Shares of Central China New Life Ltd (09983.HK) plummeted 5.56% in early trading on Thursday, following the release of the company's annual financial results for the previous fiscal year. The significant drop suggests that investors may be disappointed with the company's performance or outlook.

According to the financial report released late Wednesday, Central China New Life reported revenue of RMB 2,952.2 million for the fiscal year. The company's gross margin stood at 21.7%, while net income reached RMB 238.2 million. Despite these figures, the market reaction indicates that the results may have fallen short of investor expectations or revealed concerns about the company's future prospects.

In an effort to maintain shareholder value, Central China New Life announced a final dividend of HK$7.36 cents per share. However, this dividend announcement appears to have done little to offset the negative sentiment driving the stock's decline. As trading continues, investors and analysts will likely scrutinize the full financial report to better understand the factors contributing to the market's bearish reaction.