GREAT Eastern Holdings on Tuesday posted S$279.5 million in net profit for the second quarter ended June 30, more than double last year's S$102.2 million.
The insurance group said: "This was largely due to the higher non-operating profit brought about mainly by favourable financial market conditions."
Total weighted new sales rose 6 per cent to S$255.7 million from S$242.1 million a year ago, mainly due to strong contribution from the group's agency channels in core markets and the bancassurance channel in Singapore.
Earnings per share came up to S$0.59, from S$0.22 the previous year.
An interim one-tier tax exempt dividend of 10 Singapore cents per ordinary share was declared for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2017. It will be paid on Aug 31.