D.R. Horton Inc.
(
DHI
) reported net earnings of 30 cents per share in the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2012 versus 11 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Earnings per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 28 cents.
The year-over-year earnings upsurge was driven by an increase in
homebuilding revenues.
Homebuilding revenues climbed 21.0% year over year to $1.30
billion, driven by growth in net sales orders, homes closed and
sales order backlog. Reported revenues, however, missed the Zacks
Consensus Estimate of $1.37 billion.
Quarter in Detail
Most of the company's revenue originates from the sale of
completed homes and a small portion of revenue comes from the
sale of land and lots.
Home sales increased 21% year over year to $1.29 billion driven
by strong growth in net sales orders. On the other hand, land
sales contributed $10.5 million to revenues compared with $0.4
million in the prior year.
Home closings were up 12.0% to 5,575 in the reported quarter
compared with 4,987 homes in the year-ago period.
Net sales orders grew 24% in the fourth quarter of 2012 to 5,276
homes. The value of net orders grew 35% to $1.3 billion from $0.9
billion in the fourth quarter of 2011, owing to the improving
housing market.
The company's backlog totaled 7,240 homes as of September 30,
2012, up 49% from 4,854 homes as of September 30, 2011. Potential
housing revenues from backlog rose 61% to $1.7 billion from $1.0
billion in the prior year quarter, primarily on the back of an
increase in backlog revenue in all operating regions. Sales order
backlog represent homes under contract but not yet closed at the
end of a certain period.
Gross profit on home sales was $232.7 million versus $172.6
million in the prior-year quarter. Selling, general &
administrative (SG&A) expenses were $145.9 million, up 18%
from the prior-year quarter.
Fiscal 2012
The company reported net earnings of $2.77 per share in fiscal
2012 versus 23 cents in fiscal 2011. Earnings per share beat the
Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.76. The year-over-year earnings
upsurge was driven by an increase in homebuilding revenues. The
company reported homebuilding revenue of $4.2 billion in fiscal
2012, up 19% from fiscal 2011. Homes closed grew 13% to 18,890 in
fiscal 2012.
Outlook
The company expects profits in fiscal 2013. The company is well
positioned with its strong balance sheet and liquidity and
intends to expand its business in fiscal 2013.
D.R. Horton's strong cash flows, its geographic diversity and its
solid cost discipline also encourage us. The company has been
able to capitalize on the benefits of improving housing market.
Given its strong inventory, the company is likely to continue to
perform better in the upcoming quarters. All said, we would still
prefer to remain on the sidelines until we witness a speedy and
broad-based recovery in the overall housing market.
A peer of
KB Home
(
KBH
), D.R. Horton carries a Zacks #3 Rank that translates into a
short-term Hold rating. Longer-term, we are maintaining our
Neutral recommendation on D.R. Horton.
D R HORTON INC (DHI): Free Stock Analysis
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KB HOME (KBH): Free Stock Analysis Report
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