UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 July 30, 2003 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) NOVASTAR FINANCIAL, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Maryland 001-13533 74-2830661 ---------------------------------- ------------------- --------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) File Number) Identification No.) 8140 Ward Parkway, Suite 300, Kansas City, MO 64114 --------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (816) 237-7000 -------------- (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT Item 7. (c) Exhibit 99.1 Press Release, dated July 30, 2003 "NovaStar Announces Earnings Per Share of $2.06 and Dividend of $2.50 for Second Quarter of 2003". Item 9. Information provided pursuant to Item 12 Pursuant to Item 12 (Results of Operations and Financial Condition) of Form 8-K, NovaStar Financial, Inc. is hereby furnishing, as an Exhibit to this current report on Form 8-K, a copy of its earnings release for the second quarter of 2003 publicly released on July 30, 2003. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. NOVASTAR FINANCIAL, INC. DATE: July 30, 2003 /s/ Rodney E. Schwatken ---------------------------------------- Rodney E. Schwatken Vice President, Treasurer and Controller Exhibit Index Exhibit Number ------ 99.1 Press Release dated July 30, 2003 "NovaStar Announces Earnings Per Share of $2.06 and Dividend of $2.50 for Second Quarter of 2003".