April 25 (Reuters) - Meritage Homes Corp:
* MERITAGE HOMES REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2018 DILUTED EPS OF $1.07, WITH A 33% INCREASE IN PRETAX EARNINGS ON 10% GROWTH IN HOME CLOSING REVENUE, HIGHER HOME CLOSING GROSS MARGIN AND GREATER OVERHEAD LEVERAGE; STRONG DEMAND FOR ENTRY-LEVEL HOMES HELPS DRIVE 1
* Q1 EARNINGS PER SHARE VIEW $0.73 — THOMSON REUTERS I/B/E/S
* TOTAL ORDERS FOR Q1 OF 2018 INCREASED 10% YEAR-OVER-YEAR
* QTRLY HOME ORDERS 2,358 UNITS VERSUS 2,135 UNITS Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: (Reuters.Briefs@thomsonreuters.com)