not vested
China Life Insurance (2628 HK / 601628 CH): <Results first take> [b]1H22 VNB down 13.8% y-o-y, better than expectation [HOLD, TP HK$13.00 / SELL, TP RMB11.40][/b]
China Life announced 1H22 result which posted net profits attributable to shareholders of Rmb 25.4bn, down 38% y-o-y, in-line with consensus. The net profit decline was primarily due to the decrease in investment income.
Value of new business (VNB) dropped 13.8% y-o-y which is better than expected.
Product mix saw continuous progress, first-year regular premiums of ten years or longer product up 4.4% y-o-y to Rmb 30bn, while premiums from new policies rose 4.1% to Rmb 139bn.
Investment income down 15.6% to Rmb 93bn with gross/net investment yield of 4.15%/4.21% in 1H22. The underperforming investment result was due to the volatility in equity market and 1H21 high base.
The insurer’s core and comprehensive solvency ratios were at 169.05% and 235.56% respectively, much higher than the regulatory requirement.
Source: DBS