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李嘉诚“幼子”李泽楷,又欲“敲上市钟”!
Guo Ji Jin Rong Bao·2025-05-26 09:18

Core Viewpoint - FWD Group Limited has submitted a new listing application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, marking its fourth attempt to go public after previous unsuccessful attempts due to market volatility and financial issues [1][3]. Company Overview - Founded in 2013 by Richard Li, FWD Group is a pan-Asian life insurance company that operates with a customer-first and digital empowerment philosophy [3]. - The company has expanded its business from three initial markets to ten, covering regions such as Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, and emerging markets like the Philippines and Indonesia [3]. - FWD Group aims to penetrate new markets through acquiring local licensed insurers and obtaining new licenses [3]. Market Potential - The total premium for the life insurance market is projected to grow from approximately $407 billion in 2023 to $579 billion by 2033, indicating a strong growth trend [3]. - FWD Group has become one of the top five insurance companies in Southeast Asia based on annualized new premiums, capitalizing on the region's large population and significant protection gap [4]. Financial Performance - FWD Group's net insurance and investment performance for the reporting period was $493 million, $47 million, and $911 million, respectively, with net profits of -$320 million, -$717 million, and $10 million, achieving profitability in 2024 [8][10]. - The insurance revenue for 2024 is projected to be $2.724 billion, a decrease of 1.2% from 2023 [10]. - The company has a significant debt load of $2.786 billion, with bank borrowings amounting to $989 million, which may pressure its profitability [10]. Strategic Focus - The funds raised from the IPO will be primarily used to enhance solvency, build capital buffers, and support business expansion, particularly in high-growth markets like Indonesia [10]. - FWD Group plans to explore business opportunities in more regions, including mainland China, where it has already established a customer base through sales to mainland visitors in Hong Kong and Macau [4].