Stewart Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Stewart (NYSE: STC) reported Q1 2026 total revenues of $781.3M and net income attributable to Stewart of $17.0M ($0.55 diluted EPS). On an adjusted basis, Q1 adjusted net income was $24.1M ($0.78 diluted EPS) versus $7.0M a year earlier. Pretax income before noncontrolling interests was $23.6M (adjusted $33.2M).
Material segment drivers: title revenues rose 21% to $603.2M; real estate solutions revenues rose 66% to $161.4M. Operating cash use improved to a $4.5M outflow versus $29.9M prior year.
Positive
- Total revenues +27% to $781.3M year-over-year
- Adjusted net income +244% to $24.1M
- Title operating revenues +21% to $603.2M
- Real Estate Solutions revenues +66% to $161.4M
- Operating cash use improved to a $4.5M outflow
Negative
- Consolidated other operating expenses +35%
- Consolidated employee costs +19%
- Corporate net expenses increased to $12.2M (higher interest expense)
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
STC gained 1.44% while peers were mixed: HCI, KMPR and SKWD were modestly positive, PLMR was flat, and LMND fell 2.68%. Momentum scans flagged SIGI moving down, suggesting today’s action is more stock-specific than a broad title/insurance sector move.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 04 | Quarterly earnings | Positive | +2.9% | Strong Q4 2025 and full-year 2025 revenue and earnings growth. |
| Oct 22 | Quarterly earnings | Positive | -4.1% | Q3 2025 revenue, income and margins improved across segments. |
| Jul 23 | Quarterly earnings | Positive | +10.2% | Q2 2025 revenue and net income rose with strong title growth. |
| Apr 23 | Quarterly earnings | Positive | -1.9% | Q1 2025 revenues grew with better adjusted earnings and title trends. |
| Feb 05 | Quarterly earnings | Positive | +3.9% | Q4 and full-year 2024 showed strong revenue and earnings gains. |
Earnings releases have generally been positive fundamental updates, with three instances of aligned price gains and two selloffs despite good results, indicating occasional profit-taking or positioning-driven divergence.
Over the past five earnings cycles from Q4 2024 through Q4 2025, Stewart has reported consistent revenue and net income growth, led by its title and real estate solutions segments. Several quarters highlighted strong commercial title performance, expanding pretax margins, and improving operating cash flow. Market reactions have been mixed, with both sharp gains and occasional pullbacks on otherwise constructive results, framing today’s Q1 2026 report within a pattern of steadily improving fundamentals.
Historical Comparison
In the past five earnings releases, STC’s average next-day move was about 2.21%, with both sharp rallies and occasional selloffs after generally improving fundamentals.
Earnings from late 2024 through 2025 show a progression of higher revenues, expanding title and RES contributions, and improving pretax margins and cash generation.
Regulatory & Risk Context
STC has an effective automatic shelf registration filed on 2025-12-10 on Form S-3ASR, allowing issuance of common and preferred stock, warrants, units, debt securities and purchase contracts in future offerings. Net proceeds from any such issuances may be used for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures, share repurchases and debt repayment.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights substantial year-over-year growth in Q1 2026 revenues, net income and adjusted EPS, with both the title and real estate solutions segments contributing. Recent earnings history shows a trend of expanding operations and profitability across 2024–2025. Investors may monitor how margins and operating cash flow evolve from here, as well as any future use of the company’s effective shelf registration to fund acquisitions, capital needs, or balance sheet initiatives.
Key Terms
non-gaap financial
pretax margin financial
adjusted pretax margin financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- Total revenues of
($781.3 million on an adjusted basis) compared to$778.4 million ($612.0 million on an adjusted basis) in the prior year quarter$608.9 million - Net income of
($17.0 million on an adjusted basis) compared to net income of$24.1 million ($3.1 million on an adjusted basis) in the prior year quarter$7.0 million - Diluted EPS of
($0.55 on an adjusted basis) compared to prior year quarter diluted EPS of$0.78 ($0.11 on an adjusted basis)$0.25
First quarter 2026 and 2025 results included
"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
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
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
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
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
Corporate Segment
Net expenses attributable to corporate operations increased to
Expenses
Consolidated employee costs increased
Consolidated other operating expenses increased
Other
Net cash used by operations improved to
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 (
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
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, | December 31, | |
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 | Corporate | Total | Title | Real | 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 % |
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stewart-reports-first-quarter-2026-results-302750757.html
SOURCE Stewart Information Services Corporation