UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
 
SCHEDULE 13G
(Rule 13d-102)
 
Information Statement Pursuant to Rules 13d-1 and 13d-2
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )*
 
  Meritage Homes Corporation  
(Name of Issuer)
 
  Common stock, par value $0.01 per share  
(Title of Class of Securities)
 
  59001A102  
(CUSIP Number)
 
  October 26, 2012  
Date of Event Which Requires Filing of the Statement
               

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

 

¨      Rule 13d-1(b)
x     Rule 13d-1(c)
¨      Rule 13d-1(d)

 

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

 

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

  

   
 

 

Cusip No.  59001A102 13G Page 2 of 10 Pages

 


1.

 

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

 

Citadel Advisors LLC

 

2.

 

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 

 

 

(a)         ¨

 

(b)         ¨

 

3.

 

SEC USE ONLY

 

 

4.

 

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware

 

 

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 

 

5.

 

SOLE VOTING POWER

0

 

6.

 

SHARED VOTING POWER

 

2,027,496 shares

 

 

7.

 

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0

 

8.

 

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

See Row 6 above

 

9.

 

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

See Row 6 above

 

10.

 

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

¨

 

11.

 

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

 

5.7%1

 

12.

 

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IA; OO; HC

 

 

1The percentages reported in this Schedule 13G are based upon 35,848,379 shares of common stock outstanding (comprised of (i) 35,590,401 shares of common stock outstanding as of October 30, 2012 (according to the Form 10-Q filed by the issuer on October 31, 2012) and (ii) 257,978 shares issuable upon the conversion of certain convertible notes held by the Reporting Persons).

 

   
 

 

Cusip No.  59001A102 13G Page 3 of 10 Pages

  


1.

 

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

 

Citadel Holdings II LP

 

2.

 

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP


 

 

 

 

(a)         ¨

 

(b)         ¨

 

3.

 

SEC USE ONLY

 

 

4.

 

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware

 

 

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 

 

5.

 

SOLE VOTING POWER

0

 

6.

 

SHARED VOTING POWER

 

2,027,496 shares

 

 

7.

 

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0

 

8.

 

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

See Row 6 above

 

9.

 

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

See Row 6 above

 

10.

 

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

CERTAIN SHARES

¨

 

11.

 

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

 

5.7%

 

12.

 

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

PN; HC

 

 

   
 

 

Cusip No.  59001A102 13G Page 4 of 10 Pages

 


1.

 

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

 

Citadel Investment Group II, L.L.C.

 

2.

 

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 

 

 

(a)         ¨

 

(b)         ¨

 

3.

 

SEC USE ONLY

 

 

4.

 

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware

 

 

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 

 

5.

 

SOLE VOTING POWER

0

 

6.

 

SHARED VOTING POWER

 

2,041,896 shares

 

 

7.

 

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0

 

8.

 

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

See Row 6 above.

 

9.

 

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

See Row 6 above.

 

10.

 

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

CERTAIN SHARES

¨

 

11.

 

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

 

5.7%

 

12.

 

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

OO; HC

  

   
 

 

Cusip No.  59001A102 13G Page 5 of 10 Pages

 


1.

 

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

 

Kenneth Griffin

 

2.

 

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 

 

 

(a)         ¨

 

(b)         ¨

 

3.

 

SEC USE ONLY

 

 

4.

 

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

U.S. Citizen

 

 

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 

 

5.

 

SOLE VOTING POWER

0

 

6.

 

SHARED VOTING POWER

 

2,041,896 shares

 

 

7.

 

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0

 

8.

 

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

See Row 6 above

 

9.

 

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

See Row 6 above

 

10.

 

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

CERTAIN SHARES

¨

 

11.

 

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

 

5.7%

 

12.

 

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IN; HC

  

   
 

 

Cusip No.  59001A102 13G Page 6 of 10 Pages

 

Item 1(a) Name of Issuer
  Meritage Homes Corporation
   
Item 1(b) Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices
  17851 North 85th Street, Suite 300, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
   
Item 2(a) Name of Person Filing
  This Schedule 13G is being jointly filed by Citadel Advisors LLC (“Citadel Advisors”), Citadel Holdings II LP (“CH-II”), Citadel Investment Group II, L.L.C. (“CIG-II”) and Mr. Kenneth Griffin (collectively with Citadel Advisors, CH-II and CIG-II, the “Reporting Persons”) with respect to shares of common stock (and options to purchase, and other securities convertible into, common stock) of the above-named issuer owned by Citadel Equity Fund Ltd., a Cayman Islands limited company (“CEF”), Citadel Global Equities Master Fund Ltd., a Cayman Islands limited company (“CG”), Surveyor Capital Ltd., a Cayman Islands limited company (“SC”), certain segregated accounts and Citadel Securities LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Citadel Securities”).
   
  Citadel Advisors is the portfolio manager for CEF, CG and SC, and the investment manager for certain segregated accounts. CH-II is the managing member of Citadel Advisors. Citadel Holdings I LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“CH-I”), is the non-member manager of Citadel Securities. CIG-II is the general partner of CH-I and CH-II. Mr. Griffin is the President and Chief Executive Officer of, and owns a controlling interest in, CIG-II.
   
  The filing of this statement shall not be construed as an admission that any of the Reporting Persons is the beneficial owner of any securities covered by the statement other than the securities actually owned by such person (if any).
   
Item 2(b) Address of Principal Business Office
  The address of the principal business office of each of the Reporting Persons is c/o Citadel LLC, 131 S. Dearborn Street, 32nd Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60603.
   
Item 2(c) Citizenship
  Each of Citadel Advisors and CIG-II is organized as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware.  CH-II is organized as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Delaware.  Mr. Griffin is a U.S. citizen.
   
Item 2(d) Title of Class of Securities
  Common stock, $0.01 par value
   
Item 2(e) CUSIP Number
  59001A102
   
 

 

Cusip No.  59001A102 13G Page 7 of 10 Pages

 

Item 3 If this statement is filed pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

 

  (a) ¨ Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Exchange Act;
       
  (b) ¨ Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act;
       
  (c) ¨ Insurance company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Exchange Act;
       
  (d) ¨ Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act;
       
  (e) ¨ An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
       
  (f) ¨ An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
       
  (g) ¨ A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
       
  (h) ¨ A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act;
       
  (i) ¨ A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act;
       
  (j) ¨ Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).

 

If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution: ____________.

 

Item 4 Ownership

 

  A. Citadel Advisors LLC

 

  (a) Citadel Advisors may be deemed to beneficially own 2,027,496 shares of Common Stock.
     
  (b) The number of shares Citadel Advisors may be deemed to beneficially own constitutes approximately 5.7% of the Common Stock outstanding.
     
  (c) Number of shares as to which such person has:

 

  (i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote:  0
     
  (ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:  2,027,496
     
  (iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:  0
     
  (iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:  2,027,496

 

   
 

 

Cusip No.  59001A102 13G Page 8 of 10 Pages

 

 

  B. Citadel Holdings II LP

 

  (a) CH-II may be deemed to beneficially own 2,027,496 shares of Common Stock.
     
  (b) The number of shares CH-II may be deemed to beneficially own constitutes approximately 5.7% of the Common Stock outstanding.
     
  (c) Number of shares as to which such person has:

 

  (i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote:  0
     
  (ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:  2,027,496
     
  (iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:  0
     
  (iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:  2,027,496

 

  C. Citadel Investment Group II, L.L.C.

 

  (a) CIG-II may be deemed to beneficially own 2,041,896 shares of Common Stock.
     
  (b) The number of shares CIG-II may be deemed to beneficially own constitutes approximately 5.7% of the Common Stock outstanding.
     
  (c) Number of shares as to which such person has:

 

  (i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote:  0
     
  (ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:  2,041,896
     
  (iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:  0
     
  (iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:  2,041,896

 

  D. Kenneth Griffin

 

  (a) Mr. Griffin may be deemed to beneficially own 2,041,896 shares of Common Stock.
     
  (b) The number of shares Mr. Griffin may be deemed to beneficially own constitutes approximately 5.7% of the Common Stock outstanding.
     
  (c) Number of shares as to which such person has:

 

  (i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote:  0
     
  (ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:  2,041,896
     
  (iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:  0
     
  (iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:  2,041,896

 

   
 

 

Cusip No.  59001A102 13G Page 9 of 10 Pages

 

Item 5 Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class
  If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of the class of securities, check the following ¨.
   
Item 6 Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person
  Not Applicable
   
Item 7 Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company
  See Item 2 above
   
Item 8 Identification and Classification of Members of the Group
  Not Applicable
   
Item 9 Notice of Dissolution of Group
  Not Applicable
   
Item 10 Certification
  By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.

  

   
 
Cusip No.  502161102 13G Page 10of 10 Pages

  

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of its knowledge and belief, the undersigned certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Dated this 5th day of November, 2012.

 

CITADEL ADVISORS LLC   CITADEL HOLDINGS II LP
         
By: Citadel Holdings II LP,   By: Citadel Investment Group II, L.L.C.,
  its Managing Member   its General Partner
         
By: Citadel Investment Group II, L.L.C.,   By: /s/ John C. Nagel
  its General Partner     John C. Nagel, Authorized Signatory
         
By: /s/ John C. Nagel      
  John C. Nagel, Authorized Signatory      
         
CITADEL INVESTMENT GROUP II, L.L.C.   KENNETH GRIFFIN
         
By: /s/ John C. Nagel   By: /s/ John C. Nagel
  John C. Nagel, Authorized Signatory     John C. Nagel, attorney-in-fact*

  

 

*John C. Nagel is signing on behalf of Kenneth Griffin as attorney-in-fact pursuant to a power of attorney previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2006, and hereby incorporated by reference herein. The power of attorney was filed as an attachment to a filing by Citadel Limited Partnership on Schedule 13G for Morgans Hotel Group Co.

 

   
 

 

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

 

The undersigned hereby agree that the Statement on Schedule 13G filed herewith (and any amendments thereto), relating to the Common Stock of Meritage Homes Corporation, a Delaware corporation, is being filed jointly with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on behalf of each of the undersigned.

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and each of such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Dated this 5th day of November, 2012.

 

CITADEL ADVISORS LLC   CITADEL HOLDINGS II LP
         
By: Citadel Holdings II LP,   By: Citadel Investment Group II, L.L.C.,
  its Managing Member     its General Partner
         
By: Citadel Investment Group II, L.L.C.,   By: /s/ John C. Nagel
  its General Partner     John C. Nagel, Authorized Signatory
         
By: /s/ John C. Nagel      
  John C. Nagel, Authorized Signatory      
         
CITADEL INVESTMENT GROUP II, L.L.C.   KENNETH GRIFFIN
         
By: /s/ John C. Nagel   By: /s/ John C. Nagel
  John C. Nagel, Authorized Signatory     John C. Nagel, attorney-in-fact*

  

 

*John C. Nagel is signing on behalf of Kenneth Griffin as attorney-in-fact pursuant to a power of attorney previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2006, and hereby incorporated by reference herein. The power of attorney was filed as an attachment to a filing by Citadel Limited Partnership on Schedule 13G for Morgans Hotel Group Co.