MetaCap

Palomar (PLMR) vs RLI (RLI)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.

Summary

Palomar (PLMR) has outperformed RLI (RLI) over the past year, gaining 10.5% versus a loss of 13.8%. Over five years, PLMR leads with a +60.8% price change compared with +9.0% for RLI. RLI is the larger company by market cap ($5.17 billion vs $3.48 billion), about 1.5 times the size, while Palomar is growing revenue faster (+58.2% vs +6.3%).

On valuation, Palomar trades at a lower forward P/E (11.6x vs 20.9x for RLI). RLI pays a dividend yielding 1.17%, while Palomar does not currently pay one. Palomar converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 22.5% versus 21.4%.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

PLMR+10.51%RLI-13.85%
+25%-2%-29%
Oct 8, 20251 yearOct 8, 2026
PLMR+66.80%RLI+8.98%
+126%+37%-51%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

PLMR versus RLI key metrics
MetricPLMRRLI
Share price$131.44$56.30
Market cap$3.48B$5.17B
1-day change+3.64%+1.37%
YTD return-2.46%-12.00%
1-year return+10.51%-13.85%
5-year return+60.82%+8.96%
P/E ratio (TTM)17.6911.83
Forward P/E11.5720.89
EPS (TTM)$7.43$4.76
Dividend yield1.37%1.17%
Annual dividend$0.00$0.66
Revenue (latest FY)$875.97M$1.88B
Revenue growth (YoY)+58.16%+6.33%
Net income (latest FY)$197.07M$403.34M
Net margin22.50%21.43%
52-week high$147.62$67.12
52-week low$100.81$47.26
Distance from 52-week high-10.96%-16.12%
Analyst consensusbuyhold
Avg. price target upside+23.25%+4.80%
Average volume242.43K752.61K
Shares outstanding26.50M91.77M
Employees4391,193
SectorFinanceFinance
IndustryProperty-Casualty InsurersProperty-Casualty Insurers

Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.

Key differences

  • PLMR has outperformed RLI by 24.4 percentage points over the past year.
  • Palomar trades at a higher earnings multiple (17.7x vs 11.8x trailing P/E).
  • Palomar grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+58.16% vs +6.33%).

About Palomar

PLMR stock →

Palomar Holdings, Inc., a specialty insurance company, provides property and casualty insurance to individuals and businesses in the United States. The company offers personal and commercial specialty insurance products, including residential and commercial earthquake; fronting; and inland marine and other property products, such as inland marine, Hawaii hurricane, excess national property, residential flood, and other property products, as well as assumed reinsurance and crop insurance products.

Finance · Property-Casualty Insurers · 439 employees

About RLI

RLI stock →

RLI Corp., an insurance holding company, provides property, casualty, and surety insurance products. Its Casualty segment provides commercial excess, personal umbrella, general liability, transportation, and management liability coverages; professional liability and workers' compensation for office-based professional coverages; commercial automobile liability and physical damage insurance to local, intermediate and long haul truckers, public transportation entities, and other specialty commercial automobile risks; incidental related insurance coverages; inland marine coverages; directors and officers liability insurance, fiduciary liability and coverages, employment practice liability, public and private businesses risk, and home business insurance products.

Finance · Property-Casualty Insurers · 1,193 employees

PLMR vs RLI FAQ

Which is bigger, Palomar or RLI?

RLI (RLI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.17B compared with $3.48B for Palomar (PLMR).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, PLMR or RLI?

PLMR returned +10.51% over the past 12 months, compared with -13.85% for RLI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which has the lower P/E ratio, PLMR or RLI?

RLI has the lower trailing P/E at 11.8, versus 17.7 for PLMR. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.

Which pays a higher dividend, Palomar or RLI?

Palomar has the higher yield at 1.37%, compared with 1.17% for RLI.

Are Palomar and RLI in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Property-Casualty Insurers industry within the Finance sector.

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