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Investing.com — Legal & General (LON:LGEN) has posted better than expected first-half income thanks to strong performance at the life insurer’s key bulk annuities that helped offset a fall in assets under management.
The business posted an 8% increase in operating profit to £1.16 billion in the first six months of the year, in line with company-supplied expectations.
“All four of our divisions are well positioned to execute on compelling structural market opportunities to deliver further profitable growth over the medium and long-term, notwithstanding market volatility,” Legal & General said in a statement.
Underpinning this growth was growth at the company’s retirement solutions division, which insures corporate pension plans. Legal & General added £4.4 billion in new bulk annuity premiums, up from £3.1 billion versus the half-year period in 2021, as company demand for insurers to take on pension assets and liabilities grew.
The group’s housing business also grew to £2.19 billion, reflecting a “sustained” upturn in home demand in the U.K.
Meanwhile, Legal & General’s investment management division saw inflows more than double to £65.6 billion despite a 3% drop in assets under management. Operating profit at the unit declined by 2% to £200 million, with Legal & General dubbing it “a resilient result” in light of recent market volatility.
“We are committed to providing financial security for our customers and colleagues in a tough economic climate and remain confident in our ability to grow profits sustainably and at attractive returns over the long-term,” said Legal & General chief executive officer Nigel Wilson.
The company’s Solvency II ratio, which measures its capital level in relation to its required amount, rose to 212% from 187% as global interest rates increased but missed forecasts.
