Ryland Reports Results for the Third Quarter of 2009

October 28, 2009 4:10 PM EDT

CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Ryland Group, Inc. (NYSE: RYL), today announced results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2009. Items of note included:

    --  Loss per share was $1.20 for the quarter ended September 30, 2009,
        including inventory and other valuation adjustments and write-offs of
        $39.1 million, or $0.89 per share, compared to a loss of $1.54 per share
        for the same period in 2008;
    --  Housing gross profit margins averaged 10.8 percent, excluding inventory
        and other valuation adjustments, for the quarter ended September 30,
        2009, compared to 7.8 percent for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, and
        11.8 percent for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. Including
        inventory and other valuation adjustments, housing gross profit margins
        averaged negative 0.2 percent for the third quarter of 2009, compared to
        0.8 percent for the same period in 2008;
    --  New orders in the third quarter of 2009 declined 1.1 percent to 1,270
        units from 1,284 units in the third quarter of 2008, even though active
        communities declined 32.5 percent at the end of the current quarter to
        197 communities from 292 communities at September 30, 2008;
    --  Closings totaled 1,323 units for the quarter ended September 30, 2009,
        reflecting a 34.4 percent decrease from the same period in the prior
        year;
    --  Consolidated revenues of $327.8 million for the quarter ended September
        30, 2009, reflected a decrease of 39.7 percent from the quarter ended
        September 30, 2008;
    --  Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $744.3 million
        as of September 30, 2009;
    --  Cash flows from operations totaled $40.7 million for the quarter ended
        September 30, 2009;
    --  Net debt-to-capital ratio was 17.1 percent at September 30, 2009 (net
        debt-to-capital ratio is calculated as debt, net of cash, cash
        equivalents and marketable securities, divided by the sum of debt and
        total stockholders' equity, net of cash, cash equivalents and marketable
        securities); and
    --  Inventory of houses started and unsold decreased by 30.0 percent to 447
        units at September 30, 2009, from 639 units at December 31, 2008.

For the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company reported a consolidated net loss of $52.5 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $65.7 million, or $1.54 per diluted share, for the same period in 2008. The Company had pretax charges for inventory and other valuation adjustments, and write-offs that totaled $39.1 million, or $0.89 per share, during the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, compared to $64.8 million for the same period in 2008.

The homebuilding segments reported a pretax loss of $48.5 million during the third quarter of 2009, compared to a pretax loss of $72.4 million for the same period in 2008. This reduction was primarily due to lower inventory valuation adjustments and write-offs, partially offset by declines in closings and home prices.

Homebuilding revenues decreased 40.0 percent to $315.8 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared to $526.2 million for the same period in 2008. This decline was primarily attributable to fewer closings and lower sales prices. Closings totaled 1,323 units for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, compared to 2,017 units for the same period in the prior year, reflecting a 34.4 percent decrease. For the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the average closing price of a home declined by 6.3 percent to $238,000 from $254,000 for the same period in 2008. Homebuilding revenues for the third quarter of 2009 included $545,000 from land sales, which contributed net pretax losses of $42,000, compared to revenues of $13.9 million from land sales for the third quarter of 2008, which contributed net pretax losses of $7.2 million.

New orders of 1,270 units for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, represented a decrease of 1.1 percent, compared to new orders of 1,284 units for the same period in 2008. The Company sold 2.0 homes per community in the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, versus 1.4 homes per community for the same period in 2008. For the third quarter of 2009, new order dollars declined 7.7 percent to $300.3 million from $325.3 million for the third quarter of 2008. Backlog at the end of the third quarter of 2009 decreased 2.1 percent to 2,429 units from 2,482 units at June 30, 2009, and declined 18.2 percent from 2,969 units at the end of the third quarter of 2008. At September 30, 2009, the dollar value of the Company's backlog was $592.7 million, reflecting a decrease of 2.5 percent from June 30, 2009, and a decline of 22.9 percent from September 30, 2008.

Housing gross profit margins averaged 10.8 percent, excluding inventory and other valuation adjustments, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, compared to 7.8 percent for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, and 11.8 percent for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. Including inventory and other valuation adjustments, housing gross profit margins averaged negative 0.2 percent for the third quarter of 2009, compared to 0.8 percent for the same period in 2008. Selling, general and administrative expenses were 12.3 percent of revenue for the third quarter of 2009, compared to 11.6 percent of revenue for the same period in 2008. This increase in the selling, general and administrative expense ratio was primarily attributable to a decline in revenues, partially offset by cost-saving initiatives and lower marketing and advertising expenditures per unit. Selling, general and administrative expense dollars for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, decreased $22.4 million from the same period in the prior year. The homebuilding segments recorded $4.6 million of interest expense during the third quarter of 2009, while all interest incurred during the third quarter of 2008 was capitalized.

Corporate expense was $4.5 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared to $14.3 million for the same period in 2008. This decrease was primarily due to a $1.9 million gain in the market value of retirement plan investments for the third quarter of 2009, compared to a $1.8 million loss for the same period in 2008, and to a lower executive compensation expense.

During the third quarter of 2009, the Company provided $40.7 million of cash from operations. It used $1.5 million of cash for investing activities and $3.2 million of cash for financing activities.

For the three months ended September 30, 2009, the financial services segment reported pretax losses of $618,000, compared to pretax earnings of $6.0 million for the same period in 2008. This decrease was attributable to higher loan indemnification expense and to a 31.8 percent decline in the number of mortgages originated due to homebuilding market trends, partially offset by increased net gains on mortgages, on a per-unit basis, primarily due to product mix and lower general and administrative expenses.

RESULTS FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2009

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company reported a consolidated net loss of $201.5 million, or $4.65 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $336.7 million, or $7.94 per diluted share, for the same period in 2008. The Company recorded inventory and other valuation adjustments, joint venture impairments, and option deposit and feasibility write-offs that totaled $135.9 million, or $3.14 per share, during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $273.2 million for the same period in 2008.

The homebuilding segments reported a pretax loss of $190.3 million during the first nine months of 2009, compared to a pretax loss of $303.2 million for the same period in 2008. This reduction was primarily due to lower inventory and other valuation adjustments and write-offs, partially offset by declines in closings and home prices.

Homebuilding revenues decreased 40.2 percent to $836.4 million for the first nine months of 2009, compared to $1.4 billion for the same period in 2008. This decline was primarily attributable to fewer closings and lower sales prices. Closings totaled 3,463 units for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 5,388 units for the same period in the prior year, reflecting a 35.7 percent decrease. The average closing price of a home declined by 5.5 percent to $241,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, from $255,000 for the same period in 2008. Homebuilding revenues for the first nine months of 2009 included $958,000 from land sales, which contributed net pretax losses of $247,000, compared to revenues of $25.4 million from land sales for the first nine months of 2008, which contributed net pretax losses of $6.2 million.

Housing gross profit margins averaged 8.4 percent, excluding inventory and other valuation adjustments and write-offs, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 12.1 percent for the same period in 2008. This decrease was primarily due to price reductions that related to project closeouts and other home deliveries during the first nine months of 2009. Including inventory and other valuation adjustments, housing gross profit margins averaged negative 7.3 percent for the first nine months of 2009, compared to negative 4.4 percent for the same period in 2008. Selling, general and administrative expenses were 13.9 percent of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 13.6 percent of revenue for the same period in 2008. This increase in the selling, general and administrative expense ratio was primarily attributable to a decline in revenues, partially offset by cost-saving initiatives and lower marketing and advertising expenditures per unit. Selling, general and administrative expense dollars for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, decreased $73.3 million from the same period in the prior year. The homebuilding segments recorded $7.5 million of interest expense during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, while all interest incurred during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008, was capitalized.

Corporate expense was $22.0 million for the first nine months of 2009, compared to $31.5 million for the same period in 2008. This decrease was primarily due to a $2.0 million gain in the market value of retirement plan investments for the first nine months of 2009, compared to a $4.0 million loss for the same period in 2008, and to a lower executive compensation expense.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the financial services segment reported pretax losses of $1.1 million, compared to pretax earnings of $18.1 million for the same period in 2008. This decrease was primarily attributable to higher loan indemnification expense, a 36.5 percent decline in the number of mortgages originated due to homebuilding market trends, and a $1.2 million sale of insurance renewal rights in 2008, partially offset by lower general and administrative expenses.

OVERALL EFFECTIVE TAX RATE

The Company's effective tax rate was 0.8 percent for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, compared to an effective tax benefit rate of 18.5 percent for the same period in 2008. The change in tax rate was primarily attributable to a noncash tax charge of $20.7 million in 2009 related to the Company's deferred tax valuation allowance. The effective tax rate is not expected to change significantly during the remainder of the year.

Headquartered in Southern California, Ryland is one of the nation's largest homebuilders and a leading mortgage-finance company. Since its founding in 1967, Ryland has built more than 285,000 homes and financed more than 240,000 mortgages. The Company currently operates in 15 states and 19 homebuilding divisions across the country and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "RYL." For more information, please visit www.ryland.com.

Note: Certain statements in this press release may be regarded as "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and may qualify for the safe harbor provided for in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's expectations and beliefs concerning future events, and no assurance can be given that the future results described in this press release will be achieved. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of statements that include words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "foresee," "goal," "intend," "likely," "may," "plan," "project," "should," "target," "will" or other similar words or phrases. All forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this press release. Except as may be required under applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. The factors and assumptions upon which any forward-looking statements herein are based are subject to risks and uncertainties which include, among others:

    --  economic changes nationally or in the Company's local markets, including
        volatility and increases in interest rates, the impact of government
        stimulus plans, inflation, changes in consumer demand and confidence
        levels and the state of the market for homes in general;
    --  instability and uncertainty in the mortgage lending market, including
        revisions to underwriting standards for borrowers;
    --  the availability and cost of land and the future value of land held or
        under development;
    --  increased land development costs on projects under development;
    --  shortages of skilled labor or raw materials used in the production of
        houses;
    --  increased prices for labor, land and raw materials used in the
        production of houses;
    --  increased competition;
    --  failure to anticipate or react to changing consumer preferences in home
        design;
    --  increased costs and delays in land development or home construction
        resulting from adverse weather conditions;
    --  potential delays or increased costs in obtaining necessary permits as a
        result of changes to laws, regulations, or governmental policies
        (including those that affect zoning, density, building standards and the
        environment);
    --  delays in obtaining approvals from applicable regulatory agencies and
        others in connection with the Company's communities and land activities;
    --  changes in the Company's effective tax rate and assumptions and
        valuations related to its tax accounts;
    --  the risk factors set forth in the Company's most recent Annual Report on
        Form 10-K; and
    --  other factors over which the Company has little or no control.


THE RYLAND GROUP, INC. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)

                 Three months ended September    Nine months ended September 30,
                 30,

                   2009            2008            2009            2008

REVENUES

 Homebuilding    $ 315,760       $ 526,236       $ 836,364       $ 1,398,119

 Financial         12,075          17,608          28,869          49,772
 services

  TOTAL            327,835         543,844         865,233         1,447,891
  REVENUES

EXPENSES

 Cost of sales     321,104         537,555         902,765         1,468,698

 (Earnings)
 loss from         (167       )    (82        )    (230       )    42,625
 unconsolidated
 joint ventures

 Selling,
 general and       38,698          61,120          116,663         189,967
 administrative

 Financial         12,693          11,631          29,954          31,722
 services

 Corporate         4,457           14,299          22,042          31,495

 Interest          4,643           -               7,452           -

  TOTAL            381,428         624,523         1,078,646       1,764,507
  EXPENSES

OTHER INCOME

 Gain from
 marketable        1,502           -               1,738           -
 securities,
 net

 Income related
 to early          -               -               10,573          -
 retirement of
 debt, net

  TOTAL OTHER      1,502           -               12,311          -
  INCOME

Loss before        (52,091    )    (80,679    )    (201,102   )    (316,616   )
taxes

Tax expense        391             (14,961    )    391             20,057
(benefit)

NET LOSS         $ (52,482    )  $ (65,718    )  $ (201,493   )  $ (336,673   )

NET LOSS PER
COMMON SHARE

 Basic           $ (1.20      )  $ (1.54      )  $ (4.65      )  $ (7.94      )

 Diluted           (1.20      )    (1.54      )    (4.65      )    (7.94      )

AVERAGE COMMON
SHARES

OUTSTANDING

 Basic             43,808,159      42,606,667      43,341,643      42,420,301

 Diluted           43,808,159      42,606,667      43,341,643      42,420,301




THE RYLAND GROUP, INC. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

                                                    September 30,  December 31,

                                                      2009           2008

                                                    (Unaudited)

ASSETS

 Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

  Cash and cash equivalents                         $ 235,204      $ 389,686

  Restricted cash                                     99,878         30,000

  Marketable securities, available-for-sale           409,256        3,573

  Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable         744,338        423,259
  securities

 Housing inventories

  Homes under construction                            456,523        464,810

  Land under development and improved lots            327,590        547,318

  Inventory held-for-sale                             68,728         68,971

  Consolidated inventory not owned                    4,369          15,218

  Total housing inventories                           857,210        1,096,317

 Property, plant and equipment                        27,833         41,558

 Current taxes receivable, net                        -              160,681

 Other                                                107,123        140,019

  TOTAL ASSETS                                        1,736,504      1,861,834

LIABILITIES

 Accounts payable                                     107,572        73,464

 Accrued and other liabilities                        224,995        259,947

 Debt                                                 856,510        789,245

  TOTAL LIABILITIES                                   1,189,077      1,122,656

EQUITY

 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

  Preferred stock, $1.00 par value:

   Authorized--10,000 shares Series A Junior

   Participating Preferred, none outstanding          -              -

  Common stock, $1.00 par value:

   Authorized--199,990,000 shares

   Issued--43,813,835 shares at September 30, 2009

   (42,754,467 shares at December 31, 2008)           43,814         42,754

  Retained earnings                                   495,861        679,317

  Accumulated other comprehensive income              3,719          3,291

  TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

   FOR THE RYLAND GROUP, INC.                         543,394        725,362

 NONCONTROLLING INTEREST                              4,033          13,816

  TOTAL EQUITY                                        547,427        739,178

  TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                      $ 1,736,504    $ 1,861,834




THE RYLAND GROUP, INC. and Subsidiaries

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Unaudited)

               Three months ended September 30,  Nine months ended September 30,

                 2009         2008                 2009          2008

LOSS BEFORE
TAXES (in
thousands)

 Homebuilding

  North        $ (9,924  )  $ (35,734 )          $ (59,648  )  $ (121,970 )

  Southeast      (33,004 )    (4,321  )            (87,258  )    (64,308  )

  Texas          (1,770  )    (14,917 )            (5,021   )    (18,747  )

  West           (3,820  )    (17,385 )            (38,359  )    (98,146  )

 Financial       (618    )    5,977                (1,085   )    18,050
 services

 Corporate
 and             (2,955  )    (14,299 )            (9,731   )    (31,495  )
 unallocated

   Total       $ (52,091 )  $ (80,679 )          $ (201,102 )  $ (316,616 )

NEW ORDERS

 Units

  North          341          446                  1,316         1,575

  Southeast      376          321                  1,164         1,507

  Texas          334          312                  1,217         1,533

  West           219          205                  636           873

   Total         1,270        1,284                4,333         5,488

 Dollars(in
 millions)

  North        $ 92         $ 120                $ 344         $ 427

  Southeast      83           83                   259           371

  Texas          77           72                   277           334

  West           48           50                   141           222

   Total       $ 300        $ 325                $ 1,021       $ 1,354

CLOSINGS

 Units

  North          432          603                  1,131         1,589

  Southeast      361          610                  898           1,656

  Texas          349          484                  988           1,317

  West           181          320                  446           826

   Total         1,323        2,017                3,463         5,388

 Average
 closing
 price (in
 thousands)

  North        $ 263        $ 284                $ 263         $ 285

  Southeast      227          254                  238           253

  Texas          227          219                  224           217

  West           226          248                  229           258

   Total       $ 238        $ 254                $ 241         $ 255

OUTSTANDING                                      September 30,
CONTRACTS

 Units                                             2009          2008

  North                                            759           952

  Southeast                                        665           797

  Texas                                            698           892

  West                                             307           328

   Total                                           2,429         2,969

 Dollars (in
 millions)

  North                                          $ 207         $ 272

  Southeast                                        152           209

  Texas                                            167           203

  West                                             67            85

   Total                                         $ 593         $ 769

 Average
 price (in
 thousands)

  North                                          $ 273         $ 285

  Southeast                                        228           262

  Texas                                            239           228

  West                                             218           259

   Total                                         $ 244         $ 259




THE RYLAND GROUP, INC. and Subsidiaries

FINANCIAL SERVICES SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except origination data)

                          Three months ended      Nine months ended September
                          September 30,           30,

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS       2009        2008        2009        2008

 REVENUES

  Net gains on sales of   $ 6,502     $ 8,705     $ 14,770    $ 23,279
  mortgages

  Origination fees          3,107       4,646       7,755       12,600

  Title/escrow/insurance    2,309       3,847       5,966       12,854

  Interest and other        157         410         378         1,039

   TOTAL REVENUES           12,075      17,608      28,869      49,772

 EXPENSES                   12,693      11,631      29,954      31,722

 PRETAX EARNINGS (LOSS)   $ (618   )  $ 5,977     $ (1,085 )  $ 18,050

OPERATIONAL DATA

 Retail operations:

  Originations (units)      1,066       1,562       2,640       4,159

  Ryland Homes closings
  as a percentage of        100.0  %    99.6   %    100.0  %    99.4   %
  total closings

  Ryland Homes
  origination capture       85.8   %    82.8   %    82.2   %    82.7   %
  rate

 Investment operations:

  Mortgage-backed
  securities and notes    $ 274       $ 369       $ 290       $ 374
  receivable average
  balance




THE RYLAND GROUP, INC. and Subsidiaries

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE RECONCILIATION (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

               Three months ended September    Nine months ended September 30,
               30,

                 2009           2008             2009           2008

GROSS MARGINS

 HOUSING       $ 315,215      $ 512,305        $ 835,406      $ 1,372,719
 REVENUES

 HOUSING COST
 OF SALES

  Cost of        281,223        451,642          765,584        1,207,028
  sales

  Valuation
  adjustments    34,748         56,618           130,538        225,433
  and
  write-offs

   TOTAL
   HOUSING       315,971        508,260          896,122        1,432,461
   COST OF
   SALES

 GROSS         $ (756    )    $ 4,045          $ (60,716 )    $ (59,742   )
 MARGINS

 GROSS MARGIN    (0.2    ) %    0.8         %    (7.3    ) %    (4.4      )    %
 PERCENTAGE

 GROSS
 MARGINS,      $ 33,992       $ 60,663         $ 69,822       $ 165,691
 excluding
 impairments

 GROSS MARGIN
 PERCENTAGE,     10.8      %    11.8        %    8.4       %    12.1           %
 excluding
 impairments

Gross margins on home sales excluding inventory valuation adjustments is a
non-GAAP financial measure, and is defined by the Company as revenue from home
sales less costs of homes sold excluding the Company's inventory valuation
adjustments recorded during the period. Management finds this to be a useful
measure in evaluating the Company's performance because it discloses the profit
the Company generates on homes it actually delivered during the period, as the
inventory valuation adjustments relate, in part, to inventory that was not
delivered during the period. It assists the Company's management in making
strategic decisions regarding its construction pace, product mix and product
pricing based upon the profitability it generated on homes the Company currently
delivers or sells. The Company believes investors will also find gross margins
on home sales excluding inventory valuation adjustments to be important and
useful because it discloses a profitability measure that can be compared to a
prior period without regard to the variability of inventory valuation
adjustments. In addition, to the extent that the Company's competitors provide
similar information, disclosure of its gross margins on home sales excluding
inventory valuation adjustments helps readers of the Company's financial
statements compare profits to its competitors with regard to the homes they
deliver in the same period. In addition, because gross margins on home sales is
a financial measure that is not calculated in accordance with GAAP, it may not
be completely comparable to similarly titled measures of the Company's
competitors due to potential differences in methods of calculation and charges
being excluded.




    Source: The Ryland Group, Inc.


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