Prudential 2014 Profit Surges

Prudential PLC reported a 14% surge in 2014 profit. Prudential's operating profit for the year climbed to 3.19 billion pounds ($4.82 billion), up from GBP2.95 billion, in the year-ago period. Its revenue jumped to GBP60.13 billion from GBP52.38 billion. Net profit climbed to GBP2.22 billion for the year, versus a year-ago profit of GBP1.35 billion. However, analysts were expecting a net profit of GBP2.37 billion and operating profit of GBP3.148 billion. The company also lifted its final dividend by 10% to 25.74 pence per share.