Customer Service e-Trib Login Free Tribune East Valley Tribune| Classifieds| Cars| Jobs| Real Estate

Digg| Save| License| Print| E-mail| Decrease text size Reset text size Increase text size

Double-click any word or phrase in the story to search this site.
August 8, 2007 - 11:40PM

Toll Brothers’ 3rd-quarter revenue drops 21%

Comments | Recommend

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA - The housing market slump has Toll Brothers’ chief executive perplexed.

“This downturn is very different. It is the first one in my 41 years in the business that’s occurred when you have an up stock market, low unemployment, decent job growth and a very decent economy,” said Robert Toll, speaking to analysts Wednesday after his company reported a 21 percent decline in homebuilding revenue.

The luxury homebuilder’s usually ebullient and candid chief executive also was cautious in his outlook on the housing market. Nearly two years into the housing slump, which got worse with defaults by subprime borrowers, most markets remain weak, he said.

The company’s third-quarter revenue nonetheless beat analysts’ expectations and writedowns were smaller than those reported by some homebuilders. The stock rose $1.38, or 6 percent, to $24.33.

Toll Brothers expects thirdquarter homebuilding revenue to fall to $1.21 billion from $1.5 billion in the same quarter a year ago.

Reader comments: This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below. Responsibility lies solely with the comment author.

Please add your comments, but follow these guidelines to keep this a safe, credible place for discussing the news:

  • Stay on topic.
  • No personal attacks, racial slurs or insults; no vulgar, lewd or threatening comments.
  • Report abusive comments.
Already a member? Sign in here
Publish your stuff
Welcome, Please Log In
To login please enter your username and password in the form below and click on the login button.
Remember me
Retrieve Password
Resend Email
Enter the username and email address for your account to resend you your confirmation email: