Earnings decreased to $68 million or $0.73 per share in the three months ended August 31, 2019 from $87 million or $0.87 per share in the prior-year period. Revenue decreased 5% year-over-year.
Net orders for the third quarter grew 24% to 3,325, while backlog rose 14% to 6,230 homes. KB Home delivered 3,022 homes in the four regions during the third quarter compared to 2,988 homes in the third quarter of 2018.
“With year-over-year growth in both revenues and gross profit margin anticipated for our fourth quarter, we are on track for a strong finish to 2019, the third year of our Returns-Focused Growth Plan. We expect to continue to grow our community count in 2020, and, together with our solid pace and $2.3 billion backlog, we believe we are well positioned for an excellent start to the new year,” said CEO Jeffrey Mezger.
KB Home’s rival Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL) reported its third quarter 2019 results last month. While the company topped Street’s estimates for the quarter, it reported a drop in gross margin and orders.
KBH stock had surged 69% so far in this year and 28% in the past 52-weeks.