Exhibit 99.1

 

Contact:

Marshall Ames

Investor Relations

Lennar Corporation

(305) 485-2092

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Lennar Reports 26% Increase in Net Earnings for Second Quarter 2004

 

Financial Highlights

 

Second Quarter

 

  Record revenues of $2.3 billion - up 11%

 

  Record EPS of $1.22 per share - up 20%

 

  Record homebuilding operating earnings of $322.5 million - up $76.4 million

 

  Gross margin % on home sales of 23.4% - up 70 basis points

 

  Gross margin on land sales of $56.5 million - up $43.6 million

 

  Financial services operating earnings of $32.3 million - down $4.9 million

 

  Net debt to total capital decreased from 34.5% to 29.5%

 

  Return on net capital of 22.1% (trailing four quarters)

 

  Record new orders of 11,465 - up 17%

 

  Record backlog dollar value of $5.9 billion - up 39%

 

2004 Goal

 

  Fiscal 2004 EPS goal increased to $5.50 from $5.30 per share

 

Miami, June 15, 2004 - Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN and LEN.B), one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, today reported earnings for its second quarter ended May 31, 2004. Second quarter net earnings in 2004 were $201.4 million, or $1.22 per share diluted, compared to net earnings of $160.3 million, or $1.02 per share diluted, in 2003.

 

(more)


2-2-2

 

Stuart Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lennar Corporation, said, “We are very pleased to report record results again for our second quarter with net earnings growth of 26%, an increase in revenues of 11% and backlog dollar value up 39% over the prior year. These strong results were attributable to both improving homebuilding gross margins and strong land sales, which counterbalanced lower financial services results that were impacted by higher interest rates and the resulting national pullback in refinance activity. By paring down our land base in the wake of the Newhall acquisition last quarter, we have continued to position our balance sheet and our company for future growth and participation in consolidation activity in the industry.”

 

Mr. Miller continued, “New home sales activity continued to point to a strong homebuilding market as we saw our sales pace increase 17% year-over-year for the quarter. In today’s environment, we, along with the other large homebuilders, are continuing to leverage size to offset the impact of higher interest rates, higher building costs and a shortage of certain building materials. As the industry continues to consolidate, the largest homebuilders are positioned to best manage these challenges through process improvement and cost reduction and, therefore, should continue to outperform. Lennar is strategically positioned with a strong balance sheet and strategic approach to capitalizing on both organic and acquisitive growth opportunities.”

 

Mr. Miller concluded, “Our record-level $5.9 billion backlog gives us excellent visibility for the remainder of fiscal 2004 and we are comfortable increasing our 2004 earnings per share goal to $5.50 from $5.30 per share. Given our strong balance sheet, consistent cash flows and disciplined land strategy, we remain well positioned for future growth.”

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2004 COMPARED TO

THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2003

 

Homebuilding

 

Revenues from home sales increased 9% in the second quarter of 2004 to $2.1 billion from $1.9 billion in 2003. Revenues were higher due primarily to a 5% increase in the number of home deliveries and a 4% increase in average sales price on homes delivered. New home deliveries increased to 7,765 homes in the second quarter of 2004 from 7,385 homes last year. In the second quarter of 2004, new home deliveries were higher in each of the Company’s regions, compared to 2003. The average sales price on homes delivered increased to $266,000 in the second quarter of 2004 from $257,000 in 2003.


3-3-3

 

Gross margins on home sales were $483.7 million, or 23.4%, in the second quarter of 2004, compared to $430.3 million, or 22.7%, in 2003. Margins were positively impacted by an improvement in the Company’s East and Central Regions, combined with lower interest costs due to a lower debt leverage ratio while the Company continued to grow.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues from home sales were 12.1% in the second quarter of 2004, compared to 11.3% in 2003. The increase in 2004 was primarily due to higher personnel-related expenses resulting from increased land sales, compared to the same period last year.

 

Revenues and gross margins on land sales totaled $147.0 million and $56.5 million, or 38.5%, respectively, in the second quarter of 2004, compared to $72.0 million and $13.0 million, or 18.0%, respectively, in 2003. Margins were positively impacted by each of the Company’s regions, with a strong contribution from the Company’s East Region. Equity in earnings from unconsolidated partnerships was $14.0 million in the second quarter of 2004, compared to $11.3 million last year. Management fees and other income, net totaled $18.7 million in the second quarter of 2004, compared to $5.3 million in 2003. Sales of land, equity in earnings from unconsolidated partnerships and management fees and other income, net may vary significantly from period to period depending on the timing of land sales and other transactions entered into by the Company and unconsolidated partnerships in which it has investments.

 

Financial Services

 

Operating earnings for the Financial Services Division were $32.3 million in the second quarter of 2004, compared to $37.2 million last year. The decline in operating earnings in 2004 was primarily due to a decrease in refinance transactions and a more competitive mortgage environment, which resulted in reduced profitability from the Division’s mortgage and title operations, compared to 2003. The decline in operating earnings was partially offset by a $6.5 million gain generated from monetizing the majority of the Division’s alarm monitoring contracts.

 

Corporate General and Administrative Expenses

 

Corporate general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 1.3% in the second quarter of 2004, compared to 1.2% last year.

 

Other Information

 

Earnings per share amounts and average shares outstanding for 2003 have been adjusted to reflect the effect of the Company’s January 2004 two-for-one stock split. Additionally, diluted earnings per share in the second quarter of 2004 included 9.0 million shares related to the Company’s 5.125% contingent convertible debt securities. These shares were not included in diluted earnings per share in the second quarter of 2003, because the contingencies were not met.


4-4-4

 

Prior year amounts contain reclassifications to conform to the 2004 presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on reported net earnings. In the three months ended May 31, 2003, homebuilding results reflect reclassifications that have been made to interest expense (now included in cost of homes sold and cost of land sold), equity in earnings from unconsolidated partnerships and management fees and other income, net.

 

SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2004 COMPARED TO

 

SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2003

 

Homebuilding

 

Revenues from home sales increased 12% in the six months ended May 31, 2004 to $3.7 billion from $3.3 billion in 2003. Revenues were higher due primarily to a 9% increase in the number of home deliveries and a 2% increase in average sales price on homes delivered. New home deliveries increased to 14,260 homes in the six months ended May 31, 2004 from 13,027 homes last year. In the six months ended May 31, 2004, new home deliveries were higher in each of the Company’s regions, compared to 2003. The average sales price on homes delivered increased to $261,000 in the six months ended May 31, 2004 from $256,000 in 2003.

 

Gross margins on home sales were $857.5 million, or 23.0%, in the six months ended May 31, 2004, compared to $744.5 million, or 22.3%, in 2003. Margins were positively impacted by an improvement in the Company’s East and Central Regions, combined with lower interest costs due to a lower debt leverage ratio while the Company continued to grow.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues from home sales were 12.2% in the six months ended May 31, 2004, compared to 11.6% in 2003. The increase in 2004 was primarily due to higher personnel-related expenses resulting from increased land sales, compared to the same period last year.

 

Revenues and gross margins on land sales totaled $241.3 million and $92.2 million, or 38.2%, respectively, in the six months ended May 31, 2004, compared to $104.2 million and $17.3 million, or 16.6%, respectively, in 2003. Margins were positively impacted by each of the Company’s regions, with a strong contribution from the Company’s East Region. Equity in earnings from unconsolidated partnerships was $19.2 million in the six months ended May 31, 2004, compared to $19.9 million last year. Management fees and other income, net totaled $36.7 million in the six months ended May 31, 2004, compared to $10.7 million in 2003. Sales of land, equity in earnings from unconsolidated partnerships and management fees and other income, net may vary significantly from period to period depending on the timing of land sales and other transactions entered into by the Company and unconsolidated partnerships in which it has investments.


5-5-5

 

Financial Services

 

Operating earnings for the Financial Services Division were $55.3 million in the six months ended May 31, 2004, compared to $71.5 million last year. The decline in operating earnings in 2004 was primarily due to a decrease in refinance transactions and a more competitive mortgage environment, which resulted in reduced profitability from the Division’s mortgage and title operations, compared to 2003. The decline in operating earnings was partially offset by a $6.5 million gain generated from monetizing the majority of the Division’s alarm monitoring contracts.

 

Corporate General and Administrative Expenses

 

Corporate general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 1.4% in the six months ended May 31, 2004, compared to 1.3% last year.

 

Other Information

 

Earnings per share amounts and average shares outstanding for 2003 have been adjusted to reflect the effect of the Company’s January 2004 two-for-one stock split. Additionally, diluted earnings per share in the six months ended May 31, 2004 included 9.0 million shares related to the Company’s 5.125% contingent convertible debt securities. These shares were not included in diluted earnings per share in the six months ended May 31, 2003, because the contingencies were not met.

 

Prior year amounts contain reclassifications to conform to the 2004 presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on reported net earnings. In the six months ended May 31, 2003, homebuilding results reflect reclassifications that have been made to interest expense (now included in cost of homes sold and cost of land sold), equity in earnings from unconsolidated partnerships and management fees and other income, net.


6-6-6

 

Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is headquartered in Miami, Florida and is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations, building affordable, move-up and retirement homes. Under the Lennar Family of Builders banner, the Company includes the following brand names: Lennar Homes, U.S. Home, Greystone Homes, Village Builders, Renaissance Homes, Orrin Thompson Homes, Lundgren Bros., Winncrest Homes, Patriot Homes, NuHome, Barry Andrews Homes, Concord Homes, Cambridge Homes, Coleman Homes and Rutenberg Homes. The Company’s active adult communities are primarily marketed under the Heritage and Greenbriar brand names. Lennar’s Financial Services Division provides mortgage financing, title insurance, closing services and insurance agency services for both buyers of the Company’s homes and others. Its Strategic Technologies Division provides high-speed Internet access, cable television and alarm installation and monitoring services to residents of the Company’s communities and others. Previous press releases may be obtained at www.lennar.com.

 

Some of the statements contained in this press release are “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those which the statements anticipate. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often contain words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “may,” “can,” “could,” “might,” “guidance,” “goal,” “visibility,” or words or phrases of similar meaning in connection with discussion of anticipated or targeted future operating or financial performance. Factors which may affect the Company’s results include, but are not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, the market and prices for homes generally and in areas where the Company has developments, the availability and cost of land suitable for residential development, prices of materials, labor costs, interest rates, consumer confidence, competition, terrorist acts or other acts of war, environmental factors and government regulations affecting the Company’s operations. See the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2003 for further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company’s business.

 

A conference call to discuss the Company’s second quarter earnings will be held at 11:00 AM Eastern time on Wednesday, June 16, 2004. The call will be broadcast live on the Internet and can be accessed through the Company’s web site at www.lennar.com. A replay of the conference call will be available later that day by calling 320-365-3844 and entering 733955 as the confirmation number.

 

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7-7-7

 

LENNAR CORPORATION

 

Selected Revenues and Earnings Information

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

    

Three Months Ended

May 31,


  

Six Months Ended

May 31,


     2004

   2003 (1)

   2004

   2003 (1)

Revenues:

                     

Homebuilding

   $ 2,210,723    1,967,013    3,968,105    3,439,348

Financial services

     132,162    136,095    237,687    264,230
    

  
  
  

Total revenues

   $ 2,342,885    2,103,108    4,205,792    3,703,578
    

  
  
  

Homebuilding operating earnings

   $ 322,509    246,083    551,890    404,194

Financial services operating earnings

     32,294    37,178    55,289    71,523

Corporate general and administrative expenses

     31,251    25,727    59,929    47,391
    

  
  
  

Earnings before provision for income taxes

     323,552    257,534    547,250    428,326

Provision for income taxes

     122,141    97,219    206,587    161,693
    

  
  
  

Net earnings

   $ 201,411    160,315    340,663    266,633
    

  
  
  

Average shares outstanding:

                     

Basic

     154,970    141,590    155,249    141,428

Diluted

     167,304    158,356    167,605    158,054
    

  
  
  

Earnings per share:

                     

Basic

   $ 1.30    1.13    2.19    1.89

Diluted

   $ 1.22    1.02    2.06    1.71
    

  
  
  

Supplemental information:

                     

Interest incurred (2)

   $ 32,537    35,018    64,069    67,961

EBIT (3):

                     

Earnings before provision for income taxes

   $ 323,552    257,534    547,250    428,326

Interest

     30,079    36,266    55,442    66,468
    

  
  
  

EBIT

   $ 353,631    293,800    602,692    494,794
    

  
  
  

(1) Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2004 presentation.
(2) Homebuilding interest incurred is capitalized to inventories and relieved as cost of sales when homes are delivered or land is sold.
(3) EBIT is a non-GAAP financial measure derived by adding back previously capitalized interest amortized to cost of sales that was reflected in earnings before provision for income taxes.


8-8-8

 

LENNAR CORPORATION

 

Homebuilding Segment Information

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

    

Three Months Ended

May 31,


  

Six Months Ended

May 31,


     2004

   2003 (1)

   2004

   2003 (1)

Revenues:

                     

Sales of homes

   $ 2,063,707    1,894,991    3,726,804    3,335,150

Sales of land

     147,016    72,022    241,301    104,198
    

  
  
  

Total revenues

     2,210,723    1,967,013    3,968,105    3,439,348
    

  
  
  

Costs and expenses:

                     

Cost of homes sold

     1,580,001    1,464,733    2,869,300    2,590,670

Cost of land sold

     90,482    59,069    149,134    86,859

Selling, general and administrative

     250,390    213,739    453,753    388,268
    

  
  
  

Total costs and expenses

     1,920,873    1,737,541    3,472,187    3,065,797
    

  
  
  

Equity in earnings from unconsolidated partnerships

     13,958    11,316    19,235    19,918

Management fees and other income, net

     18,701    5,295    36,737    10,725
    

  
  
  

Operating earnings

   $ 322,509    246,083    551,890    404,194
    

  
  
  

(1) Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2004 presentation.


9-9-9

 

LENNAR CORPORATION

 

Summary of Deliveries, New Orders and Backlog By Region

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
May 31,


  

At or for the

Six Months Ended

May 31,


     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Deliveries:

                     

East

   2,366      2,278      4,542    4,006

Central

   2,496    2,459      4,485    4,313

West

   3,065    2,834      5,554    5,082
    
  
  

  

Total

   7,927    7,571      14,581    13,401
    
  
  

  
Of the deliveries listed above, 162 and 321 deliveries relate to unconsolidated partnerships for the three and six months ended May 31, 2004, respectively, compared to 186 and 374 deliveries in the same periods last year.
                       

New Orders:

                     

East

   3,972    3,405      7,312    5,996

Central

   3,106    2,805      5,325    4,909

West

   4,387    3,588      7,532    5,604
    
  
  

  

Total

   11,465    9,798      20,169    16,509
    
  
  

  
Of the new orders listed above, 489 and 810 new orders relate to unconsolidated partnerships for the three and six months ended May 31, 2004, respectively, compared to 730 and 915 new orders in the same periods last year.
                       

Backlog - Homes:

           

East

               8,891    6,819

Central

               3,337    3,309

West

               7,189    5,477
              

  

Total

               19,417    15,605
              

  
Of the homes in backlog listed above, 1,320 homes in backlog relate to unconsolidated partnerships at May 31, 2004, compared to 986 homes at May 31, 2003.
                       

Backlog Dollar Value

                     
(including unconsolidated partnerships)              $ 5,860,582    4,218,634
              

  

Lennar's market regions consist of homebuilding divisions in the following states:

 

East:

 

Florida, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, North Carolina and South Carolina

Central:

 

Texas, Illinois and Minnesota

West:

 

California, Colorado, Arizona and Nevada


10-10-10

 

LENNAR CORPORATION

 

Supplemental Data

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     May 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

Senior notes and other debts payable

   $ 1,594,074     1,798,198  

Less: cash and cash equivalents

     140,675     480,719  
    


 

Net homebuilding debt

     1,453,399     1,317,479  
    


 

Net homebuilding debt

     1,453,399     1,317,479  

Stockholders’ equity

     3,479,976     2,501,544  
    


 

Total capital

     4,933,375     3,819,023  
    


 

Net debt to total capital (1)

     29.5 %   34.5 %
    


 


(1) Net debt to total capital consists of net homebuilding debt (homebuilding debt less homebuilding cash and cash equivalents) divided by total capital (net homebuilding debt plus stockholders’ equity).