EXHIBIT 99.1
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Contact: Jo Etta Bandy Vice President Corporate Communications The First American Corporation (714) 800-3298 | | NEWS | | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION REPORTS
RESULTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2005
SANTA ANA, Calif., Feb. 16, 2006 – The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF), America’s largest provider of business information, today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended Dec. 31, 2005:
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| | Three Months Ended December 31
| | Twelve Months Ended December 31
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| | 2005
| | 2004 (A)
| | 2005
| | 2004 (A)
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Total revenues | | $ | 2.21 billion | | $ | 1.80 billion | | $ | 8.06 billion | | $ | 6.72 billion |
Income before income taxes and minority interests | | $ | 209.0 million | | $ | 145.0 million | | $ | 903.6 million | | $ | 677.3 million |
Net income | | $ | 117.5 million | | $ | 70.4 million | | $ | 485.3 million | | $ | 349.1 million |
Net income per diluted share | | $ | 1.19 | | $ | .76 | | $ | 4.97 | | $ | 3.83 |
(A) | Includes pretax charges of $13.3 million, $8.6 million or 9 cents per diluted share on an after-tax basis, for certain litigation matters, and $24.0 million, $15.7 million or 17 cents per diluted share on an after-tax basis, related to a settlement with the Colorado State Division of Insurance. |
Summary of Operations
“We achieved very strong results in 2005,” stated Parker S. Kennedy, chairman and chief executive officer of The First American Corporation. “Our earnings per share increased 30 percent over 2004 despite several interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve. Our Financial Services and Information Technology businesses performed well in 2005 and benefited from improved operating efficiencies, including centralization, technology and offshore processing, and from market share improvement in nearly all of the company’s businesses.
“Highlights of 2005 included the contribution of our Credit Information segment to our publicly held subsidiary, First Advantage Corporation (NASDAQ: FADV), in which we now have approximately a 77 percent ownership; the acquisition of United General, a national title insurance underwriter; the acquisition of LoanPerformance, a mortgage analytics provider; and the agreement to purchase TransContinental Title Company, a
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First American Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005
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national lender-oriented title agency based in Florida. Additionally, the company’s stock repurchase program was increased to $200 million and Standard & Poor’s raised First American Title’s financial strength rating from “A-” to “A.”
2006 Strategic Focus and Outlook
Kennedy added: “We will continue to pursue important strategies to maintain strong profits. These strategies, which include superior technology, centralization, offshore processing, bundling, analytics and growth through acquisitions, were key to our profitability in 2004 and 2005. We will build upon these strategies in 2006 and beyond to expand margins, especially in the title insurance segment, and to increase market share in all our businesses. We feel we have built a company that can achieve healthy levels of profitability through any market cycle.
Teleconference/Webcast
First American’s fourth-quarter and year-end results will be discussed in more detail on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006, at 11 a.m. EST, via teleconference. The dial-in number is (888) 955-3516 and the pass code is FIRST AMERICAN. The live audio webcast of the call will be available on First American’s Web site atwww.firstam.com/investor. An audio replay of the conference call will be available through Feb. 23, 2006, by dialing (203) 369-3615. An audio archive of the call will also be available for replay on First American’s Web site.
About First American
The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF), a FORTUNE 500® company that traces its history to 1889, is America’s largest provider of business information. First American combines advanced analytics with its vast data resources to supply businesses and consumers with valuable information products to support the major economic events of people’s lives, such as getting a job, renting an apartment, buying a car or house, securing a mortgage and opening or buying a business. The First American Family of Companies, many of which command leading market share positions in their respective industries, operate within five primary business segments, including: Title Insurance and Services, Specialty Insurance, Mortgage Information, Property Information, and Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions—a new segment that the company formed in 2005 by combining its Credit Information and Screening Information segments. With revenues of $8.1 billion in 2005, First American has approximately 2,000 offices throughout the United States and abroad. More information about the company and an archive of its press releases can be found atwww.firstam.com.
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First American Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005
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Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this press release, including those relating to the pursuit and effect of important strategies, are forward looking. 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; limitations on access to public records and other data; general volatility in the capital markets; changes in applicable government regulations; 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 the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2004, 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.
(Additional Financial Data Follows)
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First American Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005
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Summary of Earnings
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
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| | Three Months Ended December 31
| | Twelve Months Ended December 31
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| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2005
| | 2004
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Total revenues | | $ | 2,205,117 | | $ | 1,803,017 | | $ | 8,061,758 | | $ | 6,722,326 |
Income before income taxes and minority interests | | $ | 209,005 | | $ | 144,958 | | $ | 903,628 | | $ | 677,284 |
Income taxes | | $ | 68,900 | | $ | 55,700 | | $ | 324,500 | | $ | 243,200 |
Minority interests | | $ | 22,616 | | $ | 18,856 | | $ | 93,862 | | $ | 84,985 |
Net income | | $ | 117,489 | | $ | 70,402 | | $ | 485,266 | | $ | 349,099 |
Net income per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 1.23 | | $ | .78 | | $ | 5.14 | | $ | 4.04 |
Diluted | | $ | 1.19 | | $ | .76 | | $ | 4.97 | | $ | 3.83 |
Weighted average shares outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | 95,835 | | | 89,733 | | | 94,351 | | | 86,430 |
Diluted | | | 99,198 | | | 93,306 | | | 97,795 | | | 91,895 |
Summary Balance Sheet Information
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
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| | December 31 2005
| | December 31 2004
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Total stockholders’ equity | | $ | 3,006,547 | | $ | 2,463,564 |
Book value per share | | $ | 31.36 | | $ | 27.36 |
Summary Title Insurance Order Counts
From Direct Operations
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| | Three Months Ended December 31
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| | 2005
| | 2004
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Title orders opened: | | | | |
October | | 210,100 | | 208,000 |
November | | 188,100 | | 212,700 |
December | | 162,000 | | 187,100 |
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Fourth quarter total | | 560,200 | | 607,800 |
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Title orders closed: | | | | |
October | | 164,000 | | 156,200 |
November | | 154,100 | | 163,200 |
December | | 152,700 | | 166,300 |
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Fourth quarter total | | 470,800 | | 485,700 |
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(Additional Financial Data Follows)
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First American Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005
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Selected Financial Data
(unaudited, in thousands)
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| | Three Months Ended December 31
| | | Twelve Months Ended December 31
| |
| | 2005
| | | 2004
| | | 2005
| | | 2004
| |
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating revenues | | $ | 2,124,468 | | | $ | 1,759,228 | | | $ | 7,816,078 | | | $ | 6,570,746 | |
Investment and other income | | | 57,768 | | | | 43,111 | | | | 210,295 | | | | 141,796 | |
Gain on issuance of subsidiary stock | | | 17,609 | | | | 1,907 | | | | 25,658 | | | | 8,472 | |
Net realized investment gains | | | 5,272 | | | | (1,229 | ) | | | 9,727 | | | | 1,312 | |
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| | | 2,205,117 | | | | 1,803,017 | | | | 8,061,758 | | | | 6,722,326 | |
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Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Salaries and other personnel costs | | | 648,238 | | | | 557,524 | | | | 2,426,769 | | | | 2,111,215 | |
Premiums retained by agents | | | 671,184 | | | | 528,050 | | | | 2,304,047 | | | | 1,869,536 | |
Other operating expenses | | | 457,629 | | | | 416,966 | | | | 1,695,342 | | | | 1,488,937 | |
Provision for title losses and other claims | | | 140,210 | | | | 94,536 | | | | 457,030 | | | | 349,618 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 46,441 | | | | 35,301 | | | | 157,439 | | | | 128,978 | |
Premium taxes | | | 18,296 | | | | 13,981 | | | | 64,193 | | | | 52,935 | |
Interest | | | 14,114 | | | | 11,701 | | | | 53,310 | | | | 43,823 | |
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| | | 1,996,112 | | | | 1,658,059 | | | | 7,158,130 | | | | 6,045,042 | |
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Income before income taxes and minority interests | | $ | 209,005 | | | $ | 144,958 | | | $ | 903,628 | | | $ | 677,284 | |
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OPERATING REVENUES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial Services | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Title Insurance and Services: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Direct operations | | $ | 796,226 | | | $ | 665,726 | | | $ | 2,968,632 | | | $ | 2,486,380 | |
Agency operations | | | 825,337 | | | | 638,552 | | | | 2,863,306 | | | | 2,299,656 | |
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| | | 1,621,563 | | | | 1,304,278 | | | | 5,831,938 | | | | 4,786,036 | |
Specialty Insurance | | | 76,235 | | | | 60,384 | | | | 275,207 | | | | 220,340 | |
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| | | 1,697,798 | | | | 1,364,662 | | | | 6,107,145 | | | | 5,006,376 | |
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Information Technology | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mortgage Information | | | 141,255 | | | | 159,280 | | | | 584,344 | | | | 653,562 | |
Property Information | | | 127,778 | | | | 114,512 | | | | 511,852 | | | | 417,758 | |
Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions | | | 169,658 | | | | 125,253 | | | | 637,411 | | | | 509,092 | |
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| | | 438,691 | | | | 399,045 | | | | 1,733,607 | | | | 1,580,412 | |
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Eliminations | | | (12,021 | ) | | | (4,479 | ) | | | (24,674 | ) | | | (16,042 | ) |
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Total operating revenues | | $ | 2,124,468 | | | $ | 1,759,228 | | | $ | 7,816,078 | | | $ | 6,570,746 | |
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INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND MINORITY INTERESTS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial Services | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Title Insurance and Services | | $ | 129,375 | | | $ | 76,194 | | | $ | 596,865 | | | $ | 398,777 | |
Specialty Insurance | | | 14,081 | | | | 8,988 | | | | 50,544 | | | | 41,419 | |
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| | | 143,456 | | | | 85,182 | | | | 647,409 | | | | 440,196 | |
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Information Technology | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mortgage Information | | | 34,462 | | | | 43,839 | | | | 141,620 | | | | 174,868 | |
Property Information | | | 31,473 | | | | 35,678 | | | | 151,761 | | | | 126,460 | |
Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions | | | 29,176 | | | | 17,198 | | | | 104,057 | | | | 73,206 | |
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| | | 95,111 | | | | 96,715 | | | | 397,438 | | | | 374,534 | |
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Total before corporate expenses and minority interests | | | 238,567 | | | | 181,897 | | | | 1,044,847 | | | | 814,730 | |
Corporate expenses | | | 29,562 | | | | 36,939 | | | | 141,219 | | | | 137,446 | |
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Income before income taxes and minority interests | | $ | 209,005 | | | $ | 144,958 | | | $ | 903,628 | | | $ | 677,284 | |
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First American Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005
Page 6-6-6
Segment Margins
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except percentages)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended December 31
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| | Total revenues
| | Pretax (A)
| | Margins
| |
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2005
| | | 2004
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Financial Services | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Title Insurance and Services | | $ | 1,663,502 | | $ | 1,332,769 | | $ | 129,375 | | $ | 76,194 | | 7.8 | % | | 5.7 | % |
Specialty Insurance | | | 80,090 | | | 64,152 | | | 14,081 | | | 8,988 | | 17.6 | % | | 14.0 | % |
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| | $ | 1,743,592 | | $ | 1,396,921 | | $ | 143,456 | | $ | 85,182 | | 8.2 | % | | 6.1 | % |
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Information Technology | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mortgage Information | | $ | 142,772 | | $ | 159,566 | | $ | 34,462 | | $ | 43,839 | | 24.1 | % | | 27.5 | % |
Property Information | | | 134,547 | | | 121,447 | | | 31,473 | | | 35,678 | | 23.4 | % | | 29.4 | % |
Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions | | | 179,782 | | | 127,770 | | | 29,176 | | | 17,198 | | 16.2 | % | | 13.5 | % |
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| | $ | 457,101 | | $ | 408,783 | | $ | 95,111 | | $ | 96,715 | | 20.8 | % | | 23.7 | % |
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| | Twelve Months Ended December 31
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| | Total revenues
| | Pretax (A)
| | Margins
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| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2005
| | | 2004
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Financial Services | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Title Insurance and Services | | $ | 5,980,220 | | $ | 4,875,524 | | $ | 596,865 | | $ | 398,777 | | 10.0 | % | | 8.2 | % |
Specialty Insurance | | | 290,511 | | | 234,708 | | | 50,544 | | | 41,419 | | 17.4 | % | | 17.6 | % |
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| | $ | 6,270,731 | | $ | 5,110,232 | | $ | 647,409 | | $ | 440,196 | | 10.3 | % | | 8.6 | % |
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Information Technology | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mortgage Information | | $ | 593,049 | | $ | 660,780 | | $ | 141,620 | | $ | 174,868 | | 23.9 | % | | 26.5 | % |
Property Information | | | 544,013 | | | 443,276 | | | 151,761 | | | 126,460 | | 27.9 | % | | 28.5 | % |
Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions | | | 654,753 | | | 518,774 | | | 104,057 | | | 73,206 | | 15.9 | % | | 14.1 | % |
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| | $ | 1,791,815 | | $ | 1,622,830 | | $ | 397,438 | | $ | 374,534 | | 22.2 | % | | 23.1 | % |
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(A) - Income before income tax, minority interest and corporate expenses
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