REG - Prudential PLC Prudential Fdg(Asia) - Prudential plc - Q3 Business Performance Update

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06/11/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 0679L  Prudential PLC  06 November 2024

NEWS RELEASE

6 November 2024

 

 

 

PRUDENTIAL PLC Q3 BUSINESS PERFORMANCE UPDATE

 

Q3 YTD new business profit up 11 per cent (9 per cent excluding economic
impacts)

 

Performance highlights on a constant (and actual) exchange rate basis for the
nine months ended 30 September 2024

 

·      Q3 year to date new business profit was $2,347 million, up 11 per
cent (10 per cent) including economic impacts. Q3 year to date new business
profit excluding economic impacts was up 9 per cent (7 per cent)

·      Q3 year to date APE sales were up 7 per cent (5 per cent) to
$4,638 million. APE sales for the three months ended 30 September were up 10
per cent (10 per cent) compared with the same period in the prior year, with
all segments growing in the discrete third quarter.

 

Anil Wadhwani, Chief Executive Officer of Prudential, commented:

"Our new business performance in the third quarter saw our momentum continue
as expected. APE sales for the three months ended 30 September were up 10 per
cent compared with the same period last year. Our multi-channel distribution
model has driven broad based new business profit growth including, on a total
regional basis, in Greater China, ASEAN and Africa. Looking ahead, we remain
on track for growth in new business profit in 2024 of between 9 to 13 per
cent. Through our transformation programme we continue to drive growth and
quality. In line with our ambition to expand our distribution strength in our
key ASEAN markets, we are delighted to enter a long-term partnership with Bank
Syariah Indonesia, the biggest Syariah bank in Indonesia, which gives us
access to circa 20 million customers. We have also taken full ownership of our
Nigeria life operations."

 

Business Performance (on a constant exchange rate basis)

Total APE sales were up 7 per cent in the nine months ended 30 September and
up 10 per cent in the discrete third quarter compared with the same prior year
period. Growth in the third quarter was broad based across all segments,
highlighting the benefits of our multi-channel distribution model and our
diversified geographic presence. Our agency growth in Q3 was broad based
across our four multi-market growth regions and we continue to focus on agent
activation and productivity of agents. Agency APE sales grew by 11 per cent in
the discrete third quarter compared with the same period in the prior year.
Bancassurance APE sales were up 21 per cent in the nine months ended 30
September, with the discrete third quarter increasing by 12 per cent when
compared with the same period in the prior year. This increase in APE sales in
the third quarter was driven by growth from Hong Kong, China and Thailand,
with the level of growth moderating in Taiwan. The execution of the first
tranche of our $2 billion share buyback continues with a total of 66 million
shares repurchased as at 31 October 2024 for £437 million ($570 million).

 

Outlook

Given our performance in the nine months ended 30 September, we believe we are
on track for our expected 2024 new business profit growth trajectory of 9-13
per cent, assuming economics consistent with those applied in our FY23
reporting and on a constant foreign exchange rate basis. This trajectory is
consistent with achieving our 2027 new business profit objective.

 

APE new business sales (APE sales) and EEV new business profit (NBP)

                                                                                     Constant exchange rate                       Actual exchange rate
                                                           YTD 30.09.2024 $m         YTD 30.09.2023 $m     Change                 YTD 30.09.2023 $m     Change

                                                                                                           %                                            %
                                                           APE sales  NBP            APE sales  NBP        APE sales  NBP         APE sales  NBP        APE sales  NBP
 Total                                                     4,638      2,347          4,325      2,109      7%         11%         4,417      2,143      5%         10%
 Total new business margin (%)                                        51%                       49%                                          49%
 Total excluding economic impacts                          4,638      2,294          4,325      2,109      7%         9%          4,417      2,143      5%         7%
 Total new business margin excluding economic impacts (%)             49%                       49%                                          49%

 

 

Market highlights for the nine months ended 30 September 2024

(New business profit commentary below excludes the impacts of economics and
both new business profit and APE sales are on a constant currency basis. See
"Definitions of Performance Metrics" below for more details.)

 

In Hong Kong we have delivered 8 per cent growth in new business profit for
the first nine months of 2024. This was driven by improved new business
margins following pricing actions undertaken earlier in the year and our
continued focus on the quality of the products we sell. Total APE sales for
the three months to 30 September 2024 were up 12 per cent compared with the
same period in the prior year contributing to sales for the first nine months
being only 1 per cent lower than the prior year, when we outperformed the
market. While overall agency APE sales were down in the first nine months,
agency APE sales in the three months to 30 September 2024 grew by 8 per cent
compared with the same period in the prior year, following positive momentum
in September. APE sales from the bancassurance channel grew by 33 per cent
during the third quarter compared with the same period in the prior year.

 

Sales to both domestic customers and Chinese Mainland visitors grew in the
three months to 30 September 2024, with APE sales to domestic customers up 36
per cent on the equivalent prior year period and APE sales to Chinese Mainland
visitors up 1 per cent on the same basis. We continue to prioritise channels
where we have a stronger control of the customer experience and remain focused
on value generated by new business.

 

CITIC Prudential Life (CPL), our Chinese Mainland joint venture, grew
significantly in the third quarter resulting in a 12 per cent increase in new
business profit in the nine months to 30 September 2024. This was driven by
increased new business profit margins as product mix improved as we continued
to move to less capital intensive, higher margin products. APE sales for the
nine months to 30 September 2024 were (6) per cent lower compared with the
same period last year. However APE sales for the three months ended 30
September grew by 36 per cent compared with the same period in the prior year
as the growth momentum improved as expected. During this three month period,
both agency and bancassurance channels saw growth compared with the same
period in the prior year.

 

As previously announced by CPL, each shareholder will be making a further $176
million cash contribution to increase the capital of CPL to complement the
ongoing actions the business is already undertaking. This is subject to the
relevant regulatory approvals.

 

Singapore: New business profit for the nine months ended 30 September grew by
15 per cent compared with the prior year, underpinned by a 14 per cent
increase in APE sales. Overall APE sales in the discrete third quarter were up
6 per cent compared with the same period in the prior year. The discrete third
quarter saw our agency channel perform strongly, with APE sales up 25 per cent
compared with the prior year. Bancassurance channel APE sales declined by (12)
per cent in the discrete third quarter compared with the same period in the
prior year as our bancassurance partners pivoted to our higher margin
products. This margin expansion together with strong top-line performance in
agency supported an increase in new business profit in both channels in the
quarter demonstrating the benefits of our diversified business model.

 

Malaysia: New business profit for the nine months ended 30 September was (6)
per cent lower compared with the same period in the prior year, with APE sales
in the same period up 7 per cent. Margins were lower given the channel mix
shift in the period. Agency sales in the conventional life business declined
year-on-year as we took repricing actions to both protect the value of the "in
force" business and so that new business can be written more profitably, amid
high medical inflation in the country. We led the health market with our
discipline and have introduced claims-based pricing products to improve
customer affordability. We expect to see the benefits of our management
actions in both the quality and affordability of health products over the
course of next year. In the discrete third quarter, total APE sales increased
by 1 per cent compared with the same period last year, and APE sales through
the bancassurance channel grew 19 per cent on the same basis, reflecting the
combined strength of our partnerships with UOB and SCB. We anticipate that
sales trends in both agency and bancassurance will normalise during 2025.

 

Indonesia: New business profit for the nine months ended 30 September was down
(2) per cent, with APE sales for the same period being (9) per cent lower, as
the pivot from linked business to traditional products improved new business
profit margins. APE sales in the three months to 30 September were 29 per cent
higher than the same period last year, driven by continued sales growth in the
bancassurance channel and improved performance in the agency channel. Sales of
health and protection products rose, largely supported by successful product
launches aimed at better "in force" performance of the business. While we are
encouraged by this quarter's growth, we remain focused on our transformation
programme to create the conditions for more sustainable growth in this
strategically important market.

 

In our "Growth Markets and Other" segment, new business profit for the nine
months ended 30 September increased by 11 per cent compared with the same
period last year. The 21 per cent growth in year-to-date APE sales was driven
by Thailand, Taiwan, India and Africa. New business margins declined given
business mix effects. Q3 discrete APE sales grew 6 per cent, with good growth
delivered in India, Africa and Thailand while, as expected, there was slower
growth in Taiwan, after an exceptionally strong performance in the same period
in the prior year.

 

Eastspring built on the strong performance seen in the first half of 2024 with
funds under management or advice (FUM) continuing to grow, reaching $271.4
billion at the end of September 2024, up from $247.4 billion at the end of
June 2024. We are encouraged by the $4.6 billion of year to date net inflows
from third parties (excluding money market funds and funds managed on behalf
of M&G), with continued strong flows into the retail business partially
offset by institutional outflows. Q3 discrete net inflows on the same basis
were $1.7 billion. FUM growth was also supported by net inflows from the
Group's insurance business and positive market and exchange rate movements.

 

Q3 YTD Traditional Embedded Value (TEV) new business profit

To assist the transition to TEV in 2025 we are providing the TEV new business
profit for the nine months ended 30 September 2024, which was $1,764 million
(post central costs and calculated using average exchange rates for the nine
month period).

 

Notes

Comparisons are to the first nine months of the prior year unless otherwise
stated and year-on-year percentage changes are provided on a constant exchange
rate basis unless otherwise stated. All results are presented in US dollars.

References to new business profits growth in 2024 of between 9 to 13 per cent
are on the basis of assuming economics consistent with those applied in our
FY23 reporting and on a constant foreign exchange rate basis.

See "Definitions of Performance Metrics" below for explanation of performance
measures used in this announcement.

 

Contact:

 

 Media                             Investors/Analysts
 Simon Kutner  +44 (0)7581 023260  Patrick Bowes       +852 2918 5468
 Sonia Tsang   +852 5580 7525      William Elderkin    +44 (0)20 3977 9215
                                   Darwin Lam          +852 2918 6348

 

About Prudential plc

 

Prudential plc provides life and health insurance and asset management in 24
markets across Asia and Africa. Prudential's mission is to be the most trusted
partner and protector for this generation and generations to come, by
providing simple and accessible financial and health solutions. The business
has dual primary listings on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (2378) and the
London Stock Exchange (PRU). It also has a secondary listing on the Singapore
Stock Exchange (K6S) and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange (PUK) in the
form of American Depositary Receipts. It is a constituent of the Hang Seng
Composite Index and is also included for trading in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong
Stock Connect programme and the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme.

 

Prudential is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc. a
company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America,
nor with The Prudential Assurance Company Limited, a subsidiary of M&G
plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.

 

https://www.prudentialplc.com/

 

Metrics presented

 

This business performance update provides information on the trading and sales
development of the Group in the first nine months of 2024. This update
focusses on annual premium equivalent (APE) and new business profit (NBP),
which are key metrics used by the Group's management to assess and manage the
development and growth of the business. APE sales are provided as an
indicative volume measure of transactions undertaken in the reporting period
that have the potential to generate profits for shareholders. NBP is measured
in accordance with European Embedded Value (EEV) Principles and reflects the
value of future profit streams which are not fully captured in shareholders'
equity in the year of sale under IFRS. Under this methodology, discount rates
and other economic assumptions are updated at the end of each reporting period
to reflect current interest rates, introducing a degree of volatility into the
NBP measure. In addition, the entire NBP amounts within a given reporting
period are updated using end of period discount rates. In particular, the
first nine months of 2024 NBP contained in this announcement is based on
interest rates as at 30 September 2024. When published, the full year 2024
results will contain NBP for the full year based on interest rates as at 31
December 2024. Consequently, the NBP values for the first nine months of 2024
that will be included in the full year 2024 results may differ to the amounts
presented in this announcement. In addition to the NBP presented as described
above, we also present new business profit excluding economic impacts. This is
NBP calculated using interest rates and other economics at 30 September 2023
to show underlying growth compared with the prior year. It is based on average
exchange rates for the three months ended 30 September 2024 which are also
used to determine the constant exchange rate Q3 2023 amount.

 

In its 2024 Half-Year Financial Report, the Group announced its intent to
convert to Traditional Embedded Value (TEV) from the first quarter of 2025.
This report contains a TEV new business profit for the nine months to 30
September 2024 which will be the comparative for Q3 2025 reporting. The
approach to the conversion to TEV was discussed in the Financial Review
section of the 2024 Half Year Financial Report. In particular current
risk-free rates were replaced with long-term risk-free rates, with trending
from current rates to long-term rates if appropriate, and the economic
volatility seen in our EEV reporting (discussed above) is reduced.

 

The presentation of these key metrics is not intended to be considered as a
substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented
in accordance with IFRS. Further information about these metrics including a
reconciliation of EEV shareholders' equity for half year 2024 to the most
directly comparable IFRS measure can be found in the Group's 2024 Half-Year
Financial Report.

 

Definitions of Performance Metrics

 

Annual premium equivalent (APE) sales

A measure of new business activity that comprises the aggregate of annualised
regular premiums and one-tenth of single premiums on new business written
during the period for all insurance products.

 

Eastspring total funds under management or advice

Total funds under management or advice including external funds under
management, money market funds, funds managed on behalf of M&G plc and
internal funds under management or advice.

 

New business profit

Presented on a post-tax basis, on business sold in the period calculated in
accordance with EEV principles.

 

New business profit excluding economic impacts

New business profit in accordance with EEV principles excluding economic
impacts (and the movements therein) represents the amount of new business
profit for the first nine months of 2024 calculated using economics (including
interest rates) as at 30 September 2023 and average exchange rates for the
first nine months of 2024. The percentage change excluding economics excludes
the impact of the change in interest rates and other economic movements in the
period from that applicable to the new business profit in the first nine
months of 2023, and applies consistent average exchange rates from the first
nine months of 2024.

 

See the Prudential 2024 Half Year Financial Report for further information on
the metrics above, including reconciliations to IFRS where appropriate.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This announcement contains 'forward-looking statements' with respect to
certain of Prudential's (and its wholly and jointly owned businesses') plans
and its goals and expectations relating to future financial condition,
performance, results, strategy and objectives. Statements that are not
historical facts, including statements about Prudential's (and its wholly and
jointly owned businesses') beliefs and expectations and including, without
limitation, commitments, ambitions and targets, including those related to
sustainability (including ESG and climate-related) matters, and statements
containing the words 'may', 'will', 'should', 'continue', 'aims', 'estimates',
'projects', 'believes', 'intends', 'expects', 'plans', 'seeks' and
'anticipates', and words of similar meaning, are forward-looking statements.
These statements are based on plans, estimates and projections as at the time
they are made, and therefore undue reliance should not be placed on them. By
their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty.

 

A number of important factors could cause actual future financial condition or
performance or other indicated results to differ materially from those
indicated in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not
limited to:

 

·     current and future market conditions, including fluctuations in
interest rates and exchange rates, inflation (including resulting interest
rate rises), sustained high or low interest rate environments, the performance
of financial and credit markets generally and the impact of economic
uncertainty, slowdown or contraction (including as a result of the
Russia-Ukraine conflict, conflict in the Middle East, and related or other
geopolitical tensions and conflicts), which may also impact policyholder
behaviour and reduce product affordability;

·       asset valuation impacts from the transition to a lower carbon
economy;

·       derivative instruments not effectively mitigating any
exposures;

·     global political uncertainties, including the potential for
increased friction in cross-border trade and the exercise of laws, regulations
and executive powers to restrict trade, financial transactions, capital
movements and/or investment;

·    the policies and actions of regulatory authorities, including, in
particular, the policies and actions of the Hong Kong Insurance Authority, as
Prudential's Group-wide supervisor, as well as the degree and pace of
regulatory changes and new government initiatives generally;

·     the impact on Prudential of systemic risk and other group
supervision policy standards adopted by the International Association of
Insurance Supervisors, given Prudential's designation as an Internationally
Active Insurance Group;

·       the physical, social, morbidity/health and financial impacts
of climate change and global health crises, which may impact Prudential's
business, investments, operations and its duties owed to customers;

·     legal, policy and regulatory developments in response to climate
change and broader sustainability-related issues, including the development of
regulations and standards and interpretations such as those relating to
sustainability (including ESG and climate-related) reporting, disclosures and
product labelling and their interpretations (which may conflict and create
misrepresentation risks);

·       the collective ability of governments, policymakers, the
Group, industry and other stakeholders to implement and adhere to commitments
on mitigation of climate change and broader sustainability-related issues
effectively (including not appropriately considering the interests of all
Prudential's stakeholders or failing to maintain high standards of corporate
governance and responsible business practices);

·        the impact of competition and fast-paced technological
change;

·        the effect on Prudential's business and results from
mortality and morbidity trends, lapse rates and policy renewal rates;

·        the timing, impact and other uncertainties of future
acquisitions or combinations within relevant industries;

·    the impact of internal transformation projects and other strategic
actions failing to meet their objectives or adversely impacting the Group's
operations or employees;

·       the availability and effectiveness of reinsurance for
Prudential's businesses;

·       the risk that Prudential's operational resilience (or that of its
suppliers and partners) may prove to be inadequate, including in relation to
operational disruption due to external events;

·      disruption to the availability, confidentiality or integrity of
Prudential's information technology, digital systems and data (or those of its
suppliers and partners);

·        the increased non-financial and financial risks and
uncertainties associated with operating joint ventures with independent
partners, particularly where joint ventures are not controlled by Prudential;

·       the impact of changes in capital, solvency standards, accounting
standards or relevant regulatory frameworks, and tax and other legislation and
regulations in the jurisdictions in which Prudential and its affiliates
operate; and

·        the impact of legal and regulatory actions, investigations
and disputes.

 

These factors are not exhaustive. Prudential operates in a continually
changing business environment with new risks emerging from time to time that
it may be unable to predict or that it currently does not expect to have a
material adverse effect on its business. In addition, these and other
important factors may, for example, result in changes to assumptions used for
determining results of operations or re-estimations of reserves for future
policy benefits. Further discussion of these and other important factors that
could cause actual future financial condition or performance to differ,
possibly materially, from those anticipated in Prudential's forward-looking
statements can be found under the 'Risk Factors' heading of Prudential's 2024
Half Year Financial Report, available on Prudential's website at
www.prudentialplc.com (http://www.prudentialplc.com) .

 

Any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement speak only as of
the date on which they are made. Prudential expressly disclaims any obligation
to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement
or any other forward-looking statements it may make, whether as a result of
future events, new information or otherwise except as required pursuant to the
UK Prospectus Rules, the UK Listing Rules, the UK Disclosure Guidance and
Transparency Rules, the Hong Kong Listing Rules, the SGX-ST Listing Rules or
other applicable laws and regulations.

 

Prudential may also make or disclose written and/or oral forward-looking
statements in reports filed with or furnished to the US Securities and
Exchange Commission, the UK Financial Conduct Authority, the Hong Kong Stock
Exchange and other regulatory authorities, as well as in its annual report and
accounts to shareholders, periodic financial reports to shareholders, proxy
statements, offering circulars, registration statements, prospectuses,
prospectus supplements, press releases and other written materials and in oral
statements made by directors, officers or employees of Prudential to third
parties, including financial analysts. All such forward-looking statements are
qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed under the
'Risk Factors' heading of Prudential's 2024 Half Year Financial Report,
available on Prudential's website at www.prudentialplc.com.

 

Cautionary Statements

 

This announcement does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation
to purchase, acquire, subscribe for, sell, dispose of or issue, or any
solicitation of any offer to purchase, acquire, subscribe for, sell or dispose
of, any securities in any jurisdiction nor shall it (or any part of it) or the
fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied on in connection
with, any contract therefor.

 

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA

 

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