Prudential

PUK

Market cap $35.6B

JP Morgan has placed Prudential PLC (LSE:PRU) on positive catalyst watch ahead of its first-half results, expecting reassurance on the impact of a Chinese regulatory change. The broker reiterated its 'overweight' rating on the insurer ahead of results due on 26 August.

Prudential PLC (LSE:PRU) shares climbed 4% to 963p on Thursday morning after UBS said the insurer's recent sell-off already reflects a worst-case outcome from concerns over Chinese money flowing into Hong Kong insurance products. The shares recovered some of the losses suffered in recent sessions, with the stock falling around 5% this week and down about 19% since regulatory measures affecting some mainland Chinese investment channels were announced on 22 May.

JPMorgan says Prudential PLC's (LSE:PRU) recent share-price slide has already baked in a bearish view of China-related insurance flows, leaving the Asia-focused insurer looking inexpensive even under a tougher regulatory scenario. The broker, which rates Prudential at Overweight, noted that the shares have fallen more than 10% since concerns emerged over Decree 837, a regulation whose implications for Hong Kong insurance sales to Mainland Chinese Visitor customers remain unclear.

In Q1, the Artisan Global Equity Fund portfolio outperformed the MSCI All Country World Index, as the benchmark posted a negative absolute return. In the defense and aerospace theme, geopolitical turmoil drove up shares of our Korean defense holdings. Activity during the quarter was centered on adding to areas where we see durable long-term demand, while also taking advantage of stock-specific opportunities created by market volatility.

UBS says a swap of Prudential's ICICI Pru Life stake for a controlling position in Bharti Life could release up to $1 billion in excess cash. Prudential PLC (LSE:PRU), the FTSE 100 insurer focused on Asian and African growth markets, could unlock significant shareholder value by swapping its roughly 22% stake in ICICI Prudential Life Insurance for an 85% controlling stake in Bharti Life Insurance, according to UBS.

Prudential plc (PUK) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Prepared Remarks Transcript

Prudential Plc continues to outperform, driven by robust double-digit growth in new business profit and free surplus generation across Asia and Africa. PUK's capital return policy prioritizes share buybacks over dividends, with over $7 billion targeted for return between 2024-27, equating to a 5% annual yield. Valuation remains attractive at 1.8x book value, especially versus peers, supported by a conservative investment portfolio with minimal private credit exposure.

Prudential plc (PUK) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

Full-year results from Prudential PLC (LSE:PRU) were broadly what City analysts were hoping for, with new business profit, earnings and the dividend all nudging ahead of expectations – but a softer-than-expected free surplus ratio is likely to temper enthusiasm. Shares in the FTSE 100 group fell almost 5% to 1045p by early afternoon.

Insurer Prudential , posted a 12% rise in ‌annual new business profit on Wednesday, helped by resilient momentum in its Asia and Africa markets.