AIA Delivers Excellent Results in the First Half of 2017

HONG KONG, 28 July 2017 – The Board of Directors of AIA Group Limited (stock code: 1299) is pleased to announce the Group’s unaudited consolidated results for the six months ended 31 May 2017. Highlights are shown on a constant exchange rate basis:

Record growth in value of new business (VONB)

• 42 per cent growth in VONB to US$1,753 million
• 37 per cent increase in annualised new premiums (ANP) to US$3,196 million
• VONB margin up 1.8 pps to 54.2 per cent

Strong operating profit generation and increased returns

• IFRS operating profit after tax (OPAT) up 16 per cent to US$2,262 million
• IFRS operating earnings per share up 16 per cent to 18.87 US cents
• Embedded value (EV) operating profit up 21 per cent to US$3,456 million
• Operating return on EV (operating ROEV) increased to 17.1 per cent

Robust cash flow and resilient capital position

• Underlying free surplus generation of US$2,307 million, up 13 per cent
• Free surplus of US$11.0 billion
• EV Equity of US$47.8 billion; EV of US$46.3 billion, up US$4.2 billion in the first half
• Solvency ratio for AIA Co., our principal operating company, of 427 per cent on the HKIO basis

Significant increase in interim dividend

• 17 per cent increase in interim dividend to 25.62 Hong Kong cents per share

Ng Keng Hooi, AIA’s Group Chief Executive and President, commenting on the results, said:

“AIA has delivered an excellent set of results in the first half of 2017 with record VONB growth of 42 per cent to US$1,753 million. As a result of our financial discipline and commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable growth, we have also achieved significant increases in IFRS operating profit and free surplus generation. Our performance is a clear reflection of the strength of AIA’s businesses and the consistent execution of our strategy.

“The Board has declared a 17 per cent increase in the interim dividend for 2017. This reflects AIA’s excellent financial results in the first half as well as our confidence in the outlook for the Group.

“AIA has significant competitive advantages created over our long history in Asia. We have a clear strategy that is working well and is fully aligned with the substantial opportunities presented by the extraordinary social changes and substantial economic growth taking place across the region. Our strong track record of value creation is the direct outcome of our many experienced teams working collectively to deliver our strategic priorities. We will continue to challenge ourselves and our strategy to ensure we capture the many significant opportunities that the region presents – well into the future.

“Today’s announcement is the first time I have reported our financial results since I assumed the role of Group Chief Executive at the beginning of June and I am delighted that we have delivered a very strong performance. AIA is an exceptional company with outstanding people and a unique franchise. I look to the future with great enthusiasm as we continue to realise AIA’s full potential in Asia and generate sustainable value for our customers and shareholders.”

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About AIA

AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively “AIA” or the “Group”) comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets in Asia-Pacific – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Macau, Brunei, Cambodia, a 97 per cent subsidiary in Sri Lanka, a 49 per cent joint venture in India and a representative office in Myanmar.

The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai almost a century ago. It is a market leader in the Asia-Pacific region (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$200 billion as of 31 May 2017.

AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia-Pacific, AIA serves the holders of more than 30 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.

AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock code “1299” with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: “AAGIY”).

Contacts

APPENDIX
Financial Summary