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STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORP - Quarter Report: 2013 March (Form 10-Q)

FORM 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013

or

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 001-02658

 

 

STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   74-1677330

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1980 Post Oak Blvd., Houston TX   77056
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 625-8100

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   þ
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

On April 30, 2013, the following shares of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock were outstanding:

 

Common, $1 par value

     21,371,809   

Class B Common, $1 par value

     1,050,012   

 

 

 


Table of Contents

FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT

QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item

       Page  
  PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

1.

  Financial Statements      3   

2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      15   

3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      23   

4.

  Controls and Procedures      23   
  PART II – OTHER INFORMATION   

1.

  Legal Proceedings      24   

1A.

  Risk Factors      24   

5.

  Other Information      24   

6.

  Exhibits      24   
  Signature      25   

As used in this report, “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “Stewart” mean Stewart Information Services Corporation and our subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

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Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSS)

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2013     2012  
     ($000 omitted, except per share)  

Revenues

    

Title insurance:

    

Direct operations

     158,544        150,333   

Agency operations

     227,662        196,321   

Mortgage services

     37,172        33,760   

Investment income

     3,643        3,128   

Investment and other (losses) gains – net

     (3,307     1,445   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     423,714        384,987   

Expenses

    

Amounts retained by agencies

     187,065        162,548   

Employee costs

     136,830        128,233   

Other operating expenses

     63,797        64,863   

Title losses and related claims

     23,563        31,387   

Depreciation and amortization

     4,358        4,524   

Interest

     954        1,364   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     416,567        392,919   

Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests

     7,147        (7,932

Income tax expense

     2,389        2,823   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

     4,758        (10,755

Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

     1,551        1,402   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart

     3,207        (12,157
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

     4,758        (10,755

Other comprehensive (loss) earnings:

    

Foreign currency translation

     (4,246     3,495   

Change in unrealized gains on investments

     1,634        3,528   

Reclassification of adjustment for gains included in net earnings (loss)

     (392     (769
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, before taxes

     (3,004     6,254   

Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive (loss) earnings

     (559     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of taxes

     (2,445     6,254   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive earnings (loss)

     2,313        (4,501

Less comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

     1,551        1,402   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart

     762        (5,903
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted average shares outstanding (000)

     20,958        19,256   

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stewart

     0.15        (0.63
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     As of
March 31,
2013
    As of
December 31,
2012
 
     ($000 omitted)  

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

     169,688        196,471   

Cash and cash equivalents – statutory reserve funds

     5,688        12,067   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     175,376        208,538   

Short-term investments

     36,146        37,025   

Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value:

    

Statutory reserve funds

     450,155        444,579   

Other

     71,895        58,680   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     522,050        503,259   

Receivables:

    

Notes

     5,314        8,483   

Premiums from agencies

     36,511        45,458   

Income taxes

     3,899        3,259   

Trade and other receivables

     50,372        56,311   

Allowance for uncollectible amounts

     (10,443     (12,823
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     85,653        100,688   

Property and equipment, at cost

    

Land

     5,848        5,848   

Buildings

     26,759        26,887   

Furniture and equipment

     243,836        241,694   

Accumulated depreciation

     (221,535     (219,715
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     54,908        54,714   

Title plants, at cost

     78,051        77,360   

Real estate, at lower of cost or net realizable value

     3,782        3,941   

Investments in investees, on an equity method basis

     13,206        13,891   

Goodwill

     220,983        220,955   

Intangible assets, net of amortization

     6,648        7,015   

Deferred tax asset

     6,844        7,562   

Other assets

     59,008        56,229   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,262,655        1,291,177   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Notes payable

     6,426        6,481   

Convertible senior notes

     27,767        64,687   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     95,947        116,617   

Estimated title losses

     508,756        520,375   

Deferred tax liability

     2,645        2,645   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     641,541        710,805   

Contingent liabilities and commitments

    

Stockholders’ equity

    

Common and Class B Common Stock and additional paid-in capital

     193,803        153,441   

Retained earnings

     394,654        391,447   

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings:

    

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     8,917        12,169   

Unrealized investment gains on investments

     15,222        14,415   

Treasury stock – 352,161 common shares, at cost

     (2,666     (2,666
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity attributable to Stewart

     609,930        568,806   

Noncontrolling interests

     11,184        11,566   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity (22,421,821 and 19,403,765 shares outstanding)

     621,114        580,372   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,262,655        1,291,177   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     For the Three Months
Ended  March 31,
 
     2013     2012  
     ($000 omitted)  

Reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to cash used by operating activities:

    

Net earnings (loss)

     4,758        (10,755

Add (deduct):

    

Depreciation and amortization

     4,358        4,524   

Provision for bad debt

     1,091        704   

Investment and other losses (gains) – net

     3,307        (1,445

Payments for title losses in excess of provisions

     (10,119     (3,278

Insurance recoveries of title losses

     —          2,607   

Decrease (increase) in receivables – net

     13,425        (1,543

Increase in other assets – net

     (845     (3,142

Decrease in payables and accrued liabilities – net

     (20,690     (10,392

Increase in net deferred income taxes

     1,276        1,752   

Net earnings from equity investees

     (1,475     (431

Dividends received from equity investees

     1,557        674   

Other – net

     (33     389   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used by operating activities

     (3,390     (20,336

Investing activities:

    

Proceeds from investments available-for-sale matured and sold

     15,255        39,639   

Purchases of investments available-for-sale

     (36,279     (38,668

Purchases of property and equipment and title plants – net

     (4,259     (4,662

Proceeds from the sale of land, buildings, and furniture and equipment

     81        3,388   

Cash paid for acquisitions of subsidiaries and other – net

     (296     (46

Other – net

     259        (189
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used by investing activities

     (25,239     (538

Financing activities:

    

Payments on notes payable

     (455     (4,301

Proceeds from notes payable

     400        —     

Purchase of remaining interest of consolidated subsidiary

     (723     —     

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     (2,226     (1,682

Cash payments for settlement of debt

     (742     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used by financing activities

     (3,746     (5,983

Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates

     (787     1,125   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (33,162     (25,732

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     208,538        140,843   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

     175,376        115,111   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental information:

    

Retirement of Convertible Senior Notes with issuance of Common Stock

     37,095        —     

Receipt of partial building ownership in exchange for debt forgiveness

     —          1,255   

Changes in financial statement amounts due to the acquisition of subsidiaries:

    

Goodwill

     28        2,550   

Receivables and other assets acquired

     (44     (2,067

Liabilities acquired

     312        (437
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash paid for acquisitions of subsidiaries and other – net

     296        46   

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1

Interim financial statements. The financial information contained in this report for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 is unaudited. This report should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

A. Management’s responsibility. The accompanying interim financial statements were prepared by management, who is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. These financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including management’s best judgments and estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of this information for all interim periods, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, have been made. The Company’s results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year and actual results could differ from those estimates.

B. Consolidation. The condensed consolidated financial statements include all subsidiaries in which the Company owns more than 50% voting rights in electing directors. All significant intercompany amounts and transactions have been eliminated and provisions have been made for noncontrolling interests. Unconsolidated investees, in which the Company typically owns 20% through 50% of the equity, are accounted for by the equity method.

C. Reclassifications. Certain amounts in the 2012 interim financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes. Net earnings (losses) attributable to Stewart, as previously reported, were not affected.

D. Recent Significant Accounting Pronouncements. In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (ASU 2013-02). The amendments in ASU 2013-02 require an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. For other amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The amendments are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of the amended standard on January 1, 2013 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2

Investments in debt and equity securities. The amortized costs and fair values follow:

 

     March 31, 2013      December 31, 2012  
     Amortized
costs
     Fair
values
     Amortized
costs
     Fair
values
 
     ($000 omitted)  

Debt securities:

           

Municipal

     38,312         38,625         18,012         19,011   

Corporate and utilities

     269,246         287,484         268,874         287,528   

Foreign

     165,860         168,166         168,084         169,009   

U.S. Government

     14,343         15,622         15,243         16,638   

Equity securities

     10,870         12,153         10,870         11,073   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     498,631         522,050         481,083         503,259   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Gross unrealized gains and losses were:

 

     March 31, 2013      December 31, 2012  
     Gains      Losses      Gains      Losses  
     ($000 omitted)  

Debt securities:

           

Municipal

     627         314         1,006         7   

Corporate and utilities

     18,781         543         19,141         486   

Foreign

     2,374         68         1,210         286   

U.S. Government

     1,279         —           1,395         —     

Equity securities

     1,284         1         278         75   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     24,345         926         23,030         854   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt securities as of March 31, 2013 mature, according to their contractual terms, as follows (actual maturities may differ due to call or prepayment rights):

 

     Amortized
costs
     Fair
values
 
     ($000 omitted)  

In one year or less

     74,930         74,983   

After one year through five years

     163,686         170,006   

After five years through ten years

     217,605         231,292   

After ten years

     31,540         33,616   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     487,761         509,897   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2013, gross unrealized losses on investments and the fair values of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were:

 

     Less than 12 months      More than 12 months      Total  
     Losses      Fair values      Losses      Fair values      Losses      Fair values  
     ($000 omitted)  

Debt securities:

                 

Municipal

     295         23,131         19         1,297         314         24,428   

Corporate and utilities

     543         34,715         —           —           543         34,715   

Foreign

     20         7,234         48         58,395         68         65,629   

Equity securities

     1         767         —           —           1         767   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     859         65,847         67         59,692         926         125,539   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The number of investments in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2013 was 37. Since the Company does not intend to sell and will more-likely-than-not maintain each debt security until its anticipated recovery, and no significant credit risk is deemed to exist, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

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Table of Contents

As of December 31, 2012, gross unrealized losses on investments and the fair values of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were:

 

     Less than 12 months      More than 12 months      Total  
     Losses      Fair values      Losses      Fair values      Losses      Fair values  
     ($000 omitted)  

Debt securities:

                 

Municipal

     7         697         —           —           7         697   

Corporate and utilities

     486         30,538         —           —           486         30,538   

Foreign

     168         41,056         118         59,538         286         100,594   

Equity securities:

     75         2,197         —           —           75         2,197   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     736         74,488         118         59,538         854         134,026   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company believes its investment portfolio is diversified and expects no material loss to result from the failure to perform by issuers of the debt securities it holds. Investments made by the Company are not collateralized. Foreign debt securities primarily include Canadian government bonds, Canadian corporate bonds and United Kingdom treasury bonds.

NOTE 3

Fair value measurements. The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal, or most advantageous, market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs when possible. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

   

Level 2 – observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data; and

 

   

Level 3 – unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair values of the assets or liabilities, including certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

 

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Table of Contents

As of March 31, 2013, financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Fair value
measurements
 
     ($000 omitted)  

Short-term investments

     36,146         —           36,146   

Investments available-for-sale:

        

Debt securities:

        

Municipal

     —           38,625         38,625   

Corporate and utilities

     —           287,484         287,484   

Foreign

     —           168,166         168,166   

U.S. Government

     —           15,622         15,622   

Equity securities

     12,153         —           12,153   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     48,299         509,897         558,196   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2012, financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Fair value
measurements
 
     ($000 omitted)  

Short-term investments

     37,025         —           37,025   

Investments available-for-sale:

        

Debt securities:

        

Municipal

     —           19,011         19,011   

Corporate and utilities

     —           287,528         287,528   

Foreign

     —           169,009         169,009   

U.S. Government

     —           16,638         16,638   

Equity securities

     11,073         —           11,073   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     48,098         492,186         540,284   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2013, Level 1 financial instruments consist of short-term investments, other long-term investments and equity securities. Level 2 financial instruments consist of governmental, corporate and utilities bonds, both U.S. and foreign. In accordance with the Company’s policies and guidelines, which incorporate relevant statutory requirements, the Company’s third party, registered investment manager invests only in securities rated as investment grade or higher by the major rating services, where observable valuation inputs are significant. All municipal, foreign, and U.S. Government bonds are valued using a third-party pricing service, and the corporate bonds are valued using the market approach, which includes three to ten inputs from relevant market sources, including Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (TRACE) and independent broker/dealer quotes, bids and offerings, as well as other relevant market data, such as securities with similar characteristics (i.e. sector, rating, maturity, etc.). Broker/dealer quotes, bids and offerings mentioned above are gathered (typically three to ten) and a consensus risk premium spread (credit spread) over risk-free Treasury yields is developed from the inputs obtained, which is then used to calculate the resulting fair value.

 

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Table of Contents

NOTE 4

Investment income. Gross realized investment and other gains and losses follows:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2013     2012  
     ($000 omitted)  

Realized gains

     2,377        1,472   

Realized losses

     (5,684     (27
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (3,307     1,445   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses assignable to investment income were insignificant. There were no significant investments as of March 31, 2013 that did not produce income during the year.

Proceeds from the sales of investments available-for-sale follows:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2013      2012  
     ($000 omitted)  

Proceeds from sales of investments available-for-sale

     8,044         33,364   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, investment and other (losses) gains – net included a $5.4 million non-cash charge relating to the early retirement of convertible senior notes offset by a $1.7 million gain on non-title-related insurance policy proceeds.

NOTE 5

Share-based incentives. The Company granted restricted Common Stock with a fair value of $1.3 million in January 2013 if certain corporate performance goals are attained. These restricted Common Stock awards vest over a period up to three years. Compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards will be recognized over this vesting period.

NOTE 6

Earnings per share. The Company’s basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stewart was calculated by dividing net earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding during the reporting periods.

To calculate diluted earnings per share, net earnings and number of shares are adjusted for the effects of any dilutive shares. Using the if-converted method, net earnings is adjusted for interest expense, net of any tax effects, applicable to the Convertible Senior Notes. The number of shares is adjusted by adding the number of dilutive shares, assuming they are issued, during the same reporting period. The treasury stock method is used to calculate the dilutive number of shares related to the Company’s stock option plan.

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company did not have any dilutive shares under the treasury stock method mentioned above since the exercise prices of the options were greater than the weighted-average market value of the shares, which excludes them from the diluted earnings calculation.

 

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Since the Company reported a net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2012, there was no calculation of diluted earnings per share under the treasury stock method or under the if-converted method.

There were no calculations of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2013 using the if-converted method, as the add back of the tax affected interest expense on the convertible debt resulted in antidilution. Additionally, since the Company reported a net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2012, there was no calculation of diluted earnings per share under the if-converted method.

NOTE 7

Contingent liabilities and commitments. In the ordinary course of business, the Company guarantees the third-party indebtedness of certain of its consolidated subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2013, the maximum potential future payments on the guarantees are not more than the related notes payable recorded in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company also guarantees the indebtedness related to lease obligations of certain of its consolidated subsidiaries. The maximum future obligations arising from these lease-related guarantees are not more than the Company’s future minimum lease payments. In addition, as of March 31, 2013, the Company had guarantees of indebtedness owed by certain third parties related to business expansion and unused letters of credit aggregating to $3.7 million, primarily related to workers’ compensation coverage.

NOTE 8

Segment information. Subsequent to the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, the Company reorganized the senior management team and updated its long-term business strategy in fiscal 2012. As a result of these events, the Company revised its reportable operating segments effective with fourth quarter 2012 reporting to align with the current management of the business. Segment information for prior periods presented has been restated. The Company’s three reportable operating segments are title insurance and related services (title), mortgage services and corporate.

 

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Selected statement of operations and comprehensive earnings (loss) information related to these segments follows:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March,
 
     2013     2012  
     ($000 omitted)  

Revenues:

    

Title

     381,311        342,906   

Mortgage services

     42,297        37,792   

Corporate

     106        4,289   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     423,714        384,987   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intersegment revenues:

    

Title

     —          —     

Mortgage services

     1,966        2,092   

Corporate

     797        690   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,763        2,782   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization:

    

Title

     1,500        1,609   

Mortgage services

     968        1,049   

Corporate

     1,890        1,866   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     4,358        4,524   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests:

    

Title

     29,950        14,416   

Mortgage services

     10,207        7,966   

Corporate

     (33,010     (30,314
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     7,147        (7,932
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company does not provide asset information by reportable operating segment as it does not routinely evaluate the asset position by segment.

Revenues generated in the United States and all international operations follows:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2013      2012  
     ($000 omitted)  

United States

     402,941         362,226   

International

     20,773         22,761   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     423,714         384,987   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 9

Regulatory and legal developments. Stewart Title Guaranty Company (STGC) and Stewart Title Guaranty de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (STGM) were defendants in a lawsuit in the State District Court of Harris County, Texas, Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. v. Stewart Title Guaranty Company. The lawsuit was filed in 2008 and concerns 16 owners’ and 16 lenders’ title insurance policies on 16 parcels of land in Mexico issued by STGM and reinsurance agreements by STGC. Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. asserted claims against STGC under reinsurance of the lenders’ policies as well as extra-contractual claims under Texas law. K.R. Playa VI, S de R.L. de C.V., the owner of the parcels, asserted claims against STGC and separate claims against STGM under the owners’ policies as well as extra-contractual claims under Texas law. The State District Court dismissed the extra-contractual claims against STGC and STGM based on application of Mexican law.

The jury returned a verdict of no damages, favorable to STGC and STGM, on April 29, 2011. Judgment was entered on June 30, 2011. Both Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. and K.R. Playa VI, S de R.L. de C.V. subsequently filed motions for new trial and motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, which the State District Court denied by orders dated September 12, 2011. Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. and K.R. Playa VI, S de R.L. de C.V. have appealed the Judgment to the Houston Court of Appeals, and oral argument originally scheduled for February 14, 2013 was postponed by agreement of the parties and order of the Court until April 25, 2013. The parties are awaiting the appellate decision. The Company does not believe that the ultimate outcome will materially affect its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

* * *

In January 2009, an action was filed by individuals against STGC, Stewart Title of California, Inc., Cuesta Title Company and others in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Luis Obispo alleging that the plaintiffs have suffered damages relating to loans they made through Hurst Financial Corporation to an individual named Kelly Gearhart and entities controlled by Gearhart. Thereafter, several other lawsuits making similar allegations, including a lawsuit filed by several hundred individuals, were filed in San Luis Obispo Superior Court, and one such lawsuit was removed to the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The defendants vary from case to case, but Stewart Information Services Corporation, Stewart Title Company and Stewart Title Insurance Company have also each been sued in at least one of the cases. Each of the complaints alleges some combination of the following purported causes of action: breach of contract, negligence, fraud, aiding and abetting fraud, constructive fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, financial elder abuse, violation of California Business and Professions Code Section 17200, negligent misrepresentation, conversion, conspiracy, alter ego and declaratory relief. The San Luis Obispo Superior Court has sustained demurrers by the Company with regard to certain causes of action and has overruled the demurrers as to certain causes of action. The United States District Court for the Central District of California granted the Company’s motion to dismiss the First Amended Complaint as to the claim for violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, with prejudice, and remanded the remainder of that case to the San Luis Obispo Superior Court. Thereafter, the San Luis Obispo Superior Court issued (i) an order assigning all the cases to a single judge, (ii) an Order Coordinating Related Cases for Pre-Trial Purposes, and (iii) a First Case Management Order for the Related Cases. Discovery is ongoing. On December 11, 2012, the Court denied the Company’s motion for summary judgment and summary adjudication seeking the dismissal of certain plaintiffs’ claims. On December 14, 2012, the Court issued a Ruling and Order Regarding Selection of Discovery Pool, Trial Group and Pre-Trial Deadlines (amended on January 8, 2013), in which it established a mechanism for the selection of eight plaintiffs for whom all discovery and dispositive motions would be completed and a trial held starting on July 29, 2013. The December 14, 2012 Ruling and Order also set forth deadlines for discovery activities, designating experts, depositions and motions for summary judgment. There may be additional discovery, motions and trials subsequent to the July 29th trial. Although the Company cannot predict the outcome of these actions, it is vigorously defending itself against the allegations and does not believe that the ultimate outcome will materially affect its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

* * *

 

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The Company is also subject to other claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of its business, most of which involve disputed policy claims. In some of these lawsuits, the plaintiff seeks exemplary or treble damages in excess of policy limits. The Company does not expect that any of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Along with the other major title insurance companies, the Company is party to a number of class action lawsuits concerning the title insurance industry. The Company believes that it has adequate reserves for the various litigation matters and contingencies discussed above and that the likely resolution of these matters will not materially affect its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

The Company is subject to administrative actions and litigation relating to the basis on which premium taxes are paid in certain states. Additionally, the Company has received various other inquiries from governmental regulators concerning practices in the insurance industry. Many of these practices do not concern title insurance. The Company believes that it has adequately reserved for these matters and does not anticipate that the outcome of these inquiries will materially affect its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

The Company is also subject to various other administrative actions and inquiries into its business conduct in certain of the states in which it operates. While the Company cannot predict the outcome of the various regulatory and administrative matters, it believes that it has adequately reserved for these matters and does not anticipate that the outcome of any of these matters will materially affect its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

MANAGEMENT’S OVERVIEW

We reported net earnings attributable to Stewart of $3.2 million, or $0.15 per share, for the first quarter 2013, representing an improvement of $15.4 million over the first quarter 2012 net loss of $12.2 million, or $0.63 loss per share. First quarter 2013 results include a non-cash charge of $5.4 million, or $0.26 per share, relating to the early retirement of $37.1 million of our 6% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 (Notes), as well as a gain of $1.7 million, or $0.08 per share, on non-title-related insurance policy proceeds (no tax benefit or expense is associated with either item; thus no tax-related earnings per share effect).

Total revenues for the first quarter 2013 were $423.7 million, an increase of $38.7 million, or 10.1%, from $385.0 million for the first quarter 2012. Operating revenues increased 11.3% to $423.4 million in the first quarter 2013 compared to $380.4 million in the first quarter 2012. Compared to first quarter 2012, title revenues increased 11.4% in the first quarter 2013, while mortgage services revenues increased 10.1%.

Revenues from our title segment increased 11.2% from the first quarter 2012 and declined sequentially 18.6% from the fourth quarter 2012. Revenues from direct operations for the first quarter 2013 increased 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year and decreased 17.6% sequentially from the fourth quarter 2012. Our direct operations include local closing offices, commercial, and international operations. We generate commercial revenues both domestically and internationally; U.S. and Canadian commercial revenues increased 15.1% to $26.5 million from the first quarter 2012 and declined sequentially by 30.1% from the fourth quarter 2012. International operating revenues (including foreign-sourced commercial revenues) declined 8.5% to $19.9 million and declined sequentially from the fourth quarter by 29.4%. Domestic commercial title transactions industry-wide were strongly influenced in the fourth quarter 2012 by the anticipated increase in capital gain tax rates in 2013 and thus the sequential decline in commercial revenues was likely more pronounced than normal seasonality.

Revenues from our mortgage services segment increased 11.9% from the first quarter 2012, while declining 11.5% from the fourth quarter 2012. The sequential decline in revenues is largely due to the expiration of certain contracts providing distressed loan services. Mortgage services pretax earnings increased $2.2 million in the first quarter 2013 to $10.2 million (24.1% margin) from $8.0 million (21.1% margin) in the first quarter 2012, while decreasing $4.4 million sequentially from $14.6 million (30.5% margin) in the fourth quarter 2012. The offerings in our mortgage services segment continue to expand, with new projects within the broad category of servicing support helping drive the increase in revenues.

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures surrounding contingencies and commitments.

Actual results can differ from our accounting estimates. While we do not anticipate significant changes in our estimates, there is a risk that such changes could have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations for future periods.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company made no material changes to its critical accounting estimates as previously disclosed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Operations. Our business has three main operating segments: title insurance and related services, mortgage services and corporate.

Our primary business is title insurance and settlement-related services. We close transactions and issue title policies on homes, commercial and other real properties located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and international markets through policy-issuing offices and agencies. We also provide loan origination and servicing support; loan review services; loss mitigation; REO asset management; home and personal insurance services; and technology to streamline the real estate process.

Factors affecting revenues. The principal factors that contribute to changes in operating revenues for our title and mortgage services segments include:

 

   

mortgage interest rates;

 

   

inventory of existing homes available for sale;

 

   

availability of mortgage loans;

 

   

ability of potential purchasers to qualify for loans;

 

   

ratio of purchase transactions compared with refinance transactions;

 

   

ratio of closed orders to open orders;

 

   

home prices;

 

   

volume of distressed property transactions;

 

   

consumer confidence;

 

   

demand by buyers;

 

   

number of households;

 

   

premium rates;

 

   

market share;

 

   

opening of new offices and acquisitions;

 

   

number of commercial transactions, which typically yield higher premiums;

 

   

government or regulatory initiatives, including tax incentives; and

 

   

number of REO and foreclosed properties and related debt.

To the extent inflation causes increases in the prices of homes and other real estate, premium revenues are also increased. Conversely, falling home prices cause premium revenues to decline. Premiums are determined in part by the insured values of the transactions we handle. These factors may override the seasonal nature of the title insurance business. Historically, our first quarter is the least active and our third and fourth quarters are the most active in terms of title insurance revenues.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

A comparison of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 with the three months ended March 31, 2012 follows. Factors contributing to fluctuations in the results of operations are presented in the order of their monetary significance, and we have quantified, when necessary, significant changes.

 

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Results from our mortgage services and corporate segments are included in the discussions and, when relevant, are discussed separately.

Our statements on home sales and loan activity are based on published industry data from sources including Fannie Mae, the National Association of Realtors®, the Mortgage Bankers Association and Freddie Mac. We also use information from our direct operations.

Operating environment. We continue to see benefits in our results of operations from the improving real estate market, particularly in existing home sales. Data as of March 2013 compared with the same period in 2012 indicates annualized sales of existing homes, seasonally adjusted, increased 10.3% and annualized sales of new homes, seasonally adjusted, increased 18.5%. March 2013 existing home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.9 million versus 4.5 million a year earlier. In addition, median home prices increased 11.2% from the first quarter 2012 and decreased sequentially 1.6% from the fourth quarter 2012. A 5.0% increase in home prices results in an approximately 3.5% increase in title premiums. Interest rates continue to remain low by historical standards. While job growth remains tepid and unemployment high, the housing market appears to be on a continuing path of recovery in sales volume and prices for new and existing homes. The inventory of available listings for sale on the market is less than normal, portending ongoing rising prices. One-to-four family residential lending increased from an estimated $380 billion in the first quarter 2012 to $464 billion in the first quarter 2013, primarily driven by an estimated $78 billion increase in refinance originations from the first quarter 2012 to the first quarter 2013. Sequentially, residential lending for purchase volumes declined as expected given seasonality in home sales from $133 billion in the fourth quarter of 2012 to $111 billion in the first quarter of 2013. Residential refinance lending volumes likewise contracted from $441 billion in the fourth quarter 2012 to $353 billion in the first quarter 2013. On average, refinance premium rates are 60% of the title premium revenue of a similarly priced sale transaction.

Title revenues. Revenues from direct title operations increased $8.2 million, or 5.5%, in the first quarter 2013 compared to the first quarter 2012. Revenues in the first quarter 2013 increased primarily due to the increase in orders closed. The largest increases in revenues were in Texas, Ohio and Illinois, partially offset by decreases in California, Canada and Florida. Revenues from commercial and other large transactions increased $3.5 million, or 15.2%.

Direct orders closed increased 3.6%, while the average revenue per file closed (including large commercial policies) was essentially the same in the first quarter 2013 compared to the first quarter 2012. Direct operating revenues, excluding large commercial policies, increased 2.0%, while the average revenue per closing decreased 1.6% in the first quarter 2013 compared to the first quarter 2012.

Revenues from independent agencies increased $31.3 million, or 16.0%, in the first quarter 2013 compared to the first quarter 2012. The largest increases in revenues from independent agencies in the first quarter 2013 were in Pennsylvania, New York, Georgia, Wisconsin and Virginia, partially offset by decreases in California and New Mexico. Revenues from independent agencies net of amounts retained by those agencies increased 20.2% in the first quarter 2013 compared to the first quarter 2012.

The Texas Department of Insurance increased title insurance premium rates in the state of Texas by 3.8% effective May 1, 2013. We do not believe the impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operation from this rate increase will be material.

Mortgage services revenues. Mortgage services operating revenues increased $3.4 million, or 10.1%, in the first quarter 2013 compared to the first quarter 2012. The offerings in our mortgage services segment continue to expand, with new projects within the broad category of servicing support helping drive the increase in revenues. As the real estate market recovers and distressed servicing projects (including those whose contract term ended in the first quarter) naturally retrench, new service offerings have been introduced allowing our customers to outsource other aspects of their servicing operations to us. Our focus is on providing mortgage process outsourcing services which are high-quality, flexible and responsive. We expect these service offerings to be sustainable over market cycles.

 

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Investment income. Investment income increased $0.5 million, or 16.5%, in the first quarter 2013 compared to the first quarter 2012, primarily due to increases in average balances. Certain investment gains and losses, which are included in our results of operations in investment and other (losses) gains – net, were realized as part of the ongoing management of our investment portfolio for the purpose of improving performance.

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, investment and other (losses) gains – net included a $5.4 million non-cash charge relating to the early retirement of convertible senior notes offset by a $1.7 million gain on non-title-related insurance policy proceeds.

Retention by agencies. Amounts retained by title agencies are based on agreements between agencies and our title underwriters. On average, amounts retained by independent agencies, as a percentage of revenues generated by them, were 82.2% and 82.8% in the first quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively. The average retention percentage may vary from quarter-to-quarter due to the geographical mix of agency operations, the volume of title revenues and, in some states, laws or regulations. Due to the variety of such laws or regulations, as well as competitive factors, the average retention rate can differ significantly from state to state. Although general conditions in the real estate industry are improving nationwide, the recovery in specific markets has varied considerably. In addition, a high proportion of our independent agencies are in states with retention rates greater than 80% and the markets in those states have recovered somewhat faster than the nation as a whole, which has resulted in our average retention percentage remaining in the 82%—83% range. We expect our average retention rate to remain in this range over the near to medium term. However, we continue to adjust independent agency contracts in an economically sound manner, and we expect the mix of agency business to normalize as real estate markets continue to stabilize nationally resulting in lower average retention percentages in the aggregate.

We began the process of vetting our network of independent agencies several years ago with the emphasis on managing for quality and profitability. Since the fourth quarter 2008, our average annual premium revenue received per independent agency has increased more than 115% and we have reduced the number of independent agencies in our network by approximately 42%. Further, the policy loss ratio of our current independent agency network for the first quarter 2013 is less than one-fourth of its level in the fourth quarter 2008.

Employee costs. Our employee costs and certain other operating expenses are sensitive to inflation. Employee costs for the combined business segments increased 6.7% from the first quarter 2012. The increase in employee costs for these periods is due to increases in title operating revenues and revenues generated by our mortgage services segment. As a percentage of total operating revenues, however, employee costs declined to 32.3% in the first quarter 2013 from 33.7% in the first quarter 2012.

In the first quarter 2013, employee costs in the title segment increased 6.9%, over the same period in 2012 to support the 11.4% increase in title operating revenue for the same period. In our mortgage services segment, total employee costs as a percentage of operating revenue fell to 63.9% from 64.8% in the first quarter 2012. Actual costs increased $2.6 million, or 10.8%, in the first quarter 2013, primarily due to increases in staffing requirements to support new projects within the broad category of servicing support helping drive the increase in revenues.

Other operating expenses. Other operating expenses include costs that are fixed in nature, costs that follow, to varying degrees, changes in transaction volumes and revenues and costs that fluctuate independently of revenues. Costs that are fixed in nature include attorney fees, equipment rental, insurance, professional fees, rent and other occupancy expenses, repairs and maintenance, technology costs, telephone and title plant rent. Costs that follow, to varying degrees, changes in transaction volumes and revenues include fee attorney splits, bad debt expenses, certain mortgage services expenses, copy supplies, delivery fees, outside search fees, postage, premium taxes and title plant expenses. Costs that fluctuate independently of revenues include auto expenses, general supplies, litigation defense and settlement costs, promotion costs and travel.

 

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In the first quarter 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, other operating expenses for the combined business segments decreased $1.1 million, or 1.6%. Costs fixed in nature decreased $0.6 million, or 1.9%, in the first quarter 2013 primarily due to decreases in attorney fees and rent and other occupancy costs offset by an increase in insurance costs. Costs that follow, to varying degrees, changes in transaction volumes and revenues increased $1.6 million, or 6.9% in the first quarter 2013. The increases in these costs for the first quarter 2013 are primarily due to increases in outside search fees, premium taxes and bad debt expense resulting from increased transaction volume and revenues. Costs that fluctuate independently of revenues decreased $2.1 million, or 17.4% in the first quarter 2013, primarily due to a decrease in litigation-related costs.

Title losses. Provisions for title losses, as a percentage of title revenues, were 6.1%, 9.1% and 7.6%, in the first quarter 2013, first quarter 2012 and fourth quarter 2012, respectively. Our policy loss ratio reflects an ongoing decline in prior policy year loss experience as well as our continued attention to prudent risk management and emphasis on quality and profitability of our network of independent agencies. Title losses decreased 24.9% on the 11.4% increase in title operating revenues when compared to the first quarter 2012. The title loss ratio in any given quarter is significantly influenced by any new large claims incurred as well as adjustments to reserves for existing large claims. We did not experience any new large title claims in the first quarter 2013 and adjustments to previously reserved large losses did not exceed our normal provisioning rate. Although there can be no assurances that this result for large losses will continue for the remainder of 2013, we continue to manage and resolve large claims prudently and in keeping with our commitments to our policyholders. Our overall loss experience on non-large claims continued to be in line with actuarial expectations, which allowed us to maintain the lower loss provisioning rate adopted effective with policies issued in the third quarter 2012.

Cash claim payments in the first quarter 2013 were comparable to the first quarter 2012 and increased 8.9% over the fourth quarter 2012 as payments on previously reserved large losses were made. Losses incurred on known claims in the first quarter 2013 decreased 54.0% from the first quarter 2012. The decline in losses incurred on known claims continues a trend observed for several quarters. Our overall loss experience on non-large claims continued to be in line with actuarial expectations, which allowed us to maintain the lower loss provisioning rate adopted effective with policies issued in the third quarter 2012.

Our liability for estimated title losses as of March 31, 2013 comprises both known claims ($119.2 million) and our estimate of claims that may be reported in the future ($389.6 million). The amount of the reserve represents the aggregate future payments (net of recoveries recognized) that we expect to incur on policy and escrow losses and in costs to settle claims.

Income taxes. Our effective tax rates were 42.7% and (30.2)% for the first three months of 2013 and 2012, respectively, based on earnings (loss) before taxes and after deducting noncontrolling interests, which when aggregated are $5.6 million and ($9.3) million for the first three months of 2013 and 2012, respectively. In the fourth quarter 2012, we released a significant portion of a previously established valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. As a result, our effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 reflects a more normalized effective tax rate based on domestic and international operating results. A valuation allowance against certain foreign tax credit carryforwards, which may not be utilized in the future, remains at March 31, 2013.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our liquidity and capital resources represent our ability to generate cash flow to meet our obligations to our shareholders, customers (payments to satisfy claims on title policies), vendors, employees, lenders and others. As of March 31, 2013, our cash and investments, including amounts reserved pursuant to statutory requirements, aggregated $733.9 million.

A substantial majority of our consolidated cash and investments as of March 31, 2013 was held by Stewart Title Guaranty Company (Guaranty) and its subsidiaries. The use and investment of these funds, dividends to the holding company, and cash transfers between Guaranty and its subsidiaries and the holding company are subject to certain legal and regulatory restrictions. In general, Guaranty may use its cash and investments in excess of its legally-mandated statutory premium reserve (established in accordance with requirements under Texas law) to fund its insurance operations, including claims payments. Guaranty may also, subject to certain limitations, provide funds to its subsidiaries (whose operations consist principally of field title offices) for their operating and debt service needs.

 

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Guaranty cannot pay a dividend to its parent in excess of certain limits without the approval of the Texas Insurance Commissioner. As of December 31, 2012, the maximum dividend that could be paid in 2013 after such approval in 2013 is $85.8 million. Guaranty did not pay a dividend in the three months ended March 31, 2013 or 2012. However, the maximum dividend permitted by law is not necessarily indicative of Guaranty’s actual ability to pay dividends, which may be constrained by business and regulatory considerations, such as the impact of dividends on surplus, which could affect its ratings or competitive position, the amount of insurance it can write and its ability to pay future dividends. Further, depending on business and regulatory conditions, we may in the future need to retain cash in Guaranty or even raise cash in the capital markets to contribute to it in order to maintain its ratings or statutory capital position. Such a requirement could be the result of investment losses, reserve charges, adverse operating conditions in the current economic environment or changes in interpretation of statutory accounting requirements by regulators.

Cash held at the parent company totaled $8.8 million at March 31, 2013. As noted above, as a holding company, the parent is funded principally by cash from its subsidiaries in the form of dividends, operating and other administrative expense reimbursements, and pursuant to intercompany tax sharing agreements. The expense reimbursements are paid in accordance with management agreements among us and our subsidiaries. As the parent company conducts no operations apart from its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the discussion below focuses on consolidated cash flows.

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2013     2012  
     (dollars in millions)  

Net cash used by operating activities

     (3.4     (20.3

Net cash used by investing activities

     (25.2     (0.5

Net cash used by financing activities

     (3.7     (6.0

Operating activities

Our principal sources of cash from operations are premiums on title policies and revenue from title service-related transactions, and mortgage servicing support services. Our independent agencies remit cash to us net of their contractual retention. Our principal cash expenditures for operations are employee costs, operating costs and title claims payments.

Cash used by operations for the first quarter 2013 was $3.4 million, an improvement of $16.9 million from the $20.3 million used by operations in 2012. This improvement is primarily related to the $15.6 million increase in net earnings when comparing the same periods, along with a $15.0 million decrease in receivables for those periods. This improvement is partially offset by a $10.3 million increase in cash used to settle accounts payable and accrued liabilities and a $6.8 million increase in claims paid compared to loss provisions.

Although our business is labor intensive, we are focused on a cost-effective, scalable business model which includes utilization of technology, centralization of back and middle office functions and business process outsourcing. Our approach allows us to adjust more easily to fluctuations in transaction volumes.

The insurance regulators of the states in which our underwriters are domiciled require our statutory premium reserves to be fully funded, segregated and invested in high-quality securities and short-term investments. As of March 31, 2013, cash and investments funding the statutory premium reserve aggregated $455.8 million and our statutory estimate of claims that may be reported in the future totaled $389.6 million. In addition to this restricted cash and investments, we had unrestricted cash and investments (excluding equity method investments) of $142.5 million, which are available for underwriter operations, including claims payments.

 

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Investing activities

Cash from investing activities was generated principally by proceeds from investments matured and sold in the amounts of $15.3 million and $39.6 million for the first quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively. We used cash for the purchases of investments in the amounts of $36.3 million and $38.7 million for the first quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Capital expenditures were $4.3 million and $4.7 million for the first quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively. We maintain investment in capital expenditures at a level that enables us to implement technologies for increasing our operational and back-office efficiencies. We sold assets and subsidiaries resulting in cash receipts of $0.1 million and $3.4 million for the first quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Financing activities and capital resources

Total debt and stockholders’ equity were $34.2 million and $621.1 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2013. In the first quarter 2013 and 2012, we repaid $0.5 million and $4.3 million, respectively, of debt in accordance with the underlying terms of the debt instruments. Included in total debt is $27.8 million of Notes. In the first quarter 2013, we exchanged an aggregate of $37.1 million of Notes for an aggregate of 3,037,430 shares of common stock plus cash for accrued and unpaid interest. We also have available a $10.0 million bank line of credit commitment, which expires in June 2013, under which no borrowings were outstanding at March 31, 2013.

Effect of changes in foreign currency rates

The effect of changes in foreign currency rates on the consolidated statements of cash flows was a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $0.8 million for the first quarter 2013 compared to a net increase of $1.1 million for the first quarter 2012. Our principal foreign operating unit is in Canada, and, on average, the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar decreased during the first quarter 2013.

***********

We believe we have sufficient liquidity and capital resources to meet the cash needs of our ongoing operations. However, if we determine that supplemental debt, including additional convertible debentures, or equity funding is warranted to provide additional liquidity for unforeseen circumstances or strategic acquisitions, we may pursue those sources of cash. Other than scheduled maturities of debt, operating lease payments, purchase agreements and anticipated claims payments, we have no material commitments. We expect that cash flows from operations and cash available from our underwriters, subject to regulatory restrictions, will be sufficient to fund our operations, including claims payments. However, to the extent that these funds are not sufficient, we may be required to borrow funds on terms less favorable than we currently have, or seek funding from the equity market, which may not be successful or may be on terms that are dilutive to existing shareholders.

Contingent liabilities and commitments. See discussion of contingent liabilities and commitments in Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Report.

Other comprehensive (loss) earnings. Unrealized gains and losses on investments and changes in foreign currency exchange rates are reported net of deferred taxes in accumulated other comprehensive earnings, a component of stockholders’ equity, until realized. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, net unrealized investment gains of $0.8 million, which increased our other comprehensive earnings, were primarily related to temporary increases in government bond investments and equity securities, partially offset by temporary decreases in fair market values of municipal bond investments. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, net unrealized investment gains of $2.8 million, which decreased our other comprehensive loss, were primarily related to temporary increases in fair market values of corporate bonds, partially offset by temporary decreases in government bond investments. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily related to our Canadian operations, decreased our other comprehensive loss by $3.3 million and decreased our other comprehensive earnings by $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, net of taxes.

 

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Off-balance sheet arrangements. We do not have any material source of liquidity or financing that involves off-balance sheet arrangements, other than our contractual obligations under operating leases. We also routinely hold funds in segregated escrow accounts pending the closing of real estate transactions and have qualified intermediaries in tax-deferred property exchanges for customers pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company holds the proceeds from these transactions until a qualifying exchange can occur. See Note 18 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Forward-looking statements. Certain statements in this report are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements relate to future, not past, events and often address our expected future business and financial performance. These statements often contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “will,” “foresee” or other similar words. Forward-looking statements by their nature are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different than those expressed in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the tenuous economic conditions; adverse changes in the level of real estate activity; changes in mortgage interest rates, existing and new home sales, and availability of mortgage financing; our ability to respond to and implement technology changes, including the completion of the implementation of our enterprise systems; the impact of unanticipated title losses on the need to strengthen our policy loss reserves; any effect of title losses on our cash flows and financial condition; the impact of vetting our agency operations for quality and profitability; changes to the participants in the secondary mortgage market and the rate of refinancings that affect the demand for title insurance products; regulatory non-compliance, fraud or defalcations by our title insurance agencies or employees; our ability to timely and cost-effectively respond to significant industry changes and introduce new products and services; the outcome of pending litigation; the impact of changes in governmental and insurance regulations, including any future reductions in the pricing of title insurance products and services; our dependence on our operating subsidiaries as a source of cash flow; the continued realization of expense savings from our continual focus on aligning our operations to quickly adapt our costs to transaction volumes and market conditions; our ability to access the equity and debt financing markets when and if needed; our ability to grow our international operations; and our ability to respond to the actions of our competitors. These risks and uncertainties, as well as others, are discussed in more detail documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this report to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof, except as may be required by applicable law.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 in our investment strategies, types of financial instruments held or the risks associated with such instruments that would materially alter the market risk disclosures made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures. They evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of March 31, 2013, and have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process, under the supervision of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2013. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of March 31, 2013, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Due to such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. As a result, no corrective actions were required or undertaken.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See discussion of legal proceedings in Note 9 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Report, which is incorporated by reference into this Part II, Item 1, as well as Item 3. Legal Proceedings, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no changes during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 to our risk factors as listed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

 

Item 5. Other Information

We had a book value per share of $27.70 and $29.91 as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. As of March 31, 2013, our book value per share was based on approximately $621.1 million in stockholders’ equity and 22,421,821 shares of Common and Class B Common Stock outstanding. As of December 31, 2012, our book value per share was based on approximately $580.4 million in stockholders’ equity and 19,403,765 shares of Common and Class B Common Stock outstanding.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

Those exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are listed in the Index to Exhibits immediately preceding the exhibits filed herewith and such listing is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, I have duly caused this report to be signed on our behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

May 3, 2013            

Date

 

  Stewart Information Services Corporation
  Registrant

 

By:    /s/ J. Allen Berryman
 

J. Allen Berryman, Chief Financial Officer,

Secretary, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

           
3.1    -    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, dated May 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 3.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 5, 2009)
3.2    -    Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, dated April 30, 2010 (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 3.2 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010)
3.3    -    Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant, as of January 17, 2012 (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 3.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 20, 2012)
4.1    -    Rights of Common and Class B Common Stockholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 hereto)
4.2    -    Indenture related to 6.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014, dated as of October 15, 2009, by and between the Registrant, the Guarantors party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 15, 2009)
4.3    -    Form of 6.00% Convertible Senior Note due 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 hereto)
10.1†    -    Employment Agreement entered into as of February 21, 2013 and effective as of January 1, 2012, by and between Stewart Information Services Corporation and Stewart Morris, Jr. (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 10.11 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)
10.2†    -    Employment Agreement entered into as of February 21, 2013 and effective as of January 1, 2012, by and between Stewart Information Services Corporation and Malcolm S. Morris (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 10.12 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)
10.3†       Addendum to Employment Agreement effective April 22, 2013, by and between Stewart Information Services Corporation and Matthew W. Morris (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 25, 2013)
10.4†       Addendum to Employment Agreement effective April 22, 2013, by and between Stewart Information Services Corporation and Joseph Allen Berryman (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 10.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 25, 2013)
10.5†       Addendum to Employment Agreement effective April 22, 2013, by and between Stewart Information Services Corporation and Glenn H. Clements (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 10.3 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 25, 2013)
10.6†       Addendum to Employment Agreement effective April 22, 2013, by and between Stewart Information Services Corporation and Jason R. Nadeau (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 10.4 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 25, 2013)


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Exhibit

          
10.7†      Addendum to Employment Agreement effective April 22, 2013, by and between Stewart Information Services Corporation and Steven M. Lessack (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 10.5 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 25, 2013)
31.1*   -    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*   -    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*   -    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*   -    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS**   -    XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH**   -    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL**   -    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF**   -    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB**   -    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE**   -    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

* Filed herewith
Management contract or compensatory plan
** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed furnished and not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.