CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Title insurance:
Direct operations	$ 862,392	$ 894,313	$ 897,118
Agency operations	1,016,356	1,009,797	991,332
Ancillary services	55,837	84,271	129,954
Operating revenues	1,934,585	1,988,381	2,018,404
Investment income	18,932	18,925	16,850
Realized investment and other gains (losses) – net	2,207	(666)	(1,369)
Total revenues	1,955,724	2,006,640	2,033,885
Expenses
Amounts retained by agencies	837,100	826,022	809,564
Employee costs	566,178	604,353	658,266
Other operating expenses	351,511	363,986	381,954
Title losses and related claims	96,532	91,147	106,265
Impairment of goodwill	0	0	35,749
Depreciation and amortization	25,878	30,044	30,298
Interest	3,458	3,062	2,096
Total expenses	1,880,657	1,918,614	2,024,192
Income before taxes and noncontrolling interests	75,067	88,026	9,693
Income tax expense	14,921	19,605	5,650
Net income	60,146	68,421	4,043
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	11,487	12,943	10,247
Net income (loss) attributable to Stewart	48,659	55,478	(6,204)
Net income (loss) attributable to Stewart
Net income	60,146	68,421	4,043
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	8,354	(3,367)	(11,145)
Change in unrealized net gains on investments	1,766	354	(3,741)
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income	(2,086)	(1,911)	(1,626)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	8,034	(4,924)	(16,512)
Comprehensive income (loss)	68,180	63,497	(12,469)
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	11,487	12,943	10,247
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Stewart	$ 56,693	$ 50,554	$ (22,716)
Basic average shares outstanding (000)	23,445	23,364	23,544
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stewart (USD per share)	$ 2.08	$ 1.86	$ (0.26)
Diluted average shares outstanding (000)	23,597	23,472	23,544
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stewart (USD per share)	$ 2.06	$ 1.85	$ (0.26)