Is Investors Title Company a Buy?

Investors Title Company (ITIC), along with its various subsidiaries, primarily specializes in providing title insurance for a diverse range of properties, including residential homes, commercial buildings, institutional facilities, and industrial sites. The company operates in a dual capacity within the title insurance market: it acts as a direct insurer for property owners and mortgage lenders, and it also functions as a reinsurer, assuming title insurance risks from other providers. Beyond its core insurance offerings, ITIC delivers specialized services related to tax-deferred exchanges of like-kind property. In this area, it serves as a qualified intermediary, skillfully managing the complexities of these transactions. This involves preparing necessary exchange documents, securely holding exchange funds during the transition between property sales and new acquisitions, and facilitating the proper identification of replacement properties. Furthermore, ITIC takes on the role of an exchange accommodation titleholder, particularly for "reverse exchanges" where a replacement property is acquired before the relinquished property is sold. The company also extends its expertise to investment management and trust services, catering to a broad clientele that includes individuals, corporations, banks, and various trusts. Additionally, it offers consulting and management guidance to assist clients in the establishment and operation of their own title insurance agencies. ITIC's title insurance policies are distributed through a dual network comprising approved attorneys working from its underwriting offices, as well as independent issuing agents. This extensive network spans 24 states and the District of Columbia, with its primary geographical focus being the eastern half of the United States. Established in 1972, Investors Title Company maintains its corporate headquarters in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.