EX-99 3 a93453exv99.htm EXHIBIT 99 exv99
 

EXHIBIT 99

(RYLAND LOGO)

     
    The Ryland Group, Inc.
News Release   www.ryland.com
             
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONTACT:   Cathey Lowe, Senior Vice President, Finance
        Investor Relations   (818) 223-7530
             
        Melissa Bailey, Vice President, Communications
        Media Relations   (818)223-7590

RYLAND ANNOUNCES RECORD THIRD-QUARTER NET NEW ORDERS AND BACKLOG

CALABASAS, Calif. (Oct. 3, 2003) – The Ryland Group, Inc. (NYSE: RYL) today released preliminary net new unit orders for the three months ended September 30, 2003.

     New orders for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 were a record 3,749, an increase of 5.4 percent, compared to 3,558 orders reported for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.

     Additionally, the Company’s backlog increased to a record 7,710 outstanding contracts, representing an increase of 15.3 percent over the backlog at September 30, 2002.

NEW ORDERS (units):

                                                 
    For the three months ended   For the nine months ended
    September 30,   September 30,
   
 
    2003   2002   % Change   2003   2002   % Change
   
 
 
 
 
 
North
     1,100       1,002       9.8 %     3,563       3,194       11.6 %
Texas
     770       826       -6.8 %     2,797       2,685       4.2 %
Southeast
     1,124       1,020       10.2 %     3,770       3,217       17.2 %
West
     755       710       6.3 %     2,536       2,062       23.0 %
 
    
     
     
     
     
     
 
Total
     3,749       3,558       5.4 %     12,666       11,158       13.5 %
 
    
     
     
     
     
     
 

     With headquarters in Southern California, Ryland is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders and a leading mortgage-finance company. The Company, which currently operates in 27 markets across the country, has built more than 210,000 homes and financed over 185,000 mortgages since its founding in 1967.

-more-

 

 

Note: Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on various factors and assumptions that include such risks and uncertainties as the completion and profitability of sales reported; the market for homes generally and in areas where the Company operates; the availability and cost of land; changes in economic conditions and interest rates; increases in raw materials and labor costs; consumer confidence; government regulation; and general economic, business and competitive factors, all or each of which may cause actual results to differ from the statements made in this press release.

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