SEPTEMBERASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK9China's Ping An Insurance posted a strong rise in profit for the first half of 2026, helped by better investment returns and a sharp improvement in its asset management business. Net profit attributable to shareholders rose 36% from a year earlier to 92.585 billion yuan ($13.78 billion) for the six months ended June 30. The figure was also above the average analyst estimate of 85.528 billion yuan.The results came as Chinese stock markets performed better during the first half of the year. Ping An's asset management business recorded a 236.8% increase in operating profit to 9.172 billion yuan. Overall operating profit rose 8.3% to 84.196 billion yuan, showing that investment returns played an important role in the company's performance. Indian appliance maker Atomberg Technologies has filed draft papers for an initial public offering (IPO), moving closer to a potential stock market listing as demand for energy-efficient and technology-led home appliances continues to grow.The proposed IPO includes a fresh issue of shares worth up to Rs 450 crore and an offer for sale of up to 76.5 million shares by existing investors. The company has not yet disclosed the total size of the IPO. The filing comes as India's consumer appliance market changes, with rising incomes, urbanisation and growing interest in premium products encouraging consumers to spend more on modern and energy-saving appliances. South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix has reached a preliminary agreement to pay 60% of its 2026 employee bonuses in company shares, with the remaining 40% paid in cash, according to a source familiar with the matter.The deal still needs approval from union members and follows weeks of talks between the company and its workers over how the bonuses should be paid. The proposed deal comes as SK Hynix enjoys strong growth from the global AI boom. Demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM), which is used in AI servers and data centres, has pushed the company's earnings higher. Vietnamese automaker TMT Motors is getting ready to launch one of the country's most affordable electric vehicles (EVs), with a starting price of about $5,650. The company is looking to attract buyers who want an affordable electric car but are not willing or able to spend heavily on a new vehicle.The launch comes as Vietnam's EV market continues to grow and competition increases. With more brands entering the market, low-cost EVs are becoming important for bringing electric cars to a wider group of consumers, particularly those living in cities. China and Indonesia will hold high-level talks on Friday to discuss China-Indonesia relations, security, political and economic issues as Jakarta continues to balance its relations with Beijing and Washington. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Jakarta for the first time in two years and is expected to meet Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments.The talks will also include a "2+2" meeting between the two countries' foreign and defence ministers. Regional security is likely to be a key topic after China and Indonesia held joint naval exercises earlier this month in waters east of Taiwan. The drills drew criticism from Taipei and raised attention around China's growing defence cooperation with Indonesia. PING AN PROFIT JUMPS 36% AS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIFTS FIRST-HALF GAINSVIETNAM'S TMT MOTORS TO LAUNCH $5,650 EV AS PRICE WAR HEATS UPATOMBERG TECHNOLOGIES FILES FOR IPO AS APPLIANCE DEMAND GROWSSK HYNIX TO PAY 60% OF EMPLOYEE BONUSES IN COMPANY STOCKCHINA & INDONESIA MINISTERS TO DISCUSS SECURITY, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
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