UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
þ
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2019
or
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period From              To             
Commission File Number: 001-33662
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Forestar Group Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
 
26-1336998
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
2221 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 790
Arlington, Texas 76006
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)
(817) 769-1860
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
 
Trading Symbol
 
Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
 
FOR
 
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     Yes  ¨    No  þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.     Yes  ¨    No  þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes  þ    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).     Yes  þ    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer þ
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes  ¨    No  þ
The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the closing sales price of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on March 31, 2019, was approximately $180 million. For purposes of this computation, all officers, directors, and 10% beneficial owners of the registrant (as indicated in Item 12) are deemed to be affiliates. Such determination should not be deemed an admission that such directors, officers, or 10% beneficial owners are, in fact, affiliates of the registrant.
As of November 13, 2019, there were 48,006,672 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Selected portions of the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
 



FORESTAR GROUP INC.
2019 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
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PART I
 
Item 1. Business.

Overview

We are a publicly traded residential lot development company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "FOR." At September 30, 2019, we had operations in 51 markets in 20 states. In October 2017, we became a majority-owned subsidiary of D.R. Horton, Inc. (D.R. Horton) by virtue of a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of D.R. Horton (Merger). Immediately following the Merger, D.R. Horton owned 75% of our outstanding common stock. As a controlling shareholder, D.R. Horton has significant influence in guiding our strategic direction and operations. At September 30, 2019, D.R. Horton owned approximately 66% of our outstanding common stock.

In connection with the Merger, we entered into certain agreements with D.R. Horton including a Stockholder’s Agreement, a Master Supply Agreement, and a Shared Services Agreement. The Merger provides us an opportunity to grow our lot development business by establishing a strategic relationship to supply finished lots to D.R. Horton at market terms under the Master Supply Agreement. Under the terms of the Master Supply Agreement with D.R. Horton, both companies are identifying land development opportunities to expand our portfolio of assets. Our strategy is focused on making significant investments in land acquisition and development to expand our residential lot development business across a geographically diversified national platform. We are primarily investing in short duration, phased development projects that generate returns similar to production-oriented homebuilders. This strategy is a unique, lower risk business model that we expect will produce more consistent returns than other public and private land developers. At September 30, 2019, we owned or controlled through option purchase contracts approximately 38,300 residential lots. Approximately 12,800 of these residential lots are under contract to sell to D.R. Horton. Additionally, D.R. Horton has the right of first offer on approximately 10,600 of these residential lots based on executed purchase and sale agreements. At September 30, 2019, lots owned included approximately 4,400 that are fully developed, of which approximately 2,100 are related to lot banking.

We manage our operations through one real estate reporting segment. Our results of operations, including information regarding our real estate segment, are discussed in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. We conduct our operations in the states and markets listed below.


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State
 
Market 
 
State
 
Market
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alabama
 
Birmingham
 
Louisiana
 
Baton Rouge
 
 
Huntsville
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mobile/Baldwin County
 
Minnesota
 
Minneapolis/St. Paul
 
 
Montgomery
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nevada
 
Las Vegas
Arizona
 
Phoenix
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tucson
 
New Jersey
 
Southern New Jersey
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
California
 
Bay Area
 
North Carolina
 
Charlotte
 
 
Los Angeles County
 
 
 
Greensboro
 
 
Riverside County
 
 
 
Raleigh/Durham
 
 
Sacramento
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oregon
 
Salem
Colorado
 
Denver
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fort Collins
 
South Carolina
 
Charleston
 
 
 
 
 
 
Greenville
Florida
 
Fort Myers/Naples
 
 
 
Myrtle Beach
 
 
Jacksonville
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lakeland
 
Tennessee
 
Chattanooga
 
 
Melbourne
 
 
 
Knoxville
 
 
Miami/Fort Lauderdale
 
 
 
Memphis
 
 
Orlando
 
 
 
Nashville
 
 
Pensacola/Panama City
 
 
 
 
 
 
Port St. Lucie
 
Texas
 
Austin
 
 
Tampa/Sarasota
 
 
 
Dallas
 
 
Volusia County
 
 
 
Fort Worth
 
 
West Palm Beach
 
 
 
Houston
 
 
 
 
 
 
San Antonio
Georgia
 
Atlanta
 
 
 
 
 
 
Augusta
 
Utah
 
Salt Lake City
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Illinois
 
Chicago
 
Virginia
 
Southern Virginia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indiana
 
Indianapolis
 
Washington
 
Seattle/Tacoma/Everett
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vancouver

When evaluating new or existing markets for purposes of capital allocation, we consider local, market-specific factors, including among others:
Economic conditions;
Employment levels and job growth;
Local housing affordability;
Availability of land and lots in desirable locations on acceptable terms;
Land entitlement and development processes;
Availability of qualified subcontractors;
New and secondary home sales activity; and
Competition.



4


Business Operations

The majority of our real estate projects are single-family residential communities. We develop lots for single-family homes on sites we typically purchase in the open market and sell residential lots primarily to local, regional and national homebuilders. In certain markets where we do not have local development infrastructure in place, D.R. Horton provides development services to us for a fee. Our managers are responsible for the following activities related to our lot and land acquisition and development activities.
Site selection, which involves:
- A feasibility study;
- Soil and environmental reviews;
- Review of existing zoning and other governmental requirements;
- Review of the need for and extent of offsite work required to obtain project entitlements and to complete necessary infrastructure; and
- Financial analysis of the potential project;
Negotiating lot purchase, land acquisition and related contracts;
Obtaining all necessary land development approvals;
Selecting land development subcontractors and ensuring their work meets our contracted scopes;
Planning and managing land development schedules;
Determining the sales pricing for each lot in a given project;
Developing and implementing local marketing and sales plans; and
Coordinating all interactions with customers throughout the lot sale process.

Our corporate executives and corporate office personnel provide control and oversight functions to many important risk elements in our operations, including:
Allocation of capital;
Cash management;
Review and approval of business plans and budgets;
Review, approval and funding of lot and land acquisitions (Board of Directors must approve acquisitions greater than $20 million in accordance with the Stockholders’ Agreement);
Environmental assessments of land and lot acquisitions;
Review of all business and financial analysis for potential land and lot inventory investments;
Oversight of lot and land inventory levels;
Monitoring and analysis of profitability, returns and costs; and
Review of major personnel decisions and incentive compensation plans.

Our corporate executives and corporate office personnel are responsible for establishing our operational policies and internal control standards and for monitoring compliance with established policies and controls throughout our operations. We have a Shared Services Agreement with D.R. Horton whereby D.R. Horton provides us with certain administrative, compliance, operational and procurement services. Our corporate executives and corporate office departments are responsible for, and provide oversight and review for, the following shared services performed by D.R. Horton:
Accounting, finance and treasury;
Risk and litigation management;
Corporate governance;
Information technology;
Income tax;


5


Internal audit;
Investor and media relations; and
Human resources, payroll and employee benefits.

We have a Master Supply Agreement (MSA) with D.R. Horton which establishes our business relationship with D.R. Horton as both companies identify residential real estate opportunities. The MSA provides D.R. Horton the right of first offer (ROFO) to purchase, at market prices and terms, up to 100% of the lots from D.R. Horton sourced projects and up to 50% of the lots in the first phase of a Forestar sourced project and up to 50% of the lots in any subsequent phase in which D.R. Horton purchases at least 25% of the lots in the previous phase. D.R. Horton has no ROFO rights on third-party sourced development opportunities. The MSA continues until the earlier of (i) the date at which D.R. Horton owns less than 15% of our voting shares or (ii) June 29, 2037; however, we may terminate the MSA at anytime when D.R. Horton owns less than 25% of our voting shares.

We have a Stockholder's Agreement with D.R. Horton which defines D.R. Horton’s right to nominate members to our board, requires D.R. Horton’s consent for certain transactions and established an investment committee. D.R. Horton has the right to nominate our board members commensurate with its equity ownership. As long as D.R. Horton owns at least 20% of our voting securities, it retains the right to nominate individuals to our board based on its equity ownership as well as designate the Executive Chairman. D.R. Horton nominated four of our five current board members.

As long as D.R. Horton owns at least 35% of our voting securities, we must obtain D.R. Horton’s consent to (i) issue any new class of equity or shares of our common stock in excess of certain amounts, (ii) incur, assume, refinance or guarantee debt that would increase our total leverage to greater than 40%, (iii) select, terminate, remove or change compensation arrangements for the Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other key senior management, and (iv) make an acquisition or investment greater than $20 million. The Stockholder’s Agreement also established an investment committee to approve new investments up to $20 million.

Land/Lot Acquisition and Inventory Management

We acquire land for use in our development operations after we have completed due diligence and after we have obtained the rights (known as entitlements) to begin development work resulting in an acceptable number of residential lots. Before we acquire lots or tracts of land, we complete a feasibility study, which includes soil tests, independent environmental studies, other engineering work and financial analysis. We also evaluate the status of necessary zoning and other governmental entitlements required to develop the property for home construction. Although we purchase and develop land primarily to sell finished lots to homebuilders, we may sell land where we have excess land positions or for other strategic reasons.

We also enter into land purchase contracts, in which we obtain the right, but generally not the obligation, to buy land at predetermined prices on a defined schedule commensurate with planned development. These contracts generally are non-recourse, which limits our financial exposure to our earnest money deposited into escrow under the terms of the contract and any pre-acquisition due diligence costs we incur. This enables us to control land with limited capital investment.

We attempt to mitigate our exposure to real estate inventory risks by:
Managing our supply of lots and land owned and controlled under purchase contracts in each market based on anticipated future demand;
Monitoring local market and demographic trends that affect housing demand;
Limiting the size of our land development projects and focusing on short duration projects;
Acquiring fully-entitled land and developing the land in phases;
Focusing on developing lots for entry level housing, the segment where housing demand has been the highest;
Developing the majority of our lots for a known buyer; and
Geographically diversifying our land portfolio.



6


Land Development

Substantially all of our land development work is performed by subcontractors. Subcontractors typically are selected after a competitive bidding process pursuant to a contract that obligates the subcontractor to complete the scope of work at an agreed-upon price and within a specified time frame. We monitor land development activities, participate in major decisions, coordinate the activities of subcontractors and suppliers, review the work of subcontractors for quality and cost controls and monitor compliance with building codes or other regulations.

We typically do not maintain inventories of land development materials, except for work in progress materials for active development projects. Generally, the materials used in our operations are readily available from numerous sources.

We contract with D.R. Horton for land development services in projects owned by us in geographic markets where we do not have established development teams and capabilities.

We are subject to governmental regulations that affect our land development operations. We may experience delays in receiving the proper approvals from municipalities or other government agencies that delay our anticipated development activities in certain projects.

Lot/Land Banking

In addition to our residential lot development activities, we also make short term investments in finished lots (lot banking) and undeveloped land with the intent to sell these assets within a short time period, primarily to D.R. Horton, utilizing available capital prior to its deployment into longer term lot development projects. We manage our level of lot/land banking relative to short term liquidity and expected future cash requirements for lot development projects.

Cost Controls

We control development costs by obtaining competitive bids for materials and labor. We monitor our land development expenditures versus budgets for each project, and we review our inventory levels, margins, expenses, profitability and returns for each project compared to both its business plan and our performance expectations.

Competition

We face significant competition for the acquisition, development and sale of real estate in our markets. Our major competitors include landowners who market and sell undeveloped land and numerous national, regional and local developers, including homebuilders. In addition, our projects compete with other development projects offering similar amenities, products and/or locations. Competition also exists for investment opportunities, financing, available land, raw materials and labor. Some of our real estate competitors are well established and financially strong, may have greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do, or may be larger than us and/or have lower cost of capital and operating costs than we have and expect to have. The presence of competition may increase the bargaining power of property owners seeking to sell. These competitive market pressures can sometimes make it difficult to acquire, develop or sell lots and land at prices that meet our return criteria.

The lot and land acquisition and development business is highly fragmented, and we are unaware of any meaningful concentration of national market share by any one competitor. Enterprises of varying sizes, from individuals or small companies to large corporations, actively engage in the real estate development business. Many competitors are local, privately-owned companies. We have a few regional and national land developer competitors in addition to national homebuilders that may develop lots on which they construct and sell homes. During periods when access to capital is restricted, participants in a weaker financial condition tend to be less active.

Employees

At September 30, 2019, we had 78 employees. None of our employees participate in collective bargaining arrangements. We believe we have a good relationship with our employees.



7


Governmental Regulation and Environmental Matters

Our operations are subject to extensive and complex regulations. We and the subcontractors we use must comply with many federal, state and local laws and regulations. These include zoning, density and development requirements and building, environmental, advertising, labor and real estate sales rules and regulations. These regulations and requirements affect substantially all aspects of our land development and sales processes in varying degrees across our markets. Our properties are subject to inspection by local authorities where required and may be subject to various assessments for schools, parks, streets, utilities and other public improvements.

Available Information

Forestar Group Inc. is a Delaware corporation formed in 2007. Our principal executive offices are located at 2221 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 790, Arlington, Texas 76006. Our telephone number is (817) 769-1860.

From our Internet website, https://www.forestar.com, you may obtain additional information about us including:
our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other documents as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them with the SEC;
copies of certain agreements with D.R. Horton including a Stockholder’s Agreement, a Master Supply Agreement, and a Shared Services Agreement;
beneficial ownership reports filed by officers, directors, and principal security holders under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or the “Exchange Act”); and
corporate governance information that includes our:
corporate governance guidelines,
audit committee charter,
compensation committee charter,
nominating and governance committee charter,
standards of business conduct and ethics,
code of ethics for senior financial officers, and
information on how to communicate directly with our Board of Directors.

We will also provide printed copies of any of these documents to any stockholder free of charge upon request. The SEC also maintains an Internet website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information that is filed electronically with the SEC.



8


Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Risks Related to our Concentrated Ownership

So long as D.R. Horton controls us, our other stockholders will have limited ability to influence matters requiring stockholder approval, and D.R. Horton's interest may conflict with the interests of other current or potential holders of our securities.

D.R. Horton beneficially owns approximately 66% of our common stock. As a result, until such time as D.R. Horton and its controlled affiliates hold shares representing less than a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by our stockholders at a stockholder meeting, D.R. Horton generally has the ability to control the outcome of any matter submitted for the vote of our stockholders, except in certain circumstances set forth in our certificate of incorporation or bylaws. In addition, under the terms of our certificate of incorporation and the Stockholder's Agreement with D.R. Horton, so long as D.R. Horton or its affiliates own 35% or more of our voting securities, we may not take certain actions without D.R. Horton's approval, including certain actions with respect to equity issuances, indebtedness, acquisitions, fundamental changes in our business and executive hiring, termination and compensation.
 
For so long as D.R. Horton and its controlled affiliates hold shares of our common stock representing at least 20% of the votes entitled to be cast by our stockholders at a stockholder meeting, D.R. Horton is able to designate a certain number of the members of our Board of Directors. Currently, D.R. Horton has the right to designate four out of the five members of our Board, subject to a requirement that we and D.R. Horton use reasonable best efforts to cause at least three directors to qualify as “independent directors,” as such term is defined in the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listing rules, and applicable law. The directors designated by D.R. Horton have the authority to make decisions affecting our capital structure, including the issuance of additional capital stock or options, the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the implementation of stock repurchase programs, the declaration of dividends and the settlement of any conversion of the convertible senior notes. The interests of D.R. Horton may be materially different than the interests of our other stakeholders.

The interests of D.R. Horton may not coincide with the interests of our current or potential stockholders. D.R. Horton's ability, subject to the limitations in the Stockholder's Agreement and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, to control matters submitted to our stockholders for approval limits the ability of other stockholders to influence corporate matters, which may cause us to take actions that our other stockholders do not view as beneficial to them. In such circumstances, the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected, and our ability to access the capital markets may also be adversely affected. In addition, the existence of a controlling stockholder may have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, or may discourage a third party from seeking to acquire us. A third party would be required to negotiate any such transaction with D.R. Horton, and the interests of D.R. Horton with respect to such transaction may be different from the interests of our other stockholders.
        
Subject to limitations in the Stockholder's Agreement and our certificate of incorporation that limit D.R. Horton's ability to take advantage of certain corporate opportunities that are presented directly to our officers or directors in their capacity as such, D.R. Horton is not restricted from competing with us or otherwise taking for itself or its other affiliates certain corporate opportunities that may be attractive to us.

Any inability to resolve favorably any disputes that may arise between us and D.R. Horton may result in a significant reduction of our revenues and earnings.
        
Disputes may arise between D.R. Horton and us in a number of areas, including:
business combinations involving us; 
sales or dispositions by D.R. Horton of all or any portion of its ownership interest in us; 
performance under the Master Supply Agreement between D.R. Horton and us; 
arrangements with third parties that are exclusionary to D.R. Horton or us; and 
business opportunities that may be attractive to both D.R. Horton and us.
        
We may not be able to resolve any potential conflicts, and even if we do, the resolution may be less favorable than if we were dealing with an unaffiliated party.
        


9


New agreements may be entered into between us and D.R. Horton, and agreements we enter into with D.R. Horton may be amended upon agreement between the parties. Because we are controlled by D.R. Horton, we may not have the leverage to negotiate these agreements, or amendments thereto if required, on terms as favorable to us as those that we would negotiate with an unaffiliated third party.

D.R. Horton's ability to control our Board may make it difficult for us to recruit independent directors.
        
So long as D.R. Horton and its controlled affiliates hold shares of our common stock representing at least 20% of the votes entitled to be cast by our stockholders at a stockholders' meeting, D.R. Horton is able to designate a certain number of the members of our Board. Our Nominating and Governance Committee has the right to designate the remaining number of individuals to the Board, and in any event not less than one. Currently, D.R. Horton has the right to designate four out of five members of our Board. Further, the interests of D.R. Horton and our other stockholders may diverge. Under these circumstances, persons who might otherwise accept an invitation to join our Board may decline.

We qualify as a "controlled company" within the meaning of the NYSE rules and, as a result, may elect to rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to stockholders of companies that are not "controlled companies."

So long as D.R. Horton owns more than 50% of the total voting power of our common stock, we qualify as a "controlled company" under the NYSE corporate governance standards. As a controlled company, we may under the NYSE rules elect to be exempt from obligations to comply with certain NYSE corporate governance requirements, including the requirements:
that a majority of our Board consist of independent directors; 
that we have a nominating and governance committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee's purpose and responsibilities; 
that we have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee's purpose and responsibilities; and 
that an annual performance evaluation of the nominating and governance committee and compensation committee be performed.

We have not elected to utilize the “controlled company” exemptions at this time. However, if we elect to use the "controlled company" exemptions, our stockholders will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the NYSE corporate governance requirements.

We may not realize potential benefits of the strategic relationship with D.R. Horton, including the transactions contemplated by the Master Supply Agreement with D.R. Horton.
        
The Master Supply Agreement establishes a strategic relationship between us and D.R. Horton for the supply of developed lots. Under the Master Supply Agreement, we will, and D.R. Horton may, present lot development opportunities to each other, subject to certain exceptions. The parties may collaborate with respect to such opportunities and, if they elect to develop such opportunities, D.R. Horton has a right of first offer or right to purchase some or all of the lots developed by us, as set forth in the Master Supply Agreement, on market terms as determined by the parties. There are numerous uncertainties associated with our relationship with D.R. Horton, including the risk that the parties will be unable to negotiate mutually acceptable terms for lot development opportunities and the fact that D.R. Horton is not obligated to present its lot development opportunities to us. As a result, we may not realize potential growth or other benefits from the strategic relationship with D.R. Horton, which may affect our financial condition or results of operations.

D.R. Horton's control of us or the strategic relationship between D.R. Horton and us may negatively affect our business relationships with other builder customers.
        
So long as D.R. Horton controls us or the strategic relationship between D.R. Horton and us remains in place, our business relationships with other builder customers may be negatively affected, including the risk that such other builder customers may believe that we will favor D.R. Horton over our other customers. In addition, we have in the past relied on builder referrals as a source for land development opportunities, and there is a risk that builders may refer such opportunities to land developers other than us as a result of our close alignment with D.R. Horton.


10


Risks Related to our Operations

Reduced demand for new housing in the markets where we operate could adversely impact our profitability.

The residential development industry is cyclical and is significantly affected by changes in general and local economic conditions, such as employment levels, availability of financing for home buyers, interest rates, consumer confidence and housing demand. Adverse changes in these conditions generally, or in the markets where we operate, could decrease demand for lots for new homes in these areas and a decline in housing demand could negatively affect our real estate development activities, which could result in a decrease in our revenues and earnings.

Furthermore, the market value of undeveloped land and lots held by us, including commercial tracts, can fluctuate significantly as a result of changing economic and real estate market conditions. If there are significant adverse changes in economic or real estate market conditions, we may have to hold land and lots in inventory longer than planned. Inventory carrying costs can be significant and can result in losses or lower returns and adversely affect our liquidity.

Our business is cyclical in nature.

The demand for residential lots is influenced by new home construction activity, which can be volatile. Cyclical downturns may materially and adversely affect our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. Our operations are also impacted by general and local economic conditions, including employment levels, homebuyer consumer confidence and spending, housing demand, availability of financing for homebuyers, tax policy for deductibility of home mortgage interest and property taxes, and interest rate and demographic trends.

Adverse changes in these general and local economic conditions or deterioration in the broader economy would cause a negative impact on our business and financial results and increase the risk for asset impairments and write-offs. Changes in these economic conditions may affect some of our regions or markets more than others. If adverse conditions affect our larger markets, they could have a proportionately greater impact on us than on some other real estate development companies.

The real estate development industry is highly competitive and a number of entities with which we compete are larger and have greater resources or are smaller and have lower cost structures, and competitive conditions may adversely affect our results of operations.

The real estate development industry in which we operate is highly competitive. Competitive conditions in the real estate development industry may result in difficulties acquiring suitable land at acceptable prices, lower sales volumes and prices, increased development or construction costs and delays in construction. We compete with numerous regional and local developers for the acquisition of land suitable for development. We also compete with national, regional and local homebuilders who develop real estate for their own use in homebuilding operations, many of which are larger and have greater resources than we do or are smaller and have lower cost structures than we do. Any improvement in the cost structure or service of our competitors will increase the competition we face. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be negatively affected by any of these factors.

We have changed our business strategy, and there can be no assurance that our current business strategy will be successful.

Our business strategy has changed substantially over the last few years. We divested our non-core assets in the oil and gas, lodging, multifamily and timberland sectors and began to refocus on residential single-family lot development.

In October 2017, we became a 75% owned subsidiary of D.R. Horton, the largest homebuilder in the country, and D.R. Horton currently owns approximately 66% of our outstanding common stock. Our business strategy is to leverage our strategic relationship with D.R. Horton and use our unique production-oriented lot manufacturing model to scale into a national footprint in the residential lot development industry. Although we believe that our strategy will grow our business and mitigate risks, there can be no assurance that our unique model will succeed as intended or that we will be able to execute on our strategy effectively, because of risks described elsewhere in this "Risk Factors" section, the risk of concentrating our focus on the residential lot development industry, costs to support our business model that are greater than anticipated or other unforeseen issues or problems that arise.



11


We have significant amounts of consolidated debt and may incur additional debt; our debt obligations and our ability to comply with related covenants, restrictions or limitations could adversely affect our financial condition.

As of September 30, 2019, our consolidated debt was $460.5 million, including $350 million of 8.0% senior notes issued in April 2019. Our revolving credit facility and the indenture governing the senior notes impose restrictions on our and our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to incur secured and unsecured debt, but still permit us and our restricted subsidiaries to incur a substantial amount of future secured and unsecured debt, and do not restrict the incurrence of future secured and unsecured debt by our unrestricted subsidiaries. The indenture governing the senior notes allows us to incur a substantial amount of additional debt.

Possible Consequences

The amount and the maturities of our debt could have important consequences. For example, they could:
require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payment of our debt and reduce our ability to use our cash flow for other operating or investing purposes;
limit our flexibility to adjust to changes in our business or economic conditions; and
limit our ability to obtain future financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements or other requirements.

In addition, our debt and the restrictions imposed by the instruments governing those obligations expose us to additional risks, including:

Dependence on Future Performance

Our ability to meet our debt service and other obligations, including our obligations under the senior notes and the financial covenants under our revolving credit facility, will depend, in part, upon our future financial performance. Our future results are subject to the risks and uncertainties described in this "Risk Factors" section. Our revenues and earnings vary with the level of general economic activity in the markets we serve. Our business is also affected by financial, political, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. The factors that affect our ability to generate cash can also affect our ability to raise additional funds for these purposes through the sale of debt or equity, the refinancing of debt or the sale of assets. Changes in prevailing interest rates may affect the cost of our debt service obligations, because borrowings under our revolving credit facility bear interest at floating rates.

Changes in Debt Ratings

There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain the credit ratings on our senior unsecured debt. Any lowering of our debt ratings could make accessing the capital markets or obtaining additional credit from banks more difficult and/or more expensive.

Change of Control Purchase Option and Change of Control Default.

Upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event, as defined in the indenture governing our senior notes, we will be required to offer to repurchase such notes at 101% of their principal amount, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, if any. Moreover, a change of control, as defined in our revolving credit facility, would constitute an event of default under our revolving credit facility that could result in the acceleration of the repayment of any borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility, a requirement to cash collateralize all letters of credit outstanding thereunder and the termination of the commitments thereunder. If the maturity of our revolving credit facility and/or other indebtedness together having an aggregate principal amount outstanding of $40 million or more is accelerated, an event of default would result under the indenture governing the senior notes, entitling the trustee for the notes or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding notes to declare all such notes to be due and payable immediately. If purchase offers were required under the indenture for the senior notes, repayment of the borrowings under our revolving credit facility were required, or if the notes were accelerated, we can give no assurance that we would have sufficient funds to pay the required amounts.



12


Our debt agreements contain a number of restrictive covenants which will limit our ability to finance future operations, acquisitions or capital needs or engage in other business activities that may be in our interest.

The covenants in the indenture governing our senior notes and the credit agreement governing our revolving credit facility impose, and the terms of any future indebtedness may impose, operating and other restrictions on us and our subsidiaries. Such restrictions affect or will affect, and in many respects limit or prohibit, among other things, our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to:
incur additional indebtedness;
create liens;
pay dividends and make other distributions in respect of our equity securities;
redeem or repurchase our equity securities;
make certain investments or certain other restricted payments;
sell certain kinds of assets;
enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates; and
effect mergers or consolidations.

In addition, our revolving credit facility contains financial covenants requiring the maintenance of a minimum level of tangible net worth, a minimum level of liquidity, a maximum allowable leverage ratio and a borrowing base restriction based on the book value of our real estate assets and unrestricted cash.

The restrictions contained in the indenture and the credit agreement could (1) limit our ability to plan for or react to market or economic conditions or meet capital needs or otherwise restrict our activities or business plans and (2) adversely affect our ability to finance our operations, acquisitions, investments or strategic alliances or other capital needs or to engage in other business activities that would be in our interest.

A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under all or certain of our debt instruments. If an event of default occurs, such creditors could elect to:
declare all amounts outstanding, together with accrued and unpaid interest, to be immediately due and payable;
require us to apply all of our available cash to repay such amounts; or
prevent us from making debt service payments on certain of our debt instruments.

We may have continuing liabilities relating to assets that have been sold, which could adversely impact our results of operations.

In the course of selling assets we are typically required to make contractual representations and warranties and to provide contractual indemnities to the buyers. These contractual obligations typically survive the closing of the transactions for some period of time. If a buyer is successful in sustaining a claim against us we may incur additional expenses pertaining to an asset we no longer own, and we may also be obligated to defend and/or indemnify the buyer from certain third party claims. Such obligations could be material and they could adversely impact our results of operations.

Our activities are subject to environmental regulations and liabilities that could have a negative effect on our operating results.

Our operations are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations related to the protection of the environment. Compliance with these provisions or the promulgation of new environmental laws and regulations may result in delays, may cause us to invest substantial funds to ensure compliance with applicable environmental regulations and can prohibit or severely restrict real estate development activity in environmentally sensitive regions or areas.



13


Our business may suffer if we lose key personnel.

We depend to a large extent on the services of certain key management personnel. These individuals have extensive experience and expertise in our business. The loss of any of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our operations. We do not maintain key-person life insurance with respect to any of our employees. Our success may be dependent on our ability to continue to employ and retain skilled personnel.

Governmental regulations and environmental matters could increase the cost and limit the availability of property suitable for residential lot development, and could adversely affect our business or financial results.

We are subject to extensive and complex regulations that affect land acquisition, development and home construction, including zoning, density restrictions and building standards. These regulations often provide broad discretion to the administering governmental authorities as to the conditions we must meet prior to acquisition or development being approved, if approved at all. We are subject to determinations by these authorities as to the adequacy of water or sewage facilities, roads or other local services. New housing developments may also be subject to various assessments for schools, parks, streets and other public improvements. In addition, in many markets government authorities have implemented no growth or growth control initiatives. Any of these may limit, delay or increase the costs of acquisition of land for residential use and development or home construction.

We are also subject to a significant number and variety of local, state and federal laws and regulations concerning protection of health, safety, labor standards and the environment. The impact of environmental laws varies depending upon the prior uses of the building site or adjoining properties and may be greater in areas with less supply where undeveloped land or desirable alternatives are less available. These matters may result in delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance, remediation, mitigation and other costs, and can prohibit or severely restrict land acquisition and development activity in environmentally sensitive regions or areas. Government agencies also routinely initiate audits, reviews or investigations of our business practices to ensure compliance with these laws and regulations, which can cause us to incur costs or create other disruptions in our business that can be significant.

We are also subject to an extensive number of laws and regulations because our common stock is publicly traded in the capital markets. These regulations govern our communications with our stockholders and the capital markets, our financial statement disclosures and our legal processes, and they also impact the work required to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm and our legal counsel. Changes in these laws and regulations, including the subsequent implementation of rules by the administering government authorities, may require us to incur additional compliance costs, and such costs may be significant.

Our real estate development operations span several markets and as a result, our financial results may be significantly influenced by the local economies of those markets.

The local economic growth and strength of the markets in which our real estate development activity is located are important factors in sustaining demand for our lots and land. Any adverse impact to the economic growth and health, or infrastructure development, of a local economy in which we develop real estate could materially adversely affect our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

Our real estate development operations are highly dependent upon national, regional and local homebuilders.

We are highly dependent upon our relationships with national, regional, and local homebuilders to purchase lots in our residential developments. If homebuilders do not view our developments as desirable locations for homebuilding operations, or if homebuilders are limited in their ability to conduct operations due to economic conditions, our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.

In addition, we enter into contracts to sell lots to homebuilders. A homebuilder could decide to delay purchases of lots in one or more of our developments, subject to loss of earnest money, due to adverse real estate conditions wholly unrelated to our areas of operations, such as corporate decisions regarding allocation of limited capital or human resources. As a result, we may sell fewer lots and may have lower sales revenues, which could have an adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.



14


From time to time, we obtain performance bonds, the unavailability of which could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.

From time to time, we provide surety bonds to secure our performance or obligations under construction contracts, development agreements and other arrangements. At September 30, 2019, we had $158.8 million of outstanding surety bonds. Our ability to obtain surety bonds primarily depends upon our credit rating, financial condition, past performance and other factors, including the capacity of the surety market and the underwriting practices of surety bond issuers. The ability to obtain surety bonds also can be impacted by the willingness of insurance companies to issue performance bonds for construction and development activities. If we are unable to obtain surety bonds when required, our results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.

Delays or failures by governmental authorities to take expected actions could reduce our returns or cause us to incur losses on certain real estate development projects.

For certain projects, we rely on governmental districts to issue bonds to reimburse us for qualified expenses, such as road and utility infrastructure costs. Bonds are often supported by assessments of district tax revenues, usually from ad valorem taxes. Slowing new home sales, decreasing real estate values or difficult credit markets for bond sales can reduce or delay district bond sale revenues and tax or assessment receipts, causing such districts to delay reimbursement of our qualified expenses. Failure to receive timely reimbursement for qualified expenses could adversely affect our cash flows and reduce our returns or cause us to incur losses on certain real estate development projects.

Failure to succeed in new markets may limit our growth.

We may from time to time commence development activity or make acquisitions outside of our existing market areas if appropriate opportunities arise. Our historical experience in existing markets does not ensure that we will be able to operate successfully in new markets. We may be exposed to a variety of risks if we choose to enter new markets, including, among others:
an inability to accurately evaluate local housing market conditions and local economies;
an inability to obtain land for development or to identify appropriate acquisition opportunities;
an inability to hire and retain key personnel;
an inability to successfully integrate operations; and
lack of familiarity with local governmental and permitting procedures.

Information technology failures and data security breaches could harm our business.

We use information technology and other computer resources to carry out important operational and marketing activities and to maintain our business records. These information technology systems are dependent upon global communications providers, web browsers, third-party software and data storage providers and other aspects of the Internet infrastructure that have experienced security breaches, cyber-attacks, significant systems failures and service outages in the past. A material breach in the security of our information technology systems or other data security controls could include the theft or release of customer, employee or company data. A data security breach, a significant and extended disruption in the functioning of our information technology systems or a breach of any of our data security controls could disrupt our business operations, damage our reputation and cause us to lose customers, adversely impact our sales and revenue and require us to incur significant expense to address and remediate or otherwise resolve these kinds of issues. The unintended or unauthorized public disclosure of personal identifying and confidential information related to our employees, vendors or suppliers as a result of a security breach could also lead to litigation or other proceedings against us by the affected individuals or business partners, or by regulators. The outcome of such proceedings, which could include penalties or fines, could have a significant negative impact on our business. We may also be required to incur significant costs to protect against damages caused by information technology failures or security breaches in the future as legal requirements related to data security continue to increase. We routinely utilize information technology security experts to assist us in our evaluations of the effectiveness of the security of our information technology systems, and we regularly enhance our security measures to protect our systems and data. However, because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade systems change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Consequently, we cannot provide assurances that a security breach, cyber-attack, data theft or other significant systems or security failures will not occur in the future, and such occurrences could have a material and adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations or financial position.


15


We plan to raise additional capital in the future, and such capital may not be available when needed or at all.

At September 30, 2019, the principal amount of our 3.75% convertible senior notes due 2020 was $118.9 million. We intend to settle the principal amount of the convertible senior notes in cash upon conversion, with any excess conversion value to be settled in shares of our common stock. We have a $380 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility with an uncommitted accordion feature that could increase the size of the facility to $570 million, subject to certain conditions and availability of additional bank commitments. The facility also provides for the issuance of letters of credit with a sublimit equal to the greater of $100 million and 50% of the revolving credit commitment. Through an amendment in October 2019, the maturity date of the facility was extended from August 16, 2021 to October 2, 2022. In April 2019, we issued $350 million principal amount of 8.0% senior notes pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The notes mature April 15, 2024 with interest payable semi-annually and represent senior unsecured obligations that rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. The notes may be redeemed prior to maturity, subject to certain limitations and premiums defined in the indenture agreement. The notes are guaranteed by each of our subsidiaries to the extent such subsidiaries guarantee our revolving credit facility.

We have an effective shelf registration statement filed with the SEC in September 2018, registering $500 million of equity securities. On September 30, 2019, we issued 6.0 million shares of our common stock for $17.50 per share in a public underwritten offering. Net proceeds from this offering after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other expenses were $100.7 million. Following the issuance, approximately $394 million of registered equity securities remains available on our shelf registration statement. We plan to raise additional capital, in the form of additional debt or equity, in the future to have sufficient capital resources and liquidity to fund our business needs and future growth plans and repay existing indebtedness. Our ability to raise additional capital will depend on, among other things, conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside of our control, and our financial condition, operating performance and growth prospects. Economic conditions may increase our cost of funding and limit access to certain customary sources of capital or make such capital only available on unfavorable terms. We may not be able to obtain capital on acceptable terms or at all. Any occurrence that may limit our access to the capital markets, such as a decline in the confidence of debt purchasers or counterparties participating in the capital markets or other disruption in capital markets, may adversely affect our capital costs and our ability to raise capital and, in turn, our liquidity. Further, we may need to raise capital in the future when other real estate-related companies are also seeking to raise capital and would then have to compete with those companies for investors. An inability to raise additional capital on acceptable terms when needed could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The market price of and trading volume of our shares of common stock may be volatile.

The market price of our shares of common stock has fluctuated substantially and may continue to fluctuate in response to many factors which are beyond our control, including:
fluctuations in our operating results, including results that vary from expectations of management, analysts and investors;
announcements of strategic developments, acquisitions, financings and other material events by us or our competitors;
the sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock held by existing security holders in the public market; and
general conditions in the real estate industry.

The stock markets in general may experience extreme volatility that may be unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, make it difficult to predict the market price of our common stock in the future and cause the value of our common stock to decline.


16



Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 2. Properties.

Our principal executive office is leased and is located in Arlington, Texas. We also lease office space in other locations to support our business operations.
 
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

We are involved in various legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. We believe we have established adequate reserves for any probable losses and that the outcome of any of the proceedings should not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or long-term results of operations or cash flows. It is possible, however, that charges related to these matters could be significant to our results of operations or cash flow in any single accounting period.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not Applicable.


17





PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Market Information

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the trading symbol "FOR." As of November 13, 2019, the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE was $19.58, and there were approximately 1,552 holders of record.

Dividend Policy

We currently intend to retain any future earnings to support our business. The declaration and payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors after taking into account various factors, including without limitation, our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our business, the terms of any credit agreements or indentures to which we may be a party at the time, legal requirements, industry practice, and other factors that our Board of Directors deems relevant.



18





Stock Performance Graph

The following graph illustrates the cumulative total stockholder return of an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2014 in Forestar common stock for the period from December 31, 2014 through September 30, 2019, compared to the same investment in the Russell 2000 Index and our peer group. Our peer group consists of the following real estate companies: The St. Joe Company, Tejon Ranch Co, Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co., Five Points Holding, LLC (Class A), and Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. HomeFed Corporation was included in our peer group in previous filings, but was removed because its equity is no longer publicly traded. Pursuant to SEC rules, returns of each of the companies in the Peer Index are weighted according to the respective company’s stock market capitalization at the beginning of each period for which a return is indicated. Shareholder returns over the indicated period are based on historical data and should not be considered indicative of future shareholder returns. The graph and related disclosure in no way reflect our forecast of future financial performance.

FORPERFORMANCEGRAPH2019.JPG

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
 
Forestar Group Inc.
$
100.00

 
$
71.04

 
$
86.36

 
$
142.85

 
$
137.66

 
$
118.70

Russell 2000 Index
100.00

 
95.59

 
115.96

 
132.95

 
148.26

 
135.08

Peer Group
100.00

 
91.15

 
106.69

 
102.06

 
83.69

 
80.44


This performance graph shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into our SEC filings and should not constitute soliciting material or otherwise be considered filed under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.



19





Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

The following selected financial data are derived from our consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” and all other financial data contained in this annual report on Form 10-K. These historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future.
 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Consolidated Operating Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
428.3

 
$
78.3

 
$
114.3

 
$
197.3

 
$
218.6

Cost of sales (1)
362.7

 
49.5

 
112.6

 
175.1

 
125.3

Selling, general and administrative expense (2)
28.9

 
19.4

 
75.3

 
48.5

 
70.9

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures
(0.5
)
 
(4.8
)
 
(17.8
)
 
(6.1
)
 
(16.0
)
Gain on sale of assets (3)
(3.0
)
 
(27.8
)
 
(113.4
)
 
(166.7
)
 
(1.6
)
Interest expense

 
3.7

 
8.5

 
20.0

 
34.1

Loss on extinguishment of debt (4)

 

 
0.6

 
35.9

 

Interest and other income
(5.5
)
 
(6.4
)
 
(3.6
)
 
(1.7
)
 
(3.0
)
Income from continuing operations before taxes
45.7

 
44.7

 
52.1

 
92.3

 
8.9

Income tax expense (benefit) (5)
9.4

 
(25.3
)
 
45.8

 
15.3

 
35.1

Net income (loss) from continuing operations
36.3

 
70.0

 
6.3

 
77.0

 
(26.2
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (6)

 

 
46.0

 
(16.8
)
 
(186.1
)
Net income (loss)
36.3

 
70.0

 
52.3

 
60.2

 
(212.3
)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
3.3

 
1.2

 
2.0

 
1.6

 
0.7

Net income (loss) attributable to Forestar Group Inc.
$
33.0

 
$
68.8

 
$
50.3

 
$
58.6

 
$
(213.0
)
Net Income (Loss) per Basic Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.79

 
$
1.64

 
$
0.10

 
$
1.80

 
$
(0.79
)
Discontinued operations
$

 
$

 
$
1.09

 
$
(0.40
)
 
$
(5.43
)
Net income (loss) per basic share
$
0.79

 
$
1.64

 
$
1.19

 
$
1.40

 
$
(6.22
)
Net Income (Loss) per Diluted Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.79

 
$
1.64

 
$
0.10

 
$
1.78

 
$
(0.79
)
Discontinued operations
$

 
$

 
$
1.09

 
$
(0.40
)
 
$
(5.43
)
Net income (loss) per diluted share
$
0.79

 
$
1.64

 
$
1.19

 
$
1.38

 
$
(6.22
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In millions)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
382.8

 
$
318.8

 
$
323.0

 
$
266.1

 
$
96.6

Restricted cash

 
16.2

 
40.0

 
0.3

 
0.2

Real estate
1,028.9

 
498.0

 
130.4

 
293.0

 
586.7

Total assets
1,455.7

 
893.1

 
761.9

 
733.2

 
972.2

Debt
460.5

 
111.7

 
108.4

 
110.4

 
381.5

Forestar Group Inc. stockholders' equity
808.3

 
673.3

 
604.2

 
560.7

 
501.6



20





 _____________________
(1)
Cost of sales in fiscal 2017 includes impairment charges of $37.9 million associated with the mineral resources reporting unit goodwill and $5.8 million primarily related to our central Texas water assets.
(2)
Selling, general and administrative expense in fiscal 2017 includes merger related transaction costs of $37.2 million.
(3)
Gains on sales of assets in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and in fiscal 2017 and 2016 represent gains in accordance with our initiatives to divest non-core assets.
(4)
Loss on extinguishment of debt in fiscal 2017 and 2016 is related to the early retirement of a total of $230.5 million principal amount of our 8.50% senior notes and $6.1 million principal amount of our convertible senior notes during those years.
(5)
Income tax benefit in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 reflects the release of our federal valuation allowance and a portion of our state valuation allowance. Fiscal 2017 income tax expense was impacted by non-deductible merger transaction costs and goodwill impairment. Fiscal 2015 income tax expense (reflected in both continuing and discontinued operations), includes an expense of $97.1 million to record a valuation allowance on a portion of our deferred tax asset that was determined to be more likely than not to be unrealizable.
(6)
Income from discontinued operations in fiscal 2017 reflects an income tax benefit of $46.0 million. Loss from discontinued operations in fiscal 2016 and 2015 includes impairment charges of $0.6 million and $163.0 million, respectively, related to non-core oil and gas working interests and losses of $13.7 million and $0.7 million, respectively, associated with the sale of working interest oil and gas properties.


21





Item 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K and other materials we have filed or may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “estimate,” “likely,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “expect,” and similar expressions, including references to assumptions. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. We note that a variety of factors and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors and uncertainties that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to:
the effect of D.R. Horton’s controlling level of ownership on us and the holders of our securities;
our ability to realize the potential benefits of the strategic relationship with D.R. Horton;
the effect of our strategic relationship with D.R. Horton on our ability to maintain relationships with our vendors and customers;
demand for new housing, which can be affected by a number of factors including the availability of mortgage credit, job growth and fluctuations in interest rates;
competitive actions by other companies;
accuracy of estimates and other assumptions related to investment in and development of real estate, the expected timing and pricing of land and lot sales and related cost of real estate sales;
our ability to comply with our debt covenants, restrictions and limitations;
our ability to hire and retain key personnel;
changes in governmental policies, laws or regulations and actions or restrictions of regulatory agencies;
general economic, market or business conditions where our real estate activities are concentrated;
our ability to achieve our strategic initiatives;
our ability to obtain future entitlement and development approvals;
our ability to obtain or the availability of surety bonds to secure our performance related to construction and development activities and the pricing of bonds;
obtaining reimbursements and other payments from governmental districts and other agencies and timing of such payments;
the levels of resale housing inventory in our projects and the regions in which they are located;
fluctuations in costs and expenses, including impacts from shortages in materials or labor;
the opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to us and that we may pursue;
the strength of our information technology systems and the risk of cybersecurity breaches; and
the conditions of the capital markets and our ability to raise capital to fund expected growth.

Other factors, including the risk factors described in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, may also cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by our forward-looking statements. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors, nor can we assess the impact of any such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.



22





Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Our Operations

We are a residential lot development company with operations in 51 markets in 20 states as of September 30, 2019. In October 2017, we became a majority-owned subsidiary of D.R. Horton. Our alignment with and support from D.R. Horton provides us an opportunity to grow our business into a national, well-capitalized residential lot developer selling lots to D.R. Horton and other homebuilders. As our controlling shareholder, D.R. Horton has significant influence in guiding our strategic direction and operations. Our strategy is focused on making investments in land acquisition and development to expand our residential lot development business across a geographically diversified national platform. We are primarily investing in short duration, phased development projects that generate returns similar to production-oriented homebuilders. This strategy is a unique, lower-risk business model that we expect will produce more consistent returns than other public and private land developers.

Change in Fiscal Year

Following the Merger, we changed our fiscal year-end from December 31 to September 30, effective January 1, 2018. This change aligned our fiscal year-end reporting calendar with D.R. Horton. Our results of operations, cash flows, and all transactions impacting stockholders' equity presented in this Form 10-K are for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and our fiscal year 2017, which is for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, unless otherwise noted. This Form 10-K also includes an unaudited statement of operations for the comparable stub period of January 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017 (See Note 17 — Transition Period Comparative Data).

Business Segments

Historically, we managed our operations through our real estate segment, mineral resources segment (previously referred to as oil and gas) and other segment (previously referred to as other natural resources). During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we began managing our operations through one real estate segment. As such, the operating results of our real estate segment are consistent with our consolidated operating results and no separate disclosure is required as of and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. Our real estate segment is our core business and generated all of our revenues in fiscal 2019. The real estate segment primarily acquires land and develops infrastructure for single-family residential communities. Our real estate segment generates its revenues principally from sales of residential single-family finished lots to local, regional and national homebuilders.

We have other business activities which were presented in our other segment in prior periods. The assets and results of operations of these business activities are immaterial and are included in our real estate segment in the current year.

Additionally, as of and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, all assets and results of operations have been included in the real estate segment. In prior periods, certain costs and assets were not allocated to the segments. During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we began evaluating the results of operations of our real estate segment based on income from continuing operations before income taxes. As a result, all of our results of operations have been allocated to the real estate segment for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. This change in the measure of segment profit (loss) was adopted prospectively and the prior period segment results have not been adjusted to conform to the current year. In prior periods, segment earnings (loss) consist of operating income, equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures, gain on sales of assets, interest income and net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests. Items not allocated to segments in prior periods consist of general and administrative expense, stock-based and long-term incentive compensation, gain on sale of timberland assets, interest expense, and other corporate interest and other income.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Our revenues are derived from our U.S. operations and all of our assets are located in the U.S. In fiscal 2019, D.R. Horton accounted for $326.6 million of our real estate revenues.


23






Results of Operations

The following tables and related discussion set forth key operating and financial data as of and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2018. For similar operating and financial data and discussion of our results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to our results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, refer to Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under Part II of our annual report on Form 10-K for the transition period ended September 30, 2018, which was filed with the SEC on November 16, 2018.

Real estate segment results for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 were as follows:
 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
(In millions)
Revenues
$
428.3

Cost of sales
362.7

Selling, general and administrative expense
28.9

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures
(0.5
)
Gain on sale of assets
(3.0
)
Interest expense

Interest and other income
(5.5
)
Income from continuing operations before taxes
$
45.7


Segment results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were as follows:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Real Estate
 
Other
 
Items Not Allocated
 
Consolidated
 
(In millions)
Revenues
$
78.3

 
$

 
$

 
$
78.3

Cost of sales
48.9

 
0.6

 

 
49.5

Selling, general and administrative expense
7.1

 
0.3

 
12.0

 
19.4

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures
(4.8
)
 

 

 
(4.8
)
Gain on sale of assets
(18.6
)
 
(9.2
)
 

 
(27.8
)
Interest expense

 

 
3.7

 
3.7

Interest and other income
(1.8
)
 

 
(4.6
)
 
(6.4
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes
$
47.5

 
$
8.3

 
$
(11.1
)
 
$
44.7

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
1.2

 

 

 
1.2

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes attributable to Forestar Group Inc.
$
46.3

 
$
8.3

 
$
(11.1
)
 
$
43.5




24






Real Estate Revenues and Cost of Sales

We are a residential lot development company with operations in 51 markets and 20 states as of September 30, 2019. Our real estate segment primarily acquires land and develops infrastructure for single-family residential communities. Our real estate segment revenues are principally derived from the sales of residential single-family lots that we have developed. Our real estate segment also makes short-term investments in finished lots (lot banking) and undeveloped land with the intent to sell these assets within a short time period, primarily to D.R. Horton, utilizing available capital prior to its deployment into longer term lot development projects.

Residential lots sold consist of:
 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
Development projects
2,610

 
935

Lot banking projects
1,522

 
89

 
4,132

 
1,024

 
 
 
 
Average sales price per lot (a)
$
84,200

 
$
76,600

 _____________________
(a) Excludes any impact from change in contract liabilities or deferred revenue.

Revenues consist of:
 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
(In millions)
Residential lot sales:
 
 
 
Development projects
$
218.8

 
$
75.8

Lot banking projects
128.9

 
2.6

Change in contract liabilities or deferred revenue
4.0

 
(6.4
)
 
351.7

 
72.0

Residential tract sales
55.8

 
3.6

Commercial tract sales
18.5

 
2.0

Other
2.3

 
0.7

 
$
428.3

 
$
78.3


Residential lots sold and residential lot sales revenues have increased as we have grown our business primarily through our strategic relationship with D.R. Horton. In fiscal 2019, we sold 3,728 residential lots to D.R. Horton for $311.7 million. In the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we sold 642 residential lots to D.R. Horton for $43.6 million. At September 30, 2019, our lot position consisted of 38,300 residential lots, of which approximately 29,700 were owned and 8,600 were controlled through option purchase contracts. Of our total owned and controlled residential lots, approximately 12,800 are under contract to sell to D.R. Horton. Additionally, D.R. Horton has the right of first offer on approximately 10,600 of these lots based on executed purchase and sale agreements. At September 30, 2019, lots owned included approximately 4,400 that are fully developed, of which approximately 2,100 are related to lot banking. At September 30, 2019, we had approximately 700 lots under contract to sell to builders other than D.R. Horton.

Residential tract sales in fiscal 2019 principally consists of 63 residential tract acres sold to a third party for approximately $44.2 million as well as the sale of 290 residential tract acres to D.R. Horton for approximately $10.9 million. In conjunction with a residential tract sale to a third party, we paid D.R. Horton a fee of approximately $2.1 million to terminate an existing purchase and sale agreement whereby D.R. Horton had the option to purchase the property from us at a fixed price.


25






Commercial tract sales principally consist of the sale of tracts to commercial developers that specialize in the construction and operation of income producing properties such as apartments, retail centers, or office buildings. The commercial tract sales revenues in fiscal 2019 relate primarily to the sale of 49 acres from a consolidated venture for $17.7 million.

Cost of real estate sales in fiscal 2019 increased as compared to the prior period primarily due to the increase in the number of lots sold.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expense and Other Income Statement Items

SG&A expense for fiscal year 2019 was $28.9 million compared to $19.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Our SG&A expenses primarily consist of employee compensation and related costs. Our business operations employed 78 and 40 employees at September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.

At September 30, 2019, we had ownership interests in four ventures that we accounted for using the equity method. The decrease in equity in earnings in fiscal 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is primarily the result of lower sales activity within our ventures as they wind down.

Gain on sale of assets in fiscal 2019 consists of a gain of $1.5 million associated with the reduction of our remaining obligation in connection with the Cibolo Canyons Special Improvement District (CCSID) issuance of bonds in 2014. As our obligation expires over time, our liability is reduced and gains are recognized. Gain on sale of assets in fiscal 2019 also includes a gain of $1.5 million of excess hotel occupancy and sales and use tax revenues from CCSID. Gain on sale of assets in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily included gains of $14.6 million related to the sale of our interest in a multifamily venture near Denver, $2.0 million related to the sale of our interest in a venture in Atlanta and $0.7 million related to our strategic sale of assets to Starwood Land, L.P (Starwood).

The decrease in interest expense in fiscal 2019 compared to the prior year period was due to an increase in our active real estate development projects which resulted in the capitalization of all interest costs to real estate inventory in the current year.

Interest and other income principally represents interest earned on our cash deposits.

Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate from continuing operations was 21% for fiscal 2019 and (57)% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The effective tax rate for both years includes an expense for state income taxes and non-deductible expenses, reduced by a tax benefit related to noncontrolling interests. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 also includes a benefit for the release of our federal valuation allowance and a portion of our state valuation allowance associated with our deferred tax assets.

At September 30, 2019 and 2018, deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities, were $20.7 million and $30.3 million, offset by a valuation allowance of $3.3 million and $3.4 million for the portion of the deferred tax assets that we have determined is more likely than not to be unrealizable. The valuation allowance was recorded because it is more likely than not that a portion of our state deferred tax assets, primarily net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards, will not be realized because we are no longer operating in some states or the NOL carryforward periods are too brief to realize the related deferred tax asset. We will continue to evaluate both the positive and negative evidence in determining the need for a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. Any reversal of the valuation allowance in future periods will impact our effective tax rate.

In October 2017, D.R. Horton acquired 75% of our common stock resulting in an ownership change under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Section 382 limits our ability to use certain tax attributes and built-in losses and deductions in a given year. Our tax attributes or built-in losses and deductions that were limited in 2018 or 2019 are expected to be fully utilized in future years with the exception of some state NOL carryforwards.
Our unrecognized tax benefits totaled $1.6 million at September 30, 2019, all of which would affect our effective tax rate, if recognized.



26






Other

Other segment results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were as follows:
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
(In millions)
Revenues
$

Cost of sales
0.6

Selling, general and administrative expense
0.3

Gain on sale of assets
(9.2
)
Segment earnings
$
8.3


The gain on sale of assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is due to the sale of non-core water interests in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia and Alabama for $10.5 million, which generated a gain of $9.2 million.



27





Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

Our strategic relationship with D.R. Horton has provided us with an opportunity for substantial growth. Since the Merger, we have funded our growth with available cash, borrowings under our revolving credit facility and the issuance of senior unsecured notes and common stock. At September 30, 2019, our ratio of net debt to total capital (debt net of unrestricted cash divided by stockholders’ equity plus debt net of unrestricted cash) was 8.8%. Over the long term, we intend to maintain our ratio of net debt to total capital at or below 40%. We believe that the ratio of net debt to total capital is useful in understanding the leverage employed in our operations.

We believe that our existing cash resources and revolving credit facility will provide sufficient liquidity to fund our near-term working capital needs and debt obligations, including the maturity of $118.9 million principal amount of convertible senior notes in fiscal 2020. Our ability to achieve our long-term growth objectives will depend on our ability to obtain financing in sufficient amounts. We regularly evaluate alternatives for managing our capital structure and liquidity profile in consideration of expected cash flows, growth and operating capital requirements and capital market conditions. As market conditions permit, we may, at any time, be considering or preparing for the purchase or sale of our common stock, debt securities, convertible securities or a combination thereof.

Bank Credit Facility

We have a $380 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility with an uncommitted accordion feature that could increase the size of the facility to $570 million, subject to certain conditions and availability of additional bank commitments. The facility also provides for the issuance of letters of credit with a sublimit equal to the greater of $100 million and 50% of the revolving credit commitment. Letters of credit issued under the facility reduce the available borrowing capacity. At September 30, 2019, there were no borrowings outstanding and $29.7 million of letters of credit issued under the revolving credit facility. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are subject to a borrowing base based on the book value of our real estate assets and unrestricted cash. At September 30, 2019, the borrowing base limited the available capacity under the revolving credit facility to $339.6 million. Borrowings and repayments under the facility totaled $85 million each during fiscal 2019.

In October 2019, the revolving credit facility was amended to extend its maturity date from August 16, 2021 to October 2, 2022. The maturity date may be extended by up to one year on up to two additional occasions, subject to the approval of lenders holding a majority of the commitments.

The revolving credit facility includes customary affirmative and negative covenants, events of default and financial covenants. The financial covenants require a minimum level of tangible net worth, a minimum level of liquidity, and a maximum allowable leverage ratio. These covenants are measured as defined in the credit agreement governing the facility and are reported to the lenders quarterly. A failure to comply with these financial covenants could allow the lending banks to terminate the availability of funds under the revolving credit facility or cause any outstanding borrowings to become due and payable prior to maturity. At September 30, 2019, we were in compliance with all of the covenants, limitations and restrictions of our revolving credit facility.

3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020

At September 30, 2019, the principal amount of the 3.75% convertible senior notes due March 2020 was $118.9 million and the unamortized debt discount was $2.0 million. The effective interest rate on the liability component was 8.0% and the carrying amount of the equity component was $16.8 million. We intend to settle the principal amount of these notes in cash in 2020, with any excess conversion value to be settled in shares of our common stock. At September 30, 2019 and 2018, we had $0.2 million and $0.7 million in unamortized deferred financing fees that were deducted from the carrying value of these notes.



28





8.0% Senior Notes due 2024

In April 2019, we issued $350 million principal amount of 8.0% senior notes pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act. The notes mature April 15, 2024, with interest payable semi-annually and represent senior unsecured obligations that rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. The notes may be redeemed prior to maturity, subject to certain limitations and premiums defined in the indenture agreement. The notes are guaranteed by each of our subsidiaries to the extent such subsidiaries guarantee our revolving credit facility. At September 30, 2019, we had $6.2 million in unamortized deferred financing fees that were deducted from the carrying value of these notes. The annual effective interest rate of the notes after giving effect to the amortization of financing costs is 8.5%.

The indenture governing the notes requires that, upon the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Decline (each as defined in the indenture), we offer to purchase the notes at 101% of their principal amount. If we or our restricted subsidiaries dispose of assets, under certain circumstances, we will be required to either invest the net cash proceeds from such asset sales in its business within a specified period of time, repay certain senior secured debt or debt of its non-guarantor subsidiaries, or make an offer to purchase a principal amount of the notes equal to the excess net cash proceeds at a purchase price of 100% of their principal amount. The indenture contains covenants that, among other things, restrict ability of us and our restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or distributions, repurchase equity, prepay subordinated debt and make certain investments; incur additional debt or issue mandatorily redeemable equity; incur liens on assets; merge or consolidate with another company or sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets; enter into transactions with affiliates; and allow to exist certain restrictions on the ability of subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments.

At September 30, 2019, we were in compliance with all of the limitations and restrictions associated with our senior note obligations.

Issuance of Common Stock

In September 2018, we filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC registering $500 million of equity securities. On September 30, 2019, we issued 6.0 million shares of our common stock for $17.50 per share in a public underwritten offering. Net proceeds from this offering after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other expenses were $100.7 million. As a result of the issuance, D.R. Horton's ownership of our outstanding common shares decreased from 75% to approximately 66%. Following the offering, $394.3 million remains available for issuance under the shelf registration statement.

Operating Cash Flow Activities

In fiscal 2019, net cash used in operating activities was $391.2 million compared to $283.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase in net cash used in operating activities was principally due to higher real estate acquisition and development expenditures resulting from our strategy to grow into a national lot developer.

Investing Cash Flow Activities

In fiscal 2019, net cash used in investing activities was $0.8 million compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $259.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Cash provided by investing activities during the 2018 period includes net proceeds of $217.5 million from the strategic sale of assets to Starwood in February 2018.

Financing Cash Flow Activities

In fiscal 2019, net cash provided by financing activities was $439.8 million compared to net cash used in financing activities of $4.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Cash provided by financing activities during fiscal 2019 includes the issuance of $350 million principal amount of 8.0% senior notes due April 2024 and the issuance of common stock in September 2019 for net proceeds of $100.7 million.



29





Contractual Cash Obligations

At September 30, 2019, contractual cash obligations consist of:
 
Payments Due by Period
 
Total
 
Less Than
1 Year
 
1 - 3 Years
 
> 3 - 5 Years
 
More Than
5 Years
 
(In millions)
Debt — Principal (1)
$
468.9

 
$
118.9

 
$

 
$
350.0

 
$

Debt — Interest (1)
142.1

 
30.1

 
56.0

 
56.0

 

Operating leases (2)
3.4

 
0.9

 
2.1

 
0.4

 

Performance bond (3)
2.5

 
2.5

 

 

 

Standby letter of credit (3)
6.8

 
6.8

 

 

 

Total
$
623.7

 
$
159.2

 
$
58.1

 
$
406.4

 
$

 _______________
(1)
Debt represents principal and interest payments due on our senior notes and our revolving credit facility. Because the balance of our revolving credit facility was zero at September 30, 2019, we did not assume any principal or interest payments related to this facility in future periods.
(2)
Our operating leases are primarily for office space. We lease office space in Arlington, Texas as our corporate headquarters and also lease office space in other locations to support our business operations.
(3)
The performance bond and standby letter of credit were provided in support of a bond issuance by Cibolo Canyons Special Improvement District (CCSID). In 2014, we received $50.6 million from CCSID principally related to its issuance of $48.9 million Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) and Sales and Use Tax Revenue Bonds. These bonds are obligations solely of CCSID and are payable from HOT and sales and use taxes levied by CCSID. To facilitate the issuance of the bonds, we provided a $6.8 million letter of credit to the bond trustee as security for certain debt service fund obligations in the event CCSID tax collections are not sufficient to support payment of the bonds in accordance with their terms. The letter of credit must be maintained until the earlier of redemption of the bonds or scheduled bond maturity in 2034. We also entered into an agreement with the owner of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa to assign its senior rights to us in exchange for consideration provided by us, including a performance bond to be drawn if CCSID tax collections are not sufficient to support ad valorem tax rebates payable. The performance bond decreases as CCSID makes annual ad valorem tax rebate payments, which obligation is scheduled to be retired in full by 2020. The performance bond and letter of credit are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.

In addition to the letter of credit and performance bond discussed above, at September 30, 2019 we had outstanding letters of credit of $22.9 million under the revolving credit facility and surety bonds of $156.3 million issued by third parties to secure performance under various contracts that are not included in our consolidated balance sheets. We expect that our performance obligations secured by these letters of credit and bonds will generally be completed in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the applicable contractual terms. When we complete our performance obligations, the related letters of credit and bonds are generally released shortly thereafter, leaving us with no continuing obligations. We have no material third-party guarantees.

Inflation

We may be adversely affected during periods of high inflation, primarily because of higher financing, land and labor costs. We attempt to offset cost increases in one component with savings in another, and we increase our land and lot sales prices when market conditions permit. However, during periods when market conditions are challenging, we may not be able to offset cost increases with higher selling prices.



30





Critical Accounting Policies

In preparing our financial statements, we follow generally accepted accounting principles, which in many cases require us to make assumptions, estimates, and judgments that affect the amounts reported. Our significant accounting policies are included in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Many of these principles are relatively straightforward. There are, however, a few accounting policies that are critical because they are important in determining our financial condition and results of operations and involve significant assumptions, estimates and judgments that are difficult to determine. We must make these assumptions, estimates and judgments currently about matters that are inherently uncertain, such as future economic conditions, operating results and valuations, as well as our intentions. As the difficulty of estimation increases, the level of precision decreases, meaning actual results can, and probably will, differ from those currently estimated. We base our assumptions, estimates and judgments on a combination of historical experiences and other factors that we believe are reasonable. We have reviewed the selection and disclosure of these critical accounting estimates with our Audit Committee.

Revenue Recognition — Real estate revenue and related profit are generally recognized at the time of the closing of a sale, when title to and possession of the property are transferred to the buyer. Our performance obligation, to deliver the agreed-upon land or lots, is generally satisfied at closing. However, there may be instances in which we have an unsatisfied remaining performance obligation at the time of closing. In these instances, we record contract liabilities and recognize those revenues over time as the performance obligations are completed. Generally, our unsatisfied remaining performance obligations are expected to have an original duration of less than one year.

Real Estate and Cost of Sales — Real estate includes the costs of direct land acquisition, land development and capitalized interest incurred during land development. All indirect overhead costs, such as compensation of management personnel and insurance costs are charged to selling, general and administrative expense as incurred.

Land and development costs are typically allocated to individual residential lots based on the relative sales value of the lot. Cost of sales includes applicable land acquisition, land development and related costs (both incurred and estimated to be incurred) allocated to each residential lot in the development project. Any changes to the estimated total development costs subsequent to the initial lot sales are generally allocated to the remaining lots.

We have agreements with certain utility or improvement districts to convey water, sewer and other infrastructure-related assets we have constructed in connection with projects within their jurisdiction and receive reimbursements for the cost of these improvements. The amount of reimbursements for these improvements are defined by the district and are based on the allowable costs of the improvements. The transfer is consummated and we generally receive payment when the districts have a sufficient tax base to support funding of their bonds. The cost incurred by us in constructing these improvements, net of the amount expected to be collected in the future, is included in real estate.

Each quarter, we review our real estate for indicators of potential impairment. We determine if impairment indicators exist by analyzing a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the following:
gross margins on lots sold in recent months;
projected gross margins based on budgets;
trends in gross margins, average selling prices or cost of sales; and
lot sales absorption rates;

If indicators of impairment are present, we perform an impairment evaluation, which includes an analysis to determine if the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their carrying amounts. If so, impairment charges are recorded to cost of sales if the fair value of such assets is less than their carrying amounts. These estimates of cash flows are significantly impacted by specific factors including estimates of the amounts and timing of future revenues and estimates of the amount of land development costs which, in turn, may be impacted by the following local market conditions:
supply and availability of land and lots;
location and desirability of our land and lots;
amount of land and lots we own or control in a particular market or sub-market; and
local economic and demographic trends.


31





For those assets deemed to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Our determination of fair value is primarily based on discounting the estimated cash flows at a rate commensurate with the inherent risks associated with the assets and related estimated cash flow streams. When an impairment charge is determined, the charge is then allocated to each lot in the same manner as land and development costs are allocated to each lot.

We rarely purchase land for resale. However, we may change our plans for land we own or land under development and decide to sell the asset. When we determine that we will sell the asset, the project is accounted for as land held for sale if certain criteria are met. We record land held for sale at the lesser of its carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell. In performing the impairment evaluation for land held for sale, we consider several factors including, but not limited to, recent offers received to purchase the property, prices for land in recent comparable sales transactions and market analysis studies, which include the estimated price a willing buyer would pay for the land. If the estimated fair value less costs to sell an asset is less than the current carrying value, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value less costs to sell.

The key assumptions relating to inventory valuations are impacted by local market and economic conditions, and are inherently uncertain. Although our quarterly assessments reflect management’s best estimates, due to uncertainties in the estimation process, actual results could differ from such estimates.

Pending Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This ASU requires lessees to put most leases on their balance sheets but recognize expenses on their income statements in a manner that is similar to today's accounting. This guidance also eliminates today's real estate-specific provisions for all entities. For lessors, the guidance modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. The new standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. The guidance is effective for us beginning October 1, 2019 and will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Interest Rate Risk

We are subject to interest rate risk on our senior debt and revolving credit facility. We monitor our exposure to changes in interest rates and utilize both fixed and variable rate debt. For fixed rate debt, changes in interest rates generally affect the fair value of the debt instrument, but not our earnings or cash flows. Conversely, for variable rate debt, changes in interest rates generally do not impact the fair value of the debt instrument, but may affect our future earnings and cash flows. Except in very limited circumstances, we do not have an obligation to prepay fixed-rate debt prior to maturity and, as a result, interest rate risk and changes in fair value would not have a significant impact on our cash flows related to our fixed-rate debt until such time as we are required to refinance, repurchase or repay such debt.

Our fixed rate debt consists of $118.9 million principal amount of 3.75% convertible senior notes due March 2020 and $350 million principal amount of 8.0% senior notes due April 2024. Our variable rate debt consists of a $380 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility. At September 30, 2019, we had no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility. 

Foreign Currency Risk

We have no exposure to foreign currency fluctuations.

Commodity Price Risk

We have no significant exposure to commodity price fluctuations.


32





Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.


MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The management of Forestar is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Management has designed our internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance that our published financial statements are fairly presented, in all material respects, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

Management is required by paragraph (c) of Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of each year end. In making this assessment, management used the Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

Management conducted the required assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2019. Based upon this assessment, management believes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as of September 30, 2019.

Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our financial statements included in this Form 10-K, has also audited our internal control over financial reporting. Their attestation report follows this report of management.


33





REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Forestar Group Inc.

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Forestar Group Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Forestar Group Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2019, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of Forestar Group Inc. as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, equity, and cash flows, for the year ended September 30, 2019, the nine month period ended September 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and our report dated November 21, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Fort Worth, Texas
November 21, 2019


34





REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Forestar Group Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Forestar Group Inc. (the Company) as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, equity, and cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2019, the nine month period ended September 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at September 30, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2019, the nine month period ended September 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated November 21, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2007.

Fort Worth, Texas
November 21, 2019



35





FORESTAR GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
September 30,
 
2019

2018
 
(In millions, except share data)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
382.8

 
$
318.8

Restricted cash

 
16.2

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
382.8

 
335.0

Real estate
1,028.9

 
498.0

Investment in unconsolidated ventures
7.3

 
11.7

Income taxes receivable
3.2

 
4.4

Property and equipment, net
2.4

 
1.7

Deferred tax asset, net
17.4

 
26.9

Other assets
13.7

 
15.4

Total assets
$
1,455.7

 
$
893.1

LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
16.8

 
$
7.9

Earnest money deposits on sales contracts
89.9

 
49.4

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
79.6

 
49.6

Debt
460.5

 
111.7

Total liabilities
646.8

 
218.6

Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
 
 
 
EQUITY
 
 
 
Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, 200,000,000 authorized shares, 47,997,366 and
41,939,403 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively
48.0

 
41.9

Additional paid-in capital
602.2

 
506.3

Retained earnings
158.1

 
125.1

Stockholders' equity
808.3

 
673.3

Noncontrolling interests
0.6

 
1.2

Total equity
808.9

 
674.5

Total liabilities and equity
$
1,455.7

 
$
893.1















See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


36





FORESTAR GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2017
 
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Revenues
$
428.3

 
$
78.3

 
$
114.3

Cost of sales
362.7

 
49.5

 
112.6

Selling, general and administrative expense
28.9

 
19.4

 
75.3

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures
(0.5
)
 
(4.8
)
 
(17.8
)
Gain on sale of assets
(3.0
)
 
(27.8
)
 
(113.4
)
Interest expense

 
3.7

 
8.5

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 
0.6

Interest and other income
(5.5
)
 
(6.4
)
 
(3.6
)
Income from continuing operations before taxes
45.7

 
44.7

 
52.1

Income tax expense (benefit)
9.4

 
(25.3
)
 
45.8

Net income from continuing operations
36.3

 
70.0

 
6.3

Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

 
46.0

Net income
36.3

 
70.0

 
52.3

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
3.3

 
1.2

 
2.0

Net income attributable to Forestar Group Inc.
$
33.0

 
$
68.8

 
$
50.3

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
42.0

 
41.9

 
42.1

Diluted
42.0

 
42.0

 
42.4

Net Income per Basic Share:
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.79

 
$
1.64

 
$
0.10

Discontinued operations
$

 
$

 
$
1.09

Net income per basic share
$
0.79

 
$
1.64

 
$
1.19

Net Income per Diluted Share:
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.79

 
$
1.64

 
$
0.10

Discontinued operations
$

 
$

 
$
1.09

Net income per diluted share
$
0.79

 
$
1.64

 
$
1.19
















See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


37





FORESTAR GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Treasury Stock
 
Non-controlling Interests
 
Total Equity
 
(In millions, except share amounts)
Balances at December 31, 2016 (44,803,603 common shares; 3,187,253 treasury shares)
$
44.8

 
$
553.0

 
$
12.6

 
$
(49.8
)
 
$
1.5

 
$
562.1

Net income

 

 
50.3

 

 
2.0

 
52.3

Settlement of equity awards

 
(12.8
)
 

 

 

 
(12.8
)
Issuances of common stock for vested share-settled units (decrease of 335,261 treasury shares)

 
(5.3
)
 

 
5.3

 

 

Issuances from exercises of stock options, net of swaps (decrease of 63,195 treasury shares)

 
(0.4
)
 

 
1.0

 

 
0.6

Shares withheld for taxes (increase of 75,870 treasury shares)

 

 

 
(1.0
)
 

 
(1.0
)
Retirement of treasury shares (decrease of 2,864,667 common shares and treasury shares)
(2.9
)
 
(35.0
)
 
(6.6
)
 
44.5

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 
6.5

 

 

 

 
6.5

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 
(2.1
)
 
(2.1
)
Balances at December 31, 2017 (41,938,936 common shares)
$
41.9

 
$
506.0

 
$
56.3

 
$

 
$
1.4

 
$
605.6

Net income

 

 
68.8

 

 
1.2

 
70.0

Issuances of common stock under employee benefit plans (467 common shares)

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 
0.3

 

 

 

 
0.3

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 
(1.4
)
 
(1.4
)
Balances at September 30, 2018 (41,939,403 common shares)
$
41.9

 
$
506.3

 
$
125.1

 
$

 
$
1.2

 
$
674.5

Net income

 

 
33.0

 

 
3.3

 
36.3

Issuance of common stock (6,037,500 common shares)
6.0

 
94.7

 

 

 

 
100.7

Issuances of common stock under employee benefit plans (20,463 common shares)
0.1

 
(0.1
)
 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 
1.3

 

 

 

 
1.3

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 
(3.9
)
 
(3.9
)
Balances at September 30, 2019 (47,997,366 common shares)
$
48.0

 
$
602.2

 
$
158.1

 
$

 
$
0.6

 
$
808.9
















See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


38





FORESTAR GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2017
 
(In millions)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated net income
$
36.3

 
$
70.0

 
$
52.3

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
6.7

 
3.9

 
5.5

Deferred income taxes
9.5

 
(24.8
)
 
(1.7
)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures
(0.5
)
 
(4.8
)
 
(17.8
)
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated ventures
4.9

 
3.5

 
23.0

Stock-based compensation expense
1.3

 
0.3

 
6.6

Asset impairments
1.3

 
0.3

 
47.2

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 
0.6

Gain on sale of assets
(3.0
)
 
(27.8
)
 
(113.4
)
Other
0.1

 
0.9

 
0.8

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Increase in real estate
(531.7
)
 
(361.1
)
 
(17.7
)
Decrease (increase) in other assets
0.3

 
(1.6
)
 
2.3

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
41.9

 
18.4

 
(7.8
)
Increase in earnest money deposits on sales contracts
40.5

 
37.5

 
0.6

Decrease in income taxes receivable
1.2

 
2.3

 
4.2

Net cash used in operating activities
(391.2
)
 
(283.0
)
 
(15.3
)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Property, equipment, software and other
(0.9
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
Oil and gas properties and equipment

 

 
(2.4
)
Investment in unconsolidated ventures

 

 
(4.5
)
Return of investment in unconsolidated ventures
0.1

 
0.8

 
11.4

Proceeds from sale of assets

 
258.3

 
130.1

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(0.8
)
 
259.0

 
134.5

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock
100.7

 

 

Payments of debt
(85.0
)
 
(0.5
)
 
(10.0
)
Additions to debt
435.0

 
0.2

 
3.0

Deferred financing fees
(6.9
)
 
(2.3
)
 
(0.3
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net
(3.9
)
 
(1.4
)
 
(2.1
)
Settlement of equity awards
(0.1
)
 

 
(13.1
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
439.8

 
(4.0
)
 
(22.5
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
47.8

 
(28.0
)
 
96.7

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
335.0

 
363.0

 
266.3

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$
382.8

 
$
335.0

 
$
363.0

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized
$

 
$
0.9

 
$
3.3

Income taxes paid (refunded), net
$
(1.7
)
 
$
(3.4
)
 
$
(2.7
)


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


39





FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and include the accounts of Forestar Group Inc. (Forestar) and all of its 100% owned, majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, which are collectively referred to as the Company unless the context otherwise requires. The Company accounts for its investment in other entities in which it has significant influence over operations and financial policies using the equity method. All intercompany accounts, transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Noncontrolling interests in consolidated pass-through entities are recognized before income taxes. The transactions included in net income in the consolidated statements of operations are the same as those that would be presented in comprehensive income. Thus, the Company's net income equates to comprehensive income.

The Company divested substantially all of its oil and gas working interest properties in 2016 and completed the sale of all oil and gas assets and related entities in 2017. As a result of selling the entities, the Company recognized a tax benefit of $46.0 million during fiscal 2017 that was recorded as income from discontinued operations. There was no activity related to these discontinued operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 or in fiscal 2019.

In October 2017, Forestar became a majority-owned subsidiary of D.R. Horton, Inc. (D.R. Horton) by virtue of a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of D.R. Horton (the Merger). Immediately following the Merger, D.R. Horton owned 75% of the Company's outstanding common stock. In connection with the Merger, the Company entered into certain agreements with D.R. Horton including a Stockholder’s Agreement, a Master Supply Agreement, and a Shared Services Agreement. D.R. Horton is considered a related party of Forestar under GAAP. At September 30, 2019, D.R. Horton owned approximately 66% of the Company's outstanding common stock.

Change in Fiscal Year

Following the Merger, the Company changed its fiscal year-end from December 31 to September 30, effective January 1, 2018. This change aligned Forestar's fiscal year-end reporting calendar with D.R. Horton. The Company's results of operations, cash flows, and all transactions impacting stockholders' equity presented in this Form 10-K are for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 unless otherwise noted. This Form 10-K also includes an unaudited statement of operations for the comparable stub period of January 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017 (see Note 17 Transition Period Comparative Data).

Changes in Presentation and Reclassifications

Certain items have been reclassified in the prior year financial statements to conform to the presentation and classifications used in the current year. Receivables, prepaid expenses, land purchase contract deposits, and intangible assets have been reclassified to other assets in the prior year consolidated balance sheet. Accrued employee compensation and benefits, accrued property taxes, accrued interest, other accrued expenses and other liabilities have been reclassified to accrued expenses and other liabilities in the prior year consolidated balance sheet. Other operating expense and general and administrative expense have been combined into one line item which is titled selling, general and administrative expense in the prior year consolidated statements of operations. In addition, certain items have been reclassified from selling, general and administrative expense to cost of sales in the prior year statements of operations to conform to classifications used in the current year. The Company has reclassified the change in earnest money deposits in the prior year statements of cash flows from change in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities to conform to the classifications used in the current year. The Company has reclassified real estate cost of sales, real estate development and acquisition expenditures and reimbursements from utility and improvement districts to change in real estate in the prior year statements of cash flows to conform to classifications used in the current year. The Company has reclassified proceeds from land and lot closings held for the Company’s benefit at title companies in the prior year consolidated balance sheet from receivables to cash and cash equivalents to conform to the classification used in the current year. These reclassifications had no effect on the Company's consolidated operating results, balance sheet or cash flows.


40


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



In connection with the Company's adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-18 on October 1, 2018, restricted cash is included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling beginning and ending cash amounts in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, resulting in a decrease in cash provided by financing activities of $23.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and a decrease in cash used in financing activities of $39.8 million in fiscal 2017.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Strategic Asset Sale

In February 2018, the Company entered into and closed on a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Starwood Land, L.P. (Starwood) to sell 24 legacy projects for $232.0 million which generated $217.5 million in net proceeds. This strategic asset sale included projects owned both directly and indirectly through ventures and consisted of approximately 750 developed and under development lots, over 4,000 future undeveloped lots, 730 unentitled acres in California, an interest in one multifamily operating property and a multifamily development site.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

On October 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (ASC 606), which is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner to depict the transfer of goods or services and satisfaction of performance obligations to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. The Company applied the modified retrospective method to contracts that were not completed as of October 1, 2018. Results for the reporting period beginning on October 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts were not adjusted and will continue to be reported under the previous accounting standards. Under ASC 606, the Company's performance obligations are typically satisfied at closing. However, there may be instances in which the Company has an unsatisfied remaining performance obligation at the time of closing. In these instances, the Company records contract liabilities and recognizes those revenues over time as the performance obligations are completed. Generally, the Company's unsatisfied remaining performance obligations are expected to have an original duration of less than one year. As of October 1, 2018, the Company established contract liabilities of $6.4 million related to its remaining unsatisfied performance obligations at the time of adoption of ASC 606. There was no impact to the amount or timing of revenues recognized as a result of applying ASC 606 during fiscal 2019, and there have not been significant changes to the Company’s business processes, systems, or internal controls as a result of implementing the standard.

A summary of items impacted as the result of adopting ASC 606 follows:
 
As of September 30, 2019
 
As Reported
 
Impact of Adoption
 
As Adjusted
 
(In millions)
Real estate
$
1,028.9

 
$
2.1

 
$
1,026.8

Contract liabilities
2.5

 
2.5

 

Deferred income
9.3

 
(0.4
)
 
9.7




41


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash,” which requires amounts generally described as restricted cash be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the total beginning and ending amounts for the periods shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted the guidance as of October 1, 2018 on a retrospective basis and made the required changes to its statements of cash flows as described in the “Changes in Presentation and Reclassifications” section above.

Revenue Recognition

Real estate revenue and related profit are generally recognized at the time of the closing of a sale, when title to and possession of the property are transferred to the buyer. The Company’s performance obligation, to deliver the agreed-upon land or lots, is generally satisfied at closing. However, there may be instances in which the Company has an unsatisfied remaining performance obligation at the time of closing. In these instances, the Company records contract liabilities and recognizes those revenues over time as the performance obligations are completed. Generally, the Company's unsatisfied remaining performance obligations are expected to have an original duration of less than one year.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash, other short-term instruments with original maturities of three months or less and proceeds from land and lot closings held for the Company’s benefit at title companies.

Real Estate

Real estate includes the costs of direct land and lot acquisition, land development, capitalized interest, and direct overhead costs incurred during land development. All indirect overhead costs, such as compensation of management personnel and insurance costs are charged to selling, general and administrative expense as incurred.

Land and development costs are typically allocated to individual residential lots based on the relative sales value of the lot. Cost of sales includes applicable land and lot acquisition, land development and related costs (both incurred and estimated to be incurred) allocated to each residential lot in the project. Any changes to the estimated total development costs subsequent to the initial lot sales are generally allocated to the remaining lots.

The Company receives earnest money deposits from homebuilders for purchases of developed lots. These earnest money deposits are typically released to the homebuilders as lots are sold. Earnest money deposits from D.R. Horton of $88.7 million and $45.3 million at September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, are subject to mortgages which are secured by the real estate under contract with D.R. Horton. These mortgages expire when the earnest money is released to D.R. Horton as lots are sold. The Company had approximately 12,800 lots under contract to sell to D.R. Horton for a remaining purchase price of $953.8 million at September 30, 2019. The Company had approximately 5,500 lots under contract to sell to D.R. Horton for a remaining purchase price of $522.2 million at September 30, 2018.

The Company has agreements with certain utility or improvement districts to convey water, sewer and other infrastructure-related assets it has constructed in connection with projects within their jurisdiction and receive reimbursements for the cost of these improvements. The amount of reimbursements for these improvements are defined by the district and are based on the allowable costs of the improvements. The transfer is consummated and the Company generally receives payment when the districts have a sufficient tax base to support funding of their bonds. The cost incurred by the Company in constructing these improvements, net of the amount expected to be collected in the future, is included in real estate.

The Company reviews real estate assets held for use for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment exists if the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable from the undiscounted cash flows expected from its use and eventual disposition. The amount of the impairment loss is determined by comparing the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value, which is generally determined based on the present value of future cash flows expected from the sale of the asset. Real estate asset impairment charges were $0.8 million, $0.3 million and $3.4 million in fiscal 2019, the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively, and are included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations.


42


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)


Capitalized Interest

The Company capitalizes interest costs throughout the development period (active real estate). Capitalized interest is charged to cost of sales as the related real estate is sold to the buyer. During periods in which the Company’s active real estate is lower than its debt level, a portion of the interest incurred is reflected as interest expense in the period incurred. During fiscal 2019, the Company’s active real estate exceeded its debt level, and all interest incurred was capitalized to real estate.

The following table summarizes the Company’s interest costs incurred, capitalized and expensed for fiscal 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
(In millions)
Capitalized interest, beginning of period
$
3.2

 
$
0.5

Interest incurred
25.3

 
7.3

Interest expensed:
 
 
 
Directly to interest expense

 
(3.7
)
Charged to cost of sales
(4.8
)
 
(0.9
)
Capitalized interest, end of period
$
23.7

 
$
3.2


Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The cost of significant additions and improvements are capitalized and the cost of repairs and maintenance is expensed as incurred. Depreciation generally is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset as follows:
 
Estimated Useful Lives
 
September 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
(In millions)
Buildings and building improvements
10 to 40 years
 
$
0.9

 
$
0.3

Property and equipment
2 to 10 years
 
3.4

 
3.1

Total property and equipment
4.3

 
3.4

Accumulated depreciation
(1.9
)
 
(1.7
)
Property and equipment, net
$
2.4

 
$
1.7


Depreciation expense was $0.3 million in fiscal 2019, $0.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $0.4 million in fiscal 2017.

Income Taxes

The Company’s income tax expense is calculated using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and attributable to net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. When assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient taxable income in future periods and in the jurisdictions in which those temporary differences become deductible. The Company records a valuation allowance when it determines it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The accounting for deferred taxes is based upon estimates of future results. Differences between the anticipated and actual outcomes of these future results could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position. Also, changes in existing federal and state tax laws and tax rates could affect future tax results and the valuation of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities.


43


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized in the financial statements as a component of income tax expense. Significant judgment is required to evaluate uncertain tax positions. The Company evaluates its uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. The evaluations are based upon a number of factors, including changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, correspondence with tax authorities during the course of audits and effective settlement of audit issues. Changes in the recognition or measurement of uncertain tax positions could result in increases or decreases in the Company’s income tax expense in the period in which the change is made.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s stockholders formally authorize shares of its common stock to be available for future grants of stock-based compensation awards. From time to time, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors authorizes the grant of stock-based compensation to its employees and directors from these available shares. At September 30, 2019, the outstanding stock-based compensation awards consist of restricted stock units. Grants of restricted stock units vest over a certain number of years as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Restricted stock units outstanding at September 30, 2019 have a remaining vesting period of 1 to 5 years.

The compensation expense for stock-based awards is based on the fair value of the award and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the remaining vesting period. The fair values of restricted stock units are based on the Company’s stock price at the date of grant.

Fair Value Measurements

The Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) authoritative guidance for fair value measurements establishes a three-level hierarchy based upon the inputs to the valuation model of an asset or liability. When available, the Company uses quoted market prices in active markets to determine fair value. Non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis principally include real estate assets which the Company reviews for indicators of impairment when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value is not recoverable.

Discontinued Operations

The Company has divested all of its oil and gas working interest properties. As a result of this significant change in operations, the Company has reported the results of operations as discontinued operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. The consolidated statements of cash flows for 2017 reflect cash flows from both continuing and discontinued operations. There was no activity related to discontinued operations during fiscal year 2019 or the nine months ended September 30, 2018. See Note 6 — Discontinued Operations.

Pending Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This ASU requires lessees to put most leases on their balance sheets but recognize expenses on their income statements in a manner that is similar to today's accounting. This guidance also eliminates today's real estate-specific provisions for all entities. For lessors, the guidance modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. The new standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2019 and will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.



44


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



Note 2 — Segment Information

Historically, the Company managed its operations through its real estate segment, mineral resources segment (previously referred to as oil and gas) and other segment (previously referred to as other natural resources). During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company began managing its operations through one real estate segment. As such, the operating results of the Company's real estate segment are consistent with its consolidated operating results and no separate disclosure is required as of and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. The Company's real estate segment is its core business and generated all of the Company’s revenues in fiscal 2019. The real estate segment primarily acquires land and develops infrastructure for single-family residential communities. The Company's real estate segment generates its revenues principally from sales of residential single-family finished lots to local, regional and national homebuilders.

The Company has other business activities which were presented in its other segment in prior periods. The assets and results of operations of these business activities are immaterial and are included within the Company's real estate segment in fiscal 2019.

Additionally, as of and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, all assets and results of operations have been included in the real estate segment. In prior periods, certain costs and assets were not allocated to the Company’s segments. During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company began evaluating the results of operations of its real estate segment based on income from continuing operations before income taxes. As a result, all of the Company’s results of operations have been allocated to the real estate segment for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. This change in the measure of segment profit (loss) was adopted prospectively and the prior period segment results have not been adjusted to conform to the current year. In prior periods, segment earnings (loss) consist of operating income, equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures, gain on sales of assets, interest income and net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests. Items not allocated to segments in prior periods consist of general and administrative expense, stock-based and long-term incentive compensation, gain on sale of timberland assets, interest expense, and other corporate interest and other income.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The Company's revenues are derived from its real estate operations and all of its assets are located in the U.S. In fiscal 2019, D.R. Horton accounted for $326.6 million of the Company's real estate revenues.

Total assets by segment at September 30, 2018 were as follows:
 
September 30, 2018
 
Real Estate
 
Other
 
Items Not Allocated
 
Consolidated
 
(In millions)
Cash and cash equivalents
$

 
$

 
$
318.8

 
$
318.8

Restricted cash

 

 
16.2

 
16.2

Real estate
498.0

 

 

 
498.0

Investment in unconsolidated ventures
11.7

 

 

 
11.7

Income taxes receivable

 

 
4.4

 
4.4

Property and equipment, net

 
1.5

 
0.2

 
1.7

Deferred tax asset, net

 

 
26.9

 
26.9

Other assets
12.4

 
0.4

 
2.6

 
15.4

 
$
522.1

 
$
1.9

 
$
369.1

 
$
893.1



45


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



Segment results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were as follows:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Real Estate
 
Other
 
Items Not Allocated
 
Consolidated
 
(In millions)
Revenues
$
78.3

 
$

 
$

 
$
78.3

Cost of sales
48.9

 
0.6

 

 
49.5

Selling, general and administrative expense
7.1

 
0.3

 
12.0

 
19.4

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures
(4.8
)
 

 

 
(4.8
)
Gain on sale of assets
(18.6
)
 
(9.2
)
 

 
(27.8
)
Interest expense

 

 
3.7

 
3.7

Interest and other income
(1.8
)
 

 
(4.6
)
 
(6.4
)
Income from continuing operations before taxes
$
47.5

 
$
8.3

 
$
(11.1
)
 
$
44.7

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
1.2

 

 

 
1.2

Income from continuing operations before taxes attributable to Forestar Group Inc.
$
46.3

 
$
8.3

 
$
(11.1
)
 
$
43.5


Gain on sale of assets within the Company's real estate segment in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 consists primarily of a gain of $14.6 million related to the sale of its interest in a multifamily venture near Denver.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company's other segment sold non-core water interests in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia and Alabama for $10.5 million, which generated a gain on sale of assets of $9.2 million.

Segment results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 were as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Real Estate
 
Mineral Resources
 
Other
 
Items Not Allocated
 
Consolidated
 
(In millions)
Revenues
$
112.7

 
$
1.5

 
$
0.1

 
$

 
$
114.3

Cost of sales
67.8

 
38.3

 
6.5

 

 
112.6

Selling, general and administrative expense
15.9

 
1.4

 
0.4

 
57.6

 
75.3

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures
(16.4
)
 
(1.4
)
 

 

 
(17.8
)
Gain on sale of assets
(1.9
)
 
(82.4
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(28.7
)
 
(113.4
)
Interest expense

 

 

 
8.5

 
8.5

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 
0.6

 
0.6

Interest and other income
(2.0
)
 

 

 
(1.6
)
 
(3.6
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes
$
49.3

 
$
45.6

 
$
(6.4
)
 
$
(36.4
)
 
$
52.1

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
2.0

 

 

 

 
2.0

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes attributable to Forestar Group Inc.
$
47.3

 
$
45.6

 
$
(6.4
)
 
$
(36.4
)
 
$
50.1


In fiscal 2017, the Company's mineral resources segment sold its remaining owned mineral assets for approximately $85.7 million, which generated gains of $82.4 million. These gains were partially offset by a $37.9 million impairment charge associated with the mineral resources reporting unit goodwill which is included in cost of sales in the consolidated statement of operations.




46


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



In fiscal 2017, cost of sales in the Company's other segment includes impairment charges of $5.8 million primarily related to the Company's central Texas water assets.

Items not allocated to segments consist of:
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2017
 
(In millions)
Selling, general and administrative expense
$
11.5

 
$
50.4

Stock-based and long-term incentive compensation expense
0.5

 
7.2

Gain on sale of assets

 
(28.7
)
Interest expense
3.7

 
8.5

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
0.6

Interest and other income
(4.6
)
 
(1.6
)
 
$
11.1

 
$
36.4


Selling, general and administrative expense in fiscal 2017 includes Merger related transaction costs of $37.2 million which included a Merger termination fee of $20.0 million paid to Starwood Capital Group, $11.8 million in professional fees and other costs, and $5.4 million in executive severance and change in control costs.


Note 3 — Real Estate

Real estate consists of:
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In millions)
Developed and under development projects
$
1,011.8

 
$
463.1

Undeveloped land
17.1

 
34.9

 
$
1,028.9

 
$
498.0


In fiscal 2019, the Company invested $559.4 million for the acquisition of residential real estate and $290.3 million for the development of residential real estate. At September 30, 2019 and 2018, undeveloped land primarily consists of undeveloped land which the Company has the contractual right to sell to D.R. Horton within approximately one year of its purchase or, if D.R. Horton elects, at an earlier date, at a sales price equal to the carrying value of the land at the time of sale plus additional consideration which ranges from 12% to 16% per annum. In fiscal 2019, the Company sold approximately 63 acres of undeveloped land to a third party for approximately $44.2 million. In conjunction with the sale, the Company paid D.R. Horton a fee of approximately $2.1 million to terminate an existing purchase and sale agreement whereby D.R. Horton had the option to purchase the property at a fixed price. This termination fee is included in cost of sales in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

In February 2018, the Company sold a portion of its assets to Starwood for $232.0 million. This strategic asset sale included projects owned both directly and indirectly through ventures. The total net proceeds after certain purchase price adjustments, closing costs and other costs associated with selling these projects was $217.5 million, and a gain on the sale of these assets of $0.7 million is included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.






47


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



Note 4—Revenues

On October 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (ASC 606), which is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner to depict the transfer of goods or services and satisfaction of performance obligations to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. The Company applied the modified retrospective method to contracts that were not completed as of October 1, 2018. Results for the reporting period beginning on October 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts were not adjusted and will continue to be reported under the previous accounting standards. Under ASC 606 the Company's performance obligations are typically satisfied at closing. However, there may be instances in which the Company has an unsatisfied remaining performance obligation at the time of closing. In these instances, the Company records contract liabilities and recognizes those revenues over time as the performance obligations are completed. Generally, the Company's unsatisfied remaining performance obligations are expected to have an original duration of less than one year. As of October 1, 2018, the Company established contract liabilities of $6.4 million related to its remaining unsatisfied performance obligations at the time of adoption of ASC 606. There was no impact to the amount or timing of revenues recognized during fiscal 2019 as a result of applying ASC 606. At September 30, 2019, the Company had contract liabilities of $2.5 million related to its remaining unsatisfied performance obligations.

Revenues consist of:
 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2017
 
(In millions)
Residential lot sales
$
351.7

 
$
72.0

 
$
83.9

Residential tract sales
55.8

 
3.6

 
14.6

Commercial tract sales
18.5

 
2.0

 
13.0

Other
2.3

 
0.7

 
2.8

 
$
428.3

 
$
78.3

 
$
114.3




Note 5 — Investment in Unconsolidated Ventures

In the past, the Company has participated in real estate ventures for the purpose of acquiring and developing residential, multifamily and mixed-use communities in which it may or may not have a controlling financial interest. GAAP requires consolidation of variable interest entities (VIEs) in which an enterprise has a controlling financial interest and is the primary beneficiary. A controlling financial interest will have both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the VIE activities that most significantly impact economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb the VIE losses and right to receive benefits that are significant to the VIE. The Company examines specific criteria and uses judgment when determining whether a venture is a VIE and whether it is the primary beneficiary. The Company performs this review initially at the time it enters into venture agreements and reassesses upon reconsideration events.



48


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



At September 30, 2019, the Company had ownership interests in four ventures that it accounted for using the equity method. Combined summarized balance sheet and income statement information for these unconsolidated ventures follows:
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1.6

 
$
10.2

Real estate
13.6

 
17.2

Other assets
0.1

 
0.1

Total assets
$
15.3

 
$
27.5

Liabilities and Equity:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and other liabilities
$
0.3

 
$
0.6

Equity
15.0

 
26.9

Total liabilities and equity
$
15.3

 
$
27.5

 
 
 
 
Forestar's investment in unconsolidated ventures
$
7.3

 
$
11.7


 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2017
 
(In millions)
Revenues
$
1.9

 
$
22.2

 
$
65.7

Earnings
$
1.3

 
$
15.1

 
$
39.2

Forestar's equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures
$
0.5

 
$
4.8

 
$
17.8


During fiscal 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company made no further investments in these ventures and received $5.0 million and $4.3 million, respectively, in distributions. Distributions include both return of investments and distributions of earnings.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company's equity in earnings from one of its unconsolidated ventures in which it owns a 37.5% interest, LM Land Holdings, LP, accounted for over 10% of the Company's consolidated pre-tax income. At September 30, 2018, LM Land Holdings, LP had $21.6 million in venture assets, $0.4 million in accounts payable and other liabilities, and $21.2 million in venture equity on its balance sheet. At September 30, 2018, the Company's investment in this venture was $8.9 million. In the nine months ended September 30, 2018, LM Land Holdings, LP recognized $17.4 million of revenues and generated $18.1 million in earnings, which includes $5.7 million of earnings related to the recognition of a deferred gain. The Company's share of these earnings was $6.4 million.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company sold its ownership interest in eight of its unconsolidated ventures to Starwood as part of a strategic asset sale (See Note 3—Real Estate). In the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company also sold its interest in a residential venture in Atlanta, generating $11.0 million in net proceeds and a gain of $2.0 million. The Company also sold its interest in a multifamily venture near Denver, generating $19.2 million in net proceeds and a gain of $14.6 million.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2018, a venture in which the Company owns a 50% interest recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $3.0 million associated with a golf course near Atlanta. The Company's share of this non-cash impairment charge is included within equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures in its consolidated statements of operations.



49


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



In fiscal 2017, a multifamily venture in which the Company owned a 30% interest sold a 320-unit multifamily project in Nashville for $71.8 million and recognized a gain of $19.0 million. The Company's share of earnings was $7.8 million and it received a distribution of $12.0 million as a result of this sale.

In fiscal 2017, a venture in which the Company owned a 50% interest benefited from the sale of 46 commercial acres in Houston for $9.7 million generating $6.6 million in earnings to the venture. The Company's pro-rata share of the earnings associated with this sale was $3.3 million and its pro-rata share of the total distributable cash was $4.3 million.



Note 6 — Discontinued Operations
The Company has divested all of its oil and gas working interest properties. As a result of this significant change in operations, the Company has reported the results of operations as discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. There was no activity related to these operations in fiscal 2019 or the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Summarized results from discontinued operations were as follows:
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2017
 
(In millions)
Revenues
$

Cost of sales

Selling, general and administrative expense
(0.2
)
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes
$
0.2

Loss on sale of assets before income taxes
0.2

Income tax benefit
46.0

Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
$
46.0


In 2017, the Company sold all common stock of Forestar Petroleum Corporation for $0.1 million, which completed the sale of all of its oil and gas assets and related entities. This transaction resulted in a significant tax loss, and the corresponding tax benefit is reported in discontinued operations in 2017.

Operating activities and investing activities of discontinued operations included in the consolidated statements of cash flows were as follows:
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2017
 
(In millions)
Operating activities:
 
Decrease in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
$
(3.0
)
Loss on sale of assets
0.2

 
$
(2.8
)
 
 
Investing activities:
 
Proceeds from sale of assets
$
0.2




50


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



Note 7 — Other Assets, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

The Company's other assets at September 30, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In millions)
Receivables, net
$
1.1

 
$
2.7

Prepaid expenses
3.4

 
3.1

Land purchase contract deposits
5.1

 
4.1

Intangible assets

 
0.5

Other assets
4.1

 
5.0

 
$
13.7

 
$
15.4


The Company's accrued expenses and other liabilities at September 30, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In millions)
Accrued employee compensation and benefits
$
5.6

 
$
6.7

Accrued property taxes
2.1

 
1.7

Accrued interest
13.5

 
0.4

Contract liabilities
2.5

 

Deferred income
9.3

 
11.6

Accrued development costs
35.4

 
17.6

Other accrued expenses
8.4

 
9.6

Other liabilities
2.8

 
2.0

 
$
79.6

 
$
49.6




51


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



Note 8 — Debt

The Company's notes payable at their principal amounts, net of unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs, consist of the following:
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In millions)
Unsecured:
 
 
 
3.75% convertible senior notes due 2020
$
116.7

 
$
111.7

8.0% senior notes due 2024
343.8

 

Revolving credit facility

 

 
$
460.5

 
$
111.7


Bank Credit Facility

The Company has a $380 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility with an uncommitted accordion feature that could increase the size of the facility to $570 million, subject to certain conditions and availability of additional bank commitments. The facility also provides for the issuance of letters of credit with a sublimit equal to the greater of $100 million and 50% of the revolving credit commitment. Letters of credit issued under the facility reduce the available borrowing capacity. At September 30, 2019, there were no borrowings outstanding and $29.7 million of letters of credit issued under the revolving credit facility. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are subject to a borrowing base based on the book value of the Company's real estate assets and unrestricted cash. At September 30, 2019, the borrowing base limited the available capacity under the revolving credit facility to $339.6 million. Borrowings and repayments under the facility totaled $85 million each during fiscal 2019.

In October 2019, the revolving credit facility was amended to extend its maturity date from August 16, 2021 to October 2, 2022. The maturity date may be extended by up to one year on up to two additional occasions, subject to the approval of lenders holding a majority of the commitments.

The revolving credit facility includes customary affirmative and negative covenants, events of default and financial covenants. The financial covenants require a minimum level of tangible net worth, a minimum level of liquidity, and a maximum allowable leverage ratio. These covenants are measured as defined in the credit agreement governing the facility and are reported to the lenders quarterly. A failure to comply with these financial covenants could allow the lending banks to terminate the availability of funds under the revolving credit facility or cause any outstanding borrowings to become due and payable prior to maturity. At September 30, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all of the covenants, limitations and restrictions of its revolving credit facility.

3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020

At September 30, 2019, the principal amount of the 3.75% convertible senior notes due March 2020 was $118.9 million and the unamortized debt discount was $2.0 million. The effective interest rate on the liability component was 8.0% and the carrying amount of the equity component was $16.8 million. The Company intends to settle the principal amount of these notes in cash in 2020, with any excess conversion value to be settled in shares of its common stock. At September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $0.2 million and $0.7 million in unamortized deferred financing fees that were deducted from the carrying value of these notes.



52


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



8.0% Senior Notes due 2024

In April 2019, the Company issued $350 million principal amount of 8.0% senior notes pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act. The notes mature April 15, 2024, with interest payable semi-annually and represent senior unsecured obligations that rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. The notes may be redeemed prior to maturity, subject to certain limitations and premiums defined in the indenture agreement. The notes are guaranteed by each of the Company's subsidiaries to the extent such subsidiaries guarantee the Company's revolving credit facility. At September 30, 2019, the Company had $6.2 million in unamortized deferred financing fees that were deducted from the carrying value of these notes. The annual effective interest rate of the notes after giving effect to the amortization of financing costs is 8.5%.

The indenture governing the notes requires that, upon the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Decline (each as defined in the indenture), the Company offer to purchase the notes at 101% of their principal amount. If the Company or its restricted subsidiaries dispose of assets, under certain circumstances, the Company will be required to either invest the net cash proceeds from such asset sales in its business within a specified period of time, repay certain senior secured debt or debt of its non-guarantor subsidiaries, or make an offer to purchase a principal amount of the notes equal to the excess net cash proceeds at a purchase price of 100% of their principal amount. The indenture contains covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or distributions, repurchase equity, prepay subordinated debt and make certain investments; incur additional debt or issue mandatorily redeemable equity; incur liens on assets; merge or consolidate with another company or sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; enter into transactions with affiliates; and allow to exist certain restrictions on the ability of subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments.

At September 30, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all of the limitations and restrictions associated with its senior note obligations.




53


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



Note 9 — Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. In arriving at a fair value measurement, the Company uses a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable. The three levels of inputs used to establish fair value are the following:
Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 — Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The Company elected not to use the fair value option for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and debt.


For the financial assets and liabilities that the Company does not reflect at fair value, the following tables present both their respective carrying value and fair value at September 30, 2019 and 2018.
 
 
 
Fair Value at September 30, 2019
 
Carrying Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents (a)
$
382.8

 
$
382.8

 
$

 
$

 
$
382.8

Debt (b)
460.5

 

 
497.3

 

 
497.3

 
 
 
Fair Value at September 30, 2018
 
Carrying Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents (a)
$
318.8

 
$
318.8

 
$

 
$

 
$
318.8

Restricted cash (a)
16.2

 
16.2

 

 

 
16.2

Debt (b)
112.4

 

 
113.2

 

 
113.2

 _____________________
(a)
The fair values of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature and are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.
(b)
At September 30, 2019 and 2018, debt consisted of the Company's senior and convertible senior notes. The fair value of the senior notes is determined based on quoted prices, which is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

Non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis principally include real estate assets which the Company reviews for indicators of potential impairment and performs impairment evaluations when necessary. Real estate impairment charges are included in cost of sales in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.



54


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



Note 10 — Earnings per Share

The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2017
 
(In millions, except share data)
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Forestar Group Inc.
$
33.0

 
$
68.8

 
$
4.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued operations
 
 
 
 
 
Net income from discontinued operations available for diluted earnings per share
$

 
$

 
$
46.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic
41,974,429

 
41,938,987

 
42,142,690

Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation
30,712

 
30,069

 
238,333

Total weighted average shares outstanding — diluted
42,005,141

 
41,969,056

 
42,381,023

Anti-dilutive awards excluded from diluted weighted average shares

 

 
1,093,394


The Company intends to settle the principal amount of its convertible senior notes in cash with any excess conversion value to be settled in shares of its common stock. Therefore, only the amount in excess of the par value of the notes will be included in the calculation of diluted net income per share using the treasury stock method. As such, the notes have no impact on diluted net income per share until the price of the Company's common stock exceeds the conversion price of the notes of $51.42. The price of the Company's common stock did not exceed the conversion price in any of the periods presented.



Note 11 — Income Taxes

Income tax expense from continuing operations consists of:
 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2017
 
(In millions)
Current tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Federal
$
(0.3
)
 
$
(0.5
)
 
$
44.2

State and other
0.3

 

 
3.4

 

 
(0.5
)
 
47.6

Deferred tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Federal
9.1

 
(23.5
)
 
(1.7
)
State and other
0.3

 
(1.3
)
 
(0.1
)
 
9.4

 
(24.8
)
 
(1.8
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
$
9.4

 
$
(25.3
)
 
$
45.8





55


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to the Company's effective income tax rate from continuing operations follows:
 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2017
Federal statutory rate (benefit)
21
%
 
21
 %
 
35
 %
State, net of federal benefit
1

 
4

 
3

Valuation allowance

 
(81
)
 
(42
)
Tax rate change due to new tax act

 

 
40

Noncontrolling interests
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Stock based compensation

 

 
11

Goodwill

 

 
25

Merger costs

 

 
18

Other

 

 
(1
)
Effective tax rate
21
 %
 
(57
)%
 
88
 %

The effective tax rate for all years includes an expense for state income taxes and non-deductible expenses, reduced by a tax benefit related to noncontrolling interests. The Company's effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 also includes a benefit for the release of its federal valuation allowance and a portion of its state valuation allowance associated with its deferred tax assets. The Company's effective tax rate for 2017 includes an expense for non-deductible goodwill related to the sale of its owned mineral interests and non-deductible transaction costs related to its merger with D.R. Horton. Other differences, including the remeasurement of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act), are fully offset by a change in its valuation allowance.

Significant components of deferred taxes are:
 
September 30, 2019
 
September 30, 2018
 
(In millions)
Deferred Tax Assets:
 
 
 
Real estate
$
10.2

 
$
11.0

Employee benefits
1.5

 
1.5

Net operating loss carryforwards
15.1

 
17.7

AMT credits
0.6

 
1.2

Accruals not deductible until paid
0.2

 
0.4

Gross deferred tax assets
27.6

 
31.8

Valuation allowance
(3.3
)
 
(3.4
)
Deferred tax asset net of valuation allowance
24.3

 
28.4

Deferred Tax Liabilities:
 
 
 
Deferral of profit on lot sales
(6.4
)
 

Convertible debt
(0.5
)
 
(1.5
)
Gross deferred tax liabilities
(6.9
)
 
(1.5
)
Net Deferred Tax Asset
$
17.4

 
$
26.9


In October 2017, D.R. Horton acquired 75% of the Company's common stock resulting in an ownership change under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Section 382 limits the Company's ability to use certain tax attributes and built-in losses and deductions in a given year. Any tax attributes or built-in losses and deductions that were limited in 2018 or 2019 are expected to be fully utilized in future years with the exception of some state net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards.


56


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



At September 30, 2019, the Company had tax benefits of $11.4 million related to federal NOL carryforwards, none of which have an expiration date. At September 30, 2019, the Company had tax benefits of $3.7 million related to state NOL carryforwards, of which $3.3 million will expire between 2030 and 2038 while the remaining $0.4 million does not have an expiration date.

At September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company has provided a valuation allowance for its deferred tax asset of $3.3 million and $3.4 million for the portion of the deferred tax assets that the Company has determined is more likely than not to be unrealizable. The valuation allowance was recorded because it is more likely than not that a portion of the Company's state deferred tax assets, primarily NOL carryforwards, will not be realized because the Company is no longer operating in some states or the NOL carryforward periods are too brief to realize the related deferred tax asset. The Company will continue to evaluate both the positive and negative evidence in determining the need for a valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets. Any reversal of the valuation allowance in future periods will impact the effective tax rate.

The Company entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement with D.R. Horton. The Tax Sharing Agreement sets forth an equitable method for reimbursements of tax liabilities or benefits between the Company and D.R. Horton related to state and local income, margin or franchise tax returns that are filed on a unitary basis with D.R. Horton. In accordance with the tax sharing agreement, D.R. Horton reimbursed the Company $0.4 million in fiscal 2019 for its tax benefit generated in the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and in various state jurisdictions. The federal statute of limitations for tax years prior to 2017 is effectively closed and the statute of limitations in major state jurisdictions for tax years prior to 2015 is closed. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently completed an audit of the Company's 2016 tax year with no changes. The Company is not currently being audited by the IRS or any state jurisdictions.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of tax benefits not recognized for book purposes is as follows:
 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2017
 
(In millions)
Balance at beginning of year
$
1.6

 
$
1.1

 
$
2.5

Increases (decreases) for dispositions and other

 
0.5

 
(1.4
)
Balance at end of year
$
1.6

 
$
1.6

 
$
1.1


If the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was recognized at September 30, 2019, it would result in a $1.6 million tax benefit.

The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. In fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017, no significant interest related to unrecognized tax benefits was recognized. At September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were no significant accrued interest or penalties.



Note 12 — Stockholders' Equity

The Company has an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on September 24, 2018, which became effective on October 4, 2018, registering $500 million of equity securities.

On September 30, 2019, the Company issued 6.0 million shares of its common stock for $17.50 per share in a public underwritten offering. Net proceeds from this offering after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other expenses were $100.7 million. As a result of the issuance, D.R. Horton's ownership of the Company's outstanding common shares decreased from 75% to approximately 66%. Following the offering, $394.3 million remains available for issuance under the shelf registration statement.



57


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



Note 13 — Employee Benefit Plans

Retirement Plans

The Company has a 401(k) plan for all employees who have been with the Company for a period of six months or more. The Company matches portions of employees’ voluntary contributions. Additional employer contributions in the form of profit sharing may also be made at the Company’s discretion. The Company recorded expense of $0.2 million in fiscal 2019, $0.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $0.7 million in fiscal 2017 for matching contributions.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

The Company’s Stock Incentive Plan provides for the granting of stock options and restricted stock units to executive officers, other key employees and non-management directors. Restricted stock unit awards may be based on performance (performance-based) or on service over a requisite time period (time-based). Performance-based and time-based RSU equity awards represent the contingent right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock per RSU if the vesting conditions and/or performance criteria are satisfied.

The Company granted time-based RSUs during fiscal 2019 and in the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The time-based RSUs vest annually in equal installments over periods of three to five years and have no voting rights until vested. The following table provides additional information related to time-based RSU activity during fiscal 2019 and in the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
Number of Restricted Stock Units
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
 
Number of Restricted Stock Units
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding at beginning of period
86,500

 
$
18.09

 
85,994

 
$
17.54

Granted
149,400

 
20.24

 
12,000

 
22.35

Vested
(23,740
)
 
18.03

 
(500
)
 
18.40

Cancelled
(11,200
)
 
18.39

 
(10,994
)
 
18.40

Outstanding at end of period
200,960

 
$
19.68

 
86,500

 
$
18.09


The total fair value of shares vested on the vesting date during fiscal 2019, the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and fiscal 2017 was $0.4 million, $0.0 million and $14.9 million, respectively. For fiscal 2019, the nine months ended September 30, 2018, and fiscal 2017, compensation expense related to time-based RSUs was $1.3 million, $0.3 million and $5.0 million respectively, and fiscal 2019 includes $0.6 million of stock based compensation expense related to employees that were retirement eligible on the date of grant. These expenses are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. At September 30, 2019, there was $2.6 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested time-based RSU awards. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.



58


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



Note 14 — Commitments and Contingencies

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In support of the Company's residential lot development business, it issues letters of credit under the revolving credit facility and it has a surety bond program that provides financial assurance to beneficiaries related to the execution and performance of certain development obligations. At September 30, 2019, the Company had outstanding letters of credit of $29.7 million under the revolving credit facility and surety bonds of $158.8 million, issued by third parties to secure performance under various contracts. The Company expects that its performance obligations secured by these letters of credit and bonds will generally be completed in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the applicable contractual terms. When the Company completes its performance obligations, the related letters of credit and bonds are generally released shortly thereafter, leaving the Company with no continuing obligations. The Company has no material third-party guarantees.

Litigation

The Company is involved in various legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business and believes that adequate reserves have been established for any probable losses. The Company does not believe that the outcome of any of these proceedings will have a significant adverse effect on its financial position, long-term results of operations or cash flows. It is possible, however, that charges related to these matters could be significant to the Company's results or cash flows in any one accounting period.

Other Commitments

The Company leases facilities and equipment under non-cancelable long-term operating lease agreements. In addition, the Company has various obligations under other office space and equipment leases of less than one year. Rent expense for facilities and equipment was $0.7 million in fiscal 2019, $0.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $2.1 million in fiscal 2017. Future minimum rental commitments, by fiscal year, under non-cancelable operating leases having an initial or remaining term in excess of one year are: 2020 — $0.7 million; 2021 — $0.6 million; 2022 — $0.5 million; 2023 — $0.4 million; 2024 — $0.3 million; and thereafter —$0.0 million.



Note 15 —Related Party Transactions

In October 2017, the Company entered into a Shared Services Agreement with D.R. Horton whereby D.R. Horton provides the Company with certain administrative, compliance, operational and procurement services. During fiscal 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company paid D.R. Horton $2.1 million and $0.9 million for these shared services and $1.4 million and $0.9 million for the cost of health insurance and other employee benefits. These expenses are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement with D.R. Horton. The Tax Sharing Agreement sets forth an equitable method for reimbursements of tax liabilities or benefits between the Company and D.R. Horton related to state and local income, margin or franchise tax returns that are filed on a unitary basis with D.R. Horton. In accordance with the tax sharing agreement, D.R. Horton reimbursed the Company $0.4 million in fiscal 2019 for its tax benefit generated in the nine months ended September 30, 2018.


59


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



Under the terms of the Master Supply Agreement with D.R. Horton, both companies identify land development opportunities to expand Forestar's portfolio of assets. At September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company owned or controlled through option purchase contracts approximately 38,300 and 20,100 residential lots, of which D.R. Horton had the following involvement.
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(Dollars in millions)
Residential lots under contract to sell to D.R. Horton
12,800

 
5,500

Residential lots subject to right of first offer with D.R. Horton
10,600

 
8,100

Earnest money deposits from D.R. Horton for lots under contract
$
88.7

 
$
45.3

Remaining purchase price of lots under contract with D.R. Horton
$
953.8

 
$
522.2


During fiscal 2019, the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and fiscal 2017, the Company's residential lot sales totaled 4,132, 1,024 and 937, and lot sales revenues were $351.7 million, $72.0 million and $83.9 million. Lot and land sales to D.R. Horton during those periods were as follows.
 
Year Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2018
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2017
 
(Dollars in millions)
Residential single-family lots sold to D.R. Horton
3,728

 
642

 
26

Residential lot sales revenues from sales to D.R. Horton
$
311.7

 
$
43.6

 
$
1.2

Residential tract acres sold to D.R. Horton
290

 
79

 
96

Residential tract sales revenues from sales to D.R. Horton
$
10.9

 
$
2.0

 
$
4.0


In addition, the net impact of the change in contract liabilities or revenue deferrals increased revenues on lot sales to D.R. Horton by $4.0 million in fiscal 2019 and decreased revenues by $6.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, a venture in which the Company owns a 37.5% interest sold 40 residential tract acres to D.R. Horton for $7.8 million. The Company's share of these earnings was $2.5 million, which is included in equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures in its consolidated statements of operations.

During fiscal 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company reimbursed D.R. Horton approximately $34.5 million and $21.2 million for previously paid earnest money and $13.1 million and $15.2 million for pre-acquisition and other due diligence and development costs related to land purchase contracts whereby D.R. Horton assigned its rights under these land purchase contracts to the Company.

During fiscal 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company paid D.R. Horton $2.4 million and $0.6 million for land development services. These amounts are included in cost of sales in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

At September 30, 2019 and 2018, undeveloped land was $17.1 million and $34.9 million. Undeveloped land primarily consists of undeveloped land which the Company has the contractual right to sell to D.R. Horton within approximately one year of its purchase or, if D.R. Horton elects, at an earlier date, at a sales price equal to the carrying value of the land at the time of sale plus additional consideration which ranges from 12% to 16% per annum. In fiscal 2019, the Company sold approximately 63 acres of undeveloped land to a third party for approximately $44.2 million. In conjunction with the sale, the Company paid D.R. Horton a fee of approximately $2.1 million to terminate an existing purchase and sale agreement whereby D.R. Horton had the option to purchase the property at a fixed price. This termination fee is included in cost of sales in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

At September 30, 2019 and 2018, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheets included $2.2 million and $3.3 million owed to D.R. Horton for any accrued and unpaid shared service charges, land purchase contract deposits and due diligence and other development cost reimbursements.


60


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



Note 16 — Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

Consolidated quarterly results of operations for fiscal year 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were (in millions, except per share amounts):
 
Three Months
Ended
December 31, 2018
 
Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2019
 
Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2019
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2019
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
$
38.5

 
$
65.3

 
$
88.2

 
$
236.3

Income before income taxes
4.9

 
16.4

 
8.4

 
16.0

Income tax expense
1.0

 
3.6

 
1.5

 
3.4

Net income
3.9

 
12.8

 
6.9

 
12.6

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
0.6

 
2.7

 

 
(0.1
)
Net income attributable to Forestar Group Inc.
3.3

 
10.1

 
6.9

 
12.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share — basic
$
0.08

 
$
0.24

 
$
0.16

 
$
0.30

Net income per share — diluted
$
0.08

 
$
0.24

 
$
0.16

 
$
0.30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2018
 
Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2018
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2018
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
 
$
22.6

 
$
23.6

 
$
32.2

Income before income taxes
 
4.7

 
10.4

 
29.6

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
0.1

 
0.1

 
(25.6
)
Net income
 
4.6

 
10.3

 
55.2

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
0.1

 
0.9

 
0.3

Net income attributable to Forestar Group Inc.
 
4.5

 
9.4

 
54.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share — basic
 
$
0.11

 
$
0.22

 
$
1.31

Net income per share — diluted
 
$
0.11

 
$
0.22

 
$
1.31


The income tax benefit in the three months ended September 30, 2018 was due to a reduction in the Company's valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets during the quarter.


61


FORESTAR GROUP INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)



Note 17— Transition Period Comparative Data

The following table presents certain financial information for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in millions, except per share amounts).
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
Revenues
$
78.3

 
$
83.5

Cost of sales
49.5

 
90.1

Selling, general and administrative expense
19.4

 
51.2

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures
(4.8
)
 
(10.9
)
Gain on sale of assets
(27.8
)
 
(113.4
)
Interest expense
3.7

 
6.4

Interest and other income
(6.4
)
 
(2.4
)
Income from continuing operations before taxes
44.7

 
62.5

Income tax (benefit) expense
(25.3
)
 
33.4

Net income from continuing operations
70.0

 
29.1

Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

 
38.8

Net income
70.0

 
67.9

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
1.2

 
0.1

Net income attributable to Forestar Group Inc.
$
68.8

 
$
67.8

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
Basic
41.9

 
42.2

Diluted
42.0

 
42.5

Net Income per Basic Share:
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
1.64

 
$
0.69

Discontinued operations
$

 
$
0.92

Net income per basic share
$
1.64

 
$
1.61

Net Income per Diluted Share:
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
1.64

 
$
0.68

Discontinued operations
$

 
$
0.91

Net income per diluted share
$
1.64

 
$
1.59



62





Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

(a) Disclosure controls and procedures

Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act and were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Internal control over financial reporting

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting and the report of our independent registered public accounting firm are included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(c) Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information.

None.


63





PART III
 
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

The information required by this item is set forth under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” and “Board Matters” in our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

The information required by this item is set forth under the captions “Executive Compensation” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

The information required by this item is set forth under the captions “Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans” and “Voting Securities and Principal Stockholders” in our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

The information required by this item is set forth under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” and “Board Matters” in our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The information required by this item is set forth under the caption “Proposal to Ratify the Selection of Ernst & Young as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.



64





PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)
Documents filed as part of this report.
(1)
 Financial Statements
Our Consolidated Financial Statements are included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(2)
Financial Statement Schedules
Schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are omitted because they are not required under the related instructions or are not applicable, or because the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(3)
 Exhibits
The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index in (b) below are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(b)
Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit
2.1
 
3.1
 
3.2
 
3.3
 
3.4
 
4.1
 
4.2
 
4.3
 
4.4
 
4.5
 
4.6*
 
10.1†
 
10.2†
 
10.3†
 


65





10.4†
 
10.5†
 
10.6†*
 
10.7
 
10.8
 
10.9
 
10.10
 
10.11†
 
10.12†
 
10.13†
 
10.14†
 
10.15†
 
10.16†
 
10.17
 
10.18
 
10.19†
 
10.20†
 
10.21
 
21.1*
 
23.1*
 
31.1*
 


66





31.2*
 
32.1*
 
32.2*
 
101.1**
 
The following materials from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
  _____________________
*
Filed or furnished herewith.
**
Submitted electronically herewith.
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.


 
 
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
None.
 


67





SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
Forestar Group Inc.
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 21, 2019
By:
/s/ Bill W. Wheat
 
 
 
Bill W. Wheat
 
 
 
Principal Financial Officer


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date
/s/ Daniel C. Bartok
 
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
November 21, 2019
Daniel C. Bartok
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Bill W. Wheat
 
Principal Financial Officer
 
November 21, 2019
Bill W. Wheat
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Aron M. Odom
 
Principal Accounting Officer
 
November 21, 2019
Aron M. Odom
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Donald J. Tomnitz
 
Executive
Chairman of the Board
 
November 21, 2019
Donald J. Tomnitz
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Samuel R. Fuller
 
Director
 
November 21, 2019
Samuel R. Fuller
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Lisa H. Jamieson
 
Director
 
November 21, 2019
Lisa H. Jamieson
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ G.F. (Rick) Ringler, III
 
Director
 
November 21, 2019
G.F. (Rick) Ringler, III
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Donald C. Spitzer
 
Director
 
November 21, 2019
Donald C. Spitzer
 
 
 


68


Exhibit 4.6

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
As of the date of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this exhibit is a part, Forestar Group Inc. (the “Company”) has one class of security registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”): our common stock, $1.00 par value per share.

Description of Common Stock

The following description of our common stock is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) and our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended (the “Bylaws”), each of which are incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this exhibit is a part. We encourage you to read our Charter, our Bylaws and the applicable provisions of Delaware General Corporation Law for additional information.
Voting Rights. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. The vote of the holders of a majority of votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, present in person or represented by proxy, is generally required to take stockholder action, unless a greater vote is required by law. The holders are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of directors. Our Charter and Bylaws provide that all of our directors will be of one class and will be elected annually. Director nominees in uncontested elections must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected, and director nominees in contested elections must receive a plurality of the votes cast to be elected.
Stockholder’s Agreement. In connection with D.R. Horton, Inc.’s acquisition of 75% of our outstanding shares in October 2017 through the merger of the Company with a wholly-owned subsidiary of D.R. Horton, we entered into a Stockholder’s Agreement with D.R. Horton (the “Stockholder’s Agreement”) that provides for certain board and board committee appointment rights. Under the terms of the Stockholder’s Agreement and the Charter, at all times when D.R. Horton and its affiliates beneficially own 20% or more of our voting securities, our Board of Directors (the “Board”) will have five directors unless otherwise agreed in writing between us (as approved by a majority of our independent directors) and D.R. Horton, and D.R. Horton will have the right to designate a number of directors equal to the percentage of our voting securities beneficially owned by D.R. Horton and its affiliates multiplied by the total number of directors that we would have if there were no vacancies, rounded up to the nearest whole number (and in any event not less than one). We and D.R. Horton have also each agreed to use reasonable best efforts to cause at least three of the directors to be considered “independent” under the rules of the SEC and under applicable listing standards.
Pursuant to the Charter, any director may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to elect such director, voting separately as a class, at a duly organized meeting of stockholders or by written consent; provided that no D.R. Horton designee may be removed without the prior written consent of D.R. Horton. Pursuant to the Stockholder’s Agreement, D.R. Horton has agreed to cause its shares of our common stock not to be voted in favor of the removal of any director not designated by D.R. Horton other than for cause.
Pre-Emptive Rights. During the term of the Stockholder’s Agreement, D.R. Horton has a pre-emptive right (but not the obligation) to participate in any issuance of our equity or other securities by purchasing up to D.R. Horton’s and its subsidiaries’ pro rata portion of such equity or other securities at the price and otherwise upon the same terms and conditions as offered to other investors. This pre-emptive right generally will not apply to equity issuances (i) pursuant to compensation and benefits plans approved by the Board, (ii) in connection with any proportionate stock split or stock dividend or recapitalization approved by the Board, (iii) as consideration in any direct or indirect acquisition or business combination by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or (iv) upon conversion of our or any of our subsidiaries’ notes, debentures or other indebtedness in accordance with the terms of such notes, debentures or other indebtedness. Other than such pre-emptive rights of D.R. Horton, holders of shares of the common stock are not entitled to pre-emptive rights.






Redemption Rights. The Charter provides that outstanding shares of our common stock and preferred stock will always be subject to redemption by us, if in the judgment of the Board such action should be taken, pursuant to Section 151(b) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (or by any other applicable provision of law), to the extent necessary to prevent the loss or secure the reinstatement of any license or franchise from any governmental agency we hold to conduct any portion of our business, which license or franchise is conditioned upon some or all of the holders of our common stock of any class or series possessing prescribed qualifications.
Dividends. Subject to prior dividend rights of the holders of any preferred stock and any other class or series of stock having a preference as to dividends over our common stock, holders of shares of our common stock will be entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Board, subject to the rights of D.R. Horton under the Stockholder’s Agreement.
Other Rights. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our Company, after the satisfaction in full of the liquidation preferences of holders of any preferred stock, holders of shares of our common stock will be entitled to ratable distribution of the remaining assets available for distribution to stockholders. Our common stock will not be subject to redemption by operation of a sinking fund. The outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.
Anti-Takeover Effects. In addition to the provisions described above regarding D.R. Horton’s rights with respect to membership of the Board, the following provisions in the Charter, Stockholder’s Agreement or Bylaws may make a takeover of our Company more difficult: 
an article in the Charter prohibiting us from taking certain actions without the prior written consent of D.R. Horton for so long as D.R. Horton and its affiliates beneficially own 35% or more of our voting securities;
provisions in the Charter and the Stockholder’s Agreement providing that, for so long as D.R. Horton and its affiliates beneficially own 20% or more of our voting securities, we will not amend or seek to amend the Charter or the Bylaws in any manner that could limit, restrict or adversely affect the rights of any stockholder under the Stockholder’s Agreement;
a provision in the Bylaws providing that special meetings of stockholders may only be called by the chairman of the Board or pursuant to a written request by a majority of the entire Board. Only such business as is specified in the notice of any special meeting of the stockholders shall come before such meeting; and
a provision in the Bylaws containing advance notice procedures for stockholders to make nominations of candidates for election as directors or to bring other business before a meeting of the stockholders. The business to be conducted at an annual meeting is limited to business properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof or by a stockholder of record who has given timely written notice to our Company’s secretary of that stockholder’s intention to bring such business before the meeting.

These provisions may delay stockholder actions with respect to business combinations and the election of new members to the Board. As such, the provisions could discourage open market purchases of our common stock because a stockholder who desires to participate in a business combination or elect a new director may consider them disadvantageous. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock could delay or prevent a change of control or other corporate action.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute. Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law prevents an “interested stockholder” from engaging in a “business combination” with us for three years following the date that person became an interested stockholder, unless: 
before that person became an interested stockholder, our Board approved the transaction in which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder or approved the business combination;
upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the interested stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding stock held by persons who are both directors and officers of our corporation or by certain employee stock plans; or
on or following the date on which that person became an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by our Board and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of our outstanding voting stock excluding shares held by the interested stockholder.







An “interested stockholder” is generally a person owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock. A “business combination” includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder.
We are not governed by Section 203 until such time as D.R. Horton gives public notice that it owns less than 15% of our voting securities, at which time we will once again become governed by Section 203.
Corporate Opportunities. Pursuant to the Stockholder’s Agreement, D.R. Horton and its affiliates, and their respective representatives, shall not in any way be prohibited or restricted from engaging or investing in any business opportunity of any type or description, and we shall not have any right in or to such business opportunities or to the income or proceeds derived therefrom. None of D.R. Horton, its affiliates or their respective representatives will be obligated to present any business opportunity to us or any other stockholder, even if the opportunity is of the character that, if presented to us, we could take, or if presented to any other stockholder, could be taken by such stockholder, unless the opportunity is offered to an individual who is both an affiliate of D.R. Horton and an officer or director of ours and the offer is made in writing to the individual in his or her capacity as an officer or director of our Company.
Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
NYSE Listing. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FOR.”




Exhibit 21.1
FORESTAR GROUP INC.
SUBSIDIARIES

Legal Entity
 
Jurisdiction
 
% Ownership
Forestar (USA) Real Estate Group Inc.
 
Delaware
 
100%
4S/RPG Land Company LP
 
Texas
 
100%
CL Realty, LLC
 
Delaware
 
50%
CL Texas I GP, L.L.C.
 
Georgia
 
100%
CL/RPG Land Company, LP
 
Texas
 
100%
CREA FMF Nashville LLC
 
Delaware
 
30%
FirstLand Investment Corporation
 
Texas
 
100%
FMF Development LLC
 
Delaware
 
100%
Forestar Real Estate Group Inc.
 
Delaware
 
100%
Forestar Realty Inc.
 
Delaware
 
100%
Forestar Walker Drive, LLC
 
Delaware
 
100%
TEMCO Associates, LLC
 
Georgia
 
50%
FORCO Real Estate Inc.
 
Delaware
 
100%
Forestar/MWC WCF LLC
 
Delaware
 
90%
GBF/LIC 288, Ltd.
 
Texas
 
75%
Hickory Hill Development, LP
 
Texas
 
100%
LM Land Holdings, LP
 
Texas
 
38%
Mont 200 LLC
 
Texas
 
100%
SWR Holdings LLC
 
Delaware
 
100%
Sustainable Water Resources LLC
 
Texas
 
100%
Timber Creek Properties LLC
 
Delaware
 
88%





Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:
1) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-148375) of Forestar Group Inc.,
2) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-159214) of Forestar Group Inc.,
3) Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-179612) of Forestar Group Inc.,
4) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-224803) of Forestar Group Inc., and
5) Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-227505) of Forestar Group Inc.
of our reports dated November 21, 2019, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Forestar Group Inc. and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Forestar Group Inc. included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Forestar Group Inc. for the year ended September 30, 2019.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
 
Fort Worth, Texas
November 21, 2019





Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13a-14(a)
I, Daniel C. Bartok, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Forestar Group Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/ Daniel C. Bartok
 
Daniel C. Bartok
 
Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 21, 2019





Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13a-14(a)
I, Bill W. Wheat, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Forestar Group Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/ Bill W. Wheat
 
Bill W. Wheat
 
Principal Financial Officer
Date: November 21, 2019





Exhibit 32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Daniel C. Bartok, Chief Executive Officer of Forestar Group Inc., hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge, this Annual Report on Form 10-K fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Forestar Group Inc.
/s/ Daniel C. Bartok
 
Daniel C. Bartok
 

November 21, 2019





Exhibit 32.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Bill W. Wheat, Principal Financial Officer of Forestar Group Inc., hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge, this Annual Report on Form 10-K fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Forestar Group Inc.
/s/ Bill W. Wheat
 
Bill W. Wheat
 

November 21, 2019