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M.D.C. Holdings Announces Second Quarter Earnings; Reports Quarterly Home Orders and Quarter-end Backlog

DENVER, July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MDC; PCX) today announced net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 of $76.5 million, or $1.66 per diluted share, compared with net income of $102.6 million, or $2.25 per diluted share, for the same period in 2005. Total revenue for the second quarter reached $1.23 billion, compared with revenue of $1.05 billion for the same period in 2005.

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2006 was $171.9 million, or $3.74 per diluted share, compared with net income of $187.3 million, or $4.10 per diluted share, for the same period in 2005. Total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2006 reached $2.38 billion, compared with $1.98 billion for the first six months of 2005.

Larry A. Mizel, MDC's chairman and chief executive officer, stated, "During the first six months of 2006, the generally robust demand characteristics of the last several years have given way to an increasingly competitive environment in many of the country's key markets. Throughout this period, we focused on strengthening our 'investment grade' balance sheet and financial position, and preserving our capital. As a result, we maintained our leverage ratios at levels that rank among the best in our industry. And our cash and available borrowing capacity at quarter-end grew to more than $1.3 billion for the first time."

Mizel continued, "Due in part to the tightening of our underwriting standards for new land acquisition opportunities, we reduced our investment in land in the second quarter. Our continuing efforts to right-size our portfolio of lots controlled in accordance with current market order absorption rates resulted in a 13% year-to-date reduction in the number of lots we own and control, bringing us closer to our two-year lot supply objective. In addition, as we do every quarter, we evaluated the carrying value of the land positions on our balance sheet and determined that no impairments were required."

Mizel concluded, "While the length and severity of the current market adjustment is uncertain, we are hopeful that the fundamental drivers still present in most of our markets will in due course return the homebuilding industry to more healthy levels of demand. Irrespective of the timing of an industry turnaround, we remain committed to our conservative operating model and financial and operational disciplines. The resulting strength of our balance sheet, relatively short supply of lots and substantial cash and borrowing capacity, combined with our continuing efforts to reduce costs and expenses and improve our operating efficiencies, give us flexibility to take advantage of opportunities that may be presented in this challenging environment."

Homebuilding Results

Homebuilding operating profits for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2006 were $133.3 million and $307.0 million, respectively, compared with profits of $187.6 million and $350.1 million for the same periods in 2005. The Company closed 3,376 homes and produced home gross margins of 23.2% in the 2006 second quarter, compared with 3,512 home closings and home gross margins of 28.6% for the comparable period in 2005. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, the Company closed 6,574 homes and produced home gross margins of 25.2%, compared with 6,670 home closings and home gross margins of 28.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Average selling prices reached $354,000 and $352,100, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2006, up $60,800 and $60,300 from the same periods in 2005.

Homebuilding selling, general and administrative expenses were $148.9 million, or 12.5% of home sales revenue, for the 2006 second quarter, compared with $110.9 million, or 10.8% of home sales revenue, for the 2005 second quarter. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, homebuilding selling, general and administrative expenses were $283.1 million, or 12.2% of home sales revenue, compared with $212.1 million, or 10.9% of home sales revenue, for the same period in 2005.

Paris G. Reece III, MDC's executive vice president and chief financial officer, said, "As was the case in the prior quarter, we experienced significant year-over-year home gross margin decreases in Nevada and California. Our second quarter home gross margin in Nevada continued a year-long decline from extraordinary levels to a margin much closer to our Company average. Reduced margins in California reflect the impact of increased competition and inventory pressures that have been among the greatest in the country."

Reece continued, "A significant portion of the 2006 second quarter decline in home gross margins (120 basis points) and homebuilding profits ($19.4 million) resulted from the net impact of deferring profits related to certain homes closed for which the Company's mortgage subsidiary originated high loan-to-value loans for our homebuyers and still held the loans in inventory at the end of the quarter. The Company will recognize the deferred profit at the time these mortgages are sold to a third-party purchaser, which occurs generally within 45 days of loan origination."

Reece concluded, "Our selling costs increased in the 2006 second quarter primarily due to higher advertising expenses and commissions to outside brokers required in response to the more competitive home selling environment in most of our markets, as well as higher model home costs. General and administrative expenses also rose in the quarter, primarily as a result of a $7.9 million increase in write-offs of project costs, which included option deposits and other costs related to lots that we have chosen not to acquire. In addition we experienced higher compensation and other employee benefit related costs and supervisory fees charged by our corporate office to our homebuilding segment."

Improved Financial Services Results

Operating profits from the Company's financial services business for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2006 increased to $10.2 million and $18.5 million, respectively, compared with $4.1 million and $7.0 million, respectively, during the same periods in the previous year. The profit improvements primarily were due to higher gains on sales of mortgage loans, compared with the same periods in 2005. Increased volumes of mortgage loan originations and mortgage loans sold during the 2006 periods drove the higher gains. The Company achieved these increased originations by, among other things, expanding the offering of mortgage loan products that it could originate directly for its customers, thereby decreasing the need for less profitable loans brokered to outside lenders.

Home Orders and Backlog

MDC received orders, net of cancellations, for 2,738 homes with a sales value of $914.0 million during the 2006 second quarter, compared with net orders for 4,832 homes with a sales value of $1.70 billion during the same period in 2005. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, the Company received net orders for 6,538 homes with a sales value of $2.27 billion, compared with 9,378 net orders with a sales value of $3.18 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The Company ended the second quarter of 2006 with a backlog of 6,496 homes, compared with a backlog of 9,213 homes at June 30, 2005. The estimated sales value of backlog at the end of the 2006 second quarter was $2.44 billion, compared with $3.14 billion in estimated sales value of backlog at June 30, 2005.

Reece stated, "Each of our markets, with the exception of Utah, experienced a year-over-year decline in net home orders, driven in part by a significant increase in our cancellation rate, which rose to 43% from 19% in the second quarter of 2005. Excluding Utah and Texas, all of our markets saw their cancellation rates rise by more than 1,000 basis points from last year's second quarter, related largely to substantial expansions in the supply of new and previously owned homes available to be purchased in these markets.

These increased sources of competition resulted in, among other things, an elevated number of order cancellations from prospective homebuyers who were unable to sell their existing homes in this more competitive sales environment. In addition to the cancellation impact, given the uncertainty in today's residential real estate market, we believe that many buyers are waiting on the sidelines, choosing to delay home purchases until the market works through this period of transition. We have responded by increasing incentives at a measured pace, with the objective of improving our sales velocity under current market conditions without compromising our commitment to a quality product or our strong financial position."

MDC, whose subsidiaries build homes under the name "Richmond American Homes," is one of the top ten homebuilders in the United States, based on 2005 revenues. The Company also provides mortgage financing, primarily for MDC's homebuyers, through its wholly owned subsidiary HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation. MDC, a Fortune 500 Company, is a major regional homebuilder with a significant presence in some of the country's best housing markets, including Colorado, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Maryland, Northern California, Northern Virginia, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Southern California and Tucson. MDC also has established operating divisions in Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Philadelphia/Delaware Valley, and West Florida. For more information about our Company, please visit RichmondAmerican.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release, including statements regarding future home closings, revenue and earnings, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things, (1) general economic and business conditions, including changes in cancellation rates, net home orders, home gross margins, and land and home values; (2) interest rate changes; (3) the relative stability of debt and equity markets; (4) competition; (5) the availability and cost of land and other raw materials used by the Company in its homebuilding operations; (6) the availability and cost of performance bonds and insurance covering risks associated with our business; (7) shortages and the cost of labor; (8) weather related slowdowns; (9) slow growth initiatives; (10) building moratoria; (11) governmental regulation, including the interpretation of tax, labor and environmental laws; (12) changes in consumer confidence and preferences; (13) required accounting changes; (14) terrorist acts and other acts of war; and (15) other factors over which the Company has little or no control. Additional information about the risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company's business is contained in the Company's reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, which were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements made in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and the risk that actual results will differ materially from expectations expressed in this press release will increase with the passage of time. The Company undertakes no duty to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, any further disclosures made on related subjects in our subsequent filings, releases or presentations should be consulted.



                            M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                   (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                 Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                                       June 30,                June 30,
                                  2006        2005        2006         2005
    REVENUE

      Homebuilding             $1,213,037  $1,033,294  $2,337,891  $1,954,624
      Financial Services           19,716      12,812      37,124      24,410
      Corporate                       183         234         615       1,222

       Total Revenue            1,232,936   1,046,340   2,375,630   1,980,256

    COSTS AND EXPENSES

      Homebuilding              1,079,763     845,669   2,030,848   1,604,489
      Financial Services            9,480       8,685      18,575      17,436
      Corporate                    21,332      27,946      49,689      58,262
      Related Party Expenses          127          63       1,803         163
        Total Costs and
         Expenses               1,110,702     882,363   2,100,915   1,680,350

    Income before income taxes    122,234     163,977     274,715     299,906
    Provision for income taxes    (45,743)    (61,354)   (102,803)   (112,652)

    NET INCOME                    $76,491    $102,623    $171,912    $187,254

    EARNINGS PER SHARE
        Basic                       $1.70       $2.35       $3.83       $4.30
        Diluted                     $1.66       $2.25       $3.74       $4.10


    WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES
     OUTSTANDING
        Basic                      44,939      43,718      44,880      43,584
        Diluted                    45,972      45,703      45,967      45,649

    DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER
     SHARE                           $.25        $.18        $.50        $.33



                            M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
                       Information on Business Segments
                                (In thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                 Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended
                                       June 30,                June 30,
                                   2006        2005        2006        2005
    HOMEBUILDING

      Home sales               $1,195,083  $1,029,553  $2,314,391  $1,946,384
      Land sales                   13,639          --      15,476       1,296
      Other revenue                 4,315       3,741       8,024       6,944

       Total Homebuilding
        Revenue                 1,213,037   1,033,294   2,337,891   1,954,624

      Home cost of sales          917,414     734,772   1,732,003   1,391,552
      Land cost of sales           13,400          --      15,774         790
      Marketing expenses           31,568      25,008      60,603      47,326
      Commission expenses          37,394      28,680      70,237      54,526
      General and administrative
       expenses                    79,987      57,209     152,231     110,295

       Total Homebuilding
        Expenses                1,079,763     845,669   2,030,848   1,604,489

         HOMEBUILDING OPERATING
          PROFIT                  133,274     187,625     307,043     350,135

    FINANCIAL SERVICES

      Net interest income           1,123         728       1,979       1,255
      Broker fees                   2,343       2,665       4,423       4,833
      Gains on sales of mortgage
       loans, net                  15,439       8,748      28,466      16,646
      Other revenue                   811         671       2,256       1,676

        Total Financial Services
         Revenue                   19,716      12,812      37,124      24,410

        General and Administrative
         Expenses                   9,480       8,685      18,575      17,436

          FINANCIAL SERVICES
           OPERATING PROFIT        10,236       4,127      18,549       6,974

    TOTAL OPERATING PROFIT        143,510     191,752     325,592     357,109

    CORPORATE

      Interest and other revenue      183         234         615       1,222
      Related party expenses         (127)        (63)     (1,803)       (163)
      General and administrative
       expenses                   (21,332)    (27,946)    (49,689)    (58,262)

    INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES   $122,234    $163,977    $274,715    $299,906



                            M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
                         Consolidated Balance Sheets
               (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                             June 30,            December 31,
                                               2006                  2005
    ASSETS
    Corporate
      Cash and cash equivalents              $70,665                 $196,032
      Property and equipment, net             29,238                   30,660
      Deferred income taxes                   71,131                   54,319
      Deferred debt issue costs, net           6,596                    6,937
      Other assets, net                       11,675                   10,792
                                             189,305                  298,740

    Homebuilding
      Cash and cash equivalents               18,851                   16,671
      Restricted cash                          6,855                    6,742
      Home sales and other accounts
       receivable                             98,629                  134,270
      Inventories, net
        Housing completed or under
         construction                      1,512,009                1,320,106
        Land and land under development    1,760,077                1,677,948
      Prepaid expenses and other assets,
       net                                   131,150                  139,529
                                           3,527,571                3,295,266

    Financial Services
      Cash and cash equivalents                1,968                    1,828
      Mortgage loans held in inventory       163,373                  237,376
      Other assets, net                       74,719                   26,640
                                             240,060                  265,844

          Total Assets                    $3,956,936               $3,859,850



                            M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
                         Consolidated Balance Sheets
               (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                             June 30,             December 31,
                                               2006                    2005
    LIABILITIES
      Corporate
        Accounts payable and accrued
         liabilities                         $93,193                 $117,767
        Income taxes payable                  30,933                  102,656
        Related party liabilities                 --                    8,100
        Senior notes, net                    996,486                  996,297
                                           1,120,612                1,224,820

      Homebuilding
        Accounts payable                     226,433                  203,592
        Accrued liabilities                  301,977                  291,827
        Line of credit                            --                       --
                                             528,410                  495,419

      Financial Services
        Accounts payable and accrued
         liabilities                          13,518                   30,970
        Line of credit                       168,163                  156,532
                                             181,681                  187,502

        Total Liabilities                  1,830,703                1,907,741

    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES                 --                       --

    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value;
     25,000,000 shares authorized; none
     issued or outstanding                        --                       --
    Common stock, $0.01 par value;
     250,000,000 shares authorized;
     44,981,000 and 44,967,000 shares
     issued and outstanding, respectively,
     at June 30, 2006 and 44,642,000 and
     44,630,000 shares issued and
     outstanding, respectively, at
     December 31, 2005                           450                      446
    Additional paid-in capital               746,637                  722,292
    Retained earnings                      1,382,427                1,232,971
    Unearned restricted stock                 (2,000)                  (2,478)
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss        (622)                    (622)
     Less treasury stock, at cost; 14,000
      and 12,000 shares,  respectively,
      at June 30, 2006 and December 31,
      2005                                      (659)                    (500)

      Total Stockholders' Equity           2,126,233                1,952,109

      Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
       Equity                             $3,956,936               $3,859,850



                            M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
                           Selected Financial Data
               (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                 (Unaudited)

                             Three Months Ended          Six Months Ended
                                  June 30,                  June 30,
                               2006     2005           2006         2005
    SELECTED OPERATING DATA
     SG&A as a Percent of
      Home Sales Revenues
       Homebuilding           12.5%       10.8%         12.2%        10.9%
       Corporate               1.8%        2.7%          2.3%         3.0%
         Total                14.3%       13.5%         14.5%        13.9%

    Depreciation and
     Amortization          $14,881     $11,592       $28,509      $21,586

    Home Gross Margins(3)     23.2%       28.6%         25.2%        28.5%

    Cash Used in Operating
     Activities            $(3,828)  $(209,711)    $(112,271)   $(328,044)
    Cash Used in Investing
     Activities            $(2,693)    $(7,061)      $(4,331)    $(11,724)
    Cash Provided by
     (Used in) Financing
     Activities           $(67,734)    $59,311       $(6,445)        $166

    Unrestricted Cash
     and Available
      Borrowing
      Capacity          $1,311,515  $1,037,502           N/A          N/A

    After-Tax Return on
     Total Revenue(4)          6.2%        9.8%          7.2%         9.5%
    After-Tax Return on
     Average Assets(4)        13.3%       16.3%          N/A          N/A
    After-Tax Return on
     Average Equity           25.8%       31.2%          N/A          N/A

    Interest in Home Cost
     of Sales as a Percent
     of Home Sales Revenue     1.1%        0.8%          1.0%         0.8%

    Corporate and
     Homebuilding Interest
     Capitalized Interest
     Capitalized in
     Inventories at
     Beginning of Period   $47,222     $27,741       $41,999      $24,220
    Interest Incurred
     During the Period      15,002      11,110        29,843       21,925
    Interest in Home and
     Land Cost of Sales
     for the Period         13,655       8,558        23,273       15,852
    Interest Capitalized
     in Inventories at End
     of Period              48,569      30,293        48,569       30,293

    Interest Capitalized
     as a Percent of
     Inventories               1.5%        1.2%          N/A          N/A


    (3)  Home sales revenue less home cost of sales (excluding commissions) as
         a percent of home sales revenue.
    (4)  Based on last twelve months data.



                            M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
                        Homebuilding Operational Data
                            (Dollars in thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                      June 30,      December 31,     June 30,
                                        2006            2005           2005
    LOTS OWNED AND CONTROLLED
      Lots Owned                       22,484          23,445        22,721
      Lots Under Option                14,192          18,819        20,327
      Homes Completed or Under
       Construction (including models)  6,874           6,891         7,891


    LOTS OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY MARKET
      (excluding homes under
       construction)
      Arizona                           9,983          11,035        11,763
      California                        4,901           5,372         4,216
      Colorado                          5,175           5,837         6,541
      Delaware Valley                   1,338           1,754         1,586
      Florida                           3,674           4,403         4,259
      Illinois                            451             616           771
      Maryland                          1,714           1,852         1,829
      Nevada                            4,187           5,455         5,143
      Utah                              1,712           1,382         1,270
      Virginia                          3,464           4,007         3,795
         Subtotal                      36,599          41,713        41,173
      Texas                                77             551         1,875
         Total Company                 36,676          42,264        43,048


    ACTIVE SUBDIVISIONS
      Arizona                              61              54            44
      California                           45              34            31
      Colorado                             45              57            55
      Delaware Valley                       7               7             5
      Florida                              28              19            23
      Illinois                              7               8             5
      Maryland                             18              11            14
      Nevada                               35              43            45
      Utah                                 20              18            17
      Virginia                             23              20            18
          Subtotal                        289             271           257
      Texas                                 4              21            25
          Total Company                   293             292           282
          Average for Quarter Ended       300             287           275



                            M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
                        Homebuilding Operational Data
                            (Dollars in Thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)

                             Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended
                                 June 30,                   June 30,
    AVERAGE SELLING PRICE    2006         2005         2006         2005
     PER HOME CLOSED

      Arizona               $313.6       $219.5       $300.0       $211.7
      California             574.5        498.1        552.5        508.4
      Colorado               308.3        286.2        302.6        284.6
      Delaware Valley        387.5        347.3        398.0        347.3
      Florida                293.5        206.4        295.6        196.3
      Illinois               374.5        451.6        369.0        439.8
      Maryland               573.9        418.2        572.5        420.8
      Nevada                 320.9        297.7        321.9        293.3
      Texas                  166.8        158.6        167.9        157.2
      Utah                   291.5        215.1        277.3        214.2
      Virginia               573.3        507.4        584.9        496.3
        Company Average     $354.0       $293.2       $352.1       $291.8
        Company Average
         Without Texas      $362.8       $302.9       $360.6       $300.4


                             Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended
                                  June 30,                 June 30,
                             2006       2005          2006         2005

    ORDERS FOR HOMES,
     NET (UNITS)
      Arizona                  679       1,090         1,598       2,242
      California               392         702           936       1,233
      Colorado                 291         594           742       1,258
      Delaware Valley           35          57            74         100
      Florida                  177         359           449         679
      Illinois                  18          31            62          60
      Maryland                  98         131           250         276
      Nevada                   519       1,209         1,298       1,959
      Utah                     326         236           665         484
      Virginia                 113         234           307         577
         Subtotal            2,648       4,643         6,381       8,868
      Texas                     90         189           157         510
         Total               2,738       4,832         6,538       9,378

    Estimated Value of
     Orders for Homes,
     net                  $914,010  $1,702,759    $2,274,252  $3,178,369
    Estimated Average
     Selling Price of
     Orders for Homes,
     net                    $333.8      $352.4        $347.9      $338.9

    Order Cancellation
     Rate(5)                  43.2%       19.3%         36.7%       19.8%


    (5)  Order Cancellation Rate is calculated as total cancelled home order
         contracts during a specified period of time as a percent of total
         home orders received during such time period.



                            M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
                        Homebuilding Operational Data
                            (Dollars in Thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                 Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                                     June 30,                 June 30,
    HOMES CLOSED (UNITS)        2006         2005         2006         2005
      Arizona                    843          859        1,621        1,655
      California                 405          377          869          763
      Colorado                   421          568          820        1,016
      Delaware Valley             41            1           72            1
      Florida                    255          285          507          580
      Illinois                    37           16           73           21
      Maryland                   112           80          186          154
      Nevada                     738          626        1,413        1,235
      Utah                       201          233          374          401
      Virginia                   171          230          348          442
         Subtotal              3,224        3,275        6,283        6,268
      Texas                      152          237          291          402
         Total                 3,376        3,512        6,574        6,670


    BACKLOG (UNITS)           June 30,  December 31,   June 30,
                               2006         2005         2005
      Arizona                  2,076        2,099        2,730
      California                 832          765        1,277
      Colorado                   499          577          934
      Delaware Valley            183          181          122
      Florida                    541          599          737
      Illinois                    69           80           57
      Maryland                   315          251          347
      Nevada                     908        1,023        1,470
      Utah                       629          338          372
      Virginia                   340          381          803
        Subtotal               6,392        6,294        8,849
      Texas                      104          238          364
        Total                  6,496        6,532        9,213
    Backlog Est. Sales
     Value                $2,440,000   $2,440,000   $3,140,000
    Estimated Average
     Selling Price
     of Homes in Backlog      $375.6       $373.5       $340.8

SOURCE M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
07/20/2006

CONTACT:
Paris G. Reece III,
Chief Financial Officer,
+1-303-804-7706,
greece@mdch.com,
or
Robert N. Martin,
Investor Relations,
+1-720-977-3431,
bob.martin@mdch.com,
or
Alison Schuller,
Corporate Communications,
+1-720-977-3554,
alison.schuller@mdch.com,
all of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
Web site: http://www.richmondamerican.com
(MDC)

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