VALUE OF NEW BUSINESS UP 28 PER CENT
OPERATING PROFIT UP 16 PER CENT
EV EXCEEDS US$50 BILLION FOR THE FIRST TIME
The Board of Directors of AIA Group Limited is pleased to announce that AIA has delivered strong results for the year ended 30 November 2017 with double-digit growth across our main financial metrics. Highlights are shown on a constant exchange rate basis:
Excellent growth in value of new business (VONB)
- 28 per cent growth in VONB to US$3,512 million
- Annualised new premiums (ANP) increased by 19 per cent to US$6,092 million
- VONB margin up 4.1 pps to 56.8 per cent
- PVNBP margin increased to 10 per cent from 9 per cent in 2016
Strong operating profit generation
- IFRS operating profit after tax (OPAT) up 16 per cent to US$4,647 million
- Embedded value (EV) operating profit increased by 19 per cent to US$6,997 million
- Operating return on EV (operating ROEV) up 110 bps to 16.6 per cent
Robust cash flow and resilient capital position
- EV Equity of US$51.8 billion; EV of US$50.1 billion, up US$8.0 billion
- Underlying free surplus generation of US$4,527 million, up 13 per cent
- Free surplus of US$12.3 billion
- Net remittances of US$2.1 billion
- Solvency ratio for AIA Co., our principal operating company, of 443 per cent on the HKIO basis
Ng Keng Hooi, AIA’s Group Chief Executive and President, says:
“AIA has delivered another strong performance with double-digit growth across our main financial metrics. Value of new business increased by 28 per cent to reach a new high of US$3,512 million and we also achieved strong growth in IFRS operating profit and free surplus. Today’s results are the direct outcome of the scale, quality and breadth of AIA’s exceptional businesses across the region and the significant progress we are making in delivering our strategic objectives.
“AIA has been in Asia for almost a century and we operate in some of the most dynamic and attractive life insurance markets in the world. With our deep roots and long history in Asia, we have aligned our growth strategy with the opportunities created by the unprecedented structural economic, demographic and social changes taking place across our markets. AIA’s extensive distribution reach, product innovation, trusted brand and outstanding people capabilities place us in a unique position to help safeguard the financial security of consumers across the Asia-Pacific region.
"Our focus continues to be on the execution of our strategic priorities that will build on our competitive advantages and make a material difference to AIA’s future. I am confident that our teams will continue to deliver profitable growth and long-term value for our shareholders as we help our customers live healthier, longer, better lives and plan for a brighter future.”
Damien Mu, AIA Australia and New Zealand CEO, says:
“These results speak to the strength of the AIA Group, and our ability to deliver on our vision of championing Australia and New Zealand to be the healthiest and most protected nations in the world.
“AIA is serious about making a significant contribution towards closing the underinsurance gap in New Zealand. It’s an ambitious goal. But because of our planned acquisition of Sovereign Insurance in New Zealand and CommInsure in Australia (subject to regulatory approval), we are well-placed to meet this challenge − thanks to the depth of experience that we will be able to tap into, along with the best of the products, systems, and capabilities from the three companies,” Damien Mu says.
Contact: Jay Harkness
Senior Communications Adviser
AIA New Zealand
027 836 2533
About AIA
AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively “AIA” or the “Group”) comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets in Asia-Pacific – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Macau, Brunei, Cambodia, a 97 per cent subsidiary in Sri Lanka, a 49 per cent joint venture in India and a representative office in Myanmar.
The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai almost a century ago. It is a market leader in the Asia-Pacific region (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$216 billion as of 30 November 2017.
AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia-Pacific, AIA serves the holders of more than 30 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.
AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock code “1299” with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: “AAGIY”).
ABOUT AIA NEW ZEALAND
AIA New Zealand employs over 140 people. Since the company arrived in New Zealand in 1981, AIA New Zealand has consistently provided the market with innovative personal and business insurance products that suit the Kiwi way of life. Today AIA offers a complete range of risk management products that focus on the needs of customers. AIA New Zealand is based in Auckland with regional offices in Wellington and Christchurch. However, through a network of financial advisers, AIA reaches every corner of the country. AIA New Zealand is a member of the Insurance and Savings Ombudsman Scheme and the Health Funds Association of New Zealand. Standard and Poor’s reaffirmed AIA New Zealand’s insurer financial strength rating at AA- in June 2016.
Notes:
- All figures are presented in actual reporting currency (US dollar) and based on actual exchange rates (AER) unless otherwise stated. Change on constant exchange rates (CER) is calculated using constant average exchange rates for 2017 and for 2016 other than for balance sheet items that use CER as at 30 November 2017 and as at 30 November 2016.
- Change is shown on a year-on-year basis unless otherwise stated.
- VONB is calculated based on assumptions applicable at the point of sale and before deducting the amount attributable to non-controlling interests. The amounts of VONB attributable to non-controlling interests in 2017 and in 2016 were US$22 million and US$19 million respectively.
- VONB includes pension business. ANP and VONB margin exclude pension business.
- IFRS operating profit after tax and operating earnings per share are shown after non-controlling interests unless otherwise stated.
- Hong Kong refers to operations in Hong Kong and Macau; Singapore refers to operations in Singapore and Brunei; and Other Markets refers to operations in
- AIA Delivers Another Year of Excellent Growth
- Australia (including New Zealand), Cambodia, Indonesia, Korea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam and India. The results of our joint venture in India are accounted for using the equity method. For clarity, TWPI, ANP and VONB exclude any contribution from India.
- AIA’s financial information in this document is based on the audited consolidated financial statements and supplementary embedded value information for 2017.
