Prudential warns of 'volatile' UK trading

Insurance giant Prudential today posted a better-than-expected hike in first quarter sales, but showed signs that the economic turmoil was starting to bite as new business slipped 19% on the final three months of 2007.

The group reported group-wide insurance sales of £729m (€901m) for the three months to March 31, up 13% year-on-year.