RLI vs KNSL

For growth investors, Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.

(KNSL) is the stronger pick with 18. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 6. 3% for RLI Corp. (RLI). RLI Corp. (RLI) offers the better valuation at 11. 5x trailing P/E (18. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate RLI Corp. (RLI) a "Hold" — based on 12 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, RLI Corp.

(RLI) is the cheapest at 11. 5x versus Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. at 14. 1x. On forward P/E, Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. is actually cheaper at 14. 8x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. wins at 0. 36x versus RLI Corp. 's 0. 89x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.

(KNSL) delivered a total return of +83. 7%, compared to +11. 7% for RLI Corp. (RLI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KNSL returned +1586% versus RLI's +112. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), RLI Corp.

(RLI) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 01β versus Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. 's 0. 29β — meaning KNSL is approximately -4934% more volatile than RLI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, RLI Corp. (RLI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 6% versus 11% for Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.

(KNSL) is pulling ahead at 18. 0% versus 6. 3% for RLI Corp. (RLI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. grew EPS 21. 8% year-over-year, compared to 16. 6% for RLI Corp.. Over a 3-year CAGR, KNSL leads at 30. 7% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.

(KNSL) is the more profitable company, earning 26. 9% net margin versus 21. 4% for RLI Corp. — meaning it keeps 26. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KNSL leads at 33. 8% versus 27. 5% for RLI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — KNSL leads at 52. 5%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (KNSL) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 36x versus RLI Corp. 's 0. 89x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (KNSL) trades at 14. 8x forward P/E versus 18. 1x for RLI Corp. — 3. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for KNSL: 41. 9% to $433. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

RLI Corp. (RLI) offers the highest yield at 5. 2%, versus 0. 2% for Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (KNSL).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.

(KNSL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 29), +1586% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (KNSL: +1586%, RLI: +112. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: RLI is a small-cap deep-value stock; KNSL is a small-cap high-growth stock. RLI pays a dividend while KNSL does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.