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OMB APPROVAL |
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OMB Number:
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3235-0059 |
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Expires:
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January 31, 2008 |
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A (RULE 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Filed by the Registrant
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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o Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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þ Definitive Proxy Statement |
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o Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES
CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy
Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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þ No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11. |
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1) Title
of each class of securities to which transaction applies: N/A |
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2) Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
N/A |
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3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): N/A |
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: N/A |
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o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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o Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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1) Amount Previously Paid: N/A |
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: N/A |
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SEC 1913 (11-01) |
Persons who are to respond to the collection of information
contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid
OMB control number. |
STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION
1980 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77056
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held April 28, 2006
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of Stewart Information Services Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the Company), will be held on
April 28, 2006, at 8:30 A.M., in the First Floor
Conference Room of Three Post Oak Central, 1990 Post Oak
Boulevard, Houston, Texas, for the following purposes:
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(1) To elect directors of the Company to hold office until
the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their
respective successors are duly elected and qualified. |
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(2) To transact such other business as may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
The holders of record of Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock of the Company at the close of business on
February 28, 2006 will be entitled to vote at the meeting.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Max Crisp
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Secretary |
March 27, 2006
IMPORTANT
You are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person.
Even if you plan to be present, you are urged to sign, date and
mail the enclosed proxy promptly. If you attend the meeting you
can vote either in person or by your proxy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held April 28, 2006
This Proxy Statement is furnished to the stockholders of Stewart
Information Services Corporation (the Company), 1980
Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 800, Houston, Texas 77056
(Tel. No. 713-625-8100),
in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of
the Company of proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on Friday, April 28, 2006, at
8:30 A.M., in the First Floor Conference Room of Three
Post Oak Central, 1990 Post Oak Boulevard,
Houston, Texas, or any adjournment thereof.
Proxies in the form enclosed, properly executed by stockholders
and received in time for the meeting, will be voted as specified
therein. If a stockholder does not specify otherwise, the shares
represented by his or her proxy will be voted for the nominees
listed therein. The giving of a proxy does not preclude the
right to vote in person should the person giving the proxy so
desire, and the proxy may be revoked at any time before it is
exercised by written notice delivered to the Company at or prior
to the meeting. This Proxy Statement is being mailed on or about
March 27, 2006 to stockholders of record at the close of
business on February 28, 2006 (the Record Date).
At the close of business on the Record Date, there were
outstanding and entitled to vote 17,146,697 shares of
Common Stock and 1,050,012 shares of Class B Common
Stock, and only the holders of record on such date shall be
entitled to vote at the meeting. As long as 600,000 or more
shares of Class B Common Stock are outstanding, at each
election of directors the Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock are voted as separate classes. Shares of the
Companys Class B Common Stock are convertible on a
one-for-one basis into shares of the Companys Common Stock.
The holders of Common Stock, voting as a class, are entitled to
elect five of the nine directors of the Company. Each share of
Common Stock is entitled, at the option of the person voting
such share, either to cast one vote per share for each of the
five directors to be elected by the holders of the Common Stock
or to vote cumulatively by casting five votes per share, which
may be distributed in any manner among any number of the
nominees. The enclosed form of proxy provides a means for
stockholders to vote for all of the nominees listed therein, to
withhold authority to vote for one or more of such nominees or
to withhold authority to vote for all of such nominees. If
authority to vote for four or fewer of the nominees is withheld,
and if there are nominees other than management nominees for the
directorships to be filled by the holders of the Common Stock,
then the persons named in the enclosed proxy may vote
cumulatively by dividing the number of votes represented by the
proxy equally among the nominees for which authority to vote is
not withheld. If there are no nominees for the five positions to
be elected by the holders of Common Stock other than the
management nominees set forth herein, it is the intention of the
persons named in the enclosed proxy to allocate the votes
represented by the proxy evenly among the management nominees.
If there should be any additional nominees for such positions,
then the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote
cumulatively to elect as many as possible of the management
nominees. If it is not possible to elect each of the five
management nominees, then the persons named in the enclosed
proxy will have discretion as to which of such nominees may be
elected.
Unless a holder of Common Stock who withholds authority votes in
person at the meeting or votes by means of another proxy, the
withholding of authority will have no effect upon the election
of those directors for whom authority to vote is withheld
because the Companys
By-Laws provide that
directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Under
applicable Delaware law, a broker non-vote will have no effect
on the outcome of the election of directors. The shares held by
each stockholder who signs and returns the enclosed form of
proxy will be counted for purposes of determining the presence
of a quorum at the meeting.
The holders of Class B Common Stock, voting as a class, are
entitled to elect the remaining four of the nine directors of
the Company. Each holder of Class B Common Stock has the
right to vote, in person or by
proxy, the number of shares owned by him for the four directors
to be elected by the holders of Class B Common Stock and
for whose election he has a right to vote.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information as of the Record Date
with respect to persons known to the Company to be the
beneficial owners of more than 5% of either class of the
Companys voting shares:
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Amount and | |
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Nature of | |
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Beneficial | |
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Percent | |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
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Title of Class | |
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Ownership | |
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of Class | |
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Malcolm S. Morris
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Class B Common Stock |
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525,006 |
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50.0 |
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3992 Inverness
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Houston, Texas 77019
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Stewart Morris, Jr.
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Class B Common Stock |
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525,006 |
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50.0 |
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#8 West Rivercrest
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Houston, Texas 77042
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Artisan Partners Limited Partnership
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Common Stock |
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2,534,494 |
(1) |
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14.8 |
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875 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 800
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
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Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.
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Common Stock |
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1,515,371 |
(2) |
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8.8 |
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32 Old Slip Road
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New York, New York 10005
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Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc.
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Common Stock |
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1,426,943 |
(3) |
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8.3 |
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1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor
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Santa Monica, California 90401
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(1) |
Artisan Partners Limited Partnership reported shared voting and
dispositive power with respect to all of such shares in its most
recent report on Schedule 13G/A filed January 27,
2006. Artisan Partners is an investment advisor registered under
Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. The
shares reported have been acquired on behalf of discretionary
clients of Artisan Partners. Persons other than Artisan Partners
are entitled to receive all dividends from and proceeds from the
sale of the shares. |
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(2) |
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. reported sole dispositive
power with respect to all of such shares and sole voting power
with respect to 1,140,851 of such shares in its most recent
report on Schedule 13G/A filed February 8, 2006. |
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(3) |
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. reported sole voting and
dispositive power with respect to all of such shares in its most
recent report on Schedule 13G/ A filed February 6,
2006. Dimensional is an investment advisor registered under
Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 and
furnishes advice to four investment companies registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940. Dimensional also serves as
investment manager to certain other commingled group trusts and
separate accounts. All securities reported in this schedule are
owned by these investment companies, trusts and accounts.
Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities. |
The holders of the Class B Common Stock have entered into
an agreement intended to maintain an equal ownership of shares
of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock by the estate of
Carloss Morris and Malcolm S. Morris, collectively, and by
Stewart Morris and Stewart Morris, Jr., collectively. Such
agreement also provides for rights of first refusal among
themselves with respect to Class B Common Stock in the
event of the death or voluntary or involuntary disposition of
the shares of Class B Common Stock and upon certain other
specified conditions.
2
The following table sets forth information as of the Record Date
with respect to each class of the Companys voting shares
beneficially owned by executive officers, directors and nominees
for director of the Company and by all executive officers,
directors and nominees for director of the Company as a group:
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Amount and | |
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Percent | |
Name |
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Ownership(1) | |
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of Class | |
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Malcolm S. Morris
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Common Stock |
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129,578 |
(2) |
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* |
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Class B Common Stock |
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525,006 |
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50.0 |
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Stewart Morris, Jr.
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Common Stock |
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194,000 |
(3) |
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1.1 |
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Class B Common Stock |
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525,006 |
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50.0 |
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Matthew W. Morris
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Common Stock |
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0 |
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Robert L. Clarke
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Common Stock |
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2,560 |
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Max Crisp
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Common Stock |
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41,000 |
(4) |
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* |
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Nita B. Hanks
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Common Stock |
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4,466 |
(5) |
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* |
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Paul W. Hobby
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Common Stock |
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4,807 |
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* |
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Dr. E. Douglas Hodo
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Common Stock |
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5,807 |
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* |
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Laurie C. Moore
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Common Stock |
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1,401 |
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Dr. W. Arthur Porter
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Common Stock |
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2,807 |
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All executive officers, directors and nominees for director as a
group (10 persons)
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Common Stock |
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386,426 |
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2.2 |
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Class B Common Stock |
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1,050,012 |
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100.0 |
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(1) |
Unless otherwise indicated, the beneficial owner has sole voting
and investment power. |
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(2) |
Includes 119,156 shares subject to stock options (see
Executive Compensation Option Grants and
Exercises) at page 9. |
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(3) |
Consists of 194,000 shares subject to stock options (see
Executive Compensation Option Grants and
Exercises) at page 9. |
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(4) |
Includes 38,000 shares subject to stock options (see
Executive Compensation Option Grants and
Exercises) at page 9. |
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(5) |
Includes 4,100 shares subject to stock options. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Each director and certain officers of the Company are required
to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission, by a
specified date, his or her transactions related to Common Stock
or Class B Common Stock. Based solely on a review of the
copies of reports furnished to the Company or written
representations that no other reports were required, the Company
believes that during the 2005 fiscal year all filing
requirements applicable to its executive officers, directors and
greater than 10% beneficial owners were met, except that
Mr. Clarke was late in filing one Form 4.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the meeting, nine directors (constituting the entire Board of
Directors) are to be elected. The holders of Common Stock are
entitled to elect five directors, and the holders of
Class B Common Stock are entitled to elect four directors.
3
Common Stock Nominees
The following persons have been nominated to fill the five
positions to be elected by the holders of Common Stock. The
management of the Company does not contemplate that any of such
nominees will become unavailable for any reason, but if that
should occur before the meeting, proxies will be voted for
another nominee, or other nominees, to be selected by the Board
of Directors of the Company.
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Nominee, Age and Position with the Company |
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Director Since | |
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Robert L. Clarke, 63, Director
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2004 |
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Nita B. Hanks, 52, Director
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1990 |
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Dr. E. Douglas Hodo, 71, Director
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1988 |
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Laurie C. Moore, 60, Director
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2004 |
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Dr. W. Arthur Porter, 64, Director
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1993 |
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Each of the Common Stock nominees was elected by the holders of
Common Stock at their 2005 annual meeting. It is the intention
of the persons named in the proxy for the holders of Common
Stock to vote the proxies for the election of the nominees named
above, unless otherwise specified.
Mr. Clarke has been a partner of the law firm of
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP for more than the past five
years. Mr. Clarke also serves as director and chairman of
the audit committees of the boards of Eagle Materials, Inc., a
NYSE-listed manufacturer of building materials, and First
Investors Financial Services Group, Inc., a consumer finance
company. He served as U.S. Comptroller of the Currency from
December 1985 through February 1992. Prior to his election as a
director of the Company, Mr. Clarke had been an advisory
director of the Company since 2003.
For more than the past five years, Ms. Hanks has been a
Senior Vice President of Stewart Title Guaranty Company
(Guaranty), the Companys largest subsidiary.
Ms. Hanks is Director of Employee Services for the Company
and brings a key perspective from the Companys employees
to its Board of Directors. Employee costs represents one of the
Companys largest expenses.
Dr. Hodo serves as Chairman of the Companys Audit
Committee. Dr. Hodo has served as President of Houston
Baptist University for more than the past five years.
Dr. Hodo also serves as a director of U.S. Global
Investors Funds and chairman of its audit committee.
Ms. Moore is the President of Laurie Moore and Associates,
a speaking and consulting practice. In 2003 she founded, and has
since served as President of, The Institute for Luxury Home
Marketing, LLC, an international membership organization
targeting real estate agents who work in the upper-tier
residential market. She also serves as the Executive Director of
The Trendsetters CEO Group, 14 large, non-competing real estate
company CEOs who meet multiple times each year to share ideas,
conduct peer reviews of each others organizations, and
compare financial statements. Prior to 2003, Ms. Moore
co-founded and served as managing partner of REAL Trends, Inc.,
a publishing, communications and research company serving
brokerage company owners and top management of franchise
organizations in the residential real estate industry. Prior to
her election as a Director of the Company, Ms. Moore had
been an advisory director of the Company since 2002.
Dr. Porter has served as University Vice President for
Technology Development of the University of Oklahoma since 1998.
He has served as Regents Chair of Engineering of the University
of Oklahoma since 2005, prior to which he served as Dean of the
College of Engineering of the University of Oklahoma since 1998.
Prior to those appointments, he had served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of Houston Advanced Research Center, a
nonprofit research consortium, for more than five years. He also
served as an Adjunct Professor of Electrical Engineering at Rice
University for more than five years prior to his appointment
with the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Porter is also a
director of Electro Scientific Industries, Inc., Portland,
Oregon, and Bookham Technologies, Oxfordshire, England.
4
Class B Common Stock Nominees
The following persons have been nominated to fill the four
positions to be elected by the holders of Class B Common
Stock. It is the intention of the persons named in the proxy for
the holders of Class B Common Stock to vote the proxies for
the election of the nominees named below, unless otherwise
specified. The management of the Company does not contemplate
that any of such nominees will become unavailable for any
reason, but if that should occur before the meeting, proxies
will be voted for another nominee, or other nominees, to be
selected by the Board of Directors of the Company.
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Nominee, Age and Position with the Company |
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Director Since | |
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Max Crisp, 71, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, Secretary, Treasurer and Director
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1970 |
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Paul W. Hobby, 45, Director
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1989 |
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Malcolm S. Morris, 59, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
of the Board of Directors
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2000 |
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Stewart Morris, Jr., 57, Co-Chief Executive Officer,
President and Director
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2000 |
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Each of such persons was elected by the holders of the
Class B Common Stock at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
held in 2005.
Mr. Crisp has served as Vice President Finance
(Executive Vice President commencing in 2002), Treasurer and
Secretary of the Company and as its Chief Financial Officer for
more than the past five years. Mr. Crisp is also Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Guaranty and
Stewart Title Company (Title), a subsidiary of
Guaranty.
Mr. Hobby is founding chairman of Genesis Park, L.P., a
Houston-based private equity business specializing in technology
and communications investments. He has served since 2004 as the
CEO of Alpheus Communications, Inc., a Texas wholesale
telecommunications provider, and, from 2002 to 2006, as Chairman
of CapRock Services, Inc., the largest provider of satellite
services to the global energy business. Mr. Hobby
previously served on the boards of three publicly traded
companies: Coastal Bancorp, Inc. and Aronex Pharmaceutical, Inc.
from 1999 through 2001 and Amegy Bank of Texas, Inc. from 2002
through 2005. He currently serves on the boards of two other
publicly traded companies: EGL, Inc., a transportation supply
chain management and information services company, and, as of
March 6, 2006, NRG Energy, Inc., a nonutility power
generation company.
Malcolm S. Morris has served as Chairman of the Board and
Co-Chief Executive
Officer of the Company since January 2000, and as Senior
Executive Vice President Assistant Chairman of the
Company for more than five years prior to that time. Malcolm S.
Morris has also served for more than the past five years as
President and Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty and Chairman
of the Board of Title.
Stewart Morris, Jr. has served as President and
Co-Chief Executive
Officer of the Company since January 2000, and as Senior
Executive Vice President Assistant President of the
Company for more than five years prior to that time. Stewart
Morris, Jr. has also served for more than the past five
years as President and Chief Executive Officer of Title and
Chairman of the Board of Guaranty.
Malcolm S. Morris and Stewart Morris, Jr. are cousins.
Acting together they have the power to direct the management and
policies of the Company. Accordingly, they may be deemed to be
control persons as such term is used in regulations
adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Matthew W.
Morris is the son of Malcolm S. Morris.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board of Directors
The Company is managed by a Board of Directors comprised of nine
persons, five of whom are elected by the holders of the
Companys Common Stock and four of whom are elected by the
holders of the Companys
5
Class B Common Stock. A majority of the members of the
Board of Directors are independent within the
meaning of the listing standards of the New York Stock
Exchange. These directors are: Paul W. Hobby, E. Douglas
Hodo, W. Arthur Porter, Robert L. Clarke and
Laurie C. Moore. The Board of Directors has determined that
none of such directors have any material relationship with the
Company or its management that would impair the independence of
their judgment in carrying out their responsibilities to the
Company. For this purpose, the Board of Directors considers any
transaction, or series of similar transactions, or any currently
proposed transaction, or series of similar transactions, between
the Company or any of its subsidiaries and a director to be
material if the amount involved exceeds $60,000, exclusive of
directors fees, in any of the Companys last three
fiscal years.
All directors of the Company hold office until the next Annual
Meeting of Stockholders or until their respective successors are
duly elected and qualified. All officers of the Company hold
office until the regular meeting of directors following the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their respective
successors are duly elected and qualified. Any action by the
Board of Directors requires the affirmative vote of at least six
members.
During 2005, the Board of Directors held five meetings and
executed three consents in lieu of meetings. Each director
attended each of such meetings, except that one director did not
attend one meeting. The Board of Directors has an Executive
Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. See
Committees of the Board of Directors below.
The Board of Directors has adopted the Stewart Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics and Guidelines on Corporate Governance and a
Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officers, Principal Financial
Officers and Principal Accounting Officer, each of which is
available on the Companys website at www.stewart.com and
available in print to any stockholder who requests it. The
Companys Guidelines on Corporate Governance and the
charters of the Audit Committee, Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee and Compensation Committee require an
annual self-evaluation of the performance of the Board of
Directors and of such committees, including the adequacy of such
Guidelines and charters. The charters of the Audit Committee,
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the
Compensation Committee are available on the Companys
website at www.stewart.com and available in print to any
stockholder who requests them.
The Companys Guidelines on Corporate Governance strongly
encourage attendance in person by directors at the
Companys annual meetings of stockholders. All of the
Companys incumbent directors attended the Companys
annual meeting of stockholders held in 2005.
Advisory Directors
In addition to the directors elected by the holders of the
Companys Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, the
Company has advisory directors who are appointed by the
Companys Board of Directors to supplement the experience
and expertise of the elected directors. The Companys
advisory directors receive notice of and regularly attend
meetings of the Companys Board of Directors and committees
on which they serve as non-voting members. They provide valuable
insights and advice to the Company and participate fully in all
deliberations of the Companys Board of Directors but are
not included in quorum and voting determinations. Advisory
directors receive the same compensation for their services as do
the members of the Companys Board of Directors elected by
the stockholders of the Company.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may exercise
all of the powers of the directors, except those specifically
reserved to the Board of Directors by law or resolution of the
Board of Directors. Malcolm S. Morris, Stewart Morris, Jr.
and Max Crisp serve as the members of the Executive Committee.
During 2005, the Executive Committee held three meetings at
which all members were present, except that one director did not
attend one meeting, and executed 31 consents in lieu of
meetings.
Audit Committee. It is the duty of the Audit Committee to
(i) review, with the Companys independent auditors,
the scope of the annual audit, (ii) review the independent
auditors management letter and (iii) meet
6
with the Companys internal auditors. The Audit Committee
has sole authority to appoint or replace the Companys
independent auditors. The Audit Committee operates under a
written charter adopted by the Board of Directors of the
Company, a copy of which is available on the Companys
website at www.stewart.com. The Audit Committee is comprised of
Dr. E. Douglas Hodo (Chair), Robert L. Clarke and
Laurie C. Moore. During 2005, the Audit Committee held eight
meetings, at which all members then serving were present. Each
of the members of the Audit Committee is independent as defined
under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Board of Directors
has determined that Dr. Hodo is an audit committee
financial expert as defined in the rules of the Securities
and Exchange Commission. No member of the Companys Audit
Committee serves on the audit committees of more than three
public companies. The Audit Committee has the authority to
engage independent counsel and other advisers, as it determines
necessary to carry out its duties.
The Audit Committee has established procedures for the receipt,
retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company
regarding accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing
matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees
of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or
auditing matters. Persons wishing to communicate with the
Companys Audit Committee may do so by writing in care of
Chairman, Audit Committee, Stewart Information Services
Corporation, 1980 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 800,
Houston, Texas 77056.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of
Dr. W. Arthur Porter (Chair), Robert L. Clarke and
Laurie C. Moore, each of whom is independent as
defined in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.
It is the duty of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee to (i) recommend to the Board of Directors of the
Company nominations of persons for election to the Board of
Directors of the Company by the holders of Common Stock,
(ii) create procedures for identification of nominees,
(iii) consider and recommend to the Board of Directors
criteria for nomination to the Board of Directors and
(iv) receive and consider nominations submitted by
stockholders of the Company.
The Companys Guidelines on Corporate Governance require
that a majority of the nine members of the Companys Board
of Directors be independent as defined in the rules
of the New York Stock Exchange. Those Guidelines also provide
that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be
guided by the following principles:
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|
Each director should be an individual of the highest character
and integrity and have an inquiring mind, experience at a
strategy or policy-setting level, or otherwise possess a high
level of specialized expertise, and the ability to work well
with others. Special expertise or experience that will augment
the Boards expertise is particularly desirable. |
|
|
|
Each director should have sufficient time available to devote to
the affairs of the Company in order to carry out the
responsibilities of a director and, absent special
circumstances, no director should be simultaneously serving on
the boards of directors of more than three other entities,
excluding non-public companies, such as those related to
personal or family business and charitable, educational or other
non-profit entities. Directors are not qualified for service on
the Board unless they are able to make a commitment to prepare
for and attend meetings of the Board and its committees on a
regular basis. |
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|
|
Each independent director should be free of any significant
conflict of interest that would interfere with the independence
and proper performance of the responsibilities of a director. |
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Directors to be nominated for election by the holders of the
Companys Common Stock should not be chosen as
representatives of a constituent group or organization; each
should utilize his or her unique experience and background to
represent and act in the best interests of all stockholders as a
group. |
In recent years, vacancies occurring in the Companys Board
of Directors have been filled by advisory directors whose
experience and expertise have contributed significantly to the
deliberations of the Board and who meet the criteria set forth
above.
7
Directors should have an equity ownership in Stewart Information
Services Corporation. Toward that end, each non-employee
director shall be paid a portion of his or her directors
fees in Stewart Information Services Corporation Common Stock
pursuant to the Companys 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, or
any successor plan, but only to the extent permitted by law and
the Corporate Governance Standards of the New York Stock
Exchange.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, pursuant to
the Companys By-Laws, will accept and consider nominations
by stockholders of persons for election by the holders of Common
Stock to the Board of Directors of the Company. To be considered
for nomination at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the
Company to be held in 2007, stockholder nominations must be
received by the Company no later than February 15, 2007.
Persons wishing to submit the names of candidates for
consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee may write to the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee in care of Corporate Secretary, Stewart Information
Services Corporation, 1980 Post Oak Boulevard,
Suite 800, Houston, Texas 77056, providing the
candidates name, credentials, contact information and
consent to be considered as a candidate. The person proposing
the candidate should include his or her contact information and
a statement of his or her share ownership, including the number
of shares and the period of time the shares have been held.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held four
meetings during 2005, at which all members were present, except
that one director did not attend one meeting. The charter of the
Companys Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is
available on the Companys website at www.stewart.com.
Compensation Committee. It is the duty of the
Compensation Committee to approve the compensation of the
executive officers. The Compensation Committee is comprised of
Paul W. Hobby (Chair), Robert L. Clarke and
Dr. W. Arthur Porter. During 2005, the Compensation
Committee held two meetings, at which all members then serving
were present.
Each member of the Companys Audit Committee, Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee and Compensation Committee
has been determined by the Board of Directors to be
independent as that term is defined in the rules of
the New York Stock Exchange.
Executive Sessions of Non-Management Directors
The non-management directors of the Company, all of whom are
independent, meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions
without management. The Chairman of the Companys Audit
Committee serves as the presiding director at those executive
sessions. Persons wishing to communicate with the Companys
non-management directors may do so by writing in care of
Chairman, Audit Committee, Stewart Information Services
Corporation, 1980 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 800,
Houston, Texas 77056. Persons wishing to communicate with the
Companys other directors may do so by writing in care of
Corporate Secretary, Stewart Information Services Corporation,
at the same address.
8
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary of Compensation
The following table summarizes compensation information
concerning each of the Companys executive officers for
each of the three years ended December 31, 2005.
Summary Compensation Table
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Long-Term | |
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|
Compensation | |
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Annual Compensation | |
|
(Awards) | |
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| |
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| |
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Minimum | |
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Variable | |
|
Stock Options | |
|
All Other | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary ($)(1) | |
|
Bonus ($) | |
|
Bonus ($) | |
|
(# Shares) | |
|
Compensation ($) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Stewart Morris, Jr.
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
165,000 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
426,172 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
12,312 |
(2) |
|
President and
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
400,069 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
21,067 |
|
|
Co-Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
559,450 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
32,051 |
|
Malcolm S. Morris
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
165,000 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
426,172 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
13,770 |
(3) |
|
Chairman of the Board and
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
400,069 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
31,515 |
|
|
Co-Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
559,450 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
48,630 |
|
Max Crisp
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|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
|
145,000 |
|
|
|
323,879 |
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
113,321 |
(4) |
|
Executive Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
156,000 |
|
|
|
135,000 |
|
|
|
309,052 |
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
114,974 |
|
|
and Chief Financial
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
155,000 |
|
|
|
135,000 |
|
|
|
428,588 |
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
120,630 |
|
|
Officer, Secretary and Treasurer |
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matthew W. Morris
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
75,469 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,896 |
(6) |
|
Senior Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
(5) |
|
|
100,577 |
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
44,543 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,325 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes salary earned in 2005 and deferred at the
officers election. |
|
(2) |
Consists of matching contributions to the Companys 401(k)
plan ($2,896), directors fees ($3,600) and $5,816,
representing the portion of insurance premiums paid by the
Company with respect to term life insurance plus the dollar
value of the benefit of the remainder of life insurance premiums
paid by the Company. |
|
(3) |
Consists of matching contributions to the Companys 401(k)
plan ($2,896), directors fees ($2,550) and $8,324,
representing the portion of insurance premiums paid by the
Company with respect to term life insurance plus the dollar
value of the benefit of the remainder of life insurance premiums
paid by the Company. |
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(4) |
Includes $102,564 paid under a deferred compensation agreement.
See Deferred Compensation. Also includes matching
contributions to the Companys 401(k) plan ($2,896),
directors fees ($3,600) and $4,261, representing the
portion of insurance premiums paid by the Company with respect
to term life insurance plus the dollar value of the benefit of
the remainder of life insurance premiums paid by the Company. |
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(5) |
Matthew W. Morris joined the Company on April 30, 2004. |
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(6) |
Consists of matching contributions to the Companys 401(k)
plan. |
Option Grants and Exercises
The following table sets forth information concerning individual
grants of stock options made during the year ended
December 31, 2005 to each of the Companys executive
officers to whom such options were granted. All such grants were
made on February 2, 2005. The hypothetical values on the
date of grant of stock options granted in 2005 shown below are
presented pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and are calculated under the modified Black-Scholes
Model (the Model) for pricing options. This
hypothetical value of options trading on the stock markets bears
little relationship to the compensation
9
cost to the Company or potential gain realized by an optionee.
The actual amount, if any, realized upon the exercise of stock
options will depend upon the market price per share of the
Companys Common Stock relative to the exercise price per
share of Common Stock issuable under the stock option at the
time the stock options are exercised. There is no assurance that
the hypothetical present values of stock options reflected in
this table actually will be realized.
Option Grants in Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005
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Individual Grants | |
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| |
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Percent of | |
|
|
|
|
Options | |
|
Total Options | |
|
|
|
Grant Date | |
|
|
Granted | |
|
Granted to | |
|
Exercise | |
|
Expiration | |
|
Present | |
Name |
|
(# Shares) | |
|
Employees (%) | |
|
Price ($) | |
|
Date | |
|
Value(1)($) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Stewart Morris, Jr.
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|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
27.6 |
|
|
|
42.11 |
|
|
|
02/02/15 |
|
|
|
446,750 |
|
Malcolm S. Morris
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25,000 |
|
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|
27.6 |
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|
42.11 |
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|
02/02/15 |
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|
446,750 |
|
Max Crisp
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|
16,500 |
|
|
|
18.2 |
|
|
|
42.11 |
|
|
|
02/02/15 |
|
|
|
294,855 |
|
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|
(1) |
The grant date present values are calculated under the Model.
The Model is a mathematical formula used to value stock options
and is based on assumptions regarding the stocks
volatility (30.39%), dividend rate (1.09%), option term
(10 years) and a risk-free interest rate (4.35%). |
The following table sets forth information concerning each
exercise of stock options during the year ended
December 31, 2005 by each of the Companys executive
officers and the value of unexercised options at
December 31, 2005. The Company has not issued any tandem or
freestanding stock appreciation rights.
Aggregated Option Exercises in 2005 and Option Values at
December 31, 2005
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Number of Unexercised | |
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Options at | |
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|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
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|
Shares | |
|
|
|
| |
|
Value of Unexercised In-the-Money | |
|
|
Acquired on | |
|
|
|
|
|
Options at December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
Exercise | |
|
Value | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
| |
Name |
|
(# Shares) | |
|
Realized($) | |
|
(# Shares) | |
|
(# Shares) | |
|
Exercisable ($) | |
|
Unexercisable ($) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Stewart Morris, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
194,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,524,080 |
|
|
|
|
|
Malcolm S. Morris
|
|
|
844 |
|
|
|
8,229 |
|
|
|
153,734 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,440,718 |
|
|
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|
|
Max Crisp
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|
|
|
|
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38,000 |
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|
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|
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268,145 |
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|
The following table provides additional information about our
compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized
for issuance as of December 31, 2005.
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Number of | |
|
|
|
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Securities to be | |
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
Issued Upon | |
|
Weighted Average | |
|
Securities | |
|
|
Exercise of | |
|
Price of | |
|
Remaining Available | |
|
|
Outstanding | |
|
Outstanding | |
|
for Future Issuance | |
|
|
Options, Warrants | |
|
Options, Warrants | |
|
Under Equity | |
Plan Category |
|
And Rights | |
|
And Rights | |
|
Compensation Plans | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
449,634 |
|
|
|
27.75 |
|
|
|
910,366 |
(1) |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Totals
|
|
|
449,634 |
|
|
|
27.75 |
|
|
|
910,366 |
|
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(1) |
Does not include shares reserved for issuance under existing
equity incentive plans if further issuances under these plans
require stockholder approval in accordance with the Corporate
Governance Guidelines of the New York Stock Exchange. |
10
Compensation of Directors
Directors of the Company, other than employees of the Company,
receive fees in accordance with the following table:
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|
Audit | |
|
Audit | |
|
Other | |
|
Other | |
|
|
All | |
|
Committee | |
|
Committee | |
|
Committee | |
|
Committee | |
Type of Compensation |
|
Directors | |
|
Chairman | |
|
Members | |
|
Chairs | |
|
Members | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Annual Retainer:
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
12,500 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock(2)
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|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per-Meeting Fees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attendance in person:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board meeting(3)
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Committee meeting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,000 |
|
|
|
Out-of-state travel(4)
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attendance by telephone:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board meeting
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Committee meeting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes $5,000 per year for service as the presiding
director of executive sessions of the non-management members of
the Companys Board of Directors. |
|
(2) |
The annual stock award to directors is valued based on the
market value per share of Common Stock on the date of the award. |
|
(3) |
The fee for attendance at the Companys annual Board
retreat is $4,000. |
|
(4) |
Plus expenses incurred. |
Directors of the Company who are employees receive
directors fees of $150 per meeting. The Company also
reimburses each director for the cost of an annual medical
examination. In June 2005, Ms. Hanks was granted, in her
capacity as Director of Employee Services for the Company, a
10-year option for
1,500 shares of the Companys Common Stock at an
exercise price of $39.25 per share, which was the market
value of a share of Common Stock on the option grant date.
Deferred Compensation Agreements
On March 10, 1986, the Company entered into a Deferred
Compensation Agreement with each of Malcolm S. Morris, Stewart
Morris, Jr. and Max Crisp (individually, a
Beneficiary). Pursuant to such agreements, as
amended, a Beneficiary or his designee is entitled to receive,
commencing upon his death or attainment of the age of
65 years, 15 annual payments in amounts that will, after
payment of federal income taxes thereon, result in a net annual
payment of $66,667 to Max Crisp and $133,333 to each of Malcolm
S. Morris and Stewart Morris, Jr. For purposes of such
agreements, each Beneficiary is deemed to be subject to federal
income taxes at the highest marginal rate applicable to
individuals. Such benefits are fully vested and are forfeited
only if a Beneficiarys employment with the Company is
terminated by reason of fraud, dishonesty, embezzlement or
theft. Any death or income benefits provided to a Beneficiary
under certain insurance policies currently maintained by the
Company will reduce payments due to such Beneficiary or his
designee under his Deferred Compensation Agreement.
11
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the
Companys cumulative total stockholder return on Common
Stock with the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 Index
and the Russell 2000 Financial Services Sector Index (which
includes the Company and its major publicly owned competitors)
for the five years ended December 31, 2005. The graph
assumes that the value of the investment in the Companys
Common Stock and each index was $100 at December 31, 2000,
and that all dividends were reinvested.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG THE
COMPANY,
RUSSELL 2000 AND RUSSELL 2000 FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR
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2000 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Company
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
89.01 |
|
|
$ |
96.41 |
|
|
$ |
184.83 |
|
|
$ |
191.94 |
|
|
$ |
227.75 |
|
Russell 2000 Index
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
102.49 |
|
|
|
81.49 |
|
|
|
120.03 |
|
|
|
142.12 |
|
|
|
148.70 |
|
Russell 2000 Financial Services Sector Index
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
115.64 |
|
|
|
119.65 |
|
|
|
167.32 |
|
|
|
202.62 |
|
|
|
207.08 |
|
12
Compensation Committee Report
To the Board of Directors of
Stewart Information Services Corporation:
Compensation Policy. The Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors (the Committee) is responsible
for the oversight and administration of the Companys
executive compensation program. The Committee reviews the
compensation program of the Companys operating
subsidiaries during each year as it deems necessary. The
objective of the Company is to provide the executive officers of
the Company, who are Malcolm S. Morris, Stewart
Morris, Jr., Max Crisp and Matthew W. Morris, with a
compensation package that is fair and reasonable based on their
individual levels of responsibility and performance in relation
to the compensation of executive officers of other publicly held
companies in the title insurance and comparable industries. In
making its determinations as to the reasonableness of the
Companys executive compensation, the Committee relies in
part on the advice of a nationally recognized, independent
compensation consulting firm. The principal elements of the
Companys executive compensation program are an annual
salary, an annual cash bonus and stock option grants. As a
holding company, the Company has no payroll, and the annual
salaries and cash bonuses of its executive officers are paid by
a subsidiary of the Company.
Base Salary. For 2005, the minimum bonus levels described
below for each of the
Co-Chief Executive
Officers of the Company remained unchanged, and the base
salaries of such persons were raised from $150,000 to $165,000.
Base salary amounts do not include the minimum bonuses described
below. Historically, the base salaries of the Companys
Co-Chief Executive
Officers have remained relatively stable from year to year.
Since the Company, as a holding company, has no direct payroll,
the base salaries of the Companys executive officers are
paid at the subsidiary level and are set at levels deemed
reasonable by the Committee based upon its subjective evaluation
of the executive officers level of responsibility.
Annual Bonus. Each of the
Co-Chief Executive
Officers is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus based on
the consolidated income before taxes of Guaranty, including a
minimum bonus of $250,000. The Committee believes that the
consolidated net income before taxes of Guaranty and the effect
thereof on the Companys book value per share are important
determinants over time of the value of the Companys Common
Stock. For 2005, the Committee recommended and the Company
adopted the following bonus formula for each of the Co-Chief
Executive Officers:
|
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|
|
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|
|
Incremental Percent | |
Guaranty Consolidated Net Income Before Taxes |
|
Payable as Bonus | |
|
|
| |
Up to $20 million
|
|
|
1.00 |
% |
$20 million to $40 million
|
|
|
0.75 |
% |
$40 million to $60 million
|
|
|
0.50 |
% |
Over $60 million
|
|
|
0.25 |
% |
For 2005, the Committee recommended and the Company adopted the
following bonus formula for Mr. Crisp:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incremental Percent | |
Guaranty Consolidated Net Income Before Taxes |
|
Payable as Bonus | |
|
|
| |
Up to $50 million
|
|
|
0.50 |
% |
$50 million to $75 million
|
|
|
0.40 |
% |
$75 million to $100 million
|
|
|
0.30 |
% |
Over $100 million
|
|
|
0.20 |
% |
Mr. Crisps minimum bonus is $145,000 and his bonus
may not exceed 75% of the aggregate base salary and bonus earned
by a Chief Executive Officer.
For 2005, the Committee also recommended and the Company adopted
a bonus plan for Matthew W. Morris under which he will receive a
bonus of 0.10% of the consolidated net income before taxes of
Guaranty, with a minimum bonus of $75,000, and up to $25,000 in
discretionary bonuses based upon the completion of projects and
with the approval of Stewart Morris, Jr.
13
The consolidated income before taxes of Guaranty in 2005 was
approximately $150.5 million. Accordingly, each of the
Co-Chief Executive
Officers received a bonus of $676,172 for 2005, and
Mr. Crisp received a bonus of $468,879 for 2005.
Stock Options. In 2005 the Committee granted options to
Malcolm S. Morris, Stewart Morris, Jr. and Max Crisp for
25,000, 25,000 and 16,500 shares, respectively. See
Option Grants and Exercises elsewhere in the Proxy
Statement in which this report is included. Such options were
taken into account by the Committee in determining the
reasonableness of the recipient officers annual
compensation package. The Incentive Plan is intended to make
available to the Committee an additional form of compensation
that will align the interests of executive officers with those
of the stockholders over a multi-year term. Each of the
executive officers is eligible for grants of options at a
purchase price not less than the fair market value of the shares
on the date of grant.
The Companys net earnings increased from $4.53 per
diluted share in 2004 to $4.86 per diluted share in 2005.
The Committee recognizes that the title insurance industry is
strongly affected by nationally prevailing interest rates, and
the Companys financial results from year to year will
depend largely on the level of real estate activity in its
primary markets. The Committee, as well as the other independent
members of the Companys Board of Directors, subjectively
evaluates the performance of the Companys executive
officers, including the
Co-Chief Executive
Officers, with respect to their efforts to provide for the
long-term financial well-being of the Company and to respond to
continuing changes in the industry environment. In 2005, the
Committee gave particular consideration to the efforts of the
Co-Chief Executive
Officers in further developing the Companys automation
programs, entering new markets through acquisitions, increasing
book value per share and pursuing opportunities in international
markets.
|
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Members of the Compensation Committee |
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Paul W. Hobby, Chair |
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Robert L. Clarke |
|
Dr. W. Arthur Porter |
Dated: February 9, 2006
14
SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
KPMG LLP served as the Companys principal independent
auditors for the Companys fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005. Representatives of KPMG LLP are expected
to be present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders with the
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and
such representatives are expected to be available to respond to
appropriate questions. The Companys Audit Committee has
not yet selected independent auditors for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2006.
Audit and Other Fees
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed for
professional services rendered by KPMG LLP for each of the
Companys last two fiscal years:
|
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|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
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| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Audit Fees(1)
|
|
$ |
1,070,400 |
|
|
$ |
1,017,500 |
|
Audit-Related Fees(2)
|
|
|
206,260 |
|
|
|
230,000 |
|
Tax Fees(3)
|
|
|
58,005 |
|
|
|
155,700 |
|
All Other Fees(4)
|
|
|
1,350 |
|
|
|
1,350 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Fees for the audit of the Companys annual financial
statements, review of financial statements included in the
Companys Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q, and
services that are normally provided by KPMG LLP in connection
with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the
fiscal years shown. The 2005 audit fees include work performed
related to the audit of managements assessment included in
the Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 Management Report. Less than
50 percent of the hours expended on KPMG LLPs
engagement to audit the Companys financial statements for
2005 were attributed to work performed by persons other than
KPMG LLPs full-time, permanent employees. |
|
(2) |
Fees for assurance and related services by KPMG LLP that are
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of
the Companys financial statements and that are not
reported under Audit Fees. Primarily represents fees
for separate statutory audits of minor subsidiaries and
affiliates. Also includes fees for consultation on accounting
questions. |
|
(3) |
Fees for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP primarily
for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. |
|
(4) |
Fees not included under other captions. Consists of subscription
for on-line accounting references. |
The Audit Committee must preapprove all auditing services and
permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms
thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent
auditor. The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to
subcommittees consisting of one or more members when
appropriate, including the authority to grant preapprovals of
audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that decisions
of such subcommittee to grant preapprovals shall be presented to
the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. Since
May 6, 2003, the effective date of the Securities and
Exchange Commissions rules requiring preapproval of audit
and non-audit services, 100% of the services identified in the
preceding table were approved by the Audit Committee.
15
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
serves as the representative of the Board for the general
oversight of the Companys financial accounting and
reporting process, system of internal control, audit process,
and process for monitoring compliance with laws and regulations
and the Companys standards for Corporate Compliance. The
Companys management has primary responsibility for
preparing the consolidated financial statements and for the
Companys financial reporting process. The Companys
independent auditors, KPMG LLP, are responsible for expressing
an opinion on the conformity of the Companys audited
consolidated financial statements to accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
In this context, the Audit Committee hereby reports as follows:
|
|
|
1. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the
audited financial statements with the Companys management. |
|
|
2. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent
auditors the matters required to be discussed by SAS No. 61
(Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards,
AU § 380). |
|
|
3. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures
and letters from the independent accountants required by
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independent
Discussions with Audit Committees) and has discussed with the
independent auditors the independent auditors independence. |
|
|
4. Based on the review and discussion referred to in
paragraphs (1) through (3) above, the Audit Committee
has recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited
financial statements be included in the Companys Annual
Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005, for filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent as
defined under the listing standards of the New York Stock
Exchange.
The undersigned members of the Audit Committee have submitted
this report:
|
|
|
Dr. E. Douglas Hodo, Chair |
|
Robert L. Clarke |
|
Laurie C. Moore |
Dated: February 14, 2006
16
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Stewart Morris is the father of Stewart Morris, Jr. and
Carloss Morris, who passed away in 2005, is the father of
Malcolm S. Morris. Stewart Morris and Carloss Morris are
brothers. During the year ended December 31, 2005, Stewart
Morris served as a director of Title and Guaranty and as
chairman of Titles executive committee, and, until his
death, Carloss Morris served as a director of Title and Guaranty
and as chairman of Guarantys executive committee.
Aggregate salaries, bonuses and other compensation for 2005 for
Stewart Morris and Carloss Morris were $403,767 and $320,784,
respectively.
During 2005, the Company and its subsidiaries paid a total of
$263,211 to the law firm of Morris, Lendais, Hollrah &
Snowden, P.C., of which Carloss Morris was and
Malcolm S. Morris is a shareholder. In connection with real
estate transactions processed by Title, such firm receives legal
fees from its clients who are also customers of Title and who
select such firm as their counsel.
During 2005, Marietta Maxfield, sister of Malcolm S.
Morris, was a full-time attorney for Guaranty and was paid
$130,326 for services rendered in such capacity.
PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Any proposals of holders of Common Stock or Class B Common
Stock intended to be presented at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of the Company to be held in 2007 must be received
by the Company at its principal executive offices,
1980 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 800, Houston, Texas
77056, no later than December 15, 2006, in order to be
included in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to
that meeting.
OTHER MATTERS
The management of the Company knows of no other matters which
may come before the meeting. However, if any matters other than
those referred to above should properly come before the meeting,
it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy
to vote such proxy in accordance with their best judgment.
Proxies for the Companys annual meeting of stockholders to
be held in 2007 may confer discretionary power to vote on any
matter that may come before the meeting unless, with respect to
a particular matter, (i) the Company receives notice, by
certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the
Companys Secretary, not later than the 15th day of
February next preceding the meeting, that the matter will be
presented at the annual meeting and (ii) the Company fails
to include in its proxy statement for the annual meeting advice
on the nature of the matter and how the Company intends to
exercise its discretion to vote on the matter.
The cost of solicitation of proxies in the accompanying form
will be paid by the Company. The Company has retained Innisfree
M&A Incorporated, a proxy solicitation firm, to assist it in
soliciting proxies for the proposals described in this proxy
statement. The Company has agreed to pay Innisfree a fee for
such services, which is not expected to exceed $6,500, plus
expenses. In addition to solicitation by use of the mails,
certain officers or employees of the Company, and of Innisfree,
may solicit the return of proxies by telephone, telegram or
personal interview.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Max Crisp
|
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Secretary |
March 27, 2006
17
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Please
Mark Here
for Address
Change or
Comments
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o |
SEE REVERSE SIDE |
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR:
1. |
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Election of Directors |
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FOR all nominees
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WITHHOLD |
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listed at right (except
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AUTHORITY
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Nominees:
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01 Robert L. Clarke, |
as marked to the
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to vote for all nominees
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02 Nita B. Hanks, |
contrary)
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listed at right
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03 Dr. E. Douglas Hodo, |
o |
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04 Dr. W. Arthur Porter, |
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05 Laurie C. Moore |
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(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any nominee, write that nominees name on the line below.)
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The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and of the Proxy Statement. |
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Dated: |
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, 2006 |
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Signature(s)
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Signature(s)
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Please sign exactly as your name appears. Joint owners
should each sign personally. Where applicable, indicate
your official position or representation capacity. |
^ FOLD AND DETACH HERE ^
Vote by Internet or telephone or Mail
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
Internet and Telephone voting is available through 11:59 PM Eastern Time
the day prior to annual meeting day.
Your Internet or Telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to
vote your shares in the same manner
as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.
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Internet
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Telephone |
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Mail |
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http://www.proxyvoting.com/stc
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1-866-540-5760
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Mark, sign and date |
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Use the Internet to vote your
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OR
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Use any touch-tone
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OR
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your proxy card |
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proxy. Have your proxy card in
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telephone to vote your
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and |
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hand when you access the web
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proxy. Have your proxy card
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return it in the |
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site.
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in hand when you call.
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enclosed postage-paid envelope. |
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If you vote your proxy by Internet or by telephone,
you do NOT need to mail back your proxy card.
STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION
THIS PROXY FOR HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS APRIL 28, 2006
The undersigned appoints Ken Anderson, Jr. and E. Ashley Smith, and each of them, as
proxies with full power of substitution and revocation, to vote, as designated on the reverse side
hereof, all the Common Stock of Stewart Information Services Corporation which the undersigned has
power to vote, with all powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the
annual meeting of stockholders thereof to be held on April 28, 2006, or at any adjournment thereof.
Unless otherwise marked, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of the nominees named.
Please vote, sign, date and return this proxy card
promptly using the enclosed envelope.
|
Address Change/Comments (Mark the corresponding box on the reverse side) |
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(Continued and to be signed on reverse side.)
^ FOLD AND DETACH HERE ^