Prudential lifts profit and shareholder returns as first-half growth strengthens

Finance Financial Services Written by: Ephrem Joseph 07:30 Thu 27 Aug 2026 --> 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. Prudential PLC ( LSE:PRU ) View Price & Profile Prudential lifts profit and shareholder returns as first-half growth strengthens Published: 07:30 27 Aug 2026 BST Prudential PLC (LSE:PRU) reported stronger first-half operating profit and new business growth, while increasing its dividend and expanding its 2026 share buyback programme. Adjusted operating profit before tax rose 9% on a constant exchange rate basis to $1.81 billion in the six months to 30 June, while adjusted operating profit after tax increased 10% to US$1.52 billion. Adjusted earnings per share climbed 17% to 58.4 cents. New business profit increased 8% to $1.38 billion, with the new business margin improving by 2 percentage points to 40%, while operating free surplus generated from in-force insurance and asset management operations rose 15% to $1.79 billion. The Asia and Africa-focused insurer increased its first interim dividend by 15% to 8.88 cents per share and announced a further roughly $300 million share buyback, adding to the US$1.2 billion programme already announced for 2026. Total capital returned to shareholders during the first half reached $1 billion. Prudential maintained a strong capital position, with a free surplus ratio of 209% and shareholder Group-wide Supervision coverage ratio of 268%. Chief executive Anil Wadhwani said the group was benefiting from profitable new business growth, margin expansion and strong capital generation, while continuing to invest in technology, operations and artificial intelligence. Prudential reiterated its guidance for double-digit growth in new business profit, operating free surplus generation and adjusted earnings per share in 2026, alongside double-digit dividend-per-share growth. Continue reading