J.M. Peters : IRVINE

Nature of business: Developer and builder of upscale single-family homes.

Total employees: 62

In Orange County: 62

Stock listing in The Times: On AMEX “Peters”

Ticker symbol: “JMP”

Friday’s stock close: $TK

One-week change: $TK

Analyst review: “J.M Peter’s focus in the past was on the move-up market. But people aren’t getting the asking price on their starter homes and corporate transfers to this area have slowed. The lot prices it has on its books are higher than what it could buy them for today on the open market. Lumber prices are also up. All of these factors are squeezing its margins and those of other Southern California builders. But J.M. Peter’s style of building will come back eventually, with interest rates low and expected to remain low. It is a good company with a solid reputation. It has built quite a following over the years. It will most likely survive and prosper.”--Mark Matheson, director of research Crowell, Weedon, Irvine

Dollar amounts in millions 1ST qtr. 1ST qtr. 1991 1992 1993 1993 1994 Revenue 215.5 185.0 75.7 15.4 3.6 Profit -108.0 -58.0 -85.0 -2.3 -2.0

Corporate outlook: “To enhance its diversification and accelerate growth, the company plans to enter certain markets outside of Southern California. The present management of the company has, through other corporate entities, developed various projects in areas such as Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Florida Maryland and Washington, D.C.”--J.M. Peters 1993 Annual Report

RETURN ON INVESTMENT: 3-YEAR SUMMARY AND YEAR-TO-DATE

FISCAL YEAR ENDING Feb. 28 Feb. 28 Feb. 28 1ST qtr. 1ST qtr. ’91 ’92 ’93 ’93 ’94 52-week high $9.50 $4.63 $4.25 $4.25 $3.44 52-week low $0.75 $1.75 $1.63 $1.63 $2.69 Book value per share $2.30 N/A $3.42 $3.42 $3.42 Price per share $2.13 $3.38 $3.13 $2.50 $2.75 Net profit per share $(7.72) $(4.13) $(6.05) ($0.16) ($0.14) Price-to-earnings ratio N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Avg. return on investor equity N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

For more information call or write, J.M. Peters Co., 3501 Jamboree Road, Suite 200, Newport Beach, Calif., 92660. (714) 854-2500 Source: J.M. Peters Co., Bloomberg Business News. Researched by JANICE L. JONES / Los Angeles Times