Meritage Homes reports third quarter 2025 results

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE: MTH), the fifth-largest U.S. homebuilder, reported third quarter results for the period ended September 30, 2025.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

"Meritage successfully navigated a challenging third quarter, exceeding 2024 sales volumes and ending the quarter with our highest ever community count of 334, which was a 20% increase year-over-year. We leaned into our strategy, providing our customers certainty amidst an evolving housing market with a healthy selection of available inventory and payment affordability solutions," said Steven J. Hilton, executive chairman of Meritage Homes.

"Our strategy and persistent improvement in our cycle times resulted in 3,685 closings this quarter, with nearly 60% of these deliveries coming from intra-quarter sales, translating to a backlog conversion rate of 211%," added Phillippe Lord, chief executive officer of Meritage Homes. "We generated home closing revenue of $1.4 billion and achieved an adjusted home closing gross margin of 20.1% and adjusted diluted EPS of $1.55—both of which excluded $14.5 million in combined real estate inventory impairments and terminated land deal charges. We increased our book value per share 8% year-over-year."

"We pared back our spend on land acquisition and development this quarter to $528 million and were able to redeploy some of the excess cash, returning $85 million capital to shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases during the third quarter of 2025. In the first nine months of this year, we have returned nearly $237 million of capital to shareholders, or 64% of our total earnings so far this year," concluded Mr. Lord. "With cash of $729 million, nothing drawn under our revolving credit facility and net debt-to-capital ratio of 17.2% at September 30, 2025, we are comfortable with our current liquidity."

THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

• Orders of 3,636 homes for the third quarter of 2025 increased 4% year-over-year mainly as a result of a 14% increase in average community count and a 7% decrease in average absorption pace. Third quarter 2025 average sales price ("ASP") on orders of $389,000 was down 4% from the third quarter of 2024 primarily due to increased utilization of incentives this year.

• The 12% year-over-year decrease in home closing revenue in the third quarter of 2025 to $1.4 billion was the result of 7% lower home closing volume of 3,685 homes combined with a 5% decrease in ASP on closings to $380,000. ASP on closings was primarily impacted by increased utilization of incentives this year.

• Home closing gross margin of 19.1% decreased 570 bps in the third quarter of 2025 from 24.8% in the prior year due to increased utilization of incentives, inventory-related impairment and walk-away charges, higher lot costs and reduced leverage of fixed costs on lower home closing revenue, all of which were partially offset by savings in direct costs and faster cycle times. Third quarter 2025 home closing gross margin included $8.7 million of real estate inventory impairments and $5.8 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges, compared to no impairments and $2.0 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges in the prior year. Excluding these inventory-related charges, adjusted home closing gross margin was 20.1% and 24.9% for third quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively.

• Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") as a percentage of third quarter 2025 home closing revenue were 10.8% compared to 9.9% in the third quarter of 2024, primarily as a result of higher commission rates and technology costs, as well as lost leverage on lower home closing revenue, which was partially offset by lower compensation costs.
  
  
• The third quarter effective income tax rate was 22.6% in 2025 compared to 21.6% 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 $99 million ($1.39 per diluted share) for the third quarter 2025, a 49% decrease from $196 million ($2.67 per diluted share) for the third quarter of 2024, mainly resulting from lower home closing revenue and gross profit as well as higher SG&A and tax rates. Third quarter 2025 diluted EPS included $8.7 million of real estate inventory impairments and $5.8 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges, compared to no impairments and $2.0 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges in the prior year. Excluding these inventory-related charges, adjusted diluted EPS was $1.55 and $2.69 for third quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively.

YEAR TO DATE RESULTS

• Total sales orders for the first nine months of 2025 increased 1% year-over-year, reflecting an 11% increase in average communities and a 9% decrease in average absorption pace compared to the first nine months of 2024. The 3% lower ASP on orders for the first nine months of 2025 was primarily impacted by increased utilization of incentives this year.

• Home closing revenue decreased 8% in the first nine months of 2025 to $4.4 billion, driven by a 6% decrease in ASP on closings and a 3% decline in home closing volume. ASP on closings for the first nine months of 2025 reflected increased utilization of incentives compared to prior year.

• Home closing gross margin of 20.7% decreased 480 bps in the first nine months of 2025 from 25.5% in the prior year due to increased utilization of incentives, higher lot costs, reduced leverage of fixed costs on lower home closing revenue, as well as inventory-related impairment and walk-away charges, all of which were partially offset by savings in direct costs and faster cycle times. Year to date 2025 home closing gross margin included $8.7 million of real estate inventory impairments and $11.4 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges, compared to no impairments and $3.9 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges in the prior year. Excluding these inventory-related charges, adjusted home closing gross margin was 21.2% and 25.6% for the first nine months of 2025 and 2024, respectively.

• SG&A as a percentage of home closing revenue was 10.7% in the first nine months of 2025 compared to 9.8% in the prior year, primarily as a result of higher commission rates and technology costs, as well as lost leverage on lower home closing revenue, which was partially offset by lower performance-based compensation costs.

• The effective income tax rate in the first nine months of 2025 was 23.4% compared to 21.5% in 2024. The higher tax rate in 2025 reflects fewer homes qualifying for energy tax credits.

• Net earnings were $369 million ($5.13 per diluted share) for the first nine months of 2025, a 40% decrease from $614 million ($8.36 per diluted share) for the first nine months of 2024, primarily reflecting lower home closing revenue and gross margins, as well as higher SG&A and tax rates. Year to date 2025 diluted EPS included $8.7 million of real estate inventory impairments and $11.4 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges, compared to no impairments and $3.9 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges in the prior year. Excluding these inventory-related charges, adjusted diluted EPS was $5.35 and $8.40 for the first nine months of 2025 and 2024, respectively.

BALANCE SHEET & LIQUIDITY

• Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2025 totaled $729 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 $528 million for the third quarter of 2025, reflecting intentionally reduced spend based on market conditions. This compared to $617 million of land acquisition and development spend, net of land development reimbursements, in the third quarter of 2024.
• Approximately 80,800 lots were owned or controlled as of September 30, 2025, compared to approximately 74,800 total lots as of September 30, 2024. Nearly 2,000 net new lots were added in the third quarter of 2025, representing an estimated 16 future communities. During the quarter, we terminated approximately 400 lots. For the first nine months of 2025, we terminated approximately 3,700 lots.
• Third quarter 2025 ending community count of 334 was up 20% compared to prior year and up 7% compared to the second quarter of 2025.
• Debt-to-capital and net debt-to-capital ratios were 25.7% and 17.2%, respectively, at September 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 $30 million in the third quarter of 2025. This compared to $0.375 per share totaling $27 million in the third quarter of 2024. Year-to-date dividends paid were $92 million and $82 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively.
• During the third quarter of 2025, the Company repurchased 772,010 shares of stock, or 1.1% of shares outstanding at the beginning of the quarter, for $55 million. For the first nine months of 2025, the Company repurchased 2,051,450 shares of stock, or 2.9% of shares outstanding at the beginning of the year, for $145 million. During the third quarter of 2025, the Board approved an additional $500 million to the authorized share repurchase program, and as of September 30, 2025, $664 million remained available to repurchase.
• During the third 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 third quarter of 2024 and the first nine months of 2024.

GUIDANCE

The Company is providing the following guidance for the fourth quarter of 2025, based on year to date results and current market conditions:

CONFERENCE CALL

Management will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2025 results at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time (11:00 a.m. Eastern Time) on Wednesday, October 29, 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.

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.

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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 fourth quarter 2025 projected home closing volume and home closing revenue.

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 .