Update | Sector: Financials
12 Annual Global Investor Conference
th
HDFC Life
Mr Amitabh Chaudhary
MD and CEO
HDFC Life
Thematic
Presentation
Focus on “profitable growth”
Diversified product mix and strong distribution key strengths
We hosted Mr Amitabh Chaudhary, MD and CEO of HDFC Life as part of CEO Track at our
conference. Here are the key takeaways from his presentation.
HDFC Life has consistently adapted with changes in the life insurance space and has
emerged stronger. It enjoys (a) high persistency and conservation ratios, (b) diversified
product mix, (c) strong distribution, and (d) highest NBAP margins.
Post-merger with Max Life, it will become the largest private sector insurer, with (a) a
market share of ~11% (22-24% in private space), (b) diversified distribution platform,
and (c) wider product portfolio.
Merger synergies are likely to improve ROEV and NBAP margins, which are already
best-in-class at ~17% and ~20%, respectively. The merger process is expected to be
completed in 12-15 months.
Favorable macro backdrop; private sector market share back to 50%
The Indian life insurance industry is underdeveloped, with (a) insurance premium to
GDP of just 2.7% (7% of GDP v/s 5-15% for Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong and
Taiwan), (b) huge protection gap of 92%+ (opportunity size of USD8.55b as of 2014),
which is the highest in the region, (c) life insurance density of just USD43 v/s
USD153 in China. Other macroeconomic factors like increasing urbanization, high
savings rate, increasing awareness for protection products and demography will also
help in insurance premium growth at least in line with nominal GDP growth. Most
changes in regulations related to products and distribution are behind. For private
players, double-digit growth is back and market share has increased from 37% in
FY14 to 50%.
Larger players should gain significantly
Merger with Max Life will make the combined entity India’s largest private sector
life insurance company. The top-7 private players out of 23 have 77% of the
business v/s ~59% in FY11. The top-3 private players also contribute ~70% of the
private insurance space profitability. HDFC Life has a well-diversified product
portfolio, strong distribution platform, robust profitability and adequate
capitalization. It is likely to grow faster than the industry and its profitability would
be the highest. Insurance premium growth is expected to be 15%+ and large private
players would continue to gain market share at the cost of LIC and small private
insurance companies.
Alpesh Mehta
(Alpesh.Mehta@MotilalOswal.com)
Krishnan ASV
(A.Krishnan@MotilalOswal.com);+9122 61291571/Rahul
Gupta
(rahul.pgupta@MotilalOswal.com); +9122 61291544
September 2016
1
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