Note 15 - Capital Stock (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

Capital Stock

2018 Activity

On August 16, 2018, Radian Group’s board of directors approved a new share repurchase program that authorizes the Company to repurchase up to $100 million of its common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, based on market and business conditions, stock price and other factors. As of December 31, 2018, the full purchase authority of up to $100 million remained available under this program, which expires on July 31, 2019.

On August 9, 2017, Radian Group’s board of directors authorized a share repurchase program to spend up to $50 million to repurchase Radian Group common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, based on market and business conditions, stock price and other factors. Radian established a trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act to implement the program. The Company completed this program during the first half of 2018 by purchasing 3.0 million shares of Radian Group common stock at an average price of $16.56 per share, including commissions.

2017 Activity

On June 29, 2016, Radian Group’s board of directors authorized a share repurchase program to spend up to $125 million to repurchase Radian Group common stock. In order to implement the program, Radian adopted a trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act during the third quarter of 2016. During the second quarter of 2017, 380 shares were purchased at an average price of $15.59 per share, which represented the only purchases made under the plan. This share repurchase program expired on June 30, 2017.

2016 Activity

In the first quarter of 2016, we announced and completed a share repurchase program. Pursuant to this program, we purchased an aggregate of 9.4 million shares of Radian Group common stock for $100.2 million, at a weighted-average price per share of $10.62, including commissions. No further purchase authority remains under this share repurchase program.

As partial consideration for our March 2016 privately negotiated purchases of a portion of our Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 and 2019, we issued to the sellers 17.0 million shares of Radian Group common stock. In addition, in connection with our termination of the corresponding portion of the related capped call transactions, we received consideration of 0.2 million shares of Radian Group common stock. See Note 12 for additional information regarding these transactions.

All shares of Radian Group common stock that we received from the above transactions were retired, resulting in a decrease in shares issued and outstanding and a corresponding increase in unissued shares.

Other Purchases

We may purchase shares on the open market to settle stock options exercised by employees and purchases under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Through December 31, 2018, from time to time we also purchased shares on the open market

to fund certain 401(k) matches. In addition, upon the vesting of certain restricted stock awards under our equity compensation plans, we may withhold from such vested awards shares of our common stock to satisfy the tax liability of the award recipients.

Dividends Paid

In each of the quarters during 2018, 2017 and 2016, we declared quarterly cash dividends on our common stock equal to $0.0025 per share.