PHM 03/31/2014 10-Q

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014


[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 1-9804 

PULTEGROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
MICHIGAN
 
38-2766606
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

100 Bloomfield Hills Parkway, Suite 300
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (248) 647-2750

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  [X]   NO  [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES  [X]   NO  [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer  [X]
  
Accelerated filer  [ ]
  
Non-accelerated filer [ ]  
  
Smaller reporting company [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  YES [ ]  NO  [X]

Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of April 18, 2014: 378,651,879

______________________________________________________________________________________________________


1


PULTEGROUP, INC.
INDEX

 
 
Page
No.
PART I
 
 
 
 
Item 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2
 
 
 
Item 3
 
 
 
Item 4
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
 
Item 2
 
 
 
Item 6
 
 
 
 
 


2


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.      Financial Statements

PULTEGROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($000’s omitted)
 
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Note)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and equivalents
$
1,268,162

 
$
1,580,329

Restricted cash
75,596

 
72,715

House and land inventory
4,034,294

 
3,978,561

Land held for sale
72,531

 
61,735

Land, not owned, under option agreements
22,200

 
24,024

Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale
209,921

 
287,933

Investments in unconsolidated entities
40,120

 
45,323

Other assets
461,046

 
460,621

Intangible assets
132,873

 
136,148

Deferred tax assets, net
2,034,668

 
2,086,754

 
$
8,351,411

 
$
8,734,143

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable, including book overdrafts of $26,732 and $35,827
     in 2014 and 2013, respectively
$
205,234

 
$
202,736

Customer deposits
168,573

 
134,858

Accrued and other liabilities
1,257,854

 
1,377,750

Income tax liabilities
205,810

 
206,015

Financial Services debt
35,836

 
105,664

Senior notes
1,814,041

 
2,058,168

 
3,687,348

 
4,085,191

 
 
 
 
Shareholders' equity
4,664,063

 
4,648,952

 
 
 
 
 
$
8,351,411

 
$
8,734,143


Note: The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.


See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


3


PULTEGROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(000’s omitted, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Revenues:
 
 
 
Homebuilding
 
 
 
Home sale revenues
$
1,088,015

 
$
1,099,752

Land sale revenues
5,984

 
26,131

 
1,093,999

 
1,125,883

Financial Services
24,895

 
36,873

Total revenues
1,118,894

 
1,162,756

 
 
 
 
Homebuilding Cost of Revenues:
 
 
 
Home sale cost of revenues
828,603

 
901,470

Land sale cost of revenues
5,011

 
22,018

 
833,614

 
923,488

Financial Services expenses
3,322

 
22,588

Selling, general and administrative expenses
144,887

 
129,626

Other expense, net
13,831

 
4,772

Interest income
(1,111
)
 
(1,173
)
Interest expense
213

 
207

Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities
(5,891
)
 
898

Income before income taxes
130,029

 
82,350

Income tax expense
55,210

 
588

Net income
$
74,819

 
$
81,762

 
 
 
 
Per share:
 
 
 
Basic earnings
$
0.19

 
$
0.21

Diluted earnings
$
0.19

 
$
0.21

Cash dividends declared
$
0.05

 
$

 
 
 
 
Number of shares used in calculation:



Basic
383,991


384,228

Effect of dilutive securities
3,815


6,093

Diluted
387,806


390,321




See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


4


PULTEGROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(000’s omitted)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net income
$
74,819

 
$
81,762

 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
 
 
Change in value of derivatives
40

 
48

Other comprehensive income
40

 
48

 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
$
74,859

 
$
81,810





See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


5



PULTEGROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(000's omitted, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(Loss)
 
Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)
 
Total
Shares
 
$
 
Shareholders' Equity, January 1, 2014
381,300

 
$
3,813

 
$
3,052,016

 
$
(795
)
 
$
1,593,918

 
$
4,648,952

Stock option exercises
489

 
5

 
5,290

 

 

 
5,295

Stock awards, net of cancellations
(99
)
 
(1
)
 
1

 

 

 

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 
(19,087
)
 
(19,087
)
Stock repurchases
(2,511
)
 
(25
)
 

 

 
(50,080
)
 
(50,105
)
Stock-based compensation

 

 
4,191

 

 

 
4,191

Excess tax benefits (deficiencies) from share-based awards

 

 
(42
)
 

 

 
(42
)
Net income

 

 

 

 
74,819

 
74,819

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 
40

 

 
40

Shareholders' Equity, March 31, 2014
379,179

 
$
3,792

 
$
3,061,456

 
$
(755
)
 
$
1,599,570

 
$
4,664,063

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholders' Equity, January 1, 2013
386,608

 
$
3,866

 
$
3,030,889

 
$
(992
)
 
$
(844,147
)
 
$
2,189,616

Stock option exercises
669

 
7

 
7,530

 

 

 
7,537

Stock awards, net of cancellations
563

 
5

 
(5
)
 

 

 

Stock repurchases
(330
)
 
(3
)
 
(2,587
)
 

 
(3,837
)
 
(6,427
)
Stock-based compensation

 

 
2,979

 

 

 
2,979

Net income

 

 

 

 
81,762

 
81,762

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 
48

 

 
48

Shareholders' Equity, March 31 2013
387,510

 
$
3,875

 
$
3,038,806

 
$
(944
)
 
$
(766,222
)
 
$
2,275,515



See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6


PULTEGROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
($000’s omitted)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
74,819

 
$
81,762

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by (used in)
      operating activities:
 
 
 
Deferred income tax expense
52,086

 

Depreciation and amortization
5,670

 
7,339

Stock-based compensation expense
8,522

 
7,141

Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities
(5,891
)
 
898

Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities
4,753

 
265

Loss on debt retirements
8,584

 

Other non-cash, net
3,256

 
3,035

Increase (decrease) in cash due to:
 
 
 
Restricted cash
(890
)
 
860

Inventories
(68,812
)
 
99,760

Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale
76,357

 
80,727

Other assets
17,090

 
(370
)
Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities
(83,943
)
 
(8,795
)
Income tax liabilities
(205
)
 
(2,002
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
91,396

 
270,620

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Distributions from unconsolidated entities
6,385

 
200

Investments in unconsolidated entities
(9
)
 
(593
)
Net change in loans held for investment
(6,390
)
 
10

Change in restricted cash related to letters of credit
(1,991
)
 
4,513

Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment
23

 
59

Capital expenditures
(17,865
)
 
(5,378
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(19,847
)
 
(1,189
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Financial Services borrowings (repayments)
(69,828
)
 
(82,164
)
Other borrowings (repayments)
(250,013
)
 
(213
)
Stock option exercises
5,295

 
7,537

Stock repurchases
(50,105
)
 
(6,427
)
Dividends paid
(19,065
)
 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(383,716
)
 
(81,267
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents
(312,167
)
 
188,164

Cash and equivalents at beginning of period
1,580,329

 
1,404,760

Cash and equivalents at end of period
$
1,268,162

 
$
1,592,924

 
 
 
 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
 
 
 
Interest paid (capitalized), net
$
(19,556
)
 
$
(23,095
)
Income taxes paid (refunded), net
$
(8,253
)
 
$
(3,026
)
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)




    
1. Summary of significant accounting policies

Basis of presentation

PulteGroup, Inc. is one of the largest homebuilders in the United States, and our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “PHM”. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "PulteGroup", the "Company", "we", "us", and "our" used herein refer to PulteGroup, Inc. and its subsidiaries. While our subsidiaries engage primarily in the homebuilding business, we also have mortgage banking operations, conducted principally through Pulte Mortgage LLC (“Pulte Mortgage”), and title operations.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal, recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Subsequent events

We evaluated subsequent events up until the time the financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

Cash and equivalents

Cash and equivalents include institutional money market investments and time deposits with a maturity of three months or less when acquired. Cash and equivalents at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 also included $11.8 million and $3.7 million, respectively, of cash from home closings held in escrow for our benefit, typically for less than five days, which are considered deposits in-transit.

Restricted cash

We maintain certain cash balances that are restricted as to their use. Restricted cash consists primarily of deposits maintained with financial institutions under certain cash-collateralized letter of credit agreements (see Note 8). The remaining balances relate to certain other accounts with restrictions, including customer deposits on home sales that are temporarily restricted by regulatory requirements until title transfers to the homebuyer.




8

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



Other expense, net

Other expense, net consists of the following ($000’s omitted): 

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2014
 
2013
Write-off of deposits and pre-acquisition costs
$
1,464

 
$
341

Loss on debt retirements (Note 8)
8,584

 

Amortization of intangible assets
3,275

 
3,275

Miscellaneous expense, net
508

 
1,156

 
$
13,831

 
$
4,772


Notes receivable

In certain instances, we may accept consideration for land sales or other transactions in the form of a note receivable. Such receivables are reported net of allowance for credit losses within other assets. The following represents our notes receivable and related allowance for credit losses ($000’s omitted): 
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31, 2013
Notes receivable, gross
$
56,827

 
$
59,995

Allowance for credit losses
(27,054
)
 
(27,051
)
Notes receivable, net
$
29,773

 
$
32,944


We also record other receivables from various parties in the normal course of business, including amounts due from municipalities, insurance companies, and vendors. Such receivables are generally reported in other assets. See Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale in Note 1 for a discussion of our receivables related to mortgage operations.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common shareholders (the “Numerator”) by the weighted-average number of common shares, adjusted for unvested shares (the “Denominator”) for the period. Computing diluted earnings per share is similar to computing basic earnings per share, except that the Denominator is increased to include the dilutive effects of stock options, unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units, and other potentially dilutive instruments. Any stock options that have an exercise price greater than the average market price are considered to be anti-dilutive and are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation. Our earnings per share excluded 7.5 million and 10.0 million stock options and other potentially dilutive instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

9

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



In accordance with ASC 260 "Earnings Per Share" ("ASC 260"), the two-class method determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating securities according to an earnings allocation formula that adjusts the Numerator for dividends or dividend equivalents and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are participating securities and, therefore, are included in computing earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The Company's outstanding restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and deferred shares are considered participating securities. The following table presents the earnings per share of common stock (000's omitted, except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2014
 
2013
Numerator:
 
 
 
Net income
$
74,819

 
$
81,762

Less: earnings distributed to participating securities
(134
)
 

Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities
(383
)
 

Numerator for basic earnings per share
$
74,302

 
$
81,762

Add back: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities
383

 

Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities
(379
)
 

Numerator for diluted earnings per share
$
74,306

 
$
81,762

 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
Basic shares outstanding
383,991

 
384,228

Effect of dilutive securities
3,815

 
6,093

Diluted shares outstanding
387,806

 
390,321

 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.19

 
$
0.21

Diluted
$
0.19

 
$
0.21


Land option agreements

In the ordinary course of business, we enter into land option agreements in order to procure land for the construction of homes in the future. Pursuant to these land option agreements, we generally provide a deposit to the seller as consideration for the right to purchase land at different times in the future, usually at predetermined prices. Such contracts enable us to defer acquiring portions of properties owned by third parties or unconsolidated entities until we have determined whether and when to exercise our option, which reduces our financial risks associated with long-term land holdings. Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs (such as environmental testing, surveys, engineering, and entitlement costs) are capitalized if the costs are directly identifiable with the land under option, the costs would be capitalized if we owned the land, and acquisition of the property is probable. Such costs are reflected in other assets and are reclassified to inventory upon taking title to the land. We write off deposits and pre-acquisition costs when it becomes probable that we will not go forward with the project or recover the capitalized costs. Such decisions take into consideration changes in local market conditions, the timing of required land purchases, the availability and best use of necessary incremental capital, and other factors. We record any such write-offs of deposits and pre-acquisition costs within other expense, net. See Note 2.


10

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



If the entity holding the land under option is a variable interest entity (“VIE”), our deposit represents a variable interest in that entity. If we are determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE, we are required to consolidate the VIE. Certain of our land option agreements are with entities considered VIEs. In evaluating whether we are required to consolidate a VIE, we take into consideration that the VIE is generally protected from the first dollar of loss under our land option agreement due to our deposit. Likewise, the VIE's gains are generally capped based on the purchase price within the land option agreement. However, we generally have little control or influence over the operations of these VIEs due to our lack of an equity interest in them. Additionally, creditors of the VIE typically have no recourse against us, and we do not provide financial or other support to these VIEs other than as stipulated in the land option agreements. Our maximum exposure to loss related to these VIEs is generally limited to our deposits and pre-acquisition costs under the applicable land option agreements. Historically, cancellations of land option agreements have resulted in write-offs of the related deposits and pre-acquisition costs but have not exposed us to the overall risks or losses of the applicable VIEs. No VIEs required consolidation at either March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

Separately, certain land option agreements represent financing arrangements even though we generally have no obligation to pay these future amounts. As a result, we recorded $22.2 million and $24.0 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, to land, not owned, under option agreements with a corresponding increase to accrued and other liabilities. Such amounts represent the remaining purchase price under the land option agreements, some of which are with VIEs, in the event we exercise the purchase rights under the agreements.

The following provides a summary of our interests in land option agreements as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 ($000’s omitted): 
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Deposits and
Pre-acquisition
Costs
 
Remaining Purchase
Price
 
Land, Not
Owned,
Under
Option
Agreements
 
Deposits and
Pre-acquisition
Costs
 
Remaining Purchase
Price
 
Land, Not
Owned,
Under
Option
Agreements
Land options with VIEs
$
51,055

 
$
791,765

 
$
5,264

 
$
40,486

 
$
661,158

 
$
8,167

Other land options
47,731

 
801,584

 
16,936

 
50,548

 
729,128

 
15,857

 
$
98,786

 
$
1,593,349

 
$
22,200

 
$
91,034

 
$
1,390,286

 
$
24,024


Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale

Substantially all of the loans originated by us are sold in the secondary mortgage market within a short period of time after origination, generally within 30 days. In accordance with ASC 825, “Financial Instruments” (“ASC 825”), we use the fair value option to record residential mortgage loans available-for-sale. Election of the fair value option for these loans allows a better offset of the changes in fair values of the loans and the derivative instruments used to economically hedge them without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. We do not designate any derivative instruments as hedges or apply the hedge accounting provisions of ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”

Expected gains and losses from the sale of residential mortgage loans and their related servicing rights are included in the measurement of written loan commitments that are accounted for at fair value through Financial Services revenues at the time of commitment.  Subsequent changes in the fair value of these loans are reflected in Financial Services revenues as they occur. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, residential mortgage loans available-for-sale had an aggregate fair value of $209.9 million and $287.9 million, respectively, and an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $203.7 million and $278.1 million, respectively. The net gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of these loans totaled $0.7 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These changes in fair value were substantially offset by changes in fair value of the corresponding hedging instruments. Net gains from the sale of mortgages were $12.9 million and $23.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and have been included in Financial Services revenues.


11

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



Derivative instruments and hedging activities

We are exposed to market risks from commitments to lend, movements in interest rates, and canceled or modified commitments to lend. A commitment to lend at a specific interest rate (an interest rate lock commitment) is a derivative financial instrument (interest rate is locked to the borrower). In order to reduce these risks, we use other derivative financial instruments, principally cash forward placement contracts on mortgage-backed securities and whole loan investor commitments, to economically hedge the interest rate lock commitment. We enter into these derivative financial instruments based upon our portfolio of interest rate lock commitments and closed loans. We do not use any derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had aggregate interest rate lock commitments of $188.8 million and $175.7 million, respectively, which were originated at interest rates prevailing at the date of commitment. Since we can terminate a loan commitment if the borrower does not comply with the terms of the contract, and some loan commitments may expire without being drawn upon, these commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. We evaluate the creditworthiness of these transactions through our normal credit policies.

Forward contracts on mortgage-backed securities are commitments to either purchase or sell a specified financial instrument at a specified future date for a specified price that may be settled in cash, by offsetting the position, or through the delivery of the financial instrument. Forward contracts on mortgage-backed securities are the predominant derivative financial instruments we use to minimize market risk during the period from the time we extend an interest rate lock to a loan applicant until the time the loan is sold to an investor. We also use whole loan investor commitments, which are obligations of the investor to buy loans at a specified price within a specified time period. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had unexpired forward contracts of $338.1 million and $381.5 million, respectively, and whole loan investor commitments of $20.5 million and $31.7 million, respectively. Changes in the fair value of interest rate lock commitments and other derivative financial instruments are recognized in Financial Services revenues, and the fair values are reflected in other assets or other liabilities, as applicable.

There are no credit-risk-related contingent features within our derivative agreements, and counterparty risk is considered minimal. Gains and losses on interest rate lock commitments are substantially offset by corresponding gains or losses on forward contracts on mortgage-backed securities and whole loan investor commitments. We are generally not exposed to variability in cash flows of derivative instruments for more than approximately 75 days.

The fair values of derivative instruments and their location in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets is summarized below ($000’s omitted):
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Other Assets
 
Other Liabilities
 
Other Assets
 
Other Liabilities
Interest rate lock commitments
$
4,474

 
$
253

 
$
3,628

 
$
489

Forward contracts
562

 
281

 
4,374

 
34

Whole loan commitments
71

 
41

 
189

 
84

 
$
5,107

 
$
575

 
$
8,191

 
$
607


New accounting pronouncements

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, “Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors,” which clarifies when an in substance repossession or foreclosure of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan has occurred. By doing so, this guidance helps determine when the creditor should derecognize the loan receivable and recognize the real estate property. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2015 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.



12

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



2. Inventory and land held for sale

Major components of inventory were as follows ($000’s omitted): 
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Homes under construction
$
1,115,281

 
$
1,042,147

Land under development
2,157,677

 
2,189,387

Raw land
761,336

 
747,027

 
$
4,034,294

 
$
3,978,561


We capitalize interest cost into inventory during the active development and construction of our communities. Each layer of capitalized interest is amortized over a period that approximates the average life of communities under development. Interest expense is recorded based on the timing of home closings. In all periods presented, we capitalized all Homebuilding interest costs into inventory because the level of our active inventory exceeded our debt levels.

Information related to interest capitalized into inventory is as follows ($000’s omitted):
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Interest in inventory, beginning of period
$
230,922

 
$
331,880

Interest capitalized
35,313

 
42,656

Interest expensed
(40,616
)
 
(53,677
)
Interest in inventory, end of period
$
225,619

 
$
320,859

Interest incurred (a)
$
35,313

 
$
42,656


(a)
Homebuilding interest incurred includes interest on senior debt and certain other financing arrangements.

Land impairments

We record land impairment valuation adjustments to our communities within Homebuilding home sale cost of revenues. Our evaluations for impairments are based on our best estimates of the future cash flows of our communities. However, if conditions in our local markets worsen in the future or if our strategy related to certain communities changes, we may be required to evaluate our assets for further impairments or write-downs. There were no significant impairments during the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.

Land held for sale

Land held for sale was as follows ($000’s omitted):
 
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Land held for sale, gross
$
80,832

 
$
70,003

Net realizable value reserves
(8,301
)
 
(8,268
)
Land held for sale, net
$
72,531

 
$
61,735





13

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



3. Segment information

Our Homebuilding operations are engaged in the acquisition and development of land primarily for residential purposes within the U.S. and the construction of housing on such land. For reporting purposes, our Homebuilding operations are aggregated into six reportable segments:
Northeast:
 
Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, Virginia
Southeast:
 
Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Florida:
 
Florida
Texas:
 
Texas
North:
 
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Northern California, Ohio, Oregon, Washington
Southwest:
 
Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Southern California

We also have a reportable segment for our Financial Services operations, which consist principally of mortgage banking and title operations. The Financial Services segment operates generally in the same markets as the Homebuilding segments.

Evaluation of segment performance is generally based on income before income taxes. Each reportable segment generally follows the same accounting policies described in Note 1 - "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

14

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



 
 
Operating Data by Segment
($000’s omitted)
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Revenues:
 
 
 
Northeast
$
141,016

 
$
132,756

Southeast
182,548

 
169,926

Florida
190,292

 
151,883

Texas
174,841

 
190,043

North
241,011

 
225,806

Southwest
164,291

 
255,469

 
1,093,999

 
1,125,883

Financial Services
24,895

 
36,873

Consolidated revenues
$
1,118,894

 
$
1,162,756

 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes:
 
 
 
Northeast
$
17,495

 
$
12,072

Southeast
25,479

 
18,328

Florida
34,356

 
20,280

Texas
22,982

 
21,210

North
30,740

 
20,552

Southwest
28,562

 
33,791

Other homebuilding (a)
(51,179
)
 
(58,196
)
 
108,435

 
68,037

Financial Services
21,594

 
14,313

Consolidated income before income taxes
$
130,029

 
$
82,350


(a)
Other homebuilding includes the amortization of intangible assets, amortization of capitalized interest, and other items not allocated to the operating segments. Other homebuilding also included losses on debt retirements totaling $8.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
 

15

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



 
Operating Data by Segment
 
($000's omitted)
 
March 31, 2014
 
Homes Under
Construction
 
Land Under
Development
 
Raw Land
 
Total
Inventory
 
Total
Assets
Northeast
$
214,408

 
$
298,629

 
$
107,172

 
$
620,209

 
$
712,449

Southeast
157,838

 
292,298

 
126,918

 
577,054

 
610,859

Florida
141,975

 
292,471

 
128,699

 
563,145

 
644,461

Texas
136,848

 
231,944

 
66,044

 
434,836

 
489,176

North
260,923

 
328,451

 
80,654

 
670,028

 
747,080

Southwest
168,866

 
525,917

 
201,899

 
896,682

 
967,288

Other homebuilding (a)
34,423

 
187,967

 
49,950

 
272,340

 
3,897,604

 
1,115,281

 
2,157,677

 
761,336

 
4,034,294

 
8,068,917

Financial Services

 

 

 

 
282,494

 
$
1,115,281

 
$
2,157,677

 
$
761,336

 
$
4,034,294

 
$
8,351,411

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
Homes Under
Construction
 
Land Under
Development
 
Raw Land
 
Total
Inventory
 
Total
Assets
Northeast
$
212,611

 
$
325,241

 
$
106,681

 
$
644,533

 
$
731,259

Southeast
139,484

 
274,981

 
146,617

 
561,082

 
599,271

Florida
140,366

 
295,631

 
104,766

 
540,763

 
618,449

Texas
130,398

 
223,979

 
57,480

 
411,857

 
466,198

North
227,537

 
350,239

 
78,945

 
656,721

 
716,239

Southwest
159,350

 
512,164

 
201,659

 
873,173

 
940,462

Other homebuilding (a)
32,401

 
207,152

 
50,879

 
290,432

 
4,334,591

 
1,042,147

 
2,189,387

 
747,027

 
3,978,561

 
8,406,469

Financial Services

 

 

 

 
327,674

 
$
1,042,147

 
$
2,189,387

 
$
747,027

 
$
3,978,561

 
$
8,734,143

 
(a)
Other homebuilding primarily includes cash and equivalents, capitalized interest, intangibles, deferred tax assets, and other corporate items that are not allocated to the operating segments.
 

16

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



4. Investments in unconsolidated entities

We participate in a number of joint ventures with independent third parties. Many of these joint ventures purchase, develop, and/or sell land and homes. A summary of our joint ventures is presented below ($000’s omitted):
 
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Investments in joint ventures with debt non-recourse to PulteGroup
$
26,510

 
$
26,532

Investments in other active joint ventures
13,610

 
18,791

Total investments in unconsolidated entities
$
40,120

 
$
45,323

 
 
 
 
Total joint venture debt
$
16,890

 
$
12,408

 
 
 
 
PulteGroup proportionate share of joint venture debt:
 
 
 
Joint venture debt with limited recourse guaranties
$
875

 
$
750

Joint venture debt non-recourse to PulteGroup
5,655

 
3,654

PulteGroup's total proportionate share of joint venture debt
$
6,530

 
$
4,404


We recognized (income) expense from unconsolidated joint ventures of $(5.9) million and $0.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we made capital contributions of $0.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and received capital and earnings distributions of $11.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

The timing of cash obligations under the joint venture and any related financing agreements varies by agreement. If additional capital contributions are required and approved, we would need to contribute our pro rata portion of those capital needs in order to not dilute our ownership in the joint ventures. While future capital contributions may be required, we believe the total amount of such contributions will be limited. Our maximum financial loss exposure related to joint ventures is unlikely to exceed the combined investment and limited recourse guaranty totals.

5. Shareholders’ equity

We reinstated our quarterly cash dividend in July 2013. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per common share paid in April 2014.

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we repurchased 2.2 million shares under our repurchase authorization for a total of $44.6 million. Such repurchases are reflected as a reduction of common stock and retained earnings. At March 31, 2014, we had remaining authorization to repurchase $189.7 million of common shares.

Under our stock-based compensation plans, we accept shares as payment under certain conditions related to stock option exercises and vesting of shares, generally related to the payment of minimum tax obligations. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, employees surrendered shares valued at $5.5 million and $6.4 million, respectively, under these plans. Such share transactions are excluded from the above noted stock repurchase authorization.


17

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



6. Income taxes

Our effective tax rate is affected by a number of factors, the most significant of which are the valuation allowance related to our deferred tax assets, changes to tax laws or other circumstances that impact the value of our deferred tax assets, and changes in our unrecognized tax benefits. Due to the effects of these factors, our effective tax rate in 2013 was not correlated to the amount of our income or loss before income taxes. Our tax provision for the first quarter of 2014 reflects a more normalized effective tax rate while our tax provision for the first quarter of 2013 consisted primarily of changes in our unrecognized tax benefits.
We evaluate our deferred tax assets each period to determine if a valuation allowance is required based on whether it is "more likely than not" that some portion of the deferred tax assets would not be realized. The ultimate realization of these deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient taxable income during future periods. We conduct our evaluation by considering all available positive and negative evidence. This evaluation considers, among other factors, historical operating results, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, and the outlooks for the U.S. housing industry and broader economy. Based on our evaluation through June 30, 2013, we fully reserved our net deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of their realization. At September 30, 2013, we evaluated evidence related to the need for a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets and determined that the valuation allowance against substantially all of our federal deferred tax assets and a significant portion of our state deferred tax assets was no longer required. Accordingly, we reversed $2.1 billion of valuation allowance in the third quarter of 2013.
The accounting for deferred taxes is based upon estimates of future results.  Differences between estimated and actual results could result in changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets that could have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial position. Changes in existing tax laws could also affect actual tax results and the realization of deferred tax assets over time.  Certain states enacted changes to tax laws that impacted the value of our deferred tax assets in the first quarter of 2014. The estimated impact of such changes was recorded to income tax expense during the period.
Unrecognized tax benefits represent the difference between tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the benefits recognized for financial statement purposes. At March 31, 2014, we had $173.3 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits and $34.4 million of related accrued interest and penalties. It is reasonably possible within the next twelve months that our gross unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by up to $141.5 million, excluding interest and penalties, primarily due to expirations of certain statutes of limitations and potential settlements.
We are currently under examination by the IRS and various state taxing jurisdictions and anticipate finalizing certain of the examinations within the next twelve months. The final outcome of these examinations is not yet determinable. The statute of limitations for our major tax jurisdictions remains open for examination for tax years 2004 to 2014.


18

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



7. Fair value disclosures

ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” provides a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy can be summarized as follows: 
Level 1
 
Fair value determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
 
Level 2
 
Fair value determined using significant observable inputs, generally either quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities or quoted prices in markets that are not active.
 
 
Level 3
 
Fair value determined using significant unobservable inputs, such as pricing models, discounted cash flows, or similar techniques.

Our assets and liabilities measured or disclosed at fair value are summarized below ($000’s omitted): 

Financial Instrument
 
Fair Value
Hierarchy
 
Fair Value
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage loans available-for-sale
 
Level 2
 
$
209,921

 
$
287,933

Interest rate lock commitments
 
Level 2
 
4,221

 
3,139

Forward contracts
 
Level 2
 
281

 
4,340

Whole loan commitments
 
Level 2
 
30

 
105

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
House and land inventory
 
Level 3
 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Disclosed at fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and equivalents (including restricted cash)
 
Level 1
 
$
1,343,758

 
$
1,653,044

Financial Services debt
 
Level 2
 
35,836

 
105,664

Senior notes
 
Level 2
 
1,891,326

 
2,070,744


Fair values for agency residential mortgage loans available-for-sale are determined based on quoted market prices for comparable instruments. Fair values for non-agency residential mortgage loans available-for-sale are determined based on purchase commitments from whole loan investors and other relevant market information available to management. Fair values for interest rate lock commitments, including the value of servicing rights, are based on market prices for similar instruments. Forward contracts on mortgage-backed securities are valued based on market prices for similar instruments. Fair values for whole loan investor commitments are based on market prices for similar instruments from the specific whole loan investor.

Certain assets are required to be recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The non-recurring fair values included in the table above represent only those assets whose carrying values were adjusted to fair value as of the respective balance sheet dates. See Note 2 for a more detailed discussion of the valuation methods used for inventory.

The carrying amounts of cash and equivalents and Financial Services debt approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair values of senior notes are based on quoted market prices, when available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of similar issues. The carrying value of senior notes was $1.8 billion at March 31, 2014 and $2.1 billion at December 31, 2013.


19

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



8. Debt

Our senior notes are summarized as follows ($000’s omitted):
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
5.20% unsecured senior notes due February 2015 (a)
$

 
$
95,633

5.25% unsecured senior notes due June 2015 (a)
233,926

 
233,085

6.50% unsecured senior notes due May 2016 (a)
460,189

 
459,581

7.625% unsecured senior notes due October 2017 (b)
122,685

 
122,663

7.875% unsecured senior notes due June 2032 (a)
299,207

 
299,196

6.375% unsecured senior notes due May 2033 (a)
398,585

 
398,567

6.00% unsecured senior notes due February 2035 (a)
299,449

 
299,443

7.375% unsecured senior notes due June 2046 (a)

 
150,000

Total senior notes – carrying value (c)
$
1,814,041

 
$
2,058,168

Estimated fair value
$
1,891,326

 
$
2,070,744


(a)
Redeemable prior to maturity; guaranteed on a senior basis by certain wholly-owned subsidiaries.
(b)
Not redeemable prior to maturity; guaranteed on a senior basis by certain wholly-owned subsidiaries.
(c)
The recorded carrying value reflects the impact of various discounts and premiums that are amortized to interest cost over the respective terms of the senior notes.

Debt retirement

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we retired prior to their scheduled maturity dates $245.7 million of senior notes. We recorded losses related to these transactions totaling $8.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014. Losses on these transactions include the write-off of unamortized discounts, premiums, and transaction fees and are reflected in other expense, net.
  
Letter of credit facilities

We maintain separate cash-collateralized letter of credit agreements with a number of financial institutions. Letters of credit totaling $62.4 million and $58.7 million were outstanding under these agreements at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Under these agreements, we are required to maintain deposits with the respective financial institutions in amounts approximating the letters of credit outstanding. Such deposits are included in restricted cash. We also maintain an unsecured letter of credit facility with a bank that expires in September 2014. This facility permits the issuance of up to $150.0 million of letters of credit for general corporate purposes in support of any wholly-owned subsidiary. Letters of credit totaling $99.4 million and $124.4 million were outstanding under this facility at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Financial Services

Pulte Mortgage maintains a master repurchase agreement (the “Repurchase Agreement”) with third party lenders that expires in September 2014. Effective January 2014, Pulte Mortgage voluntarily reduced the borrowing capacity under the Repurchase Agreement from $150.0 million to $99.8 million subject to certain sublimits. We reduced the borrowing capacity in order to lower associated fees during seasonally low volume periods when the additional capacity is unnecessary. Borrowings under the Repurchase Agreement are secured by residential mortgage loans available-for-sale. The Repurchase Agreement contains various affirmative and negative covenants applicable to Pulte Mortgage, including quantitative thresholds related to net worth, net income, and liquidity. Pulte Mortgage had $35.8 million and $105.7 million outstanding under the Repurchase Agreement at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and was in compliance with all of its covenants and requirements.


20

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



9. Commitments and contingencies

Loan origination liabilities

Our mortgage operations may be responsible for losses associated with mortgage loans originated and sold to investors in the event of errors or omissions relating to representations and warranties made by us that the loans met certain requirements, including representations as to underwriting standards, the existence of primary mortgage insurance, and the validity of certain borrower representations in connection with the loan. If a loan is determined to be faulty, we either repurchase the loans from the investors or reimburse the investors' losses (a “make-whole” payment).

In recent years, we experienced a significant increase in losses related to repurchase requests as a result of the high level of loan defaults and related losses in the mortgage industry and increasing aggressiveness by investors in presenting such claims to us. To date, the significant majority of these losses relates to loans originated in 2006 and 2007, during which period inherently riskier loan products became more common in the mortgage origination market. In 2006 and 2007, we originated $39.5 billion of loans, excluding loans originated by Centex's former subprime loan business sold by Centex in 2006. Because we generally do not retain the servicing rights to the loans we originate, information regarding the current and historical performance, credit quality, and outstanding balances of such loans is limited. Estimating these loan origination liabilities is further complicated by uncertainties surrounding numerous external factors, such as various macroeconomic factors (including unemployment rates and changes in home prices), actions taken by third parties, including the parties servicing the loans, and the U.S. federal government in its dual capacity as regulator of the U.S. mortgage industry and conservator of the government-sponsored enterprises commonly known as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which own or guarantee the majority of mortgage loans in the U.S.

Most requests received to date relate to make-whole payments on loans that have been foreclosed. Requests undergo extensive analysis to confirm the exposure, attempt to cure the identified defect, and, when necessary, determine our liability. We establish liabilities for such anticipated losses based upon, among other things, the level of current unresolved repurchase requests, the volume of estimated probable future repurchase requests, our ability to cure the defects identified in the repurchase requests, and the severity of the estimated loss upon repurchase. Determining these estimates and the resulting liability requires a significant level of management judgment. We are generally able to cure or refute over 60% of the requests received from investors such that we do not believe repurchases or make-whole payments will ultimately be required. For those requests that we believe will result in repurchases or make-whole payments, actual loss severities are expected to approximate 50% of the outstanding principal balance.
  
Activity in the first quarter of 2014 reflected a reduction of $18.6 million in liabilities based on our evaluation of required reserves in light of recent settlements of various pending repurchase requests and current conditions. Given the ongoing volatility in the mortgage industry, changes in values of underlying collateral over time, and other uncertainties regarding the ultimate resolution of these claims, actual costs could differ from our current estimates. Changes in these liabilities were as follows ($000's omitted):

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Liabilities, beginning of period
$
124,956

 
$
164,280

Reserves provided and adjustments
(18,604
)
 

Payments
(3,380
)
 
(1,812
)
Liabilities, end of period
$
102,972

 
$
162,468


We entered into an agreement in conjunction with the wind down of Centex's mortgage operations, which ceased loan origination activities in December 2009, that provides a guaranty for one major investor of loans originated by Centex. This guaranty provides that we will honor the potential repurchase obligations of Centex's mortgage operations related to breaches of representations and warranties in the origination of a certain pool of loans. Other than with respect to this pool of loans, our contractual repurchase obligations are limited to our mortgage subsidiaries, which are included in non-guarantor subsidiaries (see Note 10 for a discussion of non-guarantor subsidiaries).


21

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



The mortgage subsidiary of Centex also sold loans to a bank for inclusion in residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBSs”) issued by the bank. In connection with these sales, Centex's mortgage subsidiary entered into agreements pursuant to which it may be required to indemnify the bank for losses incurred by investors in the RMBSs arising out of material errors or omissions in certain information provided by the mortgage subsidiary relating to the loans and loan origination process. In 2011, the bank notified us that it has been named defendant in two lawsuits alleging various violations of federal and state securities laws asserting that untrue statements of material fact were included in the registration statements used to market the sale of two RMBS transactions which included $162 million of loans originated by Centex's mortgage subsidiary. The plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory and/or rescissory damages on behalf of persons who purchased the securities. Neither Centex's mortgage subsidiary nor the Company is named as a defendant in these actions. We cannot yet quantify Centex's mortgage subsidiary's potential liability as a result of these indemnification obligations. We do not believe, however, that these matters will have a material adverse impact on the results of operations, financial position, or cash flows of the Company. We are aware of six other RMBS transactions with similar indemnity provisions that include an aggregate $116 million of loans originated by Centex's mortgage subsidiary, and we are not aware of any current or threatened legal proceedings regarding those transactions.

Letters of credit and surety bonds

In the normal course of business, we post letters of credit and surety bonds pursuant to certain performance-related obligations, as security for certain land option agreements, and under various insurance programs. The majority of these letters of credit and surety bonds are in support of our land development and construction obligations to various municipalities, other government agencies, and utility companies related to the construction of roads, sewers, and other infrastructure. We had outstanding letters of credit and surety bonds totaling $161.8 million and $960.7 million, respectively, at March 31, 2014, and $183.1 million and $958.3 million, respectively, at December 31, 2013, respectively. In the event any such letter of credit or surety bonds are called, we would be obligated to reimburse the issuer of the letter of credit or surety bond. We do not believe that a material amount, if any, of the letters of credit or surety bonds will be called. Our surety bonds generally do not have stated expiration dates; rather we are released from the surety bonds as the underlying contractual performance is completed. Because significant construction and development work has been performed related to the applicable projects but has not yet received final acceptance by the respective counterparties, the aggregate amount of surety bonds outstanding is in excess of the projected cost of the remaining work to be performed.

Litigation and regulatory matters

We are involved in various litigation and legal claims in the normal course of our business operations, including actions brought on behalf of various classes of claimants. We are also subject to a variety of local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to land development activities, house construction standards, sales practices, mortgage lending operations, employment practices, and protection of the environment. As a result, we are subject to periodic examination or inquiry by various governmental agencies that administer these laws and regulations.

We establish liabilities for legal claims and regulatory matters when such matters are both probable of occurring and any potential loss is reasonably estimable. We accrue for such matters based on the facts and circumstances specific to each matter and revise these estimates as the matters evolve. In such cases, there may exist an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts currently accrued. In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of these legal and regulatory matters, we generally cannot predict the ultimate resolution of the pending matters, the related timing, or the eventual loss. While the outcome of such contingencies cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the resolution of such matters will have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. However, to the extent the liability arising from the ultimate resolution of any matter exceeds the estimates reflected in the recorded reserves relating to such matter, we could incur additional charges that could be significant.


22

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



Allowance for warranties

Home purchasers are provided with a limited warranty against certain building defects, including a one-year comprehensive limited warranty and coverage for certain other aspects of the home’s construction and operating systems for periods of up to 10 years. We estimate the costs to be incurred under these warranties and record liabilities in the amount of such costs at the time product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect our warranty liabilities include the number of homes sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims, and the cost per claim. We periodically assess the adequacy of the warranty liabilities for each geographic market in which we operate and adjust the amounts as necessary. Actual warranty costs in the future could differ from the current estimates. Changes to warranty liabilities were as follows ($000’s omitted):
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Warranty liabilities, beginning of period
$
63,992

 
$
64,098

Reserves provided
8,780

 
10,070

Payments
(11,075
)
 
(11,035
)
Other adjustments
(65
)
 
19

Warranty liabilities, end of period
$
61,632

 
$
63,152


Self-insured risks

We maintain, and require our subcontractors to maintain, general liability insurance coverage. We also maintain builders' risk, property, errors and omissions, workers compensation, and other business insurance coverage. These insurance policies protect us against a portion of the risk of loss from claims. However, we retain a significant portion of the overall risk for such claims either through policies issued by our captive insurance subsidiaries or through our own self-insured per occurrence and aggregate retentions, deductibles, and claims in excess of available insurance policy limits.

Our general liability insurance includes coverage for certain construction defects. While construction defect claims can relate to a variety of circumstances, the majority of our claims relate to alleged problems with siding, plumbing, foundations and other concrete work, windows, roofing, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The availability of general liability insurance for the homebuilding industry and its subcontractors has become increasingly limited, and the insurance policies available require companies to maintain significant per occurrence and aggregate retention levels. In certain instances, we may offer our subcontractors the opportunity to purchase insurance through one of our captive insurance subsidiaries or to participate in a project-specific insurance program provided by the Company. Policies issued by the captive insurance subsidiaries represent self-insurance of these risks by the Company. This self-insured exposure is limited by reinsurance policies that we purchase. General liability coverage for the homebuilding industry is complex, and our coverage varies from policy year to policy year. Our insurance coverage requires a per occurrence deductible up to an overall aggregate retention level. Beginning with the first dollar, amounts paid on insured claims satisfy our per occurrence and aggregate retention obligations. Any amounts incurred in excess of the occurrence or aggregate retention levels are covered by insurance up to our purchased coverage levels. Our insurance policies, including the captive insurance subsidiaries' reinsurance policies, are maintained with highly-rated underwriters for whom we believe counterparty default risk is not significant.


23

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



At any point in time, we are managing over 1,000 individual claims related to general liability, property, errors and omission, workers compensation, and other business insurance coverage. We reserve for costs associated with such claims (including expected claims management expenses) on an undiscounted basis at the time revenue is recognized for each home closing and evaluate the recorded liabilities based on actuarial analyses of our historical claims. The actuarial analyses calculate estimates of the ultimate net cost of all unpaid losses, including estimates for incurred but not reported losses ("IBNR"). IBNR represents losses related to claims incurred but not yet reported plus development on reported claims. These estimates comprise a significant portion of our liability and are subject to a high degree of uncertainty due to a variety of factors, including changes in claims reporting and resolution patterns, third party recoveries, insurance industry practices, the regulatory environment, and legal precedent. State regulations vary, but construction defect claims are reported and resolved over an extended period often exceeding ten years. In certain instances, we have the ability to recover a portion of our costs under various insurance policies or from subcontractors or other third parties. Estimates of such amounts are recorded when recovery is considered probable.

Our recorded reserves for all such claims totaled $664.4 million at March 31, 2014, the vast majority of which relates to general liability claims. The recorded reserves include loss estimates related to both (i) existing claims and related claim expenses and (ii) IBNR and related claim expenses. Liabilities related to IBNR and related claim expenses represented approximately 78% of the total general liability reserves at March 31, 2014. The actuarial analyses that determine the IBNR portion of reserves consider a variety of factors, including the frequency and severity of losses, which are based on our historical claims experience supplemented by industry data. The actuarial analyses of the reserves also consider historical third party recovery rates and claims management expenses.

Adjustments to reserves are recorded in the period in which the change in estimate occurs. Because the majority of our reserves relate to IBNR, adjustments to reserve amounts for individual existing claims generally do not impact the recorded reserves materially. However, changes in the frequency and timing of reported claims and estimates of specific claim values can impact the underlying inputs and trends utilized in the actuarial analyses, which could have a material impact on the recorded reserves. Because of the inherent uncertainty in estimating future losses related to these claims, actual costs could differ significantly from estimated costs. Costs associated with our insurance programs are classified within selling, general, and administrative expenses. Changes in these liabilities were as follows ($000's omitted):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Balance, beginning of period
$
668,100

 
$
721,284

Reserves provided
14,855

 
14,470

Payments
(18,544
)
 
(18,730
)
Balance, end of period
$
664,411

 
$
717,024


10. Supplemental Guarantor information

All of our senior notes are guaranteed jointly and severally on a senior basis by each of the Company's wholly-owned Homebuilding subsidiaries and certain other wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantors”). Such guaranties are full and unconditional. Supplemental consolidating financial information of the Company, including such information for the Guarantors, is presented below. Investments in subsidiaries are presented using the equity method of accounting. Separate financial statements of the Guarantors are not provided as the consolidating financial information contained herein provides a more meaningful disclosure to allow investors to determine the nature of the assets held by, and the operations of, the combined groups.

24

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
MARCH 31, 2014
($000’s omitted)
 
Unconsolidated
 
Eliminating
Entries
 
Consolidated
PulteGroup,
Inc.
 
PulteGroup,
Inc.
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and equivalents
$
261,885

 
$
950,771

 
$
55,506

 
$

 
$
1,268,162

Restricted cash
60,690

 
2,729

 
12,177

 

 
75,596

House and land inventory

 
4,033,584

 
710

 

 
4,034,294

Land held for sale

 
71,497

 
1,034

 

 
72,531

Land, not owned, under option
       agreements

 
22,200

 

 

 
22,200

Residential mortgage loans available-
       for-sale

 

 
209,921

 

 
209,921

Investments in unconsolidated entities
70

 
36,019

 
4,031

 

 
40,120

Other assets
34,034

 
374,644

 
52,368

 

 
461,046

Intangible assets

 
132,873

 

 

 
132,873

Deferred tax assets, net
2,022,051

 
17

 
12,600

 

 
2,034,668

Investments in subsidiaries and
       intercompany accounts, net
4,385,910

 
197,260

 
6,080,952

 
(10,664,122
)
 

 
$
6,764,640

 
$
5,821,594

 
$
6,429,299

 
$
(10,664,122
)
 
$
8,351,411

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable, customer deposits,
       accrued and other liabilities
$
80,725

 
$
1,344,683

 
$
206,253

 
$

 
$
1,631,661

Income tax liabilities
205,811

 
(1
)
 

 

 
205,810

Financial Services debt

 

 
35,836

 

 
35,836

Senior notes
1,814,041

 

 

 

 
1,814,041

Total liabilities
2,100,577

 
1,344,682

 
242,089

 

 
3,687,348

Total shareholders’ equity
4,664,063

 
4,476,912

 
6,187,210

 
(10,664,122
)
 
4,664,063

 
$
6,764,640

 
$
5,821,594

 
$
6,429,299

 
$
(10,664,122
)
 
$
8,351,411


25

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 2013
($000’s omitted)
 
Unconsolidated
 
Eliminating
Entries
 
Consolidated
PulteGroup,
Inc.
 
PulteGroup,
Inc.
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and equivalents
$
262,364

 
$
1,188,999

 
$
128,966

 
$

 
$
1,580,329

Restricted cash
58,699

 
2,635

 
11,381

 

 
72,715

House and land inventory

 
3,977,851

 
710

 

 
3,978,561

Land held for sale

 
60,701

 
1,034

 

 
61,735

Land, not owned, under option
       agreements

 
24,024

 

 

 
24,024

Residential mortgage loans available-
       for-sale

 

 
287,933

 

 
287,933

Investments in unconsolidated entities
68

 
41,319

 
3,936

 

 
45,323

Other assets
50,251

 
359,228

 
51,142

 

 
460,621

Intangible assets

 
136,148

 

 

 
136,148

Deferred tax assets, net
2,074,137

 
17

 
12,600

 

 
2,086,754

Investments in subsidiaries and
       intercompany accounts, net
4,532,950

 
(16,513
)
 
5,939,784

 
(10,456,221
)
 

 
$
6,978,469

 
$
5,774,409

 
$
6,437,486

 
$
(10,456,221
)
 
$
8,734,143

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable, customer deposits,
       accrued and other liabilities
$
65,334

 
$
1,413,752

 
$
236,258

 
$

 
$
1,715,344

Income tax liabilities
206,015

 

 

 

 
206,015

Financial Services debt

 

 
105,664

 

 
105,664

Senior notes
2,058,168

 

 

 

 
2,058,168

Total liabilities
2,329,517

 
1,413,752

 
341,922

 

 
4,085,191

Total shareholders’ equity
4,648,952

 
4,360,657

 
6,095,564

 
(10,456,221
)
 
4,648,952

 
$
6,978,469

 
$
5,774,409

 
$
6,437,486

 
$
(10,456,221
)
 
$
8,734,143



26

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the three months ended March 31, 2014
($000’s omitted)
 
Unconsolidated
 
 
 
Consolidated
PulteGroup, 
Inc.
 
PulteGroup,
Inc.
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminating
Entries
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Homebuilding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home sale revenues
$

 
$
1,088,015

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,088,015

Land sale revenues

 
5,984

 

 

 
5,984

 

 
1,093,999

 

 

 
1,093,999

Financial Services

 
379

 
24,516

 

 
24,895

 

 
1,094,378

 
24,516

 

 
1,118,894

Homebuilding Cost of Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home sale cost of revenues

 
828,603

 

 

 
828,603

Land sale cost of revenues

 
5,011

 

 

 
5,011

 

 
833,614

 

 

 
833,614

Financial Services expenses
201

 
77

 
3,044

 

 
3,322

Selling, general and administrative
       expenses

 
144,724

 
163

 

 
144,887

Other expense, net
8,568

 
4,981

 
282

 

 
13,831

Interest income
(121
)
 
(971
)
 
(19
)
 

 
(1,111
)
Interest expense
213

 

 

 

 
213

Equity in (earnings) loss of
       unconsolidated entities
(2
)
 
(5,802
)
 
(87
)
 

 
(5,891
)
Intercompany interest
253

 
1,944

 
(2,197
)
 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes and
       equity in income (loss) of
       subsidiaries
(9,112
)
 
115,811

 
23,330

 

 
130,029

Income tax expense (benefit)
(82
)
 
52,727

 
2,565

 

 
55,210

Income (loss) before equity in income
       (loss) of subsidiaries
(9,030
)
 
63,084

 
20,765

 

 
74,819

Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries
83,849

 
20,887

 
60,216

 
(164,952
)
 

Net income (loss)
74,819

 
83,971

 
80,981

 
(164,952
)
 
74,819

Other comprehensive income
40

 

 

 

 
40

Comprehensive income
$
74,859

 
$
83,971

 
$
80,981

 
$
(164,952
)
 
$
74,859















27

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)





CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the three months ended March 31, 2013
 
($000’s omitted)
 
Unconsolidated
 
 
 
Consolidated
PulteGroup, 
Inc.
 
PulteGroup,
Inc.
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminating
Entries
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Homebuilding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home sale revenues
$

 
$
1,099,752

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,099,752

Land sale revenues

 
26,131

 

 

 
26,131

 

 
1,125,883

 

 

 
1,125,883

Financial Services

 
619

 
36,254

 

 
36,873

 

 
1,126,502

 
36,254

 

 
1,162,756

Homebuilding Cost of Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home sale cost of revenues

 
901,470

 

 

 
901,470

Land sale cost of revenues

 
22,018

 

 

 
22,018

 

 
923,488

 

 

 
923,488

Financial Services expenses
208

 
143

 
22,237

 

 
22,588

Selling, general and administrative
       expenses

 
128,892

 
734

 

 
129,626

Other expense (income), net
(15
)
 
4,403

 
384

 

 
4,772

Interest income
(76
)
 
(1,055
)
 
(42
)
 

 
(1,173
)
Interest expense
207

 

 

 

 
207

Equity in (earnings) loss of
       unconsolidated entities
174,865

 
(172,399
)
 
(2,466
)
 

 

Intercompany interest
1,459

 
(26
)
 
(535
)
 

 
898

Income (loss) before income taxes and
       equity in income (loss) of
       subsidiaries
(176,648
)
 
243,056

 
15,942

 

 
82,350

Income tax expense (benefit)
152

 
(4,393
)
 
4,829

 

 
588

Income (loss) before equity in income
       (loss) of subsidiaries
(176,800
)
 
247,449

 
11,113

 

 
81,762

Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries
258,562

 
11,421

 
174,959

 
(444,942
)
 

Net income (loss)
81,762

 
258,870

 
186,072

 
(444,942
)
 
81,762

Other comprehensive income
48

 

 

 

 
48

Comprehensive income (loss)
$
81,810

 
$
258,870

 
$
186,072

 
$
(444,942
)
 
$
81,810













28

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the three months ended March 31, 2014
($000’s omitted)
 
Unconsolidated
 
 
 
Consolidated
PulteGroup, Inc.
 
PulteGroup,
Inc.
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminating
Entries
 
Net cash provided by (used in)
   operating activities
$
27,643

 
$
(14,676
)
 
$
78,429

 
$

 
$
91,396

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions from unconsolidated
    entities

 
6,385

 

 

 
6,385

Investments in unconsolidated entities

 

 
(9
)
 

 
(9
)
Net change in loans held for investment

 

 
(6,390
)
 

 
(6,390
)
Change in restricted cash related to
     letters of credit
(1,991
)
 

 

 

 
(1,991
)
Proceeds from the sale of property and
     equipment

 
23

 

 

 
23

Capital expenditures

 
(16,466
)
 
(1,399
)
 


 
(17,865
)
Net cash provided by (used in)
   investing activities
(1,991
)
 
(10,058
)
 
(7,798
)
 

 
(19,847
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Services borrowings (repayments)

 

 
(69,828
)
 

 
(69,828
)
Other borrowings (repayments)
(249,765
)
 
(248
)
 

 

 
(250,013
)
Stock option exercises
5,295

 

 

 

 
5,295

Stock repurchases
(50,105
)
 

 

 

 
(50,105
)
Dividends paid
(19,065
)
 

 

 

 
(19,065
)
Intercompany activities, net
287,509

 
(213,246
)
 
(74,263
)
 


 

Net cash provided by (used in)
   financing activities
(26,131
)
 
(213,494
)
 
(144,091
)
 

 
(383,716
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
   equivalents
(479
)
 
(238,228
)
 
(73,460
)
 

 
(312,167
)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of
   period
262,364

 
1,188,999

 
128,966

 

 
1,580,329

Cash and equivalents at end of period
$
261,885

 
$
950,771

 
$
55,506

 
$

 
$
1,268,162




29

PULTEGROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the three months ended March 31, 2013
($000’s omitted)
 
Unconsolidated
 
 
 
Consolidated
PulteGroup, Inc.
 
PulteGroup,
Inc.
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminating
Entries
 
Net cash provided by (used in)
    operating activities
$
(146,577
)
 
$
331,557

 
$
85,640

 
$

 
$
270,620

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions from unconsolidated
    entities

 
200

 

 

 
200

Investments in unconsolidated entities

 
(593
)
 

 

 
(593
)
Net change in loans held for investment

 


 
10

 

 
10

Change in restricted cash related to
    letters of credit
4,513

 

 

 

 
4,513

Proceeds from the sale of property and
    equipment

 
59

 

 

 
59

Capital expenditures

 
(4,921
)
 
(457
)
 

 
(5,378
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
    activities
4,513

 
(5,255
)
 
(447
)
 

 
(1,189
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Services borrowings (repayments)

 

 
(82,164
)
 

 
(82,164
)
Other borrowings (repayments)

 
(213
)
 

 

 
(213
)
Stock option exercises
7,537

 

 

 

 
7,537

Stock repurchases
(6,427
)
 

 

 

 
(6,427
)
Intercompany activities, net
185,543

 
(73,913
)
 
(111,630
)
 

 

Net cash provided by (used in)
   financing activities
186,653

 
(74,126
)
 
(193,794
)
 

 
(81,267
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
    equivalents
44,589

 
252,176

 
(108,601
)
 

 
188,164

Cash and equivalents at beginning of
    period
146,168

 
1,063,943

 
194,649

 

 
1,404,760

Cash and equivalents at end of period
$
190,757

 
$
1,316,119

 
$
86,048

 
$

 
$
1,592,924




30


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview

The overall housing market continues to exhibit a combination of low interest rates and affordable home prices that have kept monthly mortgage payments affordable relative to historical levels and the rental market. In addition to higher sales volumes in many parts of the U.S., house prices have also been increasing as the result of increased demand for new homes and low supplies of existing and new home inventory in many markets. These factors combined to result in our eighth consecutive quarter with income before income taxes.

Our net new orders declined 6% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013. This decline was primarily the result of having 10% fewer active communities compared to the prior year, which is the result of the close-out of a number of long-term projects and is consistent with our more disciplined land investment strategy. We will continue to calibrate sales pace in each community to improve our gross margins and maximize returns on invested capital. We expect that this approach will continue to result in a moderation in our net new order volume in the short-term relative to overall growth in the U.S. homebuilding industry. While we believe higher mortgage interest rates are inevitable and may have a moderating effect on demand and pricing, we believe this impact will be outweighed in the long-term by other factors driving increased sales volume as overall new home sales in the U.S. remain low compared with historical levels.

Our improved financial results have allowed us to continue to enhance our financial position. We generated positive cash flow from operations in the first quarter via a combination of improved profitability and inventory management. Our improved financial position provided additional flexibility to retire debt early and increase our planned future investments in new communities, while also paying a dividend and selectively repurchasing our common shares. Specifically, we accomplished the following during the first quarter of 2014:

Increased our gross margins to 23.8%, an improvement of 580 bps over first quarter 2013;
Proactively reduced our outstanding debt by $245.7 million;
Returned capital to shareholders by repurchasing 2.2 million common shares for $44.6 million and paying a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per common share totaling $19.1 million; and
Increased our land investment spending to support future growth.

In the short-term, we will continue to focus on maximizing our operating margins, despite the possibility of rising house cost pressures from material and labor prices, by using our existing land assets more effectively, allocating capital more effectively, and aggressively controlling unsold "spec" inventory to enhance our balance sheet. We believe we have positioned ourselves to deliver improved long-term returns. In planning for the longer term, we continue to maintain confidence that we are in the early stages of a broad, sustainable recovery in the U.S. new home market. While the U.S. macroeconomic environment continues to face challenges and each local market will experience varying results, we are continuing to pursue strategic land positions that meet our underwriting requirements in well-positioned submarkets and believe that sustained execution of our strategy will continue to result in increased profits and improved returns on invested capital over the housing cycle.

31


The following is a summary of our operating results by line of business ($000's omitted, except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Income before income taxes:
 
 
 
Homebuilding
$
108,435

 
$
68,037

Financial Services
21,594

 
14,313

Income before income taxes
130,029

 
82,350

Income tax expense
55,210

 
588

Net income
$
74,819

 
$
81,762

Per share data - assuming dilution:
 
 
 
Net income
$
0.19

 
$
0.21

Homebuilding income before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2014 improved compared to the prior year period, primarily as the result of higher gross margins. Partially offsetting these improved results were lower revenues as well as losses totaling $8.6 million resulting from the retirement of $245.7 million of senior notes prior to their scheduled maturity dates.
The increased Financial Services income in 2014 compared to the prior year resulted primarily from a reduction in loan origination liabilities of $18.6 million partially offset by lower loan pricing due to increased industry competition.


32


Homebuilding Operations

The following is a summary of income before income taxes for our Homebuilding operations ($000’s omitted):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2014 vs. 2013
 
2013
Home sale revenues
$
1,088,015

 
(1
)%
 
$
1,099,752

Land sale revenues
5,984

 
(77
)%
 
26,131

Total Homebuilding revenues
1,093,999

 
(3
)%
 
1,125,883

Home sale cost of revenues (a)
828,603

 
(8
)%
 
901,470

Land sale cost of revenues
5,011

 
(77
)%
 
22,018

Selling, general and administrative
   expenses ("SG&A")
144,887

 
12
 %
 
129,626

Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities
(5,870
)
 
(734
)%
 
926

Other expense, net (b)
13,831

 
190
 %
 
4,772

Interest income, net
(898
)
 
(7
)%
 
(966
)
Income before income taxes
$
108,435

 
59
 %
 
$
68,037

Supplemental data:
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin from home sales
23.8
%
 
580 bps

 
18.0
%
SG&A as a percentage of home
   sale revenues
13.3
%
 
150 bps

 
11.8
%
Closings (units)
3,436

 
(10
)%
 
3,833

Average selling price
$
317

 
10
 %
 
$
287

Net new orders:
 
 
 
 
 
Units
4,863

 
(6
)%
 
5,200

Dollars (c)
$
1,608,406

 
2
 %
 
$
1,581,965

Cancellation rate
12
%
 
 
 
13
%
Active communities at March 31
584

 
(10
)%
 
650

Backlog at March 31:
 
 
 
 
 
Units
7,199

 
(8
)%
 
7,825

Dollars
$
2,422,187

 
0
 %
 
$
2,413,753


(a)
Includes the amortization of capitalized interest.
(b)
Includes losses on debt retirements totaling $8.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
(c)
Net new order dollars represent a composite of new order dollars combined with other movements of the dollars in backlog related to cancellations and change orders.

Home sale revenues

Home sale revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were lower than the prior year period by $11.7 million, or 1%. The decrease was attributable to a 10% decrease in closings, offset by a 10% increase in average selling price. The decrease in closings for the three months ended March 31, 2014 resulted primarily from having 10% fewer active communities compared to the prior year, which is the result of the close-out of a number of long-term projects and is consistent with our more disciplined land investment strategy. The increase in average selling price occurred in substantially all of our local markets and reflects an ongoing shift in our revenue mix toward move-up and active adult buyers and improved market conditions that have allowed for increased sale prices, including higher levels of house options and lot premiums.


33


Home sale gross margins

Home sale gross margins were 23.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to 18.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2013, an improvement of 580 bps. The gross margin improvement was broad-based as substantially all of our operating divisions experienced higher gross margins in the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared with the prior year period. These improved gross margins reflect a combination of factors, including an improved pricing environment, shifts in the product mix of homes closed toward move-up and active adult buyers, better alignment of our product offering with consumer demand, contributions from our strategic pricing and house cost reduction initiatives, and lower amortized interest costs (3.7% of sales for the first quarter of 2014 compared to 4.9% in the prior year quarter).

Land sales

We periodically elect to sell parcels of land to third parties in the event such assets no longer fit into our strategic operating plans or are zoned for commercial or other development. Land sale revenues and their related gains or losses vary between periods, depending on the timing of land sales and our strategic operating decisions. Land sales had margin contributions of $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

SG&A

SG&A as a percentage of home sale revenues was 13.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared with 11.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The gross dollar amount of our SG&A increased $15.3 million or 12% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The increase in gross overhead dollars was primarily due to increased headcount as well as higher costs in conjunction with the planned opening of a number of new communities.

Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities

Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entities was $(5.9) million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared with $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The majority of our unconsolidated entities represent land development joint ventures. As a result, the timing of income and losses varies between periods depending on the timing of transactions and circumstances specific to each entity.

Other expense, net

Other expense, net includes the following ($000’s omitted):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Write-offs of deposits and pre-acquisition costs (Note 2)
$
1,464

 
$
341

Loss on debt retirements (Note 8)
8,584

 

Amortization of intangible assets
3,275

 
3,275

Miscellaneous expense, net
508

 
1,156

 
$
13,831

 
$
4,772


For additional information on each of the above, see the applicable Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest income, net

Interest income, net for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was essentially even with the prior year quarter based on the level of invested cash balances and returns on invested cash.


34


Net new orders

Net new orders decreased 6% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2013, primarily due to selling from 10% fewer active communities in 2014 (584 at March 31, 2014). The cancellation rate (canceled orders for the period divided by gross new orders for the period) was 12% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to 13% for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Ending backlog, which represents orders for homes that have not yet closed, decreased 8% at March 31, 2014 compared with March 31, 2013 as measured in units but remained relatively flat when compared to the prior year period as measured in dollars due to the increase in our average selling price.

Homes in production

The following is a summary of our homes in production at March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013:

 
March 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2013
Sold
4,134

 
4,633

Unsold
 
 
 
Under construction
641

 
676

Completed
346

 
384

 
987

 
1,060

Models
1,005

 
1,111

Total
6,126

 
6,804


The number of homes in production at March 31, 2014 was 10% lower than at March 31, 2013, primarily due to a decrease in the sold homes in production and a slight reduction in homes unsold to customers ("spec homes") and models. The decrease in sold homes in production resulted from the decrease in net new orders and backlog and is consistent with the lower active community count. Reducing our reliance on sales of spec homes is a component of our strategic pricing and inventory turns objectives, so we have focused on reducing the level of our spec home inventory, especially our completed specs ("final specs"). As a result, our unsold homes in production at March 31, 2014 was 7% lower than at March 31, 2013.

Controlled lots

The following is a summary of our lots under control at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Owned
 
Optioned
 
Controlled
 
Owned
 
Optioned
 
Controlled
Northeast
7,194

 
4,287

 
11,481

 
7,423

 
2,762

 
10,185

Southeast
12,564

 
3,971

 
16,535

 
12,702

 
4,296

 
16,998

Florida
22,027

 
7,536

 
29,563

 
21,805

 
6,956

 
28,761

Texas
12,136

 
5,975

 
18,111

 
12,038

 
3,860

 
15,898

North
11,618

 
7,920

 
19,538

 
11,785

 
7,952

 
19,737

Southwest
29,607

 
2,995

 
32,602

 
29,459

 
2,440

 
31,899

Total
95,146

 
32,684

 
127,830

 
95,212

 
28,266

 
123,478

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Developed (%)
25
%
 
16
%
 
23
%
 
24
%
 
18
%
 
23
%

Of our controlled lots, 95,146 and 95,212 were owned and 32,684 and 28,266 were under land option agreements at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. While competition for well-positioned land has increased, we continue to pursue strategic land positions that meet our underwriting requirements while also using our existing land assets more effectively. The remaining purchase price under our land option agreements totaled $1.6 billion at March 31, 2014. These land option agreements, which generally may be canceled at our discretion and in certain cases extend over several years, are secured by deposits and pre-acquisition costs totaling $98.8 million, of which only $8.7 million is refundable.

35


Homebuilding Segment Operations

Our homebuilding operations represent our core business. Homebuilding offers a broad product line to meet the needs of homebuyers in our targeted markets. As of March 31, 2014, we conducted our operations in approximately 50 markets located throughout 27 states. For reporting purposes, our Homebuilding operations are aggregated into six reportable segments:

 
Northeast:
  
Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, Virginia
Southeast:
  
Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Florida:
 
Florida
Texas:
 
Texas
North:
  
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Northern California, Ohio, Oregon, Washington
Southwest:
  
Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Southern California

We also have a reportable segment for our financial services operations, which consist principally of mortgage banking and title operations. The Financial Services segment operates generally in the same markets as the Homebuilding segments.

36


The following tables present selected financial information for our reportable Homebuilding segments:
 
 
Operating Data by Segment ($000's omitted)
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2014 vs. 2013
 
2013
Home sale revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Northeast
$
140,211

 
6
 %
 
$
132,573

Southeast
182,548

 
7
 %
 
169,891

Florida
189,632

 
25
 %
 
151,137

Texas
174,169

 
(5
)%
 
183,777

North
240,546

 
7
 %
 
225,602

Southwest
160,909

 
(32
)%
 
236,772

 
$
1,088,015

 
(1
)%
 
$
1,099,752

Income (loss) before income taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
Northeast
$
17,495

 
45
 %
 
$
12,072

Southeast
25,479

 
39
 %
 
18,328

Florida
34,356

 
69
 %
 
20,280

Texas
22,982

 
8
 %
 
21,210

North
30,740

 
50
 %
 
20,552

Southwest
28,562

 
(15
)%
 
33,791

Other homebuilding (a)
(51,179
)
 
(12
)%
 
(58,196
)
 
$
108,435

 
59
 %
 
$
68,037

Closings (units):
 
 
 
 
 
Northeast
343

 
14
 %
 
302

Southeast
647

 
(1
)%
 
651

Florida
567

 
(3
)%
 
583

Texas
781

 
(13
)%
 
897

North
630

 
(5
)%
 
666

Southwest
468

 
(36
)%
 
734

 
3,436

 
(10
)%
 
3,833

Average selling price:
 
 
 
 
 
Northeast
$
409

 
(7
)%
 
$
439

Southeast
282

 
8
 %
 
261

Florida
334

 
29
 %
 
259

Texas
223

 
9
 %
 
205

North
382

 
13
 %
 
339

Southwest
344

 
7
 %
 
323

 
$
317

 
10
 %
 
$
287


(a)
Other homebuilding includes the amortization of intangible assets, amortization of capitalized interest, and other items not allocated to the operating segments. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, Other homebuilding also included losses on debt retirements totaling $8.6 million.




37


The following tables present additional selected financial information for our reportable Homebuilding segments:
 
 
Operating Data by Segment ($000's omitted)
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2014 vs. 2013
 
2013
Net new orders - units:
 
 
 
 
 
Northeast
444

 
(22
)%
 
571

Southeast
824

 
(14
)%
 
959

Florida
850

 
6
 %
 
804

Texas
1,172

 
9
 %
 
1,080

North
892

 
(8
)%
 
969

Southwest
681

 
(17
)%
 
817

 
4,863

 
(6
)%
 
5,200

Net new orders - dollars:
 
 
 
 
 
Northeast
$
204,615

 
(16
)%
 
$
243,055

Southeast
248,217

 
(6
)%
 
264,009

Florida
284,236

 
21
 %
 
235,521

Texas
261,196

 
12
 %
 
233,350

North
372,570

 
8
 %
 
344,547

Southwest
237,572

 
(9
)%
 
261,483

 
$
1,608,406

 
2
 %
 
$
1,581,965

Cancellation rates:
 
 
 
 
 
Northeast
8
%
 
 
 
9
%
Southeast
11
%
 
 
 
9
%
Florida
7
%
 
 
 
11
%
Texas
15
%
 
 
 
20
%
North
9
%
 
 
 
10
%
Southwest
17
%
 
 
 
14
%
 
12
%
 
 
 
13
%
Unit backlog:
 
 
 
 
 
Northeast
722

 
(19
)%
 
891

Southeast
1,230

 
1
 %
 
1,219

Florida
1,196

 
(7
)%
 
1,286

Texas
1,641

 
 %
 
1,638

North
1,475

 
(6
)%
 
1,570

Southwest
935

 
(23
)%
 
1,221

 
7,199

 
(8
)%
 
7,825

Backlog dollars:
 
 
 
 
 
Northeast
$
339,643

 
(12
)%
 
$
387,334

Southeast
371,268

 
7
 %
 
346,774

Florida
403,438

 
8
 %
 
373,517

Texas
373,222

 
8
 %
 
344,197

North
597,505

 
6
 %
 
565,686

Southwest
337,111

 
(15
)%
 
396,245

 
$
2,422,187

 
0
 %
 
$
2,413,753



38



Northeast

For the first quarter of 2014, Northeast home sale revenues increased 6% compared with the prior year period due to a 14% increase in closings partially offset by a 7% decrease in the average selling price. The increase in closings was concentrated in New England and resulted from an increase in active communities. The decrease in average selling price occurred in the Northeast Corridor and Mid-Atlantic and resulted primarily from the mix of closings. The increased income before income taxes was due to higher revenues and improved gross margins. Net new orders decreased 22%, mainly due to lower order levels in the Northeast Corridor due to fewer active communities.

Southeast

For the first quarter of 2014, Southeast home sale revenues increased 7% compared with the prior year period due to an 8% increase in the average selling price offset in part by a 1% decrease in closings. The decrease in closing volumes was concentrated in Tennessee and Raleigh. The increase in average selling price was most apparent in Tennessee. The increased income before income taxes resulted from the higher revenues combined with improved gross margins and overhead leverage. Net new orders decreased 14%, mainly due to lower order levels in Tennessee and Charlotte due to fewer active communities.

Florida

Florida home sale revenues increased 25% during the first quarter of 2014 compared with the prior year period due to a 29% increase in the average selling price, based on the mix closings, offset in part by a 3% decrease in closings. The increase in average selling price occurred in both North and South Florida while the decrease in closings was concentrated in North Florida. The increased income before income taxes resulted from the higher revenues combined with improved gross margins and overhead leverage. Net new orders increased 6% due to an increase in active communities in South Florida.

Texas

For the first quarter of 2014, Texas home sale revenues decreased 5% compared with the prior year period due to a 13% decrease in closings partially offset by a 9% increase in the average selling price. The decrease in closings was concentrated in Central Texas and Dallas while the increase in average selling price occurred across all local divisions. The increased income before income taxes for the quarter resulted from the improved gross margins. Net new orders increased by 9%, despite fewer active communities in each division.

North

For the first quarter of 2014, North home sale revenues increased 7% compared with the prior year period due to a 13% increase in average selling price and a 5% decrease in closings. The decrease in closing volumes was primarily due to a significant decrease in the Pacific Northwest. The increase in average selling price was due to increases across substantially all divisions. The increase in income before income taxes resulted from the increased revenues combined with improved gross margins in substantially all divisions. Net new orders decreased by 8% compared with the prior year period mainly due to a decrease in Northern California, as we purposely slowed sales pace in a number of communities by raising prices and limiting lot releases.

Southwest

For the first quarter of 2014, Southwest home sale revenues decreased 32% compared with the prior year period due to a 36% decrease in closings, offset in part by a 7% increase in average selling price. The decrease in closings was mainly due to decreases in Southern California and Arizona and resulted from fewer active communities and less favorable market conditions. While market conditions remain good in the Southwest, activity has slowed from the very favorable conditions that existed in the first half of 2013. The increase in average selling price occurred across all divisions. The decrease in income before income taxes resulted from improved gross margins. Net new orders decreased by 17% compared with the prior year period, primarily due to fewer active communities in Arizona.


39


Financial Services Operations

We conduct our Financial Services operations, which include mortgage and title operations, through Pulte Mortgage and other subsidiaries. In originating mortgage loans, we initially use our own funds, including funds available pursuant to credit agreements with either third parties or with the Company. Substantially all of the loans we originate are sold in the secondary market within a short period of time after origination, generally within 30 days. We also sell the servicing rights for the loans we originate through fixed price servicing sales contracts to reduce the risks and costs inherent in servicing loans. This strategy results in owning the servicing rights for only a short period of time. Operating as a captive business model primarily targeted to supporting our Homebuilding operations, the business levels of our Financial Services operations are highly correlated to Homebuilding. Our Homebuilding customers continue to account for substantially all loan production. We believe that our capture rate, which represents loan originations from our Homebuilding operations as a percentage of total loan opportunities from our Homebuilding operations, excluding cash closings, is an important metric in evaluating the effectiveness of our captive mortgage business model. The following table presents selected financial information for our Financial Services operations ($000's omitted):
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2014
 
2014 vs. 2013
 
2013
Mortgage operations revenues
 
$
19,336

 
(38
)%
 
$
31,011

Title services revenues
 
5,559

 
(5
)%
 
5,862

Total Financial Services revenues
 
24,895

 
(32
)%
 
36,873

Expenses
 
3,322

 
(85
)%
 
22,588

Equity in (earnings) loss of
   unconsolidated entities
 
(21
)
 
(25
)%
 
(28
)
Income before income taxes
 
$
21,594

 
51
 %
 
$
14,313

Total originations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
 
2,114

 
(22
)%
 
2,722

Principal
 
$
495,529

 
(20
)%
 
$
621,997

Supplemental data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capture rate
 
78.2
%
 
 
 
82.3
%
Average FICO score
 
746

 
 
 
745

Loan application backlog
 
$
1,314,417

 
(9
)%
 
$
1,451,621

Agency production for funded originations
 
95
%
 
 
 
98
%
 FHA agency production
 
13
%
 
 
 
19
%

Revenues

Total Financial Services revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased 32% compared to the respective prior year period. This decrease is primarily attributable to lower origination volume due to the lower home closings in our Homebuilding operations for the period and lower capture rate combined with lower revenues per loan resulting from the increased competitiveness in the mortgage industry that has occurred beginning in 2013.

In recent years, the mortgage industry has experienced a significant overall tightening of lending standards and a shift toward agency production and fixed rate loans versus adjustable rate mortgages (“ARMs”) and unconventional loans. The substantial majority of loan production during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of fixed rate loans, the majority of which are prime, conforming loans. The shift toward agency fixed-rate loans has contributed to profitability as such loans generally result in higher profitability due to higher servicing values and structured guidelines that allow for expense efficiencies when processing the loan. Additionally, historically low interest rates and the challenging regulatory environment has contributed to profitability by reducing the overall level of pricing competition in the market. Recently, however, competition has increased in the industry, partially as the result of the mortgage industry's lower refinancing volume. We expect this increased level of competition, and more challenging pricing environment, to continue for the foreseeable future.


40


Loan origination liabilities

Our mortgage operations may be responsible for losses associated with mortgage loans originated and sold to investors in the event of errors or omissions relating to representations and warranties that the loans sold meet certain requirements, including representations as to underwriting standards, the existence of primary mortgage insurance, and the validity of certain borrower representations in connection with the loan. If determined to be at fault, we either repurchase the loans from the investors or reimburse the investors' losses (a “make-whole” payment).

In recent years, we experienced a significant increase in losses related to repurchase requests as a result of the high level of loan defaults and related losses in the mortgage industry and increasing aggressiveness by investors in presenting such claims to us. To date, the significant majority of these losses relates to loans originated in 2006 and 2007, during which period inherently riskier loan products became more common in the mortgage origination market. Activity in the first quarter of 2014 reflected a reduction of $18.6 million in liabilities based on our evaluation of required reserves in light of recent settlements of various pending repurchase requests and current conditions. This reduction was reflected as a decrease to Financial Services expenses in the above table and in the consolidated statement of operations. Given the volatility in the mortgage industry and the uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of these claims, actual costs could differ from our current estimates. See Note 9 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion.

We entered into an agreement in conjunction with the wind down of Centex's mortgage operations, which ceased loan origination activities in December 2009, that provides a guaranty for one major investor of loans originated by Centex. This guaranty provides that we will honor the potential repurchase obligations of Centex's mortgage operations related to breaches of representations and warranties in the origination of a certain pool of loans. Other than with respect to this pool of loans, our contractual repurchase obligations are limited to our mortgage subsidiaries, which are included in non-guarantor subsidiaries (see Note 10 for a discussion of non-guarantor subsidiaries).

The mortgage subsidiary of Centex also sold loans to a bank for inclusion in residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBSs”) issued by the bank. In connection with these sales, Centex's mortgage subsidiary entered into agreements pursuant to which it may be required to indemnify the bank for losses incurred by investors in the RMBSs arising out of material errors or omissions in certain information provided by the mortgage subsidiary relating to the loans and loan origination process. In 2011, the bank notified us that it has been named defendant in two lawsuits alleging various violations of federal and state securities laws asserting that untrue statements of material fact were included in the registration statements used to market the sale of two RMBS transactions, which included $162 million of loans originated by Centex's mortgage subsidiary. Neither Centex's mortgage subsidiary nor the Company is named as a defendant in these actions. We cannot yet quantify Centex's mortgage subsidiary's potential liability as a result of these indemnification obligations. We do not believe, however, that these matters will have a material adverse impact on the results of operations, financial position, or cash flows of the Company. We are aware of six other RMBS transactions with similar indemnity provisions that include an aggregate $116 million of loans, and we are not aware of any current or threatened legal proceedings regarding those transactions.

Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate is affected by a number of factors, the most significant of which are the valuation allowance related to our deferred tax assets, changes to tax laws or other circumstances that impact the value of our deferred tax assets, and changes in our unrecognized tax benefits. Due to the effects of these factors, our effective tax rate in 2013 was not correlated to the amount of our income or loss before income taxes.
At September 30, 2013, we evaluated evidence related to the need for a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets and determined that the valuation allowance against substantially all of our federal deferred tax assets and a significant portion of our state deferred tax assets was no longer required. Accordingly, we reversed $2.1 billion of valuation allowance in the third quarter of 2013. As a result, our tax provision for the first quarter of 2014 reflects a more normalized effective tax rate while our tax provision for the first quarter of 2013 consisted primarily of changes in our unrecognized tax benefits. Also in the first quarter of 2014, certain states enacted changes to tax laws that impacted the value of our deferred tax assets. The expected impact of such changes was recorded to income tax expense during the period.


41


Liquidity and Capital Resources

We finance our land acquisition, development, and construction activities and financial services operations by using internally-generated funds supplemented by credit arrangements with third parties and capital market financing. We routinely monitor current and expected operational requirements and financial market conditions to evaluate accessing other available financing sources, including revolving bank credit and securities offerings. Based on our current financial condition and credit relationships, we believe that our operations and borrowing resources are sufficient to provide for our current and foreseeable capital requirements. However, we continue to evaluate the impact of market conditions on our liquidity and may determine that modifications are appropriate.

At March 31, 2014, we had unrestricted cash and equivalents of $1.3 billion and senior notes of $1.8 billion. We also had restricted cash balances of $75.6 million, the substantial majority of which related to cash serving as collateral under certain letter of credit facilities. Other financing sources include various letter of credit facilities and surety bond arrangements.

We follow a diversified investment approach for our cash and equivalents by maintaining such funds with a diversified portfolio of banks within our group of relationship banks in high quality, highly liquid, short-term investments, generally money market funds and federal government or agency securities. We monitor our investments with each bank and do not believe our cash and equivalents are exposed to any material risk of loss. However, there can be no assurances that losses of the principal balance of our cash and equivalents will not occur.

Our ratio of debt to total capitalization, excluding our Financial Services borrowings, was 28.0% at March 31, 2014.

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we retired prior to their scheduled maturity dates $245.7 million of senior notes. We recorded losses related to these transactions totaling $8.6 million. Losses on these transactions included the write-off of unamortized discounts, premiums, and transaction fees and are reflected in other expense, net.

Credit agreements

We maintain separate cash-collateralized letter of credit agreements with a number of financial institutions. Letters of credit totaling $62.4 million were outstanding under these agreements at March 31, 2014. Under these agreements, we are required to maintain deposits with these financial institutions in amounts approximating the letters of credit outstanding. Such deposits are included in restricted cash.

We also maintain an unsecured letter of credit facility that expires in September 2014. This facility permits the issuance of up to $150.0 million of letters of credit for general corporate purposes in support of any wholly-owned subsidiary. Letters of credit totaling $99.4 million were outstanding under this facility at March 31, 2014. We believe we have adequate liquidity to meet our future letter of credit needs upon expiration of this facility.

Pulte Mortgage

Pulte Mortgage provides mortgage financing for the majority of our home closings by utilizing its own funds and funds made available pursuant to credit agreements with third parties or through intercompany borrowings. Pulte Mortgage uses these resources to finance its lending activities until the mortgage loans are sold in the secondary market, which generally occurs within 30 days.

Pulte Mortgage maintains a master repurchase agreement (the “Repurchase Agreement”) with third party lenders that expires in September 2014. Effective January 2014, Pulte Mortgage voluntarily reduced the borrowing capacity under the Repurchase Agreement from $150.0 million to $99.8 million subject to certain sublimits. We reduced the borrowing capacity in order to lower associated fees during seasonally low volume periods when the additional capacity is unnecessary. Borrowings under the Repurchase Agreement are secured by residential mortgage loans available-for-sale. The Repurchase Agreement contains various affirmative and negative covenants applicable to Pulte Mortgage, including quantitative thresholds related to net worth, net income, and liquidity. At March 31, 2014, Pulte Mortgage had $35.8 million outstanding under the Repurchase Agreement. While there can be no assurances that the Repurchase Agreement can be renewed or replaced on commercially reasonable terms upon its expiration, we believe we have adequate liquidity to meet Pulte Mortgage's anticipated financing needs.


42


Dividends and share repurchase programs

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per common share.

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we repurchased 2.2 million shares under our share repurchase authorization for a total of $44.6 million. At March 31, 2014, we had remaining authorization to repurchase $189.7 million of common shares.

Cash flows

Operating activities

Our net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014, was $91.4 million, compared with net cash provided by operating activities of $270.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Generally, the primary drivers of our cash flow from operations are profitability and changes in inventory levels. Our positive cash flow from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014, was primarily due to our pretax income of $130.0 million combined with a net increase in inventories of $68.8 million resulting from increased investment, a seasonal reduction of $76.4 million in residential mortgage loans available-for-sale, and an increase in accrued and other liabilities of $83.9 million resulting primarily from payment of certain annual items. Our positive cash flow from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013, was mainly due to our changes in working capital, including a net decrease in inventory and an increase in accrued and other liabilities, combined with our pretax income for the period.
 
Investing activities

Investing activities are generally not a significant source or use of cash for us. Net cash used by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $19.8 million, compared with net cash provided by investing activities of $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The negative cash flow from investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was primarily due to capital expenditures.

Financing activities

Net cash used by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 totaled $383.7 million, compared with net cash used by financing activities of $81.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The negative cash flow from financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 resulted primarily from the early retirement of $245.7 million of senior notes, the repurchase of 2.2 million common shares for $44.6 million, payment of $19.1 million in cash dividends, and net repayments of $69.8 million for borrowings under the Repurchase Agreement related to a seasonal reduction in residential mortgage loans available-for-sale.

Inflation

We, and the homebuilding industry in general, may be adversely affected during periods of inflation because of higher land and construction costs. Inflation may also increase our financing costs. In addition, higher mortgage interest rates affect the affordability of our products to prospective homebuyers. While we attempt to pass on to our customers increases in our costs through increased sales prices, market forces may limit our ability to do so. If we are unable to raise sales prices enough to compensate for higher costs, or if mortgage interest rates increase significantly, our revenues, gross margins, and net income could be adversely affected.

Seasonality

We experience variability in our quarterly results from operations due to the seasonal nature of the homebuilding industry. Historically, we have experienced increases in revenues and cash flow from operations during the fourth quarter based on the timing of home closings.


43


Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

There have been no material changes to our contractual obligations from those disclosed in our "Contractual Obligations" contained in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 except for the aforementioned early retirement of senior notes.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We use letters of credit and surety bonds to guarantee our performance under various contracts, principally in connection with the development of our homebuilding projects. The expiration dates of the letter of credit contracts coincide with the expected completion date of the related homebuilding projects. If the obligations related to a project are ongoing, annual extensions of the letters of credit are typically granted on a year-to-year basis. At March 31, 2014, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $161.8 million. Our surety bonds generally do not have stated expiration dates; rather, we are released from the bonds as the contractual performance is completed. These bonds, which approximated $960.7 million at March 31, 2014, are typically outstanding over a period of approximately three to five years. Because significant construction and development work has been performed related to the applicable projects but has not yet received final acceptance by the respective counterparties, the aggregate amount of surety bonds outstanding is in excess of the projected cost of the remaining work to be performed.

In the ordinary course of business, we enter into land option agreements in order to procure land for the construction of houses in the future. At March 31, 2014, these agreements had an aggregate remaining purchase price of $1.6 billion. Pursuant to these land option agreements, we provide a deposit to the seller as consideration for the right to purchase land at different times in the future, usually at predetermined prices. In certain instances, we are required to record the land under option as if we own it. At March 31, 2014, we recorded assets of $22.2 million as land, not owned, under option agreements.

At March 31, 2014, aggregate outstanding debt of unconsolidated joint ventures was $16.9 million, of which our proportionate share was $6.5 million. See Note 4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared with those contained in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Quantitative disclosure

The following tables set forth, as of March 31, 2014, our rate-sensitive financing obligations, principal cash flows by scheduled maturity, weighted-average interest rates, and estimated fair value ($000’s omitted).
 
As of March 31, 2014 for the
Years ending December 31,
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
Rate-sensitive liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed interest rate debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior notes
$

 
$
237,994

 
$
465,245

 
$
123,000

 
$

 
$
1,000,000

 
$
1,826,239

 
$
1,891,326

Average interest rate
%
 
5.25
%
 
6.50
%
 
7.63
%
 
%
 
6.71
%
 
6.53
%
 
 

Qualitative disclosure

There have been no material changes to the qualitative disclosure found in Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.


44


SPECIAL NOTES CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

As a cautionary note, except for the historical information contained herein, certain matters discussed in Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities, as well as those of the markets we serve or intend to serve, to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate to matters of a strictly factual or historical nature and generally discuss or relate to forecasts, estimates or other expectations regarding future events. Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “may,” “can,” “could,” “might,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, including statements related to expected operating and performing results, planned transactions, planned objectives of management, future developments or conditions in the industries in which we participate and other trends, developments and uncertainties that may affect our business in the future.

Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among other things: interest rate changes and the availability of mortgage financing; continued volatility in the debt and equity markets; competition within the industries in which we operate; the availability and cost of land and other raw materials used by us in our homebuilding operations; the impact of any changes to our strategy in responding to the cyclical nature of the industry, including any changes regarding our land positions; the availability and cost of insurance covering risks associated with our businesses; shortages and the cost of labor; weather related slowdowns; slow growth initiatives and/or local building moratoria; governmental regulation directed at or affecting the housing market, the homebuilding industry or construction activities; uncertainty in the mortgage lending industry, including revisions to underwriting standards and repurchase requirements associated with the sale of mortgage loans; the interpretation of or changes to tax, labor and environmental laws; economic changes nationally or in our local markets, including inflation, deflation, changes in consumer confidence and preferences and the state of the market for homes in general; legal or regulatory proceedings or claims; required accounting changes; terrorist acts and other acts of war; and other factors of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business and competitive nature. See PulteGroup's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, and other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties applicable to our businesses. We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or changes in our expectations.

45


Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Management, including our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2014. Based upon, and as of the date of, that evaluation, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2014.

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 

Total number
of shares
purchased (1)
 

Average
price paid
per share (1)
 

Total number of
shares purchased
as part of publicly
announced plans
or programs
 

Approximate dollar
value of shares
that may yet be
purchased under
the plans or
programs
($000’s omitted)
January 1, 2014 to January 31, 2014

 
$

 

 
$
234,290

(2)
February 1, 2014 to February 28, 2014
622,009

 
$
20.06

 
352,300

 
$
227,150

(2)
March 1, 2014 to March 31, 2014
1,889,342

 
$
19.91

 
1,883,000

 
$
189,655

(2)
Total
2,511,351

 
$
19.95

 
2,235,300

 
 
 
 

(1)
During the first quarter of 2014, a total of 276,051 shares were surrendered by employees for payment of minimum tax obligations upon the vesting or exercise of previously granted stock-based compensation awards. Such shares were not repurchased as part of our publicly-announced stock repurchase programs.

(2)
Pursuant to the $250 million share repurchase authorization announced in July 2013, we have repurchased a total of 3,092,700 shares for a total of $60.3 million. The share repurchase authorization has $189.7 million remaining as of March 31, 2014. There is no expiration date for this program.

46


Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit Number and Description
3
 
(a)
 
Restated Articles of Incorporation, of PulteGroup, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on August 18, 2009)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b)
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, dated March 18, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(b) of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(c)
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, dated May 21, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(d)
 
By-laws, as amended, of PulteGroup, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 8, 2009)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(e)
 
Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Shares, dated August 6, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(b) of our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on August 18, 2009)
 
 
 
 
 
4
 
(a)
 
Any instrument with respect to long-term debt, where the securities authorized thereunder do not exceed 10% of the total assets of PulteGroup, Inc. and its subsidiaries, has not been filed. The Company agrees to furnish a copy of such instruments to the SEC upon request.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b)
 
Amended and Restated Section 382 Rights Agreement, dated as of March 18, 2010, between PulteGroup, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as rights agent, which includes the Form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit B thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 of PulteGroup, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed with the SEC on March 23, 2010)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(c)
 
First Amendment, dated as of March 14, 2013, to the Amended and Restated Section 382 Rights Agreement, dated as of March 18, 2010, between the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as rights agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2013)
 
 
 
 
 
10
 
(a)
 
Second Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement dated as of January 9, 2014 among Comerica Bank, as Agent and a Buyer, the other Buyers party hereto and Pulte Mortgage LLC, as Seller (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 13, 2014)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b)
 
Third Amendment to Master Repurchase Agreement dated as of January 24, 2014 among Comerica Bank, as Agent and a Buyer, the other Buyers party hereto and Pulte Mortgage LLC, as Seller (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ai) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(c)
 
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under PulteGroup, Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (Filed herewith)
 
 
 
 
 
31
 
(a)
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification by Richard J. Dugas, Jr., Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer (Filed herewith)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b)
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification by Robert T. O'Shaughnessy, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Filed herewith)
 
 
 
 
 
32
 
 
 
Certification Pursuant to 18 United States Code § 1350 and Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Filed herewith)
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS
 
 
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


47


SIGNATURES
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.
 

 
PULTEGROUP, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Robert T. O'Shaughnessy
 
Robert T. O'Shaughnessy
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial Officer and duly authorized officer)
 
Date:
April 24, 2014
 



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