Prudential PLC (LON:PRU) shares rose smartly as it played down recent stock market turbulence and paid a special dividend as well.
Retail investors pulling money out of investment arm M&G was the only blip in an otherwise strong year that saw profits soar 22% to £4bn. The special dividend of 10p was in addition to a 5% rise in the ordinary payout.
At M&G, fixed income in particular took a hit as savers moved money out of bond and income funds as US rates rose for the first time in six years.
The Pru also highlighted substantial withdrawals from European investors, ahead of a possible Brexit.
Asia was again a strong performer though the UK starred this time in terms of profits with a 60% rise to £1.17bn, which included a £339mln one-off boost.
In the US, Jackson Life, from where new chief executive Mike Wells hails, also did well and increased profits by 10% to £1.69bn.
M&G’s contribution dipped slightly though to £442mln.
Shares rose 58p to 1,384p.