Tax Cuts Boost First American Financial Despite Slowing Refi Markets

If you want to buy a homeand need a mortgage to do it, then the odds are good that you'll need to get a title insurance policy to protect your lender from any former owners claiming a stake in the property. First American Financial (NYSE: FAF)is a leading provider of title insurance, with exposure to both the residential and commercial real estate markets.

Given how strong real estate in general has been recently, First American has grown substantially over the past decade, although those who follow the market are nervous about higher ratesthat have caused levels of refinancing activity to slow to a standstill.