Eamonn Flanagan

Standard Life’s Sales Beat Estimates on Regulatory Changes

Standard Life Plc, Scotland’s biggest insurer, said first-quarter sales rose 24 percent, beating analysts’ estimates, as regulatory changes helped attract U.K. savers. The shares rose.

Standard Life to Pay Out Special Dividend as Profit Rises

Standard Life Plc, Scotland’s biggest insurer, will pay out some of its swelling capital surplus as a special dividend after full-year profit rose 65 percent, beating analysts’ estimates.

Prudential Said to Prepare $1.5 Billion Capital Boost for AIA

Prudential Plc , the British insurer buying American International Group Inc.’s main Asian unit, may seek to increase its capital reserves by 1 billion pounds ($1.5 billion) to win approval from U.K. regulators for the purchase, said a person with knowledge of the matter.

RBS Raises 787 Million Pounds in Direct Line Share Sale

Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc, Britain’s biggest government-owned lender, raised 787 million pounds ($1.3 billion) in an initial public offering of its insurance unit forced by European Union regulators.

Hiscox to Return $303 Million to Investors as Profit Surges

Hiscox Ltd., the second-biggest Lloyd’s of London insurer by market value, plans to return 200 million pounds ($303 million) to shareholders after pretax profit surged more than 12-fold. The shares jumped.

Beazley Rises as Profit, Special Dividend Beat Estimates

Beazley Plc rose in London trading after 2012 profit beat analysts’ estimates and the Lloyd’s of London insurer said it plans to pay investors a special dividend that matches its usual payout for the year.

Catlin Misses Profit Estimate on Hurricane, Costa Concordia

Catlin Group Ltd., the second-largest Lloyd’s of London insurer by market value, reported lower-than- estimated pretax profit for 2012 on claims related to Hurricane Sandy and the shipwrecked Costa Concordia.

Prudential Plc Insurance Sales Rise 17 Percent on Asian and U.S. Divisions

Prudential Plc , the U.K.’s biggest insurer, said third-quarter insurance revenue rose 17 percent on higher sales at its Asian and U.S. divisions.

Aviva Has Loss on $1.4 Billion U.S. Writedown; Costs to Rise

Aviva Plc, the U.K.’s second-biggest insurer by market value, swung to a first-half loss after writing down its U.S. arm by 876 million pounds ($1.4 billion) and said restructuring costs will increase.

RBS Begins Direct Line IPO After Talanx Scraps Stock Sale

Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc, the U.K.’s largest state-owned lender, will push ahead with the initial public offering of its insurance unit even after Talanx AG, Germany’s third-biggest insurer, pulled its IPO this week.

"The 2012 results, the positive outlook statement and the return of capital should be received well by the market this morning."

- Eamonn Flanagan on Feb 25, 2013

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Tidjane Thiam

U.S. Stocks Rise Before Leading Indicators Report

European Stocks Little Changed as Banks, Carmakers Gain

Tesla Plans to Raise $1.08 Billion While Paying Back U.S.

American Capital Fights Fed Exit Worry as Investors Flee

Gold Heads for Worst Slump Since March 2009 as Holdings Contract