RLI Corp (NYSE: RLI) saw a notable insider transaction on January 23, 2026, when CEO Craig W. Kliethermes acquired an additional 5,000 shares of the company's common stock. The shares were purchased at a unit price of $57.45, summing to a transaction value of $287,250. Post-purchase, Kliethermes holds a total of 143,990 shares in RLI Corp directly.
This acquisition occurred in proximity to the announcement of RLI's fourth-quarter earnings for 2025. The company delivered earnings per share (EPS) of $0.94, exceeding the consensus forecast of $0.79. Despite this positive earnings surprise, RLI's revenue registered at $463.24 million, which was below analyst expectations of $474.66 million.
The mixed financial outcome has influenced analyst sentiment and price targets. Truist Securities lowered its price target from $62.00 to $58.00, citing apprehensions related to property underwriting results and a dimmer topline growth outlook. Likewise, Wells Fargo reduced its price target from $62.00 to $59.00, reflecting concerns over slower-than-anticipated revenue growth.
Conversely, Jefferies upgraded the stock from an Underperform rating to Hold, pointing out valuation compression as a key factor. Matthew Carletti of Citizens maintained a Market Perform rating, acknowledging RLI’s strong history of underwriting excellence and book value growth. These diverse analyses illustrate a divided market perspective regarding RLI’s valuation status and potential for future growth.
The current insider buying by the CEO can be seen as a sign of internal confidence in the company's long-term prospects, even as external opinions on valuation and growth outlook remain mixed.