Morgan Stanley Maintains Overweight Rating on China Life, Expects New Business Value to Continue Outpacing Peers

Stock News07-15 13:54

Morgan Stanley has issued a research report stating that CHINA LIFE (02628) has issued a positive profit alert, forecasting a first-half net profit of 128.9 billion to 137.1 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 215% to 235%, with an annualized return on equity of approximately 40%, leading its peers. This implies a second-quarter net profit of 109.4 billion to 117.6 billion yuan, a year-on-year surge of about 800% to 900%.

Morgan Stanley maintains an "Overweight" rating on the H-shares of China Life, with a target price of HK$38.9, believing the H-share valuation remains attractive and fundamentals are improving.

The firm believes that a more aggressive growth-oriented asset allocation and the outperformance of technology stocks in the second quarter drove strong investment performance during the period, contributing to China Life's positive first-half results. It forecasts that China Life's first-half new business value grew over 30%, continuing to outpace its peers. Despite a general slowdown in insurance sales in the second quarter, Morgan Stanley still believes China Life's interim results will be impressive.

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