Meritage Homes Corporation

10/27/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/27/2021 14:36

Meritage Homes reports third quarter 2021 results, including record gross margin of 29.7% and diluted EPS of $5.25

Meritage Homes reports third quarter 2021 results, including record gross margin of 29.7% and diluted EPS of $5.25

Download as PDFOctober 27, 2021 4:30pm EDT

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE: MTH), a leading U.S. homebuilder, reported third quarter results for the period ended September 30, 2021.

Summary Operating Results (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2021 2020 % Chg 2021 2020 % Chg
Homes closed (units) 3,112 3,004 4 % 9,275 8,090 15 %
Home closing revenue $ 1,251,435 $ 1,133,221 10 % $ 3,596,060 $ 3,055,229 18 %
Average sales price - closings $ 402 $ 377 7 % $ 388 $ 378 3 %
Home orders (units) 3,441 3,851 (11 ) % 10,441 10,550 (1 ) %
Home order value $ 1,488,951 $ 1,488,480 - % $ 4,337,753 $ 3,958,870 10 %
Average sales price - orders $ 433 $ 387 12 % $ 415 $ 375 11 %
Ending backlog (units) 5,838 5,242 11 %
Ending backlog value $ 2,555,405 $ 2,004,981 27 %
Average sales price - backlog $ 438 $ 382 15 %
Earnings before income taxes $ 261,709 $ 135,506 93 % $ 643,337 $ 338,201 90 %
Net earnings $ 200,752 $ 109,118 84 % $ 499,984 $ 270,948 85 %
Diluted EPS $ 5.25 $ 2.84 85 % $ 13.06 $ 7.04 86 %

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

"During the third quarter of 2021, we navigated ongoing industry-wide supply chain disruptions and produced the highest third quarter of home closings in our Company's history. We delivered 3,112 homes and produced a 10% year-over-year increase in home closing revenue to $1.3 billion. This led to two new Company quarterly records: highest gross margin of 29.7% and highest diluted EPS of $5.25," said Steven J. Hilton, executive chairman of Meritage Homes. "These strong results reflect the elevated homebuying demand in the market today and our successful operating model."

"The housing market remained solid," Phillippe Lord, chief executive officer of Meritage Homes, said. "The continuing demand stemmed from market conditions related to historically-low interest rates and limited housing supply. It also resulted from homebuying activity from millennials and baby boomers, the largest groups fueling demand over the last few quarters. We believe these underlying demographic factors will not fundamentally change in the near future, but may be bumpy if interest rates move materially in a short amount of time."

Mr. Lord continued, "In the third quarter of 2021, we continued metering our orders pace to align our starts with production, but our average absorption pace still remained elevated at 5.0 per month. This compared to our all-time highest third quarter average absorption pace of 5.8 per month in the third quarter of 2020. As a result of our metering efforts, quarterly sales orders of 3,441 homes were 11% lower than prior year despite 5% more average communities year-over-year."

"Our ending community count increased by 16% year-over-year from 204 at September 30, 2020 to 236 at September 30, 2021. Sequentially, we added 10 net communities from 226 at June 30, 2021," Mr. Lord remarked. "Working through delays in permitting, zoning and entitlement as well as land supply chain constraints, we opened 40 new communities this quarter. With our excellent progress over the last two quarters, we remain confident in our ability to achieve our goal of 300 active communities by mid-2022. The anticipated community growth of over 50% from year end 2020 will position Meritage to expand our market share, leverage our operating costs and drive profitability."

Mr. Lord added, "We continue to find new land positions while remaining disciplined in our underwriting standards and put about 9,800 net new lots under control during the three months ended September 30, 2021, which compared to approximately 9,000 net new lots under control in the same period in 2020. Our total lot supply is now nearly 70,000 lots, a 46% year-over-year increase compared to nearly 48,000 at September 30, 2020. We invested $526 million in land acquisition and development this quarter. Including this incremental spend, our net debt to capital ratio of 17.5% at September 30, 2021 reflects ample liquidity and a strong balance sheet, which in turn provide us flexibility for further growth in the future."

Mr. Lord concluded, "As we continue to manage through the current supply issues, we are projecting 12,600-12,900 home closings for the full year 2021, which we anticipate will generate $5.05-5.15 billion in home closing revenue. Home closing gross margin is projected to be 27.50-27.75%. With an increase to the projected effective tax rate of 23.0%, we expect diluted EPS to be in the range of $18.75-19.40 for 2021, a year-over-year increase of over 70%."

THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

  • The total orders of 3,441 for the third quarter of 2021 reflected a decrease of 11% year-over-year, driven by a 15% decline in average absorption pace from 5.8 to 5.0 per month. In the third quarter of 2021, we metered our orders pace to address production constraints. This was partially offset by a 5% increase in average communities in 2021. Entry-level represented 84% of third quarter 2021 orders, compared to 69% in the same quarter in 2020. Stemming from the elevated demand for our products over the past few quarters and constrained housing supply, the sustained favorable pricing environment led to year-over-year increases in average sales price ("ASP") for both orders and backlog. Even as our product mix continued to shift toward entry-level homes, ASP on orders in the third quarter of 2021 exceeded $430,000.

  • The 10% year-over-year increase in home closing revenue to $1.3 billion for the third quarter of 2021 resulted from 4% higher home closing volume and 7% higher closing ASP. Despite the product mix shift toward entry-level homes, the increase in closing ASP was primarily attributable to the sustained strength in housing demand and the significant price increases the market has absorbed in recent quarters.

  • The 820 bps improvement in third quarter 2021 home closing gross margin to 29.7% from 21.5% a year ago mainly resulted from pricing power and leveraging of fixed costs on greater home closing revenue, which more than offset higher lumber prices and increases in other commodity costs.

  • Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were 9.3% of third quarter 2021 home closing revenue, an 80 bps improvement over 10.1% in the prior year, resulting from greater leverage of fixed expenses on higher home closing revenue, cost savings from technology innovations that particularly benefited our sales and marketing efforts and lower broker commissions.

  • The third quarter effective income tax rate was 23.3% in 2021 compared to 19.5% in 2020. Eligible energy tax credits on qualifying energy-efficient homes closed under the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act enacted in December 2019 reduced the rate in both years.

  • Third quarter 2021 pre-tax margin increased 880 bps to 20.7%, compared to 11.9% in the third quarter of 2020. Net earnings were $200.7 million ($5.25 per diluted share) for the third quarter of 2021, an 84% increase over $109.1 million ($2.84 per diluted share) for the third quarter of 2020. Strong earnings growth reflected higher closing volume, pricing power, expanded gross margin and the improved overhead leverage, which led to an 85% year-over-year improvement in earnings per diluted share.

YEAR TO DATE RESULTS

  • Total orders for the first nine months of 2021 decreased 1% year-over-year, driven by 7% greater average absorption pace, offset by a 7% decrease in average community count compared to the first nine months of 2020.

  • Home closing revenue increased 18% in the first nine months of 2021 to $3.6 billion due to 15% improved home closing volume and 3% higher closing ASP given the favorable pricing environment.

  • The 640 bps improvement for home closing gross margin in the first nine months of 2021 to 27.4% from 21.0% primarily resulted from higher ASP and better leveraging of fixed costs on greater home closing revenue.

  • SG&A expenses improved 90 bps year-over-year to 9.4% of home closing revenue, compared to 10.3% in the first nine months of 2020, due to operating efficiencies and improved leverage of fixed expenses on higher home closing revenue.

  • Loss on early extinguishment of debt of $18.2 million was recognized in the first nine months of 2021 in connection with the early redemption in April 2021 of the 7.00% senior notes due 2022.

  • The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2021 was 22.3%, compared to 19.9% for the first nine months of 2020. The effective tax rate in both periods benefited from tax credits earned for qualifying energy-efficient homes under the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act enacted in December 2019.

  • Net earnings were $500 million ($13.06 per diluted share) for the first nine months of 2021, an 85% increase over $270.9 million ($7.04 per diluted share) for the first nine months of 2020, primarily reflecting higher closing volume, pricing power, expanded gross margin and the greater overhead leverage in 2021.

BALANCE SHEET

  • Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2021 totaled $562.3 million, compared to $745.6 million at December 31, 2020, reflecting investments in real estate and development and share repurchases. Real estate assets increased from $2.8 billion at December 31, 2020 to $3.6 billion at September 30, 2021.

  • A total of nearly 70,000 lots were owned or controlled as of September 30, 2021, compared to approximately 48,000 total lots at September 30, 2020. In the third quarter of 2021, about 9,800 net new lots were added, representing an estimated net 45 future communities, of which 87% are for entry-level communities.

  • Debt-to-capital and net debt-to-capital ratios were 29.1% and 17.5%, respectively, at September 30, 2021, compared to 30.3% and 10.5%, respectively, at December 31, 2020.

  • In the first nine months of 2021, we repurchased 395,461 shares of stock for a total of $37.0 million, of which 95,461 shares totaling $9.5 million were repurchased during the third quarter of 2021. Since September 30, 2021, we repurchased an additional 243,885 shares totaling $24.0 million and have $153.4 million remaining available to repurchase in our authorized share repurchase program as of October 25, 2021.

CONFERENCE CALL

Management will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter results at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time (11:00 a.m. Eastern Time) on Thursday, October 28, 2021. The call will be webcast live with an accompanying slideshow available on the "Investor Relations" page of the Company's website at https://investors.meritagehomes.com. Telephone participants will be able to join by dialing in to 1-877-407-6951 US toll free or 1-412-902-0046 on the day of the call.

A replay of the call will be available via webcast beginning at approximately 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time (3:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on October 28, 2021 and extending through November 11, 2021, at https://investors.meritagehomes.com.

Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Income Statements
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2021 2020 Change $ Change %
Homebuilding:
Home closing revenue $ 1,251,435 $ 1,133,221 $ 118,214 10 %
Land closing revenue 8,470 4,870 3,600 74 %
Total closing revenue 1,259,905 1,138,091 121,814 11 %
Cost of home closings (879,759 ) (889,654 ) (9,895 ) (1 ) %
Cost of land closings (7,706 ) (4,360 ) 3,346 77 %
Total cost of closings (887,465 ) (894,014 ) (6,549 ) (1 ) %
Home closing gross profit 371,676 243,567 128,109 53 %
Land closing gross profit 764 510 254 50 %
Total closing gross profit 372,440 244,077 128,363 53 %
Financial Services:
Revenue 5,208 4,939 269 5 %
Expense (2,308 ) (2,026 ) 282 14 %
Earnings from financial services unconsolidated
entities and other, net 1,324 1,402 (78 ) (6 ) %
Financial services profit 4,224 4,315 (91 ) (2 ) %
Commissions and other sales costs (68,952 ) (73,282 ) (4,330 ) (6 ) %
General and administrative expenses (47,192 ) (40,737 ) 6,455 16 %
Interest expense (79 ) (55 ) 24 44 %
Other income, net 1,268 1,188 80 7 %
Earnings before income taxes 261,709 135,506 126,203 93 %
Provision for income taxes (60,957 ) (26,388 ) 34,569 131 %
Net earnings $ 200,752 $ 109,118 $ 91,634 84 %
Earnings per common share:
Basic Change $ or
shares
Change %
Earnings per common share $ 5.33 $ 2.90 $ 2.43 84 %
Weighted average shares outstanding 37,647 37,607 40 - %
Diluted
Earnings per common share $ 5.25 $ 2.84 $ 2.41 85 %
Weighted average shares outstanding 38,229 38,405 (176 ) - %
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2021 2020 Change $ Change %
Homebuilding:
Home closing revenue $ 3,596,060 $ 3,055,229 $ 540,831 18 %
Land closing revenue 25,225 16,954 8,271 49 %
Total closing revenue 3,621,285 3,072,183 549,102 18 %
Cost of home closings (2,612,428 ) (2,412,606 ) 199,822 8 %
Cost of land closings (24,246 ) (17,509 ) 6,737 38 %
Total cost of closings (2,636,674 ) (2,430,115 ) 206,559 8 %
Home closing gross profit 983,632 642,623 341,009 53 %
Land closing gross profit/(loss) 979 (555 ) 1,534 276 %
Total closing gross profit 984,611 642,068 342,543 53 %
Financial Services:
Revenue 15,624 13,329 2,295 17 %
Expense (6,846 ) (5,519 ) 1,327 24 %
Earnings from financial services unconsolidated
entities and other, net 3,821 3,132 689 22 %
Financial services profit 12,599 10,942 1,657 15 %
Commissions and other sales costs (210,585 ) (204,863 ) 5,722 3 %
General and administrative expenses (128,297 ) (111,083 ) 17,214 15 %
Interest expense (246 ) (2,176 ) (1,930 ) (89 ) %
Other income, net 3,443 3,313 130 4 %
Loss on early extinguishment of debt (18,188 ) - 18,188 n/a
Earnings before income taxes 643,337 338,201 305,136 90 %
Provision for income taxes (143,353 ) (67,253 ) 76,100 113 %
Net earnings $ 499,984 $ 270,948 $ 229,036 85 %
Earnings per common share:
Basic Change $ or
shares
Change %
Earnings per common share $ 13.26 $ 7.17 $ 6.09 85 %
Weighted average shares outstanding 37,703 37,763 (60 ) - %
Diluted
Earnings per common share $ 13.06 $ 7.04 $ 6.02 86 %
Weighted average shares outstanding 38,285 38,491 (206 ) (1 ) %
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 562,291 $ 745,621
Other receivables 148,743 98,573
Real estate (1) 3,593,007 2,778,039
Deposits on real estate under option or contract 77,987 59,534
Investments in unconsolidated entities 3,905 4,350
Property and equipment, net 36,595 38,933
Deferred tax asset 38,850 36,040
Prepaids, other assets and goodwill 104,071 103,308
Total assets $ 4,565,449 $ 3,864,398
Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 214,575 $ 175,250
Accrued liabilities 324,407 296,121
Home sale deposits 40,002 25,074
Loans payable and other borrowings 18,985 23,094
Senior notes, net 1,142,210 996,991
Total liabilities 1,740,179 1,516,530
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock - -
Common stock 376 375
Additional paid-in capital 433,179 455,762
Retained earnings 2,391,715 1,891,731
Total stockholders' equity 2,825,270 2,347,868
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 4,565,449 $ 3,864,398
(1)Real estate - Allocated costs:
Homes under contract under construction $ 1,142,724 $ 873,365
Unsold homes, completed and under construction 397,422 357,861
Model homes 75,239 82,502
Finished home sites and home sites under development 1,977,622 1,464,311
Total real estate $ 3,593,007 $ 2,778,039
Supplemental Information and Non-GAAP Financial Disclosures (Dollars in thousands - unaudited):
Three Months Ended September
30,
Nine Months Ended September
30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
Depreciation and amortization $ 6,478 $ 7,945 $ 19,892 $ 22,496
Summary of Capitalized Interest:
Capitalized interest, beginning of period $ 56,710 $ 72,882 $ 58,940 $ 82,014
Interest incurred 15,212 16,103 47,625 50,188
Interest expensed (79 ) (55 ) (246 ) (2,176 )
Interest amortized to cost of home and land closings (14,550 ) (21,380 ) (49,026 ) (62,476 )
Capitalized interest, end of period $ 57,293 $ 67,550 $ 57,293 $ 67,550
September 30,
2021
December 31,
2020
Senior notes, net, loans payable and other borrowings $ 1,161,195 $ 1,020,085
Stockholders' equity 2,825,270 2,347,868
Total capital $ 3,986,465 $ 3,367,953
Debt-to-capital 29.1 % 30.3 %
Senior notes, net, loans payable and other borrowings $ 1,161,195 $ 1,020,085
Less: cash and cash equivalents (562,291 ) (745,621 )
Net debt $ 598,904 $ 274,464
Stockholders' equity 2,825,270 2,347,868
Total net capital $ 3,424,174 $ 2,622,332
Net debt-to-capital 17.5 % 10.5 %
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2021 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $ 499,984 $ 270,948
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 19,892 22,496
Stock-based compensation 14,435 15,724
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 18,188 -
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities (2,878 ) (2,821 )
Distribution of earnings from unconsolidated entities 3,324 2,449
Other (3,085 ) 1,881
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase)/decrease in real estate (810,731 ) 9,080
Increase in deposits on real estate under option or contract (18,453 ) (12,910 )
(Increase)/decrease in other receivables, prepaids and other assets (51,611 ) 4,933
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities 67,301 60,039
Increase in home sale deposits 14,928 1,263
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities (248,706 ) 373,082
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in unconsolidated entities (1 ) (4 )
Distributions of capital from unconsolidated entities - 1,000
Purchases of property and equipment (17,910 ) (14,771 )
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment 404 528
Maturities/sales of investments and securities 2,795 632
Payments to purchase investments and securities (2,795 ) (632 )
Net cash used in investing activities (17,507 ) (13,247 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of loans payable and other borrowings (6,308 ) (8,509 )
Repayment of senior notes (317,690 ) -
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes 450,000 -
Payment of debt issuance costs (6,102 ) -
Repurchase of shares (37,017 ) (60,813 )
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 82,883 (69,322 )
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (183,330 ) 290,513
Beginning cash and cash equivalents 745,621 319,466
Ending cash and cash equivalents $ 562,291 $ 609,979
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Operating Data
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2021 2020
Homes Value Homes Value
Homes Closed:
Arizona 532 $ 193,847 429 $ 143,630
California 295 177,623 332 202,460
Colorado 144 80,149 183 88,199
West Region 971 451,619 944 434,289
Texas 1,012 383,206 1,059 349,907
Central Region 1,012 383,206 1,059 349,907
Florida 386 139,642 339 124,836
Georgia 139 52,004 178 62,921
North Carolina 371 145,268 295 98,322
South Carolina 92 31,686 78 25,502
Tennessee 141 48,010 111 37,444
East Region 1,129 416,610 1,001 349,025
Total 3,112 $ 1,251,435 3,004 $ 1,133,221
Homes Ordered:
Arizona 550 $ 233,828 709 $ 240,151
California 319 213,859 510 319,680
Colorado 207 123,242 188 88,972
West Region 1,076 570,929 1,407 648,803
Texas 1,070 427,689 1,183 395,453
Central Region 1,070 427,689 1,183 395,453
Florida 534 192,479 491 179,607
Georgia 176 74,766 172 62,541
North Carolina 347 140,135 386 132,988
South Carolina 100 31,535 90 28,140
Tennessee 138 51,418 122 40,948
East Region 1,295 490,333 1,261 444,224
Total 3,441 $ 1,488,951 3,851 $ 1,488,480
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2021 2020
Homes Value Homes Value
Homes Closed:
Arizona 1,423 $ 497,105 1,315 $ 437,233
California 890 547,754 787 487,605
Colorado 464 239,399 553 268,970
West Region 2,777 1,284,258 2,655 1,193,808
Texas 3,129 1,105,429 2,747 901,791
Central Region 3,129 1,105,429 2,747 901,791
Florida 1,246 440,847 942 357,233
Georgia 456 169,620 459 163,617
North Carolina 1,000 372,119 805 276,477
South Carolina 258 87,741 229 73,113
Tennessee 409 136,046 253 89,190
East Region 3,369 1,206,373 2,688 959,630
Total 9,275 $ 3,596,060 8,090 $ 3,055,229
Homes Ordered:
Arizona 1,776 $ 713,067 2,016 $ 654,579
California 949 604,478 1,250 769,251
Colorado 557 317,155 540 258,268
West Region 3,282 1,634,700 3,806 1,682,098
Texas 3,286 1,248,032 3,457 1,130,943
Central Region 3,286 1,248,032 3,457 1,130,943
Florida 1,481 547,706 1,198 435,411
Georgia 533 213,632 518 182,958
North Carolina 1,156 450,854 999 340,626
South Carolina 264 90,532 272 85,316
Tennessee 439 152,297 300 101,518
East Region 3,873 1,455,021 3,287 1,145,829
Total 10,441 $ 4,337,753 10,550 $ 3,958,870
Order Backlog:
Arizona 1,346 $ 560,090 1,212 $ 404,044
California 503 331,454 608 373,949
Colorado 301 182,536 183 87,047
West Region 2,150 1,074,080 2,003 865,040
Texas 1,787 715,226 1,758 602,709
Central Region 1,787 715,226 1,758 602,709
Florida 785 321,831 627 242,419
Georgia 233 101,996 192 69,204
North Carolina 610 242,192 413 143,741
South Carolina 126 44,028 114 36,723
Tennessee 147 56,052 135 45,145
East Region 1,901 766,099 1,481 537,232
Total 5,838 $ 2,555,405 5,242 $ 2,004,981
Meritage Homes Corporation and Subsidiaries
Operating Data
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2021 2020
Ending Average Ending Average
Active Communities:
Arizona 38 38.0 35 36.5
California 18 19.0 20 24.0
Colorado 16 16.5 11 12.0
West Region 72 73.5 66 72.5
Texas 68 66.0 58 63.0
Central Region 68 66.0 58 63.0
Florida 38 36.0 34 35.0
Georgia 12 11.0 11 14.0
North Carolina 26 26.0 20 20.5
South Carolina 11 9.0 6 5.5
Tennessee 9 9.5 9 10.0
East Region 96 91.5 80 85.0
Total 236 231.0 204 220.5
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2021 2020
Ending Average Ending Average
Active Communities:
Arizona 38 35.5 35 34.3
California 18 18.3 20 25.3
Colorado 16 14.0 11 13.8
West Region 72 67.8 66 73.4
Texas 68 63.6 58 70.3
Central Region 68 63.6 58 70.3
Florida 38 33.3 34 34.4
Georgia 12 10.3 11 15.3
North Carolina 26 24.3 20 21.6
South Carolina 11 7.5 6 6.8
Tennessee 9 8.5 9 10.3
East Region 96 83.9 80 88.4
Total 236 215.3 204 232.1

About Meritage Homes Corporation

Meritage Homes is the sixth-largest public homebuilder in the United States, based on homes closed in 2020. The Company offers a variety of homes that are designed with a focus on entry-level and first move-up buyers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Meritage Homes has delivered over 145,000 homes in its 36-year history, and has a reputation for its distinctive style, quality construction, and award-winning customer experience. The Company is the industry leader in energy-efficient homebuilding and an eight-time recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence Award since 2013 for innovation and industry leadership in energy efficient homebuilding.

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; projected 2021 home closings, home closing revenue, home closing gross margins, effective tax rate and diluted earnings per share; future community counts; trends in construction costs; and expectations about our future results.

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: changes in interest rates and the availability and pricing of residential mortgages; inflation in the cost of materials used to develop communities and construct homes; supply chain constraints; our ability to obtain performance and surety bonds in connection with our development work; the ability of our potential buyers to sell their existing homes; legislation related to tariffs; the adverse effect of slow absorption rates; impairments of our real estate inventory; cancellation rates; competition; home warranty and construction defect claims; failures in health and safety performance; fluctuations in quarterly operating results; our level of indebtedness; our ability to obtain financing if our credit ratings are downgraded; our potential 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 or option deposits; our limited geographic diversification; the replication of our energy-efficient technologies by our competitors; shortages in the availability and cost of subcontract labor; 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 to comply with laws and regulations; our compliance with government regulations; negative publicity that affects our reputation; potential disruptions to our business by an epidemic or pandemic (such as COVID-19), 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, 2020 and our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 under the caption "Risk Factors," which can be found on our website at https://investors.meritagehomes.com.

Contacts: Emily Tadano, VP Investor Relations
(480) 515-8979 (office)
[email protected]

Source: Meritage Homes Corporation

Released October 27, 2021