RBC Capital Markets has adjusted its price target for RLI Corp . (NYSE: NYSE:RLI), a specialty insurance company, increasing it to $165 from $162, while maintaining a "Sector Perform" rating.
The revision follows RLI's reported strong performance, which included a combined ratio below 90, indicating profitable core underwriting margins and significant reserve releases.
The company's property segment was notably resilient, posting a combined ratio in the 70s, despite the financial impact of recent hurricanes.
RLI's net written premiums (NWP) saw a 20% increase during the quarter, as the company capitalized on market dislocations to drive growth. Additionally, RLI has been experiencing notable rate increases across several key product areas.
In other recent news, RLI Corp posted a mixed bag of results for the third quarter, with earnings surpassing analyst expectations but revenues falling short. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.31, outperforming the analyst consensus of $0.97 by $0.34. However, revenue came in at $470 million, below the projected $491.28 million.
Despite the mixed financial results, RLI Corp reported significant growth in its underwriting income, which rose to $40.7 million, a considerable increase from $4.2 million in the same quarter of the previous year. This growth occurred despite the company incurring $32.7 million in losses from Hurricanes Beryl and Helene.
Gross premiums written also saw a year-over-year increase of 13%, amounting to $507.8 million. In addition, the company's net investment income rose by 15%, reaching $36.7 million.
The company's combined ratio, a key profitability metric in the insurance industry, improved substantially to 89.6% for the quarter, down from 98.7% in Q3 of the previous year. Lastly, RLI's book value per share increased to $38.17 as of September 30, marking a 26% rise year-to-date, including dividends.
InvestingPro Insights
RLI Corp.'s strong performance, as noted by RBC Capital Markets, is further supported by real-time data from InvestingPro. The company's revenue growth of 22.63% over the last twelve months and an impressive 41.7% quarterly growth in Q3 2024 underscore its ability to capitalize on market opportunities. This aligns with the 20% increase in net written premiums mentioned in the article.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that RLI has maintained dividend payments for 49 consecutive years, demonstrating a consistent commitment to shareholder returns. This track record is particularly relevant given the analyst's anticipation of a special dividend declaration in the coming weeks.
The company's profitability is evident in its operating income margin of 29.45% for the last twelve months. Additionally, RLI is trading near its 52-week high, with a price at 96.83% of its 52-week peak, reflecting investor confidence in the company's performance and outlook.
For readers seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 5 additional tips that could provide further insights into RLI's financial health and market position.
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