Great Eastern’s stock surged 5.12% during intraday trading on Friday, as investors cheered the insurer’s robust first-half results and a higher interim dividend.

The company reported a 43% year-on-year jump in profit attributable to shareholders to S$849.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026. Second-quarter profit more than doubled to S$503.2 million, driven by stronger insurance operating profit and improved investment performance. Total weighted new sales rose 15% to S$813.2 million, while new business embedded value climbed 28% to S$405.3 million, reflecting a shift toward higher-margin products.

The board declared an interim one-tier tax-exempt dividend of 35 Singapore cents per share, up 17% from the prior year, payable on August 28. Management attributed the earnings growth to higher insurance operating profit, steady emergence of in-force profits, favourable underwriting experience, and a rebound in investment returns during the second quarter.