Shares of KB Home (KBH) tumbled 7.32% in after-hours trading on Monday following the release of disappointing first-quarter earnings and reduced full-year guidance, signaling challenges ahead for the homebuilder.
The company reported earnings per share of $1.49, falling short of analysts' expectations of $1.59. Revenue for the quarter came in at $1.39 billion, missing estimates of $1.50 billion. The results reflect a challenging start to the spring selling season, which is typically a strong period for homebuilders.
KB Home CEO Jeffrey Mezger commented on the softer market conditions, stating, "Consumers are working through affordability concerns and uncertainties related to macroeconomic and geopolitical issues, which are causing them to move slowly in their homebuying decisions. Demand at the start of this Spring's selling season was more muted than what we have seen historically, despite a healthy level of traffic in our communities."
Adding to investor concerns, KB Home significantly lowered its outlook for fiscal year 2025. The company now expects housing revenue between $6.6 billion and $7.0 billion, down from its previous forecast of $7.0 billion to $7.5 billion. The reduced guidance primarily reflects lower net orders generated in the first quarter.
The disappointing results and cautious outlook suggest KB Home is facing headwinds in the housing market, including affordability issues and economic uncertainties. As the company navigates these challenges, investors will be closely watching for signs of improvement in demand and the effectiveness of KB Home's strategies to adapt to changing market conditions.
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