Beazer, M.D.C. Post Narrower Losses On Year-Ago Write-Downs

   DOW JONES NEWSWIRES 
 

Beazer Homes USA Inc.'s (BZH) fiscal second-quarter loss narrowed on bigger prior-year write-downs as the homebuilder said it's too soon to say a recovery is underway, while peer M.D.C. Holdings Inc. (MDC) posted a narrower first-quarter loss.

The housing sector has been slammed by mounting losses in recent quarters as the weak economy and tigher credit standards keep buyers away and rising foreclosures inflate supply. Beazer has taken action to cut costs by cutting jobs - it said Friday its total work force is down 43% from a year ago and more than three-quarters since September 2006.

Chief Executive Ian McCarthy said the results were in line with seasonal patterns, including its annual February promotion, and the company saw sequential improvement in sales trends.

He added that although the company has seen some encouraging signs that more prospective buyers are being encouraged by low interest rates and tax credits, "we believe it is premature to conclude that a sustainable recovery is yet underway."

For the period ended March 31, Beazer posted a loss of $114.9 million, or $2.97 a share, compared with a year-earlier loss of $229.9 million, or $5.96 a share. The latest results included $60.1 million in write-downs, down from $267.7 million last year.

Revenue dropped 54% to $188.3 million.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected a loss of $1.60 a share on revenue of $213 million.

Home closings fell 39% to 814 while orders dropped 36% as the cancellation rate declined to 29.8% from 46.1%. The average sales price slid 9.9%.

The company's shares were boosted in March after Beazer said an eco-themed promotion led to more than 500 orders for new homes in February alone. That compared to 545 orders for all of the prior quarter.

The company reached an agreement to settle a class-action lawsuit filed in Georgia earlier this week. It said Friday it was in talks with the U.S. Attorney for to resolve a separate investigation, but hasn't reached an agreement yet.

Beazer added entered into a waiver related to its secured revolving credit facility on Monday, preserving the pact's size at $150 million instead of lowering it to the previously negotiated $100 million. In exchange, Beazer has agreed not to borrow under the facility and maintain the current level of restricted cash.

M.D.C. - larger than Beazer by market capitalization - posted a first-quarter loss of $40.9 million, or 88 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier loss of $72.8 million, or $1.58 a share. Write-downs were roughly half as much in the latest quarter at $29.9 million.

Revenue decreased 56% to $175.9 million.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected a loss of 83 cents on revenue of $130 million.

Chairman and Chief Executive Larry Mizel said the company has yet to see a "meaningful recovery" in sales activity. He added M.D.C. is introducing smaller and more affordable homes in many of its markets in an effort to boost sales.

Home closings slumped 49% to 580 as average prices fell 8%. New home orders declined 38% as the cancellation rate dropped to 23% from 43%.

Beazer's shares closed Thursday at $3.07, while M.D.C. finished at $33.18. Neither has traded premarket. Despite nearly doubling so far this year, Beazer is still off 71% in the last 12 months. MDC, by contrast, is down just 22%.

-By Kerry E. Grace, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5089; [e-mail]