NEW YORK (Reuters) - Beazer Homes USA Inc <BZH.N> on Tuesday reported its first quarterly profit in more than a year, sending its shares up 8 percent in premarket trading. Demand for the company's new homes was spurred by low prices and mortgage interest rates and a federal tax credit for first-time home buyers, Chief Executive Ian McCarthy said. However, despite the profit and a 2.4 percent year-over-year increase in orders, McCarthy said rising unemployment and increased foreclosures make it difficult to say if the fragile housing market recovery is sustainable. Atlanta-based Beazer, which has operations in 16 states, reported a profit of $34 million, or 84 cents per share, for its fiscal fourth quarter, ended September 30, compared with a year-earlier loss of $474 million, or $12.29 per share. Revenue was $376.3 million, down from $650 million a year earlier. Analysts had expected a loss of $1.24 per share, but Beazer adjusted its numbers in such a way that the estimate was not comparable. Beazer shares stood at $5.08 in premarket trading, up from a Monday close of $4.69 on the New York Stock Exchange. (Reporting by Helen Chernikoff; Editing by Derek Caney and John Wallace) |