As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 2006
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
o | REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR (G) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
OR | ||
ý | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 | ||
OR | ||
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
OR | ||
o | SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission File Number: 1-15040
PRUDENTIAL PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
England and Wales
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
Laurence Pountney Hill,
London EC4R 0HH, England
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | |
American Depositary Shares, each representing 2 Ordinary Shares, 5 pence par value each |
New York Stock Exchange |
|
Ordinary Shares, 5 pence par value each |
New York Stock Exchange* |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
The number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of December 31, 2005 was:
2,386,784,266 Ordinary Shares, 5 pence par value each
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes X No
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer X Accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:
Item 17 Item 18 X
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes No X
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Page |
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Item 1. | Not Applicable | |||
Item 2. | Not Applicable | |||
Item 3. | Key Information | 1 | ||
Selected Historical Financial Information of Prudential | 1 | |||
Dividend Data | 3 | |||
Exchange Rate Information | 4 | |||
Risk Factors | 5 | |||
Forward-Looking Statements | 10 | |||
Item 4. | Information on the Company | 10 | ||
Business of Prudential | 10 | |||
Overview | 10 | |||
Strategy | 13 | |||
Company Address and Agent | 18 | |||
Significant Subsidiaries | 18 | |||
UK Business | 19 | |||
US Business | 38 | |||
Asian Business | 50 | |||
Investments | 56 | |||
Description of Property | 70 | |||
Competition | 71 | |||
Intellectual Property | 73 | |||
Legal Proceedings | 73 | |||
Sources | 73 | |||
Supervision and Regulation of Prudential | 74 | |||
UK Supervision and Regulation | 74 | |||
US Supervision and Regulation | 87 | |||
Asian Supervision and Regulation | 92 | |||
Item 4A | Unresolved staff comments | 94 | ||
Item 5. | Operating and Financial Review and Prospects | 95 | ||
Introduction | 95 | |||
Factors Affecting Results of Operations | 96 | |||
Overview of Consolidated Results | 106 | |||
Analysis by Business Segment and Geographic Region | 107 | |||
Business Segment and Geographical Analysis by Nature of Revenue and Charges | 113 | |||
US GAAP Analysis | 126 | |||
Liquidity and Capital Resources | 141 | |||
Item 6. | Directors, Senior Management and Employees | 151 | ||
Compensation | 156 | |||
Share Ownership | 166 | |||
Board Practices | 169 | |||
Employees | 174 | |||
Item 7. | Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions | 175 | ||
Major Shareholders | 175 | |||
Related Party Transactions | 176 | |||
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Item 8. | Financial Information | 177 | ||
Item 9. | The Offer and Listing | 177 | ||
Comparative Market Price Data | 177 | |||
Market Data | 178 | |||
Item 10. | Additional Information | 179 | ||
Memorandum and Articles of Association | 179 | |||
Material Contracts | 185 | |||
Exchange Controls | 186 | |||
Taxation | 186 | |||
Documents on Display | 189 | |||
Item 11. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | 189 | ||
Risk Management of Prudential | 189 | |||
Overview | 189 | |||
Major Risks | 190 | |||
Group overview | 194 | |||
Currency of Investments | 197 | |||
Currency of Core Borrowings | 197 | |||
Sensitivity Analysis | 197 | |||
Item 12. | Not Applicable | |||
Item 13. | Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies | 203 | ||
Item 14. | Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders | 203 | ||
Item 15. | Controls and Procedures | 204 | ||
Item 16A. | Audit Committee Financial Expert | 204 | ||
Item 16B. | Code of Ethics | 204 | ||
Item 16C. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 204 | ||
Item 16E. | Purchases of Equity Securities by Prudential plc and Affiliated Purchasers | 206 | ||
Item 17. | Not Applicable | |||
Item 18. | Financial Statements | |||
Consolidated Financial Statements | F-1 | |||
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant | S-1 | |||
Item 19. | Exhibits |
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SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PRUDENTIAL
The following table sets forth Prudential's selected consolidated financial data for the periods indicated. Certain data is derived from Prudential's audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (EU). Were the Group to apply IFRS as published by the IASB, as opposed to EU adopted IFRS, no additional adjustments would be required. Note J to the Prudential audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this document includes a description of the differences between IFRS and US GAAP that are significant to the financial statements and provides a reconciliation from IFRS consolidated profit and shareholders' equity to US GAAP consolidated net income and shareholders' equity, respectively. Item 5, "Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsUS GAAP Analysis" provides a discussion of the significant differences between IFRS and US GAAP. This table is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with Prudential's consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this document, together with Item 5, "Operating and Financial Review and Prospects".
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has provided a one-time accommodation relating to financial statements prepared under IFRS for foreign private issuers registered with the SEC. This accommodation applies to companies, such as Prudential, that adopt IFRS prior to or for the first financial year starting on or after January 1, 2007. The accommodation permits eligible foreign private issuers for their first year of reporting under IFRS to file two years rather than three years of statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows prepared in accordance with IFRS, with appropriate related disclosure. The Company has prepared the financial information in the current year's Form 20-F in accordance with this accommodation.
The following table presents the income statement and balance sheet data for and as at the years ended December 31, 2004 to 2005, as presented in accordance with IFRS, and for and as at the years ended December 31, 2001 to 2005, as presented in accordance with US GAAP, and has been derived from Prudential's consolidated financial statements, audited by KPMG Audit Plc:
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Year Ended December 31, |
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2005(1) |
2005 |
2004 |
||||
|
(In $ Millions) |
(In £ Millions) |
|||||
Income statement dataIFRS basis | |||||||
Gross premium earned | 26,169 | 15,225 | 16,408 | ||||
Outward reinsurance premiums | (339 | ) | (197 | ) | (256 | ) | |
Earned premiums, net of reinsurance | 25,830 | 15,028 | 16,152 | ||||
Investment income | 41,274 | 24,013 | 15,750 | ||||
Other income | 3,582 | 2,084 | 2,002 | ||||
Total revenue, net of reinsurance | 70,686 | 41,125 | 33,904 | ||||
Benefits and claims and movement in unallocated surplus of with-profits funds | (56,892 | ) | (33,100 | ) | (26,593 | ) | |
Acquisition costs and other operating expenditure | (9,543 | ) | (5,552 | ) | (5,563 | ) | |
Finance costs: interest on core structural borrowings of shareholder financed operations | (358 | ) | (208 | ) | (187 | ) | |
Goodwill impairment charge | (206 | ) | (120 | ) | | ||
Total charges | (66,999 | ) | (38,980 | ) | (32,343 | ) | |
Profit before tax(2) | 3,687 | 2,145 | 1,561 | ||||
Tax attributable to policyholders' returns | (1,972 | ) | (1,147 | ) | (711 | ) | |
Profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 1,715 | 998 | 850 | ||||
Tax attributable to shareholders' profits | (414 | ) | (241 | ) | (240 | ) | |
Profit from continuing operations after tax | 1,301 | 757 | 610 | ||||
Discontinued operations (net of tax)(3) | 5 | 3 | (94 | ) | |||
Profit for the year | 1,306 | 760 | 516 | ||||
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Year Ended December 31, |
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2005(1) |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
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(In $ Millions) |
(In £ Millions) |
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Statement of income and comprehensive income dataUS GAAP basis | ||||||||||||||
Insurance policy revenues | 12,996 | 7,561 | 6,786 | 4,527 | 5,201 | 3,954 | ||||||||
Investment results | 32,870 | 19,124 | 13,348 | 11,672 | (1,832 | ) | 182 | |||||||
Non-operating income: | ||||||||||||||
Merger break fee, net of related expenses | | | | | | 338 | ||||||||
Other income | 3,477 | 2,023 | 2,106 | 677 | 688 | 616 | ||||||||
Total revenue | 49,343 | 28,708 | 22,240 | 16,876 | 4,057 | 5,090 | ||||||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (after minority interests)(4) |
2,073 |
1,206 |
697 |
694 |
(641 |
) |
(308 |
) |
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Income from discontinued operations including profit on disposals (net of applicable tax)(3) | (24 | ) | (14 | ) | (88 | ) | (29 | ) | 284 | 39 | ||||
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles(5) | | | (518 | ) | | | (139 | ) | ||||||
Total net income (loss) | 2,049 | 1,192 | 91 | 665 | (357 | ) | (408 | ) | ||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) |
2,666 |
1,593 |
18 |
655 |
(627 |
) |
(68 |
) |
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As of and for the year ended December 31, |
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2005(1) |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
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(In $ Millions, Except Share Information) |
(In £ Millions, Except Share Information) |
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Balance sheet dataIFRS basis | |||||||||||||||
Total assets | 356,440 | 207,377 | 180,006 | ||||||||||||
Total policyholder liabilities and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds | 292,784 | 170,342 | 145,211 | ||||||||||||
Core structural borrowings of shareholder financed operations | 5,485 | 3,191 | 3,248 | ||||||||||||
Total equity | 9,223 | 5,366 | 4,626 | ||||||||||||
Based on profit for the year attributable to the equity holders of the Company: | |||||||||||||||
Basic earnings per share | 54.3¢ | 31.6p | 24.4p | ||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share^ | 54.3¢ | 31.6p | 24.4p | ||||||||||||
Dividend per share declared and paid in reporting period(8) | 27.41¢ | 15.95p | 15.48p | ||||||||||||
Equivalent cents per share(9)^ | 29.61¢ | 28.36¢ | |||||||||||||
Market price at end of period^ | $ | 9.45 | 550p | 453p | 454p | 422p | 765p | ||||||||
Weighted average number of shares (in millions)^ | 2,365 | 2,121 | |||||||||||||
Balance sheet dataUS GAAP basis |
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Total assets | 345,297 | 200,894 | 174,058 | 160,645 | 150,379 | 155,668 | |||||||||
Policyholder benefit liabilities(5) | 234,176 | 136,244 | 122,412 | 90,307 | 89,304 | 84,190 | |||||||||
Separate account liabilities(5) | 15,351 | 8,931 | 5,531 | 30,487 | 25,793 | 29,729 | |||||||||
Total shareholders' equity | 12,363 | 7,193 | 5,927 | 5,128 | 4,878 | 5,964 | |||||||||
Based on net income after minority interests: | |||||||||||||||
Basic earnings per share^ | 86.6¢ | 50.4p | 4.3p | 32.0p | (17.3 | )p | (19.8 | )p | |||||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share^ | 86.5¢ | 50.3p | 4.3p | 32.0p | (17.2 | )p | (19.8 | )p | |||||||
Other data | |||||||||||||||
New business from continuing operations: | |||||||||||||||
Single premium sales(7) | 22,226 | 12,931 | 11,427 | 8,473 | 11,802 | 10,610 | |||||||||
New regular premium sales(6)(7) | 1,466 | 853 | 703 | 710 | 707 | 693 | |||||||||
Gross investment product contributions(7) | 46,041 | 26,787 | 25,108 | 22,113 | 17,392 | 11,303 | |||||||||
Funds under management | 402,199 | 234,000 | 197,000 |
Certain other minor reclassifications and presentational changes have been made to the amounts presented for prior periods to conform these periods to the current presentation. Such reclassifications and presentational changes had no overall effect on the shareholders' funds, profits or cash flows.
2
Dividend Data
Under UK company law, Prudential may pay dividends only if "distributable profits" of the holding company are available for that purpose. "Distributable profits" are accumulated, realized profits not previously distributed or capitalized less accumulated, realized losses not previously written off, on the applicable GAAP basis. Even if distributable profits are available, under UK law Prudential may pay dividends only if the amount of its net assets is not less than the aggregate of its called-up share capital and undistributable reserves (such as, for example, the share premium account) and the payment of the dividend does not reduce the amount of its net assets to less than that aggregate. For further information about the holding company refer to Schedule II. The financial information in Schedule II has been prepared under UK GAAP reflecting the legal basis of preparation of the Company's separate financial statements as distinct from the IFRS basis that applies to the Company's consolidated financial statements.
As a holding company, Prudential is dependent upon dividends and interest from its subsidiaries to pay cash dividends. Many of its insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulations that restrict the amount of dividends that they can pay to Prudential. These restrictions are discussed in more detail in Item 4, "Information on the CompanySupervision and Regulation of PrudentialUK Supervision and RegulationRegulation of Insurance BusinessDistribution of Profits and With-profits Business" and Item 4, "Information on the CompanySupervision and Regulation of PrudentialUS Supervision and RegulationGeneral".
Historically, Prudential has declared an interim and a final dividend for each year (with the final dividend being paid in the year following the year to which it relates). Subject to the restrictions referred to above, Prudential's directors have the discretion to determine whether to pay a dividend and the amount of any such dividend but must take into account the Company's financial position.
The following table shows certain information regarding the dividends per share that Prudential declared for the periods indicated in pence sterling and converted into US dollars at the noon buying rate in effect on each payment date. Interim dividends for a specific year generally have a record date in August and a payment date in October of that year, and final dividends generally have a record date in
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the following March and a payment date in the following May. The comparative figures for 2001 to 2003 have been restated to take account of Prudential's rights offering in 2004. The restatement factor used for these periods is 0.9614 based on a theoretical ex-rights price of 405.71 pence divided by the closing share price on the final day Prudential's shares traded cum-rights of 422.00 pence.
Year |
Interim Dividend |
Interim Dividend |
Final Dividend |
Final Dividend |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(pence) |
(US Dollars) |
(pence) |
(US Dollars) |
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2001 | 8.36 | 0.1204 | 16.06 | 0.2313 | ||||
2002 | 8.56 | 0.1329 | 16.44 | 0.2688 | ||||
2003 | 5.09 | 0.0863 | 10.29 | 0.1867 | ||||
2004 | 5.19 | 0.0952 | 10.65 | 0.1950 | ||||
2005 | 5.30 | 0.0942 | 11.02 | 0.2046 |
A final dividend of 11.02 pence per share was approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on May 18, 2006, bringing the full year dividend to 16.32 pence per share, an increase of three per cent from 2004. The Board intends to maintain Prudential's current dividend policy, with the level of dividend growth being determined after considering the opportunities to invest in those areas of the business offering attractive growth prospects, financial flexibility and the development of the statutory profits over the medium to long term.
Prudential publishes its consolidated financial statements in pounds sterling. References in this document to "US dollars", "US$", "$" or "¢" are to US currency, references to "pounds sterling", "£", "pounds", "pence" or "p" are to UK currency (there are 100 pence to each pound) and references to "euro" or "€" are to the Euro. The following table sets forth for each year the average of the noon buying rates on the last business day of each month of that year, as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, for pounds sterling expressed in US dollars per pound sterling for each of the five most recent fiscal years. Prudential has not used these rates to prepare its consolidated financial statements.
Year ended December 31, |
Average rate |
|
---|---|---|
2001 | 1.44 | |
2002 | 1.51 | |
2003 | 1.65 | |
2004 | 1.84 | |
2005 | 1.82 |
The following table sets forth the high and low noon buying rates for pounds sterling expressed in US dollars per pound sterling for each of the previous six months:
|
High |
Low |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
December 2005 | 1.77 | 1.72 | ||
January 2006 | 1.79 | 1.74 | ||
February 2006 | 1.78 | 1.73 | ||
March 2006 | 1.76 | 1.73 | ||
April 2006 | 1.82 | 1.74 | ||
May 2006 | 1.89 | 1.83 |
On June 26, 2006, the noon buying rate was £1.00 = $1.82.
4
A number of factors (risk factors) affect Prudential's operating results, financial condition and trading price. The risk factors mentioned below should not be regarded as a complete and comprehensive statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. The information given is as of the date of this report, is not updated, and any forward-looking statements are made subject to the reservations specified below under "Forward-Looking Statements".
Prudential's businesses are inherently subject to market fluctuations and general economic conditions.
Prudential's businesses are inherently subject to market fluctuations and general economic conditions. In the UK, this is because a significant part of Prudential's shareholders' profit is related to bonuses for policyholders declared on its with-profits products, which are broadly based on historic and current rates of return on equity, real estate and fixed income securities, as well as Prudential's expectations of future investment returns.
In the US, fluctuations in prevailing interest rates can affect results from Jackson National Life ('JNL') which is predominantly a spread-based business with the majority of its assets invested in fixed income securities. In particular, fixed annuities and stable value products in JNL expose the Group to the risk that changes in interest rates which are not fully reflected in the interest rates credited to customers will reduce spread. The spread is the difference between the amounts that JNL is required to pay under the contracts and the rate of return it is able to earn on its general account investments to support the obligations under the contracts. Declines in spread from these products or other spread businesses that JNL conducts could have a material impact on its businesses or results of operations.
For some non unit-linked investment products, in particular those written in some of the Group's Asian operations, it may not be possible to hold assets which will provide cash flows to exactly match those relating to policyholder liabilities. This is particularly true in those countries where bond markets are not developed and in certain markets such as Taiwan where regulated surrender values are set with reference to the interest rate environment prevailing at time of policy issue. This is due to the duration and uncertainty of the liability cash flows and the lack of sufficient assets of a suitable duration. This results in a residual asset/liability mismatch risk which can be managed but not eliminated. If interest rates in these markets were to remain lower than surrender values over a sustained period this could have an adverse impact on the Group's reported profit.
In all markets in which Prudential operates, its businesses are susceptible to general economic conditions and changes in investment returns which can change the level of demand for Prudential's products. Past uncertain trends in international economic and investment climates which have adversely affected Prudential's business and profitability could be repeated. This adverse effect would be felt principally through reduced investment returns and credit defaults. In addition, falling investment returns could impair Prudential's operational capability, including its ability to write significant volumes of new business. Prudential in the normal course of business enters into a variety of transactions, including derivative transactions with counterparties. Failure of any of these counterparties, particularly in conditions of major market disruption, to discharge their obligations, or where adequate collateral is not in place, could have an adverse impact on Prudential's results.
Prudential is subject to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations owing to the geographical diversity of its businesses.
Due to the geographical diversity of Prudential's businesses, it is subject to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations. Prudential's international operations in the US and Asia, which represent a significant proportion of operating profit and shareholders' funds, generally write policies and invest in assets denominated in local currency. Although this practice limits the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on
5
local operating results, it can lead to significant fluctuations in Prudential's consolidated financial statements upon translation of results into pounds sterling. The currency exposure relating to the translation of reported earnings is not separately managed. Consequently, this could impact on the Group's gearing ratios (defined as debt over debt plus shareholders' funds). The impact of gains or losses on currency translations is recorded as a component of shareholders' funds within the statement of changes in equity.
Prudential conducts its businesses subject to regulation and associated regulatory risks, including the effects of changes in the laws, regulations, policies and interpretations and any accounting standards in the markets in which it operates.
Changes in government policy, legislation or regulatory interpretation applying to companies in the financial services and insurance industries in any of the markets in which Prudential operates, which in some circumstances may be applied retrospectively, may adversely affect Prudential's product range, distribution channels, capital requirements and, consequently, reported results and financing requirements. For instance, regulators in jurisdictions in which Prudential operates may change the level of capital required to be held by individual businesses. Also these changes could include possible changes in the regulatory framework for pension arrangements and policies, the regulation of selling practices and solvency requirements. In the UK, the Financial Services Authority's (FSA) depolarization reforms, implemented in December 2004, under which the sales agent is no longer required to either be tied to a specific product provider or to recommend products from the whole spectrum of product providers in the market, and the rules relating to stakeholder products could have a significant effect on types of products sold by Prudential, how its products are priced, distributed and sold and on shareholders' return on with-profits business. Similar changes in regulation in other jurisdictions could also have an impact elsewhere in the Group.
The EU Financial Conglomerates Directive (FCD) requires European financial services groups to demonstrate net aggregate surplus capital in excess of solvency requirements at the Group level in respect of shareholder-owned entities. The test is a continuous requirement so that Prudential needs to maintain a somewhat higher amount of regulatory capital at the Group level than otherwise necessary in respect of some of its individual businesses to accommodate, for example, short-term movements in global foreign exchange rates, interest rates, deterioration in credit quality and equity markets. In addition, changes in the local regulatory regimes of designated territories could affect the calculation of the Group's solvency position under the FCD. The EU is also currently reviewing future solvency requirements (Solvency II) with a directive expected during 2007 for implementation by member states. Inconsistent application of these directives by regulators in different EU member states may place Prudential at a competitive disadvantage to other European financial services groups.
Various jurisdictions in which Prudential operates have created investor compensation schemes that require mandatory contributions from market participants in some instances in the event of a failure of a market participant. As a major participant in the majority of its chosen markets, circumstances could arise where Prudential, along with other companies, may be required to make such contributions.
See Item 5 "Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsFactors Affecting Results of OperationsGovernment Policy and Legislation" and Item 4 "Information on the CompanySupervision and Regulation of Prudential".
Any further changes or modification of the recently introduced International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) accounting policies and European Embedded Value (EEV) guidance may require a change in the reporting basis of future results or a restatement of reported results.
6
The resolution of several issues affecting the financial services industry could have a negative impact on Prudential's reported results or on its relations with current and potential customers.
Prudential is, and in the future may be, subject to legal and regulatory actions in the ordinary course of its business, both in the UK and internationally. This could be a review of business sold in the past under previously acceptable market practices at the time. Pending legal and regulatory actions include proceedings relating to aspects of Prudential's business and operations which are typical of the business it operates in such as the requirement in the UK to provide redress to certain past purchasers of pension and mortgage endowment policies and regulatory reviews on products sold and industry practices, including in the latter case businesses it has closed.
In the US, federal and state regulators have focused on, and continue to devote substantial attention to, the mutual fund, variable annuity and insurance product industries including new federal regulations in respect of broker-dealers. As a result of publicity relating to widespread perceptions of industry abuses, there have been numerous regulatory inquiries and proposals for legislative and regulatory reforms.
Although Prudential believes it has adequately reserved in all material aspects for the costs of litigation and regulatory matters, no assurance can be provided that such reserves are sufficient. It is possible that Prudential's future performance could be affected by an unfavourable outcome in these matters.
Prudential's businesses are conducted in highly competitive environments with developing demographic trends and Prudential's continued profitability depends on its management's ability to respond to these pressures and trends.
The markets for the UK, US and Asian financial services are highly competitive, with several factors affecting Prudential's ability to sell its products and continued profitability, including price and yields offered, financial strength and ratings, range of product lines and product quality, brand strength and name recognition, investment management performance, historical bonus levels, developing demographic trends and customer appetite for certain savings products. In some of its markets Prudential faces competitors that are larger, have greater financial resources or a greater market share, offer a broader range of products or have higher bonus rates or claims-paying ratios. Further, heightened competition for talented and skilled employees with local experience, particularly in Asia, may limit the Group's potential to grow its business as quickly as planned.
Within the UK, Prudential's principal competitors in the life market include many of the major stock and mutual retail financial services companies including, in particular, Aviva, Legal & General, HBOS and Standard Life.
JNL's competitors in the US include major stock and mutual insurance companies, mutual fund organisations, banks and other financial services companies. JNL's principal life insurance company competitors in the US include AIG, Allstate Financial, Allianz Life of North America, AXA Financial Inc, Hartford Life Inc., ING, John Hancock, Lincoln Financial Group, Met Life, Pacific Life and Prudential Financial.
Within Asia, the Group's main regional competitors are international financial companies, including AIG, Allianz, ING and Manulife.
Prudential believes competition will intensify across all regions in response to consumer demand, technological advances, the impact of consolidation, regulatory actions and other factors. Prudential's ability to generate an appropriate return depends significantly upon its capacity to anticipate and respond appropriately to these competitive pressures. See Item 4, "Information on the CompanyBusiness of PrudentialCompetition".
7
Downgrades in Prudential's financial strength and credit ratings could significantly impact its competitive position and hurt its relationships with creditors or trading counterparties.
Prudential's financial strength and credit ratings, which are intended to measure its ability to meet policyholder obligations, are an important factor affecting public confidence in most of Prudential's products, and as a result its competitiveness. Downgrades in Prudential's ratings could have an adverse effect on its ability to market products and retain current policyholders. In addition, the interest rates Prudential pays on its borrowings are affected by its debt credit ratings, which are in place to measure Prudential's ability to meet its contractual obligations. Prudential believes the credit rating downgrades it experienced in 2002 and 2003, together with the rest of the UK insurance industry, have not to date had a discernible impact on the performance of its business.
On June 23, 2006, Standard & Poor's announced that it had lowered its counterparty credit ratings on Prudential's long-term senior debt from AA- (negative outlook) to A+ (stable outlook). At the same time Standard & Poor's revised its outlook on Jackson National Life from AA (negative outlook) to AA (stable outlook).
Prudential's long-term senior debt is currently rated as A2 (stable outlook) by Moody's, A+ (stable outlook) by Standard & Poor's and AA- (stable outlook) by Fitch.
Prudential's short-term debt is rated as P-1 by Moody's, A1+ by Standard & Poor's and F1+ by Fitch.
The PAC long-term fund is rated Aa1 (stable outlook) by Moody's, AA+ (stable outlook) by Standard & Poor's and AA+ by Fitch.
Adverse experience in the operational risks inherent in Prudential's business could have a negative impact on its results of operations.
Operational risks are present in all of Prudential's businesses, including the risk of direct or indirect loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal and external processes, systems and human error or from external events. Prudential's business is dependent on processing a large number of complex transactions across numerous and diverse products, and is subject to a number of different legal and regulatory regimes. In addition, Prudential outsources several operations, including certain UK processing and IT functions. In turn, Prudential is reliant upon the operational processing performance of its outsourcing partners.
Further, because of the long-term nature of much of Prudential's business, accurate records have to be maintained for significant periods. Prudential's systems and processes are designed to ensure that the operational risks associated with its activities are appropriately controlled but, for example, any weakness in the administration systems or actuarial reserving processes could have an impact on its results of operations during the effective period. Prudential has not experienced or identified any operational risks in its systems or processes during 2005, or which have subsequently caused, or are expected to cause, a significant negative impact on its results of operations.
Adverse experience against the assumptions used in pricing products and reporting business results could significantly affect Prudential's results of operations.
Prudential needs to make assumptions about a number of factors in determining the pricing of its products and for reporting the results of its long-term business operations.
For example, the assumption that Prudential makes about future expected levels of mortality is particularly relevant for its UK annuity business. In exchange for a premium equal to the capital value of their accumulated pension fund, pension annuity policyholders receive a guaranteed payment, usually monthly, for as long as they are alive. As part of its pension annuity pricing and reserving policy,
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Prudential assumes that current rates of mortality continuously improve over time. During the year, Prudential carried out a review of its mortality experience across all of its non-profit annuity business. As a result of this review, it strengthened the realistic and statutory male assumptions and weakened the realistic female assumptions to align the realistic assumptions with recent experience. Prudential continues to assume future improvements in mortality for males and females at levels projected on the Continuous Mortality Investigations (CMI) medium cohort table as published by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. If mortality improvement rates significantly exceed the improvement assumed, Prudential's results of operations could be adversely affected.
A further example is the assumption that Prudential makes about future expected levels of the rates of early termination of products by its customers (persistency). This is particularly relevant to its lines of business other than its UK annuity business. Prudential's persistency assumptions reflect recent past experience for each relevant line of business. Any expected deterioration in future persistency is also reflected in the assumption. If actual levels of future persistency are significantly lower than assumed (that is, policy termination rates are significantly higher than assumed), Prudential's results of operations could be adversely affected.
In common with other industry participants, the profitability of the Group's businesses depends on a mix of factors including mortality and morbidity trends, policy surrender rates, investment performance, unit cost of administration and new business acquisition expense.
As a holding company, Prudential is dependent upon its subsidiaries to cover operating expenses and dividend payments.
Prudential's insurance and investment management operations are generally conducted through direct and indirect subsidiaries. As a holding company, Prudential's principal sources of funds are dividends from subsidiaries, shareholder-backed funds, the shareholder transfer from Prudential's long-term funds and any amounts that may be raised through the issuance of equity, debt and commercial paper.
Certain of the subsidiaries have regulatory restrictions that can limit the payment of dividends, which in some circumstances could limit the Group's ability to pay dividends to shareholders.
Prudential operates in a number of markets through joint ventures and other arrangements with third parties. These arrangements involve certain risks that Prudential does not face with respect to its consolidated subsidiaries.
Prudential operates, and in certain markets is required by local regulation to operate, through joint ventures. Prudential's ability to exercise management control over its joint venture operations and its investment in them depends on the terms of the joint venture agreements, in particular, the allocation of control among, and continued co-operation between, the joint venture participants. Prudential may also face financial or other exposure in the event that any of its joint venture partners fails to meet its obligations under the joint venture or encounters financial difficulty. In addition, a significant proportion of the Group's product distribution is carried out through arrangements with third parties not controlled by Prudential and is dependent upon continuation of these relationships. A temporary or permanent disruption to these distribution arrangements could affect Prudential's results of operations.
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This annual report may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to certain of Prudential's plans and its current goals and expectations relating to its future financial condition, performance, results, strategy and objectives. Statements containing the words "believes", "intends", "expects", "plans", "seeks" and "anticipates", and words of similar meaning, are forward-looking. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances which are beyond Prudential's control including among other things, economic and business conditions in the countries in which Prudential operates, market related risks such as fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates, and the performance of financial markets generally; the policies and actions of regulatory authorities, the impact of competition, inflation, and deflation; experience in particular with regard to mortality and morbidity trends, lapse rates and policy renewal rates; the timing, impact and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or combinations within relevant industries; and the impact of changes in capital, solvency or accounting standards, and tax and other legislation and regulations in the jurisdictions in which Prudential and its affiliates operate, together with other factors discussed in "Risk Factors". This may for example result in changes to assumptions used for determining results of operations or re-estimations of reserves for future policy benefits. As a result, Prudential's actual future financial condition, performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals, and expectations set forth in Prudential's forward-looking statements.
In particular, the following are forward-looking in nature:
Prudential may also make or disclose written and/or oral forward-looking statements in reports filed or furnished to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Prudential's annual report and accounts to shareholders, proxy statements, offering circulars, registration statements and prospectuses, press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by directors, officers or employees of Prudential to third parties, including financial analysts. Prudential undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this annual report or any other forward-looking statements it may make.
Item 4. Information on the Company
Prudential is a leading international financial services group, providing retail financial services in the markets in which it operates, primarily the United Kingdom, the United States and Asia. At December 31, 2005, Prudential was one of the 30 largest public companies in the United Kingdom in terms of market capitalization on the London Stock Exchange. Prudential is not affiliated with Prudential Financial, Inc. or its subsidiary, The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
Prudential has been writing life insurance policies in the United Kingdom for over 150 years and has had one of the largest long-term funds in the United Kingdom for over a century. Prudential expanded its business into British Commonwealth countries, including Singapore and Malaysia, in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1986, Prudential acquired Jackson National Life Insurance Company, a US insurance
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company writing life and fixed annuity business. A group strategy review in the early 1990s identified significant opportunities for Prudential in the Asian life sector and Prudential Corporation Asia was established in 1994 to develop a material and profitable Asian business. In 1998, Prudential launched Egg, now a leading e-commerce retail financial services provider, and in 1999, Prudential acquired M&G, a leading UK fund manager. In June 2000, Prudential completed its listing on the New York Stock Exchange. In December 2005, the Company announced its intention to acquire the minority interests in Egg representing approximately 21.7 per cent of the existing issued share capital of Egg. In February 2006, the Board of Egg announced the delisting of Egg shares, and in May 2006, Prudential completed the repurchase of Egg's shares bringing Prudential's holding to 100 per cent.
In the United Kingdom, Prudential offers a range of retail financial products and services, including long-term insurance and asset accumulation and retirement income products (life insurance, pensions and pension annuities), retail investment and unit trust products, fund management services and banking products. Prudential primarily distributes these products through financial advisors, partnership agreements with banks and other financial institutions, and direct marketing, by telephone, mail and the internet.
At December 31, 2005, in the United Kingdom, Prudential was:
In the United States, Prudential offers a range of products through JNL, including fixed, fixed-indexed and variable annuities, life insurance, guaranteed investment contracts and funding agreements. Prudential distributes these products through independent insurance agents, securities broker-dealers, registered investment advisors and banks, a small captive agency channel, consisting of approximately 100 life insurance agents, credit unions and other financial institutions. Prudential also offers fee-based separately managed accounts and investment products through Curian Capital LLC, which is JNL's registered investment advisor channel established in 2003. At December 31, 2005, in the United States, Jackson National Life was:
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Prudential Corporation Asia is the leading European-based life insurer in Asia in terms of market coverage and number of top 5 positions in markets, with operations in 12 Asian countries. Prudential Corporation Asia offers a mix of life insurance with accident and health options, mutual funds and selected personal lines property and casualty insurance with the product range tailored to suit the individual country markets. Its insurance products are distributed mainly through an agency sales-force and complementary bancassurance agreements whilst the majority of mutual funds are sold through banks and brokers. Its life insurance operations in China and India are conducted through joint ventures in which it holds 50 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively. In addition, in India, Prudential holds 49 per cent of a fund management joint venture with ICICI, in China it has a 33 per cent stake in a funds management joint venture with CITIC, which is called CITIC-Prudential, and in Hong Kong, it holds a 36 per cent stake in a joint venture with Bank of China International for MPF and mutual funds.
At December 31, 2005 Prudential Corporation Asia had:
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In 2005, Prudential undertook a comprehensive strategic review of the retail financial services markets in all major geographies, with an aim of identifying the opportunities, ambitions and business strategies best suited to maximize sustainable growth in value for Prudential's shareholders over the longer term. The key conclusions of the review were that:
Each of Prudential's businesses has operational autonomy within its market and this is critical to our success, since it is the key to our ability to tailor products and services to meet local market needs. However, the review also concluded that there are material synergies that can be achieved through closer working across the Group, consistent with our decentralised approach.
Finally, the review concluded that Prudential must continue to enhance the effectiveness of our capital management processes, to ensure that investment and capital allocation decisions are focused on those areas of activity that will generate the best returns to shareholders.
Shareholder Focus
Prudential's strong mix of businesses around the world positions it well to benefit from the growth in customer demand for asset accumulation and income in retirement. Prudential believes that its international reach and diversity of earnings will continue to give it a significant advantage.
Prudential's commitment to its shareholders is to maximize the value over the time of their investment. Prudential does this by investing for the long-term to develop and bring out the best in its people and its business to produce superior products and services, and hence superior financial returns.
Prudential's aim is to develop lasting relationships with its customers and policyholders, through products and services that offer value for money and security. Prudential seeks to continually enhance its reputation, built over 150 years, for integrity and for acting responsibly within society.
Building the Platform
In recent years, the global retail financial services industry has undergone significant change. Changes in underlying demographics, government attitudes, regulatory requirements, technology and customer demands are all driving fundamental change in the industry. Prudential is committed to delivering superior returns to its shareholders and has therefore reconfigured its business to compete more effectively in this changing environment.
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Prudential has significantly restructured its operations in both the United Kingdom and the United States over the last few years to improve its customer focus and management accountability, and to broaden its product range and distribution reach.
In the United Kingdom, Prudential restructured its long-term savings business into an integrated business combining Prudential's UK businesses with that of Scottish Amicable, which was acquired in 1997, to form Prudential UK Insurance Operations. This has resulted in improved operational effectiveness through removal of duplication, greater customer focus and reduced operating costs.
The Boards of Prudential and Egg announced on December 1, 2005 a recommended Offer by Prudential for the 21.7 per cent of shares in Egg that Prudential did not already own. On February 20, 2006, Egg shares were delisted from the official list. The transfer of the balance of the outstanding shares was completed on May 16, 2006. Prudential anticipates that the acquisition of the minority interest in Egg will enable it and Egg to capitalize on the product capabilities, customer relationships and brand strengths of Prudential, M&G and Egg and to facilitate the realization of substantial annualized pre-tax cost savings, with £40 million expected to be realized by the end of 2007, as well as opportunities for revenue synergies.
In the United States, Prudential has an extensive and diversified product range that includes variable annuities, fixed annuities, fixed-index annuities, life assurance and stable value products. Prudential has also significantly diversified its distribution of these products by now distributing through independent and regional broker-dealer channels and the bank channel. With the launch of Curian in 2003, Prudential extended its distribution into the registered investment advisor channel, and the acquisition of Life Insurance Company of Georgia ('Life of Georgia') in 2005 created Prudential's first captive agency distribution in the US, with approximately 100 life assurance agents.
In Asia, building on a solid base of established operations in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, Prudential has followed since 1994 a clear, value creating strategy of entering new markets, building and diversifying distribution and launching innovative products targeting profitable market segments.
This value is clearly demonstrated by the scale and mix of Prudential's new business sales. In 2005, new business sales were approximately £40 billion with over half coming from mutual fund sales, and 62% coming from outside the United Kingdom.
This transformation has created a strong platform to pursue strategic initiatives for future growth and shareholder value creation.
Growing the Business
Prudential is conscious that the retail financial services industry continues to evolve, and it expects to continue to adapt its business to maintain a strong advantage over its competitors while delivering returns to shareholders. Prudential's goal is to pursue its key strategic themes of maintaining focus on its customers, investing in technology to improve further customer access and service, driving down costs and driving growth in its existing markets.
The strength of Prudential's businesses and positive developments in a number of its markets represent an opportunity to enhance its market position and generate improved returns for its shareholders. A strong financial position at a Group level provides increased financial flexibility and allows Prudential to capitalize on these opportunities as they arise. In response to these developments the Board decided in October 2004 to launch a 1 for 6 rights offering. As at December 31, 2005 approximately 25 per cent of the net proceeds of Prudential's rights offering (£1,021 million) have been used to provide capital to support Prudential's shareholder-backed UK life businesses. The remainder of the proceeds have been invested centrally within the Group in short-term financial instruments.
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Driving Growth
Within its existing major markets of the United Kingdom, the United States and Asia, Prudential believes fundamental shifts in demographics and in the manner of pension provision will create significant opportunities for future profitable growth.
The UK insurance market suffered three years of decline until 2004 when the market showed signs of recovery which continued in 2005. During the period of decline, Prudential transformed its UK insurance business from a direct-sales operation, selling with-profits products, into a company that sells mainly shareholder-backed products through a range of channels, including financial advisors, business to business and partnership agreements with other companies. Prudential also improved its efficiency and broadened its product range. Over the next few years, Prudential intends to continue to focus on efficient profitable growth seeking new opportunities within its distribution channels and product range.
Following the introduction of the new depolarization rules in December 2004 whereby insurers can distribute their products via multi-tied advisor panels as well as the previous single-tied or whole-of-market advisors, many financial advisor groups have used the opportunity to establish multi-tie panels. Prudential has made good progress with the new panels announced to date, and believes that it is strongly positioned to take advantage of the depolarized marketplace as this develops over the next few years. Prudential achieved sales of £37 million through this channel in 2005 and expects that multi-ties will start to have a greater impact on sales in the future.
Prudential's 'partnerships channel', which is part of the Group's UK marketing effort, focuses on distributing products via banks and other financial institutions, signed a number of significant new agreements during 2005. These included St. James's Place for annuities; National Australia Bank for annuities and healthcare; Wesleyan's multi-tie panel for protection; Zurich Financial Services and Openwork for annuities; and the Barclays multi-tie panel. In addition, Prudential and Royal London reached agreement for all pension annuities arising from vesting of policies written under the Scottish Life brand in the period between January 2005 and December 2010 to be reassured to Prudential.
In October 2004 Prudential launched PruHealth, a UK healthcare product that links health and fitness to the cost of medical insurance. The business has made good progress with sales growing on average more than 30 per cent per month in 2005. Total premium income for the year was £9 million, and PruHealth now covers over 30,000 individuals. The product has been developed through a joint venture with Discovery of South Africa.
In October 2005, Prudential launched Prudential Property Value Release Plan. A life time mortgage product which gives customers greater flexibility and control over the timing of when they draw down funds, thereby reducing total interest charges over the lifetime of the loan. It has been well received by advisors and customers.
M&G has four main business lines with distinct growth strategies: (a) the internal business aims to create value through investment performance and liability matching for internal clients' and to develop skills to facilitate the Life Fund's move into non-correlated assets; (b) the institutional business utilizes skills developed primarily for internal clients to build new business streams and diversify revenues; (c) the retail business aims to maximize the leverage offered by investment performance and a single product manufacturing hub; and (d) Prudential Finance combines the management of Prudential's balance sheet with M&G's market positions to develop a new profit stream.
In the US, Prudential completed the purchase of Life of Georgia in May 2005 for a preliminary consideration of £142 million. This acquisition doubled the number of Jackson National Life's in-force life and annuity policies, adding scale to its operating platform and expanding its distribution capability, as well as further diversifying its income streams. Prudential believes that this transaction will enable Jackson National Life to grow its life business at a higher return and faster rate than could be achieved organically.
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The Company expects that JNL will continue to consider further US bolt-on acquisitions as opportunities arise.
In October 2004, JNL completed the sale of JFB to Union Bank of California for £166 million. JFB's principal area of business was banking and commercial real estate lending, which no longer aligned with JNL's strategy. Accordingly, the results of operations for JFB are reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements.
Prudential believes that Asia offers significant long-term growth opportunities and its strategy is designed to create material and sustainable value in Asia by focusing on three dimensions: participating in countries where there are opportunities to leverage its strengths, building and diversifying distribution and providing innovative customer-focused products. In India, our joint venture with ICICI continues to be a leading private sector player. In 2004, the Indian government announced its intention to allow increased foreign ownership in Indian companies, and Prudential remains interested in increasing our stake in the joint venture. However, the relevant legislation has not yet been put before the Indian Parliament.
In 2005, licenses to sell financial products in six new cities in China were granted by the Chinese authorities, bringing the total number of such licenses on December 31, 2005 to ten. As of April 30, 2006, CITIC-Prudential had been granted 13 life insurance licenses to operate in China. Prudential believes the main challenge facing foreign players trying to become established in China is the need to develop local management teams to support geographic expansion. Prudential believes that it has a real advantage in being able to leverage its existing Chinese speaking operations to help develop new teams quickly. In 2005, sales in China increased by 47 per cent over 2004.
Prudential and Bank Simpanan Nasional ('BSN'), which was originally the Malaysian Post Office Savings Bank and is now wholly owned by the Malaysian Ministry of Finance, established a joint venture to leverage Prudential's existing network of 7,000 agents and BSN's network of 391 branches. In January 2006, the Malaysian authorities granted the joint venture a license to develop and market life insurance products to Muslim Malays who make up more than 60 per cent of the population.
In June 2005, The Prudential Vietnam Fund Management Company was launched with a mandate to manage the life fund. It also has plans to develop the emerging retail funds market in Vietnam and to launch retail funds
Focusing on Customers
Prudential's goal is to deliver products that its customers want to buy, through the distribution channels they wish to use. Prudential is continually exploring opportunities to expand its distribution reach and broaden its product offering.
In the United Kingdom, Prudential has complementary businesses and market-leading positions in key product areas, enabling it to selectively participate on a value basis. The businesses comprising Prudential's UK Insurance Operations have undergone enormous strategic transformations in recent years, bringing together several operating units under the powerful Prudential brand and improving service to over seven million customers. In 2002, Prudential's UK Insurance Operations announced the development of an outsourced customer service operation in Mumbai, India. In May 2003, the Mumbai customer service center opened and at the end of 2005 employed over 1,000 people.
M&G is Prudential's UK and European fund management business and had over £149 billion of funds under management as of December 31, 2005, of which £113 billion related to Prudential's long-term business funds. M&G operates in markets where it has a leading position and competitive advantage, including retail fund management, institutional fixed income, pooled life and pension funds, property and private finance. Based on December 2005 data from the Investment Management Association, M&G ranks as the fourth largest asset manager in the UK.
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Egg offers a proven direct to consumer distribution channel that will provide UK financial services consumers a full range of product offerings under both the Egg and Prudential brands going forward. Prudential expects that these product offerings, specifically, credit cards, unsecured personal loans, mortgages, savings and general consumer insurance products will allow the combined entity to meet customer needs at each stage of their lifecycles. The Egg brand will continue to be focused on credit cards, unsecured personal loans, mortgages, savings and general consumer insurance products with the Prudential brand providing longer term savings and protection products.
In the United States, Prudential, through JNL maintains a significant market position across the range of fixed, variable and fixed-indexed annuity products. These products offer guarantees and longevity protection that will become increasingly important in the US as the 77 million 'baby boomers' reach retirement age over the next decade. JNL also offers life and institutional products, and through the acquisition of Life of Georgia in 2005, JNL doubled its number of in-force life and annuity policies, adding scale to its operating platform and expanding its distribution capability. JNL continues to expand its distribution channels and now distributes through independent agents, broker-dealers, banks, registered investment advisors, a small captive agency channel, and other financial institutions.
In Asia, Prudential has a reputation for developing customer-focused and innovative savings and insurance products. It leverages UK and US product expertise and works with Asian regulators to bring new products to market, achieving particular success with unit-linked products. While Prudential believes customer needs in Asia are well met by traditional tied agents in most markets, it also gives customers the choice to access its products through complementary bancassurance arrangements, direct distribution and brokers.
Corporate Activity
In March 2006, Prudential received a proposal from Aviva plc about a possible combination of the businesses of Prudential and Aviva. Aviva's offer, which was valued at an aggregate purchase price of approximately £17 billion, included an all-share merger of the two companies based on a merger ratio of 82 Aviva shares for every 100 shares of Prudential, resulting in an implied value of 708 pence per Prudential share based on closing relative share prices on March 17, 2006. The Board of Prudential plc, which had taken independent financial advice, did not consider that the proposal was in the best interests of Prudential shareholders and rejected it. On March 24, 2006, Aviva announced the withdrawal of its proposal.
Summary
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There is tremendous scope to deliver increasing value for shareholders from each individual business operation, and from the Group as a whole which derives both financial advantage and resilience from the diversity of its portfolio of businesses, and the opportunities for collaboration between them.
Prudential plc is a public limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales. Our registered office is Laurence Pountney Hill, London EC4R 0HH, England (telephone: +44 20 7220 7588). Our agent in the United States is Jackson National Life Insurance Company, located at 1 Corporate Way, Lansing, Michigan 48951, United States of America.
The table below sets forth Prudential's significant subsidiaries.
Name of Company |
Percentage Owned(1) |
Country of Incorporation |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
The Prudential Assurance Company Limited | 100% | England and Wales | ||
Prudential Annuities Limited(2) | 100% | England and Wales | ||
Prudential Retirement Income Limited(2) | 100% | Scotland | ||
M&G Investment Management Limited(2) | 100% | England and Wales | ||
Egg Banking plc(2)(3) | 79% | England and Wales | ||
Jackson National Life Insurance Company(2) | 100% | United States | ||
Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Limited(2) | 100% | Singapore | ||
PCA Life Assurance Company Limited(2) | 99% | Taiwan |
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Introduction
As at December 31, 2005, Prudential's UK business was structured into three business units, each focusing on its respective target customer markets. Prudential's UK business units are UK Insurance Operations, M&G and Egg.
The following discussion describes:
In 2005, Prudential's UK business generated new business insurance premiums of £7,276 million and investment flows of £7,916 million. As of December 31, 2005, M&G had over £149 billion funds under management and Egg had customer deposits of £5,830 million and a credit card book of £3,491 million. See "M&G" below for an analysis of funds under management.
UK Retail Financial Services Market Overview
The United Kingdom is one of the world's largest life insurance markets in terms of premiums and is one of the largest asset management and retail banking markets. In recent years, the UK markets have changed significantly and are continuing to evolve as a result of changes in regulation and government policy, demographics, technological development and consumer awareness and attitudes. Retail financial services providers are adapting to these changes to meet consumer needs by broadening the range of products that they offer and the means by which those products are distributed to and accessed by customers.
The historical divisions between insurance, banking and other financial products are being eroded. It is increasingly common for providers to offer a range of pension products, life products and services, property and casualty insurance, banking products and retail investment products and services. Consumers are increasingly being offered access to these products through direct marketing and over the internet, as well as through the traditional company sales force, financial advisors, and bank branch distribution channels. However, for more complicated products, detailed "fact finds" are often required and consequently face-to-face advice is still preferred.
Financial advisors continue to be the principal channel for the distribution of life and pension products for insurers in the UK. This channel is undergoing significant change with the introduction by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of new "depolarization" rules in December 2004, leading to the establishment of multi-tie panels. Over the next few years, Prudential UK expects that a significant proportion of whole of market providers, which were previously known as independent financial advisors (IFAs), will move to a panel approach whereby they distribute the product range of a select number of life insurance companies.
Depolarization is also expected to have an effect on the UK bank distribution market as some banks move to offer their customers products from a panel of different providers rather than from a single product provider.
Competition among retail financial service companies is focused on product range, distribution reach, brand, investment performance and the specific benefits offered by products, charges and financial strength.
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Prudential believes that the prospects for the UK life insurance industry are improving and that it is now well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities presented. In accordance with this, the majority of the net proceeds of the Right Issues raised in 2004 are being used to provide capital to support Prudential's growth plans in the UK.
Prudential is determined to focus its participation in the UK market in propositions with high returns on capital invested and high margins.
UK Products and Profitability
In common with other UK long-term insurance companies, Prudential's products are structured as either with-profits (or participating) products, or non-participating (including unit linked) products. Depending upon the structure, the level of shareholders' interest in the value of policies and the related profit or loss varies.
With-profits policies are supported by a with-profits sub-fund and can be single premium (for example, Prudence Bond) or regular premium (for example, certain corporate pension products). Prudential's primary with-profits sub-fund is part of Prudential Assurance Company's (PAC) long-term fund. The return to shareholders on virtually all with-profits products is in the form of a statutory transfer to PAC shareholders' funds which is analogous to a dividend from PAC's long-term fund and is dependent upon the bonuses credited or declared on policies in that year. Prudential's with-profits policyholders currently receive 90 per cent of the distribution from the main with-profits sub-fund as bonus additions to their policies and shareholders receive 10 per cent as a statutory transfer.
The profits from almost all of Prudential's new non-participating business accrue solely to shareholders. Such business is written in the non-profit sub-fund within PAC's long-term fund, or in various shareholder owned direct or indirect subsidiaries, the most significant of which is Prudential Retirement Income Limited (PRIL), which also writes all new immediate annuities arising from vesting deferred annuity policies in the with-profits sub-fund of PAC. There is a substantial volume of in-force non-participating business in PAC's with-profits sub-fund and that fund's wholly owned subsidiary Prudential Annuities Limited (PAL), which is closed to new business; profits from this business accrue to the with-profits sub-fund.
Products
The traditional life insurance product offered by UK life insurance companies was a long-term savings product with a life insurance component. The life insurance element conferred tax advantages that distinguished the traditional life insurance products offered in the United Kingdom from the savings products offered by banks, building societies and unit trust companies. The gradual reduction of these tax advantages and increasing sales of single premium life products have resulted in the distinction between life insurance and other long-term savings products becoming less important. Pension products remain tax-advantaged within certain limits.
Prudential expects demand for private personal pension and savings products to increase over the medium to long term, in part reflecting a change in the UK government's approach to social security that has encouraged long-term savings through tax advantages, but also in reaction to the growing realization that state provided pensions are unlikely to provide sufficient retirement income. An ageing population is focusing on asset accumulation and other retirement products to supplement their state benefits, while younger generations are focusing on pension and long-term savings products as well as health and income protection cover.
During the late 1980s, the UK government began encouraging individuals to invest in equities, with particular emphasis on UK equities. The UK government's privatization program and the introduction in 1988 of tax-advantaged Personal Equity Plans, referred to as PEPs, considerably widened the UK equity investor base. The current UK government replaced PEPs in April 1999 with Individual Savings
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Accounts, referred to as ISAs, a tax-advantaged product that offers equity, insurance and deposit investment options. ISAs will continue until 2010 based on government pronouncements.
The UK government introduced "stakeholder pensions" in April 2001 with the intention of creating a pension for individuals who were earning enough to be able to afford to make a contribution towards a pension but were not currently doing so.
Prudential anticipates that 2006 will be a year of change for the retirement savings market due to Government pension reforms that came into force on April 6 (A-day). Prudential believes the changes will have a positive impact and create an improved savings environment over time, although it is unclear how quickly consumers will respond to these new regulations.
Prudential made a significant investment in its A-day preparations, including systems development and customer communications. Prudential launched a new Flexible Retirement Plan in 2005 and it will undertake a review of its overall individual pension offerings in 2006.
Historically, the majority of the life and pensions business written in the United Kingdom was with-profits business. However, in response to regulatory scrutiny and subsequent changes in the regulatory environment and customer requirements, with-profits products are being increasingly supplemented by simpler unit-linked products. For a detailed description of Prudential's with-profits products and policies, see "Shareholders' Interests in Prudential's Long-term Insurance BusinessWith-profits Products".
Distribution
Retail financial services and products are distributed face-to-face, through branches, tied agents, company sales forces and financial advisors, or directly by mail, telephone and over the internet. Tied agents are exclusive agents who represent only one insurer and must offer customers the products most suitable to their needs, but only from the range of products offered by that insurer. In recent years the high costs of company sales forces and tied agency networks, combined with customers perceiving a lack of choice, have meant that sales forces and tied agents have lost significant market share to financial advisors, with the result that many insurers, including Prudential, have chosen to close these tied agents and direct sales force networks.
Direct and e-commerce distribution methods are generally lower-cost than other methods but have not been conducive to providing financial advice to the consumer to date. Accordingly, products distributed directly are generally more straightforward and have lower, often fee-based, charges.
Previously, IFAs were required by the UK polarization laws to provide the best advice to customers, considering all of the products available in the market and the customer's particular circumstances, and were legally responsible for their own advice. In contrast, company sales forces could only sell the products of the company they were employed by, but nevertheless had to provide the best advice in light of the customer's particular circumstances. A company had legal responsibility for the advice its sales force provided and the conduct of its tied agents.
The FSA announced a relaxation of the polarization rules in March 2001 with respect to stakeholder pension schemes and direct offer financial promotions for packaged products (which include life policies other than pure protection policies, pensions, regulated collective investment schemes and investment trust savings schemes). As a result of these changes, tied sales forces and appointed representatives of product provider firms are now free to market stakeholder pensions manufactured by any other company.
The FSA, following a consultation process, implemented new 'depolarization' rules at the end of 2004. Advisors now have the choice of being 'single tied' as before, or multi-tied advising on the products of a limited range of providers, or equivalent to an IFA where they offer products from the 'whole of market' as now, but they also have to offer a 'fee alternative', a fee-based charging structure
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as an alternative to commission. Our view is that over time a significant number of existing whole of market advisors will choose to adopt a 'multi tie' selecting a limited number of large brands.
Prudential has worked with major financial advisor groups to design and build multi tie propositions, and Prudential UK has been appointed to multi-tie panels for Millfield, THINC Destini, Sesame, Bankhall and Barclays.
As of December 31, 2005, Prudential UK Insurance operations distributes its products through the following channels:
Direct to Consumer
The direct to consumer distribution channel is primarily charged with increasing revenue from existing Prudential customers and by seeking new customers. Direct to Consumer includes the telephone and Internet and focuses on annuities, protection and health products.
Business to Business
The business to business distribution channel focuses on the maximization of the value of the existing book of corporate pension schemes and winning new schemes. This channel targets Prudential's strong base of corporate pensions through workplace marketing. Prudential UK corporate pension products are marketed through consulting actuaries, benefits advisors and its company employer and employee relationship management teams. Consulting actuaries and benefits advisors are IFAs, but are not generally the same as the retail financial advisors being targeted via the intermediary channel discussed below. In addition, Prudential markets bulk annuities to trustees of Defined Benefit schemes via employee benefit consultants.
Within the Corporate Pensions sector the advisor market is heavily dominated by a small number of Employee Benefit Consultants (EBCs) who control the majority of the 250 plus lives sectors. Prudential targets its proposition at medium to large sized employers, distributed via the major EBCs on a nil commission basis. Prudential has a well developed and comprehensive worksite communication proposition that is effectively deployed within both its new and existing clients to educate and inform members as well as increasing the take up within the arrangements.
Intermediaries
The intermediary channel focuses on the distribution of products to individual customers via retail financial advisors. This channel was restructured during 2004 in response to the new regulatory regime effective from December 2004. A new infrastructure was created to customize the levels of support required. A new divisional structure was implemented that matches field-based account managers with high value customer segments. Lower value segments are serviced by telephone-based account managers. The new organization structure positions the Intermediaries business to extract maximum value from the opportunities the new regulatory regime presents.
Following the introduction of the new depolarization rules, many financial advisor groups have used the opportunity to establish multi-tie panels. Prudential has made good progress with the new panels announced to date, and is strongly positioned to take advantage of the depolarized marketplace as this develops over the next few years. Prudential achieved sales of £37 million through this channel in 2005 and expects that multi-ties will start to have a greater impact on sales in the future.
Corporate Partnerships
The corporate partnerships channel focuses on developing strong relationships with banks, retail brands and other distributors. Corporate partnerships also seeks to help our distribution partners in their distribution and product development strategies. We now have a range of providers including Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Pearl Assurance, Zurich Financial Services, Openwork, National Australia Bank, St James
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Place and with Royal London to provide pension annuities for vesting Scottish Life policies. In June 2005, Prudential reached agreement with Resolution Life to acquire a portfolio of the in-force pension annuities from its subsidiary, Phoenix Life & Pensions.
UK Business Units
UK Insurance Operations
Products
Prudential offers a wide range of products, which traditionally have been marketed under the "Prudential" and "Scottish Amicable" brands. From January 2003, however, products have only been sold under the Prudential brand. See "Item 5 Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsAnalysis by Geographic RegionUK Insurance operationsUK Restructurings". The products distributed include long-term products consisting of:
In October 2004 Prudential launched PruHealth, a UK healthcare product that links health and fitness to the cost of medical insurance. As PruHealth is not a life insurance product its premium income is not reported as long-term new business sales. In 2005, gross written premiums were £9 million, with over 30,000 covered individuals. Support for PruHealth is strong in both the intermediaries channel and the direct to consumer channel, and its rate of growth is accelerating. The product has been developed through a joint venture with Discovery of South Africa. For further information see "StrategyDriving Growth" above.
In October 2005, Prudential launched Prudential Property Value Release Plan. A life time mortgage product that gives customers greater flexibility and control over the timing of when they draw down funds, thereby reducing total interest charges over the lifetime of the loan. It has been well received by advisors and customers.
Long-term Products
Prudential's long-term products in the United Kingdom consist of life insurance, pension products and pensions annuities. The following table shows Prudential's UK Insurance Operations new business
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insurance and investment premiums by product line for the periods indicated. New business premiums include deposits for policies with limited or no life contingencies.
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
|
(in £ millions) |
|||||
Life insurance | ||||||
With-profits | 175 | 246 | ||||
Unit-linked | 1,780 | 1,565 | ||||
Total life insurance | 1,955 | 1,811 | ||||
Pensions | ||||||
With-profits individual | 30 | 28 | ||||
Unit-linked individual | 73 | 60 | ||||
Department of Work and Pensions rebates | 327 | 354 | ||||
Corporate | 438 | 432 | ||||
Total pensions | 868 | 874 | ||||
Pension annuities and other retirement products | ||||||
Fixed | 3,752 | 3,482 | ||||
Retail Price Index | 347 | 204 | ||||
With-profits | 153 | 76 | ||||
Total pension annuities | 4,252 | 3,762 | ||||
Total new business premiums | 7,075 | 6,447 | ||||
New business premiums in 2005 were £7,075 million, up approximately 10 per cent on 2004. This increase principally reflects a growth in sales of unit-linked life and pension products and pension annuities. The growth in Pension Annuities was mainly driven by the acquisition of the £1,450 million portfolio of in-force pension annuities from Phoenix Life & Pensions. This is the second transaction of this type and magnitude achieved following the £1,108 million transaction with Royal London in 2004.
Life Insurance Products
Prudential's UK life insurance products are predominantly medium to long-term savings products with life cover attached, and also include pure protection (term) products. The main savings products Prudential offers are investment bonds.
Savings ProductsInvestment Bonds
Prudential offers customers a choice through a range of investment funds to meet different risk and reward objectives. Prudential launched the Flexible Investment Plan ("FIP") in November 2003. Through this plan, its customers have the option to invest in the Prudence Bond (With-Profits) along with a range of unit linked investment funds. Advisors can build an individual portfolio and asset allocation model to accurately match a client's risk / reward profile. FIP also gives financial advisors the opportunity to choose from different external fund management groups and the flexibility to make changes to portfolio and asset allocation over time. In 2005, sales of the Unit-linked option of FIP were £516 million.
The Prudence Bond, a single premium, unitized with-profits policy with no fixed term, is one of the United Kingdom's leading investment bond products in terms of with-profits market share. Prudential launched the Prospect Bond, another single premium with-profits bond, in October 2003. The Prospect Bond gives investors the opportunity to move out of under performing funds elsewhere in the market, and into the Prudential With-Profits Fund. In September 2004, Prudential launched the next generation with-profits investment bond, entitled PruFund. A replacement for Prudence Bond it is designed to
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provide increased transparency and smoothed investment returns to the customer. In 2005, total new business premiums attributable to the PruFund, Prudence Bond, Prospect Bond and the Prudential Investment Bond, were in excess of £158 million. Sales of Prudential's offshore bonds, the International Prudence Bond and International Prudential Portfolio Bond, were £308 million in 2005.
With-profits products aim to provide capital growth over the medium to long-term, and access to a range of investment sectors without the costs and risks associated with direct investment into these sectors. Capital growth for the policyholder on with-profits bonds apart from PruFund is achieved by the addition of reversionary or regular bonuses, which are credited to the bond on a daily basis from investment returns achieved within Prudential Assurance's long-term with-profits fund, off-set by charges and expenses incurred in the fund. A final bonus may also be added when the bond is surrendered. PruFund delivers growth through a published expected growth rate, updated quarterly, and a transparent formulaic smoothing mechanism. In contrast the capital return on unit-linked bonds directly reflects the movement in the value of the assets underlying those funds. When funds invested in Prudential Assurance's long-term with-profits fund are either fully or partially withdrawn, Prudential may apply a market value adjustment to the amount paid out.
Life Protection
Prudential underwrites Life protection for companies providing loans to their customers. Sales in 2005 were £833 million mostly generated through Prudential's partnership agreements with Lloyds TSB and Alliance and Leicester.
Pension Products
Prudential provides both individual and corporate pension products. In 2005, new business premiums totalled £103 million for individual pensions and £438 million for corporate pensions. Pension products are tax-advantaged long-term savings products that comply with rules established by the UK Inland Revenue and are designed to supplement state- provided pensions. These rules require that, upon retirement, maturity benefits are used to purchase pension annuities by policyholder election at retirement or at least by the age of 75, although they do permit a portion to be taken as a tax-free lump sum. Prior to retirement, these products typically have minimal mortality risk to Prudential and are primarily considered investment products. An exception is where a guaranteed annuity option has been offered on the product, with an element of risk to Prudential both in underlying mortality and investment assumptions.
Prudential ceased marketing Guaranteed Annuity Options ("GAOs") in 1987, but for a minority of corporate pension schemes GAOs still apply for new members. Current liabilities for this type of business make up less than 1 per cent of the with-profits sub-fund.
Many of the pension products Prudential offers are with-profits products or offer the option to have all or part of the contributions allocated to a with-profits fund. Where funds invested in the with-profits fund are withdrawn prior to the pension date specified by the policyholder, Prudential may apply a market value adjustment to the amount paid out. The remaining pension products are non-participating products, which include unit-linked products.
Individual Pensions
Prudential's individual pension range offers unit-linked and unitized with-profits products.
In 2001, Prudential introduced products that meet the criteria of the UK government's stakeholder pension program. The stakeholder pension is intended for individuals earning enough to be able to afford to make contributions to a pension but who are not currently doing so. The introduction of stakeholder pensions has had implications for, among other things, how Prudential designs, administers, charges for and distributes pension products. The most significant requirements involve capped charges
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and a low minimum contribution which must be accepted by the provider. The government has capped charges at 1.5 per cent per annum of the policyholder account balance for stakeholder pensions for the first ten years, decreasing to 1 per cent thereafter, which is below the charges on personal pension products previously offered by the UK pensions industry.
Prudential launched a new retirement savings product, the Flexible Retirement Plan in 2005 and will undertake a review of its overall individual pensions offering in 2006.
Department of Work and Pensions Rebates ("DWP Rebate")
Prudential also provides individual personal pension products through the DWP Rebate arrangement. Under this arrangement, individuals may elect to contract out of the UK's State Second Pension (referred to as SP2) which was previously known as State Earnings Related Pension Scheme, administered by the UK Department of Work and Pensions. If an individual elects to contract out, then he or she will designate a pension provider, such as Prudential. Premiums on products sold in this manner are paid through "rebates" from the Department of Work and Pensions, which represent the amount that would be otherwise paid into SP2. Rebate amounts are invested to provide benefits to the individual. Premiums from Department of Work and Pensions rebates are typically reported in the first quarter of each year.
In 2005, Prudential wrote to 440,000 of its customers contracted out of the second state pensions and provided updated information and views to enable them to make an informed decision about whether to contract back in for the 2005/6 tax year onwards. As a result of this mailing, approximately 132,000 customers elected to contract back into the State scheme resulting in a decline in DWP rebate business of 29 per cent in the first quarter of 2006.
Corporate Pensions
There are two categories of corporate pension products: defined benefit and defined contribution. Prudential has an established defined benefit plan client base covering the smallto mediumsized employer market. Prudential's defined contribution client base ranges from small-unlisted companies to some of the largest companies in the United Kingdom as well as a number of clients in the public sector (in particular the Additional Voluntary Contribution Sector). Additional Voluntary Contribution plans enable employees to make additional pension contributions, either regularly or as a lump sum, to supplement their occupational pension plans.
Defined benefit plans and products continue to dominate the corporate pensions market in terms of funds under management. In recent years, however, most new plans established have been defined contribution products. In addition, there is an increasing trend among companies to close the plans to new members or to convert existing schemes from defined benefit to defined contribution in order to stabilize or reduce potential pension liabilities.
Prudential offers group unit linked policies and with-profits policies to the corporate pensions market. Prudential's defined contribution products are Additional Voluntary Contribution plans, Group Money Purchase Plans, Group Personal Pension plans, Group Stakeholder Pension plans and Executive Pension plans.
Prudential also has a Company Pension Transfer Plan (or Bulk S32), designed to accept benefits from both defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes which are winding-up (cease to exist or being replaced by a new type of scheme).
Pension Annuities and other retirement products
Prudential offers individual conventional immediate annuities that are either fixed or retail price indexed (referred to as RPI), where annuity payments are guaranteed from the outset, or with-profits annuities, where annuity payments are variable. A total of £2,222 million of individual conventional
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annuities were sold in 2005. Of this total, £1,130 million were sold to existing Prudential customers with maturing pension policies. The other £1,092 million were sold to new customers, typically individuals with a pension maturing with another provider who chose Prudential to provide their annuity. Prudential also offers bulk annuities, whereby it manages the assets and accepts the liabilities, of a company pension scheme, usually when it is being wound up by the employer. Due to the nature of the product, the volume of Prudential's bulk annuity sales is unpredictable as it depends on the decision of scheme trustees. In 2005, Prudential sold £2,030 million of bulk annuities, of which £1,450 million related to the acquisition of the portfolio of in-force pension annuities from Resolution Life's subsidiary, Phoenix Life & Pensions.
Prudential's immediate annuity products provide guaranteed income for a specified time, usually the life of the policyholder, in exchange for a lump-sum capital payment. No surrender value is available under any of these products. The primary risks to Prudential from immediate annuity products, therefore, are mortality improvements and credit risk.
Conventional Annuities
Prudential's conventional annuities include level (non-increasing), fixed increase and retail price index ("RPI") annuities. Prudential's fixed increase annuities incorporate automatic increases in annuity payments by fixed amounts over the policyholder's life. The RPI annuities provide for a regular annuity payment to which an additional amount is added periodically based on the increase in the UK Retail Prices Index. In 2005, sales of RPI annuities were £347 million (including £245 million of bulk annuities). In 2005, sales of level and fixed increase annuities amounted to £3,752 million (including £2,080 million of bulk annuities and £26 million of unit-linked Flexible Retirement Income Account products ("FRIA")).
With-profits Annuities
Prudential is one of only a few companies in the United Kingdom writing with-profits annuities. In 2005, Prudential wrote £153 million of this business. Prudential's with-profits annuities combine the income features of annuity products with the investment smoothing features of with-profits products and enable policyholders to obtain equity-type returns over time. Policyholders select an "anticipated bonus" from the specific range Prudential offers for the particular product. The value of the annuity payment each year depends upon the anticipated bonus rate selected by the policyholder when the product is purchased and the bonuses Prudential declares each year during the term of the product. If bonus rates fall below the anticipated rate, then the annuity income falls.
Flexible Retirement Income Account
FRIA offers customers a flexible retirement solution and consists of two separate products. The Flexible Income Draw-down Plan ("FIDP") offers wide investment choice, income flexibility and options on death, including the repayment of the remaining fund as a lump sum. Under the current rules for approval of pension schemes, customers can use this draw-down product to provide retirement income up to age 75. These rules require customers to purchase annuities with any remaining pension funds at age 75. The Flexible Lifetime Annuity ("FLA") offers similar investment choice and income flexibility to FIDP but no lump sum death benefits. Prudential sold £29 million of the FRIA products in 2005.
Lifetime mortgage
In October 2005, Prudential launched Prudential Property Value Release Plan. A life time mortgage product which gives customers greater flexibility and control over the timing of when they draw down funds, thereby reducing total interest charges over the lifetime of the loan. It has been well received by advisors and customers.
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M&G
M&G is Prudential's fund management business in the United Kingdom and continental Europe and comprises retail, institutional and internal fund management activities. Its key metrics of performance are profits, net sales and investment performance.
Gross fund inflows into M&G's retail products were a record £3.8 billion in 2005, a 90 per cent increase on 2004 as M&G maintained its fixed income sales and continued to increase fund flows into equity funds on the back of its strong fund performance. Net fund inflows for 2005 were £1.3 billion. This enabled M&G to consolidate its position as one of the top four retail fund managers in the United Kingdom, measured in terms of total funds under management (source: Investment Management Association).
In its institutional businesses, M&G continued to reap the benefits of its position as a leading innovator in fixed income and private finance, with gross fund inflows increasing by 5 per cent to £4.1 billion during 2005. Net fund inflows were £2.5 billion. The successful strategy of developing new external business lines with attractive margins, using expertise developed for internal funds, generated increased revenue streams, especially in the area of non-correlated assets such as leveraged loans. M&G's private finance business successfully completed two more Collateralized Debt Obligations ("CDOs") during the year, bringing the total number of CDOs launched since 2001 to eleven.
Over three years Prudential UK's main with-profits fund, which is principally managed by M&G, has generated annual returns 1.03 per cent higher than its strategic benchmark and 2.77 per cent higher than its competitor benchmark. Total performance fees in 2005 were £24 million, including £7 million of performance related fees for the management of the Prudential Assurance Company long-term and annuity funds which continued to beat their strategic and competitor benchmarks during the year. M&G also received £17 million which related to the disposal of some of the investments by PPM Capital that are not expected to recur.
According to Standard & Poor's within the Retail business 46 per cent of M&G funds were in the top quartile over the last three years up to December 31, 2005 and 50 per cent of equity funds were in the top quartile.
M&G's property division, Prudential Property Investment Managers ("PruPIM"), which invests primarily on behalf of the Prudential Assurance Company, significantly increased its funds under management during 2005 and expanded its product offering into the retail marketplace with the launch of the M&G Property Fund alongside its growing unit-linked funds. PruPIM is one of the largest institutional property fund managers in the UK with over £17.2 billion invested in the property market.
The following table shows funds managed by M&G at the dates indicated.
|
At December 31, |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
|
(In £ Billions) |
|||
Retail fund management | 15 | 11 | ||
Institutional fund management | 21 | 17 | ||
Internal fund management | 113 | 98 | ||
Total | 149 | 126 | ||
Retail Fund Management
M&G's retail fund management business comprises management and distribution of retail investment products. In its most important market, the United Kingdom, distribution is increasingly through various types of intermediaries and it also sells directly to customers. M&G is also expanding its distribution into certain European markets (via M&G International) and some Asian markets.
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Institutional Fund Management
M&G's institutional business is focused on fixed income and pooled pension mandates. Clients are typically large institutional investors, primarily pension funds and insurance companies. In addition to traditional institutional fund management activities, M&G has also expanded its activities in more specialist areas, primarily through its Private Finance and Prudential Finance business units. Private Finance provides fund management services in project finance and securitized debt and Prudential Finance manages the Group's banking relationships, core debt issuance and commercial paper programs and provides capital market solutions for Prudential group companies. M&G also carries out securities lending on behalf of its clients.
Internal Fund Management
M&G's internal fund management activities are based in the United Kingdom. Total internal funds under management at December 31, 2005 were £113 billion. Internal funds are invested by M&G in equities, fixed income securities, property and private equity.
Where Prudential chooses to invest internal funds in the United States or Asia, this is done through PPM America in the United States and Prudential Asset Management in Asia. See "US BusinessPPM America" and "Asian BusinessFunds Management" for descriptions of PPM America and Prudential Asset Management, respectively.
Prudential Finance
Prudential Finance manages the Group's banking relationships, core debt issuance and commercial paper programs and provides capital market solutions for Prudential group companies. Prudential Finance also carries out securities lending on behalf of M&G's clients.
Egg
Egg offers banking and insurance products and services, including credit cards, unsecured personal loans, mortgages, savings and general consumer insurance products. It was launched in October 1998 with the goal of attracting a new segment of customers and developing a new direct distribution channel. The Egg brand has consistently targeted consumers who like to manage their own financial affairs, seek consistently good value and simple products and prefer the flexibility offered by remote access. Following its unprecedented success in attracting new customers, Egg began accepting new applications for deposit accounts exclusively through the internet in April 1999 and since then its business model has remained internet-led, supported by the telephone.
Egg has completed the re-focus on its core UK banking business over the last 12 months with the completion of the sale of its investment wrap, an electronic platform allowing investors or their advisors to organize and transact holdings in investment funds offered by a number of investment companies, business "Funds Direct" in October 2005 and its 49.9 per cent stake in Marlborough Sterling Mortgage Services in January 2006. The exit from France was completed during 2005 with total costs incurred within the provision established in 2004. See "Acquisitions and Disposals".
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The following table shows the total product balances for both Egg and Prudential branded products at the dates indicated.
Products
|
At December 31, |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||
Customer savings | 5,830 | 6,336 | ||
Mortgage loans | 1,484 | 1,693 | ||
Credit card receivables | 3,491 | 3,578 | ||
Personal loans | 2,790 | 2,619 |
Egg Card, the UK's first credit card designed for the internet, was launched in September 1999. Egg achieved a market share of over 5 per cent of outstanding UK credit card balances at December 31, 2005 and the balance outstanding on credit cards stood at £3,491 million. At December 31, 2005, Egg's branded savings in the UK totaled £5,706 million and Egg's own-branded mortgage balances stood at £1,019 million and its personal loan balances stood at £2,790 million.
Egg also offers motor, travel, home and contents and life assurance, with each product type underwritten by different insurers and Egg receiving a sales commission.
Egg also markets Prudential branded products. These product balances, included in the above table, were £465 million of mortgage loans, £124 million of savings and £0.1 million of personal loans at December 31, 2005.
The closer partnership of Egg with Prudential's UK insurance business, as announced in December 2005, is expected to achieve revenue and cost synergies. The work to maximize the synergies between the two businesses has already started with PruHealth policies now being sold through Egg.
Acquisitions and Disposals
Egg France
During 2003 the decision was taken that the development of the business in France required a level of investment greater than that which Egg was prepared to take on a standalone basis. Egg therefore began negotiations with potential partners that may have led to a joint venture or similar transaction. However, no suitable business partner was identified. On July 13, 2004, Egg announced its withdrawal from the French market to focus on its successful UK business. The trading in France ceased in 2005 and the total closure costs are expected to be within the provision of £113 million established in July 2004.
Funds Direct
Following the decision to focus on its core UK business, Egg put Funds Direct, its investment wrap platform business, up for sale and booked a £17 million impairment charge against the full carrying value of the underlying assets in 2004. The sale was completed in October 2005.
Marlborough Sterling Mortgage Services
In order to focus the UK business more closely on consumer retail financial services, Egg took the decision to sell its stake in its mortgage processing joint venture back to its partner, Vertex Financial Services Ltd. This sale was completed in January 2006.
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Reinsurance
In view of the size and spread of Prudential Assurance's long-term insurance fund, there is little need for reinsurance to protect this business. Some limited reinsurance is maintained and treaties relating to critical illness, permanent health insurance and term insurance are in place.
Reserves
In the United Kingdom, a long-term insurance company's reserve and other requirements are determined by its Board, with advice from its Actuarial Function Holder, subject to minimum reserve requirements. These minimum reserve requirements are established by the rules of the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook for Insurers and have been interpreted by mandatory professional guidance notes.
The reserves are published in annual returns to the UK supervisory authority. In practice, similar provisions are included in the life insurance company's statutory accounts with limited adjustments. Whether an employee of, or consultant to, an insurance company, an Actuarial Function Holder must give due regard to the fair treatment of policyholders in making recommendations to a company's board of directors. Mandatory professional guidance notes require an Actuarial Function Holder to report directly to the UK supervisory authority any serious concerns regarding a company's ability to treat its customers fairly.
Prudential's regulatory reserving for with-profits products as required by UK regulation, takes into account annual bonuses/annual interest credited to policyholders because these are "attached" to the policies and are guaranteed. Realistic reserves are also calculated for with-profits products under UK regulation. These include an allowance for final bonuses based on the asset share or a prospective valuation of the policies and the cost of guarantees, smoothing and enhancements.
Prudential reserves for unit-linked products on the basis of the value of the unit fund and additional reserves are held for expenses and mortality where this is required by the contract design.
As well as the reserves, the company's assets must also cover other capital requirements set out in the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook. These comprise a resilience capital requirement, which makes prudent allowance for potential future adverse movements in investment values; a with-profits insurance capital component, which is a measure of the difference in the surplus assets on regulatory and realistic bases; and the long-term insurance capital requirement, which must be held by all European Union insurance companies. See "Financial Strength of Prudential Assurance's Long-term Fund" for further information on solvency and "Realistic Financial Strength Reporting" for further information on realistic reporting.
Financial Strength of Prudential Assurance's Long-term Fund
The fund is very strong with an inherited estate measured on an essentially deterministic valuation basis of around £9.0 billion at the end of 2005, compared with £6.8 billion at the end of 2004.
The PAC long-term fund is rated AA+ by Standard & Poor's, Aa1 by Moody's and AA+ by Fitch Ratings.
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The table below shows the change in the investment mix of Prudential's main with-profits fund:
|
2005 % |
2004 % |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
UK equities | 40 | 33 | ||
International equities | 19 | 15 | ||
Property | 15 | 18 | ||
Bonds | 21 | 29 | ||
Cash and other asset classes | 5 | 5 | ||
Total | 100 | 100 | ||
For the main UK with-profits fund 83 per cent of fixed income securities are investment grade with 25 per cent rated AA or above. For Prudential Annuities Limited 95 per cent of the fixed income securities are investment grade with 48 per cent rated AA or above. For Prudential Retirement Income Limited 98 per cent of total assets are investment grade with 57 per cent rated AA or above.
With-profits contracts are long-term contracts with relatively low guaranteed amounts. This, combined with the strong financial position of the fund, enables Prudential to invest primarily in equities and property. At the end of 2005 the equity backing ratio (equity plus property) was nearly 74 per cent which reflects an approximate 10 per cent increase in the equity exposure over the year. This strategy has been driven by the perceived attractive pricing of equities relative to other assets in the earlier part of 2005. To some extent this is a retracing of the substantial (and successful) equity reduction strategy implemented towards the end of the 1990s 'bubble' period. The fund remains extremely well diversified geographically, by asset type and within the underlying stock portfolios, which we believe is an attractive feature of the Prudential with profits proposition. It helps reduce risk or expected volatility by insulating the total fund from potential weakness in any particular market or stock. The active management of the asset mix in recent years has had a substantial beneficial impact on investment returns. The broad asset mix will continue to be reviewed as the economic environment and market valuations change.
The investment return on the Prudential main with-profits fund was 20 per cent in the year to December 31, 2005 compared with the rise in the FTSE All Share (Total Return) Index of 22 per cent over the same period. Over the last ten years the with-profits fund has consistently generated positive fund returns with 3, 5 and 10 year compound returns of 16.6 per cent per annum, 7.1 per cent per annum and 10.1 per cent per annum respectively, compared with corresponding increases in the FTSE All Share index (Total Return) of 18.5 per cent, 2.2 per cent and 7.9 per cent. These returns demonstrate the benefits of the fund's strategic asset allocation and long-term outperformance.
Realistic Financial Strength Reporting
The FSA published its Integrated Prudential Sourcebook, which in addition to the regulatory basis that previously applied includes regulations for a more "realistic" valuation basis which applied from December 31, 2004. In the aggregate, the basis has the effect of placing a value on the liabilities of UK with-profits contracts that reflects the amounts expected to be paid based on the current value of investments held by the with-profits funds and current circumstances.
Prudential supported the FSA's objective of moving to a more realistic basis of solvency reporting. This makes companies' financial health more transparent to policyholders, intermediaries and regulators alike, and enables more informed choices to be made by policyholders. The PAC long-term with-profits sub-fund is very strong with the inherited estate (free assets) measured on a realistic basis, valued at £8.0 billion at the year end before deducting for the risk capital margin.
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Shareholders' Interests in Prudential's Long-term Insurance Business
In common with other UK long-term insurance companies, Prudential's products are structured as either with-profits products or non-participating (including unit-linked) products. For statutory and management purposes, Prudential Assurance's long-term fund consists of a number of sub-funds in which shareholders and policyholders have varying interests.
With-profits Products
With-profits products provide an equity-type return to policyholders through bonuses that are "smoothed". There are two types of bonuses: "annual" and "final". Annual bonuses, often referred to as reversionary bonuses, are declared once a year and, once credited, are guaranteed in accordance with the terms of the particular product. Unlike annual bonuses, final bonuses are only guaranteed until the next bonus declaration. Final bonuses are only credited on a product's maturity or surrender or on the death of the policyholder. Final bonuses can represent a substantial portion of the ultimate return to policyholders.
With-profits policies are supported by a with-profits fund. Prudential's primary with-profits fund is part of Prudential Assurance's long-term fund. With-profits products provide benefits that are generally either the value of the premiums paid, less charges and fees and with the addition of declared bonuses, or the guaranteed death benefit with the addition of declared bonuses. Smoothing of investment returns is an important feature of with-profits products. It is designed to reduce the impact of fluctuations in investment return from year to year and is accomplished predominantly through the level of final bonuses declared.
The return to Prudential's shareholders in respect of with-profits business Prudential writes is an amount equal to up to one-ninth of the value of the bonuses Prudential credits or declares to policyholders in that year. Prudential has a large block of in-force with-profits business with varying maturity dates that generates a relatively stable stream of shareholder profits from year to year.
Prudential Assurance's board of directors, with the advice of its Actuarial Function Holder and its With-Profits Actuary determines the amount of annual and final bonuses to be declared each year on each group of contracts.
When determining policy payouts, including final bonuses, Prudential follows an actuarial practice of considering "asset shares" for specimen policies. Asset shares broadly reflect the value of premiums paid in respect of a policy accumulated at the investment return on the assets Prudential notionally attributes to the policy. In calculating asset shares, Prudential takes into account the following items:
However, Prudential does not take into account the surplus assets of the long-term fund, or their investment return, in calculating asset shares. Asset shares are used in the determination of final bonuses together with treating customers fairly, the need to smooth claim values and payments from year to year and competitive considerations.
Prudential is required by UK law and regulation to consider the fair treatment of its customers in setting bonus levels. The concept of treating customers fairly is established by statute but is not defined. In practice, it provides one of the guiding principles for decision-making in respect of with-profits products.
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The overall return to policyholders is an important competitive measure for attracting new business. The ability to declare competitive bonuses depends, in part, on the financial strength of Prudential Assurance's long-term fund, enabling it to maintain high levels of investment in equities and real estate, if it wishes to do so. Equities and real estate have historically over the long-term provided a return in excess of fixed interest securities.
In 2005, Prudential declared a total surplus of £2,234 million from Prudential Assurance's primary with-profits fund, of which £2,011 million was added to with-profits policies and £223 million was distributed to shareholders. This includes annual bonus rates of 3.25 per cent for the Prudence Bond and 3.25 per cent for personal pensions. In 2004, Prudential declared a total surplus of £1,986 million from Prudential Assurance's primary with-profits fund, of which £1,788 million was added to with-profits policies and £198 million was distributed to shareholders. This includes annual bonus rates of 3.25 per cent for the Prudence Bond and 3.25 per cent for personal pensions.
The closed Scottish Amicable Insurance Fund (referred to as SAIF) declared total bonuses in 2005 of £455 million compared to £379 million in 2004. Shareholders have no interest in profits from the SAIF fund, although they are entitled to the investment management fees paid by this business. For greater detail on the SAIF fund, see "The SAIF Sub-fund and Accounts" below.
Surplus Assets in Prudential Assurance's Long-term With-profits Fund
The long-term fund contains the amount that PAC expects to pay out to meet its obligations to existing policyholders and an additional amount used as working capital. The amount payable over time to policyholders from the with-profits sub-fund is equal to the policyholders' accumulated asset shares plus any additional payments that may be required for smoothing or to meet guarantees. The balance of the assets of the with-profits subfund is called the 'inherited estate' and represents the major part of the working capital of Prudential's long-term fund which enables PAC to support with-profits business by:
The size of the inherited estate fluctuates from year to year depending on the investment return and the extent to which it has been required to meet smoothing costs, guarantees and other events.
The Company believes that it would be beneficial if there were greater clarity as to the status of the inherited estate. In due course, after discussions with the FSA, the Company may therefore take steps to achieve that clarity, whether through guidance from the court or otherwise. In any event, the Company expects that the entire inherited estate will need to be retained within the long-term fund for the foreseeable future to provide working capital, and so it is not considering any distribution of the inherited estate to policyholders and shareholders.
The costs associated with the mis-selling review of Prudential's with-profits personal pensions have been met from the inherited estate. Accordingly, these costs have not been charged to the asset shares used in the determination of policyholder bonus rates. Hence policyholders' pay-out values have been unaffected by personal pension mis-selling.
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Depletion of Surplus Assets and Shareholders' Contingencies
As a proprietary insurance company, Prudential Assurance is liable to meet its obligations to policyholders even if the assets of the long-term funds are insufficient to do so. The assets, in excess of amounts expected to be paid for future terminal bonuses and related shareholder transfers (the excess assets) in the long-term funds, represented by the unallocated surplus of with-profits funds could be materially depleted over time by, for example, a significant or sustained equity market downturn, costs of significant fundamental strategic change or a material increase in mis-selling provisions. In the unlikely circumstance that the depletion of the excess assets within the long-term fund was such that the Group's ability to treat its customers fairly was adversely affected, it might become necessary to restrict the annual distribution to shareholders or to contribute shareholders' funds to the long-term funds to provide financial support.
In 1998, Prudential stated that deducting personal pensions mis-selling costs from the inherited estate of the With-Profits Sub-Fund would not impact the Company's bonus or investment policy. The Company gave an assurance that if this unlikely event were to occur, it would make available support to the fund from shareholder resources for as long as the situation continued, so as to ensure that policyholders were not disadvantaged.
The assurance was designed to protect both existing policyholders at the date it was announced, and policyholders who subsequently purchased policies while the pension mis-selling review was continuing. The mis-selling review was completed on June 30, 2002 and consequently the assurance has not applied to new business issued since January 1, 2004. New business in this context consists of new policies, new members to existing pension schemes plus regular and single premium top-ups, transfers and switches to existing arrangements. The assurance will continue to apply to any policy in force as at December 31, 2003, both for premiums paid before January 1, 2004 and for subsequent regular premiums (including future fixed, retail price index or salary related increases and Department for Work and Pensions rebates).
The maximum amount of capital support available under the terms of the assurance for policies in-force at December 31, 2003 will reduce over time as Prudential pays claims on the policies covered by it.
The bonus and investment policy for each type of with-profits policy is the same irrespective of whether or not the assurance applies. Hence removal of the assurance for new business has had no impact on policyholder returns and this is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
The SAIF Sub-fund and Accounts
The SAIF sub-fund is a ring-fenced sub-fund of Prudential Assurance's long-term fund and was formed following the acquisition of the mutual Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society in 1997. No new business may be written in SAIF, although regular premiums are still being paid on policies in-force at the time of the acquisition and "top-ups" are permitted on these policies.
This fund is solely for the benefit of those Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society policyholders whose policies were transferred to SAIF. Shareholders have no interest in the profits of this fund, although they are entitled to the investment management fees paid on this business. The brand name and rights to profit on new business were transferred to a new Prudential subsidiary, Scottish Amicable Life plc, which operated for the benefit of shareholders.
At the time of the acquisition, Prudential Assurance's long-term fund made payments of £276 million to the SAIF sub-fund for the unit-linked life business and non-participating life business and the future profits from unitized with-profits life business. Prudential Assurance also agreed to set up a memorandum account of £1.3 billion that is considered in determining SAIF's investment policy. The
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SAIF sub-fund pays an annual charge to the other part of Prudential Assurance's long-term fund in respect of this memorandum account.
Prudential Assurance's long-term fund made a further payment of £185 million to qualifying Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society policyholders for the use of the Scottish Amicable brand and future expense synergies. This payment will be recovered by the long-term fund by means of a combination of a service agreement and a license fee agreement with Craigforth Services Limited (now renamed Prudential UK Services Limited), a shareholder-owned service company set up at the time of the acquisition.
In addition to the payments described above, shareholders paid £415 million to qualifying Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society policyholders, representing goodwill, and £70 million for certain Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society strategic investments.
The adoption on January 1, 2005 of realistic reporting of liabilities in SAIF has had the effect of including the surplus assets over declared bonuses in liabilities rather than as unallocated surplus.
With the exception of certain guaranteed annuity products, referred to below, the majority of SAIF with-profits policies do not guarantee minimum rates of return to policyholders. Should the assets of SAIF be inadequate to meet the guaranteed benefit obligations to the policyholders of SAIF, the Prudential Assurance long-term fund would be liable to cover any such deficiency. Due to the quality and diversity of the assets in SAIF and the ability of SAIF to revise guaranteed benefits in the event of an asset shortfall, the directors believe that the probability of either the Company's long-term fund or the Company's shareholders' funds having to contribute to SAIF is remote.
Non-participating Business
The majority of Prudential-branded non-participating business is written in the non-profit sub-fund of Prudential Assurance's long-term fund or in subsidiaries owned by the Company. Since mid-2004, Prudential has written all of its new non-profit annuity business through Prudential Retirement Income limited ('PRIL'), from which the profits are attributed solely to shareholders. Prior to that time, certain non-profit annuity business was written through Prudential Annuities Limited ('PAL'), which is wholly owned by PAC's with-profits fund. The profits on this business are attributable to the fund and not to shareholders, although indirectly shareholders get one ninth of additional amounts paid to policyholders through the declaration of bonuses.
The unit-linked business written by Prudential Assurance and Prudential International Assurance is written with capital provided by shareholders.
Pension Mis-selling Review
In 1988, the UK government introduced new pensions legislation intended to encourage more individuals to make their own arrangements for their pensions. During the period from April 1988 to June 1994, many individuals were advised by insurance companies, Independent Financial Advisors and other intermediaries to not join, to transfer from or to opt out of their occupational pension schemes in favor of private pension products introduced under the UK Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. The UK insurance regulator (previously the Personal Investment Authority, now the Financial Services Authority (FSA)), subsequently determined that many individuals were incorrectly advised and would have been better off not purchasing the private pension products sold to them. Industry participants are responsible for compensating the persons to whom private pensions were mis-sold. As a result, the FSA required that all UK life insurance companies review their potential cases of pension mis-selling and pay compensation to policyholders where necessary and, as a consequence, record a provision for the estimated costs. The Company met the requirement of the FSA to issue offers to all cases by 30 June 2002.
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Provisions in respect of the costs associated with the review have been included in benefits and claims in the consolidated income statement and the movement in unallocated surplus of with-profits funds has been determined accordingly. A provision of £331 million was held as at December 31, 2005. The table below summarizes the change in the pension mis-selling provision for the year ended December 31, 2005. The provisions shown have been calculated on a realistic basis in accordance with FRS 27; provisions reported in previous years were calculated in accordance with the November 2003 version of the ABI's Statement of Recommended Practice on Accounting for Insurance Business.
|
Year ended December 31, 2005 £m |
Year ended December 31,2004 £m |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balance at beginning of year | 487 | 530 | |||
Change arising from adoption of FRS 27 | (109 | ) | | ||
Changes to actuarial assumptions and method of calculation | (28 | ) | (32 | ) | |
Discount unwind | 14 | 22 | |||
Redress to policyholders | (21 | ) | (26 | ) | |
Payment of administrative costs | (12 | ) | (7 | ) | |
Balance at end of the year | 331 | 487 | |||
The FSA regularly updates the actuarial assumptions to be used in calculating the provision, including interest rates and mortality assumptions. The pension mis-selling provision represents the discounted value of future expected payments, including benefit payments and all internal and external legal and administrative costs of adjudicating, processing and settling those claims. To the extent that amounts have not been paid, the provision increases each year reflecting the shorter period of discount.
The directors believe that, based on current information, the provision, together with future investment return on the assets backing the provision, will be adequate to cover the costs of pension mis-selling as well as the costs and expenses of the Group's pension review unit established to identify and settle such cases. Such provision represents the best estimate of probable costs and expenses. However, there can be no assurance that the current provision level will not need to be increased.
The costs associated with the pension mis-selling review have been met from the inherited estate. Accordingly, these costs have not been charged to the asset shares used in the determination of policyholder bonus rates. Hence policyholders' pay-out values have been unaffected by pension mis-selling.
In 1998, Prudential stated that deducting mis-selling costs from the inherited estate would not impact its bonus or investment policy and it gave an assurance that if this unlikely event were to occur, it would make available support to the fund from shareholder resources for as long as the situation continued, so as to ensure that policyholders were not disadvantaged. The assurance was designed to protect both existing policyholders at the date it was announced, and policyholders who subsequently purchased policies while the pension mis-selling review was continuing.
This review was completed on June 30, 2002. The assurance will continue to apply to any policy in force at December 31, 2003, both for premiums paid before January 1, 2004, and for subsequent regular premiums (including future fixed, retail price index or salary related increases and Department of Work and Pensions rebate business). The assurance has not applied to new business since January 1, 2004. New business in this context consists of new policies, new members to existing pension schemes plus regular and single premium top-ups, transfers and switches to existing arrangements. The maximum amount of capital support available under the terms of the assurance will reduce over time as claims are paid on the policies covered by it.
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The bonus and investment policy for each type of with-profits policy is the same irrespective of whether or not the assurance applies. Hence removal of the assurance for new business has had no impact on policyholder returns and this is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
Mortgage Endowment Products Review
In common with several other UK insurance companies, the Group used to sell low-cost endowment products related to repayment of residential mortgages. At sale, the initial sum assured is set at a level such that the projected benefits, including an estimate of the annual bonus receivable over the life of the policy, will equal or exceed the mortgage debt. Because of a decrease in expected future investment returns since these products were sold, the FSA is concerned that the maturity value of some of these products will be less than the mortgage debt. The FSA has worked with insurance companies to devise a programme whereby the companies write to customers indicating whether they may have a possible shortfall and outline the actions that the customers can take to prevent this possibility.
The Group is exposed to mortgage endowment products in respect of policies issued by Scottish Amicable Life plc (SAL) and policies issued by Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society (SALAS) and transferred into the Scottish Amicable Insurance Fund (SAIF). Provisions of £6 million in the non-profit sub-fund and £50 million in SAIF were held at December 31, 2005 to cover potential compensation in respect of mortgage endowment product mis-selling claims. As SAIF is a separate sub-fund of the Company's long-term business fund, this provision has no impact on shareholders.
In addition, the Prudential Assurance Company's main with-profits fund paid compensation of £24 million in respect of mortgage endowment products mis-selling claims in the year ended December 31, 2005 and held a provision of £63 million at December 31, 2005, in respect of further compensation. This provision has no impact on the Group's profit before tax.
Guaranteed Annuities
The Prudential Assurance Company used to sell guaranteed annuity products in the UK and held a provision of £52 million at December 31, 2005 compared to £49 million in 2004, within the main with-profits fund to honor guarantees on these products. The Company's main exposure to guaranteed annuities in the UK is through the Scottish Amicable Insurance Fund (SAIF) and a provision of £619 million (2004: £648 million) was held in SAIF at December 31, 2005, to honor the guarantees. As SAIF is a separate sub-fund of the Company's long-term business fund, this provision has no impact on shareholders.
Prudential conducts its US insurance operations through Jackson National Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, including Curian Capital LLC, a registered investment advisor. The US operations also include PPM America, Prudential's US internal and institutional fund manager, and Prudential's US broker-dealer operations (National Planning Corporation, SII Investments, Inc., IFC Holdings, Inc. and Investment Centers of America, Inc.). At December 31, 2005, Prudential's US operations had more than 3 million policies and contracts in effect and PPM America managed approximately US$71 billion (£42 billion) of assets. In 2005, total new business premiums were £5,023 million.
US Market Overview
The United States is the world's largest life insurance market in terms of retirement assets, with 67 per cent, or $12.9 trillion of the world's retirement savings assets concentrated in the US at the end of 2005. The ageing demographics of the US, with the first of the 77 million 'baby boomers' reaching 60 in 2006, is expected, over the next decade, to create a very significant increase in the level of distributions from retirement savings plans. Life expectancy in the US continues to increase while at the
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same time the average retirement age is decreasing. This has led to a large increase in the average time individuals will spend in retirement, and consequently, there is a growing risk that individuals' finances will be insufficient to cover the cost of living through retirement. These consumers are likely to have a growing need for independent financial advice and are expected to seek increasing guarantees and longevity protections from the products they purchase.
Despite favorable demographics, the US insurance industry faces a number of challenges, both from within and outside the industry. The life insurance business is projected to grow slowly and competition is expected to be fierce. While the growth prospects for the annuity industry are more favorable, there are many players fighting for market share within the life insurance industry. Life insurance companies also compete with other financial services providers, in particular, mutual fund companies and banks, for a share of savings assets in the US, where competition is expected to intensify.
There has been increasing convergence among US retail financial services providers as regulatory barriers have begun to erode and competition in the US life insurance industry has increased. Overcapacity in the industry generally has also contributed to more competitive pricing and greater consolidation, presenting opportunities to companies with financial strength and below industry-average cost structures.
The US investment markets experienced two years of unusually poor returns in 2001 and 2002, with equity markets suffering significant declines and bond defaults reaching record levels. Like its competitors, Jackson National Life was affected by these market forces. The market in 2003 was also affected by weak growth in the economy at the start of the year and declining interest rates. However, there was dramatic growth in the second half of 2003 and the first annual, positive stock index gains in three years. In 2004 interest rates remained low and equity markets were up, with the S&P index increasing by 9 per cent. During 2005, interest rates began to rise and the S&P index rose by 3 per cent.
Prudential believes that JNL is well positioned to take advantage of the evolving opportunities in the US retirement market given its relationship-based distribution model, innovative product manufacturing capability, low cost operating model and award-winning service.
Products
The demographic factors described above, as well as the increased reliance on defined contribution plans (such as 401(k) plans) have resulted in a shift in the financial services market. This shift has been away from risk protection products, such as traditional life insurance, to tax-deferred savings (or asset accumulation) products, such as fixed and variable annuities. These products tend to be spread or fee-based and have accounted for a significant portion of the growth in the US insurance industry in recent years.
When annuity products initially became popular in the United States, they were interest-rate based and provided a minimum guaranteed rate of return. However, declining interest rates eroded the after-tax benefits of these products. Meanwhile, during the 1990s there was significant growth in equity markets. As a result, equity-based and equity-linked products, with and without guarantees, became increasingly important product offerings. Reflecting this shift, industry sales of individual variable annuity products grew from $29 billion in 1992 to $128 billion in 2000, a compound annual growth rate of 20.7 per cent. During the same period, industry individual variable annuity assets grew from $212 billion to $971 billion, a compound annual growth rate of 20.9 per cent.
The mutual fund industry also benefited from the shift to equity-based products. The strong equity markets in the late 1990s fueled growth in assets under management, both through investment returns and increased contributions from the retail sector. In particular, fund managers with strong brands and investment performance provided strong competition for individuals' retirement savings.
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The above trends reversed in 2001 when, for the first time in twelve years, industry-wide variable annuity sales did not increase. In 2002, annuity providers continued to face the challenges of the previous year. By year-end 2002, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite Indices had declined from their year 2000 peaks by 40 per cent and 67 per cent, respectively. In these volatile equity markets, fixed annuity sales benefited from a flight to safety. In 2002, total industry individual annuity sales increased by 20 per cent to $223 billion, with the bulk of the increase coming from a continuing surge in fixed annuity sales. Nevertheless, variable annuity sales managed some increase in 2002, with significant amounts going to fixed account options.
From 2003 to 2005, total industry individual variable annuity sales were driven by sales of principal guaranteed benefits and living benefits, and by contract holders shifting from fixed options and fixed income funds into equities as these markets improved. This resulted in an increase in total industry individual variable annuity sales of 11 per cent, 3 per cent and 3 per cent in 2003, 2004 and 2005 respectively. In 2003, total industry individual fixed annuity sales fell by 15 per cent reflecting declining interest rates, tightening spreads and declining margins, whilst in 2004 they increased by 1 per cent as a result of interest rate increases during the year and customers' expectations of further increases. In 2005, individual fixed annuity sales fell by 10 per cent reflecting the continued low interest rate environment and relatively flat yield curve on the bond market in the US.
Distribution
Traditionally, insurance companies distributed their products through career or independent agencies. The career agencies typically received office space, training and administrative support from the sponsoring insurance company in return for directing a significant portion of their business to them. Independent agencies may receive some support from a specific insurance company, but are typically not required to specifically sell their products. The independent agencies have the ability to sell products from any insurance company.
In contrast, broker-dealers are licensed to sell products regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as variable annuities. Broker-dealers maintain "panels" of preferred providers for each type of product. Broker-dealers are often organized into firms and networks typically depending on size and function. These consist of large broker-dealers specializing in security sales and underwriting, regional broker-dealers who sell securities and perform some underwriting functions, and independent broker-dealers who primarily specialize in financial planning activities. Many insurance companies now own financial planner broker-dealers.
The regional broker-dealer channel focuses on firms with captive agents in specific regions of the United States. Distribution is through branch offices with an average of 10 to 15 brokers per office. Captive agents are employees of JNL licensed to distribute only JNL products.
Until recently, regulatory barriers prohibited banks from developing and selling their own insurance products. Banks have therefore generally developed favorable supplier relationships with insurance companies and distributed their products through bank branches. These barriers to entry have begun to diminish, and companies are developing the bancassurance model in the US market.
Direct distribution is relatively mature in the United States. Consumers are accustomed to purchasing less complex retail financial products remotely, both by telephone and via the internet. The mutual fund providers have led this expansion within the retail financial services industry, setting the standard for cost structure and service.
The registered investment advisor market began as a service offered to very high net worth investment clients, focusing on platforms rather than specific products, and providing institutional quality management, custom portfolios and tax services. The industry has evolved to offer personalized
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investment advice, very high quality money management, good returns and reasonable costs to a broader range of clients.
Jackson National Life
Jackson National Life is a leading provider of long-term savings and retirement products to retail and institutional customers throughout the United States. Jackson National Life offers variable annuities, fixed-index annuities, individual fixed annuities, life insurance and institutional products. By developing and offering a wide variety of products, Jackson National Life believes that it has positioned itself to compete effectively in various stock market and interest rate environments. Jackson National Life markets its retail products through various distribution channels, including independent agents, broker-dealer firms (including financial planners), regional broker-dealers, banks and the registered investment advisor channel, and beginning in 2005, through its captive insurance agency, acquired through the purchase of Life of Georgia.
The interest-sensitive fixed annuities, fixed-index annuities, immediate annuities and life insurance products are sold through independent agents, broker-dealers and banks. For variable annuity products, which can only be sold through broker-dealers licensed by the US National Association of Securities Dealers, Jackson National Life has selling agreements with such firms and is continuing to focus on its own broker-dealer distribution channel. Its institutional products division sells institutional products. In early 2003, Jackson National Life commenced operating in the registered investment advisor channel, with the launch of Curian Capital, LLC. In 2005, Jackson National Life began selling life insurance products through its newly established captive agency, JNL Southeast Agency LLC. For further information, see "Captive Agency".
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Products
The following table shows total new business premiums in the United States by product line and distribution channel for the periods indicated, and policyholder liabilities by product line. Total new business premiums include deposits for investment contracts with limited or no life contingencies.
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Year Ended December 31, |
|
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Policyholder Liabilities At December 31, 2005 |
||||||||
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||||
By Product | |||||||||
Annuities | |||||||||
Fixed annuities | |||||||||
Interest-sensitive | 742 | 1,087 | 12,772 | ||||||
Fixed-index | 616 | 429 | 2,436 | ||||||
Immediate | 46 | 43 | 710 | ||||||
Variable annuities | 2,605 | 1,981 | 10,615 | ||||||
Total | 4,009 | 3,540 | 26,533 | ||||||
Life insurance | 25 | 28 | 4,234 | ||||||
Institutional products | |||||||||
GICs, funding agreements and Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI) advances | 355 | 180 | 1,214 | ||||||
Medium term note funding agreements | 634 | 672 | 3,267 | ||||||
Total | 989 | 852 | 4,481 | ||||||
Total | 5,023 | 4,420 | 35,248 | ||||||
By Distribution Channel |
|||||||||
Independent agents | 670 | 647 | |||||||
Bank | 877 | 1,089 | |||||||
Broker-dealer | 2,483 | 1,832 | |||||||
Captive agents | 4 | | |||||||
Institutional products department | 989 | 852 | |||||||
5,023 | 4,420 | ||||||||
Annuities
Fixed Annuities
Interest-sensitive Annuities
In 2005, interest-sensitive fixed annuities accounted for 15 per cent of total new business premiums and 36 per cent of policyholder liabilities of the US operations. Interest-sensitive fixed annuities are primarily deferred annuity products that are used for retirement planning and for providing income in retirement. They permit tax-deferred accumulation of funds and flexible payout options.
The policyholder of an interest-sensitive fixed annuity pays Jackson National Life a premium which is credited to the policyholder's account. Periodically, interest is credited to the policyholder's account and in some cases administrative charges are deducted from the policyholder's account. Jackson National Life makes benefit payments at a future date as specified in the policy based on the value of the policyholder's account at that date.
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The policy provides that at Jackson National Life's discretion it may reset the interest rate, subject to a guaranteed minimum. The minimum guarantee varies from 1.50 per cent to 5.50 per cent, depending on the date of issue, with 78 per cent of the fund at 3.0 per cent or less at December 31, 2005. In addition, Jackson National Life also offers multi-year guaranteed products.
When the annuity matures, Jackson National Life either pays the amount in the policyholder's account to the policyholder or begins making payments to the policyholder in accordance with the policyholder's instructions. Fixed annuity policies provide for surrender charges to be assessed on surrenders generally for the first seven to nine years of the policy.
Approximately 29 per cent of the interest-sensitive fixed annuities Jackson National Life wrote in 2005 provide for an adjustment, referred to as a market value adjustment, on surrenders in the surrender period of the policy. This formula based adjustment approximates the change in value that assets supporting the product would realize as interest rates move up or down. This adjustment can be positive or negative. The minimum guaranteed rate is not affected by this adjustment.
Jackson National Life bears the investment and surrender risk on interest-sensitive fixed annuities, and its profits come from the spread between the yield on investments and the interest credited to policyholders (net of any surrender charges or market value adjustment) less initial and recurring expenses.
Fixed-index Annuities
Jackson National Life ranked seventh in the sale of fixed-index annuities in the United States in 2005. Fixed-index annuities accounted for 12 per cent of total new business premiums in 2005 and 7 per cent of policyholder liabilities of the US operations. Fixed-index annuities vary in structure, but generally are deferred annuities that enable policyholders to obtain a portion of an equity index-linked return but provide a guaranteed minimum return.
Jackson National Life hedges the equity return risk on fixed-index products using futures and options linked to the relevant index. The cost of these hedges is taken into account in setting index participation rates and caps. Recent volatility in the equity markets combined with lower bond yields has increased the cost of these hedges. In response, Jackson National Life has reduced its index participation rates and caps on new business and developed new products with index participation rates that are less sensitive to changes in these variables.
Jackson National Life bears the investment and surrender risk on fixed-index annuities. Profit arises from the investment income earned and the fees charged on the policy, less the expenses incurred, which include the costs of the guarantees, and the return credited to the policy. Fixed-index annuities contain penalties for early surrender.
Immediate Annuities
In 2005, immediate annuities accounted for 1 per cent of total new business premiums and 2 per cent of policyholder liabilities of the US operations. Immediate annuities guarantee a series of payments beginning within a year of purchase and continuing over either a fixed period of years and/or the life of the policyholder. If the term is for the life of the policyholder, then Jackson National Life's primary risk is mortality risk. This product is generally used to provide a guaranteed amount of income for policyholders and is used both in planning for retirement and in retirement itself. The implicit interest rate on these products is based on the market conditions that exist at the time the policy is issued and is guaranteed for the term of the annuity.
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Variable Annuities
Jackson National Life began offering variable annuity products in 1995. In 2005, variable annuities accounted for 52 per cent of total new business premiums and 30 per cent of policyholder liabilities of the US operations. Variable annuities are deferred annuities that have the same tax advantages and payout options as interest-sensitive and fixed-index annuities. They also are used for retirement planning and to provide income in retirement.
The primary differences between variable annuities and interest-sensitive or fixed-index annuities are investment risk and return. If a policyholder chooses a variable annuity, the rate of return will depend upon the performance of the underlying fund portfolio. The policyholder bears the investment risk except for fixed account options, where Jackson National Life guarantees a minimum fixed rate of return. Jackson National Life issues variable annuity contracts where it contractually guarantees to the contract holder either a) return of no less than total deposits made to the contract adjusted for any partial withdrawals, b) total deposits made to the contract adjusted for any partial withdrawals plus a minimum return, or c) the highest contract value on a specified anniversary date adjusted for any withdrawals following the contract anniversary. These guarantees include benefits that are payable in the event of death (guaranteed minimum death benefit), annuitisation (guaranteed minimum income benefit) or at specified dates during the accumulation period (guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit). Annuitisation refers to an income stream from the policy over the remainder of the beneficiary's life or a defined term. Jackson National Life generally charges a fee for these benefits and hedges the equity related risk of the product using equity options and futures contracts.
Jackson National Life credits premiums on variable annuities to a separate account or to the fixed account, depending on the policyholders' elections. The policyholders determine how the premiums will be allocated by choosing to allocate all or a portion of their accounts either to a variety of variable sub-accounts, with a choice of investment managers, or to guaranteed fixed-rate options. The rate of election of the fixed account option within variable annuities in 2005 of 20 per cent compares with 29 per cent in 2004. The value of the portion of the separate account allocated to variable sub-accounts fluctuates with the underlying investment. Jackson National Asset Management, LLC (a subsidiary of Jackson National Life) earns fee income as the investment advisor for the underlying funds and has retained the services of a number of other investment advisors to act as sub-advisors to Jackson National Asset Management, LLC. Additionally, Jackson National Life Distributors, Inc. (a subsidiary of Jackson National Life) earns a fee for distributing the funds.
The non-fixed account portion of variable annuity products is backed by specific assets that are held in separate accounts. The assets in these separate accounts are "segregated" pursuant to state insurance law and do not form part of the assets in the US general account, which backs the remainder of the insurance business in the United States. Amounts held in the separate accounts are not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business Jackson National Life may conduct. All of the income and gains or losses from these assets less specified management charges are credited to or against this portion of the policies and not any other policies that Jackson National Life may issue. For IFRS reporting, separate account assets and liabilities are presented in this Form 20-F as a component of general account assets and liabilities.
Jackson National Life earns fee income on the underlying separate account investment, earns profits from the spread between what it earns on investments backing the fixed rate accounts and the interest credited, and earns fee income for the additional elective benefits in the contract. Variable annuity policies provide for early surrender charges.
Life Insurance
Reflecting the competitive life insurance market place and the overall trend towards asset accumulation products, Jackson National Life's life insurance products accounted for only 1 per cent of
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the total new business premiums and 12 per cent of policyholder liabilities of the US operations in 2005. The products offered include term life insurance, interest-sensitive life insurance and variable universal life insurance. Each of these types of insurance policies can be modified using several options and riders to provide particular benefits, including waiver of premium, accidental death benefit and supplemental term insurance.
Institutional Products
Institutional products consist of guaranteed investment contracts (GICs), funding agreements, including agreements issued in connection with participation in the FHLBI programme, and medium term note funding agreements. In 2005, institutional products accounted for 20 per cent of total new business premiums and 12 per cent of policyholder liabilities of US operations. Jackson National Life began marketing GICs to institutional investors in December 1995. The GICs are marketed by its institutional products department to defined contribution pension and profit-sharing retirement plans. Funding agreements are marketed to institutional investors, including corporate cash accounts and securities lending funds, as well as money market funds, and are issued to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis in connection with the FHLBI programmesee "Funding Agreements" below. Sales of institutional products increased in 2005 as Jackson National Life was able to take advantage of attractive issuance opportunities. Three types of institutional products are offered:
Traditional Guaranteed Investment Contracts
Under a traditional GIC, the policyholder makes a lump sum deposit. Interest is paid on the deposited funds, usually on a quarterly basis. The interest rate paid is fixed and is established when the contract is issued.
Traditional GICs have a specified term, usually two to three years, and typically provide for phased payouts. Jackson National Life tailors the scheduled payouts to meet the liquidity needs of the particular retirement plan. If deposited funds are withdrawn earlier than scheduled, an adjustment is made that approximates a market value adjustment.
Jackson National Life sells GICs to retirement plans, in particular 401(k) plans. The traditional GIC market is extremely competitive. This is due in part to competition from synthetic GICs, which Jackson National Life does not sell.
Funding Agreements
Under a funding agreement, the policyholder either makes a lump-sum deposit or makes specified periodic deposits. Jackson National Life agrees to pay a rate of interest, which may be fixed but which is usually a floating short-term interest rate linked to an external index. Interest is paid quarterly to the policyholder. The average term for the funding agreements is one to two years. At the end of the specified term, policyholders may re-deposit the principal in another funding agreement. Jackson National Life makes its profit on the spread between the yield on its investment and the interest rate credited to policyholders.
Typically, brokerage accounts and money market mutual funds are required to invest a portion of their funds in cash or cash equivalents to ensure sufficient liquidity to meet their customers' requirements. The funding agreements permit termination by the policyholder on 7 to 90 days notice, and thus qualify as cash equivalents for the clients' purposes. Funding agreements terminable by the
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policyholder with less than 90 days notice account for less than 1 per cent of Jackson National Life's total policyholder reserves.
During 2005, Jackson National Life became a member of the FHLBI. Membership allows Jackson National Life access to advances from FHLBI that are collateralized by mortgage related assets in Jackson National Life's investment portfolio. These advances are in the form of funding agreements issued to FHLBI. Jackson National Life is authorized to draw a maximum of $603.1 million in advances under this program. In 2005, the total premiums generated from advances from the FHLBI were $100 million.
Medium Term Note Funding Agreements
Jackson National Life has also established European and global medium-term note programs. The notes offered may be denominated in any currency with a fixed or floating interest rate. Notes are issued to institutional investors by a special purpose vehicle and are secured by funding agreements issued by Jackson National Life.
Distribution and Marketing
Jackson National Life distributes products in all 50 states of the United States and in the District of Columbia, although not all products are available in all states. Operations in the state of New York are through a New York insurance subsidiary.
Jackson National Life focuses on independent distribution systems. It supports its network of independent agents and brokers with education and training programs. A substantial portion of the costs associated with generating new business are not fixed costs but vary directly with the level of business produced. As a result, industry figures show that the costs are low relative to other US insurers.
Jackson National Life offers internet-based support to its broker-dealers. It continues to expand its internet-based services, increasing amounts of information available for both customers and agents.
Independent Agents
The insurance and fixed annuity products are distributed through independent agents located throughout the United States. These approximately 22,000 licensed insurance agents or brokers, who also may represent other companies, are supported by four regional marketing offices. Jackson National Life generally deals directly with writing agents and brokers thereby eliminating intermediaries, such as general agents. This distribution channel has enabled it to generate significant volumes of business on a low, variable cost basis. Jackson National Life is responsible for providing agents with product information and sales materials.
Broker-Dealers
Jackson National Life Distributors, Inc. (JNLD), a broker-dealer, is the primary wholesale distribution channel for the variable annuity products. JNLD also sells fixed-index annuities and fixed annuities. An internal network of wholesalers supports this distribution channel. These wholesalers meet directly with broker-dealers and financial planners and are supported by an extensive home office sales staff. There are more than 700 active selling agreements with regional and independent broker-dealer organizations throughout the United States, which provides JNL access to nearly 73,000 appointed agents.
Jackson National Life is responsible for training its broker-dealers, providing them with product information and sales materials and monitoring their activities from a regulatory compliance perspective.
Banks, Credit Unions and Other Financial Institutions
Jackson National Life's Institutional Marketing Group distributes its annuity products through banks, credit unions and other financial institutions and through third-party marketing organizations that serve these institutions. Jackson National Life is a leading provider of annuities offered through banks and
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credit unions and can access over 19,000 financial institution representatives through existing relationships with banks and credit unions. Jackson National Life has established distribution relationships with medium-sized regional banks, which it believes are unlikely to develop their own insurance product capability.
Independent Broker-Dealers
Jackson National Life's retail distribution is managed by its independent broker-dealer network, National Planning Holdings ("NPH"), which is made up of four firms, National Planning Corporation, SII Investments, Inc., INVEST Financial Corporation and Investment Centers of America, Inc. Jackson National Life's broker-dealer group had contracts with more than 2,500 registered representatives at the end of 2005.
Registered Investment Advisor
Commencing operation in early 2003, Curian Capital, LLC (Jackson National Life's registered investment advisor channel) provides innovative fee-based separately managed accounts and investment products to advisors through a sophisticated technology platform.
The registered investment advisor industry began as a service offered to very high net worth investment clients, focusing on platforms rather than specific products, and providing institutional-quality management, custom portfolios and tax services. The industry has evolved to offer personalized investment advice, very high quality money management, good returns and reasonable costs to a broader range of clients.
Institutional Products Department
Jackson National Life markets its institutional products through its institutional products department. It has direct contacts with banks, municipalities, asset management firms and direct plan sponsors. Institutional products are distributed and marketed through intermediaries to these groups.
Captive Agency
In connection with the acquisition of Life of Georgia in 2005, Jackson National Life established the JNL Southeast Agency ("JNLSA"), the Company's first captive agency since 1970. JNLSA, with approximately 100 life insurance agents, was formed to help retain the Life of Georgia book of business and to create a new distribution channel for Jackson National Life's life insurance products.
Factors Affecting Pricing of Products and Asset Liability Management
Jackson National Life prices products based on assumptions about future mortality, investment yields, expenses and persistency. Pricing is influenced by competition and by its objectives for return on capital. Although Jackson National Life includes a profit margin in the price of its products, the variation between the assumptions and actual experience can result in the products being more or less profitable than it was assumed they would be. This variation can be significant.
Jackson National Life designs its interest-sensitive products and conducts its investment operations to match closely the duration of the assets in its investment portfolio with the annuity, whole life, universal life and guaranteed investment contract product obligations. Jackson National Life seeks to achieve a target spread between what it earns on its assets and what it pays on its liabilities by investing principally in fixed-rate securities and in options and futures to match the equity-related returns under its products linked to equity indices.
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Jackson National Life segregates its investment portfolio for certain investment management purposes and as part of its overall investment strategy into four portfolios: fixed annuities without market value adjustment, fixed annuities with market value adjustment, fixed-index annuities and institutional liabilities. The portfolios backing fixed annuities with and without market value adjustments and the fixed-index annuities have similar characteristics and differ primarily in duration. The portfolio backing the institutional liabilities has its own mix of investments that meet more limited duration tolerances. Consequently, the institutional portfolio is managed to permit less interest rate sensitivity and has limited exposure to mortgage-backed securities. At December 31, 2005, 4 per cent of the institutional portfolio was invested in residential mortgage-backed securities.
The fixed-rate products may incorporate surrender charges, market value adjustments, two-tiered interest rate structures or other limitations relating to when policies can be surrendered for cash, in order to encourage persistency. At December 31, 2005, Jackson National Life's fixed annuity reserves that had surrender penalties or other withdrawal restrictions remained unchanged at 72 per cent compared to 2004. Substantially all of the institutional portfolio had withdrawal restrictions or market value adjustment provisions.
Fixed-index annuities issued by Jackson National Life also include an equity component that is hedged using equity options and futures contracts issued on the corresponding exchange. The equity component of these annuities, constitutes an embedded derivative under IAS 39, 'Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement' that is carried at fair value, as are other derivative instruments.
Guaranteed benefits issued by Jackson National Life in conjunction with the sales of variable annuity contracts expose Jackson National Life to equity risk as the benefits generally become payable when equity markets decline below the guaranteed amount. Certain of these benefits are carried at fair value under IAS 39 with changes in fair value recorded in income. Jackson National Life hedges this risk using equity options and futures contracts, which are also carried at fair value under IAS 39. As certain benefits have mortality risk and, are therefore, precluded from being carried at fair value, the income statement includes a timing difference due to changes in fair value.
Underwriting
The decision to underwrite a particular life policy depends upon the assessment of the risk to Jackson National Life represented by the proposed policy. The risk selection process is performed by underwriters who evaluate policy applications on the basis of information provided by the applicant and other sources. Specific medical tests may be used to evaluate policy applications based on the size of the policy, the age of the applicant and other factors.
Jackson National Life's underwriting rules and procedures are designed to produce mortality results consistent with the assumptions used in product pricing while providing for competitive risk selection.
Reserves
Except for certain non-insurance deposit type accounts and as allowed under IFRS, Jackson National Life uses reserves established on a US GAAP basis as the basis for consolidation into Prudential's IFRS accounts.
For the fixed and variable annuity contracts and institutional products, the reserve is the policyholder's account value. For the immediate annuities, reserves are determined as the present value of future policy benefits. Mortality assumptions are based on the 1983a Individual Annuitant Mortality Table and the Annuity 2000 Mortality Table for newer issues. Interest rate assumptions currently range from 2.0 per cent to 8.0 per cent.
For the traditional term life contracts, reserves for future policy benefits are determined using the net level premium method and assumptions as to mortality, interest, policy persistency and expenses.
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Mortality assumptions are generally from 25 per cent to 160 per cent of the 1975-1980 Basic Select and Ultimate tables, depending on underwriting classification and policy duration. Interest rate assumptions range from 4.0 per cent to 8.0 per cent. Persistency and expense assumptions are based on Jackson National Life's experience.
For the interest-sensitive and single premium life contracts, reserves approximate the policyholder's account value.
Reinsurance
Jackson National Life reinsures portions of the coverage provided by its life insurance products with other insurance companies under agreements of indemnity reinsurance. Reinsurance assumed from other companies is not material.
Indemnity reinsurance agreements are intended to limit a life insurer's maximum loss on a large or unusually hazardous risk or to obtain a greater diversification of risk for the life insurer. Indemnity reinsurance does not discharge the original insurer's primary liability to the insured. Jackson National Life's reinsured business is ceded to numerous reinsurers and the amount of business ceded to any one reinsurer is not material. Typically, the reinsurers have an AM Best Co rating of A or higher.
Jackson National Life limits the amount of risk it retains on new policies. Currently, the maximum risk that is retained on new policies is $2.0 million. Jackson National Life is not a party to any risk reinsurance arrangement with any reinsurer pursuant to which the amount of reserves on reinsurance ceded to such reinsurer equals more than 1 per cent of total policy reserves.
Beginning in late 1995, Jackson National Life entered into reinsurance agreements to cede 80 per cent of its new level premium term life insurance business written in the United States to take advantage of competitive pricing in the reinsurance markets. Beginning January 1, 1999, it began to cede 90 per cent of new writings of level premium term products. Jackson National Life intends to continue to cede a significant proportion of new term life insurance business for as long as pricing in the reinsurance markets remains favorable.
Effective from December 31, 2002, Jackson National Life cedes the guaranteed minimum death benefit coverage associated with certain variable annuities issued prior to December 31, 2002 to an affiliate, Prudential Atlantic Reinsurance Company, Dublin, Ireland.
Jackson National Life cedes the guaranteed minimum income benefit on variable annuities to an unaffiliated reinsurer.
In connection with the purchase of Life of Georgia, Jackson National Life acquired certain lines of business that have been wholly ceded to non-affiliates. These include both direct and assumed accident and health business, direct and assumed life insurance business and certain institutional annuities.
Policy Administration
Jackson National Life provides a high level of administrative support for both new and existing policyholders. Jackson National Life's ability to implement new products quickly and provide customer service is supported by integrated computer systems that propose, issue and administer complex life-insurance and annuity contracts. Jackson National Life continues to develop its life insurance administration and underwriting systems and its fixed and variable annuity administration systems to enhance the service capabilities for both new and existing policies.
PPM America
PPM America is Prudential's US fund management operation, with offices in Chicago and New York. Its primary focus is to manage funds for Jackson National Life and therefore the majority of funds under
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management are fixed interest in nature. PPM America has also launched a number of institutional high yield and special investment vehicles to leverage their fund management capabilities into new areas. PPM America also serves as investment advisor for certain mutual funds, several private investment funds and structured finance vehicles, and the US equity and fixed income portion of portfolios of certain affiliates within Prudential.
Life Insurance Company of Georgia (Life of Georgia')
Jackson National Life completed the purchase of Life of Georgia in May 2005 for a preliminary consideration of £142 million. This acquisition doubled the number of Jackson National Life's in-force life and annuity policies, adding scale to its operating platform and expanding its distribution capability, as well as further diversifying its income streams. This transaction enabled Jackson National Life to grow its life business at a higher return and faster rate than could be achieved organically.
The preliminary purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments with resolution expected in 2006.
The purchase of Life of Georgia utilized a portion of the capital generated through Jackson National Life's sale of Jackson Federal Bank completed in October 2004 to Union Bank of California for a consideration of £166 million.
On December 31, 2005, Life of Georgia was merged into Jackson National Life. At year end 2005 Jackson National Life had substantially completed the integration of the 1.5 million Life of Georgia policies onto its own operating platform, demonstrating its capability in consolidating large blocks of business. The Company expects that Jackson National Life will continue to consider further US bolt-on acquisitions as opportunities arise.
Asia's life insurance markets are very attractive with large scale and high growth rates supported by economic growth, favorable demographics and market liberalizations. However, there are some formidable barriers to successful entry, including entrenched incumbents, the pace of change and nature of regulations, mandatory domestic partners in some markets and a shortage of experienced staff. Acquisition opportunities, particularly of scale businesses, are limited and in North Asian markets are likely to involve back books that currently experience negative spread and hence require material provisions under European regulatory capital requirements.
Since the mid 1990s Prudential has been progressively building its Asian platform; strengthening and protecting its market leading positions in its established markets (Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia), entering emerging markets (Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam), securing strong joint venture partners for the sizable opportunities in India and China (ICICI and CITIC respectively) and taking positions in the large North Asian markets of Taiwan, Japan and Korea. Prudential now has over 7 million customers in Asia, up from 1.5 million in 2000.
Prudential has been focused on building proprietary distribution as the most effective way of delivering sustainable new business volumes and managing the product range typically through growing tied agency and integrated bancassurance arrangements (such as with Standard Chartered Bank in Hong Kong). Prudential also prioritizes economic capital efficiency, profitability and customer focus in its Asian product portfolio as seen, for example, with the introduction of unit linked products across the region, an emphasis on regular premium policies, life stage themed marketing and purposely limiting participation in the lowest margin sectors.
Taiwan's macro economic environment remains challenging with interest rates currently at record lows leading to negative spread issues affecting the whole industry, particularly on tranches of business sold prior to 2002. Prudential remains confident that any potential deficits are more than adequately
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supported by the profitable new business, particularly unit-linked, that it has now been writing for a number of years. Prudential remains firmly focused on long-term profitability. In 2005, Prudential's sales mix was 82 per cent linked products compared to the industry total of 39 per cent and new business premiums on an Annual Premium equivalent basis increased by approximately 7 per cent in 2005 compared to 2004.
A new business processing hub was launched in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in early 2005 under the name Prudential Services Asia. This is already successfully processing business for the Malaysian and Singaporean life operations and plans are in place for a second hub to be launched in China in 2006.
In 2005, significant progress was made with embedding a risk management and compliance framework. Prudential employs 'three lines of defense'; the operational management in each business, strong risk management related functions and an independent internal audit function.
Prudential Corporation Asia's high proportion of profitable, regular premium business combined with sound operational management means cash flows can be predicted with some certainty. As previously announced, it is expected that the business is on target to fund continued strong growth internally and begin remitting surplus cash back to the Group from 2006 onwards.
In summary, Prudential has an excellent track record of building a profitable business in Asia and the scale of the opportunity for continued growth is clear.
Development of Prudential's Asian Business
Prudential's Asian operations are managed by its Hong Kong-based regional head office. Prudential's operations in Asia date from 1923, when it opened a branch office in India, which served the Indian sub-continent and several Middle Eastern countries with historic ties to the United Kingdom. In 1924, Prudential opened a branch office in Malaysia. Prudential expanded into Singapore in 1931 and opened a branch office in Hong Kong in 1964 first selling general insurance products followed by life insurance a few years later. In 1956, Prudential's Indian operations were nationalized and, in 1984, the Malaysian government required Prudential to sell a majority interest in its Malaysian operations to a local company. A majority share of the Malaysian operations was then reacquired in 1998. A group strategy review in the early 1990s identified significant opportunities for Prudential in the Asian life sector and Prudential Corporation Asia was established in 1994 to develop a material and profitable Asian business.
During 1995 and 1996, Prudential Corporation Asia entered Thailand and Indonesia through acquisitions and launched a new operation in the Philippines. These were followed by re-entry into India with a joint venture mutual fund operation in 1998 (currently 49 per cent ownership), the acquisition of a Taiwanese life insurance operation and the launch of a new life insurance operation in Vietnam in 1999. In 2000, Prudential acquired a mutual fund business in Taiwan, launched new life insurance operations in China (50 per cent ownership) and India (26 per cent ownership) and established a joint venture in Hong Kong for the Mandatory Provident Fund ("MPF") and mutual funds (36 per cent ownership).
Prudential Corporation Asia continued its geographic expansion in 2001 with acquisitions of small, life companies in Japan and South Korea. Also in 2001, Prudential Corporation Asia acquired Allstate's small operations in Indonesia and the Philippines. In June 2002, Prudential Corporation Asia acquired ING's small life operation in the Philippines and in October 2002 acquired Good Morning ITMC, a mid-sized South Korean mutual fund operation.
The Japanese life market remains very challenging and in 2003, Prudential scaled back its operations to focus on higher value distribution channels and more profitable products. While the operation is now somewhat more efficient with lower expense levels and has made some progress with establishing new distribution channels, it will take some time to deliver material volumes and become a positive contributor to Prudential Corporation Asia's overall results. During 2005, the acquired goodwill of the
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Japanese life company was tested for impairment and a charge of £120 million has been separately disclosed in the consolidated income statement. The charge reflects the slower than expected development of the Japanese life business.
Prudential Corporation Asia has also launched mutual fund operations in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, China (joint venture with CITIC33 per cent ownership) and maintains its composite insurance licenses in Singapore and Malaysia though little general insurance business is currently written.
In India, our joint venture with ICICI continues to be a leading private sector player. In 2004, the Indian government announced its intention to allow increased foreign ownership in Indian companies, and Prudential remains interested in increasing our stake in the joint venture. However, the relevant legislation remains to be put before the Indian Parliament.
In 2005, licences to sell financial services products in six new cities in China were granted to CITIC-Prudential by the Chinese authorities, bringing the total number of such licences on December 31, 2005 to ten. As of April 30, 2006, CITIC-Prudential had been granted 13 life insurance licences to operate in China. Prudential believes the main challenge facing foreign players trying to become established in China is the need to develop local management teams to support geographical expansion. Prudential believes that it has a real advantage in being able to leverage its existing Chinese speaking operations to help develop new teams quickly. In 2005, sales in China increased by 47 per cent over 2004.
Prudential and Bank Simpanan Nasional ("BSN') which was originally the Malaysian Post Office Bank and is now wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance, established a joint venture to leverage Prudential's existing network of over 7,000 agents and BSN's network of 391 branches.
In January 2006, the Malaysian authorities granted the joint venture a license to develop and market insurance products to Muslim Malays who make up more than 60 per cent of the population.
Prudential believes the key ingredients for the long-term Asian growth model are firmly in place: high population densities, high personal savings rates, improving education levels, increasingly entrepreneurial environment, rapid urbanization and deregulation.
Prudential Corporation Asia's strategic themes are to:
Distribution
Strengthening distribution continues to be a major priority. In 2005, agent numbers grew by 26 per cent to over 170,000 with geographic expansion in India and China being a key driver (up 36 per cent and 37 per cent respectively). In Indonesia the business has excellent momentum and has increased agent numbers by 89 per cent during the year. In the established markets (Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia) improving agency productivity is a key initiative and whilst this improved in 2005 there is still significant room for growth. Prudential believes that its multi-channel distribution model in Korea is a valuable asset as, whilst volumes from direct campaigns such as a home shopping channel have waned
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and bank distribution has been limited by regulatory caps and industrial action, insurance sales growth for 2005 of 88 per cent reflects great success in increasing the number of tied financial advisors (up 132 per cent) and extending the number of general agents (brokers).
Currently 75 per cent of Prudential Corporation Asia's sales come from its tied agency distribution, and whilst this will remain the primary channel for some time, there is the potential to further expand alternate channels, particularly banks and direct marketing. Bancassurance with Standard Chartered Bank in Hong Kong continues to be especially successful, and Prudential believes there is considerable potential for further development in bancassurance particularly in Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan over the short- to medium-term. Prudential believes that the life insurance business in Japan remains challenging, and after piloting a financial advisor channel with little success and high running costs, this channel was closed in January 2006; the emphasis is now on developing profitable partnership distribution opportunities.
Products
Prudential Corporation Asia offers a range of products including life insurance with some accident and health options, personal lines property and casualty insurance and also mutual funds. In January 2006, it also received approval to launch new products in Malaysia with joint venture partner Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN).
Life Insurance
The life insurance products offered by Prudential Corporation Asia include a range of with-profits and non-participating term, whole life, endowment and unit-linked policies. Prudential Corporation Asia also offers health, disability, critical illness and accident coverage to supplement its core life products.
Prudential Corporation Asia has a strong focus on capital-efficient product innovation and packages products to meet specific customer needs. In 1992, Prudential Corporation Asia was the first company to launch unit-linked products in Singapore and subsequently has leveraged this expertise with great success across the region. Only Thailand and Vietnam do not have unit linked products as these products are not yet permitted by their regulators.
Funds Management
In addition to the life insurance products described above, Prudential offers mutual fund investment products in India, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Korea, allowing customers to participate in debt, equity and money market investments. The Company earns a fee based on assets under management. In 2005, Prudential also received licenses to sell mutual funds in China and Vietnam.
In Hong Kong, Prudential Corporation Asia has a successful joint venture with Bank of China International ("BOCI") for the Mandatory Provident Fund ("MPF") and also unit trusts. As from December 1, 2000, employees, employers and the self-employed in Hong Kong became obliged to make contributions to the MPF. The plans that comprise the MPF are defined contribution pension plans with immediate vesting, preservation until retirement (or some other event specified by legislation) and full portability. Individuals are required to make monthly mandatory contributions of 5 per cent of salary and employers make contributions equal to 5 per cent of the employee's salary to the individual's accounts in the Fund. Both employee and employer contributions are subject to a maximum amount, currently HK$1,000 per month, the equivalent of £65 per month. Additional voluntary contributions are possible.
Prudential Asset Management ("PAM") (formerly PPM Asia) is Prudential Corporation Asia's fund management division responsible for managing Prudential Corporation Asia's life and third party
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institutional funds including the Prudential group's investments in the Asia-Pacific region. PAM has offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
The Asian fund management business had £26.2 billion of funds under management as at December 31, 2005, of which £10.1 billion related to third party funds in operations in India, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. Prudential Corporation Asia is a top five foreign provider of mutual funds in all countries in which it operates with the exception of Japan, where significant progress has been made in a very competitive mutual fund market. In 2005, the fund management business continued to expand geographically with the securing of fund management licenses in China, through the joint venture with CITIC, and in Vietnam. This takes the total number of countries in which the business has a presence to nine. The geographic expansion of the past few years has been matched by growth in market share, with Korea, Japan, India and Malaysia being notable successes.
Net inflows from third parties of £1.3 billion were driven by strong net inflows in Japan of £905 million and Korea of £926 million, although these were offset by net outflows in Taiwan of £745 million due to an unsettled bond fund market.
Total reported third party funds under management of £10.1 billion were up 13 per cent on 2004. In August last year, ICICI increased its stake in Prudential's India asset management joint venture from 45 per cent to 51 per cent. As a result, Prudential no longer consolidates this business at 100 per cent and the year end numbers are reported at 49 per cent, resulting in a £1.5 billion reduction in funds under management for the year.
Products and Profitability
Life Insurance Products
Unit-linked products combine savings with protection and the cash value of the policy depends on the value of the underlying unitized funds. Participating products provide savings with protection where the basic sum assured can be enhanced by a profit share (or bonus) from the underlying fund as determined at the discretion of the insurer. Non-participating products offer savings with protection where the benefits are guaranteed or determined by a set of defined market related parameters. Accident and Health ("A&H") products provide mortality or morbidity benefits and include health, disability, critical illness and accident coverage. A&H products are commonly offered as supplements to main life insurance policies but can also be sold separately.
Life Product Profitability
The profits from participating policies are shared between the policyholder and insurer (typically in a 90:10 ratio) in the same way as with-profits business in the UK. Under unit-linked products the profits that arise from managing the policy, its investments and the insurance risk accrue entirely to shareholders, with investment gains accruing to the policyholder within the underlying unitized fund. The profits from non-participating products consist of any surplus remaining after paying the defined policy benefits. All the profits from A&H products accrue to shareholders.
Unit-linked products tend to have higher profit than traditional non-linked products as expenses and charges are better matched and solvency capital requirements are lower. At the end of 2005 Prudential Corporation Asia offered unit-linked products in 10 of the 12 countries in Asia in which it operates.
Mutual Fund Products
Prudential Corporation Asia's mutual fund range includes debt, equity, balanced and money market funds. Prudential Corporation Asia makes transaction charges (initial and surrender depending on the type of fund and the length of the investment) and also makes a service charge based on assets under
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management. The charges vary by country and fund with money market style funds generally having the lowest charges and equity funds the highest.
New Business Premiums
In 2005, total sales of insurance products were £1,485 million, up 27 per cent from 2004 (£1,172 million). Of this amount, regular premium insurance sales were up 27 per cent to £648 million and single premium insurance sales increased 26 per cent from £662 million in 2004 to £837 million.
The following table shows Prudential's Asian life insurance new business premiums by territory for the periods indicated. In this table "Other Countries" includes, Thailand, The Philippines and Vietnam.
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Singapore | 342 | 246 | |||
Hong Kong | 372 | 333 | |||
Malaysia | 75 | 68 | |||
Taiwan | 274 | 231 | |||
Japan | 34 | 24 | |||
Korea | 161 | 96 | |||
China | 40 | 25 | |||
Indonesia | 84 | 66 | |||
India (Group's 26% interest in joint venture with ICICI) | 61 | 38 | |||
Other countries | 42 | 45 | |||
Total | 1,485 | 1,172 | |||
In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2005, Prudential Corporation Asia's mutual funds had third party funds under management of £10.1 billion, up from £8.5 billion in 2004, following net sales of £1.3 billion during the year, up 3 per cent from 2004. The £10.1 billion of funds under management at the end of 2005 primarily comprised of, Korea £2.8 billion, Japan £2.7 billion, India £1.5 billion and Taiwan £1.3 billion.
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General
The overall financial strength of the Prudential group and the results, both current and future, of the insurance business are in part dependent upon the quality and performance of the various investment portfolios in the United Kingdom, the United States and Asia.
Prudential's Total Investments
The following table shows Prudential's insurance and non-insurance investments at December 31, 2005. In addition, at December 31, 2005 Prudential had £41.6 billion of external mutual funds under management. Assets held to cover linked liabilities relate to unit-linked and variable annuity products. In this table, investments are valued as set out in Note A4 of the notes to Prudential's consolidated financial statements.
|
At December 31, 2005 |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UK £m |
M&G £m |
Egg £m |
Total UK £m |
United States £m |
Asia £m |
Other £m |
Total £m |
|||||||||
Investment properties | 11,751 | 1 | 0 | 11,752 | 41 | 39 | 0 | 11,832 | |||||||||
Investments accounted for using the equity method | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |||||||||
Financial investments: | |||||||||||||||||
Loans and receivables | 1,128 | 0 | 7,430 | 8,558 | 3,577 | 1,105 | 0 | 13,240 | |||||||||
Equity securities | 47,861 | 9 | 0 | 47,870 | 273 | 3,138 | 0 | 51,281 | |||||||||
Debt securities | 42,350 | 456 | 2,117 | 44,923 | 24,290 | 3,957 | 788 | 73,958 | |||||||||
Other investments | 1,759 | 917 | 195 | 2,871 | 825 | 42 | 82 | 3,820 | |||||||||
Deposits | 5,747 | 0 | 0 | 5,747 | 380 | 307 | 76 | 6,510 | |||||||||
Total financial investments | 98,845 | 1,382 | 9,742 | 109,969 | 29,345 | 8,549 | 946 | 148,809 | |||||||||
Total investments excluding assets held to cover linked liabilities, portfolio holdings in unit trusts and other eliminations | 110,596 | 1,383 | 9,747 | 121,726 | 29,386 | 8,588 | 946 | 160,646 | |||||||||
Assets held to cover linked liabilities, portfolio holdings in unit trusts and other eliminations | 20,667 | | | 20,667 | 8,574 | 2,676 | (171 | ) | 31,746 | ||||||||
Total investments | 131,263 | 1,383 | 9,747 | 142,393 | 37,960 | 11,264 | 775 | 192,392 | |||||||||
56
Prudential's Investment Yields
The following table shows the income from the investments of Prudential's operations by asset category for the periods indicated. This table does not include investment income from assets held to cover linked liabilities, portfolio holdings in unit trusts and separate account assets. Yields have been calculated using the average of opening and closing balances for the appropriate asset.
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Yield |
2005 Amount |
Yield |
2004 Amount |
|||||
|
(In £ Millions, Except Percentages) |
||||||||
Investment properties | |||||||||
Net investment income | 6.4 | % | 768 | 7.2 | % | 829 | |||
Net realized investment gains (losses) | 6.2 | % | 753 | 2.3 | % | 261 | |||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) | 5.0 | % | 600 | 8.5 | % | 979 | |||
Ending assets | 11,832 | 12,332 | |||||||
Investments accounted for using the equity method |
|||||||||
Net investment income | 0 | % | 0 | 0 | % | 0 | |||
Net realized investment gains (losses) | 0 | % | 0 | 0 | % | 0 | |||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) | 0 | % | 5 | 0 | % | 5 | |||
Ending assets | 5 | 5 | |||||||
Loans and receivables |
|||||||||
Net investment income | 7.8 | % | 999 | 7.7 | % | 916 | |||
Net realized investment gains (losses) | 3.4 | % | 434 | 1.3 | % | 153 | |||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) | 11.2 | % | 1,435 | 10.3 | % | 1,219 | |||
Ending assets | 13,240 | 12,421 | |||||||
Equity securities |
|||||||||
Net investment income | 6.1 | % | 2,731 | 5.2 | % | 1,883 | |||
Net realized investment gains | 4.8 | % | 2,177 | 3.4 | % | 1,234 | |||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) | 14.7 | % | 6,609 | 6.7 | % | 2,443 | |||
Ending assets | 51,281 | 38,763 | |||||||
Debt securities |
|||||||||
Net investment income | 6.2 | % | 4,455 | 6.5 | % | 4,548 | |||
Net realized investment gains (losses) | 0.4 | % | 287 | 0 | % | 0 | |||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) | 2.5 | % | 1,779 | 1.1 | % | 763 | |||
Ending assets | 73,958 | 69,613 | |||||||
Other investments |
|||||||||
Net investment income | 3.6 | % | 115 | 4.3 | % | 100 | |||
Net realized investment gains | 4.0 | % | 125 | 1.3 | % | 31 | |||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) | 13.1 | % | 414 | 10.4 | % | 245 | |||
Ending assets | 3,820 | 2,491 | |||||||
Deposits |
|||||||||
Net investment income | 5.6 | % | 327 | 3.2 | % | 141 | |||
Net realized investment gains | 0 | % | 0 | 0 | % | 0 | |||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) | 0 | % | 0 | 0 | % | 0 | |||
Ending assets | 6,510 | 5,200 | |||||||
Total |
|||||||||
Net investment income | 6.2 | % | 9,395 | 6.3 | % | 8,417 | |||
Net realized investment gains | 2.5 | % | 3,776 | 1.3 | % | 1,679 | |||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) | 7.2 | % | 10,842 | 4.2 | % | 5,654 | |||
Ending assets | 160,646 | 140,825 |
57
Prudential's Insurance Investment Strategy and Objectives
Prudential's insurance investments support a range of businesses operating in many geographic areas. Each of the operations formulates a strategy, based on the nature of its underlying liabilities, its level of capital and its local regulatory requirements. Where the nature of underlying liabilities, level of capital and local regulatory requirements permit, Prudential tends to invest its assets predominantly in equities and real estate that have, over longer periods, provided superior returns to fixed interest assets.
Internal funds under management
Prudential manages 88 per cent of its group funds principally through its fund management businesses, M&G in the United Kingdom, together with PPM America in the United States and Prudential Asset Management (formerly PPM Asia) in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. Approximately 5 per cent of the group's funds relate to assets held by the banking operations and the remaining 7 per cent mainly relate to assets held to back unit linked, unit trust and variable annuity liabilities.
In each of the operations, local management analyzes the liabilities and determines asset allocation, benchmarks and permitted deviations from these benchmarks appropriate for its operation. These benchmarks and permitted deviations are agreed with internal fund managers, who are responsible for implementing the specific investment strategy through their local fund management operations.
Investments Relating to UK Insurance Business
Strategy
In the United Kingdom, Prudential tailors its investment strategy for long-term business, other than unit-linked business, to match the type of product a portfolio supports. The primary distinction is between with-profits portfolios and non-participating portfolios, which include the majority of annuity portfolios. Generally, the objective is to maximize returns while maintaining investment quality and asset security and adhering to the appropriate government regulations.
With-profits contracts are long-term contracts with minimal guaranteed amounts, the nature of which permits Prudential to invest primarily in equities and real estate. Accordingly, the with-profits fund investment strategy emphasizes a well-diversified equity portfolio (containing some international equities), real estate (predominantly in the United Kingdom), UK and international fixed income securities and cash.
For Prudential's UK pension annuities business and other non-participating business the objective is to maximize profits while ensuring stability by closely matching the cash flows of assets and liabilities. To achieve this matching, the strategy is to invest in fixed income securities of appropriate maturity dates.
For Prudential's unit-linked business, the primary objective is to maximize investment returns subject to following an investment policy consistent with the representations Prudential has made to its unit-linked product policyholders.
58
Investments
The following table shows the investments relating to Prudential's UK insurance business, other than its unit-linked business, at December 31, 2005. The with-profits fund also includes two other businesses, SAIF and Prudential Annuities Limited. The investments in respect of SAIF are shown separately. The investments in respect of Prudential Annuities Limited are included within the Annuities column. The "Other" column includes investments relating to solvency capital of unit-linked funds and investments relating to non-life long-term business.
|
At December 31, 2005 |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
With- Profits |
Shareholder- backed Annuities |
SAIF |
Other |
Total |
Total % |
||||||||
|
(In £ Millions, Except Percentages) |
|||||||||||||
Investment properties | 9,962 | 198 | 1,586 | 5 | 11,751 | 10.6 | ||||||||
Financial investments: | ||||||||||||||
Loans and receivables: | ||||||||||||||
Mortgage loans | 213 | 37 | 0 | 9 | 259 | |||||||||
Policy loans | 30 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 47 | |||||||||
Other loans | 616 | 7 | 197 | 2 | 822 | |||||||||
Total loans and receivables | 859 | 44 | 213 | 12 | 1,128 | 1.0 | ||||||||
Equity securities: |
||||||||||||||
United Kingdom: | ||||||||||||||
Listed | 26,617 | 6 | 5,129 | 0 | 31,752 | |||||||||
Unlisted | 313 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 349 | |||||||||
Total United Kingdom | 26,930 | 6 | 5,165 | 0 | 32,101 | 29.0 | ||||||||
International: |
||||||||||||||
United States | 1,992 | 0 | 288 | 0 | 2,280 | |||||||||
Europe (excluding the United Kingdom) | 4,846 | 0 | 796 | 0 | 5,642 | |||||||||
Japan | 1,653 | 0 | 313 | 0 | 1,966 | |||||||||
Pacific (excluding Japan) | 3,079 | 0 | 646 | 0 | 3,725 | |||||||||
Other | 1,839 | 0 | 307 | 1 | 2,147 | |||||||||
Total international | 13,409 | 0 | 2,350 | 1 | 15,760 | 14.3 | ||||||||
Total equity securities | 40,339 | 6 | 7,515 | 1 | 47,861 | 43.3 | ||||||||
Debt securities: |
||||||||||||||
UK government | 1,910 | 1,361 | 250 | 835 | 4,356 | |||||||||
US government | 421 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 436 | |||||||||
Other | 25,134 | 5,898 | 4,460 | 2,066 | 37,558 | |||||||||
Total debt securities | 27,465 | 7,259 | 4,710 | 2,916 | 42,350 | 38.3 | ||||||||
Other investments: |
||||||||||||||
Participation in investment pools | 621 | 0 | 63 | 0 | 684 | |||||||||
Other financial investments | 620 | 0 | 117 | 0 | 737 | |||||||||
Derivative asset | 225 | 6 | 57 | 50 | 338 | |||||||||
Total other investments | 1,466 | 6 | 237 | 50 | 1,759 | 1.6 | ||||||||
Deposits | 3,987 | 438 | 723 | 599 | 5,747 | 5.2 | ||||||||
Total investments | 84,078 | 7,951 | 14,984 | 3,583 | 110,596 | 100.0 | ||||||||
59
Equity Securities
Prudential's UK insurance operations, excluding unit-linked business, had £47,861 million invested in equities at December 31, 2005. Most of these equities support Prudential Assurance's with-profits fund and the SAIF fund, both of which are managed using the same general investment strategy. The following table shows the geographic spread of this equity portfolio by market value in accordance with the policies described in Note A4 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
|
At December 31, 2005 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Market Value |
% |
||
|
(In £ Millions, Except Percentages) |
|||
United Kingdom | 32,101 | 67.1 | ||
United States | 2,280 | 4.8 | ||
Europe (excluding United Kingdom) | 5,642 | 11.8 | ||
Japan | 1,966 | 4.1 | ||
Pacific (excluding Japan) | 3,725 | 7.7 | ||
Other | 2,147 | 4.5 | ||
Total | 47,861 | 100.0 | ||
The UK equity holdings are well diversified and broadly mirror the FTSE All-Share share index. Prudential holds equities in 553 UK companies. At December 31, 2005, the ten largest holdings in UK equities amounted to £13,362 million, accounting for 41.6 per cent of the total UK equity holdings of £32,101 million supporting the UK insurance operations. The following table shows the market value of the ten largest holdings in UK equities at December 31, 2005.
|
At December 31, 2005 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Market Value |
% |
||
|
(In £ Millions, Except Percentages) |
|||
B.P. | 2,987 | 9.3 | ||
GlaxoSmithKline | 1,784 | 5.6 | ||
Vodafone Group | 1,614 | 5.0 | ||
HSBC Holdings | 1,546 | 4.8 | ||
Royal Dutch Shell | 1,243 | 3.9 | ||
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group | 1,128 | 3.5 | ||
Barclays | 1,072 | 3.3 | ||
Astra Zeneca | 801 | 2.5 | ||
Rio Tinto | 596 | 1.9 | ||
Diageo | 591 | 1.8 | ||
Total | 13,362 | 41.6 | ||
60
All industry sectors are represented in Prudential's equity portfolio. At December 31, 2005, within the £32,101 million in UK equities supporting the UK insurance operations, Prudential had £22,153 million, or 68.9 per cent of the holdings invested in ten industries. The following table shows the primary industry concentrations based on market value of the portfolio of UK equities relating to the UK insurance business at December 31, 2005.
|
At December 31, 2005 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Market Value |
% |
||
|
(In £ Millions, Except Percentages) |
|||
Banks | 5,533 | 17.2 | ||
Oil and Gas | 4,753 | 14.8 | ||
Pharmaceuticals and Biotech | 2,740 | 8.5 | ||
Telecommunication Services | 2,685 | 8.4 | ||
Mining | 1,655 | 5.2 | ||
Media and Entertainment | 1,099 | 3.4 | ||
Leisure and Hotels | 1,041 | 3.2 | ||
Construction & Building Materials | 1,031 | 3.2 | ||
Investment Companies | 811 | 2.5 | ||
Utilities | 805 | 2.5 | ||
Total | 22,153 | 68.9 | ||
Debt Securities
At December 31, 2005, 88.7 per cent of Prudential's debt securities supporting the UK insurance operations were issued by corporations and overseas governments other than the US, 10.3 per cent were issued or guaranteed by the UK government and 1.0 per cent were issued or guaranteed by the US government. These guarantees relate only to payment and, accordingly, do not provide protection against fluctuations in market price that may occur during the term of the fixed income securities.
The following table shows the market value of the debt securities portfolio by maturity at December 31, 2005, in accordance with the policies described in Note A4 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
|
At December 31, 2005 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Market Value |
% |
||
|
(In £ Millions, Except Percentages) |
|||
Securities maturing: | ||||
Within one year | 1,122 | 2.7 | ||
Over one year and up to five years | 5,060 | 12.0 | ||
Over five years and up to ten years | 7,723 | 18.2 | ||
Over ten years and up to fifteen years | 4,751 | 11.2 | ||
Over fifteen years | 23,694 | 55.9 | ||
Total debt securities | 42,350 | 100.0 | ||
61
The following table shows debt securities by rating:
|
At December 31, 2005 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Market Value |
% |
||
|
(In £ Millions, Except Percentages) |
|||
S&PAAA | 11,245 | 26.6 | ||
S&PAA+ to AA- | 3,450 | 8.1 | ||
S&PA+ to A- | 10,274 | 24.3 | ||
S&PBBB+ to BBB- | 4,495 | 10.6 | ||
S&POther | 930 | 2.2 | ||
30,394 | 71.8 | |||
Moody's Aaa | 1,261 | 3.0 | ||
Moody'sAa1 to Aa3 | 1,012 | 2.4 | ||
Moody'sA1 to A3 | 1,113 | 2.6 | ||
Moody'sBaa1 to Baa3 | 771 | 1.8 | ||
Moody's Other | 389 | 0.9 | ||
4,546 | 10.7 | |||
Fitch | 949 | 2.2 | ||
Other | 6,461 | 15.3 | ||
Total debt securities | 42,350 | 100.0 | ||
Real Estate
At December 31, 2005, Prudential's UK insurance operations had £11,751 million of investments in real estate. The following table shows the real estate portfolio by type of investment. The real estate investments are shown at market value in accordance with the policies described in Note A4 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
|
At December 31, 2005 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Market Value |
% |
||
|
(In £ Millions, Except Percentages) |
|||
Office buildings | 3,763 | 32.1 | ||
Shopping centers/commercial | 4,574 | 38.9 | ||
Retail warehouses/industrial | 2,978 | 25.3 | ||
Development | 227 | 1.9 | ||
Other | 209 | 1.8 | ||
Total | 11,751 | 100.0 | ||
Approximately 51.1 per cent of the UK held real estate investment is located in London and Southeast England (Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire and Surrey) with 42.6 per cent located throughout the rest of the United Kingdom and the remaining 6.3 per cent located overseas.
62
Investments Relating to Prudential's US Insurance Business
Strategy
The investment strategy of the US Operations, for business other than the variable annuity business, is to maintain a diversified and largely investment grade debt securities portfolio that maintains a desired investment spread between the yield on the portfolio assets and the rate credited on policyholder liabilities. Interest rate scenario testing is continually used to monitor the effect of changes in interest yields on cash flows, the present value of future profits and interest rate spreads.
The investment portfolio of the US Operations consists primarily of debt securities, although the portfolio also contains investments in mortgage loans, policy loans, common and preferred stocks, derivative instruments, cash and short-term investments and miscellaneous other investments.
Investments
The following table summarizes the total insurance investments of the US Operations, excluding the separate account investments supporting the variable annuity business, at December 31, 2005.
|
December 31, 2005 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
|
||||
Non-institutional | ||||||
Investment properties | 41 | 0.1 | ||||
Loans | 2,968 | 10.2 | ||||
Equity securities | 240 | 0.8 | ||||
Corporate securities and commercial loans |
15,052 |
51.2 |
||||
Residential mortgage-backed securities | 2,089 | 7.1 | ||||
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 1,125 | 3.8 | ||||
Other | 1,404 | 4.8 | ||||
Total debt securities | 19,670 | 66.9 | ||||
Other investments |
561 |
1.9 |
||||
Deposits | 369 | 1.3 | ||||
Total non-institutional | 23,849 | 81.2 | ||||
Institutional |
||||||
Investment properties | 0 | | ||||
Loans | 609 | 2.1 | ||||
Equity securities | 33 | 0.1 | ||||
Corporate securities and commercial loans |
3,155 |
10.7 |
||||
Residential mortgage-backed securities | 171 | 0.6 | ||||
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 285 | 1.0 | ||||
Other | 1,009 | 3.4 | ||||
Total debt securities | 4,620 | 15.7 | ||||
Other investments |
264 |
0.9 |
||||
Deposits | 11 | 0.0 | ||||
Total institutional | 5,537 | 18.8 | ||||
63
Total |
||||||
Investment properties | 41 | 0.1 | ||||
Loans | 3,577 | 12.3 | ||||
Equity securities | 273 | 0.9 | ||||
Corporate securities and commercial loans |
18,207 |
61.9 |
||||
Residential mortgage-backed securities | 2,260 | 7.7 | ||||
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 1,410 | 4.8 | ||||
Other | 2,413 | 8.2 | ||||
Total debt securities |
24,290 |
82.66 |
||||
Other investments |
825 |
2.8 |
||||
Deposits | 380 | 1.3 | ||||
Total | 29,386 | 100 | ||||
Debt securities are shown at fair value under IFRS. Previously, under UK GAAP, debt and other fixed income securities were carried at amortized cost, with the exception of certain securities held by the US fund management operation, which were shown at fair value. Loans are shown at amortized cost. Equity securities and investment properties are shown at fair value. The fair value of unlisted securities is estimated by Jackson National Life using independent pricing services or analytically determined values.
Debt Securities
Corporate Securities and Commercial Loans
At December 31, 2005, the US Operations had £18,207 million of corporate securities and commercial loans, representing 62.0 per cent of US insurance total investments. Of the £18,207 million, £15,007 million consisted of debt securities that are publicly traded or trade under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Rule 144A") and £3,200 million consisted of investments in non-Rule 144A privately placed fixed income securities.
For statutory reporting in the United States, debt securities are classified into six quality categories specified by the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC"). The categories range from Class 1 (the highest) to Class 6 (the lowest). Performing securities are designated Classes 1-5. Securities in or near default are designated Class 6. Securities designated as Class 3, 4, 5 and 6 are non-investment grade securities. Generally, securities rated AAA to A by nationally recognized statistical ratings organizations are Class 1, BBB in Class 2, BB in Class 3 and B and below in Classes 4 through 6. If a designation is not currently available from the NAIC, Jackson National Life's investment advisor, PPM America, provided the designation for the purposes of the disclosure contained herein.
64
The following table shows the credit quality of the portfolio of publicly traded and Rule 144A fixed income securities at December 31, 2005.
|
At December 31, 2005 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Book Value |
% of Total |
||
|
(In £ Millions, Except Percentages) |
|||
NAIC Designation | ||||
1 | 5,852 | 39.0 | ||
2 | 7,622 | 50.8 | ||
3 | 1,183 | 7.9 | ||
4 | 320 | 2.1 | ||
5 | 30 | 0.2 | ||
6 | | 0.0 | ||
Total | 15,007 | 100.0 | ||
The following table shows the credit quality of the non-Rule 144A private placement portfolio at December 31, 2005.
|
At December 31, 2005 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Book Value |
% of Total |
||
|
(In £ Millions, Except Percentages) |
|||
NAIC Designation | ||||
1 | 1,368 | 42.8 | ||
2 | 1,471 | 46.0 | ||
3 | 299 | 9.3 | ||
4 | 51 | 1.6 | ||
5 | | | ||
6 | 11 | 0.3 | ||
Total | 3,200 | 100.0 | ||
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities
At December 31, 2005, the US insurance operations had £2,260 million of residential mortgage-backed securities, representing 7.7 per cent of US insurance total investments. Although this percentage is higher than the average US insurance company, Jackson National Life believes these securities provide additional yield and liquidity. At December 31, 2005, 86.9 per cent of the US insurance Operations' residential mortgage-backed securities were rated AAA or the equivalent by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (these include Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch) and 99.9 per cent were rated NAIC 1.
The primary investment risk associated with residential mortgage-backed securities is that a change in the interest rate environment could cause payment of the underlying obligations to be made more slowly or more quickly than was anticipated at the time of their purchase. If interest rates decline, then this risk is called "pre-payment risk" and the underlying obligations will generally be repaid more quickly when the yields on reinvestment alternatives are lower. Alternatively, if interest rates rise, the risk is called "extension risk" and the underlying obligations will generally be repaid more slowly when reinvestment alternatives are higher. Residential mortgage-backed securities offer additional yield to compensate for these risks. The US Operations can manage pre-payment risk, in part, by reducing crediting rates on its products.
65
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
At December 31, 2005, the US Operations had £1,410 million of commercial mortgage-backed securities, representing 4.8 per cent of US insurance total investments. 100 per cent of this total was rated by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (these include Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch) and 98.5 per cent was rated investment grade. Due to the structures of the underlying commercial mortgages, these securities do not present the same pre-payment or extension risk as residential mortgage-backed securities.
Other Debt Securities
At December 31, 2005, the US Operations had £2,413 million of other debt securities, representing 8.2 per cent of US insurance total investments.
Loans
Loans totaled £3,577 million, representing 12.2 per cent of US insurance total investments at December 31, 2005. Of the total, £3,107 million related to commercial mortgage loans and £470 million to policy loans.
Commercial Mortgage Loans
Commercial mortgage loans represented 10.6 per cent of US insurance total investments at December 31, 2005. This total included 507 first mortgage loans with an average loan balance of approximately £6.1 million, collateralized by properties located in the United States and Canada. More than 95 per cent of the US Operations' commercial mortgage loan investments have been directly originated in the last eight years.
Jackson National Life has addressed the risk of these investments by building a portfolio that is diverse both in geographic distribution and property type, emphasizing four main institutional property types: multi-family residential, retail, suburban office and warehouse/distribution facilities.
As of December 31, 2005, approximately 26.2 per cent of the portfolio was industrial 21.3 per cent multi-family residential, 19.7 per cent suburban office, 19.6 per cent retail, 11.4 per cent hotel and 1.8 per cent other. Approximately 12.7 per cent of the portfolio is collateralized by properties in California and 10.6 per cent of the portfolio is collateralized by properties in Texas, with no other state representing more than 7.1 per cent of the outstanding balance.
Commercial mortgages generally involve more credit risk than residential mortgages due to several factors, including larger loan size, general and local economic conditions, local real estate conditions and the credit quality of the underlying tenants for the properties. Jackson National Life's investment policy and strict underwriting standards are designed to reduce these risks while maintaining attractive yields. In contrast to residential mortgage loans, commercial mortgage loans have minimal or no pre-payment and extension risk.
Policy Loans
Policy loans represented 1.6 per cent of US insurance total investments at December 31, 2005. Policy loans are fully secured by individual life insurance policies or annuity policies and are contractual arrangements made under the policy.
66
Other
Other financial investments of £825 million, representing 2.8 per cent of US insurance total investments at December 31, 2005, were made up of £ 414 million of limited partnership interests, derivative assets of £167 million and £244 million of other miscellaneous investments.
The largest investment in the limited partnerships category is a £168 million interest in the PPM America Private Equity Fund. The remainder of this category consists of diversified investments in 160 other partnerships managed by independent money managers that generally invest in various equity and fixed income loans and securities.
Equity Securities
Equity securities supporting US insurance operations totaled £273 million at December 31, 2005.
Investments Relating to Asian Insurance Business
Prudential's Asian operations' investments, other than investments in respect of unit-linked business, largely support the business of its Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan and Taiwan operations.
The following table shows Prudential Corporation Asia's investments, other than investments from unit-linked business, at December 31, 2005. In this table, investments are valued in accordance with the policies described in Note A4 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
|
At December 31, 2005 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Market Value |
% of Total |
|||
|
(In £ Millions, Except Percentages) |
||||
Investment Properties | 39 | 0.4 | |||
Financial investments: | |||||
Loans and receivables | 1,105 | 12.9 | |||
Equity securities | 3,138 | 36.5 | |||
Debt securities | 3,957 | 46.1 | |||
Other investments | 42 | 0.5 | |||
Deposits | 307 | 3.6 | |||
Total financial investments | 8,549 | 99.6 | |||
Total investments | 8,588 | 100.0 | |||
Prudential manages interest rate risk in Asia by matching liabilities with fixed interest assets of the same duration to the extent possible. Asian fixed interest markets however generally have a relatively short bond issue term, which makes complete matching challenging. A large proportion of the Hong Kong liabilities are denominated in US dollars and Prudential holds US fixed interest securities to back these liabilities.
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Debt Securities
The following table shows consolidated investment categorization of the debt security investments of Prudential Corporation Asia's long-term insurance fund, other than investments from unit-linked business, at December 31, 2005.
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At December 31, 2005 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Market Value |
% of Total |
||
|
(In £ Millions, Except Percentages) |
|||
Debt securities: | ||||
Government Bonds | 2,313 | 58.4 | ||
Quasi Government Bonds | 210 | 5.3 | ||
Investment grade Corporate Bonds | 1,223 | 30.9 | ||
Non-Investment grade Corporate Bonds | 7 | 0.2 | ||
Un-rated bonds | 204 | 5.2 | ||
Total | 3,957 | 100.0 | ||
Equity Securities
The following table shows a geographic analysis of equity security investments of Prudential Corporation Asia's long-term insurance fund, other than investments from unit-linked business, at December 31, 2005.
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At December 31, 2005 |
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---|---|---|---|---|
|
Market Value |
% of Total |
||
|
(In £ Millions, Except Percentages) |
|||
Hong Kong | 1,458 | 46.5 | ||
Singapore | 957 | 30.5 | ||
Taiwan | 321 | 10.2 | ||
India | 220 | 7.0 | ||
Malaysia | 106 | 3.4 | ||
Japan | 23 | 0.7 | ||
Korea | 22 | 0.7 | ||
Other | 31 | 1.0 | ||
Total | 3,138 | 100.0 | ||
Investments Relating to Banking Business
At December 31, 2005, Prudential had total banking investments of £9,747 million. The following table summarizes the investment portfolios relating to the UK banking business. In this table, investments are valued as described in Note A4 to Prudential's consolidated financial statements.
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At December 31, 2005 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Market Value |
Total % |
||
|
(In £ Millions, Except Percentages) |
|||
Debt securities | 2,117 | 21.7 | ||
Loans and other | 7,630 | 78.3 | ||
Total | 9,747 | 100.0 | ||
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Of the £9,747 million of investments, £357 million matures within one month and £3,782 million matures between one and three months.
The following table shows UK banking business loans by type and repayment period at December 31, 2005.
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At December 31, 2005 |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Due in One Year or Less |
Due in Over One Year and Up to Five Years |
Due in Over Five Years |
Provision for bad and doubtful debts |
Total |
|||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||||||
Unsecured personal loans | 38 | 1,605 | 1 | (184 | ) | 1,460 | ||||
Credit card receivables | 3,496 | 0 | 0 | (151 | ) | 3,345 | ||||
Residential mortgages | 0 | 0 | 2,625 | 0 | 2,625 | |||||
Total | 3,534 | 1,605 | 2,626 | (335 | ) | 7,430 | ||||
The following table shows UK banking business loans by type and interest rate at December 31, 2005.
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At December 31, 2005 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fixed Rate |
Variable Rate |
Provision for bad and doubtful debts |
Total |
||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||||
Unsecured personal loans | 1,644 | 0 | (184 | ) | 1,460 | |||
Credit card receivables | 0 | 3,496 | (151 | ) | 3,345 | |||
Residential mortgages | 45 | 2,580 | 0 | 2,625 | ||||
Total | 1,689 | 6,076 | (335 | ) | 7,430 | |||
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As at December 31, 2005, Prudential's UK based businesses occupied approximately 30 properties in the United Kingdom, Europe and Mumbai. These properties are primarily offices with some ancillary storage or warehouse facilities. Prudential's headquarters are located in London. Of the remainder, the most significant are offices in London, Reading, Chelmsford, Dudley and Derby in England, Stirling in Scotland, Belfast in Northern Ireland and Mumbai in India. The property in Stirling, one property in Reading and one in Derby are held on a freehold basis. The properties in Stirling and in Reading are leased by the business from Prudential Assurance's long-term fund. The rest of the properties occupied by Prudential UK based businesses, both in the UK and in Mumbai, are held on long-term leaseholds. The leasehold properties range in size from 1,800 to 270,000 square feet. Overall, the occupied property portfolio totals approximately 1,300,000 square feet.
In addition to these properties, the Prudential group owns the freehold of a sports facility in Reading for the benefit of staff.
The Prudential group also holds approximately 60 other leasehold properties in the United Kingdom. This surplus accommodation is spread geographically across the United Kingdom and totals approximately 500,000 square feet.
In the United States, Prudential owns Jackson National Life's executive and principal administrative office located in Michigan. Prudential also leases premises in Michigan, Colorado, California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Wisconsin, Texas, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and North Dakota for certain of its operations. Prudential holds 36 operating leases with respect to office space, throughout the United States. In the United States, Prudential owns and leases a total of approximately 731,000 square feet of property.
In Asia, Prudential owns or leases properties principally in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, India and Korea. Within these countries, Prudential holds 65 offices on a freehold basis, 7 offices on a leasehold basis and 670 operating leases in respect of office space, totaling approximately 5,800,000 square feet of property. In addition, Prudential is planning to lease approximately 657,000 square feet of additional property in 2006 to support expansion plans throughout the region.
Prudential believes that its facilities are adequate for its present needs in all material respects.
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General
There are significant other participants in each of the financial service markets in which Prudential operates. Its competitors include both mutual and stock financial companies. In addition, regulatory and other developments in many of Prudential's markets have obscured traditional financial service industry lines and opened the market to new competitors and increased competition. Some new entrants are taking advantage of the low barriers to entry afforded by internet distribution, especially in the area of retail banking. In some of Prudential's markets, other companies may have greater financial resources, allowing them to benefit from economies of scale, and may have stronger brands than Prudential does in that market.
The principal competitive factors affecting the sale of Prudential's products in its chosen markets are:
An important competitive factor is the ratings Prudential receives in some of its target markets, most notably in the United States, from recognized rating organizations. The intermediaries with whom Prudential works, including financial advisors, tied agents, brokers, wholesalers and financial institutions consider ratings as one factor in determining from which provider to purchase financial products.
Prudential Assurance's long-term fund is currently rated AA+ (stable outlook) by Standard & Poor's, Aa1 (stable outlook) by Moody's and AA+ (stable outlook) by Fitch Ratings. The ratings from Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch Ratings represent the second highest ratings of their respective rating categories.
Jackson National Life is currently rated AA (stable outlook) by Standard & Poor's, AA (stable outlook) by Fitch Ratings and A1 (stable outlook) by Moody's. The ratings from Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings represent the third highest rating category respectively and the ratings from Moody's represent the fifth highest rating category. Prior to June 23, 2006, Standard & Poor's rated Jackson National Life as AA (negative outlook).
Prudential offers different products in its different markets of the United Kingdom, the United States and Asia and, accordingly, faces different competitors and different types of competition in these markets. In all of the markets in which Prudential operates its products are not unique and, accordingly, it faces competition from market participants who manufacture a varying range of similar and identical products.
United Kingdom
Prudential's principal competitors include many of the major stock and mutual retail financial services and fund management companies operating in the United Kingdom. These companies include Aviva, Legal & General, Standard Life, Friends Provident, Lloyds TSB, HBOS, Aegon, AXA, Zurich
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Financial Services, Fidelity, Invesco, Jupiter, Threadneedle and Schroders. Prudential competes with other providers of financial products to be included on financial advisors panels of preferred providers.
In the United Kingdom, the level of bonuses on Prudential's with-profits products is an important competitive measure for attracting new business through financial advisors. The ability to declare competitive bonuses depends, in part, on a company's financial strength, which enables it to adopt an investment approach with a higher weighting in equities and real estate and allows it to smooth the fluctuations in investment performance upon which bonuses are based. Bonus rates on Prudential's with-profits policies are broadly in line with those of its major competitors.
UK retail banking continues to be dominated by HBOS, RBS, Barclays, Lloyds TSB, HSBC and Abbey. In recent years, these big players have increasingly focused on unsecured lending products which traditionally have offered high returns on capital. Margins, whilst still healthy, continue to be squeezed by regulatory pressure on default fees and creditor insurance. 2005 saw rising bad debt charges across the industry.
M&G's principal competitors are the main fund management companies operating in the United Kingdom and Europe. These companies include Fidelity, Invesco Perpetual, Jupiter, Threadneedle, New Star, Artemis, Schroders, Morley, Legal and General, Friends Provident, Aegon, AXA and Zurich Financial Services.
United States
Jackson National Life's competitors in the United States include major stock and mutual insurance companies, mutual fund organizations, banks and other financial services companies. National banks, in particular, may become more significant competitors in the future for insurers who sell annuities, as a result of recent legislation, court decisions and regulatory actions. Jackson National Life's principal life insurance company competitors in the United States include AIG, Allstate Financial, Allianz Life of North America, AXA Financial Inc., Hartford Life Inc., ING, John Hancock, Lincoln Financial Group, Met Life, Pacific Life and Prudential Financial.
Jackson National Life does not have a significant career agency sales force to distribute its annuity products in the United States and, consequently, competes for distributors such as banks, broker-dealers and wholesalers. Jackson National Life also competes with other providers of financial products to be placed at the top of independent agents' lists of sources.
Asia
Competition in the Asian markets in which Prudential operates is mainly focused on distribution, with particular emphasis on the size and competency of the agency sales force. Within Asia, Prudential is second to AIG in terms of penetration and overall life market share across the region. Other main regional competitors are Allianz, ING and Manulife. While there are large local participants in individual markets, for example, Great Eastern Life in Singapore and Malaysia, Nippon Life in Japan, Cathay Life in Taiwan, and LIC in India, none of these has pan-regional businesses. Regional players are typically of North American or European origin.
In addition, Prudential competes with the above as well as smaller competitors for talented and skilled employees with local experience, which are in particular demand in Asia. See Item 3 "Key Information-Risk Factors"
In the regional mutual fund market in terms of market presence and position, Prudential ranks alongside leading international participants such as Templeton and Fidelity.
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Prudential does not operate in the United States under the Prudential name and there have been long-standing arrangements between it and Prudential Financial, Inc. and its subsidiary, the Prudential Insurance Company of America, relating to their respective uses of the Prudential name. Prudential and Prudential Financial, Inc. entered into a new trade mark co-existence agreement in 2004, under which it was agreed that Prudential Financial Inc would have the right to use the Prudential name in the Americas and certain parts of the Caribbean, Japan, Korea and Taiwan and Prudential would have the right to use the name everywhere else in the world although third parties have rights to the name in certain countries.
Prudential Group
Prudential and its subsidiaries are involved in other litigation arising in the normal course of business. While an adverse ruling in any individual case may not in itself be material to Prudential, if applied across all similar cases, the potential liabilities may be more significant. Although the outcome of such matters cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that the ultimate outcome of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the group's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Jackson National Life
JNL is involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. It is the opinion of management that the ultimate disposition of such litigation will not have a material adverse affect on JNL's financial condition or results of operations. JNL has been named in civil litigation proceedings, which appear to be substantially similar to other class action litigation brought against many life insurers alleging misconduct in the sale and administration of insurance products. JNL generally accrues for legal contingencies once the contingency is deemed to be probable and estimable. Accordingly, at December 31, 2005 and 2004, the JNL had recorded accruals totaling $16.5 million and $20.8 million, respectively.
Throughout this annual report, Prudential describes the position and ranking of its overall business and individual business units in various industry and geographic markets. The sources for such descriptions come from a variety of conventional sources generally accepted as relevant business indicators by members of the financial services industry. These sources include information available from the Association of British Insurers, the UK Department of Trade and Industry, Association of Unit Trusts and Investment Funds, Investment Management Association, Neilsen Net Ratings, Moody's, Standard & Poor's, Fitch, UBS, Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association, the Variable Annuity Research Data Service, referred to as VARDS, LIMRA International, Townsend and Schupp, The Advantage Group, the Life Insurance Association of Singapore, the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers, Life Insurance Association of Malaysia, Life Insurance Association of Taiwan and the Taiwanese Securities Investment Trust Consulting Association.
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SUPERVISION AND REGULATION OF PRUDENTIAL
Prudential's principal insurance, investment and banking operations are in the United Kingdom, the United States and Asia. Accordingly, it is subject to applicable United Kingdom, United States and Asian insurance, banking and other financial services regulation which is discussed below.
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
Prudential's insurance, investment and banking businesses in the United Kingdom are regulated by the Financial Services Authority (the "FSA"), the statutory regulator granted powers under the 2000 Act. In addition, those businesses are subject to various United Kingdom laws governing the terms and the sale of products (for example, the Consumer Credit Act 1974 in relation to the banking business) some of which require the relevant Prudential entity to be licensed or registered.
Risk-Based Regulation
The FSA employs a risk-based regulatory approach under the 2000 Act pursuant to which each regulated firm's risk is assessed using a risk assessment methodology known as ARROW. This is a high-level review aimed at assessing the significance of a particular risk posing a threat to the FSA's statutory objectives under the 2000 Act. These objectives relate to market confidence, public awareness, consumer protection and the reduction of financial crime.
The ARROW framework is the core of the FSA's risk-based approach to regulation. Using the process, the FSA will consider the particular risk a firm might pose to the statutory objectives by assessing the impact and probability of a particular risk materializing.
The FSA aims to create a single set of prudential requirements organized according to risk category with sections containing rules and guidance on credit, market, operational and insurance risks, as well as capital adequacy and consolidated supervision.
A key feature of the risk-based regime is the introduction of a single Integrated Prudential Sourcebook to replace the separate "Interim Prudential Sourcebooks" that currently regulate businesses in different regulated sectors. While the FSA initially envisaged that the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook would be fully implemented on January 1, 2004, developments and delays in the agreement of international legislation (such as the new Basel capital accord) have led to a phased introduction of its provisions. However, since the regulation of insurance has not been affected by many of these delays, the FSA proceeded with the early introduction of substantially all of the new prudential regime for insurance firms in its original target year of 2004.
The FSA has begun a consultation, which outlines various proposals to revise the Handbook, largely as a consequence of implementing the Capital Requirements Directive and the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive. The FSA proposes to complete the new structure by, first, creating, from existing material, prudential sourcebooks for insurers, mortgage firms and insurance intermediaries, and UCITS firms; and, second, deleting large parts of the existing interim prudential sourcebooks for banks and building societies as they are superseded by the Capital Requirement Directive regime.
Overview of 2000 Act Regulatory Regime
Single Regulator
The FSA is the single regulator for all authorized persons with respect to regulated activities in the financial services sector. In this regard, the FSA is authorized to make rules and issue guidance and codes in relation to a wide sphere of activity encompassing the governance of the conduct of business by, and the prudential supervision of, authorized persons.
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Permission to carry on "Regulated Activities"
Under the 2000 Act, no person may carry on or purport to carry on a regulated activity by way of business in the United Kingdom unless he is an authorized person or is an exempt person. A firm which is granted permission by the FSA to carry on regulated activities becomes an authorized person for the purposes of the 2000 Act. "Regulated activities" are prescribed in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 and include banking activities, insurance activities and certain other activities, such as dealing in investments as principal or agent, as described below.
Authorization Procedure
When considering an application for authorization by a firm, the FSA may delineate the scope of, and include such restrictions on, the grant of permission as it deems appropriate. In granting or varying the terms of a firm's permissions, the FSA must ensure that the firm meets certain threshold conditions, which, among other things, require the firm to have adequate resources for the carrying on of its business, and to be a fit and proper person, having regard to all the circumstances.
Once authorized, and in addition to continuing to meet the threshold conditions to authorization, firms are obliged to comply with the FSA Principles for Business, which are high level principles for conducting financial services business in the United Kingdom. These include the maintenance of adequate systems and controls, treating customers fairly and communicating with customers in a manner that is clear, fair and not misleading.
Moreover, the 2000 Act obliges firms to secure the FSA's prior approval of the appointment of individuals performing certain important functions within a firm or on its behalf with respect to the carrying on of regulated activities (approved persons).
Principles for business
A key feature of the FSA regime is the existence of 11 'Principles for business' which all firms are expected to abide by. These cover key areas such as firms' relationship with the regulator, the need to act with integrity and honesty as well as that to treat customers fairly.
The FSA has expressed the wish to move away from detailed rules in favor of principle-based regulation, much of which would rely on the Principles for business mentioned above. While many firms welcome this, they are also likely to face greater uncertainty as what would be deemed to be 'compliant' under such a regime and this is a concern in the industry.
Application of 2000 Act Regulatory Regime to Prudential
Each of Prudential's principal UK insurance, investment and banking businesses is subject to regulation and supervision by the FSA in the carrying on of its regulated activities. The following discussion considers, in turn, the main features of the 2000 Act regime applicable to Prudential's insurance, investment and banking businesses in the United Kingdom.
Regulation Applicable to Prudential's Insurance, Investment and Banking Businesses
Supervision of Management and Change of Control of Authorized Firms
The FSA closely supervises the management of authorized firms through the approved person's regime, under which any appointment of persons who hold positions of significant influence within an authorized firm must be pre-approved by the FSA.
The FSA also regulates the acquisition of control over authorized firms. Under the 2000 Act, any person proposing to acquire control of an authorized firm must first obtain the consent of the FSA. In considering whether to grant or withhold its approval to the acquisition of control, the FSA must be
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satisfied both that the acquirer is a fit and proper person to have control over the authorized firm, and that the interests of consumers would not be threatened by his acquiring control.
Control over a UK authorized firm ("A") is acquired if the acquirer holds 10 per cent or more of the shares in A or a parent undertaking of A ("P"); is able to exercise significant influence over the management of A or P by virtue of his shareholding in that company; is entitled to exercise, or control the exercise, of 10 per cent or more of the voting power of A or P; or is able to exercise significant influence over the management of A or P by virtue of his voting power in that company. Increases in 'control', once they reach thresholds of 20 per cent, 33 per cent and 50 per cent of the shares or voting power of an authorized firm or one of its controllers, also require the consent of the FSA. The European Commission has launched a consultation on how to improve the supervisory approval process for mergers and acquisitions in the banking, insurance and securities sectors. Current European Union rules allow Member States' supervisory authorities to block proposed mergers and acquisitions if they consider that the "sound and prudent management" of the target company could be put at risk.
In order to determine whether a person or a group of persons is a "controller" for the purposes of the 2000 Act, the holdings (shares or voting rights) of the person and his "associates", if any, are aggregated.
Intervention and Enforcement
The FSA has extensive powers to investigate and intervene in the affairs of an authorized firm. The 2000 Act imposes on the FSA statutory obligations to monitor compliance with the requirements imposed by, and to enforce the provisions of, the 2000 Act, related secondary legislation and the rules made there under.
The FSA's enforcement powers, which may be exercised against both authorized firms and approved persons, include public censure, imposing unlimited fines and, in serious cases, the revocation or variation of permission to carry on regulated activities or of an approved person's approved status. In addition, the FSA may vary or revoke an authorized firm's permission if it is desirable to protect the interests of consumers or potential consumers, or if the firm has not engaged in regulated activity for 12 months, or if it is failing to meet the threshold conditions for authorization. The FSA has further powers to obtain injunctions against authorized persons and to impose or seek restitution orders where persons have suffered loss. Once the FSA has made a decision to take enforcement action against an authorized or approved person (other than in the case of an application to the court for an injunction or restitution order), the person affected may refer the matter to the Financial Services and Markets Tribunal. Breaches of certain FSA rules by an authorized firm may also give a private person who suffers loss as a result of the breach a right of action against the authorized firm for damages.
In addition to its ability to apply sanctions for market abuse, the FSA has the power to prosecute criminal offences arising under the 2000 Act and insider dealing under Part V of the Criminal Justice Act 1993 and breaches of money laundering regulations. The FSA's stated policy is to pursue criminal prosecution in all appropriate cases.
The FSA, although not a creditor, may seek administration orders under the Insolvency Act 1986 (as amended), present a petition for the winding-up of an authorized person or have standing to be heard in the voluntary winding-up of an authorized person. It should be noted that insurers carrying on long-term insurance business cannot voluntarily be wound up without the consent of the FSA.
FSA Conduct of Business Rules
The FSA's Conduct of Business Rules apply to every authorized firm carrying on regulated activities and regulate the day-to-day conduct of business standards to be observed by authorized persons in carrying on regulated activities.
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There are detailed rules in the FSA's Conduct of Business Rules introduced in January 2004 concerning the sale of packaged products (such as life insurance policies with an investment element) and the mechanics of the sale process. In contrast to the previous rules, firms may sell not only their own products, but those of other providers as well, without limit on the number of providers whose products can be sold.
The FSA's Conduct of Business Rules also included provisions restricting the terms on which product providers can take up direct or indirect holdings in, or provide credit to, intermediaries offering advice on packaged products (which do not apply in between firms in the same immediate group). Furthermore, the FSA's Conduct of Business Rules were amended to include rules governing the extent to which product providers can provide intermediaries with indirect benefits, in order to avoid the development of conflicts of interest (which rules, again, are disapplied for firms in the same immediate group).
The "depolarization" reform has also led the FSA to review a number of areas of its rulebook such as the product disclosure regime. The FSA had hoped to introduce reduced point-of-sale product disclosure requirements. However, the industry has expressed concerns about the practical difficulties of such a reform as well as the potential legal consequences of making reduced disclosures to customers generally. As a result, the FSA is now reviewing its original plans in this area.
The FSA is proceeding with its 'Handbook Reform' programme. The FSA's key driver is to move towards more of a principles based regime and to eliminate redundant and over-prescriptive provisions where it believes that high-level requirements suffice. A key element of this work relates to the Conduct of Business Sourcebook and key proposals are expected to be published by the FSA in the autumn. The FSA's work on this is, in part, constrained by the implementation of the EU Markets in Financial Services Directive ('MiFID'), the main aspects of which are covered under Regula tion of investment business' below.
Financial Promotion
The FSA's Conduct of Business Rules govern the circumstances and manner in which authorized firms may communicate and approve "financial promotions", which are communications in the course of business that constitute invitations or inducements to engage in investment activity.
Treating Customers Fairly
Under FSA Principle 6, firms are expected to pay due regard to the interest of their customers and to treat them fairly. This principle is seen as key to the operation of an efficient retail market for financial services and is closely linked to maintaining consumer confidence. Until recently the meaning of the duty had not been further defined and the FSA has sought to remedy this through its Treating Customers Fairly' (TCF') initia tive.
Although the FSA has refrained from making rules, it has published a number of case studies providing an indication of its expectations in the areas of product development, complaint handling, financial promotions and systems and controls. Firms are expected to perform a gap analysis of their 'TCF compliance' and address any weaknesses thus identified.
The Financial Ombudsman Service
The Financial Ombudsman Service is intended to provide speedy, informal and cost effective dispute resolution of complaints made against authorized firms by individuals and small-business customers. The Ombudsman is empowered to order firms to pay fair compensation for loss and damage and may order a firm to take such steps as it determines to be just and appropriate to remedy a complaint. Authorized firms must have appropriate complaints handling procedures.
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In R (on the application of IFG Financial Services Ltd) v Financial Ombudsman Services Ltd [2005] EWHC 1153 (Admin), the High Court of England and Wales has ruled that the Financial Ombudsman may depart from principles of English law when deciding levels of compensation in order to achieve a result which is fair and reasonable in his opinion.
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme
The 2000 Act provides for the establishment of a compensation scheme intended to compensate individuals and small businesses for claims against an authorized firm where the authorized firm is unable or unlikely to be able to meet those claims (generally, when it is insolvent or has gone out of business). The scheme is divided into three sub-schemes of banking, insurance and investment business, reflecting the different kinds of business undertaken by authorized firms. The scheme is funded by contributions from industry participants referable to the particular sub-schemes so as to minimize cross-subsidy between authorized persons whose businesses are not similar. Prudential estimates its reserve for future fund assessments for its UK business to be insignificant, and believes the reserves in place are adequate for all payments for known insolvencies. In the event of a failure of a market participant, Prudential could be required to make contributions to compensate investors.
Regulation of Insurance Business
Effecting and carrying out contracts of insurance as principal are regulated activities for the purposes of the 2000 Act, and the carrying on of such regulated activities is referred to as insurance business. Some of Prudential's subsidiaries, including The Prudential Assurance Company Limited, Prudential Annuities Limited, Prudential Retirement Income Limited, Prudential Pensions Limited, Prudential Holborn Life Limited and Prudential (AN) Limited carry on insurance business in the United Kingdom with the permission of the FSA and are supervised by the FSA under the 2000 Act.
Conduct of business requirements for insurance business
Insurance business is the subject of the FSA's conduct of business requirements laid down in the FSA's Conduct of Business Sourcebook, the main features of which are described above.
Developments in Prudential Regulation
The FSA's rules on the prudential regulation of insurance business are principally contained in those sections of the FSA's Integrated Prudential Sourcebook which prescribe rules and guidance for authorized persons carrying on insurance business. Under rules in the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook, an insurance company is restricted from carrying on any commercial business other than insurance business and activities directly arising from that business. The FSA Interim Prudential Sourcebook for Insurers (the "Interim Prudential Sourcebook") continues to govern some matters such as the reporting requirements.
Capital requirements of the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook
The FSA made the majority of the rules which govern the prudential regulation of insurers in 2004 and these rules are now in force as part of the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook. Overall, the requirements of the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook are intended to align the capital adequacy requirements for insurance businesses more closely with those of banking and investment firms and building societies, for example, by addressing tiers of capital, rather than looking at net admissible assets.
The Integrated Prudential Sourcebook also introduced an Individual Capital Assessment framework for life and non-life insurers. The Individual Capital Assessment requires all insurers to assess for themselves the amount of capital needed to back their business. If the FSA views the result of this
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assessment as insufficient, it may draw up its own Individual Capital Guidance for a firm, which can be imposed as a requirement on the scope of the authorized firm's permission.
Long-term Assets and Liabilities
Long-term business assets and liabilitiesthose assets and liabilities relating to, broadly, life and health insurance policiesmust be segregated from the assets and liabilities attributable to non-life insurance business or to shareholders. Separate accounting and other records must be maintained and a separate fund must be established to hold all receipts of long-term business.
The extent to which long-term fund assets may be used for purposes other than long-term business is restricted by the rules in the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook and Interim Prudential Sourcebook. Only the "established surplus"the excess of assets over liabilities in the long-term fund, as determined by an actuarial investigationmay be transferred so as to be available for other purposes. Restrictions also apply to the payment of dividends by the insurance company, as described below. The rules in the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook require, in addition to the capital requirements referred to below, the maintenance of sufficient assets in the separate long-term insurance fund to cover the actuarially determined value of the insurance liabilities.
Capital Requirements
The Integrated Prudential Sourcebook requires that insurance companies maintain assets sufficient to meet the relevant capital requirement at all times in respect of both any long-term insurance and general insurance undertaken by the insurance company, the calculation of which requirement in any particular case being dependent on the type and amount of insurance business a company writes. The method of calculation of the capital requirement is set out in the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook and the level of an insurer's capital resources is also determined in accordance with the rules set out in the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook. Failure to maintain the required capital resources requirement is one of the grounds on which wide powers of intervention conferred upon the FSA may be exercised.
Under the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook, an authorized person carrying on insurance business must hold capital resources equal at least to the Minimum Capital Requirement (the "MCR"). Insurers with with-profits liabilities of more than £500 million must hold capital equal to the higher of MCR and the Enhanced Capital Requirement (the "ECR"). The ECR is intended to provide a more risk responsive and "realistic" measure of a with-profits insurer's capital requirements, whereas the MCR is broadly speaking equivalent to the previous required minimum margin under the Interim Prudential Sourcebook and satisfies the minimum EU standards.
Determination of the ECR involves the comparison of two separate measurements of the firm's financial resources requirements, which the FSA refers to as the "twin peaks" approach. The two separate peaks are:
The LTICR is made up of several components, but in general is equal to approximately 4 per cent of the mathematical reserves, although the formula varies according to the type of business written. The resilience capital requirement is in respect of the potential effects of market risk. If the calculation of the realistic peak produces a requirement in excess of the regulatory peak, then the difference is known as the with-profits insurance capital component.
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Actuarial functions
The rules in the FSA's Supervision Manual require that every insurance company that carries on long-term business must appoint one or more actuaries to perform the "actuarial function" in respect of all classes of its long-term insurance business and, if it has any with-profits business, the "with-profits actuary function" in respect of all classes of that with-profits business.
The actuary performing the "actuarial function" must prepare an annual report for the company's directors quantifying the company's long-term liabilities attributable to the insurance company's long-term insurance business, determining the value of any excess over those liabilities of the assets representing the long-term insurance fund and where any rights of long-term policyholders to participate in profits relate to particular parts of such a fund, a valuation of any excess of assets over liabilities in respect of each of those parts.
The actuary performing the "with-profits actuary function" must advise the firm's management, at the level of seniority that is reasonably appropriate, on key aspects of the discretion to be exercised affecting those classes of the with-profits business of the firm in respect of which he has been appointed. He must also, at least once a year, in respect of each financial year commencing on or after January 1, 2005, report to the firm's governing body on key aspects (including those aspects of the firm's application of its Principles and Practices of Financial Management on which the advice described has been given) of the discretion exercised in respect of the period covered by his report affecting those classes of with-profits business of the firm.
Distribution of Profits and With-profits Business
The Interim Prudential Sourcebook provides that, once an allocation of surplus in a with-profits fund has been made to policyholders, no transfer of assets representing any part of a subsequent surplus can be made, to shareholders or otherwise, unless either the "relevant minimum" (as defined in the Interim Prudential Sourcebook) of the surplus has been allocated to policyholders or a statutory notification procedure has been followed. Calculation of the relevant minimum is based upon the percentage of the relevant surplus previously allocated to eligible policyholders.
Under the Interim Prudential Sourcebook, an insurance company is prohibited from declaring dividends in circumstances where the value of the long-term insurance business assets is less than the amount of the long-term insurance business liabilities. While its parent is not subject to the same restriction, HM Treasury however is given power under the 2000 Act to make regulations preventing an insurance company's parent from doing anything to lessen the effectiveness of any "asset identification rules" made by the FSA, which will include in this context rules requiring insurers to maintain the solvency of the long-term fund.
There has been considerable public debate regarding the rights and legitimate expectations of with-profits policyholders to assets forming part of an insurance company's surplus, particularly where such assets do not derive from the payment of current policyholders' premiums but are rather "inherited" from previous generations of policyholders or from other entities.
The FSA also mandated that firms carrying on with-profits business must:
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Since April 1, 2004, firms carrying on with-profits business have been required to produce PPFM and to make them publicly available. From the same date, firms have also been required to have in place the relevant governance arrangements and reporting procedures to with-profits policyholders.
Treating Customers Fairly and with-profits business
One of the areas of focus of FSA's Treating Customers Fairly work has been the with-profit business. The FSA published Policy Statement 05/01, which contained a set of specific rules on this area in relation to with-profits policyholders.
The new rules became fully effective in December 2005. They address, among other things, the costs charged to a with-profits fund by the firm managing the fund; penalties and charges levied on policyholders who surrender their policies early, the need for funds to be managed with the objective of ensuring that maturity payouts fall within a target range set for the fund; and the provision of information to with-profits policyholders or potential policyholders in a format that they can more readily understandthrough the introduction of "Consumer Friendly Principles and Practices of Financial Management" (CFPPFMs).
In addition, life insurers writing with-profits business must provide information to with-profits policyholders within 28 working days of a decision to close a fund to new business or of the appointment of a policyholder advocate to protect the interest of policyholders should a firm decide to make a reattribution of its inherited estate.
Reporting Requirements
Under the Interim Prudential Sourcebook, insurance companies must file with the FSA their audited annual accounts and balance sheets and life insurers' annual reports from the actuary performing the actuarial function.
The FSA began consultation in 2002 on the use of implicit items to form part of an insurer's capital resources, and has now produced rules and guidance in the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook to indicate that the FSA will not permit implicit items to be included in the calculation of a firm's capital resources, except where the firm in question has obtained a formal waiver of the rules under the 2000 Act. The guidance notes that certain implicit items are not eligible for inclusion beyond December 31, 2009.
Transfer of Insurance Business
Before any transfer of insurance business may take place, the 2000 Act requires a scheme of transfer to be prepared and approved by the High Court.
Winding-Up Rules
The general insolvency laws applicable to UK companies are modified in certain respects in relation to insurance companies. Since the introduction of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Administration Orders Relating to Insurers) Order 2002 (the "2002 Order"), which came into force in May 2002, insurance companies in the UK have become subject to the administration procedures contained in Part II of the Insolvency Act 1986 (which previously did not apply). These administration procedures have, however, also been slightly modified by the 2002 Order in relation to, for example, the power of an administrator to make any payments due to a creditor.
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Additionally, in the United Kingdom, all FSA authorized insurance companies, except for pure reinsurers, are subject to the Insurers (Reorganisation and Winding-up) Regulations 2004, which came into force in February 2004.
These Regulations provide, among other things, that direct insurance claims will have priority over the claims of other unsecured creditors, including reinsurance creditors, on a winding-up by the court or a creditors' voluntary winding up of the insurance company. Furthermore, instead of making a winding-up order when an insurance company has been proved unable to pay its debts, a UK court may, under Section 377 of the 2000 Act, reduce the amount of one or more of the insurance company's contracts on terms and subject to conditions (if any) which the court considers fit. Where an insurance company is in financial difficulties but not in liquidation, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme may take measures for securing the transfer of all or part of the business to another insurance company.
Section 376 of the 2000 Act provides further insolvency protection to policyholders of insurance companies effecting or carrying out contracts of long-term insurance. Unless the court orders otherwise, a liquidator must carry on the insurer's business so far as it consists of carrying out the insurer's contracts of long-term insurance with a view to it being transferred as a going concern to a person who may lawfully carry out those contracts. In carrying on the business, the liquidator may agree to the variation of any contracts of insurance in existence when the winding-up order is made, but must not effect any new contracts of insurance.
EU Directive on Group Supervision
The European Union formally adopted Directive 98/78/EC on the supplementary supervision of insurance undertakings within a group (the "Insurance Groups Directive") in October 1998. The Insurance Groups Directive required member states to introduce the following measures to strengthen supervision of insurance companies, which are part of a group:
These requirements have been implemented in the UK by the Insurer's Interim Prudential Sourcebook and the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook.
The parent undertaking solvency calculation under the rules that implement the requirements of the Insurance Group Directive is filed with the FSA and differs from the adjusted solo solvency margin test in that it is currently only a calculation rather than a formal test. However, insurers will be required under the rules in the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook from December 31, 2006 to ensure that the group capital resources of the each undertaking included in the parent undertaking solvency calculation are equal to or exceed the group capital resources requirement for that undertaking.
EU Directive on Financial Conglomerates
In November 2002, the European Union formally adopted Directive 2002/87/EC the Financial Conglomerates Directive which applies to groups that include regulated entities which are active in the
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banking/investment services sectors and the insurance sector, and which meet certain criteria. The Financial Conglomerates Directive, as implemented in the UK through the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook, came into force for those firms and groups affected (which for the time being includes Prudential) from financial years beginning on or after January 1, 2005. The aim of the Financial Conglomerates Directive is to impose additional prudential requirements in respect of regulated entities within financial conglomerates including, to a certain extent, any mixed financial holding company. The additional supervision is organized at the level of the financial conglomerate and covers capital adequacy, risk concentration and intra-group transactions.
The Financial Conglomerates Directive requires European financial services groups, including Prudential, to maintain on a continuous basis net aggregate surplus capital in excess of solvency requirements at the Group level. The Financial Conglomerates Directive requires a continuous parent company solvency test which requires the aggregating of surplus capital held in the regulated subsidiaries, from which group borrowings are deducted, other than those subordinated debt issues which qualify as capital. The test is passed when this aggregate number is positive. A negative result at any point in time is a notifiable breach of UK regulatory requirements. Since December 31, 2005, the FSA requires public disclosure of the Financial Conglomerates Directive solvency position.
New EU Rules on Solvency Margins
In addition to the solvency requirements of the Insurance Groups Directive and Financial Groups Directive, under rules amending the solvency margin requirements for life and non-life insurance undertakings, which have been implemented in EU member states in 2004 (the FSA's new rules in this respect apply to firms from the beginning of their 2004 financial years), each UK insurer must maintain capital resources (shareholders' equity and quasi-equity) at a level that depends on the nature of the insurer's activity and that is calculated with reference to certain balance sheet and income statement items, subject to an absolute minimum (so-called minimum guaranteed fund) of €3 million (€2 million for some classes of non-life insurance). The rules are part of the European Commission's efforts to achieve a single European market for financial services. These rules were introduced by the Solvency I Directives (2002/12/EC and 2002/13/EC). They were fully implemented in the United Kingdom in January 1, 2005 and make up part of the FSA's Integrated Prudential Sourcebook. The rules also give regulators greater powers to intervene in the event of concerns regarding an insurance company's financial position.
The European Commission continues to work on a more comprehensive review of solvency requirements for insurance undertakings, the so-called "Solvency II" project, which will be based on a three-pillar structure, comprised of capital requirements, supervisory review and public disclosure. Although the final form of the Directive is yet to established, and there can be no certainty of its impact on solvency requirements, it is expected that the new solvency rules will be based on two levels of regulatory capital requirements for insurers: a solvency capital requirement, which is expected to adopt a more risk-based approach along the lines introduced in the United Kingdom through the Integrated Prudential Sourcebook and will be aimed at reflecting and quantifying the exposure of the relevant insurance undertaking, and a minimum capital requirement, which will be computed in a less refined manner and which would act as trigger for supervisory intervention. The European Commission Roadmap (published in July 2005) forsees the adoption of a Framework Directive around July 2007.
Other EU Measures
In May 2003, the European Union adopted Directive 2003/41/EC on the activities and supervision of institutions for occupational retirement provision, which member states were required to implement into their national law by September 2005. This Directive is intended to permit employee pension schemes to be operated and managed on an EU-wide basis. The Directive contains certain prudential rules and "prudent person" investment requirements, which could be extended by member states to the
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occupational retirement schemes operated by life insurance companies. This was achieved in the United Kingdom with the enactment of the Pensions Act in 2004 and the subsequent adoption of various regulations, relating to occupational pension schemes.
On October 16, 2005, the European Union adopted Directive 2005/68/EC ("Reinsurance Directive"), which establishes a regulatory framework for reinsurance activities in the European Union. The Reinsurance Directive lays down the minimum necessary conditions to obtain official authorization for reinsurance activities. These conditions stipulate that undertakings must have a specific legal form, submit a scheme of operations and hold a minimum guarantee fund. Member States must implement the Reinsurance Directive into their national law by December 2006.
Regulation of Investment Business
Certain of Prudential's subsidiaries are authorized by the FSA to carry on investment business. These entities are subject to regulation and supervision by the FSA and must comply with the FSA Conduct of Business Rules and all other applicable rules prescribed by the 2000 Act regime.
EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID)
As indicated under 'Conduct of Business rules' above, the UK along with other EU member states will soon start implementing the MiFID. This directive will replace the Investment Services Directive and is relevant to all firms conducting 'investment business', which includes activities such as dealing, arranging and advising on 'investments'. 'Investments' in this context exclude contracts of insurance.
The MiFID has two main purposes:
1. Enhance firms' ability to 'passport' their activities through the addition of 'providing investment advice' as a core 'passportable' activity. This means that firms may do pan-EU business on a cross-border basis or through branches established in other member-states without having to become authorized in the target country.
2. Harmonize requirements in relation to, for example, governance, systems and controls and conduct of business for all firms affected by the MiFID.
The MiFID must be implemented by member-states by November 1, 2007 and FSA is now engaged in a consultation process regarding necessary changes to its Handbook. Although insurance companies and some investment firms are not within the scope of the MiFID, it may be expected that the FSA may seek to apply the 'MiFID style' provision across all firms where consistency is desirable.
Regulation of mortgage lending, sales and administration and general insurance mediation
Mortgage lending, sales and administration as well as long-term care insurance became activities regulated under the 2000 Act on October 31, 2004, for which authorization by the FSA is now required. General insurance sales and administration became activities regulated under the 2000 Act on January 14, 2005, for which authorization by the FSA is now required.
Regulation of Banking Business
The FSA has sole responsibility for banking supervision and regulation in the United Kingdom and has wide discretionary powers in relation to those banks it regulates. The FSA has wide investigatory and enforcement powers, including the power to require information and documents from banks, appoint investigators, apply to the court for injunctions in cases of breaches or likely breaches of rules, impose financial penalties, issue a public statement or censure and vary, cancel or withdraw authorization to carry on banking business.
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Supervision
In its role as supervisor of banks, the primary objective of the FSA is to fulfill its responsibilities under the 2000 Act regime relating to the safety and soundness of banks with the aim of strengthening, but not guaranteeing, the protection of depositors. The FSA has adopted a risk-based approach to bank supervision.
The FSA requires Egg Banking plc to maintain a certain minimum capital adequacy ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets and to provide supervisory reports on capital adequacy and on large exposures. There is also a requirement to provide consolidated supervisory reports for capital adequacy and large exposures for the parent of the banking group (Egg). The Interim Prudential Sourcebook for Banks, on a general level, requires banks operating in the United Kingdom to maintain adequate liquidity, taking into account the nature and scale of their business so that they are able to conduct business in a prudent manner and meet their obligations as they fall due. As part of its supervision, the FSA requires the banks subject to its supervision to provide it with information that the FSA may reasonably require to perform its functions under the 2000 Act regime.
Solvency Requirements
The requirement to have adequate financial resources is one of the criteria for permission to accept deposits under the 2000 Act. A bank should have sufficient capital to provide a stable resource to absorb any losses arising from the risks in its business. In assessing a bank's capital adequacy, the FSA takes into account not only the level of a bank's own funds but also other matters such as concentration of the loan book (large exposures) and liquidity.
The FSA applies capital adequacy rules and guidelines that accord with relevant EC Directives and which are based on the Basel Accord of 1988, which established a framework for measuring the capital adequacy of international banking organizations. These rules and guidelines implement the requirements of the Banking Consolidation Directive and the Capital Adequacy Directive ('CAD'), as amended, which require credit institutions and investment firms to provide capital for counterparty risk and market risk. The FSA's rules and guidelines impose on banks a requirement that they maintain a minimum level of capital to support on and off-balance sheet exposures, weighted according to broad categories of risk. Each bank is subject to the FSA's rules and guidelines and must maintain a required capital adequacy ratio (the Internal Capital Ratio ('ICR')) of total capital to risk-weighted assets. This ratio is set by the FSA individually for each such bank, but the ratio is in no case less than 8 per cent. Egg's and Egg Banking's ICRs are 11 per cent.
The FSA introduced a new market risk regime as from October 1, 1998 for implementation of its policy based on the Basel Accord and the parallel EC Market Risk Directive, known as the "CAD Amending Directive". Both the 1996 Basel Amendment to the Basel Accord and the CAD Amending Directive enable banks and investment firms to use internal value-at-risk models to calculate capital charges for market risks.
Banks that have a trading book over a certain size are obliged to meet the trading book capital requirements of the CAD and the CAD Amending Directive in respect of the market-related and credit-related risks arising from their proprietary trading activities. This involves splitting their business between trading and banking books.
Most UK banks are required to maintain, in non-interest-bearing accounts at the Bank of England, a cash balance, known as the cash ratio deposit, which is based on eligible liabilities, primarily pound sterling deposits less amounts on loan to other monetary institutions. Although these balances count towards the liquidity requirements for the real time gross settlement system introduced in the United Kingdom during 1996, they are generally regarded as non-operational and, accordingly, do not count towards overall liquidity requirements. The liquidity standard for sterling, which the UK government introduced in January 1996, requires the maintenance of sufficient holdings of liquid assets to cover
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potential cash outflows over the next five business days. This policy applies to UK-incorporated retail banks and group UK-based sterling operations.
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published a new accord in June 2004 which will replace the Basel Accord of 1988. Basel II consists of three "pillars": minimum capital, a supervisory review of an institution's capital adequacy and internal assessment process and market discipline to strengthen disclosure. With respect to the first pillar, the new capital framework will not merely expand and develop the standardized rules set out in the 1988 Accord, but will allow banks to compute their capital charges for credit risk on the basis of their own internal ratings, subject to rigorous quantitative and qualitative criteria. Egg will apply the principles of Basel I and Basel II from January 1, 2007, and transfer to Basel II from January 1, 2008.
In June 2006, The European Union adopted the Capital Requirements Directive for credit institutions and investment funds ("Capital Requirements Directive"), which it had proposed on July 14, 2004. The Capital Requirements Directive technically recast two existing DirectivesThe Banking Consolidation Directive and the Capital Adequacy Directiveand introduces a supervisory framework in the European Union, which reflects the Basel II Rules on capital measurement and capital standards, and similarly contains minimum capital requirements, supervisory review, and disclosure as an aid to market discipline.
The FSA published in January 2005 Consultation Paper 05/03 on the implementation of the New Basel Capital Accord and the EC Capital Requirements Directive ('CRD'). The main proposals in the Consultation Paper are:
Regulatory developments
In February 2006, the FSA issued a new consultation paper CP06/03. This paper builds on FSA's CP05/03 to develop proposals in the areas of:
The paper also gives clear guidance on the FSA's view on IRB and Advanced Measurement Approaches ('AMA') waiver applications, where they will expect applicants to have made sufficient progress in areas of governance under the pillar 2 Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process ('ICAAP') process.
With regard to implementation of the CRD, the FSA stated in CP06/03 that it will come into force on January 1, 2007, while those firms wishing to apply the advanced approaches will be able to do so from January 1, 2008.
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General
Prudential conducts its US insurance activities through Jackson National Life, a stock life insurance company licensed to transact its insurance business in, and subject to regulation and supervision by, the District of Columbia and 49 of the 50 states; Jackson National Life operates a subsidiary, Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York, in the state of New York. The extent of such regulation varies, but most jurisdictions have laws and regulations governing the financial aspects of insurance companies, including standards of solvency, reserves, reinsurance and capital adequacy and the business conduct of insurance companies. In addition, statutes and regulations usually require the licensing of insurers and their agents and the approval of policy forms and related materials. These statutes and regulations in Jackson National Life's state of domicile, which is Michigan, also set out the permitted types and concentration of investments.
Insurance regulatory authorities in each of the jurisdictions in which Jackson National Life does business require it to file detailed quarterly and annual financial statements and these authorities have the right to examine its operations and accounts. In addition, Jackson National Life is generally subject to federal and state laws and regulations that affect the conduct of its business. New York and Michigan require their state insurance authorities to conduct an examination of an insurer under their jurisdiction at least once every five years. The New York insurance authorities conducted an examination of Jackson National Life of New York in 2003 for the examination period of January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2002 and the examination report included no material findings. The New York insurance authorities informed Jackson National Life of New York that an examination will commence in the fall of 2006 covering the period of January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2005. Michigan insurance authorities are currently performing a routine examination of Jackson National Life for the period ending December 31, 2004. The examination is substantially complete and no material findings have been identified to date. Michigan insurance authorities previously conducted an examination of Jackson National Life during the year 2001 for the period ending December 31, 2000 and the examination report included no material findings.
Jackson National Life's ability to pay shareholder dividends is limited under Michigan insurance law. The Commissioner of the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Services (the "Michigan Insurance Commissioner") may limit, or not permit, the payment of shareholder dividends if the Michigan Insurance Commissioner determines that an insurer's surplus, as regards policyholders, is not reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and is not adequate to meet its financial needs as required by Michigan insurance law. Jackson National Life must report any shareholder dividends to the Michigan Insurance Commissioner before they can be paid. In the case of an extraordinary shareholder dividend or distribution, an insurer must give 30 days advance notice to the Michigan Insurance Commissioner and may not pay the dividend or distribution if the Michigan Insurance Commissioner disapproves within such 30-day period. For this purpose, an extraordinary dividend or distribution means any dividend or distribution of cash or other property whose fair market value together with that of other dividends or distributions that an insurer made within the preceding twelve months exceeds the greater of 10 per cent of the insurer's surplus as regards policyholders as of December 31 of the immediately preceding year, or the net gain from operations of the insurer, not including realized capital gains, for the prior year. In 2003, 2004 and 2005, Jackson National Life paid shareholder dividends of $85.2 million, $120.0 million, and $410.8 million, respectively.
State regulators also require prior notice or regulatory approval of changes in control of an insurer or its holding company and of certain material transactions with affiliates. Under New York and Michigan insurance laws and regulations, no person, corporation or other entity may acquire control of an insurance company or a controlling interest in any parent company of an insurance company, unless that person, corporation or entity has obtained the prior approval of the regulator for the acquisition. For the
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purpose of each of New York and Michigan law, any person acquiring, directly or indirectly, 10 per cent or more of the voting securities of an insurance company is presumed to have acquired "control" of the company. To obtain approval of any change in control, the proposed acquirer must file an application with the New York Superintendent of Insurance or the Michigan Insurance Commissioner, as appropriate. This application requires the proposed acquirer to disclose, among other information, its background, financial condition, the financial condition of its affiliates, the source and amount of funds by which it will effect the acquisition, the criteria used in determining the nature and amount of consideration to be paid for the acquisition, proposed changes in the management and operations of the insurance company and other related matters.
Guaranty Associations and Similar Arrangements
Each of the 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have laws requiring insurance companies doing business within their jurisdictions to participate in various types of guaranty associations or other similar arrangements. These associations and arrangements provide certain levels of protection to policyholders from losses under insurance policies issued by insurance companies that became impaired or insolvent. Typically, these associations levy assessments, up to prescribed limits, on member insurers on a basis that is related to the member insurer's proportionate share of the business in the relevant jurisdiction of all member insurers in the lines of business in which the impaired or insolvent insurer is engaged. Some jurisdictions permit member insurers to recover assessments that they paid through full or partial premium tax offsets, usually over a period of years. Prudential estimated its reserve for future guarantee fund assessments for Jackson National Life to be £11.2 million ($19.3 million) at December 31, 2005. Prudential believes this reserve to be adequate for all anticipated payments for known insolvencies.
Asset Valuation Reserve
State regulators generally require that insurers establish an asset valuation reserve that consists of two components: a "default component" to provide for future credit-related losses on fixed income investments and an "equity component" to provide for losses on all types of equity investments. The asset valuation reserve establishes statutory reserves for fixed maturity securities, equity securities, mortgage loans, equity real estate and other invested assets. The reserve is designed to provide for anticipated future defaults based on the credit rating of each individual investment. The level of reserves is based on both the type of investment and its rating. Contributions to the reserve may result in a slower growth in surplus or a reduction of Jackson National Life's unassigned surplus, which, in turn, may reduce funds available for shareholder distributions. The extent of the impact of the asset valuation reserve on Jackson National Life's statutory surplus depends in part on the future composition of the investment portfolio.
Interest Maintenance Reserve
State regulators generally require that insurers establish an interest maintenance reserve to defer non-credit-related realized capital gains and losses, net of taxes, on fixed income investments (primarily bonds and mortgage loans) which are amortized into net income over the estimated remaining periods to maturity of the investments sold and to defer material gains or losses, net of taxes, resulting from market value adjustments on policies and contracts backed by assets carried at book value. The extent of the impact of the interest maintenance reserve on earnings and surplus depends on the amount of future interest-rate related realized capital gains and losses on fixed maturity investments and deferred gains or losses resulting from market value adjustments on policies and contracts backed by assets that are valued at book/adjusted carrying value.
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The National Association of Insurance Commissioners Ratios
On the basis of statutory financial statements that insurers file with state insurance regulators, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners annually calculates twelve financial ratios to assist state regulators in monitoring the financial condition of insurance companies. A usual range of results for each ratio is used as a benchmark and departure from the usual range on four or more of the ratios can lead to inquiries from individual state insurance departments. In 2005, all of Jackson National Life's ratios fell within the usual range.
Policy and Contract Reserve Sufficiency Analysis
Michigan insurance law requires Jackson National Life to conduct annually an analysis of the sufficiency of its life and annuity reserves. A qualified actuary must submit to the insurance department an opinion that states that the reserves, when considered in the light of the assets that an insurance company holds with respect to such reserves, make good and sufficient provision for the associated contractual obligations and related expenses of the insurance company. If a qualified actuary cannot provide such an opinion, then the insurance company must set up additional reserves by moving funds from unassigned surplus. The 2005 opinion has been submitted to the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Services without any qualifications.
Jackson National Life's Capital and Surplus
Michigan insurance law requires Jackson National Life, as a domestic stock life insurance company, to maintain at least US$7,500,000 in unimpaired capital and surplus. In addition, insurance companies are required to have sufficient capital and surplus to be safe, reliable and entitled to public confidence.
As a licensed insurer in the District of Columbia and every state but New York, where it operates through a subsidiary, Jackson National Life is subject to the supervision of the regulators of each such jurisdiction. In connection with the continual licensing of Jackson National Life, regulators have discretionary authority to limit or prohibit the new issuance of business to policyholders when, in their judgment, the regulators determine that such insurer is not maintaining minimum surplus or capital or if the further transaction of business will be hazardous to policyholders.
Risk-based Capital
In 1992, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners approved risk-based capital standards for life insurance companies as well as a model act for state legislatures to enact. The model act requires that life insurance companies report on a formula-based, risk-based capital standard that they calculate by applying factors to various asset, premium and reserve items. The formula takes into account the risk characteristics of a company, including asset risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk and business risk. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners designed the formula as an early warning tool to identify potentially inadequately capitalized companies for purposes of initiating regulatory action. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners intended the formula as a regulatory tool only and did not intend it as a means to rank insurers generally. The model act imposes broad confidentiality requirements on those engaged in the insurance business (including insurers, agents, brokers and others) and on state insurance departments as to the use and publication of risk-based capital data.
Any state adopting the model act gives the state insurance commissioner explicit regulatory authority to require various actions by, or take various actions against, insurance companies whose adjusted capital does not meet minimum risk-based capital standards. The Michigan Insurance Commissioner takes into account the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' risk-based capital standards to determine adequate compliance with Michigan insurance law. Effective December 31, 2005, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners implemented new requirements, referred to as C-3
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Phase II, for calculating risk based capital in connection with variable annuity products with death and living benefit guarantees. These changes did not have a material effect on Jackson National Life Insurance Company, and at December 31, 2005, the Company's total adjusted capital under the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' definition substantially exceeded Michigan standards.
Regulation of Investments
Jackson National Life is subject to state laws and regulations that require diversification of its investment portfolio, limit the amount of investments in certain investment categories such as below investment grade fixed income securities, common stock, real estate and foreign securities and forbid certain other types of investments altogether. Jackson National Life's failure to comply with these laws and regulations would cause investments exceeding regulatory limitations to be treated by the Michigan Insurance Commissioner as non-admitted assets for purposes of measuring surplus and, in some instances, the Michigan Insurance Commissioner could require divestiture of non-qualifying investments.
USA Patriot Act
In 2001, the US Congress enacted the USA Patriot Act, which includes numerous provisions designed to fight international money laundering and to block terrorist access to the US financial system. The US Treasury Department has issued a number of regulations implementing the USA Patriot Act that apply certain of its requirements to financial institutions including broker-dealers and insurance companies. Among other things, the regulations impose obligations on financial institutions to maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent and report money laundering and terrorist financing. Jackson National Life as well as other Prudential subsidiaries, to the extent necessary and appropriate, have established policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the USA Patriot Act's provisions and the Treasury Department regulations.
Securities Laws
Jackson National Life, certain of its affiliates and certain policies and contracts that Jackson National Life offers are subject to various levels of regulation under the federal securities laws administered by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
The primary intent of these laws and regulations is to protect investors in the securities markets and generally grant supervisory agencies broad administrative powers, including the power to limit or restrict the conduct of business for failure to comply with such laws and regulations. Jackson National Life may also be subject to similar laws and regulations in the states in which it provides investment advisory services, offers the products described above or conducts other securities-related activities.
Jackson National Asset Management, LLC is registered with the SEC as an investment advisor pursuant to the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as amended ("Investment Advisors Act of 1940"), and is also registered by notice filed in all applicable states. Jackson National Asset Management, LLC is registered as a transfer agent pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Securities Exchange Act"). The investment companies (mutual funds) for which Jackson National Asset Management, LLC serves as an investment advisor are subject to SEC registration and regulation pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("Investment Company Act"). In addition, each variable annuity and variable life product sponsored by Jackson National Life is subject to SEC registration and regulation pursuant to the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act, and applicable state insurance and securities laws. Each variable annuity and variable life product is offered through a separate account that is a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act.
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Curian Capital, LLC is registered with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 and is also registered or notice filed in all applicable states.
BH Clearing, LLC is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act, and is registered as a broker-dealer in all applicable states. In addition, BH Clearing, LLC is a member firm of the National Association of Securities Dealers (the "NASD").
Jackson National Life Distributors, Inc. is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act, and is registered as a broker-dealer in all applicable states. In addition, Jackson National Life Distributors, Inc. is a member firm of the NASD.
Each of SII Investments, Inc., National Planning Corporation, Investment Centers of America, Inc., and IFC Holdings, Inc. (which does business under the name INVEST Financial Corporation), is a broker-dealer, investment advisor, and insurance agency (or affiliated with an insurance agency), licensed and qualified to transact business pursuant to its respective registration and/or membership with the SEC, the NASD, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, applicable state securities and insurance authorities, and all other applicable jurisdictional authorities.
Prudential also conducts US investment management activities through PPM America, Inc., which is registered with the SEC as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. PPM America, Inc. serves as the investment advisor to Jackson National Life, certain mutual funds, several private investment funds and structured finance vehicles, and the US equity and fixed income portions of portfolios of certain UK affiliates of PPM America, Inc. The mutual funds for which PPM America, Inc. serves as investment advisor or sub-advisor are subject to regulation under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act.
PPM America, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries are subject to various levels of regulation under the federal securities laws that the SEC administers as well as state securities laws.
To the extent that PPM America, Inc. manages assets of employee benefit plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"), or the Internal Revenue Code, it may be subject to certain restrictions imposed by ERISA and taxes imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. The Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service have interpretive and enforcement authority over the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.
Financial Services Regulatory and Legislative Issues
Proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the financial institutions industry are frequently introduced in the US Congress, in the state legislatures and before the various regulatory agencies. The likelihood and timing of any proposals or legislation and the impact they might have on Jackson National Life and its subsidiaries cannot be determined at this time.
State legislatures and/or state insurance regulatory authorities frequently enact laws and/or regulations that significantly affect insurers supervised by such authorities. Although the US federal government does not directly regulate the insurance business, federal initiatives may also have an impact on the insurance industry.
A major issue at the state level involves the Insurance Product Regulation Compact (the "Compact"), which (as of May 23, 2006) has already been adopted by 26 of the 50 states and is being actively considered in a number of other state legislatures. The Compact was developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to serve as an agreement among member states to create a more streamlined system of insurance product regulation. A principal component of the Compact is the creation of a multi-state commission governed by participating states. It is contemplated that the commission would serve as a single point of filing for life insurance and annuity products, and would establish uniform, national standards for those products. The Compact commission has started to
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consider organizational issues such as bylaws and governing rules in anticipation of the Compact's implementation. It is anticipated that the Compact will become operational once such issues have been addressed.
In recent years, the US President, Treasury Department and / or members of Congress have, from time to time, proposed to increase the taxes levied against the insurance industry to increase the federal budget revenues. The industry has been very successful in resisting these proposals on the grounds that an increase in taxes on insurance companies or insurance policies would have a negative effect on US citizens saving for their retirement. The insurance industry is very vigilant in monitoring these proposals and taking action to oppose them, as well as to support proposals that would provide more favorable tax treatment for certain annuity products.
The governor of Michigan has recently proposed to increase the state tax assessed on insurance companies' premiums. This proposal was actively considered by the state legislature and was not acted upon favorably. It does not appear that a material tax increase on insurance company premiums will be enacted as Michigan law in the near future.
Proposed US federal legislation, the State Modernization and Regulatory Framework (the "SMART Act"), intended to streamline and modernize the state insurance regulatory framework has garnered some Congressional support. The SMART Act would require states to comply with uniform standards and resolve disputes, speed up the process of getting new products to the market and move toward a system of market-based rates, without creating a federal regulator to monitor compliance. A coalition of national insurance and banking organizations has supported the recent introduction of US federal legislation that would allow insurance companies to obtain a federal charter as a regulatory alternative to a state charter. Under legislation (S.5095) introduced in April 2006, insurers with a federal charter would be permitted to do business in any state without the need for any additional license(s). Under the proposals so called "national insurers" would be subject to the regulation of the US Treasury Department. Prudential cannot predict whether any federal (or state) legislative initiative to change the nature or scope of the regulation of the insurance industry will be enacted into law.
Federal and state regulators have focused on, and continue to devote substantial attention to, the mutual fund and variable annuity and insurance product industries including the broker-dealer system. As a result of publicity over the past few years relating to widespread perceptions of industry abuses, including fraudulent and anticompetitive practices among insurance brokers and mutual funds, there have been numerous regulatory inquiries and proposals for legislative and regulatory reforms. In addition, the Attorney General of New York State and the New York State Insurance Department have recently launched an investigation into alleged fraud and bid rigging in the insurance industry and have compelled certain insurance companies to adopt reforms in their business practices. Jackson National Life has not, to our knowledge, been a target in the ongoing probe. It is difficult to predict at this time whether changes resulting from industry investigations and/or new laws and regulations will affect our insurance or investment management businesses, and, if so, to what degree.
Asian Supervision and Regulation
Prudential's businesses in Asia are subject to relevant local regulatory and supervisory schemes. These laws and regulations vary from country to country, but the regulators typically grant (or revoke) licenses and therefore control the ability to operate a business.
The industry regulations are usually widely drawn and will include provisions governing both financial matters and the way business is conducted in general. Examples include the registration of agents, the approval of products, asset allocation, minimum capital and the basis for calculating the company's solvency and reserves and the valuation of policyholder liabilities. Regulatory authorities may also regulate affiliations with other financial institutions, shareholder structures and the injection of
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capital and payment of dividends. Financial statements and other returns are filed with the regulators. The regulators may also conduct physical inspections of the operations from time to time.
A number of Asian countries require insurance companies to participate in policyholder protection schemes (i.e., contribute to a fund to support policyholders in the event of an insurance company failing).
To date Prudential Corporation Asia has had no regulatory issues giving rise to a material impact on its results.
For Prudential Corporation Asia's more material operations the details of the regulatory regimes are as follows:
Hong Kong
The Insurance Companies Ordinance ("ICO") empowers a Commissioner of Insurance to establish an office for the administration of the industry including approvals for a company to conduct insurance business.
The Hong Kong branch of Prudential Assurance is authorized to carry on both long-term business and general business under a composite license.
Japan
The Financial Services Agency of Japan ("JFSA") regulates insurance companies and other financial institutions. The Insurance Business Division of the JFSA specifically undertakes the supervision of insurance companies. The fundamental principles of insurance regulation are set out in the Insurance Business Law.
PCA Life Japan is licensed by and registered with the JFSA as a life insurance company.
Korea
The Ministry of Finance and Economy of Korea set the insurance law after consultation with the Financial Supervisory Commission ("FSC"). The FSC's responsibilities include regulation of the insurance industry but it delegates to the Financial Supervisory Services ("FSS") work such as supervision, examination and direct contact with insurance companies. The detailed rules under the supervisory regulation are prepared by the FSS.
PCA Life Korea is licensed by and registered with the FSC as a life insurance company.
Singapore
The Monetary Authority of Singapore ("MAS") is responsible for insurance company regulation and supervision. In order to sell insurance in Singapore, companies need to be licensed by the MAS.
Prudential Assurance Company Singapore is registered and licensed to manufacture and sell both life and general insurance business.
Taiwan
The Taiwanese Ministry of Finance ("MOF") is responsible for approving a company's participation in insurance activities and for regulating and supervising authorized insurers.
PCA Life Taiwan operation is licensed for life insurance business.
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Malaysia
In Malaysia, Bank Negara is the regulatory body responsible for supervising and regulating the conduct of financial services including insurance business.
All insurance companies must be licensed with the Ministry of Finance. In addition, they are required to be a member of the Life Insurance Association of Malaysia and/or General Insurance Association of Malaysia.
Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad has a license for both life and general insurance business.
China
Historically, the People's Bank of China was responsible for the supervision of the insurance industry but in October 1998, a new authority, China Insurance Regulatory Commission ("CIRC") was formed.
Consistent with WTO requirements, geographic restrictions on foreign players have been eased as of December 2004, however, entry into any new province still requires approval by CIRC. Within a province the China Insurance Regulatory Bureau ("CIRB") manage all insurance regulatory matters on behalf of CIRC including foreign companies' application for sales office licenses within the provinces where they are already operating.
India
Insurance is subject to federal regulation in India. The primary legislation is the Insurance Act, 1938, and the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority Act, 1999 ("IRDA").
The IRDA's duties include issue of certificates of registration to insurance companies and it has a mandate to protect the interests of the policy holders
Indonesia
The Indonesian insurance industry is regulated by the Insurance Directorate of the Ministry of Finance.
The anomaly in the country's bankruptcy rules that allowed insurance companies to be declared bankrupt via the commercial courts rather than by the Ministry of Finance has recently been overturned.
Future Regulatory Development
Prudential Corporation Asia expects the regulatory regimes in Asia to continue to develop, potentially driven by, for example, consumers requiring greater degrees of product transparency and more sophisticated advice. Regulators may introduce new legislation and hence there is a risk past sales may be assessed against new compliance requirements and investment conditions. Given the size of Prudential Corporation Asia's agency force, the introduction of more complex regulation may increase the risk of compliance issues in the future.
Item 4A. Unresolved staff comments
None.
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Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with Prudential's consolidated financial statements and the related notes to Prudential's consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this document. Prudential's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which differs in certain material respects from US GAAP. Information related to the nature and affect of such differences is presented in Sections J and K of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in this document. A summary of the critical accounting policies which have been applied to these statements is set forth in the section below entitled "Factors Affecting Results of OperationsIFRS Critical Accounting Policies".
The results discussed below are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in any future periods. This discussion contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations, which involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of certain events may differ significantly from those projected in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth in the section below entitled "Factors Affecting Results of Operations", in Item 3, "Key InformationRisk Factors" and elsewhere in this document.
Prudential provides a broad range of financial products and services, primarily to the retail market.
In the UK, following the introduction of the new depolarization rules in December 2004, many financial advisor groups have used the opportunity to establish multi-tie panels. Prudential has worked with major advisor groups to design and build multi tie propositions and Prudential UK has been appointed to the regulated multi-tie panels for Millfield, THINC Destini, Sesame, Bankhall, and Barclays and is strongly positioned to take advantage of the depolarized marketplace as this develops over the next few years.
In October 2004, Prudential launched PruHealth, a UK healthcare product that links health and fitness to the cost of medical insurance. The business has made good progress with sales growing on average more than 30 per cent per month in 2005. Total premium income for the year was £9 million and PruHealth now has over 30,000 covered individuals. The product has been developed through a joint venture with Discovery of South Africa.
In October 2005, Prudential launched Prudential Property Value Release Plan. A life time mortgage product which gives customers greater flexibility and control over the timing of when they draw down funds, thereby reducing total interest charges over the lifetime of the loan. It has been well received by advisors and customers.
At the end of 2005, M&G, Prudential's UK and European fund management business, had £149 billion of funds under management, of which £113 billion relates to Prudential's long-term business funds. M&G operates in markets where it has a leading position and competitive advantage, including retail fund management, institutional fixed income, pooled life and pension funds, property and private finance. M&G also manages Prudential's balance sheet for profit. Prudential believes that M&G has scale in all key asset classes: it is one of the largest active managers in the UK stock market, one of the largest bond investors in the UK and one of the UK's largest property investors.
Egg is an innovative financial services company primarily offering banking products and services, specifically, unsecured personal loans, credit cards, mortgages and savings accounts.
In 2005, licences to sell financial services products in six new cities in China were granted to CITIC-Prudential by the Chinese authorities, bringing the total number of such licences on December 31, 2005 to ten. As of April 30, 2006, CITIC-Prudential had been granted 13 life insurance licences to operate in
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China. Prudential believes the main challenge facing foreign players trying to become established in China is the need to develop local management teams to support geographical expansion. Prudential believes that it has a real advantage in being able to leverage its existing Chinese speaking operations to help develop new teams quickly. In 2005, sales in China increased by 47 per cent over 2004.
In June 2005 The Prudential Vietnam Fund Management Company was launched with a mandate to manage the Prudential Vietnam's life fund. It also has plans to develop the emerging retail funds market in Vietnam and to launch retail funds.
Prudential and Bank Simpanan Nasional ('BSN') which was originally the Malaysian Post Office Bank and is now wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance, established a joint venture to leverage Prudential's existing network of over 7,000 agents and BSN's network of 391 branches. In January 2006, the Malaysian authorities granted the joint venture a license to develop and market insurance products to Muslim Malays who make up more than 60 per cent of the population.
In October 2004, JNL completed the sale of JFB to Union Bank of California for £166 million. JFB's principal area of business was banking and commercial real estate lending, which no longer aligned with JNL's strategy. Accordingly, the results of operations for JFB are reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements.
In November 2004, Prudential announced the purchase of Life Insurance Company of Georgia for £142 million, and completed the purchase in May 2005. This acquisition doubled the number of JNL's in-force life and annuity policies, added scale to its operating platform and expanded its distribution capability. This is enabling JNL to grow its life business at a higher return and faster rate than can be achieved organically. JNL anticipates the capital provided will be returned over a period of about 5 years. The planning for the integration of the business is on track and full integration is anticipated within 12 months of closing the transaction.
In October 2004, the Board decided to launch a 1 for 6 rights offering. As at December 31, 2005, approximately 25 per cent of the net proceeds of the rights offering (£1,021 million) have been used to provide capital to support Prudential's shareholder backed UK life businesses. The remainder of the proceeds have been invested centrally within the Group in short-term financial instruments.
Factors Affecting Results of Operations
Prudential's results of operations are affected, to a greater or lesser degree, by a variety of factors, including demographics, general economic and market conditions, government policy and legislation and regulation, as discussed in greater detail below. See Item 3, "Key InformationRisk Factors" for more information on risks associated with these and other factors. In addition, changes to the composition of its businesses and the execution of its growth strategy may result in increased variation in profits from year to year.
General Economic and Market Conditions
Prudential believes that the historical strength of the UK and US equity markets, combined with demographic factors and governmental efforts to increase individual savings and self-provision for retirement, are leading to an increased consumer focus on savings and investment products.
In Asia, Prudential believes the potential for strong economic growth remains and that it is in a strong position to benefit from the long-term growth potential throughout the region. In 2005 Asian economies performed exceptionally well, with strong GDP growth. The composition of demand and economic activity has been shifting recently towards being more domestically driven and Prudential expects this trend to continue, resulting in less dependence on Western economies. Short interest rates are expected to continue to rise slowly as central banks balance normalizing economic policy with containing pressure for currencies to appreciate. Long bond yields are expected to climb from current
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levels as economic activity broadens and domestic inflation rises. Equity investments will be supported by continued economic growth and the current valuation levels. Overall, it is expected that these factors will continue to encourage investors into long term savings products.
Changes in interest rates and returns from equity, real estate and other investments as well as volatility in these items may affect Prudential's profitability. In the United Kingdom, where Prudential invests in debt and other fixed income securities, equity securities and real estate, shareholders' profits under IFRS are strongly related to the bonuses it declares on with-profits products. The most important influences on the bonus rates are the overall rate of return earned on investments and Prudential's expectation of future investment returns. See "Analysis by Geographic RegionUnited KingdomBasis of Profits", "With-profits Products" and "Bonus Rates" below. Prudential's bonus policy and its impact on profitability are addressed in more detail in "IFRS Critical Accounting Policies" below.
In the United States, fluctuations in prevailing interest rates, including changes in the difference between the levels of prevailing short-term and long-term rates, can affect results from Jackson National Life, which is predominantly a spread-based business with the majority of its assets invested in fixed income securities. Changes in interest rates, either upward or downward, can expose Jackson National Life to the risk of not earning anticipated spreads between the rate earned on investments and the rate credited on its policies. For example, if interest rates go up and/or competitors offer higher crediting rates, withdrawals on annuity contracts may increase as policyholders seek higher investment returns elsewhere. In response, Jackson National Life could (1) raise its crediting rates to stem withdrawals, decreasing its spread; (2) sell assets which may have depressed values in a high interest rate environment, creating realized investment losses; or (3) pay out existing cash which would otherwise have earned interest at the higher interest rates. Moreover, to the extent that Jackson National Life holds illiquid private placements and commercial mortgages, there is a risk that it will incur losses if it needs to sell those assets. Conversely, if interest rates decrease, withdrawals from annuity contracts may decrease relative to original expectations, creating more cash than expected to be invested at lower rates. Jackson National Life may have the ability to lower the rates it credits to policyholders as a result, but may be forced to maintain crediting rates for competitive reasons or because there are minimum interest rate guarantees in certain contracts. In either case, the spread earned by Jackson National Life would be lowered.
The profitability of Jackson National Life's spread-based businesses depends in large part on its ability to manage interest rate spreads, as well as the credit and other risks inherent in its investment portfolio. There can be no guarantee that these risks will be managed successfully. Prudential designs its US products and manages the investments supporting this business to reduce interest rate sensitivity. This has the effect of moderating the impact on Prudential's results of changes in prevailing interest rates. See Item 11, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" for a discussion of the management of Prudential's exposure to such market risk.
Government Policy and Legislation
Changes in government policy or legislation applying to companies in the financial services and insurance industries in any of the jurisdictions in which Prudential operates, particularly in the United Kingdom, the United States and Asia, may adversely affect the result of its operations. These include possible changes in the tax treatment of financial products and services, government pension arrangements and policies, the regulation of selling practices and solvency standards. These changes may affect Prudential's existing and future business by, for example, causing customers to cancel existing policies, requiring Prudential to change its range of products and services, redesign its technology or other systems, retrain staff, pay increased tax or incur other costs.
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Regulation
In recent years, the insurance sectors in the markets in which Prudential operates have seen considerable regulatory change. Failure to comply with local regulation may result in sanctions, which could take the form of a financial penalty. Pension mis-selling is discussed in more detail under Item 4, "Information on the CompanyBusiness of PrudentialUK BusinessShareholders' Interests in Prudential's Long-term Insurance BusinessPension Mis-selling". Mortgage endowment mis-selling and regulatory actions taken by the FSA to address the issue are discussed in more detail under Item 4, "Information on the CompanyBusiness of PrudentialUK BusinessShareholders' Interests in Prudential's Long-term Insurance BusinessMortgage Endowment Products Review".
Additional regulation, scrutiny and related costs have put pressure on the margins on new business. In the United States, Prudential has been the subject of regulatory sanctions and class actions. These legal proceedings are discussed in more detail under Item 4, "Information on the CompanyBusiness of PrudentialLegal Proceedings". Changes in pension, financial services and tax regulation could have an impact on Prudential's results. See Item 4, "Information on the CompanySupervision and Regulation of Prudential" for a summary of the current regulatory environment in which Prudential conducts its business.
Exchange Rates
Due to the geographical diversity of Prudential's businesses, it is subject to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations. Prudential's international operations in the United States, Asia and Europe, which represent a significant proportion of total group income and expenses, generally write policies and invest in the same local currency, which although limiting the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on local operating results, can lead to fluctuations in Prudential's consolidated financial statements upon translation of results into pounds sterling.
IFRS Critical Accounting Policies
Prudential's discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon Prudential's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') adopted for use in the European Union ('EU'). Were the Group to apply IFRS as published by the International Accounting Standards Board, as opposed to EU adopted IFRS, no additional adjustments would be required.
The preparation of these financial statements requires Prudential to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, Prudential evaluates its estimates, including those related to long-term business provisioning, the fair value of assets and the declaration of bonus rates. Prudential bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties, and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. Prudential believes that its critical accounting policies are limited to those described below. For further details see "US GAAP AnalysisUS GAAP Critical Accounting Policies" below.
The critical accounting policies in respect of the items discussed below are critical for the group's results in so far as they relate to the group's shareholder financed business, in particular for Jackson National Life (JNL).
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Investments
Determining the fair value of unquoted investments
Of the Group's financial investments, assets with a fair value of £4.9 billion are not quoted on active markets. Their fair values are determined in full or in part by using valuation techniques. These techniques include discounted cash flow analysis, option-adjusted spread models and enterprise valuation and may include a number of assumptions relating to variables such as credit risk and interest rates. Changes in assumptions relating to these variables could positively or negatively impact the reported fair value of these instruments. This impact would, however, be mostly mitigated by an equal and offsetting transfer to the liability for unallocated surplus as the majority of these investments are held by the UK with-profits fund. Further information on these instruments is provided in note G1 to the financial statements.
Determining impairments relating to financial assets
Available-for-sale securities
Financial investments carried on an available-for-sale basis, such as JNL's debt securities portfolio, are considered to be impaired if there has been a significant and prolonged period of decline in fair value below its amortized cost or if there is objective evidence of impairment. The consideration of this requires management's judgement. Among the factors considered is whether the decline in fair value results from a change in quality of the security itself, or from a downward movement in the market as a whole and the likelihood of recovering the carrying value based on the current and short-term prospects of the issuer. Unrealized losses that are considered to be primarily the result of market conditions, such as increasing interest rates, unusual market volatility, or industry-related events, and where the Group also believes there is a reasonable expectation for recovery and, furthermore, it has the intent and ability to hold the investment until maturity or the market recovery, are usually determined to be temporary. Prudential's review of fair value involves several criteria including economic conditions, credit loss experience, other issuer-specific developments and future cash flows. These assessments are based on the best available information at the time. Factors such as market liquidity, the widening of bid/ask spreads and a change in cash flow assumptions can contribute to future price volatility. If actual experience differs negatively from the assumptions and other considerations used in the consolidated financial statements, unrealized losses currently in equity may be recognized in the income statement in future periods.
Assets held at amortized cost
For financial assets carried at amortized cost, the Group measures the amount of the impairment loss by comparing the carrying amount of the asset with the present value of its estimated future cash flows.
In estimating the future cash flows, the Group looks at the expected cash flows of the assets and applies historical loss experience of assets with similar credit risks that have been adjusted for conditions in the historical loss experience which no longer exist, or for conditions that are expected to arise. The estimated future cash flows are discounted using the financial asset's original or variable effective interest rate and exclude credit losses that have not yet been incurred.
The risks inherent in reviewing the impairment of any investment include the risk that market results may differ from expectations; facts and circumstances may change in the future and differ from estimates and assumptions; or the Group may later decide to sell the security as a result of changed circumstances.
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Life Assurance contracts
Product classification
IFRS 4 requires contracts written by insurers to be classified as either insurance contracts' or investment contracts' depending on the level of insurance risk transferred. If significant insurance risk is transferred by the contract then it is classified as an insurance contract. Contracts that transfer financial risk but not significant insurance risk are termed investment contracts. Furthermore, some contracts, both insurance and investment, contain discretionary participation features representing the contractual right to receive additional benefits as a supplement to guaranteed benefits:
Accordingly, insurers must perform a product classification exercise across their portfolio of contracts issued to determine the allocation to these various categories. IFRS 4 permits the continued usage of previously applied GAAP for insurance contracts and investment contracts with discretionary participating features. Except for UK regulated with-profits funds, as described subsequently, this basis has been applied by the Company.
For investment contracts that do not contain discretionary participating features, IAS 39 and, where the contract includes an investment management element, IAS 18, apply measurement principles to assets and liabilities attaching to the contract that may diverge from previously applied. The principal line of business for which measurement changes arise on adoption of IFRS are certain unit-linked savings and similar contracts in the UK. Further details of this exercise are given in note D1 to the financial statements.
Valuation assumptions
The Group's insurance contracts and investment contracts with discretionary participation features are primarily with-profits and other protection type policies. For UK regulated with-profits funds for 2005 the contract liabilities are valued by reference to the UK FSA's realistic basis. In aggregate this basis has the effect of placing a value on the liabilities of UK with-profits contracts, which reflects the amounts expected to be paid based on the current value of investments held by the with-profits funds and current circumstances. A detailed explanation is contained in note D2(d)(ii) to the financial statements. Key elements of the value placed on the liability are that (a) the component for the with-profits benefit reserve is based on retrospective calculation of documented asset shares. Asset shares are calculated as the accumulation of all items of income and outgo that are relevant to each policy type and (b) the component for future policy related liabilities includes a market consistent valuation of costs and guarantees, options and smoothing determined using either a stochastic approach, hedging costs or a series of deterministic projections with attributed probabilities.
For other contracts, and for UK with-profits contracts in 2004, the liabilities are estimated using actuarial methods based on assumptions relating to premiums, interest rates, investment returns, expenses, mortality and surrenders. The assumptions to which the estimation of these reserves is particularly sensitive are the interest rate used to discount the provision and the assumed future mortality experience of policyholders. From the perspective of shareholder's results, the key sensitivity relates to assumed future investment returns for the Taiwan life operation. The in-force business of the Taiwan life operations includes traditional whole-of-life policies where the premium rates have been set by the regulator at different points for the industry as a whole. Premium rates were set to give a guaranteed minimum sum assured on death and a guaranteed surrender value on early surrender based on prevailing interest rates at the time of policy issue. Premium rates also included an allowance for
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mortality and expenses. The required rates of guarantee have fallen over time as interest rates have reduced from a high of 8 per cent to current levels of around 2 per cent. The current low level of bond rates in Taiwan gives rise to a negative spread against the majority of these policies. The current cash costs of funding in-force negative spread in Taiwan is around £30 million a year.
The profits attaching to these contracts are particularly affected by the rates of return earned, and estimated to be earned, on the assets held to cover liabilities and on future investment income and contract cash flows. Under IFRS, the insurance contract liabilities of the Taiwan business are determined on the US GAAP basis as applied previously under UK GAAP. Under this basis the policy liabilities are calculated on sets of assumptions, which are locked in at the point of policy inception, and a deferred acquisition cost is held in the balance sheet.
The adequacy of the insurance contract liabilities is tested by reference to best estimates of expected investment returns on policy cash flows and reinvested income. The assumed earned rates are used to discount the future cash flows. The assumed earned rates consist of a long-term best estimate determined by consideration of long-term market conditions, and rates assumed to be earned in the trending in period. It has been projected that rates of return for Taiwanese bond yields will trend from the current levels of some 2 per cent to 5.5 per cent by December 31, 2012.
The liability adequacy test results are sensitive to the attainment of the trended rates during the trending period. Based on the current asset mix, margins in other contracts that are used in the assessment of the liability adequacy tests, and currently assumed future rates of return, if interest rates were to remain at current levels in 2006 the premium reserve, net of deferred acquisition costs, would be broadly sufficient. If interest rates were to remain at current levels in 2007 then some level of write-off of deferred acquisition costs may be necessary. However, the amount of the charge, currently estimated at £50-70 million is sensitive for the previously mentioned variables.
The adequacy of the liability is also sensitive to the level of the projected long-term rate. The current long-term assumption of 5.5 per cent has been determined on a prudent best estimate basis by reference to detailed assessments of the financial dynamics of the Taiwanese economy. In the event that the rate applied was reduced or increased, the carrying value of the liabilities would be affected.
In broad terms, if the assumed long-term rate applied was to fall by 0.25 per cent, from 5.5 per cent to 5.25 per cent, the impact on IFRS basis results would be a charge of some £120-130 million. If the rate was to further reduce, the incremental increase in liabilities would be of a similarly commensurate size. The effects of changes in any one year reflect the combination of the short-term and long-term factors described above.
Deferred acquisition costs
Significant costs are incurred in connection with acquiring new insurance business. Except for acquisition costs of with-profits contracts of the UK regulated with-profits funds, which are accounted for under the realistic FSA regime as described in detail in note A4 to the financial statements, these costs, which vary with, and are primarily related to, the production of new business, are capitalised and amortized against margins in future revenues on the related insurance policies. The recoverability of the asset is measured and the asset is deemed impaired if the projected future margins are less than the carrying value of the asset. To the extent that the future margins differ from those anticipated, then an adjustment to the carrying value of the deferred acquisition cost asset will be necessary.
The deferral and amortization of acquisition costs is of most relevance to the Group's reported profits for shareholder-financed long-term business operations. In 2005, the application of the liability adequacy testing for the Taiwan Life business resulted in a write off of deferred acquisition costs of £21 million.
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Pensions
The Group applies the requirements of IAS 19, Employee Benefits' to its defined benefit pension schemes. The economic participation in the deficits attaching to the main Prudential Staff Pension Scheme (PSPS) and the smaller Scottish Amicable Pension Scheme (SAPS) are shared between the PAC with-profits sub-fund (WPSF) and shareholder operations. The economic interest reflects the source of contributions over the scheme life, which in turn reflects the activity of the members during their employment. In the case of PSPS, at December 31, 2004, the attribution between WPSF and shareholders' funds was in the ratio 80/20. In 2005, following extensive analysis, this ratio was revised to 70/30. For SAPS the ratio for both 2005 and 2004 is estimated to be 50/50 between the WPSF and shareholders' funds.
Deferred tax
Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that they are regarded as recoverable, that is to the extent that, on the basis of all the available evidence, it can be regarded as more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable profits against which the losses can be relieved. The UK taxation regime applies separate rules to trading and capital profits and losses. The distinction between temporary differences that arise from items of either a capital or trading nature may affect the recognition of deferred tax assets. The judgements made, and uncertainties considered, in arriving at deferred tax balances included in the financial statements are discussed in note H4 to the financial statements.
Goodwill
Goodwill impairment testing requires the exercise of judgement by management as to prospective future cash flows.
Other features of IFRS accounting that are of particular significance to an understanding of Prudential's IFRS results
The other features that are of significance relate to the timing of adoption of certain IFRS standards and their consequential impact upon the financial statements; the accounting for UK with-profits funds; and the presentation of certain items in the financial statements.
Adoption of IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4
Three IFRS accounting standards, IAS 32, Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation', IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement' and IFRS 4, Insurance Contracts', have been adopted as at January 1, 2005 rather than January 1, 2004. This treatment is consistent with the policy typically applied by groups with banking operations where the practical consequences of adopting these standards for 2004 are significant.
Accordingly, the amounts recorded for revenue and expenses and assets and liabilities of certain items reflected in the Group's financial statements are not on a consistent basis in 2005 compared to amounts recorded for the comparative period. The main area where this inconsistency applies is valuation and accounting presentation of fair value movements of derivatives and debt securities of JNL (as described below). In addition, the measurement of assets and liabilities and income and expenses of those UK unit-linked contracts, and those with similar features, that do not contain significant insurance risk, is altered.
Insurance contract accounting
With the exception of investment contracts without discretionary participation features, the Group's life assurance contracts are classified as insurance contracts and investment contracts with discretionary
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participating features. As permitted by IFRS 4, assets and liabilities of these contracts (see below) are accounted for under previously applied GAAP. Accordingly, except as described below, the modified statutory basis (MSB) of reporting as set out in the revised Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) issued by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) in November 2003 has been applied for the 2005 results.
In the UK, for the 2004 comparative results, with the exception of minor accounting adjustments, the technical provisions reflect the UK regulatory basis of reporting that has applied previously for many years. This effectively constitutes the Peak 1 basis under the current Financial Services Authority (FSA) regime.
From January 1, 2005 the Group has chosen to improve its accounting for UK regulated with-profits funds by the application of the UK accounting standard FRS 27, Life Assurance'. Under this standard, the main accounting changes that are required for UK with-profits funds are:
The primary effect of these changes is to fundamentally alter the basis of accounting and carrying value of deferred acquisition costs (as set out in note H2 to the financial statements) and the reported level of unallocated surplus of with-profits funds (as set out in note H12 to the financial statements).
Under UK GAAP, the fund for future appropriations (FFA) represents the excess of assets over policyholder liabilities for the Group's with-profit funds. Under IFRS the FFA is termed unallocated surplus and the Group has opted to account for it wholly as a liability with no allocation to equity. This treatment reflects the fact that shareholders' participation in the cost of bonuses arises only on distribution. As a consequence of this accounting treatment, shareholder profits on with-profits business continue to reflect the one-ninth cost of declared bonus previously applied under UK GAAP.
Valuation and accounting presentation of fair value movements of derivatives and debt securities of JNL
Under IAS 39, derivatives are required to be carried at fair value. Unless hedge accounting is applied, value movements on derivatives are recognized in the income statement.
For derivative instruments of JNL, the Group has considered at length whether it is appropriate to undertake the necessary operational changes to qualify for hedge accounting so as to achieve matching of value movements in hedging instruments and hedged items in the performance statements. In reaching the decision a number of factors were particularly relevant. These were:
103
In this regard, the issues surrounding the IAS 39 application are very similar to those considered by other US life insurers when the US financial reporting standard FAS 133 was first applied for US GAAP reporting. Taking account of these considerations the Group has decided that, except for certain minor categories of derivatives, it is not appropriate to seek to achieve hedge accounting under IAS 39 by completely reconfiguring the structure of JNL's derivative book. As a result of this decision, the total income statement results are more volatile as the movements in the value of JNL's derivatives are reflected within it.
Under IAS 39, unless carried at amortized cost (subject to impairment provisions where appropriate) under the held-to-maturity category, debt securities are also carried at fair value. The Group has chosen not to classify any financial assets as held-to-maturity. Debt securities of JNL are designated as available-for-sale with value movements being recorded as movements within shareholders' equity.
Accounting for with-profits business
For with-profits business (including non-participating business of Prudential Annuities Limited which is owned by the PAC with-profits fund), adjustments to liabilities and any related tax effects are recognized in the income statement. However, except for any impact on the annual declaration of bonuses, shareholder profits for with-profits business and shareholders' funds would not be affected by adjustments to liabilities. This is because the income statements solely reflect one-ninth of the cost of bonuses declared for with-profits policies for the year.
For both 2005 and 2004, adjustments to the long-term business provision for the PAC with-profits fund would normally reflect changes that have also been reflected in the annual regulatory returns submitted to the FSA. Except to the extent of any second order effects on other elements of the regulatory returns, such changes can be expected to have a consequent effect on the excess of assets over liabilities of the fund for purposes of solvency calculations, and the related free asset ratio which is an indicator of the overall financial strength of the fund. Similar principles apply to the Group's Asian with-profits business.
Profits Recognition
As outlined in "Analysis by Business Segment and Geographic RegionUnited KingdomBasis of Profits" below, Prudential's results include an annual profit distribution to shareholders from long-term with-profits funds that represents an amount of up to one-ninth of the value of that year's bonus declarations to policyholders. The distribution corresponds directly to the post-tax basis profit for with-profits business. The boards of directors of the subsidiary companies that have with-profits operations, using actuarial advice, determine the amount of annual and final bonuses to be declared each year on each group of contracts.
Unallocated surplus
As discussed above, the unallocated surplus represents the excess of assets over policyholder liabilities of the Group's with-profits funds. The annual excess or shortfall of income over expenditure of the with-profits funds after declaration and attribution of the cost of bonuses to policyholders and shareholders is transferred to, or from, the unallocated surplus through a charge or credit to the income statement. The balance is determined after full provision for deferred tax on unrealized appreciation of investments.
Changes to the level of the unallocated surplus do not directly impact shareholders' results or funds. After allowing for differences in the basis of preparation of the financial statements and UK regulatory returns, movements in the level of the unallocated surplus are broadly indicative of movements in the excess of regulatory basis assets over liabilities of the fund. In turn, movements in this excess as a proportion of liabilities are indicative of changes in the financial strength of the fund.
104
Differences in the basis of preparation of financial statements and UK regulatory returns arise principally from the treatment of certain regulatory basis liabilities, such as mismatching reserves (that are accounted for as reserves within the unallocated surplus), recognition of deferred acquisition costs in the financial statements, and asset valuation differences and admissibility deductions reflected in the regulatory returns.
Fair Value of Assets
Changes in the fair value of assets of Prudential's long-term with-profits funds will primarily be reflected in the excess of assets over liabilities recorded as the unallocated surplus. Shareholders' profits from with-profits business and shareholders' funds are not directly impacted by movements in the fair values of the assets. However, current investment performance is a factor that is taken into account in the setting of the annual declaration of bonuses which, in turn, affects UK shareholder profits to the extent of one-ninth of the cost of bonus.
Changes in the fair value of assets of unit-linked (separate account) funds are normally accompanied by a matching change in unit-linked business liabilities that is also recognized in the income statement.
Investment Returns
For with-profits business, investment returns together with other income and expenditure are recorded within the income statement. However, the difference between net income of the fund and the cost of bonuses and related statutory transfers is reflected in an amount transferred to or from the unallocated surplus within the income statement. Except to the extent of current investment returns being taken into account in the setting of bonus policy, the investment returns of with-profits fund in a particular year do not affect shareholder profits or with-profits funds.
Presentation of results before tax
The total tax charge for the Group reflects tax that in addition to relating to shareholders' profits is also attributable to policyholders and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds and unit-linked policies. This is explained in more detail in note F5 to the financial statements. However, pre-tax profits are determined after transfers to or from unallocated surplus of with-profits funds. These transfers are in turn determined after taking account of tax borne by with-profits funds. Consequently reported profit before the total tax charge is not representative of pre-tax profits attributable to shareholders. In order to provide a measure of pre-tax profits attributable to shareholders the Group has chosen to adopt an income statement presentation of the tax charge and pre-tax results that delineates between policyholder and shareholder components.
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Overview of Consolidated Results
Introduction
Prudential has built strong positions in the United Kingdom, the United States and Asia, three of the most attractive financial services markets in the world.
Prudential achieved these positions by adopting a disciplined approach to investment and growth, allocating capital to those businesses that deliver sustainable high returns. At the same time, Prudential managed its risks by maintaining a diversified portfolio of businesses across its chosen markets, principally in the UK, the US and Asia, including several mature cash generators, as well as attractive newer businesses which require investment.
The following table shows Prudential's IFRS consolidated total profit for the periods indicated.
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Total revenue, net of reinsurance | 41,125 | 33,904 | |||
Total charges | (38,980 | ) | (32,343 | ) | |
Profit before tax* | 2,145 | 1,561 | |||
Tax attributable to policyholders' returns | (1,147 | ) | (711 | ) | |
Profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 998 | 850 | |||
Tax expense |
(1,388 |
) |
(951 |
) |
|
Less: tax attributable to policyholders' returns | 1,147 | 711 | |||
Tax attributable to shareholders' profits |
(241 |
) |
(240 |
) |
|
Profit from continuing operations after tax | 757 | 610 | |||
Discontinuing operations (net of tax) | 3 | (94 | ) | ||
Profit for the year | 760 | 516 | |||
Basis of preparation of overview
In previous annual reports on Form 20-F the structure of the section on the overview of consolidated results has been prepared in accordance with the basis for financial reporting used by Prudential's management in preparation of the Company's interim and annual financial statements that appear in Prudential's distributions to UK shareholders and the UK financial market, through the Company's preliminary results release and UK Annual Report.
The basis previously applied has been to analyze profit before shareholder tax between management's chosen performance measure of operating profit based on longer-term investment returns and other items.
Two features of the previous reporting framework under UK GAAP enabled this treatment. First, the ability to focus on profit before shareholder tax (rather than policyholder and shareholder tax) was facilitated by the requirements of the 1985 Companies Act. Second, the Statement of Recommended Practice of the Association of British Insurers specifically recommended the reporting of operating profit based on longer-term investment returns.
106
On the adoption of the IFRS basis of reporting in the consolidated financial statements these two features no longer apply. It is therefore necessary for the structure of the overview of the consolidated results to be reconfigured to meet US reporting requirements.
Under IFRS the pre-tax GAAP measure of profits is profit before policyholder and shareholder taxes. This measure is not relevant for reflecting pre-tax results attributable to shareholders for two reasons. First, this profit measure represents the aggregate of pre-tax results attributable to shareholders and a pre-tax amount attributable to policyholders. Second, the amount is determined after charging the transfer to the liability for unallocated surplus, which in turn is determined in part by policyholder taxes borne by the ring-fenced with-profits funds. It is noted that this circular feature is specific to with-profits funds in the UK, and other similarly structured overseas funds, and should be distinguished from other products, which are referred to as 'with-profits' and the general accounting treatment of premium or other policy taxes.
Accordingly, the Company has chosen to explain its consolidated results by reference to profits for the year, reflecting profit after tax for continuing and discontinued operations. In explaining movements in profit for the year reference is made to trends in profit before shareholder tax and the shareholder tax charge.
Profit for the year
Profit for 2005 was £760 million compared with £516 million in 2004. This £244 million increase reflects an increase in the profit from continuing operations after tax of £147 million from £610 million to £757 million and an increase of £97 million in the net of tax result for discontinued operations from a charge of £94 million to a profit of £3 million.
The increase in profit from continuing operations after tax reflects growth in profits before tax attributable to shareholders of £148 million, which grew from £850 million in 2004 to £998 million in 2005, and a £1 million increase in the tax charge attributable to shareholders, which grew from £240 million in 2004 to £241 million in 2005.
The growth in profit before tax attributable to shareholders primarily reflects growth in underlying profits and a higher level of short-term value movements on financial instruments credited to income. These increases offset a goodwill impairment charge and an increased negative level of actuarial and other gains and losses attaching to the Group's defined benefit pension schemes.
In comparison to the growth in profits before tax attributable to shareholders, the small increase in the shareholder tax charge corresponds to a reduction in the effective tax rate from 28 per cent to 24 per cent. The reduction in the 2005 effective tax rate arises from a number of factors, including settlement of a number of outstanding issues with HM Revenue and Customs and benefit taken for prior year losses incurred in France following a recent European Court of Justice decision.
Discontinued operations in 2005 relate to the completion of Egg's withdrawal from France and the losses incurred by Funds Direct. The discontinued operations in 2004 relate to the profit on sale of Jackson Federal Bank, the profit generated by the sale of a stake in Life Assurance Holding Corporation Limited and losses relating to Egg France.
Analysis by Business Segment and Geographic Region
The Group's reportable segments are based on the organizational structure used by management for making operating and investment decisions and for assessing performance. The Group's business segments are long-term business, banking, and broker dealer and fund management whilst its geographical segments comprise the territories in which the Group conducts business, which are the United Kingdom, the United States and Asia.
107
The following table shows Prudential's IFRS consolidated total profit for the periods indicated divided by business segment and geographic region. The accounting policies applied to the segments below are the same as those used in the Group's consolidated accounts and are described in Note A4 to the consolidated financial statements. The Group has taken advantage of the exemption within IFRS that allows comparative information presented in the first year of adoption of IFRS not to comply with standards IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4. Accordingly, reported profit for the year in 2004 does not reflect the impact of these standards. For further information on the impact of adopting these standards see Note A6 to the consolidated financial statements.
Total profit for the year reflecting profit after tax for continued and discontinued operations:
2005 |
UK £m |
US £m |
Asia £m |
Total £m |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Long-term | 288 | 350 | 148 | 786 | |||||
Banking | 48 | | | 48 | |||||
Broker-dealer and fund management | 99 | 5 | 0 | 104 | |||||
Unallocated corporate | (178 | ) | | | (178 | ) | |||
Total profit for the year | 257 | 355 | 148 | 760 | |||||
2004 |
UK £m |
US £m |
Asia £m |
Total £m |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Long-term | 247 | 235 | 103 | 585 | |||||
Banking | (95 | ) | 33 | | (62 | ) | |||
Broker-dealer and fund management | 94 | (8 | ) | 14 | 100 | ||||
Unallocated corporate | (107 | ) | | | (107 | ) | |||
Total profit for the year | 139 | 260 | 117 | 516 | |||||
Profit from Long-term business operations
Total profit from long-term business in 2005 was £786 million compared to £585 million in 2004.
Profit from long-term business operations increased from £585 million in 2004 to £786 million in 2005 and the non-recurrence of a £4 million contribution (net of tax) for discontinued operations in 2004.
The growth in 2005 of profits from continuing operations after tax was supported by a 38 per cent increase in profit before shareholder tax from £832 million in 2004 to £1,152 million in 2005 and an increase in the shareholder tax charge from £251 million in 2004 to £366 million in 2005.
The growth in profit before tax attributable to shareholders of £320 million compared to 2004 primarily reflects an increase in underlying profits and a higher level of short-term value increases on financial instruments. The growth in profit before tax in 2005 also reflects short-term value increases of £122 million on derivatives held by Jackson National Life, which are used for economic hedging purposes. Prior to the adoption of IAS 39 at January 1, 2005, these derivatives were carried at amortized cost and, as a result, the 2004 income does not include any attributable value movement.
The effective shareholder tax rate on profits from continuing long-term business operations increased from 30 per cent in 2004 to 32 per cent in 2005 resulting from minor variations on the rates applicable to UK and Asian businesses.
In order to understand how Prudential's results are derived it is necessary to understand how profit emerges from its business. This varies from region to region, primarily due to differences in the nature of the products and regulatory environment in which Prudential operates.
108
United Kingdom
Basis of Profits
Prudential's results comprise an annual profit distribution to shareholders from its UK long-term with-profits fund, hereafter referred to as the with-profits fund, as well as profits from its other businesses. For most of Prudential's operations, other than its UK long-term insurance businesses, the IFRS basis of accounting matches items of income and related expenditure within the same accounting period. This is achieved through the deferral of acquisition costs and application of the accruals concept.
With-profits Products
For Prudential's UK long-term insurance business, the primary annual contribution to shareholders' profit comes from its with-profits products. With-profits products are designed to provide policyholders with smoothed investment returns through a mix of annual and final bonuses. Shareholders' profit in respect of bonuses from with-profits products represents an amount of up to one-ninth of the value of that year's bonus declaration to policyholders. The smoothing inherent in the bonus declarations provides for relatively stable annual shareholders' profit from this business.
Bonus Rates
The main factors that influence the determination of bonus rates are the return on the investments of the with-profits fund, the effect of inflation, taxation, the expenses of the fund chargeable to policyholders and the degree to which investment returns are smoothed. The overall rate of return earned on investments and the expectation of future investment returns are the most important influences on bonus rates. The assets backing the with-profits business are predominantly invested in equities and real estate. If the financial strength of the with-profits fund were adversely affected, then a higher proportion of fixed interest or similar assets might be held by the fund.
Unallocated Surplus
The annual excesses of premiums and investment returns over claim payments, operating expenses and the change in policyholder provisions within Prudential's with-profits fund that are not distributed in that year as bonuses and related shareholders' profit are transferred to the liability for unallocated surplus by a charge to the income statement of the with-profits fund. Any shortfall in such amounts would result in a transfer from the unallocated surplus by a credit to the income statement of the long-term fund. Current year amounts in respect of premiums, investment returns, operating expenses and unusual charges or credits do not directly affect the distribution of profit to shareholders from the with-profits business in that year. Current year claims, which include final bonus payments, do have an effect on shareholders' profit through the shareholders' proportion of the value of those final bonuses.
Surplus Assets and Their Use
The liability for unallocated surplus comprises amounts Prudential expects to pay to policyholders in the future, the related shareholder transfers and surplus assets. These surplus assets, which are described in more detail under Item 4, "Information on the CompanyBusiness of PrudentialUK BusinessShareholders' Interests in Prudential's Long-term Insurance BusinessSurplus Assets in Prudential Assurance's Long-term With-profits Fund", have accumulated over many years from a variety of sources and provide the with-profits fund with working capital. This working capital permits Prudential to invest a substantial portion of the assets of the with-profits fund in equity securities and real estate, smooth investment returns to with-profits policyholders, keep its products competitive, write new business without being constrained as to cash flows in the early policy years and demonstrate solvency.
109
In addition, Prudential can use surplus assets to absorb the costs of significant events, such as fundamental strategic change in its long-term business and, with the consent of the UK regulator, the cost of its pension mis-selling, without affecting the level of distributions to policyholders and shareholders. The costs of fundamental strategic change may include investment in new technology, redundancy and restructuring costs, cost overruns on new business and the funding of other appropriate long-term insurance related activities, including acquisitions.
The "SAIF" and "PAL" Funds
Prudential's with-profits fund also includes the Scottish Amicable Insurance Fund ("SAIF") and the wholly-owned subsidiary, Prudential Annuities Limited ("PAL"). All assets of the SAIF business are solely attributable to former policyholders of Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society (predating the acquisition of Scottish Amicable by Prudential in October 1997). The SAIF with-profits fund is discussed in more detail under Item 4, "Information on the CompanyBusiness of PrudentialUK BusinessShareholders' Interests in Prudential's Long-term Insurance BusinessThe SAIF Sub-fund and Accounts". Since PAL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the with-profits fund, profits from this business affect shareholders' profits only to the extent that they affect the annual with-profits bonus declaration and resultant transfer to shareholders.
Comparison of total profit arising from UK long-term business
Profit from UK long-term business increased from £247 million in 2004 to £288 million in 2005. The increase of £41 million reflects a rise of £45 million in profit from continuing operations after tax from £243 million in 2004 to £288 million in 2005 and the non-recurrence of the £4 million net of tax profit that arose in 2004 on the sale of Prudential's stake in Life Assurance Holding Company.
The growth in profits from continuing operations after tax reflects an increase in profit before shareholder tax from £334 million in 2004 to £416 million in 2005 and an increase in the shareholder tax charge from £91 million in 2004 to £128 million in 2005.
The growth in profit before tax attributable to shareholders of £82 million primarily reflects growth in underlying profits. This growth was partially offset by a £20 million charge in 2005 (2004: £nil million) for the effect of strengthening actuarial provisions for increases in ongoing contributions for future service of active scheme members of the Prudential Staff Pension Scheme.
The effective shareholder tax rate on profits from continuing UK long-term business operations increased from 27 per cent in 2004 to 31 per cent in 2005.
United States
Basis of Profits
The profit on Jackson National Life's business predominantly arises from spread income from interest-sensitive products, such as fixed annuities, institutional products and fee income on variable annuities. Except for institutional products and certain term certain annuities which are classified as investment products under IAS39, for the purposes of IFRS reporting, deposits into these products are recorded as premiums, withdrawals and surrenders are included in benefits and claims and the resulting net movement is recorded under other reserve movements within benefits and claims. Benefits and claims also include interest credited to policyholders in respect of deposit products and fees charged on these policies. While the presentation of these items differs between IFRS and US GAAP, there is no net impact on total profits.
110
Comparison of total profit arising from US long-term business
Profit from US long-term business increased from £235 million in 2004 to £350 million in 2005. This increase of £115 million reflects a rise in profit before shareholder tax from £357 million in 2004 to £526 million in 2005 and an increase in the shareholder tax charge from £122 million to £176 million over the same period.
The £169 million growth in 2005 of profit before tax attributable to shareholders mainly reflects growth in underlying profits (as described in the additional analysis of consolidated results reflecting the basis used by management and reported externally to UK shareholders and the UK financial market) and a significant increase in the accounting value of short-term value movements in financial instruments reflected in the IFRS income statement. £122 million of the increase is attributable to an increase in the value of derivatives used by JNL for economic hedging purposes. Prior to the adoption of IAS 39 at January 1, 2005, these derivatives were carried at amortized cost and therefore these increases were not reflected in the 2004 income statement.
Asia
Basis of Profits
The assets and liabilities of contracts classified as insurance under IFRS 4 are determined in accordance with methods prescribed by local GAAP and adjusted to comply, where necessary, with UK GAAP. Under IFRS 4, subject to the conditions of that standard, the continued application of UK GAAP in this respect is permitted.
For Asian operations in countries where local GAAP is not well established and in which the business is primarily non-participating and linked business, US GAAP is used as the most appropriate reporting basis. Of the more significant Asia operations, this basis is applied in Taiwan, Japan and Vietnam. For with-profits business in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia the basis of profit recognition is bonus driven as described in the section "United Kingdom,with-profits products".
Comparison of total profit arising from Asian long-term business
Profit from Asian long-term business increased from £103 million in 2004 to £148 million in 2005. This £45 million increase largely reflects a rise in profit before shareholder tax from £141 million to £210 million and an increase in the shareholder tax charge from £38 million to £62 million during the same period.
£30 million of the growth in profit before tax attributable to shareholders arose from various non-recurring items.
The effective shareholder tax rate increased from 27 per cent in 2004 to 30 per cent in 2005.
A goodwill impairment charge of £120 million has been incurred in 2005 in respect of the Group's Japanese life business. This charge is reflected in the explanation of profit and losses for unallocated corporate activity.
Profit from banking operations
Basis of Profits
The Group's banking operations now solely comprises Egg in the UK, which is an innovative financial services company primarily offering unsecured personal loans, credit cards, mortgages and savings accounts. The basis of profits is the margin between interest income and expense and fee and commission income.
111
Comparison of total profit arising from banking operations
In 2005, profit for the year was £48 million compared with a loss of £62 million in 2004. The £110 million increase reflects a £143 million rise in the profit for UK banking from a loss of £95 million in 2004 to a profit of £48 million in 2005 and the non-recurrence of a £33 million profit resulting from the discontinued Jackson Federal Bank business, which was disposed of in 2004.
The banking business £143 million growth largely reflects an increase in the contribution from continuing operations from £36 million in 2004 to £45 million in 2005 and an increase of £134 million in the result from discontinued operations, which increased from a loss of £131 million in 2004 to a profit of £3 million in 2005.
The £9 million increase in profit from continuing operations mainly reflects a decrease of £17 million in profit before shareholder tax from £61 million in 2004 to £44 million in 2005, offset by a reduction in the tax charge of £26 million mainly arising from the benefit of previously unused tax losses.
The result for UK discontinued banking operations reflects the results and closure of the Egg France operation and the discontinuation of Egg's Funds Direct operation.
Profit from broker-dealer and fund management
In 2005 total profit from broker-dealer and fund management increased by £4 million from £100 million in 2004 to £104 million in 2005. This increase results primarily from an improvement in profit earned from M&G's UK and European operations, from £94 million in 2004 to £99 million in 2005 and the improvement in profits from the US operations from a loss of £8 million in 2004 to a profit of £5 million in 2005. These profit gains offset a reduction in the Company's Asian operations profit from a profit of £14 million in 2004 to £nil in 2005.
The increase of £4 million in total profit largely reflects an increase of £5 million in profit before shareholder tax from £149 million in 2004 to £154 million in 2005 and an increase in the tax charge of £1 million from £49 million in 2004 to £50 million in 2005.
The increase in profit before shareholder tax reflects growth in underlying profits, as explained in the additional analysis of consolidated results reflecting the basis used by management and reported externally to UK shareholders and the financial market, which was offset by adverse changes in the short-term value increases of certain financial instruments, a reduction in the result attributable to minorities of US funds consolidated under IFRS, and actuarial losses attributable to the M&G defined benefit pension scheme.
Unallocated corporate
Total net of tax charges for unallocated corporate activity increased by £71 million from £107 million in 2004 to £178 million in 2005. The change primarily reflects a £160 million pre-tax increase from £192 million in 2004 to £352 million in 2005 offset by an increase of £89 million in the tax credit, from £85 million to £174 million.
The increase in pre-tax expenditure primarily reflects a consistent level of underlying expenditure, a goodwill impairment charge of £120 million in 2005 on the Japanese life insurance business, a decrease in the short-term value changes and technical adjustments for consolidated investment funds.
The increase in the tax credit largely reflects the settlement of outstanding issues with HM Revenue and Customs at amounts below those previously provided, the tax credit arising from relief for excess expenses in respect of the shareholder backed protection business, and adjustments for prior years resulting from routine revisions of tax returns.
112
Business Segment and Geographical Analysis by Nature of Revenue and Charges
The following table shows Prudential's consolidated total revenue and consolidated total charges for the following periods.
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Earned premiums, net of reinsurance | 15,028 | 16,152 | |||
Investment income | 24,013 | 15,750 | |||
Other income | 2,084 | 2,002 | |||
Total revenue | 41,125 | 33,904 | |||
Benefits and claims and movement in unallocated surplus of with-profits funds | (33,100 | ) | (26,593 | ) | |
Acquisition costs and other operating expenditure | (5,552 | ) | (5,563 | ) | |
Finance costs: interest on core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations | (208 | ) | (187 | ) | |
Goodwill impairment charge | (120 | ) | | ||
Total charges | (38,980 | ) | (32,343 | ) | |
Profit before tax* | 2,145 | 1,561 | |||
Tax attributable to policyholders' returns | (1,147 | ) | (711 | ) | |
Profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 998 | 850 | |||
Tax attributable to shareholders' profits | (241 | ) | (240 | ) | |
Profit from continuing operations after tax | 757 | 610 | |||
Discontinued operations (net of tax) | 3 | (94 | ) | ||
Total profit | 760 | 516 | |||
Earned premiums
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Long-term business: | |||||
UK Operations | 7,800 | 9,096 | |||
US Operations | 4,270 | 4,647 | |||
Asian Operations | 2,958 | 2,409 | |||
Total | 15,028 | 16,152 | |||
Earned premiums, net of reinsurance, for long-term business totaled £15,028 million in 2005 compared to £16,152 million in 2004. The main reason for the reduction in earned premiums is the adoption of IAS 39 and IFRS 4 from January 1, 2005. For 2004, the income statement includes premiums on all contracts that were then classified under previous GAAP as insurance, including deposit style 'investment contracts' where the insurance risk in the contracts is insignificant. For 2005, the recognition basis in the income statement remains the same except for investment contracts, as defined under IFRS 4, which do not contain discretionary participation features, where the accounting reflects the deposit nature of the arrangement. In 2004, the earned premiums for the UK, US and Asia included approximately £1,381 million, £873 million and £5 million, respectively, of premiums for investments contracts.
113
After adjusting for the effects of IAS 39 and IFRS 4, adapted prospectively from January 1, 2005, earned premiums from insurance contracts increased from £7,715 million in 2004 to £7,800 million in 2005.
This increase largely reflects increased sales of bulk annuities including the £1,450 million Phoenix Life and Pensions in-force annuity book transaction announced in June 2005 (the 2004 comparatives included a £1,108 million annuity book transaction with Royal London). In addition, sales of individual annuities improved relative 2004 results as a result of higher sales through the partnerships and direct to consumer channels.
Earned premiums from insurance contracts increased by 13.1 per cent in 2005 from £3,774 million in 2004 to £4,270 million in 2005, after adjusting for the effects of IAS 39 and IFRS 4.
This increase was predominantly due to growth in variable annuity and fixed index annuity sales. Prudential believes that JNL's strong sales of variable annuities reflect its differentiated product structure, distribution proposition and service offering.
Stronger fixed index annuity sales in 2005 reflected customers' increasing preference for products with the potential for higher returns linked to equity index performance. JNL believes it has benefited from its approach to educating broker-dealers about a complex product, while at the same time offering lower commissions and passing the benefit to the end consumer.
The growth in sales of variable annuity and fixed indexed annuity products was partially offset by lower sales of fixed annuities. This primarily reflects the continued low interest rate environment and the relatively flat interest yield curve in the United States.
After adjusting for the effects of IAS 39 and IFRS 4, earned premiums in 2004 and 2005 were £2,404 million and £2,958 million, respectively, an increase of 23 per cent.
While the majority of these earned premiums relate to sales made through Asia's tied agency distribution channel, Prudential believes that there is potential to expand alternate channels, particularly banks and direct marketing. Growth in earned premiums in 2005 was most significant in Singapore, Korea and India with increases of £127 million, £76 million and £59 million, respectively.
Singapore's operations grew largely as a result of the broadening of its unit linked range and also increased bank distribution. In contrast, growth in sales in Korea was mainly due to the increased success in the tied financial advisor and general agency channels and the continued appeal of our universal life product. In addition, Prudential's Indian life insurance joint venture, ICICI-Prudential Life, supported its growth in 2005 primarily through ongoing expansion. The Indian business now has 74 branches and has grown agent numbers by 36 per cent during the year to 70,000.
Investment income
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Long-term business: | |||||
UK Operations | 20,852 | 13,541 | |||
US Operations | 2,391 | 1,474 | |||
Asian Operations | 770 | 735 | |||
Total | 24,013 | 15,750 | |||
114
Investment income consists of interest income, dividends and realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments designated as fair value through profit and loss. As allowed by IFRS, the Group adopted IAS 39 on January 1, 2005.
In the UK, investment income increased from £13,541 million in 2004 to £20,852 million in 2005. The main reason for this increase in investment income has been the appreciation of UK share and bond prices. This has resulted in an increase in investment income of approximately £6 billion. The effect of adopting IAS 39 in 2005 has been to increase investment income by £192 million.
In the US, investment income increased from £1,474 million in 2004 to £2,391 million in 2005. The effect of adopting IAS 39 has been to increase investment income by £578 million. The remaining increase in investment income is due to an increase in external investments income such as dividends and interest income by £171 million and realized gains by £152 million reflecting an increase in investment yields from 5.6 per cent in 2004 to 6.3 per cent in 2005.
In Asia, investment income has increased from £735 million in 2004 to £770 million in 2005. The main reason for the movement is an increase in external investment income by £39 million. The adoption of IAS 39 did not have any material effect in Asia.
Benefits and claims and movement in unallocated surplus of with-profits funds
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||
Long-term business: | ||||||
United Kingdom | (24,782 | ) | (18,832 | ) | ||
United States | (5,591 | ) | (5,339 | ) | ||
Asia | (2,727 | ) | (2,422 | ) | ||
Total | (33,100 | ) | (26,593 | ) | ||
Benefits and claims represent payments, including final bonuses, to policyholders in respect of maturities, surrenders and deaths plus the change in technical provisions (which primarily represents the movement in amounts owed to policyholders).
Total benefits and claims increased by £6,507 million in 2005 to £33,100 million, compared to £26,593 million in 2004. This principally reflects the movement in policyholder liabilities as a result of the increase in investment income discussed above, which has been passed on to the policyholders in the form of bonus declaration for with-profits products or through direct increase in policyholder liabilities for unit-linked and similar products, or transferred to unallocated surplus.
Overall benefits, claims and the transfer to unallocated surplus increased from £18,832 million in 2004 to £24,782 million in 2005. There are two principal reasons for this increase, both of which relate to the accounting treatment of investment returns allocated for assets backing liabilities and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds. First for unit-linked, variable annuity and other policies which are classified as insurance contracts under IFRS 4 where there is a direct relationship between policyholder benefits and asset returns on attaching pools of assets, the charge for benefits and claims reflects investment return credited to policyholder balances. With increased market returns in 2005 compared to 2004 there
115
is a natural increase in the charge. This feature also applies in a similar manner for closely matched UK annuity business where the calculation of liabilities reflects period-end yields.
The second reason relates to the basis of accounting for with-profits funds. The charge to the income statement for these funds reflects two items namely:
a) Liabilities for contract benefits either include bonuses declared to date (as applied in 2004 for all with-profits business and in 2005 for the Singapore and Malaysia with-profits funds) or "asset share" attribution (as applied in 2005 for UK regulated with-profits funds on the application of FRS 27 as part of the adoption of IFRS 4 as explained in note D2 of the financial statements), and
b) The movement in the excess of assets over policyholder liabilities is charged to the income statement as a movement on the liability for unallocated surplus.
The combined effect of these two items is that there is a close correlation between the level of increase in the values of assets of the funds and the level of combined charge for benefits and movement on unallocated surplus. With market returns of 20 per cent on the Prudential Assurance long-term fund in 2005 compared to 13.4 per cent for 2004, there is an attendant increase in the charge to the income statement.
The annual movements in benefits and claims also include changes in the pension mis-selling provision, which decreased in 2005, and 2004. For a detailed analysis of this provision, see Item 4, "Information on the CompanyBusiness of PrudentialUK BusinessShareholders' Interests in Prudential's Long-term Insurance BusinessPension Mis-selling". With the consent of the UK regulator, the total cost of pension mis-selling is included within the transfer to the unallocated surplus of the Prudential Assurance long-term with-profits fund. Payments related to pension mis-selling will be met from the surplus assets in the Prudential Assurance long-term with-profits fund and not from amounts intended to fund existing and future bonuses.
As described in "United KingdomBasis of Profits" above, because shareholders' profit from the Prudential Assurance with-profits sub-fund represents an amount of up to one-ninth of the value of that year's bonus declaration to policyholders, shareholders' profit from the fund has not been affected by the increase in the provision for pension mis-selling. Given the strength of the fund, Prudential does not believe that pension mis-selling costs will have an adverse impact on the levels of bonuses paid to policyholders and, therefore, shareholders' profit from the fund. In the unlikely event that this proves not to be the case, Prudential's intention would be that an appropriate contribution to the long-term with-profits fund be made from shareholders' funds with a consequential impact on shareholders' profit.
In 2005, the accounting charge for benefits and claims increased by 4.7 per cent to £5,591 million.
The change reflects underlying movements in claims, benefits and maturities for contracts classified as insurance products under IFRS 4. The charge for 2004 includes maturities and other changes for institutional business and certain term certain annuities.
In 2005, benefits and claims totaled £2,727 million, up 12.6 per cent on £2,422 million in 2004 reflecting an increase in policyholder benefits of 30 per cent from £719 million to £938 million. The adoption of IFRS 4, IAS 39 and FRS 27 did not have material effects on the change in the accounting charges for benefits and claims for the Group's Asian operations.
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Acquisition costs and other operating expenditure
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||
Long-term business: | ||||||
United Kingdom | (4,018 | ) | (4,282 | ) | ||
United States | (767 | ) | (650 | ) | ||
Asia | (767 | ) | (631 | ) | ||
Total | (5,552 | ) | (5,563 | ) | ||
Total acquisition costs and other operating expenditure of £5,552 million in 2005 were 0.2 per cent lower than the £5,563 million incurred in 2004.
Total UK acquisition costs and other operating expenses in 2005 were £4,018 million, compared to £4,282 million in 2004. The decrease of £264 million in 2005 mainly relates to a decrease in operating expenses from £2,793 million to £2,404 million.
Acquisition costs and other operating expenses of £767 million in 2005 were 18 per cent higher than expenses in 2004 of £650 million. The increase in expenses primarily reflects higher amortization of deferred acquisition costs (DAC) by £55 million from £221 million in 2004 to £276 million in 2005.
Total Asian acquisition costs and other operating expenses in 2005 were £767 million, an increase of £136 million compared to £631 million in 2004. This increase reflects an increase in DAC amortization from £285 million in 2004 to £431 million in 2005 and an increase in operating expenses from £308 million in 2004 to £401 million in 2005. The increase in operating expenses in part reflects development expenses of £20 million, restructuring costs of £14 million in Japan and an increase in administrative expenses of £20 million.
Additional analysis of consolidated results reflecting the basis used by management and reported externally to UK shareholders and the UK financial market
For many years, the assessment of performance by management has been, and continues to be, applied to profit before shareholder tax by analysis of the result between operating profit based on longer-term investment returns and other reconciling items. The focus on profit before shareholder tax, rather than profit before policyholder and shareholder tax, reflects the shareholders' interests in surpluses as they arise and the regulatory basis of ring-fenced long-term funds in the UK. In particular, taxes borne by policyholders of with-profits contracts are borne by the liability for unallocated surplus of with-profits funds.
Until the adoption of IFRS, operating profit based on longer-term investment returns was a GAAP measure arising from the specific recommendation of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for accounting for insurance business issued by the Association of British Insurers (ABI). With the adoption of IFRS, the ABI SORP is no longer authoritative literature for the purposes of determining GAAP measures. Nevertheless, it continues to be the basis applied by the Company for internal performance assessment and a fundamental element of the analysis provided to shareholders and the UK stock market. The analysis that follows reflects information published with the Group's results on March 16, 2006.
117
Reconciliation of total profit by business segment and geography to underlying performance measure
A reconciliation of profit before all taxes to profit before tax attributable to shareholders and profit for the year is shown below.
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Profit before tax | 2,145 | 1,561 | |||
Tax attributable to policyholders' returns | (1,147 | ) | (711 | ) | |
Profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 998 | 850 | |||
Tax expense |
(1,388 |
) |
(951 |
) |
|
Less: tax attributable to policyholders' returns | 1,147 | 711 | |||
Tax attributable to shareholders' profits |
(241 |
) |
(240 |
) |
|
Profit from continuing operations after tax | 757 | 610 | |||
Discontinued operations (net of tax) | 3 | (94 | ) | ||
Profit for the year | 760 | 516 | |||
A reconciliation of profit before shareholder tax to operating profit based on longer-term investment returns is provided below:
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Performance measure: operating profit from continuing operations based on long-term investments returns (i) | 957 | 708 | |||
Goodwill impairment charge (ii) | (120 | ) | | ||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns on shareholder-backed business (iii) | 211 | 149 | |||
Shareholders' share of actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes (iv) | (50 | ) | (7 | ) | |
Profit from continuing operations before tax attributable to shareholders | 998 | 850 | |||
Notes:
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The fluctuations arise as follows:
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
US operations: | |||||
Movements in market value of derivatives used for economic hedging purposes (2004 not applicable because of formal adoption of IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4 on January 1, 2005) | 122 | | |||
Actual less longer-term investment returns for other items | 56 | 61 | |||
Asian operations |
32 |
37 |
|||
Other operations (including £6m (2004: £nil) on sale of partial stake in Indian subsidiary) | 1 | 51 | |||
211 | 149 | ||||
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Actuarial losses | |||||
Actual less expected return on scheme assets |
544 |
115 |
|||
Experience gains (losses) on liabilities | 1 | (17 | ) | ||
Losses on changes of assumptions for plan liabilities (based on long-term inflation of 2.8%) | (489 | ) | (141 | ) | |
56 |
(43 |
) |
|||
Less: amount attributable to the PAC with-profits fund | (58 | ) | 36 | ||
Total | (2 | ) | (7 | ) | |
Non-recurrent credit (charge) |
|||||
Shareholders' share of credit arising from reduction in level of assumed future discretionary increases for the Prudential Staff Pension Scheme (PSPS) for pensions in payment to 2.5% | 35 | | |||
Losses on re-estimation of shareholders' share of deficits arising from the PSPS (a) | (63 | ) | | ||
Strengthening in actuarial provisions for increase in ongoing contributions for future service of active scheme members (b) | (20 | ) | | ||
(48 | ) | | |||
Total | (50 | ) | (7 | ) | |
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The Group uses a performance measure of operating profit based on longer-term investment returns, excluding charges for goodwill impairment and actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes. The directors believe that this performance measure better reflects underlying performance. It is the basis used by management for the reasons outlined below. It is also the basis on which analysis of the Group's results has been provided to UK shareholders and the UK financial market for some years under long standing conventions for reporting by proprietary UK life assurers.
Longer-term investment returns included within the performance measure are determined by reference to expected long-term rates of return. These are intended to reflect historical rates of return on assets, and where appropriate, current inflation expectations adjusted for consensus economic and investment forecasts. The overriding reason for distinguishing longer-term investment returns from short-term fluctuations is that the investments are generally held for the longer-term to back long duration insurance contract liabilities and solvency capital rather than for short-term trading purposes.
Furthermore, the income statement recognition of investment appreciation, short-term value movements on derivatives, and the charge for the policyholder benefits under IFRS 4 give rise to accounting mismatches that are not representative of the underlying economic position.
Goodwill impairment charges reflect adverse changes in assessment in a given period as to whether the excess of the amount paid over the accounting value of acquired assets and liabilities is expected to be recoverable in the future. It is thus appropriate for such charges to be distinguished from current period operational performance.
Actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes principally reflect short-term value movements on scheme assets and the effects of changes in actuarial assumptions. Under the Group's accounting policies these items are recorded within the income statement, rather than through other comprehensive income, solely due to the interaction of the Group's approach to adoption of IFRS 4 for with-profits funds and the requirements of IAS 19. In analyzing profit before shareholder tax the separate identification of these gains and losses is analogous to the more normal treatment of inclusion as a movement on other comprehensive income i.e. not within profit for the period.
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The following tables reconcile 'operating profit based on longer-term investment returns', the Group's performance measure, to 'profit before shareholder tax attributable to shareholders', the Group's reported performance within the consolidated IFRS income statement by business segment and geography.
|
2005 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UK |
US |
Asia |
Total |
|||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||||
Long term business: | |||||||||
Performance measure: operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | 400 | 348 | 175 | 923 | |||||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | | |||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | 36 | 178 | 32 | 246 | |||||
Shareholders' share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | (20 | ) | | 3 | (17 | ) | |||
Reported performance: profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 416 | 526 | 210 | 1,152 | |||||
Banking: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | 44 | | | 44 | |||||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | | |||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | | | | | |||||
Shareholders' share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | | | | | |||||
Reported performance: profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 44 | | | 44 | |||||
Broker-dealer and fund management: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | 163 | 14 | 12 | 189 | |||||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | | |||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | (1 | ) | | (8 | ) | (9 | ) | ||
Shareholders' share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | (26 | ) | | | (26 | ) | |||
Reported performance: profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 136 | 14 | 4 | 154 | |||||
Unallocated corporate: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | (199 | ) | | | (199 | ) | |||
Goodwill impairment charge | (120 | ) | | | (120 | ) | |||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | (26 | ) | | | (26 | ) | |||
Shareholders' share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | (7 | ) | | | (7 | ) | |||
Reported performance: profit before tax attributable to shareholders | (352 | ) | | | (352 | ) | |||
Total: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | 408 | 362 | 187 | 957 | |||||
Goodwill impairment charge | (120 | ) | | | (120 | ) | |||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | 9 | 178 | 24 | 211 | |||||
Shareholders' share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | (53 | ) | | 3 | (50 | ) | |||
Reported performance: profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 244 | 540 | 214 | 998 | |||||
121
|
2004 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UK |
US |
Asia |
Total |
|||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||||
Long term business: | |||||||||
Performance measure: operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | 305 | 296 | 102 | 703 | |||||
Goodwill impairment charge | 0 | ||||||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | 29 | 61 | 37 | 127 | |||||
Shareholders' share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | 2 | 2 | |||||||
Reported performance: profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 334 | 357 | 141 | 832 | |||||
Banking: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | 61 | 61 | |||||||
Goodwill impairment charge | 0 | ||||||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | 0 | ||||||||
Shareholders' share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | 0 | ||||||||
Reported performance: profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 61 | 0 | 0 | 61 | |||||
Broker-dealer and fund management: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | 136 | (14 | ) | 19 | 141 | ||||
Goodwill impairment charge | 0 | ||||||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | 9 | 9 | |||||||
Shareholders' share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | |||||
Reported performance: profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 135 | (5 | ) | 19 | 149 | ||||
Unallocated corporate: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | (197 | ) | (197 | ) | |||||
Goodwill impairment charge | 0 | ||||||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | 13 | 13 | |||||||
Shareholders' share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | (8 | ) | (8 | ) | |||||
Reported performance: profit before tax attributable to shareholders | (192 | ) | 0 | 0 | (192 | ) | |||
Total: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | 305 | 282 | 121 | 708 | |||||
Goodwill impairment charge | 0 | ||||||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | 42 | 70 | 37 | 149 | |||||
Shareholders' share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | (9 | ) | 0 | 2 | (7 | ) | |||
Reported performance: profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 338 | 352 | 160 | 850 | |||||
122
Group operating profit based on longer-term investment returns
In 2005, Group operating profit based on longer-term investment returns from continuing operations was £957 million compared to £708 million in 2004. The higher profit in 2005 compared to 2004 primarily reflects strong growth in the insurance and fund management businesses.
Long-term operations
In the UK, operating profit based on longer-term investment returns increased 31 per cent to £400 million in 2005. This primarily reflected a 9 per cent increase in profits attributable to the with-profits business, a consequence of bonus declarations announced in February 2005 and February 2006, a 44 per cent increase in profits arising from the Group's annuities business, and profits arising from the Phoenix Life and Pensions transaction completed in June 2005.
Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns from long-term business was £348 million in 2005, up 18 per cent from £296 million in 2004. The US operations' results are based on US GAAP, adjusted where necessary to comply with IFRS as the Group's basis of presenting operating profit based on longer-term investment returns. In determining the US results, long-term returns for fixed income securities incorporate a risk margin reserve (RMR) charge for long-term defaults and amortization of interest-related gains and losses.
The growth in the US operations' long-term operating profit based on longer-term investment returns for long-term business reflects a continued ability to deliver improved investment returns, with greater spread and fee income offset by higher amortization of deferred acquisition costs (DAC). In 2005, spread income was £119 million higher than in 2004, and included a number on non-recurring items including mortgage prepayment fees, make-whole payments and total return swap income which together represented £60 million of spread income. JNL achieved record fee income during 2005, driven by a 42 per cent increase in separate account assets held at year end, and improved returns on these assets.
The 2004 result benefited from two one-off items, a favorable legal settlement of £28 million (£21 million after related charge to amortization of deferred acquisition costs) and positive £8 million adjustment arising from the adoption of new accounting guidance in SOP 03-01 "Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Non-traditional Long Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts'. This adjustment relates to a change in the method of valuing certain liabilities.
Prudential Corporation Asia's operating profit based on longer-term investment returns for long-term business before development expenses of £20 million was £195 million, an increase of 67 per cent compared to 2004 and included a net £44 million profit related to exceptional items reported in the Group's interim results subsequently reduced by £14 million for restructuring costs in Japan. The majority of this profit came from the larger and more established operations of Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, which accounted for £127 million of the total operating profit based on longer-term investment returns in 2005, excluding exceptional items, compared to £111 million in 2004. Certain other markets such as Indonesia and Vietnam, are becoming larger contributors to operating profit based on longer-term investment returns. Five of the Company's life insurance operations in Asia recorded losses in 2005. They include: China and India, which are relatively new businesses and are rapidly building scale; Thailand and Taiwan, which are marginally loss making; and Japan where the loss increased over 2004 due to restructuring costs incurred during the year.
Prudential Corporation Asia's development expenses (excluding the regional head office expenses) increased by 33 per cent to £20 million, compared with £15 million in 2004. These development expenses primarily related to our newer operations and establishing our services hub in Malaysia.
123
Broker-dealer and fund management business
M&G's operating profit based on longer-term investment returns was £163 million, an increase of 20 per cent compared to 2004. This included £24 million in performance-related fees (PRF), of which £17 million was earned by PPM Capital. Prudential does not expect the fees earned by PPM Capital to recur.
Underlying profit (excluding PRF) of £139 million was 25 per cent higher than in 2004, which included £7 million of non-recurring provision releases. Adjusting for these releases gives a like-for-like increase in profit of 34 per cent compared to 2004.
In the past few years, growth in income from M&G's existing businesses has been reinforced by the successful revenue streams from new activities. These include Prudential Finance, which manages Prudential's balances sheet for profit, private finance, including CDOs, and Prudential Property Investment Managers (PruPIM), which increasingly manages assets for external investors. In its retail businesses, sales of equity funds have risen significantly in both the UK, as a result of strong investment performance, and overseas, where M&G continues to build new distribution channels in selected European and other markets.
The benefits of this business diversification are clearly demonstrated by the strong upwards trend in profits that M&G has postedunderlying profits increased from £49 million in 2002 to £139 million in 2005. Profits growth in 2005 was largely due to the impact of higher asset prices in equity and property markets, combined with the impact of positive net inflows over a period of several years. In addition, discipline continues to be exercised over costs, which have risen slightly this year after four years in which they were held flat.
In the US, the improvement in broker-dealer and fund management profits was primarily driven by reduced losses recorded by Curian, down to £10 million in 2005 from £29 million in 2004, as the business continues to build scale. At year end 2005, Curian had grown assets under management to US $1.7 billion (£973 million) from US $1.1 billion (£551 million) at year end 2004. The result also benefited from an improvement in PPMA profits, primarily due to a one-off £5 million revaluation of an investment vehicle managed by PPMA.
The fund management business in Asia has expanded into new markets in the past few years and now operates in nine markets across Asia. Geographic diversification along with this growth in scale has resulted in profit growth.
Due to exceptional costs of £16 million incurred due to bond fund restructuring, which was required as a result of industry-wide issues in Taiwan, profit from the Asian fund management operations decreased by 37 per cent compared to 2004. Underlying profit from the Asian fund management operations, excluding the £16 million charges, grew by 47 per cent to £28 million, a strong result Prudential believes is indicative of the economies of scale the business is now generating. Adjusting for the reporting of India at 49 per cent from August 26, 2005, when the entity started to be accounted for as a joint venture rather than as a subsidiary as a result of Prudential's sale of a 6 per cent holding, results in an increase in profits of 55 per cent over 2004.
At the Group level, profit before tax includes £6 million in profit attributable to realizing value created in India when ICICI increased its stake in Prudential's Indian asset management joint venture from 45 per cent to 51 per cent. This amount is included in short-term fluctuations in investment returns but excluded from operating profit based on longer-term investment returns.
124
Banking operations
Egg's total continuing operating profit based on longer-term investment returns in 2005 was £44 million, compared with £61 million in 2004. This primarily reflected the increasingly challenging market conditions and £10 million restructuring costs incurred in the first half of 2005.
Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns of the core UK banking business was £60 million. The reduction from £72 million in 2004 primarily reflected an increase of £59 million in bad debts due to the changing mix in the portfolio, business growth plus a deterioration in credit quality driven by economic factors across the UK unsecured lending market. These results were partially offset by a growth in income of £31 million and £17 million decrease in its cost base.
The UK unsecured lending market grew marginally in 2005 and experienced a net reduction in credit card balances in the second half of the year. Despite these difficult market conditions, Egg recorded an increase in the returns on its credit card portfolio by focusing on growing interest bearing balances and successfully repricing its products to reflect the higher funding costs. This contributed to an increase of £32 million in net interest income.
As a result of Egg's effective costs management and the benefits of its reorganization in early 2005, Egg's cost to income ratio continued its downward trend to 43 per cent for 2005, improving from 49 per cent for 2004.
In 2005, a sharp deterioration in credit quality adversely affected the UK retail banking sector leading to an increase in impairment charges across the sector, including Egg, compared to expectations. The Company believes that the result Egg achieved is due to its decision to tighten its lending criteria early in the credit cycle, its active portfolio management and its underlying higher quality card portfolio.
Regulatory attention continues to be devoted to the creditor insurance market and we believe the introduction of new measures into the sales processes for payment protection products has led to a reduction of approximately 20 per cent on the commission revenue earned on this product across the banking sector, including Egg.
Through the acquisition of the minority interests of Egg and the closer partnership of Egg with Prudential's UK life and pension businesses, Prudential expects to achieve total annualized pre-tax cost savings across the combined businesses of £40 million by the end of 2007. Costs of approximately £50 million pre-tax are estimated to be incurred from this restructuring, which will be provided for in 2006.
Unallocated Corporate
The operating result based on longer-term investment returns remained constant over 2004. This reflected other income comprised of the interest earned on the net proceeds from the 2004 Rights Issue which was offset by higher interest payable. Head office costs (including the Company's Asia regional head office costs of £30 million) were £100 million in 2005, up £20 million compared to 2004. The increase mainly reflects the substantial work being undertaken to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other regulatory compliance costs.
125
Prudential's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, which differs in certain material respects from US GAAP. Information related to the nature and effect of such differences is presented in Notes J and K to Prudential's consolidated financial statements in this document.
The most significant difference in the results of operations between IFRS and US GAAP is the treatment of the with-profits business.
Under IFRS, profit attributable to shareholders in respect of Prudential's with-profits business reflects up to one-ninth of the value of bonuses paid to policyholders. To the extent the annual earnings of the with-profits fund exceed policyholder bonuses and related shareholder distributions, this excess is added to the unallocated surplus by a charge to the income statement. However, to the extent the annual earnings of the with-profits fund are less than policyholder bonuses and related shareholder distributions, the shortfall is transferred from the unallocated surplus.
Under US GAAP, the impact of pre-bonus operating results within the with-profits fund is reflected in net income in the period in which it occurs. However, 90 per cent of these results are allocated to with-profits policyholders by a charge to net income. The residual 10 per cent interest is allocated to shareholders.
This treatment of Prudential's with-profits fund under US GAAP causes profits attributable to shareholders to be strongly influenced by annual investment returns, particularly on equities. Annual investment returns include unrealized gains and losses and, accordingly, these returns and shareholders' profits will be subject to considerable volatility in the US GAAP figures.
Other material differences between IFRS and US GAAP results include the method of deferral and amortization of acquisition costs, accounting for real estate, revenue and claims recognition on certain investment type contracts, the measurement of and changes in policyholder benefits, and their related deferred income tax effects.
Prior to the second half of 2004 for purposes of its US GAAP reconciliation, the Group was amortizing rent-free periods provided to tenants in the Group's investment property portfolio on a straight line basis over a period generally shorter than the lease term. In the second half of 2004, the Group changed its method of accounting for these rent-free periods to amortize these over the lease term on a straight-line basis consistent with US GAAP requirements. The cumulative effect of this correction resulted in the Group recording £68 million gross of tax (£48 million net of tax) of additional rental income in the second half of 2004, of which £60 million gross of tax (£42 million net of tax) related to SAIF. The impact of this change was included within investment results and increased income before taxes and net income in the Group's condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income and comprehensive income. The impact of this correction to the 2004 and prior period's results was not material to the Group. See Notes J and K of the notes to Prudential's consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
US GAAP Critical Accounting Policies
Although there are a number of differences between accounting policies under IFRS and US GAAP, the critical accounting policies under US GAAP relate to the provision for policy liabilities and the treatment of the with-profits business.
Provision for Policy Liabilities
The concept of providing for policy liabilities is consistent with that under IFRS, in that the liabilities are estimated using actuarial methods based on assumptions about premiums, interest rates, investment
126
returns, expenses, mortality and surrenders. However, the underlying classification of policies, reserving methodology and assumptions are different. If actual results differ from the assumptions used then the value of the liabilities would need to be adjusted.
For unitized with-profits life insurance and other investment-type policies, the liability is represented by the policyholders' account balances before any applicable surrender charges. Policyholder benefit liabilities for conventional with-profits life insurance and other protection-type insurance policies are developed using the net level premium method, with assumptions for interest, mortality, morbidity, withdrawals and expenses using best estimates at the date of policy issue plus provisions for adverse deviation based on group experience. Interest assumptions range from 0.3 per cent to 12 per cent. When the policyholder benefit liability plus the present value of expected future gross premiums are insufficient to provide for expected future policy benefits and expenses, using current best estimate assumptions, deferred acquisition costs are written down and/or a deficiency liability is established by a charge to earnings.
The impact of changes would depend upon whether or not the liabilities being adjusted are for with-profits business, non-participating business of Prudential Annuities Limited (which is owned by the Prudential Assurance long-term fund) or shareholder financed long-term business operations.
For with-profits business, adjustments to liabilities and any related tax effects are recognized in the income statement. However, an amount equal to nine-tenths of the related increase or decrease in pre-bonus earnings of the with-profits fund is transferred to or from the Undistributed Policyholder Allocation. US GAAP shareholder profits are therefore only affected to the extent of one-tenth of the change in liabilities.
This effect also applies to changes in liabilities of Prudential Annuities Limited. To the extent that movements in liabilities are recorded in Other Comprehensive Income as shadow adjustments to the income statement, an amount equal to nine-tenths of the movement is recognized within Other Comprehensive Income as a consequential change to the Undistributed Policyholder Allocation. Net movements on Other Comprehensive Income for this item will therefore reflect only one-tenth of the gross change.
For shareholder financed long-term business operations, other than for exchange translation effects, changes to policy liabilities will be directly reflected in net income.
Treatment of With-profits Business
Under IFRS, as described in "Analysis by Business Segment and Geographic RegionUnited KingdomBasis of Profits" the shareholders' profit in respect of with-profits business represents an amount of up to one-ninth of the value of that year's bonus declaration to policyholders. As a consequence, current year amounts in respect of premiums, investment returns and operating expenses do not have an effect on the profit attributable to shareholders in that year. Consistent with this treatment, as mentioned in "IFRS Critical Accounting Policies", amounts retained within with-profits funds are accounted for unallocated surplus which, under the Company's basis of adopting IFRS, is accounted for as a liability.
For US GAAP purposes, the provision for the policyholders' share of earnings on with-profits business charged to income represents 90 per cent of the current year's pre-bonus earnings, before income taxes. As a result, reported profit is directly impacted by current year amounts in respect of premiums, investment returns and operating expenses. As most investments of with-profits operations are accounted for on a trading basis, the shareholders' 10 per cent share of the pre-bonus earnings is likely to be highly volatile from year to year as a result of the fluctuations in investment markets.
127
Investment Returns
All investment returns for long-term insurance business are accounted for on a trading basis except primarily for JNL and UK annuity business (other than with-profits) which are accounted for on an available-for-sale basis. Accordingly investment returns reported in the income statement include the unrealized gains and losses of the investments accounted for on a trading basis. This reflects the fact that policyholder benefits, in particular for with-profits business, include the impact of unrealized appreciation over time through the bonus mechanism.
In 2005, the Group changed the valuation bases for certain investment securities from applying the mid market value to applying the bid market value as fair value. This change has the impact of increasing net income by £6 million and reducing other comprehensive income and shareholders' equity by £10 million and £88 million, respectively, in the year ended December 31, 2005.
Impairment of Assets
The Group conducts regular impairment reviews in respect of those investment securities held on an available for sale basis. The Group considers indicators, such as serious downgrades in credit ratings, breach of covenants or failure to make interest payments, that may suggest that interest and principal may not be paid in full. Any impairment losses that are not considered temporary are recognized in the income statement. In assessing the fair value for impairment testing purposes where third party information is not available, the Group performs alternative valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis, option-adjusted spread models, and enterprise valuation.
Among the factors considered is whether the decline in fair value results from a change in the quality of the security itself, or from a downward movement in the market as a whole, and the likelihood of recovering the carrying value based on the current and short term prospects of the issuer. Unrealized losses that are considered to be primarily the result of market conditions, such as increasing interest rates, unusual market volatility or industry-related events, and where the Group also believes there exists a reasonable expectation for recovery and, furthermore it has the intent and ability to hold the investment until maturity or the market recovers, are usually determined to be temporary.
Deferred Acquisition Costs
Commissions, sales force direct costs and costs associated with policy issue and underwriting that vary with and are primarily related to the production of new and renewal contracts are deferred. Deferred acquisition costs are regularly evaluated for recoverability and amounts determined not to be recoverable are charged to income. Deferred acquisition costs for conventional with-profits life insurance and other protection-type insurance policies are amortized in relation to premium income using assumptions consistent with those used in computing policyholder benefit provisions. Deferred acquisition costs for unitized with-profits life insurance and investment-type policies are amortized in relation to expected gross profits. Expected gross profits are evaluated regularly against actual experience and revised estimates of future gross profits and amortization are adjusted for the effect of any changes. Deferred acquisition costs associated with internally replaced policies are written off in the year replacement occurs and the incremental commissions and selling costs of the replacement contract are capitalized and amortized over the life of the replacement policy.
The deferral and amortization of deferred acquisition costs is of most relevance to the Group's reported profits for shareholder financed long-term business operations, principally JNL in the United States. For shareholder financed long-term business operations, the full accounting impact of deferring and amortizing deferred acquisition costs is taken to net income. In 2005 and 2004, the amortization of deferred acquisition costs were at expected levels, and, except for a £21 million write down in the Taiwan life operation in 2005, no significant deferred acquisition cost asset impairments were recorded in either year.
128
For with-profits funds, the shareholder impact of the accounting policy for acquisition costs is limited to 10 per cent of the direct income statement and balance sheet effect due to 90 per cent of the excess of US GAAP basis assets (including deferred acquisition costs) over liabilities in the funds being allocated to the Undistributed Policyholder Allocation. Accordingly, after this allocation, income before tax includes effectively only 10 per cent of the amortization of deferred acquisition costs and shareholders' equity includes effectively only a 10 per cent shareholder interest in the balance sheet carrying value of deferred acquisition costs.
Deferred Income Tax
Deferred taxes are provided under the liability method for all temporary differences except for undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are not expected to be remitted for an indefinite period. Deferred tax assets are recognized subject to adjustment for valuation allowances when it is more likely than not that the underlying tax benefit will not be realized.
In the United Kingdom the taxation regime applies separate rules to trading and capital profits and losses. The distinction between timing differences that arise from items of either a capital or trading nature may affect the recognition of deferred tax assets under IAS 12 "Income Taxes" and similarly under FAS 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes".
For the 2005 results and balance sheet position at December 31, 2005, the possible net tax benefit of approximately £333 million which may arise from capital losses valued at approximately £1.7 billion, is sufficiently uncertain that it has not been recognized. Similarly, a potential deferred tax asset of £67 million, which may arise from trading losses of approximately £237 million, is sufficiently uncertain that it too has not been recognized.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Under US GAAP, derivative financial instruments may only be accounted for as hedges where they are appropriately documented and comply with the strict criteria as required by FAS 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". Derivative financial instruments held by the Group's with-profits operations are generally entered into for the purposes of efficient portfolio management rather than as hedges. Consistent with the accounting treatment of other investment assets of with-profits funds, the movements in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are recognized in the income statement with shareholders net income reflecting, as part of the 10 per cent of pre-bonus earnings of the fund, 10 per cent of the movement in the values of the derivative instruments.
For the Group's shareholder financed long-term business operations, principally JNL, which accounts for investments under FAS 115 "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities" on an available-for-sale basis, the impact of temporary movements in the values of these investments are recorded within Other Comprehensive Income. However, although JNL uses derivatives (primarily interest rate swaps) to hedge certain risks in conjunction with its asset/liability program, it has elected not to incur the costs of restructuring its derivative contracts, segregating investment portfolios and adding the systems personnel required to qualify for hedge accounting treatment on an ongoing basis. Accordingly, value movements on its derivative financial instruments are recognized in income while the largely offsetting change in fair value of hedged investments are reflected in other comprehensive income in the balance sheet as unrealized gains and losses.
Scottish Amicable Insurance Fund (SAIF)
The SAIF sub-fund is a ring-fenced sub-fund of Prudential Assurance's long-term fund that was formed following the acquisition of the mutual Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society in 1997. No new business may be written in SAIF, although regular premiums are still being paid on policies that were in force at the time of acquisition and "top-ups" are permitted on these policies. This fund is
129
solely for the benefit of those Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society policyholders whose policies were transferred to SAIF. All investments held by the SAIF sub-fund and all future earnings arising in the fund are to be equitably distributed to qualifying SAIF policyholders over the lifetime of these policies. Shareholders have no interests in the profits of this fund, although they are entitled to the management fees paid on this business.
For IFRS purposes, no effect on shareholders' equity is recorded for SAIF, reflecting the sole interests of policyholders in the performance of the fund. In the years prior to 2004, a nil post-tax result was reported by SAIF for US GAAP purposes in order to reflect the ring-fenced nature of the fund but a pre-tax shareholder result was recorded as SAIF was accounted for as a separate account business. However, since the adoption of SOP 03-1 "Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Non-traditional Long Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts" in 2004, SAIF no longer qualifies for the separate account treatment and all of SAIF's assets and liabilities have been reclassified to the general account. Except for real estate, all of SAIF's assets will continue to be recorded at fair value. Real estate has been reclassified to the general account and valued at depreciated historic cost. The liabilities of SAIF have been reclassified from separate account liabilities to policyholder benefit liabilities.
Changes in Net Income on Application of US GAAP
The following table analyzes the adjustments to consolidated net income in accordance with IFRS on application of US GAAP for the operations and periods indicated.
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004* |
|||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Consolidated profit attributable to equity holders of the Company in accordance with IFRS | 748 | 517 | |||
US GAAP adjustments: | |||||
With-profits fund | 697 | 332 | |||
Other operations | (253 | ) | (758 | ) | |
444 | (426 | ) | |||
Net income in accordance with US GAAP | 1,192 | 91 | |||
Comprising: | |||||
Net income from continuing operations after minority interests* | 1,206 | 697 | |||
Net loss from discontinued operations including profit on disposals* | (14 | ) | (88 | ) | |
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles | | (518 | ) | ||
1,192 | 91 | ||||
On a US GAAP basis, consolidated net income totaled £1,192 million and £91 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively. Consolidated net income on a US GAAP basis was £444 million higher and £426 million lower than consolidated profit under IFRS for 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The US GAAP adjustments to IFRS consolidated net income in respect of the with-profits fund were increases of £697 million and £332 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively. The table below analyzes the
130
shareholders' 10 per cent interest in the adjustments to the Prudential Assurance long-term with-profits fund's results, as reflected above.
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
US GAAP adjustments: | |||||
Real estate | (54 | ) | (84 | ) | |
Securities | (69 | ) | (28 | ) | |
Deferred acquisition costs | (20 | ) | (1 | ) | |
Policy liabilities | 701 | 110 | |||
Pension plans | (34 | ) | (4 | ) | |
Movement in IFRS basis excess assets over liabilities | 179 | 351 | |||
Other | 8 | 0 | |||
Deferred tax effect of the above adjustments | (14 | ) | (12 | ) | |
697 | 332 | ||||
The increase in the adjustment for policy liabilities and deferred acquisition costs reflects the application in 2005 of UK accounting standard FRS 27, 'Life Assurance' ('FRS 27') as an improvement in the Group's accounting for UK regulated with-profits funds as allowed under IFRS 4, 'Insurance Contracts'. FRS 27 follows closely the requirements of the UK Financial Services Authority's new 'realistic regime'. FRS 27 requires the de-recognition of deferred acquisition costs for the UK with-profits fund and the inclusion of 'realistic' basis liabilities for the policy liabilities. The Group has taken advantage of the provisions of IFRS 4 that allow the comparative net income not to be adjusted for this improvement.
The decrease in the US GAAP adjustment for movement in the UK basis excess of assets over liabilities (represented by the transfer from or to the unallocated surplus) from £351 million in 2004 to £179 million in 2005, primarily reflected the change in the accounting basis of recognition of the excess of assets over liabilities for the UK regulated with-profits fund.
The other main effects of accounting for the income and expenditure of the with-profits fund on a US GAAP basis are:
131
The following table analyzes the US GAAP adjustments for other operations.
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||
Business acquisitions and investments in associates | (37 | ) | | |||
Real estate: | ||||||
Investment results | (224 | ) | (203 | ) | ||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle | | (638 | ) | |||
Securities | (496 | ) | (78 | ) | ||
Derivative instruments | (61 | ) | 149 | |||
Revenue and expense recognition | (265 | ) | (433 | ) | ||
Deferred acquisition costs | 220 | 104 | ||||
Policy liabilities | 295 | 160 | ||||
Profit on disposals | | (5 | ) | |||
Pension plans | 103 | (6 | ) | |||
Other | (24 | ) | 12 | |||
Deferred tax effect: | ||||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles | | 117 | ||||
Other adjustments above | 236 | 63 | ||||
(253 | ) | (758 | ) | |||
The US GAAP adjustments for business acquisitions and investments in associates primarily reflect the reversal of the results of the collateralized debt obligations (CDO) funds which met the consolidation criteria under IFRS but not under US GAAP. In addition, the adjustments also reflected the lower goodwill impairment charge to Prudential's Japanese business made under IFRS.
The US GAAP adjustments for real estate primarily reflect the exclusion of the unrealized appreciation for investment properties and inclusion of depreciation on investment properties. Upon adoption of SOP 03-1 in 2004, certain land and buildings, previously reported at fair value within separate account, were reclassified to the general account at depreciated historic cost. This resulted in a transitional charge of £638 million gross of tax in 2004 to reflect the accumulated depreciation and reversal of unrealized gains on the land and buildings. The tax credit relating to this charge is £117 million resulting in an overall net of tax charge of £521 million in 2004.
The US GAAP adjustments on securities primarily reflect the exclusion from the income statement of the unrealized appreciation and depreciation for certain securities classified as available-for-sale under US GAAP, but accounted for as fair value through profit and loss under IFRS. In 2004, the adjustments primarily related to the debt securities of JNL and the Group's shareholder-backed annuities business. Following the adoption of IAS 39 in 2005, JNL's debt securities are carried on an available-for- sale basis for IFRS reporting which is similar to US GAAP. The comparatives were not restated as permitted under IFRS.
The US GAAP adjustments relating to derivative instruments were also affected by the adoption of IAS 39 on January 1, 2005. Derivatives previously carried at amortized cost in 2004 are now carried at fair value with movements being booked in the income statement similar to US GAAP. The remaining adjustments in 2005 reflect the difference in the designation and effectiveness testing criteria for hedges under IFRS and US GAAP.
The US GAAP adjustments for revenue and expense recognition primarily reflect the deferral of premiums and policy charges relating to future periods in respect of investment contracts with discretionary participation features and investment and universal life products classified as insurance
132
under IFRS. Under IFRS these considerations and related expenses are, on recognition, recorded within the income statement. The IFRS to US GAAP adjustments for deferred acquisition costs primarily relate to differences in what is allowed to be capitalized as an asset, associated recoverability tests and amortization profiles. See Notes J and K of the notes to Prudential's consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Profit on sale of Jackson Federal Bank in 2004 on a US GAAP basis was £5 million lower than on an IFRS basis. The difference reflects the accumulated goodwill amortization under IFRS as at January 1, 2004.
Changes in Shareholders' Equity on Application of US GAAP
The following table shows the adjustments in shareholders' equity from IFRS to consolidated shareholders' equity under US GAAP for the operations and periods indicated.
|
At December 31, |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||
Shareholders' equity in accordance with IFRS | 5,194 | 4,489 | ||
US GAAP adjustments: | ||||
With-profits fund | 2,136 | 1,384 | ||
Other operations | (137 | ) | 54 | |
1,999 | 1,438 | |||
Shareholders' equity in accordance with US GAAP | 7,193 | 5,927 | ||
Shareholders' equity was greater under US GAAP than IFRS in 2005 and 2004 by £1,999 million and £1,438 million, respectively. The greater equity in respect of with-profits business was £2,136 million at December 31, 2005 and £1,384 million at December 31, 2004. This difference reflects the attribution to shareholders of a 10 per cent interest in the excess of assets over liabilities held within the with-profits fund.
The following table analyzes the shareholders' 10 per cent interests in adjustments to the with-profits fund as reflected above.
|
At December 31, |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
US GAAP adjustments: | |||||
Real estate | (584 | ) | (530 | ) | |
Revenue and expense recognition | (119 | ) | (114 | ) | |
Deferred acquisition costs | 205 | 142 | |||
Policy liabilities | 1,826 | 459 | |||
IFRS basis excess of assets over liabilities | 834 | 1,431 | |||
Pension plans | 94 | 121 | |||
Recognition of pension scheme minimum liability | (76 | ) | (111 | ) | |
Other | 19 | 13 | |||
Deferred tax effect of the above adjustments | (63 | ) | (27 | ) | |
2,136 | 1,384 | ||||
133
Under IFRS, the excess of assets over liabilities within the with-profits fund is not allocated between policyholders and shareholders. Under US GAAP, shareholders are credited with a 10 per cent interest in the adjusted excess of assets over liabilities.
The other main effects of accounting for the assets and liabilities of the with-profits fund on a US GAAP basis are:
The following table analyzes US GAAP adjustments to shareholders' interests in other operations.
|
At December 31, |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Business acquisitions and investments in associates | 416 | 466 | |||
Real estate | (1,068 | ) | (845 | ) | |
Securities | | 1,025 | |||
Derivative instruments | (6 | ) | (235 | ) | |
Revenue and expense recognition | (1,472 | ) | (1,191 | ) | |
Deferred acquisition costs | 846 | 201 | |||
Policy liabilities | 683 | 464 | |||
Pension plans | 646 | 512 | |||
Recognition of minimum pension liability | (386 | ) | (320 | ) | |
Other | (9 | ) | 6 | ||
Deferred tax effect of the above adjustments | 213 | (29 | ) | ||
(137 | ) | 54 | |||
For other operations, shareholders' equity on a US GAAP basis was £137 million lower and £54 million higher than on an IFRS basis at December 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004, respectively.
The principal reasons for the differences in consolidated shareholders' equity under US GAAP compared to consolidated shareholders' equity under IFRS are:
The US GAAP adjustments relating to securities and derivative instruments have changed significantly from £1,025 million and negative £235 million, respectively, at December 31, 2004 to £nil
134
and negative £6 million, respectively, at December 31, 2005. This reflected the impact of the adoption of IAS 39, 'Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement' under IFRS on January 1, 2005. With the adoption of IAS 39, JNL's debt securities portfolio is accounted for at fair value on an available-for-sale basis, consistent with US GAAP. In addition, IAS 39 also aligned the IFRS accounting treatment of the carrying value of most derivative instruments with US GAAP. The remaining US GAAP adjustments on derivative instruments at December 31, 2005 of negative £6 million related to the difference in the hedge effectiveness testing criteria under the two GAAPs. The Group has taken advantage of the provisions within IFRS 1 to not restate the comparative figures for 2004 for the impact of the application of this standard.
Available-for-Sale Debt and Equity Securities
For US GAAP purposes, the Group has classified certain debt and equity securities principally in relation to Jackson National Life and the UK annuity business as available-for-sale. Securities classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value and changes in unrealized gains and losses are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity. Impairments in the value of available-for-sale securities that are considered other than temporary are reflected as realized losses in net income. The Group's available-for-sale investments at December 31, 2005 and 2004 were as follows:
|
Amortized Cost or Cost |
Gross Unrealized Gains |
Gross Unrealized (Losses) |
Estimated Fair Value |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
|
|||||||
December 31, 2005 | |||||||||
Fixed maturitiesavailable-for-sale | |||||||||
UK government securities | 3,739 | 305 | | 4,044 | |||||
US government and other governments | 2,034 | 228 | (3 | ) | 2,259 | ||||
Local government securities | 515 | 37 | (1 | ) | 551 | ||||
Corporate securities | 35,879 | 2,900 | (224 | ) | 38,555 | ||||
Mortgage-backed securities | 3,790 | 43 | (68 | ) | 3,765 | ||||
Other debt securities | 1,516 | 15 | (6 | ) | 1,525 | ||||
Total fixed maturitiesavailable-for-sale | 47,473 | 3,528 | (302 | ) | 50,699 | ||||
Equity securitiesavailable-for-sale | 513 | 96 | (1 | ) | 608 | ||||
Total available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities | 47,986 | 3,624 | (303 | ) | 51,307 | ||||
December 31, 2004 |
|||||||||
Fixed maturitiesavailable-for-sale | |||||||||
UK government securities | 3,211 | 153 | (4 | ) | 3,360 | ||||
US government and other governments | 2,947 | 226 | (3 | ) | 3,170 | ||||
Local government securities | 716 | 31 | (1 | ) | 746 | ||||
Corporate securities | 28,721 | 2,435 | (100 | ) | 31,056 | ||||
Mortgage-backed securities | 3,291 | 97 | (21 | ) | 3,367 | ||||
Other debt securities | 1,397 | 9 | (14 | ) | 1,392 | ||||
Total fixed maturitiesavailable-for-sale | 40,283 | 2,951 | (143 | ) | 43,091 | ||||
Equity securitiesavailable-for-sale | 391 | 78 | (1 | ) | 468 | ||||
Total available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities | 40,674 | 3,029 | (144 | ) | 43,559 | ||||
Fair value for listed securities or otherwise actively traded securities is based on their quoted market price. The Group's determination of fair value for unlisted or inactively traded securities without a readily
135
ascertainable market value is generally based on values provided by independent sources, including broker-dealer provided estimates. Where third party information is not available, the Group performs alternative valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis, option-adjusted spread models, and enterprise valuation. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, available-for-sale securities without a readily ascertainable market value having a cost of £9,243 million and £8,885 million, respectively, had an estimated fair value of £9,974 million and £9,421 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, the amount of gross unrealized losses and related fair value, by investment type included in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholder's equity, was as follows:
|
December 31, 2005 |
December 31, 2004 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Estimated Fair Value |
Gross Unrealized (Losses) |
Estimated Fair Value |
Gross Unrealized (Losses) |
||||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||||||
Fixed maturitiesavailable-for-sale | ||||||||||
UK government securities | 98 | | 843 | (4 | ) | |||||
US government and other governments | 557 | (3 | ) | 422 | (3 | ) | ||||
Local government securities | | (1 | ) | | (1 | ) | ||||
Corporate securities | 9,232 | (224 | ) | 4,130 | (100 | ) | ||||
Mortgage-backed securities | 1,790 | (68 | ) | 982 | (21 | ) | ||||
Other debt securities | 1,584 | (6 | ) | 833 | (14 | ) | ||||
Total fixed maturitiesavailable-for-sale | 13,261 | (302 | ) | 7,210 | (143 | ) | ||||
Equity securitiesavailable-for-sale | | (1 | ) | 3 | (1 | ) | ||||
Total available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities | 13,261 | (303 | ) | 7,213 | (144 | ) | ||||
The majority of fixed maturities in the Group's portfolio are rated by external rating agencies. Fixed maturities are considered investment grade if they carry a rating of BBB-/Baa3 or better. For fixed maturities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2005, 81 per cent (based on fair value) were investment grade, 7 per cent were below investment grade and 12 per cent were not rated. For fixed maturities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2004, 81 per cent were investment grade, 6 per cent were below investment grade and 13 per cent were not rated. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, unrealized losses from fixed maturities that were below investment grade or not rated represented approximately 28 per cent and 37 per cent, respectively, of gross unrealized losses on available-for-sale fixed maturities.
Corporate fixed maturities in an unrealized loss position were diversified across industries. As of December 31, 2005, the industries representing the larger unrealized losses included financial services (11 per cent of fixed maturities gross unrealized losses) and industrial and manufacturing (8 per cent). As of December 31, 2004, the industries representing the larger unrealized losses included financial services (20 per cent of fixed maturities gross unrealized losses) and automobiles (6 per cent). The Group had no material unrealized losses on individual fixed maturities or equity securities at December 31, 2005 or 2004.
136
The following table sets forth the amounts of gross unrealized losses for fixed maturities and equity securities continuously in an unrealized loss position for the time periods indicated as of December 31, 2005 and 2004.
|
December 31, 2005 |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fixed Maturities |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Not Rated |
Non-investment Grade |
Investment Grade |
Equity Securities |
Total |
||||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||||||
Less than six months | (17 | ) | (13 | ) | (103 | ) | | (133 | ) | ||
Six months to one year | (8 | ) | (9 | ) | (52 | ) | (1 | ) | (70 | ) | |
One year to two years | (9 | ) | (6 | ) | (15 | ) | | (30 | ) | ||
Two years to three years | (6 | ) | (6 | ) | (43 | ) | | (55 | ) | ||
Three years to four years | | | | | | ||||||
Four years to five years | (3 | ) | (1 | ) | | | (4 | ) | |||
Five years to six years | (2 | ) | (5 | ) | (4 | ) | | (11 | ) | ||
Total gross unrealized losses | (45 | ) | (40 | ) | (217 | ) | (1 | ) | (303 | ) | |
|
December 31, 2004 |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fixed Maturities |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Not Rated |
Non-Investment Grade |
Investment Grade |
Equity Securities |
Total |
||||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||||||
Less than six months | (9 | ) | (2 | ) | (15 | ) | | (26 | ) | ||
Six months to one year | (5 | ) | (1 | ) | (14 | ) | (1 | ) | (21 | ) | |
One year to two years | (7 | ) | (11 | ) | (47 | ) | | (65 | ) | ||
Two years to three years | | | (6 | ) | | (6 | ) | ||||
Three years to four years | (4 | ) | (1 | ) | (6 | ) | | (11 | ) | ||
Four years to five years | | (8 | ) | (2 | ) | | (10 | ) | |||
Five years to six years | | (5 | ) | | | (5 | ) | ||||
Total gross unrealized losses | (25 | ) | (28 | ) | (90 | ) | (1 | ) | (144 | ) | |
The following table sets forth the amount of gross unrealized losses for fixed maturities in an unrealized loss position by maturity date of the fixed maturities as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 was as follows:
|
At December 31, |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Less than one year | (2 | ) | (10 | ) | |
One to five years | (25 | ) | (4 | ) | |
Five to ten years | (132 | ) | (16 | ) | |
More than ten years | (69 | ) | (78 | ) | |
Mortgage-backed securities and other debt securities | (74 | ) | (35 | ) | |
Total gross unrealized losses | (302 | ) | (143 | ) | |
137
Realized Losses
The following table sets out certain additional information relating to sales and realized losses on available-for-sale securities sold at a loss and impairment losses recognized:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Sales proceeds | 975 | 1,586 | |||
Gross realized losses on sales | (57 | ) | (87 | ) | |
Impairment losses | (24 | ) | (43 | ) | |
Gross realized losses | (81 | ) | (130 | ) | |
The Group periodically reviews its fixed maturities and equity securities to determine if any decline in fair value below the carrying value is "other than temporary" on a case-by-case basis. If it is determined that a decline in value of an investment is temporary, the decline is recorded as an unrealized loss in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity pursuant to FASB Statement 115, 'Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities'. If the decline is considered to be other than temporary, a realized loss is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
Securities with declines in value generally to less than 80 per cent of cost and other securities the Group determines are under performing or potential problem securities are subject to regular review. To facilitate the review, securities with significant declines in value, or where other objective criterion evidencing credit deterioration have been met, are included on a watch list. Among the criteria for securities to be included on a watch list are credit deterioration which has led to a significant decline in value of the security, a significant covenant related to the security has been breached, an issuer has filed or indicated a possibility of filing for bankruptcy, has missed or announced it intends to miss a scheduled interest or principal payment, or has experienced a specific material adverse change that may impair its credit worthiness.
In performing reviews, the Group considers the relevant facts and circumstances relating to each investment and must exercise considerable judgment in determining whether a security is other than temporarily impaired. Among the factors considered is whether the decline in fair value results from a change in the quality of the security itself, or from a downward movement in the market as a whole, and the likelihood of recovering the carrying value based on the current and short term prospects of the issuer. Unrealized losses that are considered to be primarily the result of market conditions, such as increasing interest rates, unusual market volatility or industry-related events, and where the Group also believes there exists a reasonable expectation for recovery and, furthermore, has the intent and ability to hold the investment until maturity or the market recovery, are usually determined to be temporary.
The Group applies the provisions of EITF 99-20, 'Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets' when evaluating whether impairments on its structured securities, including asset-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations, are other than temporary. The Group regularly reviews future cash flow assumptions and in accordance with EITF 99-20 if there has been an adverse change in estimated cash flows to be received from a security, an impairment is recognized in net income. For privately placed structured securities, impairment amounts are based on discounted cash flows.
The risks inherent in reviewing the impairment of any investment include the risk that market results may differ from expectations; facts and circumstances may change in the future and differ from estimates and assumptions; or the Group may later decide to sell the security as a result of changed circumstances.
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For 2005, other than temporary impairment losses recognized amounted to £24 million. Approximately 28 per cent of the impairment losses were recorded on structured asset-backed securities, primarily due to reduced cash flow expectations on such securities that are collateralized by diversified pools of primarily below investment grade securities. Approximately 53 per cent of these losses related to the impairments of fixed maturities of five individual corporate issuers, including two operating in the automotive industry, two industrial and manufacturing issuers and a financial service issuer. The market value of the automotive issuers were written down to reflect continuing depressed trading levels due to rising fuel and labor costs. Both industrial and manufacturing issuers experienced deteriorating trading performances with one of the issuers failing to find a buyer even after significant cost reductions and debt restructuring.
For 2004, other than temporary impairment losses recognized amounted to £43 million. Approximately 58 per cent of the impairment losses were recorded on structured asset-backed securities, primarily due to reduced cash flow expectations on such securities that are collateralized by diversified pools of primarily below investment grade securities. Approximately 30 per cent of these losses related to the impairments of fixed maturities of five individual corporate issuers, including one operating in the telecommunications industry and four industrial and manufacturing issuers. The telecommunications company had filed for bankruptcy in 2002 which resulted in the Group's decision to further write down the investment due to reduced expectations for a full recovery of the book value. The market value of the industrial and manufacturing issuers were written down to reflect the continuing weakness in their trading performance.
To the extent factors contributing to the impairment losses recognized in 2005 and 2004 affected other investments, such investments were reviewed for other than temporary impairment and losses were recorded if appropriate.
There are inherent uncertainties in assessing the fair values assigned to Prudential's investments and in determining whether a decline in market value is other than temporary. Prudential's review of fair value involves several criteria including economic conditions, credit loss experience, other issuer-specific developments and future cash flows. These assessments are based on the best available information at the time. Factors such as market liquidity, the widening of bid/ask spreads and a change in the cash flow assertions can contribute to future price volatility. If actual experience differs negatively from the assumptions and other considerations used in the consolidated financial statements, unrealized losses currently in accumulated other comprehensive income may be recognized in the statement of operations in future periods.
In 2005, the Group realized gross losses on sales of available-for-sale securities of £57 million. Approximately 54 per cent of these losses related to the disposal of fixed maturities of fourteen individual issuers, which were disposed of as a result of changed circumstances. These included disposals to rebalance the portfolio in the US Operations, in particular reducing exposure in the US automotive industry, and the deteriorating credit fundamental faced by other industry holdings which resulted in an uncertainty regarding the future value of their securities. Significant losses were realized on four automotive holdings (£12 million), two financial service holdings (£5 million), investments in three UK Government bonds (£5 million), an energy and utilities holding (£2 million), and four other industry holdings (£7 million).
In 2004, the Group realized gross losses on sales of available-for-sale securities of £87 million. Approximately 58 per cent of these losses related to the disposal of fixed maturities of twelve individual issuers, which were disposed of as a result of changed circumstances. These included a restatement announcement materially impacting the holding results, an exporting holding negatively impacted by changes in currency value, and the deteriorating credit fundamental faced by other industry holdings which resulted in an uncertainty regarding the future value of their securities. Significant losses were realized on three energy and utilities holdings (£22 million), a mining entity (£9 million), investments in
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a UK Government bond (£4 million), a telecommunications holding (£3 million), and five other industry holdings (£12 million).
The Group currently intends to hold available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses not considered other than temporary until they mature, or recover in value. However, if the specific facts and circumstances surrounding a security or the outlook for its industry sector change, the Group may sell the security and realize a loss. Of the gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities during 2005, 30 per cent arose from securities that had been in an unrealized loss position for less than six months, 27 per cent for six months to one year and 43 per cent for more than one year. Of the gross realized losses on sales of available-for-sale securities during 2004, 30 per cent arose from securities that had been in an unrealized loss position for less than six months, 6 per cent for six months to one year and 64 per cent for more than one year.
US GAAP Restructuring Analysis
In 2001, Prudential announced the restructuring of the direct sales force and customer service channels of its UK Insurance Operations. These changes also included a simplification of the organizational structure and plans for a significant reduction in operating costs. For US GAAP purposes, during 2005, costs of £8 million were paid, £8 million were released and an additional £1 million was provided. During 2004, £2 million of termination and redundancy costs were expensed. The restructuring provision held under US GAAP at December 31, 2005 was £30 million all related to property charges.
In 2002, Prudential announced plans to establish an off-shore service center in India to improve customer contact service levels for its UK Insurance Operations customers and to achieve further cost savings to those announced in 2001. During 2004, an unused provision for termination and redundancy costs of £9 million was released to the statement of income, and an additional provision of £1 million was expensed for other transition and system related costs. During 2005, £1 million was paid leaving no restructuring provision held at December 31, 2005.
In 2004 Egg announced its withdrawal from the French market. For US GAAP purposes, during 2005, other operating costs of £13 million were expensed. During 2004, £100 million was expensed, of which £25 million related to termination and redundancy costs and £75 million to other associated costs. The restructuring provision held under US GAAP for this restructuring at December 31, 2005 was £1 million.
In 2005, the Company's Japanese operations closed its Financial Advisor distributions channel. A £10 million provision was expensed relating to closure costs and a voluntary early retirement programme for the employees.
New US Accounting Pronouncements
Several new US accounting standards were issued during 2005 and 2004 that are pertinent to Prudential's US GAAP consolidated financial statements. These are discussed in detail in Note K of the notes to Prudential's consolidated financial statements.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Prudential operates a central treasury function, which has overall responsibility for managing the Group's capital funding as well as its cash and liquidity positions. Prudential arranges the financing of each of its subsidiaries primarily by raising external finance either at the Prudential parent company level (including through finance subsidiaries whose obligations the parent company guarantees) or at the operating company level. Egg has its own treasury function to manage its cash and liquidity positions.
Group Cash Flow
The Group holding company's principal cash requirements are the payment of dividends to shareholders, the servicing of debt, the payment of group activity expenses and investment in businesses.
The Group holding company received £517 million in cash remittances from business units in 2005, compared with £521 million in 2004. These remittances primarily comprise dividends from business units and the prior year's shareholders' statutory transfer from the Prudential Assurance Company's long-term with-profits fund (UK Life Fund). There was a reduction of £22 million in the transfer from M&G due to a higher level of reinvestment in 2005 in new activities together with a remittance of surplus cash in 2004.
After dividends and interest paid, there was a net cash inflow of £79 million in 2005, compared to a net inflow of £198 million in 2004.
During 2005, the Group holding company paid £66 million in respect of corporate activities and received a refund of £107 million in respect of surrendered tax losses reimbursed by the Group. The tax refund in 2004 of £34 million was after an exceptional payment of £60 million related to the sale of equity securities backing the general insurance business.
In 2005, the holding company invested £418 million in its business units, comprising £249 million in its UK Insurance Operations and £169 million in Asia.
In the aggregate, this gave rise to a decrease in cash of £298 million, compared to an increase of £850 million in 2004 after Rights Issue proceeds. For further details, see Item 4 "Information on the CompanyOverviewGrowing the Business".
Liquidity Requirements
Dividend Payments
Total dividends proposed and paid by Prudential were £378 million and £323 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The final dividend in respect of the year ended December 31, 2005 was £267 million of which £7 million was allocated as scrip dividends. The dividend was paid on May 26, 2006.
Debt Service Costs
Debt service costs in respect of core borrowings paid by Prudential in 2005 were £175 million, compared to £154 million for 2004. The increase is mainly due to new capital securities that were issued during 2004 and 2005. Of total consolidated borrowings of £11,521 million at December 31, 2005, the parent company and finance subsidiaries had core borrowings of £2,594 million outstanding, including £150 million of bonds due to mature in 2007, and £249 million of bonds due in 2009. The remaining outstanding core borrowings are due to mature in more than five years.
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Investment in Businesses
In 2005, Prudential invested £169 million into its Asian business compared to £158 million in 2004. Prudential expects that its Asian business will be a net capital provider to the Group in 2006. In 2005, Prudential also invested £249 million into its UK Insurance Operations as compared to £189 million in 2004. Cash invested to support the UK Insurance Operations in 2006 is expected to be less than 2005, up to £230 million depending on the mix of business written and the opportunities available.
Acquisition of Businesses
Jackson National Life completed the purchase of Life Insurance Company of Georgia from ING Groep NV in May 2005 for a preliminary consideration of £142 million. The preliminary purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustment with resolution expected in the second half of 2006.
Liquidity Sources
The parent company held cash and short-term investments of £1,128 million and £1,561 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004 respectively. The sources of cash in 2005 included dividends, loans and interest received from operating subsidiaries and proceeds from borrowings.
Prudential received £517 million in cash remittances from business units in 2005, compared with £521 million received in 2004. These remittances primarily comprise dividends from business units and the shareholders' statutory transfer from the Prudential Assurance Company's long-term with-profits fund (UK Life Fund) relating to earlier bonus declarations.
Shareholders' Statutory Transfer
In 2005, Prudential declared total bonus of £2.2 billion from Prudential Assurance's primary with-profits fund, of which £2.0 billion was added to with-profits policies and £223 million was distributed to shareholders. In 2004, Prudential declared total bonus of £2 billion from Prudential Assurance's primary with-profits fund, of which £1.8 billion was added to with-profits policies and £198 million was distributed to shareholders. The bonus rates for the Prudence Bond and personal pensions remained constant with 2004.
Dividends, Loans and Interest Received from Subsidiaries
Under UK company law, dividends can only be paid if a company has distributable reserves sufficient to cover the dividend. In Prudential Assurance, Prudential's largest operating subsidiary, distributable reserves are created mainly by the statutory long-term business profit transfer to shareholders that occurs upon the declaration of bonuses to policyholders of with-profit products, see "Shareholders' Statutory Transfer" above. Prudential's insurance, banking and fund management subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends and loans to the parent company is restricted by various laws and regulations. Jackson National Life is subject to state laws that limit the dividends payable to its parent company. Dividends in excess of these limitations generally require approval of the state insurance commissioner.
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The table below shows the dividends, loans and other amounts received by the parent company from the principal operating subsidiaries during the year ended December 31, 2005.
|
Dividends, loans and interest received in |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||
UK Insurance Operations (mainly Prudential Assurance) | 297 | 308 | ||
M&G | 62 | 84 | ||
US Operations | 85 | 62 | ||
Asian Operations | 73 | 67 | ||
Total | 517 | 521 | ||
With the exception of Egg, each of Prudential's main operations generates sufficient profits to pay dividends to the parent. The amount of dividends paid by the operations is determined after considering the development, growth and investment requirements of the operating businesses. Prudential does not believe that the legal and regulatory restrictions constitute a material limitation on the ability of businesses to meet their obligations or pay dividends to the parent company.
The parent company received total dividends, loans and other amounts from its main operations of £517 million in 2005 compared with £521 million in 2004. Amounts received from UK Insurance Operations in 2005 included £194 million relating to the PAC shareholder's statutory life fund transfer and £100 million of additional dividends from the PAC shareholders' funds. In 2004, amounts received from UK Insurance Operations included £208 million relating to the PAC shareholder's statutory life fund transfer and £100 million of additional dividends from the PAC shareholders' funds.
In Asia, Prudential's more established operations in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia remit surplus capital to the Group.
Sale of Businesses
In October 2004, Jackson National Life sold Jackson Federal Bank for £166 million. See Item 4, "Information on the CompanyBusiness of PrudentialUS BusinessJackson Federal Bank"
In August 2004, Prudential sold its interest in Life Assurance Holding Corporation Limited for £41 million.
Shareholders' Borrowings and Financial Flexibility
Net core structural borrowings, comprising core debt of the parent company and related finance subsidiaries, JNL surplus notes and Egg debenture loans, at December 31, 2005 were £1,611 million, compared with £1,236 million at December 31, 2004. This increase reflects the net cash outflow of £298 million, exchange conversion losses of £92 million and IAS 39 adjustments of negative £15 million.
After adjusting for holding company cash and short-term investments of £1,128 million, core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations (excluding Egg) at the end of 2005 totaled £2,739 million, compared with £2,797 million at the end of 2004. This decrease reflected the repayment of US$250 million bonds, the issuance of US$300 million Perpetual Subordinated Capital Securities, the repayment of £171 million of short-term borrowings, exchange conversion losses of £98 million and the IFRS adjustments noted above.
Core long-term loans at the end of 2005 included £1,830 million at fixed rates of interest with maturity dates ranging from 2007 to perpetuity. £1,010 million of the core borrowings were
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denominated in US dollars, to hedge partially the currency exposure arising from the Group's investment in JNL.
Prudential has in place an unlimited global commercial paper programme. At December 31, 2005, commercial paper of £408 million, US$1,538 million and €228 million has been issued under this programme.
Prudential also has in place a £5,000 million medium-term note (MTN) programme. At December 31, 2005, subordinated debt outstanding under this programme was £435 million and €520 million, and senior debt outstanding was US$18 million.
In addition, the holding company has access to £1,500 million committed revolving credit facilities, provided by 15 major international banks. The facility matures on December 17, 2009. The holding company also has access to an annually renewable £500 million committed securities lending liquidity facility, which is expected to be renewed next on December 14, 2006. There were no draw-downs under either facility since their respective inceptions and hence there were no amounts outstanding under these facilities at December 31, 2005.
Prudential also maintains uncommitted credit facilities totaling £348 million. There was no amount outstanding under these facilities at December 31, 2005.
The commercial paper programme, the MTN programme, the committed revolving credit facilities and the committed securities lending liquidity facility are available for general corporate purposes and to support the liquidity needs of the parent company.
The Group's insurance and asset management operations are funded centrally. Egg, as a separate bank, is responsible for its own financing. The Group's core debt is managed to be within a target level consistent with its current debt ratings.
Prudential plc enjoys strong debt ratings from both Standard & Poor's and Moody's. Prudential long-term senior debt is currently rated A+ (stable outlook), A2 (stable outlook) and AA- (stable) from Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch Ratings respectively, while short term ratings are A1+ and P-1. On June 23, 2006, Standard and Poor's announced that it had lowered Prudential's long-term senior debt rating from AA- (negative outlook) to A+ (stable outlook).
During 2004, Prudential issued US$250 million Perpetual Subordinated Capital Securities exchangeable at the issuer's option into preference shares. The coupon on the securities was 6.75 per cent and the proceeds have been used to pre-finance the US$250 million debt maturing in 2005.
Securities lending and reverse repurchase agreements
The Group has entered into securities lending activities (including repurchase agreements) whereby blocks of securities are loaned to third parties, primarily major brokerage firms. The agreements require that amounts between 102 per cent and 105 per cent of the fair value of the loaned securities be held as collateral, depending on the quality of the collateral, calculated on a daily basis. The loaned securities are not removed from the Group's consolidated balance sheet, rather they are retained within the appropriate investment classification. Collateral typically consists of cash, debt securities, equity securities and letters of credit. At December 31, 2005, the Group had lent £10,594 million (of which £8,250 million was lent by the PAC with-profits fund) of securities and held collateral under such agreements of £11,112 million (of which £8,657 million was held by the PAC with-profits fund).
At December 31, 2005, the Group had entered into reverse repurchase transactions under which it purchased securities and had taken on the obligation to resell the securities for the purchase price, £1,214 million, together with accrued interest.
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Collateral and pledges under derivative transactions
At December 31, 2005, the Group had pledged £403 million for liabilities and held collateral of £193 million in respect of over-the-counter derivative transactions.
Securitization
During 2005, Egg transferred UK credit card receivables to its trust vehicle, Arch (Term) Limited ('Arch'), created in 2002 for the purpose of asset-backed securitization, bringing the outstanding balance of assets in this vehicle to £2.8 billion compared to £2.6 billion in 2004. The Arch note holders have a proportional interest in each account balance in the trust. As at December 31, 2005, the value of this interest was £2.3 billion compared to £2.2 billion in 2004. This securitization does not qualify for derecognition under IAS 39 and the total portfolio is, therefore, included in loans and receivables. The funding giving rise to the note-holders interest is included within operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations.
Prudential anticipates that these programs and facilities are sufficient to meet foreseeable requirements to support shareholders' existing operations.
Financial Conglomerates Directive
As at December 31, 2005, Prudential met the requirements of the Financial Conglomerates Directive Test. The Financial Conglomerates Directive is discussed in greater detail in Item 4, "Information on the CompanyUK Supervision and Regulation".
Derivative Financial Instruments and Commitments
During the normal course of business Prudential enters into various arrangements in order to increase liquidity and decrease certain risks.
At December 31, 2005, Egg had two credit default swaps in place, comprising residential mortgages of £1.4 billion and asset backed securities of £589 million. Their effect is to remove from Egg's balance sheet the risk of default on the underlying assets and reduce the regulatory capital that must be held by Egg in relation to these assets.
Any potential credit risk relates to the swap counter-party, namely its ability to pay in the event of default on the underlying assets. If such a double failure occurred, Egg could be required to increase regulatory capital held against the underlying assets. All swap counter-parties are highly rated financial institutions.
Egg has also entered into interest rate swaps for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk on lending to customers. The total notional value of these swaps is £2.9 billion.
At December 31, 2005, Egg had entered into a series of derivative financial instrument transactions to hedge against foreign currency exposures with nominal value of £1.7 billion.
At December 31, 2005, M&G had entered into a series of derivative financial instrument transactions relating to interest rate swaps and caps, cross currency swaps, credit default swaps and similar instruments. These derivatives were entered into in the normal course of business and solely for the purpose of matching or eliminating risks arising from potential movements in interest and exchange rates inherent in M&G's assets and liabilities.
Jackson National Life has commitments for future payments related to equity index call options totaling £3 million as at December 31, 2005. These commitments were entered into in the normal course of business to hedge obligations associated with the issuance of fixed index immediate and deferred annuities. The commitments are due over the next two years.
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Jackson National Life has unfunded commitments related to its investments in limited partnerships totaling £227 million at December 31, 2005. These reflect on demand contractual commitments to fund further investments by the limited partnerships.
For further discussion of derivatives and hedging instruments, please see Note G3 to the consolidated financial statements.
Contractual Obligations
Contractual obligations with specified payment dates at December 31, 2005 were as follows:
|
Total £m |
Less than 1 year £m |
1-3 years £m |
3-5 years £m |
More than 5 years £m |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Long-term debt | 11,521 | 2,479 | 1,913 | 1,835 | 5,294 | |||||
Capital lease obligations | 114 | 11 | 14 | 8 | 81 | |||||
Operating lease obligations | 451 | 61 | 111 | 75 | 204 | |||||
Purchase obligations(a) | 334 | 334 | | | | |||||
Other long-term liabilities reflected in balance sheet(b) | 9,269 | 7,690 | 652 | 458 | 469 | |||||
Total | 21,689 | 10,575 | 2,690 | 2,376 | 6,048 | |||||
Reconciliation to balance sheet: |
||||||||||
Policyholder liabilities and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds excluding GICs annuity certains(c) | 168,840 | |||||||||
Other short-term/non-contractual obligations(d) | 11,482 | |||||||||
Total liabilities per balance sheet | 202,011 | |||||||||
Duration of liabilities for UK operations
With the exception of most unitized with-profit bonds and other whole of life contracts the majority of the contracts of the UK insurance operations have a defined contract term. However, in effect, the maturity term of contracts reflects the earlier of death, maturity, or surrender. In addition, with-profit contract liabilities include projected future bonuses based on current investment values. The actual amounts payable will vary with future investment performance. Due to the uncertainty of the timing of deaths, contract maturities and policyholder behavior with respect to surrenders, all of which affect the timing and contractual amount payable, ascribing particular amounts and specified payment dates to these contracts in future years does not provide appropriate information.
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The estimated maturity profile of the cash flows for insurance contracts, as defined by IFRS, i.e., those containing significant risk, and investment contracts, which do not, is as follows:
|
Insurance contracts |
Investment contracts |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
With profits % |
PAL % |
PRIL % |
Other % |
With profits % |
Unit linked and similar % |
||||||
Total policyholder liabilities on consolidated balance sheet (In £m) | 61,503 | 14,068 | 8,324 | 9,404 | 26,443 | 10,502 | ||||||
Expected maturity: | ||||||||||||
0 to 5 years | 48 | 32 | 29 | 33 | 25 | 45 | ||||||
5 to 10 years | 29 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 24 | ||||||
10 to 15 years | 13 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 14 | ||||||
15 to 20 years | 6 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 8 | ||||||
20 to 25 years | 3 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 5 | ||||||
Over 25 years | 1 | 8 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 4 |
Duration of liabilities for US operations
The estimated maturity profile of the cash flows for US operations fixed annuity and other businesses (including GICs and similar contracts) and variable annuity contracts is as follows:
|
Fixed annuity and other business % |
Variable annuity % |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Total policyholder liabilities on consolidated balance sheet (In £m) | 23,407 | 8,574 | ||
Expected maturity: | ||||
0 to 5 years | 34 | 34 | ||
5 to 10 years | 29 | 31 | ||
10 to 15 years | 17 | 19 | ||
15 to 20 years | 10 | 10 | ||
20 to 25 years | 5 | 4 | ||
Over 25 years | 5 | 2 |
Duration of liabilities for Asian operations
The estimated maturity profile of the cash flows for the policyholder liabilities of the Asian operations is as follows:
|
Asia total % |
|
---|---|---|
Total policyholder liabilities on consolidated balance sheet (In £m) | 10,828 | |
Expected maturity: | ||
0 to 5 years | 23 | |
5 to 10 years | 25 | |
10 to 15 years | 19 | |
15 to 20 years | 12 | |
20 to 25 years | 8 | |
Over 25 years | 13 |
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Operating Businesses
UK Life Insurance
The liquidity sources for Prudential's UK life insurance businesses comprise premiums, deposits and charges on policies, investment income, proceeds from the sale and maturity of investments, external borrowings and capital contributions from the parent company. The liquidity requirements comprise benefits and claims, operating expenses, interest on debt, purchases of investments and dividends to the parent company.
The liquidity requirements of Prudential's UK life insurance businesses are regularly monitored to match anticipated cash inflows with cash requirements. Cash needs are forecast and projected sources and uses of funds, as well as the asset, liability, investment and cash flow assumptions underlying these projections are reviewed periodically. Adjustments are made periodically to the investment policies with respect to, among other things, the maturity and risk characteristics of the investment assets to reflect changes in the business' cash needs and also to reflect the changing competitive and economic environment.
The primary source of short-term liquidity to support operations is a pool of highly liquid, high quality short-term instruments to provide liquidity in excess of the expected cash requirements. At December 31, 2005, the investment assets included £46,778 million of equity securities, £42,813 million of debt securities and £5,326 million of deposits.
The liquidity of Prudential's UK insurance operations is affected by the payment of guaranteed benefits and terminal bonuses on maturing and surrendering policies by the UK insurance operations. In addition, the non-cash bonus declaration to policyholders results in a cash transfer to shareholders' funds. A large proportion of Prudential's liabilities contains discretionary surrender values or surrender charges. In addition, pension annuity policies cannot be surrendered by the policyholder.
At December 31, 2005 and 2004, Prudential Assurance's long-term fund assets in excess of its capital requirements were £14,451 million and £7,751 million, respectively. The Integrated Prudential Sourcebook, which came into effect on December 31, 2004, introduced an additional capital requirement, the "with-profits insurance capital component", which at December 31, 2005, amounted to £9,055 million (2004: £3,675 million).
M&G
The principal liquidity source for M&G is fee income for managing retail, institutional and the internal investment funds of Prudential's UK operations. The principal liquidity requirement is operating expenses. Amounts are distributed to the parent company after considering capital requirements. Capital requirements are driven by the regulatory stipulations based on fixed operating expenses and other operating considerations. At December 31, 2005, M&G met the relevant regulatory requirements.
Egg
Egg has a balance of funding between deposits from customers (approximately 60 per cent) and wholesale liabilities and subordinated debt (approximately 40 per cent). This funding supports the retail asset book and treasury assets. The majority of treasury assets are held for liquidity purposes.
Regulatory liquidity requirements seek to ensure that banks have access at all times to sufficient sources of liquidity to enable them to pay both expected and unexpected demands. These regulations provide that a minimum level of liquid assets needs to be held. The calculation of these liquid assets depends on the nature of customer deposits and the time over which they can be withdrawn. Capital requirements are driven by the FSA capital regulations stipulated under the Basel Accord.
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In 2001, Egg issued £125 million loan capital with a coupon of 6.875 per cent for a 20.5 year term (2021). This was issued at a discount of £1.4 million.
In 2002, Egg issued £75 million additional loan capital with a coupon of 6.875 per cent for a 19 year term (2021). This was issued at premium of £3.1 million. There is an early repayment option in 2016 for both loan capital issues.
In 2003 Egg issued £250 million of loan capital with a coupon of 7.5 per cent and is perpetual with a callable date of 2013. This was issued at a £0.9 million discount. There were no subordinated loan capital issues during 2004 or 2005.
Egg currently meets all regulatory requirements including the target risk asset ratio set by the FSA.
US Life Insurance
The liquidity sources for Jackson National Life are its cash, short-term investments and publicly traded bonds, premium income, deposits received on certain annuity and institutional products, investment income and capital contributions from the parent company.
Liquidity requirements are principally for purchases of new investments and businesses, repayment of principal and interest on intercompany debt, payments of interest on surplus notes, funding of insurance product liabilities, including payments for policy benefits, surrenders, maturities and new policy loans and funding of expenses, including payment of commissions, operating expenses and taxes. At December 31, 2005, Jackson National Life's outstanding notes and bank debt included:
Significant increases in interest rates and disintermediation can create sudden increases in surrender and withdrawal requests by policyholders and contract holders. Other factors that are not directly related to interest rates can also give rise to disintermediation risk, including but not limited to changes in ratings from rating agencies, general policyholder concerns relating to the life insurance industry (e.g., the unexpected default of a large, unrelated life insurer) and competition from other products, including non-insurance products such as mutual funds, certificates of deposit and newly developed investment products. Most of the life insurance, annuity and institutional products Jackson National Life offers permit the policyholder or contract holder to withdraw or borrow funds or surrender cash values, although some include policy restrictions such as surrender charges and market value adjustments to discourage early withdrawal of policy and contract funds. At December 31, 2005, approximately $12.9 billion of policy and contract funds had no surrender charge or market value adjustment restrictions.
Jackson National Life uses a variety of asset-liability management techniques to provide for the orderly provision of cash flow from investments and other sources as policies and contracts mature in accordance with their normal terms. Jackson National Life's principal sources of liquidity to meet unexpected cash outflows associated with sudden and severe increases in surrenders and withdrawals are its portfolio of liquid assets and its net operating cash flows. At December 31, 2005, the portfolio of cash, short-term investments and publicly traded bonds and equities amounted to $31.5 billion. Operating net cash inflows for Jackson National Life in 2005 were $2.1 billion. Prudential believes that these liquidity sources are sufficient to satisfy the company's liquidity needs.
At December 31, 2005, the statutory capital and surplus of Jackson National Life was $3,434 million, which was significantly in excess of the requirements set out under Michigan insurance
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law. As described in Item 4, "Information on the CompanySupervision and Regulation of PrudentialUS Supervision and Regulation", Jackson National Life is also subject to risk-based capital guidelines that provide a method to measure the adjusted capital that a life insurance company should have for regulatory purposes, taking into account the risk characteristics of the company's investments and products. At December 31, 2005, Jackson National Life's total risk based capital ratio under the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' definition substantially exceeded model act standards.
Asia Life Insurance
The liquidity sources for Prudential's Asia life insurance businesses comprise premiums, deposits and charges on policies, investment income, proceeds from the sale and maturity of investments, external borrowings and capital contributions from the parent company. The liquidity requirements comprise benefits and claims, operating expenses, interest on debt, purchases of investments and dividends to the parent company.
The liquidity requirements of Prudential's Asia life insurance businesses are regularly monitored to match anticipated cash inflows with cash requirements. Cash needs are forecast and projected sources and uses of funds, as well as the asset, liability, investment and cash flow assumptions underlying these projections are reviewed periodically. Adjustments are made periodically to the investment policies with respect to, among other things, the maturity and risk characteristics of the investment assets to reflect changes in the business cash needs and also to reflect the changing competitive and economic environment.
Group Consolidated Cash Flows on an IFRS Basis
The discussion that follows is based on the consolidated statement of cash flows prepared under IFRS and presented in Item 18 of this Form 20-F.
Net cash (outflows) inflows in 2005 were £(199) million from operating activities, £30 million from investing activities, and £(678) million from financing activities. In 2004, net cash inflows (outflows) were £850 million from operating activities, £(97) million from investing activities, and £902 million from financing activities, including the proceeds from the rights issue of £1,021 million. For further details on the rights issue see Item 4 "Information on the CompanyOverviewGrowing the Business."
The Group held cash and cash equivalents of £3,586 million at December 31, 2005 compared with £4,341 million at December 31, 2004.
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Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
The Prudential Board of Directors currently consists of 14 directors. Since January 2005, the following Board changes have occurred: Keki Dadiseth, Mark Tucker, Nick Prettejohn and Lord Turnbull were appointed as directors on April 1, 2005, May 6, 2005, January 1, 2006 and May 18, 2006, respectively. Jonathan Bloomer, Mark Wood and Rob Rowley resigned as directors on May 5, 2005, October 17, 2005 and May 18, 2006 respectively.
Set forth below are the names, ages, positions, business experience and principal business activities performed outside of Prudential of the current Board members, as well as the dates of their initial appointment as directors. Ages given are as at April 30, 2006.
Sir David Clementi MA FCA MBA (Age 57)
Chairman and Chairman of the Nomination Committee
Sir David Clementi has been Chairman of Prudential since December 1, 2002. In August 2005, he was appointed as President of the Investment Property Forum. In October 2003, he joined the FSA's Financial Capability Steering Group, and in July 2003 he was appointed by the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs to carry out a review of the regulation of legal services in England and Wales, which was completed in December 2004. In February 2003, he joined the Financial Reporting Council. In addition, Sir David is also a non-executive director of Rio Tinto plc, which he joined on January 28, 2003. From September 1997 to August 2002 he was Deputy Governor of the Bank of England. During this time he served as a member of the Monetary Policy Committee and as a non-executive director of the Financial Services Authority. From 1975 to August 1997 he worked for the Kleinwort Benson Group, latterly as Chief Executive.
Mark Tucker ACA (Age 48)
Group Chief Executive
Mark Tucker was re-appointed as an executive director on May 6, 2005, on which date he also became Group Chief Executive. From May 2004 to March 2005 he was Group Finance Director, HBOS plc and director of Halifax plc. Previously, he was an executive director of Prudential from 1999 to 2003, and from 1993 to 2003 he was Chief Executive of Prudential Corporation Asia, and also held senior positions in Prudential's businesses in the UK and US. He first joined Prudential in 1986, having previously been a tax consultant at PriceWaterhouse UK in London.
Philip Broadley FCA (Age 45)
Group Finance Director
Philip Broadley has been an executive director of Prudential and Group Finance Director since May 2000. In May 2005, he was appointed as a non-executive director of Egg plc, which delisted on February 20, 2006 and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential on May 16, 2006. He is currently Chairman of the 100 Group of Finance Directors and a member of the Insurance Advisory Group of the International Accounting Standards Board. He is also President of the Przezornosc Charitable Foundation, which has been established in Poland in recognition of former policyholders with whom the Company lost contact. Previously, he was with the UK firm of Arthur Andersen, where he became a partner in 1993.
Clark Manning FSA MAAA (Age 47)
Executive Director
Clark Manning has been an executive director of Prudential since January 2002. He is also President and Chief Executive Officer of Jackson National Life. He was previously Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary of Jackson National Life, which he joined in 1995. Prior to that, he was
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Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary for SunAmerica Inc, and prior to that Consulting Actuary at Milliman & Robertson Inc. He has more than 20 years' experience in the life insurance industry, and holds both a bachelor's degree in actuarial science and an MBA from the University of Texas. He also holds professional designations of Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) and Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA).
Michael McLintock (Age 45)
Executive Director
Michael McLintock has been an executive director of Prudential since September 2000. He is also Chief Executive of M&G, a position he held at the time of M&G's acquisition by Prudential in March 1999. He joined M&G in October 1992. He is also a non-executive director of Close Brothers Group plc.
Mark Norbom (Age 48)
Executive Director
Mark Norbom has been an executive director of Prudential and Chief Executive, Prudential Corporation Asia since January 2004. Previously, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of General Electric Japan, and a company officer of General Electric Company. He has spent 23 years with General Electric in various posts in the United States, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan.
Nick Prettejohn (Age 45)
Executive Director
Nick Prettejohn has been an executive director of Prudential and Chief Executive, Prudential UK & Europe since January 2006. He is also a member of the Financial Services Practitioner Panel. Previously, he was Chief Executive of Lloyd's of London from July 1999 until December 2005. He joined the Corporation of Lloyd's in 1995 as Head of Strategy, and played a key role in the Reconstruction and Renewal process, which reorganized Lloyd's after the losses of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Following the successful completion of the reorganization in 1996 he became Managing Director of Lloyd's Business Development Unit and in 1998 he also assumed responsibility for Lloyd's North America business unit. Prior to his appointment to Lloyd's he was responsible for corporate strategy at National Freight Corporation plc, and prior to that he was a partner at management consultants Bain and Co and a director of private equity company Apax Partners. He is also a board member of the Royal Opera House.
Keki Dadiseth FCA (Age 60)
Independent non-executive director and member of the Audit and Remuneration Committee
Keki Dadiseth has been an independent non-executive director of Prudential since April 2005. He is a member of the International Advisory Boards of Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc and DaimlerChrysler Benz. He is also an International Advisor to Goldman Sachs. In 2005, he was appointed to the Board of Nicholas Piramal India Limited and Siemens Limited in India, and he is a director of The Indian Hotels Company Limited and the Indian School of Business. Before he retired from Unilever in May 2005, he was Director, Home and Personal Care, responsible for the HPC business of Unilever worldwide, a Board member of Unilever PLC and Unilever N.V. and a member of Unilever's Executive Committee. He joined Hindustan Lever Ltd in India in 1973.
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Michael Garrett (Age 63)
Independent non-executive director and member of the Audit and Remuneration Committee
Michael Garrett has been an independent non-executive director of Prudential since September 2004. He worked for Nestlé from 1961, becoming Head of Japan (1990 - 1993), and then Zone Director and Member of the Executive Board, responsible for Asia and Oceania, and in 1996 his responsibilities were expanded to include Africa and the Middle East. He retired as Executive Vice President of Nestlé in April 2005. In addition, he served the Government of Australia as Chairman of the Food Industry Council and as a Member of the Industry Council of Australia, and was also a member of the Advisory Committee for an APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Food System, a member of The Turkish Prime Minister's Advisory Group and the WTO (World Trade Organization) Business Advisory Council in Switzerland. He remains a director of Nestlé companies in India and Japan, and was appointed Chairman of the Evian Group in 2001, a think tank and forum for dialogue promoting free trade. He also serves as a non-executive director on the Boards of the Bobst Group in Switzerland and Hasbro Inc in the USA.
Bridget Macaskill (Age 57)
Independent non-executive director, Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, and member of the Nomination Committee
Bridget Macaskill has been an independent non-executive director of Prudential since September 2003. She rejoined the Board of Prudential having previously resigned due to a potential conflict of interest in March 2001. She has been a member of the Remuneration Committee since September 2003 and became Chairman of the Remuneration Committee on May 18, 2006. She is a non-executive director of J Sainsbury Plc and the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae). She was previously Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OppenheimerFunds Inc, a major New York based investment management company.
Roberto Mendoza (Age 60)
Independent non-executive director and member of the Remuneration Committee
Roberto Mendoza has been an independent non-executive director of Prudential since May 2000. He served as Chairman of the Remuneration Committee from July 2002 until May 18, 2006. He is also Chairman of Integrated Finance Limited, and he was the non-executive Chairman of Egg plc, which delisted on February 20, 2006 and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential on May 16, 2006. Previously, he was Vice Chairman and director of JP Morgan & Co, Inc., a non-executive director of Reuters Group PLC and The BOC Group plc, and a managing director of Goldman Sachs.
Kathleen O'Donovan ACA (Age 48)
Independent non-executive director and Chairman of the Audit Committee
Kathleen O'Donovan has been an independent non-executive director of Prudential since May 2003. She has been a member of the Audit Committee since May 2003 and became Chairman of the Audit Committee on May 18, 2006. She is a non-executive director and Chairman of the Audit Committees of EMI Group plc and Great Portland Estates PLC. She is also Chairman of the Invensys Pension Scheme. Previously, she was a non-executive director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Court of the Bank of England, and a non-executive director of O2 plc. Prior to that, she was Chief Financial Officer of BTR and Invensys, and before that she was a partner at Ernst & Young.
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James Ross (Age 67)
Senior Independent Director and member of the Audit and Nomination Committees
James Ross has been an independent non-executive director since May 2004. He succeeded Rob Rowley as the Company's Senior Independent Director with effect from May 18, 2006. He holds non-executive directorships with McGraw Hill and Datacard in the United States and Schneider Electric in France. He is also Chairman of the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education. He was previously Deputy Chairman of National Grid plc and Littlewoods plc. He was also Chief Executive of Cable and Wireless plc and Chairman and Chief Executive of BP America Inc., and a Managing Director of the British Petroleum Company plc.
Lord Turnbull KCB CVO (Age 61)
Independent non-executive director
Andrew Turnbull has been an independent non-executive director of Prudential since May 18, 2006. He entered the House of Lords as a Life Peer in 2005. In 2002 he became Secretary of the Cabinet and Head of the Home Civil Service until he retired in the summer of 2005. Prior to that, he held a number of positions in the civil service, including Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury; Permanent Secretary at the Department of the Environment (later Environment, Transport and the Regions); Private Secretary (Economics) to the Prime Minister; and Principal Private Secretary to Margaret Thatcher and John Major. He joined HM Treasury in 1970.
Lord Turnbull is a non-executive director of Frontier Economics Ltd, The British Land Company PLC and the Arup Group. He also works part-time as a Senior Advisor to the London partners of Booz Allen Hamilton (UK).
Other Executive Officers
The heads of Prudential's business units, UK Insurance Operations, M&G, Jackson National Life and Prudential Corporation Asia are also directors of Prudential, as set forth above. Following the delisting of Egg, Prudential's UK banking operation, on February 20, 2006, the head of Prudential's UK Insurance Operations was appointed Chairman of Egg, whilst Mark Narcarrow was appointed as Chief Executive. For information relating to the compensation paid or accrued to all Prudential directors and other executive officers, see below.
Chairman's letter of appointment
The Chairman is paid annual fees and the contractual notice periods are 12 months from either party. The Chairman participates in a medical insurance scheme, has life assurance cover and has the use of a car and driver. He is entitled to a supplement to his fees, intended for pension purposes. He is not a member of any Group pension scheme providing retirement benefits.
Service Contracts
Executive directors have contracts that terminate on their normal retirement date, which is the date of their 60th birthday. The normal notice of termination that the Company is required to give executive directors is 12 months, although for newly appointed directors there may be an initial contractual period of up to two years before the 12 months' notice period applies. The service contracts for all current executive directors contain a 12 months' notice period from the Company. When considering termination of service contracts, the Remuneration Committee will have regard to the specific circumstances of each case, including a director's obligation to mitigate his loss.
The contract for Clark Manning is a renewable one-year fixed-term contract. The contract is renewable automatically upon the same terms and conditions unless the Company or Clark Manning
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gives at least 90 days' notice prior to the end of the relevant term. In the case of the former, Clark Manning is entitled to continued payment of salary and benefits for the period of one year from the day such notice is delivered to him. The contract can also be terminated by the Company or Clark Manning by giving 12 months' notice. Payments of Clark Manning's salary during the period following the termination of employment will be reduced by the amount of any compensation earned by him from any subsequent employer or from any person for whom he performs services. Benefits to be provided during such period will also be cancelled to the extent that comparable benefits are available to him from these alternative sources.
Executive directors, with the exception of Michael McLintock, are required to give 12 months' notice of termination to the Company. Michael McLintock is required to give 6 months' notice to the Company.
Non-executive directors do not have service contracts but are appointed pursuant to letters of appointment with notice periods of six months without liability for compensation.
Benefits and protections
Executive directors receive certain benefits, principally participation in medical insurance schemes, the provision of a cash allowance for a car (except for Clark Manning and Mark Norbom), and, in some cases the use of a car and driver and security arrangements. Mark Norbom also receives expatriate allowances. No benefits are pensionable. The executive directors' pension arrangements and life assurance provisions are set out under "Compensation".
Except for Clark Manning, the executive directors are eligible to participate in either the Company's UK or International Savings-Related Share Option Scheme. Options granted under these schemes are not subject to performance conditions because the UK plan is an all-employee share scheme governed by specific legislation and the international scheme mirrors it.
Executive directors are entitled to participate in arrangements in certain M&G investment products on the same terms as available to external investors, apart from the minimum level of investment.
In addition, the Company provides certain protections for directors and senior managers against personal financial exposure that they may incur in their capacity as such. This includes qualifying third party indemnity provisions (as defined under section 309B of the Companies Act 1985) in force for the benefit of the directors of the Company and of associated companies (as defined under section 309A of the Companies Act 1985), at the time the Directors' Report was approved under section 234A of the Companies Act 1985 and during 2005.
Policy on external appointments
Subject to the Board's approval, executive directors are able to accept external appointments as non-executive directors of other organisations.
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In 2005, the aggregate compensation that Prudential paid or accrued to all Prudential executive directors and other executive officers as a group (17 persons) was £11,631,824 including performance related bonuses paid to executive directors and executive officers and an aggregate pension contribution of £1,393,378 and provision for future benefits.
Remuneration
|
Salary/ Fees |
Bonus |
Other payments |
Benefits* |
Total Emoluments 2005 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(in £ Thousands) |
||||||||||
Chairman | |||||||||||
Sir David Clementi | 450 | | 29 | 479 | |||||||
Executive directors | |||||||||||
Jonathan Bloomer(1) (until May 5, 2005) | 279 | 150 | 26 | 455 | |||||||
Philip Broadley(2) | 500 | 459 | 41 | 1,000 | |||||||
Clark Manning(3) | 467 | 1,263 | 21 | 1,751 | |||||||
Michael McLintock(4) | 320 | 1,515 | 43 | 1,878 | |||||||
Mark Norbom(5)(6)(7) | 500 | 370 | 90 | 214 | 1,174 | ||||||
Mark Tucker(8)(9) (from May 6, 2005) | 509 | 503 | 118 | 1,130 | |||||||
Mark Wood(10) | 464 | 358 | 43 | 865 | |||||||
Total executive directors | 3,039 | 4,618 | 90 | 506 | 8,253 | ||||||
Non-executive directors | |||||||||||
Keki Dadiseth(11)(12)(13) (from April 1, 2005) | 37 | | | 37 | |||||||
Michael Garrett | 50 | | | 50 | |||||||
Bridget Macaskill | 50 | | | 50 | |||||||
Roberto Mendoza | 135 | | | 135 | |||||||
Kathleen O'Donovan | 60 | | | 60 | |||||||
James Ross | 60 | | | 60 | |||||||
Rob Rowley | 90 | | | 90 | |||||||
Total non-executive directors | 482 | | | 482 | |||||||
Other executive officers as a group(14) | 559 | 452 | | 14 | 1,025 | ||||||
Overall total | 4,530 | 5,070 | 90 | 549 | 10,239 | ||||||
Notes:
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2005 Annual incentive plansexecutive directors
Annual incentive payouts for executive directors depend on performance and are paid in cash or shares as indicated below. Annual bonuses for 2005 were based on a combination of Group and business unit financial measures and individual performance.
|
Target % of basic salary |
Maximum % of basic salary |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Philip Broadley | 50 | 110 | ||
Clark Manning | 100 | 120 | ||
Michael McLintock | 300 | 500 | ||
Mark Norbom | 50 | 110 | ||
Mark Tucker | 50 | 110 | ||
Mark Wood | 50 | 110 |
Notes:
Clark Manning is also eligible to receive an annual bonus which provides for a percentage share of a bonus pool based on the profits of Jackson National Life. He is additionally eligible to participate in a US tax qualified all-employee profit sharing plan.
Michael McLintock's annual incentive award is in line with remuneration levels in the investment management industry and is based on the profits of M&G, the fund performance of M&G and Group and individual performance.
Annual bonus awards are not pensionable. Except for Clark Manning, the part of the annual incentive award made for performance above target is made in the form of a share award. Receipt of these shares is deferred and the shares are normally only released after three years. Dividends accumulate for the benefit of award holders during the deferral period.
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Senior Executives' Long-term Incentive Plans
2005 Restricted Share Plan ("RSP")
The Restricted Share Plan rewards Prudential's achievement of Total Shareholder Return ("TSR") relative to other companies that were in the FTSE 100 at the beginning of each three-year performance period.
For any awards under the RSP to vest, the Remuneration Committee must be satisfied with the Company's underlying financial performance over the performance period. At the end of each performance period, depending on the Company's performance, executive directors may be granted a right to receive shares at no cost to the individual.
Awards vest on the basis of the schedule set out below:
TSR relative to the Index at the end of the third year |
Percentage of award that vests |
||
---|---|---|---|
Less than 50th percentile | Nil | ||
50th percentile | 25 | % | |
80th percentile | 100 | % |
Vesting between each performance point is on a straight line sliding scale basis. In normal circumstances, directors may take up their right to receive shares at any time during the following seven years. Dividends do not accumulate on awards.
In 2005, for Mark Tucker the maximum conditional award was 200 per cent of basic salary as was the award for Jonathan Bloomer. For Philip Broadley, Clark Manning, Mark Norbom and Mark Wood, the awards were equivalent to 160 per cent of basic salary and for Michael McLintock the award was equivalent to 80 per cent of basic salary.
2005 Business-specific long-term incentive plans
In all cases, the performance period under the long-term incentive plan is three years.
Clark Manning
In 2005, Clark Manning participated in a cash-based long-term plan that rewards the growth in appraisal value of JNL. The award payout equals an initial award value adjusted by the Prudential plc share price change over the performance period. In order for any award to be made under the 2005 plan the growth rate over the performance period must be eight per cent per annum compound or greater. At this level of performance the initial award value is US$864,240. If the on-target performance level of 11.5 per cent per annum compound is achieved the initial award value is doubled. If the annual growth rate is at least 17.5 per cent the payout increases to a maximum of three times the initial award value. For performance between these points payouts are on a straight line sliding scale.
Michael McLintock
In 2005, Michael McLintock participated in the M&G Chief Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan that provides a cash reward through phantom M&G share awards and options, whose value depends on the profit and fund performance of M&G over the performance period. The change in the phantom share price equals the change in M&G profit, modified up or down by the investment performance of M&G, over the performance period. For 2005 the face value of the share award was £225,000. Provided the phantom share options have value, they may be exercised in part or in full during annual exercise periods after three to seven years from the start of the performance period. For 2005 the phantom option award had a face value of £367,800.
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Mark Norbom
In 2005, Mark Norbom participated in the Asian Long-Term Incentive Plan which is a cash-based plan that measures an index of added value geared to new business profit growth in our Asian businesses. For the 2005 award the plan will only pay out if the growth rate is greater than 15 per cent per annum compound over the performance period. At this level of performance a payment of 50 per cent of basic salary is made. The on-target payout is 100 per cent of salary, for which an annual growth rate of 35 per cent is required. If an annual growth rate of 50 per cent or more is achieved, the maximum of 150 per cent of basic salary is paid. For performance between these points payouts are on a straight line sliding scale basis.
Mark Wood
In 2005, Mark Wood participated in a cash-based long-term plan that rewards the growth in appraisal value of Prudential UK over the performance period. This plan only paid out if the growth rate was greater than eight per cent per annum compound over the performance period. At this level of performance a payment of 50 per cent of basic salary would be made. The on-target payout was 75 per cent of basic salary for which a growth rate of 11.5 per cent was required. If a growth rate of 17.5 per cent or more were achieved the maximum of 100 per cent of basic salary was payable. For performance between these points payouts were on a straight line sliding scale basis.
Senior executives' outstanding long-term incentive awards
The section below sets out the outstanding awards under the Restricted Share Plan and the additional long-term plans for the executive directors who run specific businesses.
Restricted Share Plan
The table below shows all outstanding awards under the Restricted Share Plan. These shares are held in trust and represent the conditional awards out of which rights may be granted, at the end of the
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relevant performance period, dependent on the performance conditions. See "Senior Executives' Long-term Incentive Plans".
Name |
Conditional share awards outstanding at January 1, 2005 |
Conditional award in 2005 |
Rights (options) granted upon vesting in 2005 |
Market value of rights granted in 2005 |
Conditional share awards outstanding at December 31, 2005 |
Notes |
Date of end of performance period (December 31) |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(in £ Thousands) |
|||||||||||||
Jonathan Bloomer | 185,803 | | 1 | 2004 | ||||||||||
279,610 | | 2 | 2005 | |||||||||||
421,426 | | 2 | 2006 | |||||||||||
365,966 | 40,663 | 193 | | 3 | 2007 | |||||||||
886,839 | 365,966 | 40,663 | 193 | | ||||||||||
Philip Broadley | 90,210 | | 1 | 2004 | ||||||||||
133,919 | 133,919 | 4 | 2005 | |||||||||||
210,713 | 210,713 | 2006 | ||||||||||||
182,983 | 182,983 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
434,842 | 182,983 | Nil | Nil | 527,615 | ||||||||||
Clark Manning | 112,342 | | 1 | 2004 | ||||||||||
148,838 | 148,838 | 4 | 2005 | |||||||||||
196,174 | 196,174 | 2006 | ||||||||||||
163,352 | 163,352 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
457,354 | 163,352 | Nil | Nil | 508,364 | ||||||||||
Michael McLintock | 31,778 | | 1 | 2004 | ||||||||||
45,620 | 45,620 | 4 | 2005 | |||||||||||
67,429 | 67,429 | 2006 | ||||||||||||
58,555 | 58,555 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
144,827 | 58,555 | Nil | Nil | 171,604 | ||||||||||
Mark Norbom | 200,177 | 200,177 | 2006 | |||||||||||
182,983 | 182,983 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
200,177 | 182,983 | Nil | Nil | 383,160 | ||||||||||
Mark Tucker | 356,817 | 356,817 | 2007 | |||||||||||
356,817 | Nil | Nil | 356,817 | |||||||||||
Mark Wood | 92,260 | | 1 | 2004 | ||||||||||
138,333 | 138,333 | 5 | 2005 | |||||||||||
210,713 | 210,713 | 6 | 2006 | |||||||||||
193,962 | 193,962 | 7 | 2007 | |||||||||||
Other executive officers as a group | Nil | Nil | ||||||||||||
441,306 | 193,962 | 40,663 | 193 | 543,008 | ||||||||||
Notes
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The 2005 RSP awards are described in detail under "Senior Executives' Long-term Incentive Plans". The 2004 RSP awards had the same performance conditions. For RSP awards prior to 2004, no rights are granted if the Company's TSR performance as ranked against the comparator group is at the 60th percentile or below. The maximum grant is made only if the TSR ranking of the Company is 20th percentile or above. Between these points, the size of the grant made is calculated on a straight line sliding scale basis. In normal circumstances, directors may take up their right to receive shares at any time during the following seven years.
The awards made in respect of 2004 and 2005 under the Restricted Share Plan run to December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007 respectively. As at December 31, 2005, TSR performance under these plans was ranked respectively at percentile positions 70 and 47 on the basis of TSR performance.
In determining the 2005 conditional awards the shares were valued at their average share price during the preceding calendar year, and the price used to determine the number of shares was 437.2 pence (2004 - 398.3 pence).
Rights that were exercised under the Restricted Share Plan during 2005 are shown in the following table.
|
Year of right grant |
RSP rights outstanding at January 1, 2005 |
Rights granted during 2005 |
Rights exercised during 2005 |
RSP rights outstanding at December 31, 2005 |
Price paid for award |
Market price on date of exercise (pence) |
Earliest exercise date |
Latest exercise date |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jonathan Bloomer | 2000 | 59,650 | 59,650 | | | 536.5 | March 17, 2000 | November 5, 2005 | ||||||||||
2001 | 40,474 | 40,474 | | | 536.5 | April 2, 2001 | November 5, 2005 | |||||||||||
2002 | 8,571 | 8,571 | | | 536.5 | March 15, 2002 | November 5, 2005 | |||||||||||
2005 | 40,663 | 40,663 | | | 536.5 | May 6, 2005 | November 5, 2005 | |||||||||||
108,695 | 40,663 | 149,358 | | |||||||||||||||
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Other Long-term Incentive Plans
Details of cash awards under other long-term incentive plans up to and including 2005 are set out in the table below. Except where stated, the performance period for all awards was three years.
|
Year of initial award |
Face value of conditional awards outstanding at January 1, 2005 |
Conditionally awarded in 2005 |
Payments made in 2005 |
Face value of conditional awards outstanding at December 31, 2005 |
Date of end of performance period (December 31) |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(in £ Thousands) |
||||||||||||
Clark Manning | |||||||||||||
Phantom JNL options | 2001 | 660 | 83 | | 2004 | ||||||||
Phantom JNL shares | 2001 | 330 | 372 | | 2004 | ||||||||
Business cash LTIP | 2002 | 1,425 | Nil | | 2004 | ||||||||
Business cash LTIP | 2003 | 1,425 | 1,425 | 2005 | |||||||||
Business cash LTIP | 2004 | 1,425 | 1,425 | 2006 | |||||||||
Business cash LTIP | 2005 | 1,425 | 1,425 | 2007 | |||||||||
Michael McLintock |
|||||||||||||
Phantom M&G options | 2000 | 184 | 184 | 2002 | |||||||||
Phantom M&G options | 2001 | 368 | 368 | 2003 | |||||||||
Phantom M&G options | 2002 | 368 | 368 | 2004 | |||||||||
Phantom M&G shares | 2002 | 225 | 524 | | 2004 | ||||||||
Phantom M&G options | 2003 | 368 | 368 | 2005 | |||||||||
Phantom M&G shares | 2003 | 225 | 225 | 2005 | |||||||||
Phantom M&G options | 2004 | 368 | 368 | 2006 | |||||||||
Phantom M&G shares | 2004 | 225 | 225 | 2006 | |||||||||
Phantom M&G options | 2005 | 368 | 368 | 2007 | |||||||||
Phantom M&G shares | 2005 | 225 | 225 | 2007 | |||||||||
Mark Norbom |
|||||||||||||
Business cash LTIP | 2004 | 713 | 713 | 2006 | |||||||||
Business cash LTIP | 2005 | 750 | 750 | 2007 | |||||||||
Mark Wood |
|||||||||||||
Business cash LTIP | 2002 | 450 | Nil | | 2004 | ||||||||
Business cash LTIP | 2003 | 470 | 470 | 2005 | |||||||||
Business cash LTIP | 2004 | 500 | 500 | 2006 | |||||||||
Business cash LTIP | 2005 | 530 | 530 | 2007 | |||||||||
Total cash payments made in 2005 | 979 | ||||||||||||
Notes:
Clark Manning
Clark Manning's 2001 cash long-term incentive plans had four-year performance periods respectively with payouts in both cases depending on Jackson National Life's US GAAP net income in the final year. For the 2001 award the results led to payments of US$675,900 for the share element and US$151,800 for the option element. The face values of the awards for Clark Manning are converted at the average exchange rate for 2005 which was US$1.8192 = £1 (2004: US$1.8326 = £1). Upon joining the Board, Clark Manning also participated in the 2002 JNL Chief Executive LTIP which has a performance period of three years. The performance conditions are the same as described under "2005 BusinessBusiness specific long-term incentive awards". The compound growth rate of the JNL appraisal value was below the threshold for a payment to be made in respect of the award. For the 2003 Business cash LTIP the growth rate in appraisal value was 12.83 per cent and a payment of US$2,703,461 was made.
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Michael McLintock
Michael McLintock's 2002 and 2003 cash long-term incentive plans had the same performance conditions as described for his business-specific long-term incentive plan under "2005 BusinessBusiness specific long-term incentive awards". For both awards, the phantom share price at the beginning of the performance period was £1. For the 2002 award the phantom share price at the end was £2.33. This resulted in a payment from the phantom share award of £524,250 and a phantom option award of 367,800 units. He did not exercise any of these options. For the 2003 award, the phantom share price at the end was £2.03. This resulted in a phantom share award of £456,750.
Mark Norbom
Mark Norbom's 2004 and 2005 cash long-term incentive plans had the same performance conditions as described for his business-specific long-term incentive plan under "2005 BusinessBusiness specific long-term incentive awards".
Mark Wood
Mark Wood's 2002 and 2003 cash long-term incentive plans had the same performance conditions as described for his business-specific long-term incentive plan under "2005 BusinessBusiness specific long-term incentive awards". For the 2002 award the compound growth rate of the UK appraisal value was below the threshold for a payment to be made in respect of the award.
Mark Wood resigned as a director with effect from October 17, 2005 and his employment with the Group terminated on February 1, 2006. Under the terms of the termination of his contract, payments will be made in 2006 from his 2003, 2004 and 2005 LTIP awards, taking into account performance and pro-rating for service during each respective performance period. Subject to non-competition and non-solicitation conditions, the first payment was £235,000 on March 31, 2006, and subsequent payments are respectively £180,556 on or before July 31, 2006 and £103,056 on or before December 31, 2006.
Other share awards
The table below sets out the share awards that have been deferred from annual incentive plan payouts and awards to Mark Norbom relating to his appointment. The values of the deferred share awards are included in the bonus and total figures in the directors' remuneration table under "Remuneration". The number of shares is calculated using the average share price over the three business days commencing on the day of the announcement of the Group's annual financial results for the relevant year. For the 2004 awards, which were made in 2005, the average share price was 492 pence.
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|
|
Shares awarded |
Shares released in 2005 |
|||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Year of initial grant |
Conditional share awards outstanding at January 1, 2005 |
Conditionally awarded in 2005 |
Scrip dividends accumulated |
Shares released in 2005 |
Conditional share awards outstanding at December 31, 2005 |
Date of end of restricted period |
Shares released in 2005 |
Date of release |
Market price at original date of award (pence) |
Market price at date of vesting or release (pence) |
|||||||||||
Philip Broadley | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred 2003 annual incentive award | 2004 | 6,033 | 196 | | 6,229 | December 31, 2006 | ||||||||||||||||
Michael McLintock | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred 2003 annual incentive award | 2004 | 53,938 | 1,764 | | 55,702 | December 31, 2006 | ||||||||||||||||
Deferred 2004 annual incentive award1 | 2005 | 88,525 | 2,895 | | 91,420 | December 31, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||
Mark Norbom |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Awards under appointment terms1 | 2004 | 15,339 | 15,339 | | January 1, 2005 | 15,339 | March 2, 2005 | 439 | 486.25 | |||||||||||||
2004 | 15,339 | | 15,339 | January 1, 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||
2004 | 89,353 | | 89,353 | January 1, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||
2004 | 31,596 | | 31,596 | January 1, 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||
2004 | 15,339 | | 15,339 | January 1, 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||
2004 | 414,826 | | 414,826 | February 20, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||
Deferred 2004 annual incentive award | 2005 | 32,072 | 1,049 | | 33,121 | December 31, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||
Mark Wood |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred 2004 annual incentive award2 | 2005 | 34,258 | 1,120 | | 35,378 | December 31, 2007 |
Notes:
Executive Directors' pensions
It is the Company's policy to offer executive directors the facility to save for retirement through efficient pension vehicles and UK executive directors are offered a combination of HM Revenue and Customs approved pension schemes and supplementary provision.
Changes to UK pension regulations take effect from April 2006 ("A-Day"). Executive directors will not be compensated for the effects of any change in their taxation position as a result of these changes. For defined benefit schemes, the policy will be to retain a notional scheme earnings cap, replicating the HM Revenue and Customs earnings cap, which will no longer exist after A-Day. The effect of this will be to maintain the current policy for pension provision for executive directors who are currently eligible for defined benefit arrangements.
UK HM Revenue and Customs approved pension schemes
Executive directors employed in the UK are eligible to participate in HM Revenue and Customs approved pension schemes on the same basis as other employees who joined at that time, providing benefits based on basic salary up to the HM Revenue and Customs earnings cap.
The schemes include defined benefit and defined contribution arrangements. Philip Broadley participates in a non-contributory scheme that provides a pension of 1/60th of Final Pensionable Earnings for each year of service
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on retirement at age 60, as did Mark Wood. Michael McLintock participates in a contributory scheme that provides a target pension of 2/3rds of Final Pensionable Earnings on retirement at age 60 for an employee with 30 years or more potential service, for which his contribution is 4 per cent of basic salary. Jonathan Bloomer was only eligible to receive a lump sum death benefit of four times basic salary up to the earnings cap from the pension scheme.
On death in service a total sum from all these schemes of four times pensionable salary plus spouse's and children's pensions are payable. No employees with employment offers after June 30, 2003 were eligible for membership of the defined benefit schemes.
Other supplementary arrangements
Sir David Clementi is provided with a salary supplement, part of which is a contribution to a personal pension, and life assurance of four times his annual fees.
Mark Tucker is provided only with a salary supplement. Philip Broadley and Michael McLintock are entitled to supplements based on the portion of their basic salary not covered for pension benefits under an HM Revenue and Customs approved scheme, as were Jonathan Bloomer and Mark Wood. These supplements are paid directly to them, or to a Funded Unapproved Retirement Benefit Scheme (FURBS) established in their name up to A-Day. They are provided with life assurance cover related to salary over the HM Revenue and Customs earnings cap. The cover is broadly equivalent to the death in service benefits provided under the relevant UK HM Revenue and Customs approved pension scheme.
Clark Manning participates in a US tax-qualified defined contribution plan (a 401k plan). He is also provided with life assurance cover of two times basic salary.
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Mark Norbom is provided with a salary supplement for pension purposes, and life assurance provision of four times his basic salary.
Details of directors' pension entitlements under HM Revenue and Customs approved defined benefit schemes and the pre-tax amount of any salary supplements and contributions to FURBS or other pension arrangements paid by the Company are set out below:
|
|
|
|
Additional pension earned during year ended Dec 31, 2005 |
Transfer value of accrued benefit at December 31(4) |
|
|
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Age at December 31, 2005 |
Years of pensionable service at December 31, 2005(1) |
Accrued benefit at December 31, 2005 |
Ignoring inflation on pension earned to Dec 31 2004(2) |
Allowing for inflation on pension earned to Dec 31 2004(3) |
2005 B |
2004 A |
Amount of (B-A) less contributions made by directors during 2005 |
Pre-tax salary supplements & contributions to FURBS or other pension arrangements(5) |
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
(in £ Thousands) |
|
|
|||||||||||
Sir David Clementi | 56 | | | | | | | | 126 | |||||||||
Jonathan Bloomer | 51 | | | | | | | | 113 | |||||||||
Philip Broadley | 44 | 5 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 82 | 61 | 21 | 126 | |||||||||
Clark Manning | 47 | | | | | | | | 14 | |||||||||
Michael McLintock | 44 | 13 | 31 | 3 | 3 | 336 | 265 | 58 | 78 | |||||||||
Mark Norbom | 47 | | | | | | | | 155 | |||||||||
Mark Tucker | 48 | | | | | | | | 127 | |||||||||
Mark Wood | 52 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 96 | 65 | 31 | 182 |
Notes
No enhancements to the retirement benefits paid to or receivable by directors or former directors other than the discretionary pension increases awarded to all pensioners have been made during the year.
Total contributions to directors' pension arrangements were £1,111,602 (2004: £1,124,000) of which £361,145 (2004: £353,000) related to money purchase schemes.
Directors' Shareholdings
All executive and non-executive directors are required to have beneficial ownership of 2,500 ordinary shares in Prudential. This interest in shares must be acquired within two months of appointment to the Board if the director does not have such an interest in at least that number upon appointment. Non-executive directors have also agreed to use a proportion of their fees to purchase additional ordinary shares in Prudential on a quarterly basis. Both the qualification shares and shares acquired by the non-executive directors on a quarterly basis must be held while the directors remain in office.
The interests of directors in ordinary shares of Prudential are shown below. These interests include shares acquired under the Share Incentive Plan, the deferred annual incentive awards detailed in the table on other share awards under "Other share awards", and Mark Norbom's interests in the shares
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awarded on appointment that are detailed in the same table. See "Other Share Awards" above. Awards that remain conditional under the Restricted Share Plan are excluded. The interests of directors in office at April 30, 2006 in ordinary shares of the Company are shown below. All interests are beneficial.
Name(1) |
Holding as of April 30, 2006 |
Approximate Percentage of Ordinary Shares |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Philip Broadley | 64,700 | 0.0027 | ||
Sir David Clementi | 27,849 | 0.0011 | ||
Keki Dadiseth | 4,464 | 0.0002 | ||
Michael Garrett | 16,228 | 0.0007 | ||
Bridget Macaskill | 13,135 | 0.0005 | ||
Clark Manning | 24,953 | 0.0010 | ||
Michael McLintock | 285,481 | 0.0118 | ||
Roberto Mendoza | 208,181 | 0.0086 | ||
Mark Norbom(2) | 635,878 | 0.0262 | ||
Kathleen O'Donovan | 10,637 | 0.0004 | ||
Nick Prettejohn | 74,070 | 0.0031 | ||
James Ross | 8,665 | 0.0004 | ||
Rob Rowley | 45,077 | 0.0019 | ||
Mark Tucker | 170,635 | 0.0070 |
Prudential is not owned or controlled directly or indirectly by another corporation or by any government or by any other natural or legal person severally or jointly and Prudential does not know of any arrangements that might result in a change in Prudential's control.
In addition, Prudential's directors and other executive officers held, as at April 30, 2006, options to purchase 11,827 shares, all of which were issued pursuant to Prudential's Savings-Related Share Option Scheme. These options and plans are described in more detail below under "Options to Purchase Securities from Prudential" in this section. Neither Paul Gratton nor Michael Harris holds more than 1 per cent of Prudential shares.
Outstanding Options of Directors and Other Executive Officers
The Restricted Share Plan replaced the Executive Share Option Scheme in 1995 as Prudential's primary long-term incentive plan. Outstanding options under the Savings-Related Share Option Scheme (referred to as SAYE) are set out below. The Savings-Related Share Option Scheme is open to all UK and certain overseas employees and options up to the Inland Revenue limits are granted at a 20 per cent discount and cannot normally be exercised until a minimum of three years has elapsed. No payment has
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been made for the grant of any such options. The price to be paid for exercise of these options is shown in the table below. No variations to any outstanding options have been made.
Name(1) |
Options outstanding at April 30, 2006 |
Exercise price (pence)(2) |
Earliest exercise date |
Latest exercise date |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mark Tucker | 2,297 | 407 | December 1, 2008 | May 31, 2009 | ||||
Philip Broadley | 2,716 | 346 | June 1, 2007 | November 30, 2007 | ||||
Michael McLintock | 6,153 | 266 | June 1, 2008 | November 30, 2008 | ||||
Nick Prettejohn | 661 | 565 | June 1, 2009 | November 30, 2009 | ||||
TOTAL | 11,827 | |||||||
Prudential's register of directors' interests, which is open to inspection, contains full details of the directors' shareholdings and options to subscribe for shares.
Options to Purchase Securities from Prudential
As of April 30, 2006, 13,614,328 options were outstanding, which Prudential issued under the Savings-Related Share Option Schemes. As of April 30, 2006 directors and other executive officers held 11,827 of such outstanding options. Except as described above in "Outstanding Options of Directors and Other Executive Officers," each option represents the right of the bearer to subscribe for one share at a particular pre-determined exercise price at a pre-set exercise date.
As of April 30, 2006, 39,771 options were outstanding under the Restricted Share Plan. Such outstanding options held by directors or other executive officers are included in the shares set forth under "Senior Executives' Long-term Incentive Plans" in this section above.
As of April 30, 2006, 2,661,522 shares were outstanding under the Prudential Jackson National Life US Performance Share Plan, none of which was held by directors or other executive officers.
As of April 30, 2006, 2,773,357 shares were outstanding under other awards.
The aggregate proceeds that would arise if all outstanding options under the Savings-Related Share Option Schemes were exercised is £38 million. The latest expiration dates for exercise or release of the
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securities underlying the options or awards and the number of options or shares are set out in the table below.
Year of Expiration |
Shares Outstanding under the Prudential Jackson National Life US Performance Share Plan |
Options Outstanding Under Restricted Share Plan |
Options Outstanding Under Executive Share Option Scheme and Savings-Related Share Option Scheme |
Shares Outstanding Under Other Awards |
Total |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In Millions) |
|||||||||
2005 | 0 | | 0.132 | 0 | 0.132 | |||||
2006 | 0.153 | 0.002 | 4.947 | 0.14 | 5.242 | |||||
2007 | 0.828 | 0.009 | 1.376 | 0.176 | 2.389 | |||||
2008 | 0.797 | 0.023 | 4.062 | 0.097 | 4.979 | |||||
2009 | 0.884 | 0.006 | 1.695 | 0.015 | 2.600 | |||||
2010 | | | 0.948 | | 0.948 | |||||
2011 | | | 0.314 | | .314 | |||||
2012 | | | 0.077 | 0 | 0.077 | |||||
2013 | | | 0.063 | 0.415 | .478 | |||||
Total | 2.662 | 0.04 | 13.614 | 0.843 | 17.159 | |||||
Non-executive directors of Prudential are appointed initially for a three-year term. Upon appointment, all directors embark upon a wide-ranging induction programme covering, amongst other things, the principal bases of accounting for the Group's results, the role of the Audit Committee and the ambit of the internal audit function. In addition, they receive detailed briefings on the Group's principal businesses, its product range, the market in which it operates and the overall competitive environment. Other areas addressed include legal issues affecting directors of financial services companies, the Group's governance arrangements, its investor relations programme, as well as its remuneration policies. The appointment is then reviewed towards the end of this period against performance and the requirements of the Company's businesses. All directors are required to submit themselves for re-election at regular intervals and at least every three years, and at each Annual General Meeting following their attaining the age of 70.
The Board has established a number of standing committees of directors. The terms of reference for these committees are reviewed regularly.
Audit Committee
Kathleen O'Donovan is Chairman of, and James Ross and Keki Dadiseth are members of, the Audit Committee. Kathleen O'Donovan has been a member of the Audit Committee since May 8, 2003 and was appointed as Chairman of the Audit Committee with effect from May 18, 2006 following Rob Rowley's resignation as Chairman of the Audit Committee on May 18, 2006. Keki Dadiseth was appointed to the Audit Committee on May 5, 2005. All members of the Audit Committee are independent non-executive directors.
For the purposes of compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Board has determined that Kathleen O'Donovan qualifies as an "Audit Committee Financial Expert" within the meaning of Item 16A of Form-20F. See Item 16A "Audit Committee Financial Expert". Rob Rowley was the Company's designated "Audit Committee Financial Expert" prior to May 18, 2006.
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At Prudential, the Audit Committee is a key element of the governance framework.
Role of the Committee
The Audit Committee's principal oversight responsibilities cover:
The Committee has formal terms of reference set by the Board, which are reviewed regularly.
The Committee received detailed presentations from senior management throughout the year. These presentations were designed to keep members up to date and aware of the impact on the business of changes to accounting standards and practices, including International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and European Embedded Value (EEV).
Meetings
The Audit Committee met nine times during the year. Additionally, by invitation, the Chairman of the Board, Group Chief Executive, Group Finance Director, Group Chief Risk Officer, Group Company Secretary, Heads of Internal Audit, Group Risk and Group Compliance, as well as the external auditor attended some of the meetings.
The Chairman held preparatory meetings with the Group Chief Internal Auditor, the Group Chief Risk Officer, the external auditor and the Group Finance Director before each Committee meeting. A detailed forward agenda has been developed which ensures all matters for which the Committee is responsible are addressed at the appropriate time of the year. The principal business of the Committee's meetings included:
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During the year, the Committee's standing agenda items also included reports from Group Internal Audit, Group Risk, Group Compliance and Group Security, as well as reports on progress of the Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 project from management and the external auditor. The Committee also received presentations from some of the business unit chief executives.
The Audit Committee Chairman reported to the Board on matters of particular significance after each Committee meeting. The minutes of Committee meetings were circulated to all Board members.
The Committee recognizes the need to meet without the presence of executive management. Such a session was held in July 2005, with the external and internal auditors.
Business unit audit committees
Since 2005, each business unit has its own audit committee whose members and chairman are independent of the individual business unit. The chairman of these committees is approved by the Chairman of the Group Audit Committee. The committees are attended by business unit senior management including the Chief Executive and heads of finance, risk, compliance and internal audit. Business unit committees have similar terms of reference to the Group Audit Committee, and report significant issues to the Group Audit Committee when they arise. They approve the business unit internal audit plans and oversee the adequacy of internal audit resources, receive presentations from external audit; and meet privately with local external audit and the business unit heads of internal audit.
Internal Control and Risk Management
The Audit Committee reviewed the Group's statement on internal control systems prior to its endorsement by the Board. It also reviewed the policies and processes for identifying, assessing and managing business risks. The Committee also received the minutes of the Disclosure Committee and the Group Operational Risk Committee and noted their activities.
Beginning the year ended December 31, 2006, the Group will need to assess the effectiveness of its internal controls over financial reporting as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In common with other companies which have to comply with this legislation, this has required the Group to undertake a significant project to document and test its internal controls over financial reporting. The Committee has overseen the progress of this project through regular status reports submitted by management throughout 2005.
Internal Audit
The Audit Committee regards its relationship with internal audit as a particularly important one. Group Internal Audit plays an important role in supporting the Committee to fulfil its responsibilities under the Combined Code and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Each of the Group's business units has an internal audit function, the heads of which, beginning January 1, 2006 will report to the Group-wide Internal Audit Director. Internal audit resources, plans and work are overseen by the Group Audit Committee and by business unit audit committees.
Across the Group, 113 people work for Internal Audit. The Group-wide Internal Audit Director reports functionally to the Audit Committee and for management purposes to the Group Chief Risk
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Officer. During the year, the Audit Committee reviewed and approved internal audit's plans, resources and the results of its work. Reporting to the Audit Committee by Group Internal Audit is through formal reports, which are submitted four times during the year, as well as regular private meetings between the Chairman of the Committee and the Group-wide Internal Audit Director. Additionally, the Chairman of the Audit Committee attended the Group's internal audit conference in September 2005.
The Audit Committee assesses the effectiveness of internal audit through a review, carried out by external advisors, and through ongoing dialogue with the Group-wide Internal Audit Director. An internal review of internal audit arrangements and standards was also conducted in 2005, to ensure that the activities and resources of internal audit are most effectively organized to support the oversight responsibilities of the Audit Committee.
External Audit
The Audit Committee has a key oversight role in relation to the external auditor, KPMG Audit Plc, whose primary relationship is with the Committee. The Group's Auditor Independence Policy ensures that the independence and objectivity of the external auditor is not impaired, and that the Group maintains a sufficient choice of appropriately qualified audit firms. The policy sets out four key principles which underpin the provision of non-audit services by the external auditor, namely that the auditor should not:
The Committee reviewed and updated the policy in December 2005.
The Group has a policy that at least once every five years, the Audit Committee undertakes a formal review to assess whether the external audit should be re-tendered. The external audit was last put out to competitive tender in 1999 when the present auditor was appointed. In February 2004 and July 2005, the Committee formally considered the need to re-tender the audit and concluded that given the significant changes in audit and regulatory requirements, the interests of the Company were better served by retaining the existing auditor. In addition, the Audit Committee concluded that there was nothing in the performance of the auditor requiring a change.
During the year, the Audit Committee assessed the qualification, expertise and resources, effectiveness and independence of the external auditor. In addition to the questioning of the external auditor and the Group Finance Director that is a regular feature of meetings, the review of the effectiveness of the external audit process was conducted through a questionnaire-based exercise administered by Group Internal Audit, supplemented by interviews with senior finance staff and Audit Committee members.
For the year ended December 2005, fees for audit services of £6.8 million were approved by the Committee. All fees for non-audit services were approved by the Committee in accordance with the Group's Auditor Independence Policy prior to work commencing. The Audit Committee reviewed the non-audit services being provided to the Group by its external auditor at regular intervals in 2005. During the year, fees for non-audit services of £5.6 million were approved by the Audit Committee. Fees for non-audit services amounted to 45 per cent of total fees paid to KPMG Audit Plc. These fees primarily related to assurance services associated with the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards and European Embedded Value accounting requirements, compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, compliance with other regulatory changes and due diligence work related to the acquisition of the Egg minority.
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Financial Reporting
The Audit Committee reviewed the interim and annual financial statements before their submission to the Board, paying particular attention to critical accounting policies and practices and any changes in them; decisions requiring a major element of judgement; unusual transactions; clarity of disclosures; significant audit adjustments; the going concern assumption; compliance with accounting standards; and compliance with obligations under the Combined Code and other applicable laws and regulations.
The Committee is regularly briefed by senior management on developments in international accounting standards, and during the year it continued to review the progress of the Group project to implement International Financial Reporting Standards and European Embedded Value reporting.
Confidential Reporting
At each meeting, the Committee received and reviewed a report on calls to the confidential reporting lines, which are made available to employees to enable them to communicate confidentially on matters of concern. The Committee also considered whether any internal control implications arose from communications received. No internal control implications were raised from calls to the confidential reporting lines.
Audit Committee Effectiveness
During the year, the Audit Committee undertook a formal review of its own effectiveness. The Committee is satisfied, based on the findings of this review that it had been operating as an effective Audit Committee, meeting all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Further reviews of the effectiveness of the Audit Committee will be undertaken annually.
Remuneration Committee
Bridget Macaskill is Chairman of, and Keki Dadiseth, Michael Garrett, and Roberto Mendoza are members of, the Remuneration Committee.
The Remuneration Committee is comprised exclusively of independent non-executive directors of the Company. While the Chairman and Group Chief Executive are not members, they attend meetings unless they have a conflict of interest.
The Remuneration Committee normally has scheduled meetings at least three times a year and a number of additional meetings, as required, to review remuneration policy and to determine the remuneration packages of the Chairman and the Executive Directors. During 2005 a total of eleven meetings were held. Except in relation to the remuneration of the Group Chief Executive, when only the Chairman is consulted, the Remuneration Committee consults the Chairman and the Group Chief Executive about its proposals relating to the remuneration of all Executive Directors. The Committee has access to professional advice inside and outside Prudential.
Nomination Committee
Sir David Clementi is Chairman of, and Bridget Macaskill and James Ross are members of, the Nomination Committee. James Ross joined the Nomination Committee on September 22, 2005, and Kathleen O'Donovan resigned from the Committee on September 22, 2005. Jonathan Bloomer and Rob Rowley resigned from Prudential and as members of the Nomination Committee with effect from May 5, 2005 and May 18, 2006 (at the conclusion of the AGM), respectively.
The Nomination Committee is comprised exclusively of independent non-executive directors and the Chairman and until May 5, 2005 included the former Group Chief Executive. The current Group Chief Executive is also closely involved in the work of the Committee and is invited to attend and contribute
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to meetings of the Committee. The Committee meets as required to consider candidates for appointment to the Board and to make recommendations to the Board in respect of those candidates. The Committee, in consultation with the Board, evaluates the balance of skills, knowledge and experience on the Board and makes recommendations regarding appointments based on merit and against objective criteria and the requirements of the Group's business. In appropriate cases, search consultants are used to identify suitable candidates.
During the year the Committee held four meetings resulting in the appointment by the Board of Mark Tucker as Group Chief Executive on May 6, 2005, and Nick Prettejohn as executive director on January 1, 2006.
During the year, the Nomination Committee continued the search for additional non-executive directors and employed professional search consultants who oversaw the initial process. The search resulted in the appointment by the Board of Lord Turnbull as an additional non-executive director on May 18, 2006.
NYSE Corporate Governance Rules compared to Prudential plc's Corporate Governance Practice
Pursuant to NYSE rule 303A Prudential has disclosed the differences between the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and its Corporate Governance Practice on its web site at http://www.prudential.co.uk.
The average numbers of staff employed by the Prudential group, excluding employees of the Venture investment subsidiaries of the PAC with-profits fund, for the following periods were:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
UK operations and Europe | 10,708 | 10,849 | ||
US operations | 2,588 | 2,589 | ||
Prudential Corporation Asia | 9,652 | 8,277 | ||
Total | 22,948 | 21,715 | ||
As at December 31, 2005, Prudential employed 23,248 persons. Of the 23,248 employees, approximately 45 per cent were located in the United Kingdom and Europe, 43 per cent in Asia, 12 per cent in the United States. In the United Kingdom as at December 31, 2005, Prudential had 1,119 employees paying union subscriptions through the payroll. As at December 31, 2005, Prudential had 734 temporary employees in the United Kingdom and 326 in Asia. Prudential did not have a significant number of temporary employees in the United States. As at December 31, 2005, Prudential had 460 fixed term contractors in the UK, 46 in the United States and 488 in Asia.
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Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
The Companies Act 1985 provides that a person or corporate entity that acquires an interest of 3 per cent or more in Prudential ordinary shares is required to notify Prudential of that interest. Any subsequent increase or decrease of 1 per cent or more must also be notified. Similarly, a notification is required once the interest falls below 3 per cent. As at April 30, 2006 Prudential had received the following notifications:
Significant Changes in Ownership
In March 2003, Fidelity International Limited and FMR Corp informed Prudential that they together were interested in 79,303,947 of its ordinary shares, or 3.96 per cent of its ordinary share capital and, also in March 2003, a further notification was received that they together were interested in 81,877,937 of its ordinary shares or 4.09 per cent of its ordinary share capital. In March 2003, BNP Paribas informed Prudential that it was interested in 61,494,082 of its ordinary shares, or 3.07 per cent of its ordinary share capital and subsequently also in March 2003, that it had ceased having a notifiable interest. In March 2003, Barclays PLC informed Prudential that it was interested in 60,147,768 of its ordinary shares, or 3 per cent of its ordinary share capital.
In January 2004, Fidelity International Limited and FMR Corp informed Prudential that they together were interested in 80,630,788 of its ordinary shares, or 4.01 per cent of its ordinary share capital. In March 2004, Cater Allen International Limited informed Prudential it was interested in 68,165,921 of its ordinary shares, or 3.39 per cent of its ordinary share capital. Further notifications were received from Cater Allen International Limited in March 2004 informing Prudential that it was interested in 90,343,121 of its ordinary shares, or 4.50 per cent of its ordinary share capital, and subsequently that its holding had increased to 92,263,121 ordinary shares, or 4.59 per cent of Prudential's ordinary share capital, and later in March 2004 that it had ceased to have a notifiable interest. In March 2004 Lehman Brothers International (Europe) informed Prudential that it was interested in 102,420,602 of its ordinary shares, or 5.10 per cent of its ordinary share capital. Further notifications were received from Lehman Brothers International (Europe) in March 2004 informing the Company that it was interested in 83,760,737 of Prudential's ordinary shares, or 4.17 per cent of its ordinary share capital and subsequently that its interest had decreased to 66,066,824 of Prudential's ordinary shares, or 3.29 per cent of its ordinary share capital. Subsequently in March 2004 Lehman Brothers International (Europe) informed Prudential that it had ceased to have a notifiable interest in Prudential's ordinary share capital. In April 2004, Aviva plc informed Prudential that it was interested in 60,323,328 of its ordinary shares, or 3.0023 per cent of Prudential's ordinary share capital. Also in April 2004, Morley Fund Management Limited informed Prudential that it was interested in 60,506,819 of its ordinary shares, or 3.01 per cent of Prudential's ordinary share capital. Subsequently in June 2004, both Aviva plc and Morley Fund Management Limited informed Prudential that they had ceased to have a notifiable interest in Prudential's share capital. In July 2004, Prudential received notifications from Legal and General Investment Management Limited that it was interested in 81,326,380 ordinary shares of Prudential, and from Fidelity International Limited and FMR Corp that they together were interested in 77,255,787 ordinary shares of Prudential, or 4.02 per cent and 3.82 per cent respectively of Prudential's ordinary share capital. In August 2004 Prudential received two notifications from Barclays PLC, the first informing it of an interest in 61,406,677 ordinary shares, or 3.035 per cent of Prudential's ordinary share capital, the second informing Prudential that it had ceased to have a notifiable interest in Prudential's ordinary share capital. Also in August 2004, Lehman Brothers International (Europe) informed Prudential that it had a notifiable interest in 108,413,123 ordinary shares, or 5.36 per cent of Prudential's ordinary share capital, and subsequently in September 2004, notifications were received that that interest had decreased to 74,042,089 ordinary shares or 3.66 per cent, and eventually ceased to be a notifiable interest. In October 2004, Prudential
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received two notifications from Fidelity International Limited and FMR Corp, initially of a combined notfiable interest in 82,567,578 ordinary shares, or 4.08 per cent of Prudential's ordinary share capital, and later of a decrease of that interest to 78,275,627 ordinary shares, or 3.87 per cent. Subsequently in November 2004, Fidelity International Limited and FMR Corp informed Prudential that they together had ceased to have a notifiable interest in the ordinary share capital of Prudential plc.
In February 2005, Barclays PLC notified Prudential that it had a notifiable interest in 79,033,599 ordinary shares, or 3.33 per cent of Prudential's ordinary share capital, and subsequently, also in February 2005, that its interest had ceased to be notifiable. In March 2005, Prudential received a notification from Cater Allen International Limited that it had a notifiable interest in 88,640,496 ordinary shares, or 3.73 per cent of Prudential's ordinary share capital, and subsequently, also in March 2005, it notified Prudential that its interest had ceased to be notifiable. Also in March 2005, Prudential received notifications from Lehman Brothers International (Europe) that it had a notifiable interest in 99,067,148 ordinary shares, or 4.17 per cent, and subsequently that that interest had decreased to 75,591,074 ordinary shares, or 3.18 per cent of the ordinary share capital, and finally, also in March 2005, that its interest had ceased to be notifiable. In April 2005, Barclays PLC notified Prudential that it had an interest in 94,041,936 ordinary shares, or 3.96 per cent of the ordinary share capital, and later in April 2005 that its interest had ceased to be notifiable.In July 2005, Fidelity Investments notified Prudential that it had an interest in 72,441,901 ordinary shares, or 3.04 per cent of the ordinary share capital. In August 2005, Barclays PLC notified Prudential that it had an interest in 73,951,823 ordinary shares, or 3.10 per cent of the ordinary share capital. Also in August 2005, Deutsche Bank AG notified Prudential that it had an interest in 77,713,900 ordinary shares, or 3.26 per cent of the ordinary share capital, and later in August 2005 that its interest had ceased to be notifiable. In November 2005, UBS AG notified Prudential that it had an interest in 241,298,813 ordinary shares, or 10.11 per cent of the ordinary share capital, and in December 2005 that its interest had ceased to be notifiable. Also in December 2005, Prudential received notification from Fidelity Investments that its interest had ceased to be notifiable.
In February 2006, Fidelity Investments notified Prudential that it had an interest in 75,706,390 ordinary shares, or 3.13 per cent of the ordinary share capital. In March 2006, UBS AG notified Prudential that it had an interest in 75,530,091 ordinary shares, or 3.04 per cent of the ordinary share capital, and later in March 2006 that it had an interest in 250,259,483 ordinary shares, or 10.33 per cent of the ordinary share capital. Also in March 2006, Prudential received notification from Lehman Brothers International (Europe) of an interest in 131,384,250 ordinary shares, or 5.42 per cent of the ordinary share capital. In April 2006. Prudential received notifications from UBS AG and Lehman Brothers International (Europe) that their interests had ceased to be notifiable.
Major shareholders of Prudential have the same voting rights per share as other shareholders. See Item 10, "Additional InformationMemorandum and Articles of AssociationVoting Rights".
As of April 30, 2006, there were 128 shareholders holding Prudential ordinary shares in the United States. These shares represented approximately 0.01 per cent of Prudential's issued ordinary share capital. As of April 30, 2006 there were 28 registered Prudential ADR holders. These shares represented by the ADRs held amounted to approximately 0.00026 per cent of Prudential's issued ordinary share capital.
Prudential does not know of any arrangements which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of Prudential.
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries are eliminated on consolidation.
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In addition, the Company has transactions and outstanding balances with certain unit trusts, Open Ended Investment Companies ('OEICs'), collateralized debt obligations and similar entities, which are not consolidated and where a Group company acts as manager. These entities are regarded as related parties for the purpose of IFRS. The balances are included in the Group's balance sheet at fair value or amortized cost in accordance with their IFRS classifications. The transactions are included in the income statement and include: amounts paid on the issue of shares or units, amounts received on cancellation of shares or units and amounts paid in respect of the periodic charge and administration fee.
Various executive officers and directors of Prudential may from time to time purchase insurance, investment management or annuity products, or be granted mortgages or credit card facilities marketed by Prudential Group companies in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and security requirements, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons.
In 2005, three directors held mortgages and other borrowings from Egg plc valued at approximately £125,000. One director had a life policy with a sum assured of £4.0 million. In 2005, other transactions with directors were de-minimis both by virtue of their size and in the context of the directors' financial positions. All of the above noted transactions are on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm's length transactions.
Apart from the transactions with directors discussed above and in Item 6 "Directors, Senior Management and Employees", no director had an interest in shares, transactions or arrangements that requires disclosure.
See Item 18, "Financial Statements".
The tables below set forth for the periods indicated the highest and lowest closing middle-market quotations for Prudential ordinary shares, as derived from the Daily Official List of the London Stock
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Exchange, and the actual ADS high and low closing sale prices on the New York Stock Exchange after that date.
|
Prudential Ordinary Shares |
Prudential ADS Actual |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year |
||||||||
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
|||||
|
(pence) |
(US Dollars) |
||||||
2001 | 1,095 | 568 | 32.69 | 17.05 | ||||
2002 | 824 | 333 | 24.11 | 10.38 | ||||
2003 | 487 | 281 | 17.05 | 9.46 | ||||
2004 | 533 | 386 | 20.29 | 14.65 | ||||
2005 | 552 | 445 | 19.75 | 16.52 |
|
Prudential Ordinary Shares |
Prudential ADS Actual |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarter |
||||||||
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
|||||
|
(pence) |
(US Dollars) |
||||||
2004 | ||||||||
First quarter | 533 | 437 | 20.29 | 16.12 | ||||
Second quarter | 459 | 406 | 17.43 | 15.03 | ||||
Third quarter | 453 | 399 | 17.23 | 15.34 | ||||
Fourth quarter | 467 | 386 | 17.60 | 14.65 | ||||
2005 |
||||||||
First quarter | 507 | 445 | 19.60 | 16.52 | ||||
Second quarter | 519 | 470 | 19.75 | 17.58 | ||||
Third quarter | 543 | 498 | 19.54 | 17.81 | ||||
Fourth quarter | 552 | 463 | 19.17 | 16.68 | ||||
2006 |
||||||||
First quarter | 744 | 550 | 26.32 | 19.10 |
|
Prudential Ordinary Shares |
Prudential ADS Actual |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month |
||||||||
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
|||||
|
(pence) |
(US Dollars) |
||||||
December 2005 | 552 | 510 | 19.17 | 18.21 | ||||
January 2006 | 578 | 550 | 20.68 | 19.10 | ||||
February 2006 | 623 | 565 | 21.83 | 19.77 | ||||
March 2006 | 744 | 576 | 26.32 | 20.32 | ||||
April 2006 | 678 | 638 | 24.57 | 22.95 | ||||
May 2006 | 660 | 575 | 24.84 | 21.99 |
Prudential ordinary shares are listed on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol "PRU". Prudential ADSs have been listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange since June 28, 2000 under the symbol "PUK".
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Item 10. Additional Information
Memorandum and Articles of Association
Prudential plc is incorporated and registered in England and Wales, under registered number 1397169. Prudential's corporate objects are extensive, as more fully set out in clause 4 of Prudential's Memorandum of Association.
The
following is a summary of both the rights of Prudential shareholders and certain provisions of Prudential's memorandum and articles of association. Rights of Prudential shareholders
are set out in Prudential's memorandum and articles of association or are provided for by applicable English law. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all the information that is included in
Prudential's memorandum and articles of association. A complete copy of Prudential's memorandum and articles of association are filed as an exhibit to this Form 20-F. In addition, these
documents may be viewed on Prudential's website at:
"www.prudential.co.uk/prudential-plc/aboutpru/corporategovernance/articlesofassociation/"
Share capital
The issued share capital of Prudential is not currently divided into different classes of shares, however, a resolution was passed at the Annual General Meeting on May 6, 2004 to increase the authorized share capital by the creation of a new class of 2,000,000,000 Sterling Preference Shares of £0.01 each, a new class of 2,000,000,000 Dollar Preference Shares of $0.01 each, and a new class of 2,000,000,000 Euro Preference Shares of €0.01 each in addition to the 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of £0.05 each. To date, no preference shares have been issued. The authorized ordinary share capital was increased to 4,000,000,000 shares of £0.05 each at the Annual General Meeting on May 18, 2006.
The Board of Directors shall determine whether the preference shares are to be redeemable, the dividend rights, the rights to a return of capital or to share in the assets of the Company on a winding up or liquidation and the rights to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company prior to the date on which the preference shares are allotted. If the Board of Directors determines prior to any allotment date that the shares are to be redeemable, on redemption, the holder of a preference share shall be paid the aggregate of the nominal amount of such preference share, any premium paid by the shareholder on allotment and, if the directors so decide, a redemption premium which shall be calculated in accordance with a formula chosen by the Board of Directors from a selection set out in Prudential's articles of association. No dividend will be payable after the date of redemption of any preference share but dividends accrued at such date will be payable.
The Board is restricted from capitalizing any amounts available for distribution in respect of any series or class of preference shares without the written consent of the holders of at least three-quarters in nominal value, or an extraordinary resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the class or series of preference shares if to do so would mean that the aggregate of the amounts so capitalized would be less than the multiple, if any, determined by the Board of the aggregate amount of the dividends payable in the twelve month period following the capitalization on the series or class of preference shares and on any other preference shares in issue which rank pari passu in relation to participation in profits.
Dividends and other distributions
Under English law, Prudential may pay dividends only if distributable profits are available for that purpose. Distributable profits are accumulated, realized profits not previously distributed or capitalized, less accumulated, realized losses not previously written off. Even if distributable profits are available, Prudential may only pay dividends if the amount of its net assets is not less than the aggregate of its called-up share capital and undistributable reserves, including, for example, the share premium account and the payment of the dividend does not reduce the amount of the net assets to less than that
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aggregate. Subject to these restrictions, Prudential's directors may recommend to ordinary shareholders that a final dividend be declared and recommend the amount of any such dividend and determine whether to pay a distribution by way of an interim dividend and the amount of any such interim dividend out of the profits of the Company, but must take into account Prudential's financial position. Following a change in accounting rules, any dividends which are proposed after an accounting period but are still subject to shareholder approval, will no longer be treated as a liability at the balance sheet date; a liability will only arise after such approval has been obtained. Prudential also has authorized preference shares, the terms of which as to redemption and rights to the profits of the Company available for dividend and rights to a return of capital or to share in the surplus assets of the Company on a winding up or liquidation will be determined by the directors prior to each tranche of preference shares being issued. Subject to any such special rights attaching to preference shares in issue, the profits available for distribution and resolved to be distributed are distributed to the ordinary shareholders. Currently, there are no preference shares in issue.
Prudential's directors or the Company also determine the date on which Prudential pays dividends. Prudential pays dividends to the shareholders on the register on the record date that the directors or the Company determine, in proportion to the number of shares that those shareholders hold. There are no fixed dates on which entitlements to dividends arise. Interest is not payable on dividends or other amounts payable in respect of shares.
Prudential's directors have the discretion to offer shareholders the right to elect to receive additional shares (credited as fully paid) instead of all or any part of any cash dividend. The aggregate value of additional shares that a shareholder may receive under such an election is as nearly as possible equal to (but not greater than) the cash amount the shareholder would have received. Prudential does not issue fractions of shares and Prudential's directors may make such provision as they think appropriate to deal with any fractional entitlements. Prudential's directors may exclude shareholders from the right to receive shares instead of cash dividends if Prudential's directors believe that extending the election to such shareholders would violate the laws of any territory or for any other reason the directors consider in their absolute discretion appropriate.
If a shareholder does not claim a dividend within 12 years of such dividend becoming due for payment, such shareholder forfeits it. Such unclaimed amounts may be invested or otherwise used for Prudential's benefit.
Shareholder Meetings
English company law provides for shareholders to exercise their power to decide on corporate matters at general meetings. Prudential's articles of association, in accordance with English company law, require the Company to call annual general meetings, at intervals of not longer than 15 months. At the annual general meetings, shareholders receive and consider the statutory accounts and the reports by the auditor and the directors, approve the directors' remuneration report, elect and re-elect directors, approve payment of final dividends, approve the appointment, and fix, or determine the manner of fixing, the remuneration of Prudential's auditor and transact any other business which ought to be transacted at a general meeting, either under the articles of association or English company law generally. Extraordinary general meetings to consider specific matters may be held at the discretion of Prudential's directors and must be convened, in accordance with English company law, following the written request of shareholders representing at least one-tenth of all the issued shares. The quorum required under Prudential's articles of association for a general meeting is two shareholders present in person or by proxy.
Voting Rights
Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll (meaning a vote by the number of shares held rather than by a show of hands) is demanded as described below. On a show of
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hands every shareholder holding ordinary shares who is present in person or in the case of a corporation, its duly authorized corporate representative has one vote. Proxies are not allowed to vote on a show of hands. On a poll every shareholder who is present in person or by proxy and every duly authorized corporate representative have one vote for every share held. Only the holders of fully paid shares are allowed to attend and be counted in the quorum at meetings or to vote. If more than one joint shareholder votes, only the vote of the shareholder whose name appears first in the register is counted. A shareholder whose shareholding is registered in the name of a nominee may not attend and vote at a general meeting and may only vote through his or her nominee.
Resolutions of Prudential's shareholders generally require the approval of a majority of the shareholders to be passed. Such resolutions, referred to as ordinary resolutions, require:
Some resolutions, referred to as special resolutions, however, such as a resolution to amend the memorandum and articles of association, require a 75 per cent majority. Such special resolutions require:
In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman of the general meeting has a tie-breaking vote both on a show of hands and on a poll. Any shareholder who is entitled to attend and vote at a general meeting may appoint one or more proxies to attend and vote at the meeting on his or her behalf.
The following persons may demand a poll:
Voting rights of Prudential's preference shares will be determined by the directors prior to each tranche of preference shares being issued. Currently, there are no preference shares in issue.
Transfer of Shares
Transfers of shares may be made by an instrument of transfer. An instrument of transfer must be signed by or on behalf of the transferor and, unless the share is fully paid, by or on behalf of the transferee. The transferor remains the holder of the relevant shares until the name of the transferee is entered in the share register. Transfers of shares may also be made by a computer-based system (currently the CREST system) and transferred without a written instrument in accordance with English company law. The directors may in certain circumstances refuse to register transfers of shares, but only if such refusal does not prevent dealings in the shares from taking place on an open and proper basis. If the directors refuse to register a transfer they must send the transferee notice of the refusal within two months.
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Changes in Share Capital
Increases in share capital may only take place after approval by shareholders by ordinary resolution. The class and other rights attaching to such new shares may be determined by resolution of the shareholders or may be delegated by the shareholders to the directors. Prudential's directors may issue and allot such new shares if authorized to do so by the shareholders. In addition to any increase, the following changes in share capital may only take place after approval by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders:
Reductions in Prudential's issued share capital and share premium account must be approved by a special resolution of the shareholders and must be confirmed by an order of the court. Purchases of Prudential's own shares also require authority to be granted by a special resolution passed by shareholders.
Variation of Rights
If the share capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights of any class of shares may be changed or taken away only if such measure is approved by an extraordinary resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of that class, or with the written consent of at least three quarters of the shares of that class. Two persons holding or representing by proxy at least one-third in nominal amount of the issued shares of the class must be present at such a meeting in person or by proxy to constitute a quorum.
The Board may not authorize, create or increase the amount of, any shares of any class or any security convertible into shares of any class or any security which is convertible into shares of any class ranking, in relation to the right to participate in the profits or assets in the Company, in priority to a series or class of preference shares without the consent in writing of at least three-quarters in nominal value of, or the sanction of an extraordinary resolution of the holders of such series or class of preference shares.
Lien
Prudential may not have a lien on fully paid shares.
Shareholders Resident Abroad
Accidental omission to send notices to shareholders shall not invalidate the proceedings of the ensuing meeting. There are no limitations on non-resident or foreign shareholders' rights to own Prudential securities or exercise voting rights where such rights are given under English company law.
Winding-up
Prudential is subject to the general insolvency law applicable to UK companies, which is described in Item 4, "Information on the CompanySupervision and Regulation of PrudentialUK Supervision and RegulationApplication of 2000 Act Regulatory Regime to PrudentialRegulation of Insurance BusinessWinding-up Rules".
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Board of Directors
Prudential's board of directors manages Prudential's business. However, Prudential's shareholders must approve certain matters, such as changes to the share capital and the election and re-election of directors. Directors are appointed subject to Prudential's articles of association. Prudential's board of directors may fill vacancies and appoint additional directors who hold office until the next annual general meeting. The articles of association require that each director must have beneficial ownership of a given number of ordinary shares. The number of shares is determined by ordinary resolution at a general meeting and is currently 2,500. The minimum number of directors is eight and the maximum number is twenty. Prudential may vary the limits on directors by special resolution. There are currently fourteen members on Prudential's board of directors.
At every annual general meeting, directors who have been in office for three years and have not sought re-election during that time are required to retire by rotation and are eligible for re-election. Shareholders may remove any director before the end of his or her term of office by ordinary resolution and may appoint another person in his or her place by ordinary resolution.
In addition, the executive directors enter into service agreements with Prudential governing their employment relationship. The normal termination notice period under such service agreements for executive directors is twelve months. For newly appointed executive directors, there may be an initial contractual period of up to two years before the twelve-month notice period applies. Non-executive directors do not have service agreements and are not eligible for the annual bonus, nor for membership in Prudential's share incentive plans or pensions.
The directors may exercise all the powers of Prudential to borrow money and to mortgage or charge any of its assets provided that the total amount borrowed does not, when aggregated with the total borrowing (which excludes, amongst other things, intra-group borrowings and amounts secured by policies, guarantees, bonds or contracts issued or given by Prudential or its subsidiaries in the course of its business) of all of Prudential's subsidiaries, exceed the aggregate of the share capital and consolidated reserves and of one-tenth of the insurance funds of Prudential and each of its subsidiaries as shown in the most recent audited consolidated balance sheet of the Group prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985.
There is no age restriction applicable to directors in Prudential's articles of association. English company law, however, requires that if Prudential appoints or retains a director over the age of 70, special notice stating the director's age must be given for a resolution appointing or re-appointing the director. "Special notice" requires that notice of the intention to move the resolution is given to the company at least 28 days before the meeting at which the resolution is moved.
Disclosure of Interests
Section 198 of the Companies Act 1985 provides that a person (including a company and other legal entities) that acquires an interest of 3 per cent or more in any class of shares constituting an English public company's relevant share capital (e.g., Prudential-issued share capital carrying the right to vote in all circumstances at a general meeting of Prudential) is required to notify Prudential of its interest within two business days following the day on which it acquires that interest. After the 3 per cent level is exceeded, similar notifications must be made in respect of increases or decreases of 1 per cent or more. In addition a notification is required once the interest falls below 3 per cent.
For the purposes of the notification obligation, the interest of a person in shares means any kind of interest in shares including interests in any shares:
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entitled to exercise or control the exercise of one-third or more of the voting power at general meetings of that corporate body, or
Some interests (e.g., those held by certain investment fund managers) may be disregarded for the purposes of calculating the 3 per cent threshold, but the obligations of disclosure will still apply where those interests exceed 10 per cent of any class of the company's relevant share capital and to increases or decreases of 1 per cent or more thereafter.
Section 212 of the Companies Act 1985 provides that a public company may send a written notice to a person whom the company knows or has reasonable cause to believe to be, or to have been at any time during the three years immediately preceding the date on which the notice is issued, interested in shares constituting the company's "relevant share capital". The notice may require that person to state whether he has an interest in the shares, and in case that person holds or has held an interest in those shares, to give additional information relating to that interest and any other interest in the shares of which that person is aware.
Where a company serves notice under the provisions described above on a person who is or was interested in shares of the company and that person fails to give the company any information required by the notice within the time specified in the notice, the company may apply to an English court for an order directing that the shares in question be subject to restrictions prohibiting, among other things, any transfer of those shares, the taking up of rights in respect of those shares and, other than in liquidation, payments in respect of those shares.
In addition, under Prudential's articles of association, a shareholder may lose the right to vote his shares if he or any other person appearing to be interested in those shares fails to comply within a prescribed period of time with such a request to give the required information with respect to past or present ownership or interests in those shares, or makes a statement in response to such a request which is in the opinion of the directors false or misleading in any material manner. In the case of holders of 0.25 per cent or more of the issued share capital of Prudential (or any class of the share capital), in addition to disenfranchisement, the sanctions that may be applied by Prudential under its articles of association include withholding the right to receive payment of dividends on the relevant shares, and restrictions on transfers of these relevant shares. In the case of holders of less than 0.25 per cent of the issued share capital of Prudential, the sanction is disenfranchisement alone.
A person who fails to fulfill the obligations imposed by Sections 198 and 212 of the Companies Act 1985 described above is subject to criminal penalties.
Permitted Operations
Under clause 4 of Prudential's Memorandum of Association, Prudential's principal object is to carry on the business of an investment holding company and, for that purpose to acquire and hold (for itself or as trustee or nominee) securities in any part of the world. Further objects include providing financial, administrative and investment services in its own right and for the companies in which Prudential is interested. In addition, the Memorandum of Association provides that each of the paragraphs setting out its objects is not limited by reference to or inference from the terms of any other paragraph but may be construed in its widest sense.
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Directors' Interests
A director may not vote, and is not to be counted in the quorum present at a meeting of the board of directors, in respect of any contract or arrangement in which he has an interest that is (together with any interest of any person connected with him), to his knowledge, a material interest, other than an interest in shares or debentures of Prudential. This prohibition does not apply to resolutions concerning the following matters:
These prohibitions may at any time be suspended or relaxed (generally or in respect of any particular contract, arrangement or transaction) by shareholders in a general meeting.
Directors' remuneration
The remuneration of the executive directors and the Chairman is determined by the Remuneration Committee, which consists of independent, non-executive directors. The remuneration of the non-executive directors is determined by the Board. For further details see Item 6" Directors, Senior Management and EmployeesCompensation".
Change of Control
There is no specific provision in Prudential's articles of association that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Prudential and that would operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving Prudential, or any of its subsidiaries.
Prudential operates its primary long-term incentive plan, the Restricted Share Plan, to provide rewards to executive directors and most other executive officers contingent upon the achievement of pre-determined returns to shareholders. See Item 6, "Directors, Senior Management and EmployeesCompensationSenior Executives' Long-term Incentive Plans".
Prudential has also entered into service contracts with executive directors relating to their employment in such capacity. See Item 6, "Directors, Senior Management and EmployeesService Contracts".
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Other than the requirement to obtain the consent of HM Treasury to certain corporate actions, there are currently no UK laws, decrees or regulations that restrict the export or import of capital, including, but not limited to, foreign exchange controls, or that affect the remittance of dividends or other payments to non-UK residents or to US holders of Prudential's securities, except as otherwise set forth under "Taxation" in this section.
The following is a summary, under current law, of the principal UK tax and US federal income tax considerations relating to an investment by a US taxpayer in Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs. This summary applies to you only if:
This summary does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to any particular investor, and does not address the tax treatment of investors that are subject to special rules. Prudential has assumed that you are familiar with the tax rules applicable to investments in securities generally and with any special rules to which you may be subject. You should consult your own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the ownership of Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs in the context of your own particular circumstances.
The discussion is based on laws, treaties, judicial decisions, and regulatory interpretations in effect on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change.
Beneficial owners of ADSs will be treated as owners of the underlying Prudential ordinary shares for US federal income tax purposes and for purposes of the December 31, 1975 Treaty between the US and the UK. Deposits and withdrawals of Prudential ordinary shares in exchange for ADSs will not result in the realization of gain or loss for US federal income tax purposes.
UK Taxation of Dividends
Under current UK tax law, no tax is required to be withheld in the UK at source from cash dividends paid to US resident holders.
UK Taxation of Capital Gains
A holder of Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs who for UK tax purposes is a US corporation that is not resident in the UK will not be liable for UK taxation on capital gains realized on the disposal of Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs unless at the time of disposal:
Subject to the comments in the following paragraph, a holder of Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs who, for UK tax purposes, is an individual who is neither resident nor not ordinarily resident in the UK
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will not be liable for UK taxation on capital gains realized on the disposal of Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs unless at the time of the disposal:
A holder of Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs who (1) is an individual who has ceased to be both resident and ordinarily resident for UK tax purposes in the UK, (2) was both resident and ordinarily resident for UK tax purposes in the UK for at least four out of the seven UK tax years immediately preceding the year in which he or she ceased to be both resident and ordinarily resident in the UK, (3) continues to be neither resident nor ordinarily resident in the UK for a period of less than five tax years and (4) disposes of their Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs during that period of non-residence may also be liable, upon becoming both resident and ordinarily resident in the UK again for UK tax on capital gains, subject to any available exemption or relief, even though he or she was not resident or ordinarily resident in the UK at the time of the disposal.
UK Inheritance Tax
Prudential ordinary shares are assets situated in the UK for the purposes of UK inheritance tax (the equivalent of US estate and gift tax). Prudential ADSs are likely to be treated in the same manner as the underlying Prudential ordinary shares are situated in the UK. Subject to the discussion of the UK-US estate tax treaty in the next paragraph, UK inheritance tax may apply if an individual who holds Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs gifts them or dies even if he or she is neither domiciled in the UK nor deemed to be domiciled there under UK law. For inheritance tax purposes, a transfer of Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs at less than full market value may be treated as a gift for these purposes. Special inheritance tax rules apply (1) to gifts if the donor retains some benefit, (2) to close companies and (3) to trustees of settlements.
However, as a result of the UK-US estate tax treaty, Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs held by an individual who is domiciled in the United States for the purposes of the UK-US estate tax treaty and who is not a UK national will not be subject to UK inheritance tax on that individual's death or on a gift of the Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs unless the Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs:
The UK-US estate tax treaty provides a credit mechanism if the Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs are subject to both UK inheritance tax and to US estate and gift tax.
UK Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax
UK stamp duty is payable on a transfer of, and UK stamp duty reserve tax is payable upon a transfer or issue of, Prudential ordinary shares to the depositary of Prudential ordinary shares that is responsible for issuing ADSs (the "ADS Depository"), or a nominee or agent of the ADS depositary, in exchange for American Depository Receipts ("ADRs") representing ADSs. For this purpose, the current rate of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax is 1.5 per cent (rounded up, in the case of stamp duty, to the nearest £5). Where Prudential ordinary shares are transferred to the ADS depository, the rate is applied, in each case, to the amount or value of the consideration given for the Prudential ordinary shares or, in some circumstances where consideration is not in money, to the value of the Prudential ordinary shares at the time of transfer. To the extent that such stamp duty is paid on any such transfer of Prudential ordinary shares, no stamp duty reserve tax should be payable on that transfer. Where
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Prudential ordinary shares are issued to the ADS depository the rate is applied, in such case, to the issue price.
Provided that the instrument of transfer is not executed in the United Kingdom and remains at all subsequent times outside the UK, no UK stamp duty will be required to be paid on any transfer of Prudential ADRs representing ADSs. A transfer of Prudential ADRs representing ADSs will not give rise to a liability to stamp duty reserve tax.
A transfer for value of Prudential ordinary shares, as opposed to ADSs, will generally give rise to a charge to UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax at the rate of 0.5 per cent (rounded up, in the case of stamp duty, to the nearest £5). The rate is applied to the price payable for the relevant Prudential ordinary shares. To the extent that stamp duty is paid on a transfer of Prudential ordinary shares, no stamp duty reserve tax should be payable on that transfer. A transfer of ordinary shares from a nominee to its beneficial owner, including a transfer of underlying Prudential ordinary shares from the ADS depositary or its nominee to an ADS holder, is subject to stamp duty at the fixed rate of £5 per transfer and is not subject to stamp duty reserve tax.
UK stamp duty is usually paid by the purchaser. Although stamp duty reserve tax is generally the liability of the purchaser, any such tax payable on the transfer or issue of Prudential ordinary shares to the ADS depositary or its nominee will be payable by the ADS depositary as the issuer of the ADSs. In accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the ADS depositary will recover an amount in respect of such tax from the initial holders of the ADSs.
US Federal Income Tax Treatment of Distributions on Prudential Ordinary Shares or ADSs
If Prudential pays dividends, you must include those dividends in your income when you receive them. The dividends will be treated as foreign source income. You should determine the amount of your dividend income by converting pounds sterling into US dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the date of your (or the depositary's, in the case of ADSs) receipt of the dividend. Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, the US dollar amount of dividends received by an individual before January 1, 2011 will be subject to taxation at a maximum rate of 15 per cent if the dividends are "qualified dividends." Dividends received with respect to the ordinary shares or ADSs will be qualified dividends if Prudential was not, in the year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid, and is not, in the year in which the dividend is paid, a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC"). Based on Prudential's audited financial statements and relevant market data, Prudential believes that it was not treated as a PFIC for US federal income tax purposes with respect to its 2005 or 2006 taxable year. In addition, based on Prudential's audited financial statements and its current expectations regarding the value and nature of its assets, the sources and nature of its income, and relevant market data, Prudential does not anticipate becoming a PFIC for its 2007 taxable year.
Capital Gains
If you sell your Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs, you will recognize a capital gain or loss. A gain on the sale of Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs held for more than one year will be treated as a long-term capital gain. The net long-term capital gain recognized before 2011 generally is subject to taxation at a maximum rate of 15 per cent. Your ability to offset capital losses against ordinary income is subject to limitations.
US Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Under the US tax code, a US resident holder of Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs, may be subject, under certain circumstances, to information reporting and possibly backup withholding with respect to dividends and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of Prudential ordinary shares or ADSs, unless the US resident holder provides proof of an applicable exemption or correct taxpayer
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identification number and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules is not additional tax and may be refunded or credited against the US resident holder's federal income tax liability, so long as the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Prudential is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and files information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy this information at the following location:
Public
Reference Room
100 F Street, NE
Room 1580
Washington, D.C. 20549
Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Copies of these materials can also be obtained by mail at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Prudential ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and consequently, the periodic reports and other information filed by Prudential with the Commission can be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. The primary market for Prudential ordinary shares is the London Stock Exchange. Any filings made electronically in the United States are available to the public over the internet at the Commission's web site at http://www.sec.gov.
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
A significant part of the Group's business involves the acceptance and management of risk. The Group's risk management model requires the primary responsibility for risk management at an operational level to rest with business unit chief executives. The second line of defense of risk comprises oversight functions reporting to the Group Chief Executive together with business unit risk functions and risk management committees. The third line of defense comprises independent assurance from Internal Audit reporting to business unit and Group audit committees.
The Group Risk Framework requires that all of the Group's businesses and functions establish processes for identifying, evaluating and managing the key risks faced by the Group. During 2005, the risk management of the Group was given additional focus by the establishment of a newly created role of Group Chief Risk Officer (CRO). The CRO oversees all aspects of the Group's risk management, including Financial Risk, Operational Risk, Compliance, and for management purposes, Internal Audit.
As a provider of financial services, including insurance, the Group's business is the managed acceptance of risk. The system of internal control is an essential and integral part of the risk management process. As part of the annual preparation of its business plan, all of the Group's businesses and functions are required to carry out a review of risks. This involves an assessment of the impact and likelihood of key risks and of the effectiveness of the controls in place to manage them. The assessment is reviewed regularly throughout the year. In addition, business units review opportunities and risks to business objectives regularly with the Group Chief Executive, Group Finance Director and the Group Chief Risk Officer.
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Businesses are required to confirm annually that they have undertaken risk management during the year as required by the Group Risk Framework and that they have reviewed the effectiveness of the system of internal control. The results of this review were reported to and reviewed by the Audit Committee, and confirmed that the processes described above and required by the Group Risk Framework were in place throughout the period covered by this report, and complied with Internal Control: Guidance on the Combined Code (the Turnbull guidance). In addition, Internal Audit executes a comprehensive risk-based audit plan throughout the Group, from which all significant issues are reported to the Group Audit Committee.
The Group's internal control framework includes detailed procedures laid down in financial and actuarial procedure manuals. The Group prepares an annual business plan with three-year projections. Executive management and the Board receive monthly reports on the Group's actual performance against plan, together with updated forecasts.
The insurance operations of the Group all prepare a financial condition report which is presented to the Board who receive regular reports from the Group Finance Director on the financial position of the Group.
Specific business environmental and operational risks are discussed under Item 3, "Key InformationRisk Factors" and Item 5, "Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsFactors Affecting Results of Operations". Risks discussed under Item 4, "Information on the CompanyBusiness of Prudential" include "Business of PrudentialUKCompliance" and "Business of PrudentialLegal Proceedings".
Financial risks
Foreign exchange risk
Prudential faces foreign exchange risk, primarily because its presentation currency is pounds sterling, whereas approximately 70 per cent of Prudential's profit after tax for the year ended 31 December 2005 came from Prudential's US and Asian operations. The exposure relating to the translation of reported earnings is not separately managed although its impact is reduced by interest payments on foreign currency borrowings and by the adoption of average exchange rates for the translation of foreign currency revenues.
Approximately 82 per cent of the Group's IFRS basis shareholders' funds at December 31, 2005 arose in Prudential's US and Asian operations. To mitigate the exposure of the US component there are US$1.55 billion of borrowings held centrally. The Group also has entered into a series of forward currency transactions which together form a US$2 billion net investment hedge. Net of the currency position arising from these instruments some 46 per cent of the Group's shareholders' funds is represented by net assets in currencies other than sterling.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that Prudential may be unable to meet payment of obligations in a timely manner at a reasonable cost or the risk of unexpected increases in the cost of funding the portfolio at appropriate maturities or rates. Liquidity management in each business seeks to ensure that, even under adverse conditions, Prudential has access to the funds necessary to cover surrenders, withdrawals and maturing liabilities.
In practice, most of Prudential's invested assets are marketable securities. This, combined with the fact that a large proportion of the liabilities contain discretionary surrender values or surrender charges, reduces the liquidity risk. The Group maintains committed borrowing and securities lending facilities.
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Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty or an issuer of securities, which Prudential holds in its asset portfolio, defaults or another party fails to perform according to the terms of the contract. Some of Prudential's businesses, in particular Jackson National Life, Egg, the PAC with-profits fund and Prudential's UK pension annuity business, hold large amounts of interest-sensitive investments that contain credit risk on which a certain level of defaults is expected. These expected losses are considered when Prudential determines the crediting rates, deposit rates and premium rates for the products that will be supported by these assets. The key shareholder businesses exposed to credit risks are Jackson National Life and Egg. From Egg's perspective, the most important step in managing credit risk is the initial decision whether or not to extend credit. Egg's retail and wholesale credit committees define the policies, procedures and set limits for accepting credit risk.
Certain over-the-counter derivatives contain a credit risk element that is controlled through evaluation of collateral agreements and master netting agreements on interest rate and currency swaps. Prudential is also exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties.
Operational, compliance and fiscal risk
Operational risk can result from a variety of factors, including failure to obtain proper internal authorisations or maintain internal controls, failure to document transactions properly, failure of operational and information security procedures or other procedural failures, computer system or software failures, other equipment failures, fraud, inadequate training or errors by employees. Compliance with internal rules and procedures designed to manage these risks is monitored by Prudential's local management boards.
Internal compliance managers who report to the local management boards monitor adherence to local regulatory requirements. The head of Prudential's Group Compliance function reports directly to the Group Chief Risk Officer who submits regular reports to the Board of Directors.
Compliance risk includes the possibility that transactions may not be enforceable under applicable law or regulation as well as the cost of rectification and fines, and also the possibility that changes in law or regulation could adversely affect Prudential's position. Prudential seeks to minimize compliance risk by seeking to ensure that transactions are properly authorised and by submitting new or unusual transactions to legal advisors for review.
Prudential is exposed to certain fiscal risks arising from changes in tax laws and enforcement policies and in reviews by taxation authorities of tax positions Prudential has taken in recent years. Prudential manages this risk and risks associated with changes in other legislation and regulation through ongoing review by relevant departments of proposed changes to legislation and by membership of relevant trade and professional committees involved in commenting on draft proposals in these areas.
Market risk
Market risk is the risk that future changes in market prices may make a financial instrument less valuable. The primary market risks Prudential faces are equity risk and interest rate risk because most of its assets are investments that are either equity type investments and subject to equity price risk, or bonds, mortgages or cash deposits, the values of which are subject to interest rate risk. The amount of risk borne by Prudential's shareholders depends on the extent to which its customers share the investment risk through the structure of Prudential's products.
The split of Prudential's investments between equity investments and interest-sensitive instruments depends principally on the type of liabilities supported by those investments and the amount of capital Prudential has available. This mix of liabilities allows Prudential to invest a substantial portion of its investment funds in equity and property investments that Prudential believes produce greater returns
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over the long term. On the other hand Prudential has some liabilities that contain guaranteed returns and allow instant access (for example, interest-sensitive fixed annuities, immediate annuities and fixed rate customer bank deposits), which generally will be supported by fixed income investments.
To reduce investment, interest rate and foreign exchange exposures, and to facilitate efficient investment management, Prudential uses derivative instruments. Prudential's policy is that cash or corresponding assets cover amounts at risk through derivative contracts.
Asset/liability management
Prudential manages its assets and liabilities locally, in accordance with local regulatory requirements and reflecting the differing types of liabilities Prudential has in each business. As a result of the diversity of products offered by Prudential and the different regulatory environments in which it operates, Prudential employs different methods of asset/liability management, on both an in-force and new business basis. Stochastic modelling of assets and liabilities is undertaken in the Group's insurance operations to assess economic capital requirements for different confidence intervals and time horizons. In addition, reserve adequacy testing under a range of scenarios and dynamic solvency analysis is carried out, including under certain scenarios mandated by the US, UK and Asian regulators.
A stochastic approach models the inter-relationship between asset and liability movements, taking into account asset correlation and policyholder behaviour, under a large number of possible scenarios. These scenarios are projected forward over a period of time, typically 25 years or longer, and the liabilities and solvency position of the fund are calculated in each scenario in each future year. This allows the identification of which extreme scenarios will have the most adverse effects and what the best estimate outcome may be. The fund's policy on management actions, including bonus and investment policy, are then set in order that they are consistent with the available capital and the targeted risk of default. This differs from a deterministic model, which would only consider the results from one carefully selected scenario.
For businesses that are most sensitive to interest rate changes, such as immediate annuity business, Prudential uses cash flow analysis to create a portfolio of fixed income securities whose value changes in line with the value of liabilities when interest rates change. This type of analysis helps protect profits from changing interest rates. In the UK, the cash flow analysis is used in Prudential's annuity and banking business while, in the US, it is used for its interest-sensitive and fixed index annuities and stable value products such as Guaranteed Investments Contracts (GICs). Perfect matching is not possible for interest-sensitive and fixed index annuities because of the nature of the liabilities (which include guaranteed surrender values) and options for prepayment contained in the assets. The US supervisory authorities require Jackson National Life to calculate projections to test its ability to run off its liabilities with assets equal to statutory reserves in a number of specified future economic scenarios. If Jackson National Life is unable to satisfy all of these tests, which are carried out at least annually, then it may be required to establish additional statutory reserves.
For businesses that are most sensitive to equity price changes, Prudential uses stochastic modelling and scenario testing to look at the expected future returns on its investments under different scenarios that best reflect the large diversity in returns that equities can produce. This allows Prudential to devise an investment and with-profits policyholder bonus strategy that, on the model assumptions, allows it to optimise returns to its policyholders and shareholders over time while maintaining appropriate financial strength. Prudential uses this method extensively in connection with its UK with-profits business.
When presenting regulatory returns to the UK supervisory authorities, the calculation of the statutory liabilities for solvency purposes on the FSA's Peak 1 basis is required to incorporate a 'resilience' reserve that is sufficient to ensure that assets equal to the statutory reserves (including the resilience reserve) remain equal to statutory reserves in the event of certain prescribed changes in equity and real estate prices combined with prescribed rises and falls in interest yields.
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All of Prudential's investments are held either for risk management or investment purposes. This is because almost all of the investments support policyholder or customer liabilities of one form or another. Any assets that Prudential holds centrally that are not supporting customer liabilities are predominantly invested in short-term fixed income and fixed maturity securities.
Use of derivatives
In the UK and Asia, Prudential uses derivatives to reduce equity risk, interest rate and currency exposures, and to facilitate efficient investment management. In the US, Prudential uses derivatives to reduce interest rate risk, to facilitate efficient portfolio management and to match liabilities under fixed index annuities policies.
These derivatives are used for efficient portfolio management to obtain cost effective and efficient exposure to various markets in accordance with the Group's investment strategies and to manage exposure to interest rate, currency, credit and other business risks.
The Group uses the various interest rate derivative instruments, such as interest rate swaps to reduce exposure to interest rate volatility.
The UK insurance operations use various currency derivatives in order to limit volatility due to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations arising on securities denominated in currencies other than Sterling. In addition, total return swaps and interest rate swaps are held for efficient portfolio management.
As part of the efficient portfolio management of the PAC with-profits fund, the fund may, from time to time, invest in cash-settled forward contracts over Prudential plc shares, which are accounted for consistently with other derivatives. This is in order to avoid a mismatch of the with-profits investment portfolio with the investment benchmarks set for its equity-based investment funds. The contracts will form part of the long-term investments of the with-profits fund. These contracts are subject to a number of limitations for legal and regulatory reasons.
Some of the Group's products, especially those sold in the US, have certain guarantee features linked to equity indexes. A mismatch between product liabilities and the performance of the underlying assets backing them exposes the Group to equity index risk. In order to mitigate this risk, the relevant business units purchase swaptions, equity options and futures to match asset performance with liabilities under equity-indexed products.
The US operations and some of the UK operations hold large amounts of interest rate sensitive investments that contain credit risks on which a certain level of defaults is expected. These entities have purchased some swaptions in order to manage the default risk on certain underlying assets and hence reduce the amount of regulatory capital held to support the assets.
Egg uses derivative instruments for the purpose of supporting the strategic and operational business activities and reducing and eliminating the risk of loss arising from changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. Derivatives are used solely to hedge risk exposures and Egg does not take any trading position in derivatives.
For the purpose of reducing interest rate risk, Egg uses a number of derivative instruments, including interest rate swaps and forward agreements. Additionally, swaps are used to provide caps to the funding cost of the credit card product.
Egg has also made general use of credit default swaps to manage credit risk without changing the underlying product or investment portfolios.
For the purpose of reducing currency risk, Egg uses forward exchange contracts and currency swaps.
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It is Prudential's policy that cash or corresponding assets cover amounts at risk through derivative transactions. Derivative financial instruments used to facilitate efficient portfolio management and for investment purposes are carried at fair value with changes in fair value included in the income statement.
UK Business
For risk management purposes, the UK asset portfolio is divided into assets that support non-linked life and pensions business, pension annuity business, unit-linked business and banking business. The assets of the insurance business and the banking business are shown in note D2 and E2 to the financial statements, respectively.
Non-linked life and pensions Business
For with-profits business, the absence of guaranteed surrender values and the flexibility given by the operation of the bonus system means that the majority of the investments backing the with-profits business are in equities and real estate with the balance in securities, deposits and loans.
The investments supporting the protection business are small in value and tend to be fixed maturities reflecting the guaranteed nature of the liabilities.
Pension Annuity Business
Prudential's UK pension annuity business employs fixed income investments (including UK retail price index-linked assets) because the liabilities consist of guaranteed payments for as long as each annuitant is alive. Retail price index-linked assets are used to back pension annuities where the payments are linked to the retail price index.
Unit-linked Business
Prudential's shareholders are not exposed to market risk as a result of changes in asset movements other than as a result of the effect on investment management fees, which are partly determined based on the value of assets under management.
Banking Business
The assets of Prudential's UK banking business consist of retail mortgages, credit card receivables and personal loans, while the liabilities comprise mostly customer deposits. To the extent that customer deposits exceed loans, mortgages and credit card receivables, the banking business purchases money market assets.
The primary market risk to which Egg is exposed is interest rate risk. Interest rate risk arises in Egg as a result of fixed rate, variable rate and non-interest bearing assets and liabilities. Exposure to interest rate movements arises when there is a mismatch between interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities.
The composition of interest rate risk is closely monitored and managed on a day-to-day basis by Egg's treasury function where professional expertise and systems exist to control it. This is primarily done via asset and liability models that look at the sensitivity of earnings to movements in interest rates to measure overall exposure which may then be hedged.
The risks arising from assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are managed by Egg's treasury function within agreed limits set by management. Cash flows generated by the foreign currency assets and liabilities are hedged by using derivative contracts to manage exposure to exchange rate fluctuations.
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US Business
Jackson National Life's main exposure to market risk is through its exposure to interest rate risk because approximately 88 per cent of its general account investments support interest-sensitive and fixed-indexed annuities, life business and surplus and 12 per cent support institutional business.. All of these types of business contain considerable interest rate guarantee features and, consequently, require that the assets that support them are primarily fixed income or fixed maturity.
Prudential is exposed primarily to the following risks in the United States arising from fluctuations in interest rates:
Jackson National Life enters into financial derivative transactions, including swaps, forwards, put-swaptions, futures and options to reduce and manage business risks. These transactions manage the risk of a change in the value, yield, price, cash flows, or quantity of, or a degree of exposure with respect to assets, liabilities or future cash flows, which Jackson National Life has acquired or incurred.
The types of derivative used by Jackson National Life and their purpose are as follows:
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Jackson National Life is exposed to equity risk through the options embedded in Jackson National Life's fixed indexed liabilities and guarantees included in certain variable annuity benefits including guaranteed minimum death benefit ('GMDB') and guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit ('GMWB'). This risk is managed using a comprehensive equity hedging programme to minimize the risk of a significant economic impact as a result of increases or decreases in equity market levels while taking advantage of naturally offsetting exposures in Jackson National Life's operations. Jackson National Life purchases external futures and options that hedge the risks inherent in these products, while also considering the impact of rising and falling separate account fees. As a result of this hedging programme, if the equity markets were to increase by 10 per cent, Jackson National Life's free-standing derivatives would decrease in value by approximately £22 million net of related changes to amortization of deferred acquisition costs. This would be substantially offset by the positive impact of increased separate account fees and reserve decreases of approximately £14 million, net of related changes to amortization of deferred acquisition costs, resulting in a net loss of approximately £8 million.
For risk management purposes, the US general account portfolio is divided substantially into assets that support the interest-sensitive life and fixed annuity business, the institutional business and the fixed index business. Prudential hedges the equity return risk on fixed index products by purchasing futures and options on the relevant index.
Asian Business
In Asia, Prudential sells with-profits and unit-linked policies and, although the with-profits business generally has a lower terminal bonus element than in the United Kingdom, the investment portfolio still contains a proportion of equities and, to a lesser extent, property. Non-participating business is largely backed by debt securities or deposits. With the principal exception of Taiwan's whole of life policy book, as described below, the exposure to market risk of the Group arising from its Asian operations is at modest levels. This arises from the fact that the Group's Asian operations have a balanced portfolio of with-profits, unit-linked and other types of business.
The in-force business of the Company's Taiwan life insurance operation includes traditional whole of life policies where the premium rates have been set by the regulator for the industry as a whole. Premium rates were set to ensure a guaranteed minimum sum assured on death and a guaranteed surrender value on early surrender, which is based on prevailing interest rates at the time of policy issue. Premium rates also included an allowance for mortality and expenses. The required rates of guarantee have fallen over time as interest rates have reduced from a high of 8 per cent to current levels of around 2 per cent. The current low bond rates in Taiwan give rise to a negative spread against the majority of these policies. Currently, the cash costs of funding in-force negative spreads in Taiwan are around £30 million a year.
The profits derived from these contracts are particularly affected by the rates of return earned, and estimated to be earned, on the assets held to cover liabilities and on future investment income and contract cash flows. The adequacy of the insurance contract liabilities is tested by reference to best estimates of expected investment returns on policy cash flows and reinvested income. The assumed earned rates are used to discount the future cash flows and consist of a long-term best estimate determined by consideration of long-term market conditions and rates assumed to be earned in the trending in period. Prudential economists projected that rates of return for Taiwanese bond yields will trend from the current levels of some 2 per cent to 5.5 per cent by December 31, 2012.
The liability adequacy test results are sensitive to the attainment of the trended rates during the trending period. Based on the current asset mix, margins in other contracts that are used in the assessment of the liability adequacy tests, and currently assumed future rates of return, the premium reserve, net of deferred acquisition costs, would be broadly sufficient if interest rates were to remain at current levels in 2006. If interest rates were to remain at current levels in 2007 then some level of write-off of deferred acquisition costs may be necessary. The amount of the charge however, currently estimated at £50-70 million is adjusted for the above-mentioned variables.
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The adequacy of the liability is also sensitive to the level of the projected long-term rate. The current long-term assumption of 5.5 per cent has been determined on a prudent best estimate basis by reference to detailed assessments of the financial dynamics of the Taiwanese economy. In the event that the rate applied was reduced or increased, the carrying value of the liabilities would be affected.
If the assumed long-term rate applied was to decrease by 0.25 per cent from 5.5 per cent to 5.25 per cent, the impact on an IFRS basis would be a charge of approximately £120-130 million. If the rate was to further reduce the incremental increase in liabilities would be of a similarly commensurate size. The effects of changes in any one year reflect the combination of the short-term and long-term factors described above.
Prudential's investments are generally held in the same currency as its liabilities and, accordingly, pound sterling liabilities will generally be supported by pound sterling assets and US dollar liabilities will generally be supported by US dollar assets. However, where Prudential believes it is appropriate, it holds some non-domestic equities in the equity portfolios in the belief that this diversifies the overall portfolio risk.
As at December 31, 2005, the Group held 18 per cent of its financial assets in currencies, mainly US dollar and Euro, other than the functional currency of the relevant business unit.
The financial assets, of which 86 per cent are held by the PAC with-profits fund, allow the PAC with-profits fund to obtain exposure to foreign equity markets.
The exchange risks inherent in these exposures are mitigated through the use of derivatives, mainly forward currency contracts.
Prudential is subject to certain interest rate risk and foreign exchange risk on its core borrowings. At December 31, 2005, there was £1,826 million of pounds sterling debt, £1,010 million, or $1,800 million, of US dollar debt and £355 million, or €520 million of Euro debt. £2,282 million of the core debt was at fixed rates of interest and £909 million at floating rates of interest.
Foreign currency borrowings that have been used to provide a hedge against Group equity investments in overseas subsidiaries are translated at year end exchange rates and gains and losses are taken directly to shareholders' equity. Other foreign currency monetary items are translated at year end exchange rates with changes recognized in the income statement. Foreign currency transactions are translated at the spot rate prevailing at the time.
Prudential is sensitive to interest rate movements, movements in the values of equities and real estate and foreign exchange fluctuations.
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
Prudential's primary foreign exchange risk relates to the translation of the US operations' profits into pounds sterling. The potential exposure to a 10 per cent adverse fluctuation (appreciation of pounds sterling) in the average US dollar/pounds sterling exchange rates for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 would have been a reduction in profit after tax of £37 million and £34 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively. Prudential believes this to be a reasonably possible near-term market change.
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Interest Rate RiskInvestments
The following table quantifies the estimated reduction in fair value of investments at December 31, 2005 and 2004, resulting from a 100 basis point increase in interest rates at each date. Prudential believes this to be a reasonably possible near-term market change for both UK and US interest rates. Amounts in this table do not include investments backing unit-linked, unit trust and variable annuity business.
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December 31, 2005 |
December 31, 2004 |
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Fair Value |
Estimated Reduction in Fair Value |
Fair Value |
Estimated Reduction in Fair Value |
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(In £ Millions) |
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United Kingdomlong-term insurance | ||||||||||
With-profits fund (including Prudential Annuities Limited) | ||||||||||
Debt securities | 27,465 | 2,632 | 29,861 | 2,495 | ||||||
Loans and receivables | 908 | 25 | 4,921 | 23 | ||||||
Sub-total | 28,373 | 2,657 | 34,782 | 2,518 | ||||||
Shareholder-backed annuities | ||||||||||
Debt securities | 7,259 | 887 | 5,201 | 603 | ||||||
Loans and receivables | 51 | 5 | 91 | 0 | ||||||
Sub-total | 7,310 | 892 | 5,292 | 603 | ||||||
SAIF with-profits fund | ||||||||||
Debt securities | 4,710 | 377 | 5,446 | 403 | ||||||
Loans and receivables | 214 | 1 | 750 | 7 | ||||||
Sub-total | 4,924 | 378 | 6,196 | 410 | ||||||
Other UK long-term insurance | ||||||||||
Debt securities | 2,916 | 587 | 1,231 | 113 | ||||||
Loans and receivables | 12 | 0 | 475 | 0 | ||||||
Sub-total | 2,928 | 587 | 1,706 | 113 | ||||||
United Kingdombanking | ||||||||||
Debt securities | 2,117 | 7 | 3,118 | 15 | ||||||
Loans and receivables | 7,430 | 0 | 8,577 | 0 | ||||||
Sub-total | 9,547 | 7 | 11,695 | 15 | ||||||
United Statesinsurance | ||||||||||
Debt securities | 24,290 | 1,095 | 20,593 | 979 | ||||||
Loans and receivables | 3,679 | 132 | 3,785 | 93 | ||||||
Sub-total | 27,969 | 1,227 | 24,378 | 1,072 | ||||||
Total | 81,051 | 5,748 | 84,079 | 4,731 | ||||||
A 100 basis point increase in interest rates would have reduced the fair value of the total investments by £5,748 million and £4,731 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The change in estimated reduction in fair value relates primarily to the increase in interest sensitive assets held. The profit impact would be as follows:
198
This reduction would be borne in the first instance by the unallocated surplus. Consequently, the impact on profit would be limited to the impact on current and future bonus declarations and the impact to shareholders would be limited to a maximum of one-ninth of the total cost of declared bonuses. The loans and receivables are held at amortized cost and therefore changes in fair value do not directly affect profit.
Interest Rate RiskLong-term Debt
The table below quantifies the estimated increase in fair value of long-term borrowings at December 31, 2005 and 2004, resulting from a 100 basis point reduction in interest rates at those dates. The carrying value of short-term borrowings, which approximates their fair value, would not be
199
materially increased by a 100 basis point reduction in interest rates. Prudential believes this to be a reasonably possible near-term market change for interest rates.
|
December 31, 2005 |
December 31, 2004 |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Carrying Value |
Fair Value |
Estimated Increase in Fair Value |
Carrying Value |
Fair Value |
Estimated Increase in Fair Value |
||||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||||||||
Long-term borrowings | ||||||||||||
Central companies and Egg | ||||||||||||
Bonds, US$250 million aggregate principal amount, 7.125% due 2005 | | | | 130 | 133 | 1 | ||||||
Guaranteed bonds, £150 million aggregate principal amount, 9.375% due 2007 | 150 | 160 | 2 | 150 | 165 | 4 | ||||||
Bonds, £250 million aggregate principal amount, 5.5% due 2009 | 249 | 257 | 7 | 250 | 254 | 10 | ||||||
Bonds, £250 million aggregate principal amount, 7.5% due 2013 | 250 | 285 | 17 | 249 | 271 | 42 | ||||||
Bonds, £200 million aggregate principal amount, 6.875% due 2021 | 202 | 229 | 25 | 202 | 218 | 22 | ||||||
Bonds, €500 million aggregate principal amount, 5.75% due 2021(1) | 341 | 383 | 38 | 351 | 390 | 44 | ||||||
Bonds, £300 million aggregate principal amount, 6.875% due 2023 | 300 | 369 | 39 | 300 | 350 | 38 | ||||||
Bonds, £250 million aggregate principal amount, 5.875% due 2029 | 249 | 287 | 37 | 250 | 268 | 35 | ||||||
Bonds, £435 million aggregate principal amount, 6.125%, due 2031 | 426 | 504 | 58 | 426 | 458 | 62 | ||||||
Capital securities, US$1,000 million 6.5% perpetual(2) | 554 | 552 | 72 | 512 | 513 | 75 | ||||||
Capital securities, US$250 million 6.75% perpetual | 142 | 149 | 2 | 126 | 131 | 5 | ||||||
Capital securities, US$300 million 6.5% perpetual | 169 | 177 | 1 | | | | ||||||
Medium Term Notes, €20 million, 2023(3) | 14 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 0 | ||||||
Total central companies and Egg | 3,046 | 3,366 | 298 | 2,960 | 3,165 | 338 | ||||||
Long-term business | ||||||||||||
Guaranteed bonds, £100 million, principal amount, 8.5% undated subordinated | 100 | 131 | 21 | 100 | 128 | 19 | ||||||
Surplus notes, US$250 million principal amount, 8.15% due 2027 | 145 | 183 | 21 | 130 | 162 | 19 | ||||||
Total long-term business | 245 | 314 | 42 | 230 | 290 | 38 | ||||||
Total | 3,291 | 3,680 | 340 | 3,190 | 3,455 | 376 | ||||||
200
There is no impact on profit at December 31, 2005 and 2004 as a result of these reductions in interest rates because the liabilities are recognized in the financial statements at carrying value, which is equal to their amortized cost.
Equity Market Risk
The following table quantifies the estimated reduction in fair value of investments at December 31, 2005 and 2004, resulting from a 10 per cent decline in the value of equity and real estate values at each date. Prudential believes this to be a reasonably possible near-term market change for both UK and US equities and for both UK and US real estate. Amounts in this table do not include investments backing unit-linked, unit trust and variable annuity business. Prudential does not hold equity investments in its UK banking portfolio.
|
December 31, 2005 |
December 31, 2004 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fair Value |
Estimated Reduction in Fair Value |
Fair Value |
Estimated Reduction in Fair Value |
||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||||
United Kingdomlong-term insurance | ||||||||
With-profits fund (including PAL) |
||||||||
Equity securities | 40,339 | 4,034 | 30,622 | 3,062 | ||||
Real estate | 9,962 | 996 | 10,352 | 1,035 | ||||
Sub-total | 50,301 | 5,030 | 40,974 | 4,097 | ||||
Shareholder-backed annuities |
||||||||
Equity securities | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Real estate | 198 | 20 | 158 | 16 | ||||
Sub-total | 204 | 21 | 158 | 16 | ||||
SAIF with-profits fund |
||||||||
Equity securities | 7,515 | 752 | 5,537 | 554 | ||||
Real estate | 1,586 | 159 | 1,738 | 174 | ||||
Sub-total | 9,101 | 911 | 7,275 | 728 | ||||
Other UK long-term insurance |
||||||||
Equity securities | 1 | 0 | 176 | 18 | ||||
Real estate | 5 | 1 | 8 | 1 | ||||
Sub-total | 6 | 1 | 184 | 19 | ||||
United Statesinsurance |
||||||||
Equity securities | 273 | 27 | 130 | 13 | ||||
Real estate | 41 | 4 | 37 | 4 | ||||
Sub-total | 314 | 31 | 167 | 17 | ||||
Total | 59,926 | 5,994 | 48,758 | 4,877 | ||||
As shown by the table above, a 10 per cent decline in the value of equities and real estate would reduce the value of those investments by £5,994 million and £4,877 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
For the United Kingdom with-profits fund the reduction in fair value of £5,030 million and £4,097 million for December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, would be borne in the first instance by the unallocated surplus. Consequently the impact on profit would be limited to the impact on current
201
and future bonus declarations and the impact to shareholders would be limited to a maximum of one-ninth of the total cost of declared bonuses.
For the SAIF with-profits fund the reduction in fair value of £911 million and £728 million for December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, would not impact profit because the profits of this business are wholly attributable to the former Scottish Amicable policyholders.
The remaining reduction in fair value of £53 million and £52 million for December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, would be directly reflected in profit.
Derivative Contracts
At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the net market value exposure of derivatives was a loss of £134 million and a gain of £565 million, respectively. The tables below show the sensitivity of those derivatives, measured in terms of fair value, to equity and real estate market increases and decreases of 10 per cent and to interest rate increases and decreases of 100 basis points. Prudential believes these increases and decreases to be reasonably possible near-term market changes. These exposures will change as a result of ongoing portfolio and risk management activities.
|
December 31, 2005 |
December 31, 2004 |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10% Equity & Real Estate Increase Increase/(decrease) in Fair Value |
Fair Value |
10% Equity & Real Estate Decrease Increase/(decrease) in Fair Value |
10% Equity & Real Estate Increase Increase/(decrease) in Fair Value |
Fair Value |
10% Equity & Real Estate Decrease Increase/(decrease) in Fair Value |
||||||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||||||||||
United Kingdomlong-term insurance | ||||||||||||||
With-profits fund (including PAL) | 44 | (93 | ) | (44 | ) | 51 | 415 | (53 | ) | |||||
SAIF with-profits fund | (8 | ) | 9 | 8 | (1 | ) | 95 | 1 | ||||||
United Kingdomother | 13 | 19 | (13 | ) | | (63 | ) | 1 | ||||||
United KingdomBanking | 0 | (27 | ) | 0 | | 5 | | |||||||
United Statesinsurance | 17 | (42 | ) | 10 | 50 | 113 | (39 | ) | ||||||
Total | 66 | (134 | ) | (39 | ) | 100 | 565 | (90 | ) | |||||
|
December 31, 2005 |
December 31, 2004 |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
100 bp Interest Rate Increase Increase/(decrease) in Fair Value |
Fair Value |
100 bp Interest Rate Decrease Increase/(decrease) in Fair Value |
100 bp Interest Rate Increase Increase/(decrease) in Fair Value |
Fair Value |
100 bp Interest Rate Decrease Increase/(decrease) in Fair Value |
|||||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||||||||
United Kingdomlong-term insurance | |||||||||||||
With-profits fund (including PAL) | (74 | ) | (93 | ) | 107 | (116 | ) | 415 | 151 | ||||
SAIF with-profits fund | (36 | ) | 9 | 75 | 62 | 95 | (35 | ) | |||||
United Kingdomother | 12 | 19 | (6 | ) | (13 | ) | (63 | ) | (13 | ) | |||
United KingdomBanking | 14 | (27 | ) | (14 | ) | 14 | 5 | (15 | ) | ||||
United Statesinsurance | 167 | (42 | ) | (153 | ) | 71 | 113 | (39 | ) | ||||
Total | 83 | (134 | ) | 9 | 18 | 565 | 49 | ||||||
202
Long-term Insurance Contracts
At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the aggregate carrying value of total policyholder liabilities and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds net of the reinsurance share of insurance contract liabilities was £169,139 million and £144,292 million, respectively, and the fair value was estimated to be £164,032 million and £140,167 million, respectively. The fair value of the policyholder liabilities and the unallocated surplus is sensitive to changes in the fair value of investments in the with-profits fund because increases in the fair value of such investments would result in increases in future bonuses for the with-profits contracts. A 10 per cent increase in the fair value of total investments would result in an increase in the fair value of the technical provisions and the fund for future appropriations of £16,403 million and £14,017 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Prudential believes this to be a reasonably possible near-term market change for the fair value of investments.
Limitations
The above analyzes do not consider that assets and liabilities are actively managed and may vary at the time any actual market movement occurs. There are strategies in place to minimize the exposure to market fluctuations. For example, as market indices fluctuate, Prudential would take certain actions including selling investments, changing investment portfolio allocation, and adjusting bonuses credited to policyholders. In addition, these analyzes do not consider the effect of market changes on new business generated in the future.
Other limitations on the sensitivity analyzes include: the use of hypothetical market movements to demonstrate potential risk that only represent Prudential's view of reasonably possible near-term market changes and that cannot be predicted with any certainty; the assumption that interest rates in all countries move identically; the assumption that all global currencies move in tandem with the US dollar against pounds sterling; and the lack of consideration of the inter-relation of interest rates, equity markets and foreign currency exchange rates.
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
None.
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders
None.
203
Item 15. Controls and Procedures
Prudential has evaluated, with the participation of Prudential's Group Chief Executive and Group Finance Director the effectiveness of Prudential's disclosure controls and procedures as at December 31, 2005. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon Prudential's evaluation, the Group Chief Executive and Group Finance Director concluded that Prudential's disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by Prudential in the reports Prudential files and submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms and that it is accumulated and communicated to Prudential's management, including the Group Chief Executive and Group Finance Director, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
There has been no change in Prudential's internal control over financial reporting during Prudential's 2005 fiscal year that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Prudential's internal control over financial reporting.
Additionally, from December 31, 2006, the Group must undertake an annual assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In common with other companies, which must comply with this legislation, this has required the Group to undertake a significant project to document and test its internal controls over financial reporting. The Audit Committee has overseen the progress of this project through regular status reports submitted by management in 2005.
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Board has determined that Rob Rowley, Chairman of the Audit Committee qualifies as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of Item 16A of Form 20-F. Following Rob Rowley's resignation as Chairman of the Audit Committee on May 18, 2006, Kathleen O'Donovan was designated audit committee financial expert. On the basis of Ms O'Donovan's education and experience, the Board of Directors has determined that Ms O'Donovan possesses the necessary attributes for designation as the Company's audit committee financial expert for the purposes of the rules adopted by the US Securities and Exchange Commission to implement Section 407 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act 2002.
Prudential has a code of ethics, as defined in Item 16B of Form 20-F under the Exchange Act, (which Prudential calls its Code of Business Conduct) which applies to the Group Chief Executive, the Group Finance Director, the Group Chief Risk Officer and persons performing similar functions as well as to all other employees. Prudential's Code of Business Conduct is available on its website at www.prudential.co.uk. If Prudential amends the provisions of the Code of Business Conduct, as it applies to the Group Chief Executive, Group Finance Director and the Group Chief Risk Officer or if Prudential grants any waiver of such provisions, the Company will disclose such amendment or waiver on the Prudential website. There were no amendments to, or waivers from, the Code of Business Conduct in 2005.
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The Audit Committee has a key oversight role in relation to the external auditor, KPMG Audit plc, and has developed a formal Auditor Independence Policy to ensure that the independence and objectivity of the external auditor is not impaired and that the Group maintains a sufficient choice of appropriately qualified audit firms.
204
The policy sets out four key principles which underpin the provision of non-audit services by the external auditor namely that the auditor should not: audit its own firm's work, make management decisions for the Group, have a mutuality of financial interest with the Group, and be put in the role of advocate for the Group.
Work which could potentially be undertaken by the external auditors during 2005 was identified, categorized, budgeted and approved by the Audit Committee in November 2004. Work within these categories and pre-approved limits could then be committed to in line with the Group's delegated authority process but any engagement which was expected to result in fees in excess of £250,000 had to be confirmed and approved by a member of the Audit Committee prior to commencement of the work. In addition, all such commitments had to be notified to Group Head Office prior to commencement to ensure that the aggregate pre-approved limits were not breached.
Work that did not fall within either the pre-approved categories or the pre-approved limits had to be approved by a member of the Audit Committee prior to commencement. Approval by the full Audit Committee was required if the fees were expected to be over £250,000.
At the end of each annual audit cycle, the Audit Committee assesses the qualification, expertise and resources, effectiveness and independence of the external auditors. Depending on the outcome of these assessments, and at least once every five years, the Audit Committee undertakes a formal review to assess whether the external audit should be re-tendered. The external audit was last put out to competitive tender in 1999 when the present auditors were appointed. In February 2004 and July 2005, the Committee formally considered the need to re-tender the external audit service and concluded that given the significant changes in audit and regulatory requirements, the interests of the Company were better served by retaining the existing auditor through a period of transition. In addition, the Committee concluded that there was nothing in the performance of the auditor requiring a change.
Total fees payable to KPMG for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 are set out below:
|
Year ended December 31, |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
|
(in £ Millions) |
|||
Audit fees | 6.8 | 5.8 | ||
Audit-related fees | 0.0 | 0.0 | ||
Tax fees | 0.5 | 0.2 | ||
Other fees | 5.1 | 3.9 | ||
Total | 12.4 | 9.9 | ||
2005
In 2005, audit fees of £6.8 million comprised statutory annual and interim audit fees of £4.9 million, US GAAP audit fees of £0.8 million, regulatory reporting audit fees of £0.7 million and UK supplementary EEV reporting audit fees of £0.4 million.
Tax fees of £0.5 million related to tax compliance throughout the Prudential Group.
Other fees of £5.1 million included reviewing the processes that the Group is implementing in order to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of £2.2 million, reviewing the Group's proposals with regard to implementing new regulatory requirements of £1.4 million, reviewing prospectuses for equity and debt issues of £0.6 million and provision of comfort letters of £0.6 million.
2004
205
In 2004, audit fees of £5.8 million comprised statutory annual and interim audit fees of £4.4 million, US GAAP audit fees of £0.8 million, regulatory reporting audit fees of £0.5 million and UK supplementary EEV and achieved profits basis reporting audit fees of £0.1 million.
Tax fees of £0.2 million related to tax compliance work in respect of federal and state tax returns for the Group's US operations.
Other fees of £3.9m comprised reviewing the processes that the Group is implementing in order to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of £1.8 million, reviewing prospectuses for the Group's equity and debt issues of £0.5 million, reviewing the Group's proposals with regard to implementing new regulatory requirements of £0.4 million, provision of comfort letters mainly relating to Jackson National Life's funding programs of £0.2 million, and review work in connection with the Group's acquisitions and disposals of £0.5 million and other general financial work across the Group of £0.5 million.
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by Prudential plc and Affiliated Purchasers.
The following table sets forth information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of Prudential or any "affiliated purchasers" (as that term is defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of Prudential's ordinary shares or American depositary shares for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Period |
Total Number of Shares Purchased(1)(2) |
Average Price Paid Per Share (£) |
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs |
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under Plans or Programs |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January 1 - January 31 | | | N/A | N/A | ||||
February 1 - February 28 | 13,905 | 4.7823 | ||||||
March 1 - March 31 | 13,645 | 5.062 | ||||||
April 1 - April 30 | 13,933 | 5.069 | ||||||
May 1 - May 31 | 35,897 | (3) | 4.82885 | |||||
June 1 - June 30 | 15,847 | 4.87945 | ||||||
July 1 - July 31 | 15,299 | 5.1447 | ||||||
August 1 - August 31 | 14,081 | 5.38225 | ||||||
September 1 - September 30 | 422,049 | 5.1892 | ||||||
October 1 - October 31 | 660,328 | 4.81306 | ||||||
November 1 - November 30 | 14,833 | 5.0794 | ||||||
December 1 - December 31 | 14,783 | 5.2071 |
206
Item 18. Financial Statements
INDEX TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
Page |
|
---|---|---|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-2 | |
Consolidated Income Statements for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 | F-3 | |
Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 | F-4 | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2005 and 2004 | F-6 | |
Consolidated Cash Flow Statements for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 | F-8 | |
Index to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements | F-9 |
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Members of Prudential plc
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Prudential plc ("the Company") and its subsidiaries (collectively, "the Group") as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated income statements, statements of changes in equity and consolidated cash flow statements for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards as established by the Auditing Practices Board (United Kingdom) and in accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Prudential plc and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (EU).
IFRS as adopted by the EU vary in certain significant respects from US generally accepted accounting principles. Information relating to the nature and effect of such differences is presented in Notes J and K to the consolidated financial statements.
As further described in Note A3, as allowed upon initial adoption of IFRS as adopted by the EU, the Company has elected to adopt the International Accounting Standards 32 and 39 regarding financial instrument disclosures and accounting, and IFRS 4 regarding accounting for insurance contracts on a prospective basis effective January 1, 2005.
June 28, 2006 |
By: |
/s/ KPMG AUDIT PLC KPMG Audit Plc London, England |
F-2
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Income Statements
Years ended December 31
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Million, Except Per Share Amounts) |
|||||
Gross premiums earned | 15,225 | 16,408 | ||||
Outward reinsurance premiums | (197 | ) | (256 | ) | ||
Earned premiums, net of reinsurance | 15,028 | 16,152 | ||||
Investment income | 24,013 | 15,750 | ||||
Other income | 2,084 | 2,002 | ||||
Total revenue, net of reinsurance | 41,125 | 33,904 | ||||
Benefits and claims and movement in unallocated surplus of with-profits funds | (33,100 | ) | (26,593 | ) | ||
Acquisition costs and other operating expenditure | (5,552 | ) | (5,563 | ) | ||
Finance costs: interest on core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations | (208 | ) | (187 | ) | ||
Goodwill impairment charge | (120 | ) | | |||
Total charges | (38,980 | ) | (32,343 | ) | ||
Profit before tax* | 2,145 | 1,561 | ||||
Tax attributable to policyholders' returns | (1,147 | ) | (711 | ) | ||
Profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 998 | 850 | ||||
Tax expense |
(1,388 |
) |
(951 |
) |
||
Less: tax attributable to policyholders' returns | 1,147 | 711 | ||||
Tax attributable to shareholders' profits |
(241 |
) |
(240 |
) |
||
Profit from continuing operations after tax | 757 | 610 | ||||
Discontinued operations (net of tax) | 3 | (94 | ) | |||
Profit for the year | 760 | 516 | ||||
Attributable to: | ||||||
Equity holders of the Company | 748 | 517 | ||||
Minority interests | 12 | (1 | ) | |||
Profit for the year | 760 | 516 | ||||
Earnings per share | ||||||
Basic (based on 2,365m and 2,121m shares respectively): | ||||||
Based on profit from continuing operations attributable to the equity holders of the Company | 31.5p | 27.5p | ||||
Based on profit (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to the equity holders of the Company | 0.1p | (3.1)p | ||||
31.6p | 24.4p | |||||
Diluted (based on 2,369m and 2,124m shares respectively): | ||||||
Based on profit from continuing operations attributable to the equity holders of the Company | 31.5p | 27.5p | ||||
Based on profit (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to the equity holders of the Company | 0.1p | (3.1)p | ||||
31.6p | 24.4p | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-3
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Statement of Changes in Equity
Year ended December 31
|
2005 |
||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Share capital |
Share premium |
Retained earnings |
Translation reserve |
Available for-sale securities reserve |
Hedging reserve |
Shareholders' equity |
Minority interests |
Total equity |
||||||||||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Reserves | |||||||||||||||||||||
Profit for the year | 748 | 748 | 12 | 760 | |||||||||||||||||
Items recognized directly in equity: | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exchange movements | 268 | 268 | 268 | ||||||||||||||||||
Movement on cash flow hedges | (4 | ) | (4 | ) | 1 | (3 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Unrealized valuation movements on securities classified as available-for-sale from January 1, 2005: | |||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized holding losses arising during the year | (773 | ) | (773 | ) | (773 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Less reclassification adjustment for losses included in the income statement | 22 | 22 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized investment losses, net | (751 | ) | (751 | ) | (751 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Related change in amortization of deferred income and acquisition costs | 307 | 307 | 307 | ||||||||||||||||||
Related tax | 65 | 152 | 1 | 218 | 218 | ||||||||||||||||
Total items recognized directly in equity | 333 | (292 | ) | (3 | ) | 38 | 1 | 39 | |||||||||||||
Total income and expense for the year | 748 | 333 | (292 | ) | (3 | ) | 786 | 13 | 799 | ||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting policies on adoption of IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4, net of applicable taxes at January 1, 2005 | 2 | (173 | ) | 397 | 226 | (3 | ) | 223 | |||||||||||||
Dividends | (380 | ) | (380 | ) | (380 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Reserve movements in respect of share-based payments | 15 | 15 | (1 | ) | 14 | ||||||||||||||||
Change in minority interests arising principally from purchase and sale of venture investment companies and property partnerships of the PAC with-profits fund | 26 | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||
Share capital and share premium | |||||||||||||||||||||
New share capital subscribed | 0 | 55 | 55 | 55 | |||||||||||||||||
Transfer to retained earnings in respect of shares issued in lieu of cash dividends | (51 | ) | 51 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
Treasury shares | |||||||||||||||||||||
Movement in own shares in respect of share-based payment plans | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Movement on Prudential plc shares purchased by unit trusts consolidated under IFRS | 3 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net increase in equity | 6 | 264 | 333 | 105 | (3 | ) | 705 | 35 | 740 | ||||||||||||
At beginning of year: | |||||||||||||||||||||
As previously reported under UK GAAP | 119 | 1,558 | 2,604 | 4,281 | 71 | 4,352 | |||||||||||||||
Changes arising from adoption of IFRS | 368 | (160 | ) | 208 | 66 | 274 | |||||||||||||||
As restated under IFRS | 119 | 1,558 | 2,972 | (160 | ) | 4,489 | 137 | 4,626 | |||||||||||||
At end of year | 119 | 1,564 | 3,236 | 173 | 105 | (3 | ) | 5,194 | 172 | 5,366 | |||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-4
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Statement of Changes in Equity
Year ended December 31
|
2004 |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Share capital |
Share premium |
Retained earnings |
Translation reserve |
Shareholders' equity |
Minority interests |
Total equity |
|||||||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||||||||||||
Reserves | ||||||||||||||||
Profit for the year | 517 | 517 | (1 | ) | 516 | |||||||||||
Items recognized directly in equity: | ||||||||||||||||
Exchange movements | (172 | ) | (172 | ) | (172 | ) | ||||||||||
Related tax | 12 | 12 | 12 | |||||||||||||
Total items recognized directly in equity | (160 | ) | (160 | ) | (160 | ) | ||||||||||
Total income and expense for the year | 517 | (160 | ) | 357 | (1 | ) | 356 | |||||||||
Dividends | (323 | ) | (323 | ) | (323 | ) | ||||||||||
Reserve movements in respect of share-based payments | 10 | 10 | 10 | |||||||||||||
Change in minority interests arising principally from purchase and sale of venture investment companies and property partnerships of the PAC with-profits fund | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Share capital and share premium | ||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from Rights Issue, net of expenses | 17 | 1,004 | 1,021 | 1,021 | ||||||||||||
Other new share capital subscribed | 2 | 117 | 119 | 119 | ||||||||||||
Transfer to retained earnings in respect of shares issued in lieu of cash dividends | (116 | ) | 116 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
Treasury shares | ||||||||||||||||
Movement in own shares in respect of share-based payment plans | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||||||||
Movement on Prudential plc shares purchased by unit trusts consolidated under IFRS | 14 | 14 | 14 | |||||||||||||
Net increase in equity | 19 | 1,005 | 332 | (160 | ) | 1,196 | 0 | 1,196 | ||||||||
At beginning of year: | ||||||||||||||||
As previously reported under UK GAAP | 100 | 553 | 2,587 | 3,240 | 107 | 3,347 | ||||||||||
Changes arising from adoption of IFRS | 53 | 53 | 30 | 83 | ||||||||||||
As restated under IFRS | 100 | 553 | 2,640 | 3,293 | 137 | 3,430 | ||||||||||
At end of year | 119 | 1,558 | 2,972 | (160 | ) | 4,489 | 137 | 4,626 | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-5
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31
Assets |
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||
Goodwill: | ||||||
Attributable to PAC with-profits fund | 607 | 784 | ||||
Attributable to shareholders | 1,341 | 1,461 | ||||
Total | 1,948 | 2,245 | ||||
Other intangible assets: | ||||||
PAC with-profits fund | 35 | 798 | ||||
Other operations | 2,405 | 2,244 | ||||
Total | 2,440 | 3,042 | ||||
Other non-investment and non-cash assets: | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 910 | 967 | ||||
Reinsurers' share of policyholder liabilities | 1,278 | 1,018 | ||||
Deferred tax assets | 755 | 827 | ||||
Current tax recoverable | 231 | 159 | ||||
Accrued investment income | 1,791 | 1,733 | ||||
Other debtors | 1,318 | 1,188 | ||||
Total | 6,283 | 5,892 | ||||
Investments of long-term business, banking and other operations: | ||||||
Investment properties | 13,180 | 13,303 | ||||
Investments accounted for using the equity method | 5 | 5 | ||||
Financial investments: | ||||||
Loans and receivables | 13,245 | 12,430 | ||||
Equity securities and portfolio holdings in unit trusts | 71,985 | 54,466 | ||||
Debt securities | 82,471 | 76,374 | ||||
Other investments | 3,879 | 2,537 | ||||
Deposits | 7,627 | 5,271 | ||||
Total investments | 192,392 | 164,386 | ||||
Held for sale assets | 728 | 100 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 3,586 | 4,341 | ||||
Total assets | 207,377 | 180,006 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-6
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31
Equity and Liabilities |
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||
Equity | ||||||
Ordinary share capital, 5p par value per share, 3,000 million and 3,000 million shares authorized; 2,387 million and 2,375 million shares issued and outstanding respectively | 119 | 119 | ||||
Sterling preference share capital, 1p par value per share, 2,000 million and 2,000 million shares authorized, nil and nil shares issued and outstanding respectively | | | ||||
US dollar preference share capital, 1 cent par value per share, 2,000 million and 2,000 million shares authorized, nil and nil shares issued and outstanding respectively | | | ||||
Euro preference share capital, 1 cent par value per share, 2,000 million and 2,000 million shares authorized, nil and nil shares issued and outstanding respectively | | | ||||
Share premium | 1,564 | 1,558 | ||||
Reserves | 3,511 | 2,812 | ||||
Shareholders' equity | 5,194 | 4,489 | ||||
Minority interests | 172 | 137 | ||||
Total equity | 5,366 | 4,626 | ||||
Liabilities | ||||||
Banking customer accounts | 5,830 | 6,607 | ||||
Policyholder liabilities and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds:* | ||||||
Insurance contract liabilities | 120,436 | | ||||
Investment contract liabilities with discretionary participation features | 26,523 | | ||||
Investment contract liabilities without discretionary participation features | 12,026 | | ||||
Technical provisions in respect of non-linked business | | 104,996 | ||||
Technical provisions for linked liabilities | | 24,066 | ||||
Unallocated surplus of with-profits funds: | ||||||
Reflecting application of 'realistic' basis provisions for UK regulated with-profits funds | 11,357 | | ||||
Reflecting previous UK GAAP basis of provisioning | | 16,149 | ||||
Total policyholder liabilities and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds | 170,342 | 145,211 | ||||
Core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations: | ||||||
Subordinated debt (other than Egg) | 1,646 | 1,429 | ||||
Other | 1,093 | 1,368 | ||||
2,739 | 2,797 | |||||
Egg subordinated debt | 452 | 451 | ||||
Total | 3,191 | 3,248 | ||||
Other borrowings: | ||||||
Operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations | 6,432 | 6,421 | ||||
Borrowings attributable to with-profits funds | 1,898 | 2,137 | ||||
Other non-insurance liabilities: | ||||||
Obligations under funding, securities lending and sale and repurchase agreements | 4,529 | 3,819 | ||||
Net asset value attributable to unit holders of consolidated unit trusts and similar funds | 965 | 808 | ||||
Current tax liabilities | 962 | 1,018 | ||||
Deferred tax liabilities | 2,991 | 2,279 | ||||
Accruals and deferred income | 506 | 655 | ||||
Other creditors | 1,478 | 996 | ||||
Provisions | 972 | 1,006 | ||||
Other liabilities | 1,769 | 1,175 | ||||
Held for sale liabilities | 146 | | ||||
Total | 14,318 | 11,756 | ||||
Total liabilities | 202,011 | 175,380 | ||||
Total equity and liabilities | 207,377 | 180,006 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-7
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Cash Flow Statements
Years ended December 31
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | |||||||
Profit before tax* | 2,145 | 1,561 | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Investments | (21,462 | ) | (14,741 | ) | |||
Banking customer accounts | (861 | ) | (330 | ) | |||
Other non-investment and non-cash assets | (970 | ) | (105 | ) | |||
Policyholder liabilities (including unallocated surplus) | 21,126 | 13,639 | |||||
Other liabilities (including operational borrowings) | 180 | 1,061 | |||||
Interest income and expense and dividend income included in profit before tax | (8,410 | ) | (7,371 | ) | |||
Other non-cash items | 0 | 73 | |||||
Operating cash items: | |||||||
Interest receipts | 5,946 | 5,660 | |||||
Dividend receipts | 2,680 | 1,853 | |||||
Tax paid | (573 | ) | (450 | ) | |||
Net cash flows from operating activities | (199 | ) | 850 | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
|||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (160 | ) | (227 | ) | |||
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment | 6 | 4 | |||||
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash balances | (68 | ) | (92 | ) | |||
Disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash balances | 252 | 218 | |||||
Net cash flows from investing activities | 30 | (97 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
|||||||
Structural borrowings of the Group: | |||||||
Shareholder-financed operations: | |||||||
Issue | 168 | 344 | |||||
Redemption | (308 | ) | (61 | ) | |||
Interest paid | (204 | ) | (189 | ) | |||
With-profits operations: | |||||||
Interest paid | (9 | ) | (9 | ) | |||
Equity capital: | |||||||
Issues of ordinary share capital | 55 | 1,140 | |||||
Dividends paid | (380 | ) | (323 | ) | |||
Net cash flows from financing activities | (678 | ) | 902 | ||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(847 |
) |
1,655 |
||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 4,341 | 2,756 | |||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 92 | (70 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | 3,586 | 4,341 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-8
INDEX TO THE NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
Page |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Section A: Background and adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) | ||||
A1 | Nature of operations | F-11 | ||
A2 | Basis of preparation | F-11 | ||
A3 | Critical accounting policies, estimates and judgements | F-12 | ||
A4 | Significant accounting policies | F-17 | ||
A5 | Changes from previous accounting basis and reconciliation to previously published 2004 results on first-time adoption of IFRS | F-35 | ||
A6 | Changes of accounting policy in 2005 | F-43 | ||
A7 | New accounting pronouncements | F-48 | ||
Section B: Summary of results | ||||
B1 | Earnings per share | F-50 | ||
B2 | Dividends | F-51 | ||
B3 | Group balance sheet | F-51 | ||
Section C: Group risk management | F-55 | |||
Section D: Life assurance business | ||||
D1 | Group overview | F-59 | ||
D2 | UK insurance operations | F-66 | ||
D3 | US operations | F-78 | ||
D4 | Asian operations | F-89 | ||
D5 | Capital position statement for life assurance business | F-96 | ||
Section E: Banking operations | ||||
E1 | Income statement for banking operations | F-106 | ||
E2 | Balance sheet for banking operations | F-107 | ||
E3 | Risk management overview | F-107 | ||
E4 | Maturities of assets and liabilities and liquidity risk | F-108 | ||
E5 | Losses on loans and advances | F-109 | ||
E6 | Market risk | F-110 | ||
E7 | Credit risk | F-110 | ||
Section F: Income statement notes | ||||
F1 | Segmental information | F-112 | ||
F2 | Revenue | F-119 | ||
F3 | Acquisition costs and other operating expenditure | F-120 | ||
F4 | Finance costs: interest on core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations | F-121 | ||
F5 | Tax | F-121 | ||
F-9
F6 | Discontinued operations | F-127 | ||
Section G: Financial assets and liabilities | ||||
G1 | Financial instrumentsdesignation and fair values | F-128 | ||
G2 | Market risk | F-131 | ||
G3 | Derivatives and hedging | F-134 | ||
G4 | Derecognition, securitization and collateral | F-137 | ||
G5 | Impairment of financial assets | F-138 | ||
Section H: Other information on balance sheet items | ||||
H1 | Goodwill | F-138 | ||
H2 | Other intangible assets | F-141 | ||
H3 | Reinsurers' share of policyholder liabilities | F-145 | ||
H4 | Tax assets and liabilities | F-145 | ||
H5 | Accrued investment income and other debtors | F-147 | ||
H6 | Property, plant and equipment | F-147 | ||
H7 | Investment properties | F-149 | ||
H8 | Investments in participating interests | F-150 | ||
H9 | Assets and liabilities held for sale | F-154 | ||
H10 | Cash and cash equivalents | F-154 | ||
H11 | Shareholders' equity: share capital, share premium and reserves | F-155 | ||
H12 | Insurance contract liabilities and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds | F-157 | ||
H13 | Borrowings | F-158 | ||
H14 | Provisions and contingencies | F-161 | ||
H15 | Other liabilities | F-168 | ||
Section I: Other notes | ||||
I1 | Staff and pension plans | F-168 | ||
I2 | Share-based payments | F-179 | ||
I3 | Key management remuneration | F-189 | ||
I4 | Fees payable to auditors | F-190 | ||
I5 | Related party transactions | F-190 | ||
I6 | Subsidiary undertakings | F-191 | ||
I7 | Commitments | F-197 | ||
I8 | Post-balance sheet events | F-197 | ||
I9 | Foreign exchange translation | F-198 | ||
I10 | Cash flows | F-198 | ||
Section J: Summary of Material Differences between International Financial Reporting Standards and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles | F-199 | |||
Section K: Condensed Consolidated US GAAP Financial Statements | F-216 |
F-10
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
A: Background and adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
A1: Nature of operations
Prudential plc (the Company) together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the Group or Prudential) is an international financial services group with its principal operations in the UK, the US and Asia. The Group operates in the UK through its subsidiaries, primarily The Prudential Assurance Company Limited (PAC), Prudential Annuities Limited (PAL), Prudential Retirement Income Limited (PRIL), M&G Group Limited and Egg plc. In the US, the Group's principal subsidiary is Jackson National Life Insurance Company (JNL). The Group also has operations in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and other Asian countries. Prudential offers a wide range of retail financial products and services and fund management services throughout these territories. The retail financial products and services principally include life insurance, pensions and annuities as well as collective investments and deposit and mortgage banking services.
Long-term business products written in the UK and Asia are principally with-profits deposit administration, other conventional and unitised with-profits policies and non-participating pension annuities in the course of payment. Long-term business also includes linked business written in the UK and Asia. The principal products written by JNL are interest-sensitive deferred annuities and whole-life policies, variable annuities, guaranteed investment contracts, fixed index deferred annuities and term life insurance.
Prudential plc is a public limited company incorporated and registered in England and Wales. The registered office is:
Laurence
Pountney Hill
London
EC4R 0HH
UK Companies House registered number: 1397169
A2: Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements consolidate the Group and the Group's interest in associates and jointly controlled entities. The parent company financial statements present information about the Company as a separate entity and not about the Group.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared and approved by the directors in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (EU). Were the Group to apply IFRS as published by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), as opposed to EU-endorsed IFRS, no additional adjustments would be required.
The Group has applied all IFRS and interpretations adopted by the EU at December 31, 2005, and has early adopted the amendment to IAS 39, 'The Fair Value Option' and IAS 19, 'Employee Benefits' (as amended in 2004).
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has provided a one-time accommodation relating to financial statements prepared under IFRS for foreign private issuers registered with the SEC. This accommodation applies to companies, such as Prudential, that adopt IFRS prior to or for the first financial year starting on or after January 1, 2007. The accommodation permits eligible foreign private issuers for their first year of reporting under IFRS to file two years rather than three years of income statements, changes in equity and cash flows prepared in accordance with IFRS, with appropriate related
F-11
disclosure. Prudential has prepared the financial statements in these financial statements in accordance with this accommodation.
The accounting policies set out below have, unless otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all periods presented in these Group financial statements and in preparing an opening IFRS balance sheet at January 1, 2004 for the purposes of the transition to IFRS. The principal exception is that, as more fully explained below, financial instruments and insurance accounting is determined on different bases in 2005 and 2004 due to the basis of application of the transitional provisions of IFRS 1, 'First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards' in relation to the standards IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4.
The consolidated financial statements do not represent the Prudential's statutory accounts for the purposes of the UK Companies Act 1985. These financial statements are based on the prescribed formats. The Group's external auditors have reported on the 2005 and 2004 statutory accounts and the accounts have been delivered to the UK Registrar of Companies. The auditors' reports were unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237 (2) (inadequate accounting records or returns not agreeing with records and returns) or Section 237 (3) (failure to obtain necessary information and explanations) of the UK Companies Act 1985.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS and include additional disclosures required under US GAAP. Information related to the nature and effect of differences between IFRS and US GAAP affecting Prudential's consolidated profits and shareholders' funds have been summarized in Note J, 'Summary of Material Differences between IFRS and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles'. Condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements are presented in Note K.
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The years "2005" and "2004" refer to the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 respectively.
A3: Critical accounting policies, estimates and judgements
(a) Critical accounting policies
Adoption of IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4
Three standards, IAS 32, 'Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation', IAS 39, 'Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement' and IFRS 4, 'Insurance Contracts', have been adopted as at January 1, 2005 rather than January 1, 2004. This treatment is consistent with the policy typically applied by groups with banking operations where the practical consequences of adopting these standards for 2004 are significant.
Accordingly, the amounts recorded for revenue and expenses and assets and liabilities of certain items reflected in the Group's financial statements are not on a consistent basis in 2005 compared to amounts recorded for the comparative period. The main area where this inconsistency applies is valuation and accounting presentation of fair value movements of derivatives and debt securities of JNL (as described below). In addition, the measurement of assets and liabilities and income and expenses of
F-12
those UK unit-linked contracts, and those with similar features, that do not contain significant insurance risk, is altered.
Insurance contract accounting
With the exception of contracts described in note D1, the Group's life assurance contracts are classified as insurance contracts and investment contracts with discretionary participating features. As permitted by IFRS 4, assets and liabilities of these contracts (see below) are accounted for under previously applied GAAP. Accordingly, except as described below, the modified statutory basis (MSB) of reporting as set out in the revised Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) issued by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) in November 2003 has been applied for the 2005 results.
In the UK, for the 2004 comparative results, with the exception of minor accounting adjustments, the technical provisions reflect the UK regulatory basis of reporting that has applied previously for many years. This effectively constitutes the Peak 1 basis under the current Financial Services Authority (FSA) regime.
From January 1, 2005 the Group has chosen to improve its accounting for UK regulated with-profits funds by the voluntary application of the UK accounting standard FRS 27, 'Life Assurance'. Under this standard, the main accounting changes that are required for UK with-profits funds are:
The primary effect of these changes is to fundamentally alter the basis of accounting and carrying value of deferred acquisition costs (as set out in note H2) and the reported level of unallocated surplus of with-profits funds (as set out in note H12).
Under UK GAAP, the fund for future appropriations (FFA) represents the excess of assets over policyholder liabilities for the Group's with-profit funds. Under IFRS the FFA is termed unallocated surplus and the Group has opted to account for it wholly as a liability with no allocation to equity. This treatment reflects the fact that shareholders' participation in the cost of bonuses arises only on distribution. As a consequence of this accounting treatment, shareholder profits on with-profits business continue to reflect the one-ninth cost of declared bonus previously applied under UK GAAP.
For JNL, applying the MSB as applicable to overseas operations, the assets and liabilities of insurance contracts are accounted for under insurance accounting prescribed by US GAAP. For Asian operations the local GAAP is applied with adjustments, where necessary, to comply with IFRS. For Asian operations in countries where local GAAP is not well established and in which the business written is primarily non-participating business, US GAAP is used as the most appropriate proxy to local GAAP.
The usage of these bases of accounting has varying effects on the way in which product options and guarantees are measured. For UK regulated with-profits funds, for the 2005 results, options and guarantees are valued on a market consistent basis. The basis is described in note D2(d)(ii). For other operations a market consistent basis is not applied under the accounting basis described in note A4. Details of the guarantees, basis of setting assumptions, and sensitivity to altered assumptions are described in notes D3 and D4.
F-13
Valuation and accounting presentation of fair value movements of derivatives and debt securities of JNL
Under IAS 39, derivatives are required to be carried at fair value. Unless hedge accounting is applied, value movements on derivatives are recognized in the income statement.
For derivative instruments of JNL, the Group has considered at length whether it is appropriate to undertake the necessary operational changes to qualify for hedge accounting so as to achieve matching of value movements in hedging instruments and hedged items in the performance statements. In reaching the decision a number of factors were particularly relevant. These were:
In this regard, the issues surrounding the IAS 39 application are very similar to those considered by other US life insurers when the US financial reporting standard FAS 133 was first applied for US GAAP reporting. Taking account of these considerations the Group has decided that, except for certain minor categories of derivatives, it is not appropriate to seek to achieve hedge accounting under IAS 39 by completely reconfiguring the structure of JNL's derivative book. As a result of this decision the total income statement results are more volatile as the movements in the value of JNL's derivatives are reflected within it.
Under IAS 39, unless carried at amortized cost (subject to impairment provisions where appropriate) under the held-to-maturity category, debt securities are also carried at fair value. The Group has chosen not to classify any financial assets as held-to-maturity. Debt securities of JNL are designated as available-for-sale with value movements being recorded as movements within shareholders' equity.
Presentation of results before tax
The total tax charge for the Group reflects tax that in addition to relating to shareholders' profits is also attributable to policyholders and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds and unit-linked policies. This is explained in more detail in note F5. However, pre-tax profits are determined after transfers to or from unallocated surplus of with-profits funds. These transfers are in turn determined after taking account of tax borne by with-profits funds. Consequently reported profit before the total tax charge is not representative of pre-tax profits attributable to shareholders. In order to provide a measure of pre-tax profits attributable to shareholders the Group has chosen to adopt an income statement
F-14
presentation of the tax charge and pre-tax results that delineates between policyholder and shareholder components.
(b) Critical accounting estimates and judgements
Investments
Determining the fair value of unquoted investments
Of the Group's financial investments, assets with a fair value of £4.9 billion are not quoted on active markets. Their fair values are determined in full or in part by using valuation techniques. These techniques include discounted cash flow analysis, option-adjusted spread models and enterprise valuation and may include a number of assumptions relating to variables such as credit risk and interest rates. Changes in assumptions relating to these variables could positively or negatively impact the reported fair value of these instruments. This impact would, however, be mostly mitigated by an equal and offsetting transfer to the liability for unallocated surplus as the majority of these investments are held by the UK with-profits fund. Further information on these instruments is provided in note G1.
Determining impairments relating to financial assets
Available-for-sale securities
Financial investments carried on an available-for-sale basis, such as JNL's debt securities portfolio, are considered to be impaired if there has been a significant and prolonged period of decline in fair value below its amortized cost or if there is objective evidence of impairment. The consideration of this requires management's judgement. Among the factors considered is whether the decline in fair value results from a change in quality of the security itself, or from a downward movement in the market as a whole and the likelihood of recovering the carrying value based on the current and short-term prospects of the issuer. Unrealized losses that are considered to be primarily the result of market conditions, such as increasing interest rates, unusual market volatility, or industry-related events, and where the Group also believes there is a reasonable expectation for recovery and, furthermore, it has the intent and ability to hold the investment until maturity or the market recovery, are usually determined to be temporary. Prudential's review of fair value involves several criteria including economic conditions, credit loss experience, other issuer-specific developments and future cash flows. These assessments are based on the best available information at the time. Factors such as market liquidity, the widening of bid/ask spreads and a change in cash flow assumptions can contribute to future price volatility. If actual experience differs negatively from the assumptions and other considerations used in the consolidated financial statements, unrealized losses currently in equity may be recognized in the income statement in future periods.
Assets held at amortized cost
For financial assets carried at amortized cost, the Group measures the amount of the impairment loss by comparing the carrying amount of the asset with the present value of its estimated future cash flows.
In estimating the future cash flows, the Group looks at the expected cash flows of the assets and applies historical loss experience of assets with similar credit risks which have been adjusted for
F-15
conditions in the historical loss experience which no longer exist, or for conditions which are expected to arise. The estimated future cash flows are discounted using the financial asset's original or variable effective interest rate and exclude credit losses that have not yet been incurred.
The risks inherent in reviewing the impairment of any investment include the risk that market results may differ from expectations; facts and circumstances may change in the future and differ from estimates and assumptions; or the Group may later decide to sell the security as a result of changed circumstances.
Insurance contracts
Product classification
IFRS 4 requires contracts written by insurers to be classified as either 'insurance contracts' or 'investment contracts' depending on the level of insurance risk transferred. If significant insurance risk is transferred by the contract then it is classified as an insurance contract. Contracts that transfer financial risk but not significant insurance risk are termed investment contracts. Furthermore, some contracts, both insurance and investment, contain discretionary participation features representing the contractual right to receive additional benefits as a supplement to guaranteed benefits. Accordingly, insurers must perform a product classification exercise across their portfolio of contracts issued to determine the allocation to these various categories. Further details of this exercise are given in note D1.
Valuation assumptions
The Group's insurance contracts and investment contracts with discretionary participation features are primarily with-profits and other protection type policies. For UK regulated with-profits funds for 2005 the contract liabilities are valued by reference to the UK FSA's realistic basis. This is described in note D2. For other contracts, and for UK with-profits contracts in 2004, the liabilities are estimated using actuarial methods based on assumptions relating to premiums, interest rates, investment returns, expenses, mortality and surrenders. The assumptions to which the estimation of these reserves is particularly sensitive are the interest rate used to discount the provision and the assumed future mortality experience of policyholders. Further information on valuation assumptions in respect of the Group's insurance contracts is provided in section D. From the perspective of shareholder's results, the key sensitivity relates to assumed future investment returns for the Taiwan life operation. This sensitivity is discussed in more detail in note D4(g).
Deferred acquisition costs
Significant costs are incurred in connection with acquiring new insurance business. Except for acquisition costs of with-profits contracts of the UK regulated with-profits funds, which are accounted for under the realistic FSA regime as described in note A4, these costs, which vary with, and are primarily related to, the production of new business, are capitalised and amortized against margins in future revenues on the related insurance policies. The recoverability of the asset is measured and the asset is deemed impaired if the projected future margins are less than the carrying value of the asset. To the extent that the future margins differ from those anticipated, then an adjustment to the carrying value of the deferred acquisition cost asset will be necessary.
F-16
The deferral and amortization of acquisition costs is of most relevance to the Group's reported profits for shareholder-financed long-term business operations, principally JNL in the US. In 2005 and 2004, except as described in sections D3(f) and D4(f), the amortization of deferred acquisition costs was at expected levels.
Pensions
The Group applies the requirements of IAS 19, 'Employee Benefits' to its defined benefit pension schemes. The economic participation in the deficits attaching to the main Prudential Staff Pension Scheme (PSPS) and the smaller Scottish Amicable Pension Scheme (SAPS) are shared between the PAC with-profits sub-fund (WPSF) and shareholder operations. The economic interest reflects the source of contributions over the scheme life, which in turn reflects the activity of the members during their employment. In the case of PSPS, at December 31, 2004, the attribution between WPSF and shareholders' funds was in the ratio 80/20. In 2005, following extensive analysis, this ratio was revised to 70/30. For SAPS the ratio for both 2005 and 2004 is estimated to be 50/50 between the WPSF and shareholders' funds.
Deferred tax
Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that they are regarded as recoverable, that is to the extent that, on the basis of all the available evidence, it can be regarded as more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable profits against which the losses can be relieved. The UK taxation regime applies separate rules to trading and capital profits and losses. The distinction between temporary differences that arise from items of either a capital or trading nature may affect the recognition of deferred tax assets. The judgements made, and uncertainties considered, in arriving at deferred tax balances included in the financial statements are discussed in note H4.
Goodwill
Goodwill impairment testing requires the exercise of judgement by management as to prospective future cash flows.
A4: Significant accounting policies
(a) Background
Description of the accounting policies applied in the 2005 financial statements is complicated by the basis of adoption and application of IFRS standards for 2005 and the 2004 comparative results. Accordingly, the policies set out in note A4(b) below should be read in the context of this background information.
With the three exceptions, referred to in note A3(a) above, all IFRS standards have been adopted on transition to IFRS from January 1, 2004 on the basis described in this note. The effect of adoption of these standards on previously published 2004 results is explained in note A5.
IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4 standards have been adopted from January 1, 2005 when, at the same time, the Group has improved the policy applied for UK regulated with-profits funds. Comparatives have
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not been restated for this change. Note A6 provides a summary of the changes made in 2005 and their numeric effect on shareholders' equity at January 1, 2005.
In summary, the accounting bases applied across the two years reflect the following:
Financial instruments (other than long-term business contracts classified as financial instruments)
For 2004, previous UK GAAP has been applied. For 2005, the adoption of the standards IAS 32 and IAS 39 gives rise to presentation, recognition and measurement changes. The most significant changes relate to the measurement basis of the debt securities and derivatives of JNL. The accounting policies are described in note (b) (i) below.
Long-term business contracts
Income statement
For 2004, the income statement includes premiums and claim payments on all contracts that were then classified under previous GAAP as insurance, including deposit style 'investment contracts' where the insurance risk in the contracts is insignificant. For 2005, the recognition basis in the income statement remains the same except for investment contracts, as defined under IFRS 4, which do not contain discretionary participation features, where the accounting reflects the deposit nature of the arrangement. Consequently, premiums and claims on these contracts are not recognized in the income statement.
UK regulated with-profits funds
The UK GAAP basis applied in 2004 was the MSB, which closely reflected the Peak 1 regulatory basis of the UK FSA with the addition of deferred acquisition costs. For 2005, this basis has been replaced under a policy improvement to align with the UK accounting standard FRS 27, 'Life Assurance'.
Other insurance contracts
UK GAAP has been applied in both 2004 and 2005. In this respect UK GAAP also reflects the MSB. For overseas operations local GAAP or, in some cases, US GAAP has been applied but with the necessary changes to comply with UK GAAP.
Investment contracts
UK GAAP has been applied for 2004. Investment contracts with discretionary participation features are also accounted for in accordance with UK GAAP in 2005, in common with insurance contracts. For 2005, investment contracts without discretionary participation features are accounted for on a basis that reflects the hybrid nature of the arrangements whereby the deposit component is accounted for as a financial instrument under IAS 39 and the service component is accounted for under IAS 18, 'Revenue'.
Other assets, liabilities, income and expenditure
All other items are accounted for in both the 2004 and 2005 results and notes on the financial statements under the relevant IFRS standard.
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The summary above should be read in conjunction with the full description of significant accounting policies described elsewhere in this note and in notes A5 and A6 for a comprehensive explanation.
(b) Accounting policies applied
2004
Previous UK GAAP has been applied as follows:
Other than banking business
Equity securities and debt securities
Equity securities were carried at fair value. Debt securities were carried at fair value, except those held by JNL which, subject to provision for permanent diminutions in value, were carried at amortized cost. Fair value was based on quoted market prices for listed securities, and on quotations provided by external fund managers, brokers, independent pricing services or values as determined by the directors for unlisted securities. Changes in fair value were recognized in investment returns during the year of the change. Debt securities held by JNL were carried at amortized cost as permitted by paragraph 24 of schedule 9A to the Companies Act 1985. The amortized cost basis of valuation was appropriate under the provisions of the ABI SORP for JNL's redeemable debt securities as they were deemed held as part of a portfolio of such securities intended to be held to maturity.
Mortgages and other loans
Loans collateralized by mortgages and other unsecured loans were carried at unpaid principal balances, net of unamortized discounts and premiums and an allowance for loan losses, except for loans held by UK insurance operations which were carried at fair value. The allowance for loan losses was maintained at a level considered adequate to absorb losses in the mortgage loan portfolio.
Loans to policyholders
Loans to policyholders were carried at unpaid principal balances and fully collateralized by the cash value of policies.
Deposits with credit institutions
Deposits with credit institutions were carried at fair value. Changes in fair value were included in investment income for the year.
Derivatives
With the principal exception of derivatives held by JNL, these instruments were carried at fair value with changes in fair value included in investment income. Derivative instruments of JNL and certain other minor holdings were accounted for at amortized cost.
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Banking business
Debt securities intended to be held for continuing use were carried at cost less any provision for permanent diminution in value. Discount or premiums on purchase were amortized through the profit and loss account over the period from date of purchase to date of maturity.
Debt securities, which were held for resale, were stated at their net realisable value.
Derivative instruments were accounted for in a manner consistent with the assets and liabilities or positions being hedged. Profits or losses and interest on these instruments were recognized in accordance with the accounting treatment of the underlying transaction as an adjustment to interest receivable or interest payable.
2005
The accounting policies for financial instruments in 2005 are changed in a number of areas, as described in note A6. In general, where a fair value basis of measurement was applied for 2004, this basis has been continued for 2005. However, for instruments previously carried at cost, or amortized cost, the general effect of the standards adopted is for the use of fair value to be extended. The most significant changes relate to the measurement basis of the debt securities and derivatives of JNL.
The accounting policies applied in 2005 are as follows:
Investment classification
Upon initial recognition, financial investments are measured at fair value. Subsequently, the Group is permitted, subject to specific criteria, to designate its investments as either financial investments at fair value through profit and loss, financial investments held on an available-for-sale basis, financial investments held to maturity, or loans and receivables. The Group holds financial investments on the following bases:
The Group has designated certain financial assets as fair value through profit and loss as these assets are managed and their performance is evaluated on a fair value basis. These assets represent all
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of the Group's financial assets except all loans and receivable and debt securities held by JNL and Egg. Debt securities held by JNL and Egg are accounted for on an available-for-sale basis. The use of the fair value option is consistent with the Group's risk management and investment strategies.
The Group uses the trade date method to account for regular way purchases and sales of financial assets with the exception of Egg's loans and advances to customers which are on a settlement day basis.
Use of fair values
The Group uses current bid prices to value its quoted investments. Actively traded investments without quoted prices are valued using external broker bid prices. If there is no active established market for an investment, the Group applies an appropriate valuation technique such as a discounted cash flow technique.
Impairments
The Group assesses at each balance sheet date whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or group of financial assets not held at fair value through profit and loss is impaired. A financial asset or group of financial assets is impaired and impairment losses are incurred only if there is objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events that have occurred after the initial recognition of the asset (a 'loss event') and that loss event (or events) has an impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or group of financial assets that can be reliably estimated. Objective evidence that a financial asset or group of financial assets is impaired includes observable data that comes to the attention of the Group. For assets designated as available-for-sale, the impairment is measured as the difference between the amortized cost of the asset and its fair value, removed from the available-for-sale reserve within equity and recognized in the income statement.
For loans and receivables carried at amortized cost, the impairment amount is the difference between amortized cost and the present value of the expected cash flows discounted at the original effective interest rate.
If, in subsequent periods, an impaired debt security held on an available-for-sale basis or an impaired loan or receivable recovers in value (in part, or in full), and this recovery can be objectively related to an event occurring after the impairment, then the previously recognized impairment loss is reversed through the income statement (in part, or in full).
Derivatives and hedge accounting
Derivative financial instruments are used to reduce or manage investment, interest rate and currency exposures, to facilitate efficient portfolio management and for investment purposes. The Group's policy is that amounts at risk through derivative transactions are covered by cash or by corresponding assets.
The Group may designate certain derivatives as hedges. This includes fair value hedges, cash flow hedges and hedges of net investments in foreign operations. If the criteria for hedge accounting are met
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then the following accounting treatments are applied from the date at which the designation is made and the accompanying requisite documentation is in place:
All derivatives that do not meet the relevant hedging criteria are carried at fair value with movements in fair value being recorded in the income statement.
Embedded derivatives
Embedded derivatives are held by various Group companies including JNL and Egg. They are embedded within other non-derivative host financial instruments to create hybrid instruments. Where economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivatives are not closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host instrument, and where the hybrid instrument is not measured at fair value with the changes in fair value recognized in the income statement, depending on the classification of the host instrument, the host is then measured in accordance with the relevant requirements of IAS 39.
Securities lending including repurchase agreements
The Group is party to various securities lending agreements under which securities are loaned to third parties on a short-term basis. The loaned securities are not derecognized; rather, they continue to be recognized within the appropriate investment classification. The Group's policy is that collateral in excess of 100 per cent of the fair value of securities loaned is required from all securities borrowers and typically consists of cash, debt securities, equity securities or letters of credit.
In cases where the Group takes possession of the collateral under its securities lending programme, the collateral, and corresponding obligation to return such collateral are recognized in the consolidated balance sheet. To further minimize credit risk, the financial condition of counterparties is monitored on a regular basis.
Derecognition of financial assets and liabilities
The Group's policy is to derecognize financial assets when it is deemed that substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred. The Group also derecognizes a financial asset
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when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire. Where the Group neither transfers nor retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership, the Group will derecognize the financial asset where it is deemed that the Group has not retained control of the financial asset.
Where the transfer does not result in the Group transferring the right to receive the cash flows of the financial assets, but does result in the Group assuming a corresponding obligation to pay the cash flows to another recipient, the financial assets are also accordingly derecognized providing the following conditions are met:
The Group derecognizes financial liabilities only when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or has expired.
Securitization of assets
Egg has issued debt securities in order to finance certain portfolios of loan and investment assets. These obligations are secured on Egg's assets. The securitized assets and the related liabilities are presented gross within the relevant headings in the balance sheet under the 'gross presentation' method.
Borrowings
Although initially recognized at fair value, net of transaction costs, borrowings, excluding liabilities of consolidated collateralized debt obligations, are subsequently accounted for on an amortized cost basis using the effective interest method. Under the effective interest method, the difference between the redemption value of the borrowing and the initial proceeds (net of related issue costs) is amortized through the income statement to the date of maturity.
Financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit and loss
The Group has designated under IAS 39 classification, certain financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss as these instruments are managed and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis. These instruments include liabilities related to consolidated collateralized debt obligations and net assets attributable to unit holders of consolidated unit trusts and similar funds.
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Income statement treatment
2004
Premiums and claims
Premium and annuity considerations for conventional with-profits policies and other protection type insurance polices are recognized when due. Premiums and annuity considerations for linked policies, unitised with-profits and other investment type policies are recognized when received or, in the case of unitised or unit-linked policies, when units are issued. These amounts exclude any taxes or duties assessed based on premiums.
Policy fees charged on linked and unitised with-profits policies for mortality, asset management and policy administration are recognized as revenue when related services are provided.
Claims paid include maturities, annuities, surrenders and deaths. Maturity claims are recorded on the policy maturity date. Annuity claims are recorded when the annuity becomes due for payment. Surrenders are recorded when paid, and death claims are recorded when notified.
Premiums and claims include receipts and payments on deposit style 'investment contracts' where the insurance risk in the contracts is insignificant.
Acquisition costs
Costs of acquiring new business, principally commissions, marketing and advertising costs and certain other costs associated with policy issuance and underwriting that are not reimbursed by policy charges are specifically identified and capitalised as deferred acquisition costs (DAC), which are included as an asset in the balance sheet. The DAC asset is amortized against margins in future revenues on the related insurance policies, to the extent that the amounts are recoverable out of the margins. Recoverability of the unamortized DAC asset is assessed at the time of policy issue, and reviewed if profit margins have declined.
2005
For 2005, the recognition basis in the income statement remains the same except for investment contracts which do not contain discretionary participating features, where the accounting reflects the deposit nature of the arrangement, with premium and claims reflected as deposits and withdrawals taken directly to the balance sheet.
Under IFRS, investment contracts (excluding those with discretionary participation features) are required to be accounted for as financial liabilities in accordance with IAS 39 and, where relevant, the provisions of IAS 18, in respect of the attaching investment management features of the contracts. The Group's investment contracts primarily comprise of certain unit-linked savings contracts in the UK and Asia and contracts with fixed and guaranteed terms in the US (such as guaranteed investment contracts and annuity-certains).
Incremental, directly attributable acquisition costs relating to the investment management element of these contracts are capitalised and amortized in line with the related revenue. If the contracts involve
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up-front charges, this income is also deferred and amortized through the income statement in line with contractual service provision.
UK regulated with-profits funds
2004
The UK GAAP basis applied in 2004 was the MSB, which closely reflected the Peak 1 regulatory basis of the UK FSA.
Prudential's long-term business written in the UK comprises predominantly life insurance policies under which the policyholders are entitled to participate in the returns of the funds supporting these policies. Business similar to this type is also written in certain of the Group's Asian operations and subject to local market and regulatory conditions. Such policies are called 'with-profits' policies. Prudential maintains with-profits funds within the Group's long-term business funds, which segregate the assets and liabilities and accumulate the returns related to that with-profits business. The amounts accumulated in these with-profits funds are available to provide for future policyholder benefit provisions and for bonuses to be distributed to with-profits policyholders. The bonuses, both annual and final, reflect the right of the with-profits policyholders to participate in the financial performance of the with-profits funds. Shareholders' profits with respect to bonuses declared on with-profits business correspond to the shareholders' share of the cost of bonuses as declared by the Board of directors. The shareholders' share currently represents one-ninth of the cost of bonuses declared for with-profits policies.
Annual bonuses are declared and credited each year to with-profits policies. The annual bonuses increase policy benefits and, once credited, become guaranteed. Annual bonuses are charged to the profit and loss account in the year declared. Final bonuses are declared each year and accrued for all policies scheduled to mature and death benefits expected to be paid during the next financial year. Final bonuses are not guaranteed and are only paid on policies that result from claims through the death of the policyholder or maturity of the policy within the period of declaration or by concession on surrender. No policyholder benefit provisions are recorded for future annual or final bonus declarations.
Conventional with-profits business
Future policyholder benefit provisions on conventional with-profits and other protection-type policies were calculated using the net premium valuation method. The net premium was calculated such that it would be sufficient at the outset of the policy to provide only for the discounted value of the original guaranteed death and maturity benefits on the chosen valuation assumptions. The provision was then calculated by subtracting the present value of future net premiums from the present value of future benefits (including vested bonuses) using a prudent discount rate.
Under the net premium valuation method, vested bonuses were included in the cash flows assessed but future allocations of bonuses are not included explicitly, although they were implicitly taken into account in the discount rate used, which was based on the return available on suitable investments. The detailed methodology for UK companies is included in regulations contained in the FSA rules. In particular, the returns available from equity and property assets are based on expected income and/or earnings and no allowance was made for potential future capital growth.
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Accumulating with-profits business
For accumulating with-profits business, the calculation of the long-term business provision was based on a gross premium bonus reserve valuation. In general terms, a gross premium valuation basis is one in which the premiums brought into account are the full amounts receivable under the contract. The method included explicit estimates of premiums, expected claims, future regular bonuses, costs of maintaining contracts and future renewal expenses. Cash flows were discounted at the valuation rate of interest. The methodology for UK companies is included in the FSA rules. The discount rate was based on the expected return on the assets deemed to back the liabilities as prescribed by the FSA rules.
For PAC business, the calculation was based on a valuation under which future reversionary bonuses were added to the guaranteed liabilities existing at the valuation date. The provision was then calculated as the present value of future policyholder benefits plus the present value of future expenses, without assumption for withdrawals.
An addition was made in respect of future premiums if this produced a higher provision. The assumptions to which the estimation of the long-term business provision was particularly sensitive included the assumed future reversionary bonuses, the interest rate used to discount the provision, the assumed future per policy expenses and the assumed future mortality experience of policyholders.
For PAC business, the provision was taken as the lower of:
The amounts shown in the consolidated balance sheet for the year ended December 31, 2004, for with-profits contracts and unallocated surplus of the PAC with-profits fund have been determined in accordance with the MSB. With the exception of minor accounting adjustments, the technical provisions reflect the UK regulatory basis of reporting that has applied for many years, and which effectively constitutes the Peak 1 basis under the new FSA regime.
2005
For 2005, the basis described above has been replaced under a policy improvement to align with the UK accounting standard FRS 27, 'Life Assurance'.
FRS 27 is underpinned by the FSA's Peak 2 basis of reporting. This Peak 2 basis, which came into effect for the first time for 2004 regulatory reporting, requires the value of liabilities to be calculated as:
The WPBR is primarily based on the retrospective calculation of accumulated asset shares but is adjusted to reflect future policyholder benefits and other outgoings. By contrast, the Peak 1 basis addresses, at least explicitly, only declared bonuses.
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Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
A: Background and adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
The FPRL must include a market consistent valuation of costs of guarantees, options and smoothing, less any related charges, and this amount is determined using either a stochastic approach, hedging costs or a series of deterministic projections with attributed probabilities. Under the Peak 1 basis there is an allowance on a deterministic basis for the intrinsic value of these costs.
The assumptions used in the stochastic models are calibrated to produce risk-free returns on each asset class. Volatilities of, and correlations between, investment returns from different asset classes are as determined by the Group's Portfolio Management Group but are also market consistent.
The cost of guarantees, options and smoothing is very sensitive to the bonus, market value reduction (MVR) and investment policy the Company employs and therefore the stochastic modelling incorporates a range of management actions that would help to protect the fund in adverse scenarios. Substantial flexibility has been included in the modelled management actions in order to reflect the discretion that the Company retains in adverse investment conditions, thereby avoiding the creation of unreasonable minimum capital requirements. The management actions assumed are consistent with management's policy for with-profits funds and the disclosures made in the publicly available Principles and Practices of Financial Management.
Under FRS 27, the main changes that are required for UK with-profits funds are:
Adjusted realistic basis liabilities represent the Peak 2 basis realistic liabilities for with-profits business included in Form 19 of the FSA regulatory returns, but after excluding the element for the shareholders' share of the future bonuses. This latter item is recognized as a liability for the purposes of regulatory returns but, for accounting purposes under FRS 27, consistent with the current basis of financial reporting, shareholder transfers are recognized only on declaration.
Unallocated surplus
The unallocated surplus represents the excess of assets over policyholder liabilities for the Group's with-profits funds. In 2005, as allowed under IFRS 4, the Group has opted to continue to record unallocated surplus of with-profits funds wholly as a liability. The annual excess (shortfall) of income over expenditure of the with-profits funds, after declaration and attribution of the cost of bonuses to policyholders and shareholders, is transferred to (from) the unallocated surplus each year through a charge (credit) to the income statement. The balance retained in the unallocated surplus represents cumulative income arising on the with-profits business that has not been allocated to policyholders or shareholders. The balance of the unallocated surplus is determined after full provision for deferred tax on unrealized appreciation on investments.
Other insurance contracts (contracts which contain significant insurance risk as defined under IFRS 4)
UK GAAP has been applied in both 2004 and 2005. UK GAAP for these contracts reflects the MSB. Under this basis the following approach applies.
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UK insurance contracts
Other UK insurance contracts, including unit-linked contracts, that contain significant insurance risk, are accounted for consistently in 2004 and 2005. Segregated accounts are established for linked business for which policyholder benefits are wholly or partly determined by reference to specific investments or to an investment-related index. The interest rates used in establishing policyholder benefit provisions for pension annuities in the course of payment are adjusted each year. Mortality rates used in establishing policyholder benefit provisions were based on published mortality tables adjusted to reflect actual experience.
Overseas subsidiaries
Results of overseas subsidiaries are determined initially using local GAAP bases of accounting with subsequent adjustments where necessary to comply with the Group's accounting policies.
Jackson National Life
The future policyholder benefit provisions for JNL's conventional protection-type policies are determined using the net level premium method under US GAAP principles and assumptions as of the issue date as to mortality, interest, policy lapses and expenses plus provisions for adverse deviations. For non-conventional protection-type policies, the policyholder benefit provision included within policyholder liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet is the policyholder account balance.
For the business of JNL, the determination of the expected emergence of margins, against which the amortization profile of the DAC asset is established, is dependent on certain key assumptions. For single premium deferred annuity business, the key assumption is the expected long-term spread between the earned rate and the rate credited to policyholders. For variable annuity business, the key assumption is the expected long-term level of equity market returns which, for 2005 and 2004, was 8.4 per cent per annum implemented using a mean reversion methodology. These returns affect the level of future expected profits through their effects on fee income and the required level of provision for guaranteed minimum death benefit claims.
In 2005, JNL accounts for the majority of its investment portfolio on an available-for-sale basis (see investment policies above) whereby unrealized gains and losses are recognized directly in equity. As permitted by IFRS 4, JNL has used shadow accounting. Under shadow accounting, to the extent that recognition of unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities causes adjustments to the carrying value and amortization patterns of deferred acquisition costs and deferred income, these adjustments are recognized directly in equity to be consistent with the treatment of the gains or losses on the securities.
Asian operations
The future policyholder benefit provisions for Asian businesses are determined in accordance with methods prescribed by local GAAP adjusted to comply, where necessary, with UK GAAP. For the Hong Kong business, which is a branch of the PAC, and the Singapore and Malaysian operations the valuation principles and sensitivities to changes of assumptions of conventional with-profits and other protection-type policies are similar to those described above for equivalent products written by the UK operations.
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For Asian operations in countries where local GAAP is not well established and in which the business written is primarily non-participating and linked business, US GAAP is used as the most appropriate proxy to local GAAP. The future policyholder benefit provisions for non-linked business are determined using the net level premium method, with an allowance for surrenders, maintenance and claim expenses. Rates of interest used in establishing the policyholder benefit provisions vary by operation depending on the circumstances attaching to each block of business.
Although the basis of valuation of Prudential's overseas operations is in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 1985 and ABI SORP, the valuation of policyholder benefit provisions for these businesses may differ from that determined on a UK MSB for UK operations with the same features.
Liability adequacy
The Group performs liability adequacy testing on its insurance provisions to ensure that the carrying amounts of provisions (less related deferred acquisition costs and present value of in-force businesssee policy on Business Acquisitions and Disposals) is sufficient to cover current estimates of future cash flows. When performing the liability adequacy test, the Group discounts all contractual cash flows and compares this amount to the carrying value of the liability. Any deficiency is immediately charged to the income statement.
Reinsurance
In the normal course of business, the Group seeks to reduce loss exposure by reinsuring certain levels of risk in various areas of exposure with other insurance companies or reinsurers. An asset or liability is recognized in the consolidated balance sheet representing premiums due to or payments due from reinsurers, and the share of losses recoverable from reinsurers. The measurement of reinsurance assets is consistent with the measurement of the underlying direct insurance contracts.
Gains arising on the purchase of reinsurance contracts by JNL are deferred and amortized over the contract duration. Any loss is recognized in the income statement immediately.
Investment contracts (contracts which do not contain significant insurance risk as defined under IFRS 4)
For investment contracts with discretionary participation features, the accounting basis in 2005 and 2004 is consistent with the accounting for similar with-profits insurance contracts. For investment contracts without discretionary participation features, UK GAAP has been applied for 2004. For 2005, investment contracts are accounted for on a basis that reflects the hybrid nature of the arrangements whereby part is accounted for as a financial instrument under IAS 39 and the investment management service component is accounted for under IAS 18 as described in note A6.
For those investment contracts in the US with fixed and guaranteed terms, the Group uses the amortized cost model to measure the liability. On contract inception the liability is measured at fair value less incremental, directly attributable, acquisition costs. Remeasurement at future reporting dates is on an amortized cost basis utilising an effective interest rate methodology whereby the interest rate utilised discounts to the net carrying amount of the financial liability.
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Those investment contracts without fixed and guaranteed terms are designated at fair value through profit and loss. Fair value is based upon the fair value of the underlying assets of the fund. Where the contract includes a surrender option its carrying value is subject to a minimum carrying value equal to its surrender value.
(iii) Other assets, liabilities, income and expenditure
All other items are accounted for in both the 2004 and 2005 results and notes on the financial statements under the relevant IFRS standard.
Basis of consolidation
The Group consolidates those entities it is deemed to control. The degree of control is determined by the ability of the Group to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity in order to obtain benefits. Consideration is made of other factors such as potential voting rights.
The Group has consolidated some special purpose entities (SPE), such as funds holding collateralized debt obligations (CDO) where equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. These SPEs are consolidated because the Group is deemed to control them under IFRS.
Where the Group holds investments in Open-ended Investment Companies (OEICs) and unit trusts and the Group's ownership share falls marginally below 50 per cent due to the fluctuating nature of the internal and external participation in these vehicles, the Group will continue to consolidate the OEIC or unit trust when the fall in percentage ownership below 50 per cent is deemed to be temporary.
Where the Group exercises significant influence or has the power to exercise significant influence over an entity, generally through ownership of 20 per cent or more of the entity's voting rights, but does not control the entity then this is considered to be an investment in an associate. With the exception of those referred to below, the Group's investments in associates are recorded at the Group's share of the associate's net assets. The carrying value of investments in associates is adjusted each year for the Group's share of the entities' profit or loss. This does not apply to investments in associates held by the Group's insurance or investment funds including the venture capital business or mutual funds and unit trusts, which are carried at fair value through profit and loss.
The Group's investments in joint ventures are recognized using proportional consolidation whereby the Group's share of an entity's individual balances are combined line-by-line with similar items into the Group financial statements.
Other interests in entities, where significant influence is not exercised, are carried as investments at fair value through profit and loss.
The consolidated financial statements of the Group include the assets, liabilities and results of the Company and subsidiary undertakings in which Prudential has a controlling interest, using accounts drawn up to December 31, 2005 except where entities have non-coterminous year ends. In such cases, the information consolidated is based on the accounting period of these entities and is adjusted for material changes up to December 31. Accordingly, the information consolidated is deemed to cover the same period for all entities throughout the Group. The results of subsidiaries are included in the
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financial statements from the date acquired to the effective date of disposal. All inter-company transactions are eliminated on consolidation. Results of investment management activities include those for managing internal funds.
Investment properties
Investments in tenant occupied leasehold and freehold properties are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value included in the income statement. Properties are valued annually either by the Group's qualified surveyors or professional external valuers using The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) guidelines. The RICS guidelines apply separate assumptions to the value of the land, buildings, and tenancy associated with each property. Each property is externally valued at least once every three years. The cost of additions and renovations is capitalised and considered when estimating fair value.
Leases of investment property where the Group has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases (leasehold property). Finance leases are capitalised at the lease's inception at the lower of the fair value of the leased property and the present value of the minimum lease payments. Where a lease has a contingent rent element, the rent is calculated in accordance with individual lease terms and charged as an expense as incurred.
Pension schemes
The Group operates a number of pension schemes around the world. The largest of these schemes is the PSPS, a defined benefit scheme. The Group also operates defined contribution schemes. Defined contribution schemes are schemes where the Company pays contributions into a fund and the Company has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions should the assets of that fund be insufficient to pay the employee benefits relating to employee service in both current and prior periods. Defined benefit schemes are post-employment benefits plans that are not defined contribution schemes.
For the Group's defined benefit schemes, if the present value of the defined benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of the schemes assets, then a liability is recorded in the Group's balance sheet. The Group utilises the projected unit credit method to calculate the defined benefit obligation. Estimated future cash flows are then discounted at a high-quality corporate bond rate to determine its present value. These calculations are performed by independent actuaries.
The plan assets of the Group's pension schemes exclude several insurance contracts that have been issued by the Group. These assets are excluded from plan assets in determining the pension obligation recognized in the consolidated balance sheet.
The aggregate of the actuarially determined service costs of the currently employed personnel and the unwind of discount on liabilities at the start of the period, less the expected investment return on scheme assets at the start of the period, is charged to the income statement. Actuarial gains and losses as a result of changes in assumptions or experience variances are also charged or credited to the income statement.
Contributions to the Group's defined contribution schemes are expensed when due. Once paid, the Group has no further payment obligations. Any prepayments are reflected as an asset on the balance sheet.
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Share-based payments
The Group offers share award and option plans for certain key employees and a Save As You Earn plan (SAYE) plan for all UK and certain overseas employees. The arrangements for distribution to employees of shares held in trust relating to share award plans and for entitlement to dividends depend upon the particular terms of each plan. Shares held in trust relating to these plans are conditionally gifted to employees.
The compensation expense charged to the income statement is primarily based upon the fair value of the options granted, the vesting period and the vesting conditions. The Group revises its estimate of the number of options likely to be exercised at each balance sheet date and adjusts the charge to the income statement accordingly. Where the share-based payment depends upon vesting outcomes attaching to market-based performance conditions, additional modelling is required to take into account these conditions which effectively estimates the number of shares expected to vest. No subsequent adjustment is then made to the fair value charge for awards that do not vest on account of these performance conditions not being met.
The Company has established trusts to facilitate the delivery of Prudential plc shares under employee incentive plans and savings-related share option schemes. The cost to the Company of acquiring these treasury shares held in trusts is shown as a deduction from shareholders' equity.
Tax
The Group's UK subsidiaries each file separate tax returns. JNL and other foreign subsidiaries, where permitted, file consolidated income tax returns. In accordance with UK tax legislation, where one domestic UK company is a 75 per cent owned subsidiary of another UK company or both are 75 per cent owned subsidiaries of a common parent, the companies are considered to be within the same UK tax group. For companies within the same tax group, trading profits and losses arising in the same accounting period may be offset for purposes of determining current and deferred taxes.
Current tax expense is charged or credited to operations based upon amounts estimated to be payable or recoverable as a result of taxable operations for the current year. To the extent that losses of an individual UK company are not offset in any one year, they can be carried back for one year or carried forward indefinitely to be offset against profits arising from the same company.
Deferred taxes are provided under the liability method for all relevant temporary differences, being the difference between the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the balance sheet and its value for tax purposes. IAS 12, 'Income Taxes' does not require all temporary differences to be provided for, in particular, the Group does not provide for deferred tax on undistributed earnings of subsidiaries where the Group is able to control the timing of the distribution and the temporary difference created is not expected to reverse in the foreseeable future. The tax effects of losses available for carry forward are recognized as an asset. Deferred tax assets are only recognized when it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which these losses can be utilised. Deferred tax related to charges or credits taken directly to equity is also credited or charged directly to equity and is subsequently recognized in the income statement together with the deferred gain or loss.
The tax charge for long-term business includes tax expense on with-profits funds attributable to both the policyholders and the shareholders. Different tax rules apply under UK law depending upon
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whether the business is life insurance or pension business. Tax on the life insurance business is based on investment returns less expenses attributable to that business. Tax on the pension business is based on the shareholders' profits or losses attributable to that business. The shareholders' portion of the long-term business is taxed at the shareholders' rate with the remaining portion taxed at rates applicable to the policyholders.
Property, plant and equipment
All property, plant and equipment such as owner occupied property, computer equipment and furniture and fixtures, are carried at depreciated cost. Costs including expenditure directly attributable to the acquisition of the assets are capitalised. Depreciation is calculated and charged on a straight-line basis over an asset's estimated useful life. The residual values and useful lives are reviewed at each balance sheet date. If the carrying amount of an asset is greater than its recoverable amount then its carrying value is written down to that recoverable amount.
Leasehold improvements to owner occupied property are depreciated over the life of the lease. Assets held under finance leases are capitalised at their fair value.
Business acquisitions and disposals
Business acquisitions are accounted for by applying the purchase method of accounting, which adjusts the net assets of the acquired company to fair value at the date of purchase. The excess of the costs of acquisition over the fair value of the acquired entity is recorded as goodwill. Should the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of the entity exceed the cost of acquisition then this is recognized immediately in the income statement. Income and expenses of acquired entities are included in the income statement from the date of acquisition. Revenues and expenses of entities sold during the period are included in the income statement up to the date of disposal. The gain or loss on disposal is calculated as the difference between sale proceeds net of selling costs less the net assets of the entity at the date of disposal.
For life insurance company acquisitions, the adjusted net assets include an identifiable intangible asset for the present value of in-force business which represents the profits that are expected to emerge from the acquired insurance business. The present value of in-force business is calculated using best estimate actuarial assumptions for interest, mortality, persistency and expenses and is amortized over the anticipated lives of the related contracts in the portfolio. An intangible asset may also be recognized in respect of acquired investment management contracts representing the fair value of contractual rights acquired under these contracts.
The Company uses the economic entity method to purchase minority interests. Under the economic entity method any difference between consideration and the share of net assets acquired is recorded directly in equity.
Goodwill
Goodwill arising on acquisitions of subsidiaries and businesses is capitalised and carried on the Group balance sheet as an intangible asset at initial value less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill impairment testing is conducted annually and when there is an indication of impairment. For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to cash generating units. These cash generating
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units reflect the smallest group of assets that includes the goodwill and generates cash flows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other groups of assets. If the carrying amount of the cash generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount then the goodwill is considered impaired. Impairment losses are recognized immediately in the income statement and may not be reversed in future periods.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash at bank and in hand, deposits held at call with banks, treasury bills and other short-term highly liquid investments with less than 90 days maturity from the date of acquisition.
Rights of offset
Assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements are only reported on a net basis when there is a legally enforceable right to offset and there is an intention to settle on a net basis.
Segments
In accordance with IAS 14, 'Segment Reporting' the Group reports its results and certain other financial information by primary and secondary segments. The Group's primary segments are its business segments, namely, long-term business, banking and broker-dealer and fund management. The Group's secondary segments are its geographical segments, namely, UK, US and Asia.
Shareholders' dividends
Dividends to shareholders are recognized as a liability in the period in which they are declared. Where scrip dividends are issued, the value of such shares, measured as the amount of the cash dividend alternative, is credited to reserves and the amount in excess of the nominal value of the shares issued is transferred from the share premium account to retained earnings.
Share capital
Where there is no obligation to transfer assets, shares are classified as equity. The difference between the proceeds received on issue of the shares, net of share issue costs, and the nominal value of the shares issued, is credited to share premium. Where the Company purchases shares for the purposes of employee incentive plans, the consideration paid, net of issue costs, is deducted from retained earnings. Upon issue or sale any consideration received is credited to retained earnings net of related costs.
Foreign exchange
The Group's consolidated financial statements are presented in pound sterling, the Group's presentation currency. Accordingly, the results and financial position of foreign subsidiaries must be translated into the presentation currency of the Group from their functional currencies i.e. the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. All assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are converted at year end exchange rates whilst all income and expenses are converted at average exchange rates where this is a reasonable approximation of the rates prevailing on transaction dates. The impact of these currency translations is recorded as a separate component of equity.
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Foreign currency borrowings that have been used to provide a hedge against Group equity investments in overseas subsidiaries, are translated at year end exchange rates and taken directly to shareholders' equity. Other foreign currency monetary items are translated at year end exchange rates with changes recognized in the income statement. Foreign currency transactions are translated at the spot rate prevailing at the time.
A5: Changes from previous accounting basis and reconciliation to previously published 2004 results on first-time adoption of IFRS
The changes of accounting policies from those applied for UK GAAP that arise on the conversion to IFRS basis reporting are numerous and extend to many elements of income, expenditure, assets and liabilities. The policy changes from the previously published 2004 UK GAAP audited financial statements which are of significance to reported results are detailed below. These changes affect the basis of preparation for the results for 2004, 2005 and, subject to policy changes, future accounting periods. In addition to these changes, significant additional policy changes arose in 2005. These additional changes are not required to be retrospectively applied to the 2004 results. The additional changes that affect the 2005 results are described in note A6.
Basis of preparation
Under UK GAAP, the Group's consolidated financial statements were previously prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards under UK GAAP including being in accordance with the SORP issued in November 2003 by the ABI.
The date of adoption of IFRS is January 1, 2004. As at that date the Group has applied all IASB standards on a basis prescribed or permitted by those standards in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
In general, a Group is required to determine its IFRS accounting policies and apply those retrospectively to determine its opening balance sheet under IFRS. However, in accordance with IFRS 1, the Group has applied the mandatory exceptions and certain optional exemptions from full retrospective application of IFRS.
Significant exemptions from full retrospective application elected by the Group are as follows:
Business combinations
The Group has elected not to apply retrospectively the provisions of IFRS 3, 'Business Combinations' to business combinations that occurred prior to January 1, 2004. At the date of adoption, therefore, no adjustment was made between UK GAAP and IFRS shareholders' equity for any historical business combination. Consistent with this approach, goodwill recognized in the opening balance sheet at January 1, 2004 for acquired businesses that have previously been consolidated, is the same as previously shown under UK GAAP. Goodwill on newly consolidated entities, for example on venture subsidiaries of the PAC with-profits fund, is determined by reference to net identifiable assets at transition date.
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Comparatives
The Group has taken advantage of the exemption within IFRS that allows comparative information presented in the first year of adoption of IFRS not to comply with the standards IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4.
Consolidation principles
Inter-company transactions
Previously, under UK GAAP, all inter-company transactions were eliminated on consolidation except for investment management fees charged by M&G and the Group's US and Asia fund management operations to long-term business funds.
Under IFRS, all inter-company transactions are eliminated on consolidation. Investment management fees charged by M&G, and the Group's US and Asia fund management operations to long-term business funds are recorded within inter-segment revenue and expenditure as set out in note D but eliminated on consolidation in the income statement.
Entities subject to consolidation
Previously, under UK GAAP, the assets and liabilities and results of entities were consolidated where Prudential had a controlling interest under the terms of Companies Act legislation, FRS 2, 'Accounting for Subsidiary Undertakings' and other relevant UK GAAP interpretations.
Entities are consolidated under IFRS if they fall within the scope of IAS 27, 'Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements' and the IFRIC interpretation, SIC 12, 'ConsolidationSpecial Purpose Entities', of the IASB. Under IFRS, certain investment vehicles are newly consolidated due to the requirements differing from UK GAAP.
Basis of presentation of tax charges
Historically, under Companies Act requirements, tax charges attributable to policyholders and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds and unit-linked policies were charged, together with tax charges attributable to the long-term business result attributable to shareholders, as an expense in the long-term business technical account of the profit and loss account. In the non-technical section (i.e. the summary profit and loss section attributable to shareholders) the post-tax balance transferred from the long-term business technical account was grossed up by attributable shareholder tax to derive the pre-shareholder tax long-term business result. Tax charges in the non-technical account reflected the aggregate of the shareholder tax on the long-term business result and on the Group's other results.
Under UK Listing Authority rules, profit before tax is required to be presented. This requirement, coupled with the fact that IFRS does not contemplate tax charges which are attributable to policyholders and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds and unit-linked policies, necessitates the reporting of total tax charges within the presented results. The result before all taxes i.e. 'profit before tax' as shown in the income statement represents income net of post-tax transfers to unallocated surplus of with-profits funds, before tax attributable to policyholders and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds, unit-linked policies and shareholders. Separately, within the income statement 'profit before tax attributable to shareholders' is shown after deduction of taxes attributable to policyholders and unallocated surplus of
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with-profits funds and unit-linked policies. Tax charges on this measure of profit reflect the tax charges attributable to shareholders. In determining the tax charges attributable to shareholders, the Group has applied a methodology consistent with that previously applied under UK GAAP reflecting the broad principles underlying the tax legislation of life assurance companies.
Pension costs
Under UK GAAP, the Group applied the provisions of SSAP 24, 'Pension Costs'. Consistent with the surplus financial position of the PSPS (which accounts for 90 per cent of the liabilities of the Group's defined benefit pension schemes) at 5 April 2002, which was at the time when the scheme was last subject to a full triennial actuarial valuation, and the scheme rules over minimum levels of funding, no SSAP 24 basis prepayment or provision has been reported in the Group's UK GAAP balance sheet. Additional disclosures were made in the notes to the Group's financial statements concerning the Group's UK defined benefit schemes, applying the methodology prescribed by FRS 17, 'Retirement Benefits'.
Under IAS 19, 'Employee Benefits', the impact of the surplus or deficit of defined benefit pension schemes on the consolidated net assets of the Group is determined by the difference between the fair value of assets held within the schemes and the net present value of projected future cash flows based on accrued liabilities. The net present value is determined by applying a discount rate based on the yield at the balance sheet date on high-quality corporate bonds.
The deficits on the Group's defined benefit pension schemes are apportioned between shareholders' equity and unallocated surplus of the PAC with-profits fund based on the weighted cumulative activity attaching to the contributions paid into the schemes in the past. For the PSPS scheme for 2004 it was estimated that 80 per cent of the deficit was attributable to the PAC with-profits sub-fund and 20 per cent to shareholder-backed operations. For 2005, following further detailed consideration of the sourcing of previous contributions by group companies and funds, the ratio has been altered to 70/30 for the allocation of the deficit between the PAC with-profits sub-fund and shareholder-backed operations, respectively.
The IFRS income statement charge for pension costs normally comprises two items, namely:
(a) The aggregate of the actuarially determined service cost of the currently employed personnel, the unwind of discount on liabilities at the start of the year, less the expected investment return on the scheme assets at the start of the reporting year; and
(b) Actuarial gains and losses. These gains and losses arise from changes in assumptions, the difference between actual and expected investment return on the scheme assets, and experience gains and losses on liabilities.
Goodwill
Under UK GAAP, with effect from January 1 1998, goodwill arising from acquisitions was recognized as an asset on the balance sheet and amortized through the consolidated profit and loss account on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life, not exceeding 20 years. Prior to January 1 1998, goodwill relating to acquisitions was charged directly to shareholders' funds. As permitted under
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the transitional arrangements of FRS 10, 'Goodwill and Intangible Assets', amounts previously charged to shareholders' funds were not reinstated as assets in the UK GAAP balance sheet.
Under IFRS, subject to reassessment of previously recognized assets and liabilities in accordance with IFRS 1, the goodwill balance at January 1, 2004 reflects the carrying value of UK GAAP goodwill for previously consolidated entities at that date on the basis described above, as well as goodwill on certain newly consolidated entities. Under IFRS, goodwill is no longer amortized. However, impairment testing is required annually and on adoption. In addition, as prescribed by IFRS 1. Goodwill previously charged to shareholders' funds on transition is not transferred to the income statement upon disposal of the relevant entity. For 2005, an impairment charge in respect of goodwill attaching to the Japan life insurance business was required.
Share-based payments
The Group offers share awards and option plans for certain key employees and a SAYE plan for all UK and certain overseas employees. The arrangements for distribution to employees of shares held in trusts relating to share award plans and for entitlement to dividends depend upon the particular terms of each plan. Shares held in trusts relating to non-SAYE plans are conditionally gifted to employees. Previously, under UK GAAP, compensation for non-SAYE plans was recorded over the periods to which share awards or options were earned based on intrinsic value. No costs were required to be recorded for SAYE plans.
Under IFRS, share-based payments are accounted for on a fair value basis. The fair value is recognized in the income statement over the relevant vesting period and adjusted for lapses and forfeitures with the number of shares expected to lapse or be forfeited estimated at each balance sheet date prior to the vesting date. The only exception is where the share-based payment depends upon vesting outcomes attaching to market-based performance conditions such as in the case of the Restricted Share Plan (RSP). Under these circumstances additional modelling is required to take into account these market-based performance conditions which effectively estimate the number of shares expected to vest. No subsequent adjustment is then made to the fair value charge for shares that do not vest on account of these performance conditions not being met.
Shareholders' dividends
Previously, under UK GAAP, shareholders' dividends were accrued in the period to which they related regardless of when they were declared. Under IFRS, dividends declared after the balance sheet date in respect of the prior reporting period are treated as a non-adjusting event. The appropriation reflected in the statement of changes in equity, therefore, includes the final dividend in respect of the prior year.
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Reconciliation of income statement for 2004
The following table reconciles the income statement for the year ended December 31, 2004 as previously published under UK GAAP to the IFRS basis income statement for that year as presented in the comparatives to the 2005 income statement.
|
IFRS adjustments |
|
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year ended December 31, 2004 |
UK GAAP (note i) |
Presentation of UK GAAP in IFRS format (note i) |
Recognition, measurement and other changes (notes ii and iii) |
IFRS basis |
||||||
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
||||||
Earned premiums, net of reinsurance | 16,099 | 53 | 16,152 | |||||||
Investment income | 13,917 | 2,082 | (249 | ) | 15,750 | |||||
UK fund management result | 136 | (136 | ) | 0 | ||||||
US broker-dealer and fund management result | (14 | ) | 14 | 0 | ||||||
Asia fund management result | 19 | (19 | ) | 0 | ||||||
UK banking result (continuing operations) | 63 | (63 | ) | 0 | ||||||
Other income | 773 | 1,229 | 2,002 | |||||||
Total revenue | 30,220 | 2,704 | 980 | 33,904 | ||||||
Benefits and claims and movement in unallocated surplus of with-profits funds | (26,598 | ) | (83 | ) | 88 | (26,593 | ) | |||
Acquisition costs and other operating expenditure | (2,069 | ) | (2,434 | ) | (1,060 | ) | (5,563 | ) | ||
Finance costs: interest on core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations | (187 | ) | (187 | ) | ||||||
Amortization of goodwill (continuing operations) | (94 | ) | 0 | 94 | 0 | |||||
Total charges | (28,761 | ) | (2,704 | ) | (878 | ) | (32,343 | ) | ||
Profit before tax* | 1,459 | 102 | 1,561 | |||||||
Tax attributable to policyholder's returns | (701 | ) | (10 | ) | (711 | ) | ||||
Profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 758 | 92 | 850 | |||||||
Tax expense | (947 | ) | (4 | ) | (951 | ) | ||||
Less: tax attributable to policyholders' returns | 701 | 10 | 711 | |||||||
Tax attributable to shareholders' profit | (246 | ) | 6 | (240 | ) | |||||
Profit from continuing operations after tax | 512 | 98 | 610 | |||||||
Discontinued operations (net of tax) | (94 | ) | (94 | ) | ||||||
Profit for the year | 418 | 98 | 516 | |||||||
Attributable to: | ||||||||||
Equity holders of the Company | 428 | 89 | 517 | |||||||
Minority interests | (10 | ) | 9 | (1 | ) | |||||
Profit for the year | 418 | 98 | 516 | |||||||
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Notes
The UK GAAP basis results shown above reflect those previously recorded in the technical accounts and non-technical account of the Group's profit and loss account under Companies Act requirements. These results are then reconfigured to be consistent with the format applied for reporting in the Group's 2005 financial statements under IFRS.
Changes to profit from continuing operations (including actual investment returns) before and after tax attributable to shareholders, for 2004 reflect the effects of IFRS adoption.
In summary the effects are for:
|
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
||
Eggprimarily relates to charges for share-based payments in respect of Egg shares | (2 | ) | |
Additional pension costs and share-based payments costs in respect of Prudential plc shares not allocated by business unit | (4 | ) | |
Amortization of goodwill not applied under IFRS | 94 | ||
Actuarial gains and losses of defined benefit schemes recognized under IFRS | (7 | ) | |
Value movements of US investment funds newly consolidated under IFRS | 2 | ||
Share of profits of venture investment companies and property partnerships of the PAC with-profits fund, newly consolidated under IFRS, that is attributable to external investors | 9 | ||
Total changes before tax | 92 | ||
Related tax attributable to shareholders | 6 | ||
Total changes after tax | 98 | ||
Changes to revenue, charges, and related tax of the Group's with-profits funds principally relate to measurement differences on investments, consolidation criteria for venture fund and other investment subsidiaries, and pension cost accounting. These amounts have been reflected by changes of an equal and opposite amount to transfers to unallocated surplus with no net effect on shareholder results.
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Reconciliations of equity and balance sheet
This table reconciles IFRS shareholders' equity at January 1, 2004, the IFRS transition date, from that previously published under UK GAAP.
|
Shareholders' equity |
Minority interests |
Total equity |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
||||
At January 1, 2004 | |||||||
Changes on adoption of statutory IFRS basis | |||||||
Treasury shares adjustment for Prudential plc shares held by unit trusts newly consolidated under IFRS (note i) | (40 | ) | (40 | ) | |||
Minority share of equity of consolidated venture investments companies and property partnerships of the PAC with-profits fund (note i) | 32 | 32 | |||||
Shareholders' share of deficits (net of tax) of UK defined benefit pension schemes (note ii) | (110 | ) | (110 | ) | |||
Timing difference on recognition of dividend declared after balance sheet date (note iii) | 214 | 214 | |||||
Other items | (11 | ) | (2 | ) | (13 | ) | |
Total | 53 | 30 | 83 | ||||
Equity at January 1, 2004 | |||||||
As previously published under UK GAAP | 3,240 | 107 | 3,347 | ||||
As restated under IFRS | 3,293 | 137 | 3,430 | ||||
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Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
The following table provides a reconciliation of the summarized balance sheet at December 31, 2004 between previously published UK GAAP and the IFRS balance sheet included in the comparatives to the 2005 financial statements.
|
Effect of changes on implementation of IFRS recognition and measurement changes |
|
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At December 31, 2004 |
UK GAAP |
Newly consolidated entities (note i) |
Defined benefit pension schemes accounting (note ii) |
Other recognition and measurement changes (note iii) |
Grossing-up and other format changes |
Total IFRS changes |
IFRS basis |
||||||||
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
||||||||
Assets | |||||||||||||||
Goodwill: | |||||||||||||||
Attributable to PAC with-profits fund | 784 | 784 | 784 | ||||||||||||
Attributable to shareholders | 1,367 | 94 | 94 | 1,461 | |||||||||||
Investments: per IFRS balance sheet | 1,963 | 35 | 162,388 | 164,386 | 164,386 | ||||||||||
Investments: per UK GAAP analysis (non-linked, linked and banking business assets) | 129,468 | (129,468 | ) | (129,468 | ) | 0 | |||||||||
Other items | 43,741 | 1,477 | 102 | 50 | (31,995 | ) | (30,366 | ) | 13,375 | ||||||
Total assets | 174,576 | 4,224 | 102 | 179 | 925 | 5,430 | 180,006 | ||||||||
Equity and liabilities |
|||||||||||||||
Equity | |||||||||||||||
Shareholders' equity | 4,281 | (30 | ) | (117 | ) | 355 | 208 | 4,489 | |||||||
Minority interests | 71 | 68 | (2 | ) | 66 | 137 | |||||||||
Total equity | 4,352 | 38 | (117 | ) | 353 | 274 | 4,626 | ||||||||
Liabilities | |||||||||||||||
Banking customer accounts: per IFRS balance sheet | 6,607 | 6,607 | 6,607 | ||||||||||||
Banking business liabilities: per UK GAAP balance sheet | 11,216 | (11,216 | ) | (11,216 | ) | 0 | |||||||||
Policyholder liabilities and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds: | |||||||||||||||
Technical provisions | 129,101 | (125 | ) | 8 | 78 | (39 | ) | 129,062 | |||||||
Unallocated surplus of with-profits funds | 16,686 | (31 | ) | (472 | ) | (34 | ) | (537 | ) | 16,149 | |||||
Borrowings: per IFRS balance sheet: | |||||||||||||||
Core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations | 3,248 | 3,248 | 3,248 | ||||||||||||
Operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations | 972 | 9 | 5,440 | 6,421 | 6,421 | ||||||||||
Borrowings attributable to with-profits funds | 1,888 | 105 | 144 | 2,137 | 2,137 | ||||||||||
Borrowings: per UK GAAP balance sheet (subordinated liabilities, debenture loans and other borrowings) | 4,673 | (4,673 | ) | (4,673 | ) | 0 | |||||||||
Dividend payable | 253 | (253 | ) | (253 | ) | 0 | |||||||||
Other non-insurance liabilities | 8,295 | 1,357 | 816 | (9 | ) | 1,297 | 3,461 | 11,756 | |||||||
Total liabilities | 170,224 | 4,186 | 219 | (174 | ) | 925 | 5,156 | 175,380 | |||||||
Total equity and liabilities | 174,576 | 4,224 | 102 | 179 | 925 | 5,430 | 180,006 | ||||||||
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Notes
Under IAS 27 and SIC 12, the Group is required to consolidate the assets and liabilities of certain entities which have previously not been consolidated. The principal change to shareholders' equity arises from an adjustment in respect of Prudential plc shares held by unit trusts that are newly consolidated. These shares are accounted for as treasury shares and the cost of purchase of £44 million and £29 million is deducted from shareholders' equity at January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2004 respectively. The change to the minority share of equity reflects external parties' interest in consolidated venture investment companies and property partnerships of the PAC with-profits fund. Measurement changes to the carrying value of these companies that are attributable to the PAC with-profits fund share are reflected in unallocated surplus.
Provisions for deficits on the Group's defined benefit pension schemes are absorbed by the unallocated surplus of the PAC with-profits fund and shareholders' funds on a basis that reflects the weighted cumulative activity attaching to the contributions paid in the past, and after deduction of deferred tax. The M&G scheme held Prudential Group insurance policies as scheme assets amounting to £125 million at December 31, 2004. The asset and liability are eliminated on consolidation.
Under IFRS, dividends declared after the balance sheet date are not recognized as a liability. In addition, subject to required impairment testing, goodwill under IFRS is the carrying value at adoption date as discussed above. Adjustments in the table include the write-back of amortization previously charged under UK GAAP from January 1, 2004.
Cash flow
Under IFRS, the cash flow statement includes a number of format and presentational differences to that under UK GAAP. The most significant difference relates to long-term business fund cash flows.
Previously, under UK GAAP, the Group's cash flow statement excluded the cash flows of long-term business funds, except for the transfer to shareholders' funds. Under IFRS the cash flow statement comprises consolidated cash flows for the Group as a whole, including those of long-term business funds.
A6: Changes of accounting policy in 2005
The accounting policy changes from those applied previously for UK GAAP consist of those described in note A5 and the additional changes described in this note.
Adoption of IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4
As previously noted, the Group has chosen to apply the exemption within IFRS that allows comparative information presented in the first year of adoption of IFRS not to comply with IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4. These standards have been formally adopted on January 1, 2005. The principal effects of adopting these standards arises in the Group's UK long-term business contracts, JNL's debt securities and derivative instruments, and Egg's banking assets, liabilities and derivatives positions.
Long-term business
On adoption of these standards, the measurement basis of assets and liabilities of long-term business contracts is dependent upon the classification of the contracts under IFRS 4 as either
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'insurance' contracts, if the level of insurance risk in the contracts is significant, or 'investment' contracts, if the risk is insignificant. Insurance contracts are permitted to be accounted for under previously applied GAAP. The Group has chosen to apply this approach. However, as an improvement to accounting policy, permitted by IFRS 4, the Group has applied the requirements of the UK standard FRS 27 to its UK with-profits funds as explained in note A4. For those 'investment' contracts with discretionary participation features, IFRS 4 also permits the continued application of previously applied GAAP. The Group has chosen to apply this approach.
For those 'investment' contracts that do not contain discretionary participating features, IAS 39 and, where the contract includes an investment management element, IAS 18, apply measurement principles to the assets and liabilities attaching to the contract that may diverge from those previously applied under UK GAAP. The changes primarily arise in respect of deferred acquisition costs, deferred income reserves and provisions for future expenses commonly called 'sterling reserves'.
Under UK GAAP, acquisition expenses are deferred with amortization on a basis commensurate with the anticipated emergence of margins under the contract. Under IFRS, incremental costs that are directly attributable to securing investment management contracts are recognized as an asset that represents the entity's contractual right to benefit from providing investment management services and is amortized as the entity recognizes the related revenue. IAS 18 further reduces the costs potentially capable of deferral to incremental costs only. Deferred acquisition costs are amortized to the income statement in line with service provision.
Deferred income provisions for front-end fees and similar arrangements are required to be established for investment management contracts under IAS 18 with amortization over the expected life of the contract in line with service provision. In contrast to UK GAAP, sterling reserves are not permitted to be recognized under IFRS. An additional feature is that investment contracts are closer in nature to a deposit style arrangement between the investors and the Company. Under IFRS, premiums and withdrawals for these contracts are recorded within the balance sheet directly as a movement on the investors liability. After making these and other consequential changes, the IFRS income statement reflects fee income on the contracts, expenses and taxation rather than the UK GAAP basis profit and loss account.
The investment contract classification applies primarily to certain unit-linked and similar contracts in the UK insurance operations and guaranteed investment contracts (GICs) of JNL. Significant differences between the timing of recognising profits under UK GAAP and IFRS bases are confined to the UK contracts only.
JNL debt securities and derivative instruments
Under IAS 39, except for loans and receivables, and unless designated under the very restrictive held-to-maturity classification on an asset by asset basis, most financial assets, including all derivatives, are measured at fair value. To this extent IAS 39 is consistent with the basis of valuation applied under UK GAAP for most financial assets of the Group's UK and Asian insurance operations. On application of IAS 39, movements in the fair value of investments are recorded either in the income statement or directly in equity, depending upon the designation and the application of hedge accounting rules. Derivative instruments are carried at fair value with value movements being recorded in the income
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statement. Hedge accounting, whereby value movements on derivatives and hedged items are recorded together in the income statement, is permissible only if certain criteria are met regarding documentation and continued measurement of hedge effectiveness.
The changes from UK GAAP to the basis applied from January 1, 2005 arising from these valuation requirements are concentrated on the accounting for the investments and derivatives of JNL. Previously, the debt securities of JNL, unless impaired, were accounted for at amortized cost with derivatives similarly treated. On adoption of IAS 39, the Group has decided to account for JNL's debt securities on an available-for-sale basis whereby the debt securities are accounted for at fair value with movements in fair value being recorded in the statement of changes in equity i.e. directly to shareholders' reserves rather than the income statement. Value movements for JNL's derivatives are, however, recorded in the income statement as required by IAS 39.
The Group has decided not to seek to hedge account for the majority of JNL's derivatives under IAS 39. To do so would require a wholesale reconfiguration of JNL's derivative book into much smaller components than currently applied by JNL through its economic hedge programme, accompanied by an extra layer of hedging instruments beyond what is economically rational.
Egg
The changes of policy for Egg arising from the adoption of IAS 39 arise primarily in respect of determination of effective interest rates, impairment losses on loans and advances to customers, carrying values of wholesale financial instruments and equity savings products.
For credit card receivables, under UK GAAP, the carrying amount of credit card receivables with low or zero rate interest on balance transfers are carried at cost with interest being accrued at 0 per cent during the incentive period and then at the standard rate thereafter. Under IAS 39, these receivables are measured on an amortized cost basis.
For loans and advances to customers, specific and formulated provisions are raised against non-performing loans and a general provision against the balance. Under IAS 39, an impairment loss is only recognized when there is objective evidence that a debt is impaired.
Wholesale instruments, under UK GAAP, were previously accounted for on an amortized cost basis. Under IAS 39, certain wholesale financial instruments are required to be measured at fair value, and depending on whether they have been classified as fair value through the profit and loss or available-for-sale, the changes in fair value are recognized in the income statement or in equity respectively. The adjustments for wholesale financial instruments also include the impact of designating some of Egg's derivatives as cash flow hedges.
Certain equity savings products contain embedded derivatives. These contracts have been separated under IFRS with the host contract accounted for on an amortized cost basis and the embedded derivatives on a fair value basis.
F-45
The following table demonstrates the effects of adoption of IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4 on the IFRS balance sheet at December 31, 2004.
|
Effect of adoption of IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4 |
|
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
At Dec 31 2004 (note A5) |
UK insurance operations (note i) |
JNL (note ii) |
Banking and non-insurance operations (note iii) |
Grossing-up and other format changes |
Total effect |
At Jan 1 2005 |
|||||||||
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
|||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||
Goodwill | 2,245 | 2,245 | ||||||||||||||
Other intangibles: | ||||||||||||||||
PAC with-profits fund | 798 | (765 | ) | (765 | ) | 33 | ||||||||||
Other operations | 2,244 | 23 | (456 | ) | (433 | ) | 1,811 | |||||||||
Total | 3,042 | (742 | ) | (456 | ) | (1,198 | ) | 1,844 | ||||||||
Other non-investment and non-cash assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 967 | 967 | ||||||||||||||
Reinsurers' share of policyholder liabilities | 1,018 | 1,018 | ||||||||||||||
Deferred tax assets | 827 | 10 | 67 | 7 | 84 | 911 | ||||||||||
Current tax recoverable | 159 | 159 | ||||||||||||||
Accrued investment income | 1,733 | (50 | ) | (50 | ) | 1,683 | ||||||||||
Other debtors | 1,188 | (1 | ) | (49 | ) | (50 | ) | 1,138 | ||||||||
Total | 5,892 | 10 | 66 | (92 | ) | (16 | ) | 5,876 | ||||||||
Investments of long-term business, banking and other operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Investment properties | 13,303 | 13,303 | ||||||||||||||
Investments accounted for using the equity method | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
Financial investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Loans and receivables | 12,430 | (55 | ) | 58 | 3 | 12,433 | ||||||||||
Equity securities and portfolio holdings in unit trusts | 54,466 | (21 | ) | (21 | ) | 54,445 | ||||||||||
Debt securities | 76,374 | (76 | ) | 1,023 | (2 | ) | 945 | 77,319 | ||||||||
Other investments | 2,537 | 1 | 234 | 89 | 95 | 419 | 2,956 | |||||||||
Deposits | 5,271 | 6 | 5 | (27 | ) | (16 | ) | 5,255 | ||||||||
Total investments | 164,386 | (145 | ) | 1,262 | 145 | 68 | 1,330 | 165,716 | ||||||||
Held for sale assets | 100 | 0 | 100 | |||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 4,341 | 0 | 4,341 | |||||||||||||
Total assets | 180,006 | (877 | ) | 872 | 53 | 68 | 116 | 180,122 | ||||||||
F-46
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
|
Effect of adoption of IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4 |
|
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
At Dec 31 2004 |
UK insurance operations (note i) |
JNL (note ii) |
Banking and non-insurance operations (note iii) |
Grossing-up and other format changes |
Total effect |
At Jan 1 2005 |
|||||||||
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
|||||||||
Equity and liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Equity | ||||||||||||||||
Shareholders' equity | 4,489 | (22 | ) | 273 | (25 | ) | 226 | 4,715 | ||||||||
Minority interests | 137 | (3 | ) | (3 | ) | 134 | ||||||||||
Total equity | 4,626 | (22 | ) | 273 | (28 | ) | 223 | 4,849 | ||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Banking customer accounts | 6,607 | 84 | 84 | 6,691 | ||||||||||||
Policyholder liabilities and unallocated surplus | ||||||||||||||||
Insurance contract liabilities | 103,582 | 103,582 | 103,582 | |||||||||||||
Investment contract liabilities with discretionary participating features | 22,661 | 22,661 | 22,661 | |||||||||||||
Unallocated surplus of the with-profits funds: | ||||||||||||||||
Reflecting application of 'realistic' basis provisions for UK regulated with-profits funds | 8,342 | 8,342 | 8,342 | |||||||||||||
Reflecting previous UK GAAP basis of provisioning | 16,149 | (7,807 | ) | (8,342 | ) | (16,149 | ) | |||||||||
Investment contract liabilities without discretionary participation features | 9,788 | 9,788 | 9,788 | |||||||||||||
Technical provisions in respect of non-linked business | 104,996 | 7,020 | (51 | ) | (111,965 | ) | (104,996 | ) | ||||||||
Technical provisions for linked liabilities | 24,066 | (24,066 | ) | (24,066 | ) | |||||||||||
Total policyholder liabilities | 145,211 | (787 | ) | (51 | ) | 0 | (838 | ) | 144,373 | |||||||
Core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Subordinated debt (other than Egg) | 1,429 | 5 | 5 | 1,434 | ||||||||||||
Other | 1,368 | 1,368 | ||||||||||||||
2,797 | 5 | 5 | 2,802 | |||||||||||||
Egg subordinated debt | 451 | 451 | ||||||||||||||
Total | 3,248 | 5 | 5 | 3,253 | ||||||||||||
Operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations | 6,421 | 207 | 62 | (13 | ) | 256 | 6,677 | |||||||||
Borrowings attributable to with-profits funds | 2,137 | 2,137 | ||||||||||||||
Other non-insurance liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Obligations under funding, securities lending and sale and repurchase agreements | 3,819 | 3,819 | ||||||||||||||
Net asset value attributable to unit holders of consolidated unit trusts and similar funds | 808 | 808 | ||||||||||||||
Current tax liabilities | 1,018 | (4 | ) | (4 | ) | 1,014 | ||||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities | 2,279 | (91 | ) | 218 | (6 | ) | 121 | 2,400 | ||||||||
Accruals and deferred income | 655 | (88 | ) | (88 | ) | 567 | ||||||||||
Other creditors | 996 | 8 | (54 | ) | (46 | ) | 950 | |||||||||
Provisions | 1,006 | 1,006 | ||||||||||||||
Other liabilities | 1,175 | 15 | 229 | 83 | 76 | 403 | 1,578 | |||||||||
Total other non-insurance liabilities | 11,756 | (68 | ) | 443 | (65 | ) | 76 | 386 | 12,142 | |||||||
Total liabilities | 175,380 | (855 | ) | 599 | 81 | 68 | (107 | ) | 175,273 | |||||||
Total equity and liabilities | 180,006 | (877 | ) | 872 | 53 | 68 | 116 | 180,122 | ||||||||
F-47
Notes
The changes shown above include the impact of remeasurement for:
|
£bn |
||
---|---|---|---|
Regulatory basis realistic surplus of with-profits sub-fund and SAIF | 6.0 | ||
Add back: regulatory basis provision for future shareholder transfers | 2.9 | ||
Less: other adjustments to align with accounting basis | (0.9 | ) | |
Accounts basis | 8.0 | ||
A7: New accounting pronouncements
The following standards, interpretations and amendments have been issued but are not yet effective. This is not intended to be a complete list as only those standards, interpretations and amendments that are anticipated to have a future impact upon Prudential's financial statements have been discussed.
IFRS 7, 'Financial Instruments: Disclosures'
IFRS 7 replaces IAS 30, 'Disclosures in the Financial Statements of Banks and Similar Financial Institutions', which dealt with disclosures for banking operations, and the disclosure requirements of IAS 32, 'Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation'. The latter therefore becomes a standard dealing wholly with presentation of financial instruments. IFRS 7 is intended to complement the principles for recognising, measuring and presenting financial assets and financial liabilities in IAS 32 and IAS 39, 'Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement'. The objective of IFRS 7 is to require entities to provide disclosures in their financial statements to enable the users of financial statements to evaluate the significance of financial instruments for the entity's financial position and performance and the nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments to which the entity is exposed, and how
F-48
the entity manages those risks. Consequential amendments have been made to other standards as a result of the release of IFRS 7, notably IAS 1, 'Presentation of Financial Statements' and IFRS 4, 'Insurance Contracts'.
IFRS 7 was issued on August 18, 2005 and is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2007.
Revised IFRS 4, 'Implementation Guidance'
Revised IFRS 4 'Implementation Guidance' was issued in December 2005 and is effective in conjunction with the adoption of IFRS 7 as discussed above. The revisions relate to disclosures around insurance contracts.
Amendment to IAS 1, 'Capital Disclosures'
As a result of the issue of IFRS 7, IAS 1 was amended in August 2005 to include a requirement to disclose information on the entity's objectives, policies and processes for managing capital. This amendment will become effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2007.
Amendment to IAS 39, 'Cash Flow Hedge Accounting of Forecast Intra-group Transactions'
Amendments in respect of cash flow hedge accounting of forecast intra-group transactions were issued in April 2005 to clarify the accounting treatment of certain foreign currency cash flow hedges. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2006.
Amendment to IAS 39 and IFRS 4, 'Financial Guarantee Contracts'
Issued in August 2005, the amendments to IAS 39 and IFRS 4 in respect of financial guarantee contracts are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2006. These amendments define a financial guarantee contract and address initial and subsequent measurement issues. These amendments apply even if the contract meets the definition of an insurance contract under IFRS 4 although they allow continuation of accounting under IFRS 4 if the contracts were considered to be insurance contracts and documented as such.
The Group is currently assessing the impact of the aforementioned standards, revisions and amendments on its financial statements. The Group has not early-adopted any of the above noted items.
F-49
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
B: Summary of results
B1: Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year, excluding those held in employee share trusts, which are treated as cancelled.
For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. The Group's only class of dilutive potential ordinary shares are those share options granted to employees where the exercise price is less than the average market price of the Company's ordinary shares during the year.
2005 |
Before tax |
Tax (note F5) |
Minority interests |
Net of tax and minority interests |
Basic earnings per share |
Diluted earnings per share |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
Pence |
Pence |
||||||
Based on profit for the year from continuing operations | 998 | (241 | ) | (12 | ) | 745 | 31.5p | 31.5p | ||||
Adjustment for post-tax results of discontinued operations | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.1p | 0.1p | ||||||
Based on profit for the year | 1,001 | (241 | ) | (12 | ) | 748 | 31.6p | 31.6p | ||||
2004 |
Before tax |
Tax (note F5) |
Minority interests |
Net of tax and minority interests |
Basic earnings per share |
Diluted earnings per share |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
Pence |
Pence |
|||||||
Based on profit for the year from continuing operations | 850 | (240 | ) | (26 | ) | 584 | 27.5p | 27.5p | |||||
Adjustment for post-tax results and profits on business disposals of discontinued operations | (108 | ) | 14 | 27 | (67 | ) | (3.1 | )p | (3.1 | )p | |||
Based on profit for the year | 742 | (226 | ) | 1 | 517 | 24.4p | 24.4p | ||||||
Number of shares
A reconciliation of the weighted average number of ordinary shares used for calculating basic and diluted earnings per share is set out as below:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(millions) |
(millions) |
|||
Weighted average shares for calculation of basic earnings per share | 2,365 | 2,121 | |||
Shares under option at end of year | 13 | 13 | |||
Number of shares that would have been issued at fair value on assumed option exercise | (9 | ) | (10 | ) | |
Weighted average shares for calculation of diluted earnings per share | 2,369 | 2,124 | |||
F-50
B2: Dividends
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Dividends declared and paid in reporting period | |||||
Parent company: | |||||
Interim dividend (2005: 5.30p, 2004: 5.19p per share) | 126 | 109 | |||
Final dividend for prior period (2004: 10.65p, 2003: 10.29p per share) | 252 | 214 | |||
Subsidiary company payment to minority interests | 2 | | |||
Total | 380 | 323 | |||
Parent company dividends relating to reporting period: | |||||
Interim dividend (2005: 5.30p, 2004: 5.19p per share) | 126 | 109 | |||
Final dividend (2005: 11.02p, 2004: 10.65p per share) | 267 | 252 | |||
Total | 393 | 361 | |||
A final dividend of 11.02 pence per share was proposed on March 15, 2006. The dividend will be paid on May 26, 2006 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on March 24, 2006. The dividend will absorb an estimated £267 million of shareholders' funds. A scrip dividend alternative will be offered to shareholders.
B3: Group balance sheet
The Group's primary reporting segments are long-term business, banking, and broker-dealer and fund management. The Group's secondary reporting segments are geographical namely UK, US, and Asia. Details of disclosures in accordance with the requirements of IAS 14 for segment assets and liabilities are shown below.
Details of the primary reporting segments are as follows:
Long-term business
This segment comprises long-term products that contain both a significant and insignificant element of insurance risk. The products are managed together and not classified in this way other than for accounting purposes. This segment also includes activity of the PAC with-profits funds' venture investments managed by PPM Capital and other investment subsidiaries held for the purpose of supporting the Group's long-term business operations.
Banking
This segment consists of products provided by the Group's online banking subsidiary, Egg. The 2004 comparatives also include amounts from Jackson Federal Bank that was sold in October 2004. The nature of these products and the managing of the business differ from the risks inherent in the other business segments, and the regulatory environment of the banking industry differs from that of the other business segments.
F-51
Broker-dealer and fund management
The investment management segment is comprised of both internal and third-party asset management services, inclusive of portfolio and mutual fund management, where the Group acts as an advisor, and broker-dealer activities. The nature of the products and the managing of the business differ from the risks inherent in the other business segments, and the regulatory environment of the investment management industry differs from that of the other business segments.
2005 |
Long-term business |
Banking |
Broker-dealer and fund management |
Unallocated to a segment |
Intra-group eliminations |
Total |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
|||||||
Consolidated total assets | 192,885 | 10,752 | 3,208 | 2,768 | (2,236 | ) | 207,377 | ||||||
Consolidated total liabilities | (187,603 | ) | (10,374 | ) | (1,597 | ) | (4,673 | ) | 2,236 | (202,011 | ) | ||
Segment assets by geographical segment |
|||||||||||||
UK | 154,841 | ||||||||||||
US | 41,700 | ||||||||||||
Asia | 13,072 | ||||||||||||
Intra-group eliminations | (2,236 | ) | |||||||||||
Total assets per balance sheet | 207,377 | ||||||||||||
2004 |
Long-term business |
Banking |
Broker-dealer and fund management |
Unallocated to a segment |
Intra-group eliminations |
Total |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
|||||||
Consolidated total assets | 161,907 | 12,048 | 2,834 | 4,688 | (1,471 | ) | 180,006 | ||||||
Consolidated total liabilities | (157,672 | ) | (11,708 | ) | (1,193 | ) | (6,278 | ) | 1,471 | (175,380 | ) | ||
Segment assets by geographical segment |
|||||||||||||
UK | 138,904 | ||||||||||||
US | 32,697 | ||||||||||||
Asia | 9,876 | ||||||||||||
Intra-group eliminations | (1,471 | ) | |||||||||||
Total assets per balance sheet | 180,006 | ||||||||||||
To explain more comprehensively the assets, liabilities and capital of the Group's businesses it is appropriate to provide an analysis of the Group's balance sheet by a mixture of primary and secondary segments.
F-52
This analysis is shown below for the Group balance sheet at December 31, 2005.
|
UK insurance operations (note D2) |
M&G |
Egg (note E) |
Total UK operations |
US operations (note D3) |
Asian operations (note D4) |
Unallocated segment |
Intra-group elimination |
Group total |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
||||||||||
Assets | |||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill: | |||||||||||||||||||
Attributable to PAC with-profits fund | 607 | | | 607 | | | | | 607 | ||||||||||
Attributable to shareholders | | 1,153 | | 1,153 | 16 | 172 | | | 1,341 | ||||||||||
Total (note H1) | 607 | 1,153 | | 1,760 | 16 | 172 | | | 1,948 | ||||||||||
Other intangibles (primarily deferred acquisition costs): | |||||||||||||||||||
PAC with-profits fund | 35 | | | 35 | | | | | 35 | ||||||||||
Other operations | 199 | 6 | | 205 | 1,634 | 566 | | | 2,405 | ||||||||||
Total (note H2) | 234 | 6 | | 240 | 1,634 | 566 | | | 2,440 | ||||||||||
Other non-investment and non-cash assets (notes G1 and H3 and H6) | 4,470 | 256 | 280 | 5,006 | 1,888 | 566 | 1,059 | (2,236 | ) | 6,283 | |||||||||
Investments of long-term business, banking and other operations (note G1) | 131,263 | 1,383 | 9,747 | 142,393 | 37,960 | 11,264 | 775 | | 192,392 | ||||||||||
Held for sale assets (note H9) | 728 | | | 728 | | | | | 728 | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 1,195 | 26 | 725 | 1,946 | 202 | 504 | 934 | | 3,586 | ||||||||||
Total assets | 138,497 | 2,824 | 10,752 | 152,073 | 41,700 | 13,072 | 2,768 | (2,236 | ) | 207,377 | |||||||||
Equity and liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity | |||||||||||||||||||
Shareholders' equity (note H11) | 1,141 | 1,398 | 303 | 2,842 | 2,969 | 1,288 | (1,905 | ) | | 5,194 | |||||||||
Minority interests | 95 | | 75 | 170 | 2 | | | | 172 | ||||||||||
Total equity | 1,236 | 1,398 | 378 | 3,012 | 2,971 | 1,288 | (1,905 | ) | | 5,366 | |||||||||
Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||
Banking customer accounts (note G1) | | | 5,830 | 5,830 | | | | | 5,830 | ||||||||||
Policyholder liabilities and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds: | |||||||||||||||||||
Insurance contract liabilities (note H12) | 79,231 | | | 79,231 | 30,479 | 10,726 | | | 120,436 | ||||||||||
Investment contract liabilities with discretionary participation features (note G1) | 26,443 | | | 26,443 | | 80 | | | 26,523 | ||||||||||
Investment contract liabilities without discretionary participation features (note G1) | 10,502 | | | 10,502 | 1,502 | 22 | | | 12,026 | ||||||||||
F-53
Unallocated surplus of with-profits funds (reflecting application of 'realistic' basis of provisions for UK regulated with-profits funds see notes D2(d)(ii) and H12) | 11,272 | | | 11,272 | | 85 | | | 11,357 | ||||||||||
Total policyholder liabilities and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds | 127,448 | | | 127,448 | 31,981 | 10,913 | | | 170,342 | ||||||||||
Core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations (note H13): | |||||||||||||||||||
Subordinated debt (other than Egg) | | | | | | | 1,646 | | 1,646 | ||||||||||
Other | | | | | 145 | | 948 | | 1,093 | ||||||||||
| | | | 145 | | 2,594 | | 2,739 | |||||||||||
Egg subordinated debt (note H13) | | | 452 | 452 | | | | | 452 | ||||||||||
Total | | | 452 | 452 | 145 | | 2,594 | | 3,191 | ||||||||||
Operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations (notes G1 and H13) | 17 | 2 | 3,856 | 3,875 | 1,085 | | 1,472 | | 6,432 | ||||||||||
Borrowings attributable to with-profits funds (notes G1 and H13) | 1,898 | | | 1,898 | | | | | 1,898 | ||||||||||
Other non-insurance liabilities (notes G1, H4, H9 and H15) | 7,898 | 1,424 | 236 | 9,558 | 5,518 | 871 | 607 | (2,236 | ) | 14,318 | |||||||||
Total liabilities | 137,261 | 1,426 | 10,374 | 149,061 | 38,729 | 11,784 | 4,673 | (2,236 | ) | 202,011 | |||||||||
Total equity and liabilities | 138,497 | 2,824 | 10,752 | 152,073 | 41,700 | 13,072 | 2,768 | (2,236 | ) | 207,377 | |||||||||
F-54
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
C: Group risk management
(i) Overview
A significant part of the Group's business involves the acceptance and management of risk. The Group's risk management model requires the primary responsibility for risk management at an operational level to rest with business unit chief executives. The second line of defence of risk comprises oversight functions reporting to the Group Chief Executive together with business unit risk functions and risk management committees. The third line of defence comprises independent assurance from Internal Audit reporting to business unit and Group audit committees.
The Group Risk Framework requires that all of the Group's businesses and functions establish processes for identifying, evaluating and managing the key risks faced by the Group. During the year, the risk management of the Group was given additional focus by the establishment of a newly created role of Group Chief Risk Officer (CRO). The CRO oversees all aspects of the Group's risk management, including Financial Risk, Operational Risk, Compliance, and for management purposes, Internal Audit.
As a provider of financial services, including insurance, the Group's business is the managed acceptance of risk. The system of internal control is an essential and integral part of the risk management process. As part of the annual preparation of its business plan, all of the Group's businesses and functions are required to carry out a review of risks. This involves an assessment of the impact and likelihood of key risks and of the effectiveness of the controls in place to manage them. The assessment is reviewed regularly throughout the year. In addition, business units review opportunities and risks to business objectives regularly with the Group Chief Executive, Group Finance Director and the Group Chief Risk Officer.
Businesses are required to confirm annually that they have undertaken risk management during the year as required by the Group Risk Framework and that they have reviewed the effectiveness of the system of internal control. The results of this review were reported to and reviewed by the Audit Committee, and confirmed that the processes described above and required by the Group Risk Framework were in place throughout the period covered by this report, and complied with Internal Control: Guidance on the Combined Code (the Turnbull guidance). In addition, Internal Audit executes a comprehensive risk-based audit plan throughout the Group, from which all significant issues are reported to the Group Audit Committee.
The Group's internal control framework includes detailed procedures laid down in financial and actuarial procedure manuals. The Group prepares an annual business plan with three-year projections. Executive management and the Board receive monthly reports on the Group's actual performance against plan, together with updated forecasts.
The insurance operations of the Group all prepare a financial condition report which is presented to the Board who receive regular reports from the Group Finance Director on the financial position of the Group.
(ii) Major risks
The Group publishes separately within its Form 20-F a section on key risk factors, which discuss inherent risks in the business and trading environment.
F-55
(iii) Financial risks
(a) Foreign exchange risk
Prudential faces foreign exchange risk, primarily because its presentation currency is pounds sterling but it has significant operations in US and Asia. The exposure relating to the translation of reported earnings is not separately managed although its impact is reduced by interest payments on foreign currency borrowings and by the adoption of average exchange rates for the translation of foreign currency revenues.
Approximately 82 per cent of the Group's IFRS basis shareholders' equity at December 31, 2005 arose in Prudential's US and Asian operations. To mitigate the exposure of the US component there are US$1.55 billion of borrowings held centrally. The Group also has entered into a US$2 billion net investment hedge (see note G3). Net of the currency position arising from these instruments some 46 per cent of the Group's shareholders' funds is represented by net assets in currencies other than sterling.
(b) Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that Prudential may be unable to meet payment of obligations in a timely manner at a reasonable cost or the risk of unexpected increases in the cost of funding the portfolio at appropriate maturities or rates. Liquidity management in each business seeks to ensure that, even under adverse conditions, Prudential has access to the funds necessary to cover surrenders, withdrawals and maturing liabilities.
In practice, most of Prudential's invested assets are marketable securities. This, combined with the fact that a large proportion of the liabilities contain discretionary surrender values or surrenders charges, reduces the liquidity risk. The Group maintains committed borrowing and securities lending facilities.
(c) Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty or an issuer of securities, which Prudential holds in its asset portfolio, defaults or another party fails to perform according to the terms of the contract. Some of Prudential's businesses, in particular JNL, Egg, the PAC with-profits fund and Prudential's UK pension annuity business, hold large amounts of interest-sensitive investments that contain credit risk on which a certain level of defaults is expected. These expected losses are considered when Prudential determines the crediting rates, deposit rates and premium rates for the products that will be supported by these assets. The key shareholder businesses exposed to credit risks are JNL and Egg. Certain over-the-counter derivatives contain a credit risk element that is controlled through evaluation of collateral agreements and master netting agreements on interest rate and currency swaps. Prudential is also exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties.
Further analysis of the credit risks for JNL is shown in note D3 and for Egg in note E7.
(iv) Operational, compliance and fiscal risk
Operational risk can result from a variety of factors, including failure to obtain proper internal authorizations or maintain internal controls, failure to document transactions properly, failure of
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operational and information security procedures or other procedural failures, computer system or software failures, other equipment failures, fraud, inadequate training or errors by employees. Compliance with internal rules and procedures designed to manage these risks is monitored by Prudential's local management boards.
Internal compliance managers who report to the local management boards monitor adherence to local regulatory requirements. The head of Prudential's Group Compliance function reports directly to the Group Chief Risk Officer who submits regular reports to the Board of Directors.
Compliance risk includes the possibility that transactions may not be enforceable under applicable law or regulation as well as the cost of rectification and fines, and also the possibility that changes in law or regulation could adversely affect Prudential's position. Prudential seeks to minimize compliance risk by seeking to ensure that transactions are properly authorized and by submitting new or unusual transactions to legal advisers for review.
Prudential is exposed to certain fiscal risks arising from changes in tax laws and enforcement policies and in reviews by taxation authorities of tax positions Prudential has taken in recent years. Prudential manages this risk and risks associated with changes in other legislation and regulation through ongoing review by relevant departments of proposed changes to legislation and by membership of relevant trade and professional committees involved in commenting on draft proposals in these areas.
(v) Market risk
Market risk is the risk that future changes in market prices may make a financial instrument less valuable. The primary market risks Prudential faces are equity risk and interest rate risk because most of its assets are investments that are either equity type investments and subject to equity price risk, or bonds, mortgages or cash deposits, the values of which are subject to interest rate risk. The amount of risk borne by Prudential's shareholders depends on the extent to which its customers share the investment risk through the structure of Prudential's products.
The split of Prudential's investments between equity investments and interest-sensitive instruments depends principally on the type of liabilities supported by those investments and the amount of capital Prudential has available. This mix of liabilities allows Prudential to invest a substantial portion of its investment funds in equity and property investments that Prudential believes produce greater returns over the long term. On the other hand Prudential has some liabilities that contain guaranteed returns and allow instant access (for example, interest-sensitive fixed annuities, immediate annuities and fixed rate customer bank deposits), which generally will be supported by fixed income investments.
To reduce investment, interest rate and foreign exchange exposures, and to facilitate efficient investment management, Prudential uses derivative instruments. Prudential's policy is that cash or corresponding assets cover amounts at risk through derivative contracts.
(vi) Asset/liability management
Prudential manages its assets and liabilities locally, in accordance with local regulatory requirements and reflecting the differing types of liabilities Prudential has in each business. As a result of the diversity of products offered by Prudential and the different regulatory environments in which it operates,
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Prudential employs different methods of asset/liability management, on both an in-force and new business basis. Stochastic modelling of assets and liabilities is undertaken in the Group's insurance operations to assess economic capital requirements for different confidence intervals and time horizons. In addition, reserve adequacy testing under a range of scenarios and dynamic solvency analysis is carried out, including under certain scenarios mandated by the US, UK and Asian regulators.
A stochastic approach models the inter-relationship between asset and liability movements, taking into account asset correlation and policyholder behaviour, under a large number of possible scenarios. These scenarios are projected forward over a period of time, typically 25 years or longer, and the liabilities and solvency position of the fund are calculated in each scenario in each future year. This allows the identification of which extreme scenarios will have the most adverse effects and what the best estimate outcome may be. The fund's policy on management actions, including bonus and investment policy, are then set in order that they are consistent with the available capital and the targeted risk of default. This differs from a deterministic model, which would only consider the results from one carefully selected scenario.
For businesses that are most sensitive to interest rate changes, such as immediate annuity business, Prudential uses cash flow analysis to create a portfolio of fixed income securities whose value changes in line with the value of liabilities when interest rates change. This type of analysis helps protect profits from changing interest rates. In the UK, the cash flow analysis is used in Prudential's annuity and banking business while, in the US, it is used for its interest-sensitive and fixed index annuities and stable value products such as Guaranteed Investments Contracts (GICs). Perfect matching is not possible for interest-sensitive and fixed index annuities because of the nature of the liabilities (which include guaranteed surrender values) and options for prepayment contained in the assets. The US supervisory authorities require JNL to calculate projections to test JNL's ability to run off its liabilities with assets equal to statutory reserves in a number of specified future economic scenarios. If JNL is unable to satisfy all of these tests, which are carried out at least annually, then it may be required to establish additional statutory reserves.
For businesses that are most sensitive to equity price changes, Prudential uses stochastic modelling and scenario testing to look at the expected future returns on its investments under different scenarios that best reflect the large diversity in returns that equities can produce. This allows Prudential to devise an investment and with-profits policyholder bonus strategy that, on the model assumptions, allows it to optimise returns to its policyholders and shareholders over time while maintaining appropriate financial strength. Prudential uses this method extensively in connection with its UK with-profits business.
When presenting regulatory returns to the UK supervisory authorities, the calculation of the statutory liabilities for solvency purposes on the FSA's Peak 1 basis is required to incorporate a 'resilience' reserve that is sufficient to ensure that assets equal to the statutory reserves (including the resilience reserve) remain equal to statutory reserves in the event of certain prescribed changes in equity and real estate prices combined with prescribed rises and falls in interest yields.
All of Prudential's investments are held either for risk management or investment purposes. This is because almost all of the investments support policyholder or customer liabilities of one form or another. Any assets that Prudential holds centrally that are not supporting customer liabilities are predominantly invested in short-term fixed income and fixed maturity securities.
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(vii) Use of derivatives
In the UK and Asia, Prudential uses derivatives to reduce equity risk, interest rate and currency exposures, and to facilitate efficient investment management. In the US, Prudential uses derivatives to reduce interest rate risk, to facilitate efficient portfolio management and to match liabilities under fixed index annuities policies.
Details of the Group's use of derivatives are explained in note G3.
It is Prudential's policy that cash or corresponding assets cover amounts at risk through derivative transactions. Derivative financial instruments used to facilitate efficient portfolio management and for investment purposes are carried at fair value with changes in fair value included in long-term investment returns.
D: Life assurance business
D1: Group overview
(a) Products and classification for IFRS reporting
For 2004, the IFRS results included in these financial statements continue to reflect UK GAAP requirements in relation to long-term business contracts.
Under IFRS, from January 1, 2005 when the Group adopts IFRS 4, the measurement basis of assets and liabilities of long-term business contracts is dependent upon the classification of the contracts under IFRS. Under IFRS 4, contracts are initially classified as being either 'insurance' contracts, if the level of insurance risk in the contracts is significant, or 'investment' contracts, if the risk is insignificant.
'Insurance' contracts are permitted to be accounted for under previously applied GAAP. The Group has chosen to adopt this approach. However, as an improvement to accounting policy, permitted by IFRS 4, the Group has applied the measurement principles and disclosures of the UK Standard FRS 27 for 2005 reporting. An explanation of the changes under FRS 27 is provided in note D2. 2004 comparatives are not required to be restated.
'Investment' contracts are further delineated under IFRS 4 between those with and without discretionary participation features. For those contracts with discretionary participation features, IFRS 4 also permits the continued application of previously applied GAAP. The Group has adopted this approach, again subject to the FRS 27 improvement.
For 'investment' contracts that do not contain discretionary participation features, IAS 39 and, where the contract includes an investment management element, IAS 18, apply measurement principles to assets and liabilities attaching to the contract that may diverge from those previously applied. Details of the impact for Prudential are described below.
As indicated above, insurance contracts, as defined under IFRS 4 are those contracts that contain significant insurance risk and these contracts may continue to be accounted for using previously applied GAAP. Under UK GAAP, the assets and liabilities of contracts are prepared in accordance with the MSB of reporting as set out in the revised SORP issued by the ABI in November 2003.
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The insurance contracts of the Group's shareholder-backed business fall broadly into the following categories:
The assets and liabilities of contracts with insignificant insurance risk previously were accounted for under UK GAAP under the provisions of the ABI SORP, as described in note A4. Under IFRS 4, the assets and liabilities of these contracts with insignificant insurance risk and no discretionary participation features are required to be accounted for in accordance with IAS 39 and, where relevant, the provisions of IAS 18, in respect of attaching investment management features of the contracts. Contracts of the Group whose assets and liabilities are required to be remeasured from January 1, 2005 under these two standards can be summarized as:
The impact on the contracts of UK insurance operations and JNL's GICs are considered in turn below:
(i) Certain UK unit-linked savings and similar contracts
Change is required for the following contract assets and liabilities.
Deferred acquisition costs
Under UK GAAP, acquisition expenses are deferred with amortization on a basis commensurate with the anticipated emergence of margins under the contract. Under IFRS, acquisition costs are deferred to the extent that it is appropriate to recognize an asset that represents the entity's contractual right to benefit from providing investment management services and are amortized as the entity recognizes the related revenue. IAS 18 further reduces the costs potentially capable of deferral to incremental costs only. Deferred acquisition costs are amortized to the income statement in line with service provision.
Deferred income reserves
These are required to be established under IAS 18 with amortization over the expected life of the contract. The majority of the relevant UK contracts are single premium with the initial deferred income reflecting the 'front end load' i.e. the difference between the premium paid and the amount credited to the unit fund. Deferred income is amortized to the income statement in line with service provision.
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Sterling reserves
Under UK GAAP, reflecting the regulatory approach in the UK, prudent provisions are established for possible future expenses not covered by future margins at a policy level. Under IFRS, such provisions are no longer permitted.
(ii) Jackson National LifeGICs
Previously, under UK GAAP, the assets and liabilities of JNL's insurance contracts, including GICs, have been measured by the application of US GAAP principles with contract liabilities accounted for on an amortized cost basis. Under a traditional GIC, the policyholder makes a lump sum deposit. The interest rate paid is fixed and established when the contract is issued. Funding agreements are of a similar nature but the interest rate may be floating, based on a rate linked to an external index. The US GAAP accounting requirements for such contracts are very similar to those under IFRS on the amortized cost model for liability measurement.
(b) Concentration of risk
(i) Business accepted
The Group has a broadly based exposure to life assurance risk. This is achieved through the geographical spread of the Group's operations and, within those operations, through a broad mix of product types. In addition, looking beyond pure insurance risk, the Group considers itself well developed in its approach to assessment of diversification benefits through its 'economic capital' project that is used for internal business management. The economic capital project seeks to apply a single yardstick to assess and quantify all risks attaching to the Group's insurance business and associated capital requirements.
On June 2, 2005, the Group published details of the framework and results to that point of its economic capital project. Under the framework, cash flows and capital requirements for each of the main business units in the UK, US and Asia are projected over many internally consistent stochastically generated simulations. The process, using a group solvency model, captures 80 per cent of the business, the other 20 per cent being modeled on a stand-alone basis and aggregated with the main results using a correlation matrix approach. This is a standard method of aggregation used by banks and other financial institutions.
Using an iterative modeling process, economic capital is calculated as the amount required at the calculation date such that the cumulative number of projected defaults is less than a predetermined rate reflecting Prudential's internal target solvency level. Prudential's internal target solvency level has been set as equivalent to the historic default rate on AA-rated bond (equivalent to a cumulative probability of default of 44 out of 1,000 simulations over 25 years). The economic capital framework thus assesses the capital required to meet Prudential's obligations with at least this level of confidence taking into account extreme events. Prudential's economic capital model covers all material risks in each business, including (where relevant) financial risks and insurance and business risks.
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The June 2 announcement made reference to unaudited economic capital requirements at December 31, 2004. These results remain unaudited in these statements except to the extent of being an accurate representation of the information reported at that time.
As at December 31, 2004, Prudential reported that it required £1.8 billion of capital for the Group to cover the risks to its existing contractual and discretionary insurance liabilities, on an economic basis and its internal target solvency level. This number is after allowance for diversification across risks and geographies and the capturing of future shareholders' transfers from the business units. This compares to available capital of £3.4 billion on an equivalent basis (i.e. GAAP based shareholders' equity after adjusting to eliminate goodwill, to include subordinated debt capital and valuation differences). This requirement has been analyzed into its contributory parts by risk type as follows: asset liability matching 28 per cent, credit risk 47 per cent, underwriting (mortality, longevity and morbidity) 10 per cent, persistency 2 per cent, and operational 13 per cent. The largest risk exposure on a diversified basis, credit risk, reflects the relative size of the exposure to JNL, Prudential UK shareholder annuities business, and Egg.
An example of the diversification benefits for Prudential is that adverse scenarios do not affect all business units in the same way, providing natural hedges within the Group. For example, the Group's US business is sensitive towards increasing interest rates, whereas, in contrast, several business units in Asia benefit from increasing rates. Conversely, these Asian business units are sensitive towards low interest rates, whereas the US benefits from falling interest rates. The economic capital project also takes into account situations where factors are correlated, for example the extent of correlation between Asian and US economies.
(ii) Ceded business
The Group cedes certain business to other insurance companies. Although the ceding of insurance does not relieve the Group of liability to its policyholders, the Group participates in such agreements for the purpose of managing its loss exposure. The Group evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentration of credit risk from similar geographic regions, activities or economic characteristics of the reinsurers to minimize its exposure from reinsurer insolvencies. There are no significant concentrations of reinsurance risk.
(c) Guarantees
Notes D2(b), D3(b) and D4(b) and (h) provide details of guarantee features of the Group's life assurance products. In the UK guarantees of the with-profits products are valued for accounting purposes on a market consistent basis for 2005 as described in section D2(d)(ii). The UK business also has products with guaranteed annuity option features, mostly within SAIF, as described in section D2(b). There is little exposure to financial options and guarantees in the shareholder-backed business of the UK operations. The US business annuity products have a variety of option and guarantee features as described in section D3(b). JNL's derivative program seeks to manage the exposures as described in section D3(c). The most significant exposure for the Group arises on Taiwan whole of life policies as described in section D4(h).
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(d) Amount, timing and uncertainty of future cash flows from insurance contracts
The factors that affect the amount, timing and uncertainty of future cash flows from insurance contracts depend upon the businesses concerned as described in subsequent sections. In general terms, the Group is managed by reference to a combination of measures. These measures include IFRS basis earnings, net shareholder cash flow to or from business units from or to central funds, and movements in the value of discounted future expected cash flows of in-force long-term insurance business. The latter item is commonly referred to as Embedded Value.
The business covered for determining EEV basis results includes investment contracts (i.e. contracts with insignificant insurance risk as defined under IFRS 4) as well as insurance contracts (i.e. those that contain significant insurance risk). Investment contracts form a relatively small part of the Group's long-term business as demonstrated by the carrying values of policyholder liabilities shown in the Group balance sheet.
The cash flows subject to valuation are those expected under the contracts such as those arising from premiums, claims, expenses after appropriate estimation of future lapse behavior and mortality and morbidity experience. The cash flows also include the expected future cash flows on assets covering liabilities and encumbered capital.
Encumbered capital is based on Prudential's internal target for economic capital subject to it being at least the local statutory minimum requirements. Economic capital is assessed using internal models but does not take credit for the significant diversification benefits that exist within the Group.
Valuation of the future cash flows also takes account of the 'time value' of option and guarantee features of the Group's long-term business contracts. The time value reflects the variability of economic outcomes in the future. Where appropriate, a full stochastic valuation is undertaken to determine the value of the in-force business. Common principles are adopted across the Group for the stochastic asset model classes, for example, separate modeling of individual asset classes but with allowance for correlation between the various asset classes. In deriving the time value of financial options and guarantees, management actions in response to emerging investment and fund solvency conditions are modeled. In all instances, the modeled actions are in accordance with approved local practice and therefore reflect the options actually available to management. For the PAC with-profits sub-fund, the actions are consistent with those set out in the Principles and Practices of Financial Management.
The present value of the future cash flows is calculated using a risk discount rate which reflects both the time value of money and the risks associated with the cash flows that are not otherwise allowed for. The risk allowance covers market and non-market risks.
Under Capital Asset Pricing Methodology (CAPM), the discount rate is determined as the aggregate of the risk-free rate and the risk margin for market risk. The latter is calculated as the 'beta' times the equity risk premium. Under CAPM, the beta of a portfolio or product measures its relative market risk. The risk discount rates reflect the market risk inherent in each product group and hence the volatility of product cash flows. They are determined by considering how the profits from each product are impacted by changes in expected returns on various asset classes, and by converting this into a relative rate of return it is possible to derive a product specific beta.
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CAPM does not include any allowance for non-market risks since they are assumed to be fully diversifiable. For EEV purposes, however, a risk margin is added for non-diversifiable non-market risks and to cover Group level risks.
Product specific discount rates are used in order to reflect the risk profile of each major territory and product group. No allowance is required for non-market risks where these are assumed to be fully diversifiable. The majority of non-market risks are considered to be diversifiable. Finance theory cannot be used to determine the appropriate component of beta for non-diversifiable non-market risks since there is no observable risk premium associated with it that is akin to the equity risk premium. Recognizing this, a pragmatic approach has been used. A constant 50 basis points has been added to the risk margin for market risk to cover the non-diversifiable non-market risks associated with the business.
Product level betas are calculated each year. They are combined with the most recent product mix to produce appropriate beta and risk discount rates for each major product grouping.
(e) Sensitivity of IFRS basis profit or loss and equity to changes that have a material effect
The factors that may significantly affect IFRS results due to changes of experience or assumptions vary significantly between business units. The most significant items are summarized below.
UK insurance operations
Jackson National Life
Asian operations
Where appropriate these issues are discussed in notes D2, D3 and D4.
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Lapse risk is not mentioned above and has variable impacts. In the UK, adverse persistency experience has led to losses in embedded value in 2004 and 2005 reflecting a reduced level of projected statutory transfers from the PAC with-profits fund. However, in any given year the statutory transfer recognized in IFRS profits is only marginally affected by altered persistency trends.
JNL is sensitive to lapse risk. However, JNL has swaption derivatives in place to ameliorate the effect of a sharp rise in interest rates, which would be the most likely cause of a sudden change in policyholder behavior.
(f) Duration of liabilities
Under the terms of the Group's contracts, as for life assurance contracts generally, the contractual maturity date is the earlier of the end of the contract term, death or surrender. The Group has therefore chosen to provide details of liability duration that reflect the actuarially determined best estimate of the likely incidence of these three factors on contract duration. Details are shown in sections D2(i), D3(i) and D4(i). Effective interest rates, as defined in IAS 32, are not applicable to the Group's insurance contracts and investment contracts with discretionary participation features.
In the years 2001 to 2005 claims paid on the Group's life assurance contracts including those now classified as investment contracts under IFRS 4 ranged from £11.8 billion to £13.8 billion. Indicatively it is to be expected that of the Group's policyholder liabilities (excluding unallocated surplus) at December 31, 2005 of £159 billion, the amounts likely to be paid in 2006 will be of a similar magnitude.
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D2: UK insurance operations
(a) Summary balance sheet at December 31, 2005
In order to explain the different types of UK business and fund structure, the balance sheet of the UK insurance operations may be analyzed by the assets and liabilities of the Scottish Amicable Insurance Fund, the PAC with-profits sub-fund, annuity business, unit-linked and other business. The assets and liabilities of these funds and subsidiaries are shown in the table below.
|
|
PAC with-profits sub-fund (note i) |
Other funds and subsidiaries |
|
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Scottish Amicable Insurance Fund (note ii) |
Excluding Prudential Annuities Limited |
Prudential Annuities Limited (note iii) |
Total (note iv) |
Prudential Retirement Income Limited |
Other non- profit unit- linked and other business (note v) |
Total |
UK insurance operations Total |
||||||||||
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill attributable to PAC with-profits fund | | 607 | | 607 | | | | 607 | ||||||||||
Other intangibles: | ||||||||||||||||||
PAC with-profit fund | 6 | 29 | | 29 | | | | 35 | ||||||||||
Other operations | | | | | | 199 | 199 | 199 | ||||||||||
Total | 6 | 29 | | 29 | | 199 | 199 | 234 | ||||||||||
Other non-investment and non-cash assets | 314 | 2,263 | 273 | 2,536 | 236 | 1,384 | 1,620 | 4,470 | ||||||||||
Investments of long-term business, banking and other operations: | ||||||||||||||||||
Investment properties | 1,586 | 9,569 | 401 | 9,970 | 214 | 900 | 1,114 | 12,670 | ||||||||||
Financial investments: | ||||||||||||||||||
Loans and receivables | 213 | 653 | 211 | 864 | 44 | 9 | 53 | 1,130 | ||||||||||
Equity securities and portfolio holdings in unit trusts | 7,515 | 39,797 | 369 | 40,166 | 6 | 10,839 | 10,845 | 58,526 | ||||||||||
Debt securities | 4,710 | 15,373 | 14,331 | 29,704 | 8,695 | 6,343 | 15,038 | 49,452 | ||||||||||
Other investments | 237 | 2,231 | 181 | 2,412 | 28 | 11 | 39 | 2,688 | ||||||||||
Deposits | 723 | 3,615 | 391 | 4,006 | 442 | 1,626 | 2,068 | 6,797 | ||||||||||
Total investments | 14,984 | 71,238 | 15,884 | 87,122 | 9,429 | 19,728 | 29,157 | 131,263 | ||||||||||
Held for sale assets | | 728 | | 728 | | | | 728 | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 101 | 721 | 75 | 796 | 13 | 285 | 298 | 1,195 | ||||||||||
Total assets | 15,405 | 75,586 | 16,232 | 91,818 | 9,678 | 21,596 | 31,274 | 138,497 | ||||||||||
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Equity and liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity | ||||||||||||||||||
Shareholders' equity | | | | | 782 | 359 | 1,141 | 1,141 | ||||||||||
Minority interests | 21 | 74 | | 74 | | | | 95 | ||||||||||
Total equity | 21 | 74 | | 74 | 782 | 359 | 1,141 | 1,236 | ||||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||
Policyholder liabilities and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds: | ||||||||||||||||||
Insurance contract liabilities | 14,011 | 33,424 | 14,068 | 47,492 | 8,324 | 9,404 | 17,728 | 79,231 | ||||||||||
Investment contract liabilities with discretionary participation features | 751 | 25,692 | | 25,692 | | | | 26,443 | ||||||||||
Investment contract liabilities without discretionary participation features | | | | | | 10,502 | 10,502 | 10,502 | ||||||||||
Unallocated surplus of with-profit funds (reflecting application of 'realistic' provisions for UK regulated with-profits funds) | | 9,683 | 1,589 | 11,272 | | | | 11,272 | ||||||||||
Total | 14,762 | 68,799 | 15,657 | 84,456 | 8,324 | 19,906 | 28,230 | 127,448 | ||||||||||
Operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations | | | | | | 17 | 17 | 17 | ||||||||||
Borrowings attributable to with-profit funds | 118 | 1,780 | | 1,780 | | | | 1,898 | ||||||||||
Other non-insurance liabilities | 504 | 4,933 | 575 | 5,508 | 572 | 1,314 | 1,886 | 7,898 | ||||||||||
Total liabilities | 15,384 | 75,512 | 16,232 | 91,744 | 8,896 | 21,237 | 30,133 | 137,261 | ||||||||||
Total equity and liabilities | 15,405 | 75,586 | 16,232 | 91,818 | 9,678 | 21,596 | 31,274 | 138,497 | ||||||||||
Notes
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(b) Products and guarantees
Prudential's long-term products in the UK consist of life insurance, pension products and pension annuities.
These products are written primarily in:
(i) With-profits products and PAC with-profits sub-fund
Within the balance sheet of UK insurance operations, there are policyholder liabilities of £73.2 billion and unallocated surplus of £11.3 billion that relate to the WPSF. The WPSF mainly contains with-profits business but it also contains some non-profit business (unit-linked, term assurances and annuities). The WPSF's profits are apportioned 90 per cent to its policyholders and 10 per cent to shareholders as surplus for distribution is determined via the annual actuarial valuation.
With-profits products provide returns to policyholders through bonuses that are 'smoothed'. There are two types of bonuses: 'annual' and 'final'. Annual bonuses are declared once a year, and once credited, are guaranteed in accordance with the terms of the particular product. Unlike annual bonuses, final bonuses are guaranteed only until the next bonus declaration.
When determining policy payouts, including final bonuses, Prudential considers policyholders' reasonable expectations, the need to smooth claim values and payments from year to year and competitive considerations, together with 'asset shares' for specimen policies. Asset shares broadly reflect the value of premiums paid plus the investment return on the assets notionally attributed to the policy, less the other items to be charged such as expenses and the cost of the life insurance cover.
For many years, UK with-profits product providers, such as Prudential, have been required by law and regulation to consider the reasonable expectations of policyholders in setting bonus levels. This concept is established by statute but is not defined. However, it is defined within the regulatory framework, which also more recently contains an explicit requirement to treat customers fairly.
The WPSF held a provision of £52 million at December 31, 2005 (2004: £49 million) to honor guarantees on a small amount of guaranteed annuity products. SAIF's exposure to guaranteed annuities is described below.
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Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
Beyond the generic guarantees described above, there are very few explicit options or guarantees such as of minimum investment returns, surrender values or annuity at retirement and any granted have generally been at very low levels.
(ii) Annuity business
Prudential's conventional annuities include level, fixed increase and retail price index (RPI) annuities. They are mainly written within the subsidiaries PAL, PRIL, Prudential Pensions Limited and the PAC with-profits sub-fund, but there are some annuity liabilities in the WPSF and SAIF.
Prudential's fixed-increase annuities incorporate automatic increases in annuity payments by fixed amounts over the policyholder's life. The RPI annuities that Prudential offers provide for a regular annuity payment to which an additional amount is added periodically based on the increase in the UK RPI. Prudential's with-profits annuities, which are written in the WPSF, combine the income features of annuity products with the investment smoothing features of with-profits products and enable policyholders to obtain exposure to investment return on the WPSF's equity shares, property and other investment categories over time.
Policyholders select an 'anticipated bonus' from the specific range Prudential offers for the particular product. The amount of the annuity payment each year depends upon the relationship between the anticipated bonus rate selected by the policyholder when the product is purchased and the bonus rates Prudential subsequently declares each year during the term of the product. If the total bonus rates fall below the anticipated rate, then the annuity income falls.
At December 31, 2005, £25.3 billion of investments relate to annuity business of PAL and PRIL. These investments are predominantly in debt securities (including retail price index-linked bonds to match retail price index-linked annuities), loans and deposits and are duration matched with the estimated duration of the liabilities they support.
(iii) SAIF
SAIF is a ring-fenced sub-fund of the PAC long-term fund and was formed following the acquisition of the mutually owned Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society in 1997. No new business may be written in SAIF, although regular premiums are still being paid on policies in force at the time of the acquisition and incremental premiums are permitted on these policies.
The fund is solely for the benefit of policyholders of SAIF. Shareholders have no interest in the profits of this fund although they are entitled to investment management fees on this business.
The process for determining policyholder bonuses of SAIF with-profits policies, which constitute the vast majority of obligations of the funds, is similar to that for the with-profit policies of the WPSF. However, in addition, the surplus assets in SAIF are allocated to policies in an orderly and equitable distribution over time as enhancements to policyholder benefits i.e. in excess of those based on asset share.
Provision is made for the risks attaching to some SAIF unitized with-profits policies that have MVRfree dates and for those SAIF products which have a guaranteed minimum benefit on death or maturity of premiums accumulated at 4 per cent per annum.
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The Group's main exposure to guaranteed annuities in the UK is through SAIF and a provision of £619 million was held in SAIF at December 31, 2005 (2004: £648 million) to honor the guarantees. As SAIF is a separate sub-fund solely for the benefit of policyholders of SAIF this provision has no impact on the financial position of the Group's shareholders' funds.
(iv) Unit-linked (non-annuity) and other non-profit business
Prudential UK insurance operations also have an extensive book of unit-linked policies of varying types and provide a range of other non-profit business such as stakeholder, credit life and non-life long-term contracts. These contracts do not contain significant financial guarantees.
There are no guaranteed maturity values or guaranteed annuity options on unit-linked policies except for minor amounts for certain policies linked to cash units within SAIF.
(c) Exposure to market risk
(i) Non-linked life and pension business
For with-profits business, the absence of guaranteed surrender values and the flexibility given by the operation of the bonus system means that the majority of the investments backing the with-profits business are in equities and real estate with the balance in debt securities, deposits and loans.
The investments supporting the protection business are small in value and tend to be fixed maturities reflecting the guaranteed nature of the liabilities.
(ii) Pension annuity business
Prudential's UK annuity business employs fixed income investments (including UK retail price index-linked assets) because the liabilities consist of guaranteed payments for as long as each annuitant is alive. Retail price index-linked assets are used to back pension annuities where the payments are linked to the RPI.
(iii) Unit-linked business
Except through the second order effect on investment management fees, the unit-linked business of the UK insurance operations is not exposed to market risk. The lack of exposure arises from the contract nature whereby policyholder benefits reflect asset value movements of the unit-linked funds.
(d) Process for setting assumptions and determining liabilities
(i) Overview
Calculation of the contract liabilities involves the setting of assumptions for future experience. This is done following detailed review of the relevant experience including, in particular, mortality, expenses, tax and economic assumptions. For with-profits business written in the WPSF or SAIF from 2005, for IFRS accounting purposes, a market consistent valuation is performed (as described in section (ii) below). Additional assumptions required are persistency and the management actions under which the fund is managed. Assumptions used for market consistent valuation typically do not contain margins, whereas those used for the valuation of other classes of business do.
Mortality assumptions are set based on the results of the most recent experience analysis looking at the experience over recent years of the relevant business. For non-profit business, a margin for adverse
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deviation is added. Different assumptions are applied for different product groups. For annuitant mortality, assumptions for current mortality rates are based on recent experience investigations and expected future improvements in mortality. The expected future improvements are based on recent experience and projections of the business and industry generally.
Maintenance and, for some classes of business, termination expense assumptions are expressed as per policy amounts. They are set based on the expenses incurred during the year, including an allowance for ongoing investment expenditure and allocated between entities and product groups in accordance with the operation's internal cost allocation model. For non-profit business a margin for adverse deviation is added to this amount. Expense inflation assumptions are set consistent with the economic basis and based on the difference between nominal gilts and index-linked gilts; unit expenses are assumed not to increase in future years at a faster rate than this difference.
The actual renewal expenses charged to SAIF will continue to be based on the tariff arrangement specified in the Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society Scheme until December 31 2007, when the tariff arrangement terminates. This provides an additional margin in SAIF as the unit costs derived from actual expenses (and used to derive the recommended assumptions) are generally significantly greater than the tariff costs.
The assumptions for investment management expenses are based on the charges specified in agreements with the Group's investment management operations, plus a margin for adverse deviation for non-profit business.
Tax assumptions are set equal to current rates of taxation.
For non-profit business excluding unit-linked business, the valuation interest rates used to discount the liabilities are based on the yields as at the valuation date on the assets backing the technical provisions. For fixed interest securities the gross redemption yield is used, for property it is the rental yield, and for equities it is the greater of the dividend yield and the average of the dividend yield and the earnings yield. An adjustment is made to the yield on non risk-free fixed interest securities and property to reflect credit risk. To calculate the non-unit reserves for linked business, assumptions have been set for the gross unit growth rate and the rate of inflation of maintenance expenses, as well as for the valuation interest rate as described above.
(ii) WPSF and SAIF
The policyholder liabilities reported for the WPSF are primarily for two broad types of business. These are accumulating and conventional with-profits contracts.
2005
The provisions at December 31, 2005 have been determined on a basis consistent with the detailed methodology included in regulations contained in the FSA's rules for the determination of regulatory reporting reserves on the FSA's 'realistic' Peak 2 basis. In aggregate, the regime has the effect of placing a value on the liabilities of UK with-profits contracts, which reflects the amounts expected to be paid based on the current value of investments held by the with-profits funds and current circumstances. These contracts are a combination of insurance and investment contracts with discretionary participation features, as defined by IFRS 4.
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The FSA's Peak 2 calculation under the new realistic regime, which came fully into effect for the first time for 2004 regulatory reporting requires the value of liabilities to be calculated as:
The WPBR is primarily based on the retrospective calculation of accumulated asset shares but is adjusted to reflect future expected policyholder benefits and other outgoings. By contrast, the Peak 1 basis addresses, at least explicitly, only declared bonuses.
Asset shares are calculated as the accumulation of all items of income and outgo that are relevant to each policy type. Income comprises credits for premiums, investment returns (including unrealized gains), and miscellaneous profits. Outgo comprises charges for tax (including an allowance for tax on unrealized gains), guarantees and smoothing, mortality and morbidity, shareholders' profit transfers, miscellaneous losses, and expenses and commission (net of any tax relief).
The FPRL must include a market consistent valuation of costs of guarantees, options and smoothing, less any related charges, and this amount must be determined using either a stochastic approach, hedging costs or a series of deterministic projections with attributed probabilities.
The assumptions used in the stochastic models are calibrated to produce risk-free returns on each asset class. Volatilities of, and correlations between, investment returns from different asset classes are as determined by the Group's Portfolio Management Group but aim to be market consistent.
The cost of guarantees, options and smoothing is very sensitive to the bonus, market value reduction (MVR), and investment policy the Company employs and therefore the stochastic modeling incorporates a range of management actions that would help to protect the fund in adverse investment scenarios. Substantial flexibility has been included in the modeled management actions in order to reflect the discretion that the Company retains in adverse investment conditions, thereby avoiding the creation of unreasonable minimum capital requirements. The management actions assumed are consistent with our management policy for with-profit funds and our disclosures in the publicly available Principles and Practices of Financial Management.
The contract liabilities for with-profits business also required assumptions for persistency. These are set based on the results of the Company's recent experience analysis.
2004
The amounts shown in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2004 for technical provisions and unallocated surplus (fund for future appropriations) for with-profit business of the WPSF and SAIF have been determined in accordance with the MSB of accounting applicable at that time. With the exception of minor accounting adjustments, the technical provisions reflect the UK regulatory basis of reporting that has applied for many years, and which effectively constitutes the Peak 1 basis under the new FSA regime.
Under this basis of accounting, the future policyholder benefit provisions on conventional with-profit policies was calculated using the net premium valuation method, such that they would be sufficient at the outset of the policy to provide only for the discounted value of the original guaranteed death and maturity benefits on the chosen valuation assumptions. The provisions were then calculated
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by subtracting the present value of future net premiums from the present value of future benefits (including vested bonuses) using a prudent discount rate.
Under the net premium valuation method, vested bonuses are included in the cash flows assessed but future allocations of bonuses are not included explicitly, although they may be implicitly taken into account in the discount rate used, which is based on the return available on suitable investments. The detailed methodology for UK companies is included in the regulations contained in the FSA rules. In particular, the returns available from equity and property assets are based on expected income and/or earnings and no allowance is made for future capital growth.
The assumptions to which the estimate of the technical provisions for conventional with-profit contracts at December 31, 2004 were particularly sensitive were the interest rates used to discount the provision and the future mortality experience of policyholders. The net premium reserves were calculated using assumptions for interest, mortality, morbidity, and expense but without assumptions for withdrawals. The assumptions were determined as prudent best estimates at the date of valuation. Interest rates used in establishing policyholder benefit provisions at December 31, 2004 range from 3 per cent to 5 per cent.
For accumulating with-profit business, the calculation of technical provisions at December 31, 2004 was based on a gross premium bonus reserve valuation. In general terms, a gross premium valuation basis is one in which the premiums brought into account are the full amounts receivable under the contract. The method includes explicit estimates of premiums, expected claims, future regular bonuses, costs of maintaining contracts and future renewal expenses. Cash flows are discounted at the valuation rate of interest. The methodology for UK companies is included in the FSA rules. The discount rate is based on the expected return on the assets deemed to back the liabilities as prescribed by the FSA rules.
For PAC business the calculation was based on a valuation under which future reversionary bonuses are added to the guaranteed liabilities existing at the valuation date. The assumptions to which the estimation of the technical provisions were particularly sensitive were the assumed future reversionary bonuses, the interest rate used to discount the provisions, the assumed future per policy expenses and the assumed future mortality experience of policyholders.
For the purposes of calculating the liabilities using the bonus reserve method the assumed interest rates ranged from 2.5 per cent to 5.0 per cent at December 31, 2004, while future reversionary bonuses were assumed to fall immediately from then current levels to zero.
(iii) Annuity business
The contract liabilities for PAL and PRIL are based on the FSA regulatory solvency basis. The valuation is then modified for MSB reporting purposes to remove certain of the margins for prudence within the assumptions, and contingency reserves, both of which are required under the solvency basis applied for regulatory purposes, but not for financial accounting.
The contract liabilities are the discounted value of future claim payments, adjusted for investment expenses and future administration costs. The interest rate used for discounting claim payments is derived from the yield on the assets held with an allowance for default and mismatching risk. At December 31, 2005, the interest rates applied ranged from 1.0 per cent to 4.6 per cent (2004: 1.5 per cent to 5.0 per cent).
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The mortality assumptions are set in light of recent population and internal experience. The assumptions used are percentages of standard actuarial mortality tables with an allowance for future mortality improvements. Where annuities have been sold on an enhanced basis to impaired lives an additional age adjustment is made. The percentages of the standard table used are selected according to the source of business. The range of percentages used is set out in the following tables:
PAL
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Males |
Females |
Males |
Females |
||||
In payment | 93% 100% PMA92 (C = 2004) with medium cohort improvement table with a minimum annual improvement of 1.25% |
84% 105% PFA92 (C = 2004) with 75% of medium cohort improvement table with a minimum annual improvement of 0.75% |
97% 111% PMA92 (C = 2004) with medium cohort improvement table with a minimum annual improvement of 1.25% |
92% 105% PFA92 (C = 2004) with 75% of medium cohort improvement table with a minimum annual improvement of 0.75% |
||||
In deferment | AM92 minus 4 years | AF92 minus 4 years | AM92 minus 4 years | AF92 minus 4 years |
PRIL
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Males |
Females |
Males |
Females |
||||
In payment | 88% 100% PMA92 (C = 2004) with medium cohort improvement table with a minimum annual improvement of 1.25% |
84% 102% PFA92 (C = 2004) with 75% of medium cohort improvement table with a minimum annual improvement of 0.75% |
90% 113% PMA92 (C = 2004) with medium cohort improvement table with a minimum annual improvement of 1.25% |
85% 104% PFA92 (C = 2004) with 75% of medium cohort improvement table with a minimum annual improvement of 0.75% |
||||
In deferment | AM92 minus 4 years | AF92 minus 4 years | AM92 minus 4 years | AF92 minus 4 years |
(iv) Unit-linked (non-annuity) and other non-profit business
The majority of other long-term business written in the UK insurance operations is unit-linked business or other business with similar features. For these contracts the attaching liability reflects the unit value obligation and provision for mortality risk. The latter component is determined by applying mortality assumptions on a basis that is appropriate for the policyholder profile.
For unit-linked business, the assets covering unit liabilities are exposed to market risk, but the residual risk when considering the unit-linked liabilities and assets together is limited to the effect on fund-based charges.
For those contracts where the level of insurance risk is insignificant the assets and liabilities arising under the contracts are distinguished between those that relate to the financial instrument liability and acquisition costs and deferred income that relate to the component of the contract that relates to investment management. Acquisition costs and deferred income are recognized consistent with the level of service provision in line with the requirements of IAS 18.
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(e) Reinsurance
The Group's UK insurance business cedes only minor amounts of business outside the Group. During 2005, reinsurance premiums for externally ceded business were £82 million and reinsurance recoverable insurance assets were £750 million in aggregate. The gains and losses recognized in profit and loss for these contracts were immaterial.
(f) Effect of changes in assumptions used to measure insurance assets and liabilities
For with-profits business the only change of note is an altered basis of recognizing liabilities and unallocated surplus for SAIF. This is to comply with actuarial guidance GN 45, which requires that for a closed fund where the fund will be distributed fully that the working capital is shown as zero, with the future enhancements to asset shares being increased by the free capital. Without the adjustment the unallocated surplus would have been approximately £700 million. Shareholder results and equity are not altered by this change.
The change of mortality table for PAL explained in section D2(d) increased liabilities by £144 million. As PAL is owned by the WPSF this change had no affect on shareholder profit.
For shareholder-backed non-participating business a number of changes of assumptions were made in 2005. Taken together these changes had the effect of reducing [profit before tax]by £36 million with consequent increase in liabilities. The reduction arose from a charge of £69 million for strengthened mortality assumptions, being partially offset by a net credit of £29 million in respect of a reduced level of expected defaults for debt securities, and a credit of £4 million for other changes.
The net charge of £36 million comprises amounts in respect of PAC (£35 million charge), Prudential Holborn Life (£2 million credit), and PRIL (£3 million charge).
(g) Sensitivity of IFRS basis profit or loss and equity to changes that have a material effect
The primary sensitivities that have a material effect on the IFRS basis results of the UK insurance operations relate to asset-liability matching and mortality experience for shareholder-backed annuity business. Further details are described below.
(i) With-profits business
SAIF
Shareholders have no interest in the profits of SAIF but are entitled to the investment management fees paid on the business.
With-profits sub-fund business
For with-profits business (including non-participating business of PAL which is owned by the WPSF) adjustments to liabilities and any related tax effects are recognized in the income statement. However, except for any impact on the annual declaration of bonuses, shareholders' profit for with-profits business is unaffected. This is because IFRS basis profits for with-profits business, which are determined on the same basis as on preceding UK GAAP, solely reflect one-ninth of the cost of bonuses declared for the year.
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The main factors that influence the determination of bonus rates are the return on the investments of the fund, the effect of inflation, taxation, the expenses of the fund chargeable to policyholders and the degree to which investment returns are smoothed. Mortality and other insurance risk represent a relatively small component of the factors.
Unallocated surplus represents the excess of assets over policyholder liabilities of the fund. As unallocated surplus of the WPSF is recorded as a liability, movements in its value do not affect shareholders' profits or equity.
The level of unallocated surplus is particularly sensitive to the level of investment returns on the portion of the life fund assets that represent the surplus. The effects for 2005 and 2004 are demonstrated in note D5.
Profits from shareholder-backed annuity business are most sensitive to:
A decrease in assumed mortality rates of 1 per cent would decrease gross profits by approximately £33 million. A decrease in credit default assumptions of five basis points would increase gross profits by £65 million. A decrease in renewal expenses (excluding investment management expenses) of 5 per cent would increase gross profits by £12 million. The effect on profits would be approximately symmetrical for changes in assumption that are directionally opposite to those explained above.
Unit-linked and other business represents a comparatively small proportion of the in-force business of the UK insurance operations.
Profits from unit-linked and similar contracts primarily arise from the excess of charges to policyholders, for management of assets under the Company's stewardship, over expenses incurred. The former is most sensitive to the net accretion of funds under management as a function of new business and lapse and mortality experience. The accounting impact of the latter is dependent upon the amortization of acquisition costs in line with the emergence of margins (for insurance contracts) and amortization in line with service provision (for the investment management component of investment contracts). By virtue of the design features of most of the contracts which provide low levels of mortality cover the profits are relatively insensitive to changes in mortality experience.
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By virtue of the fund structure, product features and basis of accounting described in note D2(b) and (d), the policyholder liabilities of the UK insurance operations are, except for pension annuity business, not generally exposed to interest rate risk. For pension annuity, business liabilities are exposed to fair value interest rate risk. However, the net exposure to the PAC WPSF (for PAL) and shareholders (for liabilities of PRIL) is very substantially ameliorated by virtue of the close matching of assets with appropriate duration.
(h) Duration of liabilities
With the exception of most unitized with-profit bonds and other whole of life contracts the majority of the contracts of the UK insurance operations have a contract term. However, in effect, the maturity term of contracts reflects the earlier of death, maturity, or lapsation. In addition, with-profit contract liabilities as noted in note D2(d) above include projected future bonuses based on current investment values. The actual amounts payable will vary with future investment performance of SAIF and the WPSF. To ascribe particular amounts payable to these contracts in future years does not provide appropriate information.
The Group uses cash flow projections of expected benefit payments as part of the determination of the value of in-force business when preparing EEV basis results. The maturity profile of the cash flows used for 2005 for that purpose for insurance contracts, as defined by IFRS, i.e. those containing significant insurance risk, and investment contracts, which do not, is as follows:
|
Insurance contracts |
Investment contracts |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
With-profits % |
PAL % |
PRIL % |
Other % |
With-profits % |
Unit-linked and similar % |
||||||
Expected maturity: | ||||||||||||
0 to 5 years | 48 | 32 | 29 | 33 | 25 | 45 | ||||||
5 to 10 years | 29 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 24 | ||||||
10 to 15 years | 13 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 14 | ||||||
15 to 20 years | 6 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 8 | ||||||
20 to 25 years | 3 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 5 | ||||||
Over 25 years | 1 | 8 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 4 |
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Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
D3: US operations
(a) Summary balance sheet at December 31, 2005
|
Long-term business |
|
|
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Variable annuity separate account assets and liabilities* |
Fixed annuity, GIC and other business* |
Total |
Broker-dealer and fund management |
US operations total |
|||||||
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
|||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||
Goodwill | | | | 16 | 16 | |||||||
Other intangibles | | 1,634 | 1,634 | | 1,634 | |||||||
Other non-investment and non-cash assets | | 1,799 | 1,799 | 89 | 1,888 | |||||||
Investments: | ||||||||||||
Investment properties | | 41 | 41 | | 41 | |||||||
Financial investments: | ||||||||||||
Loans and receivables | | 3,577 | 3,577 | | 3,577 | |||||||
Equity securities and portfolio holdings in unit trusts | 8,574 | 273 | 8,847 | | 8,847 | |||||||
Debt securities | | 24,290 | 24,290 | | 24,290 | |||||||
Other investments | | 794 | 794 | 31 | 825 | |||||||
Deposits | | 374 | 374 | 6 | 380 | |||||||
Total investments | 8,574 | 29,349 | 37,923 | 37 | 37,960 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | | 154 | 154 | 48 | 202 | |||||||
Total assets | 8,574 | 32,936 | 41,510 | 190 | 41,700 | |||||||
Equity and liabilities | ||||||||||||
Equity | ||||||||||||
Shareholders' equity | | 2,899 | 2,899 | 70 | 2,969 | |||||||
Minority interests | | 2 | 2 | | 2 | |||||||
Total equity | | 2,901 | 2,901 | 70 | 2,971 | |||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||
Policyholder liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Insurance contract liabilities | 8,574 | 21,905 | 30,479 | | 30,479 | |||||||
Investment contract liabilities without discretionary participation features (GIC and annuity certain) | | 1,502 | 1,502 | | 1,502 | |||||||
Total | 8,574 | 23,407 | 31,981 | | 31,981 | |||||||
Core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations | | 145 | 145 | | 145 | |||||||
Operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations | | 1,085 | 1,085 | | 1,085 | |||||||
Other non-insurance liabilities | | 5,398 | 5,398 | 120 | 5,518 | |||||||
Total liabilities | 8,574 | 30,035 | 38,609 | 120 | 38,729 | |||||||
Total equity and liabilities | 8,574 | 32,936 | 41,510 | 190 | 41,700 | |||||||
F-78
Summary policyholder liabilities (net of reinsurance) and reserves at December 31, 2005
The policyholder liabilities, net of reinsurers' share of £520 million reflect balances in respect of the following:
|
2005 |
||
---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
||
Policy reserves and liabilities on non-linked business: | |||
Reserves for future policyholder benefits and claims payable | 971 | ||
Deposits on investment contracts (as defined under US GAAP) | 20,702 | ||
Guaranteed investment contracts | 1,214 | ||
Unit-linked (variable annuity (VA)) business | 8,574 | ||
31,461 | |||
In addition to the policyholder liabilities above, JNL has entered into a program of funding arrangements under contracts which, in substance, are almost identical to GICs. The liabilities under these funding arrangements totaled £3,267 million and are included in 'other non-insurance liabilities' in the balance sheet above.
(b) Products and guarantees
JNL provides long-term savings and retirement products to retail and institutional customers throughout the US. JNL offers individual fixed annuities, fixed index annuities, immediate annuities, variable annuities, individual and variable life insurance and institutional products.
(i) Fixed annuities
Interest-sensitive annuities
In 2005, interest-sensitive fixed annuities accounted for 36 per cent (2004: 41 per cent) of policy and contract liabilities of JNL. Interest-sensitive fixed annuities are primarily deferred annuity products that are used for retirement planning and for providing income in retirement. They permit tax-deferred accumulation of funds and flexible payout options.
The policyholder of an interest-sensitive fixed annuity pays JNL a premium, which is credited to the policyholder's account. Periodically, interest is credited to the policyholder's account and in some cases administrative charges are deducted from the policyholder's account. JNL makes benefit payments at a future date as specified in the policy based on the value of the policyholder's account at that date.
The policy provides that at JNL's discretion it may reset the interest rate, subject to a guaranteed minimum. The minimum guarantee varies from 1.5 per cent to 5.5 per cent (2004: 1.5 per cent to 5.5 per cent) depending on the jurisdiction of issue and the date of issue, with 73 per cent (2004: 73 per cent) of the fund at 3 per cent or less. The average guarantee rate is 3.3 per cent (2004: 3.3 per cent).
Approximately 29 per cent (2004: 22 per cent) of the interest-sensitive fixed annuities JNL wrote in 2005 provide for a market value adjustment, that could be positive or negative, on surrenders in the surrender period of the policy. This formula-based adjustment approximates the change in value that
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assets supporting the product would realize as interest rates move up or down. The minimum guaranteed rate is not affected by this adjustment.
Fixed index annuities
Fixed index annuities account for 7 per cent (2004: 6 per cent) of JNL's policy and contract liabilities at December 31, 2005. Fixed indexed annuities vary in structure, but generally are deferred annuities that enable policyholders to obtain a portion of an equity-linked return but provide a guaranteed minimum return. These guaranteed minimum rates are generally set at 3 per cent.
JNL hedges the equity return risk on fixed index products using futures and options linked to the relevant index. The cost of these hedges is taken into account in setting index participation rates and caps. JNL bears the investment and surrender risk on these products.
Immediate annuities
At December 31, 2005, immediate annuities accounted for 2 per cent (2004: 2 per cent) of JNL's policy and contract liabilities. Immediate annuities guarantee a series of payments beginning within a year of purchase and continuing over either a fixed period of years and/or the life of the policyholder. If the term is for the life of the policyholder, then JNL's primary risk is mortality risk. The implicit interest rate on these products is based on the market conditions that exist at the time the policy is issued and is guaranteed for the term of the annuity.
(ii) Variable annuities
At December 31, 2005, VAs accounted for 32 per cent (2004: 26 per cent) of JNL's policy and contract liabilities. VAs are deferred annuities that have the same tax advantages and payout options as interest-sensitive and fixed index annuities.
The primary difference between VAs and interest-sensitive or fixed index annuities are investment risk and return. If a policyholder chooses a VA, the rate of return depends upon the performance of the selected fund portfolio. Policyholders may allocate their investment to either the fixed or variable account. Investment risk on the variable account is borne by the policyholder, while investment risk in the fixed account is borne by JNL through guaranteed minimum fixed rates of return. At December 31, 2005, approximately 19 per cent (2004: 26 per cent) of VA funds were in fixed accounts.
JNL issues VA contracts where it contractually guarantees to the contract holder either a) return of no less than total deposits made to the contract adjusted for any partial withdrawals, b) total deposits made to the contract adjusted for any partial withdrawals plus a minimum return, or c) the highest contract value on a specified anniversary date adjusted for any withdrawals following the contract anniversary. These guarantees include benefits that are payable in the event of death (guaranteed minimum death benefit (GMDB)), annuitization (guaranteed minimum income benefit (GMIB)), or at specified dates during the accumulation period (guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (GMWB)). JNL hedges these risks using equity options and futures contracts as described in note D3(c).
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(iii) Life insurance
JNL's life insurance products accounted for 9 per cent (2004: 10 per cent) of JNL's policy and contract liabilities at December 31, 2005. The products offered include variable life insurance, term life insurance and interest-sensitive life insurance.
(iv) Institutional products
JNL's institutional products consist of GICs, funding agreements (including agreements issued in conjunction with JNL's participation in the US Federal Home Loan Bank program) and medium-term note funding agreements. At December 31, 2005, institutional products accounted for 14 per cent of JNL's policyholder reserves (2004: 15 per cent). Under a traditional GIC, the policyholder makes a lump sum deposit. The interest rate paid is fixed and established when the contract is issued. If deposited funds are withdrawn earlier than the specified term of the contract, an adjustment is made that approximates a market value adjustment.
Under a funding agreement, the policyholder either makes a lump sum deposit or makes specified periodic deposits. JNL agree to pay a rate of interest, which may be fixed but which is usually a floating short-term interest rate linked to an external index. The average term of the funding arrangements is one to two years. Funding agreements terminable by the policyholder with less than 90 days notice account for less than 1 per cent (2004: 2 per cent) of JNL total policyholder reserves.
Medium-term note funding agreements are generally issued to support trust instruments issued on non-US exchanges or to qualified investors (as defined by SEC rule 144A). Through the funding agreements, JNL agrees to pay a rate of interest, which may be fixed or floating, to the holders of the trust instruments.
(c) Risk management
JNL's main exposure to market risk is through its exposure to interest rate risk because approximately 88 per cent (2004: 88 per cent) of its general account investments support interest-sensitive and fixed index annuities, life business and surplus and 12 per cent (2004: 12 per cent) support institutional business. All of these types of business contain considerable interest rate guarantee features and, consequently, require that the assets that support them are primarily fixed income or fixed maturity.
Prudential is exposed primarily to the following risks in the US arising from fluctuations in interest rates:
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JNL enters into financial derivative transactions, including swaps, forwards, put-swaptions, futures and options to reduce and manage business risks. These transactions manage the risk of a change in the value, yield, price, cash flows, or quantity of, or a degree of exposure with respect to assets, liabilities or future cash flows, which JNL has acquired or incurred.
JNL generally uses free-standing derivative instruments for hedging purposes. Additionally, certain liabilities, primarily trust instruments supported by funding agreements, fixed index annuities and GMWB and reinsurance GMIB features of variable annuities, issued by JNL contain embedded derivatives as defined by IAS 39, 'Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement'. JNL does not account for such derivatives as either fair value or cash flow hedges as might be permitted if specific hedge documentation requirements of IAS 39 were followed. Financial derivatives, including derivatives embedded in certain host liabilities that have been separated for accounting and financial reporting purposes are carried at fair value.
Value movements on the derivatives are reported within the income statement. The types of derivative used by JNL and their purpose are as follows:
As noted above, JNL is exposed to equity risk through the options embedded in JNL's fixed indexed liabilities and guarantees included in certain VA benefits including GMDB and GMWB. This risk is managed using a comprehensive equity hedging program to minimize the risk of a significant economic impact as a result of increases or decreases in equity market levels while taking advantage of naturally offsetting exposures in JNL's operations. JNL purchases external futures and options that hedge the risks inherent in these products, while also considering the impact of rising and falling separate account fees.
F-82
As a result of this hedging program, if the equity markets were to increase by 10 per cent, JNL's free-standing derivatives would decrease in value by approximately £22 million net of related changes to amortization of deferred acquisition costs. This would be substantially offset by the positive impact of increased separate account fees and reserve decreases of approximately £14 million, net of related changes to amortization of deferred acquisition costs, resulting in a net loss of approximately £8 million.
For risk management purposes, the US general account portfolio is divided substantially into assets that support the interest-sensitive life and fixed annuity business, the institutional business and the fixed index business. Prudential hedges the equity return risk on fixed index products by purchasing futures and options on the relevant index.
Information on credit risk of debt securities and mortgage-backed securities
For statutory reporting in the US, debt securities are classified into six quality categories specified by the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The categories range from Class 1 (the highest) to Class 6 (the lowest). Performing securities are designated as Classes 1 to 5. Securities in or near default are designated Class 6. Securities designated as Class 3, 4, 5 and 6 are non-investment grade securities. Generally, securities rated AAA to A by nationally recognized statistical ratings organizations are reflected in Class 1, BBB in Class 2, BB in Class 3 and B and below in Classes 4 to 6. If a designation is not currently available from the NAIC, JNL's investment advisor, PPM America, provided the designation for the purposes of disclosure below.
The following table shows the quality of publicly traded and SEC Rule 144A traded debt securities held by the US operations as at December 31, 2005:
|
Carrying value |
% of total |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
|
||
NAIC designation: | ||||
1 | 5,852 | 39.0 | ||
2 | 7,622 | 50.8 | ||
3 | 1,183 | 7.9 | ||
4 | 320 | 2.1 | ||
5 | 30 | 0.2 | ||
6 | | 0.0 | ||
15,007 | 100.0 | |||
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The following table shows the quality of the non-SEC Rule 144A traded private placement portfolio:
|
Carrying value |
% of total |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
|
||
NAIC designation: | ||||
1 | 1,368 | 42.8 | ||
2 | 1,471 | 46.0 | ||
3 | 299 | 9.3 | ||
4 | 51 | 1.6 | ||
5 | | | ||
6 | 11 | 0.3 | ||
3,200 | 100.0 | |||
Of the residential mortgage-backed securities, 86.9 per cent were rated AAA or the equivalent by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (including Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch) and 99.9 per cent were rated NAIC 1.
Of the commercial mortgage-backed securities, 100 per cent were rated by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (including Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch) and 98.5 per cent were rated investment grade.
(d) Process for setting assumptions and determining liabilities
Under the MSB of reporting applied under IFRS 4 for insurance contracts, providing the requirements of the Companies Act, UK GAAP standards and the ABI SORP are met, it is permissible to reflect the local basis of provisioning. In the case of JNL, except for adjustments for certain items, the carrying values of insurance assets and liabilities are consolidated into the Group accounts based on US GAAP. The exceptions are for IFRS accounting in 2004 for fixed index annuities, which include embedded derivatives that are supported by equity call options and VA GMWB benefits, and VA GMIB benefits. For 2004, before the adoption of IAS 39, the call options were valued at amortized cost whilst the VA benefits were recognized as a portion of accumulated assessments related to expected excess benefits under MSB. For 2005, in line with US GAAP, these are carried at fair value following the adoption of IAS 39 using the Black-Scholes option valuation methodology.
Under US GAAP, investment contracts (as defined for US GAAP purposes) are accounted for by applying in the first instance a retrospective deposit method to determine the liability for policyholder benefits. This is then augmented by potentially three additional amounts. These amounts are for:
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Capitalized acquisition costs and deferred income for these contracts are amortized over the life of the book of contracts. The present value of the estimated gross profits is computed using the rate of interest that accrues to policyholder balances (sometimes referred to as the contract rate). Estimated gross profits include estimates of the following elements, each of which will be determined based on the best estimate of amounts of the following individual elements over the life of the book of contracts without provision for adverse deviation for:
VA contracts written by JNL may, as described above, provide for GMDB, GMIB and GMWB features. In general terms, liabilities for these benefits are accounted for under US GAAP by using estimates of future benefits and fees under best estimate persistency assumptions.
The GMDB liability is determined each period end by estimating the expected value of death benefits in excess of the projected account balance and recognizing the excess rateably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. At December 31, 2005, the GMDB liability was valued using a series of deterministic investment performance scenarios, a mean investment return of 8.4 per cent (2004: 8.4 per cent) and assumptions for lapse, mortality and expense that are the same as those used in amortization of capitalized acquisition costs.
The direct GMIB liability is determined by estimating the expected value of the annuitization benefits in excess of the projected account balance at the date of annuitization and recognizing the excess rateably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments.
The assumptions used for calculating the direct GMIB liability at December 31, 2005 and 2004 are consistent with those used for calculating the GMDB liability.
JNL regularly evaluates estimates used and adjusts the additional GMDB and GMIB liability balances, with a related charge or credit to benefit expense, if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier assumptions should be revised.
GMIB benefits are essentially fully reinsured, subject to annual claim limits. As this reinsurance benefit is net settled, it is considered to be a derivative under IAS 39 and is, therefore, recognized at fair value with the change in fair value included as a component of short-term derivative fluctuations.
Most GMWB features are considered to be embedded derivatives under IAS 39. Therefore, provisions for these benefits are recognized at fair value, with the change in fair value included in [the net income]. Certain GMWB features guarantee payments over a lifetime and, therefore, include
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mortality risk. Provisions for these GMWB amounts, which are not significant, are valued consistent with the GMDB valuation method discussed above.
The fair values of the GMWB and GMIB reinsurance derivatives are calculated based on actuarial assumptions related to the projected cash flows, including benefits and related contract charges, over the expected lives of the contracts, incorporating expectations regarding policyholder behavior in varying economic conditions. As the nature of these cash flows can be quite varied, stochastic techniques are used to generate a variety of market return scenarios for evaluation. The generation of these scenarios and the assumptions as to policyholder behavior involve numerous estimates and subjective judgements, including those regarding expected market volatility, correlations of market returns and discount rates, utilization of the benefit by policyholders under varying conditions, and policyholder lapsation. At each valuation date, JNL assumes expected returns based on risk-free rates as represented by the LIBOR forward curve rates as of that date and market volatility as determined with reference to implied volatility data and evaluations of historical volatilities for various indices. The risk-free spot rates as represented by the LIBOR spot curve as of the valuation date are used to determine the present value of expected future cash flows produced in the stochastic process.
With the exception of the GMDB, GMIB and GMWB features of VA contracts, the financial guarantee features of JNL's contracts are in most circumstances not explicitly valued under the standard US GAAP basis of calculation, but the impact of any interest guarantees would be reflected as they are earned in the current account value (i.e. the US GAAP liability).
For traditional life insurance contracts, provisions for future policy benefits are determined under US GAAP standard FAS 60, 'Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises' using the net level premium method and assumptions as of the issue date as to mortality, interest, policy lapses and expenses plus provisions for adverse deviation.
Institutional products are accounted for as investment contracts under IFRS with the liability classified as being in respect of financial instruments rather than insurance contracts, as defined by IFRS 4. In practice, there is no material difference between the IFRS and US GAAP basis of recognition and measurement for these contracts.
Certain institutional products representing obligations issued in currencies other than US dollars have been hedged for changes in exchange rates using cross-currency swaps. The fair value of derivatives embedded in funding agreements, as well as foreign currency transaction gains and losses, are included in the carrying value of the trust instruments supported by funding agreements.
(e) Reinsurance
The principal reinsurance ceded by JNL outside the Group is on term life insurance, direct and assumed accident and health business and certain annuity guarantees. In 2005, the premiums for such ceded business amounted to £78 million. Net commissions received on ceded business and claims incurred ceded to external reinsurers totaled £13 million and £54 million, respectively, during 2005. There were no deferred gains or losses on reinsurance contracts in either 2005 or 2004. The reinsurance asset for business ceded outside the Group was £520 million.
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(f) Effect of changes in assumptions used to measure insurance assets and liabilities
The net income for US operations for 2005 has been determined after taking account of material changes of assumptions during the year. Several assumptions were modified in 2005 to conform to more recent experience. The most significant changes included a DAC write-down of £21 million for Single Premium Deferred Annuities partial withdrawal changes and a Universal Life SOP 03-1, 'Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Non-traditional Long Duration Contracts and Separate Accounts' reserve increase of £13 million due to increasing the mortality assumption. Several smaller changes relating to Single Premium Whole Life surrenders and annuity mortality and annuitization rates, resulted in a £19 million benefit on adjusting amortization of deferred acquisition costs. Combined with other minor modifications, the resulting net impact of all changes during the year was a decrease to pre-tax profits of £7 million.
(g) Sensitivity of IFRS basis profit or loss and equity to changes that have a material effect
(i) Currency fluctuations
Consistent with the Group's accounting policies the profits of the Group's US operations are translated at average exchange rates and shareholders' equity at the closing rate for the reporting period. For 2005, the rates were US$1.82 and US$1.72 to £1 sterling respectively. A 10 per cent increase in these rates would reduce reported profit before tax attributable to shareholders and shareholders' equity attributable to US insurance operations by £48 million and £270 million respectively.
(ii) Other sensitivities
The principal determinants of variations in net income are:
For the purpose of determining longer-term returns, adjustment is necessary for the normalization of investment returns to remove the effects of short-term volatility in investment returns.
For term business, acquisition costs are deferred and amortized in line with expected premiums. For annuity business, acquisition costs are deferred and amortized in line with expected gross profits on the relevant contracts. For interest-sensitive business, the key assumption is the expected long-term spread between the earned rate and the rate credited to policyholders, which is based on an annual spread analysis. In addition, expected gross profits depend on mortality assumptions, assumed unit costs and terminations other than deaths (including the related charges) all of which are based on a combination of actual experience of the JNL companies, industry experience and future expectations. A detailed analysis of actual experience is measured by the internally developed mortality studies. For VA business, the key assumption is the expected long-term level of equity market returns which for 2005 and 2004, was 8.4 per cent per annum implemented using a mean reversion methodology. These returns affect the
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level of future expected profits through their effects on the fee income and the required level of provision for guaranteed minimum death benefit claims.
Except to the extent of mortality experience, which primarily affects profits through variations in claim payments and GMDB reserves, the profits of JNL are relatively insensitive to changes in insurance risk.
(iii) Exposure to interest rate risk
Notwithstanding the market risk exposure described in section D3(c), except in the circumstances of interest rate scenarios where the guarantee rates included in contract terms are higher than crediting rates that can be supported from assets held to cover liabilities, the accounting measurement of liabilities of JNL products is not generally sensitive to interest rate risk. This position derives from the nature of the products and the US GAAP basis of measurement described in sections D3(b) and D3(d).
(h) Duration of liabilities
The Group uses cash flow projections of expected benefit payments as part of the determination of the value of in-force business when preparing EEV basis results. The maturity profile of the cash flows used for that purpose for 2005 is as follows:
|
Fixed annuity and other business (including GICs and similar contracts) % |
Variable annuity % |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Expected maturity: | ||||
0 to 5 years | 34 | 34 | ||
5 to 10 years | 29 | 31 | ||
10 to 15 years | 17 | 19 | ||
15 to 20 years | 10 | 10 | ||
20 to 25 years | 5 | 4 | ||
Over 25 years | 5 | 2 |
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Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
D4: Asian operations
(a) Summary balance sheet at December 31, 2005
|
With-profit business |
Unit-linked assets and liabilities |
Other |
Total |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
||||||
Assets | ||||||||||
Goodwill attributable to shareholders | | | 172 | 172 | ||||||
Other intangibles (primarily deferred acquisition costs) | | | 566 | 566 | ||||||
Total | | | 738 | 738 | ||||||
Other non-investment and non-cash assets | 104 | 11 | 451 | 566 | ||||||
Investments of long-term business, banking and other operations: | ||||||||||
Investment properties | 24 | | 15 | 39 | ||||||
Financial investments: | ||||||||||
Loans and receivables | 382 | | 723 | 1,105 | ||||||
Equity securities and portfolio holdings in unit trusts | 2,444 | 1,889 | 626 | 4,959 | ||||||
Debt securities | 1,901 | 704 | 2,137 | 4,742 | ||||||
Other investments | 15 | 3 | 27 | 45 | ||||||
Deposits | 102 | 67 | 205 | 374 | ||||||
Total investments | 4,868 | 2,663 | 3,733 | 11,264 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 114 | 24 | 366 | 504 | ||||||
Total assets | 5,086 | 2,698 | 5,288 | 13,072 | ||||||
Equity and liabilities | ||||||||||
Equity | ||||||||||
Shareholders' equity | | | 1,288 | 1,288 | ||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||
Policyholder liabilities and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds: | ||||||||||
Insurance contract liabilities | 4,545 | 2,698 | 3,483 | 10,726 | ||||||
Investment contract liabilities with discretionary participation features | 80 | | | 80 | ||||||
Investment contract liabilities without discretionary participation features | 22 | | | 22 | ||||||
Unallocated surplus of with-profits funds | 85 | | | 85 | ||||||
Total | 4,732 | 2,698 | 3,483 | 10,913 | ||||||
Other non-insurance liabilities | 354 | | 517 | 871 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 5,086 | 2,698 | 4,000 | 11,784 | ||||||
Total equity and liabilities | 5,086 | 2,698 | 5,288 | 13,072 | ||||||
F-89
Summary policyholder liabilities (net of reinsurance) and unallocated surplus at December 31, 2005
The policyholder liabilities (net of reinsurance of £8 million) and unallocated surplus shown in the table above reflect the following balances:
|
2005 |
|
---|---|---|
|
£ million |
|
With-profits and other non-linked business | 8,122 | |
Unallocated surplus of Asian operations | 85 | |
Unit-linked business | 2,698 | |
10,905 | ||
At December 31, 2005 the policyholder liabilities (net of reinsurance) and unallocated surplus for Asian operations of £10.9 billion (2004: £7.9 billion) comprised the following:
|
2005 |
|
---|---|---|
|
£ million |
|
Singapore | 3,938 | |
Hong Kong | 2,156 | |
Taiwan | 2,050 | |
Japan | 631 | |
Malaysia | 763 | |
Other countries | 1,367 | |
Total Asian operations | 10,905 | |
This amount covers a range of with-profit, unit-linked and non-participating contracts.
(b) Products and guarantees
The life insurance products offered by the Group's Asian operations include a range of with-profits and non-participating term, whole life, endowment and unit-linked policies. The Group's Asian operations also offer health, disability, critical illness, and accident coverage to supplement its core life products.
The terms and conditions of the contracts written in the Asian operations and, in particular, the products' options and guarantees, vary from territory to territory depending upon local market circumstances.
In general terms, the Group's Asian participating products provide savings and protection where the basic sum assured can be enhanced by a profit share (or bonus) from the underlying fund as determined at the discretion of the insurers. The Asian operations' non-participating term, whole life and products offer savings with protection where the benefits are guaranteed or determined by a set of defined market related parameters. Unit-linked products combine savings with protection, the cash value of the policy depends on the value of the underlying unitized funds. Accident and Health (A&H) policies provide mortality or morbidity benefits and includes health, disability, critical illness and accident
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coverage. A&H products are commonly offered as supplements to main life policies but can be sold separately.
Subject to local market circumstances and regulatory requirements, the guarantee features described above in respect of UK business broadly apply to similar types of participating contracts written in the PAC Hong Kong branch, Singapore and Malaysia. Participating products have both guaranteed and non-guaranteed elements.
Non-participating long-term products are the only ones where the insurer is contractually obliged to provide guarantees on all benefits. Investment-linked products have the lowest level of guarantee if indeed they have any.
Product guarantees in Asia can be broadly classified into four main categories; namely premium rate, cash value and interest guarantees, policy renewability and convertibility options.
The risks on death coverage through premium rate guarantees are low due to appropriate product pricing.
Cash value and interest rate guarantees are of three types:
Market value adjustments and surrender penalties are used where the law permits such adjustments in cash values.
The guarantees are borne by shareholders for non-participating and investment-linked (non-investment guarantees only) products. Participating product guarantees are predominantly supported by the segregated life fund and its estate.
The most significant book of non-participating business in the Group's Asian operations is Taiwan's whole of life contracts. For these contracts there are floor levels of policyholder benefits that accrue at rates set at inception which are set by reference to minimum terms established by local regulation also at the time of inception. These rates do not vary subsequently with market conditions.
Under these contracts, the cost of premiums are also fixed at inception based on a number of assumptions at that time, including long-term interest rates, mortality assumptions and expenses. The guaranteed maturity and surrender values reflect the pricing basis. The main variable that determines the
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amounts payable under the contracts is the duration of the contracts, which is determined by death or surrender. The sensitivity of the IFRS result for these contracts is shown in section (g) below.
Whole life contracts with floor levels of policyholder benefits that accrue at rates set at inception are also written in the Korean life operations, though to a much less significant extent than in Taiwan. The Korean business has non-linked liabilities and linked liabilities at December 31, 2005 of £193 million and £91 million respectively. The business is much less sensitive to returns than Taiwan with the higher proportion of linked and health business.
The other area of note in respect of guarantees is the Japan business where pricing rates are higher than current bond yields. Lapse risk is a feature in that policyholders could potentially surrender their policies on guaranteed terms if interest rates significantly increased leaving the potential for losses if bond values had depreciated significantly. However, the business is matched to a relatively short realistic liability duration.
The method for determining liabilities of insurance contracts for UK GAAP, and hence IFRS, purposes for some Asian operations is based on US GAAP principles and this method applies to contracts with cash value and interest rate guarantees. Following standard US GAAP procedure, premium deficiency reserve calculations are performed each year to establish whether the carrying values of the liabilities are insufficient.
On the US GAAP basis the calculations are deterministic, that is to say based off a single set of projections, and expected long-term rates of return are applied.
(c) Exposure to market risk
In Asia, Prudential sells with-profits and unit-linked policies and, although the with-profits business generally has a lower terminal bonus element than in the UK, the investment portfolio still contains a proportion of equities and, to a lesser extent, property. Non-participating business is largely backed by debt securities or deposits. With the principal exception of Taiwan's whole of life policy book, as described in section (h) below, the exposure to market risk of the Group arising from its Asian operations is at modest levels. This arises from the fact that the Group's Asian operations have a balanced portfolio of with-profits, unit-linked and other types of business.
(d) Process for setting assumptions and determining liabilities
The future policyholder benefit provisions for Asian businesses in the Group's IFRS accounts and previously under the MSB, are determined in accordance with methods prescribed by local GAAP adjusted to comply, where necessary, with UK GAAP.
For Asian operations in countries where local GAAP is not well established and in which the business written is primarily non-participating and linked business, US GAAP is used as the most appropriate reporting basis. Of the more significant Asia operations this basis is applied in Taiwan, Japan and Vietnam. The future policyholder benefit provisions for non-linked business are determined under FAS 60 using the net level premium method, with an allowance for surrenders, maintenance and claims expenses. Rates of interest used in establishing the policyholder benefit provisions vary by operation depending on the circumstances attaching to each block of business.
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For the traditional business in Taiwan, the economic scenarios used to calculate the IFRS results reflect the assumption of a phased progression of bond yields from current rates to long-term expected rates. The projections assume that the current bond yields of around 2 per cent (3 per cent) trend towards 5.5 per cent (5.5 per cent) at December 31 2012 (2010).
(e) Reinsurance
The Group's Asian businesses cede only minor amounts of business outside the Group with immaterial effects on reported profit. During 2005, reinsurance premiums for externally ceded business were £37 million and reinsurance recoverable insurance assets were £8 million in aggregate.
(f) Effect of changes in bases and assumptions used to measure insurance assets and liabilities
The 2005 results for Asian operations are affected in two significant ways for changes of basis or assumption.
For the Singapore life business, under the basis applied previously, 2004 liabilities of non-participating business were determined on a net premium basis using prescribed interest rates such that a very high degree of prudence resulted. This basis has been replaced under the Singapore risk-based capital framework, with one that, although still including provisions for adverse deviation, more accurately estimates the liability. This has resulted in a change of estimate and reduction in the liability of £73 million.
The second item reflects the application of liability adequacy testing for the Taiwan life business, which has resulted in a write-off of deferred acquisition costs of £21 million in 2005. The assumptions for future investment returns for Taiwan are described in section (d) above. The loss reflects the reduction in 2005 in the expected yields over the trending period to the assumed long-term rate of 5.5 per cent for Taiwanese government bonds.
There were no other changes of assumptions that had a material impact on the 2005 results of Asian operations.
(g) Sensitivity of IFRS basis profit or loss and equity to changes that have a material effect
(i) Currency translation
Consistent with the Group's accounting policies, the profits of the Group's Asian operations are translated at average exchange rates and shareholders' equity at the closing rate for the reporting period. For 2005, the rates for the most significant operations are given in note I9.
A 10 per cent increase in these rates and those of other Asian operations would have reduced reported profit before tax attributable to shareholders and shareholders' equity, excluding goodwill attributable to Asian operations, by £23 million and £101 million respectively.
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(ii) Other sensitivities
With-profits business
Similar principles to those explained for UK with-profits business apply to profit emergence for the Group's Asian with-profit business. Correspondingly the profit emergence reflects bonus declaration and is relatively insensitive to period by period fluctuations in insurance risk or interest rate movements.
Unit-linked business
As for the UK insurance operations, the profits and shareholders' equity related to the Group's Asian operations is primarily driven by charges related to invested funds. For the Group's Asian operations substantially all of the contracts are classified as insurance contracts under IFRS 4, i.e. containing significant insurance risk. The sensitivity of profits and equity to changes in insurance risk is minor, and to interest rate risk, not material.
Other non-participating business
The principal other non-participating business of Asian operations is the traditional whole life business written in Taiwan.
The in-force business of Taiwan life operation includes traditional whole of life policies where the premium rates have been set by the regulator at different points for the industry as a whole. Premium rates were set to give a guaranteed minimum sum assured on death and a guaranteed surrender value on early surrender based on prevailing interest rates at the time of policy issue. Premium rates also included allowance for mortality and expenses. The required rates of guarantee have fallen over time as interest rates have reduced from a high of 8 per cent to current levels of around 2 per cent. The current low level of bond rates in Taiwan gives rise to a negative spread against the majority of these policies. The current cash costs of funding in-force negative spread in Taiwan is around £30 million a year.
The profits attaching to these contracts are particularly affected by the rates of return earned, and estimated to be earned, on the assets held to cover liabilities and on future investment income and contract cash flows. Under IFRS, the insurance contract liabilities of the Taiwan business are determined on the US GAAP basis as applied previously under UK GAAP. Under this basis the policy liabilities are calculated on sets of assumptions, which are locked in at the point of policy inception, and a deferred acquisition cost is held in the balance sheet.
The adequacy of the insurance contract liabilities is tested by reference to best estimates of expected investment returns on policy cash flows and reinvested income. The assumed earned rates are used to discount the future cash flows. The assumed earned rates consist of a long-term best estimate determined by consideration of long-term market conditions, and rates assumed to be earned in the trending in period. As previously noted in section (d), for 2005, it has been projected that rates of return for Taiwanese bond yields will trend from the current levels of some 2 per cent to 5.5 per cent by December 31 2012.
The liability adequacy test results are sensitive to the attainment of the trended rates during the trending period. Based on the current asset mix, margins in other contracts that are used in the assessment of the liability adequacy tests, and currently assumed future rates of return, if interest rates
F-94
were to remain at current levels in 2006 the premium reserve, net of deferred acquisition costs, would be broadly sufficient. If interest rates were to remain at current levels in 2007 then some level of write-off of deferred acquisition costs may be necessary. However, the amount of the charge, currently estimated at £50-70 million is sensitive for the previously mentioned variables.
The adequacy of the liability is also sensitive to the level of the projected long-term rate. The current long-term assumption of 5.5 per cent has been determined on a prudent best estimate basis by reference to detailed assessments of the financial dynamics of the Taiwanese economy. In the event that the rate applied was reduced or increased the carrying value of the liabilities would be affected.
In broad terms, if the assumed long-term rate applied was to fall by 0.25 per cent from 5.5 per cent to 5.25 per cent the impact on IFRS basis results would be a charge of some £120-130 million. If the rate was to further reduce the incremental increase in liabilities would be of a similarly commensurate size. The effects of changes in any one year reflect the combination of the short-term and long-term factors described above.
For the Korean and Japan life business exposures described in section (b) above, the results are comparatively unaffected by changes of assumption. The accounts basis value of liabilities for both operations are of a similar order of magnitude to those that apply for the purposes of Group solvency calculations under the Financial Conglomerates Directive (FCD).
(h) Duration of liabilities
The Group uses cash flow projections of expected benefit payments as part of the determination of the value of in-force business when preparing EEV basis results. The maturity profile of the cash flows, taking account of expected future premiums and investment returns, is as follows:
|
Asia total % |
|
---|---|---|
Expected maturity: | ||
0 to 5 years | 23 | |
5 to 10 years | 25 | |
10 to 15 years | 19 | |
15 to 20 years | 12 | |
20 to 25 years | 8 | |
Over 25 years | 13 | |
F-95
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
D5: Capital position statement for life assurance businesses
(a) Summary statement
The Group's capital position for life assurance businesses with reconciliations to shareholders' funds is shown below. Available capital for each fund or group of companies for the Group's life assurance businesses shown in the table below is determined by reference to local regulation at December 31, 2004 and 2005. Group capital requirements also apply as discussed in note D5(b)(iv).
December 31, 2005 |
SAIF £ million |
WPSF (note i) £ million |
Total PAC with- profits fund £ million |
Other UK subsidiaries and funds (note ii) £ million |
JNL £ million |
Asian life assurance subsidiaries £ million |
Total life assurance operatiosn £ million |
M&G £ million |
Egg £ million |
Parent company and shareholders' equity of other subsidiaries and funds £ million |
Group £ million |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Group shareholders' equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Held outside long-term funds: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets | 0 | 0 | 0 | 640 | 2,899 | 1,034 | 4,573 | 245 | 303 | (1,826 | ) | 3,295 | |||||||||||
Goodwill | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 111 | 111 | 1,153 | | 77 | 1,341 | ||||||||||||
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 640 | 2,899 | 1,145 | 4,684 | 1,398 | 303 | (1,749 | ) | 4,636 | |||||||||||
Held in long-term funds (note iii) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 558 | | | 558 | | | | 558 | ||||||||||||
Total Group shareholders' equity | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,198 | 2,899 | 1,145 | 5,242 | 1,398 | 303 | (1,749 | ) | 5,194 | |||||||||||
Adjustments to regulatory basis | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Unallocated surplus of with-profits funds (note v) | 0 | 11,272 | 11,272 | | | 85 | 11,357 | ||||||||||||||||
Shareholders' share in realistic liabilities | | (3,473 | ) | (3,473 | ) | | | | (3,473 | ) | |||||||||||||
Deferred acquisition costs of non-participating business and goodwill not recognized for regulatory reporting purposes | (6 | ) | (29 | ) | (35 | ) | (168 | ) | (1,624 | ) | (619 | ) | (2,446 | ) | |||||||||
JNL surplus notes (note iv) | | | | | 145 | | 145 | ||||||||||||||||
Part of IAS 19 basis deficit attributable to WPSF not recognized for regulatory purposes | | 211 | 211 | | | | 211 | ||||||||||||||||
Other adjustments to restate these amounts to a regulatory basis (with SAIF and the WPSF on a Peak 2 realistic basis) (note v) | 6 | (2 | ) | 4 | (271 | ) | 837 | (41 | ) | 529 | |||||||||||||
Total adjustments | 0 | 7,979 | 7,979 | (439 | ) | (642 | ) | (575 | ) | 6,323 | |||||||||||||
Total available capital resources of life assurance businesses on local regulatory bases | 0 | 7,979 | 7,979 | 759 | 2,257 | 570 | 11,565 | ||||||||||||||||
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Policyholder liabilities |
SAIF £ bn |
WPSF (note i) £ bn |
Other UK subsidiaries and funds (note ii) £ bn |
JNL £ bn |
Asian life operations £ bn |
Total life assurance operations £ bn |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
With-profits liabilities of UK regulated with-profits funds: | ||||||||||||||
Insurance contracts | 13,043 | 32,557 | | | 2,053 | 47,653 | ||||||||
Investment contracts (with discretionary participating features) | 751 | 25,692 | | | 80 | 26,523 | ||||||||
Total | 13,794 | 58,249 | | | 2,133 | 74,176 | ||||||||
Other liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
Insurance contracts: | ||||||||||||||
With-profit liabilities of non-UK regulated funds | | | | | 2,492 | 2,492 | ||||||||
Unit-linked, including variable annuity | | 2,125 | 7,629 | 8,574 | 2,698 | 21,026 | ||||||||
Other life assurance business | 968 | 12,810 | 10,099 | 21,905 | 3,483 | 49,265 | ||||||||
Investment contracts without discretionary participation features (principally unit-linked and similar contracts in the UK and GIC liabilities of JNL) (note vi) | | | 10,502 | 1,502 | 22 | 12,026 | ||||||||
968 | 14,935 | 28,230 | 31,981 | 8,695 | 84,809 | |||||||||
Total policyholder liabilities shown in the consolidated balance sheet | 14,762 | 73,184 | 28,230 | 31,981 | 10,828 | 158,985 | ||||||||
F-97
December 31, 2004 |
SAIF £ million |
WPSF (note i) £ million |
Total PAC with- profits fund £ million |
Other UK subsidiaries and non- profit funds of PAC (note ii) £ million |
JNL £ million |
Asian life assurance subsidiaries £ million |
Total life assurance operatiosn £ million |
M&G £ million |
Egg £ million |
Parent company and shareholders' equity of other subsidiaries and funds £ million |
Group £ million |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Group shareholders' equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Held outside long-term funds: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets | 0 | 0 | 0 | 308 | 2,295 | 750 | 3,353 | 300 | 273 | (1,413 | ) | 2,513 | |||||||||||
Goodwill | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 231 | 231 | 1,153 | | 77 | 1,461 | ||||||||||||
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 308 | 2,295 | 981 | 3,584 | 1,453 | 273 | (1,336 | ) | 3,974 | |||||||||||
Held in long-term funds (note iii) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 515 | | | 515 | | | | 515 | ||||||||||||
Total Group shareholders' equity | 0 | 0 | 0 | 823 | 2,295 | 981 | 4,099 | 1,453 | 273 | (1,336 | ) | 4,489 | |||||||||||
Adjustments to regulatory basis | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Unallocated surplus of with-profits funds (note v): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Reflecting previous GAAP basis of measuring liabilities for with-profit contracts for UK regulated with-profits funds | 1,836 | 13,928 | 15,764 | | | 385 | 16,149 | ||||||||||||||||
Transition adjustment on application of FRS 27 and IAS 39 | (1,305 | ) | (6,502 | ) | (7,807 | ) | | | | (7,807 | ) | ||||||||||||
Reflecting FSA realistic basis of measuring liabilities for with-profit contracts for UK regulated with-profits funds | 531 | 7,426 | 7,957 | 0 | 0 | 385 | 8,342 | ||||||||||||||||
Shareholders' share in realistic liabilities | 0 | (2,904 | ) | (2,904 | ) | | | | (2,904 | ) | |||||||||||||
Deferred acquisition costs of non-participating business and goodwill not recognized for regulatory reporting purposes | 0 | (31 | ) | (31 | ) | (115 | ) | (1,528 | ) | (690 | ) | (2,364 | ) | ||||||||||
JNL surplus notes (note iv) | | | | | 130 | | 130 | ||||||||||||||||
IAS 19 basis deficit attributable to WPSF not recognized for regulatory purposes | | 525 | 525 | | | | 525 | ||||||||||||||||
Other adjustments to restate these amounts to a regulatory basis (with SAIF and the WPSF on a Peak 2 realistic basis) (note v) | 146 | 348 | 494 | (160 | ) | 899 | (55 | ) | 1,178 | ||||||||||||||
Total adjustments | 677 | 5,364 | 6,041 | (275 | ) | (499 | ) | (360 | ) | 4,907 | |||||||||||||
Total available capital resources of life assurance businesses on local regulatory bases | 677 | 5,364 | 6,041 | 548 | 1,796 | 621 | 9,006 | ||||||||||||||||
F-98
The Group's policyholder liabilities at December 31, 2004 comprise:
|
SAIF £ million |
WPSF £ million |
Other UK subsidiaries and funds £ million |
JNL £ million |
Asian life operations £ million |
Total life assurance operations £ million |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
With-profits business | 10,891 | 48,285 | | | 3,380 | 62,556 | ||||||
Unit-linked business | 0 | 2,009 | 14,897 | 5,392 | 1,768 | 24,066 | ||||||
Other life assurance business | 846 | 12,774 | 6,499 | 19,596 | 2,725 | 42,440 | ||||||
Total policyholder liabilities as shown in the consolidated balance sheet | 11,737 | 63,068 | 21,396 | 24,988 | 7,873 | 129,062 | ||||||
Notes
(b) Basis of preparation, capital requirements and management
Each of the Group's long-term business operations is capitalized to a sufficiently strong level for its individual circumstances. Details by the Group's major operations are shown below.
(i) UK insurance operations
PAC WPSF and SAIF
In common with other large UK regulated with-profits funds, PAC is required to hold capital equivalent to the greater of their regulatory requirement based on EU directives, (i.e. the 'regulatory peak') and the new FSA basis calculation of expected liabilities (i.e. the 'realistic peak').
Available capital of the WPSF and SAIF of £8.0 billion (2004: £6.0 billion) represents the excess of assets over liabilities on the regulatory realistic basis. Unlike the previously discussed FRS 27 basis, realistic liabilities on the regulatory basis include the shareholders' share of future bonuses. These amounts are shown before deduction of the risk capital margin (RCM) which is estimated to be £2.4 billion (2004: £1.8 billion) at December 31, 2005.
The FSA's basis of setting the RCM is to target at a level broadly equivalent to a Standard & Poor's credit rating of BBB and of judging this by ensuring there are sufficient assets to absorb a 1 in 200 year event. The RCM calculation achieves this by setting rules for the determination of margins to cover defined stress changes in asset values and yields for market risk, credit risk, and termination risk for with-profit policies.
F-99
As noted in section D2(d)(ii), the Company has discretion in its management actions in the case of adverse investment conditions. Management actions encompass, but are not confined to, investment allocation decisions, levels of reversionary bonuses, crediting rates, and total claim values. To illustrate the flexibility of management actions, rates of regular bonus are determined for each type of policy primarily by targeting them at a prudent proportion of the long-term expected future investment return on the underlying assets. The expected future investment return is reduced as appropriate for each type of policy to allow for items such as expenses, charges, tax and shareholders' transfers. However, the rates declared may differ by product type, or by date of payment of the premiums or date of issue of the policy, if the accumulated annual bonuses are particularly high or low relative to a prudent proportion of the achieved investment return.
When target bonus levels change, the PAC board has regard to the overall financial strength of the long-term fund when determining the length of time over which it will seek to achieve the amended product target bonus level.
In normal investment conditions, the Company expects changes to regular bonus rates to be gradual over time and changes are not expected to exceed 1 per cent per annum over any year. However, discretion is retained as to whether or not a regular bonus is declared each year, and there is no limit on the amount by which regular bonus rates can be changed.
As regards smoothing of maturity and death benefits, in normal circumstances the Company does not expect most pay-out values on policies of the same duration to change by more than 10 per cent up or down from one year to the next, although some larger changes may occur to balance pay-out values between different policies. Greater flexibility may be required in certain circumstances, for example following a significant rise or fall in market values (either sudden or over a period of years) and in such situations the PAC board may decide to vary the standard bonus smoothing limits to protect the overall interests of policyholders.
For surrender benefits, any substantial fall in the market value of the assets of the with-profits sub-fund would lead to immediate changes in the application of MVRs for accumulating with-profits policies, firstly to increase the size of MVRs already being applied and, secondly, to extend the range of policies for which an MVR is applied.
Other UK subsidiaries
The available capital of £759 million (2004: £548 million) reflects the excess of regulatory basis assets over liabilities, before deduction of the capital resources requirement of £580 million (2004: £462 million).
The capital resources requirement for these companies broadly reflects a formula, which for active funds equates to a percentage of regulatory reserves plus a percentage of death strains.
(ii) Jackson National Life
The regulatory framework for JNL is governed by the requirements of the US NAIC approved risk-based capital standards. Under the requirements life insurance companies report on a formula-based capital standard that they calculate by applying factors to various asset, premium and reserve items. The formula takes into account the risk characteristics of a company, including asset risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk and business risk.
The available capital of JNL shown above of £2,257 million (2004: £1,796 million) reflects US regulatory basis assets less liabilities excluding asset valuation reserves but inclusive of provision for interest (the interest maintenance reserve). The asset valuation reserve is designed to provide for future credit-related losses on debt
F-100
securities and losses on equity investments. The interest maintenance reserve is designed by state regulators to defer recognition of non-credit related realized capital gains and losses.
JNL's risk-based capital ratio is significantly in excess of regulatory requirements.
(iii) Asian operations
The available capital shown above of £570 million (2004: £621 million) represents the excess of local regulatory basis assets over liabilities before deduction of required capital of £149 million (2004: £177 million). These amounts have been determined applying the local regulations in each of the operations.
At the country level, Prudential's businesses in Asia are subject to comprehensive and supervisory schemes in the jurisdictions in which they operate. The Hong Kong business branch of PAC and its capital requirements are subsumed within those of the PAC long-term fund. For the Group's other material Asian operations the details of the basis of determining regulatory capital and regulatory capital requirements are as follows:
Singapore
A new risk-based regulatory framework was introduced at the start of 2005 to replace the previous framework that used a net premium approach.
For participating business, a gross premium reserve, determined using prudent best estimate assumptions and which makes allowance for future bonus, is held. The amount held is subject to a minimum of the higher of the assets attributed to participating business and a gross premium reserve calculated on specified assumptions, but without allowance for future bonus, that include prescribed provisions for adverse deviations (PADs).
For non-participating business, gross premium reserves are held. For linked business the value of units is held together with a non-unit reserve calculated in accordance with standard actuarial methodology.
From January 1, 2005, capital requirements are determined using a risk-based capital approach.
F-101
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
Taiwan
Basic policy reserves are determined using a net premium method. Both mortality and interest rates are specified. For more recent issues, the valuation rate of interest has been linked to the prevailing market rate on 10-year government bonds.
Solvency capital is determined using a risk-based capital approach.
Japan
Mathematical reserves for traditional business are determined on a net premium basis using prescribed mortality and interest rates. Interest rates reflect the original pricing assumptions.
For linked business the value of units is held together with a non-unit reserve calculated in accordance with standard actuarial methodology.
With regard to solvency, the adjusted solvency capital assets of the Company must exceed 200 per cent of the risk related capital requirement value at risk. It is thus a risk-based capital approach.
Malaysia
Mathematical reserves for traditional business are determined on a modified net premium basis using prescribed mortality and interest rates (no higher than 4 per cent).
For linked business the value of units is held together with a non-unit reserve calculated in accordance with standard actuarial methodology.
The capital requirement is determined as 4 per cent of reserves plus a specified percentage of sums at risk. There is an overriding minimum capital requirement of RM100 million.
(iv) Group capital requirements
In addition to the requirements at individual company level, FSA requirements under the FCD apply additional Prudential requirements for the Group as a whole.
The FCD requires European financial services groups to maintain on a continuous basis net aggregate surplus capital in excess of solvency requirements at the Group level. The FCD requires a continuous parent company solvency test which requires the aggregating of surplus capital held in the regulated subsidiaries from which group borrowings are deducted, other than those subordinated debt issues which qualify as capital. As at December 31, 2005, Prudential met the requirements of the FCD.
F-102
(c) Movements in total available capital
Total available capital for the Group's life assurance operations, determined by reference to local regulations, has changed during 2005 as follows:
|
2005 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
|||
Available capital at December 31, 2004 | 9,006 | |||
Changes: | ||||
WPSF (note i) | 2,615 | |||
SAIF (note ii) | (677 | ) | ||
JNL (note iii) | 461 | |||
Other | 160 | |||
2,559 | ||||
Available capital at December 31, 2005 | 11,565 | |||
Notes
The increase in available capital arises from:
|
2005 |
||
---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
||
Investment return, net of tax and investment management expenses | 1,329 | ||
Decrease in inadmissible assets | 309 | ||
Decrease in cost of guarantees | 547 | ||
Decrease in cost of bonus smoothing | 195 | ||
Increase in the value of PAL and non-profit business | 212 | ||
Other | 23 | ||
2,615 | |||
The decrease of £677 million, reflects the impact of FSA actuarial guidance note GN 45 as explained in note D2(f).
The increase of £461 million reflects an underlying increase of £252 million (applying the 2005 year end exchange rate of 1.72) and £209 million of exchange translation gain.
(d) Transferability of available capital
For PAC and all other UK long-term insurers, long-term business assets and liabilities must, by law, be maintained in funds separate from those for the assets and liabilities attributable to non-life insurance business or to shareholders. Only the 'established surplus'the excess of assets over liabilities in the long-term fund determined through a formal valuationmay be transferred so as to be available for other purposes. Distributions from the with-profit sub-fund to shareholders reflect the shareholders' one-ninth share of the cost of declared policyholders' bonuses.
Accordingly, the excess of assets over liabilities of the PAC long-term fund is retained within that company. The retention of the capital enables the Company to support with-profits and other business
F-103
of the fund by, for example, providing the benefits associated with smoothing and guarantees. It also provides investment flexibility for the fund's assets, by meeting the regulatory capital requirements that demonstrate solvency, and by absorbing the costs of significant events or fundamental changes in its long-term business without affecting the bonus and investment policies.
For other UK long-term business subsidiaries the amounts retained within the companies are at levels which provide an appropriate level of capital strength in excess of the regulatory minimum.
For JNL, capital retention is maintained at a level consistent with an appropriate rating by Standard & Poor's. Currently JNL is rated AA. JNL can pay dividends on its capital stock only out of earned surplus unless prior regulatory approval is obtained. Furthermore, dividends which exceed the greater of 10 per cent of JNL's statutory surplus or statutory net gain from operations for the prior year require prior regulatory approval.
For Asian subsidiaries, the amounts retained within the companies are at levels that provide an appropriate level of capital strength in excess of the local regulatory minimum. For ring-fenced with-profit funds the excess of assets over liabilities is retained with distribution tied to the shareholders' share of bonuses through declaration of actuarially determined surplus. The Group's Singapore and Malaysian businesses may remit dividends to the Group, in general, provided the statutory insurance fund meets the capital adequacy standard required under local statutory regulations.
Available capital of the non-insurance business units is transferable to the life assurance businesses after taking account of an appropriate level of operating capital, based on local regulatory solvency targets, over and above basis liabilities. The economic capital model described in section D1 (concentration of risks) takes into account restrictions on mobility of capital across the Group with capital transfers to and from business units triggered at a solvency level consistent with these targets. The model takes into account restrictions on the availability to the Group of the estate of the various with-profits funds throughout the Group.
(e) Sensitivity of liabilities and total capital to changed market conditions and capital management policies
Prudential manages its assets, liabilities, and capital locally, in accordance with local regulatory requirements and reflecting the different types of liabilities Prudential has in each business. As a result of the diversity of products offered by Prudential and the different regulatory requirements in which it operates, Prudential employs differing methods of asset/liability and capital management, depending on the business concerned.
Stochastic modeling of assets and liabilities is undertaken in UK, JNL and Asia to assess the economic capital requirements under different confidence intervals and time horizons. In addition, reserve adequacy testing under a range of scenarios and dynamic solvency testing is carried out, including under certain scenarios mandated by the UK, US and Asian regulators.
A stochastic approach models the inter-relationship between asset and liability movements, taking into account asset correlation, management actions and policyholder behavior, under a large number of alternative economic scenarios. These scenarios are projected forward over a period of time, typically 25 years or longer, and the liabilities and solvency position of the fund are calculated in each scenario in
F-104
each future year. The fund's policy on management actions, including bonus and investment policy continue to be set in order that they are consistent with the available capital and the targeted risk of default.
The sensitivity of liabilities and other components of total capital vary depending upon the type of business concerned and this conditions the approach to asset/liability management.
For example, for businesses that are most sensitive to interest rate changes, such as immediate annuity business, Prudential uses cash flow analysis to create a portfolio of debt securities whose value changes in line with the value of liabilities when interest rates change. This type of analysis helps protect profits from changing interest rates. This type of analysis is used in the UK for annuity business and by JNL for its interest-sensitive and fixed index annuities and stable value products.
For businesses that are most sensitive to equity price changes, Prudential uses stochastic modeling and scenario testing to look at the future returns on its investments under different scenarios and best reflect the large diversity in returns that equities can produce. This allows Prudential to devise an investment and with-profits policyholder bonus strategy that, on the model assumptions, allows it to optimize returns to its policyholders and shareholders over time while maintaining appropriate financial strength. Prudential uses this methodology extensively in connection with its UK with-profits business.
Bonuses declared in respect of the Group's with-profits business are included in the change in long-term business provisions or, where the policy is no longer in force, in claims incurred.
(f) Intra-group arrangements in respect of SAIF
Should the assets of SAIF be inadequate to meet the guaranteed benefit obligations to the policyholders of SAIF, the PAC long-term fund would be liable to cover any such deficiency.
Due to the quality and diversity of the assets in SAIF and the ability of SAIF to revise guaranteed benefits in the event of an asset shortfall, the directors believe that the probability of either the PAC long-term fund, or the Group's shareholders' funds under its obligation to maintenance of the capital position of long-term funds generally, having to contribute to SAIF is remote.
E: Banking operations
The Group undertakes banking operations through one of its principal subsidiaries, Egg. Financial information in respect to Egg has been included in this note. The results from Jackson Federal Bank, another Group banking subsidiary that was sold in October 2004, have also been included in discontinued operations in the income statement below up to the date of disposal.
The Group has presented the income statement and balance sheet for banking operations in a format that demonstrates the characteristics and principal operations specific to a bank. The format is different to that of the Group consolidated income statement and balance sheet; however, total profit (loss) for the year and net assets remain the same. To understand how the amounts presented from banking operations are consolidated in the Group financial statements, refer to the primary segmental information for the income statement in note F1 and the primary segmental information for the balance sheet in note B3.
F-105
E1: Income statement for banking operations
Profit (loss) included in the Group consolidated income statement in respect to banking operations is as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Interest income | 893 | 902 | |||
Interest expense | (581 | ) | (615 | ) | |
Net interest income | 312 | 287 | |||
Fee and commission income | 223 | 221 | |||
Fee and commission expense | (23 | ) | (25 | ) | |
Other operating income | 16 | 15 | |||
Operating income | 528 | 498 | |||
General administrative expenses | (216 | ) | (232 | ) | |
Impairment losses on loans and cash advances to customers | (241 | ) | (183 | ) | |
Other operating expenses | (27 | ) | (22 | ) | |
Profit attributable to shareholders | 44 | 61 | |||
Tax attributable to shareholders' profits | 1 | (25 | ) | ||
Profit from continuing operations after tax | 45 | 36 | |||
Discontinued operations (net of tax) | 3 | (98 | ) | ||
Profit (loss) for the year | 48 | (62 | ) | ||
Of the profit (loss) for the year in 2005 and 2004, a profit of £9 million and a loss of £20 million, respectively, are attributable to minority interests in Egg.
Discontinued operations above relate to Egg France, Funds Direct and Jackson Federal Bank (in 2004) and have been treated as discontinued operations in the Group's consolidated income statement. For further information on discontinued operations, see note F6.
F-106
E2: Balance sheet for banking operations
Assets, liabilities and shareholders' funds included in the Group consolidated balance sheet with respect to banking operations are as follows:
|
2005 £ million |
2004 £ million |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Assets | ||||
Cash and balances with central banks | 7 | 14 | ||
Loans and advances to banks | 718 | 616 | ||
Securities purchased under agreement to resell | 200 | 319 | ||
Loans and advances to customers | 7,430 | 7,642 | ||
Investment securities | 2,117 | 3,120 | ||
Other assets | 280 | 337 | ||
Total assets | 10,752 | 12,048 | ||
Liabilities | ||||
Deposits by banks | 2,452 | 2,352 | ||
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase | | 131 | ||
Customer accounts | 5,830 | 6,607 | ||
Debt securities issued | 1,404 | 1,807 | ||
Other liabilities | 236 | 360 | ||
Subordinated liabilities | 452 | 451 | ||
Total liabilities | 10,374 | 11,708 | ||
Equity | ||||
Shareholders' equity | 303 | 273 | ||
Minority interests | 75 | 67 | ||
Total equity | 378 | 340 | ||
Total equity and liabilities | 10,752 | 12,048 | ||
E3: Risk management overview
Egg offers banking and credit card products and intermediated services. Through its normal operations, Egg is exposed to a number of risks, the most significant of which are credit, operational, liquidity, market and currency risk. The overall responsibility for risk management and the risk appetite of Egg is set by the Egg Board and responsibility for managing these risks resides with the Egg Executive Committee. The exposure to specific risks is monitored by the Executive Committee through separate committees: retail credit committee is responsible for retail credit risk, wholesale credit committee is responsible for wholesale credit risk, operational risk committee is responsible for operational risk; and asset and liability committee (ALCO) for liquidity, market and currency risk.
Egg uses financial instruments including derivatives for the purpose of supporting the strategic and operational business activities and to reduce and eliminate the risk of loss arising from changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates.
F-107
Surplus retail and wholesale liabilities are invested in debt securities, including certificates of deposits, government gilts and other high investment grade assets.
E4: Maturities of assets and liabilities and liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is defined for Egg as not having sufficient financial resources available to meet its obligations as they fall due, or if such resources can only be secured at excessive cost. Egg uses various methods including predictions of daily cash positions to monitor and manage liquidity risk. Maturity mismatches between lending and funding are managed within internal risk policy limits. It ensures that it holds sufficient assets, which are immediately realizable into cash without significant exposure to market risk or costs, to cover a realistic estimate of retail funds that could be withdrawn. While a significant proportion of retail savings balances are on instant access terms, in practice the majority of such funds represent a relatively stable and consistent funding base for Egg.
The matching and controlled mismatching of the maturities and interest rates of assets and liabilities is fundamental to the management of a bank. It is unusual for banks ever to be completely matched since business transacted is often of uncertain terms and of different types.
The following table analyzes the assets and liabilities of Egg into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period at the balance sheet date to the contractual maturity date.
At December 31, 2005 |
Up to 1 month £ million |
From 1 month to 3 months £ million |
From 3 months to 1 year £ million |
From 1 year to 5 years £ million |
5 years and over £ million |
Total £ million |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets | ||||||||||||
Cash and balances with central banks | 7 | | | | | 7 | ||||||
Loans and advances to banks | 636 | 50 | | 5 | 27 | 718 | ||||||
Securities purchased under agreement to resell | 200 | | | | | 200 | ||||||
Loans and advances to customers | 0 | 3,343 | 40 | 1,421 | 2,626 | 7,430 | ||||||
Investment securities | 157 | 439 | 633 | 352 | 536 | 2,117 | ||||||
Other assets | 3 | 4 | 141 | 125 | 7 | 280 | ||||||
Total assets | 1,003 | 3,836 | 814 | 1,903 | 3,196 | 10,752 | ||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||
Deposits by banks | 157 | | | 2,295 | | 2,452 | ||||||
Customer accounts | 5,667 | 13 | 110 | 40 | | 5,830 | ||||||
Debt securities issued | | 3 | 798 | 603 | | 1,404 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 85 | 34 | 117 | | | 236 | ||||||
Subordinated liabilities | | | | | 452 | 452 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 5,909 | 50 | 1,025 | 2,938 | 452 | 10,374 | ||||||
Net liquidity gap | (4,906 | ) | 3,786 | (211 | ) | (1,035 | ) | 2,744 | 378 | |||
F-108
At December 31, 2004 |
Up to 1 month £ million |
From 1 month to 3 months £ million |
From 3 months to 1 year £ million |
From 1 year to 5 years £ million |
5 years and over £ million |
Total £ million |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets | ||||||||||||
Cash and balances with central banks | 14 | | | | | 14 | ||||||
Loans and advances to banks | 344 | 270 | 2 | | | 616 | ||||||
Securities purchased under agreement to resell | | 319 | | | | 319 | ||||||
Loans and advances to customers | 1 | 3,464 | 39 | 1,438 | 2,700 | 7,642 | ||||||
Investment securities | 769 | 516 | 371 | 128 | 1,336 | 3,120 | ||||||
Other assets | 37 | 29 | 139 | 126 | 6 | 337 | ||||||
Total assets | 1,165 | 4,598 | 551 | 1,692 | 4,042 | 12,048 | ||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||
Deposits by banks | 38 | 321 | 5 | 1,988 | | 2,352 | ||||||
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase | | 131 | | | | 131 | ||||||
Customer accounts | 5,962 | 198 | 323 | 124 | | 6,607 | ||||||
Debt securities issued | | | 433 | 1,374 | | 1,807 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 125 | 109 | 125 | 1 | | 360 | ||||||
Subordinated liabilities | | | | | 451 | 451 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 6,125 | 759 | 886 | 3,487 | 451 | 11,708 | ||||||
Net liquidity gap | (4,960 | ) | 3,839 | (335 | ) | (1,795 | ) | 3,591 | 340 | |||
E5: Losses on loans and advances
The following table details the movements in the allowance for losses on loans and advances to customers held by Egg in 2005 and 2004. The aggregate loss on loans at the end of the year and the charge during the year have been included in the consolidated financial statements.
|
2005 £ million |
2004 £ million |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balance at the beginning of the year | 250 | 193 | |||
Transition adjustment to reflect adoption of IAS 39 at January 1, 2005 | 5 | | |||
Amounts written off | (161 | ) | (126 | ) | |
New and additional provisions | 241 | 204 | |||
Other movements* | | (21 | ) | ||
Balance at the end of the year | 335 | 250 | |||
F-109
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
E: Banking operations
E6: Market risk
Interest rate risk
The primary market risk to which Egg is exposed is interest rate risk. Interest rate risk arises in Egg as a result of fixed rate, variable rate and non-interest bearing assets and liabilities. Exposure to interest rate movements arises when there is a mismatch between interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities.
The composition of interest rate risk is closely monitored and managed on a day-to-day basis by the treasury function where professional expertise and systems exist to control it. This is primarily done via asset and liability models that look at the sensitivity of earnings to movements in interest rates to measure overall exposure which may then be hedged in accordance with the policy limits set by the ALCO.
For the purpose of reducing interest rate risk, Egg uses a number of derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements (see note G3).
Financial assets and liabilities not held at fair value through profit and loss and the weighted average effective interest rate for those balances is provided below:
|
£ million |
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets | |||||
Debt securities available-for-sale* | 2,046 | 4.6 | % | ||
Loans and receivables | 8,148 | 7.5 | % | ||
10,194 | |||||
Liabilities | |||||
Banking customer accounts | 5,830 | 4.3 | % | ||
Core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations | 452 | 8.5 | % | ||
Operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations | 3,856 | 4.5 | % | ||
10,138 | |||||
See note G2 for further information on interest rate risk.
Currency risk
The risks arising from assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are managed by a separate treasury function within Egg and within agreed limits set by the ALCO. During the year, cash flows generated by the foreign currency assets and liabilities are hedged by using derivative contracts to manage exposure to exchange rate fluctuations.
At December 31, 2005, Egg held £539 million of assets and £2,640 million of liabilities with foreign currency exposure.
E7: Credit risk
Egg takes on exposure to credit risk, which is the risk that a counterparty will be unable to pay amounts in full when due. To limit this risk, Egg places limits on the amount of risk accepted in relation
F-110
to a particular borrower, groups of borrowers, and to particular geographical segments. The acceptable risk levels are monitored regularly, and reviewed where appropriate. From Egg's perspective, the most important step in managing credit risk is the initial decision whether or not to extend credit. Egg's retail and wholesale credit committees define the policies, procedures and sets limits for accepting credit risk.
The following table identifies the geographical concentrations of credit risk, stated in terms of total assets and off balance sheet items, held by Egg at December 31, 2005 and 2004:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||
UK | 18,840 | 18,049 | ||
Rest of Europe | 399 | 1,486 | ||
North America | 26 | 450 | ||
Other | 354 | 445 | ||
Total* | 19,619 | 20,430 | ||
Egg has 3.1 million customers that are defined as 'marketable' based on their activity levels, with the majority of these acquired into its credit card product. These customers are typically aged between 25 and 45, are ABC1 in terms of their social demographics (according to the definition set by the Central Statistical Office of the UK based on occupation) and earn above average salaries. Full use is made of software technology and external bureaus in credit scoring both new and top-up lending applications. The counterparty credit quality is monitored through the analysis of qualitative and quantitative information. There are limits for exposure to individual countries, sectors and corporate and financial institutions.
The following is a breakdown of the credit risk borne by Egg for financial assets and off-balance sheet items at December 31, 2005:
|
£ million |
||
---|---|---|---|
Loans and advances to banks | 718 | ||
Securities purchased under agreement to resell | 200 | ||
Investment securities | 2,117 | ||
Loans and advances to customers | 7,765 | ||
Allowances for impairment losses on loans and advances to customers | (335 | ) | |
Fair value of derivative assets | 50 | ||
Off-balance sheet items (including unutilised credit limits on credit cards) | 9,104 | ||
Total credit risk net of allowances and provisions | 19,619 | ||
Egg has certain credit-related commitments in the form of unused credit limits on credit cards and pre-approved but unused borrowing limits on mortgages and personal loans. At December 31, 2005, these unused limits, included in off-balance sheet items above, amounted to £9,061 million, £14 million and £29 million respectively. Egg is potentially exposed to a loss totaling these amounts, but it is unlikely that such a loss would arise as these credit facilities were granted only on the basis of the
F-111
customers having achieved certain credit standards. Additionally, it is unlikely that, should all these customers utilize their credit or borrowing limits, that all of them would default on their debt entirely.
Egg holds significant concentrations of credit risk with other financial institutions. At December 31, 2005, this was estimated at £10.9 billion of which £5.7 billion related to derivative financial instruments and £2.3 billion to credit default swaps. Egg also has significant credit exposure in asset-backed security products, which totaled approximately £496 million at December 31, 2005. With regard to loans and advances to customers, Egg has significant concentrations of credit risk in respect of its unsecured lending on credit cards, personal loans and mortgage lending secured on property in the UK.
Assets pledged as collateral and securitization
Egg enters into securities lending arrangements, including repurchase agreements, and over-the-counter derivative transactions as part of normal operating activities. Assets are pledged as collateral to support these activities. Collateral in respect to repurchase agreements was £30.9 million and £nil at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Collateral in respect to over-the-counter derivative transactions was £5.2 million and £2.3 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. See note G4 where amounts related to Egg have been included in the disclosure of these transactions on a Group basis.
For further information on Egg's securitization of credit card receivables, see note G4.
F: Income statement notes
F1: Segmental information
The Group's primary and secondary segments are described in detail in note B5. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as used in the Group's consolidated financial statements described in Note A, except that revenue by reportable segments include gross inflows of investment products.
The segment results for the year ended December 31 are as follows:
|
2005 |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UK |
US |
Asia |
Intragroup |
Total |
||||||
|
£ million |
||||||||||
Revenue: | |||||||||||
Long-term business | 28,985 | 6,607 | 3,704 | | 39,296 | ||||||
Banking | 1,115 | | | | 1,115 | ||||||
Broker dealer and fund management | 490 | 305 | 100 | | 895 | ||||||
Unallocated corporate | 98 | | | | 98 | ||||||
Intragroup revenue eliminated on consolidation | | | | (279 | ) | (279 | ) | ||||
Total revenue per income statement | 30,688 | 6,912 | 3,804 | (279 | ) | 41,125 | |||||
F-112
Charges (before income tax attributable to policyholders and unallocated surplus of long-term insurance funds): |
|||||||||||
Long-term business, including post-tax transfers to unallocated surplus of with-profits funds |
(27,428 |
) |
(6,081 |
) |
(3,488 |
) |
|
(36,997 |
) |
||
Banking | (1,071 | ) | | | | (1,071 | ) | ||||
Broker-dealer and fund management | (354 | ) | (291 | ) | (96 | ) | | (741 | ) | ||
Unallocated corporate | (450 | ) | | | | (450 | ) | ||||
Intragroup charges eliminated on consolidation | | | 279 | 279 | |||||||
Total charges per income statement | (29,303 | ) | (6,372 | ) | (3,584 | ) | 279 | (38,980 | ) | ||
Profit before tax*: |
|||||||||||
Long-term business | 1,557 | 526 | 216 | | 2,299 | ||||||
Banking | 44 | | | | 44 | ||||||
Broker-dealer and fund management | 136 | 14 | 4 | | 154 | ||||||
Unallocated corporate | (352 | ) | | | | (352 | ) | ||||
Profit before tax per income statement | 1,385 | 540 | 220 | | 2,145 | ||||||
Tax attributable to policyholders' returns: |
|||||||||||
Long-term business | (1,141 | ) | | (6 | ) | (1,147 | ) | ||||
Tax attributable to policyholders' returns per income statement | (1,141 | ) | | (6 | ) | | (1,147 | ) | |||
Profit before tax*: |
|||||||||||
Long-term business | 416 | 526 | 210 | | 1,152 | ||||||
Banking | 44 | | | | 44 | ||||||
Broker-dealer and fund management | 136 | 14 | 4 | | 154 | ||||||
Unallocated corporate | (352 | ) | | | | (352 | ) | ||||
Profit before tax attributable to shareholders per income statement | 244 | 540 | 214 | | 998 | ||||||
Tax attributable to shareholders profits: |
|||||||||||
Long-term business | (128 | ) | (176 | ) | (62 | ) | | (366 | ) | ||
Banking | 1 | | | | 1 | ||||||
Broker-dealer and fund management | (37 | ) | (9 | ) | (4 | ) | | (50 | ) | ||
Unallocated corporate | 174 | | | | 174 | ||||||
Tax attributable to shareholders' profits per income statement | 10 | (185 | ) | (66 | ) | | (241 | ) | |||
F-113
Profit after tax attributable to shareholders: |
|||||||||||
Long-term business | 288 | 350 | 148 | | 786 | ||||||
Banking | 45 | | | | 45 | ||||||
Broker-dealer and fund management | 99 | 5 | | | 104 | ||||||
Unallocated corporate | (178 | ) | | | | (178 | ) | ||||
Profit from continuing operations after tax per income statement | 254 | 355 | 148 | | 757 | ||||||
Discontinued Operations: |
|||||||||||
Long-term business | | | | | | ||||||
Banking | 3 | | | | 3 | ||||||
Discontinued operations (net of tax) | 3 | | | | 3 | ||||||
Profit for the year: |
|||||||||||
Long-term business | 288 | 350 | 148 | | 786 | ||||||
Banking | 48 | | | | 48 | ||||||
Broker-dealer and fund management | 99 | 5 | | | 104 | ||||||
Unallocated corporate | (178 | ) | | | | (178 | ) | ||||
Profit for the year | 257 | 355 | 148 | | 760 | ||||||
|
2004 |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UK |
US |
Asia |
Intragroup |
Total |
||||||
|
£ million |
||||||||||
Revenue: | |||||||||||
Long-term business | 22,881 | 6,069 | 3,123 | | 32,073 | ||||||
Banking | 1,110 | | | | 1,110 | ||||||
Broker dealer and fund management | 460 | 282 | 81 | | 823 | ||||||
Unallocated corporate | 151 | | | | 151 | ||||||
Intragroup revenue eliminated on consolidation | | | | (253 | ) | (253 | ) | ||||
Total revenue per income statement | 24,602 | 6,351 | 3,204 | (253 | ) | 33,904 | |||||
Charges (before income tax attributable to policyholders and unallocated surplus of long-term insurance funds): |
|||||||||||
Long-term business, including post-tax transfers to unallocated surplus of with-profits funds |
(21,856 |
) |
(5,712 |
) |
(2,962 |
) |
|
(30,530 |
) |
||
Banking | (1,049 | ) | | | | (1,049 | ) | ||||
Broker-dealer and fund management | (325 | ) | (287 | ) | (62 | ) | | (674 | ) | ||
Unallocated corporate | (343 | ) | | | | (343 | ) | ||||
Intragroup charges eliminated on consolidation | | | | 253 | 253 | ||||||
Total charges per income statement | (23,573 | ) | (5,999 | ) | (3,024 | ) | 253 | (32,343 | ) | ||
F-114
Profit before tax*: |
|||||||||||
Long-term business | 1,025 | 357 | 161 | | 1,543 | ||||||
Banking | 61 | | | | 61 | ||||||
Broker-dealer and fund management | 135 | (5 | ) | 19 | | 149 | |||||
Unallocated corporate | (192 | ) | | | | (192 | ) | ||||
Profit before tax per income statement | 1,029 | 352 | 180 | | 1,561 | ||||||
Tax attributable to policyholders' returns: |
|||||||||||
Long-term business |
(691 |
) |
|
(20 |
) |
|
(711 |
) |
|||
Tax attributable to policyholders' returns per income statement | (691 | ) | | (20 | ) | | (711 | ) | |||
Profit before tax*: |
|||||||||||
Long-term business | 334 | 357 | 141 | | 832 | ||||||
Banking | 61 | | | | 61 | ||||||
Broker-dealer and fund management | 135 | (5 | ) | 19 | | 149 | |||||
Unallocated corporate | (192 | ) | | | | (192 | ) | ||||
Profit before tax attributable to shareholders per income statement | 338 | 352 | 160 | | 850 | ||||||
Tax attributable to shareholders profits: |
|||||||||||
Long-term business | (91 | ) | (122 | ) | (38 | ) | | (251 | ) | ||
Banking | (25 | ) | | | | (25 | ) | ||||
Broker-dealer and fund management | (41 | ) | (3 | ) | (5 | ) | | (49 | ) | ||
Unallocated corporate | 85 | | | | 85 | ||||||
Tax attributable to shareholders per income statement | (72 | ) | (125 | ) | (43 | ) | | (240 | ) | ||
Profit after tax attributable to shareholders: |
|||||||||||
Long-term business | 243 | 235 | 103 | | 581 | ||||||
Banking | 36 | | | | 36 | ||||||
Broker-dealer and fund management | 94 | (8 | ) | 14 | | 100 | |||||
Unallocated corporate | (107 | ) | | | | (107 | ) | ||||
Profit from continuing operations after tax per income statement | 266 | 227 | 117 | | 610 | ||||||
Discontinued Operations: |
|||||||||||
Long-term business | 4 | | | | 4 | ||||||
Banking | (131 | ) | 33 | | | (98 | ) | ||||
Discontinued operations (net of tax) | (127 | ) | 33 | | | (94 | ) | ||||
F-115
Profit for the year: |
|||||||||||
Long-term business | 247 | 235 | 103 | 585 | |||||||
Banking | (95 | ) | 33 | (62 | ) | ||||||
Broker-dealer and fund management | 94 | (8 | ) | 14 | 100 | ||||||
Unallocated corporate | (107 | ) | (107 | ) | |||||||
Profit for the year | 139 | 260 | 117 | 516 | |||||||
Within segment results above, the share of after tax loss of associates that are equity accounted for of £nil (2004: £(1) million) is allocated entirely to the banking segment.
In its capacity as fund manager to fellow Prudential plc subsidiaries, M&G earns fees for investment management and related services. These services are charged at appropriate arm's length prices, typically priced as a percentage of funds under management.
Total charges include £12,745 million (2004: £9,528 million) of non-cash expenses mainly relating to changes in technical reserves and pension actuarial and other gains and losses. The majority of this amount is borne by the long-term business segment.
Segmental resultsanalysis of profit before shareholder tax
The performance measure of reportable segments utilized by the directors is operating profit attributable to shareholders based on longer-term investment returns before goodwill impairment charges and shareholders' share in actuarial and other gains.
The following table reconciles the performance measure of the Group's reportable segments with amounts included in the Group's consolidated income statement for the years presented.
|
2005 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UK |
US |
Asia |
Total |
|||||
|
£ million |
||||||||
Long term business: | |||||||||
Performance measure: Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | 400 | 348 | 175 | 923 | |||||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | | |||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | 36 | 178 | 32 | 246 | |||||
Shareholders share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | (20 | ) | | 3 | (17 | ) | |||
Reported performance: Profit before shareholder tax attributable to shareholders | 416 | 526 | 210 | 1,152 | |||||
F-116
Banking: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | 44 | | | 44 | |||||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | | |||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | | | | | |||||
Shareholders share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | | | | | |||||
Reported performance: Profit before shareholder tax attributable to shareholders | 44 | | | 44 | |||||
Broker-dealer and fund management: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | 163 | 14 | 12 | 189 | |||||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | | |||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | (1 | ) | | (8 | ) | (9 | ) | ||
Shareholders share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | (26 | ) | | | (26 | ) | |||
Reported performance: Profit before shareholder tax attributable to shareholders | 136 | 14 | 4 | 154 | |||||
Unallocated corporate: | |||||||||
Performance measure: Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | (199 | ) | | | (199 | ) | |||
Goodwill impairment charge | (120 | ) | | | (120 | ) | |||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | (26 | ) | | | (26 | ) | |||
Shareholders share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | (7 | ) | | | (7 | ) | |||
Reported performance: Profit before shareholder tax attributable to shareholders | (352 | ) | | | (352 | ) | |||
Total: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | 408 | 362 | 187 | 957 | |||||
Goodwill impairment charge | (120 | ) | | | (120 | ) | |||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | 9 | 178 | 24 | 211 | |||||
Shareholders share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | (53 | ) | | 3 | (50 | ) | |||
Reported performance: Profit before shareholder tax attributable to shareholders | 244 | 540 | 214 | 998 |
F-117
|
2004 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UK |
US |
Asia |
Total |
|||||
|
£ million |
||||||||
Long term business: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | 305 | 296 | 102 | 703 | |||||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | | |||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | 29 | 61 | 37 | 127 | |||||
Shareholders share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | | | 2 | 2 | |||||
Reported performance: Profit before shareholder tax attributable to shareholders | 334 | 357 | 141 | 832 | |||||
Banking: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | 61 | | | 61 | |||||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | | |||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | | | | | |||||
Shareholders share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | | | | | |||||
Reported performance: Profit before shareholder tax attributable to shareholders | 61 | | | 61 | |||||
Broker-dealer and fund management: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | 136 | (14 | ) | 19 | 141 | ||||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | 0 | |||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | | 9 | | 9 | |||||
Shareholders share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | (1 | ) | | | (1 | ) | |||
Reported performance: Profit before shareholder tax attributable to shareholders | 135 | (5 | ) | 19 | 149 | ||||
Unallocated corporate: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: Operating profit based on longer-term investment returns | (197 | ) | | | (197 | ) | |||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | 0 | |||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | 13 | | | 13 | |||||
Shareholders share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | (8 | ) | | | (8 | ) | |||
Reported performance: Profit before shareholder tax attributable to shareholders | (192 | ) | | | (192 | ) | |||
F-118
Total: |
|||||||||
Performance measure: Operating profit based in longer-term investment returns | 305 | 282 | 121 | 708 | |||||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | 0 | |||||
Short-term fluctuations in investment returns | 42 | 70 | 37 | 149 | |||||
Shareholders share in actuarial and other gains and losses on defined benefit pension schemes | (9 | ) | | 2 | (7 | ) | |||
Reported performance: Profit before shareholder tax attributable to shareholders | 338 | 352 | 160 | 850 | |||||
F2: Revenue
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Long-term business premiums (note i) | 15,161 | ||||
Insurance contract premiums | 13,583 | ||||
Investment contracts with discretionary participation feature premiums | 1,366 | ||||
Inwards reinsurance premiums | 276 | 1,247 | |||
Less: reinsurance premiums ceded | (197 | ) | (256 | ) | |
Earned premiums, net of reinsurance | 15,028 | 16,152 | |||
Realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments (2004) (note (ii)) | 7,333 | ||||
Realized and unrealized gains and losses on securities at fair value through profit and loss (note (ii)) | 14,640 | ||||
Realized losses on available-for-sale securities, previously recognized directly in equity (note (ii)) | (22 | ) | |||
Interest (note (iii)) | 5,896 | 5,705 | |||
Dividends | 2,731 | 1,883 | |||
Other investment income | 768 | 829 | |||
Investment income | 24,013 | 15,750 | |||
Fee income from investment contract business, fund management, banking and broker-dealer services (note i) | 926 | 653 | |||
Income from consolidated venture investments of the PAC with-profits funds | 1,158 | 1,349 | |||
Other income | 2,084 | 2,002 | |||
Total revenue | 41,125 | 33,904 | |||
Notes
F-119
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Gains and losses on equities | |||||
Realized gains | 2,177 | 1,234 | |||
Unrealized gains | 6,609 | 2,443 | |||
8,786 | 3,677 | ||||
Gains and losses on debt securities |
|||||
Realized gains | 287 | 0 | |||
Unrealized gains | 1,779 | 763 | |||
2,066 | 763 | ||||
Gains and losses on other investments |
|||||
Realized gains | 1,312 | 445 | |||
Unrealized gains | 2,454 | 2,448 | |||
3,766 | 2,893 | ||||
Total realized and unrealized gains | 14,618 | 7,333 | |||
The segmental split of interest income is as follows:
|
2005 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UK |
US |
Asia |
Total |
||||
Long-term business | 3,059 | 1,666 | 377 | 5,102 | ||||
Banking | 702 | | | 702 | ||||
Broker-dealer and fund management | 76 | 2 | 2 | 80 | ||||
Unallocated corporate | 12 | | | 12 | ||||
Interest income | 3,849 | 1,668 | 379 | 5,896 | ||||
F3: Acquisition costs and other operating expenditure
|
2005 £ million |
2004 £ million |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Acquisition costs (note i) | 1,413 | 1,419 | ||
Staff and pension costs (see note I1) | 991 | 1,186 | ||
Administrative and operating costs | 3,148 | 2,958 | ||
Total acquisition costs and other operating expenditure | 5,552 | 5,563 | ||
Notes
F-120
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
F4: Finance costs: interest on core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations
Finance costs consist of interest on core debt of the parent company and related finance subsidiaries and JNL surplus notes of £175 million (2004: £154 million) borne by the unallocated corporate segment and of £33 million (2004: £33 million) on Egg subordinated debt borne by the banking segment.
F5: Tax
(a) Total tax expense by nature of expense
An analysis of the total tax expense of continuing operations recognized in the income statement by nature of expense (benefit) is as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Current tax expense: | |||||
Corporation tax | 722 | 537 | |||
Adjustments in respect of prior years | (209 | ) | 38 | ||
Benefit from a previously unrecognized tax loss, tax credit or temporary difference from a prior period | (2 | ) | 0 | ||
Total current tax | 511 | 575 | |||
Deferred tax arising from: | |||||
Origination and reversal of temporary differences | 870 | 374 | |||
Benefit from a previously unrecognized tax loss, tax credit or temporary difference from a prior period | 5 | 2 | |||
Write-down or reversal of a previous write-down of a deferred tax asset | 2 | 0 | |||
Total deferred tax | 877 | 376 | |||
Total tax expense | 1,388 | 951 | |||
The total tax expense arises as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Current tax expense: | |||||
UK | 339 | 523 | |||
Foreign | 172 | 52 | |||
511 | 575 | ||||
Deferred tax expense: | |||||
UK | 780 | 282 | |||
Foreign | 97 | 94 | |||
877 | 376 | ||||
Total | 1,388 | 951 | |||
F-121
The deferred tax expense arises as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Unrealized gains and losses on investments | 599 | 286 | |||
Short-term timing differences | 263 | (79 | ) | ||
Capital allowances | 13 | 13 | |||
Balances relating to investment and insurance contracts | 3 | 156 | |||
Unused tax losses | (1 | ) | 0 | ||
Deferred tax expense | 877 | 376 | |||
In 2005, a deferred tax credit of £93 million has been taken directly to reserves. When this amount is taken with the deferred tax expense shown above, the result is an increase of £784 million in the Group's net deferred tax liability.
In 2005, there is no tax relating to discontinued operations (2004: £14 million credit) (see note F6).
(b) Reconciliation of effective tax rate
The total tax expense is attributable to shareholders and policyholders as summarized in the income statement.
(i) Summary of pre-tax profit and tax charge
The income statement includes the following items:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||||
Profit before tax | 2,145 | 1,561 | ||||
Tax attributable to policyholders' returns | (1,147 | ) | (711 | ) | ||
Profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 998 | 850 | ||||
Tax attributable to shareholders' profits: | ||||||
Tax expense | (1,388 | ) | (951 | ) | ||
Less: tax attributable to policyholders' returns | 1,147 | 711 | ||||
Tax attributable to shareholders' profits | (241 | ) | (240 | ) | ||
Profit from continuing operations after tax | 757 | 610 | ||||
F-122
For the purposes of explaining the relationship between tax expense and accounting profit, it is appropriate to consider the sources of profit and tax by reference to those that are attributable to shareholders and policyholders, as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Attributable to shareholders |
Attributable to policyholders |
Total |
Attributable to shareholders |
Attributable to policyholders |
Total |
||||||||
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
||||||||
Profit before tax | 998 | 1,147 | 2,145 | 850 | 711 | 1,561 | ||||||||
Taxation charge: | ||||||||||||||
Expected tax rate | 35 | % (note ii) | 100 | % | 70 | % | 31 | % (note ii) | 100 | % | 62 | % | ||
Expected tax charge |
(353 |
) |
(1,147 |
) |
(1,500 |
) |
(261 |
) |
(711 |
) |
(972 |
) |
||
Variance from expected tax charge | 112 | | 112 | 21 | | 21 | ||||||||
Actual tax charge |
(241 |
) |
(1,147 |
) |
(1,388 |
) |
(240 |
) |
(711 |
) |
(951 |
) |
||
Average effective tax rate | 24 | % | 100 | % | 65 | % | 28 | % | 100 | % | 61 | % |
Profit before tax comprises profit attributable to shareholders and pre-tax profit attributable to policyholders of linked and with-profits funds and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds.
The tax charge for linked and with-profits business includes tax expense on unit-linked and with-profits funds attributable to policyholders, the unallocated surplus of with-profits funds and the shareholders' profits. Different rules apply under UK tax law for taxing pension business and life insurance business and there are detailed rules for apportioning the investment return and profits of the fund between the types of business. The investment return referable to pension business, and some other less significant classes of business, is exempt from taxation but tax is charged on the profit that the shareholders derive from writing such business at the corporate rate of tax. The rules for taxing life assurance business are more complex. This is because the UK regime seeks to tax the investment return less management expenses (I-E) on this business as it arises. However, a calculation of the shareholder profit from writing life insurance business also has to be made and this performs two main functions. Firstly, the shareholder profit is compared with the I-E profit and if the shareholder profit is higher, then relief for expenses in the I-E has to be restricted until the I-E profit equals the shareholder profit. If on the other hand I-E profit is the greater, then an amount equal to the shareholder profit is taxed at the corporate rate of tax with the remainder of the I-E profit being taxed at the lower policyholder rate of tax. The purpose of this approach is to ensure that the Company is always as a minimum taxed on the profit, as defined for taxation purposes by reference to the Company's regulatory returns (rather than IFRS basis results), that it has earned. The shareholders' portion of the long-term business is taxed at the shareholders' rate with the remaining portion taxed at rates applicable to the policyholders.
It is to be noted that the basis of taxation described above for taxing life assurance business derives from the local regulatory basis rather than the accounting basis. The differences between the regulatory and accounting bases are significant and complex. Furthermore, as described below, transfers to and from unallocated surplus charged or credited to pre-tax results are determined on a post-tax basis. The combined effect of these complications is such that provision of a reconciliation of the tax charge attributable to policyholders to an expected charge based on the standard corporation tax rate on IFRS
F-123
basis profits attributable to policyholders is not relevant and misleading to users of the financial statements.
For accounting purposes in all cases and for all reporting periods the applicable tax rate for profit attributable to policyholders and unallocated surplus is 100 per cent. This percentage reflects the basis of accounting for unallocated surplus coupled with the distinction made for performance reporting between sources of profit attributable to shareholders, policyholders and unallocated surplus.
As described above UK long-term business is taxed on a basis that affects policyholders, unallocated surplus of with-profits funds and shareholders. For the PAC with-profits sub-fund, transfers to and from unallocated surplus are recorded in the income statement so that after charging the total tax borne by the fund, the net balance reflects the statutory transfer from the fund for the year. For SAIF similar transfers are made to derive a net nil balance which reflects the lack of shareholder interest in the financial performance of the fund (other than through investment management arrangements). For unit-linked policies, pre-tax profits attributable to policyholders represent fees earned that are used to pay tax borne by the Company on policyholders' behalf.
F-124
(ii) Reconciliation of tax charge on profits attributable to shareholders
2005 |
UK insurance operations |
JNL |
Asian long-term business operations |
Other operations |
Total |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
|||||||
Profit before tax attributable to shareholders: | ||||||||||||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | (120 | ) | (120 | ) | |||||
Other | 416 | 526 | 210 | (34 | ) | 1,118 | ||||||
Total | 416 | 526 | 210 | (154 | ) | 998 | ||||||
Expected tax rate (note i): | ||||||||||||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | 0 | % | 0 | % | |||||
Other | 30 | % | 35 | % | 26 | % | 30 | % | 32 | % | ||
Total | 30 | % | 35 | % | 26 | % | 6 | % | 35 | % | ||
Expected tax charge based on expected tax rates: | ||||||||||||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | 0 | 0 | |||||||
Other | (125 | ) | (184 | ) | (54 | ) | 10 | (353 | ) | |||
Total | (125 | ) | (184 | ) | (54 | ) | 10 | (353 | ) | |||
Variance from expected tax charge (note ii): | ||||||||||||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | 0 | 0 | |||||||
Other | (3 | ) | 8 | (8 | ) | 115 | 112 | |||||
Total | (3 | ) | 8 | (8 | ) | 115 | 112 | |||||
Actual tax charge: | ||||||||||||
Goodwill impairment charge | | | | 0 | 0 | |||||||
Other | (128 | ) | (176 | ) | (62 | ) | 125 | (241 | ) | |||
Total | (128 | ) | (176 | ) | (62 | ) | 125 | (241 | ) | |||
Actual tax rate | 31 | % | 33 | % | 30 | % | (81 | )% | 24 | % | ||
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For 2004, the Group's results reflect the application of IFRS standards with the exception of the standards IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4. The reconciliation of the effective tax rate for 2004 relates to the statutory IFRS basis results.
2004 |
UK insurance operations |
JNL |
Asian long-term business operations |
Other operations |
Total |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
||||||
Profit before tax attributable to shareholders | 334 | 357 | 141 | 18 | 850 | ||||||
Expected tax rate (note i) | 30 | % | 35 | % | 23 | % | 21 | % | 31 | % | |
Expected tax charge based on expected tax rates | (100 | ) | (125 | ) | (32 | ) | (4 | ) | (261 | ) | |
Variance from expected tax charge (note ii) | 9 | 3 | (6 | ) | 15 | 21 | |||||
Actual tax charge | (91 | ) | (122 | ) | (38 | ) | 11 | (240 | ) | ||
Actual tax rate | 27 | % | 34 | % | 27 | % | (61 | )% | 28 | % | |
Notes
Expected tax rates shown in the table above reflect the corporate tax rates generally applied to taxable profits of the relevant country jurisdictions. For Asian operations the expected tax rates reflect the corporate tax rate weighted by reference to the source of profits of the operations contributing to the aggregate business unit result. The increase in total expected rate from 31 per cent in 2004 to 35 per cent in 2005 is due to the goodwill impairment charge of £120 million in 2005 not being allowable for tax.
The principal variances arise from differences between the standard corporation tax rate and actual rates for 'other' operations. This is due to a number of factors including:
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F6: Discontinued operations
The £3 million post-tax profit from discontinued operations (2004: £94 million post-tax loss) is comprised of the sum of the gain on disposal of operations and profit or loss generated by discontinued operations.
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Gain on sale of operations | |||||
Pre-tax gain recognized on the sale of operations | 0 | 45 | |||
Taxation | 0 | (19 | ) | ||
Post-tax gain recognized on the sale of operations | 0 | 26 | |||
Profit (loss) generated by discontinued operations | |||||
Revenue | 1 | 50 | |||
Expenses | 2 | (203 | ) | ||
Pre-tax profit (loss) on results of discontinued operations | 3 | (153 | ) | ||
Taxation | 0 | 33 | |||
Post-tax profit (loss) on results of discontinued operations | 3 | (120 | ) | ||
Post-tax profit (loss) from discontinued operations | 3 | (94 | ) | ||
In October 2004, JNL sold Jackson Federal Bank for £166 million. After taking into account net assets and goodwill totaling £128 million at the date of disposal, the profit on sale was £38 million before tax. Jackson Federal Bank, made a profit up to the date of disposal of £17 million.
In August 2004, the Group sold its interest in Life Assurance Holding Corporation Limited for £41 million. After taking into account the carrying value of the investment of £34 million at the date of disposal, the profit on sale was £7 million before tax.
In July 2004, Egg announced that it intended to take the necessary steps to withdraw from the French market. Egg France was sold in 2004. The loss before tax of Egg France in 2004 was £150 million, which was made up of a provision for exit costs of £113 million and other operating losses of £37 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, the exit process from France by Egg was completed. The final costs incurred were lower than the provision made in July 2004, therefore, £4 million of the provision was released in the year.
In addition, during 2005, Egg sold Funds Direct, its investment wrap platform business. The sale was completed in October 2005. Funds Direct incurred losses before tax of £1 million (2004: £20 million) including exit costs in the year.
Jackson Federal Bank, Egg France and Funds Direct are included within banking operations in the segment analysis whilst Life Assurance Holding Corporation Limited is included within long-term business of UK insurance operations.
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Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
G: Financial assets and liabilities
G1: Financial instrumentsdesignation and fair values
The Group formally adopted IAS 39 on January 1, 2005. On application of IAS 39, all financial assets are designated as either fair value through profit and loss, available-for-sale, or as loans and receivables and financial liabilities are designated as either fair value through profit and loss or amortized cost or for investment contracts with discretionary participation features accounted for under IFRS 4 as described in note A4.
2005 |
Fair value through profit and loss |
Available- for-sale |
Loans and receivables |
Total carrying value |
Fair value |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
|||||
Financial assets | ||||||||||
Deposits | | | 7,627 | 7,627 | 7,627 | |||||
Equity securities and portfolio holdings in unit trusts | 71,985 | | | 71,985 | 71,985 | |||||
Debt securities (note iii) | 56,814 | 25,657 | | 82,471 | 82,471 | |||||
Loans and receivables | | | 13,245 | 13,245 | 14,268 | |||||
Other investments (note i) | 3,879 | | | 3,879 | 3,879 | |||||
Accrued investment income | | | 1,791 | 1,791 | 1,791 | |||||
Other debtors | | | 1,318 | 1,318 | 1,318 | |||||
132,678 | 25,657 | 23,981 | 182,316 | |||||||
2005 |
Fair value through profit and loss |
Amortized cost |
IFRS 4 |
Carrying value |
Fair value |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
|||||
Financial liabilities | ||||||||||
Banking customer accounts | | 5,830 | | 5,830 | 5,830 | |||||
Core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations (note iii and note H13) | | 3,191 | | 3,191 | 3,550 | |||||
Operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations (note H13) | | 6,432 | | 6,432 | 6,432 | |||||
Borrowings attributable to with-profits funds (note H13) | 559 | 1,339 | | 1,898 | 1,929 | |||||
Obligations under funding, stock lending and sale and repurchase agreements | | 4,529 | | 4,529 | 4,524 | |||||
Net asset value attributable to unit holders of consolidated unit trust and similar funds | 965 | | | 965 | 965 | |||||
Investment contracts with discretionary participation features (note ii) | | | 26,523 | 26,523 | | |||||
Investment contracts without discretionary participation features | 10,524 | 1,502 | | 12,026 | 12,035 | |||||
Accruals and deferred income | | 506 | | 506 | 506 | |||||
Other creditors | | 1,478 | | 1,478 | 1,478 | |||||
Other liabilities (including derivatives) | 851 | 918 | | 1,769 | 1,769 | |||||
12,899 | 25,725 | 26,523 | 65,147 | |||||||
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Notes
Determination of fair value
The fair values of quoted investments are based on current bid prices, where appropriate. If the market for a financial asset is not active, the Group establishes fair value by using quotations from independent third parties such as brokers or by using valuation techniques. The valuation techniques include the use of recent arm's length transactions, reference to other instruments that are substantially the same, discounted cash flow analysis and option pricing models.
The fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based upon available market information and judgements about the financial instruments, including estimates of the timing and amount of expected future cash flows and the credit standing of counterparties. Such estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Group's entire holdings of a particular financial instrument, nor do they consider the tax impact of the realization of unrealized gains or losses. In some cases the fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets, nor can the disclosed value be realized in immediate settlement of the financial instrument.
The loans and receivables have been shown net of provisions for impairment. The fair value of loans has been estimated from discounted cash flows expected to be received. The rate of discount used was the market rate of interest.
The estimated fair value of derivative financial instruments reflects the estimated amount the Group would receive or pay in an arm's length transaction. This amount is mainly determined using quotations from independent third parties.
The fair value of borrowings is based on quoted market prices, where available.
Refer to section A4 for the determination of fair value for investment contracts without fixed and guaranteed terms (notably UK unit-linked policies). For investment contracts in the US with fixed and guaranteed terms the fair value is determined based on the present value of future cash flows discounted at current interest rates.
The fair value of other financial liabilities is determined using discounted cash flows of the amounts expected to be paid.
Use of valuation techniques
Valuation techniquesUK
At December 31, 2005, UK insurance operations held investments with a fair value of £3,729 million (of which £3,466 million were held in the PAC with-profits fund) which were measured in
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full or in part using valuation techniques. The majority of these assets are private debt securities such as private placements, project finance, asset securitizations and local authority securities. The securities are mainly long-dated and not regularly traded and are valued internally using market standard practices. These practices mainly use matrix pricing, which is based on assessing credit quality of the underlying borrower to derive a suitable discount rate relative to government securities.
In accordance with the Group's risk management framework, all internally generated calculations are subject to independent assessment by the M&G Fair Value Committee which comprises members who are independent of the fund managers involved in the day-to-day trading in these assets.
Changing any one of the underlying assumptions used in determining the fair value would not have a significant impact on the value of the assets.
The total amount of the change in fair value estimated using valuation techniques, including valuation techniques based on assumptions not wholly supported by observable market prices or rates, recognized in the profit and loss account in 2005 was £93 million.
Valuation techniquesUS
The US operations of Prudential had two groups of assets which were valued using valuation techniquesderivatives and securities held by the Piedmont trust entity, an 80 per cent JNL held static trust formed as a result of a securitization of asset-backed securities in 2003. As at December 31, 2005, the fair value of the Piedmont and derivative assets valued using valuation techniques were £700 million and £518 million, respectively.
The majority of the factors entering into the valuation of the derivatives are readily observable in the market and, therefore, are not subject to interpretation in the model. The most significant non-observable factor is the level of implied volatility assumed in the valuation. However, changing the implied volatility would not have had a significant impact on the fair value of the assets.
Significant estimates and judgement are also employed in valuing certain asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities held by the Piedmont trust entity. These valuations may impact reported shareholder profit and loss amounts through the determination of impairment and recovery amounts. While management believes that the estimates and assumptions employed in developing the fair value estimates are reasonable and present management's best estimate of such values, a reasonable range of values exists with respect to most assumptions utilized in determining these values. As a result of the potentially significant variability in the estimates of the assumptions used in these models, the range of reasonable estimates of the fair value of these securities is significant.
Management has obtained broker bids on these securities that represent the value at which the Group could sell the investments, if forced. These bids are not based on full knowledge and hence analysis of the investments but represent the best estimate of the worst case decline in market value of these securities. The broker bids for these securities at December 31, 2005 totaled £514 million, a difference of £186 million.
Interest income and expense
The interest income on financial assets not at fair value through profit and loss was £2,662 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.
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The interest expense on financial liabilities not at fair value through profit and loss was £893 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Listed investments2004
Of the Group's financial investments of £151,078 million as at December 31, 2004, £115,294 million were listed investments. The amount of the Group's total financial investments that were due to mature in less than one year was £15,409 million.
G2: Market risk
Interest rate risk
The following table shows an analysis of the classes of financial assets and liabilities with direct exposure to interest rate risk. Each applicable class of the Group's financial assets or liabilities are analyzed between those exposed to fair value interest rate risk, cash flow interest rate risk and those with no direct interest rate risk exposure:
2005 |
Fair value interest rate risk |
Cash flow interest rate risk |
Not directly exposed to interest rate risk |
Total |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
||||
Financial assets | ||||||||
Deposits | 4,531 | 3,096 | | 7,627 | ||||
Debt securities | 74,806 | 7,665 | | 82,471 | ||||
Loans and receivables | 4,269 | 8,976 | | 13,245 | ||||
Other investments (including derivatives) | 345 | 1,553 | 1,981 | 3,879 | ||||
83,951 | 21,290 | 1,981 | 107,222 | |||||
Financial liabilities | ||||||||
Banking customer accounts | | 5,830 | | 5,830 | ||||
Core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations | 3,191 | | | 3,191 | ||||
Operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations | 1,638 | 4,780 | 14 | 6,432 | ||||
Borrowings attributable to with-profits funds | 916 | 883 | 99 | 1,898 | ||||
Obligations under funding, securities lending and sale and repurchase agreements | 703 | 3,826 | | 4,529 | ||||
Investment contracts without discretionary participation features | 723 | 779 | 10,524 | 12,026 | ||||
Other liabilities (including derivatives) | 275 | 380 | 1,114 | 1,769 | ||||
7,446 | 16,478 | 11,751 | 35,675 | |||||
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The following table sets out the Group's commitments to lend funds at a fixed rate:
2005 |
Amount |
Weighted average interest rate % |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
|
|||
Term to maturity: | |||||
Less than 1 year | 16 | 11.9 | |||
1 to 5 years | 58 | 5.4 | |||
5 to 10 years | 52 | 7.4 | |||
10 to 15 years | 27 | 7.4 | |||
15 to 20 years | 9 | 5.3 | |||
Over 20 years | 5 | 5.6 | |||
167 | |||||
Of the above commitments £104 million related to US operations, £32 million related to the banking operations and £31 million related to Asian operations.
The table below details the effective interest rates for applicable classes of financial assets and liabilities not held at fair value through profit and loss, notably financial assets designated as available-for-sale, loans and receivables and liabilities held at amortized cost:
|
Balance of financial instruments not at fair value through profit and loss |
Range of effective interest rates applicable as at 31 Dec 2005 % |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
|
|||
Assets | |||||
Deposits | 7,627 | 1.6 5.4 | |||
Debt securities | 25,657 | 4.0 8.0 | |||
Loans and receivables: | |||||
Mortgage loans | 4,928 | 2.3 7.6 | |||
Policy loans | 865 | 3.0 9.0 | |||
Other loans | 7,452 | 4.5 10.5 | |||
46,529 | |||||
Liabilities | |||||
Banking customer accounts | 5,830 | 1.6 5.0 | |||
Core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations | 3,191 | 5.5 9.4 | |||
Operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations | 6,432 | 2.2 6.5 | |||
Borrowings attributable to with-profits funds | 1,339 | 6.0 10.0 | |||
Obligations under funding, stocklending and sale and repurchase agreements | 4,529 | 2.4 8.0 | |||
Investment contracts without discretionary participation features | 1,502 | 2.0 8.2 | |||
Other liabilities (including derivatives) | 918 | 0.0 0.0 | |||
23,741 | |||||
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For further information on effective interest rates specific to the banking operations, please refer to section E6.
In relation to interest rate exposure, the following table sets out the earlier of contractual maturities and repricing dates for applicable classes of financial instruments, excluding investment contracts without discretionary participation features:
2005 |
1 year or less |
After 1 year to 5 years |
After 5 years to 10 years |
After 10 years to 15 years |
After 15 years to 20 years |
Over 20 years |
No stated maturity |
Total carrying value |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
||||||||
Financial assets | ||||||||||||||||
Deposits | 7,029 | 38 | 20 | | | 52 | 488 | 7,627 | ||||||||
Debt securities | 3,475 | 11,857 | 23,162 | 8,594 | 9,610 | 24,754 | 1,019 | 82,471 | ||||||||
Loans and receivables | 3,495 | 4,275 | 1,875 | 1,199 | 1,393 | 172 | 836 | 13,245 | ||||||||
Other investments (including derivatives) | 1,893 | 189 | 83 | 29 | 17 | 208 | 1,460 | 3,879 | ||||||||
15,892 | 16,359 | 25,140 | 9,822 | 11,020 | 25,186 | 3,803 | 107,222 | |||||||||
Financial liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Banking customer accounts | 5,830 | | | | | | | 5,830 | ||||||||
Core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations | | 399 | 250 | | 857 | 820 | 865 | 3,191 | ||||||||
Operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations | 2,440 | 3,040 | | 139 | | 813 | | 6,432 | ||||||||
Borrowings attributable to with-profits funds | 39 | 309 | 775 | | | 81 | 694 | 1,898 | ||||||||
Obligations under funding, stocklending and sale and repurchase agreements | 4,529 | | | | | | | 4,529 | ||||||||
Other liabilities (including derivatives) | 1,096 | 256 | 70 | 30 | 68 | 130 | 119 | 1,769 | ||||||||
13,934 | 4,004 | 1,095 | 169 | 925 | 1,844 | 1,678 | 23,649 | |||||||||
Durations of long-term business contracts, including investment contracts, are included in section D.
F-133
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
Currency risk
As at December 31, 2005, the Group held 18 per cent and 21 per cent of its financial assets and financial liabilities respectively, in currencies, mainly US dollar and Euro, other than the functional currency of the relevant business unit.
The financial assets, of which 86 per cent are held by the PAC with-profits fund, allow the PAC with-profits fund to obtain exposure to foreign equity markets.
The financial liabilities, of which 22 per cent are held by the PAC with-profits fund, mainly relate to foreign currency borrowings.
The exchange risks inherent in these exposures are mitigated through the use of derivatives, mainly forward currency contracts (see G3 below).
The amount of exchange gains recognized in the income statement in 2005 except for those arising on financial instruments measured at fair value through profit and loss is £152 million (2004: £27 million). Of this amount, £134 million (2004: £31 million) is offset by value movements on cross-currency swaps and £12 million (2004: exchange loss of £2 million) relates to investments of the PAC with-profits fund.
See also note E3 for details of the market risks faced by the banking business.
G3: Derivatives and hedging
Derivatives
The Group enters into a variety of exchange traded and over-the-counter derivative financial instruments, including futures, options, forward currency contracts and swaps such as interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps, swaptions and credit default swaps.
All over-the-counter derivative transactions are conducted under standardized ISDA (International Swaps and Derivatives Association Inc) master agreements and the Group has collateral agreements between the individual group entities and relevant counterparties in place under each of these market master agreements.
The total fair value balances of derivative assets and liabilities as at December 31, 2005 were as follows:
2005 |
UK insurance operations |
US |
Banking operations |
Other operations |
Total |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
||||||
Derivative assets | 338 | 166 | 50 | 86 | 640 | ||||||
Derivative liabilities | (403 | ) | (208 | ) | (77 | ) | (163 | ) | (851 | ) | |
(65 | ) | (42 | ) | (27 | ) | (77 | ) | (211 | ) | ||
The above derivative assets and derivative liabilities are included in 'other investments' and 'other liabilities' in the primary statements.
F-134
The notional amount of the derivatives, distinguishing between UK insurance, US, banking and other operations were as follows as at December 31, 2005:
|
UK insurance operations |
US |
Banking operations |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Notional amount on which future payments are based |
Notional amount on which future payments are based |
Notional amount on which future payments are based |
|||||||||
|
Asset |
Liability |
Asset |
Liability |
Asset |
Liability |
||||||
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
||||||
Cross-currency swaps* | 800 | 774 | 552 | 392 | 941 | 952 | ||||||
Equity index call options | | | 796 | 13 | | | ||||||
Swaptions | 1,125 | | 9,320 | 14,562 | | | ||||||
Futures | 1,621 | 1,239 | 9 | | | | ||||||
Forwards* | 10,711 | 10,878 | | | 743 | 744 | ||||||
Inflation swaps | 1,070 | 1,070 | | | | | ||||||
Credit default swaps | | | | | 2,256 | | ||||||
Single stock options | 83 | 18 | | | | | ||||||
Put options | | | 1,427 | | | | ||||||
FTSE swap | | | | | 49 | 49 | ||||||
Total return swaps | 479 | 479 | 612 | 120 | | | ||||||
Interest rate swaps | 2,790 | 3,302 | 2,367 | 4,250 | 2,855 | 2,855 | ||||||
These derivatives are used for efficient portfolio management to obtain cost effective and efficient exposure to various markets in accordance with the Group's investment strategies and to manage exposure to interest rate, currency, credit and other business risks. See also section D3 for use of derivatives by the Group's US operations.
The Group uses the various interest rate derivative instruments, such as interest rate swaps to reduce exposure to interest rate volatility.
The UK insurance operations use various currency derivatives in order to limit volatility due to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations arising on securities denominated in currencies other than Sterling. See also note G2 above. In addition, total return swaps and interest rate swaps are held for efficient portfolio management.
As part of the efficient portfolio management of the PAC with-profits fund, the fund may, from time to time, invest in cash-settled forward contracts over Prudential plc shares, which are accounted for consistently with other derivatives. This is in order to avoid a mismatch of the with-profits investment portfolio with the investment benchmarks set for its equity-based investment funds. The contracts will
F-135
form part of the long-term investments of the with-profits fund. These contracts are subject to a number of limitations for legal and regulatory reasons.
Some of the Group's products, especially those sold in the US, have certain guarantee features linked to equity indexes. A mismatch between product liabilities and the performance of the underlying assets backing them exposes the Group to equity index risk. In order to mitigate this risk, the relevant business units purchase swaptions, equity options and futures to match asset performance with liabilities under equity-indexed products.
The US operations and some of the UK operations hold large amounts of interest rate sensitive investments that contain credit risks on which a certain level of defaults is expected. These entities have purchased some swaptions in order to manage the default risk on certain underlying assets and hence reduce the amount of regulatory capital held to support the assets.
Egg uses derivative instruments for the purpose of supporting the strategic and operational business activities and reducing and eliminating the risk of loss arising from changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. Derivatives are used solely to hedge risk exposures and Egg does not take any trading position in derivatives.
For the purpose of reducing interest rate risk, Egg uses a number of derivative instruments, including interest rate swaps and forward agreements. Additionally, swaps are used to provide caps to the funding cost of the credit card product.
Egg has also made general use of credit default swaps to manage credit risk without changing the underlying product or investment portfolios.
For the purpose of reducing currency risk, Egg uses forward exchange contracts and currency swaps.
Hedging
The Group has formally assessed and documented the effectiveness of the following hedges:
Fair value hedges
The Group has a US$1 billion fair value hedge in place which hedges the interest exposure on the US$1 billion, 6.5 per cent perpetual subordinated capital securities.
In addition, Jackson has entered into a collar fair value hedge, which has been hedge accounted for from March 1, 2005. This common stock equity collar transaction was entered into to protect the Company's unrealized gain of US$5.9 million on an equity investment. The hedge expires in March 2008.
Cash flow hedges
Egg has cash flow hedged certain balance sheet items, which are subject to interest rate risk. As at December 31, 2005, the notional amount of this cash flow hedge was £2,296 million. The cash flows are periodically updated based on the underlying banking portfolios.
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Net investment hedges
In November 2005, the Group's US$500 million net investment hedge relating to the currency exposure of the US operations matured.
In December 2005, the Group entered into a series of forward currency transactions which together form a US$2 billion net investment hedge of the currency exposure of the net investments in the US operations.
The Group has designated perpetual subordinated capital securities totaling US$1.55 billion as a net investment hedge to hedge the currency risks related to the net investment in JNL. The carrying value of the subordinated capital securities was £865 million as at December 31, 2005.
The net investment hedges were 100 per cent effective.
G4: Derecognition, securitization and collateral
Securities lending and reverse repurchase agreements
The Group has entered into securities lending (including repurchase agreements) whereby blocks of securities are loaned to third parties, primarily major brokerage firms. The agreements require that amounts between 102 per cent and 105 per cent of the fair value of the loaned securities be held as collateral, depending on the quality of the collateral, calculated on a daily basis. The loaned securities are not removed from the Group's consolidated balance sheet, rather they are retained within the appropriate investment classification. Collateral typically consists of cash, debt securities, equity securities and letters of credit. At December 31, 2005, the Group had lent £10,594 million (of which £8,250 million was lent by the PAC with-profits fund) of securities and held collateral under such agreements of £11,112 million (of which £8,657 million was held by the PAC with-profits fund).
At December 31, 2005, the Group had entered into reverse repurchase transactions under which it purchased securities and had taken on the obligation to resell the securities for the purchase price, £1,214 million, together with accrued interest.
Collateral and pledges under derivative transactions
At December 31, 2005, the Group had pledged £403 million for liabilities and held collateral of £193 million in respect of over-the-counter derivative transactions.
Securitization
During 2005, Egg transferred additional UK credit card receivables to its trust vehicle, Arch (Term) Limited, created in 2002 for the purpose of asset-backed securitization, bringing the outstanding balance of assets in this vehicle to £2.8 billion (2004: £2.59 billion). The noteholders in securitizations from this vehicle have a proportional interest in each account balance in the trust. As at December 31, 2005, the value of this interest was £2.3 billion (2004: £2.23 billion). This securitization does not qualify for derecognition under IAS 39 and the total portfolio is, therefore, included in loans and receivables. The funding giving rise to the note-holders interest is included within operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations.
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G5: Impairment of financial assets
In accordance with the Group's accounting policy set out in note A4, impairment reviews were performed for available-for-sale securities and loans and receivables. In addition, impairment reviews were undertaken for the reinsurers' share of policyholder liability provisions.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, an amount of £278 million for impairment losses was recognized, mainly for loans and advances to customers in Egg and available-for-sale securities held by JNL.
The impairment losses have been recorded in 'acquisition costs and other operating expenditure'.
H: Other information on balance sheet items
H1: Goodwill
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||||
Cost | ||||||
At January 1 | 2,250 | 1,813 | * | |||
Additions | 151 | 537 | ||||
Disposals (including, for 2005, goodwill of held for sale venture investment subsidiariessee note H9) | (333 | ) | (100 | ) | ||
At December 31 | 2,068 | 2,250 | ||||
Aggregate impairment | ||||||
At January 1 | (5 | ) | 0 | |||
Impairment losses in the year recognized in the profit and loss | (120 | ) | (5 | ) | ||
Write-offs related to disposals and discontinued operations | 5 | 0 | ||||
At December 31 | (120 | ) | (5 | ) | ||
Net book amount as at December 31 | 1,948 | 2,245 | ||||
The carrying value of goodwill is attributable to: | ||||||
The PAC with-profits fund (in respect of venture investment subsidiaries) | 607 | 784 | ||||
Shareholders (principally in respect of M&G and Asian businesses) | 1,341 | 1,461 | ||||
1,948 | 2,245 | |||||
The additions of £151 million (2004: £537 million) relate to additions to the PAC with-profits fund venture holdings in which the Group has a controlling interest. All goodwill additions relate to the UK and the long-term business segments. Additional details on the acquisitions are provided in note I6.
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Goodwill disposals in 2004 relate to the sale of Jackson Federal Bank (£38 million) and sales of a PAC with-profits fund venture subsidiary (£62 million). In 2005, goodwill disposals relate entirely to PAC with-profits fund venture subsidiaries.
The £5 million charge for impairments in 2004 related to the write-down of Funds Direct (£2 million) and Zebank (£3 million), parts of the Egg group. The impairment has been reflected in discontinued operations (note F6) in the consolidated income statement.
During 2005, the acquired goodwill of the Japanese life company was tested for impairment and a charge of £120 million has been separately disclosed in the consolidated income statement. The charge reflects the slower than expected development of the Japanese life business.
Impairment testing
Goodwill does not generate cash flows independently of other groups of assets and thus is assigned to cash generating units (CGUs) for the purposes of impairment testing. These CGUs are based upon how management monitors the business and represent the lowest level to which goodwill can be allocated on a reasonable basis. An allocation of the Group's goodwill to CGUs is shown below:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||
M&G | 1,153 | 1,153 | ||
Japan life company | | 120 | ||
Venture investment subsidiaries of the PAC with-profits fund | 607 | 784 | ||
Other | 188 | 188 | ||
1,948 | 2,245 | |||
'Other' represents goodwill amounts allocated across cash generating units in Asia and US operations. Thesegoodwill amounts are not individually material. There are no other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives other than goodwill.
Assessment of whether goodwill may be impaired
With the exception of M&G and venture investment subsidiaries of the PAC with-profits fund the goodwill in the balance sheet relates to acquired life businesses. The Company routinely compares the aggregate of net asset value and acquired goodwill on an IFRS basis of acquired life business with the value of the business as determined using the EEV methodology, as described in section D1. Any excess of IFRS over EEV carrying value is then compared with EEV basis value of current and projected future new business to determine whether there is any indication that the goodwill in the IFRS balance sheet may be impaired.
Goodwill is tested for impairment by comparing the CGUs carrying amount, excluding any goodwill, with its recoverable amount.
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M&G
The recoverable amount for the M&G CGU has been determined by calculating its value in use. This has been calculated by aggregating the present value of future cash flows expected to be derived from the component businesses of M&G (based upon management projections) and its current surplus capital.
The discounted cash flow valuation has been based on a three-year plan prepared by M&G, and approved by the directors of Prudential plc, and cash flow projections for later years.
As a cross check to the discounted cash flow analysis, a review was undertaken of publicly available information for companies engaged in businesses comparable to the component businesses, including reported market prices for such companies' shares. In addition, a review was undertaken of publicly available terms of transactions involving companies comparable to the component businesses. In particular, comparison has been made of the valuation multiples implied by the discounted cash flow analysis to current trading multiples of companies comparable to the component businesses, as well as to multiples achieved in precedent transactions.
The value in use is particularly sensitive to a number of key assumptions, as follows:
Management believes that any reasonable change in the key assumptions would not cause the carrying amount of M&G to exceed its recoverable amount.
Japanese life company
As noted above, the entire goodwill relating to the Japanese life operation of £120 million has been deemed to be impaired following impairment testing carried out in 2005. This testing was based on a recoverable amount for the Japanese company that was determined by calculating its value in use based on net present value cash flow projections. Such projections reflected existing business over the expected duration of the contracts and expected new business. A risk discount rate of 5 per cent was applied to the projected cash flows. On the basis of the results of this exercise it was determined that all goodwill held in relation to the Japanese business should be written off in 2005.
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Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
PAC with-profits fund venture investment subsidiaries
The recoverable amount for the ventures entities controlled by the Group through PPM Capital has been determined on a portfolio CGU basis by aggregating fair values calculated for each entity less costs to sell these entities.
The fair value of each entity is calculated by PPM Capital in accordance with the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines which set out industry best practice for determining the fair value of private equity investments. The guidelines require that an enterprise value is calculated for each investment, typically using an appropriate multiple applied to the Company's maintainable earnings. All amounts relating to financial instruments ranking higher in a liquidation than those controlled by PPM Capital are then deducted from the enterprise value and a marketability discount applied to the result to give a fair value attributable to the instruments controlled by PPM Capital. The marketability discount ranges from 10 per cent to 30 per cent, depending on PPM Capital's level of control over a realization process.
Management believes that any reasonable change in the key assumptions would not give rise to an impairment charge.
H2: Other intangible assets
Other intangible assets in the Group consolidated balance sheet consist of:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Deferred acquisition costs (DAC) related to insurance contracts as classified under IFRS 4 (2004all long-term business) | 2,235 | 2,912 | |||
Deferred acquisition costs related to investment management contracts, including life assurance contracts classified as financial instruments and investment management contracts under IFRS 4 (2004fund management contracts other than long-term business only) | 104 | 8 | |||
2,339 | 2,920 | ||||
Present value of acquired in-force policies for insurance contracts as classified under IFRS 4 (2004all long-term business) | 92 | 122 | |||
Present value of future profits of acquired investment management contracts, including life assurance contracts classified as financial instruments and investment management contracts under IFRS 4 (2004fund management contracts other than long-term business only) | 9 | 0 | |||
101 | 122 | ||||
The carrying value of other intangible assets is attributable to: | |||||
PAC with-profits fund | 35 | 798 | |||
Shareholder operations | 2,405 | 2,244 | |||
2,440 | 3,042 | ||||
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Deferred acquisition costs related to insurance contracts
IFRS 4, which is adopted from January 1, 2005, permits deferred acquisition costs for insurance contracts and investment contracts with discretionary participation features to be accounted for under existing GAAP. Under UK GAAP, acquisition costs are deferred with amortization on a basis commensurate with the anticipated emergence of margins under the contract.
On January 1, 2005, the Group adopted FRS 27, 'Life Assurance' into existing GAAP as part of the adoption of IFRS 4 which is reflected in the transition adjustment in the table below. The effect of this is to derecognize deferred acquisition costs for with-profits contracts of the UK regulated with-profits funds. The transition adjustment also removes deferred acquisition costs on with-profits investment contracts without discretionary participation features of UK regulated with-profits funds. Costs associated with the investment management element of other life assurance contracts classified as financial instruments and investment management contracts under IFRS 4 and fund management contracts are remeasured under the provisions of IAS 18. In addition, the transition adjustment includes adjustments to JNL DAC, including shadow DAC, resulting from implementation of IFRS investment measurement bases.
The movement in deferred acquisition costs relating to insurance contracts and investment contracts with discretionary participation features is as follows:
|
£ million |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Deferred acquisition costs at January 1, 2004 | 2,943 | |||
Additions | 473 | |||
Amortization | (381 | ) | ||
Impairment | (2 | ) | ||
Exchange differences | (121 | ) | ||
Deferred acquisition costs at December 31, 2004 | 2,912 | |||
Transition adjustment on application of IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4 (see note A6): | ||||
Derecognition of deferred acquisition costs for UK regulated with-profits funds as a result of adopting FRS 27 | (765 | ) | ||
Removal of deferred acquisition costs on investment contracts without discretionary participation features | (38 | ) | ||
Shadow DAC and other impacts as a result of measurement changes in JNL's investment portfolio | (456 | ) | ||
(1,259 | ) | |||
Deferred acquisition costs at January 1, 2005 | 1,653 | |||
Additions | 501 | |||
Amortization | (392 | ) | ||
Impairment | (21 | ) | ||
Exchange differences | 173 | |||
Change in shadow DAC | 321 | |||
Deferred acquisition costs at December 31, 2005 | 2,235 | |||
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In 2005, deferred acquisition costs of £21 million relating to the Taiwanese life assurance operation were impaired. See note D4(f) for further details.
Deferred acquisition costs related to investment management contracts
Incremental costs associated with the origination of investment management contracts written by the Group's insurance and fund management businesses are capitalized and amortized as the related revenue is recognized. Deferred acquisition costs related to investment management contracts are all internally generated.
Amortization of this intangible asset is included in the 'acquisition costs and other operating expenditure' line in the income statement.
|
£ million |
||
---|---|---|---|
At January 1, 2004 | |||
Gross amount | 12 | ||
Accumulated amortization | | ||
Net book amount | 12 | ||
Year ended December 31, 2004 | |||
Opening net book amount | 12 | ||
Additions (through internal development) | 1 | ||
Amortization | (5 | ) | |
At December 31, 2004 | 8 | ||
Transition adjustment on application of IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4 | 67 | ||
At January 1, 2005 | |||
Gross amount | 80 | ||
Accumulated amortization | (5 | ) | |
Net book amount | 75 | ||
Year ended December 31, 2005 | |||
Opening net book amount | 75 | ||
Additions (through internal development) | 45 | ||
Amortization | (9 | ) | |
Other changes | (7 | ) | |
Closing net book amount | 104 | ||
At December 31, 2005 | |||
Gross amount | 118 | ||
Accumulated amortization | (14 | ) | |
Net book amount | 104 | ||
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Present value of acquired in-force business
Long-term business
Prior to the adoption of IFRS 4, the present value of acquired in-force business (PVAIF) was accounted for under UK GAAP. On January 1, 2005, following the adoption of IFRS 4, PVAIF relating to investment contracts without discretionary participation features, which was included within long-term business, is removed and replaced by an asset representing the present value of the future profits of the investment management component of these contracts, where applicable. These contracts are accounted for under the provisions of IAS 18. The remainder of the PVAIF balance relates to insurance contracts and continues to be accounted for under UK GAAP as permitted by IFRS 4.
The amortization charge is included in acquisition costs and other operating expenditure in the income statement.
Investment management
The present value of future profits of acquired investment management contracts relates to unit-linked contracts acquired as part of the M&G acquisition in 1999.
Amortization is charged to the 'acquisition costs and other operating expenditure' line in the income statement over the period of provision of investment management services as those profits emerge.
|
Long-term business |
Investment management |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
At January 1, 2004 | |||||
Cost | 256 | 0 | |||
Accumulated amortization | (103 | ) | 0 | ||
Net book amount | 153 | 0 | |||
Year ended December 31, 2004 | |||||
Opening net book amount | 153 | 0 | |||
Exchange differences | (6 | ) | 0 | ||
Amortization charge | (25 | ) | 0 | ||
At December 31, 2004 | 122 | 0 | |||
Transition adjustment on application of IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4 | (18 | ) | 12 | ||
At January 1, 2005 | |||||
Cost | 217 | 12 | |||
Accumulated amortization | (113 | ) | 0 | ||
Net book amount | 104 | 12 | |||
Year ended December 31, 2005 | |||||
Opening net book amount | 104 | 12 | |||
Exchange differences | 9 | 0 | |||
Amortization charge | (21 | ) | (3 | ) | |
Closing net book amount | 92 | 9 | |||
At December 31, 2005 | |||||
Cost | 233 | 12 | |||
Accumulated amortization | (141 | ) | (3 | ) | |
Net book amount | 92 | 9 | |||
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H3: Reinsurers' share of policyholder liabilities
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||
Insurance contract liabilities (note i) | 1,203 | | ||
Claims outstanding | 75 | 99 | ||
Long-term business provision | | 612 | ||
Technical provisions for linked liabilities | | 307 | ||
1,278 | 1,018 | |||
Note
|
2005 |
|
---|---|---|
|
£ million |
|
Balance at December 31, 2004 and January 1, 2005 following adoption of IFRS 4* | 919 | |
Amount included in income statement | 242 | |
Foreign exchange translation differences | 42 | |
Balance at December 31, 2005 | 1,203 | |
H4: Tax assets and liabilities
Assets
Of the £231 million (2004: £159 million) current tax recoverable, the majority is expected to be settled in one year or less.
Deferred tax asset
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||
Unrealized losses on investments | 84 | 186 | ||
Balances relating to investment and insurance contracts | 317 | 357 | ||
Short-term timing differences | 258 | 260 | ||
Capital allowances | 91 | 21 | ||
Unused deferred tax losses | 5 | 3 | ||
755 | 827 | |||
Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that they are regarded as recoverable, that is to the extent that, on the basis of all available evidence, it can be regarded as more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable profits from which the future reversal of the underlying temporary
F-145
differences can be deducted. The UK taxation regime applies separate rules to trading and capital profits and losses. The distinction between temporary differences that arise from items of either a capital or trading nature may affect the recognition of deferred tax assets. Accordingly, for the 2005 results and balance sheet position at December 31, 2005 the possible tax benefit of approximately £333 million (2004: £430 million), which may arise from capital losses valued at approximately £1.7 billion, is sufficiently uncertain that it has not been recognized. In addition, a potential deferred tax asset of £67 million, which may arise from trading losses of approximately £237 million, is sufficiently uncertain that it has not been recognized.
Liabilities
Of the £962 million (2004: £1,018 million) current tax liability, it is not practicable to estimate how much is expected to be settled in one year or less due to the uncertainty over when outstanding issues will be agreed with HM Revenue and Customs.
Deferred tax liability
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Unrealized gains on investments | 1,907 | 1,477 | |||
Balances relating to investment and insurance contracts | 554 | 675 | |||
Short-term timing differences | 450 | 131 | |||
Capital allowances | 80 | (4 | ) | ||
2,991 | 2,279 | ||||
Unprovided deferred income tax liabilities on temporary differences associated with investment in subsidiaries, associates and interests in joint ventures are considered to be insignificant due to the availability of various UK tax exemptions and reliefs.
Discounting
Deferred tax asset and liability balances have not been discounted.
F-146
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
H5: Accrued investment income and other debtors
|
2005 £ million |
2004 £ million |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accrued investment income | |||||
Interest receivable | 1,235 | 1,287 | |||
Other | 556 | 446 | |||
1,791 | 1,733 | ||||
Other debtors | |||||
Premiums receivable: | |||||
From policyholders | 230 | 106 | |||
From intermediaries | 10 | 8 | |||
From reinsurers | 21 | 20 | |||
Other | 1,057 | 1,054 | |||
1,318 | 1,188 | ||||
Total | 3,109 | 2,921 | |||
Of the £3,109 million (2004: £2,921 million) of accrued investment income and other debtors, £992 million (2004: £990 million) is expected to be settled after one year or more.
H6: Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment comprise Group occupied properties, development property and tangible assets. A reconciliation of the carrying amount of these items from the beginning of the year to the end of the year is as follows:
|
Group occupied property £ million |
Development property £ million |
Tangible assets £ million |
Total £ million |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At January 1, 2004 | |||||||||
Cost | 266 | 66 | 866 | 1,198 | |||||
Accumulated depreciation | (29 | ) | | (458 | ) | (487 | ) | ||
Net book amount | 237 | 66 | 408 | 711 | |||||
Year ended December 31, 2004 | |||||||||
Opening net book amount | 237 | 66 | 408 | 711 | |||||
Exchange differences | (3 | ) | | (5 | ) | (8 | ) | ||
Depreciation charge | (6 | ) | | (123 | ) | (129 | ) | ||
Additions | 17 | 69 | 141 | 227 | |||||
Arising on acquisition of subsidiaries | 63 | | 149 | 212 | |||||
Disposals | (3 | ) | | (23 | ) | (26 | ) | ||
Impairment | | | (20 | ) | (20 | ) | |||
Closing net book amount | 305 | 135 | 527 | 967 | |||||
At January 1, 2005 | |||||||||
Cost | 340 | 135 | 1,094 | 1,569 | |||||
Accumulated depreciation | (35 | ) | | (567 | ) | (602 | ) | ||
Net book amount | 305 | 135 | 527 | 967 | |||||
F-147
Year ended December 31, 2005 | |||||||||
Opening net book amount | 305 | 135 | 527 | 967 | |||||
Exchange differences | 5 | | 6 | 11 | |||||
Depreciation charge | (6 | ) | | (110 | ) | (116 | ) | ||
Additions | 5 | 27 | 128 | 160 | |||||
Arising on acquisition of subsidiaries | 38 | | 44 | 82 | |||||
Disposals | (105 | ) | | (102 | ) | (207 | ) | ||
Reclassification from held for investment | | 13 | | 13 | |||||
Closing net book amount | 242 | 175 | 493 | 910 | |||||
At December 31, 2005 | |||||||||
Cost | 279 | 175 | 1,082 | 1,536 | |||||
Accumulated depreciation | (37 | ) | | (589 | ) | (626 | ) | ||
Net book amount | 242 | 175 | 493 | 910 | |||||
Of the above net book amounts, £125 million (2004: £193 million) of Group occupied property and £269 million (2004: £287 million) of tangible assets are attributable to consolidated venture investment subsidiaries of the PAC with-profits fund at December 31, 2005. All additions arising on acquisitions relate to acquisitions of venture investment subsidiaries of the PAC with-profits fund.
Capital expenditure: property, plant and equipment by primary segment
|
2005 £ million |
2004 £ million |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Long-term business | 124 | 159 | ||
Banking | 28 | 60 | ||
Broker-dealer and fund management | 6 | 8 | ||
Unallocated corporate | 2 | | ||
160 | 227 | |||
Capital expenditure: property, plant and equipment by secondary segment
|
2005 £ million |
2004 £ million |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
UK | 117 | 192 | ||
US | 14 | 12 | ||
Asia | 29 | 23 | ||
160 | 227 | |||
F-148
H7: Investment properties
Investment properties principally relate to the PAC with-profits fund and are carried at fair value. A reconciliation of the carrying amount of investment properties at the beginning and end of the year is set out below:
|
2005 £ million |
2004 £ million |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At January 1, 2005 | 13,303 | 11,489 | ||||
Additions: | ||||||
Resulting from acquisitions | 844 | 924 | ||||
Resulting from expenditure capitalised | 56 | 224 | ||||
Resulting from acquisitions through business combinations | 22 | | ||||
Disposals | (1,224 | ) | (295 | ) | ||
Net gains from fair value adjustments | 720 | 1,063 | ||||
Net foreign exchange differences | 24 | (2 | ) | |||
Transfers to held for sale assets (note H9) | (552 | ) | (100 | ) | ||
Transfers to development properties | (13 | ) | | |||
At December 31, 2005 | 13,180 | 13,303 | ||||
The income statement includes the following items in respect of investment properties:
|
2005 £ million |
2004 £ million |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rental income from investment properties | 765 | 828 | |||
Direct operating expenses (including repairs and maintenance expenses) arising from investment properties: | |||||
That generated rental income during the year | 133 | 119 | |||
That did not generate rental income during the year | 7 | 1 | |||
Total direct operating expenses | 140 | 120 | |||
F-149
Investment properties of £4,463 million (2004: £5,095 million) are held under finance leases. A reconciliation between the total of future minimum lease payments at the balance sheet date, and their present value is shown below:
|
2005 £ million |
2004 £ million |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Future minimum lease payments at December 31 | 564 | 679 | ||||
Future finance charges on finance leases | (450 | ) | (563 | ) | ||
Present value of minimum lease payments | 114 | 116 | ||||
Future minimum lease payments are due as follows: | ||||||
Less than 1 year | 12 | 8 | ||||
1 to 5 years | 23 | 25 | ||||
Over 5 years | 529 | 646 | ||||
564 | 679 | |||||
The present values of these minimum lease payments are: | ||||||
Less than 1 year | 11 | 7 | ||||
1 to 5 years | 22 | 23 | ||||
Over 5 years | 81 | 86 | ||||
114 | 116 | |||||
Contingent rent is that portion of the lease payments that is not fixed in amount but is based on the future value of a factor that changes other than with the passage of time. Contingent rent recognized as an expense in 2005 amounted to £21 million (2004: £27 million). Contingent rents recognized as income in the year amounted to £46 million (2004: £42 million).
The Group's policy is to rent investment properties to tenants through operating leases. Minimum future rentals to be received on non-cancelable operating leases are receivable in the following periods:
|
2005 £ million |
2004 £ million |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Less than 1 year | 702 | 731 | ||
1 to 5 years | 2,535 | 2,672 | ||
Over 5 years | 7,005 | 7,424 | ||
The total minimum future rentals to be received on non-cancelable sub-leases for land and buildings for the year ended December 31, 2005 are £4,006 million (2004: £3,760 million).
H8: Investments in participating interests
The Group's investments in participating interests at December 31, 2005 and 2004 comprise associates and joint ventures. Disclosures relating to these investments are provided below. The Group also had an interest of 15 per cent in Life Assurance Holding Corporation Limited that was sold in August 2004 and realized a profit on sale of £7 million before tax. This has been further disclosed in the discontinued operations note (see note F6).
F-150
Investments in associates
The Group had one associate at December 31, 2005 and 2004 that is accounted for using the equity method, IfOnline Group Limited (IfOnline), a company whose principal activity is mortgage intermediation. Until its sale in September 2004, the Group also accounted for its share in Hazell Carr Pensions Consulting plc (Hazell Carr) as an equity accounted associate.
The Group also has investments in associates which meet the IAS 28 criteria for measurement at fair value through profit and loss in accordance with IAS 39.
Associates accounted for using the equity method
The Group holds 38.6 per cent of the total issued share capital of IfOnline which comprises 29.9 per cent of the ordinary share capital and 96.0 per cent of the preference share capital. The Group also holds £1 Founder share capital and £1 AN share capital. IfOnline is not a listed investment. Equity accounting is applied based on its reporting period of the year to November 30 and is adjusted for material changes up to December 31. Accordingly, the information is deemed to cover the same period as that of the Group.
In September 2004, the Company sold its 25 per cent share of Hazell Carr for £5 million. The profit on sale before tax of £2 million is included in investment income in the consolidated income statement.
A summary of the movements in investments in associates accounted for using the equity method in 2005 and 2004 is set out below:
|
Share of capital |
Share of reserves |
Share of net assets |
Goodwill |
Total carrying value |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
||||||
Balance at January 1, 2004 | 6 | (7 | ) | (1 | ) | 10 | 9 | ||||
Share of loss for the year after tax | | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | | (1 | ) | |||
Disposal of Hazell Carr | (2 | ) | 2 | | (3 | ) | (3 | ) | |||
Balance at December 31, 2004 | 4 | (6 | ) | (2 | ) | 7 | 5 | ||||
Share of profit for the year after tax | | | | | | ||||||
Balance at December 31, 2005 | 4 | (6 | ) | (2 | ) | 7 | 5 | ||||
There have been no changes recognized directly in the equity of associates that would also be recognized directly in equity by the Group.
F-151
The Group's share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and profit and loss of associates accounted for using the equity method at December 31, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Financial position | |||||
Total assets (excluding goodwill) | 1 | 1 | |||
Total liabilities | (3 | ) | (3 | ) | |
Net assets | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | |
Results of operations | |||||
Revenue | 2 | 1 | |||
Profit (loss) in the year | | (1 | ) | ||
Associates carried at fair value through profit and loss
The Group's associates that are carried at fair value through profit and loss comprise investments in OEICs, unit trusts, funds holding collateralized debt obligations, property unit trusts, and venture capital investments of the PAC with-profits fund managed by PPM Capital, where the Group has significant influence. These investments are incorporated both in the UK and overseas, and some have year ends which are non-coterminous with that of the Group. In these instances, the investments are recorded at fair value at December 31, 2005 based on valuations or pricing information at that specific date. The aggregate fair value of associates carried at fair value through profit and loss where there are published price quotations is approximately £2 billion at December 31, 2005.
The aggregate assets of these associates are approximately £9 billion. Aggregate liabilities, excluding liabilities to unit holders and shareholders for unit trusts and OEICs, are approximately £3 billion. Fund revenues, with revenue arising in unit trusts and OEICs deemed to constitute the investment return for these vehicles, was approximately £2 billion and net profit in the year, excluding unit trusts or OEICs where all investment returns accrue to unit holders or shareholders respectively, was approximately £0.1 billion.
Investments in joint ventures
Joint ventures represent activities over which the Group exercises joint control through contractual agreement with one or more parties. The Group's significant joint ventures, which are accounted for
F-152
using proportionate consolidation, comprise various joint ventures relating to property investments where the Group has a 50 per cent interest as well as the following interests:
Investment |
% held |
Principal activity |
Country |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited | 26 | Life assurance | India | |||
BOCIPrudential Asset Management Limited | 36 | Pensions | China | |||
Marlborough Stirling Mortgage Services Limited | 50 | Mortgage processing services | UK | |||
PruHealth | 50 | Private medical insurance | UK | |||
CITIC Prudential Fund Management Company Limited | 33 | Fund Management | China | |||
Prudential ICICI Asset Management Company Limited | 49 | Fund Management | India |
CITIC Prudential Fund Management Company Limited and Prudential ICICI Asset Management Company Limited are new joint ventures in 2005. Prudential ICICI Asset Management Company Limited was previously a subsidiary with an ownership interest of 55 per cent. However, in 2005 the Group sold a 6 per cent holding resulting in a new interest of 49 per cent. Hence, the Group now accounts for this investment as a joint venture, as there is a contractual agreement to share control.
The investments noted in the table above have the same accounting year end as the Group, except for Marlborough Stirling Mortgage Services Limited and Prudential ICICI Asset Management Company Limited. Although these two investments have a reporting period of 31 March, 12 months of financial information up to December 31 is recorded. Accordingly, the information is deemed to cover the same period as that of the Group.
The summarized financial data for the Group's share of investments in joint ventures is as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Financial position | |||||
Current assets | 233 | 39 | |||
Non-current assets | 281 | 288 | |||
Total assets | 514 | 327 | |||
Current liabilities | (30 | ) | (17 | ) | |
Non-current liabilities | (272 | ) | (179 | ) | |
Total liabilities | (302 | ) | (196 | ) | |
Net equity | 212 | 131 | |||
Results of operations | |||||
Revenues | 156 | 74 | |||
Expenses | (161 | ) | (85 | ) | |
Net loss | (5 | ) | (11 | ) | |
The joint ventures have no significant contingent liabilities to which the Group is exposed nor does the Group have any significant contingent liabilities in relation to its interest in the joint ventures.
F-153
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
H9: Assets and liabilities held for sale
Assets and liabilities held for sale comprise investment property and consolidated venture subsidiaries of the PAC with-profits fund.
Investment properties are classified as held for sale when contracts have been exchanged but the sale has not been completed at the period end.
As at December 31, 2005, there were two venture subsidiaries classified as held for sale, Upperpoint Distribution Limited and Taverner Hotel Group Pty Ltd. The disposals of these subsidiaries were completed on January 31, 2006 and February 6, 2006, respectively. There were no venture subsidiaries classified as held for sale at December 31, 2004.
Major classes of assets and liabilities held for sale are as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||
Assets | ||||
Goodwill | 16 | | ||
Property, plant and equipment | 21 | | ||
Other assets | 139 | | ||
Investment properties | 552 | 100 | ||
Non-current assets held for sale | 728 | 100 | ||
Liabilities | ||||
Other liabilities | 42 | | ||
Borrowings | 104 | | ||
Non-current liabilities held for sale | 146 | | ||
H10: Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in hand, balances with banks, and certain short-term deposits and debt instruments. Cash and cash equivalents included in the cash flow statement comprise the following balance sheet amounts:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||
Cash | 2,380 | 2,799 | ||
Cash equivalents | 1,206 | 1,542 | ||
Total cash and cash equivalents | 3,586 | 4,341 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents held in the parent company and finance subsidiaries are considered to be available for use by the Group. These funds amount to £263 million and £325 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively. The remaining amounts, generally not available for use by the Group, predominantly consist of cash and cash equivalents held for the benefit of policyholders and loans and advances to banks held by Egg.
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H11: Shareholders' equity: share capital, share premium and reserves
The authorized share capital of the Company is £170 million (divided into 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 5 pence each and 2,000,000,000 sterling preference shares of 1 pence each) and US$20 million (divided into 2,000,000,000 US dollar preference shares of 1 cent each) and Euros 20 million (divided into 2,000,000,000 Euro preference shares of 1 cent each). None of the preference shares has been issued. A summary of the ordinary shares in issue is set out below:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Share capital and share premium | |||||
Ordinary share capital: 2,387m (2004: 2,375m) | |||||
Shares issued | 119 | 119 | |||
Share premium | 1,564 | 1,558 | |||
Reserves | |||||
Retained earnings | 3,236 | 2,972 | |||
Translation reserve | 173 | (160 | ) | ||
Available-for-sale and hedging reserves | 102 | 0 | |||
Total shareholders' equity | 5,194 | 4,489 | |||
Share capital and share premium
|
Number of ordinary shares |
Share capital |
Share premium |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||||
2004 | ||||||||
Issued shares of 5p each fully paid: | ||||||||
At the beginning of the year | 2,009,176,830 | 100 | 553 | |||||
Shares issued under Rights Issue, net of expenses | 339,011,347 | 17 | 1,004 | |||||
Shares issued under share option schemes | 567,121 | | 1 | |||||
Shares issued in lieu of cash dividends | 26,637,722 | 2 | 116 | |||||
Transfer to retained earnings in respect of shares issued in lieu of cash dividends | (116 | ) | ||||||
At end of the year | 2,375,393,020 | 119 | 1,558 | |||||
2005 | ||||||||
Issued shares of 5p each fully paid: | ||||||||
At the beginning of the year | 2,375,393,020 | 119 | 1,558 | |||||
Transition adjustment on adoption of IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4 | 2 | |||||||
2,375,393,020 | 119 | 1,560 | ||||||
Shares issued under share option schemes | 745,478 | | 4 | |||||
Shares issued in lieu of cash dividends | 10,645,768 | | 51 | |||||
Transfer to retained earnings in respect of shares issued in lieu of cash dividends | (51 | ) | ||||||
At end of the year | 2,386,784,266 | 119 | 1,564 | |||||
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Amounts recorded in share capital represent the nominal value of the shares issued. The difference between the proceeds received on issue of shares, net of issue costs and the nominal value of shares issued is credited to the share premium account.
In October 2004, the Company announced a one for six Rights Issue at 308 pence per new share. The Rights Issue raised £1,044 million and issue expenses were £23 million.
At December 31, 2005, there were options subsisting under Save As You Earn schemes to subscribe for 12,503,956 (2004: 13,254,966) shares at prices ranging from 266 pence to 715 pence (2004: 266 pence to 723 pence) and exercisable by the year 2012 (2004: 2011). In addition, there are 4,668,534 (2004: 5,153,308) conditional options outstanding under the RSP exercisable at nil cost in the balance of a 10-year period.
The cost of own shares of £97 million as at December 31, 2005 is deducted from retained earnings.
The Company has established trusts to facilitate the delivery of shares under employee incentive plans and savings-related share option schemes. In 2005, the Company purchased 1.4 million (2004: 1.0 million) shares in respect of employee incentive plans at a cost of £6 million (2004: £4 million). At December 31, 2005, 10.7 million (2004: 10.6 million) Prudential plc shares with a market value of £59 million (2004: £48 million) were held in such trusts. This was also the maximum number held at any time during the year. Of this total, 5.7 million (2004: 5.4 million) shares were held in trusts under employee incentive plans.
Of the total shares held in trust, 5 million (2004: 5.2 million) shares were held by a qualifying employee share ownership trust. These shares are expected to be fully distributed in the future on maturity of savings-related share option schemes at a weighted average exercise price of 286 pence (2004: 277 pence). The market value of these shares at December 31, 2005 was £28 million (2004: £24 million).
The Group has consolidated a number of authorized investment funds where it is deemed to control these funds under IFRS. Certain of these funds hold shares in Prudential plc. The total number of shares held by these funds at December 31, 2005 was 5 million (2004: 5.9 million) and the cost of acquiring these shares of £26 million (2004: £29 million) is included in cost of own shares. The market value of these shares as at December 31, 2005 was £28 million (2004: £27 million).
Reserves
The translation reserve represents cumulative foreign exchange translation differences taken directly to equity in accordance with IFRS, net of related tax. In accordance with IFRS 1, cumulative translation differences are deemed to be zero at January 1, 2004, the date of transition to IFRS.
The hedging reserve at December 31, 2005 consists of the portion of the cash flow hedge that is determined to be an effective hedge, net of related tax. The available-for-sale reserve includes gains or losses arising from changes in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of related tax. These reserves arise as a result of the application of IAS 39 which the Group has chosen to adopt at January 1, 2005 as permitted by IFRS 1.
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H12: Insurance contract liabilities and unallocated surplus of with-profits funds
Movement in year
|
Insurance contract liabilities |
Unallocated surplus of with-profits funds |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Policyholder liabilities at December 31, 2004 as reported under UK GAAP | |||||
Technical provisions in respect of non-linked business (note i) | 104,964 | ||||
Technical provisions for linked liabilities | 24,137 | ||||
Unallocated surplus of with-profits funds reflecting previous UK GAAP basis provisioning | 16,686 | ||||
Total at December 31, 2004 as reported under UK GAAP | 129,101 | 16,686 | |||
Effect of changes on implementation of IFRS (note A5) | (39 | ) | (537 | ) | |
Total at December 31, 2004 under IFRS (excluding IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4) | 129,062 | 16,149 | |||
Transition adjustments on application of IAS 32, IAS 39 and IFRS 4 (note ii and note A6) | (25,480 | ) | (7,807 | ) | |
At January 1, 2005 | 103,582 | 8,342 | |||
Income and expense included in the income statement | 12,193 | 3,003 | |||
Liabilities acquired on purchase of insurance business (note I6) | 837 | 0 | |||
Foreign exchange translation differences | 3,824 | 12 | |||
At December 31, 2005 | 120,436 | 11,357 | |||
Notes
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H13: Borrowings
Core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||||
Subordinated debt (excluding Egg) | ||||||
UK operations: | ||||||
€500m 5.75% Subordinated Notes 2021 | 341 | 351 | ||||
£435m 6.125% Subordinated Notes 2031 | 426 | 426 | ||||
US$1,000m 6.5% Perpetual Subordinated Capital Securities | 554 | 512 | ||||
US$250m 6.75% Perpetual Subordinated Capital Securities (note i) | 142 | 126 | ||||
US$300m 6.5% Perpetual Subordinated Capital Securities (note ii) | 169 | | ||||
€20m Medium Term Subordinated Notes 2023 | 14 | 14 | ||||
1,646 | 1,429 | |||||
Other core structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations, other than Egg | ||||||
UK operations: | ||||||
US$250m 7.125% Bonds 2005 | | 130 | ||||
£150m 9.375% Guaranteed Bonds 2007 | 150 | 150 | ||||
£250m 5.5% Bonds 2009 | 249 | 250 | ||||
£250m 5.875% Bonds 2029 | 249 | 250 | ||||
£300m 6.875% Bonds 2023 | 300 | 300 | ||||
Commercial paper | | 171 | ||||
Currency translation net asset on swap transactions | | (13 | ) | |||
US operations: | ||||||
US$250m 8.15% Surplus Notes 2027 (note iii) | 145 | 130 | ||||
1,093 | 1,368 | |||||
Egg | ||||||
£200m 6.875% Subordinated Notes 2021 | 202 | 202 | ||||
£250m 7.5% Subordinated Notes 2013 | 250 | 249 | ||||
452 | 451 | |||||
Total | 3,191 | 3,248 | ||||
Notes
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The following table sets out the maturity analysis of the Group's core structural borrowings:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||
Less than 1 year | | 301 | ||
1 to 2 years | 150 | | ||
2 to 3 years | | 150 | ||
3 to 4 years | 249 | | ||
4 to 5 years | | 250 | ||
Over 5 years | 2,792 | 2,547 | ||
Total | 3,191 | 3,248 | ||
Operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||
Borrowings in respect of short-term fixed income securities programmes | ||||
Commercial paper 2006 | 1,461 | 1,057 | ||
Medium-term notes 2010 | 11 | 9 | ||
Currency translation net liability on swap transactions | | 13 | ||
1,472 | 1,079 | |||
Non-recourse borrowings of investment subsidiaries managed by PPM America | ||||
Non-recourse borrowings of investment subsidiaries (notes i and iii) | 133 | 183 | ||
Non-recourse borrowings of Piedmont and CDO funds (notes ii and iii) | 952 | 972 | ||
1,085 | 1,155 | |||
Borrowings in respect of banking operations (note iv) | 3,856 | 4,159 | ||
Other borrowings | ||||
Bank loans and overdrafts | 11 | 17 | ||
Obligations under finance leases | 8 | 11 | ||
19 | 28 | |||
Total | 6,432 | 6,421 | ||
Notes
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The following table sets out the maturity analysis of the Group's operational borrowings attributable to shareholder-financed operations:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||
Less than 1 year | 2,440 | 1,896 | ||
1 to 2 years | 1,055 | 792 | ||
2 to 3 years | 523 | 1,056 | ||
3 to 4 years | 1,013 | 500 | ||
4 to 5 years | 449 | 1,022 | ||
Over 5 years | 952 | 1,155 | ||
Total | 6,432 | 6,421 | ||
Borrowings attributable to with-profits funds
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||
Non-recourse borrowings of venture fund investment subsidiaries of the PAC with-profits fund | 988 | 1,167 | ||
£100m 8.5% Undated Subordinated Guaranteed Bonds of Scottish Amicable Finance plc (note i) | 100 | 100 | ||
Other borrowings (predominantly external funding of consolidated investment vehicles) | 810 | 870 | ||
1,898 | 2,137 | |||
Notes
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The following table sets out the maturity analysis of the Group's borrowings attributable to with-profits funds:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||
Less than 1 year | 39 | 359 | ||
1 to 2 years | 74 | 52 | ||
2 to 3 years | 40 | 204 | ||
3 to 4 years | 62 | 21 | ||
4 to 5 years | 133 | 118 | ||
Over 5 years | 1,550 | 1,383 | ||
Total | 1,898 | 2,137 | ||
Credit facilities
Prudential has access to a £1,500 million committed revolving credit facility provided by 15 major international banks. The facility matures on December 17, 2009. It also has access to a committed securities lending liquidity facility of £500 million which is annually renewable, next on December 14, 2006. There have been no draw-downs under either facility since inception and hence there were no amounts outstanding at December 31, 2005.
Prudential also maintains uncommitted credit facilities totaling £348 million. There was no amount outstanding under these facilities at December 31, 2005.
H14: Provisions and contingencies
Provisions
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||||
Provision in respect of defined benefit pension schemes (note I1): | ||||||
Deficits, gross of deferred tax, based on scheme assets held, including investments in Prudential insurance policies: | ||||||
Attributable to PAC with-profits fund (i.e. absorbed by the liability for unallocated surplus) | 329 | 525 | ||||
Attributable to shareholder-financed operations (i.e. to shareholders' equity) | 214 | 175 | ||||
543 | 700 | |||||
Add back: investments in Prudential insurance policies | 253 | 125 | ||||
Provision after elimination of investments in Prudential insurance policies and matching policyholder liability from Group balance sheet | 796 | 825 | ||||
Other provisions (see below) | 176 | 181 | ||||
Total provisions | 972 | 1,006 | ||||
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Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
Analysis of other provisions:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||||
At January 1 | 181 | 173 | ||||
Charged to income statement: | ||||||
Additional provisions | 85 | 163 | ||||
Unused amounts reversed | (25 | ) | (21 | ) | ||
Used during the year | (63 | ) | (137 | ) | ||
Exchange differences | (2 | ) | 3 | |||
At December 31 | 176 | 181 | ||||
Comprising: | ||||||
Legal provisions | 11 | 13 | ||||
Restructuring provisions | 41 | 66 | ||||
Other provisions | 124 | 102 | ||||
176 | 181 | |||||
Of the other provisions balance, £74 million (2004: £53 million) is expected to be settled within one year. Employer contributions expected to be paid into Group defined benefit pension schemes within one year are shown in note I1.
Legal provisions
The legal provisions of £11 million (2004: £13 million) relate predominantly to JNL. JNL has been named in civil proceedings, which appear to be substantially similar to other class action litigation brought against many life insurers in the US, alleging misconduct in the sale of insurance products. During 2005, an additional provision of £4 million was made, £1 million was reversed, £3 million was paid and there was a £2 million exchange gain. As at January 1, 2004, the provision amounted to £10 million. During 2004, an additional provision of £8 million was made, £1 million was reversed, £3 million was paid and there was a £1 million exchange gain.
Restructuring provisions
Restructuring provisions of £41 million (2004: £66 million) comprise £30 million (2004: £49 million) relating to restructuring activity of UK insurance operations, £10 million (2004: £nil) relating to closure costs in Japan and £1 million (2004: £17 million) relating to Egg.
In February 2001, Prudential announced the restructuring of the direct sales force and customer service channels of its UK insurance operations. In November 2001, Prudential announced further details of changes to the structure of those operations, in particular the intention to pursue a single brand strategy for life and pensions business including the integration of its Scottish Amicable operations under the Prudential brand. The changes also included a simplification of the organizational structure and plans for a significant reduction in operating costs. In September 2002, Prudential announced plans to establish an offshore service center in India to improve customer contact service levels for its UK insurance operations customers and to achieve further cost savings to those announced in
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November 2001. The new processing center opened in May 2003 and was fully operational during 2004. As part of this restructuring, Prudential had planned to make 4,300 employees redundant, of which approximately 4,194 affected had been notified and 4,117 redundancies completed by December 31, 2005. The restructuring is expected to be completed in 2006.
As at January 1, 2004, the provision for these restructurings was £80 million. During 2004, £20 million costs were paid, £12 million was released to the profit and loss account and an additional provision of £1 million was made. During 2005, costs of £9 million were paid, £11 million of costs were released and an additional £1 million was provided. At December 31, 2005, the remaining £30 million all relates to property charges.
In 2004, Egg announced its withdrawal from the French market. £113 million was charged in 2004 to cover the costs of the exit of which £25 million related to redundancy costs and £88 million related to other associated costs up to the completion of the closure. During 2004, £96 million of the provision had been utilized with a further £12 million utilized in 2005 and a £4 million release to the income statement.
In 2005, Japan closed its Financial Advisor distribution channel. A £10 million provision has been set up relating to closure and redundancy costs.
Other provisions
Other provisions of £124 million (2004: £102 million) include provisions of £94 million (2004: £77 million) relating to staff benefit schemes. During 2005, another £27 million was provided and £10 million was paid. In 2004, a provision of £51 million was brought forward, an additional £36 million was provided, £2 million of unused provision was released and £8 million was paid. Other provisions also include £19 million (2004: £17 million) relating to various onerous contracts where, in 2005, an additional £6 million was provided and £4 million was used. In 2004, £5 million was released and £4 million was paid. The remaining provisions of £11 million (2004: £8 million) include VAT provisions.
Contingencies and related obligations
Litigation
In addition to the legal proceedings relating to JNL mentioned above, the Group is involved in other litigation and regulatory issues arising in the ordinary course of business. Whilst the outcome of such matters cannot be predicted with certainty, the directors believe that the ultimate outcome of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Group's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Pension mis-selling review
In 1988, the UK government introduced new pensions legislation intended to encourage more individuals to make their own arrangements for their pensions. During the period from April 1988 to June 1994, many individuals were advised by insurance companies, Independent Financial Advisers and other intermediaries to not join, to transfer from or to opt out of their occupational pension schemes in favor of private pension products introduced under the UK Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. The
F-163
UK insurance regulator (previously the Personal Investment Authority, now the FSA), subsequently determined that many individuals were incorrectly advised and would have been better off not purchasing the private pension products sold to them. Industry participants are responsible for compensating the persons to whom private pensions were mis-sold. As a result, the FSA required that all UK life insurance companies review their potential cases of pension mis-selling and pay compensation to policyholders where necessary and, as a consequence, record a provision for the estimated costs. The Group met the requirement of the FSA to issue offers to all cases by June 30, 2002.
The table below summarizes the change in the pension mis-selling provision for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004. The change in the provision is included in benefits and claims in the income statement and the movement in unallocated surplus of with-profits funds has been determined accordingly.
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Balance at beginning of year | 487 | 530 | |||
Change arising from adoption of FRS 27 | (109 | ) | | ||
Changes to actuarial assumptions and method of calculation | (28 | ) | (32 | ) | |
Discount unwind | 14 | 22 | |||
Redress to policyholders | (21 | ) | (26 | ) | |
Payment of administrative costs | (12 | ) | (7 | ) | |
Balance at end of year | 331 | 487 | |||
The change arising from the adoption of FRS 27 is due to two factors, namely:
The FSA regularly updates the actuarial assumptions to be used in calculating the provision, including interest rates and mortality assumptions. The pension mis-selling provision represents the discounted value of future expected payments, including benefit payments and all internal and external legal and administrative costs of adjudicating, processing and settling those claims. To the extent that amounts have not been paid, the provision increases each year reflecting the shorter period of discount.
The directors believe that, based on current information, the provision, together with future investment return on the assets backing the provision, will be adequate to cover the costs of pension mis-selling as well as the costs and expenses of the Group's pension review unit established to identify and settle such cases. Such provision represents the best estimate of probable costs and expenses. However, there can be no assurance that the current provision level will not need to be increased.
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The costs associated with the pension mis-selling review have been met from the inherited estate. Accordingly, these costs have not been charged to the asset shares used in the determination of policyholder bonus rates. Hence policyholders' pay-out values have been unaffected by pension mis-selling.
In 1998, Prudential stated that deducting mis-selling costs from the inherited estate would not impact its bonus or investment policy and it gave an assurance that if this unlikely event were to occur, it would make available support to the fund from shareholder resources for as long as the situation continued, so as to ensure that policyholders were not disadvantaged. The assurance was designed to protect both existing policyholders at the date it was announced, and policyholders who subsequently purchased policies while the pension mis-selling review was continuing.
This review was completed on June 30, 2002. The assurance will continue to apply to any policy in force at December 31, 2003, both for premiums paid before January 1, 2004, and for subsequent regular premiums (including future fixed, RPI or salary related increases and Department of Work and Pensions rebate business). The assurance has not applied to new business since January 1, 2004. New business in this context consists of new policies, new members to existing pension schemes plus regular and single premium top-ups, transfers and switches to existing arrangements. The maximum amount of capital support available under the terms of the assurance will reduce over time as claims are paid on the policies covered by it.
The bonus and investment policy for each type of with-profits policy is the same irrespective of whether or not the assurance applies. Hence removal of the assurance for new business has had no impact on policyholder returns and this is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
Mortgage endowment products review
In common with several other UK insurance companies, the Group used to sell low-cost endowment products related to repayment of residential mortgages. At sale, the initial sum assured is set at a level such that the projected benefits, including an estimate of the annual bonus receivable over the life of the policy, will equal or exceed the mortgage debt. Because of a decrease in expected future investment returns since these products were sold, the FSA is concerned that the maturity value of some of these products will be less than the mortgage debt. The FSA has worked with insurance companies to devise a program whereby the companies write to customers indicating whether they may have a possible shortfall and outline the actions that the customers can take to prevent this possibility.
The Group is exposed to mortgage endowment products in respect of policies issued by Scottish Amicable Life plc (SAL) and policies issued by Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society (SALAS) and transferred into SAIF. At December 31, 2005, provisions of £6 million (2004: £7 million) in SAL and £50 million (2004: £47 million) in SAIF were held to cover potential compensation in respect of mortgage endowment product mis-selling claims. As SAIF is a separate sub-fund of the Prudential Assurance long-term business fund, this provision has no impact on shareholders.
In addition, in the year ended December 31, 2005 Prudential Assurance's main with-profits fund paid compensation of £24 million (2004: £16 million) in respect of mortgage endowment products mis-selling claims and at December 31, 2005 held a provision of £63 million (2004: £61 million) in
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respect of further compensation. The movement in this provision has no impact on the Group's profit before tax.
Guaranteed annuities
Prudential Assurance used to sell guaranteed annuity products in the UK and at December 31, 2005 held a provision of £52 million (2004: £49 million) within the main with-profits fund to honor guarantees on these products. The Group's main exposure to guaranteed annuities in the UK is through SAIF and at December 31, 2005 a provision of £619 million (2004: £648 million) was held in SAIF to honor the guarantees. As SAIF is a separate sub-fund of the Prudential Assurance long-term business fund. The movement in this provision has no impact on shareholders.
Other matters
Prudential assurance's inherited estate
The assets of the main with-profits fund within the long-term fund of Prudential Assurance comprise the amounts that the Company expects to pay out to meet its obligations to existing policyholders and an additional amount used as working capital. The amount payable over time to policyholders from the with-profits fund is equal to the policyholders' accumulated asset shares plus any additional payments that may be required by way of smoothing or to meet guarantees. The balance of the assets of the with-profits fund is called the 'inherited estate' and has accumulated over many years from various sources.
The inherited estate represents the major part of the working capital of Prudential Assurance's long-term fund. This enables the Company to support with-profits business by providing the benefits associated with smoothing and guarantees, by providing investment flexibility for the fund's assets, by meeting the regulatory capital requirements that demonstrate solvency and by absorbing the costs of significant events or fundamental changes in its long-term business without affecting the bonus and investment policies. The size of the inherited estate fluctuates from year to year depending on the investment return and the extent to which it has been required to meet smoothing costs, guarantees and other events.
The Company believes that it would be beneficial if there were greater clarity as to the status of the inherited estate. In due course, and only after discussion with the FSA, the Company may therefore take steps to achieve that clarity, whether through guidance from the Court or otherwise. In any event the Company expects that the entire inherited estate will need to be retained within the long-term fund for the foreseeable future to provide working capital and so it has not considered any distribution of the inherited estate to policyholders and shareholders.
Support for long-term business funds by shareholders' funds
As a proprietary insurance company, the Group is liable to meet its obligations to policyholders even if the assets of the long-term funds are insufficient to do so. The assets, represented by the 'unallocated surplus of with-profits funds', in excess of amounts expected to be paid for future terminal bonuses and related shareholder transfers (the excess assets) in the long-term funds could be materially depleted over time by, for example, a significant or sustained equity market downturn, costs of
F-166
significant fundamental strategic change or a material increase in the pension mis-selling provision. In the unlikely circumstance that the depletion of the excess assets within the long-term fund was such that the Group's ability to satisfy policyholders' reasonable expectations was adversely affected, it might become necessary to restrict the annual distribution to shareholders or to contribute shareholders' funds to the long-term funds to provide financial support.
In 1997, the business of SALAS, a mutual society, was transferred to Prudential Assurance. In effecting the transfer, a separate sub-fund, SAIF, was established within Prudential Assurance's long-term business fund. This sub-fund contains all the with-profits business and all other pension business that was transferred. No new business has been or will be written in the sub-fund and the sub-fund is managed to ensure that all the invested assets are distributed to SAIF policyholders over the lifetime of SAIF policies. With the exception of certain amounts in respect of the unitized with-profits life business, all future earnings arising in SAIF are retained for SAIF policyholders. Any excess (deficiency) of revenue over expense within SAIF during a period is offset by a transfer to (from) the SAIF unallocated surplus. Shareholders have no interest in the profits of SAIF but are entitled to the investment management fees paid on this business. With the exception of certain guaranteed annuity products mentioned earlier in this note, and certain products which include a minimum guaranteed rate of accumulation, the majority of SAIF with-profits policies do not guarantee minimum rates of return to policyholders.
Should the assets of SAIF be inadequate to meet the guaranteed benefit obligations to the policyholders of SAIF, the Prudential Assurance long-term fund would be liable to cover any such deficiency. Due to the quality and diversity of the assets in SAIF and the ability of SAIF to revise guaranteed benefits in the event of an asset shortfall, the directors believe that the probability of either the Prudential Assurance long-term fund or the Group's shareholders' funds having to contribute to SAIF is remote.
Guarantees and commitments
Guarantee funds in both the UK and the US provide for payments to be made to policyholders on behalf of insolvent life insurance companies. These guarantee funds are financed by payments assessed on solvent insurance companies based on location, volume, and types of business. The Group estimated its reserve for future guarantee fund assessments for JNL to be £11 million at December 31, 2005 (2004: £10 million). Similar assessments for the UK businesses were not significant. The directors believe that the reserve is adequate for all anticipated payments for known insolvencies.
JNL has commitments for future payments related to equity index call options totaling £3 million at December 31, 2005 (2004: £8 million). The commitments were entered into in the normal course of business to hedge obligations associated with the issuance of equity index-linked immediate and deferred annuities and fall due for payment over the next two years.
At December 31, 2005, JNL has unfunded commitments of £227 million (2004: £157 million) related to its investments in limited partnerships and of £104 million (2004: £101 million) related to commercial mortgage loans. These commitments were entered into in the normal course of business and the directors do not expect a material adverse impact on the operations to arise from them.
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The Group has provided, from time to time, other guarantees and commitments to third parties entered into in the normal course of business but the directors do not consider that the amounts involved are significant.
H15: Other liabilities
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||
Creditors arising from direct insurance and reinsurance operations | 474 | 401 | ||
Interest payable | 61 | 67 | ||
Derivative liabilities | 851 | 73 | ||
Other items | 383 | 634 | ||
Total | 1,769 | 1,175 | ||
I: Other notes
I1: Staff and pension plans
Staff and employment costs
The average number of staff employed by the Group during the year were:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Business operations: | |||||
UK operations | 10,708 | 10,849 | |||
US operations | 2,588 | 2,589 | |||
Asian operations | 9,652 | 8,277 | |||
Venture investment subsidiaries of the PAC with-profits fund | 8,713 | 18,735 | |||
Total | 31,661 | 40,450 | |||
The costs of employment were: |
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Business operations: | |||||
Wages and salaries | 799 | 762 | |||
Social security costs | 64 | 62 | |||
Other pension costs (see below) | 77 | 63 | |||
Pension actuarial (gains) losses (credited) charged to income statement (see discussion of net periodic pension cost below) | (155 | ) | 46 | ||
(78 | ) | 109 | |||
Venture investment subsidiaries of the PAC with-profits fund (see below) | 206 | 253 | |||
Total | 991 | 1,186 | |||
Other pension costs comprises £54 million (2004: £45 million) relating to defined benefit schemes and £23 million (2004: £18 million) relating to defined contribution schemes. Of the defined
F-168
contribution scheme costs £13 million (2004: £12 million) related to overseas defined contribution schemes.
Of the £206 million (2004: £253 million) costs of employment for venture investment subsidiaries, £169 million (2004: £219 million) relates to wages and salaries, £31 million (2004: £25 million) relates to social security costs and £6 million (2004: £9 million) relates to pension costs.
Pension plans
Defined benefit plans
Background and corporate governance
The Group business operations operate a number of pension schemes. The specific features of these plans vary in accordance with the regulations of the country in which the employees are located, although they are, in general, funded wholly by the Group and based either on a cash balance formula or on years of service and salary earned in the last year or years of employment. The largest defined benefit scheme is the principal UK scheme, namely the Prudential Staff Pension Scheme (PSPS). 90 per cent (2004: 90 per cent) of the liabilities of the Group defined benefit schemes are accounted for within PSPS.
Defined benefit schemes in the UK are generally required to be subject to a full actuarial valuation every three years to assess the appropriate level of funding for schemes having regard to their commitments. These valuations include assessments of the likely rate of return on the assets held within the separate trustee administered funds. PSPS was last actuarially valued on April 5, 2002 and this valuation demonstrated the scheme to be 110 per cent funded with an excess of actuarially determined assets over liabilities of 10 per cent representing a fund surplus of £376 million. As a result, no change in employers' contributions from the current 12.5 per cent of salaries has been required until now.
The PSPS valuation as at April 5, 2005 is currently being finalized and it is expected to show a small deficit, by comparison with scheme liabilities on the actuarial basis. Following discussions with the Trustee, the Company expects that for 2006 and future years the employers' contributions for ongoing service of current employees will approximately double to some £35 million to £40 million per annum based on current levels of active members of the scheme. In addition, deficit funding amounts designed to eliminate the actuarial deficit over a 10-year period will be made of some £35 million per annum. These amounts compare to current total contributions in 2005 of £19 million.
The discussions with the Scheme Trustee have also led to an altered expectation as to future discretionary increases. Previously, it had been the custom to award discretionary increases by reference to inflation levels. It is now intended that discretionary increase will in most circumstances not exceed 2.5 per cent.
Finally, a revised allocation of the deficit between the PAC with-profits fund and shareholder-backed operations has been applied in 2005. Previously the deficit of the PSPS had been attributed between the PAC with-profits fund and shareholders in the ratio of 80/20. Following extensive analysis of the source of contributions paid into the scheme over the last 10 years the allocation has been revised to 70/30, thus increasing the shareholders' proportion. The effects of these changes and other movements on the financial positions of the Group's defined benefits schemes are explained below.
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The Group also operates two smaller defined benefit schemes for UK employees in respect of Scottish Amicable and M&G activities. For all three schemes the projected unit method was used for the most recent full actuarial valuations. There is also a small defined benefit scheme in Taiwan.
The rules of the Group's largest pension arrangement, the defined benefit section of PSPS, a final salary scheme, specify that, in exercising its investment powers, the Trustee's objective is to achieve the best overall investment return consistent with the security of the assets of the scheme. In doing this, regard is had to the nature and duration of the scheme's liabilities. The Trustee sets the benchmark for the asset mix, following analysis of the liabilities by the Scheme's Actuary and, having taken advice from the Investment Managers, then selects benchmark indices for each asset type in order to measure investment performance against a benchmark return.
The Trustee reviews strategy, the asset mix benchmark and the Investment Managers' objectives every three years, to coincide with the Actuarial Valuation, or earlier if the Scheme Actuary recommends. Interim reviews are conducted annually based on changing economic circumstances and financial market levels.
The Trustee sets the general investment policy and specifies any restrictions on types of investment and the degrees of divergence permitted from the benchmark, but delegates the responsibility for selection and realization of specific investments to the Investment Managers. In carrying out this responsibility, the Investment Managers are required by the Pensions Act 1995 to have regard to the need for diversification and suitability of investments. Subject to a number of restrictions contained within the relevant investment management agreements, the Investment Managers are authorized to invest in any class of investment asset. However, the Investment Managers will not invest in any new class of investment asset without prior consultation with the Trustee.
The Trustee consults the Principal Employer, the Prudential Assurance Company, on these investment principles, but the ultimate responsibility for the investment of the assets of the scheme lies with the Trustee.
The investment policies and strategies for the other two UK defined benefit schemes, the M&G Group Pension Scheme and the Scottish Amicable Staff Pension Scheme, which are both final salary schemes, follow similar principles, but have different target allocations, reflecting the particular requirements of the schemes.
Assumptions
The calculations are based on current actuarially calculated mortality estimates with a specific allowance made for future improvements in mortality, which is broadly in line with that adopted for the 92 series of mortality tables prepared by the Continuous Mortality Investigation Bureau of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
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Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
The actuarial assumptions used in determining benefit obligations and the net periodic benefit costs for the years ended December 31 31 were as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
% |
% |
|||
Discount rate | 4.8 | 5.3 | |||
Rate of increase in salaries | 4.8 | 4.8 | |||
Rate of increase of pensions in payment for inflation: | |||||
Guaranteed (maximum 5%) | 2.8 | 2.8 | |||
Guaranteed (maximum 2.5%)* | 2.5 | 2.8 | |||
Discretionary* | 2.5 | 2.8 | |||
Expected returns on plan assets | 6.1 | 6.8 |
The change of assumption for discretionary increases follows discussion with the PSPS trustee. For the purpose of future discretionary awards, it is assumed that a cap of a 2.5 per cent rate of increase will apply rather than, as previously applied, the assumed long-term inflation rate.
Using external actuarial advice provided by Watson Wyatt Partners for the valuation of PSPS and by Aon Limited for the M&G scheme, and internal advice for the Scottish Amicable scheme, the most recent full valuations have been updated to December 31, 2005, applying the principles prescribed by IAS 19.
Summary financial position
The Group liability in respect of defined benefit pension schemes is as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||||
Provision included in balance sheet under IAS 19 | (796 | ) | (825 | ) | ||
Add back: investments in Prudential insurance policies (eliminated on consolidation against insurance liabilities) | 253 | 125 | ||||
Economic deficit | (543 | ) | (700 | ) | ||
Economic position: | ||||||
Deficits, gross of deferred tax, based on scheme assets held, including investments in Prudential insurance policies: | ||||||
Attributable to the PAC with-profits fund (i.e. absorbed by the liability for unallocated surplus) | (329 | ) | (525 | ) | ||
Attributable to shareholder-financed operations (i.e. to shareholders' equity) | (214 | ) | (175 | ) | ||
Economic deficit | (543 | ) | (700 | ) | ||
The following disclosures explain the economic position and IAS 19 basis of accounting after eliminating investment in Prudential insurance policies on consolidation.
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Group IAS 19 basis financial position
The IAS 19 basis net pensions deficit can be summarized as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Fair value of plan assets, end of year | 4,622 | 4,092 | |||
Present value of funded benefit obligation | (5,228 | ) | (4,777 | ) | |
Funded status | (606 | ) | (685 | ) | |
Present value of unfunded obligations (M&G scheme)* | (190 | ) | (140 | ) | |
Provision recognized in the balance sheet | (796 | ) | (825 | ) | |
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Components of net periodic pension cost | |||||
Current service cost | (65 | ) | (69 | ) | |
Interest cost | (257 | ) | (245 | ) | |
Expected return on assetseconomic basis | 279 | 277 | |||
Less: expected return on investments of scheme assets in Prudential insurance policies | (11 | ) | (8 | ) | |
Expected return on assetsIAS 19 basis | 268 | 269 | |||
Actuarial gains (losses)economic basis | 171 | (43 | ) | ||
Less: actuarial gains on investments of scheme assets in Prudential insurance policies | (16 | ) | (3 | ) | |
Actuarial gains (losses)IAS 19 basis | 155 | (46 | ) | ||
Net periodic pension credit (cost) (included within acquisition and other operating expenditure in the income statement) | 101 | (91 | ) | ||
The long-term expected rate of return has been taken to be the weighted average (by market value) of the long-term expected rates of return on each major asset class shown below:
|
2005 |
2005 |
2004 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
% |
£ million |
% |
||||
Plan assets (IAS 19 basis) | ||||||||
Equity | 2,376 | 51 | 2,516 | 61 | ||||
Bonds | 1,593 | 35 | 993 | 24 | ||||
Real estate | 575 | 12 | 520 | 13 | ||||
Cash | 78 | 2 | 63 | 2 | ||||
Total | 4,622 | 100 | 4,092 | 100 | ||||
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|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
% |
% |
||
Long-term expected rate of return | ||||
Equity | 7.1 | 7.5 | ||
Bonds | 4.5 | 5.0 | ||
Real estate | 6.4 | 6.8 | ||
Cash | 4.5 | 4.75 | ||
Weighted average long-term expected rate of return | 6.1 | 6.75 | ||
The actual return on plan assets was £796 million (2004: £381 million) on an IAS 19 basis.
None of the scheme assets included shares in Prudential plc or property occupied by the Prudential Group.
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Fair value of plan assets, end of year (IAS 19 basis) | 4,622 | 4,092 | |||
Present value of the benefit obligation, end of year | (5,418 | ) | (4,917 | ) | |
Plan assets in deficit of benefit obligation | (796 | ) | (825 | ) | |
Experience adjustments on plan liabilities | 1 | (17 | ) | ||
Percentage of plan liabilities at December 31 | (0.02 | )% | 0.35 | % | |
Experience adjustments on plan assets (IAS 19 basis) | 528 | 112 | |||
Percentage of plan assets at December 31 | 11.42 | % | 2.74 | % | |
Total employer contributions expected to be paid into the Group defined benefit schemes for the year ending December 31 2006 amounts to £85 million (2004: £31 million).
Reconciliation to IAS 19 basis financial position
The difference between the IAS 19 basis financial position and the Group 'economic basis' financial position is that the IAS 19 basis assets of the PSPS and M&G schemes, as consolidated into the Group balance sheet, exclude investments in Prudential insurance policies.
The M&G pension scheme has invested £147 million at December 31, 2005 (2004: £125 million) in Prudential insurance policies. Additionally, the PSPS scheme has invested £106 million at December 31, 2005 (2004: £nil) in Prudential insurance policies. As required by IFRS, this amount of pension asset is eliminated against the policyholder liability and hence, for the purposes of preparing the consolidated balance sheet, the net pension liability is £253 million (2004: £125 million) greater than the 'economic basis' deficit of £543 million (2004: £700 million).
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The change in the present value of the benefit obligation and the change in fair value of the assets for the total of the PSPS, Scottish Amicable, M&G and Taiwan schemes over the period were as follows:
2005 |
IAS 19 basis: change in fair value of plan assets |
Investments in Prudential insurance policies |
Economic basis: total assets |
IAS 19 basis: change in present value of benefit obligation |
Economic basis: net obligation |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
||||||
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year | 4,092 | 125 | 4,217 | 4,217 | |||||||
Present value of benefit obligation, beginning of year | (4,917 | ) | (4,917 | ) | |||||||
4,092 | 125 | 4,217 | (4,917 | ) | (700 | ) | |||||
Less: PSPS scheme plan assets used to acquire Prudential insurance policy | (99 | ) | 99 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Service costcurrent charge only | (65 | ) | (65 | ) | |||||||
Interest cost | (257 | ) | (257 | ) | |||||||
Expected return on plan assets | 268 | 11 | 279 | 279 | |||||||
Employee contributions | 0 | 1 | 1 | (1 | ) | 0 | |||||
Employer contributions | 25 | 4 | 29 | 29 | |||||||
Actuarial and other gains* | 528 | 16 | 544 | (373 | ) | 171 | |||||
Benefit payments | (192 | ) | (3 | ) | (195 | ) | 195 | 0 | |||
Fair value of plan assets, end of year | 4,622 | 253 | 4,875 | ||||||||
Present value of benefit obligation, end of year | (5,418 | ) | |||||||||
Economic basis deficit | (543 | ) | |||||||||
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2004 |
IAS 19 basis: change in fair value of plan assets |
Investments in Prudential insurance policies |
Economic basis: total assets |
IAS 19 basis: change in present value of benefit obligation |
Economic basis: net obligation |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
||||||
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year | 3,986 | 3,986 | 3,986 | ||||||||
Present value of benefit obligation, beginning of year | (4,636 | ) | (4,636 | ) | |||||||
3,986 | 0 | 3,986 | (4,636 | ) | (650 | ) | |||||
Less: M&G scheme plan assets used to acquire Prudential insurance policy* | (112 | ) | 112 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Service cost | (69 | ) | (69 | ) | |||||||
Interest cost | (245 | ) | (245 | ) | |||||||
Expected return on plan assets | 269 | 8 | 277 | 277 | |||||||
Employee contributions | 0 | 1 | 1 | (1 | ) | 0 | |||||
Employer contributions | 26 | 4 | 30 | 30 | |||||||
Actuarial gains (losses) | 112 | 3 | 115 | (158 | ) | (43 | ) | ||||
Benefit payments | (189 | ) | (3 | ) | (192 | ) | 192 | 0 | |||
Fair value of plan assets, end of year | 4,092 | 125 | 4,217 | ||||||||
Present value of benefit obligation, end of year | (4,917 | ) | |||||||||
Economic basis deficit | (700 | ) | |||||||||
Group economic financial position
In assessing the underlying economic position of the Group in respect of the defined benefit pension schemes, two factors need to be taken into account. These are:
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On the 'economic basis', after including investments in Prudential insurance policies as scheme assets, the assets of the schemes at December 31 were:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||
Equities | 2,543 | 2,566 | ||
Bonds | 1,663 | 1,055 | ||
Properties | 590 | 533 | ||
Other | 79 | 63 | ||
Total value of assets | 4,875 | 4,217 | ||
The present value of the liabilities of the four schemes at December 31, 2005 was £5,418 million (2004: £4,917 million). The resulting scheme deficits arising from the excess of liabilities over assets at December 31, 2005 comprised £329 million (2004: £525 million) attributable to the PAC with-profits fund and £214 million (2004: £175 million) attributable to shareholder operations.
The movements in the deficit on the 'economic basis' between scheme assets and liabilities were:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Current service cost | (65 | ) | (69 | ) | |
Contributions | 29 | 30 | |||
Other finance income | 22 | 32 | |||
Actuarial gains (losses) | 171 | (43 | ) | ||
Net decrease (increase) | 157 | (50 | ) | ||
F-176
Estimated pension scheme liability attributable to shareholder operations
Movements on the pension scheme deficits (determined on the 'economic basis'), to the extent attributable to shareholder operations are as follows:
|
|
|
Actuarial and other gains and losses |
|
|
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005 |
At beginning of year |
Pension Charge (note i) |
Actuarial gains (losses) attributable to shareholders (note ii) |
Charge for revised estimate of PSPS deficit allocation (note ii) |
Contributions paid by shareholder operations |
At end of year |
|||||||
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
|||||||
Gross of tax deficit | (175 | ) | (21 | ) | 32 | (63 | ) | 13 | (214 | ) | |||
Related deferred tax | 49 | 6 | (9 | ) | 19 | (4 | ) | 61 | |||||
Net of tax deficit | (126 | ) | (15 | ) | 23 | (44 | ) | 9 | (153 | ) | |||
2004 |
|||||||||||||
Gross of tax deficit | (163 | ) | (16 | ) | (7 | ) | | 11 | (175 | ) | |||
Related deferred tax | 45 | 4 | 3 | | (3 | ) | 49 | ||||||
Net of tax deficit | (118 | ) | (12 | ) | (4 | ) | | 8 | (126 | ) | |||
Notes
(i) The pension charge comprises:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||||
Current service cost | (65 | ) | (69 | ) | ||
Finance income (expense): | ||||||
Interest on pension scheme liabilities | (257 | ) | (245 | ) | ||
Expected return on pension scheme assets | 279 | 277 | ||||
22 | 32 | |||||
Total charge net of finance income | (43 | ) | (37 | ) | ||
Less: amount attributable to PAC with-profits fund | 22 | 21 | ||||
Pension charge | (21 | ) | (16 | ) | ||
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(ii) Actuarial and other gains and losses
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Actual less expected return on pension scheme assets | 544 | 115 | |||
Experience gains (losses) on scheme liabilities | 1 | (17 | ) | ||
Changes in assumptions underlying the present value of scheme liabilities | (374 | ) | (141 | ) | |
Total actuarial and other gains (losses) | 171 | (43 | ) | ||
Less: amount attributable to PAC with-profits fund | (139 | ) | 36 | ||
Actuarial gains (losses) attributable to shareholders | 32 | (7 | ) | ||
Add: additional loss on change of estimate of allocation of opening deficit between shareholder operations and the PAC with-profits fund | (63 | ) | | ||
Charge for actuarial and other gains and losses attributable to shareholders included in profit before tax attributable to shareholders | (31 | ) | (7 | ) | |
Since shareholder profits in respect of the PAC with-profits funds are a function of the actuarially determined surplus for distribution, the overall income statement result is not directly affected by the level of pension cost or other expenses attributable to the fund.
Amounts attributed to the PAC with-profits funds for 2005 reflect the current estimate of 70 per cent for the PSPS scheme and 50 per cent for the Scottish Amicable scheme. For 2004, the amounts attributed reflect the then current estimates of 80 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively. The additional pre-tax loss to shareholder operations of £63 million reflects the changed estimate of the life fund share for the PSPS scheme.
Included within the charge for 2005 of £374 million for changes in assumptions is a credit for past service costs of £115 million for a reduction in the assumed level of discretionary increase for future pensions in payment for PSPS.
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Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
Estimated pension scheme deficits attributable to PAC with-profits fund
Movements on the pension scheme deficits (determined on the 'economic basis' under which PSPS scheme assets include investments in Prudential insurance policies) are as follows:
|
|
|
Actuarial and other gains and losses |
|
|
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005 |
At beginning of year |
Service cost less net finance income (note i above) |
Actuarial gains (losses) (note ii above) |
Credit for revised estimate of PSPS deficit allocation (note ii above) |
Contributions paid by PAC with-profits fund |
At end of year |
|||||||
|
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
£ million |
|||||||
Gross of tax deficit | (525 | ) | (22 | ) | 139 | 63 | 16 | (329 | ) | ||||
Related deferred tax | 53 | 2 | (14 | ) | (6 | ) | (2 | ) | 33 | ||||
Net of tax deficit | (472 | ) | (20 | ) | 125 | 57 | 14 | (296 | ) | ||||
2004 |
|||||||||||||
Gross of tax deficit |
(487 |
) |
(21 |
) |
(36 |
) |
|
19 |
(525 |
) |
|||
Related deferred tax | 49 | 2 | 4 | | (2 | ) | 53 | ||||||
Net of tax deficit | (438 | ) | (19 | ) | (32 | ) | | 17 | (472 | ) | |||
The charges and credits for service cost, net finance income, and actuarial and other gains and losses are included within the income statement but taken account of in determining the charge in the income statement for the transfer to the liability for unallocated surplus of with-profits funds.
Other pension plans
The Group operates various defined contribution pension schemes including schemes in JNL, Egg and Asia. As noted earlier, the cost of the Group's contributions to these schemes in 2005 was £23 million (2004: £18 million).
I2: Share-based payments
(a) Relating to Prudential plc shares
The Group maintains eight main share award and share option plans relating to Prudential plc shares, which are described below.
The Restricted Share Plan (RSP) is the Group's long-term incentive plan for executive directors and other senior executives designed to provide rewards linked to the returns to shareholders. Each year participants are granted a conditional option to receive a number of shares. There is a deferment period, currently three years, at the end of which the award vests to an extent that depends on the performance of the Group's shares including notional reinvested dividends and on the Group's underlying financial performance. After vesting, the award may then be exercised at zero cost at any time, subject to closed period rules, in the balance of a 10-year period. Shares are purchased in the open market by a trust for the benefit of qualifying employees. Currently, the trust holds at least the
F-179
maximum number of shares conditionally awarded and not yet forfeited or exercised. The RSP replaced the Executive Share Option Scheme in 1995 and all options under this prior plan had been exercised at December 31, 2005.
No rights are granted if the Company's total shareholder return (TSR) performance as ranked against the comparator group is below 50th percentile. For performance at 50th percentile, an award of 25 per cent of the maximum award is made. The maximum grant is made only if the TSR ranking of the Company is 20th percentile or above. Between these points, the size of the grant made is calculated on a straight-line sliding scale. This performance measure was chosen when the RSP was introduced as it reflected a combination of market practice, an assessment of Prudential's main competitors and the focus of UK investors at that time. In normal circumstances, directors may take up their right to receive shares at any time during the following seven years.
The Savings-Related Share Option Scheme is designed to foster share ownership among UK and certain non-UK employees. Permanent employees are eligible for this plan if they have been employed by the Group for the previous six months. At the outset, participants choose an option period (three, five or seven years, or a combination of these periods) and the amount of monthly contributions to be made from their earnings during the option period, which determines the number of options granted. The option price is fixed at the start and is based on a discount of 20 per cent to the market price. Participants may exercise their options within six months of the end of the option period. If options are not exercised, participants are entitled to receive a refund of their cash contributions plus interest.
The Prudential International Savings-Related Share Option Scheme operates on a similar basis to the UK Savings-Related Share Option Scheme, for employees in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, India and Korea.
The International Savings-Related Share Option Scheme for Non-Employees also operates on a similar basis to the UK Savings-Related Share Option Scheme, for agents in Hong Kong.
No options may be granted under the three savings-related schemes described above if such grant would cause the number of shares which have been issued, or which remain issuable pursuant to options granted in the preceding 10 years under the scheme and other share option schemes operated by the Company, or which have been issued under any other share incentive scheme of the Company, to exceed 10 per cent of the Company's issued ordinary share capital at the proposed date of grant.
The Prudential UK Share Incentive Plan (SIP) is also designed to foster share ownership amongst staff in designated UK businesses. It enables employees to buy shares on a tax efficient basis. For every four partnership shares bought, an additional matching share is granted, purchased in the open market. Participants have voting rights and are entitled to dividend payments which are reinvested in the SIP. Partnership shares may be withdrawn from the scheme at any time while matching shares may only be withdrawn five years after their award date.
JNL operates a performance-related share award which, subject to the prior approval of the Jackson National Life Remuneration Committee, may grant share awards to eligible employees in the form of a contingent right to receive shares or a conditional allocation of shares. These share awards have vesting periods of four years and are at nil cost to the employee. The employee does not have any beneficial ownership of the shares and, accordingly, does not have any right to dividends or voting rights attaching
F-180
to the shares. Only issued shares purchased from the open market are used for the performance share award and there is no limit on the value of shares which may be granted to a participant in any year or over the life of the plan, which is usually no longer than 10 years.
The Annual Incentive Plan is designed so that a portion of any overall award may be made in the form of a deferred share award. A deferred share award is awarded to board members in respect of any overall annual incentive award above 50 per cent of salary, and will represent the element of the bonus above 50 per cent of salary. The award is restricted for three years before it can be released, subject to close periods, to the participant who must not be under a period of notice at the time and must still be in employment of Prudential. The shares are held in the employee share trust and, shares equivalent to dividends otherwise payable will accumulate up to the release date.
The Share Participation Plan was designed to encourage share ownership amongst senior executives and to provide rewards based upon various performance factors of the Group. Each year, participants were offered the choice of a cash award, a matching share award if cash or shares to the value of the cash award were lodged, or a combination of 50 per cent of each. Share awards vested after five years for executive directors of Prudential plc and three years (formerly five years) for all other eligible employees and were transferred to the participants at no additional cost. Ordinary shares for share awards were purchased in the open market by a trust, which held them during the vesting period for the benefit of qualifying employees. At December 31, 2005, all outstanding shares in this plan have been paid for by employees and are registered in the names of the participants. No new shares have been granted in this scheme since 1999.
In addition, there are other share awards which include the 1,000 Day Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) and other arrangements.
The 1,000 Day LTIP plan is a UK insurance operations performance-based plan in which the UK Remuneration Committee may, at any time up to October 5, 2005, select employees at its absolute discretion, for participation in the plan. The performance period was 1,000 days and, based on the final performance level being at, or above, the threshold level, the committee shall grant participants 10 per cent of the allocated award in 2005, 20 per cent in 2006 and the remaining 70 per cent in 2007. There are no beneficial interests, or any rights to dividends until such time as the awards are released, at nil cost, to participants.
The other arrangements relate to various awards that have been made without performance conditions to individual employees, typically in order to secure their appointment or ensure retention.
F-181
Movements in share options outstanding under the Group's share-based compensation plans relating to Prudential plc shares during 2005 and 2004 were as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Options outstanding (including conditional options) |
Number of options |
Weighted average exercise price |
Number of options |
Weighted average exercise price |
|||||
|
(millions) |
£ |
(millions) |
£ |
|||||
Beginning of year: | 18.4 | 2.21 | 18.4 | 2.76 | |||||
Granted | 3.7 | 1.83 | 4.1 | 1.37 | |||||
Exercised | (1.1 | ) | 2.78 | (0.9 | ) | 3.19 | |||
Forfeited | (1.9 | ) | 0.81 | (1.9 | ) | 3.52 | |||
Expired | (1.9 | ) | 2.21 | (2.6 | ) | 3.37 | |||
Adjustment in respect of Rights Issue | | | 1.3 | 2.93 | |||||
End of year | 17.2 | 2.23 | 18.4 | 2.21 | |||||
Options immediately exercisable, end of year | 0.4 | 3.30 | 0.5 | 3.19 | |||||
The weighted average share price of Prudential plc for the year ended December 31, 2005 was £5.01 compared to £4.51 for the year ended December 31, 2004.
Movements in share awards outstanding under the Group's share-based compensation plans relating to Prudential plc shares at December 31, 2005 and 2004 were as follows:
Awards outstanding |
2005 Number of awards |
2004 Number of awards |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(millions) |
(millions) |
||||
Beginning of year: | 2.4 | 1.4 | ||||
Granted | 2.8 | 1.2 | ||||
Exercised | (0.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | ||
Forfeited | (0.1 | ) | (0.2 | ) | ||
Expired | (0.1 | ) | | |||
Adjustment in respect of Rights Issue | | 0.1 | ||||
End of year | 4.9 | 2.4 | ||||
F-182
The following table provides a summary of the range of exercise prices for Prudential plc options (including conditional options) outstanding at December 31, 2005.
|
Outstanding |
Exercisable |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Range of exercise prices |
Number outstanding |
Weighted average remaining contractual life |
Weighted average exercise prices |
Number exercisable |
Weighted average exercise prices |
|||||
|
(millions) |
(years) |
£ |
(millions) |
£ |
|||||
Between £0 and £1 | 4.7 | 8.3 | | | | |||||
Between £1 and £2 | | | | | | |||||
Between £2 and £3 | 8.0 | 1.3 | 2.66 | | | |||||
Between £3 and £4 | 3.5 | 2.1 | 3.53 | 0.4 | 3.29 | |||||
Between £4 and £5 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 4.07 | | | |||||
Between £5 and £6 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 5.63 | 0.0 | 5.39 | |||||
Between £6 and £7 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 6.56 | 0.0 | 6.66 | |||||
Between £7 and £8 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 7.15 | 0.0 | 7.15 | |||||
17.2 | 3.5 | 2.23 | 0.4 | 3.30 | ||||||
The following table provides a summary of the range of exercise prices for Prudential plc options (including conditional options) outstanding at December 31, 2004.
|
Outstanding |
Exercisable |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Range of exercise prices |
Number outstanding |
Weighted average remaining contractual life |
Weighted average exercise prices |
Number exercisable |
Weighted average exercise prices |
|||||
|
(millions) |
(years) |
£ |
(millions) |
£ |
|||||
Between £0 and £1 | 5.1 | 8.4 | 0.00 | 0.2 | 0.00 | |||||
Between £1 and £2 | | | | | | |||||
Between £2 and £3 | 8.5 | 2.3 | 2.66 | 0.0 | 3.00 | |||||
Between £3 and £4 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 3.41 | | | |||||
Between £4 and £5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 4.19 | 0.2 | 4.19 | |||||
Between £5 and £6 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 5.51 | 0.0 | 5.87 | |||||
Between £6 and £7 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 6.66 | 0.1 | 6.58 | |||||
Between £7 and £8 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 7.23 | 0.0 | 7.68 | |||||
Between £8 and £9 | | | | | | |||||
Between £9 and £10 | 0.0 | 3.7 | 9.46 | 0.0 | 9.46 | |||||
18.4 | 4.0 | 2.21 | 0.5 | 3.19 | ||||||
F-183
The weighted average fair values of Prudential plc options and awards granted during the period are as follows:
2005 Weighted average fair value |
2004 Weighted average fair value |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RSP |
Other options |
Awards |
RSP |
Other options |
Awards |
|||||
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
|||||
2.96 | 1.82 | 4.59 | 3.86 | 1.57 | 3.37 | |||||
The fair value amounts relating to RSP options and other options above were determined using the Black-Scholes and the Monte Carlo option-pricing models using the following assumptions:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RSP |
Other options |
RSP |
Other options |
||||
Dividend yield (%) | 3.19 | 3.19 | 3.82 | 3.82 | ||||
Expected volatility (%) | 42.93 | 40.38 | 47.23 | 43.74 | ||||
Risk-free interest rate (%) | 4.65 | 4.41 | 4.68 | 4.73 | ||||
Expected option life (years) | 3.00 | 3.62 | 3.00 | 3.78 | ||||
Weighted average exercise price (£) | | 3.97 | | 3.62 | ||||
Weighted average share price (£) | 5.01 | 5.12 | 4.53 | 4.48 | ||||
Under IFRS, compensation costs for all share-based compensation plans are determined using the Black-Scholes model and the Monte Carlo model. Share options and awards are valued using the share price at the date of grant. The compensation costs for all awards and options are recognized in net income over the plans' respective vesting periods. The Group uses the Black-Scholes model to value all options other than the RSP. For the RSP (nil cost option), the Group uses a Monte Carlo model in order to allow for the impact of the TSR performance conditions. These models are used to calculate fair values for share options and awards at the grant date based on the quoted market price of the stock at the measurement date, the amount, if any, that the employees are required to pay, the dividend yield, expected volatility, risk-free interest rates and exercise prices.
The expected volatility is measured at the standard deviation of expected share price returns based on statistical analysis of daily share prices over a period up to the grant date equal to the expected life of options. Risk-free interest rates are UK gilt rates with projections for three, five and seven year terms to match corresponding vesting periods. Dividend yield is determined as the average yield over the year of grant and expected dividends are not incorporated into the measurement of fair value. Additionally, for the RSP, volatility and correlation of the comparator group with the Group are required. These assumptions are based on the TSR of the comparators over a period up to the grant date equal to the performance period. For grants in 2005, an average comparator volatility of 31 per cent and an average correlation of comparators of 33 per cent were used.
When options are granted or awards made to employees, an estimate is made of what percentage is more than likely to vest, be forfeited, lapse or cancelled based on historical information. Based on these estimates, compensation expense to be accrued at that date is calculated and amortized over the vesting
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period. For early exercises of options or release of awards due to redundancy, death or resignation, the compensation expense is immediately recognized and for forfeitures due to employees leaving the Group, any previously recognized expense is reversed. However, if an employee loses their award because of the Group's failure to meet the performance criteria, previously recognized expense is not reversed.
During the year, the Group granted share options to certain non-employee independent financial advisors. Those options were measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with assumptions consistent with those of other share options. These transactions were measured using an option model because the Group does not receive a separate and measurable benefit from those non-employees in exchange for the options granted. As such, the fair value of the options themselves is more readily determinable than the services received in return.
(b) Relating to Egg plc shares
In 2005 and 2004, the Group maintained three main share award and share option plans relating to Egg plc shares, which are described below. As a result of the offer by Prudential to acquire the minority shareholding in Egg (note I8), executive share options are exercisable for six months from December 19, 2005, although this period may be shortened should Prudential become entitled to make a compulsory acquisition of the remaining Egg shares. Also as a result of the offer, awards under the RSP were assessed against the performance conditions. None of the awards met the performance conditions and they have therefore lapsed in February 2006 following consideration of the performance measurement results by the Remuneration Committee.
Egg made awards of shares at no cost to eligible employees selected by the Remuneration Committee under the plan. All Egg's directors and employees, including employees of its subsidiaries, were eligible to participate, subject to the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. It was, however, intended that participation would, in practice, be restricted to selected individuals in key positions. Employees within two years of their anticipated retirement date were not eligible to participate, except in circumstances which the Remuneration Committee considered to be exceptional.
Egg established a discretionary employee benefit trust, the Egg Employee Trust, by a trust deed dated April 26, 2000 between Egg and Mourant & Co. Trustees Limited. At December 31, 2005, the trust held 3.4 million ordinary shares (2004: 3.4 million), with a market value of £4.2 million (2004: £3.4 million) which are intended to be used principally for delivery of shares under the employee incentive plans and a nominal value of £1.7 million (2004: £1.7 million). All of the remaining 3.4 million shares held by the trust were purchased on the open market at a cost of £4.5 million.
Egg made the vesting of awards subject to the satisfaction of performance conditions from January 2004 onwards. Previously the awards have been conditional on service completed. The arrangements for the distribution to employees of shares held in trust and for entitlement to dividend depend on the particulars of each award. Shares held in trust are conditionally gifted to employees. The costs of share awards are charged to the income statement evenly over the period of service for which awards are made for schemes granted after November 7, 2002.
Egg also operated a sharesave scheme, which was an Inland Revenue approved all-employee Save as You Earn scheme. Under this scheme, employees entered into either three or five year contracts, at
F-185
the end of which time they will be entitled to exercise their options and purchase shares at an exercise price fixed at a 20 per cent discount to the share price at the date of grant. Employees have six months after the contract matures in which to exercise the options. These options will continue in force until their normal maturity dates.
Prior to the implementation of the RSP schemes, Egg granted options to employees under Inland Revenue approved and unapproved share option schemes.
Analysis of the movements in the number of shares and weighted average exercise price (with the exception of the Egg RSP where the exercise price is £nil) of options are set out below:
Egg RSP awards made prior to November 7, 2002.
|
Number (millions) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
Outstanding at beginning of year | 0.8 | 3.9 | |||
Forfeited | (0.7 | ) | (0.1 | ) | |
Exercised | (0.1 | ) | (3.0 | ) | |
Outstanding and exercisable at the end of year | 0.0 | 0.8 | |||
Egg RSP awards made after November 7, 2002.
|
Number (millions) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
Outstanding at beginning of year | 6.2 | 3.7 | |||
Granted | 1.7 | 3.1 | |||
Forfeited | (1.5 | ) | | ||
Exercised | (0.3 | ) | | ||
Expired | | (0.6 | ) | ||
Outstanding and exercisable at the end of year | 6.1 | 6.2 | |||
Egg sharesave scheme awards made prior to November 7, 2002.
|
3 Year Employee Sharesave Scheme |
5 Year Employee Sharesave Scheme |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Number (millions) |
Weighted average exercise price £ |
Number (millions) |
Weighted average exercise price £ |
||||||||||||
|
2005 |
2004 |
2005 |
2004 |
2005 |
2004 |
2005 |
2004 |
||||||||
Outstanding at beginning of year | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.16 | 1.19 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.20 | 1.19 | ||||||||
Forfeited | (0.2 | ) | (0.7 | ) | 1.20 | 1.22 | (0.1 | ) | (0.3 | ) | 1.19 | 1.18 | ||||
Exercised | (0.0 | ) | (0.1 | ) | 1.15 | 1.21 | | (0.0 | ) | | 1.23 | |||||
Outstanding and exercisable at the end of year | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.15 | 1.16 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 1.20 | 1.20 | ||||||||
F-186
Egg sharesave scheme awards made after November 7, 2002.
|
3 Year Employee Sharesave Scheme |
5 Year Employee Sharesave Scheme |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Number (millions) |
Weighted average exercise price £ |
Number (millions) |
Weighted average exercise price £ |
||||||||||||
|
2005 |
2004 |
2005 |
2004 |
2005 |
2004 |
2005 |
2004 |
||||||||
Outstanding at beginning of year | 3.0 | 0.8 | 0.85 | 1.17 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.84 | 1.17 | ||||||||
Granted | 0.9 | 2.6 | 0.86 | 0.80 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.86 | 0.80 | ||||||||
Forfeited | (0.7 | ) | (0.4 | ) | 0.87 | 1.10 | (0.2 | ) | (0.1 | ) | 0.88 | 1.11 | ||||
Exercised | (0.0 | ) | (0.0 | ) | 0.80 | 1.17 | | | | | ||||||
Outstanding and exercisable at the end of year | 3.2 | 3.0 | 0.86 | 0.85 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.83 | 0.84 | ||||||||
Egg share option scheme awards made prior to November 7, 2002.
|
Number (millions) |
Weighted average exercise price £ |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
2005 |
2004 |
||||
Outstanding at beginning of year | 11.5 | 16.7 | 1.42 | 1.42 | ||||
Forfeited | (2.2 | ) | (1.4 | ) | 1.43 | 1.46 | ||
Exercised | | (3.8 | ) | | 1.40 | |||
Outstanding and exercisable at the end of year | 9.3 | 11.5 | 1.42 | 1.42 | ||||
The weighted average share price of Egg plc during the year ended December 31, 2005 was 106 pence compared to 134 pence for the year ended December 31, 2004.
The exercise prices and the weighted average remaining contractual life of the number of options outstanding at the year end are as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Exercise price £ |
Number of options (millions) |
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) |
Exercise price £ |
Number of options (millions) |
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) |
||||||
Restricted share plan | ||||||||||||
Pre 2003 grant | | | | | 0.8 | 0.3 | ||||||
2003 grant | | 2.8 | 0.2 | | 3.1 | 1.2 | ||||||
2004 grant | | 2.0 | 1.6 | | 3.1 | 2.5 | ||||||
2005 grant | | 1.2 | 2.2 | | | | ||||||
F-187
3 Year Sharesave Scheme | ||||||||||||
2001 grant | 1.30 | | | 1.30 | 0.1 | | ||||||
2002 grant | 1.15 | 0.4 | | 1.15 | 0.6 | 0.9 | ||||||
2003 grant | 1.17 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 1.17 | 0.5 | 1.9 | ||||||
2004 grant | 0.80 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 0.80 | 2.5 | 2.9 | ||||||
2005 grant | 0.86 | 0.9 | 2.9 | | | | ||||||
5 Year Sharesave Scheme | ||||||||||||
2001 grant | 1.30 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.30 | 0.1 | 1.9 | ||||||
2002 grant | 1.15 | 0.2 | 1.9 | 1.15 | 0.2 | 2.9 | ||||||
2003 grant | 1.17 | 0.1 | 2.9 | 1.17 | 0.1 | 3.9 | ||||||
2004 grant | 0.80 | 0.7 | 3.9 | 0.80 | 0.9 | 4.9 | ||||||
2005 grant | 0.86 | 0.2 | 4.9 | | | | ||||||
Share option schemes | ||||||||||||
Pre 2003 grant | 1.42 | 9.3 | | 1.42 | 11.5 | 0.4 |
The fair value of the Egg RSP scheme at the date of grant was calculated using a Present Economic Value (binomial) model. The fair values of the sharesave schemes at the date of grant were determined using a Black-Scholes model.
The significant assumptions and inputs used to estimate the fair value of the options granted in 2005 are as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RSP |
3 Year Sharesave |
5 Year Sharesave |
RSP |
3 Year Sharesave |
5 Year Sharesave |
||||||
Share price (£) | 1.09 | 1.03 | 1.03 | 1.01 | 0.94 | 0.94 | ||||||
Exercise price (£) | | 0.86 | 0.86 | | 0.80 | 0.80 | ||||||
Risk-free interest rate (%) (note i) | | 4.14 | 4.15 | | 4.70 | 4.76 | ||||||
Expected life (years) | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | ||||||
Expected volatility (%) (note ii) | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | ||||||
Dividend yield (%) | | | | | | | ||||||
Share price volatility of comparator group (%) (note iii) | 20 | | | 20 | | | ||||||
Fair value of option (£) | 1.91 | 0.41 | 0.50 | 1.90 | 0.37 | 0.45 | ||||||
Notes
F-188
(c) Total share-based payment expense
Total expense recognized in the year in the consolidated financial statements related to share-based compensation is as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||
Share-based compensation expense | 19 | 13 | ||
Amount accounted for as equity-settled | 15 | 10 | ||
Carrying value at December 31 of liabilities arising from share-based payment transactions | 10 | 3 | ||
Intrinsic value of above liabilities for which rights had vested at December 31 | 1 | | ||
I3: Key management remuneration
Key management constitutes the directors of Prudential plc as they have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group.
Total key management remuneration amounts to £13,688,000 (2004: £11,274,000). This comprises salaries and short-term benefits of £8,087,000 (2004: £7,639,000), post-employment benefits of £1,032,000 (2004: £1,058,000), termination benefits of £1,600,000 (2004: £nil) and share-based payments of £2,969,000 (2004: £2,577,000).
Post-employment benefits comprise the change in the transfer value of the accrued benefit relating to directors' defined benefit pension schemes in the year and the total contributions made to directors' other pension arrangements.
The share-based payments charge is the sum of £1,842,000 (2004: £1,815,000), which is determined in accordance with IFRS 2, 'Share-Based Payments' (see note I2) and £1,127,000 (2004: £762,000) of deferred share awards.
Total key management remuneration includes total directors' emoluments of £9,214,000 and additional amounts in respect of pensions, share-based payments and termination benefits.
F-189
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
I4: Fees payable to auditors
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Audit services: | |||||
Statutory audit fees | 4.2 | 4.0 | |||
Interim financial statements | 0.7 | 0.4 | |||
US GAAP reporting | 0.8 | 0.8 | |||
Regulatory reporting | 0.7 | 0.5 | |||
EEV and achieved profits basis audit | 0.4 | 0.1 | |||
Total audit services | 6.8 | 5.8 | |||
Further assurance services associated with: | |||||
Implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley requirements | 2.2 | 1.8 | |||
Implementation of accounting and regulatory requirements | 1.4 | 0.4 | |||
Prospectuses for equity and debt issues | 0.6 | 0.5 | |||
Comfort and attestation letters | 0.6 | 0.2 | |||
Tax compliance | 0.5 | 0.2 | |||
5.3 | 3.1 | ||||
Other services: | |||||
Acquisitions and disposals due diligence | 0.0 | 0.5 | |||
Other services | 0.3 | 0.5 | |||
Total | 12.4 | 9.9 | |||
Fees, excluding statutory audit fees, payable to KPMG Audit Plc and its associates include £6.7 million (2004: £4.6 million) for work performed in the UK. Audit fees include fees paid to KPMG where they are the auditors of PPM Capital consolidated entities.
The Audit Committee regularly monitors the non-audit services provided to the Group by its auditors and has developed a formal Auditor Independence Policy which sets out the types of services that the auditors may provide, consistent with the guidance in Sir Robert Smith's report 'Audit CommitteesCombined Code Guidance' and with the provisions of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Audit Committee annually reviews the auditors' objectivity and independence.
I5: Related party transactions
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries are eliminated on consolidation.
In addition, the Company has transactions and outstanding balances with certain unit trusts, OEICs, collateralized debt obligations and similar entities, which are not consolidated and where a Group company acts as manager. These entities are regarded as related parties for the purposes of IAS 24. The balances are included in the Group's balance sheet at fair value or amortized cost in accordance with their IAS 39 classifications. The transactions are included in the income statement and include amounts paid on issue of shares or units, amounts received on cancellation of shares or units and paid in respect
F-190
of the periodic charge and administration fee. Further details of the aggregate assets, liabilities, revenues, profits or losses and reporting dates of entities considered to be associates under IFRS are disclosed in note H8.
Various executive officers and directors of Prudential may from time to time purchase insurance, investment management or annuity products, or be granted mortgages or credit card facilities marketed by Prudential group companies in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and security requirements, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons.
Apart from the transactions with directors referred to below, no director had an interest in shares, transactions or arrangements that requires disclosure, other than those given in the remuneration report. Key management remuneration is disclosed in note I3.
In 2005 (2004), three (four) directors had mortgages and other borrowings with Egg plc of £125,000 (2004: £171,000). One director had a life policy with a sum assured of £4.0 million (2004: £3.5 million). In 2005 and 2004, other transactions with directors were de-minimis both by virtue of their size and in the context of the directors' financial positions. As indicated above, all of the above noted transactions are on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm's length transactions.
I6: Subsidiary undertakings
(i) Principal subsidiaries
The principal subsidiary undertakings of the Company at December 31, 2005, all wholly owned except Egg Banking plc and PCA Life Assurance Company Limited were:
|
Main Activity |
Country of Incorporation |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
The Prudential Assurance Company Limited | Insurance | England and Wales | ||
Prudential Annuities Limited* | Insurance | England and Wales | ||
Prudential Retirement Income Limited (PRIL)* | Insurance | Scotland | ||
M&G Investment Management Limited* | Investment management | England and Wales | ||
Egg Banking plc* | Banking | England and Wales | ||
Jackson National Life Insurance Company* | Insurance | US | ||
Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Limited* | Insurance | Singapore | ||
PCA Life Assurance Company Limited* | Insurance | Taiwan |
Each subsidiary has one class of ordinary shares and operates mainly in its country of incorporation, except for PRIL which operates mainly in England and Wales. In February 2005, the proportion of ordinary shares of PCA Life Assurance Company Limited owned by the Company was increased from 97 per cent to 99 per cent.
Egg Banking plc is a subsidiary of Egg plc. At December 31, 2005, the ordinary shares of Egg plc were listed and there was only one class of shares which were 78 per cent owned by the Company, 1 per cent owned by other companies within the Prudential Group and 21 per cent owned by
F-191
shareholders external to the Prudential Group. In December 2005, the Company announced its intention to acquire the whole of the issued and to be issued shares of Egg not already owned by the Prudential Group as set out in note I8.
(ii) Dividend restrictions and minimum capital requirements
Certain Group subsidiaries are subject to restrictions on the amount of funds they may transfer in the form of cash dividends or otherwise to the parent company. UK insurance companies are required to maintain solvency margins which must be supported by capital reserves and other resources, including unrealized gains on investments. JNL can pay dividends on its capital stock only out of earned surplus unless prior regulatory approval is obtained. Furthermore, without the prior regulatory approval, dividends cannot be distributed if all dividends made within the preceding 12 months exceed the greater of JNL's statutory net gain from operations or 10 per cent of JNL statutory surplus for the prior year. As JNL paid dividends in 2005, in order to fund the purchase of the Life Insurance Company of Georgia (see section (iii) below), at December 31, 2005, the maximum amount of dividends that could be paid by JNL without prior regulatory approval was nil (2004: US$221 million (£115 million)). The Group's Asian subsidiaries, mainly the Singapore and Malaysia businesses, may remit dividends to the Group, in general, provided the statutory insurance fund meets the capital adequacy standard required under local statutory regulations.
PAC and JNL are the two principal insurance subsidiaries of the Group, which together comprise approximately 77 per cent (2004: 77 per cent) of total Group assets. At December 31, 2005, the PAC long-term fund's excess of assets over its required minimum solvency margin (as per line 42 of Form 2 of the PAC FSA regulatory returns) was estimated to be £11,783 million (2004: £4,665 million) and the statutory capital and surplus of JNL was US$3,434 million (£2,000 million) (2004: US$3,141 million (£1,636 million)). The Group capital position statement for life assurance businesses is set out in note D5.
(iii) Acquisition of subsidiaries
A. Acquisition of subsidiaries in 2005
On May 18, 2005, the Group purchased, in exchange for £142 million in cash, 100 per cent of the share capital of Life Insurance Company of Georgia, a life insurance company domiciled in the US, from ING Groep N.V. (ING). The results of Life Insurance Company of Georgia's operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements commencing May 18, 2005, and contributed £4 million to the consolidated net profit. The preliminary purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments and has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using management's best estimate of fair value as of the acquisition date. JNL is in negotiations with ING over certain post-closing purchase price adjustments. During 2006, any unresolved differences will be submitted to an arbitrator for resolution. If the final purchase price is reduced as a result of the arbitrator's review, the opening balance sheet will be reassessed accordingly, with any excess adjustment over the amounts presented in the balance sheet recognized as a gain.
F-192
The carrying value immediately prior to acquisition of the assets and liabilities of Life Insurance Company of Georgia was as follows:
|
2005 |
|
---|---|---|
|
£ million |
|
Assets | ||
Financial investments | 920 | |
Reinsurer's share of policyholder liability provision | 12 | |
Tax recoverable | 4 | |
Other assets | 6 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | 47 | |
Total assets | 989 | |
Equity and liabilities |
||
Equity | 141 | |
Liabilities | ||
Insurance contract liabilities | 837 | |
Other non-insurance liabilities | 11 | |
Total liabilities | 848 | |
Total equity and liabilities | 989 | |
A fair value adjustment of £1 million was made, representing the value of in-force business on acquisition. As indicated above, this amount may be adjusted depending upon the outcome of arbitration proceedings. There is currently no goodwill recorded on acquisition.
Group revenue and consolidated net profit for the year ended December 31, 2005 are shown on a pro forma basis below as if the Life Insurance Company of Georgia acquisition took place on January 1, 2005. These pro forma amounts have been derived by adding pre-acquisition revenue and other components of net profit to these items included in the Group's consolidated income statement.
|
Pro forma 2005 |
|
---|---|---|
|
£ million |
|
Earned premiums, net of reinsurance | 15,050 | |
Investment and other income | 26,119 | |
Total revenue | 41,169 | |
Profit after tax for the year | 768 | |
In addition to the acquisition of Life Insurance Company of Georgia, the PAC with-profits fund acquired a number of venture capital holdings through PPM Capital in which the Group is deemed to
F-193
have a controlling interest, in aggregate with, if applicable, other holdings held by, for example, the PSPS. There were three such acquisitions during 2005:
These acquisitions are considered individually immaterial and therefore all 2005 information relating to ventures acquisitions has been presented in aggregate throughout the note. Due to the nature of venture investments, it is not practicable to provide certain information for acquisitions occurring in 2005 and 2004, including the pro forma Group revenue and consolidated net profit information as if the acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of the year, and the carrying amounts, in accordance with IFRS, of each class of the acquirees assets, liabilities, and contingent liabilities immediately before acquisition.
The results of the aggregated ventures acquisitions in 2005 have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Group commencing on the respective dates of acquisition and contributed £0.1 million to earnings within the income statement, which is also reflected as part of the change in unallocated surplus of the with-profits fund.
The table below identifies the net assets acquired and reconciles this amount to the consideration paid for the aggregated ventures acquisitions in 2005:
|
Fair value on acquisition |
||
---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
||
Cash and cash equivalents | 29 | ||
Other current assets | 144 | ||
Property, plant and equipment | 82 | ||
Other non-current assets | 5 | ||
Less liabilities, including current liabilities and borrowings | (408 | ) | |
(148 | ) | ||
Less minority interests | 1 | ||
Net assets acquired | (149 | ) | |
Goodwill | 151 | ||
Cash consideration | 2 | ||
Aggregate goodwill of £151 million has been recognized for the excess of the cost over the Group's interest in the net fair value of the entities' assets, liabilities, and contingent liabilities acquired in 2005.
There are no intangible assets that were not recognized separately from goodwill for these companies because the fair value of the intangible asset could not be reliably measured.
F-194
B. Acquisition of subsidiaries in 2004
Acquisitions in 2004 relate to the PAC with-profits fund venture capital holdings. There were five such acquisitions during 2004:
These acquisitions are considered individually immaterial and therefore all 2004 information has been presented in aggregate throughout the note. As noted above, it is not practicable to provide certain information due to the nature of venture investments and hence these disclosures are not included in this note.
The results of the aggregated acquisitions in 2004 have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Group commencing on the respective dates of acquisition and contributed £16 million to earnings within the income statement which is also reflected as part of the change in the liability for unallocated surplus i.e. profit before tax attributable to shareholders is not affected. This aggregate amount of £16 million does not include earnings from Edotech for the period since the date of acquisition. Disclosure of this amount is impracticable as Edotech is an acquisition by a consolidated PPM Capital venture subsidiary.
The table below identifies the net assets acquired and reconciles this amount to the consideration paid for the aggregated acquisitions in 2004:
|
Fair value on acquisition |
||
---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
||
Cash and cash equivalents | 44 | ||
Other current assets | 205 | ||
Property, plant and equipment | 212 | ||
Other non-current assets | 43 | ||
Less liabilities, including current liabilities and borrowings | (905 | ) | |
(401 | ) | ||
Less minority interests | 0 | ||
Net assets acquired | (401 | ) | |
Goodwill | 537 | ||
Cash consideration | 136 | ||
F-195
Aggregate goodwill of £537 million has been recognized for the excess of the cost over the Group's interest in the net fair value of the entities' assets, liabilities, and contingent liabilities acquired in 2004.
There are no intangible assets that were not recognized separately from goodwill for these companies because the fair value of the intangible asset could not be reliably measured.
(iv) Disposals of subsidiaries
A. Disposals of subsidiaries in 2005
In 2005, the Astron Group Ltd, Barracuda Group Ltd, Saint Clair Luxembourg S.a.r.l., RAL Holdings Ltd, Roventa-Henex Holdings SA and Global Brands Co. Inc., all venture subsidiaries of the PAC with-profits fund, were disposed of for cash consideration of £284 million. Goodwill of £312 million and cash and cash equivalents of £32 million were disposed of. Note that, in addition, two venture subsidiaries were classified as held for sale at December 31, 2005 (see note H9).
B. Disposals of subsidiaries in 2004
The Group disposed of its interest in Jackson Federal Bank on October 27, 2004 to Union Bank of California (see note F6).
The net assets of Jackson Federal Bank at the date of disposal and at December 31, 2003 were as follows:
|
At date of disposal |
31 Dec 2003 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
||||
Intangible assets | 38 | 38 | ||||
Financial investments: | ||||||
Debt securities | 45 | 270 | ||||
Equity securities and portfolio holdings in unit trusts | 13 | 13 | ||||
Loans and receivables | 683 | 659 | ||||
Other investments | | 3 | ||||
741 | 945 | |||||
Accrued investment income | 10 | 9 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 21 | 14 | ||||
Total liabilities (predominantly customer accounts) | (682 | ) | (894 | ) | ||
Net identifiable assets and liabilities | 128 | 112 | ||||
Gain on disposal, before tax | 38 | |||||
Total consideration, satisfied by cash | 166 | |||||
Net cash inflow arising on disposal | ||||||
Cash consideration | 166 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents disposed of | (21 | ) | ||||
145 | ||||||
F-196
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
In addition, Oxoid a venture subsidiary of the PAC with-profits fund was disposed of on March 1, 2004 for cash consideration of £73 million. Goodwill of £62 million was the primary asset that was disposed of. Cash and cash equivalents disposed of were insignificant.
I7: Commitments
(i) Operating leases
The Group leases various offices to conduct its business. Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£ million |
£ million |
|||
Future minimum lease payments for non-cancellable operating leases are due for the following periods: | |||||
Not later than 1 year | 61 | 58 | |||
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years | 186 | 167 | |||
Later than 5 years | 204 | 201 |
The total minimum future sublease rentals to be received on non-cancelable operating leases for land and buildings for the year ended December 31, 2005 was £2 million (2004: £2 million).
Minimum lease rental payments for the year ended December 31, 2005 of £55 million (2004: £50 million) are included in the consolidated income statement.
(ii) Capital commitments
The Group has provided, from time to time, certain guarantees and commitments to third parties including funding the purchase or development of land and buildings and other related matters. At December 31, 2005, the aggregate amount of contractual obligations to purchase and develop investment properties amounted to £199 million (2004: £42 million). The vast majority of these commitments have been made by the PAC with-profits fund.
I8: Post-balance sheet events
In December 2005, the Company announced its intention to acquire the minority interests in Egg representing approximately 21.7 per cent of the existing issued share capital of Egg. Under the terms of the offer, Egg shareholders would receive 0.2237 new ordinary shares in the Company for each Egg share. In January 2006, the Company announced that it had received acceptances in respect of 80.3 per cent of the shares that it did not already own and that it would extend the offer until further notice. Full acceptance of the offer would result in the issue of 41 million new ordinary shares in the Company representing 1.7 per cent of its issued ordinary share capital as enlarged by this acquisition. On February 20, 2006, Egg's shares were delisted from the official list. The transfer of the balance of the outstanding shares was completed on May 16, 2006.
F-197
On June 23, 2006, Standard & Poor's announced that it had lowered its counterparty credit ratings on Prudential's long-term senior debt from AA- (negative outlook) to A+ (stable outlook). At the same time Standard & Poor's revised its outlook on Jackson National Life from AA (negative outlook) to AA (stable outlook).
I9: Foreign exchange translation
Foreign currency profit and losses have been translated at average exchange rates for the year. Foreign currency assets and liabilities have been translated at year end rates of exchange.
The principal exchange rates applied are:
Local currency: £ |
Closing rate at 31 Dec 2005 |
Average for 2005 |
Closing rate at 31 Dec 2004 |
Average for 2004 |
Opening rate at 1 Jan 2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hong Kong | 13.31 | 14.15 | 14.92 | 14.27 | 13.90 | |||||
Japan | 202.63 | 200.13 | 196.73 | 198.08 | 191.85 | |||||
Malaysia | 6.49 | 6.89 | 7.30 | 6.96 | 6.80 | |||||
Singapore | 2.85 | 3.03 | 3.13 | 3.10 | 3.04 | |||||
Taiwan | 56.38 | 58.47 | 60.84 | 61.10 | 60.78 | |||||
US | 1.72 | 1.82 | 1.92 | 1.83 | 1.79 |
I10: Cash flows
Structural borrowings of shareholder-financed operations comprise core debt of the parent company and related finance subsidiaries, JNL surplus notes and Egg debenture loans. Core debt excludes borrowings to support short-term fixed income securities reinvestment programs and non-recourse borrowings of investment subsidiaries of shareholder-financed operations. Cash flows in respect of these borrowings are included within operating cash flows.
Structural borrowings of with-profits operations relate solely to the £100 million 8.5 per cent undated subordinated guaranteed bonds which contribute to the solvency base of SAIF. Cash flows on other borrowings of with-profits funds, which principally relate to venture investment subsidiaries, are categorized as operating.
Cash flows relating to discontinued operations, as detailed in note F6, are outflows of £5 million and inflows of £174 million for 2005 and 2004 respectively. All of these relate to cash flows from operating activities.
F-198
J: Summary of Material Differences between IFRS and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
The Group's consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with EU-endorsed IFRS. Were the Group to apply IFRS as published by the IASB, as opposed to EU-endorsed IFRS, no additional adjustments would be required. These accounting practices differ in certain material respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the US (US GAAP). Information related to the nature and effect of such differences is set forth in the following tables and narrative descriptions thereafter. The reconciliation tables present an analysis of the material differences affecting both the with-profits funds and other operations. See Note K for presentation of condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements.
F-199
Reconciliation to US GAAP
The approximate effects on consolidated profit and loss of the differences between IFRS and US GAAP, including a breakdown of the US GAAP adjustments between with-profits funds and other operations, are as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
With- Profits Funds |
Other Operations |
Total |
With- Profits Funds |
Other Operations |
Total |
|||||||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||||||||||
Consolidated profit for the year in accordance with IFRS attributable to equity holders of the Company | 748 | 517 | |||||||||||||
US GAAP adjustments: | |||||||||||||||
Business acquisitions and investments in associates: | |||||||||||||||
Investment results | 9 | (37 | ) | (28 | ) | 23 | | 23 | |||||||
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles (gross of tax) see page F-202 | | | | (14 | ) | | (14 | ) | |||||||
Restructuring charges | (2 | ) | (18 | ) | (20 | ) | (3 | ) | 11 | 8 | |||||
Investments: | |||||||||||||||
Real estate: | |||||||||||||||
Investment results | (537 | ) | (224 | ) | (761 | ) | (839 | ) | (203 | ) | (1,042 | ) | |||
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles (gross of tax) see page F-204 | | | | | (638 | ) | (638 | ) | |||||||
Securities | (690 | ) | (496 | ) | (1,186 | ) | (283 | ) | (78 | ) | (361 | ) | |||
Mortgage and other loans | | (10 | ) | (10 | ) | (2 | ) | (4 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||
Derivative instruments | | (61 | ) | (61 | ) | (8 | ) | 149 | 141 | ||||||
Long-term business: | |||||||||||||||
Revenue and expense recognition | 82 | (265 | ) | (183 | ) | (2 | ) | (433 | ) | (435 | ) | ||||
Deferred acquisition costs | (204 | ) | 220 | 16 | (12 | ) | 104 | 92 | |||||||
Policy liabilities | 7,005 | 295 | 7,300 | 1,104 | 160 | 1,264 | |||||||||
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles (gross of tax) see page F-210 | | | | (9 | ) | | (9 | ) | |||||||
Reversal of transfer to unallocated surplus | 1,794 | | 1,794 | 3,509 | | 3,509 | |||||||||
Provision for policyholders' share of earnings and losses on with-profits business in excess of cost of policyholder bonuses declared | (6,277 | ) | | (6,277 | ) | (2,979 | ) | | (2,979 | ) | |||||
Profit on disposals |
|
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
(5 |
) |
|||||||
Pension plans | (338 | ) | 103 | (235 | ) | (39 | ) | (6 | ) | (45 | ) | ||||
Stock-based compensation | (1 | ) | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 | ||||||||
Deferred tax effect: |
|||||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles | | | | | 117 | 117 | |||||||||
Other adjustments above | (144 | ) | 236 | 92 | (115 | ) | 63 | (52 | ) | ||||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | 697 | (253 | ) | 444 | 332 | (758 | ) | (426 | ) | ||||||
Consolidated net income in accordance with US GAAP | 1,192 | 91 | |||||||||||||
F-200
The approximate effects on consolidated shareholders' equity of the differences between IFRS and US GAAP, including a breakdown of the US GAAP adjustments between with-profits funds and other operations as of December 31 are as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
With- Profits Funds |
Other Operations |
Total |
With- Profits Funds |
Other Operations |
Total |
||||||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||||||||||
Consolidated shareholders' equity in accordance with IFRS | 5,194 | 4,489 | ||||||||||||
US GAAP adjustments: | ||||||||||||||
Business acquisitions and investments in associates | 189 | 416 | 605 | 197 | 466 | 663 | ||||||||
Restructuring charges | | | | 2 | 18 | 20 | ||||||||
Investments: | ||||||||||||||
Real estate | (5,841 | ) | (1,068 | ) | (6,909 | ) | (5,304 | ) | (845 | ) | (6,149 | ) | ||
Securities | | | | | 1,025 | 1,025 | ||||||||
Mortgage and other loans | | (3 | ) | (3 | ) | (49 | ) | 6 | (43 | ) | ||||
Derivative instruments | | (6 | ) | (6 | ) | (16 | ) | (235 | ) | (251 | ) | |||
Long-term business: | ||||||||||||||
Revenue and expense recognition | (1,189 | ) | (1,472 | ) | (2,661 | ) | (1,142 | ) | (1,191 | ) | (2,333 | ) | ||
Deferred acquisition costs | 2,049 | 846 | 2,895 | 1,424 | 201 | 1,625 | ||||||||
Policy liabilities | 18,262 | 683 | 18,945 | 4,586 | 464 | 5,050 | ||||||||
Reversal of unallocated surplus of with-profits funds | 8,344 | | 8,344 | 14,313 | | 14,313 | ||||||||
Undistributed policyholder allocations | (19,226 | ) | | (19,226 | ) | (12,457 | ) | | (12,457 | ) | ||||
Pension plans | 943 | 646 | 1,589 | 1,212 | 512 | 1,724 | ||||||||
Recognition of pension scheme minimum liability | (762 | ) | (386 | ) | (1,148 | ) | (1,109 | ) | (320 | ) | (1,429 | ) | ||
Stock-based compensation and treasury stock | | (6 | ) | (6 | ) | 1 | (18 | ) | (17 | ) | ||||
Deferred tax effect of the above adjustments | (633 | ) | 213 | (420 | ) | (274 | ) | (29 | ) | (303 | ) | |||
Total US GAAP adjustments | 2,136 | (137 | ) | 1,999 | 1,384 | 54 | 1,438 | |||||||
Consolidated shareholders' equity in accordance with US GAAP | 7,193 | 5,927 | ||||||||||||
The following descriptions of differences between IFRS and US GAAP include tables summarizing the effects on the condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets and income statement lines of the US GAAP adjustments for each reconciling item. For adjustments in respect of with-profits funds, the net effect of a particular US GAAP adjustment on US GAAP consolidated net income or shareholders' equity would be the amounts shown in the table, net of related policyholders' share of the adjustment. The policyholders' share is included in the adjustment for undistributed policyholder allocations.
F-201
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
Business Acquisitions and Investments in Associates
Business acquisitions are accounted for using the purchase method under both IFRS and US GAAP. Under IFRS, goodwill arising on acquisitions of subsidiaries and businesses is capitalized and carried as an intangible asset at initial value less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill impairment testing is conducted annually and when there is an indication of impairment.
As permitted by IFRS, the Group has elected not to apply retrospectively the provisions of IFRS 3, 'Business Combinations' to business combinations that occurred prior to January 1, 2004. At the date of transition therefore, no adjustment was made between UK GAAP and IFRS shareholders' equity for any historical business combination. Consistent with this approach, goodwill recognized in the opening balance sheet at January 1, 2004 for acquired businesses that have previously been consolidated is the same as previously shown under UK GAAP. Goodwill on newly consolidated entities, for example on venture fund investments, is determined by reference to net assets at transition date. The Group has chosen to express its goodwill at transition in pounds sterling rather than in functional currency, as permitted by IFRS 1.
Under US GAAP, similar to IFRS, goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets are not amortized and are subjected to an impairment test at least annually. During 2005, the Group made an impairment charge on the goodwill of the Japanese life business reducing the goodwill to nil at December 31, 2005. As prescribed by IFRS 1, the goodwill balance under IFRS at January 1, 2004 for previously consolidated entities at that date reflects the carrying value under UK GAAP where goodwill was recorded as an asset and amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life. As a result of this treatment, the impairment charge on the Japanese life business under US GAAP of £134 million was £14 million higher than its IFRS equivalent. No impairment charges were made in 2004.
Under IFRS, interests in associates are recorded at the Group's share of the associate's net assets. The carrying value of investments in associates is adjusted each year for the Group's share of the entities' profit or loss.
Under US GAAP, interests in associates are recorded using the equity method of accounting. Equity method investments are recorded at the purchase price in the year of acquisition including related goodwill. The carrying values of investments in associates are adjusted each year for the Group's share of US GAAP profits or losses, with such adjustments being included in the income statement. Dividends received from associates are recorded as a decrease in the carrying value of the investment.
Under IFRS, the Group's investments in joint ventures are recognized using proportional consolidation whereby the Group's share of an entity's individual balances are combined line-by-line with similar items into Group's financial statements. Under US GAAP, investments in joint ventures are recorded using the equity method of accounting. In addition, under both GAAPs, investments in unquoted securities other than joint ventures where the Group does not exercise significant influence are carried at fair value (as described in Note A3); changes in fair value for US GAAP purposes, however, are reported in other comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes, rather than in the income statement.
Under IFRS, life fund venture capital holdings are either consolidated or carried at fair value, consistent with their portfolio investment nature. Under US GAAP, venture capital holdings are either
F-202
consolidated, or accounted for under the equity method, dependent upon whether the Group is deemed to have a controlling interest.
Under US GAAP, following the adoption of FIN 46-R on January 1, 2004, the Group consolidates a number of collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) and authorized investment funds where it is the primary beneficiary of these CDOs and funds. Prior to January 1, 2004, these CDOs and funds were carried at fair value. Under IFRS, the Group consolidates some special purpose entities (SPEs) such as CDOs and authorized investment funds where the Group is deemed to control them.
The US GAAP adjustments for business acquisitions and investments in associates had the following effects on the condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income: | |||||||
Investment results | (7 | ) | (28 | ) | |||
Other income | | 81 | |||||
Underwriting, acquisition and other operating expenses | 3 | 5 | |||||
Other charges (amortization expense) | (24 | ) | (35 | ) | |||
(28 | ) | 23 | |||||
Change in accounting principle | | (14 | ) | ||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (28 | ) | 9 | ||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets: | |||||||
Fixed maturities | (560 | ) | (469 | ) | |||
Equity securities | (203 | ) | (143 | ) | |||
Other investments | 2 | (119 | ) | ||||
Intangible assets | 610 | 628 | |||||
Other assets | (44 | ) | (423 | ) | |||
Debt | 746 | 945 | |||||
Other liabilities | 54 | 244 | |||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | 605 | 663 | |||||
The change in accounting principle of £14 million (gross of tax) in 2004 was as a result of the adoption of FIN 46-R, 'Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities' by the Group in that year. For further details on the adoption of FIN 46-R, please see 'Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements' in note K.
Restructuring charges
Under IFRS, restructuring charges can be provided as a liability on the basis that the entity has a constructive obligation. A constructive obligation has arisen when the entity has a detailed formal plan and raised a valid expectation to those affected that it will carry out the restructuring by starting to implement the plan or announcing its main features to those affected by it. The establishment of a liability is charged to the income statement as part of acquisition costs and other operating expenditure for both restructuring of existing and newly acquired operations.
F-203
Under US GAAP, restructuring charges arising from business combinations and relating to involuntary termination/relocation of the acquired entity's employees or costs relating to exiting an activity of the acquired company are recognized as liabilities assumed in the business combination and included in the accounting for the acquisition. For restructurings initiated prior to January 1, 2003, restructuring charges related to involuntary employee terminations or other costs to exit existing activities were accrued with a charge to income when a formal plan was approved by management and specific information regarding termination benefits was communicated to affected employees. Effective January 1, 2003, the Group adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 146, 'Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities' (FAS 146). For restructurings initiated after January 1, 2003, a liability for costs associated with exit or disposal activities is recognized when the liability is incurred.
The major restructuring in 2004 related to the withdrawal of Egg from the French market.
The US GAAP adjustments for restructuring charges had the following effects on the condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income: | ||||||
Underwriting, acquisition and other operating expenses | (20 | ) | 8 | |||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (20 | ) | 8 | |||
Condensed consolidated balance sheets: | ||||||
Other liabilities | | 20 | ||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | | 20 | ||||
Under US GAAP, restructuring provisions of £nil million and £20 million were excluded from the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2005 and 2004 respectively. Of these totals, an amount of £17 million in 2004 represented costs that were not incurred at the balance sheet date arising from the closure of Egg France.
At December 31, 2004 the total restructuring provision under US GAAP was £46 million and it related entirely to the direct sales force and customer services center for the UK Insurance Operations. This provision comprised £8 million of termination and redundancy costs, £35 million of property related charges and £3 million of other transition and systems related costs.
Investments
Real estate
Under IFRS, investments in tenant occupied freehold and leasehold properties are carried at fair value as defined by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors guidelines. The costs of additions and renovations are capitalized and considered when estimating fair value. Investments in Group occupied freehold and leasehold properties are carried at depreciated cost. Leases of investment property where the Group has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases (leasehold property). Finance leases are capitalized at the lease's inception at the lower of the fair value
F-204
of the leased property and the present value of the minimum lease payments. Where a lease has a contingent rent element, the rent is calculated in accordance with individual lease terms and charged as an expense as incurred.
Under US GAAP, investments in tenant and Group occupied freehold and leasehold properties are carried at depreciated cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the properties' estimated useful lives, generally 30 to 50 years. The costs of additions and renovations are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, generally 7 to 25 years, or the remaining useful life of the property if shorter. Property is considered to be impaired when its carrying value exceeds the future undiscounted estimated cash flow of the property. Impaired property is written down to fair value, through a charge to the income statement. Rental income and rental expense are recognized on a straight line basis over the term of the lease. Under both US GAAP and IFRS, lease incentives granted on leases to tenants (such as rent-free periods) are recognized on a straight line basis as a reduction in rental income over the lease term.
Prior to the second half of 2004, for US GAAP purposes, the Group was amortizing rent-free periods provided to tenants in the Group's investment property portfolio on a straight-line basis over a period generally shorter than the lease term. In the second half of 2004, the Group changed its method of accounting for these rent-free periods to amortize these over the lease term on a straight-line basis consistent with US GAAP requirements. The cumulative effect of this correction resulted in the Group recording £68 million gross of tax (£48 million net of tax) of additional rental income in the second half of 2004, of which £60 million gross of tax (£42 million net of tax) related to SAIF. The impact of this change was included within investment results and increased income before taxes and net income in the Group's condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income and comprehensive income. The impact of this correction was not material to the Group's 2004 and prior periods' results.
The US GAAP adjustments for real estate had the following effects on the condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income: | |||||||
Investment results | (761 | ) | (1,042 | ) | |||
Change in accounting principle | | (638 | ) | ||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (761 | ) | (1,680 | ) | |||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets: | |||||||
Real estate | (6,909 | ) | (6,149 | ) | |||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (6,909 | ) | (6,149 | ) | |||
The change in accounting principle charge of £638 million (gross of tax) in 2004 was as a result of the adoption of SOP 03-1, 'Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Non-traditional Long Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts', effective January 1, 2004. For further details on the adoption of SOP 03-1, please see the 'Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements' in note K below.
F-205
Securities
As permitted by IFRS, prior to the adoption of IAS 39 on January 1, 2005, the Group applied UK GAAP principles for valuation and disclosure of financial assets and liabilities. Accordingly, all equity securities and portfolio holding in unit trusts are carried at fair value. Changes in fair value are recorded in the income statement. Debt and other fixed income securities were also carried at fair value, except for those held by Jackson National Life, which were carried at amortized cost, and those held by Egg, which were carried at cost less any provision for permanent diminution in value.
Upon the adoption of IAS 39 on January 1, 2005, with the exception of debt securities held by JNL and Egg, the Group has opted to designate all securities including holdings in consolidated unit trusts and similar entities as fair value through profit and loss. The debt securities of JNL and Egg are accounted for as available-for-sale basis. Accordingly, they are carried at fair value with movements thereon being recorded directly to shareholders' equity rather than the income statement. In addition, following the adoption of IAS 39, bid value rather than the mid-market value is applied to obtain the fair value of certain securities.
Under US GAAP, investments in debt and equity securities are carried at fair value on a bid valuation basis with changes in fair value of securities classified as trading being recognized in the statement of income. Under US GAAP, in addition to the debt securities of JNL and Egg, the Group has also designated the equity securities of JNL and the debt securities of Japan and UK annuity business as available-for-sale. Changes in fair value of securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity, net of related deferred acquisition cost amortization, changes in policyholder benefit liabilities and deferred taxes. When impairment of available-for-sale securities is deemed to be other than temporary, the decrease in value is included in the statement of income as a realized loss and a new cost basis is established.
The US GAAP adjustments for securities had the following effects on the condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income: | |||||||
Investment results | (1,186 | ) | (361 | ) | |||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (1,186 | ) | (361 | ) | |||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets: | |||||||
Fixed maturities | | 1,025 | |||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | | 1,025 | |||||
Mortgage and other loans
Under IFRS, for the 2004 results which followed the principles previously applied in UK GAAP as permitted by IAS 39, loans collateralized by mortgages held by Egg and Jackson National Life are carried at outstanding principal balances less allowances for loan losses. Loans collateralized by mortgages and other unsecured loans held by UK Insurance Operations are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated income statement.
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Upon the adoption of IAS 39 on January 1, 2005, all loans and receivables are carried at amortized cost subject to provisions for permanent dimunition in value.
Under US GAAP, all loans are carried at their outstanding principal balances, less allowances for loan losses.
The US GAAP adjustments for mortgage and other loans had the following effects on the condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income: | |||||||
Investment results | (10 | ) | (6 | ) | |||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (10 | ) | (6 | ) | |||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets: | |||||||
Mortgage loans | | (33 | ) | ||||
Other loans | (3 | ) | (10 | ) | |||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (3 | ) | (43 | ) | |||
Derivative instruments
Under IFRS, for the 2004 results which followed the principles previously applied in UK GAAP as permitted by IAS 39, depending on their nature and purpose, derivative instruments are either accounted for at fair value or treated as a hedge and accounted for on an accrual or deferral basis.
Following the Group's adoption of IAS 39 on January 1, 2005, all derivative financial instruments except those designated as effective hedging instruments are accounted for at fair value with movements thereon recorded in net income statement.
Under US GAAP all derivative financial instruments, including those embedded in other contracts, are carried at fair value. Changes in their fair value are recorded directly to current earnings unless specific hedging criteria are met.
For US GAAP purposes, in 2005, the Group has only designated and accounted for four derivative financial instruments as hedges during the year. In 2004, the Group designated one derivative financial instrument as a hedge. See 'Hedging' in Note K for further details on these hedges.
Under US GAAP, hedge accounting for the fair value hedge of the US$1 billion perpetual subordinated capital securities was discontinued in 2004 and in the last quarter of 2005 where the specific hedging criteria was not met. Under IFRS, hedge accounting was applied from January 1, 2005 upon the adoption of IAS 39 with no restatement of the 2004 comparatives. This fair value hedge was fully effective throughout 2005 under the IAS 39 hedging effectiveness criteria.
For IFRS purposes, in addition to the hedges designated under US GAAP above, the Group has also designated certain Egg's interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges and certain borrowings in US dollars as net investment hedge in Jackson National Life under IAS 39. The change in the fair value of the Egg's interest rate swaps and the impact of the currency translations of the US dollars borrowings are
F-207
therefore recorded as a component of shareholders' equity under IFRS. Under US GAAP, these are recorded in the income statement.
The US GAAP adjustments for derivative instruments had the following effects on the condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income: | |||||||
Investment results | (61 | ) | 141 | ||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (61 | ) | 141 | ||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets: | |||||||
Other investments | | (83 | ) | ||||
Debt and other liabilities | (6 | ) | (211 | ) | |||
Policyholder benefit liabilities | | 43 | |||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (6 | ) | (251 | ) | |||
Long-term Business
Revenue and expense recognition
Under IFRS, prior to the adoption of IFRS 4, IAS 39 and IAS 32 on January 1, 2005, all premium and annuity considerations and related expenses, investment returns, and increases in policyholder accounts and other long-term business liabilities are, on recognition, recorded in the income statement.
For 2005, the recognition basis in the income statement remains the same except for investment contracts which do not contain discretionary participating features. The Group's investment contracts primarily comprise certain unit-linked savings contracts in the UK and Asia and contracts with fixed and guaranteed terms in the US (such as guaranteed investment contracts and annuity-certains). For these contracts, the accounting reflects the deposit nature of the arrangement with premiums and claims reflected as deposits and withdrawals taken directly to the balance sheet. Policy fees charged on these products are recognized as revenue in the income statement when related services are provided. If the contract involves up-front charges, this income is deferred and amortized through the income statement in line with contractual service provision.
Under US GAAP, premiums from conventional with-profits policies and other protection-type life insurance policies are recognized as revenue when due from the policyholder. Premiums from unitized with-profits life insurance policies and investment contracts, which have minimal mortality risk, are reported as increases in policyholder account balances when received. Revenues derived from these policies consist of mortality charges, policy administration charges, investment management fees and surrender charges that are deducted from policyholders' accounts.
Under US GAAP, premiums and policy charges received that relate to future periods are recorded as a deferred income liability. For limited payment annuities, the excess of the gross premium over the US GAAP net benefit premium is deferred and amortized in relation to the expected future benefit
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payments. For investment contracts, policy charges that benefit future periods are deferred and amortized in relation to expected gross profits.
Under US GAAP, investment results of separate account assets offset the increase (decrease) in separate account liabilities, if net investment results are positive (negative).
The US GAAP adjustments for differences in revenue and expense recognition had the following effects on the condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income: | |||||||
Insurance policy revenues | (8,786 | ) | (9,851 | ) | |||
Investment results | 72 | (389 | ) | ||||
Benefits and claims | 8,531 | 9,812 | |||||
Other charges | | (7 | ) | ||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (183 | ) | (435 | ) | |||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets: | |||||||
Other assets | (169 | ) | (100 | ) | |||
Other liabilities | 379 | 285 | |||||
Policyholder benefit liabilities | (2,871 | ) | (2,518 | ) | |||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (2,661 | ) | (2,333 | ) | |||
Deferred acquisition costs
Under IFRS, except for acquisition costs of with-profits contracts of the UK regulated with-profits funds, costs in connection with acquiring new insurance business that vary with, and are primarily related to, the production of new business, are capitalized and amortized against margins in future revenues on the related insurance policies. The recoverability of the asset is measured and the asset is deemed impaired of the projected future margins are less than the carrying value of the asset.
Upon the adoption of IFRS 4 in 2005 and the resulting voluntary application of UK accounting standard FRS 27 on January 1, 2005 as described in Note A3, the deferred acquisition costs of the with-profits contracts of the UK regulated with-profits funds were derecognized and these acquisition costs are now expensed as incurred. The 2004 comparatives have not been restated for this change as permitted by IFRS 4. Furthermore, for those contracts classified as investment contracts without discretionary participating features under IAS 39, directly attributable costs relating to the investment management element of these contracts are capitalized and amortized in line with related revenue.
Under US GAAP, commissions, salesforce direct costs and costs associated with policy issue and underwriting that vary with and are primarily related to the production of new and renewal contracts are deferred. Deferred acquisition costs are regularly evaluated for recoverability and amounts determined not to be recoverable are charged to income. Deferred acquisition costs for conventional with-profits life insurance and other protection-type insurance policies are amortized in relation to premium income using assumptions consistent with those used in computing policyholder benefit provisions. Deferred acquisition costs for unitized with-profits life insurance and investment-type policies are amortized in
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relation to expected gross profits. Expected gross profits are evaluated regularly against actual experience and revised estimates of future gross profits and amortization are adjusted for the effect of any changes. Deferred acquisition costs associated with internally replaced policies are written off in the year replacement occurs and the incremental commissions and selling costs of the replacement contract are capitalized and amortized over the life of the replacement policy.
The US GAAP adjustments for deferred acquisition costs had the following effects on the condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income: | ||||||
Underwriting, acquisition and other operating expenses | 16 | 92 | ||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | 16 | 92 | ||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets: | ||||||
Deferred acquisition costs | 2,895 | 1,625 | ||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | 2,895 | 1,625 | ||||
Policy liabilities
Under IFRS, as permitted by IFRS 1, 'First-time Adoption of International Reporting Standards' in relation to IFRS 4, 'Insurance Contracts', the policy liabilities for the comparative 2004 results have been accounted for under the previously applied GAAP namely UK GAAP. Under UK GAAP, future policyholder benefit provisions are based on fund values for investment-type policies and are calculated using net premium methods for conventional with-profits insurance and other protection-type insurance policies. The net premium reserves are calculated using assumptions for interest, mortality, morbidity and expenses, but without assumptions for withdrawals. These assumptions are determined as prudent best estimates at the date of valuation. For unitized with-profits insurance policies, the provision has been taken as the lower of the fund value and the surrender value having regard to policyholders' reasonable expectations, or if greater, the value of the guaranteed liabilities calculated on a gross premium bonus reserve method.
The Group adopted IFRS 4 on January 1, 2005. As permitted by IFRS 4, assets and liabilities of insurance contracts and investments contracts with discretionary participation features are accounted for under previously applied GAAP. Accordingly, except as described below relating to UK regulated with-profits funds, the MSB of reporting as set out in the revised ABI SORP in December 2005 has been applied for the 2005 results. Investment contracts without discretionary participation features are accounted for on a basis that reflects the hybrid nature of the arrangements whereby the deposit component is accounted for as a financial instrument under IAS 39 and the service component is accounted for under IAS 18, 'Revenue'.
Under IFRS, from January 1, 2005, the Group has chosen to improve its accounting for UK regulated with-profits funds by the voluntary application of the UK accounting standard FRS 27, 'Life Assurance'. This standard requires the liabilities of the policyholders of the UK regulated with-profits life insurance business to be measured on the basis determined in accordance with the UK FSA Peak 2
F-210
realistic capital regime, subject to adjustments specified in the FRS. As all amounts of the with-profits funds not yet allocated to policyholders or shareholders are recorded to the unallocated surplus, shareholders' equity is not affected by this change.
Under US GAAP, for unitized with-profits life insurance and other investment-type policies, the liability is represented by the policyholders' account balances before any applicable surrender charges. Policyholder benefit liabilities for conventional with-profits life insurance and other protection-type insurance policies are developed using the net level premium method, with assumptions for interest, mortality, morbidity, withdrawals and expenses using best estimates at date of policy issue plus provisions for adverse deviation based on Group experience. Interest assumptions range from 0.3 per cent to 12 per cent. When the policyholder benefit liability plus the present value of expected future gross premiums are insufficient to provide for expected future policy benefits and expenses, using current best estimate assumptions, deferred acquisition costs are written down and/or a deficiency liability is established by a charge to earnings.
The US GAAP adjustments for policy liabilities had the following effects on the condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income: | |||||||
Benefits and claims | 7,300 | 1,264 | |||||
Change in accounting principle | | (9 | ) | ||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | 7,300 | 1,255 | |||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets: | |||||||
Policyholder benefit liabilities | 18,945 | 5,050 | |||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | 18,945 | 5,050 | |||||
The change in accounting principle of £9 million (gross of tax) in 2004 was as a result of the adoption of SOP 03-1, 'Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Non-traditional Long Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts' effective January 1, 2004. For further details on the adoption of SOP 03-1, please see 'Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements' in note K below.
Other With-Profits Policyholders' Funds and the Unallocated Surplus
Under IFRS, the unallocated surplus represents the excess of assets over the policyholder liabilities for the Group's with-profits funds. The annual excess (shortfall) of income over expenditure of the with-profits funds, after declaration and attribution of the cost of bonuses to policyholders and shareholders, is transferred to (from) the unallocated surplus each year through a charge (credit) to the income statement. The balance retained in the unallocated surplus represents cumulative income arising on the with-profits business that has not been allocated to policyholders and shareholders. The balance of the unallocated surplus is determined after full provision for deferred tax on unrealized appreciation on investments.
F-211
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
For US GAAP purposes, the unallocated surplus recorded under IFRS is reversed and a liability is established for undistributed policyholder allocations. The liability for undistributed policyholder allocations is established in the balance sheets because under the Articles of Association of PAC and overseas operations having with-profits funds, the allocation and distribution of profits from the with-profits funds to shareholders is limited to up to one-ninth of the amount allocated to policyholders as bonuses. This is also the current basis of allocation and distribution. The liability for policyholder allocations represents an accumulation of 90 per cent of the cumulative pre-bonus undistributed earnings of the with-profits business, measured on a US GAAP basis, less the cumulative cost of policyholders' benefits and claims. The provision for the policyholders' share of earnings on with-profits business charged to income represents 90 per cent of the current year's pre-bonus earnings, before income taxes. Under US GAAP, the charge for the cost of bonuses recognized in the income statement for IFRS purposes is reversed and deducted from the balance of the undistributed policyholder allocations and included in policyholder benefit liabilities. The total US GAAP income adjustment represents the increase in the total allocation over the cost of policyholder bonuses declared.
The US GAAP adjustments for undistributed policyholder allocations had the following effects on the condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income: | |||||||
Benefits and claims (cost of bonuses declared) | 1,963 | 1,750 | |||||
Provision for policyholders' share of earnings and losses on with-profits business | (9,256 | ) | (5,412 | ) | |||
Income tax attributable to the policyholders' share of earnings on with-profits business | 1,016 | 683 | |||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (6,277 | ) | (2,979 | ) | |||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets: | |||||||
Undistributed policyholder allocations | (19,226 | ) | (12,457 | ) | |||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (19,226 | ) | (12,457 | ) | |||
The IFRS unallocated surplus and related income statement transfer have been reversed for US GAAP. The reduction in liabilities increased shareholders' equity in the condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets by £8,344 million and £14,313 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The reversal of the related IFRS profit and loss account transfer increased net income in the condensed consolidated US GAAP income statement by £1,794 million and £3,509 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively.
As set out in Note H14 to the consolidated financial statements Prudential has held discussions over the attribution of PAC's inherited estate with the FSA, the UK insurance regulator. The amount and timing of any re-attribution of the inherited estate in the main with-profits fund to policyholders and shareholders and the impact on the undistributed policyholder allocations recorded for US GAAP purposes remains very uncertain.
F-212
Profit on Disposals
Under US GAAP, cumulative foreign currency translation gains and losses realized upon sale of an operation are reversed from shareholders' equity and included in net income as part of the gain or loss on the sale. The accounting treatment is similar under IFRS except that the Group has elected to apply the provision under IFRS 1 to set the cumulative foreign currency translation differences of its overseas operations to zero at the transition date to IFRS, which was January 1, 2004.
In August 2004, the Company sold its interest in Life Assurance Holding Corporation Limited for £41 million. After taking into account the carrying value of the investment of £34 million at the date of disposal and tax on gain on sale of £3 million, the profit on sale was £4 million net of tax. There was no difference between IFRS and US GAAP on this profit on sale.
In October 2004, Jackson National Life sold Jackson Federal Bank to Union BanCal Corporation for £166 million. After taking into account net assets, goodwill and related expenses totaling £130 million, the gain on sale net of tax of £16 million was £20 million. Profit on sale on a US GAAP basis is £5 million lower than on a IFRS basis as a result of different accumulated goodwill amortization. The gain on disposal and results of the operations of Jackson Federal Bank for all periods presented are included in discontinued operations on the consolidated income statement.
Pension Plans
Under IFRS, for the Group's defined benefit plans, if the present value of the defined benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of the schemes assets, then a liability is recorded in the Group's balance sheet. The Group utilizes the projected unit credit method to calculate the defined benefit obligation. Estimated future cash flows are then discounted at a high-quality corporate bond rate to determine its present value. The plan assets of the Group's pension schemes exclude several insurance contracts that have been issued by the Group. In accordance with IAS 19 "Employee Benefits", these assets are excluded from plan assets in determining the pension obligation recognized.
Under US GAAP Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions" (FAS 87), an asset has been recognized in the condensed consolidated balance sheets reflecting the overfunded status of the Group's UK staff pension plans.
During 2005, a £115 million credit for prior service cost was recognized for a reduction in the assumed level of discretionary increase for future pensions in payment for the PSPS scheme. Under IFRS, this prior service cost was recognized immediately in full in the income statement as the benefits are fully vested. Under US GAAP, the credit for the prior service cost has been amortized over the future service periods of those employees active at the date of amendment who are expected to receive benefits under the plan in accordance with FAS 87.
F-213
The US GAAP adjustments for pension plans had the following effects on the condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income: | |||||||
Underwriting, acquisition and other operating expenses | (235 | ) | (45 | ) | |||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (235 | ) | (45 | ) | |||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets: | |||||||
Other assets | 804 | 908 | |||||
Other liabilities | 785 | 816 | |||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | 1,589 | 1,724 | |||||
Additionally, under US GAAP, if the accumulated benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of plan assets and a prepaid pension cost has been recorded, then a minimum additional liability must be recognized. This reflects the under-funding of the pension plans on an accumulated benefit obligation basis and is charged to other comprehensive income.
The US GAAP adjustments for the recognition of a pension scheme minimum liability had the following effects on the condensed consolidated US financial statements:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets: | |||||||
Other assets | (804 | ) | (908 | ) | |||
Other liabilities | (344 | ) | (521 | ) | |||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (1,148 | ) | (1,429 | ) | |||
Stock-based Compensation and Treasury Stock
Under IFRS, share-based payments are accounted for on a fair value basis. The fair value is recognized in the income statement over the relevant vesting period and adjusted for lapses and forfeitures with the number of shares expected to lapse or be forfeited estimated at each balance sheet date prior to the vesting date. Where the share-based payment depends upon vesting outcomes attaching to market-based performance conditions such as in the case of the Restricted Share Plan (RSP), additional modeling is required to take into account these market-based performance conditions which effectively estimate the number of shares expected to vest. No subsequent adjustment is then made to the fair value charge for shares that do not vest on account of these performance conditions not being met. The credit entry of these share-based payments transactions which are accounted for as equity-settled transactions are recognized as an increase in equity.
Under US GAAP, compensation costs for all stock-based compensation plans are determined based on the quoted market price of the stock at the measurement date less the amounts, if any, that
F-214
employees are required to pay. These costs are recognized in net income over the plans' respective vesting periods. The measurement date is the date upon which are known both the number of shares or options the employee is entitled to and the employee's cost per share. Any Prudential shares held by trusts under employee incentive plans and purchased from the open market are reported at historical cost while those held by a qualifying employee share ownership trust are newly issued shares and reported at nominal value which represents historical cost. The total numbers of shares held by these trusts at December 31, 2005 and 2004, were 10.7 million and 10.6 million shares, respectively, and are classified as treasury stock in the consolidated balance sheet.
The US GAAP adjustments for stock-based compensation had the following effects on the condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income: | |||||||
Underwriting, acquisition and other operating expenses | 3 | 6 | |||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | 3 | 6 | |||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets: | |||||||
Other liabilities | (6 | ) | (17 | ) | |||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (6 | ) | (17 | ) | |||
Deferred Income Tax
Under IFRS, deferred taxes are provided under the liability method for all temporary differences, being the difference between the carrying amount, of an asset or, liability in the balance sheet and its value for tax purposes. In accordance with IAS 12, 'Income Taxes', however, the Group does not provide for deferred tax on undistributed earnings of subsidiaries where the Group is able to control the timing of the distribution and the temporary difference created is not expected to reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets are only recognized when it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which these losses can be utilized.
Under US GAAP, deferred tax assets are recognized subject to adjustment for valuation allowances when it is more likely than not that the underlying tax benefit will not be realized. In addition, deferred taxes are not provided on an excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis of an investment in a foreign subsidiary that is essentially permanent in duration, or with respect to undistributed earnings which can be distributed without incurring incremental tax expense.
F-215
The US GAAP adjustments for deferred income tax had the following effects on the condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income: | |||||||
Income tax credit | 92 | 65 | |||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | 92 | 65 | |||||
Reconciliation line items for consolidated net income: | |||||||
Deferred tax effect on cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles | | 117 | |||||
Deferred tax effect of other US GAAP adjustments | 92 | (52 | ) | ||||
Total US GAAP adjustments | 92 | 65 | |||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets: | |||||||
Net deferred income tax liability | (420 | ) | (303 | ) | |||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (420 | ) | (303 | ) | |||
Reconciliation line items for consolidated shareholders' equity: | |||||||
Deferred tax effect of other US GAAP adjustments | (420 | ) | (303 | ) | |||
Total US GAAP adjustments | (420 | ) | (303 | ) | |||
Earnings Per Share under US GAAP
No adjustments were required from net income to net income available to common shareholders used in either the basic or diluted earnings per share calculation under US GAAP. The only dilutive potential shares outstanding affecting the diluted earnings per share calculation relate to employee stock options, which increased average weighted shares outstanding by 4 million shares and 3 million shares in 2005 and 2004, respectively.
K: Condensed Consolidated US GAAP Financial Statements
The following condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements reflect the material differences between IFRS and US GAAP on the consolidated income statements and consolidated shareholders' equity described in Note J. In addition to these material differences that have an effect on the consolidated income statements and/or consolidated shareholders' equity, there are material differences in classification between specific line items in the IFRS and condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements as described in the following notes to the condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements.
F-216
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
|
2005 |
Restated* 2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP statement of income and comprehensive income | ||||||
Insurance policy revenues |
7,561 |
6,786 |
||||
Investment results | 19,124 | 13,348 | ||||
Other income | 2,023 | 2,106 | ||||
Total revenue | 28,708 | 22,240 | ||||
Benefits and claims | (13,156 | ) | (10,920 | ) | ||
Provision for policyholders' share of earnings on with-profits business | (9,256 | ) | (5,412 | ) | ||
Underwriting, acquisition and other operating expenses | (4,636 | ) | (4,848 | ) | ||
Other charges | (166 | ) | (43 | ) | ||
Net income before income taxes | 1,494 | 1,017 | ||||
Income tax expense | (1,293 | ) | (997 | ) | ||
Income tax attributable to the policyholders' share of earnings on with-profits business | 1,016 | 683 | ||||
Income tax attributable to shareholders | (277 | ) | (314 | ) | ||
Net income before minority interests | 1,217 | 703 | ||||
Minority interests | (11 | ) | (6 | ) | ||
Net income from continuing operations after minority interests | 1,206 | 697 | ||||
Loss from discontinued operations including profit on disposals (net of applicable income tax of £ nil and £(15) million respectively) | (14 | ) | (88 | ) | ||
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles (net of applicable income tax effects of £(114) million), see pages F-236 to F-241 | | (518 | ) | |||
Net income | 1,192 | 91 | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 401 | (73 | ) | |||
Total comprehensive income | 1,593 | 18 | ||||
Earnings per share under US GAAP (In Pence) | ||||||
Basic (based on 2,365 million and 2,124 million shares, respectively): | ||||||
Income from continuing operations after minority interests | 51.0 | p | 32.8 | p | ||
Loss from discontinued operations including profit on sale | (0.6 | )p | (4.1 | )p | ||
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles | | (24.4 | )p | |||
Net income | 50.4 | p | 4.3 | p | ||
Diluted (based on 2,369 million and 2,127 million shares, respectively): | ||||||
Income from continuing operations after minority interests | 50.9 | p | 32.8 | p | ||
Loss from discontinued operations including profit on sale | (0.6 | )p | (4.1 | )p | ||
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles | | (24.4 | )p | |||
Net income | 50.3 | p | 4.3 | p |
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|
December 31 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||
Condensed Consolidated US GAAP balance sheets | ||||||
Assets |
||||||
Investments: | ||||||
Fixed maturities | 82,218 | 75,974 | ||||
Equity securities | 62,552 | 48,417 | ||||
Short-term investments | 9,163 | 8,322 | ||||
Real estate | 6,845 | 6,914 | ||||
Mortgage loans | 4,728 | 4,395 | ||||
Policy loans | 865 | 707 | ||||
Other loans | 6,788 | 7,032 | ||||
Other investments | 3,651 | 2,518 | ||||
Total investments | 176,810 | 154,279 | ||||
Cash | 2,371 | 2,037 | ||||
Deferred acquisition costs | 5,238 | 4,428 | ||||
Intangible assets | 2,674 | 2,995 | ||||
Other assets | 4,870 | 4,788 | ||||
Separate account assets | 8,931 | 5,531 | ||||
Total assets | 200,894 | 174,058 | ||||
Liabilities | ||||||
Policyholder benefit liabilities | 136,244 | 122,412 | ||||
Undistributed policyholder allocations | 19,226 | 12,457 | ||||
Debt | 14,045 | 13,933 | ||||
Net deferred income tax liability | 2,661 | 1,758 | ||||
Other liabilities | 12,422 | 11,714 | ||||
Separate account liabilities | 8,931 | 5,531 | ||||
Total liabilities | 193,529 | 167,805 | ||||
Minority interest | 172 | 326 | ||||
Shareholders' equity | ||||||
Common stock | 119 | 119 | ||||
Additional paid-in capital | 1,841 | 1,760 | ||||
Less treasury stock | (69 | ) | (63 | ) | ||
Retained earnings | 5,129 | 4,339 | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 173 | (228 | ) | |||
Total shareholders' equity | 7,193 | 5,927 | ||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | 200,894 | 174,058 | ||||
Results of Operations
The US GAAP condensed consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and net income of subsidiaries in which Prudential has a majority voting interest. All intercompany transactions are eliminated on consolidation.
F-218
Cash Equivalents
Under IFRS, cash equivalents which include treasury bills and other short-term highly liquid investments with less than 90 days maturity from the date of acquisition are grouped together with cash at bank and in hand under cash and cash equivalents. Under US GAAP, cash equivalents are included within short term investments.
Revenue and Expenses
Under US GAAP, premiums from unitized with-profits life insurance and other investment-type policies are not recorded as revenue within the consolidated income statement. Premium payments are directly credited to the liability for future benefits, with no resulting impact on the consolidated income statement. Revenues for these policies consist only of policy fees and charges, and investment earnings from assets backing policy account values. Expenses consist of amounts credited to policyholders, and any benefit payments in excess of related policy liabilities.
Income Taxes
Under US GAAP, income before income taxes is determined after deducting the provision for policyholders' share of earnings on with-profits business before income taxes. Income tax expense includes income taxes that will be charged to undistributed policyholder allocations. The income tax attributable to the policyholders' share of earnings on with-profits business, calculated as 90% of the total income tax on with-profits business, is deducted from income tax expense to arrive at income tax attributable to shareholders.
Separate Account Assets and Liabilities
Under US GAAP, following the Group's adoption of Statement of Position 03-1, 'Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Non-traditional Long Duration Contracts and Separate Accounts' (SOP 03-1) in 2004, only the segregated accounts of Jackson National Life and Taiwan Life meet the criteria for classification as separate accounts. For further details on the impact of SOP 03-1 adoption on the Group's results, please see the section of this note which addresses 'Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements'.
The US GAAP reclassifications for separate account assets and liabilities relating to linked business had the following effects on the condensed consolidated US GAAP financial statements before the
F-219
further US GAAP amortized cost adjustments to real estate and mortgage loans which are discussed in Note J.
|
December 31 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets: | |||||
Fixed maturities | (83 | ) | (25 | ) | |
Equity securities | (8,836 | ) | (5,495 | ) | |
Other investments | (12 | ) | (11 | ) | |
Separate account assets | 8,931 | 5,531 | |||
Policyholder benefit liabilities | 8,931 | 5,531 | |||
Separate account liabilities | (8,931 | ) | (5,531 | ) | |
Total US GAAP adjustments | | | |||
Discontinued Operations
Under US GAAP, discontinued operations consist only of the sale or disposal of a business whose activities comprise a distinct line of business, class of policyholder, or, from January 1, 2002, a component of an entity comprising operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished from the rest of the entity.
During 2005, Egg sold Funds Direct, its investment wrap business. This disposal met the US GAAP criteria for presentation as discontinued operations.
In 2004, the Group sold its Egg France operations and Jackson Federal Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jackson National Life. These disposals met the US GAAP criteria for presentation as discontinued operations.
F-220
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
An analysis of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments: | ||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the year | 324 | (177 | ) | |||
Unrealized investment gains on available-for-sale securities: | ||||||
Unrealized holding gains arising during the year | 535 | 274 | ||||
Less reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income | (104 | ) | (72 | ) | ||
Unrealized investment gains, net | 431 | 202 | ||||
Related amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 275 | 85 | ||||
Related loss recognition | (408 | ) | 118 | |||
Policyholders' share of with-profits business | (82 | ) | (195 | ) | ||
Related deferred taxes | (78 | ) | (120 | ) | ||
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities | 138 | 90 | ||||
Recognition of pension scheme minimum liability: | ||||||
Recognition of pension scheme minimum liability | 281 | 53 | ||||
Related deferred taxes | (20 | ) | 2 | |||
Policyholders' share of pension scheme minimum liability | (322 | ) | (41 | ) | ||
Total pension scheme adjustments | (61 | ) | 14 | |||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 401 | (73 | ) | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning of year | (228 | ) | (155 | ) | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), end of year | 173 | (228 | ) | |||
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (195 | ) | (519 | ) | ||
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities: | ||||||
Unrealized investment gains, net | 3,316 | 2,885 | ||||
Related amortization of deferred acquisition costs | (163 | ) | (438 | ) | ||
Related loss recognition | (1,197 | ) | (789 | ) | ||
Policyholders' share of with-profits business | (594 | ) | (512 | ) | ||
Related deferred taxes | (609 | ) | (531 | ) | ||
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities | 753 | 615 | ||||
Recognition of pension scheme minimum liability: | ||||||
Recognition of pension scheme minimum liability | (1,148 | ) | (1,429 | ) | ||
Related deferred taxes | 181 | 201 | ||||
Policyholders' share of pension scheme minimum liability | 582 | 904 | ||||
Total pension scheme adjustments | (385 | ) | (324 | ) | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), end of year | 173 | (228 | ) | |||
F-221
Securities supporting UK payout annuities written by Prudential Annuities Limited and Prudential Retirement Income Limited, and securities owned by Jackson National Life, Egg and PCA Life Japan are classified as available-for-sale securities. These securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized investment gains and losses, and changes therein, reflected as separate components of accumulated other comprehensive income and other comprehensive income, respectively. These unrealized investment gains and losses, and changes therein, are presented net of the following items to the extent that they would be reflected in net income had unrealized gains and losses been realized: (a) related deferred acquisition costs amortization for products that amortize deferred acquisition costs in relation to expected gross profits and are supported by available-for-sale securities; (b) loss recognition for limited payment contracts supported by available-for-sale securities if use of market yields in computing loss recognition would result in a premium deficiency; (c) with-profits policyholders' share of the increase in net equity of with-profits fund subsidiaries that hold available for sale securities; and (d) deferred income taxes on unrealized gains and losses, net of other items described above.
Underwriting, acquisition and other operating expenses
|
2005 |
Restated 2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Acquisition costs incurred | 1,460 | 1,449 | |||
Acquisition costs deferred | (909 | ) | (801 | ) | |
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 918 | 747 | |||
Operating costs* | 3,167 | 3,453 | |||
Total underwriting, acquisition and other operating expenses | 4,636 | 4,848 | |||
Investments
For US GAAP purposes, the Group has classified certain debt, other fixed income and equity securities principally in relation to Jackson National Life and the UK annuity business as available-for-sale. Securities classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value and changes in unrealized gains and losses are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity. All securities not classified as available-for-sale, principally in relation to the Group's with-profits business (excluding UK annuity business), are classified as trading, including securities included in deposits with credit institutions. Trading securities are carried at fair value with the changes in unrealized gains and losses recorded in the statement of income for the year. Bank time deposits included in deposits with credit institutions have maturities of less than 90 days and are carried at cost.
F-222
Deposits with credit institutions are included in short-term investments in the condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets.
|
Amortized Cost or Cost |
Gross Unrealized Gains |
Gross Unrealized (Losses) |
Estimated Fair Value |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
(In £ Millions) |
|
||||||
December 31, 2005 | |||||||||
Fixed maturitiesavailable-for-sale | |||||||||
UK Government | 3,739 | 305 | | 4,044 | |||||
US Government and other Governments | 2,034 | 228 | (3 | ) | 2,259 | ||||
Local government securities | 515 | 37 | (1 | ) | 551 | ||||
Corporate securities | 35,879 | 2,900 | (224 | ) | 38,555 | ||||
Mortgage-backed securities | 3,790 | 43 | (68 | ) | 3,765 | ||||
Other debt securities | 1,516 | 15 | (6 | ) | 1,525 | ||||
Total fixed maturitiesavailable-for-sale | 47,473 | 3,528 | (302 | ) | 50,699 | ||||
Fixed maturitiestrading | 31,519 | ||||||||
Total fixed maturities | 82,218 | ||||||||
Equity securitiesavailable-for-sale | 513 | 96 | (1 | ) | 608 | ||||
Equity securitiestrading | 61,944 | ||||||||
Total equity securities | 62,552 | ||||||||
|
Amortized Cost or Cost |
Gross Unrealized Gains |
Gross Unrealized (Losses) |
Estimated Fair Value |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
|
|||||||
December 31, 2004 | |||||||||
Fixed maturitiesavailable-for-sale | |||||||||
UK Government | 3,211 | 153 | (4 | ) | 3,360 | ||||
US Government and other Governments | 2,947 | 226 | (3 | ) | 3,170 | ||||
Local government securities | 716 | 31 | (1 | ) | 746 | ||||
Corporate securities | 28,721 | 2,435 | (100 | ) | 31,056 | ||||
Mortgage-backed securities | 3,291 | 97 | (21 | ) | 3,367 | ||||
Other debt securities | 1,397 | 9 | (14 | ) | 1,392 | ||||
Total fixed maturitiesavailable-for-sale | 40,283 | 2,951 | (143 | ) | 43,091 | ||||
Fixed maturitiestrading | 32,883 | ||||||||
Total fixed maturities | 75,974 | ||||||||
Equity securitiesavailable-for-sale | 391 | 78 | (1 | ) | 468 | ||||
Equity securitiestrading | 47,949 | ||||||||
Total equity securities | 48,417 | ||||||||
F-223
The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Group's investments with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be other than temporarily impaired, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2005.
|
Less than 12 months |
12 months or more |
Total |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fair Value |
Unrealized Losses |
Fair Value |
Unrealized Losses |
Fair Value |
Unrealized Losses |
||||||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
(In £ Millions) |
(In £ Millions) |
|||||||||||
December 31, 2005 | ||||||||||||||
Fixed maturitiesavailable-for-sale | ||||||||||||||
UK Government securities | 12 | | 86 | | 98 | | ||||||||
US Government and other Governments | 423 | (2 | ) | 134 | (1 | ) | 557 | (3 | ) | |||||
Local government securities | | | | (1 | ) | | (1 | ) | ||||||
Corporate securities | 8,310 | (161 | ) | 922 | (63 | ) | 9,232 | (224 | ) | |||||
Mortgage-backed securities | 992 | (22 | ) | 798 | (46 | ) | 1,790 | (68 | ) | |||||
Other debt securities | 1,584 | (6 | ) | | | 1,584 | (6 | ) | ||||||
Total gross unrealized loss on fixed maturitiesavailable-for-sale | 11,321 | (191 | ) | 1,940 | (111 | ) | 13,261 | (302 | ) | |||||
Total gross unrealized loss on equity securitiesavailable-for-sale | | (1 | ) | | | | (1 | ) | ||||||
The Group periodically reviews its fixed maturities and equity securities to determine if any decline in fair value below the carrying value is "other than temporary" on a case-by-case basis. If it is determined that a decline in value of an investment is temporary, the decline is recorded as an unrealized loss in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity pursuant to the guidance of FASB Statement 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities". If the decline is considered to be other than temporary, a realized loss is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
In performing reviews, the Group considers the relevant facts and circumstances relating to each investment and must exercise considerable judgement in determining whether a security is other than temporarily impaired. Among the factors considered is whether the decline in fair value results from a change in the quality of a security itself, or from a downward movement in the market as a whole, and the likelihood of recovering the carrying value based on the current and short term prospects of the issuer. Unrealized losses that are considered to be primarily the result of market conditions, such as increasing interest rates, unusual market volatility or industry related events, and where the Group also believes there exists a reasonable expectation for recovery and, furthermore, has the intent and ability to hold the investment until maturity or market recovery, are usually determined to be temporary.
F-224
The following table sets out certain additional information relating to sales of available-for-sale securities:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Sales proceeds | 6,291 | 6,098 | |||
Gross realized gains | 324 | 334 | |||
Gross realized losses | (57 | ) | (87 | ) | |
Net realized gains | 267 | 247 | |||
The change in net unrealized gains on trading securities included in income was an increase of £7,995 million and £3,408 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Real Estate
The following table sets out certain information concerning the Group's real estate holdings as of December 31:
|
Group Occupied |
Held for Investment |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||||
Cost | 346 | 305 | 8,352 | 8,525 | |||||
Accumulated depreciation | (59 | ) | (49 | ) | (1,494 | ) | (1,607 | ) | |
Impairment charge | | | (13 | ) | (4 | ) | |||
Depreciated cost | 287 | 256 | 6,845 | 6,914 | |||||
Real estate held for sale was £131 million and £26 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Depreciation expense for Group occupied real estate was £9 million and £8 million and for investment real estate was £208 million and £199 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 respectively. Group occupied real estate is included within "Other assets" in the condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets.
During 2005 the Group recorded an impairment charge of £13 million through the income statement relating to properties held for investment. Of this total, £10 million represents a reduction in the carrying value of the Prudential Tower building in Singapore as a result of lower valuation, prevailing market conditions and lower expected future rental payments.
During 2004, following an impairment assessment, it was concluded that the carrying value of two properties, which are held by SAIF, was higher than their expected future cash flows including future rental payments. An impairment charge of £4 million was included in 2004 investment income in the income statement.
F-225
Policyholder Benefit Liabilities
The following table shows the components of policyholder benefit liabilities:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||
Future policy benefits and losses (policy reserves) | 41,944 | 36,377 | ||
Policy account values | 90,449 | 82,698 | ||
Unearned revenue reserve | 2,957 | 2,522 | ||
Other policy claims and benefits payable | 894 | 815 | ||
Policyholder benefit liabilities | 136,244 | 122,412 | ||
Debt
In addition to the borrowings described in Note H13, debt under US GAAP includes a program of funding arrangements entered into by JNL, the liabilities for which amounted to £3,267 million in 2005 and £3,065 million in 2004, and which are included within other liabilities under IFRS.
As a result of the Group's adoption of FIN 46-R in 2004, a number of collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) were consolidated which included £765 million and £809 million of debt tranches at December 31, 2005 and 2004 respectively. These CDOs and the impact of the adoption of FIN 46-R is discussed further under 'Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements' below.
Unlike IFRS, under US GAAP, certain non-recourse borrowings of Piedmont and other CDO funds of JNL totaling £952 million and £972 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004 respectively are not consolidated and hence are not included within debt.
Hedging
The Group has formally assessed and documented the effectiveness of the following hedges at their inception. For additional information on the Group's risk strategy and its use of derivatives, see Notes D3 and G3.
During 2003, Prudential issued US$1 billion perpetual subordinated capital securities in Asia. In order to manage the interest rate risk, Prudential entered into an interest rate swap to hedge the fair value of this debt. A loss of £9 million and a gain of £3 million were recognized in investment results in the condensed US GAAP consolidated income statement in 2005 and 2004 respectively in respect of the change in the fair value of the interest rate swap for the ineffective portion of the fair value hedge during the year.
In 2004, Prudential entered into a US$500 million (£269 million) cross currency swap to hedge currency fluctuations in the net investment in JNL whose functional currency is US dollars. There was no ineffective portion of the foreign currency hedge. The gains or losses attributable to the change in the fair value of the swap are reported in other comprehensive income as part of the cumulative translation adjustment. This swap matured in November 2005. The amount taken to cumulative translation adjustment in 2005 up to the maturity date and in 2004 was a loss of £32 million and a gain of £9 million respectively.
F-226
In 2005, Prudential entered into a series of forward currency transactions which together were designated as a US$2 billion net investment hedge of the currency exposure of the net investments in JNL. There was no ineffective portion of the foreign currency hedge. The gains or losses attributable to the change in the fair value of the forward contracts are reported in other comprehensive income as part of the cumulative translation adjustment. The amount taken to cumulative translation adjustment in 2005 was a loss of £34 million.
In addition, JNL entered into a collar fair value hedge, which has been hedge accounted for from March 1, 2005. This common stock equity collar transaction was entered into to protect the JNL's unrealized gain of US$5.9 million on an equity investment. There was no ineffective portion of this collar fair value hedge.
Undistributed Policyholder Allocations
A reconciliation of movements in the undistributed policyholder allocations included in the condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheets is as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Balance at January 1 | 12,457 | 9,272 | |||
Provision for policyholders' share of earnings (losses) on with-profits business: | |||||
Before income tax | 9,256 | 5,412 | |||
Income tax | (1,016 | ) | (683 | ) | |
Net of income tax | 8,240 | 4,729 | |||
Cost of policyholders' bonuses declared | (1,963 | ) | (1,750 | ) | |
Policyholders' share of unrealized investment gains on available-for-sale securities | 82 | 195 | |||
Policyholders' share of pension scheme minimum liability | 322 | 41 | |||
Foreign exchange adjustment | 88 | (30 | ) | ||
Balance at December 31 | 19,226 | 12,457 | |||
F-227
Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
Taxes
Components of the US GAAP net deferred income tax liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Asset: | |||||
Short-term temporary differences | (459 | ) | (716 | ) | |
Deferred acquisition costs | | (214 | ) | ||
Long-term business technical provisions and other insurance items | (324 | ) | (475 | ) | |
Capital allowances | (93 | ) | (36 | ) | |
Unrealized losses on investments | (216 | ) | (494 | ) | |
Tax losses carried forward | (67 | ) | (114 | ) | |
(1,159 | ) | (2,049 | ) | ||
Valuation allowance | 67 | 114 | |||
Total | (1,092 | ) | (1,935 | ) | |
Liability: | |||||
Short-term temporary differences | 554 | 51 | |||
Deferred acquisition costs | 116 | 676 | |||
Long-term business technical provisions and other insurance items | 1,715 | 937 | |||
Capital allowances | 81 | 13 | |||
Unrealized gains on investments | 1,287 | 2,016 | |||
Total | 3,753 | 3,693 | |||
Net deferred income tax liability | 2,661 | 1,758 | |||
As of December 31, 2005, the Group had operating loss carry forwards of £237 million of which £220 million expire between 2006 and 2015, and £17 million do not expire.
The following table provides an analysis of the balance sheet categories on which deferred tax has been provided.
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Investments | 1,071 | 993 | |||
Deferred acquisition costs | 116 | 437 | |||
Policyholder benefit liabilities | 834 | 485 | |||
Other liabilities | 95 | (531 | ) | ||
Other assets | (12 | ) | 26 | ||
Undistributed policyholder allocations | 557 | 348 | |||
2,661 | 1,758 | ||||
F-228
Pension Plans
Prudential's UK staff pension plan, Scottish Amicable's staff pension plan and M&G's staff pension plan are the three primary defined benefit plans that cover substantially all UK-based employees. These plans are non-contributory, with benefits based on employee retirement age, years of service and compensation near retirement. The plans' assets include UK and overseas equity and debt securities, index-linked gilts, unauthorized unit trusts, venture capital investments, property and cash.
At December 31, 2005 and 2004, plan assets of £147 million and £126 million respectively, relating to M&G pension scheme are invested in Prudential insurance policies. Additionally, the UK staff defined benefit scheme has invested £106 million at December 31, 2005 in policies issued by one of the Group's life insurance subsidiaries. An equal amount is carried as a liability for future policy benefits.
F-229
The status of these defined benefit plans under US GAAP at December 31 was as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Change in benefit obligation: | |||||
Benefit obligation, beginning of year | 4,907 | 4,624 | |||
Service cost | 64 | 67 | |||
Interest cost | 255 | 245 | |||
Prior service cost | (115 | ) | | ||
Actuarial loss | 492 | 162 | |||
Benefit payments | (194 | ) | (191 | ) | |
Benefit obligation, end of year | 5,409 | 4,907 | |||
Change in plan assets: | |||||
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year | 4,220 | 3,990 | |||
Actual return on plan assets | 824 | 390 | |||
Employer contributions | 29 | 31 | |||
Benefit payments | (194 | ) | (191 | ) | |
Fair value of plan assets, end of year | 4,879 | 4,220 | |||
Funded status end of year: | |||||
Plan assets in deficit of benefit obligation | (530 | ) | (687 | ) | |
Unrecognized net actuarial losses | 1,450 | 1,595 | |||
Unrecognized prior service cost | (115 | ) | | ||
Prepaid benefit cost | 805 | 908 | |||
Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position consist of: | |||||
Prepaid benefit costs | | 15 | |||
Accrued benefit liability | (343 | ) | (536 | ) | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 1,148 | 1,429 | |||
Net amount recognized | 805 | 908 | |||
Accumulated benefit obligation for all plans |
5,223 |
4,753 |
|||
Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets: |
|||||
Projected benefit obligation | 5,409 | 4,767 | |||
Accumulated benefit obligation | 5,223 | 4,630 | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 4,879 | 4,094 |
F-230
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
Components of net periodic pension cost: | |||||
Service cost | 64 | 67 | |||
Interest cost | 255 | 245 | |||
Expected return on assets | (279 | ) | (276 | ) | |
Recognized net actuarial losses | 91 | 98 | |||
Net periodic pension cost (included in underwriting, acquisition and other operating expenses) | 131 | 134 | |||
The Group's pension plans' accumulated benefit obligation was underfunded by £343 million at December 31, 2005 and £536 million at December 31, 2004. Credits to other comprehensive income of £281 million and £53 million have been made in 2005 and 2004 respectively. In 2005, the accumulated other comprehensive income balance of £1,148 million reflects the prepaid pension asset of £805 million and the excess of the accumulated benefit obligation over the market value of assets of £343 million. The balance in 2004 reflected the prepaid pension asset of £908 million, the excess of the accumulated benefit obligation over the market value of assets of £536 million, and prepaid benefit costs of £15 million.
This balance has a related deferred tax credit of £181 million in 2005 and £201 million in 2004. Of the net balance of £967 million in 2005, £582 million is attributable to with-profits policyholder business with the remaining £385 million attributable to shareholders. Of the net balance of £1,228 million in 2004, £904 million is attributable to with-profits policyholder business and £324 million attributable to shareholders.
A revised allocation of the balance relating to the Prudential Staff Pension Scheme between with-profits policyholder business and shareholders has been applied in 2005. Previously the balance of the scheme had been attributed between the with-profits policyholders business and shareholders in the ratio of 80/20. Following extensive analysis of the source of the contributions paid into the scheme over the last ten years, the allocation has been revised to 70/30, thus increasing the shareholders portion.
Assumed discount rates, guaranteed and discretionary rates of increase in future compensation levels and rates of pension increases used in calculating the projected benefit obligations together with long-term rates of return on plan assets are updated annually to reflect changing economic conditions in the UK where the pension plans are situated.
F-231
The actuarial assumptions used in determining benefit obligations for the years ended December 31, were as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
% |
% |
|||
Discount rate | 4.80 | 5.30 | |||
Rate of increase in future compensation levels | 4.80 | 4.80 | |||
Rate of increase in pension payments for inflation: | |||||
Guaranteed (maximum 5%) | 2.80 | 2.80 | |||
Guaranteed (maximum 2.5%)* | 2.50 | 2.80 | |||
Discretionary* | 2.50 | 2.80 |
The actuarial assumptions used in determining net periodic pension costs at December 31, were as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
% |
% |
||
Discount rate | 5.30 | 5.40 | ||
Rate of increase in future compensation levels | 4.80 | 4.70 | ||
Rate of increase in pension payments for inflation | 2.80 | 2.70 | ||
Expected long-term return on plan assets | 6.70 | 7.10 |
F-232
The long-term expected rate of return has been taken to be the weighted average (by market value) of the long-term expected rates of return on each major asset class shown below. This is applied in calculating the net periodic pension cost in the following year.
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
% |
% |
||
Percentage of plan assets: | ||||
Equity | 52 | 61 | ||
Bonds | 34 | 25 | ||
Real estate | 12 | 13 | ||
Other | 2 | 1 | ||
Total | 100 | 100 | ||
|
2005 |
2004 |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
% |
% |
||
Long-term expected rate of return: | ||||
Equity | 7.10 | 7.50 | ||
Bonds | 4.50 | 5.00 | ||
Real estate | 6.40 | 6.80 | ||
Other | 4.50 | 4.75 | ||
Total | 6.10 | 6.75 | ||
The rules of the Company's largest pension arrangement, the defined benefit section of the Prudential Staff Pension Scheme, specify that, in exercising its investment powers, the Trustee's objective is to achieve the best overall investment return consistent with the security of the assets of the Scheme. In doing this, regard is had to the nature and duration of the Scheme's liabilities. The Trustee sets the benchmark for the asset mix, following analysis of the liabilities by the Scheme's Actuary and, having taken advice from the Investment Managers, then selects benchmark indices for each asset type in order to measure investment performance against a benchmark return.
The Trustee reviews strategy, the asset mix benchmark and the Investment Managers' objectives every three years, to coincide with the Actuarial Valuation, or earlier if the Scheme Actuary recommends. Interim reviews are conducted annually based on changing economic circumstances and financial market levels.
The Trustee sets the general investment policy and specifies any restrictions on types of investment and the degrees of divergence permitted from the benchmark, but delegates the responsibility for selection and realization of specific investments to the Investment Managers. In carrying out this responsibility, the Investment Managers are required by the Pensions Act 1995 to have regard to the need for diversification and suitability of investments. Subject to a number of restrictions contained within the relevant investment management agreements, the Investment Managers are authorized to invest in any class of investment asset. However, the Investment Managers will not invest in any new class of investment asset without prior consultation with the Trustee.
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The Trustee consults the Principal Employer on these investment principles, but the ultimate responsibility for the investment of the assets of the Scheme lies with the Trustee.
As a result of a review of the Scheme's asset allocation strategy in 2004, a revised benchmark has been established. The target allocation at December 31, 2005 and 2004, is as follows:
Equities | 55.0 | % | |
Bonds | 32.5 | % | |
Property | 12.5 | % |
The investment policies and strategies for the other two defined benefit schemes, the M&G Group Pension Scheme and the Scottish Amicable Staff Pension Scheme follow similar principles, but have different target allocations, reflecting the particular requirements of the schemes.
The benefits expected to be paid in each of the next five fiscal years, and in the aggregate for the succeeding five fiscal years, are as follows:
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
|
(In £ Millions) |
|
---|---|---|
2006 | 196.6 | |
2007 | 199.0 | |
2008 | 201.6 | |
2009 | 205.1 | |
2010 | 208.7 | |
20112015 | 1,125.5 |
The employer contribution in 2006 is anticipated to be £85 million.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles
The Group performs an annual impairment testing, in conjunction with its planning process. This testing resulted in an impairment charge relating to the purchased goodwill recognized for the Japanese life business as described below.
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The following table provides an analysis of goodwill under US GAAP. Goodwill is classified within "Intangible assets" on the consolidated balance sheets.
|
UK Operations |
US Operations |
Asian Operations |
UK Banking Operations |
Total |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||||||
Goodwill, as of December 31, 2003 | 1,921 | 110 | 341 | 7 | 2,379 | ||||||
Acquisitions during the year | 507 | | | | 507 | ||||||
Disposal of subsidiary undertaking | (78 | ) | (42 | ) | | (7 | ) | (127 | ) | ||
Goodwill, as of December 31, 2004 | 2,350 | 68 | 341 | | 2,759 | ||||||
Acquisitions during the year | 150 | | 1 | | 151 | ||||||
Disposal of subsidiary undertaking | (312 | ) | | | | (312 | ) | ||||
Impairment charge | | | (134 | ) | | (134 | ) | ||||
Goodwill, as of December 31, 2005 | 2,188 | 68 | 208 | | 2,464 | ||||||
Acquisitions and disposals including those relating to life fund venture capital holdings in which the Group is deemed to have a controlling interest are reported in Note H8 and I6.
The impairment charge in Asian Operations of £134 million related to the full impairment of the goodwill of the Japanese life business. The Group purchased Orico Life Insurance Company of Japan during 2001. Purchased goodwill arising on the transaction was £139 million. Prior to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" (FAS 142) £5 million of this purchased goodwill was amortized through the statement of income. The development of the Japanese life business has been slower than expected and trading conditions in Japan remain tough. During 2003, Prudential scaled back its Japanese operations to focus on higher value distribution channels and more profitable products. Although the operation is now more efficient, with lower expense levels and progress being made to establish new distribution channels, the Japanese life market remains very challenging. As a result, during 2005, the Group has fully impaired £134 million of the purchased goodwill associated with this business.
The Group's other intangible assets represent the present value of in-force business and continue to be subject to amortization.
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Present value of in-force business: | |||||||
Gross carrying amount | 514 | 514 | |||||
Accumulated amortization | (312 | ) | (277 | ) | |||
Exchange adjustment | 8 | (1 | ) | ||||
Net carrying amount | 210 | 236 | |||||
The change in the net carrying amount of other intangible assets relates to amortization charges of £35 million and £36 million and favourable exchange movements of £9 million and adverse exchange movements of £6 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively.
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The estimated aggregate other intangible assets amortization expense for the succeeding five years is as follows:
|
(In £ Millions) |
|
---|---|---|
2006 | 24 | |
2007 | 13 | |
2008 | 12 | |
2009 | 12 | |
2010 | 12 |
Pension Mis-selling Provision
The components of the pension mis-selling provision at December 31, 2005 (set out in Note H14) relating to future benefit payments were discounted at 4.90 per cent. in accordance with rules and guidelines issued by the UK Regulator, the Financial Services Authority. The undiscounted amounts, including expected internal and external legal and administrative costs of adjudicating, processing and settling these claims, at December 31, 2005 expected to be paid in each of the years ending December 31 are as follows:
|
(In £ Millions) |
||
---|---|---|---|
2006 | 188 | ||
2007 | 36 | ||
2008 | 24 | ||
2009 | 19 | ||
2010 | 18 | ||
Thereafter | 532 | ||
Total undiscounted amount | 817 | ||
Aggregate discount | (294 | ) | |
Pension mis-selling provision | 523 | ||
Stock-based Compensation
Compensation expense for stock option plans is recorded if the market price of the underlying shares on the measurement date exceeds the option exercise price. In 2005, there was a compensation expense of £15 million recorded under US GAAP for stock option plans compared to compensation expense of £4 million for 2004.
If the Group had determined compensation expense based on the fair value of the options at the grant date for its share options and awards granted after December 15, 1994 under Statement of
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Financial Accounting Standard No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" (FAS 123), the Group's pro forma earnings would have been as follows:
|
2005 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions except per share amounts) |
|||||
Net income: | ||||||
As reported | 1,192 | 91 | ||||
Add: Total stock-based employee compensation cost, net of related tax effects, included in reported net income | 15 | 4 | ||||
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards granted since December 15, 1994, net of related tax effects | (15 | ) | (7 | ) | ||
Pro forma | 1,192 | 88 | ||||
Basic earnings per share: | ||||||
As reported | 50.4 | p | 4.3 | p | ||
Pro forma | 50.4 | p | 4.1 | p | ||
Diluted earnings per share: | ||||||
As reported | 50.3 | p | 4.3 | p | ||
Pro forma | 50.3 | p | 4.1 | p |
In accordance with FAS 123, the pro forma amounts include only the effects of share options and awards granted since December 15, 1994 and are not necessarily indicative of future pro forma net income.
Variable interest entities
The implementation of FIN 46-R in 2004 has resulted in the Group consolidating a number of VIEs from 2004. These VIEs are all either funds holding collateralized debt obligations (CDO funds) or authorized investment funds managed by the Group's fund management operations. The impact of consolidating these CDO funds in 2004 was a post-tax transitional charge to net income of £1 million.
The three CDO funds that have been consolidated by the Group were all established and incorporated in the Netherlands and organized to take advantage of bond market arbitrage opportunities. The Group serves as an investment advisor to these CDO funds which contain aggregate assets of £897 million and £915 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004 respectively. These assets are primarily invested in a variety of debt securities acquired from third parties. The CDO funds, in turn, issued tranched collateralized debt securities to third parties as well as to the following Group subsidiaries: the PAC life fund and Egg. The total liabilities within the CDO funds (before elimination of Group subsidiaries' balances of £113 million) at December 31, 2005 were £916 million, of which £874 million relates to debt tranches carried at unpaid principal balance, £30 million relates to fair value adjustment of derivative and £12 million relates to interest payable balances. The total liabilities within the CDO funds (before elimination of Group subsidiaries' balances of £114 million) at December 31, 2004 were £932 million, of which £892 million relates to debt tranches carried at unpaid principal balance, £27 million relates to fair value adjustment of derivative and £13 million relates to interest payable balances. The Group also assessed management fees on these three CDO funds of £3.1 million
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and £2.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 respectively. The collateralized debt obligations reside in bankruptcy remote special purpose entities, or SPEs, to which the Group provides neither recourse nor guarantees. The Group's financial exposure to these CDO funds stems from the direct investments by the PAC life fund and Egg in certain debt and subordinated interests issued by these CDO funds, which together amounted to a fair value of £94 million at December 31, 2005 and £96 million at December 31, 2004.
In addition to the CDO funds, the Group has consolidated a number of authorized investment funds where it is the primary beneficiary of those funds. The funds are managed by the Group's investment management operations. Prior to December 31, 2003, the Group had accounted for its interests in the authorized investment funds at fair value in the equity securities caption of the balance sheet. The Group's financial exposure to these authorized investment funds arises from the direct investment by the Group's insurance funds, which was £4.9 billion as at December 31, 2005 and £3.9 billion as at December 31, 2004.
At December 31, 2005, the carrying amounts and classification of consolidated assets relating to these authorized investment funds were equity securities of £4.2 billion, fixed maturities of £0.4 billion, investment properties of £0.4 billion and other assets and liabilities net of £0.1 billion in the consolidated US GAAP balance sheet. There was no impact on net income or shareholders' equity as a result of consolidating these funds, although total assets and total liabilities both increased by £0.2 billion after reflecting consolidated minority interests in these funds. The Group provides no recourse or guarantees to these minority interests. In addition, £0.9 billion was reclassified from equity securities to fixed maturities, investment properties, other assets and liabilities at December 31, 2005.
At December 31, 2004, the carrying amounts and classification of consolidated assets relating to these authorized investment funds were equity securities of £3.8 billion and fixed maturities of £0.2 billion, and other assets of £0.1 billion in the consolidated US GAAP balance sheet. There was no impact on net income or shareholders' equity as a result of consolidating these funds, although total assets and total liabilities both increased by £0.2 billion after reflecting consolidated minority interests in these funds. The Group provides no recourse or guarantees to these minority interests. In addition, £0.3 billion was reclassified from equity securities to fixed maturities and other assets at December 31, 2004.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
(i) Adoption of SOP 03-1
In July 2003, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee ("AcSEC") of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA") issued Statement of Position 03-1, "Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Non-traditional Long Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts" (SOP 03-1).
SOP 03-1 tightens existing criteria that must be met before assets can be classified as separate account assets and carried at fair value on the balance sheet with an equivalent total being recorded for separate account liabilities. Once effective, neither seed money, nor assets failing to meet the specified criteria, can be accounted for as separate account assets. Instead, on a prospective basis, these assets
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must be accounted for as part of the general account. In addition, SOP 03-1 requires companies to recognize a liability for guaranteed minimum death benefits and guaranteed minimum income benefits and to capitalize and amortize sales inducements that meet specific criteria.
Effective January 1 2004, the Group adopted the provisions of SOP 03-1. Upon adoption, a transitional charge of £517 million (net of taxes of £114 million) was recorded as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. The effect of adoption of SOP 03-1 comprised the following impacts:
Cumulative Effect of Adoption
|
Net (loss) income |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ millions) |
||||
Reduction of real estate carrying value from fair value to depreciated historic cost upon reclassification from separate account to general account: | |||||
SAIF non-qualifying separate accounts | (403 | ) | |||
Other non-qualifying separate accounts | (118 | ) | |||
Other | 4 | ||||
Total cumulative effect of adoption | (517 | ) | |||
In contrast, the IFRS to US GAAP reconciliation of net income reflects a post tax shareholder charge of £522 million. This reflects the impact of SOP 03-1 on the policyholder benefit provisions of Jackson National Life which is valued in accordance with US GAAP with appropriate adjustments for IFRS reporting purposes.
Separate Account Presentation
Prior to January 1, 2004, the assets and liabilities of the Scottish Amicable Insurance Fund (SAIF), a fund acquired in 1997 that is closed to new business, were included in separate accounts in order to reflect the ring fenced nature of the fund. US GAAP recorded a nil post-tax result. As SAIF was accounted for as separate accounts under US GAAP, however, it was necessary for a pre-tax shareholder result to be recorded. The amount of this result was equal and opposite to the amount of tax charge borne by SAIF.
Following the adoption of SOP 03-1, SAIF was deemed to fail the legal insulation criteria introduced by the SOP. As a result all of SAIF's assets have been reclassified to the general account. As of January 1, 2004, approximately £13.3 billion of assets and liabilities were reclassified from the separate account to several invested asset captions and the policyholder benefit liabilities caption, respectively. The £13.3 billion of separate account assets were reclassified as follows: £6 billion to fixed maturities; £5 billion to equity securities; £1.5 billion to real estate; and £0.8 billion to various other asset captions. Except for real estate, these assets will continue to be recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Real estate has been reclassified to the general account at depreciated historic cost, resulting in a charge to net income of £403 million (net of taxes of £66 million). The liabilities of SAIF have been reclassified from separate account liabilities to policyholder benefit liabilities.
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Prudential plc and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2005
(i) Adoption of SOP 03-1 (continued)
Under US GAAP this result now reflects the change in valuation basis for real estate. The impact of this valuation change (and future depreciation charges) will be borne by shareholders, because policyholder benefit liabilities and undistributed policyholder allocations will continue to reflect the SAIF policyholders' 100 per cent interest in the net appreciated fair value of real estate. Future realized gains (or losses) relating to the difference between fair value and depreciated cost on the sale of SAIF real estate will be credited (or charged) to shareholders when the sale occurs. As part of the equitable distribution of the SAIF sub-fund to qualifying policyholders, all investments, including real estate, must be realized over the lifetime of the remaining in force SAIF policies.
As of January 1, 2004, approximately £13.2 billion of assets and liabilities were reclassified from separate account assets and liabilities to the general account. This represents certain unit linked insurance products of the UK and Asian operations as these arrangements are not legally insulated from the general account liabilities of the Group and therefore do not meet the conditions for separate account reporting under the SOP. These assets and liabilities were reclassified to several invested asset captions and the policyholder benefit liabilities caption, respectively. The £13.2 billion of separate account assets were reclassified as follows: £4 billion to fixed maturities; £8 billion to equity securities; £0.6 billion to real estate; and £0.6 billion to various other asset captions. Except for real estate, all separate account assets were reclassified to the general account and will continue to be recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value being taken to net income.
Real estate previously held in separate account assets at fair value has been reclassified to the general account at depreciated historic cost, resulting in a charge to net income of £118 million (net of taxes of £51 million) in 2004.
With the exception of the change in accounting for real estate and the related deferred tax, after tax net income will not be altered for these separate account asset reclassifications. The impact of the real estate valuation change (and future depreciation charges) will be borne by shareholders, because policyholder benefit liabilities will continue to reflect the policyholders' 100 per cent interest in the net appreciated fair value of real estate. Future realized gains (or losses) relating to the difference between fair value and depreciated cost on the sale of these real estate assets will be credited (or charged) to shareholders.
Following the adoption of SOP 03-1 the only contracts reported as separate account assets and liabilities are variable annuity contracts written predominantly, by the Group's US Operation, Jackson National Life. If a policyholder chooses a variable annuity, the rate of return will depend upon the performance of the underlying fund portfolio. The policyholder bears the investment risk except for fixed account options, where Jackson National Life guarantees a minimum fixed rate of return.
Variable annuity contracts written by Jackson National Life may provide for guaranteed minimum death benefits ("GMDB"), guaranteed minimum income benefits ("GMIB") and guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits ("GMWB"). The GMDB stipulates that the contract holder's beneficiary will receive a return of premium plus some minimum return (e.g., 2 per cent per year), irrespective of the actual value of the investments under the contract at the time of death. The GMIB provides for a minimum floor
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level of benefits upon annuitization, regardless of the actual value of the investments under the contract at the time of annuitization. A waiting period (e.g., 7 to 10 years) is typically required before annuitization can be elected. The GMWB provides a guaranteed return of principal invested by allowing for periodic withdrawals of no more than a specified percentage (e.g., 7 per cent) of the initial premium each year, regardless of the value of the investments under the contract. Reserves held for these minimum guarantees are general account liabilities of Jackson National Life. These reserves were computed prior to the adoption of SOP 03-1 in a manner consistent with the requirements of the SOP and therefore adoption of the SOP did not have any effect related to the liability for these guaranteed benefits. As at December 31, 2004, the amounts of separate account liability benefits subject to various guaranteed benefits were as follows: £4,325 million relating to GMDBs; £752 million relating to GMIBs; and, £997 million relating to GMWBs.
Jackson National Life credits premiums on variable annuities to a separate account or to the fixed account, depending on the policyholders' elections. The policyholders determine how the premiums will be allocated by choosing to allocate all or a portion of their accounts either to a variety of variable sub-accounts, with a choice of investment managers, or to guaranteed fixed-rate options. The value of the portion of the separate account allocated to variable sub-accounts fluctuates with the underlying investment.
Variable annuity products are backed by specific assets that are held in a separate account. The assets in this separate account are "segregated" pursuant to state insurance law and do not form part of the assets in the US general account, which backs the remainder of the insurance business in the United States. Amounts held in the separate account are not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business Jackson National Life may conduct. All of the income, gains or losses from these assets less specified management charges are credited to or against the policies and not any other policies that Jackson National Life may issue. The assets supporting these separate accounts are carried at fair value and reported as summary total separate account assets with an equivalent summary total reported for liabilities.
The following table details the aggregate fair value of assets supporting separate accounts as at December 31, 2004:
|
US GAAP Separate account assets |
|
---|---|---|
Fixed maturities | 25 | |
Equity securities | 5,495 | |
Other investments | 11 | |
Total investments | 5,531 | |
Other assets | | |
Total Assets | 5,531 | |
Other changes as a result of SOP 03-1
Jackson National Life has a closed block of two-tier annuities, for which one fund value (lower tier) is available upon maturity or surrender of the policy, and another fund value (higher tier) is available
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upon annuitization. Before implementation of SOP 03-1 the liability held on account of such policies was the higher tier fund. SOP 03-1 specifies that the liability for such contracts shall be based on the amount available in cash at maturity (lower tier), plus a liability related to future excess amounts paid to policyholders expected to annuitize. Since these costs in excess of the lower tier will be incurred in future years, and since not all contract holders are expected to annuitize, the annuitization liability established under the SOP is less than the difference between the lower and higher tier funds. This results in a reduction of reserves of £4 million (net of related taxes of £3 million) upon implementation of the SOP in 2004.
In the US the Group sells variable annuity contracts that offer guaranteed death, income and withdrawal benefits (known respectively as GMDB, GMIB, and GMWB). Policyholders must elect the form of guarantee they want, for which they are charged accordingly. The liability and, if the benefit is reinsured, any associated reinsurance asset are derived by assessing the cost in a variety of scenarios that test and explore future experience including investment return, surrender patterns and mortality experience. The assumptions used are consistent with those used in determining estimated gross profits for purposes of amortizing deferred acquisition costs. The liabilities recorded in the Group's accounts for the aforementioned benefits as at December 31, 2004 are; £22 million relating to GMDBs; £3 million relating to GMWBs and an immaterial amount towards GMIBs. During the year ended 2004, total guarantee benefits incurred and paid in relation to GMDBs are £10 million and £14 million respectively. The amounts incurred and paid in relation to GMIBs and GMWBs were not material. The net amount at risk relating to contracts with GMDBs as at December 31, 2004 was £759 million.
The vast majority of the Group's universal life contracts offer guaranteed death benefits that are charged for on the basis of attained age, thereby reflecting the expected death cost in the policy year and hence do not give rise to a pattern of profits in early years followed by losses in later years. On a small minority of its universal life products, the Group guarantees that a policy will not lapse even if the account value is reduced to zero, provided that the policyholder has paid all due premiums. Thus the cumulative impact on the Group's net income upon recording an associated liability for these two features is nil.
The Group also offers Guaranteed Annuity Terms on some of its with-profits FAS 60 and FAS 97 business in the UK (no longer available to new policyholders). The vast majority of these liabilities arise in the closed SAIF sub-fund of the with-profits fund in which shareholders have no interest and therefore there is no impact to net income from these guarantees. For SAIF and the main PAC with-profits fund, the liability is determined by using stochastic techniques, which involve the projection of a large number of economic scenarios to determine the average liability cost. The liability recorded within SAIF at December 31, 2004 was £490 million with a further £49 million recorded in the PAC with-profits fund.
During the year ended 2004, the total additional insurance benefits paid by virtue of the guaranteed annuity terms on certain SAIF products was £39 million. The amount paid in respect of PAC policies was approximately £2 million. The weighted average age in respect of contract holders with guaranteed annuity terms in SAIF was 55 years and in the PAC with-profits fund was 51 years as at December 31, 2004.
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The Group periodically offers enhanced or bonus crediting rates to policyholders on certain products. Prior to the adoption of SOP 03-1, in the UK's Insurance Operations, the expense associated with offering these sales inducements was deferred and amortized over the contingent deferred sales charge period. Effective January 1, 2004, upon adoption of SOP 03-1, expenses associated with offering a sales inducement that meet certain criteria are deferred and amortized over the life of the related contract consistent with methodology used to amortize deferred acquisition costs. Effective January 1, 2004, amortization expenses associated with expenses previously deferred are recorded over the remaining life of the contract rather than over the contingent deferred sales charge period. The impact of this change was not material to the Group's results.
(ii) Adoption of FIN 46-R
In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, (FIN 46), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities", which clarified the application of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (ARB 51), "Consolidated Financial Statements". FIN 46 was subsequently reissued as FIN 46-R in December 2003, with FIN 46-R providing additional interpretation as to existing standards on consolidation. FIN 46-R clarifies the application of standards of consolidation to certain entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties (variable interest entity or "VIE"). VIEs are required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiary if they do not effectively disperse risks among all parties involved. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party that absorbs a majority of the entity's expected losses, receives a majority of its expected residual returns, or both, as a result of holding variable interests. As required under the original standard, on February 1, 2003, the Group adopted the standard for VIEs created after January 31, 2003. In 2004, the Group adopted FIN 46-R for all VIEs.
The implementation of FIN 46-R has resulted in the Group consolidating a number of VIEs from 2004. These VIEs are all either fund holdings collateralized debt obligations (CDO funds) or authorized investment funds managed by the Group's fund management operations.
Prior to December 31, 2003, the Group had accounted for its interests in the CDO funds at fair value with both realized and unrealized changes in fair value taken to the profit and loss account. As of January 1, 2004, the Group consolidated the CDO funds under the transitional guidance of FIN 46-R and the ongoing guidance in ARB 51. FIN 46-R encourages but does not require restatement of previously issued financial statements. The Group has elected to not restate its prior year financial statements.
The carrying amounts and classification of consolidated assets that are collateral for the three CDO funds consolidated by the Group are cash of £49 million and fixed maturities of £866 million in the 2004 condensed consolidated US GAAP balance sheet. The impact of consolidating these three CDO funds was a post-tax charge to US GAAP shareholders' net income of £1 million on transition to FIN 46-R. This non-cash charge to earnings primarily relates to realized and unrealized investment and derivative cash flow gains (losses) within the CDO funds, the external holdings of which will ultimately be borne by third-party investors in the non-recourse collateralized obligations. Accordingly, these losses and any future gains or losses under this method of consolidation attributable to third party investors will ultimately reverse upon deconsolidation, maturity or other liquidation of the non-recourse
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collateralized obligations. To the extent the investments are held by the PAC life fund, 90 per cent of the loss is absorbed by the undistributed policyholder allocations account.
US GAAP requires consolidation of all of the assets and liabilities of these CDO funds, which results in the recognition of realized and unrealized losses even though the Group has no legal obligation to fund such losses in the settlement of the collateralized obligations. The FASB continues to evaluate the various technical implementation issues related to consolidation accounting and issuing new implementation guidances. The Group will continue to assess the impact of any new implementation guidance issued by the FASB as well as evolving interpretations among accounting professionals. Additional guidance and interpretations may affect the Group's application of consolidation accounting in future periods.
In addition to the CDO funds, the Group has consolidated a number of authorized investment funds where it is the primary beneficiary of those funds. The funds are managed by the Group's investment management operations. Prior to December 31, 2003, the Group had accounted for its interests in the authorized investment funds at fair value in the equity securities caption of the balance sheet. The Group's financial exposure to these authorized investment funds arises from the direct investment by the Group's insurance funds, which was £4.9 billion as at December 31, 2005 and £3.9 billion as at December 31, 2004.
Adoption of EITF 03-1 and FSP Nos. FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1
In March 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) reached a final consensus on Issue 03-1, "The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments" (EITF 03-1). The EITF consensus would have been effective for interim and annual reporting periods after June 15, 2004. In September 2004, the FASB staff issued FSP 03-1-1, "Effective Date of Paragraphs 10-20 of EITF 03-1, The Meaning of Other Than Temporary Impairment", which delayed the effective date for the recognition and measurement guidance included in EITF 03-1. The EITF 03-1 disclosure requirements were not delayed and were implemented by the Group in 2004.
In November 2005, the FASB issued FSP Nos. FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1 "The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments". This FASB Staff Position (FSP) nullifies certain requirements of EITF 03-1 and supersedes EITF Topic No. D-44, "Recognition of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment upon the Planned Sale of a Security Whose Cost Exceeds Fair Value." This FSP specifically nullifies the guidance in EITF 03-1 for determining whether impairment is other-than-temporary and references existing other-than-temporary impairment guidance. However, it carries forward the requirements in EITF 03-1 with respect to cost-method investments, disclosure requirements and related examples in EITF 03-1.
FSP Nos. FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1 are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005. As mentioned above, the Group has adopted the disclosure requirements of EITF 03-1, which were effective in 2004 and carry forward to this FSP. The Group is currently assessing the impact of FSP Nos. FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1 but does not expect any material impact on its results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
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Adoption of FAS 132-R
On December 23, 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 132 (revised 2003), "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Post Retirement Benefits, an amendment of FASB Statements Nos. 87, 88 and 106, and a revision of FASB Statement No. 132" (FAS 132-R). FAS 132-R requires additional detailed disclosures regarding pension plan assets, benefit obligations, cash flows, benefit costs and related information. FAS 132-R does not change plan measurement or recognition criteria. With the exception of certain disclosures including disclosures related to foreign plans, the new disclosures are effective for fiscal periods ending after December 15, 2003. Companies with foreign plans may defer certain disclosures until fiscal years ending after June 15, 2004. The Group has implemented the disclosure requirements of FAS 132-R in 2004. The disclosure requirements are included above in the section headed 'Pension Plans'.
Adoption of EITF 02-14
In July 2004, the EITF reached a final consensus on Issue 02-14, "Whether an Investor Should Apply the Equity Method of Accounting to Investments Other Than Common Stock If the Investor Has the Ability to Exercise Significant Influence Over the Operating and Financial Policies of the Investee" (EITF 02-14). The EITF concluded that an investor should only apply the equity method of accounting when it has investments in either common stock or in-substance common stock of a corporation, provided that the investor has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. The EITF defined in-substance common stock as an investment that has risk and reward characteristics that are substantially similar to common stock.
EITF 02-14 is effective for reporting periods beginning after September 15, 2004. For investments that are in-substance common stock but that were not accounted for under the equity method prior to the consensus, the effect of adoption should be reported as a change in accounting principle. For investments that are not common stock or in-substance common stock but that were accounted for under the equity method of accounting prior to the consensus, the equity method of accounting should be discontinued prospectively from the date of adoption and the investor should evaluate whether the investment should be prospectively accounted for under SFAS No. 115 "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities" or the cost method under APB Opinion No. 18, "The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock". The adoption of EITF 02-14 did not have a material impact on the Group's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
Adoption of EITF 03-16
In March 2004, the EITF reached a final consensus on Issue 03-16, "Accounting for Investments in Limited Liability Companies" (EITF 03-16). EITF 03-16 requires investors in limited liability corporations that have specific ownership accounts to follow the equity method for investments that are more than minor (e.g. greater than 3 per cent ownership interest) as prescribed in SOP 78-9, "Accounting for Investments in Real Estate Ventures", and EITF Topic No. D-46, "Accounting for Limited Partnership Investments".
Investors that do not have specific ownership accounts or minor ownership interests should follow the significant influence model prescribed in APB Opinion No. 18 for corporate investments. EITF 03-16 excludes securities that are required to be accounted for as debt securities based on the guidance in paragraph 14 of SFAS No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and
F-245
Extinguishments of Liabilities", and EITF 99-20. EITF 03-16 is effective for quarters beginning after June 15, 2004 and should be applied as a change in accounting principle. The adoption of Issue 03-16 did not have a material impact on the Group's results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
Adoption of EITF 03-13
In November 2004, the EITF reached a consensus on Issue 03-13 "Applying the Conditions in Paragraph 42 of FASB Statement No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, in Determining Whether to Report Discontinued Operations" (EITF 03-13). This EITF provides guidance and clarification on determining if a component of an entity that either has been disposed of or classified as held for sale should be reported as discontinued operations. Guidance is provided on how to evaluate whether the operations and cash flows of a disposed component have been or will be eliminated from the ongoing operations of the entity. An assessment of whether these continuing cash flows are direct or indirect is required. This EITF is to be applied to a component of an enterprise that is either disposed of or classified as held for sale in fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2004. The adoption of EITF 03-13 did not have a material impact on the Group's results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
Adoption of FAS No. 123R
In December 2004, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standard No. 123-R "Share-Based Payment" (FAS 123-R) which replaces SFAS No. 123 and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees". FAS 123-R requires all companies to recognize compensation costs for share-based payments to employees, based on the grant-date fair value of the award for financial statements for reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2005. This Statement applies to all awards granted after the effective date (June 15, 2005), and to awards modified, repurchased or cancelled after that date. The Group is required to apply this statement using a modified version of prospective adoption option.
For the year ended December 31, 2005 the Group had recorded stock based compensation expense using APB 25 and provided prominent disclosures in both annual and interim statements about the method under FAS 123-R and its effect on reported results of accounting for share-based employee compensation. The pro forma disclosures previously permitted under SFAS No. 123 will no longer be an alternative to financial statement recognition.
Adoption of FAS 154
In May 2005, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standard No. 154 "Accounting Changes and Error Correctionsa replacement of APB No. 20 and FAS No. 3" (FAS 154). FAS 154 provides guidance on the accounting for and reporting of accounting changes and error corrections. APB Opinion 20 previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized by including in net income of the period of the change the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle. FAS 154 establishes, unless impracticable, retrospective application as the required method for reporting a change in accounting principle in the absence of explicit transition requirements specific to the newly adopted accounting principle. FAS 154 also redefines restatement as the revising of previously issued financial statements to reflect the correction of an error. FAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. FAS 154 is
F-246
not expected to have an immediate material impact on the Group's results of operations and financial statements.
Adoption of FIN 47
In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47 (FIN 47), "Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligationsan interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143". FIN 47 is effective no later than the end of fiscal years ending December 15, 2005. FIN 47 clarifies the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in FAS 143 which refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. FIN 47 also clarifies that an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation when incurred if the liability's fair value can be reasonably estimated. In addition, FIN 47 clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. The adoption of FIN 47 did not have a material impact on the Group's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
Adoption of EITF 04-5
In June 2005, the EITF reached a consensus on Issue 04-5, "Determining Whether A General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights" (EITF 04-5). The EITF provides guidance on how to evaluate whether a partnership is controlled by a general partner when a limited partner has certain rights. The general partner is presumed to control a limited partnership regardless of the extent of the general partners' ownership interest. This EITF provides guidance on the assessment of whether the rights of limited partners should overcome the presumption of control by the general partner. This EITF is effective after June 29, 2005 for general partners of all new limited partnerships formed and for existing limited partnerships for which the partnership agreements are modified. The adoption of EITF 04-5 in this respect did not have a material impact on the Group's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. This EITF is effective no later than the beginning of the first reporting period in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005 for general partners in all other limited partnerships. The Group is currently assessing the impact of EITF 04-5 on all other limited partnerships.
Adoption of DIG B16 (Revised)
In June 2005, the FASB issued a revised DIG B16 "Embedded Derivatives: Calls and Puts in Debt Instruments". DIG B16 was originally issued in 2000 and was revised in June 2005 as a result of the effect of FAS 149 "Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Investments and Hedging Activities". The revised DIG B16 is effective immediately. The adoption of DIG B16 (Revised) did not have a material impact on the Group's results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
DIG B38
In June 2005, the FASB issued guidance in Statement No. 133 Implementation Issue No. B38, "Embedded Derivatives: Evaluation of Net Settlement with respect to the Settlement of a Debt Instrument through Exercise of an Embedded Put Option or Call Option" (DIG B38). This DIG B38 is
F-247
effective on the first day of the first quarter beginning after December 15, 2005. The Group is currently assessing the impact of DIG B38 on its results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
DIG B39
In June 2005, the FASB issued guidance in Statement No. 133 Implementation Issue No. B39, "Embedded Derivatives: Application of Paragraph 13 (b) to Call Options That Are Exercisable Only by the Debtor" (DIG B39). This DIG B39 is effective on the first day of the first quarter beginning after December 15, 2005. The Group is currently assessing the impact of DIG B39 on its results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
SOP 05-1
In September 2005, the AsSEC of AICPA issued Statement of Position 05-1 "Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection With Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts".
This SOP provides guidance on accounting by insurance enterprises for deferred acquisition costs on internal replacements of insurance and investment contracts other than those specifically described in FAS 97 "Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration and for Realized Gains and Losses from the Sale of Investments". SOP 05-1 sets out conditions to determine whether contract modifications are considered as internal replacements and result in a replacement contract that is substantially changed from the replaced contract. SOP 05-1 then requires un-amortized deferred acquisition costs, unearned revenue liabilities and deferred sales inducement assets from replaced contract in an internal replacement transaction that results in a substantially changed contract not to be deferred in connection with the replacement contract.
This SOP is effective for internal replacements occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Group is currently assessing the impact of SOP 05-1 on its results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
FAS 155
In February 2006, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standard No. 155 "Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instrumentsan amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140" (FAS 155). FAS 155 amends FAS 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" and FAS 140 "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities".
FAS 155 permits, by election, fair value remeasurement for an entire hybrid financial instrument containing an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation and measuring only the embedded derivative on fair value basis. In addition, FAS 155 establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation.
FAS 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity's first fiscal year that begin after September 15, 2006. The Group is currently assessing the impact of FAS 155 on its results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
F-248
INDEX TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
|
Page |
|
---|---|---|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | S-2 | |
Profit and Loss Accounts for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 |
S-3 |
|
Balance Sheets at December 31, 2005 and 2004 |
S-4 |
|
Statement of Total Recognized Gains and Losses for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 |
S-5 |
|
Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Capital and Reserves for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 |
S-5 |
|
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 |
S-6 |
|
Notes to the Condensed Financial Statement Schedule |
S-7 |
S-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
To the Board of Directors and Members of Prudential plc
Under date of June 28, 2006, we reported on the consolidated balance sheets of Prudential plc ("the Company") and its subsidiaries (collectively, "the Group") as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related income statements, statements of changes in equity, and cash flow statements for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2005, prepared in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (EU), which are included herein. We have also reported on the consolidated profit and loss accounts, consolidated statement of total recognized gains and losses, reconciliation of movements in consolidated shareholders' capital and reserves, and consolidated statements of cash flows from general business and shareholders' fund for the year ended December 31, 2003, which report is dated June 24, 2005 and is included in the Company's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2004. In connection with our audits of the aforementioned consolidated financial statements, we also audited the related condensed financial statement schedule included herein and appearing on pages S-3 to S-13, which has been prepared in accordance with UK generally accepted accounting principles (UK GAAP). This condensed financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Group's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this schedule based on our audits.
In our opinion, such condensed financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
As further described in Note 1, as allowed upon initial adoption of Financial Reporting Standards 25 and 26 regarding financial instrument accounting and presentation, the Company has elected to adopt these standards on a prospective basis effective January 1, 2005.
June 28, 2006 | By: | /s/ KPMG AUDIT PLC KPMG Audit Plc London, England |
S-2
SCHEDULE II
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT PRUDENTIAL plc
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNTS (UK GAAP BASIS)
Years ended December 31
|
2005 |
Restated 2004 |
Restated 2003 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||||
Investment income* | 654 | 519 | 678 | |||||
Investment expenses and charges | (445 | ) | (352 | ) | (270 | ) | ||
Other charges: | ||||||||
Corporate expenditure* | (30 | ) | (76 | ) | (73 | ) | ||
Provision against loans | (41 | ) | (33 | ) | (75 | ) | ||
Foreign currency exchange gains | (113 | ) | 33 | 58 | ||||
Profit on ordinary activities before tax* | 25 | 91 | 318 | |||||
Tax on profit on ordinary activities | 93 | 34 | 30 | |||||
Profit for the financial year* | 118 | 125 | 348 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this condensed financial information
S-3
SCHEDULE II
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT PRUDENTIAL plc
BALANCE SHEETS (UK GAAP BASIS)
December 31
|
2005 |
Restated 2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||
Fixed assets | ||||||
Investments: | ||||||
Shares in subsidiary undertakings | 5,175 | 5,629 | ||||
Loans to subsidiary undertakings | 2,697 | 2,129 | ||||
7,872 | 7,758 | |||||
Current assets | ||||||
Debtors: | ||||||
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings | 1,511 | 1,085 | ||||
Other debtors | 56 | 38 | ||||
Cash at bank and in hand | 121 | 325 | ||||
1,688 | 1,448 | |||||
Less liabilities: amounts falling due within one year | ||||||
Debenture loans | | (130 | ) | |||
Commercial paper | (1,461 | ) | (1,228 | ) | ||
Other borrowings | | (3 | ) | |||
Derivative liability | (37 | ) | | |||
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings | (805 | ) | (621 | ) | ||
Tax payable | (171 | ) | (170 | ) | ||
Sundry creditors | (37 | ) | (36 | ) | ||
Accruals and deferred income | (41 | ) | (44 | ) | ||
(2,552 | ) | (2,232 | ) | |||
Net current liabilities* | (864 | ) | (784 | ) | ||
Total assets less current liabilities* | 7,008 | 6,974 | ||||
Less liabilities: amounts falling due after more than one year | ||||||
Subordinated liabilities | (1,646 | ) | (1,429 | ) | ||
Debenture loans | (798 | ) | (800 | ) | ||
Other borrowings | (11 | ) | (9 | ) | ||
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings | (2,016 | ) | (1,959 | ) | ||
(4,471 | ) | (4,197 | ) | |||
Total net assets (excluding pension liabilities)* | 2,537 | 2,777 | ||||
Pension liabilities (net of related deferred tax)* | (80 | ) | (83 | ) | ||
Total net assets (including pension liabilities)* | 2,457 | 2,694 | ||||
Capital and reserves | ||||||
Share capital | 119 | 119 | ||||
Share premium | 1,564 | 1,558 | ||||
Profit and loss account* | 774 | 1,017 | ||||
Shareholders' funds* | 2,457 | 2,694 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this condensed financial information
S-4
SCHEDULE II
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT PRUDENTIAL plc
STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNIZED GAINS AND LOSSES (UK GAAP BASIS)
Years ended December 31
|
2005 |
Restated* 2004 |
Restated* 2003 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Profit for the financial year | 118 | 125 | 348 | ||||
Actuarial loss recognized in the pension scheme (net of related deferred tax) | (21 | ) | (7 | ) | (6 | ) | |
Total recognized gains relating to the financial year | 97 | 118 | 342 | ||||
Prior year adjustments | 169 | ||||||
Total gains recognized since last report | 266 | ||||||
RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' CAPITAL
AND RESERVES (UK GAAP BASIS)
|
Number of Ordinary Shares |
Ordinary Share Capital |
Share Premium |
Retained Profit and Loss Reserve |
Total |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In Millions) |
(In £ Millions) |
|||||||||
January 1, 2003 as previously reported | 2,002 | 100 | 550 | 1,076 | 1,726 | ||||||
Prior year adjustmentsFRS 17 and FRS 21 | | | | 108 | 108 | ||||||
January 1, 2003 as restated* | 2,002 | 100 | 550 | 1,184 | 1,834 | ||||||
Total recognized gains relating to 2003 | | | | 342 | 342 | ||||||
Dividends* | | | | (447 | ) | (447 | ) | ||||
New share capital subscribed | 7 | | 30 | | 30 | ||||||
Transfer for shares issued in lieu of cash dividends | | | (27 | ) | 27 | | |||||
January 1, 2004 as previously reported | 2,009 | 100 | 553 | 969 | 1,622 | ||||||
Prior year adjustmentsFRS 17 and FRS 21 | | | | 137 | 137 | ||||||
January 1, 2004 as restated* | 2,009 | 100 | 553 | 1,106 | 1,759 | ||||||
Total recognized gains relating to 2004 | | | | 118 | 118 | ||||||
Dividends* | | | | (323 | ) | (323 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from rights offering, net of expenses | 339 | 17 | 1,004 | | 1,021 | ||||||
Other new share capital subscribed | 27 | 2 | 117 | | 119 | ||||||
Transfer for shares issued in lieu of cash dividends | | | (116 | ) | 116 | | |||||
December 31, 2004 as previously reported | 2,375 | 119 | 1,558 | 848 | 2,525 | ||||||
Prior year adjustmentsFRS 17 and FRS 21 | | | | 169 | 169 | ||||||
December 31, 2004 as restated* | 2,375 | 119 | 1,558 | 1,017 | 2,694 | ||||||
Transitional adjustment on adoption of FRS 26 | | | 2 | (13 | ) | (11 | ) | ||||
January 1, 2005 as restated | 2,375 | 119 | 1,560 | 1,004 | 2,683 | ||||||
Total recognized gains relating to 2005 | | | | 97 | 97 | ||||||
Dividends | | | | (378 | ) | (378 | ) | ||||
New share capital subscribed | 12 | | 55 | | 55 | ||||||
Transfer for shares issued in lieu of cash dividends | | | (51 | ) | 51 | | |||||
December 31, 2005 | 2,387 | 119 | 1,564 | 774 | 2,457 | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this condensed financial information
S-5
SCHEDULE II
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT PRUDENTIAL plc
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UK GAAP BASIS)
Years ended December 31
|
2005 |
Restated* 2004 |
Restated* 2003 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||
Operations | |||||||
Net cash inflow from operating activities before interest and tax | 567 | 441 | 617 | ||||
Interest paid | (390 | ) | (357 | ) | (261 | ) | |
Taxes recovered | 95 | 20 | 88 | ||||
Acquisitions and disposals | |||||||
Investment in shares in subsidiary undertakings | (153 | ) | (1,010 | ) | | ||
Equity dividends paid | (378 | ) | (323 | ) | (447 | ) | |
Net cash outflow before financing | (259 | ) | (1,229 | ) | (3 | ) | |
Financing | |||||||
Issues of ordinary share capital | 55 | 1,140 | 30 | ||||
Issue of borrowings, net of repayment | 24 | 132 | 636 | ||||
Issue (repayment) of commercial paper to support a short-term fixed income securities reinvestment program | 404 | 23 | (200 | ) | |||
Movement in net amount owed to subsidiary undertakings | (257 | ) | (67 | ) | 77 | ||
Net cash inflow from financing | 226 | 1,228 | 543 | ||||
Net cash (outflow) inflow for the year | (33 | ) | (1 | ) | 540 | ||
Reconciliation of profit on ordinary activities before tax to net cash inflow from operations | |||||||
Profit on ordinary activities before tax* | 25 | 91 | 318 | ||||
Add back: interest charged | 411 | 352 | 270 | ||||
Adjustments to non-cash items: | |||||||
Fair value adjustments on derivatives | 34 | | | ||||
Pension scheme credit | (35 | ) | | | |||
Exchange movements | 112 | (33 | ) | (50 | ) | ||
Provision against loans | 41 | 33 | 75 | ||||
Increase in debtors* | (23 | ) | (17 | ) | (4 | ) | |
Increase in creditors* | 2 | 15 | 8 | ||||
Net cash inflow from operating activities | 567 | 441 | 617 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this condensed financial information
S-6
SCHEDULE II
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT PRUDENTIAL plc
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
December 31, 2005
1 Accounting Policies
The financial statements of the parent company are prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards under UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP), including Financial Reporting Standards (FRS) and Statements of Standard Accounting Practice (SSAP). This is in line with the parent company's UK statutory basis of reporting for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Changes in accounting policies
The parent company has implemented the following UK GAAP accounting standards in preparing its results for the year ended December 31, 2005. All of these standards closely reflect the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and form part of the implementation of IFRS in the UK.
FRS 17, 'Retirement Benefits'
The main effect of the adoption of FRS 17 in 2005 is the recognition of a surplus or deficit in respect of the defined benefit pension schemes on the balance sheet. The parent company is assuming a portion of the pension deficit of the Group's largest pension scheme, the Prudential Staff Pension Scheme (PSPS). For 2004 and prior years, the parent company was assuming a portion 20 per cent of the PSPS pension deficit. Subsequent to 2004, additional analysis has been undertaken in 2005 and the portion assumed by the parent company was reassessed to 30 per cent for 2005 onwards. The effect of this change in policy and attribution of the PSPS deficit to the parent company is to decrease shareholders' funds at December 31, 2005 and 2004 by £80 million and £83 million respectively. Overall, the adoption of FRS 17 has effect of increasing profit after tax for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 by £24 million, £1 million and £2 million respectively and increasing (decreasing) total recognized gains and losses for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 by £3 million, £(6) million and £(4) million respectively.
FRS 21, 'Events after the Balance Sheet Date'
The main effect of FRS 21 on the parent company is that dividends declared after the balance sheet date in respect of the previous reporting period are no longer to be considered as 'adjusting events'. Accordingly, an accrual is no longer made in the profit and loss account. This relates to both dividends paid and received by the parent company.
In relation to dividends paid by the parent company. the adoption of FRS 21 has the impact of increasing shareholders' funds at December 31, 2005 and 2004 level by £267 million and £252 million.
In relation to dividends received by the parent company from subsidiary undertakings, the adoption of FRS 21 has the impact of increasing profit after tax for the year ended December 31, 2003 by £160 million. There was no impact on the profit for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.
FRS 23, 'The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates', FRS 24, 'Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies', FRS 25, 'Financial Instruments: Disclosures and Presentation' and FRS 26, 'Financial Instruments: Measurement'
S-7
The Accounting Standards Board (ASB) published FRS 23, FRS 24, FRS 25 and FRS 26 in December 2004. These accounting standards are, in effect, part of a package of UK standards comprising FRS 23, FRS 24, the disclosure requirements of FRS 25 and FRS 26.
Listed entities, such as the parent company, preparing their financial statements in accordance with UK requirements, are required to comply with the entire package of standards for accounting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2005.
The main impacts of the adoption of these standards are described below:
FRS 23, 'The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates'
The main requirements of this standard relate to fair value adjustments on acquisitions treated as assets of acquired foreign operations and the recycling of cumulative translation adjustment from January 1, 2004 on disposal of foreign operations. This standard applies prospectively to acquisitions and disposals occurring after the effective date of January 1, 2005. There is no impact on the balance sheet and profit and loss account in the year upon the adoption of this standard.
FRS 24, 'Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies'
The adoption of this standard has no impact on the results of the parent company.
FRS 25, 'Financial Instruments: Disclosures and Presentation'
FRS 25 is based on the text of IAS 32, 'Financial Instruments: Disclosures and Presentation' as at March 31, 2004, incorporating the revised version of IAS 32 issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in December 2003 and includes amendments made by IFRS 4, 'Insurance Contracts'.
The presentation requirements of FRS 25 are applicable to the parent company as at January 1, 2005. The parent company has taken advantage of the provisions within FRS 25 that waive the requirement to restate comparatives. The main presentation adjustment resulting from FRS 25 relates to the parent company's derivatives. Previously, under UK GAAP, the parent company's carrying value of derivatives has been recorded on a basis that nets asset and liability amounts of individual derivatives. Under FRS 25, there is a requirement that assets and liabilities should not be netted in the balance sheet unless counterparty offset applies. Accordingly, under FRS 25, derivative assets and liabilities have been included gross in the balance sheet.
FRS 26, 'Financial Instruments: Measurement'
FRS 26 is based on the text of IAS 39, 'Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement' as at March 31, 2004, incorporating the revised version of IAS 39 issued by the IASB in December 2003 together with the amendments to IAS 39 on 'Fair Value Hedge Accounting for a Portfolio Hedge of Interest Rate Risk' and those made by IFRS 4.
The significant adjustments for the parent company resulting from FRS 26 arise primarily in respect of the valuation of derivative financial instruments and borrowings. Previously, derivative financial instruments held by the parent company, depending on their nature and purpose, were either accounted
S-8
for at fair value or treated as a hedge and accounted for on an accrual or deferral basis. Under FRS 26, derivative financial instruments are carried at fair value with value movements being recorded in the profit and loss account. Hedge accounting, whereby value movements on derivatives and hedged items are recorded together in the profit and loss account, is permissible only if certain criteria are met regarding the establishment of documentation and continued measurement of hedge effectiveness. In addition to the valuation of derivative financial instruments, FRS 26 has also resulted in a change in terms of the application of the effective interest rate method to amortize borrowings.
The adoption of FRS 26 has the impact of reducing the profit before tax for the year ended December 31, 2005 by £34 million and the shareholders' funds at December 31, 2005 by £35 million. This FRS is to be applied retrospectively. However, the parent company has taken advantage of the provisions within FRS 26 that allows comparative information not to be restated to comply with this standard.
S-9
Prior Year Adjustments
Details of the overall effect of the prior year adjustments arising from the implementation of FRS 17 and FRS 21 and also the impact of FRS 26 as described above are given as follows:
|
FRS 17 |
FRS 21 |
FRS 26 |
Total |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||||||
Closing shareholders' funds at December 31, 2004 As previously reported |
2,525 | ||||||||
Effect of implementation of new accounting standards | (83 | ) | 252 | 169 | |||||
Closing shareholders' funds at December 31, 2004 As restated |
2,694 | ||||||||
Transitional adjustments on adoption of FRS 26not restated in the 2004 comparatives | (11 | ) | (11 | ) | |||||
Opening shareholders' funds at January 1, 2005 As restated |
2,683 | ||||||||
Profit and loss for the year ended December 31, 2003 As previously reported |
186 | ||||||||
Effect of implementation of new accounting standards | 2 | 160 | 162 | ||||||
Profit and loss for the year ended December 31, 2003 As restated |
348 | ||||||||
Profit and loss for the year ended December 31, 2004 As previously reported |
124 | ||||||||
Effect of implementation of new accounting standards | 1 | 1 | |||||||
Profit and loss for the year ended December 31, 2004 As restated |
125 | ||||||||
Total recognized gains and losses for the year ended December 31, 2003 As previously reported |
186 | ||||||||
Effect of implementation of new accounting standards | (4 | ) | 160 | 156 | |||||
Total recognized gains and losses for the year ended December 31, 2003 As restated |
342 | ||||||||
Total recognized gains and losses for the year ended December 31, 2004 As previously reported |
124 | ||||||||
Effect of implementation of new accounting standards | (6 | ) | (6 | ) | |||||
Total recognized gains and losses for the year ended December 31, 2004 As restated |
118 | ||||||||
S-10
Tax
Current tax expense is charged or credited to operations based upon amounts estimated to be payable or recoverable as a result of taxable operations for the current year. To the extent that losses of an individual UK company are not offset in any one year, they can be carried back for one year or carried forward indefinitely to be offset against profits arising from the same company.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized in accordance with the provisions of FRS 19. The parent company has chosen not to apply the option available of recognizing such assets and liabilities on a discounted basis to reflect the time value of money. Except as set out in FRS 19, deferred tax is recognized in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed by the balance sheet date.
Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is regarded as more likely than not that they will be recovered. The Group's UK subsidiaries each file separate tax returns. In accordance with UK tax legislation, where one domestic UK company is a 75 per cent owned subsidiary of another UK company or both are 75 per cent owned subsidiaries of a common parent, the companies are considered to be within the same UK tax group. For companies within the same tax group, trading profits and losses arising in the same accounting period may be offset for the purposes of determining current and deferred taxes.
Shares in subsidiary undertakings
Shares in subsidiary undertakings in the balance sheet of the parent company are shown at the lower of cost and estimated realizable value.
Loans to subsidiary undertakings
Loans to subsidiary undertakings in the balance sheet of the parent company are shown at cost, less provisions.
Derivatives
Derivative financial instruments are used to reduce or manage interest rate and currency exposures. The parent company's policy is that amounts at risk through derivative transactions are covered by cash or by corresponding assets. For 2005, these instruments are carried at fair value with changes in fair value included in the profit and loss account. Prior to this, derivative financial instruments held by the parent company, depending on their nature and purpose, were either accounted for at fair value or treated as a hedge and accounted for on an accrual or deferral basis.
Under FRS 26, hedge accounting is permissible only if certain criteria are met regarding the establishment of documentation and continued measurement of hedge effectiveness. For derivative financial instruments designated as fair value hedges the movements in the fair value are recorded in the profit and loss account with the accompanying change in fair value of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk.
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Borrowings
Under FRS 26, borrowings are initially recognized at fair value, net of transaction costs, and subsequently accounted for on an amortized cost basis using the effective interest method. Under the effective interest method, the difference between the redemption value of the borrowing and the initial proceeds (net of related issue costs) is amortized through the profit and loss account to the date of maturity.
Prior to the adoption of FRS 26, borrowings were recognized at fair value, net of transaction costs. Any premium or discount from the nominal value was shown net. Transaction costs and premiums or discounts were amortized on a straight-line basis.
Shareholders' dividends
Prior to the adoption of FRS 21, shareholders' dividends were accrued in the period to which they related regardless of when they were declared. Under FRS 21, dividends declared after the balance sheet date in respect of the prior reporting period are treated as a non-adjusting event. Dividends are now recognized in the period in which they are declared.
Where scrip dividends are issued, the value of such shares, measured as the amount of the cash dividend alternative, is credited to reserves and the amount in excess of the nominal value of the shares issued is transferred from the share premium account to retained profit.
Share premium
The difference between the proceeds received on issue of shares, net of issue costs, and the nominal value of the shares issued is credited to the share premium account.
Foreign currency translation
Foreign currency borrowings that have been used to finance or provide a hedge against Group equity investments in overseas subsidiaries, are translated at year end exchange rates. The impact of these currency translations is recorded within the profit and loss account for the year.
Other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are also converted at year end exchange rates with the related foreign currency exchange gains or losses reflected in the profit and loss account for the year.
2 Dividends declared in the reporting period from subsidiary undertakings
|
(In £ Millions) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
|||
The Prudential Assurance Company Limited | 383 | 309 | 373 | |||
Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited* | | | 160 | |||
M&G Group Limited | 137 | 95 | 108 | |||
Total dividends* | 520 | 404 | 641 | |||
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3 Reconciliation from UK GAAP to US GAAP
|
(In £ Millions) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2004 |
|||
Net Income | |||||
Profit for the financial year of the parent company in accordance with UK GAAP | 118 | 125 | |||
IAS adjustments | (25 | ) | (7 | ) | |
Profit for the financial year of the parent company in accordance with IFRS | 93 | 118 | |||
Share in the IFRS profit of the Group | 655 | 399 | |||
Net income of the Group in accordance with IFRS | 748 | 517 | |||
US GAAP adjustments | 444 | (426 | ) | ||
Net income of the Group in accordance with US GAAP | 1,192 | 91 | |||
Net Equity | |||||
Shareholders' funds of the parent company in accordance with UK GAAP | 2,457 | 2,694 | |||
IAS adjustments | (8 | ) | (4 | ) | |
Shareholders' equity of the parent company in accordance with IFRS | 2,449 | 2,690 | |||
Share in IFRS net equity of the Group | 2,745 | 1,799 | |||
Shareholders' equity of the Group in accordance with IFRS | 5,194 | 4,489 | |||
US GAAP adjustments | 1,999 | 1,438 | |||
Shareholders' equity of the Group in accordance with US GAAP | 7,193 | 5,927 | |||
The parent company financial statements are prepared in accordance with UK GAAP and the consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with IFRS. The above table provides a reconciliation between UK GAAP, IFRS and US GAAP.
The "IAS adjustment" in the above table in respect of the parent company represents the difference in the accounting treatment for pension liabilities between UK GAAP and IFRS. The share in profit and in net equity of the Group represents the parent company's equity in the earnings and net assets of its subsidiaries and associates. As stated in Note 1 to the condensed financial statement schedule, the parent company accounts for its investments in subsidiary undertakings on a cost basis under UK GAAP. For the purposes of this reconciliation, the IAS adjustment to the parent company excludes any valuation adjustments to shares in subsidiary undertakings which are eliminated on consolidation. Under US GAAP, these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
The "US GAAP adjustments" in the above table represent the total of material differences between IFRS and US GAAP as presented in Note J to the consolidated financial statements.
4 Guarantees Provided by the Parent Company
The parent company provides a guarantee for the £150 million principal amount of the 9.375 per cent guaranteed bonds due 2007, as disclosed in Note H13 to the consolidated financial statements, which have been issued by one of its finance subsidiaries. In certain instances the parent company has also guaranteed that other subsidiaries will meet their obligations when they fall due for payment.
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The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
PRUDENTIAL PLC | ||||
June 28, 2006 |
By: |
/s/ MARK TUCKER |
||
Name: | Mark Tucker | |||
Title: | Group Chief Executive |
Documents filed as exhibits to this Form 20-F:
Exhibit Number |
Description |
|
---|---|---|
1. | Memorandum and Articles of Association of Prudential. | |
2.1 |
Form of Deposit Agreement among Prudential, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as depositary, and holders and beneficial owners from time to time of ADRs issued thereunder, including the form of ADR.**** |
|
2.2 |
The total amount of long-term debt securities of Prudential plc authorized under any instrument does not exceed 10 per cent of the total assets of the Company on a consolidated basis. Prudential plc hereby agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon its request, a copy of any instrument defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of Prudential plc or of its subsidiaries for which consolidated or unconsolidated financial statements are required to be filed. |
|
4.1 |
Restricted Share Plan. |
|
4.2 |
Executive Directors' Service Contracts: Mark Tucker* Philip Broadley*** Clark Manning*** Michael McLintock*** Mark Norbom** Nick Prettejohn |
|
4.3 |
Other benefits between the Prudential Group and Executive Directors: Mark Tucker Philip Broadley Clark Manning Michael McLintock Mark Norbom Nick Prettejohn |
|
4.4 |
Chairman's Letter of Appointment* |
|
4.5 |
Other benefits between Prudential and the Chairman |
|
4.6 |
Non-executive Directors' Letters of Appointment Keki Dadiseth* Michael Garrett* Bridget Macaskill* Roberto Mendoza* Kathleen O'Donovan* James Ross* Lord Turnbull |
|
4.7 |
Other benefits between Prudential and the non-executive Directors Keki Dadiseth Michael Garrett Bridget Macaskill Roberto Mendoza Kathleen O'Donovan James Ross Lord Turnbull |
|
6. |
Statement re computation of per share earnings (set forth in Note B1 and Note K to the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 20-F). |
|
8. |
Subsidiaries of Prudential (set forth in Note I6 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 20-F). |
|
12.1 |
Certification of Prudential plc's Group Chief Executive pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
12.2 |
Certification of Prudential plc's Group Finance Director pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
13.1 |
Annual certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
14.1 |
Consent of KPMG Audit Plc. |
|
15.1 |
Prudential's Code of Business Conduct** |