SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of November, 2024
PRUDENTIAL PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
(Translation
of registrant's name into English)
13/F, One International Finance Centre,
1 Harbour View Street, Central,
Hong Kong, China
(Address
of principal executive offices)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports
under
cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form
20-F X
Form 40-F
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information
contained
in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the
Commission
pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
Yes
No X
If
"Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant
in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
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)
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Constant exchange rate
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Actual exchange rate
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YTD 30.09.2024 $m
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YTD 30.09.2023 $m
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Change
%
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YTD 30.09.2023 $m
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Change
%
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|||||
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APE sales
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NBP
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APE sales
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NBP
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APE sales
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NBP
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APE sales
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NBP
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APE sales
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NBP
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Total
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4,638
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2,347
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4,325
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2,109
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7%
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11%
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4,417
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2,143
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5%
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10%
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Total new business margin (%)
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51%
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49%
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49%
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Total excluding economic impacts
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4,638
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2,294
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4,325
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2,109
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7%
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9%
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4,417
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2,143
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5%
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7%
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Total new business margin excluding economic impacts
(%)
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49%
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49%
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49%
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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:
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Media
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Investors/Analysts
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Simon Kutner
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+44 (0)7581 023260
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Patrick Bowes
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+852 2918 5468
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Sonia Tsang
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+852 5580 7525
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William Elderkin
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+44 (0)20 3977 9215
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Darwin Lam
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+852 2918 6348
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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.
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
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: 06 November
2024
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PRUDENTIAL
PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
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By:
/s/ Ben Bulmer
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Ben
Bulmer
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Chief
Financial Officer
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