Aviva share price falls as Friends Life shares rise: Surprised market reacts to deal bombshell November 24, 2014 The market was divided yesterday following the announcement of a planned merger between insurer Aviva and its competitor Friends Life. Aviva saw its shares fall by more than five per cent during the day, while shares in Friends Life climbed by six per cent. Most analysts agreed that the announcement was surprising, with [...]
Aviva’s £5.6bn merger with Friends Life still to convince City November 24, 2014 The proposed £5.6bn merger between the insurer Aviva and its rival Friends Life will come under intense scrutiny when trading opens for the first time since the news broke after the markets closed on Friday. Although many in the City have viewed the move as a positive one for Aviva, not all are approving. “The [...]
Aviva has some work to do to finalise deal – Editor’s Letter November 23, 2014 Panmure Gordon, the independent stockbroking firm, made a name for itself last year when one of its analysts calculated the government was planning to sell the Royal Mail at £1bn less than what the firm thought it was worth. Subsequent events showed Panmure had been right to be bullish on the firm’s valuation, at least [...]
Aviva Investors’ Euan Munro on why markets will see more Wobbly Wednesdays November 11, 2014 It’s lunchtime at Aviva Investors’ offices at No.1 Poultry, but the three platters of fish, meat and vegetable sandwiches supplied by catering lie untouched on the table. Euan Munro, chief executive of the fund management house, is sitting drinking full fat Coca-Cola from a glass, while the pungent aroma of the Coq d’Argent restaurant upstairs [...]
Aviva sees new business rise by £690m after major restructuring October 30, 2014 Restructuring at insurer Aviva is paying off as reforms pushed through by chief executive Mark Wilson delivered a 15 per cent increase in new business in the year to date, worth £690m. Especially strong performances in Europe and Asia, which saw rises of 40 per cent and 47 per cent respectively, boosted the growth. Wilson, [...]
Aviva weathers pensions storm as bulk annuity sales rocket up August 8, 2014 Aviva was one of the top risers on the FTSE 100 yesterday, following publication of its half-year results. Its shares rose almost three per cent after reporting that operating profit for the half-year period was up four per cent to £1.05bn. The strong results prove Aviva is weathering the storm created by chancellor George Osborne [...]
Mark Wilson has put Aviva back in the game – Bottom Line August 8, 2014 When I think of Norwich, three things come to mind – Norwich City, Norwich Union and Alan Partridge. You’ll be relieved to hear that I’m going to spare you any terrible puns based on the latter, but I will dare to make an albeit clumsy connection between the first two. Aviva, as it is now [...]
Aviva boasts rising profits in first half of the year August 7, 2014 Aviva has reported a four per cent rise in profit before tax reaching over £1bn for the half-year to 7 August. Furthermore, the insurance provider's operating expenses are £129m lower, at £1.4bn. However, while the company acknowledged encouraging macro-economic trends, it said it would not be waiting for markets to spur improvement in results. Aviva [...]
Aviva, RSA and Partnership face watershed moment, say analysts July 28, 2014 Analysts Panmure Gordon have warned that three big insurers face a “watershed moment” following a turbulent six months for the sector. In a release ahead of the insurance industry’s results season, the group warned that the strengthening of sterling and the chancellor’s overhaul of the annuities industry in the Budget this year would have an [...]
London Report: FTSE at two-month low as Admiral and Aviva shares dive July 9, 2014 BRITAIN’S top share index fell for a third straight session to a two-month low yesterday, with Admiral sinking after its trading update and Aviva down after outlining its turnaround targets. Next dipped two per cent to 6,365p after reaching its ex-dividend date. Car insurer Admiral slumped 3.3 percent after saying revenues fell in the first [...]