REG - Phoenix Grp Hldgs - 2016 Interim Results <Origin Href="QuoteRef">PHNX.L</Origin> - Part 1

Phoenix groupAnnouncement

25/08/2016 07:07

RNS Number : 0803I
Phoenix Group Holdings
25 August 2016
Phoenix Group Holdings: 2016 Interim Results 25 August 2016
Phoenix Group remains on track for cash generation targets
Phoenix Group, the UK's largest specialist closed life fund consolidator, today announces its results for the sixmonths ended 30 June 2016.
Financial Highlights
 147 million of cash generation2 in H1 2016 (H1 2015: 110 million)
 Total holding company cash of 921 million2 as at 30 June 2016 (706 million as at 31 December 2015)
 The Group remains on track to achieve its 2016 cash generation target of 350 million - 450 million and the Group reiterates its longer term target of 2.0 billion between 2016 - 20202
 Solvency II surplus of 1.1 billion3 as at 30 June 2016, which includes the impact of the payment of the interim dividend, compared to 1.3 billion as at 31 December 2015
 Shareholder Capital coverage ratio of 144% as at 30 June 20164 (154% as at 31 December 2015)
 Group IFRS operating profit of 107 million in H1 2016 (H1 2015: 135 million)
 Interim dividend of 26.7p per share, in line with 2015 interim dividend
Acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection business remains on track
 Previously announced acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection businesses for 375 million in cash5, adding over 910,000 policyholders to the Group
 Completion anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2016, subject to regulatory approvals
 Acquisition funding includes net proceeds of 190 million raised through a placing of 22.5 million shares, together with a new, short-term bank facility
 Significant benefits from the acquisition, resulting in net capital synergies of approximately 250 million within 6 months of completion6
 Acquisition expected to generate cashflows of approximately 0.3 billion between 2016 and 2020 and 0.2billion from 2021 onwards
 Supports a proposed increase of the 2016 final dividend by 5% to 28.0p per share, equivalent to 56.0p per share on an annualised basis
Commenting on the results, Group CEO, Clive Bannister said:
"Phoenix remains on track to deliver its cash target for the year, despite very significant market volatility and a sharp fall in long-term interest rates over the year to date. The Group continues to maintain a resilient capital position and has further management actions planned for the second half of the year.
The acquisition of the AXA Wealth businesses is on track and will represent another important step forward in Phoenix's growth strategy. The transaction meets our acquisition criteria and will generate additional cash for the Group which supports the proposed future increase in Phoenix's dividend. Looking ahead, we believe there will be further consolidation in the UK life industry and we will continue to explore further opportunities as they arise."
Presentation
There will be a presentation for analysts and investors today at 9.30am (BST) at:
J.P. Morgan, 60 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0JP
A link to a live webcast of the presentation, with the facility to raise questions, and a copy of the presentation will be available at www.thephoenixgroup.com
A replay of the presentation will also be available through the website.
Participants may also dial in as follows:
 UK 020 3059 8125
 International +44 20 3059 8125
 Participant password:  'Phoenix'
Dividend
The interim dividend of 26.7p per share is expected to be paid on 3 October 2016.
The ordinary shares will be quoted ex-dividend on the London Stock Exchange as of 8 September 2016. The record date for eligibility for payment will be 9 September 2016.
Enquiries
Investors/analysts:
Sam Perowne, Head of Investor Relations, Phoenix Group
+44 (0)20 3735 0021
Media:
Neil Bennett, Tom Eckersley, Maitland
+44 (0)20 7379 5151
Notes
1. Phoenix Group is the UK's largest specialist consolidator of closed life funds with approximately 4.5 million customers and 52 billion of life company assets.
2. Operating companies' cash generation is a measure of cash and cash equivalents, remitted by the Group's operating subsidiaries to the holding companies and is available to cover dividends, bank interest and repayments and other items. Cash generation targets exclude the impact of the proposed acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection businesses. Holding company cash of 921 million includes the 190 million net proceeds of the equity raising.
3. Any references to Solvency II relate to the relevant calculation for Phoenix Life Holdings Limited, the ultimate EEA insurance parent undertaking.
4. The Shareholder Capital coverage ratio of 144% excludes Solvency II Own Funds and Solvency Capital Requirements ("SCR") of unsupported with-profit funds and the PGL Group pension scheme.
5. Price at announcement was net of adjustment for expected items as at completion.
6. Net capital synergies arising from adoption and harmonisation to Phoenix Internal Model, diversification benefits and transitional measures (subject to PRA approval).
7. This announcement in relation to Phoenix Group Holdings and its subsidiaries (the 'Group') contains, and we may make other statements (verbal or otherwise) containing, forward-looking statements and other financial and/or statistical data about the Group's current plans, goals and expectations relating to future financial conditions, performance, results, strategy and/or objectives.
8. Statements containing the words: 'believes', 'intends', 'will', 'may', 'should', 'expects', 'plans', 'aims', 'seeks', 'targets', 'continues' and 'anticipates' or other words of similar meaning are forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements and other financial and/or statistical data involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the Group's control. For example, certain insurance risk disclosures are dependent on the Group's choices about assumptions and models, which by their nature are estimates. As such, actual future gains and losses could differ materially from those that the Group has estimated.
9. Other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: domestic and global economic and business conditions; asset prices; market related risks such as fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates, the potential for a sustained low-interest rate environment, and the performance of financial markets generally; the policies and actions of governmental and/or regulatory authorities, including, for example, new government initiatives related to the financial crisis and the effect of the European Union's "Solvency II" requirements on the Group's capital maintenance requirements; the impact of inflation and deflation; the political, legal and economic effects of the UK's vote to leave the European Union; market competition; changes in assumptions in pricing and reserving for insurance business (particularly with regard to mortality and morbidity trends, gender pricing and lapse rates); the timing, impact and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or combinations within relevant industries; risks associated with arrangements with third parties; inability of reinsurers to meet obligations or unavailability of reinsurance coverage; the impact of changes in capital, solvency or accounting standards, and tax and other legislation and regulations in the jurisdictions in which members of the Group operate.
10. As a result, the Group's actual future financial condition, performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set out in the forward-looking statements and other financial and/or statistical data within this announcement. The Group undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements or data contained within this announcement or any other forward-looking statements or data it may make or publish. Nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast or estimate.
Phoenix group
holdings
Interim REPORT
FOR THE HALF YEAR
ENDED 30 JUNE 2016
PHOENIX GROUP AT A GLANCE
Phoenix is the UK's largest specialist closed lifeandpension fund consolidator, looking afterc. 4.5 million policyholders.
We manage closed life fundsefficiently and securely, protecting ourcustomers' interestswhile creating value forourshareholders. We have a wide range of products andan operating model specificallydesigned forclosed fundmanagement. This operating model and theexpertiseofour employees provide theplatform andskillstosucceedinour market.
2016 key performance indicators
147m
Operating companies' cash generation
1.1bn
PLHL Solvency II surplus (estimated)
144%
PLHL shareholder capital coverage ratio (estimated)
107m
IFRS operating profit
26.7p
Dividend per share
Contents
Overview

Group Chief Executive Officer's report
02
Business review

Cash generation
06
Capital management
08
IFRS operating profit
10
Risk management
12
Financials

Statement of Directors' responsibilities
16
Auditor's review report
17
IFRS interim financial statements andnotes
18
Additional information

Shareholder information
58
Forward-looking statements
59
focus on value creation
through acquisition and consolidation combined withmanagement actions. Wecreate value for our customers by maximising policyholder returns and for our shareholders by generating capital and releasing excess surplus as dividends.
GROUP Chief executive officer'sREPORT
Clive Bannister 
Group Chief Executive Officer
"The pending acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection businesses is in line with Phoenix's strategy of closed life consolidation."
INTRODUCTION
The first half of 2016 has seen Phoenix take an important step forward in its strategy of closed life fund consolidation. The 375 million acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection business, announced on 27 May, will add 12 billion of assets under management and over 910,000 policies to the Group. The transaction meets our stated acquisition criteria and will generate additional cash to support both increased dividends and maintain the Group's investment grade rating. Phoenix has extensive integration experience and we believe that the acquired businesses are a strong fit, benefiting both shareholders and policyholders alike. It is anticipated that completion will occur during the fourth quarter of 2016, subject to regulatory approvals.
The new Solvency II capital regime came into force on 1 January 2016 and has significantly changed how we manage our business through the use of our approved Internal Model. However, the first six months of the year has also seen significant market uncertainty, exacerbated by the results of the EU Referendum in June, with long-term interest rates declining sharply. As we stated at the time of our full year results in March, the Group's Solvency II surplus is negatively impacted by such moves.
Despite the market uncertainty the Group has been successful in executing management actions and implementing interest rate hedging strategies. This has helped partly mitigate the negative impact of market movements and Phoenix will continue to closely monitor the markets in the coming months in order to ensure that the Group maintains a resilient capital position. 
In addition, Phoenix agreed a revised bank facility of 650 million in March, reducing interest costs and extending the maturity of the Group's debt. Furthermore, the facility no longer has any mandatory or target amortisation payments and offers the Group greater flexibility to make acquisitions.
The Board has declared an interim dividend for the first six months of 2016 of 26.7p per share which is scheduled to be paid on 3 October 2016 and is in line with the 2015 interim and final dividends. Following completion of the AXA acquisition, the Board expects to increase the 2016 final dividend by 5% to 28.0p per share. This would increase the dividend per share to 56.0p on an annualised basis, which the Board believes is a sustainable level at which to rebase the dividend going forward.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
DELIVERY OF FINANCIAL TARGETS
Against a full year cash generation target of 350 million to 450 million, 147 million was delivered in the first half of the year and we remain on track to achieve our 2016 target. We reiterate the longer-term cash generation target of 2.0 billion between 2016 to 2020 and anticipate a further 3.1 billion of cash generation from 2021 onwards, a clear demonstration of the long-term cash flow potential of the Group despite the market volatility during the first half of the year. The Group's cash flow targets will be revised following the completion of the AXA acquisition to incorporate the expected cash generation from the acquired businesses.
As at 30 June 2016, Phoenix held 921 million of cash at the level of the Group's holding companies, including 190 million from the equity placing, which provides the Group with resilience from market volatility.
Acquisition of AXA Wealth'spensions and protection businesses
The acquisition comprises a pensions and investments business ('Embassy'), offering a range of propositions catering to both individual and corporate requirements and SunLife, a leader in the over 50s protection sector. The consideration for the acquisition will be funded through the combination of the net proceeds of 190 million from the equity placing on 27 May and a new short-term debt facility.
The Group expects significant diversification benefits, with the mortality exposure of the SunLife business offsetting the Group's existing longevity exposure from its annuity liabilities. Phoenix intends that the acquired businesses will be incorporated within the Group's Solvency II Internal Model, subject to regulatory approval. Phoenix expects net capital synergies of approximately 250 million within six months of completion. 
This expected cash release of 250 million is inclusive of the impact of cost synergies of 10 million per annum which the Group expects to realise by leveraging its existing operating platform and outsourcing model. The acquisition will be integrated into Phoenix's operating model which will help identify opportunities for streamlining operations, and Phoenix's governance and customer model will also strengthen oversight of the acquired businesses. There are further opportunities to leverage the Group's outsourcing model with regards to the existing Embassy in-house policy administration and, for SunLife, the existing contractual arrangement with Capita will be maintained, creating a stronger relationship across the Group. These cost synergies are expected to be realised during 2017, with estimated post-tax integration costs of 25 million.
In total, the acquisition is expected to generate cash flows of approximately 0.3 billion between 2016 and 2020 and 0.2 billion from 2021 onwards. 
We will invest heavily to ensure a smooth transition of the two businesses from AXA to Phoenix and we are committed to delivering the highest level of service to both direct and IFA customers, as we do for our existing customers. The SunLife business offers additional value through its new business franchise, where it has a recognised brand and a proven track record of direct marketing. 
It is anticipated that completion will occur during the fourth quarter of 2016, subject to regulatory approvals.
PHOENIX LIFE CAPITAL POSITION
The Phoenix Life companies hold capital management buffers in addition to the required Solvency Capital Requirement ('SCR') which provide the life companies with additional resilience in the event of market volatility. Any excess over these buffers ('Free Surplus') is available for distribution to the holding companies as cash and the Free Surplus as at the start of 2016 was 0.1 billion. The Free Surplus has been negatively impacted by the fall in long-term interest rates during the first six months of the year and cash remittances to the holding companies. These have been partly offset by management actions including modelling enhancements and additional benefits from the restructure of Opal Re. The net effect has been a reduction in the Free Surplus by 0.1 billion over the first half. 
The Group plans to implement further management actions during the remainder of 2016, including further optimisation of Matching Adjustment portfolios and a Part VII transfer of an annuity portfolio currently reinsured to Guardian. These actions will increase the level of Free Surplus and support cash generation from Phoenix Life in the second half of the year.
GROUP CAPITAL POSITION
The Group's surplus under Solvency II, as calculated at the level of Phoenix Life Holdings Limited ('PLHL'), is estimated to be 1.1 billion as at 30 June 2016, compared to 1.3 billion as at 31 December 2015. The Group's estimated Solvency II surplus reflects the recalculation of transitional measures at 30 June 2016, given the significant decline in long-term interest rates during the first half of the year. 
In addition, the Group holds over 300 million of liquid assets outside the PLHL Group, including the 190 million of net proceeds from the equity placing in relation to the AXA acquisition. As these additional funds are held outside the PLHL Group, the payment of the interim dividend in October will not impact the Solvency II surplus calculated at PLHL.
The current low interest rate environment may well endure for a significant period of time. However, the Group continues to take actions to mitigate the impact of low interest rates on the Group's cash generation and capital position. These include the continued hedging of market risks as well as examining options to generate additional yield on our assets by investing in alternative asset classes such as equity release mortgages or commercial real estate debt. In addition, we seek to drive efficiencies in how we manage our businesses, thereby reducing costs and exploiting economies of scale.
SIMPLIFICATION OF GROUP STRUCTURE
Phoenix has taken significant steps in recent years to both reduce the level of debt within the Group and simplify its corporate structure and we continue to look for opportunities to further diversify away from senior bank debt to longer-term, subordinated debt. This will allow the Group to better match its debt profile to its longterm cash flows whilst offering the opportunity to rationalise the holding company structure, reducing operating costs and complexity. 
The current holding company structure was formed at the time of the Group's restructuring in 2009, with Phoenix Group Holdings being a Cayman Island-registered company domiciled in Jersey. This structure is complex for our stakeholders and imposes additional burdens on our internal governance processes. As part of the ongoing Group simplification process, Phoenix intends to put in place a new UK-registered holding company for the Group in due course. This will provide Phoenix with a stream-lined and cost-efficient internal governance structure as well as greater clarity for the Group's stakeholders, including shareholders, debt investors and regulators.
IFRS OPERATING PROFIT
The Group achieved IFRS operating profits of 107 million in the first half of 2016, including 14 million from management actions, compared to 135 million in the first half of 2015 which included 23 million of management actions.
REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE CHANGES 
The Financial Conduct Authority ('FCA') released its thematic review of the fair treatment of longstanding customers in life insurance in March and we welcome the focus the review brings to the fair treatment of policyholders. Our customers and the outcomes of their policies are fundamental to our business model and we continue to seek ways to improve.
There are also a number of ongoing reviews, including the proposed cap of 1% on early exit charges for pension customers aged over 55. Over 80% of our unitised policies have no exit charge at all and to date we have seen no evidence that any of our customers incurring an exit charge is deterred from taking advantage of pension freedoms before their selected retirement date. The Group continues to believe that the financial impact from a 1% cap on exit charges will not be material.
The ending of compulsory annuitisation of pension pots, announced at the time of the 2014 Budget, continues to have a significant impact across the UK life insurance industry. Phoenix Group currently only provides annuities for its own vesting policyholders and wrote a total of 254 million of annuities in the first half of 2016, compared with 208 million in the first half of 2015. 178 million of these are annuities with attractive guaranteed annuity rates ('GARs'), and the take-up rates of these continue to be high.
CUSTOMERS 
Phoenix Life continues to be committed to delivering a high level of customer service. We recognise the importance of timely payments to our customers and have continued to deliver our pensions payments made through the Origo Faster Transfers system in around 11 days on average. Complaint handling is also a key area of focus and this is demonstrated by our strong performance as measured by the Financial Ombudsman Service with an overturn rate of 18%. We are pleased to note this remains significantly below industry benchmarks. Incoming volumes of complaints continue to decrease and currently only represent 0.3% of customer transactions. We continue to monitor customer satisfaction, with the vast majority of our customers surveyed satisfied with the service they receive. Finally, we remain on course to meet our 2016 target to deliver 50 million of management actions to accelerate the distribution of our with-profits estate, which directly benefits our with-profit policyholders through increased future bonuses. 
There remains the risk of fraudsters targeting our customers and we have seen further attempts to do so under the pretext of the EU Referendum. We have remained active in publicising the risk of pension fraud through media campaigns and have prevented a total of over 28 million of fraudulent transfers.
OUTLOOK
It appears likely that the current market volatility will continue for some time and Phoenix is not immune to a further deterioration in longterm interest rates. However, the first six months have demonstrated the Group's resilience and we will continue to remain focused on the achievement of the financial targets we have set ourselves.
Following the announcement of the AXA acquisition, I continue to believe that the impact of regulatory changes will provide Phoenix with a number of further opportunities, as open life companies are forced to reappraise their business models and strategies for their legacy policies. The Group has demonstrated how its Solvency II Internal Model is a key tool in assessing acquisitions, providing more accurate pricing and understanding of synergy and diversification benefits. Together with an operating model specifically designed for closed life fund consolidation, the Group is well placed to generate value from further acquisitions.
I would also like to welcome Wendy Mayall, John Pollock and Nicholas Shott as Directors to the Board. All three new members of the Board bring extensive experience and join the Group at an exciting time in its development. I look forward to working with them as Phoenix addresses the challenges of operating in a low interest rate environment whilst taking advantage of opportunities to grow the business.
Finally, I would also like to thank my colleagues for their hard work during the first half of the year. Despite the ongoing economic uncertainty, the Group can look forward to the future with confidence.
Clive Bannister 
Group Chief Executive Officer
24 August 2016
Business Review
In this section

Cash generation
06
Capital management
08
IFRS operating profit
10
Risk management
12
Business review
"The Group's financial performance remained resilient in the first half ofthe year despite market uncertainties and we remain on track to deliver our 2016 targets."
JAMES McCONVILLE 
GROUPFINANCE DIRECTOR
Introduction
Following the implementation of Solvency II, the Group's capital is managed on a Solvency II basis. Phoenix was granted approval for its Internal Model in December 2015 and this is the basis upon which the Group's risks and capital requirements are managed. Consequently, we have aligned our key performance metrics to the Solvency II framework and information on the Group's MCEV basis is no longer presented.
Our strategy has historically focused on cash flows and this remains the case under the new framework, with the Solvency II capital position underpinning the Group's cash generation, driven by the free surplus of Phoenix Life. More information on these linkages is presented in the Capital Management section.
The Group has been adversely impacted by the unfavourable market movements during the first half of 2016. However, we continue to take actions to mitigate the effects of market volatility to ensure that the Group maintains a stable capital position.
The continued low interest rate environment has triggered changes to the Group's expectations of persistency for products with guarantees and this has adversely impacted IFRS operating profit in the period. This has been partly offset by the positive impacts of amendments to IFRS actuarial reserving estimates and assumptions to more closely align to the Solvency II requirements.
Cash generation
147m
Operating companies' cash generation
Maintaining strong cash flow delivery underpins debt servicing and repayments as well as shareholder dividends.
With cash generation of 147 million, the Group is on track to meet its full year cash generation target of 350 million to 450 million.
HOLDING COMPANIES' CASH FLOWS
The Group's closed life funds provide predictable fund maturity and liability profiles, creating stable long-term cash flows for distribution to shareholders and for repayment of outstanding debt. Although investment returns are less predictable, some of this risk is borne by policyholders.
The following analysis of cash flows reflects the cash paid by the operating companies to the Group's holding companies, as well as the uses of these cash receipts:

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2016
m
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
706
988
Operating companies' cash generation:


Cash receipts from Phoenix Life
147
110
Total cash receipts1
147
110
Uses of cash:


Operating expenses
(15)
(13)
Pension scheme contributions
(8)
(8)
Debt interest
(8)
(32)
Total recurring outflows
(31)
(53)
Non-recurring outflows
(25)
(9)
Uses of cash before debt repayments andshareholder dividend
(56)
(62)
Debt repayments
(6)
(60)
Shareholder dividend
(60)
(60)
Total uses of cash
(122)
(182)
Equity raise (net of fees)
190
-
Cash and cash equivalents at 30 June2
921
916
1 Includes amounts received by the holding companies in respect of tax losses surrendered to the operating companies of 44 million (HY15: 43 million).
2 Closing balance at 30 June 2016 includes required prudential cash buffer of 150 million (30 June 2015: 150 million). 
CASH RECEIPTS
Cash remitted by the operating companies was 147 million (HY15: 110 million) which comprises cash receipts of 85 million from the sale of certain investments held by Opal Re and other receipts from Phoenix Life of 62 million. The 2016 dividends from Phoenix Life have been deferred to the second half of 2016 pending delivery of management actions.
The Group remains on track to meet its cash generation target range of between 350 million and 450 million in 2016.
RECURRING CASH OUTFLOWS
Operating expenses of 15 million (HY15: 13 million) are in line with the prior period and reflect costs of the corporate office partially offset by investment income.
Pension scheme contributions of 8 million (HY15: 8 million) are in line with the latest triennial funding agreements.
Debt interest decreased to 8 million (HY15: 32 million) reflecting lower principal balances following repayments made in 2015. The HY15 comparative included payment of the 20 million coupon on the Tier 1 bonds prior to their exchange for the PGH Capital subordinated notes. The coupon on the PGH Capital subordinated notes will be settled in the second half of 2016 in line with the terms and conditions of the notes.
NON-RECURRING CASH OUTFLOWS
Non-recurring cash outflows of 25 million include Group costs associated with restructuring and corporate related projects. 
The increase compared to the prior period reflects costs associated with hedging and acquisition activity undertaken in the first half of 2016.
DEBT REPAYMENTS AND SHAREHOLDER DIVIDEND
Debt repayments of 6 million were in respect of the redemption of the remaining Tier 1 bonds.
The shareholder dividend of 60 million comprises the payment of the 2015 final dividend. 
Equity raise (net of fees)
The 190 million is in relation to proceeds from the equity placement in association with the pending acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection business.
TARGET CASH FLOWS
The five-year cumulative target cash flow for 2016 to 2020 is 2.0 billion, of which 350 million to 450 million is expected to be achieved in 2016.
The resilience of the cash generation target is demonstrated by the following stress testing1:

1 Jan 2016 to
31 Dec 2020
bn
Base case five-year target
2.0
Following a 20% fall in equity markets
2.0
Following a 15% fall in property values
2.0
Following a 75bps interest rates rise2
2.1
Following a 75bps interest rates fall2
1.9
Following credit spread widening3
1.9
Following 5% decrease in annuitant mortality rates4
1.8
1. Assumes stress occurs on 30 June 2016 and there is no market recovery during the cash generation target period.
2. Assumes recalculation of transitionals (subject to PRA approval).
3. Credit stress equivalent to an average 100bps spread widening across ratings, 10% of which is due to defaults/downgrades. Equivalent by rating: AAA - 39bps, AA - 57bps, A - 91bps, BBB - 174bps.
4. Equivalent of six months increase in longevity.
Capital management
1.1bn
PLHL Solvency II surplus (estimated)
The estimated PLHL Solvency II surplus of 1.1 billion (FY15: 1.3 billion) has been adversely impacted by the market movements during the period.
The reduction in the period also reflects the payment of the 2015 final dividend and the upstreaming of the 2016 interim dividend to Phoenix Group Holdings.
144%
PLHL shareholder capital coverage ratio (estimated)
The estimated shareholder capital coverage ratio of 144% (FY15: 154%) has reduced as a result of the factors which impacted the Solvency II surplus.
The Group's capital management framework is designed to achieve the following objectives:
 To provide appropriate security for policyholders and meet all regulatory capital requirements under the Solvency II regime while not retaining unnecessary excess capital.
 To ensure sufficient liquidity to meet obligations to policyholders and other creditors.
 To optimise the overall financial leverage ratio to maintain an investment grade credit rating.
 To meet the dividend expectations of shareholders as set by the Group's dividend policy.
The framework comprises a suite of capital management policies that govern the allocation of capital throughout the Group to achieve these objectives under a range of stress conditions. The policy suite is defined with reference to policyholder security, creditor obligations, dividend policy and regulatory capital requirements.
Since 1 January 2016, the Group has monitored its regulatory capital adequacy under the new Solvency II regime, details of which are included below. 
PLHL SOLVENCY II SURPLUS (ESTIMATED)
In accordance with European Insurance and Occupational Pension Authority ('EIOPA') and PRA requirements, from 1 January 2016 the Group now undertakes a Solvency II capital adequacy assessment at the level of the highest EEA insurance group holding company, which is PLHL. 
This involves a valuation in line with Solvency II principles of PLHL's own funds and a risk-based assessment using an internal model of PLHL's solvency capital requirements ('SCR').
PLHL's own funds differ materially from the Group's IFRS equity for a number of reasons, including the exclusion of the Group's bank debt held outside of the PLHL sub-group, the recognition of future shareholder transfers from the with-profit funds (but not the shareholder share of the estate), the treatment of certain subordinated debt instruments as capital items, and a number of valuation differences, most notably with regard to insurance contract liabilities and intangible assets. In addition, PLHL own funds excludes cash and other financial assets held outside of the PLHL Group which exceeded 300 million as at 30 June 2016, and included the proceeds of the equity raise of 190 million.
The SCR is calibrated so that the likelihood of a loss exceeding the SCR is less than 0.5% over one year. This ensures that capital is sufficient to withstand a broadly '1 in 200 year event' and is calculated in accordance with the Group's PRA approved internal model. As a closed fund insurer, the Group does not need to hold capital to fund the writing of new business.
The estimated PLHL Solvency II surplus position at 30 June 2016 is set out below:

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2016
bn
Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
bn
Own funds1
6.1
5.7
Solvency capital requirement2
(5.0)
(4.4)
Solvency II surplus3
1.1
1.3
1 PLHL own funds includes the net assets of the life and holding companies calculated under Solvency II rules, pension scheme surpluses calculated on an IAS19 basis not exceeding the holding companies' contribution to the Group SCR and qualifying subordinated liabilities. It is stated net of restrictions for assets which are non-transferrable and fungible between Group companies within a period of nine months.
2 Solvency capital requirements relate to the risks and obligations, to which the PLHL Group is exposed, calculated using the Group's approved internal model.
3 Equates to a coverage ratio of 122% as at 30 June 2016 (130% at 31 December 2015).
The estimated Solvency II surplus has reduced to 1.1 billion (FY15: 1.3 billion) as a result of the following factors:
 Surplus generation and expected run-off of capital requirements of 0.1 billion.
 The positive impact of management actions undertaken in the period of 0.1 billion. This includes 63 million of management actions that have increased own funds in the period, and 23 million of management actions that have decreased SCR.
 (0.1) billion dividend payments, including the impact of upstreaming the 2016 interim dividend to Phoenix Group Holdings.
 The adverse impacts of economic movements, actuarial reserving updates and other items of (0.3) billion.
The estimated Solvency II surplus excludes surpluses arising in the Group's with-profit funds and the Group pension schemes of 0.3 billion. In the calculation of the surplus, the SCR of the with-profit funds and the Group pension schemes is included, but the related own funds are recognised only to a maximum of the SCR amount. Surpluses that arise in with-profit funds and the Group pension schemes, whilst not included in the PLHL Solvency II surplus, are available to absorb economic shocks. This means that the headline surplus is resilient to economic stresses. 
Excluding the SCR and own funds relating to the unsupported with-profit funds and the PGL Pension Scheme, the estimated Solvency II shareholder capital coverage ratio is 144% as at 30 June 2016 (154% at 31 December 2015). The Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme did not cover its SCR as at 30 June 2016 and the related own funds and SCR are therefore included in the shareholder capital coverage ratio calculation.
The shareholder capital position is further analysed between the contributions of the holding companies and the life companies as follows:
Own funds within the holding companies of 0.9 billion (FY15: 1.0 billion) principally comprises cash and other financial assets held in the holding companies and the IAS19 surplus of the Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme.
Own funds within Phoenix Life comprise 1.0 billion (FY15: 1.0 billion) in the shareholders' funds, 0.7 billion (FY15: 0.7 billion) in the nonprofit funds, 0.7 billion (FY15: 0.7 billion) in the supported with-profit funds and future shareholder transfers of 0.4 billion (HY15: 0.4 billion).
Phoenix Life free surplus represents the Solvency II surplus of the life companies that is in excess of their Board approved capital management policies. As at 30 June 2016, Phoenix Life's contribution to the PLHL Solvency II surplus of 0.6 billion is fully utilised to cover the capital management policies.
The table below analyses the movement in the Phoenix Life free surplus during the period:

Half year ended
30 Jun 2016
bn
Opening free surplus 
0.1
Surplus generation and expected run-off of capital requirements
0.1
Management actions
0.1
Economics, actuarial updates and other items
(0.2)
Free surplus before cash remittances
0.1
Cash remittances to holding companies
(0.1)
Closing free surplus (estimated)
-
The Phoenix Life free surplus excludes 48 million of financial assets held in Opal Re as at 30 June 2016.
SENSITIVITY AND SCENARIO ANALYSIS
As part of the Group's internal risk management processes, the regulatory capital requirements are tested against a number of financial scenarios. The results of that stress testing1 are provided below and demonstrate the resilience of the PLHL Solvency II surplus. 

Estimated
PLHL Solvency II surplus
30 Jun 2016
bn
Base: 30 June 2016
1.1
Following a 20% fall in equity markets 
1.1
Following a 15% fall in property values 
1.1
Following a 75bps interest rates rise2
1.1
Following a 75bps interest rates fall2
1.0
Following credit spread widening3
1.0
Following 5% decrease in annuitant mortality rates4
0.9
1. Assumes stress occurs on 30 June 2016.
2. Assumes recalculation of transitionals (subject to PRA approval).
3. Credit stress equivalent to an average 100bps spread widening across ratings, 10% of which is due to defaults/downgrades. Equivalent by rating: AAA - 39bps, AA - 57bps, A - 91bps, BBB - 174bps.
4. Equivalent of six months increase in longevity.
IFRS operating profit
107m
IFRS operating profit
Group IFRS operating profit has decreased to 107 million (HY15: 135 million), primarily driven by the adverse impacts of actuarial reserve strengthening in the period, partly offset by the positive impacts of updates made to the IFRS reserving methodology to more closely align to the Solvency II requirements.
GROUP IFRS OPERATING PROFIT
The Group has generated an IFRS operating profit of 107 million (HY15: 135 million).
Group operating profit
Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
m
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Phoenix Life
108
141
Group costs
(1)
(6)
Operating profit before adjusting items
107
135
Investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business
(147)
44
Variance on owners' funds
130
(4)
Amortisation of acquired in-force business, customer relationships and other intangibles
(40)
(48)
Non-recurring items
(14)
1
Profit before finance costs attributable toowners
36
128
Finance costs attributable to owners
(46)
(49)
(Loss)/profit before the tax attributable toowners:
(10)
79
Tax credit/(charge) attributable to owners
13
(1)
Profit for the period attributable toowners
3
78
PHOENIX LIFE
Operating profit for Phoenix Life is based on expected investment returns on financial investments backing shareholder and policyholder funds over the reporting period, with consistent allowance for the corresponding expected movements in liabilities (being the release of prudential margins and the interest cost of unwinding the discount on the liabilities). The principal assumptions underlying the calculation of the long-term investment return are set out in note 5 to the IFRS interim financial statements.
Operating profit includes the effect of variances in experience for non-economic items, such as mortality and persistency, and the effect of changes in non-economic assumptions. Changes due to economic items, for example market value movements and interest rate changes, which give rise to variances between actual and expected investment returns, and the impact of changes in economic assumptions on liabilities, are accounted for outside of operating profit. Phoenix Life operating profit is net of policyholder finance charges and policyholder tax.
Phoenix Life operating profit
Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
m
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
m
With-profit
39
36
With-profit where internal capital supportprovided 
(51)
9
Non-profit and unit-linked
65
76
One-off impact of IFRS methodology change
38
-
Long-term return on owners' funds
3
5
Management services
14
15
Phoenix Life operating profit before tax
108
141
The with-profit operating profit of 39 million represents the shareholders' one-ninth share of the policyholder bonuses and is in line with the comparative period (HY15: 36 million).
The with-profit funds where internal capital support has been provided generated an operating loss of 51 million (HY15: 9 million profit). The loss is principally driven by the recognition of a provision to reflect the impact of the continued low interest rate environment on the Group's expectations of persistency for products with guarantees, resulting in an adverse impact of 64 million on the result for the period.
The operating profit on non-profit and unit-linked funds decreased to 65 million (HY15: 76 million). The reduction primarily reflects the adverse one-off impacts of actuarial modelling enhancements undertaken in the period to extend the products and liabilities eligible for matching adjustment.
Following the implementation of Solvency II, certain changes have been made to the assumptions and estimates used in the valuation of insurance contract liabilities to more closely align the IFRS reserving methodology with Solvency II requirements. As the Group manages its capital on a Solvency II basis, the changes will mean that the IFRS results will more closely reflect the way the business is managed and the Group's risk hedging strategies. The changes have resulted in an overall favourable impact of 38 million to Phoenix Life IFRS operating profit. The overall profile for the emergence of future IFRS operating profits is expected to be materially unchanged as a result of these updates. More details on the changes are provided in note 12 to the IFRS interim financial statements.
The long-term return on owners' funds of 3 million (HY15: 5 million) reflects the asset mix of owners' funds, primarily cash-based assets and fixed interest securities. The investment policy for managing these assets remains prudent.
The operating profit for management services of 14 million (HY15: 15 million) comprises income from the life companies in accordance with the respective management service agreements less fees related to the outsourcing of services and other operating costs. The decrease compared to the prior period principally reflects the impact of life company run-off.
GROUP COSTS
Group costs in the period were 1 million (HY15: 6 million). The reduction compared to the prior period principally reflects an increased return on the higher opening pension scheme surpluses of both the PGL Pension Scheme and the Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme.
INVESTMENT RETURN VARIANCES AND ECONOMIC ASSUMPTION CHANGES ON LONG-TERM BUSINESS
The negative investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business of 147 million (HY15: 44 million positive) are primarily driven by adverse market movements during the period.
The majority of the negative variance is driven by the adverse impact of falling yields on the life funds. Offsetting impacts have arisen in the owners' funds which hold interest rate hedging positions (see variance on owners' funds below).
The investment return variances have also been adversely impacted by losses arising on equity hedging positions held by the life funds following equity market gains in the period. The equity market gains are not reflected in the IFRS balance sheet as they are in respect of future profits.
VARIANCE ON OWNERS' FUNDS
The positive variance on owners' funds of 130 million (HY14: 4 million negative) is principally driven by interest rate hedging positions held in the life companies' shareholder funds. The majority of the gain reflects the impact of falling yields on interest rate hedging positions undertaken to protect the life companies' capital position.
AMORTISATION OF ACQUIRED IN-FORCE BUSINESS AND OTHER INTANGIBLES
Acquired in-force business and other intangibles of 2.7 billion were recognised on the acquisition of the operating companies in 2009. The acquired in-force business is being amortised in line with the run-off of the life companies. Amortisation of acquired in-force business during the period totalled 33 million (HY15: 41 million). Amortisation of other intangible assets totalled 7 million in the period (2015: 7million).
NON-RECURRING ITEMS
Non-recurring items of (14) million (HY15: 1 million positive) include a 14 million gain following completion of data review procedures associated with the reassurance of PLAL annuities in 2015 and a 3 million positive impact of a pension increase exchange exercise in respect of the PGL Pension Scheme. These items have been more than offset by the recognition of a 16 million cost of providing for claims relating to creditor insurance underwritten by a subsidiary of the Group, PA (GI) Limited, prior to 2006, 12 million of corporate project costs and a 3 million adverse impact of other one-off items. The prior period result included an 11 million release of cost provisions associated with external regulatory changes, including the cap on workplace pension charges and the pension guidance levy partly offset by 8 million of corporate project costs and 2 million of net other items.
FINANCE COSTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS

Half year ended
30 Jun 2016
m
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Bank finance costs
12
17
Other finance costs
34
32
Finance costs attributable to owners
46
49
Finance costs have decreased by 3 million, comprising a 5 million reduction in bank finance costs primarily driven by restructuring and repayments of bank debt, and 2 million increase in other finance costs attributable to interest on the 428 million subordinated notes issued during the first half of 2015.
TAX CREDIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS
The Company is exempt from tax in the Cayman Islands on any profits, income, gains or appreciations for a period of 30 years from 11 May 2010.
With effect from the acquisition of the operating subsidiaries in the third quarter of 2009, the Company has been managed and controlled from Jersey, where its permanent office premises are located. As a Jersey resident holding company, the Company is subject to a 0% tax rate on its income. Consequently, tax charged in these accounts primarily represents UK tax on profits earned in the UK, where the principal subsidiaries have their centre of operations.
The Group tax credit for the period attributable to owners is 13 million (HY15: 1 million tax charge) based on a loss (after policyholder tax) of (10) million (HY15: 79 million profit). The actual tax credit is different from the expected tax credit (based on the UK corporation tax rate of 20%) of 2 million primarily due to certain profit being either non-taxable or taxable at rates other than the standard rate and the recognition of previously unrecognised deferred tax assets (see note 6 to the IFRS interim financial statements for analysis).
Risk management
"The Group has an embedded Risk Management Framework that is forward-looking and proactive to manage risk within risk appetite. Strong risk governance founded on the three lines of defence supports policyholder security and the safe execution of the Group's strategy." 
Wayne Snow 
Group Chief Risk Officer
INTRODUCTION
Our framework and risk infrastructure enabled us to take proactive measures to prepare for the EU referendum result and the volatile interest rate environment which followed.
Principal risks anduncertainties facing the group 
The Group's top principal risks and uncertainties are detailed in the table below together with their potential impact, mitigating actions which are in place and the change in the risk from last year. As economic changes occur and the industry and regulatory environment evolves, the Group will continue to monitor the potential impact of these principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group.
Change in risk from last year
Trend
Risk Improving
-
No Change
Risk Deteriorating
Risk
Impact
Mitigation
Change from last year
In times of severe market turbulence, the Group may not have sufficient capital or liquid assets to meet its cash flow targets or it may suffer a loss in value.
The emerging cash flows of the Group may be impacted during periods of severe market turbulence by the need to maintain appropriate levels of regulatory capital. The impact of market turbulence may also result in a material adverse impact on the Group's capital position.
The Group undertakes regular monitoring activities in relation to market risk exposure, including limits in each asset class, cash flow forecasting and stress and scenario testing. In response to this, the Group has implemented de-risking strategies to mitigate against adverse customer and shareholder outcomes. The Group also maintains cash buffers in its holding companies to reduce reliance on emerging cash flows.
Markets have been particularly turbulent following the EU Referendum.
Yields on UK government debt and swap rates have fallen markedly. Phoenix prepared for this potential outcome by reducing residual interest rate exposure using a combination of interest rate swaps and swaptions. However, the fall in yields this year has decreased the Group's excess capital position. The position continues to be closely monitored and managed, particularly in the low interest environment.
Credit markets have been relatively stable over the year to date while equity market volatility is largely hedged.
Adverse changes in experience versus actuarial assumptions.
The Group has liabilities under annuities and other policies that are sensitive to future longevity, mortality and persistency rates. Changes in assumptions may lead to changes in the assessed level of liabilities to policyholders. The amount of additional capital required to meet those liabilities could have a material adverse impact on the Group's results, financial condition andprospects.
The Group undertakes regular reviews of experience and annuitant survival checks to identify any variances in assumptions. The Group has also entered into reinsurance contracts to manage this risk within appetite.
Policyholder take-up of valuable guarantees expected to increase in a low interest rate environment.
Significant counterparty failure.
Assets held to meet obligations to policyholders include debt securities. Phoenix Life is exposed to deterioration in the actual or perceived creditworthiness or default of issuers. An increase in credit spreads on debt securities, particularly if it is accompanied by a higher level of actual or expected issuer defaults, could have a material adverse impact on the Group's financial condition.
The Group is also exposed to trading counterparties failing to meet all or part of their obligations, such as reinsurers failing to meet obligations assumed under reinsurance arrangements or stock-borrowers failing to pay asrequired.
The Group regularly monitors its counterparty exposure and has specific limits relating to individual holdings, counterparty credit rating, sector and geography. Where possible, exposures are diversified through the use of a range of counterparty providers. All material reinsurance and derivative positions are appropriately collateralised andguaranteed.
The Group continues to monitor counterparty exposures holistically across all counterparty obligations, both in respect of debt securities and trading.
In some cases individual counterparty holdings have been adjusted to ensure the Group remains within risk appetite.
Changes in the regulatory and legislative landscape may impact the way that Phoenix Life engages with its customers.
The move to the conduct-focused regulator has seen a continued move away from rules-based regulation with a greater focus on customer outcomes. This may challenge the existing approach and/or may result in remediation exercises.
The Group puts considerable effort into managing relationships with its regulators so that it is able to maintain a forward view regarding potential changes to the regulatory landscape. The Group assesses the risks of regulatory change and the impact on our operations and lobbies where appropriate.
Phoenix has focused on activities identified following publication of the 'Fair Treatment of Customers in Closed Books' review to enhance our management of conduct risk.
Phoenix is making the necessary preparations for the introduction of the proposed 1% cap on exit charges for those over 55 accessing pension freedoms and the secondary annuity market. The financial impacts of these are not expected to be material.
The current assessment of the residual risk in respect of each of the Group's principal risks is illustrated in the chart opposite. 
The residual risk is the remaining risk after controls and mitigating actions have been taken into account. 
The Group's senior management and Board also take emerging risks into account when considering potentially adverse outcomes and appropriate management actions prior to the risk crystallising.
Some of the current emerging risks the Group considers are listed in the table below.
Risk
Title
Description

Risk Universe Category
Regulatory Thematic Reviews
The unknown consequences and the potential impact, including retrospective activity, as a result of Thematic Reviews conducted by regulators.
Customer
Voluntary Charges Cap
The FCA has noted that they are seeking a 'voluntary solution' on paid up and exit charges for legacy products. 
Customer
Political Risk
Unexpected changes in the legislative environment and the impacts on financial markets driven by the political agenda following the UK's decision to leave the European Union.
Strategic
Tax Risk
Changes announced in the Spring Budget propose limiting the credit that life companies can take for offsetting incurred losses against future profits from April 2017.
Financial Soundness
Financials
In this section

Statement of Directors' responsibilities
16
Auditor's review report
17
Condensed consolidated interim financial statements
18
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
26
Additional life company asset disclosures
51
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES
The Board of Directors of Phoenix Group Holdings (as listed below) hereby declares that, to the best of its knowledge:
the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the half year ended 30 June 2016, which have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting, gives a fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and results of Phoenix Group Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as whole;
the Interim Report includes a fair view of the state of affairs of Phoenix Group Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries as at 30 June 2016 and for the financial half year to which the Interim Report relates, as required by DTR 4.2.7 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules. This includes a description of the important events that occurred during the first half of the year and refers to the principal risks and uncertainties facing Phoenix Group Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries for the remaining six months of the year; and
the Interim Report includes, as required by DTR 4.2.8, a fair view of the information required on material transactions with related parties and any material changes in related party transactions described in the last annual report.
CLIVE BANNISTER  JAMES MCCONVILLE
Group Chief Executive Officer  Group Finance Director

St Helier, Jersey
24 AUGUST 2016
PHOENIX GROUP HOLDINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIRMAN
Henry Staunton
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Clive Bannister
James Mcconville
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Ren-Pierre Azria
Alastair Barbour
Ian Cormack
Isabel Hudson
Kory Sorenson
David Woods
AUDITOR'S REVIEW REPORT
To: The Board of Directors of Phoenix Group Holdings
INTRODUCTION
We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2016 which comprises the condensed consolidated income statement, the condensed statement of consolidated comprehensive income, the pro forma reconciliation of Group operating profit to result attributable to owners, the condensed statement of consolidated financial position, the condensed statement of consolidated cash flows, the condensed statement of consolidated changes in equity and the related notes on pages 26 to 50. We have read the other information contained in the interim financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements. 
This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with guidance contained in International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 (UK and Ireland) 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES 
The interim financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. 
As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRSs'). The condensed set of financial statements included in this interim financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting'. 
OUR RESPONSIBILITY 
Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report based on our review. 
SCOPE
We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.
CONCLUSION
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2016 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority. 
Ernst & Young LLP
London
24 August 2016
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
For the half year ended 30 June 2016

Notes
Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
m
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
m
Gross premiums written

449
415
902
Less: premiums ceded to reinsurers

(25)
(28)
(1,376)
Net premiums written

424
387
(474)

Fees

36
47
95
Net investment income

4,450
372
1,064
Total revenue, net of reinsurance payable

4,910
806
685

Other operating income

16
4
7
Net income

4,926
810
692

Policyholder claims

(1,783)
(1,851)
(3,931)
Less: reinsurance recoveries

218
150
326
Change in insurance contract liabilities

(2,727)
1,617
2,959
Change in reinsurers' share of insurance contract liabilities

36
(233)
1,003
Transfer from unallocated surplus

32
40
84
Net policyholder claims and benefits incurred

(4,224)
(277)
441

Change in investment contract liabilities

(277)
(126)
(232)
Acquisition costs

(3)
(4)
(7)
Change in present value of future profits

(5)
(4)
(6)
Amortisation and impairment of acquired in-force business

(38)
(45)
(148)
Amortisation of customer relationships

(7)
(7)
(15)
Administrative expenses

(225)
(218)
(430)
Net income attributable to unitholders

(25)
(12)
(7)
Total operating expenses

(4,804)
(693)
(404)

Profit before finance costs and tax

122
117
288

Finance costs

(62)
(69)
(136)
Profit for the period before tax

60
48
152

Tax (charge)/credit attributable to policyholders' returns
6
(70)
31
33
(Loss)/profit before the tax attributable to owners

(10)
79
185

Tax (charge)/credit
6
(57)
30
97
Add: tax attributable to policyholders' returns
6
70
(31)
(33)
Tax credit/(charge) attributable to owners
6
13
(1)
64
Profit for the period attributable to owners 
3
78
249

Attributable to:
Owners of the parent

2
51
201
Non-controlling interests
10
1
27
48


3
78
249





Earnings per share




Basic (pence per share)
7
0.2p
22.7p
89.8p
Diluted (pence per share)
7
0.2p
22.7p
89.6p
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the half year ended 30 June 2016

Notes
Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
m
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
m
Profit for the year

3
78
249
Other comprehensive income/(expense):




Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss:




Reclassification adjustments relating to foreign collective investment schemes disposed of in the period

-
(10)
(10)
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:




Owner-occupied property revaluation gains

-
-
4
Remeasurements of net defined benefit asset

239
(43)
11
Tax (charge)/credit relating to other comprehensive income items
6
(1)
1
(5)
Total other comprehensive income/(expense) for the period

238
(52)
-





Total comprehensive income for the period

241
26
249




Attributable to:
Owners of the parent

240
(1)
201
Non-controlling interests
10
1
27
48


241
26
249
PRO FORMA RECONCILIATION OF GROUP OPERATING PROFIT TO RESULT ATTRIBUTABLE TOOWNERS
For the half year ended 30 June 2016

Notes
Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
m
Half year ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
m
Operating profit




Phoenix Life

108
141
336
Group costs

(1)
(6)
(12)
Total operating profit before adjusting items

107
135
324





Investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business
5.2
(147)
44
13
Variance on owners' funds
5.3
130
(4)
(12)
Amortisation on acquired in-force business

(33)
(41)
(75)
Amortisation of customer relationships

(7)
(7)
(15)
Non-recurring items
4.2
(14)
1
49
Profit before finance costs attributable to owners

36
128
284





Finance costs attributable to owners

(46)
(49)
(99)
(Loss)/profit before tax attributable to owners
4.2
(10)
79
185





Tax credit/(charge) attributable to owners

13
(1)
64
Profit for the period attributable to owners

3
78
249
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION
As at 30 June 2016

Notes
30 Jun
2016
m
30 Jun
2015
m
31 Dec
2015
m
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES









Equity attributable to owners of the parent




Share capital
9
-
-
-
Share premium

991
921
861
Shares held by employee benefit trust

(3)
(5)
(5)
Foreign currency translation reserve

96
93
96
Owner-occupied property revaluation reserve

4
-
4
Retained earnings

1,718
1,287
1,478
Total equity attributable to owners of the parent

2,806
2,296
2,434





Non-controlling interests
10
-
536
570





Total equity

2,806
2,832
3,004





Liabilities




Insurance contract liabilities




Liabilities under insurance contracts
12
42,642
41,184
39,983
Unallocated surplus

845
925
877


43,487
42,109
40,860
Financial liabilities
Investment contracts

7,867
8,250
7,905
Borrowings
13
1,748
2,108
1,998
Deposits received from reinsurers

414
385
378
Derivatives

1,780
1,700
1,360
Net asset value attributable to unitholders

6,499
5,218
5,120
Obligations for repayment of collateral received

2,064
818
725

14
20,372
18,479
17,486





Provisions

41
22
28


Deferred tax

355
331
354





Reinsurance payables

18
10
19
Payables related to direct insurance contracts

367
389
364
Current tax

17
58
7
Accruals and deferred income

146
146
128
Other payables

717
999
677
Liabilities classified as held for sale
3.2
1,671
1,895
1,587





Total liabilities

67,191
64,438
61,510





Total equity and liabilities

69,997
67,270
64,514

Notes
30 Jun
2016
m
30 Jun
2015
m
31 Dec
2015
m
ASSETS









Pension scheme asset
11
763
396
506





Intangible assets




Goodwill

39
39
39
Acquired in-force business

1,227
1,368
1,265
Customer relationships

195
210
202
Present value of future profits

12
19
17


1,473
1,636
1,523

Property, plant and equipment

19
15
19





Investment property

596
1,817
1,942

Financial assets
Loans and receivables

928
454
577
Derivatives

3,881
1,660
1,498
Equities

12,322
12,765
12,351
Investment in associate

458
-
-
Investment in joint venture

-
138
-
Fixed and variable rate income securities

34,028
35,871
31,814
Collective investment schemes

3,312
3,668
3,826

14
54,929
54,556
50,066
Insurance assets




Reinsurers' share of insurance contract liabilities

3,928
2,601
3,954
Reinsurance receivables

29
32
29
Insurance contract receivables

6
9
9


3,963
2,642
3,992





Current tax

2
5
47
Prepayments and accrued income

369
402
335
Other receivables

663
695
474
Cash and cash equivalents

5,621
3,245
3,940
Assets classified as held for sale
3.2
1,599
1,861
1,670





Total assets

69,997
67,270
64,514
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CASHFLOWS
For the half year ended 30 June 2016

Notes
Half year ended
30 Jun 2016
m
Half year ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Year
ended
31 Dec 2015
m
Cash flows from operating activities



Cash generated/(utilised) by operations
15
1,601
(1,551)
(576)
Taxation paid
(4)
(103)
(110)
Net cash flows from operating activities
1,597
(1,654)
(686)




Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuing ordinary shares, net of associated commission and expenses
190
2
2
Proceeds from issuing shares in subsidiaries to non-controlling interests
-
10
35
Ordinary share dividends paid
8
(60)
(60)
(120)
Coupon paid on Perpetual Reset Capital Securities
10.1
(1)
(20)
(20)
Cash settlement of Perpetual Reset Capital Securities
10.1
(6)
(3)
(3)
Fees associated with the issuance of subordinated notes
13
-
(3)
(3)
Fees associated with the amendment of existing bank facility
(3)
-
-
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
10
-
(11)
(23)
Repayment of policyholder borrowings
(13)
(94)
(118)
Repayment of shareholder borrowings
-
(60)
(190)
Proceeds from new policyholder borrowings, net of associated expenses
-
99
99
Interest paid on policyholder borrowings
-
(3)
(15)
Interest paid on shareholder borrowings
(23)
(25)
(85)
Net cash flows from financing activities
84
(168)
(441)




Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
1,681
(1,822)
(1,127)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
3,940
5,067
5,067
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
5,621
3,245
3,940
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the half year ended 30 June 2016

Share capital (note 9)
m
Share premium m
Shares
held by employee benefit
trust
m
Foreign currency translation reserve
m
Owner-occupied property revaluation reserve 
m
Retained earnings m
Total
m
Non- controlling interests (note 10) m
Total
m
At 1 January 2016
-
861
(5)
96
4
1,478
2,434
570
3,004










Profit for the period
-
-
-
-
-
2
2
1
3
Other comprehensive income for the period
-
-
-
-
-
238
238
-
238
Total comprehensive income for theperiod
-
-
-
-
-
240
240
1
241










Issue of ordinary share capital, netof associated commissions and expenses
-
190
-
-
-
-
190
-
190
Dividends paid on ordinary shares
-
(60)
-
-
-
-
(60)
-
(60)
Coupon paid to non-controlling interests, net of tax relief
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1)
(1)
Credit to equity for equity-settled share-based payments
-
-
-
-
-
2
2
-
2
Redemption of non-controlling interests
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(6)
(6)
Elimination of non-controlling interest following loss of control
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(564)
(564)
Shares distributed by employee benefit trust
-
-
2
-
-
(2)
-
-
-
At 30 June 2016
-
991
(3)
96
4
1,718
2,806
-
2,806
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the half year ended 30 June 2015

Share
capital
(note 9)
m
Share premium m
Shares held by employee benefit
trust
m
Foreign currency translation reserve
m
Retained earnings
m
Total
m
Non- controlling interests (note 10)
m
Total
m
At 1 January 2015
-
979
(8)
103
1,291
2,365
913
3,278
Profit for the period
-
-
-
-
51
51
27
78
Other comprehensive expense for the period
-
-
-
(10)
(42)
(52)
-
(52)
Total comprehensive (expense)/income fortheperiod
-
-
-
(10)
9
(1)
27
26









Issue of ordinary share capital, net of associated commissions and expenses
-
2
-
-
-
2
-
2
Dividends paid on ordinary shares
-
(60)
-
-
-
(60)
-
(60)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
-
-
-
-
-
-
(11)
(11)
Coupon paid to non-controlling interests, netof tax relief
-
-
-
-
-
-
(15)
(15)
Credit to equity for equity-settled share-basedpayments
-
-
-
-
2
2
-
2
Shares subscribed for by non-controlling interests
-
-
-
-
-
-
10
10
Exchange of non-controlling interestsforsubordinated notes
-
-
-
-
-
-
(388)
(388)
Loss on exchange of non-controlling interests
-
-
-
-
(12)
(12)
-
(12)
Shares distributed by employee benefit trust
-
-
3
-
(3)
-
-
-
At 30 June 2015
-
921
(5)
93
1,287
2,296
536
2,832

Share
capital
(note 9)
m
Share premium
m
Shares held by employee benefit
trust
m
Foreign currency translation reserve
m
Owner-occupied property revaluation reserve
m
Retained earnings
m
Total
m
Non- controlling interests (note 10)
m
Total
m
At 1 January 2015
-
979
(8)
103
-
1,291
2,365
913
3,278










Profit for the period
-
-
-
3
-
198
201
48
249
Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the period
-
-
-
(10)
4
6
-
-
-
Total comprehensive (expense)/income for theperiod
-
-
-
(7)
4
204
201
48
249










Issue of ordinary share capital, netof associated commissions and expenses
-
2
-
-
-
-
2
-
2
Dividends paid on ordinary shares
-
(120)
-
-
-
-
(120)
-
(120)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(23)
(23)
Coupon paid to non-controlling interests, net of tax relief
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(15)
(15)
Credit to equity for equity-settled share-based payments
-
-
-
-
-
4
4
-
4
Shares subscribed for by non-controlling interests
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
35
35
Exchange of non-controlling interests for subordinated notes
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(388)
(388)
Loss on exchange of non-controlling interests
-
-
-
-
-
(12)
(12)
-
(12)
Shares distributed by employee benefit trust
-
-
9
-
-
(9)
-
-
-
Shares acquired by employee benefit trust
-
-
(6)
-
-
-
(6)
-
(6)
At 31 December 2015
-
861
(5)
96
4
1,478
2,434
570
3,004
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. BASIS OF PREPARATION
The condensed consolidated interim financial statements ('the interim financial statements') for the half year ended 30 June 2016 comprise the interim financial statements of Phoenix Group Holdings ('the Company') and its subsidiaries (together referred to as 'the Group') as set out on pages 18 to 50 and were authorised by the Board of Directors for issue on 24 August 2016. The interim financial statements are unaudited but have been reviewed by the auditors, Ernst & Young LLP and their review report appears on page 17.
The interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ('IASB'). The accounting policies applied in the interim financial statements are consistent with those set out in the 2015 consolidated financial statements except for the adoption of new standards and interpretations effective from 1 January 2016 as referred to below.
The interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the 2015 consolidated financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the Group's 2015 Annual Report and Accounts.
In preparing the interim financial statements the Group has adopted the following standards, interpretations and amendments effective from 1 January 2016:
 Annual Improvements to IFRS 2012 - 2014 cycle; 
 Disclosure initiative (amendments to IAS 1); and
 Clarification of acceptable methods of depreciation and amortisation (amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38).
These standards, interpretations or amendments that have been applied for the first time in 2016 do not impact the 2016 interim financial statements, and are not expected to have a significant impact on the 2016 consolidated financial statements. The Group has not early adopted any other standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective. 
After making enquiries, the Directors consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these interim financial statements.
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the interim financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the 2015 consolidated financial statements.
As a result of the deconsolidation of the UK Commercial Property Trust Limited and the subsequent recognition of the Group's remaining interest in the structure as an associate during the period (see note 3.2.4), the Group accounting policy for associates is as noted below:
Investments in associates that are held for investment purposes are accounted for under IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement as permitted by IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures. These are measured at fair value through profit or loss. There are no investments in associates which are of a strategic nature.
The preparation of the interim financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. Following the implementation of the Solvency II regulatory regime effective from 1 January 2016, the Group has made certain changes to the assumptions and estimates used in the valuation of insurance contracts. Further details of the changes are included in note 12.3.
3. ACQUISITIONS, ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSALS 
3.1 ACQUISITIONS 
On 27 May 2016, the Group announced that Pearl Life Holdings Limited, a subsidiary undertaking of the Group, had entered into conditional agreements with AXA UK plc to acquire AXA Wealth's pensions and protection businesses. Cash consideration of 375 million (net of adjustment for expected items as at completion) will be payable on completion and will be funded through a combination of the net proceeds of an equity placing (see note 9) and a new short-term debt facility (see note 13).
Completion is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2016, subject to regulatory approvals.
3.2 ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF OPERATIONS CLASSIFIED ASHELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSALS
The balances transferred to assets and liabilities classified as held for sale in the condensed statement of consolidated financial position as at 30 June 2016 relate to the anticipated Part VII transfer of a portfolio of annuity liabilities to ReAssure Limited (see note 3.2.1). The balances as at 30 June 2015 related to the anticipated Part VII transfer and the agreement to sell Scottish Mutual International (see note 3.2.2). The balances as at 31 December 2015 related to the anticipated Part VII transfer and the agreement to sell the Group's interest in an investment property joint venture held by Pearl Breakfast Unit Trust (see note 3.2.3). 
Details of the loss of control of UK Commercial Property Trust Limited and the disposal of Castle Hill Credit Opportunities Holdings Limited are included in notes 3.2.4 and 3.2.5 respectively. 

Carrying amount
30 Jun
2016
m
Carrying amount
30 Jun
2015
m
Carrying amount
31 Dec
2015
m
Assets classified as held for sale:



Financial assets
-
177
-
Reinsurer's share of insurance contract liabilities
1,599
1,630
1,521
Investment in joint venture
-
-
149
Cash and cash equivalents
-
51
-
Other assets
-
3
-

1,599
1,861
1,670




Liabilities classified as held forsale:



Liabilities under insurance contracts
1,671
1,893
1,587
Payables related to direct insurance contracts
-
1
-
Other liabilities
-
1
-

1,671
1,895
1,587
3.2.1 ANNUITY LIABILITIES TRANSFER
On 31 July 2014, the Group entered into a reinsurance agreement, effective from 1 January 2014 to reinsure certain portfolios of the Group's annuity liabilities to ReAssure Life Limited (formerly Guardian Assurance Limited) in exchange for the transfer of financial assets of 1.7 billion. The annuity in-payment liabilities are currently held in the Group's with-profit funds. It is highly probable that the reinsurance agreement will be replaced by a formal scheme under Part VII of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to transfer the annuity liabilities to ReAssure Limited, a fellow subsidiary of ReAssure Life Limited. Management's expectations are that the necessary approvals will be in place by the end of 2016 and all parties remain committed to completing the Part VII. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities to be transferred have been classified as held for sale.
Liabilities classified as held for sale include the annuity liabilities reinsured to ReAssure Life Limited and directly attributable expense reserves where they will be extinguished at the time of transfer. Assets classified as held for sale include the associated reinsurer's share of insurance contract liabilities.
Under the terms of this reinsurance agreement, ReAssure Life Limited holds assets in a collateral account over which the Group has a fixed charge.
3.2.2 SCOTTISH MUTUAL INTERNATIONAL ('SMI')
On 29 June 2015, the Group and Harcourt Life Assurance Company Limited ('HLAC'), a subsidiary of Life Company Consolidation Group signed a disposal agreement under which HLAC agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital of SMI. Assets and liabilities of SMI were classified as held for sale as at 30 June 2015.
On 2 December 2015, the Group completed the sale for gross consideration of 14 million following a pre-completion capital reduction. The carrying value of the net assets transferred was 1 million, which excluded 11 million of recoverables under an intercompany reinsurance agreement that was previously eliminated on consolidation. Transaction costs were 2 million and no profit or loss was recognised on disposal. 
3.2.3 PEARL BREAKFAST UNIT TRUST
On 25 February 2016, the Group completed the sale of its entire interest in the Pearl Breakfast Unit Trust. The units in the Pearl Breakfast Unit Trust were sold to Tesco Property Holdings (No.2) Limited and Tesco Property Holdings Limited. As part of the sale agreement Tesco plc also purchased the Group's investment in Tesco Property Partner (GP) Limited. 
3.2.4 UK COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRUST LIMITED ('UKCPT')
In February 2016, the Group reduced its holding in the issued share capital of UKCPT to 48.9%. The Group deems that it no longer exercises control over UKCPT. The reduction in its ownership percentage below 50% coupled with the existence of a relationship agreement and a lack of representation on the Board has removed the Group's unilateral power of veto in general meetings and has placed additional restrictions on the ability of the Group to exercise control. Consequently, UKCPT has been deconsolidated from the date of this loss of control. No gain or loss arose on this effective disposal. The Group's investment in UKCPT is now treated as an associate and held at fair value.
The Group's remaining interest in UKCPT continues to be held in the with-profit funds of the Group's life companies. Therefore, the shareholder exposure to fair value movements in the Group's investment in UKCPT continues to be limited to the impact of those movements on the shareholder share of distributed profits of the relevant fund.
Net assets disposed of were as follows: 

Carrying amount on the date of loss of control
m
Cash received
2
Fair value of associate retained
498
Change in insurance contract liabilities
64
Less: Group's share of net assets at the date of loss ofcontrol

Investment property
(1,308)
Collective investment schemes
(51)
Other receivables
(15)
Cash and cash equivalents
(30)
Borrowings
248
Derivative liabilities
3
Other payables
25
Non-controlling interest
564
Profit recognised on loss of control
-
3.2.5 CASTLE HILL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES Holdings LIMITED ('CHCOHL')
During the second half of 2015, the Group completed the disposal of its entire investment in the sterling (class A) loan notes of CHCOHL. No gain or loss arose on the disposal of the investment as the net assets of the structure were carried at fair value in the consolidated financial statements. 
4. SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS
The Group defines and presents operating segments based on the information which is provided to the Board. 
An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, including revenues and expenses relating to transactions with other components of the Group. 
For management purposes, the Group is organised into business units based on their products and services and only had the Phoenix Life operating segment during the reporting period. 
Segment performance is evaluated based on profit or loss which, in certain respects, is presented differently from profit or loss in the consolidated financial statements. Group financing (including finance costs) and owners' taxes are managed on a Group basis and are not allocated to individual operating segments.
Inter-segment transactions are set on an arm's length basis in a manner similar to transactions with third parties. Segment results include those transfers between business segments which are then eliminated on consolidation.
4.1 SEGMENTAL RESULT
Half year ended 30 June 2016

Phoenix
Life
m
Unallocated Group
m
Total
m
Net premiums written
424
-
424
Fees
36
-
36
Net investment income
4,413
37
4,450
Other operating income
16
-
16




Net income
4,889
37
4,926




Net policyholder claims and benefits incurred
(4,224)
-
(4,224)
Amortisation:



Amortisation of acquired in-force business
(38)
-
(38)
Amortisation of customer relationships
(7)
-
(7)

(45)
-
(45)




Other expenses
(517)
(18)
(535)




Total expenses
(4,786)
(18)
(4,804)




Profit before finance costs and tax
103
19
122




Finance costs
(28)
(34)
(62)




Profit/(loss) before tax
75
(15)
60
Tax attributable to policyholders' returns
(70)
-
(70)
Segmental result before the tax attributable to owners
5
(15)
(10)
Half year ended 30 June 2015

Phoenix
Life
m
Unallocated Group
m
Total
m
Net premiums written
387
-
387
Fees
47
-
47
Net investment income:
364
8
372
Other operating income:
4
-
4




Net income
802
8
810




Net policyholder claims and benefits incurred
(277)
-
(277)
Amortisation:



Amortisation of acquired in-force business
(45)
-
(45)
Amortisation of customer relationships
(7)
-
(7)

(52)
-
(52)




Other expenses
(346)
(18)
(364)




Total expenses
(675)
(18)
(693)




Profit/(loss) before finance costs and tax
127
(10)
117




Finance costs
(32)
(37)
(69)




Profit/(loss) before tax
95
(47)
48
Tax attributable to policyholders' returns
31
-
31
Segmental result before the tax attributable to owners
126
(47)
79
Year ended 31 December 2015

Phoenix
Life
m
Unallocated Group
m
Total
m
Net premiums written
(474)
-
(474)
Fees
95
-
95
Net investment income
1,048
16
1,064
Other operating income
7
-
7




Net income
676
16
692




Net policyholder claims and benefits incurred
441
-
441
Amortisation and impairment:



Amortisation and impairment of acquired in-force business
(148)
-
(148)
Amortisation of customer relationships 
(15)
-
(15)

(163)
-
(163)




Other expenses
(651)
(31)
(682)




Total operating expenses
(373)
(31)
(404)




Profit/(loss) before finance costs and tax
303
(15)
288




Finance costs
(60)
(76)
(136)




Profit/(loss) before tax
243
(91)
152
Tax attributable to policyholders' returns
33
-
33
Segmental result before the tax attributable to owners
276
(91)
185
4.2 RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT/(LOSS) BEFORE ADJUSTING ITEMS TO THE SEGMENTAL RESULT
Half year ended 30 June 2016

Phoenix
Life
m
Unallocated Group
m
Total
m
Operating profit/(loss) before adjusting items
108
(1)
107
Investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business
(147)
-
(147)
Variance on owners' funds
102
28
130
Amortisation of acquired in-force business
(33)
-
(33)
Amortisation of customer relationships
(7)
-
(7)
Non-recurring items
(6)
(8)
(14)
Finance costs attributable to owners
(12)
(34)
(46)
Segment result before the tax attributable to owners 
5
(15)
(10)
Non-recurring items include:
a gain of 14 million arising as a result of a premium adjustment on the reassurance arrangement with RGA International following completion of a data review;
positive impact of pension increase exchange exercise of 3 million in respect of PGL Pension Scheme (see note 11);
the costs of providing for claims relating to creditor insurance underwritten prior to 2016 by a subsidiary of the Group, PA(GI) Limited, of 16 million;
corporate project costs of 12 million; and
net other one-off items totalling a cost of 3 million.
Half year ended 30 June 2015

Phoenix
Life
m
Unallocated
Group
m
Total
m
Operating profit/(loss) before adjusting items
141
(6)
135
Investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business
44
-
44
Variance on owners' funds
(1)
(3)
(4)
Amortisation of acquired in-force business
(41)
-
(41)
Amortisation of customer relationships
(7)
-
(7)
Non-recurring items
2
(1)
1
Finance costs attributable to owners
(12)
(37)
(49)
Segment result before the tax attributable to owners
126
(47)
79
Non-recurring items include:
the release of cost provisions associated with external regulatory changes, including the cap on workplace pension charges and the pension guidance levy of 11 million;
corporate project costs of 8 million; and
net other one-off items totalling a cost of 2 million.
Year ended 31 December 2015

Phoenix
Life
m
Unallocated
Group
m
Total
m
Operating profit/(loss) before adjusting items
336
(12)
324
Investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business
13
-
13
Variance on owners' funds
(7)
(5)
(12)
Amortisation of acquired in-force business
(75)
-
(75)
Amortisation of customer relationships
(15)
-
(15)
Non-recurring items
47
2
49
Finance costs attributable to owners
(23)
(76)
(99)
Segment result before the tax attributable to owners
276
(91)
185
Non-recurring items include: 
gain of 49 million (net of 64 million impairment of associated acquired in-force business) arising as a result of the reassurance arrangement entered into with RGA International;
release of provisions associated with external regulatory changes, including the cap on workplace pension charges and the pension guidance levy, of 17 million;
corporate project costs of 13 million; and
net other one-off items (including Solvency II implementation and systems transformation costs) totalling a cost of 4 million.
5. INVESTMENT RETURN VARIANCES AND ECONOMIC ASSUMPTION CHANGES
The long-term nature of much of the Group's operations means that, for internal performance management, the effects of short-term economic volatility are treated as non-operating items. The Group focuses instead on an operating profit measure that incorporates an expected return on investments supporting its long-term business. The methodology for the determination of the expected investment return is explained below together with an analysis of investment return variances and economic assumption changes recognised outside of operating profit.
5.1 CALCULATION OF THE LONG-TERM INVESTMENT RETURN
The expected return on investments for both owner and policyholder funds is based on opening economic assumptions applied to the funds under management at the beginning of the reporting period. Expected investment return assumptions are derived actively, based on risk-free yields at the start of each financial year. In line with changes made to align assumptions and estimates used in the valuation of insurance contracts with the requirements of the Solvency II regime (see note 12.3), the assumptions used in the calculation of the long-term investment return have also been updated.
From 1 January 2016, the long-term risk-free rate used as a basis for deriving the long-term investment return is set by reference to the EIOPA swap curve plus 10bps (30 June 2015 and 31 December 2015: Annualised return on the FTSE UK gilt index plus 10bps). A risk premium of 350bps is added to the risk-free yield for equities (30 June 2015 and 31 December 2015: 300bps), 250bps for properties (30 June 2015 and 31 December 2015: 200bps), 150bps for other fixed interest assets (30 June 2015 and 31 December 2015: 100bps) and 50bps for gilts (30 June 2015 and 31 December 2015: nil). If the current period long-term investment return had been calculated using a gilts plus 10bps reference rate adjusted for the relevant risk premium (as used in prior periods), the impact on operating profit for the period would be negligible.
The principal assumptions underlying the calculation of the long-term investment return are:

Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
%
Half year ended
30 Jun
2015
%
Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
%
Equities
5.6
5.3
5.3
Properties
4.6
4.3
4.3
Gilts
2.6
2.3
2.3
Other fixed interest
3.6
3.3
3.3
5.2 LIFE ASSURANCE BUSINESS 
Operating profit for life assurance business is based on expected investment returns on financial investments backing owners' and policyholder funds over the reporting period, with consistent allowance for the corresponding expected movements in liabilities. Operating profit includes the effect of variance in experience for non-economic items, for example mortality, persistency and expenses, and the effect of changes in non-economic assumptions. Changes due to economic items, for example market value movements and interest rate changes, which give rise to variances between actual and expected investment returns, and the impact of changes in economic assumptions on liabilities, are disclosed separately outside operating profit.
The movement in liabilities included in operating profit reflects both the change in liabilities due to the expected return on investments and the impact of experience variances and assumption changes for non-economic items.
The effect of differences between actual and expected economic experience on liabilities, and changes to economic assumptions used to value liabilities, are taken outside operating profit. For many types of long-term business, including unit-linked and with-profit funds, movements in asset values are offset by corresponding changes in liabilities, limiting the net impact on profit. For other long-term business the profit impact of economic volatility depends on the degree of matching of assets and liabilities, and exposure to financial options and guarantees.
The investment variances and economic assumption changes excluded from the long-term business operating profit are as follows:

Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
m
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
m
Investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business
(147)
44
13
Negative investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business of 147 million in the first half of 2016 (half year ended 30 June 2015: positive 44 million; year ended 31 December 2015: positive 13 million) resulted from the adverse impact of a fall in yields on the life funds. Offsetting impacts have arisen in the owners' funds which hold interest rate hedging positions (see note 5.3). The investment return variances have also been adversely impacted by losses arising on equity hedging positions held by life funds following equity market gains in the period. Included in the negative variance is the minority share of the result of the consolidated UKCPT property investment structure prior to its derecognition as a subsidiary in the period of 1 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 26 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 46 million).
5.3 OWNERS' FUNDS
For non-long-term business including owners' funds, the total investment income, including fair value gains, is analysed between a calculated longer-term return and short-term fluctuations. 
The variances excluded from operating profit in relation to owners' funds are as follows:

Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
m
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Year
ended
31 Dec 2015
m
Variance on owners' funds of subsidiary undertakings
130
(4)
(12)
The positive variance on owners' funds of subsidiary undertakings of 130 million (30 June 2015: negative 4 million; 31 December 2015: negative 12 million) is principally driven by fair value gains on interest rate hedging positions held by the shareholder funds and holding companies. The majority of the gain reflects the impact of falling yields on interest rate hedging positions undertaken to protect the Life Company capital positions.
6. TAX CHARGE/(CREDIT)
6.1 CURRENT PERIOD TAX CHARGE/(CREDIT)

Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
m
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
m
Current tax:



UK corporation tax
63
7
11
Overseas tax
-
6
8

63
13
19
Adjustment in respect of prior years
(5)
(10)
(99)
Total current tax charge/(credit)
58
3
(80)




Deferred tax:



Origination and reversal of temporary differences
(2)
(33)
7
Change in the rate of UK corporation tax
1
-
(24)
Total deferred tax credit
(1)
(33)
(17)
Total tax charge/(credit)
57
(30)
(97)




Attributable to:



- policyholders
70
(31)
(33)
- owners
(13)
1
(64)
Total tax charge/(credit)
57
(30)
(97)
The Group, as a proxy for policyholders in the UK, is required to pay taxes on investment income and gains each year. Accordingly, the tax credit or expense attributable to UK life assurance policyholder earnings is included in income tax expense. The tax charge/(credit) attributable to policyholder earnings was 70 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: (31) million; year ended 31 December 2015: (33) million).
6.2 TAX CHARGED/(CREDITED) TO OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
m
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Year
ended
31 Dec 2015
m
Current tax credit on share schemes
-
-
(1)
Deferred tax charge on defined benefit schemes
1
-
5
Deferred tax (credit)/charge on share schemes
-
(1)
1
Total tax charged/(credited) to other comprehensive income
1
(1)
5
6.3 RECONCILIATION OF TAX CHARGE/(CREDIT)

Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
m
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Year
ended
31 Dec 2015
m
Profit before tax
60
48
152
Policyholder tax (charge)/credit
(70)
31
33
(Loss)/profit before the tax attributable to owners
(10)
79
185




Tax charge at standard UK1 rate of 20% (30 June 2015: 20.25%; 31 December 2015: 20.25%)
(2)
16
37
Non-taxable income and gains
(6)
(12)
(13)
Disallowable expenses
7
3
6
Prior year tax (credit)/charge for shareholders
(2)
5
(41)
Movement on acquired in-force amortisation at less than 20% (30 June 2015: 20.25%; 31 December 2015: 20.25%)
-
1
15
Profits taxed at rates other than 20% (30 June 2015: 20.25%; 31 December 2015: 20.25%)
(4)
(10)
(36)
Recognition of previously unrecognised deferred tax assets
(7)
(3)
(6)
Deferred tax rate change
1
-
(24)
Temporary differences not valued
-
-
(1)
Other
-
1
(1)
Owners' tax (credit)/charge
(13)
1
(64)
Policyholder tax charge/(credit)
70
(31)
(33)
Total tax charge/(credit) for the period
57
(30)
(97)
1. The Phoenix Life operating segment operates predominately in the UK. The reconciliation of the tax charge/(credit) has therefore been completed by reference to the standard rate of UK tax rather than by reference to the Jersey income tax rate of 0% which is applicable to Phoenix Group Holdings.
The Finance Act 2014 set the rate of corporation tax at 20% from 1 April 2015. Finance (No.2) Act 2015 reduces the rate of corporation tax to 19% from April 2017 and 18% from April 2020. Consequently, a blended rate of tax has been used for the purposes of providing for deferred tax in these financial statements.
A further 1% reduction, to 17%, effective from April 2020 was announced in the 2016 Budget and will be introduced by future legislation. The benefit to the Group's net assets arising from the further 1% reduction in the tax rate is estimated at 7 million in total and will be recognised when the legislation is substantively enacted.
Deferred income tax assets are recognised for tax losses carried forward only to the extent that realisation of the related tax benefit is probable.

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2016
m
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
m
Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of:



Tax losses carried forward
17
18
16
Provisions and other temporary differences
-
6
4
Deferred tax assets not recognised on capital losses2
87
114
89
2 These can only be recognised against future capital gains and have no expiry date.
7. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The Group calculates its basic earnings per share based on the present shares in issue using the earnings attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.
Diluted earnings per share are calculated based on the potential future shares in issue assuming the conversion of all potentially dilutive ordinary shares. The weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of dilutive share awards granted to employees and warrants.
7.1 BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
The result attributable to owners of the parent for the purposes of computing earnings per share has been calculated as set out below. This is after adjusting for the result attributable to non-controlling interests.

Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
m
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
m
Profit for the period
3
78
249
Share of result attributable to non-controlling interests
(1)
(27)
(48)
Profit attributable to owners of the parent 
2
51
201
The weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period is calculated as follows:

Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
Number
million
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
Number
million
Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
Number
million
Issued ordinary shares at beginning of the period
225
225
225
Effect of ordinary shares issued
4
-
-
Own shares held by employee benefit trust
(1)
(1)
(1)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares
228
224
224
Basic earnings per share is as follows:

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2016
pence
Half year ended
30 Jun
2015
pence
Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
pence
Basic earnings per share 
0.2
22.7
89.8
7.2 DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
The result attributable to owners for the parent used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share is the same as that used in the basic earnings per share calculation in note 7.1 above. The diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period is 229 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 225 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 225 million). The Group's deferred bonus share schemes and sharesave share-based schemes increased the weighted average number of shares on a diluted basis by 373,129 for the half year ended 30 June 2016 (half year ended 30 June 2015: 637,830; year ended 31 December 2015: 490,276).
Diluted earnings per share is as follows:

Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
pence
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
pence
Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
pence
Diluted earnings per share 
0.2
22.7
89.6
The following instruments could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future but have not been included in the diluted earnings per share figure because they did not have a dilutive effect for the periods presented due to the exercise price of the warrants being significantly higher than the share price of the Company:
 5 million warrants issued to certain entities providing finance to the Group on 2 September 2009.
8. DIVIDENDS ON ORDINARY SHARES

Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
m
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
m
Dividend declared and paid
60
60
120
On 22 March 2016, the Board recommended a dividend of 26.7p per share in respect of the year ended 31 December 2015. The dividend was approved at the Company's Annual General Meeting, which was held on 11 May 2016. The dividend amounted to 60 million and was paid on 13 May 2016.
9. SHARE CAPITAL

30 Jun
2016
30 Jun
2015
31 Dec
2015
Authorised:



410 million (30 June 2015: 410 million; 31 December 2015: 410 million) ordinary shares of 0.0001 each
31,750
31,750
31,750




Issued and fully paid:



248.1 million (30 June 2015: 225.3 million; 31 December 2015: 225.4 million) ordinary shares of 0.0001 each
20,219
18,457
18,463
Movements in share capital during the period:

Number
Shares in issue at 1 January 2016
225,419,446
18,463
Placement of ordinary shares
22,542,000
1,748
Other ordinary shares issued in the period
103,528
8
Shares in issue at 30 June 2016
248,064,974
20,219
On 1 June 2016, the Group completed an equity placing of 22,542,000 new ordinary shares in association with the proposed acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection business (see note 3.1), which raised gross proceeds of 194 million. The proceeds from the equity placing, net of deduction of commissions and expenses, were 190 million.
During the year, the Company issued 103,528 shares at a total premium of 1 million in order to satisfy its obligation to employees under the Group's sharesave schemes.

Number
Shares in issue at 1 January 2015
225,090,284
18,439
Other ordinary shares issued in the period
256,156
18
Shares in issue at 30 June 2015
225,346,440
18,457
Other ordinary shares issued in the period
73,006
6
Shares in issue at 31 December 2015
225,419,446
18,463
During 2015, the Company issued 329,162 shares at a total premium of 2 million in order to satisfy its obligation to employees under the Group's sharesave schemes.
10. NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

Perpetual
Reset
Capital
Securities
m
UK Commercial
Property
Trust
Limited
m
Total
m
At 1 January 2016
7
563
570
Profit for the period
-
1
1
Coupons paid, net of tax relief
(1)
-
(1)
Redemption of Notes
(6)
-
(6)
Derecognition of non-controlling interest following loss of control
-
(564)
(564)
At 30 June 2016
-
-
-

Perpetual
Reset
Capital
Securities
m
UK
Commercial
Property
Trust
Limited
m
Total
m
At 1 January 2015
408
505
913
Profit for the period
1
26
27
Dividends paid
-
(11)
(11)
Coupons paid, net of tax relief
(15)
-
(15)
Exchange of Notes for subordinated notes
(388)
-
(388)
Shares in subsidiaries subscribed for by non-controlling interests
-
10
10
At 30 June 2015
6
530
536
Profit for the period
1
20
21
Dividends paid
-
(12)
(12)
Shares in subsidiaries subscribed for by non-controlling interests
-
25
25
At 31 December 2015
7
563
570
10.1 PERPETUAL RESET CAPITAL SECURITIES
On 1 January 2010, Pearl Group Holdings (No.1) Limited ('PGH1') had in issue 500 million of Perpetual Reset Capital Securities ('the Notes'). Following amendments made to the Notes during 2010, the aggregate amount payable on redemption of the Notes was 425 million. On 23 January 2015, the Group exchanged 99% of the Notes for 428 million of new subordinated notes, issued by PGH Capital Limited and 3 million of cash. 32 million of the new notes are held by Group Companies. The exchange resulted in a loss of 12 million which was recognised in equity. On 23 January 2015, the coupon that was due on the Notes was settled with the noteholders that exchanged their Notes. On 25 April 2015, the 2015 coupon was settled in full with the remaining noteholders.
On 25 April 2016, the coupon that was due on the remaining Notes was settled and PGH1 redeemed the remaining 6 million of Notes atpar.
10.2 UK COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRUST LIMITED ('UKCPT')
UKCPT is a property investment company which is domiciled in Guernsey and is admitted to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to trading on the London Stock Exchange. In February 2016, the Group reduced its holdings to 48.9% (half year ended 30 June 2015: 52%; year ended 31 December 2015: 50%) of the issued share capital of UKCPT. The Group deems that it no longer exercises control over UKCPT and as a result UKCPT has been deconsolidated from the effective date of this loss of control. The Group's remaining interest in UKCPT is recognised as an associate and held at fair value (see note 3.2.4).
11. PENSION SCHEMES
The condensed statement of consolidated financial position incorporates the pension scheme assets of the PGL Pension Scheme and the Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme as at 30 June 2016. The pension scheme asset of the PGL Pension Scheme amounted to 536 million (30 June 2015: 363 million; 31 December 2015: 401 million); this has been adjusted by 21 million (30 June 2015: 23 million; 31 December 2015: 22 million) to eliminate on consolidation the carrying value of insurance policies effected by the PGL Pension Scheme with the Group. The pension scheme asset of the Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme amounted to 227 million (30 June 2015: 33 million; 31 December 2015: 105 million). Pension scheme assets are stated after deduction of the provision for tax on that part of the economic surplus available as a refund on a winding-up of the scheme and after adjusting for the irrecoverable amount of minimum funding requirement obligations.
The triennial funding valuation of the PGL Pension Scheme as at 30 June 2015 was completed in June 2016. This showed a surplus as at 30 June 2015 of 164 million. There has been no change made to the current schedule of contributions and cash contributions of 15 million per annum will be paid to the PGL Pension Scheme until 31 August 2017. The triennial funding valuation of the Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme is expected to be completed in the second half of 2016.
In January 2016, the Group carried out a pension increase exchange exercise in respect of the PGL Pension Scheme. Existing in-scope pensioners were offered the option to exchange future non-statutory pension increases for a one-off uplift to their current pension, thereby reducing longevity and inflation risk for the Group. The financial effect of all acceptances received in the period has been recognised in the interim financial statements as a reduction in scheme liabilities of 3 million shown as a past service credit in the condensed consolidated income statement.
In February 2016, the Group commenced a flexible retirement option exercise whereby in scope members who are eligible to retire within the PGL Pension Scheme were offered paid for financial advice to assist them in making the decision whether to transfer out of the Scheme (based on standard terms) or to take a pension. The financial effect of all acceptances received as at 30 June 2016 have been recognised in the interim financial statements and no experience gain or loss on liabilities arose as a result of this exercise.
12. LIABILITIES UNDER INSURANCE CONTRACTS - ASSUMPTIONS 
12.1 VALUATION OF PARTICIPATING INSURANCE AND INVESTMENT CONTRACTS
For participating business, which is with-profit business (insurance and investment contracts), the insurance contract liability is calculated on a realistic basis, adjusted to exclude the shareholders' share of future bonuses and the associated tax liability. This is a market consistent valuation, which involves placing a value on liabilities similar to the market value of assets with similar cash flow patterns.
12.2 VALUATION OF NON-PARTICIPATING INSURANCE CONTRACTS
The non-participating insurance contract liabilities are determined using either a net premium or gross premium valuation method.
12.3 PROCESS USED TO DETERMINE ASSUMPTIONS
Following the implementation of the Solvency II regulatory regime effective from 1 January 2016, the Group has made certain changes to the assumptions and estimates used in the valuation of insurance contracts, as follows:
 In determining the discount rate to be applied when calculating participating and non-participating insurance contract liabilities, the Group has amended the risk-free reference curve from a gilt yield curve plus a liquidity premium of 10bps to the EIOPA swap curve plus 10bps.
 For non-participating insurance contract liabilities, the Group has previously used a valuation rate of interest and adjusted the liability discount rate by reference to the yield on the assets backing the liabilities to account for credit, default and reinvestment risk. The Group now makes an explicit adjustment to the risk-free rate to adjust for illiquidity in respect of assets backing illiquid liabilities. The new approach does not take any additional credit for investment margins compared to the previous methodology.
For non-participating insurance contract liabilities, the Group previously derived demographic assumptions by adding an implicit prudent margin to best estimate assumptions. The Group has amended its approach in this regard and now sets assumptions at management's best estimates and recognises an explicit margin for demographic risks. For participating business in realistic basis companies, the assumptions about future demographic trends continue to represent 'best estimates'.
The assumption changes have been made to align the IFRS basis more closely with the requirements of Solvency II and move the basis closer to the Group's expectations of the requirements under the anticipated new IFRS on insurance contracts. As the Group manages its capital in accordance with Solvency II, the changes outlined above will mean the IFRS results will more closely reflect the way the business is managed and the Group's risk hedging strategies. In particular, the sensitivity of the Group's results to movements in interest rates is significantly reduced.
The amendments to the risk-free reference rate and the approach for adjusting for illiquidity increased insurance liabilities by 77 million. This has been more than offset by the impact of the change in approach for determining the demographic prudence margin, which reduced insurance liabilities by 122 million. After allowing for other second order impacts of the changes (including the revaluation of certain current liabilities using the swap rather than gilt curve), the overall impact of the above changes in the period is a benefit to IFRS profit before tax of 38 million.
During the period a number of other changes were made to assumptions to reflect changes in expected experience or to harmonise the approach across the enlarged Group. The impact of the more significant changes during the period was as follows:

(Decrease)/
increase in insurance liabilities 30 Jun
2016
m
Increase in
insurance
liabilities
30 Jun
2015
m
(Decrease)/
increase in
insurance
liabilities
31 Dec
2015
m
Change in longevity assumptions
(15)
10
(3)
Change in assumptions regarding policyholder take-up of options and guarantees
16
-
-
Change in persistency assumptions
-
-
1
Change in mortality assumptions
-
-
3
Change in expenses assumptions
-
-
5
13. BORROWINGS

30 Jun
2016
m
30 Jun
2015
m
31 Dec
2015
m
Carrying value



Limited recourse bonds 2022 7.59%
67
74
66
Property reversions loan
186
173
194
150 million term facility
-
148
148
100 million facility agreement
-
99
99
Total policyholder borrowings
253
494
507




200 million 7.25% unsecured subordinated loan
163
153
158
300 million senior unsecured bond
298
298
298
450 million revolving credit facility
-
442
443
450 million amortising term loan
-
328
199
428 million subordinated notes
393
393
393
650 million unsecured revolving credit facility
641
-
-
Total shareholder borrowings
1,495
1,614
1,491




Total borrowings
1,748
2,108
1,998
In February 2016, the Group assessed that it no longer controlled UKCPT and consequently deconsolidated this group of subsidiaries effective from this date (see note 3.2.4). As a result the UKCPT 150 million and 100 million policyholder borrowings are no longer included within Group borrowings as at 30 June 2016.
In March 2016, the Group agreed an amendment of its 900 million 5 year unsecured bank facility into a 650 million unsecured revolving credit facility, maturing in June 2020. There are no mandatory amortisation or target amortisation payments associated with the facility but prepayments are permissible. The facility accrues interest at LIBOR plus 1.35% per annum, which would change if there were a change in the guarantor's credit rating. A utilisation fee of 0.40% per annum is payable in respect of the facility, which would reduce if the amount outstanding under the facility reduced to 67% or below. In June 2016, the 650 million facility was fully drawn. 
In May 2016, the Group entered into a 220 million short-term debt facility as part of the financing of the planned acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection businesses (see note 3.1). The facility matures 12 months after the transaction closes and, subject to fees, can be extended by two further six month periods. The facility accrues interest at LIBOR plus 0.85% for the first six months from draw down. As at 30 June 2016, the facility had not been drawn down.
14. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
14.1 FAIR VALUES 
The table below sets out a comparison of the carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments:
Financial assets

30 Jun 2016

30 Jun 2015

31 Dec 2015

Carrying
value
m
Fair
value
m

Carrying
value
m
Fair
value
m

Carrying
value
m
Fair
value
m
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss:
Held for trading - derivatives
3,881
3,881
1,660
1,660
1,498
1,498
Designated upon initial recognition:






Loans and receivables 
331
331
273
273
268
268
Equities
12,322
12,322
12,830
12,830
12,351
12,351
Investment in associate
458
458
-
-
-
-
Investment in joint venture
-
-
138
138
149
149
Fixed and variable rate income securities
34,028
34,028
35,939
35,939
31,814
31,814
Collective investment schemes
3,312
3,312
3,703
3,703
3,826
3,826
Loans and receivables at amortised cost
597
597
190
190
309
309
54,929
54,929
54,733
54,733
50,215
50,215
Less amounts classified as held for sale (note 3.2)
-
-
(177)
(177)
(149)
(149)
54,929
54,929
54,556
54,556
50,066
50,066
Financial liabilities

30 Jun 2016

30 Jun 2015

31 Dec 2015

Carrying
value
m
Fair
value
m

Carrying
value
m
Fair
value
m

Carrying
value
m
Fair
value
m
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss:






Held for trading - derivatives
1,780
1,780
1,700
1,700
1,360
1,360
Designated upon initial recognition:






Borrowings
186
186
173
173
194
194
Net asset value attributable to unitholders
6,499
6,499
5,218
5,218
5,120
5,120
Investment contract liabilities
7,867
7,867
8,250
8,250
7,905
7,905

Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost:
Borrowings
1,562
1,629
1,935
2,046
1,804
1,907
Deposits received from reinsurers
414
414
385
385
378
378
Obligations for repayment of collateral received1
2,064
-
818
-
725
-

20,372
18,375
18,479
17,772
17,486
16,864
1 These liabilities have no expected settlement date. As the obligations relate to the repayment of collateral received in the form of cash, the liability is stated at the value of the consideration received and therefore no fair value has been disclosed.
14.2 FAIR VALUE HIERARCHY
14.2.1 Determination of fair value and fair value hierarchy of financial instruments
Level 1 financial instruments
The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets (such as exchange traded securities and derivatives) is based on quoted market prices at the period end provided by recognised pricing services. Market depth and bid-ask spreads are used to corroborate whether an active market exists for an instrument. Greater depth and narrower bid-ask spread indicates a higher liquidity in the instrument and are classed as Level 1 inputs. For collective investment schemes, fair value is by reference to published bid prices.
Level 2 financial instruments
Financial instruments traded in active markets with less depth or wider bid-ask spreads which do not meet the classification as Level 1 inputs, are classified as Level 2. The fair values of financial instruments not traded in active markets are determined using broker quotes or valuation techniques with observable market inputs. Financial instruments valued using broker quotes are classified at Level 2, only where there is a sufficient range of available quotes. The fair value of unquoted equities, over-the-counter derivatives, loans and deposits and collective investment schemes, where published bid prices are not available, are estimated using pricing models or discounted cash flow techniques. Where pricing models are used, inputs are based on market related data at the period end. Where discounted cash flows are used, estimated future cash flows are based on management's best estimates and the discount rate used is a market related rate for a similar instrument.
Level 3 financial instruments
The Group's financial instruments determined by valuation techniques using non-observable market inputs are based on a combination of independent third party evidence and internally developed models. In relation to investments in hedge funds and private equity investments, non-observable third party evidence in the form of net asset valuation statements are used as the basis for the valuation. Adjustments may be made to the net asset valuation where other evidence, for example recent sales of the underlying investments in the fund, indicates this is required. Securities that are valued using broker quotes which could not be corroborated across a sufficient range of quotes are considered as Level 3. For a small number of investment vehicles and debt securities, standard valuation models are used, as due to their nature and complexity they have no external market. Inputs into such models are based on observable market data where applicable. The fair value of loans and some borrowings with no external market is determined by internally developed discounted cash flow models using appropriate assumptions corroborated with external market data where possible.
For financial instruments that are recognised at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing categorisation (based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the start of each reporting period.
14.2.2 Fair value hierarchy of financial instruments measured at fair value
At 30 June 2016 

Level 1
m
Level 2
m
Level 3
m
Total fair value
m
Financial assets measured at fair value
Derivatives
30
3,851
-
3,881
Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:




Loans and receivables
-
-
331
331
Equities
11,602
74
646
12,322
Investment in associate
458
-
-
458
Fixed and variable rate income securities
19,772
14,013
243
34,028
Collective investment schemes
2,727
499
86
3,312

34,559
14,586
1,306
50,451
Total financial assets at fair value
34,589
18,437
1,306
54,332

Level 1
m
Level 2
m
Level 3
m
Total fair value
m
Financial liabilities measured at fair value




Derivatives
38
1,742
-
1,780
Financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:




Borrowings
-
-
186
186
Investment contract liabilities
-
7,867
-
7,867
Net asset value attributable to unitholders
6,499
-
-
6,499

6,499
7,867
186
14,552
Total financial liabilities at fair value
6,537
9,609
186
16,332
At 30 June 2015

Level 1
m
Level 2
m
Level 3
m
Total fair value
m
Financial assets measured at fair value




Derivatives
38
1,622
-
1,660
Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:




Loans and receivables
-
-
273
273
Equities
12,008
193
629
12,830
Investment in joint venture
-
-
138
138
Fixed and variable rate income securities
24,073
11,180
686
35,939
Collective investment schemes
2,844
756
103
3,703

38,925
12,129
1,829
52,883
Less amounts classified as held for sale (note 3.2)
(168)
-
-
(168)
Total financial assets at fair value
38,795
13,751
1,829
54,375

Level 1
m
Level 2
m
Level 3
m
Total fair value
m
Financial liabilities measured at fair value




Derivatives
4
1,696
-
1,700
Financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:




Borrowings
-
-
173
173
Investment contract liabilities
-
8,250
-
8,250
Net asset value attributable to unitholders
5,218
-
-
5,218

5,218
8,250
173
13,641
Total financial liabilities at fair value
5,222
9,946
173
15,341
At 31 December 2015

Level 1
m
Level 2
m
Level 3
m
Total fair value
m
Financial assets measured at fair value




Derivatives
14
1,484
-
1,498
Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:




Loans and receivables
-
-
268
268
Equities
11,734
11
606
12,351
Investment in joint venture
-
-
149
149
Fixed and variable rate income securities
20,346
11,138
330
31,814
Collective investment schemes
3,098
646
82
3,826

35,178
11,795
1,435
48,408
Less amounts classified as held for sale (see note 3.2)
-
-
(149)
(149)
Total financial assets at fair value
35,192
13,279
1,286
49,757

Level 1
m
Level 2
m
Level 3
m
Total fair value
m
Financial liabilities at fair value




Derivatives
33
1,327
-
1,360
Financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:




Borrowings
-
-
194
194
Investment contract liabilities
-
7,905
-
5,120
Net asset value attributable to unitholders
5,120
-
-
7,905

5,120
7,905
194
13,219
Total financial liabilities at fair value
5,153
9,232
194
14,579
14.2.3 Level 3 financial instrument sensitivities
Level 3 investments in indirect property, equities (including private equity) and collective investment schemes (including hedge funds) are valued using net asset statements provided by independent third parties, and therefore no sensitivity analysis has been prepared.
Fixed and variable rate securities categorised as Level 3 investments, with the exception of a property investment structure and certain local authority loans, are valued using broker quotes. Although such valuations are sensitive to estimates, it is believed that changing one or more of the assumptions to reasonably possible alternative assumptions would not change the fair value significantly.
Level 3 investments in fixed and variable income securities include a property investment structure with a value of 41 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 41 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 36 million).
The investment is valued by taking the fair value of the equity holdings in the structure, using market data less a discount spread to reflect reduced liquidity. The fair value of the debt in the structure is valued using a calculation model that takes a comparable overseas bond issue and applies a credit spread to reflect reduced liquidity.
The valuation of the debt investment is sensitive to a change in the credit spread whereby an increase of 100bps in the credit spread would decrease the value by 1 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 3 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 1 million) and a spread reduction of 100bps would increase the value by 1 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 4 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 1 million). The valuation of the equity investment is sensitive to changes in the equity discount rate, whereby an increase of 5% in the discount spread would decrease the value by 2 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 2 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 2 million) and a 5% reduction would increase the value by 1 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 3 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 1 million).
Also included within fixed and variable rate securities are investments in local authority loans. These investments are valued using a calculation model that takes a comparable UK Treasury stock and applies a credit spread to reflect reduced liquidity. The credit spread is derived from a sample broker quote. The valuations are sensitive to movements in this spread, an increase of 25bps would decrease the value by 1 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 1 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 1 million) and a decrease of 25bps would increase the value by 1 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 1 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 1 million).
Included within loans and receivables are investments in equity release mortgages with a value of 331 million (30 June 2015: 273 million; 31 December 2015: 268 million). The loans are valued using a discounted cash flow model, the key inputs to which include demographic assumptions, economic assumptions (including house price index) and the use of a Black-Scholes model for valuation of the no-negative equity guarantee. The no-negative equity guarantee caps the loan repayment in the event of death or entry into long-term care to be no greater than the sales proceeds from the property. The significant sensitivities arise from movements in the yield curve, inflation rate and house prices.
An increase of 100bps in the yield curve would decrease the value by 30 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 21 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 22 million) and a decrease of 100bps would increase the value by 35 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 25 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 25 million). An increase of 1% in the inflation rate would increase the value by 3 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 2 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 2 million) and a decrease of 1% would decrease the value by 4 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 3 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 3 million).
An increase of 10% in house prices would increase the value by 4 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 2 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 1 million) and a decrease of 10% would decrease the value by 2 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 2 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 1 million).
Borrowings measured at fair value and categorised as Level 3 financial liabilities comprise the property reversion loans, measured using an internally developed model. The valuation is sensitive to key assumptions of the discount rate and the house price inflation rate. An increase in the discount rate of 1% would decrease the value by 5 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 4 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 5 million) and a decrease of 1% would increase the value by 5 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 4 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 5 million). An increase of 1% in the house price inflation rate would increase the value by 6 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 5 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 6 million) and a decrease of 1% would decrease the value by 6 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 5 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 6 million).
14.2.4 Transfers of financial instruments between Level 1 and Level 2
At 30 June 2016

From
Level 1 to Level 2
m
From
Level 2 to Level 1
m
Financial assets at fair value


Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:


Fixed and variable rate income securities
293
234
Collective investment schemes
6
-
At 30 June 2015

From
Level 1 to Level 2
m
From
Level 2 to Level 1
m
Financial assets at fair value


Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:


Fixed and variable rate income securities
73
330
At 31 December 2015

From
Level 1 to Level 2
m
From
Level 2 to Level 1
m
Financial assets at fair value


Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition


Fixed and variable rate income securities
173
210
Consistent with the prior year, all the Group's Level 1 and Level 2 assets have been valued using standard market pricing sources.
The application of the Group's fair value hierarchy classification methodology at an individual security level with regard to market depth and bid-ask spreads on fixed and variable rate income securities and collective investment schemes has resulted in an overall net movement of financial assets from Level 1 to Level 2 in the period.
14.2.5 Movement in Level 3 financial instruments measured at fair value
30 June 2016

At
1 January
2016
m
Total
gains/ (losses) in
income
statement
m 
Purchases
m 
Sales
m 
Transfers
from
Level 1
and Level 2
m 
Transfers
to
Level 1
and Level 2
m 
At
30 June
2016
m
Unrealised gains on assets
held at end
of period
m 
Financial assets








Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:








Loans and receivables
268
25
43
(5)
-
-
331
25
Equities
606
59
31
(51)
2
(1)
646
58
Investment in joint venture
149
-
-
(149)
-
-
-
-
Fixed and variable rate income securities
330
(2)
-
(97)
12
-
243
-
Collective investment schemes
82
1
2
1
-
-
86
1

1,435
83
76
(301)
14
(1)
1,306
84
Less amounts classified as held for sale (see note 3.2.3)
(149)
-
-
149
-
-
-
-
Total financial assets
1,286
83
76
(152)
14
(1)
1,306
84

At
1 January
2016
m
Total
losses in
income
statement
m 
Purchases
m 
Repay-ments
m 
Transfers
from
Level 1
and Level 2
m 
Transfers
to
Level 1
and Level 2
m 
At
30 June
2016
m
Unrealised
losses on
liabilities
held at end
of period
m 
Financial liabilities








Financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:








Borrowings
194
4
-
(12)
-
-
186
4
Total financial liabilities
194
4
-
(12)
-
-
186
4
During the period, updates to the Group's observations, in particular with regard to bid-ask spreads of fixed and variable rate income securities, resulted in a net transfer from Levels 1 and 2 to Level 3.
Gains and losses on Level 3 financial instruments are included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated income statement. There were no gains or losses recognised in other comprehensive income.
30 June 2015

At
1 January
2015
m
Total
(losses)
/gains in
income statement
m 
Purchases
m 
Sales
m 
Transfers
from
Level 1
and Level 2
m 
Transfers
to
Level 1
and Level 2
m 
At
30 June
2015
m
Unrealised
(losses)/
gains on
assets
held at end
of period
m 
Financial assets








Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:








Loans and receivables
-
(25)
298
-
-
-
273
(25)
Equities
704
19
31
(125)
7
(7)
629
5
Investment in joint venture
133
5
-
-
-
-
138
5
Fixed and variable rate income securities
735
(38)
390
(356)
6
(51)
686
(41)
Collective investment schemes
81
10
27
(15)
-
-
103
9
Total financial assets
1,653
(29)
746
(496)
13
(58)
1,829
(47)

At
1 January
2015
m
Total
(gains)
/losses in
income
statement
m 
Purchases
m 
Sales/ (repay- ments)
m 
Transfers
from
Level 1
and Level 2
m 
Transfers
to
Level 1
and Level 2
m 
At
30 June
2015
m
Unrealised
losses on
liabilities held at end
of period
m 
Financial liabilities








Derivatives
1
(1)
-
-
-
-
-
-
Financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:








Borrowings
184
3
-
(14)
-
-
173
3
Total financial liabilities
185
2
-
(14)
-
-
173
3
31 December 2015

At
1 January
2015
m
Total
(losses)/
gains in
income
statement
m 
Purchases
m 
Sales
m 
Transfers
from
Level 1
and Level 2
m 
Transfers
to
Level 1
and Level 2
m 
At
31 December
2015
m
Unrealised
(losses)/gains on
assets
held at end
of period
m 
Financial assets








Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:








Loans and receivables
-
(15)
298
(15)
-
-
268
(12)
Equities
704
(26)
79
(152)
4
(3)
606
(9)
Investment in joint ventures
133
16
-
-
-
-
149
16
Fixed and variable rate income securities
735
(34)
378
(724)
-
(25)
330
(26)
Collective investment schemes
81
10
28
(37)
-
-
82
5

1,653
(49)
783
(928)
4
(28)
1,435
(26)
Less amounts classified as held for sale (see note 3.2.3)
(133)
(16)
-
-
-
-
(149)
-
Total financial assets
1,520
(65)
783
(928)
4
(28)
1,286
(26)

At
1 January
2015
m
Total
losses in
income
statement
m 
Purchases
m 
Sales/ repayments
m 
Transfers
from
Level 1
and Level 2
m 
Transfers
to
Level 1
and Level 2
m 
At
31 December 2015
m
Unrealised losses on
liabilities
held at end
of period
m 
Financial liabilities








Derivatives
1
-
-
-
-
(1)
-
-
Financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:








Borrowings
184
37
-
(27)
-
-
194
37
Total financial liabilities
185
37
-
(27)
-
(1)
194
37
15. CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
The following analysis gives further detail behind the 'cash generated/(utilised) by operations' figure in the statement of consolidated cash flows.

Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
m
Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
m
Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
m
Profit for the period before tax
60
48
152
Non-cash movements in profit for the period before tax



Fair value losses/(gains) on:



Investment property
23
(52)
(140)
Financial assets
(3,497)
744
1,125
Change in fair value of borrowings
10
7
48
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets
45
52
163
Change in present value of future profits
5
4
6
Change in unallocated surplus
32
(40)
(84)
Share-based payment charge
2
2
4
Interest expense on borrowings
62
69
136
Net interest income on Group defined benefit pension scheme asset
(10)
(8)
(17)
Pension scheme administrative expenses
1
1
3
Other gains on pension scheme
(3)
-
-
Cash in subsidiary disposed of net of cash received
(28)
-
-
Decrease/(increase) in investment assets
886
(1,125)
2,468
Decrease/(increase) in reinsurance assets
25
207
(1,134)
Increase/(decrease) in insurance contract and investment contract liabilities
2,688
(1,916)
(3,487)
Increase/(decrease) in deposits received from reinsurers
36
(23)
(30)
Increase/(decrease) in obligation for repayment of collateral received
1,339
(136)
(229)
Net (increase)/decrease in working capital
(75)
615
440
Cash generated/(utilised) by operations
1,601
(1,551)
(576)
16. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The nature of the related party transactions of the Group has not changed from those referred to in the Group's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015.
There were no transactions with related parties during the half year ended 30 June 2016 which have had a material effect on the results or financial position of the Group.
17. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
In the normal course of business the Group is exposed to certain legal issues, which involve litigation and arbitration. At the period end, the Group has a number of contingent liabilities in this regard, none of which are considered by the Directors to be material.
18. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD
On 24 August 2016, the Board declared an interim dividend per share of 26.7p for the half year ended 30 June 2016 (half year ended 30 June 2015: 26.7p). The cost of this dividend has not been recognised as a liability in the interim financial statements for the half year ended 30 June 2016 and will be charged to the statement of consolidated changes in equity when paid.
ADDITIONAL LIFE COMPANY ASSET DISCLOSURES
The analysis of the asset portfolio provided below comprises the assets held by the Group's life companies. It excludes other Group assets such as cash held in the holding and service companies and the assets held by the non-controlling interest in consolidated collective investment schemes; and is stated net of derivative liabilities. 
The following table provides an overview of the exposure by asset category of the Group's life companies' shareholder and policyholder funds:
30 June 2016
Carrying value
Shareholder and 
non-profit funds1
m
Participating 
supported1
m
Participating
non-supported2
m
Unit-linked2
m
Total3
m
Cash and cash equivalents
1,600
2,391
4,687
1,191
9,869
Debt securities - gilts
1,418
388
7,212
645
9,663
Debt securities - bonds
5,820
2,080
6,340
758
14,998
Equity securities
183
58
5,470
6,837
12,548
Property investments
135
75
702
309
1,221
Other investments4
759
297
2,143
119
3,318
At 30 June 2016
9,915
5,289
26,554
9,859
51,617
Cash and cash equivalents in Group holding companies




921
Cash and financial assets in other Group companies
309
Financial assets held by the non-controlling interest inconsolidated collective investment schemes
6,519
Total Group consolidated assets 
59,366
Comprised of:

Investment property




596
Financial assets




54,929
Cash and cash equivalents




5,621
Derivative liabilities




(1,780)
59,366
1 Includes assets where shareholders of the life companies bear the investment risk.
2 Includes assets where policyholders bear most of the investment risk.
3 This information is presented on a look through basis to underlying funds where available.
4 Includes equity release mortgages of 331 million, policy loans of 11 million, other loans of 19 million, net derivative assets of 2,350 million and other investments of 607 million.
31 December 2015
Carrying value
Shareholder and non-profit funds
m
Participating supported
m
Participating
non-supported
m
Unit-linked
m
Total
m
Cash and cash equivalents
1,236
2,498
3,921
1,065
8,720
Debt securities - gilts
1,262
818
7,275
602
9,957
Debt securities - bonds
5,203
1,380
6,263
724
13,570
Equity securities
186
62
5,231
7,294
12,773
Property investments
140
74
821
336
1,371
Other investments1
266
(31)
767
(1)
1,001
At 31 December 2015
8,293
4,801
24,278
10,020
47,392
Cash and cash equivalents in Group holding companies
706
Cash and financial assets in other Group companies
328
Financial assets held by the non-controlling interest intheconsolidated UKCPT
838
Financial assets held by the non-controlling interest inconsolidated collective investment schemes
5,473
Total Group consolidated assets 
54,737
Comprised of:

Investment property
1,942
Financial assets
50,066
Cash and cash equivalents
3,940
Assets held for sale
149
Derivative liabilities
(1,360)

54,737
1 Includes equity release mortgages of 268 million, policy loans of 11 million, other loans of 15 million, net derivative assets of 139 million and other investments of 568 million.
The following table analyses by type the debt securities of the life companies:
30 June 2016
Analysis by type of debt securities
Shareholder and non-profit funds
m
Participating supported
m
Participating non-supported
m
Unit-linked
m
Total
m
Gilts
1,418
388
7,212
645
9,663
Other government and supranational2
832
562
2,322
306
4,022
Corporate - financial institutions
2,061
517
1,942
173
4,693
Corporate - other
2,355
296
1,514
232
4,397
Asset backed securities ('ABS')
572
705
562
47
1,886
At 30 June 2016
7,238
2,468
13,552
1,403
24,661
2 Includes debt issued by governments; public and statutory bodies; government backed institutions and supranationals.
31 December 2015
Analysis by type of debt securities
Shareholder and non-profit funds
m
Participating supported
m
Participating
non-supported
m
Unit-linked
m
Total
m
Gilts
1,262
818
7,275
602
9,957
Other government and supranational
713
673
2,058
88
3,532
Corporate - financial institutions
1,859
367
1,588
153
3,967
Corporate - other
2,079
164
2,121
441
4,805
Asset backed securities ('ABS')
552
176
496
42
1,266
At 31 December 2015
6,465
2,198
13,538
1,326
23,527
The following table sets out a breakdown of the life companies' sovereign and supranational debt security holdings by country:
30 June 2016
Analysis of sovereign and supranational debt securityholdings by country
Shareholder and non-profit funds
m
Participating supported
m
Participating non-supported
m
Unit-linked
m
Total
m
UK
1,607
495
7,580
660
10,342
Supranationals
348
157
466
19
990
USA
1
11
19
103
134
Germany 
215
104
563
25
907
France 
36
44
104
16
200
Netherlands 
15
2
110
6
133
Italy 
-
-
-
32
32
Spain 
-
-
-
9
9
Other - non-Eurozone
28
128
662
76
894
Other - Eurozone
-
9
30
5
44
At 30 June 2016
2,250
950
9,534
951
13,685
31 December 2015
Analysis of sovereign and supranational debt securityholdingsbycountry
Shareholder and non-profit funds
m
Participating supported
m
Participating
non-supported
m
Unit-linked
m
Total
m
UK
1,400
905
7,560
609
10,474
Supranationals
310
195
553
17
1,075
USA
1
12
15
24
52
Germany 
211
232
593
14
1,050
France 
31
50
64
4
149
Netherlands 
-
-
1
1
2
Italy 
-
-
-
5
5
Spain 
-
-
-
3
3
Other - non-Eurozone
22
87
511
13
633
Other - Eurozone
-
10
36
-
46
At 31 December 2015
1,975
1,491
9,333
690
13,489
The following table sets out a breakdown of the life companies' financial institution corporate debt security holdings by country:
30 June 2016
Analysis of financial institution corporate debt securityholdings by country
Shareholder and non-profit funds
m
Participating supported
m
Participating non-supported
m
Unit-linked
m
Total
m
UK
879
77
654
79
1,689
USA
472
61
384
20
937
Germany 
34
21
54
1
110
France 
65
17
64
3
149
Netherlands 
191
50
213
24
478
Italy 
8
-
7
-
15
Ireland 
2
-
-
-
2
Spain 
1
-
13
-
14
Other - non-Eurozone
386
272
526
45
1,229
Other - Eurozone
23
19
27
1
70
At 30 June 2016
2,061
517
1,942
173
4,693
31 December 2015
Analysis of financial institution corporate debt securityholdingsbycountry
Shareholder and non-profit funds
m
Participating supported
m
Participating
non-supported
m
Unit-linked
m
Total
m
UK
845
151
566
71
1,633
USA
449
39
298
16
802
Germany 
16
18
86
3
123
France 
58
-
43
3
104
Netherlands 
189
52
238
30
509
Italy 
7
-
7
-
14
Ireland 
28
1
12
-
41
Spain 
3
-
12
-
15
Other - non-Eurozone
208
94
272
29
603
Other - Eurozone
56
12
54
1
123
At 31 December 2015
1,859
367
1,588
153
3,967
The following table sets out a breakdown of the life companies' corporate - other debt security holdings by country:
30 June 2016
Analysis of corporate - other debt security holdings by country
Shareholder and non-profit funds
m
Participating supported
m
Participating non-supported
m
Unit-linked
m
Total
m
UK
1,220
97
809
123
2,249
USA
338
104
186
29
657
Germany 
180
43
141
18
382
France 
193
22
122
15
352
Netherlands 
43
6
12
4
65
Portugal 
-
-
5
-
5
Italy 
59
1
39
7
106
Ireland 
4
-
1
5
10
Spain 
49
-
23
5
77
Other - non-Eurozone
250
8
156
24
438
Other - Eurozone
19
15
20
2
56
At 30 June 2016
2,355
296
1,514
232
4,397
31 December 2015
Analysis of corporate - other debt security holdings by country
Shareholder and non-profit funds
m
Participating supported
m
Participating
non-supported
m
Unit-linked
m
Total
m
UK
1,073
76
1,607
363
3,119
USA
288
33
115
15
451
Germany 
142
24
93
15
274
France 
173
15
113
20
321
Netherlands 
39
-
19
3
61
Italy 
56
2
27
3
88
Ireland 
1
-
2
2
5
Spain 
45
-
24
2
71
Other - non-Eurozone
190
13
77
11
291
Other - Eurozone
72
1
44
7
124
At 31 December 2015
2,079
164
2,121
441
4,805
The following table sets out a breakdown of the life companies' ABS holdings by country:
30 June 2016
Analysis of ABS holdings by country
Shareholder and non-profit funds
m
Participating supported
m
Participating non-supported
m
Unit-linked
m
Total
m
UK
515
458
477
44
1,494
USA
-
31
4
-
35
Germany 
-
88
41
-
129
France 
-
32
-
-
32
Netherlands 
9
67
21
1
98
Ireland 
27
1
12
-
40
Other - non-Eurozone
21
28
7
2
58
At 30 June 2016
572
705
562
47
1,886
31 December 2015
Analysis of ABS holdings by country
Shareholder and non-profit funds
m
Participating supported
m
Participating
non-supported
m
Unit-linked
m
Total
m
UK
499
172
399
41
1,111
USA
3
-
4
-
7
Germany 
-
-
28
-
28
France 
-
1
-
-
1
Netherlands 
10
-
20
1
31
Italy 
-
-
12
-
12
Spain 
-
-
1
-
1
Other - non-Eurozone
40
-
10
-
50
Other - Eurozone
-
3
22
-
25
At 31 December 2015
552
176
496
42
1,266
The following table sets out the credit rating analysis of the debt portfolio:
30 June 2016
Credit rating analysis of debt portfolio
Shareholder and non-profit funds
m
Participating supported
m
Participating non-supported
m
Unit-linked
m
Total
m
AAA
843
998
1,564
180
3,585
AA
2,631
995
8,523
713
12,862
A
1,967
390
1,126
170
3,653
BBB
1,677
78
1,719
233
3,707
BB
84
3
177
24
288
B and below
-
1
250
5
256
Non-rated
36
3
193
78
310
At 30 June 2016
7,238
2,468
13,552
1,403
24,661
31 December 2015
Credit rating analysis of debt portfolio
Shareholder and non-profit funds
m
Participating supported
m
Participating
non-supported
m
Unit-linked
m
Total
m
AAA
746
625
1,740
72
3,183
AA
2,336
1,272
8,443
487
12,538
A
1,618
189
902
84
2,793
BBB
1,635
92
1,751
179
3,657
BB
100
11
205
21
337
B and below
1
-
327
-
328
Non-rated
29
9
170
483
691
At 31 December 2015
6,465
2,198
13,538
1,326
23,527
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In this section

Shareholder information
58
Forward-looking statements
59
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Our Annual General Meeting ('AGM') was held on 11 May 2016 at 12.30pm (BST).
The voting results for our 2016 AGM, including proxy votes and votes withheld are available on our website at www.thephoenixgroup.com
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
MANAGING YOUR SHAREHOLDING
Our registrar, Computershare, maintains the Company's register of members. Shareholders may request a hard copy of this Interim Report from our registrar and if you have any further queries in respect of your shareholding, please contact them directly using the contact details set out below.
REGISTRAR DETAILS
Computershare Investor Services (Cayman) Limited
Queensway House
Hilgrove Street
St Helier
Jersey, JE1 1ES
Shareholder helpline number: +44 (0) 370 702 0000
Fax number: +44 (0) 370 703 6101
Shareholder helpline email address: info@computershare.co.je
SHARE PRICE
You can access the current share price of Phoenix Group Holdings at www.thephoenixgroup.com
GROUP FINANCIAL CALENDAR FOR 2016
Announcement of unaudited six months' Interim Results
25 August 2016
2016 INTERIM DIVIDEND
Ex-dividend date
8 September 2016
Record date
9 September 2016
Interim 2016 dividend payment date
3 October 2016
2016 ANNUAL RESULTS
Our financial results for the year ended 31 December 2016 will be announced on 20 March 2017. 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The 2016 Interim Report contains, and we may make other statements (verbal or otherwise) containing, forward-looking statements and other financial and/or statistical data about the Group's current plans, goals and expectations relating to future financial conditions, performance, results, strategy and/or objectives.
Statements containing the words: 'believes', 'intends', 'will', 'expects', 'plans', 'aims', 'seeks', 'targets', 'continues' and 'anticipates' or other words of similar meaning are forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements and other financial and/or statistical data involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the Group's control. For example, certain insurance risk disclosures are dependent on the Group's choices about assumptions and models, which by their nature are estimates. As such, actual future gains and losses could differ materially from those that we have estimated. Other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by forward-looking statements include but are not limited to:
Domestic and global economic and business conditions.
Asset prices.
Market related risks such as fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates, and the performance of financial markets generally.
The policies and actions of governmental and/or regulatory authorities, including, for example, new government initiatives related to the financial crisis and ultimate transition to the European Union's 'Solvency II' Directive on the Group's capital maintenance requirements.
The political, legal and economic effects of the UK's vote to leave the European Union.
The impact of inflation and deflation.
Market competition.
Changes in assumptions in pricing and reserving for insurance business (particularly with regard to mortality and morbidity trends, gender pricing and lapse rates).
The timing, impact and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or combinations within relevant industries.
Risks associated with arrangements with third parties.
Inability of reinsurers to meet obligations or unavailability of reinsurance coverage.
The impact of changes in capital, solvency or accounting standards, and tax and other legislation and regulations in the jurisdictions in which members of the Group operate.
As a result, the Group's actual future financial condition, performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set out in the forward-looking statements within the 2016 Interim Report. 
The Group undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements contained within the 2016 Interim Report or any other forward-looking statements it may make or publish.
The 2016 Interim Report has been prepared for the members of the Company and no one else. The Company, its Directors or agents do not accept or assume responsibility to any other person in connection with this document and any such responsibility or liability is expressly disclaimed.
Nothing in the 2016 Interim Report is or should be construed as a profit forecast or estimate.
Notes
Online resources
Reducing our environmental impact
In line with our Corporate Responsibility programme, and as part ofourdesire to reduce our environmental impact, you can view keyinformation on our website.
Investor relations
Our Investor Relations section includes information such as our most recent news andannouncements, results presentations, annualandinterim reports, share-price performance, AGM andEGMinformation, UK Regulatory Returns andcontact information.
News and updates
To stay up-to-date with Phoenix Group news and other changes to our site's content, you can sign up for email alerts, which will notify you when content isadded.
To sign up visit
www.thephoenixgroup.com/site-services/email-alerts.aspx
Phoenix Group Holdings
Registered address
Phoenix Group Holdings
PO Box 309
Ugland House
Grand Cayman KY1-1104
Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies Number 202172
Principal place of business
Phoenix Group Holdings
1st Floor
32 Commercial Street
St Helier JE2 3RU
Jersey

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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