RLI Corp. (NYSE:RLI) Short Interest Up 29.2% in January

RLI Corp. (NYSE:RLI) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 3,599,984 shares, an increase of 29.2% from the January 15th total of 2,785,912 shares. Currently, 4.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 1,180,642 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.0 days. Based on an average daily volume of 1,180,642 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.0 days. Currently, 4.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

RLI Price Performance

Shares of RLI stock opened at $61.58 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a current ratio of 0.32. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $61.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $63.39. The firm has a market cap of $5.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.12 and a beta of 0.53. RLI has a fifty-two week low of $55.80 and a fifty-two week high of $81.79.

RLI (NYSE:RLI) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 21st. The insurance provider reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.76 by $0.18. RLI had a net margin of 21.43% and a return on equity of 18.67%. The firm had revenue of $465.69 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $447.53 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.41 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that RLI will post 3.08 earnings per share for the current year.

Trending Headlines about RLI

Here are the key news stories impacting RLI this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised its Q3 2027 EPS estimate slightly to $0.61 from $0.59, a modest upward revision that could be read as a small near-term improvement in earnings visibility for RLI. Note the firm still carries a “Strong Sell” rating, limiting the upside impact.
• Neutral Sentiment: FPA Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund published commentary on RLI, signaling investor interest from a small‑cap/value manager. The piece draws attention to the name but does not present a clear short‑term catalyst or recommendation that should materially move consensus by itself. FPA Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund’s Thoughts on RLI Corp. (RLI)
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research issued a series of downward EPS revisions across 2026–2028 and reiterated a “Strong Sell” stance. Highlights: Q4 2027 cut from $0.85 to $0.60; Q4 2026 from $0.74 to $0.66; Q2 2027 from $0.73 to $0.69; Q3 2026 from $0.58 to $0.55; Q2 2026 from $0.78 to $0.74; Q1 2026 from $0.85 to $0.81. They also trimmed FY2026 to $2.76 (from $2.94) and FY2027 to $2.70 (from $2.96), and set FY2028 at $2.51. These multiple cuts and the negative rating create downside pressure by lowering earnings expectations and signaling caution to investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently commented on RLI. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded RLI from an “underperform” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $52.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Citizens Jmp reiterated a “market perform” rating on shares of RLI in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on shares of RLI from $85.00 to $81.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $59.00 price objective on shares of RLI and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, Truist Financial set a $58.00 target price on shares of RLI in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, RLI currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $65.20.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other RLI news, CEO Craig W. Kliethermes purchased 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 23rd. The stock was purchased at an average price of $57.45 per share, for a total transaction of $287,250.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 143,990 shares in the company, valued at $8,272,225.50. The trade was a 3.60% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, COO Jennifer L. Klobnak acquired 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 23rd. The stock was bought at an average price of $57.99 per share, for a total transaction of $115,980.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 100,318 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,817,440.82. The trade was a 2.03% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 2.16% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On RLI

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Quent Capital LLC purchased a new stake in RLI in the third quarter worth about $26,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of RLI by 94.4% in the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 414 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 201 shares in the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its stake in shares of RLI by 7,300.0% in the 2nd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 370 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 365 shares during the last quarter. Clarity Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in RLI during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in RLI by 3,645.5% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 412 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 401 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.89% of the company’s stock.

RLI Company Profile

RLI Corporation (NYSE:RLI) is a specialty property and casualty insurance company focused on underwriting niche risks for businesses and individuals. Headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, the company operates through a network of independent agents and brokers, offering customized coverage solutions. RLI’s approach emphasizes disciplined underwriting, targeted product development and strong customer service to maintain profitability and long-term growth.

Founded in 1965 as Replacement Lens, Inc, RLI initially provided insurance for contact lens manufacturers before shifting its focus to specialty insurance in the 1980s.