FAF

Financial Services

First American Financial Corporation · Insurance - Specialty · $7B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
57.6
Good

First American Financial Corporation scores 57.6/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Financial Services Sector
FAF
57.6
Sector avg
39.7
Quality
Good
Moat
Weak
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Neutral
Valuation
Attractive

What is First American Financial Corporation?

First American Financial Corporation is a mid-cap financial services company headquartered in Santa Ana, California. It is best known for providing title insurance and related real estate transaction services across the United States and internationally.

The company operates through two main segments: Title Insurance and Services, and Specialty Insurance. Its core business involves issuing title insurance policies on residential and commercial properties, supporting real estate closings, and offering escrow, valuation, and lien release services. The Specialty Insurance segment provides property and casualty coverage for homeowners and renters, along with residential service contracts covering home systems and appliances. Revenue is generated through policy premiums, service fees, and agent networks spanning nearly all U.S. states and several international markets.

First American Financial Corporation was incorporated in 2010 and is headquartered in Santa Ana, California.

  • Residential and commercial title insurance policies
  • Closing, escrow, and settlement services
  • Property valuation and appraisal services
  • Homeowners and renters specialty insurance coverage
  • Residential home warranty and service contracts

Is FAF a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates FAF as Good overall, reflecting a balanced but mixed profile across its five quality pillars.

Valuation stands out as the most favorable pillar, suggesting the stock is priced attractively relative to its fundamentals. The Growth and Risk pillars both register as Neutral, indicating the company maintains a steady operational footing without significant near-term red flags.

The Moat pillar is rated Weak, pointing to limited durable competitive advantages in a commoditized title insurance market. Quality also comes in at Neutral, meaning returns and efficiency are not among the strongest in the financial services sector.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does FAF pay dividends?

Yes — First American Financial Corporation pays a dividend.

First American Financial pays a regular dividend, making it relevant for income-oriented investors. The company's position in the title insurance market — tied closely to real estate transaction volumes — influences its capacity to sustain distributions over time. Investors should review the current yield and payout history on the company's investor relations page before drawing conclusions about income reliability.

When does FAF report earnings?

First American Financial reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for U.S.-listed financial services companies.

Results tend to reflect broader real estate market conditions, as title insurance volumes are closely tied to home purchase and refinancing activity. Periods of elevated mortgage rates or slower housing turnover can weigh on top-line performance, while cost discipline and the specialty insurance segment provide some offset.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit First American Financial's investor relations page directly.

FAF Price History

+23.6% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in First American Financial Corporation?

$
Today it would be worth
$12,973
That's a +29.7% total return, or +5.3% annualized.

Based on First American Financial Corporation's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

FAF Long-term Outlook

The fundamental outlook for FAF is shaped by its Neutral Growth and Risk profiles, suggesting a company navigating a cyclical industry without outsized upside or alarming downside in the near term. The Attractive Valuation pillar indicates the market may not be fully pricing in a recovery scenario if real estate activity rebounds. The Weak Moat rating, however, tempers long-term compounding expectations, as the title insurance industry remains competitive and price-sensitive.

Growth drivers

  • Recovery in residential real estate transaction volumes
  • Expansion of specialty insurance and service contract offerings
  • International market presence diversifying revenue streams

Key risks

  • Prolonged elevated mortgage rates suppressing title order volumes
  • Weak competitive moat limiting pricing power in core title business
  • Cyclical sensitivity to housing market downturns

FAF vs Peers

First American Financial operates in a financial services niche that overlaps with mortgage insurance and title-adjacent risk providers.

ACTFAF scores lower
Enact Holdings, Inc.

Enact focuses on private mortgage insurance rather than title insurance, serving a different but related slice of the real estate transaction ecosystem.

MTGFAF scores lower
MGIC Investment Corporation

MGIC is a leading private mortgage insurer whose business model centers on credit risk protection for lenders, distinct from FAF's title and escrow focus.

ESNTFAF scores lower
Essent Group Ltd.

Essent provides private mortgage insurance and reinsurance, competing for exposure to U.S. housing credit risk rather than transaction settlement services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does First American Financial Corporation do?

First American Financial provides title insurance, closing and escrow services, and specialty property insurance. Its core business supports residential and commercial real estate transactions by protecting buyers and lenders against title defects. The company also offers valuation services, home warranty contracts, and banking and trust services through its subsidiaries.

Does FAF pay dividends?

Yes, First American Financial pays a regular dividend. The company has historically returned capital to shareholders through quarterly distributions. Investors focused on income should check the current yield and payout schedule on the company's investor relations page, as dividend levels can vary with business conditions.

When does FAF report earnings?

First American Financial reports on a quarterly cadence, consistent with U.S.-listed financial services companies. Specific dates are not maintained in our data source. For the most current earnings schedule, visit the company's investor relations page or check major financial calendars.

Is FAF a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates FAF as Good overall. The Valuation pillar is Attractive, which may interest value-oriented investors, while the Weak Moat and Neutral Quality ratings suggest the business lacks a strong durable edge. The complete pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members for a deeper view.

Is FAF overvalued?

Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, FAF is currently rated Attractive, meaning the stock does not appear overpriced relative to its fundamentals. That said, valuation alone does not determine investment outcomes — quality, growth trajectory, and competitive positioning all matter. View the full analysis on UQS Pro for context.

How does FAF compare to its competitors?

FAF operates primarily in title insurance and escrow services, while peers like Enact Holdings, MGIC Investment, and Essent Group focus on private mortgage insurance. These businesses share exposure to real estate market cycles but differ in their revenue models, risk profiles, and customer bases. UQS Pro members can compare pillar scores side by side.

What is FAF's market cap bracket?

First American Financial is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a segment of the market that typically offers more liquidity than small-caps while remaining more nimble than mega-cap financial conglomerates. Mid-cap financials can be sensitive to sector-wide credit and housing cycles.

Who founded First American Financial Corporation?

First American Financial Corporation was incorporated in 2010 as a separate public entity, though its roots trace back to the broader First American brand with a much longer history in title insurance. Detailed founding history is widely available through the company's official corporate profile and investor relations materials.

Is FAF a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, FAF's UQS profile is mixed. The Attractive Valuation and Neutral Risk suggest a reasonable entry point without alarming structural concerns. However, the Weak Moat rating raises questions about sustained competitive advantage over a long horizon. Pro members can access the full pillar detail to assess long-term fit.

What is the main competitive advantage of First American Financial?

First American Financial benefits from its extensive agent network, established brand recognition in the title industry, and proprietary title plant data accumulated over decades. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates these advantages as Weak, reflecting the competitive and commoditized nature of the title insurance market overall.

What sector does FAF belong to?

FAF belongs to the Financial Services sector, specifically within the insurance and real estate transaction services industry. Its performance is closely tied to housing market activity, mortgage origination volumes, and interest rate trends — factors that drive demand for title insurance and related services.

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Pro Analysis

FAF — Score History

50556065Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 11 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 14, 202657.661.239.054.444.699.8-0.1
May 12, 202657.761.239.054.844.699.90.0
May 1, 202657.761.239.054.845.099.7+0.1
Apr 26, 202657.661.239.054.745.099.0-0.1
Apr 25, 202657.761.239.054.945.099.7+1.9
Apr 23, 202655.855.339.052.446.198.5+0.6
Apr 19, 202655.255.139.052.343.697.50.0
Apr 18, 202655.255.139.052.343.697.8-0.1
Apr 12, 202655.355.139.052.343.698.2-0.1
Apr 5, 202655.455.139.052.343.698.9+0.1

FAF — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

61.2/100 (25%)

First American Financial Corporation shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.

Return on EquityModerate

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityModerate

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Cash GenerationStrong

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

54.4/100 (20%)

First American Financial Corporation shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.

Recent Revenue TrendModerate

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookModerate

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthModerate

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

44.6/100 (15%)

First American Financial Corporation has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

99.7/100 (15%)

First American Financial Corporation appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Earnings YieldStrong

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowStrong

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorStrong

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

39/100 (25%)

First American Financial Corporation possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for FAF.

Score Composition

Quality
61.2×25%15.3
Growth
54.4×20%10.9
Risk
44.6×15%6.7
Valuation
99.7×15%15.0
Moat
39.0×25%9.8
Total
57.6Good

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the FAF UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for First American Financial Corporation is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses First American Financial Corporation's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether First American Financial Corporation is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.