Stewart Reports First Quarter 2024 Results
- Net income of $3.1 million in Q1 2024, compared to a net loss of $8.2 million in Q1 2023
- Diluted earnings per share of $0.11 in Q1 2024, compared to a loss per share of $0.30 in Q1 2023
- Total revenues of $554.3 million in Q1 2024, an increase from $524.3 million in Q1 2023
- Challenges in the real estate market due to higher interest rates
- Increase in commercial revenues in Q1 2024 compared to the previous year
- Focus on strategic investments for long-term growth
- Continuing challenges in the real estate market
- Anticipated ongoing challenges to residential transaction volumes
- Higher interest rate environment affecting the real estate market
- Increased total other operating expenses by 13% in Q1 2024
- Net cash used by operations in Q1 2024 was $29.6 million
Insights
Stewart Information Services Corporation's first quarter results for 2024 show a notable rebound from the previous year's loss, with net income of $3.1 million. An interesting aspect to highlight is the increase in commercial revenues, up 52% domestically, despite the overall 1% decrease in title segment operating revenues. This signifies a strategic shift that investors should take note of, as commercial transactions tend to be more lucrative and could signal potential for greater profitability even amidst residential market challenges.
However, it is important to be cautious. The slight increase in total other operating expenses by 13%, primarily from real estate solutions and commercial title operations, could raise concerns about cost control. While Stewart's management has emphasized cost discipline, the increase in expenses relative to operating revenues could signal pressure on margins should the revenue mix not favor the higher-margin commercial deals consistently.
The trends reflected in Stewart's results are emblematic of the broader real estate sector's response to a higher interest rate environment. A 33% increase in operating revenues from the real estate solutions segment is indicative of robust demand for credit information and valuation services, which may be driven by market participants seeking to navigate or capitalize on the shifting landscape. The uptick in investment income, predominantly from higher interest income on escrow balances, also mirrors the higher interest rate scenario. For investors, this suggests that Stewart is effectively leveraging current economic conditions to bolster some segments of its business.
One should not overlook the substantial pretax unrealized gains on equity securities, which have contributed positively to the first quarter 2024 results. The volatile nature of such gains warrants investor attention, as future fluctuations could significantly impact profitability. This underscores the importance of scrutinizing the quality of earnings. While the net income has improved year over year, investors should discern between operational performance and potentially transient investment gains when evaluating the company's financial health.
Moreover, the decrease in net cash used by operations is a positive sign, suggesting improved liquidity management. This could potentially lead to a better position for future strategic investments without over-leveraging the company's balance sheet, thus maintaining a degree of financial prudence that is often appreciated by cautious investors.
- Total revenues of
($554.3 million on an adjusted basis) compared to$547.3 million ($524.3 million on an adjusted basis) in the prior year quarter$526.1 million - Net income of
($3.1 million on an adjusted basis) compared to net loss of$4.6 million (net income of$8.2 million on an adjusted basis) in the prior year quarter$0.2 million - Diluted earnings per share of
($0.11 on an adjusted basis) compared to prior year quarter loss per diluted share of$0.17 ($0.30 earnings per share on an adjusted basis)$0.01
First quarter 2024 results included
"Our first quarter results improved over the first quarter 2023, but reflect the continuing challenges in the real estate market due to the higher interest rate environment, which we expect to continue for several quarters. We are encouraged by the increase in our commercial revenues this quarter compared to the prior year, although we anticipate ongoing challenges to residential transaction volumes," commented Fred Eppinger, chief executive officer. "We remain focused on our strategic investments and will continue to focus on balancing thoughtful cost discipline with investment in long-term enterprise initiatives to create a stronger and more resilient company."
Selected Financial Information
Summary results of operations are as follows (dollars in millions, except per share amounts, pretax margin and adjusted pretax margin, and amounts may not add as presented due to rounding):
Quarter Ended March 31, | |||
2024 | 2023 | ||
Total revenues | 554.3 | 524.3 | |
Pretax income (loss) before noncontrolling interests | 7.1 | (10.2) | |
Income tax (expense) benefit | (0.9) | 4.9 | |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (3.1) | (3.0) | |
Net income (loss) attributable to Stewart | 3.1 | (8.2) | |
Non-GAAP adjustments, after taxes* | 1.5 | 8.4 | |
Adjusted net income attributable to Stewart* | 4.6 | 0.2 | |
Pretax margin | 1.3 % | (1.9 %) | |
Adjusted pretax margin* | 1.7 % | 0.2 % | |
Net income (loss) per diluted Stewart share | 0.11 | (0.30) | |
Adjusted net income per diluted Stewart share* | 0.17 | 0.01 |
* Adjusted net income, adjusted pretax margin and adjusted net income per diluted share are non-GAAP measures. See Appendix A for explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP adjustments. |
Title Segment
Summary results of the title segment are as follows (dollars in millions, except pretax margin and adjusted pretax margin):
Quarter Ended March 31, | ||||||
2024 | 2023 | % Change | ||||
Operating revenues | 451.4 | 456.9 | (1 %) | |||
Investment income | 12.9 | 6.6 | 96 % | |||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | 7.1 | (1.8) | 492 % | |||
Pretax income (loss) | 10.2 | (0.7) | 1,633 % | |||
Non-GAAP adjustments to pretax income* | (3.7) | 5.3 | ||||
Adjusted pretax income* | 6.5 | 4.6 | 41 % | |||
Pretax margin | 2.2 % | (0.1 %) | ||||
Adjusted pretax margin* | 1.4 % | 1.0 % | ||||
* Adjusted pretax income and adjusted pretax margin are non-GAAP financial measures. See Appendix A for explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP adjustments. | ||||||
First quarter 2024 title segment operating revenues decreased
Total title segment employee costs and other operating expenses increased by
Investment income improved by
Direct title revenues information is presented below (dollars in millions):
Quarter Ended March 31, | ||||
2024 | 2023 | % Change | ||
Non-commercial: | ||||
Domestic | 135.3 | 150.3 | (10 %) | |
International | 19.2 | 19.2 | 0 % | |
154.5 | 169.5 | (9 %) | ||
Commercial: | ||||
Domestic | 49.7 | 32.7 | 52 % | |
International | 6.4 | 5.7 | 12 % | |
56.1 | 38.4 | 46 % | ||
Total direct title revenues | 210.6 | 207.9 | 1 % | |
Total non-commercial domestic revenues in the first quarter 2024 declined
Real Estate Solutions Segment
Summary results of the real estate solutions segment are as follows (dollars in millions, except pretax margin and adjusted pretax margin):
Quarter Ended March 31, | ||||
2024 | 2023 | % Change | ||
Operating revenues | 83.0 | 62.6 | 33 % | |
Pretax income | 6.7 | 1.4 | 393 % | |
Non-GAAP adjustments to pretax income* | 5.6 | 5.8 | ||
Adjusted pretax income* | 12.3 | 7.2 | 71 % | |
Pretax margin | 8.1 % | 2.2 % | ||
Adjusted pretax margin* | 14.8 % | 11.5 % |
* Adjusted pretax income and adjusted pretax margin are non-GAAP financial measures. See Appendix A for an explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP adjustments. |
First quarter 2024 segment operating revenues increased
Corporate and Other Segment
The segment's results were primarily driven by net expenses attributable to corporate operations, which decreased to
Expenses
Consolidated employee costs in the first quarter 2024 increased slightly by
Total other operating expenses in the first quarter 2024 increased
Other
Net cash used by operations in the first quarter 2024 was
First Quarter Earnings Call
Stewart will hold a conference call to discuss the first quarter 2024 earnings at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 25, 2024. To participate, dial (800) 267-6316 (
About Stewart
Stewart (NYSE-STC) is a global real estate services company, offering products and services through our direct operations, network of Stewart Trusted Providers™ and family of companies. From residential and commercial title insurance and closing and settlement services to specialized offerings for the mortgage and real estate industries, we offer the comprehensive service, deep expertise and solutions our customers need for any real estate transaction. At Stewart, we are dedicated to becoming the premier title services company and we are committed to doing so by partnering with our customers to create mutual success. Learn more at stewart.com.
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements. Certain statements in this earnings release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. 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 "may," "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 volatility of 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; our ability to manage risks associated with potential cybersecurity or other privacy or data security breaches; 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; 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, 2023, and if applicable, as supplemented by any risk factors contained in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed subsequently. All forward-looking statements included in this earnings release 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 earnings release to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof, except as may be required by applicable law.
ST-IR
STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION | |||
Quarter Ended March 31 (Unaudited), | |||
2024 | 2023 | ||
Revenues: | |||
Title revenues: | |||
Direct operations | 210,588 | 207,871 | |
Agency operations | 240,772 | 249,021 | |
Real estate solutions and other | 83,016 | 62,592 | |
Total operating revenues | 534,376 | 519,484 | |
Investment income | 12,901 | 6,599 | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | 7,038 | (1,778) | |
554,315 | 524,305 | ||
Expenses: | |||
Amounts retained by agencies | 199,976 | 205,738 | |
Employee costs | 172,417 | 170,551 | |
Other operating expenses | 136,951 | 120,743 | |
Title losses and related claims | 17,383 | 17,674 | |
Depreciation and amortization | 15,384 | 14,906 | |
Interest | 5,058 | 4,849 | |
547,169 | 534,461 | ||
Income (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests | 7,146 | (10,156) | |
Income tax (expense) benefit | (936) | 4,938 | |
Net income (loss) | 6,210 | (5,218) | |
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 3,080 | 2,972 | |
Net income (loss) attributable to Stewart | 3,130 | (8,190) | |
Net earnings (loss) per diluted share attributable to Stewart | 0.11 | (0.30) | |
Diluted average shares outstanding (000) | 28,027 | 27,201 | |
Selected financial information: | |||
Net cash used by operations | (29,588) | (51,062) | |
Other comprehensive (loss) income | (6,596) | 7,307 |
First Quarter Domestic Order Counts: | ||||||||||||
Opened Orders 2024: | Jan | Feb | Mar | Total | Closed Orders 2024: | Jan | Feb | Mar | Total | |||
Commercial | 1,142 | 1,359 | 1,192 | 3,693 | Commercial | 1,065 | 1,186 | 1,317 | 3,568 | |||
Purchase | 14,867 | 15,920 | 17,237 | 48,024 | Purchase | 8,941 | 9,843 | 10,960 | 29,744 | |||
Refinancing | 5,419 | 5,391 | 5,561 | 16,371 | Refinancing | 2,935 | 3,108 | 3,310 | 9,353 | |||
Other | 3,983 | 3,836 | 3,428 | 11,247 | Other | 2,618 | 2,566 | 2,610 | 7,794 | |||
Total | 25,411 | 26,506 | 27,418 | 79,335 | Total | 15,559 | 16,703 | 18,197 | 50,459 | |||
Opened Orders 2023: | Jan | Feb | Mar | Total | Closed Orders 2023: | Jan | Feb | Mar | Total | |||
Commercial | 1,156 | 1,204 | 1,482 | 3,842 | Commercial | 1,186 | 1,103 | 1,635 | 3,924 | |||
Purchase | 15,242 | 15,750 | 18,477 | 49,469 | Purchase | 8,991 | 9,668 | 12,969 | 31,628 | |||
Refinancing | 5,072 | 5,219 | 5,838 | 16,129 | Refinancing | 2,860 | 2,865 | 3,888 | 9,613 | |||
Other | 1,394 | 1,394 | 1,633 | 4,421 | Other | 1,006 | 792 | 936 | 2,734 | |||
Total | 22,864 | 23,567 | 27,430 | 73,861 | Total | 14,043 | 14,428 | 19,428 | 47,899 | |||
STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands of dollars) | ||
March 31, 2024 (Unauited) |
December 31, 2023 | |
Assets: | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 138,351 | 233,365 |
Short-term investments | 42,774 | 39,023 |
Investments in debt and equity securities, at fair value | 673,950 | 679,936 |
Receivables – premiums from agencies | 39,600 | 38,676 |
Receivables – other | 111,020 | 93,811 |
Allowance for uncollectible amounts | (8,000) | (7,583) |
Property and equipment, net | 82,927 | 82,335 |
Operating lease assets, net | 113,617 | 115,879 |
Title plants | 73,359 | 73,359 |
Goodwill | 1,072,315 | 1,072,129 |
Intangible assets, net of amortization | 185,067 | 193,196 |
Deferred tax assets | 3,719 | 3,776 |
Other assets | 122,690 | 84,959 |
2,651,389 | 2,702,861 | |
Liabilities: | ||
Notes payable | 445,433 | 445,290 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 166,376 | 190,054 |
Operating lease liabilities | 132,723 | 135,654 |
Estimated title losses | 519,229 | 528,269 |
Deferred tax liabilities | 23,485 | 25,045 |
1,287,246 | 1,324,312 | |
Stockholders' equity: | ||
Common Stock and additional paid-in capital | 341,314 | 338,451 |
Retained earnings | 1,060,808 | 1,070,841 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (41,811) | (35,215) |
Treasury stock | (2,666) | (2,666) |
Stockholders' equity attributable to Stewart | 1,357,645 | 1,371,411 |
Noncontrolling interests | 6,498 | 7,138 |
Total stockholders' equity | 1,364,143 | 1,378,549 |
2,651,389 | 2,702,861 | |
Number of shares outstanding (000) | 27,581 | 27,370 |
Book value per share | 49.22 | 50.11 |
STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION | |||||||||
Quarter Ended: | March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | |||||||
Title | Real Estate Solutions | Corporate and Other | Total | Title | Real Estate Solutions | Corporate and Other | Total | ||
Revenues: | |||||||||
Operating revenues | 451,360 | 83,016 | - | 534,376 | 456,892 | 62,592 | - | 519,484 | |
Investment income | 12,876 | 25 | - | 12,901 | 6,566 | 33 | - | 6,599 | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | 7,116 | - | (78) | 7,038 | (1,813) | - | 35 | (1,778) | |
471,352 | 83,041 | (78) | 554,315 | 461,645 | 62,625 | 35 | 524,305 | ||
Expenses: | |||||||||
Amounts retained by agencies | 199,976 | - | - | 199,976 | 205,738 | - | - | 205,738 | |
Employee costs | 156,803 | 12,217 | 3,397 | 172,417 | 154,277 | 12,434 | 3,840 | 170,551 | |
Other operating expenses | 77,901 | 57,817 | 1,234 | 136,952 | 76,167 | 42,525 | 2,051 | 120,743 | |
Title losses and related claims | 17,383 | - | - | 17,383 | 17,674 | - | - | 17,674 | |
Depreciation and amortization | 8,729 | 6,275 | 380 | 15,384 | 8,104 | 6,300 | 502 | 14,906 | |
Interest | 379 | - | 4,679 | 5,058 | 349 | - | 4,500 | 4,849 | |
461,171 | 76,309 | 9,690 | 547,170 | 462,309 | 61,259 | 10,893 | 534,461 | ||
Income (loss) before taxes | 10,181 | 6,732 | (9,768) | 7,145 | (664) | 1,366 | (10,858) | (10,156) |
Appendix A
Non-GAAP Adjustments
Management uses a variety of financial and operational measurements other than its financial statements prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to analyze its performance. These include: (1) adjusted revenues, which are reported revenues adjusted for net realized and unrealized gains and losses and (2) adjusted pretax income and adjusted net income, which are reported pretax income and reported net income after earnings from noncontrolling interests, respectively, adjusted for net realized and unrealized gains and losses, acquired intangible asset amortization, office closure costs, and executive severance expenses. Adjusted diluted earnings per share (adjusted diluted EPS) is calculated using adjusted net income divided by the diluted average weighted outstanding shares. Adjusted pretax margin is calculated using adjusted pretax income divided by adjusted total revenues. Management views these measures as important performance measures of core profitability for its operations and as key components of its internal financial reporting. Management believes investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures that management uses.
Below are reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures used by management to the most directly comparable GAAP measures for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (dollars in millions, except shares, per share amounts and pretax margins, and amounts may not add as presented due to rounding).
Quarter Ended March 31, | |||||||||
2024 | 2023 | % Chg | |||||||
Total revenues | 554.3 | 524.3 | 6 % | ||||||
Non-GAAP revenue adjustments: | |||||||||
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses | (7.0) | 1.8 | |||||||
Adjusted total revenues | 547.3 | 526.1 | 4 % | ||||||
Pretax income (loss) | 7.1 | (10.2) | 170 % | ||||||
Non-GAAP pretax adjustments: | |||||||||
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses | (7.0) | 1.8 | |||||||
Acquired intangible asset amortization | 8.5 | 8.6 | |||||||
Office closure costs | 0.2 | 0.1 | |||||||
Executive severance expenses | 0.3 | 0.7 | |||||||
Adjusted pretax income | 9.1 | 0.9 | 890 % | ||||||
GAAP pretax margin | 1.3 % | (1.9 %) | |||||||
Adjusted pretax margin | 1.7 % | 0.2 % | |||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Stewart | 3.1 | (8.2) | 138 % | ||||||
Non-GAAP pretax adjustments: | |||||||||
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses | (7.0) | 1.8 | |||||||
Acquired intangible asset amortization | 8.5 | 8.6 | |||||||
Office closure costs | 0.2 | 0.1 | |||||||
Executive severance expenses | 0.3 | 0.7 | |||||||
Net tax effects of non-GAAP adjustments | (0.5) | (2.7) | |||||||
Non-GAAP adjustments, after taxes | 1.5 | 8.4 | |||||||
Adjusted net income attributable to Stewart | 4.6 | 0.2 | 1,928 % | ||||||
Diluted average shares outstanding (000) | 28,027 | 27,201 | |||||||
GAAP net income (loss) per share | 0.11 | (0.30) | |||||||
Adjusted net income per share | 0.17 | 0.01 |
Quarter Ended March 31, | |||||
2024 | 2023 | % Chg | |||
Title Segment:
| |||||
Revenues | 471.4 | 461.6 | 2 % | ||
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses | (7.1) | 1.8 | |||
Adjusted revenues | 464.2 | 463.5 | 0 % | ||
Pretax income (loss) | 10.2 | (0.7) | 1,633 % | ||
Non-GAAP revenue adjustments: | |||||
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses | (7.1) | 1.8 | |||
Acquired intangible asset amortization | 2.9 | 2.8 | |||
Office closure costs | 0.2 | 0.1 | |||
Severance expenses | 0.3 | 0.6 | |||
Adjusted pretax income | 6.5 | 4.6 | 41 % | ||
GAAP pretax margin | 2.2 % | (0.1 %) | |||
Adjusted pretax margin | 1.4 % | 1.0 % | |||
Real Estate Solutions Segment:
| |||||
Revenues | 83.0 | 62.6 | 33 % | ||
Pretax income | 6.7 | 1.4 | 393 % | ||
Non-GAAP revenue adjustments: | |||||
Acquired intangible asset amortization | 5.6 | 5.8 | |||
Adjusted pretax income | 12.3 | 7.2 | 71 % | ||
GAAP pretax margin | 8.1 % | 2.2 % | |||
Adjusted pretax margin | 14.8 % | 11.5 % |
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SOURCE Stewart Information Services Corporation
FAQ
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