AIA Group posts 26% rise in new business growth for 2015

[HONG KONG] AIA Group Ltd, the world's second-largest life insurer by market capitalisation, reported a 26 per cent rise in the value of new business in 2015, driven by surging demand to buy insurance in Hong Kong and China.

AIA said the company's value of new business, which measures expected profits from new premiums and is a key yardstick for growth, rose to US$2.20 billion in 2015 from US$1.85 billion a year earlier.

The company, which is listed in Hong Kong, proposed a total dividend of 0.6972 Hong Kong dollar (US$0.0897) a share, up 39 per cent.

The insurer's annual operating profits after tax rose 16 per cent to US$3.21 billion.

REUTERS