STC 10-Q Quarterly Report March 31, 2019 | Alphaminr
STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORP
ALPHAMINR

STC 10-Q Quarter ended March 31, 2019

Balance Sheet
Cash Flow
Income Statement
Debt
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10-Q 1 q1-2019stewart10xq.htm STEWART Q1 2019 10-Q Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)

þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019
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
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1 par value
STC
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
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 þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).    Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer þ
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨
Smaller reporting company ¨
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes      No þ
On April 25, 2019 , there were 23,700,473 outstanding shares of the issuer's Common Stock, $1 par value per share.


FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS
As used in this report, “we,” “us,” “our,” "Registrant," the “Company” and “Stewart” mean Stewart Information Services Corporation and our subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.





















2

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2019
2018
($000 omitted, except per share)
Revenues
Title revenues:
Direct operations
161,247

185,512

Agency operations
214,863

236,854

Ancillary services
14,282

11,831

Operating revenues
390,392

434,197

Investment income
4,724

4,704

Investment and other gains (losses) – net
3,403

(1,671
)
398,519

437,230

Expenses
Amounts retained by agencies
176,494

195,207

Employee costs
129,256

138,822

Other operating expenses
77,155

80,267

Title losses and related claims
15,686

18,981

Depreciation and amortization
5,990

6,234

Interest
1,164

974

405,745

440,485

Loss before taxes and noncontrolling interests
(7,226
)
(3,255
)
Income tax benefit
2,442

1,294

Net loss
(4,784
)
(1,961
)
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
1,982

1,819

Net loss attributable to Stewart
(6,766
)
(3,780
)
Net loss
(4,784
)
(1,961
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
4,588

(1,592
)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments
9,011

(8,006
)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) included in net income
162

(249
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
13,761

(9,847
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
8,977

(11,808
)
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
1,982

1,819

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Stewart
6,995

(13,627
)
Basic and diluted average shares outstanding (000)
23,595

23,508

Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to Stewart
(0.29
)
(0.16
)
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of
March 31, 2019 (Unaudited)
As of
December 31, 2018
($000 omitted)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
164,507

192,067

Short-term investments
23,473

22,950

Investments in debt and equity securities, at fair value
627,648

636,017

Receivables:
Premiums from agencies
29,421

29,032

Trade and other
46,382

43,568

Income taxes
1,982

489

Notes
2,935

2,987

Allowance for uncollectible amounts
(4,450
)
(4,614
)
76,270

71,462

Property and equipment:
Land
3,512

3,991

Buildings
21,552

22,968

Furniture and equipment
216,901

216,498

Accumulated depreciation
(184,773
)
(182,663
)
57,192

60,794

Operating lease assets
103,947

—

Title plants, at cost
74,737

74,737

Investments on equity method basis
8,611

8,590

Goodwill
248,890

248,890

Intangible assets, net of amortization
8,518

9,727

Deferred tax assets
4,575

4,575

Other assets
43,942

43,121

1,442,310

1,372,930

Liabilities
Notes payable
105,043

108,036

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
71,621

109,283

Operating lease liabilities
115,307

—

Estimated title losses
454,075

461,560

Deferred tax liabilities
17,360

14,214

763,406

693,093

Contingent liabilities and commitments


Stockholders’ equity
Common Stock ($1 par value) and additional paid-in capital
187,139

186,714

Retained earnings
500,335

514,248

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) on debt securities investments
3,907

(5,266
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(14,917
)
(19,505
)
Treasury stock – 352,161 common shares, at cost
(2,666
)
(2,666
)
Stockholders’ equity attributable to Stewart
673,798

673,525

Noncontrolling interests
5,106

6,312

Total stockholders’ equity (23,699,103 and 23,719,347 shares outstanding)
678,904

679,837

1,442,310

1,372,930

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2019
2018
($000 omitted)
Reconciliation of net loss to cash used by operating activities:
Net loss
(4,784
)
(1,961
)
Add (deduct):
Depreciation and amortization
5,990

6,234

Provision for bad debt
446

(143
)
Investment and other (gains) losses – net
(3,403
)
1,671

Amortization of net premium on debt securities investments
1,353

1,587

Payments for title losses (in excess of) less than provisions
(7,781
)
710

Adjustment for insurance recoveries of title losses
380

1,198

Increase in receivables – net
(5,686
)
(3,321
)
Increase in other assets – net
(815
)
(4,853
)
Decrease in accounts payable and other liabilities – net
(26,212
)
(30,258
)
Change in net deferred income taxes
(252
)
(161
)
Net income from equity investees
(374
)
(243
)
Dividends received from equity investees
353

431

Stock-based compensation expense
804

140

Other – net
98

43

Cash used by operating activities
(39,883
)
(28,926
)
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of investments in securities
6,958

15,366

Proceeds from matured investments in debt securities
20,094

4,603

Purchases of investments in securities
(561
)
(8,042
)
Net (purchases) sales of short-term investments
(456
)
63

Purchases of property and equipment, and real estate – net
(2,735
)
(1,993
)
Cash paid for acquisition of businesses
—

(11,978
)
Other – net
1,287

464

Cash provided (used) by investing activities
24,587

(1,517
)
Financing activities:
Payments on notes payable
(7,446
)
(5,029
)
Proceeds from notes payable
4,454

—

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(3,177
)
(2,928
)
Repurchases of common stock
(379
)
(579
)
Cash dividends paid
(7,083
)
(7,061
)
Purchase of remaining interest in consolidated subsidiary
—


(281
)
Cash used by financing activities
(13,631
)
(15,878
)
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates
1,367

(284
)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(27,560
)
(46,605
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
192,067

150,079

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
164,507

103,474


See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

Common Stock
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Treasury stock
Noncontrolling interests
Total
($000 omitted)
Three-month period ended March 31, 2019:
Balances at December 31, 2018
24,072

162,642

514,248

(24,771
)
(2,666
)
6,312

679,837

Net loss attributable to Stewart
—

—

(6,766
)
—

—

—

(6,766
)
Dividends on Common Stock ($0.30 per share)
—

—

(7,147
)
—

—

—

(7,147
)
Stock-based compensation
(11
)
815

—

—

—

—

804

Stock repurchases
(9
)
(370
)
—

—

—

—

(379
)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes
—

—

—

9,011

—

—

9,011

Net investment realized loss reclassification, net of taxes
—

—

—

162

—

—

162

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes
—

—

—

4,588

—

—

4,588

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
—

—

—

—

—

1,982

1,982

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
—

—

—

—

—

(3,177
)
(3,177
)
Net effect of other changes in ownership
—

—

—

—

—

(11
)
(11
)
Balances at March 31, 2019
24,052

163,087

500,335

(11,010
)
(2,666
)
5,106

678,904

Three-month period ended March 31, 2018:
Balances at December 31, 2017
24,072

159,954

491,698

(847
)
(2,666
)
6,599

678,810

Cumulative effect adjustments on adoption of new accounting standards
—

—

3,592

(3,592
)
—

—

—

Net loss attributable to Stewart
—

—

(3,780
)
—

—

—

(3,780
)
Dividends on Common Stock ($0.30 per share)
—

—

(7,151
)
—

—

—

(7,151
)
Stock-based compensation
28

112

—

—

—

—

140

Stock repurchases
(14
)
(565
)
—

—

—

—

(579
)
Purchase of remaining interest in consolidated subsidiary
—

(201
)
—

—

—

(80
)
(281
)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes
—

—

—

(8,006
)
—

—

(8,006
)
Net investment realized gain reclassification, net of taxes
—

—

—

(249
)
—

—

(249
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes
—

—

—

(1,592
)
—

—

(1,592
)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
—

—

—

—

—

1,819

1,819

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
—

—

—

—

—

(2,928
)
(2,928
)
Balances at March 31, 2018
24,086

159,300

484,359

(14,286
)
(2,666
)
5,410

656,203

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


6

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, 2019 and 2018 , and as of March 31, 2019 , 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, 2018 .

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.

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 voting stock, are accounted for using the equity method.

C. Restrictions on cash and investments. The Company maintains investments in accordance with certain statutory requirements for the funding of statutory premium reserves. Statutory reserve funds are required to be fully funded and invested in high-quality securities and short-term investments. Statutory reserve funds are not available for current claim payments, which must be funded from current operating cash flow. Included in investments in debt and equity securities are statutory reserve funds of approximately $454.1 million and $462.2 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively, In addition, included within cash and cash equivalents are statutory reserve funds of approximately $49.6 million and $37.7 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. Although these cash statutory reserve funds are not restricted or segregated in depository accounts, they are required to be held pursuant to state statutes. If the Company fails to maintain minimum investments or cash and cash equivalents sufficient to meet statutory requirements, the Company may be subject to fines or other penalties, including potential revocation of its business license. These funds are not available for any other purpose. In the event that insurance regulators adjust the determination of the statutory premium reserves of the Company’s title insurers, these restricted funds as well as statutory surplus would correspondingly increase or decrease.

D. Recently adopted accounting standard. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02, Topic 842: Leases (Topic 842) which updates the current guidance related to leases to increase transparency and comparability among organizations. Most prominent among the changes in the standard is the recognition of right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases. Additional financial statement disclosures are required to enable users of financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. Topic 842 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Topic 842 permits adoption using either a modified retrospective approach or an optional transition method. The optional transition method allows the application of the recognition and measurement requirements of the standard in the period of adoption and annual disclosures using the legacy lease guidance in Topic 840 for comparative periods.

The Company adopted Topic 842 effective January 1, 2019 using the optional transition method of adoption. In addition, the Company elected practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance of the standard, which among other things, allowed the carry forward of the historical lease classifications for existing leases. The adoption resulted in the recognition on the Company's January 1, 2019 consolidated balance sheet of approximately $99.8 million of operating lease assets and lease liabilities, and the reclassification of approximately $10.7 million of existing deferred rent liabilities from accounts payable and accrued liabilities to operating lease assets. There was no impact on the Company's 2019 consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and cash flows. The accounting treatment for finance leases remained substantially unchanged.



7

E. Merger Agreement update. In relation to the Company's agreement and plan of merger (Merger Agreement) with Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (FNF) (the Mergers), as disclosed in detail in Note 1-S of the Company’s 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Exhibit 2.1 to the March 19, 2018 Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company continues to work with FNF in responding to the Second Request of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Additionally, the Merger Agreement contains certain customary termination rights in favor of either the Company or FNF, which are exercisable (i) by mutual consent, (ii) upon the failure to complete the Mergers by March 18, 2019 (the End Date), subject to certain exceptions and subject to up to two ( 2 ) extensions of up to three (3) months each upon the election of either the Company or FNF if, as of such date, all closing conditions (other than the receipt of the Required Antitrust Regulatory Filings/Approvals, the receipt of the Required Insurance Regulatory Filings/Approvals and the absence of any law or court or other governmental order relating thereto) having been met or being capable of being satisfied as of such time, (iii) in the event of a final and non-appealable law or order that prohibits the consummation of the Mergers or (iv) if the Company’s stockholders do not vote to approve the Mergers. On March 11, 2019, FNF exercised the first option to extend the End Date by three months to June 18, 2019.

The Company worked with FNF on its new Form A application with the New York State Department of Financial Services, which disapproved a prior application with respect to Stewart Title Insurance Company, the Company's New York domiciled title insurance underwriter. The Company will continue to respond to the FTC's Second Request and maintain discussions with all other necessary regulatory bodies to seek approval of the proposed merger.


NOTE 2

Revenues. The Company's operating revenues, summarized by type, are as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2019
2018
($000 omitted)
Title insurance premiums:
Direct
111,918

132,761

Agency
214,863

236,854

Escrow fees
25,293

27,867

Search, abstract and valuation services
22,939

21,787

Other revenues
15,379

14,928

390,392

434,197



NOTE 3

Investments in debt and equity securities. The total fair values of the Company's investments in debt and equity securities are as follows:
March 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
($000 omitted)
Investments in:
Debt securities
590,115

602,020

Equity securities
37,533

33,997

627,648

636,017


8

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the net unrealized investment gains relating to investments in equity securities held were $ 6.6 million and $ 2.9 million, respectively.

The amortized costs and fair values of investments in debt securities are as follows:
March 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
Amortized
costs
Fair
values
Amortized
costs
Fair
values
($000 omitted)
Municipal
60,467

61,348

61,779

61,934

Corporate
322,993

325,918

333,289

328,495

Foreign
195,177

196,430

200,667

198,938

U.S. Treasury Bonds
6,533

6,419

12,951

12,653

585,170

590,115

608,686

602,020


Foreign debt securities consist of Canadian government and corporate bonds, United Kingdom treasury and corporate bonds, and Mexican government bonds.

Gross unrealized gains and losses on investments in debt securities are as follows:
March 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
Gains
Losses
Gains
Losses
($000 omitted)
Municipal
945

64

482

327

Corporate
4,014

1,089

1,894

6,688

Foreign
2,336

1,083

1,402

3,131

U.S. Treasury Bonds
2

116

2

300

7,297

2,352

3,780

10,446


Debt securities as of March 31, 2019 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
50,945

50,822

After one year through five years
326,286

328,615

After five years through ten years
176,344

178,348

After ten years
31,595

32,330

585,170

590,115


Gross unrealized losses on investments in debt securities 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 at March 31, 2019 , were:
Less than 12 months
More than 12 months
Total
Losses
Fair values
Losses
Fair values
Losses
Fair values
($000 omitted)
Municipal
—

—

64

9,099

64

9,099

Corporate
28

9,652

1,061

117,827

1,089

127,479

Foreign
36

16,905

1,047

88,177

1,083

105,082

U.S. Treasury Bonds
—

—

116

6,310

116

6,310

64

26,557

2,288

221,413

2,352

247,970



9

The number of specific debt investment holdings held in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2019 was 151 . Of these securities, 138 were in unrealized loss positions for more than 12 months. During 2019, the overall gross unrealized losses on debt securities decreased compared to the prior year-end, primarily due to the decrease in the overall interest rate environment which improved the market values of investments. Since the Company does not intend to sell and will more likely than not maintain each investment security until its maturity or anticipated recovery, and no significant credit risk is deemed to exist, these investments are not considered as other-than-temporarily impaired. 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.

Gross unrealized losses on investments in debt securities 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 at December 31, 2018 , were:
Less than 12 months
More than 12 months
Total
Losses
Fair values
Losses
Fair values
Losses
Fair values
($000 omitted)
Municipal
91

13,366

236

11,645

327

25,011

Corporate
4,416

201,965

2,272

71,044

6,688

273,009

Foreign
158

11,424

2,973

137,793

3,131

149,217

U.S. Treasury Bonds
—

—

300

12,544

300

12,544

4,665

226,755

5,781

233,026

10,446

459,781



NOTE 4

Fair value measurements. The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic (Topic 820) of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 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. Topic 820 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.

10


As of March 31, 2019 , financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
Level 1
Level 2
Fair value
measurements
($000 omitted)
Investments in securities:
Debt securities:
Municipal


61,348

61,348

Corporate


325,918

325,918

Foreign


196,430

196,430

U.S. Treasury Bonds


6,419

6,419

Equity securities
37,533



37,533

37,533

590,115

627,648


As of December 31, 2018 , financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
Level 1
Level 2
Fair value
measurements
($000 omitted)
Investments in securities:
Debt securities:
Municipal
—

61,934

61,934

Corporate
—

328,495

328,495

Foreign
—

198,938

198,938

U.S. Treasury Bonds
—

12,653

12,653

Equity securities
33,997

—

33,997

33,997

602,020

636,017


As of March 31, 2019 , Level 1 financial instruments consist of equity securities. Level 2 financial instruments consist of municipal, governmental, and corporate 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. The fair value of the Company's investments in debt and equity securities is primarily determined using a third-party pricing service provider. The third-party pricing service provider calculates the fair values using both market approach and model valuation methods, as well as pricing information obtained from brokers, dealers and custodians. Management ensures the reasonableness of the third-party service valuations by comparing them with pricing information from the Company's investment manager.


NOTE 5

Investment and other gains (losses) - net. Investments and other gains (losses) are detailed as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2019
2018
($000 omitted)
Investment and other gains
162

720

Investment and other losses
(305
)
(188
)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) recognized on equity securities held
3,546

(2,203
)
3,403

(1,671
)


11

Net investment gains (losses) recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 related to investments in equity securities still held as of March 31, 2019 and 2018 are calculated as follows ($000 omitted):
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2019
2018
($000 omitted)
Net investment gains (losses) recognized on equity securities during the period
3,657

(2,226
)
Less: Net realized gains (losses) on equity securities sold during the period
111

(23
)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) recognized on equity securities still held
3,546

(2,203
)

Proceeds from sales of investments in securities are as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2019
2018
($000 omitted)
Proceeds from sales of debt securities
6,318

13,146

Proceeds from sales of equity securities
640

2,220

Total proceeds from sales of investment in securities
6,958

15,366



NOTE 6

Estimated title losses. A summary of estimated title losses for the three months ended March 31 is as follows:
2019
2018
($000 omitted)
Balances at January 1
461,560

480,990

Provisions:
Current year
15,526

18,880

Previous policy years
160

101

Total provisions
15,686

18,981

Payments, net of recoveries:
Current year
(2,695
)
(2,564
)
Previous policy years
(20,772
)
(15,708
)
Total payments, net of recoveries
(23,467
)
(18,272
)
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates
296

(1,894
)
Balances at March 31
454,075

479,805

Loss ratios as a percentage of title operating revenues:
Current year provisions
4.1
%
4.5
%
Total provisions
4.2
%
4.5
%

Provisions decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, primarily due to the Company's lower loss provisioning rate as a result of better claims experience. Claim payments increased during the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, primarily due to higher payments on existing large and non-large claims.



12

NOTE 7

Share-based payments. Beginning in 2018, the Company grants time-based and performance-based restricted stock units to executives and senior management employees. Each restricted stock unit represents a contractual right to receive a share of the Company's common stock. The time-based units vest on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, while the performance-based units vest upon achievement of certain financial objectives over a period of approximately three years . Awards are made pursuant to the Company’s employee incentive compensation plans and the compensation expense associated with the awards is recognized over the corresponding vesting period. The aggregate grant-date fair values of restricted stock unit awards during the first quarters 2019 and 2018 were $3.7 million ( 87,000 units with an average grant price per unit of $43.06 ) and $3.9 million ( 90,000 units with an average grant price per unit of $43.33 ), respectively.


NOTE 8

Earnings per share. Basic earnings per share (EPS) attributable to Stewart is calculated by dividing net income attributable to Stewart by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the reporting periods. Outstanding shares of Common Stock granted to employees that are not yet vested (restricted shares) are excluded from the calculation of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for calculating basic EPS. To calculate diluted EPS, the number of shares is adjusted to include the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding if the restricted shares and restricted units were vested. In periods of loss, dilutive shares are excluded from the calculation of the diluted EPS and diluted EPS is computed in the same manner as basic EPS.

The calculation of the basic and diluted EPS is as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2019
2018
($000 omitted, except per share)
Numerator:
Net loss attributable to Stewart
(6,766
)
(3,780
)
Denominator (000):
Basic and diluted average shares outstanding
23,595

23,508

Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to Stewart
(0.29
)
(0.16
)


NOTE 9

Leases. The Company primarily leases office space, storage units, data centers and equipment, and determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease assets represent the right to use the underlying leased assets over the corresponding lease terms. Finance leases are included in furniture and equipment and notes payable on the consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As most of the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company's incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date is used in determining the present value of the future lease payments. Lease options to extend or terminate that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise are considered in the present value calculation.

Operating lease expense, which is calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term and presented as part of other operating expenses in the statement of operations, is composed of the amortization of the lease asset and the accretion of the lease liability. Finance lease expense is composed of the depreciation of the lease asset and accretion of the lease liability and presented as part of depreciation and amortization and interest expense, respectively, in the statement of operations.

13

The Company accounts for the lease and non-lease fixed payment components of a lease agreement as a single lease component for all its classes of assets. Variable lease payments are not capitalized and are recorded as lease expense when incurred or paid. Operating leases with initial terms of 12 months or less (short-term leases), which are not reasonably certain to be extended at the commencement date, are not capitalized on the balance sheet. Additionally, operating leases of equipment are not recorded on the balance sheet on the basis that they are relatively short-term in nature and considered as not material to the consolidated balance sheet.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, total operating lease expense was $11.5 million, which included $1.0 million of lease expense related to short-term leases and equipment, while total finance lease expense was $0.3 million.

Lease-related assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2019 are as follows ($000 omitted):
Assets:
Operating lease assets, net of accumulated amortization
103,947

Finance lease assets, net of accumulated depreciation
1,151

Total lease assets
105,098

Liabilities:
Operating lease liabilities
115,307

Finance lease liabilities
5,760

Total lease liabilities
121,067


Other information related to operating and finance leases during the three months ended March 31, 2019 is as follows:
Operating
Finance
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities ($000)
11,095

897

Lease assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations ($000)
25,244

—

Weighted average remaining lease term (years):
4.7

2.8

Weighted average discount rate
4.5
%
5.2
%

Future minimum lease payments under operating and finance leases as of March 31, 2019 are as follows:
Operating
Finance
($000 omitted)
2019 (excludes the three months ended March 31, 2019)
30,221

2,180

2020
32,328

1,913

2021
23,953

957

2022
17,242

957

2023
12,262

80

Thereafter
20,928

—

Total future minimum lease payments
136,934

6,087

Less: imputed interest
(21,627
)
(327
)
Net future minimum lease payments
115,307

5,760




14

NOTE 10

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, 2019 , the maximum potential future payments on the guarantees are not more than the related notes payable recorded in the condensed 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. As of March 31, 2019 , the Company also had unused letters of credit aggregating $ 5.4 million related to workers’ compensation and other insurance. The Company does not expect to make any payments on these guarantees.


NOTE 11

Regulatory and legal developments. The Company is subject to 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 ordinary course proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations. The Company believes that it has adequate reserves for the various litigation matters and contingencies discussed in this paragraph and that the likely resolution of these matters will not materially affect its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Additionally, the Company receives from time to time various other inquiries from governmental regulators concerning practices in the insurance industry. Many of these practices do not concern title insurance. To the extent the Company is in receipt of such inquiries, it 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 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.

NOTE 12

Segment information. The Company reports two operating segments: title and ancillary services and corporate . The title segment provides services needed to transfer title to property in a real estate transaction and includes services such as searching, examining, closing and insuring the condition of the title to the property. In addition, the title segment includes home and personal insurance services and Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 tax-deferred exchanges. The ancillary services and corporate segment includes search and valuation services, which are the principal offerings of ancillary services, and expenses of the parent holding company and certain other enterprise-wide overhead costs (net of centralized administrative services costs allocated to respective operating businesses).


15

Selected statement of operations information related to these segments is as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2019
2018
($000 omitted)
Title segment:
Revenues
384,437

425,411

Depreciation and amortization
5,153

5,317

(Loss) income before taxes and noncontrolling interest
(379
)
5,125

Ancillary services and corporate segment:
Revenues
14,082

11,819

Depreciation and amortization
837

917

Loss before taxes and noncontrolling interest
(6,847
)
(8,380
)
Consolidated Stewart:
Revenues
398,519

437,230

Depreciation and amortization
5,990

6,234

Loss before taxes and noncontrolling interest
(7,226
)
(3,255
)

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 are as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2019
2018
($000 omitted)
United States
376,482

413,304

International
22,037

23,926

398,519

437,230



NOTE 13
Other comprehensive income (loss). Changes in the balances of each component of other comprehensive income (loss) and the related tax effects are as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
Before-Tax Amount
Tax Expense (Benefit)
Net-of-Tax Amount
Before-Tax Amount
Tax Expense (Benefit)
Net-of-Tax Amount
($000 omitted)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments
11,406

2,395

9,011

(10,134
)
(2,128
)
(8,006
)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) included in net income
205

43

162

(315
)
(66
)
(249
)
11,611

2,438

9,173

(10,449
)
(2,194
)
(8,255
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
5,548

960

4,588

(2,279
)
(687
)
(1,592
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
17,159

3,398

13,761

(12,728
)
(2,881
)
(9,847
)



16

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

MANAGEMENT’S OVERVIEW

We reported a net loss attributable to Stewart of $6.8 million ($0.29 per diluted share) for the first quarter 2019, compared to a net loss attributable to Stewart of $3.8 million ($0.16 per diluted share) for the first quarter 2018. Pretax loss before noncontrolling interests for the first quarter 2019 was $7.2 million compared to a pretax loss before noncontrolling interests of $3.3 million for the first quarter 2018.

First quarter 2019 results included:
•
$3.5 million of net unrealized gains recorded in the title segment relating to changes in fair value of equity securities investments,
•
$2.0 million of third-party advisory expenses related to the Fidelity National Financial (FNF) merger transaction included in other operating expenses within the ancillary services and corporate segment,
•
$0.8 million of litigation expense related to a 2013 lender services acquisition included in other operating expenses within the ancillary services and corporate segment, and
•
$0.7 million of office closure costs included in other operating expenses within the title segment.

First quarter 2018 results included:
•
$2.3 million of third party advisory expenses recorded in other operating expenses in the ancillary services and corporate segment relating to the strategic alternatives review, and
•
$2.2 million of net unrealized losses recorded in the title segment relating to changes in fair value of equity securities investments.

Summary results of the title segment are as follows ($ in millions, except pretax margin):
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2019
2018
% Change
Total operating revenues
376.1

422.4

(11
)%
Investment income and other net gains
8.3

3.0

173
%
Pretax income
(0.4
)
5.1

(107
)%
Pretax margin
(0.1
)%
1.2
%



Title operating revenues in the first quarter 2019 decreased compared to the prior year quarter as direct title and independent agency revenues decreased 13% and 9%, respectively. The segment’s overall operating expenses in the first quarter 2019 declined $35.5 million, or 8%, compared to the prior year quarter, as combined employee and other operating costs decreased 7% and title loss expense decreased 17%. Excluding the effects of the changes in fair value of equity securities investments and office closures, the title segment’s pretax loss was $3.3 million in the first quarter 2019, compared to pretax income of $7.3 million in the first quarter 2018.
Included in the non-commercial domestic revenues (as shown under the Results of Operations - Title revenues section) were revenues from purchase transactions and centralized title operations (primarily processing refinancing and default title orders) which, on a combined basis, declined $8.3 million primarily as a result of a total 10% decline in purchase and refinancing closed orders in the first quarter 2019 compared to the prior year quarter. The reduced orders were primarily influenced by the decline in total home sales and mortgage lending during the first quarter 2019 compared to the prior year quarter. Total commercial revenues decreased $13.4 million, or 26%, primarily due to fewer transactions during the first quarter 2019, compared to the first quarter 2018 which benefited from a few large portfolio transactions and carryover of some opened transactions from the fourth quarter 2017. First quarter 2019 domestic commercial fee per file increased 9% to approximately $9,600, primarily due to increased transaction sizes, while domestic residential fee per file increased 7% to approximately $2,300 as a result of the mix shift to more purchase transactions and home price appreciation. Total international title revenues decreased $2.2 million, or 10%, primarily driven by market conditions in Canada.


17

Gross revenues from independent agency operations declined in the first quarter 2019, compared to last year’s quarter, primarily as a result of reductions in generally high agency volume states of Texas, New Jersey, Utah, Pennsylvania and California, partially offset by a revenue increase in the state of New York. The independent agency remittance rate in the first quarter 2019 was 17.9%, which was comparable to the prior year quarter.

Summary results of the ancillary services and corporate segment are as follows ($ in millions):
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2019
2018
% Change
Total revenues
14.1

11.8

19
%
Pretax loss
(6.8
)
(8.4
)
18
%

First quarter 2019 segment revenues increased compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to a $3.1 million revenue increase from search services. Excluding the non-operating charges noted above for the segment, the first quarter 2019 pretax loss would have been $4.0 million, an improvement of $2.1 million, or 34%, compared to the prior year quarter. Additionally, the segment’s results for the first quarter 2019 and 2018 included approximately $7.5 million and $8.1 million, respectively, of net expenses attributable to parent company and corporate operations (including the above non-operating charges).


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of the Company’s condensed 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, 2019 , we made no material changes to our 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, 2018 .

Operations. 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, agencies and centralized title services centers. Our ancillary services and corporate segment includes our parent holding company expenses and certain enterprise-wide overhead costs, along with our ancillary services operations, principally search and valuation services.

Factors affecting revenues. The principal factors that contribute to changes in operating revenues for our title and ancillary services and corporate segments include:
•
mortgage interest rates;
•
availability of mortgage loans;
•
number and average value of mortgage loan originations;
•
ability of potential purchasers to qualify for loans;
•
inventory of existing homes available for sale;
•
ratio of purchase transactions compared with refinance transactions;
•
ratio of closed orders to open orders;
•
home prices;
•
consumer confidence, including employment trends;
•
demand by buyers;
•
number of households;
•
premium rates;
•
foreign currency exchange rates;
•
market share;
•
ability to attract and retain highly productive sales associates;
•
independent agency remittance rates;

18

•
opening of new offices and acquisitions;
•
office closures;
•
number and value of commercial transactions, which typically yield higher premiums;
•
government or regulatory initiatives, including tax incentives and the implementation of the new integrated disclosure requirements;
•
acquisitions or divestitures of businesses;
•
volume of distressed property transactions; and
•
seasonality and/or weather.

Premiums are determined in part by the values of the transactions we handle. To the extent inflation or market conditions cause increases in the prices of homes and other real estate, premium revenues are also increased. Conversely, falling home prices cause premium revenues to decline. As an overall guideline, a 5% change in median home prices results in an approximate 3.7% change in title premiums. Home price changes may override the seasonal nature of the title insurance business. Historically, our first quarter is the least active in terms of title insurance revenues as home buying is generally depressed during winter months. Our second and third quarters are the most active as the summer is the traditional home buying season, and while commercial transaction closings are skewed to the end of the year, individually large commercial transactions can occur any time of year.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparisons of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 with the three months ended March 31, 2018 are set forth below. 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. Segment results 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 ® (NAR) and the U.S. Census Bureau. We also use information from our direct operations.

Operating environment. Actual existing home sales in the first quarter 2019 declined approximately 7% from the first quarter 2018. March 2019 existing home sales totaled 400,000, which was down (seasonally-adjusted) 5% both from a year ago and from February 2019. March 2019 median and average home prices rose approximately 4% and 3%, respectively, compared to March 2018 prices. March 2019 housing starts were flat compared to February 2019, but declined 14% from a year ago. Newly issued building permits in March 2019 were down 2% and 8% sequentially from February 2019 and from a year ago, respectively. According to Fannie Mae, one-to-four family residential lending declined 11% to $331 billion in the first quarter 2019 from $374 billion in the first quarter 2018, primarily driven by $42 billion, or 29%, lower refinancing originations. Fannie Mae expects home sales to stabilize in 2019, primarily as a result of lower mortgage interest rates, wage gains and home price deceleration. Total lending in 2019 is forecasted to increase $20 billion, or 1%, from 2018, primarily due to increased expected purchase originations. The 30-year mortgage interest rate is expected to average 4.2% in 2019 compared to 4.5% in 2018.


19

Title revenues. Direct title revenue information is presented below:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2019
2018
% Change
($ in millions)
Non-commercial
Domestic
107.4

115.7

(7
)%
International
15.6

18.2

(14
)%
123.0

133.9

(8
)%
Commercial:
Domestic
33.7

47.5

(29
)%
International
4.5

4.1

10
%
38.2

51.6

(26
)%
Total direct title revenues
161.2

185.5

(13
)%
Revenues from direct title operations, which include residential, commercial, international and centralized title services transactions, decreased $24.3 million in the first quarter 2019, compared to the first quarter 2018, as a result of lower overall closed orders. Residential revenues decreased $4.9 million, or 5%, while revenues from centralized title operations, which primarily process refinancing and default title orders, decreased $3.4 million, or 42%, primarily due to a 10% decline in total purchase and refinancing closed orders in the first quarter 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. The reduced orders were largely influenced by the decline in total home sales and mortgage lending during the first quarter 2019 compared to the prior year quarter.
Our direct operations include local offices and international operations, and we generate commercial revenues both domestically and internationally. U.S. commercial revenues de creased $13.8 million primarily due to fewer commercial transactions, partially offset by a 9% improvement in domestic commercial fee per file, in the first quarter 2019 compared to the first quarter 2018. Total international revenues declined $2.2 million, or 10%, in the first quarter 2019 compared to last year's quarter, primarily driven by lower volumes from our Canada operations, partially offset by increased commercial revenues. D irect revenues constituted 43% and 44% of our total title revenues in the first quarters 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Orders information for the three months ended March 31 is as follows:
2019
2018*
Change
% Change
Opened Orders:
Commercial
4,298

7,439

(3,141
)
(42
)%
Purchase
53,547

56,491

(2,944
)
(5
)%
Refinance
23,184

23,132

52

—
%
Other
1,591

3,013

(1,422
)
(47
)%
Total
82,620

90,075

(7,455
)
(8
)%
Closed Orders:
Commercial
3,504

5,395

(1,891
)
(35
)%
Purchase
33,318

36,681

(3,363
)
(9
)%
Refinance
13,243

14,879

(1,636
)
(11
)%
Other
996

3,115

(2,119
)
(68
)%
Total
51,061

60,070

(9,009
)
(15
)%
* Prior year commercial orders were updated to take into account changes to our domestic order tracking process and the exclusion of international orders.

20

Gross revenues from independent agency operations declined $22.0 million, or 9%, in the first quarter 2019 compared to last year’s quarter, primarily as a result of reductions in generally high agency volume states of Texas, New Jersey, Utah, Pennsylvania and California, partially offset by a revenue increase in the state of New York. Agency revenues, net of retention, decreased $3.3 million, or 8%, in the first quarter 2019 versus the first quarter 2018, primarily driven by the gross agency revenue decline accompanied by comparable average agency remittance rates. Refer further to the "Retention by agencies" discussion under Expenses below.

Ancillary services revenues. Ancillary services operating revenues increased $2.5 million, or 21%, in the first quarter 2019 compared to the prior year quarter, primarily as a result of increased revenues from our search services operations due to increased orders from existing customers.

Investment income. Investment income during the first quarter 2019 was comparable to the first quarter 2018.

Investment and other gains (losses) - net. Investment and other gains (losses) - net for the first quarters 2019 and 2018 were primarily driven by $3.5 million of net unrealized gains and $2.2 million of net unrealized losses, respectively, related to the fair value changes of equity securities investments.

Expenses. An analysis of expenses is shown below:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2019
2018
% Change
($ in millions)
Amounts retained by agencies
176.5

195.2

(10
)%
As a % of agency revenues
82.1
%
82.4
%
Employee costs
129.3

138.8

(7
)%
As a % of operating revenues
33.1
%
32.0
%
Other operating expenses
77.2

80.3

(4
)%
As a % of operating revenues
19.8
%
18.5
%
Title losses and related claims
15.7

19.0

(17
)%
As a % of title revenues
4.2
%
4.5
%



Retention by agencies. Amounts retained by title agencies are based on agreements between agencies and our title underwriters. Amounts retained by independent agencies, as a percentage of revenues generated by them, averaged 82.1% and 82.4% in the first quarters 2019 and 2018, respectively. The average retention percentage may vary from period to period 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. In addition, a high proportion of our independent agencies are in states with retention rates greater than 80%. We continue to focus on increasing profit margins in every state, increasing premium revenue in states where remittance rates are above 20%, and maintaining the quality of our agency network, which we believe to be the industry’s best, in order to mitigate claims risk and drive consistent future performance. While market share is important in our agency operations channel, it is not as important as margins, risk mitigation and profitability.

Employee costs. Total employee costs decreased $9.6 million in the first quarter 2019 compared to the first quarter 2018, primarily due to lower salaries as a result of an approximately 10% decrease in average employee counts, which was principally related to volume declines in our direct title operations and headcount reductions to align staffing with the performance of certain business units of our ancillary services operations. Employee costs in the title and ancillary services and corporate segments decreased $8.5 million, or 6%, and $1.0 million, or 14%, respectively, in the first quarter 2019 compared to the prior year quarter.


21

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 and professional fees, third-party outsourcing provider fees, equipment rental, insurance, rent and other occupancy expenses, repairs and maintenance, technology costs, telecommunications and title plant expenses. Costs that follow, to varying degrees, changes in transaction volumes and revenues include attorney fee splits, bad debt expenses, ancillary services cost of sales expenses, copy supplies, delivery fees, outside search fees, postage, premium taxes and title plant maintenance expenses. Costs that fluctuate independently of revenues include general supplies, litigation defense, business promotion and marketing and travel.

Consolidated other operating expenses decreased $3.1 million in the first quarter 2019 compared to the first quarter 2018. During the first quarter 2019, we incurred $2.0 million of third-party advisory expenses recorded in the ancillary services and corporate segment related to the FNF merger transaction, $0.8 million of litigation expense related to a 2013 lender services acquisition recorded in the ancillary services and corporate segment, and $0.7 million of office closure costs included within the title segment. In comparison, during the first quarter 2018, we incurred $2.3 million of third-party advisory expenses related to the FNF merger transaction which was recorded in the ancillary services and corporate segment. Excluding these non-operating charges, other operating expenses, as a percentage of operating revenues, were 18.9% in the first quarter 2019 compared to 18.0% in the prior year quarter.

Costs that follow, to varying degrees, changes in transaction volumes and revenues decreased $1.3 million, or 4%, in the first quarter 2019, compared to the first quarter 2018, primarily due to reduced outside title search fees and attorney fee splits consistent with lower direct title revenues. Excluding the litigation and office closures expenses mentioned above, costs that fluctuate independently of revenues decreased $0.4 million, or 4%, in the first quarter 2019 compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to decreased travel and general supplies expenses. Excluding the merger-related expenses mentioned above, costs that are fixed in nature decreased $2.3 million, or 7%, in the first quarter 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, primarily due to lower telecommunications and insurance expenses.

Title losses. Provisions for title losses, as a percentage of title operating revenues, were 4.2% and 4.5% for the first quarters 2019 and 2018, respectively. Title losses decreased $3.3 million, or 17%, in the first quarter 2019 compared to the first quarter 2018, primarily because of lower loss provisioning rates resulting from our favorable loss development experience. The title loss ratio in any given quarter can be significantly influenced by changes in new large claims incurred, escrow losses and adjustments to reserves for existing large claims. We expect our title loss expense for the year 2019 will range between 4.0% to 4.2% of title revenues.

Cash claim payments increased $5.2 million, or 28%, in the first quarter 2019 compared to the first quarter 2018, primarily due to higher payments on existing large and non-large claims. We continue to manage and resolve large claims prudently and in keeping with our commitments to our policyholders.

The composition of title policy loss expense is as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2019
2018
($ in millions)
Provisions – known claims:
Current year
1.9

1.5

Prior policy years
17.3

14.7

19.2

16.2

Provisions – IBNR
Current year
13.6

17.4

Prior policy years
0.2

0.1

13.8

17.5

Transferred from IBNR to known claims
(17.3
)
(14.7
)
Total provisions
15.7

19.0



22

Provisions for known claims arise primarily from prior policy years as claims are not typically reported until several years after policies are issued. Provisions - Incurred But Not Reported (IBNR) are estimates of claims expected to be incurred over the next 20 years; therefore, it is not unusual or unexpected to experience changes to those estimated provisions in both current and prior policy years as additional loss experience on policy years is obtained. This loss experience may result in changes to our estimate of total ultimate losses expected (i.e., the IBNR policy loss reserve). Current year provisions - IBNR are recorded on policies issued in the current year as a percentage of premiums earned (provisioning rate). As claims become known, provisions are reclassified from IBNR to known claims. Adjustments relating to large losses (those individually in excess of $1.0 million) may impact provisions either for known claims or for IBNR.

Known claims provisions increased $3.0 million, or 19%, in the first quarter 2019 compared to the last year's quarter, primarily as a result of higher claims reported relating to prior policy years. Total provisions - IBNR in the first quarter 2019 decreased $3.7 million, or 21% , compared to the first quarter 2018, primarily due to a decrease in the loss provisioning rate related to the current year resulting from our favorable loss development experience. As a percentage of title operating revenues, provisions - IBNR for the current policy year were 3.6% and 4.1% in the first quarters 2019 and 2018, respectively.

In addition to title policy claims, we incur losses in our direct operations from escrow, closing and disbursement functions. These escrow losses typically relate to errors or other miscalculations of amounts to be paid at closing, including timing or amount of a mortgage payoff, payment of property or other taxes and payment of homeowners’ association fees. Escrow losses also arise in cases of fraud, and in those cases, the title insurer incurs the loss under its obligation to ensure that an unencumbered title is conveyed. Escrow losses are recognized as expense when discovered or when contingencies associated with them (such as litigation) are resolved and are typically paid less than 12 months after the loss is recognized. During the first quarters 2019 and 2018, we recorded approximately $0.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of policy loss reserves relating to escrow losses arising from fraud.

Total title policy loss reserve balances are as follows:
March 31, 2019
December 31,
2018
($ in millions)
Known claims
62.6

66.9

IBNR
391.5

394.7

Total estimated title losses
454.1

461.6


The amount of the reserve represents the aggregate, non-discounted future payments (net of recoveries) that we expect to incur on policy and escrow losses and in costs to settle claims. Title claims are generally incurred three to five years after policy issuance and the timing of payments on these claims can significantly impact the balance of known claims. In many cases, claims may be open for several years before the resolution and payment of the claims occur; as a result, the estimate of the ultimate amount to be paid may be modified over that time period. Due to the inherent uncertainty in predicting future title policy losses, significant judgment is required by both our management and our third party actuaries in estimating reserves. As a consequence, our ultimate liability may be materially greater or less than current reserves and/or our third party actuary’s calculated estimates.

Depreciation and amortization . Depreciation and amortization expenses during the first quarter 2019 decreased $0.2 million, or 4%, compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to some assets becoming fully depreciated.

Income taxes. Our effective tax rates for the first quarter 2019 and 2018, based on loss before taxes and after deducting income attributable to noncontrolling interests, were 27% and 26%, respectively.



23

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our liquidity and capital resources reflect our ability to generate cash flow to meet our obligations to shareholders, customers (payments to satisfy claims on title policies), vendors, employees, lenders and others. As of March 31, 2019 , our cash and investments, including amounts reserved pursuant to statutory requirements, aggregated $815.6 million ($311.9 million, net of statutory reserves on cash and investments). Of our total cash and investments at March 31, 2019 , $545.9 million ($246.2 million, net of statutory reserves) was held in the United States (U.S.) and the rest internationally, principally in Canada.

Cash held at the parent company totaled $15.5 million at March 31, 2019 . As a holding company, the parent company 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, approved by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), among us and our subsidiaries. In addition to funding operating expenses, cash held at the parent company is used for dividend payments to common stockholders and for stock repurchases, if any. To the extent such uses exceed cash available, the parent company is dependent on distributions from its regulated title insurance underwriter, Stewart Title Guaranty Company (Guaranty).

A substantial majority of our consolidated cash and investments as of March 31, 2019 was held by Guaranty and its subsidiaries. The use and investment of these funds, dividends to the parent company, and cash transfers between Guaranty and its subsidiaries and the parent 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 and ancillary services operations) for their operating and debt service needs.

We maintain investments in accordance with certain statutory requirements for the funding of statutory premium reserves. Statutory reserve funds are required to be fully funded and invested in high-quality securities and short-term investments. Statutory reserve funds are not available for current claim payments, which must be funded from current operating cash flow. Included in investments in debt and equity securities are statutory reserve funds of approximately $454.1 million and $462.2 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. In addition, included within cash and cash equivalents are statutory reserve funds of approximately $49.6 million and $37.7 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. As of March 31, 2019 , our known claims reserve totaled $ 62.6 million and our estimate of claims that may be reported in the future, under generally accepted accounting principles, totaled $ 391.5 million . In addition to this, we had cash and investments (excluding equity method investments) of $239.5 million which are available for underwriter operations, including claims payments.

The ability of Guaranty to pay dividends to its parent is governed by Texas insurance law. The TDI must be notified of any dividend declared, and any dividend in excess of the statutory maximum of 20% of surplus (approximately $115.0 million as of December 31, 2018) would be, by regulation, considered extraordinary and subject to pre-approval by the TDI. Also, the Texas Insurance Commissioner may raise an objection to a planned distribution during the notification period. Guaranty’s actual ability or intent to pay dividends to its parent may be constrained by business and regulatory considerations, such as the impact of dividends on surplus and the liquidity ratio, which could affect its ratings and competitive position, the amount of insurance it can write and its ability to pay future dividends. As of December 31, 2018, our liquidity ratio for our principal underwriter was 109% based on its statutory balance sheet. No dividend was paid by Guaranty to its parent during the first three months of 2019 and 2018.


24

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,
2019
2018
($ in millions)
Net cash used by operating activities
(39.9
)
(28.9
)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
24.6

(1.5
)
Net cash used by financing activities
(13.6
)
(15.9
)

Operating activities. Our principal sources of cash from operations are premiums on title policies and revenue from title service-related transactions, ancillary services and other operations. 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.

Net cash used by operations in the first quarter 2019 increased to $39.9 million, compared to net cash used of $28.9 million in the first quarter 2018, primarily due to the higher net loss and increased payments of liabilities during the first quarter 2019. Although our business is labor intensive, we are focused on a cost-effective, scalable business model which includes utilization of technology, centralized back and middle office functions and business process outsourcing. We are continuing our emphasis on cost management, specifically focusing on lowering unit costs of production, which will result in improved margins. Our plans to improve margins also include additional automation of manual processes, and further consolidation of our various systems and production operations. We are currently investing in the technology necessary to accomplish these goals.

Investing activities. Cash provided and used by investing activities is primarily driven by proceeds from matured and sold investments, purchases of investments, capital expenditures and acquisition of subsidiaries. During the first quarter 2019, total proceeds from securities investments sold and matured were $27.1 million, compared to $20.0 million during the first quarter 2018; while cash used for purchases of securities investments was $0.6 million during the first quarter 2019, compared to $8.0 million during the prior year quarter. The lower purchases of investments during 2019 was primarily due to our decision, as bonds matured, to invest in cash equivalents and short-term investments, which have attractive interest rates in the current markets on a risk adjusted basis.

During the first quarters 2019 and 2018, we used $2.7 million and $2.0 million, respectively, of cash for purchases of property and equipment, while we used $12.0 million of cash for acquisitions of new subsidiaries during the first quarter 2018. We maintain investment in capital expenditures at a level that enables us to implement technologies for increasing our operational and back-office efficiencies and to pursue growth in key markets.

Financing activities and capital resources. Total debt and stockholders’ equity were $105.0 million and $678.9 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2019 . Notes payable payments during the first quarters 2019 and 2018 of $6.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively, were related to short-term loan agreements in connection with our Section 1031 tax-deferred property exchange (Section 1031) business. At March 31, 2019 , the outstanding balance of the line of credit facility was $98.9 million, while the remaining balance of the line of credit available for use was $48.6 million, net of an unused $2.5 million letter of credit. At March 31, 2019 , our debt-to-equity ratio, excluding our Section 1031 notes, was approximately 15.4%, below the 20% we have set as our unofficial internal limit on leverage.

During each of the first quarters 2019 and 2018, we paid total dividends of $7.1 million or $0.30 per common share.

Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on our cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated statements of cash flows was a net increase of $1.4 million during the first quarter 2019 and a net decrease of $0.3 million during the same period in 2018. Our principal foreign operating unit is in Canada, and, on average, the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar improved in the first quarter 2019 and declined in the the same period in 2018.

***********

25

We believe we have sufficient liquidity and capital resources to meet the cash needs of our ongoing operations. However, we may determine that additional debt or equity funding is warranted to provide liquidity for achievement of strategic goals or acquisitions or for unforeseen circumstances. Other than scheduled maturities of debt, operating lease payments and anticipated claims payments, we have no material contractual 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 stockholders.

Contingent liabilities and commitments . See discussion of contingent liabilities and commitments in Note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Report.

Other comprehensive income (loss). Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities investments and changes in foreign currency exchange rates are reported net of deferred taxes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, a component of stockholders’ equity, until realized. During the first quarter 2019, net unrealized investment gains of $9.2 million, net of taxes, which increased our other comprehensive income, were primarily related to increases in the fair values of our overall bond securities investment portfolio driven by decreases in the overall interest rate environment. During the first quarter 2018, net unrealized investment losses of $8.3 million, net of taxes, which increased our other comprehensive loss, were primarily related to decreases in the fair values of our corporate, municipal and foreign bond securities investments which were influenced by the rising interest rate market environment.

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily related to our Canadian operations, increased our other comprehensive income, net of taxes, by $4.6 million in the first quarter 2019; while they increased our other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, by $1.6 million for the same period in 2018.

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. In accordance with industry practice, these segregated accounts are not included on the balance sheet. See Note 17 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 .


26

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 challenging 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 or the need to strengthen our policy loss reserves; any effect of title losses on our cash flows and financial condition; the ability to attract and retain highly productive sales associates; the impact of vetting our agency operations for quality and profitability; independent agency remittance rates; changes to the participants in the secondary mortgage market and the rate of refinancing that affects 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 cost management program; our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses; our ability to access the equity and debt financing markets when and if needed; our ability to grow our international operations; seasonality and weather; and our ability to respond to the actions of our competitors. These risks and uncertainties, as well as others, are discussed in more detail in our documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 , and if applicable, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements included in this report are expressly qualified in their entirety by such cautionary statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update, amend or clarify 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.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 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, 2018 .


Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure 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, 2019 , 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 Securities and Exchange Commission’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.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 , that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

27

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See discussion of legal proceedings in Note 11 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, 2018 .


Item 1A. Risk Factors

There are no changes during the three months ended March 31, 2019 to our risk factors as listed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 .


Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

There were no repurchases of our Common Stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 , except for repurchases of approximately 8,900 shares (aggregate purchase price of approximately $0.4 million) related to the statutory income tax withholding on the vesting of restricted share grants to executives and senior management.


Item 5. Other Information

Book value per share. Our book value per share was $ 28.65 and $ 28.66 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. As of March 31, 2019 , our book value per share was based on approximately $ 678.9 million in stockholders’ equity and 23,699,103 shares of Common Stock outstanding. As of December 31, 2018 , our book value per share was based on approximately $ 679.8 million in stockholders’ equity and 23,719,347 shares of Common Stock outstanding.


Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit
2.1
-
3.1
-
3.2
-
10.1†*
-
10.2†*
-

28

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




SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
May 1, 2019
Date
Stewart Information Services Corporation
Registrant
By:
/s/ David C. Hisey
David C. Hisey, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

29
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I - Financial InformationItem 1. Financial StatementsItem 2. Management S Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results Of OperationsItem 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market RiskItem 4. Controls and ProceduresPart II Other InformationItem 1. Legal ProceedingsItem 1A. Risk FactorsItem 2. Unregistered Sales Of Equity Securities and Use Of ProceedsItem 5. Other InformationItem 6. Exhibits

Exhibits

2.1 - Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 18, 2018, among the Registrant, Fidelity National Financial, Inc., A Holdco Corp. and S Holdco LLC. (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 2.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2018) 3.1 - Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, dated April 28, 2016 (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 3.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 29, 2016) 3.2 - Third Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant, as of April 27, 2016 (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit3.2 of the Current Report on Form8-K filed April 28, 2016) 10.1* - Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2019, by and between the Registrant and John Magness 10.2* - Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2019, by and between the Registrant and David A. Fauth 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