Earnings per share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share

The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share is as follows:

	For the Years Ended    December 31,
	2017	2016		2015
	($000 omitted)
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to Stewart	48,659	55,478		(6,204	)
Less: Cash paid on Class B Common Shares conversion (a)	—	(12,000	)	—
Adjusted net income (loss) for calculating basic and diluted EPS	48,659	43,478		(6,204	)
Denominator (000):
Basic average shares outstanding	23,445	23,364		23,544
Average number of dilutive shares relating to restricted shares grants	152	108		—
Diluted average shares outstanding	23,597	23,472		23,544
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stewart	2.08	1.86		(0.26	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stewart	2.06	1.85		(0.26	)

(a) - In accordance with the ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, the $12.0 million payment to the holders of the Class B Common Stock shares (refer to Note 12) is treated in a manner similar to the treatment of dividends on preferred stock for the purpose of calculating EPS. Accordingly, the $12.0 million payment was deducted from the 2016 net income to arrive at the adjusted net income for calculating basic and diluted EPS.