{
  "id": 3616728,
  "title": "Prudential posts 8% rise in first-half new business profit, expands share buyback",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/prudential-posts-8-rise-in-first-half-new-business-profit-expands",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-26T23:38:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Business Times - Companies & Markets",
    "slug": "the-business-times-companies-markets",
    "url": "https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/banking-finance/prudential-posts-8-rise-first-half-new-business-profit-expands-share-buyback"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prudential reported an 8% rise in first-half new business profit, reaching US$1.38 billion, slightly below expectations. Growth was driven by strong performance in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore. New business profit in Hong Kong increased 8% on a constant exchange rate basis to US$581 million, while in Malaysia, it rose 46% to US$70 million. In mainland China, new business profit declined 4% on a CER basis to US$159 million, due to a shift towards lower-profit products and regulatory changes affecting bank distribution costs. Excluding China, new business profit grew by 10% on a CER basis. The insurer also expanded its share buyback program by US$300 million, now totaling US$1.5 billion. Despite concerns over potential personal income tax on Hong Kong insurance policies imposed by China, Prudential remains confident in the structural growth prospects of its Hong Kong business.",
  "summary": "It increased its 2026 share repurchase programme by US$300 million to US$1.5 billion",
  "key_points": [
    "Prudential's first-half new business profit rose 8% to US$1.38 billion",
    "Hong Kong and Malaysia saw significant growth in new business profit",
    "Prudential expanded share buyback program by US$300 million"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "SCMP Business",
        "title": "Prudential sees new business profit growth slow, announces US$300m share buy-back",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/prudential-sees-new-business-profit-growth-slow-announces-us-300m",
        "published": "2026-08-27T00:21:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}