Hovnanian Enterprises Reports Fiscal 2023 Second Quarter Results

Achieved Income Before Income Taxes of $46 Million
Exceeded High End of Guidance for Adjusted Pretax Income by 32%
Net Contracts per Community Increased 100% versus First Quarter 2023
Consolidated Community Count Increased 12% Year over Year
Redeemed in May $100 Million of Principal Amount of 7.75% Senior Secured Notes Due February 2026

MATAWAN, N.J., May 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: HOV), a leading national homebuilder, reported results for its fiscal second quarter and six months ended April 30, 2023.

RESULTS FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND SIX-MONTH PERIODS ENDED APRIL 30, 2023:

• Total revenues were $703.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2023, compared with $702.5 million in the same quarter of the prior year. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, total revenues were $1.22 billion compared with $1.27 billion in the first half of fiscal 2022.
  
  
• Sale of homes revenues decreased 2.2% to $670.7 million (1,225 homes) in the fiscal 2023 second quarter compared with $685.8 million (1,353 homes) in the previous year’s second quarter. During the fiscal 2023 second quarter, sale of homes revenues, including domestic unconsolidated joint ventures⁽¹⁾, decreased 2.8% to $751.4 million (1,346 homes) compared with $772.8 million (1,495 homes) during the second quarter of fiscal 2022.
  
  
• Sale of homes revenues decreased 5.4% to $1.17 billion (2,163 homes) in the first half of fiscal 2023 compared with $1.24 billion (2,527 homes) in the same period of the previous year. During the first six months of fiscal 2023, sale of homes revenues, including domestic unconsolidated joint ventures, decreased 4.2% to $1.33 billion (2,391 homes) compared with $1.39 billion (2,778 homes) during the same period of fiscal 2022.
  
  
• Homebuilding gross margin percentage, after cost of sales interest expense and land charges, was 17.8% for the three months ended April 30, 2023, compared with 23.3% during the second quarter a year ago. During the first six months of fiscal 2023, homebuilding gross margin percentage, after cost of sales interest expense and land charges, was 18.1% compared with 21.8% in the same period of the prior fiscal year.
  
  
• Homebuilding gross margin percentage, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges, was 20.9% during the fiscal 2023 second quarter compared with 26.6% in last year’s second quarter. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, homebuilding gross margin percentage, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges, was 21.2% compared with 24.7% in the first six months of the previous fiscal year.
  
  
• Total SG&A was $75.5 million, or 10.7% of total revenues, in the second quarter of fiscal 2023 compared with $68.2 million, or 9.7% of total revenues, in the previous year’s second quarter. During the first half of fiscal 2023, total SG&A was $148.9 million, or 12.2% of total revenues, compared with $140.4 million, or 11.1% of total revenues, in the same period of the prior fiscal year.
  
  
• Total interest expense as a percent of total revenues was 5.1% for the second quarter of fiscal 2023 compared with 4.9% during the second quarter of fiscal 2022. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, total interest expense as a percent of total revenues was 5.4% compared with 4.8% in the same period of the previous fiscal year.
  
  
• Income before income taxes for the second quarter of fiscal 2023 was $46.1 million compared with $80.9 million in the second quarter of the prior fiscal year. For the first six months of fiscal 2023, income before income taxes was $64.2 million compared with $116.3 million during the first half of the prior fiscal year.
  
  
• Net income was $34.1 million, or $4.47 per diluted common share, for the three months ended April 30, 2023, compared with net income of $62.4 million, or $8.39 per diluted common share, in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. For the first six months of fiscal 2023, net income was $52.9 million, or $6.74 per diluted common share, compared with net income of $87.2 million, or $11.44 per diluted common share, during the same period of fiscal 2022.
  
  
• EBITDA was $86.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023 compared with $116.4 million in the same quarter of the prior year. For the first six months of fiscal 2023, EBITDA was $136.1 million compared with $180.1 million in the same period of the prior year.
  
  
• Consolidated contracts in the second quarter of fiscal 2023 declined 3.1% to 1,477 homes ($785.7 million) compared with 1,525 homes ($860.5 million) in the same quarter last year. Contracts, including domestic unconsolidated joint ventures, for the three months ended April 30, 2023 declined to 1,614 homes ($876.8 million) compared with 1,689 homes ($975.2 million) in the second quarter of fiscal 2022.
  

• As of April 30, 2023, consolidated community count increased 11.8% to 114 communities, compared with 102 communities on April 30, 2022. Community count, including domestic unconsolidated joint ventures, was 128 as of April 30, 2023, compared with 120 communities at the end of the previous fiscal year’s second quarter.
  
  
• The dollar value of consolidated contract backlog, as of April 30, 2023, decreased 35.7% to $1.32 billion compared with $2.06 billion as of April 30, 2022. The dollar value of contract backlog, including domestic unconsolidated joint ventures, as of April 30, 2023, decreased 34.2% to $1.54 billion compared with $2.34 billion as of April 30, 2022.
  
  
• The gross contract cancellation rate for consolidated contracts was 18% for the second quarter ended April 30, 2023 compared with 17% in the fiscal 2022 second quarter. The gross contract cancellation rate for contracts including domestic unconsolidated joint ventures was 18% for the second quarter of fiscal 2023 compared with 16% in the second quarter of the prior year.
  
  
• Consolidated contracts per community increased 100% sequentially to 13.0 in the second quarter of fiscal 2023 compared with 6.5 contracts per community for the first quarter of fiscal 2023. During the second quarter of fiscal 2023, contracts per community improved to 4.7 in the month of April, higher than every other month this fiscal year.
  
  
• Consolidated contracts for preliminary May results through May 29, 2023 increased 29.8% to 436 compared with 336 contracts in May 2022. Consolidated contracts per community for preliminary May results through May 29, 2023 were 3.9, an 18.2% increase, compared with 3.3 for May 2022.

⁽¹⁾ When we refer to “Domestic Unconsolidated Joint Ventures”, we are excluding results from our single community unconsolidated joint venture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

LIQUIDITY AND INVENTORY AS OF APRIL 30, 2023:

• During the second quarter of fiscal 2023, land and land development spending was $156.5 million compared with $154.8 million in the same quarter one year ago. For the first half of fiscal 2023, land and land development spending was $290.9 million compared with $349.6 million in the same period one year ago.
  
  
• Total liquidity as of April 30, 2023 was $463.8 million, significantly above our targeted liquidity range of $170 million to $245 million.
  
  
• In May of 2023, we redeemed $100 million principal amount of our 7.75% senior secured notes due February 15, 2026 at a purchase price of 101.937% plus accrued and unpaid interest. We have retired early $494 million of debt since the beginning of fiscal 2020.
  
  
• In the second quarter of fiscal 2023, approximately 1,000 lots were put under option or acquired in 14 consolidated communities.
  
  
• As of April 30, 2023, the total controlled consolidated lots were 28,657, a decrease compared with 33,501 lots at the end of the second quarter of the previous year and a decrease compared to 29,123 lots on January 31, 2023. Based on trailing twelve-month deliveries, the current position equaled a 5.5 years’ supply.
  

FINANCIAL GUIDANCE⁽²⁾:

The Company is providing guidance for total revenues, adjusted gross margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted pretax income for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 and for the full fiscal year and fully diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2023. Financial guidance below assumes no adverse changes in current market conditions, including further deterioration in the supply chain, material increase in mortgage rates, or increased inflation and excludes further impact to SG&A expenses from phantom stock expense related solely to stock price movements from the closing price of $73.77 on April 28, 2023.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2023, total revenues are expected to be between $630 million and $730 million, adjusted homebuilding gross margin, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges, is expected to be between 21.5% and 22.5%, adjusted pretax income is expected to be between $50 million and $60 million, and adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $85 million and $95 million.

For fiscal 2023, total revenues are expected to be between $2.50 billion and $2.65 billion, adjusted homebuilding gross margin, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges, is expected to be between 21.0% and 22.5%, adjusted pretax income is expected to be between $180 million and $200 million, adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $320 million and $340 million and fully diluted earnings per share is expected to be between $17.00 and $20.00. At the midpoint of our guidance, we anticipate our common shareholders' equity to increase by approximately 60% by October 31, 2023 to $58.50 per share compared to last year’s year end value of $37 per share.

⁽²⁾ The Company cannot provide a reconciliation between its non-GAAP projections and the most directly comparable GAAP measures without unreasonable efforts because it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of certain significant items required for the reconciliation. These items include, but are not limited to, land-related charges, inventory impairments and land option write-offs and loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors and could have a material impact on GAAP reported results.

COMMENTS FROM MANAGEMENT:

“Considering the doubling of mortgage rates, turmoil in the banking industry, concerns about high inflation and the general uncertainty in the economy, we are pleased with our performance in the second quarter of fiscal 2023. Our total revenues, total SG&A as a percentage of total revenues, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted pretax income all exceeded the upper end of our guidance. We experienced strong consumer demand for quick move in homes, which resulted in higher deliveries, revenues and profits but slightly lower margins than we forecasted,” stated Ara K. Hovnanian, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer. “Overall, the housing market has clearly rebounded from the slowdown during the second half of last year caused by the steep increase in mortgage rates.”  

“The strength of the new home market is supported by favorable demographics and a historically low level of existing homes for sale. As home demand increased, we raised home prices in approximately 69% of our communities during the second quarter of fiscal 2023. Our liquidity position is strong, and we remain focused on both increasing our land supply and strengthening our balance sheet. In May, we redeemed $100 million of debt in advance of its maturity. We are encouraged by the uptick in sales and believe that the outlook for housing demand will remain strong over the long term,” concluded Mr. Hovnanian.

SEGMENT CHANGE/RECLASSIFICATION

Historically, the Company had seven reportable segments consisting of six homebuilding segments (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and West) and its financial services segment. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we reevaluated our reportable segments as a result of changes in the business and our management thereof. In particular, we considered the fact that, since our segments were last established, the Company had exited the Minnesota, North Carolina, and Tampa markets and is currently in the process of exiting the Chicago market. As a result, we realigned our homebuilding operating segments and determined that, in addition to our financial services segment, we now have three reportable homebuilding segments comprised of (1) Northeast, (2) Southeast and (3) West. All prior period amounts related to the segment change have been retrospectively reclassified to conform to the new presentation.

WEBCAST INFORMATION:

Hovnanian Enterprises will webcast its fiscal 2023 second quarter financial results conference call at 11:00 a.m. E.T. on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. The webcast can be accessed live through the “Investor Relations” section of Hovnanian Enterprises’ website at http://www.khov.com. For those who are not available to listen to the live webcast, an archive of the broadcast will be available under the “Past Events” section of the Investor Relations page on the Hovnanian website at http://www.khov.com. The archive will be available for 12 months.

ABOUT HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC.:

Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., founded in 1959 by Kevork S. Hovnanian, is headquartered in Matawan, New Jersey and, through its subsidiaries, is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders with operations in Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. The Company’s homes are marketed and sold under the trade name K. Hovnanian^® Homes. Additionally, the Company’s subsidiaries, as developers of K. Hovnanian’s^® Four Seasons communities, make the Company one of the nation’s largest builders of active lifestyle communities.

Additional information on Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. can be accessed through the “Investor Relations” section of the Hovnanian Enterprises’ website at http://www.khov.com. To be added to Hovnanian's investor e-mail list, please send an e-mail to IR@khov.com or sign up at http://www.khov.com.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES:

Consolidated earnings before interest expense and income taxes (“EBIT”) and before depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and before inventory impairments and land option write-offs and loss on extinguishment of debt, net (“Adjusted EBITDA”) are not U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) financial measures. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is net income. The reconciliation for historical periods of EBIT, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income is presented in a table attached to this earnings release.

Homebuilding gross margin, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges, and homebuilding gross margin percentage, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges, are non-GAAP financial measures. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are homebuilding gross margin and homebuilding gross margin percentage, respectively. The reconciliation for historical periods of homebuilding gross margin, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges, and homebuilding gross margin percentage, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges, to homebuilding gross margin and homebuilding gross margin percentage, respectively, is presented in a table attached to this earnings release.

Adjusted pretax income, which is defined as income before income taxes excluding land-related charges and loss on extinguishment of debt, net is a non-GAAP financial measure. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is income before income taxes. The reconciliation for historical periods of adjusted pretax income to income before income taxes is presented in a table attached to this earnings release.

Total liquidity is comprised of $333.3 million of cash and cash equivalents, $5.5 million of restricted cash required to collateralize letters of credit and $125.0 million availability under the senior secured revolving credit facility as of April 30, 2023.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

All statements in this press release that are not historical facts should be considered as “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause 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 forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements related to the Company’s goals and expectations with respect to its financial results for future financial periods and statements regarding demand for homes, mortgage rates, inflation, supply chain issues, customer incentives and underlying factors. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in, or suggested by, such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. By their nature, forward-looking statements: (i) speak only as of the date they are made, (ii) are not guarantees of future performance or results and (iii) are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict or quantify. Therefore, actual results could differ materially and adversely from those forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, (1) changes in general and local economic, industry and business conditions and impacts of a significant homebuilding downturn; (2) shortages in, and price fluctuations of, raw materials and labor, including due to geopolitical events, changes in trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs and duties on homebuilding materials and products and related trade disputes with and retaliatory measures taken by other countries; (3) fluctuations in interest rates and the availability of mortgage financing, including as a result of bank sector instability; (4) adverse weather and other environmental conditions and natural disasters; (5) the seasonality of the Company’s business; (6) the availability and cost of suitable land and improved lots and sufficient liquidity to invest in such land and lots; (7) reliance on, and the performance of, subcontractors; (8) regional and local economic factors, including dependency on certain sectors of the economy, and employment levels affecting home prices and sales activity in the markets where the Company builds homes; (9) increases in cancellations of agreements of sale; (10) increases in inflation; (11) changes in tax laws affecting the after-tax costs of owning a home; (12) legal claims brought against us and not resolved in our favor, such as product liability litigation, warranty claims and claims made by mortgage investors; (13) levels of competition; (14) utility shortages and outages or rate fluctuations; (15) information technology failures and data security breaches; (16) negative publicity; (17) high leverage and restrictions on the Company’s operations and activities imposed by the agreements governing the Company’s outstanding indebtedness; (18) availability and terms of financing to the Company; (19) the Company’s sources of liquidity; (20) changes in credit ratings; (21) government regulation, including regulations concerning development of land, the home building, sales and customer financing processes, tax laws and the environment; (22) operations through unconsolidated joint ventures with third parties; (23) significant influence of the Company’s controlling stockholders; (24) availability of net operating loss carryforwards; (25) loss of key management personnel or failure to attract qualified personnel; and (26) certain risks, uncertainties and other factors described in detail in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods during fiscal 2023 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason.

      (1)   Derived from the audited balance sheet as of October 31, 2022.