Ryland Reports Results for the Second Quarter of 2007

CALABASAS, Calif., July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Ryland Group, Inc. , today announced results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2007. Items of note included:

-- Net loss of $1.25 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, including pretax charges of $147.1 million for inventory valuation adjustments and write-offs, compared to earnings of $2.03 per share for the same period in the prior year; -- Excluding inventory valuation adjustments and write-offs, earnings for the quarter would have been $0.80 per share; -- Consolidated revenues of $739.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, reflected a decrease of 38.2 percent from the quarter ended June 30, 2006; -- Gross profit margins from home sales averaged 19.0 percent prior to inventory valuation adjustments and write-offs and negative 1.3 percent subsequent to these adjustments for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, compared to 23.2 percent for the same period in 2006; -- Closings for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, totaled 2,461 units, reflecting a 35.3 percent decrease from the same period in the prior year; -- New order units in the second quarter of 2007 declined 16.6 percent to 2,521 units from 3,023 units in the second quarter of 2006; -- Inventory of houses started and unsold declined to 1,418 units at June 30, 2007, denoting decreases of 18.7 percent and 19.5 percent, from December 31, 2006 and June 30, 2006, respectively; -- Net debt-to-total capital ratio was 40.3 percent at June 30, 2007; and -- Shares of the Company's common stock repurchased during the second quarter of 2007 totaled 370,000, or less than one percent of the weighted-average shares outstanding. RESULTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2007

For the second quarter ended June 30, 2007, the Company reported a consolidated net loss of $52.4 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, compared to earnings of $94.8 million, or $2.03 per diluted share, for the same period in 2006. Excluding inventory valuation adjustments and write-offs, which totaled $147.1 million, earnings for the quarter would have been $0.80 per share.

The homebuilding segments reported a pretax loss of $91.5 million during the second quarter of 2007, compared to $153.8 million in pretax earnings for the same period in 2006. This decrease was primarily due to a decline in closings and margins, which included the impact of inventory valuation adjustments and write-offs.

Homebuilding revenues decreased 38.3 percent to $722.6 million for the second quarter of 2007, compared to $1.2 billion for the same period in 2006. This decline was primarily attributable to closings that totaled 2,461 units, representing a 35.3 percent decrease from the same period in the prior year, and to a slight decline in the average closing price of a home, which decreased to $292,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, from $295,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. Homebuilding revenues for the second quarter of 2007 included $3.0 million from land sales, compared to $29.2 million from land sales for the second quarter of 2006, which contributed net gains of $595,000 and $10.0 million to pretax earnings in 2007 and 2006, respectively.

New orders of 2,521 units for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, represented a decrease of 16.6 percent, compared to new orders of 3,023 units for the same period in 2006. For the second quarter of 2007, new order dollars declined 21.8 percent to $696.8 million from $890.9 million for the second quarter of 2006. Backlog at the end of the second quarter of 2007 decreased 39.2 percent to 4,953 units from 8,151 units at the end of the second quarter of 2006. The Dollar value of the Company's backlog at June 30, 2007, was $1.5 billion, reflecting a decline of 42.2 percent from June 30, 2006.

Gross profit margins from home sales averaged 19.0 percent prior to inventory valuation adjustments and write-offs and negative 1.3 percent subsequent to these adjustments for the second quarter of 2007, compared to 23.2 percent for the same period in 2006. Total gross profit margins, including land sales, fell to negative 1.2 percent in the second quarter of 2007 from 23.3 percent in the second quarter of 2006. This decrease was primarily due to inventory valuation adjustments and write-offs, as well as to increased sales incentives that related to home deliveries for the second quarter of 2007. Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of homebuilding revenue, were 11.5 percent for the second quarter of 2007, compared to 10.1 percent for the same period in 2006. This increase was primarily attributable to higher marketing and advertising costs per unit. The homebuilding segments capitalized all interest incurred during the second quarter of 2007 due to development activity.

Corporate expenses were $7.1 million for the second quarter of 2007, compared to $19.0 million for the same period in the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to lower incentive compensation expense that resulted from declines in earnings and stock price.

The Company's financial services segment, which includes mortgage, title, escrow and insurance services, reported pretax earnings of $9.8 million for the second quarter of 2007, compared to pretax earnings of $16.9 million for the same period in 2006. The decline was primarily attributable to a 38.3 percent decrease in the number of mortgages originated due to a slowdown in the homebuilding market, partially offset by a 2.0 percent increase in average loan size. The capture rate of mortgages originated for the Company's homebuilding customers was 79.9 percent for the second quarter of 2007, compared to 82.5 percent for the same period in 2006.

RESULTS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 2007

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company reported a consolidated net loss of $76.9 million, or $1.82 per diluted share, compared to earnings of $184.8 million, or $3.88 per diluted share, for the same period in 2006. Excluding inventory valuation adjustments and write-offs, which totaled $212.6 million, earnings for the first six months of 2007 would have been $1.37 per share.

The homebuilding segments reported a pretax loss of $123.7 million during the first six months of 2007, compared to $301.3 million in pretax earnings for the same period in 2006. This decrease was primarily due to a decline in closings and margins, which included the impact of $212.6 million of inventory valuation adjustments and write-offs.

Homebuilding revenues decreased 36.5 percent to $1.4 billion for the first six months of 2007, compared to $2.2 billion for the same period in 2006. This decline was primarily attributable to closings that totaled 4,763 units, a 35.3 percent decrease, from the same period in 2006. The average closing price of a home was $295,000 for both six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006. Homebuilding revenues for the first six months of 2007 included $7.0 million from land sales, compared to $33.9 million from land sales for the same period in 2006, which contributed net gains of $1.1 million and $11.4 million to pretax earnings in 2007 and 2006, respectively.

New orders of 5,510 units for the six months ended June 30, 2007, represented a decrease of 21.8 percent, compared to new orders of 7,044 units for the same period in 2006. For the first six months of 2007, new order dollars declined 24.3 percent to $1.6 billion from $2.1 billion for the first six months of 2006.

Gross profit margins from home sales averaged 18.8 percent prior to inventory valuation adjustments and write-offs and 3.8 percent subsequent to these adjustments for the first six months of 2007, compared to 23.8 percent for the same period in 2006. Total gross profit margins, including land sales, decreased to 3.9 percent for the first six months of 2007 from 23.8 percent for the same period in 2006. This decrease was primarily due to inventory valuation adjustments and write-offs, as well as to increased sales incentives that related to home deliveries for the first six months of 2007. Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of homebuilding revenue, were 12.6 percent for the first six months of 2007, compared to 10.2 percent for the same period in 2006. This increase was primarily attributable to higher marketing and advertising costs per unit and charges of $3.7 million relating to severance arrangements. The homebuilding segments capitalized all interest incurred during the first six months of 2007 due to development activity.

Corporate expenses were $13.6 million for the first six months of 2007, compared to $34.0 million for the same period in the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to lower incentive compensation expense that resulted from declines in earnings and stock price.

The Company's financial services segment, which includes mortgage, title, escrow and insurance services, reported pretax earnings of $17.8 million for the first six months of 2007, compared to pretax earnings of $28.4 million for the same period in 2006. The decline was primarily attributable to a 36.7 percent decrease in the number of mortgages originated due to a slowdown in the homebuilding market, partially offset by a 2.0 percent increase in average loan size. The capture rate of mortgages originated for the Company's homebuilding customers was 79.5 percent for the first six months of 2007, compared to 81.4 percent for the same period in 2006.

STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, the Company repurchased 370,000 shares of its common stock at a cost of $15.9 million. Outstanding shares at June 30, 2007, were 41,843,645, versus 44,254,440 at June 30, 2006, representing a decrease of 5.4 percent. In December 2006, the Company's Board of Directors authorized $175.0 million for the purchase of additional shares. At June 30, 2007, the Company had approximately $142.3 million remaining under this authorization.

SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company revised its segment disclosure for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, to conform to its current presentation, which disaggregates its homebuilding operations into regional reporting segments. The aforementioned changes to the Consolidated Financial Statements had no effect on the Company's financial position as of June 30, 2007 and 2006, or on its results of operations and cash flows for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.

CHANGE IN OVERALL EFFECTIVE TAX RATE

The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2007 was 41.0 percent. The Company anticipates its annual effective rate to be lower than 39.0 percent as stated in the first quarter; however, as a result of the uncertainty of current market conditions, the Company is unable to provide more precise annual effective rate guidance at this time.

With headquarters in Southern California, Ryland is one of the nation's largest homebuilders and a leading mortgage-finance company. The Company currently operates in 28 markets across the country and has built more than 270,000 homes and financed more than 225,000 mortgages since its founding in 1967. Ryland is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "RYL." Previous news releases may be obtained at http://www.ryland.com/.

Note: Certain statements in this press release may be regarded as "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and may qualify for the safe harbor provided for in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's expectations and beliefs concerning future events, and no assurance can be given that the future results described in this press release will be achieved. These forward- looking statements can generally be identified by the use of statements that include words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "foresee," "goal," "intend," "likely," "may," "plan," "project," "should," "target," "will" or other similar words or phrases. All forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this press release. Except as may be required under applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. The factors and assumptions upon which any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which include, among others:

-- economic changes nationally or in the Company's local markets, including volatility and increases in interest rates, inflation, changes in consumer demand and confidence levels and the state of the market for homes in general; -- the availability and cost of land; -- increased land development costs on projects under development; -- shortages of skilled labor or raw materials used in the production of houses; -- increased prices for labor, land and raw materials used in the production of houses; -- increased competition; -- failure to anticipate or react to changing consumer preferences in home design; -- increased costs and delays in land development or home construction resulting from adverse weather conditions; -- potential delays or increased costs in obtaining necessary permits as a result of changes to laws, regulations, or governmental policies (including those that affect zoning, density, building standards and the environment); -- delays in obtaining approvals from applicable regulatory agencies and others in connection with the Company's communities and land activities; -- the risk factors set forth in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K; and -- other factors over which the Company has little or no control. Four financial-statement pages follow. THE RYLAND GROUP, INC. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited) (in thousands, except share data) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006 REVENUES Homebuilding $722,578 $1,170,362 $1,413,941 $2,226,241 Financial services 17,107 26,530 32,174 45,489 TOTAL REVENUES 739,685 1,196,892 1,446,115 2,271,730 EXPENSES Cost of sales 731,336 898,149 1,359,095 1,697,073 Selling, general and administrative 82,762 118,409 178,577 227,827 Financial services 7,315 9,655 14,359 17,080 Corporate 7,097 18,973 13,550 33,997 TOTAL EXPENSES 828,510 1,045,186 1,565,581 1,975,977 Earnings/(loss) before taxes (88,825) 151,706 (119,466) 295,753 Tax expense/(benefit) (36,394) 56,889 (42,590) 110,907 NET EARNINGS/(LOSS) $(52,431) $94,817 $(76,876) $184,846 NET EARNINGS/(LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE Basic $(1.25) $2.11 $(1.82) $4.06 Diluted (1.25) 2.03 (1.82) 3.88 AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING Basic 42,010,783 45,025,672 42,248,112 45,580,235 Diluted 42,010,783 46,762,816 42,248,112 47,590,596 THE RYLAND GROUP, INC. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share data) June 30, December 31, 2007 2006 (Unaudited) ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $84,503 $215,037 Housing inventories Homes under construction 1,093,250 1,079,702 Land under development and improved lots 1,257,176 1,427,930 Consolidated inventory not owned 154,330 263,853 Total inventories 2,504,756 2,771,485 Property, plant and equipment 83,046 76,887 Net deferred taxes 148,617 84,199 Purchase price in excess of net assets acquired 2,802 18,185 Other 271,894 250,904 TOTAL ASSETS 3,095,618 3,416,697 LIABILITIES Accounts payable 174,843 186,868 Accrued and other liabilities 373,826 586,797 Debt 1,020,211 950,117 TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,568,880 1,723,782 MINORITY INTEREST 142,895 181,749 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Common stock, $1.00 par value: Authorized - 200,000,000 shares Issued - 41,843,645 shares at June 30, 2007 (42,612,525 shares at December 31, 2006) 41,844 42,612 Retained earnings 1,337,562 1,463,727 Accumulated other comprehensive income 4,437 4,827 TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 1,383,843 1,511,166 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $3,095,618 $3,416,697 THE RYLAND GROUP, INC. and Subsidiaries SEGMENT INFORMATION (Unaudited) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006 EARNINGS/(LOSS) BEFORE TAXES (in thousands) Homebuilding North $20,714 $51,331 $29,162 $84,613 Southeast 8,010 64,402 16,866 118,909 Texas 8,984 13,604 14,916 21,505 West (129,228) 24,467 (184,675) 76,314 Financial services 9,792 16,875 17,815 28,409 Corporate and unallocated (7,097) (18,973) (13,550) (33,997) Total $(88,825) $151,706 $(119,466) $295,753 NEW ORDERS Units North 653 778 1,489 1,814 Southeast 705 851 1,494 2,109 Texas 682 944 1,511 1,968 West 481 450 1,016 1,153 Total 2,521 3,023 5,510 7,044 Dollars (in millions) North $210 $258 $479 $591 Southeast 195 260 426 649 Texas 139 193 313 390 West 153 180 351 443 Total $697 $891 $1,569 $2,073 CLOSINGS Units North 699 966 1,306 1,756 Southeast 725 1,216 1,482 2,414 Texas 659 821 1,243 1,561 West 378 800 732 1,626 Total 2,461 3,803 4,763 7,357 Average closing price (in thousands) North $320 $307 $318 $309 Southeast 303 293 308 286 Texas 214 189 215 187 West 351 394 362 398 Total $292 $295 $295 $295 OUTSTANDING CONTRACTS June 30, Units 2007 2006 North 1,340 1,832 Southeast 1,651 3,296 Texas 1,288 1,736 West 674 1,287 Total 4,953 8,151 Dollars (in millions) North $450 $620 Southeast 496 1,065 Texas 274 356 West 239 482 Total $1,459 $2,523 Average price (in thousands) North $334 $338 Southeast 301 323 Texas 212 205 West 354 375 Total $294 $310 THE RYLAND GROUP, INC. and Subsidiaries FINANCIAL SERVICES SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (in thousands, except origination data) Three months Six months ended June 30, ended June 30, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 2007 2006 2007 2006 Revenues Net gains on sales of mortgages and mortgage servicing rights $8,105 $11,250 $15,319 $20,163 Title/escrow/insurance 6,378 11,211 12,903 17,960 Net origination fees 2,421 3,705 3,497 6,754 Interest and other 203 364 455 612 Total revenues 17,107 26,530 32,174 45,489 General and administrative expenses 7,315 9,655 14,359 17,080 Pretax earnings $9,792 $16,875 $17,815 $28,409 OPERATIONAL DATA Retail operations: Originations (units) 1,848 2,995 3,562 5,630 Ryland Homes closings as a percentage of total closings 99.5% 99.5% 99.5% 99.5% Ryland Homes origination capture rate 79.9% 82.5% 79.5% 81.4% Investment operations: Mortgage-backed securities and notes receivable average balance $419 $1,359 $490 $2,016