David Hisey
Analyst · BTIG. Your line is open
Good morning, everyone, and thank you, Fred. As always, I'm thankful of our associates for their outstanding service and our customers for their continued support, more so during the challenging current market. Although mortgage rates dropped after the Fed's December meeting, comments in the January meeting caused rates to rise through today, causing a continuation of a choppy market. 2023 had the lowest existing single-family home sales in over 15 years and commercial real estate activity was also challenged. As a result, operating results were lower than the prior year. Yesterday, Stewart reported fourth quarter 2023 net income of $9 million or $0.32 per diluted share on total revenues of $582 million. After adjustments for net realized and unrealized gains and losses, acquired intangible asset amortization, and other expenses, detailed in expenses [indiscernible] our press release, fourth quarter adjusted net income was $17 million or $0.60 per diluted share compared to adjusted net income of $23 million or $0.84 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2022. In the title segment, total operating revenues in the fourth quarter decreased $79 million or 14%, while fourth quarter pre-tax income slightly improved primarily due to higher investment income and expense management. After adjustments for purchase intangible amortization and other items, the title segment's pretax income was $31 million compared to $35 million for the fourth quarter 2022. Adjusted pretax margin was about 6% for both quarters. On our direct title business, total opened orders in the fourth quarter increased by 10% primarily due to acquisitions in 2023, while closed orders decreased by 3% compared to the prior year. Domestic commercial revenues decreased by $11 million or 16%, primarily due to lower commercial transactions. Average commercial fee per file was approximately $14,800 compared to $15,100 from the prior year quarter. Domestic residential revenues decreased $18 million or 10% as a result of 5% lower purchase and refinancing volumes and lower fee per file. Average residential fee per file in the fourth quarter was $3,200 compared to $3,500 last year, primarily due to transaction mix. Total international operating revenues declined $1 million or 4% primarily due to overall lower transaction volumes. Similar to the lower commercial and residential activity in the market, agency revenues in the fourth quarter decreased by $49 million or 16% compared to the prior year, while the remittance rate was roughly comparable. On title losses, total title loss expense in the fourth quarter was 5% lower compared to prior year primarily from lower title revenue. As a percentage of title revenues, the fourth quarter title loss expense was 4.1% compared to 3.7% in the fourth quarter of 2022 which benefited from 2022's favorable claims experience. For the year, title loss expense averaged 4.1% compared to 3.8% last year. We expect title losses to be in the low to mid 4% range in 2024. Regarding the real estate solutions segment, fourth quarter pre-tax income improved $1 million compared to last year, primarily due to increased revenues from our credit-related data business, which more than offset declines from our transactional businesses. Pre-tax margin was 2.3% compared to 0.7% last year. On an adjusted basis, pre-tax income and margin was comparable to the prior-year quarter at roughly 12%. On our consolidated expenses, our employee cost ratio was 32% compared to 30% last year, primarily driven by lower operating revenues. Other operating expenses were 23%, which was comparable to last year. Regarding income taxes, the effective tax rate for the fourth quarter was 39%, which was higher than our historical tax rate, primarily due to the effect of non-deductible expenses on lower domestic pretax income. We expect our tax rate to return to historical levels as domestic operations normalize. On other matters, our financial position remains solid to support our customers, employees, and the real estate market. Our total cash and investments at December 31, 2023, was approximately $415 million in excess of statutory premium reserve requirements. We also have a fully available $200 million line of credit facility. Total stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2023, was approximately $1.38 billion with a book value of approximately $50 per share similar to last year. Net cash provided by operations in the fourth quarter improved to $41 million compared to $25 million last quarter -- last year quarter, primarily as a result of lower payments on claims and accounts payable, partially offset by lower net income in this year's quarter. Lastly, we greatly appreciate our customers and associates and remain confident in our service to the real estate markets. I'll now turn the call back over to the operator for questions.