SINGAPORE (THE BUSINESS TIMES) - Great Eastern Holdings on Monday (Aug 2) posted a net profit of $232.3 million for the second quarter ended June 30 this year, 22 per cent lower than the $297.5 million a year ago.

The insurance arm of OCBC Bank attributed this to financial market conditions that were not as favourable for the quarter, which resulted in lower mark-to-market gains.

Operating profit for the second quarter fell to $148 million, down 20 per cent from $185.1 million a year ago. Meanwhile, non-operating profit eased to $34.9 million, down 2 per cent from $35.6 million.

Profit net of tax from shareholders' fund fell to $55.8 million, down 35 per cent from $85.3 million the previous year.

Total weighted new sales rose to $535.9 million, up 88 per cent from $285.6 million from the previous year, which the insurer said was driven by sustained sales momentum, particularly in Singapore, as well as the low base effect experienced in the same quarter a year ago.

New business embedded value climbed to $186.7 million, up 58 per cent from $118.4 million a year ago on the back of strong sales.

Meanwhile, net profit for the half-year ended June 30 this year more than doubled to $669.9 million from $331.4 million a year ago.

Earnings per share was $1.42 for the first half, more than double the 70 cents for the preceding year.

Total weighted new sales for the same period rose to $919.5 million, up 57 per cent from $584.7 million a year ago.

New business embedded value also climbed to $368.9 million, up 43 per cent from $258.8 million the year before.

Profit net of tax from shareholders' fund for the half-year rose to $102.2 million, up 135 per cent from $43.4 million a year ago.

The board declared an interim one-tier tax-exempt dividend of 10 cents per ordinary share for the financial year ending Dec 31 this year that will be paid on Aug 31.

Great Eastern group chief executive Khor Hock Seng said that the strong performance in total weighted new sales and new business embedded value were due to the resilience of its business built from its strengths on the distribution, product and digital front.

"Looking ahead, challenges brought forth by the evolving Covid-19 situation are likely to persist. We will continue to strengthen our distribution and product offerings to deliver the right solutions to meet the needs of our customers," he said.

Shares of Great Eastern were trading at $21.62, one cent, or 0.05 per cent higher, at 9.23am on Monday.