Meritage Homes Corporation (MTH) AI Stock Analysis
MTH AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchMeritage Homes Corporation (MTH) is a residential construction company specializing in single-family homes across the United States. Revenue contracted 8.4% in FY2025 to $5.86B, while trailing twelve-month revenue further decreased to $5.39B. The company maintains a conservative balance sheet with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37 and pays an annual forward dividend of $1.92.
- Market cap
- $3.86B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $5.39B
- P/E
- 12.4x fwd 12.5x
- 1Y return
- -12.8% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $75.22 27.1% vs last close
Bull case
- MTH trades at a price-to-book ratio of 0.9x and a PEG ratio of 0.54, with a mean analyst price target of $75.22 representing 27.1% upside.
- The balance sheet maintains low leverage, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37 and cash and short-term investments of $807.3M as of June 30, 2026.
- Shareholder returns remain supported by a 3.24% dividend yield and an ongoing share count reduction of 12.4% over five years.
Bear case
- Revenue fell 8.4% in FY2025 to $5.86B, and quarterly revenue fell 13.8% year-over-year in the quarter ended June 30, 2026.
- Profitability has compressed significantly, with gross margin dropping from 28.7% in FY2022 to 19.7% in FY2025 and quarterly earnings declining 32.8% year-over-year.
- Execution has lagged consensus estimates, with only 1 EPS beat over the last 4 quarters and an expected 23.8% EPS decline in FY2026.
What Meritage Homes does
Meritage Homes Corporation designs and builds single-family homes across the United States. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, the company operates via two primary segments: Homebuilding and Financial Services. In Homebuilding, it acquires land, develops properties, and builds residences targeted at first-time buyers and move-up purchasers. Operations span multiple states, including Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. Its Financial Services segment offers title insurance and closing and settlement services. Established in 1985, Meritage Homes emphasizes energy-efficient residential construction under the Meritage Homes brand.
Growth and profitability
Between FY2020 and FY2025, revenue grew at a 5.4% compound annual rate, peaking at $6.40B in FY2024 before declining 8.4% to $5.86B in FY2025. Gross margin narrowed from 28.0% in FY2021 and 28.7% in FY2022 to 19.7% in FY2025, while operating margin compressed to 9.2%. Net income fell to $453.0M in FY2025, producing EPS of $6.48. For the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2026, revenue stood at $5.39B with an operating margin of 8.2% and EPS of $4.79. In the latest quarter, quarterly revenue fell 13.8% year-over-year, and quarterly earnings declined 32.8%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, Meritage Homes held $807.3M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $1.85B, resulting in net debt of $1.04B. Shareholders' equity was $5.06B, supported by a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37 and a current ratio of 11.04. In FY2025, operating cash flow reached $118.3M, yielding $92.6M in free cash flow after capital expenditures of $25.7M. Capital allocation in FY2025 included $295.0M directed toward share buybacks and $121.1M paid in dividends, contributing to a 12.4% reduction in share count over five years.
Valuation and performance
MTH trades at a trailing price-to-earnings multiple of 12.4x and a forward P/E of 12.5x, below the median of its US-listed Consumer Cyclical peers of 18.0x and 14.1x, respectively. Its enterprise value to EBITDA ratio stands at 12.0x compared to the peer median of 11.1x, while price-to-book is 0.9x. The stock has a PEG ratio of 0.54 and closed at $59.17 on October 16, 2026. Over the trailing 1-year period, MTH declined 12.8%, lagging the 16.8% return of the S&P 500 (SPY), and its 5-year return of 25.2% trails SPY's 83.0% gain.
MTH dividend
Meritage Homes pays an annual forward dividend of $1.92, offering a 3.24% dividend yield as of October 16, 2026. The payout ratio stands at 37.2%. The dividend is distributed on a quarterly frequency, and the company has paid dividends for 4 consecutive years, with the latest ex-dividend date on September 15, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage consists of 3 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, and 5 Hold ratings, with no Sell ratings. The mean price target of $75.22 implies 27.1% upside from the last close of $59.17. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts expect revenue of $5.34B and EPS of $4.84, representing a 23.8% earnings decline. In FY2027, 7 analysts project revenue to rebound 6.5% to $5.69B with EPS rising 15.6% to $5.59. The company beat EPS estimates in 1 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings date is October 28, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Quarterly earnings fell 32.8% year-over-year in the quarter ended June 30, 2026, reflecting weakening bottom-line momentum.
- Gross margin declined to 19.7% in FY2025 from 25.0% in FY2024, signaling cost and pricing pressures.
- The stock has a beta of 1.34 and closed at 13.6% below its 200-day moving average on October 16, 2026.
- Short interest stands at 9.0% of float, indicating elevated negative sentiment among market participants.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this MTH AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Meritage Homes Corporation (MTH). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: MTH income statement, MTH balance sheet, MTH key metrics, MTH analyst forecast, MTH chart. See the MTH stock overview for the latest quote and news.
MTH AI stock analysis FAQ
What is Meritage Homes' dividend yield and payout schedule?
Meritage Homes offers an annual forward dividend of $1.92, which corresponds to a 3.24% dividend yield. Payments are made on a quarterly basis with a payout ratio of 37.2%.
How much debt does Meritage Homes have?
As of June 30, 2026, Meritage Homes had $1.85B in total debt and $807.3M in cash and short-term investments, resulting in net debt of $1.04B. Its debt-to-equity ratio is 0.37.
What are analysts forecasting for MTH's earnings?
For FY2026, analysts estimate EPS of $4.84, which represents a 23.8% decline. For FY2027, consensus forecasts project EPS to rise 15.6% to $5.59 on revenue of $5.69B.
When is the next earnings release for Meritage Homes?
The next earnings report is scheduled for October 28, 2026.