Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

 

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013

or

 

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

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
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
1980 Post Oak Blvd., Houston TX   77056
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 625-8100

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

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  x    No  ¨

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  x    No  ¨

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.

 

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

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

On July 30, 2013, the following shares of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock were outstanding:

 

Common, $1 par value

     21,390,835   

Class B Common, $1 par value

     1,050,012   

 

 

 


Table of Contents

FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT

QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item

       Page  
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

1.

  Financial Statements      3   

2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      15   

3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      24   

4.

  Controls and Procedures      24   
  PART II – OTHER INFORMATION   

1.

  Legal Proceedings      25   

1A.

  Risk Factors      25   

5.

  Other Information      25   

6.

  Exhibits      25   
  Signature      26   

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.

 

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Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS

 

     For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
    For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  
     ($000 omitted, except per share)  

Revenues

        

Title insurance:

        

Direct operations

     211,900        188,216        371,546        339,751   

Agency operations

     269,898        251,139        497,560        447,460   

Mortgage services

     31,014        39,860        67,083        72,419   

Investment income

     4,285        3,408        7,928        6,535   

Investment and other gains (losses) – net

     123        1,089        (3,184     2,533   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     517,220        483,712        940,933        868,698   

Expenses

        

Amounts retained by agencies

     219,489        207,014        406,554        369,562   

Employee costs

     146,397        131,090        283,227        259,323   

Other operating expenses

     73,426        70,429        137,223        135,292   

Title losses and related claims

     24,169        38,113        47,731        69,498   

Depreciation and amortization

     4,221        4,563        8,578        9,088   

Interest

     656        1,286        1,611        2,650   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     468,358        452,495        884,924        845,413   

Earnings before taxes and noncontrolling interests

     48,862        31,217        56,009        23,285   

Income tax expense

     18,963        3,175        21,352        5,998   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

     29,899        28,042        34,657        17,287   

Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

     3,000        3,131        4,552        4,533   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to Stewart

     26,899        24,911        30,105        12,754   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

     29,899        28,042        34,657        17,287   

Other comprehensive (loss) earnings:

        

Foreign currency translation

     (5,588     (3,973     (9,834     (478

Change in unrealized gains on investments

     (14,466     5,246        (12,832     8,773   

Reclassification of adjustment for gains included in net earnings

     (1,509     (777     (1,901     (1,545
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, before taxes

     (21,563     496        (24,567     6,750   

Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive (loss) earnings

     (7,230     2,292        (7,789     2,292   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of taxes

     (14,333     (1,796     (16,778     4,458   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive earnings

     15,566        26,246        17,879        21,745   

Less comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

     3,000        3,131        4,552        4,533   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive earnings attributable to Stewart

     12,566        23,115        13,327        17,212   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic average shares outstanding (000)

     22,433        19,299        21,701        19,277   

Basic earnings per share attributable to Stewart

     1.20        1.29        1.39        0.66   

Dilutive average shares outstanding (000)

     24,919        24,388        24,743        24,367   

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Stewart

     1.09        1.05        1.25        0.59   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     As of
June 30,
2013
    As of
December 31,
2012
 
     ($000 omitted)  

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

     208,791        196,471   

Cash and cash equivalents – statutory reserve funds

     7,798        12,067   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     216,589        208,538   

Short-term investments

     36,889        37,025   

Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value:

    

Statutory reserve funds

     441,390        444,579   

Other

     61,200        58,680   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     502,590        503,259   

Receivables:

    

Notes

     4,573        8,483   

Premiums from agencies

     41,939        45,458   

Income taxes

     841        3,259   

Trade and other receivables

     46,844        56,311   

Allowance for uncollectible amounts

     (10,780     (12,823
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     83,417        100,688   

Property and equipment, at cost

    

Land

     5,848        5,848   

Buildings

     26,759        26,887   

Furniture and equipment

     245,648        241,694   

Accumulated depreciation

     (224,839     (219,715
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     53,416        54,714   

Title plants, at cost

     77,051        77,360   

Real estate, at lower of cost or net realizable value

     3,944        3,941   

Investments in investees, on an equity method basis

     10,564        13,891   

Goodwill

     220,983        220,955   

Intangible assets, net of amortization

     5,885        7,015   

Deferred tax asset

     984        7,562   

Other assets

     60,172        56,229   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,272,484        1,291,177   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Notes payable

     5,891        6,481   

Convertible senior notes

     27,789        64,687   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     100,764        116,617   

Estimated title losses

     501,069        520,375   

Deferred tax liability

     2,481        2,645   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     637,994        710,805   

Contingent liabilities and commitments

    

Stockholders’ equity

    

Common and Class B Common Stock and additional paid-in capital

     194,064        153,441   

Retained earnings

     421,553        391,447   

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings:

    

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     4,967        12,169   

Unrealized investment gains on investments

     4,839        14,415   

Treasury stock – 352,161 common shares, at cost

     (2,666     (2,666
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity attributable to Stewart

     622,757        568,806   

Noncontrolling interests

     11,733        11,566   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity (22,440,277 and 19,403,765 shares outstanding)

     634,490        580,372   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,272,484        1,291,177   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2013     2012  
     ($000 omitted)  

Reconciliation of net earnings to cash provided by operating activities:

    

Net earnings

     34,657        17,287   

Add (deduct):

    

Depreciation and amortization

     8,578        9,088   

Provision for bad debt

     1,277        2,238   

Investment and other losses (gains) – net

     3,184        (2,533

Payments for title losses (in excess of) less than provisions

     (15,873     7,998   

Insurance recoveries of title losses

     186        260   

Decrease (increase) in receivables – net

     13,780        (12,967

Increase in other assets – net

     (1,572     (3,409

Decrease in payables and accrued liabilities – net

     (15,864     (846

Increase in net deferred income taxes

     14,202        1,216   

Net earnings from equity investees

     (2,499     (1,846

Dividends received from equity investees

     2,502        1,710   

Other – net

     536        1,180   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities

     43,094        19,376   

Investing activities:

    

Proceeds from investments available-for-sale matured and sold

     41,215        81,878   

Purchases of investments available-for-sale

     (63,164     (71,287

Purchases of property and equipment and title plants – net

     (7,682     (9,063

Proceeds from the sale of land, buildings, and furniture and equipment

     94        3,319   

Cash paid for acquisitions of subsidiaries and other – net

     (296     (46

Proceeds from the sale of equity investees and other assets

     3,091        —     

Other – net

     1,779        1,867   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash (used) provided by investing activities

     (24,963     6,668   

Financing activities:

    

Payments on notes payable

     (989     (4,774

Proceeds from notes payable

     400        —     

Purchase of remaining interest of consolidated subsidiary

     (958     —     

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     (4,657     (4,221

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

     —          87   

Cash payments for settlement of debt

     (742     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used by financing activities

     (6,946     (8,908

Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates

     (3,134     (396
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     8,051        16,740   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     208,538        140,843   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

     216,589        157,583   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental information:

    

Retirement of Convertible Senior Notes with issuance of Common Stock

     37,095        —     

Receipt of partial building ownership in exchange for debt forgiveness

     —          1,255   

Changes in financial statement amounts due to the acquisition of subsidiaries:

    

Goodwill

     28        2,550   

Receivables and other assets acquired

     (44     (2,067

Liabilities acquired

     312        (437
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash paid for acquisitions of subsidiaries and other – net

     296        46   

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1

Interim financial statements. The financial information contained in this report for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, and as of June 30, 2013, is unaudited. This report should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

A. Management’s responsibility. The accompanying interim financial statements were prepared by management, who is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. These financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including management’s best judgments and estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of this information for all interim periods, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, have been made. The Company’s results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year and actual results could differ from those estimates.

B. Consolidation. The condensed consolidated financial statements include all subsidiaries in which the Company owns more than 50% voting rights in electing directors. All significant intercompany amounts and transactions have been eliminated and provisions have been made for noncontrolling interests. Unconsolidated investees, in which the Company typically owns 20% through 50% of the equity, are accounted for by the equity method.

C. Reclassifications. Certain amounts in the 2012 interim financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes. Net earnings attributable to Stewart, as previously reported, were not affected.

D. Recent Significant Accounting Pronouncements. In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (ASU 2013-02). ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. For other amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. ASU 2013-02 is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of the amended standard on January 1, 2013 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2

Investments in debt and equity securities. The amortized costs and fair values follow:

 

     June 30, 2013      December 31, 2012  
     Amortized
costs
     Fair
values
     Amortized
costs
     Fair
values
 
     ($000 omitted)  

Debt securities:

           

Municipal

     38,945         38,296         18,012         19,011   

Corporate and utilities

     269,574         276,174         268,874         287,528   

Foreign

     161,417         160,167         168,084         169,009   

U.S. Government

     14,340         15,373         15,243         16,638   

Equity securities

     10,870         12,580         10,870         11,073   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     495,146         502,590         481,083         503,259   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Foreign debt securities primarily include Canadian government bonds, Canadian corporate bonds and United Kingdom treasury bonds.

 

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Table of Contents

Gross unrealized gains and losses were:

 

     June 30, 2013      December 31, 2012  
     Gains      Losses      Gains      Losses  
     ($000 omitted)  

Debt securities:

           

Municipal

     250         899         1,006         7   

Corporate and utilities

     9,527         2,927         19,141         486   

Foreign

     298         1,548         1,210         286   

U.S. Government

     1,098         65         1,395         —     

Equity securities

     1,710         —           278         75   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     12,883         5,439         23,030         854   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt securities as of June 30, 2013 mature, according to their contractual terms, as follows (actual maturities may differ due to call or prepayment rights):

 

     Amortized
costs
     Fair
values
 
     ($000 omitted)  

In one year or less

     73,847         73,886   

After one year through five years

     169,797         173,354   

After five years through ten years

     206,461         208,608   

After ten years

     34,171         34,162   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     484,276         490,010   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2013, gross unrealized losses on investments and the fair values of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were:

 

     Less than 12 months      More than 12 months      Total  
     Losses      Fair values      Losses      Fair values      Losses      Fair values  
     ($000 omitted)  

Debt securities:

              

Municipal

     899         27,431         —           —           899         27,431   

Corporate and utilities

     2,927         78,759         —           —           2,927         78,759   

U.S. Government

     65         4,048         —           —           65         4,048   

Foreign

     1,358         89,224         190         62,852         1,548         152,076   

Equity securities

     —           —           —           —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     5,249         199,462         190         62,852         5,439         262,314   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The number of investments in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2013 was 106. Since the Company does not intend to sell and will more-likely-than-not maintain each debt security until its anticipated recovery, and no significant credit risk is deemed to exist, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

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Table of Contents

As of December 31, 2012, gross unrealized losses on investments and the fair values of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were:

 

     Less than 12 months      More than 12 months      Total  
     Losses      Fair values      Losses      Fair values      Losses      Fair values  
     ($000 omitted)  

Debt securities:

              

Municipal

     7         697         —           —           7         697   

Corporate and utilities

     486         30,538         —           —           486         30,538   

Foreign

     168         41,056         118         59,538         286         100,594   

Equity securities:

     75         2,197         —           —           75         2,197   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     736         74,488         118         59,538         854         134,026   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company believes its investment portfolio is diversified and expects no material loss to result from the failure to perform by issuers of the debt securities it holds. Investments made by the Company are not collateralized.

NOTE 3

Fair value measurements. The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal, or most advantageous, market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs when possible. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

   

Level 2 – observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data; and

 

   

Level 3 – unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair values of the assets or liabilities, including certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

 

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Table of Contents

As of June 30, 2013, financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Fair value
measurements
 
     ($000 omitted)  

Short-term investments

     36,889         —           36,889   

Investments available-for-sale:

        

Debt securities:

        

Municipal

     —           38,296         38,296   

Corporate and utilities

     —           276,174         276,174   

Foreign

     —           160,167         160,167   

U.S. Government

     —           15,373         15,373   

Equity securities

     12,580         —           12,580   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     49,469         490,010         539,479   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2012, financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Fair value
measurements
 
     ($000 omitted)  

Short-term investments

     37,025         —           37,025   

Investments available-for-sale:

        

Debt securities:

        

Municipal

     —           19,011         19,011   

Corporate and utilities

     —           287,528         287,528   

Foreign

     —           169,009         169,009   

U.S. Government

     —           16,638         16,638   

Equity securities

     11,073         —           11,073   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     48,098         492,186         540,284   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2013, Level 1 financial instruments consist of short-term investments and equity securities. Level 2 financial instruments consist of municipal, governmental, corporate and utilities bonds, both U.S. and foreign. In accordance with the Company’s policies and guidelines, which incorporate relevant statutory requirements, the Company’s third party, registered investment manager invests only in securities rated as investment grade or higher by the major rating services, where observable valuation inputs are significant. All municipal, foreign, and U.S. Government bonds are valued using a third-party pricing service, and the corporate bonds are valued using the market approach, which includes three to ten inputs from relevant market sources, including Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (TRACE) and independent broker/dealer quotes, bids and offerings, as well as other relevant market data, such as securities with similar characteristics (i.e. sector, rating, maturity, etc.). Broker/dealer quotes, bids and offerings mentioned above are gathered (typically three to ten) and a consensus risk premium spread (credit spread) over risk-free Treasury yields is developed from the inputs obtained, which is then used to calculate the resulting fair value.

 

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NOTE 4

Investment income. Gross realized investment and other gains and losses follows:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
    For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  
     ($000 omitted)  

Realized gains

     1,523        1,878        3,900        3,349   

Realized losses

     (1,400     (789     (7,084     (816
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     123        1,089        (3,184     2,533   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses assignable to investment income were insignificant. There were no significant investments as of June 30, 2013 that did not produce income during the year.

Proceeds from the sales of investments available-for-sale follows:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
     For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2013      2012      2013      2012  
     ($000 omitted)  

Proceeds from sales of investments available-for-sale

     22,045         35,314         30,089         68,678   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, investment and other (losses) gains – net included a $5.4 million non-cash charge relating to the early retirement of convertible senior notes and a $1.5 million loss on the sale of an equity investment partially offset by realized gains of $1.9 million from the sale of debt and equity investments available-for-sale and $1.7 million gain on non-title-related insurance policy proceeds.

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, investment and other gains – net included realized gains of $1.9 million from the sale of debt and equity investments available-for-sale.

NOTE 5

Share-based incentives. The Company granted restricted Common Stock with a fair value of $2.2 million in January 2013. These restricted Common Stock awards vest over three years if certain corporate performance goals are attained. Compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards will be recognized over this vesting period.

NOTE 6

Earnings per share. The Company’s basic earnings per share attributable to Stewart was calculated by dividing net earnings attributable to Stewart by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding during the reporting periods.

To calculate diluted earnings per share, net earnings and number of shares are adjusted for the effects of any dilutive shares. Using the if-converted method, net earnings is adjusted for interest expense, net of any tax effects, applicable to the Convertible Senior Notes (Notes). The number of shares is adjusted by adding the number of dilutive shares, assuming they are issued, during the same reporting period. The treasury stock method is used to calculate the dilutive number of shares related to the Company’s stock option plan.

 

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For the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company did not have any dilutive shares under the treasury stock method mentioned above since the exercise prices of the options were greater than the weighted-average market value of the shares, which excludes them from the diluted earnings calculation.

The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
     For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2013      2012      2013      2012  
     ($000 omitted)  

Numerator:

           

Net earnings attributable to Stewart

     26,899         24,911         30,105         12,754   

Interest expense, net of tax effects

     293         785         805         1,569   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

If-converted net earnings attributable to Stewart

     27,192         25,696         30,910         14,323   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator (000):

           

Basic average shares outstanding

     22,433         19,299         21,701         19,277   

Dilutive average number of shares relating to options

     150         —           —           —     

Dilutive average number of shares relating to convertible senior notes

     2,158         5,047         2,864         5,047   

Dilutive average number of shares relating to restricted shares grant

     178         42         178         43   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dilutive average shares outstanding

     24,919         24,388         24,743         24,367   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share attributable to Stewart

     1.20         1.29         1.39         0.66   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Stewart

     1.09         1.05         1.25         0.59   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 7

Contingent liabilities and commitments. In the ordinary course of business, the Company guarantees the third-party indebtedness of certain of its consolidated subsidiaries. As of June 30, 2013, the maximum potential future payments on the guarantees are not more than the related notes payable recorded in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company also guarantees the indebtedness related to lease obligations of certain of its consolidated subsidiaries. The maximum future obligations arising from these lease-related guarantees are not more than the Company’s future minimum lease payments. In addition, as of June 30, 2013, the Company had guarantees of indebtedness owed by certain third parties related to business expansion and unused letters of credit aggregating to $3.6 million, primarily related to workers’ compensation coverage.

NOTE 8

Segment information. Subsequent to the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, the Company reorganized the senior management team and updated its long-term business strategy in fiscal 2012. As a result of these events, the Company revised its reportable operating segments effective with fourth quarter 2012 reporting to align with the current management of the business. Segment information for prior periods presented has been restated. The Company’s three reportable operating segments are title insurance and related services (title), mortgage services and corporate.

 

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Selected statement of earnings and comprehensive earnings information related to these segments follows:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
    For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  
     ($000 omitted)  

Revenues:

        

Title

     475,428        435,485        857,842        779,593   

Mortgage services

     37,322        44,338        78,516        80,928   

Corporate

     4,470        3,889        4,575        8,177   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     517,220        483,712        940,933        868,698   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intersegment revenues:

        

Title

     —          —          —          —     

Mortgage services

     2,396        1,737        4,227        3,586   

Corporate

     785        1,347        1,582        2,037   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     3,181        3,084        5,809        5,623   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization:

        

Title

     1,468        1,593        2,968        3,203   

Mortgage services

     917        1,101        1,885        2,150   

Corporate

     1,836        1,869        3,725        3,735   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     4,221        4,563        8,578        9,088   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests:

        

Title

     73,151        43,092        103,484        57,994   

Mortgage services

     5,170        12,770        14,992        20,250   

Corporate

     (29,459     (24,645     (62,467     (54,959
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     48,862        31,217        56,009        23,285   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company does not provide asset information by reportable operating segment as it does not routinely evaluate the asset position by segment.

Revenues generated in the United States and all international operations follows:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended June 30,
     For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2013      2012      2013      2012  
     ($000 omitted)  

United States

     485,774         449,785         888,714         812,010   

International

     31,446         33,927         52,219         56,688   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     517,220         483,712         940,933         868,698   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 9

Regulatory and legal developments. Stewart Title Guaranty Company (STGC) and Stewart Title Guaranty de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (STGM) were defendants in a lawsuit 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 STGM and reinsurance agreements by STGC. Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. asserted claims against STGC under reinsurance of the lenders’ policies as well as extra-contractual claims under Texas law. K.R. Playa VI, S de R.L. de C.V., the owner of the parcels, asserted claims against STGC and separate claims against STGM under the owners’ policies as well as extra-contractual claims under Texas law. The State District Court dismissed the extra-contractual claims against STGC and STGM based on application of Mexican law.

The jury returned a verdict of no damages, favorable to STGC and STGM, on April 29, 2011. Judgment was entered on June 30, 2011. Both Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. and K.R. Playa VI, S de R.L. de C.V. subsequently filed motions for new trial and motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, which the State District Court denied by orders dated September 12, 2011. Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. and K.R. Playa VI, S de R.L. de C.V. have appealed the Judgment to the 14th Court of Appeals, Houston, Texas and oral argument originally scheduled for February 14, 2013 was postponed by agreement of the parties and order of the Court until April 25, 2013. The appellate argument was held on April 25, 2013 and the Company is awaiting a decision. The Company does not believe that the ultimate outcome will materially affect its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

* * *

In January 2009, an action was filed by individuals against STGC, 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 each 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 and declaratory relief. The San Luis Obispo Superior Court has sustained demurrers by the Company with regard to certain causes of action and has overruled the demurrers as to certain causes of action. The United States District Court for the Central District of California granted the Company’s 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 that case to the San Luis Obispo Superior Court. Thereafter, the San Luis Obispo Superior Court issued (i) an order assigning all the cases to a single judge, (ii) an Order Coordinating Related Cases for Pre-Trial Purposes, and (iii) a First Case Management Order for the Related Cases. Discovery is ongoing. On December 11, 2012, the Court denied the Company’s motion for summary judgment and summary adjudication seeking the dismissal of certain plaintiffs’ claims. On December 14, 2012, the Court issued a Ruling and Order Regarding Selection of Discovery Pool, Trial Group and Pre-Trial Deadlines (amended on January 8, 2013), in which it established a mechanism for the selection of eight plaintiffs for whom all discovery and dispositive motions would be completed and a trial held starting on August 5, 2013. The December 14, 2012 Ruling and Order also set forth deadlines for discovery activities, designating experts, depositions and motions for summary judgment. There may be additional discovery, motions and trials subsequent to the August 5th trial. Although the Company cannot predict the outcome of these actions, it is vigorously defending itself against the allegations and does not believe that the ultimate outcome will materially affect its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

* * *

 

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The Company is subject to other claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of its 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. The Company does not expect that any of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Along with the other major title insurance companies, the Company is party to a number of class action lawsuits concerning the title insurance industry. The Company believes that it has adequate reserves for the various litigation matters and contingencies discussed above and that the likely resolution of these matters will not materially affect its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

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

The Company is subject to various other administrative actions and inquiries into its business conduct in certain of the states in which it operates. While the Company cannot predict the outcome of the various regulatory and administrative matters, it believes that it has adequately reserved for these matters and does not anticipate that the outcome of any of these matters will materially affect its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

MANAGEMENT’S OVERVIEW

We reported net earnings attributable to Stewart of $26.9 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, for the second quarter 2013, representing an improvement of $2.0 million over the second quarter 2012 net earnings of $24.9 million, or $1.05 per diluted share. Pretax earnings for the second quarter 2013 were $48.9 million, an improvement of $17.7 million over the second quarter 2012 pretax earnings of $31.2 million. For the first six months of 2013, net earnings attributable to Stewart of $30.1 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, represent an improvement of $17.3 million over the same period in 2012. Results for the first six months of 2013 include a non-cash charge of $5.4 million, or $0.22 per share, relating to the early retirement of $37.1 million of our 6% Convertible Senior Notes (Notes) due October 2014, as well as a gain of $1.7 million, or $0.07 per share, on non-title-related insurance policy proceeds (no tax benefit or expense is associated with either item; thus no tax-related earnings per share effect).

Total revenues for the second quarter 2013 were $517.2 million, an increase of $33.5 million, or 6.9%, from $483.7 million for the second quarter 2012. Operating revenues increased 7.0% to $512.8 million in the second quarter 2013 compared to $479.2 million in the second quarter 2012. Compared to second quarter 2012, title revenues increased 9.7% in the second quarter 2013, while mortgage services revenues decreased 22.2%. Total revenues for the first six months of 2013 were $940.9 million, an increase of $72.2 million, or 8.3%, from $868.7 million for the same period in 2012.

Revenues from our title segment increased 9.2% and 24.3% from the second quarter 2012 and first quarter 2013, respectively. Revenues from direct operations for the second quarter 2013 increased 12.6% compared to the same quarter last year and increased 32.7% sequentially from the first quarter 2013. Our direct operations include local closing offices, commercial, and international operations. We generate commercial revenues both domestically and internationally; U.S. and Canadian commercial revenues increased 21.6% to $37.3 million from the second quarter 2012 and sequentially by 40.9% from the first quarter 2013. This was the best second quarter for commercial revenues since 2007. International operating revenues (including foreign-sourced commercial revenues) declined 6.3% to $30.6 million from the second quarter 2012 and increased sequentially from the first quarter 2013 by 53.6%.

Revenues from our mortgage services segment decreased 15.8% from the second quarter 2012 and decreased 9.4% sequentially from the first quarter 2013. The decline in revenues is largely due to the scheduled expiration of certain contracts providing distressed loan services. During the second quarter, preparatory work began on several recently signed contracts, which should generate revenues beginning in mid-third quarter 2013 and partially offset the revenue loss from the expiring contracts. As a result of the decline in revenues, mortgage services pretax earnings in the second quarter 2013 were $5.2 million (13.9% margin) as compared to $12.8 million (28.8% margin) in the second quarter 2012 and $9.8 million (23.8% margin) in the first quarter 2013.

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures surrounding contingencies and commitments.

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.

During the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company made no material changes to its critical accounting estimates as previously disclosed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Operations. Our business has three main operating segments: title insurance and related services, mortgage services and corporate.

Our primary business is title insurance and settlement-related services. We close transactions and issue title policies on homes, 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 loan origination and servicing support; loan review services; loss mitigation; REO asset management; home and personal insurance services; and technology to streamline the real estate process.

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

 

   

mortgage interest rates;

 

   

inventory of existing homes available for sale;

 

   

availability of mortgage loans;

 

   

ability of potential purchasers to qualify for loans;

 

   

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;

 

   

premium rates;

 

   

market share;

 

   

opening of new offices and acquisitions;

 

   

number of commercial transactions, which typically yield higher premiums;

 

   

government or regulatory initiatives, including tax incentives; and

 

   

number of REO and foreclosed properties and related debt.

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.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparisons of our results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 with the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 follow. Factors contributing to fluctuations in the results of operations are presented in the order of their monetary significance, and we have quantified, when necessary, significant changes. Results from our mortgage services and corporate segments are included in the discussions and, when relevant, are discussed separately.

 

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Our statements on home sales 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. We also use information from our direct operations.

Operating environment. We continue to see benefits in our results of operations from the improving real estate market, particularly in existing home sales. Quarterly data as of June 30, 2013 compared with the same period in 2012 indicates, on a 12-month moving average seasonally adjusted basis, annualized sales of existing homes increased 10.5% and new homes increased 22.4%. June 2013 existing home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.1 million versus 4.4 million a year earlier. In addition, median home prices increased 10.0% from the second quarter 2012 and sequentially 2.8% from the first quarter 2013. A 5.0% increase in home prices results in an approximately 3.5% increase in title premiums. Interest rates, although rising late in the quarter, continue to remain low by historical standards. While job growth remains tepid and unemployment high, the housing market appears to be on a continuing path of recovery in sales volume and prices for new and existing homes. The inventory of available listings for sale on the market is less than normal, portending ongoing rising prices. According to Fannie Mae, one-to-four family residential lending increased from an estimated $474 billion in the second quarter 2012 to $566 billion in the second quarter 2013, primarily driven by an estimated $63 billion increase in refinance originations from the second quarter 2012 to the second quarter 2013. Sequentially, residential lending for purchase volumes increased as expected given seasonality in home sales from $108 billion in the first quarter of 2013 to $183 billion in the second quarter of 2013. Residential refinance lending volumes likewise increased from $352 billion in the first quarter 2013 to $384 billion in the second quarter 2013. On average, refinance premium rates are 60% of the title premium revenue of a similarly priced sale transaction.

Title revenues. Revenues from direct title operations increased $23.7 million, or 12.6%, and $31.8 million, or 9.4%, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012. Revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2013 increased primarily due to the increase in orders closed, home price appreciation and, to a lesser extent, a premium rate increase in Texas that was effective May 1. The largest increases in revenues in the second quarter 2013 were in Texas, New York, Louisiana and Ohio, partially offset by decreases in California and Canada. The largest increases in revenues in the first six months of 2013 were in Texas, New York, Ohio and Louisiana, partially offset by decreases in California and Canada. Revenues from commercial and other large transactions increased $6.6 million, or 21.5%, and $10.1 million, or 18.8%, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012.

Direct orders closed increased 7.4% and 5.6%, respectively, while the average revenue per file closed (including large commercial policies) increased 5.2% and 3.2%, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012. Direct operating revenues, excluding commercial and other large transactions, increased 11.3% and 7.1%, respectively, while the average revenue per closing increased 3.6% and 1.4%, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012.

Revenues from independent agencies increased $18.8 million, or 7.5% and $50.1 million, or 11.2%, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012. The largest increases in revenues from independent agencies in the second quarter 2013 were in Texas, New Jersey, Michigan, New York, Florida and Massachusetts, partially offset by decreases in California. The largest increases in revenues from independent agencies during the first six months of 2013 were in New York, Texas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia and Florida, partially offset by decreases in California. Revenues from independent agencies net of amounts retained by those agencies increased 14.2% and 16.8% in the second quarter and first six months of 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012, respectively.

We began the process of vetting our independent agencies several years ago with the goal of achieving the highest-quality network of independent agencies. Since the fourth quarter 2008, our average annual premium revenue received per independent agency has

 

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increased more than 125% and we have reduced the number of independent agencies in our network by approximately 42%. Further, the policy loss ratio of our current independent agency network for the second quarter 2013 is less than one-fourth of its level in the fourth quarter 2008. As the operating environment for independent agencies evolves due to proposed new regulation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and increased lender due diligence, we have taken a lead in preparing our independent agencies for the market changes by offering regular educational opportunities and effective solutions. We have also provided leadership to the American Land Title Association in its efforts to develop title insurance and settlement company best practices. Our focus on partnering with the highest quality independent agencies in the industry should yield consistent and improving profitability.

The Texas Department of Insurance increased title insurance premium rates in the state of Texas by 3.8% effective May 1, 2013. The impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations from this rate increase has been incrementally positive to second quarter revenues.

Mortgage services revenues. Mortgage services operating revenues decreased $8.9 million, or 22.2% and $5.3 million, or 7.4%, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012. The decline in revenues is largely due to the scheduled expiration of certain contracts providing distressed loan services. Although revenues from such services have persisted longer than expected, we anticipate further decline in mortgage services revenues during the second half of 2013 as additional contracts expire. During the second quarter, preparatory work began on several recently signed contracts, which should generate revenues beginning in mid-third quarter 2013 and partially offset the revenue loss from the expiring contracts. However, by their nature, revenues from contracts will fluctuate on a quarterly basis as projects conclude and start-up activities overlap or gap. We continue to invest in our mortgage services businesses, expanding our product set within the broad category of origination and servicing support to include additional services not related to distressed properties, such as loan due diligence and quality control. These services have been well received by existing customers and have attracted new customers, thereby creating a more diverse client base and providing the foundation for revenues that are less distressed property-based and more balanced over market cycles. Our focus for this business continues to be on providing mortgage support services that capitalize on our expertise in providing high quality, on-demand specialized outsourcing solutions.

Investment income. Investment income increased $0.9 million, or 25.8% and $1.4 million, or 21.3%, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012. Investment income increased primarily due to increases in average balances invested in the second quarter 2013 and increases in average yield and balances for the first six months of 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012. Certain investment gains and losses, which are included in our results of operations in investment and other gains (losses) – net, were realized as part of the ongoing management of our investment portfolio for the purpose of improving performance.

In the second quarter 2013, investment and other gains (losses) – net included a $1.4 million loss on the sale of an equity investment offset by realized gains of $1.6 million from the sale of debt and equity investments available-for-sale. For the six months ended June 30, 2013, investment and other gains (losses) – net included a $5.4 million non-cash charge relating to the early retirement of $37.1 million of Notes and a $1.5 million loss on the sale of an equity investment offset by realized gains of $1.9 million from the sale of debt and equity investments available-for-sale and $1.7 million gain on non-title-related insurance policy proceeds.

In the second quarter and first six months of 2012, investment and other gains – net included realized gains of $1.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively, from the sale of debt and equity investments available-for-sale.

Retention by agencies. Amounts retained by title agencies are based on agreements between agencies and our title underwriters. On average, amounts retained by independent agencies, as a percentage of revenues generated by them, were 81.3% and 82.4% in the second quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively and 81.7% and 82.6% in the first six months of 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in the average retention percentage for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 was largely due to a shift in revenue mix, as agency revenues in high retention states either declined or did not increase as fast as agency revenues in relatively lower retention states. The average retention percentage may vary from quarter-to-quarter due to the geographical mix of agency operations, the volume of title revenues and, in some states, laws or regulations. Due to the variety of such laws or regulations, as well as competitive factors, the average retention rate can differ significantly from state to state. Although general conditions in the real estate industry continue to improve nationwide, the recovery in specific markets has varied considerably. In addition, a high proportion of our independent agencies are in states with retention rates greater than 80% and the markets in those states have recovered somewhat faster than the nation as a whole, which has resulted in our average retention percentage remaining in the 82% - 83% range. We

 

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expect our average retention rate to remain in this range over the near to medium term. However, we continue to adjust independent agency contracts in an economically sound manner, and we expect the mix of agency business to normalize as real estate markets continue to stabilize nationally resulting in lower average retention percentages in the aggregate.

Employee costs. Our employee costs and certain other operating expenses are sensitive to inflation. Employee costs for the combined business segments increased 11.7% and 9.2%, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012. The increase in employee costs for these periods is due primarily to higher headcount to handle increased business activity. In addition, employee costs were influenced by higher incentive compensation due to the improved operating results, an increase in group insurance costs and the reinstatement of the employer match of the 401(K) employee benefit program. As a percentage of total operating revenues, however, employee costs increased to 28.5% in the second quarter 2013 from 27.4% in the second quarter 2012 and decreased from 32.3% in the first quarter 2013.

In the second quarter and first six months of 2013, employee costs in the title segment increased 13.8% and 9.9%, respectively, over the same periods in 2012 primarily due to higher headcount to handle increased business activity as well as the increased incentive compensation and employee benefit costs discussed above. In our mortgage services segment, total employee costs as a percentage of operating revenue increased to 74.2% from 60.7% in the second quarter 2012 and increased to 69.4% from 63.3% in the first six months of 2013. Actual costs increased $1.1 million, or 4.2% and $3.7 million, or 7.3%, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012. The increase is primarily due to maintaining headcount as revenues declined in order to prepare for production on recently signed contracts. Many of the employees servicing expired contracts will be utilized for the new contracts as production ramps up in the third quarter 2013.

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 and professional fees, equipment rental, insurance, 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 mortgage services expenses, copy supplies, delivery fees, outside search fees, postage, premium taxes and title plant maintenance expenses. Costs that fluctuate independently of revenues include auto expenses, general supplies, litigation defense and settlement costs, business promotion costs and travel.

In the second quarter and first six months of 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012, other operating expenses for the combined business segments increased $3.0 million, or 4.3% and $1.9 million, or 1.4%, respectively. Costs fixed in nature increased $0.4 million, or 1.1%, in the second quarter 2013 primarily due to increases in professional fees offset by decreases in telephone costs and attorney fees. For the first six months of 2013, costs fixed in nature were comparable to the same period in 2012.

Costs that follow, to varying degrees, changes in transaction volumes and revenues increased $0.5 million, or 1.8% and $2.1 million, or 4.1%, in the second quarter and first six months of 2013, respectively. The increases in these costs for the second quarter and first six months of 2013, respectively, are primarily due to increases in outside search fees and premium taxes offset by decreased bad debt expenses. Costs that fluctuate independently of revenues increased $2.1 million, or 19.6% and $0.1 million, or 0.2%, in the second quarter and first six months of 2013, respectively, primarily due to increases in travel, business promotion and litigation-related costs in the second quarter 2013 and increases in travel and business promotion partially offset by a decrease in litigation-related costs for the first six months of 2013.

Title losses. Provisions for title losses, as a percentage of title revenues, were 5.0% and 8.7% in the second quarter 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 5.5% and 8.8% in the first six months of 2013 and 2012, respectively, including adjustments to certain large claims. Our title policy loss development continued to improve during the second quarter 2013, reflecting a decline in prior policy years loss experience as well as our attention to prudent risk management and emphasis on quality and profitability of our network of

 

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independent agencies. Due to this ongoing improvement, we lowered our overall loss provisioning rate effective with policies issued in the second quarter 2013, and recorded a policy loss reserve reduction of $6.6 million relating to prior policy years. Excluding this reserve reduction and adjustments related to large claims (recorded in the second quarter 2012), title losses were 5.9% and 7.5% in the second quarter 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 6.0% and 7.7% in the first six months of 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Title losses for the second quarter 2013 decreased 36.6% on the 9.7% increase in title operating revenues when compared to the second quarter 2012. For the first six months of 2013, title losses decreased 31.3% on the 10.4% increase in title operating revenues when compared to the same period in 2012. The title loss ratio in any given quarter is significantly influenced by new large claims incurred or adjustments to reserves for existing large claims. Adjustments to new and existing large losses did not exceed our normal provisioning rate during the first six months of 2013. Although there can be no assurances that this result for large losses will continue for the remainder of 2013, we continue to manage and resolve large claims prudently and in keeping with our commitments to our policyholders.

Cash claim payments in the second quarter and first six months of 2013 increased 7.4% and 6.5%, respectively, from the same periods in 2012 as payments on previously reserved large losses were made.

Our liability for estimated title losses as of June 30, 2013 comprises both known claims ($115.5 million) and our estimate of claims that may be reported in the future ($385.6 million). The amount of the reserve represents the aggregate future payments (net of recoveries recognized) that we expect to incur on policy and escrow losses and in costs to settle claims.

Income taxes. Our effective tax rates were 41.3% and 11.3% for the second quarter 2013 and 2012 and 41.5% and 32.0% for the first six months of 2013 and 2012, respectively, based on earnings before taxes and after deducting noncontrolling interests, which when aggregated are $45.9 million and $28.1 million for the second quarter 2013 and 2012 and $51.5 million and $18.8 million for the first six months of 2013 and 2012, respectively. In the fourth quarter 2012, we released a significant portion of a previously established valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. As a result, our effective tax rates for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013 reflect a more normalized rate based on domestic and international operating results, although the effective tax rates for these periods are higher as a result of non-deductible costs associated with the conversion of the Notes. A valuation allowance against certain foreign tax credit carryforwards, which may not be utilized in the future, remains at June 30, 2013.

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 June 30, 2013, our cash and investments, including amounts reserved pursuant to statutory requirements, aggregated $756.1 million.

A substantial majority of our consolidated cash and investments as of June 30, 2013 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, provide funds to its subsidiaries (whose operations consist principally of field title offices) for their operating and debt service needs.

Guaranty cannot pay a dividend to its parent in excess of certain limits without the approval of the Texas Insurance Commissioner. As of December 31, 2012, the maximum dividend that could be paid in 2013 after such approval in 2013 is $85.8 million. Guaranty did not pay a dividend in the six months ended June 30, 2013 or 2012. However, the maximum dividend permitted by law is not necessarily indicative of Guaranty’s actual ability to pay dividends, which may be constrained by business and regulatory considerations, such as the impact of dividends on surplus, which could affect its ratings or competitive position, the amount of insurance it can write and its ability to pay future dividends. Further, depending on business and regulatory conditions, we may in the

 

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future need to retain cash in Guaranty or even raise cash in the capital markets to contribute to it in order to maintain its ratings or statutory capital position. Such a requirement could be the result of investment losses, reserve charges, adverse operating conditions in the current economic environment or changes in interpretation of statutory accounting requirements by regulators.

Cash held at the parent company totaled $9.2 million at June 30, 2013. As noted above, as a holding company, the parent is funded principally by cash from its subsidiaries in the form of dividends, operating and other administrative expense reimbursements, and pursuant to intercompany tax sharing agreements. The expense reimbursements are paid in accordance with management agreements among us and our subsidiaries. As the parent company conducts no operations apart from its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the discussion below focuses on consolidated cash flows.

 

     For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2013     2012  
     (dollars in millions)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

     43.1        19.4   

Net cash (used) provided by investing activities

     (25.0     6.7   

Net cash used by financing activities

     (6.9     (8.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating activities

Our principal sources of cash from operations are premiums on title policies and revenue from title service-related transactions, and mortgage servicing support 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.

Cash provided by operations for the first six months of 2013 was $43.1 million, an improvement of $23.7 million from the $19.4 million provided by operations for the same period in 2012. Cash flow from operations for the six months ended June 30, 2013 was driven by a $17.4 million increase in net earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2013 when compared to the same period in the prior year. In addition, collections on outstanding receivable balances, principally in our mortgage services businesses, improved operating cash flow by $13.8 million. These improvements were partially offset by cash payments of outstanding accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $15.8 million and $15.9 million relating to claims paid in excess of provisions for title losses. Although we lowered our loss provision rate in the third quarter 2012 and again in the second quarter 2013, cash payments for claims in the first six months of 2013 were, as expected, comparable to the same period in 2012.

Although our business is labor intensive, we are focused on a cost-effective, scalable business model which includes utilization of technology, centralization of back and middle office functions and business process outsourcing. Our approach allows us to adjust more easily to fluctuations in transaction volumes.

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 June 30, 2013, cash and investments funding the statutory premium reserve aggregated $449.2 million and our statutory estimate of claims that may be reported in the future totaled $385.6 million. In addition to this restricted cash and investments, we had unrestricted cash and investments (excluding equity method investments) of $163.7 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 $41.2 million and $81.9 million for the first six months of 2013 and 2012, respectively. We used cash for the purchases of investments in the amounts of $63.2 million and $71.3 million for the first six months of 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

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Capital expenditures were $7.7 million and $9.1 million for the first six months of 2013 and 2012, respectively. We maintain investment in capital expenditures at a level that enables us to implement technologies for increasing our operational and back-office efficiencies. We sold assets and subsidiaries resulting in cash receipts of $0.1 million and $3.3 million for the first six months of 2013 and 2012, respectively. We sold equity investees and other assets of $3.1 million for the first six months of 2013.

Financing activities and capital resources

Total debt and stockholders’ equity were $33.7 million and $634.5 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2013. In the first six months of 2013 and 2012, we repaid $1.0 million and $4.8 million, respectively, of debt in accordance with the underlying terms of the debt instruments. Included in total debt is $27.8 million of Notes. In the first six months of 2013, we exchanged an aggregate of $37.1 million of Notes for an aggregate of 3,037,430 shares of common stock plus cash for accrued and unpaid interest. We also have available a $25.0 million unsecured bank line of credit commitment, which expires in June 2016, under which no borrowings were outstanding at June 30, 2013.

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 decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $3.1 million for the first six months of 2013 compared to a net decrease of $0.4 million for the first six months of 2012. Our principal foreign operating unit is in Canada, and, on average, the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar decreased during the first six months of 2013.

***********

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, purchase agreements 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.

Contingent liabilities and commitments. See discussion of contingent liabilities and commitments in Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Report.

Other comprehensive (loss) earnings. 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. For the six months ended June 30, 2013, net unrealized investment losses of $9.6 million, which increased our other comprehensive losses, were primarily related to temporary decreases in corporate, municipal and government bond investments, partially offset by temporary increases in fair market values of equity securities and deferred taxes. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, net unrealized investment gains of $4.7 million, which increased our other comprehensive earnings, were primarily related to increases in fair market values of corporate bond investments. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily related to our Canadian operations, increased our other comprehensive loss by $7.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and decreased other comprehensive earnings by $0.2 million, net of taxes, for the same period in the prior year.

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

 

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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 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

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,” “foresee” 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 tenuous economic conditions; adverse changes in the level of real estate activity; changes in mortgage interest rates, existing and new home sales, 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 strengthen our policy loss reserves; any effect of title losses on our cash flows and financial condition; the impact of vetting our agency operations for quality and profitability; changes to the participants in the secondary mortgage market and the rate of refinancings that affect the demand for title insurance products; 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 pending litigation; 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 as a source of cash flow; the continued realization of expense savings from our continual focus on aligning our operations to quickly adapt our costs to transaction volumes and market conditions; our ability to access the equity and debt financing markets when and if needed; our ability to grow our international operations; and our ability to respond to the actions of our competitors. These risks and uncertainties, as well as others, are discussed in more detail documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. 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.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes during the quarter ended June 30, 2013 in our investment strategies, types of financial instruments held or the risks associated with such instruments that would materially alter the market risk disclosures made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our principal executive officer 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 June 30, 2013, 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 officer 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) and 15d-15(f)). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process, under the supervision of our principal executive officer 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 officer and principal financial officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2013. 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 June 30, 2013, 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.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2013 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.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See discussion of legal proceedings in Note 9 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Report, which is incorporated by reference into this Part II, Item 1, as well as Item 3. Legal Proceedings, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no changes during the quarter ended June 30, 2013 to our risk factors as listed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

 

Item 5. Other Information

We had a book value per share of $28.27 and $29.91 as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. As of June 30, 2013, our book value per share was based on approximately $634.5 million in stockholders’ equity and 22,440,277 shares of Common and Class B Common Stock outstanding. As of December 31, 2012, our book value per share was based on approximately $580.4 million in stockholders’ equity and 19,403,765 shares of Common and Class B Common Stock outstanding.

 

Item 6. 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.

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, I have duly caused this report to be signed on our behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

August 2, 2013                                

Date

   
      Stewart Information Services Corporation
      Registrant
    By:    /s/ J. Allen Berryman
      J. Allen Berryman, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary,
      Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

           
    3.1       Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, dated May 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 3.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 5, 2009)
    3.2       Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, dated April 30, 2010 (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 3.2 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010)
    3.3       Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant, as of January 17, 2012 (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 3.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 20, 2012)
    4.1       Rights of Common and Class B Common Stockholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 hereto)
    4.2       Indenture related to 6.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014, dated as of October 15, 2009, by and between the Registrant, the Guarantors party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 15, 2009)
    4.3       Form of 6.00% Convertible Senior Note due 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 hereto)
  10.1 †      

Employment Agreement entered into as of February 21, 2013 and effective as of January 1, 2012, by and between Stewart Information Services Corporation and

Stewart Morris, Jr. (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 10.11 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)

  10.2 †      

Employment Agreement entered into as of February 21, 2013 and effective as of January 1, 2012, by and between Stewart Information Services Corporation and

Malcolm S. Morris (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 10.12 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012)

  10.3 †       Addendum to Employment Agreement effective April 22, 2013, by and between Stewart Information Services Corporation and Matthew W. Morris (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 25, 2013)
  10.4 †       Addendum to Employment Agreement effective April 22, 2013, by and between Stewart Information Services Corporation and Joseph Allen Berryman (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 10.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 25, 2013)
  10.5 †       Addendum to Employment Agreement effective April 22, 2013, by and between Stewart Information Services Corporation and Glenn H. Clements (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 10.3 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 25, 2013)
  10.6 †       Addendum to Employment Agreement effective April 22, 2013, by and between Stewart Information Services Corporation and Jason R. Nadeau (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 10.4 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 25, 2013)


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Exhibit

          
  10.7 †      Addendum to Employment Agreement effective April 22, 2013, by and between Stewart Information Services Corporation and Steven M. Lessack (incorporated by reference in this report from Exhibit 10.5 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 25, 2013)
  31.1 *      Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  31.2 *      Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.1 *      Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.2 *      Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS **      XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH **      XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL **      XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF **      XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB **      XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE **      XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

* Filed herewith
Management contract or compensatory plan
** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed furnished and not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.