PUK▲4
Prudential's New Business Profit Up 8%, Dividend Raised 15%
Prudential plc reported an 8% increase in new business profit for the first half, reaching $1,384 million. The ASEAN market grew 13%, while adjusted operating profit after tax rose 10% to $1,523 million. Earnings per share surged 17% to 58.4 cents. The company also announced an additional $300 million share buyback, bringing the total to $1,500 million, and increased the interim dividend by 15% to 8.88 cents per share. It continues to expand in Malaysia and India, acquiring a 75% stake in Bharti Life.