Twitter

Link your Twitter Account to Market Wire News


When you linking your Twitter Account Market Wire News Trending Stocks news and your Portfolio Stocks News will automatically tweet from your Twitter account.


Be alerted of any news about your stocks and see what other stocks are trending.



home / news releases / RLI - RLI Reports First Quarter 2023 Results


RLI - RLI Reports First Quarter 2023 Results

RLI Corp. (NYSE: RLI) – RLI Corp. reported first quarter 2023 net earnings of $98.8 million ($2.15 per share), compared to $47.9 million ($1.05 per share) for the first quarter of 2022. Operating earnings (1) for the first quarter of 2023 were $75.0 million ($1.63 per share), compared to $60.4 million ($1.32 per share) for the same period in 2022.

First Quarter

Earnings Per Diluted Share

2023

2022

Net earnings

$

2.15

$

1.05

Operating earnings (1) (2)

$

1.63

$

1.32

(1)

See discussion below: Non-GAAP and Performance Measures.

(2)

Equity in earnings of Maui Jim and the related taxes were excluded from operating earnings per share in 2022 due to the sale of RLI’s investment in Maui Jim in the third quarter of 2022.

Highlights for the quarter included:

  • Underwriting income (1) of $67.9 million on a combined ratio (1) of 77.9.
  • 16% increase in gross premiums written.
  • 51% increase in net investment income.
  • Favorable development in prior years’ loss reserves, resulting in a $44.5 million net increase in underwriting income.
  • Book value per share of $28.62, an increase of 12% (inclusive of dividends) from year-end 2022.

“After ending 2022 with strong results and delivering our 27th consecutive year of underwriting profit, we are pleased to be off to a solid start in the first quarter of 2023,” said RLI Corp. President & CEO Craig Kliethermes. “We achieved a 78 combined ratio and top line premium growth of 16%, which was driven by our property and surety segments. Investment income continued to support growth in operating earnings, and positive portfolio returns contributed to 12% growth in book value. I commend our associate owners on their commitment to the hard work and values that continue to serve our customers well, provide stability for our stakeholders and uphold our ownership culture.”

Underwriting Income

RLI achieved $67.9 million of underwriting income in the first quarter of 2023 on a 77.9 combined ratio, compared to $59.5 million on a 77.9 combined ratio in 2022.

Results for both years include favorable development in prior years’ loss reserves, which resulted in a $44.5 million and $39.6 million net increase to underwriting income from 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The following table highlights underwriting income and combined ratios by segment.

Underwriting Income (1)

Combined Ratio (1)

(in millions)

2023

2022

2023

2022

Casualty

$

31.8

$

27.6

Casualty

82.9

83.9

Property

28.4

22.5

Property

68.0

66.7

Surety

7.7

9.4

Surety

76.7

68.8

Total

$

67.9

$

59.5

Total

77.9

77.9

(1)

See discussion below: Non-GAAP and Performance Measures.

Other Income

Net investment income for the quarter increased 51.5% to $27.1 million, compared to the same period in 2022. The investment portfolio’s total return was 2.8% for the quarter.

RLI’s comprehensive earnings were $136.5 million for the quarter ($2.97 per share), compared to $67.7 million ($1.48 per share) of comprehensive loss for the same quarter in 2022. In addition to net earnings, comprehensive earnings in 2023 included after-tax unrealized gains from the fixed income portfolio, due to declining interest rates.

Dividends Paid in First Quarter of 2023

On March 20, 2023, the company paid a regular quarterly dividend of $0.26 per share, the same amount as the prior quarter. RLI’s cumulative dividends total more than $759 million paid over the last five years.

Non-GAAP and Performance Measures

Management has included certain non-generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP) financial measures in presenting the company’s results. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures further explain the company’s results of operations and allow for a more complete understanding of the underlying trends in the company’s business. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). In addition, our definitions of these items may not be comparable to the definitions used by other companies.

Operating earnings and operating earnings per share (EPS) consist of our GAAP net earnings adjusted by net realized gains/(losses), net unrealized gains/(losses) on equity securities and taxes related thereto. Additionally, equity in earnings of Maui Jim and the related taxes were excluded from operating earnings and operating EPS for 2022 due to the sale of RLI’s investment in the third quarter of 2022. Net earnings and net earnings per share are the GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to operating earnings and operating EPS. A reconciliation of the operating earnings and operating EPS to the comparable GAAP financial measures is included in the 2023 financial highlights below.

Underwriting income or profit represents the pretax profitability of our insurance operations and is derived by subtracting loss and settlement expenses, policy acquisition costs and insurance operating expenses from net premium earned, which are all GAAP financial measures. The combined ratio, which is derived from components of underwriting income, is a performance measure commonly used by property and casualty insurance companies and is calculated as the sum of loss and settlement expenses, policy acquisition costs and insurance operating expenses, divided by net premiums earned, which are all GAAP measures.

Other News

At 10 a.m. central daylight time (CDT) tomorrow, April 20, 2023, RLI management will hold a conference call to discuss quarterly results with insurance industry analysts. Interested parties may listen to the discussion at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/964127485 .

Except for historical information, this news release may include forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) including, without limitation, statements reflecting our current expectations about the future performance of our company or our business segments or about future market conditions. These statements are subject to certain risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. Various risk factors that could affect future results are listed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2022.

About RLI

RLI Corp. (NYSE: RLI) is a specialty insurer serving niche property, casualty and surety markets. The company provides deep underwriting expertise and superior service to commercial and personal lines customers nationwide. RLI’s products are offered through its insurance subsidiaries – RLI Insurance Company, Mt. Hawley Insurance Company and Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company. All of RLI’s insurance subsidiaries are rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best Company. RLI has paid and increased regular dividends for 47 consecutive years and delivered underwriting profits for 27 consecutive years. To learn more about RLI, visit www.rlicorp.com .

Supplemental disclosure regarding the earnings impact of specific items:

Reserve Development and Catastrophe Losses,

Net of Reinsurance

Three Months Ended

March 31,

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

2023

2022

Favorable development in casualty prior years' reserves

$

35.9

$

27.8

Favorable development in property prior years' reserves

$

12.6

$

13.2

Favorable development in surety prior years' reserves

$

3.2

$

4.5

Net incurred losses related to:

2023 storms

$

(4.0

)

$

2022 and prior events

$

$

(2.0

)

Operating Earnings Per Share

Three Months Ended

March 31,

2023

2022

Operating Earnings Per Share (1) (2)

$

1.63

$

1.32

Specific items included in operating earnings per share: (3) (4)

Net favorable development in casualty prior years' reserves

$

0.53

$

0.41

Net favorable development in property prior years' reserves

$

0.19

$

0.21

Net favorable development in surety prior years' reserves

$

0.04

$

0.06

Net incurred losses related to:

2023 storms

$

(0.06

)

$

2022 and prior events

$

$

(0.03

)

(1)

See discussion above: Non-GAAP and Performance Measures.

(2)

Equity in earnings of Maui Jim and the related taxes were excluded from operating earnings per share in 2022 due to the sale of RLI’s investment in Maui Jim in the third quarter of 2022.

(3)

Includes incentive and profit sharing-related impacts which affected policy acquisition, insurance operating and general corporate expenses.

(4)

Reserve development reflects changes from previously estimated losses.

RLI CORP

2023 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended March 31,

SUMMARIZED INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

2023

2022

% Change

Net premiums earned

$

307,723

$

269,152

14.3

%

Net investment income

27,084

17,883

51.5

%

Net realized gains

14,620

5,588

161.6

%

Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities

15,496

(27,810

)

NM

Consolidated revenue

$

364,923

$

264,813

37.8

%

Loss and settlement expenses

114,488

105,524

8.5

%

Policy acquisition costs

101,444

85,287

18.9

%

Insurance operating expenses

23,901

18,863

26.7

%

Interest expense on debt

2,008

2,010

(0.1

)

%

General corporate expenses

4,214

3,363

25.3

%

Total expenses

$

246,055

$

215,047

14.4

%

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees

3,923

8,759

(55.2

)

%

Earnings before income taxes

$

122,791

$

58,525

109.8

%

Income tax expense

23,980

10,602

126.2

%

Net earnings

$

98,811

$

47,923

106.2

%

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax

37,707

(115,581

)

NM

Comprehensive earnings (loss)

$

136,518

$

(67,658

)

NM

Operating earnings (1) :

Net earnings

$

98,811

$

47,923

106.2

%

Less:

Net realized gains

(14,620

)

(5,588

)

161.6

%

Income tax on realized gains

3,071

1,173

161.8

%

Net unrealized (gains) losses on equity securities

(15,496

)

27,810

NM

Income tax on unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities

3,254

(5,840

)

NM

Equity in earnings of Maui Jim

(6,367

)

(100.0

)

%

Income tax on equity in earnings of Maui Jim

1,337

(100.0

)

%

Operating earnings (2)

$

75,020

$

60,448

24.1

%

Return on Equity:

Net earnings (trailing four quarters)

52.2

%

21.1

%

Comprehensive earnings (trailing four quarters)

41.9

%

10.3

%

Per Share Data:

Diluted:

Weighted average shares outstanding (in 000's)

46,035

45,714

Net earnings per share (2)

$

2.15

$

1.05

104.8

%

Less:

Net realized gains

(0.32

)

(0.12

)

166.7

%

Income tax on realized gains

0.07

0.03

133.3

%

Net unrealized (gains) losses on equity securities

(0.34

)

0.60

NM

Income tax on unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities

0.07

(0.13

)

NM

Equity in earnings of Maui Jim

(0.14

)

(100.0

)

%

Income tax on equity in earnings of Maui Jim

0.03

(100.0

)

%

Operating earnings per share (1) (2)

$

1.63

$

1.32

23.5

%

Comprehensive earnings (loss) per share

$

2.97

$

(1.48

)

NM

Cash dividends per share - ordinary

$

0.26

$

0.25

4.0

%

Net Cash Flow provided by Operations

$

69,219

$

39,014

77.4

%

(1)

See discussion above: Non-GAAP and Performance Measures.

(2)

Equity in earnings of Maui Jim and the related taxes were excluded from operating earnings and operating earnings per share in 2022 due to the sale of RLI’s investment in Maui Jim in the third quarter of 2022.

NM = Not Meaningful

RLI CORP

2023 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

March 31,

December 31,

2023

2022

% Change

SUMMARIZED BALANCE SHEET DATA:

Fixed income, at fair value

$

2,701,814

$

2,666,950

1.3

%

(amortized cost - $2,933,313 at 3/31/23)

(amortized cost - $2,945,273 at 12/31/22)

Equity securities, at fair value

519,097

498,382

4.2

%

(cost - $333,229 at 3/31/23)

(cost - $328,019 at 12/31/22)

Short-term investments

116,202

36,229

220.7

%

Other invested assets

64,134

47,922

33.8

%

Cash and cash equivalents

22,769

22,818

(0.2

)

%

Total investments and cash

$

3,424,016

$

3,272,301

4.6

%

Accrued investment income

21,118

21,259

(0.7

)

%

Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable

206,445

189,501

8.9

%

Ceded unearned premiums

119,975

138,457

(13.3

)

%

Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses

699,915

740,089

(5.4

)

%

Deferred policy acquisition costs

134,995

127,859

5.6

%

Property and equipment

48,949

49,573

(1.3

)

%

Investment in unconsolidated investees

52,398

58,275

(10.1

)

%

Goodwill and intangibles

53,562

53,562

0.0

%

Income taxes - deferred

27,571

40,269

(31.5

)

%

Other assets

47,275

75,923

(37.7

)

%

Total assets

$

4,836,219

$

4,767,068

1.5

%

Unpaid losses and settlement expenses

$

2,286,063

$

2,315,637

(1.3

)

%

Unearned premiums

801,465

785,085

2.1

%

Reinsurance balances payable

28,091

61,100

(54.0

)

%

Funds held

102,797

101,144

1.6

%

Income taxes - current

15,802

NM

Current portion of long-term debt

199,910

199,863

0.0

%

Accrued expenses

57,480

94,869

(39.4

)

%

Other liabilities

40,690

32,029

27.0

%

Total liabilities

$

3,532,298

$

3,589,727

(1.6

)

%

Shareholders' equity

1,303,921

1,177,341

10.8

%

Total liabilities & shareholders' equity

$

4,836,219

$

4,767,068

1.5

%

OTHER DATA:

Common shares outstanding (in 000's)

45,555

45,470

Book value per share

$

28.62

$

25.89

10.5

%

Closing stock price per share

$

132.91

$

131.27

1.2

%

Statutory surplus

$

1,488,706

$

1,437,324

3.6

%

RLI CORP

2023 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

UNDERWRITING SEGMENT DATA

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended March 31,

GAAP

GAAP

GAAP

GAAP

Casualty

Ratios

Property

Ratios

Surety

Ratios

Total

Ratios

2023

Gross premiums written

$

217,834

$

158,846

$

38,332

$

415,012

Net premiums written

181,201

124,866

36,518

342,585

Net premiums earned

186,031

88,767

32,925

307,723

Net loss & settlement expenses

84,688

45.5

%

26,437

29.8

%

3,363

10.2

%

114,488

37.2

%

Net operating expenses

69,512

37.4

%

33,947

38.2

%

21,886

66.5

%

125,345

40.7

%

Underwriting income (1)

$

31,831

82.9

%

$

28,383

68.0

%

$

7,676

76.7

%

$

67,890

77.9

%

2022

Gross premiums written

$

215,821

$

109,598

$

33,740

$

359,159

Net premiums written

175,613

81,995

32,282

289,890

Net premiums earned

171,756

67,440

29,956

269,152

Net loss & settlement expenses

83,849

48.8

%

20,363

30.2

%

1,312

4.4

%

105,524

39.2

%

Net operating expenses

60,260

35.1

%

24,601

36.5

%

19,289

64.4

%

104,150

38.7

%

Underwriting income (1)

$

27,647

83.9

%

$

22,476

66.7

%

$

9,355

68.8

%

$

59,478

77.9

%

(1)

See discussion above: Non-GAAP and Performance Measures.

Category: Earnings Release

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230419005781/en/

Aaron Diefenthaler
Chief Investment Officer & Treasurer
309-693-5846
Aaron.Diefenthaler@rlicorp.com

Stock Information

Company Name: RLI Corp.
Stock Symbol: RLI
Market: NYSE
Website: rlicorp.com

Menu

RLI RLI Quote RLI Short RLI News RLI Articles RLI Message Board
Get RLI Alerts

News, Short Squeeze, Breakout and More Instantly...