Prudential PLC Plans Full Separation of U.S. Arm, Cuts Dividend -- Update
August 11 2020 - 10:04AM
Dow Jones News
--Prudential plans minority IPO of its U.S. business during the
first-half of 2021, with a full divestment over time.
--Prudential to invest money from IPO into Asia, African
businesses.
--Lower dividend payout "reflects a rebalancing of capital
allocation from cash dividends to reinvestment in Asia."
By Ian Walker
Prudential PLC said Tuesday that it plans a full separation of
its U.S. arm and has slashed its dividend in order to focus on
growth opportunities in Asia and Africa.
The insurance-and-investment business said it will start with a
minority initial public offering of the U.S. unit--which includes
Jackson National Life Insurance Co. and asset-management firm PPM
America Inc.--during the first half of next year, then a full
divestment over time subject to market conditions. Money raised
from the IPO will be invested in the Asia and Africa
businesses.
"Our Asia-focused strategy will support long-term delivery of
future shareholder returns through value appreciation, with a focus
on achieving sustained double-digit growth in embedded value per
share," Prudential said.
If, however market conditions aren't supportive of any IPO,
Prudential will separate the U.S business through a demerger of its
stake to existing shareholders, subject to shareholder approval at
the time.
Prudential said that the group will continue to have listings in
both London and Hong Kong, with secondary listings in Singapore and
the U.S., while Jackson will be solely listed in the U.S.
In June, Prudential agreed to sell an 11.1% minority stake in
the U.S. business to Athene Holding Ltd. for $500 million.
Prudential said that its new dividend policy "reflects a
rebalancing of capital allocation from cash dividends to
reinvestment in Asia, which is expected to deliver profitable and
sustainable compounding growth."
The board declared a first interim dividend of 5.37 cents a
share for 2020--one third of its full-year expectation. Prudential
said that under its previous dividend policy, the interim dividend
would have been 12.28 cents a share. Future payouts will be
determined by capital generation in Asia, after allowing for
writing new business and central costs, the company said.
No dividend is expected to be paid this year or next for the
Jackson business ahead of its IPO, Prudential said.
Prudential made an adjusted operating profit--a closely watched
figure for the industry--of $2.54 billion compared with $2.62
billion. Asia profit was up 14%, with double-digit growth in nine
markets.
Group regulatory capital surplus--a key measure of balance-sheet
strength--was estimated at $12.4 billion, equivalent to a ratio of
334% compared with a ratio of 309% at Dec. 31, 2019.
Gross premiums earned were $19.84 billion, compared with $21.08
billion a year earlier.
IFRS net profit from continuing operations of $512 million for
the half year ended June 30 compared with $1.15 billion for the
comparable period last year, reflecting lower interest rates and
lower equity market values on U.S. liabilities.
Shares in London at 1330 GMT were up 24 pence, or 2%, at 1256
pence.
Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
August 11, 2020 09:49 ET (13:49 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2020 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Prudential (LSE:PRU)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
Prudential (LSE:PRU)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024