Earning Preview: Fidelity National Q4 revenue is expected to increase by 6.74%, and institutional views are cautiously constructive

Earnings Agent
Yesterday

Abstract

Fidelity National will report its quarterly results on February 19, 2026 Post Market, with consensus pointing to year-over-year growth in revenue and earnings as investors watch revenue mix, margins, and investment income trends.

Market Forecast

Consensus models point to Fidelity National’s current-quarter revenue of 3.70 billion, adjusted EPS of 1.50, and EBIT of 642.00 million, translating to year-over-year growth of 6.74% for revenue, 20.53% for EPS, and 29.96% for EBIT; margin forecasts are not disclosed in the consensus set, so they are omitted here. The company’s primary fee-based revenue line remains anchored by escrow, title-related, and other fees at 1.43 billion, with a constructive outlook supported by stable fee intensity and disciplined expense control across operations. Among the identifiable segments, interest and investment income stands out as the most promising with 857.00 million in last-quarter revenue, aided by the favorable yield environment, and is positioned for continued contribution to earnings given the current asset mix and portfolio strategy.

Last Quarter Review

The previous quarter delivered revenue of 4.03 billion (up 11.85% year-over-year), a gross profit margin of 51.82%, GAAP net profit attributable to the parent company of 358.00 million, a net profit margin of 8.89%, and adjusted EPS of 1.63 (up 25.39% year-over-year). A notable highlight was the quarter-on-quarter improvement in GAAP net profit, which rose by 28.78%, reflecting solid operating leverage in the period and favorable revenue mix effects. In segment terms, escrow, title-related, and other fees contributed 1.43 billion, while agency title insurance premiums were 890.00 million and direct title insurance premiums were 678.00 million, underpinned by stable fee generation and broad distribution; total revenue grew 11.85% year-over-year.

Current Quarter Outlook

Main Business: Escrow, Title-Related, and Other Fees

The core fee line—escrow, title-related, and other fees—continues to be the backbone of Fidelity National’s revenue base and cash flow consistency. With 1.43 billion recognized last quarter, this line benefits from a comprehensive national footprint, integrated processing capabilities, and workflow scale that supports throughput without undue cost inflation. For the current quarter, consensus revenue and EPS growth expectations implicitly assume this fee engine remains steady, aided by a disciplined expense run-rate and a stable claims profile that maintains margin integrity. The segment’s performance leverages established operating processes, which help translate activity into revenue efficiently, keeping gross profit resilient. The margin environment is sensitive to claim costs and staffing mix, yet last quarter’s 51.82% gross margin illustrates a robust baseline that positions this fee line to contribute strongly to consolidated profit in the current period. Importantly, this unit’s contribution to EBIT and EPS aligns with consensus expectations for 29.96% year-over-year EBIT growth and 20.53% year-over-year EPS growth this quarter, assuming similar cost and capital allocation discipline.

Most Promising Business: Interest and Investment Income

Interest and investment income, at 857.00 million last quarter, remains a notable contributor to overall earnings power and appears well-placed for ongoing support to profitability. This segment benefits from portfolio yields and the company’s risk management protocols, with investment-related revenue directly strengthening EBIT as long as credit performance and realized gain/loss patterns remain within expected ranges. The previous quarter’s realized gains and losses, net, were 176.00 million, indicating additional support from portfolio actions and market conditions, and offering a buffer to earnings through tactical rebalancing. For the current quarter, the outlook for this segment reflects a continuation of measured portfolio activity and income generation; consensus EBIT growth of 29.96% year-over-year implies this component’s contribution will remain material. Stability in investment line items aids EPS visibility, especially as fee-based revenues normalize sequentially, helping sustain the modeled 20.53% year-over-year EPS advance. Taken together, this segment’s participation complements the fee engine and contributes to the overall revenue projection of 3.70 billion.

Stock-Price Drivers This Quarter

Three factors stand out as likely to influence Fidelity National’s share price around the report. First, delivery versus consensus on revenue, EPS, and EBIT: with models calling for revenue growth of 6.74% year-over-year and EPS of 1.50, any deviation—positive or negative—from those markers should translate directly into share price reaction, especially given the sensitivity of valuation to earnings trajectory. Second, margin signals and claims dynamics: last quarter’s gross margin of 51.82% and net profit margin of 8.89% set a strong baseline, so investors will be focused on whether margins hold or expand, with a particular eye on claim costs and operating expenses to validate the earnings quality behind consensus EPS. Third, investment income consistency and realized items: the mix of interest income and realized gains/losses (176.00 million last quarter) matters to reported EBIT and EPS variability; stable credit performance and limited realized losses would support the modeled EBIT growth of 29.96% year-over-year, while any unexpected portfolio marks could sway sentiment.

Beyond these near-term levers, order flows and processing throughput in the fee lines are relevant to sequential momentum, but the share price will likely key off the balance of fee stability and investment income resilience. Execution on expense control supports margin durability, which, together with volume capture, underpins the credibility of consensus EPS expectations. Management’s update on claims, staffing, and the efficiency of processing ecosystems will be parsed for signals that either reinforce or question the current-quarter growth profile in the models.

Revenue Mix and Margin Visibility

The quarter’s revenue mix remains anchored by escrow, title-related, and other fees (1.43 billion) and agency and direct title premiums (a combined 1.57 billion), with investment-related revenue (857.00 million) offering diversified earnings flow. The mix’s stability can help keep gross profit predictable, especially when fee revenues exhibit continuity and claim costs remain managed. Net profit margins are influenced both by operating cost control and the distribution of investment results; last quarter’s 8.89% net margin provides context for what investors will consider a credible margin range. Financial discipline is evident in the quarter-on-quarter GAAP net profit improvement of 28.78%, signaling incremental margin leverage that shareholders hope to see continue. This set of markers indicates that sustaining revenue mix balance and margin control are central to meeting or exceeding the current-quarter EPS estimate of 1.50.

Cash Generation and Capital Allocation Signals

The company’s ability to generate cash from fee operations, together with investment income, shapes flexibility across dividend and buyback decisions, though specific capital actions are not detailed here. The strength in EBIT and EPS forecasts (29.96% and 20.53% year-over-year, respectively) implies continued cash generation sufficient to support normal corporate uses without stretching the balance sheet. In the current quarter, an emphasis on steady fee conversion, careful claims management, and disciplined operating costs will be essential to maintain this trajectory. Investors commonly evaluate cash conversion alongside margin performance to ascertain the durability of profits; in this context, last quarter’s numbers present a constructive baseline for this quarter’s expectations.

Expense Efficiency and Claims Profile

Expense efficiency remains a core element of earnings delivery, with processing scale and workflow standardization supporting output without linear cost growth. Claims intensity is a key variable for title operations; stability here supports net margin preservation and reduces earnings volatility. The current-quarter EPS expectation of 1.50 implicitly assumes expense control remains firm and claims do not materially deviate from recent experience. Given last quarter’s net margin of 8.89% and gross margin of 51.82%, investors will look for confirmation that those levels are sustainable, especially as revenue normalizes sequentially relative to the prior period’s 4.03 billion. Any management commentary coupled with realized investment outcomes will help sharpen margin expectations into the next quarter.

Sequential Dynamics and Throughput

Sequential patterns are relevant for understanding throughput in the fee lines and investment results across reporting periods. The last quarter’s 28.78% quarter-on-quarter improvement in GAAP net profit signals that the operational cadence and mix supported incremental earnings, and investors will watch for continuity of that trend. While consensus models point to year-over-year growth for revenue, EBIT, and EPS, the sequential changes in revenue mix—especially the balance of fee versus investment income—could influence reported margins even if top-line growth is in line. Maintaining conversion efficiency in the core fee business and balancing realized gains/losses in investment activities are practical levers to keep earnings delivery close to modeled expectations.

What Will Validate Consensus

To corroborate the 3.70 billion revenue and 1.50 EPS targets, investors will want to see stable fee revenue in escrow/title-related services, consistent agency and direct premium flows, and investment income that aligns with portfolio yield assumptions. On the profitability side, confirmation of a claims environment consistent with recent quarters and a disciplined expense base would validate the earnings quality implied in the 29.96% EBIT growth estimate. Should realized gains/losses be modest and fee intensity remain steady, the modeled 20.53% EPS growth is well supported by the last quarter’s gross margin of 51.82% and net margin of 8.89%, as those figures provide a reference frame for sustainable margin levels.

Analyst Opinions

Within the January 1, 2026 to February 12, 2026 window, published analyst previews specific to Fidelity National’s upcoming quarter are sparse, and the observable tilt in available commentary is constructive rather than negative. Based on the consensus expectations showing year-over-year increases in revenue (6.74%), EPS (20.53%), and EBIT (29.96%), the majority stance in the limited material available can be characterized as bullish relative to the company’s current-quarter trajectory. In the absence of multiple named preview notes during this period, the prevailing view aligns with a constructive earnings setup, and the key analytical focus centers on delivery against the 3.70 billion revenue and 1.50 EPS benchmarks, together with confirmation that gross and net margins remain consistent with last quarter’s 51.82% and 8.89%, respectively. The market’s interpretation will hinge on whether reported results substantiate these consensus anchors and whether management’s update on claims and investment income supports the sustainability of this profile into subsequent quarters.

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

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