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Dec 31, 2020

Meritage Homes Q4 2020 Earnings Report

Meritage Homes reported a record fourth quarter with a 420 bps increase in home closing gross margin, a 50% increase in diluted EPS, and a 52% increase in orders compared to the prior year.

Key Takeaways

Meritage Homes announced record fourth-quarter results, achieving its highest quarterly home closings and revenue in the company's history. The company's strategic focus on entry-level and first move-up markets allowed it to capitalize on significant demand, driving volume, profitability, and return on equity.

Total orders for the fourth quarter of 2020 were 52% higher year-over-year, driven by an 87% increase in absorptions per store.

Home closing revenue increased by 28% to $1.4 billion, reflecting a 32% higher home closing volume.

Home closing gross margin improved by 420 bps to 24.0% in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Net earnings were $152.5 million ($3.97 per diluted share) for this quarter, compared to $103.6 million ($2.65 per diluted share) for the same quarter in the prior year.

Total Revenue
$1.41B
Previous year: $1.14B
+24.0%
EPS
$1.99
Previous year: $1.33
+49.6%
Total Homes Backlog
4.67K
Previous year: 2.78K
+67.9%
Total Value Backlog
$1.81B
Previous year: $1.1B
+65.1%
Total Avg Sales Price Backlog
$388
Previous year: $395
-1.8%
Gross Profit
$338M
Previous year: $219M
+54.0%
Cash and Equivalents
$746M
Previous year: $319M
+133.4%
Free Cash Flow
$152M
Previous year: $173M
-12.3%
Total Assets
$3.86B
Previous year: $3.4B
+13.7%

Meritage Homes

Meritage Homes

Meritage Homes Revenue by Geographic Location

Forward Guidance

For the full year 2021, the company is projecting 11,500-12,500 home closings with home closing revenue between $4.2-4.6 billion, home closing gross margin of 22.0-23.0% and an effective tax rate of about 23.0%.

Positive Outlook

  • Projecting 11,500-12,500 home closings for the full year 2021.
  • Expecting home closing revenue between $4.2-4.6 billion for 2021.
  • Anticipating home closing gross margin of 22.0-23.0% for the full year 2021.
  • Expecting an effective tax rate of about 23.0% for 2021.
  • Aiming to close out 2021 with approximately 235-245 communities.

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income