HTSC·2025-08-28 08:26Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" [8][6]. Core Views - The company reported a steady growth in New Business Value (NBV) of 20% year-on-year for 1H25, despite a decline in pre-tax profit by 11.5% [2][6]. - The interim dividend increased by 19% to RMB 0.24, outpacing profit growth [1]. - The annualized net investment return decreased to 2.78%, while the total investment return fell to 3.29% [4]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - The earnings per share (EPS) for 1H25 was RMB 1.45, a 6.9% increase year-on-year, primarily due to a significant reduction in income tax expenses [1]. - The NBV for 1H25 showed a 20% increase on a comparable basis, indicating robust growth compared to peers [2]. - The company’s net assets increased by 2.8% year-to-date, and the embedded value (EV) rose by 5.5% [5]. Business Segments - The individual insurance channel saw a 22% decline in new premiums, influenced by regulatory changes, but the NBV from this channel grew by 9.5% [2]. - The bancassurance channel experienced a remarkable 111% increase in new premiums, contributing significantly to the overall NBV growth [2]. Investment Strategy - The asset allocation shifted with a decrease in fixed-income assets and an increase in equity investments, reflecting a strategic response to market conditions [4]. - The total investment assets grew by 7.8% since the beginning of the year [4]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates a 17.9% growth in NBV for 2025, supported by a recovery in the bancassurance channel following regulatory changes [2][6]. - The projected EPS for 2025 is adjusted to RMB 3.20, with subsequent years also showing growth [6][12]. Valuation - The target price for the A/H shares has been raised to RMB 49 and HKD 26, respectively, based on a discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation method [6][12].