Hancock Whitney Corporation (HWC) vs RLI Corp. (RLI)

A side-by-side comparison of Hancock Whitney Corporation and RLI Corp. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — HWC vs RLI

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
HWC +198.5% (+11.6%/yr)RLI +116.2% (+8.0%/yr)HWC compounded faster over this window
100200300Start $10020182020202220242026$299$216
HWC RLI

HWC vs RLI: by the numbers

  • •HWC is the larger company ($5.96B vs $5.18B market cap).
  • •RLI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (11.85 vs 14.37 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •RLI converts more revenue to profit (22.22% vs 21.81% net margin).
  • •RLI grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.29% vs 7.59% CAGR).
  • •RLI pays the higher dividend yield (4.46% vs 2.66%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricHWCRLI
P/E ratio14.3711.85
Forward P/E11.3419.68
PEG ratioN/A0.58
P/S ratio3.042.62
P/B ratio1.342.96

Profitability

MetricHWCRLI
Operating margin28.20%28.42%
Net margin21.81%22.22%
ROE9.62%25.04%

Hancock Whitney Corporation: Gross margin is not shown for a lender or insurer: its revenue is interest, premiums and fees rather than the sale of goods, so there is no cost of goods sold to measure it against.

RLI Corp.: Gross margin is not shown for a lender or insurer: its revenue is interest, premiums and fees rather than the sale of goods, so there is no cost of goods sold to measure it against.

Dividends

MetricHWCRLI
Dividend yield2.66%4.46%
Payout ratio38.16%52.52%

Growth (annualized)

MetricHWCRLI
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.59%11.29%
EPS CAGR (5Y)N/A20.14%
Total return CAGR (5Y)11.40%4.71%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, HWC or RLI?
RLI has the lower trailing P/E: HWC trades at 14.37 and RLI at 11.85. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, HWC or RLI?
Over the past five years, RLI grew revenue faster — HWC at a 7.59% CAGR versus RLI at 11.29%.
Does HWC or RLI pay a bigger dividend?
HWC yields 2.66% and RLI yields 4.46% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is HWC or RLI more profitable?
RLI runs the higher net margin — HWC at 21.81% versus RLI at 22.22%.
How have HWC and RLI total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, HWC delivered 11.24% and RLI delivered 8.06% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.