Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


 

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006

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 001-13585

 


THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Incorporated in California   95-1068610

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1 First American Way, Santa Ana, California   92707-5913
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(714) 250-3000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

(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 if the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated Filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

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

APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY

PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports to be filed by Section 12,13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

On December 29, 2006, there were 96,483,510 Common shares outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

INFORMATION INCLUDED IN REPORT

 

Part I:    Financial Information     
Item 1.   

Financial Statements (unaudited)

  
  

A. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 (as restated)

   3
  

B. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (as restated)

   4
  

C. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (as restated)

   5
  

D. Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (as restated)

   6
  

E. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (as restated)

   7
Item 2.   

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

   19
Item 3.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   26
Item 4.   

Controls and Procedures

   26
Part II:   

Other Information

  
Item 1.   

Legal Proceedings

   26
Item 2.   

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   27
Item 6.   

Exhibits

   28

Item 1A and Items 3 – 5 of Part II have been omitted because they are not applicable with respect to the current reporting period.

CERTAIN STATEMENTS MADE IN THIS QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q INCLUDING THOSE RELATING TO PENSION PLAN CONTRIBUTIONS; THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COMPANY’S ACTUARY’S ESTIMATE OF LIKELY LOSS EXPOSURE AND THE COMPANY’S PROJECTED IBNR BALANCE; THE EFFECT OF CLASS ACTIONS, OTHER LITIGATION, INVESTIGATIONS AND REGULATORY MATTERS; AND CASH REQUIREMENTS ARE 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 MAY CONTAIN THE WORDS “BELIEVE,” “ANTICIPATE,” “EXPECT,” “PREDICT,” “ESTIMATE,” “PROJECT,” “WILL BE,” “WILL CONTINUE,” “WILL LIKELY RESULT,” OR OTHER SIMILAR WORDS AND PHRASES. 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: INTEREST RATE FLUCTUATIONS; CHANGES IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE REAL ESTATE MARKETS; ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS AND OTHER DATA; GENERAL VOLATILITY IN THE CAPITAL MARKETS; CHANGES IN APPLICABLE 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; CONSOLIDATION AMONG THE COMPANY’S SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND COMPETITORS; THE COMPANY’S CONTINUED ABILITY TO IDENTIFY BUSINESSES TO BE ACQUIRED; CHANGES IN THE COMPANY’S ABILITY TO INTEGRATE BUSINESSES WHICH IT ACQUIRES; AND OTHER FACTORS DESCRIBED IN PART I, ITEM 1A OF THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005 AND IN PART II, ITEM 1A OF THE COMPANY’S QUARTERLY REPORTS ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE RESPECTIVE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 2006 AND JUNE 30, 2006, IN ALL CASES 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.

 

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PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1: Financial Statements.

THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

    

September 30,

2006

   

December 31,

2005

 
           (as restated)  

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,372,577     $ 1,561,144  
                

Accounts and accrued income receivable, net

     564,279       486,933  
                

Income taxes receivable

     13,572       —    
                

Investments:

    

Deposits with savings and loan associations and banks

     128,231       90,383  

Debt securities

     1,101,434       1,100,728  

Equity securities

     50,229       47,101  

Other long-term investments

     556,195       394,367  
                
     1,836,089       1,632,579  
                

Loans receivable, net

     101,252       94,812  
                

Property and equipment, net

     722,852       685,522  
                

Title plants and other indexes

     570,361       539,083  
                

Goodwill

     2,294,477       2,092,612  
                

Other intangible assets, net

     266,640       247,117  
                

Other assets

     280,959       258,839  
                
   $ 8,023,058     $ 7,598,641  
                

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

    

Demand deposits

   $ 721,393     $ 693,175  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     979,937       1,027,893  

Deferred revenue

     755,127       762,157  

Reserve for known and incurred but not reported claims

     921,418       671,054  

Income taxes payable

     2,847       17,386  

Deferred income taxes

     —         13,009  

Notes and contracts payable

     889,838       848,569  

Deferrable interest subordinated notes

     100,000       100,000  
                
     4,370,560       4,133,243  
                

Minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries

     496,756       459,665  
                

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, $1 par value Authorized - 500 shares; outstanding - none

    

Common stock, $1 par value:

    

Authorized - 180,000 shares

    

Outstanding - 95,999 and 95,860 shares

     95,999       95,860  

Additional paid-in capital

     973,702       956,720  

Retained earnings

     2,210,828       2,078,969  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (124,787 )     (125,816 )
                
     3,155,742       3,005,733  
                
   $ 8,023,058     $ 7,598,641  
                

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2006     2005     2006     2005  
           (as restated)           (as restated)  

Revenues

        

Operating revenues

   $ 2,106,322     $ 2,103,153     $ 6,158,708     $ 5,691,610  

Investment and other income

     61,230       58,196       171,333       152,527  

Gain on stock issued by a subsidiary

     478       5,283       8,914       8,049  

Net realized investment (losses)gains

     (58 )     1,550       (11 )     4,455  
                                
     2,167,972       2,168,182       6,338,944       5,856,641  
                                

Expenses

        

Salaries and other personnel costs

     646,033       629,012       1,926,613       1,780,071  

Premiums retained by agents

     622,898       607,239       1,819,095       1,632,863  

Other operating expenses

     494,132       461,064       1,416,881       1,240,415  

Provision for policy losses and other claims

     131,257       126,186       527,361       316,820  

Depreciation and amortization

     51,856       38,049       150,514       110,998  

Premium taxes

     17,584       16,954       52,550       45,897  

Interest

     17,320       15,647       49,989       39,603  
                                
     1,981,080       1,894,151       5,943,003       5,166,667  
                                

Income before income taxes and minority interests

     186,892       274,031       395,941       689,974  

Income taxes

     72,900       100,900       146,800       254,900  
                                

Income before minority interests

     113,992       173,131       249,141       435,074  

Minority interests

     23,563       25,139       65,436       71,246  
                                

Net income

     90,429       147,992       183,705       363,828  
                                

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

        

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities

     7,798       (2,452 )     1,028       (4,803 )

Minimum pension liability adjustment

     —         —         —         —    
                                
     7,798       (2,452 )     1,028       (4,803 )
                                

Comprehensive income

   $ 98,227     $ 145,540     $ 184,733     $ 359,025  
                                

Net income per share (Note 6):

        

Basic

   $ 0.94     $ 1.55     $ 1.91     $ 3.88  
                                

Diluted

   $ 0.92     $ 1.50     $ 1.86     $ 3.75  
                                

Cash dividends per share

   $ .18     $ .18     $ .54     $ .54  
                                

Weighted average number of shares (Note 6):

        

Basic

     96,054       95,341       96,159       93,852  
                                

Diluted

     98,482       98,768       98,878       97,307  
                                

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2006     2005  
           (as restated)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 183,705     $ 363,828  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities-

    

Provision for policy losses and other claims

     527,361       316,820  

Depreciation and amortization

     150,514       110,998  

Minority interests in net income

     65,436       71,246  

Net realized investment gains

     (8,903 )     (12,504 )

Stock-based compensation expense

     21,027       1,541  

Other, net

     (30,864 )     (49,413 )

Changes in assets and liabilities excluding effects of company acquisitions and noncash transactions-

    

Claims paid, net of recoveries

     (268,932 )     (259,056 )

Net change in income tax accounts

     (41,006 )     153,914  

Increase in accounts and accrued income receivable

     (62,701 )     (78,000 )

Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (81,446 )     56,689  

(Decrease) increase in deferred revenue

     (8,263 )     20,781  

Other, net

     (26,320 )     (56,673 )
                

Cash provided by operating activities

     419,608       640,171  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Net cash effect of company acquisitions

     (216,439 )     (210,820 )

Net (increase) decrease in deposits with banks

     (37,242 )     5,496  

Net (increase) decrease in loans receivable

     (6,440 )     8,892  

Purchases of debt and equity securities

     (218,552 )     (512,497 )

Proceeds from sales of debt and equity securities

     78,228       48,767  

Proceeds from maturities of debt securities

     146,358       118,535  

Net decrease in other investments

     (44,447 )     41,199  

Capital expenditures

     (159,112 )     (136,363 )

Purchases of capitalized data

     (17,862 )     (15,908 )

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     3,460       6,913  
                

Cash used for investing activities

     (472,048 )     (645,786 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Net change in demand deposits

     28,218       391,904  

Proceeds from issuance of debt

     85,634       142,166  

Repayment of debt

     (123,160 )     (160,058 )

Repurchase of company stock

     (46,518 )     (36,941 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     5,779       39,433  

Proceeds from the issuance of stock to employee benefit plans

     5,684       6,274  

Contributions from minority shareholders

     —         10,700  

Distributions to minority shareholders

     (39,951 )     (47,857 )

Cash dividends

     (51,813 )     (47,782 )
                

Cash (used) provided by financing activities

     (136,127 )     297,839  
                

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (188,567 )     292,224  

Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of year

     1,561,144       1,336,643  
                

- End of the period

   $ 1,372,577     $ 1,628,867  
                
Supplemental information:     

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest

   $ 52,161     $ 36,857  

Premium taxes

   $ 53,263     $ 44,931  

Income taxes

   $ 183,678     $ 88,154  

Noncash investing and financing activities:

    

Shares issued for employee benefit plans

     —       $ 119,117  

Shares issued in repayment of convertible debt

   $ 279     $ —    

Liabilities incurred in connection with company acquisitions

   $ 112,438     $ 108,005  

Company acquisitions in exchange for common stock

   $ 31,857     $ 88,005  

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Shares     Common
Stock
    Additional
paid-in
capital
    Retained
earnings
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
    Total  

Balance at December 31, 2005 (as restated)

   95,860     $ 95,860     $ 956,720     $ 2,078,969     $ (125,816 )   $ 3,005,733  

Net income for nine months ended September 30, 2006

           183,705         183,705  

Dividends on common shares

           (51,846 )       (51,846 )

Purchase of Company shares

   (1,158 )     (1,158 )     (45,360 )         (46,518 )

Conversion of debt

   9       9       270           279  

Shares issued in connection with company acquisitions

   806       806       31,051           31,857  

Shares issued in connection with option, benefit and savings plans

   482       482       10,981           11,463  

Share-based compensation expense

         20,040           20,040  

Other comprehensive loss

             1,029       1,029  
                                              

Balance at September 30, 2006

   95,999     $ 95,999     $ 973,702     $ 2,210,828     $ (124,787 )   $ 3,155,742  
                                              

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Note 1 - Basis of Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

The condensed consolidated financial information included in this report has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Form 10-Q and Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X. The principles for condensed interim financial information do not require the inclusion of all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, they contain all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the consolidated results for the interim periods. Prior year results have been restated as explained below in Note 2.

Note 2 – Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements

On August 9, 2006, the Company announced that its Audit Committee formed a special subcommittee comprised solely of independent directors to conduct a thorough review of the Company’s stock option grant program. The independent committee retained independent outside counsel who retained forensic accountants to assist it in conducting its review.

On August 10, 2006, the Company filed a Notification of Inability to Timely File its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 and indicated that the Company would not be able to file such Quarterly Report in the extended time period for filing provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, due to the ongoing review of the Company’s stock option grant program.

On August 11, 2006, the Company received a waiver, dated as of August 9, 2006, from a majority of lenders under the Company’s $500 million credit facility of the breach created by the Company’s inability to timely file its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for June 30, 2006, due to the ongoing review of the Company’s stock option grant program.

On November 3, 2006, the Company entered into an Amendment No. 1 and Waiver with the lenders under the Company’s $500 million credit facility, amending the Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 7, 2005 and waiving the breach created by the Company’s inability to timely file its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended June 30 and September 30, 2006 due to the ongoing review of the Company’s stock option grant program.

On November 13, 2006, the Company filed a Notification of Inability to Timely File its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 and indicated that the Company would not be able to file such Quarterly Report in the extended time period for filing provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, due to the ongoing review of the Company’s stock option grant program.

On January 4, 2007, the Company announced that the special subcommittee of its Audit Committee completed its review of the Company’s historical stock option granting practices and related tax and accounting matters. In the course of its four month review, the special subcommittee conducted an extensive investigation and evaluated all option grants made under the Company’s 1996 Stock Option Plan, 1997 Director’s Stock Plan and 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan. The special subcommittee determined that the Company used incorrect measurement dates for financial reporting purposes with respect to a number of stock option grants made between 1996 and 2006 and improperly accounted for the mispriced options under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and FAS 123R, “ Share-Based Payment”. As a result, the cumulative impact to the Company’s financial results over this period totaled approximately $35.7 million, the majority of which is non-cash in nature. The special subcommittee determined that these errors were the result of date selection methods, internal control deficiencies and the misapplication of technical accounting provisions. The special subcommittee did not find that these errors were the result of fraud, self-interest on the part of management or members of the Board of Directors or intent to misstate the Company’s financial statements.

The Company believes that the impact of the above referenced error is immaterial to all prior periods. However, the cumulative amount would be material to 2006 if corrected in the current year and, therefore, the Company will restate its financial statements for the years 2001 through 2005, each quarter in 2005 and the first quarter of 2006. All restatements will

 

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be reflected in this filing and future filings. The effect of this restatement on the years 2001 through 2005 is a reduction in net income of approximately $5.3 million, $4.5 million, $4.1 million, $3.3 million and $4.9 million, respectively, representing an estimated percentage to net income previously reported of 3.2%, 1.9%, 0.9%, 0.9% and 1.0%, respectively. The effect of this restatement on the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2005 and the first quarter of 2006 is a reduction in net income of approximately $1.7 million, $1.3 million, $1.1 million, $0.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively, resulting in a change to net income previously reported of approximately 2.1%, 0.9%, 0.7%, 0.8% and 2.7%, respectively.

The following tables set forth the effects of the restatement on certain line items within the Company’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 (in thousands except per share amounts):

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
     September 30,2005    September 30,2005    September 30, 2005    September 30, 2005
     (as reported)    (as restated)    (as reported)    (as restated)

Salaries and other personnel costs

   $ 628,559    $ 629,012    $ 1,778,531    $ 1,780,071

Other operating expenses

   $ 460,366    $ 461,064    $ 1,237,713    $ 1,240,415

Interest

   $ 15,468    $ 15,647    $ 39,196    $ 39,603

Income before income taxes and minority interests

   $ 275,361    $ 274,031    $ 694,623    $ 689,974

Income taxes

   $ 101,100    $ 100,900    $ 255,600    $ 254,900

Income before minority interests

   $ 174,261    $ 173,131    $ 439,023    $ 435,074

Net income

   $ 149,122    $ 147,992    $ 367,777    $ 363,828

Comprehensive income

   $ 146,670    $ 145,540    $ 362,974    $ 359,025

Basic net income per share

   $ 1.56    $ 1.55    $ 3.92    $ 3.88

Diluted net income per share

   $ 1.51    $ 1.50    $ 3.79    $ 3.75

The following tables set forth the effects of the restatement on certain line items within the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

    

As of

March 31, 2006

  

As of

December 31, 2005

     (as reported)    (as restated)    (as reported)    (as restated)

Additional paid-in capital

   $ 917,397    $ 961,812    $ 923,237    $ 956,720

Retained earnings

   $ 2,165,718    $ 2,130,159    $ 2,113,266    $ 2,078,969

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 833,674    $ 840,817    $ 1,021,554    $ 1,027,893

Deferred income taxes

   $ 30,085    $ 23,576    $ 18,534    $ 13,009

Note 3 – Escrow Deposits

The Company administers escrow deposits as a service to its customers. Escrow deposits totaled $7.4 billion and $6.2 billion at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively, of which $671.8 million and $639.9 million were held at the Company’s trust and thrift division. The escrow deposits held at the Company’s trust and thrift division are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, with $142.1 million and $75.6 million included in cash and cash equivalents and $529.6 million and $564.3 million included in debt securities at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The remaining escrow deposits were held at third party financial institutions. Trust deposits totaled $3.2 billion and $3.0 billion at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively and were held at the Company’s trust division. Escrow deposits held at third party financial institutions and trust deposits are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. However, the Company remains contingently liable for the disposition of these assets.

 

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Note 4 – Goodwill

A reconciliation of the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by operating segment, for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, is as follows:

 

(in thousands)    Balance as of
December 31,
2005
   Acquired
During the
Period
   Post
Acquisition
Adjustments
   

Balance as of

September 30,
2006

Financial Services:

          

Title Insurance

   $ 582,542    $ 149,716    $ 2,144     $ 734,402

Specialty Insurance

     19,794      —        —         19,794

Information Technology:

          

Mortgage Information

     590,495      4,250      2,758       597,503

Property Information

     277,694      —        (144 )     277,550

Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions

     622,087      40,621      2,520       665,228
                            
   $ 2,092,612    $ 194,587    $ 7,278     $ 2,294,477
                            

The Company’s reporting units, for purposes of applying the provisions of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS 142), are title insurance, home warranty, property and casualty insurance, trust and other services, mortgage origination products and services, mortgage servicing products and services, property information services, lender services, data services, dealer services, employer services, multifamily services and investigative and litigation services.

The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 142. There have been no impairments of goodwill during the nine months ending September 30, 2006. If an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value, goodwill will be evaluated between annual tests.

Note 5 – Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets consist of the following:

 

(in thousands)    September 30,
2006
    December 31,
2005
 

Covenants not to compete

   $ 50,844     $ 47,696  

Customer lists

     254,151       212,375  

Trademarks and licenses

     48,123       44,213  
                
     353,118       304,284  

Accumulated amortization

     (86,478 )     (57,167 )
                
   $ 266,640     $ 247,117  
                

Amortization expense for other finite-lived intangible assets, with definite lives ranging from three to ten years, was $29.5 million and $17.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Estimated amortization expense for other finite-lived intangible assets anticipated for the next five years is as follows:

 

(in thousands)

Year

    
  

Remainder of 2006

   $ 11,217

2007

   $ 40,893

2008

   $ 37,158

2009

   $ 35,472

2010

   $ 33,147

 

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Note 6 – Earnings Per Share

 

     For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
   For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

   2006     2005    2006     2005
           (as restated)          (as restated)

Numerator:

         

Net Income - numerator for basic net income per share

   $ 90,429     $ 147,992    $ 183,705     $ 363,828

Effect of dilutive securities convertible debt - interest expense (net of tax)

     190       209      586       644

Effect of subsidiary potential dilutive shares

     (13 )     —        (489 )     —  
                             

Net Income - numerator for dilutive net income per share

   $ 90,606     $ 148,201    $ 183,802     $ 364,472
                             

Denominator:

         

Weighted average shares-denominator for basic net income per share

     96,054       95,341      96,159       93,852

Effect of dilutive securities:

         

Employee stock options and restricted common shares

     1,853       2,784      2,125       2,795

Convertible debt

     575       643      594       660
                             

Denominator for diluted net income per share

     98,482       98,768      98,878       97,307
                             

Basic net income per share

   $ 0.94     $ 1.55    $ 1.91     $ 3.88
                             

Diluted net income per share

   $ 0.92     $ 1.50    $ 1.86     $ 3.75
                             

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, 1.0 million and 0.9 million stock options, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share due to their antidilutive effect. For the three months ended September 30, 2005, there were no antidilutive stock options that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, six thousand stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share due to their antidilutive effect.

Note 7 – Employee Benefit Plans

Net periodic pension cost for the Company’s defined benefit pension and supplemental benefit plans includes the following components:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
    For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 

(in thousands)

   2006     2005     2006     2005  

Expense:

        

Service Cost

   $ 2,454     $ 4,201     $ 7,364     $ 12,614  

Interest Cost

     7,380       6,258       22,146       18,702  

Expected return on plan assets

     (4,571 )     (4,262 )     (13,712 )     (12,787 )

Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)

     6       (398 )     19       (1,189 )

Amortization of net loss

     4,019       2,940       12,060       8,877  
                                
   $ 9,288     $ 8,739     $ 27,877     $ 26,217  
                                

The Company has contributed $34.5 million to its pension plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and expects to contribute an additional $9.0 million during the remainder of 2006. These contributions are both those required by funding regulations as well as benefit payments to participants of certain of the Company’s non-qualified supplemental benefit plans.

 

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Note 8 – Share-Based Compensation

On May 18, 2006, the Company’s shareholders voted to approve the Company’s 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan, which was previously approved by the Board of Directors. Eligible participants in the plan include the Company’s directors and executive officers, as well as other employees of the Company and certain of its affiliates. The plan permits the grant of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares and Other Stock-Based Awards. Under the terms of the Plan, 4,700,000 Company Common shares can be awarded, subject to certain annual limits on the amounts that can be awarded based on the type of award granted. The plan terminates 10 years from the effective date unless cancelled prior to that date by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS 123R), which establishes standards for share-based awards for employee services and requires companies to expense the grant-date fair value of these awards (with limited exceptions) over the requisite employee service period. SFAS 123R has two transition method applications to choose from and the Company selected the modified-prospective method, under which prior periods are not revised for comparative purposes. Share-based compensation expense included in salaries and other personnel costs recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $5.7 million or $0.04 per diluted share and $21.0 million or $0.14 per diluted share, respectively. This amount includes expense for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of December 31, 2005 as well as share-based awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Pro forma net income and earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, had the Company determined compensation expense based on the fair value of the stock options at grant date, are as follows:

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

   For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
2005
   

For the Nine Months

Ended September 30,
2005

 
     (as restated)     (as restated)  

Net income:

    

Net income, as restated

   $ 147,992     $ 363,828  

Add: APB No. 25 compensation recognized, net of tax

     294       1,001  

Less: stock based compensation expense, net of tax

     (2,724 )     (8,404 )
                

Pro forma net income

   $ 145,562     $ 356,425  
                

Earnings per share:

    

As restated

    

Basic

   $ 1.55     $ 3.88  

Diluted

   $ 1.50     $ 3.75  

Pro forma

    

Basic

   $ 1.53     $ 3.80  

Diluted

   $ 1.48     $ 3.67  

Commencing with the effective date, the Company transitioned from the Black-Scholes option model to a binomial lattice model to estimate the fair value of new employee stock options on the date of the grant. The Company believes that the binomial lattice option pricing model provides a more refined estimate of the fair value of the stock options. Options granted prior to January 1, 2006 were valued using the Black Scholes option-pricing model. The following assumptions were used in valuing the options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005:

 

    

For the Nine Months

Ended September 30,

 
     2006     2005  
           (as restated)  

Risk free average interest rate

     4.53 %     4.62 %

Dividend yield

     1.67 %     1.96 %

Volatility

     25 %     40 %

Expected life (years)

     4.45       5.64  

Weighted average grant-date fair value for options granted

   $ 9.60     $ 13.86  

Weighted average grant-date fair value for options vested

   $ 8.65     $ 8.23  

These assumptions are based on multiple factors, including historical patterns, post-vesting termination rates, expected future exercise patterns and the expected volatility of the Company’s stock price. Expected volatility is based on historical and implied volatilities. The risk-free interest rate is the imputed forward rate based on the US Treasury yield at the date of grant.

 

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The expected term of options granted is derived from the output of the lattice model and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. Forfeitures are estimated at the date of grant based on historical experience. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company recorded forfeitures as they occurred for purposes of estimating pro forma compensation expense under SFAS 123. The impact of forfeitures is not material.

As of September 30, 2006, there was $18.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.24 years. In addition, the Company’s publicly-traded subsidiary, First Advantage Corporation, has $12.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years. Cash received from the exercise of stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 totaled $5.8 million and $39.4 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes stock option activity related to the Company’s plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2006:

 

     Number
outstanding
   

Weighted-average

exercise price

  

Average remaining

life in years

  

Aggregate

intrinsic value

     (in thousands, except weighted-average exercise price)
     (as restated)     (as restated)          

Balance at December 31, 2005

   5,935     $ 25.41      

Granted during 2006

   695     $ 43.32      

Exercised during 2006

   (323 )   $ 18.40      

Forfeited during 2006

   (86 )   $ 22.89      
                  

Balance at September 30, 2006

   6,221     $ 27.81    5.9    $ 94,535
                        

Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2006

   6,212     $ 27.54    5.9    $ 94,455
                        

Exercisable at September 30, 2006

   3,352     $ 21.78    4.0    $ 69,220
                        

Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 was $7.6 million and $45.4 million, respectively. This intrinsic value represents the difference between the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price of each option.

Nonvested stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 is as follows:

 

     Shares    

Weighted-average

grant-date

fair value

    

(in thousands, except weighted-

average grant-date fair value)

     (as restated)     (as restated)

Nonvested options outstanding at December 31, 2005

   3,081     $ 12.04

Granted during 2006

   695     $ 9.60

Vested during 2006

   (878 )   $ 11.28

Forfeited during 2006

   (30 )   $ 11.23
            

Nonvested options outstanding at September 30, 2006

   2,868     $ 11.70
            

In addition to requiring companies to recognize the estimated fair value of share-based payments in earnings, SFAS 123R modified the presentation of tax benefits received in excess of amounts determined based on the compensation expense recognized. For periods after adopting SFAS 123R under the modified prospective method, such benefits are presented in the statement of cash flows as a financing activity rather than an operating activity.

The Company has an employee stock purchase plan that allows eligible employees to purchase common stock of the Company at 85% of the closing price on the last day of each month. Under the provisions of SFAS 123R, the Company recognized an expense of $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

The impact of the adoption of SFAS 123R of the Company’s consolidated publicly-traded subsidiary, First Advantage, have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Disclosures related to the assumptions used by First Advantage to value its stock options have not been included and can be found in its Form 10-Q for the corresponding period.

 

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Table of Contents

Note 9 – Business Combinations

During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company completed 44 acquisitions. These acquisitions were not material, individually or in the aggregate. Of these acquisitions 34 have been included in the Company’s title insurance segment, 1 in the Company’s mortgage information segment and 9 in the Company’s risk mitigation and business solutions segment. The aggregate purchase price for the 35 acquisitions included in the Company’s title insurance and mortgage information segments was $110.4 million in cash, $78.1 million in notes payable and 806,400 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $31.9 million. The 9 acquisitions included in the Company’s risk mitigation and business solutions segment were completed by the Company’s publicly-traded subsidiary, First Advantage Corporation. The aggregate purchase price for these acquisitions was $31.0 million in cash, $5.6 million in notes payable $3.2 million in deferred payments and 411,300 shares, valued at $9.7 million, of First Advantage’s class A common stock. In accounting for the First Advantage shares issued in these acquisitions, the Company recorded a pretax gain of $8.9 million. The purchase price of each acquisition was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using a variety of valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis. As a result of the 44 acquisitions, the Company recorded approximately $195.5 million of goodwill and $45.9 million of intangible assets with definite lives.

The Company is awaiting information necessary to finalize the purchase accounting adjustments for these acquisitions and the final purchase price allocations could change the recorded assets and liabilities. However, any changes are not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements as of, or for the period ended September 30, 2006.

In addition to the acquisitions discussed above, the Company also purchased the remaining minority interests in 4 companies already included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an equity interest in 6 companies. The total purchase price of these transactions was $29.8 million in cash and $2.0 million in notes.

Note 10 – Segment Information

The Company has five reporting segments that fall within two primary business groups, financial services and information technology. Commencing in the second quarter of 2006, the Company began allocating certain expenses which had previously been reported as corporate expenses to the title insurance, specialty insurance, mortgage information and property information segments. These expenses include costs associated primarily with a supplemental employee retirement plan, stock option expense and certain general expenses. The expenses associated with the supplemental retirement plan and the stock option plan were allocated to each segment based on actual costs. The allocation of certain general expenses was made to the title insurance and specialty insurance segments based on their proportionate contribution to net operating revenues (operating revenues less agent retention, if applicable). Specifically, those segments were allocated corporate expenses in an amount equal to one percent of their respective net operating revenues. The mortgage and property segments had been receiving corporate expense allocations in an amount equal to one percent of their respective net operating revenues; therefore, no additional allocation was made to these segments. Certain 2005 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2006 presentation. The financial services group includes the Company’s title insurance and services segment and its specialty insurance segment. The information technology group includes the mortgage information, property information and risk mitigation and business solutions segments. Selected financial information by reporting segment is as follows:

 

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Table of Contents

For the three months ended September 30, 2006:

 

(in thousands)

   Revenues    

Income (loss)

before

income taxes

and minority

interests

   

Depreciation

and

amortization

  

Capital

expenditures

Financial Services:

         

Title Insurance and Services

   $ 1,595,810     $ 117,705     $ 20,764    $ 29,987

Specialty Insurance

     83,111       14,476       453      1,322
                             
     1,678,921       132,181       21,217      31,309
                             

Information Technology:

         

Mortgage Information

     129,946       28,494       4,977      5,469

Property Information

     162,432       40,186       10,420      19,980

Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions

     212,914       31,534       9,640      7,399
                             
     505,292       100,214       25,037      32,848
                             
     2,184,213       232,395       46,254      64,157

Corporate

     1,008       (45,503 )     5,602      3,892

Eliminations

     (17,249 )     —         —        —  
                             
   $ 2,167,972     $ 186,892     $ 51,856    $ 68,049
                             

For the three months ended September 30, 2005:

 

(in thousands)

   Revenues    

Income (loss)

before

income taxes

and minority

interests

   

Depreciation

and

amortization

  

Capital

expenditures

           (as restated)           

Financial Services:

         

Title Insurance and Services

   $ 1,618,340     $ 180,593     $ 14,906    $ 15,369

Specialty Insurance

     78,873       12,801       573      398
                             
     1,697,213       193,394       15,479      15,767
                             

Information Technology:

         

Mortgage Information

     153,616       34,745       5,815      658

Property Information

     146,722       42,550       7,355      8,836

Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions

     170,248       26,418       7,135      5,099
                             
     470,586       103,713       20,305      14,593
                             
     2,167,799       297,107       35,784      30,360

Corporate

     4,836       (23,076 )     2,265      5,554

Eliminations

     (4,453 )     —         —        —  
                             
   $ 2,168,182     $ 274,031     $ 38,049    $ 35,914
                             

 

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Table of Contents

For the nine months ended September 30, 2006:

 

(in thousands)

   Revenues    

Income (loss)

before

income taxes

and minority

interests

   

Depreciation

and

amortization

  

Capital

expenditures

Financial Services:

         

Title Insurance and Services

   $ 4,662,758     $ 179,659     $ 57,570    $ 61,940

Specialty Insurance

     243,426       41,322       1,462      4,810
                             
     4,906,184       220,981       59,032      66,750
                             

Information Technology:

         

Mortgage Information

     405,198       91,820       16,252      10,808

Property Information

     452,593       109,896       29,369      46,316

Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions

     613,350       86,483       28,323      20,744
                             
     1,471,141       288,199       73,944      77,868
                             
     6,377,325       509,180       132,976      144,618

Corporate

     8,411       (113,239 )     17,538      14,495

Eliminations

     (46,792 )     —         —        —  
                             
   $ 6,338,944     $ 395,941     $ 150,514    $ 159,113
                             

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005:

 

(in thousands)

   Revenues    

Income (loss)

before

income taxes

and minority

interests

   

Depreciation

and

amortization

  

Capital

expenditures

           (as restated)           

Financial Services:

         

Title Insurance and Services

   $ 4,316,718     $ 426,660     $ 43,049    $ 69,548

Specialty Insurance

     210,421       34,299       1,669      967
                             
     4,527,139       460,959       44,718      70,515
                             

Information Technology:

         

Mortgage Information

     450,277       106,594       18,213      9,996

Property Information

     409,466       119,841       20,970      22,521

Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions

     474,971       74,500       18,951      11,473
                             
     1,334,714       300,935       58,134      43,990
                             
     5,861,853       761,894       102,852      114,505

Corporate

     7,441       (71,920 )     8,146      21,858

Eliminations

     (12,653 )     —         —        —  
                             
   $ 5,856,641     $ 689,974     $ 110,998    $ 136,363
                             

Note 11 – Litigation and Regulatory Contingencies

The Company and its subsidiaries have been named in various class action lawsuits related to their title operations. The Company has assessed the potential loss associated with each case based on the existing facts and estimated range of exposure. In cases where the Company has determined that a loss is probable, the Company has recorded a reserve in the amount of the estimated loss in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” This reserve totaled $11.0 million at September 30, 2006. Actual losses may materially differ from the amounts recorded. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these cases, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

On January 25, 2005, a jury in the case of Chicago Title Insurance Corporation v. James A. Magnuson, et al. awarded damages in the amount of $43.2 million against a subsidiary of the Company. This matter involved claims of violation of a

 

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Table of Contents

non-competition agreement and intentional interference with contract. The judgment comprised a compensatory award of $10.8 million and a punitive damage award of $32.4 million. In October 2005 the trial court denied the Company’s motions to set aside the damage awards, among other matters. An appeal with the United States Circuit Court of Appeals is pending. The Company continues to believe it has strong grounds to overturn this judgment. Pending the outcome of the appeal, the Company reserved in a prior quarter $10.0 million in connection with this matter. This amount represents the Company’s best estimate of the loss based on its assessment of the likely outcome of the appeal.

On June 15, 2006, a jury in the case of Security Title v. Linda Lorene Pope, et al. awarded damages in the amount of $41.3 million against a subsidiary of the Company. This matter involved a breach of fiduciary duty claim against Ms. Pope and an aiding and abetting claim against the Company’s subsidiary. The judgment comprised a compensatory award of $6.3 million and a punitive damage award of $35.0 million. The Company believes it has strong grounds to overturn this judgment and is conducting a vigorous appeal. Pending the outcome of the appeal, the Company has taken a charge to earnings in prior quarters totaling $25.0 million. This amount represents the Company’s best estimate of the loss based on its assessment of the likely outcome of the appeal.

The Company’s title insurance, property and casualty insurance, home warranty, thrift, trust and investment businesses are regulated by various federal, state and local governmental agencies. Many of the Company’s other businesses operate within statutory guidelines. Consequently, the Company may from time to time be subject to audit or investigation by such governmental agencies. Currently, governmental agencies are auditing or investigating certain of the Company’s operations. These audits or investigations include inquiries into, among other matters, pricing and rate setting practices in the title insurance industry, competition in the title insurance industry and title insurance customer acquisition and retention practices. In connection with certain of these current matters, the Company established a reserve totaling $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2006. In connection with other of these current matters, the Company established additional reserves of approximately $12.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. See Note 15 - Subsequent Event. While the ultimate disposition of each such audit or investigation is not yet determinable, the Company does not believe that individually they will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In the aggregate, however, these audits or investigations could result in changes to the Company’s business practices which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

On December 19, 2006 a purported shareholder of the Company named the Company’s entire Board of Directors, certain of its officers and, nominally, the Company in a putative shareholder derivative action. The plaintiff in this case (Young v. Kennedy, et al., Case No. SACV06-1230 JVS (RNBx)), filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, asserts causes of action relating to alleged violations of the federal securities laws, breach of fiduciary duty, abuse of control, constructive fraud, corporate waste, unjust enrichment, gross mismanagement and related violations of the California Corporations Code, in each case in connection with the Company’s prior stock option granting practices and the related accounting and public disclosures surrounding such prior stock option granting practices. The plaintiff seeks, among other things, unspecified damages and disgorgement of profits from the alleged misconduct to be paid to the Company. The plaintiff also seeks the payment of his attorneys’ fees. The Company does not believe that the suit will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company will vigorously defend against this action.

The Company also is involved in numerous ongoing routine legal and regulatory proceedings related to its operations. While the ultimate disposition of each proceeding is not determinable, the Company does not believe that any of such proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 12 – Stockholders’ Equity

On May 18, 2004, the Company announced that its Board of Directors adopted a plan authorizing the repurchase of $100 million of its Common shares. On May 19, 2005, the Company announced an amendment to this plan increasing the amount of shares that the Company may repurchase to $200 million. On June 26, 2006 the Company announced a further amendment to this plan, increasing the amount of shares that may be repurchased to $500 million. Between inception of the plan and September 30, 2006, the Company had repurchased and retired 3.9 million of its Common shares for a total purchase price of $133.7 million.

Note 13 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, a Replacement of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20, and FASB Statement No. 3” (SFAS 154). SFAS 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements for changes in accounting principles, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS 154 also requires that retrospective application of a change in accounting principle be limited to the direct effects of the change. Indirect effects of a change in accounting

 

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principle, such as a change in non-discretionary profit-sharing payments resulting from an accounting change, should be recognized in the period of the accounting change. SFAS 154 also requires that a change in depreciation, amortization, or depletion method for long-lived, non-financial assets be accounted for as a change in accounting estimate effected by a change in accounting principle. SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 154 as of January 1, 2006. The adoption of SFAS No. 154 had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements,” which provides interpretive guidance regarding the consideration given to prior year misstatements when determining materiality in current year financial statements. SAB No. 108 is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. We do not expect SAB No. 108 to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 prescribes a comprehensive model for recognizing, measuring, presenting and disclosing in the financial statements tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return, including a decision whether to file or not to file in a particular jurisdiction. If there are changes as a result of application of FIN 48, these will be accounted for as an adjustment to retained earnings. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, of adopting FIN 48 on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value within generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and expands disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurements. Although SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements, its application may, in certain instances, change current practice. Where applicable, SFAS 157 simplifies and codifies fair value related guidance previously issued within GAAP. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting SFAS 157 on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158 “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (“SFAS 158”) This standard requires employers to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of defined benefit postretirement plans as an asset or liability on their balance sheets and recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which changes occur, through other comprehensive income, (a component of shareholders’ equity). Actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs and credits that have not been recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost as of the statement adoption date are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. The requirement to recognize the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan and the disclosure requirements for SFAS 158 will be effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS 158 on its consolidated financial statements.

Note 14 – Increase in Title Insurance IBNR Reserve

The Company provides for title insurance losses by a charge to expense when the related premium revenue is recognized. The amount charged to expense is generally determined by applying a rate (the loss provision rate) to total title insurance operating revenues. The Company’s management estimates the loss provision rate at the beginning of each year and reassesses the rate quarterly to ensure that the resulting incurred but not reported (IBNR) loss reserve included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets reflects management’s best estimate of the total costs required to settle all IBNR claims.

To estimate and reassess the loss provision rate and the resulting IBNR reserve, the Company’s management uses a two-step process. First, it conducts its own assessment of projected losses by reviewing its historical claims experience and consulting with its in-house claims and operations personnel. This analysis tends to be historical in nature as influenced by recent claims experience. It then studies current economic and business trends, including, among others, changes in technology (primarily impacting the effectiveness of title searching), changes in the average revenue generated per title policy issued, changes in the types of policies issued, changes in the types of real estate transactions, changes in the average life of a mortgage due to refinance activity and changes in the frequency of turnover of properties.

The second step of the process is to use a third party actuary. Generally, twice a year, the actuary identifies a range of reserve estimates for IBNR, a single point estimate for IBNR, as well as loss rates that reflect the total projected ultimate loss by policy year as a percentage of that year’s title insurance operating revenues. The actuarial report is primarily based on the company’s historical claim payment and incurred loss patterns. It does not fully reflect current trends (such as those described above) that may impact future claims development.

 

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The Company’s management combines the single point estimate of the projected IBNR from the actuarial report with the results obtained from its assessment of projected losses (step one above) to determine what it considers to be the best estimate of the total amount required to settle all IBNR claims.

Title insurance policies are long-duration contracts with the majority of the claims reported to the Company within the first few years following the issuance of the policy. Generally, 70 to 75 percent of claims become known in the five first years of the policy life. Therefore, the majority of IBNR reserves relate to the five most recent policy years. A material change in expected ultimate losses and corresponding loss rates for policy years older than five years is not considered reasonably likely by the Company. However, changes in expected ultimate losses and corresponding loss rates for recent policy years is considered likely and could result in a material adjustment to the IBNR reserves. Based on historical experience, the Company believes that a 50 basis point change to the loss rates for the most recent policy years, positive or negative, is reasonably likely given the long duration nature of a title insurance policy. For example, if the expected ultimate losses for each of the last five policy years increased or decreased by 50 basis points, the resulting impact on the IBNR reserve would be an increase or decrease, as the case may be, of $120.3 million. The estimates made by management in determining the appropriate level of IBNR reserves could ultimately prove to be inaccurate and actual claims experience may vary from the expected claims experience.

A summary of the Company’s loss reserves, broken down into its components of known title claims, incurred but not reported claims and non-title claims, follows:

 

(in thousands except percentages)

   as of September 30, 2006     as of December 31, 2005  

Known claims

   $ 134,457    14.6 %   $ 117,075    17.5 %

IBNR

     707,691    76.8 %     477,871    71.2 %
                          

Total title claims

     842,148    91.4 %     594,946    88.7 %

Non-title claims

     79,270    8.6 %     76,108    11.3 %
                          

Total loss reserves

   $ 921,418    100.0 %   $ 671,054    100.0 %
                          

During the second quarter of 2006, the Company recorded a $155.0 million title insurance reserve strengthening adjustment. This adjustment reflects a change in estimate for ultimate losses expected primarily from policy years 2002 through 2005. The change in estimate resulted primarily from higher than expected claims frequency experienced for those policy years during the first half of 2006, which became evident during the current period and was included in the mid-year actuarial analysis performed by the Company’s independent actuaries. In addition, given the increase in short and long term interest rates during the first half of 2006, as well as the resulting increase in fixed and adjustable mortgage rates, the Company’s management believes that claims development patterns for policy years 2003 through 2005 may extend. Given the increase in claims frequency that became apparent during the period and the potential extension of claims development patterns, management has placed greater weight on the historical claim payment patterns (which do not fully reflect the potential impact of refinance activity) in determining the appropriate IBNR reserve. Management continues to believe that some adjustment to historical claim development patterns is appropriate to make to policy years 2002 through 2005, however, management has lowered the degree of the adjustment during the period given the factors described above.

In determining the best estimate of the appropriate IBNR reserve, management considered the single point estimate of the projected December 31, 2006, IBNR in the mid-year actuarial report, management’s expectations of claims paid and provision for title losses for the balance of 2006, and sensitivity analysis looking at the impact of the shorter tail of fraud claims as well as the shorter overall tail of certain title policies due to the levels of refinance activity and homeowner turnover. It is management’s expectation that the difference between the actuary’s average estimate of likely loss exposure as of December 31, 2006 and the Company’s IBNR balance at December 31, 2006 will be between 2 and 5 percent. The difference is due to the impact of the shorter tail of fraud claims as well as the shorter overall tail of claims from certain title policies due to the levels of refinance activity and homeowner turnover.

 

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Note 15 – Subsequent Event

In the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company established a reserve of approximately $12.0 million in connection with certain regulatory matters involving the Company’s title insurance business. This reserve, which will be charged to the Company’s title insurance and services segment, covers loss contingencies resulting from investigations being conducted by governmental entities and which the Company has determined to be probable.

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

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Critical accounting policies are those policies used in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements that require management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosure of contingencies. A summary of these policies can be found in Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. During the second quarter of 2006, the Company enhanced the disclosures surrounding its critical accounting policy related to the provision for title losses, as follows:

Provision for title losses. The Company provides for title insurance losses by a charge to expense when the related premium revenue is recognized. The amount charged to expense is generally determined by applying a rate (the loss provision rate) to total title insurance operating revenues. The Company’s management estimates the loss provision rate at the beginning of each year and reassesses the rate quarterly to ensure that the resulting incurred but not reported (IBNR) loss reserve included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets reflects management’s best estimate of the total costs required to settle all IBNR claims.

To estimate and reassess the loss provision rate and the resulting IBNR reserve, the Company’s management uses a two-step process. First, it conducts its own assessment of projected losses by reviewing its historical claims experience and consulting with its in-house claims and operations personnel. This analysis tends to be historical in nature as influenced by recent claims experience. It then studies current economic and business trends, including, among others, changes in technology (primarily impacting the effectiveness of title searching), changes in the average revenue generated per title policy issued, changes in the types of policies issued, changes in the types of real estate transactions, changes in the average life of a mortgage due to refinance activity and changes in the frequency of turnover of properties.

The second step of the process is to use a third party actuary. Generally, twice a year, the actuary identifies a range of reserve estimates for IBNR, a single point estimate for IBNR, as well as loss rates that reflect the total projected ultimate loss by policy year as a percentage of that year’s title insurance operating revenues. The actuarial report is primarily based on the company’s historical claim payment and incurred loss patterns. It does not fully reflect current trends (such those described above) that may impact future claims development.

The Company’s management combines the single point estimate of the projected IBNR from the actuarial report with the results obtained from its assessment of projected losses (step one above) to determine what it considers to be the best estimate of the total amount required to settle all IBNR claims.

Title insurance policies are long-duration contracts with the majority of the claims reported to the Company within the first few years following the issuance of the policy. Generally, 70 to 75 percent of claims become known in the five first years of the policy life. Therefore, the majority of IBNR reserves relate to the five most recent policy years. A material change in expected ultimate losses and corresponding loss rates for policy years older than five years is not considered reasonably likely by the Company. However, changes in expected ultimate losses and corresponding loss rates for recent policy years is considered likely and could result in a material adjustment to the IBNR reserves. Based on historical experience, the Company believes that a 50 basis point change to the loss rates for the most recent policy years, positive or negative, is reasonably likely given the long duration nature of a title insurance policy. For example, if the expected ultimate losses for each of the last five policy years increased or decreased by 50 basis points, the resulting impact on the IBNR reserve would be an increase or decrease, as the case may be, of $120.3 million. The estimates made by management in determining the appropriate level of IBNR reserves could ultimately prove to be inaccurate and actual claims experience may vary from the expected claims experience.

 

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A summary of the Company’s loss reserves, broken down into its components of known title claims, incurred but not reported claims and non-title claims, follows:

 

(in thousands except percentages)

   as of September 30, 2006     as of December 31, 2005  

Known claims

   $ 134,457    14.6 %   $ 117,075    17.5 %

IBNR

     707,691    76.8 %     477,871    71.2 %
                          

Total title claims

     842,148    91.4 %     594,946    88.7 %

Non-title claims

     79,270    8.6 %     76,108    11.3 %
                          

Total loss reserves

   $ 921,418    100.0 %   $ 671,054    100.0 %
                          

OVERVIEW

Restatement of Prior Year Numbers

On January 4, 2007, the Company announced that the special subcommittee of its Audit Committee completed its review of the Company’s historical stock option granting practices and related tax and accounting matters. In the course of its four month review, the special subcommittee evaluated all option grants made under the Company’s 1996 Stock Option Plan, 1997 Directors’ Stock Plan and 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan. To assist it, the special subcommittee retained independent counsel, which in turn retained forensic accountants. The special subcommittee reported that it received full cooperation from the Company’s management.

The special subcommittee determined that the Company used incorrect measurement dates for financial reporting purposes with respect to a number of stock option grants made between 1996 and 2006 and improperly accounted for the mispriced options under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and Statement of Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment”. As a result, the cumulative impact to the Company’s financial results over this period totaled $35.7 million, the majority of which is non-cash in nature. The special subcommittee determined that these errors were the result of date selection methods, internal control deficiencies and the misapplication of technical accounting provisions. The special subcommittee did not find that these errors were the result of fraud, self-interest on the part of management or members of the Board of Directors or intent to misstate the Company’s financial statements.

The Company believes that the impact of the above referenced error is immaterial to all prior periods. However, the cumulative amount would be material to the current year if corrected in the current year and, therefore, the Company will restate its financial statements for the years 2001 through 2005, each quarter in 2005 and the first quarter of 2006. All restatements will be reflected in this filing as well as future filings. The effect of this restatement on the years 2001 through 2005 is approximately $5.3 million, $4.5 million, $4.1 million, $3.3 million and $4.9 million, respectively, representing an estimated percentage to after-tax net income of 3.2%, 1.9%, 0.9%, 0.9% and 1.0%, respectively. The effect of this restatement on the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2005 and the first quarter of 2006 is approximately $1.7 million, $1.3 million, $1.1 million, $0.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively, resulting in a change to reported net income of approximately 2.1%, 0.9%, 0.7%, 0.8% and 2.7%, respectively.

See Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements for details of the impact of this restatement on the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005. All amounts impacted by the aforementioned restatement are properly restated below.

Operations

Mortgage originations decreased in the third quarter of 2006 when compared with the same period of the prior year, resulting in a decline in operating revenues at the Company’s title insurance and mortgage information segments. Operating revenues for these two segments are primarily dependent on the level of real estate activity. However, as a result of the Company’s acquisition activity and organic growth at the Company’s specialty insurance, property information and risk mitigation and business solutions segments, total operating revenues increased modestly when compared with the third quarter of 2005. Profits for the third quarter of 2006 did not keep pace with the revenue growth due primarily to an increase quarter over quarter in the loss provision rate for the title insurance operations, continued investments in new business initiatives and increased legal/regulatory related costs. Operating revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 were $2.11 billion and $6.16 billion, respectively. Operating revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 were $2.10 billion and $5.69 billion, respectively. Net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $90.4 million, or $.92 per diluted share, and $183.7 million, or $1.86 per diluted share, respectively. The current nine-month period includes a $155.0 million title insurance reserve strengthening adjustment resulting from a change in estimate. Net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 (as restated), was $148.0 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, and $363.8 million, or $3.75 per diluted share, respectively.

 

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OPERATING REVENUES

Set forth below is a summary of operating revenues for each of the Company’s segments.

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     ($000)     ($000)  
     2006     2005     % Change     2006     2005     % Change  

Financial Services:

            

Title Insurance:

            

Direct operations

   $ 763,958     $ 820,186     (6.9 )   $ 2,256,259     $ 2,172,406     3.9  

Agency operations

     784,427       756,868     3.6       2,272,491       2,037,969     11.5  
                                            
     1,548,385       1,577,054     (1.8 )     4,528,750       4,210,375     7.6  

Specialty Insurance

     78,521       74,678     5.1       230,275       198,972     15.7  
                                            
     1,626,906       1,651,732     (1.5 )     4,759,025       4,409,347     7.9  
                                            

Information Technology:

            

Mortgage Information

     128,274       150,117     (14.6 )     400,343       443,089     (9.6 )

Property Information

     157,018       137,447     14.2       436,568       384,074     13.7  

Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions

     211,373       168,310     25.6       609,564       467,753     30.3  
                                            
     496,665       455,874     8.9       1,446,475       1,294,916     11.7  
                                            

Eliminations

     (17,249 )     (4,453 )   —         (46,792 )     (12,653 )   —    
                                            

Total

   $ 2,106,322     $ 2,103,153     0.2     $ 6,158,708     $ 5,691,610     8.2  
                                            

Financial Services. Operating revenues from direct title operations decreased 6.9% and increased 3.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, when compared with the same periods of the prior year. The decrease for the current three-month period was due to a decline in the number of title orders closed by the Company’s direct operations, offset in part by an increase in the average revenues per order closed. The increase for the current nine-month period was due to an increase in the average revenues per order closed, offset in part by a decline in the number of title orders closed. The average revenues per order closed were $1,614 and $1,630 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, increases of 9.3% and 16.0% when compared with the same periods of the prior year. These increases were primarily due to a decreased mix of lower-premium refinance transactions and an increase in higher-premium resale and commercial activity. The Company’s direct operations closed 473,300 and 1,384,000 title orders during the current three and nine month periods, respectively, decreases of 14.8% and 10.5% when compared with the same periods of the prior year. These decreases were primarily due to the decline in mortgage originations, offset in part by market share gains that resulted from organic growth and acquisitions. Operating revenues from agency operations increased 3.6% and 11.5% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, when compared with the same periods of the prior year. These increases primarily reflect the timing of the reporting of agency remittances.

Total operating revenues for the title insurance segment (direct and agency operations) contributed by new acquisitions were $58.7 million and $191.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.

Information Technology. Mortgage information operating revenues decreased $21.8 million and $42.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, when compared with the same periods of the prior year. These decreases were primarily due to the decline in mortgage originations and increases in estimated servicing life of the tax service loan portfolio due to a slowdown in prepayment speeds, which resulted in the deferral of a larger portion of tax service fees we receive related to the portfolio of contracts we manage. Operating revenues for the property information segment increased $19.6 million, or 14.2% and $52.5 million, or 13.7%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, when compared with the same periods of the prior year. These increases were primarily due to the continued strength in this segment’s subscription-based information businesses, increased appraisal revenues resulting from market share growth and $1.1 million and $8.4 million of operating revenues contributed by new acquisitions for the respective periods, offset in part by the effects of the slowdown in mortgage originations. Risk mitigation and business solutions operating revenues increased $43.1 million, or 25.6% and $141.8 million, or 30.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, when compared with the same periods of the prior year. These increases were

 

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primarily due to $36.7 million and $119.0 million of operating revenues contributed by new acquisitions (which does not include the contribution to First Advantage Corporation of the Company’s credit information segment) for the respective periods.

INVESTMENT AND OTHER INCOME

Investment and other income totaled $61.2 million and $171.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, representing increases of $3.0 million, or 5.2%, and $18.8 million, or 12.3%, when compared with the same periods of the prior year. These increases resulted primarily from increases in interest and dividend income, offset in part by reductions in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, which are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

GAIN ON ISSUANCE OF SUBSIDIARY STOCK

Gain on issuance of subsidiary stock totaled $0.5 million and $8.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, compared with $5.3 million and $8.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively. These amounts represent realized gains associated with the issuance of shares by the Company’s publicly traded subsidiary, First Advantage Corporation.

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES

Financial Services. Salaries and other personnel costs for the financial services group, which primarily reflects the title insurance segment, were $464.3 million and $1.39 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, increases of $1.0 million, or 0.2%, and $83.5 million, or 6.4%, when compared with the same periods of the prior year. These increases were primarily due to $20.2 million and $62.2 million of personnel costs associated with new acquisitions, offset in part by cost reductions in response to the decline in mortgage originations. The nine-month period was impacted by the relatively high staffing levels present towards the latter part 2005 and the beginning of 2006, which were necessary to service the high level of title order volume processed during 2005. As order volumes decreased, the Company began adjusting staffing levels to match new order counts. As a percentage of operating revenues, salaries and other personnel costs were 28.5% and 29.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, compared to 28.0% and 29.6% for the same periods of the prior year.

Agents retained $622.9 million and $1.82 billion of title premiums generated by agency operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, which compares with $607.2 million and $1.63 billion for the same periods of the prior year. The percentage of title premiums retained by agents decreased to 80.0% for the current nine-month period, down from 80.1% for the same period of the prior year due to regional variances (i.e., the agency share varies from region to region and thus the geographical mix of agency revenues causes this variation).

Other operating expenses for the financial services group, which primarily reflect the title insurance segment, were $287.7 million and $834.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, increases of $12.5 million, or 4.5%, and $105.0 million, or 14.4%, when compared with the same periods of the prior year. These increases were primarily due to $13.5 million and $57.8 million of other operating expenses associated with new acquisitions for the respective periods. Contributing to the increase for the current nine-month period was the $34.3 million regulatory/litigation charge. As a percentage of operating revenues, other operating expenses were 17.5% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, and 16.7% and 16.5% for the same periods of the prior year.

The provision for policy losses and other claims primarily represents title insurance claims, home warranty claims and property and casualty insurance claims. For the title insurance segment, the claims provision as a percentage of title insurance operating revenues was 8.8% for the current nine-month period and 4.5% for the same period of the prior year. The rate for the full year of 2005 was 5.0%. The increase in this rate was primarily due to the reserve strengthening adjustment described below.

During the second quarter of 2006, the Company recorded a $155.0 million title insurance reserve strengthening adjustment. This adjustment reflects a change in estimate for ultimate losses expected primarily from policy years 2002 through 2005. The change in estimate resulted primarily from higher than expected claims frequency experienced for those policy years during the first half of 2006, which became evident during the current period and was included in the mid-year actuarial analysis performed by the Company’s independent actuaries. In addition, given the increase in short and long term interest rates during the first half of 2006, as well as the resulting increase in fixed and adjustable mortgage rates, the Company’s management believes that claims development patterns for policy years 2003 through 2005 may extend. Given the increase in claims frequency that became apparent during the period and the potential extension of claims development patterns,

 

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management has placed greater weight on the historical claim payment patterns (which do not fully reflect the potential impact of refinance activity) in determining the appropriate IBNR reserve. Management continues to believe that some adjustment to historical claim development patterns is appropriate to make to policy years 2002 through 2005, however, management has lowered the degree of the adjustment during the period given the factors described above.

In determining the best estimate of the appropriate IBNR reserve, management considered the single point estimate of the projected December 31, 2006, IBNR in the mid-year actuarial report, management’s expectations of claims paid and provision for title losses for the balance of 2006, and sensitivity analysis looking at the impact of the shorter tail of fraud claims as well as the shorter overall tail of certain title policies due to the levels of refinance activity and homeowner turnover. It is management’s expectation that the difference between the actuary’s average estimate of likely loss exposure as of December 31, 2006 and the Company’s IBNR balance at December 31, 2006 will be between 2 and 5 percent. The difference is due to the impact of the shorter tail of fraud claims as well as the shorter overall tail of claims from certain title policies due to the levels of refinance activity and homeowner turnover.

For the home warranty business, the claims provision as a percentage of home warranty operating revenues was 50.3% for the current nine-month period and 52.0% for the same period of the prior year. This decrease in rate was primarily due to a reduction in the average number of claims incurred per contract as well as contract price increases. For the property and casualty business, the claims provision as a percentage of property and casualty insurance operating revenues was 50.3% for the current nine-month period and 53.1% for the same period of the prior year. The rate for the prior year period included high claims activity which resulted from the heavy rains in Southern California experienced during the first quarter of 2005.

Premium taxes, which relate to the title insurance and specialty insurance segments, were $52.6 million and $45.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Premium taxes as a percentage of title insurance and specialty insurance operating revenues were 1.1% and 1.0% for the current nine-month period and for the same period of the prior year, respectively.

Information Technology. Information technology personnel and other operating expenses were $372.5 million and $1.09 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, increases of $35.2 million and $138.5 million when compared with the same periods of the prior year. These increases were primarily due to $27.5 million and $95.8 million of personnel and other expenses contributed by new acquisitions, as well as expenses incurred at the property information and risk mitigation and business solutions segments to service the increase in business volume.

 

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INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND MINORITY INTERESTS

Set forth below is a summary of income before income taxes and minority interests for each of the Company’s segments (in thousands except percentages).

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     ($000)     ($000)  
     2006     2005     % Change     2006     2005     % Change  
           (as restated)                 (as restated)        

Financial Services:

            

Title Insurance

   $ 117,705     $ 180,593     (34.8 )   $ 179,659     $ 426,660     (57.9 )

Specialty Insurance

     14,476       12,801     13.1       41,322       34,299     20.5  
                                            
     132,181       193,394     (31.7 )     220,981       460,959     (52.1 )
                                            

Information Technology:

            

Mortgage Information

     28,494       34,745     (18.0 )     91,820       106,594     (13.9 )

Property Information

     40,186       42,550     (5.6 )     109,896       119,841     (8.3 )

Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions

     31,534       26,418     19.4       86,483       74,500     16.1  
                                            
     100,214       103,713     (3.4 )     288,199       300,935     (4.2 )
                                            

Total before corporate expenses

     232,395       297,107     (21.8 )     509,180       761,894     (33.2 )

Corporate

     (45,503 )     (23,076 )   97.2       (113,239 )     (71,920 )   57.5  
                                            

Total

   $ 186,892     $ 274,031     (31.8 )   $ 395,941     $ 689,974     (42.6 )
                                            

In general, the title insurance business is a lower profit margin business when compared to the Company’s other segments. The lower profit margins reflect the high cost of producing title evidence whereas the corresponding revenues are subject to regulatory and competitive pricing restraints. Due to this relatively high proportion of fixed costs, title insurance profit margins generally improve as closed order volumes increase. Title insurance profit margins are affected by the composition (residential or commercial) and type (resale, refinancing or new construction) of real estate activity. In addition, profit margins from refinance transactions are affected by whether they are centrally processed or locally processed. Profit margins from resale, new construction and centrally processed refinance transactions are generally higher than from locally processed refinancing transactions because in many states there are premium discounts on, and cancellation rates are higher for, refinance transactions. Title insurance profit margins are also affected by the percentage of operating revenues generated by agency operations. Profit margins from direct operations are generally higher than from agency operations due primarily to the large portion of the premium that is retained by the agent. Most of the businesses included in the Information Technology group are database intensive, with a relatively high proportion of fixed costs. As such, profit margins generally improve as revenues increase. Revenues for the mortgage information segment, like the title insurance segment, are primarily dependent on the level of real estate activity and the cost and availability of mortgage funds. Revenues for the property information segment are, in part, dependent on real estate activity, but are less cyclical than title insurance and mortgage information revenues as a result of a significant subscription-based revenue stream. Most of the revenues for the risk mitigation and business solutions segment are unaffected by real estate activity, with the exception of the mortgage credit business, which is dependent on real estate activity.

Commencing in the second quarter of 2006, the Company began allocating certain expenses which had previously been reported as corporate expenses to the title insurance, specialty insurance, mortgage information and property information segments. These expenses include costs associated primarily with supplemental employee retirement plans, stock option expense and certain general expenses. The expenses associated with the supplemental retirement plan and the stock option plan were allocated to each segment based on actual costs. The allocation of certain general expenses was made to the title insurance and specialty insurance segments based on their proportionate contribution to net operating revenues (operating revenues less agent retention, if applicable). Specifically, those segments were allocated expenses associated with the supplemental employee retirement plans, stock option plan and an additional amount equal to 1.0% of their respective net operating revenues. The mortgage information and property information segments had been receiving corporate expense allocations in an amount equal to 1.0% of their respective net operating revenues; therefore, no additional allocation was made to them. All periods presented above consistently reflect the new allocation policy.

Corporate expenses totaled $45.5 million and $113.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, increases of $22.4 million and $41.3 million when compared with the same periods of the prior year. These increases were primarily due to increased technology costs, professional services costs and employee benefit costs, as well as

 

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share-based compensation expense resulting from the adoption of SFAS 123R. Also contributing to the increase in corporate expenses were $2.6 million of costs incurred in connection with the Company’s ongoing review of its stock option grant practices.

INCOME TAXES

The effective income tax rate (income tax expense as a percentage of pretax income after minority interest expense) was 44.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, and 41.2% for the same period of the prior year. The increase in effective rate was primarily attributable to the $155.0 million reserve adjustment recorded in the second quarter 2006 (for which a corresponding tax benefit was recognized at 36%) as well as changes in the ratio of permanent differences to income before income taxes.

A large portion of the Company’s minority interest expense is attributable to a limited liability company subsidiary which, for tax purposes, is treated as a partnership. Accordingly, no income taxes have been provided for that portion of the minority interest expense.

NET INCOME

Net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, was $90.4 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, and $183.7 million, or $1.86 per diluted share, respectively. Net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, was $148.0 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, and $363.8 million, or $3.75 per diluted share, respectively.

MINORITY INTERESTS

Minority interest expense was $23.6 million and $65.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, decreases of $1.6 million and $5.8 million when compared with the same periods of the prior year. These decreases were primarily attributable to the decrease in operating results of the Company’s joint venture with Experian Information Solutions.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Total cash and cash equivalents decreased $188.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, and increased $292.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The decrease for the current year period was due primarily to cash paid for company acquisitions, purchases of debt and equity securities and capital expenditures, offset in part by cash provided by operating activities. The increase for the prior year period was primarily due to cash provided by operating activities and deposits at the Company’s trust and thrift divisions, offset in part by purchases of debt and equity securities, cash paid for company acquisitions, and capital expenditures.

Notes and contracts payable as a percentage of total capitalization decreased to 21.3% at September 30, 2006 from 21.5% at December 31, 2005. This increase was primarily due to an increase in stockholders’ equity for the current period.

On May 18, 2004, the Company announced that its Board of Directors adopted a plan authorizing the repurchase of $100 million of its Common shares. On May 19, 2005, the Company announced an amendment to this plan increasing the amount of shares that the Company may repurchase to $200 million. On June 26, 2006 the Company announced a further amendment to this plan, increasing the amount of shares that may be repurchased to $500 million. Between inception of the plan and September 30, 2006, the Company had repurchased and retired 3.9 million of its Common shares for a total purchase price of $133.7 million.

Management believes that all of its anticipated operating cash requirements for the immediate future will be met from internally generated funds.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

The Company’s primary exposure to market risk relates to interest rate risk associated with certain financial instruments. Although the Company monitors its risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates, it does not currently use derivative financial instruments on any significant scale to hedge these risks.

The Company is also subject to equity price risk as related to its equity securities, but such risk is immaterial.

Although the Company is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk as a result of its operations in certain foreign countries, these operations, in the aggregate, are not material to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations, and therefore, such risk is immaterial.

There have been no material changes in the Company’s market risks since the filing of its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, have concluded that, as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

In coming to the conclusion that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2006, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer considered the restatement of the Company’s financial statements discussed in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on January 5, 2007 and concluded that a material weakness did not exist as of September 30, 2006.

There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

The Company and its subsidiaries have been named in various class action lawsuits related to their title operations. The Company has assessed the potential loss associated with each case based on the existing facts and estimated range of exposure. In cases where the Company has determined that a loss is probable, the Company has recorded a reserve in the amount of the estimated loss in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” This reserve totaled $11.0 million at September 30, 2006. Actual losses may materially differ from the amounts recorded. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these cases, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

On January 25, 2005, a jury in the case of Chicago Title Insurance Corporation v. James A. Magnuson, et al. awarded damages in the amount of $43.2 million against a subsidiary of the Company. This matter involved claims of violation of a non-competition agreement and intentional interference with contract. The judgment comprised a compensatory award of $10.8 million and a punitive damage award of $32.4 million. In October 2005 the trial court denied the Company’s motions to set aside the damage awards, among other matters. An appeal with the United States Circuit Court of Appeals is pending. The Company continues to believe it has strong grounds to overturn this judgment. Pending the outcome of the appeal, the Company reserved in a prior quarter $10.0 million in connection with this matter. This amount represents the Company’s best estimate of the loss based on its assessment of the likely outcome of the appeal.

On June 15, 2006, a jury in the case of Security Title v. Linda Lorene Pope, et al. awarded damages in the amount of $41.3 million against a subsidiary of the Company. This matter involved a breach of fiduciary duty claim against Ms. Pope and an aiding and abetting claim against the Company’s subsidiary. The judgment comprised a compensatory award of $6.3 million and a punitive damage award of $35.0 million. The Company believes it has strong grounds to overturn this judgment and is conducting a vigorous appeal. Pending the outcome of the appeal, the Company has taken a charge to earnings in prior quarters totaling $25.0 million. This amount represents the Company’s best estimate of the loss based on its assessment of the likely outcome of the appeal.

 

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The Company’s title insurance, property and casualty insurance, home warranty, thrift, trust and investment businesses are regulated by various federal, state and local governmental agencies. Many of the Company’s other businesses operate within statutory guidelines. Consequently, the Company may from time to time be subject to audit or investigation by such governmental agencies. Currently, governmental agencies are auditing or investigating certain of the Company’s operations. These audits or investigations include inquiries into, among other matters, pricing and rate setting practices in the title insurance industry, competition in the title insurance industry and title insurance customer acquisition and retention practices. In connection with certain of these current matters, the Company established a reserve totaling $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2006. In connection with other of these current matters, the Company established additional reserves of approximately $12.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. See Note 15 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Subsequent Event. While the ultimate disposition of each such audit or investigation is not yet determinable, the Company does not believe that individually they will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In the aggregate, however, these audits or investigations could result in changes to the Company’s business practices which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

On December 19, 2006 a purported shareholder of the Company named the Company’s entire Board of Directors, certain of its officers and, nominally, the Company in a putative shareholder derivative action. The plaintiff in this case (Young v. Kennedy, et al., Case No. SACV06-1230 JVS (RNBx)), filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleges causes of action relating to alleged violations of the federal securities laws, breach of fiduciary duty, abuse of control, constructive fraud, corporate waste, unjust enrichment, gross mismanagement and related violations of the California Corporations Code, in each case in connection with the Company’s prior stock option granting practices and the related accounting and public disclosures surrounding such prior stock option granting practices. The plaintiff seeks, among other things, unspecified damages and disgorgement of profits from the alleged misconduct to be paid to the Company. The plaintiff also seeks the payment of his attorneys’ fees. The Company does not believe that the suit will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company will vigorously defend against this action.

The Company also is involved in numerous ongoing routine legal and regulatory proceedings related to its operations. While the ultimate disposition of each proceeding is not determinable, the Company does not believe that any of such proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

During the quarter two holders of convertible promissory notes of the Company elected to convert such notes into Company Common shares pursuant to the terms of the notes. On August 25, 2006 the Company issued 5,382 Common shares to one such holder and on September 6, 2006 the Company issued 3,918 Common shares to the other such holder. The Company issued the shares pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, based on the fact that the securities issued were exchanged by the Company with its existing security holders exclusively and no commission or other remuneration was paid or given directly or indirectly for soliciting such exchange.

Pursuant to a preexisting agreement, on August 28, 2006, the Company was obligated to award 7,780 delayed-vesting restricted stock units to its new Treasurer as an inducement for him to commence employment on that date. As a result of questions raised by counsel to the special subcommittee reviewing the Company’s historical stock option granting practices concerning the legality under California law of delegation to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer of authority to grant equity awards under the Company’s 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan, the Company postponed the delivery of such award until the Company’s Compensation Committee could ratify and approve it. The Compensation Committee ratified and approved the award on October 19, 2006. The Company, in consultation with its corporate counsel, has since concluded that the delegation of authority was appropriate under California law. In issuing the units the Company relied upon the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, based on the fact that the sole recipient was a sophisticated individual and had access to information relating to the Company and also was an accredited investor.

The following table describes purchases by the Company of the Company’s Common shares which settled during each period set forth in the table. Prices in column (b) include commissions. Purchases described in column (c) were made pursuant to the share repurchase program announced by the Company on May 18, 2004. On May 19, 2005, the Company announced an amendment to this plan, which amendment increased the amount of shares that the Company may repurchase by $100 million. On June 26, 2006 the Company announced a further amendment to the plan, increasing the amount of shares available for repurchase under the plan by an additional $300 million. The amounts in column (d) reflect the effect of these amendments. Under this plan, which has no expiration date, the Company may repurchase up to $500 million of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common shares. As of September 30, 2006, the Company repurchased $134 million (including commissions) of its shares and has the authority to repurchase an additional $366 million (including commissions).

 

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(a)

Total

Number of

Shares

Purchased

  

(b)

Average

Price Paid

per Share

  

(c)

Total Number

of Shares

Purchased as Part

of Publicly

Announced Plans

or Programs

  

(d)

Maximum

Approximate Dollar

Value of Shares that May

Yet Be Purchased Under

the Plans or Programs

Period

           

July 1 to July 31, 2006

   251,500    $ 37.63    251,500    $ 368,158,879

August 1 to August 31, 2006

   50,000    $ 36.74    50,000    $ 366,322,022

September 1 to September 30, 2006

   0    $ —      0    $ 366,322,022
                       

Total

   301,500    $ 37.48    301,500    $ 366,322,022
                       

Item 6. Exhibits.

See Exhibit Index.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

   THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION
  

(Registrant)

  

/s/ Parker S. Kennedy

   Parker S. Kennedy
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  

/s/ Frank V. McMahon

   Frank V. McMahon
   Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer

Date: January 8, 2007

  

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.  

Description

(10)(a)   Waiver dated August 9, 2006, incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 99.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 14, 2006.
(10)(b)   Arrangement regarding compensation of the special subcommittee of the Audit Committee, incorporated by reference herein to the description contained in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 25, 2006.
(10)(c)   Amendment No. 1 and Waiver, dated November 3, 2006, incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 99.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 7, 2006.
(31)(a)   Certification by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(31)(b)   Certification by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(32)(a)   Certification by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
(32)(b)   Certification by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

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