FWD Group Holdings Limited reported strong new business profitability for the nine months ended 30 September 2026, with new business contractual service margin reaching US$1.4 billion, up 22 per cent year-on-year, and value of new business growing 18 per cent to US$878 million. The results, announced via NEWMEDIAWIRE, underscore the company's ability to drive margin expansion despite a challenging comparative period in 2025.
New business sales were US$1.95 billion on an annualised premium equivalent basis, with growth achieved even as the Hong Kong & Macau segment faced a strong prior-year comparison. The double-digit profitability growth stemmed from a deliberate shift in product mix, particularly in Hong Kong, where medium-term endowment sales had dominated in 2025. Structural demand for protection and wealth management solutions continued to evolve, and FWD Private, the group's high-net-worth unit, is now well established in international cross-border wealth hubs.
Huynh Thanh Phong, Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, attributed the performance to disciplined execution, margin expansion, and diversification across the pan-Asian platform. He noted that a diversified product mix drove excellent new business profitability in Hong Kong, while Thailand returned to new business sales growth in the last quarter. In Thailand, results reflected a focus on higher-margin product sales and a refreshed go-to-market strategy, partly offset by a sustained lower interest-rate environment. Japan delivered outstanding growth in new business sales and profitability, supported by a clear product strategy targeting savings and retirement solutions in a higher interest-rate environment. The Expansion Markets segment benefited from strong sales of investment-linked products in Singapore, increased sales to affluent customers in the Philippines, and a thriving digital channel in Malaysia. Meanwhile, FWD's joint venture in Indonesia, BRI Life, continues to lead the market in bancassurance.
The implications of this announcement are significant for FWD Group's trajectory as a listed company. In its first year on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the company has already garnered recognition for investor engagement, winning the Outstanding Listed Companies Award 2026 from the Hong Kong Institute of Financial Analysts and Professional Commentators, the Excellence Award for First-Year Listed Companies at the Hong Kong Management Association Best Annual Reports Awards 2026, and the Gold Award Annual Report Chairman's Letter (Insurance: Life & Health category) at the 40th International ARC Awards. These accolades, combined with robust new business profitability, suggest that FWD's strategy of balancing growth with margin discipline is resonating with both customers and shareholders.
Looking ahead, Asia's long-term protection, savings, and wealth opportunities remain substantial. FWD Group's customer-led and tech-enabled approach, serving over 40 million customers across 10 markets, positions it to capitalize on these trends. The company's ability to adapt its product mix and distribution strategies in response to shifting interest rates and customer needs will be critical as it seeks to sustain profitable growth. For more information, visit www.fwd.com. The original release is available on www.newmediawire.com.
