Zitong Financial App NewsPrudential plc(02378) it was announced that in the first half of 2017, according to international financial reporting standards, the group's operating surplus was 92.358 billion pounds, up 5 per cent year-on-year (15 per cent on a real exchange rate basis); profit on new life insurance business was 1.689 billion pounds, up 20 per cent year on year (34 per cent on a real exchange rate basis); and after-tax profit was 1.505 billion pounds, an increase of 109 per cent on a year-on-year basis (119 per cent on a real exchange rate basis). The first interim dividend was 14.50p per share, up 12 per cent; the group's solvency 07 standard II surplus is estimated at 12.9 billion pounds, equivalent to 202 per cent of 07.

In the first half of the year, Asian business achieved double-digit growth, which led to the overall improvement of Prudential plc's performance. New business profits in Asia were 1.092 billion, up 18 per cent from a year earlier, with an operating surplus of 9.953 billion, up 16 per cent from a year earlier, while a free surplus of 553 million, up 15 per cent from a year earlier.

In addition, the US life insurance business overflowed 91.079 billion pounds, up 7 per cent from the same period last year; UK life insurance retail 0103 premiums equivalent sales of 721 million pounds, up 22 per cent from a year earlier, while PruFund sales rose 29 per cent to 564 million pounds. Net external asset management inflows of £7.2 billion in the first half of the year will merge with Prudential plc in the UK and Europe to form a leading provider of savings and investment.

Mike Wells, President of Group CEO 00, said, "our effective strategy, innovative products and strong execution capabilities have contributed to double-digit growth in Asia and overall growth in all key performance indicators. We have achieved our goal of earning a cumulative free surplus of more than 10 billion pounds between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017, six months ahead of schedule. At the same time, we are making steady progress towards achieving the remaining goal of focusing on our Asian business by the end of this year. "

In addition, Prudential plc said, "Prudential plc will focus on the strong and growing market demand for our products, and our strong strength and implementation capacity will ensure that we can meet the needs of all regions. In Asia, we offer innovative products to meet the savings, health and security needs of a fast-growing middle class; in the US, our variable annuities are focused on meeting the needs of consumers entering retirement; and in the UK and Europe, we respond flexibly to changing consumer preferences and are committed to meeting the growing demand for savings and retirement solutions. "

"We also announced today that we intend to merge Macrog with Prudential plc UK and Europe into MacroG Prudential, a savings and investment business dedicated to meeting customers' growing demand for integrated financial solutions. Combining the above two businesses into one will enable us to give better play to our huge scale and advantages. This will help us win broader growth prospects and create better returns for millions of customers. "