Beazer Homes (NYSE: BZH) reported Q1 EPS of $1.14, $0.47 better than the analyst estimate of $0.67. Revenue for the quarter came in at $454.15 million versus the consensus estimate of $451.87 million.

• Net new orders of 1,141, down 20.9% on a 16.2% decrease in average community count to 114 and a 5.6% decrease in orders/community/month to 3.3
• Dollar value of backlog of $1,405.2 million, up 20.9%. The average selling price of homes in backlog was $483.2 thousand, up 17.9% from $409.7 thousand
• Unrestricted cash at quarter end was $157.7 million; total liquidity was $407.7 million

“Strong first quarter results and continuing strength in the housing market have positioned us well for our fiscal year,” said Allan P. Merrill, the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We generated significant gains in operating margin and adjusted EBITDA, leading to first quarter net income that was more than double the prior year. We also published our first ESG Summary, outlining both recent achievements and current initiatives.”

Commenting on market conditions and updated fiscal 2022 full-year expectations, Mr. Merrill said, “The new home market continues to be characterized by strong demand and limited supply, supported by growth in both employment and wages. Given this backdrop, the strength in our first quarter results and the visibility we have into our backlog, we are confident our full-year results will exceed our previously communicated target of $5.00 despite continuing industry-wide challenges in labor and material availability. Incrementally, we plan to realize full-year energy efficiency tax credits which should add about $0.40 to earnings. We also expect further growth in our active lot position as we achieve our multi-year goal of reducing total debt below $1 billion during the fiscal year.”

Looking further out, Mr. Merrill concluded, “We are positioned to continue growing profitability and returns, from a less leveraged and more efficient balance sheet, while expanding our ESG activities to create durable value for our stakeholders.”

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Beazer Homes (BZH) click here.