EX-99 2 ex991.txt EXHIBIT 99.1 PRESS RELEASE DATED DECEMBER 2, 2005 Exhibit 99.1 NEWS BULLETIN -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Old Republic International Corporation 307 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601-5382 312/346-8100 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For Further Information: AT OLD REPUBLIC: A.C. Zucaro Chairman & CEO (312) 346-8100 AT FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD: AT FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD: Leslie Loyet Tim Grace Analysts/Investors Media Inquiries (312) 640-6672 (312) 640-6667 lloyet@financialrelationsboard.com tgrace@financialrelationsboard.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ORI: NYSE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2005 OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL DECLARES CASH DIVIDEND ON COMMON STOCK ----------------------------------- CHICAGO, IL - December 2, 2005 - Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE: ORI) reported today that it will pay its regular cash dividend of 17 cents per share. The common stock dividend is payable December 15, 2005, to shareholders of record on December 2, 2005. Old Republic has paid cash dividends on its common shares for each of the past 64 years without interruption. The Company currently has approximately 183.2 million common shares outstanding. About Old Republic Chicago-based Old Republic International Corporation is an insurance holding company whose subsidiaries market, underwrite and provide risk management services for a wide variety of coverages in the property and liability, mortgage guaranty and title insurance fields. One of the nation's 50 largest publicly owned insurance organizations, Old Republic has assets of nearly $11.3 billion and shareholders' equity of $4.1 billion. Its current stock market valuation is approximately $4.9 billion or $26.91 per share. For the latest news releases and other corporate documents on Old Republic International visit www.oldrepublic.com ------------------- -30-