What kind of company is AXA? What key developments in its history are worth noting?

In the more promising mainland Chinese market, AXA maintains strong confidence in China and continues deepening its presence across insurance, mutual funds, and asset management. It is the only foreign-owned company holding licenses for life insurance, property & casualty (P&C) insurance, and reinsurance. Note: As of now, only three entities hold all three licenses in mainland China—the other two being People’s Insurance Company of China (PICC) and China Taiping Insurance Group. In 1999, AXA partnered with China Minmetals Corporation to establish Jinsheng Life Insurance—the first life insurer approved after the establishment of the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC). Later, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), China’s largest bank (nicknamed “Big Four” or “Cosmic Bank”), became a shareholder, transforming the joint venture into ICBC-AXA Life Insurance. Leveraging ICBC’s extensive banking network, the company grew rapidly and consistently ranks among the industry leaders, maintaining the highest risk-comprehensive rating—AAA—for consecutive years. In 2014, AXA acquired a stake in Tianping P&C Insurance, later acquiring full ownership in 2019—making it China’s first 100%-foreign-owned P&C insurer. In 2020, AXA spearheaded the establishment of Xinli Reinsurance (the predecessor of AXA Global Reinsurance), becoming the first foreign-owned reinsurance legal entity in China—a landmark event symbolizing the opening-up of China’s insurance industry. In 2025, AXA Global Reinsurance became the first foreign-owned reinsurance company to set up operations at the Shanghai International Reinsurance Center. AXA’s Investment Portfolio AXA’s formidable financial strength in global finance is remarkable. It ranks among the world’s top-tier asset managers—consistently within the global top 20, far surpassing Hong Kong-based peers such as AIA, Prudential, and Manulife—and second only to Allianz Group in the insurance sector. As of end-2024, AXA managed assets exceeding USD 1 trillion—2.4 times the size of Hong Kong’s Exchange Fund (the world’s fifth-largest sovereign wealth fund)—and remains Europe’s largest asset manager. Note: Allianz’s PIMCO asset management headquarters is located in the United States. AXA’s asset management activities are primarily conducted through two subsidiaries: AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM), headquartered in France, and AllianceBernstein, based in the U.S.—both globally leading investment management firms. It should be noted that, due to the strategic realignment mentioned earlier, AXA plans to sell AXA IM to BNP Paribas for EUR 5.1 billion; the transaction has not yet formally closed. Going forward, AXA will focus on diversified insurance businesses and prioritize enhancing profitability. Reviewing AXA’s recently released '2024 Annual Report': In 2024, the company achieved total revenue of EUR 110 billion and net profit of EUR 7.9 billion. Its solvency ratio…

Why is AXA selling its trillion-dollar asset management division? What is driving its anxiety?

2. Unbearable 'Risk': For an insurer, the most valuable resource is its 'capital base'—the ultimate 'safety cushion' absorbing all risks and ensuring policyholder obligations are met. Yet its massive proprietary asset management business functions like a giant sponge, continuously absorbing and tying up precious capital that should instead be used to strengthen this safety cushion—thereby invisibly weakening the group’s overall risk resilience. 3. 'Strategic Focus': AXA’s Board looks further ahead. Its core strengths and fiduciary responsibilities lie in designing and delivering long-term, reliable insurance protection and savings solutions—not competing head-to-head with global professional asset management giants like BlackRock or Blackstone across every investment arena worldwide. Thus, AXA’s move is not simply abandoning a flagship business, but rather 'risk segmentation' and 'capability outsourcing'. Can you still hold your AXA policies? This is the top concern for all customers. My answer is: For those prioritizing long-term certainty over short-term windfalls, AXA today is more trustworthy than ever before. Why? Two key logics underpin this: First, investment capability is not diminished—it’s enhanced through 'specialized division of labor and collaboration between industry leaders'. Many mistakenly assume that selling its asset management arm means AXA can no longer invest. That’s entirely wrong. The strategic direction for growing your premium payments—e.g., how to allocate bonds versus equities over the next decade, or how to distribute investments across U.S., Asian, and European markets—is still determined by AXA’s world-class Investment Committee. The change lies in 'tactical execution': selecting specific government bonds or equity funds is now delegated to its new partner—BNP Paribas, a larger, highly specialized asset manager. This shift resembles upgrading from 'being both coach and player on the court' to 'focusing exclusively on being a world-class coach while hiring the best professional team to execute tactics'. In the highly specialized world of finance, this model is often more efficient and more resilient. Second, risk resilience is strengthened, and the 'dividend safety cushion' is thicker. The sale generates EUR 5.1 billion in real cash inflow—an 'ace-in-the-hole' for insurers facing crises. This cash infusion significantly bolsters AXA’s capital strength, enabling it to better smooth investment gains and losses during extreme market volatility, maintain stable dividend payouts, and honor decades-long policy commitments. Historical data shows AXA’s recent dividend payout ratio has remained steadily above 90%; a thicker capital buffer is the firmest foundation supporting this 'stability'…

Amundi Sells 51,262 Shares of Element Solutions Inc.

Sep 13, 2026

Amundi reduced its stake in Element Solutions Inc. by 39.4% in Q2, selling 51,262 shares. The company reported strong financial results with $0.47 EPS and maintains a consensus Buy rating from analysts.

MarketBeat

2026-02-17

Element Solutions Beats on Data Center Growth

2026-04-05

Element Solutions Completes Strategic Acquisitions, Boosting Growth Outlook

2026-04-07

Allspring Global Investments Reduces Stake in Element Solutions Inc.

2026-04-20

Element Solutions, Inc. Hits New 52-Week High of $39.60

2026-04-21

Element Solutions, Inc. Experiences Valuation Adjustment Amid Strong Market Performance Indicators