RLI Q2 2026 net earnings rise 35% to $168.0 million; underwriting income falls
RLI Corp. reported second quarter 2026 net earnings of $168.0 million ($1.82 per diluted share), up from $124.3 million ($1.34) a year earlier, but this figure includes $103.0 million of unrealized gains on equity securities. Operating earnings were $76.9 million ($0.83 per share), roughly flat with $76.2 million ($0.82) in 2025, while underwriting income fell to $59.9 million and the combined ratio worsened to 85.6 from 84.5. For shareholders, the quarter shows higher reported profit alongside weaker core underwriting results.
Key points
- Net earnings of $168.0 million ($1.82 per diluted share) vs. $124.3 million ($1.34) in Q2 2025, up 35.1%
- Operating earnings of $76.9 million ($0.83 per share) vs. $76.2 million ($0.82) in Q2 2025
- Underwriting income of $59.9 million on an 85.6 combined ratio vs. $62.2 million on an 84.5 combined ratio in Q2 2025
- Special dividend of $2.00 per share paid June 12, 2026, returning $184.0 million; $250.0 million buyback authorized May 14, 2026, with $12.0 million repurchased in the quarter
The filing
Written by AI (Anthropic Claude, claude-haiku-5-5) on Nov 8, 2026, 12:58 AM ET, from the text of the filing and its press-release exhibits only. Written later: this filing was briefed after the fact, when past filings were added to the site, so the brief may be read with hindsight; the filing itself is the record of what was known on July 22, 2026.
Briefs are written by AI from the filing text (each brief's own page names the model) and can contain mistakes — open the filing before acting on anything. Impact (1-5) and tone are the model's reading of the filing for shareholders, not a price forecast. Not investment advice.