We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (MDC - Free Report) reported mixed results for fourth-quarter 2022. Its earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate and declined year over year due to prevailing inflationary woes.
Revenues topped the consensus estimate and rose year over year. Shares of this leading homebuilder inched up 1.29% on Jan 31, post earnings release.
MDC noted that it experienced a rebound in order activity in December 2022, backed by an aggressive approach to pricing and incentives.
Looking forward, MDC's executive chairman, Larry A. Mizel, said, "As we head into the spring 2023 selling season, we have modified our strategy to focus more on quick move-in inventory as we believe that the majority of today's buyers want a shorter time between sale and close. In addition, we are requiring higher deposit amounts on build-to-order homes. We feel that these initiatives are the right approach for today's new home environment and should lead to better net sales results relative to the second half of 2022."
Earnings & Revenue Discussion
The company reported quarterly earnings of $1.08 per share, which lagged the consensus estimate of $1.53 by 29.4% and fell 51% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of $2.21. The downside was due to prevailing softness in housing demand and other industry headwinds.
M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Total revenues (including Home sale revenues and Financial Services revenues) of $1.52 billion topped the consensus mark of $1.34 billion by 13.2% and increased 3.7% on a year-over-year basis from $1.47 billion reported a year ago.
Segment Details
Homebuilding: Home sale revenues of $1.49 billion increased 4% from the prior-year period’s levels, backed by an 8% increase in average selling price or ASP. Units delivered were down 4% from the year-ago level to 2,554 homes. The West and Mountain regions saw a decrease in new home deliveries, while the East grew by 3.4%.
Gross new orders fell 55% from the prior-year quarter to 1,502 homes and net new orders fell 93% to 190 units. The value of net orders also declined 95% from the year-ago quarter’s levels to $74.4 million due to 28% lower ASP of net orders. Cancellations, as a percentage of the beginning backlog, increased 1,590 basis points to 24.6% from 8.7%. The monthly absorption rate was also down 94% year over year.
Quarter-end backlog totaled 2,974 homes, down 61% from a year ago. Potential housing revenues from backlog plunged 59% from the prior-year period’s levels to $1.75 billion amid a 5% higher ASP.
Housing gross margin contracted 850 basis points (bps) year over year to 15%. Selling, general and administrative expenses — as a percentage of housing revenues — decreased 20 bps from the year-ago quarter’s figure to 8.9%.
Financial Services revenues rose 4.9% year over year to $32.3 million.
2022 Highlights
For the year, the company reported earnings of $7.67 per share, down 2% from its 2021 level of $7.83. Home sale revenues rose 9% to $5.59 billion from $5.10 billion reported in 2021 on the back of strong ASP, partially offset by 3% lower deliveries.
Gross margins declined 70 bps to 22.4% and SG&A improved 10 bps year over year.
Balance Sheet Position
MDC had cash and cash equivalents of $696.1 million in the Homebuilding segment and $17.9 million in the Financial Services unit as of Dec 31, 2022. This compares with 2021-end numbers of $485.8 million and $104.8 million, respectively.
Inventories declined to $3.52 billion from $3.76 billion at the 2021-end. Lots owned and optioned of 25,302 at 2022-end was down by 34% from 38,080 at 2021-end. Debt to capital ratio was 32.6% at 2022-end versus 36.5% at 2021-end.
Net cash provided by operations was $561.7 million in the fourth quarter versus net cash used in operations of $121.5 million a year ago.
Q1 2023 Guidance
For first-quarter 2023, the company expects home deliveries between 1,500 and 1,600 units. This indicates a fall from 2,233 units reported in first-quarter 2022. The average selling price is likely to be within $550,000-$560,000, compared with $556,000 reported a year ago. Housing gross margin (assuming no impairments or warranty adjustments) is anticipated between 18% and 19% compared with 25.7% reported in the prior-year period.
PulteGroup Inc. (PHM - Free Report) reported impressive results in fourth-quarter 2022, where earnings and revenues surpassed their respective Zacks Consensus Estimates and increased year over year.
Pertaining to the result, Ryan Marshall, PulteGroup’s president and CEO, stated, “Our strong fourth quarter results allowed PulteGroup to lower its debt-to-capital ratio to 18.7% and deliver a full-year return on equity of 32.9%.”
United Rentals, Inc. (URI - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2022 results. Its earnings and revenues missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate but increased on a year-over-year basis on the back of sustained demand in its end markets and the strength of its core rental business.
URI provided solid full-year 2023 guidance for total revenues and adjusted EBITDA, given broad-based end-market activity, contractor backlogs, customer sentiment and solid visibility. Also, it unveiled a quarterly dividend of $1.48 per share, with an annualized yield of approximately 1.5%. The company also plans to restart its share repurchase program, with the intention of buying back $1 billion of common stock in 2023.
Weyerhaeuser Company (WY - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2022 results. Although its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate, the same declined from the year-ago period's levels.
WY’s quarterly performance reflects strong execution across the businesses, which was offset by macroeconomic headwinds, supply chain disruptions and dynamic market conditions.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
MDC's Q4 Earnings Miss, Revenues Beat, Gross Margin Declines
M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (MDC - Free Report) reported mixed results for fourth-quarter 2022. Its earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate and declined year over year due to prevailing inflationary woes.
Revenues topped the consensus estimate and rose year over year. Shares of this leading homebuilder inched up 1.29% on Jan 31, post earnings release.
MDC noted that it experienced a rebound in order activity in December 2022, backed by an aggressive approach to pricing and incentives.
Looking forward, MDC's executive chairman, Larry A. Mizel, said, "As we head into the spring 2023 selling season, we have modified our strategy to focus more on quick move-in inventory as we believe that the majority of today's buyers want a shorter time between sale and close. In addition, we are requiring higher deposit amounts on build-to-order homes. We feel that these initiatives are the right approach for today's new home environment and should lead to better net sales results relative to the second half of 2022."
Earnings & Revenue Discussion
The company reported quarterly earnings of $1.08 per share, which lagged the consensus estimate of $1.53 by 29.4% and fell 51% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of $2.21. The downside was due to prevailing softness in housing demand and other industry headwinds.
M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. Quote
Total revenues (including Home sale revenues and Financial Services revenues) of $1.52 billion topped the consensus mark of $1.34 billion by 13.2% and increased 3.7% on a year-over-year basis from $1.47 billion reported a year ago.
Segment Details
Homebuilding: Home sale revenues of $1.49 billion increased 4% from the prior-year period’s levels, backed by an 8% increase in average selling price or ASP. Units delivered were down 4% from the year-ago level to 2,554 homes. The West and Mountain regions saw a decrease in new home deliveries, while the East grew by 3.4%.
Gross new orders fell 55% from the prior-year quarter to 1,502 homes and net new orders fell 93% to 190 units. The value of net orders also declined 95% from the year-ago quarter’s levels to $74.4 million due to 28% lower ASP of net orders. Cancellations, as a percentage of the beginning backlog, increased 1,590 basis points to 24.6% from 8.7%. The monthly absorption rate was also down 94% year over year.
Quarter-end backlog totaled 2,974 homes, down 61% from a year ago. Potential housing revenues from backlog plunged 59% from the prior-year period’s levels to $1.75 billion amid a 5% higher ASP.
Housing gross margin contracted 850 basis points (bps) year over year to 15%. Selling, general and administrative expenses — as a percentage of housing revenues — decreased 20 bps from the year-ago quarter’s figure to 8.9%.
Financial Services revenues rose 4.9% year over year to $32.3 million.
2022 Highlights
For the year, the company reported earnings of $7.67 per share, down 2% from its 2021 level of $7.83. Home sale revenues rose 9% to $5.59 billion from $5.10 billion reported in 2021 on the back of strong ASP, partially offset by 3% lower deliveries.
Gross margins declined 70 bps to 22.4% and SG&A improved 10 bps year over year.
Balance Sheet Position
MDC had cash and cash equivalents of $696.1 million in the Homebuilding segment and $17.9 million in the Financial Services unit as of Dec 31, 2022. This compares with 2021-end numbers of $485.8 million and $104.8 million, respectively.
Inventories declined to $3.52 billion from $3.76 billion at the 2021-end. Lots owned and optioned of 25,302 at 2022-end was down by 34% from 38,080 at 2021-end. Debt to capital ratio was 32.6% at 2022-end versus 36.5% at 2021-end.
Net cash provided by operations was $561.7 million in the fourth quarter versus net cash used in operations of $121.5 million a year ago.
Q1 2023 Guidance
For first-quarter 2023, the company expects home deliveries between 1,500 and 1,600 units. This indicates a fall from 2,233 units reported in first-quarter 2022. The average selling price is likely to be within $550,000-$560,000, compared with $556,000 reported a year ago. Housing gross margin (assuming no impairments or warranty adjustments) is anticipated between 18% and 19% compared with 25.7% reported in the prior-year period.
Zacks Rank & Recent Construction Releases
MDC currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
PulteGroup Inc. (PHM - Free Report) reported impressive results in fourth-quarter 2022, where earnings and revenues surpassed their respective Zacks Consensus Estimates and increased year over year.
Pertaining to the result, Ryan Marshall, PulteGroup’s president and CEO, stated, “Our strong fourth quarter results allowed PulteGroup to lower its debt-to-capital ratio to 18.7% and deliver a full-year return on equity of 32.9%.”
United Rentals, Inc. (URI - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2022 results. Its earnings and revenues missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate but increased on a year-over-year basis on the back of sustained demand in its end markets and the strength of its core rental business.
URI provided solid full-year 2023 guidance for total revenues and adjusted EBITDA, given broad-based end-market activity, contractor backlogs, customer sentiment and solid visibility. Also, it unveiled a quarterly dividend of $1.48 per share, with an annualized yield of approximately 1.5%. The company also plans to restart its share repurchase program, with the intention of buying back $1 billion of common stock in 2023.
Weyerhaeuser Company (WY - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2022 results. Although its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate, the same declined from the year-ago period's levels.
WY’s quarterly performance reflects strong execution across the businesses, which was offset by macroeconomic headwinds, supply chain disruptions and dynamic market conditions.