Shares of homebuilder, D.R. Horton Inc. (NYSE: DHI), edged up on Monday after the company reported fiscal fourth-quarter results that topped Street’s expectation.
Shares of D.R. Horton, one of America’s major home builders, are up 63% YTD as improving housing sector triggered a strong rally among most homebuilding stocks. With interest rates at record low levels, home loans have surged as paying monthly mortgages is cheaper than paying rents.
However, what differentiates D.R. Horton from its rivals is that its management steers clear of undue risks even as it focuses on low priced homes. In addition, the company has also build homes in many markets that were never explored by its rivals. For instance: Idaho, Boise and northwest Indiana.
For the quarter ended September 30, D. R. Horton Reported profit of $100.1 million or 30 cents a share, up from year earlier profit of $35.7 million or 11 cents a share. During the year ago period, the company had charged $12.8 million as onetime expenses associated to inventory impairments and land option cost write-offs while in the recently concluded quarter this charge amounted to only $1.5 million. Revenue for the period jumped 21 % to $1.3 billion.
Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had most recently forecasted earnings of 28 cents on revenue of $1.35 billion.
Commenting over the quarterly and fiscal 2012 results, D.R. Horton’s Chairman Donald R. Horton said , “Both our fourth quarter and the fiscal year experienced significant year-over-year improvements in net homes sold, homes closed, home sales gross margin, SG&A expense ratio and financial services profitability.”
Orders increased by 24% to 5,276 while closings soared 12% to 5,575.
The cancellation rate stood at 27% compared to 29% in the year earlier quarter and the sales order backlog of homes under contract climbed 49% to 7.240 homes.
Looking ahead at the current quarter, Mr. Horton said that strong demand was seen in October and November and is likely to start the new fiscal year on a strong note.
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