Old Republic Reports Results For The First Quarter 2018

April 26, 2018 09:00

CHICAGO, April 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE: ORI) today reported the operating and net income amounts shown in the following table. Pretax operating income dropped across most segments in this year's first quarter. On the other hand, post-tax operating income rose as it benefited from lower corporate income tax rates. Net income was affected by the same factor, as well as the inclusion of unrealized fair-value investment gains (losses) on equity securities for the first time beginning in 2018. As a consequence, year-over-year post-tax operating and net income are not fully comparable among the periods reported upon. The table following the Financial Highlights shows the impact of these factors on period-to-period comparisons.

*Financial Highlights (a)*
	Quarters Ended March 31,
	2018		2017		Change
Operating revenues:
General insurance	$	904.8	$	849.0	6.6%
Title insurance		523.6		527.8	-0.8
Corporate and other		11.6		11.9	-2.2
Subtotal		1,440.1		1,388.8	3.7
RFIG run-off business		26.7		41.1	-35.0
Total	$	1,466.8	$	1,429.9	2.6%
Pretax operating income (loss):
General insurance	$	83.3	$	93.7	-11.1%
Title insurance		29.5		40.4	-27.0
Corporate and other		6.5		1.1	N/M
Subtotal		119.4		135.3	-11.8
RFIG run-off business		10.9		14.5	-24.2
Total		130.4		149.8	-13.0%
Pretax investment gains (losses):
Realized from actual sale transactions		15.5		14.8	4.7%
Unrealized from changes in fair value of equity securities		(152.0)		-	N/A
Total realized and unrealized investment gains (losses)		(136.4)		14.8	N/M
Consolidated pretax income(loss)		(6.0)		164.7	-103.7
Income taxes (credits)		(10.1)		51.6	-119.7
Net income (loss)	$	4.0	$	113.1	-96.4%
Components of post-tax diluted earnings per share:
Net operating income (loss):
General insurance	$	0.26	$	0.22	18.2%
Title insurance		0.08		0.09	-11.1
Corporate and other		0.03		0.02	50.0
Subtotal		0.37		0.33	12.1
RFIG run-off business		0.03		0.03	-
Net operating income (loss)		0.40		0.36	11.1
Net realized investment gains (losses) from actual sale transactions		0.04		0.03	33.3
Subtotal		0.44		0.39	12.8
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) from changes in fair value of equity securities		(0.43)		-	N/A
Net income (loss)	$	0.01	$	0.39	-97.4%
Cash dividends declared per share	$	0.1950	$	0.1900	2.6%
Ending book value per share	$	16.82	$	17.58	-4.3%

(a) Unaudited / All amounts in this report are stated in millions except per share data and percentages. N/M = Not meaningful / N/A = Not applicable

Effective January 1, 2018, two significant events have occurred that have a bearing on the reporting of consolidated pretax income, as well as post-tax net operating and net income. The first arises from a new rule of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") which requires the inclusion of unrealized investment gains or losses emanating from changes in the fair value of equity (but not fixed maturity) securities in the determination of pre and post-tax net income. The second emanates from a reduction of nominal Federal corporate income tax rates from 35% to 21%.

To enhance a comparison of reported earnings among the periods reported upon, the following table shows the resulting effective income tax rates and the inclusion of changes in fair value of equity securities in 2017 results as if the new rule applied to that year.

	Quarters Ended March 31,
	2018		2017			Change
Pretax operating income	$	130.4	$	149.8		-13.0%
Income tax expense (effective rates 14.3% and 31.0%)(a)		18.5		46.4		-59.9
Net operating income		111.8		103.4		8.1
Realized investment gains (losses) from actual sale transactions		15.5		14.8		4.7
Income tax expense (effective rates 21.0% and 35.0%)(a)		3.2		5.1		-37.2
Net realized investment gains (losses)		12.2		9.6		27.3
Combined pretax operating income and realized investment gains (losses)		145.9		164.7		-11.4
Income tax expense (effective rates 15.0% and 31.3%)(a)		21.8		51.6		-57.6
Combined net operating income and realized investment gains (losses)		124.0		113.1		9.7%
Unrealized gains (losses) from changes in fair value of equity securities		(152.0)		47.9	(b)
Income tax expense (effective rates 21.0% and 35.0%)(a)		(32.0)		16.7	(b)
Net unrealized gains (losses)		(120.0)		31.2	(b)
Consolidated pretax income (loss)		(6.0)		212.7	(b)
Income tax expense (effective rates N/M and 32.1%)(a)		(10.1)		68.3	(b)
Net income (loss)	$	4.0	$	144.3	(b)


(a)	Effective rates based on 2018 (21%) and 2017 (35%) nominal Federal income tax rates, respectively.
(b)	Amounts for 2017 include the retroactive, "as if" addition of equity securities unrealized gains or losses for that period.

The above and preceding table show both net operating and net income to highlight the effects of realized and, beginning in 2018, certain unrealized investment gains or losses on period-to-period comparisons. Management uses operating income, a non-GAAP financial measure, to evaluate and better explain operating performance, believing that the measure enhances an understanding of Old Republic's core business results. Net operating income, however, does not replace GAAP net income as a measure of total profitability.

The realization of investment gains or losses can be highly discretionary due to such factors as the timing of individual securities sales, the recording of estimated losses from write-downs of impaired securities, tax-planning and tax-rate change considerations, as well as modifications in investment management judgments regarding the direction of securities markets or the future prospects of individual investees or industry sectors. The inclusion, beginning in 2018 of market-driven changes in equity investments' valuations will likely produce, as it has most assuredly done in this year's first three months, greater period-to-period fluctuations in reported net income particularly at times of significant instability or volatility in the securities markets. This FASB change, however, has no effect on management or evaluation of the Company's operating results, nor on the determination of such critical elements as current income taxes, debt-to-equity ratios, shareholders' equity, or its insurance subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to the ORI parent company.

General Insurance Results – The table below shows the major elements affecting this segment's performance for the periods reported upon.


	General Insurance Group
	Quarters Ended March 31,
	2018		2017		Change
Net premiums earned	$	791.2	$	742.8	6.5%
Net investment income		83.2		78.8	5.5
Other income		30.3		27.3	11.0
Operating revenues		904.8		849.0	6.6
Claim costs		566.1		527.6	7.3
Sales and general expenses		238.3		211.9	12.5
Interest and other costs		17.0		15.6	8.7
Total operating expenses		821.4		755.3	8.8
Pretax operating income (loss)(a)	$	83.3	$	93.7	-11.1%

Claim ratio		71.5%		71.0%
Expense ratio		26.3		24.9
Composite underwriting ratio		97.8%		95.9%

(a)

In connection with the run-off mortgage guaranty ("MI") and consumer credit indemnity ("CCI") combination, $0.4 and $(4.5) of pretax operating gains (losses) for the first quarter 2018 and 2017, respectively, were retained by certain general insurance companies pursuant to various quota share and stop loss reinsurance agreements. All of these amounts, however, have been reclassified such that 100% of the CCI run-off business is reported in the RFIG run-off segment.

With few exceptions, earned premiums grew for most types of coverages and markets served. The aggregating effects of recent years' rate increases along with new business production are main elements in the higher premium levels. Net investment income gained from the combination of a moderately larger invested asset base and uptrend in dividend income.

Claim costs were affected by better performance in workers compensation and commercial automobile (trucking) coverages. Poorer results for the relatively small and volatile general liability coverage and several other types of insurance, however, offset that better performance. For all coverages combined, current periods' improving claim ratios were dampened by unfavorable developments of prior years' reserves. These amounted to 2.0 and 1.4 percentage points in the first quarter of 2018 and 2017, respectively. The table below shows recent annual and quarterly trends in prior years' developments:

	Reported Claim Ratio	Effect of Prior Years' (Favorable)/‌ Unfavorable Claim Reserves Development	Claim Ratio Excluding Prior Years' Claim Reserves Development
2013	73.6%	(0.9)%	74.5%
2014	77.9	3.9	74.0
2015	74.1	1.5	72.6
2016	73.0	0.3	72.7
2017	71.8%	0.7%	71.1%
1st Quarter 2017	71.0%	1.4%	69.6%
1st Quarter 2018	71.5%	2.0%	69.5%

2018's expense ratio increased nearly 6% to 26.3%. This was largely caused by different production cost structures effecting some faster growing coverages in this year's first quarter.

Quarterly and even annual claim provisions and the trends they display may not be particularly meaningful in Old Republic's liability insurance oriented mix of business. Absent significant economic and insurance industry dislocations in the foreseeable future, it is anticipated that reported claim ratios can be expected to fall within targeted averages in the high 60 percent to low 70 percent range. The current mix of business should result in the expense ratio ranging between 23 percent and 25 percent.

Title Insurance Results – First quarter 2018 operating results were mostly affected by basically flat revenues, and higher claim costs and general expenses.


	Title Insurance Group
	Quarters Ended March 31,
	2018		2017		Change
Net premiums and fees earned	$	513.8	$	518.0	-0.8%
Net investment income		9.4		9.5	-0.4
Other income		0.2		0.2	1.9
Operating revenues		523.6		527.8	-0.8
Claim costs		12.9		11.0	17.4
Sales and general expenses		479.8		474.0	1.2
Interest and other costs		1.2		2.2	-41.8
Total operating expenses		494.0		487.3	1.4
Pretax operating income (loss)	$	29.5	$	40.4	-27.0%

Claim ratio		2.5%		2.1%
Expense ratio		93.3		91.5
Composite underwriting ratio		95.8%		93.6%

Year-over-year comparisons of revenues from title premiums and fees reflected relatively flat volume reported by independent agents, and a small decline for directly-produced business. By contrast, claim costs rose 17.4% in this year's first quarter due primarily to lower favorable development of prior years' claim reserves in the first quarter of 2018. The following table shows recent trends in reported claim ratios, and the impact on each calendar period of (favorable) or unfavorable developments of prior years' claim reserve provisions:

	Reported Claim Ratio	Effect of Prior Years' (Favorable)/‌ Unfavorable Claim Reserves Development	Claim Ratio Excluding Prior Years' Claim Reserves Development
2013	6.7%	(0.2)%	6.9%
2014	5.2	(0.8)	6.0
2015	4.9	(0.6)	5.5
2016	3.8	(1.1)	4.9
2017	0.9%	(3.3)%	4.2%
1st Quarter 2017	2.1%	(2.0)%	4.1%
1st Quarter 2018	2.5%	(1.6)%	4.1%

The expense ratio to premiums and fees rose to 93.3% in this year's first quarter compared to 91.5% in the same period of 2017. The higher costs related mostly to rising salaries and associated benefits expenses.

RFIG Run-off Business Results – First quarter results were largely effected by the continuing decline of risk in force and concomitant drop in earned premiums.


	RFIG Run-off Business
	Quarters Ended March 31,
	2018		2017		Change
A. Mortgage Insurance (MI)
Net premiums earned	$	20.9	$	31.3	-33.1%
Net investment income		5.1		5.2	-2.1
Claim costs		11.4		10.9	4.8
Pretax operating income (loss)(a)	$	10.7	$	19.3	-44.4%

Claim ratio		54.8%		35.0%
Expense ratio		18.3		19.9
Composite underwriting ratio		73.1%		54.9%

B. Consumer Credit Indemnity (CCI)
Net premiums earned	$	0.4	$	4.2	-90.2%
Net investment income		0.2		0.3	-32.4
Claim costs		-		8.8	-100.1
Pretax operating income (loss)(a)	$	0.2	$	(4.8)	104.1%

Claim ratio		-3.0%		209.2%
Expense ratio		107.4		13.9
Composite underwriting ratio		104.4%		223.1%

C. Total MI and CCI run-off business:
Net premiums earned	$	21.3	$	35.5	-39.9%
Net investment income		5.3		5.5	-3.9
Claim costs		11.4		19.8	-42.1
Pretax operating income (loss)(a)	$	10.9	$	14.5	-24.2%

Claim ratio		53.7%		55.7%
Expense ratio		20.0		19.2
Composite underwriting ratio		73.7%		74.9%

(a)

Operating results of the run-off MI and CCI businesses were largely affected by a 39.9% drop in net earned premiums. As noted above, the reduction in MI earned premiums reflected the continuing decline in risk in force. For the CCI coverage, the much lower premiums in this year's first quarter resulted from the elimination of a major bank as a source of significant premiums and claims. MI claim costs rose disproportionately to earned premiums in both quarterly periods. The indicated claim ratios (54.8% in 2018 and 35.0% in 2017) reflect reductions of 27.6 and 34.9 percentage points, respectively, due to favorable developments of prior years' reserves.

Corporate and Other Operations – The combination of a small life and accident insurance business and the net costs associated with operations of the parent holding company and its internal services subsidiaries usually produce highly variable results. Earnings variations posted by these elements of Old Republic's business stem from volatility inherent to the small scale of the life and accident insurance line, net investment income, and net interest charges pertaining to external and intra-system financing arrangements. The interplay of these various operating elements is summarized in the following table:


	Corporate and Other Operations
	Quarters Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Net premiums earned	$	3.9	$	4.6
Net investment income		7.7		7.2
Other income		-		-
Operating revenues		11.6		11.9
Claim costs		3.4		5.0
Insurance expenses		1.3		3.8
Corporate, interest and other expenses - net		0.3		1.8
Total operating expenses		5.1		10.8
Pretax operating income (loss)	$	6.5	$	1.1

Consolidated Results – The above summarized operating results of Old Republic's segmented business are reflected in the following consolidation of accounts.


	ORI Consolidated
	Quarters Ended March 31,
	2018		2017		Change
Net premiums and fees earned	$	1,330.4	$	1,301.0	2.3%
Net investment income		105.8		101.2	4.5
Other income		30.6		27.6	10.8
Operating revenues		1,466.8		1,429.9	2.6
Claim costs		594.0		563.4	5.4
Sales and general expenses		728.0		700.2	4.0
Interest and other costs		14.4		16.4	-12.3
Total operating expenses		1,336.4		1,280.1	4.4
Pretax operating income (loss)		130.4		149.8	-13.0
Income taxes (credits)		18.5		46.4	-59.9
Net operating income (loss)		111.8		103.4	8.1
Realized investment gains (losses) from actual sale transactions		15.5		14.8	4.7
Income tax expense (credits)		3.2		5.1	-37.2
Net realized investment gains (losses)		12.2		9.6	27.3
Unrealized investment gains (losses) from changes in fair value of equity securities		(152.0)		-	N/A
Income tax expense (credits)		(32.0)		-	N/A
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)		(120.0)		-	N/A
Net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses)		(107.7)		9.6	N/M
Net income (loss)	$	4.0	$	113.1	-96.4%

Claim ratio		44.6%		43.3%
Expense ratio		52.1		51.4
Composite underwriting ratio		96.7%		94.7%

Consolidated operating cash flow	$	130.8	$	146.1	-10.5%

Consolidated operating cash flow was additive to investable funds and operating needs in the amount of $130.8 and $146.1 for the first three months of 2018 and 2017, respectively. Excluding inherently negative operating cash flows in the RFIG run-off business, these amounts would have been $142.2 and $193.1, respectively.

The sum-total of Old Republic's segmented results is represented by the following major components of pretax consolidated income:

	Quarters Ended March 31,
Pretax operating income:	2018		2017		Change
Underwriting and related services:
All segments except RFIG	$	33.3	$	56.0	-40.6%
RFIG run-off		5.6		8.9	-37.0
Subtotal		38.9		65.0	-40.1
Net investment income		105.8		101.2	4.5
Interest and other costs		(14.4)		(16.4)	-12.3
Total		130.4		149.8	-13.0
Realized investment gains (losses) from actual sale transactions		15.5		14.8	4.7
Unrealized investment gains (losses) from changes in fair value of equity securities		(152.0)		-	N/A
Consolidated pretax income (loss)	$	(6.0)	$	164.7	-103.7%


Cash, Invested Assets, and Shareholders' Equity – The table below shows Old Republic's consolidated cash and invested assets as well as the shareholders' equity balance at the dates shown.

		Cash, Invested Assets, and Shareholders' Equity
								% Change
		March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017		March 31, 2017		March '18/ Dec. '17	March '18/ March '17
Cash and invested assets:
Invested assets, carried at fair value		$	11,964.1	$	12,468.9	$	12,110.6	-4.0%	-1.2%
Held to maturity, carried at amortized cost			1,061.8		1,067.4		1,056.9	-0.5%	0.5%
Total per balance sheet		$	13,026.0	$	13,536.4	$	13,167.5	-3.8%	-1.1%
Total at original cost for all		$	12,574.2	$	12,783.4	$	12,466.8	-1.6%	0.9%

Shareholders' equity:	Total	$	5,048.6	$	4,733.3	$	4,585.6	6.7%	10.1%
	Per common share	$	16.82	$	17.72	$	17.58	-5.1%	-4.3%

Composition of shareholders' equity per share:
Equity before items below		$	16.05	$	16.26	$	16.17	-1.3%	-0.7%
Unrealized investment gains (losses) and other accumulated comprehensive income (loss)
			0.77		1.46		1.41	N/M	N/M
Total		$	16.82	$	17.72	$	17.58	-5.1%	-4.3%

Segmented composition of shareholders' equity per share:
Excluding run-off segment		$	15.41	$	16.14	$	16.26	-4.5%	-5.2%
RFIG run-off segment			1.41		1.58		1.32	-10.8	6.8
Consolidated total		$	16.82	$	17.72	$	17.58	-5.1%	-4.3%

Old Republic's invested assets are directed in consideration of enterprise-wide risk management objectives. Most importantly, these are intended to ensure solid funding of the insurance subsidiaries' long-term obligations to policyholders and other beneficiaries, as well as the long-term stability of the subsidiaries' capital accounts. To this end, the investment portfolio contains no significant insurance risk-correlated asset exposures to real estate, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations ("CDO's"), derivatives, hybrid securities, or illiquid private equity and hedge fund investments. Moreover, the Company does not engage in hedging or securities lending transactions, nor does it invest in securities whose values are predicated on non-regulated financial instruments exhibiting amorphous or unfunded counter-party risk attributes.

As of March 31, 2018, the consolidated investment portfolio reflected an allocation of approximately 75% to fixed-maturity and short-term investments, and 25% to equities. Investments in high quality, dividend-paying equity securities have been singularly emphasized since 2013. The asset quality of the fixed maturity portfolio has remained at high levels.

Changes in shareholders' equity per share are reflected in the following table. As shown, these resulted mostly from net income, dividend payments to shareholders, and changes in the value of invested assets carried at fair value.

	Shareholders' Equity Per Share
	Quarters Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Beginning balance	$	17.72	$	17.16
Changes in shareholders' equity:
Post-tax net operating income (loss)		0.40		0.40
Post-tax net realized investment gains (losses)		0.04		0.03
Post-tax net unrealized investment gains (losses) on securities carried at fair value:
Reported in net income (loss)		(0.43)		-
Reported as other comprehensive income (loss)		(0.39)		0.16
Subtotal		(0.82)		0.16
Total post-tax realized and unrealized investment gains (losses)		(0.78)		0.19
Cash dividends		(0.1950)		(0.1900)
Debt conversion, stock issuance, and other transactions		(0.33)		0.02
Net change		(0.90)		0.42
Ending balance	$	16.82	$	17.58
Percentage change for the period		-5.1%		2.4%

Capitalization – The following table shows the components of total capitalization. The most significant change for the twelve months ended March 31, 2018 relates to the conversion of all of the convertible senior notes due 2018 into the Company's common stock.

	Capitalization
	March 31,		December 31,		March 31,
	2018		2017		2017
Debt:
3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2018	$	-	$	470.6	$	548.2
4.875% Senior Notes due 2024		396.3		396.2		395.8
3.875% Senior Notes due 2026		545.3		545.1		544.7
ESSOP debt		-		4.2		4.2
Other miscellaneous debt with an average yield of 3.0%		32.4		32.4		32.4
Total debt		974.1		1,448.7		1,525.5
Common shareholders' equity		5,048.6		4,733.3		4,585.6
Total capitalization	$	6,022.7	$	6,182.0	$	6,111.1

Capitalization ratios:
Debt		16.2%		23.4%		25.0%
Common shareholders' equity		83.8		76.6		75.0
Total		100.0%		100.0%		100.0%

Managing Old Republic's Insurance Business for the Long-Run

The insurance business is distinguished from most others in that the prices (premiums) charged for various insurance products are set without certainty of the ultimate claim costs that will emerge, often many years after issuance and expiration of a policy. Old Republic's business is therefore conducted with a primary focus on achieving favorable underwriting results over cycles, and on the maintenance of financial soundness in support of its insurance subsidiaries' long-term obligations to insurance beneficiaries.

In this light, the Company's affairs are managed for the long run and without significant regard to the arbitrary strictures of quarterly or even annual reporting periods that American industry must observe. In Old Republic's view, such short reporting time frames do not comport well with the long-term nature of much of its business. Management therefore believes that the Company's operating results and financial condition can best be evaluated by observing underwriting and overall operating performance trends over succeeding five- or preferably ten-year intervals. A ten-year period in particular can likely encompass at least one economic and/or underwriting cycle and thereby provide an appropriate time frame for such cycle to run its course, and for premium rate changes and reserved claim costs to be quantified and emerge in financial results with greater finality and effect.

Accompanying Financial Data and Other Information:

Summary Financial Statements and Common Stock Statistics
About Old Republic
Safe Harbor Statement

Financial Supplement:

A financial supplement to this news release is available on the Company's website: www.oldrepublic.com

Old Republic International Corporation
SummaryFinancial Statements and Common Stock Statistics (Unaudited)
		March 31,		December 31,		March 31,
SUMMARY BALANCE SHEETS:		2018		2017		2017
Assets:
Cash and fixed maturity securities		$	9,748.1	$	10,145.9	$	10,024.2
Equity securities			3,149.7		3,265.5		3,012.2
Other invested assets			128.1		124.9		131.1
Cash and invested assets			13,026.0		13,536.4		13,167.5
Accounts and premiums receivable			1,516.1		1,469.7		1,461.2
Prepaid federal income taxes			114.3		114.3		114.3
Reinsurance balances recoverable			3,401.9		3,371.8		3,280.6
Sundry assets			940.3		911.1		881.6
Total		$	18,998.8	$	19,403.5	$	18,905.4
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Policy liabilities		$	2,267.5	$	2,176.3	$	2,131.1
Claim reserves			9,272.4		9,237.6		9,231.3
Federal income tax payable:	Current		27.2		6.5		42.1
	Deferred		33.4		100.5		64.8
Debt			974.1		1,448.7		1,525.5
Sundry liabilities			1,375.2		1,700.5		1,324.8
Shareholders' equity			5,048.6		4,733.3		4,585.6
Total		$	18,998.8	$	19,403.5	$	18,905.4

		Quarters Ended				Fiscal Twelve Months Ended
SUMMARY INCOME STATEMENTS:		March 31,				March 31,
		2018		2017		2018		2017
Net premiums and fees earned		$	1,330.4	$	1,301.0	$	5,569.1	$	5,388.6
Net investment income			105.8		101.2		414.0		392.0
Other income			30.6		27.6		105.2		107.6
Net realized investment gains (losses) from actual sale transactions			15.5		14.8		212.3		43.5
Unrealized investment gains (losses) from changes in fair value of equity securities			(152.0)		-		(152.0)		-
Total revenues			1,330.4		1,444.8		6,148.7		5,931.7
Claim costs			594.0		563.4		2,509.4		2,337.3
Sales and general expenses			728.0		700.2		3,023.6		2,870.2
Interest and other costs			14.4		16.4		61.0		55.9
Total expenses			1,336.4		1,280.1		5,594.1		5,263.4
Pretax income (loss)			(6.0)		164.7		554.6		668.3
Income taxes (credits)			(10.1)		51.6		103.1		211.2
Net income (loss)		$	4.0	$	113.1	$	451.5	$	457.1


COMMON STOCK STATISTICS:
Net income (loss):	Basic	$	0.01	$	0.43	$	1.69	$	1.75
	Diluted	$	0.01	$	0.39	$	1.55	$	1.58
Components of earnings per share:
Basic, net operating income (loss)		$	0.40	$	0.40	$	1.22	$	1.65
Realized investment gains (losses) from actual sale transactions			0.04		0.03		0.92		0.10
Unrealized investment gains (losses) from changes in fair value of equity securities			(0.43)		-		(0.45)		-
Basic net income (loss)		$	0.01	$	0.43	$	1.69	$	1.75
Diluted, net operating income (loss)		$	0.40	$	0.36	$	1.13	$	1.49
Realized investment gains (losses) from actual sale transactions			0.04		0.03		0.82		0.09
Unrealized investment gains (losses) from changes in fair value of equity securities			(0.43)		-		(0.40)		-
Diluted net income (loss)		$	0.01	$	0.39	$	1.55	$	1.58
Cash dividends on common stock		$	0.1950	$	0.1900	$	1.7650	$	0.7525
Book value per share						$	16.82	$	17.58
Common shares outstanding:
Average basic			278,116,902		260,784,905		266,567,472		260,487,776
Average diluted			279,528,034		298,239,349		300,224,931		297,726,698
Actual, end of period							300,199,982		260,951,345


SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
Net income (loss) as reported		$	4.0	$	113.1	$	451.5	$	457.1
Post-tax net unrealized gains (losses)			(117.8)		42.5		(86.4)		160.2
Other adjustments			(3.1)		1.6		(13.2)		(2.6)
Net adjustments			(120.9)		44.1		(99.6)		157.6
Comprehensive income (loss)		$	(116.8)	$	157.2	$	351.8	$	614.7

About Old Republic

Chicago-based Old Republic International Corporation is one of the nation's 50 largest publicly held insurance organizations. Its most recent financial statements reflect consolidated assets of approximately $18.99 billion and common shareholders' equity of $5.04 billion, or $16.82 per share. Its current stock market valuation is approximately $6.41 billion, or $21.23 per share.

The Company is organized as an insurance holding company whose subsidiaries actively market, underwrite, and provide risk management services for a wide variety of coverages mostly in the general and title insurance fields. A long-term interest in mortgage guaranty and consumer credit indemnity coverages has devolved to a run-off operating mode in recent years.

The nature of Old Republic's business requires that it be managed for the long run. For the 25 years ended in 2017, the Company's total market return, with dividends reinvested, has grown at a compounded annual rate of 9.1% per share. For the same period, the total market return, with dividends reinvested, for the S&P 500 Index has grown at a 9.7% annual compound rate. During those years, Old Republic's shareholders' equity account, inclusive of cash dividends, has risen at an average annual rate of 9.2% per share, and the regular cash dividend has grown at a 8.7% annual compound rate. According to the most recent edition of Mergent's Dividend Achievers, Old Republic is one of just 96 qualifying companies, out of thousands considered, that have posted at least 25 consecutive years of annual dividend growth.

Safe Harbor Statement

Historical data pertaining to the operating results, liquidity, and other performance indicators applicable to an insurance enterprise such as Old Republic are not necessarily indicative of results to be achieved in succeeding years. In addition to the factors cited below, the long-term nature of the insurance business, seasonal and annual patterns in premium production and incidence of claims, changes in yields obtained on invested assets, changes in government policies and free markets affecting inflation rates and general economic conditions, and changes in legal precedents or the application of law affecting the settlement of disputed and other claims can have a bearing on period-to-period comparisons and future operating results.

Some of the oral or written statements made in the Company's reports, press releases, and conference calls following earnings releases, can constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Of necessity, any such forward-looking statements involve assumptions, uncertainties, and risks that may affect the Company's future performance. With regard to Old Republic's General Insurance segment, its results can be affected, in particular, by the level of market competition, which is typically a function of available capital and expected returns on such capital among competitors, the levels of interest and inflation rates, and periodic changes in claim frequency and severity patterns caused by natural disasters, weather conditions, accidents, illnesses, work-related injuries, and unanticipated external events. Title Insurance and RFIG run-off results can be affected by similar factors, and by changes in national and regional housing demand and values, the availability and cost of mortgage loans, employment trends, and default rates on mortgage loans. Life and accident insurance earnings can be affected by the levels of employment and consumer spending, variations in mortality and health trends, and changes in policy lapsation rates. At the parent holding company level, operating earnings or losses are generally reflective of the amount of debt outstanding and its cost, interest income on temporary holdings of short-term investments, and period-to-period variations in the costs of administering the Company's widespread operations.

A more detailed listing and discussion of the risks and other factors which affect the Company's risk-taking insurance business are included in Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors, of the Company's 2017 Form 10-K Annual Report and Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors, of the Company's recent Form 10-Q filings to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which Items are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

Any forward-looking statements or commentaries speak only as of their dates. Old Republic undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any and all such comments, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, and accordingly they may not be unduly relied upon.

For Old Republic's latest news releases and other corporate documents:
Please visit us at www.oldrepublic.com

Alternatively, please write or call:
Investor Relations
Old Republic International Corporation
307 North Michigan Avenue • Chicago, IL 60601
312-346-8100

Further Information Contacts:
AT OLD REPUBLIC:	AT FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD:
A. C. Zucaro: Chairman & CEO	Analysts/Investors: Marilynn Meek
(312) 346-8100	(212) 827-3773

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/old-republic-reports-results-for-the-first-quarter-2018-300637098.html

SOURCE Old Republic International Corporation

Old Republic Reports Results For The First Quarter 2018

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