Meritage Homes reports fourth quarter 2025 results
Rhea-AI Summary
Meritage Homes (NYSE: MTH) reported Q4 2025 results: home closing revenue $1.406B, home closing gross margin 16.5% (adjusted 19.3% excluding $38.9M non-recurring charges), and diluted EPS $1.20 (adjusted $1.67). Full-year 2025 revenue was $5.76B and diluted EPS $6.35.
The company returned capital via $179M in Q4 dividends and buybacks, repurchased 2.24M shares in Q4, held $775M cash, and ended the year with a 15% increase in community count.
Positive
- Adjusted home closing gross margin of 19.3% in Q4 2025
- Full-year 2025 sales orders 14,650, essentially flat year-over-year
- Returned $179M to shareholders in Q4 and repurchased 4.29M shares in 2025 ($295M total)
Negative
- Home closing gross margin down 670 bps YoY in Q4 2025 to 16.5%
- Net earnings down 51% YoY in Q4 2025 to $84.0M (diluted EPS down 49%)
- Ending backlog value down 30% YoY and backlog units down 24%
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, MTH gained 1.13%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. This price movement added approximately $54M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $4.87B at that time. Trading volume was above average at 1.6x the daily average, suggesting increased trading activity.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
MTH fell 2.97% while peers were mixed: TMHC (+0.2%), MHO (+5.51%), KBH (+0.61%), CVCO (‑3.07%), SKY (‑3.27%). This pattern points to stock-specific reaction to earnings rather than a uniform sector move.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 28 | Q3 2025 earnings | Negative | -0.5% | Revenue, EPS and gross margin fell year-over-year despite stable liquidity. |
| Jul 23 | Q2 2025 earnings | Negative | -5.0% | Net earnings and margins declined versus Q2 2024, prompting a share price drop. |
| Apr 23 | Q1 2025 earnings | Negative | +1.0% | Lower revenue, earnings and margin, yet shares rose modestly post-release. |
| Jan 29 | Q4 2024 earnings | Positive | +2.8% | Record 2024 volume, revenue and EPS supported a positive share reaction. |
| Oct 29 | Q3 2024 earnings | Negative | -1.7% | Earnings and margins declined despite higher closings, pressuring the stock. |
Earnings releases have usually led to price moves consistent with the tone of results, with most weaker quarters followed by declines and only one recent divergence where shares rose on softer Q1 metrics.
Across the last five earnings events from Oct 2024 through Oct 2025, Meritage has shown a clear shift from record 2024 performance toward margin and earnings compression in 2025. Q3 2024 delivered higher closings but lower revenue and EPS. Q4 2024 still produced record full-year EPS, but each 2025 quarter highlighted declining gross margins and EPS versus prior-year periods. Today’s Q4/FY 2025 report extends that trend of softer profitability and lower revenue while maintaining solid liquidity and capital returns.
Historical Comparison
Over the past five earnings releases, MTH’s average move was about 2.2%. The current -2.97% reaction to Q4/FY 2025 sits slightly beyond that typical range and fits the pattern of negative responses to weaker margins and EPS.
Earnings history shows a transition from record 2024 volume and EPS to 2025 quarters marked by lower home closing revenue, compressed gross margins and declining EPS, with today’s Q4/FY 2025 results continuing that profitability downshift.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights Q4 and full-year 2025 results marked by lower home closing revenue, EPS and gross margins versus 2024, alongside a strong cash position of $775 million and active capital returns, with over $416 million returned in 2025. Historical earnings releases show a progression from record 2024 results to 2025 margin pressure. Investors may focus on adjusted profitability metrics, land spending discipline and how 2026 guidance compares to recent volumes and margins.
Key Terms
adjusted diluted EPS financial
backlog conversion rate financial
net debt-to-capital ratio financial
stock split financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Reported home closing gross margin of
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE: MTH), the fifth largest public homebuilder in the U.S., today announced fourth quarter and full year results for the periods ended December 31, 2025.
| Summary Operating Results (unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | % Chg | 2025 | 2024 | % Chg | ||||||||||||||||
| Homes closed (units) | 3,755 | 4,044 | (7)% | 15,026 | 15,611 | (4)% | |||||||||||||||
| Home closing revenue | $ | 1,406,449 | $ | 1,595,928 | (12)% | $ | 5,763,597 | $ | 6,341,546 | (9)% | |||||||||||
| Average sales price - closings | $ | 375 | $ | 395 | (5)% | $ | 384 | $ | 406 | (5)% | |||||||||||
| Home orders (units) | 3,224 | 3,304 | (2)% | 14,650 | 14,606 | — | % | ||||||||||||||
| Home order value | $ | 1,206,142 | $ | 1,320,447 | (9)% | $ | 5,726,846 | $ | 5,950,708 | (4)% | |||||||||||
| Average sales price - orders | $ | 374 | $ | 400 | (6)% | $ | 391 | $ | 407 | (4)% | |||||||||||
| Ending backlog (units) | 1,168 | 1,544 | (24)% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ending backlog value | $ | 440,562 | $ | 629,549 | (30)% | ||||||||||||||||
| Average sales price - backlog | $ | 377 | $ | 408 | (7)% | ||||||||||||||||
| Home closing gross margin | (670) bps | (520) bps | |||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | $ | 103,133 | $ | 221,562 | (53)% | $ | 584,600 | $ | 1,002,870 | (42)% | |||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 84,031 | $ | 172,649 | (51)% | $ | 453,013 | $ | 786,186 | (42)% | |||||||||||
| Diluted EPS | $ | 1.20 | $ | 2.36 | (49)% | $ | 6.35 | $ | 10.72 | (41)% | |||||||||||
MANAGEMENT COMMENTS
"Despite a challenging economic backdrop, Meritage wrapped up 2025 with full year sales orders of 14,650 homes, consistent with prior year. This performance reflected our push to open new communities and capitalize on our strategy of having readily available inventory in all of our stores. Our strong broker engagement was also a key differentiator, enabling us to achieve a better absorption pace than current broader market trends. We believe our affordable price points and move-in ready homes offer certainty to buyers experiencing concerns about the outlook of their personal finances and a housing market impacted by persistent affordability challenges," said Steven J. Hilton, executive chairman of Meritage Homes. "Even as we anticipate ongoing near-term noise in the market, we expect our
"Our efficient operating model and cycle times resulted in 3,755 closings this quarter, and with approximately
Mr. Lord continued, "We generated home closing revenue of
"In balancing disciplined growth with shareholder returns in today's market, we invested
FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
- Orders of 3,224 for the fourth quarter of 2025 decreased
2% year-over-year primarily due to18% lower average absorption pace to 3.2 per month from 3.9 per month which was nearly fully offset by an18% increase in average communities. Fourth quarter 2025 average sales price ("ASP") on orders of$374,000 was down6% from the fourth quarter of 2024 primarily due to greater utilization of incentives this year and geographic mix. - The
12% year-over-year decrease in home closing revenue to$1.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2025 was the result of7% lower home closing volume of 3,755 combined with ASP on closings down5% to$375,000. ASP on closings was primarily impacted by greater utilization of incentives this year and geographic mix. - Home closing gross margin of
16.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025 was down 670 bps from23.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024 as a result of non-recurring charges, greater utilization of incentives, 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. Excluding$27.9 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges,$7.8 million of real estate inventory impairments, and$3.2 million in severance costs in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to$2.8 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges and no impairments or severance costs in the prior year, adjusted home closing gross margin was19.3% and23.3% for the fourth quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively. - Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") as a percentage of home closing revenue were
10.6% for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to10.8% for the fourth quarter of 2024, primarily due to lower performance-based compensation, which was partially offset by reduced leverage on lower home closing revenue as well as higher external commission rates and technology costs. Fourth quarter 2025 SG&A included$2.4 million of severance costs, with no similar costs in the prior year. - The fourth quarter effective income tax rate was
18.5% in 2025 compared to22.1% in 2024. The 2025 tax rate reflected acquired below-market 2025 transferable clean fuel production tax credits, which were partially offset by 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
$84.0 million ($1.20 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2025, a51% decrease from$172.6 million ($2.36 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2024, mainly resulting from lower home closing revenue and gross profit as well as non-recurring charges. Excluding$27.9 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges,$9.3 million of real estate inventory impairments, and$5.7 million in severance costs in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to$2.8 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges and no impairments or severance costs in the prior year, adjusted diluted EPS was$1.67 and$2.39 for fourth quarters 2025 and 2024, respectively.
YEAR TO DATE RESULTS
- Total sales orders of 14,650 homes for full year 2025 remained essentially flat year-over-year, primarily reflecting a
9% decline in average absorption pace which was partially offset by a12% increase in average communities compared to full year 2024. The4% year-over-year reduction in ASP on orders of$391,000 for 2025 was mainly due to increased utilization of incentives this year. - Home closing revenue decreased
9% year-over-year for full year 2025 to$5.8 billion , driven by a5% decrease in ASP on closings to$384,000 and a4% decline in home closing volume of 15,026. ASP on closings for full year 2025 was primarily impacted by increased utilization of incentives this year. - Home closing gross margin of
19.7% decreased 520 bps for full year 2025 from24.9% in the prior year due to inventory-related charges and severance costs, increased utilization of incentives, 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. Excluding$39.4 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges,$16.5 million of real estate inventory impairments, and$4.3 million of severance costs for full year 2025, compared to$6.7 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges and no impairments or severance costs in the prior year, adjusted home closing gross margin was20.8% and25.0% for full year 2025 and 2024, respectively. - Full year 2025 SG&A as a percentage of home closing revenue was
10.7% compared to10.1% in 2024, primarily as a result of reduced leverage on lower home closing revenue as well as higher external commission rates, maintenance costs related to increased spec inventory, and spend on technology, all of which were partially offset by lower performance-based compensation. - The effective tax rate for full year 2025 was
22.5% , compared to21.6% for full year 2024. The higher tax rate in 2025 reflected fewer homes qualifying for energy tax credits, which was partially offset by the acquired below-market 2025 transferable clean fuel production tax credits. - Net earnings were
$453.0 million ($6.35 per diluted share) for full year 2025, a42% decrease from$786.2 million ($10.72 per diluted share) for full year 2024, primarily reflecting lower home closing revenue and gross margins, as well as higher tax rates. Excluding$39.4 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges,$18.6 million of real estate inventory impairments, and$8.4 million of severance costs for full year 2025, compared to$6.7 million in terminated land deal walk-away charges and no impairments or severance costs in the prior year, adjusted diluted EPS was$7.05 and$10.79 for full year 2025 and 2024, respectively.
BALANCE SHEET & LIQUIDITY
- Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2025 totaled
$775 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
$416 million for the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting intentionally reduced spend based on market conditions. This compared to$689 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Full year 2025 land acquisition and development spend, net of land development reimbursements, totaled$1.9 billion compared to$2.3 billion in the prior year. - Approximately 77,600 total lots were owned or controlled as of December 31, 2025, compared to approximately 85,600 lots as of December 31, 2024. Net new lots for the fourth quarter of 2025 totaled approximately (500), which included approximately 3,400 lots that were terminated in the current quarter. Nearly 7,200 lots were terminated in full year 2025.
- Fourth quarter 2025 ending community count of 336 was up
15% compared to prior year and up1% compared to the third quarter of 2025. - Debt-to-capital and net debt-to-capital ratios were
26.0% and16.9% , respectively as of December 31, 2025, compared to20.6% and11.7% , respectively as of December 31, 2024. - The Company declared and paid quarterly cash dividends of
$0.43 per share totaling$29 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from$0.37 5 per share totaling$27 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Full year dividends paid were$121 million and$109 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively. - The Company repurchased 2,238,534 shares of stock, or
3.2% of shares outstanding at the beginning of the quarter, for$150 million during the fourth quarter. For full year 2025, 4,289,984 shares of stock, or6.0% of shares outstanding at the beginning of the year, were repurchased for$295 million . As of December 31, 2025,$514 million remained available to repurchase under the program. - On January 2, 2025, the Company 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 fourth quarter of 2024 and the full year 2024.
GUIDANCE
The Company expects full year 2026 home closing volume and revenue to be consistent with full year 2025 results, assuming no further deterioration from current market conditions.
CONFERENCE CALL
Management will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter 2025 results at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time (10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) on Thursday, January 29, 2026. To listen, please go to Meritage's Investor Relations page for the live webcast or dial in to 1-800-445-7795 US toll free or 1-785-424-1699. A replay will be available on the Investor Relations page.
| Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Income Statements | ||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | Change $ | Change % | |||||||||||||
| Homebuilding: | ||||||||||||||||
| Home closing revenue | $ | 1,406,449 | $ | 1,595,928 | $ | (189,479 | ) | (12)% | ||||||||
| Land closing revenue | 21,072 | 17,356 | 3,716 | 21 | % | |||||||||||
| Total closing revenue | 1,427,521 | 1,613,284 | (185,763 | ) | (12)% | |||||||||||
| Cost of home closings | (1,174,192 | ) | (1,226,114 | ) | 51,922 | (4)% | ||||||||||
| Cost of land closings | (21,898 | ) | (14,026 | ) | (7,872 | ) | 56 | % | ||||||||
| Total cost of closings | (1,196,090 | ) | (1,240,140 | ) | 44,050 | (4)% | ||||||||||
| Home closing gross profit | 232,257 | 369,814 | (137,557 | ) | (37)% | |||||||||||
| Land closing gross (loss)/profit | (826 | ) | 3,330 | (4,156 | ) | (125)% | ||||||||||
| Total closing gross profit | 231,431 | 373,144 | (141,713 | ) | (38)% | |||||||||||
| Financial Services: | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | 8,235 | 8,429 | (194 | ) | (2)% | |||||||||||
| Expense | (4,403 | ) | (4,024 | ) | (379 | ) | 9 | % | ||||||||
| Earnings from financial services unconsolidated entities and other, net | 1,132 | 2,757 | (1,625 | ) | (59)% | |||||||||||
| Financial services profit | 4,964 | 7,162 | (2,198 | ) | (31)% | |||||||||||
| Commissions and other sales costs | (101,133 | ) | (104,956 | ) | 3,823 | (4)% | ||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | (47,795 | ) | (67,742 | ) | 19,947 | (29)% | ||||||||||
| Interest expense | — | — | — | — | % | |||||||||||
| Other income, net | 15,666 | 13,954 | 1,712 | 12 | % | |||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 103,133 | 221,562 | (118,429 | ) | (53)% | |||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | (19,102 | ) | (48,913 | ) | 29,811 | (61)% | ||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 84,031 | $ | 172,649 | $ | (88,618 | ) | (51)% | ||||||||
| Earnings per common share: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | Change $ or shares | Change % | ||||||||||||||
| Earnings per common share | $ | 1.21 | $ | 2.39 | $ | (1.18 | ) | (49)% | ||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | 69,254 | 72,188 | (2,934 | ) | (4)% | |||||||||||
| Diluted | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per common share | $ | 1.20 | $ | 2.36 | $ | (1.16 | ) | (49)% | ||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | 69,798 | 73,124 | (3,326 | ) | (5)% | |||||||||||
| Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Income Statements | ||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
| Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | Change $ | Change % | |||||||||||||
| Homebuilding: | ||||||||||||||||
| Home closing revenue | $ | 5,763,597 | $ | 6,341,546 | $ | (577,949 | ) | (9)% | ||||||||
| Land closing revenue | 60,838 | 22,326 | 38,512 | 172 | % | |||||||||||
| Total closing revenue | 5,824,435 | 6,363,872 | (539,437 | ) | (8)% | |||||||||||
| Cost of home closings | (4,627,405 | ) | (4,761,703 | ) | 134,298 | (3)% | ||||||||||
| Cost of land closings | (59,026 | ) | (18,309 | ) | (40,717 | ) | 222 | % | ||||||||
| Total cost of closings | (4,686,431 | ) | (4,780,012 | ) | 93,581 | (2)% | ||||||||||
| Home closing gross profit | 1,136,192 | 1,579,843 | (443,651 | ) | (28)% | |||||||||||
| Land closing gross profit | 1,812 | 4,017 | (2,205 | ) | (55)% | |||||||||||
| Total closing gross profit | 1,138,004 | 1,583,860 | (445,856 | ) | (28)% | |||||||||||
| Financial Services: | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | 33,202 | 31,163 | 2,039 | 7 | % | |||||||||||
| Expense | (17,562 | ) | (14,657 | ) | (2,905 | ) | 20 | % | ||||||||
| Earnings/(loss) from financial services unconsolidated entities and other, net | 2,978 | (2,096 | ) | 5,074 | 242 | % | ||||||||||
| Financial services profit | 18,618 | 14,410 | 4,208 | 29 | % | |||||||||||
| Commissions and other sales costs | (404,405 | ) | (409,069 | ) | 4,664 | (1)% | ||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | (211,762 | ) | (230,856 | ) | 19,094 | (8)% | ||||||||||
| Interest expense | — | — | — | — | % | |||||||||||
| Other income, net | 44,145 | 45,156 | (1,011 | ) | (2)% | |||||||||||
| Loss on early extinguishment of debt | — | (631 | ) | 631 | (100)% | |||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 584,600 | 1,002,870 | (418,270 | ) | (42)% | |||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | (131,587 | ) | (216,684 | ) | 85,097 | (39)% | ||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 453,013 | $ | 786,186 | $ | (333,173 | ) | (42)% | ||||||||
| Earnings per common share: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | Change $ or shares | Change % | ||||||||||||||
| Earnings per common share | $ | 6.40 | $ | 10.85 | $ | (4.45 | ) | (41)% | ||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | 70,819 | 72,476 | (1,657 | ) | (2)% | |||||||||||
| Diluted | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per common share | $ | 6.35 | $ | 10.72 | $ | (4.37 | ) | (41)% | ||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | 71,348 | 73,332 | (1,984 | ) | (3)% | |||||||||||
| Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||
| Assets: | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 775,157 | $ | 651,555 | ||
| Other receivables | 306,956 | 256,282 | ||||
| Real estate(1) | 5,987,120 | 5,728,775 | ||||
| Deposits on real estate under option or contract | 174,170 | 192,405 | ||||
| Investments in unconsolidated entities | 57,268 | 28,735 | ||||
| Property and equipment, net | 46,647 | 47,285 | ||||
| Deferred tax assets, net | 53,293 | 54,524 | ||||
| Prepaids, other assets and goodwill | 221,676 | 203,093 | ||||
| Total assets | $ | 7,622,287 | $ | 7,162,654 | ||
| Liabilities: | ||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 200,679 | $ | 212,477 | ||
| Accrued liabilities | 387,698 | 452,213 | ||||
| Home sale deposits | 9,213 | 20,513 | ||||
| Loans payable and other borrowings | 24,328 | 29,343 | ||||
| Senior and convertible senior notes, net | 1,804,726 | 1,306,535 | ||||
| Total liabilities | 2,426,644 | 2,021,081 | ||||
| Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||
| Preferred stock | — | — | ||||
| Common stock, par value shares; 68,168,923 and 71,921,972 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively(1) | 682 | 360 | ||||
| Additional paid-in capital | — | 143,036 | ||||
| Retained earnings | 5,194,961 | 4,998,177 | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 5,195,643 | 5,141,573 | ||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 7,622,287 | $ | 7,162,654 | ||
| (1)Real estate – Allocated costs: | ||||||
| Homes completed and under construction | 2,069,548 | $ | 2,375,639 | |||
| Finished home sites and home sites under development | 3,917,572 | 3,353,136 | ||||
| Total real estate | $ | 5,987,120 | $ | 5,728,775 | ||
(1) Share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the 2-for-1 stock split that was effective on January 2, 2025.
| Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||
| Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 453,013 | $ | 786,186 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 25,285 | 25,959 | ||||||
| Real estate-related impairments | 18,118 | — | ||||||
| Write-off of terminated land deals | 39,382 | 6,702 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 19,683 | 25,809 | ||||||
| Loss on early extinguishment of debt | — | 631 | ||||||
| Equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities | (3,973 | ) | (9,225 | ) | ||||
| Distribution of earnings from unconsolidated entities | 4,143 | 7,461 | ||||||
| Other | 1,332 | 7,758 | ||||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Increase in real estate | (274,052 | ) | (979,254 | ) | ||||
| Increase in deposits on real estate under option or contract | (5,708 | ) | (81,354 | ) | ||||
| (Increase)/decrease in receivables, prepaids and other assets | (55,265 | ) | 39,776 | |||||
| Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (92,370 | ) | (41,933 | ) | ||||
| Decrease in home sale deposits | (11,300 | ) | (16,092 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities | 118,288 | (227,576 | ) | |||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
| Investments in unconsolidated entities | (32,728 | ) | (18,545 | ) | ||||
| Distributions of capital from unconsolidated entities | 500 | 2,867 | ||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (25,722 | ) | (28,658 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from sales of property and equipment | 251 | 262 | ||||||
| Maturities/sales of investments and securities | 1,750 | 750 | ||||||
| Payments to purchase investments and securities | (1,750 | ) | (750 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (57,699 | ) | (44,074 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Repayment of loans payable and other borrowings | (13,005 | ) | (8,933 | ) | ||||
| Repayment of senior notes | — | (250,695 | ) | |||||
| Proceeds from issuance of senior and convertible senior notes | 497,195 | 575,000 | ||||||
| Payment of debt issuance costs | (5,106 | ) | (17,082 | ) | ||||
| Purchase of capped calls related to issuance of convertible senior notes | — | (61,790 | ) | |||||
| Dividends paid | (121,072 | ) | (108,590 | ) | ||||
| Repurchase of shares | (294,999 | ) | (125,932 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 63,013 | 1,978 | ||||||
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 123,602 | (269,672 | ) | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 651,555 | 921,227 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 775,157 | $ | 651,555 | ||||
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Operating Data
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
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
| Three months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||
| Homes | Value | Homes | Value | |||||||
| Homes Closed: | ||||||||||
| West Region | 775 | $ | 379,933 | 1,027 | $ | 490,898 | ||||
| Central Region | 1,443 | 499,643 | 1,444 | 518,732 | ||||||
| East Region | 1,537 | 526,873 | 1,573 | 586,298 | ||||||
| Total | 3,755 | $ | 1,406,449 | 4,044 | $ | 1,595,928 | ||||
| Homes Ordered: | ||||||||||
| West Region | 610 | $ | 303,063 | 864 | $ | 425,038 | ||||
| Central Region | 1,288 | 443,984 | 1,207 | 437,319 | ||||||
| East Region | 1,326 | 459,095 | 1,233 | 458,090 | ||||||
| Total | 3,224 | $ | 1,206,142 | 3,304 | $ | 1,320,447 | ||||
| Twelve months ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||
| Homes | Value | Homes | Value | |||||||
| Homes Closed: | ||||||||||
| West Region | 3,821 | $ | 1,829,432 | 4,526 | $ | 2,223,876 | ||||
| Central Region | 5,264 | 1,835,691 | 5,525 | 2,015,621 | ||||||
| East Region | 5,941 | 2,098,474 | 5,560 | 2,102,049 | ||||||
| Total | 15,026 | $ | 5,763,597 | 15,611 | $ | 6,341,546 | ||||
| Homes Ordered: | ||||||||||
| West Region | 3,571 | $ | 1,753,922 | 4,215 | $ | 2,084,168 | ||||
| Central Region | 5,240 | 1,877,109 | 5,165 | 1,893,202 | ||||||
| East Region | 5,839 | 2,095,815 | 5,226 | 1,973,338 | ||||||
| Total | 14,650 | $ | 5,726,846 | 14,606 | $ | 5,950,708 | ||||
| At December 31, | ||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||
| Homes | Value | Homes | Value | |||||||
| Order Backlog: | ||||||||||
| West Region | 185 | $ | 91,937 | 435 | $ | 214,360 | ||||
| Central Region | 457 | 165,002 | 481 | 177,516 | ||||||
| East Region | 526 | 183,623 | 628 | 237,673 | ||||||
| Total | 1,168 | $ | 440,562 | 1,544 | $ | 629,549 | ||||
| Three months ended December 31, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Ending | Average | Ending | Average | Ending | Average | Ending | Average | |||||||||
| Active Communities: | ||||||||||||||||
| West Region | 83 | 84.0 | 91 | 88.5 | 83 | 85.8 | 91 | 84.6 | ||||||||
| Central Region | 112 | 104.5 | 90 | 86.5 | 112 | 93.2 | 90 | 91.2 | ||||||||
| East Region | 141 | 146.5 | 111 | 110.0 | 141 | 133.8 | 111 | 104.6 | ||||||||
| Total | 336 | 335.0 | 292 | 285.0 | 336 | 312.8 | 292 | 280.4 | ||||||||
| Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries | |||||||||||||||
| Supplemental and Non-GAAP information | |||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Supplemental Information (In thousands): | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | $ | 6,682 | $ | 6,601 | $ | 25,285 | $ | 25,959 | |||||||
| Summary of Capitalized Interest: | |||||||||||||||
| Capitalized interest, beginning of period | $ | 71,201 | $ | 53,732 | $ | 53,678 | $ | 54,516 | |||||||
| Interest incurred | 19,991 | 12,713 | 74,750 | 52,717 | |||||||||||
| Interest expensed | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||
| Interest amortized to cost of home and land closings | (14,128 | ) | (12,767 | ) | (51,364 | ) | (53,555 | ) | |||||||
| Capitalized interest, end of period | $ | 77,064 | $ | 53,678 | $ | 77,064 | $ | 53,678 | |||||||
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Information (In thousands):
This press release includes comments and discussion about our operating results that reflect certain adjustments, including to home closing gross profit, home closing gross margin, earnings before income taxes, net earnings, diluted earnings per common share, and debt-to-capital ratios. These adjusted results are considered non-GAAP financial measures and should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, the comparable GAAP financial measures. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are relevant and useful to investors in understanding our operating results and may be helpful in comparing our company with other companies in the homebuilding and other industries to the extent they provide similar information. We encourage investors to understand the methods used by other companies to calculate these non-GAAP financial measures and any adjustments thereto before comparing to our non-GAAP financial measures.
| Home Closing Gross Profit and Home Closing Gross Margin | ||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, | Twelve months ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Home closing gross profit | $ | 232,257 | $ | 369,814 | $ | 1,136,192 | $ | 1,579,843 | ||||||||
| Home closing gross margin | 16.5 | % | 23.2 | % | 19.7 | % | 24.9 | % | ||||||||
| Add: Real estate-related impairments | 7,839 | — | 16,532 | — | ||||||||||||
| Add: Write-off of terminated land deals | 27,945 | 2,771 | 39,382 | 6,702 | ||||||||||||
| Add: Severance expense | 3,182 | — | 4,297 | — | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted home closing gross profit | $ | 271,223 | $ | 372,585 | $ | 1,196,403 | $ | 1,586,545 | ||||||||
| Adjusted home closing gross margin | 19.3 | % | 23.3 | % | 20.8 | % | 25.0 | % | ||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes, Net earnings and Diluted earnings per common share | ||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended December 31, | Twelve months ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | $ | 103,133 | $ | 221,562 | $ | 584,600 | $ | 1,002,870 | ||||||||
| Add: Real estate-related impairments | 9,314 | — | 18,606 | — | ||||||||||||
| Add: Write-off of terminated land deals | 27,945 | 2,771 | 39,382 | 6,702 | ||||||||||||
| Add: Severance expense | 5,719 | — | 8,415 | — | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted earnings before income taxes | 146,111 | 224,333 | 651,003 | 1,009,572 | ||||||||||||
| Incremental tax rate | 24.6 | % | 24.4 | % | 24.6 | % | 24.5 | % | ||||||||
| Adjusted provision for income tax | (29,679 | ) | (49,590 | ) | (147,929 | ) | (218,323 | ) | ||||||||
| Adjusted net earnings | $ | 116,432 | $ | 174,743 | $ | 503,074 | $ | 791,249 | ||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 1.20 | $ | 2.36 | $ | 6.35 | $ | 10.72 | ||||||||
| Adjusted diluted earnings per common share | $ | 1.67 | $ | 2.39 | $ | 7.05 | $ | 10.79 | ||||||||
| Debt-to-Capital Ratios | |||||||
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||
| Senior and convertible senior notes, net, loans payable and other borrowings | $ | 1,829,054 | $ | 1,335,878 | |||
| Stockholders' equity | 5,195,643 | 5,141,573 | |||||
| Total capital | $ | 7,024,697 | $ | 6,477,451 | |||
| Debt-to-capital | 26.0 | % | 20.6 | % | |||
| Senior and convertible senior notes, net, loans payable and other borrowings | $ | 1,829,054 | $ | 1,335,878 | |||
| Less: cash and cash equivalents | (775,157 | ) | (651,555 | ) | |||
| Net debt | $ | 1,053,897 | $ | 684,323 | |||
| Stockholders’ equity | 5,195,643 | 5,141,573 | |||||
| Total net capital | $ | 6,249,540 | $ | 5,825,896 | |||
| Net debt-to-capital (1) | 16.9 | % | 11.7 | % | |||
(1) Net debt-to-capital reflects certain adjustments to the debt-to-capital ratio and is defined as net debt (debt less cash and cash equivalents) divided by total capital (net debt plus stockholders' equity). Net debt-to-capital is considered a non-GAAP financial measure and should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, the comparable GAAP financial measures. We believe this non-GAAP financial measure is relevant and useful to investors in understanding our operating results and may be helpful in comparing the Company with other companies in the homebuilding industry to the extent they provide similar information. We encourage investors to understand the methods used by other companies in the homebuilding industry to calculate non-GAAP financial measures and any adjustments thereto before comparing to our non-GAAP financial measures.
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 210,000 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 market share and our full year 2026 projected share repurchases, 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 https://investors.meritagehomes.com.
| Contacts: | Emily Tadano, VP Investor Relations and External Communications | |||
| (480) 515-8979 (office) | ||||
| investors@meritagehomes.com | ||||
FAQ
What did Meritage Homes (MTH) report for Q4 2025 revenue and EPS?
Why did Meritage Homes (MTH) gross margin decline in Q4 2025?
How much capital did Meritage Homes (MTH) return to shareholders in 2025?
What is Meritage Homes' (MTH) cash and debt position at December 31, 2025?
What 2026 guidance did Meritage Homes (MTH) provide on home closings and revenue?
