KB Home earnings fall, but orders increase

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Los Angeles home builder KB Home posted lower earnings in the fiscal fourth quarter compared with a year earlier as the company sold fewer homes in higher cost areas. But another development signaled some cause for optimism: New orders for homes from the company grew.

The company reported net income of $13.9 million, or 18 cents a share, for the three months ending Nov. 30. That compared with $17.4 million, or 23 cents, during the same period a year earlier.

‘We believe these results demonstrate our success in adapting to current market realities and positioning our business for the future,” Chief Executive Jeffrey Mezger said in a statement.

Revenues in the fourth quarter grew 6% over the previous year to $479.9 million, and net orders increased 38% to 1,494. For all of 2011, the company widened its net loss to $178.8 million. That compared with a 2010 loss of $69.4 million.

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-- Alejandro Lazo
Twitter.com/alejandrolazo

Associated Press