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NEWS RELEASE

 

STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORP.

P.O. Box 2029

Houston, Texas 77252-2029

www.stewart.com

CONTACT

Kathryn Bass

Investor Relations

(713) 625-8633

 

Stewart Reports First Quarter 2026 Results

 

·Total revenues of $781.3 million ($778.4 million on an adjusted basis) compared to $612.0 million ($608.9 million on an adjusted basis) in the prior year quarter
·Net income of $17.0 million ($24.1 million on an adjusted basis) compared to net income of $3.1 million ($7.0 million on an adjusted basis) in the prior year quarter
·Diluted EPS of $0.55 ($0.78 on an adjusted basis) compared to prior year quarter diluted EPS of $0.11 ($0.25 on an adjusted basis)

 

HOUSTON, April 22, 2026 - Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE: STC) today reported net income attributable to Stewart of $17.0 million ($0.55 per diluted share) for the first quarter 2026, compared to net income attributable to Stewart of $3.1 million ($0.11 per diluted share) for the first quarter 2025. On an adjusted basis, net income for the first quarter 2026 was $24.1 million ($0.78 per diluted share) compared to net income of $7.0 million ($0.25 per diluted share) in the first quarter 2025. Pretax income before noncontrolling interests for the first quarter 2026 was $23.6 million ($33.2 million on an adjusted basis) compared to $5.9 million ($11.2 million on an adjusted basis) for the first quarter 2025.

 

First quarter 2026 and 2025 results included $2.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively, of pretax net realized and unrealized gains, both primarily driven by net gains from fair value changes of equity securities investments recorded in the title segment.

 

“I am proud of our first quarter results as they reflect the momentum we have built in each of our businesses,” commented Fred Eppinger, chief executive officer. “We are pleased with our ability to deliver these solid results while confronting housing market and macroeconomic volatility. We remain focused on growth across all of our business lines and are dedicated to serving our customers with excellence.”

 

 

 

 

Selected Financial Information

 

Summary results of operations are as follows (dollars in millions, except per share amounts, pretax margin and adjusted pretax margin, and amounts may not add as presented due to rounding):

 

   Quarter Ended
March 31,
 
   2026   2025 
Total revenues   781.3    612.0 
Pretax income before noncontrolling interests   23.6    5.9 
Income tax expense   (4.6)   (0.5)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (2.1)   (2.3)
Net income attributable to Stewart   17.0    3.1 
Non-GAAP adjustments, after taxes*   7.1    3.9 
Adjusted net income attributable to Stewart*   24.1    7.0 
Pretax margin   3.0%   1.0%
Adjusted pretax margin*   4.3%   1.8%
Net income per diluted Stewart share   0.55    0.11 
Adjusted net income per diluted Stewart share*   0.78    0.25 

 

*Adjusted net income, adjusted pretax margin and adjusted net income per diluted share are non-GAAP measures. See Appendix A for explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP adjustments.

 

Title Segment

 

Summary results of the title segment are as follows (dollars in millions, except pretax margin and adjusted pretax margin):

 

   Quarter Ended March 31, 
   2026   2025   % Change 
Operating revenues   603.2    499.2    21%
Investment income   13.8    12.6    10%
Net realized and unrealized gains   3.1    3.1    1%
Pretax income   25.0    11.8    112%
Non-GAAP adjustments to pretax income*   0.2    (0.3)   180%
Adjusted pretax income*   25.2    11.5    119%
Pretax margin   4.0%   2.3%     
Adjusted pretax margin*   4.1%   2.2%     

 

* Adjusted pretax income and adjusted pretax margin are non-GAAP financial measures. See Appendix A for explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP adjustments.

 

Title segment operating revenues increased $104.0 million (21 percent) in the first quarter 2026, driven by strong results across both our direct and agency title operations despite the current market environment. Direct title revenues improved $38.5 million (17 percent), primarily reflecting consistent strong performance in our domestic commercial business and improved domestic residential results. Gross agency revenues increased $65.5 million (25 percent), while revenues net of agency retention increased $10.7 million (23 percent) compared to the first quarter 2025. The title segment’s combined employee costs and other operating expenses increased $36.9 million (14 percent); however, as a percentage of operating revenues, these costs improved to 48 percent in the first quarter 2026 from 51 percent in the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher title operating revenues. Title loss expense, as a percentage of title operating revenues, improved to 3.1 percent in the first quarter 2026, compared to 3.5 percent in the prior year quarter, primarily due to our continued overall favorable claims experience.

 

-2-

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains in the first quarters 2026 and 2025 were primarily related to net gains on fair value changes of equity securities investments. Investment income increased $1.2 million (10 percent) in the first quarter 2026, primarily driven by increased interest income resulting from increased cash balances compared to the first quarter 2025.

 

In addition to the above net realized and unrealized gains, the title segment’s adjusted pretax income for the first quarters 2026 and 2025 included total other non-GAAP adjustments of $3.3 million and $2.8 million, respectively, related to acquisition intangible asset amortization and severance expenses (refer to Appendix A for details).

 

Direct title revenues information is presented below (dollars in millions):

 

   Quarter Ended March 31, 
   2026   2025   % Change 
Non-commercial:            
Domestic   145.6    134.4    8%
International   24.1    22.2    9%
    169.7    156.6    8%
Commercial:               
Domestic   93.9    69.3    35%
International   6.6    5.8    14%
    100.5    75.1    34%
Total direct title revenues   270.2    231.7    17%

 

Domestic commercial revenues increased $24.6 million (35 percent) in the first quarter 2026, driven by higher commercial transaction size and volume, primarily across energy, industrial, site development, data center and retail asset classes. Average domestic commercial fee per file improved 33 percent to $21,100 in the first quarter 2026 compared to $15,800 in the first quarter 2025, while domestic commercial closed orders increased 2 percent. Domestic non-commercial revenues increased $11.2 million (8 percent) in the first quarter 2026, primarily due to higher closed transaction volumes, driven mainly by increased refinancing activity. Average domestic residential fee per file was $3,300 in the first quarter 2026, consistent with the prior year quarter. Total international revenues increased $2.7 million (10 percent) in the first quarter 2026, driven primarily by improved residential volumes compared to the prior year quarter.

 

-3-

 

 

Real Estate Solutions Segment

 

Summary results of the real estate solutions (RES) segment are as follows (dollars in millions, except pretax margin and adjusted pretax margin):

 

   Quarter Ended March 31, 
   2026   2025   % Change 
Operating revenues   161.4    97.1    66%
Pretax income   11.0    4.1    172%
Non-GAAP adjustments to pretax income*   9.2    5.5    66%
Adjusted pretax income*   20.2    9.6    111%
Pretax margin   6.8%   4.2%     
Adjusted pretax margin*   12.5%   9.9%     

 

* Adjusted pretax income and adjusted pretax margin are non-GAAP financial measures. See Appendix A for an explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP adjustments.

 

Segment operating revenues increased $64.3 million (66 percent) in the first quarter 2026 compared to the first quarter 2025, primarily driven by higher credit information services revenues and our recently-acquired MCS business. Combined employee costs and other operating expenses increased $55.3 million (64 percent) in the first quarter 2026, primarily due to increased costs of services associated with increased revenue levels. Non-GAAP adjustments to pretax income for both first quarters 2026 and 2025 were primarily related to acquisition intangible asset amortization expenses. The first quarter 2026 also included adjustments for MCS acquisition-related costs.

 

Corporate Segment

 

Net expenses attributable to corporate operations increased to $12.2 million for the first quarter 2026, compared to $9.9 million in the first quarter 2025, primarily driven by higher interest expense on increased debt balances.

 

Expenses

 

Consolidated employee costs increased $35.3 million (19 percent) in the first quarter 2026 compared to the prior year quarter, primarily driven by higher salaries and employee benefits expenses related to an increased average employee count, as well as higher incentive compensation consistent with improved operating results. As a percentage of total operating revenues, consolidated employee costs improved to 29 percent in the first quarter 2026, compared to 31 percent in the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher operating revenues.

 

Consolidated other operating expenses increased $56.6 million (35 percent) in the first quarter 2026 compared to the prior year quarter, primarily as a result of higher real estate solutions service expenses and increased title outside search and premium tax expenses associated with increased operating revenues. As a percentage of total operating revenues, first quarter 2026 consolidated other operating expenses were 28 percent, compared to 27 percent in the prior year quarter, primarily due to increased real estate solutions service expenses.

 

-4-

 

 

Other

 

Net cash used by operations improved to $4.5 million in the first quarter 2026, compared to net cash used by operations of $29.9 million in the first quarter 2025, primarily as a result of the higher net income in the first quarter 2026.

 

First Quarter Earnings Call

 

Stewart will hold a conference call to discuss the first quarter 2026 earnings at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 23, 2026. To participate, dial 800-274-8461 (USA) or 203-518-9814 (International) – access code STCQ126. Additionally, participants can listen to the conference call through Stewart’s Investor Relations website at https://investors.stewart.com/news-and-events/events/default.aspx. The conference call replay will be available from 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 23, 2026 until midnight on April 30, 2026 by dialing (800) 925-9940 (USA) or (402) 220-5394 (International).

 

About Stewart

 

Stewart (NYSE-STC) is a global real estate services company, offering products and services through our direct operations, network of Stewart Trusted Providers™ and family of companies. From residential and commercial title insurance and closing and settlement services to specialized offerings for the mortgage and real estate industries, we offer the comprehensive service, deep expertise and solutions our customers need for any real estate transaction. At Stewart, we are dedicated to becoming the premier title services company and we are committed to doing so by partnering with our customers to create mutual success. Learn more at stewart.com.

 

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements. Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements", including statements related to Stewart’s future business plans and expectations, including our plans to achieve market growth and pretax margin improvements. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties include the volatility of general economic conditions, including economic changes that may result from new or increased tariffs, trade restrictions or geopolitical tensions, and adverse changes in the level of real estate activity, as well as a number of other risks and uncertainties discussed in detail in our documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and if applicable, as supplemented by any risk factors contained in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed subsequently. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update, amend or clarify any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof, except as may be required by applicable law.

 

ST-IR

 

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STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts and except where noted)

 

   Quarter Ended
March 31,
         
   2026   2025         
Revenues:                
Title revenues:                    
Direct title   270,177    231,680           
Agency title   333,006    267,518           
Real estate solutions   161,371    97,077           
Total operating revenues   764,554    596,275           
Investment income   13,851    12,656           
Net realized and unrealized gains   2,902    3,053           
    781,307    611,984           
Expenses:                    
Amounts retained by agencies   276,142    221,377           
Employee costs   221,098    185,811           
Other operating expenses   217,517    160,911           
Title losses and related claims   18,442    17,702           
Depreciation and amortization   16,855    15,322           
Interest   7,628    4,961           
    757,682    606,084           
Income before taxes and noncontrolling interests   23,625    5,900           
Income tax expense   (4,556)   (484)          
Net income   19,069    5,416           
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   2,105    2,339           
Net income attributable to Stewart   16,964    3,077           
                     
Net earnings per diluted share attributable to Stewart   0.55    0.11           
Diluted average shares outstanding (000)   30,809    28,341           
                     
Selected financial information:                    
Net cash used by operations   (4,490)   (29,927)          
Other comprehensive (loss) income   (5,451)   6,371           

 

First Quarter Domestic Order Counts:

 

Opened Orders
2026:
  Jan   Feb   Mar   Total   Closed Orders
2026:
  Jan   Feb   Mar   Total 
Commercial  1,730   1,732   1,888   5,350   Commercial  1,318   1,493   1,648   4,459 
Purchase  13,357   13,988   17,265   44,610   Purchase  7,319   8,452   10,262   26,033 
Refinancing  7,234   7,460   8,627   23,321   Refinancing  3,847   4,264   5,274   13,385 
Other  3,846   2,430   5,151   11,427   Other  1,475   1,471   1,804   4,750 
Total  26,167   25,610   32,931   84,708   Total  13,959   15,680   18,988   48,627 
                                    
Opened Orders
2025:
  Jan   Feb   Mar   Total   Closed Orders
2025:
  Jan   Feb   Mar   Total 
Commercial  1,336   1,364   1,628   4,328   Commercial  1,394   1,376   1,620   4,390 
Purchase  14,110   14,406   17,734   46,250   Purchase  7,784   8,562   10,434   26,780 
Refinancing  5,481   5,655   6,426   17,562   Refinancing  3,142   3,074   3,682   9,898 
Other  3,370   4,784   2,649   10,803   Other  1,413   1,507   1,685   4,605 
Total  24,297   26,209   28,437   78,943   Total  13,733   14,519   17,421   45,673 

 

 

 

STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of dollars)

 

   March 31,
2026
   December 31,
2025
 
Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents   271,235    321,775 
Short-term investments   46,250    47,899 
Investments in debt and equity securities, at fair value   602,485    606,170 
Receivables, net   216,203    190,064 
Property and equipment, net   91,892    85,330 
Operating lease assets, net   107,988    106,034 
Title plants   81,711    81,670 
Goodwill   1,276,164    1,271,958 
Intangible assets, net of amortization   316,097    325,135 
Deferred tax assets   7,738    7,656 
Other assets   220,224    209,114 
    3,237,987    3,252,805 
Liabilities:          
Notes payable   646,748    646,606 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   251,949    255,852 
Operating lease liabilities   123,859    122,153 
Estimated title losses   516,776    524,473 
Deferred tax liabilities   52,991    53,323 
    1,592,323    1,602,407 
Stockholders’ equity:          
Common Stock and additional paid-in capital   521,984    520,243 
Retained earnings   1,146,038    1,145,415 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (27,359)   (21,908)
Treasury stock   (2,666)   (2,666)
Stockholders’ equity attributable to Stewart   1,637,997    1,641,084 
Noncontrolling interests   7,667    9,314 
Total stockholders’ equity   1,645,664    1,650,398 
    3,237,987    3,252,805 
           
Number of shares outstanding (000)   30,425    30,223 
Book value per share   53.84    54.30 

 

 

 

STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Quarter Ended:  March 31, 2026   March 31, 2025 
   Title   Real
Estate
Solutions
   Corporate   Total   Title   Real
Estate
Solutions
   Corporate   Total 
Revenues:                                
Operating revenues  603,183   161,371   -   764,554   499,198   97,077   -   596,275 
Investment income  13,822   29   -   13,851   12,621   35   -   12,656 
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)  3,085   -   (183)  2,902   3,055   -   (2)  3,053 
   620,090   161,400   (183)  781,307   514,874   97,112   (2)  611,984 
Expenses:                                
Amounts retained by agencies  276,142   -   -   276,142   221,377   -   -   221,377 
Employee costs  195,366   22,360   3,372   221,098   168,487   13,736   3,588   185,811 
Other operating expenses  96,478   119,653   1,386   217,517   86,505   72,943   1,463   160,911 
Title losses and related claims  18,442   -   -   18,442   17,702   -   -   17,702 
Depreciation and amortization  8,239   8,358   258   16,855   8,614   6,372   336   15,322 
Interest  456   4   7,168   7,628   422   2   4,537   4,961 
   595,123   150,375   12,184   757,682   503,107   93,053   9,924   606,084 
Income (loss) before taxes  24,967   11,025   (12,367)  23,625   11,767   4,059   (9,926)  5,900 

 

 

 

Appendix A

Non-GAAP Adjustments

 

Management uses a variety of financial and operational measurements other than its financial statements prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to analyze its performance. These include: (1) adjusted revenues, which are reported revenues adjusted for net realized and unrealized gains and losses and (2) adjusted pretax income and adjusted net income, which are reported pretax income and reported net income after earnings from noncontrolling interests, respectively, adjusted for net realized and unrealized gains and losses, acquired intangible asset amortization, acquisition-related expenses (in connection with our MCS acquisition), and severance expenses. Adjusted diluted earnings per share (adjusted diluted EPS) is calculated using adjusted net income divided by the diluted average weighted outstanding shares. Adjusted pretax margin is calculated using adjusted pretax income divided by adjusted total revenues. Management views these measures as important performance measures of core profitability for its operations and as key components of its internal financial reporting. Management believes investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures that management uses.

 

Below are reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures used by management to the most directly comparable GAAP measures for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 (dollars in millions, except shares, per share amounts and pretax margins, and amounts may not add as presented due to rounding).

 

   Quarter Ended March 31, 
   2026   2025   % Chg 
Total revenues   781.3    612.0    28%
Non-GAAP revenue adjustment:               
Net realized and unrealized gains   (2.9)   (3.1)     
Adjusted total revenues   778.4    608.9    28%
Net realized and unrealized gains:               
Net unrealized gains on equity securities fair value changes   3.3    3.2      
Loss on disposal of a subsidiary   (0.3)   -      
Net losses on sale of securities investments   -    (0.3)     
Other items, net   (0.1)   0.2      
Total   2.9    3.1      
                
Pretax income   23.6    5.9    300%
Non-GAAP pretax adjustments:               
Net realized and unrealized gains   (2.9)   (3.1)     
Acquired intangible asset amortization   9.4    8.3      
Acquisition-related expenses   2.5    -      
Severance expenses   0.6    -      
Adjusted pretax income   33.2    11.2    198%
GAAP pretax margin   3.0%   1.0%     
Adjusted pretax margin   4.3%   1.8%     
                
Net income attributable to Stewart   17.0    3.1    451%
Non-GAAP pretax adjustments:               
Net realized and unrealized gains   (2.9)   (3.1)     
Acquired intangible asset amortization   9.4    8.3      
Acquisition-related expenses   2.5    -      
Severance expenses   0.6    -      
Net tax effects of non-GAAP adjustments   (2.5)   (1.4)     
Non-GAAP adjustments, after taxes   7.1    3.9      
Adjusted net income attributable to Stewart   24.1    7.0    245%
                
Diluted average shares outstanding (000)   30,809    28,341      
GAAP net income per share   0.55    0.11      
Adjusted net income per share   0.78    0.25      

 

 

 

   Quarter Ended March 31, 
   2026   2025   % Chg 
Title Segment:                
Revenues   620.1    514.9    20%
Net realized and unrealized gains   (3.1)   (3.1)     
Adjusted revenues   617.0    511.8    21%
                
Pretax income   25.0    11.8    112%
Non-GAAP pretax adjustments:               
Net realized and unrealized gains   (3.1)   (3.1)     
Acquired intangible asset amortization   2.7    2.8      
Severance expenses   0.6    -      
Adjusted pretax income   25.2    11.5    119%
GAAP pretax margin   4.0%   2.3%     
Adjusted pretax margin   4.1%   2.2%     
                
Real Estate Solutions Segment:                
                
Revenues   161.4    97.1    66%
Pretax income   11.0    4.1    172%
Non-GAAP pretax adjustment:               
Acquired intangible asset amortization   6.7    5.5      
Acquisition-related expenses   2.5    -      
Adjusted pretax income   20.2    9.6    111%
GAAP pretax margin   6.8%   4.2%     
Adjusted pretax margin   12.5%   9.9%