2016 Interim Results

RNS Number : 0803I
Phoenix Group Holdings
25 August 2016
 

 

 

Phoenix Group Holdings: 2016 Interim Results                                                                               25 August 2016

Phoenix Group remains on track for cash generation targets

Phoenix Group, the UK's largest specialist closed life fund consolidator, today announces its results for the six months ended 30 June 2016.

Financial Highlights

· £147 million of cash generation2 in H1 2016 (H1 2015: £110 million)

· Total holding company cash of £921 million2 as at 30 June 2016 (£706 million as at 31 December 2015)

· The Group remains on track to achieve its 2016 cash generation target of £350 million - £450 million and the Group reiterates its longer term target of £2.0 billion between 2016 - 20202

· Solvency II surplus of £1.1 billion3 as at 30 June 2016, which includes the impact of the payment of the interim dividend, compared to £1.3 billion as at 31 December 2015

· Shareholder Capital coverage ratio of 144% as at 30 June 20164 (154% as at 31 December 2015)

· Group IFRS operating profit of £107 million in H1 2016 (H1 2015: £135 million)

· Interim dividend of 26.7p per share, in line with 2015 interim dividend

Acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection business remains on track

· Previously announced acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection businesses for £375 million in cash5, adding over 910,000 policyholders to the Group

· Completion anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2016, subject to regulatory approvals

· Acquisition funding includes net proceeds of £190 million raised through a placing of 22.5 million shares, together with a new, short-term bank facility

· Significant benefits from the acquisition, resulting in net capital synergies of approximately £250 million within 6 months of completion6

· Acquisition expected to generate cashflows of approximately £0.3 billion between 2016 and 2020 and £0.2 billion from 2021 onwards

· Supports a proposed increase of the 2016 final dividend by 5% to 28.0p per share, equivalent to 56.0p per share on an annualised basis

Commenting on the results, Group CEO, Clive Bannister said:

"Phoenix remains on track to deliver its cash target for the year, despite very significant market volatility and a sharp fall in long-term interest rates over the year to date. The Group continues to maintain a resilient capital position and has further management actions planned for the second half of the year.

The acquisition of the AXA Wealth businesses is on track and will represent another important step forward in Phoenix's growth strategy. The transaction meets our acquisition criteria and will generate additional cash for the Group which supports the proposed future increase in Phoenix's dividend. Looking ahead, we believe there will be further consolidation in the UK life industry and we will continue to explore further opportunities as they arise." 

Presentation

There will be a presentation for analysts and investors today at 9.30am (BST) at:

J.P. Morgan, 60 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0JP

A link to a live webcast of the presentation, with the facility to raise questions, and a copy of the presentation will be available at www.thephoenixgroup.com

A replay of the presentation will also be available through the website.

Participants may also dial in as follows:

                   UK                         020 3059 8125

                   International         +44 20 3059 8125

                   Participant password:       'Phoenix'

Dividend

The interim dividend of 26.7p per share is expected to be paid on 3 October 2016.

The ordinary shares will be quoted ex-dividend on the London Stock Exchange as of 8 September 2016. The record date for eligibility for payment will be 9 September 2016.

Enquiries

Investors/analysts:
Sam Perowne, Head of Investor Relations, Phoenix Group
+44 (0)20 3735 0021

Media:
Neil Bennett, Tom Eckersley, Maitland
+44 (0)20 7379 5151

Notes

1.   Phoenix Group is the UK's largest specialist consolidator of closed life funds with approximately 4.5 million customers and £52 billion of life company assets.

2.   Operating companies' cash generation is a measure of cash and cash equivalents, remitted by the Group's operating subsidiaries to the holding companies and is available to cover dividends, bank interest and repayments and other items. Cash generation targets exclude the impact of the proposed acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection businesses. Holding company cash of £921 million includes the £190 million net proceeds of the equity raising.

3.   Any references to Solvency II relate to the relevant calculation for Phoenix Life Holdings Limited, the ultimate EEA insurance parent undertaking.

4.   The Shareholder Capital coverage ratio of 144% excludes Solvency II Own Funds and Solvency Capital Requirements ("SCR") of unsupported with-profit funds and the PGL Group pension scheme.

5.   Price at announcement was net of adjustment for expected items as at completion.

6.   Net capital synergies arising from adoption and harmonisation to Phoenix Internal Model, diversification benefits and transitional measures (subject to PRA approval).

7.   This announcement in relation to Phoenix Group Holdings and its subsidiaries (the 'Group') contains, and we may make other statements (verbal or otherwise) containing, forward-looking statements and other financial and/or statistical data about the Group's current plans, goals and expectations relating to future financial conditions, performance, results, strategy and/or objectives.

8.   Statements containing the words: 'believes', 'intends', 'will', 'may', 'should', 'expects', 'plans', 'aims', 'seeks', 'targets', 'continues' and 'anticipates' or other words of similar meaning are forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements and other financial and/or statistical data involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the Group's control. For example, certain insurance risk disclosures are dependent on the Group's choices about assumptions and models, which by their nature are estimates. As such, actual future gains and losses could differ materially from those that the Group has estimated.

9.   Other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: domestic and global economic and business conditions; asset prices; market related risks such as fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates, the potential for a sustained low-interest rate environment, and the performance of financial markets generally; the policies and actions of governmental and/or regulatory authorities, including, for example, new government initiatives related to the financial crisis and the effect of the European Union's "Solvency II" requirements on the Group's capital maintenance requirements; the impact of inflation and deflation; the political, legal and economic effects of the UK's vote to leave the European Union; market competition; changes in assumptions in pricing and reserving for insurance business (particularly with regard to mortality and morbidity trends, gender pricing and lapse rates); the timing, impact and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or combinations within relevant industries; risks associated with arrangements with third parties; inability of reinsurers to meet obligations or unavailability of reinsurance coverage; the impact of changes in capital, solvency or accounting standards, and tax and other legislation and regulations in the jurisdictions in which members of the Group operate.

10. As a result, the Group's actual future financial condition, performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set out in the forward-looking statements and other financial and/or statistical data within this announcement. The Group undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements or data contained within this announcement or any other forward-looking statements or data it may make or publish. Nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast or estimate.

Phoenix group
holdings
Interim REPORT
FOR THE HALF YEAR
ENDED 30 JUNE 2016

 

PHOENIX GROUP AT A GLANCE

Phoenix is the UK's largest specialist closed life and pension fund consolidator, looking after c. 4.5 million policyholders.

We manage closed life funds efficiently and securely, protecting our customers' interests while creating value for our shareholders. We have a wide range of products and an operating model specifically designed for closed fund management. This operating model and the expertise of our employees provide the platform and skills to succeed in our market.

2016 key performance indicators

£147m

Operating companies' cash generation

£1.1bn

PLHL Solvency II surplus (estimated)

144%

PLHL shareholder capital coverage ratio (estimated)

£107m

IFRS operating profit

26.7p

Dividend per share

Contents

Overview


02

Business review


06

08

10

12

Financials


16

17

18

Additional information


58

59

 

focus on value creation

…through acquisition and consolidation combined with management actions. We create value for our customers by maximising policyholder returns and for our shareholders by generating capital and releasing excess surplus as dividends.

 

GROUP Chief executive officer's REPORT

Clive Bannister

Group Chief Executive Officer

"The pending acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection businesses is in line with Phoenix's strategy of closed life consolidation."

INTRODUCTION

The first half of 2016 has seen Phoenix take an important step forward in its strategy of closed life fund consolidation. The £375 million acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection business, announced on 27 May, will add £12 billion of assets under management and over 910,000 policies to the Group. The transaction meets our stated acquisition criteria and will generate additional cash to support both increased dividends and maintain the Group's investment grade rating. Phoenix has extensive integration experience and we believe that the acquired businesses are a strong fit, benefiting both shareholders and policyholders alike. It is anticipated that completion will occur during the fourth quarter of 2016, subject to regulatory approvals.

The new Solvency II capital regime came into force on 1 January 2016 and has significantly changed how we manage our business through the use of our approved Internal Model. However, the first six months of the year has also seen significant market uncertainty, exacerbated by the results of the EU Referendum in June, with long-term interest rates declining sharply. As we stated at the time of our full year results in March, the Group's Solvency II surplus is negatively impacted by such moves.

Despite the market uncertainty the Group has been successful in executing management actions and implementing interest rate hedging strategies. This has helped partly mitigate the negative impact of market movements and Phoenix will continue to closely monitor the markets in the coming months in order to ensure that the Group maintains a resilient capital position.

In addition, Phoenix agreed a revised bank facility of £650 million in March, reducing interest costs and extending the maturity of the Group's debt. Furthermore, the facility no longer has any mandatory or target amortisation payments and offers the Group greater flexibility to make acquisitions.

The Board has declared an interim dividend for the first six months of 2016 of 26.7p per share which is scheduled to be paid on 3 October 2016 and is in line with the 2015 interim and final dividends. Following completion of the AXA acquisition, the Board expects to increase the 2016 final dividend by 5% to 28.0p per share. This would increase the dividend per share to 56.0p on an annualised basis, which the Board believes is a sustainable level at which to rebase the dividend going forward.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

DELIVERY OF FINANCIAL TARGETS

Against a full year cash generation target of £350 million to £450 million, £147 million was delivered in the first half of the year and we remain on track to achieve our 2016 target. We reiterate the longer-term cash generation target of £2.0 billion between 2016 to 2020 and anticipate a further £3.1 billion of cash generation from 2021 onwards, a clear demonstration of the long-term cash flow potential of the Group despite the market volatility during the first half of the year. The Group's cash flow targets will be revised following the completion of the AXA acquisition to incorporate the expected cash generation from the acquired businesses.

As at 30 June 2016, Phoenix held £921 million of cash at the level of the Group's holding companies, including £190 million from the equity placing, which provides the Group with resilience from market volatility.

Acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection businesses

The acquisition comprises a pensions and investments business ('Embassy'), offering a range of propositions catering to both individual and corporate requirements and SunLife, a leader in the over 50s protection sector. The consideration for the acquisition will be funded through the combination of the net proceeds of £190 million from the equity placing on 27 May and a new short-term debt facility.

The Group expects significant diversification benefits, with the mortality exposure of the SunLife business offsetting the Group's existing longevity exposure from its annuity liabilities. Phoenix intends that the acquired businesses will be incorporated within the Group's Solvency II Internal Model, subject to regulatory approval. Phoenix expects net capital synergies of approximately £250 million within six months of completion.

This expected cash release of £250 million is inclusive of the impact of cost synergies of £10 million per annum which the Group expects to realise by leveraging its existing operating platform and outsourcing model. The acquisition will be integrated into Phoenix's operating model which will help identify opportunities for streamlining operations, and Phoenix's governance and customer model will also strengthen oversight of the acquired businesses. There are further opportunities to leverage the Group's outsourcing model with regards to the existing Embassy in-house policy administration and, for SunLife, the existing contractual arrangement with Capita will be maintained, creating a stronger relationship across the Group. These cost synergies are expected to be realised during 2017, with estimated post-tax integration costs of £25 million.

In total, the acquisition is expected to generate cash flows of approximately £0.3 billion between 2016 and 2020 and £0.2 billion from 2021 onwards.

We will invest heavily to ensure a smooth transition of the two businesses from AXA to Phoenix and we are committed to delivering the highest level of service to both direct and IFA customers, as we do for our existing customers. The SunLife business offers additional value through its new business franchise, where it has a recognised brand and a proven track record of direct marketing.

It is anticipated that completion will occur during the fourth quarter of 2016, subject to regulatory approvals.

PHOENIX LIFE CAPITAL POSITION

The Phoenix Life companies hold capital management buffers in addition to the required Solvency Capital Requirement ('SCR') which provide the life companies with additional resilience in the event of market volatility. Any excess over these buffers ('Free Surplus') is available for distribution to the holding companies as cash and the Free Surplus as at the start of 2016 was £0.1 billion. The Free Surplus has been negatively impacted by the fall in long-term interest rates during the first six months of the year and cash remittances to the holding companies. These have been partly offset by management actions including modelling enhancements and additional benefits from the restructure of Opal Re. The net effect has been a reduction in the Free Surplus by £0.1 billion over the first half.

The Group plans to implement further management actions during the remainder of 2016, including further optimisation of Matching Adjustment portfolios and a Part VII transfer of an annuity portfolio currently reinsured to Guardian. These actions will increase the level of Free Surplus and support cash generation from Phoenix Life in the second half of the year.

GROUP CAPITAL POSITION

The Group's surplus under Solvency II, as calculated at the level of Phoenix Life Holdings Limited ('PLHL'), is estimated to be £1.1 billion as at 30 June 2016, compared to £1.3 billion as at 31 December 2015. The Group's estimated Solvency II surplus reflects the recalculation of transitional measures at 30 June 2016, given the significant decline in long-term interest rates during the first half of the year.

In addition, the Group holds over £300 million of liquid assets outside the PLHL Group, including the £190 million of net proceeds from the equity placing in relation to the AXA acquisition. As these additional funds are held outside the PLHL Group, the payment of the interim dividend in October will not impact the Solvency II surplus calculated at PLHL.

The current low interest rate environment may well endure for a significant period of time. However, the Group continues to take actions to mitigate the impact of low interest rates on the Group's cash generation and capital position. These include the continued hedging of market risks as well as examining options to generate additional yield on our assets by investing in alternative asset classes such as equity release mortgages or commercial real estate debt. In addition, we seek to drive efficiencies in how we manage our businesses, thereby reducing costs and exploiting economies of scale.

SIMPLIFICATION OF GROUP STRUCTURE

Phoenix has taken significant steps in recent years to both reduce the level of debt within the Group and simplify its corporate structure and we continue to look for opportunities to further diversify away from senior bank debt to longer-term, subordinated debt. This will allow the Group to better match its debt profile to its longterm cash flows whilst offering the opportunity to rationalise the holding company structure, reducing operating costs and complexity.

The current holding company structure was formed at the time of the Group's restructuring in 2009, with Phoenix Group Holdings being a Cayman Island-registered company domiciled in Jersey. This structure is complex for our stakeholders and imposes additional burdens on our internal governance processes. As part of the ongoing Group simplification process, Phoenix intends to put in place a new UK-registered holding company for the Group in due course. This will provide Phoenix with a stream-lined and cost-efficient internal governance structure as well as greater clarity for the Group's stakeholders, including shareholders, debt investors and regulators.

IFRS OPERATING PROFIT

The Group achieved IFRS operating profits of £107 million in the first half of 2016, including £14 million from management actions, compared to £135 million in the first half of 2015 which included £23 million of management actions.

REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE CHANGES

The Financial Conduct Authority ('FCA') released its thematic review of the fair treatment of longstanding customers in life insurance in March and we welcome the focus the review brings to the fair treatment of policyholders. Our customers and the outcomes of their policies are fundamental to our business model and we continue to seek ways to improve.

There are also a number of ongoing reviews, including the proposed cap of 1% on early exit charges for pension customers aged over 55. Over 80% of our unitised policies have no exit charge at all and to date we have seen no evidence that any of our customers incurring an exit charge is deterred from taking advantage of pension freedoms before their selected retirement date. The Group continues to believe that the financial impact from a 1% cap on exit charges will not be material.

The ending of compulsory annuitisation of pension pots, announced at the time of the 2014 Budget, continues to have a significant impact across the UK life insurance industry. Phoenix Group currently only provides annuities for its own vesting policyholders and wrote a total of £254 million of annuities in the first half of 2016, compared with £208 million in the first half of 2015. £178 million of these are annuities with attractive guaranteed annuity rates ('GARs'), and the take-up rates of these continue to be high.

CUSTOMERS

Phoenix Life continues to be committed to delivering a high level of customer service. We recognise the importance of timely payments to our customers and have continued to deliver our pensions payments made through the Origo Faster Transfers system in around 11 days on average. Complaint handling is also a key area of focus and this is demonstrated by our strong performance as measured by the Financial Ombudsman Service with an overturn rate of 18%. We are pleased to note this remains significantly below industry benchmarks. Incoming volumes of complaints continue to decrease and currently only represent 0.3% of customer transactions. We continue to monitor customer satisfaction, with the vast majority of our customers surveyed satisfied with the service they receive. Finally, we remain on course to meet our 2016 target to deliver £50 million of management actions to accelerate the distribution of our with-profits estate, which directly benefits our with-profit policyholders through increased future bonuses.

There remains the risk of fraudsters targeting our customers and we have seen further attempts to do so under the pretext of the EU Referendum. We have remained active in publicising the risk of pension fraud through media campaigns and have prevented a total of over £28 million of fraudulent transfers.

OUTLOOK

It appears likely that the current market volatility will continue for some time and Phoenix is not immune to a further deterioration in longterm interest rates. However, the first six months have demonstrated the Group's resilience and we will continue to remain focused on the achievement of the financial targets we have set ourselves.

Following the announcement of the AXA acquisition, I continue to believe that the impact of regulatory changes will provide Phoenix with a number of further opportunities, as open life companies are forced to reappraise their business models and strategies for their legacy policies. The Group has demonstrated how its Solvency II Internal Model is a key tool in assessing acquisitions, providing more accurate pricing and understanding of synergy and diversification benefits. Together with an operating model specifically designed for closed life fund consolidation, the Group is well placed to generate value from further acquisitions.

I would also like to welcome Wendy Mayall, John Pollock and Nicholas Shott as Directors to the Board. All three new members of the Board bring extensive experience and join the Group at an exciting time in its development. I look forward to working with them as Phoenix addresses the challenges of operating in a low interest rate environment whilst taking advantage of opportunities to grow the business.

Finally, I would also like to thank my colleagues for their hard work during the first half of the year. Despite the ongoing economic uncertainty, the Group can look forward to the future with confidence.

Clive Bannister

Group Chief Executive Officer

24 August 2016

 

Business Review

In this section


Cash generation

06

Capital management

08

IFRS operating profit

10

Risk management

12

 

Business review

"The Group's financial performance remained resilient in the first half of the year despite market uncertainties and we remain on track to deliver our 2016 targets."

JAMES McCONVILLE

GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR

Introduction

Following the implementation of Solvency II, the Group's capital is managed on a Solvency II basis. Phoenix was granted approval for its Internal Model in December 2015 and this is the basis upon which the Group's risks and capital requirements are managed. Consequently, we have aligned our key performance metrics to the Solvency II framework and information on the Group's MCEV basis is no longer presented.

Our strategy has historically focused on cash flows and this remains the case under the new framework, with the Solvency II capital position underpinning the Group's cash generation, driven by the free surplus of Phoenix Life. More information on these linkages is presented in the Capital Management section.

The Group has been adversely impacted by the unfavourable market movements during the first half of 2016. However, we continue to take actions to mitigate the effects of market volatility to ensure that the Group maintains a stable capital position.

The continued low interest rate environment has triggered changes to the Group's expectations of persistency for products with guarantees and this has adversely impacted IFRS operating profit in the period. This has been partly offset by the positive impacts of amendments to IFRS actuarial reserving estimates and assumptions to more closely align to the Solvency II requirements.

Cash generation

£147m

 

Operating companies' cash generation

Maintaining strong cash flow delivery underpins debt servicing and repayments as well as shareholder dividends.

With cash generation of £147 million, the Group is on track to meet its full year cash generation target of £350 million to £450 million.

HOLDING COMPANIES' CASH FLOWS

The Group's closed life funds provide predictable fund maturity and liability profiles, creating stable long-term cash flows for distribution to shareholders and for repayment of outstanding debt. Although investment returns are less predictable, some of this risk is borne by policyholders.

The following analysis of cash flows reflects the cash paid by the operating companies to the Group's holding companies, as well as the uses of these cash receipts:


Half year
ended
30 Jun
2016
£m

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January

706

988

Operating companies' cash generation:



Cash receipts from Phoenix Life

147

110

Total cash receipts1

147

110

Uses of cash:



Operating expenses

(15)

(13)

Pension scheme contributions

(8)

(8)

Debt interest

(8)

(32)

Total recurring outflows

(31)

(53)

Non-recurring outflows

(25)

(9)

Uses of cash before debt repayments and shareholder dividend

(56)

(62)

Debt repayments

(6)

(60)

Shareholder dividend

(60)

(60)

Total uses of cash

(122)

(182)

Equity raise (net of fees)

190

-

Cash and cash equivalents at 30 June2

921

916

1   Includes amounts received by the holding companies in respect of tax losses surrendered to the operating companies of £44 million (HY15: £43 million).

2   Closing balance at 30 June 2016 includes required prudential cash buffer of £150 million (30 June 2015: £150 million).

CASH RECEIPTS

Cash remitted by the operating companies was £147 million (HY15: £110 million) which comprises cash receipts of £85 million from the sale of certain investments held by Opal Re and other receipts from Phoenix Life of £62 million. The 2016 dividends from Phoenix Life have been deferred to the second half of 2016 pending delivery of management actions.

The Group remains on track to meet its cash generation target range of between £350 million and £450 million in 2016.

RECURRING CASH OUTFLOWS

Operating expenses of £15 million (HY15: £13 million) are in line with the prior period and reflect costs of the corporate office partially offset by investment income.

Pension scheme contributions of £8 million (HY15: £8 million) are in line with the latest triennial funding agreements.

Debt interest decreased to £8 million (HY15: £32 million) reflecting lower principal balances following repayments made in 2015. The HY15 comparative included payment of the £20 million coupon on the Tier 1 bonds prior to their exchange for the PGH Capital subordinated notes. The coupon on the PGH Capital subordinated notes will be settled in the second half of 2016 in line with the terms and conditions of the notes.

NON-RECURRING CASH OUTFLOWS

Non-recurring cash outflows of £25 million include Group costs associated with restructuring and corporate related projects.

The increase compared to the prior period reflects costs associated with hedging and acquisition activity undertaken in the first half of 2016.

DEBT REPAYMENTS AND SHAREHOLDER DIVIDEND

Debt repayments of £6 million were in respect of the redemption of the remaining Tier 1 bonds.

The shareholder dividend of £60 million comprises the payment of the 2015 final dividend.

Equity raise (net of fees)

The £190 million is in relation to proceeds from the equity placement in association with the pending acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection business.

TARGET CASH FLOWS

The five-year cumulative target cash flow for 2016 to 2020 is £2.0 billion, of which £350 million to £450 million is expected to be achieved in 2016.

The resilience of the cash generation target is demonstrated by the following stress testing1:


1 Jan 2016 to
31 Dec 2020

£bn

Base case five-year target

2.0

Following a 20% fall in equity markets

2.0

Following a 15% fall in property values

2.0

Following a 75bps interest rates rise2

2.1

Following a 75bps interest rates fall2

1.9

Following credit spread widening3

1.9

Following 5% decrease in annuitant mortality rates4

1.8

1.                    Assumes stress occurs on 30 June 2016 and there is no market recovery during the cash generation target period.

2.                    Assumes recalculation of transitionals (subject to PRA approval).

3.                    Credit stress equivalent to an average 100bps spread widening across ratings, 10% of which is due to defaults/downgrades. Equivalent by rating: AAA - 39bps, AA - 57bps, A - 91bps, BBB - 174bps.

4.                    Equivalent of six months increase in longevity.

 

Capital management

£1.1bn

 

 

PLHL Solvency II surplus (estimated)

The estimated PLHL Solvency II surplus of £1.1 billion (FY15: £1.3 billion) has been adversely impacted by the market movements during the period.

The reduction in the period also reflects the payment of the 2015 final dividend and the upstreaming of the 2016 interim dividend to Phoenix Group Holdings.

144%

PLHL shareholder capital coverage ratio (estimated)

The estimated shareholder capital coverage ratio of 144% (FY15: 154%) has reduced as a result of the factors which impacted the Solvency II surplus.

The Group's capital management framework is designed to achieve the following objectives:

·  To provide appropriate security for policyholders and meet all regulatory capital requirements under the Solvency II regime while not retaining unnecessary excess capital.

·  To ensure sufficient liquidity to meet obligations to policyholders and other creditors.

·  To optimise the overall financial leverage ratio to maintain an investment grade credit rating.

·  To meet the dividend expectations of shareholders as set by the Group's dividend policy.

The framework comprises a suite of capital management policies that govern the allocation of capital throughout the Group to achieve these objectives under a range of stress conditions. The policy suite is defined with reference to policyholder security, creditor obligations, dividend policy and regulatory capital requirements.

Since 1 January 2016, the Group has monitored its regulatory capital adequacy under the new Solvency II regime, details of which are included below.

PLHL SOLVENCY II SURPLUS (ESTIMATED)

In accordance with European Insurance and Occupational Pension Authority ('EIOPA') and PRA requirements, from 1 January 2016 the Group now undertakes a Solvency II capital adequacy assessment at the level of the highest EEA insurance group holding company, which is PLHL.

This involves a valuation in line with Solvency II principles of PLHL's own funds and a risk-based assessment using an internal model of PLHL's solvency capital requirements ('SCR').

PLHL's own funds differ materially from the Group's IFRS equity for a number of reasons, including the exclusion of the Group's bank debt held outside of the PLHL sub-group, the recognition of future shareholder transfers from the with-profit funds (but not the shareholder share of the estate), the treatment of certain subordinated debt instruments as capital items, and a number of valuation differences, most notably with regard to insurance contract liabilities and intangible assets. In addition, PLHL own funds excludes cash and other financial assets held outside of the PLHL Group which exceeded £300 million as at 30 June 2016, and included the proceeds of the equity raise of £190 million.

The SCR is calibrated so that the likelihood of a loss exceeding the SCR is less than 0.5% over one year. This ensures that capital is sufficient to withstand a broadly '1 in 200 year event' and is calculated in accordance with the Group's PRA approved internal model. As a closed fund insurer, the Group does not need to hold capital to fund the writing of new business.

The estimated PLHL Solvency II surplus position at 30 June 2016 is set out below:


Half year
ended
30 Jun
2016
£bn

Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
£bn

Own funds1

6.1

5.7

Solvency capital requirement2

(5.0)

(4.4)

Solvency II surplus3

1.1

1.3

1   PLHL own funds includes the net assets of the life and holding companies calculated under Solvency II rules, pension scheme surpluses calculated on an IAS19 basis not exceeding the holding companies' contribution to the Group SCR and qualifying subordinated liabilities. It is stated net of restrictions for assets which are non-transferrable and fungible between Group companies within a period of nine months.

2   Solvency capital requirements relate to the risks and obligations, to which the PLHL Group is exposed, calculated using the Group's approved internal model.

3   Equates to a coverage ratio of 122% as at 30 June 2016 (130% at 31 December 2015).

The estimated Solvency II surplus has reduced to £1.1 billion (FY15: £1.3 billion) as a result of the following factors:

·  Surplus generation and expected run-off of capital requirements of £0.1 billion.

·  The positive impact of management actions undertaken in the period of £0.1 billion. This includes £63 million of management actions that have increased own funds in the period, and £23 million of management actions that have decreased SCR.

·  £(0.1) billion dividend payments, including the impact of upstreaming the 2016 interim dividend to Phoenix Group Holdings.

·  The adverse impacts of economic movements, actuarial reserving updates and other items of £(0.3) billion.

The estimated Solvency II surplus excludes surpluses arising in the Group's with-profit funds and the Group pension schemes of £0.3 billion. In the calculation of the surplus, the SCR of the with-profit funds and the Group pension schemes is included, but the related own funds are recognised only to a maximum of the SCR amount. Surpluses that arise in with-profit funds and the Group pension schemes, whilst not included in the PLHL Solvency II surplus, are available to absorb economic shocks. This means that the headline surplus is resilient to economic stresses.

Excluding the SCR and own funds relating to the unsupported with-profit funds and the PGL Pension Scheme, the estimated Solvency II shareholder capital coverage ratio is 144% as at 30 June 2016 (154% at 31 December 2015). The Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme did not cover its SCR as at 30 June 2016 and the related own funds and SCR are therefore included in the shareholder capital coverage ratio calculation.

The shareholder capital position is further analysed between the contributions of the holding companies and the life companies as follows:

Own funds within the holding companies of £0.9 billion (FY15: £1.0 billion) principally comprises cash and other financial assets held in the holding companies and the IAS19 surplus of the Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme.

Own funds within Phoenix Life comprise £1.0 billion (FY15: £1.0 billion) in the shareholders' funds, £0.7 billion (FY15: £0.7 billion) in the nonprofit funds, £0.7 billion (FY15: £0.7 billion) in the supported with-profit funds and future shareholder transfers of £0.4 billion (HY15: £0.4 billion).

Phoenix Life free surplus represents the Solvency II surplus of the life companies that is in excess of their Board approved capital management policies. As at 30 June 2016, Phoenix Life's contribution to the PLHL Solvency II surplus of £0.6 billion is fully utilised to cover the capital management policies.

The table below analyses the movement in the Phoenix Life free surplus during the period:


Half year ended
30 Jun 2016
£bn

Opening free surplus

0.1

Surplus generation and expected run-off of capital requirements

0.1

Management actions

0.1

Economics, actuarial updates and other items

(0.2)

Free surplus before cash remittances

0.1

Cash remittances to holding companies

(0.1)

Closing free surplus (estimated)

-

The Phoenix Life free surplus excludes £48 million of financial assets held in Opal Re as at 30 June 2016.

SENSITIVITY AND SCENARIO ANALYSIS

As part of the Group's internal risk management processes, the regulatory capital requirements are tested against a number of financial scenarios. The results of that stress testing1 are provided below and demonstrate the resilience of the PLHL Solvency II surplus.


Estimated
PLHL Solvency II surplus
30 Jun 2016

£bn

Base: 30 June 2016

1.1

Following a 20% fall in equity markets

1.1

Following a 15% fall in property values

1.1

Following a 75bps interest rates rise2

1.1

Following a 75bps interest rates fall2

1.0

Following credit spread widening3

1.0

Following 5% decrease in annuitant mortality rates4

0.9

1.                    Assumes stress occurs on 30 June 2016.

2.                    Assumes recalculation of transitionals (subject to PRA approval).

3.                    Credit stress equivalent to an average 100bps spread widening across ratings, 10% of which is due to defaults/downgrades. Equivalent by rating: AAA - 39bps, AA - 57bps, A - 91bps, BBB - 174bps.

4.                    Equivalent of six months increase in longevity.

 

IFRS operating profit

£107m

IFRS operating profit

Group IFRS operating profit has decreased to £107 million (HY15: £135 million), primarily driven by the adverse impacts of actuarial reserve strengthening in the period, partly offset by the positive impacts of updates made to the IFRS reserving methodology to more closely align to the Solvency II requirements.

GROUP IFRS OPERATING PROFIT

The Group has generated an IFRS operating profit of £107 million (HY15: £135 million).

Group operating profit

Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
£m

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Phoenix Life

108

141

Group costs

(1)

(6)

Operating profit before adjusting items

107

135

Investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business

(147)

44

Variance on owners' funds

130

(4)

Amortisation of acquired in-force business, customer relationships and other intangibles

(40)

(48)

Non-recurring items

(14)

1

Profit before finance costs attributable to owners

36

128

Finance costs attributable to owners

(46)

(49)

(Loss)/profit before the tax attributable to owners:

(10)

79

Tax credit/(charge) attributable to owners

13

(1)

Profit for the period attributable to owners

3

78

PHOENIX LIFE

Operating profit for Phoenix Life is based on expected investment returns on financial investments backing shareholder and policyholder funds over the reporting period, with consistent allowance for the corresponding expected movements in liabilities (being the release of prudential margins and the interest cost of unwinding the discount on the liabilities). The principal assumptions underlying the calculation of the long-term investment return are set out in note 5 to the IFRS interim financial statements.

Operating profit includes the effect of variances in experience for non-economic items, such as mortality and persistency, and the effect of changes in non-economic assumptions. Changes due to economic items, for example market value movements and interest rate changes, which give rise to variances between actual and expected investment returns, and the impact of changes in economic assumptions on liabilities, are accounted for outside of operating profit. Phoenix Life operating profit is net of policyholder finance charges and policyholder tax.

Phoenix Life operating profit

Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
£m

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

With-profit

39

36

With-profit where internal capital support provided

(51)

9

Non-profit and unit-linked

65

76

One-off impact of IFRS methodology change

38

-

Long-term return on owners' funds

3

5

Management services

14

15

Phoenix Life operating profit before tax

108

141

The with-profit operating profit of £39 million represents the shareholders' one-ninth share of the policyholder bonuses and is in line with the comparative period (HY15: £36 million).

The with-profit funds where internal capital support has been provided generated an operating loss of £51 million (HY15: £9 million profit). The loss is principally driven by the recognition of a provision to reflect the impact of the continued low interest rate environment on the Group's expectations of persistency for products with guarantees, resulting in an adverse impact of £64 million on the result for the period.

The operating profit on non-profit and unit-linked funds decreased to £65 million (HY15: £76 million). The reduction primarily reflects the adverse one-off impacts of actuarial modelling enhancements undertaken in the period to extend the products and liabilities eligible for matching adjustment.

Following the implementation of Solvency II, certain changes have been made to the assumptions and estimates used in the valuation of insurance contract liabilities to more closely align the IFRS reserving methodology with Solvency II requirements. As the Group manages its capital on a Solvency II basis, the changes will mean that the IFRS results will more closely reflect the way the business is managed and the Group's risk hedging strategies. The changes have resulted in an overall favourable impact of £38 million to Phoenix Life IFRS operating profit. The overall profile for the emergence of future IFRS operating profits is expected to be materially unchanged as a result of these updates. More details on the changes are provided in note 12 to the IFRS interim financial statements.

The long-term return on owners' funds of £3 million (HY15: £5 million) reflects the asset mix of owners' funds, primarily cash-based assets and fixed interest securities. The investment policy for managing these assets remains prudent.

The operating profit for management services of £14 million (HY15: £15 million) comprises income from the life companies in accordance with the respective management service agreements less fees related to the outsourcing of services and other operating costs. The decrease compared to the prior period principally reflects the impact of life company run-off.

GROUP COSTS

Group costs in the period were £1 million (HY15: £6 million). The reduction compared to the prior period principally reflects an increased return on the higher opening pension scheme surpluses of both the PGL Pension Scheme and the Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme.

INVESTMENT RETURN VARIANCES AND ECONOMIC ASSUMPTION CHANGES ON LONG-TERM BUSINESS

The negative investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business of £147 million (HY15: £44 million positive) are primarily driven by adverse market movements during the period.

The majority of the negative variance is driven by the adverse impact of falling yields on the life funds. Offsetting impacts have arisen in the owners' funds which hold interest rate hedging positions (see variance on owners' funds below).

The investment return variances have also been adversely impacted by losses arising on equity hedging positions held by the life funds following equity market gains in the period. The equity market gains are not reflected in the IFRS balance sheet as they are in respect of future profits.

VARIANCE ON OWNERS' FUNDS

The positive variance on owners' funds of £130 million (HY14: £4 million negative) is principally driven by interest rate hedging positions held in the life companies' shareholder funds. The majority of the gain reflects the impact of falling yields on interest rate hedging positions undertaken to protect the life companies' capital position.

AMORTISATION OF ACQUIRED IN-FORCE BUSINESS AND OTHER INTANGIBLES

Acquired in-force business and other intangibles of £2.7 billion were recognised on the acquisition of the operating companies in 2009. The acquired in-force business is being amortised in line with the run-off of the life companies. Amortisation of acquired in-force business during the period totalled £33 million (HY15: £41 million). Amortisation of other intangible assets totalled £7 million in the period (2015: £7 million).

NON-RECURRING ITEMS

Non-recurring items of £(14) million (HY15: £1 million positive) include a £14 million gain following completion of data review procedures associated with the reassurance of PLAL annuities in 2015 and a £3 million positive impact of a pension increase exchange exercise in respect of the PGL Pension Scheme. These items have been more than offset by the recognition of a £16 million cost of providing for claims relating to creditor insurance underwritten by a subsidiary of the Group, PA (GI) Limited, prior to 2006, £12 million of corporate project costs and a £3 million adverse impact of other one-off items. The prior period result included an £11 million release of cost provisions associated with external regulatory changes, including the cap on workplace pension charges and the pension guidance levy partly offset by £8 million of corporate project costs and £2 million of net other items.

FINANCE COSTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS


Half year ended
30 Jun 2016
£m

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Bank finance costs

12

17

Other finance costs

34

32

Finance costs attributable to owners

46

49

Finance costs have decreased by £3 million, comprising a £5 million reduction in bank finance costs primarily driven by restructuring and repayments of bank debt, and £2 million increase in other finance costs attributable to interest on the £428 million subordinated notes issued during the first half of 2015.

TAX CREDIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS

The Company is exempt from tax in the Cayman Islands on any profits, income, gains or appreciations for a period of 30 years from 11 May 2010.

With effect from the acquisition of the operating subsidiaries in the third quarter of 2009, the Company has been managed and controlled from Jersey, where its permanent office premises are located. As a Jersey resident holding company, the Company is subject to a 0% tax rate on its income. Consequently, tax charged in these accounts primarily represents UK tax on profits earned in the UK, where the principal subsidiaries have their centre of operations.

The Group tax credit for the period attributable to owners is £13 million (HY15: £1 million tax charge) based on a loss (after policyholder tax) of £(10) million (HY15: £79 million profit). The actual tax credit is different from the expected tax credit (based on the UK corporation tax rate of 20%) of £2 million primarily due to certain profit being either non-taxable or taxable at rates other than the standard rate and the recognition of previously unrecognised deferred tax assets (see note 6 to the IFRS interim financial statements for analysis).

 

Risk management

"The Group has an embedded Risk Management Framework that is forward-looking and proactive to manage risk within risk appetite. Strong risk governance founded on the three lines of defence supports policyholder security and the safe execution of the Group's strategy."

Wayne Snow

Group Chief Risk Officer

INTRODUCTION

Our framework and risk infrastructure enabled us to take proactive measures to prepare for the EU referendum result and the volatile interest rate environment which followed.

Principal risks and uncertainties facing the group

The Group's top principal risks and uncertainties are detailed in the table below together with their potential impact, mitigating actions which are in place and the change in the risk from last year. As economic changes occur and the industry and regulatory environment evolves, the Group will continue to monitor the potential impact of these principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group.

Change in risk from last year

Trend

Risk Improving

-

No Change

«

Risk Deteriorating

¯

 

Risk

Impact

Mitigation

Change from last year

In times of severe market turbulence, the Group may not have sufficient capital or liquid assets to meet its cash flow targets or it may suffer a loss in value.

The emerging cash flows of the Group may be impacted during periods of severe market turbulence by the need to maintain appropriate levels of regulatory capital. The impact of market turbulence may also result in a material adverse impact on the Group's capital position.

The Group undertakes regular monitoring activities in relation to market risk exposure, including limits in each asset class, cash flow forecasting and stress and scenario testing. In response to this, the Group has implemented de-risking strategies to mitigate against adverse customer and shareholder outcomes. The Group also maintains cash buffers in its holding companies to reduce reliance on emerging cash flows.

¯

Markets have been particularly turbulent following the EU Referendum.

Yields on UK government debt and swap rates have fallen markedly. Phoenix prepared for this potential outcome by reducing residual interest rate exposure using a combination of interest rate swaps and swaptions. However, the fall in yields this year has decreased the Group's excess capital position. The position continues to be closely monitored and managed, particularly in the low interest environment.

Credit markets have been relatively stable over the year to date while equity market volatility is largely hedged.

Adverse changes in experience versus actuarial assumptions.

The Group has liabilities under annuities and other policies that are sensitive to future longevity, mortality and persistency rates. Changes in assumptions may lead to changes in the assessed level of liabilities to policyholders. The amount of additional capital required to meet those liabilities could have a material adverse impact on the Group's results, financial condition and prospects.

The Group undertakes regular reviews of experience and annuitant survival checks to identify any variances in assumptions. The Group has also entered into reinsurance contracts to manage this risk within appetite.

¯

Policyholder take-up of valuable guarantees expected to increase in a low interest rate environment.

Significant counterparty failure.

Assets held to meet obligations to policyholders include debt securities. Phoenix Life is exposed to deterioration in the actual or perceived creditworthiness or default of issuers. An increase in credit spreads on debt securities, particularly if it is accompanied by a higher level of actual or expected issuer defaults, could have a material adverse impact on the Group's financial condition.

The Group is also exposed to trading counterparties failing to meet all or part of their obligations, such as reinsurers failing to meet obligations assumed under reinsurance arrangements or stock-borrowers failing to pay as required.

The Group regularly monitors its counterparty exposure and has specific limits relating to individual holdings, counterparty credit rating, sector and geography. Where possible, exposures are diversified through the use of a range of counterparty providers. All material reinsurance and derivative positions are appropriately collateralised and guaranteed.

«

The Group continues to monitor counterparty exposures holistically across all counterparty obligations, both in respect of debt securities and trading.

In some cases individual counterparty holdings have been adjusted to ensure the Group remains within risk appetite.

Changes in the regulatory and legislative landscape may impact the way that Phoenix Life engages with its customers.

The move to the conduct-focused regulator has seen a continued move away from rules-based regulation with a greater focus on customer outcomes. This may challenge the existing approach and/or may result in remediation exercises.

The Group puts considerable effort into managing relationships with its regulators so that it is able to maintain a forward view regarding potential changes to the regulatory landscape. The Group assesses the risks of regulatory change and the impact on our operations and lobbies where appropriate.

«

Phoenix has focused on activities identified following publication of the 'Fair Treatment of Customers in Closed Books' review to enhance our management of conduct risk.

Phoenix is making the necessary preparations for the introduction of the proposed 1% cap on exit charges for those over 55 accessing pension freedoms and the secondary annuity market. The financial impacts of these are not expected to be material.

The current assessment of the residual risk in respect of each of the Group's principal risks is illustrated in the chart opposite.

The residual risk is the remaining risk after controls and mitigating actions have been taken into account.

The Group's senior management and Board also take emerging risks into account when considering potentially adverse outcomes and appropriate management actions prior to the risk crystallising.

Some of the current emerging risks the Group considers are listed in the table below.

Risk
Title

Description

Risk Universe Category

Regulatory Thematic Reviews

The unknown consequences and the potential impact, including retrospective activity, as a result of Thematic Reviews conducted by regulators.

Customer

Voluntary Charges Cap

The FCA has noted that they are seeking a 'voluntary solution' on paid up and exit charges for legacy products.

Customer

Political Risk

Unexpected changes in the legislative environment and the impacts on financial markets driven by the political agenda following the UK's decision to leave the European Union.

Strategic

Tax Risk

Changes announced in the Spring Budget propose limiting the credit that life companies can take for offsetting incurred losses against future profits from April 2017.

Financial Soundness

 

 

Financials

 

In this section


Statement of Directors' responsibilities

16

Auditor's review report

17

Condensed consolidated interim financial statements

18

Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements

26

Additional life company asset disclosures

51

 

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

The Board of Directors of Phoenix Group Holdings (as listed below) hereby declares that, to the best of its knowledge:

the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the half year ended 30 June 2016, which have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting, gives a fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and results of Phoenix Group Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as whole;

the Interim Report includes a fair view of the state of affairs of Phoenix Group Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries as at 30 June 2016 and for the financial half year to which the Interim Report relates, as required by DTR 4.2.7 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules. This includes a description of the important events that occurred during the first half of the year and refers to the principal risks and uncertainties facing Phoenix Group Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries for the remaining six months of the year; and

the Interim Report includes, as required by DTR 4.2.8, a fair view of the information required on material transactions with related parties and any material changes in related party transactions described in the last annual report.

CLIVE BANNISTER                                               JAMES MCCONVILLE

Group Chief Executive Officer                     Group Finance Director

St Helier, Jersey
24 AUGUST 2016

 

PHOENIX GROUP HOLDINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN
Henry Staunton

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Clive Bannister
James Mcconville

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
René-Pierre Azria
Alastair Barbour
Ian Cormack
Isabel Hudson
Kory Sorenson
David Woods

 

AUDITOR'S REVIEW REPORT

To: The Board of Directors of Phoenix Group Holdings

INTRODUCTION

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2016 which comprises the condensed consolidated income statement, the condensed statement of consolidated comprehensive income, the pro forma reconciliation of Group operating profit to result attributable to owners, the condensed statement of consolidated financial position, the condensed statement of consolidated cash flows, the condensed statement of consolidated changes in equity and the related notes on pages 26 to 50. We have read the other information contained in the interim financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with guidance contained in International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 (UK and Ireland) 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.

DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

The interim financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors.

As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRSs'). The condensed set of financial statements included in this interim financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting'.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report based on our review.

SCOPE

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

CONCLUSION

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2016 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

Ernst & Young LLP

 

London
24 August 2016

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

For the half year ended 30 June 2016

 


Notes

Half year ended
30 Jun
 2016
£m

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Year
ended
31 Dec
 2015
£m

Gross premiums written


449

415

902

Less: premiums ceded to reinsurers


(25)

(28)

(1,376)

Net premiums written


424

387

(474)


 

 

 

 

Fees


36

47

95

Net investment income


4,450

372

1,064

Total revenue, net of reinsurance payable


4,910

806

685


 

 

 

 

Other operating income


16

4

7

Net income


4,926

810

692


 

 

 

 

Policyholder claims


(1,783)

(1,851)

(3,931)

Less: reinsurance recoveries


218

150

326

Change in insurance contract liabilities


(2,727)

1,617

2,959

Change in reinsurers' share of insurance contract liabilities


36

(233)

1,003

Transfer from unallocated surplus


32

40

84

Net policyholder claims and benefits incurred


(4,224)

(277)

441


 

 

 

 

Change in investment contract liabilities


(277)

(126)

(232)

Acquisition costs


(3)

(4)

(7)

Change in present value of future profits


(5)

(4)

(6)

Amortisation and impairment of acquired in-force business


(38)

(45)

(148)

Amortisation of customer relationships


(7)

(7)

(15)

Administrative expenses


(225)

(218)

(430)

Net income attributable to unitholders


(25)

(12)

(7)

Total operating expenses


(4,804)

(693)

(404)


 

 

 

 

Profit before finance costs and tax


122

117

288


 

 

 

 

Finance costs


(62)

(69)

(136)

Profit for the period before tax


60

48

152


 

 

 

 

Tax (charge)/credit attributable to policyholders' returns

6

(70)

31

33

(Loss)/profit before the tax attributable to owners


(10)

79

185


 

 

 

 

 Tax (charge)/credit

6

(57)

30

97

 Add: tax attributable to policyholders' returns

6

70

(31)

(33)

Tax credit/(charge) attributable to owners

6

13

(1)

64

Profit for the period attributable to owners

 

3

78

249


 

 

 

 

Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

Owners of the parent


2

51

201

Non-controlling interests

10

1

27

48



3

78

249






Earnings per share





Basic (pence per share)

7

0.2p

22.7p

89.8p

Diluted (pence per share)

7

0.2p

22.7p

89.6p

 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the half year ended 30 June 2016

 


Notes

Half year ended
30 Jun
 2016
£m

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
£m

Profit for the year


3

78

249

Other comprehensive income/(expense):





Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss:





Reclassification adjustments relating to foreign collective investment schemes disposed of in the period


-

(10)

(10)

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:





Owner-occupied property revaluation gains


-

-

4

Remeasurements of net defined benefit asset


239

(43)

11

Tax (charge)/credit relating to other comprehensive income items

6

(1)

1

(5)

Total other comprehensive income/(expense) for the period


238

(52)

-






Total comprehensive income for the period


241

26

249


 




Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

Owners of the parent


240

(1)

201

Non-controlling interests

10

1

27

48



241

26

249

 

PRO FORMA RECONCILIATION OF GROUP OPERATING PROFIT TO RESULT ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS

For the half year ended 30 June 2016

 


Notes

Half year ended
30 Jun
 2016
£m

Half year ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Year
ended
31 Dec
 2015
£m

Operating profit





Phoenix Life


108

141

336

Group costs


(1)

(6)

(12)

Total operating profit before adjusting items


107

135

324






Investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business

5.2

(147)

44

13

Variance on owners' funds

5.3

130

(4)

(12)

Amortisation on acquired in-force business


(33)

(41)

(75)

Amortisation of customer relationships


(7)

(7)

(15)

Non-recurring items

4.2

(14)

1

49

Profit before finance costs attributable to owners


36

128

284






Finance costs attributable to owners


(46)

(49)

(99)

(Loss)/profit before tax attributable to owners

4.2

(10)

79

185






Tax credit/(charge) attributable to owners


13

(1)

64

Profit for the period attributable to owners


3

78

249

 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION

As at 30 June 2016

 


Notes

30 Jun
2016
£m

30 Jun
2015
 £m

31 Dec
2015
 £m

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES










Equity attributable to owners of the parent





Share capital

9

-

-

-

Share premium


991

921

861

Shares held by employee benefit trust


(3)

(5)

(5)

Foreign currency translation reserve


96

93

96

Owner-occupied property revaluation reserve


4

-

4

Retained earnings


1,718

1,287

1,478

Total equity attributable to owners of the parent


2,806

2,296

2,434






Non-controlling interests

10

-

536

570






Total equity


2,806

2,832

3,004






Liabilities





Insurance contract liabilities





Liabilities under insurance contracts

12

42,642

41,184

39,983

Unallocated surplus


845

925

877



43,487

42,109

40,860

Financial liabilities

 

 

 

 

Investment contracts


7,867

8,250

7,905

Borrowings

13

1,748

2,108

1,998

Deposits received from reinsurers


414

385

378

Derivatives


1,780

1,700

1,360

Net asset value attributable to unitholders


6,499

5,218

5,120

Obligations for repayment of collateral received


2,064

818

725


14

20,372

18,479

17,486






Provisions


41

22

28



 

 

 

Deferred tax


355

331

354






Reinsurance payables


18

10

19

Payables related to direct insurance contracts


367

389

364

Current tax


17

58

7

Accruals and deferred income


146

146

128

Other payables


717

999

677

Liabilities classified as held for sale

3.2

1,671

1,895

1,587






Total liabilities


67,191

64,438

61,510






Total equity and liabilities


69,997

67,270

64,514

 


Notes

30 Jun
2016
 £m

30 Jun
2015
 £m

31 Dec
2015
 £m

ASSETS










Pension scheme asset

11

763

396

506






Intangible assets





Goodwill


39

39

39

Acquired in-force business


1,227

1,368

1,265

Customer relationships


195

210

202

Present value of future profits


12

19

17



1,473

1,636

1,523


 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment


19

15

19






Investment property


596

1,817

1,942


 

 

 

 

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

Loans and receivables


928

454

577

Derivatives


3,881

1,660

1,498

Equities


12,322

12,765

12,351

Investment in associate


458

-

-

Investment in joint venture


-

138

-

Fixed and variable rate income securities


34,028

35,871

31,814

Collective investment schemes


3,312

3,668

3,826


14

54,929

54,556

50,066

Insurance assets





Reinsurers' share of insurance contract liabilities


3,928

2,601

3,954

Reinsurance receivables


29

32

29

Insurance contract receivables


6

9

9



3,963

2,642

3,992






Current tax


2

5

47

Prepayments and accrued income


369

402

335

Other receivables


663

695

474

Cash and cash equivalents


5,621

3,245

3,940

Assets classified as held for sale

3.2

1,599

1,861

1,670






Total assets


69,997

67,270

64,514

 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

For the half year ended 30 June 2016

 


Notes

Half year ended
30 Jun 2016
£m

Half year ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Year
ended
31 Dec 2015
£m

Cash flows from operating activities

 




Cash generated/(utilised) by operations

15

1,601

(1,551)

(576)

Taxation paid

 

(4)

(103)

(110)

Net cash flows from operating activities

 

1,597

(1,654)

(686)


 




Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuing ordinary shares, net of associated commission and expenses

 

190

2

2

Proceeds from issuing shares in subsidiaries to non-controlling interests

 

-

10

35

Ordinary share dividends paid

8

(60)

(60)

(120)

Coupon paid on Perpetual Reset Capital Securities

10.1

(1)

(20)

(20)

Cash settlement of Perpetual Reset Capital Securities

10.1

(6)

(3)

(3)

Fees associated with the issuance of subordinated notes

13

-

(3)

(3)

Fees associated with the amendment of existing bank facility

 

(3)

-

-

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

10

-

(11)

(23)

Repayment of policyholder borrowings

 

(13)

(94)

(118)

Repayment of shareholder borrowings

 

-

(60)

(190)

Proceeds from new policyholder borrowings, net of associated expenses

 

-

99

99

Interest paid on policyholder borrowings

 

-

(3)

(15)

Interest paid on shareholder borrowings

 

(23)

(25)

(85)

Net cash flows from financing activities

 

84

(168)

(441)


 




Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

1,681

(1,822)

(1,127)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

 

3,940

5,067

5,067

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

 

5,621

3,245

3,940

 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the half year ended 30 June 2016

 


Share capital (note 9)
 £m

Share premium £m

Shares
held by employee benefit
trust
£m

Foreign currency translation reserve
£m

Owner-occupied property revaluation reserve  
£m

Retained earnings £m

Total
£m

Non- controlling interests (note 10) £m

Total
£m

At 1 January 2016

-

861

(5)

96

4

1,478

2,434

570

3,004











Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

-

2

2

1

3

Other comprehensive income for the period

-

-

-

-

-

238

238

-

238

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

-

-

-

240

240

1

241











Issue of ordinary share capital, net of associated commissions and expenses

-

190

-

-

-

-

190

-

190

Dividends paid on ordinary shares

-

(60)

-

-

-

-

(60)

-

(60)

Coupon paid to non-controlling interests, net of tax relief

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1)

(1)

Credit to equity for equity-settled share-based payments

-

-

-

-

-

2

2

-

2

Redemption of non-controlling interests

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(6)

(6)

Elimination of non-controlling interest following loss of control

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(564)

(564)

Shares distributed by employee benefit trust

-

-

2

-

-

(2)

-

-

-

At 30 June 2016

-

991

(3)

96

4

1,718

2,806

-

2,806

 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the half year ended 30 June 2015

 


Share
capital
(note 9)
 £m

Share premium £m

Shares held by employee benefit
trust
 £m

Foreign currency translation reserve
 £m

Retained earnings
 £m

Total
£m

Non- controlling interests (note 10)
 £m

Total
£m

At 1 January 2015

-

979

(8)

103

1,291

2,365

913

3,278

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

51

51

27

78

Other comprehensive expense for the period

-

-

-

(10)

(42)

(52)

-

(52)

Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period

-

-

-

(10)

9

(1)

27

26










Issue of ordinary share capital, net of associated commissions and expenses

-

2

-

-

-

2

-

2

Dividends paid on ordinary shares

-

(60)

-

-

-

(60)

-

(60)

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

-

-

-

-

-

-

(11)

(11)

Coupon paid to non-controlling interests, net of tax relief

-

-

-

-

-

-

(15)

(15)

Credit to equity for equity-settled share-based payments

-

-

-

-

2

2

-

2

Shares subscribed for by non-controlling interests

-

-

-

-

-

-

10

10

Exchange of non-controlling interests for subordinated notes

-

-

-

-

-

-

(388)

(388)

Loss on exchange of non-controlling interests

-

-

-

-

(12)

(12)

-

(12)

Shares distributed by employee benefit trust

-

-

3

-

(3)

-

-

-

At 30 June 2015

-

921

(5)

93

1,287

2,296

536

2,832

 


Share
capital
(note 9)
 £m

Share premium
 £m

Shares held by employee benefit
trust
 £m

Foreign currency translation reserve
 £m

Owner-occupied property revaluation reserve
 £m

Retained earnings
 £m

Total
 £m

Non- controlling interests (note 10)
 £m

Total
£m

At 1 January 2015

-

979

(8)

103

-

1,291

2,365

913

3,278











Profit for the period

-

-

-

3

-

198

201

48

249

Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the period

-

-

-

(10)

4

6

-

-

-

Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period

-

-

-

(7)

4

204

201

48

249











Issue of ordinary share capital, net of associated commissions and expenses

-

2

-

-

-

-

2

-

2

Dividends paid on ordinary shares

-

(120)

-

-

-

-

(120)

-

(120)

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(23)

(23)

Coupon paid to non-controlling interests, net of tax relief

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(15)

(15)

Credit to equity for equity-settled share-based payments

-

-

-

-

-

4

4

-

4

Shares subscribed for by non-controlling interests

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

35

35

Exchange of non-controlling interests for subordinated notes

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(388)

(388)

Loss on exchange of non-controlling interests

-

-

-

-

-

(12)

(12)

-

(12)

Shares distributed by employee benefit trust

-

-

9

-

-

(9)

-

-

-

Shares acquired by employee benefit trust

-

-

(6)

-

-

-

(6)

-

(6)

At 31 December 2015

-

861

(5)

96

4

1,478

2,434

570

3,004

 

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BASIS OF PREPARATION

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements ('the interim financial statements') for the half year ended 30 June 2016 comprise the interim financial statements of Phoenix Group Holdings ('the Company') and its subsidiaries (together referred to as 'the Group') as set out on pages 18 to 50 and were authorised by the Board of Directors for issue on 24 August 2016. The interim financial statements are unaudited but have been reviewed by the auditors, Ernst & Young LLP and their review report appears on page 17.

The interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ('IASB'). The accounting policies applied in the interim financial statements are consistent with those set out in the 2015 consolidated financial statements except for the adoption of new standards and interpretations effective from 1 January 2016 as referred to below.

The interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the 2015 consolidated financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the Group's 2015 Annual Report and Accounts.

In preparing the interim financial statements the Group has adopted the following standards, interpretations and amendments effective from 1 January 2016:

·  Annual Improvements to IFRS 2012 - 2014 cycle;

·  Disclosure initiative (amendments to IAS 1); and

·  Clarification of acceptable methods of depreciation and amortisation (amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38).

These standards, interpretations or amendments that have been applied for the first time in 2016 do not impact the 2016 interim financial statements, and are not expected to have a significant impact on the 2016 consolidated financial statements. The Group has not early adopted any other standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.

After making enquiries, the Directors consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these interim financial statements.

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the interim financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the 2015 consolidated financial statements.

As a result of the deconsolidation of the UK Commercial Property Trust Limited and the subsequent recognition of the Group's remaining interest in the structure as an associate during the period (see note 3.2.4), the Group accounting policy for associates is as noted below:

Investments in associates that are held for investment purposes are accounted for under IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement as permitted by IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures. These are measured at fair value through profit or loss. There are no investments in associates which are of a strategic nature.

The preparation of the interim financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. Following the implementation of the Solvency II regulatory regime effective from 1 January 2016, the Group has made certain changes to the assumptions and estimates used in the valuation of insurance contracts. Further details of the changes are included in note 12.3.

3. ACQUISITIONS, ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSALS

3.1 ACQUISITIONS

On 27 May 2016, the Group announced that Pearl Life Holdings Limited, a subsidiary undertaking of the Group, had entered into conditional agreements with AXA UK plc to acquire AXA Wealth's pensions and protection businesses. Cash consideration of £375 million (net of adjustment for expected items as at completion) will be payable on completion and will be funded through a combination of the net proceeds of an equity placing (see note 9) and a new short-term debt facility (see note 13).

Completion is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2016, subject to regulatory approvals.

3.2 ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF OPERATIONS CLASSIFIED AS HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSALS

The balances transferred to assets and liabilities classified as held for sale in the condensed statement of consolidated financial position as at 30 June 2016 relate to the anticipated Part VII transfer of a portfolio of annuity liabilities to ReAssure Limited (see note 3.2.1). The balances as at 30 June 2015 related to the anticipated Part VII transfer and the agreement to sell Scottish Mutual International (see note 3.2.2). The balances as at 31 December 2015 related to the anticipated Part VII transfer and the agreement to sell the Group's interest in an investment property joint venture held by Pearl Breakfast Unit Trust (see note 3.2.3).

Details of the loss of control of UK Commercial Property Trust Limited and the disposal of Castle Hill Credit Opportunities Holdings Limited are included in notes 3.2.4 and 3.2.5 respectively.


Carrying amount
30 Jun
2016
£m

Carrying amount
30 Jun
2015
£m

Carrying amount
31 Dec
2015
£m

Assets classified as held for sale:




Financial assets

-

177

-

Reinsurer's share of insurance contract liabilities

1,599

1,630

1,521

Investment in joint venture

-

-

149

Cash and cash equivalents

-

51

-

Other assets

-

3

-


1,599

1,861

1,670





Liabilities classified as held for sale:




Liabilities under insurance contracts

1,671

1,893

1,587

Payables related to direct insurance contracts

-

1

-

Other liabilities

-

1

-


1,671

1,895

1,587

3.2.1 ANNUITY LIABILITIES TRANSFER

On 31 July 2014, the Group entered into a reinsurance agreement, effective from 1 January 2014 to reinsure certain portfolios of the Group's annuity liabilities to ReAssure Life Limited (formerly Guardian Assurance Limited) in exchange for the transfer of financial assets of £1.7 billion. The annuity in-payment liabilities are currently held in the Group's with-profit funds. It is highly probable that the reinsurance agreement will be replaced by a formal scheme under Part VII of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to transfer the annuity liabilities to ReAssure Limited, a fellow subsidiary of ReAssure Life Limited. Management's expectations are that the necessary approvals will be in place by the end of 2016 and all parties remain committed to completing the Part VII. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities to be transferred have been classified as held for sale.

Liabilities classified as held for sale include the annuity liabilities reinsured to ReAssure Life Limited and directly attributable expense reserves where they will be extinguished at the time of transfer. Assets classified as held for sale include the associated reinsurer's share of insurance contract liabilities.

Under the terms of this reinsurance agreement, ReAssure Life Limited holds assets in a collateral account over which the Group has a fixed charge.

3.2.2 SCOTTISH MUTUAL INTERNATIONAL ('SMI')

On 29 June 2015, the Group and Harcourt Life Assurance Company Limited ('HLAC'), a subsidiary of Life Company Consolidation Group signed a disposal agreement under which HLAC agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital of SMI. Assets and liabilities of SMI were classified as held for sale as at 30 June 2015.

On 2 December 2015, the Group completed the sale for gross consideration of £14 million following a pre-completion capital reduction. The carrying value of the net assets transferred was £1 million, which excluded £11 million of recoverables under an intercompany reinsurance agreement that was previously eliminated on consolidation. Transaction costs were £2 million and no profit or loss was recognised on disposal.

3.2.3 PEARL BREAKFAST UNIT TRUST

On 25 February 2016, the Group completed the sale of its entire interest in the Pearl Breakfast Unit Trust. The units in the Pearl Breakfast Unit Trust were sold to Tesco Property Holdings (No.2) Limited and Tesco Property Holdings Limited. As part of the sale agreement Tesco plc also purchased the Group's investment in Tesco Property Partner (GP) Limited.

3.2.4 UK COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRUST LIMITED ('UKCPT')

In February 2016, the Group reduced its holding in the issued share capital of UKCPT to 48.9%. The Group deems that it no longer exercises control over UKCPT. The reduction in its ownership percentage below 50% coupled with the existence of a relationship agreement and a lack of representation on the Board has removed the Group's unilateral power of veto in general meetings and has placed additional restrictions on the ability of the Group to exercise control. Consequently, UKCPT has been deconsolidated from the date of this loss of control. No gain or loss arose on this effective disposal. The Group's investment in UKCPT is now treated as an associate and held at fair value.

The Group's remaining interest in UKCPT continues to be held in the with-profit funds of the Group's life companies. Therefore, the shareholder exposure to fair value movements in the Group's investment in UKCPT continues to be limited to the impact of those movements on the shareholder share of distributed profits of the relevant fund.

Net assets disposed of were as follows:


Carrying amount on the date of loss of control
£m

Cash received

2

Fair value of associate retained

498

Change in insurance contract liabilities

64

Less: Group's share of net assets at the date of loss of control


Investment property

(1,308)

Collective investment schemes

(51)

Other receivables

(15)

Cash and cash equivalents

(30)

Borrowings

248

Derivative liabilities

3

Other payables

25

Non-controlling interest

564

Profit recognised on loss of control

-

3.2.5 CASTLE HILL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES Holdings LIMITED ('CHCOHL')

During the second half of 2015, the Group completed the disposal of its entire investment in the sterling (class A) loan notes of CHCOHL. No gain or loss arose on the disposal of the investment as the net assets of the structure were carried at fair value in the consolidated financial statements.

4. SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

The Group defines and presents operating segments based on the information which is provided to the Board.

An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, including revenues and expenses relating to transactions with other components of the Group.

For management purposes, the Group is organised into business units based on their products and services and only had the Phoenix Life operating segment during the reporting period.

Segment performance is evaluated based on profit or loss which, in certain respects, is presented differently from profit or loss in the consolidated financial statements. Group financing (including finance costs) and owners' taxes are managed on a Group basis and are not allocated to individual operating segments.

Inter-segment transactions are set on an arm's length basis in a manner similar to transactions with third parties. Segment results include those transfers between business segments which are then eliminated on consolidation.

4.1 SEGMENTAL RESULT

Half year ended 30 June 2016


Phoenix
Life
£m

Unallocated Group
£m

Total
£m

Net premiums written

424

-

424

Fees

36

-

36

Net investment income

4,413

37

4,450

Other operating income

16

-

16





Net income

4,889

37

4,926





Net policyholder claims and benefits incurred

(4,224)

-

(4,224)

Amortisation:




Amortisation of acquired in-force business

(38)

-

(38)

Amortisation of customer relationships

(7)

-

(7)


(45)

-

(45)





Other expenses

(517)

(18)

(535)





Total expenses

(4,786)

(18)

(4,804)





Profit before finance costs and tax

103

19

122





Finance costs

(28)

(34)

(62)





Profit/(loss) before tax

75

(15)

60

Tax attributable to policyholders' returns

(70)

-

(70)

Segmental result before the tax attributable to owners

5

(15)

(10)

 

Half year ended 30 June 2015


Phoenix
Life
 £m

Unallocated Group
£m

Total
£m

Net premiums written

387

-

387

Fees

47

-

47

Net investment income:

364

8

372

Other operating income:

4

-

4





Net income

802

8

810





Net policyholder claims and benefits incurred

(277)

-

(277)

Amortisation:




Amortisation of acquired in-force business

(45)

-

(45)

Amortisation of customer relationships

(7)

-

(7)


(52)

-

(52)





Other expenses

(346)

(18)

(364)





Total expenses

(675)

(18)

(693)





Profit/(loss) before finance costs and tax

127

(10)

117





Finance costs

(32)

(37)

(69)





Profit/(loss) before tax

95

(47)

48

Tax attributable to policyholders' returns

31

-

31

Segmental result before the tax attributable to owners

126

(47)

79

 

Year ended 31 December 2015


Phoenix
Life
£m

Unallocated Group
£m

Total
£m

Net premiums written

(474)

-

(474)

95

-

95

1,048

16

1,064

7

-

7





Net income

676

16

692





441

-

441




(148)

-

(148)

Amortisation of customer relationships

(15)

-

(15)


(163)

-

(163)




(651)

(31)

(682)





Total operating expenses

(373)

(31)

(404)





303

(15)

288




Finance costs

(60)

(76)

(136)





243

(91)

152

Tax attributable to policyholders' returns

33

-

33

Segmental result before the tax attributable to owners

276

(91)

185

4.2 RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT/(LOSS) BEFORE ADJUSTING ITEMS TO THE SEGMENTAL RESULT

Half year ended 30 June 2016


Phoenix
Life
 £m

Unallocated Group
£m

Total
£m

Operating profit/(loss) before adjusting items

108

(1)

107

(147)

-

(147)

102

28

130

(33)

-

(33)

(7)

-

(7)

(6)

(8)

(14)

Finance costs attributable to owners

(12)

(34)

(46)

Segment result before the tax attributable to owners

5

(15)

(10)

Non-recurring items include:

a gain of £14 million arising as a result of a premium adjustment on the reassurance arrangement with RGA International following completion of a data review;

positive impact of pension increase exchange exercise of £3 million in respect of PGL Pension Scheme (see note 11);

the costs of providing for claims relating to creditor insurance underwritten prior to 2016 by a subsidiary of the Group, PA(GI) Limited, of £16 million;

corporate project costs of £12 million; and

net other one-off items totalling a cost of £3 million.

 

Half year ended 30 June 2015


Phoenix
Life
 £m

Unallocated
 Group
 £m

Total
£m

Operating profit/(loss) before adjusting items

141

(6)

135

Investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business

44

-

44

Variance on owners' funds

(1)

(3)

(4)

Amortisation of acquired in-force business

(41)

-

(41)

Amortisation of customer relationships

(7)

-

(7)

Non-recurring items

2

(1)

1

Finance costs attributable to owners

(12)

(37)

(49)

Segment result before the tax attributable to owners

126

(47)

79

Non-recurring items include:

the release of cost provisions associated with external regulatory changes, including the cap on workplace pension charges and the pension guidance levy of £11 million;

corporate project costs of £8 million; and

net other one-off items totalling a cost of £2 million.

 

Year ended 31 December 2015


Phoenix
Life
 £m

Unallocated
Group
£m

Total
£m

Operating profit/(loss) before adjusting items

336

(12)

324

Investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business

13

-

13

Variance on owners' funds

(7)

(5)

(12)

Amortisation of acquired in-force business

(75)

-

(75)

Amortisation of customer relationships

(15)

-

(15)

Non-recurring items

47

2

49

Finance costs attributable to owners

(23)

(76)

(99)

Segment result before the tax attributable to owners

276

(91)

185

Non-recurring items include:

gain of £49 million (net of £64 million impairment of associated acquired in-force business) arising as a result of the reassurance arrangement entered into with RGA International;

release of provisions associated with external regulatory changes, including the cap on workplace pension charges and the pension guidance levy, of £17 million;

corporate project costs of £13 million; and

net other one-off items (including Solvency II implementation and systems transformation costs) totalling a cost of £4 million.

5. INVESTMENT RETURN VARIANCES AND ECONOMIC ASSUMPTION CHANGES

The long-term nature of much of the Group's operations means that, for internal performance management, the effects of short-term economic volatility are treated as non-operating items. The Group focuses instead on an operating profit measure that incorporates an expected return on investments supporting its long-term business. The methodology for the determination of the expected investment return is explained below together with an analysis of investment return variances and economic assumption changes recognised outside of operating profit.

5.1 CALCULATION OF THE LONG-TERM INVESTMENT RETURN

The expected return on investments for both owner and policyholder funds is based on opening economic assumptions applied to the funds under management at the beginning of the reporting period. Expected investment return assumptions are derived actively, based on risk-free yields at the start of each financial year. In line with changes made to align assumptions and estimates used in the valuation of insurance contracts with the requirements of the Solvency II regime (see note 12.3), the assumptions used in the calculation of the long-term investment return have also been updated.

From 1 January 2016, the long-term risk-free rate used as a basis for deriving the long-term investment return is set by reference to the EIOPA swap curve plus 10bps (30 June 2015 and 31 December 2015: Annualised return on the FTSE UK gilt index plus 10bps). A risk premium of 350bps is added to the risk-free yield for equities (30 June 2015 and 31 December 2015: 300bps), 250bps for properties (30 June 2015 and 31 December 2015: 200bps), 150bps for other fixed interest assets (30 June 2015 and 31 December 2015: 100bps) and 50bps for gilts (30 June 2015 and 31 December 2015: nil). If the current period long-term investment return had been calculated using a gilts plus 10bps reference rate adjusted for the relevant risk premium (as used in prior periods), the impact on operating profit for the period would be negligible.

The principal assumptions underlying the calculation of the long-term investment return are:


Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
%

Half year ended
30 Jun
2015
%

Year
 ended
31 Dec
 2015
%

Equities

5.6

5.3

5.3

Properties

4.6

4.3

4.3

Gilts

2.6

2.3

2.3

Other fixed interest

3.6

3.3

3.3

5.2 LIFE ASSURANCE BUSINESS

Operating profit for life assurance business is based on expected investment returns on financial investments backing owners' and policyholder funds over the reporting period, with consistent allowance for the corresponding expected movements in liabilities. Operating profit includes the effect of variance in experience for non-economic items, for example mortality, persistency and expenses, and the effect of changes in non-economic assumptions. Changes due to economic items, for example market value movements and interest rate changes, which give rise to variances between actual and expected investment returns, and the impact of changes in economic assumptions on liabilities, are disclosed separately outside operating profit.

The movement in liabilities included in operating profit reflects both the change in liabilities due to the expected return on investments and the impact of experience variances and assumption changes for non-economic items.

The effect of differences between actual and expected economic experience on liabilities, and changes to economic assumptions used to value liabilities, are taken outside operating profit. For many types of long-term business, including unit-linked and with-profit funds, movements in asset values are offset by corresponding changes in liabilities, limiting the net impact on profit. For other long-term business the profit impact of economic volatility depends on the degree of matching of assets and liabilities, and exposure to financial options and guarantees.

The investment variances and economic assumption changes excluded from the long-term business operating profit are as follows:


Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
£m

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Year
ended
31 Dec
 2015
£m

Investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business

(147)

44

13

Negative investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business of £147 million in the first half of 2016 (half year ended 30 June 2015: positive £44 million; year ended 31 December 2015: positive £13 million) resulted from the adverse impact of a fall in yields on the life funds. Offsetting impacts have arisen in the owners' funds which hold interest rate hedging positions (see note 5.3). The investment return variances have also been adversely impacted by losses arising on equity hedging positions held by life funds following equity market gains in the period. Included in the negative variance is the minority share of the result of the consolidated UKCPT property investment structure prior to its derecognition as a subsidiary in the period of £1 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £26 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £46 million). 

5.3 OWNERS' FUNDS

For non-long-term business including owners' funds, the total investment income, including fair value gains, is analysed between a calculated longer-term return and short-term fluctuations.

The variances excluded from operating profit in relation to owners' funds are as follows:


Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
£m

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Year
ended
31 Dec 2015
£m

Variance on owners' funds of subsidiary undertakings

130

(4)

(12)

The positive variance on owners' funds of subsidiary undertakings of £130 million (30 June 2015: negative £4 million; 31 December 2015: negative £12 million) is principally driven by fair value gains on interest rate hedging positions held by the shareholder funds and holding companies. The majority of the gain reflects the impact of falling yields on interest rate hedging positions undertaken to protect the Life Company capital positions.

6. TAX CHARGE/(CREDIT)

6.1 CURRENT PERIOD TAX CHARGE/(CREDIT)


Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
£m

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Year
ended
31 Dec
 2015
£m

Current tax:




UK corporation tax

63

7

11

Overseas tax

-

6

8


63

13

19

Adjustment in respect of prior years

(5)

(10)

(99)

Total current tax charge/(credit)

58

3

(80)





Deferred tax:




Origination and reversal of temporary differences

(2)

(33)

7

Change in the rate of UK corporation tax

1

-

(24)

Total deferred tax credit

(1)

(33)

(17)

Total tax charge/(credit)

57

(30)

(97)





Attributable to:




- policyholders

70

(31)

(33)

- owners

(13)

1

(64)

Total tax charge/(credit)

57

(30)

(97)

The Group, as a proxy for policyholders in the UK, is required to pay taxes on investment income and gains each year. Accordingly, the tax credit or expense attributable to UK life assurance policyholder earnings is included in income tax expense. The tax charge/(credit) attributable to policyholder earnings was £70 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £(31) million; year ended 31 December 2015: £(33) million).

6.2 TAX CHARGED/(CREDITED) TO OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME


Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
£m

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Year
ended
31 Dec 2015
£m

Current tax credit on share schemes

-

-

(1)

Deferred tax charge on defined benefit schemes

1

-

5

Deferred tax (credit)/charge on share schemes

-

(1)

1

Total tax charged/(credited) to other comprehensive income

1

(1)

5

6.3 RECONCILIATION OF TAX CHARGE/(CREDIT)


Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
£m

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Year
ended
31 Dec 2015
£m

Profit before tax

60

48

152

Policyholder tax (charge)/credit

(70)

31

33

(Loss)/profit before the tax attributable to owners

(10)

79

185





Tax charge at standard UK1 rate of 20% (30 June 2015: 20.25%; 31 December 2015: 20.25%)

(2)

16

37

Non-taxable income and gains

(6)

(12)

(13)

Disallowable expenses

7

3

6

Prior year tax (credit)/charge for shareholders

(2)

5

(41)

Movement on acquired in-force amortisation at less than 20% (30 June 2015: 20.25%; 31 December 2015: 20.25%)

-

1

15

Profits taxed at rates other than 20% (30 June 2015: 20.25%; 31 December 2015: 20.25%)

(4)

(10)

(36)

Recognition of previously unrecognised deferred tax assets

(7)

(3)

(6)

Deferred tax rate change

1

-

(24)

Temporary differences not valued

-

-

(1)

Other

-

1

(1)

Owners' tax (credit)/charge

(13)

1

(64)

Policyholder tax charge/(credit)

70

(31)

(33)

Total tax charge/(credit) for the period

57

(30)

(97)

1.     The Phoenix Life operating segment operates predominately in the UK. The reconciliation of the tax charge/(credit) has therefore been completed by reference to the standard rate of UK tax rather than by reference to the Jersey income tax rate of 0% which is applicable to Phoenix Group Holdings.

The Finance Act 2014 set the rate of corporation tax at 20% from 1 April 2015. Finance (No.2) Act 2015 reduces the rate of corporation tax to 19% from April 2017 and 18% from April 2020. Consequently, a blended rate of tax has been used for the purposes of providing for deferred tax in these financial statements.

A further 1% reduction, to 17%, effective from April 2020 was announced in the 2016 Budget and will be introduced by future legislation. The benefit to the Group's net assets arising from the further 1% reduction in the tax rate is estimated at £7 million in total and will be recognised when the legislation is substantively enacted.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised for tax losses carried forward only to the extent that realisation of the related tax benefit is probable.


Half year
ended
30 Jun
2016
£m

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
£m

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of:




Tax losses carried forward

17

18

16

Provisions and other temporary differences

-

6

4

Deferred tax assets not recognised on capital losses2

87

114

89

2   These can only be recognised against future capital gains and have no expiry date.

7. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Group calculates its basic earnings per share based on the present shares in issue using the earnings attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.

Diluted earnings per share are calculated based on the potential future shares in issue assuming the conversion of all potentially dilutive ordinary shares. The weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of dilutive share awards granted to employees and warrants.

7.1 BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE

The result attributable to owners of the parent for the purposes of computing earnings per share has been calculated as set out below. This is after adjusting for the result attributable to non-controlling interests.


Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
£m

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Year
ended
31 Dec
 2015
£m

Profit for the period

3

78

249

Share of result attributable to non-controlling interests

(1)

(27)

(48)

Profit attributable to owners of the parent

2

51

201

The weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period is calculated as follows:


Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
Number
million

Half year
 ended
30 Jun
2015
Number
 million

Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
 Number
 million

Issued ordinary shares at beginning of the period

225

225

225

Effect of ordinary shares issued

4

-

-

Own shares held by employee benefit trust

(1)

(1)

(1)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

228

224

224

Basic earnings per share is as follows:


Half year
ended
30 Jun
2016
pence

Half year ended
30 Jun
2015
pence

Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
pence

Basic earnings per share

0.2

22.7

89.8

7.2 DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

The result attributable to owners for the parent used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share is the same as that used in the basic earnings per share calculation in note 7.1 above. The diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period is 229 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: 225 million; year ended 31 December 2015: 225 million). The Group's deferred bonus share schemes and sharesave share-based schemes increased the weighted average number of shares on a diluted basis by 373,129 for the half year ended 30 June 2016 (half year ended 30 June 2015: 637,830; year ended 31 December 2015: 490,276).

Diluted earnings per share is as follows:


Half year ended
30 Jun
 2016
pence

Half year
 ended
30 Jun
2015
pence

Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
pence

Diluted earnings per share

0.2

22.7

89.6

The following instruments could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future but have not been included in the diluted earnings per share figure because they did not have a dilutive effect for the periods presented due to the exercise price of the warrants being significantly higher than the share price of the Company:

·  5 million warrants issued to certain entities providing finance to the Group on 2 September 2009.

8. DIVIDENDS ON ORDINARY SHARES


Half year ended
30 Jun
2016
£m

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Year
ended
31 Dec
2015
£m

Dividend declared and paid

60

60

120

On 22 March 2016, the Board recommended a dividend of 26.7p per share in respect of the year ended 31 December 2015. The dividend was approved at the Company's Annual General Meeting, which was held on 11 May 2016. The dividend amounted to £60 million and was paid on 13 May 2016.

9. SHARE CAPITAL


30 Jun
2016
£

30 Jun
2015
£

31 Dec
2015
£

Authorised:




410 million (30 June 2015: 410 million; 31 December 2015: 410 million) ordinary shares of €0.0001 each

31,750

31,750

31,750





Issued and fully paid:




248.1 million (30 June 2015: 225.3 million; 31 December 2015: 225.4 million) ordinary shares of €0.0001 each

20,219

18,457

18,463

Movements in share capital during the period:


Number

£

Shares in issue at 1 January 2016

225,419,446

18,463

Placement of ordinary shares

22,542,000

1,748

Other ordinary shares issued in the period

103,528

8

Shares in issue at 30 June 2016

248,064,974

20,219

On 1 June 2016, the Group completed an equity placing of 22,542,000 new ordinary shares in association with the proposed acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection business (see note 3.1), which raised gross proceeds of £194 million. The proceeds from the equity placing, net of deduction of commissions and expenses, were £190 million.

During the year, the Company issued 103,528 shares at a total premium of £1 million in order to satisfy its obligation to employees under the Group's sharesave schemes.


Number

£

Shares in issue at 1 January 2015

225,090,284

18,439

Other ordinary shares issued in the period

256,156

18

Shares in issue at 30 June 2015

225,346,440

18,457

Other ordinary shares issued in the period

73,006

6

Shares in issue at 31 December 2015

225,419,446

18,463

During 2015, the Company issued 329,162 shares at a total premium of £2 million in order to satisfy its obligation to employees under the Group's sharesave schemes.

10. NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS


Perpetual
Reset
Capital
 Securities
 £m

UK Commercial
 Property
Trust
Limited
£m

Total
 £m

At 1 January 2016

7

563

570

-

1

1

(1)

-

(1)

(6)

-

(6)

Derecognition of non-controlling interest following loss of control

-

(564)

(564)

At 30 June 2016

-

-

-

 


Perpetual
Reset
Capital
 Securities
£m

UK
Commercial
 Property
Trust
 Limited
 £m

Total
£m

At 1 January 2015

408

505

913

1

26

27

-

(11)

(11)

(15)

-

(15)

(388)

-

(388)

Shares in subsidiaries subscribed for by non-controlling interests

-

10

10

At 30 June 2015

6

530

536

1

20

21

-

(12)

(12)

Shares in subsidiaries subscribed for by non-controlling interests

-

25

25

At 31 December 2015

7

563

570

10.1 PERPETUAL RESET CAPITAL SECURITIES

On 1 January 2010, Pearl Group Holdings (No.1) Limited ('PGH1') had in issue £500 million of Perpetual Reset Capital Securities ('the Notes'). Following amendments made to the Notes during 2010, the aggregate amount payable on redemption of the Notes was £425 million. On 23 January 2015, the Group exchanged 99% of the Notes for £428 million of new subordinated notes, issued by PGH Capital Limited and £3 million of cash. £32 million of the new notes are held by Group Companies. The exchange resulted in a loss of £12 million which was recognised in equity. On 23 January 2015, the coupon that was due on the Notes was settled with the noteholders that exchanged their Notes. On 25 April 2015, the 2015 coupon was settled in full with the remaining noteholders.

On 25 April 2016, the coupon that was due on the remaining Notes was settled and PGH1 redeemed the remaining £6 million of Notes at par.

10.2 UK COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRUST LIMITED ('UKCPT')

UKCPT is a property investment company which is domiciled in Guernsey and is admitted to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to trading on the London Stock Exchange. In February 2016, the Group reduced its holdings to 48.9% (half year ended 30 June 2015: 52%; year ended 31 December 2015: 50%) of the issued share capital of UKCPT. The Group deems that it no longer exercises control over UKCPT and as a result UKCPT has been deconsolidated from the effective date of this loss of control. The Group's remaining interest in UKCPT is recognised as an associate and held at fair value (see note 3.2.4).

11. PENSION SCHEMES

The condensed statement of consolidated financial position incorporates the pension scheme assets of the PGL Pension Scheme and the Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme as at 30 June 2016. The pension scheme asset of the PGL Pension Scheme amounted to £536 million (30 June 2015: £363 million; 31 December 2015: £401 million); this has been adjusted by £21 million (30 June 2015: £23 million; 31 December 2015: £22 million) to eliminate on consolidation the carrying value of insurance policies effected by the PGL Pension Scheme with the Group. The pension scheme asset of the Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme amounted to £227 million (30 June 2015: £33 million; 31 December 2015: £105 million). Pension scheme assets are stated after deduction of the provision for tax on that part of the economic surplus available as a refund on a winding-up of the scheme and after adjusting for the irrecoverable amount of minimum funding requirement obligations.

The triennial funding valuation of the PGL Pension Scheme as at 30 June 2015 was completed in June 2016. This showed a surplus as at 30 June 2015 of £164 million. There has been no change made to the current schedule of contributions and cash contributions of £15 million per annum will be paid to the PGL Pension Scheme until 31 August 2017. The triennial funding valuation of the Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme is expected to be completed in the second half of 2016.

In January 2016, the Group carried out a pension increase exchange exercise in respect of the PGL Pension Scheme. Existing in-scope pensioners were offered the option to exchange future non-statutory pension increases for a one-off uplift to their current pension, thereby reducing longevity and inflation risk for the Group. The financial effect of all acceptances received in the period has been recognised in the interim financial statements as a reduction in scheme liabilities of £3 million shown as a past service credit in the condensed consolidated income statement.

In February 2016, the Group commenced a flexible retirement option exercise whereby in scope members who are eligible to retire within the PGL Pension Scheme were offered paid for financial advice to assist them in making the decision whether to transfer out of the Scheme (based on standard terms) or to take a pension. The financial effect of all acceptances received as at 30 June 2016 have been recognised in the interim financial statements and no experience gain or loss on liabilities arose as a result of this exercise.

12. LIABILITIES UNDER INSURANCE CONTRACTS - ASSUMPTIONS

12.1 VALUATION OF PARTICIPATING INSURANCE AND INVESTMENT CONTRACTS

For participating business, which is with-profit business (insurance and investment contracts), the insurance contract liability is calculated on a realistic basis, adjusted to exclude the shareholders' share of future bonuses and the associated tax liability. This is a market consistent valuation, which involves placing a value on liabilities similar to the market value of assets with similar cash flow patterns.

12.2 VALUATION OF NON-PARTICIPATING INSURANCE CONTRACTS

The non-participating insurance contract liabilities are determined using either a net premium or gross premium valuation method.

12.3 PROCESS USED TO DETERMINE ASSUMPTIONS

Following the implementation of the Solvency II regulatory regime effective from 1 January 2016, the Group has made certain changes to the assumptions and estimates used in the valuation of insurance contracts, as follows:

·  In determining the discount rate to be applied when calculating participating and non-participating insurance contract liabilities, the Group has amended the risk-free reference curve from a gilt yield curve plus a liquidity premium of 10bps to the EIOPA swap curve plus 10bps.

·  For non-participating insurance contract liabilities, the Group has previously used a valuation rate of interest and adjusted the liability discount rate by reference to the yield on the assets backing the liabilities to account for credit, default and reinvestment risk. The Group now makes an explicit adjustment to the risk-free rate to adjust for illiquidity in respect of assets backing illiquid liabilities. The new approach does not take any additional credit for investment margins compared to the previous methodology.

For non-participating insurance contract liabilities, the Group previously derived demographic assumptions by adding an implicit prudent margin to best estimate assumptions. The Group has amended its approach in this regard and now sets assumptions at management's best estimates and recognises an explicit margin for demographic risks. For participating business in realistic basis companies, the assumptions about future demographic trends continue to represent 'best estimates'.

The assumption changes have been made to align the IFRS basis more closely with the requirements of Solvency II and move the basis closer to the Group's expectations of the requirements under the anticipated new IFRS on insurance contracts. As the Group manages its capital in accordance with Solvency II, the changes outlined above will mean the IFRS results will more closely reflect the way the business is managed and the Group's risk hedging strategies. In particular, the sensitivity of the Group's results to movements in interest rates is significantly reduced.

The amendments to the risk-free reference rate and the approach for adjusting for illiquidity increased insurance liabilities by £77 million. This has been more than offset by the impact of the change in approach for determining the demographic prudence margin, which reduced insurance liabilities by £122 million. After allowing for other second order impacts of the changes (including the revaluation of certain current liabilities using the swap rather than gilt curve), the overall impact of the above changes in the period is a benefit to IFRS profit before tax of £38 million.

During the period a number of other changes were made to assumptions to reflect changes in expected experience or to harmonise the approach across the enlarged Group. The impact of the more significant changes during the period was as follows:


(Decrease)/
increase in insurance liabilities 30 Jun
2016
£m

Increase in
insurance
liabilities
30 Jun
2015
£m

(Decrease)/
increase in
insurance
liabilities
31 Dec
2015
£m

Change in longevity assumptions

(15)

10

(3)

Change in assumptions regarding policyholder take-up of options and guarantees

16

-

-

Change in persistency assumptions

-

-

1

Change in mortality assumptions

-

-

3

Change in expenses assumptions

-

-

5

13. BORROWINGS


30 Jun
2016
£m

30 Jun
2015
 £m

31 Dec
2015
 £m

Carrying value




Limited recourse bonds 2022 7.59%

67

74

66

Property reversions loan

186

173

194

£150 million term facility

-

148

148

£100 million facility agreement

-

99

99

Total policyholder borrowings

253

494

507





£200 million 7.25% unsecured subordinated loan

163

153

158

£300 million senior unsecured bond

298

298

298

£450 million revolving credit facility

-

442

443

£450 million amortising term loan

-

328

199

£428 million subordinated notes

393

393

393

£650 million unsecured revolving credit facility

641

-

-

Total shareholder borrowings

1,495

1,614

1,491





Total borrowings

1,748

2,108

1,998

In February 2016, the Group assessed that it no longer controlled UKCPT and consequently deconsolidated this group of subsidiaries effective from this date (see note 3.2.4). As a result the UKCPT £150 million and £100 million policyholder borrowings are no longer included within Group borrowings as at 30 June 2016.

In March 2016, the Group agreed an amendment of its £900 million 5 year unsecured bank facility into a £650 million unsecured revolving credit facility, maturing in June 2020. There are no mandatory amortisation or target amortisation payments associated with the facility but prepayments are permissible. The facility accrues interest at LIBOR plus 1.35% per annum, which would change if there were a change in the guarantor's credit rating. A utilisation fee of 0.40% per annum is payable in respect of the facility, which would reduce if the amount outstanding under the facility reduced to 67% or below. In June 2016, the £650 million facility was fully drawn.

In May 2016, the Group entered into a £220 million short-term debt facility as part of the financing of the planned acquisition of AXA Wealth's pensions and protection businesses (see note 3.1). The facility matures 12 months after the transaction closes and, subject to fees, can be extended by two further six month periods. The facility accrues interest at LIBOR plus 0.85% for the first six months from draw down. As at 30 June 2016, the facility had not been drawn down.

14. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

14.1 FAIR VALUES

The table below sets out a comparison of the carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments:

Financial assets


30 Jun 2016


30 Jun 2015


31 Dec 2015


Carrying
value
£m

Fair
value
£m


Carrying
value
£m

Fair
value
£m


Carrying
value
£m

Fair
value
£m

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held for trading - derivatives

3,881

3,881

 

1,660

1,660

 

1,498

1,498

Designated upon initial recognition:



 



 



Loans and receivables

331

331

 

273

273

 

268

268

Equities

12,322

12,322

 

12,830

12,830

 

12,351

12,351

Investment in associate

458

458

 

-

-

 

-

-

Investment in joint venture

-

-

 

138

138

 

149

149

Fixed and variable rate income securities

34,028

34,028

 

35,939

35,939

 

31,814

31,814

Collective investment schemes

3,312

3,312

 

3,703

3,703

 

3,826

3,826

Loans and receivables at amortised cost

597

597

 

190

190

 

309

309

 

54,929

54,929

 

54,733

54,733

 

50,215

50,215

Less amounts classified as held for sale (note 3.2)

-

-

 

(177)

(177)

 

(149)

(149)

 

54,929

54,929

 

54,556

54,556

 

50,066

50,066

Financial liabilities


30 Jun 2016


30 Jun 2015


31 Dec 2015


Carrying
value
 £m

Fair
value
£m


Carrying
 value
 £m

Fair
value
£m


Carrying
 value
£m

Fair
value
 £m

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss:



 



 



Held for trading - derivatives

1,780

1,780

 

1,700

1,700

 

1,360

1,360

Designated upon initial recognition:



 



 



Borrowings

186

186

 

173

173

 

194

194

Net asset value attributable to unitholders

6,499

6,499

 

5,218

5,218

 

5,120

5,120

Investment contract liabilities

7,867

7,867

 

8,250

8,250

 

7,905

7,905


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings

1,562

1,629

 

1,935

2,046

 

1,804

1,907

Deposits received from reinsurers

414

414

 

385

385

 

378

378

Obligations for repayment of collateral received1

2,064

-

 

818

-

 

725

-


20,372

18,375

 

18,479

17,772

 

17,486

16,864

1   These liabilities have no expected settlement date. As the obligations relate to the repayment of collateral received in the form of cash, the liability is stated at the value of the consideration received and therefore no fair value has been disclosed.

14.2 FAIR VALUE HIERARCHY

14.2.1 Determination of fair value and fair value hierarchy of financial instruments

Level 1 financial instruments

The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets (such as exchange traded securities and derivatives) is based on quoted market prices at the period end provided by recognised pricing services. Market depth and bid-ask spreads are used to corroborate whether an active market exists for an instrument. Greater depth and narrower bid-ask spread indicates a higher liquidity in the instrument and are classed as Level 1 inputs. For collective investment schemes, fair value is by reference to published bid prices.

Level 2 financial instruments

Financial instruments traded in active markets with less depth or wider bid-ask spreads which do not meet the classification as Level 1 inputs, are classified as Level 2. The fair values of financial instruments not traded in active markets are determined using broker quotes or valuation techniques with observable market inputs. Financial instruments valued using broker quotes are classified at Level 2, only where there is a sufficient range of available quotes. The fair value of unquoted equities, over-the-counter derivatives, loans and deposits and collective investment schemes, where published bid prices are not available, are estimated using pricing models or discounted cash flow techniques. Where pricing models are used, inputs are based on market related data at the period end. Where discounted cash flows are used, estimated future cash flows are based on management's best estimates and the discount rate used is a market related rate for a similar instrument.

Level 3 financial instruments

The Group's financial instruments determined by valuation techniques using non-observable market inputs are based on a combination of independent third party evidence and internally developed models. In relation to investments in hedge funds and private equity investments, non-observable third party evidence in the form of net asset valuation statements are used as the basis for the valuation. Adjustments may be made to the net asset valuation where other evidence, for example recent sales of the underlying investments in the fund, indicates this is required. Securities that are valued using broker quotes which could not be corroborated across a sufficient range of quotes are considered as Level 3. For a small number of investment vehicles and debt securities, standard valuation models are used, as due to their nature and complexity they have no external market. Inputs into such models are based on observable market data where applicable. The fair value of loans and some borrowings with no external market is determined by internally developed discounted cash flow models using appropriate assumptions corroborated with external market data where possible.

For financial instruments that are recognised at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing categorisation (based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the start of each reporting period.

14.2.2 Fair value hierarchy of financial instruments measured at fair value

At 30 June 2016


Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

Total fair value
£m

Financial assets measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

Derivatives

30

3,851

-

3,881

Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:





Loans and receivables

-

-

331

331

Equities

11,602

74

646

12,322

Investment in associate

458

-

-

458

Fixed and variable rate income securities

19,772

14,013

243

34,028

Collective investment schemes

2,727

499

86

3,312


34,559

14,586

1,306

50,451

Total financial assets at fair value

34,589

18,437

1,306

54,332

 


Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

Total fair value
£m

Financial liabilities measured at fair value





Derivatives

38

1,742

-

1,780

Financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:





Borrowings

-

-

186

186

Investment contract liabilities

-

7,867

-

7,867

Net asset value attributable to unitholders

6,499

-

-

6,499


6,499

7,867

186

14,552

Total financial liabilities at fair value

6,537

9,609

186

16,332

At 30 June 2015


Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

Total fair value
£m

Financial assets measured at fair value





Derivatives

38

1,622

-

1,660

Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:





Loans and receivables

-

-

273

273

Equities

12,008

193

629

12,830

Investment in joint venture

-

-

138

138

Fixed and variable rate income securities

24,073

11,180

686

35,939

Collective investment schemes

2,844

756

103

3,703


38,925

12,129

1,829

52,883

Less amounts classified as held for sale (note 3.2)

(168)

-

-

(168)

Total financial assets at fair value

38,795

13,751

1,829

54,375

 


Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

Total fair value
£m

Financial liabilities measured at fair value





Derivatives

4

1,696

-

1,700

Financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:





Borrowings

-

-

173

173

Investment contract liabilities

-

8,250

-

8,250

Net asset value attributable to unitholders

5,218

-

-

5,218


5,218

8,250

173

13,641

Total financial liabilities at fair value

5,222

9,946

173

15,341

At 31 December 2015


Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

Total fair value
£m

Financial assets measured at fair value





Derivatives

14

1,484

-

1,498

Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:





Loans and receivables

-

-

268

268

Equities

11,734

11

606

12,351

Investment in joint venture

-

-

149

149

Fixed and variable rate income securities

20,346

11,138

330

31,814

Collective investment schemes

3,098

646

82

3,826


35,178

11,795

1,435

48,408

Less amounts classified as held for sale (see note 3.2)

-

-

(149)

(149)

Total financial assets at fair value

35,192

13,279

1,286

49,757

 


Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

Total fair value
£m

Financial liabilities at fair value





Derivatives

33

1,327

-

1,360

Financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:





Borrowings

-

-

194

194

Investment contract liabilities

-

7,905

-

5,120

Net asset value attributable to unitholders

5,120

-

-

7,905


5,120

7,905

194

13,219

Total financial liabilities at fair value

5,153

9,232

194

14,579

14.2.3 Level 3 financial instrument sensitivities

Level 3 investments in indirect property, equities (including private equity) and collective investment schemes (including hedge funds) are valued using net asset statements provided by independent third parties, and therefore no sensitivity analysis has been prepared.

Fixed and variable rate securities categorised as Level 3 investments, with the exception of a property investment structure and certain local authority loans, are valued using broker quotes. Although such valuations are sensitive to estimates, it is believed that changing one or more of the assumptions to reasonably possible alternative assumptions would not change the fair value significantly.

Level 3 investments in fixed and variable income securities include a property investment structure with a value of £41 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £41 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £36 million).

The investment is valued by taking the fair value of the equity holdings in the structure, using market data less a discount spread to reflect reduced liquidity. The fair value of the debt in the structure is valued using a calculation model that takes a comparable overseas bond issue and applies a credit spread to reflect reduced liquidity.

The valuation of the debt investment is sensitive to a change in the credit spread whereby an increase of 100bps in the credit spread would decrease the value by £1 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £3 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £1 million) and a spread reduction of 100bps would increase the value by £1 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £4 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £1 million). The valuation of the equity investment is sensitive to changes in the equity discount rate, whereby an increase of 5% in the discount spread would decrease the value by £2 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £2 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £2 million) and a 5% reduction would increase the value by £1 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £3 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £1 million).

Also included within fixed and variable rate securities are investments in local authority loans. These investments are valued using a calculation model that takes a comparable UK Treasury stock and applies a credit spread to reflect reduced liquidity. The credit spread is derived from a sample broker quote. The valuations are sensitive to movements in this spread, an increase of 25bps would decrease the value by £1 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £1 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £1 million) and a decrease of 25bps would increase the value by £1 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £1 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £1 million).

Included within loans and receivables are investments in equity release mortgages with a value of £331 million (30 June 2015: £273 million; 31 December 2015: £268 million). The loans are valued using a discounted cash flow model, the key inputs to which include demographic assumptions, economic assumptions (including house price index) and the use of a Black-Scholes model for valuation of the no-negative equity guarantee. The no-negative equity guarantee caps the loan repayment in the event of death or entry into long-term care to be no greater than the sales proceeds from the property. The significant sensitivities arise from movements in the yield curve, inflation rate and house prices.

An increase of 100bps in the yield curve would decrease the value by £30 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £21 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £22 million) and a decrease of 100bps would increase the value by £35 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £25 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £25 million). An increase of 1% in the inflation rate would increase the value by £3 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £2 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £2 million) and a decrease of 1% would decrease the value by £4 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £3 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £3 million).

An increase of 10% in house prices would increase the value by £4 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £2 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £1 million) and a decrease of 10% would decrease the value by £2 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £2 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £1 million).

Borrowings measured at fair value and categorised as Level 3 financial liabilities comprise the property reversion loans, measured using an internally developed model. The valuation is sensitive to key assumptions of the discount rate and the house price inflation rate. An increase in the discount rate of 1% would decrease the value by £5 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £4 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £5 million) and a decrease of 1% would increase the value by £5 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £4 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £5 million). An increase of 1% in the house price inflation rate would increase the value by £6 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £5 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £6 million) and a decrease of 1% would decrease the value by £6 million (half year ended 30 June 2015: £5 million; year ended 31 December 2015: £6 million).

14.2.4 Transfers of financial instruments between Level 1 and Level 2

At 30 June 2016


From
Level 1 to Level 2
£m

From
Level 2 to Level 1
 £m

Financial assets at fair value



Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:



Fixed and variable rate income securities

293

234

Collective investment schemes

6

-

At 30 June 2015


From
Level 1 to Level 2
 £m

From
Level 2 to Level 1
 £m

Financial assets at fair value



Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:



Fixed and variable rate income securities

73

330

At 31 December 2015


From
Level 1 to Level 2
 £m

From
Level 2 to Level 1
 £m

Financial assets at fair value



Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition



Fixed and variable rate income securities

173

210

Consistent with the prior year, all the Group's Level 1 and Level 2 assets have been valued using standard market pricing sources.

The application of the Group's fair value hierarchy classification methodology at an individual security level with regard to market depth and bid-ask spreads on fixed and variable rate income securities and collective investment schemes has resulted in an overall net movement of financial assets from Level 1 to Level 2 in the period.

14.2.5 Movement in Level 3 financial instruments measured at fair value

30 June 2016


At
1 January
2016
£m

Total
gains/ (losses) in
income
statement
£m

Purchases
£m

Sales
£m

Transfers
from
Level 1
and Level 2
£m

Transfers
to
 Level 1
and Level 2
£m

At
30 June
2016
£m

Unrealised gains on assets
held at end
of period
£m

Financial assets









Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:









Loans and receivables

268

25

43

(5)

-

-

331

25

Equities

606

59

31

(51)

2

(1)

646

58

Investment in joint venture

149

-

-

(149)

-

-

-

-

Fixed and variable rate income securities

330

(2)

-

(97)

12

-

243

-

Collective investment schemes

82

1

2

1

-

-

86

1


1,435

83

76

(301)

14

(1)

1,306

84

Less amounts classified as held for sale (see note 3.2.3)

(149)

-

-

149

-

-

-

-

Total financial assets

1,286

83

76

(152)

14

(1)

1,306

84

 


At
1 January
 2016
 £m

Total
losses in
 income
 statement
£m

Purchases
 £m

Repay-ments
£m

Transfers
from
 Level 1
and Level 2
 £m

Transfers
to
 Level 1
and Level 2
£m

At
30 June
 2016
£m

Unrealised
 losses on
 liabilities
 held at end
 of period
£m

Financial liabilities









Financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:









Borrowings

194

4

-

(12)

-

-

186

4

Total financial liabilities

194

4

-

(12)

-

-

186

4

During the period, updates to the Group's observations, in particular with regard to bid-ask spreads of fixed and variable rate income securities, resulted in a net transfer from Levels 1 and 2 to Level 3.

Gains and losses on Level 3 financial instruments are included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated income statement. There were no gains or losses recognised in other comprehensive income.

30 June 2015


At
1 January
2015
£m

Total
(losses)
/gains in
income statement
 £m

Purchases
£m

Sales
£m

Transfers
from
Level 1
and Level 2
£m

Transfers
to
Level 1
and Level 2
£m

At
30 June
2015
£m

Unrealised
(losses)/
gains on
assets
held at end
of period
£m

Financial assets









Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:









Loans and receivables

-

(25)

298

-

-

-

273

(25)

Equities

704

19

31

(125)

7

(7)

629

5

Investment in joint venture

133

5

-

-

-

-

138

5

Fixed and variable rate income securities

735

(38)

390

(356)

6

(51)

686

(41)

Collective investment schemes

81

10

27

(15)

-

-

103

9

Total financial assets

1,653

(29)

746

(496)

13

(58)

1,829

(47)

 


At
1 January
2015
 £m

Total
(gains)
/losses in
income
 statement
 £m

Purchases
£m

Sales/ (repay- ments)
£m

Transfers
from
Level 1
and Level 2
 £m

Transfers
to
Level 1
and Level 2
£m

At
30 June
2015
£m

Unrealised
losses on
liabilities held at end
of period
£m

Financial liabilities









Derivatives

1

(1)

-

-

-

-

-

-

Financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:









Borrowings

184

3

-

(14)

-

-

173

3

Total financial liabilities

185

2

-

(14)

-

-

173

3

31 December 2015


At
1 January
 2015
£m

Total
(losses)/
gains in
 income
statement
£m

Purchases
£m

Sales
 £m

Transfers
 from
 Level 1
and Level 2
£m

Transfers
to
Level 1
and Level 2
 £m

At
31 December
 2015
£m

Unrealised
(losses)/gains on
 assets
held at end
 of period
 £m

Financial assets









Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:









Loans and receivables

-

(15)

298

(15)

-

-

268

(12)

Equities

704

(26)

79

(152)

4

(3)

606

(9)

Investment in joint ventures

133

16

-

-

-

-

149

16

Fixed and variable rate income securities

735

(34)

378

(724)

-

(25)

330

(26)

Collective investment schemes

81

10

28

(37)

-

-

82

5


1,653

(49)

783

(928)

4

(28)

1,435

(26)

Less amounts classified as held for sale (see note 3.2.3)

(133)

(16)

-

-

-

-

(149)

-

Total financial assets

1,520

(65)

783

(928)

4

(28)

1,286

(26)

 


At
1 January
 2015
 £m

Total
losses in
 income
statement
£m

Purchases
£m

Sales/ repayments
£m

Transfers
 from
Level 1
and Level 2
 £m

Transfers
to
Level 1
and Level 2
£m

At
31 December 2015
£m

Unrealised losses on
 liabilities
held at end
of period
£m

Financial liabilities









Derivatives

1

-

-

-

-

(1)

-

-

Financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition:









Borrowings

184

37

-

(27)

-

-

194

37

Total financial liabilities

185

37

-

(27)

-

(1)

194

37

15. CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

The following analysis gives further detail behind the 'cash generated/(utilised) by operations' figure in the statement of consolidated cash flows.


Half year ended
30 Jun
 2016
£m

Half year
ended
30 Jun
2015
£m

Year
ended
31 Dec
 2015
£m

Profit for the period before tax

60

48

152

Non-cash movements in profit for the period before tax




Fair value losses/(gains) on:




Investment property

23

(52)

(140)

Financial assets

(3,497)

744

1,125

Change in fair value of borrowings

10

7

48

Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets

45

52

163

Change in present value of future profits

5

4

6

Change in unallocated surplus

32

(40)

(84)

Share-based payment charge

2

2

4

Interest expense on borrowings

62

69

136

Net interest income on Group defined benefit pension scheme asset

(10)

(8)

(17)

Pension scheme administrative expenses

1

1

3

Other gains on pension scheme

(3)

-

-

Cash in subsidiary disposed of net of cash received

(28)

-

-

Decrease/(increase) in investment assets

886

(1,125)

2,468

Decrease/(increase) in reinsurance assets

25

207

(1,134)

Increase/(decrease) in insurance contract and investment contract liabilities

2,688

(1,916)

(3,487)

Increase/(decrease) in deposits received from reinsurers

36

(23)

(30)

Increase/(decrease) in obligation for repayment of collateral received

1,339

(136)

(229)

Net (increase)/decrease in working capital

(75)

615

440

Cash generated/(utilised) by operations

1,601

(1,551)

(576)

16. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The nature of the related party transactions of the Group has not changed from those referred to in the Group's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015.

There were no transactions with related parties during the half year ended 30 June 2016 which have had a material effect on the results or financial position of the Group.

17. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

In the normal course of business the Group is exposed to certain legal issues, which involve litigation and arbitration. At the period end, the Group has a number of contingent liabilities in this regard, none of which are considered by the Directors to be material.

18. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

On 24 August 2016, the Board declared an interim dividend per share of 26.7p for the half year ended 30 June 2016 (half year ended 30 June 2015: 26.7p). The cost of this dividend has not been recognised as a liability in the interim financial statements for the half year ended 30 June 2016 and will be charged to the statement of consolidated changes in equity when paid.

 

ADDITIONAL LIFE COMPANY ASSET DISCLOSURES

The analysis of the asset portfolio provided below comprises the assets held by the Group's life companies. It excludes other Group assets such as cash held in the holding and service companies and the assets held by the non-controlling interest in consolidated collective investment schemes; and is stated net of derivative liabilities.

The following table provides an overview of the exposure by asset category of the Group's life companies' shareholder and policyholder funds:

30 June 2016

Carrying value

Shareholder and

non-profit funds1

£m

Participating

supported1

£m

Participating

 non-supported2

£m

Unit-linked2

£m

Total3

£m

Cash and cash equivalents

1,600

2,391

4,687

1,191

9,869

Debt securities - gilts

1,418

388

7,212

645

9,663

Debt securities - bonds

5,820

2,080

6,340

758

14,998

Equity securities

183

58

5,470

6,837

12,548

Property investments

135

75

702

309

1,221

Other investments4

759

297

2,143

119

3,318

At 30 June 2016

9,915

5,289

26,554

9,859

51,617

Cash and cash equivalents in Group holding companies





921

Cash and financial assets in other Group companies

 

 

 

 

309

Financial assets held by the non-controlling interest in consolidated collective investment schemes

 

 

 

 

6,519

Total Group consolidated assets

 

 

 

 

59,366

Comprised of:

 

 

 

 


Investment property





596

Financial assets





54,929

Cash and cash equivalents





5,621

Derivative liabilities





(1,780)

 

 

 

 

 

59,366

1   Includes assets where shareholders of the life companies bear the investment risk.

2   Includes assets where policyholders bear most of the investment risk.

3   This information is presented on a look through basis to underlying funds where available.

4   Includes equity release mortgages of £331 million, policy loans of £11 million, other loans of £19 million, net derivative assets of £2,350 million and other investments of £607 million.

31 December 2015

Carrying value

Shareholder and non-profit funds
 £m

Participating supported
£m

Participating
non-supported
£m

Unit-linked
£m

Total
£m

Cash and cash equivalents

1,236

2,498

3,921

1,065

8,720

Debt securities - gilts

1,262

818

7,275

602

9,957

Debt securities - bonds

5,203

1,380

6,263

724

13,570

Equity securities

186

62

5,231

7,294

12,773

Property investments

140

74

821

336

1,371

Other investments1

266

(31)

767

(1)

1,001

At 31 December 2015

8,293

4,801

24,278

10,020

47,392

Cash and cash equivalents in Group holding companies

 

 

 

 

706

Cash and financial assets in other Group companies

 

 

 

 

328

Financial assets held by the non-controlling interest in the consolidated UKCPT

 

 

 

 

838

Financial assets held by the non-controlling interest in consolidated collective investment schemes

 

 

 

 

5,473

Total Group consolidated assets

 

 

 

 

54,737

Comprised of:

 

 

 

 


Investment property

 

 

 

 

1,942

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

50,066

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

3,940

Assets held for sale

 

 

 

 

149

Derivative liabilities

 

 

 

 

(1,360)


 

 

 

 

54,737

1   Includes equity release mortgages of £268 million, policy loans of £11 million, other loans of £15 million, net derivative assets of £139 million and other investments of £568 million.

The following table analyses by type the debt securities of the life companies:

30 June 2016

Analysis by type of debt securities

Shareholder and non-profit funds
£m

Participating supported
£m

Participating non-supported
£m

Unit-linked
£m

Total
£m

Gilts

1,418

388

7,212

645

9,663

Other government and supranational2

832

562

2,322

306

4,022

Corporate - financial institutions

2,061

517

1,942

173

4,693

Corporate - other

2,355

296

1,514

232

4,397

Asset backed securities ('ABS')

572

705

562

47

1,886

At 30 June 2016

7,238

2,468

13,552

1,403

24,661

2   Includes debt issued by governments; public and statutory bodies; government backed institutions and supranationals.

31 December 2015

Analysis by type of debt securities

Shareholder and non-profit funds
£m

Participating supported
£m

Participating
non-supported
£m

Unit-linked
£m

Total
£m

Gilts

1,262

818

7,275

602

9,957

Other government and supranational

713

673

2,058

88

3,532

Corporate - financial institutions

1,859

367

1,588

153

3,967

Corporate - other

2,079

164

2,121

441

4,805

Asset backed securities ('ABS')

552

176

496

42

1,266

At 31 December 2015

6,465

2,198

13,538

1,326

23,527

The following table sets out a breakdown of the life companies' sovereign and supranational debt security holdings by country:

30 June 2016

Analysis of sovereign and supranational debt security holdings by country

Shareholder and non-profit funds
 £m

Participating supported
£m

Participating non-supported
£m

Unit-linked
£m

Total
£m

UK

1,607

495

7,580

660

10,342

Supranationals

348

157

466

19

990

USA

1

11

19

103

134

Germany

215

104

563

25

907

France

36

44

104

16

200

Netherlands

15

2

110

6

133

Italy

-

-

-

32

32

Spain

-

-

-

9

9

Other - non-Eurozone

28

128

662

76

894

Other - Eurozone

-

9

30

5

44

At 30 June 2016

2,250

950

9,534

951

13,685

31 December 2015

Analysis of sovereign and supranational debt security holdings by country

Shareholder and non-profit funds
 £m

Participating supported
£m

Participating
non-supported
£m

Unit-linked
£m

Total
£m

UK

1,400

905

7,560

609

10,474

Supranationals

310

195

553

17

1,075

USA

1

12

15

24

52

Germany

211

232

593

14

1,050

France

31

50

64

4

149

Netherlands

-

-

1

1

2

Italy

-

-

-

5

5

Spain

-

-

-

3

3

Other - non-Eurozone

22

87

511

13

633

Other - Eurozone

-

10

36

-

46

At 31 December 2015

1,975

1,491

9,333

690

13,489

The following table sets out a breakdown of the life companies' financial institution corporate debt security holdings by country:

30 June 2016

Analysis of financial institution corporate debt security holdings by country

Shareholder and non-profit funds
£m

Participating supported
£m

Participating non-supported
£m

Unit-linked
£m

Total
£m

UK

879

77

654

79

1,689

USA

472

61

384

20

937

Germany

34

21

54

1

110

France

65

17

64

3

149

Netherlands

191

50

213

24

478

Italy

8

-

7

-

15

Ireland

2

-

-

-

2

Spain

1

-

13

-

14

Other - non-Eurozone

386

272

526

45

1,229

Other - Eurozone

23

19

27

1

70

At 30 June 2016

2,061

517

1,942

173

4,693

31 December 2015

Analysis of financial institution corporate debt security holdings by country

Shareholder and non-profit funds
£m

Participating supported
£m

Participating
non-supported
£m

Unit-linked
£m

Total
£m

UK

845

151

566

71

1,633

USA

449

39

298

16

802

Germany

16

18

86

3

123

France

58

-

43

3

104

Netherlands

189

52

238

30

509

Italy

7

-

7

-

14

Ireland

28

1

12

-

41

Spain

3

-

12

-

15

Other - non-Eurozone

208

94

272

29

603

Other - Eurozone

56

12

54

1

123

At 31 December 2015

1,859

367

1,588

153

3,967

The following table sets out a breakdown of the life companies' corporate - other debt security holdings by country:

30 June 2016

Analysis of corporate - other debt security holdings by country

Shareholder and non-profit funds
£m

Participating supported
£m

Participating non-supported
£m

Unit-linked
£m

Total
£m

UK

1,220

97

809

123

2,249

USA

338

104

186

29

657

Germany

180

43

141

18

382

France

193

22

122

15

352

Netherlands

43

6

12

4

65

Portugal

-

-

5

-

5

Italy

59

1

39

7

106

Ireland

4

-

1

5

10

Spain

49

-

23

5

77

Other - non-Eurozone

250

8

156

24

438

Other - Eurozone

19

15

20

2

56

At 30 June 2016

2,355

296

1,514

232

4,397

31 December 2015

Analysis of corporate - other debt security holdings by country

Shareholder and non-profit funds
£m

Participating supported
£m

Participating
non-supported
£m

Unit-linked
£m

Total
£m

UK

1,073

76

1,607

363

3,119

USA

288

33

115

15

451

Germany

142

24

93

15

274

France

173

15

113

20

321

Netherlands

39

-

19

3

61

Italy

56

2

27

3

88

Ireland

1

-

2

2

5

Spain

45

-

24

2

71

Other - non-Eurozone

190

13

77

11

291

Other - Eurozone

72

1

44

7

124

At 31 December 2015

2,079

164

2,121

441

4,805

The following table sets out a breakdown of the life companies' ABS holdings by country:

30 June 2016

Analysis of ABS holdings by country

Shareholder and non-profit funds
£m

Participating supported
£m

Participating non-supported
 £m

Unit-linked
£m

Total
£m

UK

515

458

477

44

1,494

USA

-

31

4

-

35

Germany

-

88

41

-

129

France

-

32

-

-

32

Netherlands

9

67

21

1

98

Ireland

27

1

12

-

40

Other - non-Eurozone

21

28

7

2

58

At 30 June 2016

572

705

562

47

1,886

31 December 2015

Analysis of ABS holdings by country

Shareholder and non-profit funds
£m

Participating supported
£m

Participating
non-supported
£m

Unit-linked
£m

Total
£m

UK

499

172

399

41

1,111

USA

3

-

4

-

7

Germany

-

-

28

-

28

France

-

1

-

-

1

Netherlands

10

-

20

1

31

Italy

-

-

12

-

12

Spain

-

-

1

-

1

Other - non-Eurozone

40

-

10

-

50

Other - Eurozone

-

3

22

-

25

At 31 December 2015

552

176

496

42

1,266

The following table sets out the credit rating analysis of the debt portfolio:

30 June 2016

Credit rating analysis of debt portfolio

Shareholder and non-profit funds
£m

Participating supported
£m

Participating non-supported
 £m

Unit-linked
£m

Total
£m

AAA

843

998

1,564

180

3,585

AA

2,631

995

8,523

713

12,862

A

1,967

390

1,126

170

3,653

BBB

1,677

78

1,719

233

3,707

BB

84

3

177

24

288

B and below

-

1

250

5

256

Non-rated

36

3

193

78

310

At 30 June 2016

7,238

2,468

13,552

1,403

24,661

31 December 2015

Credit rating analysis of debt portfolio

Shareholder and non-profit funds
£m

Participating supported
£m

Participating
non-supported
£m

Unit-linked
£m

Total
£m

AAA

746

625

1,740

72

3,183

AA

2,336

1,272

8,443

487

12,538

A

1,618

189

902

84

2,793

BBB

1,635

92

1,751

179

3,657

BB

100

11

205

21

337

B and below

1

-

327

-

328

Non-rated

29

9

170

483

691

At 31 December 2015

6,465

2,198

13,538

1,326

23,527

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In this section


Shareholder information

58

Forward-looking statements

59

 

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Our Annual General Meeting ('AGM') was held on 11 May 2016 at 12.30pm (BST).

The voting results for our 2016 AGM, including proxy votes and votes withheld are available on our website at www.thephoenixgroup.com

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

MANAGING YOUR SHAREHOLDING

Our registrar, Computershare, maintains the Company's register of members. Shareholders may request a hard copy of this Interim Report from our registrar and if you have any further queries in respect of your shareholding, please contact them directly using the contact details set out below.

REGISTRAR DETAILS

Computershare Investor Services (Cayman) Limited
Queensway House
Hilgrove Street
St Helier
Jersey, JE1 1ES

Shareholder helpline number:                +44 (0) 370 702 0000

Fax number:                                           +44 (0) 370 703 6101

Shareholder helpline email address:      info@computershare.co.je

SHARE PRICE

You can access the current share price of Phoenix Group Holdings at www.thephoenixgroup.com

GROUP FINANCIAL CALENDAR FOR 2016

Announcement of unaudited six months' Interim Results

25 August 2016

 

2016 INTERIM DIVIDEND

Ex-dividend date

8 September 2016

Record date

9 September 2016

Interim 2016 dividend payment date

3 October 2016

2016 ANNUAL RESULTS

Our financial results for the year ended 31 December 2016 will be announced on 20 March 2017.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The 2016 Interim Report contains, and we may make other statements (verbal or otherwise) containing, forward-looking statements and other financial and/or statistical data about the Group's current plans, goals and expectations relating to future financial conditions, performance, results, strategy and/or objectives.

Statements containing the words: 'believes', 'intends', 'will', 'expects', 'plans', 'aims', 'seeks', 'targets', 'continues' and 'anticipates' or other words of similar meaning are forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements and other financial and/or statistical data involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the Group's control. For example, certain insurance risk disclosures are dependent on the Group's choices about assumptions and models, which by their nature are estimates. As such, actual future gains and losses could differ materially from those that we have estimated. Other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by forward-looking statements include but are not limited to:

Domestic and global economic and business conditions.

Asset prices.

Market related risks such as fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates, and the performance of financial markets generally.

The policies and actions of governmental and/or regulatory authorities, including, for example, new government initiatives related to the financial crisis and ultimate transition to the European Union's 'Solvency II' Directive on the Group's capital maintenance requirements.

The political, legal and economic effects of the UK's vote to leave the European Union.

The impact of inflation and deflation.

Market competition.

Changes in assumptions in pricing and reserving for insurance business (particularly with regard to mortality and morbidity trends, gender pricing and lapse rates).

The timing, impact and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or combinations within relevant industries.

Risks associated with arrangements with third parties.

Inability of reinsurers to meet obligations or unavailability of reinsurance coverage.

The impact of changes in capital, solvency or accounting standards, and tax and other legislation and regulations in the jurisdictions in which members of the Group operate.

As a result, the Group's actual future financial condition, performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set out in the forward-looking statements within the 2016 Interim Report.

The Group undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements contained within the 2016 Interim Report or any other forward-looking statements it may make or publish.

The 2016 Interim Report has been prepared for the members of the Company and no one else. The Company, its Directors or agents do not accept or assume responsibility to any other person in connection with this document and any such responsibility or liability is expressly disclaimed.

Nothing in the 2016 Interim Report is or should be construed as a profit forecast or estimate.

 

Notes

 

Online resources

 

Reducing our environmental impact

In line with our Corporate Responsibility programme, and as part of our desire to reduce our environmental impact, you can view key information on our website.

Investor relations

Our Investor Relations section includes information such as our most recent news and announcements, results presentations, annual and interim reports, share-price performance, AGM and EGM information, UK Regulatory Returns and contact information.

News and updates

To stay up-to-date with Phoenix Group news and other changes to our site's content, you can sign up for email alerts, which will notify you when content is added.

To sign up visit

www.thephoenixgroup.com/site-services/email-alerts.aspx

 

Phoenix Group Holdings

Registered address

Phoenix Group Holdings
PO Box 309
Ugland House
Grand Cayman KY1-1104
Cayman Islands

Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies Number 202172

Principal place of business

Phoenix Group Holdings
1st Floor
32 Commercial Street
St Helier JE2 3RU
Jersey


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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