One of the largest specialty insurers in the US, RLI writes property, casualty, and surety coverage for niche, hard-to-place risks, selling through brokers, independent agents, and digital platforms — with products like commercial excess, commercial property, and transactional surety. It began in 1965 when founder Gerald D. Stephens launched a company to insure young people against losing their pricey contact lenses. That's how the name came about: RLI originally stood for "Replacement Lens, Inc."
RLI Corp. reports Q2 2026 operating EPS of $0.83, combined ratio 85.6
RLI Corp. held an analyst conference call on July 23, 2026, to discuss Q2 2026 financial results, with the transcript furnished as Exhibit 99.1.
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Second-quarter operating earnings were $0.83 per share, compared to $0.82 in the prior year; GAAP net earnings were $1.82 per share, up from $1.34.
Gross premiums written grew 3%, led by Casualty (up 11%), while Property and Surety premiums each declined 6%.
Net investment income rose 17% to $46 million, and the company paid a $2 special dividend plus regular quarterly dividend, returning approximately $184 million to shareholders.
A new $250 million share repurchase program was authorized; about 235,000 shares were repurchased at an average price of $51.25 during the quarter.
7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
RLI Corp. appoints James H. Bradshaw to its Board of Directors, effective July 15, 2026.
The Board determined Bradshaw is an independent director under NYSE rules and appointed him to the Audit and Finance & Risk Committees.
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James H. Bradshaw was appointed to the RLI Corp. Board of Directors effective July 15, 2026.
Bradshaw will stand for election at RLI's next annual shareholders' meeting in May 2027.
As a non-employee director, Bradshaw will receive compensation under RLI's standard non-employee director arrangements.
Bradshaw is Chairman of Gallagher Re North America, with over 40 years of insurance industry experience.
5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
RLI Corp. shareholders elect 10 directors and approve executive compensation and auditor ratification at 2026 annual meeting.
At the May 14, 2026 annual meeting, shareholders elected all 10 director nominees for one-year terms, with vote counts ranging from 74,633,641 to 79,439,303 in favor.
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David B. Duclos was appointed Chairman of the Board by the Board of Directors.
The non-binding advisory vote on named executive officer compensation passed with 73,994,515 votes for, 4,360,524 against, and 1,971,629 abstentions.
The ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditor for 2026 was approved with 85,861,465 votes for, 219,582 against, and 123,643 abstentions.
The report was filed under Item 5.07 to disclose the results of these shareholder votes.
5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
RLI Corp. declares $2.00 special dividend, $0.18 quarterly dividend, and $250M buyback
On May 14, 2026, RLI Corp.'s Board approved a special cash dividend of $2.00 per share and a regular quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share, a 12.5% increase over the prior quarter.
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Both dividends are payable on June 12, 2026, to shareholders of record as of May 29, 2026.
The special dividend is expected to total approximately $184 million.
The Board also authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $250 million, with no expiration date, to be funded through available cash and operating cash flow.
RLI has increased its regular dividend for 51 consecutive years, and the press release was furnished as Exhibit 99.1.
8.01 Other Events · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits