BlackRock, Inc., the world’s largest asset manager, has reported a highly successful third quarter for 2024, marked by strong financial growth. The firm’s total assets under management (AUM) surged to a record $11.5 trillion, driven by $221 billion in net inflows during the quarter. This represents a significant year-over-year increase of $2.4 trillion in AUM, showcasing BlackRock's continued leadership in the asset management industry.
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Lennar Reports Strong Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN and LEN.B), one of the largest homebuilders in the U.S., has announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2024. The company delivered solid performance backed by a favorable economic environment, growing demand, and efficient operational strategies.
Highlights of Lennar’s Q3 2024 Performance
In the third quarter, Lennar's net earnings per diluted share rose by 10%, reaching $4.26, compared to $3.87 in the same quarter last year. When excluding one-time gains from technology investments and the Multifamily segment, net earnings per diluted share stood at $3.90.
Key financial metrics for the third quarter include:
- Net earnings: $1.2 billion, a 5% increase from the prior year.
- New orders: Increased by 5% to 20,587 homes.
- Home deliveries: Grew by 16% to 21,516 homes.
- Total revenues: Reached $9.4 billion, reflecting strong market demand.
These results are a testament to Lennar’s ongoing ability to navigate market conditions, despite challenges in affordability and inflation.
Homebuilding Performance
Lennar’s homebuilding revenues rose 9% in Q3 2024, reaching $9.0 billion, thanks to a significant 16% increase in home deliveries. However, the average sales price of homes decreased by 6% year-over-year, from $448,000 to $422,000, largely due to strategic pricing and product mix changes.
Margins and Costs
The company’s gross margin on home sales for Q3 2024 was 22.5%, slightly down from 24.4% in Q3 2023. The decrease in margins was due to higher land costs and lower revenue per square foot, although lower material costs helped mitigate the impact.
Meanwhile, selling, general, and administrative (S,G&A) expenses as a percentage of home sales revenues improved to 6.7%, down from 7.0% last year, driven by reduced broker commissions and technological advancements.
Financial Services and Multifamily Segments
Lennar’s Financial Services segment reported operating earnings of $144 million in Q3 2024, down slightly from $148 million in the previous year. This was attributed to lower mortgage lock volume, partially offset by increased activity in the title business.
The Multifamily segment saw a notable improvement, reporting $79 million in operating earnings compared to a loss of $9 million in the same quarter last year. This increase was due to a significant net gain from asset sales, partially offset by a write-down of non-core assets.
Capital Allocation and Liquidity
Lennar continues to strengthen its balance sheet, with $4.0 billion in homebuilding cash and no outstanding borrowings under its $2.2 billion credit facility. The company repurchased 3.4 million shares of common stock for $519 million during the quarter, maintaining its focus on shareholder value.
Operational Efficiency and Future Outlook
Lennar’s cycle time for building homes improved by 23% year-over-year, with an average of 140 days. The company also saw an increase in its controlled homesites to 81%, up from 73% in 2023, demonstrating its commitment to a "land light" strategy.
For the fourth quarter of 2024, Lennar expects to deliver between 22,500 and 23,000 homes, with a stable gross margin on home sales. The company remains optimistic about the future, anticipating stronger demand as interest rates decline and affordability improves.
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