Investors title company announces second quarter 2012 results
Chapel hill, n.c.--(business wire)--investors title company (nasdaq: itic), announced its results for the second quarter ended june 30, 2012. net income increased 110.0% to $3,349,488, or $1.57 per diluted share, compared with $1,594,805, or $0.74 per diluted share, for the prior year quarter. revenues increased 10.0% to $26,080,325 versus the prior year quarter, primarily due to an 8.3% increase in net premiums written. the premium growth reflects widespread volume increases across multiple markets, as overall mortgage activity increased substantially. new industry-wide premium charges for north carolina that went into effect earlier this year also contributed to the increase in premiums. premiums in the second quarter related to refinancing transactions declined slightly compared with the first quarter, but were up compared with the prior year quarter. operating expenses decreased 1.0% to $21,460,624 versus the prior year quarter, primarily due to decreases in the provision for claims and commissions to agents. the claims provision rate was lower compared with the prior year due to an adjustment for favorable loss development in prior policy years. commissions to agents decreased 4.8%, as agency premiums declined and the business mix shifted to states with lower average commission rates. these favorable trends helped to offset increased spending on technology and system development. for the six months ended june 30, 2012, net income increased 82.9% to $4,781,627, or $2.24 per diluted share, compared with $2,614,012, or $1.19 per diluted share, for the prior year period. revenues increased 10.9% to $48,494,599 as a result of factors noted above, while operating expenses increased 3.9% versus the prior year period. chairman j. allen fine added, “we are pleased to report a strong quarter, as we benefitted from continued strength in refinance activity, further expansion of our agent base, and favorable claims experience. our focus remains on enhancing our competitive strengths and capitalizing on opportunities to profitably expand our market presence.” investors title company is engaged through its subsidiaries in the business of issuing and underwriting title insurance policies. the company also provides investment management services to individuals, companies, banks and trusts, as well as services in connection with tax-deferred exchanges of like-kind property. certain statements contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the private securities litigation reform act of 1995. such statements include, among other statements, any predictions regarding future agency expansion or increasing operational efficiency. these statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated and historical results. such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the cyclical demand for title insurance due to changes in the residential and commercial real estate markets; the occurrence of fraud, defalcation or misconduct; variances between actual claims experience and underwriting and reserving assumptions; declines in the performance of the company’s investments; government regulation; and other considerations set forth under the caption “risk factors” in the company’s annual report on form 10-k for the year ended december 31, 2011, as filed with the securities and exchange commission, and in subsequent filings. three months ended six months ended
