costs, reduced leverage of fixed costs on lower home closing revenue, and increased terminated land deal walk-away charges, all of which were partially offset by savings in direct costs. Year to date 2025 home closing gross margin included $5.6 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges, compared to $1.9 million in the prior year. Excluding the terminated land deal walk-away charges, adjusted home closing gross margin was 21.7% and 25.9% for the first half 2025 and 2024, respectively.

• SG&A as a percentage of home closing revenue was 10.7% in the first half of 2025 compared to 9.8% in the prior year, primarily as a result of higher commissions and maintenance costs related to increased spec inventory as well as reduced leverage of fixed costs on lower home closing revenue.

• The effective income tax rate in the first six months of 2025 was 23.6% compared to 21.4% in 2024. The higher tax rate in 2025 reflects fewer homes qualifying for energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, given the new higher construction thresholds required to earn the tax credits this year.

• Net earnings were $270 million ($3.73 per diluted share) for the first six months of 2025, a 35% decrease from $418 million ($5.68 per diluted share) for the first six months of 2024, primarily reflecting lower home closing revenue and gross margins, as well as higher SG&A and tax rates.
  

BALANCE SHEET & LIQUIDITY

• Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2025 totaled $930 million, reflecting $492 million of net proceeds from the issuance of senior notes in the first quarter of 2025. This compared to cash and cash equivalents of $652 million at December 31, 2024.
• Land acquisition and development spend, net of land development reimbursements, totaled $509 million and $576 million for the second quarter of 2025 and 2024, respectively.
• Approximately 81,900 lots were owned or controlled as of June 30, 2025, compared to approximately 70,800 total lots as of June 30, 2024. Nearly 1,800 net new lots were added in the second quarter of 2025, representing an estimated 16 future communities. During the quarter, we terminated nearly 1,800 lots, compared to approximately 1,000 lots in the second quarter of 2024.
• Second quarter 2025 ending community count of 312 was up 9% compared to prior year and up 8% compared to the first quarter of 2025.
• Debt-to-capital and net debt-to-capital ratios were 25.8% and 14.6%, respectively, at June 30, 2025, which compared to 20.6% and 11.7%, respectively, at December 31, 2024.
• The Company declared and paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.43 per share totaling $31 million in the second quarter of 2025. This compared to $0.375 per share totaling $27 million in the second quarter of 2024. Year-to-date dividends paid were $61 million and $54 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively.
• During the second quarter of 2025, the Company repurchased 674,124 shares of stock, or 0.9% of shares outstanding at the beginning of the quarter, for $45 million. For the first six months of 2025, the Company repurchased 1,279,440 shares of stock, or 1.8% of shares outstanding at the beginning of the year, for $90 million. As of June 30, 2025, $219 million remained available to repurchase under the authorized share repurchase program.
• Subsequent to the second quarter of 2025, the Company refinanced the revolving credit facility to extend its maturity from 2029 to 2030.
• On January 2, 2025, we completed a two-for-one stock split (the "Stock Split") of Meritage's common stock in the form of a stock dividend. All share and per share amounts in this press release have been retroactively restated to reflect the Stock Split for the second quarter of 2024 and the first half of 2024.
  

CONFERENCE CALL
Management will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2025 results at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time (11:00 a.m. Eastern Time) on Thursday, July 24, 2025. 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 earnings for the trailing twelve months divided by average total stockholders' equity for the trailing five quarters.

We aggregate our homebuilding operating segments into reporting segments based on similar long-term economic characteristics and geographical proximity. Effective January 1, 2025, the Tennessee homebuilding operating segment has been reclassified from the East reporting segment to the Central reporting segment for the purpose of making operational and resource decisions and assessing financial performance. Prior period balances have been retroactively adjusted to reflect this reclassification. Our three reportable homebuilding segments are as follows:

• West: Arizona, California, Colorado, and Utah
• Central: Tennessee and Texas
• East: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina
  

About Meritage Homes Corporation
Meritage is the fifth-largest public homebuilder in the United States, based on homes closed in 2024. The Company offers energy-efficient and affordable entry-level and first move-up homes. Operations span across Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Meritage has delivered over 200,000 homes in its 40-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, an eleven-time recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence Award and Residential New Construction Market Leader Award, as well as a four-time recipient of the EPA's 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 and our future results, including our ability to increase our market share.

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: increases in interest rates or decreases in mortgage availability, and the cost and use of rate locks and buy-downs; the cost of materials used to develop communities and construct homes; cancellation rates; supply chain and labor constraints; shortages in the availability and cost of subcontract labor; 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 exposure to counterparty risk with respect to our capped calls; our ability to obtain financing if our credit ratings are downgraded; our 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; 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; liabilities or restrictions resulting from regulations applicable 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, 2024 and our Form 10-Q for subsequent quarters under the caption "Risk Factors," which can be found on our website at https://investors.meritagehomes.com.