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Interim management report and

7th Aug 2008 07:00

RNS Number : 8199A
Friends Provident PLC
07 August 2008
 



7 August 2008

Friends Provident plc - Interim management report and results for the half year ended 30 June 2008

Headlines

Significant progress made towards implementing our new strategy

Friends Provident International making very good progress with 57% growth in new business while delivering superior returns

UK results reflect difficult trading conditions but are in line with management expectations

Risk mitigation actions have provided around £250m of support to already strong financial position

Dividend paying capacity confirmed at £90m to £100m with declared interim dividend cost of £30m 

IFRS underlying profit* before tax down to £13m (2007: £111m) including one-off charge of £70m due to prudent reserving for annuities driven by corporate bond market value movements

Sir Adrian Montague, chairman, said:

"The strong headway made in implementing our new strategy, coupled with other timely initiatives taken to reduce our exposure to financial markets, has enabled the company to weather the subsequent sharp economic downturn more favourably than otherwise would have been the case. Our business has no need to raise capital to fund growth, and our revised dividend policy remains sustainable. The strategy is not dependent on achieving asset sales but any proceeds from any asset sales that are completed will still be returned in full to shareholders. The financial results are a reflection of the actions to implement the strategy and the prevailing economic conditions. But this should not mask the fact that a stronger and more profitable business will emerge when the strategy is fully implemented. We are building firm foundations for future growth in the business and in dividends and I am delighted that Trevor Matthews has now joined us to take the business forward."

Strategy

 

Significant progress has been made towards implementation of our strategy to focus on less capital intensive market segments and to become self financing.

New terms implemented for pensions and savings products to reduce capital strain of new business

Management structure, sales and customer services operations reorganised to reflect changed market focus

Annualised cost savings of £11m delivered against the £40m target for end of 2009, with around 350 of the expected 600 job losses notified by 30 June 2008

Non-Core Operations

Continue to explore options for Lombard in challenging environment

F&C process making satisfactory progress 

Implementation of strategy not dependent on sales of any assets

International Life & Pensions

 

Friends Provident International continues to make very good progress with new business up 57%. In line with strategy, this business has grown faster than the UK at superior profitability, hence improving aggregate returns.

UK Life & Pensions

 

As expected and announced at the time of the strategic review, short term reported financial results are adversely affected by execution of the planned withdrawal from certain market segments. This has been exacerbated by tough investment markets and by the slowdown in UK new business volumes. This context reinforces our aims to reduce costs and improve returns through implementation of the strategy.

Financial Strength

 

Despite the slowdown in UK new business and the falls in financial markets, the business remains well-capitalised, does not need to raise further capital and its annual dividend paying capacity is still £90m to £100m as indicated in the strategy announcement in January 2008 

Estimated £1.0 billion excess of group solvency capital resources over requirements

Pro forma embedded value* per share 151p (31 December 2007: 160p) benefited from our actions in 2007 to reduce equity risk

Switching shareholder funds and pension fund assets out of equities and reinsuring £1.6bn of annuities and £0.3bn from the Friends Provident Pension Scheme has avoided £250m of losses 

Declared interim dividend of £30m or 1.30p per share in line with previously announced policy

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

IFRS underlying profit* before tax

£13m

£111m

Shareholder cash (outflow)/generation

£(121)m

£175m

Contribution from new business*

£67m

£95m

Internal rate of return on new business*

12.6%

13.7%

Cash payback on new business*

11 years

10 years

EEV underlying profit* before tax

£211m

£264m

Pro forma embedded value*

£3,502m

£3,725m#

Group solvency excess capital resources

£1.0bn

£1.3bn#

Interim dividend per share 

1.30p

2.70p

IFRS underlying earnings per share

1.2p

4.6p

IFRS underlying dividend cover

0.6 times

1.1 times

IFRS (loss)/profit before tax from continuing operations

£(221)m

£102m

Basic (loss)/earnings per share 

(2.6)p

2.2p

Total shareholder return

(34)%

(15)%

Financial Performance Indicators

* As defined within Appendix 4

# As at 31 December 2007

- Ends -

For further information, please contact:

Nick Boakes

Friends Provident plc

+44 (0) 845 641 7814

Peter Timberlake

Friends Provident plc

+44 (0) 845 641 7834

Chris Ford

Friends Provident plc

+44 (0) 845 641 7832

Christine O'Grady

Friends Provident press office

+44 (0) 845 641 7837

Vanessa Neill

Finsbury Limited

+44 (0) 20 7251 3801

Alex Simmons

Finsbury Limited

+44 (0) 20 7251 3801

Ref: I063

Notes to editors:

1. An interview with Sir Adrian Montague, chairman, Trevor Matthews, chief executive officer and Jim Smart, chief financial officer, will be available to view in video, audio and text formats at www.friendsprovident.com and www.cantos.com from 7.00am today.

2. An analyst presentation will take place at 9.00am today at the London Stock Exchange, 10 Paternoster SquareLondonEC4M 7LS.

3. The analyst presentation will be webcast live from 9.00am and will be available on demand from 2.00pm on the Friends Provident website: www.friendsprovident.com/results

4. The presentation slides will be available from 9.00am today on www.friendsprovident.com/presentations

5. For more information on Friends Provident including, photos, awards, fast facts, presentations, and media contacts please visit the media section at www.friendsprovident.com/media

6. Financial reporting dates

Dividend dates:

Shares go ex dividend

15 October 2008

Record date

17 October 2008

Dividend paid

21 November 2008

Financial Reporting Calendar:

F&C Asset Management plc interim management statement 

including quarter 3 funds under management

and business flows announcement

31 October 2008

Friends Provident interim management statement including 

quarter 3 new business

31 October 2008

7. Certain statements contained in this announcement constitute 'forward-looking statements'. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements, from time to time, of Friends Provident plc, its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings or industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, adverse changes to laws or regulations; risks in respect of taxation; unforeseen liabilities from product reviews; asset shortfalls against product liabilities; changes in the general economic environment; levels and trends in mortality, morbidity and persistency; restrictions on access to product distribution channels; increased competition; and the ability to attract and retain personnel. These forward-looking statements are made only as at the date of this announcement and, save where required in order to comply with the Listing Rules, there is no obligation on Friends Provident plc to update such forward-looking statements.

Interim Management Report

OVERVIEW

The first half results reflect challenging trading conditions in UK life and pensions, where we have implemented significant changes to our operations related to our new strategy. Careful management of equity risk within shareholder funds, the FPLP With Profits Fund and our pension scheme has limited the impact of tough investment markets. Friends Provident International continued to perform well, taking advantage of opportunities in Hong Kong, the Middle East and Germany. Our new chief executive officer, Trevor Matthews, joined the board of Friends Provident plc on 31 July 2008. Charles Bellringer also joined the board on 4 August 2008 in the role of interim chief financial officer (CFO). He is expected to be with Friends Provident until a permanent CFO is appointed. 

For the half year, the Group recorded an underlying profit before tax on the IFRS basis of £13m, down 88% (2007: £111m). The main reason for the decline is a widening of corporate bond credit spreads by around 60 basis points, which has led to a charge of £70m related to annuity business. As indicated in the 2007 preliminary results, this is a prudent approach to reserving. The effect will reverse either if spreads contract, or on bond maturity if the increase in defaults implied by the spread widening does not occur. The appropriate sensitivity remains that each basis point widening of spreads causes a change in reserving and hence reduction in profit of about £1m.

Excluding the non-core operations (Lombard, F&C and Pantheon) the IFRS underlying profit, before one-off items, was £45m (2007: £63m). The difference year-on-year mainly resulted from a lower return on shareholder funds of £22m (2007: £38m) reflecting our decision in 2007 to reduce the equity investment in these funds to almost zero. Underlying earnings per share for the half year were 1.2 pence (2007: 4.6 pence) covering the dividend 0.6 times (1.1 times).

Shareholder cash generation before financing items was an outflow of £121m (2007: inflow of £175m). This includes a negative item for investment returns of £106m, of which £70m results mainly from the cost of the additional annuity reserving described above, and £32m from a reduction in market values of shareholder assets. We have reflected a charge of £15m for the cost to date of implementing our new strategy and a one-off contribution of £20m was also made to the Friends Provident Pension Scheme. The first half result in 2007 benefited from a £56m one-off surplus on an annuity reinsurance deal and investment returns of £81m. Absent these one-offs and volatility in investment returns, the business is approaching being cash neutral and should be able to grow cash flow and hence dividend in future years.

Contribution from new business at £67m was down 29% (2007: £95m). The 2007 contribution is as reported last half year before the year-end embedded value basis changes for persistency and recategorisation of development costs. Adjusting for these items, the equivalent figure in 2007 would have been £76m. The UK contribution declined owing to lower volumes, particularly in Protection, whereas costs were similar. Reported annuity margins were particularly low in the first quarter. FPI contribution, however, increased by 38% to £22m (2007: £16m) due to increased regular premium savings sales in Hong Kong and pension sales in Germany.

Internal rate of return on new business (IRR) declined to 12.6% (2007: 13.7%). As indicated in our strategic review announcement in January 2008, while the overall impact of the strategy when fully implemented is expected to be a 2% improvement in IRR, we expected IRR to decline in 2008 as the smaller business volumes initially have to support a similar overhead cost. The reduction in 2008 results in part from the 16% decline in Protection volumes. The 2007 figure also reflects the reported UK IRR of 11.9%, which adjusted for the year-end persistency and expense changes would have been around 10.9%. Cash payback has lengthened to 11 years (2007: 10 years) driven by the same factors that drove IRR. 

The pro forma Embedded Value decreased to £3,502m or 151p per share  (31 December 2007: £3,725m or 160p per share). The payment of the final dividend for 2007 together with the reduction in the market value of F&C's shares were greater than the increase from new business and reduced liabilities for the market value of Friends Provident's own corporate debt. Without the benefit of the de-risking actions implemented in 2007, we estimate that the embedded value would have been further reduced by around £250m.

The Group remains well capitalised with excess capital resources over Group Solvency requirements of £1.0bn (31 December 2007: £1.3bn), with the main changes being £0.1bn for payment of final 2007 dividend to shareholders and transfer of £0.1bn in to long-term funds.

NON-CORE OPERATIONS

The January 2008 strategy announcement indicated that the Group had three

Wealth Management businesses which no longer fitted with the revised strategy.

Each of the businesses is successful in their own right and has good prospects.

The Board thus set out to establish how value could best be maximised for

shareholders.

Since announcing the outcome of its strategic review on 31 January, Friends Provident has received a number of proposals for Lombard which offered the prospect of returning value to shareholders. However, the current credit and regulatory environment have made the implementation of these proposals challenging. We are continuing to explore proposals in relation to the future of the business through discussions with a number of parties, but there can be no certainty of achieving a sale in the near term. Lombard remains an excellent business and it has performed well despite the uncertainty caused by this process. 

The Board of F&C is making satisfactory progress in leading the F&C process, and, as previously noted, we would expect any further update to come well in to the second half. We continue to seek a suitable outcome for our stake in F&C, with the option to make a pro-rata distribution of the stake to shareholders if a suitable alternative is not available.

The Board has taken the decision to retain ownership of Pantheon Financial as it

believes at this time it cannot realise value for shareholders by disposal. 

As we made clear last January, the implementation of Friends Provident's new  strategy, which is well under way, is not dependent on sales of any assets. In the event of successful sales any proceeds will be returned to shareholders.

STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION

The Board announced in January 2008 a revised strategy which aimed to maximise value for shareholders by concentrating on our core skills of manufacturing and administering life and pension products. Within this, we will focus more on growing profitability rather than on volume. The objective is to do this while living within our means by focusing on segments of the market in which we have competitive advantage, by paying fewer commissions, by reducing cost and by reducing the dividend. As a result, the new strategy does not require us to raise further equity or debt. This remains the case and, in current market circumstances, the Board remains convinced that the strategy is the right one for the company. Key distributor reaction has been understanding of the change of strategy, and there is no evidence to date that the changes in market position that result from our new strategy have adversely affected persistency experience.

Our strategy seeks to reduce ongoing costs but planned savings have not been anticipated in our reported figures. We believe that, if we can maintain our market share in protection as the cycle reverses and win more new pension schemes in the nil commission market, some of the effect of reduced volumes on measures of new business profitability will reverse. However, available returns in the UK market are likely to remain low. Therefore the company's strategy is to continue to grow its FPI business faster than the UK. Given its higher profitability and its shorter cash payback, this will improve aggregate returns.

Despite the difficult trading environment we have made good progress in implementing the changes which will be required to deliver the new strategy. During the half year, we have:

Implemented new terms for Group and Individual Pensions and no longer offer new schemes on an unfunded initial commission basis; 

Launched enhancements to our e-Select platform to support its position in the Protection market;

Revised our range of savings products in the UK to reduce commission and to increase profitability; 

Continued to drive growth in our Friends Provident International operations through promotional activity, product launches and writing increased business through distribution arrangements;

Stopped our development of a wrap platform, which required considerable outlay but where available returns were unclear;

Allocated responsibility for each element of ongoing cost base reduction, to be delivered without impacting customer service levels or fair treatment of customers; 

Reorganised our sales force to align it with the tighter market focus, including closure of 10 area offices;

Reorganised customer services operations to align with the revised ambitions for new business;

Initiated a review of outsourcing of IT operations to support the delivery of the targeted cost savings by end-2009;

Reorganised senior management and governance structures simplifying and streamlining decision making; and

Issued around 350 staff with notice of redundancy as a result of the actions above.

The strategy aims to deliver cost savings of at least £40m p.a., or 15% of the 2007 cost base, by the end of 2009 which includes reducing the workforce by 600. The implementation costs of achieving the savings are expected to be £60m. The changes mentioned above have so far resulted in a full year run rate of savings of £11m p.a. Implementation costs incurred in the half year were £15m. In embedded value reporting, acquisition costs are reported as incurred within contribution of new business, while maintenance costs are capitalised in embedded value. The cost savings to date can be analysed as an estimated £9m in acquisition and £2m in maintenance. The Board anticipates that the £40m saving will be delivered broadly as £23m in acquisition and £17m in maintenance cost savings. None of the maintenance savings has yet been capitalised in Embedded Value.

DIVIDEND AND SHARE CAPITAL

In line with the dividend policy announced at the time of the strategic review, the Board proposes an interim dividend of 1.30 pence per share, a reduction of 52% (2007: 2.70 pence). This dividend will cost £30m, being around one third of the £90m to £100m expected annual dividend paying capacity of the ongoing business. The Board will take this capacity into account when deciding the year-end dividend per share but would anticipate the cost of the final dividend being £60m to £70m (2007: £123m) in line with the new policy. The consequent reduction in pence per share may be offset to some extent by any reduction of shares in issue due to return of proceeds from disposal of non-core businesses. The Board continues to believe that its new strategy holds out the prospect of growing the dividend per share in real terms from the revised level.

Any proceeds from disposal of our non-core businesses will result in a structured return of capital involving a capital reorganisation of the group and the pro-rata distribution of capital to our shareholders. It is our expectation that this would be treated as capital, not income, for tax purposes and the return of capital would have the effect of reducing the issued share capital of the group.

During the half-year no ordinary shares in the company were issued and at  30 June 2008 the issued share capital excluding treasury shares amounted to 2,323m ordinary shares of 10p each (31 December 2007: 2,323m shares).  At 6 August 2008 the number of shares in issue were 2,323m shares. 

BUSINESS REVIEW

New Business - Annual Premium Equivalent (APE)

Half year ended

30 June

Change

2008

2007

%

£m

£m

Protection

(16)

28.9

34.6

Pensions

- Group pensions

(1)

241.2

244.5

- Individual pensions

(37)

20.4

32.3

- DWP rebates

6

9.2

8.7

Total pensions

(5)

270.8

285.5

Annuities

(5)

13.9

14.6

Savings & Investments

(78)

6.0

27.1

Total UK Life & Pensions 

(12)

319.6

361.8

FPI

57

117.2

74.6

Lombard

8

70.2

64.8

Total International Life & Pensions

34

187.4

139.4

Total

1

507.0

501.2

Total new business in the half year on an APE basis is £507.0m, in line with first half 2007 (2007: £501.2m).

Our strategy in the UK is to focus on offering protection, segments of the group pensions market, and annuities for our existing pensions customers. We now offer individual pensions and savings and investment products only where suitable returns are available. New business in the UK is £319.6m, a decrease of 12% (2007: £361.8m). Protection sales are down 16% reflecting the housing market slowdown affecting the market for mortgage-related protection products. Group Pension sales are flat year on year. Within this £45m were new schemes written this year carrying initial commission, which we have now ceased to write. Individual pensions are down 37% as a consequence of ceasing to offer initial commission on new policies. Annuity sales are down 5% although we maintained a conversion rate of over 40% of our maturing pension policies. Savings & Investment sales were down 78% following the closure of the previous unprofitable product suite.

International new business is £187.4m, an increase of 34% (2007: £139.4m). FPI sales were up 57% year-on-year in the first half owing mainly to competitive pricing of the Premier regular premium savings product in the Hong Kong market. IRR for this product is below FPI's average and so FPI's reported IRR is lower for first half 2008 than in first half 2007. However this opportunity is in line with our strategy to grow FPI business faster than the UK and thus enhance overall profitability. Lombard sales benefited from currency fluctuations and were up 8% with increased sales in Northern Europe offsetting lower sales in Southern Europe.

Impact of reporting changes

The change in embedded value basis implemented at the end of 2007 had revised assumptions for persistency and for future maintenance and corporate costs. This basis change has a material effect on underlying profit, contribution from new business, internal rate of return (IRR) and cash payback. In accordance with our normal practice, we have not restated the 2007 half year figures for the basis change. 

These effects on the UK results can be summarised as follows:

Contribution

from New

Cash 

Business

IRR 

Payback 

(£m)

(%)

(Years)

June 2007 (as reported)

62

11.9 

11 

Basis changes implemented at year-end

2007 (persistency, PS06/14 reserving

changes)

(11)

(0.2)

Capitalisation of £20m p.a. 

development costs

(8)

(0.8)

June 2007 (year end basis)

43 

10.9 

14 

Reduction in volumes

(14)

(0.9)

Price and mix effects

(2)

0.9 

June 2008 

27 

10.9 

16 

As indicated at the time of the announcement of the strategic review, profitability has declined as, in the short term, lower volumes are available to cover the same cost base. The strategy is to reverse the impact on overall results in the coming years by reducing the cost base and by refocusing the mix of business on higher profitability areas of the market, especially through FPI.

Present Value of New Business Premiums (PVNBP) and Contribution/Margin from New Business:

Half year ended 30 June 2008

Half year ended 30 June 2007

PVNBP

Contribution

Margin

PVNBP

Contribution

Margin

£m

£m

%

£m

£m

%

Protection

169

3.8 

202

14

7.1

Pensions

- Group pensions

1,165

0.7 

1,298

23

1.8

- Individual pensions

158

1.2 

256

5

2.1

- DWP rebates

92

9.6 

87

8

8.9

Total pensions

1,415

20 

1.4 

1,641

36

2.2

Annuities

139

1.6 

146

9

6.4

Savings & Investments

58

(0.7)

268

1

0.5

Other/roundings

-

(1)

-

2

-

Total UK Life & Pensions 

1,781

27 

1.5 

2,257

62

2.7

FPI

737

22 

3.0 

523

16

3.1

Lombard

702

18 

2.6 

648

17

2.7

Total International 

Life & Pensions

1,439

40 

2.8 

1,171

33

2.8

Total

3,220

67 

2.1 

3,428

95

2.8

Reported PVNBP is £3,220m, down 6% (2007: £3,428m) driven by the same factors as discussed in the commentary on APE. The 2007 reported figures are however not directly comparable as they do not reflect changes in the embedded value basis. The persistency assumption changes implemented at the end of 2007 have the effect of reducing the reported figures for Pensions and for Savings & Investments.

Contribution from new business is £67m, down 29% on 2007. Protection contribution fell significantly as lower volumes and hence income was not offset by lower costs. Group Pensions margin reduced reflecting mainly persistency assumption changes at year end 2007. Reported annuity contribution is much reduced due to higher corporate bond spreads not being reflected in our market consistent embedded value methodology. As discussed below this currently makes contribution an unreliable measure of profitability of annuity business.

Contribution from International new business is £40m, up 21% (2007: £33m). FPI contribution is £22m, an increase of 38%. Lombard's contribution from new business was £18m, up 6% with some positive benefit from exchange rate movements.

Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and cash payback of new business

Half year ended

Half year ended

30 June 2008

30 June 2007

Cash

Cash

IRR

payback

IRR

payback

% p.a.

Years 

% p.a.

Years

Protection

8.6

11

11.2

8

Group pensions

7.9

23

9.4

17

Savings & Investments

6.1

n/a

8.6

18

Total UK Life & Pensions 

10.9

16

11.9

11

FPI

15.7

7

23.0

4

Lombard

17.4

7

23.2

5

Total International Life & Pensions

16.4

7

23.1

4

Total Life & Pensions

12.6

11

13.7

10

Reported IRR in the UK has reduced following the year end 2007 change in embedded value basis for expenses and persistency. In addition, as noted above, no credit has been taken for future cost savings and, as a result, the currently similar-sized cost base is allocated across a smaller business thus reducing IRR and increasing cash payback. Protection IRR is further reduced by the fall in volumes against a relatively fixed cost base.

FPI IRR reduced to 15.7% reflecting competitive pricing of regular premium products especially in Hong Kong, as described above.

Protection

Half year ended

30 June

Change % 

2008 

2007

New business (APE)

 (16)

£28.9m

£34.6m

Market share (first quarter for 2008)

 (5)

5.7%

6.0%

Contribution from new business

(57)

£6m

£14m

VNB Margin (PVNBP)

(46)

3.8%

7.1%

IRR 

(23)

8.6%

11.2%

New business strain 

(56)

£21m

£48m

Cash payback 

38 

11 years

8 years

Cash generation

n/a

£7m

£0m

IFRS underlying profit 

17 

£7m

£6m

In-force premiums 

£318m

£300m*

* as at 31 December 2007

Protection sales are down 16%. The main driver of this was reduced turnover in the housing market. Council of Mortgage Lenders data estimates housing transactions to be down around 35% down year-on-year. Of the £29m APE total, term assurance sales were around £12m, critical illness around £8m and income protection around £5m. Critical illness business declined sharply due to increased competition in this market both on price and policy conditions. Group income protection business is up 6% to around £4m. In total, our market share is down slightly.

The declines in protection margin, IRR and cash payback primarily reflect lower volumes against a relatively fixed cost base. Competitive pressure and mix impacts are less significant. New business strain is lower after incorporating the PS06/14 reserving basis changes and reflecting lower volumes. As a result cash generation and IFRS underlying profit were both modestly positive.

Despite the lower volumes, the size of the Protection book grew with in-force annual premiums increasing over the first half from £300m to £318m.

We have continued to enhance our protection offering, including improvements to new business processing and adding our income protection product to our eSelect platform. However protection volumes are expected to continue to remain modest as a result of the subdued housing market. Profitability will consequently remain low in the short term although the planned cost reductions will mitigate the impact. The Board continues to believe that Protection is an attractive market albeit one which is cyclical. The company's aim is to maintain market share through the cycle and to improve profitability as volumes increase later in the cycle. There are, however, no indicators of an immediate market upturn.

Pensions

£m 

Pensions assets under management - 31 Dec 2007

7,595 

Regular contributions 

602 

Transfers in and lump sum contributions

433 

Transfers out and retirements

(249)

Investment return

(755)

Pensions assets under management - 30 June 2008

7,626 

Half year ended

30 June

Change %

2008

2007

New business strain 

(23)

£58m

£75m

Cash outflow 

(25)

£(41)m

£(55)m

IFRS underlying loss 

-

£(26)m

£(26)m

In-force annual premiums 

10 

£1,370m

£1,241m*

Group pensions:

New business (APE) 

(1)

£241.2m

£244.5m

Contribution from new business 

(61)

£9m

£23m

VNB Margin (PVNBP)

(61)

0.7%

1.8%

Cash Payback

35 

23 years

17 years

IRR 

(16)

7.9%

9.4%

Individual pensions:

New business (APE) 

(37)

£20.4m

£32.3m

Contribution from new business 

(60)

£2m

£5m

DWP rebates:

New business (APE)

£9.2m

£8.7m

Contribution from new business 

13 

£9m

£8m

* as at 31 December 2007

In Group Pensions, new business decreased on an APE basis by 1% to £241.2m (2007: £244.5m). Of this amount, 26% was from new schemes and 74% from existing schemes. Pensions assets under management increased marginally to £7,626m driven by strong inflows from regular contributions. Transfers in and lump sum contributions were greater than transfers out. However, investment returns were negative for the half year reflecting the UK stock market decline of 13%. The net size of the book increased, with in force annual premiums increasing to £1,370m.

£80m of APE related to nil-commission increments or new members on existing schemes (first half 2007: £58m), which tend to be weighted toward the first half of the year. £102m of APE related to increments under initial or unfunded level commission contracts.

New scheme acquisition in the nil-commission segment of the market represented around £14m of APE, lower than the £27m in first half 2007. This result was hampered by corporate uncertainty resulting in a number of distributors either removing Friends Provident from their panels of preferred providers or not recommending Friends Provident to their clients. Indications are that the quality of our sales proposition is not a concern and we expect to resume our place on these panels over time, however, we expect new scheme nil-commission business to remain subdued through the remainder of the year.

Of the new scheme new business, £45m represents initial commission or unfunded level commission business. This is not business which the company intends to write in future but is business for which we had already quoted terms prior to the announcement of our withdrawal from this segment of the market. The pipeline of such business is largely complete and sales from this source can be expected to reduce substantially in the second half.

Contribution from new business fell 61% to £9m (2007: £23m) as persistency and cost assumptions were strengthened at last year end. VNB margin, cash payback and IRR were also all affected by these factors.

New business strain fell 23% to £58m as the number of commissions paid reduced owing to revised terms being implemented. However, the negative investment returns and higher allocated cost held back income, so cash outflow only improved to £41m and IFRS underlying losses remained at £26m. 

Individual pensions new business and contribution were affected by the withdrawal of initial commission terms and reorganisation of our sales force during the first half. Consequently, the company would expect the volumes to be lower in the second half.

DWP rebates were higher than in first half 2007. We understand that this is due to a higher proportion of 2008's rebates falling in the first half than in previous years.

Annuities

Half year ended

30 June

Change %

2008

2007

New business (APE) 

(5)

£13.9m

£14.6m

Contribution from new business 

(78)

£2m

£9m

VNB Margin (PVNBP)

(75)

1.6%

6.4%

Cash generation 

(100)

£0m

£16m

IFRS underlying profit 

(100)

£0m

£17m

Amount of annuities in payment p.a.

£160m

£150m*

* as at 31 December 2007

Annuity new business decreased by 5% to £13.9m (2007: £14.6m). The percentage of vesting pensions retained was maintained above 40%. We continue to price to balance economic returns from annuity business with competitive position against the best rates available in the market.

As corporate bond spreads have widened during 2008 we have seen pressure in the market to reflect these higher yields in pricing. However our market consistent embedded value methodology requires us to value the business on risk free rates. As a consequence we report a reduction in the Contribution from new business although we would expect to see higher income emerging over time as the higher yields on corporate bonds contribute to profit as they emerge. Contribution from new business is thus not necessarily a reliable guide to ultimate profitability given current market conditions.

Cash generation and IFRS profits reflect the impact of credit spreads widening. 

Savings & Investments

Half year ended

30 June

Change %

2008

2007

New business (APE) 

(78)

£6.0m

£27.1m

Contribution from new business 

(100)

£0m

£1m

VNB Margin (PVNBP)

(240)

(0.7)%

0.5%

IRR p.a.

(29)

6.1%

8.6%

New business strain 

(59)

£7m

£17m

Cash payback 

n/a

n/a

18 years

Cash outflow

(57)

£(6)m

£(14)m

IFRS underlying profit/(loss) 

129 

£4m

£(14)m

Assets under management 

(13)

£2,802m 

£3,208m*

* as at 31 December 2007

The strategic review announced the intention to continue to provide Savings & Investments in the UK market on a tactical basis when there is a reasonable prospect of doing so profitably. A revised product suite has been on offer throughout the half year. The level of new business was only £6m. We have stopped paying unfunded initial commissions, and there is less demand for these products, likely as a result of uncertainties related to investment markets and changes in tax rules. At this level, the present value of costs exceeds that of expected income and hence contribution from new business is marginally negative. The business generated a cash outflow of £6m but an IFRS profit of £4m. Assets under management decreased to £2,802m.

FPI

Half year ended

30 June

Change % 

2008

2007

New business (APE): 

Asia

88

£62.1m

£33.1m

UK

(32)

£7.8m

£11.5m

Middle East

165

£21.5m

£8.1m

Europe (excluding UK)

12

£17.4m

£15.6m

Rest of the World

33

£8.4m

£6.3m

Total

57

£117.2m

£74.6m

Contribution from new business 

38 

£22m

£16m

VNB Margin (PVNBP)

(3)

3.0%

3.1%

IRR p.a.

(32)

15.7%

23.0%

New business strain 

165 

£69m

£26m

Cash payback 

75 

7 years

4 years

Cash generation/(outflow)

(700)

£(18)m

£3m

IFRS underlying profit 

67 

£5m

£3m

Assets under management 

(3)

£4,570m

c£4,722m*

* as at 31 December 2007

FPI new business was £117.2m, an increase of 57% (2007: £74.6m). The main driver was significant growth in Asia, with increases in each of the Middle East and Europe, and reduced business written into the UK.

Sales in Asia benefited from competitive pricing of regular premium savings in Hong Kong. This helped FPI generate £62m of new business from Asia, an increase of 88% (2007: £33m). Sales were made at a lower margin than in first half 2007, although IRR was still well above that generated in the UK. Pricing in the Hong Kong market has now been adjusted so we expect volume growth to be lower and IRR to be higher in the second half.

FPI generated 165% growth in the Middle East helped by strong increases in business through bank distribution partners. We see further potential for growth in this market, which has different economic drivers from those in Europe and Asia.

The Europe new business figure included £8m for pensions in Germany, more than double the figure for the first half of 2007. This growth reflected increased marketing activity and we expect sales to continue to pick up in the fourth quarter, which is traditionally busiest in this market. Sales of single premium bonds in to Europe fell by around half year-on-year to £3m. UK sales showed the same pattern with the 32% decline driven by lower bond sales reflecting falling investment markets and uncertainty over tax rules.

The volume of business written increased Contribution from new business to £22m. Mix of business and pricing in Hong Kong reduced aggregate IRR to 15.7%. However this business enhanced the portfolio IRR in line with the objectives of growing the FPI business faster than the UK business and at higher IRR. The rapid growth of the business led to an increase in new business strain to £69m and to a cash outflow of £18m. The increased new business strain can largely be deferred under IFRS, with deferral of acquisition costs increasing from £46m to £106m and resulted in a modest IFRS underlying profit. The cash payback increased to 7 years. The assets under management decreased to £4,570m from £4,722m at the start of the year, with the investment market declines and claims experience more than offsetting incoming premiums of around £420m.

Lombard

Half year ended

Change 

30 June

2008

2007

New business (APE): 

UK and Nordic

57 

£20.0m

£12.7m

Northern Europe

61 

£23.4m

£14.5m

Southern Europe 

(16)

£22.5m

£26.9m

Rest of the World

(60)

£4.3m

£10.7m

Total including large cases 

£70.2m

£64.8m

Of which, large cases (greater than €10m)

(23)

£17.3m

£22.4m

Total excluding large cases

25

£52.9m

£42.4m

Contribution from new business 

£18m

£17m

VNB Margin (PVNBP)

(4)

2.6%

2.7%

IRR p.a.

(25)

17.4%

23.2%

New business strain 

21 

£23m

£19m

Cash payback

40 

7 years

5 years

Cash generation 

25 

£5m

£4m

IFRS underlying profit

80 

£9m

£5m

Assets under management 

£10,554m

£10,065m*

* as at 31 December 2007

Lombard new business results were overall consistent with those seen in the first half of 2007. Reported results have benefited considerably from exchange rate movements in the last year. New business APE was down 6% at €90.1m from €95.8m in first half 2007, but up 8% in sterling terms. Assets under management were down 3% in Euro terms reflecting investment market movements.

Uncertainty in investment markets has had some impact on sales in a number of territories. Sales in Northern Europe increased by more than 60% with both the German and Belgian markets performing well. UK sales were also strong in the first half despite unhelpful investment market conditions, reflecting increased activity with private bank distribution partners. Lower levels of large cases in Italy and Spain, together with adverse tax environment changes, mean that the result in Southern Europe was below the first half 2007 comparative. Sales in the rest of the world did not benefit from large cases to the same extent as the first half of 2007.

VNB margin was slightly lower than in 2007, with increased acquisition costs offsetting the slight positive impact from mix of business. The increase in cash payback to 7 years and reduction in IRR to 17.4% were a result of increased new business strain. Cash generation and IFRS underlying profits remained modest. 

The outlook for the business continues to be encouraging. The pattern of seasonality of new business is expected to continue, with the overall sales volume and margin outturn for 2008 depending on the amount and mix of sales in the key fourth quarter of the year.

Asset Management

Half year ended

30 June

Change % 

2008 

2007 

Assets under management

(5)

£96.5bn 

£101.3bn

Net revenue

(1)

£118m 

£119m 

Operating expenses

£(89)m

£(84)m

Operating margin

(17)

25%

30%

Other expenses (net)

(33)

£(2)m

£(3)m

Asset Management underlying profit

(16)

£27m 

£32m 

Following investment in the business and new product launches in 2007, in the first half of 2008 F&C has worked to enhance its distribution network. This has included establishing an office in Hong Kong, entering the Chilean and Spanish markets, and building relationships with banks in Italy and Russia. In the UK retail market F&C has focused on working with strategic partners to broaden access to its Lifestyle multi-manager fund range across a number of platforms. Asset gathering in the institutional market is affected by corporate uncertainty although consultant buy ratings on individual products are at record levels. F&C has also proposed a merger of its UK and Irish property business with REIT, a specialist property manager, which will extend its property investment capabilities to Continental Europe and India

The decline in assets under management reflects a combination of reductions in market levels as well as net outflows, which were concentrated in lower fee margin client categories. Average fee rates increased from 22.5 basis points for the full year ended 31 December 2007 to 23.5 basis points for the first half of 2008. Underlying operating expenses were higher than first half 2007, although lower than the overall run-rate for 2007. Operating margin was within management's expectations at 25%, reflecting the cost run-rate from investments made last year and the fact that any performance fees tend to crystallise in the second half. Furthermore, F&C has initiated actions to achieve some £12 million of annualised cost savings compared with its 2008 budget, for which a full-year benefit is expected in 2009.

IFA businesses

Half year ended

30 June

2008

2007

£m

£m

Sesame IFRS underlying profit

2

1

Pantheon Financial IFRS underlying profit

2

-

Sesame and Pantheon Financial were acquired in June and May 2007 respectively, and first half 2007 figures reflect profits following acquisition. Both businesses have traded profitably in the first half of 2008. Sesame's mortgage business was affected by market conditions, but its life and pensions business has traded well.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Asset Management business (F&C), Lombard and Pantheon are treated as continuing operations but in the analyses below are identified as non-core operations. The results of these activities are discussed at the end of this review.

PROFITABILITY ON THE IFRS BASIS

Our financial results are presented on two reporting bases: International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the EU and European Embedded Value (EEV). IFRS is the primary accounting basis. It includes the cash surplus earned during the period but differs from the EEV basis in that, with one exception, it does not recognise future cash flows in profit. The exception is that negative reserves on savings & investments business and on protection business are now permitted under PS06/14 Prudential Changes for Insurers. 

Analyses of new business strain and in-force surplus by product on both cash and IFRS bases are provided in Appendix 3.

IFRS profit summary

Half year ended

30 June

Change 

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

UK Life & Pensions 

(32)

19 

28 

International Life & Pensions - FPI 

67 

Return on Life & Pensions shareholder funds

(42)

22 

38 

Other Life & Pensions net income

Corporate items 

(67)

(2)

(6)

Underlying profit from continuing 

operations before one-off items

45 

63 

One-off items - UK Life & Pensions 

(66)

11 

One-off items - International Life & Pensions

- FPI 

(2)

Underlying (loss)/profit from 

continuing operations

(23)

74 

Underlying profit from non-core operations*

(3)

36 

37 

IFRS underlying profit before tax

13 

111 

Other items - core operations

(203)

23 

Other items - non-core operations*

(3)

(31)

(32)

IFRS (loss)/profit before tax from 

continuing operations

(221)

102 

IFRS underlying earnings per share

(74)

1.2p

4.6p

IFRS basic (loss)/ earnings per share

(2.6)p

2.2p

Dividend per share

(52)

1.30p

2.70p

Dividend cover on an underlying basis

0.6 times

1.1 times

* Comprising the results of F&C, Lombard and Pantheon.

The IFRS underlying profit before tax of £13m (2007: £111m) has arisen due mainly to:

The UK Life & Pensions profit of £19m (2007: £28m) reflecting a reduction in surplus arising on sales of annuities and the run off of the With Profits Fund book.

The International Life & Pensions - FPI profit of £5m (2007: £3m) includes higher in-force surplus from the growing book of business offset by higher acquisition expenses to support sales growth.

The return on shareholder funds that has decreased to £22m (2007: £38m) as a result of a reduction in the proportion of assets held in equities.

Other UK Life & Pensions net income comprising profit before tax of £2m (2007: £nil) from IFA subsidiaries, offset by costs relating to ceased activities.

One-off items mainly comprising the impact of widened corporate bond spreads which has resulted in a charge of £70m on the in-force book. 

Underlying profit from non-core operations of £36m (2007: £37m) comprising Asset Management £27m (2007: £32m), Lombard £7m (2007: £5m) and Pantheon Financial £2m (2007: £nil).

The IFRS loss before tax is £221m compared with a profit of £102m in 2007. This measure takes into account actual investment returns achieved during the period, the impacts of non-recurring items and amortisation relating to acquisitions. It is also inclusive of policyholder tax and minority interests.

We have previously indicated that the full year dividend cost for 2008 will be in the range £90m to £100m. This is covered more than seven times by distributable reserves in the company and in FPLP. 

UK Life & Pensions 

Half year ended

Half year ended

30 June 2008

30 June 2007

New

In-

Profit/ 

New

In- 

Profit/ 

business

force

(loss)

business

force 

(loss)

£m 

£m

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

Protection

(21)

28

(7)

13 

Pensions

(35)

9

(26)

(36)

10 

(26)

Annuities

(1)

1

17 

17 

Savings & Investments

(6)

10

(8)

(6)

(14)

With Profits fund

-

34

34 

45 

45 

UK Life & Pensions result

before one-off items

(63)

82

19 

(34)

62 

28 

Widening of corporate bond

spreads

(70)

Other one-off items

11 

One-off items

(66)

11 

UK Life & Pensions result

(47)

39 

The UK Life & Pensions result before one-off items has decreased by 32% from £28m to £19m, primarily due to the reduction in surplus arising on sales of annuities and the run off of the With Profits Fund book. These factors are offset by the non-recurrence of some one-off items included within the Savings & Investment first half 2007 result. 

The widening of corporate bond spreads on assets primarily backing annuities has had an adverse £70m impact on IFRS profit, equivalent to approximately £1m for each basis point movement in corporate bond spreads. In addition, surplus arising on annuity sales has fallen. These impacts arise because our prudent valuation basis prevents the annuity liabilities from being valued in line with the currently high yields on the matching assets. The matching assets are marked to market. These assets are generally held to maturity and this adverse impact will be recovered over time unless there are asset defaults. The corresponding charge in the second half of 2007 was £90m giving a total of £160m over the last twelve months. 

The one-off item in 2007 reflects the reinsurance of the post-demutualisation annuity portfolio.

New business strain on the IFRS basis comprises the following principal elements:

acquisition expenses;

commissions paid; and 

reserves established on a prudent basis in respect of the business written.

The above elements all contribute to the cash movement; the IFRS basis also includes: 

An allowance for the deferral of acquisition costs, to the extent allowed for by IFRS; and

FRS adjustments, which defer initial income over the lifetime of the product.

In-force surplus on the IFRS basis comprises the following elements:

The cash surplus arising during the year, which for investment business takes account of the annual management charges received less maintenance expenses incurred;

The amortisation of DAC; and

The reversal of IFRS adjustments.

These items are analysed below. All figures are stated before tax and one-off items.

Half year ended

Half year ended

30 June 2008

30 June 2007

New 

In- 

 

New 

In- 

business 

force 

Profit 

business 

force 

Profit 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

UK Life & Pensions 

cash movement

(87)

81 

(6)

(126)

118 

(8)

DAC movement

30 

(21)

94 

(60)

34 

IFRS adjustments

(6)

22 

16 

(2)

UK Life & Pensions result

before one-off items

(63)

82 

19 

(34)

62 

28 

UK Life & Pensions cash movement

The cash impacts of new business strain and in-force surplus, excluding non-recurring items, are analysed by product as follows:

Half year ended

Half year ended

30 June 2008

30 June 2007

New 

New 

business 

In-force

business 

In-force 

strain 

surplus

Total 

strain 

surplus 

Total 

£m

£m

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

Protection

(21)

28

(48)

48

Pensions

(58)

17

(41)

(75)

20

(55)

Annuities

(1)

1

14 

2

16 

Savings & Investments

(7)

1

(6)

(17)

3

(14)

With Profits Fund

34

34 

45

45 

Total

(87)

81

(6)

(126)

118

(8)

Protection sales are 16% down measured on the APE basis. Both the new business strain and the in-force surplus have been significantly reduced by the second part of the PS06/14 implementation at the end of 2007 and the consequent creation of negative reserves on policy inception.

Pensions sales fell 5%. New business strain has decreased due both to this reduction in volume and because costs previously regarded as development costs and part of new business strain are now treated as maintenance costs. The full impact of our revised strategy to cease paying initial commission on new pension schemes has yet to emerge as our pipeline of new initial commission schemes continued to the end of May. The cash in-force surplus has decreased due to the increase in maintenance costs explained above and because annual management charges have not increased due to poor investment markets. 

Annuity sales reduced by 5%. Cash generation on sale was lower than in 2007 reflecting the prudent reserving basis that prevents annuity liabilities being valued in line with current high yields on matching assets. In the absence of future bond defaults, however, we can expect future in-force surplus to be higher. 

Savings & Investments sales fell by 78% and new business strain has consequently also reduced. 

The reduction in the With Profits Fund surplus partly reflects run off of the book and also the inclusion of some small one-offs in the 2007 result.

UK Life & Pensions DAC movement

Half year ended

Half year ended

30 June 2008

30 June 2007

Deferred 

Amortised

Deferred 

Amortised

in year

in year 

Total 

in year

in year 

Total

£m

£m 

£m 

£m

£m 

£m

Protection

-

41

(35)

6

Pensions

25

(10)

15 

36

(14)

22

Annuities

-

2

(2)

-

Savings & Investments

5

(11)

(6)

15

(9)

6

Total 

30

(21)

94

(60)

34

Following implementation of PS06/14 reserving changes in December 2007, there is effectively no deferral of protection acquisition costs other than a balance that will be charged when we reorganise our operations in the second half of 2008 to allow recognition of further reserve reductions as a result of PS06/14. This impact is not reflected in the first half 2007 comparatives. The deferred acquisition costs for pensions and savings & investment business reflects the relative level of new business written in the year, and, for pensions business, the reducing proportion of initial commission paying business. The amortisation over the year is carried out on a straight-line basis for investment business and in line with the run-off in value of in-force business on an EEV basis for all other categories of business. 

UK Life & Pensions IFRS adjustments 

Half year ended

Half year ended

30 June 2008

30 June 2007

New

New 

business 

In-force

Total

business

In-force

Total 

£m 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m 

Protection

-

-

Pensions

(2)

2

4

Annuities

-

-

Savings & Investments

(4)

20

16 

(6)

-

(6)

With Profits Fund

-

-

Total 

(6)

22

16 

(2)

4

In 2008, most of the IFRS adjustment for Savings & Investments negates the charge arising on a cash basis from the reduction of negative reserves that has arisen due to the capitalisation of development expenses as maintenance costs.

Further detailed analysis of components of new business strain and in-force surplus is attached in Appendix 3.

International Life & Pensions - FPI

The following table analyses the International Life & Pensions - FPI result into its principal components:

Half year ended

Half year ended

30 June 2008

30 June 2007

New

New

business

In-force

Profit

business

In-force

Profit

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

International Life &

Pensions cash

movement - FPI

(69)

51 

(18)

(26)

29 

DAC movement

106 

(10)

96 

47 

(15)

32 

IFRS adjustments

(48)

(25)

(73)

(28)

(4)

(32)

International Life &

Pensions result

before one-off 

items - FPI

(11)

16 

(7)

10 

One-off items

(2)

International Life & 

Pensions result - FPI

The International Life & Pensions result before one-off items has increased from £3m to £5m.

New business for FPI has increased 57% measured on the APE basis. The increase is led by sales of the regular premium Premier product which generates relatively high commission charges. Consequently cash strain on new business has increased significantly over that for the first half of 2007. On an IFRS basis commission charges are deferred so that the new business loss on an IFRS basis has increased only slightly to £11m, broadly reflecting an increase in acquisition expenses.

DAC on new business has increased significantly to £106m mainly reflecting the higher levels of commission and enhanced allocation rates on some business. IFRS adjustments have increased both on new business and in-force policies and mainly reflect the removal, on an IFRS basis, of the benefit of actuarial funding on regular premium business which is allowed on a cash basis.

In-force surplus on an IFRS basis has increased from £10m to £16m due mainly to the increase in the size of the in-force book.

Further detailed analysis of components of new business strain and in-force surplus is attached in Appendix 3.

Return on Life & Pensions shareholder funds

 

Half year ended

30 June

2008

2007

£m

£m

UK Life & Pensions longer-term investment return

22

37

International Life & Pensions longer-term investment return

-

1

Return on Life & Pensions shareholder funds

22

38

Longer-term investment return has reduced because of a 14% decrease in the weighted average value of Life & Pensions shareholder assets during the period from £1,216m for the half year ended 30 June 2007 to £1,040m for the half year ended 30 June 2008 and because of a reduction in the proportion of assets held as equities following our decision to reduce financial risk in this respect in the second half of 2007. 

The longer-term rates of investment return are unchanged and are assumed to be: equities 8.00%, gilts 5.00% and other fixed interest 5.50%. 

Other Life & Pensions net income

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Sesame

The Asset Hub

(1)

Other charges

(1)

Other Life & Pensions net income

The Sesame 2007 comparative result is for the one month period following its acquisition in June 2007.

Corporate items

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Expected return on net pension asset

Expected return on corporate net assets

(3)

Corporate costs

(8)

(7)

Total corporate items

(2)

(6)

The expected return on the net pension asset is lower because of reduced equity exposure in the Friends Provident Pension Scheme. The expected return on corporate net assets has increased as interest charges have fallen £14m per annum due to the conversion of convertible debt in December 2007.

Other items - core operations

Half year ended

30 June

2008

2007 

£m

£m 

Short-term fluctuations in investment return

(69)

(53)

Non-recurring items

(15)

Amortisation of acquired present value of in-force business

(8)

(7)

Amortisation of Life & Pensions acquired intangible assets

(3)

Interest payable on STICS

26 

26 

Policyholder tax

(82)

18 

Returns on Group controlled funds attributable to third parties

(52)

30 

(203)

23 

Other items comprise the differences between IFRS underlying profit before tax and IFRS (loss)/profit before tax from continuing operations.

Short-term investment fluctuations represent the differences between actual and expected long-term investment returns. The variance of £69m largely reflects the difference between expected and actual investment returns which are impacted by widened corporate bond spreads on the value of fixed income securities not backing policyholder liabilities.

Non-recurring items of £15m relate to the costs of implementing the results of the strategic review. The total costs of implementation are still expected to amount to £60m.

Within the calculation of the underlying IFRS result, STICS is accounted for as debt to reflect the economic reality. However, IFRS rules require that STICS should be accounted for as equity in calculating IFRS profit before tax and consequently STICS interest is added back and treated as an appropriation of profit.

Policyholder tax is excluded from the underlying result as it is not attributable to shareholders. The change compared to the first half of 2007 is due to the reduced level of deferred tax provisions required on unrealised capital gains following falls in investment markets. 

Returns on Group controlled funds attributable to third parties mainly represents the 49.7% minority interest in F&C Commercial Property Trust and reflect falls in underlying property values compared to a profit in 2007.

Management expenses

The expenses of the UK and International Life & Pensions businesses (excluding costs reported as non-recurring) are set out below:

Half year ended

Half year ended

30 June 2008

30 June 2007

UK

International

Total

UK

International

Total

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Acquisition expenses

65

11

76

68

10

78

Maintenance expenses

53

8

61

38

6

44

Development expenses

-

7

7

17

1

18

Other expenses

9

-

9

2

-

2

Total Life & Pensions

127

26

153

125

17

142

Corporate costs

8

-

8

7

-

7

Total - core operations

135

26

161

132

17

149

Non-core operations

-

25

25

-

18

18

Total

135

51

186

132

35

167

The UK cost base has continued to be tightly controlled in 2008, with a reduction in acquisition costs compared to 2007 reflecting reduced volumes and initial savings resulting from implementation of the revised strategy. Progress in meeting the cost saving target contained in the new strategy is discussed in the Business Review. Following our decision to report as development expenses only those costs that relate to wholly new products or markets, maintenance expenses have consequently increased in the UK as a result of the resultant reclassification. Other expenses include £4m additional spend on the wrap platform (incurred before the decision to close was taken as well as costs of closure) and project management and consultancy support costs of £3m relating to the strategic review programme.

Expenses of the International business have increased in order to both develop and support growth in both existing and new markets.

Taxation

The shareholder tax credit has increased from £24m in the first half of 2007 to £56m in the current period. The tax credit of £56m largely arises as recognised bond losses can be offset against the deferred tax liabilities on equities to the extent they are otherwise unrelieved.

IFRS BALANCE SHEET

The IFRS balance sheet is summarised as follows:

30 June

31 Dec

2008

2007

£bn

£bn

Assets:

Intangible assets

1.5

1.5

Investment properties

2.0

2.4

Financial assets

44.5

47.7

Deferred acquisition costs

1.2

1.1

Cash

4.8

4.8

Other assets

3.0

2.7

Total assets

57.0

60.2

Liabilities:

Insurance and investment contract liabilities

48.3

50.9

Long-term debt

0.6

0.7

Other liabilities

4.0

4.3

Total liabilities

52.9

55.9

Equity and minority interest:

Shareholders' equity

2.8

2.9

STICS holders' equity

0.8

0.8

Minority interests

0.5

0.6

Total equity and minority interest

4.1

4.3

Financial assets

Financial assets include:

30 June

31 Dec

2008

2007

£bn

£bn

Listed shares

22.1

23.1

Listed debt and other fixed income securities:

- Non-linked

11.5

12.1

- Unit-linked

3.7

3.5

Unit trusts and OEICs

5.7

7.5

Unlisted shares

0.6

0.6

Deposits

0.6

0.6

Other

0.3

0.3

Total financial assets

44.5

47.7

Financial assets have decreased by 7% reflecting falls in equity and fixed interest markets.

Non-linked listed debt and other securities

Non-linked listed debt and other securities of £11.5bn are analysed by credit rating as follows:

Ratings

£m

AAA

AA

A

BBB

BB

Sub B

Unrated

Total

Non-linked debt Securities

5,953

3,216

1,713

448

-

29

183

11,542

51%

28%

15%

4%

0%

0%

2%

100%

AAA rated non-linked debt securities include £4,201m held in UK Government Securities.

Exposure to Asset Backed Securities (ABS)

The following asset backed and monoline wrapped securities are managed by F&C on behalf of the Group (in particular this excludes investments in ABS held by third party managed funds in the UK and International businesses) and are included within non-linked and unit-linked debt securities. 

Directly held ABS and Monoline Wrapped Securities

Ratings

£m

AAA 

AA 

BBB

BB

Sub B

Unrated

Total

Collateralised Debt 

Obligations (CDO)

11 

-

-

-

-

11

Collateralised Loan

 

Obligations (CLO)

10 

-

-

-

-

10

Commercial Mortgage

Backed Securities (CMBS)

92 

34 

35 

38

-

-

-

199

Residential Mortgage 

Backed Securities (RMBS)

143 

23 

-

-

-

-

166

Monoline Wrapped

184 

272 

16

-

-

-

472

Other ABS

255 

122 

157 

12

6

9

4

565

Total

695 

451 

192 

66

6

9

4

1,423

49%

32%

13%

5%

0%

1%

0%

100%

Total at 31 December 2007

1,083

191

251

58

6

22

-

1,611

The above table is further analysed in the three tables below. 

Of this total, the shareholder exposure amounts to £683m including that arising through with profit funds. The majority of this exposure is via £371m of assets backing annuity liabilities and £162m being within shareholder funds.

Shareholder exposure

Ratings

£m

AAA

AA

A

BBB

BB

Sub B

Unrated

Total

CDO

7

-

-

-

-

-

-

7

CLO

7

-

-

-

-

-

-

7

CMBS

52

16

18

12

-

-

-

98

RMBS

80

15

-

-

-

-

-

95

Monoline Wrapped

87

129

-

8

-

-

-

224

Other ABS

124

53

69

3

-

2

1

252

Total

357

213

87

23

-

2

1

683

53%

31%

13%

3%

0%

0%

0%

100%

Total at 31 December 2007

544

85

113

17

1

10

-

770

The policyholder exposure through the With Profits funds amounts to £600m as follows:

Policyholder exposure through With Profits funds

Ratings

£m

AAA

AA

A

BBB

BB

Sub B

Unrated

Total

CDO

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

CLO

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

CMBS

36

7

15

19

-

-

-

77

RMBS

49

-

-

-

-

-

-

49

Monoline wrapped

91

117

-

6

-

-

-

214

Other ABS

116

55

69

6

6

5

3

260

Total

292

179

84

31

6

5

3

600

49%

30%

14%

5%

1%

1%

0%

100%

Total at 31 December 2007

457

71

110

27

6

8

-

679

The policyholder exposure through Unit-Linked funds amounts to £140m as follows:

Policyholder exposure through Unit-Linked funds

Ratings

£m

AAA

AA

A

BBB

BB

Sub B

Unrated

Total

CDO

4

-

-

-

-

-

-

4

CLO

3

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

CMBS

4

11

2

7

-

-

-

24

RMBS

14

8

-

-

-

-

-

22

Monoline wrapped

6

26

-

2

-

-

-

34

Other ABS

15

14

19

3

-

2

-

53

Total

46

59

21

12

-

2

-

140

33%

42%

15%

9%

-

1%

0%

100%

Total at 31 December 2007

82

35

28

14

-

4

-

163

Other ABS in the tables above cover a variety of securities including credit card receivables, Structured Investment Vehicles, whole business securitisations, housing association and other asset backed securities.

The total exposure to US sub-prime mortgages is less than £5m.

The quality of monoline wrapped securities has declined from entirely AAA rated at 31 December 2007 to a mix of AAA, AA and BBB ratings due to the downgrading of the company acting as guarantor. The valuation of the monoline wrapped securities has not been materiality impacted by the downgrade.

In addition, the Friends Provident Pension Scheme (FPPS) via its investment in F&C Liability Driven Investment Pools has exposure to Asset Backed Securities. The FPPS share of the pools' ABS investment is approximately 73.51% or £179m. This comprises approximately £160m of AAA-rated RMBS, approximately £3m of other AAA-rated ABS, and approximately £16m of Monoline wrapped securities. Of the FPPS investments in RMBS, £12m relates to a second tranche of UK non-conforming mortgage securities, although these tranches are rated AAA by all three major ratings agencies. The remainder is invested in senior tranches or prime assets. 

Movement in exposure to ABS

£m

CDO/CLO

CMBS

RMBS

Monoline

Other

Total

At 1 January 2008

23 

220 

194 

511 

663 

1,611 

Accrued interest

23 

Net purchases and sales

(1)

(2)

(21)

(54)

(77)

Impact of change in risk free rate

(10)

(5)

(25)

(23)

(63)

Impact of change in spreads

(1)

(12)

(6)

(22)

(24)

(65)

Write downs

(6)

(6)

At 30 June 2008 

21 

199 

166 

472 

565 

1,423 

Deferred acquisition costs (DAC)

DAC have increased from £1,093m at 31 December 2007 to £1,227m at 30 June 2008. The movement is analysed below:

£m 

UK Life & Pensions DAC movement

International Life & Pensions DAC movement

96 

Non-core operations DAC movement

DAC movement included within one-offs

18 

Foreign exchange adjustments (non-core operations)

Movement in period

134 

At 1 January 2008

1,093 

At 30 June 2008

1,227 

Long-term debt

Long-term debt (excluding amounts due to reinsurers) is £643m and is included within Interest bearing loans and borrowings in the consolidated balance sheet on an IFRS basis. £44m of loan notes were repaid in the half year to 30 June 2008.

30 June

31 Dec 

2008

2007 

Coupon %

£m

£m 

Subordinated liabilities:

F&C subordinated debt

Various 

258

258 

Lombard undated subordinated loans

Various

5

Debenture loans:

Box Hill Life Finance plc securitisation notes - class A-1 due 2016

3m Libor + 0.20

23

54 

Box Hill Life Finance plc securitisation notes - class A-2 due 2019

3m Libor + 0.23

100

100 

F&C Commercial Property Trust (a policyholder investment) 

secured bonds due 2017

5.23

229

229 

Friends Provident plc loan notes due 2011

 3m Libor - 0.75

-

18 

Friends Provident plc loan notes due 2012

3m Libor - 0.75

-

26 

Financial reinsurance:

FPI financial reinsurance

3m Euribor + 1.75

10

11 

Lombard financial reinsurance

3m Euribor + 2.12

18

17 

Long-term borrowings

643

717 

Step up Tier one Insurance Capital Securities (STICS) holders' equity

STICS is treated as equity under IFRS, but as long-term debt under EEV.

30 June

31 Dec

2008

2007

Coupon %

£m

£m

£300m Friends Provident plc STICS callable 2019

6.875

297

297

£500m Friends Provident plc STICS callable 2015

6.292

495

495

792

792

 Shareholders' equity

 30 June

31 Dec 

2008

2007

£m

£m

Share capital

234

234

Share premium

2,372

2,372

Other reserves

237

346

Total shareholders' equity

2,843

2,952

The company's allotted and fully paid share capital at 30 June 2008 consists 2,341,118,083, ordinary shares of 10 pence each (including 17,650,073 Treasury shares).

Movements during the period are as follows:

Other 

reserves 

£m 

Share-based payments

Total recognised income and expense for the year as included in the SORIE

Dividends

(123)

Total movement

(109)

SHAREHOLDER CASH GENERATION

Shareholder cash generation is as follows:

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

UK Life & Pensions: 

New business strain

(87)

(126)

In-force surplus

81 

127 

Taxation 

35 

12 

Other 

(4)

UK Life & Pensions net cash operating surplus 

25 

13 

International Life & Pensions - FPI:

New business strain

(69)

(26)

In-force surplus

51 

29 

Taxation 

Other 

(8)

International Life & Pensions net cash operating surplus - FPI

(22)

Life & Pensions net cash operating surplus 

16 

One-off items 

(35)

56 

Investment return and other

(106)

81 

Non-core operations*

17 

22 

Cash generated by the business before financing items

(121)

175 

Dividends paid 

(123)

(110)

Securitisation 

(38)

Financial reinsurance 

(2)

IFA acquisitions - intangible assets 

(48)

Other finance items 

Mark-to-market of STICS adjustment

(48)

Total movement 

(291)

(17)

* Comprising the cash generated by F&C, Lombard and Pantheon.

UK Life & Pensions and International Life & Pensions new business strain and in-force surplus are discussed in the IFRS profitability section above. 

One-off items of £35m comprise the costs to date of implementing the results of the strategic review and a one-off contribution by the company to the Friends Provident Pension Scheme of £20m. One-off items in 2007 of £56m arose on reinsurance of the post-demutualisation annuity portfolio. 

In the second half of 2008 we will reorganise our operations to allow recognition of further reserve reductions as a result of PS06/14, to deliver a final one-off cash acceleration of approximately £100m. The corresponding reduction in DAC is expected to leave IFRS profits broadly unchanged in this respect.

Investment return and other mainly comprises:

The negative impact of £70m of the further widening of bond spreads on our life book; and

Negative investment return of £32m on shareholder assets mainly reflecting the impact of increasing yields on fixed interest security values.

In order to remove the impact of volatility in market value of the STICS, shareholder cash resources are now presented excluding the impact of the mark-to-market adjustment. The above table consequently includes an amount of £48m to remove the difference between market value and book value as at 31 December 2007. 

Shareholder cash resources

As a result of the total reduction in cash of £291m, shareholder cash resources stand at £1,186m, as follows:

30 June 2008 

31 Dec 2007 

Movement 

£m 

£m 

£m 

Shareholder invested net assets

1,315 

1,449 

(134)

Securitisation 

71 

71 

Financial reinsurance

10 

12 

(2)

Deduct mark-to-market on STICS, net of tax

(155)

(155)

IFA subsidiaries - intangible assets

(55)

(55)

Shareholder cash resources

1,186 

1,477 

(291)

Shareholder invested net assets includes £155m (£215m before tax) relating to the difference between the market value and book value of the STICS and which is excluded from shareholder cash resources.

PROFITABILITY ON THE EEV BASIS

EEV profit reflects the future cashflows that are expected to arise from sales in the year and the effect of updating previous assumptions with actual experience. 

In June 2008 the CFO Forum published their Market Consistent Embedded Value (MCEV) Principles that it is intended will replace the current EEV Principles from the end of 2009. The most significant change compared to the previous Principles is to require companies to use a market consistent approach when calculating the value of their insurance businesses.

Friends Provident decided to adopt an MCEV approach in implementing the current EEV Principles in 2004 so this change will, in itself, not have a significant impact on our results. We are currently assessing the impact of the changes contained in the revised Principles and have made no changes to the basis of preparation of these results to accommodate the revised Principles. 

EEV profit

Half year ended

30 June

Change 

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

EEV underlying profit before tax:

UK Life & Pensions

(34)

123 

186 

- International Life & Pensions - FPI

25 

24 

- Corporate items

(2)

(7)

EEV underlying profit before tax from core operations

(28)

146 

203 

- Non-core operations*

65 

61 

EEV underlying profit before tax

(20)

211 

264 

Other items - core operations

(192)

98 

Other items - non-core operations*

(24)

EEV (loss)/profit before tax

(5)

363 

Contribution from new business - core operations

(37)

49 

78 

Life & Pensions new business margin - core operations

(32)

1.9%

2.8%

EEV underlying earnings per share

(27)

6.5p

8.9p

EEV (loss)/basic earnings per share

(1.0)p

13.6p

* Comprising the results of F&C, Lombard and Pantheon.

The EEV loss before tax is £5m (2007: £363m profit). This profit measure takes into account the impacts of investment return variances, economic assumption changes, non-recurring items and other charges. These items totalled to a £216m charge in 2008 compared to £99m profit in 2007.

EEV underlying profit

Underlying profit from core operations reduced 28% to £146m reflecting a reduction in the contribution from new business and lower expected returns. 

Underlying profit from non-core operations of £65m (2007: £61m) comprises Asset Management £27m (2007: £32m), Lombard £36m (2007: £29m) and Pantheon Financial £2m (2007: £nil).

UK Life & Pensions underlying profit - core operations

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Contribution from new business

27 

62 

Profit from existing business:

- Expected return

73 

88 

- Experience variances 

19 

Development costs

(17)

Other net income

(5)

Expected return on shareholder net assets

21 

33 

UK Life & Pensions underlying profit - core operations

123 

186 

The contribution from new business has decreased by 56% to £27m (2007: £62m); the contribution is discussed in the Business Review section above.

The expected return on the value of the in-force book decreased by 17% to £73m (2007: £88m) reflecting a similar fall in the opening value of the existing business.

Experience variances include a number of small items, including £10m in respect of unutilised operational risk provisions.

As previously indicated, development costs now only include costs related to developing wholly new products or entering wholly new markets.

Other net income of £5m (charge) relates mainly to costs associated with wrap development offset by £2m profit from Sesame.

The expected return on shareholders' net assets has reduced by 36% to £21m (2007: £33m), because of a 14% decrease in the weighted average value of Life & Pensions shareholder assets during the year and because in August 2007 we largely eliminated the equity exposure within our shareholder net assets. 

International Life & Pensions underlying profit - core operations (FPI)

Half year ended

30 June

2008

2007

£m 

£m

Contribution from new business

22 

16 

Profit from existing business:

- Expected return

- Experience variances

Development costs

(7)

(2)

Expected return on shareholders' net assets

International Life & Pensions underlying profit before tax

25 

24 

The contribution from new business has increased 37% to £22m (2007: £16m). Contribution is discussed in the Business Review section above.

The expected return on the value of the in-force book increased to £8m (2007: £7m), reflecting the increase in the value of the in-force business.

Development costs include expenditure relating to expansion of the business into new territories and branch opening.

Corporate items

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Expected return on net pension asset

Expected return on corporate net assets

(4)

Corporate costs

(8)

(7)

Total corporate items

(2)

(7)

The expected return on the net pension asset is lower because of reduced equity exposure in the Friends Provident Pension Scheme. The expected return on corporate net assets has increased as interest charges have fallen £14m per annum due to the conversion of convertible debt in December 2007.

Other items - core operations

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Investment return variances

(281)

(68)

Effect of economic assumption changes

106 

157 

Non-recurring items

(15)

Amortisation of Sesame acquired intangibles

(2)

Total other items

(192)

98 

Other profit items excluded from underlying profit but included in profit before tax are shown in the table above and total £192m negative (2007: £98m positive).

The net effect of investment return variances and economic assumption changes is £175m charge (2007 £89m credit) and includes charges relating to widening credit spreads, weak investment markets and increased risk free rates, partially offset by the effect of marking-to-market the STICS.

Non-recurring items are discussed in the IFRS Profits section above.

EMBEDDED VALUE

The embedded value on a pro forma basis has decreased by 6% to £3,502m. It comprises:

30 June

31 Dec

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Core operations

Shareholders' invested net assets 

1,321 

1,458 

Value of in-force Life & Pensions business 

1,452 

1,485 

Provision for future corporate costs

(95)

(97)

Net pension asset

53 

Total - core operations

2,731 

2,850 

Non-core operations

Shareholders' invested net assets 

(6)

(9)

Value of in-force Life & Pensions business 

395 

385 

Market value of the listed Asset Management business

382 

499 

Total - non-core operations

771 

875 

Total pro forma embedded value 

3,502 

3,725 

The pro forma embedded value per share is £1.51 (31 December 2007: £1.60).

The share price of F&C Asset Management plc has declined further since 30 June 2008, to £1.03 as at 5 August 2008. If the share price of F&C Asset Management had been £1.03 as at 30 June 2008, the pro forma embedded value per share would have amounted to £1.46.

The embedded value of Lombard included within non-core operations is £354m (31 December 2007: £342m).

Shareholders' invested net assets 

Shareholders' invested net assets have decreased by £134m. Shareholders' invested net assets comprise:

30 June 

31 Dec 

2008

2007

£m

£m

Life & Pensions long-term funds

637

640

Life & Pensions shareholder funds

294

400

Total Life & Pensions net assets

931

1,040

Corporate net assets

384

409

Shareholders' invested net assets

1,315

1,449

The reduction in net assets includes the impact of the costs to date of implementing the strategic review of £15m, the impact of widening corporate bond spreads on the life book of £70m and the dividend payment in May 2008 of £123m, offset by a net investment return (including mark-to-market of STICS) of £70m.

Value of in-force Life & Pensions business

The increase in the period from new business is offset by the net effect of investment return variation and economic assumption changes.

Provision for future corporate costs

The provision for future corporate costs has fallen slightly to £95m reflecting a change in economic assumptions.

Net pension asset

The principal defined benefit scheme, Friends Provident Pension Scheme (FPPS) has a surplus. The improvement in the position mainly arises from widened corporate bond spreads as the liabilities are discounted based on AA rated corporate bond yields as required by IAS19 Employee Benefits.

FINANCIAL STRENGTH

Economic capital

We continue to use economic capital to inform business decisions. We have developed a sophisticated capital model, which has helped with setting our financial risk appetite and our continued drive for capital efficiency. The model forms the basis for discussions with the FSA to agree the individual capital requirements for each company based on an assessment of its own risk profile.

EEV required capital is set at the higher of regulatory capital and requirements arising from internal capital management policies, which include economic risk capital objectives. In aggregate, EEV required capital is higher than regulatory requirements by approximately £400m (2007: £200m).

Life & Pensions capital

The total available capital resources, calculated on a realistic basis for the FPLP With Profits Fund and on a regulatory basis for all other funds, amounts to £2.1bn (31 December 2007: £2.3bn). The regulatory capital requirement is £0.7bn (31 December 2007: £0.7bn). Therefore the excess capital resources over the capital requirement amounts to £1.4bn (31 December 2007: £1.6bn). The bulk of the Group's capital is held outside the with profits funds and, consequently, can be deployed around the Group with a relatively high degree of flexibility.

Insurance Groups Directive

The Insurance Groups Directive requires a very prudent measure of excess capital resources as it excludes any surplus capital held within a long-term fund. This is formally measured on an annual basis. We estimate that at 30 June 2008 Group capital resources exceeded Group capital requirements by approximately £1.0bn (31 December 2007: £1.3bn). The reduction during the period arises due mainly to the payment of the final dividend and STICS interest and injections into long-term funds to fund new business.  Excess Group capital resources are reasonably resilient to reductions in equity markets. A fall of up to 20% in equity markets would have limited impact, a fall of 30% would reduce excess capital by around £0.1bn and a fall of 40% by about £0.3bn.

FPLP Realistic Solvency

The assets and liabilities of the FPLP With Profits Fund are calculated on a realistic basis. Policyholder liabilities (including options and guarantees) are valued using a market consistent stochastic model. At 30 June 2008, surplus assets amounted to £242m and the Risk Capital Margin (RCM) was £242m. At 31 December 2007, surplus assets amounted to £246m and the RCM amounted to £246m. Our objective continues to be to manage the fund so that, over time, the RCM remains covered from assets within the Fund.

The FPLP With Profits Fund Realistic Balance Sheet is reasonably unaffected by falls or rises in investment markets. This is due in large measure to the actions taken to hedge the provisions made to cover the cost of guarantees and options.

FPLP Regulatory solvency

In addition to a realistic basis, the solvency for FPLP's With Profits Fund is assessed on a regulatory basis. The two calculations are then compared and the more onerous requirement is applied. As at 30 June 2008 and 31 December 2007 the more onerous requirement for FPLP has been the realistic basis.

The Free Asset Ratio is a common measure of financial strength. It is the ratio of assets less liabilities (including actuarial reserves but before capital requirements), expressed as a percentage of actuarial reserves. For FPLP the ratio has fallen to an estimated 17.1% at 30 June 2008 (31 December 2007: 22.3%). Available assets to meet capital requirements are £2.7bn (31 December 2007: £3.7bn). The reductions reflect the impact of falls in equity, fixed interest and property markets.

Ratings

Standard and Poor's downgraded their FPLP financial strength rating by a notch in June 2008; the current ratings are: 

Standard & Poor's rating is now A- (strong) with a stable outlook.

Fitch's rating is A (strong) with a negative outlook.

Moody's rating is A2 (strong) with a negative outlook.

Our target is to have FPLP's financial strength rating within the broad 'A' category.

The Friends Provident plc's credit ratings were similarly downgraded one notch by Standard and Poor's in June 2008:

Standard & Poor's rating is now BBB (good) with a stable outlook.

Fitch's rating is BBB+ (good) with a negative outlook.

Moody's rating is Baa2 (good) with a negative outlook.

Fitch and Moody's have currently placed both ratings on negative outlook. This reflects their views of the risks involved in the implementation of the changes to our strategy. Friends Provident continues to engage with the rating agencies to assist them with monitoring our progress towards delivering the new strategy.

Financial risk reduction

We actively manage financial risk and have taken a number of initiatives to reduce our exposures.

FPLP With Profits Fund - The overall aim remains to balance risk to shareholders with maximising returns to policyholders whilst ensuring guarantees are met as they fall due. Particular activities include:

Managing the proportion of equities and property backing the asset shares. At 30 June 2008 this proportion was 51% (31 December 2007: 52%): 43% in equity and 8% in property.

Active management of bonuses and any market value reduction factors

Hedging strategies to mitigate equity market and interest rate risks.

Other Life & Pensions Funds - Other risk mitigation activities include cash flow matching and other inflation and interest rate hedging.

Pension schemes 

The surplus of the principal defined benefit scheme, FPPS, was £74m, equivalent to 7% of assets (31 December 2007: surplus of £5m). The improvement in the surplus mainly arises from widened corporate bond spreads as the liabilities are discounted based on AA rated corporate bond yields as required by IAS19 Employee Benefits. For risk management purposes the FPPS values its liabilities by reference to the yield on swaps. FPPS manages the interest rate and inflation exposure of its non-insured liabilities through LDI pools.

FPPS entered into an insurance contract with Norwich Union during the period under which Norwich Union took on approximately £350m of the FPPS liabilities relating to all of the scheme's current pensioners, thereby further de-risking investments of the Scheme. The arrangement includes protection against credit risk. Since 30 June 2008, an extension was agreed with Norwich Union to place liabilities arising from the next 5 years' retirements with Norwich Union. The best estimate of the expected value of these tranches is £135m.

FPPS further reduced its equity exposure from 40% at the end of 2007 to 20% in the first half of 2008, decreasing its sensitivity to equity shocks.

The Company also agreed an additional £20m contribution to the FPPS in expectation of the sale of non-core businesses. Given that few pension fund members are employed in those businesses, these transactions will leave the pension fund with the same liabilities but a smaller business, albeit with a superior financial covenant. A further contribution has been agreed dependent upon sale proceeds. This will be paid from surplus capital and will not affect the proceeds remitted to shareholders.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Under the new reporting requirements for listed companies, we must comment on the risks and uncertainties that could affect results in the second half of 2008. The Board believes that the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group are those that were explained in the Annual Report and Accounts for 2007 (pages 24-25) and is satisfied that there are appropriate arrangements in place to manage and mitigate them. The following are the key risks during the second half of 2008.

Changes in the senior management team

The company will experience a change of senior management team in the second half of the year. There is a risk that this could cause uncertainty or discontinuity. The Board has taken steps to ensure that the transition to the new senior team is managed in a way that mitigates the risk of disruption to the business.

Implementation of the revised strategy

Implementation of the revised strategy entails making changes to the organisation structure and business processes as well as to some of the products offered to the market. There is a risk that, if not done in a coordinated way, the changes may not be as effective as planned. These changes are therefore being implemented by a comprehensive change programme, which is managed by a newly appointed Chief Change Officer and overseen by the Executive Committee. The plans have also been reviewed and challenged by the Board to ensure that they are robust.

Changes or volatility in UK and global economic factors

The economic outlook continues to look challenging, particularly in relation to the housing market. There is a risk that a prolonged downturn will reduce the company's income. Although we cannot control the external environment, the Board monitors the situation closely and adapts the company's approach to the market as required.

NON-CORE OPERATIONS

The Asset Management business (F&C), Lombard and Pantheon have been treated as non-core operations.

IFRS profit before tax

EEV profit before tax

Half year ended 30 June

Half year ended 30 June

2008

2007 

2008 

2007

£m

£m 

£m 

£m

Lombard

36 

29

Asset Management

27 

32 

27 

32

Pantheon Financial

-

Underlying profit before tax

36 

37 

65 

61

Other items

(31)

(32)

(24)

1

Profit before tax

41 

62

Cash generation

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007

£m 

£m

Lombard (including one-offs)

4

Asset Management

10 

18

Pantheon Financial

-

Cash generated 

17 

22

Lombard

The following table analyses the Lombard IFRS result into its principal components:

Half year ended

Half year ended

30 June 2008

30 June 2007

New business 

In-force 

Profit 

New business 

In-force 

Profit 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

Cash movement

(23)

28 

(19)

23 

DAC movement

(7)

(5)

IFRS adjustments

(3)

(3)

(2)

Lombard result 

before one-off 

items

(17)

26 

(14)

19 

One-off items

(2)

Lombard result

New business strain has increased as a result of higher acquisition expenses. The increase in the in-force surplus arises from higher annual management charges on the higher level of assets under management.

On the EEV basis, Lombard underlying profit has increased from £29m to £36m. The result includes contribution from new business of £18m (2007: £17m) (see Business Review) and the expected return on existing business of £18m (2007:

£13m).

Asset Management

The Asset Management result is discussed in the Business Review section.

Market value of the listed Asset Management business 

The market value of our 52% shareholding in F&C Asset Management plc reduced by 24% to £381m. The share price declined from £1.92 at 31 December 2007 to £1.47 at 30 June 2008.

30 June 

31 Dec 

2008

2007

Share price

£1.47

£1.92

Number of shares held 

259m

259m

Percentage of shares held 

52%

52%

Market value of holding in F&C 

£381m

£499m

Other items - non-core operations

IFRS basis

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Short-term fluctuations in investment return

Non-recurring items

(2)

(3)

Amortisation of acquired present value of in-force business

(5)

(6)

Amortisation of Life & Pensions acquired intangible assets

(4)

(4)

Amortisation of Asset Management acquired intangible assets

(22)

(21)

Policyholder tax

(31)

(32)

EEV basis

Half year ended

30 June

2008

2007 

£m

£m 

Short-term fluctuations in investment return

(8)

20 

Non-recurring items

(2)

(3)

Effect of economic assumption changes

Amortisation of Life & Pensions acquired intangible assets

(1)

Amortisation of Asset Management acquired intangible assets

(22)

(21)

(24)

Statement of directors' responsibilities

The directors confirm that the condensed consolidated IFRS interim financial information has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, Interim financial reporting, as adopted by the European Union and that the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by 4.2.7 and 4.2.8 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, namely:

an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year; and

related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.

By order of the Board

Sir Adrian Montague Jim Smart

Chairman Chief Financial Officer

6 August 2008

Independent review report by KPMG Audit Plc to Friends Provident plc

Introduction

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2008 which comprises the Condensed consolidated income statement on an IFRS basis, the Condensed consolidated balance sheet on an IFRS basis, the Condensed consolidated statement of recognised income and expense on an IFRS basis, the Condensed consolidated cash flow statement on an IFRS basis and the related explanatory notes (including the Condensed consolidated underlying profit on an IFRS basis) and to review the European Embedded Value Basis Supplementary Information for the six months ended 30 June 2008 which comprises the Consolidated income statement on an EEV basis, the Consolidated statement of recognised income and expense on an EEV basis, the Consolidated movement in ordinary shareholders' equity on an EEV basis, the Consolidated balance sheet on an EEV basis and notes thereto (the Supplementary Information).

We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements or the Supplementary Information.

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the company in meeting the requirements of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules (the DTR) of the UK's Financial Services Authority (the UK FSA) and also to provide a review conclusion to the Company on the Supplementary Information. Our review of the condensed set of financial statements has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we are required to state to it in this report and for no other purpose. Our review of the Supplementary Information has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we have been engaged to state in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have reached.

Directors' responsibilities

The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the DTR of the UK FSA. The directors have accepted responsibility for preparing the Supplementary Information contained in the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the European Embedded Value Principles issued in May 2004 by the European CFO Forum and supplemented by the Additional Guidance on European Embedded Value Disclosures issued in October 2005 (together the 'EEV Principles') and for determining the methodology and assumptions used in the application of those principles.

As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU. 

The Supplementary Information has been prepared in accordance with the EEV Principles, using the methodology and assumptions set out in notes 1 and 12 to the Supplementary Information. The Supplementary Information should be read in conjunction with the Group's condensed financial statements.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements and the Supplementary Information in the half yearly financial report based on our review.

Scope of review

We conducted our reviews in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the UK. A review of interim financial information and Supplementary Information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2008 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU and the DTR of the UK FSA.

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the Supplementary Information for the six months ended 30 June 2008 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the EEV Principles, using the methodology and assumptions set out in notes 1 and 12 to the Supplementary Information.

KPMG Audit PlcChartered Accountants

London

6 August 2008

Condensed consolidated income statement on an IFRS basis

For the half year ended 30 June 2008

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

Notes

£m 

£m 

Revenue

Gross earned premiums

492 

507 

Premiums ceded to reinsurers

(48)

(1,732)

Net earned premiums

444 

(1,225)

Fee and commission income and income 

from service activities

388 

286 

Investment income

(3,440)

1,443 

Total revenue

(2,608)

504 

Claims, benefits and expenses

Gross claims and benefits paid

860 

818 

Amounts receivable from reinsurers

(58)

(86)

Net claims and benefits paid

802 

732 

Change in insurance contracts liabilities

(1,317)

(2,264)

Change in investment contracts liabilities

(2,391)

1,342 

Transfer to fund for future appropriations

(50)

(6)

Movement in net assets attributable to unit holders

(128)

63 

Movement in policyholder liabilities

(3,886)

(865)

Acquisition expenses

237 

201 

Administrative and other expenses

391 

272 

Finance costs

69 

63 

Total claims, benefits and expenses

(2,387)

403 

Share of profit of associates and joint venture

(Loss)/profit before tax from continuing

operations

(221)

102 

Policyholder tax

81 

(19)

(Loss)/profit before shareholder tax from 

continuing operations

(140)

83 

Total tax credit 

137 

Policyholder tax

(81)

19 

Shareholder tax

56 

24 

(Loss)/profit for the period

(84)

107 

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent: (i)

Ordinary shareholders

(60)

47 

Other equity holders

26 

26 

(34)

73 

Minority interest

(50)

34 

(Loss)/profit for the period

(84)

107 

Earnings per share

Basic (loss)/earnings per share (pence)

5(a)

(2.6)

2.2 

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share (pence)

5(b)

(2.6)

2.2 

(i) All profit attributable to equity holders of the parent is from continuing operations 

Condensed consolidated underlying profit on an IFRS basis

For the half year ended 30 June 2008

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

Notes

£m 

£m 

(Loss)/profit before tax from continuing

operations

(221)

102 

Policyholder tax 

81 

(19)

Returns on Group-controlled funds attributable 

to third parties 

52 

(30)

(Loss)/profit before tax excluding profit 

generated within policyholder funds

(88)

53 

Non-recurring items

17 

(6)

Amortisation of Asset Management acquired

intangible assets

22 

21 

Amortisation of acquired present value of 

in-force business 

13 

13 

Amortisation of Life & Pensions acquired 

intangible assets

7

 4 

Interest payable on Step-up Tier one 

Insurance Capital Securities (STICS)

(26)

(26)

Short-term fluctuations in investment return 

68 

52 

Underlying profit before tax

13 

111 

Tax on underlying profit

26 

(3)

Minority interest in underlying profit

(10)

(10)

Underlying profit after tax attributable

to ordinary shareholders of the parent

29 

98 

Earnings per share 

Underlying earnings per share (pence)

5(a)

1.2 

4.6 

IFRS underlying profit is based on longer-term investment return and excludes: (i) policyholder tax, (ii) returns attributable to minority interests in policyholder funds, (iii) non-recurring items, (iv) amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets and present value of acquired in-force business; and is stated after deducting interest payable on STICS. Management consider that underlying profit better reflects the ongoing performance of the Group and focus on this measure of profit in its internal monitoring of the Group's IFRS results.

Condensed consolidated balance sheet on an IFRS basis

At 30 June 2008

30 June 

31 Dec 

2008 

2007 

Notes

£m 

£m 

Assets

Intangible assets

7

1,463

1,456 

Property and equipment

77

81 

Investment properties

2,037

2,371 

Investments in associates and joint venture

14

14 

Deferred tax assets

61

55 

Financial assets

44,542

47,710 

Deferred acquisition costs

1,227

1,093 

Reinsurance assets

1,976

2,015 

Current tax assets

2

Insurance and other receivables

827

620 

Cash and cash equivalents

4,818

4,782 

Total assets

57,044

60,201 

Liabilities

Insurance contracts

12,233

13,607 

Fund for future appropriations

431

481 

Financial liabilities

- Investment contracts

36,071

37,266 

- Interest bearing loans and borrowings

685

738 

- Amounts due to reinsurers

1,525

1,611 

Net asset value attributable to unit holders

796

909 

Provisions

138

146 

Deferred tax liabilities

213

329 

Current tax liabilities

90

113 

Insurance payables, other payables 

and deferred income

708

677 

Total liabilities

52,890

55,877 

Equity attributable to equity 

holders of the parent

Attributable to ordinary shareholders:

Share capital

8

234

234 

Share premium

8

2,372

2,372 

Other reserves

8

237

346 

2,843

2,952 

Attributable to other equity holders

8

794

810 

3,637

3,762 

Minority interest

8

517

562 

Total equity

8

4,154

4,324 

Total equity and liabilities

57,044

60,201 

Condensed consolidated statement of recognised income and expense on an IFRS basis 

For the half year ended 30 June 2008

Equity 

holders of 

Equity 

 Total 

the parent 

 holders of

equity 

(ordinary

the parent 

holders of

Minority 

shares)

(STICS)

the parent 

interest 

Total 

Notes

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

Actuarial gains/(losses) on defined

benefit schemes net of tax

6(b)

30 

30 

(2)

28 

Foreign exchange adjustments

39 

39 

45 

Net income recognised 

directly in equity

69 

69 

73 

(Loss)/profit for the period

(60)

26 

(34)

(50)

(84)

Total recognised income and 

expense for the period

26 

35 

(46)

(11)

For the half year ended 30 June 2007

Equity 

holders of 

Equity 

 Total 

the parent 

 holders of

equity 

(ordinary

the parent 

holders of

Minority 

shares)

(STICS)

the parent 

interest 

Total 

Notes

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

Actuarial gains on defined

benefit schemes net of tax

6(b)

31 

31 

35 

Foreign exchange adjustments

(1)

(1)

(1)

Revaluation of owner occupied

 

 

 

 

 

properties

Shadow accounting

(2)

(2)

(2)

Net income recognised 

directly in equity

30 

30 

34 

Profit for the period

47 

26 

73 

34 

107 

Total recognised income and 

expense for the period

77 

26 

103 

38 

141 

Condensed consolidated cash flow statement on an IFRS basis

For the half year ended 30 June 2008

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Operating activities

(Loss)/profit for the period

(84)

107 

Unrealised losses on investments

5,225 

820 

Realises gains on investments 

(486)

(1,110)

Finance costs 

69 

63 

Amortisation of intangible assets 

47 

46 

Depreciation of property and equipment

Movement in deferred acquisition costs 

(124)

(51)

Total tax credit 

(137)

(5)

Net purchases and sales of investments 

(429)

(459)

Decrease in insurance contract liabilities 

(1,374)

(624)

(Decrease)/increase in investment contract liabilities 

(1,981)

1,996 

Decrease in fund for future appropriations 

(50)

(6)

Decrease in provisions 

(8)

(62)

Net decrease in receivables and payables 

(328)

(258)

Pre-tax cash inflow from operating activities

345 

460 

Tax paid

(22)

(1)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

323 

459 

Investing activities

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired (i)

Reduction in participation in subsidiaries, net of cash disposed (ii)

26 

Additions to internally generated intangible assets 

(5)

(13)

Purchase of property and equipment 

(3)

(4)

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities

26 

(12)

Financing activities 

Finance costs

(70)

(59)

STICS interest paid to equity holders of the parent

(42)

(42)

Repayment of long term debt (iii)

(75)

(144)

Net movement in other borrowings, net of expenses 

17 

Dividends paid to equity holders of the parent

(123)

(110)

Dividends paid to minority interest 

(20)

(26)

Net cash outflow from financing activities

(313)

(374)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents 

36 

73 

Balance at beginning of period 

4,782 

3,581 

Balance at end of period

4,818 

3,654 

(i) In respect of open-ended investment companies in which the Group holding increased to more than 50% during the period.

(ii) In respect of a reduction in the Group's holding in the F&C Commercial Property Trust.

(iii) £44m of loan notes and £31m of securitisation notes were repaid in the period.

Notes to the IFRS condensed consolidated financial statements

1. Basis of preparation

Friends Provident plc (the 'Company') is a company domiciled in England and Wales. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the Company as at and for the six months ended 30 June 2008 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the 'Group') and the Group's interests in associates and jointly controlled entities.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the half-year ended 30 June 2008 have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and with IAS34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the European Union. The half-yearly condensed consolidated financial report should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2007, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union.

In accordance with IAS 34, a comparative balance sheet and related notes are presented as at the immediately preceding financial year-end only, and a comparative income statement, statement of recognised income and expense, and cash flow statement and related notes are presented for the comparable interim period of the immediately preceding financial year only.

The comparative figures for the financial position at 31 December 2007 are not the Company's Report & Accounts for that financial year, but they are derived therefrom. Those accounts have been reported on by the Company's auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The Report & Accounts of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2007 is available upon request from the Company's registered office at Pixham End, DorkingRH4 1QA, or at http://www.friendsprovident.co.uk/investor/

The accounting policies applied by the Group in these condensed consolidated interim financial statements are the same as those applied by the Group in its consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2007.

The preparation of interim financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The IFRS results were approved by the Board of Directors on 6 August 2008.

2. Changes in accounting estimates 

There have been no significant changes in the methodologies used for accounting estimates since 31 December 2007 or in those items subject to significant use of estimates, assumptions and judgements. 

3. Segmental information

(a) Summary

The Group's management and internal reporting structure is based on the following business segments:

UK Life & Pensions (including corporate items)

International Life & Pensions

Asset Management (including F&C's managed pension fund business)

These segments comprise the Group's primary reporting format for segmental information.

(b) Business segment analysis

Half year ended 30 June 2008

Elimination

UK 

International 

of inter-

 Life & 

Life & 

Asset 

segment 

Pensions 

 Pensions 

Management 

amounts 

Total 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

Gross earned premiums on 

insurance and investment

contracts

1,843 

1,130 

134 

3,107 

Less investment contracts

premiums (i)

(1,359)

(1,122)

(134)

(2,615)

Gross earned premiums 

484 

492

Less premiums ceded to reinsurers

(47)

(1)

(48)

Net earned premiums

437 

444 

Fee and commission income and

income from service activities

186 

100 

123 

(21)

388 

Investment income

(2,711)

(644)

(85)

(3,440)

Total revenue

(2,088)

(537)

38 

(21)

(2,608)

Net claims and benefits paid

801 

802 

Movement in insurance and

investment contracts liabilities

(2,929)

(680)

(99)

(3,708)

Transfer to fund for future 

appropriations 

(50)

(50)

Movement in net assets 

attributable to unit holders

(128)

(128)

Acquisition expenses

202 

28 

237 

Administrative and other expenses

183 

112 

117 

(21)

391 

Finance costs

57 

69 

Total claims, benefits

and expenses

(1,864)

(536)

34 

(21)

(2,387)

Share of profits of associates

and joint venture

(Loss)/profit before tax from

continuing operations

(224)

(1)

(221)

Policyholder tax

82 

(1)

81 

Shareholder tax

55 

56 

Segmental result after tax

(87)

(1)

(84)

Inter segment

(expense)/revenue

(21)

21 

- 

(i) Accounted for as deposits under IFRS.

Half year ended 30 June 2007

Elimination 

UK 

International 

of inter- 

Life & 

Life & 

Asset 

segment 

Pensions

Pensions

Management 

amounts 

Total 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

Gross earned premiums on

insurance and investment

contracts

2,020 

1,041 

36 

3,097 

Less investment contracts

premiums (i)

(1,518)

(1,036)

(36)

(2,590)

Gross earned premiums

502 

507 

Less premiums ceded to reinsurers

(1,731)

(1)

(1,732)

Net earned premiums

(1,229)

(1,225)

Fee and commission income and

income from service activities

102 

78 

 124 

(18)

286 

Investment income

858 

519 

66 

1,443 

Total revenue

(269)

601 

190 

(18)

504 

Net claims and benefits paid

732 

732 

Movement in insurance and

investment contracts liabilities

(1,470)

491 

57 

 - 

(922)

Transfer to fund for future

appropriations

(6)

(6)

Movement in net assets

attributable to unit holders

63 

63 

Acquisition expenses

166 

29 

201 

Administrative and other expenses

105 

75 

110 

(18)

272 

Finance costs

45 

63 

Total claims, benefits

and expenses

(365)

604 

182 

(18)

403 

Share of profits of associates

and joint venture

Profit/(loss) before tax from 

continuing operations

96 

(3)

102 

Policyholder tax

(18)

(1)

(19)

Shareholder tax

23 

24 

Segmental result after tax

101 

(2)

107 

Inter segment

(expense)/revenue

(18)

18 

 (i) Accounted for as deposits under IFRS.

(c) Underlying profit

Half year ended 30 June 2008

UK Life 

International 

Life & 

Asset 

Pensions 

Pensions 

Management 

Total 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

(Loss)/profit before tax from

continuing operations

(224)

(1)

(221)

Policyholder tax

82 

(1)

81 

Returns on Group-controlled funds

attributable to third parties

52 

52

(Loss)/profit before tax 

excluding profit generated 

within policyholder funds

(90)

(1)

(88)

Non-recurring items (i)

15 

17 

Amortisation of Asset Management

acquired intangible assets

22 

22 

Amortisation of acquired present

value of in-force business

13 

Amortisation of Life & Pensions

acquired intangible assets

Interest payable on STICS

(26)

(26)

Short-term fluctuations in

investment return

69 

(1)

68 

Underlying profit before tax

(24)

10 

27 

13 

Tax on underlying profit

26 

Minority interest in underlying profit

(10)

Underlying profit after tax

attributable to ordinary

shareholders of the parent

29 

Earnings per share

Underlying earnings per share (pence)

1.2 

(i) Non-recurring items

UK Life & Pensions items include £nil (30 June 2007: credit of £9m) in respect of the estimated cost to shareholders of historic business reviews and mortgage endowment complaints and £15m (30 June 2007: £nil) in respect of strategic review implementation costs.

Half year ended 30 June 2007

UK Life 

International 

Life & 

Asset 

Pensions 

Pensions 

Management 

Total 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

Profit/(loss) before tax from

continuing operations

96 

(3)

 9 

102 

Policyholder tax

(18)

(1)

(19)

Returns on Group-controlled funds

attributable to third parties

(30)

(30)

Profit before tax excluding

profit generated within

policyholder funds

48 

(3)

53 

Non-recurring items (i)

(9)

(6)

Amortisation of Asset Management

acquired intangible assets

21 

21 

Amortisation of acquired present

value of in-force business

13 

Amortisation of Life & Pensions

acquired intangible assets

Interest payable on STICS

(26)

(26)

Short-term fluctuations in

investment return

53 

(1)

52 

Underlying profit before tax

70 

32 

111 

Tax on underlying profit

(3)

Minority interest in underlying profit

(10)

Underlying profit after tax

attributable to ordinary

shareholders of the parent

98 

Earnings per share

Underlying earnings per share (pence)

4.6 

4. Appropriations of profit

(a) Dividends paid and proposed on ordinary shares

Dividends paid during the period and recognised in reserves

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Final dividend in respect of 2007 and paid in May 2008 of 5.3p per share

(in respect of 2006 and paid in May 2007 of 5.2p per share)

123 

110 

Total dividends paid

123 

110 

After the balance sheet date the dividends set out below were proposed by the directors. In accordance with IAS 10 Events After the Balance Sheet Date, these have not been provided as a liability at the balance sheet date.

 30 June

31 Dec 

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Final dividend in respect of 2007 and paid in May 2008 of 5.3p per share

n/a 

123 

Interim dividend in respect of 2008 to be paid in November

 

 

2008 of 1.30p per share

30

n/a 

The 2007 final dividend and 2008 interim dividend are both based on 2,323m shares (excluding treasury shares) in issue.

(b) STICS interest

STICS interest paid during the period and recognised in reserves

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Interest on 2003 STICS at 6.875% (paid half-yearly)

11 

11 

Interest on 2005 STICS at 6.292% (paid annually)

31 

31 

Total interest paid

42 

42 

Interest on 2003 STICS at 6.875% is paid in May and November each year. Interest on 2005 STICS at 6.292% is paid in June of each year.

5. Earnings per share

(a) Basic and underlying earnings per share

Earnings per share have been calculated based on the profit after tax and on the underlying profit after tax, attributable to ordinary shareholders of the parent. The directors believe that the underlying earnings per share figure gives a better indication of operating performance.

Half year ended

Half year ended

30 June 2008

30 June 2007

Per 

Per 

Earnings

share

Earnings

share

£m

pence

£m

pence

(Loss)/profit after tax attributable to ordinary

 shareholders of the parent

(60)

(2.6)

47 

2.2 

Short-term fluctuations in investment return

68 

2.9 

52 

2.4 

Non-recurring items

17 

0.7 

(6)

(0.3)

Amortisation and impairment of 

acquired intangible assets

42 

1.8 

38 

1.8 

Minority interest on items excluded 

from underlying profit

(8)

(0.3)

(6)

(0.3)

Tax credit on items excluded from underlying profit

(30)

(1.3)

(27)

(1.2)

Underlying profit after tax attributable to 

ordinary shareholders of the parent

29 

1.2 

98 

4.6 

(b) Diluted earnings per share 

Half year ended 30 June 2008

Half year ended 30 June 2007

Weighted

Weighted

average

average

number of

number of

ordinary

Per

ordinary

Per

Earnings

shares

share

Earnings

shares

share

£m

millions

pence

£m

millions

pence

(Loss)/profit after tax

attributable to ordinary

shareholders of the parent

(60)

2,323

(2.6)

47

2,130

2.2

Dilution (c)

-

-

10

-

Diluted (loss)/profit after tax

attributable to ordinary

shareholders of the parent

(60)

2,323

(2.6)

47

2,140

2.2

(c) Dilution

Options over 27,066,918 shares outstanding under the Company's option schemes as at 30 June 2008 were not dilutive for the period because their impact on EPS would be to reduce the loss per share 

Options over 34,075,765 shares are outstanding under the Company's option schemes as at 30 June 2007. Of these 24,575,930 options were not dilutive for that period because the market price of the Company's shares was below the option price or the performance criteria were not met.

6. Staff pension schemes

(a) Introduction

The Group operates several defined benefit schemes: the Friends Provident Pension Scheme (FPPS), to which the majority of the Group's UK Life & Pensions employees belong, and various schemes operated by F&C. In addition defined contribution schemes are operated by FP, F&C, FPI, Pantheon Financial Limited and Sesame Group Limited. Lombard does not operate a pension scheme.

The FPPS was closed to new entrants in 2007.

The F&C UK defined benefit schemes closed to new entrants in 1995 and 2002. The two schemes were merged in 2007.

In April 2008, the principal employer of the FPPS made an additional contribution of £20m.

In May 2008, the FPPS entered into a bulk annuity arrangement with Norwich Union to pay current pensions in payment. The scheme paid a premium of £350m to purchase the annuity, which was partly funded by a £160m loan from a Group company. The loan is repayable over a maximum of 2 years and incurs interest at 3 months Libor + 2%. £127m of the loan was outstanding at 30 June 2008. The value of the annuity asset recognised by the scheme exactly matches the liability of current pensions in payment and was £311m at 30 June 2008. Although the longevity risk of current pensioners has been transferred to Norwich Union the ultimate obligations in respect of current pensioners remain with the scheme and, as such, the majority of assets backing the liabilities at any time are ring-fenced as collateral.

On 31 July 2008 an extension was agreed with Norwich Union to place liabilities arising from the next 5 years' retirements with Norwich Union. The best estimate of the expected value of these tranches is £135m.

(b) Total schemes

30 June

31 Dec

2008

2007

£m 

£m

Pension surplus/(deficit) recognised on the balance

Sheet

Surplus in the FPPS

74

Deficit in the F&C schemes

(31)

(27)

Deferred tax

(12)

Net pension asset/(liability)

 31

(15)

Recognised as follows:

Insurance and other receivables

74

Provisions

(31)

(27)

Deferred tax liabilities

(12)

31

(15)

Analysis of net pension asset/(liability) 

FPPS

53

F&C schemes

(22)

(19)

31

(15)

The increase in the FPPS surplus mainly arises from the interaction of the Liability Driven Investment pool assets (LDI) and the liabilities they are designed to back. The value of the LDI reflect changes in relatively high quality swap rates which are little changed in the period. The value of liabilities is discounted based on AA rated corporate bond yields, in accordance with IAS 19, which have risen significantly during the period in relation to swap rates, consequently reducing the value of liabilities recognised.

Half year ended

30 June

2008

2007

£m

£m

Amounts recognised in the income statement gross of tax

FPPS

(9)

(9)

F&C schemes

(2)

(2)

(11)

(11)

Amounts recognised in the statement of recognised

income and expense

FPPS

 45 

36 

F&C schemes

(6)

13 

Deferred tax

(11)

(14)

 28 

35 

(c) Actuarial assumptions

The principal assumptions used by the Scheme Actuary of the FPPS have changed from 31 December 2007 as follows:

30 June 

31 Dec 

2008 

2007 

Inflation assumption 

3.97 

3.53

Rate of increase in salaries 

3.50 

3.50 

Rate of increase in pensions in payment

3.78 

3.40 

Discount rate for active and deferred members

5.97 

5.51 

Discount rate for pensioners 

6.41 

5.51 

The assumptions used for the F&C schemes are broadly consistent with those used for the FPPS.

7. Intangible assets

Investment 

Acquired 

management 

Goodwill 

PVIF 

contracts 

Other

Total

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m

£m

Cost

At 1 January 2008

733

499

585

267

2,084

Other additions

-

-

-

5

5

Foreign exchange adjustments

16

19

9

10

54

At 30 June 2008

749

518

594

282

2,143

Amortisation and impairment

At 1 January 2008

-

169

331

128

628

Amortisation charge for period

-

13

22

12

47

Foreign exchange adjustments

-

3

-

2

5

At 30 June 2008

-

185

353

142

680

Carrying amounts

At 31 December 2007

733

330

254

139

1,456

At 30 June 2008

749

333

241

140

1,463

There has been no indication of potential impairment on intangible assets at 30 June 2008. In accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, goodwill is assessed annually in December.

(a) Goodwill

Goodwill is the only intangible asset which has an indefinite useful life and has been allocated as follows: 

30 June

31 Dec

2008

2007

£m

£m

UK Life & Pensions

192

192

Lombard 

177

161

Sesame

8

8

Pantheon Financial

28

28

Asset Management

344

344

Total goodwill

749

733

(b) Acquired PVIF

Acquired Present Value of In-Force business (PVIF) is amortised over the lifetime of the in-force policies. The net book value is analysed as follows:

30 June

31 Dec

2008

2007

£m

£m

UK Life & Pensions

70

75

International Life & Pensions

263

255

Total acquired PVIF

333

330

(c) Investment management contracts

Investment management contracts relate to the Asset Management segment and are amortised over their expected useful economic lives of between 4 and 10 years.

(d) Other intangible assets 

Other intangible assets are amortised over their anticipated useful lives of between 3 and 15 years and mainly include distribution channel relationships and software development.

The analysis of the net book value for each segment is as follows:

30 June

31 Dec

2008

2007

£m

£m

UK Life & Pensions

34

38

International Life & Pensions

104

100

Asset Management

2

1

Total other intangible assets

140

139

8. Movement in capital and reserves

Half year ended 30 June 2008

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Share

Share

Other 

Minority 

capital

premium

reserves 

STICS 

Total 

interest 

Total 

£m

£m

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

At 1 January 2008

234

2,372

346 

810 

3,762 

562

4,324

Total recognised income

and expense

for the period

-

-

26 

35 

(46)

(11)

Dividends on equity shares

-

-

(123)

(123)

(20)

(143)

Interest paid on STICS

-

-

(42)

(42)

(42)

Appropriations of profit

-

-

(123)

(42)

(165)

(20)

(185)

Share based payments

-

-

Change in participation

in subsidiary

-

-

18

18 

At 30 June 2008

234

2,372

237 

794 

3,637 

517 

4,154 

Half year ended 30 June 2007

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Share

Share

Other 

Minority 

capital

premium

reserves 

STICS 

Total 

interest 

Total 

£m

£m

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

At 1 January 2007

214 

2,051 

542 

810 

3,617 

548 

4,165 

Total recognised income

and expense

for the period

77 

26 

103 

38 

141 

Dividends on equity shares

(110)

(110)

(26)

(136)

Interest paid on STICS

(42)

(42)

(42)

Appropriations of profit

(110)

(42)

(152)

(26)

(178)

Share based payments

11 

Allocation on Lombard

earn-out payment

57 

60 

60 

Change in participation

in subsidiary

 - 

(10)

(10)

At 30 June 2007

217 

2,109 

515 

794 

3,635 

554 

4,189 

9. Contingencies

In the normal course of its business, the Group is subject to matters of litigation or dispute. While there can be no assurances, at this time the Directors believe, based on the information currently available to them, that it is not probable that the ultimate outcome of any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Group.

10. Related party transactions

Transactions made between the Group and related parties were made in the normal course of business. Loans to related parties are made on normal arm's length commercial terms.

Detailed below are the significant related party transactions during the period.

Services provided to related parties

2008

2007

Income earned

Receivable

Income earned

Receivable at

to 30 June

at 30 June

to 30 June

31 December

£m

£m

£m

£m

Employee pension schemes

-

4

-

3

Other related parties

17

7

17

13

Total

17

11

17

16

Services provided by related parties

2008

2007

Income earned

Receivable

Income earned

Receivable at

to 30 June

at 30 June

to 30 June

31 December

£m

£m

£m

£m

Joint venture

9

-

15

-

Other related parties

2

7

7

7

Total

11

7

22

7

Other related parties include Eureko BV who hold in excess of 10% of the ordinary share capital of F&C and is entitled to F&C board representation.

As explained in note 6(a), a Group company made a loan of £160m to the Friends Provident Pension Scheme during the period of which £127m is outstanding at 30 June 2008.

Consolidated income statement on an EEV basis

For the half year ended 30 June 2008

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

Notes 

£m 

£m 

Life & Pensions

Contribution from new business

2(b), 3(a)

67 

95 

Contribution from existing business:

Expected return 

99 

108 

Experience variances 

20 

Development costs 

(7)

(19)

Other net (expenses)/income

(3)

Expected return on shareholders' net assets within 

the Life & Pensions business 

21 

34 

Life & Pensions underlying profit 

2(a)

186 

239 

Asset Management underlying profit

27 

32 

Expected return on net pension asset 

Expected return on corporate net assets 

(4)

Corporate costs 

(8)

(7)

Underlying profit before tax 

211 

264 

Investment return variances 

(289)

(48)

Effect of economic assumption changes 

115 

162 

Non-recurring items 

(17)

Amortisation of non-covered business

acquired intangible assets

(25)

(21)

(Loss)/profit before tax from

 

continuing operations

(5)

363 

Tax credit/(charge)

10 

(59)

Profit for the period

304 

Attributable to: 

Ordinary shareholders of the parent 

(24)

290 

Minority interest 

29 

14 

Profit for the period 

304 

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

Earnings per share

pence 

pence 

Basic (loss)/earnings per share

(1.0)

13.6 

Diluted basic (loss)/earnings per share

(1.0)

13.6 

Underlying earnings per share

6.5 

8.9 

EEV underlying profit is based on expected investment return and excludes: (i) amortisation and impairment of non-covered business acquired intangible assets, (ii) effect of economic assumption changes, (iii) non-recurring items; and is stated after deducting interest payable on STICS. Management consider that underlying profit better reflects the performance of the Group and focus on this measure of profit in its internal monitoring of the Group's EEV results.

Consolidated statement of recognised income and expense on an EEV basis

For the half year ended 30 June 2008

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Actuarial gains on defined benefit schemes net of tax

28 

35 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

39 

Net income recognised directly in equity

67 

35 

Profit for the period 

304 

Total recognised income and expense for the period

72 

339 

Attributable to: 

Ordinary shareholders of the parent 

39 

321 

Minority interest 

33 

18 

Total recognised income and expense for the period

72 

339 

Consolidated movement in ordinary shareholders' equity on an EEV basis

For the half year ended 30 June 2008

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Total recognised income and expense for the period

attributable to ordinary shareholders of the parent

39 

321 

Dividends on equity shares 

(123)

(110)

Share based payments (impact on EEV reserves) 

Earn-out payments

(Decrease)/increase in EEV reserves for the period

(79)

219 

Share based payments

(impact on share capital and share premium) 

Net (decrease)/increase in ordinary 

shareholders' equity

(79)

220 

At beginning of period

3,647 

3,520 

At end of period 

3,568 

3,740 

Consolidated balance sheet on an EEV basis 

At 30 June 2008

 30 June

31 Dec

2008

2007

Notes

£m

£m

Assets

Value of in-force Life & Pensions business

9

1,847 

1,870

Intangible assets

5

670 

684

Property and equipment

77 

81

Investment properties

2,037 

2,371

Investment in associates and joint venture

14 

14

Deferred tax asset

61 

55

Financial assets

44,542 

47,710

Deferred acquisition costs

6

11 

12

Reinsurance assets

1,976 

2,015

Current tax assets

4

Insurance and other receivables

879 

672

Cash and cash equivalents

4,818 

4,782

Total assets

56,934 

60,270

Liabilities

Insurance contracts

12,233 

13,607

Fund for future appropriations

414 

464

Financial liabilities

- Investment contracts

35,582 

36,823

- Interest bearing loans and borrowings

1,186 

1,479

- Amounts due to reinsurers

1,525 

1,611

Net asset value attributable to unit holders

796 

909

Provisions

233 

243

Deferred tax liabilities

138 

231

Current tax liabilities

90 

113

Insurance payables, other payables 

and deferred income

615 

571

Total liabilities

52,812 

56,051

Equity attributable to: 

Ordinary shareholders of the parent

3,568 

3,647

Minority interest

554 

572

Total equity

4,122 

4,219

Total equity & liabilities

56,934 

60,270

Notes to the EEV results

1. Methodology

1.1 Basis of preparation

The EEV results presented in this document have been prepared in accordance with the European Insurers' Chief Financial Officers Forum's EEV Principles issued in May 2004 and the Additional Guidance issued in 2005. They provide supplementary information for the period ended 30 June 2008. As explained in the Financial Review, Friends Provident has adopted the MCEV approach in implementing current EEV Principles and therefore the June 2008 CFO Forum Principles requiring companies to use a market consistent approach when calculating the value of their insurance business will have no significant impact on our results.

The EEV basis of reporting is designed to recognise profit as it is earned over the term of the policy. The total profit recognised over the lifetime of the policy is the same as that recognised under the IFRS basis of reporting, but the timing of recognition is different.

The reported embedded value provides an estimate of the value of shareholders' interest in the covered business, excluding any value that may be generated from future new business. This value comprises the sum of the shareholders' net worth, the provision for future corporate costs and the value of existing business. The shareholders' net worth is the net assets attributable to shareholders, and is represented by the sum of required capital and free surplus. The value of existing business is the present value of the projected stream of future distributable profits available to shareholders from the existing business at the valuation date, on a best estimate basis allowing for risk, adjusted for the cost of holding required capital.

A significant number of assumptions are made, including: the behaviour of customers (for example, persistency); mortality; the level of expenses required to maintain the book of business; tax and regulatory environment and the future economic environment. The assumptions are a reflection of our best estimate of the likely behaviours, outcomes, or circumstances in the future. The estimate is made, typically, on an annual basis following experience investigations based on the data available at the time both from our own book of business and externally sourced information. The aim is to set assumptions at a level that reflects recent or current experience, unless there are reliable indicators that suggest their adoption would result in a significant variance compared to these assumptions in future. There have been no changes in the operating assumptions used to prepare the interim results from those used for the 2007 year-end.

The supplementary information should be read in conjunction with the Group's condensed IFRS results.

The Group's Report & Accounts for the year-ended 31 December 2007 contain further information on the methodologies applied in preparing the EEV result. There have been no significant changes to the methodologies used to prepare these interim results from those used to prepare the Group's Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2007.

The results for covered business as reported under EEV principles are combined with the results for the remainder of the business reported in accordance with IFRS, except where EEV principles dictate otherwise. In particular the EEV principles have been applied to reflect Step-up Tier one Insurance Capital Securities (STICS) as debt rather than equity and the shareholders' net worth includes the corporate debt of the Group, valued at market value.

In addition, a pro forma embedded value is reported showing ordinary shareholders' funds on an EEV basis adjusted to include the F&C listed subsidiary at market value.

Shareholders' net assets on an EEV basis for the Group comprise of the following:

Life & Pensions net assets;

the Group's share of its investment in the Asset Management business (including the net pension liability) on an IFRS basis and corporate debt valued at market value;

corporate net assets;

the net pension asset of Friends Provident Pension Scheme (FPPS) on an IAS19 basis; 

the provision for future corporate costs; and

the present value of future profits attributable to shareholders from existing policies of the Life & Pensions business.

EEV and other balance sheet items denominated in foreign currencies have been translated to sterling using the appropriate closing exchange rate. The new business contribution and other income statement items have been translated using an average exchange rate for the relevant period.

The EEV results were approved by the Board of Directors on 6 August 2008.

1.2 Covered business

The covered business incorporates the Life & Pensions business defined as long-term business by UK and overseas regulators.

The Asset Management and IFA distribution businesses are not included within the definition of covered business. For the purpose of segmentation the IFA distribution business is included within UK Life & Pensions.

1.3 Allowance for risk

The allowance for risk in the shareholder cash flows is a key feature of the EEV Principles. The EEV guidance sets out three main areas where allowance should be made for risk in an embedded value: 

the risk discount rate;

the allowance for the cost of financial options and guarantees; and

the cost of holding both prudential reserves and any additional required capital.

The market-consistent approach has been used to allow for risk in all three areas.

1.4 Deriving risk discount rates

A market-consistent embedded value has been calculated for each product line by valuing the cash flows in line with the prices of similar cash flows traded on the open market.

In principle, each cash flow is valued using the discount rate consistent with that applied to such a cash flow in the capital markets. For example, an equity cash flow is valued using an equity risk discount rate, and a bond cash flow is valued using a bond risk discount rate. If a higher return is assumed for equities, the equity cash flow is discounted at this higher rate.

In practice, for liabilities where the payouts are either independent or move linearly with market movements, a method known as the 'certainty equivalent approach' has been applied whereby all assumed assets earn the risk-free rate and all cash flows are discounted using the risk-free rate. This gives the same result as applying the method in the previous paragraph.

A market-consistent cost of financial options and guarantees and a market-consistent cost of holding required capital have also been calculated. The cost of financial options and guarantees includes additional allowance for non-market risk within the With Profits Fund. An additional provision has been made for operational risks. These are described in more detail within the Group's Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2007.

For presentational purposes, a set of risk discount rates has been derived for each product line, and for in-force and new business, by calculating the risk discount rate under a traditional embedded value approach that gives the same value as that from the market-consistent embedded value determined above. These derived risk discount rates are a function of the assumptions used (eg equity risk premium and corporate bond spreads). However, as the market-consistent approach is used, these assumptions do not impact the level of embedded value: a higher equity risk premium results in an exactly compensating higher risk discount rate.

1.5 Financial options and guarantees

The burnthrough cost at 30 June 2008 of £49m (31 December 2007: £48m), consists of £30m (31 December 2007: £23m) market risk and £19m (31 December 2007: £25m) non-market risk. The non-market risks include lapses, annuitant longevity, and operational risk within the With Profits Fund. The allowance for non-market risks is made by consideration of the impact of extreme scenarios from our economic capital model.

The company no longer writes significant volumes of new with profits business and the guarantee levels offered are lower, hence there is no material impact of the burnthrough cost to the contribution from new business.

1.6 Required capital and the cost of capital

Required capital is set at the greater of regulatory capital and requirements arising from internal capital management policies, which include economic risk capital objectives. The economic risk capital is determined from internal models, based on the Company's risk appetite. In aggregate, required capital is higher than regulatory requirements by approximately £400m (31 December 2007: £200m). The increase is due to adverse investment conditions having a greater impact on internal economic capital objectives than on regulatory requirements and from increasing economic capital requirements to take account of potential uncertainity arising from the strategic review implementation. Capital requirements under EEV amounted to £873m (31 December 2007: £668m).

1.7 Non-market risk

A provision of £83m (31 December 2007: £87m) has been set up for operational risks in the shareholders' funds. This provision has been calculated by comparing the mean impact of variations in operational risk, as modelled in the economic capital calculations, with the existing allowance for operational risk in specific accounting provisions and embedded value projection assumptions.

This provision of £83m is equivalent to a 0.4% (31 December 2007: 0.4%) increase in the risk discount rate for UK Life & Pensions business and 0.8% (31 December 2007: 0.8%) for International Life & Pensions business, recognising the higher operational risks in international business. This impacts both embedded value and the contribution from new business.

1.8 Expenses

The EEV guidance requires companies to actively review expense assumptions, and include an allowance for holding company (corporate) costs and service company costs.

(a) Corporate costs

Under EEV methodology, corporate costs are classified as either ongoing costs or development and one-off costs. For 30 June 2008, £6m (30 June 2007: £4m) of corporate costs were regular ongoing corporate costs and £2m (30 June 2007: £3m) were one-off costs. The ongoing corporate costs were increased in the second half of 2007 to include corporate costs in relation to group businesses, previously held outside EEV, and have been capitalised in accordance with EEV Principles. The impact is a provision of £95m (31 December 2007: £97m).

(b) Service costs

Service company costs are included in the EEV expense assumption calculations. Included within these are the fees charged by F&C for investment management services to the covered Life & Pensions business.

F&C service fee profits in respect of covered Life & Pensions business are not capitalised under the EEV methodology, as F&C is a separate business segment within the Group and the arrangement between F&C and the Life & Pensions business is on an arm's length basis. Instead these profits, approximately £4m (30 June 2007: £4m), are brought into the consolidated income statement on an IFRS basis and F&C is brought into the pro forma embedded value at market value.

Productivity gains have been assumed within the EEV in respect of International business in anticipation of future business growth. The Lombard EEV has been reduced by £15m (31 December 2007: £15m) for a projected expense overrun for the period to 2013.

(c) Development costs

Development costs include costs related to developing wholly new products or entering wholly new markets.

1.9 New business

New business within the covered business includes:

premiums from the sale of new contracts;

payments on recurring single premium contracts, including Department for Work and Pensions rebate premiums, except existing stakeholder-style pensions business where, if a regular pattern in the receipt of premiums for individuals has been established, the regular payment is treated as a renewal of an existing contract and not new business;

non-contractual increments on existing policies; and

new entrants in the group pensions business.

The EEV new business definition is consistent with the quarterly new business disclosure.

2. Segmental analysis 

(a) Life & Pensions profit on an EEV basis

Half year ended 30 June 2008

Half year ended

Half year ended

30 June 2008

30 June 2007

UK 

International 

Total 

UK 

International 

Total 

Notes

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

Contribution from new

business

2(b),

3(a)

27 

40 

67 

62 

33 

95 

Contribution from existing

business:

Expected return

73 

26 

99 

88 

20 

108 

Experience variances (i)

19 

20 

Operating assumption

changes 

Development costs

(7)

(7)

(17)

(2)

(19)

Other net (expenses)/income

(3)

(3)

Expected return on

shareholders' net assets

within the Life & Pensions

Business

21 

21 

33 

34 

Life & Pensions underlying

profit before tax

125 

61 

186 

186 

53 

239 

Investment return variances

3(e)

(427)

(84)

(511)

(174)

(168)

Effect of economic 

assumption changes

104 

113 

157 

162 

Non-recurring items (ii)

(15)

(15)

Amortisation on non-covered

business acquired

intangible assets

(3)

(3)

Life & Pensions (loss)/profit

before tax from

 

 

continuing operations

(216)

(14)

(230)

178 

64 

242 

Attributed tax credit/(charge)

3(f)

60 

64 

(52)

(10)

(62)

Life & Pensions (loss)/profit

for the period

(156)

(10)

(166)

126 

54 

180 

(i) Experience variances include a number of small items, including £10m in respect of operational risk provisions.

(ii) Explanations of the non-recurring items are set out in note 3 to the IFRS condensed consolidated financial statements.

(b) New business margin

Half year ended 30 June 2008

Half year ended

Half year ended

30 June 2008

30 June 2007

UK

International

Total

UK

International

Total

Contribution from 

new business

£27m

£40m

£67m

£62m

£33m

£95m

Present Value

of New Business 

Premiums (PVNBP)

£1,781m

£1,439m

£3,220m

£2,257m

£1,171m

£3,428m

Margin - PVNBP

1.5%

2.8%

2.1%

2.7%

2.8%

2.8%

PVNBP represents new single premiums plus the expected present value of new business regular premiums.

(c) Pro forma embedded value

At 30 June 2008

30 June 

31 Dec 

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Ordinary shareholders' equity on an EEV basis

3,568 

3,647 

Adjustment to the value of the listed Asset Management

business to market value

(66)

78 

Pro forma embedded value 

3,502 

3,725 

Pro forma embedded value per share 

£1.51 

£1.60 

(d) Summary consolidated balance sheet on an EEV basis 

At 30 June 2008

30 June 2008

Intra 

31 Dec 

Segmental 

-group 

2007 

analysis 

 debt(iv)

Total 

Total 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

Life & Pensions - long-term funds

637 

637 

640 

Life & Pensions - shareholders' funds

294 

840 

1,134 

1,250 

Life & Pensions net assets 

931 

840 

1,771 

1,890 

Corporate net assets 

384 

(840)

(456)

(441)

Shareholders' invested net assets (i)

1,315 

1,315 

1,449 

Attributable net asset value of the 

Asset Management business

net of minority interest (ii), (iii)

448 

448 

421 

Net pension asset of Friends 

Provident Pension Scheme

53 

53 

Shareholders' net worth

1,816 

1,816 

1,874 

Provision for future corporate costs

(95)

(97)

Value of in-force Life & Pensions business

1,847 

1,870 

Ordinary shareholders' net 

assets on an EEV basis

3,568 

3,647 

Called-up share capital 

234 

234 

Share premium account 

2,372 

2,372 

EEV reserves

962 

1,041 

Ordinary shareholders' equity

on an EEV basis

3,568 

3,647 

(i) Within shareholders' invested net assets is £36m at 30 June 2008  (31 December 2007: £36m) of goodwill and £27m at 30 June 2008 (31 December 2007: £29m) of other acquired intangible assets in relation to the purchase of the two IFA Groups, Sesame and Pantheon Financial.

(ii) The attributable net asset value of the Asset Management business includes goodwill of £344m at 30 June 2008 (31 December 2007: £344m) investment management contracts net of related tax, £89m (31 December 2007: £93m) and software £1m (31 December 2007: £1m).

(iii) The attributable net asset value of the Asset Management business includes the value of the net pension liability of that business on an IAS 19 basis, and is net of related tax. The net pension asset of Friends Provident Pension Scheme (FPPS) is stated on an IAS 19 basis.

(iv) Intra-group long-term debt is analysed as follows:

Interest payable

Debt

Half year ended

30 June

31 Dec

30 June

2008

2007

2008

2007 

£m

£m

£m

£m 

Due from FPLP to Friends Provident plc

795

795

23

23 

Due from Sesame to Friends Provident

Distribution Holdings Ltd

45

55

-

-

840

850

23

23

(e) Life & Pensions net assets segmental information by business segment 

30 June 2008

31 Dec 2007

UK

International

Total

UK

International

Total

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Life & Pensions net assets

946 

(15)

931 

1,049

(9)

1,040

Value of in-force Life &

Pensions business 

1,202 

645 

1,847 

1,260

610 

1,870

2,148 

630 

2,778 

2,309

601 

2,910

3. Life & Pensions profit on an EEV basis

(a) Contribution from new business

The contribution from new business is calculated using economic assumptions at the beginning of the period and is quoted after the cost of required capital, share based payments and including an apportionment of fixed acquisition expenses across products. The table below gives the contribution before share based payments and cost of capital.

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Contribution from new business before cost of capital and

share based payments 

73 

100 

Cost of share based payments 

(2)

(2)

Cost of capital 

(4)

(3)

Contribution from new business 

67 

95 

The contribution from new business using end-of-period economic assumptions was £66m (30 June 2007: £91m).

(b) Profit from existing business - Life & Pensions

Profit from existing Life & Pensions business comprises the expected return on the value of in-force business at the start of the period plus the impact of any changes in assumptions regarding future operating experience, changes in the reserving basis (other than economic assumption changes) and profits and losses caused by differences between the actual experience for the period and the assumptions used to calculate the embedded value at the end of the period.

The expected return on the value of in-force business is the difference between the expected return on the assets backing the liabilities and the expected change in the market-consistent value of the liabilities. Effectively, this approach is similar to applying an unwind in the risk discount rate to the value of the in-force business at the beginning of the year. However, the risk discount rate to be used is a rate appropriate over the period of return only, which is not necessarily equal to the overall in-force risk discount rate averaged across all future durations above.

(c) Development costs - Life & Pensions

Development costs include costs related to developing wholly new products or entering wholly new markets.

(d) Expected return on shareholders' net assets

The expected return on shareholders' net assets held within the Life & Pensions business comprises the return on the shareholders' net assets held by the life assurance companies within that business, using the investment return assumptions used to calculate the embedded value at the beginning of the period.

The expected return on corporate net assets is the expected investment return on assets held by Friends Provident plc and its non-Life & Pensions subsidiaries. It excludes the expected return on net pension asset and the result of the F&C business, which are shown separately in the consolidated income statement.

(e) Investment return variance

The split of the investment return variance in the Life & Pensions EEV profit is shown in the table below:

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

In respect of net assets at the start of year

(52)

(38)

In respect of covered business

(320)

(88)

Investment return variances after tax 

(372)

(126)

Investment return variances before tax 

(511)

(168)

The investment return variance of £(52)m after tax relates to shareholder net assets. The investment return variance in respect of covered business comprises £(123)m after tax, relating to assets backing actuarial liabilities, and £(197)m after tax, relating to the value of the in-force business.

(f) Attributed tax charge

EEV Life & Pensions profits except for the expected return on shareholders' net assets are calculated net of tax and then grossed up at the effective rate of shareholder tax. The full standard rate of UK corporation tax has been used to gross up after tax profits on UK business and appropriate tax rates have been used for the International business. EEV deferred tax is provided on the mark-to-market revaluation of debt held within covered business.

Half year ended

30 June

2008 

2007 

£m

£m 

Contribution from new business

19 

24 

Contribution from existing business

30 

35 

Development costs

(2)

(5)

Expected return on shareholders' net assets

within the Life & Pensions business

11 

Other net (expenses)/income

(1)

Non-recurring items & acquired intangibles

(4)

Investment return variances

(139)

(43)

Effect of economic assumption changes

33 

48 

Prior year tax adjustments 

(8)

(11)

Attributed tax (credit)/charge

(64)

 62 

4. Earnings per share

Earnings per share have been calculated based on EEV underlying profit for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders of the parent, and on profit for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders of the parent. The directors believe the underlying earnings per share figure gives a better indication of operating performance.

Half year ended

Half year ended

 

30 June 2008

30 June 2007

Per

 

Per

Earnings

share 

Earnings 

share

£m 

pence 

£m 

pence 

(Loss)/profit after tax for the

period attributable to ordinary 

shareholders of the parent

(24)

(1.0)

290 

13.6 

Investment return variances

289 

12.4 

48 

 2.2 

Effect of economic assumption changes

(115)

(5.0)

(162)

(7.6)

Amortisation and impairment of 

non-covered business acquired 

intangible assets

25 

1.1 

21 

1.0 

Non-recurring items

17 

0.7 

(6)

(0.3)

Tax credit on items excluded from

underlying profit

(59)

(2.5)

(5)

(0.2)

Minority interest on items excluded 

from underlying profit

19 

0.8 

0.2 

Underlying profit after tax for the

period attributable to ordinary

shareholders of the parent

152 

6.5 

190 

8.9 

(a) Basic and underlying earnings per share

(b) Diluted basic earnings per share 

Half year ended 30 June 2008

Half year ended 30 June 2007

Weighted 

Weighted 

average 

average 

number of

number of 

ordinary 

Per 

 

ordinary 

Per 

earnings 

shares 

share 

earnings 

shares 

share 

£m 

millions 

pence 

£m 

millions 

pence 

(Loss)/profit for the

period attributable to 

ordinary shareholders

of the parent

(24)

2,323 

(1.0)

290

2,130

13.6

Dilution (i) 

-

10

-

Diluted (loss)/profit after 

tax attributable to 

ordinary shareholders

of the parent

(24)

2,323 

(1.0)

290

2,140

13.6

(i) Details of dilution are set out in note 5 to the IFRS condensed financial statements.

5. Intangible assets on an EEV basis 

Investment 

management 

Goodwill 

contracts 

Other 

Total 

Carrying amounts

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

At 31 December 2007

380

254

50 

684 

At 30 June 2008

380

241

49 

670 

(a) Goodwill

Goodwill is the only intangible asset which has an indefinite useful life and has been allocated as follows: 

30 June 

31 Dec 

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Asset Management

344

344 

Pantheon Financial

28

28 

Sesame

8

At 30 June 2008, there is no indication that goodwill has been impaired. In accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, goodwill is assessed annually in December.

There has been no goodwill impairment charge in 2008 (30 June 2007: £nil).

(b) Investment management contracts

See note 7 to the IFRS condensed financial statements.

(c) Other intangible assets 

Other intangible assets are amortised over their anticipated useful lives of between 3 and 15 years and mainly include distribution channel relationships and software development.

The analysis of the net book value for each segment is as follows:

30 June 

31 Dec 

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

UK Life & Pensions

34 

38 

International Life & Pension

13 

11 

Asset Management

 2 

Total other intangible assets

49 

50 

6. Deferred acquisition costs 

Deferred acquisition costs of £11m (31 December 2007: £12m) relate to Asset Management business.

7. Reconciliation of movement in pro forma embedded value

Total 

UK 

International 

Life & 

Life & 

Life & 

Pensions 

 

Total 

Pensions 

Pensions 

EEV 

Other 

EEV 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

Pro forma embedded value 

at 1 January 2008

2,309 

601 

2,910 

815 

3,725 

Contribution from new business

27 

40 

67 

67 

Contribution from existing business

- Expected return

73 

26 

99 

99 

- Experience variances

Development costs

(7)

(7)

(7)

Other net income 

(3)

(3)

(3)

Expected return on shareholders' net

assets

21 

21 

21 

Other underlying items

25 

25 

Underlying EEV profit before tax

125 

61 

186 

25 

211 

Investment return variances

(427)

(84)

(511)

222 

(289)

Effect of economic assumption 

changes

104 

113 

115 

Non-recurring items

(15)

(15)

(2)

(17)

Other non-underlying items

(3)

(3)

(22)

(25)

(Loss)/profit before tax from

continuing operations

(216)

(14)

(230)

225 

(5)

Tax

60 

64 

(54)

10 

(Loss)/profit for the period

(156)

(10)

(166)

171 

Net movement recognised directly in 

the statement of recognised 

income and expense

28 

28 

39 

67 

Minority interest

(33)

(33)

Dividends on ordinary shares

(125)

(123)

Share based payments

Adjustment to the value of the listed 

Asset Management business to 

market value

(144)

(144)

Allocation of service company 

charges

(4)

Allocation of OLAB surplus to 

International Life & Pensions

(9)

Total movement in EEV

(161)

29 

(132)

(91)

(223)

Pro forma embedded value 

at 30 June 2008

2,148 

630 

2,778 

724 

3,502 

Pro forma EEV comprises the EEV of the entire Group, incorporating the Group's share of F&C at market value of £381m (31 December 2007: £497m).

'Other' consists predominantly of Asset Management business and corporate items.

8. Reconciliation of net worth and value of in-force business for Life & Pensions

Total 

Value of 

Life & 

Free 

Required 

Total net 

in force 

Pensions 

surplus 

capital 

 worth 

business 

EEV 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

£m 

Shareholders' capital and reserves

At 1 January 2008

372 

668 

1,040 

1,870 

2,910 

Contribution from new business

(127)

12 

(115)

161 

46 

Expected return on existing business

13 

70 

83 

Experience variances, operating

assumption changes, development

costs and non-recurring items

(253)

198 

(55)

43 

(12)

Expected profit - transfer to net worth

127 

(6)

121 

(121)

Prior year tax adjustment 

Investment return variances and 

economic assumption changes

(77)

(7)

(84)

(207)

(291)

Life & Pensions profit for the period

(317)

205 

(112)

(54)

(166)

Dividend

Foreign exchange adjustments 

(3)

(3)

31 

28 

Transfer of assets 

Shareholders' capital and reserves

At 30 June 2008

58 

873 

931 

1,847 

2,778 

All items in the table above are shown net of tax. £868m of regulatory capital is also available, raised through the STICS and securitisation, that is not included within the EEV shareholder capital above.

9. Value of in-force Life & Pensions business on an EEV basis 

At 30 June 2008

30 June 

31 Dec 

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Value of in-force allowing for market risk (excluding

time value of options and guarantees)

2,034 

2,057 

Time value cost of options and guarantees 

(including the impact of non-market risks) 

(49)

(48)

Cost of required capital, plus excess 

economic capital requirements 

(55)

(52)

Provision for operational risks 

(83)

(87)

Value of in-force Life & Pensions business 

1,847 

1,870 

10. Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Ordinary shareholders' equity on an EEV basis reconciles to equity attributable to equity holders of the parent on an IFRS basis as follows:

 30 June

 31 Dec

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Ordinary shareholders' equity on an EEV basis

3,568 

3,647 

Less items only included on an EEV basis:

Value of in-force Life & Pensions business

(1,847)

(1,870)

Provision for future corporate costs

95 

97 

Adjustment of long term debt to market value

(196)

(59)

Add items only included on an IFRS basis:

Goodwill 

369 

353 

Other intangible assets

68 

69 

Acquired PVIF

252 

249 

STICS treated as equity

794 

810 

Deferred acquisition costs

1,216 

1,081 

Deferred front end fees

(118)

(102)

IFRS reserving and other IFRS adjustments

(564)

(513)

Equity attributable to equity holders of the

parent on an IFRS basis

3,637 

3,762 

11. Maturity profile of Value of in-force Life & Pensions business (VIF) by proposition

As at 30 June 2008

Total

1-5

6-10

11-15

16-20

21-25

26-30

31-35

36-40

41+

£m

years

years

years

years

years

years

years

years

years

UK

With Profits Fund 

246

111

83

33

13

5

1

-

-

-

Protection

242

119

89

21

10

3

-

-

-

-

Investments

144

67

41

20

9

4

2

1

-

-

Pensions

464

137

130

94

57

29

12

4

1

-

Annuities

10

6

3

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

UK other 

96

63

33

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

UK total 

1,202

503

379

169

89

41

15

5

1

-

42%

32%

15%

7%

3%

1%

0%

0%

0%

International 

FPI 

251

133

68

32

14

4

-

-

-

-

Lombard

394

151

93

59

37

23

14

8

5

4

International total

645

284

161

91

51

27

14

8

5

4

44%

25%

14%

8%

4%

2%

1%

1%

1%

Total VIF 

1,847

787

540

260

140

68

29

13

6

4

43%

28%

14%

8%

4%

2%

1%

0%

0%

As at 31 December 2007

Total

1-5

6-10

11-15

16-20

21-25

26-30

31-35

36-40

41+

£m

years

years

years

years

years

years

years

years

years

UK

With Profits Fund 

322

149

105

42

18

6

2

-

-

-

Protection

242

125

82

21

10

3

1

-

-

-

Investments

157

70

46

22

11

5

2

1

-

-

Pensions

456

137

127

92

56

28

11

4

1

-

Annuities

7

2

2

2

1

-

-

-

-

-

UK other 

76

29

32

15

-

-

-

-

-

-

UK total 

1,260

512

394

194

96

42

16

5

1

-

41%

32%

15%

8%

3%

1%

0%

0%

0%

International 

FPI 

225

128

56

26

11

4

-

-

-

-

Lombard

385

148

91

58

36

22

14

8

5

3

International total

610

276

147

84

47

26

14

8

5

3

45%

24%

14%

8%

4%

2%

1%

1%

1%

Total VIF 

1,870

788

541

278

143

68

30

13

6

3

42%

29%

15%

7%

4%

2%

1%

0%

0%

12. EEV assumptions 

(a) Principal economic assumptions - deterministic 

Economic assumptions are actively reviewed and are based on the market yields on risk-free assets at the valuation date.

 30 June 

 30 June

31 Dec

2008

2007 

2007

UK and International (excluding Lombard):

%

%

Risk-free rate (i)

5.2

5.3

4.6

Investment returns before tax:

Fixed interest

5.2-6.8

4.6-6.1

4.6-5.9

Equities

8.2

8.3

7.6

Properties

7.2

7.3

6.6

Future expense inflation:

UK business 

5.2

4.6

4.5

International business

5.2

4.6

4.5

UK and OLAB corporation tax rate 

28.0

30.0

30/28

Isle of Man corporation tax rate (ii)

28.0

0.0

30/28

(i) For UK and FPI business the risk-free rate is set with reference to the gilt yield curve at the valuation date. For annuity and with profits business, a term-dependent rate allowing for the shape of the yield curve is used as this can significantly impact value. For other business, a rate based on the annualised 15-year gilt yield is used.

(ii) Isle of Man corporation tax rate is 0%. It has been assumed that all distributable profits will be repatriated as dividends and hence a full UK rate has been applied to shareholders' net assets on an EEV basis.

 30 June 

 30 June

31 Dec

2008

2007 

2007

Lombard:

%

%

Risk-free rate

5.1

4.8

4.7

Investment returns before tax

Fixed interest

5.1-6.1

4.8-5.8

4.7-5.7

Equities

8.1

7.8

7.7

Cash

4.6

4.2

4.1

Future expense inflation

3.9

4.1

4.1

Tax rate 

29.6

25.2

29.6

The key exchange rates used in respect of Lombard business were a closing exchange rate of 1 Euro = £0.7913 (30 June 2007: 1 Euro = £0.6731) and an average exchange rate over the half year of 1 Euro = £0.7720.

Margins are added to the risk-free rates to obtain investment return assumptions for equity and property. For corporate fixed interest securities the investment return assumptions are derived from an AA-bond yield spread, limited to the actual return on the underlying assets. As we have followed a market-consistent approach, these investment return assumptions affect only the derived risk discount rates and not the embedded value result.

Maintenance expenses for UK and International business (excluding Lombard) are assumed to increase in the future at a rate of 1% per annum in excess of the assumed long-term rate of retail price inflation. This is derived from the difference between the risk-free rate of return and the average of the FTSE Actuaries over five-year index-linked gilt yield at 5% and 0% inflation.

For Lombard the risk-free rate is the average of the 10-15 year and the over 15 year yields using the EuroMTS indices. The investment return assumption is the weighted average (based on an assumed asset mix) of returns on fixed interest securities, equities and cash. The Lombard investment return assumption is shown gross of tax, but net of fund management charges.

Derived risk discount rates by product type

Average derived risk discount rates are shown below for the embedded value and the contribution from new business. The average derived risk discount rate for in-force has increased over 2008 due to a combination of a higher risk-free rate and an increase in the market risk on annuities and with profits business following the widening of corporate bond spreads. A more detailed split of the derived risk discount rates is given in the following table.

Derived risk discount rates for new business have been based on end-of-period economic assumptions.

30 June 2008

UK with

UK

Other

Average

International

profits business

annuity

UK

UK

Sterling

Euro

Embedded value

%

%

%

%

%

%

Risk-free rate

5.2

5.2

5.2

5.2

5.2

5.1

Market risks (non-options)

3.6

17.7

2.3

3.1

1.2

1.9

Options - market risks

3.2

-

-

0.3

-

-

Options - non-market risks

2.0

-

-

0.2

-

-

Other non-market risks

0.4

0.4

0.4

0.4

0.8

0.8

Risk discount rate 

14.4

23.3

7.9

9.2

7.2

7.8

30 June 2007

UK with

UK

Other

Average

International

profits business

annuity

UK

UK

Sterling

Euro

Embedded value

%

%

%

%

%

%

Risk-free rate

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

4.8

Market risks (non-options)

2.5

6.2

1.8

2.1

1.3

2.1

Options - market risks

1.5

-

-

0.2

-

-

Options - non-market risks

1.3

-

-

0.1

-

-

Other non-market risks

0.4

0.4

0.4

0.4

0.8

0.8

Risk discount rate 

11.0

11.9

7.5

8.1

7.4

7.7

31 December 2007

UK with

UK

Other

Average

International

profits business

annuity

UK

UK

Sterling

Euro

Embedded Value

%

%

%

%

%

%

Risk-free rate

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.7

Market risks (non-options)

3.1

15.8

2.2

2.6

1.2

2.1

Options - market risks

2.4

-

-

0.3

-

-

Options - non-market risks

2.7

-

-

0.3

-

-

Other non-market risks

0.4

0.4

0.4

0.4

0.8

0.8

Risk discount rate

13.2

20.8

7.2

8.2

6.6

7.6

With profits and annuity business are subject to more investment risk than the remaining business, and so the appropriate risk discount rates are higher.

30 June 2008

International

UK

Sterling

Euro

Contribution from new business

%

%

%

Risk-free rate

5.2

5.2

5.1

Market risks 

3.0

0.6

1.5

Non-market risks

0.4

0.8

0.8

Risk discount rate

8.6

6.6

7.4

30 June 2007

International

UK

Sterling

Euro

Contribution from new business

%

%

%

Risk-free rate

5.3

5.3

4.8

Market risks 

2.3

1.1

1.8

Non-market risks

0.4

0.8

0.8

Risk discount rate

8.0

7.2

7.4

31 December 2007

International

UK

Sterling

Euro

Contribution from new business 

%

%

%

Risk-free rate

4.6

4.6

4.1

Market risks

2.8

0.7

2.6

Non-market risks

0.4

0.8

0.8

Risk discount rate

7.8

6.1

7.5

(b) Principal economic assumptions - stochastic

The cost of options and guarantees is determined using The Smith Model Plus economic scenario generator. The model is calibrated to market conditions at the valuation date and correlations between the asset classes are derived from historic data, consistent with the model used for the Realistic Balance Sheet.

Risk-free rates are calibrated to the Gilt yield curve. Equity volatility is calibrated to replicate the implied volatility of FTSE 100 put options held by the FPLP With Profits Fund.

Bonus rates are set at levels which fully utilise the assets supporting the in-force business over its lifetime and are consistent with the economic assumptions and the Group's bonus policy.

(c) Other assumptions

Other assumptions (for example mortality, morbidity, persistency and expenses) are a reflection of our best estimate of the likely behaviours, outcomes or circumstances in the future. Typically the estimates are made on an annual basis following experience investigations based on the data available at the time both from our own book of business and externally sourced information.

The aim is to set assumptions at a level that reflects recent experience, unless there are reliable indicators that suggest their adoption would result in a significant variance compared to these assumptions in the future. In some instances, there may be little or no direct experience to use in setting assumptions and the future outcome is therefore certain.

In terms of future improvements in annuitant mortality, these have been assumed to be in accordance with the 'medium cohort' projections (with certain amendments) published by the CMI in 2002. The amendments are to use 75% of these projections for females and to introduce a minimum annual rate of improvement in future mortality - for males this is assumed to be 1% pa and for females 0.75% pa.

Appendix 1: Life & Pensions new business 

In classifying new business premiums the following basis of recognition is adopted:

Single new business premiums consist of those contracts under which there is no expectation of continuing premiums being paid at regular intervals;

Regular new business premiums consist of those contracts under which there is an expectation of continuing premiums being paid at regular intervals, including repeated or recurrent single premiums where the level of premiums is defined, or where a regular pattern in the receipt of premiums has been established;

Non-contractual increments under existing group pensions schemes are classified as new business premiums;

Transfers between products where open market options are available are included as new business; and

Regular new business premiums are included on an annualised basis.

New Business - Regular and Single Premiums:

Regular premiums

Single premiums

Change

H1

H1

Change

H1

H1

2008

2007

2008

2007

%

£m

£m

%

£m

£m

Protection

(16)

28.9

34.6

-

Pensions

- Group pensions

210.7

201.3

(29)

304.8

432.0

- Individual pensions

(36)

7.7

12.0

(37)

127.8

202.9

- DWP rebates

-

-

92.2

87.3

Total pensions

218.4

213.3

(27)

524.8

722.2

Annuities

-

-

(5)

139.4

146.2

Savings & Investments

(25)

0.6

0.8

(79)

54.1

263.3

Total UK Life & Pensions

247.9

248.7

(37)

718.3

1,131.7

FPI

102 

92.8

45.9

(15)

244.1

287.0

Lombard

-

-

702.2

648.1

Total International Life & Pensions

102 

92.8

45.9

946.3

935.1

Total

16 

340.7

294.6

(19)

1,664.6

2,066.8

Regular premiums

Single premiums

Change

Q2

Q2

Change

Q2

Q2

2008

2007

2008

2007

%

£m

£m

%

£m

£m

Protection

(21)

14.0

17.7

-

Pensions

- Group pensions

(5)

100.3

105.4

(45)

136.0

247.1

- Individual pensions

(51)

3.4

7.0

(49)

52.5

102.2

- DWP rebates

-

-

12 

87.1

78.0

Total pensions

(8)

103.7

112.4

(36)

275.6

427.3

Annuities

-

-

74.9

71.4

Savings & Investments

50 

0.3

0.2

(86)

18.6

129.0

Total UK Life & Pensions

(9)

118.0

130.3

(41)

369.1

627.7

FPI

69 

46.1

27.3

(10)

131.1

145.2

Lombard

-

-

459.0

429.9

Total International Life & Pensions

69 

46.1

27.3

590.1

575.1

Total

164.1

157.6

(20)

959.2

1,202.8

New Business - Annual Premium Equivalent (APE):

Annual Premium Equivalent (APE) represents annualised new regular premiums plus 10% of single premiums.

H1

H1

Q2

Q2

Change

2008

2007

Change

2008

2007

%

£m

£m

%

£m

£m

Protection

(16)

28.9

34.6

(21)

14.0

17.7

Pensions

- Group pensions

(1)

241.2

244.5

(12)

113.9

130.1

- Individual pensions

(37)

20.4

32.3

(50)

8.6

17.3

- DWP rebates

9.2

8.7

12 

8.7

7.8

Total pensions

(5)

270.8

285.5

(15)

131.2

155.2

Annuities

(5)

13.9

14.6

7.5

7.1

Savings & Investments

(78)

6.0

27.1

(84)

2.1

13.1

Total UK Life & Pensions

(12)

319.6

361.8

(20)

154.8

193.1

FPI

57 

117.2

74.6

42 

59.2

41.8

Lombard

70.2

64.8

45.9

43.0

Total International Life &

Pensions

34 

187.4

139.4

24 

105.1

84.8

Total

507.0

501.2

(6)

259.9

277.9

Effect of currency movements on APE

All amounts in currency other than sterling are translated into sterling at a monthly average exchange rate. The estimated new business assuming constant currency rates would be as follows:

H1

H1

Q2

Q2

Change

2008

2007

Change

2008

2007

%

£m

£m

%

£m

£m

FPI

54 

115.0

74.6

37 

57.1

41.8

Lombard

(6)

60.9

64.8

(7)

39.8

43.0

Total International Life &

Pensions

26 

175.9

139.4

14 

96.9

84.8

New Business - Present Value of New Business Premiums (PVNBP):

PVNBP represents new single premiums plus the expected present value of new business regular premiums. Premium values are calculated on a consistent basis with the EEV contribution to profits from new business. Start of period assumptions are used for the economic basis and end of period assumptions are used for the operating basis.

A risk free rate is used to discount expected premiums in future years. The impact of operating assumption changes across a whole reporting period will normally be reflected in the PVNBP figures for the final quarter of the period that the basis changes relate to. No change in operating assumptions will be reflected in the PVNBP for the first and third quarters, when the contribution to profits from new business is not published. All amounts in currency other than sterling are translated into sterling at a monthly average exchange rate.

H1

H1

Q2

Q2

Change

2008

2007

Change

2008

2007

%

£m

£m

%

£m

£m

Protection

(16)

169

202

(20)

82

102

Pensions

- Group pensions

(10)

1,165

1,298

(22)

545

700

- Individual pensions

(38)

158

256

(51)

65

134

- DWP rebates

92

87

12 

87

78

Total pensions

(14)

1,415

1,641

(24)

697

912

Annuities

(5)

139

146

75

71

Savings & Investments

(78)

58

268

(84)

21

130

Total UK Life & Pensions

(21)

1,781

2,257

(28)

875

1,215

FPI

41 

737

523

33 

380

286

Lombard

702

648

459

430

Total International Life & Pensions

23 

1,439

1,171

17 

839

716

Total

(6)

3,220

3,428

(11)

1,714

1,931

Effect of currency movements on PVNBP

All amounts in currency other than sterling are translated into sterling at a monthly average exchange rate. The estimated new business assuming constant currency rates would be as follows:

H1

H1

Q2

Q2

Change

2008

2007

Change

2008

2007

%

£m

£m

%

£m

£m

FPI

37 

717

523

26 

359

286

Lombard

(6)

609

648

(7)

398

430

Total International Life & Pensions

13 

1,326

1,171

757

716

Appendix 2: Cash related balance sheet disclosures

The table below provides a reconciliation of shareholder cash resources, group

solvency excess resources over capital requirements and realisable assets. The presentation provided is intended to demonstrate the relationship between the three cash related balance sheet disclosures.

Shareholder cash resources are based on shareholder invested net assets on the

EEV basis adjusted to include cash resources generated from securitisation and

financial reinsurance less the carrying value of non-covered business acquired

intangible assets.

Group solvency is analysed below after the deduction of group capital resource requirements from resources within long-term funds.

Realisable assets represent the assets and liabilities held by Friends Provident plc

and FPLP shareholders' funds (these being the funds where strategic resources

are held). Assets and liabilities that we intend to hold for the long term, primarily

loans, are excluded from realisable assets. An analysis of the movement in

realisable assets is provided below.

30 June 2008

31 December 2007

Shareholder

Shareholder

cash

Group

Realisable

cash

Group

Realisable

resources

solvency

assets

resources

solvency

assets

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Life & Pensions

long-term funds

637 

15 

640 

12 

Life & Pensions

Shareholder funds

Regulatory debt

(795)

(795)

-

Other debt

14 

14 

14 

14 

Other net assets:

FPLP realisable assets

735 

735 

735 

843 

843 

843 

Other

340 

195 

338 

231 

IFA subsidiaries

- intangible assets

(55)

(55)

(55)

(55)

Less: accrued transfers

from long-term funds

(7)

(211)

239 

889 

728 

345 

1,033 

632 

Corporate net assets

Mark to market on

long-term debt

48 

Other net assets:

Friends Provident plc

realisable assets

64 

64 

64 

212 

212 

212 

Other

165 

132 

149 

129 

229 

196 

64 

409 

341 

212 

Asset Management, net

of capital resource

requirement

(70)

(81)

Securitisation and 

financial reinsurance

81 

83 

Total

1,186 

1,030 

792 

1,477 

1,305 

844 

The group solvency other net assets of £195m (31 December 2007: £231m) are less than the amount recognised in shareholder cash resources, largely because group solvency is reduced by inadmissible assets and capital requirements relating to IFA subsidiaries.

Shareholder cash resources is now presented excluding the impact of the mark to market on STICS in order to remove the impact of volatility.

Movement in realisable assets

H1 

H1 

2008 

2007 

£m 

£m 

Net transfers from long-term funds

211 

308 

Dividends received

10 

16 

Other operating cashflow

(37)

(15)

Loan repayments received

Dividends paid

(123)

(110)

Capital outflows:

Loans and capital into life subsidiaries

(80)

(30)

Investment in IFA subsidiaries and The Asset Hub

(8)

(103)

Additional pension scheme contribution 

(20)

Lombard earnout settlement

(26)

Other

(5)

(8)

Movement in realisable assets

(52)

37 

Realisable assets as at 1 January

844 

912 

Realisable assets as at 30 June

792 

949 

Appendix 3: IFRS underlying profit before one-off items

Analysis of UK Life & Pensions IFRS core underlying profit 

Half year ended 30 June 2008

With

Savings &

Profits

UK Life &

Protection

Pensions

Annuities

Investments

Fund

Pensions

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

New business strain

Commission

(39)

(27)

(4)

(70)

Acquisition expenses

(29)

(30)

(3)

(3)

(65)

Other revenue and

reserve movements

47 

(1)

48 

(21)

(58)

(1)

(7)

(87)

In-force surplus

Annual management

charges

37 

12 

23 

72 

Maintenance expenses

(9)

(8)

 - 

(8)

(10)

(35)

Investment management

fees

(3)

(1)

(4)

(8)

Other revenue and

reserve movements

37 

(9)

(2)

25 

52 

28 

17 

34 

81 

Net cash generated

(41)

(6)

34 

(6)

Deferred acquisition

costs

Deferred in period

25 

30 

Amortised in period

(10)

(11)

(21)

15 

(6)

Deferred income reserve

Deferred in period

(1)

(1)

Amortised in period

(1)

(1)

(1)

Other IFRS adjustments

New business

(1)

(4)

(5)

In-force

21 

22 

17 

17 

IFRS core underlying 

profit/(loss) before 

one offs

(26)

34 

19 

IFRS new business strain

(21)

(35)

(1)

(6)

(63)

IFRS in-force surplus

28 

10 

34 

82 

(26)

34 

19 

Widening of corporate

bond spreads

(70)

One-off items

(66)

UK Life & Pensions

core underlying loss

(47)

Analysis of UK Life & Pensions IFRS core underlying profit 

Half year ended 30 June 2007

With

Savings &

Profits

UK Life &

Protection

Pensions

Annuities

Investments

Fund

Pensions

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

New business strain

Commission

(42)

(35)

(2)

(17)

(96)

Acquisition expenses

(30)

(29)

(3)

(6)

(68)

Other revenue and

reserve movements

24 

(11)

19 

38 

(48)

(75)

14 

(17)

(126)

In-force surplus

Annual management

charges

33 

14 

25 

72 

Maintenance expenses

(6)

(7)

(1)

(3)

(8)

(25)

Investment management

fees

(1)

(7)

(3)

(5)

(16)

Other revenue and

reserve movements

55 

(5)

33 

87 

48 

20 

45 

118 

Net cash generated

(55)

16 

(14)

45 

(8)

Deferred acquisition

costs

Deferred in period

41 

36 

15 

94 

Amortised in period

(35)

(14)

(2)

(9)

(60)

22 

34 

Deferred income reserve

Deferred in period

Amortised in period

(3)

(2)

Other IFRS adjustments

New business

(10)

(6)

In-force

(7)

IFRS core underlying 

profit/(loss) before 

one offs

(26)

17 

(14)

45 

28 

IFRS new business strain

(7)

(36)

17 

(8)

(34)

IFRS in-force surplus

13 

10 

(6)

45 

62 

(26)

17 

(14)

45 

28 

One-off items and

corporate bond spreads

11 

UK Life & Pensions core 

underlying profit

39 

Analysis of total Life & Pensions IFRS core underlying profit

Half year ended 30 June 2008

International

UK

Total 

Life &

Life &

Life &

FPI

Lombard

Pensions

Pensions

Pensions

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

New business strain

Commission

(87)

(9)

(96)

(70)

(166)

Acquisition expenses

(11)

(17)

(28)

(65)

(93)

Other revenue and reserve movements

29 

32 

48 

80 

(69)

(23)

(92)

(87)

(179)

In-force surplus

Annual management charges

14 

37 

51 

72 

123 

Maintenance expenses

(8)

(8)

(16)

(35)

(51)

Investment management fees

(1)

(1)

(8)

(9)

Other revenue and reserve movements

46 

(1)

45 

52 

97 

51 

28 

79 

81 

160 

Net cash generated

(18)

(13)

(6)

(19)

Deferred acquisition costs

Deferred in period

106 

115 

30 

145 

Amortised in period

(10)

(7)

(17)

(21)

(38)

96 

98 

107 

Deferred income reserve

Deferred in period

(4)

(3)

(7)

(1)

(8)

Amortised in period

(8)

(3)

(3)

(12)

(10)

(1)

(11)

Other IFRS adjustments

New business

(44)

(44)

(5)

(49)

In-force

(17)

(17)

22 

(61)

(61)

17 

(44)

IFRS core underlying profit 

before one offs

14 

19 

33 

IFRS new business strain

(11)

(17)

(28)

(63)

(91)

IFRS in-force surplus

16 

26 

42 

82 

124 

14 

19 

33 

Widening of corporate bond spreads

(70)

(70)

One-off items

(2)

(2)

(4)

(2)

(2)

(4)

(66)

(70)

Total Life & Pensions 

core underlying profit/(loss)

10 

(47)

(37)

Analysis of total Life & Pensions IFRS core underlying profit 

Half year ended 30 June 2007

International

UK

Total 

Life &

Life &

Life &

FPI

Lombard

Pensions

Pensions

Pensions

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

New business strain

Commission

(42)

(8)

(50)

(96)

(146)

Acquisition expenses

(10)

(12)

(22)

(68)

(90)

Other revenue and reserve movements

26 

27 

38 

65 

(26)

(19)

(45)

(126)

(171)

In-force surplus

Annual management charges

14 

29 

43 

72 

115 

Maintenance expenses

(6)

(6)

(12)

(25)

(37)

Investment management fees

(16)

(16)

Other revenue and reserve movements

21 

21 

87 

108 

29 

23 

52 

118 

170 

Net cash generated

(8)

(1)

Deferred acquisition costs

Deferred in period

47 

55 

94 

149 

Amortised in period

(15)

(5)

(20)

(60)

(80)

32 

35 

34 

69 

Deferred income reserve

Deferred in period

(1)

(3)

(4)

Amortised in period

(2)

Other IFRS adjustments

New business

(27)

(27)

(6)

(33)

In-force

(5)

(2)

(7)

(1)

(32)

(2)

(34)

(34)

IFRS core underlying profit 

before one offs

28 

36 

IFRS new business strain

(7)

(14)

(21)

(34)

(55)

IFRS in-force surplus

10 

19 

29 

62 

91 

28 

36 

One-off items and

corporate bond spreads

11 

11 

Total Life & Pensions 

core underlying profit

39 

47 

Appendix 4: Definitions

Annual Premium Equivalent (APE) represents annualised new regular premiums plus 10% of single premiums.

Cash payback on new business is the time at which the value of the expected cash flows, after tax, is sufficient to have recouped the capital invested to support the writing of the business. The cash flows are discounted at the appropriate risk-discount rate, and calculated on the same assumptions and expense basis as those used for the contribution from new business.

Contribution from new business is calculated using economic assumptions at the beginning of the period, and is quoted after the cost of required capital, share based payments and including an apportionment of fixed acquisition expenses across products.

EEV underlying profit is based on expected investment return and excludes: (i) amortisation and impairment of non-covered business acquired intangible assets, (ii) effect of economic assumption changes, (iii) non-recurring items; and is stated after deducting interest payable on STICS.

IFRS underlying profit is based on longer-term investment return and excludes: (i) policyholder tax, (ii) returns attributable to minority interests in policyholder funds, (iii) non-recurring items, (iv) amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets and present value of acquired in-force business; and is stated after deducting interest payable on STICS.

Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is equivalent to the discount rate at which the present value of the after tax cash flows expected to be earned over the lifetime of the business written is equal to the capital invested to support the writing of the business. All assumptions and expenses in the calculation of IRR are consistent with those used for calculating the contribution from new business.

Margins are defined as the pre-tax contribution from new business generated by each product type, divided by the new business volume for that product.

Present Value of New Business Premiums (PVNBP) represents new single premiums plus the expected present value of new business regular premiums.

Pro forma embedded value is the shareholders' equity on an EEV basis, adjusted to bring the value of the holding in the F&C Asset Management plc to market value.

Shareholder cash resources (SCR) are a measure of the tangible assets available to the Life & Pensions business and attributable to shareholders. The movement in SCR therefore provides a view of the sustainability of the business model. SCR are based on shareholders' invested net assets included within the embedded value, but adjusted to include securitisation and financial reinsurance balances, and to exclude intangible assets and mark-to-market adjustments to marketable long-term debt.

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
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