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RLI Corp (RLI)
NYSE:RLI

RLI (RLI) AI Stock Analysis

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RLI

RLI

(NYSE:RLI)

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Outperform 71 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:71Outperform
Price Target:
$63.00
▲(7.82% Upside)
The score is supported most by strong financial performance (high profitability, very low leverage) and favorable valuation (moderate P/E with a high dividend yield), reinforced by a generally positive earnings call on underwriting results and capital generation. These positives are partially offset by weak technical signals, with the stock below major moving averages and negative momentum indicators.
Positive Factors
Sustained Underwriting Profitability
Three decades of consecutive underwriting profit and a mid-80s combined ratio demonstrate durable underwriting discipline. This consistent underwriting margin underpins earnings quality, reduces reliance on investment returns, and enhances resilience to market cycles over the medium term.
Very Strong Balance Sheet
Extremely low leverage (D/E ~0.016) and a healthy TTM ROE (~12.7%) provide financial flexibility to absorb underwriting volatility, selectively deploy capital, and pursue accretive opportunities. This structural strength supports long-term solvency and strategic optionality.
Robust Capital Generation and Book Value Growth
Strong comprehensive earnings and a 33% book value increase signal persistent capital generation. The ability to fund a sizable special dividend while investing in underwriting, distribution and analytics indicates durable free cash production and shareholder-friendly capital allocation.
Negative Factors
Modest Premium Growth and Top-Line Pressure
Very limited premium growth constrains scale and revenue leverage, especially when combined with rising expenses. If competitive dynamics persist, slower top-line expansion could limit margin recovery potential and the firm's ability to grow underwriting income organically over the medium term.
Casualty and Transportation Loss Volatility
Elevated casualty combined ratios and transportation severity, plus reduced favorable prior-year development, increase reserve uncertainty and earnings volatility. Persistent adverse trends in these lines could pressure underwriting results and capital if not offset by disciplined pricing or portfolio actions.
Rising Expense Ratio
A rising expense ratio driven by higher bonuses, profit-sharing and investments in people/technology can erode underwriting margins if premium growth slows. Sustained elevated operating costs reduce earnings leverage and require either higher rates or further efficiency gains to preserve profitability.

RLI (RLI) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

RLI Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionRLI Corp., an insurance holding company, underwrites property and casualty insurance in the United States and internationally. Its Casualty segment provides commercial and personal coverage products; and general liability products, such as coverage for third-party liability of commercial insureds, including manufacturers, contractors, apartments, and mercantile. It also offers coverages for security guards and in the areas of onshore energy-related businesses and environmental liability for underground storage tanks, contractors and asbestos, and environmental remediation specialists; and professional liability coverages focuses on providing errors and omission coverage to small to medium-sized design, technical, computer, and miscellaneous professionals. This segment provides commercial automobile liability and physical damage insurance to local, intermediate and long haul truckers, public transportation entities, and other types of specialty commercial automobile risks; incidental and related insurance coverages; inland marine coverages; management liability coverages, such as directors and officers liability insurance, fiduciary liability and coverages, employment practice liability, and for various classes of risks, including public and private businesses; and healthcare liability and home business insurance products. The company's Property segment offers commercial property, cargo, hull, protection and indemnity, marine liability, inland marine, homeowners' and dwelling fire, and other property insurance products. Its Surety segment offers commercial surety bonds for medium to large-sized businesses; small bonds for businesses and individuals; and bonds for small to medium-sized contractors. The company also underwrites various reinsurance coverages. It markets its products through branch offices, brokers, carrier partners, and underwriting and independent agents. RLI Corp. was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Peoria, Illinois.
How the Company Makes MoneyRLI generates revenue primarily through the underwriting of insurance policies and the collection of premiums from its policyholders. The company employs a disciplined underwriting approach, which helps it achieve profitability by managing risk effectively. Key revenue streams include premiums from its property, casualty, and surety insurance segments. Additionally, RLI earns investment income from its portfolio of invested assets, which consists of fixed-income securities and equity investments. Strategic partnerships with brokers and agents also enhance its distribution network, contributing to policy sales and overall revenue growth.

RLI Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jan 22, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 22, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call presented materially positive financial and operational achievements: strong underwriting income ($264M), improved EPS, 33% book value per share growth, 30 years of underwriting profitability, solid investment returns, targeted segment wins (personal umbrella, surety, Hawaii homeowners), and disciplined reinsurance renewals. Offsetting headwinds include modest overall premium growth (down 2% in Q4), notable pressure in E&S property premiums and competitive dynamics (hurricane and earthquake rate moderation), elevated casualty and transportation challenges (high short‑term casualty combined ratios, reserve variability, transportation severity), and a higher expense ratio. Management emphasized disciplined underwriting, investments in technology/analytics, and capital flexibility. On balance, the positive financial results, capital generation, and demonstrated underwriting discipline outweigh the operational and market pressures, leaving a constructive but vigilant outlook.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Sustained Underwriting Profitability
30th consecutive year of underwriting profitability; full-year underwriting income of $264 million on an ~83.6 combined ratio (management also referenced ~84 combined ratio). Q4 underwriting income was $71 million on an 82.6 combined ratio versus $22 million on a 94.4 combined ratio in Q4 last year.
Earnings and EPS Improvement
Q4 operating earnings per share of $0.94, up from $0.52 a year ago. GAAP net earnings per share were $0.99 in Q4 and $4.37 for the full year, a 17% increase over FY2024.
Strong Capital Generation and Book Value Growth
Comprehensive earnings of $5.29 for the year drove a 33% growth in book value per share (inclusive of dividends). Strong capital generation supported a $2.00 per share special dividend in addition to the ordinary Q4 dividend.
Investment Income and Portfolio Returns
Net investment income increased 9% in Q4. The investment portfolio returned 1.5% in Q4 and 9% for the year. Purchase yields averaged 4.9% in the quarter, approximately 70 basis points above book yield, supporting accretive fixed-income opportunities.
Segment-Level Wins — Property and Specialty Books
Property segment produced an excellent 49.2 combined ratio in Q4 (57.2 on the year) despite an 11% Q4 premium decline, demonstrating portfolio quality. Hawaii homeowners premiums grew 5% in Q4 and 26% for the year (helped by rate increases and book rollovers). Marine and Inland Marine showed growth and underwriting profit in 2025.
Personal Umbrella and Surety Outperformance
Personal umbrella premium grew 24% in the quarter with a 12% rate increase (additional approvals expected to add rate in 2026). Surety produced a strong 80 combined ratio in Q4; transactional and commercial surety each grew ~4%.
Disciplined Underwriting and Risk Management
Management emphasized selective underwriting discipline (pulling back from underpriced business), holdings of a diversified specialty portfolio, investment in analytics/technology, and improvements in submission-level analytics and loss-control that supported profitability amid competitive markets.
Reinsurance Positioning — Cost Relief Realized
January 1 renewals captured a buyer's market on property reinsurance with ~15%–20% rate decreases on catastrophe programs and ~5% rate relief on casualty reinsurance; purchase decisions reduced catastrophe limit purchased by $150 million while maintaining a $50 million attachment point.
Negative Updates
Modest Top-Line Growth and Premium Pressure
Top-line premium growth was modest: down 2% in Q4 and up only 1% for the full year. Several businesses experienced disciplined contraction due to competitive market dynamics.
Property Premium Declines and Market Competition
E&S property premiums declined 18% in the quarter; overall property premium down 11% in Q4. Hurricane rates were down 15% and earthquake rates down 12% year-over-year in parts of the portfolio, with aggressive competition from carriers and MGAs pressuring terms and conditions.
Casualty Profitability Pressure and Reserve Uncertainty
Casualty showed elevated short-term strain: Q4 casualty combined ratio was ~99.6 for the quarter, and management noted lower levels of favorable prior-year development compared with a year ago. Past reserve additions tied to auto-related severity and transportation exposures continue to influence trends and comparability.
Transportation Business Contraction and Severity
Transportation premium declined 10% in Q4 despite a 13% rate increase; the business faces elevated severity trends, volatility, consolidation of insureds, and a reduced average account size over two years, pressuring volume and new business.
Rising Expense Ratio
Q4 expense ratio increased to 39.3% from 37.6% a year ago, driven by higher bonus and profit-sharing costs from strong results and elevated business-level expenses related to ongoing investments in people and technology.
Market Softening Risk from Reinsurance Price Declines
While lower reinsurance costs benefit RLI's P&L, the ~15%–20% decrease in catastrophe reinsurance pricing and reduced purchased catastrophe limit could further soften primary market pricing and intensify competition, especially from capital/light MGAs, creating headwinds for premium and rate adequacy.
Minor Investee Adjustment and Reporting Change
Management recast operating earnings to exclude equity and earnings of unconsolidated investees (notably the minority investment in Prime Holdings) and reduced Prime's reported value on the balance sheet to $53 million—an accounting/valuation adjustment that changes comparability of operating results.
Company Guidance
Management's guidance was pragmatic and metric-driven: they renewed roughly two‑thirds of reinsurance on Jan. 1, locking in 15–20% rate decreases on catastrophe programs, reducing purchased catastrophe limit by $150M (while keeping a $50M attachment) and seeing ~5% lower casualty reinsurance rates, but remain prepared to re-enter the market midterm; they expect to continue pursuing double‑digit rate increases in auto‑related lines (building on a 16% overall auto liability increase in 2025 and a 13% transportation rate increase in Q4), to push additional personal‑umbrella rate filings (personal umbrella Q4 premiums +24% with a 12% rate increase and a ~20% CA increase effective Dec. 1), and to seek accretive fixed‑income opportunities after purchase yields averaged 4.9% in the quarter (70 bps above book yield) as the portfolio returned 1.5% in Q4 and 9% for the year; this posture is supported by strong capital generation (Q4 operating EPS $0.94 vs. $0.52 prior year, Q4 underwriting income $71M, full‑year underwriting income $264M on an ~83–84 combined ratio, FY net earnings $4.37/share, comprehensive earnings $5.29 and book value per share +33%), which funded a $2.00 special dividend (plus the ordinary Q4 dividend) and underpins continued investment in underwriting, distribution and technology.

RLI Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong overall fundamentals: high profitability (TTM net margin 19.02%, EBIT margin 23.78%) and excellent balance-sheet strength with minimal leverage (debt-to-equity 0.016). Cash generation is solid versus earnings (operating cash flow to net income 5.33), though free cash flow growth is slightly negative (-6.37% TTM).
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
RLI has demonstrated consistent revenue growth with a TTM growth rate of 2.16%. The company maintains strong profitability, evidenced by a TTM net profit margin of 19.02% and an EBIT margin of 23.78%. Despite a slight decline in EBITDA margin, the overall profitability metrics remain robust, indicating effective cost management and operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
90
Very Positive
RLI's balance sheet is characterized by a very low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.016, indicating minimal leverage and a strong equity position. The return on equity (ROE) is solid at 12.71% TTM, reflecting efficient use of equity capital. The equity ratio is high, suggesting financial stability and a strong asset base.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
The cash flow statement shows a slight decline in free cash flow growth at -6.37% TTM, which could be a concern if it continues. However, the operating cash flow to net income ratio is strong at 5.33, indicating good cash generation relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio is nearly 1, showing that the company effectively converts its earnings into cash.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.86B1.77B1.51B1.70B1.18B987.68M
Gross Profit466.31M454.63M390.87M731.77M459.60M307.76M
EBITDA445.36M441.55M393.11M736.71M359.39M204.88M
Net Income353.02M345.78M304.61M583.41M279.35M157.09M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets6.25B5.63B5.18B4.77B4.51B3.94B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.65B114.70M3.03B2.73B2.50B2.26B
Total Debt100.00M100.00M200.00M399.73M199.68M149.49M
Total Liabilities4.37B4.11B3.77B3.59B3.28B2.80B
Stockholders Equity1.87B1.52B1.41B1.18B1.23B1.14B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow583.63M555.51M458.34M244.56M376.60M257.49M
Operating Cash Flow585.53M560.22M464.26M250.45M384.90M263.26M
Investing Cash Flow-349.30M-318.87M-211.80M48.88M-274.83M-167.99M
Financing Cash Flow-244.25M-237.98M-238.85M-365.31M-83.49M-79.26M

RLI Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price58.43
Price Trends
50DMA
61.78
Negative
100DMA
61.31
Negative
200DMA
65.14
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-1.31
Positive
RSI
42.88
Neutral
STOCH
42.85
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For RLI, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 58.43 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 59.27, below the 50-day MA of 61.78, and below the 200-day MA of 65.14, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -1.31 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 42.88 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 42.85 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for RLI.

RLI Risk Analysis

RLI disclosed 28 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. RLI reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

RLI Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$6.20B10.0620.02%1.97%5.26%72.46%
74
Outperform
$5.08B11.241.85%10.98%74.87%
73
Outperform
$5.07B37.202.95%0.05%-4.24%-78.10%
71
Outperform
$5.37B13.384.05%3.72%-16.23%
69
Neutral
$4.85B11.0421.47%1.34%6.18%-21.28%
68
Neutral
$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
52
Neutral
$2.31B10.299.03%3.15%4.51%-8.29%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
RLI
RLI
58.43
-13.10
-18.31%
MCY
Mercury General
87.59
38.80
79.52%
SIGI
Selective Insurance Group
84.08
2.89
3.56%
THG
Hanover Insurance
174.14
23.82
15.84%
KMPR
Kemper
39.41
-25.83
-39.59%
WTM
White Mountains Insurance Group
2,044.93
143.40
7.54%

RLI Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
RLI Announces CFO Retirement and Successor Appointment
Neutral
Nov 13, 2025

On November 12, 2025, RLI Corp. announced that Todd W. Bryant, the Chief Financial Officer, will retire from his role on December 31, 2025, after over 30 years with the company. Bryant will remain in an advisory role through mid-2026 to support the transition of responsibilities to his successor, Aaron P. Diefenthaler, who has been appointed as the new CFO effective January 1, 2026. Diefenthaler, who has been with RLI since 2012, will receive an increased salary and participate in the Market Value Potential Executive Incentive Program as part of his new role. This leadership change reflects RLI’s commitment to strong financial stewardship and proactive succession planning.

The most recent analyst rating on (RLI) stock is a Buy with a $67.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on RLI stock, see the RLI Stock Forecast page.

Dividends
RLI Announces Special and Regular Dividends
Positive
Nov 13, 2025

On November 13, 2025, RLI Corp. announced that its Board of Directors approved a special cash dividend of $2.00 per share, totaling approximately $184 million, and a regular quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share. Both dividends are scheduled for payment on December 19, 2025, to shareholders recorded by November 28, 2025. This move reflects RLI’s robust financial position and commitment to long-term shareholder value, having returned over $1.6 billion to shareholders in the past decade.

The most recent analyst rating on (RLI) stock is a Buy with a $67.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on RLI stock, see the RLI Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jan 26, 2026