Sony Life Insurance Co. and major Dutch insurer AEGON Group (AEG) stated their joint venture in Japan has got a life insurance business license from the Financial Services Agency (FSA). The collaboration will start business operations in December.   The new company will be known as AEGON Sony Life Insurance Co. (ASLIC) with equal equity ownership of Sony Life and AEGON. ASLIC will sell variable annuity insurance products.   The intention to establish the life insurance company was announced on Jan 25, 2007. The joint venture had originally planned to begin sales in 2008. But the global financial crisis prompted the FSA to adopt tougher regulations, forcing the venture to postpone its business operations.   To help prepare for a comfortable post-retirement life, the demand for variable annuities is expected to grow among the aging population in Japan. Japan is one of the most rapidly aging societies with ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 27, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: China Life Insurance Company (LFC), American International Group (AIG), Deutsche Bank (DB), Morgan Stanley (MS) and Amgen (AMGN).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:

China Life’s Profits Grow

China Life Insurance Company (LFC), the leading life insurer in China, has posted a 15% rise in profits in the first half of 2009 compared to the prior-year period. The company earned 18.2 billion yuan ($2.7 billion) in the first half

...

China Life Insurance Company (LFC), the leading life insurer in China, has posted a 15% rise in profits in the first half of 2009 compared to the prior-year period. The company earned 18.2 billion yuan ($2.7 billion) in the first half of 2009 driven by gains realized on financial investments. The gains stemmed from the capital market rally in China. Gross yield on its investments in the period was up 3.27% from 2.31%. Gross written premiums and policy fees were up 11% to 87.86 billion yuan. The increase was mainly attributable to an increase in its insurance business. Renewal premiums grew 23% year-over-year, while the proportion of renewal premiums to gross written premiums increased to 66.84% in the first half of 2009 from 60.44% in the year-ago period. The company said that it may invest in AIA, which is planning a Hong Kong initial public offering ...

On Jul 27, 2009, Reinsurance Group of America (RGA) reported its second quarter 2009 results. Followed by a tough first quarter, reported earnings were $2.10 per share, compared with $1.73 last year. Excluding items, earnings came in at $1.79 per share, compared with $1.71 in the prior year period.   Results beat our expectations of $1.45 per share; consensus expected $1.39.   Net premiums increased modestly by 1.22% to $1.38 billion. Net investment income was $284.6 million, up from $254.8 million last year. Book value was $45.90 per share, compared with $45.04 last year.   Looking forward, we believe certain factors will affect RGA’s business in the medium term. Firstly, the aging population in North America is seeing increased demand for financial products among Baby Boomers. This trend is likely to result in continuing demand for annuity products and life insurance policies, larger face amount of life insurance policies ...

Investing Globally: The Risks & Benefits of Foreign Stock Diversification

by Alexander Green, Oxford Club Investment Director

A few years ago, I was on a panel on investing globally at a financial conference in New York.

The moderator asked each of us what percentage of a U.S. investor’s stock portfolio should be diversified into international markets.

Answers varied. But the fellow next to me - who specialized in insurance and annuity products - had a definite point of view.

“I’ll tell you right now,” he said in a loud, confident tone, “I wouldn’t buy international nuthin’.”

As you might expect, this elicited a few chuckles from the audience.

Investing Globally - The Risks Involved

But this panelist was dead serious, and he pointed out political risk, economic risk and currency risk. And he summed it all up by proclaiming there was plenty of investment opportunities right here in the “Good ol’ U.S.

...

Iowa is home to seven of the top 1000 companies in the United States. Surrounded by two great American rivers, The Mississippi, and the Missouri, connected by multiple interstate highways, and U.S. Highways, as well as several big airports, it is no wonder that Iowa does business with the world. Here are some interesting facts about the state:1. Iowa is the number one producer of pork.2. Iowa is number one in egg production.3. The state has over 400 certified organic farms.4. 37% of Iowa’s exports go to Canada, 15% to Mexico, and 7.8% to Japan.5. Iowa’s top exports are: machinery, transportation, and electrical equipment.6. The manufacturing industry constitutes 22.2% of Iowa’s gross state product.7. Trade, transportation and Warehousing employ the largest number of people in the state.8. Almost 90% of the state territory is used for ...