Stewart Information Services (STC) 10-Q 31 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 29, 2014	Oct. 29, 2014
		Common Stock	Class B Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'
Trading Symbol	'STC	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORP	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000094344	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	23,055,143	1,050,012

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) EARNINGS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Direct operations	$229,277	$202,344	$588,133	$581,281
Agency operations	231,109	306,583	654,706	804,143
Mortgage services	42,174	23,322	91,941	83,014
Investment income	3,870	3,729	12,588	11,657
Investment and other gains (losses) b net	1,667	857	1,143	-2,327
Total revenues	508,097	536,835	1,348,511	1,477,768
Expenses	'	'	'	'
Amounts retained by agencies	188,513	250,035	533,971	656,589
Employee costs	164,423	147,132	457,596	430,360
Other operating expenses	95,535	72,657	252,436	209,878
Title losses and related claims	9,084	32,630	50,021	80,362
Depreciation and amortization	6,621	4,142	16,070	12,721
Interest	1,101	649	2,646	2,259
Total expenses	465,277	507,245	1,312,740	1,392,169
Earnings before taxes and noncontrolling interests	42,820	29,590	35,771	85,599
Income tax expense	16,760	11,573	11,592	32,925
Net earnings	26,060	18,017	24,179	52,674
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,343	2,608	6,289	7,160
Net earnings attributable to Stewart	23,717	15,409	17,890	45,514
Net earnings attributable to Stewart	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	26,060	18,017	24,179	52,674
Foreign currency translation	-6,030	3,560	-4,308	-3,642
Change in unrealized (losses) gains on investments	-966	1,287	6,900	-7,053
Reclassification of adjustment for gains included in net earnings	-185	-338	-378	-1,574
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of taxes	-7,181	4,509	2,214	-12,269
Comprehensive earnings	18,879	22,526	26,393	40,405
Less comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,343	2,608	6,289	7,160
Comprehensive earnings attributable to Stewart	$16,536	$19,918	$20,104	$33,245
Basic average shares outstanding	22,267	22,475	22,416	21,962
Basic earnings per share attributable to Stewart (usd per share)	$1.07	$0.69	$0.80	$2.07
Diluted average shares outstanding	24,663	24,769	24,812	24,735
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Stewart (usd per share)	$0.97	$0.63	$0.76	$1.88

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$168,445	$194,289
Short-term investments	37,016	38,336
Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value:	'	'
Statutory reserve funds	437,148	450,564
Other	128,465	86,779
Available for sale securities, Total	565,613	537,343
Receivables:	'	'
Notes	3,949	4,075
Premiums from agencies	41,498	45,249
Income taxes	324	9,477
Trade and other	82,311	55,737
Allowance for uncollectible amounts	-9,603	-9,871
Total receivables	118,479	104,667
Property and equipment, at cost	'	'
Land	5,559	5,559
Buildings	26,773	26,779
Furniture and equipment	218,757	213,585
Accumulated depreciation	-175,682	-191,657
Total property and equipment, at cost	75,407	54,266
Title plants, at cost	76,822	76,822
Real estate, at lower of cost or net realizable value	627	2,636
Investments in investees, on an equity method basis	10,071	9,892
Goodwill	247,985	231,838
Intangible assets, net of amortization	31,253	13,050
Deferred tax asset	160	144
Other assets	49,491	62,775
Total assets	1,381,369	1,326,058
Liabilities	'	'
Notes payable	64,080	5,827
Convertible senior notes	27,183	27,119
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	122,006	119,961
Estimated title losses	491,542	506,888
Deferred tax liabilities	9,648	3,174
Total Liabilities	714,459	662,969
Contingent liabilities and commitments	'	'
Stockholdersb equity	'	'
Common and Class B Common Stock and additional paid-in capital	179,237	194,768
Retained earnings	470,204	452,314
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings:	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,042	5,350
Unrealized investment gains on investments	12,054	5,532
Treasury stock b 352,161 common shares, at cost	-2,666	-2,666
Stockholdersb equity attributable to Stewart	659,871	655,298
Noncontrolling interests	7,039	7,791
Total stockholdersb equity (22,021,813 and 22,501,030 shares outstanding)	666,910	663,089
Liabilities and Equity, Total	$1,381,369	$1,326,058

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Treasury stock, common shares	352,161	352,161
Common stock, shares outstanding	22,021,813	22,501,030

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Reconciliation of net earnings to cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Net earnings	$24,179	$52,674
Add (deduct):	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	16,070	12,721
Provision for bad debt	749	1,818
Investment and other (losses) gains b net	-1,143	2,327
Payments for title losses in excess of provisions	-24,797	-9,613
Insurance recoveries of title losses	2,707	665
Decrease in receivables b net	3,307	687
Increase in other assets b net	-2,366	-3,641
Decrease in payables and accrued liabilities b net	-9,439	-11,999
Increase in net deferred income taxes	4,996	24,043
Net earnings from equity investees	-2,720	-3,548
Dividends received from equity investees	2,742	3,829
Other b net	811	883
Cash provided by operating activities	15,096	70,846
Investing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from investments available-for-sale matured and sold	146,633	70,080
Purchases of investments available-for-sale	-166,541	-116,125
Purchases of property and equipment, title plants and real estate b net	-15,482	-13,022
Cash paid for acquisitions of subsidiaries and other b net	-39,359	-15,302
Proceeds from the sale of equity investees and other assets	0	3,090
Other b net	3,924	4,363
Cash used by investing activities	-70,825	-66,916
Financing activities:	'	'
Payments on notes payable	-54,196	-1,447
Proceeds from notes payable	112,149	400
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-7,044	-7,214
Repurchases of common stock	-16,287	0
Cash payments for settlement of debt	0	-742
Other b net	3	-909
Cash provided (used) by financing activities	34,625	-9,912
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates	-4,740	-1,418
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-25,844	-7,400
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	194,289	208,538
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	168,445	201,138
Supplemental information:	'	'
Retirement of Convertible Senior Notes with issuance of Common Stock	0	37,810
Changes in financial statement amounts due to the acquisition of subsidiaries:	'	'
Goodwill acquired	16,148	9,327
Receivables and other assets acquired	12,536	7,926
Intangible assets	21,510	0
Liabilities acquired	-10,835	-1,951
Cash paid for acquisitions of subsidiaries and other b net	$39,359	$15,302

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common and Class B Common Stock ($1 par value)	Additional paid-in capital	Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	Retained earnings	Treasury stock	Noncontrolling interests
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$663,089	$22,853	$171,915	$10,882	$452,314	($2,666)	$7,791
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings attributable to Stewart	17,890	'	'	'	17,890	'	'
Stock bonuses and other	997	37	960	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	58	2	56	'	'	'	'
Stock repurchases	-16,287	-518	-15,769	'	'	'	'
Purchase of remaining interest of consolidated subsidiary	-299	'	-299	'	'	'	'
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments	6,900	'	'	6,900	'	'	'
Net realized gain reclassification	-378	'	'	-378	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-4,308	'	'	-4,308	'	'	'
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	6,289	'	'	'	'	'	6,289
Subsidiary dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	-7,044	'	'	'	'	'	-7,044
Net effect of changes in ownership and other	3	'	'	'	'	'	3
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$666,910	$22,374	$156,863	$13,096	$470,204	($2,666)	$7,039

Interim_financial_statements

Interim financial statements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Interim financial statements	'
	Interim financial statements. The financial information contained in this report for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and as of September 30, 2014, is unaudited. This report should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	A. Management’s responsibility. The accompanying interim financial statements were prepared by management, who is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. These financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including management’s best judgments and estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of this information for all interim periods, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, have been made. The Company’s results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year and actual results could differ from those estimates.
	B. Consolidation. The condensed consolidated financial statements include all subsidiaries in which the Company owns more than 50% voting rights in electing directors. All significant intercompany amounts and transactions have been eliminated and provisions have been made for noncontrolling interests. Unconsolidated investees, in which the Company typically owns 20% through 50% of the equity, are accounted for by the equity method.
	C. Reclassifications. Certain amounts in the 2013 interim financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes. Net earnings attributable to Stewart, as previously reported, were not affected.
	D. Restrictions on cash and investments. The Company maintains investments in accordance with certain statutory requirements for the funding of statutory premium reserves. Such reserves for statutory reserve funds were approximately $437.1 million and $450.6 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. In addition to those investments, cash and cash equivalents include approximately $30.9 million and $15.1 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, designated for the funding of statutory premium reserves. The cash and cash equivalents so designated are not restricted or segregated in depository accounts. If the Company fails to maintain minimum investments or cash and cash equivalents to meet statutory requirements, the Company may be subject to fines or other penalties, including potential revocation of its business license. These funds are not available for any other purpose. In the event that insurance regulators adjust the determination of the statutory premium reserves of the Company’s title insurers, these restricted funds as well as statutory surplus would correspondingly increase or decrease.
	E. Recent Significant Accounting Pronouncements. In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The standard will eliminate the transaction- and industry-specific revenue recognition guidance under current GAAP and replace it with a principles-based approach for determining revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The revenue recognition standard is required to be applied retrospectively, including any combination of practical expedients as allowed in the standard. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, and does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

Investments_in_debt_and_equity

Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale	'
	Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale. The amortized costs and fair values follow:
		30-Sep-14		31-Dec-13
		Amortized	Fair	Amortized	Fair
		costs	values	costs	values
		($000 omitted)
	Debt securities:
	Municipal	54,209	55,186	47,808	47,252
	Corporate	292,208	303,115	285,104	291,832
	Foreign	169,169	170,434	164,146	162,367
	U.S. Treasury Bonds	13,819	14,369	14,334	15,197
	Equity securities	17,663	22,509	17,441	20,695
		547,068	565,613	528,833	537,343
	Foreign debt securities consist primarily of Canadian government bonds, Canadian corporate bonds and United Kingdom treasury bonds. Equity securities consist of common stocks.
	Gross unrealized gains and losses were:
		30-Sep-14		31-Dec-13
		Gains	Losses	Gains	Losses
		($000 omitted)
	Debt securities:
	Municipal	1,097	120	258	813
	Corporate	11,958	1,051	9,955	3,228
	Foreign	1,601	336	363	2,142
	U.S. Treasury Bonds	590	40	924	60
	Equity securities	5,210	364	3,264	11
		20,456	1,911	14,764	6,254
	Debt securities as of September 30, 2014 mature, according to their contractual terms, as follows (actual maturities may differ due to call or prepayment rights):
		Amortized	Fair
		costs	values
		($000 omitted)
	In one year or less	1,610	1,627
	After one year through five years	262,946	268,276
	After five years through ten years	230,273	236,883
	After ten years	34,576	36,318
		529,405	543,104
	As of September 30, 2014, gross unrealized losses on investments and the fair values of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were:
		Less than 12 months		More than 12 months		Total
		Losses	Fair values	Losses	Fair values	Losses	Fair values
		($000 omitted)
	Debt securities:
	Municipal	2	494	118	10,747	120	11,241
	Corporate	123	21,044	928	34,704	1,051	55,748
	Foreign	24	42,924	312	22,016	336	64,940
	U.S. Treasury Bonds	1	241	39	3,555	40	3,796
	Equity securities	364	1,090	—	—	364	1,090
		514	65,793	1,397	71,022	1,911	136,815
	The number of investments in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2014 was 62. Since the Company does not intend to sell and will more-likely-than-not maintain each investment security until its maturity or anticipated recovery, and no significant credit risk is deemed to exist, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.
	As of December 31, 2013, gross unrealized losses on investments and the fair values of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were:
		Less than 12 months		More than 12 months		Total
		Losses	Fair values	Losses	Fair values	Losses	Fair values
		($000 omitted)
	Debt securities:
	Municipal	770	27,686	43	628	813	28,314
	Corporate	1,682	66,776	1,546	21,710	3,228	88,486
	Foreign	1,539	63,039	603	53,807	2,142	116,846
	U.S. Treasury Bonds	60	3,772	—	—	60	3,772
	Equity securities:	11	1,267	—	—	11	1,267
		4,062	162,540	2,192	76,145	6,254	238,685
	The Company believes its investment portfolio is diversified and expects no material loss to result from the failure to perform by issuers of the debt securities it holds. Investments made by the Company are not collateralized. Equities consist of high-dividend paying common stock.

Fair_value_measurements

Fair value measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair value measurements	'
	Fair value measurements. The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal, or most advantageous, market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs when possible. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
	•	Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
	•	Level 2 – observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data; and
	•	Level 3 – unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair values of the assets or liabilities, including certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
	As of September 30, 2014, financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
		Level 1	Level 2	Fair value
				measurements
		($000 omitted)
	Investments available-for-sale:
	Debt securities:
	Municipal	—	55,186	55,186
	Corporate	—	303,115	303,115
	Foreign	—	170,434	170,434
	U.S. Treasury Bonds	—	14,369	14,369
	Equity securities	22,509	—	22,509
		22,509	543,104	565,613
	As of December 31, 2013, financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
		Level 1	Level 2	Fair value
				measurements
		($000 omitted)
	Investments available-for-sale:
	Debt securities:
	Municipal	—	47,252	47,252
	Corporate	—	291,832	291,832
	Foreign	—	162,367	162,367
	U.S. Treasury Bonds	—	15,197	15,197
	Equity securities	20,695	—	20,695
		20,695	516,648	537,343
	As of September 30, 2014, Level 1 financial instruments consist of equity securities. Level 2 financial instruments consist of municipal, governmental and corporate bonds, both U.S. and foreign. In accordance with the Company’s policies and guidelines, which incorporate relevant statutory requirements, the Company’s third party, registered investment manager invests only in securities rated as investment grade or higher by the major rating services, where observable valuation inputs are significant. All municipal, foreign, and U.S. Treasury bonds are valued using a third-party pricing service, and the corporate bonds are valued using the market approach, which includes three to ten inputs from relevant market sources, including Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (TRACE) and independent broker/dealer quotes, bids and offerings, as well as other relevant market data, such as securities with similar characteristics (i.e. sector, rating, maturity, etc.). Broker/dealer quotes, bids and offerings mentioned above are gathered (typically three to ten) and a consensus risk premium spread (credit spread) over risk-free Treasury yields is developed from the inputs obtained, which is then used to calculate the resulting fair value.

Investment_income

Investment income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Investment income	'
	Investment income. Gross realized investment and other gains and losses follows:
		For the Three Months Ended				For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		($000 omitted)
	Realized gains	1,722		1,409		2,429		5,309
	Realized losses	(55	)	(552	)	(1,286	)	(7,636	)
		1,667		857		1,143		(2,327	)
	Expenses assignable to investment income were insignificant. There were no significant investments as of September 30, 2014 that did not produce income during the year.
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, investment and other gains (losses) – net included realized gains of $1.1 million from the sale of debt and equity investments available-for-sale, a realized gain of $0.8 million on the sale of a title plant, partially offset by a $1.1 million non-cash charge relating to office closure costs.
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, investment and other (losses) gains – net included a $5.4 million non-cash charge relating to the early retirement of convertible senior notes and a $1.5 million loss on the sale of an equity investment partially offset by realized gains of $2.5 million from sale of debt and equity investments available-for-sale and a $1.7 million gain on non-title-related insurance policy proceeds.
	Proceeds from the sale of investments available-for-sale follows:
		For the Three Months Ended				For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		($000 omitted)
	Proceeds from sale of investments available-for-sale	30,105		19,256		44,580		49,345

Sharebased_incentives

Share-based incentives	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Share-based incentives	'
	Share-based incentives. The Company granted executives and senior management shares of restricted Common Stock with a fair value of $3.9 million in January 2014, which are performance-based and time-based and vest over a period of three years. The Company granted to executives and senior management shares of restricted Common Stock with a fair value of $2.2 million in January 2013, which are performance-based and vest over a period of three years. Awards in both years were pursuant to the Company’s employee incentive compensation plans, and compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards will be recognized over the vesting period.

Earnings_per_share

Earnings per share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings per share	'
	Earnings per share. The Company’s basic earnings per share attributable to Stewart was calculated by dividing net earnings attributable to Stewart by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding during the reporting periods.
	To calculate diluted earnings per share, net earnings and number of shares are adjusted for the effects of any dilutive shares. Using the if-converted method, net earnings is adjusted for interest expense, net of any tax effects, applicable to the Convertible Senior Notes. The number of shares is adjusted by adding the number of dilutive shares, assuming they are issued, during the same reporting period. The treasury stock method is used to calculate the dilutive number of shares related to the Company’s stock option plan.
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, the Company had minimal dilutive shares under the treasury stock method mentioned above since the exercise prices of the options were greater than the weighted-average market value of the shares, which excludes them from the diluted earnings calculation.
	The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended		For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
		2014	2013	2014	2013
		($000 omitted)
	Numerator:
	Net earnings attributable to Stewart	23,717	15,409	17,890	45,514
	Interest expense, net of tax effects	314	303	941	1,109
	If-converted net earnings attributable to Stewart	24,031	15,712	18,831	46,623
	Denominator (000):
	Basic average shares outstanding	22,267	22,475	22,416	21,962
	Dilutive average number of shares relating to options	1	1	1	—
	Dilutive average number of shares relating to convertible senior notes	2,111	2,115	2,111	2,595
	Dilutive average number of shares relating to restricted shares grant	284	178	284	178
	Dilutive average shares outstanding	24,663	24,769	24,812	24,735
	Basic earnings per share attributable to Stewart	1.07	0.69	0.8	2.07
	Diluted earnings per share attributable to Stewart	0.97	0.63	0.76	1.88

Contingent_liabilities_and_com

Contingent liabilities and commitments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingent liabilities and commitments	'
	Contingent liabilities and commitments. In the ordinary course of business, the Company guarantees the third-party indebtedness of certain of its consolidated subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2014, the maximum potential future payments on the guarantees are not more than the related notes payable recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company also guarantees the indebtedness related to lease obligations of certain of its consolidated subsidiaries. The maximum future obligations arising from these lease-related guarantees are not more than the Company’s future minimum lease payments. In addition, as of September 30, 2014, the Company had guarantees of indebtedness, relating to lease deposits, aggregating $0.2 million, and unused letters of credit for $5.3 million related to workers’ compensation coverage and other insurance. The Company does not expect to make any payments on these guarantees.

Segment_information

Segment information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment information	'
	Segment information. In the second quarter 2014, certain title production operations performed on behalf of our direct offices and independent agents and previously reported in the mortgage services segment were aligned with the title segment. Prior quarters’ results for both title segment and mortgage services segment were restated to conform with this new reporting. The Company’s three reportable operating segments are title insurance and related services (title), mortgage services and corporate. The title segment provides services needed to transfer the title to property in a real estate transaction. These services include searching, examining, closing and insuring the condition of the title to the property.  The title segment also includes home and personal insurance services and Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 tax-deferred exchanges.
	The mortgage services segment includes a diverse group of products and services provided to multiple markets.  These services include providing origination and servicing support; default and REO services; post-closing outsourcing; portfolio due diligence; mortgage compliance solutions; servicer oversight to residential mortgage lenders and servicers; technology to support the real estate transaction, and centralized title and valuation services to large lenders.
	The corporate segment consists of the expenses of the parent holding company, certain other corporate overhead expenses, and the costs of its centralized support operations not otherwise allocated to the lines of business.
	Selected statement of operations and comprehensive earnings (loss) information related to these segments follows:
		For the Three Months Ended				For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		($000 omitted)
	Revenues:
	Title	440,513		504,276		1,210,740		1,369,510
	Mortgage services	63,114		28,017		124,846		99,141
	Corporate	4,470		4,542		12,925		9,117
		508,097		536,835		1,348,511		1,477,768
	Intersegment revenues:
	Mortgage services	2,561		2,089		6,435		5,891
	Corporate	733		790		2,158		2,372
		3,294		2,879		8,593		8,263
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Title	1,526		1,461		4,340		4,517
	Mortgage services	3,149		1,022		6,128		2,819
	Corporate	1,946		1,659		5,602		5,385
		6,621		4,142		16,070		12,721
	Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests:
	Title	74,921		60,320		138,372		162,455
	Mortgage services	3,423		(22	)	(432	)	16,321
	Corporate	(35,524	)	(30,708	)	(102,169	)	(93,177	)
		42,820		29,590		35,771		85,599
	The Company does not provide asset information by reportable operating segment as it does not routinely evaluate the asset position by segment.
	Revenues generated in the United States and all international operations follows:
		For the Three Months Ended				For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		($000 omitted)
	United States	473,852		501,506		1,258,098		1,390,220
	International	34,245		35,329		90,413		87,548
		508,097		536,835		1,348,511		1,477,768

Regulatory_and_legal_developme

Regulatory and legal developments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Regulatory and legal developments	'
	Regulatory and legal developments. In January 2009, an action was filed by individuals against Stewart Title Guaranty Company (Guaranty), Stewart Title of California, Inc., Cuesta Title Company and others in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Luis Obispo alleging that the plaintiffs had suffered damages relating to loans they made through Hurst Financial Corporation to an individual named Kelly Gearhart and entities controlled by Gearhart. Thereafter, several other lawsuits making similar allegations, including a lawsuit filed by several hundred individuals, were filed in San Luis Obispo Superior Court, and one such lawsuit was removed to the United States District Court for the Central District of California, which was dismissed and then refiled in San Luis Obispo Superior Court.  The defendants vary from case to case, but Stewart Information Services Corporation, Stewart Title Company and Stewart Title Insurance Company were also each sued in at least one of the cases.  Following several years of discovery and other pretrial proceedings, the Court conducted a bellwether jury trial of the claims of eight of the plaintiffs, four selected by plaintiffs and four selected by defendants, starting on August 5, 2013.  The eight plaintiffs in the bellwether jury trial each asserted claims against Cuesta Title Company, Stewart Title of California, and Guaranty.  One plaintiff in the bellwether jury trial also asserted claims against Stewart Title Company; the Court granted Stewart Title Company’s motion for directed verdict after the close of plaintiffs’ case. On October 8, 2013, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Cuesta Title Company, Stewart Title of California, and Guaranty on every one of every plaintiff’s claims against them. On January 30, 2014, the Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for new trial.  On February 28, 2014, plaintiffs filed their notices of appeal from the verdict in the bellwether jury trial.  Rather than incur additional time and expenses associated with these actions, the Company announced on June 11, 2014, the settlement with approximately 500 plaintiffs representing more than 90 percent of the total number of plaintiffs, pursuant to which it agreed to pay $10.53 million. The settlement agreement involved no admission of liability or violation of law by the defendants and bars the plaintiffs from pursuing further associated claims against the defendants. A small number of plaintiffs have not settled. A trial of the claims of two non-settling plaintiffs is scheduled to start on January 5, 2015, and a trial of the claims of the remaining non-settling plaintiffs is expected to be scheduled to take place sometime thereafter in 2015. Although the Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these actions with the remaining plaintiffs, it will vigorously defend itself and does not believe that the ultimate outcome relating to the remaining plaintiffs will be material to its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
	* * *
	In April  2008, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch (Credit Suisse) asserted a claim under a Guaranty policy of title insurance dated on or about May 19, 2006 based upon the alleged priority of mechanic’s and materialmen’s liens on a resort development in the State of Idaho known as Tamarack. Guaranty ultimately undertook the defense of the claim under a reservation of rights. For reasons set forth in Stewart’s complaint, on or about May 18, 2011, Guaranty withdrew its defense of Credit Suisse and filed a declaratory judgment action in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho captioned Stewart Title Guaranty Company v. Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch seeking a declaratory judgment and other relief. In the lawsuit Guaranty sought, among other things, a determination that it had no duty to indemnify Credit Suisse and sought to have certain provisions of the title insurance policy rescinded. Credit Suisse counterclaimed for, among other things, bad faith failure to pay the claim.
	On August 29, 2013, the United States District Court for the District of Idaho rendered an opinion on Credit Suisse’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. In its opinion the Court, among other things more fully set forth in said opinion, granted Credit Suisse’s motion negating certain policy defenses to coverage asserted by Guaranty. The Court also granted Credit Suisse’s Motion to Amend and permitted the assertion of punitive damages against Guaranty.
	Guaranty’s Motion to Reconsider the Court’s August 29, 2013 was denied.  Guaranty has also filed a Motion for Summary Judgment based on Credit Suisse’s lack of standing to pursue its counter claims, and other grounds. Although the Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter, Guaranty is vigorously prosecuting this litigation and does not believe that the ultimate outcome will have a material adverse impact on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
	* * *
	In August 2011, Stewart Information Services Corporation and Guaranty (collectively “Stewart”) commenced an action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Houston Division against Great American Insurance Company (“Great American”) concerning a fidelity bond Great American had issued insuring Stewart for the bond period from April 23, 2009 to April 23, 2010.  Stewart’s complaint sought damages and alleged, among other things, breach of contract and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing as well as declaratory relief.  On July 22, 2014 a federal jury returned a verdict in favor of Stewart awarding it $9.7 million in actual damages, $4.8 million with respect to Great American’s knowingly engaging in unfair or deceptive acts or claims settlement practices, $1.6 million in damages proximately caused by Great American’s failure to comply with the its duty of good faith and fair dealing to Stewart, and $15.0 million in exemplary damages.  The trial court set aside the $15.0 million exemplary damage award subsequent to the jury’s verdict. During the third quarter 2014, the parties entered into a confidential settlement agreement which resolved the action.
	* * *
	The Company is subject to other claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of its business, most of which involve disputed policy claims. In some of these lawsuits, the plaintiff seeks exemplary or treble damages in excess of policy limits. The Company does not expect that any of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Along with the other major title insurance companies, the Company is party to a number of class action lawsuits concerning the title insurance industry. The Company believes that it has adequate reserves for the various litigation matters and contingencies discussed above and that the likely resolution of these matters will not materially affect its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
	The Company is subject to administrative actions and litigation relating to the basis on which premium taxes are paid in certain states. Additionally, the Company has received various other inquiries from governmental regulators concerning practices in the insurance industry. Many of these practices do not concern title insurance. The Company believes that it has adequately reserved for these matters and does not anticipate that the outcome of these inquiries will materially affect its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
	The Company is subject to various other administrative actions and inquiries into its business conduct in certain of the states in which it operates. While the Company cannot predict the outcome of the various regulatory and administrative matters, it believes that it has adequately reserved for these matters and does not anticipate that the outcome of any of these matters will materially affect its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions. During 2014, the Company completed acquisitions of three companies that provide collateral valuation, settlement services, title and closing services, and quality control and due diligence services for an aggregate purchase price of $39.4 million, net of liabilities assumed. The acquisitions were primarily funded by borrowings on the Company's unsecured line of credit. The Company has recorded preliminary fair value estimates for the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and estimated goodwill of $16.1 million, all of which are subject to change pending completion of the Company’s purchase price allocation, which it expects to complete by the end of 2014. The Company allocates the purchase price of each acquisition to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using a variety of valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis. These acquisitions have been included in the Company’s results of operations and financial position from their respective dates of acquisition.

Other_comprehensive_loss_earni

Other comprehensive (loss) earnings	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings	'
	Other comprehensive (loss) earnings. Changes in the balances of each component of other comprehensive (loss) earnings are as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended						For the Three Months Ended
		September 30, 2014						September 30, 2013
		Before-Tax Amount		Tax Expense (Benefit)		Net-of-Tax Amount		Before-Tax Amount		Tax Expense (Benefit)		Net-of-Tax Amount
		($000 omitted)						($000 omitted)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(8,257	)	(2,227	)	(6,030	)	4,587		1,027		3,560
	Unrealized (losses) gains on investments:
	Change in unrealized (losses) gains on investments	(1,487	)	(521	)	(966	)	1,981		694		1,287
	Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net earnings	(283	)	(98	)	(185	)	(520	)	(182	)	(338	)
	Net unrealized (losses) gains	(1,770	)	(619	)	(1,151	)	1,461		512		949
	Other comprehensive (loss) earnings	(10,027	)	(2,846	)	(7,181	)	6,048		1,539		4,509
		For the Nine Months Ended						For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014						September 30, 2013
		Before-Tax Amount		Tax Expense (Benefit)		Net-of-Tax Amount		Before-Tax Amount		Tax Expense (Benefit)		Net-of-Tax Amount
		($000 omitted)						($000 omitted)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(6,359	)	(2,051	)	(4,308	)	(5,247	)	(1,605	)	(3,642	)
	Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
	Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments	10,616		3,716		6,900		(10,851	)	(3,798	)	(7,053	)
	Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net earnings	(581	)	(203	)	(378	)	(2,421	)	(847	)	(1,574	)
	Net unrealized gains (losses)	10,035		3,513		6,522		(13,272	)	(4,645	)	(8,627	)
	Other comprehensive earnings (loss)	3,676		1,462		2,214		(18,519	)	(6,250	)	(12,269	)

Subsequent_events

Subsequent events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent events	'
	Subsequent events. On October 14, 2014, senior convertible notes aggregating $27.2 million matured and were exchanged for approximately 2.1 million common shares pursuant to the terms of the underlying indenture. On October 21, 2014, the Company replaced its $75.0 million unsecured line of credit with a new $125.0 million unsecured line of credit, providing the Company with additional flexibility and access to cash if needed for short-term operational purposes or to finance strategic initiatives. Amounts outstanding under the prior line of credit, which were $60.0 million at September 30, 2014, are now outstanding under the new line of credit. The new line of credit expires on October 21, 2019. The line of credit includes an expansion option of up to an additional $50.0 million, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Borrowings under the line of credit may, at the Company’s election, bear interest at either an Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate (ABR Borrowing) or LIBOR plus the Applicable Rate (Eurodollar Borrowing). The Applicable Rate ranges from 0.50% to 1.00% per annum for ABR Borrowings and 1.50% to 2.00% per annum for Eurodollar Borrowings based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio (as defined). The line of credit includes representations and warranties, reporting covenants, affirmative covenants, negative covenants, financial covenants and events of default customary for financings of this type.

Interim_financial_statements_P

Interim financial statements (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Management's responsibility	'
	Management’s responsibility. The accompanying interim financial statements were prepared by management, who is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. These financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including management’s best judgments and estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of this information for all interim periods, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, have been made. The Company’s results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year and actual results could differ from those estimates.
Consolidation	'
	Consolidation. The condensed consolidated financial statements include all subsidiaries in which the Company owns more than 50% voting rights in electing directors. All significant intercompany amounts and transactions have been eliminated and provisions have been made for noncontrolling interests. Unconsolidated investees, in which the Company typically owns 20% through 50% of the equity, are accounted for by the equity method.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications. Certain amounts in the 2013 interim financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes. Net earnings attributable to Stewart, as previously reported, were not affected.
Restrictions on cash and investments	'
	Restrictions on cash and investments. The Company maintains investments in accordance with certain statutory requirements for the funding of statutory premium reserves. Such reserves for statutory reserve funds were approximately $437.1 million and $450.6 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. In addition to those investments, cash and cash equivalents include approximately $30.9 million and $15.1 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, designated for the funding of statutory premium reserves. The cash and cash equivalents so designated are not restricted or segregated in depository accounts. If the Company fails to maintain minimum investments or cash and cash equivalents to meet statutory requirements, the Company may be subject to fines or other penalties, including potential revocation of its business license. These funds are not available for any other purpose. In the event that insurance regulators adjust the determination of the statutory premium reserves of the Company’s title insurers, these restricted funds as well as statutory surplus would correspondingly increase or decrease.
Recent Significant Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Significant Accounting Pronouncements. In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The standard will eliminate the transaction- and industry-specific revenue recognition guidance under current GAAP and replace it with a principles-based approach for determining revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The revenue recognition standard is required to be applied retrospectively, including any combination of practical expedients as allowed in the standard. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, and does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

Investments_in_debt_and_equity1

Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Amortized Costs and Fair Values	'
	The amortized costs and fair values follow:
		30-Sep-14		31-Dec-13
		Amortized	Fair	Amortized	Fair
		costs	values	costs	values
		($000 omitted)
	Debt securities:
	Municipal	54,209	55,186	47,808	47,252
	Corporate	292,208	303,115	285,104	291,832
	Foreign	169,169	170,434	164,146	162,367
	U.S. Treasury Bonds	13,819	14,369	14,334	15,197
	Equity securities	17,663	22,509	17,441	20,695
		547,068	565,613	528,833	537,343
Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses	'
	Gross unrealized gains and losses were:
		30-Sep-14		31-Dec-13
		Gains	Losses	Gains	Losses
		($000 omitted)
	Debt securities:
	Municipal	1,097	120	258	813
	Corporate	11,958	1,051	9,955	3,228
	Foreign	1,601	336	363	2,142
	U.S. Treasury Bonds	590	40	924	60
	Equity securities	5,210	364	3,264	11
		20,456	1,911	14,764	6,254
Debt Securities According to Contractual Terms	'
	Debt securities as of September 30, 2014 mature, according to their contractual terms, as follows (actual maturities may differ due to call or prepayment rights):
		Amortized	Fair
		costs	values
		($000 omitted)
	In one year or less	1,610	1,627
	After one year through five years	262,946	268,276
	After five years through ten years	230,273	236,883
	After ten years	34,576	36,318
		529,405	543,104
Gross Unrealized Losses on Investments and Fair Values of Related Securities	'
	As of September 30, 2014, gross unrealized losses on investments and the fair values of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were:
		Less than 12 months		More than 12 months		Total
		Losses	Fair values	Losses	Fair values	Losses	Fair values
		($000 omitted)
	Debt securities:
	Municipal	2	494	118	10,747	120	11,241
	Corporate	123	21,044	928	34,704	1,051	55,748
	Foreign	24	42,924	312	22,016	336	64,940
	U.S. Treasury Bonds	1	241	39	3,555	40	3,796
	Equity securities	364	1,090	—	—	364	1,090
		514	65,793	1,397	71,022	1,911	136,815
	As of December 31, 2013, gross unrealized losses on investments and the fair values of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were:
		Less than 12 months		More than 12 months		Total
		Losses	Fair values	Losses	Fair values	Losses	Fair values
		($000 omitted)
	Debt securities:
	Municipal	770	27,686	43	628	813	28,314
	Corporate	1,682	66,776	1,546	21,710	3,228	88,486
	Foreign	1,539	63,039	603	53,807	2,142	116,846
	U.S. Treasury Bonds	60	3,772	—	—	60	3,772
	Equity securities:	11	1,267	—	—	11	1,267
		4,062	162,540	2,192	76,145	6,254	238,685

Fair_value_measurements_Tables

Fair value measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	As of September 30, 2014, financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
		Level 1	Level 2	Fair value
				measurements
		($000 omitted)
	Investments available-for-sale:
	Debt securities:
	Municipal	—	55,186	55,186
	Corporate	—	303,115	303,115
	Foreign	—	170,434	170,434
	U.S. Treasury Bonds	—	14,369	14,369
	Equity securities	22,509	—	22,509
		22,509	543,104	565,613
	As of December 31, 2013, financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
		Level 1	Level 2	Fair value
				measurements
		($000 omitted)
	Investments available-for-sale:
	Debt securities:
	Municipal	—	47,252	47,252
	Corporate	—	291,832	291,832
	Foreign	—	162,367	162,367
	U.S. Treasury Bonds	—	15,197	15,197
	Equity securities	20,695	—	20,695
		20,695	516,648	537,343

Investment_income_Tables

Investment income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Gross Realized Investment and Other Gains and Losses	'
	Gross realized investment and other gains and losses follows:
		For the Three Months Ended				For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		($000 omitted)
	Realized gains	1,722		1,409		2,429		5,309
	Realized losses	(55	)	(552	)	(1,286	)	(7,636	)
		1,667		857		1,143		(2,327	)
Proceeds from Sales of Investments Available-for-Sale	'
	Proceeds from the sale of investments available-for-sale follows:
		For the Three Months Ended				For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		($000 omitted)
	Proceeds from sale of investments available-for-sale	30,105		19,256		44,580		49,345

Earnings_per_share_Tables

Earnings per share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share	'
	The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended		For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
		2014	2013	2014	2013
		($000 omitted)
	Numerator:
	Net earnings attributable to Stewart	23,717	15,409	17,890	45,514
	Interest expense, net of tax effects	314	303	941	1,109
	If-converted net earnings attributable to Stewart	24,031	15,712	18,831	46,623
	Denominator (000):
	Basic average shares outstanding	22,267	22,475	22,416	21,962
	Dilutive average number of shares relating to options	1	1	1	—
	Dilutive average number of shares relating to convertible senior notes	2,111	2,115	2,111	2,595
	Dilutive average number of shares relating to restricted shares grant	284	178	284	178
	Dilutive average shares outstanding	24,663	24,769	24,812	24,735
	Basic earnings per share attributable to Stewart	1.07	0.69	0.8	2.07
	Diluted earnings per share attributable to Stewart	0.97	0.63	0.76	1.88

Segment_information_Tables

Segment information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Selected Statement of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Earnings Information Related to Segments	'
	Selected statement of operations and comprehensive earnings (loss) information related to these segments follows:
		For the Three Months Ended				For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		($000 omitted)
	Revenues:
	Title	440,513		504,276		1,210,740		1,369,510
	Mortgage services	63,114		28,017		124,846		99,141
	Corporate	4,470		4,542		12,925		9,117
		508,097		536,835		1,348,511		1,477,768
	Intersegment revenues:
	Mortgage services	2,561		2,089		6,435		5,891
	Corporate	733		790		2,158		2,372
		3,294		2,879		8,593		8,263
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Title	1,526		1,461		4,340		4,517
	Mortgage services	3,149		1,022		6,128		2,819
	Corporate	1,946		1,659		5,602		5,385
		6,621		4,142		16,070		12,721
	Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests:
	Title	74,921		60,320		138,372		162,455
	Mortgage services	3,423		(22	)	(432	)	16,321
	Corporate	(35,524	)	(30,708	)	(102,169	)	(93,177	)
		42,820		29,590		35,771		85,599
Revenues Generated in Domestic and Foreign Country	'
	Revenues generated in the United States and all international operations follows:
		For the Three Months Ended				For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		($000 omitted)
	United States	473,852		501,506		1,258,098		1,390,220
	International	34,245		35,329		90,413		87,548
		508,097		536,835		1,348,511		1,477,768

Other_comprehensive_loss_earni1

Other comprehensive (loss) earnings Other comprehensive (loss) earnings (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Changes in the Balances of Each Component of Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)	'
	Changes in the balances of each component of other comprehensive (loss) earnings are as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended						For the Three Months Ended
		September 30, 2014						September 30, 2013
		Before-Tax Amount		Tax Expense (Benefit)		Net-of-Tax Amount		Before-Tax Amount		Tax Expense (Benefit)		Net-of-Tax Amount
		($000 omitted)						($000 omitted)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(8,257	)	(2,227	)	(6,030	)	4,587		1,027		3,560
	Unrealized (losses) gains on investments:
	Change in unrealized (losses) gains on investments	(1,487	)	(521	)	(966	)	1,981		694		1,287
	Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net earnings	(283	)	(98	)	(185	)	(520	)	(182	)	(338	)
	Net unrealized (losses) gains	(1,770	)	(619	)	(1,151	)	1,461		512		949
	Other comprehensive (loss) earnings	(10,027	)	(2,846	)	(7,181	)	6,048		1,539		4,509
		For the Nine Months Ended						For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014						September 30, 2013
		Before-Tax Amount		Tax Expense (Benefit)		Net-of-Tax Amount		Before-Tax Amount		Tax Expense (Benefit)		Net-of-Tax Amount
		($000 omitted)						($000 omitted)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(6,359	)	(2,051	)	(4,308	)	(5,247	)	(1,605	)	(3,642	)
	Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
	Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments	10,616		3,716		6,900		(10,851	)	(3,798	)	(7,053	)
	Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net earnings	(581	)	(203	)	(378	)	(2,421	)	(847	)	(1,574	)
	Net unrealized gains (losses)	10,035		3,513		6,522		(13,272	)	(4,645	)	(8,627	)
	Other comprehensive earnings (loss)	3,676		1,462		2,214		(18,519	)	(6,250	)	(12,269	)

Interim_financial_statements_A

Interim financial statements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization Consolidation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of voting rights owned in electing directors	50.00%	'
Statutory reserve funds, investments	$437,148,000	$450,564,000
Minimum | Stewart Information Services Corporation and subsidiaries	'	'
Organization Consolidation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of voting rights owned in electing directors	20.00%	'
Maximum | Stewart Information Services Corporation and subsidiaries	'	'
Organization Consolidation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of voting rights owned in electing directors	50.00%	'
Statutory Reserve	'	'
Organization Consolidation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Statutory reserve funds, cash and cash equivalents	$30,900,000	$15,100,000

Investments_in_debt_and_equity2

Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale - Amortized Costs and Fair Values (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Equity securities, Amortized costs	$17,663	$17,441
Total, Amortized costs	547,068	528,833
Debt securities, Fair values	543,104	'
Equity securities, Fair values	22,509	20,695
Available for sale securities, Total	565,613	537,343
Municipal	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt securities, Amortized costs	54,209	47,808
Debt securities, Fair values	55,186	47,252
Corporate	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt securities, Amortized costs	292,208	285,104
Debt securities, Fair values	303,115	291,832
Foreign	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt securities, Amortized costs	169,169	164,146
Debt securities, Fair values	170,434	162,367
U.S. Treasury Bonds	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt securities, Amortized costs	13,819	14,334
Debt securities, Fair values	$14,369	$15,197

Investments_in_debt_and_equity3

Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale - Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized gains	$20,456	$14,764
Gross unrealized losses	1,911	6,254
Municipal	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized gains	1,097	258
Gross unrealized losses	120	813
Corporate	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized gains	11,958	9,955
Gross unrealized losses	1,051	3,228
Foreign	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized gains	1,601	363
Gross unrealized losses	336	2,142
U.S. Treasury Bonds	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized gains	590	924
Gross unrealized losses	40	60
Equity securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized gains	5,210	3,264
Gross unrealized losses	$364	$11

Investments_in_debt_and_equity4

Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale - Debt Securities According Contractual Terms (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Amortized costs, In one year or less	$1,610
Amortized costs, After one year through five years	262,946
Amortized costs, After five years through ten years	230,273
Amortized costs, After ten years	34,576
Amortized costs, Total	529,405
Fair Values, In one year or less	1,627
Fair Values, After one year through five years	268,276
Fair Values, After five years through ten years	236,883
Fair Values, After ten years	36,318
Debt securities, fair values total	$543,104

Investments_in_debt_and_equity5

Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale - Gross Unrealized Losses on Investments and Fair Values of Related Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Losses, Less than 12 months	$514	$4,062
Fair Values, Less than 12 months	65,793	162,540
Losses, More than 12 months	1,397	2,192
Fair Values, More than 12 months	71,022	76,145
Total Losses	1,911	6,254
Total Fair Values	136,815	238,685
Municipal	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Losses, Less than 12 months	2	770
Fair Values, Less than 12 months	494	27,686
Losses, More than 12 months	118	43
Fair Values, More than 12 months	10,747	628
Total Losses	120	813
Total Fair Values	11,241	28,314
Corporate	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Losses, Less than 12 months	123	1,682
Fair Values, Less than 12 months	21,044	66,776
Losses, More than 12 months	928	1,546
Fair Values, More than 12 months	34,704	21,710
Total Losses	1,051	3,228
Total Fair Values	55,748	88,486
Foreign	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Losses, Less than 12 months	24	1,539
Fair Values, Less than 12 months	42,924	63,039
Losses, More than 12 months	312	603
Fair Values, More than 12 months	22,016	53,807
Total Losses	336	2,142
Total Fair Values	64,940	116,846
U.S. Treasury Bonds	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Losses, Less than 12 months	1	60
Fair Values, Less than 12 months	241	3,772
Losses, More than 12 months	39	0
Fair Values, More than 12 months	3,555	0
Total Losses	40	60
Total Fair Values	3,796	3,772
Equity securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Losses, Less than 12 months	364	11
Fair Values, Less than 12 months	1,090	1,267
Losses, More than 12 months	0	0
Fair Values, More than 12 months	0	0
Total Losses	364	11
Total Fair Values	$1,090	$1,267

Investments_in_debt_and_equity6

Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2014
	Investment
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Number of investments in an unrealized loss position	62

Fair_value_measurements_Financ

Fair value measurements - Financial Instrument Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements	$565,613	$537,343
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements	565,613	537,343
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Municipal	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements	55,186	47,252
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Corporate	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements	303,115	291,832
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Foreign	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements	170,434	162,367
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. Treasury Bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements	14,369	15,197
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Equity securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements	22,509	20,695
Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements	22,509	20,695
Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Equity securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements	22,509	20,695
Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements	543,104	516,648
Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Municipal	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements	55,186	47,252
Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Corporate	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements	303,115	291,832
Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Foreign	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements	170,434	162,367
Level 2 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. Treasury Bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements	$14,369	$15,197

Investment_income_Gross_Realiz

Investment income - Gross Realized Investment and Other Gains and Losses (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Available for sale securities gross realized gain (loss)	'	'	'	'
Realized gains	$1,722	$1,409	$2,429	$5,309
Realized losses	-55	-552	-1,286	-7,636
Investment and other (losses) gains	$1,667	$857	$1,143	($2,327)

Investment_income_Proceeds_fro

Investment income - Proceeds from the Sales of Investments Available-for-Sale (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Gain loss on sale of investments	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from sales of investments available-for-sale	$30,105	$19,256	$44,580	$49,345

Investment_income_Additional_I

Investment income - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Realized gains from sale of debt and equity investments available-for-sale	$1.10	$2.50
Realized gain on sale of title plant	0.8	'
Non cash charge on early retirement of convertible senior notes	'	5.4
Loss on sale of equity investment	'	1.5
Gain on non-title-related insurance policy proceeds	'	1.7
Facility Closing [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Non-cash charge related to office closures	$1.10	'

Sharebased_incentives_Addition

Share-based incentives - Additional Information (Detail) (Performance-based, USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Performance-based	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Award granted, fair value	$3.90	$2.20
Award vesting period	'3 years	'3 years

Earnings_per_share_Calculation

Earnings per share - Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Net earnings attributable to Stewart	$23,717	$15,409	$17,890	$45,514
Interest expense, net of tax effects	314	303	941	1,109
If-converted net earnings attributable to Stewart	$24,031	$15,712	$18,831	$46,623
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Basic average shares outstanding	22,267	22,475	22,416	21,962
Dilutive average number of shares	2,111	2,115	2,111	2,595
Diluted average shares outstanding	24,663	24,769	24,812	24,735
Basic earnings per share attributable to Stewart (usd per share)	$1.07	$0.69	$0.80	$2.07
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Stewart (usd per share)	$0.97	$0.63	$0.76	$1.88
Options	'	'	'	'
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Dilutive average number of shares	1	1	1	0
Restricted Shares	'	'	'	'
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Dilutive average number of shares	284	178	284	178

Contingent_liabilities_and_com1

Contingent liabilities and commitments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Guarantee of indebtedness, relating to lease deposits	$0.20
Guarantee of indebtedness, relating to unused letters of credit	$5.30

Segment_information_Additional

Segment information - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments	3

Segment_information_Selected_S

Segment information - Selected Statement of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Earnings Information Related to Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$508,097	$536,835	$1,348,511	$1,477,768
Depreciation and amortization	6,621	4,142	16,070	12,721
Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests	42,820	29,590	35,771	85,599
Operating Segments | Title	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	440,513	504,276	1,210,740	1,369,510
Depreciation and amortization	1,526	1,461	4,340	4,517
Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests	74,921	60,320	138,372	162,455
Operating Segments | Mortgage Services	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	63,114	28,017	124,846	99,141
Depreciation and amortization	3,149	1,022	6,128	2,819
Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests	3,423	-22	-432	16,321
Operating Segments | Corporate	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	4,470	4,542	12,925	9,117
Depreciation and amortization	1,946	1,659	5,602	5,385
Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests	-35,524	-30,708	-102,169	-93,177
Intersegment Eliminations	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	3,294	2,879	8,593	8,263
Intersegment Eliminations | Mortgage Services	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	2,561	2,089	6,435	5,891
Intersegment Eliminations | Corporate	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$733	$790	$2,158	$2,372

Segment_information_Revenues_G

Segment information - Revenues Generated in United States and All International Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$508,097	$536,835	$1,348,511	$1,477,768
United States	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	473,852	501,506	1,258,098	1,390,220
International	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$34,245	$35,329	$90,413	$87,548

Regulatory_and_legal_developme1

Regulatory and legal developments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 11, 2014	Jun. 11, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Aug. 05, 2013	Aug. 05, 2013	Aug. 05, 2013	Aug. 05, 2013
	Hurst Financial Loans Litigation	Hurst Financial Loans Litigation	Hurst Financial Loans Litigation	Bellwether Trials	Bellwether Jury Trial Claim Selected by Plaintiffs	Bellwether Jury Trial Claim Selected by Defendants	Hurst Financial Loans, Bellwether Trials, Including Stewart Title Company
		Settled Litigation	Pending Litigation	Plaintiff	claim	claim	Plaintiff
		Plaintiff	Plaintiff
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number Of Plaintiffs	'	500	2	8	'	'	1
Bellwether jury trial claims pending	'	'	'	'	4	4	'
Percent of total plaintiffs (more than)	'	90.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Litigation settlement	$10.53	'	'	'	'	'	'

Regulatory_and_legal_developme2

Regulatory and legal developments - Gain Contingency (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 22, 2014
Positive Outcome of Litigation	'
Gain Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Litigation settlement	$9.70
Damages set aside	15
Failure To Comply Damages	'
Gain Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Litigation settlement	1.6
Unfair and Deceptive Acts Damages	'
Gain Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Litigation settlement	4.8
Exemplary Damages	'
Gain Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Litigation settlement	$15

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			Series of Business Acquisitions	Series of Business Acquisitions
			company
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of companies acquired	'	'	3	'
Aggregate purchase price	'	'	$39,400,000	'
Goodwill	$247,985,000	$231,838,000	'	$16,100,000

Other_comprehensive_loss_earni2

Other comprehensive (loss) earnings - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments, before-tax amount	($8,257)	$4,587	($6,359)	($5,247)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	-2,227	1,027	-2,051	-1,605
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net-of-tax amount	-6,030	3,560	-4,308	-3,642
Change in unrealized (losses) gains on investments, before-tax amount	-1,487	1,981	10,616	-10,851
Change in unrealized (losses) gains on investments, tax	-521	694	3,716	-3,798
Change in unrealized (losses) gains on investments, net-of-tax amount	-966	1,287	6,900	-7,053
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net earnings, before-tax amount	-283	-520	-581	-2,421
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net earnings, tax	-98	-182	-203	-847
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net earnings, net-of-tax amount	-185	-338	-378	-1,574
Net unrealized (losses) gains, before-tax amount	-1,770	1,461	10,035	-13,272
Net unrealized (losses) gains, tax	-619	512	3,513	-4,645
Net unrealized (losses) gains, net-of-tax amount	-1,151	949	6,522	-8,627
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, before taxes	-10,027	6,048	3,676	-18,519
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, tax	-2,846	1,539	1,462	-6,250
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net-of-tax amount	($7,181)	$4,509	$2,214	($12,269)

Subsequent_events_Additional_I

Subsequent events - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 14, 2014	Oct. 21, 2014	Oct. 14, 2014	Oct. 14, 2014	Oct. 14, 2014	Oct. 14, 2014	Oct. 14, 2014
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified		Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event	Alternate Base Rate	Alternate Base Rate	Eurodollar	Eurodollar
					Minimum	Maximum	Minimum	Maximum
					Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate amount of senior convertible notes matured	'	$27,200,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of common shares from conversion of debt	'	2.1	'	'	'	'	'	'
Borrowing capacity	75,000,000	'	125,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Line of credit, amount outstanding	60,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expansion option amount	'	'	'	$50,000,000	'	'	'	'
Basis spread	'	'	'	'	0.50%	1.00%	1.50%	2.00%