Prudential H1 Profit Rises 22%

Prudential

reported a 22% rise in its operating profit for the first-half of the year. Prudential's operating profit for the period surged to 1.415 billion pounds ($2.2 billion), versus analysts' estimates of 1.4 billion pounds. The group also announced its plans to raise its interim dividend by 15.8% to 9.73 pence per share. Prudential shares closed at $36.79 on Friday.