Prudential shares fall as Jackson demerger shifts to second half

[May 13, 2021]  LONDON (Reuters) - Shares in Prudential fell 5% on Thursday as the life insurer said the spin-off of its U.S. business would not take place until the second half.

Analysts were expecting the demerger, announced last year following pressure from activist investor Third Point, to take place this month. Prudential had previously said the demerger would take place in the second quarter.

The company said that while regulatory approvals for the demerger had been received from Michigan and New York, "regulatory engagement" was continuing so detail on Jackson's first-quarter performance could be included.

"The U.S. demerger will complete Prudential's structural transformation into a business solely focused on the growth opportunities of Asia and Africa," chief executive Mike Wells said in a trading statement ahead of the company's annual general meeting on Thursday.

Prudential's shares were down 5.4% at 0930 GMT, one of the worst performers in the FTSE 100.

Jefferies analysts described the demerger delay as "disappointing", while retaining their "buy" rating on the stock.

Wells said that while vaccination roll-outs should bring "a gradual return to more normal economic patterns", uncertainty remained over the speed of roll-outs and their success.

The logo of British life insurer Prudential is seen on their building in London, Britain March 17, 2019. REUTERS/Simon Dawson/File Photo

New business profit in the life insurer's Asia and Africa operations rose by 21% to $624 million in the first quarter, helped by strong performance in China.

Asia and Africa annual premium equivalent (APE) sales rose 14% to $1.2 billion.

Jackson's first-quarter new business premiums were in line with the second half of 2020 and sales of variable

annuities were up. Sales of fixed index annuities and fixed annuities in the same period remained at historically low

levels following earlier pricing actions, the company said.

Prudential reiterated that it planned a $2.5-3 billion equity raising once the demerger is completed, likely to be through a global offering to institutional investors and a public sale in Hong Kong to retail investors.

Prudential also said it would consider a preferential offering to Hong Kong-resident eligible employees and agents.

(Reporting by Carolyn Cohn, editing by Kirstin Ridley and Jane Merriman)

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