Strong growth, margin metrics could support LIC's valuations

In the September quarter (Q2FY25), LIC reported net premium income of ₹1.2 trillion, up 12 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y).

- DEVANGSHU DATTA

For H1FY25, net premium income grew 14 per cent Y-o-Y to ₹2.3 trillion. Net premiums are estimated to grow 8 per cent Y-o-Y during H2FY25.

The new business annual premium equivalent (APE) grew 26 per cent Y-o-Y in Q2FY25 to ₹16,470 crore, led by a 31 per cent Y-o-Y growth in individual APE to ₹11,420 crore and 15 per cent Y-o-Y growth in group APE to ₹5,050 crore. In H1FY25, new business APE grew 24 per cent Y-o-Y to ₹28,020 crore.

The net value of a new business (VNB) margins improved by 260 basis points Y-o-Y to 17.9 per cent, driven by a 47 per cent Y-o-Y growth in absolute VNB to ₹2,940 crore. For H1FY25, VNB grew 38 per cent Y-o-Y to ₹4,550 crore translating into a VNB margin of 16.2 per cent (14.6 per cent in H1FY24).

LIC reported 4 per cent Y-o-Y decline in shareholder net profit to ₹7,620 crore. For H1FY25, net profit grew 4 per cent Y-o-Y to ₹18,080 crore.