LGI Homes, Inc. (LGIH) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Access earnings results, analyst expectations, report, slides, earnings call, and transcript.
Overview
The earnings call summary presents mixed results: strong net orders, backlog, and community growth expectations, but declining gross margins and elevated cancellation rates due to financing challenges. The Q&A session highlights concerns about affordability and unclear management responses on gross margins and community growth. The market cap suggests moderate sensitivity to these factors. Positive elements include expected growth in community count and strategic handling of inventory, but these are balanced by margin pressures and financing challenges. Therefore, the stock price is likely to remain stable, resulting in a neutral sentiment.
Key Financial Performance
Revenue (Q4 2025) $474 million, a 19.5% sequential increase. The increase was driven primarily by elevated sales activity generated through targeted sales initiatives in the back half of the year.
Homes Delivered (Q4 2025) 1,362 homes delivered, with 1,301 contributing to reported revenue. The remaining 61 were leased homes, profits reflected in other income.
Gross Margin (Q4 2025) 19.2%, down from 22.9% in the same period last year. The decline was due to financing incentives, discounts on older inventory, a higher percentage of wholesale closings, and higher borrowing costs.
Adjusted Gross Margin (Q4 2025) 22.3%, excluding $14.4 million of capitalized interest and $609,000 related to purchase accounting.
Net Orders (Q4 2025) Increased 39% year-over-year. Backlog grew 133% to 1,394 homes, with a value exceeding $501 million, up 112% compared to the same period last year. Excluding a wholesale agreement, backlog was still up 53% from the end of 2024.
Cancellation Rate (Q4 2025) 43.3%, increased due to affordability pressures and broader economic uncertainty.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (Q4 2025) $65.6 million or 13.8% of revenue, down 90 basis points year-over-year. General and administrative expenses decreased by $8.1 million or 26% from the prior year, driven by compensation-related adjustments.
Net Income (Q4 2025) $17.3 million or $0.75 per share. Excluding impairment-related charges, net income was $22.4 million or $0.97 per share.
Homes Delivered (Full Year 2025) 4,788 homes, including 103 leased homes. Of this total, 4,685 homes contributed to full-year revenue of $1.7 billion.
Average Selling Price (Full Year 2025) $364,000, roughly in line with the prior year. The slight decline was due to geographic mix, a higher percentage of wholesale closings, and financing incentives.
Gross Margin (Full Year 2025) 21.1%, excluding inventory-related charges. Adjusted gross margin was 24%.
Net Income (Full Year 2025) $72.6 million or $3.13 per share. Excluding impairment-related charges, net income was $77.6 million or $3.35 per share.
Lot Position (Year-End 2025) 60,842 lots owned and controlled, a 14.2% year-over-year decrease. The decline reflects disciplined capital allocation and evaluation of future land investments.
Debt (Year-End 2025) $1.7 billion of debt outstanding, including $528 million drawn on the revolver. Net debt-to-capital ratio reduced by 160 basis points to 43.2%.
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Operating Highlights
Homes Delivered: Delivered 1,362 homes in Q4 2025, with 1,301 contributing to $474 million in revenue. Closed 4,788 homes for the full year, generating $1.7 billion in revenue.
Wholesale Business: Closed 158 homes (12.1% of Q4 closings) through wholesale business, generating $230 million in revenue for the year.
Average Selling Price: Average selling price for Q4 was $364,000, slightly down due to geographic mix and financing incentives.
Top Markets: Charlotte, Northern California, Las Vegas, and Atlanta were top-performing markets in Q4 based on closings per community.
Backlog Growth: Backlog grew 133% to 1,394 homes valued at $501 million, including a wholesale agreement for 480 homes to be delivered in 2026.
Margins: Gross margin before inventory charges was 19.2% in Q4, with adjusted gross margin at 22.3%. Full-year gross margin was 21.1%.
Inventory Management: Took a $6.7 million inventory impairment charge for underperforming communities. Focused on managing older inventory and maintaining affordability.
Cost Management: SG&A expenses were 13.8% of revenue in Q4, down 90 basis points year-over-year. Full-year SG&A was 16.1% of revenue.
Land Portfolio: Owned and controlled 60,842 lots, with a focus on self-development for operational flexibility and profitability.
Debt Reduction: Reduced net debt-to-capital ratio to 43.2% and plans to further reduce debt by monetizing older inventory and lot positions.
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Risk or Challenges
Affordability pressures and rate volatility: Affordability remained a primary pressure point, and rate volatility added uncertainty across the market, impacting customer purchasing decisions and overall market stability.
Extended time between contract and close: Many buyers need additional time to save for a down payment, strengthen their credit, or finalize the sale of an existing home, leading to extended timelines and increased cancellation rates.
Increased cancellation rates: Cancellation rates rose to 43.3%, driven by affordability pressures and broader economic uncertainty, which are expected to persist.
Inventory-related challenges: Targeted discounts and financing incentives on older inventory impacted gross margins, and inventory impairment charges were taken for underperforming communities.
Higher borrowing costs: Higher borrowing costs contributed to a decline in gross margins, adding financial pressure to operations.
Decline in lot positions: The total number of lots owned and controlled decreased by 14.2% year-over-year, reflecting a cautious approach to capital allocation and potential limitations on future growth.
Economic uncertainty: Broader economic uncertainty amplified affordability challenges and cancellation rates, creating a challenging operating environment.
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Guidance & Outlook
Future Home Closures: For 2026, LGI Homes expects to close between 4,600 and 5,400 homes.
Active Selling Communities: The company anticipates ending 2026 with 150 to 160 active selling communities.
Average Sales Price: The full-year average sales price is projected to range between $355,000 and $365,000.
Gross Margin: LGI Homes is guiding to a full-year gross margin between 18% and 20% and an adjusted gross margin between 21% and 23%.
SG&A Expenses: Selling, General, and Administrative expenses are expected to range between 15% and 16% of revenue for 2026.
Tax Rate: The full-year tax rate is projected to be approximately 26.5%.
Market Conditions and Affordability: The company plans to maintain affordability by leveraging incentives such as closing costs, interest rate buydowns, discounts on older inventory, and selective price adjustments by community.
Debt Reduction: LGI Homes aims to reduce its net debt-to-capital ratio toward the midpoint of its 35%-45% target range by selectively monetizing certain lot positions and using proceeds to reduce debt.
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Shareholder Return Plan
The selected topic was not discussed during the call.
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Key Q&A
Q:What are the drivers of the sequential decline in gross margin in Q4 and the outlook for 2026?
A:The sequential decline in Q4 gross margin was due to increased incentives, discounts, mortgage buy-downs, and pricing adjustments to clear aged inventory and remain competitive. For 2026, the gross margin is expected to be similar to Q4 2025, influenced by similar factors such as incentives, discounts, and market conditions.
Q:What is the closings outlook for 2026 and the impact of wholesale business?
A:The closings pace for 2026 is expected to be similar to 2025. Wholesale closings are projected to account for 10%-15% of total closings, with confidence in the 10% figure due to existing backlog. New orders are on pause pending policy clarification on institutional buyers of single-family homes.
Q:What is the profitability outlook for wholesale orders and their impact on gross and operating margins?
A:Wholesale orders are expected to have similar operating margins to retail but lower gross margins. Wholesale business is projected to account for 10%-15% of closings in 2026, slightly down from 15.7% in 2025. Wholesale revenue will flow through home sales revenue, not other income.
Q:What are the community count growth expectations for 2026 and the absorption trends?
A:Community count growth is expected to be back-half weighted in 2026, with a year-end target of 150-160 communities. Absorptions in new communities are not necessarily higher than legacy projects.
Q:What is the plan for older inventory and land sales in 2026?
A:Older inventory and land sales in 2026 will focus on selling finished lots where there is excess inventory. This approach is opportunistic, aiming to generate income and reduce debt. Older inventory includes communities with outsized starts relative to absorption pace.
Q:What is the reason for elevated cancellation rates and how long are homes off the market before cancellation?
A:Elevated cancellation rates are due to financing challenges. Homes are typically off the market for a couple of weeks before cancellation, as customers work on paying off debt, saving for down payments, or improving credit scores. The strategy is to keep customers engaged to potentially close sales.
Q:What is the mix of first-time versus move-up buyers and the percentage of Terrata communities?
A:The mix of move-up buyers is growing due to the expansion of the Terrata brand and higher entry-level price points. Terrata communities account for 10%-15% of total communities.
Q:What are the current market conditions and the impact on affordability?
A:The market is challenging with affordability pressures due to mortgage rates, sales prices, insurance, and property taxes. The company and competitors are leaning into incentives to assist buyers, particularly first-time homebuyers.
Q:What is the expected G&A run rate for 2026?
A:The G&A run rate for 2026 is expected to be similar to 2025, which was just over $110 million. Quarterly variations may occur based on expense timing.
Q:What are the drivers for achieving higher gross margins in 2026?
A:Higher gross margins in 2026 could result from reduced incentives, lower costs (land development, impact fees, labor, materials), and a lower percentage of wholesale business.
Q:What is the approach to G&A reductions and sales pace in 2026?
A:G&A reductions in Q4 were bonus-driven, with the annual run rate expected to remain similar. If the sales pace reaches 3 absorptions per month, the company plans to maintain or increase this pace rather than raising prices.
Q:Review of Unclear Management Responses
A:Management avoided providing direct answers or clarity on the following: 1) Specific factors that could definitively push gross margins to the higher end of the range for 2026. 2) Detailed breakdown of how new community openings will align with net growth targets. 3) Precise reasons for the elevated cancellation rates beyond general financing challenges. 4) Specific strategies to address affordability pressures beyond general incentives.
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Earnings Word Cloud
The most frequently occurring keywords in this quarter's earning call
ASP benefit
Affordability pressure
Atlanta Las
Atlanta closing
California Las
Charlotte Northern
Form period
Las Vegas
activity
agreement
balance sheet
charge income
charge margin
commitment
community month
condition
discipline
discount inventory
environment
finish
future
impairment charge
incentive discount
income tax
inventory charge
lot position
margin inventory
model
percentage closing
price discount
process
profitability
resilience
sale home
sale lot
selling basis
selling price
share impairment
strength
LGIH Transcript
LGI Homes, Inc. (LGIH) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown2-17
The earnings call summary presents mixed results: strong net orders, backlog, and community growth expectations, but declining gross margins and elevated cancellation rates due to financing challenges. The Q&A session highlights concerns about affordability and unclear management responses on gross margins and community growth. The market cap suggests moderate sensitivity to these factors. Positive elements include expected growth in community count and strategic handling of inventory, but these are balanced by margin pressures and financing challenges. Therefore, the stock price is likely to remain stable, resulting in a neutral sentiment.
LGI Homes, Inc. (LGIH) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown11-4
The earnings call presents mixed signals. While there's an increase in net orders and backlog, margins have declined, and SG&A expenses remain high. The company is managing land inventory and has a positive outlook on ASP. The Q&A reveals cautious optimism, with no major strategy shifts. Market cap suggests moderate volatility, so the stock price is likely to remain stable in the short term.
LGI Homes, Inc. (LGIH) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown8-5
The earnings call presents mixed signals: while community growth and sales initiatives are promising, there are concerns about high cancellation rates and lower gross margin guidance. The Q&A highlighted management's focus on incentives and debt reduction but avoided specifics on improving trends. The market cap indicates moderate volatility, leading to a neutral prediction. Without clear positive catalysts or strong negative trends, the stock price is likely to remain stable.
LGI Homes, Inc. (NASDAQ:LGIH) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown4-30
The earnings call indicates several negative factors: declining revenue, reduced gross margins, higher expenses, and missed EPS expectations. The slight improvement in cancellation rate and share repurchase plan are positive but insufficient to offset concerns. The Q&A revealed management's vague responses on gross margins and tariffs, suggesting uncertainty. The market may react negatively, especially with a 10.1% revenue decline and increased costs. Given the company's small market cap, these factors are likely to result in a stock price decline of -2% to -8% over the next two weeks.
LGIH Report
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