Asian woes take toll on AIA Group

Profit slumps 22%, but insurer still surprises with 50% increase in its final dividend

AIA Group Ltd, the third-largest Asia-based insurer by market value, has posted a 22 percent decline in full-year profit as weaker regional currencies and stock-market gyrations detracted from business growth.

The insurance company announced an unexpected 50 percent increase in its final dividend even as net income fell to $2.69 billion in the year to Nov 30, from $3.45 billion a year earlier.