PRUDENTIAL (02378.HK): First-Half New Business Profit Up 8% to USD 1,384 Million, First Interim Dividend of 8.88 US Cents per Share

NewTimeSpace (newtimespace.com) News: On 15 September 2026, Prudential plc (stock code: 02378) published its 2026 interim financial report. New business profit rose 8% at constant exchange rates to USD 1,384 million, annualised new business premiums grew 3%, and the new business profit margin rose 2 percentage points. Excluding the Chinese Mainland, new business profit grew 10%.

Operating free surplus generated by in-force insurance and asset management operations rose 15% to USD 1,791 million. Adjusted IFRS operating profit before tax was USD 1,812 million and USD 1,523 million after tax, up 10% at constant exchange rates. IFRS profit after tax was USD 995 million, and profit attributable to Prudential plc shareholders was USD 954 million, against USD 1,284 million a year earlier.

By channel, bancassurance new business profit grew 13% to USD 586 million and agency new business profit grew 5% to USD 749 million. Health and protection contributed USD 459 million, about one third of group new business profit. Assets under management and advice at Eastspring rose 5% from the end of 2025 to USD 290.8 billion.

The Board approved a first interim dividend of 8.88 US cents per share, up 15% from 2025. The group returned USD 1 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks in the first half and added about USD 300 million of buybacks on top of the USD 1.2 billion 2026 programme, lifting planned capital returns for 2026 and 2027 to USD 2.8 billion. As at 30 June 2026, EEV per share was USD 15.57, up 5%, and adjusted contractual service margin was USD 23.0 billion.

NewTimeSpace Disclaimer: All content herein is the original work of NewTimeSpace. Any reproduction, reprinting, or use of this content in any other manner must clearly indicate the source as "NewTimeSpace". NewTimeSpace and its authorized third-party information providers strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data, but do not guarantee the absolute correctness thereof. This content is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice. All transaction risks shall be borne by the user.