Press releases

Half Year 2024 Results: Stable core operating profit, strong solvency at 223%, good progress on private markets fund launches

7 Aug 2024


Full press release and analyst pack

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António Simões, CEO: “These results reflect the ongoing strength of our business, with core operating profit slightly ahead of the prior year and a solvency coverage ratio of 223%. We continue to expect 2024 core operating profit to grow by mid-single digits year-on-year.

At our Capital Markets event in June we set out our strategy to deliver L&G’s next phase of sustainable growth and enhanced returns, through focused capital allocation and rigour in execution. We are pleased to announce a 5% increase in interim dividends per share, and progress in undertaking a £200m share buyback, consistent with our new capital return framework.

We are making clear progress on delivering against our strategy, notably in the establishment of a single asset manager. We have good momentum in private markets, launching a new fund to offer diversified exposure to Defined Contribution pension scheme members, and establishing our affordable housing fund, leveraging pension capital to build new homes.

These developments are important steps forward for L&G, reflecting our commitment to helping address the long-term investment needs of individuals and society, and create compelling opportunities for partners to invest alongside us to generate positive change. We are encouraged by the action being taken here in the UK to drive institutional capital towards productive assets, alongside progress on addressing structural barriers to investment, such as the planning system.

Looking ahead, we are well positioned to continue to execute our strategy with pace and ambition, delivering growth and value for all our stakeholders.”

Stable financial performance1
  • Core operating profit of £849m (H1 2023: £844m)
  • Core operating EPS of 10.58p (H1 2023: 10.52p)
  • Operating ROE of 35.4% (H1 2023: 28.6%)
  • Profit after tax2 of £223m (H1 2023: £377m)
  • Asset Management AUM of £1,136bn (H1 2023: £1,170bn) of which Private Markets £52bn (H1 2023: £48bn)
  • Solvency II capital generation of £897m (H1 2023: £947m)
  • Solvency II coverage ratio3 of 223% with surplus of £8.8bn (FY 2023: 224%, £9.2bn)
  • Interim dividends per share of 6.00p, up 5% (H1 2023: 5.71p)
Growth in our store of future profit: up 7% to £14.5bn4
  • £5bn of PRT written or exclusive year to date; £24bn+ of active UK PRT deals5
  • Record Retail volumes in individual annuities and US protection; continued growth in Workplace DC:
    • £1.2bn of individual annuities, more than double that of the prior year (H1 2023: £575m)
    • $103m of US protection new business premium, up 18% (H1 2023: $87m)
    • Workplace DC net flows of £3.2bn, up 7% (H1 2023: £3.0bn)
  • New business CSM contributed £326m (H1 2023: £475m), reflecting lower PRT volumes
  • CSM has grown 8% to £13.0bn (H1 2023: £12.0bn)

  1. The Group uses a number of Alternative Performance Measures to enhance understanding of the Group’s performance. These are defined in the glossary, on pages 87-92.
  2. Profit after tax attributable to equity holders.
  3. Solvency II coverage ratio before the payment of 2024 interim dividend and after the £200m buyback.
  4. Store of future profit refers to the gross of tax combination of established Contractual Service Margin “CSM” and Risk Adjustment “RA” (net of reinsurance) under IFRS 17.
  5. £5bn PRT comprises H1: £1.5bn; H2: £1.1bn, plus exclusive: £2.3bn. Most of the £24bn+ pipeline is expected to transact in 2024.

Further information

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Ed Houghton

Group Strategy & Investor Relations Director

Gregory Frank

Gregory Franck

Investor Relations Director

Natalie Whitty (2)

Natalie Whitty

Group Corporate Affairs Director

Group Communications

T: +44 (0)7384 435692

Email Natalie Whitty

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Lauren Kemp

Group Head of Corporate Media & Issues

Group Communications

T: 07946 514 627

Email Lauren Kemp

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Lucy Legh

Headland Consultancy

Notes to editors

Established in 1836, Legal & General is one of the UK’s leading financial services groups and a major global investor, with £1.2 trillion in total assets under management (as at FY23) of which c40% (circa £0.5 trillion) is international.

We have a highly synergistic business model, which continues to drive strong returns. We are a leading international player in Institutional Retirement, in Retail Savings and Protection, and in both public and private markets through our Asset Management division. Across the Group, we are committed to responsible investing and dedicated to serving the long-term savings and investment needs of customers and society.

As at 7 June 2024, we estimate the Group’s Solvency II coverage ratio to be 224%.

As at 11 June 2024, Legal & General has a market capitalisation of £14.6 billion.