Note 15 - Uncertainties

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Uncertainties [Text Block]

15. Uncertainties

The demand for the Company’s title insurance services is dependent primarily on the volume of residential and commercial real estate transactions. The volume of these transactions historically has been influenced by such factors as mortgage interest rates, inventory, affordability, availability of financing and the overall state of the economy. The Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate a total of seven times throughout 2022, and four times in 2023 as of the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, resulting in a current range from 5.25% to 5.50%. It is expected that the Federal Reserve may continue to increase the federal funds rate during 2023 to, among other things, control inflation. Should the Federal Reserve continue to raise rates in the future, this will likely result in further increases in market interest rates. Typically, when interest rates are increasing or when the economy is experiencing a downturn, real estate activity declines. As a result, the title insurance industry tends to experience decreased revenues and earnings, and potentially increased title claims experience.

A shortage in the supply of homes for sale, increasing home prices, rising mortgage interest rates, inflation and disrupted labor markets created some volatility in the residential real estate market in 2021 and 2022, which has continued into 2023. Additionally, geopolitical uncertainties associated with the war in Ukraine have created additional volatility in the global economy beginning in 2022. At this time, the Company is unable to predict the ultimate impact of such disruptions and geopolitical uncertainties.

The Company continues to evaluate the impact of these uncertainties on its operational and financial performance, specifically the impact on HC Realty, and NCTIC and Omega’s operations.

As of June 30, 2023, the Company has not experienced any adverse impacts to the payment of HC Common Stock and HC Series B Stock dividends.