-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, UhhOcA3Lnb3Gv5+AW8h+4WjxJiPQjz/E3FbDGPBPJX8tKF2HOS5BMm9DQCgBCmgY GSQ9tfKNem38d0D/ZY6Kyw== 0001191638-09-000848.txt : 20090813 0001191638-09-000848.hdr.sgml : 20090813 20090813063624 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001191638-09-000848 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 6-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20090813 FILED AS OF DATE: 20090813 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20090813 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PRUDENTIAL PLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001116578 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: LIFE INSURANCE [6311] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: X0 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 6-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-15040 FILM NUMBER: 091008419 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: LAURENCE POUNTNEY HILL CITY: LONDON ENGLAND STATE: X0 ZIP: EC4R OHH BUSINESS PHONE: 011442075483737 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: LAURENCE POUNTNEY HILL CITY: LONDON ENGLAND STATE: X0 ZIP: EC4R OHH 6-K 1 pru200908136k.htm PRUDENTIAL PLC HALF YEAR 2009

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 

Washington, D.C. 20549
 

FORM 6-K
 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
 

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 

For the month of August 2009
 
 

PRUDENTIAL PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
 

(Translation of registrant's name into English)
 
 

LAURENCE POUNTNEY HILL,
LONDON, EC4R 0HH, ENGLAND
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
 
Form 20-F X     Form 40-F
 
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 
Yes      No X
 
 
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-            
 
 


Enclosure:  Prudential plc Half Year 2009
 
 

Embargo: 07.00am Thursday 13 August 2009
 

PRUDENTIAL PLC HALF YEAR 2009 RESULTS
 

PRUDENTIAL DELIVERS STRONG PERFORMANCE IN CHALLENGING CONDITIONS 
 

Capital & Dividend:

·     

Improved and very strong Insurance Groups Directive ("IGD") capital surplus estimated at £3.0 billion at 31 July 2009 and £2.5 billion at 30 June 2009 (before any allowance for 2009 interim dividend)

·     

2009 half year dividend increased by 5%  to 6.29 pence per share 



IFRS:

·     

IFRS operating profit of £688 million up 6% * 



Embedded Value:

·     

New Business Profit of £691 million up 25% *

·     

EEV Operating Profit of £1,246 million down 8% *



New Business:

·     

Group EEV new business profit margin of 52% on an APE basis (2008: 38%) *

·     

Group new business APE premiums of £1,321 million down 8% *



Mark Tucker, Group Chief Executive said:
 

"These results demonstrate a continuing strong performance by the Prudential Group in what remain challenging market conditions. As a result of the decision we took last year to focus on capital conservation and cash generation by concentrating on expanding sales in our most profitable product lines, we have been able to manage our investment in new business and improve our margins across the Group in the first six months of the year. Compared with the same period in 2008 our Group EEV New Business Profit increased 25 per cent to £691 million, and our Group IFRS statutory operating profit increased six per cent to £688 million. 
 

Our Group EEV Operating Profit decreased eight per cent to £1,246 million. While our life businesses held their contribution at 2008 levels, market conditions held back the contribution from our asset management businesses and reduced income at Group level. Group new business APE premiums were £1,321 million, down eight per cent. 
 

In Asia, New Business Profit was £277 million, down 4.2 per cent but this compares with a very strong first half in 2008. It is particularly encouraging that demand for higher margin protection products remains resilient in Asia, and we believe that our relative position in the region is continuing to strengthen. 
 

Jackson, our US business, delivered total APE sales of £392 million in the first half of 2009, up 10 per cent on the first half of 2008. The company's retail sales were the highest in any first half in its history, as we continued to benefit from a flight to quality. Jackson's New Business Profit was £292 million, up 113 per cent. 
 

Prudential UK had a strong first half relative to the market, with total APE sales of £376 million, down 14 per cent, and retail sales of £374 million, down eight per cent. These lower sales resulted in a reduction in EEV New Business Profit of five per cent to £122 million, with the underlying new business margin increasing to 32 per cent, demonstrating the success of our strategy of focusing on value over volume.
 

Despite the challenging market environment, our asset management businesses have continued to deliver record net inflows, capitalising on their leading market positions and history of strong investment performance. M&G continued to benefit from a combination of superior investment performance, diversified business mix and well-established distribution capabilities. These attributes helped M&G achieve an exceptionally strong first half, with net fund inflows of £8.6 billion up 254 per cent.
 

Our prudent but proactive approach enabled us to strengthen further our Group capital position and, at 30 June 2009, we had an estimated IGD surplus of £2.5 billion before any allowance for the interim dividend, up from £1.5 billion at the end of 2008. In addition, we completed a bond issue during July which will increase our IGD capital surplus by a further £0.5 billion to an estimated £3.0 billion. 
 

In line with our sustainable dividend policy, we are pleased to announce an increase in the interim dividend of five per cent to 6.29 pence per share.
 

While we expect the business environment to remain difficult through the rest of 2009, Prudential is very well positioned to take advantage of any improvement in market conditions. Our Group-wide focus on long-term profitable growth remains unchanged and our combination of geographic diversification, advantaged distribution and flexible and full product range all mean we can focus on the most profitable opportunities, especially in the pre and post-retirement sector. Combined with our dynamic approach to risk management, this means we are well placed to continue to outperform over the economic and financial cycle. 
 

I am immensely proud to have served as Chief Executive of Prudential. I leave knowing that we have an excellent management team in place across the Group and I am confident that Tidjane will continue to lead the Group from strength to strength."
 

ENDS
 

*2008 comparatives are at actual exchange rates (AER). In order to facilitate comparisons for the Group's current business amounts shown for 2009 and 2008, new business and profit related KPIs exclude those of the Taiwan agency business for which the sale process was completed in June 2009. 
 

Enquiries:
 

Media

 

Investors/Analysts

 

Edward Brewster

+44 (0)20 7548 3719

Matt Lilley

+44 (0)20 7548 2007

Sunita Patel 

+44 (0)20 7548 2466

James Matthews

+44 (0)20 7548 3561

Tom Burns, Brunswick

+44 (0)20 7404 5959

Jessica Stalley

+44 (0)20 7548 3511



Notes to Editors:

1

In addition to the financial statements provided with this press release, additional financial schedules, including full details of the Group's investments, are available on the Group's website at  www.prudential.co.uk/prudential-plc/

 

2

The results in this announcement are prepared on two bases: International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') and European Embedded Value ('EEV'). The IFRS basis results form the basis of the Group's statutory financial statements. The supplementary EEV basis results have been prepared in accordance with the principles issued by the CFO Forum of European Insurance Companies in May 2004. Where appropriate the EEV basis results include the effects of IFRS. 

 

Period on period percentage increases are stated on an actual exchange rate basis.


 

3

Annual premium equivalent (APE) sales comprise regular premium sales plus one-tenth of single premium insurance sales.


 

4

Present value of new business premiums (PVNBP) are calculated as equalling single premiums plus the present value of expected new business premiums of regular premium business, allowing for lapses and other assumptions made in determining the EEV new business contribution.


 

5

Operating profits are determined on the basis of including longer-term investment returns. EEV and IFRS operating profit is stated after excluding the effect of short-term fluctuations in investment returns against long-term assumptions, the shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes, and the effect of disposal and results of the Taiwan agency business, for which the sale process was completed in June 2009. In addition for EEV basis results, operating profit excludes the effect of changes in economic assumptions and the time value of cost of options and guarantees, and the market value movement on core borrowings.


 

6

There will be a conference call today for wire services at 07.30am (BST) hosted by Mark Tucker, Group Chief Executive and Tidjane Thiam, Chief Financial Officer and Group Chief Executive-designate. Dial in telephone number: 020 8609 0793. Passcode: 797476#


 

7

A presentation to analysts will take place at 09.30am (BST) at Governor's House, Laurence Pountney Hill, London, EC4R 0HH. An audio cast of the presentation and the presentation slides will be available on the Group's website,  www.prudential.co.uk/prudential-plc/


 

8

High resolution photographs are available to the media free of charge at www.newscast.co.uk on +44 (0) 207 608 1000 or by calling Sunita Patel on 020 7548 2466.


 

9

Total number of Prudential plc shares in issue as at 30 June 2009 was 2,523,718,245.


 

10

Financial Calendar 2009



Third Quarter 2009 Interim Management Statement

28 October 2009

   

2009 Interim Dividend

 

Ex-dividend date

19 August 2009

Record date

21 August 2009

Payment of dividend

24 September 2009



11

About Prudential plc



Prudential plc is a company incorporated and with its principal place of business in England, and its affiliated companies constitute one of the world's leading financial services groups. It provides insurance and financial services through its subsidiaries and affiliates throughout the world. It has been in existence for over 160 years and has £245 billion in assets under management (as at 30 June 2009). Prudential plc is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc, a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America.
 

Forward-Looking Statements

This statement may contain certain "forward-looking statements" with respect to certain of Prudential's plans and its current goals and expectations relating to its future financial condition, performance, results, strategy and objectives. Statements containing the words "believes", "intends", "expects", "plans", "seeks" and "anticipates", and words of similar meaning, are forward-looking. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances which are beyond Prudential's control including among other things, UK domestic and global economic and business conditions, market related risks such as fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates, and the performance of financial markets generally; the policies and actions of regulatory authorities, the impact of competition, inflation, and deflation; experience in particular with regard to mortality and morbidity trends, lapse rates and policy renewal rates; the timing, impact and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or combinations within relevant industries; and the impact of changes in capital, solvency or accounting standards, and tax and other legislation and regulations in the jurisdictions in which Prudential and its affiliates operate. This may for example result in changes to assumptions used for determining results of operations or re-estimations of reserves for future policy benefits. As a result, Prudential's actual future financial condition, performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals, and expectations set forth in Prudential's forward-looking statements. Prudential undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this statement or any other forward-looking statements it may make.

PRUDENTIAL PLC UNAUDITED HALF YEAR 2009 RESULTS

RESULTS SUMMARY 

European Embedded Value (EEV) Basis Results*

Half year 

2009

£m

Half year*

2008

£m

Full year*

2008

£m 

       

Asian operations

417

486

1,239

US operations

503

360

593

UK operations:

     

UK insurance operations

433

504

1,081

M&G

102

146

286

Other income and expenditure 

(195)

(131)

(302)

Restructuring costs

(14)

(15)

(32)

Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns*

1,246

1,350

2,865

Short-term fluctuations in investment returns

(707)

(1,868)

(4,967)

Mark to market value movements on core borrowings

(108)

171

656

Shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes

(71)

(98)

(14)

Effect of changes in economic assumptions and time value of cost of options and guarantees

(384)

(100)

(398)

Profit on sale and results of Taiwan agency business

91

(90)

(248)

Profit (loss) before tax (including actual investment returns)

67

(635)

(2,106)

Shareholders' equity, excluding minority interests

£13.7bn

£14.0bn

£15.0bn



International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Basis Results*

Statutory IFRS basis results 

Half year

2009

Half year

2008

Full year

2008

       

Loss after tax attributable to equity holders of the Company

£(254)m

£(116)m

£(396)m

Basic earnings per share 

(10.2)p

(4.7)p

(16.0)p

Shareholders' equity, excluding minority interests 

£4.7bn

£5.6bn

£5.1bn



Supplementary IFRS basis information 

Half year

2009

£m

Half year* 

2008

£m

Full year*

2008

£m

Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns*

688

647

1,283

Short-term fluctuations in investment returns on shareholder-backed business

(80)

(617)

(1,721)

Shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes

(63)

(92)

(13)

Profit/(loss) before loss on sale and results of Taiwan agency business

545

(62)

(451)

Loss on sale and results of Taiwan agency business 

(621)

(40)

1

Loss from continuing operations before tax attributable to shareholders

(76)

(102)

(450)

       

Operating earnings per share* (reflecting operating profit based on longer-term investment returns after related tax and minority interests)

20.5p

18.6p

39.9p



 

Half year

2009

Half year

2008

Full year

2008

Dividends per share declared and paid in reporting period

12.91p

12.30p

18.29p

       

Dividends per share relating to reporting period

6.29p

5.99p

18.90p

       

Funds under management

£245bn

£256bn

£249bn

       

Insurance Groups Directive capital surplus (as adjusted)*

£2.5bn

£1.4bn

£1.5bn



*

Basis of preparation



Results bases

The EEV basis results have been prepared in accordance with the European Embedded Value Principles issued by the CFO Forum of European Insurance Companies in May 2004. With the exception of the presentation of the results for the Taiwan agency business, for which (as described below) the sale process was completed in June 2009, the basis of preparation of statutory IFRS basis results and supplementary IFRS basis information is consistent with that applied for the 2008 results and financial statements.

Life insurance products are, by their nature, long-term and the profit on this business is generated over a significant number of years. Accounting under IFRS alone does not, in Prudential's opinion, fully reflect the value of future profit streams.
 

Prudential considers that embedded value reporting provides investors with a measure of the future profit streams of the Group's long-term businesses and is a valuable supplement to statutory accounts. 
 

Exchange translation

The comparative results have been prepared using previously reported exchange rates, except where otherwise stated.

Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns

Consistent with previous reporting practice, the Group analyses its EEV basis results and provides supplementary analysis of IFRS profit before tax attributable to shareholders, so as to distinguish operating profit based on longer-term investment returns from other elements of total profit. On both the EEV and IFRS bases, operating earnings per share are calculated using operating profits based on longer-term investment returns, after related tax and minority interests. These profits exclude short-term fluctuations in investment returns and the shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes. Under the EEV basis, where additional profit and loss effects arise, operating profit based on longer-term investment returns also excludes the mark to market value movements on core borrowings and the effect of changes in economic assumptions and changes in the time value of cost of options and guarantees arising from changes in economic factors. 

In half year 2009, as a result of the exceptional dislocated market conditions, the Group incurred non-recurrent costs of £216 million for hedging its Insurance Group's Directive (IGD) capital surplus. These costs have been shown separately from operating profit based on longer-term investment returns as part of short-term fluctuations in investment returns. After adjusting for related tax and minority interests, these amounts are included in the calculation of basic earnings per share. 

Also, in June 2009 the Group completed the previously announced sale of its Taiwan agency business. In order to facilitate comparisons of the Group's businesses, the effect of disposal and the results of the Taiwan agency business are shown separately from operating profit based on longer-term investment returns. The presentation of the comparative results for half year and full year 2008 has been adjusted accordingly as described in notes 12 and G of the EEV and IFRS financial statements. 

Insurance Groups Directive capital surplus (as adjusted) 

The estimated surpluses shown for half year 2009 and half year 2008 are before allowing for the interim dividends for 2009 and 2008. The surplus for full year 2008 of £1.5 billion is determined as the estimate provided with the year end results of £1.4 billion (i.e. before allowing for the 2008 final dividend) plus final adjustments of £0.1 billion included with the filing to the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in April 2009 and before the benefit of £0.3 billion allowed by the FSA in February 2009, for a portion of the shareholders' interest in the future transfers from the PAC with-profits fund. Due to a change in the tax applied to this benefit since February 2009, it is estimated at £0.4 billion at 30 June, 2009, up £ 0.1 billion from the £0.3 billion estimate in February 2009.

BUSINESS REVIEW

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REVIEW 

Introduction

I am pleased to report that in the first half of the year Prudential has delivered a strong performance across the Group despite economic and financial conditions that remained challenging, and at the same time strengthened an already robust capital position. 

We continue to focus on our retirement-led strategy in our chosen markets, maximising sales of our most profitable products with an emphasis on conserving capital, focusing investment onto the most value enhancing opportunities available and improving margins across the Group.  

During the first six months of the year we remained committed to strengthening our core capabilities through continued product innovation, targeted brand investment and recruiting the best talent. We also continue to invest cautiously for the future, strengthening our competitive position. 

Management succession

Before providing an overview of our performance for the first half of the year, I would like to comment briefly on our management succession. Following the announcement on 19 March of my decision to leave Prudential at the end of September 2009, when Tidjane Thiam becomes Group Chief Executive, we have been working closely to ensure a smooth transition. I am delighted to be handing over to a successor as capable and committed as Tidjane, and to leave the Group with one of the strongest management teams in the industry. 

In April we announced that Nicolaos ("Nic") Nicandrou will be joining the Group in October to succeed Tidjane as Chief Financial Officer. Nic joins us from Aviva, where he has worked in a number of senior finance roles, including Finance Director of Norwich Union Life. Nic's experience, technical expertise and leadership qualities make him an excellent successor to Tidjane as Chief Financial Officer. 

In early July we announced the appointment of Rob Devey as Chief Executive, Prudential UK and Europe in succession to Nick Prettejohn who will be leaving the Group in September this year. Nick has made an outstanding contribution during his tenure, leading the development and implementation of a highly effective strategy that has dramatically improved the performance and profitability of the UK business. 

Rob will join us from Lloyds Banking Group, where he has held senior roles in both insurance and retail banking, including Managing Director, Direct Channels UK Retail Banking. I am sure that Rob's track record of success will make him a strong leader of our UK business. 

The critical importance that we attach to risk and capital management was underlined in April 2009, when we announced the appointment of Thibaut Le Maire as Group Chief Risk Officer (CRO) with effect from July. Thibaut is a member of the Group Executive Committee (GEC). He currently reports directly to Tidjane and will continue to do so when Tidjane becomes Group Chief Executive. Thibaut joins Prudential from Société Générale where he was a Managing Director and Head of Insurance Europe in the Financial Institutions Group.

Group Performance

Turning to our financial results, as I have already commented we have delivered a strong performance in an economic and financial environment that continues to be challenging. 

 International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) operating profit before tax from continuing operations after restructuring costs increased by six per cent over the first half of 2008 to £688 million. The increase was driven primarily by a strong underlying operating performance in Asia demonstrating our commitment to write profitable business, together with a one-off benefit from a regulatory change in Malaysia. UK operating profits also improved on the first half of 2008, with the total increase being offset by a reduction in the US operating profit, lower asset management profits and reduced investment income on central funds, all of which were influenced by external market factors.

Group operating profit before tax from continuing operations based on longer term investment returns, on the European Embedded Value (EEV) basis, was £1,246 million. This represents a decline of eight per cent on the same period in 2008. Our life businesses held their contribution at 2008 levels. However, market conditions held back the contribution from our asset management businesses and reduced income at Group level. 

New business profit increased by 25 per cent to £691 million, while new business sales on an APE basis decreased by eight per cent to £1,321 million. This demonstrates our continued focus on value over volume with more sales of products with higher Internal Rates of Return (IRRs) and shorter payback periods. This is particularly evident through the performance of our US business in the first half of 2009.

Our asset management businesses have continued to record exceptionally strong inflows, with M&G achieving record net inflows of £8.6 billion in the first half of 2009. In Asia, our asset management business recorded net inflows of £1.5 billion. Overall, operating profit in the Group's asset management operations fell by £56 million to £125 million, primarily reflecting the decline in equity markets compared with twelve months ago.

The holding company cash flow position remained healthy, in spite of the challenging environment. We are pleased to have succeeded in remaining cash flow positive, with an underlying cash flow of £22 million generated at the holding company level during the half year. 

More importantly, we strengthened our already robust Group capital position. Using the regulatory measure of the Insurance Groups Directive (IGD), the Group's capital surplus was estimated at £2.5 billion at 30 June 2009 (before any allowance for the 2009 interim dividend), an increase of £1 billion over the year end, giving us an estimated solvency ratio of 237 per cent. In July 2009 the Group issued a bond of US$750 million, and we estimate that this transaction will further boost our IGD capital surplus by £0.5 billion to £3.0 billion.

Our balance sheet also remains robust, with shareholders' funds at the half year on an EEV basis standing at £13.7 billion (2008 year end £15.0 billion).

Given the strong financial position of the Group, the Board has agreed an increase of five per cent in the interim dividend to 6.29 pence per share. The Board remains committed to a sustainable dividend policy, with the level of dividend determined after taking into account the Group's financial requirements, including opportunities to invest in the business at attractive returns. As previously stated, the Board believes that in the medium term a dividend cover of around two times is appropriate, based on post-tax IFRS operating profit from continuing operations.

Our Strategy 

Our strategy of capturing long-term growth opportunities in the pre- and post-retirement market remains unchanged. It is founded on being both highly international and very selective in the markets and products in which we compete. We maintain an internationally diverse portfolio of businesses, operating in countries that are at different stages of economic development, but which all present us with the opportunity to create a market-leading platform and sustainable long-term profitable growth. 

Of course, none of our markets is unaffected by the recent turmoil in the global financial sector. Our decision to focus our investment and expansion primarily on the Asian region in recent years continues to be vindicated, with our IFRS operating profits from long-term business in Asia rising significantly during the half year. Going forward, Asia's increasing mass affluence and positive demographics will remain powerful drivers of profitable growth for the Group.

The US remains the world's largest retirement market, where Jackson is in a very strong position.

In the UK, as in the USA, the retirement and near-retirement population will represent the fastest growing and most profitable segment of the market over the next decade. Our aim is to continue to participate selectively to optimise overall Group returns on capital employed. 

In each market, we benefit from an operating model that enables our businesses to stay close to their customers when formulating product and distribution strategies, while taking a consistent and disciplined Group-wide approach to managing risk, capital and cash.

We continue to tailor our franchise in our various businesses to match differing customer needs in our chosen markets worldwide. The recent difficult market conditions have underlined the value of this approach, with our brands visibly benefiting from a 'flight to quality'. 

Product Strategy

The need to fund retirement savings and provide for income in retirement will continue into the future, making our revenue streams highly resilient. In each of our businesses, we aim to offer a suite of products that delivers good value and meets the needs of our target customers, while also optimising our cash and capital consumption and limiting our exposure to the economic cycle. 

Our product strategy in the first half of 2009 has continued to focus on generating cash by maximising the sales of our most profitable products. We have delivered against this plan, increasing our new business profit and margins compared with the first half of 2008, while reducing investment in new business. 

The economic climate in Asia has remained challenging, with volatile equity markets and fears of rising unemployment. Regular premium and higher-margin protection business has remained resilient, while single premium business has decreased sharply. We adjusted our sales efforts and product mix accordingly during the first half and we believe we outperformed our competitors with satisfactory sales of good quality new business. 

In the US, the continued volatility in the equity markets has seen customers seek to limit their risks by buying fixed annuities, fixed index annuities or variable annuities with guaranteed living benefits. Jackson has responded very well to these changes, and as a result has benefited across all its annuity product lines. Total APE sales rose by 10 per cent over the first half of 2008 on an AER basis to their highest ever level, although this was aided by the strong US dollar during the period. Jackson's first half 2009 retail sales at CER were also very strong, the highest in the company's history.

Prudential UK's continued focus on balancing new business with capital conservation and cash generation while maintaining margins, has driven a strong relative performance in difficult market conditions. Sales of with-profits bonds continued to grow, offset by lower sales of individual annuities, offshore bonds and corporate pensions. We also saw strong growth in PruFund sales, as consumers increasingly looked for a more cautious investment approach. Customers also responded positively to the launch of our new Income Choice Annuity, which allows them to choose an income between a defined maximum and minimum level, and re-set these levels every two years. 

Despite the challenging market environment, our asset management businesses have continued to capitalise on their leading market positions and history of strong investment performance to deliver record net inflows. 

M&G continued to benefit from a combination of superior investment performance, diversified business mix and well-established distribution capabilities. These attributes have helped M&G achieve an exceptionally strong first half, with net fund inflows surging to unprecedented levels - more than three times those in the same period in 2008 - at a time when many asset managers were continuing to suffer net redemptions. 

The asset management business in Asia continued to be affected by market volatility, and remained focused on maintaining profitability across our internal Life client and third party client segments.

Risk and Capital Management

We remain cautious on the economic outlook, and maintain our habitual prudent and proactive approach to risk and capital in the first half of 2009, focusing on building our capital base and strengthening our already robust IGD surplus.

A number of recent transactions demonstrate our commitment to increasing our capital strength. In February 2009 we announced the transfer of the assets and liabilities of our agency distribution business and agency force in Taiwan to China Life of Taiwan. On completion in June 2009, the transfer boosted our IGD capital surplus by approximately £0.8 billion. 

Also, in February 2009 the regulator allowed us to recognise £0.3 billion of the shareholders economic interest in the future transfers from the UK With-Profits Fund in our IGD capital surplus. Due to a tax change, this benefit was estimated to be worth £ 0.4 billion at the half year 2009. In addition, in May 2009 the Group completed a hybrid bond issue of £0.4 billion, strengthening further our IGD capital surplus. As a result of these actions, the Group's IGD capital surplus was estimated at £2.5 billion at 30 June 2009 (before any allowance for the 2009 interim dividend). 

This was followed in July 2009 by a further transaction which saw the Group issue a bond of US$750 million, raised primarily from Asian retail investors. This transaction was heavily over-subscribed, demonstrating our ability to use our good name recognition in Asia to access the recently-reopened Asian retail market. We estimate this transaction will further boost our IGD capital surplus by £0.5 billion to £3.0 billion. 

Outlook

We expect the business environment to remain difficult through the rest of 2009. However, the global economy will ultimately rebound.

Given this scenario, we shall maintain our defensive and prudent stance, focusing on balancing new business with cash generation, while making it our absolute priority to ensure that our balance sheet and capital position remain robust and that new business is written only on terms that increase shareholder value. Simultaneously, we will continue to invest for the upturn, strengthening our core capabilities - particularly distribution - to take advantage of any improvement in market conditions. 

I end my last half year report as Group Chief Executive by restating my firm belief that Prudential's strategic and financial strength will enable the Group to continue to outperform, both through the current economic cycle and also in the years to come. I leave with an excellent management team in place and I am sure that under Tidjane's leadership the Group will go from strength to strength. The overall long-term prospects for the Group remain very positive.  

   

BUSINESS REVIEW

CFO OVERVIEW
 

In the first half of 2009 Prudential has continued to balance profitable growth, capital conservation and cash generation to both protect the Group's financial strength and preserve its long-term growth potential. We have focused on generating significant levels of sales of profitable and capital efficient products. Our results, as summarised below, show that we have achieved our dual objectives of higher profitability and lower levels of investment in new business at a time when market conditions remained challenging for the insurance industry. This highlights our focus on value over volume as we manage investment in new business to meet our capital management targets. In addition we have been able to strengthen our capital position and have continued to generate a positive Group holding company cash flow.

We expect the business environment to remain challenging throughout the rest of 2009. However, our long-term growth and profitability potential remains intact and we are well positioned to take advantage of opportunities in the pre and post-retirement market in our chosen geographies. We will continue to focus on balancing new business with cash generation and capital preservation and to manage risk in a prudent but proactive manner. 

Performance and key metrics 

 

AER

 

CER

 

AER

 

Half year

Half year

 

Half year

 

Full year

 

2009

2008

Change

2008

Change

2008

 

£m

£m

%

£m

%

£m

New business(1)

           

Annual premium equivalent (APE) sales

1,321

1,442

(8)

1,662

(21)

2,879

Present value of new business premiums (PVNBP) 

9,657

10,636

(9)

12,436

(22)

21,729

EEV new business profit (NBP)

691

555

25

653

6

1,200

NBP margin (% APE)

52%

38%

 

39%

 

42%

NBP margin (% PVNBP)

7.2%

5.2%

 

5.3%

 

5.5%

EEV basis operating profit(1)

           

On long-term business(2)(3) 

1,303

1,301

0

1,508

(14)

2,810

Total

1,246

1,350

(8)

1,561

(20)

2,865

Net investment flows

10,069

4,091

146

4,475

125

4,266

External funds under management

72,336

67,477

7

69,780

4

62,279

IFRS operating profit based on longer-term investment returns(1)(3)

688

647

6

746

(8)

1,283

Balance sheet and capital 

           

EEV basis shareholders' funds

13.7bn

14.0bn

(2)

14.9bn

(8)

15.0bn

IFRS shareholders' funds 

4.7bn

5.6bn

(16)

5.9bn

(20)

5.1bn

IGD capital surplus (as adjusted)(4)

2.5bn

1.4bn

79

n/a

n/a

1.5bn

Free surplus - investment in new business (5)

331m

350m

(5)

418m

(21)

806m

Holding company cash flow

22m

86m

(74)

n/a

n/a 

54m



(1)

New business and operating profits exclude the results of the Taiwan agency business for which the sale process was completed in June 2009.

(2)

Long-term business profits after deducting Asia development expenses and before restructuring costs.

(3)

Operating profits are determined on the basis of including longer-term investment returns. EEV and IFRS operating profits are stated after excluding the effect of short-term fluctuations in investment returns against long-term assumptions, the shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes, and the effect of disposal and results of the Taiwan agency business, for which the sale process was completed in June 2009. In addition for EEV basis results, operating profit excludes the effect of changes in economic assumptions and the time value of cost of options and guarantees, and the market value movement on core borrowings.

(4)

Insurance Groups Directive capital surplus (as adjusted). The estimated surpluses shown for half year 2009 and half year 2008 are before allowing for the interim dividends for 2009 and 2008. The surplus for full year 2008 of £1.5 billion was determined before allowing for the 2008 final dividend, after final adjustments of £0.1 billion included with the filing to the FSA in April 2009 and before the benefit previously disclosed of £0.3 billion allowed by the FSA in February 2009, for a portion of the shareholders' interest in the future transfers from the PAC with-profits fund. This benefit was estimated to be worth £ 0.4 billion at the half year 2009, due to a change in the tax applied.

(5)

Free surplus - investment in new business- represents EEV net worth strain together with EEV required capital to support the new business acquired.



In this review, comparisons of financial performance are on an actual exchange rate (AER) basis, unless otherwise stated.
 

In a more difficult economic and market environment, there has been downward pressure on our operating earnings. The performance achieved this first half highlights the resilience and strength of our business model throughout our geographies.
 

Total EEV basis operating profits based on longer term investment returns of £1,246 million were down eight per cent from half year 2008.
 

The EEV operating profit for long-term business was flat at £1,303 million as the effects of strong new business profit (up by £136 million to £691 million) driven by the US were offset by a reduction in the contribution from in-force business (down by £134 million to £612 million) due primarily to the impact of strengthening operating assumptions for persistency in Asia and lower unwind of discount on in-force business in the UK. The Group EEV operating profit was also held back by the negative impact of lower asset values due to market conditions on the contribution from the asset management businesses (down £56 million to £125 million) despite significant inflows reflective of the investment performance delivered by our businesses. There was also a negative impact on Group EEV operating profit from other income and expenditure due to the non-recurrence in 2009 of one-off items for a net amount of £19 million in the half year 2008 results and lower returns earned on central funds (lower by £32 million to £6 million).

The total EEV profit before tax for half year 2009 of £67 million compares to a loss of £635 million for half year 2008. The impact of market conditions has remained negative but less so than in 2008 with a reduced aggregate impact of short-term fluctuations in investment returns, changes in economic assumptions, and other recurring categories of volatile short-term profitability. 

The short-term fluctuations in investment returns include a one-off £216 million cost arising from the hedge temporarily put in place  during the first quarter, to protect the Group IGD capital surplus in the light of exceptional market conditions. During the extreme equity market conditions experienced in the first quarter of 2009, with historically high equity volatilities, the Group entered into exceptional overlay short-dated hedging contracts to protect against potential tail-events on the IGD capital position, in addition to our regular operational hedging programmes. The vast majority of the costs related to the hedge have been incurred in the first half 2009, with £216 million being included in the profit and loss account in this period. At 30 June 2009 the Group held equity options for this potential exposure with a remaining fair value of £36 million. We fully anticipate that these options will be held to their expiration, with all options expiring before the end of 2009. 

Since the beginning of the year, management actions have led to a very material increase in the Group's IGD surplus position to £3.0 billion including the net proceeds of the Tier 1 hybrid debt issued in July. As a result and as planned, such exceptional hedging will not be renewed. Among those management actions, it is worth noting the repayment of £249 million of senior debt, the issuance of £400 million of subordinated debt in May, and the raising of an additional US dollar $750 million (c£455 million) of hybrid debt in July, the cost of which compares favourably with that of the one-off exceptional hedging.

Our IFRS operating profit has increased by six per cent to £688 million. This was due to higher profits from the Life businesses in Asia and the UK offset by (i) lower asset management profits due to difficult market conditions and (ii) a difference of negative £69 million in other income and expenditure mainly due to lower returns earned on central funds and the non-recurrence of net positive one-off items for the half year 2008 results. In the UK operating profits for our long-term business increased by £31 million to £303 million. Operating profits increased in Asia by £137 million of which £74 million was due to a combination of higher insurance margin, lower new business strain and foreign exchange and the remaining £63 million was due to a one-off benefit arising from a regulatory change in Malaysia. 

The total IFRS profit before disposal of Taiwan agency business was £545 million in the first half of 2009, significantly higher than for the first half of 2008 (loss of £62 million) reflecting increased operating profits and more favourable short-term fluctuations partially offset by a charge for the costs of hedging the Group IGD capital surplus. Total loss before tax on the IFRS basis was £76 million in the first half of 2009 as a result of the disposal of the Taiwan agency business which was completed in June 2009.

Our IGD surplus at 30 June 2009 is estimated to be £2.5 billion, before allowing for the 2009 interim dividend, an increase of £1.0 billion from the finalised figure at 31 December 2008 of £1.5 billion (before any allowance for the final dividend). This increase includes the benefit in 2009 of £0.8 billion arising from the sale of the Taiwan agency business and £0.4 billion arising from new hybrid debt issued by the Group in May 2009 partially offset by the impact of impairments over the first half for the year of negative £0.3 million. In July 2009 the IGD surplus was increased further by the raising of a further US dollar $750 million (c£455 million) of hybrid debt and we estimate it at £3.0 billion at July 31, 2009.

Jackson's gross unrealised losses reduced by £1.0 billion during the first half of 2009 to £2.2 billion at 30 June 2009. The change reflects the benefits of some normalisation of the credit markets.

In the volatile economic environment experienced during the first half of 2009, we maintained our strong focus on risk, capital and cash management. We have also been able to continue to be cash flow positive at the holding company level, with a positive contribution of £22 million.

EEV RESULTS

EEV basis operating profit 

 

AER

 

CER

 

Half year

Half year

 

Half year

 
 

2009

2008

Change

2008

Change

 

£m

£m

%

£m

%

Insurance business

         

Asia

401

460

(13)

554

(28)

US 

501

354

42

468

7

UK

406

490

(17)

490

(17)

Development expenses

(5)

(3)

(67)

(4)

(25)

Long-term business profit

1,303

1,301

0

1,508

(14)

UK general insurance commission

27

14

93

14

93

Asset management business:

         

M&G

102

146

(30)

146

(30)

Asia asset management

21

29

(28)

36

(42)

Curian

(3)

0

-

0

-

US broker dealer and asset management

5

6

(17)

8

(38)

 

1,455

1,496

(3)

1,712

(15)

Other income and expenditure

(195)

(131)

(49)

(136)

(43)

Restructuring costs

(14)

(15)

7

(15)

7

Total EEV basis operating profit 

1,246

1,350

(8)

1,561

(20)



 

To 30 June 2009, Prudential Group's total EEV basis operating profit based on longer-term investment returns was £1,246 million, down eight per cent from half year 2008.

The Group generated long-term profits of £1,303 million, comprising new business profits of £691 million (2008: £555 million), in-force profits of £617 million (2008: £749 million) and development expenses of £5 million (2008: £3 million). New business profits, at £691 million, were 25 per cent higher than in 2008 on an AER basis, as higher margins in all businesses, particularly the US, were slightly offset by reduced sales volumes year on year. The average Group new business profit margin was 52 per cent (2008: 38 per cent) on an APE basis and seven per cent (2008: five per cent) on a PVNBP basis. This rise reflects increased average margins across the businesses as we concentrated on maximising sales of our most profitable products. In-force profits decreased by 18 per cent on 2008 to £617 million, due primarily to adverse persistency on investment related products in Asia mostly due to premium holidays in Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore and lower unwind of discount on in-force business in the UK.

Operating profit from the asset management business decreased to £125 million, down 31 per cent from £181 million in 2008, reflecting reduced market levels in the first half of 2009 compared to 2008.

Other income and expenditure totalled a net expense of £195 million compared with £131 million in 2008, a difference of negative £64 million of which £19 million was due to the net impact of (i) the non-recurrence in 2009 of a positive one-off 2008 item of £47 million of profit on the sale of a seed capital investment in an Indian mutual fund and (ii) a £28 million saving on project costs against last year. The balance of £45 million principally related to lower interest received on central shareholders' funds as a result of falling interest rates.

EEV basis profit after tax and minority interests 

 

AER

 

Half year

Half year

 

2009

2008

 

£m

£m

EEV basis operating profit based on longer-term investment returns

1,246

1,350

Short-term fluctuations in investment returns

   

- Insurance operations

(566)

(1,711)

- IGD hedge costs

(216)

-

- Other operations

75

(157)

 

(707)

(1,868)

Mark to market value movements on core borrowings

(108)

171

Shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes 

(71)

(98)

Effect of changes in economic assumptions and time value of cost of options and guarantees 

(384)

(100)

Profit on sale and results of Taiwan agency business

91

(90)

Profit (loss)  before tax

67

(635)

Tax

(52)

162

Minority interests

(1)

(2)

Profit (Loss) for the period after minority interests

14

(475)



 

Short-term fluctuations in investment returns



In our calculation of EEV operating profit, we use longer-term investment return assumptions rather than actual investment returns achieved. Short-term fluctuations represent the difference between the actual investment return and the unwind of discount on the value of in-force business and expected returns on net worth. 

Short-term fluctuations in investment returns for insurance operations of negative £566 million comprise a positive £101 million for Asia, negative £304 million for our US operations and negative £363 million in the UK. 

For our Asian business, short-term fluctuations of positive £101 million, reflected the effect of strong equity market performance across the region offset by the impact of negative bond returns, particularly in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. 

For our US business, short-term fluctuations in investment returns were negative £304 million (versus negative £297 million in 2008), primarily arising from a negative £287 million for the difference between the actual investment returns and the assumed long-term investment returns included in operating profit in respect of fixed income securities and related swap transactions. The balance is the combination of (i) negative £75 million for equity type investments and other items, in respect of the difference between actual investment returns and longer-term returns, and (ii) a positive £58 million resulting from the capitalisation of changes in the expectations of future profitability on variable annuity business in force, due to the return on the actual variable investment account ("separate account") being in excess of the long-term return reported within operating profit, offset by the impact of the associated hedging position. 

For our UK business, the short-term fluctuations in investment returns were negative £363 million, including negative £270 million relating to with-profits business, reflecting the difference between the negative 1 per cent actual investment return for the with-profits life fund and the long-term assumed return for the half year of 3.3 per cent and negative £60 million relating to shareholder-backed annuity business, primarily representing the unrealised loss on surplus assets. 

As indicated earlier, the £216 million cost related to the exceptional IGD hedge has been included in short-term fluctuations.

For other operations the positive £75 million mainly comprises unrealised value movements of £69 million on swaps held centrally to manage Group assets and liabilities.

 

Mark-to-market movement on core borrowings



The mark-to-market movement on core borrowings was a negative £108 million, reflecting a narrowing of credit spreads applied to the market value of the debt.

 

Shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes



The shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes of a negative £71 million reflects the effects of changes in economic assumptions, the shortfall of market returns over the long-term assumption, and change to provision for deficit funding obligation. 

 

Effect of changes in economic assumptions and time value of cost of options and guarantees



The effect of changes in economic assumptions and time value of cost of options and guarantees of negative £384 million comprises negative £410 million for the effect of changes in economic assumptions partially offset by positive £26 million for the change in the time value of cost of options and guarantees arising from changes in economic factors. In our Asian business, economic assumption changes were negative £86 million primarily driven by increases in risk discount rates across a number of territories. In our US business, economic assumption changes were negative £60 million, primarily reflecting an increase in the risk discount rates following an increase in the US 10-year Treasury rate, partially offset by the effect of an increase in the separate account return assumption. In our UK business, economic assumption changes were negative £264 million, £159 million of this change arises in shareholder-backed annuity business and £105 million relates to with-profits and other business.

 

Profit on sale and results of Taiwan agency business



In June 2009, the Group completed the sale of our Taiwan agency business. The half year 2009 result of £91 million reflects the profit on sale. The half year 2008 loss of £90 million is the total result for the business, including short-term fluctuations in investment returns.

 

Effective tax rates



The effective tax rate at an operating tax level was 29 per cent (HY 2008:28 per cent), primarily due to a lower tax rate in Asia. The effective tax rate at a total EEV level was 78 per cent (HY 2008: 26 per cent) on a profit of £67 million, primarily reflecting a reduction in the deferred tax credit relating to Jackson losses on fixed income securities.

IFRS RESULTS

IFRS basis operating profit based on longer-term investment returns 

   

AER

 

CER

 
 

Half year

Half year

 

Half year

 
 

2009

2008

Change

2008

Change

 

£m

£m

%

£m

%

Insurance business:

         

Long-term business

         

    Asia

212

75

183

92

130

    US

217

232

(6)

307

(30)

    UK

303

272

11

272

11

    Development expenses

(5)

(3)

(67)

(4)

(25)

Long-term business profit

727

576

26

667

9

UK general insurance commission

27

14

93

14

93

Asset management business:

         

    M&G

102

146

(30)

146

(30)

    Asia asset management

21

29

(28)

36

(42)

    Curian

(3)

0

-

0

-

    US broker-dealer and asset management

5

6

(17)

7

(29)

 

152

195

(22)

203

(25)

Other income and expenditure

(179)

(110)

(63)

(110)

(63)

Restructuring costs

(12)

(14)

14

(14)

14

Total IFRS basis operating profit based on longer-term investment returns

688

647

6

746

(8)



Group operating profit before tax based on longer-term investment returns on the IFRS basis after restructuring costs was £688 million, an increase of six per cent on 2008.

 

In Asia, IFRS operating profit for long-term business increased from £75 million in 2008 to £212 million in 2009, £63 million of this increase is due to a one-off release of reserves in the Malaysian life operations. This release has been determined after assessing the measurement basis for liabilities for policyholders, following the implementation of a Risk Based Capital regime by the Malaysian regulatory authorities. Excluding this item, Asia delivered a strong underlying operating performance resulting in an increase of £74 million to £149 million from £75 million at half year 2008. Our more mature markets of Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore together with Indonesia continue to record increases in operating profit. In Indonesia, the results increased from £24 million to £42 million, reflecting the strong underlying growth of the business and the low level of new business strain in the territory. In Malaysia, IFRS operating profit of £32 million excluding the one-off credit was up 68 per cent on 2008, driven mainly by the growth in the in-force business, reductions in new business capital strain and positive sales and claims expenses. Hong Kong recorded an increased operating profit up 56 per cent to £25 million, due mainly to lower new business strain from lower sales, higher participating fund bonuses and positive claims variances. Singapore saw a slight increase in operating profit to £51 million mainly as a result of foreign exchange movements. Whilst Japan, Korea and our remaining business in Taiwan (excluding the Taiwan agency business) posted operating losses, these were all lower than for the same period in 2008. 

In the US, the long-term business operating profit was down by six per cent on 2008 to £217 million in the first half of 2009, primarily as a result of lower separate account fee income, lower spread income and higher hedging costs reflecting equity market and interest rate falls. These falls were offset by the effect of favourable exchange rate movements and a related reduction in DAC amortisation.

In our UK business, the long-term business IFRS operating profit of £303 million increased by 11 per cent reflecting a 39 per cent growth from the shareholder-backed annuity business, partially offset by lower contribution from the with-profits business of £147 million from £198 million in 2008. The lower profit from the with-profit business reflected the impact of rate reductions in the February 2009 bonus declaration made in response to recent volatile investment performance. Profit from UK general insurance commission increased to £27 million in the first half of 2009 from £14 million in 2008. As a result, the total IFRS operating profit increased by 15 per cent in the first half of 2009 to £330 million.

M&G's operating profit for the first half of 2009 was £102 million, a decrease of 30 per cent over 2008. This reflects the relative levels of equity markets between 2008 and 2009 with the FTSE All Share being on average 31 per cent lower than in 2008. 

The Asian asset management operations reported operating profits of £21 million, down by 28 per cent on 2008, largely as a result of lower average Funds Under Management (FUM), change in asset mix and a one-off loss of £6 million in India. 

The increase of £69 million in other income and expenditure to negative £179 million primarily reflects a reduction in the earned return on central funds of £32 million and the non-recurrence of one-off items of positive £19 million in 2008.

Since last year we have improved the way in which we analyse our results by classifying pre-tax operating profits from our life businesses into five distinct areas reflecting the specific nature of each profit stream: 

·     

Investment spread, 

·     

Asset management fees, 

·     

Profits derived from taking on insurance risk, 

·     

Shareholder transfers from the Group's with-profits funds, 

·     

Net expense margin (defined as operating expenses and DAC amortisation charged to operating profit net of relevant expense charges and loadings)



We believe that this approach provides a better understanding of the underlying trends in our markets and a simpler and more effective framework to present our results.

IFRS basis results - Analysis of life insurance pre-tax IFRS operating profit based on longer-term investment returns by driver

     

AER

CER

   

Half Year

 2009

Half Year

2008

Half Year 2008

   

£m

£m 

£m

Investment spread

514

422

512

Asset management fees

203

221

274

Net expense margin

(209)

(249)

(294)

DAC amortisation (Jackson only) 

(160)

(165)

(218)

Net insurance margin

217

127

155

With-profits business

158

210

214

Non-recurrent release of reserves for Malaysian life operation

63

-

-

Other 

(59)

10

24

Total

 

727

576

667



Investment spread has increased by £92 million to £514 million for the first half of 2009. This has been driven by an increase in our UK investment spread income of £40 million principally arising from UK shareholder-backed annuity business reflecting both our disciplined approach to annuity pricing and the higher returns arising from increased shareholder assets. The balance arises primarily from favourable exchange rate movements offsetting the fall in spread income in Asia and the US.

Asset management fees have fallen by eight per cent to £203 million in 2009 with lower fee income earned as a result of falling asset values being offset by favourable exchange rate movements.

The net expense margin represents expenses net of relevant charges and loadings and has improved by 16 per cent on an AER basis to a net expense of £209 million in 2009. This benefit arises predominantly as a result of lower new business strain in Asia primarily reflecting lower new business volumes and the non-recurrence of one-off expenses incurred in the UK. 

Net insurance margin has increased by 71 per cent, reflecting strong growth in the Asian in-force book and positive claims experience in the US. 

Profits from with-profits business were £158 million in the first half of 2009 compared with £210 million in the same period in 2008, reflecting lower bonus rates as a result of market falls.

2009 includes a £63 million one-off credit arising from the release of regulatory reserves in Malaysia following a change in reserving basis with the introduction of a Risk Based Capital approach. 

Other of negative £59 million is primarily as a result of increased hedging costs in the US.

IFRS basis profit after tax 

 

   AER   

AER

 

Half year

2009

Half year

2008

 

£m

£m

Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns

688

647

Short-term fluctuations in investment returns

   

  - Insurance operations

61

(460)

  - IGD hedge costs

(216)

-

  - Other operations

75

(157)

 

(80)

(617)

Shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes

(63)

(92)

Profit/(loss) before loss on sale and results of Taiwan agency business

545

(62)

Loss on sale and results of Taiwan agency business

(621)

(40)

Loss before tax from continuing operations attributable to shareholders

(76)

(102)

Tax

(182)

(12)

Minority interests

4

(2)

Loss for the period attributable to equity holders of the Company

(254)

(116)



The total profit before disposal of Taiwan agency business was £545 million in the first half of 2009, significantly higher than for the first half of 2008 (loss of £62 million). The improvement reflects the increase in operating profit based on longer-term investment returns and more favourable short-term fluctuations in investment returns partially offset by a charge for the costs of hedging the Group IGD capital surplus. The total loss before tax on the IFRS basis was £76 million in the first half of 2009, compared with a loss of £102 million for the first half of 2008, as a result of disposal of the Taiwan agency business which was completed in June 2009. 

In calculating the IFRS operating profit, we use longer-term investment return assumptions rather than actual investment returns achieved. The difference between actual investment returns recorded in the income statement and longer-term returns is shown in the analysis of profits as short-term fluctuations in investment returns.

 

IFRS Short-term fluctuations in investment returns



Short-term fluctuations in investment returns for our insurance operations of £61 million comprises negative £41 million for Asia, positive £165 million for US operations and negative £63 million in the UK.  

The negative short-term fluctuations of £41 million for our Asian operations primarily reflect the unrealised losses on the shareholder debt portfolio.

The positive short-term fluctuations of £165 million for our US operations primarily comprises £339 million for market value movements on the free standing derivatives used to manage the fixed annuity and other general account business, negative £247 million in respect of debt securities, and positive £73 million of other items. The negative £247 million for debt securities reflects the levels of realised gains and losses in excess of the allowance for longer-term defaults and amortisation of interest-related gains included in the operating result. 

The negative short-term fluctuations of £63 million for our UK operations reflect principally value movements on the assets backing the capital of the shareholder-backed annuity business.

Short-term fluctuations for other operations, in addition to the previously discussed IGD hedge costs of £216 million, were £75 million positive, primarily comprised of unrealised value movements of £69 million on swaps held centrally to manage Group assets and liabilities.

 

Sale of Taiwan agency business



On 20 February 2009 we announced our agreement to transfer the assets and liabilities of the agency distribution business in Taiwan, including the capital consuming in-force book, to China Life Insurance Limited (Taiwan). We completed the transaction on 19 June 2009 following regulatory approval being given on that day. The transfer has resulted in a one-off negative pre-tax impact of £621 million.  After allowing for tax, and other adjustments, the effect on shareholders' equity was £607 million. In the February announcement we estimated the one off impact to the IFRS shareholder's equity to be £595 million. The difference of £12 million reflects a number of minor adjustments. The overall size of loss reflects the carrying value of the IFRS equity of the business as applied in the calculation of the loss on sale and the application of 'grandfathered' US GAAP under IFRS 4 for insurance assets and liabilities. US GAAP does not and is not designed to include the costs of holding economic capital to support the legacy interest rate guaranteed products, as recognised under the Company's supplementary reporting basis under European Embedded Value principles. The loss on sale reflects this element of the economic value. Separately, it is to be noted that under IFRS there is no recognition of the enhanced IGD capital surplus position arising on completion.  

 

Effective tax rates



The effective rate of tax on operating profits, based on longer-term investment returns, was 26 per cent (HY 2008: 29 per cent). The effective rate of tax at the total IFRS profit level for continuing operations was 239 per cent (HY 2008: 12 per cent) due to the loss on the disposal of the Taiwan agency business receiving no tax benefit.

EARNINGS AND DIVIDEND PER SHARE

Earnings per share 

 

Half Year

 2009

Half year

 2008

 

pence

  pence

Basic EPS based on operating profit after tax and minority interest

   

    EEV

35.4

39.2

    IFRS

20.5

18.6

Basic EPS based on total profit/(loss) after minority interests

   

    EEV

0.6

(19.3)

    IFRS

(10.2)

(4.7)



Dividend per share 

The Board has agreed an interim dividend of 6.29 pence per share to be paid on 24 September 2009 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 21 August 2009. The interim dividend for 2008 was 5.99 pence per share. 

The Board will maintain its focus on delivering a growing dividend, which will continue to be determined after taking into account our Group's financial flexibility and our assessment of opportunities to generate attractive returns by investing in specific areas of the business. The Board believes that in the medium term a dividend cover of around two times is appropriate.

MOVEMENT ON SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS

 

EEV

IFRS

 

Half year
2009

Half year
2008

Full year 2008

Half year 2009

Half year 2008

Full year 2008

 

£m

AER

£m

AER

£m

£m 

AER

£m

AER

£m

Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns

1,246

1,350

2,865

688

647

1,283

Items excluded from operating profit

(1,179)

(1,985)

(4,971)

(764)

(749)

(1,733)

Total profit (loss) before tax

67

(635)

(2,106)

(76)

(102)

(450)

Tax and minority interest

(53)

160

768

(178)

(14)

54

Profit (loss) for the period

14

(475)

(1,338)

(254)

(116)

(396)

Exchange movements, net of related tax

(1,104)

49

2,129

(298)

46

510

Unrealised gains and losses on Jackson securities classified as available for sale(1)

-

-

-

423

(285)

(831)

Dividends

(322)

(304)

(453)

(322)

(304)

(453)

New share capital subscribed

96

137

170

96

137

170

Other

80

(30)

(152)

17

12

(4)

Net increase (decrease) in shareholders' funds

(1,236)

(623)

356

(338)

(510)

(1,004)

Shareholders' funds at beginning of period

14,956

14,600

14,600

5,058

6,062

6,062

Shareholders' funds at end of period

13,720

13,977

14,956

4,720

5,552

5,058

Comprising

           

Long-term business (2) 

           

Free surplus

1,365

1,143

447

     

Required capital (2)

2,799

3,117

4,117

     

Net worth

4,164

4,260

4,564

     

Value of in-force

9,510

9,025

9,958

     

Total

13,674

13,285

14,522

     

Other business

46

692

434

     

Total

13,720

13,977

14,956

     


(1)

Net of related change to deferred acquisition costs and tax

(2)

The reduction in required capital from £4,117 million at 31 December 2008 to £2,799 million at 30 June 2009, principally reflects the sale of the Taiwan agency business. Detailed explanations of the movements in the component elements of the EEV shareholders' funds are shown in the 'Movement in Shareholder's Equity Statement' of the EEV financial statements.

   
 

 



 

EEV



On an EEV basis, which recognises the shareholders' interest in long-term business, shareholder funds at 30 June 2009 were £13.7 billion, a decrease of £1.3 billion from the 2008 year-end level. This reduced level of shareholders' funds reflects the profit after tax of £14 million, the adverse effects of exchange movements of £1.1 billion, dividend payments of £0.3 billion, which are partially offset by new share capital subscribed of £0.1 billion.

 

The shareholders' funds at the end of first half of 2009 relating to long-term business of £13.7 billion comprise £5.2 billion for our Asian long-term business operations, £3.8 billion for our US long-term business operations and £4.7 billion for the UK long-term business operations.

At the half year, the embedded value for our Asian long-term business operations was £5.2 billion. The embedded value for the established markets of Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia was £3.7 billion. There is also substantial embedded value in Korea (£286 million), Indonesia (£376 million) and Vietnam (£222 million). 

For Prudential's other Asian markets, following the sale of the Taiwan agency business, the embedded value was £577 million in aggregate.

 

IFRS



Statutory IFRS basis shareholders' funds at 30 June 2009 were £4.7 billion. This compares to the £5.1 billion at 31 December 2008, a decrease of £0.4 billion.  

The movement reflects the loss for the year after tax of £0.3 billion, exchange translation losses, principally on Jackson of £0.3 billion and dividend payments of £0.3 billion offset by the positive effect of a reduction in the level of net unrealised losses on Jackson's debt securities of £0.4 billion and other items of £0.1 billion. 

The decline in the net unrealised losses of Jackson (net of DAC and tax) during 2009 was £ 0.4 billion. This reduction reflects the benefits of some normalisation in credit markets with spread tightening.  Also, with markets for structured securities reverting to being more active in the period to 30 June 2009, nearly all the structured securities which had been valued at 31 December 2008 using internal valuation models due to inactive and illiquid markets, have now been valued based on external quotations. 

FREE SURPLUS AND HOLDING COMPANY CASH FLOW 

Free Surplus Generation

Sources and uses of free surplus generation from the Group's life and asset management operations

Group free surplus at the end of the period comprises free surplus for the insurance businesses, representing the excess of the net worth over the required capital included in the EEV results, and IFRS net assets for the asset management businesses excluding goodwill. The free surplus generated during the period comprises the movement in this balance excluding foreign exchange, capital movements, and other reserve movements. Specifically, it includes amounts maturing from the in-force operations during the period less the investment in new business, the effect of market movements and other one-off items.

For asset management operations we have defined free surplus generation to be total post tax IFRS operating profit for the period. Group free surplus generated also includes the general insurance commission earned during the period and excludes restructuring and shareholders' centrally arising other income and expenditure. 

The total movement in free surplus net of tax in the period can be analysed as follows:

 

AER

 

Half year 2009

Half year 2008

Full year 2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Free surplus generation

     

Expected in-force cash flows (including expected return on net assets)

949

812

1,623

Changes in operating assumptions and variances

(37)

31

(65)

Underlying free surplus generated in the period

912

843

1,558

Provisions for additional allowance for credit risk 

-

(187)

(770)

Market related items

(502)

(244)

(689)

Investment in new business

(331)

(350)

(806)

Free surplus generated in the period from retained businesses 

79

62

(707)

Effect of disposal and trading results of Taiwan agency business

987

(198)

(276)

Net cash remitted by the business units

(375)

(334)

(515)

Other movements and timing differences

241

86

442

Total movement during the period

932

(384)

(1,056)

Free surplus at 1 January

859

1,915

1,915

Free surplus at end of period

1,791

1,531

859

Comprised of:

     

Free surplus of insurance business

1,384*

1,143

447

IFRS net assets of asset management businesses excluding goodwill

407

388

412



*

Free surplus of insurance business comprises £1,365 million relating to long-term business and £19 million of other assets 



During the first six months of 2009 we generated total free surplus from the retained businesses of £79 million. Underlying free surplus generated from the in-force book increased eight per cent from £843 million in the first half of 2008 to £912 million in 2009, reflecting both the change in exchange rates and the underlying growth of the portfolio in 2008, offset by negative changes in operating assumptions and variances of £37 million in the period for our life businesses.

Underlying free surplus generated has been used by our life businesses to invest in new business. Investment in new business has fallen by £19 million to £331 million in the first half of 2009. On a CER basis investment in new business has fallen by 21 per cent from £418 million in the first six months of 2008. This reduction reflects the Group's focus on conserving capital and delivering value over volume. 

The negative impact on free surplus of market related items has increased by £258 million in the first half of 2009 to £502 million. This is driven mainly by the adverse impact on free surplus of impairments and credit downgrades within the US together with higher US hedging costs given the volatility of the market in the first half of 2009.

In June 2009 we completed the sale of the Taiwan agency business for £nil proceeds. As anticipated, this gave rise to an increase in free surplus by £987 million, representing the release of negative free surplus that previously applied. This compares to an increase in IGD capital of £800 million. The difference arises predominantly because the calibrations underpinning the capital requirements on a regulatory (IGD) basis are different from those applied on an economic capital (EEV) basis.

Value created through investment in new business by life operations 

     

AER

 

Half year 2009

 

Half year 2008

 

Asia

US

UK

Group

 

Asia*

US

UK

Group

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

Free surplus invested in new business

(118)

(168)

(45)

(331)

 

(100)

(157)

(93)

(350)

Increase in required capital

29

149

42

220

 

12

140

61

213

Net worth invested in new business

(89)

(19)

(3)

(111)

 

(88)

(17)

(32)

(137)

Value of in-force created by new business

292

209

89

590

 

302

106

124

532

Post tax new business profit for the period

203

190

86

479

 

  214

89

92

395

Tax

74

102

36

212

 

75

48

37

160

Pre-tax new business profit for the period

277

292

122

691

 

289

137

129

555

                   

New business sales (APE)

553

392

376

   

648

356

438

 

New business margins (% APE)

50%

74%

32%

   

45%

38%

29%

 

Internal rate of return

>20%

>20%

>15%

   

>20%

18%

15%

 
                   
     

CER

     

Half year 2008

           

Asia*

US

UK

Group

           

£m

£m

£m

£m

Free surplus invested in new business

         

(117)

(208)

(93)

(418)

Increase in required capital

         

14

185

61

260

Net worth invested in new business

         

(103)

(23)

(32)

(158)

Value of in-force created by new business

         

357

140

124

621

Post tax new business profit for the period

         

254

117

92

463

Tax

         

89

64

37

190

Pre-tax new business profit for the period

         

343

181

129

653

                   

New business sales (APE)

         

752

472

438

 

New business margins (% APE)

         

46%

38%

29%

 

Internal rate of return

         

>20%

18%

15%

 
                   


*

Half year 2008 comparatives for Asia exclude amounts in respect of the Taiwan agency business that has been disposed of.



Overall, the Group wrote £1,321 million of sales on an APE basis during the period generating a post tax new business contribution to embedded value of £479 million (2008: £395 million). To support these sales, we invested £331 million of capital (2008: £350 million). Over the first half of the year, we estimate the Group's internal rate of return to be greater than 20 per cent. This amount covers both new business strain, including commissions, of £111 million and the required capital of £220 million. Management's focus in the first half of 2009 was on capital preservation and so capital investment was focused on those areas which added most value to the Group, either in terms of new business profitability or to meet the Group's long-term strategic aims by maintaining distribution capability in key Asian territories in a challenging economic environment. Overall investment in new business has fallen as a result of this strategy but the amount of post tax new business profit created per £1 million of free surplus invested increased by 27 per cent to £1.4 million (2008: £1.1 million).

In Asia, investment in new business was £118 million, which is flat compared to 2008 on a CER basis (£117 million). For each £1 million of free surplus invested we generated £1.7 million of post-tax new business contribution to embedded value (2008: £2.1 million). This fall arises predominantly from the structural change in Malaysia with the move to the Risk Based Capital regime increasing the required capital needed for new business. It also reflects cyclical changes in product mix, as customers in general are being more cautious about investing in single premium savings orientated products but demand for protection products remains resilient. The sale of these products has helped the Group to maintain its agency distribution capacity which will be beneficial once markets begin to recover. The average free surplus undiscounted payback period for business written in the six months to 30 June 2009 was 4 years (12 months to 31 December 2008: 4 years). 

In the US, our investment in new business was £168 million, 19 per cent lower than 2008 on a CER basis (£208 million). For each £1 million of free surplus invested we generated £1.1 million of post-tax new business contribution to embedded value (2008: £0.6 million), reflecting the increase in spread margins as Jackson reduced crediting rates as part the Group's priority of capital preservation. The Group continues to balance the opportunity to invest in products offering attractive returns with its focus on capital management. We therefore actively chose not to reduce investment further in the US in 2009 in order to take advantage of the high product profitability currently available in the market, as a result of the dislocation observed over the last 12 months. The average free surplus undiscounted payback period for business written in the six months to 30 June 2009 was 2 years (12 months to 31 December 2008: 5 years)

In the UK, for each £1 million of free surplus invested we generated £1.9 million of post-tax new business contribution to embedded value. (2008: £1.0 million). This reflects the UK's disciplined approach to individual annuity pricing and its focus on capital preservation with an increase in with-profits bonds sales and no bulk annuity transactions in the first half of 2009. The average free surplus undiscounted payback period for business written in the six months to 30 June 2009 was 5 years (12 months to 31 December 2008: 6 years).

Holding company cash flow 

We are managing cash flows across the Group with a view to achieving a balance between ensuring sufficient net remittances from the businesses to cover the progressive dividend (after corporate costs) and maximising value for shareholders through the reinvestment of the free surplus generated at business unit level in the particularly profitable opportunities available to the Group given its privileged access to key Life Insurance markets. On this basis, the holding company cash flow statement should generally balance to close to zero.

 

Half year 2009

Half year 2008

Full year 2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Cash remitted by business units:

 

 

 

UK Life fund paid to Group

284

279

279

Other UK paid to Group

-

-

46

Group invested in UK

(16)

(42)

(126)

UK net

268

237

199

US paid to Group

-

-

144

Group invested in US

-

-

-

US net

-

-

144

Asia paid to Group

 

 

 

Long-term business

80

145

163

Other operations

31

3

234

 

111

148

397

Group invested in Asia

 

 

 

Long-term business

(34)

(104)

(310)

Other operations

(56)

(33)

(82)

 

(90)

(137)

(392)

 

 

 

 

Asia net

21

11

5

M&G paid to Group

44

72

106

PruCap paid to Group

42

14

61

Net remittances to Group from Business Units

375

334

515

Net interest paid

(92)

(80)

(128)

Tax received

30

87

130

Corporate activities

(65)

(86)

(177)

Total corporate costs

(127)

(79)

(175)

Holding Company (*) Cash flow before dividend

248

255

340

Dividend paid net of scrip

(226)

(169)

(286)

Holding Company (*) Cash flow after dividend

22

86

54

Exceptional Item - Cash flow arising from sale of Taiwan agency business

(125)

-

-

Cash flow after exceptional item

(103)

86

54



(*)

Including central finance subsidiaries



Holding company cash flow for the first half of 2009 before dividend was £248 million broadly in line with the first half of 2008. After dividend, the holding company cash flow was £22 million, £64 million lower than 2008 reflecting the higher dividend paid in 2009 and a higher scrip take-up in 2008.  

The holding company received £375 million net remittances from business units in the first half of 2009, (including £314 million which relates to long-term business operations) up from £334 million in the first half of 2008.  Gross remittances were £481 million, slightly down from £513 million at half year 2008.

The reduction in cash remitted from Asia was mainly due to the exceptional £50 million release of risk based capital in Singapore in 2008. This reduction was partly offset by an increase in remittances from Asia's asset management businesses from £3 million in 2008 to £31 million in 2009. Remittances from the Group's UK asset management businesses totalled £86 million in both periods.

Capital invested in business units in 2009 was £106 million compared to £179 million for 2008. Injections into Asia and the UK were both down from 2008 levels due to lower new business growth and reduced requirements for regulatory capital in a number of our Asian businesses.

Net interest paid in 2009 increased from £80 million to £92 million as falling interest rates led to reduced interest received on central shareholders' funds by £17 million.

Tax received in 2009 was £30 million, down £57 million from 2008, due to lower UK taxable profits available for offset. Payments for corporate activities at £65 million were £21 million lower, mainly as costs in 2008 related to investigating the potential reattribution of the inherited estate did not feature in 2009.

After corporate costs, there was in the first half of 2009 a net cash inflow before dividend of £248 million compared to £255 million for the first half of 2008. The dividend paid net of scrip, was £226 million in 2009 compared to £169 million in 2008. The take-up of scrip dividends in 2009 continued to be significant at £96 million (2008: £134 million).

   

As a consequence, overall, we reported a positive underlying cash inflow of £22 million in 2009. There were also exceptional payments of £125 million in connection with the sale of the Taiwan agency business to China Life, comprised of £45 million to purchase a 9.99 per cent stake in that company and £80 million for transaction related expenditure including restructuring costs.

Based on current projections, depending on the opportunities available, we continue to expect the UK shareholder-backed business to be cash flow positive in 2010.

BALANCE SHEET 

Summary 

 

 

AER

AER

 

Half year 2009

£m

Half year
2008

£m

Full year
2008

£m

Investments

179,457

194,668

193,434

Holding company cash and short-term investments

1,252

1,498

1,165

Other

18,677

14,989

20,943

Total assets

199,386

211,155

215,542

Less: Liabilities

 

 

 

            Policyholder liabilities

165,047

169,113

173,977

            Unallocated surplus of with-profits funds

7,061

12,560

8,414

 

172,108

181,673

182,391

Less: shareholders’ accrued interest in the long-term business

(9,000)

(8,425)

(9,898)

 

163,108

173,248

172,493

Core structural borrowings of shareholders’ financed operations (IFRS book value basis)

2,899

2,526

2,958

Other liabilities including minority interest

19,659

21,404

25,135

Total liabilities and minority interest

185,666

197,178

200,586

EEV basis net assets

13,720

13,977

14,956

 

Share capital and premium

 

1,966

 

1,962

 

1,965

IFRS basis shareholders’ reserves

2,754

3,590

3,093

IFRS basis shareholders’ equity

4,720

5,552

5,058

Additional EEV basis retained profit

9,000

8,425

9,898

EEV basis shareholders’ equity (excluding minority interest)

13,720

13,977

14,956



The following sections focus on key areas of interest in the balance sheet.

 

Shareholders' net borrowings and debt ratings 



Shareholders' borrowings at 30 June 2009:

 

Half year 2009

 

Full year 2008

 

IFRS basis

£m

Mark to market value

£m

EEV basis

£m

 

IFRS basis

£m

Mark to market value

£m

EEV basis

£m

Perpetual subordinated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital securities (Innovative Tier 1)

(950)

338

(612)

 

(1,059)

546

(513)

Subordinated notes (Lower Tier 2)

(1,248)

192

(1,056)

 

(928)

191

(737)

 

(2,198)

530

(1,668)

 

(1,987)

737

(1,250)

Senior debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

-

-

-

 

(249)

-

(249)

2023

(300)

46

(254)

 

(300)

12

(288)

2029

(249)

58

(191)

 

(249)

53

(196)

Holding company total

(2,747)

634

(2,113)

 

(2,785)

802

(1,983)

Jackson surplus notes (Lower Tier 2)

(152)

12

(140)

 

(173)

19

(154)

Total

(2,899)

646

(2,253)

 

(2,958)

821

(2,137)

Less: Holding company cash and short-term investments

1,252

-

1,252

 

 

1,165

-

1,165

Net core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations

(1,647)

646

(1,001)

 

 

(1,793)

821

(972)



The Group's core structural borrowings at 30 June 2009 totalled £2.9 billion on an IFRS basis, compared with    £3 billion at the end of 2008. In May 2009, senior debt of £ 0.2 billion was repaid on maturity and new hybrid debt of £0.4 billion was issued. In addition there were exchange translation gains of £0.2 billion on US dollar denominated borrowings in the period.

After adjusting for holding company cash and short-term investments of £1.3 billion, net core structural borrowings at 30 June 2009 were £1.6 billion compared with £1.8 billion at the end of 2008. The reduction of £0.2 billion includes the gains of £ 0.2 billion mentioned above, further gains of £59 million in respect of a US dollar $0.6 billion net investment hedge and the previously discussed positive cash flow of £22 million offsetting the exceptional payments of £0.1 billion and fair value and other adjustments of negative £30 million.

Prudential plc has strong debt ratings from Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch. Prudential long-term senior debt is rated A+ (stable), A2 (negative) and A+ (negative) from Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch respectively, while short-term ratings are A-1, P-1 and F1+.

 

Investments 



 

Half year 2009

Full year 2008

 

PAR 

Unit-

Shareholder-

Total 

Total 

 

Funds

£m

Linked

£m

backed 

£m

Group

£m

Group

£m

Debt securities

41,753

6,763

40,883

89,399

95,224

Equity 

26,098

29,295

676

56,069

62,122

Property Investments

8,507

616

1,356

10,479

11,992

Commercial mortgage loans

149

-

4,401

4,550

5,473

Other Loans

1,632

47

2,384

4,063

5,018

Deposits

6,300

780

1,726

8,806

7,294

Other Investments

3,917

235

1,939

6,091

6,311

Total

88,356

37,736

53,365

179,457

193,434



Total investments held by the Group at 30 June 2009 were £179.5 billion, of which £88.4 billion were held by participating funds, £37.7 billion by unit-linked funds and £53.4 billion by shareholder-backed operations. Shareholders are not directly exposed to value movements on assets backing participating or unit-linked operations, with sensitivity mainly related to shareholder-backed operations.

Of the £53.4 billion investments related to shareholder-backed operations, £2.8 billion was held by Asia long-term business, £27.4 billion by Jackson and £20.0 billion by the UK long-term business respectively.

The investments held by the shareholder-backed operations are predominantly debt securities, totalling £2.0 billion, £20.9 billion and £17.0 billion for Asia, the US and the UK long-term business respectively, of which 70 per cent, 92 per cent and 96 per cent are rated either externally or internally, as investment grade. Included within debt securities are Tier 1 and Tier 2 bank holdings of £3.7 billion, of which Tier 1 holdings of UK bank securities is £278 million, with exposure being £nil million, £20 million and £258 million for Asia, the US and the UK long-term business. Within Tier 2, our exposure to UK banks is £1.0 billion, with exposure being £nil million, £109 million, £798 million and £96 million for Asia, the US, the UK long-term business and other operations.

In addition £3.2 billion was held by asset management operations, of which £3.0 billion was managed by Prudential Capital, and a further £0.2 billion in central operations.

 

Policyholder liabilities



 

               Shareholder-backed business

 

 

Asia

£m

US

£m

UK

£m

Total

£m

At 1 January 2009

12,975

45,361

33,853

92,189

Premiums

1,296

3,850

1,823

6,969

Surrenders

(291)

(2,244)

(827)

(3,362)

Maturities/Deaths

(33)

(404)

(948)

(1,385)

Net cash flows

972

1,202

48

2,222

Investment related items and other movements

1,396

884

166

2,446

Disposal of Taiwan agency business

(3,508)

-

-

(3,508)

Change in reserving basis in Malaysia

(63)

-

-

(63)

Foreign exchange translation difference

(1,574)

(5,955)

(1)

(7,530)

At 30 June 2009

10,198

41,492

34,066

85,756

Add policyholder liabilities of with-profits funds

 

 

 

79,291

Total policyholder liabilities

 

 

 

165,047





Policyholder liabilities related to shareholder-backed business fell by £6.4 billion from £92.2 billion to £85.8 billion. The reduction reflected the disposal of the Taiwan agency business (negative impact of £3.5 billion), a £63 million reduction in liabilities following the change in reserving basis in Malaysia and foreign exchange movements of negative £7.5 billion.

Importantly, however, the Group had positive net cash flows (premiums less surrenders and maturities/deaths) into shareholder-backed-business of £2.2 billion in the period to 30 June 2009. This predominantly reflected strong net inflows in Asia (£1 billion) and the US (£1.2 billion).

Investment related items and other movements were £2.4 billion during the period principally reflecting the growth in the Asian equity markets and investment income credited to policyholder liabilities in the US.  

 

Financial position on defined benefit pension schemes 



The Group currently operates three defined benefit schemes in the UK, of which by far the largest is the Prudential Staff Pension Scheme (PSPS) and two smaller schemes, Scottish Amicable (SAPS) and M&G. 

Defined benefit schemes in the UK are generally required to be subject to a full actuarial valuation every three years, in order to assess the appropriate level of funding for schemes in relation to their commitments. The valuations of PSPS as at 5 April 2008 and SAPS as at 31 March 2008 were recently finalised. The valuation of PSPS demonstrated the scheme to be 106 per cent funded by reference to the Scheme Solvency Target that form the basis of the scheme's funding objective. Accordingly, the total contributions to be made by the Group into the scheme has been reduced from the previous arrangement of £75 million per annum to £50 million per annum effective from July 2009. 

The valuation of SAPS as at 31 March 2008 demonstrated the scheme to be 91 per cent funded, representing a deficit of £38 million. Based on this valuation, deficit funding amounts of £7.3 million per annum designed to eliminate the actuarial deficit over a 7 year period are being made from July 2009.

The valuation basis under IAS 19 for the Group financial statements differs markedly from the full triennial actuarial valuation basis. For PSPS, the Group has not recognised its interest in the underlying PSPS IAS 19 pension surplus of £416 million net of related tax relief at 30 June 2009 due to the Group not having an unconditional right of refund to any surplus in the scheme. Further, the Group has also recognised a provision under IAS 19 for a deficit funding obligation of £57 million net of related tax relief in respect of PSPS based on the new funding arrangements as described above. Although the contributions will increase the surplus in the scheme, the corresponding asset will not be recognised in the Group financial statements under IAS 19. Deficit funding for PSPS is apportioned in the ratio of 70/30 between the PAC with-profits fund and shareholder-backed operations. 

As at 30 June 2009, on the Group IFRS statement of financial position, the shareholders' share of the liabilities for these UK schemes amounted to a £87 million liability net of related tax relief.  The total share attributable to the PAC with-profits fund amounted to a liability of £110 million net of related tax relief.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT 

Prudential is subject to the capital adequacy requirements of the European Union (EU) Insurance Groups Directive (IGD) as implemented by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in the UK. The IGD capital adequacy requirements involves aggregating surplus capital held in our regulated subsidiaries, from which Group borrowings, except those subordinated debt issues that qualify as capital, are deducted. No credit for the benefit of diversification is permitted under this approach. 

Our capital position has been further strengthened during 2009, driven by our prudent but proactive risk management. Our IGD capital surplus is estimated at £2.5 billion at 30 June 2009 (before any allowance for the 2009 interim dividend) giving an estimated solvency ratio of 237 per cent. After allowing for the July hybrid debt issuance, the Group IGD capital surplus is estimated to be £3.0 billion leading to an estimated solvency ratio of 262 per cent. This compares to a position (before allowing for a dividend) at the end of 2008 and at the end of the first quarter 2009 of £1.5 billion and £1.6 billion respectively. The movement from £1.5 billion at 31 December 2008 to the estimated £2.5 billion comprises:

·     

Internal capital generation of £0.3 billion

·     

The impact of the sale of our agency distribution business in Taiwan of £0.8 billion

·     

Additional hybrid debt, issued in May 2009, of £0.4 billion

·     

Additional recognition of a £0.4 billion part of the shareholders' interest in the future transfers from the PAC with-profit fund by FSA (up from £0.3 billion recognised in February 2009)



Offset by:

·     

Final 2008 dividends, net of scrip, of £0.2 billion

·     

Credit related impairments and default losses in the US of £0.3 billion

·     

Other market related impacts of £0.2 billion

·     

Foreign exchange movements of £0.2 billion.



We have strengthened our IGD capital position in challenging markets. We continue to have further options available to us to manage available and required capital. These could take the form of either increasing available capital (for example, through financial reinsurance or debt issuance) or reducing required capital (for example, through the level and the mix of new business, notably by maintaining pricing discipline and through the use of other risk mitigation strategies such as hedging and reinsurance).

In addition to this strong capital position, the total credit reserve for the UK shareholder annuity funds, which protects our capital position in excess of the IGD surplus, has been maintained at £1.4 billion. This reserve is equivalent to 85 bps per annum over the lifetime of the assets and would allow us to withstand a repeat of the average default experience during the Great Depression occurring every year throughout the life of the portfolio.

As already mentioned, during the extreme equity market conditions experienced in the first quarter of 2009, with equity volatilities at historically high levels, the Group entered into additional one-off hedging contracts to protect the Group's IGD capital position against a tail-event of an instantaneous 40 per cent drop in equity market level with no recovery. The vast majority of the costs related to that hedge have been incurred in the first half and the hedge will not be renewed as the Group's capital surplus has been significantly enhanced since then and market concern about such extreme events has receded.

As at 30 June 2009, the impact of a more realistic instantaneous 20 per cent fall in equity markets levels would not be significant. A 20 per cent one day fall with no recovery is equivalent to the worst historic daily fall in the S&P. Were equity markets to fall by more than 20 per cent, we consider that this would not be an instantaneous fall but rather this would be expected to occur over a period of time during which we would be able to put into place mitigating management actions including the rebalancing of our hedging position. For example, we have estimated that the impact (net of mitigating management actions) of an additional 20 per cent fall in equity markets over a four week period following an instantaneous 20 per cent fall would be an estimated reduction in the IGD surplus of a further £200 million. 

These equity sensitivities are assumed to be in addition to the 28 per cent fall the equity markets had already experienced in the twelve months prior to 30 June 2009.

In summary, the findings of our stress testing and sensitivity analysis, which are part of the continual process of assessing the resilience of the Group's IGD capital position to withstand significant further deterioration in market conditions include:

·     

An instantaneous further 20 per cent fall in equity markets from 30 June 2009 levels would not have a significant impact on IGD surplus. 

·     

A 40 per cent fall in equity markets (comprising an instantaneous 20 per cent fall followed by a further 20 per cent fall over a four week period) would reduce the IGD surplus by £200 million.

·     

A 150bps reduction (subject to a floor of zero) in interest rates from 30 June 2009 would reduce the IGD surplus by £300 million. 

·     

Credit defaults of ten times the expected level would have an impact of £650 million in excess of the annual reserve release. 



The results of these stress tests, together with our Group's strong underlying earnings capacity, our established hedging programmes and our additional areas of financial flexibility, demonstrate that we are in a position to withstand possible significant further deterioration in market conditions. 

We also use an economic capital assessment to monitor our capital requirements across the Group, allowing for realistic diversification benefits and continue to maintain a strong position. This assessment provides valuable insights into our risk profile and is used for both risk measurement and capital management.

The EU is developing a new solvency framework for insurance companies, referred to as 'Solvency II' which will be very important for the insurance industry. There will be continued uncertainty until the rules are finalised and Prudential is actively participating in shaping the outcome through our involvement in industry bodies, including in the Chief Risk Officer and Chief Financial Officer Forums, and progressing with our implementation plans. 

RISK MANAGEMENT  

Introduction

As a provider of financial services, we recognise that the managed acceptance of risk lies at the heart of our business. As a result, effective risk management capabilities represent a key source of competitive advantage for our Group. To maximise this advantage, we have embedded a risk and capital management framework and culture that drives our rigorous risk and capital management and the optimisation of risk adjusted returns across the Group.

The Group's risk appetite framework sets out our tolerance to risk exposures as well as our approach to risk management and return optimisation. Under this approach, we monitor our risk profile continuously against agreed limits. Our core strategies for managing and mitigating risk include asset liability management, the use of financial instruments to hedge relevant market risks, and implementing reinsurance and corporate insurance programmes. 

Our risk exposure and approach to risk management were described in detail in our 2008 year end report and remain valid.

Equity risk

We have an exposure to equity risk that varies between each of our main operations. Most of the equity exposure in our UK business arises from the with-profits fund which includes a large inherited estate, estimated at £5.0 billion at 30 June 2009, which can absorb the impact of market fluctuations and protect the fund's solvency. The inherited estate itself is partially protected against falls in equity markets through an active hedging policy. In the first half of 2009 we have reduced the fund's exposure to UK equities whilst increasing the proportion of bonds and cash.

In Asia, a high proportion of our in-force book is made up of unit-linked products with limited shareholder exposure to equities. We have minimal direct shareholder exposure to Asian equity markets outside our unit-linked holdings and this has been further reduced during the first half of the year.

In the US, where we are a leading provider of variable annuities, there are well-understood risks associated with the guarantees embedded in our products. To protect the shareholder against the volatility induced by these embedded options, we use both a comprehensive hedging programme and reinsurance.

In our variable annuity sales activities, we focus on meeting the needs of conservative and risk averse customers who are seeking reliable income in retirement and who display little tendency to arbitrage their guarantees. We seek to sell at a price where we can hedge or reinsure our risks, for example in 2009 we discontinued the GMIB guarantee and repriced certain GMWB guarantees.

We take a macro approach to hedging that covers market risk in the US business, including all exposure to GMDB and GMWB guarantees. Within this macro approach we make use of the natural offsets that exist between the variable annuity guarantees and the fixed-indexed annuity book, and then use a combination of over the counter options and futures to hedge the residual risk, allowing for significant market shocks and minimising the amount of capital we are putting at risk. The hedging programme covers both the in-force book and new business for the 'greeks' - i.e. changes in equity market levels, the rate of change in market levels and equity market volatility, as well as interest rate movements. We also hedge the fees on variable annuity guarantees.

Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk arises primarily from Prudential's investments in long-term debt and fixed income securities. Interest rate risk also exists in policies that carry investment guarantees on early surrender or at maturity, where claim values can become higher than the value of backing assets as a result of rises or falls in interest rates.

Interest rates primarily impact our Asia, US and UK with-profits businesses. However, the sale of the agency-based business in Taiwan has significantly reduced our exposure to interest rate risk in Asia. The remaining risk relates mostly to guarantees on traditional shareholder-backed life products and asset-liability mismatches, primarily in Japan and Korea. This exposure is within our risk appetite, and we monitor and manage it carefully on an ongoing basis. We have a range of risk mitigation options available to us should we wish to reduce this exposure further. 

In the US there is interest rate risk across the portfolio. We manage fixed annuity interest rate exposure through a combination of interest rate swaps and interest rate options, to protect capital against rates rising quickly, and through the contractual ability to reset crediting rates annually. On variable annuities business interest rate risk has natural offsets within Jackson's other liabilities, particularly fixed annuities and guaranteed investment contracts. The net position is then hedged externally in order to achieve the desired risk profile.

In the UK the investment policy for the shareholder-backed annuity business is to match the cash flow from investments with the annuity payments. As a result, assets and liabilities are closely matched by duration. The impact of any residual cash flow mismatching can be adversely affected by changes in interest rates, but the impact is expected to be small. 

Foreign exchange risk

Prudential operates in 13 countries in Asia, in the US, in the UK, and in Continental Europe. The geographical diversity of our businesses means that we are inevitably subject to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations. Prudential's international operations in the US and Asia, which represent a significant proportion of our operating profit and shareholders' funds, generally write policies and invest in assets denominated in local currency. Although this practice limits the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on local operating results, it can lead to significant fluctuations in our consolidated financial statements when results are expressed in pounds sterling. 

We do not generally seek to hedge foreign currency revenues, as these are substantially retained locally to support the growth of the Group's business and meet local regulatory and market requirements. However, in cases where a foreign surplus is deemed to be supporting Group capital or shareholders' interest, this exposure is hedged if we deem it economically optimal to do so. Currency borrowings, swaps and other derivatives are used to manage exposures.

Credit risk 

    

 

Debt Portfolio



Our debt portfolio on an IFRS basis was estimated at £89.4 billion at 30 June 2009. £40.9 billion of these assets backed shareholder business, of which 93 per cent were investment grade, compared to 96 per cent at 31 December 2008. This change was a result of downgrades, largely occurring in March and April, with the pace of downgrade significantly slowing subsequently. 

 

Asia



Asia's debt portfolio totalled £8.3 billion at 30 June 2009. Of this, approximately 76 per cent was invested in unit-linked and with-profits funds with minimal shareholder risk. The remaining 24 per cent is shareholder exposure and is invested predominantly (70 per cent) in investment grade bonds. For Asia, the portfolio has performed very well, with no default losses in the first half of 2009.

 

UK



The total debt portfolio for UK insurance operations was £59.2 billion, including £37.4 billion within the UK with-profits fund. Shareholders' risk exposure to the with-profits fund is limited as the solvency is protected by the large inherited estate which absorbs market fluctuations. Outside the with-profits fund, £4.8 billion was held in unit-linked funds where the shareholder risk is limited, and the remaining £17.0 billion (of which 78 per cent is rated AAA to A, 18 per cent BBB and four per cent non-investment grade) was backing the shareholder annuity business and other non-linked business. Despite downgrades of £3.4 billion mostly in the first quarter of 2009, (85% percent of these being in Financial Institutions) the quality of the portfolio remains high with 96 percent of the portfolio rated investment grade, compared to 99 percent at 31 December 2008.

On a statutory basis we have maintained the credit reserve within the UK shareholder annuity funds of £1.4 billion to allow for future defaults. This reserve can withstand the equivalent of the average default experience during the Great Depression occurring every year over the life of the portfolio. In the first half of 2009, we have experienced credit defaults for UK operations of £11 million that relate to shareholder funds (0.1 per cent of the portfolio).

 

US



The most significant area of exposure to credit risk for the shareholder is Jackson in the US. At 30 June 2009 Jackson's fixed income portfolio was £20.9 billion, comprising £14.9 billion of Corporate Debt, £1.7 billion of Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS), £3.4 billion of Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (RMBS) and £0.9 billion of other instruments. We entered the present credit cycle in a defensive position and continue to manage the portfolio rigorously.

The US Corporate Debt portfolio of £14.9 billion is 91 per cent investment grade, compared to 92 per cent at 31 December 2008. Concentration risk is low, with the top ten holdings accounting for only 5 per cent of the portfolio. The high-yield portfolio is also well diversified with an average holding of £9 million. Our largest sector exposures, in the investment grade portfolio are Utilities and Energy both at 15 per cent. We actively manage the portfolio and will sell exposure as required. 

Within the RMBS portfolio of £3.4 billion, the agency guaranteed portion is 64 per cent. Another 19 per cent of the portfolio relates to investments with pre-2006/2007 vintages, where experience has generally been more positive than later vintages. Our exposure to the 2006/2007 vintages totals £406 million of which £304 million is invested in the senior part of the capital structure, thereby significantly reducing the risk of defaults and the magnitude of loss if a shortfall were to occur. In a typical RMBS structure the non-AAA tranches are relatively thin, so as collateral losses increase, non-AAA tranches can be hit very hard. The senior/AAA tranche, on the other hand, is very wide, and thus, the actual economic loss is much more contained and much lower than the current price declines driving reported accounting values. The actual exposure to non-senior 2006/2007 Prime and Alt-A RMBS is only £102 million. This portfolio has an average fair value price of 76 cents in the dollar.

The CMBS £1.7 billion portfolio is performing well, with 89 per cent of the portfolio being AAA and none below investment grade. We materially reduced our non-AAA purchases after 2004 in response to the significant deterioration in underwriting standards observed in the market and in line with rating agencies' guidelines. The entire portfolio has an average credit enhancement level of 30 per cent. This provides significant protection, since it means the bond has to incur a 30 per cent loss, net of recoveries, before we are at risk.

Jackson experienced less than £1 million of bond default losses during the first half of 2009. As part of our active management of the book we incurred net losses of £42 million on the sale of impaired bonds. IFRS write-downs excluding defaults for the half-year were £324 million.

The impairment process reflects a rigorous review of every single bond and security in our portfolio. We believe that the accounting rules for impairments are necessarily conservative and not always consistent with economic losses. So, while the accounting requires us to book them as losses through our income statement, we would expect only a proportion of these impairments eventually to turn into defaults, and some of the impaired securities to recover in price over time.

In considering potential future losses for Jackson, it is essential to examine the key components of the debt portfolio. As at 30 June 2009, 92 per cent of Jackson's total debt portfolio of £20.9 billion consisted of investment grade securities and 8 per cent were high yield. To put potential future losses in context, the highest global annual default rates over the past 50 years were 0.5 per cent for investment grade and 10 per cent for high yield, and the highest global annual default rates during a recession have been 1.6 per cent for investment grade and 15.4 per cent for high yield, although not necessarily in the same year (Source: Moody's Investors Service - February 2009).

Applying peak annual default rates and making conservative assumptions for recoveries to our US debt portfolio would generate losses of approximately £330 million for one year that could be absorbed by our current IGD surplus as estimated at 30 June 2009.

 

Asset Management



The debt portfolio of the Group's asset management operations of £978 million principally comprises £966 million related to Prudential Capital operations. Of this amount, debt securities of £923 million were rated AAA to A- by S&P or Aaa by Moody's.

 

Loans



Of the total Group loans of £8.6 billion at 30 June 2009, £6.8 billion are held by shareholder-backed operations comprising of £4.4 billion commercial mortgage loans and £2.4 billion of other loans.

Of this total held by shareholder-backed operations, the Asian insurance operations held £0.3 billion of other loans; the majority of which are commercial loans held by the Malaysian operation that are investment graded by two local rating agencies. The US insurance operations held £4.3 billion of loans, comprising £3.8 billion of commercial mortgage loans, all of which are collateralised by properties, and £0.5 billion of policy loans. The US commercial mortgage loan portfolio does not include any single-family residential mortgage loans and therefore is not exposed to the risk of defaults associated with residential sub-prime mortgage loans. The UK insurance operations held £0.6 billion, the majority of which are mortgage loans also collateralised by properties.

The balance of the total loans amounts to £1.6 billion and relates to bridging loan finance managed by Prudential Capital. The bridging loan assets generally have no external credit ratings available, with internal ratings prepared by the Group's asset management operations as part of the risk management process, with the majority being rated BBB+ to BBB-.

 

Unrealised Credit Losses in the US



Jackson's gross unrealised losses reduced from £3.2 billion at 31 December 2008 to £2.2 billion at 30 June 2009. This change reflects the benefits of some normalisation of the credit markets. The entire market for fixed income securities has been re-priced downwards from historically tight spreads of approximately 100 bps experienced during the first half of 2007, with average spreads on investment grade paper in excess of 331 bps at 30 June 2009. Wider credit and liquidity spreads are causing the average investment grade security to trade around the mid to high 90s as a per cent of book value. Unrealised losses on securities priced at less than 80 per cent of face value were £1.5 billion at 30 June 2009. It is our intention to hold these fixed income securities to maturity - an approach which in economic terms limits the impact of the current market dislocation.

With the return of liquidity in most segment of structured securities, virtually all the non-agency RMBS, ABS and certain CMBS that, at 31 December 2008, were valued using internal valuation models due to the dislocated market conditions in 2008, have now been valued using external prices. 

We believe that the accounting impact of these unrealised losses significantly overstates the risk of economic losses on our portfolio at current price levels.

Insurance risk

The processes of determining the price of our products and reporting the results of our long-term business operations require us to make a number of assumptions. In common with other industry players, the profitability of our businesses depends on a mix of factors including mortality and morbidity trends, persistency, investment performance, unit cost of administration and new business acquisition expenses. We continue to conduct rigorous research into longevity risk using data from our substantial annuitant portfolio. Prudential's persistency assumptions reflect recent experience for each relevant line of business, and any expectations of future persistency. Where appropriate, allowance is also made for the relationship - either assumed or historically observed - between persistency and investment returns, and for the resulting additional risk.

Liquidity risk

Our liquidity position remains very strong, both at holding and subsidiary company level. The holding company has significant internal sources of liquidity which are sufficient to meet all of our expected requirements for the foreseeable future without having to make use of external funding. In aggregate the Group has £2.1 billion of undrawn committed facilities, of which, in February 2009, we renewed £1.4 billion of the undrawn syndicated committed banking facility for a further three years. We also have two £100 million undrawn bilateral committed banking facilities expiring in 2011 and 2012, with the balance being an annually renewable £500 million committed securities lending facility.  In addition the Group has access to liquidity via the debt capital markets, which was demonstrated most recently through the two hybrid instruments, £400 million of Lower Tier 2 debt issued in May and US dollar $750 million (approximately £455 million) of Innovative Tier 1 debt issued in July. 

Non-financial risk

Prudential is exposed to operational, business environment and strategic risk in the course of running its businesses. We process a large number of complex transactions across numerous and diverse products, and are subject to a number of different legal and regulatory regimes. We also have a significant number of third-party relationships that are important to the distribution and processing of our products, both as market counterparties and as business partners. 

We use quantitative analysis of operational risk exposures material to the Group to inform our decisions on the overall amount of capital held and the adequacy of our corporate insurance programme.

Risk factors and contingencies

The Group published details of its risk factors and contingencies in its 2008 Annual Report. There have been no changes in the nature of the risk factors during the period. Note R of the IFRS basis condensed consolidated financial statements gives an update on the position for contingencies.

BUSINESS UNIT REVIEW 

Insurance Operations

Asia

 

AER

 

CER

 

 

Half year
 2009

Half year

2008

Change

Half year

2008

Change

 

£m

£m

%

£m

%

APE sales 

553

648

(15)

752

(26)

NBP

277

289

(4)

343

(19)

NBP margin (% APE)

50%

45%

 

45%

 

NBP margin (% PVNBP)

10.2%

8.4%

 

8.4%

 

Total EEV basis operating profit*

401

460

(13)

554

(28)

Total IFRS operating profit*

212

75

183

92

130



*

Operating profit from long-term operations excluding asset management operations, development costs, Asia regional head office expenses and the sold Taiwan agency business



Demographic trends will continue to drive sustained demand for savings and protection products in Asia, particularly in the large and still developing markets such as China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam. We remain fully committed to leveraging our already strong operations in the region to deliver superior and highly profitable growth over the long-term.

Although the IMF have recently revised upwards its forecasts for Asian growth in 2009 and 2010, indicating that the recovery is getting underway, market conditions remained challenging in the second quarter of 2009. Excluding the Taiwan agency business, Prudential's new business APE of £553 million for the first half 2009, was 15 per cent lower than in the first half 2008 and although market data is not yet available, we believe this to be generally in line with the market as we are maintaining our new business rankings with eight life operations in the top three in their respective countries. New business profits were only four per cent lower than the same period last year thanks to higher margins driven by higher proportions of regular premiums and protection products. IFRS basis profits driven by the increasing scale of the in-force book grew very strongly, even before counting the one-off reserve release in Malaysia for £63 million.

While each market in our portfolio has its own unique features, there are some common themes. In a more volatile economic environment, customers have generally been more cautious about committing lump sums to savings orientated policies, particularly policies with direct market exposure such as unit linked products. As a result, during the first half of 2009, single premium business was down from £931 million for the first half 2008 to £365 million and the proportion of single premium in the APE mix was seven per cent compared to 14 per cent for the same period last year. It is worth noting that single premium sales in the first half last year did include an exceptional boost from Central Provident Fund (CPF) related business in Singapore. Regular premium sales of £517 million were just seven per cent lower than in the first half of 2008 reflecting the resilience of these products despite challenging market conditions. Total sales of unit linked products on an APE basis of £221 million represent 40 per cent of the product mix compared to 61 per cent for the first half of 2008 equivalent to £392 million.

We continue to make excellent and crucial progress in the area of protection products, where demand continues to be strong, in line with our expectations and our stated priority of increasing our focus on these products. Over the last 12 months we have launched several new products that have contributed to the increase of the proportion of 'protection' APE from 22 per cent (£140million) in the first half of last year to 30 per cent (£164 million) for the first half of 2009. Protection products have also proven to be useful in maintaining agency momentum as they address one important customer need and typically have lower premiums making them more affordable when household budgets are stretched. New business profits from protection products have increased 17 per cent over the first half 2008 and have made a material contribution to Prudential Asia's overall increase in new business profits margins from 45 per cent for first half 2008 to 50 per cent for the first half this year primarily driven by product mix and pricing.

As a result of the financial crisis we have experienced an increase in the number of unit-linked policies where customers are opting to take a premium holiday, especially in Korea where this affected higher premium cases and to a lesser extent in Hong Kong and Singapore. Although 'premium holiday' customers suspend premium payments, their policies do stay in force so long as they have sufficient value attached to them to cover the costs of the insurance cover. Customers do have the option to start paying premiums again at a later date however for prudent EEV accounting purposes we treat these policies as having stopped premiums. During first half 2009 we tightened our persistency assumptions, which included premium persistency, with a £60 million charge to embedded value and also booked £47 million of negative persistency experience variances. In the context of the total post tax shareholder embedded value of £5.2 billion, these adjustments remain relatively small (at 2 per cent of the embedded value of Asia at year end 2008).

A very significant development in the first half was the transfer of the Taiwan agency force and the related back book to China Life. As a result of that transaction, which was announced on 20 February 2009 and received regulatory approval on 19 June, Prudential's Insurance Groups Directive (IGD) capital surplus increased by approximately £800 million. Prudential is still active in the Taiwan life market through its non agency distribution principally through two strategic partnerships with Standard Chartered Bank and E.Sun Bank. In addition, as announced on February 20, we have invested £45 million in a 9.99 per cent stake in China Life. 

Financial performance

New business profits of £277 million are four per cent lower than the same period last year with lower new business volumes being offset by an increase in average margins from 45 per cent to 50 per cent. In line with the Group's strategy, a strict focus was maintained on value creation by continuing to focus on profitable new business alongside capital conservation and cash generation. The main drivers of the increase in margins were higher proportion of protection and regular premium business. For example in Hong Kong the proportion of protection business in the APE increased from 12 per cent to 21 per cent and consequently average margins increased from 66 per cent to 76 per cent. In total, seven operations reported higher new business profit margins and for those that did not the main driver was changes in the distribution mix e.g. higher proportions of bank business in China.

Operating EEV profits of £401 million were 13 per cent lower than last year driven by operating assumption changes and adverse experience variances. Operating assumption changes of net £64 million negative were principally driven by the prudent provisioning for policies going on 'premium holiday' in Korea (£23 million) and Hong Kong (£14 million). 

Experience variances and other items for half year 2009 were a charge of £(60) million primarily comprised of £(47) million for negative persistency experience mainly arising in Korea and Singapore due to higher than expected premium holidays and expense variances.

IFRS profits, at £212 million increased by 183 per cent compared to the first half of 2008. This includes a one off exceptional profit of £63 million from the release of regulatory reserves in Malaysia following the introduction of a Risk Based Capital reserving, but nevertheless is a clear demonstration of the business's long-standing commitment to profitable products and the increasing scale of the back book. Insurance margins remain the most significant driver of the IFRS profits

For the first half 2009, Asia continued to be a net contributor of capital to the Group with a net remittance of £21 million which compares favourably to the net £11 million remitted in the first half of last year. The IRR remains in excess of 20 per cent and the payback period averages four years.

Looking at developments in each market in more detail:

In China, new business APE for the first half 2009 from our joint venture CITIC Prudential Life was £21 million was up 11 per cent compared to the first half of 2008. The agency channel has been particularly affected by the economic climate and in general recruiting and retaining good quality agents remains a challenge. However, bank distribution was encouraging with growth of 77 per cent over last year meaning this channel generated 44 per cent of the new business.

Sentiment towards single premium business via the bank channel in Hong Kong remains negative due to the lingering impact of the Lehman Brothers mini bond issue. Prudential and SCB are working together on their sales management model to increase focus on regular premium business. Prudential's total APE of £95 million for the first half this year was 16 per cent lower than last year, but encouragingly the second quarter this year was seven per cent up on the first quarter indicating an inflexion point as agency activity has picked up.

 

ICICI-Prudential Life in India has seen some erosion of market share this year. Prudential's share of new business APE at £76 million is 40 per cent lower than last year reflecting a particularly challenging market and our stated policy of concentrating on value over volume. Given the long term potential of this market and the significance attached to the quality of our brand and service we are not prepared to jeopardize this for short term market share. Sales bounced back in June and we have been able to maintain our position as the largest private player over the first half of 2009, while continuing to focus on profitable business.

Our business in Indonesia has grown very rapidly over the last few years. At £83 million, new business APE is only six per cent lower than the first half of 2008 in spite of challenging market conditions in the first half of 2009. This growth has been driven by a rapid expansion in our agency force and our team continues to focus on finding ways to manage more effectively in a market down turn. Momentum is now gathering in the business again and the second quarter this year was up 21 per cent on the first quarter.

The market in Korea continues to be particularly challenging with activity tending to be driven by 'hot' products in an increasingly 'open architecture' environment. Currently guaranteed or interest rate sensitive products with low or negative profitability are preferred over our core Variable Unit Linked (VUL) offering, particularly through the bank channels. New business APE of £66 million for the first half is down 46 per cent over the same period last year, with the bank channel down 89 per cent. Our proprietary agency channel has been targeted by competitors as they look to move into the more professional, financial adviser space. A new marketing campaign 'Magic Number' backed up by new whole life protection products is scheduled for the second half. 

Having lagged Prudential's other Asian operations in terms of new business growth during 2006 and 2007, following the reengineering of the agency model in early 2008 Malaysia is now delivering very strong results, with new business APE of £52 million up 33 per cent over the first half last year. Momentum is also encouraging with the second quarter of 2009 up 21 per cent on the first quarter.

Singapore recorded APE of £52 million which is 20 per cent lower than the first half of 2008. Singapore had a very strong first half in 2008 driven by exceptional volumes of CPF business ahead of a regulatory change but even allowing for this the market has been affected by the downturn. We have successfully re-entered the single premium market in Singapore and the APE for the second quarter of £30 million was up 36 per cent on the first quarter and was the highest since the first quarter 2008, when APE was £38 million. 

Non agency business in Taiwan for the first half 2009 of £51 million is more than double the £18 million recorded for the first half of 2008. This reflects the ongoing success of our relationships with SCB and E.Sun Bank. Although this business has low profit margins, work is now underway to improve the product mix.

The scale of Prudential's life business in Japan remains small and this business is being managed tightly to minimise expense overruns and capital strain. Vietnam has seen a good turn around in agency activity and combined with the other smaller operations in Thailand and the Philippines, APE is down only seven per cent on the first half of 2008 and the second quarter of 2009 was up 15 per cent on the first quarter this year.

 

US operations 

 

AER

 

CER

 

 

Half year 2009

Half year

2008

Change

Half year

2008

Change

 

£m

£m

%

£m

%

APE sales 

392

356

10

472

(17)

NBP

292

137

113

181

61

NBP margin (% APE)

74%

38%

 

38%

 

NBP margin (% PVNBP)

7.5%

3.9%

 

3.9%

 

Total EEV basis operating profit

501

354

42

468

7

Total IFRS operating profit

217

232

(6)

307

(29)



The United States is the world's largest retirement savings market. Each year as more of the 78 million baby boomers1 reach retirement age, additional amounts of retirement assets will shift from asset accumulation to income distributionThere are already $2 trillion of assets generating retirement income in the US - and this amount is forecast to rise to some $7.3 trillion by 2029.2 

During the first half of 2009, the US financial services industry continued to face many challenges: the S&P 500 index fell to a 12-year low in March before rebounding to post a small year-to-date gain by the end of June; the US Federal Reserve kept its interest rate target at an historic low; and rating agencies downgraded the financial strength ratings of most of the largest US insurance companies. However, conditions in equity and credit markets improved in the second quarter. As a result, many financial services businesses took advantage of the opportunity to issue new debt and/or equity in an effort to rebuild their capital base.

Further uncertainty arose in the market, as several companies scaled back their product offerings due to capital constraints which, combined with multiple financial strength downgrades, caused consumers to question the long- term financial stability of product providers. At the same time, tightening credit spreads and a second-quarter rally in equity markets created more favourable market conditions for the sale of variable annuities. These developments in the annuity market provided a competitive advantage to companies with strong financial strength ratings and a relatively consistent product set. 

Financial performance

Jackson delivered total APE sales of £392 million in the first half of 2009. By contrast to last year, all the sales were retail sales as a result of the Group's focus on capital conservation. The performance in retail sales was very strong, with the highest first half in terms of APE at CER in the company's history, as we clearly benefited from the consumer flight to quality during the period. This achievement continues to demonstrate the resilience of our business model and the importance of diversification within our product portfolio.

In light of continued volatility in US equity markets, customers are increasingly seeking to mitigate risk through the purchase of fixed annuities, fixed index annuities and variable annuities with guaranteed living benefits. Jackson has benefited from this trend across all of our annuity product lines.

Variable annuity APE sales of £252 million through June 2009 were up 40 per cent from the same period of 2008 at AER, reflecting the second-quarter equity market rally, the relative consistency of our product offering and disruptions among some of the top VA sellers in the US market. In the first quarter of 2009, we ranked 8th in new variable annuity sales in the US with a market share of 5.0 per cent, up from 12th and a market share of 4.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2008.3  

Fixed annuity APE sales of £70 million were up nine per cent over the prior year on an AER basis, but were lower on a local currency basis as we balanced new business opportunities with our goals of capital and cash conservation. We ranked ninth in sales of traditional deferred fixed annuities during the first quarter of 2009, with a market share of 2.7 per cent, compared to ninth and a market share of 3.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2008.4

Fixed index annuity (FIA) APE sales of £58 million in the first half of 2009 were up 190 per cent over the first half of 2008 at AER. Increased Industry FIA sales have been driven by higher customer demand for products with guaranteed rates of return, which also offer additional upside potential linked to stock market index performance. Additionally, our FIA sales have benefited from the company's strong financial strength ratings and further disruptions among some of the top FIA sellers. We ranked sixth in sales of fixed index annuities during the first quarter of 2009, with a market share of 5.0 per cent, up from 10th and a market share of 3.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2008.5

 

______________

1 Source: US Census Bureau

2 Source: Tiburon Strategic Advisers, LLC

3 Morningstar, Inc.

4 LIMRA

5 The Advantage Group

 

Retail annuity net flows increased by 63 per cent at AER (24 per cent higher at CER), reflecting the impacts of record sales and continued low levels of surrender activity.

As indicated above, there were no institutional sales during the first half of 2009, as we focused on managing new business strain and capital consumption.

EEV basis new business profits of £292 million were more than double the first half of 2008 at AER (61 per cent higher at CER), reflecting a 10 per cent increase in APE sales and significantly higher new business margins. Total new business margin was 74 per cent, compared to 38 per cent achieved in the first half of 2008.

The variable annuity new business margin increased from 49 per cent during the first half of 2008 to 71 per cent in the same period 2009, as a result of changes to policyholder behaviour and spread assumptions, coupled with changes in the level of benefits offered by the VA products.

The fixed index annuity new business margin increased from 26 per cent in the first half of 2008 to 85 per cent in the first half of 2009 due to increased spread assumptions. The fixed annuity new business margin increased significantly from 24 per cent to 77 per cent. For both products, the spread assumptions increased due to the exceptional combined benefit of high investment yields with a net annualised yield on new assets of seven per cent during the first half of 2009 and of lower crediting rates as Jackson sought to preserve capital. Average fixed annuity crediting rates in the first half of 2009 were 3.6 per cent compared to a market average of 4.6 per cent.

These revised assumptions include a provision that crediting rates and spreads will normalise in the future. Thus, the assumption for new business spreads for fixed annuities and the proportion of variable annuity business invested in the general account is set at the higher new level for the first five years before reducing over the following ten years. As before, the valuation of new business takes into account an assumed associated risk of increased lapse under certain interest rate scenarios.

The aggregate IRR on new business rose comfortably above 20 per cent from 18 per cent in 2008 due primarily to the increased spread assumptions noted above. The 2009 IRR is consistent with a payback period of two years.

Total EEV basis operating profit for the long-term business in the first half of 2009 was £501 million, compared to £354 million in the first half of 2008 at AER (£468 million at CER). In-force EEV profits of £209 million for the first half of 2009 were four per cent below the first half 2008 profit of £217 million at AER (27 per cent below profit of £287 million at CER). Experience variances and other items were £44 million higher in the first half of 2009 at AER, due primarily to favourable expense, mortality and persistency variances that were only partially offset by a lower spread variance.  

In the first half of 2009, Jackson invested £168 million of free surplus to write £392 million of new business. This equated on average to £43 million per £100 million of APE sales (2008: £44 million). The reduction in absolute capital consumption year-on-year was caused predominantly by the differing business mix in the first half of 2009 where we have written a higher proportion of variable annuity business and lower amounts of institutional business while maintaining a very disciplined approach to fixed and fixed index annuity pricing.

IFRS operating profit for the long-term business was £217 million in the first half of 2009, down six per cent from £232 million in the first half of 2008 at AER (£90 million lower at CER). This decline was primarily due to lower separate account fee income and higher hedging costs. Higher hedging costs were primarily a result of the volatile nature of market movements during the first half of 2009 (a 26 per cent decline followed by a 38 per cent rally off the market lows) relative to the timing of changes in our hedge position during the period. As a leading provider of variable annuities we have a well-developed understanding of the risks associated with the guarantees embedded in our products. To protect the shareholder against the volatility induced by these embedded options we use a comprehensive hedging programme. Whilst the principal objective of this programme is one of risk management, over the eighteen month period to 30 June 2009 IFRS operating profits of £60 million have been generated, comprising £611 million of derivative gains and fee income less claims offset by £551 million in respect of increased guarantee values and DAC.

At 30 June 2009, we had £15 billion in separate account assets. Separate account assets were an average of £1 billion lower than during the same period of 2008 at AER (£5 billion lower at CER), reflecting the impact of the market decline during the second half of 2008.  This was more than offset by exchange rate movements during the first half of 2009 and, as a result, VA fee income increased to £204 million from £190 million during the first half of 2008 at AER (decreased from £252 million at CER).

For the first half of 2009, our bond default losses totalled less than £1 million. As part of our active management of the book, we incurred net losses on the sale of impaired bonds of £42 million. Additional write downs were £324 million, including £80 million on corporate bonds and £239 million on RMBS, of which £123 million were prime, £98 million Alt-A and £18 million sub-prime. 

Net unrealised losses in the balance sheet reduced from £2.9 billion at 31 December 2008 to £1.8 billion at 30 June 2009. As mentioned above, this reduction reflects the benefits of some normalisation in the credit markets with credit spreads tightening. Also, with markets for structured securities reverting to being more active in the period to 30 June 2009, nearly all the structured securities which had been valued at 31 December 2008 using internal valuation models due to inactive markets, have now been valued based on external quotations.

UK operations

 

AER

 

CER

 

 

Half year 2009

Half year

2008

Change

Half year

2008

Change

 

£m

£m

%

£m

%

APE sales 

376

438

(14)

438

(14)

NBP

122

129

(5)

129

(5)

NBP margin (% APE)

32%

29%

 

29%

 

NBP margin (% PVNBP)

4.0%

3.5%

 

3.5%

 

Total EEV basis operating profit

433

504

(14)

504

(14)

Total IFRS operating profit

330

286

15

286

15



Prudential UK continues to focus on realising value from the opportunities created by rapid growth in the need for retirement solutions. We compete in selected areas of the UK's pre and post-retirement markets where we believe that we can generate attractive returns. This strategy saw us deliver a strong relative performance in the first half of 2009. In line with the Group's strategy, we maintained a strict focus on value creation, continuing to concentrate on balancing profitable new business with capital conservation and cash generation

We remain a market leader in the UK, in both individual annuities and with-profits, as well as parts of the corporate pensions market. The capital and equity markets remained difficult in the first half of 2009 and Prudential UK benefited from consumers increasingly seeking greater certainty and security through trusted and financially strong brands. The business has a unique combination of competitive advantages including our longevity experience, multi-asset investment capabilities, strong brand and financial strength. These put us in a strong position to generate attractive returns across our Retail and Wholesale businesses. 

Financial performance

Total APE sales for the first half of 2009 of £376 million were 14 per cent down on 2008, with Retail sales of £374 million down eight per cent. This resulted in a reduction in New Business Profit of five per cent to £122 million but with the underlying new business margin increasing to 32 per cent (2008: 29 per cent). This was a strong relative performance in extremely difficult and volatile market conditions and was entirely consistent with Prudential UK's continuing focus on balancing profitable new business with capital conservation and cash generation.

This disciplined approach led to lower sales of individual annuities than in the equivalent period of 2008. The deterioration in market conditions also impacted sales of some other product lines such as offshore bonds. These reductions were partially offset by strong growth in PruFund sales as consumers increasingly looked for a more cautious investment approach and to protect themselves from market downturns through the product's 5-year capital back guarantee. 

We write with-profits annuity, with-profits bond and with-profits corporate pensions business in its life fund, with other products backed by shareholder capital. The weighted average post-tax IRR on the shareholder capital allocated to new business growth in Prudential UK was in excess of 15 per cent, reflecting the lower capital usage of annuity business in the first half of 2009.

We have a strong individual annuity business, built on a robust profit flow from our internal vestings pipeline from maturing individual and corporate pension policies. The strong internal vestings pipeline is supplemented by strategic partnerships with third parties where we are the recommended annuity provider for customers vesting their pensions at retirement.  

During the first half of 2009, we actively managed our sales volumes to reduce capital consumption. This resulted in very strong margins but overall individual annuity new business sales fell by 17 per cent to APE £114 million. Part of this reduction was due to consumers delaying taking out an annuity as well as lower pension pots available for annuitisation as a result of weak investment returns. Internal vestings continued to perform well with sales up one per cent to £73 million. 

We have taken steps to build scale within a number of other product areas. In the second half of 2008, we made our highly successful multi-asset, smoothed investment plan (PruFund) available as a fund option, enabling consumers to invest in a range of bonds, both onshore and offshore, as well as individual pensions and income drawdown. We also launched the new PruSelect range of unit-linked funds, more than doubling the number of available funds.

Prudential was early to embrace 'factory-gate pricing'. As a result, we are well placed to compete in the post 'Retail Distribution Review' market, and to avoid the excessive strain caused by initial commission in the savings market. 

In the first half of 2009 with-profits bond sales of £71 million were up 48 per cent on the same period in 2008. This strong sales growth reflects the attractiveness of our with-profits offering including in particular PruFund in which over £1.5 billion has been invested since it was launched. In July 2009, we extended the PruFund range of investments with the launch of the PruFund Cautious series which will sit alongside the PruFund Growth series as a fund link within Prudential's Flexible Investment Plan, an on-shore bond wrapper.  

Individual pensions sales of £24 million were 50 per cent higher than the first half of 2008. Sales of the Flexible Retirement Plan, our factory-gate priced individual pension product, have continued to grow with sales in 2009 of APE £10 million up 131 per cent. This strong growth was due to the overall strong proposition with the PruFund and with-profits guarantees, together with a service which follows up fund transfers on behalf of advisers. The Flexible Retirement Plan is well suited to customers looking to consolidate their pension funds.

We entered the equity release market three years ago, and saw our market share grow to 23 per cent by the end of 2008. The demographic opportunities within this market are compelling, however while house price volatility continues, we have maintained our strict pricing discipline and this action has resulted in the fall in sales volumes in the first half of 2009. We will maintain this conservative stance until such time as market conditions improve.

The PruHealth joint venture uses the Prudential brand and Discovery's expertise to build branded distribution in Health and Protection. Since its launch, PruHealth has developed its product and established itself rapidly in the marketplace. It now has 210,000 lives insured, an increase of 22 per cent over the last year. Gross written premiums for the first half were £50 million, up 10 per cent on the same period last year. The focus for PruHealth is to increase sales volumes, grow the in-force book and manage its claims ratio. 

PruProtect, also a joint venture with Discovery, relaunched its product range in November 2008 together with an improved distribution model, and this resulted in sales for the first six months of £6 million, compared to £1 million in the first half of 2008. 

We are a leader in the UK corporate pensions market serving over 20 per cent of FTSE 350 companies as well as being one of the largest providers of pension schemes to the UK public sector. We now administer corporate pensions for over 600,000 members. For the first half of 2009 corporate pension sales of £115 million were nine per cent lower than 2008 and growth into existing schemes has remained healthy.  

We have maintained our strict focus on value in the bulk annuity and back-book markets. In the first half of 2009, Prudential UK did not write any new business in this market reflecting our disciplined approach of only participating in transactions that meet its strict return on capital requirements.

EEV new business profits decreased by five per cent to £122 million in the first half of 2009 from £129 million in 2008, reflecting lower sales volumes which were partially offset by an increase in new business margin to 32 per cent from 29 per cent. 

EEV basis total operating profit based on longer-term investment returns of £433 million (before restructuring costs of £9 million and including £27 million of General Insurance commission), was down 14 per cent compared with the first half of 2008. This was mainly the result of the in-force operating profit (at £284 million) being down 21 per cent on the first half of 2008. The major component of this decline in in-force operating profit was the reduction compared with last year by £59 million of the unwind of discount to the value of in-force business to £291 million. This was mainly due to a lower opening embedded value caused by the negative investment returns in 2008.

We continue to manage actively the retention of the in-force book. During the first half of 2009,our experience at an aggregate level has been in line with our long-term assumptions.

The average free surplus undiscounted payback period for business written in the first half of 2009 was 5 years. 

Total IFRS operating profit increased by 15 per cent in 2009 to £330 million. The increase of 11 per cent achieved for the long-term business reflects a 39 per cent growth from the shareholder-backed annuity business, the non-repetition of one-off 2008 losses, partially offset by a 26 per cent reduction in profits attributable to the with-profits business of £147 million. This reflected the impact of bonus rate reductions in the February 2009 bonus declaration made in response to recent volatile investment performance. Non-long term business IFRS profit reflected a profit of £27 million from general insurance commission. 

Financial Strength of the UK Long-term Fund

On a realistic valuation basis, with liabilities recorded on a "market consistent" basis, the free assets were valued at approximately £5 billion at 30 June 2009, before a deduction for the risk capital margin. The value of the shareholder's interest in future transfers from the UK with-profits fund is estimated at £1.6 billion. The financial strength of PAC is rated AA+ (negative outlook) by Standard & Poor's, Aa2 (negative outlook) by Moody's and AA+ (negative outlook) by Fitch Ratings.

Reflecting continued difficult conditions in financial markets, the with-profits sub-fund achieved a negative one per cent investment return in the first half of the year.

Inherited estate of Prudential Assurance

The assets of the main with-profits fund within the long-term insurance fund of PAC comprise the amounts that it expects to pay out to meet its obligations to existing policyholders and an additional amount used as working capital. The amount payable over time to policyholders from the with-profits fund is equal to the policyholders' accumulated asset shares plus any additional payments that may be required by way of smoothing or to meet guarantees. The balance of the assets of the with-profits fund is called the 'inherited estate' and has accumulated over many years from various sources.

The inherited estate represents the major part of the working capital of PAC's long-term insurance fund. This enables PAC to support with-profits business by providing the benefits associated with smoothing and guarantees, by providing investment flexibility for the fund's assets, by meeting the regulatory capital requirements that demonstrate solvency and by absorbing the costs of significant events or fundamental changes in its long-term business without affecting the bonus and investment policies. The size of the inherited estate fluctuates from year to year depending on the investment return and the extent to which it has been required to meet smoothing costs, guarantees and other events.

Asset Management

Global 

The Group's asset management businesses provide value to the insurance businesses within the Group by delivering sustained superior performance. They are also important profit generators in their own right, having low capital requirements and generating significant cash flow for the Group. 

Our asset management businesses are well placed to capitalise on their leading market positions and strong track records in investment performance to deliver net flows and profit growth as well as strategically diversifying the Group's investment propositions in retail financial services markets that are increasingly favouring greater product transparency, greater cross-border opportunities and more open-architecture investment platforms. Wholesale profit streams are also growing.

The Group's asset management businesses operate different models and under different brands tailored to their markets and strengths. However they continue to work together by managing money for each other with clear regional specialism, distributing each others' products and sharing knowledge and expertise, such as credit research.

Each business and its performance in the first half of 2009 is summarised below.

M&G

 

AER

 

CER

 

 

Half year 2009

Half year

2008

Change

Half year

2008

Change

 

£m

£m

%

£m

%

Net investment flows

8,625

2,437

254

2,437

254

Revenue

195

235

(17)

235

(17)

Other income

7

12

(42)

12

(42)

Staff Costs

(85)

(101)

16

(101)

16

Other Costs

(42)

(42)

-

(42)

-

Underlying profit before Performance-related Fees

75

104

(28)

104

(28)

Performance-related fees

-

9

(100)

9

(100)

Operating profit from asset management operations

75

113

(34)

113

(34)

Operating profit from Prudential Capital

27

33

(18)

33

(18)

Total IFRS operating profit

102

146

(30)

146

(30)

FUM

149bn

159bn

(6)

159bn

(6)



M&G is our UK and European fund manager, responsible for £149 billion of investments as at 30 June 2009 on behalf of both internal and external clients. M&G is an investment-led business, which aims to deliver superior investment performance and maximise risk-adjusted returns in a variety of macro-economic environments. Through M&G we seek to add value to our Group by generating attractive returns on internal funds as well as growing profits from the management of third-party assets.

External funds now represent 37 per cent of M&G's total funds under management (FUM). Our overall strategy is to focus first and foremost on investment performance, by recruiting, developing and retaining market-leading investment talent, and by creating the environment and infrastructure this talent needs to perform to its full potential.

In the retail market, our strategy is to maximise the value of our centralised investment function through a multi-channel, multi-geography distribution approach. Key themes in recent years have included growing the proportion of business sourced from intermediated channels and the increased sale of cross-border products. Our diverse product portfolio has proved its worth during the recent turmoil in financial markets as, for example, bond funds have become more popular than equity based products.

   

Our institutional strategy centres on leveraging capabilities developed primarily for internal funds into higher-margin external business opportunities. In recent years this has allowed us to operate at the forefront of a number of specialist fixed income strategies, including leveraged finance and infrastructure investment. The recent upheaval in capital markets has provided interesting opportunities in fixed income which we have been able to exploit by drawing on our core research and investment expertise. 

Financial performance

Net fund inflows during the first half of 2009 reached an unprecedented level of £8.6 billion, more than treble the £2.4 billion taken during the same period last year. We believe that this success is primarily the result of a relentless focus on investment performance. Over the three years to the end of June 2009, 69 per cent of M&G retail funds under management were invested in funds which delivered top quartile performance, whilst over the same period, 71 per cent of fixed income segregated mandates performed at or above benchmark.

In the retail market, net inflows were £4.1 billion (£0.9 billion in 2008), breaking the previous record for full year inflows of £3.1 billion in 2006. A very high proportion of the money is continuing to go into our market-leading range of top performing fixed income funds. During the six months, retail investors placed more than £3 billion in our bond funds as they sought to take advantage of highly attractive opportunities in the corporate bond markets. Key equity funds, such as M&G Recovery and M&G Global Basics, also continued to attract net inflows.

Our institutional business recorded net inflows of £4.5 billion, compared with £1.6 billion for the same period in 2008. A single fixed income mandate valued at £4.0 billion accounted for the majority of the inflows.

In the face of a very challenging economic environment, M&G recorded operating profits of £75 million in the first half of 2009, down from £113 million in the same period in 2008, a decline of 34 per cent. Our underlying profit, which excludes volatile performance related fees (PRFs) and carried interest earned on private equity investments, remained at £75 million in the first half of 2009, down from £104 million in the same period in 2008, a decline of 28 per cent. 

The year-on-year fall in profits reflects a number of factors, including significantly lower equity market levels compared with this time last year, lower investment income and the depressed conditions of the commercial property market. We continue to focus on effective cost management to limit the impact of lower revenues on bottom-line results.

The impact of strong net inflows coupled with positive market movements has seen our overall external FUM increase to £55.9 billion, up from £47.0 billion as at 31 December 2008. Our total FUM at 30 June 2009 were £149 billion, six per cent higher than at the start of the year.

M&G continues to provide capital efficient profits and cash generation for the Prudential Group, as well as strong investment returns on our long-term business funds. Cash remittances of £44.1 million to date in 2009 to Group provided strong support for the Group's corporate objectives.

Relative Performance

Relative to our competitors, M&G has had an exceptionally strong first half in 2009. In the UK, our retail assets under management have grown 28 per cent to the end of June compared with eight per cent growth for the market as a whole, according to the Investment Management Association (IMA). 

Prudential Capital

Prudential Capital manages Prudential's balance sheet for profit by leveraging Prudential's market position. This business has three strategic objectives: to operate a first-class wholesale and capital markets interface; to realise profitable proprietary opportunities within a tightly-controlled risk framework; and to provide professional treasury services to Prudential. Prudential Capital generates revenue by providing bridging finance, managing investments and operating a securities lending and cash management business for our Group and its clients.

This business has continued to grow in terms of investment, infrastructure and personnel in a controlled way, while maintaining the dynamism and flexibility necessary to identify and realise opportunities for profit. Prudential Capital is committed to working more closely with other business units across the Group to exploit opportunities and improve value creation for Prudential as a whole. At Prudential Capital, we are also taking a more holistic view on hedging strategy, liquidity and capital management for the Group. 

Prudential Capital has a diversified earnings base derived from bridge lending, investments and wholesale markets. Despite the continued difficult market conditions we delivered a good financial result from this business in the first half of 2009, generating half year operating profits of £27.3 million. A cash remittance was made to the holding company of £42.0 million.

Asia

Asia Asset Management

 

 

AER

 

CER

 

 

Half year
 2009

Half year
 2008

Change

Half year
 2008

Change

 

£m

£m

%

£m

%

Net investment flows

 1,456

1,642

 (11)

 2,023

 (28)

Total IFRS operating profit

21

29

 (28)

 36

 (42)



Volatility in the equity market conditions persisted in the first half of 2009. In the first quarter, the MSCI Asia (ex-Japan) index rose by a mere one per cent. However, by the end of second quarter, the index had achieved year-to-date increase of 19 per cent. Amid this volatility, growth observed in the Asian mutual funds market was mainly driven by money market funds inflows in markets such as India, Korea and Taiwan as investors risk appetite remained low. 

Against this backdrop, our Funds Under Management (FUM) for the first half of 2009, at £35.8 billion, were three per cent higher than year-end 2008 (excluding the FUM related to the sold Taiwan agency business). The overall FUM level was comprised of £4.6 billion assets from the Group, £14.8 billion from Prudential's Asian life funds and £16.4 billion from external clients. 

Net flows from external clients for the first half of 2009 were only 11 per cent lower than the same period in 2008 at £1.5 billion, out of which £1.3 billion was contributed by a stronger second quarter. Net flows from external clients were wholly contributed by money market funds and together with positive market movement of £2.5 billion, these resulted in retail funds under management of £16.4 billion. External client's funds under management for the first half of 2009 were four per cent higher when compared to the same period in 2008 and eight per cent higher when compared to beginning of 2009.

IFRS profit of £21 million to 30 June 2009 was boosted by improved market conditions in the second quarter. However, this was mitigated by lower average FUM, shift in asset mix, a one-off loss in India and restructuring costs, resulting in 28 per cent decrease when compared to the first half of 2008. Excluding the one-off loss in India and restructuring costs, IFRS profit for the first half of 2009 was £27 million, seven per cent down from 2008.

Despite the difficult market environment, we remained focused on anticipating and meeting the investment needs of our clients. In the 10 markets in which we have a retail presence in, we maintained our strong market positioning as the only foreign fund manager with more top-five onshore mutual fund market positions relative to our regional competitors. 

In addition, we continued investing in the business to ensure we are well-positioned to capitalise on growth opportunities

Our investments in building up our asset management capabilities yielded promising results. This is evident from our strong year-to-date investment performance where 64 per cent of our funds outperformed their peers or benchmarks. In China, two out of five CITIC-Pru products were awarded the top class fund recognition by the China Galaxy Securities (a Chinese fund rating agency), while its third product, the Blue Chip Equity Fund was ranked first out of 196 equity funds by Morning Star. 

On the products front, we have extended our range to include Latin American Equity products and are expanding our private equity investment management through the newly established PPEM entity. Our well-timed and innovative product launches also met with success. ICICI-Pru introduced the Target Returns Fund in April 2009, investing mainly in large caps and providing investors the option to switch out investments. The one-month IPO raised £105 million (INR8 billion). In China, CITIC-Prudential's Pure Bond Fund also successfully raised £163 million (RMB 1.6 billion) at the close of its IPO in March.

We remain committed to our strategy of building a multi-channel network. PCA Japan established new relationships with Nikko Cordial Securities, a mega distributor and Resona Bank, the fourth largest bank in Japan. Dubai-based PAMD also successfully secured a new distribution agreement with the largest bank in UAE, Emirates National Bank of Dubai. Similarly, PCA Korea and PCA Taiwan concluded agreements with six third-party Life insurers for their unit-linked products to feed into our funds. The focus on insurance companies' funds will help us to build a more stable and profitable funds under management base.

United States

US Asset Management

 PPM America

 

AER

 

CER

 

 

Half year 2009

Half year 2008

Change

Half year 2008

Change

 

£m

£m

%

£m

%

Total IFRS operating profit

3

1

200 

200 



PPM America (PPMA) manages assets for Prudential's US, UK and Asian affiliates. PPMA also provides other affiliated and unaffiliated institutional clients with investment services including collateralised debt obligations (CDOs), private equity funds, institutional accounts, and mutual funds. At PPMA, our strategy is focused on managing existing assets effectively, maximising the benefits gleaned from synergies with our international asset management affiliates, and leveraging investment management capabilities across the Prudential Group. PPMA also pursues third-party mandates on an opportunistic basis.

Financial performance

IFRS operating profit in the first half of 2009 was £3 million, higher than the £1 million in the same period of 2008, at both AER and CER. 

At 30 June 2009, funds under management of £41 billion were as follows:

PPMA funds under management £ bn

 

     
 

Half year
2009

Half year
2009

Half year
2009

Half year
2009

 

£bn

£bn

£bn

£bn

 

US

UK

Asia

Total

Insurance

26

10

0

36

Unitised

0

1

3

4

CDOs

1

0

0

1

Total

27

11

3

41



US Broker-dealer

 

 

AER

 

CER

 

 

Half year 2009

Half year 2008

Change

Half year 2008

Change

 

£m

£m

%

£m

%

Revenue

191

162

18

214

(11)

Costs

(189)

(157)

20

(207)

(9)

Total IFRS operating profit

2

5

 (60)

 (71)



National Planning Holdings (NPH) is Jackson's affiliated independent broker-dealer network. The business is comprised of four broker-dealer firms, including INVEST Financial Corporation, Investment Centers of America, National Planning Corporation, and SII Investments. 

We continue to grow NPH's business through strong recruiting efforts. By utilising our high-quality, state-of-the-art technology, we provide NPH's advisers with the tools they need to operate their practices more efficiently. At the same time, through its relationship with NPH, Jackson continues to benefit from an important retail distribution outlet, as well as receive valuable insights into the needs of financial advisers and their clients.

Financial performance

NPH generated revenues of £191 million during the first half of the year, an increase from £162 million in the same period of 2008 at AER, on gross product sales of £4.6billion. Our network continues to experience profitable results, with IFRS operating profit through 30 June 2009 of £2 million, a 60 per cent decrease at AER from £5 million in the first half of 2008. We also increased the number of registered advisers in our network to approximately 3,535 at 30 June 2009.

Curian

 

 

AER

 

CER

 

 

Half year 2009

Half year 2008

Change

Half year 2008

Change

 

£m

£m

%

£m

%

Gross investment flows

270 

339

(20) 

448 

(40)

Revenue

14

13

8

17

(18)

Costs

(17)

(13)

(31)

(17)

-

Total IFRS operating profit/(loss)

(3)

0

 -

0

 -



Curian Capital, Jackson's registered investment advisor, provides innovative fee-based separately-managed accounts and investment products to advisers through a sophisticated technology platform. Curian expands Jackson's access to advisers while also providing a complement to Jackson's core annuity product lines.

Financial performance

At 30 June 2009, Curian had total assets under management of £1.6 billion, compared to £1.8 billion at the end of 2008 (£1.6 billion at CER) and £1.7 billion at 30 June 2008 (£2.1 billion at CER). We generated deposits of £270 million through June 2009, down 20 per cent from the same period in 2008. The decline in both deposits and assets under management at CER were mainly due to difficult conditions in the equity markets, with the S&P 500 index falling to a 12-year low in March. In the second quarter, Curian's performance rebounded along with the market, with deposits up 88 per cent at CER from the first quarter of 2009.

The IFRS basis loss of £3 million during the first half of 2009 (2008: nil at AER and CER) was driven by the decline in assets under management.

 

PRUDENTIAL PLC UNAUDITED HALF YEAR 2009 RESULTS

EUROPEAN EMBEDDED VALUE (EEV) BASIS RESULTS

OPERATING PROFIT BASED ON LONGER-TERM INVESTMENT RETURNS*i

Results Analysis by Business Area

Half year

2009 

   £m

 Half year

2008*iv,v

£m

Full year 

2008*iv,v

£m

Asian operations

     

New business

277

289

634

Business in force

124

171

579

Long-term business

401

460

1,213

Asset management

21

29

52

Development expenses 

(5)

(3)

(26)

Total

417

486

1,239

US operations

     

New business

292

137

293

Business in force

209

217

293

Long-term business

501

354

586

Broker-dealer and asset management*ii 

2

6

7

Total

503

360

593

UK operations

     

New business

122

129

273

Business in force

284

361

764

Long-term business

406

490

1,037

General insurance commission

27

14

44

Total UK insurance operations

433

504

1,081

M&G

102

146

286

Total

535

650

1,367

Other income and expenditure 

     

Investment return and other net income

(3)

51

47

Interest payable on core structural borrowings 

(84)

(82)

(172)

Corporate expenditure:

     

Group Head Office

(74)

(79)

(130)

Asia Regional Head Office

(23)

(17)

(41)

Charge for share-based payments for Prudential schemes

(11)

(4)

(6)

Total

(195)

(131)

(302)

Restructuring costs*iii

(14)

(15)

(32)

Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns*iv

1,246

1,350

2,865

       

Analysed as profits (losses) from:

     

New business (note 5)

691

555

1,200

Business in force  (note 6)

617

749

1,636

Long-term business 

1,308

1,304

2,836

Asset management

125

181

345

Other results

(187)

(135)

(316)

Total

1,246

1,350

2,865



*i

EEV basis operating profit based on longer-term investment returns excludes short-term fluctuations in investment returns, the mark to market value movements on core borrowings, the shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes and the effect of changes in economic assumptions and changes in the time value of cost of options and guarantees arising from changes in economic factors. In addition, in half year 2009 as a result of the exceptional dislocated market conditions, the Group incurred non-recurrent costs from an exceptional overlay short dated hedge to protect against tail events on the Group IGD capital position in addition to our regular operational hedging program. It also disposed of its Taiwan agency business. These items have been shown separately from operating profit based on longer-term investment returns. The treatment of the Taiwan agency business within the comparatives is discussed below. The amounts for these items are included in total EEV profit attributable to shareholders. The directors believe that operating profit, as adjusted for these items, better reflects underlying performance. Profit before tax includes these items together with actual investment returns. This basis of presentation has been adopted consistently throughout these statements.

*ii

The US broker-dealer and asset management result includes Curian losses of £3 million (half year 2008 £nil, full year 2008 £3 million).

*iii  

Restructuring costs comprise the charge of £12 million recognised on an IFRS basis and an additional £2 million recognised on the EEV basis for the shareholders' share of costs incurred by the PAC with-profits fund.

*iv  

In June 2009, the Group completed the previously announced sale of its Taiwan agency business. In order to facilitate comparisons of the results of the Group's retained businesses the effect of disposal and the results of the Taiwan agency business are shown separately. The presentation of the comparative results for half year and full year 2008 has been adjusted accordingly as explained in note 12.

*v

Exchange translation

The comparative results have been prepared using previously reported exchange rates.



EUROPEAN EMBEDDED VALUE (EEV) BASIS RESULTS

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 

Half year

2009

£m

 Half year

2008

£m

Full year

2008

£m

Asian operations

417

486

1,239

US operations

503

360

593

UK operations:

     

UK insurance operations

433

504

1,081

M&G

102

146

286

 

535

650

1,367

Other income and expenditure 

(195)

(131)

(302)

Restructuring costs

(14)

(15)

(32)

Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns 

1,246

1,350

2,865

Short-term fluctuations in investment returns (note 7)

(707)

(1,868)

(4,967)

Mark to market value movements on core borrowings

(108)

171

656

Shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes

(71)

(98)

(14)

Effect of changes in economic assumptions and time value of cost of options and guarantees (note 8)

(384)

(100)

(398)

Profit on sale and results for Taiwan agency business (note 12)

91

(90)

(248)

Profit (loss) before tax (including actual investment returns) 

67

(635)

(2,106)

Tax attributable to shareholders' profit/loss

(52)

162

771

Profit (loss) for the period

15

(473)

(1,335)

       

Attributable to:

     

Equity holders of the Company

14

(475)

(1,338)

Minority interests

1

2

3

Profit (loss) for the period

15

(473)

(1,335)



MOVEMENT IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (excluding minority interests)

 

Half year

2009 

£m

 Half year

2008

£m

Full year 

2008 

£m

Profit (loss) for the period attributable to equity shareholders 

14

(475)

(1,338)

Items taken directly to equity:

     

Exchange movements (note 9)

(1,098)

35

2,010

Related tax

(6)

14

119

Dividends 

(322)

(304)

(453)

New share capital subscribed

96

137

170

Reserve movements in respect of share-based payments

18

14

18

Treasury shares:

     

Movement in own shares in respect of share-based payment plans

7

6

3

Movement on Prudential plc shares purchased by unit trusts consolidated under IFRS

(8)

(8)

(25)

Mark to market value movements on Jackson assets backing surplus and required capital

63

(42)

(148)

Net (decrease) increase in shareholders' equity

(1,236)

(623)

356

Shareholders' equity at beginning of period (excluding minority interests)

14,956

14,600

14,600

       

Shareholders' equity at end of period (excluding minority interests)

13,720

13,977

14,956



EUROPEAN EMBEDDED VALUE (EEV) BASIS RESULTS

SUMMARY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION            

 

Half year

2009 

£m

 Half year

2008

£m

Full year 

2008 

£m

Total assets less liabilities, excluding insurance funds

175,714

186,254

186,209

Less insurance funds*:

     

Policyholder liabilities (net of reinsurers' share) and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds

(170,994)

(180,702)

(181,151)

Less shareholders' accrued interest in the long-term business

9,000

8,425

9,898

 

(161,994)

(172,277)

(171,253)

       

Total net assets

13,720

13,977

14,956

       

Share capital 

126

124

125

Share premium 

1,840

1,838

1,840

IFRS basis shareholders' reserves

2,754

3,590

3,093

Total IFRS basis shareholders' equity

4,720

5,552

5,058

Additional EEV basis retained profit

9,000

8,425

9,898

       

Shareholders' equity (excluding minority interests)

13,720

13,977

14,956



* Including liabilities in respect of insurance products classified as investment contracts under IFRS 4.

Comprising:

     

Asian operations:

     

Net assets

5,308

3,831

5,431

Acquired goodwill

141

172

172

 

5,449

4,003

5,603

       

US operations 

3,953

3,709

4,453

       

UK operations:

     

Insurance business

4,677

5,956

4,919

M&G:

     

Net assets

178

193

147

Acquired goodwill

1,153

1,153

1,153

 

6,008

7,302

6,219

Other operations:

     

Holding company net borrowings at market value (note 10)

(861)

(702) 

(818)

Other net liabilities

(829)

(335) 

(501)

         

Shareholders' equity at end of period (excluding minority interests)

13,720

13,977

14,956

       

Representing:

     

Long-term business operations (note 11)

13,674

13,285

14,522

Other operations

46

692

434

 

13,720

13,977

14,956



EUROPEAN EMBEDDED VALUE (EEV) BASIS RESULTS

NOTES ON THE EEV BASIS RESULTS

1.

Basis of preparation of results



The EEV basis results have been prepared in accordance with the EEV Principles issued by the CFO Forum of European Insurance Companies in May 2004. Where appropriate, the EEV basis results include the effects of adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

                                                                                                 

The EEV results for the Group are prepared for 'covered business', as defined by the EEV Principles. Covered business represents the Group's long-term insurance business for which the value of new and in-force contracts is attributable to shareholders. The EEV basis results for the Group's covered business are then combined with the IFRS basis results of the Group's other operations.

The definition of long-term business operations is consistent with previous practice and comprises those contracts falling under the definition of long-term insurance business for regulatory purposes together with, for US operations, contracts that are in substance the same as guaranteed investment contracts (GICs) but do not fall within the technical definition. Under the EEV Principles, the results for covered business incorporate the projected margins of attaching internal asset management.

With two principal exceptions, covered business comprises the Group's long-term business operations. The principal exceptions are for the closed Scottish Amicable Insurance Fund (SAIF) and for the presentational treatment of the financial position of two of the Group's defined benefit pension schemes. A very small amount of UK group pensions business is also not modelled for EEV reporting purposes.

SAIF is a ring-fenced sub-fund of the Prudential Assurance Company (PAC) long-term fund, established by a Court approved Scheme of Arrangement in October 1997. SAIF is closed to new business and the assets and liabilities of the fund are wholly attributable to the policyholders of the fund.

As regards the Group's defined benefit pension schemes, the liabilities attaching to the Prudential Staff Pension Scheme (PSPS) and Scottish Amicable Pension Scheme are excluded from the EEV value of UK operations and included in the total for Other operations. The amounts are partially attributable to the PAC with-profits fund and shareholder-backed long-term business and partially to other parts of the Group. In addition to the amounts recognised as attributable to shareholders under IFRS, a 10 per cent share of the amount attributable to the PAC with-profits fund is recognised for EEV reporting purposes.

The directors are responsible for the preparation of the supplementary information in accordance with the EEV Principles.

The EEV basis results for 2009 and 2008 half years are unaudited. The 2008 full year results have been derived from the EEV basis results supplement to the Company's statutory accounts for 2008. The supplement included an unqualified audit report from the auditors.

2.

Methodology



The same methodology has been applied for all periods included within these financial statements.

Embedded value

Overview

The embedded value is the present value of the shareholders' interest in the earnings distributable from assets allocated to covered business after sufficient allowance has been made for the aggregate risks in that business. The shareholders' interest in the Group's long-term business comprises:

-

present value of future shareholder cash flows from in-force covered business (value of in-force business), less a deduction for the cost of locked-in (encumbered) capital;

   

-

locked-in (encumbered) capital; and

   

-

shareholders' net worth in excess of encumbered capital (free surplus).



The value of future new business is excluded from the embedded value. In determining the embedded value or the profit before tax no smoothing of market account balance values, unrealised gains or investment returns is applied. Separately the analysis of profit is delineated between operating profit based on longer-term investment returns and other constituent items, as explained in note 4. 

Valuation of new business

The contribution from new business represents profits determined by applying non-economic assumptions as at the end of the period.

In determining the new business contribution for UK immediate annuity and lifetime mortgage business, which is interest rate sensitive, it is appropriate to use point of sale economic assumptions, consistent with how the business is priced. For other business within the Group end of period economic assumptions are used.

Level of encumbered capital

In adopting the EEV Principles, Prudential has based encumbered capital on its internal targets for economic capital subject to it being at least the local statutory minimum requirements. Economic capital is assessed using internal models but, when applying the EEV Principles, Prudential does not take credit for the significant diversification benefits that exist within the Group. For with-profits business written in a segregated life fund, as is the case in Asia and the UK, the capital available in the fund is sufficient to meet the encumbered capital requirements. For shareholder-backed business the following capital requirements apply:

·     

Asian operations: the level of encumbered capital has been set at the higher of local statutory requirements and the economic capital requirement, but in aggregate, the encumbered capital is broadly in line with the amount required under the Insurance Groups Directive (IGD).

·     

US operations: the level of encumbered capital has been set to an amount at least equal to 235 per cent of the risk-based capital required by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) at the Company Action Level (CAL), which is sufficient to meet the economic capital requirement.

·     

UK insurance operations: the capital requirements are set at the higher of Pillar I and Pillar II requirements for shareholder-backed business of UK insurance operations as a whole, which, for half year 2009, was Pillar I.



Valuation movements on investments

With the exception of debt securities held by Jackson, investment gains and losses during the period (to the extent that changes in capital values do not directly match changes in liabilities) are included directly in the profit for the period and shareholders' equity as they arise.

The results for any covered business conceptually reflects the aggregate of the IFRS results and the movements on the additional shareholders' interest recognised on the EEV basis. Thus the start point for the calculation of the EEV results for Jackson, as for other businesses, reflects the market value movements recognised on the IFRS basis.

However, in determining the movements on the additional shareholders' interest, the basis for calculating the Jackson EEV result acknowledges that for debt securities backing liabilities the aggregate EEV results reflect the fact that the value of in-force business instead incorporates the discounted value of future spread earnings. This value is not affected generally by short-term market movements on securities that are broadly speaking held with the intent and ability to be retained for the longer term.

Fixed income securities backing the free surplus and required capital for Jackson are accounted for at fair value. However, consistent with the treatment applied under IFRS for securities classified as available-for-sale, movements in unrealised appreciation on these securities are accounted for in the statement of comprehensive income rather than in the income statement, as shown in the movement in shareholders' equity.

3.

Economic assumptions

   

(a)

Deterministic assumptions



In most countries, the long-term expected rates of return on investments and risk discount rates are set by reference to period end rates of return on cash or fixed interest securities. For the Group's Asian operations, the active basis is appropriate for business written in Japan, Korea and US dollar denominated business written in Hong Kong. Except in respect of the projected returns of holdings of Asian debt and equity securities for those countries where long-term fixed interest markets are less established, the 'active' basis of assumption setting has been applied in preparing the results of all the Group's US and UK long-term business operations.

For countries where long-term fixed interest markets are less established, investment return assumptions and risk discount rates are based on an assessment of longer-term economic conditions. Except for the countries listed above, this basis is appropriate for the Group's Asian operations. Similarly, the projected returns on holdings of Asian securities in these territories by other Group business are set on the same basis.

Expected returns on equity and property asset classes in respect of each territory are derived by adding a risk premium, also based on the long-term view of Prudential's economists, to the risk-free rate. In Asia, equity risk premiums range from 3.0 per cent to 7.0 per cent (half year 2008: 3.0 per cent to 6.0 per cent; full year 2008: 3.0 per cent to 7.0 per cent). In the US and the UK, the equity risk premium is 4.0 per cent for all periods for which results are prepared in this report. 

Assumed investment returns reflect the expected future returns on the assets held and allocated to the covered business at the valuation date.

The tables below summarise the principal financial assumptions:

Asian operations

     

30 June 2009

     

China

Hong Kong 

India

 Indonesia

Japan

Korea

Malaysia 

 Philippines

 Singapore 

Taiwan 

Thailand

Vietnam

       

(notes ii, iii)

       

(note iii)

 

(note iii)

     
     

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

Risk discount rate:

                       

New business

11.75

5.1

14.25

15.25

5.1

9.2

9.25

15.75

5.65

9.0

13.0

16.75

In force

11.75

5.3

14.25

15.25

5.1

9.2

9.2

15.75

6.8

8.9

13.0

16.75

Expected long-term rate of inflation

4.0

2.25

5.0

6.0

0.0

2.75

2.75

5.0

1.75

2.25

3.0

6.0

Government bond yield 

8.25

3.6

9.25

10.25

1.9

5.3

6.5

9.25

4.25

5.5

6.75

10.25

                             
     

30 June 2008

     

China

Hong Kong 

India

Indonesia

Japan

Korea

Malaysia 

Philippines

Singapore 

Taiwan 

Thailand

Vietnam

       

(notes ii, iii)

       

(note iii)

 

(note iii)

     
     

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

Risk discount rate:

                       

New business

11.75

5.5

15.75

16.75

5.3

10.1

9.2

15.75

6.3

9.2

13.0

16.75

In force

11.75

5.6

15.75

16.75

5.3

10.1

9.2

15.75

6.7

9.6

13.0

16.75

Expected long-term rate of inflation

4.0

2.25

5.0

6.0

0.7

2.75

2.75

5.0

1.75

2.25

3.0

6.0

Government bond yield 

8.25

3.9

9.25

10.25

2.15

6.1

6.5

9.25

4.25

5.5

6.75

10.25



     

31 December 2008

     

China

Hong Kong 

India

Indonesia

Japan

Korea

Malaysia 

Philippines

Singapore 

Taiwan 

Thailand

Vietnam

       

(notes ii, iii)

       

(note iii)

 

(note iii)

     
     

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

Risk discount rate:

                       

New business

11.75

3.8

14.25

15.25

4.8

8.2

9.1

15.75

6.15

9.1

13.0

16.75

In force

11.75

3.9

14.25

15.25

4.8

8.2

9.0

15.75

6.85

9.7

13.0

16.75

Expected long-term rate of inflation

4.0

2.25

5.0

6.0

0.7

2.75

2.75

5.0

1.75

2.25

3.0

6.0

Government bond yield 

8.25

2.3

9.25

10.25

1.6

4.3

6.5

9.25

4.25

5.5

6.75

10.25



 

Asia total

Asia total

Asia total

30 Jun 2009

30 Jun 2008

31 Dec 2008

%

%

%

Weighted risk discount rate (note (i)):

     

New business (excluding Taiwan agency business)

9.4

9.9

8.7

In force (excluding Taiwan agency business)

8.5

8.8

8.0

In force (including Taiwan agency business)

N/A

8.8

7.8



Notes

(i)

The weighted risk discount rates for Asian operations shown above have been determined by weighting each country's risk discount rates by reference to the EEV basis operating result for new business and the closing value of in-force business.

(ii)

The assumptions shown are for US dollar denominated business which comprises the largest proportion of the in-force Hong Kong business.

(iii)

The mean equity return assumptions for the most significant equity holdings in the Asian operations were:



 

30 Jun
2009

30 Jun
2008

31 Dec
2008

 

%

%

%

Hong Kong

7.6

7.9

6.2

Malaysia

12.4

12.5

12.5

Singapore

10.2

9.3

10.2



 

To obtain the mean, an average over all simulations of the accumulated return at the end of the projection period is calculated. The annual average return is then calculated by taking the root of the average accumulated return minus 1.



US operations (Jackson)

   

30 Jun
2009

30 Jun
2008

31 Dec
2008

 

%

%

%

Assumed spread margins (note (iii))

       

New business 

       

Assumed long-term spread between earned rate and rate credited to policyholders for new tranches of Fixed Annuity business (note (i))

 

2.0

1.75

1.75

In force

 

1.75

1.75

1.75

Risk discount rate (note (ii)):

       

New business 

 

6.3

6.9

4.6

In force 

 

5.7

5.9

3.9

US 10-year treasury bond rate at end of period

 

3.6

4.0

2.3

Pre-tax expected long-term nominal rate of return for US equities

 

7.6

8.0

6.3

Expected long-term rate of inflation 

 

1.8

2.6

1.5



Notes

(i)

The expected long-term spread shown above for new tranches of fixed annuity business and the proportion of variable annuity new business invested in the general account for half year 2009 is assumed at a level of 2.75 per cent for the first 5 years and grades back to 2.0 per cent over the next 10 years. In addition, the assumed spread on Fixed Index Annuity new business tranches has been increased from 2.2 per cent at full year 2008 to 3.5 per cent. The increases in the spread assumptions are due primarily to the exceptional combined benefit of high investment yields with a net annualised yield on new assets of 7.0 per cent during the first half of 2009 and lower crediting rates. These revised assumptions include a provision that crediting rates and spreads will normalise in the future. Thus, the assumption for new business spreads for fixed annuities and the proportion of variable annuity business invested in the general account is set at the higher new level for the first five years before reducing over the following ten years. As before, the valuation of new business takes into account an assumed associated risk of increased lapse under certain interest rate scenarios.

   

(ii)

The risk discount rates at 30 June 2009 for new business and business in-force for US operations reflect weighted rates based on underlying rates of 7.6 per cent for variable annuity (VA) business and 4.3 per cent for other business. The increase in the weighted discount rates reflects the increase in the US 10-year treasury bond rate of 130 bps and a change in the product mix with the half year 2009 results seeing an increase in the proportion of new and in-force business arising from Variable Annuity business.

   

(iii)

Credit risk treatment

 

The projected cash flows incorporate the expected long-term spread between the earned rate and the rate credited to policyholders. The projected earned rates reflect book value yields which are adjusted over time to reflect projected reinvestment rates. The expected spread for half year 2009 has been determined after allowing for a Risk Margin Reserve (RMR) allowance of 33 basis points for longer-term defaults as described in note 4. The RMR of 33 bps represents the allowance, as at 30 June 2009, applied in the cash flow projections of the value of the in-force business.

In the event that longer-term default levels are higher then, unlike for UK  annuity business where policyholder benefits are not changeable, Jackson has some discretion to adjust crediting rates, subject to contract guarantee levels and general market competition considerations.

The results for Jackson reflect the application of the discount rates shown above. In the event that US 10-year treasury rates increase, the altered embedded value results would reflect a lower contribution from fixed annuity business and a partially offsetting increase for variable annuity business as the projected earned rate, as well as the discount rate, would increase for this type of business.

At 31 December 2008, the book value yields, net of RMR allowance, were in excess of the risk discount rate. To correct for the anomalous effect that would otherwise occur no credit was taken in the financial statements for full year 2008 for the cost of capital benefit that this feature would have given rise to for fixed annuity business. As interest rates have subsequently risen such that the risk discount rate exceeds book value yield at 30 June 2009 no such adjustment is needed for the six months to 30 June 2009.



UK insurance operations

   

30 Jun 2009 

30 Jun 2008

31 Dec 2008

 

%

%

%

Shareholder-backed annuity business: 

       

Risk discount rate (notes (i) and (iv))

       

New business

 

11.0

8.9

9.6

In force

 

11.0

8.9

12.0

Pre-tax expected long-term nominal rate of return for shareholder-backed annuity business (note (iii)):

       

    Fixed annuities

 

6.7

6.2

6.7

    Inflation-linked annuities

 

6.1 

5.6

5.8

         

Other business:

       

Risk discount rate (notes (ii) and (iv))

       

New business

 

7.1

8.65

6.7

In force

 

7.0

8.5

6.75

    Pre-tax expected long-term nominal rates of investment return:

       

    UK equities

 

8.1

9.2

7.7

    Overseas equities

 

7.6 to 10.3

 8.0 to 10.2

6.3 to 10.25

    Property

 

6.4

7.4

6.0

    Gilts

 

4.1

5.2

3.7

    Corporate bonds - with-profits funds (note (iv))

 

5.6

6.9

5.2

- other business

 

5.6

6.9

5.2

    Expected long-term rate of inflation

 

3.7

4.1

3.0

Post-tax expected long-term nominal rate of return for the PAC with-profits fund:

       

    Pension business (where no tax applies)

 

6.75

8.3

6.6

    Life business

 

6.1

7.4

5.8



Notes

(i)

The new business risk discount rate for shareholder-backed annuity business for year end 2008 reflected the assets allocated to back new business with an allowance for credit risk based on point of sale market conditions, consistent with how the business was priced. The year end 2008 total allowance for credit risk has been retained for new business pricing during 2009 so the allowance for credit risk for new business at point of sale is consistent with the opening in-force assumption. 

(ii)

The risk discount rate for new business and business in force for UK insurance operations other than shareholder-backed annuities reflect weighted rates based on the type of business.

(iii)

The pre-tax rates of return for shareholder-backed annuity business are based on the gross redemption yield on the backing assets net of a best estimate allowance for future defaults.

(iv)

Credit spread treatment

 

For with-profits business, the embedded value reflects the discounted value of future shareholder transfers. These transfers are directly affected by the level of projected rates of return on investments, including debt securities. Given the current exceptional fixed interest market conditions, and the Company's expectation that the current widened credit spreads will not be maintained, the Company considers that it is most appropriate to assume an unchanged level of credit spreads, an unchanged level of longer-term default allowance and an unchanged risk discount rate methodology relative to those used at 31 December 2007.

For UK annuity business, different dynamics apply both in terms of the nature of the business and the EEV methodology applied. For this type of business the assets are generally held to maturity to match long duration liabilities. It is therefore appropriate under EEV methodology to include a liquidity premium in the economic basis used. The appropriate EEV risk discount rate is set in order to equate the EEV with a "market consistent embedded value" including liquidity premium. The liquidity premium in the "market consistent embedded value" is derived from the yield on the assets held after deducting an appropriate allowance for credit risk. The risk discount rate in the EEV reflects the excess of the total allowance for credit risk over the best estimate default assumptions. For Prudential Retirement Income Limited (PRIL), which has approximately 90 per cent of UK shareholder-backed annuity business, the allowance for credit risk at 30 June 2009 is made up of:

 

(a)

26 bps for fixed annuities and 13 bps for inflation-linked annuities in respect of long-term expected defaults. This is derived by applying Moody's data from 1970 to 2004 uplifted by between 100 per cent (B) and 200 per cent (AAA) according to credit rating, to the asset portfolios.

 

(b)

17 bps for fixed annuities and 9 bps for inflation-linked annuities in respect of long-term credit risk premium for the potential volatility in default levels. This is derived by applying the 95th worst percentile from Moody's data from 1970 to 2004, to the asset portfolios.

 

(c)

46 bps for fixed annuities and 50 bps for inflation-linked annuities in respect of additional short-term credit risk, reflecting short-term credit rating downgrades and defaults in excess of the long-term assumptions. At 31 December 2008, this was derived as 25 per cent of the increase in credit spreads over swaps that has occurred since 31 December 2006 based on a set of externally published indices weighted to reflect the asset mix. During 2009, this element of the overall credit assumption has not been derived by reference to credit spreads; rather it has been reduced in order to offset the impact of actual downgrades during the period on the long-term assumptions in (a) and (b) above and increased to eliminate the positive experience variance that would otherwise have arisen from the small number of actual defaults that were experienced in the period.

   
 

On a weighted basis for fixed annuities and inflation-linked annuities, the allowance at 30 June 2009 is 24 bps for long-term expected defaults, 15 bps for long-term credit risk premium, and 46 bps for short-term credit risk. This compares with the allowance at 31 December 2008 of 15 bps for long-term expected defaults, 11 bps for long-term credit risk premium, and 54 bps for short-term credit risk.

Pillar I reserves are calculated using a similar allowance for credit risk. 

The Pillar I allowance of 85 bps per annum is financially equivalent to 236 bps from 1 July 2009 until 31 December 2011 and 44 bps thereafter for the life of the book.

The overall allowance for credit risk is prudent by comparison with historic rates of default and would be sufficient to withstand a wide range of extreme credit events over the expected lifetime of the annuity business.



(b)

Stochastic assumptions



The economic assumptions used for the stochastic calculations are consistent with those used for the deterministic calculations described above. Assumptions specific to the stochastic calculations, such as the volatilities of asset returns, reflect local market conditions and are based on a combination of actual market data, historic market data and an assessment of longer-term economic conditions. Common principles have been adopted across the Group for the stochastic asset models, for example, separate modelling of individual asset classes but with allowance for correlation between the various asset classes.

Details are given below of the key characteristics and calibrations of each model.

Asian operations

·     

The same asset return models as used in the UK, appropriately calibrated, have been used for the Asian operations as described for UK insurance operations below. The principal asset classes are government and corporate bonds. Equity holdings are much lower than in the UK whilst property holdings do not represent a significant investment asset.

·     

The stochastic cost of guarantees is primarily only of significance for the Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore operations.

·     

The mean stochastic returns are consistent with the mean deterministic returns for each country. The expected volatility of equity returns ranges from 18 per cent to 30 per cent (half year 2008: 18 per cent to 25 per cent; full year 2008: 18 per cent to 30 per cent), and the volatility of government bond yields ranges from 1.3 per cent to 2.4 per cent (half year 2008: 1.2 per cent to 2.5 per cent; full year 2008: 1.4 per cent to 2.4 per cent).



US operations (Jackson)

·     

 Interest rates are projected using a log-normal generator calibrated to actual market data;

·     

Corporate bond returns are based on Treasury securities plus a spread that has been calibrated to current market conditions and varies by credit quality; and

·     

Variable annuity equity and bond returns have been stochastically generated using a log-normal model with parameters determined by reference to historical data. The volatility of equity fund returns ranges from 18.6 per cent to 28.1 per cent across all reporting periods, depending on risk class, and the standard deviation of bond returns ranges from 1.4 per cent to 1.6 per cent (half year 2008: 1.4 per cent to 1.6 per cent; full year 2008: 1.5 per cent to 1.6 per cent). 



UK insurance operations

·     

Interest rates are projected using a two-factor model calibrated to actual market data;

·     

The risk premium on equity assets is assumed to follow a log-normal distribution;

·     

The corporate bond return is calculated as the return on a zero-coupon bond plus a spread. The spread process is a mean reverting stochastic process; and

·     

Property returns are modelled in a similar fashion to corporate bonds, namely as the return on a riskless bond, plus a risk premium, plus a process representative of the change in residual values and the change in value of the call option on rents.



Mean returns have been derived as the annualised arithmetic average return across all simulations and durations.

For each projection year, standard deviations have been calculated by taking the square root of the annualised variance of the returns over all the simulations. These have been averaged over all durations in the projection. For equity and property, the standard deviations relate to the total return on these assets. The standard deviations applied to all periods presented are as follows:

   

%

Equities:

   

UK

 

18.0

Overseas

 

16.0

Property

 

15.0



4.

Accounting presentation 



Analysis of profit before tax

To the extent applicable, presentation of the EEV profit for the period is consistent with the basis that the Group applies for analysis of IFRS basis profits before shareholder taxes between operating and non-operating results. Operating results reflect the underlying results of the Group's continuing operations including longer-term investment returns. Operating results include the impact of routine changes of estimates and non-economic assumptions. Non operating results comprise short-term fluctuations in investment returns, the shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes, the mark to market value movements on core borrowings and the effect of changes in economic assumptions and changes in the time value of cost of options and guarantees. In half year 2009 as a result of the exceptional dislocated market conditions, the Group incurred non-recurrent costs from an exceptional overlay short dated hedge to protect against tail events on the Group IGD capital position in addition to regular operational hedging programs. These costs have been shown separately within short-term fluctuations in investment returns. Also, in June 2009, the Group completed the disposal of the Taiwan agency business. The effect of this disposal and the results of the Taiwan agency business have been presented separately outside of the operating result.

Operating profit

Investment returns, including investment gains, in respect of long-term insurance business are recognised in operating results at the expected long-term rate of return. For the purpose of calculating the longer-term investment return to be included in the operating results of UK operations, where equity holdings are a significant proportion of investment portfolios, values of assets at the beginning of the reporting period are adjusted to remove the effects of short-term market volatility.

For the purposes of determining the long-term returns for debt securities of shareholder-backed operations, a risk margin charge is included which reflects the expected long-term rate of default based on the credit quality of the portfolio. For Jackson, interest-related realised gains and losses are amortised to the operating results over the maturity period of the sold bonds and for equity-related investments, a long-term rate of return is assumed, which reflects the aggregation of risk-free rates and equity risk premium. For US variable annuity separate account business, operating profit reflects the expected longer-term rate of return with the excess or deficit of the actual return recognised within non-operating profit, together with the related hedging activity.

Effect of changes in economic assumptions and time value of cost of options and guarantees

Movements in the value of in-force business caused by changes in economic assumptions and the time value of cost of options and guarantees resulting from changes in economic factors are recorded in non-operating results.

5.

New business premiums, contributions and margins

 

             

Period ended 30 June 2009

 

New Business Premiums 

Annual Premium Equivalents

(note (i))

(APE)

Present Value of New Business Premiums

(note (i))

(PVNBP)

Pre-Tax New Business

Contribution

(notes (ii) 

and (iii))

New Business Margin

(note (i))

 

Single

Regular

 

(APE)

(PVNBP)

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

%

%

Asian operations (note (iv))

 

365

517

553

2,706

277

50

10.2

US operations (note (v))

 

3,798

12

392

3,889

292

74

7.5

UK insurance operations 

 

2,451

131

376

3,062

122

32

4.0

Total

 

6,614

660

1,321

9,657

691

52

7.2

               

Period ended 30 June 2008

 

New Business Premiums

Annual Premium Equivalents

(note (i))

(APE)

Present Value of New Business Premiums

(note (i))

(PVNBP)

Pre-Tax New Business

Contribution

(notes (ii) 

and (iii))

New Business Margin

(note (i))

 

Single

Regular

 

(APE)

(PVNBP)

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

%

%

Asian operations (note (iv))

 

931

555

648

3,435

289

45

8.4

US operations 

 

3,453

11

356

3,537

137

38

3.9

UK insurance operations (note (vi))

 

3,125

125

438

3,664

129

29

3.5

Total

 

7,509

691

1,442

10,636

555

38

5.2

               

Year ended 31 Dec 2008

 

New Business Premiums

Annual Premium Equivalents

(note (i))

(APE)

Present Value of New Business Premiums

(note (i))

(PVNBP)

Pre-Tax New Business

Contribution

(notes (ii) 

and (iii))

New Business Margin

(note (i))

 

Single

Regular

 

(APE)

 

(PVNBP)

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

%

%

Asian operations (note (iv))

 

1,340

1,082

1,216

6,508

634

52

9.7

US operations 

 

6,917

24

716

7,140

293

41

4.1

UK insurance operations 

 

6,929

254

947

8,081

273

29

3.4

Total

 

15,186

1,360

2,879

21,729

1,200

42

5.5



Notes

(i)

New business margins are shown on two bases, namely the margins by reference to Annual Premium Equivalents (APE) and the Present Value of New Business Premiums (PVNBP). APEs are calculated as the aggregate of regular new business amounts and one-tenth of single new business amounts. PVNBPs are calculated as equalling single premiums plus the present value of expected premiums of new regular premium business, allowing for lapses and other assumptions made in determining the EEV new business contribution.

(ii)

In determining the EEV basis value of new business written in the period the policies incept, premiums are included in projected cash flows on the same basis of distinguishing annual and single premium business as set out for statutory basis reporting.

(iii)

In general, as described in note 3 above, the use of point of sale or end of period economic assumptions is not significant in determining the new business contribution for different types of business and across financial reporting periods. However, to obtain proper measurement of the new business contribution for business which is interest rate sensitive, it is appropriate to use point of sale economic assumptions, consistent with how the business was priced. In practice, the only area within the Group where this has a material effect, particularly in light of the recent dislocation of markets, is for UK shareholder-backed annuity and lifetime mortgage business. The half year 2009 and full year 2008 results for shareholder-backed annuity and lifetime mortgage business have been prepared on the basis of point of sale rather than end of period economic assumptions which previously applied for EEV reporting. For half year 2008, the effect of the use of point of sale market conditions would not have been material.

New business contributions for all business represent profits determined by applying non-economic assumptions as at the end of the period.

(iv)

The tables above include new business for the Taiwan bank distribution operation. New business of the Taiwan agency business, which was sold in June 2009 (as explained in note 12) are excluded from the tables. Comparative figures have been adjusted accordingly.

(v)

The increase in new business margin for US operations in half year 2009 reflects the significant changes to target spread for Fixed Annuity and Fixed Index Annuity business primarily as a result of the exceptional combined benefit of high investment yields on new assets and lower crediting rates, as described in note 3 above.

(vi)

To align with the treatment in the half year 2009 and full year 2008 results, the tables for UK insurance operations above for half year 2008 reflect the inclusion of the Group's UK health insurance joint venture operation, PruHealth, with an APE of £8 million and PVNBP of £79 million.



6.

Operating profit from business in-force



 

Unwind of discount and other expected returns (note(i))

Effect of change in operating assumptions

 (note (ii))

Experience variances and other items

(note (iii))

Total

Period ended 30 June 2009

£m

£m

£m

£m

         

Asian operations (note (iv))

248

(64)

(60)

124

US operations

142

(13)

80

209

UK operations

291

-

(7)

284

Total  

681

(77)

13

617



 

Unwind of discount and other expected returns (note(i))

Effect of change in operating assumptions 

 Experience variances and other items

Total

Period ended 30 June 2008

£m

£m

£m

£m

         

Asian operations (note (iv))

193

18

(40)

171

US operations

137

44

36

217

UK operations (note (v))

350

-

11

361

Total  

680

62

7

749



 

Unwind of discount and other expected returns 

Effect of change in operating assumptions 

  Experience variances and other items

Total

Year ended 31 December 2008

£m

£m

£m

£m

         

Asian operations (note (iv))

409

165

5

579

US operations

233

(17)

77

293

UK operations (note (vi))

569

-

195

764

Total  

1,211

148

277

1,636



Notes

(i)

Unwind of discount and other expected returns
 

The unwind of discount and other expected returns is determined by reference to the value of in-force business, required capital and surplus assets at the start of the period as adjusted for the effect of changes in economic and operating assumptions reflected in the current period. For the unwind of discount for UK insurance operations included in operating results based on longer-term returns a further adjustment is made. For UK insurance operations the amount shown above represents the unwind of discount on the value of in-force business at the beginning of the period (adjusted for the effect of current period assumption changes), the expected return on smoothed surplus assets retained within the PAC with-profits fund and the expected return on shareholders' assets held in other UK long-term business operations. Surplus assets retained within the PAC with-profits fund are smoothed for this purpose to remove the effects of short-term investment volatility from operating results. In the summary statement of financial position and for total profit reporting, asset values and investment returns are not smoothed.  The increase for Asian operations from £193 million for half year 2008 to £248 million for half year 2009 primarily reflects the increase in the value of in-force business from 1 January 2008 to 1 January 2009. The reduction for UK operations in unwind of discount and other expected returns from £350 million for half year 2008 to £291 million reflects the decrease in the value of in-force business from 1 January 2008 to 1 January 2009. 
 

(ii)

Effect of changes in operating assumptions

The charge of £64 million for Asian operations comprises £60 million for changes to persistency assumptions, £9 million in respect of expenses and a net credit of £5 million for other items. The persistency assumption changes are mainly as a direct consequence of the impact on policyholders' savings behaviour from adverse economic and market conditions, arising mostly with investment related products, principally in Korea (£23 million), and Hong Kong (£14 million). 

The charge of £13 million for US operations comprises a charge of £56 million for persistency, offset by credits of £35 million for mortality assumption changes and £8 million for other items. The charge for persistency comprises £30 million for an increase in the assumed utilisation of the partial withdrawal option on Variable and Fixed Annuity business, and £26 million for the effect of other altered lapse rates, in line with experience. The £35 million credit for mortality reflects lower mortality rates for the Life of Georgia business, based upon actual experience since the acquisition of the business in 2005.

(iii)

Experience variance and other items

The £60 million charge for Asian operations primarily reflect the effects of adverse persistency of £47 million, as customers have withdrawn from investment related products (for which assumptions have been strengthened, as explained in note (ii)), including a charge in Korea of £18 million. The residual £13 million charge reflects a combination of adverse expense experience as sales levels have been less than target given current market conditions, offset by the favourable mortality and morbidity experience.
 

(iv)

In order to facilitate comparisons of results of the Group's retained businesses the operating profits for Asian operations, including those from business in-force exclude the element related to the sold Taiwan agency business. Note 12 shows the effect of the adjusted presentation of comparative basis results for half year and full year 2008.
 

(v)

The presentation of the half year 2008 results have been adjusted to show £14 million of UK general insurance commission separately from the long-term business EEV results. Total operating profit from UK insurance operations is unaffected by this reclassification.
 

(vi)

The credit of £195 million for UK operations for full year 2008 includes £118 million resulting from part of the effect of rebalancing assets, including lifetime mortgage assets, that support the shareholder-backed annuity portfolio. For UK annuity business, rebalancing of the asset portfolio backing the liabilities to policyholders may from time to time take place to align it more closely with the internal benchmark of credit quality that management applies. Such rebalancing will result in a change in the risk adjusted yield on the assets used to determine the valuation interest rate for calculating the carrying value of policyholder liabilities. In full year 2008 the amount of £118 million included in operating profit for the effect of rebalancing the portfolio was calibrated to investment conditions at 31 December 2006 i.e. prior to the exceptional spread widening in 2007 and 2008. The additional increase in the Pillar I valuation interest rate due to rebalancing at the credit spreads at which assets were traded in 2008 is reflected within non-operating profit together with, via the increase in discount rate, the additional allowance for credit risk for the portfolio as a whole as described in note 8.



7.

Short-term fluctuations in investment returns



 

Half year

2009

£m

Half year

2008

£m

Full year

2008

£m

Insurance operations:

     

Asia (note (i))

101

(455)

(903)

US (note (ii))

(304)

(297)

(1,344)

UK (note (iii))

(363)

(959)

(2,407)

 

(566)

(1,711)

(4,654)

Other operations 

     

    IGD hedge costs (note (iv))

(216)

-

-

    Other (note (v))

75

(157)

(313)

 

(141)

(157)

(313)

Total  

(707)

(1,868)

(4,967)

       


Notes

(i)

Asian operations



   

Half year

2009

Half year

2008

Full year

2008

 

 

£m

£m

 £m

Singapore

72

(103)

(310)

Hong Kong 

(15)

(59)

(284)

Vietnam

(14)

(151)

(82)

Other operations

58

(142)

(227)

 

 

101

(455)

(903)



 

The short-term fluctuations in Asia reflect the effect of strong equity market performance across the region offset by the impact of negative bond returns, particularly in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. In addition in Vietnam there was a switch in the portfolio from equities to other assets in early 2009.

(ii)

US operations (Jackson) 

The short-term fluctuations in investment returns for US operations primarily reflect the impact of impairment losses on debt securities and the effects on the value of variable annuity business of adverse movements in US equity markets. The fluctuations for US operations comprise the following items:



Short-term fluctuations in investment returns 

Half Year

2009

Half Year

2008

Full Year

2008

£m

£m

£m

Actual realised losses less default assumption and amortisation of interest related gains and losses for fixed income securities and related swap transactions

(287)

(116)

(463)

Actual less long-term return on equity based investments and other items

(75)

(43)

(148)

Investment return related gain (loss) due primarily to changed expectation of profits on in-force variable annuity business in future periods based on current period equity returns, net of related hedging activity for equity related products*  

58

(138)

(733)

Total Jackson 

(304)

(297)

(1,344)



 

* This gain (loss) arises due to the market returns being higher (lower) than the assumed longer-term rate of return. This gives rise to higher (lower) expected values of variable annuity assets under management with a resulting effect on the projected value of future account values and hence future profitability from altered fees. For half year 2009, the actual rate of return was approximately positive 5.3 per cent compared to the assumed longer-term rate of return of 3.55 per cent for a six month period.

   

(iii)

UK insurance operations 

The short-term fluctuations in investment returns for UK insurance operations for half year 2009 arise on the following types of business:



    

 

Half year

2009 

Half year

2008

Full year

2008

 

£m

£m

£m

With-profits (note (a))

(270)

(855)

(2,083)

Shareholder-backed annuity (note (b))

(60)

(34)

(213)

Unit-linked and other (note (c))

(33)

(70)

(111)

 

(363)

(959)

(2,407)



 

Notes

 

(a)

The short-term fluctuations in investment returns for with-profits business in half year 2009 of £(270) million represents the negative 1 per cent actual investment return on the PAC with-profits fund against an assumed rate of 3.3 per cent for a six month period.

 

(b)

Short-term fluctuations in investment returns on shareholder-backed annuity business primarily represent value movements on assets backing the capital of the business.

 

(c)

The charge of £(33) million relates primarily to unit-linked business and predominantly represents the capitalised loss of future fees from the fall in market values experienced during the period.

     

(iv)

IGD hedge costs 

The IGD hedge costs are discussed in more detail in note F of the IFRS financial statements.

(v)

Other operations

The credit of £75 million for other operations for half year 2009 primarily arises from unrealised value movements of £69 million in swaps held centrally to manage Group assets and liabilities.



8.

Effect of changes in economic assumptions and time value of cost of options and guarantees



The (losses) profits on changes in economic assumptions and time value of cost of options and guarantees resulting from changes in economic factors for in-force business included within profit (loss) before tax (including actual investment returns) arise as follows:

 

Half year 2009

Half year 2008

Full year 2008

Change in

economic

assumptions

Change in

time value

of cost of

options and

guarantees

Total

Change in

economic

assumptions

Change in

time value

of cost of

options and

guarantees

Total

Change in

economic

assumptions

Change in

time value

of cost of

options and

guarantees

Total

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Asian operations (note (i))

(86)

(3)

(89)

(33)

(12)

(45)

157

0

157

US operations (note (ii))

(60)

24

(36)

23

2

25

267

11

278

UK insurance operations (note (iii))

(264)

5

(259)

(78)

(2)

(80)

(783)

(50)

(833)

Total

(410)

26

(384)

(88)

(12)

(100)

(359)

(39)

(398)



Notes

(i)

The effect of changes in economic assumptions in Asia for half year 2009 of £(86) million reflect the increases in risk discount rates and fund earned rates. 

(ii)

The charge for the effect of changes in economic assumptions for half year 2009 for US operations of £(60) million primarily arises as a result of the impact of an increase in the risk discount rate of £(312) million, partially offset by the impact of an increase in the variable annuity separate account return of £278 million, both movements reflecting the 130 bps increase in the US 10-year treasury bond rate as shown in note 3 above.

(iii)

The effect of changes in economic assumptions of a charge of £(264) million for UK insurance operations comprises the effect of:



 

Half year 2009

Half year 2008

Full year 2008

 

Shareholder-backed

annuity

  business

(note (a))

With-profits

 and other

  business

(note (b))

Total

Shareholder-backed

annuity

 business

With-profits

 and other

 business

Total

Shareholder-backed

annuity

 business

(note (c))

With-profits

 and other

 business

Total

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Effect of change in expected long-term rates of return

(264)

78

(186)

64

387

451

83

(1,082)

(999)

(Increase) decrease in risk discount rates

105

(113)

(8)

(187)

(355)

(542)

(394)

668

274

Other changes

-

(70)

(70)

(3)

16

13

(6)

(52)

(58)

 

(159)

(105)

(264)

(126)

48

(78)

(317)

(466)

(783)



    

Notes

(a)

The charge of £(264) million for shareholder-backed annuity business for half year 2009 reflects primarily an increase in the allowance for best estimate expected defaults included in the long-term expected rate of return. 

(b)

For with-profits and other business for half year 2009 the increase in fund earned rates and risk discount rates primarily reflect the increase in gilt rates of 0.4 per cent for half year 2009 as shown in note 3.

(c)

For shareholder-backed annuity business for full year 2008, the impact of the change in risk discount rates of £(394) million includes £(400) million in respect of strengthening credit risk assumptions (excluding the strengthening required in respect of the £2.8 billion rebalancing the assets portfolios). The impact of the change in portfolio yields of £83 million for full year 2008 includes a profit of £231 million in respect of the rebalancing, calculated by reference to changes in credit spreads since 31 December 2006.



    

9.

Exchange movements



To be consistent with the basis applied for IFRS reporting, EEV basis results for the period are translated at average exchange rates. Shareholders' funds are translated at period end rates with exchange movements recognised in EEV basis shareholders' equity as follows:

 

Half year

2009

Half year

2008

Full year

2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Long-term business operations:

     

Asian operations

(686)

42

1,170

US operations

(552)

0

1,264

 

(1,238)

42

2,434

Other operations (primarily reflecting US$ denominated holding company borrowings and hedge positions) 

140

(7)

(424)

Total

(1,098)

35

2,010

       


    

10.

Holding company net borrowings at market value



Holding company net borrowings at market value are set out in the table below. In May 2009, the Company repaid maturing £249 million senior debt and in the same month the Company issued £400 million subordinated notes in part to replace the maturing debt. In July 2009, the Company issued US$750 million perpetual subordinated capital securities.

 

30 Jun 2009

30 Jun 2008

31 Dec 2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Holding company borrowings:

     

IFRS basis

2,747

2,401

2,785

Mark to market value adjustment

(634)

(201)

(802)

EEV basis (note)

2,113

2,200

1,983

Holding company* cash and short-term investments

(1,252)

(1,498)

(1,165)

Holding company net borrowings

861

702

818



*Including central finance subsidiaries.

Note

 

EEV basis holding company borrowings comprise:



 

30 Jun 2009

30 Jun 2008

31 Dec 2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Perpetual subordinated capital securities (Innovative Tier 1)

612

633

513

Subordinated notes (Lower Tier 2) 

1,056

786

737

Senior debt

445

781

733

 

2,113

2,200

1,983



11.

Group analysis of underlying business activity 



The following analysis shows the movement in the embedded value of the long-term operations arising from the Group's underlying business activity and the effects of the current exceptional dislocated market conditions.

Group

 

Free

surplus

(note (ii))

Required

capital

(note (iii))

Net

 worth

Value of

in-force

Total

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Underlying movement:

         

New business

(331)

220

(111)

590

479

Business in force

         

- expected transfer

792

(198)

594

(594)

-

- unwind of discount, effects of changes in operating assumptions, operating experience variance and other operating items

10

36

46

398

444

 

471

58

529

394

923

Investment movements and effect of changes in economic assumptions (note (iv))

(501)

189

(312)

(407)

(719)

Profit on sale of Taiwan agency business (note 12)

987

(1,232)

(245)

393

148

 

486

(1,043)

(557)

(14)

(571)

Net cash flows to parent company (note (vii))

(314)

-

(314)

-

(314)

Exchange movements, timing differences and other items 

275

(333)

(58)

(828)

(886)

Net movement

918

(1,318)

(400)

(448)

(848)

Balance at 1 January 2009

447

4,117

4,564

9,958

14,522

Balance at 30 June 2009

1,365

2,799

4,164

9,510

13,674



Notes

(i)

All figures are shown net of tax.

(ii)

Free surplus is the market value of the net worth in excess of the capital required to support the covered business. Where appropriate adjustments are made to the regulatory basis net worth from the local regulatory basis so as to include backing assets movements at fair value rather than cost so as to comply with the EEV principles.

(iii)

Prudential has based required capital on its internal targets for economic capital subject to it being at least the local statutory minimum requirements, as described in note 2.

(iv)

Investment movements and effect of changes in economic assumptions represent:



 

Free surplus (note (ii))

£m

Required capital

 (note (iii))

£m

Net worth

£m

Value of
in-force

£m

Total

£m

Investment movements (notes (v) and (vi))

(356)

(2)

(358)

(98)

(456)

Effect of changes in economic assumptions (note (vi))

(145)

191

46

(309)

(263)

 

(501)

189

(312)

(407)

(719)



(v)

Investment movements primarily reflect temporary market movements on the portfolio of investments held by the Group's shareholder-backed operations together with the shareholders' 10 per cent interest in the value movements on the assets in the with-profits funds.

(vi)

The effect of changes in economic assumptions includes the impact of an increase in required capital for Jackson of £262 million driven by impairments and credit downgrades. Separately, investment movements include the effect of impairments and credit downgrades in excess of the expected longer-term level reflected within operating profit.

(vii)

Net cash flows to parent company reflect the flows for long-term business operations as included in the holding company cash flow at transaction rate.



12.

Sale of legacy agency book and agency force in Taiwan to China Life Insurance of Taiwan



 

Half year 

2009

Half year 

2008

Full year 

2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Profit on sale and results for Taiwan agency business

91

(90)

(248)



(i)

Half year 2009

On 20 February 2009, the Group announced the intended sale of the agency business of its Taiwan life operation to China Life Insurance of Taiwan for consideration of NT$1. The economic transfer date for the purposes of determining the net assets transferred was 28 February 2009. The sale was completed, following regulatory approval on 19 June 2009. 

The profit on sale comprises:



 

£m

Proceeds

-

Net asset value attributable to equity holders of Company and provision for restructuring costs

134

Goodwill written off

(44)

Estimate as announced on 20 February 2009

90

Plus: effect of completion and other adjustments

1

 

91

Representing:

 

Profit arising from long-term business operations (note 11)

148

Goodwill written off

(44)

Adjustments in respect of restructuring costs borne by non-covered business

(13)

 

91



(ii)

Half year and full year 2008 comparative results

The results for half year and full year 2008 of £(90) million and £(248) million respectively comprise the total result for the sold business i.e. including operating profit, short-term fluctuations in investment returns and the effect of changes in economic assumptions and the time value of cost of options and guarantees. 

In order to facilitate comparisons of the Group's retained businesses, the presentation of the EEV basis results has been adjusted to show separately the result for the sold Taiwan agency business, as explained below:



 

Half year 2008

 

Full year 2008

 

As previously published

£m

Adjustment

£m

Adjusted

£m

 

As previously published

£m

Adjustment

£m

Adjusted

£m

APE new business

1,513*

(71)

1,442

 

3,025

(146)

2,879

New business profit

602

(47)

555

 

1,307

(107)

1,200

In-force profit

795**

(46)

749

 

1,625

11

1,636

Asset management

181

-

181

 

345

-

345

Other results

(148)**

13

(135)

 

(316)

-

(316)

Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns

1,430

(80)

1,350

 

2,961

(96)

2,865

Short-term fluctuations in investment returns

(1,949)

81

(1,868)

 

(5,127)

160

(4,967)

Mark to market value movement on core borrowings

171

-

171

 

656

-

656

Shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes

(98)

-

(98)

 

(15)

1

(14)

Effect of changes in economic assumptions and the time value of cost of options and guarantees

(189)

89

(100)

 

(581)

183

(398)

Result of sold Taiwan Agency business

Included
above

(90)

(90)

 

Included above

(248)

(248)

Loss before tax

(635)

-

(635)

 

(2,106)

-

(2,106)



* After including £8 million for the Group's UK health insurance joint venture operation, PruHealth, to be consistent with the full year 2008 basis of preparation.

** After adjusting by £14 million for UK general insurance commission as shown separately in these statements. 

 

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRS) BASIS RESULTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

   

Half year 

2009

 £m

Half year

 2008

 £m

Full year

 2008

 £m

Earned premiums, net of reinsurance

9,518

8,926

18,789

Investment return

3,625

(9,752)

(30,202)

Other income

574

453

1,146

Total revenue, net of reinsurance 

13,717

(373)

(10,267)

       

Benefits and claims and movement in unallocated surplus of with-profits funds, 

net of reinsurance

(10,783)

1,479

10,824

Acquisition costs and other operating expenditure

(2,446)

(1,763)

(2,459)

Finance costs: interest on core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations

(84)

(82)

(172)

Loss on sale of Taiwan agency business (note G)

(559)

-

-

Total charges, net of reinsurance 

(13,872)

(366)

8,193

         

Loss before tax (being tax attributable to shareholders' and policyholders' returns)*

(155)

(739)

(2,074)

Tax credit attributable to policyholders' returns

79

637

1,624

Loss before tax attributable to shareholders (note C)

(76)

(102)

(450)

Tax (charge) credit (note H)

(103)

625

1,683

Less: tax credit attributable to policyholders' returns

(79)

(637)

(1,624)

Tax (charge) credit attributable to shareholders' returns (note H)

(182)

(12)

59

         

Loss from continuing operations after tax / Loss for the period 

(258)

(114)

(391)

         

Attributable to:

     

Equity holders of the Company

(254)

(116)

(396)

Minority interests

(4)

2

5

Loss for the period

(258)

(114)

(391)

   

Half year

Half year

Full year

Earnings per share (in pence)

2009

2008

2008 

         

Based on loss for the period attributable to the equity holders of the Company:

     

Basic (note I)

(10.2)p

(4.7)p

(16.0)p

         

Diluted (note I)

(10.2)p

(4.7)p

(16.0)p



* This measure is the formal loss before tax measure under IFRS but it is not the result attributable to shareholders.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRS) BASIS RESULTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME*


 

Half year

2009

 £m

Half year

 2008

 £m

Full year

 2008

 £m

       

Loss for the period

(258)

(114)

(391)

       

Other comprehensive income (loss):

     

Exchange movements on foreign operations and net investment hedges:

     

Exchange movements arising during the period

(292)

32

391

Related tax

(6)

14

119

 

(298)

46

510

       

Available-for-sale securities:

     

Unrealised valuation movements on securities of US insurance operations classified as available-for-sale: 

     

   Unrealised holding gains (losses) arising during the period

662

(774)

(2,482)

   Add back net losses included in the income statement on disposal and impairment

146

97

378

Total (note M)

808

(677)

(2,104)

Related change in amortisation of deferred income and acquisition costs 

(235)

244

831

Related tax

(150)

148

442

 

423

(285)

(831)

       

Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period, net of related tax

125

(239)

(321)

       

Total comprehensive loss for the period

(133)

(353)

(712)

       

Attributable to:

     

   Equity holders of the Company

(129)

(355)

(717)

   Minority interests

(4)

2

5

Total comprehensive loss for the period

(133)

(353)

(712)


*This consolidated statement of comprehensive income has been introduced as a result of the adoption of amendments to IAS 1 'Presentation of Financial Statements: A Revised Presentation'. See note B.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRS) BASIS RESULTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

Period ended 30 Jun 2009

 

Share capital

Share premium

 Retained
  earnings

Translation reserve

 Available-for-sale
 securities reserve

 Shareholders' equity

  Minority
 interests

Total equity

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Reserves

               

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period

-

-

(254)

(298)

423

(129)

(4)

(133)

Dividends

-

-

(322)

-

-

(322)

-

(322)

Reserve movements in respect of share-based payments 

-

-

18

-

-

18

-

18

Change in minority interests arising principally from purchase and sale of property partnerships of the PAC with-profits fund and other consolidated investment funds

-

-

-

-

-

-

(22)

(22)

                 

Share capital and share premium

               

New share capital subscribed 

1

95

-

-

-

96

-

96

Transfer to retained earnings in respect of shares issued in 

   lieu of cash dividends

-

(95)

95

-

-

-

-

-

                 

Treasury shares

               

Movement in own shares in respect of share-based payment plans

-

-

7

-

-

7

-

7

Movement in Prudential plc shares purchased by unit trusts consolidated under IFRS

-

-

(8)

-

-

(8)

-

(8)

Net increase (decrease) in equity

1

-

(464)

(298)

423

(338)

(26)

(364)

                 

At beginning of period

125

1,840

3,604

398

(909)

5,058

55

5,113

At end of period

126

1,840

3,140

100

(486)

4,720

29

4,749



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

Period ended 30 Jun 2008

 

Share capital

Share premium

Retained earnings

Translation reserve

Available-for-sale securities reserve

Shareholders' equity

Minority interests

Total equity

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Reserves

               

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period

-

-

(116)

46

(285)

(355)

2

(353)

Dividends

-

-

(304)

-

-

(304)

-

(304)

Reserve movements in respect of share-based payments 

-

-

14

-

-

14

-

14

Change in minority interests arising principally from purchase and sale of property partnerships of the PAC with-profits fund and other consolidated investment funds

-

-

-

-

-

-

(6)

(6)

                 

Share capital and share premium

               

New share capital subscribed

1

136

-

-

-

137

-

137

Transfer to retained earnings in respect of shares issued in lieu of cash dividends 

-

(126)

126

-

-

-

-

-

                 

Treasury shares

               

Movement in own shares in respect of share-based payment plans

-

-

6

-

-

6

-

6

Movement in Prudential plc shares purchased by unit trusts consolidated under IFRS

-

-

(8)

-

-

(8)

-

(8)

Net increase (decrease) in equity

1

10

(282)

46

(285)

(510)

(4)

(514)

                 

At beginning of period

123

1,828

4,301

(112)

(78)

6,062

102

6,164

At end of period

124

1,838

4,019

(66)

(363)

5,552

98

5,650



  

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

Year ended 31 Dec 2008

 

Share capital

Share premium

Retained earnings

Translation reserve

Available-for-sale securities reserve

Shareholders' equity

Minority interests

Total equity

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Reserves

               

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year

-

-

(396)

510

(831)

(717)

5

(712)

Dividends

-

-

(453)

-

-

(453)

(2)

(455)

Reserve movements in respect of share-based payments 

-

-

18

-

-

18

-

18

Change in minority interests arising principally from purchase and sale of property partnerships of the PAC with-profits fund and other consolidated investment funds

-

-

-

-

-

-

(50)

(50)

                 

Share capital and share premium

               

New share capital subscribed 

2

168

-

-

-

170

-

170

Transfer to retained earnings in respect of shares issued in 

   lieu of cash dividends

-

(156)

156

-

-

-

-

-

                 

Treasury shares

               

Movement in own shares in respect of share-based payment plans

-

-

3

-

-

3

-

3

Movement in Prudential plc shares purchased by unit trusts consolidated under IFRS

-

-

(25)

-

-

(25)

-

(25)

Net increase (decrease) in equity

2

12

(697)

510

(831)

(1,004)

(47)

(1,051)

At the beginning of the year

123

1,828

4,301

(112)

(78)

6,062

102

6,164

At end of year

125

1,840

3,604

398

(909)

5,058

55

5,113



As a result of the introduction of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income there has been a reclassification of £240 million of exchange losses from the Available-for-sale securities reserve to the Translation reserve in the 2008 full year comparatives as explained in note B.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRS) BASIS RESULTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

   

30 Jun

 2009

£m

30 Jun 2008

£m

31 Dec 2008

£m

Assets

       
           

Intangible assets attributable to shareholders:

     

Goodwill

1,310

1,341

1,341

Deferred acquisition costs and other intangible assets (note P)

4,045

3,290

5,349

 

5,355

4,631

6,690

       

Intangible assets attributable to with-profits funds:

     

In respect of acquired subsidiaries for venture fund and other investment purposes 

159

174

174

Deferred acquisition costs and other intangible assets

111

18

126

 

270

192

300

Total 

5,625

4,823

6,990

       

Other non-investment and non-cash assets:

     

Property, plant and equipment

428

1,038

635

Reinsurers' share of insurance contract liabilities

1,114

971

1,240

Deferred tax asset (note H)

2,149

1,250

2,886

Current tax recoverable

389

244

657

Accrued investment income

2,366

2,209

2,513

Other debtors

1,311

1,108

1,232

Total 

7,757

6,820

9,163

       

Investments of long-term business and other operations:

     

Investment properties

10,479

13,529

11,992

Investments accounted for using the equity method

6

16

10

Financial investments:

     

Loans (note K)

8,613

8,719

10,491

Equity securities and portfolio holdings in unit trusts

56,069

75,876

62,122

Debt securities (note L)

89,399

83,806

95,224

Other investments

6,085

4,528

6,301

Deposits 

8,806

8,194

7,294

Total 

179,457

194,668

193,434

           

Properties held for sale

5

-

-

Cash and cash equivalents

6,542

4,844

5,955

Total assets (note D)

199,386

211,155

215,542

             


   

30 Jun 

2009

£m

30 Jun 2008

£m

31 Dec 2008

£m

Equity and liabilities

     
           

Equity

     

Shareholders' equity  

4,720

5,552

5,058

Minority interests

29

98

55

Total equity

4,749

5,650

5,113

Liabilities

     

Policyholder liabilities and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds

     

Contract liabilities (including amounts in respect of contracts classified as investment contracts under IFRS 4)

165,047

169,113

173,977

Unallocated surplus of with-profits funds

7,061

12,560

8,414

Total 

172,108

181,673

182,391

           

Core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations: 

       

Subordinated debt

2,198

1,603

1,987

 

Other

701

923

971

 

Total (note N)

2,899

2,526

2,958

 

Other borrowings:

     

Operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations (note O)

2,855

2,908

1,977

Borrowings attributable to with-profits operations (note O)

1,349

937

1,308

         

Other non-insurance liabilities:

     

Obligations under funding, securities lending and sale and repurchase agreements

4,218

5,053

5,572

Net asset value attributable to unit holders of consolidated unit trusts and similar funds

2,706

3,755

3,843

Current tax liabilities

663

952

842

Deferred tax liabilities (note H)

2,651

2,843

3,229

Accruals and deferred income

626

773

630

Other creditors

1,640

1,956

1,496

Provisions 

614

488

461

Derivative liabilities

1,379

723

4,832

Other liabilities

929

918

890

Total

15,426

17,461

21,795

Total liabilities

194,637

205,505

210,429

Total equity and liabilities (note D)

199,386

211,155

215,542



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 

 

Half year

2009

£m

Half year 2008

£m

Full year 

2008

£m

Cash flows from operating activities 

     

Loss before tax (being tax attributable to shareholders' and policyholders' returns) (note (i))

(155)

(739)

(2,074)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities (note (ii))

1,068

1,236

3,978

Other items (note (ii))

633

(325)

(760)

Net cash flows from operating activities

1,546

172

1,144

Cash flows from investing activities

     

Net cash flows from purchases and disposals of property, plant and equipment

(22)

(55)

(229)

Disposal of Taiwan agency business (notes (iii) and G )

(436)

-

-

Net cash flows from investing activities

(458)

(55)

(229)

Cash flows from financing activities

     

Structural borrowings of the Group:

     

Shareholder-financed operations (notes (iv) and N):

     

Issue of subordinated debt, net of costs

379

-

-

Redemption of senior debt

(249)

-

-

Interest paid 

(98)

(91)

(167)

With-profits operations (notes (v) and O):

     

Interest paid

(9)

(9)

(9)

Equity capital (note (vi)):

     

Issues of ordinary share capital

-

10

12

Dividends paid 

(226)

(177)

(297)

Net cash flows from financing activities

(203)

(267)

(461)

       

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

885

(150)

454

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

5,955

4,951

4,951

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

(298)

43

550

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period (note (vii))

6,542

4,844

5,955



Notes

(i)

This measure is the formal loss before tax measure under IFRS but it is not the result attributable to shareholders.

(ii)

The adjusting items to loss before tax include changes in operating assets and liabilities, and other items including adjustments in respect of non-cash items, together with operational interest receipts and payments, dividend receipts, and tax paid.  The figure of £633 million for other items at half year 2009 includes £559 million for the loss on disposal of Taiwan agency business. The most significant elements of the adjusting items within changes in operating assets and liabilities are as follows:



    

 

Half year

2009

£m

Half year 2008

£m

Full year 

2008

£m

Deferred acquisition costs (excluding changes taken directly into equity)

226

(464)

(1,149)

Other non-investment and non-cash assets

(234)

(742)

(510)

Investments

(841)

9,166

33,255

Policyholder liabilities (including unallocated surplus)

2,265

(9,194)

(26,987)

Other liabilities (including operational borrowings)

(348)

2,470

(631)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

1,068

1,236

3,978



(iii)

The amount of £436 million in respect of the disposal of the Taiwan agency business shown above, represents the cash and cash equivalents of £388 million held by Taiwan agency business transferred on disposal and restructuring costs paid in cash in the period of £3 million. In addition, the cashflow for the disposal includes a £45 million outflow to purchase a 9.99 per cent stake in China Life.

(vi)

Structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations comprise core debt of the holding company and Jackson surplus notes. Core debt excludes borrowings to support short-term fixed income securities programmes, non-recourse borrowings of investment subsidiaries of shareholder-financed operations and other borrowings of shareholder-financed operations. Cash flows in respect of these borrowings are included within cash flows from operating activities. In May 2009, the Company repaid maturing £249 million senior debt. In the same month, the Company issued £400 million subordinated debt in part to replace the maturing debt.

(v)

Structural borrowings of with-profits operations relate solely to the £100 million 8.5 per cent undated subordinated guaranteed bonds which contribute to the solvency base of the Scottish Amicable Insurance Fund (SAIF), a ring-fenced sub-fund of the PAC with-profits fund. Cash flows in respect of other borrowings of with-profits funds, which principally relate to consolidated investment funds, are included within cash flows from operating activities.

(vi)

Cash movements in respect of equity capital exclude scrip dividends.

(vii)

Of the cash and cash equivalents amounts reported above, £638 million (half year 2008: £361 million; full year 2008: £165 million) were held centrally.



INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRS) BASIS RESULTS

NOTES ON THE IFRS BASIS RESULTS

A

Basis of preparation and audit status



These condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2009 have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting" as adopted by the EU. The Group's policy for preparing this interim financial information is to use the accounting policies adopted by the Group in its last consolidated financial statements, as updated by any changes in accounting policies it intends to make in its next consolidated financial statements as a result of new or changed IFRS that are already endorsed by the European Union (EU) or that are applicable or available for early adoption for the next annual financial statements and other policy improvements.    

The IFRS basis results for the 2009 and 2008 half years are unaudited. Except for any effects from the adoption of new accounting pronouncements explained in note B, the 2008 full year IFRS basis results have been derived from the 2008 statutory accounts. The auditors have reported on the 2008 statutory accounts which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.

B

Significant accounting policies



The accounting policies applied by the Group in determining the IFRS basis results in this announcement are the same as those previously applied in the Group's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2008, except for the following adoption of new accounting pronouncements in 2009:

IFRS 8, 'Operating Segments'

IFRS 8 superseded IAS 14 'Segment Reporting' for the accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009. IFRS 8 requires the Group to adopt the 'management approach' to reporting the financial performance of its operating segments. IFRS 8 is a disclosure standard but some of its disclosures are required by IAS 34 to be made in this announcement. This standard has no impact on the results or financial position of the Group. 

The Group determines and presents operating segments based on the information that internally is provided to the Group Executive Committee ("GEC"), which is the Group's chief operating decision maker. 

An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, including revenues and expenses that relate to transactions with any of the Group's other components. An operating segment's operating results are reviewed regularly by the GEC to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information is available.

The Group's operating segments as determined under IFRS 8 are insurance operations split by territories in which the Group conducts business, which are Asia, the United States and the United Kingdom and asset management operations which have been split into M&G which is the Group's UK and European asset management business, the Asian asset management business and the US broker-dealer and asset management business (including Curian). Segment results that are reported to the GEC include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. Unallocated items are mainly in relation to the Group Head Office and Asia Regional Head Office. This is consistent with how the Group has been presenting its results in its supplementary analysis of profit before tax attributable to shareholders. This supplementary analysis of profit which also reflects the Group's IFRS 8's segmental income statement is disclosed in note C 'segment disclosure - income statement'.  The Group's segmental statement of financial position is as disclosed in note D (i).

   

Amendments to IAS 1, 'Presentation of Financial Statements: A Revised Presentation'

The revised version of IAS 1, which includes non-mandatory changes to the titles of some of the financial statements, has resulted in a number of changes in presentation and disclosure. 

As a result of the adoption of this revised IAS 1, the Group has changed the titles of its "consolidated balance sheet" to "consolidated statement of financial position" and its "consolidated cash flow statement" to "consolidated statement of cash flows". 

The Group has also introduced a consolidated statement of comprehensive income in accordance with the revised IAS 1. Components of comprehensive income recognised outside of the income statement, for example exchange movements and the unrealised valuation movement of Jackson's available-for-sale debt securities, are now presented separately from changes in equity and are disclosed in the statement of comprehensive income. Consequent to this presentational change, the Group has altered the exchange translation method of the unrealised valuation movement of Jackson's available-for-sale debt securities from the previous application of closing exchange rate to the average exchange rate consistent with the translation method of foreign subsidiaries' income statement items. Accordingly, the Group's 2008 full year comparatives in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income and the consolidated statement of changes in equity have been altered with a reclassification of £240 million of exchange losses from the unrealised valuation movement of Jackson's available-for-sale debt securities, net of related change in amortisation of deferred income and acquisition costs and tax to the exchange translation reserve. There is no impact on shareholders' equity or the income statement from this change. No change has been made to the 2008 half year comparatives as there is no material impact. 

Improvements to IFRSs

The improvements issued by the IASB in May 2008 include amendments to a number of standards. The only amendment that has impacted the Group's financial statements is the amendment to IAS 40, 'Investment property' (and consequential amendments to IAS 16, 'Property, Plant and Equipment') which now states that property that is under construction or development for future use as investment property is within the scope of IAS 40 and so should be measured at fair value where this is reliably measurable. Previously, these properties were within the scope of IAS 16 and were measured at cost. 

As a result of this amendment, at half year 2009, the Group has reclassified its properties under development for future use as investment properties from Property, plant and equipment to Investment properties. This amendment is effective on a prospective application basis from 1 January 2009 and accordingly, no adjustment to the 2008 comparatives has been made. At 1 January 2009, properties under development with a cost of £131 million were reclassified to Investment properties and revalued to a fair value of £152 million. The fair value adjustment of a gain of £21 million was recorded in the income statement but as the relevant properties were held by the PAC with-profits fund, the gain was absorbed by the liability for unallocated surplus and has no direct effect on the profit or loss attributable to shareholders or shareholders' equity.

Improving Disclosures about Financial Instruments (Amendments to IFRS 7)

In March 2009, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 7 which require enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements and liquidity risk. The amendments include the introduction of a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurement disclosures and require additional disclosures about the relative reliability of fair value measurements. These disclosures are mandatory in the Group's 2009 full year financial statements and will be provided therein. 

In addition, the Group has also adopted the following accounting pronouncements in 2009 but their adoption has had no material impact on results and financial position of the Group:

-

Amendments to IFRS 2, 'Share-based Payment: Vesting Conditions and Cancellations'

-

Amendments to IAS 23 'Borrowing costs'

-

Amendments to IAS 32, 'Financial instruments: Presentation' and IAS 1, 'Presentation of financial statements' - Puttable Financial Instruments and Obligations Arising on Liquidation'

-

IFRIC 16, 'Hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation'



 

C

Segment disclosure - income statement



   

Half year

2009

Half year

2008

Full year

2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Asian operations (note i)

     

Insurance operations (note E(i)):

     

Underlying results before exceptional credit

149

75

257

Exceptional credit for Malaysia operations (note E(i))

63

-

-

Total Asian insurance operations

212

75

257

Development expenses

(5)

(3)

(26)

Total Asian insurance operations after development expenses

207

72

231

Asian asset management 

21

29

52

Total Asian operations

228

101

283

       

US operations

     

Jackson (US insurance operations)

217

232

406

Broker-dealer and asset management (note ii) 

2

6

7

Total US operations

219

238

413

       

UK operations

     

UK insurance operations:

     

Long-term business (note E(iii))

303

272

545

General insurance commission (note (iii))

27

14

44

Total UK insurance operations

330

286

589

M&G

102

146

286

Total UK operations

432

432

875

Total segment profit

879

771

1,571

       

Other income and expenditure 

     

Investment return and other income

13

72

89

Interest payable on core structural borrowings 

(84)

(82)

(172)

Corporate expenditure:

     

Group Head Office

(74)

(79)

(130)

Asia Regional Head Office

(23)

(17)

(41)

Charge for share-based payments for Prudential schemes (note (iv))

(11)

(4)

(6)

Total 

(179)

(110)

(260)

Restructuring costs (note (v)) 

(12)

(14)

(28)

Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns (note (i))

688

647

1,283

Short-term fluctuations in investment returns on shareholder-backed business (note F)

(80)

(617)

(1,721)

Shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes (note (vi)) 

(63)

(92)

(13)

Loss on sale and results for Taiwan agency business (notes (i) and G)

(621)

(40)

1

Loss from continuing operations before tax attributable to shareholders 

(76)

(102)

(450)



Notes

(i)

Sale of Taiwan agency business: In order to facilitate comparisons of operating profit based on longer-term investment returns that reflect the Group's retained operations, the results attributable to the Taiwan business for which the sale process was completed in June 2009 are included separately within the supplementary analysis of profit.

(ii)

The US broker-dealer and asset managements results includes Curian losses of £3 million (half year 2008: nil; full year 2008: £3 million).

(iii)

UK operations transferred its general insurance business to Churchill in 2002, with general insurance commission representing the net commission receivable for Prudential-branded general insurance products as part of this arrangement.

(iv)

The charge for share-based payments for Prudential schemes is for the SAYE and Group performance-related schemes.

(v)

Restructuring costs are incurred for UK insurance operations (£7 million) and central operations (£5 million).

(vi)

The shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on deferred benefit pension schemes reflects the aggregate of actual less expected returns on scheme assets, experience gains and losses, the effect of changes in assumptions, and altered provisions for deficit funding, where relevant.



Determining operating segments and performance measure of operating segments

The Group's operating segments under IFRS 8 are determined as described in note B. The operating segments are:

Insurance operations 

-

Asia

-

US (Jackson)

-

UK



Asset management operations 

-

M&G 

-

Asian asset management

-

US broker-dealer and asset management (including Curian)



The performance measure of operating segments utilised by the directors is IFRS operating profit attributable to shareholders based on longer-term investment returns. This measure excludes the recurrent items of short-term fluctuations in investment returns and the shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes. In addition, for half year 2009 this measure excludes the non-recurrent cost of hedging the Group IGD capital surplus included within short-term fluctuations in investment returns (see note F).  In the first half of 2009 the Company sold its Taiwan agency business.  In order to facilitate comparisons on a like for like basis, the loss on sale and the results of the Taiwan agency business during the period of ownership (including those for the 2008 comparatives) are shown separately within the supplementary analysis of profit.

 

For the purposes of measuring operating profit, investment returns on shareholder-financed business are based on the expected longer-term rates of return. This reflects the particular features of long-term insurance business where assets and liabilities are held for the long-term and for which the accounting basis for insurance liabilities under current IFRS is not generally conducive to demonstrating trends in underlying performance for life businesses exclusive of changes in market conditions. In determining profit on this basis, the following key elements are applied to the results of the Group's shareholder-financed operations.

(a)Debt and equity securities

Longer-term investment returns comprise income and longer-term capital returns. For debt securities the longer-term capital returns comprise two elements. These are a risk margin reserve based charge for expected defaults, which is determined by reference to the credit quality of the portfolio, and amortisation of interest-related realised gains and losses to operating results based on longer-term investment returns to the date when sold bonds would have otherwise matured.

(b)Derivative value movements

Value movements for Jackson's equity-based derivatives and variable annuity product embedded derivatives are included in operating profits based on longer-term investment returns. The inclusion of these movements is so as to broadly match with the results on the Jackson variable annuity book that pertain to equity market movements.

Other derivative value movements are excluded from operating results based on longer-term investment returns. These derivatives are primarily held by Jackson as part of a broadly-based hedging programme for features of Jackson's bond portfolio (for which value movements are booked in the statement of comprehensive income rather than the income statement) and product liabilities (for which US GAAP accounting does not reflect the economic features being hedged).

These key elements are of most importance in determining the operating results based on longer-term investment returns of Jackson.

There are two exceptions to the basis described above for determining operating results based on longer-term investment returns. These are for:

-

Unit linked and US variable annuity business.  For such business the policyholder liabilities are directly reflective of the asset value movements. Accordingly all asset value movements are recorded in the operating results based on longer-term investment returns.



-

Assets covering non participating business liabilities that are interest rate sensitive. For UK annuity business policyholder liabilities are determined by reference to current interest rates. The value movements of the assets covering liabilities are closely correlated with the related change in liabilities. Accordingly value movements on these assets are recorded within the operating results based on longer-term investment returns. Policyholder liabilities include a margin for asset impairments. Variations between actual and best estimate expected impairments are recorded as a component of short-term fluctuations in investment returns.



(c)Liabilities to policyholders and embedded derivatives for product guarantees

Under IFRS, the degree to which the carrying values of liabilities to policyholders are sensitive to current market conditions varies between territories depending upon the nature of the 'grandfathered' measurement basis. In general, in those instances where the liabilities are particularly sensitive to routine changes in market conditions, the accounting basis is such that the impact of market movements on the assets and liabilities are broadly equivalent in the income statement, and operating profit based on longer-term investments returns is not distorted. In these circumstances, there is no need for the movement in the liability to be bifurcated between the element that relates to longer-term market conditions and short-term effects.

However, some types of business movements in liabilities do require bifurcation to ensure that at the net level (i.e. after allocated investment return and change for policyholder benefits) the operating result reflects longer-term market returns.

Examples where such bifurcation is necessary are:

(i)

Asia



·     

Vietnamese participating business



For the participating business in Vietnam the liabilities include policyholders' interest in investment appreciation and other surplus. Bonuses paid in a reporting period and accrued policyholders' interest in investment appreciation and other surpluses primarily reflect the level of realised investment gains above contract specific hurdle levels. For this business, operating profit based on longer-term investment returns includes the aggregate of longer-term returns on the relevant investments, a credit or charge equal to movements on the liability for the policyholders' interest in realised investment gains (net of any recovery of prior deficits on the participating pool), less amortisation over five years of current and prior movements on such credits or charges.

The overall purpose of these adjustments is to ensure that investment returns included in operating results equal longer-term returns but that in any one reporting period movements on liabilities to policyholders caused by investment returns are substantially matched in the presentation of the supplementary analysis of profit before tax attributable to policyholders.

·     


 

???Non-participating business



Bifurcation for the effect of determining the movement in the carrying value of liabilities to be included in operating results based on longer-term investment returns, and the residual element for the effect of using year end rates in the statement of financial position.

·     


 

???Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit (GMDB) product features



For unhedged GMDB liabilities accounted for under IFRS using 'grandfathered' US GAAP, such as in the Japanese business, the change in carrying value is determined under SOP 03-01, which partially reflects changes in market conditions. Under the Company's supplementary basis of reporting the operating profit reflects the change in liability based on longer-term market conditions with the difference between the charge to the operating result and the movement reflected in the total result included in short-term fluctuations in investment returns.

(ii)

US operations - Embedded derivatives for variable annuity guarantee features



Under IFRS, the Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB) and Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit (GMIB) reinsurance are required to be fair valued as embedded derivatives. The movements in carrying values are affected by changes in the level of observed implied equity volatility and changes to the discount rate applied from period to period. For these embedded derivatives the discount rate applied reflects AA corporate bond curve rates. For the purposes of determining operating profit based on longer-term investment returns the charge for these features is determined using historical longer-term equity volatility levels and long-term average AA corporate bond rate curves.  

(iii)

UK shareholder-backed annuity business



With one exception, the operating result based on longer-term investment returns reflects the impact of all value movements on policyholder liabilities for annuity business in PRIL and the PAC non-profit sub-fund.

The exception is for the impact on credit risk provisioning of actual downgrades during the period. As this feature arises due to short-term market conditions, the effect of downgrades, if any, in a particular period, on the overall provisions for credit risk, is included in the category of short-term fluctuations in investment returns.

The effects of other changes to credit risk provisioning are included in the operating result, as is the net effect of changes to the valuation rate of interest due to portfolio rebalancing to align more closely with management benchmark.

(d)

Fund management and other non-insurance businesses



For these businesses, where the business model is more conventional than that for life assurance, it is inappropriate to include returns in the operating result on the basis described above. Instead, it is appropriate to generally include realised gains and losses (including impairments) in the operating result with unrealised gains and losses being included in short-term fluctuations. In some instances it may also be appropriate to amortise realised gains and losses on derivatives and other financial instruments to operating results over a time period that reflects the underlying substance of the arrangements.

Additional segmental analysis of revenue

The additional segmental analyses of revenue from external customers are as follows:

 

Half year 2009 

 

Asia

US

UK

Intragroup

Total

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Revenue from external customers:

         

Insurance operations

2,783

3,970

3,048

(8)

9,793

Asset management

64

190

162

(122)

294

Unallocated corporate

-

-

5

-

5

Intragroup revenue eliminated on consolidation

(32)

(29)

(69)

130

-

Total revenue from external customers

2,815

4,131

3,146

-

10,092



 

Half year 2008 

 

Asia

US

UK

Intragroup

Total

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Revenue from external customers :

         

Insurance operations

2,809

2,749

3,355

-

8,913

Asset management

106

211

249

(136)

430

Unallocated corporate

-

-

36

-

36

Intragroup revenue eliminated on consolidation

(36)

(24)

(76)

136

0

Total revenue from external customers

2,879

2,936

3,564

-

9,379



 

Full year 2008 

 

Asia

US

UK

Intragroup

Total

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Revenue from external customers:

         

Insurance operations

5,348

5,955

7,711

(10)

19,004

Asset management

202

414

497

(280)

833

Unallocated corporate

-

-

61

-

61

Intragroup revenue eliminated on consolidation

(73)

(45)

(172)

290

-

Total revenue from external customers

5,477

6,324

8,097

-

19,898



Revenue from external customers is made up of the following:

Half year 2009

Half year 2008

Full year 2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Earned premiums, net of reinsurance

9,518

8,926

18,789

Fee income from investment contract business and asset management (included within 'Other income')

574

453

1,109

Total revenue from external customers

10,092

9,379

19,898



In their capacity as fund managers to fellow Prudential Group subsidiaries, M&G, the US and the Asian asset management businesses earns fees for investment management and related services. These fees totalled £122 million in half year 2009 (half year 2008: £136 million; and full year 2008: £280 million) and are included in the asset management segment above. In half year 2009, the remaining £8 million (half year 2008: nil; full year 2008: £10 million) of intragroup revenue was recognised by UK insurance operations.  These services are charged at appropriate arm's length prices, typically priced as a percentage of funds under management.

D

Group statement of financial position analysis

   

(i)

Group statement of financial position



To explain more comprehensively the assets and liabilities of the Group's businesses, it is appropriate to provide analyses of the Group's statement of financial position by segment and type of business.

 

Insurance operations

Total insurance operations

Asset management operations

(note (a)) 

Unallocated to a segment (central operations)

Intra-group eliminations

30 Jun 2009 Group total 

30 Jun 2008 Group total 

31 Dec 2008

Group

total

 

UK   

US  

Asia   

       

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Assets

 

 

             

Intangible assets attributable to shareholders:

                 

Goodwill (note (b))

-

-

80

80

1,230

-

-

1,310

1,341

1,341 

Deferred acquisition costs and other

intangible assets (note P)

132

3,259

648

4,039

6

-

-

4,045

3,290

5,349 

Total

132

3,259

728

4,119

1,236

-

-

5,355

4,631

6,690 

Intangible assets attributable to with-profits funds:

                   

In respect of acquired subsidiaries for   venture fund and other investment

 purposes

159

-

-

159

-

-

-

159

174

174 

Deferred acquisition costs and other intangible assets

13

-

98

111

-

-

-

111

18

126 

Total

172

-

98

270

-

-

-

270

192

300 

Total

304

3,259

826

4,389

1,236

-

-

5,625

4,823

6,990 

Deferred tax assets 

385

1,363

101

1,849

144

156

-

2,149

1,250

2,886 

Other non investment and non-cash assets 

4,081

1,315

1,466

6,862

753

3,457

(5,464)

5,608

5,570

6,277 

                     

Investment of long term business and other

operations:

                   

Investment properties

10,455

12

12

10,479

-

-

-

10,479

13,529

11,992 

Investments accounted for using the equity method

-

-

-

-

-

6

-

6

16

10 

Financial investments:

                   

Loans (note K)

1,689

4,295

1,095

7,079

1,534

-

-

8,613

8,719

10,491 

Equity securities and portfolio holdings in unit trusts

32,853

14,984

8,160

55,997

72

-

-

56,069

75,876

62,122 

Debt securities (note L)

59,231

20,896

8,294

88,421

978

-

-

89,399

83,806

95,224 

Other investments

4,216

1,103

191

5,510

358

217

-

6,085

4,528

6,301 

Deposits

7,668

577

539

8,784

22

-

-

8,806

8,194

7,294 

Total Investments

116,112

41,867

18,291

176,270

2,964

223

-

179,457

194,668

193,434 

Properties held-for sale 

5

-

-

5

-

-

-

5

-

-

Cash and cash equivalents 

2,873

343

1,142

4,358

1,546

638

-

6,542

4,844

5,955 

Total assets

123,760

48,147

21,826

193,733

6,643

4,474

(5,464)

199,386

211,155

215,542 



 

Insurance operations

Total insurance operations

Asset management operations

(note (a)) 

Unallocated to a segment (central operations)

Intra-group eliminations

30 Jun 2009 Group total 

30 Jun 2008 Group total 

31 Dec 2008

Group

total

 

UK   

US  

Asia   

       

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Equity and liabilities

               

Equity

                   

Shareholders' equity 

1,749

2,046

1,576

5,371

1,637

(2,288)

-

4,720

5,552

5,058 

Minority interests

26

-

2

28

1

-

-

29 

98

55 

Total equity

1,775

2,046

1,578

5,399

1,638

(2,288)

-

4,749

5,650

5,113 

Liabilities

                   

Policyholder liabilities and unallocated

 surplus of with profits funds:

                   

Contract liabilities including amounts in respect of contracts classified as investment contracts under IFRS 4)

105,369

41,492

18,186

165,047

-

-

-

165,047

169,113

173,977

Unallocated surplus of with-profits

funds (reflecting application of 'realistic' basis provisions for UK regulated with profits funds) 

7,015

-

46

7,061

-

-

-

7,061 

12,560

8,414 

Total policyholder liabilities and  unallocated surplus of with profits funds

112,384

41,492

18,232

172,108

-

-

-

172,108

181,673

182,391 

Core structural borrowings of shareholder

financed operations:

                   

Subordinated debt

-

-

-

-

-

2,198

-

2,198

1,603

1,987 

Other

-

152

-

152

-

549

-

701 

923

971 

Total (note N)

-

152

-

152

-

2,747

-

2,899

2,526

2,958 

Operational borrowings attributable to

 shareholder financed operations  (note O)

28

297

133

458

5

2,392

-

2,855

2,908

1,977 

Borrowings attributable to with-profits

operations (note O)

1,349

-

-

1,349

-

-

-

1,349

937

1,308 

Deferred tax liabilities

1,198

1,075

352

2,625

7

19

-

2,651

2,843

3,229 

Other non-insurance liabilities

7,026

3,085

1,531 

11,642

4,993

1,604

(5,464)

12,775

14,618

18,566 

Total liabilities

121,985

46,101

20,248

188,334

5,005

6,762

(5,464)

194,637

205,505

210,429 

Total equity and liabilities

123,760

48,147

21,826

193,733

6,643

4,474

(5,464)

199,386

211,155

215,542 



(a)

Asset management operations



 

M&G

US 

Asia

Total

30 Jun 2009

Total 30 Jun

2008

Total 31 Dec 2008

£m

£m

£m

£m 

£m

£m

Assets

           

Intangible assets:

           

   Goodwill 

1,153

16

61

1,230

1,230

1,230 

   Deferred acquisition costs

6

-

-

6

5

Total

1,159

16

61

1,236

1,235

1,236 

             

Other non-investment and non-cash assets 

665

145

87

897

425

295

             

Loans (note K)

1,534

-

-

1,534

2,488

1,763 

Equity securities and portfolio holdings in unit trusts

65

-

7

72

24

23 

Debt securities (note L)

966

-

12

978

1,024

991 

Other investments 

352

4

2

358

159

462 

Deposits

7

5

10

22

135

64 

Total investments

2,924

9

31

2,964

3,830

3,303 

Cash and cash equivalents (note (iii))

1,434

28

84

1,546

1,779

1,472 

Total assets

6,182

198

263

6,643

7,269

6,306 

             

Equity and liabilities

           

Equity

           

Shareholders' equity (note (i))

1,331

101

205

1,637

1,618

1,642 

Minority interests 

1

-

-

1

54

Total equity

1,332

101

205

1,638

1,672

1,643 

Liabilities

           

Intra-group debt represented by operational borrowings at 

Group level (note (ii))

2,392

-

-

2,392

2,321

1,278 

Net asset value attributable to external holders of 

consolidated funds (note (iii))

524

-

-

524

1,474

1,065 

Other non-insurance liabilities

1,934

97

58

2,089

1,802

2,320 

Total liabilities

4,850

97

58

5,005

5,597

4,663 

Total equity and liabilities

6,182

198

263

6,643

7,269

6,306 



Notes

(i)

M&G shareholders' equity include those in respect of Prudential Capital

(ii)

Intra Group debt represented by operational borrowings at Group level 

Operational borrowings for M&G are in respect of Prudential Capital's short-term fixed income security programme and comprise £2,385 million (30 June 2008: £2,314 million; 31 Dec 2008: £1,269 million) of commercial paper and £7 million (30 June 2008: £7 million; 31 Dec 2008: £9 million) of medium-term notes, see note O.

(iii)

Consolidated investment funds

The M&G statement of financial position shown above includes investment funds which are managed on behalf of third parties. In respect of the consolidated investment funds, the statement of financial position includes cash and cash equivalents of £278 million and net asset value attributable to external unit holders of £524 million which are non-recourse to M&G and the Group.

   

(b)

Goodwill attributable to shareholders

   
 

Goodwill attributable to shareholders has decreased from £1,341 million at 31 December 2008 to £1,310 million at 30 June 2009 due to the write-off of the goodwill of £44 million relating to the sold Taiwan agency business offset by additional consideration paid in relation to other Asian subsidiaries.



(ii)

Group statement of financial position - additional analysis by type of business



   

Shareholder-backed business

         
 

Participating funds

Unit-linked and variable annuity

Non-linked business

Asset management operations 

Unallocated to a segment (central operations)

Intra-group eliminations

30 Jun 2009 Group total 

30 Jun 2008 Group total

31 Dec 2008 Group total 

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Assets

                 

Intangible assets attributable to shareholders:

                 

Goodwill

-

-

80

1,230

-

-

1,310

1,341

1,341 

Deferred acquisition costs and other

intangible assets

-

-

4,039

6

-

-

4,045

3,290

5,349 

Total

-

-

4,119

1,236

-

-

5,355

4,631

6,690 

Intangible assets attributable to with

profits funds:

                 

In respect of acquired subsidiaries for

venture fund and other investment

purposes

159

-

-

-

-

-

159

174

174 

Deferred acquisition costs and other

 intangible assets

111

-

-

-

-

-

111

18

126 

Total

270

-

-

-

-

-

270

192

300 

Total

270

-

4,119

1,236

-

-

5,625

4,823

6,990 

Deferred tax assets

240

-

1,609

144

156

-

2,149

1,250

2,886 

Other non-investment and non-cash assets 

2,920

601

3,341

753

3,457

(5,464)

5,608

5,570

6,277 

Investment of long  term business and

other operations:

                 

Investment properties

8,507

616

1,356

-

-

-

10,479

13,529

11,992 

Investments accounted for using the equity method

-

-

-

-

6

-

6

16

10 

Financial investments:

                 

Loans (note K)

1,781

47

5,251

1,534

-

-

8,613

8,719

10,491 

Equity securities and portfolio holdings in unit trusts

26,098

29,295

604

72

-

-

56,069

75,876

62,122 

Debt securities (note L)

41,753

6,763

39,905

978

-

-

89,399

83,806

95,224 

Other investments

3,917

235

1,358

358

217

-

6,085

4,528

6,301 

Deposits

6,300

780

1,704

22

-

-

8,806

8,194

7,294 

Total Investments

88,356

37,736

50,178

2,964

223

-

179,457

194,668

193,434 

Properties held-for-sale 

2

3

-

-

-

-

5

-

-

Cash and cash equivalents 

1,835

1,102

1,421

1,546

638

-

6,542

4,844

5,955 

Total assets

93,623

39,442

60,668

6,643

4,474

(5,464)

199,386

211,155

215,542 



   

Shareholder-backed business

         
 

Participating funds

Unit-linked and variable annuity

Non-linked business

Asset management operations 

Unallocated to a segment (central operations)

Intra-group eliminations

30 Jun 

2009 Group total 

30 Jun 2008 Group total

31 Dec

 2008 Group total 

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Equity and liabilities

                 

Equity

                 

Shareholders' equity 

-

-

5,371

1,637

(2,288)

-

4,720

5,552

5,058 

Minority interests

26

-

2

1

-

-

29

98

55 

Total equity

26

-

5,373

1,638

(2,288)

-

4,749

5,650

5,113 

Liabilities

                 

Policyholder liabilities and unallocated surplus of with profits funds:

                 

Contract liabilities (including amounts in respect of contracts classified as

 investment contracts under IFRS 4)

79,291

38,299

47,457

-

-

-

165,047

169,113

173,977 

Unallocated surplus of with profits funds (reflecting application of 'realistic' basis

provisions for UK regulated with-profits funds) 

7,061

-

-

-

-

-

7,061

12,560

8,414 

Total policyholder liabilities and

 unallocated surplus of with profits funds

86,352

38,299

47,457

-

-

-

172,108

181,673

182,391 

Core structural borrowings of

shareholder-financed operations:

                 

Subordinated debt

-

-

-

-

2,198

-

2,198

1,603

1,987 

Other

-

-

152

-

549

-

701

923

971 

Total

-

-

152

-

2,747

-

2,899

2,526

2,958 

Operational borrowings attributable to shareholder financed operations 

-

-

458

5

2,392

-

2,855

2,908

1,977 

Borrowings attributable to with-profits operations

1,349

-

-

-

-

-

1,349

937

1,308 

Deferred tax liabilities

1,012

-

1,613

7

19

-

2,651

2,843

3,229 

Other non-insurance liabilities

4,884

1,143

5,615

4,993

1,604

(5,464)

12,775

14,618

18,566

Total liabilities

93,597

39,442

55,295

5,005

6,762

(5,464)

194,637

205,505

210,429 

Total equity and liabilities

93,623

39,442

60,668

6,643

4,474

(5,464)

199,386

211,155

215,542 



E

Key assumptions, estimates and bases used to measure insurance assets and liabilities

   

(i)

Asian insurance operations: exceptional credit of £63 million regarding the liability measurement for Malaysia long-term business

   
 

For the Malaysia life business, under the basis applied previously, 2008 IFRS basis liabilities were determined on the local regulatory basis using prescribed interest rates such that a high degree of prudence resulted. As of 1 January 2009, the local regulatory basis has been replaced by the Malaysian authority's risk-based capital (RBC) framework. In the light of this development; the Company has re-measured the liabilities by reference to the method applied under the new RBC framework, which is more realistic than the previous approach, but with an overlay constraint to the method such that negative reserves derived at an individual policyholder level are not included. This change has resulted in a one-off release from liabilities at 1 January 2009 of £63 million.

   

(ii)

US insurance operations

   
 

There were no changes of assumptions that had a material impact on the half year 2009 results of the US insurance operations.

   

(iii)

UK insurance operations - annuity business: allowance for credit risk

   
 

For IFRS reporting, the results for UK shareholder-backed annuity business are particularly sensitive to the allowances made for credit risk. The allowance is reflected in the deduction from the valuation rate of interest for discounting projected future annuity payments to policyholders that would have otherwise applied. The valuation rate that is applied includes a liquidity premium that reflects the residual element of current bond spreads over swap rates after providing for the credit risk.

The weighted components of the bond spread over swap rates for shareholder-backed fixed and linked annuity business for PRIL based on the asset mix at the balance sheet dates are shown below. The credit quality of debt securities held by UK annuity and other shareholder backed non-linked long-term business is shown in note L(i).



30 June 2009

Pillar I regulatory basis

(bps)

Adjustment from regulatory to IFRS basis (bps)

IFRS 

(bps)

Bond spread over swap rates (note (i))

275

-

275

Credit risk allowance

     

   Long-term expected defaults (note (ii))

24

-

24

   Long-term credit risk premium (note (iii))

15

-

15

   Short-term allowance for credit risk (note (iv))

46

(28)

18

Total credit risk allowance

85

(28)

57

Liquidity premium

190

28

218



30 June 2008

Pillar I regulatory basis

(bps)

Adjustment from regulatory to IFRS basis

(bps)

IFRS 

(bps)

Bond spread over swap rates (note (i))

132

-

132

Credit risk allowance

     

    Long-term expected defaults (note (ii))

15

-

15

    Long-term credit risk premium (note (iii))

11

(5)

6

    Short-term allowance for credit risk (note (iv))

19

(17)

2

Total credit risk allowance

45

(22)

23

Liquidity premium

87

22

109



31 December 2008

Pillar I

 Regulatory

 basis

(bps)

Adjustment from regulatory to IFRS basis

(bps)

IFRS 

(bps)

Bond spread over swap rates (note (i))

323

-

323

Credit risk allowance

     

    Long-term expected defaults (note (ii))

15

-

15

    Long-term credit risk premium (note (iii))

11

-

11

    Short-term allowance for credit risk (note (iv))

54

(25)

29

Total credit risk allowance

80

(25)

55

Liquidity premium

243

25

268



Notes

(i)

Bond spread over swap rates reflect market observed data.

   

(ii)

Long-term expected defaults are derived by applying Moody's data from 1970 to 2004 uplifted by between 100 per cent (B) and 200 per cent (AAA) according to credit rating on the annuity asset portfolio. The credit rating assigned to each asset held is based on external credit rating and for this purpose the credit rating assigned to each asset held is the lowest credit rating published by Moody's, Standard and Poors and Fitch. The increase in this assumption during 2009 reflects the downgrades that have occurred during the year.

   

(iii)

The long-term credit risk premium provides compensation against the risk of potential volatility in the level of defaults and is derived by applying the 95th percentile from Moody's data from 1970 to 2004 to the annuity asset portfolio. The increase in this assumption during 2009 reflects the downgrades that have occurred during the year.

   

(iv)

During the second half of 2007, corporate bond spreads widened significantly and the methodology was reviewed to ensure that it still made appropriate allowance for credit risk. As a result of this review a short-term allowance for credit risk was established in the Pillar I reserves at 31 December 2007 to allow for the concern that credit ratings applied by rating agencies to individual bonds might be over optimistic and that default experience in the short-term might be higher than the long-term assumptions.  

The short-term allowance for credit risk assumed in the Pillar I solvency valuations at 31 December 2007, 30 June 2008 and 31 December 2008 were determined as 25 per cent of the increase in corporate bond spreads (as estimated from the movements in published corporate bond indices) since 31 December 2006. During 2009 the short-term allowance for credit risk has not been derived by reference to credit spreads; rather it has been reduced in order to offset the impact of actual downgrades during the period on the long-term assumption, and increased to eliminate the positive experience variance that would otherwise have arisen from the small number of actual defaults observed in the period.

The very prudent Pillar I regulatory basis reflects the overriding objective of ensuring sufficient provisions and capital to ensure payments to policyholders can be made. The approach for IFRS, on the other hand, aims to establish liabilities that are closer to 'best estimate'. In years prior to 2008 long-term IFRS default assumptions had been set mid-way between the EEV and Pillar I assumptions. At 31 December 2008, in light of the increased uncertainty surrounding future credit default experience, the IFRS long-term assumptions was strengthened to bring them into line with the long-term Pillar I default assumptions. In addition a short-term allowance for credit risk was established but at a lower level than allowed for in the Pillar I regulatory basis.

During 2009 the IFRS long-term assumptions have been increased in line with the changes to the Pillar I long-term assumptions, and the short-term allowance for credit risk has been reduced in order to offset the impact of actual downgrades during the period on the long-term assumptions, and increased to eliminate the positive experience variance that would otherwise have arisen from the small number of actual defaults observed in the period.



F

Short-term fluctuations in investment returns on shareholder-backed business



    

   

Half year 2009

Half year 

2008

Full year

2008

   

£m

£m

£m

Insurance operations:

     

Asian (note (i))

(41)

(197)

(138)

US (note (ii))

165

(181)

(1,058)

UK (note (iii))

(63)

(82)

(212)

Other operations 

     

- IGD hedge costs (note (iv))

(216)

-

-

- Other (note (v))

75

(157)

(313)

 

(141)

(157)

(313)

Total

(80)

(617)

(1,721)



Notes

(i)

Asian insurance operations

 

The fluctuations for Asian operations in half year 2009 of a charge of £41 million primarily relate to unrealised losses on the shareholder debt portfolio in the period.

(ii)

US insurance operations

 

The short-term fluctuations in investment returns for US insurance operations comprise the following items:



 

Half year

 2009

Half year 

2008

Full year

2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Short-term fluctuations relating to debt securities:

     

Charges in the period (note a)

     

Defaults

-

-

(78)

Losses on sales of impaired and deteriorating bonds 

(44)

(6)

(130)

Bond write downs 

(324)

(103)

(419)

Recoveries / reversals

2

1

3

 

(366)

(108)

(624) 

Less: Risk margin charge included in operating profit based on longer-term investment returns

41

23

54

 

(325)

(85)

(570)

Interest related realised gains (losses):

     

Arising in the period

75

(2)

(25)

Less: Amortisation of gains and losses arising in current and prior periods to operating profit based on longer-term investment returns

(34)

(15)

(28)

 

41

(17)

(53)

Related change to amortisation of deferred acquisition costs

37

14

88

Total short-term fluctuation related to debt securities

(247)

(88)

(535)

Derivatives (other than equity related): market value movement (net of related change to amortisation of deferred acquisition costs) (note b)

339

(64)

(369)

Equity type investments : actual less longer-term return (net of related change to amortisation of deferred acquisition costs)

(40)

(32)

(69)

Other items (net of related change to amortisation of deferred acquisition costs) (note c)

113

3

(85)

Total

165

(181)

(1,058)



a

The charges in the period relating to debt securities of Jackson comprise the following:



 

Half year

 2009

Half year

2008

Full year

2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Residential mortgage-backed securities:

 

 

 

Prime

123

6

25

Alt-A

98

75

138

Sub-prime

18

4

Total residential mortgage-backed securities

239

81

167

Piedmont securities

5

3

Corporates

80

22

280

Preferred stock and other

47

Losses on sales of impaired and deteriorating bonds net of recoveries

42

5

127

 

366

108

624



 

Jackson experienced less than £1 million of bond default losses during the first half of 2009.

b

The gain of £339 million (half year 2008: charge of £64 million; full year 2008: charge of £369 million) value movement is for freestanding derivatives held to manage the fixed annuity and other general account business. Under IAS 39, unless hedge accounting is applied value movements on derivatives are recognised in the income statement. Except in respect of variable annuity business, the value movements on derivatives held by Jackson are separately identified within short-term fluctuations in investment returns.  

Derivative value movements in respect of variable annuity business are included within the operating profit based on longer-term investment returns to broadly match with the commercial effects to which the variable annuity derivative programme relates.

For the derivatives programme attaching to the fixed annuity and other general account business the Group has continued in its approach of not seeking to  apply hedge accounting under IAS 39. This decision reflects the inherent constraints of IAS 39 for hedge accounting investments and life assurance assets and liabilities under 'grandfathered' US GAAP under IFRS 4.

   

c

The £113 million gain (half year 2008: gain of £3 million; full year 2008: charge of £85 million) for other items shown above comprises a gain of £91 million for the difference between the charge for embedded derivatives included in the operating result and the charge to the total result and £22 million of other items. For embedded derivatives the operating result reflects the application of 10-year average AA corporate bond rate curves and a static historical equity volatility assumption. The total result reflects the application of period-end AA corporate bond rate curves and current equity volatility levels.  

In addition, for US insurance operations, included within the statement of comprehensive income is a reduction in net unrealised losses on debt securities classified as available-for-sale of £808 million (half year 2008: increase in net unrealised losses of £677 million; full year 2008 : increase in net unrealised losses of £2,104 million). Additional details on the movement in the value of the Jackson portfolio are included in note M.

   

(iii)

UK insurance operations

 

The half year 2009 short-term fluctuations charge for UK insurance operations of £63 million reflects asset value movements principally on the shareholder backed annuity business. The full year 2008 charge of £212 million also included a charge of £42 million for the effect of credit downgrades on the calculation of liabilities for shareholder-backed annuity business in PRIL and PAC non-profit sub-fund.

   

(iv)

IGD hedge costs

 

During the severe equity market conditions experienced in the first quarter of 2009 the Group entered into exceptional overlay short-dated hedging contracts to protect against potential tail-events on the IGD capital position, in addition to the regular operational hedging programmes. The vast majority of the costs related to the hedge have been incurred in the first half of 2009, with £216 million being included in the income statement in this period. At 30 June 2009 the Group held equity options for this potential exposure with a remaining fair value of £36 million. We fully anticipate that these options will be held to their expiration, with all options expiring before the end of 2009.

   

(v)

Other operations

 

The credit of £75 million (half year 2008: charge £157 million; full year 2008: charge £313 million) for short-term fluctuations for other operations primarily arises from unrealised value movements of £69 million in swaps held centrally to manage Group assets and liabilities (half year 2008: charge £49 million; full year 2008: charge £38 million). For 2008, a charge of £71 million was incurred in relation to the sale of an India mutual fund in May 2008.



G

Sale of legacy agency book and agency force in Taiwan to China Life Insurance of Taiwan



On 20 February 2009, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement to sell the assets and liabilities of its agency distribution business and its agency force in Taiwan to China Life Insurance Company Ltd of Taiwan for the nominal sum of NT$1 subject to regulatory approval. In addition, the Company would invest £45 million to purchase a 9.99 per cent stake in China Life through a share placement. The business transferred represented 94 per cent of Prudential's in-force liabilities in Taiwan and included Prudential's legacy interest rate guaranteed products with IFRS basis gross assets at 31 December 2008 of £4.5 billion. After taking account of IFRS shareholders' equity of the business at 31 December 2008, provisions for restructuring costs, and other costs the Group's IFRS shareholders' equity at 31 December 2008 was expected to decrease by approximately £595 million.  

The Company retains its interest in life insurance business in Taiwan through its retained bank distribution partnerships and its direct investment of 9.99 per cent in China Life. 

The sale was completed, following regulatory approval, on 19 June 2009. The trading results shown below are for the period 1 January to 19 June 2009.

The carrying value of the IFRS equity of the business, as applied in the calculation of the loss on sale, reflects the application of 'grandfathered' US GAAP under IFRS 4 of insurance assets and liabilities.  US GAAP does not, and is not designed to, include the cost of holding economic capital to support the legacy interest rate guaranteed products as recognised under the Company's supplementary reporting basis under European Embedded Value principles.  The IFRS loss on sale reflects this missing element of the economic value. The effects on the IFRS income statement and equity attributable to shareholders is shown below.

The loss on sale and trading results of the Taiwan agency business for the period of ownership comprise:

 

Half year

2009

Half year

2008

Full year

2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Loss on sale:

     

As estimated and announced on 20 February 2009:

     

Proceeds

-

-

-

Net asset value attributable to equity holders of the Company and provision for restructuring costs 

(551)

-

-

Goodwill written off

(44)

-

-

 

(595)

-

-

Trading losses to completion, net of tax, as shown below

44

-

-

Minority interests and other adjustments

(8)

-

-

Loss on sale of the Taiwan agency business, gross and net of tax (as shown in income statement)

(559)

-

-

       

Trading results before tax (including short-term fluctuations in investment returns) 

(62)

(40)

1

Related tax

18

(6)

(4)

Total

(44)

(46)

(3)

Loss on sale and trading results of the Taiwan agency business:

     

- Gross of tax

(621)

(40)

1

- Tax

18

(6)

(4)

- Net of tax

(603)

(46)

(3)

       

Attributable to:

     

Equity holders of the Company

(598)

(45)

(3)

Minority interests

(5)

(1)

-

Loss on sale and results of the Taiwan agency business,  net of tax

(603)

(46)

(3)



The loss on disposal of £559 million includes cumulative foreign exchange gains of £9 million recycled through the profit and loss account as required by IAS 21. The impact on shareholders' funds of the disposal (including trading losses up to the date of disposal) is £607 million. The difference of £12 million from the estimate of £595 million reflects a number of minor adjustments. 

Cash and cash equivalents disposed of were £388 million and restructuring and other costs incurred in cash in the period were £3 million.  In addition, the Company invested £45 million in China Life as described above.  Accordingly, the cash outflow for the Group arising from the sale of the Taiwan agency business, as shown in the summary consolidated statement of cash flows, was £436 million. 

In order to facilitate comparisons of the Group's retained businesses, the presentation of the supplementary analysis of IFRS loss before shareholder tax (as shown in note C) has been adjusted to show separately the result for the sold Taiwan agency business, as explained below.

 

Half year 2008

Full year 2008

 

As previously

published

Adjustment

Adjusted

As previously

published

Adjustment

Adjusted

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns

674

(27)

647

1,347

(64)

1,283

Short-term fluctuations in investment returns

(684)

67

(617)

(1,783)

62

(1,721)

Shareholders' share of actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes

(92)

-

(92)

(14)

1

(13)

Results of sold Taiwan agency business

Included above

(40)

(40)

Included

 above

1

1

Loss before tax

(102)

-

(102)

(450)

-

(450)



H

Tax

   

(i)

Tax (charge) credit



The total tax charge of £103 million for half year 2009 (half year 2008: credit of £625 million; full year 2008: credit of £1,683 million) comprises a credit of £69 million (half year 2008: £670 million; full year 2008: £1,758 million) for UK tax and a charge of £172 million (half year 2008: £45 million; full year 2008: £75 million) for overseas tax. This tax charge comprises tax attributable to policyholders and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds, unit-linked policies and shareholders. The tax charge attributable to shareholders of £182 million for half year 2009 (half year 2008: charge of £12 million; full year 2008: credit of £59 million) comprises a charge of £53 million (half year 2008: charge of £4 million; full year 2008: credit of £95 million) for UK tax and a charge of £129 million (half year 2008: £8 million; full year 2008: £36 million) for overseas tax.

(ii)

Deferred tax asset and liabilities



The deferred tax asset is made up as follows:

   

30 Jun
2009

£m

30 Jun

2008

£m

31 Dec

2008

 £m

Unrealised losses on investments

875

187

1,267

Balance relating to investment and insurance contracts

12

1

12

Short-term timing differences

1,131

1,011

1,282

Capital allowances 

36

12

16

Unused deferred tax losses

95

39

309

Total

 

2,149

1,250

2,886



Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that they are regarded as recoverable, that is to the extent that, on the basis of all available evidence, it can be regarded as more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable profits from which the future reversal of the underlying temporary differences can be deducted.  The decrease at 30 June 2009 compared to 31 December 2008 is primarily due to the continuing increase in value of investments in Jackson along with the utilisation of tax losses from prior periods. 

The UK taxation regime applies separate rules to trading and capital profits and losses. The distinction between temporary differences that arise from items of either a trading or capital nature may affect the recognition of deferred tax assets. Accordingly, for the 2009 half year results and financial position at 30 June 2009, the possible tax benefit of approximately £234 million (30 June 2008: £240 million; 31 December 2008: £211 million), which may arise from capital losses valued at approximately £1.1 billion (30 June 2008: £1.2 billion; 31 December 2008: £1 billion), is sufficiently uncertain that it has not been recognised. In addition, a potential deferred tax asset of £816 million (30 June 2008: £148 million; 31 December 2008: £678 million), which may arise from tax losses and other potential temporary differences totalling £2.8 billion (30 June 2008: £424 million; 31 December 2008: £2.2 billion) is sufficiently uncertain that it has not been recognised. Forecasts as to when the tax losses and other temporary differences are likely to be utilised indicate that they may not be utilised in the short term.

The deferred tax liability is made up as follows:

 

30 Jun
2009

 £m

30 Jun

2008

£m

31 Dec

2008

£m

Unrealised gains on investments

609

1,486

765

Balance relating to investment and insurance contracts

861

467

968

Short-term timing differences

1,173

882

1,490

Capital allowances 

8

8

6

Total

2,651

2,843

3,229 



Unprovided deferred income tax liabilities on temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and interests in joint ventures are considered to be insignificant due to the availability of various UK tax exemptions and reliefs.

(iii)

Factors influencing the effective rate of tax attributable to shareholders' returns



The effective tax rate on the loss of the period was negative 239 per cent for the period (half year 2008: negative 12 per cent; full year 2008: positive 13 per cent) which has been adversely impacted by the fact that the Taiwan loss on disposal has no corresponding tax relief. 

I

Supplementary analysis of earnings per share from continuing operations



Earnings per share (in pence)

Basic and diluted

Half year

2009

Half year 

2008

Full year

2008

From operating profit based on longer-term investment returns after related tax and minority interests

20.5p

18.6p

39.9p

Adjustment from post-tax longer-term investment returns to post-tax actual investment returns (after related minority interests)

(4.7)p

(18.8)p

(55.4)p

Adjustment from post-tax shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes

(1.8)p

(2.7)p

(0.4)p

Adjustment from loss on sale and result of Taiwan agency business 

(24.2)p

(1.8)p

(0.1)p

Based on loss from continuing operations after tax and minority interests

(10.2)p

(4.7)p

(16.0)p



The average number of shares for the half year 2009 was 2,489 million (half year 2008: 2,465 million; full year 2008: 2,472 million). In addition there were one million potential ordinary shares that have not been included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share as their inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect due to the losses for the periods (half year 2008: one million; full year 2008: one million).

J

Dividend



   

Half year

Half year

Full year

Dividends per share (in pence)

2009

2008

2008 

Dividends relating to reporting period:

     

Interim dividend (2009 and 2008)

6.29p

5.99p

5.99p

Final dividend (2008) 

-

-

12.91p

Total

6.29p

5.99p

18.90p

Dividends declared and paid in reporting period:

     

Current year interim dividend

-

-

5.99p

Final dividend for prior year

12.91p

12.30p

12.30p

Total

12.91p

12.30p

18.29p



An interim dividend of 6.29p per share will be paid on 24 September 2009 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 21 August 2009. The dividend will absorb an estimated £159 million of shareholders' funds. A scrip dividend alternative will be offered to shareholders.

K

Loans portfolio



Loans are accounted for at amortised cost unless impaired. The amounts included in the statement of financial position are analysed as follows:

 

30 Jun

2009

30 Jun

2008

31 Dec

2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Insurance operations

     

UK (note(i))

1,689

1,536

1,902

US (note (ii))

4,295

3,521

5,121

Asia (note (iii))

1,095

1,174

1,705

Asset management operations

     

M&G (note (iv))

1,534

2,488

1,763

Total

8,613

8,719

10,491



Notes

(i)

UK insurance operations

 

The loans of the Group's UK insurance operations of £1,689 million at 30 June 2009 (30 June 2008: £1,536 million; 31 December 2008: £1,902 million) comprise loans held by the PAC with-profits funds of £1,065 million (30 June 2008: £1,115 million; 31 December 2008: £1,345 million) and loans held by shareholder-backed business of £624 million (30 June 2008: £421 million; 31 December 2008: £557 million).  

The loans held by the PAC with-profits fund comprise mortgage loans of £147 million, policy loans of £26 million and other loans of £892 million (30 June 2008: £154 million, £32 million and £929 million respectively; 31 December 2008: £150 million, £29 million and £1,166 million respectively). The mortgage loans are collateralised by properties. Other loans held by the PAC with-profits fund are all commercial loans and comprise mainly syndicated loans.

The loans held by the UK  shareholder-backed business comprise mortgage loans collateralised by properties of £619 million (30 June 2008: £415 million; 31 December 2008: £551 million) and other loans of £5 million (30 June 2008: £6 million; 31 December 2008: £6 million).

   

(ii)

 US insurance operations

 

The loans of the Group's US insurance operations of £4,295 million at 30 June 2009 (30 June 2008: £3,521 million; 31 December 2008 £5,121 million) comprise mortgage loans of £3,780 million and policy loans of £515 million (30 June 2008: £3,101million and £420 million respectively 31 December 2008: £4,534 million and £587 million respectively). All of the mortgage loans are commercial mortgage loans which are collateralised by properties. The property types are mainly industrial, multi-family residential, suburban office, retail and hotel. The breakdown by property type is as follows:



 

30 Jun

 2009

%

30 Jun

 2008

%

31 Dec 

2008

%

Industrial

33

29

29

Multi-Family

18

23

21

Office

21

20

21

Retail

17

16

17

Hotels

10

10

10

Other

1

2

2

 

100

100

100



 

The US insurance operations' commercial mortgage loan portfolio does not include any single-family residential mortgage loans and is therefore not exposed to the risk of defaults associated with residential sub-prime mortgage loans. The US commercial mortgage loan portfolio consists of collateralised commercial mortgage loans. The average loan size is £6.5 million. The portfolio has a current estimated average loan to value of 74 per cent which provides significant cushion to withstand substantial declines in value.

The policy loans are fully secured by individual life insurance policies or annuity policies.  

   

(iii)

Asian insurance operations

 

The loans of the Group's Asian insurance operations of £1,095 million at 30 June 2009 (30 June 2008: £1,174 million; 31 December 2008: £1,705 million) comprise mortgage loans of £4 million, policy loans of £402 million and other loans of £689 million (30 June 2008: £166 million, £472 million and £ 536 million respectively; 31 December 2008: £238 million, £675 million and £792 million respectively). The mortgage and policy loans are secured by properties and life insurance policies respectively.

The majority of the other loans are commercial loans held by the Malaysian operation and which are all investment graded by two local rating agencies.

   

(iv)

M&G

 

The M&G loans of £1,534 million (30 June 2008: £2,488 million of which £951 million was a structured finance arrangement; 31 December 2008: £1,763 million) relate to bridging loan finance managed by Prudential Capital. The bridging loan finance assets generally have no external credit ratings available, with internal ratings prepared by the Group's asset management operations as part of the risk management process rating £1,013 million BBB+ to BBB- (30 June 2008: £630 million; 31 December 2008: £1,100 million) and £521 million BB+ to BB- (30 June 2008: £907 million; 31 December 2008: £663 million). 



L

Debt securities portfolio



Debt securities are carried at fair value. The amounts included in the statement of financial position are analysed as follows, with further information relating to the credit quality of the Group's debt securities at 30 June 2009 provided in the notes below.

 

30 Jun

2009

30 Jun

2008

31 Dec

2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Insurance operations

     

UK (note(i))

59,231

56,736

58,871

US (note (ii))

20,896

18,504

24,249

Asia (note (iii)) 

8,294

7,542

11,113

Asset management operations (note (iv))

978

1,024

991

Total

89,399

83,806

95,224



Notes

In the tables below, Standard and Poor's (S&P) ratings have been used where available. For securities where S&P ratings are not available, those produced by Moody's and then Fitch have been used as an alternative.

(i)

UK insurance operations



   

PAC-with profits sub-fund

 

Other funds and subsidiaries

 

UK insurance operations

 

Scottish Amicable Insurance Fund

Excluding Prudential Annuities Limited

Prudential Annuities Limited

Total

 

Unit-linked assets and liabilities

PRIL

Other annuity and long-term business

 

30 Jun

2009

Total

31 Dec

2008

Total

 
 

£m

£m

£m

£m

 

£m

£m 

£m

 

£m

£m

 

S&P - AAA

987

4,831

2,465

7,296

 

2,846

4,556

886

 

16,571

18,981

 

S&P - AA+ to AA-

331

1,917

1,141

3,058

 

474

1,553

257

 

5,673

6,012

 

S&P - A+ to A-

1,002

5,887

3,530

9,417

 

969

4,379

592

 

16,359

15,929

 

S&P - BBB+ to BBB-

807

4,433

1,181

5,614

 

362

1,964

394

 

9,141

7,413

 

S&P - Other

266

1,335

109

1,444

 

31

253

45

 

2,039

1,033

 
 

3,393

18,403

8,426

26,829

 

4,682

12,705

2,174

 

49,783

49,368

 

Moody's - Aaa

62

282

48

330

 

-

59

16

 

467

681

 

Moody's - Aa1 to Aa3

13

90

58

148

 

8

84

22

 

275

833

 

Moody's - A1 to A3

18

111

172

283

 

4

99

16

 

420

678

 

Moody's - Baa1 to Baa3

47

263

259

522

 

18

101

24

 

712

454

 

Moody's - Other

19

110

46

156

 

-

115

12

 

302

162

 
 

159

856

583

1,439

 

30

458

90

 

2,176

2,808

 

Fitch

54

310

277

587

 

-

197

33

 

871

560

 

Other

427

2,313

2,226

4,539

 

69

1,292

74

 

6,401

6,135

 

Total debt securities

4,033

21,882

11,512

33,394

 

4,781

14,652

2,371

 

59,231

58,871

 


Where no external ratings are available, internal ratings produced by the Group's asset management operation, which are prepared on the Company's assessment of a comparable basis to external ratings, are used where possible. Of the £6,401 million total debt securities held at 30 June 2009 (31 December 2008: £6,135 million) which are not externally rated, £2,190 million were internally rated AAA to A-, £3,168 million were internally rated BBB to B- and £1,043 million were unrated (31 December 2008: £2,325 million, £3,149 million and £661 million respectively). The majority of unrated debt security investments were held in SAIF and the PAC with-profits fund and relate to convertible debt and other investments which are not covered by ratings analysts nor have an internal rating attributed to them. Of the £1,366 million PRIL and other annuity and long-term business investments which are not externally rated, £25 million were internally rated AAA, £84 million AA, £472 million A,  £582 million BBB, £162 million BB and £41 million were internally rated B- and below.

(ii)

US insurance operations



 

30 Jun

2009

31 Dec

2008

 

£m

£m

S&P - AAA

4,260

5,321

S&P - AA+ to AA-

624

853

S&P - A+ to A-

4,108

5,244

S&P - BBB+ to BBB-

6,781

7,077

S&P - Other

1,480

1,321

 

17,253

19,816

Moody's - Aaa

301

458

Moody's - Aa1 to Aa3

54

100

Moody's - A1 to A3

69

111

Moody's - Baa1 to Baa3

79

100

Moody's - Other

146

95

 

649

864

Fitch

239

464

Other* 

2,755

3,105

Total debt securities

20,896

24,249



* The amounts within Other which are not rated by S&P, Moody or Fitch have the following National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) classifications:

 

30 Jun

2009

31 Dec

2008

 

£m

£m

NAIC 1

1,085

1,334

NAIC 2

1,583

1,650

NAIC 3-6

87

121

 

2,755

3,105



(iii)

Asia insurance operations



 

With-profits business

Unit-linked 

business

Other
business

30 Jun

2009

Total

31 Dec
2008

Total

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

S&P - AAA

1,424

153

146

1,723

2,632

S&P - AA+ to AA-

819

67

528

1,414

3,746

S&P - A+ to A-

750

464

156

1,370

808

S&P - BBB+ to BBB-

397

125

93

615

902

S&P - Other

338

181

71

590

253

 

3,728

990

994

5,712

8,341

Moody's - Aaa

220

66

43

329

494

Moody's - Aa1 to Aa3

36

46

74

156

108

Moody's - A1 to A3

34

25

6

65

398

Moody's - Baa1 to Baa3

34

14

13

61

60

Moody's - Other

12

-

426

438

50

 

336

151

562

1,049

1,110

Fitch

-

32

1

33

41

Other

262

809

429

1,500

1,621

Total debt securities

4,326

1,982

1,986

8,294

11,113



Of the £429 million (31 December 2008: £555 million) of debt securities for other business which are not rated in the table above, £191 million (31 December 2008: £231 million) are in respect of government bonds and £139 million (31 December 2008: £221 million) are in respect of corporate bonds rated as investment grade by local external ratings agencies. 

(iv)

Asset Management Operations

 

Total debt securities for asset management operations of £978 million (31 December 2008: £991 million), include £966 million (31 December 2008: £959 million) related to M&G's Prudential Capital operations of which £923 million (31 December 2008: £959 million) were rated AAA to A- by S&P or Aaa by Moody's.

   

(v)

Group exposure to holdings in asset-backed securities

 

The Group's exposure to holdings in asset-backed securities, which comprise residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), CDO funds and other asset-backed securities (ABS), at 30 June 2009 is as follows:



  

 

30 Jun

2009

£m

31 Dec

2008

£m

Shareholder-backed operations:

   

UK insurance operations (note (i))

911

1,075

US insurance operations (note (ii))

5,867

7,464

Asian insurance operations (note (iii))

14

15

Other operations (note (iv))

325

407

 

7,117

8,961

With-profits operations:

   

UK insurance operations (note (i))

4,089

4,977

Asian insurance operations (note (iii))

261

328

 

4,350

5,305

     

Total

11,467

14,266



 

(i)

UK insurance operations



The UK insurance operations' exposure to asset-backed securities at 30 June 2009 comprises:

 

30 Jun

2009

£m

31 Dec

2008

£m

Shareholder-backed business (30 Jun 2009: 67% AAA, 20% AA)

911

1,075

With-profits operations (30 Jun 2009: 70% AAA, 11% AA)

4,089

4,977

Total

5,000

6,052



The UK insurance operations' exposure to asset-backed securities is mainly made up of exposure to AAA rated securities as shown in the table above. 

All of the £911 million (31 December 2008: £1,075 million) exposure of the shareholder-backed business relates to the UK market and primarily relates to investments held by PRIL. £2,400 million of the £4,089 million (31 December 2008: £2,721 million of the £4,977 million) exposure of the with-profits operations relates to exposure to the UK market while the remaining £1,689 million (31 December 2008: £2,256 million) relates to exposure to the US market. 

(ii)

US  insurance operations



US insurance operations' exposure to asset-backed securities at 30 June 2009 comprises:

 

30 Jun

2009

£m

31 Dec

2008

£m

RMBS Sub-prime (30 June 2009: 86% AAA, 1% AA)

155

291

   Alt-A (30 June 2009: 38% AAA, 8% AA)

415

646

   Prime (30 June 2009: 88% AAA, 3% AA)

2,844

3,572

CMBS (30 June 2009: 89% AAA, 6% AA)

1,725

1,869

CDO funds (30 June 2009: 25% AAA, 14% AA)*, including £1m exposure to sub-prime

207

320

ABS (30 June 2009: 23% AAA, 22% AA), including £36m exposure to sub-prime

521

766

Total

5,867

7,464



* Including the Group's economic interest in Piedmont and other consolidated CDO funds.

(iii)

Asian insurance operations

   
 

The Asian insurance operations' exposure to asset-backed securities is primarily held by the with-profits operations. 

 

The £261 million (31 December 2008: £328 million) asset-backed securities exposure of the Asian with-profit operations comprises:



 

30 Jun

2009

£m

31 Dec

2008

£m

RMBS - all without sub-prime exposure

31

46

CMBS 

64

88

CDO funds and ABS

166

194

Total

261

328



The £261 million (31 December 2008: £328 million) includes £174 million (31 December 2008: £259 million) held by investment funds consolidated under IFRS in recognition of the control arrangements for those funds and include an amount not owned by the Group with a corresponding liability of £37 million (31 December 2008: £32 million) on the statement of financial position for net asset value attributable to external unit-holders in respect of these funds, which are non-recourse to the Group. Of the £261 million, 67 per cent (31 December 2008: £328 million, 70 per cent) are investment graded by Standard & Poor's. 

(iv)

Other operations

   
 

Other operations' exposure to asset-backed securities at 30 June 2009 is held by Prudential Capital and comprises:



 

30 Jun

2009

£m

31 Dec

2008

£m

RMBS Prime (94% AAA, 6% AA)

78

106

CMBS (85% AAA, 8% AA)

187

230

CDO funds - all without sub-prime exposure (AAA)

32

38

ABS (93% AAA)

28

33

Total

325

407



M

Debt securities of US insurance operations: Valuation basis, accounting presentation of gains and losses and securities in an unrealised loss position



(i)

Valuation basis



Under IAS 39, unless categorised as 'held to maturity' debt securities are required to be fair valued. Where available, quoted market prices are used. However, where securities are in inactive markets, IAS 39 requires that valuation techniques be applied.  

In 2008, due to inactive and illiquid markets, beginning at the end of the third quarter of 2008 the external prices obtained for certain asset-backed securities were deemed not to reflect fair value in the dislocated market conditions at that time. For the valuations at 31 December 2008, Jackson had therefore utilised internal valuation models, provided by PPM America, as best estimate of fair values of all non agency Residential Mortgage-backed Securities (RMBS) and Asset-backed Securities (ABS) and certain Commercial Mortgage-backed securities (CMBS). The use of internal valuation models resulted in a fair value of these securities that was higher than the value derived from pricing services and brokers by £760 million on a total amortised cost of £3.5 billion at 31 December 2008. 

During 2009, improvements were observed in the level of liquidity for these sectors of structured securities. In the first quarter of 2009, the increased liquidity in the markets for certain tranches of non-agency RMBS and ABS resulted in Jackson being able to rely on external prices for these securities as the most appropriate measure of fair value. For those securities where the use of internal valuation models was still deemed to be the best estimate of fair value, the determined fair value at 31 March 2009 was £410 million higher than that derived from pricing services and brokers. This was reflected in the Group's first quarter 2009 Interim Management Statement published on 14 May 2009. 

Further improvements in the liquidity levels for these sectors took place in the second quarter of 2009. This enabled the use at 30 June 2009, of external prices provided from pricing services or brokers to be applied as the most appropriate measure of fair value under IAS 39 for nearly all of the remaining structured securities for which internal valuation models had been used at 31 March 2009. 

Accordingly, at 30 June 2009, nearly all of the non-agency RMBS, ABS and certain CMBS which at 31 December 2008 were valued using internal valuation models due to the dislocated market conditions in 2008, have now been valued using external prices. 

(ii)   Accounting presentation of gains and losses

With the exception of debt securities of US insurance operations classified as 'available-for-sale' under IAS 39, unrealised value movements on the Group's investments are booked within the income statement. For with-profits operations, such value movements are reflected in changes to asset share liabilities to policyholders or the liability for unallocated surplus. For shareholder-backed operations, the unrealised value movements form part of the total return for the year booked in the profit before tax attributable to shareholders. Separately, as noted elsewhere and in note C in this announcement, and as applied previously, the Group provides an analysis of this profit distinguishing operating profit based on longer-term investment return and short-term fluctuations in investment returns.

However, for debt securities classified as 'available-for-sale', unless impaired, fair value movements are recorded as a movement in shareholder reserves direct to equity as part of other comprehensive income. Impairments are recorded in the income statement as shown in note F of this announcement. This classification is applied for most of the debt securities of the Group's US insurance operations.

(iii)   Half year 2009 movements in unrealised gains and losses

In general, the debt securities of the Group's US insurance operations are purchased with the intention and the ability to hold them for the longer-term. In half year 2009 there was a movement in the statement of financial position value for these debt securities classified as available-for-sale from a net unrealised loss of £2,897 million to a net unrealised loss of £1,798 million. During half year 2009, Jackson's net unrealised loss position decreased as a result of improving credit spreads which more than offsets the negative effect on the bond values from the increase in the US treasury yields. The gross unrealised gain in the statement of financial position increased from £281 million at 31 December 2008 to £426 million at 30 June 2009, while the gross unrealised loss decreased from £3,178 million at 31 December 2008 to £2,224 million at 30 June 2009.

These features are included in the table shown below of the movements in the values of available-for-sale securities.

 

30 Jun
2009

Changes in

Unrealised

appreciation**

Foreign

exchange

translation

31 Dec
2008

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

Assets fair valued at below book value

       

Book value*

13,677

   

20,600

Unrealised loss

(2,224)

608

346

(3,178)

Fair value (as included in statement of financial position)

11,453

   

17,422

Assets fair valued at or above book value

       

Book value*

8,870

   

6,296

Unrealised gain

426

200

(55)

281

Fair value (as included in statement of financial position)

9,296

   

6,577

Total

       

Book value*

22,547

   

26,896

Net unrealised loss 

(1,798)

808

291

(2,897)

Fair value (as included in statement of financial position)***

20,749

   

23,999

Reflected as part of movement in comprehensive income

       

Movement in unrealised appreciation

808

   

(2,104)

Exchange movements

291

   

(657)

    

1,099

   

(2,761)



*Book value represents cost/amortised cost of the debt securities

**Translated at the average rate of $1.49: £1.

*** Debt securities for US operations included in the statement of financial position at 30 June 2009 of £20,896 million, and as referred to in note L, comprise £20,749 million for securities classified as available-for-sale, as shown above, and £147 million for securities of consolidated investment funds classified as fair value through profit and loss.

Included within the movement in unrealised valuation losses for the debt securities of Jackson of £608 million was an amount of £126 million relating to the sub-prime and Alt-A securities for which the carrying values at 30 June 2009 are shown in the note below.

(iv)

Securities in unrealised loss position



The following tables show some key attributes of those securities that are in an unrealised loss position at 30 June 2009.

(a)

Fair value of securities as a percentage of book value



The unrealised losses in the Jackson statement of financial position on unimpaired securities are £2,224 million (31 December 2008: £3,178 million) relating to assets with fair market value and book value of £11,453 million (31 December 2008: £17,422 million) and £13,677 million (31 December 2008: £20,600 million) respectively. The following table shows the fair value of the securities in a gross unrealised loss position for various percentages of book value:

 

30 Jun 2009

31 Dec 2008

 

Fair value

 £m

Unrealised loss

£m

Fair value

 £m

Unrealised loss

£m

Between 90% and 100%

6,743

(265)

8,757

(431)

Between 80% and 90%

2,487

(428)

4,581

(809)

Below 80% 

2,223

(1,531)

4,084

(1,938)

 

11,453

(2,224)

17,422

(3,178)



Included within the table above are amounts relating to sub-prime and Alt-A securities of:
 

 

30 Jun 2009

31 Dec 2008

 

Fair value

 £m

Unrealised loss

£m

Fair value

£m

Unrealised loss

£m

Between 90% and 100%

38

(3)

479

(27)

Between 80% and 90%

93

(18)

120

(19)

Below 80%

305

(278)

192

(166)

 

436

(299)

791

(212)




 

 (b)  Age analysis of unrealised losses for the periods indicated

The following table shows the age analysis of all the unrealised losses in the portfolio by reference to the length of time the securities have been in an unrealised loss position:

 

30 Jun 2009

31 Dec 2008

 

Non investment grade

Investment grade

Total

Non investment grade

Investment grade

Total

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Less than 6 months

(43)

(169)

(212)

(108)

(362)

(470)

6 months to 1 year

(52)

(117)

(169)

(125)

(1,164)

(1,289)

1 year to 2 years

(182)

(768)

(950)

(154)

(622)

(776)

2 years to 3 years

(187)

(270)

(457)

(15)

(91)

(106)

More than 3 years

(78)

(358)

(436)

(61)

(476)

(537)

 

(542)

(1,682)

(2,224)

(463)

(2,715)

(3,178)



At 30 June 2009, the gross unrealised losses in the statement of financial position for the sub-prime and Alt-A securities in an unrealised loss position were £299 million (31 December 2008: £212 million), as shown above in note (a). Of these losses £22 million (31 December 2008: £91 million) relate to securities that have been in an unrealised loss position for less than one year and £277 million (31 December 2008: £121 million) to securities that have been in an unrealised loss position for more than one year.

(c)

Unrealised losses by maturity of security

 
 

30 Jun

2009

£m

31 Dec

2008

£m

 

Less than 1 year

(3)

(21)

 

1 year to 5 years

(135)

(537)

 

5 years to 10 years

(454)

(1,236)

 

More than 10 years

(244)

(395)

 

Mortgage-backed and other debt securities

(1,388)

(989)

 

Total

(2,224)

(3,178)

 


(d)

Securities whose fair value were below 80 per cent of the book value



As shown in the table (a) above, £1,531 million of the £2,224 million of gross unrealised losses at 30 June 2009 (31 December 2008: £1,938 million of the £3,178 million of gross unrealised losses) related to securities whose fair value were below 80 per cent of the book value. The analysis of the £1,531 million (31 December 2008: £1,938 million), by category of debt securities and by age analysis indicating the length of time for which their fair value was below 80 per cent of the book value, is as follows:

 

30 Jun 2009 

31 Dec 2008 

 

Fair value

Unrealised loss

Fair value

Unrealised loss

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

Residential mortgage-backed securities

       

Prime

404

(364)

287 

(115)

Alt - A

187

(154)

144 

(127)

Sub-prime

118

(124)

48 

(39)

 

709

(642)

479 

(281)

Commercial mortgage-backed securities.

478

(263)

811 

(375)

Other asset-backed securities

256

(302)

198 

(86)

Total structured securities

1,443

(1,207)

1,488 

(742)

Corporates

780

(324)

2,596 

(1,196)

Total  

2,223

(1,531)

4,084 

(1,938)



 

30 Jun 2009 

31 Dec 2008 

Age analysis of fair value being below 80 per cent for the periods indicated

Fair value

Unrealised loss

Fair value

Unrealised loss

 

£m

£m

£m

£m

Less than 3 months

767

(561)

3,118 

(1,364)

3 months to 6 months

393

(272)

696 

(403)

More than 6 months

1,063

(698)

270 

(171)

 

2,223

(1,531)

4,084 

(1,938)



N

Net core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations

 

30 Jun

2009

30 Jun

2008

31 Dec

2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations:

 

 

 

Perpetual subordinated capital securities (Innovative Tier 1*)

950

765

1,059

Subordinated notes (Lower Tier 2*)

1,248

838

928

Subordinated debt total

2,198

1,603

1,987

Senior debt ***:

 

 

 

                2009

249

249

                2023

300

300

300

                2029

249

249

249

Holding company total

2,747

2,401

2,785

Jackson surplus notes (Lower Tier 2*)

152

125

173

Total (per summary consolidated statement of financial position)

2,899

2,526

2,958

Less: Holding company** cash and short-term investments

(recorded within the summary consolidated statement of financial position)

(1,252)

(1,498)

(1,165)

Net core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations

1,647

1,028

1,793



* These debt classifications are consistent with the treatment of capital for regulatory purposes, as defined in the FSA handbook.

** Including central finance subsidiaries.

*** The senior debt ranks above subordinated debt in the event of liquidation.

In May 2009, the Company repaid the maturing £249 million senior debt. In the same month, the Company issued £400 million subordinated debt in part to replace the maturing debt.

In July 2009, the Company issued US$750 million perpetual subordinated capital securities. For further information on the issue, see note T: Post-balance sheet events.

O

Other borrowings



 

30 Jun

2009

30 Jun

2008

31 Dec

2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations

     

Borrowings in respect of short-term fixed income securities programmes

2,392

2,321

1,278

Non-recourse borrowings of US operations 

297

580

511

Other borrowings 

166

7

188

Total

2,855

2,908

1,977

Borrowings attributable to with-profits operations

     

Non-recourse borrowings of consolidated investment funds

1,104

740

1,161

£100m 8.5%undated subordinated guaranteed bonds of the Scottish Amicable Insurance Fund

100

100

100

Other borrowings (predominantly obligations under finance leases)

145

97

47

Total

1,349

937

1,308



P

Deferred acquisition costs and other intangible assets attributable to shareholders



 

Significant costs are incurred in connection with acquiring new insurance business. Except for acquisition costs of with-profits contracts of the UK regulated with-profits funds, which are accounted for under the realistic FSA regime, these costs, which vary with, and are primarily related to, the production of new business, are capitalised and amortised against margins in future revenues on the related insurance policies. The recoverability of the asset is measured and the asset is deemed impaired if the projected future margins are less than the carrying value of the asset. To the extent that the future margins differ from those anticipated, then an adjustment to the carrying value of the deferred acquisition cost asset will be necessary.

The deferral and amortisation of acquisition costs is of most relevance to the Group's results for shareholder-financed long-term business of Jackson and Asian operations. The majority of the UK shareholder-backed business are for individual and group annuity business where the incidence of acquisition costs is negligible.

In the case of Jackson term business, acquisition costs are deferred and amortised in line with expected premiums. For annuity business, acquisition costs are deferred and amortised in line with expected gross profits on the relevant contracts. For interest-sensitive business, the key assumption is the long-term spread between the earned rate and the rate credited to policyholders, which is based on the annual spread analysis. In addition, expected gross profits depend on mortality assumptions, assumed unit costs and terminations other than deaths (including the related charges), all of which are based on a combination of actual experience of Jackson, industry experience and future expectations. A detailed analysis of actual mortality experience is measured by internally developed mortality studies. 

Variable annuity contracts written by Jackson may provide for guaranteed minimum death, income, or withdrawal benefit features. In general terms, liabilities for these benefits are accounted for under US GAAP by using estimates of future benefits and fees under best estimate assumptions. For variable annuity business the key assumption is the expected long-term level of equity market returns, which for half years 2009 and 2008 and full year 2008 was 8.4 per cent per annum (gross of fund management fees) determined using a mean reversion methodology. Under the mean reversion methodology, projected returns over the next five years are flexed (subject to capping) so that, combined with the actual rates of return for the current and the previous two years the 8.4 per cent rate is maintained. The projected rates of return are capped at no more than 15 per cent for each of the next five years. 

These returns affect the level of future expected profits through their effects on the fee income with consequential impact on the amortisation of deferred acquisition costs and the required level of provision for guaranteed minimum death benefit claims. 

For traditional life insurance contracts, provisions for future policy benefits are determined under SFAS 60 using the net level premium method and assumptions as of the issue date as to mortality, interest, policy lapses and expenses plus provisions for adverse deviation.

Except to the extent of mortality experience, which primarily affects profits through variations in claim payments and the guaranteed minimum death benefit reserves, the profits of Jackson are relatively insensitive to changes in insurance risk. 

The deferred acquisition costs and other intangible assets attributable to shareholders comprise:

 

30 Jun

2009

30 Jun

2008

31 Dec

2008

 

£m

£m

£m

       

Deferred acquisition costs relating to insurance and investment management contracts

3,923

3,218

5,205

Present value of acquired in-force business and distribution rights

122

72

144

 

4,045

3,290

5,349

Arising in:

     

UK insurance operations

132

149

134

US insurance operations

3,259

2,297

3,962

Asia insurance operations

648

839

1,247

Asset management operations

6

5

6

 

4,045

3,290

5,349



The movement in the period comprises:

 

Half year

2009

Half year

2008

Full year

2008

 

£m

£m

£m

       

Balance at the beginning of the period

5,349

2,836

2,836

Additions

468

424

959

Amortisation to income statement

(447)

(226)

(551)

Exchange differences

(654)

(4)

1,274

Change in shadow DAC 

(235)

260

831

DAC movement on sale of Taiwan agency business

(436)

-

-

Balance at the end of the period

4,045

3,290

5,349



  

Q

Defined benefit pension schemes



   

 

30 Jun
2009

30 Jun 2008

31 Dec 2008

 

£m

£m

£m

Economic position:

     

Deficit, gross of deferred tax, based on scheme assets held, including investments in Prudential insurance policies:

     

Attributable to the PAC with-profits fund (i.e. absorbed by the liability for unallocated surplus)

(123)

(129)

(67)

Attributable to shareholder-backed operations (i.e. shareholders' equity)

(120)

(165)

(82)

Economic deficit 

(243)

(294)

(149)

Exclude: investments in Prudential insurance liabilities (offset on consolidation in the Group financial statements against insurance liabilities)

(161)

(165)

(157)

Deficit under IAS 19 included in Provisions in the statement of financial position 

(404)

(459)

(306)



The Group operates three defined benefit schemes in the UK, the largest of which is Prudential Staff Pension Scheme (PSPS) and two smaller UK defined benefit schemes, the Scottish Amicable Pension Scheme (SAPS) and the M&G Pension Scheme. There is also a small defined benefit scheme in Taiwan but as part of the sale of the Taiwan agency business completed in June 2009, the Group has settled the majority of the obligations under the scheme relating to the employees who were transferred out.

The economic financial position of the defined benefit pension schemes as shown in the table above reflects the total assets of the schemes including investments in Prudential policies. This is to be contrasted with the IAS 19 basis which excludes investments in Prudential insurance policies which on the financial statement presentation are offset against the policyholder liabilities. 

The economic deficit shown in the table above includes the effects of the Group's application of IFRIC 14, 'IAS 19 - The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction' under which the Group has not recognised the underlying PSPS surplus of £492 million gross of deferred tax (30 June 2008: £315 million; 31 December 2008: £728 million).

Additionally, under IFRIC 14, the Group is required to recognise a liability for committed deficit funding obligation in schemes for which it has no unconditional right of refund to any surplus. Although the contributions would increase the surplus in the scheme, the corresponding asset will not be recognised in the Group accounts in compliance with IAS19.  At 30 June 2008 and 31 December 2008, the Group has recognised a liability for deficit funding for PSPS to 5 April 2010 of £80 million and £65 million gross of tax, respectively. At 30 June 2009, based on the new funding arrangements following the completion of the triennial actuarial valuation of PSPS as described further below, the Group has recognised a liability for deficit funding of £68 million gross of tax. Deficit funding for PSPS is apportioned in the ratio of 70/30 between the PAC with-profits fund and shareholder-backed operations. 

Defined benefit schemes in the UK are generally required to be subject to a full actuarial valuation every three years, in order to assess the appropriate level of funding for schemes in relation to their commitments. The valuations of PSPS as at 5 April 2008 and SAPS as at 31 March 2008 were recently finalised. The valuation of PSPS demonstrated the scheme to be 106 per cent funded by reference to the Scheme Solvency Target that form the basis of the scheme's statutory funding objective.  Accordingly the total contributions to be made by the Group into the scheme were reduced from the previous arrangement of £70 to £75 million per annum to £50 million per annum effective from July 2009. As the scheme was in a surplus position at the valuation date, no formal recovery plan was required. However, recognising that there had been significant deterioration in the value of the scheme assets since 5 April 2008, contributions to the scheme for additional funding of £25 million per annum, in addition to a £25 million per annum employers' contributions for ongoing service of current employees, was agreed with the Trustees effective from 1 July 2009 subject to a reassessment when the next valuation is completed. 

The valuation of SAPS as at 31 March 2008 demonstrated the scheme to be 91 per cent funded, with a shortfall of actuarially determined assets to liabilities of 9 per cent, representing a deficit of £38 million. Based on this valuation, deficit funding amounts designed to eliminate the actuarial deficit over a 7 year period were made from July 2009 of £7.3 million per annum.

R

Contingencies and related obligations



The main change to the Group's contingencies and related obligations that have arisen in the six month period ended 30 June 2009 is set out below.

Jackson owns debt instruments issued by securitisation trusts managed by PPM America. As disclosed in the 2008 Annual Report, as at 31 December 2008, the support provided by certain forbearance agreements Jackson entered into with the counterparty to certain of these trusts could potentially expose Jackson to maximum losses of £221 million. In half year 2009, Jackson entered into further forbearance agreements. At 30 June 2009, the support provided by these agreements could potentially expose Jackson to maximum losses of £431 million, if circumstances allowed the forbearance period to cease. Jackson believes that, so long as the forbearance period continues, the risk of loss under the agreements is remote. 

  

S

Related party disclosures



The nature of the related party transactions of the Group has not changed from those described in the Group's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2008. 

There were no transactions with related parties during the six months ended 30 June 2009 which have had a material effect on the results or financial position of the Group. 

T

Post-balance sheet events



   

In July 2009, the Company issued US$750 million 11.75% Perpetual Subordinated Capital Securities, primarily to Asian retail investors. The proceeds, net of costs, were US$733 million. All of this debt counts as capital for IGD purposes and therefore has strengthened the Group's IGD capital position by £0.5 billion. 

 

U

Group supplementary information



The Company has published documents alongside the Company's half-year results announcement for the period ended 30 June 2009, entitled 'supplementary information'. These documents include additional detailed analysis and explanation of the Group's results contained in this announcement. The documents have been posted to the Company's website address

at www.prudential.co.uk

TOTAL INSURANCE AND INVESTMENT PRODUCTS NEW BUSINESS

INSURANCE PRODUCTS AND INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

                    

 

Insurance products 

 

Investment products

Total

Half year 2009

£m

Half year 2008

£m

Full year

2008

£m

 

Half year 2009

£m

Half year 2008

£m

Full year

2008

£m

 

Half year 2009

£m

Half year 2008

£m

Full year

2008

£m

Asian operations

882

1,486

2,422

 

32,084

22,843

46,957

 

32,966

24,329

49,379

US operations

3,810

3,464

6,941

 

6

27

36

 

3,816

3,491

6,977

UK operations

2,582

3,250

7,183

 

12,631

7,491

16,154

 

15,213

10,741

23,337

Group Total

7,274

8,200

16,546

 

44,721

30,361

63,147

 

51,995

38,561

79,693



INSURANCE PRODUCTS - NEW BUSINESS PREMIUMS AND CONTRIBUTIONS (note (i))

 

Single

Regular

Annual Premium and Contribution Equivalents 

(APE )

Present Value of New Business Premiums (PVNBP)

 

Half year 2009 £m

Half year 2008

 £m

Full

 year

2008

 £m

Half year 2009 £m

Half year 2008 £m

Full 

year

2008

 £m

Half year 2009

 £m

Half year 2008 

£m

Full 

year

2008

 £m

Half year 2009 £m

Half 

year 2008

 £m

Full

 year

2008

 £m

Asian operations

                       

China 

43

35

63

17

15

32

21

19

38

125

111

230

Hong Kong

31

346

507

92

78

154

95

113

205

582

834

1,612

India (Group's 26% interest)

32

40

60

73

122

202

76

126

208

272

450

747

Indonesia

13

68

94

82

81

167

83

88

176

282

336

649

Japan

38

68

115

25

21

30

29

28

42

155

163

217

Korea

20

50

78

64

118

211

66

123

219

314

594

1,097

Malaysia

33

14

28

49

38

99

52

39

102

295

225

570

Singapore

115

276

341

40

37

78

52

65

112

409

547

961

Taiwan (note (iv))

32

24

36

48

16

55

51

18

58

178

78

237

Other

8

10

18

27

29

54

28

30

56

94

97

188

Total Asian operations

365

931

1,340

517

555

1,082

553

648

1,216

2,706

3,435

6,508

US operations

                       

Fixed annuities

701

635

1,724

-

-

-

69

63

172

701

635

1,724

Fixed index annuities

575

196

501

-

-

-

58

20

50

575

196

501

Variable annuities

2,517

1,797

3,491

-

-

-

252

180

349

2,517

1,797

3,491

Life

5

4

7

12

11

24

13

11

25

96

88

230

Guaranteed Investment Contracts

-

505

857

-

-

-

-

50

86

-

505

857

GIC-Medium Term Notes

-

316

337

-

-

-

-

32

34

-

316

337

Total US operations

3,798

3,453

6,917

12

11

24

392

356

716

3,889

3,537

7,140

UK operations

                       

Product summary

                       

Internal vesting annuities

726

721

1,600

-

-

-

73

72

160

726

721

1,600

Direct and partnership annuities

273

373

703

-

-

-

27

37

70

273

373

703

Intermediated annuities

140

285

497

-

-

-

14

29

50

140

285

497

Total individual annuities

1,139

1,379

2,800

-

 

-

114

138

280

1,139

1,379

2,800

Income drawdown

46

30

75

-

-

-

4

3

8

46

30

75

Equity release

54

117

242

-

-

-

5

12

24

54

117

242

Individual pensions

98

32

115

3

1

3

13

4

14

107

35

124

Corporate pensions

47

94

221

44

38

88

49

47

110

286

280

645

Unit-linked bonds

49

67

109

-

-

-

5

7

11

49

67

109

With-profits bonds

684

418

869

-

-

-

68

42

87

684

418

869

Protection

-

-

-

7

3

6

7

3

6

45

16

38

Offshore products

127

321

551

2

2

4

15

34

59

137

331

573

PruHealth (note (iii))

-

-

-

6

8

16

6

8

16

56

79

146

Total retail retirement

2,244

2,458

4,982

62

52

117

286

298

615

2,603

2,752

5,621

 

Single

Regular

Annual Premium and Contribution Equivalents 

(APE )

Present Value of New Business Premiums (PVNBP)

 

Half year 2009 £m

Half year 2008

 £m

Full

 year

2008

 £m

Half year 2009 £m

Half year 2008 £m

Full 

year

2008

 £m

Half year 2009

 £m

Half year 2008 

£m

Full 

year

2008

 £m

Half year 2009 £m

Half 

year 2008

 £m

Full

 year

2008

 £m

Corporate pensions

68

173

227

59

62

116

66

79

139

285

376

653

Other products

39

77

132

10

11

21

14

19

34

74

119

219

DWP rebates

80

103

153

-

-

-

8

10

15

80

103

153

Total mature life and pensions

187

353

512

69

73

137

88

108

188

439

598

1,025

Total retail

2,431

2,811

5,494

131

125

254

374

406

803

3,042

3,350

6,646

Wholesale annuities

8

307

1,417

-

-

-

1

31

142

8

307

1,417

Credit life

12

7

18

-

-

-

1

1

2

12

7

18

Total UK operations

2,451

3,125

6,929

131

125

254

376

438

947

3,062

3,664

8,081

Channel summary

                       

Direct and partnership

949

1,147

2,352

108

106

215

203

221

450

1,422

1,579

3,268

Intermediated

1,402

1,562

2,990

23

19

39

163

175

338

1,540

1,669

3,226

Wholesale 

20

313

1,434

-

-

-

2

31

144

20

313

1,434

Sub-total 

2,371

3,022

6,776

131

125

254

368

427

932

2,982

3,561

7,928

DWP rebates

80

103

153

-

-

-

8

10

15

80

103

153

Total UK operations

2,451

3,125

6,929

131

125

254

376

438

947

3,062

3,664

8,081

Group Total

6,614

7,509

15,186

660

691

1,360

1,321

1,442

2,879

9,657

10,636

21,729



INVESTMENT PRODUCTS - FUNDS UNDER MANAGEMENT (note (ii))

 

1 Jan 2009

Gross  inflows 

Redemptions 

Market and other movements

30 Jun 2009

£m

£m

£m

£m

£m

Asian operations

15,232

32,084

(30,628)

(311)

16,377

US operations

50

6

(18)

-

38

UK operations

46,997

12,631

(4,006)

299

55,921

Group Total

62,279

44,721

(34,652)

(12)

72,336



Notes

(i)

The tables shown above are provided as an indicative volume measure of transactions undertaken in the reporting period that have the potential to generate profits for shareholders. The amounts shown are not, and not intended to be, reflective of premium income recorded in the IFRS income statement.

Annual premium and contribution equivalents are calculated as the aggregate of regular new business amounts and one tenth of single new business amounts. PVNBPs are calculated as equalling single premiums plus the present value of expected premiums of new regular premium business, allowing for lapses and other assumptions made in determining the EEV new business contribution. New business premiums reflect those premiums attaching to covered business, including premiums for contracts classified as investment products for IFRS reporting. New business premiums for regular premium products are shown on an annualised basis. Department of Work and Pensions rebate business is classified as single recurrent business. Internal vesting business is classified as new business where the contracts include an open market option.

The format of the tables shown above is consistent with the distinction between insurance and investment products as applied for previous financial reporting periods. With the exception of some US institutional business, products categorised as "insurance" refer to those classified as contracts of long-term insurance business for regulatory reporting purposes, i.e. falling within one of the classes of insurance specified in part II of Schedule 1 to the Regulated Activities Order under FSA regulations.

The details shown above for insurance products include contributions for contracts that are classified under IFRS 4 "Insurance Contracts" as not containing significant insurance risk. These products are described as investment contracts or other financial instruments under IFRS. Contracts included in this category are primarily certain unit-linked and similar contracts written in UK insurance operations and Guaranteed Investment Contracts and similar funding agreements written in US operations.

   

(ii)

Investment products referred to in the table for funds under management above are unit trust, mutual funds and similar types of retail asset management arrangements. These are unrelated to insurance products that are classified as 'investment contracts' under IFRS 4, as described in the preceding paragraph, although similar IFRS recognition and measurement principles apply to the acquisition costs and fees attaching to this type of business.

   

(iii)

The tables above for all periods reflect the inclusion of the Group's UK health insurance joint venture operation, PruHealth.

   

(iv)

The tables above include new business for the Taiwan bank distribution operation. New business of the Taiwan Agency business, which was sold in June 2009 (as explained in note G) are excluded from the tables. Comparative figures have been adjusted accordingly.

   

(v)

The 2008 comparatives shown in the tables above are at actual exchange rates (AER).



  Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

The directors are responsible for preparing the Half-Yearly Financial Report in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

Accordingly, the directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

-

the condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, "Interim Financial Reporting", as adopted by the European Union;

-

the Half-Yearly Financial Report includes a fair review of information required by:



 

(a)

DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the six 

months ended 30 June 2009, and their impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and

 

(b)

DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place during the six months ended 30 June 2009 and that have materially affected the financial position or the performance of the Group during the period and changes in the related party transactions described in the Group's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2008.



The current directors of Prudential plc are as listed in the Group's 2008 Annual Report. 

On behalf of the Board of directors

Tidjane Thiam

Chief Financial Officer

12 August 2009

Combined IFRS basis results and EEV basis results report  

Independent review report by KPMG Audit Plc to Prudential plc

Introduction

We have been engaged by the Company to review the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) basis financial information in the Half-Yearly Financial Report for the six months ended 30 June 2009 which comprises the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement, the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and the related explanatory notes.

We have also been engaged by the Company to review the European Embedded Value (EEV) basis supplementary information for the six months ended 30 June 2009 which comprises the Operating Profit Based on Longer-Term Investment Returns, the Summary Consolidated Income Statement, the Movement in Shareholders' Equity, the Summary Statement of Financial Position and the related explanatory notes.  

We have read the other information contained in the Half-Yearly Financial Report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the IFRS basis financial information or the EEV basis supplementary financial information. 

This report is made solely to the company in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the Company in meeting the requirements of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules ("the DTR") of the United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority ("the UK FSA") and also to provide a review conclusion to the Company on the EEV basis supplementary financial information. Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we are required to state to it in this report and for no other purpose. Our review of the supplementary information has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we have been engaged to state in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have reached.  

Directors' responsibilities  

The Half-Yearly Financial Report, including the IFRS basis financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the Half-Yearly Financial Report in accordance with the DTR of the UK FSA. The directors have accepted responsibility for preparing the EEV basis supplementary financial information contained in the Half-Yearly Financial Report in accordance with the EEV Principles issued in May 2004 by the European CFO Forum and for determining the methodology and assumptions used in the application of those principles. 

The annual IFRS basis financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union ("EU"). The IFRS basis financial information included in this Half-Yearly Financial Report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU.  

The EEV basis supplementary financial information has been prepared in accordance with the EEV principles using the methodology and assumptions set out in notes 2 and 3 to the EEV basis supplementary financial information. The supplementary information should be read in conjunction with the IFRS basis financial information.  

Our responsibility  

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the IFRS basis financial information and the EEV basis supplementary financial information in the Half-Yearly Financial Report based on our review.  

Scope of review  

We conducted our reviews in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the UK. A review of interim financial information and supplementary information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.  

Conclusion  

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the IFRS basis financial information in the Half Yearly Financial Report for the six months ended 30 June 2009 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU and the DTR of the UK FSA.  

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the EEV basis supplementary financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2009 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the EEV Principles, using the methodology and assumptions set out in notes 2 and 3 to the EEV basis supplementary financial information.  

G Bainbridge  

for and on behalf of KPMG Audit Plc  

Chartered Accountants  

8 Salisbury Square  

London EC4Y 8BB  

12 August 2009  


Unaudited Supplementary Information

1. IFRS basis results - Analysis of long-term insurance pre-tax IFRS operating profit by driver

This schedule classifies the Group's pre-tax operating earnings from long-term insurance operations into the underlying drivers of those profits, using the following categories:

(i)

Investment spread - this represents the difference between investment income (or premium income in the case of the UK annuities new business) and amounts credited to policyholder accounts.

(ii)

Asset management fees - this represents profits driven by investment performance, being asset management fees that vary with the size of the underlying policyholder funds net of investment management expenses and profits derived from spread.

(iii)

Net expense margin - represents expenses charged to the profit and loss account (excluding those borne by the with-profits fund and those products where earnings are purely protection driven) including amounts relating to movements in deferred acquisition costs, net of any fees or premium loadings related to expenses. Jackson DAC amortisation (net of hedging effects), which is intended to be part of the expense margin, has been separately highlighted in the table below.

(iv)

Insurance margin - profits derived from the insurance risks of mortality, morbidity and persistency including fees earned on variable annuity guarantees.

(v)

With-profits business - shareholders' transfer from the with-profits fund in the period.

(vi)

Other represents a mixture of other income and expenses that are not directly allocated to the underlying drivers, including non-recurring items and Asian development expenses.



Analysis of pre-tax IFRS operating profit by driver by long-term business unit (note b)

 

Half year 2009 £m

 

Asia

US

UK

Total

Investment spread

35

314

165

514

Asset management fees

34

142

27

203

Net expense margin

(68)

(105)

(36)

(209)

DAC amortisation (Jackson only)

 

(160)

 

(160)

Net insurance margin

137

97

(17)

217

With-profits business

11

-

147

158

Non-recurrent release of reserves for Malaysia Life operations

63

-

-

63

Other (note a)

(5)

(71)

17

(59)

Total

207

217

303

727



 

  Unaudited Supplementary Information

1.

IFRS basis results - Analysis of long-term insurance pre-tax IFRS operating profit by driver (continued)



Analysis of pre-tax IFRS operating profit by driver by long-term business unit (note b)

 

Half year 2008 £m



 

Asia

US

UK

Total

Investment spread

36

261

125

422

Asset management fees

31

148

42

221

Net expense margin

(95)

(93)

(61)

(249)

DAC amortisation (Jackson only)

 

(165)

 

(165)

Net insurance margin

91

35

1

127

With-profits business

12

-

198

210

Other (note a)

(3)

46

(33)

10

Total

72

232

272

576



Note

(a)

Asia other includes development expenses of £5 million (half year 2008: £3 million; full year 2008: £26 million).

(b)

Sale of Taiwan agency business

In order to facilitate comparisons of operating profit based on longer-term investment returns that reflect the Group's retained operations, the results attributable to the Taiwan agency business for which the sale process was completed in June 2009 are included separately within the analysis of profit. Only the operating profit based on longer-term investments of the retained bancassurance business in Taiwan is included in the analysis above.



2.

Analysis of IFRS operating profit between new and in-force business in Asia



The result for Asian insurance operations comprises amounts in respect of new business and business in-force as follows:

 

Half year

2009

Half year

 2008

Full year

 2008

 

£m

£m

£m

New business strain

(47)

(71)

(97)

Business in force

259

146

354

Total Asian insurance operations 

212

75

257

Development expenses

(5)

(3)

(26)

Total Asian long-term business operating profit

207

72

231



The IFRS new business strain corresponds to approximately 8 per cent of new business APE premiums for half year 2009 (half year 2008: approximately 11 per cent of new business APE; full year 2008: approximately 8 per cent of new business APE).

The strain represents the aggregate of the pre-tax regulatory basis strain to net worth and IFRS adjustments for deferral of acquisition costs and deferred income where appropriate.

  Unaudited Supplementary Information

3.

EEV basis results - New business profit and margins



 

New Business Margin (APE)

 

Half Year

2009

Half year

 2008

Full year
2008

Asian operations

%

%

%

Hong Kong

76

66

79

Korea

36

33

34

Taiwan (i)

15

15

22

India

19

16

19

China

45

51

52

Indonesia

61

51

58

Other

62

60

72

Weighted average for all Asian operations

50

45

52

       


(i)

The tables above include new business for the Taiwan bank distribution operation. New business of the Taiwan agency business, which was sold in June 2009 are excluded from the tables. Comparative figures have been adjusted accordingly.



 

 

 

 


SIGNATURES
 


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
Date 13 August 2009
 

 

PRUDENTIAL PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

   
 

By: /s/  Susan Henderson

   
 

 

           Susan Henderson

 

           Deputy Group Secretary





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