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Why Is RLI Down 5.4% Since the Last Earnings Report?
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A month has gone by since the last earnings report for RLI Corp. (RLI - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 5.4% in that time frame, underperforming the market.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to the stock's next earnings release, or is it due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
RLI Q2 Earnings Beat, Revenues Miss Estimates
RLI’s second-quarter 2017 operating earnings of $0.61 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by nearly 13%.
The bottom line remained flat year over year. The quarter witnessed lower premiums owing to re-underwriting on auto-related exposures, and discontinuation of some products. Nonetheless, the Casualty segment performed strongly.
Including net realized gain of $0.02 per share, net income declined 9% year over year to $0.59 per share due to adjustment of some one time items.
Operational Performance
Operating revenues for the quarter totaled $197.5 million, up 2.3% year over year due to higher net premiums earned and net investment income. However, revenues missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $199 million by 1%.
Gross premiums written declined 4% year over year to $240.9 million due to weaker performance by the Property and Casualty, and Surety segments.
Total expenses increased 6.4% year over year to $168.9 million due to higher loss and settlement expenses, policy acquisition costs and insurance operating expenses.
Underwriting income declined 24% year over year to $19.7 million due to lower underwriting income in the Property and Casualty segment. Combined ratio deteriorated 380 basis points year over year to 89.3%. Nonetheless, the company has been able to deliver underwriting profits for the last 21 straight years.
RLI Corp.’s net investment income improved nearly 1.5% year over year to $13 million. Total return from the investment portfolio was 1.8%, while the bond portfolio retuned 1.7%. The equity portfolio returned 1.8%.
Financial Update
RLI Corp. exited the second quarter with total investments and cash of $2.1 billion, up 4% from year-end 2016.
Book value was $19.93 per share as of Jun 30, 2017, up 6.4% from Dec 31, 2016.
Long-term debt was $148.8 million, reflecting a 0.1% increase from the 2016-end level.
Statutory surplus increased 5.1% year over year to $904 million.
Net cash flow from operations improved 31.1% to $63.3 million in the quarter.
Dividend Payout
On Jun 20, 2017, the company paid out a cash dividend of $0.21 per share, reflecting a 5% year-over-year increase. During the last five years, RLI has paid cumulative dividends of over $632 million.
RLI has been consistently paying dividends for the last 42 years.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
Analysts were quiet during the last two month period as none of them issued any earnings estimate revisions.
Currently, RLI's stock has a subpar Growth Score of D. It lags on the momentum front with an F. The stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of F. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Our style scores indicate investors will probably be better served looking elsewhere.
Outlook
The stock has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We are looking for an above average return from the stock in the next few months
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Why Is RLI Down 5.4% Since the Last Earnings Report?
A month has gone by since the last earnings report for RLI Corp. (RLI - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 5.4% in that time frame, underperforming the market.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to the stock's next earnings release, or is it due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
RLI Q2 Earnings Beat, Revenues Miss Estimates
RLI’s second-quarter 2017 operating earnings of $0.61 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by nearly 13%.
The bottom line remained flat year over year. The quarter witnessed lower premiums owing to re-underwriting on auto-related exposures, and discontinuation of some products. Nonetheless, the Casualty segment performed strongly.
Including net realized gain of $0.02 per share, net income declined 9% year over year to $0.59 per share due to adjustment of some one time items.
Operational Performance
Operating revenues for the quarter totaled $197.5 million, up 2.3% year over year due to higher net premiums earned and net investment income. However, revenues missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $199 million by 1%.
Gross premiums written declined 4% year over year to $240.9 million due to weaker performance by the Property and Casualty, and Surety segments.
Total expenses increased 6.4% year over year to $168.9 million due to higher loss and settlement expenses, policy acquisition costs and insurance operating expenses.
Underwriting income declined 24% year over year to $19.7 million due to lower underwriting income in the Property and Casualty segment. Combined ratio deteriorated 380 basis points year over year to 89.3%. Nonetheless, the company has been able to deliver underwriting profits for the last 21 straight years.
RLI Corp.’s net investment income improved nearly 1.5% year over year to $13 million. Total return from the investment portfolio was 1.8%, while the bond portfolio retuned 1.7%. The equity portfolio returned 1.8%.
Financial Update
RLI Corp. exited the second quarter with total investments and cash of $2.1 billion, up 4% from year-end 2016.
Book value was $19.93 per share as of Jun 30, 2017, up 6.4% from Dec 31, 2016.
Long-term debt was $148.8 million, reflecting a 0.1% increase from the 2016-end level.
Statutory surplus increased 5.1% year over year to $904 million.
Net cash flow from operations improved 31.1% to $63.3 million in the quarter.
Dividend Payout
On Jun 20, 2017, the company paid out a cash dividend of $0.21 per share, reflecting a 5% year-over-year increase. During the last five years, RLI has paid cumulative dividends of over $632 million.
RLI has been consistently paying dividends for the last 42 years.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
Analysts were quiet during the last two month period as none of them issued any earnings estimate revisions.
RLI Corp. Price and Consensus
RLI Corp. Price and Consensus | RLI Corp. Quote
VGM Scores
Currently, RLI's stock has a subpar Growth Score of D. It lags on the momentum front with an F. The stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of F. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Our style scores indicate investors will probably be better served looking elsewhere.
Outlook
The stock has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We are looking for an above average return from the stock in the next few months