On February 21, 2024, Fidelity National Financial Inc (FNF, Financial) released its 8-K filing, detailing the financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023. FNF, a leading provider of title insurance, escrow, and other title-related services, operates primarily through its Title Segment, which generates the majority of its revenue, and its F&G Segment, offering annuity and life insurance solutions.
FNF reported a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $69 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to a net loss of $5 million, or $0.02 per share, for the same period in 2022. The full year net earnings attributable to common shareholders stood at $517 million, or $1.91 per share, a significant decrease from $1.3 billion, or $4.67 per share, in the previous year. Adjusted net earnings for the fourth quarter were $204 million, or $0.75 per share, compared to $274 million, or $1.01 per share, in Q4 2022. The full year adjusted net earnings were $962 million, or $3.55 per share, down from $1.5 billion, or $5.38 per share, in the prior year.
The Title Segment's revenue was $1.7 billion for the quarter, a 7% decrease from Q4 2022, and $7.0 billion for the full year, a 23% decrease from the previous year. The F&G Segment, however, showcased a robust performance with record gross sales of $4.1 billion for the quarter, a 52% increase from Q4 2022, and $13.2 billion for the full year, a 17% increase from the previous year. F&G also achieved a record $49.5 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2023.
Despite the challenging market conditions, FNF maintained solid title revenue and experienced significant growth in the F&G Segment. The company's ability to navigate the current environment is reflected in the Title Segment's adjusted pre-tax title margin of 13.7% for the full year, which, although lower than the previous year's 16.7%, underscores FNF's industry-leading position.
William P. Foley, II, Chairman of FNF, highlighted the company's strengths and competitive advantage in the market, noting the Title business's adjusted pre-tax title margin and F&G's record assets under management. He also emphasized FNF's balanced capital allocation strategy, which includes growing the business through acquisitions and returning capital to shareholders.
The financial tables provided in the earnings filing offer a detailed breakdown of FNF's performance across its segments. The Title Segment's adjusted pre-tax earnings were $198 million for Q4 2023, a decrease from $227 million in Q4 2022, primarily due to the decline in residential and commercial volumes. The F&G Segment's adjusted net earnings were $64 million for Q4 2023, compared to $119 million in the same quarter of the previous year, reflecting the impact of interest rate volatility on annuity sales.
In conclusion, FNF's latest earnings report presents a mixed picture, with the Title Segment facing headwinds from a challenging mortgage market, while the F&G Segment capitalizes on growth opportunities. The company's strategic investments and focus on maintaining industry-leading margins position it well for future market turns. Investors and analysts will continue to monitor FNF's performance as it navigates through the evolving economic landscape.
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Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from Fidelity National Financial Inc for further details.
