Great Eastern sustains strong business momentum for 1H-2026
Singapore, 31 July 2026 – Great Eastern Holdings Limited (the “Group”) today reported its financial results for the half-year ended 30 June 2026 (“1H-26”).
Greg Hingston, Group Chief Executive Officer said:
“Great Eastern’s core insurance business delivered a strong first half, with healthy insurance operating performance and supported by an uplift in investment performance in the second quarter.
Prudent risk management, a well-diversified business portfolio and disciplined operational execution continue to anchor our strong fundamentals.”
Total Weighted New Sales (“TWNS”) & New Business Embedded Value (“NBEV”)
The Group’s TWNS increased by 13% year-on-year in 2Q‑26 and 15% year-on-year for 1H‑26, reflecting sustained momentum in Singapore, which remained the key driver of new business growth across both periods. The performance was supported by continued strength in customer demand and improved productivity across distribution channels.
The Group’s NBEV grew by 25% year-on-year in 2Q-26 and 28% year-on-year for 1H-26, with growth outpacing TWNS. This was driven by higher sales and a more favourable product mix, supported by continued focus on value creation and disciplined product strategy.
Profit Attributable to Shareholders
The Group’s Profit Attributable to Shareholders increased by 103% year-on-year in 2Q‑26 and 43% year-on-year for 1H‑26, reflecting strong improvement in overall performance compared to the prior year.
Growth in earnings was driven primarily by higher insurance operating profit, supported by continued earnings emergence from the in-force portfolio, positive underlying experience and disciplined execution across the business. This underscores the strength and resilience of the Group’s core insurance fundamentals.
Investment performance in 2Q‑26 was more favourable compared to the same period last year, which provided an uplift to overall profitability.
Regulatory Capital
The Capital Adequacy Ratios of the Group’s insurance subsidiaries remain strong and above their respective minimum regulatory levels.
Dividend
The Board of Directors has declared an interim one-tier tax exempt dividend of 35 cents for every share in respect of the financial year ending 31 December 2026, payable on 28 August 2026. This represents an increase of 17% over the final dividend paid in respect of financial year 2025.
This is in line with the Company’s dividend payment method that aims to pay a steady dividend amount twice yearly. Each twice yearly payment will be an amount that targets a full year payout to shareholders that is based on the sustainable profit level of the Group, and dividends will be progressive in line with the profit trend.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Company aims to maintain each dividend amount to be no lower than the preceding one.
About Great Eastern
Founded in 1908, Great Eastern is a well-established market leader and trusted brand in Singapore and Malaysia. With over S$123 billion in assets and more than 16 million policyholders, including 11.7 million from government schemes, it provides insurance solutions to customers through multiple distribution channels – a tied agency force, bancassurance, direct digital, digital partnerships and financial advisory firm Great Eastern Financial Advisers. The Group also operates in Indonesia and Brunei.
The Great Eastern Life Assurance Company Limited and Great Eastern General Insurance Limited have been assigned the financial strength ratings of "AA" by Fitch Ratings and "AA-" by S&P Global Ratings, one of the highest among Asian life insurance companies. Great Eastern's asset management subsidiary, Lion Global Investors Limited, is one of the leading asset management companies in Southeast Asia.
Great Eastern is a subsidiary of OCBC, the longest established Singapore bank, formed in 1932. It is the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets and one of the world’s most highly-rated banks, with an Aa1 rating from Moody’s and AA- by both Fitch and S&P. Recognised for its financial strength and stability, OCBC is consistently ranked among the World’s Top 50 Safest Banks by Global Finance and has been named Best Managed Bank in Singapore by The Asian Banker.
#GreatEasternSG #ReachforGreat
For more information, please contact:
Corrinne Tan
Group Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility
Email: Corpcomms-sg@greateasternlife.com
Yap Wee Phin
Business Finance
Email: Investor-relations@greateasternlife.com