Published Fri, Aug 14, 2026 · 03:49 PM
[LONDON] British insurer Aviva beat first-half profit expectations on Friday (Aug 14) as its combination with motor insurer Direct Line and a booming wealth-management business drove earnings higher.
Chief executive Amanda Blanc has bet on scale in a competitive home market, with the Direct Line deal cementing Aviva as Britain’s largest multiline insurer as it navigates political uncertainty and softening insurance pricing.
Aviva, which offers car, home and life insurance, posted operating profit of £1.33 billion (US$1.79 billion) for the six months to June 30, up 24 per cent from a year earlier and ahead of the £1.26 billion expected by analysts in a poll by the company.
The insurer also said it was well placed to meet three-year financial targets, which include 11 per cent compound annual growth in operating earnings per share through 2028 and a return on equity above 20 per cent.
General insurance gross written premiums climbed 29 per cent to £8.1 billion in the first half, against a consensus forecast of £7.8 billion.
Net inflows in the wealth-management business, meanwhile, rose 32 per cent to £7.6 billion.
Aviva raised its interim dividend by 7 per cent to 14 pence per share. REUTERS
