AIA Group, the Asian life insurance unit of American International Group Inc., has finalized its share price at HK$19.68 (US$2.53) a share, the upper limit of for its Hong Kong initial public offering set for Oct. 29.
The insurer said it has fully exercised the offer size adjustment option and increased by 20% the total offered number of AIA shares to 7.03 billion, from its original 5.86 billion.
If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option, the number of shares sold could increase by up to an additional 15%, to a maximum total offering of 8.08 billion shares of AIA, which would represent 67.1% of the issued and outstanding shares of the company, according to the insurer.
The offer price has been set at the top end of a target range, which Mark Tucker, AIA's group executive chairman and chief executive officer, said reflects "a very strong vote of confidence in AIA's future and our ability to capture and realize the exceptional growth potential of the Asia-Pacific region."
"The initial public offering is a critical turning point for AIA and we are delighted that it has been so positively received by investors around the world," said Tucker in a statement.
The market response reflected the "attractiveness and uniqueness" of the AIA franchise and its competitive advantages, which Tucker said include "a broad geographic footprint with leadership positions in six of its 15 markets, operational scale, large and established agency forces and full multichannel distribution capabilities, a market leading brand, a 100% ownership structure except in India, a complete suite of competitive products and a robust set of financials involving strong cash flow generation and no debt."
The global offering may raise US$14.1 billion for AIG to repay bailout funds to the U.S. government, according to AIA (BestWire, Oct. 18, 2010). If the underwriters exercise their full options, total funds raised could exceed US$20 billion.
U.K.-based Prudential plc failed to acquire AIA in June with an offering price of US$35.5 billion (BestWire, June 7, 2010).
As of May 31, 2010, AIA had total assets of US$95.74 billion, total equity attributable to shareholders of US$16.55 billion and an embedded value of US$21.98 billion.
The insurer also said it had capital in excess of its requirements under relevant Hong Kong insurance regulatory guidance, as well as in compliance with relevant capital adequacy requirements in its geographical markets.
AIA earlier noted that without unforeseen circumstances, its consolidated operating profit for the fiscal year ending Nov. 30, 2010 is expected to be "not less than US$2 billion." During the fiscal year, its consolidated operating profit after tax attributable to AIA's shareholders is expected to be at least US$1.6 billion, while its consolidated net profit attributable to shareholders is expected to be within the range of US$1.4 billion to US$2.3 billion.
The insurance group formed a new board of directors prior to its planned IPO in Hong Kong in early October. The board, led by Tucker, includes a former Hong Kong government chief, the head of Hong Kong's public railways system and a former China state-owned banking and commercial group chairman (BestWire, Oct. 5, 2010).
(By Rebecca Ng, Hong Kong news editor: Rebecca.Ng@ambest.com)
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