February 8, 2024
Top 10 Stock RLI Buy Recommendation
How to read the ranks
For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:
Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".
Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".
Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.
Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.
(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).
(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.
Snapshot: RLI – Top 10 Stock in S&P Mid-Cap Index
RLI is listed as a top 10 stock on February 08, 2024 in the market index S&P MIDCAP because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. Three consolidated Obermatt Ranks are above-average. Only the Value Rank is below average. The investment rationale may be an investment in future growth, supported by professional market opinion. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 63 (high 63% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall buy recommendation for RLI on February 08, 2024.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
| Country | USA |
| Industry | Property & Casualty Insurance |
| Index | S&P MIDCAP |
| Size class | Large |
When Obermatt identifies the Top 10 stocks in a market, it’s based on a certain investment strategy. The best performing stocks usually aren’t the ones that everyone is talking about (those are often "over-priced" and have low Value ranks).
For each investment strategy, we provide you with more detailed analysis and our recommendation. You see the ranks of the top 10 stocks ranked by that particular investment strategy (360° View, Sentiment, Value, Growth, Safety and Combined Financial Performance).
360° View: Obermatt 360° View RLI Buy
| 360 METRICS | February 8, 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 8 |
|
||||||
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 57 |
|
||||||
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 98 |
|
||||||
| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 78 |
|
||||||
| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 63 |
|
||||||
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 63 (better than 63% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock RLI are above average. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with all but one indicator above average for RLI. The consolidated Growth Rank has a good rank of 57, which means that the company experiences above-average growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, and invested capital growth, as well as stock returns. This means that growth is higher than for 57% of competitors in the same industry. The consolidated Safety Rank at 98 means that the company has a financing structure that is safer than 98% comparable companies when looking at the amount of its debt, its refinancing requirements, and its ability to service debt. Finally, the consolidated Sentiment Rank has a good rank of 78, which means that professional investors are more optimistic about the stock than for 78% of alternative investment opportunities. But the consolidated Value Rank is less desirable at 8, meaning that the share price of RLI is on the higher side compared with indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is higher than for 92% of alternative stocks in the same industry. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 63, RLI is better positioned than 63% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, such as above-average growth (Growth Rank of 57), a safe financing structure (Safety Rank of 98), and positive professional market sentiment (Sentiment Rank of 78), it is a solid stock investment where growth may be the strongest driver of the investment rationale, also reflected by institutional investors. It is typical for growth companies to have low value, as is the case here. Investors are willing to pay more for companies that outperform their competitors. So the question is, how much more do you pay for the stock of RLI compared with alternatives? You can use the following rule of thumb: The growth rank measures the growth momentum of the company (57% better than peers). The value rank could be the reverse reflection of that (43%). A Value Rank below that level may be assessed as expensive, a rank above that is still good value. Sometimes market sentiment just reflects the past, sometimes the reality. You pay more than the market average for this stock, but it may be worth it. ...read more
Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for RLI very positive
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 78 (better than 78% compared with alternatives) for 2022, overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock RLI is very positive. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators where all but one are above average for RLI. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 60 (better than 60% of alternative investments), which means that currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. The Professional Investors rank is also good at 94, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 94% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. In addition, Market Pulse has a rank of 81 which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the positive side when discussing this company (more positive news than for 81% of competitors). But Analyst Opinions Change has a below-average rank of 39, which means that stock research experts are currently changing their opinions for the worse when it comes to recommending this stock. In other words, they are getting more critical of investments in RLI. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 78 (more positive than 78% compared with investment alternatives), RLI has a reputation among professional investors that is significantly higher than that of its competitors. This is an early sign of caution, even if the stock has significantly appreciated. If analysts change their opinions, the stock may become too expensive. If the price is on the way down, the trend may continue. This may be a stock with a good reputation and history, but it may have reached its breaking point by now. Investors should look at the Value Ranks as well. If they indicate trouble, it might just materialize in the future. ...read more
Value Strategy: RLI Stock Price Value low
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 8 (worse than 92% compared with alternatives), RLI shares are significantly more expensive than comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with all four indicators below average for RLI. Price-to-Sales is 12 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 88% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning RLI's sales levels. Price-to-Book Capital (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) also has a low Price-to-Book Rank of 12, which means that both reliable company size indicators, sales, and invested capital cannot explain the high stock price of RLI. In addition, the two profit-related value indicators, Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a low rank of 11 and Dividend Yield, which is lower than 64% of comparable companies, also make the stock more expensive compared with investment alternatives. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 8, is a sell recommendation based on RLI's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. How can market participants pay such a high price for RLI? One reason may be that the company is simply too popular. If enough people want a particular stock, its price can exceed reasonable levels. This is often the case for companies offering new and exciting products and everybody wants a piece of the action. Should you pay a lot for a hot stock such as RLI? It's risky, and even if the stock price continues to grow because of popular demand, it may return to more typical lower levels later. And that return can be sudden and quick, making it impossible for retail investors to exit on time. Sometimes, high prices are deserved. This is the case when it is justified to believe that the company will dominate a market with high profit margins. It has happened in the past for many technology companies and indeed for commercially successful pharmaceutical discoveries. Sometimes they last, sometimes, they get eaten alive. RLI may be such a type of stock. That would mean, retail investors should be careful, only considering investing a small part of their wealth in this exciting category and always being ready to lose more than half, if not all of the investment. ...read more
Growth Strategy: RLI Growth Momentum good
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 57 (better than 57% compared with alternatives), RLI shows an above-average growth dynamic in its industry. Investors also speak of positive momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for RLI. Only Capital Growth has a good rank of 86, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital more than 41% of its competitors. The other three indicators are pointing South: Sales Growth has a rank of 45 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow less than 55% of its competitors. Profit Growth with a rank of 41 and Stock Returns with a rank of 45 are also low (below 55% of alternative investments). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 57, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. The good news from the invested capital side is surprising. A company with disappointing revenues, profits, and disappointed shareholders typically doesn't invest above average. Overall, the growth momentum for RLI is thus negative. As it is intriguing to see that company executives are optimistic about their investment policy, it is worthwhile looking into the details of the capital investment projects. They may indicate future growth and profits and thus if accompanied by a good value, a sign of good timing to invest in the stock. ...read more
Safety Strategy: RLI Debt Financing Safety very solid
| SAFETY METRICS | February 8, 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 91 |
|
||||||
| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 26 |
|
||||||
| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 92 |
|
||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 98 |
|
||||||
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 98 (better than 98% compared with alternatives) for 2022, the company RLI has safe financing practices, which means that their overall debt burden is low. This doesn't mean that the business of RLI is safe, it only means that the company is on the safer side regarding possible bankruptcy, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, with two out of three indicators above average for RLI. Leverage is at a rank of 91, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 91% of its competitors. Liquidity is also good at a rank of 92, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 92% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is on the safer side when it comes to debt service. But Refinancing is lower at a rank of 26, which means that the portion of the debt that is about to be refinanced is above-average. It has more debt in the refinancing stage than 74% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 98 (better than 98% compared with alternatives), RLI has a financing structure that is significantly safer than that of its competitors. The refinancing issues could be a short-term problem, especially if the company has reputation issues. Banks and investors don't like to refinance debt if there are clouds on the horizon. For this reason, investors should look at the refinancing environment for RLI. Does it look safe that debt that is coming due can be covered with new debt? If that is the case, then the financing situation of the company is on the safer side. If not, it may be better to wait until refinancing has been completed and the Refinancing rank is good again. ...read more
Combined financial peformance: RLI Top Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | February 8, 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 8 |
|
||||||
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 57 |
|
||||||
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 92 |
|
||||||
| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 98 |
|
||||||
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 98 (better than 98% compared with investment alternatives), RLI (Property & Casualty Insurance, USA) shares have much better financial characteristics than comparable stocks. Shares of RLI are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 8 (worse than 92% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 57) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 98, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 98, is a strong buy recommendation based on RLI's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company RLI exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 8), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 57). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 98) are a double-edged sword: if the company continues growing, low debt limits shareholder returns. But if the company increases its debt, it will also increase risk. In other words, this is an investment on the safer side, despite the above-average price (low value). ...read more
Obermatt Portfolio Performance
We’re so convinced about our research, that we buy our stock tips.
See the performance of the Obermatt portfolio.