Prudential plc reported an 8% increase in new business profit to $1.4 billion for the first half of 2026, driven by growth across its Asia and Africa markets. The company also raised its 2026 share buyback program by $300 million to a total of $1.5 billion, bringing total capital returns for the year to over $2 billion.
Adjusted operating profit after tax rose 17% on a per-share basis to $1.5 billion, while gross operating free surplus generation increased 15% to $1.8 billion. The group’s free surplus ratio stood at 209% as of June 30, 2026, exceeding its 175–200% operating range. Prudential’s regulatory capital ratio on a shareholder basis reached 268%, up from 262% at year-end 2025, with central liquidity totaling $3.7 billion.
New business profit in Hong Kong rose 8% to $581 million, with margins improving to 57%, while Greater China excluding the mainland increased 5%. The Chinese mainland segment saw new business profit decline 4% to $159 million despite a 21% increase in annual premium equivalent sales to $461 million. ASEAN markets reported a 13% increase in new business profit to $493 million, led by Indonesia’s bancassurance segment, which grew 55%. India’s new business sales rose 11%, supported by partnerships with Bharti Airtel and 360 ONE.
The insurer reaffirmed guidance for double-digit growth in key metrics for 2026, including new business profit, gross operating free surplus generation, adjusted earnings per share, and dividend per share. For 2027, Prudential targets compound annual growth of 15–20% in new business profit from 2022 to 2027, alongside gross operating free surplus generation above $4.4 billion. The company also highlighted cumulative capability investments of $700 million from 2023 through H1 2026, with full-year 2026 spending expected between $300 million and $350 million.
Prudential’s digital transformation efforts contributed to a 66% uplift in leads via its new website and over $330 million in annual premium equivalent generated through its AI-enabled Customer Engagement Platform. The group reported 70% digital architecture alignment, enterprise AI adoption exceeding 95%, and system availability of over 99.9%. Agent productivity rose 13% for users of the PRUAction AI tool, while straight-through processing rates exceeded 80% in four key markets.
On sustainability, Prudential invested $16 million in community programs and reached over 3.9 million students through its Cha-Ching financial literacy initiative. The company achieved a 53% reduction in weighted average carbon intensity versus 2019 levels, progressing toward a 55% reduction target by 2030. Female leadership representation reached 38%, moving toward a 42% target by 2027.
