Weaker U.S. jobs data has taken some heat out of rate hike fears, lifted gold and reminded investors that policy signals can swing sentiment quickly. For dividend investors, that mix of softer growth signals, sticky inflation risks and another leg up in safe haven demand is a cue to stress test income holdings. This article looks at how that backdrop connects to a hand picked Dividend Stocks screener, focusing on three stocks that stand out for their mix of size, dividend profile and lower volatility. Each is exposed to the latest macro news in a different way, which can help you judge whether they still fit your income plan.

Old Republic International (ORI)

Overview: Old Republic International is a Chicago based insurer that earns most of its income by underwriting specialty commercial insurance and providing title insurance and related services for real estate transactions across the U.S. and Canada.

Operations: Old Republic International generates most of its revenue from Specialty Insurance at US$6.1b, alongside Title Insurance at US$3.0b and smaller corporate and investment related items.

Market Cap: US$9.8b

Old Republic International tends to appeal to income seekers because it combines a long history as a U.S. insurer with a clear focus on dividends, capital returns and disciplined underwriting. The stock trades on a single digit P/E, and management has been active with buybacks and special dividends, which can support per share results when growth is modest. At the same time, reliance on external borrowing for funding, pressure on title insurance profitability and a weaker real estate cycle leave less room for error. For dividend investors, that mix of resilience, capital return and very real risks makes Old Republic worth a closer look.

Old Republic International’s single digit P/E and steady capital returns can look like a simple income story, but that mix of title exposure and leverage deserves closer context in the 1 key reward and 2 important warning signs (1 is major!)

RLI (RLI)

Overview: RLI is a Peoria based insurer that focuses on specialty property, casualty and surety cover, providing everything from commercial excess and transportation policies to professional liability, homeowners and contractor bonds for businesses and individuals.

Operations: RLI generates most of its US$1.9b revenue from Casualty at US$973.5m, followed by Property at US$506.2m, Surety at US$147.7m, and unallocated investment related income and gains of around US$271.3m.

Market Cap: US$5.6b

RLI may appeal to dividend-focused investors who want insurance exposure with an emphasis on underwriting quality rather than sheer scale. The company combines a long operating history and high recent earnings growth with a 51 year record of raising its regular dividend, supplemented by a US$2.00 special dividend and a US$250m buyback plan. At the same time, an unstable dividend track record flag, reliance on external borrowing and analyst expectations for earnings to decline an average of 12.9% a year introduce uncertainty, particularly given competition, catastrophe risk and higher expenses. With weaker jobs data easing rate hike worries and supporting income stocks, RLI’s balance between strong profitability and forecast headwinds may warrant closer examination in the Dividend Stocks screener.

RLI’s mix of earnings strength, rising payouts and fresh headwinds is easy to misread. Step back and see how it all fits together in the 2 key rewards and 2 important warning signs (1 is major!)

Investors Title (ITIC)

Overview: Investors Title is a Chapel Hill based insurer that provides title insurance and related services for residential and commercial real estate, while also running a tax deferred property exchange business and offering investment management, trust and consulting services to title agencies.

Operations: Investors Title generates most of its US$269.9m revenue from Title Insurance, with smaller contributions from Exchange Services at US$13.3m and All Other activities at US$14.9m, partly offset by inter segment eliminations of US$17.9m, almost entirely in the United States at US$280.2m.

Market Cap: US$529.0m

Investors Title sits at the intersection of real estate activity and defensive income, so softer U.S. jobs data and reduced rate hike expectations are relevant for this stock. The company has high quality earnings, improving profit margins of 13.6% and a recent 28.1% earnings growth rate, yet still trades only slightly below one fair value estimate. At the same time, an unstable dividend record, long term earnings declines and a higher P/E than insurance peers suggest investors are paying for its niche position and funding model that relies fully on external borrowing. For income focused investors screening for resilient dividends as markets reassess rate risks, that combination of improving fundamentals and funding risk makes Investors Title worth a deeper look beyond the headline yield.

Investors Title’s improving margins and niche real estate position may be obscuring a much larger story for future income potential. Explore how the balance of earnings quality, dividend uncertainty and funding risk compares in the analysis report for Investors Title

The three dividend stocks in this article are just a starting point, and the full Dividend Stocks screener surfaces 11 more companies with similarly detailed dividend profiles, balance sheets and business stories that may fit the same income playbook. Use Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the specific catalysts, payout profiles, volatility levels and narratives that matter to you so you can focus on the highest conviction dividend ideas in minutes.

Take Control of Your Investment Journey

If RLI or any of these companies sound like a great opportunity, register for FREE with Simply Wall St and add your companies to a Watchlist to monitor the share price against the fair value the ideal entry point. Once you've made your move, manage your holdings with our Portfolio Command Center that filters out the noise to deliver only the most critical, actionable updates. Throughout your journey, our Community allows you to filter the best ideas from thousands of investor perspectives. By uncovering hidden catalysts and risks early, you'll accelerate your decision-making and stay one step ahead of the market.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.