Sumitomo Life Insurance forecasts higher overseas earnings

SUMITOMO Life Insurance expects to hit a target of earning 100 billion yen (S$891 million) from overseas operations this fiscal year, helped by its acquisition of Singapore Life Holdings.

The closely-held Japanese insurer is open to further acquisitions overseas, president Yukinori Takada said, without specifying the exact countries where he saw opportunities.

Sumitomo Life agreed in December to buy TPG’s 35.5 per cent stake in the Singaporean firm for S$1.6 billion. Singapore is a key market within its growth strategy in South-east Asia.

“We will support Singlife’s growth,” said Takada. “We will consider other investments if opportunities arise.”

Sumitomo Life’s total investment in Singlife now stands at approximately 420 billion yen. The unit’s prowess at digital technology is something the parent company can learn from, Takada said.

The insurer’s basic investment policy has not been changed by the Bank of Japan’s decision last week to lift interest rates, he said.

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Sumitomo Life moves to own all of Singlife, valuing Singapore insurer at S$4.6 billion

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If rates continue to rise, Sumitomo Life will expand its holdings of Japanese government bonds with maturities of 10 years or longer, he said, though he thinks a large increase in rates would be difficult to implement. BLOOMBERG