Key facts
- AIA Group reported a 13% increase in new business value for the first half of 2026.
- The new business value reached $3.21 billion, below the analyst median estimate of $3.26 billion.
- Mainland China and Hong Kong were the primary drivers of growth, with 26% and 21% increases in VONB, respectively.
- Annualised new premiums grew by 16% to $3.15 billion.
- The VONB margin for the period was 56.0%.
AIA Group Ltd. reported a 13% year-over-year increase in its value of new business (VONB) for the first half of 2026, reaching $3.21 billion. This figure, however, fell short of the $3.26 billion median estimate from six analysts compiled by Bloomberg News. The company noted that without the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, the growth rate would have been 10%.
Mainland China and Hong Kong were the primary drivers of this growth. AIA China saw a 26% increase in VONB, while AIA Hong Kong recorded a 21% rise. The insurer's annualised new premiums grew by 16% to $3.15 billion, with the group's VONB margin standing at 56.0%, down slightly from 57.5% in the first quarter of 2025.
AIA Singapore also experienced positive VONB growth across its bancassurance, independent financial adviser, and broker channels, particularly with demand from high-net-worth clients. Thailand was the only segment to report a decline, with VONB down 18% due to a high base in the previous year, though it remained 39% higher than the first quarter of 2024.
Group chief executive and president Lee Yuan Siong highlighted that the performance was broad-based, with all reportable segments except Thailand achieving year-on-year growth. He emphasized AIA's strategy focused on meeting long-term consumer demand for protection, health, savings, and retirement products in Asia, leveraging its competitive advantages in brand, distribution, service, and technology.
In capital management, AIA initiated a new $1.7 billion share repurchase program on March 30, 2026, and had bought back approximately $614 million worth of shares by April 29, 2026. Total weighted premium income for the quarter rose 13% to $14.87 billion.