today's figures could not be described as exciting, yet the shares are now +20 at 650 after a low of 615 ..... back in april, aviva made an approach but terms could not be agreed ..... under SE rules, that meant no new approach could be made for 6 months (i assume that only applied to aviva) ...... for all that, if PRU's sp continues to thrive, why question?

FSA Final Notices

Prudential plc and its wholly owned subsidiary The Prudential Assurance Company Limited have agreed to settle with the Financial Services Authority over issues relating to the attempt to acquire AIA, the Asian subsidiary of AIG, in early 2010. The companies have agreed to pay fines totalling GBP30 million, in respect of a decision by the FSA that it and the UKLA should have been informed earlier about Prudential's contemplation of the potential transaction. The Group Chief Executive, Tidjane Thiam, has also agreed to be censured in respect of a decision by the FSA that it should have been informed earlier.

The FSA has confirmed the following in a statement accompanying the Final Notices published today:

"The investigation was into past events and does not concern the current conduct of the management of the Prudential Group. The FSA accepts that Prudential did consider their obligations in forming their assessment in respect of informing the regulator. Therefore, although the FSA considers that the circumstances of these breaches are serious, the FSA does not consider they were reckless or intentional."

Paul Manduca, the Chairman of Prudential PLC, said: "The Board has decided to settle this matter in the best interests of the Group and all its stakeholders. We wish to draw a line under the matter, and to ensure our constructive relationship with our regulators remains good. Tidjane acted at all times in the interests of the Company and with the full knowledge and authority of the Board. The Board wishes to express its satisfaction that all parties have agreed to this settlement."

"Prudential works hard to maintain close and positive relationships with its regulators and the Group's relationship with the FSA continues to be good. The FSA has determined that it should have been informed earlier about the fact we were contemplating the AIA transaction and we regret, with hindsight, not so doing."

"Over the past three years, our successful business strategy, led by Tidjane, and fully supported by the Board, has delivered excellent results for customers, shareholders and employees. This was most recently demonstrated by our strong annual results for 2012."

JACKIE HUNT APPOINTED AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE, PRUDENTIAL UK AND EUROPE

Prudential plc ("Prudential") announces the appointment of Jackie Hunt as Chief Executive, Prudential UK and Europe and to the Board of Prudential plc. Jackie will succeed Rob Devey, who will leave the Group at the end of October 2013 to pursue new opportunities.

Jackie will join Prudential from Standard Life plc where she is Chief Financial Officer. Before joining Standard Life in 2009, Jackie held a number of senior leadership roles within the UK insurance industry, first at Royal & Sun Alliance and then at Aviva.

Panmure Gordon Buy 1,138.50 1,160.00 1,160.00 Reiterates

Interims out today http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4649009

Interims out today.

PRUDENTIAL PLC 2014 HALF YEAR RESULTS

Group Performance Highlights (on constant exchange rate basis)
· IFRS operating profit of £1,521 million, up 17 per cent1
· EEV new business profit2 of £1,015 million, up 24 per cent1
· Underlying free surplus generation3 (after investment in new business) of £1,219 million, up 13 per cent1
· Net cash remittances from business units up 15 per cent to £974 million

Business Units Performance Highlights (on constant exchange rate basis)
· Asia life and asset management IFRS operating profit of £525 million, up 19 per cent1
· Jackson life IFRS operating profit of £686 million, up 28 per cent1
· UK life IFRS operating profit of £374 million, up 10 per cent
· M&G IFRS operating profit of £227 million, up 11 per cent

Capital & Dividend:
· IFRS shareholders' funds of £10.6 billion, up 9 per cent4
· EEV shareholders' funds of £25.9 billion, up 4 per cent4, equivalent to 1,009 pence per share
· Insurance Groups Directive (IGD) capital surplus5 estimated at £4.1 billion; solvency requirements covered 2.3 times
· 2014 interim dividend increased by 15 per cent to 11.19 pence per share

The Share Centre has given Prudential a 'buy' rating, saying that the insurer is "attractive for investors" after another set of strong results on Tuesday.

"We continue to recommend Prudential as a 'buy' for investors looking for a positive investment idea that spans the US, Asia and the UK. The Asian growth story continues to remain highly attractive along with strong UK and US operations."

Bullish piece.....

http://citywire.co.uk/money/the-expert-view-ladbrokes-ao-world-and-prudential/a767110#i=4

19 Nov 2014 Prudential PLC PRU Deutsche Bank Buy 1,480.25 1,491.00 1,630.00 1,680.00 Reiterates

Chart looking good GF.

Exane BNP Paribas Underperform 1,512.25 1,176.00 1,176.00 Retains

PRU..Prudential stock breaking out to 10 year high A lot of broker backing yesterday. Deustche 19 Nov Buy 1,680.00

an interesting call indeed ..... sp has already risen about £2 in the last 3 months

Yep Cyners and broker targets have it heading higher, just look at that chart.

Have a look at NG - similar - ex dividend tomorrow though.

i concur; the chart's terrific - see a slightly easier one to read on post 61

however, i don't really want to throw more money into the market at the moment, so not sure that i want to dump anything to buy here

19 Nov 2014 Prudential PLC PRU Societe Generale Buy 1,505.75 1,491.00 1,530.00 1,530.00 Reiterates

PRU

Commentating on yesterdays Results:

Shore Capital analyst Eamonn Flanagan said:

Prudential’s excellent performance in the first nine months of 2014, with both new business volumes and profits ahead of our expectations and towards the top end of market forecasts, was delivered in the face of significant foreign exchange headwinds and turmoil within Indonesia, one of its key ‘sweet spot’ territories in Asia. The underlying figures at constant forex, growth of 17% in new business profits and 14% in volume, bears testimony to the strength of Prudential’s strategic positioning in the key Asian, US and UK markets, the depth of its franchise across the globe and the continued focus on capital efficiency and profitability over volume. This, in turn, should translate into excellent delivery of IFRS [international financial reporting standards] profits and cash, with investors ultimately benefiting via dividend flows.

Bernstein Research said:

Prudential reported a solid set of numbers at the third quarter, beating consensus, and in line with our estimates. Shorter-term macroeconomic challenges, and Asian currency weakness remains, but underlying earnings progress remains solid. We retain our outperform rating on Prudential [with a price target of] 1650p

From The Motley Fool today........

Aviva plc, Legal & General Group Plc And Prudential plc Have Completely Thrashed This Market
By Harvey Jones - Wednesday, 19 November, 2014


When I did a portfolio spring clean earlier this year there were two stocks I didn’t even consider dumping: insurance giants Aviva (LSE: AV) and Prudential (LSE: PRU).

I’m glad I held onto them, because both have thrashed the wider stock market, as has the other big name in the life sector, Legal & General Group (LSE: LGEN).

How To Crush The Market
While the FTSE 100 has stagnated over the last 12 months, Aviva is up 25%, L&G is up 16% and the Pru is up 18%.

That’s tremendous performance in what should have been a difficult period, given market stagnation, and Chancellor George Osborne’s radical pensions overhaul, which instantly halved annuity sales.

Pru’s Aim Is True
Pru has smashed analyst expectations again, with double-digit growth year-to-date in both new business profits and annual premiums across its three life businesses in the UK, US and Asia.

Its asset management business also saw net inflows of £9.6bn, including strong performance in the UK.

The Pru share price is up 150% over the last three years, and although its 2.23% dividend yield disappoints, there is plenty of scope for progression on that front.

A Legal Matter
L&G also has momentum on its side, its share price up 136% over three years. Q3 results showed impressive growth in revenues, operating profits, customers and net cash, and a continuing strong return on equity.

Individual annuity sales fell 60%, but the bulk annuity market is more than compensating, while its investment management business saw total assets increase by £82bn to £676bn.

Its 3.8% yield trumps both Prudential and the FTSE 100 average of 3.5%.

Viva Aviva
Aviva is playing catch up with its runaway rivals, but I bought it as a recovery play, and it is steadily getting there. Its net asset value is up 10% year-to-date, new business is up 15% by value and its general insurance combined ratio has improved to 95.9%.

Aviva may lack Prudential’s exposure to fast-growing Asian markets, but its tighter focus on the UK and Europe has served it well. Although its 2.8% yield hardly thrills.

Reassuringly Expensive
All three insurers benefit from low interest rates (which force savers to consider more dynamic alternatives), ageing Western and Asian populations, and the push to encourage private pension provision.

Success comes at a price, however. All three look expensive right now, with L&G and the Pru trading at around 16 times earnings, and Aviva at 24 times.

Given their breakneck growth, that may be a price worth paying.

27 Nov 2014 Prudential PLC PRU Barclays Capital Overweight 1,519.50 1,519.00 - 1,787.00 Reiterates

SP Target 1787p

HG Capital increase holding http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4972907