—Reports Earnings of $1.09 per Diluted Share—

SANTA ANA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First American Financial Corporation (NYSE: FAF), a leading global provider of title insurance, settlement services and risk solutions for real estate transactions, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Current Quarter Highlights

• Total revenue of $1.5 billion, up 7 percent compared with last year
• Title Insurance and Services segment pretax margin of 14.8 percent
• Purchase revenues up 12 percent compared with last year
  • Average revenue per order up 8 percent
  • Closed orders per day up 3 percent
• Commercial revenues of $177.8 million, up 7 percent compared with last year
• Title Insurance and Services segment loss provision rate of 4.0 percent
• Specialty Insurance segment total revenues up 10 percent, with a pretax margin of 8.3 percent
• Debt-to-capital ratio of 18.7 percent as of June 30, 2017
• Cash flow from operations of $228.5 million, up 13 percent compared with last year

Selected Financial Information
($ in millions, except per share data)
																															For the Three Months Ended June 30
																																	2017											2016
										Total revenue																					$		1,454.4									$		1,361.5
										Income before taxes																							184.2											153.6
										Net income																					$		122.3									$		102.1
										Net income per diluted share																							1.09											0.92

Total revenue for the second quarter of 2017 was $1.5 billion, an increase of 7 percent relative to the second quarter of 2016. Net income in the current quarter was $122.3 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, compared with net income of $102.1 million, or 92 cents per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2016. Net realized investment gains in the current quarter were $17.9 million, or 11 cents per diluted share, compared with gains of $8.1 million, or 5 cents per diluted share, in the second quarter of last year.

“Our continued operating discipline is reflected in the record title margin we achieved in the second quarter,” said Dennis J. Gilmore, chief executive officer at First American Financial Corporation. “Our purchase business performed well during the spring selling season, with revenues up 12 percent, and the momentum in our commercial business continued, with revenues up 7 percent from last year. The declining refinance market stabilized in the second quarter, and we continued to adjust the cost structure in our related businesses to reflect the lower activity level. This quarter we began to see the benefit of higher investment income driven by the increase in short-term interest rates. Our longer-term outlook remains optimistic, as we believe that ongoing improvement in the housing market will drive further growth in our revenue, margins and profitability.”

Title Insurance and Services
($ in millions, except average revenue per order)
																																For the Three Months Ended June 30
																																2017										2016
													Total revenues																			$	1,336.9									$	1,255.9
													Income before taxes																			$	197.3									$	172.4
													Pretax margin																				14.8	%									13.7	%
													Direct open orders																				299,600										347,800
													Direct closed orders																				213,900										244,200
													U.S. Commercial
													Total revenues																			$	177.9									$	166.5
													Open orders																				32,400										32,100
													Closed orders																				20,700										19,900
													Average revenue per order																			$	8,600									$	8,400

Total revenues for the Title Insurance and Services segment during the second quarter were $1.3 billion, a 6 percent increase from the same quarter of 2016. Direct premiums and escrow fees were up 2 percent compared with the second quarter of 2016, driven by a 16 percent increase in the average revenue per direct title order that was largely offset by a 12 percent decline in the number of direct title orders closed. The growth in the average revenue per direct title order to $2,294 was primarily attributable to the shift in the order mix to higher-premium residential purchase and commercial transactions, and to the increase in residential real estate values. Agent premiums were up 7 percent in the current quarter compared with last year, largely reflecting the normal reporting lag of approximately one quarter.

Information and other revenues were $199.2 million this quarter, an increase of $17.3 million, or 9 percent, compared with the same quarter of last year. This increase was driven by the impact of recent acquisitions.

Investment income was $34.7 million in the second quarter, up $7.2 million, or 26 percent, primarily due to the increase in short-term interest rates that drove higher interest income in our debt securities portfolio and on balances held in our tax-deferred property exchange business. In addition, investment income also benefited from a larger allocation to higher-yielding municipal bonds and an increase in average invested balances in our debt securities portfolio. Net realized investment gains totaled $16.7 million in the current quarter, compared with gains of $7.8 million in the second quarter of 2016.

Personnel costs were $415.6 million in the second quarter, an increase of $25.8 million, or 7 percent, compared with the same quarter of 2016. This increase was driven by the impact of recent acquisitions, higher average salary expense, and an increase in incentive compensation as a result of higher revenue and profitability. These increases were partially offset by lower temporary labor costs in the current quarter.

Other operating expenses were $199.7 million in the second quarter, up $4.2 million, or 2 percent, compared with the second quarter of 2016. The increase in expenses during the quarter was primarily attributable to recent acquisitions, partially offset by small decreases across a number of expense categories.

The provision for policy losses and other claims was $43.5 million in the second quarter, or 4.0 percent of title premiums and escrow fees, compared with a 5.5 percent loss provision rate in the second quarter of 2016. The current quarter rate reflects an ultimate loss rate of 4.0 percent for the current policy year and no change in the loss reserve estimates for prior policy years.

Depreciation and amortization expense was $28.6 million in the second quarter, an increase of $6.1 million, or 27 percent, compared with the same period last year. The increase was primarily attributable to $2.8 million in purchased software licenses that were previously included in other operating expenses and $2.0 million from the acceleration of amortization due to a shortened useful life for a previously installed software interface.

Pretax income for the Title Insurance and Services segment was $197.3 million in the second quarter, compared with $172.4 million in the second quarter of 2016. Pretax margin was 14.8 percent in the current quarter, compared with 13.7 percent last year.

Specialty Insurance
($ in millions)
																																					For the Three Months Ended June 30
																																					2017							2016
													Total revenues																								$	115.2						$	104.4
													Income before taxes																								$	9.6						$	4.7
													Pretax margin																									8.3	%						4.5	%

Total revenues for the Specialty Insurance segment were $115.2 million in the second quarter of 2017, an increase of 10 percent compared with the second quarter of 2016. The increase in revenues was primarily driven by higher premiums earned in the home warranty business line. The loss ratio in the home warranty business returned to normal seasonal levels this quarter, primarily due to operational improvements that drove lower claim severity and, to a lesser extent, favorable weather. Our property and casualty business experienced higher claim losses in the quarter due to higher claim frequency. However, the overall loss ratio for the segment still declined to 62.0 percent compared with 64.5 percent last year. As a result, the segment’s pretax margin in the current quarter was 8.3 percent, compared with 4.5 percent in the second quarter of last year.

Pension Termination Update

The termination of the company’s pension plan was completed in July. In the third quarter, the company will record a charge of approximately $153 million in the corporate segment, which will have a negligible impact on stockholders’ equity. The company expects an annual reduction of approximately $22 million in personnel expenses in the corporate segment based on the level of these expenses in 2016.

Teleconference/Webcast

First American’s second quarter 2017 results will be discussed in more detail on Thursday, July 27, 2017, at 11 a.m. EDT, via teleconference. The toll-free dial-in number is 877-407-8293. Callers from outside the United States may dial +1-201-689-8349.

The live audio webcast of the call will be available on First American’s website at www.firstam.com/investor. An audio replay of the conference call will be available through August 10, 2017, by dialing 201-612-7415 and using the conference ID 13665759. An audio archive of the call will also be available on First American’s investor website.

About First American

First American Financial Corporation (NYSE: FAF) is a leading provider of title insurance, settlement services and risk solutions for real estate transactions that traces its heritage back to 1889. First American also provides title plant management services; title and other real property records and images; valuation products and services; home warranty products; property and casualty insurance; and banking, trust and investment advisory services. With total revenue of $5.6 billion in 2016, the company offers its products and services directly and through its agents throughout the United States and abroad. In 2016 and again in 2017, First American was named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For^® list. More information about the company can be found at www.firstam.com.

Website Disclosure

First American posts information of interest to investors at www.firstam.com/investor. This includes opened and closed title insurance order counts for its U.S. direct title insurance operations, which are posted approximately 10 to 12 days after the end of each month.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release and the related management commentary contain, and responses to investor questions may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may contain the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “estimate,” “project,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” or other similar words and phrases or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “would,” or “could.” These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding future operations, performance, financial condition, prospects, plans and strategies. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that may prove to be incorrect. Risks and uncertainties exist that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the anticipated results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: interest rate fluctuations; changes in the performance of the real estate markets; volatility in the capital markets; unfavorable economic conditions; impairments in the company’s goodwill or other intangible assets; failures at financial institutions where the company deposits funds; changes in applicable laws and government regulations; heightened scrutiny by legislators and regulators of the company’s title insurance and services segment and certain other of the company’s businesses; use of social media by the company and other parties; regulation of title insurance rates; limitations on access to public records and other data; changes in relationships with large mortgage lenders and government-sponsored enterprises; changes in measures of the strength of the company’s title insurance underwriters, including ratings and statutory capital and surplus; losses in the company’s investment portfolio; material variance between actual and expected claims experience; defalcations, increased claims or other costs and expenses attributable to the company’s use of title agents; any inadequacy in the company’s risk management framework; systems damage, failures, interruptions and intrusions or unauthorized data disclosures; errors and fraud involving the transfer of funds; the company’s use of a global workforce; inability of the company’s subsidiaries to pay dividends or repay funds; inability to realize the benefits of, and challenges arising from, the company’s acquisition strategy; and other factors described in the company’s annual report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release and related management commentary contain certain financial measures that are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including personnel and other operating expense ratios, and success ratios. The company is presenting these non-GAAP financial measures because they provide the company’s management and investors with additional insight into the operational efficiency and performance of the company relative to earlier periods and relative to the company’s competitors. The company does not intend for these non-GAAP financial measures to be a substitute for any GAAP financial information. In this news release, these non-GAAP financial measures have been presented with, and reconciled to, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Investors should use these non-GAAP financial measures only in conjunction with the comparable GAAP financial measures.

First American Financial Corporation
Summary of Consolidated Financial Results and Selected Information
(in thousands, except per share amounts and title orders)
(unaudited)
							For the Three Months Ended									For the Six Months Ended
							Jun 30									Jun 30
							2017					2016				2017					2016
Total revenues							$	1,454,429				$	1,361,533			$	2,771,472				$	2,563,245
Income before income taxes							$	184,154				$	153,607			$	268,034				$	229,199
Income tax expense								62,259					51,156				88,070					74,076
Net income								121,895					102,451				179,964					155,123
Less: Net (loss) income
attributable to noncontrolling interests								(362	)				302				(575	)				473
Net income attributable to the Company							$	122,257				$	102,149			$	180,539				$	154,650
Net income per share attributable to stockholders:
Basic							$	1.10				$	0.92			$	1.62				$	1.40
Diluted							$	1.09				$	0.92			$	1.61				$	1.40
Cash dividends declared per share							$	0.34				$	0.26			$	0.68				$	0.52
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic								111,549					110,480				111,374					110,327
Diluted								112,199					110,978				112,026					110,842
Selected Title Information
Title orders opened (1)								299,600					347,800				559,200					650,700
Title orders closed (1)								213,900					244,200				405,200					437,300
Paid title claims								47,763					54,251				98,771					110,941
(1) U.S. direct title insurance orders only.

First American Financial Corporation
Selected Balance Sheet Information
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
						June 30,								December 31,
						2017								2016
Cash and cash equivalents						$				1,166,764				$	1,006,138
Investment portfolio										5,458,600					5,140,699
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net										1,109,751					1,096,315
Total assets										9,314,286					8,831,777
Reserve for claim losses										1,017,232					1,025,863
Notes and contracts payable										734,455					736,693
Total stockholders' equity						$				3,193,423				$	3,008,179

First American Financial Corporation
Segment Information
(in thousands, unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended							Title			Specialty			Corporate
June 30, 2017				Consolidated			Insurance			Insurance			(incl. Elims.)
Revenues
Direct premiums and escrow fees				$	641,080		$	532,236		$	108,844		$	-
Agent premiums					554,028			554,028			-			-
Information and other					201,851			199,243			2,874			(266	)
Net investment income					39,609			34,665			2,321			2,623
Net realized investment gains (1)					17,861			16,738			1,123			-
					1,454,429			1,336,910			115,162			2,357
Expenses
Personnel costs					444,418			415,592			17,891			10,935
Premiums retained by agents					435,771			435,771			-			-
Other operating expenses					222,814			199,705			16,766			6,343
Provision for policy losses and other claims					110,958			43,486			67,472			-
Depreciation and amortization					30,145			28,557			1,547			41
Premium taxes					17,179			15,253			1,926			-
Interest					8,990			1,241			-			7,749
					1,270,275			1,139,605			105,602			25,068
Income (loss) before income taxes				$	184,154		$	197,305		$	9,560		$	(22,711	)
For the Three Months Ended							Title			Specialty			Corporate
June 30, 2016				Consolidated			Insurance			Insurance			(incl. Elims.)
Revenues
Direct premiums and escrow fees				$	623,975		$	522,871		$	101,104		$	-
Agent premiums					515,792			515,792			-			-
Information and other					182,771			181,958			819			(6	)
Net investment income					30,925			27,478			2,254			1,193
Net realized investment gains (1)					8,070			7,823			247			-
					1,361,533			1,255,922			104,424			1,187
Expenses
Personnel costs					417,725			389,799			17,023			10,903
Premiums retained by agents					403,669			403,669			-			-
Other operating expenses					216,361			195,495			14,209			6,657
Provision for policy losses and other claims					122,360			57,126			65,234			-
Depreciation and amortization					23,994			22,439			1,459			96
Premium taxes					16,027			14,246			1,781			-
Interest					7,790			711			-			7,079
					1,207,926			1,083,485			99,706			24,735
Income (loss) before income taxes				$	153,607		$	172,437		$	4,718		$	(23,548	)

(1)

Includes impairment losses recorded in earnings, except for impairments on investments accounted for under the equity method, which are recorded in net investment income.

First American Financial Corporation
Segment Information
(in thousands, unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended							Title			Specialty			Corporate
June 30, 2017				Consolidated			Insurance			Insurance			(incl. Elims.)
Revenues
Direct premiums and escrow fees				$	1,168,089		$	954,195		$	213,894		$	-
Agent premiums					1,128,610			1,128,610			-			-
Information and other					384,360			379,278			5,613			(531	)
Net investment income					72,649			61,280			4,650			6,719
Net realized investment gains (1)					17,764			16,494			1,270			-
					2,771,472			2,539,857			225,427			6,188
Expenses
Personnel costs					859,548			800,428			35,154			23,966
Premiums retained by agents					889,697			889,697			-			-
Other operating expenses					430,223			382,976			34,051			13,196
Provision for policy losses and other claims					213,346			83,348			129,998			-
Depreciation and amortization					60,292			57,108			3,098			86
Premium taxes					32,627			29,102			3,525			-
Interest					17,705			1,650			-			16,055
					2,503,438			2,244,309			205,826			53,303
Income (loss) before income taxes				$	268,034		$	295,548		$	19,601		$	(47,115	)
For the Six Months Ended							Title			Specialty			Corporate
June 30, 2016				Consolidated			Insurance			Insurance			(incl. Elims.)
Revenues
Direct premiums and escrow fees				$	1,125,889		$	926,911		$	198,978		$	-
Agent premiums					1,028,037			1,028,037			-			-
Information and other					337,848			336,220			1,640			(12	)
Net investment income					58,295			52,404			4,490			1,401
Net realized investment gains (1)					13,176			10,819			2,357			-
					2,563,245			2,354,391			207,465			1,389
Expenses
Personnel costs					800,437			744,879			33,802			21,756
Premiums retained by agents					808,708			808,708			-			-
Other operating expenses					403,036			360,993			28,961			13,082
Provision for policy losses and other claims					229,458			107,642			121,816			-
Depreciation and amortization					46,414			43,515			2,707			192
Premium taxes					30,404			27,187			3,217			-
Interest					15,589			1,356			-			14,233
					2,334,046			2,094,280			190,503			49,263
Income (loss) before income taxes				$	229,199		$	260,111		$	16,962		$	(47,874	)

(1)

Includes impairment losses recorded in earnings, except for impairments on investments accounted for under the equity method, which are recorded in net investment income.

First American Financial Corporation
Expense and Success Ratio Reconciliation
Title Insurance and Services Segment
($ in thousands, unaudited)
				For the Three Months Ended								For the Six Months Ended
				Jun 30								Jun 30
				2017				2016				2017				2016
Total revenues				$	1,336,910			$	1,255,922			$	2,539,857			$	2,354,391
Less: Net realized investment gains					16,738				7,823				16,494				10,819
Net investment income					34,665				27,478				61,280				52,404
Premiums retained by agents					435,771				403,669				889,697				808,708
Net operating revenues				$	849,736			$	816,952			$	1,572,386			$	1,482,460
Personnel and other operating expenses				$	615,297			$	585,294			$	1,183,404			$	1,105,872
Ratio (% net operating revenues)					72.4	%			71.6	%			75.3	%			74.6	%
Ratio (% total revenues)					46.0	%			46.6	%			46.6	%			47.0	%
Change in net operating revenues				$	32,784							$	89,926
Change in personnel and other operating expenses					30,003								77,532
Success Ratio (1)					92	%							86	%

(1)

Change in personnel and other operating expenses divided by change in net operating revenues.

First American Financial Corporation
Supplemental Direct Title Insurance Order Information (1)
(unaudited)
				Q217				Q117				Q416				Q316				Q216
Open Orders per Day
Purchase					2,313				1,977				1,623				2,110				2,272
Refinance					1,319				1,236				1,777				2,574				2,128
Refinance as % of residential orders					36	%			38	%			52	%			55	%			48	%
Commercial					506				507				484				492				501
Default and other					544				468				403				525				533
Total open orders per day					4,681				4,187				4,287				5,702				5,434
Closed Orders per Day
Purchase					1,718				1,298				1,504				1,645				1,667
Refinance					910				1,030				1,758				1,714				1,428
Refinance as % of residential orders					35	%			44	%			54	%			51	%			46	%
Commercial					324				310				340				318				310
Default and other					390				448				475				518				410
Total closed orders per day					3,342				3,085				4,076				4,194				3,816
Average Revenue per Order (ARPO)
Purchase				$	2,319			$	2,215			$	2,206			$	2,193			$	2,138
Refinance					907				912				899				880				879
Commercial					8,589				7,617				8,808				8,162				8,379
Default and other					201				238				199				170				257
Total ARPO				$	2,294			$	2,035			$	1,958			$	1,859			$	1,972
Business Days					64				62				62				64				64
(1) U.S. operations only.
Totals may not add due to rounding.

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Source: First American Financial Corporation