Definitive Proxy Statement
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.     )

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   Definitive Proxy Statement      

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   Definitive Additional Materials      

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   Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12      

D.R. Horton, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

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LOGO

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held On

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Dear Fellow Stockholder of D.R. Horton:

You are invited to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of D.R. Horton, America’s Builder. Our 2014 Annual Meeting will be held at our corporate offices located at: D.R. Horton Tower, 301 Commerce Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, on Thursday, January 23, 2014, at 10:00 a.m., central time, for the following purposes:

 

   

To elect the six directors named in our proxy statement;

 

   

To seek an advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation;

 

   

To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm; and

 

   

To conduct other business properly brought before the meeting.

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on Monday, December 2, 2013, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2014 Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

While we would like to have each of you attend the meeting and vote your shares in person, we realize this may not be possible. However, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, your vote is very important. For convenience of our stockholders, proxies may be given either by telephone, electronically through the Internet, or by mail.

A form of proxy on which to indicate your vote by mail and an envelope, postage prepaid, in which to return your proxy are enclosed. WE URGE YOU TO COMPLETE AND RETURN YOUR PROXY BY ONE OF THESE METHODS SO THAT YOUR SHARES WILL BE REPRESENTED. If you decide later to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting, you may revoke your proxy at that time and vote your shares in person. If you desire any additional information concerning the 2014 Annual Meeting, we would be glad to hear from you.

Very truly yours,

 

LOGO

DONALD R. HORTON

Chairman of the Board

Fort Worth, Texas

December 19, 2013


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

     Cover Page   

GENERAL

     1   

Time, Place and Purposes of Meeting

     1   

Solicitation of Proxies

     1   

Revocation and Voting of Proxies

     1   

Outstanding Shares and Voting Rights

     2   

Quorum Requirement

     2   

Vote Required

     2   

Stockholders Sharing the Same Address

     3   

Future Stockholder Communications through the Internet

     4   

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held January 23, 2014

     4   

PROPOSAL ONE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     5   

Nominees for Director

     6   

Other Executive Officers

     7   

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS

     8   

Corporate Governance Standards

     8   

Board Leadership Structure, Board’s Role in Risk Oversight and Board and Committee Meetings

     13   

Compensation of Directors

     18   

Director Compensation for Fiscal Year 2013

     19   

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK

     20   

Management

     20   

Certain Other Beneficial Owners

     21   

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     22   

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

     22   

Process for Determining Compensation

     25   

Components of Compensation

     26   

Compensation Committee Report

     39   

Executive Compensation Tables

     40   

Summary Compensation Table

     40   

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

     42   

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

     43   

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

     44   

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans

     44   

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table

     45   

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

     46   

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control Table

     48   

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

     50   

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

     50   

PROPOSAL TWO — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     51   

 

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     Page

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

   52

Audit Fees and All Other Fees

   52

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services

   52

Audit Committee Report

   53

PROPOSAL THREE  — RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

   54

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

   55

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2015 ANNUAL MEETING

   55

REQUESTING DOCUMENTS FROM THE COMPANY

   55

OTHER MATTERS

   56

 

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LOGO

D.R. Horton Tower

301 Commerce Street

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

www.drhorton.com

PROXY STATEMENT

for the

2014 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held On January 23, 2014

GENERAL

Time, Place and Purposes of Meeting

Our 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2014, at 10:00 a.m., central time, at our corporate offices located at D.R. Horton Tower, 301 Commerce Street, Fort Worth, Texas. The purposes of the 2014 Annual Meeting are set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders to which this Proxy Statement is attached. D.R. Horton, Inc. is referred to as “D.R. Horton,” the “Company,” “we,” and “our” in this Proxy Statement.

Solicitation of Proxies

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of D.R. Horton. D.R. Horton expects that this Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy will first be released to our stockholders of record on or about December 19, 2013. The cost of this solicitation will be paid by D.R. Horton. The solicitation of proxies will be made primarily by use of the mail. In addition, directors, officers and regular employees of D.R. Horton may make solicitations without special compensation by telephone, facsimile, e-mail or personal interview. They may request banks, brokers, fiduciaries and other persons holding stock in their names, or in the names of their nominees, to forward proxies and proxy materials to their principals and obtain authorization for the execution and return of such proxies to management. D.R. Horton will reimburse such banks, brokers and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for this service.

Revocation and Voting of Proxies

Stockholders may vote by marking, signing and dating each proxy card received and returning it in the prepaid envelope, by telephone or electronically through the Internet by following the instructions included on the enclosed proxy card or by casting votes in person at the meeting. The telephone and Internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate votes cast by use of a personal identification number. The procedures, which are designed to comply with Delaware law, allow stockholders to appoint a proxy to vote their shares and to confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded. Stockholders who hold shares in “street name” through a broker or other nominee may be able to vote by telephone or electronically through the Internet in accordance with the voting instructions provided by that institution.

Any proxy given may be revoked by a stockholder at any time before it is exercised by filing with D.R. Horton a notice in writing revoking it, by duly executing and returning a proxy bearing a later date or by voting by telephone or Internet. Proxies also may be revoked by any stockholder present at the 2014 Annual Meeting who expresses a desire to vote his or her shares in person. If you require directions to our meeting, please contact Investor Relations at (817) 390-8200. Subject to such revocation and except as otherwise stated herein or in the form of proxy, all proxies duly executed and received prior to, or at the time of, the 2014 Annual Meeting will be


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voted in accordance with the specifications of the proxies. If no specification is made, proxies will be voted as follows: (i) FOR each of the nominees for election of directors (see Proposal One on page 5), (ii) FOR the adoption of the advisory resolution on executive compensation (see Proposal Two on page 51), and (iii) FOR ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm (see Proposal Three on page 54), and at the discretion of the proxy holders on all other matters properly brought before the 2014 Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Outstanding Shares and Voting Rights

December 2, 2013 has been set as the record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 2014 Annual Meeting. There were 323,390,691 shares of D.R. Horton’s Common Stock, $.01 par value, issued and outstanding on the record date. On any matter submitted to a stockholder vote, each holder of Common Stock will be entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each issued and outstanding share of Common Stock registered in his or her name on the books of D.R. Horton as of the record date. A list of such stockholders will be available for examination by any stockholder at the offices of D.R. Horton set forth above for at least ten days before the 2014 Annual Meeting.

Quorum Requirement

The D.R. Horton Bylaws provide that if the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote are present in person or represented by proxy, there will be a quorum. The aggregate number of votes entitled to be cast by all stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the 2014 Annual Meeting, whether those stockholders vote for, against or abstain from voting on any matter, will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists. Broker non-votes, which are described below under “Vote Required,” will be considered present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists.

Vote Required

 

NOTICE:    Brokers and banks are not permitted to vote on certain non-routine proposals without instructions from the beneficial owner, as discussed in more detail below. Proposal One and Proposal Two are non-routine proposals. Therefore, if your shares are held through a broker, bank or other nominee, your shares will not be voted on Proposal One and Proposal Two unless you provide voting instructions to your broker or bank as described herein.

If your shares are held in a brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in “street name.” If a broker or bank holds your shares, you may have received this Proxy Statement directly from them, together with instructions as to how to direct the broker or bank to vote your shares. If you intend to have your vote counted, it is important that you return your voting instructions to your broker or bank. Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), a broker or bank has the authority to vote on certain “routine” proposals without voting instructions from the beneficial owner. A “broker non-vote” occurs when the broker or bank is unable to vote on a “non-routine” proposal because it does not have discretionary authority and the beneficial owner has not provided voting instructions. Brokers or banks may not vote on Proposal One and Proposal Two at the 2014 Annual Meeting without voting instructions from the beneficial owner because those proposals are non-routine proposals. Brokers and banks may vote on Proposal Three at the 2014 Annual Meeting without voting instructions from the beneficial owner because this proposal is routine.

 

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The following table reflects the vote required for each proposal and the effect of broker non-votes and abstentions on the vote, assuming a quorum is present at the meeting:

 

Proposal   Vote Required   NYSE Routine and Non-Routine Matters:
Effect of Broker Non-Votes and
Abstentions
(1)   Election of Directors     (1   The number of shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of shares voted “against” that director     (1  

Non-Routine:    Brokers and banks do not have discretionary authority to vote on this proposal in the event voting instructions are not received from street-name holder

 

Broker non-votes have no effect Abstentions have no effect

(2)   Advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation     (2   An affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our common stock which has voting power present in person or represented by proxy and is entitled to vote     (2  

Non-Routine:    Brokers and banks do not have discretionary authority to vote on this proposal in the event voting instructions are not received from street-name holder

 

Broker non-votes have no effect Abstentions have the same effect as a vote against the proposal

(3)   Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm     (3   An affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our common stock which has voting power present in person or represented by proxy and is entitled to vote     (3)     

Routine:    Brokers and banks have discretionary authority to vote on this proposal in the event voting instructions are not received from street-name holder

 

Broker non-votes have no effect Abstentions have the same effect as a vote against the proposal

Stockholders Sharing the Same Address

The broker, bank or other nominee of any stockholder who is a beneficial owner, but not the record holder, of the Company’s Common Stock may deliver only one copy of this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report to multiple stockholders sharing an address, unless the broker, bank or nominee has received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders.

In addition, with respect to record holders, in some cases, only one copy of this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address, unless the Company has received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. Upon written or oral request, the Company will deliver free of charge a separate copy of this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy was delivered. You can notify your broker, bank or other nominee (if you are not the record holder) or the Company (if you are the record holder) that you wish to receive a separate copy of our proxy statements and annual reports in the future, or alternatively, that you wish to receive a single copy of the materials instead of multiple copies. The Company’s contact information for these purposes is: D.R. Horton, Inc., Attention: Thomas B. Montano, Corporate Counsel, D.R. Horton Tower, 301 Commerce Street, Suite 500, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, telephone number: (817) 390-8200, or e-mail: tbmontano@drhorton.com.

 

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Future Stockholder Communications through the Internet

Stockholders may elect to receive future notices of meetings, proxy materials and annual reports electronically through the Internet. The consent of stockholders who have previously consented to electronic delivery will remain in effect until withdrawn. To consent to electronic delivery:

 

   

stockholders whose shares are registered in their own name, and not in “street name” through a broker or other nominee, may simply log in to www.proxyvote.com, the Internet site maintained by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. and follow the step-by-step instructions; and

 

   

stockholders whose shares are registered in “street name” through a broker or other nominee must first vote their shares using the Internet, at: www.proxyvote.com, the Internet site maintained by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., and immediately after voting, fill out the consent form that appears on-screen at the end of the Internet voting procedure.

The consent to receive stockholder communications through the Internet may be withdrawn at any time to resume receiving stockholder communications in printed form.

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR

THE STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD JANUARY 23, 2014

The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Stockholders are available at

https://materials.proxyvote.com/23331A

 

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PROPOSAL ONE

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Board of Directors currently consists of six members who were elected at the 2013 Annual Meeting and will serve until the 2014 Annual Meeting and until their successors have been elected and qualified.

The Nominating and Governance Committee recommended to the Board of Directors five of our six current directors as director nominees, each of whom is listed below under the heading “Nominees for Director.” Director Bob Scott has attained the age of 75 and due to the Company’s Retirement Age Policy, was not recommended to the Board of Directors as a nominee. Mr. Scott will serve until his successor is elected. The Nominating and Governance Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that Barbara K. Allen fill the vacancy on the Board upon Mr. Scott’s retirement. After review and consideration by the Board of Directors, the Board nominated Donald R. Horton, Barbara K. Allen, Bradley S. Anderson, Michael R. Buchanan, Michael W. Hewatt and Donald J. Tomnitz, as recommended by the Nominating and Governance Committee, for election as directors of D.R. Horton at the 2014 Annual Meeting.

Unless otherwise specified in the accompanying proxy, the shares voted by proxy will be voted for each of the persons named below as nominees for election as directors. Nominees who are elected as directors will be elected for one-year terms and will serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and their successors have been elected and qualified. We do not know of any reason why any of the nominees would be unable to serve. However, if any of the nominees should become unavailable to serve as a director, the Board may designate a substitute nominee or reduce the size of the Board. If the Board designates a substitute nominee, the persons named as proxies will vote “FOR” that substitute nominee.

The D.R. Horton Bylaws require that to be elected, a director nominee must receive a majority of the votes cast with respect to such nominee in uncontested elections (the number of shares voted “for” a director nominee must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that nominee). In a contested election, where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected (which is not the case at the 2014 Annual Meeting), the directors will be elected by a plurality of the shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Under the Corporate Governance Principles of the Company, any director who is not elected is required to tender his or her resignation to the Chairman of the Board within a reasonable time following certification of the vote. The Nominating and Governance Committee, which is composed of only independent directors, will consider the resignation offer and make a recommendation to the Board as to whether to accept or reject the resignation offer, or whether other action should be taken. The Board will act on the Nominating and Governance Committee’s recommendation within 90 days following certification of the election results. Thereafter, the Board will promptly publicly disclose in a report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) its decision regarding the director’s resignation offer (including the reason(s) for rejecting the resignation offer, if applicable).

The Board of Directors Unanimously Recommends that Stockholders Vote “FOR

Each of the Following Director Nominees.

 

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Nominees for Director

The following is a summary of certain information regarding the nominees for election as directors.

DONALD R. HORTON, age 63, director since 1991.    Mr. Horton has been executive Chairman of the Board of D.R. Horton since it was formed in July 1991, and he was President and CEO from July 1991 until November 1998. He has been involved in the real estate and homebuilding industries since 1972, and he was the founder, sole or principal stockholder, director and president of each of D.R. Horton’s predecessor companies since their respective organization, which date from 1978 to 1990.

Key Director Qualifications.    Mr. Horton’s 35 years of extensive experience in the homebuilding industry provides valuable leadership to the Board and to the Company. Mr. Horton brings to the Board his experience as founder of the Company, Chairman of the Board and former CEO and President of the Company and its predecessor companies. Mr. Horton is also the largest individual stockholder of the Company. As founder of the Company, Mr. Horton has a unique understanding of all phases of the homebuilding business. Mr. Horton’s leadership and strategic vision provides the Board and the Company with unique advantages in the homebuilding industry.

BARBARA K. ALLEN, age 67.    Ms. Allen has significant experience researching, analyzing and making investment decisions for housing-related companies. Ms. Allen retired from Avondale Partners in July 2006 where she was a Managing Director and Housing, Construction and Retailing Analyst. From February 1997 until December 2004, she was the Home Construction, Building Materials, Home Furnishing and DIY (Do It Yourself) Retailing Analyst for Natexis Bleichroeder, Inc. Ms. Allen was a Vice President, Equity Research for Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette from January 1993 until January 1996. She served in other roles at Oppenheimer & Company, Kidder, Peabody, Inc., and Prudential Securities prior to January 1993.

Key Director Qualifications.    Ms. Allen’s extensive experience working as an analyst and consultant with housing-related companies will provide valuable knowledge to the Board with regard to investment and strategic related decisions, including operating and financing matters.

BRADLEY S. ANDERSON, age 52, director since 1998.    Mr. Anderson has been an Executive Vice President of CBRE Group, Inc., formerly CB Richard Ellis, Inc., an international real estate brokerage company, since 2009, and he has held various positions in Phoenix, Arizona with its predecessor, CB Commercial Real Estate Group, Inc., since January 1987. He served as Interim Chairman of the Board of Continental Homes Holding Corp. from October 1997 through April 1998, when it merged into D.R. Horton, and he became a director of D.R. Horton at that time. Mr. Anderson has been a member of both the Audit and Compensation Committees since 1998, and he has been a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee since November 2003.

Key Director Qualifications.    Mr. Anderson’s extensive experience working with an international real estate brokerage company allows him to bring beneficial insight and perspective to the Board, as a number of factors that affect the real estate brokerage industry also affect the homebuilding industry. Mr. Anderson also brings to the Board his valuable experience of formerly serving on another public homebuilding company’s board and serving on the Company’s Board and its Committees since 1998.

MICHAEL R. BUCHANAN, age 66, director since 2003.    Mr. Buchanan has significant commercial banking experience with several banking institutions serving the real estate and homebuilding sectors. He retired from commercial banking in March 2002. From March 2002 to March 2003, Mr. Buchanan was engaged as a senior advisor to Banc of America Securities. From 1998 to March 2002, Mr. Buchanan was a Managing Director of Bank of America, an executive officer position in which he was head of its national real estate banking group. From 1990 to 1998, Mr. Buchanan was an Executive Vice President of NationsBank, which later merged with Bank of America. Mr. Buchanan is also a member of the Board of Directors, and member of the capital committee and the compensation committee of Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., a real estate investment trust publicly-traded on the NYSE. Mr. Buchanan was appointed to our Board’s Audit Committee in July 2003, Nominating and Governance Committee in November 2003 and Compensation Committee in January 2004.

 

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Key Director Qualifications.    Mr. Buchanan is a highly experienced commercial banker who served the real estate and homebuilding sectors. His experience in these areas allows him to provide the Board with both a broad-based and a granular perspective on the homebuilding industry. Mr. Buchanan also brings his experience of serving on the board of a real-estate investment trust, thereby providing the Board with additional perspective on the real-estate industry and serving on a board of directors.

MICHAEL W. HEWATT, age 64, director since 2005.    Mr. Hewatt is a certified public accountant performing auditing and tax services as a sole practitioner. He has worked for Hewatt & Associates or its predecessor firms since 1980. From 1971 to 1979, Mr. Hewatt worked in the tax and audit areas at Coopers & Lybrand (currently PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) and was an audit manager for five years during that period. Mr. Hewatt is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, former member of the board of directors of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and former President of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants—Fort Worth Chapter. Mr. Hewatt has been a director of D.R. Horton since 2005 and has been a member of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees since that time.

Key Director Qualifications.    Mr. Hewatt has extensive experience working as a certified public accountant for a national and local firm. This experience enables Mr. Hewatt to provide valuable perspective on accounting, auditing and tax matters to the Board and its Committees.

DONALD J. TOMNITZ, age 65, director since 1995.    Mr. Tomnitz is Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of D.R. Horton. He was a Vice President in charge of various divisions of D.R. Horton from 1983 until he was elected Vice President—Western Region of D.R. Horton in August 1994. From July 1996 until November 1998, Mr. Tomnitz was President of D.R. Horton’s Homebuilding Division; in January 1998 he was elected an Executive Vice President of D.R. Horton; in November 1998 he was elected Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of D.R. Horton; and in March 2000, he became President as well. Mr. Tomnitz previously was a Captain in the U.S. Army, a Vice President of RepublicBank Dallas, N.A., and a Vice President of Crow Development Company, a Trammell Crow company.

Key Director Qualifications.    Mr. Tomnitz’s 30 years of extensive experience in the homebuilding industry provides valuable leadership to the Board and to the Company. Mr. Tomnitz has worked closely with Mr. Horton in the homebuilding industry since 1983. Mr. Tomnitz’s experience in key positions throughout the Company allows him to provide valuable perspective to the Board on the Company’s national, regional and local homebuilding operations. Mr. Tomnitz also brings to the Board his experience as a former banker, land developer and Captain in the U.S. Army. The Board believes the combination of these experiences provides valuable insight and perspective to the Board.

Other Executive Officers

DAVID V. AULD, age 57, is Executive Vice President and the Chief Operating Officer of D.R. Horton, positions he has held since November 2013. Mr. Auld was the Region President of the Company’s East Homebuilding Region from 2005 to 2013. From 1988 to 2005, Mr. Auld served as the Division President of the Company’s Orlando Division. Prior to 1988, Mr. Auld worked for Texas American Bank and General Dynamics.

BILL W. WHEAT, age 47, is Executive Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer of D.R. Horton, positions he has held since 2003. Mr. Wheat was Senior Vice President and Controller from 2000 until 2003. From 1998 until 2000, Mr. Wheat was an Accounting Manager with the Company. From 1991 to 1998, Mr. Wheat held financial and accounting positions with The Bombay Company. Prior to 1991, Mr. Wheat was an auditor with Price Waterhouse LLP (currently PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP). Mr. Wheat also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company from October 2003 to January 2011.

STACEY H. DWYER, age 47, is Executive Vice President and the Treasurer of D.R. Horton, positions she has held since 2000 and 2003, respectively. From 1991 to 2000, Ms. Dwyer was an Assistant Vice President and Assistant Secretary with the Company in progressing roles in accounting, treasury, mergers and acquisitions and investor relations. Prior to 1991, Ms. Dwyer was an auditor with Ernst & Young LLP.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS

Corporate Governance Standards

Our Board of Directors has adopted a number of standards to comply with requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), and the final rules of the NYSE and SEC relating to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and other corporate governance matters. Our Board has adopted the D.R. Horton Corporate Governance Principles, which contain a number of corporate governance initiatives designed to comply with the NYSE listing standards (the “NYSE Rules”), and the rules and regulations of the SEC (the “SEC Rules”) relating to corporate governance. The significant corporate governance initiatives adopted by the Board of Directors are discussed below. The Corporate Governance Principles can be found under the Investors and Corporate Governance links on our website at www.drhorton.com.

Qualifications and Characteristics for Directors

The Nominating and Governance Committee utilizes a variety of methods for identifying nominees for director, including considering potential director candidates who come to the committee’s attention through current officers, directors, professional search firms, stockholders or other persons. Once a potential nominee has been identified, the Nominating and Governance Committee evaluates whether the nominee has appropriate qualifications and characteristics to become a director in light of the current make-up of the Board of Directors. We do not have a formal or informal diversity policy regarding the selection or qualification of directors. We believe that appropriate director qualifications and characteristics include having directors with diverse backgrounds, education, experiences, expertise and perspectives. These qualifications and characteristics are discussed below.

Key Qualifications and Experiences.    As a leading national homebuilding company, we believe certain qualifications and experiences are important to the overall make-up of our Board. We do not require that each director possess each of the qualifications listed below, but rather we look to whether our Board as a whole possesses these qualifications.

Real Estate Experience.    We seek to have directors with expertise or key experience in the real estate industry, which includes experience in homebuilding, land development, real estate brokerage and sales, commercial development and leasing, financing and banking in the real estate industry, or experience in analyzing or consulting in these key areas. These key qualifications enable our Board to understand key operational aspects related to our business of running a national homebuilding company.

Business, Management, Accounting and Finance Experience.    We seek to have directors with expertise or key experience in business, management, accounting, finance or similar positions. We believe these key qualifications are important to the Board as it oversees risks in the Company’s key functional areas of homebuilding operations, financing and liquidity, financial reporting, internal control and regulatory compliance, and compensation.

Strategic Vision and Leadership.    We seek to have directors with expertise or key experiences in positions that require strategic vision, leadership and decision making. We believe directors acquire these key qualifications through experience as executives, managers, entrepreneurs, business owners, directors, consultants, analysts or advisors. We believe these key qualifications are important to the Board, as directors with these attributes provide sound business judgment, leadership and strategic vision to the Board and the Company.

The key qualifications possessed by our nominees are discussed under each nominee’s name and profile beginning on page 6.

Key Characteristics.    In addition to the key qualifications and experiences discussed above, we also believe each member of the Board of Directors should have the following minimum characteristics:

 

   

high personal and professional ethical standards, integrity and values;

 

   

commitment to representing the long-term interests of the stockholders;

 

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practical wisdom, mature judgment and collegiality;

 

   

objectivity and inquisitiveness; and

 

   

willingness to offer his or her resignation in the event of any significant change in personal circumstances that could affect the discharge of his or her responsibilities as a director, including a change in his or her principal job responsibilities.

Ordinarily, directors who serve as chief executive officers or in equivalent positions for other companies should not serve on more than one other board of a public company in addition to the D.R. Horton Board, and other directors should not serve on more than two other boards of public companies in addition to the D.R. Horton Board. Because of the value the Board places on having directors who are knowledgeable about the Company and its operations, neither the Board nor the Nominating and Governance Committee believes that an arbitrary term limit on director service is appropriate.

Retirement Age Policy

On January 25, 2007, our Board adopted a retirement policy for directors. Under the policy, directors may not stand for re-election after they have reached the age of 75. Directors serving on the Board on January 25, 2007, which include all current directors other than Bob G. Scott, are exempt from this policy. If she is elected, Barbara K. Allen will also be subject to this term limitation.

Majority Vote Standard and Resignation Policy

The Company’s Bylaws provide that in an uncontested election of directors, a director nominee must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected. Any current director who is not re-elected is required to tender his or her resignation to the Chairman of the Board within a reasonable time following certification of the vote. Details regarding the majority vote standard and resignation policy are discussed under “Proposal One – Election of Directors” on page 5.

Procedures for Nominating or Recommending for Nomination Candidates for Director

Our Bylaws provide that any stockholder may make nominations for the election of directors if notice of such nominations is delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of D.R. Horton not later than the close of business on the 90th calendar day or earlier than the close of business on the 120th calendar day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. However, in the event that the date of the annual meeting is changed by more than 30 calendar days from the anniversary date of the preceding year’s meeting, for notice by the stockholder to be timely, it must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th calendar day prior to such meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th calendar day prior to such meeting or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such meeting is made. Such public disclosure is defined to mean a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or a document publicly filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In addition, the notice must include information specified in our Bylaws, including information concerning the nominee, the stockholder and the beneficial owner, as the case may be. Because no such nominations have been made in accordance with our Bylaws, only the nominations of the Board of Directors may be voted upon at the 2014 Annual Meeting.

In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee has adopted a policy permitting stockholders to recommend candidates for director for consideration by the committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider candidates recommended by stockholders on the same basis as candidates identified through other means. Stockholders wishing to recommend candidates for election must give notice to the Nominating and Governance Committee by following the same deadlines for notice to submit a nomination outlined in our Bylaws and described above. Each notice must set forth the same information required by our Bylaws to submit a nomination. All recommended candidates shall, at a minimum, possess the characteristics for

 

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directors discussed above. The Nominating and Governance Committee may request additional information to assist in the evaluation of the candidacy of such person.

Director Independence

Our Board of Directors is composed of a majority of independent directors in accordance with the NYSE Rules. Our Board made the independence determination of its members based on the “Independence Standards” discussed below.

Our Board has adopted a set of “Independence Standards,” consistent with the NYSE Rules, to aid it in determining whether a member of the Board is independent under the NYSE Rules. In accordance with these Independence Standards, a director must not have a direct or indirect material relationship with the Company or its management, other than as a director. The Independence Standards specify the criteria by which the independence of our directors will be determined, including strict guidelines for directors and their immediate family members with respect to past employment or affiliation with the Company, its management or its independent auditor.

The Independence Standards are contained in the Corporate Governance Principles set forth on our website under the Investors and Corporate Governance links. These include the following:

 

   

A director who is an employee or whose immediate family member is an executive officer of D.R. Horton is not independent until three years after the end of such employment relationship.

 

   

A director who receives, or whose immediate family member receives, more than $120,000 per year in direct compensation from D.R. Horton, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service), is not independent until three years after he or she ceases to receive more than $120,000 per year in compensation. Compensation received by an immediate family member for service as a non-executive employee or non-member of senior management of D.R. Horton will not be considered in determining independence under this test.

 

   

A director is not independent if (i) the director or an immediate family member is a current partner of D.R. Horton’s internal or external auditor, (ii) the director is a current employee of such a firm, (iii) the director’s immediate family member is a current employee of such a firm and personally works on D.R. Horton’s audit, or (iv) the director or an immediate family member was within the last three years (but is no longer) a partner or employee of such a firm and personally worked on D.R. Horton’s audit within that time.

 

   

A director who is employed, or whose immediate family member is employed, as an executive officer of another company where any of D.R. Horton’s present executives serves on that company’s compensation committee is not independent until three years after the end of such service or employment relationship.

 

   

A director who is an executive officer or an employee, or whose immediate family member is an executive officer of a company that makes payments to, or receives payments from, D.R. Horton for property or services in an amount which, in any single fiscal year, exceeds the greater of $1 million, or 2% of such other company’s consolidated gross revenues, is not independent until three years after falling below such threshold.

 

   

If a director serves as an executive officer, director or trustee of a charitable or educational organization, and D.R. Horton’s contributions to the organization are less than $500,000, then the relationship will not be considered to be a material relationship that would impair a director’s independence.

For purposes of these Independence Standards, an “immediate family member” includes a director’s spouse, parents, children, siblings, mother and father-in-law, sons and daughters-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law, and anyone (other than domestic employees) who shares the director’s home.

 

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Audit Committee Independence, Financial Literacy and Audit Committee Financial Expert

In addition to being independent based on the Independence Standards, the NYSE Rules require that each member of an audit committee satisfy additional independence and financial literacy requirements, and at least one of these members must satisfy the additional requirement of having accounting or related financial management expertise. This additional requirement can be satisfied by the Board determining that at least one Audit Committee member is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of the SEC Rules. Accordingly, the Corporate Governance Principles contain a set of standards that relate to audit committee independence, financial literacy and audit committee accounting and financial management expertise. Generally, the additional independence standard provides that (i) a member of the Audit Committee, or his or her immediate family members, are prohibited from receiving any direct or indirect compensation or fee from the Company, its subsidiaries or its affiliates, and (ii) he or she may not be an affiliated person of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Generally, the financial literacy standard provides that the Board, in its business judgment, shall determine if each member is financially literate, taking into account factors such as the member’s education, experience and ability to read and understand financial statements of public companies. Also, audit committee financial experts must have five additional attributes, which are (i) an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements, (ii) the ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves, (iii) experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities, (iv) an understanding of internal control over financial reporting and (v) an understanding of audit committee functions. All together, attributes (i) through (v) are referred to as the “Financial Expert Attributes.” The audit committee financial expert standards are set forth in the Corporate Governance Principles.

Compensation Committee Independence

In addition to being independent based on the Independence Standards, the NYSE Rules require that each member of a compensation committee satisfy additional independence requirements. The NYSE Rules require that the Board consider all factors specifically relevant to determining whether a director has a relationship to the Company that is material to that director’s ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a compensation committee member, including, but not limited to (i) the source of compensation of such director, including any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee paid by the Company to such director; and (ii) whether such director is affiliated with the Company, a subsidiary of the Company or an affiliate of a subsidiary of the Company.

Board Determinations

Based on the independence, financial literacy and financial expert standards discussed above, the Board has determined that Bradley S. Anderson, Michael R. Buchanan, Michael W. Hewatt, and director nominee Barbara K. Allen are (i) independent, for purposes of serving as independent members of the Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committees, (ii) independent, for purposes of serving as independent members on the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee, and (iii) financially literate, for purposes of serving on the Audit Committee. The Board has also determined, as set forth below, that Mr. Hewatt and Mr. Buchanan each have the Financial Expert Attributes described above.

Mr. Hewatt.    Mr. Hewatt acquired the Financial Expert Attributes primarily through his 42 years of experience working as a certified public accountant for Coopers & Lybrand LLP and Hewatt & Associates, CPAs and its predecessor and successor entities, as applicable. Mr. Hewatt’s experience as an auditor provided him active experience in designing and conducting audits and reviewing financial statements, which developed his understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements as well as his abilities to assess the application of such principles in accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves and to evaluate related internal control structures. Mr. Hewatt’s active status as a certified public accountant requires him to stay current on pronouncements and advisory notices issued by accounting, auditing and tax regulatory boards and

 

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organizations. Mr. Hewatt has additional experience in providing management advisory, tax advisory and tax preparation services, which has provided him with a strong background in the Internal Revenue Code and in dealing with the Internal Revenue Service. Mr. Hewatt has prepared and issued audit and management advisory reports to the boards of directors of his clients, whereby he has gained an understanding of the functioning of boards of directors and related committees. Mr. Hewatt’s clients have included public and private companies, governmental organizations and non-profit organizations.

Mr. Buchanan.    Mr. Buchanan acquired the Financial Expert Attributes primarily through his experience as a commercial banker in the real estate and homebuilding sectors, including serving as head of Bank of America’s national real estate group. Mr. Buchanan’s responsibilities as a banker required him to analyze and evaluate financial statements in order to make credit and lending decisions. In this regard, he developed significant expertise in understanding the integrity of the financial information used to prepare financial statements and how such information should be used to analyze and evaluate a company’s financial condition and its ability to meet the company’s debt obligations. As head of the national real estate group at Bank of America, Mr. Buchanan also actively supervised others in conducting financial statement and financial condition analysis and evaluation.

As provided by the safe harbor contained in the SEC Rules, our audit committee financial experts will not be deemed “experts” for any purpose as a result of being so designated. Such designation does not impose on such persons any duties, obligations or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations and liabilities imposed on such persons as members of the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors in the absence of such designation, and such designation does not affect the duties, obligations or liabilities of any other member of the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors.

The Board also determined that current directors and director nominees Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz are not independent directors because they are executive officers and employees of the Company.

Code of Ethical Conduct for the CEO, CFO and Senior Financial Officers

In accordance with SEC Rules, the Audit Committee and the Board have adopted the Code of Ethical Conduct for the CEO, CFO and Senior Financial Officers. The Board believes that these individuals must set an exemplary standard of conduct for D.R. Horton, particularly in the areas of accounting, internal accounting control, auditing and finance. The ethics code sets forth ethical standards the designated officers must adhere to and other aspects of accounting, auditing and financial compliance. The full text of the Code of Ethical Conduct for the CEO, CFO and Senior Financial Officers has been posted to the Company’s website under the Investors and Corporate Governance links. Information relating to any amendment to or waiver of a provision of the Code of Ethical Conduct for the CEO, CFO and Senior Financial Officers will be disclosed on the website within four business days of such amendment or waiver.

Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Board of Directors has adopted a Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for employees and directors of D.R. Horton in accordance with the NYSE Rules. The Board adopted the Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to provide guidance to the Board and management in areas of ethical business conduct and risk and to provide guidance to employees and directors by helping them recognize and deal with ethical issues including, but not limited to, (i) conflicts of interest, (ii) corporate opportunities, (iii) confidentiality, (iv) fair dealing, (v) protection of corporate assets, (vi) compliance with rules and regulations, including insider trading of securities, and (vii) confidential reporting of unethical behavior and hotline telephone numbers. The Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be found on our website under the Investors and Corporate Governance links.

Complaint Procedures For Accounting, Internal Control, Auditing and Financial Matters

In accordance with SEC Rules, the Audit Committee has established procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal control, auditing or financial matters (collectively, “Accounting Matters”) and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding

 

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questionable Accounting Matters. The Audit Committee oversees treatment of complaints and concerns in this area. The full text of the Complaint Procedures For Accounting, Internal Control, Auditing and Financial Matters has been posted to the Company’s website under the Investors and Corporate Governance links.

Executive Sessions of the Board of Directors

In accordance with the NYSE Rules, the non-management members of the Board of Directors have held and will continue to hold regularly scheduled executive sessions of the non-management directors, each of whom is independent. Michael R. Buchanan, Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee, presides at these executive sessions. During fiscal 2013, the non-management directors met three times in executive session, without members of management present.

Communications with the Board of Directors

Stockholders and other interested parties can communicate with any member of our Board of Directors by sending the communication to the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee, who also serves as the Presiding Director. Currently, Mr. Buchanan serves as chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Send communications to: Presiding Director c/o Chief Legal Officer, D.R. Horton, Inc., 301 Commerce Street, Suite 500, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Our Chief Legal Officer will review the communications and determine if such communications come within the purview of a Board committee or Board member(s). After such determination, these communications will be promptly forwarded to such Board member(s) or the Presiding Director as applicable. The Presiding Director reports these communications to the Board on a quarterly basis. Further information may be obtained on our website under the Investors and Corporate Governance links.

Board Leadership Structure, Board’s Role in Risk Oversight and Board and Committee Meetings

Board Leadership Structure

Our Board of Directors operates under the leadership of our executive Chairman of the Board and founder, Donald R. Horton. Mr. Horton has been executive Chairman of the Board of the Company and its predecessor companies since 1978. We do not have a policy that requires the positions of Chairman of the Board and CEO be separated, but we have had a separate Chairman of the Board and CEO since 1998. We believe the separation of these positions is appropriate at this time as it allows our executive Chairman to focus on overall strategy and vision while leading the Board and the Company in overseeing key risk and management issues facing the Board and the Company. We further believe that Mr. Horton’s extensive experience in the homebuilding industry enables him to provide valuable insight and leadership to both the Board and the Company. Mr. Horton’s role as an executive officer also benefits the Board and the Company as he works with key officers of the Company to implement the Board’s strategies and oversight functions on a daily basis.

Our Nominating and Governance Committee, which is composed of four independent directors, oversees our corporate governance, and we have taken a number of measures that collectively provide for our effective corporate governance. Our independent directors meet regularly throughout the year in executive session to encourage open communication and discussion among the independent directors without the presence of management. The Presiding Director chairs these meetings. Overall, the Board is composed of four independent directors and two management directors. The Board has designated four primary committees that are responsible for various duties of the Board or its Committees, as applicable. The four committees of the Board are the Nominating and Governance Committee, Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Executive Committee. The Committees of the Board are discussed in more detail under the heading “Committees of the Board” on page 16.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

Our Board and Board Committees have overall risk oversight responsibility of the Company but do not provide day-to-day risk management of the Company, which is the responsibility of our key officers and managers. Our Board and Board Committees provide overall risk oversight through quarterly Board and

 

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Committee meetings and discussions with key officers and managers of the Company. Key officers and managers also discuss their respective functional areas with the directors at the appropriate Board and Committee meetings during the year. As a result of the manner in which the Board and Committees oversee risk, the Board’s role in risk oversight does not have an effect on the Board’s leadership structure. Risk oversight is reviewed in the risk areas of the Company listed below.

Homebuilding Operations.    Our ability to build and sell homes that meet buyer demand is determined by our ability to control, buy and develop land and lots in a cost effective manner. As a result, we use substantial financial resources to control, buy and develop land and lots. We control the amount of financial resources used in the acquisition of land and lots through our centralized process, which requires divisional, regional and corporate approval before financial resources are authorized for this purpose. Corporate approval requires approval by corporate legal and accounting and approval by our Chairman, CEO or executive officers. Our chief financial officer and chief legal officer report to the Board regarding our centralized process of approving and funding land and lot acquisitions. We believe this centralized process adequately manages the risk related to our land and lot acquisitions.

Financing and Liquidity.    Our financing and liquidity positions may fluctuate due to changes in the homebuilding industry and in home sales demand. Our Board oversees financing and liquidity risk by regularly monitoring our financing and liquidity position to ensure we maintain the financial resources needed to fund our homebuilding operations and other financing and operating expenses. At each quarterly meeting, management reviews with the directors the Company’s financial and liquidity position, which includes projected short and long-term financing and liquidity needs. To further manage risk in this area, the Board approves a limit each year on the amount of debt and equity that may be repurchased. Any debt or equity issuance or debt or equity repurchase above the approved limit must be separately approved by the Board. We believe these procedures provide adequate risk oversight of financing and liquidity matters affecting the Company.

Financial Reporting, Internal Control and Regulatory Compliance.

Audit Committee Risk Oversight.    The Audit Committee of the Board provides risk oversight with respect to financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting, internal audit and related regulatory compliance matters. Each quarter, our Audit Committee discusses with our independent auditor its review of our interim financial information and, after our fiscal year-end, discusses its audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, including our procedures on internal control over financial reporting. Also, during the fiscal year, our Audit Committee meets in private session (without the presence of management) with our independent auditor to discuss any matters related to the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements and review of our internal control over financial reporting.

Each quarter, our Audit Committee meets with our director of internal audit and reviews the results of the internal audits of the Company’s operating divisions and other key control areas performed during the quarter. Each year, the Audit Committee reviews and approves the internal audit plan for the forthcoming fiscal year. The internal audit plan is designed using a risk-based approach focusing on key risk areas in the Company’s homebuilding and financial services operations and other key control areas. During the fiscal year, the Audit Committee meets in private session (without the presence of management) with our internal audit director.

Throughout the fiscal year, our Audit Committee invites guest speakers to give presentations on a variety of topics related to recent or anticipated changes to accounting rules and regulations, tax laws and regulations, corporate governance and financial reform rules and regulations. By staying informed, the Audit Committee is able to oversee the Company’s compliance with regulatory issues in these areas, and to discuss with them any actions necessary to maintain or become compliant with such regulatory matters.

Compensation Risk Oversight.    The Compensation Committee provides risk oversight with respect to compensation of the Company’s employees, including the named executive officers and other key officers, with the assistance of the Board. We have reviewed the Company’s compensation policies and practices and believe that our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. We believe we have established a short and long-term compensation program

 

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that properly incentivizes desired performance and mitigates inappropriate risk-taking. We believe the following compensation components help us achieve this balance and to incent performance and to mitigate inappropriate risk-taking:

 

Base Salary:

We set fixed base salaries in amounts that we believe are commensurate with the level of experience, responsibility and tenure of the executive. We believe that providing an appropriate base salary mitigates inappropriate risk-taking by providing a fixed and certain level of semi-monthly income.

 

Annual Bonus Plan:

With respect to our Chairman and CEO, we provide annual incentive bonus opportunities based on various performance goals. Recent performance goals were based on pre-tax income. Final payout on these annual awards is at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. The discretion can be used to reduce payouts when the Committee believes levels achieved result in an inappropriately high level of annual pay when balanced with the total compensation package and taking into consideration the Company’s and the executive’s performance. We believe we mitigate risk related to the annual performance goals through the approval process with respect to the final payout of these awards, the quarterly review of our financial statements by our management and independent auditor, and through our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Long-Term Bonus Plan:

With respect to our Chairman and CEO, we use a combination of performance equity in the form of performance units and restricted stock units to incentivize performance on key operational and financial goals important to the Company and its stockholders over a period longer than one fiscal year. We believe the long-term nature of these performance awards mitigates risk because the level of performance achieved is analyzed over several fiscal years (typically three) thereby allowing us to take into account any short-term or one-time events that may not be sustainable over a longer period.

 

Stock Options:

We use stock options as a component of long-term compensation to incent performance that leads to an increase in the Company stock price over several years, and to serve as a retention tool. We believe time-based vesting on our stock options creates a continuing incentive to grow value in the Company stock price, balancing out the risk taking incentives that might otherwise apply to performance based options. Further we believe the incentive of increasing the stock price is aligned with our stockholders so that all holders benefit if the stock price increases. We mitigate risk related to the granting of stock options through our practice of not granting stock options in coordination with the release of material non-public information. Further, we have several levels of review when stock options are approved and granted, including approval by the Compensation Committee and review by corporate legal, human resources and accounting to ensure the terms of the stock options approved match the terms of the stock options issued.

 

Performance Goals:

The Compensation Committee has selected a variety of short and long-term operating and financial performance goals to incent performance and to drive increased Company operating and financial results on these goals. The performance goals tied to the annual cash bonus and restricted stock unit bonus programs relate to consolidated pre-tax income, return on investment, gross profit, selling, general and administrative expense and total shareholder return. The Company has established appropriate controls around the determination of

 

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the components that define these goals which mitigate risk related to monitoring the actual performance of these goals.

 

Discretion and Claw-back:

We further mitigate compensation risk by giving the Compensation Committee sole discretion to reduce the final payout on a significant amount of the total compensation awarded. The Compensation Committee maintains sole discretion on the final payout determination for (i) the Annual Bonus Plan and (ii) long-term performance bonuses issued in the form of performance restricted stock units. The Committee does not have explicit discretion with respect to the annual salary and stock options because the salary and stock options are fixed.

 

  Our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other executive officers are subject to the claw-back provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Our executive officers that receive performance-based compensation are subject to appropriate claw-back provisions to comply with enacted federal legislation regarding claw-back provisions on performance-based executive compensation.

 

Hedging Company Securities:

Our directors and executive officers are prohibited from engaging in short sales of our securities or from engaging in transactions designed to hedge the value of our securities held by them. Our directors and executive officers do not pledge as collateral our securities held by them.

Board Meetings

During our fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 (“fiscal 2013”), our Board of Directors held five meetings and acted twice by written consent. Each director attended all of the Board meetings and at least 93% of the total number of committee meetings for the committees on which he served during fiscal 2013. Executive sessions of our non-management directors, all of whom are independent, are regularly held. The sessions are scheduled and chaired by the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee, who also acts as our Presiding Director. Although we do not have a policy with respect to director attendance at our annual meeting of stockholders, the 2013 Annual Meeting was attended by each of our directors.

Committees of the Board

The Board of Directors has four committees: the Executive Committee, the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board of Directors has adopted governing Charters for each of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Governance Committee. Each of the Charters is posted on the Company’s website under the Investors and Corporate Governance links.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee, while the Board is not in session, possesses all of the powers and may carry out all of the duties of the Board of Directors in the management of the business of D.R. Horton which by state or federal law or the NYSE Rules may be delegated to it by the Board of Directors. During fiscal 2013 and currently, the Executive Committee was and is composed of Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz.

Nominating and Governance Committee

The members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Michael R. Buchanan, Bradley S. Anderson, Michael W. Hewatt and Bob G. Scott, with Mr. Buchanan serving as Chairman. Mr. Scott will no longer serve on the Board or the Nominating and Governance Committee once his successor is elected. Each committee member has been determined by the Board to be independent in accordance with the NYSE Rules. During fiscal 2013, the Nominating and Governance Committee met four times and took no action by written consent, and each member attended, in person or by telephone conference, all of the meetings.

 

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The Nominating and Governance Committee Charter has been posted to the Company’s website under the Investors and Corporate Governance links. The Nominating and Governance Committee’s primary purpose is to provide assistance to the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibility to the stockholders by:

 

   

identifying individuals qualified to become directors consistent with criteria approved by the Board, and recommending to the Board for selection the qualified candidates for directorships to be filled by the Board or by the stockholders;

 

   

developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Company; and

 

   

overseeing the evaluation of the Board and key management.

Compensation Committee

The members of the Compensation Committee are Bradley S. Anderson, Michael R. Buchanan, Michael W. Hewatt and Bob G. Scott, with Mr. Anderson serving as Chairman. Mr. Scott will no longer serve on the Board or the Compensation Committee once his successor is elected. Each Compensation Committee member has been determined to be independent under the NYSE Rules, an “outside director” under Section 162(m), and a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. During fiscal 2013, the Compensation Committee met seven times and took no action by written consent, and each member attended, in person or by telephone conference, all of the meetings.

The Compensation Committee Charter has been posted to the Company’s website under the Investors and Corporate Governance links. The Charter provides that the Compensation Committee shall assist the Board of Directors in discharging its responsibility to the stockholders with respect to the Company’s compensation programs and compensation of the Company’s executive officers.

The Compensation Committee Charter also sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the committee regarding reviewing the compensation for the CEO and other executive officers, monitoring incentive and equity-based compensation plans, preparing an annual report on executive compensation and reporting to the Board of Directors.

Audit Committee

The members of the Audit Committee are Michael W. Hewatt, Bradley S. Anderson, Michael R. Buchanan, and Bob G. Scott, with Mr. Hewatt serving as Chairman. Mr. Scott will no longer serve on the Board or the Audit Committee once his successor is elected. The Audit Committee met four times during fiscal 2013 and took no action by written consent, and each member attended, in person or by telephone conference, all of the meetings.

As discussed under the heading “Corporate Governance Standards” on page 8 of this Proxy Statement, each member of the Audit Committee has been determined by the Board to be “independent” and “financially literate” in accordance with NYSE Rules, the SEC Rules, and the corporate governance and independence standards adopted by the Board. Also, each of Messrs. Buchanan, Hewatt and Scott has been determined by the Board to be an “audit committee financial expert” under such rules, regulations and standards as are set forth in the Company’s Corporate Governance Principles posted on our website.

The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter, which was approved and adopted by the Board of Directors. A copy of the adopted Audit Committee Charter is posted to the Company’s website under the Investors and Corporate Governance links. The duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in its Charter. The Audit Committee’s primary purposes are to:

 

   

assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to the:

 

   

integrity of the Company’s financial statements;

 

   

Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

 

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independent auditor’s qualifications and independence; and

 

   

performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent auditor; and

 

   

prepare an Audit Committee report to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement.

Further discussion regarding the Audit Committee’s processes and procedures regarding D.R. Horton’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2013, and other matters are discussed in the Audit Committee Report set forth on page 53 of this Proxy Statement.

Compensation of Directors

Our Board of Directors annually approves compensation and fees paid to our non-management directors, each of whom is listed in the “Director Compensation for Fiscal Year 2013” table. Traditionally, the Board has strived to set non-management director compensation at a level that pays reasonable cash and equity compensation. We believe that we consistently pay annual non-management director compensation that is within the range of the total compensation paid to non-management directors of companies in our peer group based on data from Equilar and publicly filed proxy statements. Our peer group is set forth on page 26.

Summary of Compensation of Non-Management Directors for Fiscal Years 2013, 2012 and 2011.    Over the last three fiscal years, the total annual compensation of directors has varied primarily due to the granting of long-term equity awards in certain years.

The total compensation for each director in the last three fiscal years was as follows:

 

     Fiscal Year  

Name

   2013           2012           2011  

Bradley S. Anderson

   $ 347,000          $ 77,500          $ 137,200   

Michael R. Buchanan

   $ 347,000          $ 77,500          $ 137,200   

Michael W. Hewatt

   $ 348,334          $ 78,813          $ 138,051   

Bob G. Scott

   $ 157,546          $ 75,000          $ 134,700   

In fiscal 2013, the non-management directors Mr. Anderson, Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Hewatt were each awarded 10,000 restricted stock units which vest over three years with one-third vesting each year. Mr. Scott was awarded 3,333 restricted stock units which vest upon his retirement in January 2014. The award of restricted stock units in fiscal 2013 was the most significant portion of the increase in director compensation in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal years 2012 and 2011, when no restricted stock units were awarded. The Board of Directors believes that awarding our non-management directors equity compensation that vests over several years aligns the long-term interests of our directors with the long-term interests of our stockholders. In fiscal 2011, the average compensation paid to directors in our peer group ranged from $115,795 to $322,550, with our director compensation averaging $136,788. In fiscal 2012, the average compensation paid to directors in our peer group ranged from $77,203 to $363,829, with our director compensation averaging $77,203. In fiscal 2013, the average compensation paid to directors in our peer group was not available in publicly-filed statements, but our average director compensation of $299,970 was within the fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 peer group ranges.

Fees Paid in Cash.    In fiscal 2013, each non-management director received $15,000 per Board meeting attended in person or by telephone-conference, paid quarterly and not to exceed $60,000 per year. In addition, each non-management director who served on a committee of the Board of Directors received an annual fee of $5,000 per committee paid quarterly, and each non-management director who served as the Chairman of a committee of the Board of Directors received an annual fee of $2,500 per committee paid quarterly.

Stock Options.    When a new non-management director joins our Board, he or she traditionally has been awarded stock options. These stock options have an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of approval and grant. Traditionally, these stock options have vested over five years and have a ten-year term. In addition to the initial grant received upon joining the Board, we have awarded stock options to non-management directors at other times which have ranged from one-year to five-year intervals. During fiscal 2013, each director was awarded 5,000 stock options with one-fifth of the stock options vesting each year over a

 

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five-year period, except Mr. Scott was awarded 1,000 stock options which all vest on the date he retires from the Board of Directors.

Restricted Stock Units.    Following the 2013 Annual Meeting, non-management directors received an award of restricted stock units. Each director was awarded 10,000 restricted stock units with one-third of the restricted stock units vesting each year over a three-year period, except Mr. Scott was awarded 3,333 restricted stock units which all vest on the date he retires from the Board of Directors.

Expenses and Health Care Plan.    Each non-management director is entitled to be reimbursed reasonable expenses relating to his service on the Board and any committee, including travel, meals and other related expenses. Each non-management director is eligible to participate in the Company’s health care plan, and Mr. Hewatt and Mr. Buchanan elected to participate in the plan in fiscal 2013.

Director Compensation for Fiscal Year 2013

 

Name(1)

   Fees Earned  or
Paid in Cash(2)
     Stock
Awards(3)
     Option
Awards(4)
     All Other
Compensation(5)
     Total  

Bradley S. Anderson

   $ 77,500       $ 214,900       $ 54,600               $ 347,000   

Michael R. Buchanan

   $ 77,500       $ 214,900       $ 54,600               $ 347,000   

Michael W. Hewatt

   $ 77,500       $ 214,900       $ 54,600       $ 1,334       $ 348,334   

Bob G. Scott

   $ 75,000       $ 71,626       $ 10,920               $ 157,546   

 

 

 

(1) During fiscal 2013, the Company paid director fees only to non-management directors. No director of the Company who receives compensation from the Company for services other than as a director received any additional compensation for serving as a director of D.R. Horton.

 

(2) Amounts represent non-management director fees paid in cash during fiscal 2013.

 

(3) Amounts represent the grant date fair value of $21.49 per share for the 10,000 restricted stock units granted to Mr. Anderson, Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Hewatt, and 3,333 restricted stock units granted to Mr. Scott. The grant date fair value of the restricted stock units was determined in accordance with accounting guidance for share-based payments multiplied by the number of restricted stock units. The Company recognizes expenses for these awards for financial reporting purposes over their vesting periods in accordance with accounting guidance for share-based payments.

 

     As of September 30, 2013, each non-management director held the following number of outstanding unvested restricted stock units: Mr. Anderson – 10,000; Mr. Buchanan – 10,000; Mr. Hewatt – 10,000; and Mr. Scott – 3,333.

 

(4) Amounts represent the grant date fair value of $10.92 per share for the 5,000 stock options granted to Mr. Anderson, Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Hewatt, and 1,000 stock options granted to Mr. Scott. The grant date fair value of the options was determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model in accordance with accounting guidance for share-based payments. Assumptions used in the calculation of the grant date fair value are included in Note J to our audited financial statements included in our Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013. The Company recognizes expenses for these awards for financial reporting purposes over their vesting periods in accordance with accounting guidance for share-based payments.

 

     As of September 30, 2013, each non-management director held the following number of outstanding vested stock options and unvested stock options, respectively: Mr. Anderson – 34,000 and 16,000; Mr. Buchanan – 20,000 and 16,000; Mr. Hewatt – 34,000 and 16,000; and Mr. Scott – 34,000 and 12,000.

 

(5) Amount is the participant’s portion of the group health plan premium paid by the Company.

 

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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK

Management

The following table shows the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock of D.R. Horton as of December 2, 2013 by (i) all D.R. Horton directors and director nominees, (ii) all D.R. Horton named executive officers, and (iii) all D.R. Horton directors and executive officers as a group. Unless stated otherwise, the shares are owned directly and the named beneficial owners possess sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth in the table.

 

     Amount and Nature of
Common Stock
Beneficially Owned(1)

Name of Beneficial Owner

   Number of  Shares
Beneficially Owned
    Percent of
Class(2)

Donald R. Horton†

     28,346,014 (3)    8.74%

Barbara K. Allen

     3,100      *

Bradley S. Anderson

     48,281      *

David V. Auld†

     142,767      *

Michael R. Buchanan

     23,333      *

Stacey H. Dwyer†

     230,166      *

Michael W. Hewatt

     37,333      *

Bob G. Scott

     40,333      *

Donald J. Tomnitz†

     938,625 (4)    *

Bill W. Wheat†

     136,129      *

All directors, director nominees, and executive officers as a group (10 persons)

     29,946,081      9.21%

 

 

 

* Less than 1%.

 

A named executive officer. Mr. Auld became a named executive officer beginning fiscal 2014.

 

(1) Beneficial ownership includes the following shares which the executive officers, directors and director nominees could acquire by exercising stock options on or within 60 days after December 2, 2013: Mr. Horton: 1,023,333, Ms. Allen: zero, Mr. Anderson: 34,000, Mr. Auld 142,767, Mr. Buchanan: 20,000, Ms. Dwyer: 134,833, Mr. Hewatt: 34,000, Mr. Scott: 35,000, Mr. Tomnitz: 339,999, and Mr. Wheat: 103,334. The beneficial ownership also includes the following restricted stock units that vest on or within 60 days after December 2, 2013: Mr. Horton: zero, Ms. Allen: zero, Mr. Anderson: 3,333, Mr. Auld: zero, Mr. Buchanan: 3,333, Ms. Dwyer: zero, Mr. Hewatt: 3,333, Mr. Scott: 3,333, Mr. Tomnitz: zero, and Mr. Wheat: zero. For all directors, director nominees, and executive officers as a group, these options and restricted stock units represent an aggregate of 1,880,598 shares.

 

(2) The percentages are calculated based on 323,390,691 issued and outstanding shares on December 2, 2013. For each person, separately, his or her percentage was calculated by including his or her options and restricted stock units set forth in note (1) in both the numerator and denominator, and for the group, the percentage was calculated by including the 1,880,598 options and restricted stock units set forth in note (1) in both the numerator and denominator.

 

(3) These shares do not include (i) 2,704,596 shares directly owned by Donald Ryan Horton, an adult son of Mr. Horton, (ii) 2,697,637 shares directly owned by Douglas Reagan Horton, an adult son of Mr. Horton, (iii) 1,179,795 shares held by the Donald Ryan Horton Trust, (iv) 1,179,795 shares held by the Douglas Reagan Horton Trust, (v) 1,368,005 shares held by the Martha Elizabeth Horton Trust, and (vi) 1,499,984 shares held by the Donald Ray Horton Trust. Mr. Horton disclaims any beneficial interest in these shares. These trusts were established by Mr. Horton and his wife for the benefit of their descendants. Terrill J. Horton serves as the sole trustee of these trusts. Terrill J. Horton is a retired director of the Company and the brother of Donald R. Horton. Donald R. Horton’s address is D.R. Horton, Inc., D.R. Horton Tower, 301 Commerce Street, Suite 500, Fort Worth, Texas 76102.

 

(4) These shares do not include 20,568 shares owned by an IRA for the benefit of Mr. Tomnitz’s spouse. Mr. Tomnitz disclaims any beneficial interest in these shares.

 

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Certain Other Beneficial Owners

Based on filings under the Exchange Act, available as of December 2, 2013, the only other known beneficial owners of more than 5% of D.R. Horton Common Stock outstanding were the following.

 

     Shares Beneficially Owned

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

   Number      Percent(5)

BlackRock, Inc.(1)

     21,619,360       6.69%

40 East 52nd Street

     

New York, New York 10022

     

T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(2)

     20,606,190       6.37%

100 E. Pratt Street

     

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

     

FMR LLC(3)

     20,187,273       6.24%

245 Summer Street

     

Boston, Massachusetts 02210

     

The Vanguard Group(4)

     16,435,203       5.08%

100 Vanguard Blvd

     

Malvern, PA 19355

     

 

 

 

(1) Based solely upon information contained in the most recently filed Schedule 13G/A of BlackRock, Inc., filed with the SEC on February 6, 2013, reflecting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2012. According to this Schedule 13G/A, BlackRock, Inc. had sole voting power for 21,619,360 of these shares, no shared voting power, sole dispositive power for 21,619,360 of these shares and no shared dispositive power.

 

(2) Based solely upon information contained in the most recently filed Schedule 13G of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., filed with the SEC on February 13, 2013, reflecting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2012. According to this Schedule 13G, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. had sole voting power for 6,116,650 of these shares, no shared voting power, sole dispositive power for 20,606,190 of these shares and no shared dispositive power.

 

(3) Based solely upon information contained in the most recently filed Schedule 13G/A of FMR LLC, filed with the SEC on November 12, 2013, reflecting beneficial ownership as of October 31, 2013. According to this Schedule 13G/A, FMR LLC had sole voting power for 138,474 of these shares, no shared voting power, sole dispositive power for 20,166,446 of these shares and no shared dispositive power.

 

 

(4) Based solely upon information contained in the most recently filed Schedule 13G of The Vanguard Group, filed with the SEC on February 12, 2013, reflecting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2012. According to this Schedule 13G, The Vanguard Group had sole voting power for 482,800 of these shares, no shared voting power, sole dispositive power for 15,981,337 of these shares and shared dispositive power for 453,866 of these shares.

 

(5) These percentages are calculated based on 323,390,691 issued and outstanding shares on December 2, 2013.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Overview

Our Compensation Committee has undertaken the design of a fair and competitive compensation program for executive officers that will attract, motivate and retain highly qualified and experienced executives, reward superior performance and provide incentives that are based on performance of the Company, with an overall emphasis to maximize our long-term stockholder value. Our executive compensation program consists of several components, including base salaries, cash bonuses, performance awards, equity awards, deferred compensation plans and retirement benefits. This compensation discussion and analysis provides information regarding our compensation objectives; the relationship between the components of our compensation program and our objectives; and factors considered by the Compensation Committee in establishing compensation levels for our named executive officers. Our named executive officers are:

 

   

Donald R. Horton, Chairman of the Board;

 

   

Donald J. Tomnitz, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer;

 

   

David V. Auld, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (effective for fiscal 2014);

 

   

Bill W. Wheat, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and

 

   

Stacey H. Dwyer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer.

Executive Summary – Key Operating and Financial Results

The homebuilding business requires long-term planning and implementation of operating strategies over several years to deliver successful operating and financial results. Accordingly, in the table below and summary that follows, we set forth key operating and financial results of the Company for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011. These key results were very strong for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 (“fiscal 2013”). For the 12th consecutive fiscal year, we closed more homes than any other homebuilder in the United States. More importantly, our profits increased significantly in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal years 2012 and 2011. We believe our business is well-positioned for the future, based on our land and finished lot position, our inventory of available homes, our strong balance sheet and liquidity position and our broad geographic operating base. The increase in 2013 compensation received by our executives compared to fiscal years 2012 and 2011 is a result of outstanding achievement by our executives in performing their job responsibilities, including by our Chairman and CEO attaining their performance bonus targets, and significant improvement in the following key operating and financial metrics.

Key results in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011:

 

    As of and for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

Key Results

  2013    2012    2011

Homes Closed

  24,155 homes    18,890 homes    16,695 homes

Revenues

  $6.3 billion    $4.4 billion    $3.6 billion

Pre-Tax Income (Income before Income Taxes)

  $657.8 million    $242.9 million    $12.1 million

Pre-Tax Income as % of Revenues

  10.5%    5.6%    0.3%

SG&A Expense as % of Revenues

  12.2%    14.1%    15.3%

Total Equity

  $4.1 billion    $3.6 billion    $2.6 billion

Total Equity per Share

  $12.58    $11.20    $8.30

Common Stock Price

  $19.43    $20.63    $9.04

Our recent operating and financial performance reflects the improvement in demand for new homes in most of our markets and our efforts over several years to prepare our business for an improvement in conditions in the homebuilding industry. Since fiscal 2011, our operating performance has significantly improved.

 

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Key operating and financial results for fiscal year 2013, as compared to fiscal 2011 were as follows:

 

   

Homes Closed increased 45% to 24,155 homes closed in fiscal 2013 compared to 16,695 homes closed in fiscal 2011;

 

   

Revenues increased 72% to $6.3 billion in fiscal 2013 compared to $3.6 billion in fiscal 2011;

 

   

Pre-Tax Income increased to $657.8 million in fiscal 2013 from $12.1 million in fiscal 2011;

 

   

Pre-Tax Income as a percentage of Revenues increased to 10.5% in fiscal 2013 from 0.3% in fiscal 2011;

 

   

SG&A Expense as a percentage of Revenues improved to 12.2% in fiscal 2013 from 15.3% in fiscal 2011;

 

   

Total Equity increased 55% to $4.1 billion at September 30, 2013 compared to $2.6 billion at September 30, 2011;

 

   

Total Equity per Share (total equity divided by the number of common shares outstanding at the end of each fiscal year) increased 52% to $12.58 per share at September 30, 2013 from $8.30 per share at September 30, 2011; and

 

   

The Company’s Common Stock Price increased by 115% to $19.43 at September 30, 2013 from $9.04 at September 30, 2011.

The improvement in our operating and financial results during fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011 reflects our preparation for an improvement in housing demand by investing capital to expand and improve the profitability of our operations, managing our inventory levels efficiently and controlling construction, SG&A and interest costs.

Fiscal 2013 – Outline of Executive Compensation Actions

For fiscal 2013, the Compensation Committee took actions on matters related to executive compensation as outlined below. These executive compensation components are discussed in more detail under the referenced headings in this “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section.

Base Salaries – the Board and Compensation Committee set and paid base salaries. See the heading “Base Salaries – Named Executive Officers” on page 26.

Short-Term Annual Incentive Bonuses – the Compensation Committee set and paid annual short-term incentive bonuses for Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz based on semi-annual pre-tax income. For fiscal 2013, Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz were eligible to earn annual short-term incentive bonuses up to a maximum 1% of pre-tax income. However, prior to paying any pre-tax income bonus for the second semi-annual period, the Compensation Committee used its downward discretion and determined to pay them annual short-term incentive bonuses equal to 0.75% of pre-tax income (as compared to actual annual short-term incentive bonus payments equal to 1% of pre-tax income for fiscal 2012). See the headings “2013 Fiscal Year – Annual Incentive Bonus Opportunity” on page 27 and “2013 Fiscal Year – Annual Incentive Bonus Results and Payout” on page 28.

Long-Term 2013 Performance Restricted Stock Units – based on performance from October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2013, in November 2013, Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz were each awarded 243,750 shares (162.5% of target) of common stock based on the vesting of the 2013 Performance RSUs. For additional information on the 2013 Performance RSUs, see the heading “2013 Performance Restricted Stock Units – Ranking Results and Vesting at September 30, 2013” on page 30.

Long-Term 2016 Performance Restricted Stock Units – in November 2013, the Compensation Committee granted to Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz performance restricted stock units that may vest based on performance of four goals over the three-year performance period ending September 30, 2016. See the heading “2014 Fiscal Year – Award of 2016 Performance Restricted Stock Units – Potential Vesting at September 30, 2016” on page 36.

 

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Short-Term Annual Discretionary Bonuses – the Board and Compensation Committee set and paid discretionary bonuses to Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer. See the heading “2013 Fiscal Year – Annual Discretionary Bonus” on page 28.

Long-Term Stock Options – the Compensation Committee approved and granted stock options to our executive officers in fiscal 2013. See the heading “2013 Fiscal Year – Award of Stock Options” on page 36.

Executive Compensation Objectives

Our primary compensation objectives are to:

 

   

motivate and retain highly qualified and experienced executives;

 

   

award compensation that recognizes valuable short and long-term individual performance as well as the Company’s overall performance; and

 

   

implement a compensation plan that aligns our executive’s interests with those of our stockholders with the goal of maximizing long-term stockholder value.

As a leading national homebuilding company, we employ key executives who have delivered strong results in a competitive and challenging homebuilding market. Because of the performance over the past several years of our key executives, they may encounter other professional opportunities due to the extensive experience gained during their employment with us. As a result, we must provide salaries and total compensation packages to retain our executives. We believe our stockholders’ interests are well-served when we can motivate and retain our key executives so they can use their national homebuilding expertise with us rather than with one of our competitors.

Our key executives have experience in both up and down cycles in the homebuilding industry. The Compensation Committee considers this type of experience to be extremely valuable due to the cyclical nature of the homebuilding industry. We believe that to maintain our position as a leader in the homebuilding industry the Company must provide executive compensation programs that continually motivate and are effective in retaining our executives.

With the goal of maximizing long-term stockholder value, we believe it is important to have a significant portion of our executive’s overall compensation tied to obtaining both short and long-term goals and performance. In addition to the financial performance of the Company, we also considered other subjective matters when reviewing an executive’s value. These include factors such as the number of years with the Company, significance of job function, ability to analyze and make effective decisions on significant business and financial objectives, and the ability to work as an important member of the executive management team and be a leader for our employees. By placing importance on these qualities, we are aligning individual and corporate performance with the compensation that is ultimately paid for performance. Due to the significant number of years of dedicated service our executives have with us, the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee have chosen not to pursue written employment agreements with our executives. Based on the Compensation Committee’s continual review of market trends occurring in our industry, we believe our cash and equity compensation program is effective in allowing us to motivate and retain our executives.

2013 Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

At our last Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on January 24, 2013, our stockholders voted in favor of a resolution to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the related compensation tables, notes and narrative in our Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Of the votes represented at the meeting, approximately 93.6% were voted in favor of the advisory vote on executive compensation. The Compensation Committee evaluated the results of the 2013 advisory vote and did not make any changes to our executive compensation program and policies as a result of the vote.

 

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Table of Contents

Process for Determining Compensation

Authority and Role of Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee evaluates performance and approves compensation for our Chairman and our CEO and makes compensation recommendations to the Board with respect to other named executive officers. The Compensation Committee also administers our equity programs, which include awards under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan and all other compensation plans that are intended to qualify as performance-based. Our equity and compensation plans are discussed under the heading “Incentive Bonus Plans – Approved by Stockholders” on page 37. The duties of the Compensation Committee are summarized under the heading “Compensation Committee” on page 17 and are more fully set forth in the Compensation Committee Charter, which is available on our website at www.drhorton.com under the Investors and Corporate Governance links.

Compensation Committee Risk Oversight

The Compensation Committee provides risk oversight with respect to compensation of the Company’s employees, including the named executive officers and other key officers, with the assistance of the Board. The Compensation Committee’s risk oversight is discussed in more detail under the heading “Board’s Role in Risk Oversight – Compensation Risk Oversight” on page 14.

Role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Our Chairman and our CEO review and discuss salary and bonus compensation of our other named executive officers and our Chairman makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding these executive officers. The Compensation Committee considers these recommendations when making its recommendation to the Board. At the request of the Compensation Committee, our Chairman also provides a recommendation concerning the annual base salary and incentive bonus program for our CEO, but not for himself.

Review of Compensation

We review the compensation of our executive officers on a regular basis. With respect to fiscal 2013 executive compensation, the Compensation Committee formally met in November and December of 2012, and in January, March, April, July, November and December of 2013 to review and discuss compensation matters. In addition, the Compensation Committee has discussions with management during the year regarding these matters. To assist the Compensation Committee, the Company engages the services of Equilar, a leading third-party provider of financial and executive compensation data. Utilizing the data provided by Equilar, the committee reviews the compensation of executives of publicly-traded companies, including our peer group and other public companies within a range of our market capitalization and industrial classification code. The scope of Equilar’s services was limited to providing access to its database and discussing database issues with their representatives. Equilar did not advise the Compensation Committee on its executive compensation programs or decisions. The Compensation Committee does not otherwise engage any other compensation consultant to advise it on executive compensation matters.

The Compensation Committee believes it is appropriate to exercise its judgment when reviewing and setting the total mix of compensation related to short and long-term awards and cash and equity awards rather than relying on a set formula or percentage allocation. The Compensation Committee believes an important part of an executive’s value is helping the Company achieve its business objectives when housing market conditions change. Accordingly, we exercise judgment in determining the mix of compensation to be in line with our business objectives and to be appropriate for the executive under review in view of his or her industry expertise and role at the Company.

 

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Use of Compensation Peer Group Data

The Compensation Committee utilizes compensation data from our peer group of publicly-traded homebuilding companies to analyze compensation decisions in light of current market conditions and practices, and to help ensure that our compensation decisions are reasonable in comparison to our peer group and the value of our executives to the Company. However, the Compensation Committee does not attempt to position compensation at any specified level or ranking within our peer group. In fiscal 2013, the peer group compensation data was compiled by the Compensation Committee Chairman and the Company’s legal counsel using information from Equilar’s database and from the data in executive compensation discussions and tables in publicly filed proxy statements. When determining peer group averages, rankings, and medians we include our Company and each company in our peer group in the rankings and computations. Our peer group could change from year to year based on the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee considers factors such as market capitalization, competition in our markets, mergers and consolidations when determining our peer group. For fiscal 2013, our peer group, which remained unchanged from our fiscal 2012 peer group, consisted of the following publicly-traded homebuilding companies, which had market capitalizations ranging from $447 million to $6.8 billion on September 30, 2013, the last day of our fiscal year. Our market capitalization on that date was $6.3 billion. We use the same peer group for fiscal 2014.

 

Peer Group

Beazer Homes USA

   Meritage Homes

Hovnanian Enterprises

   NVR

KB Home

   PulteGroup

Lennar

   The Ryland Group

M.D.C. Holdings

   Toll Brothers

Components of Compensation

Base Salaries – Named Executive Officers

Base salaries for our executive officers provide a fixed or base level of compensation. When setting base salaries for fiscal years 2012, 2013 and 2014, we considered the following factors:

 

   

level of experience, responsibility and tenure;

 

   

amount of assets and national scope of the Company’s operations;

 

   

ability to contribute to achieving operating objectives;

 

   

amount of fixed cash compensation to retain the executive’s services;

 

   

average and median base salaries of comparable executives in our peer group; and

 

   

recommendations of our Chairman and our CEO, other than for themselves.

Base salaries for our named executive officers for 2012, 2013, and 2014 are set forth in the following table:

 

     Base Salary  

Name

   2012      2013      2014  

Donald R. Horton

   $ 1,000,000       $ 1,000,000       $ 1,000,000   

Donald J. Tomnitz

   $ 900,000       $ 900,000       $ 900,000   

Bill W. Wheat

   $ 250,000       $ 500,000       $ 500,000   

Stacey H. Dwyer

   $ 250,000       $ 350,000       $ 350,000   

David V. Auld

                   $ 500,000   

The base salaries for Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz remained unchanged for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2014 as set forth in the Base Salary table above. The base salary of the chief executive officer of each

 

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company in our peer group, including our company, ranged from $800,000 to $1,200,000 with an average of $982,737 and a median of $1,000,000, based on data contained in the most recently filed proxy statements of our peer group. With respect to our Chairman and CEO, their salaries are comparable to the base salaries of comparable officers in our peer group and the base salaries of these executives reflect their significant experience in the real estate and homebuilding industry and their significant tenure with the Company.

The base salaries for Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer were unchanged for fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 as set forth in the Base Salary table on page 26. The Compensation Committee noted that the fiscal 2012 base salaries of the chief financial officers of each company in our peer group, including our company, ranged from $250,000 to $700,000 with an average of $581,100 and a median of $600,000 based on data from Equilar and data contained in the most recently filed proxy statements of our peer group. Based on a review of this data, Mr. Wheat’s fiscal 2013 and 2014 salary is comparable to the base salaries of other chief financial officers in our peer group, as publicly disclosed. With respect to Ms. Dwyer, the base salaries of only a limited number of directly comparable officers were set forth in publicly filed proxy statements; therefore, the Compensation Committee used its judgment when setting her base salary for fiscal 2014. Mr. Auld was promoted to an executive officer in fiscal 2014, and his base salary was set at $500,000.

When determining named executive officer base salaries, the Compensation Committee did not assign specific weight to the factors listed under the heading “Base Salaries – Named Executive Officers,” did not assign a specific ranking that base salaries should be within the peer group and did not use a percentage or ratio that the base salaries should be in relation to total compensation.

2013 Fiscal Year – Annual Incentive Bonus Opportunity

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. In furtherance of our compensation philosophy to award incentive bonuses based on performance, during fiscal 2013, Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz each had the opportunity to earn a performance bonus based on the amount of pre-tax income earned by the Company during fiscal 2013.

Pre-tax income” means consolidated income before income taxes, as publicly reported by the Company in its consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

We believe that Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz should each be equally incentivized to generate positive pre-tax income, which is important to the Company and its stockholders. The pre-tax income performance goal focuses our executives on improving important components of pre-tax income, namely, home closings revenue and controlling our cost of sales and selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses.

The maximum bonus that could be earned under the pre-tax income performance goal was as follows:

 

          Maximum Bonus Potential

Fiscal 2013 Performance Goal

        1st
Semi-Annual
Period
   2nd
Semi-Annual
Period

Pre-Tax Income

      1%    1%

The 1st Semi-Annual Period related to the six-months ended March 31, 2013 (first and second quarters of fiscal 2013) and the 2nd Semi-Annual Period related to the six-months ended September 30, 2013 (third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2013). The hurdle or threshold for achieving a pre-tax income bonus was the attainment of positive pre-tax income. If no positive pre-tax income was attained, then no bonus would be paid under the pre-tax income performance goal.

At the beginning of fiscal 2013, the Compensation Committee made the subjective determination to select 1% of pre-tax income as the maximum bonus under this performance goal based on its determination that if the maximum bonus was paid, the amount would be reasonable in relation to the goal achieved and reasonable in relation to the Company’s goal of containing overall SG&A expense.

When considering the reasonableness of compensation, we also consider the level of our current SG&A expense in relation to our SG&A expense in prior years and in relation to whether we believe SG&A expense will be competitive with our peer group. Controlling and containing cost of sales, SG&A expense and interest

 

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expense are actions that may lead to pre-tax income improvements provided that we maintain revenue levels and other significant components of pre-tax income.

The 1% maximum is not based on any formulaic methodology. For fiscal 2013, the Compensation Committee believed that by using a 1% maximum of pre-tax income, we would incent our Chairman and CEO to achieve positive pre-tax income and maintain competitive levels of cost of sales, SG&A and interest expense, all of which align their interests with those of our stockholders. By using pre-tax income as a performance goal within the 2013 fiscal year, we balanced the mix of short-term performance period compensation with the long-term performance period compensation from the 2013 Performance RSUs which vested over a three-year performance period ending September 30, 2013. Because the selection of 1% as the maximum percentage was a subjective determination, and not one based on any formulaic method or benchmark other than as described in this paragraph, the Compensation Committee maintained the right to use its discretion in adjusting downward the amount to be paid after the end of fiscal 2013.

Achieving positive pre-tax income continues to be an important goal of the Company. Due to the competitive and challenging housing market during the past several years, the Company did not achieve annual positive pre-tax income in fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009, but did achieve positive pre-tax income in fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Further, maintaining and growing profitability are important factors in creating stockholder value, resulting in us continuing to focus our Chairman and CEO on this performance goal.

2013 Fiscal Year – Annual Incentive Bonus Results and Payout

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The table below sets forth the pre-tax income, the maximum bonus that could be earned and the final bonus paid for fiscal 2013 to each Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz:

 

    Performance Goal: Semi-Annual Pre-Tax Income (“PTI”)

Semi-Annual Period

  Maximum
Bonus Percentage
  Amount
of PTI
    Potential
Bonus
   

Final

Bonus Paid

    Final Bonus
Percentage Paid

1st Semi-Annual Period Ended March 31, 2013

  1%   $ 249,999,943      $ 2,499,999      $ 2,499,999      1%

2nd Semi-Annual Period Ended September 30, 2013

  1%   $ 407,842,909      $ 4,078,429      $ 2,412,646      0.6%
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Annual Amount

  1%   $ 657,842,852      $ 6,578,428      $ 4,912,645      0.75%

Under the fiscal 2013 annual incentive bonus award, based on the pre-tax income reported by the Company in its financial statements, a maximum bonus of $6,578,428 could have been potentially earned by each of Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz. However, prior to paying the final annual incentive bonus after completion of the 2nd Semi-Annual Period, the Compensation Committee reviewed the amount of annual pre-tax income achieved and the resulting bonus that was potentially earned. The Compensation Committee used its discretion and reduced the $6,578,428 to $4,912,645, or 0.75% of annual pre-tax income for fiscal 2013 as set forth in the table above, and this amount was paid in cash to each of Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz. The Compensation Committee took into consideration total short-term and long-term compensation earned and paid for fiscal 2013 when determining to use its discretion to reduce the annual incentive bonus based on pre-tax income.

2013 Fiscal Year – Annual Discretionary Bonus

Other Named Executive Officers. For fiscal 2013, Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer were each awarded a discretionary bonus of $500,000 and $400,000 respectively. For Mr. Wheat, $100,000 of his $500,000 bonus was paid in 5,390 shares of common stock of the Company and the remaining $400,000 was paid in cash, and the $400,000 paid to Ms. Dwyer was paid in cash. Typically, the Board of Directors approves a discretionary bonus for Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer semi-annually. For fiscal 2013, two semi-annual performance periods were used. For the first semi-annual period ended March 31, 2013, each of Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer received a $175,000 discretionary bonus paid in cash, and for the second semi-annual period ended September 30, 2013, they each

 

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received a $225,000 discretionary bonus paid in cash, and Mr. Wheat received an additional bonus of $100,000 paid in shares of common stock of the Company. The total fiscal 2013 salary plus discretionary bonus of $1,000,000 for Mr. Wheat reflected a $300,000 increase from the salary plus bonus he received in fiscal 2012. The total fiscal 2013 salary plus discretionary bonus of $750,000 for Ms. Dwyer reflected a $50,000 increase from the salary plus bonus she received in fiscal 2012.

The increases to Mr. Wheat’s and Ms. Dwyer’s salary plus bonuses were discretionary, but factors considered included the performance by the Company in fiscal 2013, including higher pre-tax income in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012, and individual performance of Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer in each one’s area of responsibility. The process of awarding discretionary bonuses to Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer includes review and consideration by our CEO and our Chairman, who then makes a recommendation to our Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee then considers the recommendation and makes a recommendation to the Board of Directors. These discretionary bonuses were not based on specific quantitative formulas, percentages or numerical weightings, but rather were related to subjective evaluations of the Company’s level of profitability relative to the prior year, the individual job performance of each officer, and the level of retention risk related to the Company’s ability to continue to employ each officer. The same compensation decision processes of evaluating areas of responsibilities were utilized for both Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer. The amount of discretionary bonus awarded to each of Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer was not benchmarked or tied to any other performance metrics or pay of similar executives at peer companies, provided that, the Compensation Committee does review peer group information for chief financial officers in respect of Mr. Wheat’s compensation but it does not review similar peer group executive positions for Ms. Dwyer as directly comparable publicly data is not disclosed by our peer group in publicly filed proxy statements.

When considering discretionary bonuses for Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer, each officer’s responsibilities within the Company was considered. As Executive Vice Presidents, both Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer work closely with our Chairman and CEO in setting operational strategies for our homebuilding and financial services operations, communicating and implementing such strategies across the Company, analyzing and monitoring the Company’s performance and reviewing and approving investments in land and lots. These operational strategies include our homebuilding and financial services business plans and incentive compensation, land and lot investment criteria, level of homes in inventory, expense levels, capital structure and liquidity goals, among others. Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer share responsibility for setting the Company’s communications strategies with financial market participants, providing executive management direction and oversight to the financial services operations and the Company’s finance, treasury, information technology and human resources corporate functions. Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer both serve as directors on the boards of the Company’s mortgage and insurance subsidiaries.

Mr. Wheat has direct responsibility for the Company’s financial reporting process, including the effectiveness and integrity of the Company’s financial, internal and disclosure controls and procedures, and compliance with all applicable financial reporting rules and regulations for public companies. Mr. Wheat is also directly responsible for providing executive management oversight to the Company’s accounting, management reporting, internal audit and tax functions. Ms. Dwyer has direct responsibility for the Company’s investor relations process, including interactions with investors in the Company’s equity and debt securities and industry research analysts. Ms. Dwyer is also directly responsible for providing executive management oversight to the Company’s public communications, marketing and corporate purchasing functions.

2014 Fiscal Year – Annual Incentive Bonus Opportunity

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer. The Compensation Committee has decided to implement the same short-term annual incentive bonus opportunity based on pre-tax income for Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz for fiscal 2014, provided that the 1% of pre-tax income maximum in fiscal 2013 was reduced to a 0.6% maximum of pre-tax income in fiscal 2014. The primary reason for changing the maximum from 1% to 0.6% was to continue to incent Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz to grow the Company’s pre-tax income while at the same time balancing the total short-term and long-term compensation earned and paid. The Compensation Committee has decided to implement the same short-term annual incentive bonus opportunity based on pre-tax income for Mr. Auld for fiscal 2014 up to a maximum of 0.25% of pre-tax income.

 

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2013 Performance Restricted Stock Units – Ranking Results and Vesting at September 30, 2013

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. In November 2013, Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz were each awarded 243,750 shares of common stock based on a 150,000 target number of performance restricted stock units (“2013 Performance RSUs”) granted in November 2010. The performance period for the 2013 Performance RSUs was October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2013 (the “2013 Performance Period”) and the 2013 Performance RSUs vested based on the following four performance goals (“Performance Goals”):

 

Performance Goal

   Performance
Comparison
   Weighting to
Total Award

Relative TSR

   S&P 500 Index TSR    25%

Relative ROI

   Peer Group    25%

Relative SG&A

   Peer Group    25%

Relative GP

   Peer Group    25%

 

  TSR: means “total shareholder return” (stock price increases and decreases plus dividends) of the Company over the 2013 Performance Period as determined by Standard and Poor’s using the same methodology used by Standard and Poor’s in preparing the stock performance graph included each year in the Company’s Form 10-K.

 

  ROI: means “return on investment” which is annual homebuilding pre-tax income or loss divided by average total assets, over the 2013 Performance Period.

 

  SG&A: means homebuilding “selling, general and administrative expense” (including corporate general and administrative expenses) as a percentage of homebuilding revenues, over the 2013 Performance Period.

 

  GP: means “gross profit” defined as homebuilding revenues minus homebuilding cost of sales, including inventory and land option charges, divided by homebuilding revenues, over the 2013 Performance Period.

 

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The following table sets forth the potential performance adjustments that may be made to the 2013 Performance RSUs based on the final performance rankings of the peer group and us.

2013 Performance RSUs

Potential Performance Adjustments as a Percentage of Target

 

TSR Portion of Award

(weighted 25% of target award)

Company TSR

Relative to

S&P 500 Index TSR

      Payout        

Number of

Performance

 RSUs Awarded 

  Percentage Points Below Index:

  

     

10 Percentage Points

  

    zero

9 Percentage Points

      Threshold         3,750

8 Percentage Points

  

      7,500

7 Percentage Points

  

    11,250

6 Percentage Points

  

    15,000

5 Percentage Points

  

    18,750

4 Percentage Points

  

    22,500

3 Percentage Points

  

    26,250

2 Percentage Points

  

    30,000

1 Percentage Point

  

    33,750

  Equal to S&P 500 Index TSR

      Target                 37,500(1)

  Percentage Points Above Index:

  

     

1 Percentage Point

  

    41,250

2 Percentage Points

  

    45,000

3 Percentage Points

  

    48,750

4 Percentage Points

  

    52,500

5 Percentage Points

  

    56,250

6 Percentage Points

  

    60,000

7 Percentage Points

  

    63,750

8 Percentage Points

  

    67,500

9 Percentage Points

  

    71,250

10 Percentage Points

        Maximum          75,000

ROI, SG&A and GP Portions of Award

(each weighted 25% of target award)

Performance Level

Compared to

Peer Group

      Payout        

Number of

Performance

 RSUs Awarded 

    11th Place

  

    zero

    10th Place

      Threshold         18,750

    9th Place

  

      37,500

    8th Place

  

      56,250

    7th Place

  

      75,000

    6th Place

  

      93,750

    5th Place

      Target                 112,500(2)

    4th Place

  

    140,625

    3rd Place

  

    168,750

    2nd Place

  

    196,875

    1st Place

        Maximum          225,000

 

(1) Target number listed is 25% of the total target number of 150,000 and other numbers are 25% of the other possible performance adjustments from the target.

 

(2) Target number listed is 75% of the total target number of 150,000 and other numbers are 75% of the other possible performance adjustments from the target.
 

 

The 2013 Performance RSUs provided that the 150,000 target number could be increased to a maximum of 300,000 upon maximum achievement of each of the four Performance Goals and decreased to a minimum of zero upon minimum achievement of each of the four Performance Goals. Performance and percentages that fall between the target and maximum, and the target and minimum will be ranked using linear interpolation as set forth in the tables above. For the 2013 Performance RSUs, the Company’s peer group consisted of the ten publicly-traded homebuilding companies listed on page 26. Each 2013 Performance RSU represented the contingent right to receive one share of common stock if vesting was satisfied. The 2013 Performance RSUs had no rights to dividends or voting prior to vesting and payout in common stock.

Vesting of the 2013 Performance RSUs with respect to the TSR Performance Goal was determined after the 2013 Performance Period based on a comparison of the Company’s TSR to the S&P 500 Index’s TSR as computed by Standard and Poor’s using their TSR methodology. Vesting of the 2013 Performance RSUs with respect to the ROI, SG&A and GP Performance Goals was determined after the 2013 Performance Period based on the relative ranking of the Company’s performance on each Performance Goal to each peer group company’s performance on each Performance Goal. If any portion of the 2013 Performance RSUs did not vest due to inadequate relative performance, that portion would have been forfeited.

The hurdle or threshold for earning or vesting in 2013 Performance RSUs with respect to the TSR goal was to perform no worse than ten percentage points below the S&P 500 Index because in that event no bonus on that goal would be earned. The hurdle or threshold for earning or vesting in the 2013 Performance RSUs with respect

 

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to the ROI, SG&A and GP Performance Goals is to perform no worse than tenth place because in that event no bonus on that specific goal would be earned.

The following tables set forth the final peer group rankings based on TSR, ROI, SG&A and GP for the peer group and us with respect to the 2013 Performance RSUs:

2013 Performance RSUs

Final Peer Group Rankings

 

     Relative Total Shareholder Return

Company / Index Name

   Base Period
9/30/2010
   Year Ending
9/30/2013

D.R. Horton, Inc.

   100    180.59*

S&P 500 Index

   100    157.17  

 

 

 

* Final performance goal ranking attained by the Company on the TSR performance goal was more than 10 points above the S&P 500 Index at September 30, 2013 as reflected in the table above.

 

    ROI, SG&A and GP Rankings  

Performance Goal

  11th Place     10th Place     9th Place     8th Place     7th Place     6th Place     5th Place     4th Place     3rd Place     2nd Place     1st Place  

Relative ROI

    -32.28%        -22.12%        -8.48%        -0.30%        0.64%        3.45%        4.85%        8.11%        8.16%        13.86% *      37.24%   

Relative SG&A

    17.90%        16.50%        16.03%        15.65%        15.42%        15.15%        14.84%        13.82%        11.96%     11.65%        9.19%   

Relative GP

    8.91%        11.96%        14.75%        15.04%        15.25%        17.12%        17.15%        18.04%     18.21%        18.77%        22.04%   

 

 

 

* Final performance goal ranking attained by the Company: 2nd place on ROI, 3rd place on SG&A and 4th place on GP.

2013 Performance RSUs

Final Results – Earned and Paid

 

Target Number of

RSUs Awarded

  

Final Company

Performance Rankings

  

Number of
RSUs Earned

   Closing
Stock
Price at
9/30/2013
   Value of
RSUs Earned
at 9/30/2013
   Final
Payout in
Common Stock

37,500 Units

   TSR:    10 Points Above    75,000 Units    $19.43    $1,457,250    75,000 Shares

37,500 Units

   ROI:    2nd Place    65,625 Units    $19.43    $1,275,094    65,625 Shares

37,500 Units

   SG&A:    3rd Place    56,250 Units    $19.43    $1,092,938    56,250 Shares

37,500 Units

   GP:    4th Place    46,875 Units    $19.43    $910,781    46,875 Shares

 

        

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

150,000 Units

         243,750 Units    $19.43    $4,736,063    243,750 Shares

 

        

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

The final payout was based on the 36-month performance period ending September 30, 2013.

After reviewing the above final performance goal rankings for the 2013 Performance RSUs, the Compensation Committee approved the issuance of 243,750 shares of common stock to each of Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz.

The only normalization adjustment made to the final peer group rankings was to include the results of discontinued operations for two peer group members in calculating ROI, SG&A and GP so that all peer group members and the Company were treated consistently. This normalization adjustment did not change the Company’s final ranking on the ROI, SG&A or GP goals.

 

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2013 Fiscal Year – Award of 2015 Performance Restricted Stock Units – Potential Vesting at September 30, 2015

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Consistent with our compensation philosophy, we balance our short-term annual incentive bonus program by providing a long-term incentive program. Under our long-term incentive program, our Chairman and our CEO have the opportunity to earn incentive awards based on performance over a period longer than one year. By awarding a portion of compensation over a longer time period, the interests of these executives are aligned with the interests of our stockholders.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2013, the Compensation Committee awarded performance restricted stock units (the “2015 Performance RSUs”) to Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz as follows:

 

Name

   Target Number of
2015 Performance Restricted
Stock Units

Donald R. Horton

   200,000

Donald J. Tomnitz

   150,000

The 2015 Performance RSUs, based on four performance goals of total shareholder return, return on investment, selling, general and administrative expense, and gross profit (“TSR”, “ROI”, “SG&A”, and “GP”), will vest, if at all, after the completion of the performance period, which is the three-year period of October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2015 (the “2015 Performance Period”), and based on final performance rankings. The four performance goals, weightings and performance goal definitions for the 2015 Performance RSUs are similar to those set forth on page 30 and discussed below in the tables and discussion on pages 34 and 35.

The Compensation Committee chose the TSR performance goal because TSR takes into account changes in our stock price plus dividends paid during the 2015 Performance Period compared to the S&P 500 Index’s TSR. By comparing our TSR to the S&P 500 Index’s TSR, we have a goal that incents our executives to achieve a return to our stockholders that is better than the return achieved by a broad-based index of companies. We believe the three performance goals of ROI, SG&A and GP are important internal operating metrics. ROI incents our executives to achieve operating profitability relative to our total assets which measures our efficiency at using our assets to generate pre-tax income. SG&A incents our executives to control selling, general and administrative expenses. GP incents our executives to maximize our sales prices and control sales incentives and costs of sales, which are composed of the costs of land, labor, materials and products used in building our homes.

In fiscal 2013, when determining the target number of 2015 Performance RSUs the Compensation Committee reviewed the estimated annual compensation expense in relation to the Company’s estimated annual revenue. The Compensation Committee chose to further incent these officers by potentially increasing the target up to the maximum, as set forth in the tables on pages 34 and 35, in the event that maximum performance is achieved on the four Performance Goals. The Compensation Committee subjectively chose the maximum of two times the target amount to further incent performance toward the top performance in the homebuilding industry. When the 2015 Performance RSUs were awarded, the target and maximum amounts were subjective determinations and not based on any formulaic method or benchmark. The Compensation Committee also retained the discretion to reduce the 2015 Performance RSUs prior to paying any amount under this award.

 

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The target number of the 2015 Performance RSUs may be increased or decreased based on relative performance over the three-year 2015 Performance Period as set forth in the following tables.

2015 Performance RSUs

Donald R. Horton

 

TSR Portion of Award

(weighted 25% of target award)

Company TSR

Relative to

S&P 500 Index TSR

      Payout        

Number of

Performance

 RSUs Awarded 

  Percentage Points Below Index:

  

     

10 Percentage Points

  

    zero

9 Percentage Points

      Threshold          5,000

8 Percentage Points

  

    10,000

7 Percentage Points

  

    15,000

6 Percentage Points

  

    20,000

5 Percentage Points

  

    25,000

4 Percentage Points

  

    30,000

3 Percentage Points

  

    35,000

2 Percentage Points

  

    40,000

1 Percentage Point

  

    45,000

  Equal to S&P 500 Index TSR

      Target                 50,000(1)

  Percentage Points Above Index:

  

     

1 Percentage Point

  

    55,000

2 Percentage Points

  

    60,000

3 Percentage Points

  

    65,000

4 Percentage Points

  

    70,000

5 Percentage Points

  

    75,000

6 Percentage Points

  

    80,000

7 Percentage Points

  

    85,000

8 Percentage Points

  

    90,000

9 Percentage Points

  

    95,000

10 Percentage Points

        Maximum          100,000

ROI, SG&A and GP Portions of Award

(each weighted 25% of target award)

Performance Level

Compared to

Peer Group

      Payout        

Number of

Performance

 RSUs Awarded 

    11th Place

  

    zero

    10th Place

      Threshold          25,000

    9th Place

  

      50,000

    8th Place

  

      75,000

    7th Place

  

    100,000

    6th Place

  

    125,000

    5th Place

      Target                 150,000(2)

    4th Place

  

    187,500

    3rd Place

  

    225,000

    2nd Place

  

    262,500

    1st Place

        Maximum          300,000

 

(1) Target number listed is 25% of the total target number of 200,000 and other numbers are 25% of the other possible performance adjustments from the target.

 

(2) Target number listed is 75% of the total target number of 200,000 and other numbers are 75% of the other possible performance adjustments from the target.
 

 

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2015 Performance RSUs

Donald J. Tomnitz

 

TSR Portion of Award

(weighted 25% of target award)

Company TSR

Relative to

S&P 500 Index TSR

      Payout        

Number of

Performance

 RSUs Awarded 

  Percentage Points Below Index:

  

     

10 Percentage Points

  

    zero

9 Percentage Points

      Threshold          3,750

8 Percentage Points

  

      7,500

7 Percentage Points

  

    11,250

6 Percentage Points

  

    15,000

5 Percentage Points

  

    18,750

4 Percentage Points

  

    22,500

3 Percentage Points

  

    26,250

2 Percentage Points

  

    30,000

1 Percentage Point

  

    33,750

  Equal to S&P 500 Index TSR

      Target                 37,500(1)

  Percentage Points Above Index:

  

     

1 Percentage Point

  

    41,250

2 Percentage Points

  

    45,000

3 Percentage Points

  

    48,750

4 Percentage Points

  

    52,500

5 Percentage Points

  

    56,250

6 Percentage Points

  

    60,000

7 Percentage Points

  

    63,750

8 Percentage Points

  

    67,500

9 Percentage Points

  

    71,250

10 Percentage Points

        Maximum          75,000

ROI, SG&A and GP Portions of Award

(each weighted 25% of target award)

Performance Level

Compared to

Peer Group

      Payout        

Number of

Performance

RSUs Awarded

    11th Place

  

    zero

    10th Place

      Threshold        18,750

    9th Place

  

    37,500

    8th Place

  

    56,250

    7th Place

  

    75,000

    6th Place

  

    93,750

    5th Place

      Target              112,500(2)

    4th Place

  

    140,625

    3rd Place

  

    168,750

    2nd Place

  

    196,875

    1st Place

        Maximum          225,000

 

(1) Target number listed is 25% of the total target number of 150,000 and other numbers are 25% of the other possible performance adjustments from the target.

 

(2) Target number listed is 75% of the total target number of 150,000 and other numbers are 75% of the other possible performance adjustments from the target.
 

 

The target number of 2015 Performance RSUs may be increased to a maximum of 400,000 for Mr. Horton and 300,000 for Mr. Tomnitz upon maximum achievement of each of the four Performance Goals and decreased to a minimum of zero for Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz upon minimum achievement of each of the four Performance Goals. Performance and percentages that fall between the target and maximum and the target and minimum will be ranked using linear interpolation as set forth in the tables above. For the 2015 Performance RSUs, the Company’s peer group consists of the ten publicly-traded homebuilding companies listed on page 26. Each 2015 Performance RSU represents the contingent right to receive one share of common stock if vesting is satisfied although final payout may be in common stock, cash or a combination of both. The 2015 Performance RSUs have no rights to dividends or voting.

Vesting of the 2015 Performance RSUs with respect to the TSR Performance Goal will be determined after the 2015 Performance Period based on a comparison of the Company’s TSR to the S&P 500 Index’s TSR as computed by Standard and Poor’s using their TSR methodology. Vesting of the 2015 Performance RSUs with respect to the ROI, SG&A and GP Performance Goals will be determined after the 2015 Performance Period based on the relative ranking of the Company’s performance on each Performance Goal to each peer group company’s performance on each Performance Goal. Any portion of the Performance RSUs that do not vest due to inadequate relative performance will be forfeited.

The hurdle or threshold for earning 2015 Performance RSUs with respect to the TSR goal is to perform no worse than ten percentage points below the S&P 500 Index because in that event no bonus on that goal would be earned. The hurdle or threshold for earning 2015 Performance RSUs with respect to the ROI, SG&A and GP Performance Goals is to perform no worse than tenth place because in that event no bonus on that specific goal would be earned. Additional information on the grant date fair value of the 2015 Performance RSUs is set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 40 and the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table on page 42.

 

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At the time of grant, the Compensation Committee made the subjective determination to set the target and maximum number of 2015 Performance RSUs based on consideration that if the target or maximum amount were paid and the Company’s stock price is at its current level, total compensation to our executive officers would remain within the range of estimated total compensation paid to similar executives in the Company’s peer group over the 2015 Performance Period and achieve the Company’s goal of maintaining reasonable compensation expense. However, we cannot guarantee this result as it involves future compensation practices of our peer group and the future price of our common stock. The Compensation Committee further believed in the importance of setting a maximum that is significantly higher than the target to incentivize performance. If the maximum level for the performance goals was achieved the Company would be in a stronger competitive position than its peers and could create more value for our stockholders.

2013 Fiscal Year – Award of Stock Options

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.    Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz were awarded 150,000 and 100,000 stock options, respectively, on March 5, 2013 by the Compensation Committee. These stock options vest in installments of one-third per year over three years on each grant date anniversary of March 5th and have a ten-year term. These stock options have an exercise price per share of $23.80, the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE on March 5, 2013, the date of approval and grant. In determining the number of stock options to award, the Compensation Committee made a subjective determination based on each of the factors listed on page 37 under the heading “2006 Stock Incentive Plan.” In addition to those factors, the Compensation Committee also reviewed the Company’s stock price, the grant date fair value of the stock options, the amount of stock option expense, and the number of stock options outstanding for both Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz as a result of the new option grant, without giving any weight or formulaic effect to such factors. In addition, the Compensation Committee set the vesting term at three years based on certain factors which include the tenure and role of each executive with the Company, the age of each executive, the retention value of stock options based on a three year vesting schedule and the lack of employment agreement between each executive and the Company. Additional information on the annual compensation expense and grant date fair value of these stock options is set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 40 and the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table on page 42 of this Proxy Statement.

Other Named Executive Officers.    Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer were each awarded 60,000 stock options on March 5, 2013 by the Compensation Committee for the same reasons discussed above. These stock options vest in 20% installments over five years of the grant date anniversary and have a ten-year term. These stock options have an exercise price per share of $23.80, the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE on March 5, 2013, the date of approval and grant. In determining the number of stock options to award, the Compensation Committee made a subjective determination based on the factors listed on page 37 under the heading “2006 Stock Incentive Plan.” In addition to those factors, the Compensation Committee also reviewed the Company’s stock price, the grant date fair value of the stock options, the amount of stock option expense, and the number of stock options outstanding as a result of the new option grant, without giving any weight or formulaic effect to such factors. In addition, the Compensation Committee set the vesting term at five years based on certain factors which include the tenure and role of each executive with the Company, the retention value of stock options based on a five year vesting schedule and the lack of employment agreement between each executive and the Company. Additional information on the annual compensation expense and grant date fair value of these stock options is set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 40 and the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table on page 42 of this Proxy Statement.

2014 Fiscal Year – Award of 2016 Performance Restricted Stock Units – Potential Vesting at September 30, 2016

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the Compensation Committee approved and awarded the 2016 Performance Restricted Stock Units to Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz as follows:

 

Name

   Target Number of
2016 Performance Restricted
Stock Units

Donald R. Horton

   200,000

Donald J. Tomnitz

   150,000

 

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The 2016 Performance Restricted Stock Units will vest, if at all, after the completion of the three-year performance period of October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2016, based on final performance rankings and operate in a similar manner to the 2015 Performance RSUs awarded in fiscal 2013, as discussed in the section 2013 Fiscal Year — Award of 2015 Performance Restricted Stock Units — Potential Vesting at September 30, 2015” on page 33.

Incentive Bonus Plans – Approved by Stockholders

We believe that performance-based bonuses should continue to represent a significant portion of the compensation of our Chairman and our CEO. We seek to structure our performance-based awards in a manner that may permit such awards to be tax deductible under Section 162(m) to the extent reasonably feasible and to the extent that such structure is in line with our operational and financial objectives. The Compensation Committee believes that a balanced executive compensation program is best served by providing compensation plans that allow for a mix and balance of short and long-term compensation components, including (i) a short-term or annual bonus performance plan, (ii) a long-term (more than one year) bonus performance plan, and (iii) a short-term and long-term equity plan. In furtherance of this objective, the Compensation Committee and our stockholders have previously approved the following incentive plans:

 

   

D.R. Horton 2000 Incentive Bonus Plan – our primary short-term or annual bonus plan.

 

   

D.R. Horton 2006 Stock Incentive Plan – our primary short and long-term equity plan.

The amended and restated 2000 Incentive Bonus Plan and the amended and restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan were approved by our stockholders most recently on January 24, 2013 and January 20, 2011, respectively. The Compensation Committee will continue to evaluate the most effective way to use these two plans.

2000 Incentive Bonus Plan.    The amended and restated 2000 Incentive Bonus Plan is the primary plan under which our Chairman and our CEO are awarded short-term annual incentive cash bonuses. We generally intend for awards issued to covered employees under the 2000 Incentive Bonus Plan to qualify for the performance-based compensation deduction allowed by Section 162(m). However, there can be no assurance that these awards will satisfy the requirements for deductibility under Section 162(m), and the Company and the Compensation Committee reserves the right to pay bonuses outside of this plan.

2006 Stock Incentive Plan.    We use our amended and restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan to issue stock options and other equity based awards. Stock options provide an important link between the performance of our employees and creation of stockholder value primarily because the stock options only have value if the stock price increases from the date of grant. Since 2000, the Compensation Committee has generally awarded stock options to its executive officers in twelve to thirty month intervals. Consistent with this practice, the executive officers were last granted stock options on March 5, 2013 and were granted stock options prior to that in September 2011. The Compensation Committee will continue to evaluate when to make equity awards to its executives and other employees, which may be more frequent than in the past, based on the total mix of compensation for the executives and other factors. Generally, when the Compensation Committee decides to grant equity awards to executive officers, in determining the number of equity awards to grant and the other material terms of the equity grants, the Compensation Committee makes a subjective evaluation of:

 

   

the overall performance of the Company in comparison to its peer group;

 

   

an analysis of recent compensation of senior executive officers in the Company’s peer group;

 

   

recommendations of the Chairman, other than for himself;

 

   

contributions the executive officer made and is anticipated to make to the Company’s success;

 

   

level of experience and responsibility of the executive officer; and

 

   

number of stock options previously granted to executive officers and other employees.

We do not have a program, plan or practice in place to time the grant of stock options or other equity awards in coordination with the release of material non-public information.

 

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We will continue to evaluate the type and mix of equity awards to be awarded to our executives and other employees in the future. Restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock options and stock appreciation rights are among the types of equity awards to be considered in the future and may be awarded under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. When considering whether to issue restricted stock (including restricted stock units) or stock options (including stock appreciation rights), the Compensation Committee will review the following factors (in addition to the previously listed factors):

 

   

expense of issuing restricted stock versus that of issuing stock options;

 

   

objective achieved by issuing restricted stock versus that of issuing stock options; and

 

   

value to employee of receiving restricted stock versus stock options.

The Compensation Committee believes that restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options should be available alternatives when considering equity awards. Restricted stock provides a strong retention incentive in an uncertain market, providing compensation in periods where there is volatility in the stock price, and resulting in fewer shares outstanding compared to the exercise of stock options. Stock options also have unique and valuable features to our company and our employees because of the potential for strong returns if the stock price increases and the ability of the recipient to defer paying the exercise price and related taxes until the stock options are exercised. The Compensation Committee has not made definitive decisions regarding the awarding of equity awards in fiscal 2014, other than those discussed on page 36, but it will continue to evaluate making such equity awards during the current fiscal year.

Compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)

When reviewing and setting compensation awards to our executives, we consider the tax deductibility of their compensation under Section 162(m). Section 162(m) generally does not allow a tax deduction to publicly-held companies for compensation over $1 million paid in any fiscal year to the company’s named executive officers (other than the chief financial officer). However, Section 162(m) exempts qualified performance-based compensation from this $1 million limit if certain requirements are met. We generally intend for awards to our executive officers under the amended and restated 2000 Incentive Bonus Plan and the amended and restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan to qualify for the performance-based compensation exemption under Section 162(m). However, there can be no assurance that these awards will satisfy the requirements for deductibility under Section 162(m). Further, we exercise judgment and may award compensation that does not qualify for tax deductibility under Section 162(m) to meet corporate objectives or to adapt to changing circumstances.

Retirement Benefits

Our executive officers do not participate in any qualified pension plans or defined benefit plans, but they do participate in the retirement plans below. We believe that it is important to offer these retirement plans to our executive officers as part of a competitive long-term compensation program that encourages saving for retirement and that promotes long-term retention.

Profit Sharing Plus Plan (“401(k) plan”).    Our executive officers participate in our Company-wide 401(k) plan. Under this plan, executive officers, like all other eligible employees, may contribute from 1% to 75%, on a pre-tax basis, of their earnings into the 401(k) plan. For 2013, the maximum that could be contributed was $17,500 ($23,000 for participants 50 years or older). The Company makes a matching contribution to the participant’s account in an amount of $0.50 for each $1.00 contributed by the participant up to 6% of his or her salary. The matching contributions made by the Company on behalf of the executive officers are included in the “All Other Compensation” column in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 40.

Deferred Compensation Plan.    The Company established the D.R. Horton Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”), effective as of June 15, 2002 and amended and restated it on December 10, 2008. The Deferred Compensation Plan is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan maintained primarily to provide deferred compensation benefits for a select group of “management or highly compensated employees” as defined by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The Deferred

 

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Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, was adopted and approved by the Compensation Committee and ratified by the Board of Directors.

SERP 2.    The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan 2 (“SERP 2”), as amended and restated December 10, 2008, a nonqualified plan, was originally adopted by the Company in 1994 to permit eligible participants, which include our executive officers, region presidents, division presidents and other selected employees, to accrue supplemental Company-funded benefits payable upon retirement, separation of service, death or disability. The SERP 2 provides that if the executive is employed by the Company on the last day of a fiscal year, then the Company will establish a liability to such officer equal to 10% of his or her annual base salary as of the first day of such fiscal year. This liability will accrue earnings in future years at a rate established by the administrative committee for the SERP 2. Amounts payable under the SERP 2 are not secured or held in trust, and the plan participants’ rights to enforce payment are the same as a general unsecured creditor.

In fiscal 2013, in connection with our risk oversight related to the retention and compensation of our named executive officers, the Compensation Committee determined that an appropriate compensation package should include a reasonable amount of fixed compensation, such as salary and retirement compensation. The Compensation Committee believe that a fixed component of compensation helps mitigate inappropriate risk taking because the executive can count on a certain level of fixed compensation. In this regard, in fiscal 2013, the Compensation Committee reviewed the amounts listed in the column titled “Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 40. For the Company, these amounts represent the above-market portion of earnings on outstanding SERP 2 balances for the named executive officers. As part of this analysis, we reviewed the data of each company in our peer group related to the dollar amounts disclosed in the same column titled “Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” in the Summary Compensation Tables for each of the CEOs or principal executive officers in our peer group from their most recently filed proxy statements. The dollar amounts listed under this heading ranged from zero to approximately $1,847,550. For fiscal 2013, the amount for our Chairman was $138,565 and the amount for our CEO was $105,013. We believe the amounts accrued for above-market earnings on SERP 2 balances are reasonable when compared to our peer group and reasonable when considered in relation to the total compensation packages offered to our named executive officers. Also, we considered other factors such as the Company does not provide our named executive officers with employment agreements or severance agreements or other forms of guaranteed retirement benefits, other than the 401(k) matching contribution discussed above. As a result, our SERP 2 program continues to serve as a useful and reasonable fixed compensation component of our overall compensation package.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this Proxy Statement. Based on our review and discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of D.R. Horton, Inc. for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:

Bradley S. Anderson, Committee Chairman

Michael R. Buchanan

Michael W. Hewatt

Bob G. Scott

The Compensation Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material, and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other company filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that the company specifically incorporates the Compensation Committee Report by reference therein.

 

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Executive Compensation Tables

The following tables show, with respect to our Chairman, our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and our other named executive officer of D.R. Horton, the compensation awarded, earned or paid for all services rendered in all capacities to D.R. Horton during our fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and

Principal Position

  Year     Salary     Bonus(1)     Stock
Awards(2)
    Option
Awards(3)
    Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compen-
sation(4)
    Change in
Pension
Value and
Non-
Qualified
Deferred
Compen-
sation
Earnings(5)
    All
Other
Compen-
sation(6)
    Total  

Donald R. Horton

    2013        $1,000,000        —          $4,430,000      $ 1,638,000        $4,912,645        $138,565        $109,898        $12,229,108   

Chairman of the Board

    2012        $1,000,000        —          $2,358,000        —          $2,429,907        $107,859        $109,702        $  6,005,468   
    2011        $1,000,000        —          $1,903,500      $ 1,194,000        $   240,798        $  85,764        $109,573        $  4,533,635   

Donald J. Tomnitz

    2013        $   900,000        —          $3,322,500      $ 1,092,000        $4,912,645        $105,013        $100,655        $10,432,813   

Vice Chairman, Chief Executive

Officer and President

    2012        $   900,000        —          $1,768,500        —          $2,429,907        $  80,856        $100,444        $  5,279,707   
    2011        $   900,000        —          $1,903,500      $ 796,000        $   240,798        $  63,414        $100,095        $  4,003,807   

Bill W. Wheat

    2013        $   500,000        $500,000        —        $ 655,200        —          $  28,794        $  57,650        $  1,741,644   

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

    2012        $   250,000        $450,000        —          —          —          $  22,150        $  35,444        $     757,594   
    2011        $   250,000        $350,000        —        $ 477,600        —          $  17,352        $  35,095        $  1,130,047   

Stacey H. Dwyer

    2013        $   350,000        $400,000        —        $ 655,200        —          $  29,098        $  42,650        $  1,476,948   

Executive Vice President and

Treasurer

    2012        $   250,000        $450,000        —          —          —          $  22,400        $  32,500        $     754,900   
    2011        $   250,000        $350,000        —        $ 477,600        —          $  17,564        $  32,350        $  1,127,514   

 

 

 

(1) The dollar amounts listed represent discretionary cash bonuses paid to the named executive officer. More information on fiscal 2013 discretionary bonuses is set forth under the caption “2013 Fiscal Year – Annual Discretionary Bonus” beginning on page 28.

For Mr. Wheat, $100,000 of the fiscal 2013 amount represents a discretionary bonus paid in 5,390 shares of common stock valued at $18.55 per share. More information on fiscal 2013 discretionary bonuses is set forth under the caption “2013 Fiscal Year – Annual Discretionary Bonus” beginning on page 28.

 

(2) For fiscal 2013, the dollar amount for Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz represents the grant date fair value of 2015 Performance RSUs determined in accordance with accounting guidance for share-based payments multiplied by the target number of performance RSUs. If the maximum number of 2015 Performance RSUs that potentially could be earned were used rather than the target number, the total grant date fair value of the award would be $8,860,000 for Mr. Horton and $6,645,000 for Mr. Tomnitz. Additional information on the performance restricted stock units and the grant date fair value is set forth in footnote 2 to the “Grant of Plan-Based Awards” table on page 42.

For fiscal 2012, the dollar amounts represent the grant date fair value of 2014 Performance RSUs determined in accordance with accounting guidance for share-based payments multiplied by the target number of performance RSUs. For fiscal 2012, if the maximum number of 2014 Performance RSUs that potentially could be earned were used rather than the target number, the total grant date fair value of the award would be $4,716,000 for Mr. Horton and $3,537,000 for Mr. Tomnitz.

For fiscal 2011, the dollar amounts represent the grant date fair value of 2013 Performance RSUs determined in accordance with accounting guidance for share-based payments multiplied by the target number of performance RSUs. For fiscal 2011, if the maximum number of 2013 Performance RSUs that potentially could be earned were used rather than the target number, the total grant date fair value of the award would be $3,807,000 for each of Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz.

 

(3)

For fiscal 2013 and 2011, the dollar amount represents the grant date fair value of the number of stock options granted in the fiscal year. The grant date fair value of the options was determined using a Black-

 

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  Scholes option pricing model in accordance with accounting guidance for share-based payments. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note J to our audited financial statements included in our Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013. The Company recognizes expenses for these awards over their vesting period. No stock options were granted in fiscal 2012.

 

(4) For fiscal 2013, Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz were each paid $4,912,645 based on the consolidated pre-tax income of the Company for fiscal 2013. Additional information on the fiscal 2013 pre-tax income bonus is discussed under the heading “2013 Fiscal Year – Annual Incentive Bonus Results and Payout” on page 28. For fiscal 2012, Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz were each paid $2,429,907 based on consolidated pre-tax income of the Company for fiscal 2012. For fiscal 2011, Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz were each paid $240,798 based on consolidated pre-tax income of the Company for fiscal 2011.

 

(5) Amounts represent the above-market portion of earnings on each executive officer’s outstanding balance under the SERP 2. This amount is further discussed under the heading “SERP 2” on page 39.

 

(6) For fiscal 2013, the amounts under “All Other Compensation” include the following components:

 

  (a) Credits made by the Company of $100,000, $90,000, $50,000, and $35,000 to the respective accounts of Mr. Horton, Mr. Tomnitz, Mr. Wheat, and Ms. Dwyer under the SERP 2 plan.

 

  (b) Matching contributions of $7,650 to the respective accounts of Mr. Horton, Mr. Tomnitz, Mr. Wheat, and Ms. Dwyer under the D.R. Horton 401(k) plan.

 

  (c) The participant’s portion of group health plan premiums of $2,248 paid by the Company for the benefit of Mr. Horton, and $3,005 paid by the Company for the benefit of Mr. Tomnitz.

 

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

                   

All Other

Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities

Underlying

Options

 

Exercise

or Base

Price of

Options

Awards

   

Grant

Date

Fair

Value of

Stock and

Option

Awards

 

Name

  Grant
Date
    Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(1)
    Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(2)
     
    Threshold   Target     Maximum     Threshold   Target     Maximum   (#)(3)   ($/Sh)     ($)(2)(3)  

Donald R. Horton

    11/8/2012      $1   $ 4,912,645      $ 6,578,428                              
    11/8/2012                      30,000     200,000      400,000            $ 4,430,000   
    3/5/2013                                 150,000   $ 23.80      $ 1,638,000   

Donald J. Tomnitz

    11/8/2012      $1   $ 4,912,645      $ 6,578,428                              
    11/8/2012                      22,500     150,000      300,000            $ 3,322,500   
    3/5/2013                                 100,000   $ 23.80      $ 1,092,000   

Bill W. Wheat

    3/5/2013                                 60,000   $ 23.80      $ 655,200   

Stacey H. Dwyer

    3/5/2013                                 60,000   $ 23.80      $ 655,200   

 

 

 

(1) Represents performance bonus awards made under our annual incentive bonus plan to provide each executive with the potential to earn a bonus based on achieving positive consolidated pre-tax income during fiscal 2013. The Compensation Committee exercised negative discretion and reduced the final bonus from $6,578,428 to $4,912,645 for each of Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz. Additional information related to the pre-tax income bonus award is discussed under the heading “2013 Fiscal Year – Annual Incentive Bonus Results and Payout” on page 28.

 

(2) Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz were awarded a target amount of 200,000 and 150,000 2015 Performance RSUs, respectively. The threshold, target and maximum amounts reflect the number of 2015 Performance RSUs each executive could earn based on the level of performance attained for the three-year performance period and based on relative performance on four performance goals ranked against our peer group and the S&P 500 index.

The grant date fair value of the 2015 Performance RSUs was $22.15 per unit and was determined in accordance with accounting guidance for share-based payments. These 2015 Performance RSUs are discussed under the heading “2013 Fiscal Year – Award of 2015 Performance Restricted Stock Units – Potential Vesting at September 30, 2015” on page 33 and the related grant date fair value of $4,430,000 for Mr. Horton and $3,322,500 for Mr. Tomnitz is reflected in the “Stock Awards” column in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 40.

 

(3) All stock options were approved and granted on March 5, 2013 under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, and have an exercise price of $23.80, the closing price of our common stock on the date of approval and grant. The stock options for Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz vest in three equal annual installments on each successive anniversary of the grant date beginning on the first anniversary date. The stock options for Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer vest in five equal installments per year on each successive anniversary of the grant date beginning on the first anniversary date. All stock options have a ten year term.

The grant date fair value of the options is $10.92 per option and was determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model in accordance with accounting guidance for share-based payments. The 2006 Stock Incentive Plan is discussed on page 37 and the related grant date fair value of each award is reflected in the “Option Awards” column in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 40.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table shows information about outstanding equity awards at September 30, 2013.

 

    Option Awards     Stock Awards  

Name

  Grant
Date
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

Exercisable
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
    Option
Exercise
Price
    Option
Expiration
Date
    Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
    Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
 

Donald R. Horton(1)

    3/5/2013        —          150,000      $ 23.80        3/5/2023        —          —     
    9/2/2011        200,000        100,000      $ 9.97        9/2/2021        —          —     
    2/9/2009        240,000        60,000      $ 9.03        2/9/2019        —          —     
    2/11/2008        300,000        —        $ 14.50        2/11/2018        —          —     
    5/2/2006        150,000        —        $ 29.44        5/2/2016        —          —     
    4/29/2004        133,333        —        $ 21.60        4/29/2014        —          —     
    11/8/2012        —          —          —          —          200,000 (3)    $ 3,886,000 (4) 
    11/9/2011        —          —          —          —          200,000 (5)    $ 3,886,000 (6) 

Donald J. Tomnitz(1)

    3/5/2013        —          100,000      $ 23.80        3/5/2023        —          —     
    9/2/2011        66,666        66,667      $ 9.97        9/2/2021        —          —     
    2/9/2009        40,000        40,000      $ 9.03        2/9/2019        —          —     
    2/11/2008        40,000        —        $ 14.50        2/11/2018        —          —     
    5/2/2006        100,000        —        $ 29.44        5/2/2016        —          —     
    4/29/2004        93,333        —        $ 21.60        4/29/2014        —          —     
    11/8/2012        —          —          —          —          150,000 (3)    $ 2,914,500 (4) 
    11/9/2011        —          —          —          —          150,000 (5)    $ 2,914,500 (6) 

Bill W. Wheat(2)

    3/5/2013        —          60,000      $ 23.80        3/5/2023        —          —     
    9/2/2011        48,000        72,000      $ 9.97        9/2/2021        —          —     
    2/9/2009        12,000        72,000      $ 9.03        2/9/2019        —          —     
    2/11/2008        10,000        60,000      $ 14.50        2/11/2018        —          —     
    5/2/2006        28,000        12,000      $ 29.44        5/2/2016        —          —     
    4/29/2004        —          5,334      $ 21.60        4/29/2014        —          —     

Stacey H. Dwyer(2)

    3/5/2013        —          60,000      $ 23.80        3/5/2023        —          —     
    9/2/2011        48,000        72,000      $ 9.97        9/2/2021        —          —     
    2/9/2009        11,500        72,000      $ 9.03        2/9/2019        —          —     
    2/11/2008        14,000        60,000      $ 14.50        2/11/2018        —          —     
    5/2/2006        28,000        12,000      $ 29.44        5/2/2016        —          —     
    4/29/2004        27,999        5,334      $ 21.60        4/29/2014        —          —     

 

 

 

(1) All stock option awards granted to Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz prior to September 2011 vest in five equal annual installments on each successive anniversary of the grant date commencing on the first anniversary date. The stock option awards granted in September 2011 and after that date vest in three equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary date. All stock options have a ten-year term.

 

(2) All stock option awards granted to Mr. Wheat and Ms. Dwyer prior to September 2011 vest in ten equal annual installments on each successive anniversary of the grant date commencing on the first anniversary date for nine years with the final installment vesting on the date that is 9.75 years following the grant date. The stock option awards granted in September 2011 and after that date vest in five equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary date. All stock options have a ten-year term.

 

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(3) Represents the target number of 2015 Performance RSUs awarded. The maximum number of 2015 Performance RSUs that can be earned is 400,000 for Mr. Horton and 300,000 for Mr. Tomnitz upon maximum achievement of the performance goals. These 2015 Performance RSUs are described under “2013 Fiscal Year – Award of 2015 Performance Restricted Stock Units – Potential Vesting at September 30, 2015” on page 33.

 

(4) The value of the 2015 Performance RSUs is based on the closing price of our common stock on September 30, 2013 of $19.43. For Mr. Horton, the maximum market value of these 2015 Performance RSUs is $7,772,000 if maximum performance is achieved. For Mr. Tomnitz, the maximum market value of these 2015 Performance RSUs is $5,829,000 if maximum performance is achieved. These 2015 Performance RSUs are described under “2013 Fiscal Year – Award of 2015 Performance Restricted Stock Units—Potential Vesting at September 30, 2015” on page 33.

 

(5) Represents the target number of 2014 Performance RSUs awarded. The maximum number of 2014 Performance RSUs that can be earned is 400,000 for Mr. Horton and 300,000 for Mr. Tomnitz upon maximum achievement of the performance goals.

 

(6) The value of the 2014 Performance RSUs is based on the closing price of our common stock on September 30, 2013 of $19.43. For Mr. Horton, the maximum market value of these 2014 Performance RSUs is $7,772,000 if maximum performance is achieved. For Mr. Tomnitz, the maximum market value of these 2014 Performance RSUs is $5,829,000 if maximum performance is achieved.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table shows information about option exercises and stock vested during our fiscal year ended September 30, 2013.

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards  

Name

   Number of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise
     Value Realized
on Exercise(1)
     Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting(2)
     Value
Realized on
Vesting(3)
 

Donald R. Horton

                     243,750       $ 4,736,063   

Donald J. Tomnitz

                     243,750       $ 4,736,063   

Bill W. Wheat

     63,999       $ 511,353                   

Stacey H. Dwyer

     52,500       $ 540,348                   

 

 

 

(1) Amounts represent the difference in the aggregate market value and the aggregate exercise price of the shares at the time of exercise.

 

(2) Amounts represent the final number of 2013 Performance RSUs vested on September 30, 2013. The 2013 Performance RSUs were granted in November 2010.

 

(3) Amounts represent the number of 2013 Performance RSUs vested multiplied by the closing stock price on September 30, 2013 of $19.43 per share.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans

D.R. Horton has established the following nonqualified deferred compensation plans:

Deferred Compensation Plan.    The Deferred Compensation Plan permits participants, including D.R. Horton’s executive officers and directors, to voluntarily defer receipt of up to 100% of bonus or director fee compensation from D.R. Horton and up to 90% of base salary from D.R. Horton. The participants earn a rate of return on their deferred amounts based on their selection from a variety of independently managed funds. The Company does not provide a guaranteed rate of return on these deferred amounts. The rate of return realized depends on the participant’s fund selections and market performance of these funds. Upon his or her annual

 

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election, a participant’s Deferred Compensation Plan benefit will be paid, or commence to be paid, upon separation from service or on a fixed date. Specified employees, as defined in Code Section 409A, generally cannot be paid until six months after separation from service (or, if earlier, upon a change in control). Payment may also be made upon death, disability or an unforeseeable emergency. Payments are made in a lump sum unless installments are elected. Amounts payable under the plan are not secured or held in trust, and the plan participants’ rights to enforce payment are the same as a general unsecured creditor. However, upon a change in control (as defined in the Deferred Compensation Plan), all plan benefits will be fully funded through an irrevocable grantor trust (also known as a “Rabbi trust”). The participants, at their election, may choose to have the deferred amounts paid out through scheduled in-service distributions (in a lump sum or annual installments of between two and five years) or following the later of termination of employment or director service or attaining the age of 62. The Deferred Compensation Plan was adopted and approved by the Compensation Committee and ratified by the Board of Directors.

SERP 2.    Unlike the Deferred Compensation Plan, these are not elective deferrals, but rather the Company credits employer allocations to participants’ accounts. Messrs. Horton’s and Tomnitz’s participation in SERP 2 is considered by the Compensation Committee annually at the beginning of the fiscal year. Pursuant to SERP 2, if the executive is employed by the Company on the last day of a fiscal year, then the Company will establish a liability to such officer equal to 10% of his or her annual base salary as of the first day of such fiscal year. This liability will accrue earnings in future years at a rate established by the administrative committee for the SERP 2. Amounts payable under the SERP 2 are not secured or held in trust, and the plan participants’ rights to enforce payment are the same as a general unsecured creditor. A participant’s SERP 2 benefit will be paid or commence to be paid upon a change in control (as defined in the SERP 2). Specified employees, as defined in Code Section 409A, generally cannot be paid until six months after separation from service (or, if earlier, upon a change in control). Amounts deferred under the SERP 2 are payable within 60 days following the termination of employment of the participant, the death or disability of the participant or a change in control of the company (the definition of change in control is described in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” on page 46). The form of distribution may be in a lump sum, or in quarterly installments over a period not to exceed five years, as elected by the participant.

The following table shows, for each named executive officer, aggregate contributions, earnings and withdrawals/distributions during fiscal 2013 and outstanding balances as of September 30, 2013 under all of our nonqualified deferred compensation plans.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

 

    Executive
Contributions in Last
Fiscal Year
  Registrant Contributions
in Last Fiscal Year
    Aggregate Earnings in Last
Fiscal Year
    Aggregate Withdrawals/
Distributions
  Aggregate Balance at Last
Fiscal Year End
 

Name

  Deferred
Cash
Compensation
  SERP   Deferred
Cash
Compensation
  SERP(1)     Deferred
Cash
Compensation(2)
    SERP(3)     Deferred
Cash
Compensation(4)
    SERP   Deferred
Cash
Compensation(5)
    SERP(6)  

Donald R. Horton

        $ 100,000      $ 519,237      $ 189,992               $ 7,751,725      $ 2,120,132   

Donald J. Tomnitz

        $ 90,000      $ (82,878   $ 143,988      $ 746,027               $ 1,620,980   

Bill W. Wheat

        $ 50,000             $ 39,480                      $ 469,783   

Stacey H. Dwyer

    —-     $ 35,000      $ 1,687      $ 39,897      $ 41,143        $ 239,285      $ 459,218   

 

 

 

(1) Represents the amount of unfunded, unsecured liabilities created by the Company on behalf of each participant in fiscal 2013 under the SERP 2. Such amount is also included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 40.

 

(2) Represents the net amount of earnings on the balance of the participant’s account that is the result of the performance of a variety of independently managed funds available to and selected by each participant under the Deferred Compensation Plan. The Company does not provide a guaranteed or fixed rate of return on these funds. The rate of return on these funds depends on the participant’s investment selections and on the market performance of these funds. These amounts are not included in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 40 because such amount was not preferential or above-market.

 

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(3) Represents the amount of earnings on the balance of the participant’s account at a rate determined by the SERP 2 plan administrator, typically 10% per annum. Those portions of earnings that are considered above-market are included in the “Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” column of the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 40. The above-market portion of earnings for each of the above individuals for fiscal 2013 is: Mr. Horton: $138,565; Mr. Tomnitz: $105,013; Mr. Wheat: $28,794; and Ms. Dwyer: $29,098.

 

(4) Represents a required distribution resulting from an election made in a prior year.

 

(5) These balances of deferred compensation represent compensation earned in prior years and would have been included in the Summary Compensation Table in prior year proxy statements in the year earned.

 

(6) Includes amounts of unfunded, unsecured liabilities and the related earnings created by the Company on behalf of each participant with respect to the current and prior fiscal years under the SERP 2.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

None of our named executive officers has employment or change in control agreements with us specifically providing for payments upon involuntary termination of their employment. However, certain of our benefit and incentive plans contain various provisions regarding termination of employment or change in control. Any additional severance payments would be at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and determined at the time of termination. The following is a summary of the treatment of benefits under our benefit plans for various reasons for termination, including upon a change in control.

Generally, our benefit plans define “cause” as a violation of the standards of employee conduct set forth in our employee manual and “change in control” as the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i) Our merger, consolidation or reorganization into another entity if our stockholders immediately before such transaction do not, immediately after such transaction, own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities resulting from such transaction and in substantially the same proportion as their stock ownership prior to the transaction;

(ii) We sell all or substantially all of our assets to another entity or we completely liquidate or dissolve;

(iii) A person (as defined by Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) files a report with the SEC on Schedule 13D or Schedule 14D-1 disclosing its acquisition of beneficial ownership of at least 20% of our then outstanding voting securities (the threshold for amounts deposited under our SERP 2 plan on or after January 1, 2005 is 50% or 35% acquired in a single transaction or series of transactions in any 12-month period); and

(iv) We file a report or proxy statement with the SEC disclosing that a change in control has occurred or will occur in the future pursuant to any then-existing contract or transaction.

Generally, a “change in control” shall not be deemed to occur solely because we or any of our affiliates or any of our benefit plans becomes obligated to file a report with the SEC disclosing our acquisition of 20% of our own then outstanding voting securities. For purposes of calculating beneficial ownership pursuant to this paragraph, no voting securities held by our Chairman, Donald R. Horton, as of the date of the adoption of the plan in question or received in any merger transaction shall be included in the calculation.

With regard to our amended and restated 2000 Incentive Bonus Plan, the definition of “change in control” differs from the generally applicable provisions described above in two ways. It includes one additional change in control event relating to board composition and it uses a different threshold for and a different exclusion from beneficial ownership for the change in control event described in paragraph (iii) above. Specifically, under the 2000 Incentive Bonus Plan, a “change in control” includes a change in the composition of the Board at any time such that a majority of the Board of Directors have been members of the Board for less than twenty-four months without the approval of at least a majority (but no less than three) of the directors still in office who were also directors at the beginning of the period. Additionally, under the 2000 Incentive Bonus Plan, the threshold for a person’s acquisition of beneficial ownership to trigger a “change in control” event is 50%, and this definition explicitly excludes from the group of persons that may trigger this change in control the Company, Donald R. Horton, Terrill J. Horton, their respective wives, children, grandchildren, and other descendants, and any trust or other entity formed or controlled by any such individuals.

 

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2006 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1991 Stock Incentive Plan

Our D.R. Horton 2006 Stock Incentive Plan and 1991 Stock Incentive Plan plans provide for accelerated vesting of all outstanding unvested options granted under the plans in the event of a change in control or in the event of a participant’s death, disability or retirement at the retirement age specified in the plan and the participant or his or her beneficiary, as applicable, will be entitled to exercise such options for a period of one year in the event of retirement or two years in the event of death or disability. In the event the participant’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by the participant voluntarily, the participant will be entitled to exercise any options vested as of the date of termination for a period of three months following such termination. If the participant is terminated by the Company for cause, all options will immediately terminate and the participant will forfeit all vested options.

Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan No. 2 (SERP 2)

Under the SERP 2, all amounts deferred shall be paid (either in lump sum or in quarterly installments as elected by the participant) within 60 days following the date of the participant’s termination of employment, disability, death or change in control of the Company; provided, however, “specified employees,” as such term is defined in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, must wait six months following termination of employment before payments accrued on or after January 1, 2005 can be made or commence. In the event the Company terminates a participant for cause, all benefits under the SERP 2 will be forfeited and no payments will be made to the participant. In the event of a change in control, all amounts deferred shall be paid (in accordance with the participant’s election) within 60 days following the date of the change in control.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a participant’s election as to form of payment (lump sum or installment) must have been made at least 12 months prior to distribution. If a termination event occurs and no election has been made, the distributions of pre-2005 accruals will be made or commence on the first day of the 13th month following the date of election, and the distribution of post-2004 accruals will be made in a lump sum upon termination of employment (or six months later for specified employees).

Table – Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

The following table reflects amounts of compensation to be paid to each of the named executive officers in the event of termination of employment or change in control. Because neither the Company nor any of its plans provides for additional benefits related to a change in control termination, if such a termination is triggered, the payments would be as set forth under the applicable column under Termination of Employment.

The amounts in the table assume a termination date of September 30, 2013, the last day of our fiscal year, and, if applicable, are based on the closing price of our common stock of $19.43 on September 30, 2013. Because only one of our named executive officers in office on September 30, 2013, Mr. Tomnitz, was at the normal retirement age (65 years old) on such date under any of our applicable plans, we only included amounts payable upon retirement for him. These amounts are estimates of payments to executives upon termination of employment or a change in control. Actual amounts can only be determined at the time of such executive’s actual separation from the Company or change in control. Factors that could affect these amounts include the timing during the year of any such event, the company’s stock price and the executive’s age. Amounts to be provided to an executive under arrangements that do not discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of our executive officers and are available to all salaried employees are not included in the following table in accordance with SEC regulations.

In addition to the amounts set forth below, each of the named executive officers would be entitled to receive, upon certain termination events or a change in control, a distribution of his or her outstanding balance of compensation earned in prior years and deferred, at the executive officer’s option, under our Deferred Compensation Plan. The balances of such accounts are set forth and explained in the “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” table on page 45.

 

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The table reflects compensation to be paid based on the listed events if such events occurred on September 30, 2013.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

 

        Termination of Employment        

Name

 

Payments and Benefits

  Voluntary
($)
    Normal
Retirement
($)(5)
  Without
Cause
($)
    With
Cause

($)
  Death or
Disability
($)
    Change in
Control
($)
 

Donald R. Horton

 

Severance Pay:

           
 

    Cash

                               
 

    Equity

                               
 

Annual Bonus(1)

    4,912,645          4,912,645          4,912,645        4,912,645   
 

2013 Restricted
Stock Units(2)

    4,736,063          4,736,063          4,736,063        4,736,063   
 

2014 Restricted
Stock Units(3)

    2,590,680          2,590,680          2,590,680        2,590,680   
 

2015 Restricted
Stock Units(4)

                      1,295,340        1,295,340   
 

Stock Options

                      1,570,000        1,570,000   
 

Payments of SERP 2 Contributions

    2,120,132          2,120,132          2,120,132        2,120,132   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Total

    14,359,520          14,359,520          17,224,860        17,224,860   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Donald J. Tomnitz

 

Severance Pay:

           
 

    Cash

                               
 

    Equity

                               
 

Annual Bonus(1)

    4,912,645      4,912,645     4,912,645          4,912,645        4,912,645   
 

2013 Restricted
Stock Units(2)

    4,736,063      4,736,063     4,736,063          4,736,063        4,736,063   
 

2014 Restricted
Stock Units(3)

    1,943,000      1,943,000     1,943,000          1,943,000        1,943,000   
 

2015 Restricted
Stock Units(4)

                      971,500        971,500   
 

Stock Options

         1,046,670              1,046,670        1,046,670   
 

Payments of SERP 2 Contributions

    1,620,980      1,620,980     1,620,980          1,620,980        1,620,980   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Total

    13,212,688      14,259,358     13,212,688          15,230,858        15,230,858   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Bill W. Wheat

 

Severance Pay:

           
 

    Cash

                               
 

    Equity

                               
 

Stock Options

                      1,725,720        1,725,720   
 

Payments of SERP 2 Contributions

    469,783          469,783          469,783        469,783   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Total

    469,783          469,783          2,195,503        2,195,503   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stacey H. Dwyer

 

Severance Pay:

           
 

    Cash

                               
 

    Equity

                               
 

Stock Options

                      1,725,720        1,725,720   
 

Payments of SERP 2 Contributions

    459,218          459,218          459,218        459,218   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Total

    459,218          459,218          2,184,938        2,184,938   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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(1) Under the fiscal 2013 annual incentive bonus award, Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz would have been entitled to receive the bonus earned during fiscal 2013 in the event of termination of employment or change in control occurring on September 30, 2013. For fiscal 2013, Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz each earned $4,912,645 which was paid subsequent to September 30, 2013. The annual incentive bonuses are discussed in more detail under the heading “2013 Fiscal Year – Annual Incentive Bonus Results and Payout” on page 28.

 

(2) Under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz were each awarded a target number of 150,000 2013 Performance RSUs for the performance period of October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2013. If any of the listed events had occurred at September 30, 2013, each of Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz would have been entitled to the payout on the 2013 Performance RSUs in the amounts listed in the table. For each of Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz, following September 30, 2013, the 2013 Performance RSUs earned were paid in common stock. The 2013 award is discussed in more detail under the headings “2013 Performance Restricted Stock Units – Ranking Results and Vesting at September 30, 2013” on page 30.

 

(3) Under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz were awarded a target number of 200,000 and 150,000 2014 Performance RSUs, respectively, for the performance period of October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2014. Under the terms of the 2014 Performance RSUs pro-rata vesting may occur in certain circumstances after 13 months has passed from the award date. Under the terms of the 2014 Performance RSUs pro-rata vesting may occur in the event of voluntary termination, normal retirement or without cause termination after completion of the performance period, provided 13 months have passed from the award date. With respect to death or disability, the 2014 Performance RSUs vest pro-rata based on time passed and are valued at $19.43, the closing price of our stock price on September 30, 2013. Upon a change in control, the Committee may accelerate vesting of part or all of the 2014 Performance RSUs. The value in the table reflects pro-rata vesting (two of three years completed) based on time passed as if a change in control had occurred on September 30, 2013.

 

(4) Under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, Mr. Horton and Mr. Tomnitz were awarded a target number of 200,000 and 150,000 2015 Performance RSUs, respectively, for the performance period of October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2015. Under the terms of the 2015 Performance RSUs pro-rata vesting may occur in certain circumstances after 13 months has passed from the award date. At our fiscal year end of September 30, 2013, 13 months had not passed so no pro-rata vesting could occur with respect to these 2015 Performance RSUs regarding termination of employment in voluntary, involuntary (with or without cause), and normal retirement circumstances so no value is listed for those situations. With respect to death or disability, the 2015 Performance RSUs vest pro-rata based on time passed and are valued at $19.43, the closing price of our stock price on September 30, 2013. Upon a change in control, the Committee may accelerate vesting of part or all of the 2015 Performance RSUs. The value in the table reflects pro-rata vesting (one of three years completed) based on time passed as if a change in control had occurred on September 30, 2013. The 2015 Performance RSUs are discussed in more detail under the heading “2013 Fiscal Year – Award of 2015 Performance Restricted Stock Units – Potential Vesting at September 30, 2015” on page 33.

 

(5) Because only one of our named executive officers has reached the normal retirement age (65 years old) under our applicable plans on September 30, 2013, we only included amounts under the “Normal Retirement” column for that one officer.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

We have a written Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. It requires that all directors and employees are expected to avoid relationships that present a potential or actual conflict between his or her personal interest and the interest of the Company. We generally review related-party transactions regarding our directors and executive officers in a similar manner as we review relationships that may give rise to a conflict of interest, provided there may be certain related-party transactions that may be ratified or approved. Generally, a “conflict of interest” exists whenever an individual’s personal or private interests interfere or conflict in any way with the interests of the Company. A conflict situation can arise when a director or employee takes action or has personal interests that may make it difficult to perform Company work or make Company decisions objectively or effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise when a director or employee, or member of his or her immediate family receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position with the Company, whether received from the Company or a third party.

To avoid conflicts of interest, or improper related-party transactions, each director or executive officer must disclose to the Company’s Chief Legal Officer any transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest or related-party transaction. The Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Compliance Officer then review the situation or transaction, and if necessary, reports the situation or transaction to the chairman of the Audit Committee. If it is determined that ratification or approval is necessary, the Audit Committee would be required to ratify or approve the relationship or transaction.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

During our fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, D.R. Horton’s Compensation Committee was composed of Bradley S. Anderson, Michael R. Buchanan, Michael W. Hewatt and Bob G. Scott, with Mr. Anderson serving as its Chairman. None of the members of the Compensation Committee has served D.R. Horton in any capacity other than as a member of the board or a member of a committee thereof.

 

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PROPOSAL TWO

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Our stockholders are being asked to approve a non-binding advisory resolution on the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. Although this “say-on-pay” resolution is non-binding, our Board of Directors and Compensation Committee welcome your opinion and will consider the result of the vote when making future compensation decisions.

At our last Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on January 24, 2013, our stockholders voted in favor of a resolution to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the related compensation tables, notes and narrative in our Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Of the votes represented at the meeting, approximately 93.6% were voted in favor of the advisory vote on executive compensation.

We encourage you to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 22 of this Proxy Statement, which describes in detail how our executive compensation policies and procedures operate and are designed to achieve our compensation objectives, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and other related compensation tables, notes and narrative, appearing on pages 40 through 49, which provide detailed information on the compensation of our named executive officers.

We believe that our current executive compensation program achieves an appropriate mix of short-term and long-term compensation incentives, reinforces the link between executive pay and the Company’s long-term performance and stock value, and thereby aligns the interests of our named executive officers with those of stockholders.

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, and as a matter of good corporate governance, we are asking stockholders to approve the following advisory resolution at the 2014 Annual Meeting:

RESOLVED, that the stockholders of D.R. Horton, Inc. (the “Company”) approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the related compensation tables, notes and narrative in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

The Board of Directors Unanimously Recommends that Stockholders Vote “FOR” Approval of the Advisory Resolution on Executive Compensation.

 

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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, D.R. Horton’s independent auditor for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, has been engaged by the Audit Committee to continue to serve through our fiscal year ending September 30, 2014. A representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is expected to be present at the 2014 Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement and to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

Audit Fees and All Other Fees

The following table shows the fees paid or accrued by the Company for the audit and other services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for fiscal years 2012 and 2013.

 

         Fiscal Year Ended September 30,  

Fees

             2012                           2013             

Audit fees

   $ 1,495,016       $ 1,618,425   

Audit-related fees(1)

     45,998         35,900   

Tax fees

     30,000         —     

All other fees

     —           —     
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total(2)

   $ 1,571,014       $ 1,654,325   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Related primarily to audits of employee benefit plans.

 

(2) Of the fees listed above, approved by the Audit Committee, none were approved based on waiver of pre-approval under Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services

The Audit Committee has responsibility for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the work of the independent auditor. In recognition of this responsibility, the Audit Committee has established a policy to pre-approve audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditor.

In connection with the engagement of the independent auditor for fiscal 2014, the Audit Committee pre-approved the services listed below by category of service, including the pre-approval of fee limits. The Audit Committee’s pre-approval process by category of service also includes a review of specific services to be performed and fees expected to be incurred within each category of service. The term of any pre-approval is 12 months from the date of the pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee specifically provides for a different period. During fiscal 2014, circumstances may arise when it may become necessary to engage the independent auditor for additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval. In those instances, the Audit Committee requires separate pre-approval before engaging the independent auditor.

The services pre-approved by the Audit Committee, which may be performed by the independent auditor during our fiscal year 2014, include the following:

Audit Services include audit work performed in the preparation of financial statements (including quarterly reviews), as well as work that generally only the independent auditor can reasonably be expected to provide, including comfort letters, statutory audits, and attest services and consultation regarding financial accounting and/or reporting standards.

Audit-Related Services are for assurance and related services that are traditionally performed by the independent auditor, including due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions, employee benefit plan audits, and special procedures required to meet certain regulatory requirements.

Tax Services include all services performed by the independent auditor’s tax personnel except those services specifically related to the audit of the financial statements, and include fees in the areas of tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice. The Audit Committee has not yet pre-approved any fee limits or specific Tax Services for fiscal 2014.

 

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All Other Fees are those associated with permitted services not included in the other categories. The Company generally does not request such services from the independent auditor.

The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member or members to whom such authority is delegated shall report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee may not otherwise delegate its responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the independent auditor to management.

Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management D.R. Horton’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013. Further, the Audit Committee has discussed with D.R. Horton’s independent auditor the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standards Board Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended or supplemented, including D.R. Horton’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the auditor’s responsibility under generally accepted auditing standards, significant accounting policies, management’s judgments and accounting estimates, any audit adjustments, other information in documents containing audited financial statements and other matters. Finally, the Audit Committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditor required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditor’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed the auditor’s independence with the auditor.

Based on its review and discussion described above, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2013 be included in D.R. Horton’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013. Further, the Audit Committee approved the engagement of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as D.R. Horton’s independent auditor for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE:

Michael W. Hewatt, Committee Chairman

Bradley S. Anderson

Michael R. Buchanan

Bob G. Scott

 

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PROPOSAL THREE

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for our fiscal year ending September 30, 2014. During fiscal 2013, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP served as our independent registered public accounting firm and also provided certain other audit-related services, as further discussed above under the heading “Audit Fees and All Other Fees” on page 52. A representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is expected to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting, be available to respond to appropriate questions and, if he or she desires, make a statement.

Although we are not required to do so, we are seeking stockholder ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s appointment as our independent registered public accounting firm. If PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s appointment is not ratified, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, but still may retain them. Even if the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in our and our stockholders’ best interests.

Vote Required

Approval of the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending September 30, 2014 requires the affirmative vote of the majority of shares of common stock present or represented, and entitled to vote thereon, at the 2014 Annual Meeting.

The Board of Directors Unanimously Recommends that Stockholders Vote “FOR” the Ratification of the

Appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for our Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2014.

 

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SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, requires D.R. Horton’s directors, certain of its officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of D.R. Horton’s equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Such officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish D.R. Horton with copies of all forms they file pursuant to Section 16(a). Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it and on written representations from certain reporting persons that no Form 5 reports were required for those persons, D.R. Horton believes that all filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were complied with during the year ended September 30, 2013 on a timely basis.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2015 ANNUAL MEETING

Any stockholder who intends to present a proposal for action at D.R. Horton’s 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and to have D.R. Horton include such proposal in its proxy soliciting materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act must deliver a copy of the proposal to D.R. Horton not later than August 21, 2014.

In addition, apart from the Rule 14a-8 process as described below, the Bylaws of D.R. Horton provide that any stockholder intending to propose any business at our 2015 Annual Meeting must submit written notice of that proposal in a timely manner to Corporate Counsel of D.R. Horton for such proposal to be acted upon at the meeting of stockholders. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice for our 2015 Annual Meeting must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of D.R. Horton not later than the close of business on October 25, 2014 and not earlier than the close of business on September 25, 2014. In the event that the date of the 2015 Annual Meeting is changed by more than 30 calendar days from the anniversary date of the 2014 Annual Meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th calendar day prior to such meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th calendar day prior to such meeting or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such meeting is made. In no event shall public disclosure of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. The notice must include the information specified in our Bylaws, including information concerning the nominee or the proposal, and the stockholder and the beneficial owner, as the case may be. We will not entertain any such proposals at the annual meeting that do not meet the requirements set forth in our Bylaws. The Bylaws provide that the foregoing notice requirements do not apply to a proposal proposed to be made by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Company of his or her intention to present a proposal at the 2015 Annual Meeting pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 14a-8, or any other rule promulgated under Section 14 of the Exchange Act and such proposal is included in the Company’s proxy statement for such annual meeting.

REQUESTING DOCUMENTS FROM THE COMPANY

On our website, at www.drhorton.com, under the Investors and Corporate Governance links, you will find the following: (i) Corporate Governance Principles, (ii) Audit Committee Charter, (iii) Compensation Committee Charter, (iv) Nominating and Governance Committee Charter, (v) Code of Ethical Conduct for the CEO, CFO, and Senior Financial Officers, (vi) Complaint Procedures for Accounting, Internal Control, Auditing and Financial Matters and Complaint Procedures for Employee Matters, and (vii) Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Employees and Directors. You may obtain a copy of any of these documents at no charge through our website or by contacting us for a printed set. In addition, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, including the financial statements and the financial statement schedules included therein, is available without charge. The exhibits of the Annual Report on Form 10-K are available upon payment of charges that approximate our cost of reproduction. You may contact us for these purposes at: Attention: Thomas B. Montano, Corporate Counsel, D.R. Horton, Inc., 301 Commerce Street, Suite 500, Fort Worth, TX 76102, (817) 390-8200 or e-mail: tbmontano@drhorton.com.

 

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OTHER MATTERS

Management knows of no other matters to be voted upon at the 2014 Annual Meeting. If any other matter is properly brought before the 2014 Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named as proxies in the form of proxy to vote in their discretion upon such matters in accordance with their judgment. The persons named as proxies are Donald R. Horton, Chairman, and Donald J. Tomnitz, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

You are urged to sign, date and return the enclosed proxy in the envelope provided. No postage is required if the envelope is mailed from within the United States. If you subsequently decide to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting and wish to vote your shares in person, you may do so. Your cooperation in giving this matter your prompt attention is appreciated.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,
LOGO
THOMAS B. MONTANO
Vice President and Assistant Secretary

Fort Worth, Texas

December 19, 2013

 

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LOGO

301 Commerce Street

Suite 500

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

(817) 390-8200

www.drhorton.com

 

 

 

 


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LOGO

 

AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY 6201 15TH AVENUE BROOKLYN, NY 11219 VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: M64841-P44451 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY R. HORTON, INC. Vote on Directors The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each Nominee for Director. 1. Proposal One: Election of directors. Nominees: For Against Abstain 1a. Donald R. Horton 1b. Barbara K. Allen 1c. Bradley S. Anderson 1d. Michael R. Buchanan 1e. Michael W. Hewatt 1f. Donald J. Tomnitz Vote on Other Proposals The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposal Two and Proposal Three as proposed below. For Against Abstain 2. Proposal Two: Advisory vote on executive compensation. 3. Proposal Three: Ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY, USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. Note: Please sign exactly as name(s) appear(s) herein. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give full titles as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by an authorized person. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date


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LOGO

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement, Telephone/Internet insert (Company supplied) and Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com. M64842-P44451 D.R. HORTON, INC. 2014 PROXY PROXY D.R. HORTON, INC. D.R. Horton Tower, 301 Commerce Street, Suite 500, Fort Worth, Texas 76102 THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned hereby nominates, constitutes and appoints Donald R. Horton and Donald J. Tomnitz, and each of them, attorneys, agents and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution to each and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this card, all shares of Common Stock of D.R. Horton, Inc. (the “Company) held of record by the undersigned at the close of business on December 2, 2013, at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on January 23, 2014, or any adjournment thereof. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals One, Two and Three. This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted as recommended by the Board of Directors in this paragraph. In addition, if any other matter should be properly brought before the meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment. The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys and proxies, or any of them, or their substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof and hereby revokes any and all proxies heretofore given by the undersigned to vote at said meeting. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the notice of said annual meeting and the proxy statement accompanying said notice. PLEASE SIGN AND DATE ON THE REVERSE SIDE.