Stewart Information Services - 10-K annual report

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer þ                              Accelerated Filer o                                Non-Accelerated Filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No þ

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock (based upon the closing sales price of the Common Stock of Stewart Information Services Corporation, as reported by the NYSE on June 30, 2006) held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $623,565,718.

At February 20, 2007, the following shares of each of the registrant’s classes of stock were outstanding:

Portions of the definitive proxy statement (the Proxy Statement), relating to the annual meeting of the registrant’s stockholders to be held April 27, 2007, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this document.

We are a Delaware corporation formed in 1970. We and our predecessors have been engaged in the title business since 1893.

Stewart is a customer-oriented, technology-driven, strategically competitive, real estate information and transaction management company. Stewart provides title insurance and related information services required for settlement of residential and commercial transactions by the real estate and mortgage industries through more than 9,500 policy-issuing offices and agencies in the United States and international markets. Stewart also provides post-closing lender services, automated county clerk land records, property ownership mapping, geographic information systems, property information reports, flood certificates, document preparation, background checks and expertise in tax-deferred exchanges.

Our international division delivers products and services protecting and promoting private land ownership worldwide. Currently, our primary international operations are in Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Australia. Our international operations are immaterial with respect to our consolidated financial results.

Our two main segments of business are title insurance-related services and real estate information (REI). The segments significantly influence business to each other because of the nature of their operations and their common customers. The financial information related to these segments is discussed in Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Note 20 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

The title segment includes the functions of searching, examining, closing and insuring the condition of the title to real property.

Examination and closing. The purpose of a title examination is to ascertain the ownership of the property being transferred, debts that are owed on it and the scope of the title policy coverage. This involves searching for and examining documents such as deeds, mortgages, wills, divorce decrees, court judgments, liens, paving assessments and tax records.

At the closing or “settlement” of a sale transaction, the seller executes and delivers a deed to the new owner. The buyer typically signs new mortgage documents. Closing funds are then disbursed to the seller, the prior mortgage company, real estate brokers, the title company and others. The documents are then recorded in the public records. A title policy is generally issued to both the lender and the new owner.

Title policies. Lenders in the United States generally require title insurance as a condition to making a loan on real estate, including securitized lending. This is to assure lenders of the priority of their lien position. The purchasers of the property want insurance to protect against claims that may arise against the ownership of the property. The face amount of the policy is normally the purchase price or the amount of the related loan.

Title insurance is substantially different from other types of insurance. Fire, auto, health and life insurance protect against future losses and events. In contrast, title insurance insures against losses from past events and seeks to eliminate most risks through the examination and settlement process.

Investments. Our title insurance underwriters maintain investments in accordance with certain statutory requirements for the funding of statutory premium reserves and state deposits. We have established policies and procedures to minimize our exposure to changes in the fair values of our investments. These policies include retaining an investment advisory firm, emphasizing credit quality, managing portfolio duration, maintaining or increasing investment income through high coupon rates, and actively managing profile and security mix based upon market conditions. All of our investments are classified as available-for-sale.

Losses. Losses on policies occur when a title defect is not discovered during the examination and settlement process. Reasons for losses include forgeries, misrepresentations, unrecorded liens, the failure to pay off existing liens, mortgage lending fraud, mishandling or defalcation of settlement funds, issuance by title agencies of unauthorized coverage and other legal issues.

Some claimants seek damages in excess of policy limits. Those claims are based on various legal theories usually alleging misrepresentation by an agency. Although we vigorously defend against spurious claims, we have from time to time incurred losses in excess of policy limits.

Experience shows that most policy claims and claim payments are made in the first six years after the policy has been issued, although claims are also incurred and paid many years later. By their nature, claims are often complex, vary greatly in dollar amounts and are affected by economic and market conditions and the legal environment existing at the time of settlement of the claims. Estimating future title loss payments is difficult because of the complex nature of title claims, the length of time over which claims are paid, the significantly varying dollar amounts of individual claims and other factors.

Provisions for policy losses are charged to income in the same year the related premium revenues are recognized. The amounts provided are based on reported claims, historical loss experience, title industry averages, current legal environment and types of policies written.

Our liability for estimated title losses comprises both known claims and claims expected to be reported in the future. The amount of our loss reserve represents the aggregate future payments, net of recoveries, that we expect to incur on policy and escrow losses and in costs to settle claims.

Amounts shown as our estimated liability for future loss payments are continually reviewed by us for reasonableness and adjusted as appropriate. Independent actuaries also reviewed the adequacy of the liability amounts on an annual basis and found our reserves adequate at each year end. In accordance with industry practice, these amounts have not been discounted to their present values.

Factors affecting revenues. Title revenues are closely related to the level of activity in the real estate markets we serve and the prices at which real estate sales are made. Real estate sales are directly affected by the availability and cost of money to finance purchases. Other factors include consumer confidence and demand by buyers. These factors may override the seasonal nature of the title business. Generally, our first quarter is the least active and our fourth quarter is the most active in terms of title revenues.

Selected information for the national real estate industry follows (2006 figures are preliminary and subject to revision):

Customers. The primary sources of title business are attorneys, builders, developers, home buyers, lenders and real estate brokers. No one customer was responsible for as much as 10% of our title operating revenues in any of the last three years. Titles insured include residential and commercial properties, undeveloped acreage, farms, ranches and water rights.

Service, location, financial strength, size and related factors affect customer acceptance. Increasing market share is accomplished primarily by providing superior service. The parties to a closing are concerned with personal schedules and the interest and other costs associated with any delays in the settlement. The rates charged to customers are regulated, to varying degrees, in many states.

Financial strength and stability of the title underwriter are important factors in maintaining and increasing our agency network. Among the nation’s leading title insurers, we earned one of the highest ratings awarded by the title industry’s leading rating companies. Our principal underwriter, Stewart Title Guaranty Company (Guaranty) is currently rated A” by Demotech, Inc., A+ by Fitch and A by Lace Financial.

Market share. Title insurance statistics are compiled quarterly by the title industry’s national trade association. Based on 2006 unconsolidated statutory net premiums written through September 30, 2006, Guaranty is one of the leading title insurers in the United States.

Our principal competitors include Fidelity National Financial, Inc., The First American Corporation and LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc. Like most title insurers, we also compete with abstractors, attorneys who issue title opinions and attorney-owned title insurance funds. A number of homebuilders, financial institutions, real estate brokers and others own or control title insurance agencies, some of which issue policies underwritten by Guaranty. This controlled business also provides competition for our offices. We also compete with issuers of alternatives to title insurance products, which typically provide more limited coverage and less service for a smaller fee.

Title revenues by state. The approximate amounts and percentages of consolidated title operating revenues for the last three years were:

Regulations. Title insurance companies are subject to comprehensive state regulations covering premium rates, agency licensing, policy forms, trade practices, reserve requirements, investments and the transfer of funds between an insurer and its parent or its subsidiaries and any similar related party transactions. Kickbacks and similar practices are prohibited by most state and federal laws.

The real estate information segment primarily provides electronic delivery of data, products and services related to real estate. Stewart Lender Services (SLS), formerly Stewart Mortgage Information Company, is one of the companies in the REI segment that offers origination and post-closing services to residential mortgage lenders. These services include providing flood certificates, credit reports, traditional and automated property valuations, initial loan disclosures and electronic mortgage documents, property information reports and tax services. SLS also offers post-closing outsourcing services for lenders, including document review, investor delivery, FHA/VA insuring, document retrieval, preparation and national recordation of assignments, lien releases and security interests, collateral reviews and loan pool certifications. In addition, other companies within the real estate information segment provide diverse products and services related to automated mapping projects and geodetic positioning; real estate database conversion, construction, maintenance and access; automation for government recording and registration; criminal, credit and motor vehicle background checks and pre-employment screening services; and Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 (Section 1031) tax-deferred property exchanges.

The introduction of automation tools for title agencies is an important part of the future growth of the REI companies. Web-based search and examination tools developed by Ultima Corporation and PropertyInfo^® Corp. are designed to increase the processing speed of title examinations by connecting all aspects of the title examination process to proprietary title plant databases and directly to public record data sources. Accessible through www.PropertyInfo.com, a title examiner can utilize Advanced Search Analysis and TitleSearch^® Pro (formerly SearchManager) for the search, examination and production of title reports, thus eliminating the steps and inefficiencies associated with traditional courthouse searches. As a result of our purchase of certain assets of CST Title Abstract, LLC, Advanced Title Search (ATS) is now offered viawww.PropertyInfo.com. ATS provides broader access to data available directly from public records in a growing number of counties nationwide. In January 2007, Stewart REI Group sold its aerial photography and mapping businesses, GlobeXplorer^® and AirPhotoUSA^® to DigitalGlobe^® and entered into agreements with these companies to continue to provide spatial and digital imagery through www.PropertyInfo.com.

Factors affecting revenues. As in the title segment, REI revenues, particularly those generated by lender services and tax-deferred exchanges, are closely related to the level of activity in the real estate market. Revenues related to many services are generated on a project basis. Contracts for automating government recording and registration systems and mapping projects are often awarded following competitive bidding processes or after responding to formal requests for proposals.

Companies that compete with Stewart’s REI companies vary across a wide range of industries. In the mortgage-related products and services area, competitors include the major title insurance underwriters mentioned under “Title — Market share”, as well as entities known as vendor management companies. In some cases the competitor may be the customer itself. For example, certain services offered by SLS can be, or historically have been, performed by internal departments of large mortgage lenders.

Another important factor affecting revenues is the advancement of technology, which permits customers to order and receive timely status reports and final products and services through dedicated interfaces with the customer’s production systems or over the Internet. The use of websites, including www.stewart.com and www.PropertyInfo.com, allows customers easy access to solutions designed for their specific industry.

Customers. Customers for Stewart’s REI products and services include mortgage lenders and servicers, mortgage brokers, government entities, commercial and residential real estate agents, land developers, builders, title insurance agencies, and others interested in obtaining property information (including data, images and aerial maps) that assist with the purchase, sale and closing of real estate transactions and mortgage loans. Other customers include accountants, attorneys, investors and others seeking services for their respective clients in need of qualified intermediary (Section 1031) services and employers seeking information about prospective employees. No one customer was responsible for as much as 10% of our REI operating revenues in any of the last three years.

Many of the services and products offered by our REI segment are used by professionals and intermediaries who have been retained to assist consumers with the sale, purchase, mortgage, transfer, recording and servicing of real estate-related transactions. To that end, timely and accurate services are critical to our customers since these factors directly affect the service they provide to their customers. Financial strength, marketplace presence and reputation as a technology innovator are important factors in attracting new business.

Technology. Our automation products and services are increasing productivity in the title office and speeding the real estate closing process for lenders, real estate professionals and consumers. Before automation, an order typically required several individuals to manually search the title, retrieve and review documents and create the title policy commitment. Today, on a normal subdivision file, and in some locations where our systems are optimally deployed, one person can receive the order electronically, view the prior file, examine the indexed documents, prepare the commitment and deliver the finished title insurance product.

We have deployed SureClose^®, our transaction management platform, which gives consumers online access to their closing file for more transparency of the transaction during the closing process. SureClose also gives lenders, real estate professionals and settlement service providers the ability to monitor the progress of the transaction; view, print, exchange and download documents and information; and post and receive messages and receive automatic event notifications. Enhancing the seamless flow of the title order, SureClose is also integrated with Stewart’s AIM^® title production system. The final commitment, as well as all other closing documents, is archived on SureClose to create a paperless office.

Our platform for electronic real estate closings, eClosingRoom^TM, was the industry’s first e-closing system and is integrated with our SureClose production system. In addition, we are implementing systems that further automate the title searches through rules-based processes.

Trademarks. We have developed numerous automation products and processes that are crucial to both our title and REI segments. These systems automate most facets of the real estate transaction. Among these trademarked products and processes are AIM^®, eMortgageDocs^®, E-Title^®, FileStor^®, PropertyInfo^®, Re-Source^®, SureClose^®, TitleLogix^® and Virtual Underwriter^®. We consider these trademarks, which are perpetual in duration, to be important to our business.

Employees. As of December 31, 2006, we and our subsidiaries employed approximately 9,900 people. We consider our relationship with our employees to be good.

Available information. We file annual, quarterly and other reports and information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). You may read and copy any material that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain additional information about the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and other information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including us.

We also make available, free of charge on or through our Internet site (www.stewart.com) our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, Code of Ethics and, if applicable, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

You should consider the following risk factors, as well as the other information presented in this report and our other filings with the SEC, in evaluating our business and any investment in our company. These risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In that event, the trading price of our Common Stock could decline materially.

Our results of operations and financial condition are affected by changes in economic conditions, particularly mortgage interest rates. Our revenues and earnings have fluctuated in the past and we expect them to fluctuate in the future.

The demand for our title insurance and real estate information services depends in large part on the volume of residential and commercial real estate transactions. The volume of these transactions historically has been influenced by factors such as mortgage interest rates and the overall state of the economy. Typically, when interest rates are increasing or when the economy is experiencing a downturn, real estate activity declines. As a result, the title insurance industry tends to experience decreased revenues and earnings. Increases in interest rates also may have an adverse impact on our bond portfolio and interest on our bank debt.

We have benefited from a low mortgage interest rate environment and an increase in home prices in recent years. A reversal of these trends could adversely affect our revenues and earnings absent increases in market share, which cannot be assured.

Competition in the title insurance industry is strong, particularly with respect to price, service and expertise. Larger commercial customers and mortgage originators also look to the size and financial strength of the title insurer. Although we are one of the leading title insurance underwriters based on market share, Fidelity National Financial, Inc., The First American Corporation and LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc. are each substantially larger than we are. Their holding companies have significantly greater capital than we do. Although we are not aware of any current initiatives to reduce regulatory barriers to entering our industry, any such reduction could result in new competitors, including financial institutions, entering the title insurance business. Competition among the major title insurance companies and any new entrants could lower our premium and fee revenues. From time to time, new entrants enter the marketplace with alternative products to traditional title insurance, although many of these alternative products have been disallowed by title insurance regulators. These alternative products, if permitted by regulators, could adversely affect our revenues and earnings.

Technological advances occur rapidly in the title insurance industry as industry standards evolve and title insurers frequently introduce new products and services. We believe that our future success depends on our ability to anticipate technological changes and to offer products and services that meet evolving standards on a timely and cost-effective basis. Successful implementation and customer acceptance of our technology-based services, such as SureClose, will be crucial to our future profitability, as will increasing our productivity to recover our costs of developing these services. There is a risk that products and services introduced by our competitors, or advances in technology, could reduce the usefulness of our products and render them obsolete.

Estimating future loss payments is difficult, and our assumptions about future losses may prove inaccurate. Claims are often complex and involve uncertainties as to the dollar amount and timing of individual payments. Claims are often paid many years after a policy is issued. From time to time, we experience large losses from title policies that have been issued, which require us to increase our title loss reserves. These events are unpredictable and adversely affect our earnings.

As part of our overall growth strategy, we selectively acquire businesses and technologies that will allow us to enter new markets, provide services that we currently do not offer or advance our existing technology. Our ability to continue this acquisition strategy will depend on our success in identifying and consummating acquisitions of businesses on favorable economic terms. The success of this strategy will also depend on our ability to integrate the operations, products and personnel of any acquired business, retain key personnel, introduce new products and services on a timely basis and increase the strength of our existing management team. Although we actively seek acquisition candidates, we may be unsuccessful in these efforts. If we are unable to acquire appropriate businesses on favorable economic terms, or at all, or are unable to introduce new products and services successfully, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

We are a holding company and our principal assets are the securities of our insurance underwriting subsidiaries. Because of this structure, we depend primarily on receiving sufficient dividends from our insurance subsidiaries to meet our debt service obligations, to pay our operating expenses and to pay dividends. The insurance statutes and regulations of some states require us to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital and restrict the amount of dividends that our insurance subsidiaries may pay to us. Guaranty is a wholly owned subsidiary of Stewart and the principal source of our cash flow. In this regard, the ability of Guaranty to pay dividends to us is dependent on the acknowledgement of the Texas Insurance Commissioner. As of December 31, 2006, under Texas insurance law, Guaranty could pay dividends or make distributions of up to $101.7 million in 2007 without approval of the Texas Insurance Commissioner. However, Guaranty voluntarily restricts dividends to us so that it can grow its statutory surplus and maintain liquidity at competitive levels. A title insurer’s ability to pay claims can significantly affect the decision of lenders and other customers when buying a policy from a particular insurer. These restrictions could limit our ability to fund our acquisition program with cash and to fulfill other cash needs.

Authorities regulate our insurance subsidiaries in the various states and international jurisdictions in which we do business. These regulations generally are intended for the protection of policyholders rather than stockholders. The nature and extent of these regulations vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but typically involve:

These regulations may impede or impose burdensome conditions on rate increases or other actions that we might want to take to enhance our operating results. Changes in these regulations may also adversely affect us. In addition, state regulatory examiners perform periodic examinations of insurance companies, which could result in increased compliance or litigation expenses.

We are periodically involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In addition, we are currently, and have been in the past, subject to claims and litigation from large classes of claimants seeking substantial damages not arising in the ordinary course of business. Material pending legal proceedings, if any, not in the ordinary course of business, are disclosed in Item 3 — Legal Proceedings included elsewhere in this report. To date, the impact of the outcome of these proceedings has not been material to our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. However, an unfavorable outcome in any litigation, claim or investigation against us could have an adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws, as well as Delaware corporation law and the insurance laws of various states, all contain provisions that could have the effect of discouraging a prospective acquirer from making a tender offer for our shares, or that may otherwise delay, defer or prevent a change in control of Stewart.

The holders of our Class B Common Stock have the right to elect four of our nine directors. Pursuant to our by-laws, the vote of six directors is required to constitute an act by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, the affirmative vote of at least one of the directors elected by the holders of the Class B Common Stock is required for any action to be taken by the Board of Directors. The foregoing provision of our by-laws may not be amended or repealed without the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of our capital stock, voting as separate classes.

The voting rights of the holders of our Class B Common Stock may have the effect of rendering more difficult or discouraging unsolicited tender offers, merger proposals, proxy contests or other takeover proposals to acquire control of Stewart.

None.

We lease approximately 271,000 square feet, under a non-cancelable lease expiring in 2016, in an office building in Houston, Texas, which is used for our corporate offices and for offices of several of our subsidiaries. In addition, we lease offices at approximately 800 additional locations that are used for branch offices, regional headquarters and technology centers. These additional locations include significant leased facilities in Dallas, Los Angeles, New York City, San Jose, Seattle and Toronto.

Our leases expire from 2007 to 2016 and have an average term of four years, although our typical lease term ranges from three to five years. We believe we will not have any difficulty obtaining renewals of leases as they expire or, alternatively, leasing comparable properties. The aggregate annual rent expense under all leases was approximately $66.1 million in 2006.

We also own seven office buildings located in Texas, Arizona, Colorado and New York. These owned properties are not material to our financial condition. We consider all buildings and equipment that we own or lease to be well maintained, adequately insured and generally sufficient for our purposes.

In September 2006, the California Commissioner of Insurance alleged that some of our captive reinsurance programs may have constituted improper payments for the placement or referral of title business and is seeking approximately $47 million in fines and penalties from us. Stewart believes that its reinsurance is traditional reinsurance applied to residential business, which was authorized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in its August 1997 and 2004 letters on permissible captive reinsurance in residential transactions covered by the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act (RESPA). We have filed a notice of defense with the California Department of Insurance requesting an administrative hearing in response to its allegations. We believe that we have adequately reserved for this allegation and that the likely resolution will not materially affect our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

We are also subject to routine lawsuits incidental to our business, most of which involve disputed policy claims. In many of these lawsuits, the plaintiff seeks exemplary or treble damages in excess of policy limits based on the alleged malfeasance of an issuing agent. We do not expect that any of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Additionally, we have received various other inquiries from governmental regulators concerning practices in the insurance industry. Many of these practices do not concern title insurance and we do not anticipate that the outcome of these inquiries will materially affect our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. We, along with the other major title insurance companies, are party to a number of class actions concerning the title insurance industry. We believe that we have adequate reserves for these contingencies and that the likely resolution of these matters will not materially affect our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Regulators periodically review title insurance premium rates and may seek reductions in the premium rates charged. In late 2006, the Texas Department of Insurance reduced rates by 3.2% effective February 1, 2007. The effect of this rate change is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

The rates charged by title insurance underwriters in Florida, from which we derive a significant portion of our revenues, are currently under review with proposals to enact premium rate decreases. The California Insurance Commissioner filed a rate reduction order that would have reduced title insurance rates in California by 26% commencing in 2009. On February 21, 2007, this rate reduction order was rejected by the California Office of Administrative Law. California’s Insurance Commissioner has announced plans to submit a revised rate reduction proposal in the future. We believe that California law requires rates to be established competitively and not by administrative order. We cannot predict the outcome of these proposals and, to the extent that rate decreases are enacted in the future, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

None.

Our Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “STC”. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of our Common Stock for each fiscal period indicated, as reported by the NYSE.

As of February 14, 2007, the number of stockholders of record was 5,428 and the price of one share of our Common Stock was $43.30.

The Board of Directors declared annual cash dividends of $0.75, $0.75 and $0.46 per share payable December 21, 2006 and December 20, 2005 and 2004, respectively, to Common stockholders of record on December 6, 2006, 2005 and 2004. Our certificate of incorporation provides that no cash dividends may be paid on the Class B Common Stock.

We had a book value per share of $44.00 and $42.21 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. At December 31, 2006, this measure was based on approximately $802.3 million in stockholders’ equity and 18,231,270 shares of Common and Class B Common Stock outstanding. At December 31, 2005, this measure was based on approximately $766.3 million in stockholders’ equity and 18,154,487 shares of Common and Class B Common Stock outstanding.

The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in our cumulative total stockholder return on Common Stock with the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 Index and the Russell 2000 Financial Services Sector Index, which includes us and our major publicly-owned competitors, for the five years ended December 31, 2006. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our Common Stock and each index was $100 at December 31, 2001 and that all dividends were reinvested.

The following table sets forth our selected consolidated financial data, which were derived from our consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements, including the Notes thereto, beginning on page F-1 of this Report. See also Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Management’s overview. We reported net earnings of $43.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared with net earnings of $88.8 million for the year 2005. On a diluted per share basis, net earnings were $2.36 for the year 2006 compared with net earnings of $4.86 for the year 2005. Revenues for the year increased 1.7% to $2.47 billion from $2.43 billion in 2005.

Our increase in revenues for the year 2006 compared with the year 2005 was primarily due to acquisitions, revenues from new agencies, continued growth in revenues from commercial transactions and an increase in international operations. The increase in revenues was substantially offset by a decline in transaction volume handled by our direct operations in certain major markets of the country. The decline was due to a softening real estate market resulting primarily from a higher interest rate environment.

We continue to incur significant other operating expenses and employee costs related to our technology advancements and compliance with both privacy laws and Sarbanes-Oxley. Although our employee costs increased in 2006 compared with 2005 primarily due to acquisitions and costs associated with developing technology initiatives, we reduced employee costs in markets where direct operations experienced revenue declines. In response to overall decreases in transaction volumes, our workforce in our title offices was reduced by approximately 920 employees, or 11.6%, during 2006. Giving effect to the increase in staff primarily for advancing technology, we reduced our total workforce by approximately 720 employees, or 7.1%. Right-sizing extended into January 2007 with the reduction of an additional 180 employees. These amounts exclude increases from new offices.

Critical accounting estimates. Actual results can differ from the accounting estimates we report. However, we believe there is no material risk of a change in our estimates that is likely to have a material impact on our reported financial condition and results of operations for the three years ended December 31, 2006.

Our most critical accounting estimate is providing for title loss reserves. Our liability for estimated title losses at December 31, 2006 comprises both known claims ($80.3 million) and claims expected to be reported in the future ($304.1 million). The amount of the reserve represents the aggregate future payments (net of recoveries) that we expect to incur on policy and escrow losses and in costs to settle claims.

We base our estimates on reported claims, historical loss payment experience, title industry averages and the current legal and economic environment. In making estimates, we use moving-average ratios of recent actual policy loss payment experience (net of recoveries) to premium revenues.

Provisions for title losses, as a percentage of title operating revenues, were 6.0%, 5.5% and 4.8% for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Actual loss payment experience, including the impact of large losses, is the primary reason for increases or decreases in our loss provision. A change of 0.5% in this percentage, a reasonably likely scenario based on our historical loss experience, would have changed our provision for title losses and pretax earnings by approximately $11.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Estimating future loss payments is difficult and our assumptions are subject to change. Claims, by their very nature, are complex and involve uncertainties as to the dollar amount and timing of individual payments. Our experience has been that most policy claims and claim payments are made in the first six years after the policy has been issued, although claims are incurred and paid many years later.

We have consistently followed the same basic method of estimating loss payments for more than 10 years. Independent consulting actuaries have reviewed our title loss reserves and found them to be adequate at each year end for more than 10 years.

Based on our evaluation of goodwill as of June 30, which is completed annually in the third quarter, and events that may indicate impairment of the value of title plants and other long-lived assets, we estimate and expense to current operations any loss in value. The process of determining impairment relies on projections of future cash flows, operating results and market conditions. Uncertainties exist in these projections and bear the risk of change related to factors such as interest rates and overall real estate markets. Actual market conditions and operating results may vary materially from our projections. There were no impairment write-offs of goodwill during the three years ended December 31, 2006. We use independent appraisers to assist us in determining the fair value of our reporting units and assessing whether an impairment of goodwill exists.

We recognize revenues on title insurance policies written by independent agencies (agencies) when the policies are reported to us. In addition, where reasonable estimates can be made, we also accrue for revenues on policies issued but not reported until after period end. We believe that reasonable estimates can be made when recent and consistent policy issuance information is available. Our estimates are based on historical reporting patterns and other information about our agencies. We also consider current trends in our direct operations and in the title industry. In this accrual, we are not estimating future transactions. We are estimating revenues on policies that have already been issued by agencies but not yet reported to or received by us. We have consistently followed the same basic method of estimating unreported policy revenues for more than 10 years.

Our accruals for unreported policies from agencies were not material to our total assets or stockholders’ equity for any of the three years ended December 31, 2006. The differences between the amounts our agencies have subsequently reported to us compared to our estimated accruals are substantially offset by any differences arising from the prior year’s accrual and have been immaterial to stockholders’ equity during each of the three prior years. We believe our process provides the most reliable estimation of the unreported revenues on policies and appropriately reflects the trends in agency policy activity.

Operations. Our business has two main segments: title insurance-related services and real estate information (REI). These segments are closely related due to the nature of their operations and common customers.

Our primary business is title insurance and settlement-related services. We close transactions and issue title policies on homes, commercial properties and other real properties located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and international markets through more than 9,500 policy-issuing offices and agencies. We also provide post-closing lender services, automated county clerk land records, property ownership mapping, geographic information systems, property information reports, flood certificates, document preparation, background checks and expertise in Section 1031 tax-deferred exchanges. Our current level of international operations is immaterial with respect to our consolidated financial results.

Factors affecting revenues. The principal factors that contribute to increases in operating revenues for our title and REI segments include:

To the extent inflation causes increases in the prices of homes and other real estate, premium revenues are also increased. Premiums are determined in part by the insured values of the transactions we handle. These factors may override the seasonal nature of the title insurance business. Generally, our first quarter is the least active and our fourth quarter is the most active in terms of title insurance revenues.

Industry data. A table of published mortgage interest rates and other selected residential data for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 follows (amounts shown for 2006 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.

Most industry experts project mortgage interest rates to remain stable in 2007 or to decline slightly. Due to the large number of refinancing transactions completed in 2004 and 2005 and rising interest rates in 2006, significantly fewer refinancing transactions occurred in 2006. Refinancing transactions are expected to remain relatively unchanged in 2007 compared with 2006 as interest rates stabilize.

Trends and order counts. Mortgage interest rates (30-year, fixed-rate) have fluctuated from a monthly low of 5.45% in the first quarter of 2004 to a high of 6.76% in the third quarter of 2006 and were 6.14% in December 2006. Mortgage originations increased during 2005 compared with 2004 as a result of the favorable interest rate environment, but decreased during 2006 due to a significant increase in average mortgage interest rates. Sales of new and existing homes for 2004 through 2006 have generally followed the trends of mortgage interest rates and originations.

As a result of the above trends, our order levels increased overall from 2004 to 2005, although orders for the fourth quarter of 2005 were lower than the comparable period in 2004. Some of the increases in 2005 and 2004 were due to acquisitions. Our order levels for 2006 compared with 2005 decreased significantly as a result of a softening real estate market resulting primarily from the higher interest rate environment noted above. The decline in order counts for 2006 was partially offset by acquisitions.

Our order counts follow (in thousands):

Regulatory developments. In September 2006, the California Commissioner of Insurance alleged that some of our captive reinsurance programs may have constituted improper payments for the placement or referral of title business and is seeking approximately $47 million in fines and penalties from us. Stewart believes that its reinsurance is traditional reinsurance applied to residential business, which was authorized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in its August 1997 and 2004 letters on permissible captive reinsurance in residential transactions covered by the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act (RESPA). We have filed a notice of defense with the California Department of Insurance requesting an administrative hearing in response to its allegations. We believe that we have adequately reserved for this allegation and that the likely resolution will not materially affect our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Regulators periodically review title insurance premium rates and may seek reductions in the premium rates charged. In late 2006, the Texas Department of Insurance reduced rates by 3.2% effective February 1, 2007. The effect of this rate change is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

The rates charged by title insurance underwriters in Florida, from which we derive a significant portion of our revenues, are currently under review with proposals to enact premium rate decreases. The California Insurance Commissioner filed a rate reduction order that would have reduced title insurance rates in California by 26% commencing in 2009. On February 21, 2007, this rate reduction order was rejected by the California Office of Administrative Law. California’s Insurance Commissioner has announced plans to submit a revised rate reduction proposal in the future. We believe that California law requires rates to be established competitively and not by administrative order. We cannot predict the outcome of these proposals and, to the extent that rate decreases are enacted in the future, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

A comparison of our results of operations for 2006 with 2005 and 2005 with 2004 follows. Factors contributing to fluctuations in results of operations are presented in their order of monetary significance. We have quantified, when necessary, significant changes.

Title revenues. Our revenues from direct title operations decreased 1.3% in 2006 and increased 18.3% in 2005. The largest revenue decreases in 2006 were in California and Florida, partially offset by increases in Texas, including the results of acquisitions made in that state, and Canada. The decreases were due to a softening real estate market resulting primarily from the higher interest rate environment that has impacted certain major markets and an overall reduction in home sales. The largest revenue increases in 2005 were in Texas, Florida, California and Arizona. Acquisitions added revenues of $51.7 million and $71.8 million in 2006 and 2005, respectively. Revenues from commercial and other large transactions increased $42.8 million and $6.3 million in 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The number of direct closings we handled decreased 17.3% in 2006 and increased 5.5% in 2005. However, the average revenue per closing increased 17.0% in 2006 and 11.3% in 2005 primarily due to a lower ratio of refinancing transactions closed by our direct operations compared with the prior year. Title insurance premiums on refinancing transactions are typically less than on property sales. The increase in 2006 in average revenue per closing was also due to a higher complement of commercial transactions.

Revenues from agencies increased 3.9% in 2006 and 5.9% in 2005. The increase in 2006 was due to new agencies and additional revenues from existing agencies, partially offset by the impact of a reduction in home sales and our acquisition of some agencies that were formerly independent. The increase in 2005 was primarily due to a decrease in the ratio of refinancing transactions compared to property sales, partially offset by our acquisitions of some agencies that were formerly independent.

Agency business increased in 2006 due in part to new agencies added by us in Florida in 2006 and 2005 and due to the acquisition of a New York title insurance underwriter with agency operations. These increases were partially offset by decreases in transaction volumes in California and Pennsylvania. The largest increases in revenues from agencies in 2005 were primarily in Florida, New Jersey, Georgia and Maryland, partially offset by decreases in California and Texas.

The Texas Department of Insurance reduced title insurance premium rates by 6.5% effective July 1, 2004. As a consequence, our revenues and net earnings were reduced by approximately $19.0 million and $5.6 million, respectively, in 2006, $17.6 million and $5.2 million, respectively, in 2005 and $8.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively, in 2004. In late 2006, the Texas Department of Insurance reduced premium rates by 3.2% effective February 1, 2007. The effect of this rate change is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Our statements above on sales and loan activity are based on published industry data from sources including Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association, the National Association of Realtors^® and Freddie Mac. We also use information from our direct operations.

Title revenues by state. The approximate amounts and percentages of consolidated title operating revenues for the last three years were as follows:

The increase in revenues in 2005 resulted primarily from a greater number of tax-deferred property exchanges and increases in automated mapping services due to an acquisition in the second half of 2005, partially offset by reduced revenues related to post-closing services and electronic mortgage documents.

In January 2007, we sold our aerial photography and mapping businesses, GlobeXplorer^®and AirPhotoUSA^®, to DigitalGlobe^® and entered into agreements with these companies to continue to provide spatial and digital imagery through, www.PropertyInfo.com. The impact of the sale transaction and these businesses was not material to our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Investments. Investment income increased $5.8 million, or 19.9%, in 2006 primarily due to higher yields. Investment income increased $6.6 million, or 29.4%, in 2005 due to increases in average balances invested and higher yields. Certain investment gains and losses in 2006, 2005 and 2004 were realized as part of the ongoing management of the investment portfolio for the purpose of improving performance. In 2005, investment and other gains also included a pretax gain of $1.9 million realized from the sale of our ownership interest in an equity investee.

Retention by agencies. The amounts retained by agencies, as a percentage of revenues generated by them, were 80.7%, 81.2% and 81.6% in the years 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Amounts retained by title agencies are based on agreements between agencies and our title underwriters. This retention percentage may vary from year-to-year because of the geographical mix of agency operations, the volume of title revenues and, in some states, laws or regulations.

Selected cost ratios (by segment). The following table shows employee costs and other operating expenses as a percentage of related title and REI operating revenues.

These two categories of expenses are discussed below in terms of year-to-year monetary changes.

Employee costs. Employee costs for the combined business segments increased $33.9 million, or 4.9%, in 2006 and $103.5 million, or 17.5%, in 2005. The number of persons we employed at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was approximately 9,900, 10,100 and 9,200, respectively. Although employee costs increased in 2006 compared with 2005 primarily due to acquisitions and costs associated with developing technology initiatives, we reduced employee costs in markets where direct operations experienced revenue declines. In response to overall decreases in transaction volumes, we reduced our workforce in title offices by approximately 920 employees, or 11.6%, during 2006. Giving effect to the increase in staff primarily for advancing technology, we reduced our total workforce by approximately 720 employees, or 7.1%. These amounts exclude increases from new offices.

Acquisitions increased staff in 2006 and 2005 by 523 and 552 employees, and $23.3 million and $36.3 million in employee costs, respectively. Employee costs were also impacted by the competitive market for key employees in California and other states and by a significant increase in health insurance claims and related premiums during 2006 compared with 2005.

The number of employees and employee costs increased in 2005 compared with 2004 due to the impact of new offices and the increase in our volume of real estate transactions. Employee costs were increased $2.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 related to our accounting for employee vacations.

In our REI segment, employee costs for 2006 were comparable to 2005. In 2005, employee costs in our REI segment increased 10.7% compared with 2004. These employee costs did not increase proportionately with the 19.7% increase in segment revenues due to an increase in revenues from Section 1031 property exchange services, which are less labor intensive than other REI services.

Other operating expenses. Our employee costs and certain other operating expenses are sensitive to inflation. Other operating expenses for the combined business segments increased $32.8 million, or 8.8%, in 2006 and $48.3 million, or 14.9%, in 2005. The increase in other operating expenses in 2006 was partially due to acquisitions, which contributed approximately $13.7 million of the increase. Other 2006 increases included technology costs, outside search fees, business promotion and litigation costs. The increase in other operating expenses in 2005 was partially due to acquisitions, which contributed approximately $18.9 million of the increase. Other 2005 increases included rent of $10.0 million, outside search fees, business promotion and technology costs. Other operating expenses also include title plant and travel expenses. Included in the increase in rent expense in 2005 was a $2.8 million charge related to our accounting for leases.

Title losses. Provisions for title losses, as a percentage of title operating revenues, were 6.0%, 5.5% and 4.8% in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. An increase in loss payment experience for recent policy years resulted in an increase in our loss ratio in 2006 compared with 2005. Additions to title loss reserves of $4.9 million and $4.3 million in the second and fourth quarters of 2006, respectively, related primarily to agency defalcations, also contributed to the increase in our title loss ratio in the current year. Included in 2005 was an addition to title loss reserves of $10.5 million in the fourth quarter related to a mortgage fraud and an agency defalcation. An increase in loss payment experience also resulted in an increase in our loss provision in 2005 compared with 2004.

Income taxes. Our effective tax rates, based on earnings before taxes and after deducting minority interests ($66.3 million, $145.5 million and $133.2 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively), were 34.8%, 39.0% and 38.1% for 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. For 2006, our effective tax rate was positively impacted primarily by a higher ratio of tax-exempt income to earnings before taxes than in 2005.

Contractual obligations. Our material contractual obligations at December 31, 2006 were:

Liquidity.Cash provided by operations was $99.7 million, $173.5 million and $170.4 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Cash provided by operations was reduced due to decreases in earnings and taxes payable and increases in title loss payments and receivables. Cash flow from operations has been the primary source of financing for additions to property and equipment, expanding operations, dividends to stockholders and other requirements. This source is supplemented by bank borrowings, typically in connection with acquisitions.

The most significant non-operating source of cash was from proceeds of investments matured and sold in the amounts of $435.5 million, $580.9 million and $405.7 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. We used cash for the purchases of investments in the amounts of $405.9 million, $679.0 million and $470.8 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes, are reported in accumulated other comprehensive earnings, a component of stockholders’ equity, until realized. For 2006, unrealized investment gains increased comprehensive earnings by $0.8 million, net of taxes. During the first six months of 2006, unrealized investment losses reduced comprehensive earnings by $6.5 million, net of taxes. These unrealized investment losses were primarily related to changes in bond values caused by interest rate increases. The increase in comprehensive income related to unrealized investment gains during the last six months of 2006 of $7.3 million, net of taxes, was primarily related to changes in bond values caused by interest rate decreases.

During the years ended 2006, 2005 and 2004, acquisitions resulted in additions to goodwill of $48.7 million, $30.1 million and $45.6 million, respectively.

A substantial majority of our consolidated cash and investments at December 31, 2006 was held by Guaranty and its subsidiaries. The use and investment of these funds, dividends to us, and cash transfers between Guaranty and its subsidiaries and us are subject to certain legal restrictions. See Notes 2 and 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Our liquidity at December 31, 2006, excluding Guaranty and its subsidiaries, was comprised of cash and investments aggregating $55.4 million and short-term liabilities of $6.7 million. We know of no commitments or uncertainties that are likely to materially affect our ability to fund cash needs. See Note 17 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Loss reserves. Our loss reserves are fully funded, segregated and invested in high-quality securities and short-term investments as required by the insurance regulators of the states in which our underwriters are domiciled. At December 31, 2006, these investments aggregated $457.0 million and our estimated title loss reserves were $384.4 million.

Effective September 1, 2005 and retroactive to the start of the year, the Texas Legislature reduced statutory reserve requirements for our major title insurer. The change does not directly impact reported earnings or loss reserves under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. However, in the year 2005 the change released approximately $25.2 million, or approximately $18.3 million after taxes, of low-yielding statutory reserve investments, making that portion available for other uses.

Historically, our operating cash flow has been sufficient to pay all title policy losses. As reported in Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the fair value of our debt securities maturing in less than one year was $57.9 million at December 31, 2006. Combining our expected annual cash flow provided by operations ($99.7 million in 2006) with investments maturing in less than one year, we do not expect future loss payments to create a liquidity problem for us. Beyond providing funds for loss payments, we manage the maturities of our investment portfolio to provide safety of capital, improve earnings and mitigate interest rate risks.

Capital resources. We consider our capital resources to be adequate. We expect external capital resources will be available, if needed, because of our low debt-to-equity ratio. Long-term debt was $92.5 million and stockholders’ equity was $802.3 million at December 31, 2006. We are not aware of any trends, either favorable or unfavorable, that would materially affect notes payable or stockholders’ equity. We do not expect any material changes in the mix and relative cost of such resources. Significant acquisitions in the future could materially affect the notes payable or stockholders’ equity balances.

Off-balance sheet arrangements. We do not have any material source of liquidity or financing that involves off-balance sheet arrangements, other than our contractual obligations under operating leases.

Forward-looking statements. All statements included in this report, other than statements of historical facts, addressing activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties including, among other things, adverse changes in the levels of real estate activity, technology changes, unanticipated title losses, adverse changes in governmental regulations, actions of competitors, general economic conditions and other risks and uncertainties discussed under Item 1A — Risk Factors included elsewhere in this report.

The discussion below about our risk management strategies includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Management’s projections of hypothetical net losses in the fair values of our market rate-sensitive financial instruments, should certain potential changes in market rates occur, are presented below. While we believe that the potential market rate changes are possible, actual rate changes could differ.

Our only material market risk in investments in financial instruments is our debt securities portfolio. We invest primarily in municipal, corporate and utilities, U.S. Government and foreign debt securities. We do not invest in financial instruments of a hedging or derivative nature.

We have established policies and procedures to minimize our exposure to changes in the fair values of our investments. These policies include retaining an investment advisory firm, an emphasis upon credit quality, management of portfolio duration, maintaining or increasing investment income through high coupon rates and actively managing profile and security mix depending upon market conditions. We have classified all of our investments as available-for-sale.

Investments in debt securities at December 31, 2006 mature, according to their contractual terms, as follows (actual maturities may differ because of call or prepayment rights):

Based on our debt securities portfolio and interest rates at December 31, 2006, a 100 basis-point increase (decrease) in interest rates would result in a decrease (increase) of approximately $19.9 million, or 3.7%, in the fair value of our portfolio. Changes in interest rates may affect the fair value of the debt securities portfolio and may result in unrealized gains or losses. Gains or losses would only be realized upon the sale of the investments. Any other-than-temporary declines in fair values of securities are charged to earnings.

The information required to be provided in this item is included in our audited Consolidated Financial Statements, including the Notes thereto, attached hereto as pages F-1 to F-23, and such information is incorporated in this report by reference.

None.

Our principal executive officers and principal financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of December 31, 2006, have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within those entities.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. As a result, no corrective actions were required or undertaken.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal controls over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal controls over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.

See page F-2 for the Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 Management Report and page F-3 for the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on our effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

None.

Information regarding our directors and executive officers will be included in our proxy statement for our 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Proxy Statement), to be filed within 120 days after December 31, 2006, and is incorporated in this report by reference.

The Board of Directors has adopted the Stewart Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Guidelines on Corporate Governance, as well as the Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officers, Principal Financial Officers and Principal Accounting Officer. Each of these documents can be found at our website, www.stewart.com.

Information regarding compensation for our executive officers will be included in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated in this report by reference. The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and based on that review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Proxy Statement.

Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and related stockholder matters will be included in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated in this report by reference.

Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions, and director independence will be included in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated in this report by reference.

Information regarding fees paid to and services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm will be included in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated in this report by reference.

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we have duly caused this report to be signed on our behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006. In making this assessment, the Company’s management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework.

Based on our assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2006, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on our assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 Management Report, that Stewart Information Services Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Stewart Information Services Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that Stewart Information Services Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also, in our opinion, Stewart Information Services Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of Stewart Information Services Corporation and subsidiaries as listed in the accompanying index, and our report dated March 1, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Stewart Information Services Corporation and subsidiaries as listed in the accompanying index. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedules as listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Stewart Information Services Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Stewart Information Services Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 1, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over financial reporting.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

General. Stewart Information Services Corporation, through its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company), is primarily engaged in the title insurance-related services business. The Company also provides real estate information services. The Company operates through a network of policy-issuing offices and agencies in the United States and international markets. Approximately 39% of consolidated title revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 were generated in Texas, California and Florida. The operations in the international markets in which the Company does business are immaterial to its consolidated financial results.

A. Management’s responsibility. The accompanying financial statements were prepared by management, which is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including management’s best judgments and estimates. Actual results could differ from estimates.

B. New significant accounting pronouncements. The Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements”, effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006, to address diversity in practice in quantifying financial statement misstatements and provide guidance on the consideration of the effects of prior year misstatements in quantifying current year misstatements for the purpose of materiality assessment. The effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations was immaterial.

The Company will adopt FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”, effective January 1, 2007. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact that FIN 48 will have on its consolidated financial statements. The Company does not expect the adoption of FIN 48 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, was issued with an effective date of January 1, 2008. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact that SFAS 157 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

C. Reclassifications. Certain prior year amounts in these consolidated financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes. Net earnings and stockholders’ equity, as previously reported, were not affected.

D. Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include all subsidiaries in which the Company owns more than 50% voting rights in electing directors and variable interest entities when required by FIN 46(R). Unconsolidated investees, in which the Company typically owns 20% through 50% of the equity, are accounted for by the equity method. All significant intercompany amounts and transactions are eliminated and provisions are made for minority interests.

E. Statutory accounting. Stewart Title Guaranty Company (Guaranty) and other title insurance underwriters owned by the Company prepare financial statements in accordance with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by regulatory authorities.

In conforming the statutory financial statements to GAAP, the statutory premium reserve and the reserve for reported title losses are eliminated and, in substitution, amounts are established for estimated title losses (Note 1G). The net effect, after providing for income taxes, is included in consolidated earnings.

F. Revenue recognition. Operating revenues from direct title operations are considered earned at the time of the closing of the related real estate transaction. The Company recognizes premium revenues on title insurance policies written by independent agencies (agencies) when the policies are reported to the Company. In addition, where reasonable estimates can be made, the Company also accrues for policies issued but not reported until after period end. The Company believes that reasonable estimates can be made when recent and consistent policy issuance information is available. Estimates are based on historical reporting patterns and other information obtained about agencies, as well as current trends in direct operations and in the title industry. In this accrual, future transactions are not being accrued. The Company is estimating revenues on policies that have already been issued by agencies but not yet reported to or received by the Company. The Company has consistently followed the same basic method of estimating unreported policy revenues for more than 10 years.

Revenues from real estate information services are generally considered earned at the time the service is performed or the work product is delivered to the customer.

G. Title losses and related claims. Estimating future title loss payments is difficult because of the complex nature of title claims, the length of time over which claims are paid, the significantly varying dollar amounts of individual claims and other factors.

The Company’s liability for estimated title losses comprises both known claims and claims expected to be reported in the future. The amount of the reserve represents the aggregate future payments (net of recoveries) that are expected to be incurred on policy and escrow losses and in costs to settle claims. Large losses are individually evaluated. Provisions are charged to income in the same year the related premium revenues are recognized. The Company bases the estimates on reported claims, historical loss experience, title industry averages and the current legal and economic environment.

The Company’s estimated liability for future loss payments is regularly reviewed for adequacy and adjusted as appropriate. Independent consulting actuaries also review the adequacy of the liability on an annual basis. In accordance with industry practice, the amounts have not been discounted to their present values.

H. Cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risks and maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition.

I. Short-term investments. Short-term investments comprise time deposits with banks, federal government obligations, money market accounts and other investments maturing in less than one year.

J. Investments. The investment portfolio is classified as available-for-sale. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are determined using the specific identification method. Net unrealized gains and losses on securities, net of applicable deferred taxes, are included as a component of other comprehensive earnings within stockholders’ equity. At the time unrealized gains and losses become realized, these realized gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings using the specific identification method. Any other-than-temporary declines in market values of securities are charged to earnings.

K. Property and equipment. Depreciation is computed principally using the straight-line method at the following rates: buildings — 30 to 40 years and furniture and equipment — 3 to 10 years. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred while improvements are capitalized. Gains and losses are recognized at disposal.

L. Title plants. Title plants include compilations of a county’s official land records, prior examination files, copies of prior title policies, maps and related materials that are geographically indexed to a specific property. The costs of acquiring existing title plants and creating new ones, prior to the time such plants are placed in operation, are capitalized. Such costs are not amortized since there is no indication of any loss of value. The costs of maintaining and operating title plants are expensed as incurred. Gains and losses on sales of copies of title plants or interests in title plants are recognized at the time of sale.

M. Goodwill. Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed no less than annually and, if determined to be impaired, is expensed to current operations.

N. Acquired intangibles. Intangible assets are comprised mainly of non-compete and underwriting agreements and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated lives, which are primarily 3 to 10 years.

O. Other long-lived assets. The Company reviews the carrying values of title plants and other long-lived assets if certain events occur that may indicate impairment. An impairment of these long-lived assets is indicated when projected undiscounted cash flows over the estimated lives of the assets are less than carrying values. If impairment is determined by management, the recorded amounts are written down to fair values by calculating the discounted values of projected cash flows.

P. Fair values. The fair values of financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, notes receivable, notes payable and accounts payable, are determined by references to various market data and other valuation techniques, as appropriate. The fair values of these financial instruments approximate their carrying values. Investments in debt and equity securities are carried at their fair values (Note 4).

Q. Derivatives and hedging. The Company does not invest in hedging or derivative instruments.

R. Leases. The Company recognizes minimum rental payments under noncancelable operating leases, which expire over the next 10 years, on the straight-line basis over the terms of the leases, including provisions for any free rent periods or escalating lease payments.

S. Income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the tax bases and the book carrying values of certain assets and liabilities. Valuation allowances are provided as may be appropriate. Enacted tax rates are used in calculating amounts.

T. Stock option plans. The Company combined its two stock option plans into a single plan in April 2005. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”, using the modified prospective method under which share-based compensation expense is recognized for new share-based awards granted and any outstanding awards that are modified, repurchased or cancelled. Compensation expense is estimated using the Black-Scholes Model. All options expire 10 years from the date of grant and are granted at the closing market price of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant. All options are immediately exercisable, and therefore, there are no unvested awards.

Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), the Company applied the intrinsic value method of APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and related Interpretations in accounting for its plans. Accordingly, no stock-based employee compensation expense was reflected in net earnings, as all options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant (Note 13).

Restrictions on cash and investments. Statutory reserve funds of $490,540,000 and $449,475,000 and short-term investments of $53,613,000 and $47,804,000 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, were maintained to comply with legal requirements for statutory premium reserves and state deposits. These funds are not available for any other purpose.

A substantial majority of consolidated investments and cash at each year end was held by the Company’s title insurer subsidiaries. Generally, the types of investments a title insurer can make are subject to legal restrictions. Furthermore, the transfer of funds by a title insurer to its parent or subsidiary operations, as well as other related party transactions, are restricted by law and generally require the approval of state insurance authorities.

Dividend restrictions. Substantially all of the consolidated retained earnings at each year end were represented by Guaranty, which owns directly or indirectly substantially all of the subsidiaries included in the consolidation.

Guaranty cannot pay a dividend in excess of certain limits without the approval of the Texas Insurance Commissioner. The maximum dividend that can be paid without such approval in 2007 is $101,702,000. Guaranty declared dividends of $13,000,000, $31,000,000 and $21,615,000 in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Dividends from Guaranty are also voluntarily restricted primarily to maintain statutory surplus and liquidity at competitive levels. The ability of a title insurer to pay claims can significantly affect the decision of lenders and other customers when buying a policy from a particular insurer.

Surplus as regards policyholders for Guaranty was $508,509,000 and $488,193,000 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Statutory net income for Guaranty was $36,905,000, $56,449,000 and $26,609,000 in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Investments. The amortized costs and fair values of debt and equity securities at December 31 follow: