FNF Fidelity National Financial Inc

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE:FNF) (the Company), a leading provider of title insurance and transaction services to the real estate and mortgage industries and a leading provider of insurance solutions serving retail annuity and life customers and institutional clients through FNF's wholly-owned subsidiary, F&G, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and twelve months (full year) ended December 31, 2021.  FNF acquired F&G on June 1, 2020 and financial results for full year 2020 include F&G results for the partial year period subsequent to the acquisition.

Net earnings available to common shareholders for the fourth quarter of $533 million, or $1.87 per diluted share (per share), compared to $801 million, or $2.73 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2020.  Full year net earnings available to common shareholders of $2.4 billion, or $8.44 per share, compared to $1.4 billion, or $4.99 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2020.  Net earnings available to common shareholders include mark-to-market effects, non-recurring items and discontinued operations; all of which are excluded from adjusted net earnings available to common shareholders.

Adjusted net earnings available to common shareholders (adjusted net earnings) for the fourth quarter of $616 million, or $2.16 per share, compared to $588 million, or $2.01 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2020.  Full year adjusted net earnings of $2.3 billion, or $7.90 per share, compared to $1.5 billion, or $5.34 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2020.  

Company Highlights

• Strong profitability: Adjusted net earnings increased 5% over fourth quarter 2020 and 49% over full year 2020, driven by Title's record top line performance and industry leading margins, F&G's record sales boosting asset growth, and strong execution across the team
• Robust continued demand across mortgage market: Total revenue of $4.8 billion and $15.6 billion for the quarter and full year, respectively. Total revenue, excluding recognized gains and losses, of $4.6 billion for the fourth quarter, a 43% increase over fourth quarter 2020, and a record $15.3 billion for the full year, a 49% increase over full year 2020 primarily driven by strong Title segment performance
• Strong growth for F&G continues : F&G total sales of $2.2 billion for the fourth quarter, a 50% increase over fourth quarter 2020, and a record $9.6 billion for the full year, a 98% increase over full year 2020 from expansion into new channels
• Significant deployable capital: FNF has repurchased 2.1 million shares for a total $104 million, at an average price of $50.70 per share, in the fourth quarter. For the full year 2021, FNF has repurchased 10.2 million shares for a total $461 million, at an average price of $45.22 per share, and paid common dividends at $1.56 per share for a total $446 million reflecting 16% growth over full year 2020. FNF ended the year with $1.5 billion in cash and short-term liquid investments at the holding company
• Ratings momentum: FNF ratings were placed on Rating Watch Positive by Fitch Ratings and F&G ratings were placed on Review for Upgrade by Moody's Investors Service in the fourth quarter
• Executive management transition : In January, announced Mike Nolan appointed Chief Executive Officer and Randy Quirk appointed Executive Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective February 1, 2022

William P. Foley, II, commented, "We have continued to deliver outstanding results as we increased revenues 27% to $4.8 billion in the fourth quarter, while our full year 2021 revenues grew 45% to a record $15.6 billion.  Our Title business continued to perform at record levels despite the decline in refinance volumes and F&G's expansion into new institutional channels positions us well for continued strong asset growth.  Importantly, our results validate our vision of putting these two dynamic businesses together as we build a company that has a resilient financial model designed to deliver earnings through varying market cycles."

Mr. Foley concluded, "Our disciplined strategy is focused on returning capital to shareholders, while making strategic investments in our businesses to drive profitable growth and attractive returns for all of our stakeholders.  Our holding company cash balance held steady at $1.5 billion, generated from a record level of net cash from operations in recent quarters.  During the fourth quarter, we deployed $231 million through our quarterly dividend and share repurchase program.  Over the last year, we have paid $446 million in common dividends and repurchased $461 million of shares as we returned over $900 million of capital to our shareholders."

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Consolidated Financial Results

Net earnings available to common shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2021 of $533 million, or $1.87 per share, compared to $801 million, or $2.73 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2020.  Net earnings available to common shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2021 includes $65 million net unfavorable mark-to-market effects and $18 million other unfavorable items; all of which are excluded from adjusted net earnings.

Net earnings available to common shareholders for the full year of 2021 of $2.4 billion, or $8.44 per share, compared to $1.4 billion, or $4.99 per share, for the full year 2020. Net earnings available to common shareholders of 2021 includes $224 million one-time favorable adjustment from F&G's actuarial system conversion and $6 million net favorable mark-to-market effects, partially offset by $84 million other unfavorable items; all of which are excluded from adjusted net earnings.

Adjusted net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2021 of $616 million, or $2.16 per share, compared to $588 million, or $2.01 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase from the prior year quarter was driven by Title's record revenue and strong pre-tax title margin, as well as F&G's sales boosting asset growth.

Adjusted net earnings for the full year 2021 of $2.3 billion, or $7.90 per share, compared to $1.5 billion, or $5.34 per share, for the full year 2020. The increase from the prior year was driven by Title's top line performance and industry leading margins, F&G's record sales boosting asset growth, and strong execution across the team.

Segment Financial Results

Title

This segment consists of the operations of the Company's title insurance underwriters and related businesses, which provide core title insurance and escrow and other title-related services including trust activities, trustee sales guarantees, and home warranty products. This segment also includes the Company's transaction services business, which includes other title-related services used in the production and management of mortgage loans.

Fourth Quarter 2021 Highlights

Mike Nolan, Chief Executive Officer, said, "We delivered record adjusted pre-tax title earnings of $717 million and an adjusted pre-tax title margin of 22.4% in the fourth quarter.  Momentum in our residential purchase and commercial revenue more than offset the ongoing and expected contraction in refinance volumes, which hold a significantly lower fee per file. Looking ahead to 2022, we are well-positioned for success with scale advantage as the nationwide market leader, technology driven innovation, growth and efficiency, and our disciplined operating strategy."  

• Total revenue of $3.1 billion, versus $3.0 billion in total revenue in the fourth quarter of 2020
• Total revenue, excluding recognized gains and losses, of $3.2 billion, a 16% increase over $2.8 billion for the fourth quarter of 2020
• • Direct title premiums of $1.0 billion, a 21% increase over fourth quarter of 2020
  • Agency title premiums of $1.4 billion, a 23% increase over fourth quarter of 2020
  • Commercial revenue of $546 million, a 70% increase over fourth quarter of 2020
• Purchase orders opened increased 2% on a daily basis and purchase orders closed increased 4% on a daily basis over fourth quarter of 2020
• Refinance orders opened decreased 44% on a daily basis and refinance orders closed decreased 39% on a daily basis from fourth quarter of 2020
• Commercial orders opened increased 13% and commercial orders closed increased 17% over fourth quarter of 2020
• Total fee per file of $3,023 for the fourth quarter, a 43% increase over fourth quarter of 2020

Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial Results

• Industry-leading pre-tax title margin of 18.5% and adjusted pre-tax title margin of 22.4% for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to 29.4% and 22.7%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2020
• Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations in Title for the fourth quarter of $567 million, compared to $896 million for the fourth quarter of 2020
• Adjusted pre-tax earnings in Title for the fourth quarter of $717 million compared to $624 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase from the prior year quarter was driven by record revenue and strong pre-tax title margin

Full year 2021 Financial Results

• Total revenue, excluding recognized gains and losses , of $11.9 billion for the full year, a 29% increase over $9.2 billion for the full year 2020
• Industry-leading pre-tax title margin of 18.6% and adjusted pre-tax title margin of 21.7% for the full year, compared to 20.0% and 19.6%, respectively, for the full year 2020; primarily driven by the Company's market leading position combined with noteworthy execution
• Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations in Title for the full year of $2.1 billion compared to $1.9 billion for the full year 2020
• Adjusted pre-tax earnings in Title for the full year of $2.6 billion compared to $1.8 billion for the full year 2020. The increase from the prior year was driven by both record revenue and pre-tax title margin

F&G

This segment consists of operations of FNF's wholly-owned subsidiary F&G, a leading provider of insurance solutions serving retail annuity and life customers and funding agreement and pension risk transfer institutional clients.

Chris Blunt, President and Chief Executive Officer of F&G, commented, "The benefits from our diversified growth strategy generated fourth quarter sales of $2.2 billion and full year sales of $9.6 billion, nearly double the prior year.  We ended the year with assets under management of $36.5 billion and are well ahead of our goal of doubling assets under management over five years, as outlined at the time of our acquisition by FNF.  Looking ahead to 2022, we are well-positioned for sustainable growth in sales and assets under management while consistently managing spread."

Fourth Quarter 2021

• Total sales of $2.2 billion for the fourth quarter, an increase of 50% over the fourth quarter 2020, reflecting successful execution of F&G's diversified growth strategy with a disciplined approach to pricing
• Retail sales of $1.4 billion for the fourth quarter, an increase of 5% over the fourth quarter 2020, driven by steady growth in the independent agent, bank and broker dealer channels
• Institutional sales of $811 million includes $776 million of pension risk transfer transactions and funding agreement issuance of $35 million for the fourth quarter, compared to $100 million funding agreement issuance for the fourth quarter 2020; reflects entrance into new markets
• Average assets under management (AAUM) of $35.7 billion for the fourth quarter, up 9% from $32.7 billion in the sequential quarter and 28% from $27.9 billion in the fourth quarter 2020, driven by net new business asset flows.
• Net earnings for F&G for the fourth quarter of $121 million compared to $137 million for the fourth quarter of 2020
• Adjusted net earnings for F&G for the fourth quarter of $90 million compared to $128 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 which included $68 million of net favorable notable items. Adjusted net earnings excluding notable items were $87 million in the fourth quarter, an increase of $27 million compared to $60 million in the prior year quarter, driven by growth in assets under management

Full Year 2021

• Total sales record of $9.6 billion for the full year, an increase of 98% over the full year 2020, reflecting execution of the Company's diversified growth strategy with a disciplined approach to pricing
• Retail sales record of $6.1 billion for the full year, an increase of 43% over the full year 2020, driven by ongoing growth in independent agent distribution and continued expansion in bank and broker dealer channels
• Institutional sales of $3.5 billion for the full year, including funding agreement issuances of $2.3 billion and pension risk transfer transactions of nearly $1.2 billion; reflects entrance into new markets
• Average assets under management (AAUM) of $31.9 billion for the full year. Ending assets under management (AUM) of $36.5 billion at December 31, 2021
• Net earnings for F&G for the full year of $865 million
• Adjusted net earnings for F&G for the full year of $361 million primarily driven by strong growth in assets under management

Conference Call

We will host a call with investors and analysts to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2021 FNF results on Thursday, February 24, 2022, 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 fnf.com.  The conference call replay will be available via webcast through the FNF Investor Relations website at fnf.com. The telephone replay will be available from 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 24, 2022, through March 3, 2022, by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (USA) or 1-412-317-6671 (International). The access code will be 13726447. An expanded quarterly financial supplement providing F&G segment results is available on the FNF Investor Relations website.

About Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FNF) is a leading provider of title insurance and transaction services to the real estate and mortgage industries.  FNF is the nation's largest title insurance company through its title insurance underwriters - Fidelity National Title, Chicago Title, Commonwealth Land Title, Alamo Title and National Title of New York - that collectively issue more title insurance policies than any other title company in the United States.  More information about FNF can be found at fnf.com. 

About F&G

F&G is part of the FNF family of companies. F&G is committed to helping Americans turn their aspirations into reality. F&G is a leading provider of insurance solutions serving retail annuity and life customers and institutional clients and is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. For more information, please visit fglife.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is the term used to refer to the standard framework of guidelines for financial accounting. GAAP includes the standards, conventions, and rules accountants follow in recording and summarizing transactions and in the preparation of financial statements. In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with GAAP, this earnings release includes non-GAAP financial measures, which the Company believes are useful to help investors better understand its financial performance, competitive position and prospects for the future. These non-GAAP measures include, adjusted net earnings per share, adjusted pre-tax title earnings, adjusted pre-tax title earnings as a percentage of adjusted title revenue (adjusted pre-tax title margin), adjusted net earnings attributable to common shareholders (adjusted net earnings), net investment spread, assets under management (AUM), average assets under management (AAUM) and sales. 

Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures may be useful in certain instances to provide additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods.  Our non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other organizations because other organizations may not calculate such non-GAAP measures in the same manner as we do.

The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation of or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.  By disclosing these non-GAAP financial measures, FNF believes it offers investors a greater understanding of, and an enhanced level of transparency into, the means by which the Company's management operates the Company.

Any non-GAAP measures should be considered in context with the GAAP financial presentation and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP net earnings, net earnings attributable to common shareholders, net earnings per share, or any other measures derived in accordance with GAAP as measures of operating performance or liquidity. Further, FNF's non-GAAP measures may be calculated differently from similarly titled measures of other companies. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are provided below.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

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: the potential impact of the consummation of the F&G transaction on relationships, including with employees, suppliers, customers and competitors; changes in general economic, business, political and COVID-19 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; our dependence on distributions from our title insurance underwriters as a main source of cash flow; significant competition that F&G and 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 FNF's Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

FNF-E

Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information

Title

The table below reconciles pre-tax title earnings to adjusted pre-tax title earnings.