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Beazer Homes Announces Fiscal Third Quarter 2008 Financial Results

August 8, 2008 at 6:46 AM EDT

Company Completes Amendment of Revolving Credit Facility

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 8, 2008--Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (NYSE: BZH) (www.beazer.com) today announced its financial results for the quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2008. Summary results for the quarter are as follows:

    Quarter Ended June 30, 2008

    --  Reported net loss from continuing operations of $(109.7)
        million, or $(2.85) per share, including pre-tax charges
        related to inventory impairments and abandonment of land
        option contracts of $95.5 million, impairments related to
        joint venture investments of $18.5 million, and goodwill
        impairments of $4.4 million. For the third quarter of the
        prior fiscal year, net loss from continuing operations totaled
        $(118.9) million, or $(3.09) per share.

    --  Total revenues: $455.6 million, compared to $753.5 million in
        the third quarter of the prior year.

    --  Home closings: 1,677 homes, compared to 2,659 in the third
        quarter of the prior year.

    --  Average sales price: $257,400 compared to $282,100 in the
        third quarter of the prior year.

    --  New orders: 1,774 homes, compared to 3,048 in the third
        quarter of the prior year.

    --  Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $52.1
        million and $24.5 million for the three and nine months ended
        June 30, 2008, respectively, compared to net cash used in
        operating activities of $79.1 million and net cash provided by
        operating activities of $122.0 million, respectively, for the
        same periods of the prior year.

    As of June 30, 2008

    --  Cash and cash equivalents: $314.2 million.

    --  No cash borrowings outstanding on revolving credit facility.

    --  Net debt to capitalization: 63.2%

    --  Backlog: 2,716 homes with a sales value of $668.1 million
        compared to 5,952 homes with a sales value of $1.69 billion as
        of June 30, 2007.

"As our third quarter results illustrate, difficult operating conditions in the homebuilding industry persist," said Ian J. McCarthy, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Despite lower home prices, relatively low interest rates and a large choice of available homes, potential homebuyers remain reluctant due to eroding consumer confidence amid concerns about employment growth, higher energy costs and the overall economy. Based on these demand dynamics, coupled with high supply levels of new and existing home inventory, we believe industry conditions will remain challenging for the remainder of this fiscal year and as we enter fiscal 2009. As such, we maintain a disciplined and cautious operating approach and our principal operating goals during this downturn continue to include generating liquidity, reducing overhead and direct costs, limiting investment in land and homes and reducing unsold home inventories. At the same time, we are focused on positioning Beazer Homes for a return to profitability and the market's eventual recovery. We expect strategic actions such as our decisions to reallocate capital and resources within our geographic footprint and further efforts to differentiate Beazer Homes in the eyes of the consumer will enable us to enhance shareholder value in the long term."

Quarter Ended June 30, 2008

Homebuilding revenues declined 41.1% for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, due to both a 36.9% decline in home closings and an 8.8% decline in average selling price from the same period in the prior fiscal year. Home closings declined in all regions, with the most significant declines in the Southeast, the West and Florida. Net new home orders totaled 1,774, a decline of 41.8% from the prior fiscal year. The cancellation rate for the quarter was 36.8%, comparable to 36.3% and 33.7% experienced for the same period in the prior fiscal year and in the second quarter of this year, respectively.

During the third quarter, margins continued to be negatively impacted by both the average sales price decline and reduced closing volume as compared to the same period a year ago. In addition, the Company incurred pre-tax charges to abandon land option contracts of $27.8 million, and to recognize inventory impairments of $67.7 million, impairments in joint ventures of $18.5 million, and goodwill impairments $4.4 million. The goodwill impaired relates to the Company's operations in Colorado, which the Company decided to exit during the third quarter. The Company also decided to exit the Fresno, CA market during the third quarter.

The Company controlled 46,224 lots at June 30, 2008 (72% owned and 28% controlled under options), reflecting reduction of approximately 15% and 36% from levels as of March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2007, respectively. As of June 30, 2008, unsold finished homes totaled 300, declining by approximately 32% and 65% from the level a year ago and as of September 30, 2007, respectively. The Company has substantially reduced its land and land development spending, which totaled $275 million year to date this year, compared to $694 million for the same period in the prior year.

At June 30, 2008, the Company had a cash balance of $314.2 million, an increase from $273.7 million as of March 31, 2008. Cash provided by operating activities for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008 was $52.1 and $24.5 million, respectively. As previously disclosed, the Company received a cash tax refund of approximately $55.8 million during the third quarter relating to a fiscal 2007 net operating loss carried back to fiscal 2005. In addition, the sale of two condominium projects in Virginia was concluded in July, subsequent to the end of the fiscal third quarter, with net proceeds totaling approximately $85.0 million. The Company currently expects to generate positive cash flow in its fiscal fourth quarter, historically its seasonally strongest quarter in terms of closings.

Revolving Credit Facility

On August 7, 2008, the Company entered into an amendment to its revolving credit facility which changed the size, covenants and pricing of the facility. The Company achieved its principal objective in the amendment negotiation - namely, gaining additional financial flexibility during the current housing downturn by modifying or eliminating certain restrictive covenants - by agreeing to reduce the size of the facility, increase collateralization requirements and increase pricing paid to the bank group. In addition, to minimize uncertainty regarding real or perceived consequences of potential further deterioration in the Company's financial metrics over the next three years, the Company and the bank group also agreed to a framework that will further reduce the size of the facility, and increase collateralization and pricing if particular financial metrics are not maintained. The Company believes this framework eliminates many of the circumstances that might otherwise lead to the requirement for future facility amendments.

The amendment eliminated financial covenants related to interest coverage, leverage and land holdings and reduced the consolidated tangible net worth maintenance covenant from $900 million to $100 million, which provides significant additional flexibility for the Company to absorb both potential additional inventory impairments and the potential consequences of a reserve against the Company's deferred tax assets under FAS 109. In exchange, the Company agreed to a reduction in the size of the facility from $500 million to $400 million, an increase in collateralization requirements (the value of assets secured under the facility in relation to amounts outstanding or drawn as letters of credit) from approximately 2.25x to 3.0x, and an increase in pricing from LIBOR plus 350 basis points to LIBOR plus 450 basis points. The only other maintenance covenant, which remains unchanged by the amendment, is a requirement for the Company to maintain minimum liquidity of $120 million, in the form of cash or availability under the facility or a combination of the two.

The facility is subject to further reductions to $250 million and $100 million if the Company's consolidated tangible net worth falls below $350 million and $250 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2008, the Company's consolidated tangible net worth was $784 million. The facility size is also subject to a reduction to $250 million if the Company's leverage ratio exceeds 5.0x (or 3.5x excluding the effect of any deferred tax valuation allowance). The Company's leverage ratio at June 30, 2008 was 2.19x. To the extent the facility size is reduced to $250 million or $100 million, both the multiple of assets securing the facility to outstanding borrowings and letters of credit and the pricing will increase. The facility size is also subject to a reduction to $200 million if the Company's interest coverage ratio for the quarter ending June 30, 2010 is less than 1.0x.

Availability under the facility continues to be subject to a secured borrowing base. The Company has not had cash borrowings under this facility since its inception in June 2007. The Company had $71.5 million in letters of credit outstanding at June 30, 2008. At August, 7, 2008, after giving effect to the amendment and the impact of recent asset sales previously included in the secured borrowing base, the Company did not have access to additional borrowings under the facility. However, the Company expects to add more real estate assets to the borrowing base in order to create availability under the facility.

The amendment to the facility will be filed with the Company's third quarter 10-Q.

Ongoing External Investigations

As previously disclosed, the Company and its subsidiary, Beazer Mortgage Corporation, are under investigations by the United States Attorney's Office in the Western District of North Carolina, the SEC and other state and federal agencies, concerning the matters that were the subject of the Audit Committee's previous independent investigation. The Company is fully cooperating with these investigations which are ongoing. The Company cannot predict or determine the timing or final outcome of the investigations or the effect that any adverse findings in the investigations may have on it.

The Company intends to attempt to negotiate a settlement with prosecutors and regulatory authorities with respect to these matters that would allow us to quantify our exposure associated with reimbursement of losses and payment of regulatory and/or criminal fines, if they are imposed. However, no settlement has been reached with any regulatory authority and the Company believes that although it is probable that a liability exists related to this exposure, it is not reasonably estimable at this time.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call today, August 8, 2008, at 11:00 AM ET to discuss these results and take questions. Interested parties may listen to the conference call and view the Company's slide presentation over the internet by going to the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at www.beazer.com. A replay of the call will also be available at www.beazer.com for approximately 30 days. To access the conference call by telephone, listeners should dial 877-601-3546 (for international callers, dial 210-234-0031). To be admitted to the call, verbally supply the passcode "BZH". A replay of the call by telephone will be available shortly after the conclusion of the live call. To directly access the replay, available until 5:00 PM ET on August 15, 2008, dial 800-282-5731 (for international callers, dial 402-220-9726).

Beazer Homes USA, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the country's ten largest single-family homebuilders with continuing operations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BZH."

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, and it is possible that the results described in this press release will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, among other things, (i) the timing and final outcome of the United States Attorney investigation, the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") investigation and other state and federal agency investigations, the putative class action lawsuits, the derivative claims, multi-party suits and similar proceedings as well as the results of any other litigation or government proceedings; (ii) material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting; (iii) additional asset impairment charges or writedowns; (iv) economic changes nationally or in local markets, including changes in consumer confidence, volatility of mortgage interest rates and inflation; (v) continued or increased downturn in the homebuilding industry; (vi) estimates related to homes to be delivered in the future (backlog) are imprecise as they are subject to various cancellation risks which cannot be fully controlled, (vii) continued or increased disruption in the availability of mortgage financing; (viii) our cost of and ability to access capital and otherwise meet our ongoing liquidity needs including the impact of any further downgrades of our credit ratings; (ix) potential inability to comply with covenants in our debt agreements; (x) continued negative publicity; (xi) increased competition or delays in reacting to changing consumer preference in home design; (xii) shortages of or increased prices for labor, land or raw materials used in housing production; (xiii) factors affecting margins such as decreased land values underlying land option agreements, increased land development costs on projects under development or delays or difficulties in implementing initiatives to reduce production and overhead cost structure; (xiv) the performance of our joint ventures and our joint venture partners; (xv) the impact of construction defect and home warranty claims and the cost and availability of insurance, including the availability of insurance for the presence of moisture intrusion; (xvi) a material failure on the part of our subsidiary Trinity Homes LLC to satisfy the conditions of the class action settlement agreement, including assessment and remediation with respect to moisture intrusion related issues; (xvii) delays in land development or home construction resulting from adverse weather conditions; (xviii) potential delays or increased costs in obtaining necessary permits as a result of changes to, or complying with, laws, regulations, or governmental policies and possible penalties for failure to comply with such laws, regulations and governmental policies; (xix) effects of changes in accounting policies, standards, guidelines or principles; or(xx) terrorist acts, acts of war and other factors over which the Company has little or no control.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors.

                        BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
              CONSOLIDATED OPERATING AND FINANCIAL DATA
           (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

FINANCIAL DATA
------------------
                          Quarter Ended           Nine Months Ended
                            June 30,                  June 30,
                   --------------------------- -----------------------
                      2008          2007          2008        2007
                   --------------------------- ----------- -----------
INCOME STATEMENT
Total revenue      $  455,578  $      753,456  $1,361,649  $2,373,048
Home construction
 and land sales
 expenses             407,512         647,489   1,223,252   2,022,687
Inventory
 impairments and
 option contract
 abandonments          95,482         154,244     451,854     399,856
                   ----------- --------------- ----------- -----------
Gross loss            (47,416)        (48,277)   (313,457)    (49,495)

Selling, general
 and
 administrative
 expenses              83,517          96,327     245,696     302,323
Depreciation &
 amortization           6,046           7,773      18,250      22,838
Goodwill
 impairment             4,365          29,752      52,470      29,752
                   ----------- --------------- ----------- -----------
Operating loss       (141,344)       (182,129)   (629,873)   (404,408)

Equity in loss of
 unconsolidated
 joint ventures       (18,568)           (939)    (75,069)     (7,012)
Other (expense)
 income, net          (13,489)          2,664     (20,907)      7,870
                   ----------- --------------- ----------- -----------

Loss from
 continuing
 operations before
 income taxes        (173,401)       (180,404)   (725,849)   (403,550)
Benefit from
 Income taxes         (63,707)        (61,474)   (249,771)   (145,161)
                   ----------- --------------- ----------- -----------
Loss from
 continuing
 operations          (109,694)       (118,930)   (476,078)   (258,389)
                   ----------- --------------- ----------- -----------
(Loss) income from
 discontinued
 operations, net
 of tax                  (148)            183      (1,893)      2,548
                   ----------- --------------- ----------- -----------
Net loss           $ (109,842) $     (118,747) $ (477,971) $ (255,841)
                   =========== =============== =========== ===========

Loss per common
 share from
 continuing
 operations:
  Basic            $    (2.85) $        (3.09) $   (12.35) $    (6.73)
                   =========================== =========== ===========
  Diluted          $    (2.85) $        (3.09) $   (12.35) $    (6.73)
                   =========================== =========== ===========
(Loss) income per
 common share from
 discontinued
 operations:
  Basic            $        -  $            -  $    (0.05) $     0.07
                   =========================== =========== ===========
  Diluted          $        -  $            -  $    (0.05) $     0.07
                   =========================== =========== ===========
Loss per common
 share:
  Basic            $    (2.85) $        (3.09) $   (12.40) $    (6.66)
                   =========================== =========== ===========
  Diluted          $    (2.85) $        (3.09) $   (12.40) $    (6.66)
                   =========================== =========== ===========


Weighted average
 shares
 outstanding, in
 thousands:
  Basic                38,551          38,459      38,546      38,388
  Diluted              38,551          38,459      38,546      38,388


SELECTED BALANCE    June 30,    September 30,
 SHEET DATA
                      2008          2007
                   ---------------------------
Cash and cash
 equivalents       $  314,202  $      454,337
Inventory           2,028,543       2,775,173
Total assets        3,146,371       3,930,021
Total debt (net of
 discount of
 $2,682, and
 $3,033)            1,762,187       1,857,249
Shareholders'
 equity               844,186       1,323,722

Inventory
 Breakdown
Homes under
 construction      $  626,890  $      787,102
Development
 projects in
 progress             600,175       1,233,140
Land held for
 future
 development          364,163         324,350
Land held for sale    215,679          49,473
Model homes           101,320         143,726
Consolidated
 inventory not
 owned                120,316         237,382
                   ----------- ---------------
                   $2,028,543  $    2,775,173
                   =========== ===============

                        BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
              CONSOLIDATED OPERATING AND FINANCIAL DATA
                        (Dollars in thousands)

OPERATING DATA
------------------------------

                                   Quarter Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                     June 30,            June 30,
                               --------------------  -----------------
SELECTED OPERATING DATA          2008       2007        2008     2007
                               --------------------  ----------- -----
Closings:
  West region                       407         721        1,206 2,125
  Mid-Atlantic region               244         263          692   676
  Florida region                    152         266          545   861
  Southeast region                  324         608        1,060 2,018
  Other homebuilding                550         801        1,748 2,391
                               --------------------  ----------- -----
Total closings                    1,677       2,659        5,251 8,071
                               ====================  =========== =====
New orders, net of
 cancellations:
  West region                       594         726        1,420 2,224
  Mid-Atlantic region               107         327          411 1,128
  Florida region                    188         357          509   891
  Southeast region                  409         647        1,117 2,128
  Other homebuilding                476         991        1,525 2,550
                               --------------------  ----------- -----
Total new orders                  1,774       3,048        4,982 8,921
                               ====================  =========== =====
Backlog units at end of
 period:
  West region                       705       1,274
  Mid-Atlantic region               362       1,029
  Florida region                    202         538
  Southeast region                  561       1,431
  Other homebuilding                886       1,680
                               --------------------
Total backlog units               2,716       5,952
                               ====================
Dollar value of backlog at end
 of period                     $668,147  $1,691,630
                               ====================

                        BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
        CONSOLIDATED OPERATING AND FINANCIAL DATA (Continued)
                        (Dollars in thousands)

                            Quarter Ended         Nine Months Ended
                              June 30,                June 30,
                         -------------------    ---------------------
Supplemental Financial
 Data (Continuing
 Operations)               2008       2007        2008        2007
                        ---------- ----------  ----------- -----------

Revenues
  Homebuilding
   operations           $ 431,723  $ 732,491   $1,324,166  $2,294,186
  Land and lot sales       22,975     19,187       34,544      73,393
  Financial Services          880      1,778        2,939       5,469
                        ---------------------  ----------- -----------
Total revenues          $ 455,578  $ 753,456   $1,361,649  $2,373,048
                        =====================  =========== ===========
Gross (loss) profit
  Homebuilding
   operations           $ (50,338) $ (49,303)  $ (317,398) $  (56,409)
  Land and lot sales        2,042       (752)       1,002       1,445
  Financial Services          880      1,778        2,939       5,469
                        ---------------------  ----------- -----------
Total gross loss        $ (47,416) $ (48,277)  $ (313,457) $  (49,495)
                        =====================  =========== ===========
Selling, general and
 administrative
  Homebuilding
   operations           $  82,847  $  95,726   $  243,790  $  300,022
  Financial Services          670        601        1,906       2,301
                        ---------------------  ----------- -----------
Total selling, general
 and administrative     $  83,517  $  96,327   $  245,696  $  302,323
                        =====================  =========== ===========


Selected Segment
 Information -
 Continuing Operations
Revenue:
  West region           $ 111,557  $ 248,830   $  344,942  $  814,792
  Mid-Atlantic region     108,294    113,840      284,780     309,176
  Florida region           32,751     72,470      127,205     270,124
  Southeast region         77,204    152,121      246,013     491,359
  Other homebuilding      124,892    164,417      355,770     482,128
  Financial services          880      1,778        2,939       5,469
                        ---------------------  ----------- -----------
Total revenue           $ 455,578  $ 753,456   $1,361,649  $2,373,048
                        =====================  =========== ===========

Operating (loss) income
  West region           $ (41,402) $ (62,394)  $ (158,245) $ (122,582)
  Mid-Atlantic region       5,061    (11,852)     (50,024)    (37,205)
  Florida region          (10,801)   (20,166)     (44,830)    (42,560)
  Southeast region        (12,313)    (1,917)     (75,784)     17,788
  Other homebuilding      (17,582)   (14,580)     (75,139)    (52,429)
  Financial services          202      1,188        1,012       3,144
                        ---------------------  -----------------------
    Segment operating
     loss                 (76,835)  (109,721)    (403,010)   (233,844)
  Corporate and
   unallocated            (64,509)   (72,408)    (226,863)   (170,564)
                        ---------------------  ----------- -----------
Total operating loss    $(141,344) $(182,129)  $ (629,873) $ (404,408)
                        =====================  =========== ===========

CONTACT:
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Leslie H. Kratcoski, 770-829-3764
Vice President, Investor Relations
& Corporate Communications
lkratcos@beazer.com

SOURCE:
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.