U N I T E D
S T A T E S
S E C U R I T I E S A N D
E X C H A N G E
C O M M I S S I O N
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
ý ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended OCTOBER 31, 2008
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number: 1-8551
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware | 22-1851059 | |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) 110 West Front Street, P.O. Box 500, Red Bank, N.J. (Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 07701 (Zip Code) |
|
732-747-7800 (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: |
Title of Each Class
|
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
|
|
---|---|---|
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value per share Preferred Stock Purchase Rights Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1,000th of a share of 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock |
New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange NASDAQ Global Market |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value per share
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933. Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. (See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Large Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer ý Non-Accelerated Filer o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No ý
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity as of April 30, 2008 (the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was $443,351,894.
As of the close of business on December 19, 2008, there were outstanding 62,227,673 shares of the Registrant's Class A Common Stock and 14,639,746 shares of its Class B Common Stock.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Part IIIThose portions of registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with registrant's annual meeting of shareholders to be held on March 19, 2009 which are responsive to Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.
2 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Item
|
|
Page
|
||
---|---|---|---|---|
PART I | ||||
1 |
Business |
4 |
||
1A |
Risk Factors |
11 |
||
1B |
Unresolved Staff Comments |
17 |
||
2 |
Properties |
17 |
||
3 |
Legal Proceedings |
18 |
||
4 |
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
19 |
||
Executive Officers of the Registrant |
19 |
|||
PART II |
||||
5 |
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
19 |
||
6 |
Selected Consolidated Financial Data |
20 |
||
7 |
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
21 |
||
7A |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
44 |
||
8 |
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
45 |
||
9 |
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
45 |
||
9A |
Controls and Procedures |
45 |
||
9B |
Other Information |
47 |
||
PART III |
||||
10 |
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance |
47 |
||
11 |
Executive Compensation |
48 |
||
12 |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
48 |
||
13 |
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence |
48 |
||
14 |
Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
48 |
||
PART IV |
||||
15 |
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules |
49 |
||
Signatures |
53 |
3 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Business Overview
We design, construct, market and sell single-family detached homes, attached townhomes and condominiums, mid-rise and high-rise condominiums, urban infill and active adult homes in planned residential developments and are one of the nation's largest builders of residential homes. Founded in 1959 by Kevork Hovnanian, Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company", "we", "us" or "our") was incorporated in New Jersey in 1967 and reincorporated in Delaware in 1983. Since the incorporation of our predecessor company and including unconsolidated joint ventures, we have delivered in excess of 280,000 homes, including 11,281 homes in fiscal 2008. The Company consists of two distinct operations: homebuilding and financial services. Our homebuilding operations consist of six segments: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and West. Our financial services operations provide mortgage loans and title services to the customers of our homebuilding operations.
We are currently, excluding unconsolidated joint ventures, offering homes for sale in 284 communities in 44 markets in 18 states throughout the United States. We market and build homes for first-time buyers, first-time and second-time move-up buyers, luxury buyers, active adult buyers and empty nesters. We offer a variety of home styles at base prices ranging from $36,000 (low income housing) to $2,455,000 with an average sales price, including options, of $300,000 nationwide in fiscal 2008.
Our operations span all significant aspects of the home-buying process from design, construction and sale, to mortgage origination and title services.
The following is a summary of our growth history:
1959Founded by Kevork Hovnanian as a New Jersey homebuilder.
1983Completed initial public offering.
1986Entered the North Carolina market through the investment in New Fortis Homes.
1992Entered the greater Washington, D.C. market.
1994Entered the Coastal Southern California market.
1998Expanded in the greater Washington, D.C. market through the acquisition of P.C. Homes.
1999Entered the Dallas, Texas market through our acquisition of Goodman Homes. Further diversified and strengthened our position as New Jersey's largest homebuilder through the acquisition of Matzel & Mumford.
2001Continued expansion in the greater Washington D.C. and North Carolina markets through the acquisition of Washington Homes. This acquisition further strengthened our operations in each of these markets.
2002Entered the Central Valley market in Northern California and Inland Empire region of Southern California through the acquisition of Forecast Homes.
2003Expanded operations in Texas and entered the Houston market through the acquisition of Parkside Homes and Brighton Homes. Entered the greater Ohio market through our acquisition of Summit Homes and entered the greater metro Phoenix market through our acquisition of Great Western Homes.
2004Entered the greater Tampa, Florida market through the acquisition of Windward Homes, and started operations in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota market.
2005Entered the Orlando, Florida market through our acquisition of Cambridge Homes and entered the greater Chicago, Illinois market and expanded our position in Florida and Minnesota through the acquisition of the operations of Town & Country Homes, which occurred concurrently with our entering into a joint venture with affiliates of Blackstone Real Estate Advisors to own and develop Town & Country's existing residential communities. We also entered the Fort Myers market through the acquisition of First Home Builders of Florida, and the Cleveland, Ohio market through the acquisition of Oster Homes.
2006Entered the coastal markets of South Carolina and Georgia through the acquisition of Craftbuilt Homes.
Geographic Breakdown of Markets by Segment
Hovnanian markets and builds homes that are constructed in 23 of the nation's top 50 housing markets. We segregate our homebuilding operations geographically into the following six segments:
Northeast: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania
Mid-Atlantic: Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, D.C.
Midwest: Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio
Southeast: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina
Southwest: Arizona, Texas
West: California
4 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
We employed approximately 2,816 full-time employees (which we refer to as associates) as of October 31, 2008.
Our Corporate offices are located at 110 West Front Street, P.O. Box 500, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701, our telephone number is (732)747-7800, and our Internet website address is www.khov.com. We make available through our website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(d) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Copies of the Company's Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports are available free of charge upon request.
Business Strategies
Due to the progressive weakening of demand in our homebuilding markets over the past few years, we have experienced declines in revenues and gross profit, sustained significant asset impairment charges and incurred losses in fiscal 2007 and 2008. Although we believe the long-term fundamentals which support housing demand, namely population growth and household formation, remain solid and the current negative conditions will moderate over time, the timing of a recovery in the housing market is unclear. Consequently, our primary focus while market conditions are weak is to strengthen our financial condition by reducing inventories of homes and land, controlling and reducing construction and overhead costs, maximizing cash flows, reducing outstanding debt and maintaining strong liquidity.
In addition to our current focus on maintaining strong liquidity, we will continue to focus on our historic key business strategies. We believe that these strategies separate us from our competitors in the residential homebuilding industry and the adoption, implementation, and adherence to these principles will continue to improve our business, lead to higher profitability for our shareholders and give us a clear advantage over our competitors.
Our market concentration strategy is a key factor that enables us to achieve powers and economies of scale and differentiate ourselves from most of our competitors. Our goal is to become a significant builder in each of the selected markets in which we operate.
We offer a broad product array to provide housing to a wide range of customers. Our customers consist of first-time buyers, first-time and second-time move-up buyers, luxury buyers, active adult buyers and empty nesters. Our diverse product array includes single family detached homes, attached townhomes and condominiums, mid-rise and high-rise condominiums, urban infill and active adult homes.
We are committed to customer satisfaction and quality in the homes that we build. We recognize that our future success rests in the ability to deliver quality homes to satisfied customers. We seek to expand our commitment to customer service through a variety of quality initiatives. In addition, our focus remains on attracting and developing quality associates. We use several leadership development and mentoring programs to identify key individuals and prepare them for positions of greater responsibility within our Company.
We focus on achieving high return on invested capital. Each new community, whether through organic growth or acquisition, is evaluated based on its ability to meet or exceed internal rate of return requirements. Our belief is that the best way to create lasting value for our shareholders is through a strong focus on return on invested capital. However, given current market conditions it has been difficult to find new land investments that meet or exceed these rate of return requirements. Therefore, we have focused on managing the balance sheet by selling through our currently owned inventory and conserving cash to be prepared to invest in new land when market conditions are right.
We utilize a risk averse land strategy. We attempt to acquire land with a minimum cash investment and negotiate takedown options, thereby limiting the financial exposure to the amounts invested in property and predevelopment costs. This policy significantly reduces our risk and generally allows us to obtain necessary development approvals before acquisition of the land.
We enter into homebuilding and land development joint ventures from time to time as a means of controlling lot positions, expanding our market opportunities, establishing strategic alliances, reducing our risk profile, leveraging our capital base and enhancing our returns on capital. Our homebuilding joint ventures are generally entered into with third party investors to develop land and construct homes that are sold directly to homebuyers. Our land development joint ventures include those with developers and other homebuilders as well as financial investors to develop finished lots for sale to the joint venture's members or other third parties. Our Hovnanian Land Investment Group ("HLIG"), a wholly owned subsidiary, identifies, acquires, and develops large land parcels for sale to our homebuilding operations or to other homebuilders. HLIG may acquire the property directly or via joint ventures.
5 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
We manage our financial services operations to better serve all of our homebuyers. Our current mortgage financing and title service operations enhance our contact with customers and allow us to coordinate the homebuying experience from beginning to end.
Operating Policies and Procedures
We attempt to reduce the effect of certain risks inherent in the housing industry through the following policies and procedures:
TrainingOur training is designed to provide our associates with the knowledge, attitudes, skills and habits necessary to succeed at their jobs. Our Training Department regularly conducts training classes in sales, construction, administration, and managerial skills.
Land Acquisition, Planning and DevelopmentBefore entering into a contract to acquire land, we complete extensive comparative studies and analyses which assist us in evaluating the economic feasibility of such land acquisition. We generally follow a policy of acquiring options to purchase land for future community developments.
DesignOur residential communities are generally located in suburban areas easily accessible through public and personal transportation. Our communities are designed as neighborhoods that fit existing land characteristics. We strive to create diversity within the overall planned community by offering a mix of homes with differing architecture, textures and colors. Recreational amenities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, club houses, open areas and tot lots are frequently included.
ConstructionWe design and supervise the development and building of our communities. Our homes are constructed according to standardized prototypes which are designed and engineered to provide innovative product design while attempting to minimize costs of construction. We generally employ subcontractors for the installation of site improvements and construction of homes. However, we employ general contractors to manage the construction of most mid-rise or high-rise buildings. Agreements with subcontractors are generally short term and provide for a fixed price for labor and materials. We rigorously control costs through the use of computerized monitoring systems.
Because of the risks involved in speculative building, our general policy is to construct an attached condominium or townhouse building only after signing contracts for the sale of at least 50% of the homes in that building. For our mid-rise and high-rise buildings our general policy is to begin building after signing contracts for the sale of at least 40% of the homes in that building. A majority of our single family detached homes are constructed after the signing of a sales contract and mortgage approval has been obtained. This limits the build-up of inventory of unsold homes and the costs of maintaining and carrying that inventory.
Materials and SubcontractorsWe attempt to maintain efficient operations by utilizing standardized materials available from a variety of sources. In addition, we generally contract with subcontractors to construct our homes. We have reduced construction and administrative costs by consolidating the number of vendors serving certain markets and by executing national purchasing contracts with select vendors. In most instances, we use general contractors for mid-rise and high-rise construction. In recent years, we have experienced no significant construction delays due to shortages of materials or labor, however, we cannot predict the extent to which shortages in necessary materials or labor may occur in the future.
6 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Marketing and SalesOur residential communities are sold principally through on-site sales offices. In order to respond to our customers' needs and trends in housing design, we rely upon our internal market research group to analyze information gathered from, among other sources, buyer profiles, exit interviews at model sites, focus groups and demographic data bases. We make use of newspaper, radio, television, internet advertisements, magazine, our website, billboard, video and direct mail advertising, special promotional events, illustrated brochures, and full-sized and scale model homes in our comprehensive marketing program. In addition, we have home design galleries in our New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, and portions of our California markets, which offer a wide range of customer options to satisfy individual customer tastes. These galleries have increased option sales and profitability in these markets.
Customer Service and Quality ControlIn many of our markets, associates are responsible for customer service and pre-closing quality control inspections as well as responding to post-closing customer needs. Prior to closing, each home is inspected and any necessary completion work is undertaken by us. Our homes are enrolled in a standard limited warranty program which, in general, provides a homebuyer with a one-year warranty for the home's materials and workmanship, a two-year warranty for the home's heating, cooling, ventilating, electrical and plumbing systems and a ten-year warranty for major structural defects. All of the warranties contain standard exceptions, including, but not limited to, damage caused by the customer.
Customer Financing We sell our homes to customers who generally finance their purchases through mortgages. Our financial services segment provides our customers with competitive financing and coordinates and expedites the loan origination transaction through the steps of loan application, loan approval and closing and title services. We originate loans in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Arizona, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota, Florida, and California. We believe that our ability to offer financing to customers on competitive terms as a part of the sales process is an important factor in completing sales.
During the year ended October 31, 2008, for the markets in which our mortgage subsidiaries originated loans, 9.0% of our homebuyers paid in cash and 74.9% of our non-cash homebuyers obtained mortgages from one of our mortgage banking subsidiaries. The loans we originated in fiscal 2008 were 35.5% FHA/VA, 7.7% Alt-A, 52.6% prime, 0.3% broker sub-prime, 1.8% broker non-subprime and 2.1% construction to permanent.
We customarily sell virtually all of the loans and loan servicing rights that we originate within a short period of time. Loans are sold either individually or against forward commitments to institutional investors, including banks, mortgage banking firms, and savings and loan associations.
Code of EthicsIn almost 50 years of doing business, we have been committed to sustaining our shareholders' investment through conduct that is in accordance with the highest levels of integrity. Our Code of Ethics is a set of guidelines and policies that govern broad principles of ethical conduct and integrity embraced by our Company. Our Code of Ethics applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, controller, and all other associates of our company, including our directors and other officers. The Company's Code of Ethics is available on the Company's website at www.khov.com under "Investor Relations/Governance/Code of Ethics".
Corporate GovernanceWe also remain committed to our shareholders in fostering sound corporate governance principles. The Company's "Corporate Governance Guidelines" assist the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") in fulfilling its responsibilities related to corporate governance conduct. These guidelines serve as a framework, addressing the function, structure, and operations of the Board, for purposes of promoting consistency of the Board's role in overseeing the work of management.
Residential Development Activities
Our residential development activities include site planning and engineering, obtaining environmental and other regulatory approvals and constructing roads, sewer, water and drainage facilities, recreational facilities and other amenities and marketing and selling homes. These activities are performed by our associates, together with independent architects, consultants and contractors. Our associates also carry out long-term planning of communities. A residential development generally includes single family detached homes and/or a number of residential buildings containing from two to twenty-four individual homes per building, together with amenities such as club houses, swimming pools, tennis courts, tot lots and open areas. We also develop mid-rise and high-rise buildings including some that contain over 300 homes per building.
7 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Current base prices for our homes in contract backlog at October 31, 2008 range from $36,000 (low income housing) to $2,455,000 in the Northeast, from $135,000 to $1,404,000 in the Mid-Atlantic, from $80,000 to $667,000 in the Midwest, from $139,000 to $551,000 in the Southeast, from $88,000 to $727,000 in the Southwest, and from $136,000 to $1,159,000 in the West. Closings generally occur and are typically reflected in revenues within eighteen months of when sales contracts are signed.
Information on homes delivered by segment for the year ended October 31, 2008 is set forth below:
(Housing Revenue in Thousands) |
Housing Revenues |
Homes Delivered |
Average Price |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||
Northeast |
$ | 679,488 | 1,412 | $ | 481,224 | |||||
Mid-Atlantic |
509,009 | 1,248 | 407,860 | |||||||
Midwest |
209,759 | 965 | 217,367 | |||||||
Southeast |
624,106 | 2,572 | 242,654 | |||||||
Southwest |
603,513 | 2,616 | 230,701 | |||||||
West |
551,978 | 1,764 | 312,913 | |||||||
Consolidated Total |
$ | 3,177,853 | 10,577 | $ | 300,449 | |||||
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures |
262,605 | 704 | 373,018 | |||||||
Total Including Unconsolidated Joint Ventures |
$ | 3,440,458 | 11,281 | $ | 304,978 | |||||
The value of our net sales contracts, excluding unconsolidated joint ventures, decreased 48.4% to $1.9 billion for the year ended October 31, 2008 from $3.6 billion for the year ended October 31, 2007. This decrease was the result of a net 40.5% decrease in the number of homes contracted to 6,546 in 2008 from 11,006 in 2007, as well as increased incentives or base price reductions as the homebuilding market weakened further in 2008.
Information on the value of net sales contracts by segment for the years ended October 31, 2008 and 2007 is set forth below:
(Value of Net Sales Contracts in Thousands) |
2008 |
2007 |
% Change |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||
Northeast |
$ | 381,401 | $ | 802,459 | 52.5% | |||||
Mid-Atlantic |
313,405 | 677,581 | 53.8% | |||||||
Midwest |
106,887 | 248,744 | 57.0% | |||||||
Southeast |
132,245 | 312,070 | 57.6% | |||||||
Southwest |
518,565 | 758,340 | 31.6% | |||||||
West |
421,292 | 833,986 | 49.5% | |||||||
Consolidated Total |
$ | 1,873,795 | $ | 3,633,180 | 48.4% | |||||
As the homebuilding market and the economy as a whole have continued to weaken this year, the number of homes contracted has decreased in all of our segments by 32% or more. In addition, these weaker conditions have resulted in lower average prices in all segments except the Southwest, where the average prices are up 1.4%. This combination of lower net contracts and lower average prices has resulted in 48.4% lower value of net sales contracts.
The following table summarizes our active selling communities under development as of October 31, 2008. The contracted not delivered and remaining homes available in our active selling communities are included in the consolidated total home sites under the total residential real estate chart in Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations".
8 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Active Selling Communities
|
Communities |
Approved Homes |
Homes Delivered |
Contracted Not Delivered(1) |
Remaining Homes Available(2) |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||||||
Northeast |
31 | 7,965 | 5,269 | 495 | 2,201 | ||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic |
48 | 10,231 | 5,568 | 385 | 4,278 | ||||||||||
Midwest |
26 | 4,113 | 1,573 | 291 | 2,249 | ||||||||||
Southeast |
32 | 10,079 | 7,180 | 163 | 2,736 | ||||||||||
Southwest |
111 | 17,944 | 11,298 | 420 | 6,226 | ||||||||||
West |
36 | 11,518 | 7,355 | 134 | 4,029 | ||||||||||
Total |
284 | 61,850 | 38,243 | 1,888 | 21,719 | ||||||||||
Backlog
At October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007, including unconsolidated joint ventures, we had a backlog of signed contracts for 2,170 homes and 6,365 homes, respectively, with sales values aggregating $0.8 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively. The majority of our backlog at October 31, 2008 is expected to be completed and closed within the next twelve months. At November 30, 2008 and 2007, our backlog of signed contracts, including unconsolidated joint ventures, was 2,097 homes and 6,036 homes, respectively, with sales values aggregating $0.8 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively.
Sales of our homes typically are made pursuant to a standard sales contract that provides the customer with a statutorily mandated right of rescission for a period ranging up to 15 days after execution. This contract requires a nominal customer deposit at the time of signing. In addition, in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and some sections of the Southeast we typically obtain an additional 5% to 10% down payment due 30 to 60 days after signing. The contract may include a financing contingency, which permits the customers to cancel their obligation in the event mortgage financing at prevailing interest rates (including financing arranged or provided by us) is unobtainable within the period specified in the contract. This contingency period typically is four to eight weeks following the date of execution. As housing values decline in certain markets some customers cancel their contracts and forfeit their deposits. Cancellation rates are discussed further in Item 7 "Managements' Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation". Sales contracts are included in backlog once the sales contract is signed by the customer, which in some cases includes contracts that are in the rescission or cancellation periods. However, revenues from sales of homes are recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, when title to the home is conveyed to the buyer, adequate initial and continuing investment have been received and there is no continued involvement.
Residential Land Inventory in Planning
It is our objective to control a supply of land, primarily through options, consistent with anticipated homebuilding requirements in each of our housing markets. Controlled land as of October 31, 2008, exclusive of communities under development described above under "Active Selling Communities" and excluding unconsolidated joint ventures, is summarized in the following table. The proposed developable home sites in communities under development are included in the 40,095 consolidated total home sites under the total residential real estate chart in Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations".
9 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Communities in Planning
(Dollars in Thousands) |
Number of Proposed Communities |
Proposed Developable Home Sites |
Total Land Option Price |
Book Value(2) |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||||
Northeast: |
|||||||||||||
Under Option(1) |
26 | 4,478 | $ | 214,974 | $ | 58,477 | |||||||
Owned |
18 | 1,801 | 314,299 | ||||||||||
Total |
44 | 6,279 | $ | 372,776 | |||||||||
Mid-Atlantic: |
|||||||||||||
Under Option(1) |
5 | 290 | $ | 20,387 | $ | 4,790 | |||||||
Owned |
5 | 1,353 | 25,391 | ||||||||||
Total |
10 | 1,643 | $ | 30,181 | |||||||||
Midwest: |
|||||||||||||
Under Option(1) |
3 | 327 | $ | 9,634 | $ | 1,073 | |||||||
Owned |
2 | 102 | 2,446 | ||||||||||
Total |
5 | 429 | $ | 3,519 | |||||||||
Southeast: |
|||||||||||||
Under Option(1) |
9 | 998 | $ | 65,896 | $ | 3,377 | |||||||
Owned |
11 | 583 | 21,335 | ||||||||||
Total |
20 | 1,581 | $ | 24,712 | |||||||||
Southwest: |
|||||||||||||
Under Option(1) |
5 | 177 | $ | 11,098 | $ | 2,052 | |||||||
Owned |
14 | 1,369 | 19,586 | ||||||||||
Total |
19 | 1,546 | $ | 21,638 | |||||||||
West: |
|||||||||||||
Under Option(1) |
1 | 158 | $ | 4,740 | $ | 127 | |||||||
Owned |
33 | 4,852 | 194,282 | ||||||||||
Total |
34 | 5,010 | $ | 194,409 | |||||||||
Totals: |
|||||||||||||
Under Option(1) |
49 | 6,428 | $ | 326,729 | $ | 69,896 | |||||||
Owned |
83 | 10,060 | 577,339 | ||||||||||
Combined Total |
132 | 16,488 | $ | 647,235 | |||||||||
We either option or acquire improved or unimproved home sites from land developers or other sellers. Under a typical agreement with the land developer, we purchase a minimal number of home sites. The balance of the home sites to be purchased is covered under an option agreement or a non-recourse purchase agreement. Due to the dwindling supply of improved lots in our segments, we have been increasing the percentage of optioned parcels of unimproved land for development as compared to owned land.
For additional financial information regarding our homebuilding segments, see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Competition
Our homebuilding operations are highly competitive. We are among the top ten homebuilders in the United States in both homebuilding revenues and home deliveries. We compete with numerous real estate developers in each of the geographic areas in which we operate. Our competition ranges from small local builders to larger regional builders to publicly owned builders and developers, some of which have greater sales and financial resources than we do. Previously owned homes and the availability of rental housing provide additional competition. We compete primarily on the basis of reputation, price, location, design, quality, service and amenities.
10 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Regulation and Environmental Matters
We are subject to various local, state and federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning zoning, building design, construction and similar matters, including local regulations which impose restrictive zoning and density requirements in order to limit the number of homes that can eventually be built within the boundaries of a particular locality. In addition, we are subject to registration and filing requirements in connection with the construction, advertisement and sale of our communities in certain states and localities in which we operate even if all necessary government approvals have been obtained. We may also be subject to periodic delays or may be precluded entirely from developing communities due to building moratoriums that could be implemented in the future in the states in which we operate. Generally, such moratoriums relate to insufficient water or sewerage facilities or inadequate road capacity.
In addition, some state and local governments in markets where we operate have approved, and others may approve, slow growth or no growth initiatives that could negatively impact the availability of land and building opportunities within those areas. Approval of these initiatives could adversely affect our ability to build and sell homes in the affected markets and/or could require the satisfaction of additional administrative and regulatory requirements, which could result in slowing the progress or increasing the costs of our homebuilding operations in these markets. Any such delays or costs could have a negative effect on our future revenues and earnings.
We are also subject to a variety of local, state, federal and foreign laws and regulations concerning protection of health and the environment ("environmental laws"). The particular environmental laws which apply to any given community vary greatly according to the community site, the site's environmental conditions and the present and former uses of the site. These environmental laws may result in delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance, remediation and/or other costs, and prohibit or severely restrict development and homebuilding activity.
Despite our past ability to obtain necessary permits and approvals for our communities, we anticipate that increasingly stringent requirements will be imposed on developers and homebuilders in the future. Although we cannot predict the effect of these requirements, they could result in time-consuming and expensive compliance programs and in substantial expenditures, which could cause delays and increase our cost of operations. In addition, the continued effectiveness of permits already granted or approvals already obtained is dependent upon many factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as changes in policies, rules and regulations and their interpretation and application.
ITEM
1A
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risks in addition to the other information included in this Form 10-K.
The homebuilding industry is significantly affected by changes in general and local economic conditions, real estate markets and weather conditions, which could affect our ability to build homes at prices our customers are willing or able to pay, could reduce profits that may not be recaptured, could result in cancellation of sales contracts and could affect our liquidity.
The homebuilding industry is cyclical, has from time to time experienced significant difficulties and is significantly affected by changes in general and local economic conditions such as:
Turmoil in the financial markets could affect our liquidity. In addition, our cash balances are held at numerous financial institutions and may, at times, exceed insurable amounts. We believe we help to mitigate this risk by depositing our cash in major financial institutions and diversifying our investments. We also depend upon the lenders under our Revolving Credit Agreement to be able to perform under their commitments. If one or more of our lenders default on their funding obligations, the other lenders are not obligated to make up the shortfall, which would reduce our available liquidity. In addition, it may be difficult to find a bank willing to issue a letter of credit under our Revolving Credit Agreement in such a circumstance.
Weather conditions and natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods and fires can harm the local homebuilding business. Our business in Florida was adversely affected in late 2005 and into 2006 due to the impact of Hurricane Wilma on materials and labor availability and pricing. Conversely, Hurricane Ike, which hit Houston in September 2008, did not have an impact on materials and labor
11 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
availability or pricing, but did impact the volume of home sales in subsequent weeks.
The difficulties described above could cause us to take longer and incur more costs to build our homes. We may not be able to recapture increased costs by raising prices in many cases because we fix our prices up to twelve months in advance of delivery by signing home sales contracts. In addition, some home buyers may cancel or not honor their home sales contracts altogether.
The homebuilding industry is undergoing a significant and sustained downturn which has, and could continue to, materially and adversely affect our business, liquidity and results of operations.
The homebuilding industry is now experiencing a significant and sustained downturn. An industry-wide softening of demand for new homes has resulted from a lack of consumer confidence, decreased housing affordability, decreased availability of mortgage financing, and large supplies of resale and new home inventories. In addition, an oversupply of alternatives to new homes, such as rental properties, resale homes and foreclosures, has depressed prices and reduced margins for the sale of new homes. Industry conditions had a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations during fiscal years 2008 and 2007. For example, we are continuing to experience significant declines in sales, significant reductions in our margins and higher cancellations. Further, we substantially increased our inventory through fiscal 2006, which required significant cash outlays and which has increased our price and margin exposure as we continue to work through this inventory. In addition, general economic conditions in the U.S. continue to weaken. Market volatility has been unprecedented and extraordinary in recent months, and the resulting economic turmoil may continue to exacerbate industry conditions or have other unforeseen consequences, leading to uncertainty about future conditions in the homebuilding industry. There can be no assurances that government responses to the disruptions in the financial markets will restore consumer confidence, stabilize the markets or increase liquidity and the availability of credit. Continuation or worsening of this downturn or general economic conditions would continue to have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity and results of operations.
Leverage places burdens on our ability to comply with the terms of our indebtedness, may restrict our ability to operate, may prevent us from fulfilling our obligations and may adversely affect our financial condition.
We have a significant amount of debt. On a pro forma basis to give effect to the exchange offer (the "Exchange Offer") in which we issued $29.3 million aggregate principal amount of 18.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 in exchange for certain of our unsecured senior notes aggregating $71.4 million on December 3, 2008 (for more details about the Exchange Offer see Note 23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements):
In addition, we had substantial contractual commitments and contingent obligations, including $632.5 million of performance bonds as of October 31, 2008. See Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsContractual Obligations".
Our significant amount of debt could have important consequences. For example, it could:
Our ability to meet our debt service and other obligations will depend upon our future performance. We are engaged in businesses that are substantially affected by changes in economic cycles. Our revenues
12 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
and earnings vary with the level of general economic activity in the markets we serve. Our businesses are also affected by customer sentiment and financial, political, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. The factors that affect our ability to generate cash can also affect our ability to raise additional funds for these purposes through the sale of equity securities, the refinancing of debt, or the sale of assets. Changes in prevailing interest rates may affect our ability to meet our debt service obligations, because borrowings under our Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest at floating rates. A higher interest rate on our debt service obligations could result in lower earnings.
Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations and borrowings may not be available to us under our Revolving Credit Agreement in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. Under the $300 million Revolving Credit Agreement, the amount available for revolving loans is limited to $100 million, with the remaining amounts available (subject to the borrowing base) for the issuance of letters of credit. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt on or before maturity, which we may not be able to do on favorable terms or at all.
Restrictive covenants in our debt instruments may restrict our ability to operate and if our financial performance worsens, we may not be able to maintain compliance with the financial covenants of our debt instruments.
The indentures governing our outstanding debt securities and our Revolving Credit Agreement impose restrictions on our operations and activities. The most significant restrictions relate to debt incurrence, sales of assets, cash distributions, including paying dividends on common and preferred stock, capital stock and debt repurchases, and investments by us and certain of our subsidiaries. The covenants in our Revolving Credit Agreement also include a borrowing base covenant and a covenant requiring either a minimum operating cash flow coverage ratio or minimum liquidity as of the last day of each fiscal quarter but do not contain any other financial covenants. Our level of home deliveries, amount of impairments and other financial performance factors negatively impacted the borrowing base and financial covenants under the Revolving Credit Agreement prior to its amendment in May 2008, and there can be no assurance that we will not violate the financial or other covenants under our debt instruments in the future or that the amount available under our Revolving Credit Agreement would not be reduced.
In addition, as a result of the restrictions in our indentures, which would require our fixed charge coverage ratio to be at least 2.0 to 1.0, we are currently restricted from paying dividends on our Series A Preferred Stock. If current market trends continue or worsen, we will continue to be restricted from paying dividends into fiscal 2009 and possibly beyond.
If we fail to comply with any of the restrictions or covenants of our debt instruments, and are unable to amend the instrument or obtain a waiver, or make timely payments on this debt and other material indebtedness, we could be precluded from incurring additional borrowings under our Revolving Credit Agreement and the trustees or the banks, as appropriate, could cause our debt to become due and payable prior to maturity. In such a situation, there can be no assurance that we would be able to obtain alternative financing. In addition, if we are in default of these agreements, we may be prohibited from drawing additional funds under the Revolving Credit Agreement, which could impair our ability to maintain sufficient working capital. Either situation could have a material adverse effect on the solvency of the Company.
The terms of our debt instruments allow us to incur additional indebtedness.
Under the terms of our indebtedness under our indentures and under the Revolving Credit Agreement, we have the ability, subject to our debt covenants, to incur additional amounts of debt. The incurrence of additional indebtedness could magnify the risks described above. In addition, certain obligations such as standby letters of credit and performance bonds issued in the ordinary course of business are not considered indebtedness under our indentures (and may be secured) and therefore are not subject to limits in our debt covenants.
We could be adversely affected by a negative change in our credit rating.
Our ability to access capital on favorable terms is a key factor in continuing to grow our business and operations in a profitable manner. On March 26, 2008, Moody's lowered our overall credit rating to B3 from B2 and maintained its negative outlook. On February 2, 2008, S&P lowered our credit rating to B- from B+ and maintained its negative outlook. On January 18, 2008, Fitch lowered the Company's issuer default rating to B- from BB- and placed the Company on negative rating outlook. These downgrades may make it more difficult and costly for us to access capital. A further downgrade by any of the principal credit agencies may exacerbate these difficulties.
Our business is seasonal in nature and our quarterly operating results can fluctuate.
Our quarterly operating results generally fluctuate by season. Historically, a large percentage of our agreements of sale have been entered into in the
13 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
winter and spring. The construction of a customer's home typically begins after signing the agreement of sale and can take 12 months or more to complete. Weather-related problems, typically in the late winter and early spring, can delay starts or closings and increase costs and thus reduce profitability. In addition, delays in opening communities could have an adverse impact on our sales and revenues. Due to these factors, our quarterly operating results may continue to fluctuate.
Our success depends on the availability of suitable undeveloped land and improved lots at acceptable prices.
Our success in developing land and in building and selling homes depends in part upon the continued availability of suitable undeveloped land and improved lots at acceptable prices. The availability of undeveloped land and improved lots for purchase at favorable prices depends on a number of factors outside of our control, including the risk of competitive over-bidding on land and lots and restrictive governmental regulation. Should suitable land opportunities become less available, the number of homes we may be able to build and sell would be reduced, which would reduce revenue and profits.
Raw material and labor shortages and price fluctuations could delay or increase the cost of home construction and adversely affect our operating results.
The homebuilding industry has from time to time experienced raw material and labor shortages. In particular, shortages and fluctuations in the price of lumber or in other important raw materials could result in delays in the start or completion of, or increase the cost of, developing one or more of our residential communities. In addition, we contract with subcontractors to construct our homes. Therefore, the timing and quality of our construction depends on the availability, skill and cost of our subcontractors. Delays or cost increases caused by shortages and price fluctuations could harm our operating results, the impact of which may be further affected depending on our ability to raise sales prices.
Changes in economic and market conditions could result in the sale of homes at a loss or holding land in inventory longer than planned, the cost of which can be significant.
Land inventory risk can be substantial for homebuilders. We must continuously seek and make acquisitions of land for expansion into new markets and for replacement and expansion of land inventory within our current markets. The market value of undeveloped land, buildable lots and housing inventories can fluctuate significantly as a result of changing economic and market conditions. In the event of significant changes in economic or market conditions, we may have to sell homes at a loss or hold land in inventory longer than planned. In the case of land options, we could choose not to exercise them, in which case we would write off the value of these options. Inventory carrying costs can be significant and can result in losses in a poorly performing project or market. The assessment of communities for indication of impairment is performed quarterly. While we consider available information to determine what we believe to be our best estimates as of the reporting period, these estimates are subject to change in future reporting periods as facts and circumstances change. See "Critical Accounting Policies." For example, during 2008 and 2007 we decided not to exercise many option contracts and walked away from land option deposits and predevelopment costs, which resulted in land option write-offs of $114.1 million and $126.0 million, respectively. Also, in 2008 and 2007, as a result of the slowing market, we recorded inventory impairment losses on owned property of $596.0 million and $331.8 million, respectively. If market conditions continue to worsen, additional inventory impairment losses and land option write-offs will likely be necessary.
Home prices and sales activities in the California, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Florida and Arizona markets have a large impact on our profitability because we conduct a significant portion of our business in these markets.
We presently conduct a significant portion of our business in the California, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Florida and Arizona markets. Home prices and sales activities in these markets, and in most of the other markets in which we operate, have declined from time to time, particularly as a result of slow economic growth. In particular, Arizona, California, Florida, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland have declined significantly since the end of 2006. Furthermore, precarious economic and budget situations at the state government level may adversely affect the market for our homes in those affected areas. If home prices and sales activity decline in one or more of the markets in which we operate, our costs may not decline at all or at the same rate and profits may be reduced.
14 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Because almost all of our customers require mortgage financing, increases in interest rates or the decreased availability of mortgage financing could impair the affordability of our homes, lower demand for our products, limit our marketing effectiveness, and limit our ability to fully realize our backlog.
Virtually all of our customers finance their acquisitions through lenders providing mortgage financing. Increases in interest rates or decreases in availability of mortgage financing could lower demand for new homes because of the increased monthly mortgage costs to potential home buyers. Even if potential customers do not need financing, changes in interest rates and mortgage availability could make it harder for them to sell their existing homes to potential buyers who need financing. This could prevent or limit our ability to attract new customers as well as our ability to fully realize our backlog because our sales contracts generally include a financing contingency. Financing contingencies permit the customer to cancel his obligation in the event mortgage financing at prevailing interest rates, including financing arranged or provided by us, is unobtainable within the period specified in the contract. This contingency period is typically four to eight weeks following the date of execution of the sales contract.
Over the last several quarters, many lenders have significantly tightened their underwriting standards, and many subprime and other alternative mortgage products are no longer being made available in the marketplace. If these trends continue and mortgage loans continue to be difficult to obtain, the ability and willingness of prospective buyers to finance home purchases or to sell their existing homes will be adversely affected, which will adversely affect our operating results.
In addition, we believe that the availability of mortgage financing, including FNMA, FHLMC and FHA / VA financing, is an important factor in marketing many of our homes. Any limitations or restrictions on the availability of those types of financing could reduce our sales.
We conduct certain of our operations through unconsolidated joint ventures with independent third parties in which we do not have a controlling interest. These investments involve risks and are highly illiquid.
We currently operate through a number of unconsolidated homebuilding and land development joint ventures with independent third parties in which we do not have a controlling interest. At October 31, 2008, we had invested an aggregate of $71.1 million in these joint ventures, which had borrowings outstanding of approximately $320.2 million. In addition, as part of our strategy, we intend to continue to evaluate additional joint venture opportunities.
These investments involve risks and are highly illiquid. There are a limited number of sources willing to provide acquisition, development and construction financing to land development and homebuilding joint ventures, and as market conditions become more challenging, it may be difficult or impossible to obtain financing for our joint ventures on commercially reasonable terms. In addition, we lack a controlling interest in these joint ventures and therefore are usually unable to require that our joint ventures sell assets or return invested capital, make additional capital contributions or take any other action without the vote of at least one of our venture partners. Therefore, absent partner agreement, we will be unable to liquidate our joint venture investments to generate cash.
Homebuilders are subject to a number of federal, local, state and foreign laws and regulations concerning the development of land, the home building, sales and customer financing processes and protection of the environment, which can cause us to incur delays and costs associated with compliance and which can prohibit or restrict our activity in some regions or areas.
We are subject to extensive and complex regulations that affect the development and home building, sales and customer financing processes, including zoning, density, building standards and mortgage financing. These regulations often provide broad discretion to the administering governmental authorities. This can delay or increase the cost of development or homebuilding. In addition, some state and local governments in markets where we operate have approved, and others may approve, slow growth or no growth initiatives that could negatively impact the availability of land and building opportunities within those areas. Approval of these initiatives could adversely affect our ability to build and sell homes in the affected markets and/or could require the satisfaction of additional administrative and regulatory requirements, which could result in slowing the progress or increasing the costs of our homebuilding operations in these markets. Any such delays or costs could have a negative effect on our future revenues and earnings.
We also are subject to a variety of local, state, federal and foreign laws and regulations concerning protection of health and the environment. The particular environmental laws which apply to any given community vary greatly according to the community site, the site's environmental conditions and the present and former uses of the site. These environmental laws may result in delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance, remediation, and/or other costs, and can prohibit or severely restrict development and homebuilding activity.
For example, during 2005, we received two requests for information pursuant to Section 308 of the Clean
15 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Water Act from Region 3 of the Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA"). These requests sought information concerning storm water discharge practices in connection with completed, ongoing and planned homebuilding projects by subsidiaries in the states and district that comprise EPA Region 3. We also received a notice of violations for one project in Pennsylvania and requests for sampling plan implementation in two projects in Pennsylvania. We have subsequently received notification from the EPA alleging violations of storm water discharge practices at other locations and requesting related information. We provided the EPA with information in response to its requests. The Department of Justice ("DOJ") is also involved in the review of these practices and enforcement with respect to them. We are engaged in discussions with the DOJ and EPA regarding a resolution of these matters. We cannot predict whether those discussions will result in a resolution, or what any resolution of these matters ultimately will require of us.
We anticipate that increasingly stringent requirements will be imposed on developers and homebuilders in the future. Although we cannot predict the effect of these requirements, they could result in time-consuming and expensive compliance programs and in substantial expenditures, which could cause delays and increase our cost of operations. In addition, the continued effectiveness of permits already granted or approvals already obtained is dependent upon many factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as changes in policies, rules and regulations and their interpretation and application.
Product liability litigation and warranty claims that arise in the ordinary course of business may be costly.
As a homebuilder, we are subject to construction defect and home warranty claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Such claims are common in the homebuilding industry and can be costly. In addition, the amount and scope of coverage offered by insurance companies is currently limited, and this coverage may be further restricted and become more costly. If we are not able to obtain adequate insurance against such claims, we may experience losses that could hurt our financial results. Our financial results could also be adversely affected if we were to experience an unusually high number of claims or unusually severe claims.
We compete on several levels with homebuilders that may have greater sales and financial resources, which could hurt future earnings.
We compete not only for home buyers but also for desirable properties, financing, raw materials and skilled labor often within larger subdivisions designed, planned and developed by other homebuilders. Our competitors include other local, regional and national homebuilders, some of which have greater sales and financial resources.
The competitive conditions in the homebuilding industry together with current market conditions have, and could continue to, result in:
Any of these problems could increase costs and/or lower profit margins.
We may have difficulty in obtaining the additional financing required to operate and develop our business.
Our operations require significant amounts of cash, and we may be required to seek additional capital, whether from sales of equity or borrowing additional money, for the future growth and development of our business. The terms or availability of additional capital is uncertain. Moreover, the indentures for our outstanding debt securities and our Revolving Credit Agreement contain provisions that restrict the debt we may incur and the equity we may issue in the future. If we are not successful in obtaining sufficient capital, it could reduce our sales and may hinder our future growth and results of operations. In addition, pledging substantially all of our assets to support the Revolving Credit Agreement, the 111/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 and the 18.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 issued in the Exchange Offer may make it more difficult to raise additional financing in the future.
Also, our mortgage business currently operates with working capital from a Mortgage Master Repurchase Agreement that comes due in July 2009. We believe we will be able to extend the Master Repurchase Agreement beyond its expiration date, but there can be no assurance of such extension.
Our future growth may include additional acquisitions of companies that may not be successfully integrated and may not achieve expected benefits.
Acquisitions of companies have contributed to our historical growth and may again be a component of our growth strategy in the future. In April 2006, we acquired Craftbuilt Homes. In the future, we may acquire other businesses, some of which may be significant. As a result of acquisitions of companies, we may need to seek additional financing and integrate product lines, dispersed operations and distinct corporate cultures. These integration efforts may not succeed or may distract our management from operating our existing business. Additionally, we may not be able to enhance our earnings as a result of acquisitions. Our failure to successfully identify and
16 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
manage future acquisitions could harm our operating results.
Our controlling stockholders are able to exercise significant influence over us.
Kevork S. Hovnanian, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, and Ara K. Hovnanian, our President and Chief Executive Officer, have voting control, through personal holdings and family-owned entities, of Class A and Class B common stock that enables them to cast approximately 72.3% of the votes that may be cast by the holders of our outstanding Class A and Class B common stock combined. Their combined stock ownership enables them to exert significant control over us, including power to control the election of our Board of Directors and to approve matters presented to our stockholders. This concentration of ownership may also make some transactions, including mergers or other changes in control, more difficult or impossible without their support. Also, because of their combined voting power, circumstances may occur in which their interests could be in conflict with the interests of other stakeholders.
Our net operating loss carryforwards could be substantially limited if we experience an ownership change as defined in the Internal Revenue Code.
Based on recent impairments and our current financial performance, we generated a net operating loss carryforward of $404.8 million for the year ending October 31, 2008, and we may generate net operating loss carryforwards in future years.
Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code contains rules that limit the ability of a company that undergoes an ownership change, which is generally any change in ownership of more than 50% of its stock over a three-year period, to utilize its net operating loss carryforwards and certain built-in losses recognized in years after the ownership change. These rules generally operate by focusing on ownership changes among stockholders owning directly or indirectly 5% or more of the stock of a company and any change in ownership arising from a new issuance of stock by the company.
If we undergo an ownership change for purposes of Section 382 as a result of future transactions involving our common stock, including purchases or sales of stock between 5% shareholders, our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and to recognize certain built-in losses would be subject to the limitations of Section 382. Depending on the resulting limitation, a significant portion of our net operating loss carryforwards could expire before we would be able to use them. Our inability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards could have a negative impact on our financial position and results of operations.
In August 2008, we announced that our Board of Directors adopted a shareholder rights plan designed to preserve shareholder value and the value of certain tax assets primarily associated with net loss carryforwards and built in losses under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details about the shareholder rights plan.
Utility shortages and outages or rate fluctuations could have an adverse effect on our operations.
In prior years, the areas in which we operate in California have experienced power shortages, including periods without electrical power, as well as significant fluctuations in utility costs. We may incur additional costs and may not be able to complete construction on a timely basis if such power shortages/outages and utility rate fluctuations continue. Furthermore, power shortages and outages, such as the blackout that occurred in 2003 in the Northeast, and rate fluctuations may adversely affect the regional economies in which we operate, which may reduce demand for our homes. Our operations may be adversely affected if further rate fluctuations and/or power shortages and outages occur in California, the Northeast or in our other markets.
Geopolitical risks and market disruption could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
Geopolitical events, such as the aftermath of the war with Iraq and the continuing involvement in Iraq, may have a substantial impact on the economy and the housing market. The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 had an impact on our business and the occurrence of similar events in the future cannot be ruled out. The war and the continuing involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, terrorism and related geopolitical risks have created many economic and political uncertainties, some of which may have additional material adverse effects on the U.S. economy, and our customers and, in turn, our results of operations and financial condition.
ITEM
1B
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM
2
PROPERTIES
We own a 69,000 square foot office complex located in the Northeast that serves as our corporate headquarters. We own 215,000 square feet of office and warehouse space throughout the Midwest. We lease approximately 868,000 square feet of space for our segments located in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and West.
17 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
ITEM 3
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, none of which is expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations, and we are subject to extensive and complex regulations that affect the development and home building, sales and customer financing processes, including zoning, density, building standards and mortgage financing. These regulations often provide broad discretion to the administering governmental authorities. This can delay or increase the cost of development or homebuilding.
We also are subject to a variety of local, state, federal and foreign laws and regulations concerning protection of health and the environment. The particular environmental laws that apply to any given community vary greatly according to the community site, the site's environmental conditions and the present and former uses of the site. These environmental laws may result in delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance, remediation, and/or other costs, and can prohibit or severely restrict development and homebuilding activity.
In March 2005, we received two requests for information pursuant to Section 308 of the Clean Water Act from Region 3 of the Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA"). These requests sought information concerning storm water discharge practices in connection with completed, ongoing and planned homebuilding projects by subsidiaries in the states and district that comprise EPA Region 3. We also received a notice of violations for one project in Pennsylvania and requests for sampling plan implementation in two projects in Pennsylvania. We have subsequently received notification from the EPA alleging violations of storm water discharge practices at other locations and requesting related information. We provided the EPA with information in response to its requests. The Department of Justice ("DOJ") is also involved in the review of these practices and enforcement with respect to them. We are engaged in discussions with the DOJ and EPA regarding a resolution of these matters. We cannot predict whether those discussions will result in a resolution, or what any resolution of these matters ultimately will require of us.
We anticipate that increasingly stringent requirements will be imposed on developers and homebuilders in the future. Although we cannot predict the effect of these requirements, they could result in time-consuming and expensive compliance programs and in substantial expenditures, which could cause delays and increase our cost of operations. In addition, the continued effectiveness of permits already granted or approvals already obtained is dependent upon many factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as changes in policies, rules and regulations and their interpretations and application.
The Company is also involved in the following litigation in different parts of the country:
The Company, Chief Executive Officer and President Ara K. Hovnanian, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer J. Larry Sorsby and a former officer of a Company subsidiary have been named as defendants in a purported class action. The original complaint, which only named Mr. Sorsby as a defendant, was filed on September 14, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, captioned Herbert Mankofsky v. J. Larry Sorsby, and names only Mr. Sorsby as a defendant. On January 31, 2008, the court appointed Herbert Mankofsky as Lead Plaintiff. On February 19, 2008, the action was transferred to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. On March 10, 2008, plaintiff filed an amended complaint, captioned In re Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. Securities Litigation, alleging, among other things, that the defendants violated federal securities laws by making false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business and future prospects in connection with the Company's acquisition of First Home Builders of Florida. The Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the amended complaint on July 14, 2008. On September 11, 2008, plaintiff filed his opposition to the Motion to Dismiss. The Company filed its reply brief on October 28, 2008. The Motion to Dismiss is now fully briefed and is pending before the court.
The Company has been named as a defendant in a purported class action suit filed May 30, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Mark W. Mellar, et al., v. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., et al., asserting that the Company's sales of homes along with the financing of home purchases and the provision of title insurance by affiliated companies violated the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. Plaintiffs seek to represent a class of persons who purchased a home from the Company, who received a mortgage loan via a subsidiary of the Company and/or who bought title insurance from a company affiliated with the Company, and are seeking damages (including treble damages), declaratory and injunctive relief, and attorney's fees and costs. The Company's Motion to Dismiss the complaint was denied by the Court on March 4, 2008 without prejudice. The case was settled in October 2008 (with the Stipulation of Dismissal filed with the Court on November 5, 2008) and the terms of the settlement had no material impact on the Company.
A subsidiary of the Company has been named as a defendant in a purported class action suit filed on May 30, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Randolph Sewell, et al., v. D'Allesandro & Woodyard, et al., alleging violations of
18 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
the federal securities acts, among other allegations, in connection with the sale of some of the subsidiary's homes in Fort Myers, Florida. Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on October 19, 2007. Plaintiffs sought to represent a class of certain home purchasers in southwestern Florida and sought damages, rescission of certain purchase agreements, restitution of out-of-pocket expenses, and attorneys' fees and costs. The Company's subsidiary filed a Motion to Dismiss the amended complaint on December 14, 2007. Following oral argument on the motion in September 2008, the court dismissed the amended complaint with leave for plaintiffs to amend. Plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint on October 31, 2008. Plaintiffs seek to represent a class of certain home purchasers in southwestern Florida and seek damages, rescission of certain purchase agreements, restitution of out-of-pocket expenses, and attorneys' fees and costs.
On April 4, 2008, K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. ("K. Hovnanian"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, initiated arbitration proceedings against GMAC Model Home Finance, LLC ("GMAC") to resolve a dispute arising under a Model Purchase, Construction Management and Rental Agreement dated October 4, 2001 (the "Agreement"). The Company is the guarantor of K. Hovnanian's obligations under the Agreement. On March 31, 2008, GMAC advised K. Hovnanian that it was terminating all model home leases and intended to take possession of all model homes at issue based on the claim that K. Hovnanian had defaulted under the Agreement. In its arbitration demand, K. Hovnanian disputes the existence of any default and claims that GMAC has materially breached the Agreement by failing to fund certain construction costs. On April 25, 2008, GMAC asserted counterclaims against K. Hovnanian and the Company alleging that K. Hovnanian defaulted and that all leases were terminated. On September 4, 2008, parties entered into a settlement and release agreement resolving all disputes between them arising under the Agreement. The terms of the settlement had no material impact on the Company.
ITEM
4
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008, no matters were submitted to a vote of security holders. See Note 23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the first quarter of fiscal 2009.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Information on executive officers of the registrant is incorporated herein from Part III, Item 10.
Part II
ITEM
5
MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our Class A Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and was held by 597 stockholders of record at December 19, 2008. There is no established public trading market for our Class B Common Stock, which was held by 284 stockholders of record at December 19, 2008. In order to trade Class B Common Stock, the shares must be converted into Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis. The high and low sales prices for our Class A Common Stock were as follows for each fiscal quarter during the years ended October 31, 2008 and 2007:
|
Oct. 31, 2008 |
Oct. 31, 2007 |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||||
Quarter |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
First |
$ | 10.45 | $ | 4.80 | $ | 38.01 | $ | 27.81 | |||||
Second |
$ | 12.41 | $ | 8.09 | $ | 36.98 | $ | 22.85 | |||||
Third |
$ | 11.87 | $ | 4.64 | $ | 25.95 | $ | 13.24 | |||||
Fourth |
$ | 9.05 | $ | 3.38 | $ | 16.22 | $ | 9.99 | |||||
Certain debt instruments to which we are a party contain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends. As a result of the most restrictive of these provisions, we are not currently able to pay any cash dividends. We have never paid a cash dividend to common stockholders.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
In July 2001, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to purchase up to 4 million shares of Class A Common Stock (adjusted for a 2 for 1 stock dividend on March 5, 2004). No shares of our Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock were purchased by or on behalf of Hovnanian Enterprises or any affiliated purchaser during the fiscal fourth quarter of 2008 (excluding purchases by certain members of the Hovnanian family, which have been previously reported in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission). The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the Company's plans or programs is 0.6 million.
19 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
ITEM
6
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Per common share data and weighted average number of common shares outstanding reflect all stock splits. The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
|
Year Ended |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Summary Consolidated Statements of Operations Data (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data) |
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
October 31, 2006 |
October 31, 2005 |
October 31, 2004 |
||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 3,308,111 | $ | 4,798,921 | $ | 6,148,235 | $ | 5,348,417 | $ | 4,153,890 | |||||||
Expenses |
4,439,559 | 5,417,664 | 5,930,514 | 4,602,871 | 3,608,909 | ||||||||||||
(Loss) income from unconsolidated joint ventures |
(36,600 | ) | (28,223 | ) | 15,385 | 35,039 | 4,791 | ||||||||||
(Loss) income before income taxes |
(1,168,048 | ) | (646,966 | ) | 233,106 | 780,585 | 549,772 | ||||||||||
State and Federal income tax (benefit)/provision |
(43,458 | ) | (19,847 | ) | 83,573 | 308,738 | 201,091 | ||||||||||
Net (loss) income |
(1,124,590 | ) | (627,119 | ) | 149,533 | 471,847 | 348,681 | ||||||||||
Less: preferred stock dividends |
| 10,674 | 10,675 | 2,758 | | ||||||||||||
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders |
$ | (1,124,590 | ) | $ | (637,793 | ) | $ | 138,858 | $ | 469,089 | $ | 348,681 | |||||
Per share data: |
|||||||||||||||||
Basic: |
|||||||||||||||||
(Loss) income per common share |
$ | (16.04 | ) | $ | (10.11 | ) | $ | 2.21 | $ | 7.51 | $ | 5.63 | |||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding |
70,131 | 63,079 | 62,822 | 62,490 | 61,892 | ||||||||||||
Assuming dilution: |
|||||||||||||||||
(Loss) income per common share |
$ | (16.04 | ) | $ | (10.11 | ) | $ | 2.14 | $ | 7.16 | $ | 5.35 | |||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding |
70,131 | 63,079 | 64,838 | 65,549 | 65,133 | ||||||||||||
Summary Consolidated Balance Sheet Data |
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
October 31, 2006 |
October 31, 2005 |
October 31, 2004 |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In Thousands) |
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 3,637,322 | $ | 4,540,548 | $ | 5,480,035 | $ | 4,726,138 | $ | 3,156,267 | ||||||
Mortgages, term loans, revolving credit agreements, and notes payable |
$ | 107,913 | $ | 410,298 | $ | 319,943 | $ | 271,868 | $ | 354,055 | ||||||
Senior secured notes, senior notes, and senior subordinated notes |
$ | 2,505,805 | $ | 1,910,600 | $ | 2,049,778 | $ | 1,498,739 | $ | 902,737 | ||||||
Stockholders' equity |
$ | 330,264 | $ | 1,321,803 | $ | 1,942,163 | $ | 1,791,357 | $ | 1,192,394 | ||||||
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends
For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends, earnings consist of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and income or loss from equity investees, plus fixed charges and distributed income of equity investees, less interest capitalized. Fixed charges consist of all interest incurred plus the amortization of debt issuance costs and bond discounts. Combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends consist of fixed charges and preferred stock dividends declared. The fourth quarter of 2005 was the first period we declared and paid preferred stock dividends and, due to covenant restrictions, we have been prohibited from paying dividends beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2008.
The following table sets forth the ratios of earnings to fixed charges and the ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for each of the periods indicated:
|
Years Ended October 31, |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
|||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges |
(a | ) | (a | ) | 2.0 | 7.8 | 6.3 | |||||||||
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends |
(b | ) | (b | ) | 1.8 | 7.5 | 6.3 | |||||||||
20 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
ITEM 7
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Beginning during the second half of our fiscal year ended October 31, 2006 and continuing through today, the U. S. housing market has been impacted by a lack of consumer confidence, increasing home foreclosure rates and large supplies of resale and new home inventories. The result has been weakened demand for new homes, slower sales, higher than normal cancellation rates, and increased price discounts and other sales incentives to attract homebuyers. Additionally, the availability of certain mortgage financing products became more constrained starting in February 2007 when the mortgage industry began to more closely scrutinize sub-prime, Alt-A, and other non-prime mortgage products. The combination of these homebuilding industry and related mortgage financing developments resulted in significant decreases in our revenues and gross margins during 2008 and 2007 compared with prior years. Additionally, we incurred total land-related charges of $710.1 million and $457.8 million for the years ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. These charges resulted from the write-off of deposit and preacquisition costs of $114.1 million and $126.0 million, respectively, related to land we no longer plan to pursue and impairments on owned inventory of $596.0 million and $331.8 million for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2008 and 2007. In addition to land related charges, the continued weakening of the market resulted in impairments of our intangible assets and goodwill of $35.4 million and $135.2 million during fiscal 2008 and 2007, respectively.
We have exposure to additional impairments of our inventories, which, as of October 31, 2008, have a book value of $2.2 billion, net of $719.0 million of impairments recorded on 181 of our communities. We also have $161.7 million invested in 16,464 lots under option, including cash and letters of credit deposits of $69.9 million as of October 31, 2008. We will record a write-off for the amounts associated with an option if we determine it is probable we will not exercise it. As of October 31, 2008, we have total investments in, and advances to, unconsolidated joint ventures of $71.1 million. Each of our joint ventures assesses its inventory and other long-lived assets for impairment in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which has resulted in reductions in our investment in joint ventures of $72.2 million from our second half of fiscal 2006 through October 31, 2008. We still have exposure to future write-downs of our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures if conditions continue to deteriorate in the markets that our joint ventures operate. With respect to goodwill and intangibles, there is no remaining risk of further exposure to impairments because both goodwill and definite life intangibles have been fully written off as of October 31, 2008.
We continue to operate our business with the expectation that difficult market conditions will continue to impact us for at least the near term. We have adjusted our approach to land acquisition and construction practices and continue to shorten our land pipeline, reduce production volumes, and balance home price and profitability with sales pace. We are delaying and cancelling planned land purchases and renegotiating land prices and have significantly reduced our total number of controlled lots owned and under option. Additionally, we are significantly reducing the number of speculative homes put into production. While we will continue to purchase select land positions where it makes strategic and economic sense to do so, we currently anticipate minimal investment in new land parcels in fiscal 2009. We have also closely evaluated and made reductions in selling, general and administrative expenses, including corporate general and administrative expenses, reducing these expenses $165.3 million from $625.2 million in fiscal 2007 to $459.9 million in fiscal 2008 due in large part to a 59% reduction head count from our peak in June 2006. Given the persistence of these difficult market conditions, improving the efficiency of our selling, general and administrative expenses will continue to be a significant area of focus. We believe that these measures will help to strengthen our market position and allow us to take advantage of opportunities that will develop in the future.
Critical Accounting Policies
Management believes that the following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements:
Business CombinationsWhen we make an acquisition of another company, we use the purchase method of accounting in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141 "Business Combinations" ("SFAS 141"). Under SFAS 141, we record as our cost the estimated fair value of the acquired assets less liabilities assumed. Any difference between the cost of an acquired company and the sum of the fair values of tangible and intangible assets less liabilities is recorded as goodwill. The reported income of an acquired company includes the operations of the acquired company from the date of acquisition.
Income Recognition from Home and Land SalesWe are primarily engaged in the development, construction, marketing and sale of residential single-family and multi-family homes where the planned construction cycle is less than 12 months. For these homes, in accordance with SFAS No. 66, "Accounting for Sales of Real Estate" ("SFAS 66"), revenue is recognized when title is conveyed to the buyer, adequate initial and continuing investments have been received and there is no continued involvement. In
21 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
situations where the buyer's financing is originated by our mortgage subsidiary and the buyer has not made an adequate initial or continuing investment as prescribed by SFAS 66, the profit on such sales is deferred until the sale of the related mortgage loan to a third-party investor has been completed.
Additionally, in certain markets, we sell lots to customers, transferring title, collecting proceeds, and entering into contracts to build homes on these lots. In these cases, we do not recognize the revenue from the lot sale until we deliver the completed home and have no continued involvement related to that home. The cash received on the lot is recorded as a component of inventory until the revenue is recognized.
Income Recognition from High-Rise/Mid-Rise ProjectsWe are developing several high-rise/mid-rise buildings that will take more than 12 months to complete. If these buildings qualify, revenues and costs are recognized using the percentage of completion method of accounting in accordance with SFAS 66. Under the percentage of completion method, revenues and costs are to be recognized when construction is beyond the preliminary stage, the buyer is committed to the extent of having a sufficient initial and continuing investment that the buyer cannot require to be refunded except for non-delivery of the home, sufficient homes in the building have been sold to ensure that the property will not be converted to rental property, the sales prices are collectible and the aggregate sales proceeds and the total cost of the building can be reasonably estimated. We currently do not have any buildings that meet these criteria; therefore the revenues from delivering homes in high-rise/mid-rise buildings are recognized when title is conveyed to the buyer, adequate initial and continuing involvement have been received and there is no continued involvement with respect to that home.
Income Recognition from Mortgage LoansOur Financial Services segment originates mortgages, primarily for our homebuilding customers. We use mandatory mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") forward commitments and investor commitments to hedge our mortgage-related interest rate exposure on agency and government loans. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk. Credit risk associated with MBS forward commitments and loan sales transactions is managed by limiting our counterparties to investment banks, federally regulated bank affiliates and other investors meeting our credit standards. Our risk, in the event of default by the purchaser, is the difference between the contract price and fair value of the MBS forward commitments. In an effort to reduce our exposure to the marketability and disposal of non-agency and non-governmental loans, including Alt-A (FICO scores below 680 and depending on credit criteria) and sub-prime loans (FICO scores below 580 and depending on credit criteria), we require our Financial Services segment to either presell or broker all of these loans, on an individual loan basis as soon as they are committed to by the customer. However, because of the recent tightening by mortgage lenders, our origination of Alt-A and sub-prime loans has declined to only 7.6% and 0.3%, respectively, of the total loans we originated during fiscal 2008, as compared to 27.3% and 3.7%, respectively, for the same period last year. In addition, of the $87.5 million of mortgage loans held for sale as of October 31, 2008, none were Alt-A or sub-prime loans. There were, however, $3.2 million of mortgage loans held for investment at October 31, 2008, which represent loans that cannot currently be sold at reasonable terms in the secondary mortgage market. As Alt-A and sub-prime originations declined, we have seen an increase in our level of Federal Housing Administration and Veterans Administration ("FHA/VA") loan origination. For the twelve months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, FHA/VA loans represented 35.5% and 6.5%, respectively, of our total loans. Profits and losses relating to the sale of mortgage loans are recognized when legal control passes to the buyer of the mortgage and the sales price is collected.
Interest Income Recognition for Mortgage Loans Receivable and Recognition of Related Deferred Fees and CostsInterest income is recognized as earned for each mortgage loan during the period from the loan closing date to the sale date when legal control passes to the buyer, and the sale price is collected. All fees related to the origination of mortgage loans and direct loan origination costs are deferred and recorded as either (a) an adjustment to the related mortgage loans upon the closing of a loan or (b) recognized as a deferred asset or deferred revenue while the loan is in process. These fees and costs include loan origination fees, loan discount, and salaries and wages. Such deferred fees and costs relating to the closed loans are recognized over the life of the loans as an adjustment of yield or taken into operations upon sale of the loan to a permanent investor.
InventoriesInventories consist of land, land development, home construction costs, capitalized interest and construction overhead and are stated at cost, net of impairment losses, if any. Construction costs are accumulated during the period of construction and charged to cost of sales under specific identification methods. Land, land development and common facility costs are allocated based on buildable acres to product types within each community, then charged to cost of sales equally based upon the number of homes to be constructed in each product type.
We report inventories in our consolidated balance sheets at the lower of cost or fair value. Our inventories consist of the following three components: (1) Sold and unsold homes and lots under development, which includes all construction, land, and
22 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
land development costs related to started homes and land under development in our active communities; (2) Land and land options held for future development or sale, which includes all costs related to land in our communities in planning; and (3) Consolidated inventory not owned, which includes all cost related to specific performance options, variable interest entities, and other options, which consists primarily of our GMAC model homes and inventory related to structured lot options.
As a result of the declining homebuilding market, we have decided to mothball (or stop development on) certain communities where we determine the current performance does not justify further investment at this time. When we decide to mothball a community, the inventory is reclassified from Sold and unsold homes and lots under development to Land and land options held for future development or sale. As of October 31, 2008, the book value associated with the 54 mothballed communities was $550.4 million, net of an impairment balance of $290.1 million. We continually review communities to determine if mothballing is appropriate.
The recoverability of inventories and other long-lived assets are assessed in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS 144"). SFAS 144 requires long-lived assets, including inventories, held for development to be evaluated for impairment based on undiscounted future cash flows of the assets at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows. As such, we evaluate inventories for impairment at the individual community level, the lowest level of discrete cash flows that we measure.
We evaluate inventories of communities under development and held for future development for impairment when indicators of potential impairment are present. Indicators of impairment include, but are not limited to, decreases in local housing market values, decreases in gross margins or sales absorption rates, decreases in net sales prices (base sales price net of sales incentives), or actual or projected operating or cash flow losses. The assessment of communities for indication of impairment is performed quarterly, primarily by completing detailed budgets for all of our communities and identifying those communities with a projected operating loss for any projected fiscal year or for the entire projected community life. For those communities with projected losses, we estimate remaining undiscounted future cash flows and compare those to the carrying value of the community, to determine if the carrying value of the asset is recoverable.
The projected operating profits, losses or cash flows of each community can be significantly impacted by our estimates of the following:
These estimates are dependent upon specific market conditions for each community. While we consider available information to determine what we believe to be our best estimates as of the end of a quarterly reporting period, these estimates are subject to change in future reporting periods as facts and circumstances change. Local market-specific conditions that may impact our estimates for a community include:
These and other local market-specific conditions that may be present are considered by management in preparing projection assumptions for each community. The sales objectives can differ between our communities, even within a given market. For example, facts and circumstances in a given community may lead us to price our homes with the objective of yielding a higher sales absorption pace, while facts and circumstances in another community may lead us to price our homes to minimize deterioration in our gross margins, although it may result in a slower sales absorption pace. In addition, the key assumptions included in our estimate of future undiscounted cash flows may be interrelated. For example, a decrease in estimated base sales price or an increase in homes sales incentives may result in a corresponding increase in sales absorption pace. Additionally, a decrease in the average sales price of homes to be sold and closed in future reporting periods for one community that has not been generating what management believes to be an adequate sales absorption pace may impact the estimated cash flow assumptions of a nearby community. Changes in our key assumptions, including estimated construction and development costs, absorption pace and selling strategies, could materially impact future cash flow and fair value estimates. Due to the number of possible scenarios that would result from various changes in these factors, we do not believe it is possible to develop a sensitivity analysis with a level of precision that would be meaningful to an investor.
23 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
If the undiscounted cash flows are more than the carrying value of the community, then the carrying amount is recoverable, and no impairment adjustment is required. However, if the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, then the community is deemed impaired and is written-down to its fair value. We determine the estimated fair value of each community by determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows at a discount rate commensurate with the risk of the respective community. Our discount rates used for the impairments recorded to date range from 13.5% to 17.0%. The estimated future cash flow assumptions are the same for both our recoverability and fair value assessments. Should the estimates or expectations used in determining estimated cash flows or fair value decrease or differ from current estimates in the future, we may be required to recognize additional impairments related to current and future communities. The impairment of a community is allocated to each lot on a straight line basis.
Inventories held for sale, which are land parcels where we have decided not to build homes, are a very small portion of our total inventories, and are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. In determining whether land held for sale is impaired, management considers, among other things, prices for land in recent comparable sale transactions, market analysis studies, which include the estimated price a willing buyer would pay for the land (other than in a forced liquidation sale) and recent bona fide offers received from outside third parties, if available.
From time to time, we write-off deposits and approval, engineering and capitalized interest costs when we decide not to exercise options to buy land in various locations or when we redesign communities and/or abandon certain engineering costs. In deciding not to exercise a land option, we take into consideration changes in market conditions, the timing of required land takedowns, the willingness of land sellers to modify terms of the land option contract (including timing of land takedowns), and the availability and best use of our capital, among other factors. The write-off is recorded in the period it is deemed probable that the optioned property will not be acquired. In certain instances, we have been able to recover deposits and other preacquisition costs which were previously written off. These recoveries are generally not significant in comparison to the total costs written off.
The impairment of communities under development and held for future development and inventories held for sale, and the charge for land option write-offs, are reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Operations in a separate line entitled "Homebuilding Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs". See also the "Results of Operations" below and Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for inventory impairment and write-off amounts by segment.
Insurance Deductible ReservesFor homes delivered in fiscal 2008 and 2007, our deductible is $20 million per occurrence with an aggregate $20 million for liability claims and an aggregate $21.5 million for construction defect claims under our general liability insurance. Our worker's compensation insurance deductible is $0.5 million per occurrence in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007. Reserves have been established based upon actuarial analysis of estimated losses for fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007. We engage a third party actuary that uses our historical warranty data to estimate our unpaid claims, claim adjustment expenses and incurred but not reported claims reserves for the risks that we are assuming under the general liability and workers compensation programs. The estimates include provisions for inflation, claims handling and legal fees. These estimates are subject to a high degree of variability due to uncertainties such as trends in construction defect claims relative to our markets and the types of products we build, claim settlement patterns, insurance industry practices and legal interpretations, among others. Because of the high degree of judgment required in determining these estimated liability amounts, actual future costs could differ significantly from our currently estimated amounts.
InterestIn accordance with SFAS 34, "Capitalization of Interest Cost", interest incurred is first capitalized to properties under development during the land development and home construction period and expensed along with the associated cost of sales as the related inventories are sold. Interest incurred in excess of interest capitalized because qualifying assets for interest capitalization are less than debt, or interest incurred on borrowings directly related to properties not under development are expensed immediately in "Other interest".
Land OptionsCosts are capitalized when incurred and either included as part of the purchase price when the land is acquired or charged to operations when we determine we will not exercise the option. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Interpretation No. 46R ("FIN 46R") "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities", an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, SFAS No. 49 "Accounting for Product Financing Arrangements" ("SFAS 49"), SFAS No. 98 "Accounting for Leases" ("SFAS 98"), and Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") No. 97-10 "The Effects of Lessee Involvement in Asset Construction" ("EITF 97-10"), we record on the Consolidated Balance Sheets specific performance options, options with variable interest
24 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
entities and other options under "Consolidated inventory not owned" with the offset to "Liabilities from inventory not owned" and "Minority interest from inventory not owned".
Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint VenturesInvestments in unconsolidated homebuilding and land development joint ventures are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, we recognize our proportionate share of earnings and losses earned by the joint venture upon the delivery of lots or homes to third parties. Our ownership interest in joint ventures varies but is generally less than or equal to 50%. In determining whether or not we must consolidate joint ventures where we are the managing member of the joint venture, we consider the guidance in EITF 04-5, "Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights" ("EITF 04-5"), in assessing whether the other partners have specific rights to overcome the presumption of control by us as the manager of the joint venture. In most cases, the presumption is overcome because the joint venture agreements require that both partners agree on establishing the operating and capital decisions of the partnership, including budgets, in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion 18 ("APB 18"), we assess our investments in unconsolidated joint ventures for recoverability, and if it is determined that a loss in value of the investment is other than temporary, we write-down the investment to the recoverable value. We evaluate our equity investments for recoverability based on the joint venture's projected cash flows. In fiscal 2008, we wrote-down certain joint venture investments by $11.3 million, based on this recoverability analysis.
Intangible AssetsThe intangible assets recorded on our October 31, 2007 balance sheet are goodwill, which has an indefinite life, and definite life intangibles, including trade names, architectural designs, distribution processes, and contractual agreements resulting from our acquisitions. We no longer amortize goodwill but instead assess it periodically for impairment. We performed such assessments utilizing a fair value approach as of October 31, 2008. If the fair value of the applicable business unit is less than the carrying amount of that business unit, the goodwill of that business unit is considered impaired. The amount of the impairment is determined as the excess of the book value of the goodwill over the implied fair value of the goodwill, and the implied fair value of the goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination is determined. That is, the fair value of the business unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that business unit as if the business unit had been acquired in a business combination. The excess of the fair value of the business unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. The estimates used in the determination of the estimated cash flows and fair value of a business unit are based on factors known to us at the time such estimates are made and our expectations of future operations and economic conditions. Should the estimates or expectations used in determining estimated cash flows or fair value decrease or differ from current estimates in the future, we may be required to recognize additional impairments. This was the case in fiscal 2008, whereby we wrote-off the remaining $32.7 million of goodwill balance based upon present value cash flow analyses, bringing the balance to zero at October 31, 2008. The goodwill impairment charge was included in "Goodwill and intangible amortization and impairment" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
We also assess definite life intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An intangible impairment is recorded when events and circumstances indicate the undiscounted future cash flows generated from the business unit with the intangible asset are less than the net assets of the business unit. The impairment loss is the lesser of the difference between the net assets of the business unit and the discounted future cash flows generated from the applicable business unit, which approximates fair value and the intangible asset balance. The estimates used in the determination of the estimated cash flows and fair value of a business unit are based on factors known to us at the time such estimates are made and our expectations of future operations and economic conditions. Should the estimates or expectations used in determining estimated cash flows or fair value decrease or differ from current estimates in the future, we may be required to recognize additional impairments. This was the case in fiscal 2008, whereby we wrote off $2.7 million of intangible assets carrying amount, bringing the balance to zero at October 31, 2008. In fiscal 2007, we determined that the intangible assets associated with our Fort Myers, California, Tampa, Orlando, Canton and Building Products operations were impaired and wrote them off for a total reduction of $162.2 million, of which $135.2 million was included in "Goodwill and intangible amortization and impairment" on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and $27.0 million was included in "Accounts payable and other liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The intangible impairment charge is included in "Goodwill and intangible amortization and impairment" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
25 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Post-Development Completion and Warranty CostsIn those instances where a development is substantially completed and sold and we have additional construction work to be incurred, an estimated liability is provided to cover the cost of such work. In addition, we accrue warranty costs as part of cost of sales for repair costs under $5,000 per occurrence to homes, community amenities and land development infrastructure. In addition, we accrue for warranty costs over $5,000 per occurrence as part of our general liability insurance deductible expensed as selling, general and administrative costs. As previously stated, the deductible for our general liability insurance for homes delivered in fiscal 2008 and 2007 is $20 million per occurrence with an aggregate $20 million for liability claims, and an aggregate $21.5 million for construction defect claims. Both of these liabilities are recorded in "Accounts payable and other liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Deferred Income TaxesDeferred income taxes or income tax benefits are provided for temporary differences between amounts recorded for financial reporting and for income tax purposes. If, for some reason, the combination of future years income (or loss) combined with the reversal of the timing differences results in a loss, such losses can be carried back to prior years or carried forward to future years to recover the deferred tax assets. In accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"), we evaluate our deferred tax assets quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required. SFAS 109 requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established based on the consideration of all available evidence using a "more likely than not" standard. See Total Taxes below under Results of Operations for further discussion of the valuation allowances.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Our operations consist primarily of residential housing development and sales in the Northeast (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania), the Midwest (Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio), the Mid-Atlantic (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D. C.), the Southeast (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina), the Southwest (Arizona, Texas) and the West (California). In addition, we provide financial services to our homebuilding customers.
Our cash uses during the twelve months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007 were for operating expenses, construction, state income taxes, and interest. We provided for our cash requirements from available cash on hand, housing and land sales, the issuance of $600 million of senior secured second lien notes ("Senior Secured Notes"), the issuance of 14 million shares of Class A Common Stock, the revolving credit facility, financial service revenues, a federal tax refund and other revenues. We believe that these sources of cash are sufficient to finance our working capital requirements and other needs, despite continued declines in total revenues and a reduction in the availability under our revolving credit facility. For fiscal 2009, we are focused on maximizing cash flow, even at the expense of lower gross margins, by limiting investments in new communities and delaying further investment in current communities thereby reducing our inventory as we continue to build and deliver homes from our current communities. In addition, we anticipate receiving a federal tax refund in fiscal 2009 of $145.2 million. We may also enter into land sale agreements or joint ventures to generate cash from our existing balance sheet.
On December 3, 2008, we issued $29.3 million of 18% Senior Secured Notes in exchange for $71.4 million of our unsecured senior notes. On May 27, 2008, we issued $600 million of 111/2% Senior Secured Notes, and the Amendment to the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which reduced the aggregate amount of commitments from $900 million to $300 million, became effective. Availability under the Amended Credit Agreement equals the lesser of $300 million and the amount available pursuant to the borrowing base and the sub-limit for revolving loans is $100 million. The Amended Credit Agreement eliminated all but one of the financial maintenance covenants, which requires that as of the last day of each fiscal quarter either (1) the ratio of our adjusted operating cash flow to fixed charges exceed 1.50 to 1.00 or (2) our liquidity, as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement, equals or exceeds $100 million. Because of our $838.2 million of homebuilding cash at October 31, 2008 and our expectations of cash flows in fiscal 2009, we believe we will be in compliance with this new covenant through 2009.
Our net (loss) income historically does not approximate cash flow from operating activities. The difference between net (loss) income and cash flow from operating activities is primarily caused by changes in inventory levels together with changes in receivables, prepaid and other assets, interest and other accrued liabilities, deferred income taxes, accounts payable, mortgage loans and liabilities, and non-cash charges relating to depreciation, amortization of computer software costs, amortization of definite life intangibles, stock compensation awards and impairment losses for inventory, definite life intangibles and goodwill. When we are expanding our operations, which was the case in fiscal 2006, inventory levels, prepaids and other assets increase causing cash flow from operating
26 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
activities to decrease. Certain liabilities also increase as operations expand and partially offset the negative effect on cash flow from operations caused by the increase in inventory levels, prepaids and other assets. Similarly, as our mortgage operations expand, net income from these operations increase, but for cash flow purposes are offset by the net change in mortgage assets and liabilities. The opposite is true as our investment in new land purchases and development of new communities decrease, which is what has been happening since the last half of fiscal 2007 allowing us to generate positive cash flow from operations during this period. Looking forward, given the continued deterioration in the housing market, it will become more difficult to generate positive cash flow. However, we will continue to make adjustments to our structure and our business plans in order to maximize our liquidity.
On July 3, 2001, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to purchase up to 4 million shares of Class A Common Stock. As of October 31, 2008, 3.4 million shares of Class A Common Stock have been purchased under this program (See Part II, Item 5 for information on equity purchases). On March 5, 2004, our Board of Directors authorized a 2-for-1 stock split in the form of a 100% stock dividend. All share information reflects this stock dividend.
On July 12, 2005, we issued 5,600 shares of 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are not cumulative and are paid at an annual rate of 7.625%. The Series A Preferred Stock is not convertible into the Company's common stock and is redeemable in whole or in part at our option at the liquidation preference of the shares beginning on the fifth anniversary of their issuance. The Series A Preferred Stock is traded as depositary shares, with each depositary share representing 1/1000th of a share of Series A Preferred Stock. The depositary shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "HOVNP". In each of fiscal year 2007 and 2006, we paid $10.7 million of dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock. In fiscal 2008, we did not make any dividend payments as a result of covenant restrictions in the indentures governing our Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes discussed below. We anticipate that we will continue to be restricted from paying dividends into fiscal 2009 and potentially beyond.
On May 14, 2008, we issued 14,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock for net proceeds of $125.9 million.
On May 16, 2008, we entered into Amendment No. 1 (the "Amendment") to the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the "Amended Credit Agreement"). On May 27, 2008, in conjunction with the consummation of the issuance of $600 million of 111/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013, the Amendment became effective. The Amendment decreased the aggregate amount of commitments under the Amended Credit Agreement from $900 million to $300 million. The maturity date of the facility remains May 31, 2011. Availability under the Amended Credit Agreement equals the lesser of $300 million and the amount available pursuant to the borrowing base and the sub-limit for revolving loans is $100 million. Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal, at the Company's option, to (1) one, two, three or six month LIBOR, plus 4.50%, (2) a base rate equal to the greater of PNC Bank, National Association's prime rate and the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, plus 2.75% or (3) an index rate based on daily LIBOR, plus 4.625%. In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the revolving facility, the Company is required to pay an unused fee equal to 0.55% per annum on the daily average unused portion of the revolving facility. The Company will also pay a letter of credit fee of 4.50% per annum on the average outstanding face amount of letters of credit issued under the revolving facility. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the interest rate and fees payable under the revolving facility may not be less than the applicable interest rates and fees that would have been payable pursuant to the revolving facility that was in effect prior to March 7, 2008, the date of the Amended Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement may be used for general corporate purposes and working capital. A portion of the proceeds of the issuance of 111/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 were used to repay the outstanding balance of $325.0 million at May 27, 2008 under the Amended Credit Agreement. As of October 31, 2008, there was zero drawn under the Amended Credit Agreement, excluding letters of credit totaling $197.5 million. As of October 31, 2007, there was $206.8 million drawn under the Revolving Credit Agreement then in effect, excluding letters of credit totaling $306.4 million.
We and each of our subsidiaries are guarantors under the Amended Credit Agreement, except for K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. ("K. Hovnanian"), the borrower, certain of our financial services subsidiaries and joint ventures. All obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement, and the guarantees of those obligations, are secured, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions, by a first-priority lien on substantially all of the assets owned by us, K. Hovnanian and the guarantors.
The Amended Credit Agreement has covenants that restrict, among other things, the ability of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, including K.
27 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Hovnanian, to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on, and make distributions with respect to, common and preferred stock and repurchase capital stock, make other restricted payments, make investments, dispose of assets, incur liens, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its assets and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. The Amended Credit Agreement also contains a covenant that requires that as of the last day of each fiscal quarter either (1) the ratio of our adjusted operating cash flow to fixed charges exceed 1.50 to 1.00 or (2) our liquidity, as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement, equals or exceeds $100 million. However, the Amended Credit Agreement does not contain any other financial maintenance covenants. The Amended Credit Agreement contains events of default which would permit the lenders to accelerate the loans if not cured within applicable grace periods, including the failure to make timely payments under the Amended Credit Agreement or other material indebtedness, the failure to satisfy covenants, the failure of the documents granting security for the obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement to be in full force and effect and specified events of bankruptcy and insolvency. As of October 31, 2008, we were in compliance with the covenants under the Amended Credit Agreement.
Our wholly-owned mortgage banking subsidiary originates mortgage loans, primarily from the sale of our homes. Such mortgage loans and related servicing rights are sold in the secondary mortgage market within a short period of time. Our secured Master Repurchase Agreement, which was amended on July 7, 2008, with a group of banks is a short-term borrowing facility that provides up to $151 million through July 6, 2009. Interest is payable monthly at LIBOR plus 1.50% (4.08% at October 31, 2008). The loan is secured by the mortgages held for sale and is repaid when we sell the underlying mortgage loans to permanent investors. We also had a commercial paper facility which provided for up to $200 million through April 25, 2008 with interest payable monthly at LIBOR plus 0.40%. On November 28, 2007, we paid the outstanding balance in full and terminated the commercial paper facility. We believe that we will be able to extend the Master Repurchase Agreement beyond its expiration date, but there can be no assurance of such extension. As of October 31, 2008, the aggregate principal amount of all borrowings under the Master Repurchase Agreement was $84.8 million. The Master Repurchase Agreement requires K. Hovnanian American Mortgage, LLC to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios and other financial condition tests. As of October 31, 2008, we were in compliance with the covenants of the Master Repurchase Agreement.
On May 27, 2008, K. Hovnanian issued $600 million ($594.4 million net of discount) of 111/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013. The notes are secured, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions, by a second-priority lien on substantially all of the assets owned by us, K. Hovnanian and the guarantors to the extent such assets secure obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement. The notes are redeemable in whole or in part at our option at 102% of principal commencing November 1, 2010, 101% of principal commencing May 1, 2011 and 100% of principal commencing May 1, 2012. In addition, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes before May 1, 2011 with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at 111.50% of principal. A portion of the net proceeds of the issuance were used to repay the outstanding balance under the Amended Credit Agreement.
At October 31, 2008, we had $600 million of outstanding Senior Secured Notes due 2013 ($594.7 million net of discount). We also had $1,515.0 million of outstanding senior notes ($1,511.1 million, net of discount), comprised of $100 million 8% Senior Notes due 2012, $215 million 61/2% Senior Notes due 2014, $150 million 63/8% Senior Notes due 2014, $200 million 61/4% Senior Notes due 2015, $300 million 61/4% Senior Notes due 2016, $300 million 71/2% Senior Notes due 2016 and $250 million 85/8% Senior Notes due 2017. In addition, we had $400.0 million of outstanding senior subordinated notes, comprised of $150 million 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012, $150 million 73/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 and $100 million 6% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010.
On December 3, 2008 we issued $29.3 million of 18.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 in exchange for $71.4 million of our unsecured senior notes as follows: $0.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 8% Senior Notes due 2012, $12.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 61/2% Senior Notes due 2014, $1.1 million aggregate principal amount of the 63/8% Senior Notes due 2014, $3.3 million aggregate principal amount of the 61/4% Senior Notes due 2015, $24.8 million aggregate principal amount of the 71/2% Senior Notes due 2016, $28.7 million aggregate principal amount of the 61/4% Senior Notes due 2016 and $1.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 85/8% Senior Notes due 2017. The notes are secured, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions, by a third-priority lien on substantially all of the assets owned by us, K. Hovnanian and the guarantors to the extent such assets secure obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement and the 111/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013. The notes are redeemable in whole or in part at our option at 102% of principal commencing May 1, 2011, 101% of principal commencing November 1, 2011 and 100% of principal commencing November 1, 2012. In addition, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount
28 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
of the notes before May 1, 2011 with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at 118.0% of principal.
We and each of our subsidiaries are guarantors of the Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes, except for K. Hovnanian, the issuer of the notes, certain of our financial services subsidiaries and joint ventures. The indentures governing the Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes contain restrictive covenants that limit, among other things, the ability of Hovnanian and certain of its subsidiaries, including K. Hovnanian, the issuer of the Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes, to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends and make distributions on common and preferred stock, repurchase senior and senior subordinated notes (with respect to the senior secured notes indenture), make other restricted payments, make investments, sell certain assets, incur liens, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. If our consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the indentures governing our Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes, is less than 2.0 to 1.0, we are restricted from making certain payments, including dividends, and from incurring indebtedness other than certain permitted indebtedness, refinancing indebtedness and non-recourse indebtedness. As a result of this restriction, we are currently restricted from paying dividends on our 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock. If current market trends continue or worsen, we will continue to be restricted from paying dividends into fiscal 2009 and possibly future years. The restriction on making preferred dividend payments under our bond indentures will not affect our compliance with any of the covenants contained in the Amended Credit Agreement and will not permit the lenders under the Amended Credit Agreement to accelerate the loans. The indentures also contain events of default which would permit the holders of the Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes to declare those notes to be immediately due and payable if not cured within applicable grace periods, including the failure to make timely payments on the notes or other material indebtedness, the failure to satisfy covenants and specified events of bankruptcy and insolvency and, with respect to the indenture governing the senior secured notes, the failure of the documents granting security for the senior secured notes to be in full force and effect and the failure of the liens on any material portion of the collateral securing the senior secured notes to be valid and perfected. As of October 31, 2008, we were in compliance with the covenants of the indentures governing our outstanding notes. Under the terms of the indentures, we have the right to make certain redemptions and, depending on market conditions and covenant restrictions, may do so from time to time. We may also make debt purchases and/or exchanges through open market purchases, private transactions or otherwise from time to time depending on market conditions and covenant restrictions.
Total inventory decreased $1.3 billion, excluding inventory not owned, during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008. This decrease excluded the decrease in consolidated inventory not owned of $107.3 million consisting of specific performance options, options with variable interest entities, and other options that were added to our balance sheet in accordance with SFAS 49, SFAS 98, and EITF 97-10, and variable interest entities in accordance with FIN 46R. See "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements"Note 19 for additional information on FIN 46R. Total inventory decreased in the Northeast $203.9 million, in the Mid-Atlantic $189.8 million, in the Midwest $29.6 million, in the Southeast $166.8 million, in the Southwest $138.4 million, and in the West $523.4 million. These decreases were due to decisions to delay or terminate new communities, as well as slow spending in current communities and due to inventory impairments recorded in these segments. Substantially all homes under construction or completed and included in inventory at October 31, 2008 are expected to be closed during the next 12 months. Most inventory completed or under development was/is partially financed through our line of credit, preferred stock and senior secured, senior and senior subordinated indebtedness.
Despite the decrease in total inventory, our inventory representing "Land and land options held for future development or sale" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets increased by $197.9 million compared to October 31, 2007. The increase is due to "Sold and unsold home and lots under development inventory" being reclassified to "Land and land options held for future development or sale inventory" when we decide to mothball (or stop development on) a community. We mothball communities when we determine the current performance does not justify further investment at this time. That is, we believe we will generate higher returns if we avoid spending money to improve land today and save the raw land until such times as the markets improve. As of October 31, 2008, we have mothballed land in 54 communities. The book value associated with these 54 communities at October 31, 2008 was $550.4 million, net of an impairment balance of $290.1 million. We continually review communities to determine if mothballing is appropriate.
29 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
We usually option property for development prior to acquisition. By optioning property, we are only subject to the loss of the cost of the option and predevelopment costs if we choose not to exercise the option. As a result, our commitment for major land acquisitions is reduced. Inventory impairment losses, which include inventory that has been written-off or written-down, increased $252.3 million for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008, compared to the prior year. During the fiscal year 2008, we incurred $596.0 million in write-downs primarily attributable to impairments as a result of a continued decline in sales pace, sales price and general market conditions, as well as increased cancellation rates. In addition, we wrote-off costs in the amount of $114.1 million during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008.
The following table summarizes home sites included in our total residential real estate. The decrease in total home sites available in 2008 compared to 2007 is partially attributable to terminating certain option agreements, as discussed herein.
|
Total Home Sites |
Contracted Not Delivered |
Remaining Home Sites Available |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||
October 31, 2008: |
||||||||||
Northeast |
8,975 | 495 | 8,480 | |||||||
Mid-Atlantic |
6,306 | 385 | 5,921 | |||||||
Midwest |
2,969 | 291 | 2,678 | |||||||
Southeast |
4,480 | 163 | 4,317 | |||||||
Southwest |
8,192 | 420 | 7,772 | |||||||
West |
9,173 | 134 | 9,039 | |||||||
Consolidated total |
40,095 | 1,888 | 38,207 | |||||||
Unconsolidated joint ventures |
3,256 | 261 | 2,995 | |||||||
Total including unconsolidated joint ventures |
43,351 | 2,149 | 41,202 | |||||||
Owned |
23,439 | 1,557 | 21,882 | |||||||
Optioned |
16,464 | 139 | 16,325 | |||||||
Construction to permanent financing lots |
192 | 192 | | |||||||
Consolidated total |
40,095 | 1,888 | 38,207 | |||||||
Lots controlled by unconsolidated joint ventures |
3,256 | 261 | 2,995 | |||||||
Total including unconsolidated joint ventures |
43,351 | 2,149 | 41,202 | |||||||
October 31, 2007: |
||||||||||
Northeast |
12,923 | 967 | 11,956 | |||||||
Mid-Atlantic |
12,627 | 753 | 11,874 | |||||||
Midwest |
4,062 | 759 | 3,303 | |||||||
Southeast |
13,578 | 2,151 | 11,427 | |||||||
Southwest |
13,936 | 751 | 13,185 | |||||||
West |
9,797 | 547 | 9,250 | |||||||
Consolidated total |
66,923 | 5,928 | 60,995 | |||||||
Unconsolidated joint ventures |
4,326 | 425 | 3,901 | |||||||
Total including unconsolidated joint ventures |
71,249 | 6,353 | 64,896 | |||||||
Owned |
28,680 | 3,327 | 25,353 | |||||||
Optioned |
36,104 | 462 | 35,642 | |||||||
Construction to permanent financing lots |
2,139 | 2,139 | | |||||||
Consolidated total |
66,923 | 5,928 | 60,995 | |||||||
Lots controlled by unconsolidated joint ventures |
4,326 | 425 | 3,901 | |||||||
Total including unconsolidated joint ventures |
71,249 | 6,353 | 64,896 | |||||||
The following table summarizes our started or completed unsold homes and models, excluding unconsolidated joint ventures, in active and substantially completed communities:
|
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Unsold Homes |
Models |
Total |
Unsold Homes |
Models |
Total |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Northeast |
186 | 33 | 219 | 301 | 49 | 350 | |||||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic |
182 | 19 | 201 | 318 | 3 | 321 | |||||||||||||
Midwest |
70 | 27 | 97 | 125 | 28 | 153 | |||||||||||||
Southeast |
181 | 20 | 201 | 386 | 24 | 410 | |||||||||||||
Southwest |
566 | 125 | 691 | 787 | 91 | 878 | |||||||||||||
West |
90 | 97 | 187 | 473 | 237 | 710 | |||||||||||||
Total |
1,275 | 321 | 1,596 | 2,390 | 432 | 2,822 | |||||||||||||
Started or completed unsold homes and models per active selling communities(1) |
4.5 | 1.1 | 5.6 | 5.5 | 1.0 | 6.5 | |||||||||||||
The decrease in total unsold homes compared to the prior year is primarily due to an effort to sell inventoried homes during fiscal 2008. In some instances, this required giving additional incentives to homebuyers on completed unsold homes.
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures decreased $105.3 million during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008. A significant portion of the decrease is the result of consolidating a previously unconsolidated land development joint venture in our West segment, when our partner in the joint venture decided to terminate its investment. There was no debt associated with this joint venture and no further financial obligations required from us. However, we will be responsible for property taxes on the land previously owned by the joint venture going forward. Upon consolidating, no additional funds were invested in this land, as we had already invested the money in the lots via our investment in the joint venture. We decided not to walk away from the land investment of the joint venture because we believe we will be able to recover a portion of the original basis, whether or not developed. Because of the consolidation, we now own
30 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
the lots outright and they are included in our consolidated lot count. This resulted in reclassing $61.5 million investment in this joint venture to inventory. This inventory was subsequently impaired by $41.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 and we have mothballed the community for the time being. Also contributing to the decrease in investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures are distributions received from joint ventures and losses incurred by joint ventures, primarily related to inventory impairments and land option and walk away costs during fiscal 2008, partially offset by increases resulting from joint venture income not distributed and additional investments in joint ventures. As of October 31, 2008, we have investments in ten homebuilding joint ventures and seven land development joint ventures. Other than guarantees limited only to completion of development, environmental indemnification and standard indemnification for fraud and misrepresentation including voluntary bankruptcy, we have no guarantees associated with unconsolidated joint ventures.
Receivables, deposits and notes decreased $31.1 million to $78.8 million at October 31, 2008. The decrease is primarily due to the receipt of cash of $20.2 million from insurance carriers related to outstanding warranty claims, as well as the return of refundable deposits as we complete communities and the required land development.
Property, plant and equipment decreased $14.0 million primarily due to depreciation and disposals, which were not offset by additions during the period as we elected to reduce our investment in new property, plant and equipment in the current market environment.
Prepaid expenses and other assets are as follows as of:
(In Thousands) |
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
Dollar Change |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||
Prepaid insurance |
$ | 8,262 | $ | 6,769 | $ | 1,493 | ||||
Prepaid project costs |
82,394 | 110,439 | (28,045 | ) | ||||||
Senior residential rental properties |
7,321 | 7,694 | (373 | ) | ||||||
Other prepaids |
49,167 | 20,995 | 28,172 | |||||||
Other assets |
9,451 | 28,135 | (18,684 | ) | ||||||
Total |
$ | 156,595 | $ | 174,032 | $ | (17,437 | ) | |||
Prepaid insurance increased slightly due to the timing of payments for insurance premium costs. These costs are amortized over the life of the associated insurance policy. Prepaid project costs decreased for homes delivered and have not been replenished, as we have reduced the number of active selling communities given the current homebuilding environment. Prepaid project costs consist of community specific expenditures that are used over the life of the community. Such prepaids are expensed as homes are delivered. Other prepaids increased primarily as a result of fees paid in connection with the issuance of the $600 million 111/2% senior secured notes due 2013 in May 2008. This increase was partially offset by a decrease for bank fees paid in connection with the entering into the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement in March 2008, which normally would be amortized over the loan period. Because we amended and reduced the aggregate commitment of the facility effective May 27, 2008, we wrote off a significant portion of these bank fees in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Other assets decreased because there were significant distributions in the first quarter from our executive deferred compensation plan. These distributions also resulted in a corresponding decrease in accrued compensation discussed below under Accounts payable and other liabilities.
At October 31, 2007, we had $32.7 million of goodwill. This amount resulted from Company acquisitions prior to fiscal 2002. As required by SFAS 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets ("SFAS 142"), we performed an annual assessment of this goodwill for impairment, and despite years of significant income generation in the markets with goodwill, primarily Texas in the Southwest segment and the Mid-Atlantic segment, the current financial projections of these markets has resulted in a full impairment of existing goodwill. As such, as of October 31, 2008, the goodwill balance is zero. The impairment was written off in the line "Goodwill and intangible amortization and impairment" on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Definite life intangibles decreased $4.2 million to zero at October 31, 2008. The decrease was the result of amortization during the twelve months of $1.5 million, and the write-off of $2.7 million for impaired intangible assets. In fiscal 2008, we determined that the remaining intangible assets in our Mid-Atlantic and Southeast segments were impaired, and wrote off the assets accordingly.
Financial Services - Mortgage loans held for sale or investment consist primarily of residential mortgages receivable held for sale of which $87.5 million and $177.0 million at October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007, respectively, were being temporarily warehoused and awaiting sale in the secondary mortgage market. Also included are residential mortgages receivable held for investment of $3.2 million and $5.6 million at October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007, which represent loans that cannot currently be sold at reasonable terms in the secondary mortgage market. We may incur risk with respect to mortgages that are delinquent, but only to the extent the losses are not covered by mortgage insurance or resale value of the house. Historically, we have incurred minimal credit losses. We have reserves for potential losses on mortgages we currently hold. The decrease in the receivable from October 31, 2007 is directly related to
31 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
a decrease in the amount of loans financed at October 31, 2008 as compared to October 31, 2007.
Income taxes receivable decreased $67.6 million from October 31, 2007 to $126.8 million. The decrease is primarily due to the receipt of our federal tax refund for fiscal year 2007 during the third quarter of fiscal 2008 of $94.7 million, offset by the current tax receivable which can be carried back to 2006. The recoverability of the tax asset is limited to the use of loss carrybacks to 2006 and existing deferred tax liabilities. See Total Taxes later in Item 7 for further discussion of the valuation allowances recorded during fiscal 2008.
Accounts payable and other liabilities are as follows as of:
(In Thousands) |
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
Dollar Change |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 167,407 | $ | 170,091 | $ | (2,684 | ) | |||
Reserves |
133,423 | 131,790 | 1,633 | |||||||
Accrued expenses |
59,394 | 97,753 | (38,359 | ) | ||||||
Accrued compensation |
27,211 | 53,767 | (26,556 | ) | ||||||
Other liabilities |
33,260 | 62,021 | (28,761 | ) | ||||||
Total |
$ | 420,695 | $ | 515,422 | $ | (94,727 | ) | |||
The decrease in accounts payable was primarily due to the lower volume of deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to the prior year. The decrease in accrued expenses is primarily due to payments made for land options with letters of credit that were terminated and accrued in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. The decrease in accrued compensation was primarily due to the significant distributions in the first quarter from our executive deferred compensation plan as well as lower bonus accruals at October 31, 2008 compared to October 31, 2007. The decrease in other liabilities is primarily related to accrued costs paid for resolution of matter with respect to our Fort Myers operations, and the final scheduled payment associated with a 2005 acquisition, offset by an increase in deferred revenue on GMAC model homes.
Nonrecourse Land Mortgages decreased $8.6 million from October 31, 2007 to $0.8 million at October 31, 2008. The decrease is primarily due to purchase money mortgages for a property in our Mid-Atlantic segment that were paid during fiscal 2008.
Customer deposits decreased $36.5 million from October 31, 2007 to $28.7 million at October 31, 2008. The decrease is primarily due to the reduction in the number of homes in backlog from 5,938 at October 31, 2007 to 1,907 at October 31, 2008.
Mortgage warehouse line of credit under our secured Master Repurchase Agreement decreased $86.3 million from $171.1 million at October 31, 2007 to $84.8 million at October 31, 2008. The decrease is directly correlated to the decrease in mortgage loans held for sale from October 31, 2007 to October 31, 2008.
Liabilities from inventory not owned and Minority interest from inventory not owned decreased $54.9 million and $37.4 million, respectively, from $189.9 million and $62.2 million, respectively, at October 31, 2007 to $135.1 million and $24.9 million at October 31, 2008, respectively. These decreases are directly correlated to the decrease in "Consolidated inventory not owned" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, which is discussed above.
Accrued interest increased $28.5 million from $43.9 million at October 31, 2007 to $72.5 million at October 31, 2008. The increase is primarily due to interest on our new $600 million Senior Secured Notes due 2013.
Results of Operations
Total Revenues
Compared to the same prior period, revenues increased (decreased) as follows:
|
Year Ended |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands) |
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
October 31, 2006 |
||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Homebuilding: |
|||||||||||
Sale of homes |
$ | (1,403,522 | ) | $ | (1,322,012 | ) | $ | 725,732 | |||
Land sales |
(50,179 | ) | (32,434 | ) | 52,130 | ||||||
Other revenues |
(13,137 | ) | 18,539 | 4,729 | |||||||
Financial services |
(23,972 | ) | (13,407 | ) | 17,227 | ||||||
Total change |
$ | (1,490,810 | ) | $ | (1,349,314 | ) | $ | 799,818 | |||
Total revenues percent change |
(31.1 | )% | (22.0 | )% | 15.0% | ||||||
Homebuilding
Compared to the same prior period, housing revenues decreased $1,403.5 million, or 30.6%, for the year ended October 31, 2008, decreased $1,322.0 million, or 22.4%, for the year ended October 31, 2007, and increased $725.7 million or 14.0%, for the year ended October 31, 2006. Increases in 2006 were the result of both organic growth and acquisition of other homebuilders. Decreased revenue in 2007 and 2008 are primarily due to weakening market conditions and increased competition in most of our markets. Housing revenues are recorded at the time when title is conveyed to the buyer, adequate cash payment has been received and there is no continued involvement. Land sales are ancillary to our residential homebuilding operations and are expected to continue in the future but may significantly fluctuate up or down. For further details on land sales and other revenues, see the section titled "Land Sales and Other Revenues" below.
32 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Information on homes delivered by segment is set forth below:
|
Year Ended |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||
(Housing Revenue in Thousands) |
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
October 31, 2006 |
||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Northeast: |
|||||||||||
Housing revenues |
$ | 679,488 | $ | 935,476 | $ | 992,713 | |||||
Homes delivered |
1,412 | 1,999 | 2,188 | ||||||||
Average price |
$ | 481,224 | $ | 467,972 | $ | 453,708 | |||||
Mid-Atlantic: |
|||||||||||
Housing revenues |
$ | 509,009 | $ | 885,599 | $ | 980,691 | |||||
Homes delivered |
1,248 | 1,926 | 1,984 | ||||||||
Average price |
$ | 407,860 | $ | 459,813 | $ | 494,300 | |||||
Midwest: |
|||||||||||
Housing revenues |
$ | 209,759 | $ | 226,804 | $ | 173,699 | |||||
Homes delivered |
965 | 1,043 | 855 | ||||||||
Average price |
$ | 217,367 | $ | 217,453 | $ | 203,157 | |||||
Southeast(1): |
|||||||||||
Housing revenues |
$ | 624,106 | $ | 745,240 | $ | 1,243,501 | |||||
Homes delivered |
2,572 | 2,771 | 5,074 | ||||||||
Average price |
$ | 242,654 | $ | 268,943 | $ | 245,073 | |||||
Southwest: |
|||||||||||
Housing revenues |
$ | 603,513 | $ | 828,574 | $ | 925,918 | |||||
Homes delivered |
2,616 | 3,643 | 4,252 | ||||||||
Average price |
$ | 230,701 | $ | 227,443 | $ | 217,761 | |||||
West: |
|||||||||||
Housing revenues |
$ | 551,978 | $ | 959,682 | $ | 1,586,865 | |||||
Homes delivered |
1,764 | 2,182 | 3,587 | ||||||||
Average price |
$ | 312,913 | $ | 439,818 | $ | 442,393 | |||||
Consolidated total: |
|||||||||||
Housing revenues |
$ | 3,177,853 | $ | 4,581,375 | $ | 5,903,387 | |||||
Homes delivered |
10,577 | 13,564 | 17,940 | ||||||||
Average price |
$ | 300,449 | $ | 337,760 | $ | 329,063 | |||||
Unconsolidated joint ventures: |
|||||||||||
Housing revenues |
$ | 262,605 | $ | 535,051 | $ | 868,222 | |||||
Homes delivered |
704 | 1,364 | 2,261 | ||||||||
Average price |
$ | 373,018 | $ | 392,266 | $ | 383,999 | |||||
Total including unconsolidated joint ventures: |
|||||||||||
Housing revenues |
$ | 3,440,458 | $ | 5,116,426 | $ | 6,771,609 | |||||
Homes delivered |
11,281 | 14,928 | 20,201 | ||||||||
Average price |
$ | 304,978 | $ | 342,740 | $ | 335,212 | |||||
33 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
The decrease in housing revenues during the year ended October 31, 2008 was primarily due to weakening market conditions in most of our markets. Housing revenues in 2008 decreased in all of our homebuilding segments combined by 30.6%, and average sales prices decreased 11.0%. In our homebuilding segments, homes delivered decreased 29.4%, 35.2%, 7.5%, 7.2%, 28.2% and 19.2% in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and West, respectively.
Unaudited quarterly housing revenues and net sales contracts by segment, excluding unconsolidated joint ventures, for the years ending October 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are set forth below:
|
Quarter Ended |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||||||
(In Thousands) |
October 31, 2008 |
July 31, 2008 |
April 30, 2008 |
January 31, 2008 |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Housing revenues: |
||||||||||||||
Northeast |
$ | 181,158 | $ | 169,394 | $ | 168,590 | $ | 160,346 | ||||||
Mid-Atlantic |
133,121 | 115,836 | 134,494 | 125,558 | ||||||||||
Midwest |
57,084 | 51,003 | 55,092 | 46,580 | ||||||||||
Southeast |
51,979 | 69,763 | 109,182 | 393,182 | ||||||||||
Southwest |
153,710 | 141,970 | 143,649 | 164,184 | ||||||||||
West |
100,609 | 144,724 | 144,677 | 161,968 | ||||||||||
Consolidated total |
$ | 677,661 | $ | 692,690 | $ | 755,684 | $ | 1,051,818 | ||||||
Sales contracts (net of cancellations): |
||||||||||||||
Northeast |
$ | 66,381 | $ | 90,953 | $ | 140,651 | $ | 83,416 | ||||||
Mid-Atlantic |
50,477 | 82,437 | 107,067 | 73,424 | ||||||||||
Midwest |
18,866 | 26,261 | 43,023 | 18,737 | ||||||||||
Southeast |
13,314 | 32,364 | 44,144 | 42,423 | ||||||||||
Southwest |
103,626 | 121,223 | 169,331 | 124,385 | ||||||||||
West |
66,032 | 97,294 | 142,561 | 115,405 | ||||||||||
Consolidated total |
$ | 318,696 | $ | 450,532 | $ | 646,777 | $ | 457,790 | ||||||
|
Quarter Ended |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||||||
(In Thousands) |
October 31, 2007 |
July 31, 2007 |
April 30, 2007 |
January 31, 2007 |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Housing revenues: |
||||||||||||||
Northeast |
$ | 298,039 | $ | 238,299 | $ | 185,852 | $ | 213,286 | ||||||
Mid-Atlantic |
258,178 | 215,363 | 189,370 | 222,688 | ||||||||||
Midwest |
81,138 | 65,563 | 41,524 | 38,579 | ||||||||||
Southeast |
155,560 | 164,111 | 207,844 | 217,725 | ||||||||||
Southwest |
255,670 | 196,681 | 200,053 | 176,170 | ||||||||||
West |
259,634 | 199,209 | 233,371 | 267,468 | ||||||||||
Consolidated total |
$ | 1,308,219 | $ | 1,079,226 | $ | 1,058,014 | $ | 1,135,916 | ||||||
Sales contracts (net of cancellations): |
||||||||||||||
Northeast |
$ | 218,424 | $ | 206,103 | $ | 202,884 | $ | 175,048 | ||||||
Mid-Atlantic |
119,188 | 126,269 | 239,485 | 192,639 | ||||||||||
Midwest |
71,678 | 52,386 | 68,735 | 55,945 | ||||||||||
Southeast |
76,451 | 88,253 | 107,345 | 40,021 | ||||||||||
Southwest |
168,440 | 201,579 | 222,119 | 166,202 | ||||||||||
West |
165,023 | 145,295 | 248,815 | 274,853 | ||||||||||
Consolidated total |
$ | 819,204 | $ | 819,885 | $ | 1,089,383 | $ | 904,708 | ||||||
34 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
|
Quarter Ended |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||||||
(In Thousands) |
October 31, 2006 |
July 31, 2006 |
April 30, 2006 |
January 31, 2006 |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Housing revenues: |
||||||||||||||
Northeast |
$ | 358,355 | $ | 234,231 | $ | 203,828 | $ | 196,299 | ||||||
Mid-Atlantic |
309,148 | 222,653 | 251,012 | 197,878 | ||||||||||
Midwest |
63,353 | 52,019 | 29,124 | 29,203 | ||||||||||
Southeast |
267,762 | 394,759 | 311,202 | 269,778 | ||||||||||
Southwest |
290,159 | 220,211 | 232,289 | 183,259 | ||||||||||
West |
389,039 | 375,953 | 452,093 | 369,780 | ||||||||||
Consolidated total |
$ | 1,677,816 | $ | 1,499,826 | $ | 1,479,548 | $ | 1,246,197 | ||||||
Sales contracts (net of cancellations): |
||||||||||||||
Northeast |
$ | 178,882 | $ | 209,478 | $ | 225,355 | $ | 195,021 | ||||||
Mid-Atlantic |
149,168 | 190,855 | 309,773 | 187,374 | ||||||||||
Midwest |
61,748 | 43,396 | 52,226 | 29,380 | ||||||||||
Southeast |
142,701 | 179,897 | 189,762 | 314,027 | ||||||||||
Southwest |
212,366 | 199,492 | 265,790 | 170,704 | ||||||||||
West |
235,475 | 271,904 | 343,303 | 257,151 | ||||||||||
Consolidated total |
$ | 980,340 | $ | 1,095,022 | $ | 1,386,209 | $ | 1,153,657 | ||||||
Our reported level of sales contracts (net of cancellations) has been impacted by a slow down in sales and an increase in our cancellation rates over the past two years, due to weakening market conditions and tighter mortgage loan underwriting criteria. Cancellation rates represent the number of cancelled contracts in the quarter divided by the number of gross sales contracts executed in the quarter. For comparison, the following are historical cancellation rates, excluding unconsolidated joint ventures. The more recent spike in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 cancellation rate, we believe, is partially due to the significant financial market turmoil that began in mid-September 2008:
Quarter |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||||||||
First |
38% | 36% | 30% | 27% | 23% | |||||||||||
Second |
29% | 32% | 32% | 21% | 19% | |||||||||||
Third |
32% | 35% | 33% | 24% | 20% | |||||||||||
Fourth |
42% | 40% | 35% | 25% | 24% | |||||||||||
Another common and meaningful way to analyze our cancellation trends is to compare the number of contract cancellations as a percentage of beginning backlog. The following table provides this historical comparison, excluding unconsolidated joint ventures.
Quarter |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||||||||
First |
16% | 17% | 11% | 15% | 14% | |||||||||||
Second |
24% | 19% | 15% | 17% | 18% | |||||||||||
Third |
20% | 18% | 14% | 15% | 13% | |||||||||||
Fourth |
30% | 26% | 16% | 12% | 15% | |||||||||||
Historically, most cancellations occur within the legal rescission period, which varies by state but is generally less than two weeks. Cancellations also occur as a result of a buyer's failure to qualify for a mortgage, which generally occurs during the first few weeks after signing. However, in 2008 and 2007, we have experienced a higher than normal number of cancellations later in the construction process. These cancellations are related primarily to falling prices, sometimes due to new discounts offered by us or other builders, leading the buyer to lose confidence in their contract price and due to tighter mortgage underwriting criteria leading to some customer's inability to be approved for a mortgage loan. In some cases, the buyer will walk away from a significant nonrefundable deposit that we recognize as other revenues. We expect that cancellation rates will return to a more normal level at some point as prices stabilize, but it is difficult to predict when this will occur, and the timing will vary by market.
An important indicator of our future results is recently signed contracts and our home contract backlog for future deliveries. Our consolidated contract backlog, excluding unconsolidated joint ventures, using base
35 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
sales
prices by segment is set forth below:
(Dollars In Thousands) |
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
October 31, 2006 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||
Northeast: |
|||||||||||
Total contract backlog |
$ | 215,604 | $ | 503,445 | $ | 591,849 | |||||
Number of homes |
497 | 975 | 1,218 | ||||||||
Mid-Atlantic: |
|||||||||||
Total contract backlog |
$ | 165,871 | $ | 358,778 | $ | 562,670 | |||||
Number of homes |
385 | 753 | 1,134 | ||||||||
Midwest: |
|||||||||||
Total contract backlog |
$ | 61,108 | $ | 153,171 | $ | 117,148 | |||||
Number of homes |
291 | 759 | 668 | ||||||||
Southeast: |
|||||||||||
Total contract backlog |
$ | 45,657 | $ | 614,575 | $ | 1,093,299 | |||||
Number of homes |
163 | 2,151 | 3,813 | ||||||||
Southwest: |
|||||||||||
Total contract backlog |
$ | 100,305 | $ | 174,206 | $ | 224,482 | |||||
Number of homes |
420 | 751 | 999 | ||||||||
West: |
|||||||||||
Total contract backlog |
$ | 57,642 | $ | 205,716 | $ | 334,102 | |||||
Number of homes |
151 | 549 | 664 | ||||||||
Totals: |
|||||||||||
Total consolidated contract backlog |
$ | 646,187 | $ | 2,009,891 | $ | 2,923,550 | |||||
Number of homes |
1,907 | 5,938 | 8,496 | ||||||||
The decline in our backlog from October 31, 2007 to October 31, 2008 is a direct result of a falloff in our contract pace. Our net contracts for the full year of fiscal 2008, excluding unconsolidated joint ventures, declined 40.5% compared to fiscal 2007. In the month of November 2008, excluding unconsolidated joint ventures, we signed an additional 284 net contracts amounting to $63.4 million in contract value.
Cost of sales includes expenses for consolidated housing and land and lot sales, including inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs (defined as "land charges" in the schedules below). A breakout of such expenses for consolidated housing sales and housing gross margin is set forth below:
|
Year Ended |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||
(Dollars In Thousands) |
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
October 31, 2006 |
|||||||
|
||||||||||
Sale of homes |
$ | 3,177,853 | $ | 4,581,375 | $ | 5,903,387 | ||||
Cost of sales, excluding interest expense |
2,965,886 | 3,890,474 | 4,538,795 | |||||||
Homebuilding gross margin, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges |
211,967 | 690,901 | 1,364,592 | |||||||
Cost of sales interest expense, excluding land sales interest expense |
136,439 | 130,825 | 106,892 | |||||||
Homebuilding gross margin, after cost of sales interest expense, before land charges |
75,528 | 560,076 | 1,257,700 | |||||||
Land charges |
710,120 | 457,773 | 336,204 | |||||||
Homebuilding gross margin, after cost of sales interest expense and land charges |
$ | (634,592 | ) | $ | 102,303 | $ | 921,496 | |||
Gross margin percentage, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges |
6.7 | % | 15.1% | 23.1% | ||||||
Gross margin percentage, after cost of sales interest expense, before land charges |
2.4 | % | 12.2% | 21.3% | ||||||
Gross margin percentage after cost of sales interest expense and land charges |
(20.0 | )% | 2.2% | 15.6% | ||||||
36 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Cost of sales expenses as a percentage of consolidated home sales revenues are presented below:
|
Year Ended |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||
|
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
October 31, 2006 |
|||||||
|
||||||||||
Sale of homes |
100% | 100.0% | 100.0% | |||||||
Cost of sales, excluding interest: |
||||||||||
Housing, land and development costs |
82.1% | 74.3% | 68.6% | |||||||
Commissions |
2.7% | 2.8% | 2.5% | |||||||
Financing concessions |
1.7% | 1.4% | 1.0% | |||||||
Overheads |
6.8% | 6.4% | 4.8% | |||||||
Total cost of sales, before interest expense and land charges |
93.3% | 84.9% | 76.9% | |||||||
Gross margin percentage, before cost of sales interest expense and land charges |
6.7% | 15.1% | 23.1% | |||||||
Cost of sales interest |
4.3% | 2.9% | 1.8% | |||||||
Gross margin percentage, after cost of sales interest expense and before land charges |
2.4% | 12.2% | 21.3% | |||||||
We sell a variety of home types in various communities, each yielding a different gross margin. As a result, depending on the mix of communities delivering homes, consolidated gross margin may fluctuate up or down. Total homebuilding gross margins, before interest expense and land impairment and option write off charges decreased to 6.7% for the year ended October 31, 2008 compared to 15.1% for the same period last year. Continued declines in percentages in fiscal 2008 are primarily the result of decreased sales prices and increased buyer concessions. The declining pace of sales in our markets in 2006, 2007 and 2008 has led to intense competition in many of our specific community locations. In order to maintain a reasonable pace of absorption, we have increased incentives, reduced lot location premiums, as well as lowered some base prices, all of which have impacted our margins significantly. In addition, homes for which contracts have been cancelled have typically been resold at a lower price, resulting in a further decline in margins. As discussed in "Homebuilding Results by Segment" below, certain of our segments experienced increases in average selling prices for the year ended October 31, 2008 compared to 2007. It should be noted however, that these increases are primarily the result of geographic and community mix of our deliveries, rather than an ability to increase home prices.
Reflected as inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs in cost of sales ("land charges"), we have written-off or written-down certain inventories totaling $710.1 million, $457.8 million, and $336.2 million during the years ended October 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, to their estimated fair value. See "Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsNote 13" for an additional discussion. During the years ended October 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, we wrote-off residential land options and approval and engineering costs amounting to $114.1 million, $126.0 million, and $159.1 million, respectively, which are included in the total write-offs mentioned above. When a community is redesigned, abandoned engineering cost are written-off. Option and approval and engineering costs are written-off when a community's proforma profitability does not produce adequate returns on the investment commensurate with the risk and we cancel the option. Such write-offs were located in all of our segments. The impairments amounting to $596.0 million, $331.8 million and $177.1 million for the years ending October 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, were incurred because of recent changes in the value of land in many of our markets and a change in the market strategy to liquidate a particular property or lower sales prices.
Below is a break-down of our lot option walk-aways and impairments by segment for fiscal 2008. In 2008, in total, we walked away from 48.3% of all the lots we controlled under option contracts. The remaining 51.7% of our option lots are in communities that remain economically feasible, including a substantial number that were successfully renegotiated over the past year. The largest concentration of lots we walked away from was in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast segments.
The following table represents lot option walk-aways by segment for the year ended October 31, 2008:
(In Millions) |
Dollar Amount of Walk Away |
Number of Walk-Away Lots |
% of Walk-Away Lots |
Total Option Lots at October 31, 2008(1) |
Walk-Away Lots as a % of Total Lots |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||||||||
Northeast |
$ | 20.7 | 2,155 | 14.0% | 7,069 | 30.5% | ||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic |
45.6 | 5,017 | 32.6% | 8,183 | 61.3% | |||||||||||
Midwest |
0.7 | 257 | 1.7% | 2,537 | 10.1% | |||||||||||
Southeast |
32.2 | 5,833 | 38.0% | 7,169 | 81.4% | |||||||||||
Southwest |
10.4 | 1,689 | 11.0% | 5,321 | 31.7% | |||||||||||
West |
4.5 | 419 | 2.7% | 1,555 | 26.9% | |||||||||||
Total |
$ | 114.1 | 15,370 | 100.0% | 31,834 | 48.3% | ||||||||||
37 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
The following table represents impairments by segment for the year ended October 31, 2008:
(In Millions) |
Dollar Amount of Impairment |
% of Impairments |
Pre- Impairment Value |
% of Pre- Impairment Value |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||||
Northeast |
$ | 43.5 | 7.3 | % | $ | 208.2 | 20.9 | % | |||||
Mid-Atlantic |
38.1 | 6.4 | % | 155.3 | 24.5 | % | |||||||
Midwest |
7.7 | 1.3 | % | 32.3 | 23.8 | % | |||||||
Southeast |
53.4 | 9.0 | % | 160.5 | 33.3 | % | |||||||
Southwest |
81.1 | 13.6 | % | 212.8 | 38.1 | % | |||||||
West |
372.2 | 62.4 | % | 1,018.2 | 36.6 | % | |||||||
Total |
$ | 596.0 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,787.3 | 33.3 | % | |||||
Homebuilding selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased to $377.1 million for the year ended October 31, 2008, and decreased to $539.4 million for the year ended October 31, 2007 from $593.9 million for the year ended October 31, 2006. The decrease in expenses in 2008 and 2007 is the result of a reduction of personnel in order to better manage our overhead during the current market decline, partially offset by severance costs associated with involuntary terminations that occured during the year and decreases in incentive compensation, that were based on profitability. Also adding to the decrease is the reduction in the number of open for sale communities of 284 in fiscal 2008 from 431 in fiscal 2007.
Land Sales and Other Revenues
Land sales and other revenues consist primarily of land and lot sales. A breakout of land and lot sales is set forth below:
|
Year Ended |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||
(In Thousands) |
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
October 31, 2006 |
|||||||
|
||||||||||
Land and lot sales |
$ | 57,776 | $ | 107,955 | $ | 140,389 | ||||
Cost of sales, excluding interest |
45,016 | 87,179 | 94,286 | |||||||
Land and lot sales gross margin, excluding interest |
12,760 | 20,776 | 46,103 | |||||||
Land sales interest expense |
9,522 | 1,132 | 1,437 | |||||||
Land and lot sales gross margin, including interest |
$ | 3,238 | $ | 19,644 | $ | 44,666 | ||||
Land sales are ancillary to our residential homebuilding operations and are expected to continue in the future but may significantly fluctuate up or down. Profits from land sales for the year ended October 31, 2008 were less than for the year ended October 31, 2007. Although we budget land sales, they are often dependent upon receiving approvals and entitlements, the timing of which can be uncertain. As a result, projecting the amount and timing of land sales is difficult.
Other revenues decreased $13.1 million for the year ended October 31, 2008 compared to the year ended October 31, 2007. Other revenues include income from contract cancellations, where the deposit has been forfeited due to contract terms, interest income, cash discounts and miscellaneous one-time receipts. For fiscal 2007, Other revenues also included $19.1 million related to the termination of our Credit Agreement and Agreement for Letter of Credit with Citicorp USA, Inc. which was the primary reason for the decrease from fiscal 2008 to 2007. This is also the cause of the $18.5 million increase in Other revenue for the year ended October 31, 2007 when compared to the year ended October 31, 2006.
38 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Homebuilding Operations by Segment
Financial information relating to the Company's operations was as follows:
Segment Analysis (Dollars in Thousands, except average sales price)
|
Years Ended October 31, |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
2008 |
Variance 2008 Compared to 2007 |
2007 |
Variance 2007 Compared to 2006 |
2006 |
|||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Northeast |
||||||||||||||||
Homebuilding revenue |
$ | 704,723 | $ | (254,110 | ) | $ | 958,833 | $ | (59,151 | ) | $ | 1,017,984 | ||||
(Loss) income before income taxes |
$ | (114,416 | ) | $ | (95,599 | ) | $ | (18,817 | ) | $ | (98,914 | ) | $ | 80,097 | ||
Homes delivered |
1,412 | (587 | ) | 1,999 | (189 | ) | 2,188 | |||||||||
Average sales price |
$ | 481,224 | $ | 13,252 | $ | 467,972 | $ | 14,264 | $ | 453,708 | ||||||
Contract cancellation rate |
30% | 4% | 26% | 4% | 22% | |||||||||||
Mid-Atlantic |
||||||||||||||||
Homebuilding revenue |
$ | 513,719 | $ | (399,994 | ) | $ | 913,713 | $ | (120,760 | ) | $ | 1,034,473 | ||||
(Loss) income before income taxes |
$ | (142,249 | ) | $ | (217,073 | ) | $ | 74,824 | $ | (81,106 | ) | $ | 155,930 | |||
Homes delivered |
1,248 | (678 | ) | 1,926 | (58 | ) | 1,984 | |||||||||
Average sales price |
$ | 407,860 | $ | (51,953 | ) | $ | 459,813 | $ | (34,487 | ) | $ | 494,300 | ||||
Contract cancellation rate |
42% | 1% | 41% | 4% | 37% | |||||||||||
Midwest |
||||||||||||||||
Homebuilding revenue |
$ | 211,587 | $ | (16,288 | ) | $ | 227,875 | $ | 55,935 | $ | 171,940 | |||||
(Loss) before income taxes |
$ | (37,415 | ) | $ | 42,792 | $ | (80,207 | ) | $ | (20,112 | ) | $ | (60,095 | ) | ||
Homes delivered |
965 | (78 | ) | 1,043 | 188 | 855 | ||||||||||
Average sales price |
$ | 217,367 | $ | (86 | ) | $ | 217,453 | $ | 14,296 | $ | 203,157 | |||||
Contract cancellation rate |
34% | 7% | 27% | (2 | )% | 29% | ||||||||||
Southeast |
||||||||||||||||
Homebuilding revenue |
$ | 632,050 | $ | (146,454 | ) | $ | 778,504 | $ | (482,835 | ) | $ | 1,261,339 | ||||
(Loss) before income taxes |
$ | (146,406 | ) | 122,096 | $ | (268,502 | ) | $ | (266,980 | ) | $ | (1,522 | ) | |||
Homes delivered |
2,572 | (199 | ) | 2,771 | (2,303 | ) | 5,074 | |||||||||
Average sales price |
$ | 242,654 | $ | (26,289 | ) | $ | 268,943 | $ | 23,870 | $ | 245,073 | |||||
Contract cancellation rate |
49% | (3 | )% | 52% | 15% | 37% | ||||||||||
Southwest |
||||||||||||||||
Homebuilding revenue |
$ | 610,045 | $ | (231,020 | ) | $ | 841,065 | $ | (88,789 | ) | $ | 929,854 | ||||
(Loss) income before income taxes |
$ | (101,470 | ) | $ | (127,181 | ) | $ | 25,711 | $ | (49,972 | ) | $ | 75,683 | |||
Homes delivered |
2,616 | (1,027 | ) | 3,643 | (609 | ) | 4,252 | |||||||||
Average sales price |
$ | 230,701 | $ | 3,258 | $ | 227,443 | $ | 9,682 | $ | 217,761 | ||||||
Contract cancellation rate |
30% | 0% | 30% | 3% | 27% | |||||||||||
West |
||||||||||||||||
Homebuilding revenue |
$ | 577,228 | $ | (405,904 | ) | $ | 983,132 | $ | (657,937 | ) | $ | 1,641,069 | ||||
(Loss) income before income taxes |
$ | (524,701 | ) | $ | (187,487 | ) | $ | (337,214 | ) | $ | (386,333 | ) | $ | 49,119 | ||
Homes delivered |
1,764 | (418 | ) | 2,182 | (1,405 | ) | 3,587 | |||||||||
Average sales price |
$ | 312,913 | $ | (126,905 | ) | $ | 439,818 | $ | (2,575 | ) | $ | 442,393 | ||||
Contract cancellation rate |
31% | (8 | )% | 39% | 1% | 38% | ||||||||||
Homebuilding Results by Segment
NortheastHomebuilding revenues decreased 26.5% in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to a 29.4% decrease in homes delivered offset by a 2.8% increase in average selling price as the mix of communities that had deliveries in 2008 was different than 2007. Loss before income taxes increased $95.6 million to a loss of $114.4 million, which is mainly due to a significant reduction in gross margin percentage before interest expense as the markets in this segment have become much more competitive and a $7.8 million increase in inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs in 2008.
Homebuilding revenues decreased 5.8% in 2007 compared to 2006 primarily due to an 8.6% decrease in homes delivered offset by a 3.1% increase in average selling price as the mix of communities that had deliveries in 2007 was different than 2006. Income before income taxes decreased $98.9 million to a loss of $18.8 million, which was mainly due to a significant
39 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
reduction in gross margin percentage before interest expense as the markets in this segment have become much more competitive.
Mid-AtlanticHomebuilding revenues decreased 43.8% in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to a 35.2% decrease in homes delivered and a 11.3% decrease in average selling price due to increased incentives and the mix of communities delivered in 2008 was different than 2007. Income before income taxes decreased $217.1 million to a loss of $142.2 million, which $64.3 million is from the increase in inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs in 2008. Additionally, there was a $15.1 million goodwill impairment charge recorded in 2008. The segment also had a significant reduction in gross margin percentage before interest expense as the markets in this segment have become much more competitive.
Homebuilding revenues decreased 11.7% in 2007 compared to 2006 primarily due to a 2.9% decrease in homes delivered and a 7.0% decrease in average selling price due to increased incentives and the mix of communities delivered in 2007 was different than 2006. Income before income taxes was down $81.1 million to $74.8 million, which is mainly due to a significant reduction in gross margin percentage before interest expense as the markets in this segment have become much more competitive.
MidwestHomebuilding revenues decreased 7.1% in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to a 7.5% decrease in homes delivered, while average selling prices remained flat. The decreases in deliveries was the result of a more competitive and slowing housing market. The segment loss before income taxes decreased $42.8 million to a loss of $37.4 million. This was due to only $8.4 million of inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs in 2008, compared to $28.1 million in 2007 and no intangible impairment in 2008 compared to $14.6 million in 2007.
Homebuilding revenues increased 32.5% in 2007 compared to 2006 primarily due to a 22% increase in homes delivered and a 7.0% increase in average selling price. The increases in deliveries and average selling price were the result of organic growth in this segment in Cleveland. Despite the growth in revenues, the segment loss before income taxes increased $20.1 million to a loss of $80.2 million. This was due to a $14.6 million intangible impairments and a sizable reduction in gross margin percentage before interest expense.
SoutheastHomebuilding revenues decreased 18.8% in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to a 7.2% decrease in homes delivered and a 9.8% decrease in average selling price. The primary reason for the decrease in deliveries and average selling price is the continuing declining market conditions in Florida and in the mix of communities delivering homes. The loss before income taxes decreased $122.1 million to a loss of $146.4 million, due mainly to $85.6 million of inventory impairment losses and land option write-offs in 2008 compared to $113.3 million in 2007 and $2.4 million of intangible impairments in 2008 compared to $108.6 million in 2007.
Homebuilding revenues decreased 38.3% in 2007 compared to 2006 primarily due to a 45.4% decrease in homes delivered, partially offset by a 9.7% increase in average selling price. The primary reason for the decrease in deliveries is the continuing declining market conditions in Florida. The average price increase is due to the change in the mix of communities delivering homes. The loss before income taxes increased $267.0 million to a loss of $268.5 million, due mainly to a $7.3 million increase in inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs in 2007 and $108.6 million of intangibles impairments, as well as a significant reduction in gross margin percentage before interest expense as the markets in this segment have become much more competitive.
SouthwestHomebuilding revenues decreased 27.5% in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to a 28.2% decrease in homes delivered offset by 1.4% increase in average selling price. The reduction of deliveries resulted from a decline in the activity in the Arizona market, as that market has been impacted by tighter mortgage lending requirements, thus eliminating certain potential homebuyers. The increase in average selling price is due to the mix of communities that had deliveries in 2008 compared to 2007. Income before income taxes decreased $127.2 million to a loss of $101.5 million in 2008 mainly due to a $75.5 million increase in inventory impairment losses and land option write-offs in 2008, a goodwill impairment of $14.9 million and a significant reduction in gross margin percentage before interest expense.
Homebuilding revenues decreased 9.5% in 2007 compared to 2006 primarily due to a 14.3% decrease in homes delivered offset by 4.4% increase in average selling price. The reduction of deliveries resulted from a decline in the activity in the Arizona market, as that market has been impacted by tighter mortgage lending requirements, thus eliminating certain potential homebuyers. The increase in average selling price is due to the mix of communities that had deliveries in 2007 compared to 2006. Income before income taxes decreased $50.0 million to $25.7 million in 2007 mainly due to a $15.4 million increase in land charges in 2007 and a reduction in gross margin percentage before interest expense.
WestHomebuilding revenues decreased 41.3% in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to a 19.2% decrease in homes delivered and a 28.9% decrease in average selling price. This reduced revenue was further
40 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
compounded by a significant reduction in gross margin percentage before interest expense. The decrease in deliveries and the reduced gross margin was the result of the more competitive and slowing housing market in California throughout 2007 and more so in 2008. As a result of the above and a $152.1 million increase in inventory impairment losses and land option write-offs in 2008, loss before income taxes increased $187.5 million to a loss of $524.7 million in 2008.
Homebuilding revenues decreased 40.1% in 2007 compared to 2006 primarily due to a 39.2% decrease in homes delivered and a 0.6% decrease in average selling price. This reduced revenue was further compounded by a significant reduction in gross margin percentage before interest expense. The decrease in deliveries and the reduced gross margin was the result of the more competitive and slowing housing market in California throughout 2007. As a result of the above and a $123.2 million increase in inventory impairment losses and land option write-offs in 2007, income before income taxes decreased $386.3 million to a loss of $337.2 million in 2007.
Financial Services
Financial services consist primarily of originating mortgages from our homebuyers, selling such mortgages in the secondary market, and title insurance activities. During the years ended October 31, 2008, October 31, 2007, and October 31, 2006, financial services provided a $16.7 million, $27.9 million, and $31.0 million pretax profit, respectively. In 2008 financial services revenue decreased $24.0 million to $52.2 million due to a decrease in the number of mortgage settlements and a decrease in the average loan amount. Revenues from October 31, 2006 to October 31, 2007 decreased $13.4 million to $76.2 million consistent with our reduction in deliveries. In the market areas served by our wholly-owned mortgage banking subsidiaries, approximately 75%, 71%, and 63% of our non-cash homebuyers obtained mortgages originated by these subsidiaries during the years ended October 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Servicing rights on new mortgages originated by us will be sold as the loans are closed.
Corporate General and Administrative
Corporate general and administrative expenses include the operations at our headquarters in Red Bank, New Jersey. These expenses include our executive offices, information services, human resources, corporate accounting, training, treasury, process redesign, internal audit, construction services, and administration of insurance, quality, and safety. Corporate general and administrative expenses declined $3.0 million for the year ended October 31, 2008 compared to the year ended October 31, 2007 and $10.9 million for the year ended October 31, 2007 compared to the year ended October 31, 2006. The reduction in expenses is due to personnel reductions, reduced bonuses and other overhead cost savings.
Other Interest
Other interest increased $20.6 million to $30.4 million for the year ended October 31, 2008. In 2007, other interest increased $6.2 million to $9.8 million for the year ended October 31, 2007. Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, our assets that qualify for interest capitalization (inventory under development) no longer exceeded our debt, and therefore a portion of interest not covered by qualifying assets must be directly expensed. The increase for 2007, from 2006, is due to the interest on completed homes in backlog in Fort Myers, unsold homes in completed high rise communities and interest on land in planning being expensed as incurred. The interest related to Fort Myers was capitalized during construction, but in 2007 many of the homes were complete. When we incur interest on completed homes, it is expensed as it no longer qualifies for capitalization.
Other Operations
Other operations consist primarily of miscellaneous residential housing operations expenses, senior rental residential property operations, earnout payments from homebuilding company acquisitions, minority interest relating to consolidated joint ventures, and corporate owned life insurance. Other operations increased $5.0 million to $9.8 million for the year ended October 31, 2008 and decreased $40.4 million to $4.8 million for the year ended October 31, 2007. The increase in other operations from October 31, 2007 to October 31, 2008, is attributed to the $2.1 million in legal and settlement costs in 2008, related to cases dismissed in Item 3, Legal Proceedings, as well as an increase in rent expense from a new commercial rental property. The decrease from October 31, 2006 to October 31, 2007 is primarily due to decreased accrued earnout obligations, resulting from two earnout agreements ending and lower profits in fiscal 2007, compared to the prior year. Other operations was further decreased by reduced profits from a consolidated joint venture that has finished delivering the homes in its community.
Goodwill and Intangible Amortization and Impairments
We amortized our definite life intangibles over their expected useful life, ranging from one to four years. In fiscal 2008, this expense includes the impairment of the remaining $2.7 million balance of definite life intangibles and $32.7 million of goodwill. Goodwill and Intangible amortization and impairments decreased $125.2 million for the year ended October 31, 2008, when compared to the same period last year. The decrease for the year ended October 31, 2008 was
41 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
primarily the result of reduced intangible amortization in 2008 as a result of the extensive write-offs during the fourth quarter of 2007, partially offset by the impairments recorded in 2008. The amortization expense increased $107.3 million to $162.1 million for the year ended October 31, 2007. This increase is primarily due the impairment of intangible assets of $135.2 million previously discussed, as well as additional amortization from our 2006 acquisitions.
(Loss) Income From Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
(Loss) income from unconsolidated joint ventures consists of our share of the losses or earnings of the joint venture. The loss increased $8.4 million to a loss of $36.6 million for the year ended October 31, 2008. Our share of operations decreased $43.6 million to a loss of $28.2 million for the year ended October 31, 2007. The increase in the loss in 2008 is mainly due to our share of the losses from operations on our unconsolidated joint ventures, as well as the write-off of the investment we had in two of our homebuilding joint ventures, as the recoverability of these investments have been deemed unlikely. The loss in 2007 is primarily related to our share of the losses from inventory impairments, land-option and walk-away costs, and the write-off of the intangibles from our joint venture with Blackstone Real Estate Advisors.
Total Taxes
Total tax provision (benefit) as a percentage of the loss before taxes was 3.7% for the twelve months ended October 31, 2008. The rate was significantly below the statutory tax rate, because we recorded an additional $409.6 million charge to our current and deferred tax asset valuation allowance in the twelve months ended October 31, 2008, as discussed further below.
Deferred federal and state income tax assets primarily represent the deferred tax benefits arising from temporary differences between book and tax income which will be recognized in future years as an offset against future taxable income. If, for some reason, the combination of future years income (or loss) combined with the reversal of the timing differences results in a loss, such losses can be carried back to prior years or carried forward to future years to recover the deferred tax assets. In accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"), we evaluate our deferred tax assets quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required. SFAS 109 requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established based on the consideration of all available evidence using a "more likely than not" standard. Given the continued downturn in the homebuilding industry during 2007 and 2008, resulting in additional inventory and intangible impairments, we are now in a three-year cumulative loss position. According to SFAS 109, a three-year cumulative loss is significant negative evidence in considering whether deferred tax assets are realizable and also precludes relying on projections of future taxable income to support the recovery of deferred tax assets. Therefore, during the fourth quarter of 2007, we recorded a valuation allowance of $265.9 million against our deferred tax assets. Our valuation allowance for current and deferred taxes increased $409.6 million during the twelve months ended October 31, 2008, to $675.5 million at October 31, 2008. Our deferred tax assets at October 31, 2007 and October 31, 2008, for which there is no valuation allowance, relate to amounts that can be realized through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences or through carrybacks to the 2005 and 2006 years.
Off-Balance Sheet Financing
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into land and lot option purchase contracts in order to procure land or lots for the construction of homes. Lot option contracts enable us to control significant lot positions with a minimal capital investment and substantially reduce the risks associated with land ownership and development. At October 31, 2008, we had $69.9 million in option deposits in cash and letters of credit to purchase land and lots with a total purchase price of $862.8 million. Our liability is generally limited to forfeiture of the nonrefundable deposits, letters of credit and other nonrefundable amounts incurred. We have no material third party guarantees. However, $9.4 million of the $862.8 million in land and lot option purchase contracts contain specific performance clauses which require us to purchase the land or lots upon satisfaction of certain requirements by both the sellers and the Company. Therefore, this specific performance obligation of $9.4 million, which is the purchase price for these lots net of cash deposits already paid, is recorded on the balance sheet in Liabilities from inventory not owned.
Pursuant to FASB Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46R), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" ("VIE"), we consolidated $77.0 million of inventory not owned at October 31, 2008, representing the fair value of the optioned property. Additionally, to reflect the fair value of the inventory consolidated under FIN 46R, we eliminated $8.3 million of its related cash deposits for lot option contracts, which are included in Consolidated inventory not owned. Since we do not own an equity interest in any of the unaffiliated variable interest entities that we must consolidate pursuant to FIN 46R, we generally have little or no control or influence over the operations of these entities or their owners. When our requests for financial information are denied by the land sellers, certain assumptions about the assets and liabilities of such entities are required. In most cases, the fair value of the assets of the consolidated entities have been based on the
42 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
remaining contractual purchase price of the land or lots we are purchasing. In these cases, it is assumed that the entities have no debt obligations and the only asset recorded is the land or lots we have the option to buy with a related offset to minority interest for the assumed third party investment in the variable interest entity. At October 31, 2008, the balance reported in Minority interest from inventory not owned was $24.9 million. At October 31, 2008, we had cash deposits and letters of credit totaling $8.7 million, representing our current maximum exposure associated with the consolidation of lot option contracts. Creditors of these VIEs, if any, have no recourse against us. In addition, see Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure related to our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures.
Contractual Obligations
The following summarizes our aggregate contractual commitments at October 31, 2008:
|
Payments Due by Period |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||||||||
(In Thousands) |
Total |
Less than 1 year |
1-3 years |
3-5 years |
More than 5 years |
|||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Long term debt(1) |
$ | 3,635,738 | $ | 209,104 | $ | 507,209 | $ | 1,556,340 | $ | 1,363,085 | ||||||
Operating leases |
78,493 | 18,942 | 27,169 | 16,534 | 15,848 | |||||||||||
Purchase obligations(2) |
11,226 | 10,089 | 1,137 | | | |||||||||||
Total |
$ | 3,725,457 | $ | 238,135 | $ | 535,515 | $ | 1,572,874 | $ | 1,378,933 | ||||||
We had outstanding letters of credit and performance bonds of approximately $197.5 million and $632.5 million, respectively, at October 31, 2008 related principally to our obligations to local governments to construct roads and other improvements in various developments. We do not believe that any such letters of credit or bonds are likely to be drawn upon.
Inflation
Inflation has a long-term effect, because increasing costs of land, materials, and labor result in increasing sale prices of our homes. In general, these price increases have been commensurate with the general rate of inflation in our housing markets and have not had a significant adverse effect on the sale of our homes. A significant risk faced by the housing industry generally is that rising house construction costs, including land and interest costs, will substantially outpace increases in the income of potential purchasers. Recently in the more highly regulated markets that have seen significant home price appreciation, customer affordability has become a concern. Our broad product array insulates us to some extent, but customer affordability of our homes is something we monitor closely.
Inflation has a lesser short-term effect, because we generally negotiate fixed price contracts with many, but not all, of our subcontractors and material suppliers for the construction of our homes. These prices usually are applicable for a specified number of residential buildings or for a time period of between three to twelve months. Construction costs for residential buildings represent approximately 59.3% of our homebuilding cost of sales.
Mergers and Acquisitions
On April 17, 2006, we acquired for cash the assets of CraftBuilt Homes, a privately held homebuilder headquartered in Bluffton, South Carolina. The acquisition expands our operations into the coastal markets of South Carolina and Georgia. CraftBuilt Homes designs, markets and sells single family detached homes. Due to its close proximity to Hilton Head, CraftBuilt Homes focuses on first-time, move-up, empty-nester and retiree homebuyers. This acquisition is being accounted for as a purchase with the results of its operations included in our consolidated financial statements as of the date of the acquisition.
In connection with the CraftBuilt Homes acquisition, we have definite life intangible assets equal to the excess purchase price over fair value of net tangible assets of $4.5 million in aggregate. During the fourth quarter of 2008, we determined that these assets were impaired and wrote off the remaining asset balance of $2.7 million. Prior to the impairment, we were amortizing the definite life intangibles over their estimated lives.
On May 1, 2006, we acquired through the issuance of 175,936 shares of Class A common stock substantially all of the assets of two mechanical contracting businesses. These acquisitions were accounted for as purchases with the results of their operations included in our consolidated financial statements as of the date of acquisition.
In connection with the two mechanical contracting business acquisitions, we recorded definite life intangible assets equal to the excess purchase price over fair value of net tangible assets of $4.0 million in aggregate. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, we
43 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
determined that these intangible assets were impaired and wrote off the remaining asset balance of $2.8 million. Prior to the impairment, we were amortizing the definite life intangibles over their estimated lives.
All fiscal 2006 acquisitions provide for other payments to be made, generally dependant upon achievement of certain future operating and return objectives, however, we do not expect to make any future payments based on our forecasts for these businesses.
Safe Harbor Statement
All statements in this Form 10-K that are not historical facts should be considered as "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning 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. 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. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to:
Certain risks, uncertainties, and other factors are described in detail in Item 1 "Business" and Item 1A "Risk Factors" in this Form 10-K. 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 after the date of this Form 10-K.
ITEM
7A
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
A primary market risk facing us is interest rate risk on our long term debt. In connection with our mortgage operations, mortgage loans held for sale and the associated mortgage warehouse line of credit under our secured master repurchase agreement are subject to interest rate risk; however, such obligations reprice frequently and are short-term in duration. In addition, we hedge the interest rate risk on mortgage loans by obtaining forward commitments from private investors. Accordingly the risk from mortgage loans is not material. We do not use financial instruments to hedge interest rate risk except with respect to mortgage loans. We are also subject to foreign currency risk but we do not believe this risk is material. The following tables set forth as of October 31, 2008 and 2007, our long term debt obligations, principal cash flows by scheduled maturity, weighted average interest rates and estimated fair market value ("FMV").
Long Term Debt Tables
|
Long Term Debt as of October 31, 2008 by Year of Debt Maturity |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands) |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
Thereafter |
Total |
FMV at 10/31/08 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long term debt(1)(2): |
$ | 1,615 | $ | 100,850 | $ | 910 | $ | 250,973 | $ | 751,041 | $ | 1,432,733 | $ | 2,538,122 | $ | 1,147,422 | |||||||||
Fixed rate |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average interest rate |
6.69% | 6.01% | 6.77 | % | 8.52% | 10.74% | 6.99 | % | 8.21% | ||||||||||||||||
44 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
|
Long Term Debt as of October 31, 2007 by Year of Debt Maturity |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands) |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Thereafter |
Total |
FMV at 10/31/07 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long term debt(1)(2): |
$ | 10,178 | $ | 800 | $ | 100,855 | $ | 914 | $ | 250,979 | $ | 1,583,690 | $ | 1,947,416 | $ | 1,519,516 | |||||||||
Fixed rate |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average interest rate |
5.26 | % | 6.73 | % | 6.01 | % | 6.77 | % | 8.52 | % | 7.06 | % | 7.18 | % | |||||||||||
In addition, we have reassessed the market risk for our variable debt at October 31, 2008 under the terms of the May 2008 Amended Credit Agreement, under which interest is based on (1) one, two, three or six month LIBOR, plus 4.50%, (2) a base rate equal to the greater of PNC Bank, National Association's prime rate and the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, plus 2.75% or (3) an index rate based on daily LIBOR, plus 4.625%. We believe that a 1% increase in this rate would have resulted in an approximate $1.7 million increase in interest expense for the twelve months ended October 31, 2008, assuming an average of $171.4 million of variable rate debt outstanding from November 1, 2007 to October 31, 2008.
ITEM
8
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Financial statements of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries are set forth herein beginning on Page F-1.
ITEM
9
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM
9A
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company's reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. The Company's management, with the participation of the Company's chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of October 31, 2008. Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, the Company's chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to accomplish their objectives.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended October 31, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f).
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of October 31, 2008.
The effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2008 has been audited by Ernst & Young, LLP, the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report below.
45 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
We have audited Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and subsidiaries' (the "Company") internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with the authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2008, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the 2008 consolidated financial statements of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and subsidiaries and our report dated December 23, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
|
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP |
New York, New York
December 23, 2008
46 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
ITEM 9B
OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM
10
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information called for by Item 10, except as set forth below in this Item 10, is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with the Company's annual meeting of shareholders to be held on March 19, 2009, which will involve the election of directors.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
Our executive officers are listed below and brief summaries of their business experience and certain other information with respect to them are set forth following the table. Each executive officer holds such office for a one year term.
Name |
Age |
Position |
Year Started With Company |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||
Kevork S. Hovnanian | 85 | Chairman of the Board and Director of the Company | 1967 | |||
Ara K. Hovnanian | 51 | Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of the Company | 1979 | |||
Paul W. Buchanan | 58 | Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer | 1981 | |||
Peter S. Reinhart | 58 | Senior Vice President and General Counsel | 1978 | |||
J. Larry Sorsby | 53 | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director of the Company | 1988 | |||
David G. Valiaveedan | 41 | Vice PresidentFinance | 2005 | |||
Mr. K. Hovnanian founded the predecessor of the Company in 1959 (Hovnanian Brothers, Inc.) and has served as Chairman of the Board of the Company since its incorporation in 1967. Mr. K. Hovnanian was also Chief Executive Officer of the Company from 1967 to July 1997.
Mr. A. Hovnanian was appointed President in April 1988, after serving as Executive Vice President from March 1983. He has also served as Chief Executive Officer since July 1997. Mr. A. Hovnanian was elected a Director of the Company in December 1981. Mr. A. Hovnanian is the son of Mr. K. Hovnanian.
Mr. Buchanan was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer in December 2007. Mr. Buchanan was Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller from May 1990 until December 2007. Mr. Buchanan resigned as a Director of the Company on September 13, 2002, a position in which he served since March 1982, for the purpose of reducing the number of non-independent board members.
Mr. Reinhart has been Senior Vice President and General Counsel since April 1985. Mr. Reinhart resigned as a Director of the Company on September 13, 2002, a position in which he served since December 1981, for the purpose of reducing the number of non-independent board members.
Mr. Sorsby was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company in October 2000 after serving as Senior Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer from February 1996 and as Vice President-Finance/Treasurer of the Company since March 1991. Mr. Sorsby was elected a Director of the Company in 1997.
Mr. Valiaveedan joined the Company as Vice PresidentFinance in September 2005. In August 2008, he was also named as an executive officer of the Company. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Valiaveedan served as Vice PresidentFinance for AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp.
Code of Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to Hovnanian's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, controller, and all other associates of the Company, including its directors and other officers. We have posted the text of this Code of Ethics on our website at www.khov.com under "Investor Relations/Corporate Governance". We have also adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines and posted them on our website at www.khov.com under "Investor Relations/Corporate Governance". A printed copy of the Code of Ethics and Guidelines is also available to the public at no charge by writing to: Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., Attn: Human Resources Department, 110 West Front Street, P.O. Box 500, Red Bank,
47 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
N.J. 07701 or calling Corporate headquarters at 732-747-7800. We will post amendments to or waivers from our Code of Ethics that are required to be disclosed by the rules of either the SEC or the New York Stock Exchange on our website at www.khov.com under "Investor Relations/Corporate Governance".
Audit Committee and Compensation Committee Charters
We have adopted charters that apply to Hovnanian's Audit Committee and Compensation Committee. We have posted the text of these charters on our website at www.khov.com under "Investor Relations/Corporate Governance". A printed copy of each charter is available at no charge to any shareholder who requests it by writing to: Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., Attn: Human Resources Department, 110 West Front Street, P.O. Box 500, Red Bank, N.J. 07701 or calling corporate headquarters at 732-747-7800.
ITEM
11
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information called for by Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with our annual meeting of shareholders to be held on March 19, 2009.
ITEM
12
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information called for by Item 12, except as set forth below in this Item 12, is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with our annual meeting of shareholders to be held on March 19, 2009.
The following table provides information as of October 31, 2008 with respect to compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Plan Category |
Number of Class A Common Stock securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in thousands) |
Number of Class Stock B Common securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (in thousands) |
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding Class A Common Stock options, warrants and rights(2) |
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding Class B Common Stock options, warrants and rights(3) |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in columns (a)) (in thousands)(1) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||
|
(a) |
(a) |
(b) |
(b) |
(c) |
|||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders: |
6,501 | 2,188 | $16.28 | $32.32 | 11,274 | |||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders: |
||||||||||
Total |
6,501 | 2,188 | $16.28 | $32.32 | 11,274 | |||||
ITEM 13
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information called for by Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with our annual meeting of shareholders to be held on March 19, 2009.
ITEM
14
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information called for by Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with our annual meeting of shareholders to be held on March 19, 2009.
48 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
PART IV
ITEM
15
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
|
Page |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: |
||||
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements |
F-1 | |||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
F-2 | |||
Consolidated Balance Sheets at October 31, 2008 and 2007 |
F-3 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended October 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 |
F-5 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended October 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 |
F-6 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended October 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 |
F-7 | |||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
F-8 | |||
No schedules have been prepared because the required information of such schedules is not present, is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule or because the required information is included in the financial statements and notes thereto.
49 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Exhibits:
3(a) | Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.(1) | ||
3(b) |
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.(5) |
||
3(d) |
Restated Bylaws of the Registrant.(14) |
||
4(a) |
Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate.(13) |
||
4(b) |
Specimen Class B Common Stock Certificate.(15) |
||
4(c) |
Certificate of Designations, Powers, Preferences and Rights of the 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., dated July 12, 2005.(11) |
||
4(d) |
Certificate of Designations of the Series B Junior Preferred Stock of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., dated August 14, 2008.(1) |
||
4(e) |
Rights Agreement, dated as of August 14, 2008, between Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and National City Bank, as Rights Agent, which includes the Form of Certificate of Designation as Exhibit A, Form of Right Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights as Exhibit C.(23) |
||
4(f) |
Indenture dated March 26, 2002, relating to 8% Senior Notes, among the Registrant, the Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company (as successor trustee), as Trustee, including form of 8% Senior Notes due April 1, 2012.(10) |
||
4(g) |
Indenture dated March 26, 2002, relating to 8.875% Senior Subordinated Notes, among the Registrant, the Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company (as successor trustee), as Trustee, including form of 8.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due April 1, 2012.(10) |
||
4(h) |
Indenture dated May 9, 2003, relating to 73/4% Senior Subordinated Notes, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company (as successor trustee), as Trustee, including form of 73/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due May 15, 2013.(4) |
||
4(i) |
Indenture dated as of November 3, 2003, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company (as successor trustee), as Trustee.(2) |
||
4(j) |
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 3, 2003, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the other Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company (as successor trustee), as Trustee, including Form of 61/2% Senior Notes.(2) |
||
4(k) |
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 18, 2004, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the other Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company (as successor trustee), as Trustee.(19) |
||
4(l) |
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2004, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the other Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company (as successor trustee), as Trustee.(19) |
||
4(m) |
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 19, 2005, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the other Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company (as successor trustee), as Trustee.(19) |
||
4(n) |
Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 6, 2005, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the other Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company (as successor trustee), as Trustee.(19) |
||
4(o) |
Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 27, 2006, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the other Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company (as successor trustee), as Trustee (including form of 71/2% Senior Notes due 2016).(20) |
||
4(p) |
Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 12, 2006, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the other Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company (as successor trustee), as Trustee (including form of 85/8% Senior Notes due 2017).(21) |
||
4(q) |
Indenture dated as of March 18, 2004, relating to 63/8% Senior Notes, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company (as successor trustee), as Trustee, including form of 63/8% Senior Notes due 2014.(16) |
50 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
4(r) | Indenture dated as of November 30, 2004, relating to 61/4% Senior Notes, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company (as successor trustee), as Trustee, including form of 61/4% Senior Notes due 2015.(6) | ||
4(s) |
Indenture dated as of November 30, 2004, relating to 6% Senior Subordinated Notes, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company (as successor trustee), as Trustee, including form of 6% Senior Notes due 2010.(6) |
||
4(t) |
Indenture dated as of August 8, 2005, relating to 6.25% Senior Notes due 2016, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the Guarantors named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company (as successor trustee), as Trustee including form of 6.25% Senior Notes due 2016.(7) |
||
4(u) |
Indenture dated as of May 27, 2008, relating to 111/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and the other Guarantors named therein and Wilmington Trust Company (as successor to Deutsche Bank Trust Company), as Trustee, including form of 111/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013.(24) |
||
4(v) |
Indenture dated as of December 3, 2008, relating to 18.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2017, among K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and the other Guarantors named therein and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, including form of 18.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2017.(25) |
||
10(a) |
Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated March 7, 2008.(22) |
||
10(b) |
Amendment No. 1 to Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 16, 2008.(24) |
||
10(c) |
Guaranty and Suretyship Agreement, dated March 7, 2008.(22) |
||
10(d) |
Pledge Agreement, relating to the Amended Credit Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2008.(22) |
||
10(e) |
Amended and Restated Security Agreement, relating to the Amended Credit Agreement, dated as of May 27, 2008.(24) |
||
10(f) |
Intellectual Property Security Agreement, relating to the Amended Credit Agreement, dated as of May 27, 2008.(24) |
||
10(g) |
Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 27, 2008.(24) |
||
10(h) |
Second Lien Pledge Agreement, relating to the 111/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013, dated as of May 27, 2008.(24) |
||
10(i) |
Second Lien Security Agreement, relating to the 111/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013, dated as of May 27, 2008.(24) |
||
10(j) |
Intellectual Property Security Agreement, relating to the 111/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013, dated as of May 27, 2008.(24) |
||
10(k) |
Intercreditor Agreement dated as of December 3, 2008.(25) |
||
10(l) |
Third Lien Pledge Agreement, relating to the 18.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2017, dated as of December 3, 2008.(25) |
||
10(m) |
Third Lien Security Agreement, relating to the 18.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2017, dated as of December 3, 2008.(25) |
||
10(n) |
Intellectual Property Security Agreement, relating to the 18.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2017, dated as of December 3, 2008.(25) |
||
10(o) |
Description of Non-Employee Director Compensation.(1) |
||
10(p) |
Base Salaries of Executive Officers. |
||
10(q) |
Description of Savings and Investment Retirement Plan.(3) |
||
10(r) |
2008 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan.(17) |
||
10(s) |
1983 Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated March 8, 2002).(18) |
||
10(t) |
Management Agreement dated August 12, 1983, for the management of properties by K. Hovnanian Investment Properties, Inc.(3) |
||
10(u) |
Management Agreement dated December 15, 1985, for the management of properties by K. Hovnanian Investment Properties, Inc.(15) |
||
10(v) |
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan as amended and restated on December 19, 2008. |
||
10(w) |
Senior Executive Short-Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated).(8) |
||
10(x) |
Death and Disability Agreement between the Registrant and Ara K. Hovnanian, dated February 2, 2006.(9) |
||
10(y) |
Form of Hovnanian Deferred Share Policy for Senior Executives. |
||
10(z) |
Form of Hovnanian Deferred Share Policy. |
51 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
10(aa) | Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement. | ||
10(bb) |
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement. |
||
10(cc) |
Form of Stock Option Agreement for Directors. |
||
10(dd) |
Form of Restricted Share Unit Agreement. |
||
12 |
Statements re Computation of Ratios. |
||
21 |
Subsidiaries of the Registrant. |
||
23 |
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
||
31(a) |
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer. |
||
31(b) |
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer. |
||
32(a) |
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer. |
||
32(b) |
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer. |
52 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section l3 or l5(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of l934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. | ||||
By: |
/s/ KEVORK S. HOVNANIAN Kevork S. Hovnanian Chairman of the Board December 24, 2008 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant on December 24, 2008 and in the capacities indicated.
/s/ KEVORK S. HOVNANIAN Kevork S. Hovnanian |
Chairman of The Board and Director | |
/s/ ARA K. HOVNANIAN Ara K. Hovnanian |
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director |
|
/s/ PAUL W. BUCHANAN Paul W. Buchanan |
Senior Vice President-Chief Accounting Officer |
|
/s/ EDWARD A. KANGAS Edward A. Kangas |
Chairman of Audit Committee and Director |
|
/s/ PETER S. REINHART Peter S. Reinhart |
Senior Vice President and General Counsel |
|
/s/ J. LARRY SORSBY J. Larry Sorsby |
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director |
|
/s/ STEPHEN D. WEINROTH Stephen D. Weinroth |
Chairman of Compensation Committee and Director |
53 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Financial Statements: |
Page |
|
---|---|---|
|
||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
F-2 | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2008 and 2007 |
F-3 | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended October 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 |
F-5 | |
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended October 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 |
F-6 | |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended October 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 |
F-7 | |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
F-8 | |
No schedules have been prepared because the required information of such schedules is not present, is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule or because the required information is included in the financial statements and notes thereto.
F-1 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of October 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 2008. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. and subsidiaries at October 31, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated December 23, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, effective November 1, 2007, the Company changed its method of accounting for uncertainty in income tax positions upon the adoption of Statements of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes," and effective November 1, 2005, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, "Share-Based Payments" using the modified-prospective transition method.
New York, New York
December 23, 2008
F-2 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands) |
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||
Homebuilding: |
||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 838,207 | $ | 12,275 | ||||||
Restricted cash (Note 6) |
4,324 | 6,594 | ||||||||
Inventoriesat the lower of cost or fair value (Notes 13 and 14): |
||||||||||
Sold and unsold homes and lots under development |
1,342,584 | 2,792,436 | ||||||||
Land and land options held for future development or sale |
644,067 | 446,135 | ||||||||
Consolidated inventory not owned: |
||||||||||
Specific performance options |
10,610 | 12,123 | ||||||||
Variable interest entities (Note 18) |
77,022 | 139,914 | ||||||||
Other options |
84,799 | 127,726 | ||||||||
Total consolidated inventory not owned |
172,431 | 279,763 | ||||||||
Total inventories |
2,159,082 | 3,518,334 | ||||||||
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures (Note 19) |
71,097 | 176,365 | ||||||||
Receivables, deposits, and notes |
78,766 | 109,856 | ||||||||
Property, plant, and equipmentnet (Note 5) |
92,817 | 106,792 | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
156,595 | 174,032 | ||||||||
Goodwill (Note 20) |
| 32,658 | ||||||||
Definite life intangibles (Note 20) |
| 4,224 | ||||||||
Total homebuilding |
3,400,888 | 4,141,130 | ||||||||
Financial services: |
||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
9,849 | 3,958 | ||||||||
Restricted cash (Note 6) |
4,005 | 11,572 | ||||||||
Mortgage loans held for sale or investment (Notes 7 and 8) |
90,729 | 182,627 | ||||||||
Other assets |
5,025 | 6,851 | ||||||||
Total financial services |
109,608 | 205,008 | ||||||||
Income taxes receivableincluding net deferred tax benefits (Note 12) |
126,826 | 194,410 | ||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 3,637,322 | $ | 4,540,548 | ||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands, Except Share Amounts) |
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|||||||
Homebuilding: |
|||||||
Nonrecourse land mortgages (Note 8) |
$ | 820 | $ | 9,430 | |||
Accounts payable and other liabilities |
420,695 | 515,422 | |||||
Customers' deposits (Note 6) |
28,676 | 65,221 | |||||
Nonrecourse mortgages secured by operating properties (Note 8) |
22,302 | 22,985 | |||||
Liabilities from inventory not owned (Note 18) |
135,077 | 189,935 | |||||
Total homebuilding |
607,570 | 802,993 | |||||
Financial services: |
|||||||
Accounts payable and other liabilities |
10,559 | 19,597 | |||||
Mortgage warehouse line of credit (Notes 7 and 8) |
84,791 | 171,133 | |||||
Total financial services |
95,350 | 190,730 | |||||
Notes payable: |
|||||||
Revolving credit agreement (Note 8) |
| 206,750 | |||||
Senior secured notes (Note 9) |
594,734 | | |||||
Senior notes (Note 9) |
1,511,071 | 1,510,600 | |||||
Senior subordinated notes (Note 9) |
400,000 | 400,000 | |||||
Accrued interest (Notes 8 and 9) |
72,477 | 43,944 | |||||
Total notes payable |
2,578,282 | 2,161,294 | |||||
Total liabilities |
3,281,202 | 3,155,017 | |||||
Minority interest from inventory not owned (Note 18) |
24,880 | 62,238 | |||||
Minority interest from consolidated joint ventures |
976 | 1,490 | |||||
Stockholders' equity (Notes 15 and 20): |
|||||||
Preferred stock, $.01 par valueauthorized 100,000 shares; issued 5,600 shares with a liquidation preference of $140,000, at October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007 |
135,299 | 135,299 | |||||
Common stock, Class A, $.01 par valueauthorized 200,000,000 shares; issued 73,803,879 shares at October 31, 2008; and 59,263,887 shares at October 31, 2007 (including 11,694,720 shares at October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007 held in Treasury) |
738 | 593 | |||||
Common stock, Class B, $.01 par value (convertible to Class A at time of sale)authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued 15,331,494 shares at October 31, 2008; and issued 15,338,840 shares at October 31, 2007 (including 691,748 shares at October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007 held in Treasury) |
153 | 153 | |||||
Paid in capitalcommon stock |
418,626 | 276,998 | |||||
(Accumulated deficit)/retained earnings |
(109,295) | 1,024,017 | |||||
Treasury stockat cost |
(115,257) | (115,257) | |||||
Total stockholders' equity |
330,264 | 1,321,803 | |||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity |
$ | 3,637,322 | $ | 4,540,548 | |||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
Year Ended |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||
(In Thousands Except Per Share Data) |
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
October 31, 2006 |
||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Revenues: |
|||||||||||
Homebuilding: |
|||||||||||
Sale of homes |
$ | 3,177,853 | $ | 4,581,375 | $ | 5,903,387 | |||||
Land sales and other revenues |
78,039 | 141,355 | 155,250 | ||||||||
Total homebuilding |
3,255,892 | 4,722,730 | 6,058,637 | ||||||||
Financial services |
52,219 | 76,191 | 89,598 | ||||||||
Total revenues |
3,308,111 | 4,798,921 | 6,148,235 | ||||||||
Expenses: |
|||||||||||
Homebuilding: |
|||||||||||
Cost of sales, excluding interest |
3,010,902 | 3,977,653 | 4,633,081 | ||||||||
Cost of sales interest |
145,961 | 131,957 | 108,329 | ||||||||
Inventory impairment loss and land option write-offs (Note 13) |
710,120 | 457,773 | 336,204 | ||||||||
Total cost of sales |
3,866,983 | 4,567,383 | 5,077,614 | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
377,068 | 539,362 | 593,860 | ||||||||
Total homebuilding expenses |
4,244,051 | 5,106,745 | 5,671,474 | ||||||||
Financial services |
35,567 | 48,321 | 58,586 | ||||||||
Corporate general and administrative |
82,846 | 85,878 | 96,781 | ||||||||
Other interest |
30,375 | 9,797 | 3,615 | ||||||||
Other operations |
9,837 | 4,799 | 45,237 | ||||||||
Goodwill and intangible amortization and impairment (Note 20) |
36,883 | 162,124 | 54,821 | ||||||||
Total expenses |
4,439,559 | 5,417,664 | 5,930,514 | ||||||||
(Loss) income from unconsolidated joint ventures (Note 19) |
(36,600 | ) | (28,223 | ) | 15,385 | ||||||
(Loss) income before income taxes |
(1,168,048 | ) | (646,966 | ) | 233,106 | ||||||
State and federal income tax (benefit)/provision (Note 12): |
|||||||||||
State |
13,760 | 7,088 | 1,366 | ||||||||
Federal |
(57,218 | ) | (26,935 | ) | 82,207 | ||||||
Total taxes |
(43,458 | ) | (19,847 | ) | 83,573 | ||||||
Net (loss) income |
(1,124,590 | ) | (627,119 | ) | 149,533 | ||||||
Less: preferred stock dividends |
| 10,674 | 10,675 | ||||||||
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders |
$ | (1,124,590 | ) | $ | (637,793 | ) | $ | 138,858 | |||
Per share data: |
|||||||||||
Basic: |
|||||||||||
(Loss) income per common share |
$ | (16.04 | ) | $ | (10.11 | ) | $ | 2.21 | |||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding |
70,131 | 63,079 | 62,822 | ||||||||
Assuming dilution: |
|||||||||||
(Loss) income per common share |
$ | (16.04 | ) | $ | (10.11 | ) | $ | 2.14 | |||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding |
70,131 | 63,079 | 64,838 | ||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
A Common Stock |
B Common Stock |
Preferred Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars In Thousands) |
Shares Issued and Outstanding |
Amount |
Shares Issued and Outstanding |
Amount |
Shares Issued and Outstanding |
Amount |
Paid-In Capital |
(Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings |
Deferred Comp |
Treasury Stock |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, October 31, 2005 |
46,980,799 | $ | 580 | 14,678,502 | $ | 154 | 5,600 | $ | 135,389 | $ | 236,001 | $ | 1,522,952 | $ | (19,648 | ) | $ | (84,071 | ) | $ | 1,791,357 | |||||||||||||
Stock issuances for Company acquisitions |
175,936 | 1 | 4,188 | 1,750 | 5,939 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance costs |
(90 | ) | (90 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred dividend declared ($1,906.07 per share) |
(10,675 | ) | (10,675 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock options, amortization and issuances, net of tax |
245,596 | 2 | 20,342 | 20,344 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures, net of tax |
404,832 | 4 | 12,379 | 12,383 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclass due to SFAS 123R implementation (see Note 3) |
(19,648 | ) | 19,648 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock |
26,840 | (26,840 | ) | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Treasury stock purchases |
(675,000 | ) | (26,627 | ) | (26,627 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
149,533 | 149,533 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, October 31, 2006 |
47,159,003 | 587 | 14,651,662 | 153 | 5,600 | 135,299 | 253,262 | 1,661,810 | | (108,948 | ) | 1,942,163 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred dividend declared ($1,906.07 per share) |
(10,674 | ) | (10,674 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock options, amortization and issuances, net of tax |
414,377 | 4 | 18,911 | 18,915 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures, net of tax |
191,217 | 2 | 4,825 | 4,827 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock |
4,570 | (4,570 | ) | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Treasury stock purchases |
(200,000 | ) | (6,309 | ) | (6,309 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(627,119 | ) | (627,119 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, October 31, 2007 |
47,569,167 | 593 | 14,647,092 | 153 | 5,600 | 135,299 | 276,998 | 1,024,017 | | (115,257 | ) | 1,321,803 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 48 (Fin 48) |
(8,722 | ) | (8,722 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issuance May 14, 2008 offering |
14,000,000 | 140 | 125,739 | 125,879 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock options, amortization and issuances, net of tax |
238,448 | 2 | 7,553 | 7,555 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted stock, amortization issuances and forfeitures, net of tax |
294,198 | 3 | 8,336 | 8,339 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock |
7,346 | (7,346 | ) | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(1,124,590 | ) | (1,124,590 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, October 31, 2008 |
62,109,159 | $ | 738 | 14,639,746 | $ | 153 | 5,600 | $ | 135,299 | $ | 418,626 | $ | (109,295 | ) | | $ | (115,257 | ) | $ | 330,264 | ||||||||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
Year Ended |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||||
(In Thousands) |
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
October 31, 2006 |
||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|||||||||||||
Net (loss) income |
$ | (1,124,590 | ) | $ | (627,119 | ) | $ | 149,533 | |||||
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
|||||||||||||
Depreciation |
18,426 | 18,283 | 14,884 | ||||||||||
Goodwill and intangible amortization and impairment |
36,883 | 162,124 | 54,821 | ||||||||||
Compensation from stock options and awards |
25,247 | 24,434 | 23,428 | ||||||||||
Amortization of bond discounts and deferred financing costs |
8,668 | 3,223 | 3,128 | ||||||||||
Excess tax payments (benefits) from share-based payments |
6,312 | (2,341 | ) | (7,951 | ) | ||||||||
(Gain) loss on sale and retirement of property and assets |
(2,262 | ) | 1,849 | 428 | |||||||||
Loss (income) from unconsolidated joint ventures |
36,600 | 28,223 | (15,385 | ) | |||||||||
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures |
7,461 | 3,998 | 15,038 | ||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
105,302 | 85,612 | (151,072 | ) | |||||||||
Impairment and land option deposit write-offs |
710,120 | 457,773 | 336,204 | ||||||||||
Decrease (increase) in assets: |
|||||||||||||
Mortgage notes receivable |
91,963 | 99,354 | (70,638 | ) | |||||||||
Restricted cash, receivables, prepaids and other assets |
88,745 | 4,249 | 56,438 | ||||||||||
Inventories |
666,372 | 33,625 | (920,346 | ) | |||||||||
(Decrease) increase in liabilities: |
|||||||||||||
State and Federal income taxes |
(46,440 | ) | (43,308 | ) | (90,888 | ) | |||||||
Customers' deposits |
(36,545 | ) | (119,690 | ) | (75,409 | ) | |||||||
Interest and other accrued liabilities |
(127,527 | ) | (36,656 | ) | 22,630 | ||||||||
Accounts payable |
(2,669 | ) | (31,667 | ) | 4,447 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
462,066 | 61,966 | (650,710 | ) | |||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|||||||||||||
Net proceeds from sale of property and assets |
3,835 | 1,539 | 384 | ||||||||||
Purchase of property, equipment, and other fixed assets and acquisitions |
(5,238 | ) | (37,777 | ) | (51,506 | ) | |||||||
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures |
(16,837 | ) | (30,088 | ) | (29,113 | ) | |||||||
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures |
16,601 | 33,932 | 5,691 | ||||||||||
Net cash (used in) investing activities |
(1,639 | ) | (32,394 | ) | (74,544 | ) | |||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|||||||||||||
Proceeds from mortgages and notes |
8,590 | 69,386 | |||||||||||
Net proceeds from Senior Secured Notes (including deferred financing costs) |
571,941 | ||||||||||||
Net (payments) proceeds relating to revolving credit agreement (includes deferred financing costs) |
(221,632 | ) | 206,750 | ||||||||||
Net (payments) proceeds related to mortgage warehouse line of credit |
(86,342 | ) | (99,038 | ) | 71,315 | ||||||||
Proceeds from senior debt |
550,000 | ||||||||||||
Payments of issuance costs |
(90 | ) | |||||||||||
Principal payments on mortgages and notes |
(13,338 | ) | (32,034 | ) | (94,303 | ) | |||||||
Principal payments on senior debt |
(140,250 | ) | |||||||||||
Excess tax (payments) benefits from share-based payment |
(6,312 | ) | 2,341 | 7,951 | |||||||||
Preferred dividends paid |
(10,674 | ) | (10,675 | ) | |||||||||
Purchase of treasury stock |
(6,309 | ) | (26,627 | ) | |||||||||
Net proceeds from sale of stock and employee stock plan |
127,079 | 2,962 | 1,347 | ||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
371,396 | (67,662 | ) | 568,304 | |||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash |
831,823 | (38,090 | ) | (156,950 | ) | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of year |
16,233 | 54,323 | 211,273 | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of year |
$ | 848,056 | $ | 16,233 | $ | 54,323 | |||||||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows: |
|||||||||||||
Cash paid (received) during the period for: |
|||||||||||||
Interest, net of capitalized interest |
$ | 143,537 | $ | 152,969 | $ | 87,263 | |||||||
Income taxes |
$ | (98,176 | ) | $ | (64,492 | ) | $ | 298,005 | |||||
Supplemental disclosures of noncash operating activities: |
|||||||||||||
Consolidated inventory not owned: |
|||||||||||||
Specific performance options |
$ | 9,371 | $ | 10,718 | $ | 19,310 | |||||||
Variable interest entities |
68,680 | 126,208 | 190,940 | ||||||||||
Other options |
84,799 | 127,726 | 180,243 | ||||||||||
Total inventory not owned |
$ | 162,850 | $ | 264,652 | $ | 390,493 | |||||||
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing activities:
In 2006, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of two mechanical contracting businesses by issuing 175,936 Class A common shares with a fair value of $5.9 million on the date of the transaction.
In 2008, the Company consolidated a previously unconsolidated joint venture, resulting in a reduction in investments in unconsolidated joint ventures and an increase in inventory of $61.5 million.
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-7 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended October 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006
1. Basis of Presentation
Basis of PresentationThe accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include our accounts and all wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of all significant intercompany balances and transactions.
2. Business
Our operations consist of homebuilding, financial services, and corporate. Our homebuilding operations are made up of six reportable segments defined as Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, and West. Homebuilding operations comprise the substantial part of our business, with approximately 98% of consolidated revenues for the years ended October 31, 2008 and 2007 and 99% for the year ended October 31, 2006 contributed by the homebuilding operations. We are a Delaware corporation, currently building and selling homes in 284 consolidated new home communities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Kentucky, Illinois, Minnesota, Maryland, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California. We offer a wide variety of homes that are designed to appeal to first-time buyers, first and second-time move-up buyers, luxury buyers, active adult buyers and empty nesters. Our financial services operations, which are a reportable segment, provide mortgage banking and title services to the homebuilding operations' customers. We do not retain or service the mortgages that we originate but rather sell the mortgages and related servicing rights to investors. Corporate primarily includes the operations of our corporate office whose primary purpose is to provide executive services, accounting, information services, human resources, management reporting, training, cash management, internal audit, risk management, and administration of process redesign, quality and safety.
See Note 10 "Operating and Reporting Segments" for further disclosure of our reportable segments.
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of EstimatesThe preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and these differences could have a significant impact on the financial statements.
Business CombinationsWhen we make an acquisition of another company, we use the purchase method of accounting in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 141 "Business Combinations" ("SFAS 141"). Under SFAS 141, we record as our cost the estimated fair value of the acquired assets less liabilities assumed. Any difference between the cost of an acquired company and the sum of the fair values of tangible and intangible assets less liabilities is recorded as goodwill. The reported income of the acquired company includes the operations of the acquired company from the date of acquisition.
Income Recognition from Home and Land Sales We are primarily engaged in the development, construction, marketing and sale of residential single-family and multi-family homes where the planned construction cycle is less than 12 months. For these homes, in accordance with SFAS No. 66, "Accounting for Sales of Real Estate" ("SFAS 66"), revenue is recognized when title is conveyed to the buyer, adequate initial and continuing investments have been received and there is no continued involvement. In situations where the buyer's financing is originated by our mortgage subsidiary and the buyer has not made an adequate initial or continuing investment as prescribed by SFAS 66, the profit on such sales is deferred until the sale of the related mortgage loan to a third-party investor has been completed.
Additionally, in certain markets, we sell lots to customers, transferring title, collecting proceeds, and entering into contracts to build homes on these lots. In these cases, we do not recognize the revenue from the lot sale until we deliver the completed home and have no continued involvement related to that home. The cash received on the lot is recorded as customer deposits until the revenue is recognized.
Income Recognition from High-Rise/Mid-Rise BuildingsWe are developing several high-rise/mid-rise buildings that will take more than 12 months to complete. If these buildings qualify, revenues and costs are recognized using the percentage of completion method of accounting in accordance with SFAS 66. Under the percentage of completion method, revenues and costs are to be recognized when construction is beyond the preliminary stage, the buyer is committed to the extent of having a sufficient initial and continuing investments that the buyer cannot require be refunded except for non-delivery of the home, sufficient homes in the building have been sold to ensure that the property will not be converted to rental property, the sales prices are collectible and the aggregate sales proceeds and the total cost of the building can be reasonably estimated. We currently do not have any buildings that meet these criteria, therefore the revenues from delivering homes in
F-8 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
high-rise/mid-rise buildings are recognized when title is conveyed to the buyer, adequate cash payment has been received and there is no continued involvement with respect to that home.
Income Recognition from Mortgage Loans Our Financial Services segment originates mortgages, primarily for our homebuilding customers. We use mandatory mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") forward commitments and investor commitments to hedge our mortgage-related interest rate exposure on agency and government loans. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk. Credit risk associated with MBS forward commitments and loan sales transactions is managed by limiting our counterparties to investment banks, federally regulated bank affiliates and other investors meeting our credit standards. Our risk, in the event of default by the purchaser, is the difference between the contract price and fair value of the MBS forward commitments. In an effort to reduce our exposure to the marketability and disposal of non-agency and non-governmental loans, including Alt-A (FICO scores below 680 and depending on credit criteria) and sub-prime loans (FICO scores below 580 and depending on credit criteria), we require our Financial Services segment to either presell or broker all of these loans, on an individual loan basis as soon as they are committed to by the customer. However, because of the recent tightening by mortgage lenders, our origination of Alt-A and sub-prime loans has declined to only 7.6% and 0.3%, respectively, of the total loans we originated during fiscal 2008, as compared to 27.3% and 3.7%, respectively, for the same period last year. In addition, of the $87.5 million of mortgage loans held for sale as of October 31, 2008, none were Alt-A or sub-prime loans. There were, however, $3.2 million of mortgage loans held for investment at October 31, 2008, which represent loans that cannot currently be sold at reasonable terms in the secondary market. As Alt-A and sub-prime originations declined, we have seen an increase in our level of FHA/VA loan origination. For the twelve months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, FHA loans represented 35.5% and 6.5%, respectively, of our total loans. Profits and losses relating to the sale of mortgage loans are recognized when legal control passes to the buyer of the mortgage and the sales price is collected.
Interest Income Recognition for Mortgage Loans Receivable and Recognition of Related Deferred Fees and CostsInterest income is recognized as earned for each mortgage loan during the period from the loan closing date to the loan sale date when legal control passes to the buyer and the sale price is collected. All fees related to the origination of mortgage loans and direct loan origination costs are deferred and recorded as either (a) an adjustment to the related mortgage loans upon the closing of a loan or (b) recognized as a deferred asset or deferred revenue while the loan is in process. These fees and costs include loan origination fees, loan discount, and salaries and wages. Such deferred fees and costs relating to the closed loans are recognized over the life of the loans as an adjustment of yield or taken into operations upon sale of the loan to a permanent investor.
Cash and Cash EquivalentsCash and cash equivalents include cash deposited in checking accounts, overnight repurchase agreements, certificates of deposit, Treasury Bills and government money market funds with maturities of 90 days or less when purchased. Our cash balances are held at a few financial institutions and may, at times, exceed insurable amounts. We believe we mitigate this risk by depositing our cash in major financial institutions. At October 31, 2008, $817.6 million of the total cash and cash equivalents was in cash equivalents, the book value of which approximates fair value.
Fair Value of Financial InstrumentsThe fair value of financial instruments is determined by reference to various market data and other valuation techniques as appropriate. Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, receivables, deposits and notes, accounts payable and other liabilities, customer deposits, mortgage loans held for sale or investment, nonrecourse land and operating properties mortgages, our revolving credit agreement, mortgage warehouse line of credit, accrued interest, and the Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes payable. The fair value of both the Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to us for debt of the same remaining maturities. The fair value of the Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes is estimated at $480.0 million, $483.3 million and $161.0 million respectively, as of October 31, 2008. Unless otherwise disclosed, the fair value of financial instruments approximates their recorded values.
InventoriesInventories consist of land, land development, home construction costs, capitalized interest and construction overhead and are stated at cost, net of impairment losses, if any. Construction costs are accumulated during the period of construction and charged to cost of sales under specific identification methods. Land, land development and common facility costs are allocated based on buildable acres to product types within each community, then charged to cost of sales equally based upon the number of homes to be constructed in each product type.
We report inventories in our consolidated balance sheets at the lower of cost or fair value. Our inventories consist of the following three components: (1) Sold and unsold homes and lots under
F-9 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
development, which includes all construction, land, and land development costs related to started homes and land under development in our active communities; (2) Land and land options held for future development or sale, which includes all costs related to land in our communities in planning; and (3) Consolidated inventory not owned, which includes all cost related to specific performance options, variable interest entities, and other options, which consists primarily of our GMAC model homes and inventory related to structured lot options.
As a result of the declining homebuilding market, we have decided to mothball (or stop development on) certain communities where we determine the current performance does not justify further investment at this time. When we decide to mothball a community, the inventory is reclassified from Sold and unsold homes and lots under development to Land and land options held for future development or sale. As of October 31, 2008, the book value associated with the 54 mothballed communities was $550.4 million, net of an impairment balance of $290.1 million. We continually review communities to determine if mothballing is appropriate.
The recoverability of inventories and other long-lived assets are assessed in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS 144"). SFAS 144 requires long-lived assets, including inventories, held for development to be evaluated for impairment based on undiscounted future cash flows of the assets at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows. As such, we evaluate inventories for impairment at the individual community level, the lowest level of discrete cash flows that we measure.
We evaluate inventories of communities under development and held for future development for impairment when indicators of potential impairment are present. Indicators of impairment include, but are not limited to, decreases in local housing market values, decreases in gross margins or sales absorption rates, decreases in net sales prices (base sales price net of sales incentives), or actual or projected operating or cash flow losses. The assessment of communities for indication of impairment is performed quarterly, primarily by completing detailed budgets for all of our communities and identifying those communities with a projected operating loss for any projected fiscal year or for the entire projected community life. For those communities with projected losses, we estimate remaining undiscounted future cash flows and compare those to the carrying value of the community, to determine if the carrying value of the asset is recoverable.
The projected operating profits, losses or cash flows of each community can be significantly impacted by our estimates of the following:
These estimates are dependent upon specific market conditions for each community. While we consider available information to determine what we believe to be our best estimates as of the end of a quarterly reporting period, these estimates are subject to change in future reporting periods as facts and circumstances change. Local market-specific conditions that may impact our estimates for a community include:
These and other local market-specific conditions that may be present are considered by management in preparing projection assumptions for each community. The sales objectives can differ between our communities, even within a given market. For example, facts and circumstances in a given community may lead us to price our homes with the objective of yielding a higher sales absorption pace, while facts and circumstances in another community may lead us to price our homes to minimize deterioration in our gross margins, although it may result in a slower sales absorption pace. In addition, the key assumptions included in our estimate of future undiscounted cash flows may be interrelated. For example, a decrease in estimated base sales price or an increase in homes sales incentives may result in a corresponding increase in sales absorption pace. Additionally, a decrease in the average sales price of homes to be sold and closed in future reporting periods for one community that has not been generating what management believes to be an adequate sales absorption pace may impact the
F-10 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
estimated cash flow assumptions of a nearby community. Changes in our key assumptions, including estimated construction and development costs, absorption pace and selling strategies, could materially impact future cash flow and fair value estimates. Due to the number of possible scenarios that would result from various changes in these factors, we do not believe it is possible to develop a sensitivity analysis with a level of precision that would be meaningful to an investor.
If the undiscounted cash flows are more than the carrying value of the community, then the carrying amount is recoverable, and no impairment adjustment is required. However, if the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, then the community is deemed impaired and is written-down to its fair value. We determine the estimated fair value of each community by determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows at a discount rate commensurate with the risk of the respective community. Our discount rates used for the impairments recorded to date range from 13.5% to 17.0%. The estimated future cash flow assumptions are the same for both our recoverability and fair value assessments. Should the estimates or expectations used in determining estimated cash flows or fair value decrease or differ from current estimates in the future, we may be required to recognize additional impairments related to current and future communities. The impairment of a community is allocated to each lot on a straight line basis.
Inventories held for sale, which are land parcels where we have decided not to build homes, are a very small portion of our total inventories, and are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. In determining whether land held for sale is impaired, management considers, among other things, prices for land in recent comparable sale transactions, market analysis studies, which include the estimated price a willing buyer would pay for the land (other than in a forced liquidation sale) and recent bona fide offers received from outside third parties.
From time to time, we write-off deposits and approval, engineering and capitalized interest costs when we decide not to exercise options to buy land in various locations or when we redesign communities and/or abandon certain engineering costs. In deciding not to exercise a land option, we take into consideration changes in market conditions, the timing of required land takedowns, the willingness of land sellers to modify terms of the land option contract (including timing of land takedowns), and the availability and best use of our capital, among other factors. The write-off is recorded in the period it is deemed probable that the optioned property will not be acquired. In certain instances, we have been able to recover deposits and other preacquisition costs which were previously written off. These recoveries are generally not significant in comparison to the total costs written off.
The impairment of communities under development, communities held for future development and inventories held for sale, and the charge for land option write-offs, are reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Operations in a separate line entitled "HomebuildingInventory impairment loss and land option write-offs". See also Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for inventory impairment and write-off amounts by segment.
Insurance Deductible ReservesFor homes delivered in fiscal 2008 and 2007, our deductible is $20 million per occurrence with an aggregate $20 million for liability claims and an aggregate $21.5 million for construction defect claims under our general liability insurance. Our worker's compensation insurance deductible is $0.5 million per occurrence in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007. Reserves have been established based upon actuarial analysis of estimated losses for fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007. We engage a third party actuary that uses our historical warranty data to estimate our unpaid claims, claim adjustment expenses and incurred but not reported claims reserves for the risks that we are assuming under the general liability and workers compensation programs. The estimates include provisions for inflation, claims handling and legal fees. These estimates are subject to a high degree of variability due to uncertainties such as trends in construction defect claims relative to our markets and the types of products we build, claim settlement patterns, insurance industry practices and legal interpretations, among others. Because of the high degree of judgment required in determining these estimated liability amounts, actual future costs could differ significantly from our currently estimated amounts.
InterestIn accordance with SFAS 34, "Capitalization of Interest Cost", interest incurred is first capitalized to properties under development during the land development and home construction period and expensed along with the associated cost of sales as the related inventories are sold. Interest incurred in excess of interest capitalized because qualifying assets for interest capitalization are less than debt, or interest incurred on borrowings directly related to properties not under development are expensed immediately in "Other interest".
F-11 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Interest costs incurred, expensed and capitalized were:
|
Year Ended |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands) |
October 31, 2008 |
October 31, 2007 |
October 31, 2006 |
|||||||
|
||||||||||
Interest capitalized at beginning of year |
$ | 155,642 | $ | 102,849 | $ | 48,366 | ||||
Plus interest incurred(1) |
190,801 | 194,547 | 166,427 | |||||||
Less cost of sales interest expensed |
145,961 | 131,957 | 108,329 | |||||||
Less other interest expensed (2)(3) |
30,375 | 9,797 | 3,615 | |||||||
Interest capitalized at end of year(4) |
$ | 170,107 | $ | 155,642 | $ | 102,849 | ||||
Land OptionsCosts are capitalized when incurred and either included as part of the purchase price when the land is acquired or charged to operations when we determine we will not exercise the option. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board's ("FASB") revision to Interpretation No. 46 "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities", an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 ("FIN 46-R"), SFAS No. 49 "Accounting for Product Financing Arrangements" ("SFAS 49"), SFAS No. 98 "Accounting for Leases" ("SFAS 98"), and Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") No. 97-10 "The Effects of Lessee Involvement in Asset Construction" ("EITF 97-10"), we record on the Consolidated Balance Sheets specific performance options, options with variable interest entities, and other options under "Consolidated inventory not owned" with the offset to "Liabilities from inventory not owned", and "Minority interest from inventory not owned" and "Minority interest from consolidated joint ventures".
Unconsolidated Homebuilding and Land Development Joint VenturesInvestments in unconsolidated homebuilding and land development joint ventures are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, we recognize our proportionate share of earnings and losses earned by the joint venture upon the delivery of lots or homes to third parties. Our ownership interest in joint ventures varies but is generally less than or equal to 50%. In determining whether or not we must consolidate joint ventures where we are the managing member of the joint venture, we consider the guidance in EITF 04-5, "Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights" ("EITF 04-5"), in assessing whether the other partners have specific rights to overcome the presumption of control by us as the manager of the joint venture. In most cases, the presumption is overcome because the joint venture agreements require that both partners agree on establishing the operating and capital decisions of the partnership, including budgets, in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion 18 ("APB 18"), we assess our investments in unconsolidated joint ventures for recoverability, and if it is determined that a loss in value of the investment is other than temporary, we write-down the investment to the recoverable value. We evaluate our equity investments for recoverability based on the joint venture's projected cash flows. In fiscal 2008, we wrote-down certain joint venture investments by $11.3 million, based on this recoverability analysis.
Intangible AssetsThe intangible assets recorded on our October 31, 2007 balance sheet are goodwill, which has an indefinite life, and definite life intangibles, including trade names, architectural designs, distribution processes, and contractual agreements resulting from our acquisitions. We no longer amortize goodwill but instead assess it periodically for impairment. We performed such assessments utilizing a fair value approach as of October 31, 2008. If the fair value of the applicable business unit is less than the carrying amount of that business unit, the goodwill of that business unit is considered impaired. The amount of the impairment is determined as the excess of the book value of the goodwill over the implied fair value of the goodwill, and the implied fair value of the goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination is determined. That is, the fair value of the business unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that business unit as if the business unit had been acquired in a business combination. The excess of the fair value of the business unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. The estimates used in the determination of the estimated cash flows and fair value of a business unit are based on factors known to us at the time such estimates are made and our expectations of future operations and economic conditions. Should the estimates or expectations used in determining estimated cash flows or fair value
F-12 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
decrease or differ from current estimates in the future, we may be required to recognize additional impairments. Despite years of significant income generation in our markets with goodwill, primarily Texas in the Southwest segment and our Mid-Atlantic segment, the current weakening market resulted in financial estimates in 2008 that resulted in fully impairing the remaining $32.7 million of goodwill, based upon present value of cash flow analyses. The goodwill impairment charge was included in "Goodwill and intangible amortization and impairment" on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
We also assess definite life intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An intangible impairment is recorded when events and circumstances indicate the undiscounted future cash flows generated from the business unit with the intangible asset are less than the net assets of the business unit. The impairment loss is the lesser of the difference between the net assets of the business unit and the discounted future cash flows generated from the applicable business unit, which approximates fair value and the intangible asset balance. The estimates used in the determination of the estimated cash flows and fair value of a business unit are based on factors known to us at the time such estimates are made and our expectations of future operations and economic conditions. Should the estimates or expectations used in determining estimated cash flows or fair value decrease or differ from current estimates in the future, we may be required to recognize additional impairments. This was the case in fiscal 2008, whereby we wrote off the carrying amount of $2.7 million of intangible assets in our Mid-Atlantic segment, bringing the balance to zero at October 31, 2008. In fiscal 2007, we determined that the intangible assets associated with our Fort Myers, California, Tampa, Orlando, Canton and Building Products operations were impaired and wrote them off for a total reduction of $162.2 million, of which $135.2 million was included in "Goodwill and intangible amortization and impairment" on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and $27.0 million was included in "Accounts payable and other liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The intangible impairment charge is included in "Goodwill and intangible amortization and impairment" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Finance Subsidiary Net WorthIn accordance with Statement of Position 01-6 ("SOP 01-6") of the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, we are required to disclose the minimum net worth requirements by regulatory agencies, secondary market investors and states in which our mortgage subsidiary conducts business. At October 31, 2008 and 2007, our mortgage subsidiary's net worth was $68.5 million and $59.2 million, respectively, which exceeded all our regulatory agencies net worth requirements.
Deferred Bond Issuance CostsCosts associated with the issuance of our Senior Secured, Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes are capitalized and amortized over the associated term of each note issuance.
Debt Issued At a DiscountDebt issued at a discount to the face amount is accreted up to its face amount utilizing the effective interest method over the term of the note and recorded as a component of interest on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Post Development Completion and Warranty Costs In those instances where a development is substantially completed and sold and we have additional construction work to be incurred, an estimated liability is provided to cover the cost of such work. In addition, we accrue warranty costs as part of cost of sales for repair costs under $5,000 per occurrence to homes, community amenities and land development infrastructure. In addition, we accrue for warranty costs over $5,000 per occurrence as part of our general liability insurance deductible as part of Selling, general and administrative costs. As previously stated, the deductible for our general liability insurance for homes delivered in fiscal 2008 and 2007 is $20 million per occurrence with an aggregate $20 million for liability claims, and an aggregate $21.5 million for construction defect claims. Both of these liabilities are recorded in "Accounts payable and other liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Advertising CostsAdvertising costs are treated as period costs and expensed as incurred. During the years ended October 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, advertising costs expensed amounted to $57.3 million, $102.3 million, and $107.9 million, respectively.
Deferred Income TaxDeferred income taxes or income tax benefits are provided for temporary differences between amounts recorded for financial reporting and for income tax purposes. If, for some reason, the combination of future years income (or loss) combined with the reversal of the timing differences results in a loss, such losses can be carried back to prior years or carried forward to future years to recover the deferred tax assets. In accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"), we evaluate our deferred tax assets quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required. SFAS 109 requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established based on the consideration of all available evidence using a "more likely than not" standard. See Note 12 for further discussion of the valuation allowances recorded during fiscal 2008 and 2007, as well as discussion of the adoption of FIN 48 for uncertain tax positions on November 1, 2007.
F-13 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Common StockEach share of Class A Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote per share and each share of Class B Common Stock entitles its holder to ten votes per share. The amount of any regular cash dividend payable on a share of Class A Common Stock will be an amount equal to 110% of the corresponding regular cash dividend payable on a share of Class B Common Stock. If a shareholder desires to sell shares of Class B Common Stock, such stock must be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock.
In July 2001, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to purchase up to 4 million shares of Class A Common Stock. As of October 31, 2008, approximately 3.4 million shares have been purchased under this program, of which zero and 0.2 million were repurchased during the twelve months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
On August 4, 2008, we announced that our Board of Directors adopted a shareholder rights plan (the "Rights Plan") designed to preserve shareholder value and the value of certain tax assets primarily associated with net operating loss carryforwards (NOL) and built-in losses under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Our ability to use NOLs and built-in losses would be limited, if there was an "ownership change" under Section 382. This would occur if shareholders owning (or deemed under Section 382 to own) 5% or more of our stock increase their collective ownership of the aggregate amount of our outstanding shares by more than 50 percentage points over a defined period of time. The Rights Plan was adopted to reduce the likelihood of an "ownership change" occurring as defined by Section 382. Under the Rights Plan, one right was distributed for each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding as of the close of business on August 15, 2008. Effective August 15, 2008, if any person or group acquires 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock without the approval of the Board of Directors, there would be a triggering event causing significant dilution in the voting power of such person or group. However, existing stockholders who owned, at the time of the Rights Plan's adoption, 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock will trigger a dilutive event only if they acquire additional shares. The approval of the Board of Directors' decision to adopt the Rights Plan may be terminated by the Board at any time, prior to the Rights being triggered. The Rights Plan will continue in effect until August 15, 2018, unless it is terminated or redeemed earlier by the Board of Directors. The approval of the Board of Directors' decision to adopt the Rights Plan was submitted to a stockholder vote and approved at a Special Meeting of stockholders held on December 5, 2008. Also at the Special Meeting on December 5, 2008, our stockholders approved an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to restrict certain transfers of Class A Common Stock in order to preserve the tax treatment of our net operating loss carryforwards and built-in losses under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. See Note 23 for additional details.
Preferred StockOn July 12, 2005, we issued 5,600 shares of 7.625% Series A Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are not cumulative and are paid at an annual rate of 7.625%. The Series A Preferred Stock is not convertible into the Company's common stock and is redeemable in whole or in part at our option at the liquidation preference of the shares beginning on the fifth anniversary of their issuance. The Series A Preferred Stock is traded as depositary shares, with each depositary share representing 1/1000th of a share of Series A Preferred Stock. The depositary shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "HOVNP". In fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006 we paid zero (due to covenant restrictions in our indentures), $10.7 million and $10.7 million, respectively, as dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock.
DepreciationProperty, plant and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets ranging from three to forty years.
Prepaid ExpensesPrepaid expenses which relate to specific housing communities (model setup, architectural fees, homeowner warranty program fees, etc.) are amortized to costs of sales as the applicable inventories are sold. All other prepaid expenses are amortized over a specific time period or as used and charged to overhead expense.
Stock OptionsEffective November 1, 2005, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") 123R, "Share-Based Payments", which revises SFAS 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation". Prior to fiscal year 2006, the Company accounted for stock awards granted to employees under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees", and related interpretations. As a result, the recognition of stock-based compensation expense was generally limited to the expense attributed to nonvested stock awards, as well as the amortization of certain acquisition-related deferred compensation.
SFAS 123R applies to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after the required effective date, as well as to the unvested portion of awards outstanding as of the required effective date. The Company uses the Black-Scholes model to value its new stock option grants under SFAS 123R, applying the "modified prospective method" for existing grants which requires the Company to value stock options
F-14 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
prior to its adoption of SFAS 123R under the fair value method and expense the unvested portion over the remaining vesting period. The fair value for options is established at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007: risk-free interest rate of 4.27% and 5.12%, respectively; dividend yield of zero; historical volatility factor of the expected market price of our common stock of 0.50 for year ended 2008 and 0.44 for year ended 2007; and a weighted average expected life of the option of 5.86 years for 2008 and 5.74 years for 2007. SFAS 123R also requires the Company to estimate forfeitures in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation (estimated at 8.4%), and requires the Company to reflect the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as both a financing cash inflow and an operating cash outflow upon adoption.
Compensation cost arising from nonvested stock granted to employees and from non-employee stock awards is recognized as expense using the straight-line method over the vesting period.
For the years ended October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007, the Company's total stock-based compensation expense was $25.2 million ($24.3 million net of tax) and $24.4 million ($23.6 million net of tax), respectively. Included in this total stock-based compensation expense was incremental expense for stock options of $13.1 million ($12.6 million net of tax) and $13.7 million ($13.3 million net of tax) for the years ended October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007, respectively.
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because our employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from traded options, and changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, management believes the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.
Per Share CalculationsBasic earnings per common share is computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding adjusted for the incremental shares attributed to outstanding options to purchase common stock shares and non-vested common stock of approximately 2.0 million for the year ended October 31, 2006. For the years ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, there were no incremental shares attributed to nonvested stock and outstanding options to purchase common stock because we had a net loss for the year, and any incremental shares would not be dilutive.
Computer Software DevelopmentIn accordance with Statements of Position 98-1, we capitalize certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use. Once the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, the capitalized costs are amortized over the systems estimated useful life.
Recent Accounting PronouncementsIn September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" ("SFAS 157"), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, which partially defers the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis, until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. Implementation of SFAS 157 will apply to our Financial Services segment in fiscal 2009, however, the impact is not expected to be material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. This pronouncement is effective for our other segments' non-financial assets in fiscal 2010. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, that FAS 157 may have on our consolidated financial positions, results of operations or cash flows.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial LiabilitiesIncluding an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115" ("SFAS 159"). The statement permits entities to choose to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity's fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. We do not expect that FAS 159 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial positions, results of operations or cash flows.
F-15 Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, "Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statementsan amendment of ARB No. 51" ("SFAS 160"). The statement clarifies the accounting for non-controlling interests and establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary, including classification as a component of equity. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and earlier adoption is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, that SFAS 160 may have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), "Business Combinations" ("SFAS 141(R)"). The statement replaces SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations", and provides revised guidance for recognizing and measuring identifiable assets and goodwill acquired, liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. It also provides disclosure requirements to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and is to be applied prospectively. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, that SFAS 141(R) may have on our consolidated financial positions, results of operations or cash flows.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, "Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activitiesan amendment of FASB Statement No. 133" ("SFAS 161"). SFAS 161 expands the disclosure requirements in SFAS 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," regarding an entity's derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beg