Meritage Homes Corporation: Prefer To Continue Staying On The Sidelines

  • I maintain a Hold rating on Meritage Homes due to weak demand, deep margin compression, and unsustainable reliance on buyer incentives. Earnings and margins declined sharply in 2Q25, with net income down 37% and gross margin pressured by increased use of incentives. Management's $500 million cut to FY25 land spend signals caution, likely limiting future community growth and volume recovery.