Asia drives Prudential's new business profit

London

PRUDENTIAL'S Asian focus drove a 19 per cent rise in new business profit for the first nine months, the British life insurer said on Wednesday as it pledged to raise its dividend by 5 per cent every year.

Asia contributes around a third of Prudential's operating profit and the region's head Tony Wilkey said the business was on course to meet its 2017 objectives as it targets an expanding Asian middle class to deliver growth.