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Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

FIRST AMERICAN FINANCIAL REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2011 RESULTS

Reports Earnings of 30 Cents per Diluted Share

SANTA ANA, Calif., July 28, 2011 – First American Financial Corporation (NYSE: FAF), a leading global provider of title insurance and settlement services for real estate transactions, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011.

Current Quarter Highlights

   

Title Insurance and Services segment pretax margin of 6.6 percent

 

   

National Commercial Services division revenues up 28 percent compared to last year

 

   

Executed on an expense reduction program to yield $40 million in annualized cost savings

 

   

Specialty Insurance segment pretax margin of 14.3 percent

Selected Financial Information

($ in millions, except per share data)

 

     For the Three Months  Ended
June 30
 
     2011      2010  

Total revenues

   $ 927.3       $ 969.9   

Income before taxes

     49.2         57.0   

Net income

   $ 32.3       $ 33.8   

Net income per diluted share

     0.30         0.32   

Total revenues for the second quarter of 2011 were $927.3 million, a decline of 4 percent relative to the second quarter of 2010. Net income in the current quarter was $32.3 million, or 30 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $33.8 million, or 32 cents per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2010. The current quarter results include net realized investment losses of $2.9 million, or 2 cents per diluted share, compared with net realized investment gains of $3.2 million, or 2 cents per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2010.

“We earned 30 cents per share in the second quarter, driven by strong results from our National Commercial Services division and continued actions to optimize the company’s cost structure,” said Dennis J. Gilmore, chief executive officer at First American Financial Corporation.

“Given the outlook for mortgage and real estate markets, we executed on an expense reduction program that is expected to yield $40 million in annualized cost savings beginning in the third quarter. The program is primarily directed toward shared service functions in the Title segment.

“Going forward, we will continue to focus on operational efficiency and on maintaining a conservative balance sheet while we pursue opportunities for organic growth and strategic investment in our core business.”

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First American Financial Reports Results for the Second Quarter of 2011

Page 2

 

Title Insurance and Services

($ in millions, except average revenue per order)

 

     For the Three Months  Ended
June 30
 
     2011     2010  

Total revenues

   $ 857.3      $ 901.6   

Income before taxes

   $ 56.9      $ 60.9   

Pretax margin

     6.6     6.8

Direct open orders

     302,400        361,000   

Direct closed orders

     215,600        263,200   

Commercial*

    

Total revenues

   $ 84.5      $ 66.2   

Open orders

     18,200        15,500   

Closed orders

     9,500        8,100   

Average revenue per order

   $ 7,400      $ 6,800   

 

* Includes commercial activity from the National Commercial Services division only

Total revenues for the Title Insurance and Services segment were $857.3 million, a 5 percent decline from the same quarter of 2010. The lower total revenues were driven by a decline in both direct and agent title premiums and lower net realized investment gains, partly offset by higher information and other revenues. Direct premiums and escrow fees were down 8 percent, compared to the second quarter of 2010, due to an 18 percent decline in the number of direct title orders closed in the quarter that was partly offset by higher average revenue per order. Average revenue per direct title order was $1,548, an increase of 12 percent, compared with the second quarter of 2010, primarily due to a change in the mix toward higher-premium commercial transactions. Agent premiums were lower by 4 percent in the current quarter, reflecting the normal reporting lag of approximately one quarter.

Information and other revenues were $157.4 million this quarter, up 3 percent as compared to the same quarter of last year, reflecting higher demand for title plant information and other non-insured title products. Total investment income was down 21 percent in the second quarter, or $4.6 million, compared to last year, as a result of net realized investment losses.

Personnel costs were $274.7 million in the second quarter, a decrease of $10.4 million, or 4 percent, compared with the second quarter of 2010. This decline was primarily due to a reduction in U.S. headcount, reduced incentive compensation and lower healthcare-related expenses, partially offset by higher severance costs. Total severance costs in the Title segment were $6.3 million as a result of the various expense management efforts completed in the quarter, compared with $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2010.

Other operating expenses were $179.4 million in the second quarter, down $5.5 million, or 3 percent, compared with the second quarter of 2010. This decrease is primarily due to reduced office-related expense resulting from the consolidation and closure of title offices and a reduction in consulting expenses. These reductions were partially offset by an increase in production-related expenses in the company’s commercial and default businesses and by higher legal expenses.

 

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First American Financial Reports Results for the Second Quarter of 2011

Page 3

 

The provision for policy losses and other claims was $40.3 million in the second quarter, or 5.9 percent of title premiums and escrow fees, down $9.0 million compared with the same quarter of the prior year. The current quarter rate of 5.9 percent reflects an ultimate loss rate of 6.0 percent for the current policy year, and minor favorable development for prior policy years.

Pretax income for the Title Insurance and Services segment was $56.9 million in the second quarter, compared with $60.9 million in the second quarter of 2010, or a decrease of 7 percent. Pretax margin was 6.6 percent in the current quarter, compared with 6.8 percent in the second quarter of 2010.

Specialty Insurance

($ in millions)

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
June 30
 
     2011     2010  

Total revenues

   $ 71.6      $ 70.9   

Income before taxes

   $ 10.2      $ 10.6   

Pretax margin

     14.3     15.0

Total revenues for the Specialty Insurance segment were $71.6 million in the second quarter of 2011, an increase of 1 percent, compared with the second quarter of 2010. Pretax margin was 14.3 percent, down from 15.0 percent in the second quarter of 2010. The overall loss ratio in the Specialty Insurance segment was 54 percent in the current quarter, compared with 49 percent in the prior year.

Teleconference/Webcast

First American’s second quarter results will be discussed in more detail on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at 11 a.m. ET, via teleconference. The toll-free dial-in number is (866) 803-2143. Callers from outside the United States may dial (210) 795-1098. The pass code for the event is “First American.”

The live audio webcast of the call will be available on First American’s website at www.firstam.com/investor. An audio replay of the conference call will be available through Aug. 5, 2011, by dialing (203) 369-1939. An audio archive of the call will also be available on First American’s investor website.

About First American

First American Financial Corporation (NYSE: FAF) is a leading provider of title insurance and settlement services to the real estate and mortgage industries, that traces its heritage back to 1889. First American and its affiliated companies also provide title plant management services; title and other real property records and images; valuation products and services; home warranty products; property and casualty insurance; and banking, trust and investment advisory services. With revenues of $3.9 billion in 2010, the company offers its products and services directly and through its agents and partners in all 50 states and abroad. More information about the company can be found at www.firstam.com.

Website Disclosure

First American posts information of interest to investors at www.firstam.com/investor. This includes opened and closed title insurance order counts for its direct title insurance operations, which are posted approximately 15 days after the end of each month.

 

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First American Financial Reports Results for the Second Quarter of 2011

Page 4

 

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release and the related management commentary and responses to investor questions, including but not limited to those related to expense management and anticipated savings, continued focus on operational efficiency, maintenance of a conservative balance sheet, pursuit of organic growth and strategic investment in our core businesses, the outlook for our commercial business, and closed orders trends, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may contain the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “predict,” “estimate,” “project,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” or other similar words and phrases. Risks and uncertainties exist that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the anticipated results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements include: interest rate fluctuations; changes in the performance of the real estate markets; volatility in the capital markets; unfavorable economic conditions; impairments in the company’s goodwill or other intangible assets; changes in measures of the strength of the company’s title insurance underwriters, including ratings and statutory surpluses; failures at financial institutions where the company deposits funds; changes in applicable government regulations; heightened scrutiny by legislators and regulators of the company’s Title Insurance and Services segment and certain other of the company’s businesses; reform of government-sponsored mortgage enterprises; limitations on access to public records and other data; regulation of title insurance rates; inability of the company’s subsidiaries to pay dividends or repay funds; expenses of and funding obligations to the pension plan; weakness in the commercial real estate market and increases in the amount or severity of commercial real estate transaction claims; material variance between actual and expected claims experience; systems interruptions and intrusions, wire transfer errors or unauthorized data disclosures; inability to realize the benefits of the company’s offshore strategy; product migration; increases in the size of the company’s customers; losses in the company’s investment portfolio; and other factors described in the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

 

Media Contact:   Investor Contact:

Carrie Navarifar

Corporate Communications

First American Financial Corporation

(714) 250-3298

 

Craig Barberio

Investor Relations

First American Financial Corporation

(714) 250-5214

(Additional Financial Data Follows)

 

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First American Financial Reports Results for the Second Quarter of 2011

Page 5

 

First American Financial Corporation

Summary of Consolidated Financial Results and Selected Information

(in thousands, except per share amounts and title orders)

(unaudited)

 

     For the Three Months Ended
June 30
     For the Six Months Ended
June 30
 
     2011     2010      2011     2010  

Total revenues

   $ 927,343      $ 969,924       $ 1,859,043      $ 1,878,349   

Income before income taxes

   $ 49,215      $ 56,995       $ 25,766      $ 81,535   

Income tax expense

     17,068        22,855         8,860        33,666   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     32,147        34,140         16,906        47,869   

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (194     307         (100     267   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to the Company

   $ 32,341      $ 33,833       $ 17,006      $ 47,602   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per share attributable to stockholders:

         

Basic

   $ 0.31      $ 0.33       $ 0.16      $ 0.46   

Diluted

   $ 0.30      $ 0.32       $ 0.16      $ 0.45   

Cash dividends per share

   $ 0.06      $ 0.06       $ 0.12      $ 0.06   

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

         

Basic

     105,222        104,014         104,953        104,010   

Diluted

     106,838        106,128         106,802        106,124   

Selected Title Information

         

Title orders opened

     302,400        361,000         589,500        702,500   

Title orders closed

     215,600        263,200         441,200        506,300   

Paid title claims

   $ 80,257      $ 81,019       $ 161,614      $ 150,666   

 

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First American Financial Reports Results for the Second Quarter of 2011

Page 6

 

First American Financial Corporation

Selected Balance Sheet Information

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     June 30,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 600,695       $ 728,746   

Investment portfolio

     2,767,583         2,648,818   

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     877,849         882,081   

Total assets

     5,784,087         5,821,826   

Reserve for claim losses

     1,083,946         1,108,238   

Notes payable

     286,205         293,817   

Total stockholders’ equity

     2,014,539         1,980,017   

 

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First American Financial Reports Results for the Second Quarter of 2011

Page 7

 

First American Financial Corporation

Segment Information

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

For the Three Months Ended

June 30, 2011

   Consolidated     Title
Insurance
    Specialty
Insurance
    Corporate
(incl. Elims.)
 

Revenues

        

Direct premiums and escrow fees

   $ 402,311      $ 333,837      $ 68,474      $ —     

Agent premiums

     348,441        348,441        —          —     

Information and other

     157,377        157,376        —          1   

Investment income

     22,094        19,499        2,567        28   

Net realized investment (losses) gains*

     (2,880     (1,832     605        (1,653
                                
     927,343        857,321        71,646        (1,624
                                

Expenses

        

Personnel costs

     295,468        274,745        12,787        7,936   

Premiums retained by agents

     279,812        279,812        —          —     

Other operating expenses

     194,758        179,424        9,377        5,957   

Provision for policy losses and other claims

     77,237        40,267        36,970        —     

Depreciation and amortization

     18,867        16,952        1,077        838   

Premium taxes

     9,913        8,707        1,206        —     

Interest

     2,073        536        5        1,532   
                                
     878,128        800,443        61,422        16,263   
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 49,215      $ 56,878      $ 10,224      $ (17,887
                                

For the Three Months Ended

June 30, 2010

   Consolidated     Title
Insurance
    Specialty
Insurance
    Corporate
(incl. Elims.)
 

Revenues

        

Direct premiums and escrow fees

   $ 431,574      $ 363,271      $ 68,303      $ —     

Agent premiums

     362,640        362,640        —          —     

Information and other

     153,450        153,450        —          —     

Investment income

     19,096        18,695        3,037        (2,636

Net realized investment gains (losses)*

     3,164        3,566        (408     6   
                                
     969,924        901,622        70,932        (2,630
                                

Expenses

        

Personnel costs

     300,771        285,103        13,920        1,748   

Premiums retained by agents

     292,298        292,298        —          —     

Other operating expenses

     203,637        184,969        10,114        8,554   

Provision for policy losses and other claims

     83,004        49,276        33,728        —     

Depreciation and amortization

     20,120        18,264        1,442        414   

Premium taxes

     9,258        8,149        1,109        —     

Interest

     3,841        2,644        5        1,192   
                                
     912,929        840,703        60,318        11,908   
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 56,995      $ 60,919      $ 10,614      $ (14,538
                                

 

* Includes other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recorded in earnings.

 

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First American Financial Reports Results for the Second Quarter of 2011

Page 8

 

First American Financial Corporation

Segment Information

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

For the Six Months Ended

June 30, 2011

   Consolidated     Title
Insurance
    Specialty
Insurance
    Corporate
(incl. Elims.)
 

Revenues

        

Direct premiums and escrow fees

   $ 765,321      $ 630,855      $ 134,466      $ —     

Agent premiums

     748,362        748,362        —          —     

Information and other

     306,219        306,216        —          3   

Investment income

     42,865        36,581        5,075        1,209   

Net realized investment (losses) gains*

     (3,724     (3,255     936        (1,405
                                
     1,859,043        1,718,759        140,477        (193
                                

Expenses

        

Personnel costs

     580,631        538,308        24,390        17,933   

Premiums retained by agents

     599,799        599,799        —          —     

Other operating expenses

     383,283        351,983        19,217        12,083   

Provision for policy losses and other claims

     206,749        136,642        70,107        —     

Depreciation and amortization

     37,966        34,119        2,093        1,754   

Premium taxes

     18,956        16,747        2,209        —     

Interest

     5,893        2,847        9        3,037   
                                
     1,833,277        1,680,445        118,025        34,807   
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 25,766      $ 38,314      $ 22,452      $ (35,000
                                

For the Six Months Ended

June 30, 2010

   Consolidated     Title
Insurance
    Specialty
Insurance
    Corporate
(incl. Elims.)
 

Revenues

        

Direct premiums and escrow fees

   $ 794,215      $ 660,274      $ 133,941      $ —     

Agent premiums

     736,632        736,632        —          —     

Information and other

     298,118        298,118        —          —     

Investment income

     43,972        37,964        6,181        (173

Net realized investment gains (losses)*

     5,412        6,254        (414     (428
                                
     1,878,349        1,739,242        139,708        (601
                                

Expenses

        

Personnel costs

     583,958        546,178        27,453        10,327   

Premiums retained by agents

     593,866        593,866        —          —     

Other operating expenses

     399,946        365,273        21,546        13,127   

Provision for policy losses and other claims

     153,986        88,649        65,337        —     

Depreciation and amortization

     40,373        36,167        3,145        1,061   

Premium taxes

     18,522        16,447        2,075        —     

Interest

     6,163        4,503        11        1,649   
                                
     1,796,814        1,651,083        119,567        26,164   
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 81,535      $ 88,159      $ 20,141      $ (26,765
                                

 

* Includes other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recorded in earnings.

 

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