AIA Delivers Excellent Results

Hong Kong, 24 July 2015 – The Board of Directors of AIA Group Limited (Stock Code: 1299) is pleased to announced that AIA delivered another strong set of results for the six months ended May 31 2015.

The main highlights of the results: 

Excellent growth in Value of New Business (VONB)

• VONB of US$959 million, up 21 per cent; up 25 per cent on constant exchange rates (CER)
• Annualised new premiums (ANP) of US$1,878 million, up 11 per cent; up 15 per cent on CER
• VONB margin of 50.2 per cent, up 4.0 pps

Strong increase in IFRS operating profits

• IFRS operating profits after tax (OPAT) of US$1,630 million, up 12 per cent; up 15 per cent on CER
• Net profit up 41 per cent to US$2,180 million; up 45 per cent on CER

Sustainable value creation and robust capital position

• Free surplus of US$8.3 billion, up 7 per cent over the first half 
• Free surplus generation of US$2.1 billion
• 30 per cent increase in net remittances to US$1.0 billion
• EV Equity of US$40.5 billion, up 4 per cent over the first half
• EV of US$38.6 billion, up 4 per cent over the first half
• solvency ratio of AIA Co. increased by 26 pps to 453 per cent on the HKICO basis

Increased Interim Dividend

• 17 per cent increase in interim dividend to 18.72 Hong Kong cents per share

Mark Tucker, AIA's Group Chief Executive and President, said:

"AIA has delivered another strong performance in the first half of 2015. VONB growth is 25 per cent on a constant exchange rate basis, which more clearly reflects the underlying performance of the business during the recent period of foreign exchange volatility.

"Our disciplined approach to the management of our in-force business has enabled us to achieve a strong increase in IFRS operating profit and maintain our resilient solvency position. Our financial results  continue to demonstrate the value of the consistent execution of our well-established growth strategy and our exclusive focus on the Asia-Pasific region.

"The region continues to present enormous growth opportunities for AIA. Ongoing urbanisation and rising disposable incomes, coupled with low provision of social welfare benefits, will continue to fuel the substantial and growing need for healthcare, protection and long-term savings products. AIA is exceptionally well-positioned to make the most of these opportunities.

"The Board has declared a 17 per cent increase in the interim dividend, a clear reflection of the health of AIA's business, our strong financial result and our confidence in the future prospects for the Group. The power of AIA's franchise, the breadth of our product range, our trusted brand and unrivalled financial strength will enable us to continue to generate sustainable value for our customers and shareholders."