Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted operating income of $174 million for the second quarter, with adjusted earnings per diluted share at $1.15, down from $1.27 in the same period last year [15] - Adjusted return on equity was over 13% [6] - Insurance in force increased by 1% year over year to $270 billion, with new insurance written exceeding $13 billion [6][17] - Total net premiums earned were $245 million, flat sequentially but up modestly year over year [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - New insurance written was $13 billion, up 35% sequentially but down 3% year over year, primarily due to mortgage origination seasonality [16] - Persistency was 82%, down two points sequentially and one point year over year [16] - The base premium rate was 39.8 basis points, down 0.3 basis points sequentially [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Approximately 7% of the insurance in force had mortgage rates at least 50 basis points above June's average mortgage rate of 6.8% [9] - The risk-weighted average FICO score of the portfolio was 746, with a risk-weighted average loan-to-value ratio of 93% [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet, investing in business growth, and returning excess capital to shareholders, with expected capital returns for 2025 increased to approximately $400 million [5][12][22] - The company is actively engaged with lending partners and regulatory bodies to adapt to any changes in the housing finance system [13][61] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the long-term health of the US housing market despite uncertainties related to trade policy and affordability challenges [8][24] - The company continues to navigate a complex macroeconomic environment from a position of strength, supported by robust new insurance written and excellent credit quality [13][24] Other Important Information - The company reported a reserve release of $48 million, resulting in a loss ratio of 10% for the quarter [11][20] - Operating expenses remained flat year over year, with a disciplined approach to expense management [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Discussion on seasoning of recent origination vintages and regional home price weakness - Management noted strong credit performance and resilience in the economy, with some regional markets experiencing inventory increases leading to softness, but overall performance remains robust [29][31][33] Question: Addressable market and new insurance written trends - Management indicated that the MI market size for 2025 is expected to be similar to 2024, with high mortgage rates suppressing purchase origination [40][41] Question: Delinquency outlook and housing credit changes - Management confirmed that consumer credit fundamentals remain strong, with no significant impact from regional home price declines on borrower performance [51][52][56] Question: Update on regulatory changes impacting the business - Management emphasized ongoing engagement with regulatory bodies and strong relationships with GSEs to support well-qualified consumers [61][62] Question: Default to claim levels relative to current performance trends - Management stated that the 9% claim rate on new delinquencies is a prudent measure, with actual performance better than this rate due to strong economic conditions [68][69]