18 July 2017 – business update
A trading update has been released, covering the first half of 2016. Retirement Income sales were up 16% on a pro forma basis. Total sales rose 24% on a statutory basis. Defined Benefit De-risking sales of £296m were up 80% versus the same period a year earlier. Guaranteed Income for Life sales improved by 24% from the first quarter to the second quarter but first half sales were down 2% on a pro forma basis. Lifetime Mortgage advances were £230m, which was 32% of Retirement Income sales. Overall the figures announced were positive and more detail will be provided in the interim results announcement sue out on 13 September. The shares remain a BUY.