Prudential buoyed by international profits

Insurance giant Prudential today boosted profits by nearly 40% after strong performances in Asia and the United States masked a mixed performance from its UK business.

The company posted operating profits of £1.33bn (€1.9bn) in the first half of the year, but domestic sales fell 25% to £363m (€538m) after the loss of a bulk annuities deal with Lloyds TSB this year.