Whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities, all investors love seeing their portfolios score big returns. But when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments. Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and of course, dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measure ...

PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION [Financial Statements](index=5&type=section&id=Item%201.%20Financial%20Statements) The company reported decreased total assets and Q2 revenues, with lower net income, but a significant increase in operating cash flow for the first half of 2024 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights (in millions) | Account | June 30, 2024 (millions) | December 31, 2023 (millions) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Cash and cash equivalents | $2,048.6 | $3,605.3 | | Total Investments | $7,847.2 | $7,948.9 | | Total Assets | $15,157.3 | $16,802.8 | | Deposits | $5,616.1 | $7,308.0 | | Total Liabilities | $10,324.7 | $11,940.0 | | Total Stockholders' Equity | $4,813.6 | $4,848.1 | Condensed Consolidated Income Statement Highlights (in millions, except per share data) | Metric | Q2 2024 (millions) | Q2 2023 (millions) | Six Months 2024 (millions) | Six Months 2023 (millions) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Total Revenues | $1,612.3 | $1,646.9 | $3,036.9 | $3,093.0 | | Income before income taxes | $151.6 | $178.1 | $209.9 | $237.7 | | Net income attributable to the Company | $116.0 | $138.5 | $162.7 | $184.4 | | Diluted EPS ($) | $1.11 | $1.33 | $1.56 | $1.76 | Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Highlights (in millions) | Cash Flow Category | Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 (millions) | Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 (millions) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Cash provided by operating activities | $336.0 | $176.7 | | Cash (used for) provided by investing activities | $(130.6) | $245.9 | | Cash (used for) provided by financing activities | $(1,757.2) | $595.1 | | Net (decrease) increase in cash | $(1,556.7) | $1,022.4 | [Segment Information](index=26&type=section&id=Note%2017%20%E2%80%93%20Segment%20Information) The Title Insurance segment saw a slight revenue decrease, Home Warranty revenues were stable with increased pretax income, and Corporate reported a wider pretax loss Segment Revenues and Pretax Income (Loss) for Q2 2024 (in millions) | Segment | Revenues (millions) | Income (loss) before income taxes (millions) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Title Insurance and Services | $1,521.9 | $177.4 | | Home Warranty | $106.8 | $16.5 | | Corporate and Eliminations | $(16.4) | $(42.3) | | **Total** | **$1,612.3** | **$151.6** | Segment Revenues and Pretax Income (Loss) for Six Months 2024 (in millions) | Segment | Revenues (millions) | Income (loss) before income taxes (millions) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Title Insurance and Services | $2,841.7 | $250.1 | | Home Warranty | $212.0 | $36.8 | | Corporate and Eliminations | $(16.8) | $(77.0) | | **Total** | **$3,036.9** | **$209.9** | [Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A)](index=29&type=section&id=Item%202.%20Management%27s%20Discussion%20and%20Analysis%20of%20Financial%20Condition%20and%20Results%20of%20Operations) Q2 2024 revenue decreased due to investment losses, while Title Insurance saw a slight decline, Home Warranty improved pretax income, and Corporate's loss widened, with strong liquidity maintained [Results of Operations](index=30&type=section&id=Results%20of%20Operations) Q2 2024 revenues decreased due to investment income decline, Title Insurance pretax income fell, Home Warranty pretax income rose due to lower claims, and Corporate's loss widened - In Q2 2024, domestic residential purchase transaction fees increased **4.3%**, while commercial and residential refinance fees decreased by **0.7%** and **8.9%**, respectively, compared to Q2 2023[109](index=109&type=chunk) - The provision for title policy losses was **3.0%** of title premiums in Q2 2024, down from **3.5%** in Q2 2023, reflecting an ultimate loss rate of **3.75%** for the 2024 policy year and reserve releases from prior years[123](index=123&type=chunk) - The Home Warranty segment's claims rate decreased to **45.8%** of premiums in Q2 2024 from **49.2%** in Q2 2023, primarily due to lower claims severity[131](index=131&type=chunk) - The Corporate segment's net investment losses of **$19.5 million** in Q2 2024 were primarily related to unrealized losses on the Company's investment in Offerpad[134](index=134&type=chunk) [Liquidity and Capital Resources](index=35&type=section&id=LIQUIDITY%20AND%20CAPITAL%20RESOURCES) The company maintains strong liquidity from operations and investment income, with **$79.8 million** cash at the holding company and **$900.0 million** credit facility, while managing significant off-balance sheet deposits - The company repurchased **811 thousand shares** for **$44.2 million** in the first six months of 2024, with **$169.6 million** remaining under the current **$400.0 million** repurchase authorization[87](index=87&type=chunk)[148](index=148&type=chunk) - The holding company has access to dividends from insurance subsidiaries, with a maximum of **$525.1 million** available for the remainder of 2024 without prior regulatory approval[149](index=149&type=chunk) - The company's adjusted debt-to-capitalization ratio was **20.1%** at June 30, 2024, slightly down from **20.2%** at December 31, 2023[154](index=154&type=chunk) - The company expects to repay its **$300.0 million** **4.60%** senior unsecured notes due November 15, 2024, upon maturity, using available cash, credit facility borrowings, or new bond issuance[151](index=151&type=chunk) [Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk](index=38&type=section&id=Item%203.%20Quantitative%20and%20Qualitative%20Disclosures%20About%20Market%20Risk) The company's primary market risk exposure is interest rate fluctuations, with no material changes reported since the 2023 Annual Report - The company's main market risk exposure relates to interest rate risk, with no material changes in this risk profile reported since year-end 2023[165](index=165&type=chunk)[166](index=166&type=chunk) [Controls and Procedures](index=38&type=section&id=Item%204.%20Controls%20and%20Procedures) Management concluded that disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2024, with no material changes in internal control over financial reporting during the quarter - The CEO and CFO have certified that the company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the quarter[167](index=167&type=chunk) - No changes occurred during the quarter that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting[168](index=168&type=chunk) PART II: OTHER INFORMATION [Legal Proceedings](index=39&type=section&id=Item%201.%20Legal%20Proceedings) The company is involved in routine lawsuits and regulatory proceedings, with no expected material adverse effect on its financial condition or results - The company is party to various lawsuits and regulatory proceedings but does not believe any pending matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results[93](index=93&type=chunk)[95](index=95&type=chunk)[170](index=170&type=chunk) [Risk Factors](index=39&type=section&id=Item%201A.%20Risk%20Factors) Key risks include strategic challenges from innovation, operational risks from market conditions and cyberattacks, extensive legal and compliance oversight, and financial risks from investment portfolio volatility - Strategic risks include the potential inadequacy of the risk management framework and disruptions from innovative initiatives, including the use of artificial intelligence[172](index=172&type=chunk)[173](index=173&type=chunk) - Operational risks are highlighted by the impact of real estate market conditions, unfavorable economic conditions, and the potential for systems damage, failures, and cyberattacks, referencing the December 2023 incident[176](index=176&type=chunk)[177](index=177&type=chunk)[191](index=191&type=chunk) - Legal and compliance risks include increasing regulatory oversight, potential changes in government regulation (such as CFPB policy considerations), and scrutiny of business practices by governmental entities[200](index=200&type=chunk)[203](index=203&type=chunk)[204](index=204&type=chunk) - The company's venture investment portfolio is described as high-risk, illiquid, and concentrated, which may cause material fluctuations in quarterly results[211](index=211&type=chunk) [Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities](index=49&type=section&id=Item%202.%20Unregistered%20Sales%20of%20Equity%20Securities%20and%20Use%20of%20Proceeds) The company repurchased **752,300 shares** for **$40.7 million** in Q2 2024, with **$169.6 million** remaining under its share repurchase authorization Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities (Q2 2024) | Period | Total Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid per Share ($) | Total Cost (approx.) (millions) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | April 2024 | 38,099 | $54.55 | $2.1 | | May 2024 | 377,270 | $54.73 | $20.6 | | June 2024 | 336,931 | $53.43 | $18.0 | | **Total** | **752,300** | **$54.14** | **$40.7** | - As of June 30, 2024, the company had approximately **$169.6 million** remaining under its share repurchase authorization[222](index=222&type=chunk)[223](index=223&type=chunk) [Exhibits](index=50&type=section&id=Item%206.%20Exhibits) This section lists exhibits filed with the Form 10-Q, including CEO and CFO certifications and Inline XBRL documents

First American Financial (FAF) reports a second-quarter 2024 operating income per share of $1.27, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 12.4%. The bottom line decreased 5.9% year over year. The insurer's results reflect the benefits of the seasonal pick-up in demand despite challenging market conditions. Operating revenues of $1.6 billion dropped 2.1% year over year due to lower agent premiums and information and other. The top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.2%. Investment income was $12 ...

Core Insights - First American Financial reported a revenue of $1.61 billion for the quarter ended June 2024, reflecting a decrease of 2.1% compared to the same period last year [4] - The earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $1.27, down from $1.35 in the year-ago quarter [4] - The company experienced a revenue surprise of -1.20% against the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.63 billion, while the EPS surprise was +12.39% against a consensus estimate of $1.13 [1] Revenue Breakdown - Net investment income was reported at $129.90 million, which is -13.6% year-over-year and below the average estimate of $137.03 million [2] - Agent premiums amounted to $616.30 million, slightly above the average estimate of $610.07 million, but still down -1.3% year-over-year [2] - Direct premiums and escrow fees reached $632.70 million, exceeding the average estimate of $613.88 million, with a year-over-year increase of +2.8% [2] - Information and other revenues were reported at $246.60 million, below the average estimate of $251.01 million, reflecting a year-over-year decline of -1.5% [2] Stock Performance - Over the past month, shares of First American Financial have returned +8.6%, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite, which saw a +1.8% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

[Financial Performance Summary](index=1&type=section&id=Financial%20Performance%20Summary) First American Financial reported Q2 2024 total revenue of $1.6 billion, a 2% decrease year-over-year, with net income of $116 million or $1.11 per diluted share [Q2 2024 Financial Highlights](index=1&type=section&id=Q2%202024%20Financial%20Highlights) First American Financial reported total revenue of $1.6 billion for Q2 2024, a 2% decrease year-over-year, with net income of $116 million or $1.11 per diluted share Q2 2024 Key Financial Metrics (vs. Q2 2023) | Metric | Q2 2024 | Q2 2023 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Total Revenue | $1,612.3 M | $1,646.9 M | | Income Before Taxes | $151.6 M | $178.1 M | | Net Income | $116.0 M | $138.5 M | | Diluted EPS | $1.11 | $1.33 | | Adjusted Net Income | $132.5 M | $140.9 M | | Adjusted Diluted EPS | $1.27 | $1.35 | - Successfully launched "Sequoia," an ongoing pilot program for the automated underwriting of purchase transactions[34](index=34&type=chunk)[16](index=16&type=chunk) - The company repurchased **752,000 shares for $41 million** in Q2 and an additional **281,000 shares for $15 million** through July 23, 2024[34](index=34&type=chunk) - Cash flow from operations was strong at **$267 million**, nearly flat compared to **$269 million** in the prior year's quarter[34](index=34&type=chunk) [Management Commentary](index=2&type=section&id=Management%20Commentary) CEO Ken DeGiorgio acknowledged challenging market conditions but noted a seasonal pickup in demand, highlighting strong adjusted pretax margins in key segments - Management stated that despite challenging market conditions, the company benefited from a seasonal pick-up in demand[16](index=16&type=chunk) - The company is maintaining its focus on managing operating expenses while investing in long-term strategic initiatives, including the Sequoia automated underwriting pilot[16](index=16&type=chunk) - The full-year performance outlook depends on the strength of the commercial market in the second half of the year, particularly in the fourth quarter[16](index=16&type=chunk) [Segment Performance](index=2&type=section&id=Segment%20Performance) This section details the financial performance of First American's Title Insurance, Home Warranty, and Corporate segments [Title Insurance and Services](index=2&type=section&id=Title%20Insurance%20and%20Services) The Title Insurance and Services segment reported revenues of $1.5 billion, a slight 1% decrease year-over-year, with a pretax margin of 11.7% Title Insurance and Services Segment Performance (Q2 2024 vs Q2 2023) | Metric | Q2 2024 | Q2 2023 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Total Revenues | $1,521.9 M | $1,530.7 M | | Income Before Taxes | $177.4 M | $185.7 M | | Pretax Margin | 11.7% | 12.1% | | Adjusted Pretax Margin | 11.9% | 12.6% | - Direct premiums and escrow fees increased by **3% YoY**, driven by a **5% increase** in average revenue per order closed, which was partially offset by a **3% decline** in the number of direct title orders closed[18](index=18&type=chunk) - Investment income declined by **$16 million** compared to Q2 2023, primarily due to lower average balances in interest-bearing escrow and tax-deferred property exchange accounts[18](index=18&type=chunk) - The provision for policy losses was **3.0%** of title premiums and escrow fees, down from **3.5%** in the prior year, reflecting a favorable change in loss reserve estimates for prior policy years[18](index=18&type=chunk) [Home Warranty](index=4&type=section&id=Home%20Warranty) The Home Warranty segment's revenue remained flat year-over-year at $107 million, but profitability improved significantly with a pretax margin of 15.4% Home Warranty Segment Performance (Q2 2024 vs Q2 2023) | Metric | Q2 2024 | Q2 2023 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Total Revenues | $106.8 M | $106.5 M | | Income Before Taxes | $16.5 M | $14.3 M | | Pretax Margin | 15.4% | 13.4% | | Adjusted Pretax Margin | 15.2% | 12.9% | - The claim loss rate improved to **45.8%** from **49.2%** last year, attributed to lower claim severity, which was partially offset by higher claim frequency[19](index=19&type=chunk) [Corporate](index=4&type=section&id=Corporate) The Corporate segment's pretax loss widened to $42.3 million in Q2 2024, primarily due to $20 million in net recognized investment losses - The Corporate segment recorded a pretax loss of **$42.3 million**, compared to a loss of **$21.9 million** in Q2 2023[13](index=13&type=chunk) - The increased loss was driven by net recognized investment losses of **$20 million** this quarter, in contrast to gains of **$3 million** in the same period last year[40](index=40&type=chunk) - Excluding net recognized losses and gains, the Corporate pretax loss was **$23 million**, an improvement from the **$25 million** loss in Q2 2023[40](index=40&type=chunk) [Consolidated Financial Statements](index=7&type=section&id=Consolidated%20Financial%20Statements) This section provides an overview of the company's consolidated income statement and balance sheet information [Summary of Consolidated Financial Results](index=7&type=section&id=Summary%20of%20Consolidated%20Financial%20Results) This section presents the consolidated income statement for the three and six months ending June 30, 2024, showing a year-over-year decline in revenue and profitability Consolidated Financial Results (Three Months Ended June 30) | Metric | 2024 | 2023 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Total Revenues | $1,612.3 M | $1,646.9 M | | Net Income Attributable to Company | $116.0 M | $138.5 M | | Diluted EPS | $1.11 | $1.33 | | Cash Dividends Declared per Share | $0.53 | $0.52 | Consolidated Financial Results (Six Months Ended June 30) | Metric | 2024 | 2023 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Total Revenues | $3,036.9 M | $3,093.0 M | | Net Income Attributable to Company | $162.7 M | $184.4 M | | Diluted EPS | $1.56 | $1.76 | | Cash Dividends Declared per Share | $1.06 | $1.04 | [Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Information](index=8&type=section&id=Selected%20Consolidated%20Balance%20Sheet%20Information) The company's balance sheet shows total assets of $15.2 billion as of June 30, 2024, a decrease from $16.8 billion at year-end 2023, primarily due to reduced cash Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights | Account | June 30, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Cash and cash equivalents | $2,048.6 M | $3,605.3 M | | Investments | $7,847.2 M | $7,948.9 M | | Total assets | $15,157.3 M | $16,802.8 M | | Notes and contracts payable | $1,399.7 M | $1,393.9 M | | Total stockholders' equity | $4,813.6 M | $4,848.1 M | [Supplemental Financial Information](index=9&type=section&id=Supplemental%20Financial%20Information) This section provides detailed segment-level financial data, non-GAAP reconciliations, and supplemental title insurance operational metrics [Segment Information (Detailed Tables)](index=9&type=section&id=Segment%20Information%20%28Detailed%20Tables%29) This section provides a granular breakdown of revenues and expenses for the Title Insurance, Home Warranty, and Corporate segments for both quarterly and six-month periods Segment Pretax Income (Loss) - Three Months Ended June 30 | Segment | 2024 | 2023 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Title Insurance | $177.4 M | $185.7 M | | Home Warranty | $16.5 M | $14.3 M | | Corporate (incl. Elims.) | $(42.3) M | $(21.9) M | | **Consolidated** | **$151.6 M** | **$178.1 M** | Segment Pretax Income (Loss) - Six Months Ended June 30 | Segment | 2024 | 2023 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Title Insurance | $250.1 M | $273.9 M | | Home Warranty | $36.8 M | $30.2 M | | Corporate (incl. Elims.) | $(77.0) M | $(66.4) M | | **Consolidated** | **$209.9 M** | **$237.7 M** | [Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures](index=11&type=section&id=Reconciliation%20of%20Non-GAAP%20Financial%20Measures) This section reconciles reported GAAP results to non-GAAP measures by adjusting for items such as net investment (losses) gains and purchase-related intangible amortization Consolidated GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (Q2 2024) | Metric | GAAP | Adjustments | Non-GAAP (Adjusted) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Pretax Income | $151.6 M | $21.6 M | $173.2 M | | Net Income | $116.0 M | $16.5 M | $132.5 M | | Diluted EPS | $1.11 | $0.16 | $1.27 | Title Insurance Segment GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (Q2 2024) | Metric | GAAP | Adjustments | Non-GAAP (Adjusted) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Pretax Income | $177.4 M | $2.4 M | $179.8 M | | Pretax Margin | 11.7% | +0.2% | 11.9% | [Supplemental Title Insurance Data](index=15&type=section&id=Supplemental%20Title%20Insurance%20Data) This section provides key operational metrics for the U.S. direct title insurance business, including daily order volumes and average revenue per order Total Orders Per Day (U.S. Direct Operations) | Metric | Q2 2024 | Q2 2023 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Total Open Orders per Day | 2,650 | 2,728 | | Total Closed Orders per Day | 1,948 | 2,005 | Average Revenue Per Order (ARPO) (U.S. Direct Operations) | Order Type | Q2 2024 | Q2 2023 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Purchase | $3,605 | $3,472 | | Commercial | $11,720 | $11,614 | | **Total ARPO** | **$3,818** | **$3,640** | [Other Information](index=5&type=section&id=Other%20Information) This section provides details on the upcoming teleconference, company overview, and important legal disclaimers [Teleconference/Webcast Information](index=5&type=section&id=Teleconference%2FWebcast%20Information) First American will host a teleconference and webcast to discuss its second quarter 2024 financial results on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 11 a.m. EDT - A conference call to discuss Q2 2024 results is scheduled for Thursday, July 25, 2024, at **11 a.m. EDT**[21](index=21&type=chunk) - The live audio webcast and an audio archive will be available on First American's investor website at www.firstam.com/investor[21](index=21&type=chunk) [About First American](index=5&type=section&id=About%20First%20American) First American Financial Corporation is a premier provider of title, settlement, and risk solutions for real estate transactions, recognized for its 135-year history and workplace culture - First American Financial Corporation (NYSE: FAF) is a leading provider of title, settlement, and risk solutions for real estate transactions with a **135-year history**[22](index=22&type=chunk) - The company's total revenue was **$6.0 billion** in 2023[22](index=22&type=chunk) - In 2024, First American was named one of the **100 Best Companies to Work For** by Great Place to Work® and Fortune Magazine for the ninth consecutive year[22](index=22&type=chunk) [Forward-Looking Statements & Non-GAAP Measures](index=6&type=section&id=Forward-Looking%20Statements%20%26%20Non-GAAP%20Measures) This section includes standard legal disclaimers regarding forward-looking statements and the use of non-GAAP financial measures for additional insight - The report contains forward-looking statements subject to various risks and uncertainties, including interest rate fluctuations, real estate market conditions, and regulatory changes, that could cause results to differ materially[4](index=4&type=chunk) - The company uses non-GAAP financial measures (e.g., adjusted net income, adjusted EPS) to provide additional insight into financial leverage, operational efficiency, and performance relative to prior periods and competitors[5](index=5&type=chunk)

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.1% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This reflects how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reevaluated their initial estimates during this timeframe. While it's common for investors to rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates for assessing how the business may have performed during the quarter, exploring analysts' forecasts for key metrics can yield valuable insights. Based on the collective assessment of an ...

Core Viewpoint - First American Financial (FAF) is expected to grow due to increased demand for first-time home purchases among millennials, along with expansion in valuation and data businesses, strength in commercial business, and technological upgrades [1] Growth Projections - The company anticipates a three-year CAGR of 11.3% for EPS by 2026 [3] - The top line is expected to increase at a three-year CAGR of 8.2% by 2026, driven by growing direct premiums, escrow fees, and title agent premiums [13] Recent Performance - Shares have gained 8.5% in the past month, outperforming the industry's growth of 7.6% and the Finance sector's decline of 1% [2] Financial Metrics - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 earnings is $3.83, reflecting a 0.8% increase on revenues of $6.3 billion, while the 2025 earnings estimate is $5.12, indicating a 33.8% increase on revenues of $6.9 billion [11] - FAF's trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) is 8.2%, surpassing the industry average of 7.8% [12] - The company has a solid track record of dividend increases, with an eight-year CAGR of 8.2% from 2016 to 2024, and a dividend yield of 3.9% compared to the industry average of 0.3% [14] Strategic Initiatives - Strategic initiatives include strengthening product offerings, focusing on core business, and expanding valuation and data businesses, which are expected to enhance efficiency [5] - The company has $210.4 million remaining under its share buyback authorization as of March 31, 2024 [6] Market Conditions - The company estimates that for each 25-basis point decline in the Fed funds rate, annualized investment income will decrease by $15 million, with fluctuations depending on cash and escrow balances [7] - Increased demand for first-time home purchases among millennials is expected to drive results, supported by improving economic conditions and labor markets [19]

First American Financial (FAF) is expected to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2024. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price. Zacks Consensus Estimate Revenues are expected to be $1.63 billion, down 0.9% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for ...

First American's debt levels have been increasing in the past few years with debt-to-capital ratio deteriorating. Its times interest earned compares unfavorably with the industry average. Stocks to Consider Some top-ranked stocks from the insurance industry are HCI Group, Inc. (HCI) , Palomar Holdings (PLMR) and ProAssurance (PRA) . Each stock presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. HCI Group's earnings surpassed estimates in each of ...

Slowly but surely, it appears that inflation is starting to cool off, and the Federal Reserve will be able to start cutting its benchmark interest rate. Last week, the monthly employment report hinted at a gradual deceleration in the economy. Specifically, the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.0% for May. That ended a 27-month streak of the U.S. unemployment rate remaining below 4%. While unemployment is hardly a crisis at current levels, it does appear that the economy's post-pandemic boom is starting to mo ...