AIA Group 1299

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GS expects AIA to distribute 1H2012 dividend of $0.12

AIA (01299) will report result announcement for the first half of this year on 27 July.

Goldman Sachs said Thailand's regulator released premium data for May, thus they are able to lock in one of the biggest variables for new business value for the second quarter.

Goldman Sachs believes that premium recovery and growth from AIA Thai unit remain encouraging. AIA's new premium income from Thai unit soared 23% from a year ago, versus industry growth of only 18%.

As such, the bank expects AIA's new business value in the first half of this year would be US$500 million, among which US$268 million were made in the second quarter, up 24% from a year back.

The profit margin of new business value in the first half of this year is expected to reach 42.2%. AIA is expected to distribute a dividend of $0.12 with a sum of $0.36 for the entire year.


AAStocks Financial News

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Thai news to sweeten souring investments for insurer

AIA Group (1299) is expected to report today sustained growth in new business driven by its Thai operations, but net profit estimates by analysts are mixed due to the waning global investment environment.

Average estimate for the blue-chip insurer's interim net profit is US$1.31 billion (HK$10.21 billion), according to five investment banks surveyed by The Standard.

AIA's embedded value at the end of May would have risen by an average 4 percent to US$28.4 billion from half a year ago. Goldman Sachs said the value of new business in the six months to May would have reached US$500 million, compared with US$399 million during the same period a year ago.

"The Thai life insurance sector is recovering well [after the] floods, and life insurers focusing on protection products, such as AIA, are better positioned to gain market share," Citi wrote in a recent note.

A Bloomberg survey shows analysts expect a 23 percent rise in the value of new business. AIA must beat this consensus by over 5 percent to boost its price, Deutsche Bank said.

A strong US dollar, a volatile equity market and lower bond yields may bring a negative surprise on net profit, Credit Suisse warned.

AIA shares rose 0.6 percent to HK$26.80 yesterday. JPMorgan said any short-term growth in AIA's stock price is limited as any potential acquisition carries risks.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_deta ... 20727&fc=8

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DJ AIA 1st-Half New Business Value Up 28% on Strong Growth in HK, Thailand By Fiona Law

HONG KONG--Asian insurance heavyweight AIA Group Ltd. (1299.HK) on Friday beat estimates to report a 28% rise in new business value in the six months ended May 31, thanks to strong growth in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

AIA, 18.6%-owned by American International Group Inc. (AIG), said its new business value, a key measure of profitability for life insurance companies, totaled $512 million, up from $399 million in the same period a year earlier.

Net profit rose 10% to $1.44 billion from $1.31 billion.

Analysts expected the insurer to report new business value of $496 million and a net profit of $1.35 billion, according to a poll of 10 analysts by Dow Jones Newswires.

The company said its annualized new premiums rose 9% to $1.19 billion.

The insurer said it would pay a first-half dividend of 12.33 Hong Kong cents a share, up from 11 Hong Kong cents a year earlier.

AIA said in a statement it will continue to focus on new business growth through its agency sales force and profitable partnerships.


Source: Dow Jones Newswire

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American International Group Inc will be free to sell its entire $7.6 billion worth of AIA Group Ltd from Wednesday.

Sources told Reuters last week that the U.S. insurer is expected to offload its entire stake.


Source: Reuters

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AIG said to sell up to 600M shr of AIA (01299.HK), cashing in app US$2B

Sources said AIG will reduce up to 600 million shares of AIA (01299.HK), at price range between $25.75 and $26.75 per share, representing discount of 2.1% to premium of 1.7% against the closing price today, $26.3.

The amount to be cashed in reaches approximately US$2 billion. The shares are of a 90-day lock-up period.


Source: AAStocks Financial News

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AIA (01299.HK) 3Q VONB rises 22% to record US$300M

AIA (01299.HK) reported its value of new business for the third quarter ending August grew 22% from a year back to record US$300 million; VONB margin added 11 percentage points to 42.6%.

Annualised new premium, excluding a single large Australian group scheme in 2011, increased 17% to US$696 million.

During the period, annualized new premiums in Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines brought strong contribution, while margins in Hong Kong, Thailand and Malaysia improved significantly.

During the period, total weighted premium income increased by 3% to US$3,852 million. The growth rate reduced in the third quarter compared with the first half of the year as a result of foreign exchange movements, the continued repositioning of its Korean business and lower-margin, shorter duration products sold in the second half of 2010, as previously reported, reaching the end of their premium payment periods.

In the first nine months ending August, value of new business jumped 26% from a year back to US$812 million.


Source: AAStocks Financial News

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<Research Report>AIA (01299.HK) reiterated Buy, TP hiked 15% to $37.5 by Deutsche

AIA (01299.HK) reported better-than-expected third-quarter results with new business value up 22% to US$300 million, 9.5% above Deutsche Bank's projection.

Deutsche Bank hikes AIA's new business value growth forecast for 2012 and 2013 by 2.5% and 5.3%.

Deutsche Bank describes AIA as an eye-catching growth story with strong capital position and management quality, allowing the insurer to grasp the growth in Asia's life insurance market.

AIA acquires ING Malaysian unit for US$17.3 billion. Deutsche Bank is not concerned about the valuation of the deal as it only involves one-off expenditure.

AIA is reiterated Buy with target price hiked from $32.6 to $37.5.


Source: AAStocks Financial News

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<Research Report>AIA (01299.HK) reiterated Buy, TP hiked 15% to $37.5 by Deutsche

AIA (01299.HK) reported better-than-expected third-quarter results with new business value up 22% to US$300 million, 9.5% above Deutsche Bank's projection.

Deutsche Bank hikes AIA's new business value growth forecast for 2012 and 2013 by 2.5% and 5.3%.

Deutsche Bank describes AIA as an eye-catching growth story with strong capital position and management quality, allowing the insurer to grasp the growth in Asia's life insurance market.

AIA acquires ING Malaysian unit for US$17.3 billion. Deutsche Bank is not concerned about the valuation of the deal as it only involves one-off expenditure.

AIA is reiterated Buy with target price hiked from $32.6 to $37.5.


Source: AAStocks Financial News

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AIA Group (1299) closed at HK$29.80 - close to its all-time- high of HK$30.20.

New business value for the third quarter rose 22 percent from a year back.

The insurance giant is widely expected to keep expanding in Asia after acquiring Dutch insurer ING's Malaysian operation for US$1.73 billion.

Brokers target AIA between HK$35 and HK$37.50 - a 15 to 20 percent upside from the current level.


Source: Dr Check, The Standard HK

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<Research Report>AIA (01299.HK) reiterated CL-Buy with TP hiked to $37.8 - GS

Goldman Sachs expects AIA (01299.HK)'s new business value will double by 2015, on the contribution from ASEAN and China.

AIA is reiterated Conviction List Buy with target price hiked from $36 to $37.8.


Source: AAStocks Financial News