L&G Half Year Results 2024 Part 2

 

Independent review report to Legal & General Group Plc

 

Conclusion 

We have been engaged by Legal & General Group Plc ("the Company") to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2024 which comprises the Consolidated Income Statement, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and the related explanatory notes. 

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2024 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted for use in the UK and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules ("the DTR") of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority ("the UK FCA").   

Basis for conclusion

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK) 2410 Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity ("ISRE (UK) 2410") issued for use in the UK. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. We read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and consider whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements. 

A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.  

Conclusion relating to going concern

Based on our review procedures, which are less extensive than those performed in an audit as described in the Basis for conclusion section of this report, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the directors have inappropriately adopted the going concern basis of accounting, or that the directors have identified material uncertainties relating to going concern that have not been appropriately disclosed.

This conclusion is based on the review procedures performed in accordance with ISRE (UK) 2410. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern, and the above conclusions are not a guarantee that the Company will continue in operation.

Directors' responsibilities 

The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the DTR of the UK FCA. 

 

As disclosed in Note 4.01, the half-yearly financial report of the Company is prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards.

 

The directors are responsible for preparing the condensed set of financial statements included in the half-yearly financial report in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted for use in the UK.

 

In preparing the condensed set of financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

 

Our responsibility 

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review. Our conclusion, including our conclusions relating to going concern, are based on procedures that are less extensive than audit procedures, as described in the Basis for conclusion section of this report.

The purpose of our review work and to whom we owe our responsibilities

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the Company in meeting the requirements of the DTR of the UK FCA. Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we are required to state to it in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have reached. 

 

 

Philip Smart

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP

Chartered Accountants

15 Canada Square

London

E14 5GL

6 August 2024

 

 

 

IFRS Disclosures on performance

 

2.01 Restatement

 

At a Capital Markets Event on 12 June 2024, the Group set out a refreshed strategy and set of financial targets. As part of a new vision for a growing, simpler and better-connected business, the Group has implemented a revised business model, including the:

·      creation of a single Asset Management division, bringing Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) and Legal & General Capital (LGC) together as a unified, global, public and private markets asset manager; and

·      maximisation of the value of non-strategic assets through a new Corporate Investments Unit.

 

As a result, the Group is now focused on three core business divisions, namely Institutional Retirement, Asset Management and Retail, with a shared sense of purpose and powerful synergies.

 

The new divisional organisation has an impact on the reportable segments of the Group. Previously, the Group operated five reportable segments, comprising Legal & General Retirement Institutional (LGRI), LGC, LGIM, Insurance and Retail Retirement. Following the announcement, in line with the principles in IFRS 8, 'Operating Segments', the Group operating and reportable segments have been updated to the following:

 

·      Institutional Retirement, which continues to focus on worldwide pension risk transfer business opportunities;

·      Asset Management, the new combined investment management business of the Group, committed to driving growth in public markets as well as materially scale the Group's in-house and origination platform capability in private markets across Real Estate, Private Credit and Infrastructure, including through an accelerated programme of fund launches;

·      Insurance, which primarily represents UK protection (both group and retail) and US retail protection business (US Insurance);

·      Retail Retirement, which primarily represents retail annuity and drawdown products, workplace savings and lifetime mortgage loans; and

·      Corporate Investments, which represents a portfolio of non-strategic assets managed separately with the goal of maximising shareholder value ahead of potential divestment.

 

Group expenses, debt costs and assets held centrally are reported separately. Transactions between segments are on normal commercial terms and are included within the reported segments.

 

Segmental disclosures in relation to the comparative periods presented have been restated to reflect the new divisional organisation.

 

Further to the impact of the changes noted above, during the finalisation of the numbers included in the Group's 2023 Annual Report and Accounts following the implementation of IFRS 17, certain immaterial adjustments have been identified, which have now been reflected in the comparatives for the period ended 30 June 2023. In total, the impact of these adjustments on equity attributable to owners of the parent was a decrease of £45m as at 1 January 2023 and an increase of £17m as at 30 June 2023. The impact on profit for the period to 30 June 2023 attributable to equity holders was an increase of £61m.

 

2.02 Operating profit^#

 

				Restated	Restated
			6 months	6 months	Full year
			2024	2023	2023
For the six month period to 30 June 2024		Notes	£m	£m	£m
Institutional Retirement		2.03	560	530	1,028
Asset Management		2.04	214	249	448
Retail		2.03	268	252	449
- Insurance			105	108	139
- Retail Retirement			163	144	310
Group debt costs1			(107)	(106)	(212)
Group investment projects and expenses			(86)	(81)	(182)
Core operating profit			849	844	1,531
Corporate Investments			71	80	136
Total operating profit			920	924	1,667
Investment and other variances		2.05	(601)	(525)	(1,577)
Losses attributable to non-controlling interests			(3)	(6)	(14)
Adjusted profit before tax attributable to equity holders			316	393	76
Tax (expense)/credit attributable to equity holders		4.04	(96)	(22)	367
Profit for the period		3.01	220	371	443
Total tax expense/(credit)		3.01	270	136	(248)
Profit before tax		3.01	490	507	195
Profit attributable to equity holders			223	377	457
Earnings per share:
Core (pence per share)2		2.07	10.58	10.52	19.04
Basic (pence per share)2		2.07	3.58	6.19	7.35
Diluted (pence per share)2		2.07	3.55	6.01	7.28

1.    Group debt costs exclude interest on non-recourse financing.

2.    All earnings per share calculations are based on profit attributable to equity holders of the company.

 

This supplementary adjusted operating profit information (one of the Group's key performance indicators) provides additional analysis of the results reported under IFRS, and the Group believes that it provides stakeholders with useful information to enhance their understanding of the performance of the business in the period. Core operating profit measures the operating performance of the Group's core business and is therefore calculated as the Group's adjusted operating profit excluding the operating profit of the Corporate Investments Unit.

 

Adjusted operating profit measures the pre-tax result excluding the impact of investment volatility, economic assumption changes caused by changes in market conditions or expectations, and exceptional items. Adjusted operating profit for insurance contracts primarily reflects the release of profit from the contractual service margin and risk adjustment in the period (adjusted for reinsurance mismatches), the unwind of the discount rate used in the calculation of the insurance liabilities and incurred expenses that are not directly attributable to the insurance contracts.

 

To remove investment volatility, adjusted operating profit reflects long-term expected investment returns on the substantial majority of investments held by the Group, including both traded and private market investments. For the remainder of the asset portfolio, including certain operational businesses in the Asset Management division and CALA Homes, no adjustments are made to exclude investment volatility. The investment margin for insurance business therefore reflects the expected investment return above the unwind of the insurance liability discount rate.

 

Following the recent refresh of the Group's strategy and the segmentation changes described in Note 2.01, the Group has updated the application of its methodology for the determination of adjusted operating profit for assets allocated to the Asset Management and Corporate Investments segments, in order to simplify and harmonise the methodology within the segments. This has not had a material impact on the comparative adjusted operating profit of each segment, and therefore has not led to a restatement.

 

The long-term expected investment return reflects the best estimate of the long-term return at the start of the year, as follows:

 

·      Expected returns for traded equity, commercial property and residential property (including lifetime mortgages) are based on market consensus forecasts and long-term historic average returns expected to apply through the cycle;

·      Assumptions for fixed interest securities measured at FVTPL are based on asset yields for the assets held, less an adjustment for credit risk (assessed on a best estimate basis). Where securities are measured at amortised cost or FVOCI, the expected investment return comprises interest income on an effective interest rate basis; and

·      Equity direct investments incorporate investments in housing, specialist commercial real estate, clean energy, alternative finance and fintech. Where used for the determination of adjusted operating profit, the long-term expected investment return is on average between 10% and 12%. Rates of return specific to each asset are determined at the point of underwriting and reviewed and updated annually. The expected investment return includes current financial assumptions as well as sector specific assumptions, including retail and commercial property yields and power prices where appropriate.

 

 

# All references to 'Operating profit' throughout this report represent 'Adjusted operating profit', an alternative performance measure defined in the alternative performance measures (APM) section.

 

2.02 Operating profit^# (continued)

 

The long-term expectations used in determining the expected investment returns for traded equity and property assets are:

 

				6 months	6 months	Full year
				2024	2023	2023
Equity returns				7%	7%	7%
Commercial property growth				5%	5%	5%
Residential property growth				3.5%	3.5%	3.5%

 

Variances between actual and long-term expected investment returns are excluded from adjusted operating profit, as are economic assumption changes to insurance contract liabilities caused by movements in market conditions or expectations (e.g. credit default and inflation), and any difference between the actual allocated asset mix and the target long-term asset mix on new pension risk transfer business. Assets held for future new pension risk transfer business are excluded from the asset portfolio used to determine the discount rate for annuities on insurance contract liabilities. The impact of investment management actions that optimise the yield of the assets backing the back book of annuity contracts is included within adjusted operating profit.

 

Exceptional income and expenses which arise outside the normal course of business in the year, such as merger and acquisition and start-up costs, are excluded from adjusted operating profit.

 

 

2.03 Analysis of Institutional Retirement and Retail operating profit^#

 

			Restated		Restated
	Institutional		Institutional	Restated	Institutional	Restated
	Retirement	Retail	Retirement	Retail	Retirement	Retail
	6 months	6 months	6 months	6 months	Full year	Full year
	2024	2024	2023	2023	2023	2023
	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Amortisation of the CSM in the period1	316	226	267	210	591	446
Release of risk adjustment in the period	64	39	54	49	119	74
Experience variances	(20)	18	(18)	(17)	(14)	(17)
Development of losses on onerous contracts	-	(8)	-	(8)	1	(27)
Other expenses2	(86)	(76)	(68)	(40)	(160)	(121)
Insurance investment margin3	283	65	292	71	486	122
Investment contracts and non-insurance operating profit	3	4	3	(13)	5	(28)
Total Institutional Retirement and Retail operating profit	560	268	530	252	1,028	449

1.    Contractual service margin (CSM) amortisation for Retail has been reduced by £8m (H1 23: £8m; FY 23: £16m) to exclude the impact of reinsurance mismatches.

2.    Other expenses are non-attributable expenses on both new and existing business. These are overhead costs which are not allowed for in the CSM or the best estimate liability unit cost assumptions, and instead are reported within the Consolidated Income Statement as part of the profit or loss for the period.

3.    Insurance investment margin comprises the expected investment return on assets backing insurance contract liabilities, the unwind of the discount rate on insurance contract liabilities and the optimisation of the assets backing the annuity back book. The insurance investment margin also incorporates the impact of the change in segmentation (see Note 2.01).

 

 

2.04 Asset Management operating profit^#

 

				Restated	Restated
			6 months	6 months	Full year
			2024	2023	2023
			£m	£m	£m
Management fee revenue (excluding third-party market data)1			481	455	926
Transactional revenue2			11	9	26
Expenses (excluding third-party market data)1			(359)	(326)	(684)
Operating profit from fee related earnings			133	138	268
Operating profit from balance sheet investments3			81	111	180
Total Asset Management operating profit			214	249	448

1.    Asset Management revenue and expenses exclude income and costs of £16m in relation to the provision of third-party market data (H1 23: £13m; FY 23: £26m).

2.    Transactional revenue from external clients includes execution fees, asset transition income, trigger fees, arrangement fees on property transactions and performance fees.

3.    Earnings from balance sheet investments across specialist commercial real estate, clean energy, housing and alternative finance.

 

 

# All references to 'Operating profit' throughout this report represent 'Adjusted operating profit', an alternative performance measure defined in the alternative performance measures (APM) section.

 

 

2.05 Investment and other variances

 

		Restated	Restated
	6 months	6 months	Full year
	2024	2023	2023
	£m	£m	£m
Institutional Retirement and Retail
- Net impact of investment returns less than expectation and change in liability discount rates	(322)	(182)	(720)
- Other	(27)	(30)	(6)
Total Institutional Retirement and Retail investment variance	(349)	(212)	(726)
Asset Management investment variance	(55)	(40)	(123)
Other investment variance1	(197)	(95)	(529)
Investment variance	(601)	(347)	(1,378)
M&A related and other variances	-	(178)	(199)
Total investment and other variances	(601)	(525)	(1,577)

1.    Other investment variance in H1 24 includes a £110m valuation write-down of Salary Finance. In FY 23, it includes the £167m one-off settlement cost associated with the buy-out of the Group's UK defined benefit pension schemes along with the current service costs and net interest expense up until that transaction.

 

Investment variance includes differences between actual and long-term expected investment return on traded and non-traded assets, the impact of economic assumption changes caused by changes in market conditions or expectations (e.g. credit default and inflation), the impact of any difference between the actual allocated asset mix and the target long-term asset mix on new pension risk transfer business, and the yield associated with assets held for future new pension risk transfer business. Note 2.02 includes details around the determination of the long-term expected investment return in the calculation of adjusted operating profit.

 

For the Group's long-term insurance businesses, reinsurance mismatches can arise where the reinsurance offset rules in IFRS 17 do not reflect management's view of the net of reinsurance transaction. In particular, during a year of reinsurance renegotiation, reinsurance gains cannot be recognised to offset any inception losses on the underlying contracts where they are recognised before the new reinsurance agreement is signed. In these circumstances, the onerous contract losses are reduced to reflect the net loss (if any) after reinsurance, and future contractual service margin (CSM) amortisation is reduced over the duration of the contracts.

 

Changes in non-financial assumptions, including longevity, recalibrate the CSM at locked-in, point-of-sale discount rates, whilst the fulfilment cash flows change at the current discount rate. This creates a component of investment variance reflecting the difference between these bases. Investment variance for Institutional Retirement and Retail includes £nil (H1 23: £nil; FY 23: £318m expense) arising from interest rate differences on longevity assumption changes in the period.

 

M&A related and other variances includes gains and losses, expenses and intangible amortisation relating to acquisitions, disposals and restructuring as well as business start-up costs. The costs incurred in 2023 were primarily in relation to the announced intent to cease production within the Modular Homes business and impairment of the Group's investment in Onto.

 

 

2.06 Risk adjustment (RA) and Contractual service margin (CSM) analysis

 

 

	Net of		Net of
	reinsurance	Net of	reinsurance	Net of
	RA	reinsurance	CSM	reinsurance
	Institutional	RA	Institutional	CSM
	Retirement	Retail	Retirement	Retail
	£m	£m	£m	£m
As at 1 January 2024	807	891	8,350	4,644
CSM recognised for services provided/received	-	-	(316)	(234)
Release of risk adjustment	(64)	(39)	-	-
Changes in estimates which adjust the CSM	(24)	2	19	(34)
Changes in estimates that result in losses or reversal of losses on underlying onerous contracts	-	(1)	-	-
Contracts initially recognised in the period	(48)	25	135	191
Finance (income)/expenses from insurance contracts	(22)	(34)	134	70
Effect of movements in exchange rates	1	4	(1)	7
As at 30 June 2024	650	848	8,321	4,644

 

	Net of		Net of
	reinsurance	Net of	reinsurance	Net of
	RA	reinsurance	CSM	reinsurance
	Institutional	RA	Institutional	CSM
	Retirement	Retail	Retirement	Retail
	£m	£m	£m	£m
As at 1 January 2023 (Restated)	649	883	7,448	4,490
CSM recognised for services provided/received	-	-	(267)	(218)
Release of risk adjustment	(54)	(49)	-	-
Changes in estimates which adjust the CSM	12	12	(67)	42
Contracts initially recognised in the period	24	13	307	168
Finance expenses from insurance contracts	12	40	102	62
Effect of movements in exchange rates	(4)	(28)	(12)	(53)
As at 30 June 2023 (Restated)	639	871	7,511	4,491

 

	Net of		Net of
	reinsurance	Net of	reinsurance	Net of
	RA	reinsurance	CSM	reinsurance
	Institutional	RA	Institutional	CSM
	Retirement	Retail	Retirement	Retail
	£m	£m	£m	£m
As at 1 January 2023	649	883	7,448	4,490
CSM recognised for services provided/received	-	-	(591)	(462)
Release of risk adjustment	(119)	(74)	-	-
Changes in estimates which adjust the CSM	6	(26)	424	204
Changes in estimates that result in losses or reversal of losses on underlying onerous contracts	-	(1)	-	8
Contracts initially recognised in the year	161	32	865	320
Finance expenses from insurance contracts	114	105	220	134
Effect of movements in exchange rates	(4)	(28)	(16)	(50)
As at 31 December 2023	807	891	8,350	4,644

 

 

The amounts presented reflect the net CSM amortisation expected to be recognised in operating profit in future periods from the business in-force at the end of the period, excluding the adjustment for reinsurance mismatches relating to protection business (described in Note 2.03). Actual CSM amortisation in future periods will differ from that presented due to the impacts of future new business, recalibrations of the CSM and changes in the future coverage units. The total amount presented exceeds the carrying value of the CSM as it incorporates the future accretion of interest. The periods start from 1 January 2024 and so the first year comprises six months of actual CSM recognised and six months of CSM to be recognised.

 

 

2.07 Earnings per share

(i) Basic earnings per share

 

			Restated	Restated	Restated	Restated
	Total	Per share1	Total	Per share1	Total	Per share1
	6 months	6 months	6 months	6 months	Full year	Full year
	2024	2024	2023	2023	2023	2023
	£m	p	£m	p	£m	p
Profit for the period attributable to equity holders	223	3.77	377	6.38	457	7.73
Less: coupon payable in respect of restricted Tier 1 convertible notes after tax relief	(11)	(0.19)	(11)	(0.19)	(22)	(0.38)
Total basic earnings	212	3.58	366	6.19	435	7.35
Less: Corporate Investments operating profit after tax	(60)	(1.01)	(59)	(1.00)	(104)	(1.76)
Less: Investment variance after allocated tax	474	8.01	315	5.33	795	13.45
Total core earnings2	626	10.58	622	10.52	1,126	19.04

1.    Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing profit after tax by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year, excluding employee scheme treasury shares.

2.    Total core earnings includes allocated tax at the standard UK corporate tax rate.

 

(ii) Diluted earnings per share

 

			After tax	Weighted average number of shares	Per share1
For the six month period to 30 June 2024			£m	m	p
Profit for the period attributable to equity holders			223	5,918	3.77
Net shares under options allocable for no further consideration			-	57	(0.03)
Conversion of restricted Tier 1 notes			-	307	(0.19)
Total diluted earnings			223	6,282	3.55

 

 

			Restated After tax	Weighted average number of shares	Restated Per share1
For the six month period to 30 June 2023			£m	m	p
Profit for the period attributable to equity holders			377	5,913	6.38
Net shares under options allocable for no further consideration			-	53	(0.06)
Conversion of restricted Tier 1 notes			-	307	(0.31)
Total diluted earnings			377	6,273	6.01

 

 

			Restated After tax	Weighted average number of shares	Restated Per share1
For the year ended 31 December 2023			£m	m	p
Profit for the period attributable to equity holders			457	5,915	7.73
Net shares under options allocable for no further consideration			-	59	(0.08)
Conversion of restricted Tier 1 notes			-	307	(0.37)
Total diluted earnings			457	6,281	7.28

1.    For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue, excluding employee scheme treasury shares, is adjusted to assume conversion of all potential ordinary shares, such as share options granted to employees and conversion of restricted Tier 1 notes.

 

2.08 Segmental analysis

 

Following the announcement of a refreshed strategy on 12 June 2024, the divisional organisation of the Group has been restructured. Accordingly, reportable segments have been updated and are now the following:

·      Institutional Retirement, which represents worldwide pension risk transfer business including longevity insurance;

·      Asset Management, which represents investment management business in public and private markets, and the Group's in-house and origination platforms across Real Estate, Private Credit and Infrastructure;

·      Insurance, which primarily represents UK protection (both group and retail) and US retail protection business (US Insurance);

·      Retail Retirement, which primarily represents retail annuity and drawdown products, workplace savings and lifetime mortgage loans; and

·      Corporate Investments, which represents a portfolio of non-strategic assets, most materially CALA Homes, managed separately with the goal of maximising shareholder value ahead of potential divestment.

Group expenses, debt costs and assets held centrally are reported separately. Transactions between segments are on normal commercial terms and are included within the reported segments.

 

In the UK, annuity liabilities relating to Institutional Retirement and Retail Retirement are backed by a single portfolio of assets, and once a transaction has been completed the assets relating to any particular transaction are not tracked to the related liabilities. Investment variance is allocated to the two business segments based on the relative average size of the underlying insurance contract liabilities for the period.

 

Reporting of assets and liabilities by reportable segment has not been included, as this is not information that is provided to key decision makers on a regular basis. The Group's asset and liabilities are managed on a legal entity rather than a segment basis, in line with regulatory requirements.

 

Financial information on the reportable segments is further broken down where relevant in order to better explain the drivers of the Group's results.

 

(i) Profit/(loss) for the period

 

						Group
						expenses
	Institutional	Asset		Retail	Corporate	and debt
	Retirement	Management	Insurance	Retirement	Investments	costs	Total
For the six month period to 30 June 2024	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Operating profit/(loss)#	560	214	105	163	71	(193)	920
Investment and other variances	(263)	(55)	(14)	(72)	(187)	(10)	(601)
Losses attributable to non-controlling interests	-	-	-	-	-	(3)	(3)
Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to equity holders	297	159	91	91	(116)	(206)	316
Tax (expense)/credit attributable to equity holders	(61)	(41)	(20)	(19)	(5)	50	(96)
Profit/(loss) for the period	236	118	71	72	(121)	(156)	220

 

						Group
						expenses
	Institutional	Asset		Retail	Corporate	and debt
	Retirement	Management	Insurance	Retirement	Investments	costs	Total
For the six month period to 30 June 2023 (Restated)	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Operating profit/(loss)#	530	249	108	144	80	(187)	924
Investment and other variances	(183)	(40)	9	(38)	(235)	(38)	(525)
Losses attributable to non-controlling interests	-	-	-	-	-	(6)	(6)
Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to equity holders	347	209	117	106	(155)	(231)	393
Tax (expense)/credit attributable to equity holders	(35)	(18)	(27)	(8)	14	52	(22)
Profit/(loss) for the period	312	191	90	98	(141)	(179)	371

 

						Group
						expenses
	Institutional	Asset		Retail	Corporate	and debt
	Retirement	Management	Insurance	Retirement	Investments	costs	Total
For the year ended 31 December 2023 (Restated)	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Operating profit/(loss)#	1,028	448	139	310	136	(394)	1,667
Investment and other variances	(555)	(123)	(22)	(149)	(363)	(365)	(1,577)
Losses attributable to non-controlling interests	-	-	-	-	-	(14)	(14)
Profit/(loss) before tax attributable to equity holders	473	325	117	161	(227)	(773)	76
Tax credit/(expense) attributable to equity holders	236	(30)	(44)	61	17	127	367
Profit/(loss) for the year	709	295	73	222	(210)	(646)	443

 

 

# All references to 'Operating profit' throughout this report represent 'Adjusted operating profit', an alternative performance measure defined in the alternative performance measures (APM) section.

 

 

2.08 Segmental analysis (continued)

(ii) Revenue

(a) Total revenue - summary

 

Total revenue includes insurance revenue, fees from fund management and investment contracts and other operational income from contracts with customers. Further details on the components of insurance revenue are disclosed in Note 4.12. Other operational income from contracts with customers is a component of other operational income and excludes the share of profit/loss from associates and joint ventures, as well as gains/losses on disposal of subsidiaries, associates, joint ventures and other operations. 

 

The tables below split the revenue by the geographic location of the client.

 

		United Kingdom	USA	Rest of World	Total
For the six month period to 30 June 2024		£m	£m	£m	£m
Insurance revenue		4,111	1,017	54	5,182
Fees from fund management and investment contracts		342	45	41	428
Other operational income from contracts with customers		644	1	-	645
Total revenue		5,097	1,063	95	6,255

 

		United Kingdom	USA	Rest of World	Total
For the six month period to 30 June 2023 (Restated)		£m	£m	£m	£m
Insurance revenue		3,652	930	47	4,629
Fees from fund management and investment contracts		323	42	44	409
Other operational income from contracts with customers		782	-	-	782
Total revenue		4,757	972	91	5,820

 

		United Kingdom	USA	Rest of World	Total
For the year ended 31 December 2023		£m	£m	£m	£m
Insurance revenue		7,679	1,830	115	9,624
Fees from fund management and investment contracts		652	80	93	825
Other operational income from contracts with customers		1,661	1	-	1,662
Total revenue		9,992	1,911	208	12,111

 

(b) Total revenue - internal/external analysis

 

	Institutional	Asset		Retail
	Retirement	Management1	Insurance	Retirement	Other2	Total
For the six month period to 30 June 2024	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Internal revenue	-	108	-	-	(108)	-
External revenue	2,857	402	1,672	781	543	6,255
Total revenue	2,857	510	1,672	781	435	6,255

 

	Institutional	Asset		Retail
	Retirement	Management1	Insurance	Retirement	Other2	Total
For the six month period to 30 June 2023 (Restated)	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Internal revenue	-	99	-	-	(99)	-
External revenue	2,450	374	1,584	704	708	5,820
Total revenue	2,450	473	1,584	704	609	5,820

 

	Institutional	Asset		Retail
	Retirement	Management1	Insurance	Retirement	Other2	Total
For the year ended 31 December 2023 (Restated)	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Internal revenue	-	202	-	-	(202)	-
External revenue	5,257	930	3,115	1,468	1,341	12,111
Total revenue	5,257	1,132	3,115	1,468	1,139	12,111

1.    Asset Management internal income relates to investment management services provided to other segments.

2.    Other includes Corporate Investments, inter-segmental eliminations and Group consolidation adjustments.

 

 

2.08 Segmental analysis (continued)

(ii) Revenue (continued)

(c) Fees from fund management and investment contracts

 

	Asset	Retail
	Management	Retirement	Other1	Total
For the six month period to 30 June 2024	£m	£m	£m	£m
Investment contracts and management fees	466	59	(107)	418
Transaction fees	10	-	-	10
Total fees from fund management and investment contracts	476	59	(107)	428

 

 

	Asset	Retail
	Management	Retirement	Other1	Total
For the six month period to 30 June 2023 (Restated)	£m	£m	£m	£m
Investment contracts and management fees	448	51	(99)	400
Transaction fees	9	-	-	9
Total fees from fund management and investment contracts	457	51	(99)	409

 

 

	Asset	Retail
	Management	Retirement	Other1	Total
For the year ended 31 December 2023 (Restated)	£m	£m	£m	£m
Investment contracts and management fees	895	104	(199)	800
Transaction fees	25	-	-	25
Total fees from fund management and investment contracts	920	104	(199)	825

1.    Other includes Corporate Investments, inter-segmental eliminations and Group consolidation adjustments.

 

(d) Other operational income from contracts with customers

	Institutional	Asset		Retail
	Retirement	Management	Insurance	Retirement	Other3	Total
For the six month period to 30 June 2024	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
House building	6	34	-	2	532	574
Professional services fees	-	-	25	3	10	38
Insurance broker	-	-	33	-	-	33
Total other operational income from contracts with customers1,2	6	34	58	5	542	645

 

	Institutional	Asset		Retail
	Retirement	Management	Insurance	Retirement	Other3	Total
For the six month period to 30 June 2023 (Restated)	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
House building	-	3	-	-	699	702
Professional services fees	-	13	27	4	9	53
Insurance broker	-	-	27	-	-	27
Total other operational income from contracts with customers1,2	-	16	54	4	708	782

 

	Institutional	Asset		Retail
	Retirement	Management	Insurance	Retirement	Other3	Total
For the year ended 31 December 2023 (Restated)	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
House building	2	208	-	-	1,321	1,531
Professional services fees	-	4	46	7	17	74
Insurance broker	-	-	57	-	-	57
Total other operational income from contracts with customers1,2	2	212	103	7	1,338	1,662

1.    Total other operational income from contracts with customers excludes the share of profit/loss from associates and joint ventures, and the gain on disposal of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures.

2.    £8m of other operational income from contracts with customers is presented within management fee revenue of Note 2.04 Asset Management operating profit (H1 23: £5m; FY 23: £17m).

3.    Other includes Corporate Investments, inter-segmental eliminations and Group consolidation adjustments.

 

 

IFRS Primary Financial Statements

 

3.01 Consolidated Income Statement (unaudited)

 

			Restated1
		6 months	6 months	Full year
		2024	2023	2023
For the six month period to 30 June 2024	Notes	£m	£m	£m
Insurance revenue	4.12	5,182	4,629	9,624
Insurance service expenses	4.12	(4,461)	(3,997)	(8,373)
Insurance service result before reinsurance contracts held		721	632	1,251
Net expense from reinsurance contracts held	4.12	(119)	(52)	(137)
Insurance service result	4.12	602	580	1,114
Investment return		12,982	8,288	32,973
Finance income/(expense) from insurance contracts issued		1,246	518	(5,830)
Finance (expense)/income from reinsurance contracts		(108)	67	584
Change in investment contract liabilities		(13,693)	(8,208)	(27,116)
Insurance and investment result		1,029	1,245	1,725
Other operational income		616	758	1,571
Fees from fund management and investment contracts	2.08	428	409	825
Acquisition costs		(87)	(55)	(149)
Other finance costs		(188)	(173)	(347)
Other expenses		(1,308)	(1,677)	(3,430)
Total other income and expenses		(539)	(738)	(1,530)
Profit before tax		490	507	195
Tax expense attributable to policyholder returns		(174)	(114)	(119)
Profit before tax attributable to equity holders		316	393	76
Total tax (expense)/credit		(270)	(136)	248
Tax expense attributable to policyholder returns		174	114	119
Tax (expense)/credit attributable to equity holders	4.04	(96)	(22)	367
Profit for the period		220	371	443
Attributable to:
Non-controlling interests		(3)	(6)	(14)
Equity holders		223	377	457
Dividend distributions to equity holders during the period	4.02	874	831	1,172
Dividend distributions to equity holders proposed after the period end	4.02	357	340	871
		p	p	p
Total basic earnings per share2	2.07	3.58	6.19	7.35
Total diluted earnings per share2	2.07	3.55	6.01	7.28

1.    As noted in Note 2.01, during the finalisation of the numbers included in the Group's 2023 Annual Report and Accounts, certain immaterial adjustments have been identified, which have now been reflected in the comparatives for the period ended 30 June 2023. These corrections have been applied consistently to all affected disclosure notes in this report.

2.    All earnings per share calculations are based on profit attributable to equity holders of the company.

 

 

 

3.02 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)

 

		Restated1
	6 months	6 months	Full year
	2024	2023	2023
For the six month period to 30 June 2024	£m	£m	£m
Profit for the period	220	371	443
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Actuarial remeasurements on defined benefit pension schemes	-	(2)	(29)
Tax on actuarial remeasurements on defined benefit pension schemes	-	-	8
Total items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss	-	(2)	(21)
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Exchange differences on translation of overseas operations	(5)	(6)	(6)
Movement in cross-currency hedge	3	24	(37)
Tax on movement in cross-currency hedge	(1)	(6)	9
Movement in financial investments measured at FVOCI	(118)	13	75
Tax on movement in financial investments measured at FVOCI	29	(2)	(18)
Insurance finance income/(expense) for insurance contracts issued applying the OCI option	284	95	(73)
Reinsurance finance (expense)/income for reinsurance contracts issued applying the OCI option	(152)	(104)	43
Tax on movement in finance income/(expense) for insurance and reinsurance contracts	(35)	2	6
Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss	5	16	(1)
Other comprehensive income/(expense) after tax	5	14	(22)
Total comprehensive income for the period	225	385	421
Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the period attributable to:
Non-controlling interests	(3)	(6)	(14)
Equity holders	228	391	435

1.    As noted in Note 2.01, during the finalisation of the numbers included in the Group's 2023 Annual Report and Accounts, certain immaterial adjustments have been identified, which have now been reflected in the comparatives for the period ended 30 June 2023. These corrections have been applied consistently to all affected disclosure notes in this report.

 

 

 

3.03 Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited)

 

			Restated1
		As at	As at	As at
		30 Jun 2024	30 Jun 2023	31 Dec 2023
	Notes	£m	£m	£m
Assets
Goodwill		73	71	73
Other intangible assets		466	454	477
Investment in associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method		641	553	616
Property, plant and equipment		427	362	433
Investment property	4.03	9,264	9,227	8,893
Financial investments	4.03	476,280	454,967	471,405
Reinsurance contract assets	4.12	8,184	5,426	7,306
Deferred tax assets	4.04	1,720	1,341	1,714
Current tax assets		822	895	885
Receivables and other assets		12,836	11,928	9,780
Cash and cash equivalents		15,806	14,537	20,513
Total assets		526,519	499,761	522,095
Equity
Share capital	4.05	149	149	149
Share premium	4.05	1,034	1,027	1,030
Employee scheme treasury shares		(142)	(143)	(147)
Capital redemption and other reserves		325	346	326
Retained earnings		2,097	3,231	2,973
Attributable to owners of the parent		3,463	4,610	4,331
Restricted Tier 1 convertible notes	4.06	495	495	495
Non-controlling interests		(44)	(35)	(42)
Total equity		3,914	5,070	4,784
Liabilities
Insurance contract liabilities	4.12	89,500	78,352	91,446
Reinsurance contract liabilities	4.12	142	137	220
Investment contract liabilities		323,140	299,135	316,872
Core borrowings	4.07	4,288	4,278	4,280
Operational borrowings	4.08	1,854	1,272	1,840
Provisions	4.14	232	1,626	258
Deferred tax liabilities	4.04	176	160	107
Current tax liabilities		110	68	77
Payables and other financial liabilities	4.10	80,464	91,056	78,439
Other liabilities		587	705	680
Net asset value attributable to unit holders		22,112	17,902	23,092
Total liabilities		522,605	494,691	517,311
Total equity and liabilities		526,519	499,761	522,095

1.    As noted in Note 2.01, during the finalisation of the numbers included in the Group's 2023 Annual Report and Accounts, certain immaterial adjustments have been identified, which have now been reflected in the comparatives for the period ended 30 June 2023. These corrections have been applied consistently to all affected disclosure notes in this report.

 

 

 

3.04 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (unaudited)

 

			Employee	Capital		Equity	Restricted
			scheme	redemption		attributable	Tier 1	Non-
	Share	Share	treasury	and other	Retained	to owners	convertible	controlling	Total
For the six month period to 30 June 2024	capital	premium	shares	reserves1	earnings	of the parent	notes	interests	equity
	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
As at 1 January 2024	149	1,030	(147)	326	2,973	4,331	495	(42)	4,784
Profit/(loss) for the period	-	-	-	-	223	223	-	(3)	220
Exchange differences on translation of overseas operations	-	-	-	(5)	-	(5)	-	-	(5)
Net movement in cross-currency hedge	-	-	-	2	-	2	-	-	2
Net actuarial remeasurements on defined benefit pension schemes	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Net movement in financial investments measured at FVOCI	-	-	-	(89)	-	(89)	-	-	(89)
Net insurance finance income	-	-	-	97	-	97	-	-	97
Total comprehensive income for the period	-	-	-	5	223	228	-	(3)	225
Options exercised under share option schemes	-	4	-	-	-	4	-	-	4
Shares purchased	-	-	(7)	-	-	(7)	-	-	(7)
Shares vested	-	-	12	(32)	-	(20)	-	-	(20)
Employee scheme treasury shares: - Value of employee services	-	-	-	26	-	26	-	-	26
Share scheme transfers to retained earnings	-	-	-	-	(13)	(13)	-	-	(13)
Share buyback2	-	-	-	-	(201)	(201)	-	-	(201)
Dividends	-	-	-	-	(874)	(874)	-	-	(874)
Coupon payable in respect of restricted Tier 1 convertible notes after tax relief	-	-	-	-	(11)	(11)	-	-	(11)
Movement in third party interests	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	1
As at 30 June 2024	149	1,034	(142)	325	2,097	3,463	495	(44)	3,914

1.    Capital redemption and other reserves as at 30 June 2024 include share-based payments £83m, foreign exchange £36m, capital redemption £17m, hedging £48m, insurance and reinsurance finance for contracts applying the OCI option £273m and financial assets at FVOCI £(132)m.

2.    On 13 June 2024, Legal & General Group Plc entered into an irrevocable agreement to acquire £200m of ordinary shares for cancellation. Accordingly, a liability of £201m (inclusive of stamp duty tax) has been recorded in the balance sheet with a corresponding amount in equity. As at 30 June 2024, £21m of shares had been acquired under the programme (see Note 4.17 for further information).

 

			Employee	Capital		Equity	Restricted
			scheme	redemption		attributable	Tier 1	Non-
	Share	Share	treasury	and other	Retained	to owners	convertible	controlling	Total
For the six month period to 30 June 2023 (Restated)1	capital	premium	shares	reserves1,2	earnings1	of the parent	notes	interests	equity
	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
As at 1 January 2023	149	1,018	(144)	337	3,707	5,067	495	(29)	5,533
Profit/(loss) for the period	-	-	-	-	377	377	-	(6)	371
Exchange differences on translation of overseas operations	-	-	-	(6)	-	(6)	-	-	(6)
Net movement in cross-currency hedge	-	-	-	18	-	18	-	-	18
Net actuarial remeasurements on defined benefit pension schemes	-	-	-	-	(2)	(2)	-	-	(2)
Net movement in financial investments measured at FVOCI	-	-	-	11	-	11	-	-	11
Net insurance finance expense	-	-	-	(7)	-	(7)	-	-	(7)
Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the period	-	-	-	16	375	391	-	(6)	385
Options exercised under share option schemes	-	9	-	-	-	9	-	-	9
Shares purchased	-	-	(13)	-	-	(13)	-	-	(13)
Shares vested	-	-	14	(35)	-	(21)	-	-	(21)
Employee scheme treasury shares: - Value of employee services	-	-	-	28	-	28	-	-	28
Share scheme transfers to retained earnings	-	-	-	-	(9)	(9)	-	-	(9)
Dividends	-	-	-	-	(831)	(831)	-	-	(831)
Coupon payable in respect of restricted Tier 1 convertible notes after tax relief	-	-	-	-	(11)	(11)	-	-	(11)
Movement in third party interests	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
As at 30 June 2023	149	1,027	(143)	346	3,231	4,610	495	(35)	5,070

1.    As noted in Note 2.01, during the finalisation of the numbers included in the Group's 2023 Annual Report and Accounts, certain immaterial adjustments have been identified, which have now been reflected in the comparatives for the period ended 30 June 2023. These corrections have been applied consistently to all affected disclosure notes in this report.

2.    Capital redemption and other reserves as at 30 June 2023 include share-based payments £92m, foreign exchange £40m, capital redemption £17m, hedging £92m, insurance and reinsurance finance for contracts applying the OCI option £194m and financial assets at FVOCI £(89)m.

 

 

 

3.04 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

			Employee	Capital		Equity	Restricted
			scheme	redemption		attributable	Tier 1	Non-
	Share	Share	treasury	and other	Retained	to owners	convertible	controlling	Total
	capital	premium	shares	reserves1	earnings	of the parent	notes	interests	equity
For the year ended 31 December 2023	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
As at 1 January 2023	149	1,018	(144)	337	3,707	5,067	495	(29)	5,533
Profit/(loss) for the year	-	-	-	-	457	457	-	(14)	443
Exchange differences on translation of overseas operations	-	-	-	(6)	-	(6)	-	-	(6)
Net movement in cross-currency hedge	-	-	-	(28)	-	(28)	-	-	(28)
Net actuarial remeasurements on defined benefit pension schemes	-	-	-	-	(21)	(21)	-	-	(21)
Net movement in financial investments measured at FVOCI	-	-	-	57	-	57	-	-	57
Net insurance finance expense	-	-	-	(24)	-	(24)	-	-	(24)
Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period	-	-	-	(1)	436	435	-	(14)	421
Options exercised under share option schemes	-	12	-	-	-	12	-	-	12
Shares purchased	-	-	(18)	-	-	(18)	-	-	(18)
Shares vested	-	-	15	(69)	-	(54)	-	-	(54)
Employee scheme treasury shares: - Value of employee services	-	-	-	59	-	59	-	-	59
Share scheme transfers to retained earnings	-	-	-	-	24	24	-	-	24
Dividends	-	-	-	-	(1,172)	(1,172)	-	-	(1,172)
Coupon payable in respect of restricted Tier 1 convertible notes after tax relief	-	-	-	-	(22)	(22)	-	-	(22)
Movement in third party interests	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	1
As at 31 December 2023	149	1,030	(147)	326	2,973	4,331	495	(42)	4,784

1.    Capital redemption and other reserves as at 31 December 2023 include share-based payments £89m, foreign exchange £41m, capital redemption £17m, hedging £46m, insurance and reinsurance finance for contracts applying the OCI option £176m and financial assets at FVOCI £(43)m.

 

 

 

3.05 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)

 

			Restated1
		6 months	6 months	Full year
		2024	2023	2023
For the six month period to 30 June 2024	Notes	£m	£m	£m
Profit for the period		220	371	443
Adjustments for non-cash movements in net profit for the period
Net gains on financial investments and investment property		(6,337)	(2,125)	(21,567)
Investment income		(6,645)	(6,163)	(11,406)
Interest expense		188	173	347
Tax expense/(credit)		270	136	(248)
Other adjustments		51	116	112
Net (increase)/decrease in operational assets
Investments mandatorily measured at FVTPL		6,372	(7,732)	(7,478)
Investments measured at FVOCI		(115)	456	(1,344)
Investments measured at amortised cost		(270)	(233)	(126)
Other assets		(2,939)	1,333	3,218
Net (decrease)/increase in operational liabilities
Insurance contracts and reinsurance contracts held		(2,813)	(147)	11,153
Investment contracts		6,267	12,308	30,045
Other liabilities		(3,366)	(24,340)	(26,682)
Cash utilised in operations		(9,117)	(25,847)	(23,533)
Interest paid		(198)	(167)	(469)
Interest received2		2,709	3,408	5,210
Rent received		229	224	437
Tax paid3		(114)	(184)	(186)
Dividends received		2,823	2,338	4,297
Net cash flows from operations		(3,668)	(20,228)	(14,244)
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment, intangibles and other assets		(29)	(171)	(237)
Acquisition of operations, net of cash acquired		-	-	(9)
Investment in joint ventures and associates		(66)	(44)	(184)
Disposal of joint ventures and associates		-	8	8
Net cash flows utilised in investing activities		(95)	(207)	(422)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividend distributions to ordinary equity holders during the period	4.02	(874)	(831)	(1,172)
Coupon payment in respect of restricted Tier 1 convertible notes, gross of tax	4.06	(14)	(14)	(28)
Options exercised under share option schemes	4.05	4	9	12
Treasury shares purchased for employee share schemes		(7)	(13)	(18)
Purchase of shares under share buyback programme	4.05	(21)	-	-
Payment of lease liabilities		(22)	(32)	(32)
Proceeds from borrowings	4.09	476	408	1,226
Repayment of borrowings	4.09	(489)	(299)	(544)
Net cash flows utilised in financing activities		(947)	(772)	(556)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(4,710)	(21,207)	(15,222)
Exchange gains/(losses) on cash and cash equivalents		3	(40)	(49)
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January		20,513	35,784	35,784
Total cash and cash equivalents at 30 June/31 December		15,806	14,537	20,513

1.    As noted in Note 2.01, during the finalisation of the numbers included in the Group's 2023 Annual Report and Accounts, certain immaterial adjustments have been identified, which have now been reflected in the comparatives for the period ended 30 June 2023. These corrections have been applied consistently to all affected disclosure notes in this report.

2.    Interest received comprises of net interest received from financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss and other financial instruments.

3.    Tax paid comprises UK corporation tax received of £37m (H1 23: payment of £38m; FY 23: £nil), withholding tax of £151m (H1 23: £143m; FY 23: £179m) and overseas corporate tax of £nil (H1 23: £3m; FY 23: £7m).

 

 

 

IFRS Disclosure Notes

 

4.01 Basis of preparation

 

The Group financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2024 has been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority and with IAS 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting'. The Group's financial information, a condensed set of financial statements which comprises the Consolidated Income Statement, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and the related explanatory notes, has also been prepared in line with the accounting policies which the Group expects to adopt for the 2024 year end. These policies are consistent with the principal accounting policies which were set out in the Group's 2023 consolidated financial statements, except where policy changes have been outlined below in "New standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards that have been adopted by the Group". Accounting policies are in line with UK-adopted international accounting standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and adopted by the UK Endorsement Board for use in the United Kingdom.

 

The preparation of the Interim Management Report includes the use of estimates and assumptions which affect items reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Income Statement and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. The economic and non-economic actuarial assumptions used to establish the liabilities in relation to insurance represent an area of critical accounting judgement on policy application. For half year financial reporting, economic assumptions have been updated to reflect market conditions. Non-economic assumptions are consistent with those used in the 31 December 2023 financial statements.

 

The results for the half year ended 30 June 2024 are unaudited but have been reviewed by KPMG LLP. The interim results do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The results for the full year 2023 have been taken from the Group's 2023 Annual Report and Accounts. Therefore, these interim accounts should be read in conjunction with the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts, prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards, which comprise International Accounting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), and related interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee, and with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. Those accounts have been reported on by the company's auditor and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

Key technical terms and definitions

The Interim Management Report refers to various key performance indicators, accounting standards and other technical terms. A comprehensive list of these definitions is contained within the glossary of these interim financial statements.

 

Alternative performance measures

The Group uses a number of alternative performance measures (APMs), including adjusted operating profit, in the discussion of its business performance and financial position, as the Group believes that they, complemented with figures determined according to other regulations, enhance understanding of the Group's performance. Definitions and further information in relation to the Group's APMs can be found in the Alternative Performance Measures section of these interim financial statements.

 

Tax attributable to policyholders and equity holders

The total tax expense shown in the Group's Consolidated Income Statement includes income tax borne by both policyholders and equity holders. This has been split between tax attributable to policyholders' returns and equity holders' profits. Policyholder tax comprises the tax suffered on policyholder investment returns, while equity holder tax is corporation tax charged on equity holder profit. The separate presentation is intended to provide more relevant information about the tax that the Group pays on the profits that it makes.

 

Climate change

At the current time, the Group does not consider climate risk to represent a significant area of judgement or of estimation uncertainty. As at 30 June 2024, no material impacts on the Group's financial position, nor on the valuation of assets or liabilities on the Group's Consolidated Balance Sheet as a result of climate change risk have been identified. Further detail on how the Group arrives at this determination is disclosed in the basis of preparation of the Group's 2023 consolidated financial statements.

 

(i) Restatement

 

During the finalisation of the numbers included in the Group's 2023 Annual Report and Accounts, certain immaterial adjustments have been identified, which have now been reflected in the comparatives for the period ended 30 June 2023. In total, the impact of these adjustments on equity attributable to owners of the parent as at 30 June 2023 was an increase of £17m.

 

(ii) Going concern

 

The Group's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position in the current economic environment are set out in this Interim Management Report. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities as at 30 June 2024 are described in the IFRS Primary Financial Statements and IFRS Disclosure Notes. Principal risks and uncertainties are detailed on pages 18 to 22.

 

The directors have made an assessment of the Group's going concern, considering both the current performance and the outlook for a period of at least, but not limited to, 12 months from the date of approval of the interim financial information, using the information available up to the date of issue of this Interim Management Report.

 

The Group manages and monitors its capital and liquidity, and applies various stresses, including adverse inflation and interest rate scenarios, to those positions to understand potential impacts from market downturns. Our key sensitivities and the impacts on our capital position from a range of stresses are disclosed in Note 6.01. These stresses do not give rise to any material uncertainties over the ability of the Group to continue as a going concern. Based upon the available information, the directors consider that the Group has the plans and resources to manage its business risks successfully and that it remains financially strong and well diversified.

 

 

4.01 Basis of preparation (continued)

(ii) Going concern (continued)

 

Having reassessed the principal risks and uncertainties (both financial and operational) in light of the current economic environment, as detailed on pages 18 to 22, the directors are confident that the Group and company will have sufficient funds to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for a period of, but not limited to, 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements and therefore have considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting when preparing the financial statements.

 

(iii) New standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards that have been adopted by the Group

 

The Group has applied the following amendments for the first time in its six months reporting period commencing 1 January 2024, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

- Amendments to IAS 1 - Presentation of Financial Statements: 'Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-Current';

- Amendments to IAS 1 - Presentation of Financial Statements: 'Non-current Liabilities with Covenants';

- Amendments to IFRS 16 - Leases: 'Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback'; and

- Amendments to IAS 7 - Statement of Cash Flows and IFRS 7 - Financial Instruments: Disclosures: 'Supplier Finance Arrangements'.

 

 

4.02 Dividends and appropriations

 

	Dividend	Per share1	Dividend	Per share1	Dividend	Per share1
	6 months	6 months	6 months	6 months	Full year	Full year
	2024	2024	2023	2023	2023	2023
	£m	p	£m	p	£m	p
Ordinary dividends paid and charged to equity in the period:
- Final 2022 dividend paid in June 2023	-	-	831	13.93	831	13.93
- Interim 2023 dividend paid in September 2023	-	-	-	-	341	5.71
- Final 2023 dividend paid in June 2024	874	14.63	-	-	-	-
Total dividends2	874	14.63	831	13.93	1,172	19.64

1.    The dividend per share calculation is based on the number of equity shares registered on the ex-dividend date.

2.    All dividends proposed are based on the number of eligible equity shares for that date.

 

Subsequent to 30 June 2024, the directors declared an interim dividend of 6.00 pence per ordinary share. This dividend will be paid on 27 September 2024. It will be accounted for as an appropriation of retained earnings in the year ended 31 December 2024 and is not included as a liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2024.

 

 

4.03 Financial investments and investment property

 

		30 Jun	30 Jun	31 Dec
		2024	2023	2023
		£m	£m	£m
Equities1		196,735	177,368	185,982
Debt securities2,3		228,928	218,749	233,980
Derivative assets4		43,433	46,749	41,140
Loans5		7,184	12,101	10,303
Financial investments		476,280	454,967	471,405
Investment property		9,264	9,227	8,893
Total financial investments and investment property		485,544	464,194	480,298

1.    Equities include investments in unit trusts of £19,708m (30 June 2023: £18,522m; 31 December 2023: £19,660m).

2.    Debt securities include accrued interest of £1,842m (30 June 2023: £1,691m; 31 December 2023: £1,852m) and include £8,291m (30 June 2023: £7,545m; 31 December 2023: £8,032m) of assets valued at amortised cost.

3.    A detailed analysis of debt securities to which shareholders are directly exposed is disclosed in Note 7.03.

4.    Derivatives are used for efficient portfolio management, particularly the use of interest rate swaps, inflation swaps, currency swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts for asset and liability management. Derivative assets are shown gross of derivative liabilities of £47,896m (30 June 2023: £49,939m; 31 December 2023: £43,821m).

5.    Loans include £15m (30 June 2023: £5m; 31 December 2023: £13m) of loans valued at amortised cost.

 

 

4.03 Financial investments and investment property (continued)

(i) Fair value hierarchy

 

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

 

Fair value measurements are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Group's view of market assumptions in the absence of observable market information. The Group utilises techniques that maximise the use of observable inputs and minimise the use of unobservable inputs.

 

The levels of fair value measurement bases are defined as follows:

 

Level 1: fair values measured using quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2: fair values measured using valuation techniques for all inputs significant to the measurement other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

 

Level 3: fair values measured using valuation techniques for any input for the asset or liability significant to the measurement that is not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

 

All of the Group's Level 2 assets have been valued using standard market pricing sources, such as IHS Markit, ICE and Bloomberg, or Index Providers such as Barclays, Merrill Lynch or JPMorgan. Each uses mathematical modelling and multiple source validation in order to determine consensus prices, with the exception of OTC Derivative holdings; OTCs are marked to market using an in-house system (Lombard Oberon), external vendor (IHS Markit), internal model or Counterparty Broker marks. In normal market conditions, we would consider these market prices to be observable market prices. Following consultation with our pricing providers and a number of their contributing brokers, we have considered that these prices are not from a suitably active market and have therefore classified them as Level 2.

 

The Group's investment properties are valued by appropriately qualified external valuers using unobservable inputs, resulting in all investment property being classified as Level 3.

 

The Group's policy is to re-assess categorisation of financial assets at the end of each reporting period and to recognise transfers between levels at that point in time. At 30 June 2024 debt securities totaling net £3.9bn transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy (30 June 2023: net £3.7bn from Level 1 to Level 2; 31 December 2023: net £0.7bn from Level 2 to Level 1).

 

	Total	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
For the six month period to 30 June 2024	£m	£m	£m	£m
Shareholder
Equity securities	3,077	1,128	88	1,861
Debt securities	71,287	29,096	21,676	20,515
Derivative assets	41,661	141	41,469	51
Loans at fair value	2,411	-	2,411	-
Investment property	5,815	-	-	5,815
Total Shareholder	124,251	30,365	65,644	28,242
Unit linked
Equity securities	193,658	193,170	34	454
Debt securities	149,350	104,696	43,550	1,104
Derivative assets	1,772	47	1,725	-
Loans at fair value	4,758	-	4,758	-
Investment property	3,449	-	-	3,449
Total Unit linked	352,987	297,913	50,067	5,007
Total financial investments and investment property at fair value	477,238	328,278	115,711	33,249
Debt securities at amortised cost1	7,240	-	43	7,197
Loans at amortised cost1	15	1	14	-

1.    Debt securities and loans, with a fair value of £7,240m and £15m respectively, are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at an amortised cost total value of £8,306m.

 

 

4.03 Financial investments and investment property (continued)

(i) Fair value hierarchy (continued)

 

	Total	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
For the six month period to 30 June 2023	£m	£m	£m	£m
Shareholder
Equity securities	3,077	1,171	13	1,893
Debt securities	65,818	22,701	25,882	17,235
Derivative assets	42,307	107	42,200	-
Loans at fair value	2,049	-	2,049	-
Investment property	5,762	-	-	5,762
Total Shareholder	119,013	23,979	70,144	24,890
Unit linked
Equity securities	174,291	173,276	527	488
Debt securities	145,386	113,411	30,994	981
Derivative assets	4,442	136	4,306	-
Loans at fair value	10,047	-	10,047	-
Investment property	3,465	-	-	3,465
Total Unit linked	337,631	286,823	45,874	4,934
Total financial investments and investment property at fair value	456,644	310,802	116,018	29,824
Debt securities at amortised cost1	6,300	-	42	6,258
Loans at amortised cost1	5	5	-	-

1.    Debt securities and loans, with a fair value of £6,300m and £5m respectively, are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at an amortised cost total value of £7,550m.

 

					Total	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
For the year ended 31 December 2023					£m	£m	£m	£m
Shareholder
Equity securities					3,166	1,069	144	1,953
Debt securities					73,298	26,003	27,860	19,435
Derivative assets					38,019	123	37,896	-
Loans at fair value					1,599	-	1,599	-
Investment property					5,503	-	-	5,503
Total Shareholder					121,585	27,195	67,499	26,891
Unit linked
Equity securities					182,816	182,348	29	439
Debt securities					152,650	91,874	59,748	1,028
Derivative assets					3,121	148	2,973	-
Loans at fair value					8,691	-	8,691	-
Investment property					3,390	-	-	3,390
Total Unit linked					350,668	274,370	71,441	4,857
Total financial investments and investment property at fair value					472,253	301,565	138,940	31,748
Debt securities at amortised cost1					7,184	-	45	7,139
Loans at amortised cost1					13	1	12	-

1.     Debt securities and loans, with a fair value of £7,184m and £13m respectively, are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at an amortised cost total value of £8,045m.

 

 

4.03 Financial investments and investment property (continued)

(ii) Level 3 assets measured at fair value

 

Level 3 assets, where modelling techniques are used, are comprised of property, unquoted securities, untraded debt securities and securities where unquoted prices are provided by a single broker. Unquoted securities include suspended securities, investments in private equity and property vehicles. Untraded debt securities include private placements, commercial real estate loans, income strips, retirement interest only and other lifetime mortgages.

 

In many situations, inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or liability may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In these situations, the Group determines the level in which the fair value falls based upon the lowest level input that is significant to the determination of the fair value. As a result, both observable and unobservable inputs may be used in the determination of fair values that the Group has classified within Level 3.

 

The Group determines the fair values of certain financial assets and liabilities based on quoted market prices, where available. The Group also determines fair value based on estimated future cash flows discounted at the appropriate current market rate. As appropriate, fair values reflect adjustments for counterparty credit quality, the Group's credit standing, liquidity and risk margins on unobservable inputs.

 

Fair values are subject to a control framework designed to ensure that input variables and outputs are assessed independent of the risk taker. These inputs and outputs are reviewed and approved by a valuation committee and validated independently as appropriate.

 

		Other				Other
	Equity	financial	Investment		Equity	financial	Investment
	securities	investments	property	Total	securities	investments	property	Total
	2024	2024	2024	2024	2023	2023	2023	2023
	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
As at 1 January	2,392	20,463	8,893	31,748	2,307	16,421	9,372	28,100
Total gains/(losses) for the period
- realised gains or (losses)1	(3)	1	(27)	(29)	(19)	(157)	2	(174)
- unrealised gains or (losses)1	(160)	(286)	(79)	(525)	3	(399)	(510)	(906)
Purchases/Additions	159	2,124	716	2,999	169	2,929	752	3,850
Sales/Disposals	(80)	(628)	(245)	(953)	(78)	(714)	(425)	(1,217)
Transfers into Level 3	-	118	-	118	6	241	-	247
Transfers out of Level 3	-	(135)	-	(135)	(3)	-	-	(3)
Foreign exchange rate movements	7	13	6	26	(4)	(105)	36	(73)
As at 30 June	2,315	21,670	9,264	33,249	2,381	18,216	9,227	29,824

 

						Other
					Equity	financial	Investment
					securities	investments	property	Total
					2023	2023	2023	2023
					£m	£m	£m	£m
As at 1 January					2,307	16,421	9,372	28,100
Total gains/(losses) for the year
- realised gains or (losses)1					24	(432)	3	(405)
- unrealised gains or (losses)1					(34)	357	(923)	(600)
Purchases/Additions					278	6,009	1,264	7,551
Sales/Disposals					(149)	(2,018)	(854)	(3,021)
Transfers into Level 3					2	241	-	243
Transfers out of Level 3					(3)	-	-	(3)
Foreign exchange rate movements					(33)	(115)	31	(117)
As at 31 December					2,392	20,463	8,893	31,748

1.    Amounts presented in realised and unrealised gains/(losses) are recognised in Investment return in the Consolidated Income Statement.

 

Equity securities

Level 3 equity securities amount to £2,315m (30 June 2023: £2,381m; 31 December 2023: £2,392m), the majority of which is made up of holdings in investment property vehicles and private investment funds. They are valued at the proportion of the Group's holding of the Net Asset Value reported by the investment vehicles. Other equity securities are valued by a number of third-party specialists using a range of techniques which are often dependent on the maturity of the underlying investment but can also depend on the characteristics of individual assets. Such techniques include transaction values underpinned by analysis of milestone achievement and cash runway for early/start-up stage investments, discounted cash flow models for investments at the next stage of development and earnings multiples for more mature investments.

 

 

4.03 Financial investments and investment property (continued)

(ii) Level 3 assets measured at fair value (continued)

 

Other financial investments

Lifetime mortgage (LTM) loans and retirement interest only mortgages amount to £5,761m (30 June 2023: £4,937m; 31 December 2023: £5,766m). Lifetime mortgages are valued using a discounted cash flow model by projecting best-estimate net asset proceeds and discounted using rates inferred from current LTM loan pricing. The inferred illiquidity premiums for the majority of the portfolio range between 125 and 250bps. This ensures the value of loans at outset is consistent with the purchase price of the loan and achieves consistency between new and in-force loans. Lifetime mortgages include a no negative equity guarantee (NNEG) to borrowers. This ensures that if there is a shortfall between the sale proceeds of the property and the outstanding loan balance on redemption of the loan, the value of the loan will be reduced by this amount. The NNEG on loan redemption is valued as a series of put options, which we calculate using a variant of the Black-Scholes formula. Key assumptions in the valuation of lifetime mortgages include short-term and long-term property growth rates, property index volatility, voluntary early repayments and longevity assumptions. The valuation as at 30 June 2024 reflects a combination of short-term and long-term property growth rate assumptions equivalent to a flat rate of 3.2% annually, after allowing for the effects of dilapidation. The values of the properties collateralising the LTM loans are updated from the date of the last property valuation to the valuation date by indexing using UK regional house price indices.

 

Private credit loans (including commercial real estate loans) amount to £11,362m (30 June 2023: £9,446m; 31 December 2023: £10,574m). Their valuation is determined by discounted future cash flows which are based on the yield curve of the Asset Management approved comparable bonds and the initial spread, both of which are agreed by IHS Markit who also provide an independent valuation of comparable bonds. Unobservable inputs that go into the determination of comparators include rating, sector, sub-sector, performance dynamics, financing structure and duration of investment. Existing private credit investments, which were executed as far back as 2011, are subject to a range of interest rate formats, although the majority are fixed rate. The weighted average duration of the portfolio is 7.6 years, with a weighted average life of 11.0 years. Maturities in the portfolio currently extend out to 2063. The private credit portfolio of assets has internal ratings assigned by an independent credit team in line with internally developed methodologies. These credit ratings range from AAA to BB-.

 

Private placements held by the US business amount to £1,857m (30 June 2023: £1,309m; 31 December 2023: £1,684m). They are valued using a pricing matrix comprised of a public spread matrix, internal ratings assigned to each holding, average life of each holding, and a premium spread matrix. These are added to the risk-free rate to calculate the discounted cash flows and establish a market value for each investment grade private placement. The valuation as at 30 June 2024 reflects illiquidity premiums between 20 and 70bps.

 

Income strip assets amount to £1,336m (30 June 2023: £1,350m; 31 December 2023: £1,306m). Their primary valuation is provided by appropriately qualified external valuers who apply a yield to maturity to discounted future cash flows to derive valuations. The overall valuation takes into account the property location, tenant details, tenure, rent, rental break terms, lease expiries and underlying residual value of the property. The valuation as at 30 June 2024 reflects equivalent yield ranges between 3% and 7% and estimated rental values (ERV) between £16 and £310 per sq.ft.

 

Commercial mortgage loans amount to £809m (30 June 2023: £771m; 31 December 2023: £784m) and are determined by incorporating credit risk for performing loans at the portfolio level and adjusted for loans identified to be distressed at the loan level. The projected cash flows of each loan are discounted along stochastic risk-free rate paths and are inclusive of an Option Adjusted Spread (OAS), derived from current internal pricing on new loans, along with the best observable inputs. The valuation as at 30 June 2024 reflects illiquidity premiums between 20 and 40bps.

 

Other debt securities and derivative assets which are not traded in an active market amount to £545m (30 June 2023: £403m; 31 December 2023: £349m). They have been valued using third party or counterparty valuations, and these prices are considered to be unobservable due to infrequent market transactions.

 

Investment property

Level 3 investment property amounting to £9,264m (30 June 2023: £9,227m; 31 December 2023: £8,893m) is valued with the involvement of external valuers. All property valuations in the UK are carried out in accordance with the latest edition of the Valuation Standards published by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, and are undertaken by appropriately qualified valuers as defined therein. Outside the UK, valuations are produced in conjunction with external qualified professional valuers in the countries concerned. Whilst transaction evidence underpins the valuation process, the definition of market value, including the commentary, in practice requires the valuer to reflect the realities of the current market. In this context valuers must use their market knowledge and professional judgement and not rely only upon market sentiment based on historic transactional comparables.

 

The valuation of investment properties also includes an income approach that is based on current rental income plus anticipated uplifts, where the uplift and discount rates are derived from rates implied by recent market transactions. These inputs are deemed unobservable. The valuation as at 30 June 2024 reflects equivalent yield ranges between 2% and 14% and ERV between £5 and £310 per sq.ft.

 

The table below shows the valuation of investment property by sector:

 

				30 Jun	30 Jun	31 Dec
				2024	2023	2023
				£m	£m	£m
Retail				1,141	1,257	1,169
Leisure				455	460	451
Distribution				1,057	1,071	1,076
Office space				2,762	3,117	2,768
Industrial and other commercial				1,765	1,815	1,714
Accommodation				2,084	1,507	1,715
Total				9,264	9,227	8,893

 

 

4.03 Financial investments and investment property (continued)

(iii) Effect of changes in assumptions on Level 3 assets

 

Fair values of financial instruments are, in certain circumstances, measured using valuation techniques that incorporate assumptions that are not evidenced by prices from observable current market transactions in the same instrument and are not based on observable market data.

 

Where material, the Group assesses the sensitivity of fair values of Level 3 investments to changes in unobservable inputs to reasonable alternative assumptions. The table below shows the impact of applying these sensitivities to the fair value of Level 3 assets as at 30 June 2024. Further disclosure on how these sensitivities have been applied can be found in the descriptions following the table.

 

					Sensitivities
			Fair value 30 June 2024 £m		Positive impact £m	Negative impact £m
Lifetime mortgages			5,761		249	(299)
Private credit portfolios			14,028		547	(547)
Investment property			9,264		733	(723)
Other investments1			4,196		247	(308)
Total Level 3 assets			33,249		1,776	(1,877)

1.    Other investments include equity securities, income strip assets, derivative assets and other debt securities.

 

The sensitivities are not a function of sensitising a single variable relating to the valuation of the asset, but rather a function of flexing multiple factors often at individual asset level. The following sets out a number of key factors by asset type, and how they have been flexed to derive reasonable alternative valuations.

 

Lifetime mortgages

Key assumptions used in the valuation of lifetime mortgage assets are listed in Note 4.03 (ii) and sensitivities are applied to each assumption which are used to derive the values in the above table. The most significant decrease in value is an instantaneous 10% reduction in property valuations across the portfolio which, applied in isolation produces a sensitised value of £(162)m. The most significant increase in value is a 20bps reduction to the discount rate which, applied in isolation produces a sensitised value of £141m.

 

Private credit portfolios

The sensitivity in the private credit portfolio has been determined through a method which estimates investment spread value premium differences as compared to the institutional investment market. Individual investment characteristics of each holding, such as credit rating and duration are used to determine spread differentials for the purposes of determining alternate values. Spread differentials are determined to be lower for highly rated and/or shorter duration assets as compared to lower rated and/or longer duration assets. A significant component of the spread differential is in relation to the selection of comparator bonds, which is the potential difference in spread of the basket of relevant comparators determined by respective investors. If we were to take an AA rated asset it may attract a spread differential of 15bps on the selection of comparator bonds as opposed to 40bps for a similar duration BBB rated asset. Applied in isolation the sensitivity used to reflect the spread in comparator bond selection results in sensitised values of £221m and £(221)m.

 

Investment property

Investment property holdings are valued by independent valuers on the basis of open market value as defined in the appraisal and valuation manual of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). As such, sensitivities are calculated through a mixture of asset level and portfolio level methodologies which make reference to individual investment characteristics of the holding but do not flex individual assumptions used by the independent expert in valuing the holdings. Each method is applied individually and aggregated with equal weighting to determine the overall sensitivity determined for the portfolio. One method is similar to that used in the private credit portfolio as it determines the impact of an alternate property yield determined in reference to credit ratings, remaining term and other characteristics of each holding. In this methodology we would apply a lower yield sensitivity to a highly rated and/or shorter remaining term asset compared with a lower rated and/or longer remaining term asset. If we were to take an AA rated asset with remaining term of 25 years in normal market conditions this would lead to a 15bps yield flex (as opposed to a 35bps yield flex for a BBB rated asset with 30 year remaining term). The methodology which leads to the most significant sensitivity at the balance sheet date is related to an example in case law where it was found that an acceptable margin of error in a valuation dispute is 10% either way, subject to the valuation being undertaken with due care. If this sensitivity were to be taken without a weighting it would produce sensitised values of £561m and £(561)m.

 

It should be noted that some sensitivities described above are non-linear, and larger or smaller impacts should not be interpolated or extrapolated from these results.

 

 

4.04 Tax

(i) Tax expense/(credit) in the Consolidated Income Statement

 

The tax expense attributable to equity holders differs from the tax calculated on profit before tax at the standard UK corporation tax rate as follows:

 

		Restated
	6 months	6 months	Full year
	2024	2023	2023
	£m	£m	£m
Profit before tax attributable to equity holders	316	393	76
Tax calculated at 25% (2023: 23.5%)1	79	92	18
Adjusted for the effects of:
Recurring reconciling items:
Different rate of tax on overseas profits and losses2	(19)	(61)	(68)
Income not subject to tax	-	(2)	(4)
Non-deductible expenses	8	8	27
Differences between taxable and accounting investment gains	19	(9)	(9)
Other taxes on property and foreign income	3	1	4
Unrecognised tax losses	-	1	19
Double tax relief3	-	-	(2)
Non-recurring reconciling items:
Adjustments in respect of prior years4	6	(6)	(11)
Impact of the revaluation of deferred tax balances	-	(2)	(1)
Impact of law changes on deferred tax balances5	-	-	(340)
Tax expense/(credit) attributable to equity holders	96	22	(367)
Equity holders' effective tax rate	30%	6%	(483)%

1.    The Finance Act 2021 increased the rate of corporation tax from 19% to 25% from 1 April 2023. The prevailing rate of UK corporation tax for the year has increased to 25% (H1 23: 23.5%; FY 23: 23.5%). The enacted tax rate of 25% has been used in the calculation of UK deferred tax assets and liabilities, as the rate of corporation tax that is expected to apply when the majority of those deferred tax balances reverse.

2.    Our Bermudan reinsurance businesses, which provide the Group with regulatory capital flexibility for both our PRT business and our US term insurance business, suffer tax locally at 0% rate. From 1 January 2024, profits arising in Bermuda suffer a top-up tax of 15% on the UK parent.

3.    Double tax relief represents a UK tax credit available for overseas withholding tax suffered on dividend income.

4.    Adjustments in respect of prior years relate to revisions of prior estimates.

5.    The tax credit relates to the introduction of a new corporate income tax regime in Bermuda, which was enacted in December 2023.

 

In 2023 the UK Government enacted legislation to apply a global minimum tax rate of 15% to multinational businesses headquartered in the UK as well as a new domestic UK minimum tax rate of 15%, in line with the Model Rules agreed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). These Pillar Two rules apply from 1 January 2024, and apply to all Group businesses globally.

 

During 2023 the Bermudan Government consulted on introducing a local corporate income tax with effect from 1 January 2025, which would apply to our Bermudan reinsurance businesses. This was substantively enacted in 2023.

 

The Group is liable to UK Pillar Two top-up tax in 2024 in respect of profits arising in our global reinsurance hub in Bermuda. This is estimated to give rise to a current tax charge in the UK of £34m for H1 24. From 1 January 2025, we anticipate that the Group will be liable for local Bermudan corporate income tax at 15%, instead of top-up tax under the global minimum tax rules, on Bermudan profits. Further guidance on both the new UK and new Bermuda rules is expected and will be kept under review for any further impact. 

 

 

4.04 Tax (continued)

(ii) Deferred tax

 

		Restated
	30 Jun 2024	30 Jun 2023	31 Dec 2023
Deferred tax assets/(liabilities)	£m	£m	£m
Overseas deferred acquisition expenses1	128	116	121
Difference between the tax and accounting value of insurance contracts	820	387	736
- UK	1,344	1,122	1,149
- Bermuda2	340	-	340
- US	(864)	(735)	(753)
Realised and unrealised gains on investments	(91)	128	72
Excess of depreciation over capital allowances	16	22	17
Accounting provisions and other	31	58	52
Trading losses	641	474	609
- UK	77	-	76
- US3	564	474	533
Other	(1)	(4)	-
Net deferred tax asset	1,544	1,181	1,607
Presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as:
- Deferred tax assets	1,720	1,341	1,714
- Deferred tax liabilities4	(176)	(160)	(107)
Net deferred tax asset	1,544	1,181	1,607

1.    Deferred tax assets arising on deferred acquisition expenses relate solely to US balances.

2.    The Bermuda deferred tax asset relates to the introduction of a new corporate income tax regime in Bermuda, which was enacted in December 2023.

3.    This deferred tax asset relates to US operating losses. The losses are not time restricted, and we expect to recover them over a period of 15 to 20 years, commensurate with the lifecycle of the underlying insurance contracts. In reaching this conclusion, we have considered past results, the different basis under which US companies are taxed, temporary differences that are expected to generate future profits against which the deferred tax can be offset, management actions, and future profit forecasts. The recoverability of deferred tax assets is routinely reviewed by management.

4.    The deferred tax liability is comprised of balances of £176m relating to the US (H1 23: £157m; FY 23: £107m) and £nil relating to the UK (H1 23: £3m; FY 23: £nil) which is not capable of being offset against other deferred tax assets. 

 

 

4.05 Share capital and share premium

 

							Number of
Authorised share capital							shares	£m
At 30 June 2024, 30 June 2023 and 31 December 2023: ordinary shares of 2.5p each						9,200,000,000		230
							Share	Share
						Number of	capital	premium
Issued share capital, fully paid						shares	£m	£m
As at 1 January 2024					5,979,578,280		149	1,030
Cancellation of shares under share buyback programme1					(9,250,000)		-	-
Options exercised under share option schemes					1,795,636		-	4
As at 30 June 2024					5,972,123,916		149	1,034
							Share	Share
						Number of	capital	premium
Issued share capital, fully paid						shares	£m	£m
As at 1 January 2023					5,973,253,500		149	1,018
Options exercised under share option schemes						4,560,068	-	9
As at 30 June 2023					5,977,813,568		149	1,027
Options exercised under share option schemes						1,764,712	-	3
As at 31 December 2023					5,979,578,280		149	1,030

1.    During the period, 9,250,000 shares were repurchased and cancelled under the share buyback programme representing 0.2% of opening issued share capital at a cost of £21m including expenses. At 5 August 2024, a further 30,906,201 ordinary shares had been purchased for cancellation at a total cost of £70m including expenses (see Note 4.17 for further information).

 

There is one class of ordinary shares of 2.5p each. All shares issued carry equal voting rights.

                                                                                                                               

The holders of the company's ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared and are entitled to one vote per share at shareholder meetings of the company.

 

 

4.06 Restricted Tier 1 convertible notes

 

On 24 June 2020, Legal & General Group Plc issued £500m of 5.625% perpetual restricted Tier 1 contingent convertible notes. The notes are callable at par between 24 March 2031 and 24 September 2031 (the First Reset Date) inclusive and every 5 years after the First Reset Date. If not called, the coupon from 24 September 2031 will be reset to the prevailing five year benchmark gilt yield plus 5.378%.

 

The notes have no fixed maturity date. Optional cancellation of coupon payments is at the discretion of the issuer and mandatory cancellation is upon the occurrence of certain conditions. The Tier 1 notes are therefore treated as equity and coupon payments are recognised directly in equity when paid. During the period coupon payments of £14m were made (H1 23: £14m; FY 23: £28m). The notes rank junior to all other liabilities and senior to equity attributable to owners of the parent. On the occurrence of certain conversion trigger events the notes are convertible into ordinary shares of the issuer at the prevailing conversion price.

 

The notes are treated as restricted Tier 1 own funds for Solvency II purposes.

 

 

4.07 Core borrowings

 

		Carrying		Carrying		Carrying
		amount	Fair value	amount	Fair value	amount	Fair value
		30 Jun	30 Jun	30 Jun	30 Jun	31 Dec	31 Dec
		2024	2024	2023	2023	2023	2023
		£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Subordinated borrowings
5.5% Sterling subordinated notes 2064 (Tier 2)		590	568	590	549	590	600
5.375% Sterling subordinated notes 2045 (Tier 2)		605	601	605	577	605	603
5.25% US Dollar subordinated notes 2047 (Tier 2)		681	662	678	648	676	656
5.55% US Dollar subordinated notes 2052 (Tier 2)		399	390	397	376	396	382
5.125% Sterling subordinated notes 2048 (Tier 2)		401	393	400	364	401	395
3.75% Sterling subordinated notes 2049 (Tier 2)		599	541	599	489	599	545
4.5% Sterling subordinated notes 2050 (Tier 2)		501	460	500	424	501	467
Client fund holdings of group debt (Tier 2)1		(76)	(72)	(77)	(69)	(80)	(77)
Total subordinated borrowings		3,700	3,543	3,692	3,358	3,688	3,571
Senior borrowings
Sterling medium term notes 2031-2041		603	637	603	613	609	666
Client fund holdings of group debt1		(15)	(15)	(17)	(16)	(17)	(17)
Total senior borrowings		588	622	586	597	592	649
Total core borrowings		4,288	4,165	4,278	3,955	4,280	4,220

1.    £91m (30 June 2023: £94m; 31 December 2023: £97m) of the Group's subordinated and senior borrowings are held by Legal & General customers through unit linked products. These borrowings are shown as a deduction from total core borrowings in the table above.

 

The fair value of the Group's subordinated borrowings reflects quoted prices in active markets and they have been classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

The fair value of the Group's senior borrowings includes £587m that reflects quoted prices in active markets and they have been classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The remaining fair value of senior borrowings is derived using prices from an external, publicly available pricing model by a standard market pricing source and have been classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The inputs for this model include a range of factors which are deemed to be observable, including current market prices for comparative instruments, period to maturity and yield curves.

 

Subordinated borrowings

 

5.5% Sterling subordinated notes 2064

On 27 June 2014, Legal & General Group Plc issued £600m of 5.5% dated subordinated notes. The notes are callable at par on 27 June 2044 and every five years thereafter. These notes mature on 27 June 2064.

 

5.375% Sterling subordinated notes 2045

On 27 October 2015, Legal & General Group Plc issued £600m of 5.375% dated subordinated notes. The notes are callable at par on 27 October 2025 and every five years thereafter. These notes mature on 27 October 2045.

 

5.25% US Dollar subordinated notes 2047

On 21 March 2017, Legal & General Group Plc issued $850m of 5.25% dated subordinated notes. The notes are callable at par on 21 March 2027 and every five years thereafter. These notes mature on 21 March 2047.

 

5.55% US Dollar subordinated notes 2052

On 24 April 2017, Legal & General Group Plc issued $500m of 5.55% dated subordinated notes. The notes are callable at par on 24 April 2032 and every five years thereafter. These notes mature on 24 April 2052.

 

5.125% Sterling subordinated notes 2048

On 14 November 2018, Legal & General Group Plc issued £400m of 5.125% dated subordinated notes. The notes are callable at par on 14 November 2028 and every five years thereafter. These notes mature on 14 November 2048.

 

3.75% Sterling subordinated notes 2049

On 26 November 2019, Legal & General Group Plc issued £600m of 3.75% dated subordinated notes. The notes are callable at par on 26 November 2029 and every five years thereafter. These notes mature on 26 November 2049.

 

4.5% Sterling subordinated notes 2050

On 1 May 2020, Legal & General Group Plc issued £500m of 4.5% dated subordinated notes. The notes are callable at par on 1 November 2030 and every five years thereafter. These notes mature on 1 November 2050.

 

All of the above subordinated notes are treated as Tier 2 own funds for Solvency II purposes unless stated otherwise.

 

Senior borrowings

 

Between 2000 and 2002 Legal & General Finance Plc issued £600m of senior unsecured Sterling medium term notes 2031-2041 at coupons between 5.75% and 5.875%. These notes have various maturity dates between 2031 and 2041.

 

 

4.08 Operational borrowings

 

		Carrying		Carrying		Carrying
		amount	Fair value	amount	Fair value	amount	Fair value
		30 Jun	30 Jun	30 Jun	30 Jun	31 Dec	31 Dec
		2024	2024	2023	2023	2023	2023
		£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Euro Commercial Paper		49	49	50	50	49	49
Bank loans and overdrafts		4	4	7	7	12	12
Non-recourse borrowings		1,638	1,638	1,050	1,050	1,396	1,396
Operational borrowings1		1,691	1,691	1,107	1,107	1,457	1,457

1.    Unit linked borrowings with a carrying value of £163m (30 June 2023: £165m; 31 December 2023: £383m) are excluded from the analysis above as the risk is retained by policyholders. Operational borrowings including unit linked borrowings are £1,854m (30 June 2023: £1,272m; 31 December 2023: £1,840m).

 

Syndicated credit facility

 

The Group has in place a £1.5bn syndicated committed revolving credit facility provided by a number of its key relationship banks, maturing in August 2028. No amounts were outstanding at 30 June 2024.

 

 

4.09 Movement in borrowings

 

		30 Jun	30 Jun	31 Dec
		2024	2023	2023
		£m	£m	£m
As at 1 January		6,120	5,557	5,557
Cash movements:
- Proceeds from borrowings		476	408	1,078
- Repayment of borrowings		(261)	(227)	(544)
- Net (decrease)/increase in bank loans and overdrafts		(228)	(72)	148
Non-cash movements:
- Amortisation		1	1	3
- Foreign exchange rate movements		14	(93)	(108)
- Other		20	(24)	(14)
Core and operational borrowings		6,142	5,550	6,120

 

 

4.10 Payables and other financial liabilities

 

			30 Jun 2024	30 Jun 2023	31 Dec 2023
			£m	£m	£m
Derivative liabilities			47,895	49,939	43,821
Repurchase agreements1			22,142	28,347	25,452
Other financial liabilities2			10,427	12,770	9,166
Total payables and other financial liabilities			80,464	91,056	78,439

1.    Repurchase agreements are presented gross, however they and their related assets (included within debt securities) are subject to master netting arrangements. The significant majority of repurchase agreements are unit linked.

2.    Other financial liabilities includes trail commission, lease liabilities, FX spots and the value of short positions taken out to cover reverse repurchase agreements. The value of short positions as at 30 June 2024 was £2,100m (30 June 2023: £4,966m; 31 December 2023: £2,647m).

 

Fair value hierarchy              

 

					Amortised
	Total	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	cost1
As at 30 June 2024	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Derivative liabilities	47,895	524	47,333	38	-
Repurchase agreements	22,142	-	22,142	-	-
Other financial liabilities	10,427	3,532	57	-	6,838
Total payables and other financial liabilities	80,464	4,056	69,532	38	6,838

 

					Amortised
	Total	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	cost1
As at 30 June 2023	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Derivative liabilities	49,939	445	49,472	22	-
Repurchase agreements	28,347	-	28,347	-	-
Other financial liabilities	12,770	4,933	29	-	7,808
Total payables and other financial liabilities	91,056	5,378	77,848	22	7,808

 

					Amortised
	Total	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	cost1
As at 31 December 2023	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Derivative liabilities	43,821	627	43,147	47	-
Repurchase agreements	25,452	-	25,452	-	-
Other financial liabilities	9,166	3,103	59	-	6,004
Total payables and other financial liabilities	78,439	3,730	68,658	47	6,004

1.    The carrying value of payables and other financial liabilities at amortised cost approximates its fair value.

 

Significant transfers between levels

 

There have been no significant transfers of liabilities between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the period ended 30 June 2024 (30 June 2023 and 31 December 2023: no significant transfers).

 

 

4.11 Long-term insurance discount rate assumptions

 

The interest rates used to discount the cash flows for the purpose of valuing insurance contract liabilities should reflect the timing and liquidity characteristics of the insurance liability cash flows and current market conditions. The valuation interest rate assumptions are derived as interest rate curves with full term structure.

 

In deriving the liquidity premium assumptions for annuity business, an explicit allowance for risk is deducted from the yield on the assets backing annuity liabilities. The allowance for risk comprises long-term assumptions about defaults and the market risk premiums for taking credit risk. In the case of lifetime mortgage assets, a best estimate expectation of losses arising from the no negative equity guarantee, and the market risk premiums for this risk are deducted from the yield. For the UK annuity business, the deduction for risk of default for corporate bonds and direct investments equated to 38bps (30 June 2023: 40bps; 31 December 2023: 40bps). For lifetime mortgages the deductions equated to £0.3bn (30 June 2023: £0.3bn; 31 December 2023: £0.4bn).

 

For US and UK protection business, the yield is calculated based on notional asset portfolios of AA rated corporate bonds and cash, which reflect the characteristics of the liability cash flows. An explicit allowance is deducted from the yield to reflect the default risk associated with the notional portfolio assets.

 

The discount rate curves used for material product lines are shown below. The discount rate curves are used to discount the cash flows on the underlying contracts and any associated reinsurance cash flows. The graphs display the underlying spot rates.

 

 

4.12 Insurance contracts

(i) Insurance service result

 

For the six month period to 30 June 2024	Annuities £m	Protection £m	Total £m
Insurance revenue
Amounts relating to changes in liabilities for remaining coverage:
- CSM recognised for services provided	487	118	605
- Expected incurred claims and other insurance service expenses	2,862	1,421	4,283
- Change in the risk adjustment for non-financial risk for the risk expired	208	8	216
Recovery of insurance acquisition cashflows	12	71	83
Premium experience variance relating to past and current service	(1)	(4)	(5)
Total insurance revenue	3,568	1,614	5,182
Insurance service expenses	(2,899)	(1,562)	(4,461)
Allocation of reinsurance premiums	(1,599)	(503)	(2,102)
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers for incurred claims	1,393	590	1,983
Net (expense)/income from reinsurance contracts held	(206)	87	(119)
Total insurance service result	463	139	602

 

For the six month period to 30 June 2023 (Restated)	Annuities £m	Protection £m	Total £m
Insurance revenue
Amounts relating to changes in liabilities for remaining coverage:
- CSM recognised for services provided	397	131	528
- Expected incurred claims and other insurance service expenses	2,518	1,319	3,837
- Change in the risk adjustment for non-financial risk for the risk expired	174	23	197
Recovery of insurance acquisition cashflows	8	65	73
Premium experience variance relating to past and current service	2	(8)	(6)
Total insurance revenue	3,099	1,530	4,629
Insurance service expenses	(2,472)	(1,525)	(3,997)
Allocation of reinsurance premiums	(1,308)	(501)	(1,809)
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers for incurred claims	1,138	619	1,757
Net (expense)/income from reinsurance contracts held	(170)	118	(52)
Total insurance service result	457	123	580

 

For the year ended 31 December 2023	Annuities £m	Protection £m	Total £m
Insurance revenue
Amounts relating to changes in liabilities for remaining coverage:
- CSM recognised for services provided	943	225	1,168
- Expected incurred claims and other insurance service expenses	5,278	2,597	7,875
- Change in the risk adjustment for non-financial risk for the risk expired	371	16	387
Recovery of insurance acquisition cashflows	19	132	151
Premium experience variance relating to past and current service	1	42	43
Total insurance revenue	6,612	3,012	9,624
Insurance service expenses	(5,244)	(3,129)	(8,373)
Allocation of reinsurance premiums	(2,847)	(1,044)	(3,891)
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers for incurred claims	2,415	1,339	3,754
Net (expense)/income from reinsurance contracts held	(432)	295	(137)
Total insurance service result	936	178	1,114

 

 

 

4.12 Insurance contracts (continued)

(ii) Insurance and reinsurance contracts

 

			Restated	Restated
	Assets 30 Jun 2024 £m	Liabilities 30 Jun 2024 £m	Assets 30 Jun 2023 £m	Liabilities 30 Jun 2023 £m	Assets 31 Dec 2023 £m	Liabilities 31 Dec 2023 £m
Insurance contracts issued
Annuities
Insurance contract balances	-	84,759	-	74,035	-	86,706
Assets for insurance contract acquisition cash flows1	-	(27)	-	(39)	-	(18)
Protection
Insurance contract balances	-	4,788	-	4,391	-	4,782
Assets for insurance contract acquisition cash flows1	-	(20)	-	(35)	-	(24)
Total insurance contracts issued	-	89,500	-	78,352	-	91,446
Reinsurance contracts held
Annuities
Reinsurance contracts balances	5,679	-	3,203	13	4,758	-
Assets for insurance contract acquisition cash flows1	4	-	8	-	3	-
Protection
Reinsurance contracts balances	2,501	142	2,215	124	2,545	220
Assets for insurance contract acquisition cash flows1	-	-	-	-	-	-
Total reinsurance contracts held	8,184	142	5,426	137	7,306	220

1. Assets for insurance and reinsurance acquisition cash flows are presented within the carrying amount of the related insurance and reinsurance contract liabilities.

 

 

4.13 Foreign exchange rates

 

Principal rates of exchange used for translation are:               

 

Period end exchange rates			30 Jun 2024	30 Jun 2023	31 Dec 2023
United States dollar			1.27	1.27	1.27
Euro			1.18	1.16	1.15

 

			6 months	6 months	Full year
Average exchange rates			2024	2023	2023
United States dollar			1.27	1.23	1.24
Euro			1.17	1.14	1.15

 

 

4.14 Provisions

(i) Analysis of provisions       

 

				30 Jun 2024	30 Jun 2023	31 Dec 2023
			Notes	£m	£m	£m
Other provisions			4.14(ii)	218	210	244
Retirement benefit obligations			4.14(iii)	14	1,416	14
Total provisions				232	1,626	258

 

(ii) Other provisions              

 

Other provisions include costs that the Asset Management division is committed to incur on the extension of its existing partnership with State Street announced in 2021, to increase the use of Charles River technology across the front office and to deliver middle office services going forward. Costs include the transfer of data and operations to State Street, as well as the implementation of the new operating model.

 

The amounts included in the provision have been determined on a best estimate basis by reference to a range of plausible scenarios, taking into account the multi-year implementation period for the project. As at 30 June 2024, the outstanding provision was £77m (30 June 2023: £75m; 31 December 2023: £108m).

 

(iii) Retirement benefit obligations

 

The Trustees completed a buy-out of the Legal & General Group UK Pension and Assurance Fund (Fund) and the Legal & General Group UK Senior Pension Scheme (Scheme) in November 2023, and the existing annuity policies were exchanged for individual policies between LGAS and members. As a result, all the Group's obligations under the pension schemes have now been fully extinguished, and the defined benefit obligation as at the settlement date of £1,470m was therefore derecognised. On the same date, the Group recognised the direct liability to the members within insurance contract liabilities. The difference between the defined benefit obligation at this date and the fair value of the insurance contract liabilities recognised under IFRS 17 resulted in £167m being recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement for the year ended 31 December 2023 as settlement costs. This reflects measurement differences between IFRS 17 and IAS 19, principally comprising of the associated CSM and risk adjustment.

 

 

4.15 Contingent liabilities, guarantees and indemnities

 

Provision for the liabilities arising under contracts with policyholders is based on certain assumptions. The variance between actual experience from that assumed may result in those liabilities differing from the provisions made for them. Liabilities may also arise in respect of claims relating to the interpretation of policyholder contracts, or the circumstances in which policyholders have entered into them. The extent of these liabilities is influenced by a number of factors including the actions and requirements of the PRA, FCA, ombudsman rulings, industry compensation schemes and court judgments.

 

Various Group companies receive claims and become involved in actual or threatened litigation and regulatory issues from time to time. The relevant members of the Group ensure that they make prudent provision as and when circumstances calling for such provision become clear, and that each has adequate capital and reserves to meet reasonably foreseeable eventualities. The provisions made are regularly reviewed. It is not possible to predict, with certainty, the extent and the timing of the financial impact of these claims, litigation or issues.

 

Group companies have given warranties, indemnities and guarantees as a normal part of their business and operating activities or in relation to capital market transactions or corporate disposals. Legal & General Group Plc has provided indemnities and guarantees in respect of the liabilities of Group companies in support of their business activities. Legal and General Assurance Society Limited has provided indemnities, a liquidity and expense risk agreement, a deed of support and a cash and securities liquidity facility in respect of the liabilities of Group companies to facilitate the Group's matching adjustment reorganisation pursuant to Solvency II.

 

 

4.16 Related party transactions

(i) Key management personnel transactions and compensation

 

All transactions between the Group and its key management are on commercial terms which are no more favourable than those available to employees in general. There were no material transactions between key management and the Legal & General group of companies during the period. Contributions to the post-employment defined benefit plans were £2m (30 June 2023: £128m; 31 December 2023: £134m) for all employees.

 

At 30 June 2024, 30 June 2023 and 31 December 2023 there were no loans outstanding to officers of the company.

 

The aggregate compensation for key management personnel, including executive directors, non-executive directors and the members of the Group Management Committee, is as follows:

 

				6 months	6 months	Full year
				2024	2023	2023
				£m	£m	£m
Salaries				6	4	12
Share-based incentive awards				7	7	8
Key management personnel compensation				13	11	20

 

The Group Management Committee was established on 1 January 2024. The comparatives incorporate the members of the Group Executive Committee which existed under the Group's previous governance framework.

 

(ii) Services provided to and by related parties

 

All transactions between the Group and associates, joint ventures and other related parties during the period are on commercial terms which are no more favourable than those available to companies in general.

 

The Group has the following material related party transactions:

 

•   A number of transactions between the Group's UK defined benefit pension schemes and Legal and General Assurance Society Limited (LGAS) occurred in 2023. These include the surrender of Assured Payment Policies (APPs) and their conversion into annuities, as well as a buyout of the schemes completed by the Trustees, where existing annuity policies were exchanged for individual policies between LGAS and members. Further details are provided in Note 4.14; and

 

•   Total payments by LGAS to the pension schemes for insured pension benefits were £nil (30 June 2023: £25m; 31 December 2023: £55m).

 

Loans and commitments to related parties are made in the normal course of business. As at 30 June 2024, the Group had:

 

•   Loans outstanding from related parties of £31m (30 June 2023: £46m; 31 December 2023: £49m), with a further commitment of £6m (30 June 2023: £5m; 31 December 2023: £7m); and

 

•   Total other commitments of £1,496m to related parties (30 June 2023: £1,232m; 31 December 2023: £1,347m), of which £1,137m has been drawn (30 June 2023: £1,048m; 31 December 2023: £1,108m).

 

 

4.17 Post balance sheet events

 

Since 30 June 2024, additional shares have been purchased under the company's buyback programme. At 5 August 2024, a further 30,906,201 ordinary shares (representing 0.5% of Legal & General Group Plc's issued share capital at 30 June 2024) had been purchased for cancellation at a total cost of £70m including expenses, at an average price of 226.26p per share. Cumulatively, a total of 40,156,201 shares have been repurchased at a total cost of £91m.

 

Asset flows and new business

 

5.01 Asset Management total assets under management¹ (AUM)

 

		Active	Multi		Private	Total
	Index	strategies	asset	Solutions2	markets3	AUM
For the six month period to 30 June 2024	£bn	£bn	£bn	£bn	£bn	£bn
As at 1 January 2024 - excluding joint ventures and associates	481.7	168.9	84.3	388.8	35.5	1,159.2
External inflows4	35.3	9.3	6.2	8.0	0.7	59.5
External outflows4	(50.2)	(11.3)	(4.4)	(14.3)	(0.7)	(80.9)
Overlay net flows	-	-	-	(7.1)	-	(7.1)
External net flows5	(14.9)	(2.0)	1.8	(13.4)	-	(28.5)
PRT transfers6	-	-	-	(0.5)	-	(0.5)
Internal net flows7	(0.2)	(3.4)	-	(0.4)	1.7	(2.3)
Total net flows	(15.1)	(5.4)	1.8	(14.3)	1.7	(31.3)
Market movements	43.5	(2.5)	2.6	(22.9)	(0.3)	20.4
Other movements8	(3.3)	0.7	-	(23.5)	-	(26.1)
As at 30 June 2024 - excluding joint ventures and associates	506.8	161.7	88.7	328.1	36.9	1,122.2
Joint ventures and associates9	-	-	-	-	13.6	13.6
Total Asset Management AUM as at 30 June 2024	506.8	161.7	88.7	328.1	50.5	1,135.8

 

			Active	Multi		Private	Total
		Index	strategies	asset	Solutions2	markets3	AUM
For the six month period to 30 June 2023		£bn	£bn	£bn	£bn	£bn	£bn
As at 1 January 2023 - excluding joint ventures and associates		444.7	156.8	73.9	485.9	34.4	1,195.7
External inflows4		37.6	8.8	5.5	13.6	0.8	66.3
External outflows4		(35.1)	(9.2)	(3.4)	(10.6)	(1.0)	(59.3)
Overlay net flows		-	-	-	(19.3)	-	(19.3)
External net flows5		2.5	(0.4)	2.1	(16.3)	(0.2)	(12.3)
PRT transfers6		(0.3)	(0.3)	-	(4.5)	-	(5.1)
Internal net flows7		(0.5)	(3.1)	(0.1)	0.1	1.7	(1.9)
Total net flows		1.7	(3.8)	2.0	(20.7)	1.5	(19.3)
Market movements		24.4	2.6	1.1	(32.4)	(0.3)	(4.6)
Other movements8		(0.8)	(1.7)	-	(11.2)	-	(13.7)
As at 30 June 2023 - excluding joint ventures and associates		470.0	153.9	77.0	421.6	35.6	1,158.1
Joint ventures and associates9		-	-	-	-	11.5	11.5
Total Asset Management AUM as at 30 June 202310		470.0	153.9	77.0	421.6	47.1	1,169.6

1.    Assets under management (AUM) includes assets on our Investment Only Platform that are managed by third parties, on which fees are earned.

2.    Solutions include liability driven investments and £202.5bn (30 June 2023: £285.3bn) of derivative notionals associated with the Solutions business.

3.    Private Markets AUM of £50.5bn (30 June 2023: £47.1bn) are shown on the basis of client asset view and excludes assets from multi asset fund of fund structures. Total managed Private Markets AUM including AUM from multi asset strategies (£1.5bn) is £52.0bn (30 June 2023: £48.2bn).

4.    External inflows and outflows include £2.1bn (30 June 2023: £2.1bn) of external investments and £4.3bn (30 June 2023: £1.1bn) of redemptions in the ETF business.

5.    External net flows exclude movements in short-term Solutions assets, as their maturity dates are determined by client agreements and are subject to a higher degree of variability. The total value of these assets at 30 June 2024 was £50.6bn (30 June 2023: £62.3bn).

6.    PRT transfers reflect UK defined benefit pension scheme buy-outs to Institutional Retirement.

7.    Internal net flows includes legacy assets from the Mature Savings business sold to ReAssure in 2020.

8.    Other movements include movements of external holdings in money market funds, other cash mandates and short-term solutions assets.

9.    Figures reflect 100% of the AUM associated with fund managers classified as joint ventures and associates irrespective of the Group's holding in those fund managers.

10.  Total Asset Management AUM as at 30 June 2023 has been restated to include joint ventures and associates AUM.

 

 

5.01 Asset Management total assets under management¹ (AUM) (continued)

 

			Active	Multi		Private	Total
		Index	strategies	asset	Solutions2	markets3	AUM
For the year ended 31 December 2023		£bn	£bn	£bn	£bn	£bn	£bn
As at 1 January 2023 - excluding joint ventures and associates		444.7	156.8	73.9	485.9	34.4	1,195.7
External inflows4		69.4	17.4	12.4	25.5	1.5	126.2
External outflows4		(84.9)	(17.2)	(7.4)	(23.4)	(2.6)	(135.5)
Overlay net flows		-	-	-	(29.1)	-	(29.1)
External net flows5		(15.5)	0.2	5.0	(27.0)	(1.1)	(38.4)
PRT transfers6		(0.4)	(1.5)	-	(13.1)	(0.2)	(15.2)
Internal net flows7		(0.8)	-	(0.2)	0.5	2.1	1.6
Total net flows		(16.7)	(1.3)	4.8	(39.6)	0.8	(52.0)
Market movements		55.3	10.4	5.6	(29.6)	0.3	42.0
Other movements8		(1.6)	3.0	-	(27.9)	-	(26.5)
As at 31 December 2023 - excluding joint ventures and associates		481.7	168.9	84.3	388.8	35.5	1,159.2
Joint ventures and associates9		-	-	-	-	12.7	12.7
Total Asset Management AUM as at 31 December 202310		481.7	168.9	84.3	388.8	48.2	1,171.9

1.    Assets under management (AUM) includes assets on our Investment Only Platform that are managed by third parties, on which fees are earned.

2.    Solutions include liability driven investments and £246.7bn of derivative notionals associated with the Solutions business.

3.    Private Markets AUM of £48.2bn are shown on the basis of client asset view and excludes assets from multi asset fund of fund structures. Total managed Private Markets AUM including AUM from multi asset strategies is £49.6bn.

4.    External inflows and outflows include £5.3bn of external investments and £3.4bn of redemptions in the ETF business.

5.    External net flows exclude movements in short-term Solutions assets, as their maturity dates are determined by client agreements and are subject to a higher degree of variability. The total value of these assets at 31 December 2023 was £66.9bn.

6.    PRT transfers reflect UK defined benefit pension scheme buy-outs to Institutional Retirement.

7.    Internal net flows includes legacy assets from the Mature Savings business sold to ReAssure in 2020.

8.    Other movements include movements of external holdings in money market funds, other cash mandates and short-term solutions assets.

9.    Figures reflect 100% of the AUM associated with fund managers classified as joint ventures and associates irrespective of the Group's holding in those fund managers.

10.  Total Asset Management AUM as at 31 December 2023 has been restated to include joint ventures and associates AUM.

 

 

5.02 Asset Management assets under management (excluding joint ventures and associates) and net flows      

 

		Assets under management (excluding joint ventures and associates) at				Net flows for the six months ended1
		30 Jun	30 Jun	31 Dec		30 Jun	30 Jun	31 Dec
		2024	2023	2023		2024	2023	2023
		£bn	£bn	£bn		£bn	£bn	£bn
International2		371.6	371.8	377.7		(11.1)	(2.7)	(14.2)
UK Institutional
- Defined contribution		176.0	146.1	163.0		1.7	5.5	6.9
- Defined benefit		409.0	489.6	453.4		(18.6)	(17.3)	(22.0)
Wholesale3		62.7	51.2	56.6		1.7	1.3	2.2
ETF4		9.5	9.9	11.4		(2.2)	0.9	1.0
External		1,028.8	1,068.6	1,062.1		(28.5)	(12.3)	(26.1)
Internal5		93.4	89.5	97.1		(2.8)	(7.0)	(6.6)
Total		1,122.2	1,158.1	1,159.2		(31.3)	(19.3)	(32.7)

1.    External net flows exclude movements in short-term solutions assets, with maturity as determined by client agreements and are subject to a higher degree of variability.

2.    International assets are shown on the basis of client domicile. Total International AUM including assets managed internationally on behalf of UK clients amounted to £465bn as at 30 June 2024 (30 June 2023: £457bn; 31 December 2023: £465bn).

3.    Retail represents assets from the Retail Intermediary business and legacy assets from Personal Investing customers that did not migrate to Fidelity International Limited.

4.    ETF reflects external AUM and Flows invested on the platform. Total AUM managed on the platform is £11.7bn ($14.8bn) as at 30 June 2024 (30 June 2023: £11.7bn ($14.9bn); 31 December 2023: £13.5bn ($17.2bn)) and flows of £(2.2)bn ($(2.8)bn) as at 30 June 2024 (30 June 2023: £1.0bn ($1.3bn); 31 December 2023: £2.2bn ($2.7bn)) which include internal investment from other Asset Management asset classes.

5.    Internal net flows include PRT transfers of £0.5bn (30 June 2023: £5.1bn; 31 December 2023: £10.1bn). PRT transfers reflect UK defined benefit pension scheme buy-outs to Institutional Retirement.

 

 

5.03 Reconciliation of assets under management to Consolidated Balance Sheet

                               

		Restated
	30 Jun 2024	30 Jun 2023	31 Dec 2023
	£bn	£bn	£bn
Total assets under management1	1,136	1,170	1,172
Derivative notionals2	(202)	(285)	(247)
Third party assets3	(483)	(458)	(471)
Other4	50	52	47
Total financial investments, investment property and cash and cash equivalents	501	479	501

1.    These balances are unaudited.

2.    Derivative notionals are included in the assets under management measure but are not for IFRS reporting and are thus removed.

3.    Third party assets are those that the Asset Management division manage on behalf of others which are not included on the Group's Consolidated Balance Sheet.

4.    Other includes assets that are managed by third parties on behalf of the Group, other assets and liabilities related to financial investments, derivative assets and pooled funds. It also includes measurement differences between assets under management, which are on a market value basis, and total investments on an IFRS basis.

 

 

5.04 Workplace Savings assets under administration¹

 

		30 Jun 2024	30 Jun 2023	30 Dec 2023
		£bn	£bn	£bn
As at 1 January		79.9	66.6	66.6
Gross inflows		5.9	4.9	10.4
Gross outflows		(2.7)	(1.9)	(4.1)
Net flows		3.2	3.0	6.3
Market and other movements		4.3	2.1	7.0
As at 30 June		87.4	71.7	79.9

1.    Workplace assets under administration as at 30 June 2024 includes £87.3bn (30 June 2023: £71.5bn; 31 December 2023: £79.7bn) of assets under management included in Note 5.01.

 

 

5.05 Institutional Retirement new business           

 

				6 months	6 months	6 months	Full year
				30 Jun	30 Jun	31 Dec	31 Dec
				2024	2023	2023	2023
				£m	£m	£m	£m
UK1				1,126	4,866	7,182	12,048
US				417	126	1,337	1,463
Bermuda				-	-	208	208
Total Institutional Retirement new business				1,543	4,992	8,727	13,719

1.    Full year ending 31 December 2023 includes a transaction with the Group's UK defined benefit pension schemes as disclosed in Note 4.16 Related party transactions.

 

 

5.06 Retail new business

 

				6 months	6 months	6 months	Full year
				30 Jun	30 Jun	31 Dec	31 Dec
				2024	2023	2023	2023
				£m	£m	£m	£m
Individual annuities				1,174	575	856	1,431
Lifetime mortgage loans and retirement interest only mortgages				140	163	136	299
Total Retail Retirement new business				1,314	738	992	1,730
UK Retail protection				75	76	74	150
UK Group protection				68	53	68	121
US protection1				81	70	71	141
Total Insurance new business				224	199	213	412
Total Retail new business				1,538	937	1,205	2,142

1.    In local currency, US protection reflects new business of $103m for 30 June 2024 (H1 2023: $87m; H2 2023: $88m).

 

 

Capital

 

6.01 Group regulatory capital - Solvency II

 

The Group complies with the requirements established by the Solvency II Framework Directive, as adopted by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) in the UK and measures and monitors its capital resources on this basis. The Solvency II regulations were amended in the UK in December 2023 to introduce a change to the calculation of Risk Margin, and in June 2024 to change the calculation of the Matching Adjustment and fundamental spread. All other Solvency II regulations remain unchanged.

 

The Solvency II results are estimated and unaudited. Further explanation of the underlying methodology and assumptions are set out in the sections below.

 

The Group calculates its Solvency II capital requirements using a Partial Internal Model. The majority of the risk to which the Group is exposed is assessed on the Partial Internal Model basis approved by the PRA. Capital requirements for a few smaller entities are assessed using the Standard Formula basis on materiality grounds. The Group's US insurance businesses and Legal & General Reinsurance Company No. 2 are valued on a local statutory basis, following the PRA's approval to use the Deduction and Aggregation method of including these businesses in the Group Solvency II calculation.

 

The table below shows the Group Own Funds, Solvency Capital Requirement (SCR) and Surplus Own Funds, based on the Partial Internal Model, Matching Adjustment and Transitional Measures on Technical Provisions (TMTP) as at 30 June 2024.

 

(i) Capital position

 

As at 30 June 2024, and on the above basis, the Group had a surplus of £8,839m (31 December 2023: £9,167m) over its Solvency Capital Requirement, corresponding to a Solvency II capital coverage ratio of 223% (31 December 2023: 224%). The Solvency II capital position is as follows:

 

			30 Jun	31 Dec
			2024	2023
			£m	£m
Unrestricted Tier 1 Own Funds			12,142	12,845
Restricted Tier 1 Own Funds1			495	495
Tier 2 Subordinated liabilities			3,396	3,460
Eligibility restrictions			(21)	(244)
Solvency II Own Funds2,3			16,012	16,556
Solvency Capital Requirement			(7,173)	(7,389)
Solvency II surplus			8,839	9,167
SCR Coverage ratio			223%	224%

1.    Restricted Tier 1 Own Funds represent Perpetual restricted Tier 1 contingent convertible notes.

2.    Solvency II Own Funds include a reduction to allow for the £201m share buyback announced on 12 June 2024. They do not include an accrual for the interim dividend of £357m (31 December 2023: final dividend of £871m) declared after the balance sheet date.

3.    Solvency II Own Funds allow for a Risk Margin of £1,009m (31 December 2023: £1,191m) and TMTP of £647m (31 December 2023: £970m).

 

 

6.01 Group regulatory capital - Solvency II (continued)

(ii) Methodology and assumptions

 

The methodology, assumptions and Partial Internal Model underlying the calculation of Solvency II Own Funds and associated capital requirements are broadly consistent with those set out in the Group's 2023 Annual Report and Accounts and Full Year Results.

 

Non-market assumptions are consistent with those underlying the Group's IFRS disclosures. Future investment returns and discount rates are those defined by the PRA, using risk-free rates based on SONIA market swap rates for sterling denominated liabilities. For annuities that are eligible, the liability discount rate includes a Matching Adjustment. This Matching Adjustment varies between LGAS and LGRe and by the currency of the relevant liabilities.

 

At 30 June 2024 the Matching Adjustment for UK GBP denominated liabilities was 118 basis points (31 December 2023: 122 basis points) after deducting an allowance for the fundamental spread equivalent to 45 basis points (31 December 2023: 53 basis points). The Matching Adjustment and fundamental spread have been calculated in accordance with the latest Solvency UK regulations.

 

(iii) Analysis of change

 

Operational Surplus Generation is the expected surplus generated from the assets and liabilities in-force at the start of the year. It is based on assumed real world returns and best estimate non-market assumptions. It includes the impact of management actions to the extent that, at the start of the year, these were reasonably expected to be implemented over the period.

 

New Business Strain is the cost of acquiring business and setting up Technical Provisions and SCR (net of any premium income), on actual new business written over the period. It is based on economic conditions at the point of sale.

 

The table below shows the movement (net of tax) during the six month period ended 30 June 2024 in the Group's Solvency II surplus.

 

	6 months	6 months	6 months
	30 Jun 2024	30 Jun 2024	30 Jun 2024
	Own Funds	SCR	Surplus
	£m	£m	£m
Opening Position	16,556	(7,389)	9,167
Operational Surplus Generation1	899	(2)	897
New business strain	56	(222)	(166)
Net surplus generation	955	(224)	731
Operating variances2			30
Market movements3			(14)
Share buyback			(201)
Dividends paid4			(874)
Total surplus movement (after dividends paid in the period)	(544)	216	(328)
Closing Position	16,012	(7,173)	8,839

1.    Operational Surplus Generation includes a £22m release of Risk Margin and £(41)m amortisation of the TMTP.

2.    Operating variances include the impact of experience variances, changes to valuation assumptions, methodology changes and other management actions including changes in asset mix.

3.    Market movements represent the impact of changes in investment market conditions during the period and changes to future economic assumptions.

4.    Dividends paid are the amounts from the 2023 final dividend paid in H1 2024.

 

 

6.01 Group regulatory capital - Solvency II (continued)

(iii) Analysis of change (continued)

 

The table below shows the movement (net of tax) during the year ended 31 December 2023 in the Group's Solvency II surplus.

 

	Full year	Full year	Full year
	31 Dec 2023	31 Dec 2023	31 Dec 2023
	Own Funds	SCR	Surplus
	£m	£m	£m
Opening Position	17,226	(7,311)	9,915
Operational Surplus Generation1	1,596	225	1,821
New business strain	551	(989)	(438)
Net surplus generation	2,147	(764)	1,383
Operating variances2			(307)
Mergers, acquisitions and disposals3			(140)
Market movements4			(512)
Dividends paid5			(1,172)
Total surplus movement (after dividends paid in the period)	(670)	(78)	(748)
Closing Position	16,556	(7,389)	9,167

1.    Operational Surplus Generation includes a £208m release of Risk Margin and £(206)m amortisation of the TMTP.

2.    Operating variances include the impact of experience variances, changes to valuation assumptions, methodology changes and other management actions including changes in asset mix.

3.    Mergers, acquisitions and disposals for the year ended 31 December 2023 includes costs incurred relating to the announced intent to cease production within the Modular Homes business and impairment of the Group's investment in Onto, along with the associated change in SCR.

4.    Market movements represent the impact of changes in investment market conditions over the year and changes to future economic assumptions.

5.    Dividends paid are the amounts from the 2022 final dividend and 2023 interim dividend.

 

(iv) Reconciliation of IFRS equity to Solvency II Own Funds

 

A reconciliation of the Group's IFRS equity to Solvency II Own Funds is given below:

 

			30 Jun	31 Dec
			2024	2023
			£m	£m
IFRS equity1			3,958	4,826
CSM net of tax2			10,023	10,048
IFRS equity plus CSM net of tax			13,981	14,874
Remove DAC, goodwill and other intangible assets and associated liabilities			(522)	(525)
Add IFRS carrying value of subordinated borrowings3			3,776	3,768
Insurance contract valuation differences4			(502)	(622)
Financial investments valuation differences			(1,051)	(845)
Difference in value of net deferred tax liabilities2			373	203
Other			(22)	(53)
Eligibility restrictions			(21)	(244)
Solvency II Own Funds5			16,012	16,556

1.    IFRS equity represents equity attributable to owners of the parent and restricted Tier 1 convertible debt note as per the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

2.    31 December 2023 CSM net of tax and Difference in value of net deferred tax liabilities have been restated to reflect the introduction of the new corporate income tax regime in Bermuda, which was enacted in December 2023.

3.    Treated as available capital on the Solvency II balance sheet as the liabilities are subordinate to policyholder claims.

4.    Differences in the measurement of technical provisions between IFRS and Solvency II.

5.    Solvency II Own Funds include a reduction to allow for the £201m share buyback announced on 12 June 2024. They do not include an accrual for the interim dividend of £357m (31 December 2023: final dividend of £871m) declared after the balance sheet date.

 

 

6.01 Group regulatory capital - Solvency II (continued)

(v) Sensitivity analysis

 

The following sensitivities are provided to give an indication of how the Group's Solvency II surplus as at 30 June 2024 would have changed in a variety of adverse events. These are all independent stresses to a single risk. In practice, the balance sheet is impacted by combinations of stresses and the combined impact can be larger than adding together the impacts of the same stresses in isolation. It is expected that, particularly for market risks, adverse stresses will happen together.

 

			Impact on	Impact on	Impact on	Impact on
			net of tax	net of tax	net of tax	net of tax
			Solvency II	Solvency II	Solvency II	Solvency II
			capital	coverage	capital	coverage
			surplus	ratio	surplus	ratio
			30 Jun	30 Jun	31 Dec	31 Dec
			2024	2024	2023	2023
			£bn	%	£bn	%
100bps increase in risk-free rates1			0.1	13	0.1	10
100bps decrease in risk-free rates1,2			(0.2)	(14)	(0.2)	(11)
Credit spreads widen by 100bps assuming an escalating addition to ratings3,4			0.5	15	0.4	14
Credit spreads narrow by 100bps assuming an escalating deduction from ratings3,4			(0.6)	(17)	(0.6)	(18)
Credit spreads widen by 100bps assuming a flat addition to ratings3			0.5	16	0.5	15
Credit spreads of sub investment grade assets widen by 100bps assuming a level addition to ratings3,5			(0.2)	(7)	(0.2)	(7)
Credit migration6			(0.5)	(8)	(0.7)	(10)
25% fall in equity markets7			(0.4)	(3)	(0.4)	(3)
15% fall in property markets8			(0.8)	(8)	(0.9)	(10)
50bps increase in future inflation expectations1			(0.0)	(2)	(0.1)	(3)

1.    Assuming a recalculation of the Transitional Measure on Technical Provisions that partially offsets the impact on Risk Margin.

2.    In the interest rate down stress negative rates are allowed, i.e. there is no floor at zero rates.

3.    The spread sensitivity applies to the Group's corporate bond (and similar) holdings, with no change in long-term default expectations. Restructured lifetime mortgages are excluded as the underlying exposure is mostly to property.

4.    The stress for AA bonds is twice that for AAA bonds, for A bonds it is three times, for BBB four times and so on, such that the weighted average spread stress for the portfolio is 100 basis points. To give a 100bps increase on the total portfolio, the spread stress increases in steps of 32bps, i.e. 32bps for AAA, 64bps for AA etc.

5.    No stress for bonds rated BBB and above. For bonds rated BB and below the stress is 100bps. The spread widening on the total portfolio is smaller than 1bps as the Group holds less than 1% in bonds rated BB and below. The impact is primarily an increase in SCR arising from the modelled cost of trading downgraded bonds back to a higher rating in the stress scenarios in the SCR calculation.

6.    Credit migration stress covers the cost of an immediate big letter downgrade on 20% of all assets where the capital treatment depends on a credit rating (including corporate bonds, and sale and leaseback rental strips; lifetime mortgage senior notes are excluded). Downgraded assets in our annuity portfolio are assumed to be traded to their original credit rating, so the impact is primarily a reduction in Own Funds from the loss of value on downgrade. The impact of the sensitivity will depend upon the market levels of spreads at the balance sheet date.

7.    This relates primarily to equity exposure held by the Group but will also include equity-based mutual funds and other investments that receive an equity stress (for example, certain investments in subsidiaries). Some assets have factors that increase or decrease the stress relative to general equity levels via a beta factor.

8.    Assets stressed include residual values from sale and leaseback, the full amount of lifetime mortgages and direct investments treated as property.

 

The above sensitivity analysis does not reflect all management actions which could be taken to reduce the impacts. In practice, the Group actively manages its asset and liability positions to respond to market movements. Other than in the interest rate and inflation stresses, we have not allowed for the recalculation of TMTP. Allowance is made for the recalculation of the Loss Absorbing Capacity of Deferred Tax for all stresses, assuming full capacity remains available post stress.

 

The impacts of these stresses are not linear therefore these results should not be used to interpolate or extrapolate the impact of a smaller or larger stress. The results of these tests are indicative of the market conditions prevailing at the balance sheet date. The results would be different if performed at an alternative reporting date.

 

 

6.02 Estimated Solvency II new business contribution

(i) New business by product¹

 

Management estimates of the present value of new business premium (PVNBP) and the margin for selected lines of business are provided below:

 

			Contribution			Contribution
			from new			from new
		PVNBP2	business3	Margin4	PVNBP2	business3	Margin4
		6 months	6 months	6 months	Full year	Full year	Full year
		2024	2024	2024	2023	2023	2023
		£m	£m	%	£m	£m	%
Institutional Retirement - UK annuity business		1,126	69	6.1	8,859	654	7.4
Retail Retirement - UK annuity business		1,174	70	6.0	1,431	100	7.0
UK Protection		719	26	3.5	1,337	37	2.8
US Protection5		656	80	12.1	1,123	128	11.4

1.    Selected lines of business only.

2.    PVNBP excludes a quota share reinsurance single premium of £nil (31 December 2023: £3,189m) relating to Institutional Retirement new business.

3.    The contribution from new business is defined as the present value at the point of sale of expected future Solvency II surplus emerging from new business written in the year using the risk discount rate applicable at the end of the year.

4.    Margin is based on unrounded inputs.

5.    In local currency, US Protection business reflects PVNBP of $830m (31 December 2023: $1,397m) and a contribution from new business of $101m (31 December 2023: $160m).

 

(ii) Basis of preparation

 

Solvency II new business contribution reflects the portion of Solvency II value added by new business written in the period. It has been calculated in a manner consistent with principles and methodologies which were adopted in the Group's 2023 Annual Report and Accounts and Full Year Results.

 

Solvency II new business contribution has been calculated for the Group's most material insurance-related businesses, namely, Institutional Retirement, Retail Retirement and Insurance.

 

Intra-group reinsurance arrangements are in place between US, UK and Bermudan businesses and it is expected that these arrangements will be periodically extended to cover recent new business. The US Protection new business margin assumes that the new business will continue to be reinsured in 2024 and looks through the intra-group arrangements. 

 

 

6.02 Estimated Solvency II new business contribution (continued)                                       

(iii) Assumptions

 

The key economic assumptions are as follows:

 

	30 Jun 2024	31 Dec 2023
	%	%
Margin for Risk	3.9	4.2
Risk-free rate
- UK	3.9	3.3
- US	4.4	3.9
Risk discount rate (net of tax)
- UK	7.8	7.5
- US	8.3	8.1
Long-term rate of return on annuities	5.5	4.9

 

The future earnings are discounted using duration-based discount rates, which is the sum of a duration-based risk-free rate and a flat margin for risk. The risk-free rate shown above is a weighted average based on the projected cash flows.

 

Economic and non-economic assumptions are set to best estimates of their real-world outcomes, including a risk premium for asset returns where appropriate. In particular:

 

•   The assumed future pre-tax returns on fixed interest and RPI linked securities are set by reference to yield on the relevant backing assets, net of an allowance for default risk which takes into account the credit rating and the outstanding term of the assets. The weighted average deduction for business written in 2024 equates to a level rate deduction from the expected returns of 16 basis points. The calculated return takes account of derivatives and other credit instruments in the investment portfolio.

 

•   Non-economic assumptions have been set at levels commensurate with recent operating experience, including those for mortality, morbidity, persistency and maintenance expenses (excluding development costs). An allowance is made for future mortality improvement. For new business, mortality assumptions may be modified to take certain scheme specific features into account.

 

The profits on the new business are presented gross of tax.

 

(iv) Reconciliation of PVNBP to total Institutional Retirement and Retail new business                                    

 

		6 months	Full year
		2024	2023
	Notes	£bn	£bn
PVNBP	6.02 (i)	3.7	12.7
Effect of capitalisation factor		(1.2)	(1.8)
New business premiums from selected lines		2.5	10.9
Other1		0.6	5.0
Total Institutional Retirement and Retail new business	5.05, 5.06	3.1	15.9

1.    Other principally includes annuity sales in the US £0.4bn (31 December 2023: £1.5bn), lifetime mortgage loans and retirement interest only mortgages £0.1bn (31 December 2023: £0.3bn), and quota share reinsurance premiums £nil (31 December 2023: £3.2bn).

 

 

Investments

 

7.01 Investment portfolio

 

				Restated1	Restated1
			30 Jun	30 Jun	31 Dec
			2024	2023	2023
			£m	£m	£m
Worldwide total assets under management2			1,145,104	1,177,886	1,179,769
Client and policyholder assets			(1,007,870)	(1,047,154)	(1,044,213)
Investments to which shareholders are directly exposed (market value)			137,234	130,732	135,556
Adjustment from market value to IFRS carrying value3			1,051	1,245	848
Investments to which shareholders are directly exposed (IFRS carrying value)			138,285	131,977	136,404

1.    Worldwide assets under management, client and policyholder assets have been restated to include the total AUM associated with fund managers classified as joint ventures and associates irrespective of the Group's holding in those fund managers.

2.    Worldwide total assets under management include Asset Management AUM and other Group assets not managed by Asset Management.

3.    Adjustments reflect measurement differences for a portion of the Group's financial investments designated as amortised cost.

 

Analysed by investment class:

 

					Restated	Restated		Restated	Restated
		Annuity1	Other		Annuity1	Other		Annuity1	Other
		investments	investments	Total	investments	investments	Total	investments	investments	Total
		30 Jun	30 Jun	30 Jun	30 Jun	30 Jun	30 Jun	31 Dec	31 Dec	31 Dec
		2024	2024	2024	2023	2023	2023	2023	2023	2023
	Notes	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Equities		1,961	1,116	3,077	1,967	1,110	3,077	1,989	1,177	3,166
Bonds	7.03	75,474	4,104	79,578	70,278	3,085	73,363	77,571	3,759	81,330
Derivative assets2		41,527	134	41,661	42,062	245	42,307	37,894	125	38,019
Property	7.04	5,506	309	5,815	5,515	247	5,762	5,269	234	5,503
Loans3		2,242	184	2,426	1,898	156	2,054	1,382	230	1,612
Financial investments		126,710	5,847	132,557	121,720	4,843	126,563	124,105	5,525	129,630
Cash and cash equivalents		2,035	1,295	3,330	2,275	1,039	3,314	3,122	1,113	4,235
Other assets4		664	1,734	2,398	443	1,657	2,100	779	1,760	2,539
Total investments		129,409	8,876	138,285	124,438	7,539	131,977	128,006	8,398	136,404

1.    Annuity investments includes products held within the Institutional Retirement and Retail Retirement annuity portfolios and includes lifetime mortgage loans & retirement interest only mortgages.

2.    Derivative assets are shown gross of derivative liabilities of £45.0bn (30 June 2023: £46.0bn; 31 December 2023: £40.5bn). Exposures arise from use of derivatives for efficient portfolio management, particularly the use of interest rate swaps, inflation swaps, currency swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts for assets and liability management.

3.    Loans include reverse repurchase agreements of £2,411m (30 June 2023: £2,049m; 31 December 2023: £1,599m).

4.    Other assets include finance leases of £414m (30 June 2023: £157m; 31 December 2023: £451m), associates and joint ventures of £641m (30 June 2023: £553m; 31 December 2023: £616m) and the consolidated net asset value of the Group's investments in CALA Homes and other housing businesses.

 

 

7.02 Direct investments

(i) Total investments analysed by asset class

 

	Direct1	Traded2		Direct1	Traded2		Direct1	Traded2
	investments	securities	Total	investments	securities	Total	investments	securities	Total
	30 Jun	30 Jun	30 Jun	30 Jun	30 Jun	30 Jun	31 Dec	31 Dec	31 Dec
	2024	2024	2024	2023	2023	2023	2023	2023	2023
	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Equities	1,766	1,311	3,077	1,782	1,295	3,077	1,856	1,310	3,166
Bonds3	28,958	50,620	79,578	24,596	48,767	73,363	27,671	53,659	81,330
Derivative assets	-	41,661	41,661	-	42,307	42,307	-	38,019	38,019
Property4	5,815	-	5,815	5,762	-	5,762	5,503	-	5,503
Loans	14	2,412	2,426	4	2,050	2,054	13	1,599	1,612
Financial investments	36,553	96,004	132,557	32,144	94,419	126,563	35,043	94,587	129,630
Cash and cash equivalents	202	3,128	3,330	213	3,101	3,314	163	4,072	4,235
Other assets	2,398	-	2,398	2,100	-	2,100	2,539	-	2,539
Total investments	39,153	99,132	138,285	34,457	97,520	131,977	37,745	98,659	136,404

1.    Direct investments, which generally constitute an agreement with another party, represent an exposure to untraded and often less volatile asset classes. Direct investments also include physical assets, bilateral loans and private equity, but excluded hedge funds.

2.    Traded securities are defined by exclusion. If an instrument is not a direct investment, then it is classed as a traded security.

3.    Bonds include lifetime mortgage loans of £5,761m (30 June 2023: £4,937m; 31 December 2023: £5,766m).

4.    A further breakdown of property is provided in Note 7.04.

 

 

7.02 Direct investments (continued)

(ii) Direct investments analysed by asset portfolio

 

				Annuity1	Other	Total
				30 Jun	30 Jun	30 Jun
				2024	2024	2024
				£m	£m	£m
Equities				832	934	1,766
Bonds2				27,080	1,878	28,958
Property				5,506	309	5,815
Loans				-	14	14
Financial investments				33,418	3,135	36,553
Other assets, cash and cash equivalents				725	1,875	2,600
Total direct investments				34,143	5,010	39,153

 

				Annuity1	Other	Total
				30 Jun	30 Jun	30 Jun
				2023	2023	2023
				£m	£m	£m
Equities				846	936	1,782
Bonds2				23,227	1,369	24,596
Property				5,515	247	5,762
Loans				-	4	4
Financial investments				29,588	2,556	32,144
Other assets, cash and cash equivalents				470	1,843	2,313
Total direct investments (Restated)				30,058	4,399	34,457

 

				Annuity1	Other	Total
				31 Dec	31 Dec	31 Dec
				2023	2023	2023
				£m	£m	£m
Equities				839	1,017	1,856
Bonds2				25,816	1,855	27,671
Property				5,269	234	5,503
Loans				-	13	13
Financial investments				31,924	3,119	35,043
Other assets, cash and cash equivalents				842	1,860	2,702
Total direct investments (Restated)				32,766	4,979	37,745

1.    Annuity includes products held within the Institutional Retirement and Retail Retirement annuity portfolios.

2.    Bonds include lifetime mortgage loans of £5,761m (30 June 2023: £4,937m; 31 December 2023: £5,766m).

 

 

7.03 Bond portfolio summary

(i) Sectors analysed by credit rating

 

					BB or
	AAA	AA	A	BBB	below	Other	Total2	Total2
As at 30 June 2024	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	%
Sovereigns, Supras and Sub-Sovereigns	525	9,878	997	136	1	3	11,540	15
Banks:
- Tier 1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
- Tier 2 and other subordinated	-	-	75	31	2	-	108	-
- Senior	-	1,984	3,580	856	1	-	6,421	8
- Covered	80	-	-	-	-	-	80	-
Financial Services:
- Tier 2 and other subordinated	-	104	150	15	7	8	284	-
- Senior	207	478	735	722	-	5	2,147	3
Insurance:
- Tier 2 and other subordinated	36	133	29	42	-	-	240	-
- Senior	30	185	406	354	-	-	975	1
Consumer Services and Goods:
- Cyclical	-	88	1,140	1,531	29	1	2,789	4
- Non-cyclical	296	773	2,744	2,683	63	1	6,560	8
- Healthcare	-	725	994	563	5	-	2,287	3
Infrastructure:
- Social	154	773	4,513	1,235	66	-	6,741	9
- Economic	-	455	1,122	4,104	48	22	5,751	7
Technology and Telecoms	85	481	1,182	2,439	11	6	4,204	5
Industrials	-	211	433	908	26	1	1,579	2
Utilities	514	403	4,711	3,727	8	-	9,363	12
Energy	-	25	498	1,414	33	-	1,970	2
Commodities	-	-	208	607	26	2	843	1
Oil and Gas	-	451	559	353	12	4	1,379	2
Real estate	-	27	2,293	2,337	82	-	4,739	6
Structured finance ABS / RMBS / CMBS / Other	874	780	1,283	756	52	20	3,765	5
Lifetime mortgage loans1	-	4,819	490	399	-	53	5,761	7
CDOs	-	41	-	11	-	-	52	-
Total £m	2,801	22,814	28,142	25,223	472	126	79,578	100
Total %	3	29	35	32	1	-	100

1.    The credit ratings attributed to lifetime mortgage loans are allocated in accordance with the internal Matching Adjustment structuring.

2.    The Group's bond portfolio is dominated by investments backing Institutional Retirement's and Retail Retirement's annuity business. These account for £75,474m, representing 95% of the total Group portfolio.

 

 

7.03 Bond portfolio summary (continued)

(i) Sectors analysed by credit rating (continued)

 

					BB or
	AAA	AA	A	BBB	below	Other	Total2	Total2
As at 30 June 2023 (Restated)	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	%
Sovereigns, Supras and Sub-Sovereigns	908	6,259	857	101	2	2	8,129	11
Banks:
- Tier 1	-	-	-	-	-	1	1	-
- Tier 2 and other subordinated	-	95	93	59	1	-	248	-
- Senior	-	1,488	2,995	820	-	-	5,303	7
- Covered	79	-	-	-	-	-	79	-
Financial Services:
- Tier 2 and other subordinated	-	449	160	22	7	4	642	1
- Senior	139	235	610	714	-	-	1,698	3
Insurance:
- Tier 2 and other subordinated	56	124	23	40	1	-	244	1
- Senior	9	183	294	393	-	-	879	1
Consumer Services and Goods:
- Cyclical	-	13	1,321	1,669	35	20	3,058	4
- Non-cyclical	293	836	2,988	3,075	78	-	7,270	10
- Healthcare	12	733	933	734	3	-	2,415	3
Infrastructure:
- Social	167	867	3,974	1,104	67	-	6,179	9
- Economic	264	148	967	3,758	59	-	5,196	7
Technology and Telecoms	121	331	1,382	2,610	12	3	4,459	6
Industrials	-	58	664	668	24	-	1,414	2
Utilities	547	660	4,546	4,612	17	-	10,382	14
Energy	-	13	370	916	32	-	1,331	2
Commodities	-	-	329	582	24	20	955	1
Oil and Gas	-	500	673	316	14	60	1,563	2
Real estate	-	20	2,171	2,066	31	-	4,288	6
Structured finance ABS / RMBS / CMBS / Other	565	912	538	575	45	8	2,643	3
Lifetime mortgage loans1	3,235	887	449	353	-	13	4,937	7
CDOs	-	40	-	10	-	-	50	-
Total £m	6,395	14,851	26,337	25,197	452	131	73,363	100
Total %	9	20	36	34	1	-	100

1.    The credit ratings attributed to lifetime mortgage loans are allocated in accordance with the internal Matching Adjustment structuring.

2.    The Group's bond portfolio is dominated by investments backing Institutional Retirement's and Retail Retirement's annuity business. These account for £70,278m, representing 96% of the total Group portfolio.

 

 

7.03 Bond portfolio summary (continued)

(i) Sectors analysed by credit rating (continued)

 

					BB or
	AAA	AA	A	BBB	below	Other	Total2	Total2
As at 31 December 2023 (Restated)	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	%
Sovereigns, Supras and Sub-Sovereigns	399	10,342	1,023	102	1	2	11,869	15
Banks:
- Tier 1	-	-	-	20	-	1	21	-
- Tier 2 and other subordinated	-	-	77	47	1	-	125	-
- Senior	-	1,656	4,270	824	1	-	6,751	8
- Covered	106	-	-	-	-	-	106	-
Financial Services:
- Tier 2 and other subordinated	-	74	57	17	7	3	158	-
- Senior	238	361	828	716	-	3	2,146	3
Insurance:
- Tier 1	-	-	-	9	-	-	9	-
- Tier 2 and other subordinated	31	131	32	44	-	-	238	-
- Senior	10	188	411	379	-	-	988	1
Consumer Services and Goods:
- Cyclical	-	46	1,174	1,843	25	21	3,109	4
- Non-cyclical	314	840	3,176	2,917	65	1	7,313	9
- Healthcare	12	697	1,060	668	4	-	2,441	3
Infrastructure:
- Social	163	822	4,333	1,135	71	-	6,524	8
- Economic	253	157	1,096	4,031	60	13	5,610	7
Technology and Telecoms	97	301	1,611	2,802	12	6	4,829	6
Industrials	-	58	593	651	25	1	1,328	2
Utilities	541	751	4,771	4,384	17	-	10,464	13
Energy	-	26	504	1,033	34	-	1,597	2
Commodities	-	-	210	630	24	21	885	1
Oil and Gas	-	501	618	326	13	59	1,517	2
Real estate	-	32	2,197	2,200	22	-	4,451	5
Structured finance ABS / RMBS / CMBS / Other	656	1,042	697	566	55	15	3,031	4
Lifetime mortgage loans1	-	4,835	504	402	-	25	5,766	7
CDOs	-	43	-	11	-	-	54	-
Total £m	2,820	22,903	29,242	25,757	437	171	81,330	100
Total %	3	28	36	32	1	-	100

1.    The credit ratings attributed to lifetime mortgage loans are allocated in accordance with the internal Matching Adjustment structuring.

2.    The Group's bond portfolio is dominated by investments backing Institutional Retirement's and Retail Retirement's annuity business. These account for £77,571m, representing 95% of the total Group portfolio.

 

 

7.03 Bond portfolio summary (continued)

(ii) Sectors analysed by domicile

 

				Rest of
	UK	US	EU	the World	Total
As at 30 June 2024	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Sovereigns, Supras and Sub-Sovereigns	8,382	1,859	888	411	11,540
Banks	1,618	2,267	1,438	1,286	6,609
Financial Services	419	1,002	764	246	2,431
Insurance	54	1,010	74	77	1,215
Consumer Services and Goods:
- Cyclical	423	1,917	257	192	2,789
- Non-cyclical	1,364	4,298	558	340	6,560
- Healthcare	279	1,956	52	-	2,287
Infrastructure:
- Social	5,866	648	154	73	6,741
- Economic	3,947	917	282	605	5,751
Technology and Telecoms	393	2,798	460	553	4,204
Industrials	225	999	307	48	1,579
Utilities	3,734	3,337	1,771	521	9,363
Energy	600	1,016	23	331	1,970
Commodities	53	381	119	290	843
Oil and Gas	284	351	425	319	1,379
Real estate	1,960	1,715	756	308	4,739
Structured finance ABS / RMBS / CMBS / Other	1,101	2,114	92	458	3,765
Lifetime mortgage loans	5,295	-	466	-	5,761
CDOs	-	-	-	52	52
Total	35,997	28,585	8,886	6,110	79,578

 

 

7.03 Bond portfolio summary (continued)            

(ii) Sectors analysed by domicile (continued)

 

				Rest of
	UK	US	EU	the World	Total
As at 30 June 2023	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Sovereigns, Supras and Sub-Sovereigns	6,127	1,283	266	453	8,129
Banks	1,521	1,979	1,021	1,110	5,631
Financial Services	302	595	1,266	177	2,340
Insurance	61	966	15	81	1,123
Consumer Services and Goods:
- Cyclical	335	2,155	360	208	3,058
- Non-cyclical	1,711	4,683	346	530	7,270
- Healthcare	278	2,078	59	-	2,415
Infrastructure:
- Social	5,269	690	144	76	6,179
- Economic	3,729	840	249	378	5,196
Technology and Telecoms	377	3,010	558	514	4,459
Industrials	194	783	295	142	1,414
Utilities	5,086	3,011	1,809	476	10,382
Energy	313	715	12	291	1,331
Commodities	46	402	132	375	955
Oil and Gas	248	425	542	348	1,563
Real estate	1,888	1,469	618	313	4,288
Structured Finance ABS / RMBS / CMBS / Other	678	1,497	46	422	2,643
Lifetime mortgage loans	4,871	-	66	-	4,937
CDOs	-	-	-	50	50
Total	33,034	26,581	7,804	5,944	73,363

 

 

7.03 Bond portfolio summary (continued)            

(ii) Sectors analysed by domicile (continued)

 

				Rest of
	UK	US	EU	the World	Total
As at 31 December 2023	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Sovereigns, Supras and Sub-Sovereigns	8,790	1,696	849	534	11,869
Banks	1,772	2,360	1,459	1,412	7,003
Financial Services	527	902	649	226	2,304
Insurance	64	1,015	75	81	1,235
Consumer Services and Goods:
- Cyclical	355	2,281	294	179	3,109
- Non-cyclical	1,891	4,697	379	346	7,313
- Healthcare	277	2,093	71	-	2,441
Infrastructure:
- Social	5,605	679	162	78	6,524
- Economic	3,968	909	267	466	5,610
Technology and Telecoms	448	3,226	566	589	4,829
Industrials	199	768	310	51	1,328
Utilities	4,654	3,334	1,951	525	10,464
Energy	335	887	23	352	1,597
Commodities	53	392	134	306	885
Oil and Gas	288	371	530	328	1,517
Real estate	1,955	1,658	539	299	4,451
Structured Finance ABS / RMBS / CMBS / Other	768	1,744	62	457	3,031
Lifetime mortgage loans	5,324	-	442	-	5,766
CDOs	-	-	-	54	54
Total	37,273	29,012	8,762	6,283	81,330

 

 

7.03 Bond portfolio summary (continued)            

(iii) Bond portfolio analysed by credit rating

 

				Externally	Internally
				rated	rated1	Total
As at 30 June 2024				£m	£m	£m
AAA				2,315	486	2,801
AA				16,328	6,486	22,814
A				16,612	11,530	28,142
BBB				16,280	8,943	25,223
BB or below				245	227	472
Other				23	103	126
Total				51,803	27,775	79,578

 

				Externally	Internally
				rated	rated1	Total
As at 30 June 2023				£m	£m	£m
AAA				2,828	3,567	6,395
AA				12,285	2,566	14,851
A				16,753	9,584	26,337
BBB				17,781	7,416	25,197
BB or below				219	233	452
Other				16	115	131
Total				49,882	23,481	73,363

 

				Externally	Internally
				rated	rated1	Total
As at 31 December 2023				£m	£m	£m
AAA				2,373	447	2,820
AA				16,323	6,580	22,903
A				18,365	10,877	29,242
BBB				18,458	7,299	25,757
BB or below				195	242	437
Other				20	151	171
Total				55,734	25,596	81,330

1.    Where external ratings are not available an internal rating has been used where practicable to do so.

 

 

7.03 Bond portfolio summary (continued)            

(iv) Sectors analysed by direct investments and traded securities

 

			Direct
			investments	Traded	Total
As at 30 June 2024			£m	£m	£m
Sovereigns, Supras and Sub-Sovereigns			1,473	10,067	11,540
Banks			1,234	5,375	6,609
Financial Services			1,524	907	2,431
Insurance			149	1,066	1,215
Consumer Services and Goods:
- Cyclical			535	2,254	2,789
- Non-cyclical			688	5,872	6,560
- Healthcare			516	1,771	2,287
Infrastructure:
- Social			4,090	2,651	6,741
- Economic			4,205	1,546	5,751
Technology and Telecoms			285	3,919	4,204
Industrials			257	1,322	1,579
Utilities			2,586	6,777	9,363
Energy			794	1,176	1,970
Commodities			142	701	843
Oil and Gas			94	1,285	1,379
Real estate			2,864	1,875	4,739
Structured finance ABS / RMBS / CMBS / Other			1,761	2,004	3,765
Lifetime mortgage loans			5,761	-	5,761
CDOs			-	52	52
Total			28,958	50,620	79,578

 

 

7.03 Bond portfolio summary (continued)            

(iv) Sectors analysed by direct investments and traded securities (continued)

 

			Direct
			investments	Traded	Total
As at 30 June 2023			£m	£m	£m
Sovereigns, Supras and Sub-Sovereigns			659	7,470	8,129
Banks			829	4,802	5,631
Financial Services			1,737	603	2,340
Insurance			98	1,025	1,123
Consumer Services and Goods:
- Cyclical			641	2,417	3,058
- Non-cyclical			629	6,641	7,270
- Healthcare			512	1,903	2,415
Infrastructure:
- Social			3,630	2,549	6,179
- Economic			3,945	1,251	5,196
Technology and Telecoms			213	4,246	4,459
Industrials			125	1,289	1,414
Utilities			1,960	8,422	10,382
Energy			460	871	1,331
Commodities			139	816	955
Oil and Gas			84	1,479	1,563
Real estate			2,857	1,431	4,288
Structured Finance ABS / RMBS / CMBS / Other			1,141	1,502	2,643
Lifetime mortgage loans			4,937	-	4,937
CDOs			-	50	50
Total			24,596	48,767	73,363

 

 

7.03 Bond portfolio summary (continued)            

(iv) Sectors analysed by direct investments and traded securities (continued)

 

			Direct
			investments	Traded	Total
As at 31 December 2023			£m	£m	£m
Sovereigns, Supras and Sub-Sovereigns			1,257	10,612	11,869
Banks			1,228	5,775	7,003
Financial Services			1,481	823	2,304
Insurance			160	1,075	1,235
Consumer Services and Goods:
- Cyclical			550	2,559	3,109
- Non-cyclical			1,017	6,296	7,313
- Healthcare			517	1,924	2,441
Infrastructure:
- Social			3,836	2,688	6,524
- Economic			4,231	1,379	5,610
Technology and Telecoms			307	4,522	4,829
Industrials			127	1,201	1,328
Utilities			2,370	8,094	10,464
Energy			521	1,076	1,597
Commodities			145	740	885
Oil and Gas			102	1,415	1,517
Real estate			2,763	1,688	4,451
Structured Finance ABS / RMBS / CMBS / Other			1,293	1,738	3,031
Lifetime mortgage loans			5,766	-	5,766
CDOs			-	54	54
Total			27,671	53,659	81,330

 

 

7.04 Property analysis

Property exposure within Direct investments by status

 

				Annuity	Other1	Total
As at 30 June 2024				£m	£m	£m	%
Fully let2				4,927	96	5,023	86
Development				579	179	758	13
Land				-	34	34	1
Total				5,506	309	5,815	100

 

				Restated	Restated
				Annuity	Other1	Total
As at 30 June 2023				£m	£m	£m	%
Fully let2				4,958	100	5,058	87
Development				557	111	668	12
Land				-	36	36	1
Total				5,515	247	5,762	100

 

				Restated	Restated
				Annuity	Other1	Total
As at 31 December 2023				£m	£m	£m	%
Fully let2				4,809	96	4,905	89
Development				460	104	564	10
Land				-	34	34	1
Total				5,269	234	5,503	100

1.    The above analysis does not include assets related to the Group's investments in CALA Homes and other housing businesses, which are accounted for as inventory within Receivables and other assets on the Group's Consolidated Balance Sheet and measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. At 30 June 2024, the Group held a total of £2,084m (30 June 2023: £2,022m; 31 December 2023: £1,932m) of such assets.

2.    £4.0bn (30 June 2023: £4.4bn; 31 December 2023: £4.2bn) fully let property were let to corporate clients, out of which £3.9bn (30 June 2023: £3.9bn; 31 December 2023: £3.7bn) were let to investment grade tenants.

 

 

Alternative Performance Measures

 

An alternative performance measure (APM) is a financial measure of historic or future financial performance, financial position, or cash flows, other than a financial measure defined under IFRS or the regulations of Solvency II. APMs offer investors and stakeholders additional information on the company's performance and the financial effect of 'one-off' events, and the Group uses a range of these metrics to enhance understanding of the Group's performance. However, APMs should be viewed as complementary to, rather than as a substitute for, the figures determined according to other regulations. The APMs used by the Group are listed in this Note, along with their definition/explanation, their closest IFRS or Solvency II measure and, where relevant, the reference to the reconciliations to those measures.

 

The APMs used by the Group may not be the same as, or comparable to, those used by other companies, both in similar and different industries. The calculation of APMs is consistent with previous periods, unless otherwise stated.

 

APMs derived from IFRS measures

 

Adjusted operating profit

 

Adjusted operating profit is an APM that supports the internal performance management and decision making of the Group's operating businesses, and accordingly underpins the remuneration outcomes of the executive directors and senior management. The Group considers this measure meaningful to stakeholders as it enhances the understanding of the Group's operating performance over time by separately identifying non-operating items.

 

Following the recent refresh of the Group's strategy and the segmentation changes described in Note 2.01, the Group has updated the application of its methodology for the determination of adjusted operating profit for assets allocated to the Asset Management and Corporate Investments segments, in order to simplify and harmonise the methodology across the segments. As part of the update, in order to calculate operating profit for direct investments, a long-term expected investment return is now applied to most private market and non-traded assets. In previous periods, this approach only applied to assets under construction contracted to be sold or for other commercial usage, and early-stage ventures not yet at a steady-state level of earnings. The update has not had a material impact on the comparative adjusted operating profit of each segment, and therefore has not led to a restatement. 

 

Adjusted operating profit measures the pre-tax result excluding the impact of investment volatility, economic assumption changes caused by changes in market conditions or expectations, and exceptional items. Adjusted operating profit for insurance contracts primarily reflects the release of profit from the contractual service margin and risk adjustment in the period (adjusted for reinsurance mismatches), the unwind of the discount rate used in the calculation of the insurance liabilities and incurred expenses that are not directly attributable to the insurance contracts.

 

Reinsurance mismatches can arise where the reinsurance offset rules in IFRS 17 do not reflect management's view of the net of reinsurance transaction. In particular, during a year of reinsurance renegotiation, reinsurance gains cannot be recognised to offset any inception losses on the underlying contracts where they are recognised before the new reinsurance agreement is signed. In these circumstances, the onerous contract losses are reduced to reflect the net loss (if any) after reinsurance, and future contractual service margin (CSM) amortisation is reduced over the duration of the contracts.

 

To remove investment volatility, adjusted operating profit reflects long-term expected investment returns on the substantial majority of investments held by the Group, including both traded and private market investments. For the remainder of the asset portfolio, including certain operational businesses in the Asset Management division and CALA Homes, no adjustments are made to exclude investment volatility. The investment margin for insurance business therefore reflects the expected investment return above the unwind of the insurance liability discount rate.

 

The long-term expected investment return reflects the best estimate of the long-term return at the start of the year, as follows:

 

·      Expected returns for traded equity, commercial property and residential property (including lifetime mortgages) are based on market consensus forecasts and long-term historic average returns expected to apply through the cycle. 

·      Assumptions for fixed interest securities measured at FVTPL are based on asset yields for the assets held, less an adjustment for credit risk (assessed on a best estimate basis). Where securities are measured at amortised cost or FVOCI, the expected investment return comprises interest income on an effective interest rate basis.

·      For other private market and non-traded assets, the expected return assumption is set in line with our investment objectives. Rates of return specific to each asset are determined at the point of underwriting and reviewed and updated annually. The expected investment return includes current financial assumptions as well as sector specific assumptions, including retail and commercial property yields and power prices where appropriate.

 

Variances between actual and long-term expected investment returns are excluded from adjusted operating profit, as are economic assumption changes to insurance contract liabilities caused by movements in market conditions or expectations (e.g. credit default and inflation), and any difference between the actual allocated asset mix and the target long-term asset mix on new pension risk transfer business. Assets held for future new pension risk transfer business are excluded from the asset portfolio used to determine the discount rate for annuities on insurance contract liabilities. The impact of investment management actions that optimise the yield of the assets backing the back book of annuity contracts is included within adjusted operating profit.

 

Exceptional income and expenses which arise outside the normal course of business in the year, such as merger and acquisition and start-up costs, are excluded from adjusted operating profit.

 

Note 2.02 Operating profit reconciles adjusted operating profit with its closest IFRS measure, which is profit before tax attributable to equity holders. Further details on reconciling items between adjusted operating profit and profit before tax attributable to equity holders are presented in Note 2.05 Investment and other variances.

 

Core operating profit

 

Core operating profit is an APM that measures the operating performance of the Group's core business and is calculated as the Group's adjusted operating profit excluding the operating profit of the Corporate Investments Unit. This measure is considered to be relevant for stakeholders in addition to adjusted operating profit, as it focuses on appraising the performance of those areas of the business that management considers to be key to achieving the Group's strategy. 

 

Note 2.02 Operating profit provides a breakdown of adjusted operating profit and identifies what is represented by core operating profit in line with the definition above.

 

Core earnings per share (Core EPS)

 

Core EPS is calculated as core operating profit less coupon payable in respect of restricted Tier 1 convertible notes, all after allocated tax at the standard UK corporate tax rate, divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. This APM is therefore a measure of the performance of the Group, on an after allocated tax basis, excluding the contribution of the Corporate Investments Unit and the impact of investment volatility, economic assumption changes caused by changes in market conditions or expectations, and exceptional items. Note 2.07 reconciles core EPS to basic EPS.

 

Return on Equity (ROE)

 

ROE measures the return earned by shareholders on shareholder capital retained within the business. It is a measure of performance of the business, which shows how efficiently we are using our financial resources to generate a return for shareholders. ROE is calculated as IFRS profit after tax divided by average IFRS shareholders' funds (by reference to opening and closing equity attributable to the owners of the parent as provided in the IFRS Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the period). In the current period, ROE was quantified using annualised profit attributable to equity holders of £446m (30 June 2023: £754m; 31 December 2023: £457m) and average equity attributable to the owners of the parent of £3,897m (30 June 2023: £4,839m; 31 December 2023: £4,699m), based on an opening balance of £4,331m and a closing balance of £3,463m (30 June 2023: based on an opening balance of £5,067m and a closing balance of £4,610m; 31 December 2023: based on an opening balance of £5,067m and a closing balance of £4,331m).

 

Operating Return on Equity (Operating ROE)

 

Operating ROE is calculated as the Group's adjusted operating profit after allocated tax at the standard UK corporate tax rate divided by average IFRS shareholders' funds (by reference to opening and closing equity attributable to the owners of the parent as provided in the IFRS Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the period). It therefore measures the after allocated tax return for shareholders generated by the Group, excluding the impact of investment volatility, economic assumption changes caused by changes in market conditions or expectations, and exceptional items. In the current period, operating ROE was quantified using annualised adjusted profit after tax of £1,380m (30 June 2023: £1,386m; 31 December 2023: £1,250m) and average equity attributable to the owners of the parent of £3,897m (30 June 2023: £4,839m; 31 December 2023: £4,699m), based on an opening balance of £4,331m and a closing balance of £3,463m (30 June 2023: based on an opening balance of £5,067m and a closing balance of £4,610m; 31 December 2023: based on an opening balance of £5,067m and a closing balance of £4,331m).

 

Assets under Management (AUM)

 

Assets under management represent funds which are managed by our fund managers on behalf of investors. It represents the total amount of money investors have trusted with our fund managers to invest across our investment products. AUM include assets which are reported in the Group Consolidated Balance Sheet as well as third-party assets that Asset Management manage on behalf of others, and assets managed by third parties on behalf of the Group.

 

Following the implementation of the new divisional organisation announced on 12 June 2024, and the creation of a single Asset Management division bringing LGIM and LGC together, the determination of AUM has been updated to also include external assets managed by fund managers classified as associates and joint ventures in line with IAS 28, 'Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures'.

 

Note 5.03 Reconciliation of assets under management to Consolidated Balance Sheet reconciles Total AUM with Total financial investments, investment property and cash and cash equivalents.

 

Adjusted profit before tax attributable to equity holders

 

Adjusted profit before tax attributable to equity holders is equal to profit before tax attributable to equity holders plus the pre-tax results of discontinued operations.

 

Note 2.02 Operating profit reconciles adjusted profit before tax attributable to equity holders to profit for the year. In absence of discontinued operations, adjusted profit before tax attributable to equity holders is equal to profit before tax attributable to equity holders.

 

APMs derived from Solvency II measures

 

The Group is required to measure and monitor its capital resources on a regulatory basis and to comply with the minimum capital requirements of regulators in each territory in which it operates. At a Group level, Legal & General has to comply with the requirements established by the Solvency II Framework Directive, as adopted by the PRA.

 

Solvency II surplus

 

Solvency II surplus is the excess of Eligible Own Funds over the Solvency Capital Requirements. It represents the amount of capital available to the Group in excess of that required to sustain it in a 1-in-200 year risk event. The Group's Solvency II surplus is based on the Partial Internal Model, Matching Adjustment and Transitional Measures on Technical Provisions (TMTP).

 

Differences between the Solvency II surplus and its related regulatory basis include the impact of TMTP recalculation when it is not approved by the PRA, incorporating impacts of economic conditions as at the reporting date, and the inclusion of unaudited profits (or losses) of financial firms, which are excluded from regulatory Own Funds. This view of Solvency II is considered to be representative of the shareholder risk exposure and the Group's real ability to cover the Solvency Capital Requirement (SCR) with Eligible Own Funds. It also aligns with management's approach to dynamically manage its capital position.

 

Further details on Solvency II surplus and its calculation are included in Note 6.01 Group regulatory capital - Solvency II. This note also includes a reconciliation between IFRS equity and Solvency II Own Funds.

 

Solvency II capital coverage ratio

 

Solvency II capital coverage ratio is one of the indicators of the Group's balance sheet strength. It is determined as Eligible Own Funds divided by the SCR, and therefore represents the number of times the SCR is covered by Eligible Own Funds. The Group's Solvency II capital coverage ratio is based on the Partial Internal Model, Matching Adjustment and TMTP.

 

Differences between the Solvency II capital coverage ratio and its related regulatory basis include the impact of TMTP recalculation when it is not approved by the PRA, incorporating impacts of economic conditions as at the reporting date, and the inclusion of unaudited profits (or losses) of financial firms, which are excluded from regulatory Own Funds. This view of Solvency II is considered to be representative of the shareholder risk exposure and the Group's real ability to cover the SCR with Eligible Own Funds. It also aligns with management's approach to dynamically manage its capital position.

 

Further details on Solvency II capital coverage ratio and its calculation are included in Note 6.01 Group regulatory capital - Solvency II.

 

Solvency II operational surplus generation

 

Solvency II operational surplus generation is the expected surplus generated from the assets and liabilities in-force at the start of the year. It is based on assumed real world returns and best estimate non-market assumptions, and it includes the impact of management actions to the extent that, at the start of the year, these were reasonably expected to be implemented over the year.

 

It excludes operating variances, such as the impact of experience variances, changes to valuation assumptions, methodology changes and other management actions including changes in asset mix. It also excludes market movements, which represent the impact of changes in investment market conditions during the period and changes to future economic assumptions. The Group considers this measure meaningful to stakeholders as it enhances the understanding of its operating performance over time and serves as an indicator on the longer-term components of the movements in the Group's Solvency II surplus.

 

Note 6.01 Group regulatory capital - Solvency II includes an analysis of change for the Group's Solvency II surplus, showing the contribution of Solvency II operational surplus generation as well as other items to the Solvency II surplus during the reporting period.

 

Glossary

 

* These items represent an alternative performance measure (APM).

 

Adjusted operating profit*

 

Refer to the alternative performance measures section.

 

Adjusted profit before tax attributable to equity holders*

 

Refer to the alternative performance measures section.

 

Alternative performance measures (APMs)

 

A financial measure of historic or future financial performance, financial position, or cash flows, other than a financial measure defined under IFRS or the regulations of Solvency II. 

 

Annual premiums

 

Premiums that are paid regularly over the duration of the contract such as protection policies.

 

Annualised net new revenue (ANNR)

 

ANNR provides an insight into the organic growth of an asset manager, excluding the impact of investment markets. It reflects the combined effect of inflows and outflows to assets under management and the fee rates on those flows.

 

ANNR is calculated as the annualised revenue on new monies invested by our Asset Management clients in the year, minus the annualised revenue on existing monies divested by our clients in the year, plus or minus the annualised revenue on switches between asset classes/strategies by our clients in the year. Annualised revenue is the amount of investment management fees we would expect on the fund flow in one calendar year.

 

Annuity

 

Regular payments from an insurance company made for an agreed period of time (usually up to the death of the recipient) in return for either a cash lump sum or a series of premiums which the policyholder has paid to the insurance company during their working lifetime.

 

Assets under administration (AUA)

 

Assets administered by Legal & General, which are beneficially owned by clients and are therefore not reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Services provided in respect of assets under administration are of an administrative nature, including safekeeping, collecting investment income, settling purchase and sales transactions and record keeping.

 

Assets under management (AUM)*

 

Refer to the alternative performance measures section.

 

Assured Payment Policy (APP)

 

A long-term contract under which the policyholder (a registered UK pension scheme) pays a day-one premium and in return receives a contractually fixed and/or inflation-linked set of payments over time from the insurer.

 

Back book acquisition

 

New business transacted with an insurance company which allows the business to continue to utilise Solvency II transitional measures associated with the business.

 

CAGR

 

Compound annual growth rate.

 

Common Contractual Fund (CCF)

 

An Irish regulated asset pooling fund structure. It enables institutional investors to pool assets into a single fund vehicle with the aim of achieving cost savings, enhanced returns and operational efficiency through economies of scale. A CCF is an unincorporated body established under a deed where investors are "co-owners" of underlying assets which are held pro rata with their investment. The CCF is authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

 

Contract boundaries

 

Cash flows are within the boundary of an insurance contract if they arise from substantive rights and obligations that exist during the reporting period in which the Group can compel the policyholder to pay the premiums or has a substantive obligation to provide the policyholder with insurance contract services.

 

Contractual Service Margin (CSM)

 

The CSM represents the unearned profit the Group will recognise for a group of insurance contracts, as it provides services under the insurance contract. It is a component of the asset or liability for the contracts and it results in no income or expense arising from initial recognition of an insurance contract. Therefore, together with the risk adjustment, the CSM provides a view of both stored value of our in-force insurance business, and the growth derived from new business in the current year. A CSM is not set up for groups of contracts assessed as onerous.

 

The CSM is released as profit as the insurance services are provided.

 

Core earnings per share (Core EPS)*

 

Refer to the alternative performance measures section.

 

Core operating profit*

 

Refer to the alternative performance measures section.

 

Coverage Period

 

The period during which the Group provides insurance contract services. This period includes the insurance contract services that relate to all premiums within the boundary of the insurance contract.

 

Credit rating

 

A measure of the ability of an individual, organisation or country to repay debt. The highest rating is usually AAA. Ratings are usually issued by a credit rating agency (e.g. Moody's or Standard & Poor's) or a credit bureau.

 

Deduction and aggregation (D&A)

 

A method of calculating Group solvency on a Solvency II basis, whereby the assets and liabilities of certain entities are excluded from the Group consolidation. The net contribution from those entities to Group Own Funds is included as an asset on the Group's Solvency II balance sheet. Regulatory approval has been provided to recognise the (re)insurance subsidiaries in the US and Bermuda on this basis.

 

Defined benefit pension scheme (DB scheme)

 

A type of pension plan in which an employer/sponsor promises a specified monthly benefit on retirement that is predetermined by a formula based on the employee's earnings history, tenure of service and age, rather than depending directly on individual investment returns.

 

Defined contribution pension scheme (DC scheme)

 

A type of pension plan where the pension benefits at retirement are determined by agreed levels of contributions paid into the fund by the member and employer. They provide benefits based upon the money held in each individual's plan specifically on behalf of each member. The amount in each plan at retirement will depend upon the investment returns achieved as well as the member and employer contributions.

 

Derivatives

 

Contracts usually giving a commitment or right to buy or sell assets on specified conditions, for example on a set date in the future and at a set price. The value of a derivative contract can vary. Derivatives can generally be used with the aim of enhancing the overall investment returns of a fund by taking on an increased risk, or they can be used with the aim of reducing the amount of risk to which a fund is exposed.

 

Direct investments

 

Direct investments, which generally constitute an agreement with another party, represent an exposure to untraded and often less volatile asset classes. Direct investments also include physical assets, bilateral loans and private equity, but exclude hedge funds.

 

Earnings per share (EPS)

 

A common financial metric which can be used to measure the profitability and strength of a company over time. It is calculated as total shareholder profit after tax divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year.

 

Eligible Own Funds

 

The capital available to cover the Group's Solvency Capital Requirement. Eligible Own Funds comprise the excess of the value of assets over liabilities, as valued on a Solvency II basis, plus high quality hybrid capital instruments, which are freely available (fungible and transferable) to absorb losses wherever they occur across the Group. 

 

Employee satisfaction index

 

The Employee satisfaction index measures the extent to which employees report that they are happy working at Legal & General. It is measured as part of our Voice surveys, which also include questions on commitment to the goals of Legal & General and the overall success of the company.

 

ETF

 

Our Asset Management division's European Exchange Traded Fund platform.

 

Euro Commercial Paper

 

Short-term borrowings with maturities of up to 1 year typically issued for working capital purposes.

 

Expected credit losses (ECL)

 

For financial assets measured at amortised cost or FVOCI, a loss allowance defined as the present value of the difference between all contractual cash flows that are due and all cash flows expected to be received (i.e. the cash shortfall), weighted based on their probability of occurrence.

 

Fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)

 

A financial asset that is measured at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and reports gains and losses arising from movements in fair value within the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as part of the total comprehensive income or expense for the year.

 

Fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

 

A financial asset or financial liability that is measured at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and reports gains and losses arising from movements in fair value within the Consolidated Income Statement as part of the profit or loss for the year.

 

Fulfilment cash flows

 

Fulfilment cash flows comprise unbiased and probability-weighted estimates of future cash flows, discounted to present value to reflect the time value of money and financial risks, plus the risk adjustment for non-financial risk.

 

Full year dividend

 

Full year dividend is the total dividend per share declared for the year (including interim dividend but excluding, where appropriate, any special dividend).

 

Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)

 

A widely accepted collection of guidelines and principles, established by accounting standard setters and used by the accounting community to report financial information.

 

Institutional Retirement new business

 

Single premiums arising from pension risk transfers and the notional size of longevity insurance transactions, based on the present value of the fixed leg cash flows discounted at the SONIA curve.

 

Insurance new business

 

New business arising from new policies written on retail protection products and new deals and incremental business on Group protection products.

 

Irish Collective Asset-Management Vehicle (ICAV)

 

A legal structure investment fund, based in Ireland and aimed at European investment funds looking for a simple, tax-efficient investment vehicle.

 

Key performance indicators (KPIs)

 

These are measures by which the development, performance or position of the business can be measured effectively. The Group Board reviews the KPIs annually and updates them where appropriate.

 

LGA

 

Legal & General America.

 

LGAS

 

Legal and General Assurance Society Limited.

 

Liability driven investment (LDI)

 

A form of investing in which the main goal is to gain sufficient assets to meet all liabilities, both current and future. This form of investing is most prominent in final salary pension plans, whose liabilities can often reach into billions of pounds for the largest of plans.

 

Lifetime mortgages

 

An equity release product aimed at people aged 55 years and over. It is a mortgage loan secured against the customer's house. Customers do not make any monthly payments and continue to own and live in their house until they move into long-term care or on death. A no negative equity guarantee exists such that if the house value on repayment is insufficient to cover the outstanding loan, any shortfall is borne by the lender.

 

Longevity

 

Measure of how long policyholders will live, which affects the risk profile of pension risk transfer, annuity and protection businesses.

 

Matching adjustment

 

An adjustment to the discount rate used for annuity liabilities in Solvency II balance sheets. This adjustment reflects the fact that the profile of assets held is sufficiently well-matched to the profile of the liabilities, that those assets can be held to maturity, and that any excess return over risk-free (that is not related to defaults) can be earned regardless of asset value fluctuations after purchase.

 

Morbidity rate

 

Rate of illness, influenced by age, gender and health, used in pricing and calculating liabilities for policyholders of life products, which contain morbidity risk.

 

Mortality rate

 

Rate of death, influenced by age, gender and health, used in pricing and calculating liabilities for future policyholders of life and annuity products, which contain mortality risks.

 

Net zero carbon

 

Achieving an overall balance between anthropogenic carbon emissions produced and carbon emissions removed from the atmosphere.

 

Onerous contracts

 

An insurance contract is onerous at the date of initial recognition if the fulfilment cash flows allocated to the contract, any previously recognised acquisition cash flows and any cash flows arising from the contract at the date of initial recognition, in total are a net outflow.

 

Open Ended Investment Company (OEIC)

 

A type of investment fund domiciled in the United Kingdom that is structured to invest in stocks and other securities, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 

 

Operating Return on Equity (Operating ROE)*

 

Refer to the alternative performance measures section.

 

Overlay assets

 

Derivative assets that are managed alongside the physical assets held by the Group's Asset Management's division. These instruments include interest rate swaps, inflation swaps, equity futures and options. These are typically used to hedge risks associated with pension scheme assets during the derisking stage of the pension life cycle.

 

Paris Agreement

 

An agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change effective 4 November 2016. The Agreement aims to limit the increase in average global temperatures to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.

 

Pension risk transfer (PRT)

 

Bulk annuities bought by entities that run final salary pension schemes to reduce their responsibilities by closing the schemes to new members and passing the assets and obligations to insurance providers.

 

Persistency

 

Persistency is a measure of Asset Management client asset retention, calculated as a function of net flows and closing AUM.

 

For insurance, persistency is the rate at which policies are retained over time and therefore continue to contribute premium income and assets under management.

 

Platform

 

Online services used by intermediaries and consumers to view and administer their investment portfolios. Platforms usually provide facilities for buying and selling investments (including, in the UK products such as Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) and life insurance) and for viewing an individual's entire portfolio to assess asset allocation and risk exposure.

 

Present value of future new business premiums (PVNBP)

 

PVNBP is equivalent to total single premiums plus the discounted value of annual premiums expected to be received over the term of the contracts using the same economic and operating assumptions used for the new business value at the end of the financial period. The discounted value of longevity insurance regular premiums and quota share reinsurance single premiums are calculated on a net of reinsurance basis to enable a more representative margin figure. PVNBP therefore provides an estimate of the present value of the premiums associated with new business written in the year.

 

Private Markets

 

Private Markets encompass a wide variety of tangible debt and equity investments, primarily real estate, infrastructure and energy. They have the ability to serve as stable sources of long-term income in weak markets, while also providing capital appreciation opportunities in strong markets.

 

Proprietary assets

 

Total investments to which shareholders are directly exposed, minus derivative assets, loans, and cash and cash equivalents.

 

Qualifying Investor Alternative Investment Fund (QIAIF)

 

An alternative investment fund regulated in Ireland targeted at sophisticated and institutional investors, with minimum subscription and eligibility requirements. Due to not being subject to many investment or borrowing restrictions, QIAIFs present a high level of flexibility in their investment strategy.

 

Retail Retirement new business

 

Single premiums arising from annuity sales and individual annuity back book acquisitions and the volume of lifetime and retirement interest only mortgage lending.

 

Retirement Interest Only Mortgage (RIO)

 

A standard retirement mortgage available for non-commercial borrowers above 55 years old. A RIO mortgage is very similar to a standard interest-only mortgage, with two key differences:

- The loan is usually only paid off on death, move into long-term care or sale of the house.

- The borrowers only have to prove they can afford the monthly interest repayments and not the capital remaining at the end of the mortgage term.

No repayment solution is required as repayment defaults to sale of property.

 

Return on Equity (ROE)*

 

Refer to the alternative performance measures section.

 

Risk adjustment

 

The risk adjustment reflects the compensation that the Group would require for bearing uncertainty about the amount and timing of the cash flows that arises from non-financial risk after diversification. We have calibrated the Group's risk adjustment using a Value at Risk (VAR) methodology. In some cases, the compensation for risk on reinsured business is linked directly to the price paid for reinsurance. The risk adjustment is a component of the insurance contract liability, and it is released as profit if experience plays out as expected.

 

Risk appetite

 

The aggregate level and types of risk a company is willing to assume in its exposures and business activities in order to achieve its business objectives.

 

Single premiums

 

Single premiums arise on the sale of new contracts where the terms of the policy do not anticipate more than one premium being paid over its lifetime, such as in individual and bulk annuity deals.

 

Société d'Investissement à Capital Variable (SICAV)

 

A publicly traded open-end investment fund structure offered in Europe and regulated under European law.

 

Solvency II

 

These are insurance regulations designed to harmonise EU insurance regulation. Primarily this concerns the amount of capital that European insurance companies must hold under a measure of capital and risk. Solvency II became effective from 1 January 2016. The Group complies with the requirements established by the Solvency II Framework Directive, as adopted by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) in the UK, and measures and monitors its capital resources on this basis.

 

Solvency II capital coverage ratio*

 

Refer to the alternative performance measures section.

 

Solvency II capital coverage ratio - regulatory basis

 

The Eligible Own Funds on a regulatory basis divided by the Group solvency capital requirement. This represents the number of times the SCR is covered by Eligible Own Funds.

 

Solvency II new business contribution

 

Reflects present value at the point of sale of expected future Solvency II surplus emerging from new business written in the period using the risk discount rate applicable at the end of the reporting period.

 

Solvency II Operational Surplus Generation*

 

Refer to the alternative performance measures section.

 

Solvency II risk margin

 

An additional liability required in the Solvency II balance sheet, to ensure the total value of technical provisions is equal to the current amount a (re)insurer would have to pay if it were to transfer its insurance and reinsurance obligations immediately to another (re)insurer. The value of the risk margin represents the cost of providing an amount of Eligible Own Funds equal to the Solvency Capital Requirement (relating to non-market risks) necessary to support the insurance and reinsurance obligations over the lifetime thereof.

 

Solvency II surplus*

 

Refer to the alternative performance measures section.

 

Solvency II surplus - regulatory basis

 

The excess of Eligible Own Funds on a regulatory basis over the SCR. This represents the amount of capital available to the company in excess of that required to sustain it in a 1-in-200 year risk event.

 

Solvency Capital Requirement (SCR)

 

The amount of Solvency II capital required to cover the losses occurring in a 1-in-200 year risk event.

 

Specialised Investment Fund (SIF)

 

An investment vehicle regulated in Luxembourg targeted to well-informed investors, providing a great degree of flexibility in organization, investment policy and types of underlying assets in which it can invest.

 

Total shareholder return (TSR)

 

A measure used to compare the performance of different companies' stocks and shares over time. It combines the share price appreciation and dividends paid to show the total return to the shareholder.

 

Transitional Measures on Technical Provisions (TMTP)

 

An adjustment to Solvency II technical provisions to bring them into line with the pre-Solvency II equivalent as at 1 January 2016 when the regulatory basis switched over, to smooth the introduction of the new regime. This decreases linearly over the 16 years following Solvency II implementation but may be recalculated to allow for changes impacting the relevant business, subject to agreement with the PRA.

 

Yield

 

A measure of the income received from an investment compared to the price paid for the investment. It is usually expressed as a percentage.