Lennar’s shares fell 2.5% after earnings as higher mortgage rates, weaker consumer confidence, and increased resale competition constrained orders and reduced the expected improvement in demand. While deliveries were within guidance and margins improved sequentially, the outlook remains cautious amid affordability pressure and emerging labor-cost inflation.
- Delivered 20,840 homes, within the company’s 20,500–21,500 guidance range; new orders of 20,879 were below the 21,000–22,000 target range.
- Gross margin improved sequentially to 15.8%, with sales incentives declining to 12%; net margin was 6.6%.
- GAAP EPS was $1.19, or $1.23 excluding one-time items.
- The 30-year mortgage rate rose from approximately 6.4%–6.5% at the prior call to about 7%, while nearly 50% of visitors in many markets reportedly cannot immediately qualify for a mortgage.
- Resale inventory has rebuilt to above historic levels, particularly in Texas and Florida, while labor availability is tightening and adding pressure to costs.
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