** Shares of title insurance provider Fidelity National Financial FNF.N rise as much as 7.4%; last up 3.9% at $59.82

** FNF, late Thursday, posted Q4 adjusted profit of $366 million, or $1.34/shr, beating Wall Street expectations of $1.24/shr, according to data compiled by LSEG

** The beat came as FNF's title business delivered strong performance, with adjusted earnings from the segment jumping to $263 million from $174 million a year earlier

** "Our title segment has significantly outperformed prior cycle troughs and is well positioned for the eventual upturn in the residential housing market once mortgage interest rates begin to normalize" - Chairman William Foley II

** CEO Michael Nolan told analysts the firm remains bullish on the long-term prospects for the title insurance business given the pent-up demand and basic need for housing that is expected to unleash growth over time

** As of last close, FNF stock up 2.5% YTD

(Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru)

((ArasuKannagi.Basil@thomsonreuters.com;))