Aviva operating profit jumps 24% as Direct Line integration gathers pace

Finance Insurance Written by: Ephrem Joseph 07:31 Fri 14 Aug 2026 --> Edited by: Ian Lyall Disclaimer No investment advice About this content Editorial Standards & Policies Share article About this content × About Ephrem Joseph Ephrem began his journalistic journey at Proactive in June 2021. With a strong academic background in Information Technology, his expertise particularly lies in the field of Cyber Security, Management Information Systems and Computer Forensics. Before joining Proactive, Ephrem worked as a researcher and lecturer at a number of leading universities, including the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, the University of Winchester’s Institute of Policing, and Jain... Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the world’s key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. Aviva PLC ( LSE:AV. ) View Price & Profile Aviva operating profit jumps 24% as Direct Line integration gathers pace Published: 07:31 14 Aug 2026 BST Aviva PLC (LSE:AV.) reported a 24% increase in first-half operating profit to £1.33 billion as its insurance businesses strengthened and the integration of Direct Line progressed, prompting the insurer to lift its interim dividend by 7%. Operating earnings per share rose 10% to 31.8p, while IFRS return on equity increased to 20.3% from 18.2%. Cash remittances climbed 47% to £1.50 billion and the interim dividend was raised to 14.0p per share from 13.1p. IFRS profit for the period fell to £418 million from £819 million, reflecting negative investment variances as well as integration, restructuring and other non-operating costs. General Insurance drives growth General Insurance operating profit increased to £905 million from £648 million, with UK and Ireland operating profit rising 50% to £643 million. UK and Ireland gross written premiums increased 42% on a constant currency basis to £5.91 billion, supported by the Direct Line acquisition. UK personal lines premiums almost doubled to £3.68 billion, while the undiscounted combined operating ratio improved to 93.4%. Wealth also recorded stronger momentum, with net flows up 32% to £7.6 billion and assets under management reaching £261 billion. Direct Line integration advances Aviva said all Direct Line employees have transferred to the group, while nearly £5 billion of assets have moved to Aviva Investors. The insurer has delivered £100 million of annualised cost synergies towards its £225 million target and remains on track for more than £350 million of capital synergies by year-end. Aviva expects 2026 operating EPS growth to be broadly in line with its 11% target rate and remains on track for its 2028 targets, including IFRS return on equity above 20% and cumulative cash remittances of more than £7 billion between 2026 and 2028. Continue reading