UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

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

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		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

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:

Common Stock, $1 par value		New York Stock Exchange
(Title of each class of stock)		(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ

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 o

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ

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

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

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

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock (based upon the closing sales price of the Common Stock of Stewart Information Services Corporation, as reported by the NYSE on June 30, 2010) held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $156,200,000.

At March 3, 2011, the following shares of each of the registrant’s classes of stock were outstanding:

Common, $1 par value			17,986,026
Class B Common, $1 par value			1,050,012

Portions of the definitive proxy statement (the Proxy Statement), relating to the annual meeting of the registrant’s stockholders to be held April 29, 2011, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this document.

 

 

FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item		Page
PART I
1. Business			1
1A. Risk Factors			6
1B. Unresolved Staff Comments			9
2. Properties			10
3. Legal Proceedings			10
4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders			12
PART II
5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities			13
6. Selected Financial Data			15
7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			16
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			31
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data			31
9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure			32
9A. Controls and Procedures			32
9B. Other Information			32
PART III
10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance			33
11. Executive Compensation			33
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters			33
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence			34
14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services			34
PART IV
15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules			35
Signatures			36
EX-21.1
EX-23.1
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-31.3
EX-32.1
EX-32.2
EX-32.3

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

PART I

Item 1. Business

We are a Delaware corporation formed in 1970. We and our predecessors have been engaged in the title business since 1893.

Stewart is a customer-driven, technology-enabled, strategically competitive, real estate information, title insurance and transaction management company. We provide title insurance and related information services required for settlement by the real estate and mortgage industries throughout the United States and in international markets. We also provide lender services, title technology, foreign and domestic government services, mapping, title information, Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 tax-deferred property exchanges, pre-employment services, online filing and transaction management.

Our international division delivers products and services protecting and promoting private land ownership worldwide. Currently, our primary international operations are in Canada, the United Kingdom, Central Europe, Mexico, Central America and Australia.

Our two main operating segments of business are title insurance and related services and real estate information (REI). These segments are closely related due to the nature of their operations and common customers. The financial information related to these segments is discussed in Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Note 21 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Title Insurance Services

Title insurance and related services (title segment) include the functions of searching, examining, closing and insuring the condition of the title to real property.

Examination and closing. The purpose of a title examination is to ascertain the ownership of the property being transferred, debts that are owed on it and the scope of the title policy coverage. This involves searching for and examining documents such as deeds, mortgages, wills, divorce decrees, court judgments, liens, paving assessments and tax records.

At the closing or “settlement” of a sale transaction, the seller executes and delivers a deed to the new owner. The buyer typically signs new mortgage documents. Closing funds are then disbursed to the seller, the prior lender, real estate brokers, the title company and others. The documents are then recorded in the public records. A title insurance policy is generally issued to both the new lender and the owner.

Title insurance policies. Lenders in the United States generally require title insurance as a condition to making a loan on real estate, including securitized lending. This is to assure lenders of the priority of their lien position. The purchasers of the property want insurance to protect against claims that may arise against the title to the property. The face amount of the policy is normally the purchase price or the amount of the related loan.

Title insurance is substantially different from other types of insurance. Fire, auto, health and life insurance protect against future losses and events. In contrast, title insurance insures against losses from past events and seeks to protect the public by eliminating covered risks through the examination and settlement process. Most other forms of insurance provide protection for a limited period of time and, hence the policy must be periodically renewed. Title insurance, however, is issued for a one-time premium and the policy provides protection for as long as the owner owns the property or has liability in connection with the property. Also, a title insurance policy does not have a finite contract term, whereas most other lines of insurance have a definite beginning and ending date for coverage. Although a title insurance policy provides protection as long as the owner owns the property being covered, the title insurance company generally does not have information about which policies are still effective. Most other lines of insurance receive periodic premium payments and policy renewals thereby allowing the insurance company to know which policies are effective.

Investments in debt securities. Our title insurance underwriters maintain investments in accordance with certain statutory requirements for the funding of statutory premium reserves and state deposits. We have established policies and procedures to minimize our exposure to changes in the fair values of our investments. These policies include retaining an investment advisory firm, emphasizing credit quality, managing portfolio duration, maintaining or increasing investment income and actively monitoring profile and security mix based upon market conditions. All of our investments are classified as available-for-sale except for investments — pledged, which were classified as trading securities.

Losses. Losses on policies occur when a title defect is not discovered during the examination and settlement process. Reasons for losses include forgeries, misrepresentations, unrecorded liens, the failure to pay off existing liens, mortgage lending fraud, mishandling or defalcation of settlement funds, issuance by title agencies of unauthorized coverage and defending insureds when covered claims are filed against their interest in the property.

Some claimants seek damages in excess of policy limits. Those claims are based on various legal theories. We vigorously defend against spurious claims and provide protection for covered claims up to policy limits. We have from time-to-time incurred losses in excess of policy limits.

Experience shows that most policy claims and claim payments are made in the first six years after the policy has been issued, although claims are also incurred and paid many years later. By their nature, claims are often complex, vary greatly in dollar amounts and are affected by economic and market conditions and the legal environment existing at the time claims are processed.

Our liability for estimated title losses comprises both known claims and our estimate of claims that may be reported in the future. The amount of our loss reserve represents the aggregate future payments (net of recoveries) that we expect to incur on policy and escrow losses and in costs to settle claims. In accordance with industry practice, these amounts have not been discounted to their present values.

Estimating future title loss payments is difficult because of the complex nature of title claims, the length of time over which claims are paid, the significantly varying dollar amounts of individual claims and other factors. Estimated provisions for current year policy losses are charged to income in the same year the related premium revenues are recognized. The amounts provided for policy losses are based on reported claims, historical loss payment experience, title industry averages and the current legal and economic environment. Actual loss payment experience relating to policies issued in the current or previous years, including the impact of large losses, is the primary reason for increases or decreases in our loss provision.

Amounts shown as our estimated liability for future loss payments are continually reviewed by us for reasonableness and adjusted as appropriate. We have consistently followed the same basic method of estimating and recording our loss reserves for more than 10 years. As part of our process, we also obtain input from third-party actuaries regarding our methodology and resulting reserve calculations. While we are responsible for determining our loss reserves, we utilize this actuarial input to assess the overall reasonableness of our reserve estimation.

Factors affecting revenues. Title insurance revenues are closely related to the level of activity in the real estate markets we serve and the prices at which real estate sales are made. Real estate sales are directly affected by the availability and cost of money to finance purchases. Other factors include consumer confidence and demand by buyers. These factors may override the seasonal nature of the title business. Generally, our first quarter is the least active and our third and fourth quarters are the most active in terms of title insurance revenues.

Selected information from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and National Association of Realtors^® for the U.S. real estate industry follows (2010 figures are preliminary and subject to revision):

		2010				2009				2008
New home sales — in millions			0.32				0.38				0.49
Existing home sales — in millions			4.91				5.16				4.91
Existing home sales — median sales price in $ thousands			172.9				172.5				198.1

Customers. The primary sources of title insurance business are attorneys, builders, developers, home buyers and home sellers, lenders and real estate brokers. No one customer was responsible for as much as 10% or more of our consolidated revenues in any of the last three years. Titles insured include residential and commercial properties, undeveloped acreage, farms, ranches and water rights.

Service, location, financial strength, size and related factors affect customer acceptance. Increasing market share is accomplished primarily by providing superior service. The parties to a closing are concerned with personal schedules and the interest and other costs associated with any delays in the settlement. The rates charged to customers are regulated, to varying degrees, in many states.

The financial strength and stability of the title underwriter are important factors in maintaining and increasing our agency network. We are rated as investment grade by the title industry’s leading rating companies. Our principal underwriter, Stewart Title Guaranty Company (Guaranty) is currently rated A” by Demotech, Inc., BBB+ by Fitch, B++ by A. M. Best and B- by Kroll Bond Rating Agency (formerly LACE Financial).

Market share. Title insurance statistics are compiled quarterly by the title industry’s national trade association. Based on 2010 unconsolidated statutory net premiums written through September 30, 2010, Guaranty is one of the leading title insurers in the United States.

Our principal competitors are Fidelity National Financial, Inc., which includes Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, Chicago Title Insurance Company and Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company, and The First American Corporation, which includes First American Title Insurance Company. Like most title insurers, we also compete with abstractors, attorneys who issue title opinions and attorney-owned title insurance funds. A number of homebuilders, financial institutions, real estate brokers and others own or control title insurance agencies, some of which issue policies underwritten by Guaranty. Although these controlled businesses may issue policies underwritten by Guaranty, they also compete with our offices. We also compete with issuers of alternatives to title insurance products, which typically provide no title reviews, limited insurance coverage and less service on the transaction while charging a smaller fee.

Title insurance revenues by geographic location. The approximate amounts and percentages of our consolidated title operating revenues were:

		Amounts ($ millions)												Percentages
		2010				2009				2008				2010				2009				2008
Texas			243				257				269				16				16				18
California			201				181				141				13				11				9
New York			136				122				134				9				8				9
International		98					89				110				6				6				8
Florida			71				73				81				5				5				5
All others			802				900				775				51				54				51
			1,551				1,622				1,510				100				100				100

Regulations. Title insurance companies are subject to comprehensive state regulations covering premium rates, agency licensing, policy forms, trade practices, reserve requirements, investments and the transfer of funds between an insurer and its parent or its subsidiaries and any similar related party transactions. Kickbacks and similar practices are prohibited by most state and federal laws.

Real Estate Information

Our real estate information (REI) segment includes a diverse group of products and services provided to multiple markets. REI consists primarily of lender services, title technology, foreign and domestic government services, mapping, title information, Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 tax-deferred property exchanges, pre-employment services, online filing and transaction management.

Stewart Lender Services (SLS) offers origination, loss mitigation, default, and post-closing services to residential mortgage lenders, servicers and investors. Products include loan modification, loan default and REO asset recovery services. Furthermore, SLS offers post-closing outsourcing and servicing support for lenders.

The continual introduction of automation tools for affiliates and independent title agencies is an important part of the current businesses and future growth of our REI companies. PropertyInfo^® Corporation, whose website is www.PropertyInfo.com, offers substantially all technology that a title business requires through the use of web-based products and services. PropertyInfo offers a production system, AIM+™, along with web-based search tools designed to increase the processing speed of title examinations by connecting all aspects of the title examination process to proprietary title information databases and to public land and court record information sources. PropertyInfo offers title technology through web-based services by accessing www.TitleWorkPlace.com, where a title officer can access the aforementioned products as well as utilize Advanced Title Search and TitleSearch^® Pro for the search, examination and production of title reports, thus eliminating many steps and inefficiencies associated with traditional courthouse searches.

Stewart Government Services offers indexing, imaging, eRecording and web access services to U.S. courthouses, which increase efficiency while reducing costs to the public and businesses. Stewart Global Solutions offers a land registry system, landfolio^®, which automates integrated land title registration, cadastre and property tax systems for foreign governments, along with consulting on convergence process and title assurance.

Factors affecting revenues. As in the title segment, REI revenues, particularly those generated by lender services and tax-deferred exchanges, are closely related to the level of activity in the real estate market. Revenues related to many services are generated on a project basis. Contracts for automating government recording and registration systems and mapping projects are often awarded following competitive bidding processes or after responding to formal requests for proposals.

Companies that compete with our REI companies vary across a wide range of industries. In the mortgage-related products and services area, competitors include the major title insurance underwriters mentioned under “Title — Market share.” In some cases the competitor may be the customer itself. For example, certain services offered by SLS can be, or historically have been, performed by internal departments of large mortgage lenders.

Another important factor affecting our REI revenues is the advancement of technology, which permits customers to order and receive timely status reports and final products and services through dedicated interfaces with the customer’s production systems or over the Internet. The use of our websites, including www.stewart.com and www.PropertyInfo.com, allows customers to have easy access to solutions designed for their specific industry.

Customers. Customers for our REI products and services include mortgage lenders and servicers, mortgage brokers, mortgage investors, government entities, commercial and residential real estate agents, land developers, builders, title insurance agencies, and others interested in obtaining property information (including data, images and aerial maps) that assist with the purchase, sale and closing of real estate transactions and mortgage loans. Other customers include accountants, attorneys, investors and others seeking services for their respective clients in need of qualified intermediary (Section 1031) services and employers seeking information about prospective employees. No one customer was responsible for as much as 10% or more of our consolidated revenues in any of the last three years.

Many of the services and products offered by our REI segment are used by professionals and intermediaries who have been retained to assist consumers with the sale, purchase, mortgage, transfer, recording and servicing of real estate-related transactions. To that end, timely and accurate services are critical to our customers since these factors directly affect the service they provide to their customers. Financial strength, marketplace presence and reputation as a technology innovator are important factors in attracting new business.

General

Internal Technology. Our production technology, collectively referred to as the Production Engine, is increasing productivity in our core title business, while reducing the time involved in the real estate closing process for lenders, real estate professionals and consumers. The Production Engine includes four integrated technologies consisting of the following: the document preparation system, AIM+; online file system, SureClose^®; automated analysis system, Automated Title Search (ATS); and ordering system, Stewart Orders. During the past two years, we have substantially migrated production to our Regional Production Centers (RPC), where an order is received electronically, the prior file is viewed, the history and documents are examined, a commitment is prepared and a completed title insurance product is delivered. All of the above steps reduce labor costs by improving accuracy and speeding delivery to customers.

SureClose, our transaction management platform, is the online file system which is used in production and gives customers and consumers online access to their closing file for more transparency of the transaction during the closing process. SureClose has allowed us to substantially convert from paper to digital title files. SureClose also gives lenders, real estate professionals and settlement service providers the ability to monitor the progress of the transaction; view, print, exchange and download documents and information; and receive email and automatic event notifications. Enhancing the seamless flow of the title order, SureClose is also integrated with our AIM+ title production system. The final title and closing files are also archived on SureClose to complete the paperless office process.

Our platform for electronic real estate closings, eClosingRoom^TM, is the industry’s first e-closing system and is integrated with SureClose.

We have substantially completed implementation of our enterprise resource planning system, which has allowed us to consolidate our back-office operations into a centralized and shared services environment, aligning people, processes and technology for the purpose of providing better customer interaction and reducing our cost structure.

Trademarks. We have developed numerous automation products and processes that are crucial to both our title and REI segments. These systems automate most facets of the real estate transaction. Among these trademarked products and processes are AIM+™, E-Title^®, PropertyInfo^®, SureClose^®, TitleSearch^®, eClosingRoom^TM and Virtual Underwriter^®. We consider these trademarks, which are perpetual in duration, to be important to our business.

Employees. As of December 31, 2010, we employed approximately 5,700 people. We consider our relationship with our employees to be good.

Available information. We file annual, quarterly and other reports and information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). You may read and copy any material that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain additional information about the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and other information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

We also make available upon written request, free of charge, or through our Internet site (www.stewart.com), our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, Code of Ethics and, if applicable, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

Transfer agent. Our transfer agent is BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, which is located at 480 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ, 07310. Its phone number is (888) 478-2392 and website is www.melloninvestor.com.

CEO and CFO Certifications. The CEO and CFO certifications required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are filed as exhibits to our 2010 Form 10-K. Stewart Information Services Corporation submitted a Section 12(a) CEO Certification to the New York Stock Exchange in 2010.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

You should consider the following risk factors, as well as the other information presented in this report and our other filings with the SEC, in evaluating our business and any investment in Stewart. These risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In that event, the trading price of our Common Stock could decline materially.

Adverse changes in the levels of real estate activity reduce our revenues.

Our financial condition and results of operations are affected by changes in economic conditions, particularly mortgage interest rates, credit availability, real estate prices and consumer confidence. Our revenues and earnings have fluctuated in the past and we expect them to fluctuate in the future.

The demand for our title insurance-related and real estate information services depends in large part on the volume of residential and commercial real estate transactions. The volume of these transactions historically has been influenced by such factors as mortgage interest rates, availability of financing and the overall state of the economy. Typically, when interest rates are increasing or when the economy is experiencing a downturn, real estate activity declines. As a result, the title insurance industry tends to experience decreased revenues and earnings. Increases in interest rates also may have an adverse impact on our bond portfolio and the amount of interest we pay on our floating-rate bank debt.

Our revenues and results of operations have been and could continue to be adversely affected as a result of the decline in home prices, real estate activity and the availability of financing alternatives. In addition, continued weakness or further adverse changes in the level of real estate activity could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Our claims experience may require us to increase our provision for title losses or to record additional reserves, either of which would adversely affect our earnings.

Estimating future loss payments is difficult, and our assumptions about future losses may prove inaccurate. Provisions for policy losses on policies written within a given year are charged to income in the same year the related premium revenues are recognized. The amounts provided are based on reported claims, historical loss payment experience, title industry averages and the current legal and economic environment. Losses that are higher than anticipated are an indication that total losses for a given policy year may be higher than originally calculated. Changes in the total estimated future loss for prior policy years are recorded in the period in which the estimate changes. Claims are often complex and involve uncertainties as to the dollar amount and timing of individual payments. Claims are often paid many years after a policy is issued. From time-to-time, we experience large losses, including losses from independent agency defalcations, from title policies that have been issued or worsening loss payment experience, any of which may require us to increase our title loss reserves. These events are unpredictable and adversely affect our earnings. Title loss reserves in 2010 increased due to $4.8 million in provisions for strengthening policy loss reserves for policies issued in 2007 and 2008. Title loss reserves in 2009 increased $32.7 million from provisions for strengthening policy loss reserves for policies issued in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The increases in title loss reserves in 2010 and 2009 were related to higher than expected loss payments and incurred loss experience for their respective policy years. The total strengthening charges for policy years 2007 through 2010 aggregated $77.0 million.

Competition in the title insurance industry affects our revenues.

Competition in the title insurance industry is intense, particularly with respect to price, service and expertise. Larger commercial customers and mortgage originators also look to the size and financial strength of the title insurer. Although we are one of the leading title insurance underwriters based on market share, Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and The First American Corporation each has substantially greater revenues than we do. Their holding companies have significantly greater capital than we do. Although we are not aware of any current initiatives to reduce regulatory barriers to entering our industry, any such reduction could result in new competitors, including financial institutions, entering the title insurance business. Competition among the major title insurance companies and any new entrants could lower our premium and fee revenues. From time-to-time, new entrants enter the marketplace with alternative products to traditional title insurance, although many of these alternative products have been disallowed by title insurance regulators. These alternative products, if permitted by regulators, could adversely affect our revenues and earnings.

Availability of credit may reduce our liquidity and negatively impact our ability to fund operating losses or initiatives.

As a result of our recent operating losses and the current conditions in credit markets, we may not be able to obtain, on acceptable terms, the financing necessary to fund our operations or initiatives. However, we expect that cash flows from operations and cash available from our underwriters, subject to regulatory restrictions, will be sufficient to fund our operations, pay our claims and fund initiatives. To the extent that these funds are not sufficient, we may be required to borrow funds on less favorable terms or seek funding from the equity market, which may be on terms that are dilutive to existing shareholders.

A downgrade of our underwriters by rating agencies may reduce our revenues.

Ratings are a significant component in determining the competitiveness of insurance companies. Our principal insurance underwriting subsidiary, Guaranty, is currently rated by Demotech, Inc. (A”), Fitch (BBB+), A. M. Best (B++) and Kroll Bond Rating Agency (formerly LACE Financial) (B-). Guaranty has historically been highly rated by the rating agencies that cover us. These ratings are not credit ratings. Instead, the ratings are based on quantitative, and in some cases qualitative, information and reflect the conclusions of the rating agencies with respect to our financial strength, results of operations and ability to pay policyholder claims. Our ratings are subject to continual review by the rating agencies and we cannot be assured that our current ratings will be maintained. If our ratings are downgraded from current levels by the rating agencies, our ability to retain existing customers and develop new customer relationships may be negatively impacted, which could result in an adverse impact on our results of operations.

Our insurance subsidiaries must comply with extensive government regulations. These regulations could adversely affect our ability to increase our revenues and operating results.

Governmental authorities regulate our insurance subsidiaries in the various states and international jurisdictions in which we do business. These regulations generally are intended for the protection of policyholders rather than stockholders. The nature and extent of these regulations vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but typically involve:

	•		approving or setting of insurance premium rates;
	•		standards of solvency and minimum amounts of statutory capital and surplus that must be maintained;
	•		limitations on types and amounts of investments;
	•		establishing reserves, including statutory premium reserves, for losses and loss adjustment expenses;
	•		regulating underwriting and marketing practices;
	•		regulating dividend payments and other transactions among affiliates;
	•		prior approval for the acquisition and control of an insurance company or of any company controlling an insurance company;
	•		licensing of insurers, agencies and, in certain states, escrow officers;
	•		regulation of reinsurance;
	•		restrictions on the size of risks that may be insured by a single company;
	•		deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders;
	•		approval of policy forms;
	•		methods of accounting; and
	•		filing of annual and other reports with respect to financial condition and other matters.

These regulations may impede or impose burdensome conditions on rate increases or other actions that we might want to take to enhance our operating results. Changes in these regulations may also adversely affect us. In addition, state regulators perform periodic examinations of insurance companies, which could result in increased compliance or litigation expenses.

Rapid technological changes in our industry require timely and cost-effective responses. Our earnings may be adversely affected if we are unable to effectively use technology to increase productivity.

Technological advances occur rapidly in the title insurance industry as industry standards evolve and title insurers introduce new products and services. We believe that our future success depends on our ability to anticipate technological changes and to offer products and services that meet evolving standards on a timely and cost-effective basis. Successful implementation and customer acceptance of our technology-based services will be crucial to our future profitability. There is a risk that the introduction of new products and services, or advances in technology, could reduce the usefulness of our products and render them obsolete.

We rely on dividends from our insurance underwriting subsidiaries.

We are a holding company and our principal assets are our insurance underwriting subsidiaries. Consequently, we may depend on receiving sufficient dividends from our insurance subsidiaries to meet our debt service obligations and to pay our operating expenses and dividends to our stockholders. The insurance statutes and regulations of some states require us to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital and restrict the amount of dividends that our insurance subsidiaries may pay to us. Guaranty is a wholly owned subsidiary of Stewart and the principal source of our cash flow. In this regard, the ability of Guaranty to pay dividends to us is dependent on the approval of the Texas Insurance Commissioner. As of December 31, 2010, under Texas insurance law, Guaranty could pay dividends or make distributions of up to $73.9 million in 2010 after approval of the Texas Insurance Commissioner. However, Guaranty voluntarily restricts dividends to us so that it can grow its statutory surplus, maintain liquidity at competitive levels and maintain its high ratings. A title insurer’s ability to pay claims can significantly affect the decision of lenders and other customers when buying a title insurance policy.

Litigation risks include claims by large classes of claimants.

We are periodically involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In addition, we are currently, and have been in the past, subject to claims and litigation from large classes of claimants seeking substantial damages not arising in the ordinary course of business. Material pending legal proceedings, if any, not in the ordinary course of business, are disclosed in Item 3 — Legal Proceedings included elsewhere in this report. To date, the impact of the outcome of these proceedings has not been material to our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. However, an unfavorable outcome in any litigation, claim or investigation against us could have an adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Anti-takeover provisions in our certificate of incorporation and by-laws may make a takeover of us difficult. This may reduce the opportunity for our stockholders to obtain a takeover premium for their shares of our Common Stock.

Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws, as well as Delaware corporation law and the insurance laws of various states, all contain provisions that could have the effect of discouraging a prospective acquirer from making a tender offer for our shares, or that may otherwise delay, defer or prevent a change in control of Stewart.

The holders of our Class B Common Stock have the right to elect four of our nine directors. Pursuant to our by-laws, the vote of six directors is required to constitute an act by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, the affirmative vote of at least one of the directors elected by the holders of the Class B Common Stock is required for any action to be taken by the Board of Directors. The foregoing provision of our by-laws may not be amended or repealed without the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of our capital stock, voting as separate classes.

The voting rights of the holders of our Class B Common Stock may have the effect of rendering more difficult or discouraging unsolicited tender offers, merger proposals, proxy contests or other takeover proposals to acquire control of Stewart.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

We lease under a non-cancelable lease expiring in 2016 approximately 258,000 square feet in an office building in Houston, Texas, which is used for our corporate offices and for offices of several of our subsidiaries. In addition, we lease offices at approximately 420 additional locations that are used for branch offices and technology centers. These additional locations include significant leased facilities in Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego and Toronto.

Our leases expire from 2011 through 2018 and have an average term of four years, although our typical lease term ranges from three to five years. We believe we will not have any difficulty obtaining renewals of leases as they expire or, alternatively, leasing comparable properties. The aggregate annual rent expense under all leases was approximately $45.2 million in 2010.

We also own several office buildings located in Arizona, Colorado, New York and Texas. These owned properties are not material to our consolidated financial condition. We consider all buildings and equipment that we own or lease to be well maintained, adequately insured and generally sufficient for our purposes.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Stewart Title Guaranty Company (STGC) and Stewart Title Guaranty de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (STGM) are defendants in a lawsuit pending in the State District Court of Harris County, Texas, Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. v. Stewart Title Guaranty Company. The lawsuit was filed in 2008 and concerns 16 owners’ and 16 lenders’ title insurance policies on 16 parcels of land in Mexico issued by Stewart Title Guaranty de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (STGM) and reinsurance agreements by STGC. Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. asserted claims against STGC under reinsurance of the lenders’ policies. Thereafter, K.R. Playa VI, S de R.L. de C.V., the owner of the parcels, asserted claims against STGC and under the owners’ policies. In the second quarter of 2010, the State District Court ruled that it had jurisdiction over STGM and denied STGM’s plea in abatement requesting a stay of the lawsuit in Harris County pending a determination of the Mexican courts.

The lawsuit alleges breach of contract, deceptive trade practices, bad faith, and violations of the Texas Insurance Code, against which both STGC and STGM are vigorously defending. Additionly, we believe that certain of the allegations are controlled by Mexican law, which differs substantially from the law of the State of Texas. A jury trial began February 15, 2011. Due to the complex factual and legal issues, including those involving Mexican law, it is not possible to reasonably estimate the ultimate outcome of this litigation or determine whether that outcome would materially affect our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

In January 2009, an action was filed by individuals against Stewart Title Guaranty Company, Stewart Title of California, Inc., Cuesta Title Company and others in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Luis Obispo alleging that the plaintiffs have suffered damages relating to loans they made through Hurst Financial Corporation to an individual named Kelly Gearhart and entities controlled by Gearhart. Thereafter, several other lawsuits making similar allegations, including a lawsuit filed by several hundred individuals, were filed in San Luis Obispo Superior Court, and one such lawsuit was removed to the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The defendants vary from case to case but Stewart Information Services Corporation, Stewart Title Company and Stewart Title Insurance Company have also been sued in at least one of the cases. Each of the complaints alleges some combination of the following purported causes of action: breach of contract, negligence, fraud, aiding and abetting fraud, constructive fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, financial elder abuse, violation of California Business and Professions Code Section 17200, negligent misrepresentation, conversion, conspiracy, alter ego, specific performance and declaratory relief. We have demurred to or moved to dismiss the complaints in the actions where responses to the complaints have been due. Although the San Luis Obispo Superior Court has sustained demurrers to certain causes of action and certain individuals and entities and dismissed us from one case without leave to amend, the Court has overruled the demurrers as to other causes of action. The United States District Court for the Central District of California granted our motion to dismiss the First Amended Complaint as to the claim for violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, with prejudice, and remanded the remainder of the case to the San Luis Obispo Superior Court. Discovery has commenced. Several of the cases were the subject of a court-ordered mediation on February 21-22, 2011. The mediation was adjourned without reaching a settlement, but the mediation process remains open, at the suggestion of the mediator, and may be resumed. No trial dates have been set. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against the allegations and do not believe that the outcome of these matters will materially affect our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

In February 2008, an antitrust class action was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Stewart Title Insurance Company, Monroe Title Insurance Corporation, Stewart Information Services Corporation, several other unaffiliated title insurance companies and the Title Insurance Rate Service Association, Inc. (TIRSA). The complaint alleges that the defendants violated Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act by collectively filing proposed rates for title insurance in New York through TIRSA, a state-authorized and licensed rate service organization.

Complaints were subsequently filed in the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York and in the United States District Courts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, Massachusetts, Arkansas, California, Washington, West Virginia, Texas and Delaware. All of the complaints make similar class action allegations, except that certain of the complaints also allege violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and various state antitrust and consumer protection laws. The complaints generally request treble damages in unspecified amounts, declaratory and injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees. To date, 78 such complaints have been filed, each of which names us and/or one or more of our affiliates as a defendant (and have been consolidated in the aforementioned states), of which seven have been voluntarily dismissed.

As of February 3, 2011, we have obtained dismissals of the claims in Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania (where the court dismissed the damages claims and granted defendants summary judgment on the injunctive claims), Texas and Washington. We filed a motion to dismiss in West Virginia (where all proceedings have been stayed and the docket closed). The plaintiffs have appealed the dismissal in Ohio to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the dismissals in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The dismissals in New York and Texas have been affirmed by the United States Courts of Appeals for the Second and Fifth Circuits, respectively, and on October 4, 2010, the United States Supreme Court denied the plaintiffs’ petitions for review of those decisions. The plaintiffs have appealed to the Second Circuit the dismissal of the RESPA claims by the court in New York. Although we cannot predict the outcome of these actions, we intend to vigorously defend ourselves against the allegations and do not believe that the outcome will materially affect our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

We are also subject to other claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of our 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. We do not expect that any of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Along with the other major title insurance companies, we are party to a number of class action lawsuits concerning the title insurance industry. We believe that we have adequate reserves for the various litigation matters and contingencies discussed above and that the likely resolution of these matters will not materially affect our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

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

We are also subject to various other administrative actions and inquiries into our business conduct in certain of the states in which we operate. While we cannot predict the outcome of the various regulatory and administrative matters, we believe that we have adequately reserved for these matters and do not anticipate that the outcome of any of these matters will materially affect our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

PART II

Item 5.		Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issue Purchases of Equity Securities

Our Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “STC”. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of our Common Stock for each fiscal period indicated, as reported by the NYSE.

		High				Low
2010:
First quarter		$	14.46			$	10.26
Second quarter			14.93				8.88
Third quarter			11.44				7.80
Fourth quarter			12.12				10.18
2009:
First quarter		$	23.75			$	11.47
Second quarter			23.31				13.45
Third quarter			16.65				11.87
Fourth quarter			12.60				8.45

As of February 25, 2011, the number of stockholders of record was approximately 6,400 and the price of one share of our Common Stock was $11.10.

The Board of Directors declared an annual cash dividend of $0.05 and $0.05 per share payable December 29, 2010 and December 23, 2009, respectively, to Common stockholders of record on December 16, 2010 and December 24, 2009, respectively. Our certificate of incorporation provides that no cash dividends may be paid on our Class B Common Stock.

We had a book value per share of $24.40 and $25.34 at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, book value per share was based on approximately $448.3 million in stockholders’ equity and 18,375,058 shares of Common and Class B Common Stock outstanding. As of December 31, 2009, book value per share was based on approximately $462.1 million in stockholders’ equity and 18,231,781 shares of Common and Class B Common Stock outstanding, excluding the effects of possible conversion of senior convertible notes into common shares.

Performance graph

The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in our cumulative total stockholder return on Common Stock with the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 Index and the Russell 2000 Financial Services Sector Index for the five years ended December 31, 2010. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our Common Stock and each index was $100 at December 31, 2005 and that all dividends were reinvested.

				2005					2006					2007					2008					2009					2010
	Stewart				100.00					90.63					56.10					50.73					24.47					25.12
	Russell 2000				100.00					118.44					116.60					77.20					98.18					124.54
	Russell 2000 Financial Services Sector				100.00					119.45					99.38					74.42					74.36					89.50

The performance graph above and the related information shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data, which were derived from our consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements, including the Notes thereto, beginning on page F-1 of this Report. See also Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

		2010				2009				2008				2007				2006				2005				2004				2003				2002				2001
		($ millions, except share and per share data)
Total revenues			1,672.4				1,707.3				1,555.3				2,106.7				2,471.5				2,430.6				2,176.3				2,239.0				1,777.9				1,271.6
Title segment:
Operating revenues			1,551.0				1,622.2				1,509.9				1,988.1				2,350.7				2,314.0				2,081.8				2,138.2				1,683.1				1,187.5
Investment income			18.4				20.8				29.1				36.1				34.9				29.1				22.5				19.8				20.7				19.9
Investment gains (losses)			21.8				7.4				(28.2	)			13.3				4.7				5.0				3.1				2.3				3.0				0.4
Total revenues			1,591.2				1,650.4				1,510.8				2,037.5				2,390.3				2,348.1				2,107.4				2,160.3				1,706.8				1,207.8
Pretax (loss) earnings(1)			(29.9	)			(73.3	)			(222.3	)			(57.2	)			83.2				154.4				143.1				200.7				153.8				82.5
REI segment:
Revenues			81.2				56.9				44.5				69.2				81.2				82.5				68.9				78.7				71.1				63.8
Pretax earnings (loss)(1)			32.8				11.1				(15.2	)			5.3				1.3				10.6				3.6				12.3				9.0				5.5
Title loss provisions			148.4				182.8				169.4				168.5				141.6				128.1				100.8				94.8				75.9				51.5
% title operating revenues			9.6				11.3				11.2				8.5				6.0				5.5				4.8				4.4				4.5				4.3
Pretax earnings (loss)(1)			2.9				(62.2	)			(237.5	)			(51.9	)			84.5				165.0				146.7				213.0				162.8				88.0
Net (loss) earnings attributable to Stewart			(12.6	)			(51.0	)			(247.5	)			(40.2	)			43.3				88.8				82.5				123.8				94.5				48.7
Cash provided (used) by operations			41.2				(17.0	)			(104.8	)			4.6				105.1				174.4				170.4				190.1				162.6				108.2
Total assets			1,141.2				1,369.2				1,448.4				1,442.0				1,458.2				1,361.2				1,193.4				1,031.9				844.0				677.9
Long-term debt			71.2				67.8				71.3				82.4				92.5				70.4				39.9				17.3				7.4				7.0
Stockholders’ equity			448.3				462.1				501.2				769.8				819.5				785.0				711.8				634.6				504.5				403.8
Per share data:
Average shares — dilutive (millions)			18.3				18.2				18.1				18.2				18.3				18.2				18.2				18.0				17.8				16.3
Basic (loss) earnings attributable to Stewart			(0.69	)			(2.80	)			(13.68	)			(2.21	)			2.37				4.89				4.56				6.93				5.33				3.01
Diluted (loss) earnings attributable to Stewart			(0.69	)			(2.80	)			(13.68	)			(2.21	)			2.36				4.86				4.53				6.88				5.30				2.98
Cash dividends			0.05				0.05				0.10				0.75				0.75				0.75				0.46				0.46				—				—
Stockholders’ equity			24.40				25.34				27.63				42.69				44.95				43.24				39.28				35.21				28.98				22.83
Market price:
High			14.93				23.75				36.42				45.05				54.85				53.01				47.60				41.45				22.50				22.25
Low			7.80				8.45				5.67				24.61				32.87				34.70				31.14				20.76				15.05				15.80
Year end			11.53				11.28				23.49				26.09				43.36				48.67				41.65				40.55				21.39				19.75

Item 7.		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

MANAGEMENT’S OVERVIEW

We reported a net loss attributable to Stewart of $12.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to a net loss attributable to Stewart of $51.0 million for 2009. On a basic and diluted per share basis, our net loss attributable to Stewart was $0.69 for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to a net loss attributable to Stewart of $2.80 for 2009.

Earnings before taxes and noncontrolling interests were $2.9 million for 2010 compared to a loss before taxes and noncontrolling interests of $62.2 million in 2009, which is an increase of $65.1 million, or 104.7%. Cash flow from operations for 2010 improved by $58.1 million compared to 2009.

Our combined direct and REI operations posted a pretax profit for the full year. In the REI segment, we focused on increasing revenues from existing major product offerings (such as loan loss mitigation solutions, distressed borrower contact services and loan servicing support) and also from expanding services into short sale support and REO (Real Estate Owned) solutions, county government support services and international land record enhancement. With the goal of driving additional revenues and supporting the evolving lending and real estate markets, we continue to develop innovative new services in the REI segment to drive additional revenues to these high margin operations.

Revenues from direct operations declined 6.0% for the year 2010 compared to 2009. As long term rates began to rise and refinance transactions declined, closed title orders declined 18.1% for 2010 compared to 2009. Agency revenues decreased 3.3% in 2010 compared to 2009. Revenue per closed order for the year increased 14.9% from the previous year as our business mix shifted to include more commercial and sale transactions and fewer refinance transactions. Agency revenues represented 59.0% of total title revenues for the year. Declines in our revenues from direct operations were somewhat offset by growth in our international and commercial businesses, which were up 20.2% and 25.3%, respectively, for the year 2010 compared to 2009.

Our Regional Production Centers now account for 65% of all affiliated title searches and commitments for our direct title business, up from 47% in December 2009. In addition to reducing costs, we expect the improved utilization of our most skilled people in these centers to reduce claims related to the search and examination process.

Losses from title policy claims decreased 18.8% for the year 2010 compared to 2009. We recorded a $4.8 million reserve strengthening charge in 2010 relating primarily to policy years 2007 and 2008 due to continuing adverse claims development for those policy years. This adverse experience also resulted in an increase in the loss provision related to revenues recognized on policies issued in 2010, and, accordingly, a $2.6 million catch-up adjustment was recorded in 2010. For the years 2010 and 2009, title losses as a percentage of title revenues were 9.6% and 11.3%, respectively. Charges related to reserve strengthening, including large losses and defalcations, fell 71%, from $52.6 million in 2009 to $15.3 million in 2010. We had no agency defalcation losses exceeding $1.0 million in the fourth quarter 2010 and only five such claims reported (averaging less than $1.5 million each) in the previous six quarters. Excluding the impact of the reserve strengthening charges, large losses, and defalcations (net of recoveries) in both years, title losses were 8.6% of title revenues in 2010 and 8.0% in 2009.

Cash claims payments remained elevated for the year 2010, and consequently, we have maintained a relatively high provisioning rate for title losses. Nonetheless, we believe we are on track to return to a normal loss ratio by the end of 2012. Losses incurred on known claims in 2010 decreased 15.7% compared to 2009. The loss ratio on known claims from the independent agencies cancelled in recent years was 9.2% in 2010 while the loss ratio on the current independent agency network was 2.9%. More than 70% of independent agency claim payments were for agencies cancelled in recent years.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

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.

Title loss reserves

Our most critical accounting estimate is providing for title loss reserves. Our liability for estimated title losses as of December 31, 2010 comprises both known claims ($144.2 million) and our estimate of claims that may be reported in the future ($351.6 million). The amount of the reserve represents the aggregate future payments (net of recoveries) that we expect to incur on policy and escrow losses and in costs to settle claims.

Provisions for title losses, as a percentage of title operating revenues, were 9.6%, 11.3% and 11.2% for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Actual loss payment experience, including the impact of large losses, is the primary reason for increases or decreases in our loss provision. A change of 100 basis points in this percentage, a reasonably likely scenario based on our historical loss experience, would have increased or decreased our provision for title losses and pretax operating results approximately $15.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Our method for recording the reserves for title losses on both an interim and annual basis begins with the calculation of our current loss provision rate, which is applied to our current premiums resulting in a title loss expense for the period. This loss provision rate is set to provide for losses on current year policies and is determined using moving average ratios of recent actual policy loss payment experience (net of recoveries) to premium revenues.

At each quarter end, our recorded reserve for title losses begins with the prior period’s reserve balance for claim losses, adds the current period provision to that balance and subtracts actual paid claims, resulting in an amount that our management compares to its actuarially-based calculation of the ending reserve balance to provide for future title losses. The actuarially-based calculation is a paid loss development calculation where loss development factors are selected based on company data and input from our third-party actuaries. We also obtain input from third-party actuaries in the form of a reserve analysis utilizing generally accepted actuarial methods. While we are responsible for determining our loss reserves, we utilize this actuarial input to assess the overall reasonableness of our reserve estimation. If our recorded reserve amount is within a reasonable range (+/- 3.0%) of our actuarially-based reserve calculation and the actuary’s point estimate, but not at the point estimate, our management assesses the major factors contributing to the different reserve estimates in order to determine the overall reasonableness of our recorded reserve, as well as the position of the recorded reserves relative to the point estimate and the estimated range of reserves. The major factors considered can change from period to period and include items such as current trends in the real estate industry (which management can assess although there is a time lag in the development of this data for use by the actuary), the size and types of claims reported and changes in our claims management process. If the recorded amount is not within a reasonable range of our third-party actuary’s point estimate, we will adjust the recorded reserves in the current period and reassess the provision rate on a prospective basis. Once our reserve for title losses is recorded, it is reduced in future periods as a result of claims payments and may be increased or reduced by revisions to our estimate of the overall level of required reserves.

Large claims (those exceeding $1.0 million on a single claim), including large title losses due to independent agency defalcations, are analyzed and reserved for separately due to the higher dollar amount of loss, lower volume of claims reported and sporadic reporting of such claims. Large title losses due to independent agency defalcations typically occur when the independent agency misappropriates funds from escrow accounts under its control. Such losses are usually discovered when the independent agency fails to pay off an outstanding mortgage loan at closing (or immediately thereafter) from the proceeds of the new loan. Once the previous lender determines that its loan has not been paid off timely, it will file a claim against the title insurer. It is at this point that the title insurance underwriter is alerted to the potential theft and begins its investigation. As is industry practice, these claims are considered a claim on the newly issued title insurance policy since such policy insures the holder (in this case, the new lender) that all previous liens on the property have been satisfied. Accordingly, these claim payments are charged to policy loss expense. These incurred losses are typically more severe in terms of dollar value compared with traditional title policy claims since the independent agency is often able, over time, to conceal misappropriation of escrow funds relating to more than one transaction through the constant volume of funds moving through its escrow accounts. As long as new funds continue to flow into escrow accounts, an independent agency can mask one or more defalcations. In declining real estate markets, lower transaction volumes result in a lower incoming volume of funds, making it more difficult to cover up the misappropriation with incoming funds. Thus, when the defalcation is discovered, it often relates to several transactions. In addition, the overall decline in an independent agency’s revenues, profits and cash flows increases the agency’s incentive to improperly utilize the escrow funds from real estate transactions.

Internal controls relating to independent agencies include, but are not limited to, pre-signing and periodic audits, site visits and reconciliations of policy inventories and premiums. The audits and site visits cover examination of the escrow account bank reconciliations and an examination of a sample of closed transactions. In some instances, we are limited in our scope by attorney agencies who cite client confidentiality. Certain states have mandated a requirement for annual reviews of all agencies by their underwriter. We also determine whether our independent agencies have appropriate internal controls as defined by the American Land Title Association and us. However, even with adequate internal controls in place, their effectiveness can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override at the independent agencies. To aid in the selection of independent agencies to review, we have developed an agency risk model that aggregates data from different areas to identify possible problems. This is not a guarantee that all independent agencies with deficiencies will be identified. In addition, we are typically not the only underwriter for which an independent agency issues policies, and independent agencies may not always provide complete financial records for our review.

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 estimate.

Agency revenues

We recognize revenues on title insurance policies written by independent agencies (agencies) when the policies are reported to us. In addition, where reasonable estimates can be made, we accrue for revenues on policies issued but not reported until after period end. We believe that reasonable estimates can be made when recent and consistent policy issuance information is available. Our estimates are based on historical reporting patterns and other information about our agencies. We also consider current trends in our direct operations and in the title industry. In this accrual, we are not estimating future transactions. We are estimating revenues on policies that have already been issued by agencies but not yet reported to or received by us. We have consistently followed the same basic method of estimating unreported policy revenues for more than 10 years.

Our accruals for revenues on unreported policies from agencies were not material to our consolidated assets or stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2010 and 2009. The differences between the amounts our agencies have subsequently reported to us compared to our estimated accruals are substantially offset by any differences arising from prior years’ accruals and have been immaterial to consolidated assets and stockholders’ equity during each of the three prior years. We believe our process provides the most reliable estimate of the unreported revenues on policies and appropriately reflects the trends in agency policy activity.

Goodwill and other long-lived assets

Our evaluation of goodwill is normally completed annually in the third quarter using June 30 balances, but an evaluation may also be made whenever events may indicate impairment. This evaluation is based on a combination of a discounted cash flow analysis (DCF) and market approaches that incorporate market multiples of comparable companies and our own market capitalization. The DCF model utilizes historical and projected operating results and cash flows, initially driven by estimates of changes in future revenue levels, and risk-adjusted discount rates. Our projected operating results are primarily driven by anticipated mortgage originations, which we obtain from projections by industry experts. Fluctuations in revenues, followed by our ability to appropriately adjust our employee count and other operating expenses, are the primary reasons for increases or decreases in our projected operating results. Our market-based valuation methodologies utilize (i) market multiples of earnings and/or other operating metrics of comparable companies and (ii) our market capitalization and a control premium based on market data and factors specific to our ownership and corporate governance structure (such as our Class B Common Stock). To the extent that our future operating results are below our projections, or in the event of continued adverse market conditions, an interim review for impairment may be required, which may result in an impairment of goodwill.

We evaluate goodwill based on two reporting units (Title and REI). Goodwill is assigned to these reporting units at the time the goodwill is initially recorded. Once assigned to a reporting unit, the goodwill is pooled and no longer attributable to a specific acquisition. All activities within a reporting unit are available to support the carrying value of the goodwill.

We also evaluate the carrying values of title plants and other long-lived assets when events occur that may indicate impairment. The process of determining impairment for our goodwill and other long-lived assets relies on projections of future cash flows, operating results, discount rates and overall market conditions, including our market capitalization. Uncertainties exist in these projections and they are subject to changes relating to factors such as interest rates and overall real estate and financial market conditions, our market capitalization and overall stock market performance. Actual market conditions and operating results may vary materially from our projections.

Based on this evaluation, we estimate and expense to current operations any loss in value of these assets. As part of our process, we obtain input from third-party appraisers regarding the fair value of our reporting units. While we are responsible for assessing whether an impairment of goodwill exists, we utilize the input from third-party appraisers to assess the overall reasonableness of our conclusions. There were no impairment charges for goodwill or material impairment charges for other long-lived assets during 2010 or 2009. In June 2008, the Company’s REI segment incurred an impairment charge of $6.0 million, which is included in depreciation and amortization in our consolidated statement of operations, related to internally developed software that we subsequently determined will not be deployed into production.

Operations. Our business has two main operating segments: title insurance-related services and real estate information (REI). These segments are closely related due to the nature of their operations and common customers.

Our primary business is title insurance and settlement-related services. We close transactions and issue title policies on homes and commercial and other real properties located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and international markets through policy-issuing offices and agencies. We also provide electronic delivery of data, products and services related to real estate and mortgage services, loss mitigation, default services, post-closing services, automated county clerk land records, property ownership mapping, geographic information systems, property information reports, document preparation, background checks and expertise in Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 tax-deferred property exchanges.

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

	•		mortgage interest rates;
	•		ratio of purchase transactions compared with refinance transactions;
	•		ratio of closed orders to open orders;
	•		home prices;
	•		volume of distressed property transactions;
	•		consumer confidence;
	•		demand by buyers;
	•		number of households;
	•		availability of loans for borrowers;
	•		premium rates;
	•		market share;
	•		opening of new offices and acquisitions;
	•		number of commercial transactions, which typically yield higher premiums; and
	•		government or regulatory initiatives, including tax incentives.

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

Industry data. Published mortgage interest rates and other selected residential data for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 follow (amounts shown for 2010 are preliminary and subject to revision). The amounts below may not relate directly to or provide accurate data for forecasting our operating revenues or order counts.

Our statements on home sales, mortgage interest rates and loan activity are based on published industry data from sources including Fannie Mae, the National Association of Realtors^®, the Mortgage Bankers Association and Freddie Mac.

		2010				2009				2008
Mortgage interest rates (30-year, fixed-rate) — %
Averages for the year			4.69				5.04				6.04
First quarter			5.00				5.06				5.88
Second quarter			4.91				5.03				6.09
Third quarter			4.45				5.16				6.32
Fourth quarter			4.41				4.92				5.87
Mortgage originations — in $ billions			1,530				1,917				1,580
Refinancings — % of originations			65.4				69.2				51.6
New home sales — in millions			0.32				0.38				0.49
Existing home sales — in millions			4.91				5.16				4.91
Existing home sales — median sales price in $ thousands			172.9				172.5				198.1

The real estate market has not seen a consistent recovery, although several economic indicators have shown improvements, such as improving consumer confidence and easing lending standards for business and consumer loans. The easing of lending standards has not extended to the real estate market where commercial and residential lending volume has decreased. Most industry experts project mortgage interest rates to increase and refinancing mortgage originations to decrease in 2011. They also expect the total number of mortgage originations to decrease in 2011 despite modest improvements in home sales in 2011.

Trends and order counts. For the three years ended December 31, 2010, mortgage interest rates (30-year, fixed-rate) have fluctuated from a monthly high of 6.5% in August 2008 to a monthly low of 4.2% in October 2010. In 2010, total mortgage originations and refinancing mortgage originations decreased 20.2% and 24.6%, respectively, even though interest rates remained relatively low throughout 2010. During 2009, sales of new homes decreased 22.4%, while sales of existing homes increased 5.1%. In 2010, sales of new homes and existing homes decreased 15.8% and 4.8%, respectively.

As a result of the above trends, our direct order levels were relatively unchanged from 2008 to 2009 and decreased from 2009 to 2010, which is consistent with the U.S. real estate market during those same periods.

The number of direct title orders opened follows:

		2010				2009				2008
		(in thousands)
First quarter			97				141				151
Second quarter			106				143				130
Third quarter			117				110				110
Fourth quarter			95				103				101
			415				497				492

The number of direct title orders closed follows:

		2010				2009				2008
		(in thousands)
First quarter			61				84				90
Second quarter			77				104				93
Third quarter			75				89				79
Fourth quarter			80				81				66
			293				358				328

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

A comparison of our results of operations for 2010 with 2009 and 2009 with 2008 follows. Factors contributing to fluctuations in results of operations are presented in the order of their monetary significance and we have quantified, when necessary, significant changes. Results from our REI segment are included in year-to-year discussions. When relevant, we have discussed our REI segment’s results separately.

Title revenues. Revenues from direct title operations decreased $40.3 million, or 6.0%, in 2010 and $29.9 million, or 4.2%, in 2009. The largest revenue decreases in 2010 were in Texas, California and Utah, partially offset by increases in Canada. The largest revenue decreases in 2009 were in foreign operations (excluding Canada), Texas, Canada, New York, and California, partially offset by increases in Arizona. Revenues from commercial and large transactions increased $18.7 million to $92.7 million in 2010 and decreased $43.0 million to $74.0 million in 2009.

Direct operating revenues, excluding large commercial policies, decreased 9.7% in 2010 compared to 2009, primarily due to fewer direct orders closed, although the average revenue per closing, excluding large commercial policies, increased 10.2% in 2010 compared to 2009. Direct orders closed, including large commercial policies, decreased 18.1% in 2010 compared to 2009, although the average revenue per closing, including large commercial policies, increased 14.9% during the same period. Our decrease in direct orders closed and increase in average revenue per closing are driven by a different mix of closings, with 2010 experiencing more large commercial closings and fewer residential refinancing closings than in 2009. On average, refinance premium rates are 60% of the title premium revenue of a similarly priced sale transaction.

Revenues from independent agencies decreased $30.9 million, or 3.3%, in 2010 and increased $142.3 million, or 17.7%, in 2009. The decrease in 2010 was primarily related to a decline in refinancing closings in 2010, resulting in decreases in revenues from agencies in many states including Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia. The decreases were partially offset by significant increases in California, New York and Texas, primarily related to the increase in commercial closings. The increase in 2009 was largely due to the addition of new higher-remitting, lower-risk agencies, as well as significant increases in revenues from existing agencies, which experienced an increase in transaction volumes. In 2009, the largest increases in revenues from agencies were in California, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New Jersey, partially offset by decreases in Florida and Texas.

Since the beginning of the current downturn in real estate markets across the country, the median selling price of homes has fallen 29.2% from August 2007 to January 2011, which has resulted in lower premium revenue per resale closing. As a consequence, in 2009 we began a review of our premium rates in all states. Where possible, we are seeking to raise rates or to modify agency splits (the percent of premium remitted to the underwriter compared to the amount retained by the agency) to levels necessary to improve profitability from our agency operations. To date, we have increased title premium rates in 22 states and have increased remittance rates with our independent agencies in 38 states. As these efforts were ongoing during most of 2010, we have not yet realized a full year of increased remittances.

Title revenues by geographic location. The approximate amounts and percentages of consolidated title operating revenues for the last three years were as follows:

		Amounts ($ millions)												Percentages
		2010				2009				2008				2010				2009				2008
Texas			243				257				269				16				16				18
California			201				181				141				13				11				9
New York			136				122				134				9				8				9
International			98				89				110				6				6				8
Florida			71				73				81				5				5				5
All others			802				900				775				51				54				51
			1,551				1,622				1,510				100				100				100

REI revenues. Real estate information services operating revenues increased $24.3 million, or 42.7%, and $12.4 million, or 27.9%, in 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in 2010 was primarily due to a significant rise in demand for our loan modification services. The increase in 2009 was also due to a significant rise in our loan modification services, partially offset by a reduction of revenues due to a decrease in demand for post-closing lender services activity, a reduction in the number of Section 1031 tax-deferred property exchanges caused by the continued decline in the real estate market and the sale of subsidiaries in 2008.

Investment income. Investment income decreased $2.4 million, or 11.6%, and $8.3 million, or 28.5%, in 2010 and 2009, respectively. The decrease in 2010 was primarily due to decreases in yield. The decreases were partially offset by a one-time royalty payment of $1.2 million received in June 2010. The decrease in 2009 was also primarily due to decreases in the average invested balances and, to a lesser extent, decreases in yield.

In 2010, investment and other gains (losses) — net included realized gains of $11.8 million from the sale of debt and investments available-for-sale, $6.3 million primarily from a transfer of the rights to internally developed software, $1.2 million from the sale of interests in subsidiaries, $3.0 million from the sale of real estate, $0.8 million as a result of a reduction in accruals for office closure costs and $0.5 million from the change in fair value of the cash settlement option related to the convertible senior notes. The realized gains were partially offset by realized losses of $0.6 million for the impairment of cost-basis investments and $0.5 million from the sale of debt investments available-for-sale.

In 2009, investment and other gains (losses) — net included realized gains of $16.3 million from the sale of debt and equity investments available-for-sale, $5.6 million from the sales of cost-basis investments and $1.0 million due to the change in estimates in office closure costs. The realized gains were partially offset by realized losses of $10.7 million for the impairment of equity method and cost-basis investments, $2.8 million for office closure costs, $1.3 million for the impairment of equity securities available-for-sale and $0.8 million for the impairment and sale of real estate.

In 2008, investment and other gains (losses) — net included realized losses of $13.8 million from the sale of debt and equity investments available-for-sale, $12.4 million for the impairment of equity method and cost-basis investments, $8.7 million for office closure costs, $4.7 million for the impairment of equity securities available-for-sale and $3.4 million due to sale or impairment of other fixed assets, title plants and real estate. The realized losses were partially offset by realized gains of $13.6 million from the sale of debt and equity investments available-for-sale, $1.0 million for the sale of subsidiaries and $0.8 million for sales of title plants and real estate.

Retention by agencies. Amounts retained by title agencies are based on agreements between agencies and our title underwriters. This retention percentage may vary from year-to-year due to the geographical mix of agency operations, the volume of title revenues and, in some states, laws or regulations. On average, amounts retained by independent agencies, as a percentage of revenues generated by them, were 82.4%, 82.9% and 81.9% in the years 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. We actively increased remittance rates with many of our independent agencies, increasing the amount of premiums remitted by our independent agencies to our underwriters in 2010. As these efforts were ongoing during most of the year, we have not yet realized a full year of increased remittances. The fluctuations in 2010 and 2009 are also affected by the uneven recovery of real estate markets across the nation; those states with higher agency retention percentages had experienced a disproportionate increase in transaction activity in 2009. As real estate markets continue to stabilize nationally, we expect the mix of agency business to normalize, resulting in lower average retention percentages in the aggregate.

Selected cost ratios (by segment). The following table shows employee costs and other operating expenses as a percentage of related title insurance and REI operating revenues.

		Employee costs (%)												Other operating (%)
		2010				2009				2008				2010				2009				2008
Title			27.4				27.4				34.3				16.2				16.7				23.0
REI			38.7				51.2				78.1				19.5				26.0				39.7

These two categories of expenses are discussed below in terms of year-to-year monetary changes.

Employee costs. Our employee costs and certain other operating expenses are sensitive to inflation. Employee costs for the combined business segments decreased $14.0 million, or 2.9%, in 2010 and $72.3 million, or 13.1%, in 2009. The number of persons we employed at December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was approximately 5,700, 6,100 and 6,300, respectively.

In 2010, we reduced our employee headcount company-wide by 130, or 2.2%, excluding the effects of divestitures. In 2010, employee costs were reduced primarily due to the sale and deconsolidation of several subsidiaries, partially offset by increases in state unemployment tax rates in certain states.

In 2009, we reduced our employee headcount company-wide approximately 200, or 3.2%, excluding the effects of acquisitions and divestitures. During this period, employee costs were reduced through ongoing cost savings initiatives to better align our operating costs with revenues, partially offset by increases in bonuses due to the improved results of our direct operations.

In our REI segment, total employee costs increased $2.2 million, or 7.9%, in 2010, primarily due to increases in staffing driven by increased demand for our loan modification services. In 2009, total employee costs decreased $5.7 million, or 16.5%, primarily in our lender services and property information businesses due to staffing reductions related to lower transaction volumes, which were partially offset by increases in staffing relating to our loan modification services.

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

In 2010, other operating expenses for the combined business segments decreased $16.4 million, or 5.7%. Costs fixed in nature decreased $5.6 million, or 4.5%, in 2010, primarily due to decreases in rent and other occupancy expenses related to office closures in prior years and other cost reduction efforts. Costs that follow, to varying degrees, changes in transaction volumes and revenues decreased $12.9 million, or 11.2%, in 2010, excluding a $3.0 million credit due to a reversal of an accrual for a legal matter related to premium taxes resolved in our favor in 2009. This decrease was primarily related to the decline in transaction volume in our direct operations. Costs that fluctuate independently of revenues were relatively flat in 2010, excluding reductions in estimates for a legal matter of $2.3 million and $2.9 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively.

In 2009, other operating expenses for the combined business segments decreased $75.1 million, or 20.6%. Costs fixed in nature decreased $25.5 million, or 16.1%, in 2009, primarily due to decreases in rent and other occupancy expenses, insurance and technology costs. Costs that follow, to varying degrees, changes in transaction volumes and revenues decreased $12.7 million, or 9.9%, in 2009, excluding a $3.0 million credit due to a reversal of an accrual for a legal matter related to premium taxes resolved in our favor in 2009. This decrease was primarily related to the decline in transaction volume in our direct operations. Costs that fluctuate independently of revenues decreased $31.0 million, or 39.7%, in 2009, excluding reductions in estimates for a legal matter of $2.9 million in 2009. This decrease was primarily due to decreases in promotional costs, litigation defense and settlement costs and travel.

Title losses. Provisions for title losses, as a percentage of title operating revenues, were 9.6%, 11.3% and 11.2% in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The year ended December 31, 2010 included a reserve strengthening adjustment of $4.8 million (0.03% of title revenues) relating to policy years 2007 and 2008 due to higher than expected loss payments and incurred loss experience for these policy years. This brings the total strengthening charges for these policy years to $77.0 million, substantially all of which was recorded in 2008 and 2009. We do not currently anticipate future reserve strengthening for these policy years. Reserve strengthening adjustments are to provide for future losses that may be incurred on prior policy years, and are based on current loss experience for those policy years. Current losses that are higher than anticipated are an indication that total losses for a given policy year may be higher than originally calculated. Changes in the total estimated future loss for prior policy years are recorded in the period in which the estimate changes, and thus negatively impact the provision for title loss ratios. The increase in loss payment experience for recent policy years resulted in an increase in the loss ratio related to revenues recognized on policies issued in 2010, and, accordingly, a $2.6 million catch-up adjustment was recorded to title losses in the fourth quarter 2010.

Provisions for title losses in 2010 also include charges of $13.3 million (0.09% of title revenues) resulting from changes in the estimated legal costs for several existing large title claims. These charges were partially offset by insurance recoveries of $2.8 million (0.01% of title revenues) on previously recognized title losses. We had no agency defalcation losses exceeding $1.0 million during 2010 and only five such claims reported (averaging less than $1.5 million each) in the previous six quarters.

Losses incurred on known claims for the year 2010 decreased 15.7% compared to the year 2009. The loss ratio on known claims from the independent agencies cancelled in recent years was 9.2% in 2010 while the loss ratio on the current independent agency network was 2.9%. More than 70% of independent agency claim payments were for agencies cancelled in recent years.

The year ended December 31, 2009 included reserve strengthening adjustments of $32.7 million (2.0% of title revenues) relating to policy years 2005, 2006 and 2007 due to higher than expected loss payments and incurred loss experience for these policy years. The increase in loss payment experience for recent policy years resulted in an increase in the loss ratio related to revenues recognized on policies issued in 2009, and, accordingly, a $3.8 million catch-up adjustment was recorded to title losses in the third quarter of 2009. Provisions for title losses in 2009 also include charges of $31.8 million (2.0% of title revenues) relating to large title claims including several independent agency defalcations and mechanic lien claims. These charges were partially offset by insurance recoveries of $11.9 million (0.7% of title revenues) on previously recognized title losses.

In 2008, an increase in loss payment experience for recent policy years resulted in an increase in our loss ratios. Title loss reserves in 2008 increased due to a $32.0 million provision for strengthening policy loss reserves for policy years 2005, 2006 and 2007 related to higher than expected loss payment and incurred loss experience for these policy years. Our policy loss reserves in 2008 also reflect charges of $41.7 million relating to large title losses primarily attributable to independent agency defalcations and fraud, as well as mechanic lien claims. These charges were partially offset by insurance recoveries of $11.6 million received during the year.

Excluding the impact of the reserve strengthening charges, large losses, and defalcations (net of recoveries), title losses as a percent of title revenues were 8.6%, 8.0% and 7.1% in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Cash claims payments remained elevated in 2010, and consequently, we maintained a relatively high provisioning rate for title losses. Nonetheless, we believe we are on track to return to a normal loss ratio by the end of 2012.

Income taxes. Our effective tax rates, based on earnings before taxes and after deducting noncontrolling interests (a loss of $4.5 million, $70.7 million and $242.7 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively), were (179.2%), 27.9% and (1.9%) for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Our effective income tax rate in 2010 was driven by foreign and state taxes and income taxes associated with subsidiaries not included in our consolidated federal tax return, net of tax benefits from certain tax credits, and by a $1.1 million decrease in the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2010, our valuation allowance against deferred tax assets was $91.9 million, which will be evaluated for reversal as we return to profitability.

Our effective tax rate in 2009 was significantly impacted by a benefit of $29.8 million due to the change in tax law in the fourth quarter 2009, which allowed us to carry back net operating losses to prior years.

Contractual obligations. Our material contractual obligations at December 31, 2010 were:

		Payments due by period ($ millions)
		Less than				1-3				3-5				More than
		1 year				years				years				5 years				Total
Notes payable			2.6				2.9				3.3				—				8.8
Convertible senior notes			—				—				65.0				—				65.0
Operating leases			36.4				49.3				26.4				8.8				120.9
Estimated title losses			138.8				178.5				71.9				106.6				495.8
			177.8				230.7				166.6				115.4				690.5

Material contractual obligations consist primarily of notes payable, convertible senior notes, operating leases and estimated title losses. The timing above for payments of notes payable is based upon contractually stated payment terms of each debt agreement. The convertible senior notes will mature in 2014 unless converted earlier.

Operating leases are primarily for office space and expire over the next 10 years. The timing shown above for the payments of estimated title losses is not set by contract. Rather, it is projected based on historical payment patterns. The actual timing of estimated title loss payments may vary materially from the above projection since claims, by their nature, are complex and paid over long periods of time. Title losses paid were $158.3 million, $149.3 million and $136.8 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our liquidity and capital resources represent our ability to generate cash flow to meet our obligations to our shareholders, customers (payments to satisfy claims on title policies), vendors, employees, lenders and others. As of December 31, 2010, our cash and investments, including amounts reserved pursuant to statutory requirements, aggregated $638.3 million.

A substantial majority of our consolidated cash and investments as of December 31, 2010 was held by Stewart Title Guaranty Company (Guaranty) and its subsidiaries. The use and investment of these funds, dividends to the holding company, and cash transfers between Guaranty and its subsidiaries and the holding company are subject to certain legal and regulatory restrictions. In general, Guaranty may use its cash and investments in excess of its legally-mandated statutory premium reserve (established in accordance with requirements under Texas law) to fund its insurance operations, including claims payments. Guaranty may also, subject to certain limitations and upon regulatory approval, pay dividends to the holding company and/or provide funds to its subsidiaries (whose operations consist principally of field title offices) for their operating and debt service needs.

A summary of our net consolidated cash flows for the years ended December 31 follows:

		2010				2009				2008
		($ millions)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities			41.2				(17.0	)			(104.8	)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities			235.2				130.2				(159.2	)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities			(238.8	)			(88.6	)			252.2

Operating activities

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

Our improved cash flow from operations for 2010 compared to 2009 was primarily due to the receipt of a $50.9 million income tax refund, which was reflected as a receivable at December 31, 2009, and cash receipts from loan modification services in 2010.

Our business continues to be labor intensive, although we have made significant progress in automating our services. We have centralized order processing into Regional Production Centers, which allows us to more easily adjust staffing levels as order volumes fluctuate. We reduced our number of employees by approximately 130 and 200 during 2010 and 2009, respectively, excluding the effects of divestitures.

Cash payments on title claims in 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $158.3 million, $149.3 million and $136.8 million, respectively. Claims payments remain elevated compared to historical norms as payments are made on previously accrued title losses. Claim payments made, net of insurance recoveries, during 2010, 2009, and 2008 include $32.8 million, $17.5 million and $21.4 million, respectively, on large title claims. Also, more than 70% and 60% of the amount of total claim payments relating to independent agencies made in 2010 and 2009, respectively, were for losses arising from independent agencies cancelled in recent years. As the losses from those agencies are paid and newly reported prior policy year claims begin to decline, we expect the overall amount of cash paid on title claims to decline significantly. The increase in claims payments since 2008 is also consistent with our historical experience that title claims are filed more quickly and there is a higher incidence of agency defalcations in declining real estate markets. The insurance regulators of the states in which our underwriters are domiciled require our statutory premium reserves to be fully funded, segregated and invested in high-quality securities and short-term investments. As of December 31, 2010, cash and investments funding the statutory premium reserve aggregated $406.2 million and our estimate of claims that may be reported in the future totaled $351.6 million. In addition to this restricted cash and investments, we had unrestricted cash and investments (excluding cost-basis and equity method investments) of $124.8 million, which are available for underwriter operations, including claims payments.

Investing activities

Cash from investing activities was generated principally by proceeds from investments matured and sold in the amounts of $328.5 million, $477.1 million and $668.5 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. We used cash for the purchases of investments in the amounts of $303.5 million, $369.4 million and $570.3 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The cash from sales and maturities not reinvested was used principally to fund operations.

Capital expenditures were $16.3 million, $11.0 million, and $18.0 million in 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively. We have limited capital expenditures for new offices and other capital projects for the last three years due to the poor economic conditions. We expect that capital expenditures will continue to be near the 2010 level as we continue to aggressively manage cash flow. We have no material commitments for capital expenditures.

During the years ended 2009 and 2008, acquisitions resulted in additions to goodwill of $1.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively. We made no acquisitions in 2010.

On September 30, 2008, we entered into a $241.5 million line of credit agreement with a bank from which we had acquired auction rate securities. The line of credit was a demand loan in an amount equal to the full par value of the auction rate securities that secured the loan. On June 30, 2010, we exercised our ability to relinquish and transfer all rights to the auction rate securities to the bank, at par value in accordance with the line of credit agreement, at which time the bank extinguished the outstanding balance of the line of credit. There was no net impact to our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010 as a result of the exercise of our rights under this agreement.

Financing activities and capital resources

We repaid $16.3 million and $54.8 million of debt in accordance with the underlying terms of the debt instruments for 2010 and 2009, respectively. We also have available a $10.0 million bank line of credit, which expires in June 2011, under which no borrowings were outstanding at December 31, 2010.

On October 15, 2009, we issued $65.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 (Notes). The $61.7 million in net proceeds were used to retire bank debt on which repayment could have been demanded at any time, thereby extending our maturities for this debt to October 2014 if not converted into shares of Common Stock before or at maturity. The Notes pay interest semiannually at a rate of 6.0% per annum beginning on April 15, 2010. The Notes are convertible into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion rate of 77.6398 shares per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (equal to a conversion price of $12.88 per share), which will be adjusted for certain antidilutive provisions such as a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock, split or combination of shares of Common Stock; the issuance of rights or warrants entitling all or substantially all holders of Common Stock to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of Common Stock (as defined in the Indenture); the distribution of shares of any class of capital stock of the Company, evidences of its indebtedness, other assets or property of the Company or rights or warrants to acquire the Company’s capital stock or other securities to all or substantially all holders of its Common Stock; or any cash dividend or distribution made to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock during any annual fiscal period that exceeds $0.10 per share of Common Stock.

We paid $0.9 million, $0.9 million and $1.7 million in cash dividends to our shareholders representing $0.05, $0.05 and $0.10 per common share outstanding in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Our dividend remained relatively low in 2010, 2009 and 2008 due to our operating performance and our desire to conserve cash. The declaration of any future dividend is at the discretion of our Board of Directors.

On January 14, 2011, we filed a registration statement, which became effective January 18, 2011, with the Securities Exchange Commission registering the resale of up to 660,000 shares (Settlement Shares) of our Common Stock. The issuance of the shares to the claims administrator was used to settle four “wage and hour” class action lawsuits filed in California state and federal courts against our subsidiary, Stewart Title of California, Inc. These lawsuits generally claimed, among other things, that (i) the plaintiffs were misclassified as exempt employees and were not paid overtime, (ii) the overtime payments made to non-exempt employees were miscalculated and (iii) the plaintiffs worked overtime hours but were not paid. The plaintiffs sought compensatory damages, statutory compensation, penalties and restitution, exemplary and punitive damages, declaratory relief, interest and attorneys’ fees. A settlement agreement of $7.6 million with respect to the “wage and hour” class action lawsuits was approved by the courts on October 27, 2010. We did not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Settlement Shares by the Claims Administrator.

Effect of changes in foreign currency rates

The effect of changes in foreign currency rates on the consolidated statements of cash flows was a net increase in cash and cash equivalents of $0.8 million and $5.2 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, as compared to a net decrease of $11.2 million in 2008. Our principal foreign operating unit is in Canada, and the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar increased during 2010.

***********

Throughout 2009 and 2010, we have worked to increase title premium rates charged and premium remittance rates to our underwriters. As of December 31, 2010, we have increased title premium rates in 22 states and have increased remittance rates with our independent agencies in 38 states. In addition, we have reduced our employee count and other operating costs in each of the last three years. We anticipate improved operating results, and thus cash flow, in 2011 from the impact of these actions and will continue to seek rate increases or modify agency splits where appropriate, as well as aggressively seek opportunities to lower operating costs.

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

Other-than-temporary impairments of investments. We recorded an other-than-temporary impairment of $1.3 million and $4.7 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively, relating to equity securities held for investment.

Other comprehensive earnings (loss). Unrealized gains and losses on investments and changes in foreign currency exchange rates are reported net of deferred taxes in accumulated other comprehensive earnings, a component of stockholders’ equity, until realized. In 2010, net unrealized investment gains of $0.3 million, which increased our comprehensive income, were primarily related to temporary increases in market values of government bond investments, partially offset by decreases in municipal bond investments. Foreign currency exchange rates, primarily related to our Canadian operations, increased comprehensive income by $3.5 million, net of taxes, in 2010. Other comprehensive earnings included a $1.1 million provision for Canadian income taxes related to unrealized gains in 2010.

In 2009, net unrealized investment losses of $0.9 million, which increased our comprehensive loss attributable to Stewart, were related to temporary decreases in market values of government bond investments, partially offset by increases in corporate and municipal bond investments and equity investments. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily related to our Canadian operations, decreased comprehensive loss by $11.6 million, net of taxes, in 2009.

The 2008 net unrealized investment losses of $1.0 million, which increased our comprehensive loss, were related to temporary declines in market values of equity, municipal bond and corporate bond investments and partially offset by increases in the government bond investments. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily related to our Canadian operations, increased comprehensive loss by $18.5 million, net of taxes, in 2008.

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

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” 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 severity and duration of current financial and economic conditions; continued weakness or further adverse changes in the level of real estate activity; changes in mortgage interest rates and availability of mortgage financing; our ability to respond to and implement technology changes, including the completion of the implementation of our enterprise systems; the impact of unanticipated title losses on the need to further strengthen our policy loss reserves; any effect of title losses on our cash flows and financial condition; the impact of our increased diligence and inspections in our agency operations; changes to the participants in the secondary mortgage market and the rate of refinancings that affect the demand for title insurance products; our ability to successfully consummate acquisitions, and our ability to successfully integrate and manage acquired businesses should opportunities arise; 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 litigation claims by large classes of claimants; the ultimate outcome of the Citigroup case discussed herein; 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 and underwriters as a source of cash flow; the continued realization of expected expense savings resulting from our expense reduction steps taken since 2008; our ability to access the equity and debt financing markets when and if needed; our ability to grow our international operations; our ability to respond to the actions of our competitors; failure to comply with financial covenants contained in our debt instruments; and inability to make scheduled payments on or refinance our indebtedness. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this report to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof, except as may be required by applicable law.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The discussion below about our risk management strategies includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Management’s projections of hypothetical net losses in the fair values of our market rate-sensitive financial instruments, should certain potential changes in market rates occur, are presented below. While we believe that the potential market rate changes are possible, actual rate changes could differ from our projections.

Our only material market risk in investments in financial instruments is our debt securities portfolio. We invest primarily in municipal, corporate and utilities, foreign and U.S. Government debt securities. We do not invest in financial instruments of a derivative or hedging nature.

We have established policies and procedures to minimize our exposure to changes in the fair values of our investments. These policies include retaining an investment advisory firm, an emphasis upon credit quality, management of portfolio duration, maintaining or increasing investment income through high coupon rates and actively managing our profile and security mix depending upon market conditions. We have classified all of our investments as available-for-sale (except for Investments — pledged, which are discussed in Note 10 of our consolidated financial statements).

Investments in debt securities at December 31, 2010 mature, according to their contractual terms, as follows (actual maturities may differ because of call or prepayment rights):

		Amortized
		costs				Fair values
		($ thousands)
In one year or less			34,545				34,765
After one year through two years			48,374				48,860
After two years through three years			52,494				53,584
After three years through four years			39,775				40,157
After four years through five years			49,413				49,656
After five years			220,027				223,302
			444,628				450,324

We believe our investment portfolio is diversified and do not expect any material loss to result from the failure to perform by issuers of the debt securities we hold. Our investments are not collateralized. Foreign debt securities primarily include Canadian government bonds, which aggregated $130.8 million and $114.9 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and United Kingdom treasury bonds.

Based on our debt securities portfolio and interest rates at December 31, 2010, a 100 basis-point increase (decrease) in interest rates would result in a decrease (increase) of approximately $23.7 million, or 5.3%, in the fair value of our portfolio. Changes in interest rates may affect the fair value of the debt securities portfolio and may result in unrealized gains or losses. Gains or losses would only be realized upon the sale of the investments. Any other-than-temporary declines in fair values of securities are charged to earnings.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The information required to be provided in this item is included in our audited Consolidated Financial Statements, including the Notes thereto, attached hereto as pages F-1 to F-30, and such information is incorporated in this report by reference.

Item 9.		Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Our principal executive officers 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 December 31, 2010, and have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officers and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process, under the supervision of our principal executive officers and principal financial officer, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officers and principal financial officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2010, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

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

See page F-2 for the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on our effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. As a result, no corrective actions were required or undertaken.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Information regarding our directors and executive officers will be included in our proxy statement for our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Proxy Statement), to be filed within 120 days after December 31, 2010, and is incorporated in this report by reference.

Our Board of Directors and Executive Officers as of March 3, 2011 are:

Board of Directors:
Catherine A. Allen		Chairman and CEO, The Santa Fe Group
Thomas G. Apel		President, Intrepid Ideas, Inc.
Robert L. Clarke		Senior Partner, Bracewell & Giuliani, L.L.P.
Paul W. Hobby		Managing Partner, Genesis Park, L.P.
Dr. E. Douglas Hodo		President Emeritus, Houston Baptist University
Laurie C. Moore		Chief Executive Officer, The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing
Malcolm S. Morris		Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer
Stewart Morris, Jr.		President and Co-Chief Executive Officer
Dr. W. Arthur Porter		Professor Emeritus, University of Oklahoma
Executive Officers:
Malcolm S. Morris		Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer
Stewart Morris, Jr.		President and Co-Chief Executive Officer
Matthew W. Morris		Senior Executive Vice President
J. Allen Berryman		Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, and Principal Financial Officer
E. Ashley Smith		Executive Vice President — Chief Legal Officer
Michael B. Skalka		President — Stewart Title Guaranty Company

The Board of Directors has adopted the Stewart Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Guidelines on Corporate Governance, as well as the Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officers, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer. Each of these documents can be found at our website, www.stewart.com.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Information regarding compensation for our executive officers will be included in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated in this report by reference. The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and based on that review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Proxy Statement.

Item 12.		Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and related stockholder matters will be included in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated in this report by reference.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions and director independence will be included in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated in this report by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Information regarding fees paid to and services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm will be included in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated in this report by reference.

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a)

Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules

The financial statements and financial statement schedules filed as part of this report are listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules on Page F-1 of this document. All other schedules are omitted, as the required information is inapplicable or the information is presented in the consolidated financial statements or related notes.

(b)

Exhibits

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

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we have duly caused this report to be signed on our behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION
(Registrant)

By:		/s/ Malcolm S. Morris   Malcolm S. Morris, Co-Chief Executive Officer and
		Chairman of the Board of Directors
By:		/s/ Stewart Morris, Jr.   Stewart Morris, Jr., Co-Chief Executive Officer,
		President and Director
By:		/s/ J. Allen Berryman   J. Allen Berryman, Executive Vice President,
		Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer and
		Principal Financial Officer
By:		/s/ Brian K. Glaze   Brian K. Glaze, Senior Vice President and
		Principal Accounting Officer

Date: March 3, 2011

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed on our behalf on March 3, 2011 by the following Directors:

		/s/ Paul Hobby		/s/ Malcolm S. Morris
(Catherine Allen)		(Paul Hobby)		(Malcolm S. Morris)
		/s/ E. Douglas Hodo		/s/ Stewart Morris, Jr.
(Thomas G. Apel)		(E. Douglas Hodo)		(Stewart Morris, Jr.)
/s/ Robert L. Clarke		/s/ Laurie C. Moore
(Robert L. Clarke)		(Laurie C. Moore)		(W. Arthur Porter)

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

Stewart Information Services Corporation and Subsidiaries’ Consolidated Financial Statements:

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations, Retained Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings for the Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008			F-4
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009			F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008			F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements			F-8
Financial Statement Schedules:
Schedule I — Financial Information of the Registrant (Parent Company)			S-1
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts			S-5

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Stewart Information Services Corporation:

We have audited Stewart Information Services Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Stewart Information Services Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A. Controls and Procedures. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Stewart Information Services Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Stewart Information Services Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, retained earnings and comprehensive earnings, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010, and the financial statement schedules as listed in the accompanying index, and our report dated March 3, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas
March 3, 2011

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Stewart Information Services Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Stewart Information Services Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, retained earnings and comprehensive earnings, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedules as listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Stewart Information Services Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Stewart Information Services Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 3, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas
March 3, 2011

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, RETAINED EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS

		For the Years Ended December 31,
		2010				2009				2008
		($000 omitted, except per share)
Revenues
Title insurance:
Direct operations			636,454				676,756				706,745
Agency operations			914,581				945,481				803,189
Real estate information			81,176				56,895				44,473
Investment income			18,397				20,804				29,134
Investment and other gains (losses) — net			21,782				7,366				(28,247	)
			1,672,390				1,707,302				1,555,294
Expenses
Amounts retained by agencies			753,438				783,406				657,771
Employee costs			467,491				481,535				553,792
Other operating expenses			273,253				289,648				364,727
Title losses and related claims			148,438				182,781				169,381
Depreciation and amortization			21,422				28,064				41,125
Interest			5,423				4,056				5,995
			1,669,465				1,769,490				1,792,791
Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests			2,925				(62,188	)			(237,497	)
Income tax expense (benefit)			8,075				(19,757	)			4,732
Net loss			(5,150	)			(42,431	)			(242,229	)
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests			7,432				8,544				5,226
Net loss attributable to Stewart			(12,582	)			(50,975	)			(247,455	)
Retained earnings at beginning of year			296,116				347,952				597,118
Cash dividends on common stock ($.05, $.05 and $.10 per share in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively)			(868	)			(861	)			(1,711	)
Retained earnings at end of year			282,666				296,116				347,952
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss			(5,150	)			(42,431	)			(242,229	)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes of $3,148, $3,439 and ($5,843)			2,650				10,667				(19,549	)
Comprehensive loss			(2,500	)			(31,764	)			(261,778	)
Less comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests			7,432				8,544				5,226
Comprehensive loss attributable to Stewart			(9,932	)			(40,308	)			(267,004	)
Basic and dilutive average shares outstanding (000)			18,313				18,182				18,092
Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to Stewart			(0.69	)			(2.80	)			(13.68	)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

		As of December 31,
		2010				2009
		($000 omitted)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents			144,564				97,971
Cash and cash equivalents — statutory reserve funds			9,926				18,129
			154,490				116,100
Short-term investments			33,457				24,194
Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
Statutory reserve funds			396,317				386,235
Other			54,007				79,969
			450,324				466,204
Receivables:
Notes			10,747				10,437
Premiums from agencies			45,399				42,630
Income taxes			651				46,228
Other			41,323				46,488
Allowance for uncollectible amounts			(19,438	)			(20,501	)
			78,682				125,282
Property and equipment, at cost:
Land			6,445				8,468
Buildings			23,769				23,326
Furniture and equipment			250,355				271,234
Accumulated depreciation			(219,000	)			(232,395	)
			61,569				70,633
Title plants, at cost			77,397				78,421
Real estate, at lower of cost or net realizable value			3,266				3,578
Investments in investees, on an equity method basis			17,608				12,233
Goodwill			206,861				212,763
Intangible assets, net of amortization			8,228				6,406
Other assets			49,324				51,339
Investments — pledged, at fair value			—				202,007
			1,141,206				1,369,160
Liabilities
Notes payable			8,784				19,620
Convertible senior notes			64,338				64,163
Line of credit, at fair value			—				202,007
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			95,666				101,881
Estimated title losses			495,849				503,475
Deferred income taxes			28,236				15,948
			692,873				907,094
Contingent liabilities and commitments
Stockholders’ equity
Common Stock — $1 par, authorized 50,000,000; issued 17,801,273 and 17,685,976; outstanding 17,325,046 and 17,209,749			17,801				17,658
Class B Common Stock — $1 par, authorized 1,500,000; issued and outstanding 1,050,012			1,050				1,050
Additional paid-in capital			124,413				126,822
Retained earnings			282,666				296,116
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings:
Foreign currency translation adjustments			11,093				7,563
Unrealized investment gains			2,517				3,397
Treasury stock — 476,227 common shares, at cost			(4,330	)			(4,330	)
Total stockholders’ equity attributable to Stewart			435,210				448,276
Noncontrolling interests			13,123				13,790
Total stockholders’ equity			448,333				462,066
			1,141,206				1,369,160

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

		For the Years Ended December 31,
		2010				2009				2008
		($000 omitted)
Reconciliation of net loss to cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Net loss			(5,150	)			(42,431	)			(242,229	)
Add (deduct):
Depreciation and amortization			21,422				28,064				41,125
Provision for bad debt			4,186				6,526				9,116
Investment and other (gains) losses — net			(21,782	)			(7,002	)			28,247
Provisions for title losses (less than) in excess of payments			(14,694	)			31,276				21,030
Insurance recoveries of title losses			8,260				2,174				11,600
Decrease (increase) in receivables — net			46,642				(24,833	)			10,790
Decrease in other assets — net			308				540				11,207
Decrease in payables and accrued liabilities — net			(11,871	)			(13,203	)			(5,731	)
Increase (decrease) in net deferred income taxes			10,544				(1,230	)			6,459
Net earnings from equity investees			(2,427	)			(3,134	)			(1,188	)
Dividends received from equity investees			2,996				2,916				2,850
Other — net			2,760				3,385				1,926
Cash provided (used) by operating activities			41,194				(16,952	)			(104,798	)
Investing activities:
Proceeds from investments available-for-sale matured and sold			328,460				477,089				668,531
Purchases of investments available-for-sale			(303,517	)			(369,366	)			(570,257	)
Proceeds from redemptions of investments — pledged			217,225				24,300				—
Purchases of property and equipment, title plants and real estate — net			(16,339	)			(11,032	)			(18,234	)
Proceeds from the sale of land and buildings			6,425				—				—
Increases in notes receivable			(1,109	)			(1,214	)			(1,339	)
Collections on notes receivable			1,001				654				5,061
Purchases of investments — pledged			—				—				(241,525	)
Change in cash and cash equivalents due to sale and deconsolidation of subsidiaries (see below)			(1,873	)			—				—
Cash received for other assets, cost-basis investments, equity investees and other — net			4,887				9,759				(1,413	)
Cash provided (used) by investing activities			235,160				130,190				(159,176	)
Financing activities:
Payments on notes payable			(16,294	)			(117,190	)			(27,978	)
Proceeds from notes payable			5,834				433				47,242
Payments on line of credit			(216,141	)			(24,962	)			—
Proceeds from line of credit			—				—				241,525
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes			—				65,000				—
Payments for debt issuance costs related to convertible senior notes			—				(3,299	)			—
Cash dividends paid			(868	)			(861	)			(1,711	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			(7,122	)			(7,775	)			(7,465	)
Purchase of remaining interest of consolidated subsidiary			(4,199	)			—				—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and grants			—				57				569
Cash (used) provided by financing activities			(238,790	)			(88,597	)			252,182
Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates			826				5,213				(11,201	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			38,390				29,854				(22,993	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			116,100				86,246				109,239
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year			154,490				116,100				86,246

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

		For the Years Ended December 31,
		2010				2009				2008
		($000 omitted)
Supplemental information:
Changes in financial statement amounts due to sale and deconsolidation of subsidiaries:
Note receivable			2,433				—				—
Investments in investees, on an equity method basis			5,315				—				—
Goodwill			(5,902	)			—				—
Title plants			(1,048	)			—				—
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation			(1,564	)			—				—
Intangible asset, net of amortization			2,928				—				—
Other — net			(814	)			—				—
Liabilities			1,390				—				—
Noncontrolling interests			336				—				—
Investment and other (gains) losses — net			(1,201	)			—				—
Change in cash and cash equivalents due to sale and deconsolidation of subsidiaries			1,873				—				—
Income taxes — net refunded			(41,528	)			(16,831	)			(1,708	)
Interest paid			4,775				2,576				5,705