Fidelity National Financial, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 EPS of $0.78

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FNF), a leading provider of title insurance, mortgage services and diversified services, today reported operating results for the three-month and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2011.

• Pre-tax title margin, excluding realized gains and losses, of 11.7% versus 11.2% in the fourth quarter of 2010  
• Commercial revenue of $103.8 million; 2% growth versus the strong fourth quarter of 2010; largest quarterly commercial revenue in company history
• January 2012 open orders per day increased to 10,200, nearly a 20% sequential increase over the fourth quarter 2011 per day average and the highest monthly level since November 2010
• The agency commission split was 76% / 24% in the fourth quarter versus 78% / 22% in the fourth quarter of 2010, an improvement of approximately 200 basis points
• Total title claims paid of $153 million, a decrease of 14% versus the fourth quarter of 2010
• $95 million after-tax gain from the sale of the flood insurance business; $0.43 contribution to diluted earnings per share in fourth quarter
• Signed definitive agreement to sell 85 percent of personal lines business to WT Holdings, Inc. for $119 million; $9 million net loss recorded on the expected sale, a ($0.04) impact on diluted earnings per share in the fourth quarter; closing is expected in the first half of 2012

The following are summary financial and operational results for the title insurance segment of FNF for the three-month and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:

- The preceding table only includes commercial activity from FNF's commercial offices in the national commercial division and does not attempt to capture potential commercial activity in our local offices.

"2011 was another successful year for our company," said Chairman William P. Foley, II.  "Despite a continued challenging environment for our title business, we were able to improve our title pre-tax margin, excluding realized gains and losses, by 320 basis points versus 2010.  Our commercial business was particularly strong, producing 25% revenue growth over 2010.

"We also were successful in closing the sale of our flood insurance business in November.  The total sale price was approximately $210 million, generating a $95 million after-tax gain, or $0.43 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter results.  We also signed a definitive agreement to sell an 85% interest in our personal lines business in late December for approximately $119 million, which resulted in a $9 million net loss, or ($0.04) per diluted share.  We expect to close this transaction in the first half of 2012.  These two divestitures will produce total sales proceeds of approximately $329 million, including $254 million in cash and $75 million in an eighteen month note receivable, allowing us to redeploy the capital into other uses that we expect to generate higher future returns and greater value for our shareholders."

"The fourth quarter was a strong finish to a great year in our title business, as our emphasis on profitability is reflected in these results," said Chief Executive Officer George P. Scanlon.  "Despite a 14% decline in total title operating revenue associated with a decline in closed orders and an 8% reduction in our agent count, we strengthened the pre-tax title margin, excluding realized gains and losses, to 11.7% versus 11.2% in the fourth quarter of 2010.  Additionally, our commercial operations grew sequentially and produced nearly $104 million in revenue in the fourth quarter, the strongest commercial revenue quarter in the history of our company.  In the agency business, we improved the net remittance to FNF by nearly 200 basis points versus the prior year quarter, as the reduction in unprofitable agency relationships and the move to an 80% / 20% split in New York had a meaningful impact on our agency margins.  As we expected, total title claims paid in the fourth quarter declined by 14% versus the fourth quarter of 2010 and we expect that trend to continue into next year.  Finally, daily open orders for the month of January averaged more than 10,200, nearly a 20% sequential increase over the fourth quarter 2011 per day average and the highest monthly level since November 2010.  The increase was primarily driven by traditional refinance transactions, as we do not expect to see the incremental benefit of Harp 2.0 refinance transactions until the second quarter.  Overall, we are confident that our title business is well-positioned to produce strong, industry-leading returns in 2012."

Conference Call

FNF will host a call with investors and analysts to discuss fourth quarter 2011 results on Thursday, February 9, 2012, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.  A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Events and Multimedia page of the FNF Investor Relations website at www.fnf.com.  The conference call replay will be available via webcast through the FNF Investor Relations website at www.fnf.com.  The telephone replay will be available from 12:00 p.m. Eastern time on February 9, 2012, through February 16, 2012, by dialing 800-475-6701 (USA) or 320-365-3844 (International).  The access code will be 231930.

About FNF

Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FNF), is a leading provider of title insurance, mortgage services and diversified services.  FNF is the nation's largest title insurance company through its title insurance underwriters -- Fidelity National Title, Chicago Title, Commonwealth Land Title and Alamo Title -- that collectively issue more title insurance policies than any other title company in the United States.  In addition, among other operations, FNF owns minority interests in Ceridian Corporation, a leading provider of global human capital management and payment solutions, Remy International, Inc., a leading designer, manufacturer, remanufacturer, marketer and distributor of aftermarket and original equipment electrical components for automobiles, light trucks, heavy-duty trucks and other vehicles and American Blue Ribbon Holdings, LLC, an owner and operator of the Village Inn, Bakers Square and Max & Erma's restaurants.  More information about FNF can be found at www.fnf.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements regarding our expectations, hopes, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Because such statements are based on expectations as to future financial and operating results and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ materially from those projected. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  The risks and uncertainties which forward-looking statements are subject to include, but are not limited to: changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; weakness or adverse changes in the level of real estate activity, which may be caused by, among other things, high or increasing interest rates, a limited supply of mortgage funding or a weak U. S. economy; our potential inability to find suitable acquisition candidates, acquisitions in lines of business that will not necessarily be limited to our traditional areas of focus, or difficulties in integrating acquisitions; our dependence on distributions from our title insurance underwriters as a main source of cash flow; significant competition that our operating subsidiaries face; compliance with extensive government regulation of our operating subsidiaries; and other risks detailed in the "Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information," "Risk Factors" and other sections of the Company's Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Fidelity National Financial, Inc.