BZH Beazer Homes USA Inc New

Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (NYSE: BZH) (www.beazer.com) today announced its financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2015.

The Company reported net income from continuing operations of $1.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, which included an $828 thousand loss on the extinguishment of debt and a $3.6 million benefit from insurance recoveries. This compared with a net loss of $18.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, which included $13.6 million of charges related to unexpected warranty expenses.

Increases in both home closings and average selling price (“ASP”) contributed to substantially higher revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and net income compared to the prior year. Home closings of 1,049 were up 18.5%, while ASP increased to $320.9 thousand, and Adjusted EBITDA of $25.9 million was up $9.6 million, or 59.0%, versus last year.

The Company’s backlog value for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 was $634.6 million, a 13.2% increase from the prior year quarter, despite a 4.5% reduction in new home orders in the quarter. After a slow start to the quarter, the sales pace improved in November and December to a level in line with expectations.

Operating margins improved, as an expected reduction in gross margin compared to the prior year was more than fully offset by a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue.

Relative to the Company’s objective to achieve $2 billion in revenue with Adjusted EBITDA of at least $200 million, referred to as the “2B-10” Plan, for the trailing twelve months, revenue was $1.7 billion, up 18.8%, and Adjusted EBITDA of $153.7 million was up more than $25.8 million, or 20.2%, compared to last year.

This improvement in profitability was achieved as the Company took steps to reduce its financial leverage. During the quarter, approximately $23 million of the Company’s senior notes due in 2016 was repurchased, with an additional $5 million retired subsequent to quarter end. The Company intends to further reduce debt over the balance of the fiscal year, as management continues to pursue its balanced growth approach.

“We are pleased with our fiscal first quarter results, as our focus on operational improvements allowed us to generate strong top line growth from a combination of more closings and a higher average selling price, and substantially improved profitability,” said Allan Merrill, CEO of Beazer Homes.

Mr. Merrill continued, “We’re well positioned heading into the spring selling season, as demand patterns in January continue to point to a steady housing recovery in the coming year. At the same time, we will take further steps to reduce our leverage, reflecting our view that doing so will create long-term shareholder value.”

Summary results for the three months ended December 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

Q1 Results from Continuing Operations (unless otherwise specified)

          Quarter Ended December 31, 2015       2014       Change* New Home Orders 923 966 (4.5

)

%

Orders per community per month 1.8 2.1 (14.3

)

%

Actual community count at month-end 169 156 8.3 % Average active community count 169 154 9.7 % Cancellation rates 25.8 % 21.4 % 440 bps   Total Home Closings 1,049 885 18.5 % Average selling price from closings (in thousands) $ 320.9 $ 295.6 8.6 % Homebuilding revenue (in millions) $ 336.6 $ 261.6 28.7 % Homebuilding gross margin, excluding impairments and abandonments (I&A) 17.5 % 13.5 % 400 bps Homebuilding gross margin, excluding I&A and interest amortized to cost of sales 21.5 % 16.6 % 490 bps Homebuilding gross margin, excluding I&A, interest amortized to cost of sales and unexpected warranty costs 20.4 % 21.8 % -140 bps   Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (in millions) $ 1.8 $ (18.8 ) $ 20.6 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (in millions) $ 0.6 $ (0.7 ) $ 1.3 Net income (loss) from continuing operations (in millions) $ 1.2 $ (18.1 ) $ 19.3 Basic and diluted Income (Loss) Per Share from continuing operations $ 0.04 $

(0.68

) $ 0.72   Total Company land and land development spending (in millions) $ 111.7 $ 145.4 $ (33.8

)

 

Total Company Adjusted EBITDA, excluding unexpected warranty costs and a litigation settlement in discontinued operations (in millions) $ 25.9 $ 16.3 59.0 % LTM Adjusted EBITDA, excluding unexpected warranty costs and a litigation settlement in discontinued operations (in millions) $ 153.7 $ 127.9 20.2 %

* Change is calculated using unrounded numbers.

   

As of December 31, 2015

          As of December 31, 2015       2014       Change Backlog units 1,912 1,771 8.0 % Dollar value of backlog (in millions) $ 634.6 $ 560.5 13.2 % ASP in backlog (in thousands) $ 331.9 $ 316.5 4.9 % Land and lots controlled 25,326 27,908 (9.3

)

%

 

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call on February 4, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss these results. Interested parties may listen to the conference call and view the Company’s slide presentation over the Internet by visiting the “Investor Relations” section of the Company's website at www.beazer.com. To access the conference call by telephone, listeners should dial 800-619-8639 (for international callers, dial 312-470-7002). To be admitted to the call, verbally supply the passcode “BZH.” A replay of the call will be available shortly after the conclusion of the live call. To directly access the replay, dial 800-964-3799 or 203-369-3115 and enter the passcode “3740” (available until 11:59 p.m. ET on February 11, 2016), or visit www.beazer.com. A replay of the webcast will be available at www.beazer.com for at least 30 days.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Beazer Homes is a geographically diversified homebuilder with active operations in 13 states within three geographic regions in the United States. The Company's homes meet or exceed the benchmark for energy-efficient home construction as established by ENERGY STAR® and are designed with Choice Plans to meet the personal preferences and lifestyles of its buyers. In addition, the Company is committed to providing a range of preferred lender choices to facilitate transparent competition between lenders and enhanced customer service. The Company's active operations are in the following states: Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “BZH.” For more info visit Beazer.com, or check out Beazer on Facebook and Twitter.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, and it is possible that the results described in this press release will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, among other things: (i) economic changes nationally or in local markets, including changes in consumer confidence, declines in employment levels, inflation and increases in the quantity and decreases in the price of new homes and resale homes on the market; (ii) the cyclical nature of the homebuilding industry and a potential deterioration in homebuilding industry conditions; (iii) continuing severe weather conditions or other related events could result in delays in land development or home construction, increase our costs or decrease demand in the impacted areas; (iv) our cost of and ability to access capital, due to factors such as limitations in the capital markets or adverse credit market conditions, and otherwise meet our ongoing liquidity needs, including the impact of any downgrades of our credit ratings or reductions in our tangible net worth or liquidity levels; (v) our ability to reduce our outstanding indebtedness and to comply with covenants in our debt agreements or satisfy such obligations through repayment or refinancing; (vi) the availability and cost of land and the risks associated with the future value of our inventory, such as additional asset impairment charges or writedowns; (vii) estimates related to homes to be delivered in the future (backlog) are imprecise, as they are subject to various cancellation risks that cannot be fully controlled; (viii) shortages of or increased prices for labor, land or raw materials used in housing production and the level of quality and craftsmanship provided by our subcontractors; (ix) a substantial increase in mortgage interest rates, increased disruption in the availability of mortgage financing, a change in tax laws regarding the deductibility of mortgage interest, or an increased number of foreclosures; (x) increased competition or delays in reacting to changing consumer preference in home design; (xi) factors affecting margins such as decreased land values underlying land option agreements, increased land development costs on communities under development or delays or difficulties in implementing initiatives to reduce production and overhead cost structure; (xii) estimates related to the potential recoverability of our deferred tax assets; (xiii) potential delays or increased costs in obtaining necessary permits as a result of changes to, or complying with, laws, regulations, or governmental policies and possible penalties for failure to comply with such laws, regulations and governmental policies, including these related to the environment; (xiv) the results of litigation or government proceedings and fulfillment of the obligations in the consent orders with governmental authorities and other settlement agreements; (xv) the impact of construction defect and home warranty claims, including water intrusion issues in Florida and New Jersey; (xvi) the cost and availability of insurance and surety bonds; (xvii) the performance of our unconsolidated entities and our unconsolidated entity partners; (xviii) the impact of information technology failures or data security breaches; (xix) terrorist acts, natural disasters, acts of war or other factors over which the Company has little or no control; or (xx) the impact on homebuilding in key markets of governmental regulations limiting the availability of water.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors.

-Tables Follow-

 

BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

($ in thousands, except per share data)

          Three Months Ended December 31, 2015       2014 Total revenue $ 344,449 $ 265,764 Home construction and land sales expenses 285,511 230,546 Inventory impairments and abandonments 1,356   —   Gross profit 57,582 35,218 Commissions 13,774 10,926 General and administrative expenses 31,669 31,441 Depreciation and amortization 2,991   2,341   Operating income (loss) 9,148 (9,490 ) Equity in income of unconsolidated entities 60 142 Loss on extinguishment of debt (828 ) — Other expense, net (6,565 ) (9,434 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 1,815 (18,782 ) Expense (benefit) from income taxes 616   (696 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations 1,199 (18,086 ) Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (200 ) (4,254 ) Net income (loss) $ 999   $ (22,340 ) Weighted average number of shares: Basic 31,757 26,457 Diluted 31,844 26,457 Basic income (loss) per share: Continuing operations $ 0.04 $ (0.68 ) Discontinued operations $ (0.01 ) $ (0.16 ) Total $ 0.03 $ (0.84 ) Diluted income (loss) per share Continuing operations $ 0.04 $ (0.68 ) Discontinued operations $ (0.01 ) $ (0.16 ) Total $ 0.03 $ (0.84 )   Three Months Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Capitalized interest in inventory, beginning of period $ 123,457 $ 87,619 Interest incurred 30,088 30,283 Interest expense not qualified for capitalization and included as other expense (7,432 ) (9,747 ) Capitalized interest amortized to house construction and land sales expenses (13,651 ) (8,287 ) Capitalized interest in inventory, end of period $ 132,462   $ 99,868    

BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

($ in thousands, except share and per share data)

          December 31, 2015   September 30, 2015

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents $ 144,881 $ 251,583 Restricted cash 39,351 38,901 Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $921 and $1,052, respectively) 50,555 52,379 Income tax receivable 269 419 Owned Inventory 1,729,937 1,697,590 Investments in unconsolidated entities 11,721 13,734 Deferred tax assets, net 325,058 325,373 Property and equipment, net 20,236 22,230 Other assets 16,688   18,994   Total assets $ 2,338,696   $ 2,421,203   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Trade accounts payable $ 81,395 $ 113,539 Other liabilities 122,268 148,966 Total debt (net of discounts of $3,449 and $3,639, respectively) 1,502,056   1,528,275   Total liabilities $ 1,705,719   $ 1,790,780   Stockholders’ equity: Preferred stock (par value $.01 per share, 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued) $ — $ — Common stock (par value $0.001 per share, 63,000,000 shares authorized, 33,092,491 issued and outstanding and 32,660,583 issued and outstanding, respectively) 33 33 Paid-in capital 859,108 857,553 Accumulated deficit (226,164 ) (227,163 ) Total stockholders’ equity 632,977   630,423   Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 2,338,696   $ 2,421,203     Inventory Breakdown Homes under construction $ 386,409 $ 377,281 Development projects in progress 808,223 809,900 Land held for future development 271,321 270,990 Land held for sale 54,546 44,555 Capitalized interest 132,462 123,457 Model homes 76,976   71,407   Total owned inventory $ 1,729,937   $ 1,697,590      

BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED OPERATING AND FINANCIAL DATA – CONTINUING OPERATIONS

($ in thousands, except otherwise noted)

          Quarter Ended December 31, SELECTED OPERATING DATA 2015       2014 Closings: West region 492 316 East region 257 305 Southeast region 300   264   Total closings 1,049   885     New orders, net of cancellations: West region 422 405 East region 248 286 Southeast region 253   275   Total new orders, net 923   966     Backlog units at end of period: West region 885 646 East region 478 581 Southeast region 549   544   Total backlog units 1,912   1,771     Dollar value of backlog at end of period (in millions) $ 634.6   $ 560.5     Homebuilding revenue: West region $ 157,196 $ 86,318 East region 94,345 101,832 Southeast region 85,052   73,432   Total homebuilding revenue $ 336,593   $ 261,582     Quarter Ended December 31, SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA 2015 2014 Revenues: Homebuilding $ 336,593 $ 261,582 Land sales and other 7,856   4,182   Total $ 344,449   $ 265,764     Gross profit (loss): Homebuilding $ 58,063 $ 35,277 Land sales and other (481 ) (59 ) Total $ 57,582   $ 35,218    

Reconciliation of homebuilding gross profit before impairments and abandonments and interest amortized to cost of sales and the related gross margins to homebuilding gross profit and gross margin, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is provided for each period discussed below. Management believes that this information assists investors in comparing the operating characteristics of homebuilding activities by eliminating many of the differences in companies' respective level of impairments and level of debt.

In addition, given the unusual size and nature of the charges recorded related to the Florida stucco issues during the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, homebuilding gross profit is also shown excluding these charges. Management believes that this representation best reflects the operating characteristics of the Company.

          Quarter Ended December 31, 2015      

2014

Homebuilding gross profit $ 58,063     17.3 % $ 35,277       13.5 % Inventory impairments and abandonments (I&A) 788   —   Homebuilding gross profit before I&A 58,851 17.5 % 35,277 13.5 % Interest amortized to cost of sales 13,367   8,194   Homebuilding gross profit before I&A and interest amortized to cost of sales 72,218   21.5 % 43,471   16.6 % Unexpected warranty costs related to Florida stucco issues (net of expected insurance recoveries) (3,612 ) 13,582   Homebuilding gross profit before I&A, interest amortized to cost of sales and unexpected warranty costs $ 68,606   20.4 % $ 57,053   21.8 %  

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, debt extinguishment, impairments and abandonments) to total Company net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is provided for each period discussed below. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA assists investors in understanding and comparing the operating characteristics of homebuilding activities by eliminating many of the differences in companies’ respective capitalization, tax position and level of impairments.

In addition, given the unusual size and nature of certain charges recorded during the periods presented, Adjusted EBITDA is also shown excluding these charges. Management believes that this representation best reflects the operating characteristics of the Company.

          Three Months Ended       LTM Ended December 31,

December 31, (a)

2015       2014 2015       2014 Net income (loss) $ 999 $ (22,340 ) $ 367,433 $ 17,181 Provision (benefit) from income taxes 506 (697 ) (324,724 ) (42,551 ) Interest amortized to home construction and land sales expenses, capitalized interest impaired and interest expense not qualified for capitalization 21,083 18,034 89,035 86,716 Depreciation and amortization and stock compensation amortization 4,747 3,715 20,505 16,065 Inventory impairments and abandonments 1,356 — 4,465 8,031 Loss on debt extinguishment 828   —   908   19,917   Adjusted EBITDA $ 29,519 $ (1,288 ) $ 157,622 $ 105,359 Unexpected warranty costs related to Florida stucco issues (net

of expected insurance recoveries)

(3,612 ) 13,582 (3,612 ) 17,872 Unexpected warranty costs related to water intrusion issues in New Jersey (net of expected insurance recoveries) — — — 648 Litigation settlement in discontinued operations —   4,000   (340 ) 4,000   Adjusted EBITDA excluding unexpected warranty costs and a litigation settlement in discontinued operations $ 25,907   $ 16,294   $ 153,670   $ 127,879  

(a) “LTM” indicates amounts for the trailing 12 months

 

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Beazer Homes USA, Inc.David I. Goldberg, 770-829-3700Vice President of Treasury and Investor Relationsinvestor.relations@beazer.com