12th Aug 2014 08:41
LONDON (Alliance News) - Prudential PLC Tuesday upped its interim dividend by 15% to 11.19 pence per share, as it reported a 7% increase in operating profit based on longer-term investment returns before tax, though results were hurt by currency movements.
In a statement, the financial services group, which operates in Asia, the US and the UK, said it made a GBP1.52 billion operating profit in the six months ended June 30, compared with GBP1.42 billion in the corresponding period last year.
This was driven by Prudential's long-term business, such as life insurance, which showed an 18% increase to GBP686.0 million in the US, where Prudential targets the baby boomer generation through Jackson National Life Insurance Co, and a 10% increase to GBP374.0 million in the UK. In Asia, operating profit increased by 2% to GBP483.0 million, but the increase came to 19% at constant exchange rates. Similarly, the increase in US operating profit was higher at constant exchange rates, at 28%.
M&G, within Prudential's fund management arm, M&G Investments, saw its operating profit increase to GBP249.0 million from GBP225.0 million.
Shares were Tuesday quoted up 2.4% at 1,371.50p.
By Samuel Agini; [email protected]; @samuelagini
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