Goldman Sachs has released a report predicting that the market will react positively to AIA (01299.HK) +2.250 (+3.623%) Short selling $398.23M; Ratio 18.801% 's 1Q25 business update, as its value of new business (VONB) growth exceeded expectations despite a high base effect in the Chinese market.This outperformance reflected stronger-than-expected growth in the Hong Kong market, as well as robust growth in Thailand and Malaysia. AIA also noted that its new business contract service margin grew at a faster pace, which should provide favorable conditions for post-tax operating profit growth.Related NewsCiti Raises Yr-end Target for HSI to 25,000, Avoids Tariff Uncertainty by Liking Local StocksAIA's VONB rose by 8% YoY in the Chinese market before the impact of changes in economic assumptions. Considering that its 1Q24 VONB accounted for about 40% of the full year, Goldman Sachs considered this as solid underlying growth.Still seeing AIA's risk-reward profile as attractive, Goldman Sachs kept the Buy rating changed with a target price of $90.(HK stocks quote is delayed for at least 15 mins.Short Selling Data as at 2025-05-13 16:25.)