STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORP

We discuss in this section the consolidated results of operations for the years 2025 and 2024, as compared to each corresponding prior year. Factors contributing to fluctuations in our results of operations are presented in the order of their monetary significance, and significant changes are quantified, when necessary. Segment results are included in the discussions and are discussed separately, when relevant.

Industry data. Published U.S. mortgage interest rates and other selected residential housing data for the three years ended December 31, 2025 are shown below (amounts shown for 2025 are preliminary and subject to revision). The amounts below may not relate directly to or provide accurate data for forecasting our operating revenues or order counts. Our statements on home sales, mortgage interest rates and loan origination activity are based on averaged published industry data as of December 31, 2025 from sources including Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), when available.

In 2025, the average 30-year mortgage interest rate reached its lowest level in three years, influenced by several interest rate reductions by the federal government which started in late 2024. The average 30-year mortgage interest rate was 6.15% at the end of 2025, compared to 6.85% at the end of 2024 and a 23-year high of 7.79% during the fourth quarter 2023. Total loan dollar originations in 2025 improved 18% compared to 2024, primarily due to a 67% increase in refinancing transactions, with purchase lending volume improving by 4%. However, 2025 existing home sales remained flat to 2024, primarily as a result of the relatively elevated interest rates, tight inventory levels and affordability challenges caused by rising home prices. However, we are encouraged that existing home sales in December 2025 improved 5% (seasonally-adjusted) compared to November 2025, which was the strongest result in nearly three years, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

For 2026, Fannie Mae and MBA expect existing homes sales to improve 7%, with the median existing home price remaining essentially unchanged. The average 30-year mortgage interest rate is forecast to improve to 6.2% in 2026 compared to 6.6% in 2025, and further decline to 6.1% in 2027. Total mortgage originations are expected to improve 15% in 2026, with refinancing and purchase transactions increasing 31% and 7%, respectively, while new homes sales are expected to improve 5% compared to 2025.

Factors affecting revenues. Our primary business is title insurance and settlement-related services. We close transactions and issue title policies on homes, commercial and other real properties located across the U.S. and international markets through policy-issuing offices, agencies and centralized title services centers. Our real estate solutions operations include credit and real estate information services, property preservation and field services, valuation management services, online notarization and closing services, and search services. The corporate segment includes our parent holding company and centralized support services departments. Refer to Item 1. Business for details.

The principal factors that contribute to changes in our operating revenues include:

•interest rates;

•availability of mortgage loans;

•number and average value of mortgage loan originations;

•ability of potential purchasers to qualify for loans;

•inventory of existing homes available for sale;

•ratio of purchase transactions compared with refinance transactions;

•ratio of closed orders to open orders;

•home prices;

•consumer confidence, including employment trends;

•demand by buyers;

•premium rates and related state regulations;

•foreign currency exchange rates;

•market share;

•ability to attract and retain highly productive sales associates;

•independent agency remittance rates;

•opening and integration of new offices and acquisitions;

•office closures;

•number and value of commercial transactions, which typically yield higher premiums;

•government or regulatory initiatives;

•acquisitions or divestitures of businesses;

•volume of distressed property transactions; and

•seasonality and/or weather.

Premiums are determined in part by the values of the transactions we handle. To the extent inflation or market conditions cause increases in the prices of homes and other real estate, premium revenues are also increased. Conversely, falling home prices cause premium revenues to decline. Home price changes may override the seasonal nature of the title insurance business. Historically, our first quarter is the least active in terms of title insurance revenues as home buying is generally depressed during winter months. Our second and third quarters are typically the most active as the summer is the traditional home buying season, and while commercial transaction closings are skewed to the end of the year, individually large commercial transactions can occur any time of the year. On average, title premium rates for refinance orders are lower compared to a similarly priced purchase transaction.

Title revenues. Direct title revenue information is presented below:

Direct title revenues improved 13% in 2025 compared to 2024, primarily due to growth in both commercial and non-commercial domestic revenues. Domestic commercial revenues in 2025 increased 35% compared to the prior year, driven by increased sizes and volume of commercial transactions, primarily related to data center, energy, retail and mixed-use asset classes. Total non-commercial domestic revenues in 2025 increased 6% compared to 2024, primarily as a result of higher combined purchase and refinancing closed transactions and increased average fee per file. Domestic commercial transactions closed improved 13%, while combined purchase and refinancing orders increased 1% in 2025 compared to 2024. Average domestic commercial fee per file in 2025 improved 18% to $19,300, compared to $16,300 in 2024, while average residential fee per file in 2025 improved 6% to $3,200, compared to $3,000 in the prior year. Total international revenues in 2025 improved $14.2 million, 11%, primarily due to overall higher transaction volumes compared to 2024.

Direct title revenues in 2024 improved 6% compared to 2023, primarily driven by increased commercial revenues resulting from increased commercial transactions and higher average transaction size in 2024. Total non-commercial domestic revenues in 2024 declined 3% compared to 2023, primarily as a result of lower total residential transactions influenced by the continued elevated interest rates and weaker existing home sales in 2024. Purchase closed orders during 2024 declined 8%, partially offset by an 8% improvement in refinancing closed orders compared to 2023. Average domestic commercial fee per file in 2024 was $16,300, which was 34% higher compared to 2023, while average residential fee per file in 2024 was $3,000, which was 7% lower compared to 2023, primarily due to lower purchase transaction mix in 2024. Total international revenues in 2024 improved $8.6 million, 7%, primarily due to higher transaction volumes in our Canadian and Australian operations compared to 2023.

Closed and opened orders information is as follows:

Gross revenues from independent agency operations (agency revenues) in 2025 improved $219.4 million, or 21%, compared to 2024, primarily driven by improved volumes in key agency states and commercial transactions. Gross agency revenues increased $57.2 million, or 6%, in 2024 compared to 2023, which was consistent with the performance of our direct title operations and trends of the overall real estate market during 2024. Net agency revenues (which are net of agency retention) increased $36.5 million (21%) and $5.9 million (3%) in 2025 and 2024, respectively, primarily consistent with the gross agency revenues trend. Refer further to the "Retention by agencies" discussion under Expenses below.

Title revenues by geographic location. The approximate amounts and percentages of consolidated title operating revenues for the last three years ended December 31, 2025 were as follows (amounts and percentages are rounded and may not foot as presented):

Real estate solutions revenues. Real estate solutions revenues are primarily comprised of revenues generated by our real estate solutions operations. These revenues increased $79.7 million, or 22%, in 2025 and increased $95.0 million, or 36%, in 2024, compared to corresponding prior periods, primarily due to increased revenues from our credit information and valuation management services businesses.

Investment income. Investment income improved $2.4 million, or 4%, in 2025 compared to 2024, primarily due to the higher interest income generated from increased cash, short-term investments and notes receivable balances in 2025. Investment income in 2024 increased $10.2 million, or 23%, compared to 2023, primarily due to higher interest income resulting from earned interest from eligible escrow balances which started mid-2023. Refer to Note 6 to our audited consolidated financial statements for additional details.

Net realized and unrealized gains. Refer to Note 6 to our audited consolidated financial statements for details.

Expenses. Our employee costs and certain other operating expenses are sensitive to inflation. An analysis of expenses is shown below:

*Amounts change may not add due to rounding.

Retention by agencies. Amounts retained by title agencies are based on agreements between agencies and our title underwriters. Amounts retained by independent agencies, as a percentage of revenues generated by them, averaged 83.0%, 82.9% and 82.5% during each of the three years ended December 31, 2025. The average retention rates during 2025 and 2024 were slightly elevated compared to 2023, primarily as a result of revenue growth from states with relatively higher retention rates in 2025 and 2024. The average retention percentage may vary from period to period due to the geographical mix of agency operations, the volume of title revenues and, in some states, laws or regulations. Due to the variety of such laws or regulations, as well as competitive factors, the average retention rate can differ significantly from state to state. In addition, a high proportion of our independent agencies are in states with retention rates greater than 80%. We continue to focus on increasing profit margins in every state, increasing premium revenue in states where remittance rates are higher, and maintaining the quality of our agency network, which we believe to be the industry’s best, in order to mitigate claims risk and drive consistent future performance. While market share is important in our agency operations channel, it is not as important as margins, risk mitigation and profitability.

Selected cost ratios (by selected segment). The following table shows employee costs and other operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenues for each of the title and real estate solutions segments for the years ended December 31:

Employee costs. Consolidated employee costs increased $85.2 million, or 11%, in 2025 compared to 2024, and increased $32.6 million, or 5%, in 2024 compared to 2023, primarily driven by higher salaries and employee benefits expenses related to a higher average employee count, and increased incentive compensation consistent with overall improved results during 2025 and 2024. Our total employee counts at December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 were approximately 7,800, 7,000 and 6,800 respectively. Average cost per employee for 2025 and 2024 increased 4% and 6%, respectively, compared to corresponding prior periods, primarily driven by higher incentive compensation and benefits expenses.

Employee costs for the title segment increased $77.0 million, or 11%, in 2025 and increased $28.5 million, or 4%, in 2024, primarily driven by higher average employee counts and increased incentive compensation compared to corresponding prior periods. Employee costs for the real estate solutions segments increased $7.9 million, or 14%, in 2025 and increased $5.3 million, or 11%, in 2024, primarily due to higher average employee counts compared to corresponding prior periods.

Other operating expenses. Other operating expenses include costs that are primarily fixed in nature, costs that follow, to varying degrees, changes in transaction volumes and revenues (variable costs) and costs that fluctuate independently of revenues (independent costs). Costs that are primarily fixed in nature include rent and other occupancy expenses, equipment rental, insurance, repairs and maintenance, technology costs and telecommunications expenses. Variable costs include third-party service and appraiser expenses related to real estate solutions operations, title outside search fees, attorney fee splits, credit losses (on receivables), copy supplies, delivery fees, postage, premium taxes and title plant maintenance expenses. Independent costs include general supplies, litigation defense, business promotion and marketing and travel.

Consolidated other operating expenses in 2025 and 2024 increased $110.7 million (18%) and $96.3 million (19%), respectively, primarily driven by higher real estate solutions service expenses and increased title outside search and premium tax expenses resulting from revenue growth compared to corresponding prior periods. Total other operating expenses, as a percentage of total operating revenues (other operating expenses ratio), were 25.0%, 24.9% and 22.9% during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, with the higher ratios in 2025 and 2024 primarily driven by the increased size of our real estate solutions operations, which typically have higher other operating expenses.

During 2025, total variable costs increased $92.8 million, or 25%, primarily driven by higher service and appraiser expenses, and title outside search expenses resulting from improved revenues from real estate solutions and commercial services, respectively, compared to 2024. Costs that are primarily fixed in nature increased $4.4 million, or 2%, in 2025, primarily as a result of increased technology costs, while independent costs increased $13.5 million, or 25%, in 2025, primarily due to increased business promotion, marketing, and travel costs and file clean-up expenses.

During 2024, total variable costs increased $99.5 million, or 37%. compared to 2023, primarily driven by higher appraiser and service expenses and outside search expenses resulting from improved revenues from real estate solutions and commercial services, respectively. Costs that are primarily fixed in nature in 2024 were comparable with 2023, while independent costs decreased $3.1 million, or 5%, primarily due to lower office closure and litigation settlement expenses, partially offset by higher business promotion and marketing, and travel costs.

Title losses. Provisions for title losses, as a percentage of title operating revenues, were 3.4%, 3.9% and 4.1% in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The title loss ratio in any given year can be significantly influenced by changes in new large claims incurred, escrow losses and adjustments to reserves for existing large claims. We continue to manage and resolve large claims prudently and in keeping with our commitments to our policyholders.

Title losses in 2025 slightly increased (2%) compared to 2024, while title losses in 2024 were comparable to 2023, which were both primarily driven by our continued overall favorable claims experience in 2025 and 2024, which reduced the effect of increased title premiums in 2025 and 2024 compared to corresponding prior periods. Total claims payments in 2025 were $76.6 million, which was 10% lower compared to 2024, primarily due to lower payments on large claims related to prior year policies. Total claims payments in 2024 were $85.4 million, which was 18% lower compared to 2023, primarily due to decreased payments for both large and non-large claims related to prior policy years. Claims payments made on large title claims (net of recoveries) during 2025, 2024 and 2023 were $6.3 million, $14.9 million and $26.3 million, respectively.

Our liability for estimated title losses as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 comprises both known claims and our IBNR. Known claims reserves are reserves related to actual losses reported to us. Our reserve for known claims comprises both claims related to title insurance policies as well as losses arising from escrow closing and funding operations due to fraud or error (which are recognized as expense when discovered). The amount of the reserve represents the aggregate, non-discounted future payments (net of recoveries) that we expect to incur on policy and escrow losses and in costs to settle claims.

Total title policy loss reserve balances at December 31 were as follows:

The actual timing of estimated title loss payments may vary since claims, by their nature, are complex and paid over long periods of time. Based on historical payment patterns, approximately 85% of the outstanding loss reserves are paid out within eight years. As a result, the estimate of the ultimate amount to be paid on any claim may be modified over that time period. Due to the inherent uncertainty in predicting future title policy losses, significant judgment is required by both our management and our third party actuaries in estimating reserves. As a consequence, our ultimate liability may be materially greater or less than current reserves and/or our third party actuary’s calculated estimates. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, our reserve balance was above the actuarial midpoint of total estimated policy loss reserves. Refer to Note 10 (Estimated title losses) to our audited consolidated financial statements for details.

Depreciation and amortization. Total depreciation and amortization expense in 2025 was comparable to 2024, primarily due to the amortization and depreciation expenses related to acquired intangible assets and new internal-use systems placed into operations were offset by several assets becoming fully amortized during 2025. Total depreciation and amortization expense in 2024 was also comparable to 2023, primarily due to increased depreciation expenses related to new internal-use systems placed into operation being offset by lower acquisition intangible amortization expenses resulting from several assets becoming fully amortized. Acquisition intangible asset amortization expenses in 2025, 2024 and 2023 were $31.9 million, $32.1 million and $34.6 million, respectively.

Income taxes. Our effective tax rates for 2025, 2024 and 2023 were 24%, 26% and 33%, respectively, based on income before taxes (after deducting noncontrolling interests) of $150.9 million, $99.5 million and $45.7 million, respectively. The higher effective tax rate for 2023 was primarily due to the effect of non-deductible expenses on lower pretax income and higher foreign income contribution (which is taxed at a higher rate than domestic income) in 2023. Refer to Note 7 to our audited consolidated financial statements for details on the effective tax rates and income tax accounts.