Aviva Reports 5% Rise In Operating Profit, Raises Interim Dividend

Aviva PLC (OTC: AIVAF) reported a 5% surge in its first-half operating profit. Aviva's operating profit on an IFRS basis rose to GBP1.34 billion, from GBP1.27 billion, in the year-ago period. However, analysts were expecting an operating profit of GBP1.28 billion. Aviva also lifted its interim dividend by 5% to 10 pence per share, versus 9.5 pence, in the year-ago period.