Insurance firms struggle to attract investors despite good performance

Insurance companies performed well in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic, but their shares have not attracted much attention from investors.
Insurance firms struggle to attract investors despite good performance ảnh 1Share prices of BVH decreased more than 4 percent despite an increase of 29.4 percent in the company's profit after taxes. (Photo: baoviet.com)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Insurance companies performed well in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic, buttheir shares have not attracted much attention from investors.

There are 11 insurance firms listed in Vietnam's stock market with threecompanies onUPCOM.

In 2020, Bao Minh Insurance Corporation (BMI) shares recorded a growth ofnearly 22 percent, while Bao Viet Holdings (BVH) and BIDV Insurance Corporation(BIC) decreased by 4.3 percent and 9 percent respectively.

In the third quarter of 2020, BMI reported revenue from premiums of 905.48billion VND, an increase of 2.1percent year-on-year, while profit before tax increased nearly 47 percent to 78.89billion VND, according to thirdquarter financial results. In the first nine months of 2020, profit after taxesreached more than 158.4 billion VND,up 15 percent year-on-year.

BVH and BIC also witnessed big returns during the same period. BVH earned 9,593billion VND from premiums in thethird quarter, up 6.2 percent year-on-year, while profit after tax up 29.4percent to 473.31 billion VND.

Similarly, BIC saw an increase of nearly 13 percent year-on-year to 697.3billion VND in premiums revenue, withprofit after tax of 755.9 billion VND,up nearly 21 percent.

Data from the Ministry of Finance showed in the first eleven months of 2020,premiums revenue from insurance firms rose 16 percent year-on-year to 449.4trillion VND. Of which, revenue fromnon-life insurance reached 54.2 trillion VND,and from life insurance 111.6 trillion VND.

In 2020, total premiums revenue was expected to reach 182.7 trillion VND, up 15 percentyear-on-year.

The growth of the insurance market has been stable so far, but its size in themarket is still small compared to its capability. Experts see further room forthe market to expand.

According to a report from Bao Viet Securities, Vietnam is among countries withthe fastest growth in the insurance sector during the 2016 – 2020 period, onthe back of diverse needs in social welfare and medical care, as well as risinginsurance needs in retirement, especially in a health crisis like last year.

Some companies, such as BVH, PVI Holdings (PVI) and Post-Telecommunication JointStock Insurance Corporation (PTI), have attracted more new customers thanothers.

With potential in expanding activities in many areas and connecting to bigfinancial organisations, the demand for capital among insurance providers willincrease gradually.

Focus on small companies

Instead of big companies, investors sought more interests in small insurancefirms such as Bao Long Insurance Corporation (BLI), Agriculture Bank InsuranceJoint Stock Corporation (ABI), PTI or Petrolimex Insurance Corporation (PGI).

In 2020, the price of small insurance companies' shares also rose sharply, suchas BLI shares price increased nearly 49 percent, ABI rose 34.8 percent, PTI up24.3 percent, and PGI up nearly 20 percent.

However, the growth can not be compared to other sectors like banking which wasup more than 100 percent, such as Saigon Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB)which increased more than 153 percent.

Since insurance is a part of the financial sector, it's market expectation isas high as banking or security, Nguyen Hong Khanh, head of analytics of VietnamInternational Securities Joint Stock Company (VISE), toldtinnhanhchungkhoan.vn. But the number of insurance stocks in the market isstill low, so investors' attention is diverted to other sectors.

While investors are still searching for new and promising investments, there isa possibility they will only focus on well-known insurance firms with aproven track record and high potential for growth./.
VNA

See more

Industrial factories in Tan Uyen city, the southern province of Binh Duong (Photo: VNA)

Investors upbeat about Vietnam’s industrial property market

Investors are bullish on Vietnam's industrial property market growth on the back of the nation's strategic location, sound infrastructure, and increasing demand for industrial space, particularly industrial parks that meet green standards, according to market research.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the EU Nguyen Van Thao addresses the forum (Photo: VNA)

Forum connects Vietnamese, Belgian busineses

The Vietnam-Belgian business forum took place in Brussels on October 23, offering a chance for enterprises of the two countries to introduce their products and explore new cooperation opportunities.

The expos cover over 6,000 sq.m, drawing over 210 exhibitors from 10 countries and territories. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi hosts textile & garment, fabric garment accessories expos

The Vietnam Hanoi Textile & Garment Industry and Fabric Garment Accessories Expos 2024 (HanoiTex & HanoiFabric 2024) is taking place in Hanoi on October 23 – 25 as part of a series of international exhibitions on Vietnam's textile and garment industry.

Representatives from Vietnamese and Lao agencies, localities and businesses at the opening ceremony of the Vietnam-Laos trade fair 2024 in Xiengkhouang province. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos step up trade, tourism promotion

A Vietnam-Laos trade fair was kicked off in Phonsavanh township in Xiengkhouang province of Laos on October 23 as part of activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the traditional day of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos (October 30, 1949 – 2024).

Illustrative photo (Photo: chinhphu.vn)

Vietnamese goods enter US through global supply chain

The Saigon Co.op Distribution Company Limited (SCD) - a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Trade Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op), and STC Natural Vina Company on October 23 held a hand-over ceremony for goods that will be exported to the US.

Vietnam’s lobsters have clawed their way back onto Chinese menus after a suspension. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s lobsters claw back prominence in China

Vietnam’s lobster export to the Chinese market in January-September rose 33 folds year-on-year on the back of lower prices and stronger trade ties between the two nations, the South China Morning Post said on October 22.