Great Eastern Q1 profit halved due to less favourable financial market conditions

INSURANCE company Great Eastern Holdings said its profit attributable to shareholders fell to S$220 million for its first quarter ended Mar 31, 2022, 50 per cent lower than the S$437.6 million in the same period a year ago.

This was due to a lower valuation of investments arising from less favourable financial market conditions in the quarter, resulting in lower mark-to-market gains, the insurance arm of OCBC said on Thursday (Apr 28).

Non-operating profit for the quarter had fallen 73 per cent to S$58.9 million, from S$215.7 million a year ago, on the lower mark-to-market gains.

The insurer also recorded a S$30.9 million loss from shareholders’ fund, from a profit of S$46.4 million a year ago, due to mark-to-market loss in equities and collective investment schemes.

Meanwhile, operating profit from its insurance business was up 6 per cent to S$191.4 million in the quarter, from S$181.3 million a year ago, due to a growth in in-force business.

Higher sales in Singapore drove up its total weighted new sales by 32 per cent in the quarter to S$505.3 million, from S$381.9 million a year earlier, although this was partially offset by lower sales in Malaysia amid weaker economic sentiments.

Due to lower contributions from Malaysia, its new business embedded value also fell 3 per cent to S$191.3 million, from S$198.2 million a year ago.

Commenting on the results, Great Eastern’s group chief executive Khor Hock Seng said the group’s performance remained resilient despite the challenging business environment and volatile capital and financial markets, with its insurance business posting good growth momentum in operating profit.

He expects the business landscape will remain challenging in the near term.

SEE ALSO

Singapore banks to report weaker Q1 earnings amid market volatility and lower risk appetites

Norman Ip to step down as Great Eastern's non-executive, non-independent director

Great Eastern Q4 profit falls 33% but posts full-year increase

Shares of Great Eastern closed S$0.23 or 1.1 per cent lower at S$20.50 on Wednesday.