Stock of the Day

September 2, 2020

First American Financial (FAF)

$73.42
-$0.50 (-0.7%)
Market Cap: $7.55B

About First American Financial

First American Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides financial services. It operates through Title Insurance and Services, and Home Warranty segments. The Title Insurance and Services segment issues title insurance policies on residential and commercial property, as well as offers related products and services internationally. This segment also provides closing and/or escrow services; products, services, and solutions to mitigate risk or otherwise facilitate real estate transactions; and appraisals and other valuation-related products and services, lien release and document custodial services, warehouse lending services, default-related products and services, document generation services, mortgage loans subservicing, and related products and services, as well as banking, trust, and wealth management services. In addition, it accommodates tax-deferred exchanges of real estate; and maintains, manages, and provides access to title plant data and records. This segment offers its products through a network of direct operations and agents in various states and in the District of Columbia, as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and internationally. The Home Warranty segment provides home warranty products, including residential service contracts that cover residential systems, such as heating and air conditioning systems, and various appliances against failures that occur as the result of normal usage during the coverage period. This segment operates in various states and the District of Columbia. The company was founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Santa Ana, California.

Today's Trend

First American Financial Corporation (NYSE:FAF) is receiving modestly positive analyst attention, which may support the stock after its recent advance toward its 52-week high. The main catalyst is a broad round of upward revisions to Zacks Research’s earnings forecasts, although the firm retained a Hold rating.

  • Zacks raised its FY2026 EPS forecast to $7.04 from $7.01, FY2027 EPS to $7.39 from $7.32, and FY2028 EPS to $7.43 from $7.35. The revisions suggest improving expectations for First American Financial’s earnings outlook. MarketBeat First American Financial research report
  • Quarterly estimates were also increased: Q3 2026 EPS rose to $1.85 from $1.83, Q4 2026 to $1.78 from $1.77, Q1 2027 to $1.28 from $1.27, Q2 2027 to $2.05 from $2.04, Q3 2027 to $1.98 from $1.95, and Q4 2027 to $2.08 from $2.06. While each adjustment was small, the consistency across periods is a constructive signal. MarketBeat First American Financial earnings estimates
  • A Zacks article highlighted FAF as a potential dividend stock, potentially reinforcing its appeal to income-oriented investors. The company’s valuation and shareholder-return profile may provide additional support if dividend sustainability remains attractive. Why First American Financial is a Top Dividend Stock
  • Despite the higher forecasts, Zacks maintained its Hold recommendation. The current-year consensus EPS estimate remains $7.11, above Zacks’ $7.04 forecast, indicating that the upgrades have not yet produced a broadly bullish analyst view.

FAF recently traded near $74.50, above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages and close to its $79.87 52-week high. Its prior quarter also showed strong fundamentals, with revenue up 15% year over year and EPS of $2.08 exceeding estimates, providing context for the improved outlook.