2015 Interim Results

Released : 20 Aug 2015 07:00:24

RNS Number : 5619W
Phoenix Group Holdings
20 August 2015
 



20 August 2015

PHOENIX GROUP CONTINUES TO MAKE STRONG PROGRESS DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 2015

Phoenix Group, the UK's largest specialist closed life fund consolidator, today announces its results for the six months ended 30 June 2015.

Financial highlights

·     Investment grade credit rating achieved from Fitch Ratings, with the Group's two principal operating life companies being assigned an Insurer Financial Strength rating of "A"

·     £110 million of cash generation1 in H1 2015 (HY14: £332 million). The Group remains on track to achieve cash generation targets of £200 million - £250 million in 2015 and £2.8 billion between 2014 - 2019

·     £84 million of incremental MCEV enhancement achieved in H1 2015, on track to meet the incremental MCEV target of £400 million between 2014 - 2016 having achieved £345 million from management actions

·     Group MCEV of £2.6 billion at 30 June 2015 (FY14: £2.6 billion)

·     Group IFRS operating profit of £135 million in H1 2015 including £23 million from management actions (HY14: £266 million, including £114 million from management actions)

·     Financial Leverage2 of 39.2% at 30 June 2015 (FY14: 39.3%), with £60 million of bank debt amortisation paid in H1 2015

·     IGD surplus of £1.6 billion and IGD headroom of £0.8 billion at 30 June 2015 (FY14: £1.2 billion and £0.5 billion respectively)3

·     PLHL ICA surplus of £0.7 billion and PLHL ICA headroom of £0.6 billion at 30 June 2015 (FY14: £0.7 billion and £0.6 billion respectively)3

·     Interim dividend of 26.7p per share, in line with 2014 interim and final dividends, demonstrating our commitment to a stable and sustainable dividend for shareholders

Solvency II update

·     The Group submitted its application for regulatory approval of its Internal Model in June 2015

·     The Group expects to be well capitalised under the new Solvency II regime, with the Group capital position under Solvency II3 expected to be in excess of the current PLHL ICA surplus, subject to regulatory approval

Operational highlights

·     Implemented options for customers to take advantage of the new pension freedoms introduced in April, either directly by Phoenix Group or through its partnership agreements with other product providers

·      Exchange offer of Tier 1 bonds into new subordinated notes with a maturity of 2025 completed in January 2015, with a 99% take-up rate by bondholders

·     Completed funds merger of National Provident Life Limited into Phoenix Life Assurance Limited

·     Simplification of Group corporate structure in H1 2015, increasing IGD surplus and providing a more appropriate Group structure for the Solvency II capital regime

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

"I am pleased to announce strong progress for the six months to 30 June 2015, including the recent achievement of an investment grade credit rating for Phoenix Group.

The underlying strength of the business model and the stable and predictable long term cash generation has enabled us to declare a 2015 interim dividend of 26.7p per share, in line with the 2014 interim dividend. We are in a sound financial position as we transition to Solvency II and I look forward to providing further detail on the progress of our Internal Model application during the remainder of this year.

With the investment grade credit rating and continued financial delivery against our targets we are well placed to build on our existing position as the UK's largest specialist consolidator of closed life funds."

Enquiries

Investors:

Samuel Perowne

Head of Investor Relations, Phoenix Group

+44 (0) 20 3735 0021

 

Media:

Neil Bennett, Tom Eckersley

Maitland

+ 44 (0) 20 7379 5151

Presentation

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

J.P.Morgan, John Carpenter Street, 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

A scrip dividend option is not available. Key dates for the payment of the interim dividend of 26.7p per share are as follows:

            Ex-dividend date on LSE        27 August 2015

            Record date                            28 August 2015

            Dividend payment date           1 October 2015

Notes

1.     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.

2.     Financial Leverage calculated as gross shareholder debt as a percentage of gross MCEV.

3.     Any references to IGD Group, IGD sensitivities, IGD, PLHL ICA or Solvency II relate to the relevant calculation for Phoenix Life Holdings Limited, the ultimate EEA insurance parent undertaking.

4.     Financial targets are based on the assumption that the Solvency II regulations operate as we expect.

5.     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.

6.     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 the Group has estimated.

7.     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 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.

8.     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 2015

 

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

2015 key performance indicators

£110m

Operating companies' cash generation

£2,575m

Group MCEV

39.2%

financial leverage

26.7p

Dividend per share

£135m

group ifrs operating profit

£1.6bn

igd surplus (estimated)

£0.7bn

plhl ica surplus (estimated)

 

Contents

Group CEO REPORT

 

Group Chief Executive Officer's report

02

BUSINESS REVIEW

 

Key performance indicators

08

Cash generation

10

Group MCEV

11

IFRS operating profit

13

Capital management

15

Capital resources

16

Principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group

17

IFRS CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Directors' responsibilities

21

Auditor's review report

22

Condensed consolidated interim

 

financial statements and notes

23

Additional life company asset disclosures

52

MCEV SUPPLEMENTARY information

 

Statement of Directors' responsibilities

59

Auditor's review report

60

MCEV interim financial statements and notes

61

Additional information

 

Shareholder information

75

Forward-looking statements

76

 

Group chief executive officer's report

the recent achievement of an investment grade credit rating is a testament to the financial strength of phoenix group.

Introduction

We have seen some significant regulatory and legislative changes impacting both Phoenix Group and the wider UK life insurance industry during the first half of the year. The introduction of new pension freedoms from 6 April 2015 has provided greater flexibility for our customers in their retirement planning but has also increased the complexity of their decision-making process. The new Solvency II capital regime has continued to develop and will be effective from 1 January 2016, the culmination of a long period of preparation over the last five years.

Phoenix Group has undertaken significant work during the first half to prepare for these developments. In co-operation with our outsource partners, we increased the operational capacity and skill levels of colleagues in preparation for the new pension freedoms as well as agreeing a wider partnership agreement with Just Retirement to provide customers with a range of product options. We have also successfully progressed with our preparation for Solvency II, submitting our Internal Model Application to the Prudential Regulatory Authority ('PRA') in June 2015.

The progress we have made over the past years in reducing leverage and simplifying the Group's structure has culminated in Fitch Ratings assigning the Group an investment grade credit rating earlier this month. This marks the achievement of an ambition set out in 2014 and reflects the Group's strong capital position, cash flows and track record. The achievement of an investment grade credit rating strengthens our position as the UK's largest specialist closed life fund consolidator and the Group will continue to develop its relationship with the debt capital markets as it seeks to deliver its strategy of closed life fund consolidation.

HY 2014: £332m

Operating companies' cash generation

 

We have taken further actions with regard to our debt structure, with the completion of the exchange of 99% of the Group's Tier 1 notes in January 2015 and the further repayment of £60 million of bank debt in the first six months of the year. We have also undertaken a simplification of the Group's structure following the refinancing of our two bank silos into a single facility that was completed in 2014. These actions have been important in providing a more appropriate debt and corporate structure in readiness for Solvency II.

The Board has declared an interim dividend for the first six months of 2015 of 26.7p per share which is scheduled to be paid on 1 October 2015 and is in line with the 2014 interim and final dividends. Given the long-term run-off nature of the Group's business, the Board believes it is prudent to maintain a stable, sustainable dividend while the Group builds its financial flexibility to execute its growth strategy and meet the external challenges.

Financial Performance

Delivery of financial targets

The Group set itself targets at the time of our Annual Results announcement in March, against which I am pleased to be able to report significant progress.

2015 is a transitional year to the new Solvency II capital regime and our cash generation targets incorporate assumptions about how the final Solvency II regulations are likely to be implemented. Against a full year cash generation target of £200 million to £250 million, £110 million was delivered in the first half of the year, taking the Group half way towards meeting the full year target. We have now achieved £1.1 billion of our longer term cash generation target of £2.8 billion from 2014 to 2019 and we remain on track to achieve both our 2015 and longer term cash generation targets. In addition, we anticipate a further £3.6 billion of cash generation from 2020 onwards, a clear demonstration of the long term cash flow potential of the Group.

Group MCEV was £2,575 million as at 30 June 2015, compared to £2,647 million as at the end of December 2014. The decrease since year end primarily reflects the payment of the 2014 final dividend and market movements during the period, partly offset by the achievement of a total of £84 million of management actions.

In March we announced an increased cumulative target of £400 million incremental embedded value from management actions between 2014 and 2016. The Group generated £84 million of incremental MCEV during the first half of 2015 and, having now achieved £345 million from management actions to date, remains on track to meet this increased target.

Group capital position and Solvency II

Our capital position remains robust with IGD surplus and headroom over the Group's regulatory capital policy estimated at £1.6 billion and £0.8 billion respectively at 30 June 2015, compared to IGD surplus of £1.2 billion and headroom of £0.5 billion at the end of December 2014. The increase is primarily due to the simplification of the Group's corporate structure, which has included Phoenix Life Holdings Limited ('PLHL') now recognising 100% of the capital resources and capital requirements of Impala Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries, increasing the IGD surplus by £0.3 billion.

At 30 June 2015, our PLHL ICA surplus was estimated to be £0.7 billion, with headroom over the £150 million capital policy of £0.6 billion. This is in line with the PLHL ICA surplus of £0.7 billion and headroom of £0.6 billion at 31 December 2014. The simplification in Group structure has not impacted the PLHL ICA surplus.

The Group's activities in relation to Solvency II have continued to be focused primarily on the preparation and submission of the Group's Internal Model Application, as well as on monitoring the progress of the development of the Solvency II regulations. The Group formally applied for regulatory approval of the Group's Internal Model, including the use of transitional measures, in June. This application is the culmination of many years of hard work across multiple areas of our business. We will continue to work with the PRA over the coming months as they review our application and expect to be notified of the outcome in December.

Our 2015 cash generation target incorporates assumptions about the impact of the new Solvency II regime on the Group, including our expectation that the technical provisions and capital requirements of the Group's life companies will be higher under Solvency II than the existing Individual Capital Assessment regime. However, this impact will be partly offset by transitional measures and, furthermore, we expect an improved Group capital position resulting from the change in the methodology applied to the Group pension schemes.

Although there remain uncertainties with regards to the new Solvency II capital regime, the Group expects to be well capitalised under Solvency II, with the Group capital position under Solvency II as calculated at PLHL expected to be in excess of the current PLHL ICA surplus. However, this is subject to regulatory approvals and should not be seen as representing the views of the PRA.

£135m

HY 2014: £266m

IFRS operating profit

The PRA has confirmed that transitional benefits will count as Tier 1 capital and so there is no adverse impact on the dividend-paying capacity of the Group from the use of transitional measures. In addition, we have £916 million of cash at the holding company level, providing further support for our stable and sustainable dividend policy.

Investment grade credit rating

The Group's robust financial position has been recognised by Fitch Ratings who assigned investment grade credit ratings for the Group's senior and subordinated debt in July. The investment grade ratings provide a number of benefits to the Group, including a 50bps reduction in the interest margin on the Group's bank debt to 262.5bps, effective from 28 August 2015, and broader access to the capital markets in future. With a wider potential investor universe the Group now has greater flexibility in future debt issuance, both with regards to the type and maturity of instruments, and an improved ability to issue regulatory compliant subordinated debt to support the Group's capital position.

Having achieved our ambition of an investment grade credit rating we will manage leverage at a level consistent with maintaining the investment grade rating.

IFRS Operating Profit

Finally, the Group achieved IFRS operating profits of £135 million in the first half of 2015 including £23 million from management actions, compared to £266 million in the first half of 2014, which included £114 million of management actions and a £17 million contribution from Ignis Asset Management before its divestment on 1 July 2014.

Operational highlights

Despite the ongoing changes impacting the UK life insurance industry, Phoenix Group has continued to simplify and streamline its business. Key actions taken during 2015 include:

-   The Part VII transfer of the business of National Provident Life Limited into Phoenix Life Assurance Limited. This funds merger reduces the number of UK life insurance companies within the Group to two and the Group will examine the possible merger of the remaining two life companies in due course.

-   An exchange offer of the Group's Tier 1 notes into new subordinated notes with a maturity of 2025 was completed in January 2015, with a 99% take up rate by noteholders.

-   The simplification of the Group's corporate structure following the single silo bank facility put in place during 2014, with Impala Holdings Limited now 100% owned by PLHL. This Group simplification increased the IGD surplus by £0.3 billion and provides a more appropriate Group structure for the Solvency II capital regime.

-   The planned divestment of the Group's small Irish subsidiary, Scottish Mutual International ('SMI') for sale consideration of £14 million. The small scale of SMI, which has only 3,000 remaining policyholders, had become inefficient and the divestment further simplifies the Group's structure.

-   The acquisition of a £0.3 billion portfolio of equity release mortgages, in line with the strategy to diversify the asset portfolio by investing in new asset classes to support the Group's annuity liabilities.

This is an impressive list of achievements given the Group's ongoing Solvency II project and we will continue to seek ways to add value for customers and shareholders over the remainder of the year.

Regulatory and Legislative changes

The first half of 2015 saw a number of key regulatory changes to the UK life insurance sector.

The ending of compulsory annuitisation of pension pots, announced at the time of the 2014 Budget, is having a significant impact across the UK life insurance industry. Phoenix Group only provides annuities for vesting policyholders and wrote a total of £208 million of annuities in the first half of 2015, compared with £284 million in the first half of 2014. £164 million of these are annuities with attractive guaranteed annuity rates ('GARs'), and the take-up of these has remained high, in line with expectations. The guaranteed income that annuities provide remains an attractive option, particularly for many of our customers with larger pension pots of over £30,000. However, in line with expectations, we have seen volumes of non-GAR annuities that the Group writes fall by 47% since the first half of 2014 as policyholders continue to examine alternative options for their retirement.

The Financial Conduct Authority ('FCA') is expected to release its thematic review of the fair treatment of long-standing customers in life insurance during the second half of the year. We believe that the ongoing efforts of the Group to improve customer performance and service levels are a clear demonstration of good practice within the closed life fund market. In addition, as Phoenix does not write new products (other than vesting annuities) we do not believe that any actions arising from a review of cross-subsidisation would be relevant to us.

There are also a number of other ongoing reviews, including the HM Treasury consultation on pension transfers and early exit charges. Although the level of exit charges can vary by product, the average exit charge on our unit-linked policies is only around 1%. However, the Group looks forward to the publication of the consultation outcomes and will carefully examine any recommendations made.

Phoenix Group is currently undertaking significant activity in readiness for the changes to the Approved Persons regimes of the FCA and PRA. These changes are designed to meet the fit and proper requirements of the Solvency II Directive. In addition, the changes will address the requirements of the Senior Insurance Managers Regime, extending the conduct standards proposed for banks, as a result of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards, to the insurance sector.

Finally, Phoenix Life has established an Independent Governance Committee for contract-based workplace pensions. Consistent with the continuing focus on product governance within Phoenix, the Committee is reviewing data and considering proposals to ensure that customers in our workplace pension schemes are being treated fairly.

Customers

The most important change impacting our customers this year has undoubtedly been the introduction of the new pension freedoms from 6 April 2015. Phoenix Life has put in place an over-arching Retirement Strategy in reaction to the new pensions legislation, with the aim of being in a position to meet the future demands of our customers.

As expected, the number of customer calls has increased since the introduction of the new freedoms, with pension-related volumes immediately after 6 April being around twice the usual levels. While call volumes were high, we were very pleased that the actions we took in advance to increase our capacity such as increasing resource levels, extending contact centre opening hours, on-line retirement packs and outbound calling ensured a good customer experience was maintained.

It will take some time before the full impact of the new pension freedoms become clear, but to date around 15,000 customers have requested full encashment of their pension savings, with an average pot size of £13,000. However, the tax implications of full encashment are not well understood by many customers and Phoenix Life is therefore providing detailed information to customers on their options as well as promoting the availability of the Government's PensionWise service. In addition, customers are reminded of the value of guaranteed annuity rates within their products and encouraged to take financial advice before making important decisions on their pension savings.

To ensure that Phoenix Life customers have access to the range of options available under the new pension freedoms, Phoenix Life has agreed a wider partnership agreement with Just Retirement. This provides customers with a range of products, including the ability to 'shop around' for standard and enhanced annuities as well as offering a drawdown pension product. Access to enhanced annuities can increase the annuity income received by up to 40% and customers are strongly encouraged to investigate these and other options before making a final decision. The new partnership therefore also offers customers the ability to access financial advice as they plan for their retirement.

One unintended consequence of the new pension freedoms may be an increase in fraudsters targeting our customers. We therefore continue to take action to identify possible incidences of pension fraud where possible, but clearly there is now an increased responsibility for our customers to ensure that they understand how their retirement funds are invested.

Phoenix Life will continue to adapt its strategy with regard to the changes to the retirement market in order that customers are provided with access to information and a range of products and services. The investment already made in the operational capacity of Phoenix Life will allow the Group to continue to react to customer behaviour in the coming months.

Despite all the changes implemented in the first six months of the year, Phoenix Life has maintained a high level of customer service. We continue to deliver our Pensions Transfers and Open Market Options 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 the level of overall volumes of incoming servicing complaints being only 0.3% of transactions, as well as a customer satisfaction rating of 96% for the first six months. With regard to the number of our decisions that are subsequently overturned by the Financial Ombudsman Service, our overturn rate of 22% remains significantly below the industry benchmark of 33%. Finally, we remain on course to meet our 2015 target to deliver £50 million of management actions to increase the level of distributable estate, which directly benefits our with-profit policyholders through increased future bonuses.

Outlook

The first half of 2015 has been a busy one for the Group. In particular, the work undertaken for the introduction of Solvency II has involved a huge commitment from many employees and our Customer team has also capably managed the introduction of the new pension freedoms.

I continue to believe that the impact of regulatory changes will not only change the landscape of the UK life insurance industry but will also provide Phoenix with a number of opportunities, as open life companies are forced to reappraise their business models and strategies for their legacy policies. Following the achievement of the investment grade credit rating and continued financial delivery against our targets, the Group is well positioned to take advantage of these industry changes.

Irrespective of the wider ongoing challenges, our focus will remain on the continued delivery of strong organic performance across all of our key financial metrics and targets. We have consistently met or exceeded all of our public financial targets and this is a track record that we are committed to continuing.

On behalf of the Board I would like to welcome Henry Staunton as our new Chairman, replacing Howard Davies who is stepping down from the role at the end of August. In the last three years Howard has helped the Board, my Executive colleagues and me, to rebuild and strengthen Phoenix Group. We wish him well in the future with his new responsibilities and thank him for all his efforts.

I would also like to thank my colleagues for their hard work during the first half of the year and look forward to continuing to meet our financial objectives in future.

 

Clive Bannister

Group Chief Executive Officer

19 August 2015

Business REview

08

Key performance indicators

10

Cash generation

11

Group MCEV

13

IFRS operating profit

15

Capital management

16

Capital resources

17

Principal risks and uncertainties facing the group

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Operating companies' cash generation

£110m

HY14: £332m

With cash generation of £110 million the Group is on track to meet its full year cash generation target for 2015 of £200 million to £250 million.

Management actions contributed £20 million to cash generation through operational enhancements and de-risking activities.

The cumulative cash flow target for 2014 to 2019 is £2.8 billion1, including Ignis divestment proceeds. £1.1 billion out of £2.8 billion has been achieved by 30 June 2015.

1  This target has been set on the assumption that Solvency II regulations operate as expected.

Group MCEV

£2,575m

YE14: £2,647m

Group MCEV decreased by £72 million at 30 June 2015, reflecting the payment of the 2014 final dividend and market movements during the period. This has been partly offset by the delivery of £84 million of value enhancing management actions in the period.

The Group's incremental MCEV target is £400 million between 2014 and 2016, of which £345 million has now been delivered.

 

Financial leverage

39.2%

YE14: 39.3%

Financial leverage decreased to 39.2% at 30 June 2015, reflecting debt repayments in the period.

Fitch Ratings assigned the Group an investment grade credit rating in August 2015, which will trigger a further 50bps margin reduction on the outstanding bank facility effective from 28 August 2015.

The Group's financial leverage target is to manage our financial leverage to a level that is consistent with maintaining an investment grade credit rating.

IFRS OPERATING PROFIT

£135m

HY14: £266m

Group IFRS operating profit has decreased by £131 million to £135 million, principally reflecting the lower benefit generated from management actions of £23 million (HY14: £114 million) compared to the prior period and the divestment of Ignis on 1 July 2014.

IGD surplus (estimated)

£1.6bn

YE14: £1.2bn

The estimated IGD surplus has increased by £0.4 billion in the period. The increase is primarily due to the simplification of the Group's corporate structure, with Phoenix Life Holdings Limited ('PLHL') now recognising 100% of the capital resources and requirements of Impala Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries. The surplus of £1.6 billion represents headroom of £0.8 billion (YE14: £0.5 billion) over the Group's IGD regulatory capital policy.

PLHL ICA surplus (estimated)

£0.7bn

YE14: £0.7bn

The PLHL ICA surplus has remained stable at £0.7 billion as at 30 June 2015. The simplification in Group structure has not impacted the PLHL ICA surplus. The surplus of £0.7 billion represents headroom of £0.6 billion (YE14: £0.6 billion) over the PLHL ICA regulatory capital policy.

As agreed with the PRA, the Group aims to ensure that PLHL maintains an ICA surplus of at least £150 million.

Dividend per share

26.7p

HY14: 26.7p

Interim dividend per share of 26.7p.

The dividend is in line with the 2014 interim and final dividends.

Cash generation

Cash generation

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 June 2015

 £m

Half year ended

30 June 2014

 £m

988

995



Cash receipts from Phoenix Life

110

211

Cash receipts from Ignis

-

32

Other cash receipts

-

89

Total cash receipts1

110

332



Operating expenses

(13)

(13)

Pension scheme contributions

(8)

(13)

Debt interest

(32)

(59)

Total recurring outflows

(53)

(85)

Non-recurring outflows

(9)

(16)

(62)

(101)

Debt repayments

(60)

(85)

Shareholder dividend

(60)

(60)

(182)

(246)

916

1,081

1  Includes amounts received by the holding companies in respect of tax losses surrendered to the operating companies of £43 million (HY14: £4 million).

2  Closing balance at 30 June 2015 includes required prudential cash buffer of £150 million (30 June 2014: £150 million).

Cash receipts

Cash remitted by the operating companies was £110 million (HY14: £332 million), driven largely by the opening free surplus within the life companies and cash inflows of £20 million from management actions. Management actions increased cash flows through operational enhancements and de-risking activities. The reduction from the prior period reflects strengthening anticipated under Solvency II assumptions. The prior period also included cash receipts from Ignis which was disposed of in the second half of 2014, the sale of BA(GI) Limited and a one off benefit relating to the restructure of the PGL pension scheme.

The Group remains on track to meet its cash generation target range of between £200 million to £250 million in 2015.

Phoenix Life free surplus

The generation of free surplus, net of movements in required capital, underpins the cash remittances from Phoenix Life. The table below analyses the movement in free surplus of Phoenix Life which represents the life companies' free surplus:


Half year ended

30 June 2015

 £m

Half year ended

30 June 2014

 £m

196

529

IFRS operating profit

141

256

IFRS investment variances and non-recurring items

45

3

IFRS tax

(23)

(52)

Movements in capital requirements and policy

73

3

Valuation differences and other1

(7)

(149)

229

61

Cash distributed to holding companies

(110)

(211)

Closing free surplus1

315

379

1  Includes differences between valuation of assets and liabilities on an IFRS basis versus a capital basis.

The Phoenix Life free surplus of £315 million, which is based on a Solvency I basis, reflects the expected surplus arising and the inherent release of capital requirements from the run-off of the life funds, partly offset by cash distributions to the holding companies. The prior period comparative included the impact of the strengthening of stress assumptions in respect of longevity, credit and correlations.

Recurring cash outflows

Operating expenses of £13 million (HY14: £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 (HY14: £13 million) are in line with the latest triennial funding agreement, the decrease reflects that 2014 included a one off £5 million payment to the PGL Pension Scheme.

Debt interest decreased to £32 million (HY14: £59 million) includes the payment of £20 million of the Tier 1 notes and mainly reflects lower debt principal balances following repayment and refinancing activity in the second half of 2014. The coupons payable on both the PGH Capital senior bond and the PGH Capital subordinated notes is due in the second half of 2015.

Non-recurring cash outflows

Non-recurring cash outflows of £9 million reflect Group restructuring and corporate related projects.

Debt repayments and shareholder dividend

A prepayment of £30 million and a scheduled repayment of £30 million were made in respect of the PGH Capital facility.

The shareholder dividend of £60 million comprises the payment of the 2014 final dividend.

Group MCEV

Group MCEV

Group MCEV operating earnings1

The Group has generated MCEV operating earnings after tax of £73 million, a decrease of £89 million on the comparative period.

MCEV operating earnings

 

Half year ended

30 June 2015

 £m

 

Half year ended

30 June 2014

 £m

 

Life MCEV operating earnings2

89

181

Management services operating profit

15

16

Ignis operating profit - discontinued operations

-

17

Group costs

(13)

(10)

91

204

Tax on operating earnings

(18)

(42)

73

162

Economic variances on life business

(13)

(28)

Economic variances on non-life business

(6)

(37)

Other non-operating variances on life business

15

(132)

Non-recurring items on non-life business

(23)

59

Finance costs attributable to owners

(56)

(62)

Tax on non-operating earnings

-

20

(10)

(18)

 

1  The Phoenix Group Market Consistent Embedded Value methodology (referred to herein and in the supplementary information as MCEV) is set out in note 1 to the supplementary information. The asset  management (prior ot its disposal) and management services businesses are included in the Group MCEV at the value of their IFRS net assets. The Group MCEV does not include the future earnings from their businesses.

2  Life MCEV operating earnings are derived on an after tax basis. For presentational purposes, Life MCEV operating earnings before tax have been calculated by grossing up the after tax Life MCEV operating earnings. Life MCEV operating earnings before tax of £89 million (HY14: £181 million) are therefore calculated as £71 million operating earnings (HY14: £142 million) grossed up for tax at 20.25% (HY14: 21.5%).

Life MCEV operating earnings after tax

Other than vesting annuities and increments to existing policies, Phoenix Life is closed to new business. The principal underlying components of the Life MCEV operating earnings are therefore the expected existing business contribution together with non-economic experience variances and assumption changes.

Life MCEV operating earnings after tax

 

Half year ended

30 June 2015

 £m

 

Half year ended

30 June 2014

 £m

 

Expected existing business contribution

57

72

New business value

2

7

Non-economic experience variances and assumption changes:



Experience variances

(4)

36

Assumption changes

(20)

(17)

Other operating variances

36

44

Total non-economic experience variances and assumption changes

12

63

71

142

The Group uses long-term investment returns in calculating the expected existing business contribution. The expected contribution of £57 million after tax is £15 million lower than in 2014, primarily due to a decrease in the long-term risk-free rate used to calculate operating earnings. The long-term risk-free rate is based on the opening position at 1 January 2015.

New business value generated from vesting annuities without guarantees was £2 million (HY14: £7 million) after tax. New business value represents the value of vesting pension policies not reflected in the opening MCEV. These arise from pension policies which have no attaching annuity guarantees. The reduction reflects a decrease in volumes and reductions in margins following the implementation of the new rules on pension freedoms from 6 April 2015.

Non-economic experience variances and assumption changes increased MCEV by £12 million after tax in the period and primarily relate to the positive impact of modelling enhancements and balance sheet reviews undertaken in the period of £33 million. This has been partly offset by the adverse impact of strengthening longevity assumptions of £20 million.

Management services

Commentary on the management services companies is provided in the Group IFRS operating profit section.

Group costs

The Group costs of £13 million (HY14: £10 million) have increased compared to the prior period due to a reduction in long-term investment returns following the disposal of certain collective investment scheme holdings in 2014.

Economic variances

Negative economic variances on life business of £13 million before tax (HY14: negative £28 million) reflect the negative impact of the difference between actual short-term returns and the long-term investment return assumptions used to determine operating earnings and the impact of rising yields in the period. This has been partly offset by a gain on the purchase of a portfolio of equity release mortgages and the resultant increase in liquidity premium, together with positive equity returns and policyholder tax variances in the period.

Economic variances on non-life business are negative £6 million (HY14: negative £37 million), principally driven by a net increase in the market value of the PGH Capital debt instruments. The prior period result included losses of £40 million relating to an increase in the market value of the Tier 1 Notes, which were exchanged for new PGH Capital subordinated notes in January 2015.

Other non-operating variances on life business

Other non-operating variances on life business increased Group MCEV by £15 million (HY14: decrease £132 million) and principally comprise the partial release of provisions associated with external regulatory changes, including the cap on workplace pension charges and the pension guidance levy.

Non-recurring items on non-life business

Non-recurring items on non-life business decreased MCEV by £23 million before tax (HY14: increase £59 million). Non-recurring items include a loss of £22 million recognised on the exchange of the Tier 1 notes and related transaction expenses.

Non-recurring items in the comparative period included £68 million income received by Pearl Group Holdings (No. 1) Limited ('PGH1') from the with-profit funds in relation to the close-out of the PGL Pension Scheme longevity indemnity agreement, partly offset by £16 million of Group project and transformation costs, with net other one off items having a positive impact of £7 million.

Finance costs attributable to owners


Half year ended

30 June 2015

 £m

Half year ended

30 June 2014

 £m

Debt finance costs1

16

36

Other finance costs

20

-

Tier 1 notes coupon

20

26

56

62

1  Finance costs in respect of bank debt.

Debt finance costs have decreased by £6 million, reflecting lower debt principal balances following the repayments and refinancing activity in the second half of 2014.

Group MCEV

The movement from opening to closing Group MCEV is shown below:

Movement in Group MCEV

 

Half year ended

30 June 2015

£m

 

Half year ended

30 June 2014

£m

 

Group MCEV at 1 January

2,647

2,378

Group MCEV earnings after tax

(10)

(18)

Other comprehensive income:



Remeasurements and contributions on defined benefit pension schemes (net of tax)

(6)

32

Capital and dividend flows

(56)

(64)

2,575

2,328

Pension contributions of £6 million (net of tax) in respect of the PGL Pension Scheme (HY14: £10 million) were recognised in other comprehensive income during the period. There were no pension contributions made in respect of the Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme during the period. The prior year comparative included an actuarial gain of £42 million (net of tax) in respect of the Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme.

Capital and dividend flows in the period comprise external dividend payments of £60 million (HY14: £60 million) partly offset by movements in own shares held of £4 million.

 

IFRS OPERATING PROFIT

IFRS OPERATING PROFIT

Group IFRS operating profit

The Group has generated an IFRS operating profit of £135 million (HY14: £266 million).

Group operating profit

 

Half year ended

30 June 2015

 £m

 

Half year ended

30 June 2014

 £m

 

Phoenix Life

141

256

Ignis - discontinued operations

-

17

Group costs

(6)

(7)

135

266

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

44

59

Variance on owners' funds

(4)

-

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

(48)

(55)

Non-recurring items

1

9

128

279

Finance costs attributable to owners

(49)

(48)



79

258

-

(27)


79

231

Tax charge attributable to owners from continuing operations

(1)

(49)

Tax credit attributable to owners from discontinued operations

-

9

78

191

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 longer-term investment return are set out in note 5 to the IFRS condensed consolidated 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 June 2015

 £m

 

Half year ended

30 June 2014

 £m

 

With-profit

36

36

With-profit where internal capital support provided

9

(6)

Non-profit and unit-linked

76

205

Longer-term return on owners' funds

5

5

Management services

15

16

141

256

The with-profit operating profit of £36 million represents the shareholders' one-ninth share of the policyholder bonuses and is in line with the comparative period (HY14: £36 million).

The with-profit funds where internal capital support has been provided generated an operating profit of £9 million (HY14: £6 million loss). This mainly reflects the positive impact of modelling enhancements undertaken in the period of £15 million (HY14: £24 million adverse) partly offset by the negative impact of strengthening longevity assumptions.

The operating profit on non-profit and unit-linked funds was £76 million (HY14: £205 million). The decrease compared to the prior period reflects the lower one off positive impact from modelling enhancements and balance sheet reviews of £6 million (HY14: £138 million) and the negative impact of strengthening longevity assumptions.

Of the £76 million of non-profit and unit-linked IFRS operating profits, £4 million was generated on annuity new business (HY14: £14 million). The reduction reflects a decrease in volumes and reduction in margins following the implementation of the new rules on pension freedoms from 6 April 2015.

The longer-term return on owners' funds of £5 million (HY14: £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 £15 million (HY14: £16 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 reflects the impact of life company run-off.

Ignis

The prior period operating profit of the asset management business of £17 million represents its divisional result for the six months prior to its divestment from the Group on 1 July 2014.

Group costs

Group costs in the period were £6 million (HY14: £7 million). The reduction compared to the prior period reflects an increased return on the higher opening pension scheme surplus for both the PGL Pension Scheme and the Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme which has more than offset a reduction in long-term investment returns following the disposal of certain collective investment scheme holdings in 2014.

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

Positive investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business of £44 million (HY14: £59 million) include the minority share of the result of the consolidated UKCPT property investment structure of £26 million (HY14: £37 million). The remaining positive variance of £18 million reflects a gain on the purchase of a portfolio of equity release mortgages arising from the yield uplift on assets available to back annuity liabilities and the positive impact of increasing yields on short asset positions held relative to the longer term IFRS basis liabilities.

Variance on owners' funds

The negative variance on owners' funds of £4 million (HY14: £nil) is principally driven by negative investment return variances on investments and hedging positions held by the shareholder funds and holding companies.

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 £41 million (HY14: £48 million). Amortisation of other intangible assets totalled £7 million in the period (2014: £7 million).

Non-recurring items

Non-recurring items of £1 million positive (HY14: £9 million positive) include 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. The prior period result included income received by PGH1 of £68 million in relation to the close-out of the PGL Pension Scheme longevity indemnity agreement with the with-profit funds, partly offset by costs of £14 million arising from external regulatory changes with respect to the cap on workplace pension charges, £27 million of capitalised costs in respect of VAT on future investment management expenses arising as a result of the divestment of Ignis, corporate project costs of £11 million and net £7 million of costs associated with other items.

Finance costs attributable to owners


Half year ended

30 June 2015

 £m

Half year ended

30 June 2014

 £m

Bank finance costs

17

36

Other finance costs

32

12

49

48

Debt finance costs have increased by £1 million, reflecting the recognition of £12 million of finance costs relating to the new PGH Capital subordinated notes which were exchanged for the Tier 1 notes in January 2015. The coupon payable on the Tier 1 notes was previously recognised directly in equity. This has been largely offset by the impact of lower debt principal balances following debt repayments and the restructuring of the bank debt.

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, excluding Opal Re, have their centre of operations.

The Group tax charge for the period attributable to owners from continuing operations is £1 million (HY14: £49 million) based on a profit (after policyholder tax) of £79 million (HY14: £258 million). The actual charge is lower than the expected charge (based on the UK corporation tax rate of 20.25%) of £16 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 condensed consolidated interim financial statements for analysis with respect to continuing operations). The tax credit attributable to discontinued operations is £nil (HY14: £9 million).

Capital management

 

Capital management

The Group has continued to focus on capital and gearing during the period. Our capital position remains robust, the IGD surplus is £1.6 billion and the PLHL ICA surplus is £0.7 billion at 30 June 2015. In August 2015, Fitch Ratings assigned the Group an investment grade credit rating.

Regulatory capital requirements

IGD surplus (estimated)

Each UK life company must maintain sufficient capital at all times to meet the regulatory capital requirements mandated by the PRA. These measures are aggregated under the European Union Insurance Groups' Directive ('IGD') to calculate regulatory capital adequacy at a Group level.

The Group's IGD assessment is made at the level of the highest EEA insurance group holding company, which is Phoenix Life Holdings Limited ('PLHL'), a subsidiary of Phoenix Group Holdings. The estimated IGD surplus at 30 June 2015 is £1.6 billion (YE14: £1.2 billion). The components of the estimated IGD calculation are shown below:


Half year ended

30 June 2015

 £bn

Year ended

31 December 2014

 £bn

Group capital resources ('GCR')

6.5

5.5

Group capital resource requirement ('GCRR')

(4.9)

(4.3)

1.6

1.2

The estimated IGD surplus has increased by £0.4 billion in the period. The increase is primarily due to the simplification of the Group's corporate structure, with PLHL now recognising 100% of the capital resources and requirements of Impala Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries which has benefited the IGD surplus by £0.3 billion. The surplus of £1.6 billion represents headroom of £0.8 billion (YE14: £0.5 billion) over the Group's IGD regulatory capital policy.

The Group's regulatory capital policy, which is agreed with the PRA, is to maintain GCR at the PLHL level of:

-   105% of the with-profit insurance component ('WPICC'), being an additional capital requirement of with-profit funds plus

-   145% of the GCRR less the WPICC.

PLHL ICA surplus (estimated)

In accordance with PRA requirements, the Group undertakes an Individual Capital Assessment ('ICA') at the level of the highest EEA insurance group holding company, which is PLHL. This involves an assessment, on an economic basis, of the capital resources and requirements arising from the obligations and risks which exist outside the life companies.

As agreed with the PRA, the Group aims to ensure that PLHL maintains an ICA surplus of at least £150 million. The estimated PLHL ICA position at 30 June 2015 is set out below:


Half year ended

30 June 2015

 £bn

Year ended

31 December 2014

 £bn

Capital resources1

1.0

1.0

Capital resource requirements2

(0.3)

(0.3)

0.7

0.7

1  Capital resources includes the surplus over capital policy in the life companies and the net assets of the holding companies less pension scheme obligations calculated on an economic basis.

2  Capital requirements relate to the risks arising outside of the life companies including those in relation to the Group's staff pension schemes, offset by Group diversification benefits.

Headroom over the Group's £150 million capital policy was £0.6 billion as at 30 June 2015 (31 December 2014: £0.6 billion).

The PLHL ICA surplus has remained stable during the period. The simplification of the Group structure has not impacted the PLHL ICA surplus as the risk based calculation has historically recognised 100% of the capital resources and requirements of Impala Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries.

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 testing are provided below:


Estimated IGD surplus
30 June 2015
£bn

Estimated PLHL ICA surplus
 30 June 2015
£bn



Base: 30 June 2015

1.6

0.7

Following a 20% fall in equity markets

1.6

0.6

Following a 15% fall in property values

1.6

0.6

Following a 75bps increase in nominal yields1

1.5

0.8

Following a 75bps decrease in nominal yields1

1.6

0.6

Following credit spread widening2

1.6

0.5

1  75bps increase/decrease in nominal yields and a 75bps increase/decrease in inflation.

2  11-15 year term: AAA - 46bps, AA - 69bps, A - 102bps, BBB - 144bps.

The relative insensitivity of the Group's IGD surplus reflects the nature of Pillar 1 rules for with-profit funds which stipulate that the surplus estate is treated as policyholder liabilities. The sensitivities reflect the impact of market movements not only on the Group's life companies but also on its staff pension schemes.

Capital resources

Capital resources

The primary sources of capital used by the Group comprise equity shareholder funds as measured on an MCEV basis and shareholder borrowings.

Leverage

In managing capital the Group seeks to optimise the level of debt on its balance sheet. The Group's closed book business model allows it to operate with higher leverage than life companies that are still writing new business, as it does not need to fund upfront capital requirements and new business acquisition expenses.

Financial leverage ratio

The Group monitors the level of debt in its statement of consolidated financial position by reference to the financial leverage ratio. The financial leverage ratio is used to determine the interest margin payable on the PGH Capital bank facility.

The financial leverage ratio as at 30 June 2015 decreased to 39.2% (YE14: 39.3%) reflecting debt repayments in the period.

The financial leverage ratio is calculated as gross shareholder debt1 as a percentage of gross MCEV2. Gross shareholder debt and shareholder debt (including hybrid debt) included in MCEV at 30 June 2015 are set out in the table below:


Half year ended

30 June 2015

 £m

Year ended

31 December 2014

 £m

PGH Capital facility

780

840

PGH Capital senior bond

300

300

PGH Capital subordinated notes3

396

-

PLL subordinated debt

200

200

Tier 1 note4

6

394

1,682

1,734

Adjustments to include the following items at fair value:



PLL subordinated debt

12

12

PGH Capital senior bond

20

22

PGH Capital subordinated notes

7

-

Tier 1 notes4

-

(7)

1,721

1,761

1  Gross shareholder debt is defined as the notional face value of the shareholder and hybrid debt.

2  Gross MCEV is defined as the sum of Group MCEV and the value of shareholder and hybrid debt as included in the MCEV.

3  Total face value of the PGH Capital subordinated notes is £428 million (YE14: £nil), of which bonds with a face value of £32 million (YE14: £nil) are held by Group companies.

4  Total face value of the Tier 1 notes is £6 million (YE14: £425 million), of which bonds with a face value of £nil (YE14: £31 million) are held by Group companies.

The Group's gross shareholder debt decreased by £52 million to £1,682 million in the period. This reduction includes a prepayment of £30 million and a scheduled repayment of £30 million in respect of the PGH Capital facility.

In January 2015, the Group announced the exchange of 99% of the Group's Tier 1 notes for £428 million of new subordinated notes, issued by PGH Capital. As the new notes mature in 2025, the notes will be included in the financial leverage calculation at their notional face value of £396 million, excluding notes with a face value of £32 million held by Group companies.

In August 2015, Fitch Ratings assigned the Group an investment grade credit rating, which will trigger a further 50bps margin reduction on the outstanding bank facility effective from 28 August 2015. The Group's financial leverage target is to manage our financial leverage to a level that is consistent with maintaining an investment grade credit rating.

Further detail on shareholder debt is included in note 13 to the IFRS condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

PrincipAL risks and uncertainties

 

facing the Group

 

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 embedded value.

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.

-

Yields on UK government debt have increased over the past six months, which has improved the Group's excess capital position. The position is closely managed and actions are implemented in response to market movements.

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 of relevant debt securities. 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. 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 regularly monitors its counterparty exposure and has specific limits relating to individual holdings and counterparty credit rating. 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.

Adverse changes in experience versus actuarial assumptions.

The Group has liabilities under annuities and other policies that are sensitive to future longevity and mortality 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 embedded value, 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 a Reinsurance contract to manage this risk within appetite.

«

There has been no adverse change in experience over the period.

The implementation of the Solvency II Directive may impair the ability of the Group to meet cash flow targets.

During 2015, our activities in relation to Solvency II have been focused on the preparation of the Group's Internal Model Application (IMAP), as well as on monitoring the impact of, and reacting to, the developing Solvency II regulations.

The Group's IMAP submission was completed on 30 June 2015. Whilst the outcome of the submission is not yet known, the Group continues to work closely with the PRA on the implementation of the Directive. Contingency plans continue to be developed to mitigate adverse outcomes, should these be required.

«

Over 2015, clarity on Solvency II regulations has improved but uncertainties remain in relation to the Group's IMAP and other Solvency II-related applications.

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 where regulatory expectations differ from existing practices.

The Group puts considerable effort into improving customer outcomes and 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.

¯

2014 and 2015 have seen a number of key regulatory changes to the UK life insurance sector.

The financial impacts of several of these changes have not yet fully crystallised and the Group continues to take actions to prepare for the possible range of outcomes, including the way in which our customers have reacted to the new options available at retirement.

Changes in the retirement marketplace may result in poor outcomes for customers.

The changes in the retirement marketplace have opened up a number of new options for customers. While these options provide greater flexibility for customers, customers need to engage with the process to ensure they make informed decisions that are suitable for their needs. Additionally, providers need to ensure that their processes facilitate effective decision making by customers. Failure to do this may result in a risk that a customer takes an option that they do not understand or that may not be appropriate for them.

Phoenix Life has made a number of changes to its retirement processes to take account of the changes. These include ensuring that appropriate risk warnings are provided to customers in advance of them taking a course of action. This is aligned to the new rules that the FCA have outlined in PS15/4.

-

The required changes to support the pension reforms on 6 April were successfully implemented. A partnership arrangement is in place that enables Phoenix customers to access the full range of retirement-related advice services and products. Customers also retain the option of accessing these services/products from elsewhere in the marketplace.

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, to the Group as a result of reviews conducted by the regulators or HM Treasury.

Customer

Pressure on charges

The potential impact of regulatory focus and industry wide reviews on Policyholder charges expected over the course of the next year.

Customer

 

IFRS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

21

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

22

Auditor'S review report

23

Condensed consolidated interim financial statements and notes

52

Additional life company ASSET DISCLOSURES

statement of DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The Board of Directors of Phoenix Group Holdings hereby declares that, to the best of its knowledge:

-   the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the half year ended 30 June 2015, 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 2015 and for the financial half year to which the Interim Report relates. 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 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

19 August 2015

 

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 2015 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 31 to 51. 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 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 2015 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34.

Ernst & Young LLP

London

19 August 2015

 

Condensed Consolidated income

 

statement

 

 

For the half year ended 30 June 2015

 


Notes

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Continuing operations





Gross premiums written


415

513

981

Less: premiums ceded to reinsurers


(28)

(31)

(1,792)

Net premiums written


387

482

(811)






Fees


47

50

94

Net investment income


372

2,052

6,034

Total revenue, net of reinsurance payable


806

2,584

5,317



 



Gain on transfer of business


-

4

4

Other operating income


4

5

9

Net income


810

2,593

5,330






Policyholder claims


(1,851)

(1,888)

(3,724)

Less: reinsurance recoveries


150

109

341

Change in insurance contract liabilities


1,617

56

(1,990)

Change in reinsurers' share of insurance contract liabilities


(233)

12

1,651

Transfer from/(to) unallocated surplus


40

(19)

(11)

Net policyholder claims and benefits incurred


(277)

(1,730)

(3,733)



 



Change in investment contract liabilities


(126)

(187)

(408)

Acquisition costs


(4)

(5)

(9)

Change in present value of future profits


(4)

(8)

(9)

Amortisation of acquired in-force business


(45)

(53)

(98)

Amortisation of customer relationships and other intangibles


(7)

(7)

(15)

Administrative expenses


(218)

(202)

(429)

Net income attributable to unitholders


(12)

(29)

(8)

Total operating expenses


(693)

(2,221)

(4,709)



 



Profit before finance costs and tax


117

372

621






Finance costs


(69)

(82)

(156)

Profit for the period before tax


48

290

465






Tax attributable to policyholders' returns

6

31

(32)

(129)

Profit before the tax attributable to owners


79

258

336






Tax credit/(charge)

6

30

(81)

(151)

Add: tax attributable to policyholders' returns

6

(31)

32

129

Tax charge attributable to owners

6

(1)

(49)

(22)

Profit from continuing operations for the period attributable to owners


78

209

314






Discontinued operations





(Loss)/profit from discontinued operations, net of tax

3

-

(18)

92

Profit for the period attributable to owners


78

191

406

 


Notes

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Attributable to:





Owners of the parent


51

144

310

Non-controlling interests

10

27

47

96



78

191

406






Earnings per share





Basic earnings per share

7

22.7p

64.1p

137.7p

Diluted earnings per share

7

22.7p

64.1p

137.5p

Earnings per share from continuing operations





Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

7

22.7p

72.3p

96.7p

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

7

22.7p

72.3p

96.5p

 

condensed statement of consolidated

 

comprehensive income

 

For the half year ended 30 June 2015


Notes

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Profit for the year from continuing operations


78

209

314

(Loss)/profit from discontinued operations


-

(18)

92



78

191

406

Other comprehensive (expense)/income:


 



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


 



Foreign exchange rate movements


-

(8)

10

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


(10)

-

-






Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:





Remeasurements of net defined benefit asset/liability


(43)

71

240

Tax credit relating to other comprehensive income items

6

1

8

11

Total other comprehensive (expense)/income for the period


(52)

71

261






Total comprehensive income for the period


26

262

667






Attributable to:





Owners of the parent


(1)

215

571

Non-controlling interests

10

27

47

96



26

262

667

 

PRO FORMA RECONCILIATION OF GROUP OPERATING

 

PROFIT TO RESULT ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS

 

For the half year ended 30 June 2015


Notes

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Operating profit





Phoenix Life


141

256

487

Ignis - discontinued operations


-

17

17



141

273

504

Group costs


(6)

(7)

(21)

Total operating profit before adjusting items


135

266

483






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

5.1

44

59

12

Variance on owners' funds

5.2

(4)

-

(14)

Amortisation on acquired in-force business


(41)

(48)

(88)

Amortisation of customer relationships and other intangibles


(7)

(7)

(15)

Non-recurring items

4.2

1

9

126

Profit before finance costs attributable to owners


128

279

504



 



Finance costs attributable to owners


(49)

(48)

(88)

Profit/(loss) before the tax attributable to owners:





From continuing operations


79

258

336

From discontinued operations


-

(27)

80


4.2

79

231

416






Tax charge attributable to owners from continuing operations


(1)

(49)

(22)

Tax credit attributable to owners from discontinued operations


-

9

12

Profit for the period attributable to owners


78

191

406

 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED

 

FINANCIAL POSITION

 

As at 30 June 2015


Notes

30 Jun 2015

 £m

30 Jun 2014

 £m

31 Dec 2014

 £m

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES










Equity attributable to owners of the parent





Share capital

9

-

-

-

Share premium


921

1,038

979

Shares held by employee benefit trust and Group entities


(5)

(14)

(8)

Foreign currency translation reserve


93

85

103

Retained earnings


1,287

951

1,291






Total equity attributable to owners of the parent


2,296

2,060

2,365



 



Non-controlling interests

10

536

825

913






Total equity


2,832

2,885

3,278



 



Liabilities


 





 



Pension scheme liability

11

-

98

-






Insurance contract liabilities





Liabilities under insurance contracts

12

41,184

42,657

42,930

Unallocated surplus


925

989

981








42,109

43,646

43,911

Financial liabilities





Investment contracts


8,250

8,508

8,451

Borrowings

13

2,108

2,285

1,762

Deposits received from reinsurers


385

384

408

Derivatives


1,700

1,616

2,192

Net asset value attributable to unitholders


5,218

5,431

4,659

Obligations for repayment of collateral received


818

5,324

954







14

18,479

23,548

18,426






Provisions


22

26

26






Deferred tax


331

335

364






Reinsurance payables


10

12

9

Payables related to direct insurance contracts


389

402

358

Current tax


58

149

165

Accruals and deferred income


146

92

130

Other payables


999

1,514

360

Liabilities classified as held for sale

3.2

1,895

111

1,776






Total liabilities


64,438

69,933

65,525






Total equity and liabilities


67,270

72,818

68,803

 

 


Notes

30 Jun 2015

 £m

30 Jun 2014

 £m

31 Dec 2014

 £m

ASSETS










Pension scheme asset

11

396

276

426






Intangible assets





Goodwill


39

39

39

Acquired in-force business


1,368

1,458

1,413

Customer relationships and other intangibles


210

225

217

Present value of future profits


19

24

23








1,636

1,746

1,692






Property, plant and equipment


15

15

15






Investment property


1,817

1,683

1,858






Financial assets


 



Loans and receivables


454

1,560

196

Derivatives


1,660

1,349

2,558

Equities


12,765

13,869

13,168

Investment in joint ventures


138

118

133

Fixed and variable rate income securities


35,871

35,643

34,384

Collective investment schemes


3,668

2,438

3,583







14

54,556

54,977

54,022

Insurance assets





Reinsurers' share of insurance contract liabilities


2,601

2,854

2,772

Reinsurance receivables


32

35

67

Insurance contract receivables


9

10

8








2,642

2,899

2,847






Current tax


5

7

8

Prepayments and accrued income


402

421

405

Other receivables


695

1,737

750

Cash and cash equivalents


3,245

8,692

5,067

Assets classified as held for sale

3.2

1,861

365

1,713






Total assets


67,270

72,818

68,803

 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED

 

CASH FLOWS

 

For the half year ended 30 June 2015

 


Notes

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Cash flows from operating activities





Cash utilised by operations

15

(1,551)

(310)

(3,716)

Taxation paid


(103)

(30)

(54)

Net cash flows from operating activities


(1,654)

(340)

(3,770)






Cash flows from investing activities





Proceeds from disposal of businesses, net of cash disposed of


-

21

332

Net cash flows from investing activities


-

21

332






Cash flows from financing activities





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

9

2

-

1

Proceeds from issuing shares in subsidiaries to non-controlling interests

10

10

33

82

Ordinary share dividends paid

8

(60)

(60)

(120)

Coupon paid on Perpetual Reset Capital Securities

10.1

(20)

(26)

(26)

Cash settlement of Perpetual Reset Capital Securities

10.1

(3)

-

-

Fees associated with the issuance of subordinated notes

13

(3)

-

-

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

10

(11)

(12)

(22)

Repayment of policyholder borrowings


(94)

(15)

(35)

Repayment of shareholder borrowings


(60)

(83)

(1,769)

Proceeds from new policyholder borrowings, net of associated expenses


99

-

-

Proceeds from new shareholder borrowings, net of associated expenses


-

-

1,184

Interest paid on policyholder borrowings


(3)

(4)

(17)

Interest paid on shareholder borrowings


(25)

(48)

(67)

Net cash flows from financing activities


(168)

(215)

(789)






Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents


(1,822)

(534)

(4,227)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period


5,067

9,294

9,294

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period


3,245

8,760

5,067

 

Separate disclosure of the cash flows relating to discontinued operations is provided in note 3.1.

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 and Group entities

£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

 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED

 

CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

For the half year ended 30 June 2014


Share capital
(note 9)

£m

Share premium

£m

Shares held by employee benefit trust and Group entities

£m

Foreign currency translation reserve

£m

Retained earnings

£m

Total

£m

Non- controlling interests (note 10)

£m

Total

£m

At 1 January 2014

-

1,097

(13)

93

732

1,909

778

2,687










Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

144

144

47

191

Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the period

-

-

-

(8)

79

71

-

71

Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period

-

-

-

(8)

223

215

47

262










Dividends paid on ordinary shares

-

(60)

-

-

-

(60)

-

(60)

Dividends paid on shares held by the employee benefit trust and Group entities

-

1

-

-

-

1

-

1

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

-

-

-

-

-

-

(12)

(12)

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

-

-

-

-

-

-

(21)

(21)

Credit to equity for equity-settled share based payments

-

-

-

-

3

3

-

3

Shares subscribed for by non-controlling interests

-

-

-

-

-

-

33

33

Shares distributed by employee benefit trust

-

-

7

-

(7)

-

-

-

Shares acquired by employee benefit trust

-

-

(8)

-

-

(8)

-

(8)

At 30 June 2014

-

1,038

(14)

85

951

2,060

825

2,885

For the year ended 31 DECEMBER 2014


Share capital

(note 9)

£m

Share premium

£m

Shares held by employee benefit trust and Group entities

£m

Foreign currency translation reserve

£m

Retained earnings

£m

Total

£m

Non- controlling interests (note 10)

£m

Total

£m

At 1 January 2014

-

1,097

(13)

93

732

1,909

778

2,687










Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

310

310

96

406

Other comprehensive income for the period

-

-

-

10

251

261

-

261

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

-

10

561

571

96

667










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

-

1

-

-

-

1

-

1

Dividends paid on ordinary shares

-

(120)

-

-

-

(120)

-

(120)

Dividends paid on shares held by the employee benefit trust and Group entities

-

1

-

-

-

1

-

1

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

-

-

-

-

-

-

(22)

(22)

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

-

-

-

-

-

-

(21)

(21)

Credit to equity for equity-settled share based payments

-

-

-

-

7

7

-

7

Shares subscribed for by non-controlling interests

-

-

-

-

-

-

82

82

Shares distributed by employee benefit trust

-

-

10

-

(10)

-

-

-

Shares acquired by employee benefit trust

-

-

(8)

-

-

(8)

-

(8)

Shares sold by Group entities

-

-

3

-

1

4

-

4

At 31 December 2014

-

979

(8)

103

1,291

2,365

913

3,278

 

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 2015 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 23 to 51 and were authorised by the Board of Directors for issue on 19 August 2015. The interim financial statements are unaudited but have been reviewed by the auditors, Ernst & Young LLP and their review report appears on page 22.

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 2014 consolidated financial statements except for the adoption of new standards and interpretations effective from 1 January 2015 as referred to below.

The interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the 2014 consolidated financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the Group's 2014 Annual Report and Accounts.

In preparing the interim financial statements the Group has adopted the following standards, interpretations and amendments effective from 1 January 2015:

-   Annual Improvements 2010 - 2012 cycle; and

-   Annual Improvements 2011 - 2013 cycle.

These standards, interpretations or amendments that have been applied for the first time in 2015 do not impact the 2015 interim financial statements, and are not expected to have a significant impact on the 2015 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. Changes in accounting policies AND PRESENTATIONAL CHANGES

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the interim financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the 2014 consolidated financial statements except as noted below.

The Group's accounting policy has previously been to carry loans and receivables at their amortised cost. During the period, a portfolio of loans was acquired that management determined should be designated at fair value through profit or loss. Such a designation was deemed reflective of the manner in which the financial assets are managed and reduces a measurement inconsistency that would otherwise arise with regard to the insurance liabilities that the assets are backing. As a result, these assets are stated in the condensed statement of consolidated financial position at their fair value. All other loans and receivables continue to be carried at their amortised cost.

In respect of the half year ended 30 June 2014, a presentational change has been made to fees and net investment income within the condensed consolidated income statement to remove the impact of a gross-up of those line items for asset management fee rebates received by the Group's Life companies. The impact of the adjustment is to reduce fees by £9 million and increase net investment income by an equivalent amount. There is no impact on the result for the period.

3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND Assets and liabilities held for sale

This note provides details of discontinued operations and assets and liabilities held for sale at the period end.

3.1 Discontinued operations

On 25 March 2014, the Group and Standard Life Investments (Holdings) Limited ('Standard Life Investments') signed a disposal agreement under which Standard Life Investments agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital of Ignis in return for gross cash consideration of £390 million. The divestment was completed on 1 July 2014. A post completion payment of £6 million, calculated in accordance with the sale and purchase agreement, was paid to Standard Life Investments on 24 September 2014. The business has been included in the Ignis operating segment at 30 June 2014 and 31 December 2014. The results of Ignis are as follows:

3.1.1 Results of discontinued operations


Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Fees

-

26

26

Net investment income

-

(6)

(6)

Total revenue

-

20

20





Amortisation of customer relationships

-

-

-

Administrative expenses

-

(47)

(47)

Total operating expenses

-

(47)

(47)





Loss before tax

-

(27)

(27)

Attributable tax credit

-

9

9


-

(18)

(18)





Gain on disposal of discontinued operations

-

-

107

Attributable tax credit

-

-

3


-

-

110

(Loss)/profit for the period from discontinued operations

-

(18)

92

The loss before tax for discontinued operations for half year ended 30 June 2014 and year ended 31 December 2014 excludes intra-group fee income of £38 million. This intra-group fee income represents the difference between the loss before tax for the period from discontinued operations and the Ignis segmental result before tax attributable to owners result shown in note 4.1.

The (loss)/profit for the period from discontinued operations was attributable entirely to the owners of the parent.

The gain on disposal for the period from discontinued operations of £110 million, recognised in the results for the year ended 31 December 2014, comprised net consideration received of £384 million less net assets and liabilities disposed of £254 million, transaction costs and tax.

3.1.2 Cash flows generated by discontinued operations

The net cash flows generated by Ignis (including cash flows relating to the divestment) are as follows:


Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Cash flows from operating activities

-

31

31

Cash flows from investing activities

-

-

311

Cash flows from financing activities

-

(29)

(29)

Net cash inflow

-

2

313

Cash flows from investing activities of £311 million comprised net consideration received of £384 million less attributable transaction costs of £5 million, less cash and cash equivalents disposed of £68 million.

3.2 ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF OPERATIONS CLASSIFIED AS HELD FOR SALE

The balances transferred to assets and liabilities classified as held for sale in the condensed statement of consolidated financial position as at 30 June 2015 relate to the anticipated Part VII transfer of a portfolio of annuity liabilities to Guardian Assurance Limited ('Guardian') (see note 3.3) and the agreement to sell Scottish Mutual International (see note 3.4). The balances as at 30 June 2014 relate to Ignis (see note 3.1) and the balances as at 31 December 2014 relate to the anticipated Part VII transfer to Guardian.


Carrying

amount

30 Jun 2015

£m

Carrying

amount

30 Jun 2014

£m

Carrying

amount

31 Dec 2014

£m

Assets classified as held for sale:




Goodwill

-

57

-

Customer relationships and other intangibles

-

136

-

Financial assets

177

37

-

Reinsurer's share of insurance contract liabilities

1,630

-

1,713

Property, plant and equipment

-

8

-

Cash and cash equivalents

51

68

-

Other assets

3

59

-


1,861

365

1,713





Liabilities classified as held for sale:




Insurance contract liabilities

1,893

-

1,776

Deferred tax liabilities

-

27

-

Payables related to direct insurance contracts

1

-

-

Provisions

-

23

-

Other liabilities

1

61

-


1,895

111

1,776

3.3 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 Guardian 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 Market Act 2000 to transfer the annuity liabilities to Guardian. Management's expectations are that the necessary approvals will be in place during the second half of 2016. Both parties remain committed to fulfilling their contractual obligations in relation to 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 Guardian and directly attributable expense reserves where they will be extinguished at the time of transfer. Assets classified as held for sale include the associated reinsurers' share of insurance contract liabilities.

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

3.4 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 in return for gross cash consideration of £14 million and a pre-completion return of capital by SMI. Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale are £231 million and £204 million respectively, excluding £12 million of recoverables under an intercompany reinsurance agreement that is eliminated on consolidation. Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions the disposal is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

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 had only the Phoenix Life operating segment during the reporting period. In the comparative period, the Group had two operating segments as follows:

-   Phoenix Life - this segment manages a range of whole life, term assurance and pension products; and

-   Ignis - this segment provides investment management services to the life companies within the Group and to third parties, covering both retail and institutional investors. This segment was disposed of effective 1 July 2014 (see note 3.1).

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 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)

Impairment and amortisation:




Amortisation of acquired in-force business

(45)

-

(45)

Amortisation of customer relationships

(7)

-

(7)


(52)

-

(52)

Other operating expenses:




Recurring

(348)

(17)

(365)

Non-recurring

2

(1)

1


(346)

(18)

(364)





Total operating expenses

(675)

(18)

(693)





Profit/(loss) before finance costs and tax

127

(10)

117





Finance costs

(20)

(49)

(69)





Profit/(loss) before tax

107

(59)

48

Tax attributable to policyholders' returns

31

-

31

Segmental result before the tax attributable to owners

138

(59)

79

Half year ended 30 June 2014


Phoenix Life

£m

Ignis

£m

Unallocated

Group

£m

Eliminations

£m

Discontinued

operations

eliminations

£m

Total

£m

Net premiums written from:







External customers

482

-

-

-

-

482

Fees from:







External customers

50

26

-

-

(26)

50

Other segment

-

38

-

(38)

-

-


50

64

-

(38)

(26)

50

Net investment income:







Recurring

2,044

-

6

-

-

2,050

Non-recurring

-

(6)

2

-

6

2


2,044

(6)

8

-

6

2,052

Other operating income:







Recurring

5

-

-

-

-

5

Gain on transfer of business:







Non-recurring

-

-

4

-

-

4








Net income

2,581

58

12

(38)

(20)

2,593








Net policyholder claims and benefits incurred:







Recurring

(1,730)

-

-

-

-

(1,730)

Impairment and amortisation:







Amortisation of acquired in-force business

(53)

-

-

-

-

(53)

Amortisation of customer relationships

(7)

-

-

-

-

(7)


(60)

-

-

-

-

(60)

Other operating expenses:







Recurring

(464)

(47)

(14)

38

47

(440)

Non-recurring

(57)

-

66

-

-

9


(521)

(47)

52

38

47

(431)








(2,311)

(47)

52

38

47

(2,221)








Profit before finance costs and tax

270

11

64

-

27

372








Finance costs

(34)

-

(48)

-

-

(82)








Profit before tax

236

11

16

-

27

290

Tax attributable to policyholders' returns

(32)

-

-

-

-

(32)

Segmental result before the tax attributable to owners

204

11

16

-

27

258

Year ended 31 December 2014


Phoenix Life

£m

Ignis

£m

Unallocated

Group

£m

Eliminations

£m

Discontinued

operations

eliminations

£m

Total

£m

Net premiums written from:







External customers

(811)

-

-

-

-

(811)

Fees from:







External customers

94

26

-

-

(26)

94

Other segment

-

38

-

(38)

-

-


94

64

-

(38)

(26)

94

Net investment income:







Recurring

6,027

-

5

-

-

6,032

Non-recurring

-

(6)

2

-

6

2


6,027

(6)

7

-

6

6,034

Other operating income:







Recurring

9

-

-

-

-

9

Gain on transfer of business:







Non-recurring

(18)

-

129

-

(107)

4








Net income

5,301

58

136

(38)

(127)

5,330








Net policyholder claims and benefits incurred:







Recurring

(3,733)

-

-

-

-

(3,733)

Impairment and amortisation:







Amortisation of acquired in-force business

(98)

-

-

-

-

(98)

Amortisation of customer relationships

(15)

-

-

-

-

(15)


(113)

-

-

-

-

(113)

Other operating expenses:







Recurring

(888)

(47)

(32)

38

47

(882)

Non-recurring

(38)

-

57

-

-

19


(926)

(47)

25

38

47

(863)








Total operating expenses

(4,772)

(47)

25

38

47

(4,709)








Profit/(loss) before finance costs and tax

529

11

161

-

(80)

621








Finance costs

(91)

-

(65)

-

-

(156)








Profit/(loss) before tax

438

11

96

-

(80)

465

Tax attributable to policyholders' returns

(129)

-

-

-

-

(129)

Segmental result before the tax attributable to owners

309

11

96

-

(80)

336

4.2 Reconciliation of operating profit/(LOSS) before adjusting items to the segmental result

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

-

(49)

(49)

Segment result before the tax attributable to owners from continuing operations

138

(59)

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.

Half year ended 30 June 2014


Phoenix Life

£m

Ignis

£m

Unallocated

Group

£m

Total

£m

Operating profit/(loss) before adjusting items

256

17

(7)

266

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

59

-

-

59

Variance on owners' funds

1

-

(1)

-

Amortisation of acquired in-force business

(48)

-

-

(48)

Amortisation of customer relationships

(7)

-

-

(7)

Non-recurring items

(57)

(6)

72

9

Finance costs attributable to owners

-

-

(48)

(48)

Segment result before the tax attributable to owners

204

11

16

231






Adjust for:





Loss before the tax attributable to owners from discontinued operations (see note 3.1)




27

Profit before tax attributable to owners from continuing operations




258

Non-recurring items include:

-   income received in relation to the close-out of the PGL Pension Scheme longevity agreement with the with-profit funds of £68 million;

-   capitalised VAT costs on future investment management expenses arising as a result of the divestment of Ignis of £27 million;

-   costs associated with external regulatory changes with regard to the cap on workplace pension charges of £14 million;

-   corporate project costs of £11 million; and

-   net other one-off items totalling a cost of £7 million.

Year ended 31 December 2014


Phoenix Life

£m

Ignis

£m

Unallocated

Group

£m

Total

£m

Operating profit/(loss) before adjusting items

487

17

(21)

483

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

12

-

-

12

Variance on owners' funds

(8)

-

(6)

(14)

Amortisation of acquired in-force business

(88)

-

-

(88)

Amortisation of customer relationships

(15)

-

-

(15)

Non-recurring items

(56)

(6)

188

126

Finance costs attributable to owners

(23)

-

(65)

(88)

Segment result before the tax attributable to owners

309

11

96

416






Adjust for:





Profit before the tax attributable to owners from discontinued operations (see note 3.1)




(80)

Profit before tax attributable to owners from continuing operations




336

Non-recurring items include:

-   income received in relation to the close-out of the PGL Pension Scheme longevity agreement with the with-profit funds of £68 million;

-   the profit arising as a result of the divestment of Ignis of £107 million (see note 3.1);

-   costs associated with external regulatory changes, including the cap on workplace pension charges of £17 million;

-   corporate project costs of £15 million; and

-   net other one-off items (including Solvency II implementation and systems transformation costs) totalling a cost of £17 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. This note explains the methodology behind this.

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


Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

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

44

59

12

Positive investment return variances and economic assumption changes on long-term business of £44 million in the first half of 2015 (half year ended 30 June 2014: £59 million; year ended 31 December 2014: £12 million) include the minority share of the result of the consolidated UKCPT property investment structure of £26 million (half year ended 30 June 2014: £37 million; year ended 31 December 2014: £75 million). The remaining positive variance of £18 million reflects a gain on the purchase of a portfolio of equity release mortgages arising from the yield uplift on assets available to back annuity liabilities and the positive impact of increasing yields on short asset positions held relative to the longer term IFRS basis liabilities.

5.2 Owners' funds

For non-long-term business including owners' funds, the total investment income, including fair value gains, is analysed between a calculated long-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 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Variance on owners' funds of:




Subsidiary undertakings

(4)

(4)

(19)

The Company

-

4

5


(4)

-

(14)

The negative variance on owners' funds of subsidiary undertakings of £4 million (30 June 2014: £4 million; 31 December 2014: £19 million) is principally driven by negative investment return variances on investments and hedging positions held by the shareholder funds and holding companies.

5.3 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 market yields on risk-free fixed interest assets at the start of each financial year. The long-term risk-free rate is defined as the annualised return on the FTSE UK Gilt Index plus 10bps. The same margins are applied on a consistent basis across the Group to gross risk-free yields, to obtain investment return assumptions for equities and properties.

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


Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

 %

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 %

Year

ended

31 Dec 2014

 %

Equities

5.3

6.6

6.6

Properties

4.3

5.6

5.6

Gilts (15 year gilt)

2.3

3.6

3.6

Other fixed interest

3.3

4.6

4.6

6. Tax (CREDIT)/CHARGE

6.1 Current period tax (CREDIT)/CHARGE


Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Current tax:




UK corporation tax

7

74

120

Overseas tax

6

14

18


13

88

138

Adjustment in respect of prior years

(10)

(1)

(11)

Total current tax charge

3

87

127

Deferred tax:




Origination and reversal of temporary differences

(33)

(7)

28

Change in the rate of UK corporation tax

-

1

(2)

Movement in unrecognised deferred tax

-

-

(2)

Total deferred tax (credit)/charge

(33)

(6)

24

Total tax (credit)/charge

(30)

81

151





Attributable to:




- Policyholders

(31)

32

129

- Owners

1

49

22

Total tax (credit)/charge

(30)

81

151

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 (credit)/charge attributable to policyholder earnings was £(31) million (half year ended 30 June 2014: £32 million; year ended 31 December 2014: £129 million).

The tax (credit)/charge is from continuing operations. The tax credit for the prior periods from discontinued operations is shown in note 3.1.

6.2 Tax credited to other comprehensive income


Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Current tax credit on share schemes

-

-

(2)

Deferred tax credit on defined benefit schemes

-

(8)

(9)

Deferred tax credit on share schemes

(1)

-

-


(1)

(8)

(11)

6.3 Reconciliation of tax (credit)/charge


Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Profit before tax

48

290

465

Policyholder tax credit/(charge)

31

(32)

(129)

Profit before the tax attributable to owners

79

258

336





Tax charge at standard UK1 rate of 20.25% (30 June 2014: 21.5%; 31 December 2014: 21.5%)

16

56

72

Non-taxable income and gains

(12)

(1)

(6)

Disallowable expenses

3

3

7

Adjustment to shareholders' tax charge in respect of prior periods

5

(1)

(16)

Movement on acquired in-force amortisation at less than 20.25% (30 June 2014: 21.5%; 31 December 2014: 21.5%)

1

1

2

Profits taxed at rates other than 20.25% (30 June 2014: 21.5%; 31 December 2014: 21.5%)

(10)

(5)

(21)

Recognition of previously unrecognised deferred tax asset

(3)

-

(19)

Deferred tax rate change

-

-

(7)

Temporary differences not valued

-

(5)

4

Other

1

1

6

Owners' tax charge

1

49

22

Policyholder tax (credit)/charge

(31)

32

129

Total tax (credit)/charge for the period

(30)

81

151

1  The Phoenix Life operating segment operates predominately in the UK. The reconciliation of the tax 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. Consequently, a rate of 20% has been used for the purposes of providing for deferred tax in these interim financial statements.

The Summer Budget 2015 introduced various changes that, when substantively enacted, would impact the valuation of deferred tax in these interim financial statements. Further reductions to the rate of corporation tax, to 19% in April 2017 and 18% from April 2020 have been announced and will be introduced by future legislation. In addition, changes have been proposed that would impact the valuation of deferred tax assets in relation to certain brought forward losses. The net impact of these changes is expected to be immaterial.

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 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of:




Tax losses carried forward

18

46

39

Excess expenses and deferred acquisition costs

-

1

-

Provisions and other temporary differences

6

8

6

Deferred tax assets not recognised in capital losses1

114

119

116

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

7. Earnings per share

The earnings/(loss) per share is calculated by reference to the profit/(loss) attributable to owners of the parent divided by the weighted average numbers of shares in issue during each period.

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 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Profit for the period

78

191

406

Share of result attributable to non-controlling interests

(27)

(47)

(96)

Profit attributable to owners of the parent

51

144

310

Analysed as:




Profit attributable to owners of the parent from continuing operations

51

162

218

(Loss)/profit attributable to owners of the parent from discontinued operations

-

(18)

92

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


Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

 No.

 million

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 No.

 million

Year

ended

31 Dec 2014

 No.

 million

Issued ordinary shares at beginning of the period

225

225

225

Effect of ordinary shares issued

-

1

1

Own shares held by employee trust and Group entities

(1)

(1)

(1)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

224

225

225

Basic earnings per share is as follows:


Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

pence

 

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

pence

 

Year

ended

31 Dec 2014

pence

 

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

22.7p

72.3p

96.7p

Basic (loss)/earnings per share from discontinued operations

-

(8.2)p

41.0p

Total basic earnings per share

22.7p

64.1p

137.7p

7.2 DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

The result attributable to owners of the parent used in the calculation of diluted earnings/(loss) per share is the same as that used in the basic earnings per share calculation in 7.1 above. The diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period is 225 million (half year ended 30 June 2014: 225 million; year ended 31 December 2014: 225 million). The Group's deferred bonus share scheme and sharesave share-based schemes increased the weighted average number of shares on a diluted basis by 637,830 for the half year ended 30 June 2015 (half year ended 30 June 2014: 85,037; year ended 31 December 2014: 465,256).

Diluted earnings per share is as follows:


Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

 pence

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 pence

Year

ended

31 Dec 2014

 pence

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

22.7p

72.3p

96.5p

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share from discontinued operations

-

(8.2)p

41.0p

Total diluted earnings per share

22.7p

64.1p

137.5p

 

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 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Dividend declared and paid in 2015 at 26.7p per share (half year ended 30 June 2014: 26.7p; year ended 31 December 2014: 53.4p)

60

60

120

On 17 March 2015, the Board recommended a dividend of 26.7p per share in respect of the year ended 31 December 2014. The dividend was approved at the Company's Annual General Meeting, which was held on 23 April 2015. The dividend was settled on 27 April 2015.

9. Share capital


30 Jun 2015

 £

 

30 Jun 2014

 £

 

31 Dec 2014

 £

 

Authorised:




410 million (30 June 2014: 410 million; 31 December 2014: 410 million) ordinary shares of €0.0001 each

31,750

31,750

31,750





Issued and fully paid:




225.3 million (30 June 2014: 224.9 million; 31 December 2014: 225.1 million) ordinary shares of €0.0001 each

18,457

18,421

18,439

Movements in share capital during the period:


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

 


Number

 

£

 

Shares in issue at 1 January 2014

224,818,301

18,418

Other ordinary shares issued in the period

38,860

3

Shares in issue at 30 June 2014

224,857,161

18,421

Other ordinary shares issued in the period

233,123

18

Shares in issue at 31 December 2014

225,090,284

18,439

During the year, the Company issued 256,156 shares at a total premium of £2 million in order to satisfy its obligation to employees under the Group's share schemes.

10. Non-controlling interests


Perpetual

Reset Capital

Securities

£m

UK Commercial

Property Trust

Limited

£m

Total

£m

At 1 January 2015

408

505

913

Profit for the period

1

26

27

Dividends paid

-

(11)

(11)

Coupons paid, net of tax relief

(15)

-

(15)

Exchange of Notes for subordinated notes

(388)

-

(388)

Shares in subsidiaries subscribed for by non-controlling interests

-

10

10

At 30 June 2015

6

530

536

 


Perpetual

Reset Capital

Securities

£m

UK Commercial

Property Trust

Limited

£m

Total

£m

At 1 January 2014

408

370

778

Profit for the period

10

37

47

Dividends paid

-

(12)

(12)

Coupons paid, net of tax relief

(21)

-

(21)

Shares in subsidiaries subscribed for by non-controlling interests

-

33

33

At 30 June 2014

397

428

825

Profit for the period

11

38

49

Dividends paid

-

(10)

(10)

Shares in subsidiaries subscribed for by non-controlling interests

-

49

49

At 31 December 2014

408

505

913

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 has been 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.

10.2 UK Commercial Property Trust Limited

UK Commercial Property Trust Limited is a property investment subsidiary 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. The Group holds 52% as at 30 June 2015 (half year ended 30 June 2014: 56%; year ended 31 December 2014: 53%) of the issued share capital of UKCPT.

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 2015. The pension scheme asset of the PGL Pension Scheme amounted to £363 million (30 June 2014: £276 million, 31 December 2014: £370 million); this has been adjusted by £23 million (30 June 2014: £22 million, 31 December 2014: £23 million) to eliminate on consolidation the carrying value of insurance policies effected by the PGL Pension Scheme with the Group. The pension scheme asset/(liability) of the Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme amounted to £33 million (30 June 2014: £(98) million, 31 December 2014: £56 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.

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

For participating business in realistic basis companies the assumptions about future demographic trends are intended to be 'best estimates'. They are determined after considering the companies' recent experience and/or relevant industry data. Economic assumptions are market consistent.

For other business, demographic assumptions are derived by adding a prudent margin to best estimate assumptions. Economic assumptions are prudent estimates of the returns expected to be achieved on the assets backing the liabilities.

During the period, longevity improvement assumptions have been updated to reflect the latest available published tables, increasing insurance liabilities by £10 million in the period.

In the prior period, persistency assumptions were updated to reflect the anticipated impact of pensions reforms announced in the March 2014 Budget, which was expected to reduce the cost of meeting valuable policyholder guarantees. This change reduced insurance liabilities by £12 million.


Increase in insurance liabilities

30 Jun 2015

 £m

Decrease in insurance liabilities

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Decrease in insurance liabilities

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Change in longevity assumptions

10

-

(14)

Change in persistency assumptions

-

(12)

(13)

13. Borrowings


30 Jun 2015

 £m

30 Jun 2014

 £m

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Carrying value




Limited recourse bonds 2022 7.59%

74

88

73

Property reversions loan

173

185

184

£80 million facility agreement

-

80

80

£150 million term facility

148

150

150

£100 million facility agreement

99

-

-

Total policyholder borrowings

494

503

487





£200 million 7.25% unsecured subordinated loan

153

155

149

£300 million senior unsecured bond

298

-

298

£450 million revolving credit facility

442

-

441

£450 million amortising term loan

328

-

387

£428 million subordinated notes

393

-

-

£2,260 million syndicated loan

-

1,122

-

£100 million PIK notes and facility

-

124

-

£75 million secured loan note

-

77

-

£425 million loan facility

-

304

-

Total shareholder borrowings

1,614

1,782

1,275





Total borrowings

2,108

2,285

1,762

On 23 January 2015, PGH Capital Limited issued £428 million of subordinated notes due 2025 at a coupon of 6.625%. Upon exchange, £32 million of these notes were held and continued to be held as at 30 June 2015 by Group companies. Fees associated with these notes of £3 million have been deferred and amortised over the life of the notes in the condensed statement of consolidated financial position.

On 2 April 2015, UK Commercial Property Finance Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of UKCPT, entered into a new £100 million 12 year fixed rate term loan facility agreement with Cornerstone Real Estate Advisors Europe LLP. This facility accrues interest at a rate of 3.03% per annum. The lender holds security over the assets of UK Commercial Property Finance Holdings Limited, and further subsidiary of UKCPT. As at 30 June 2015, the facility was fully drawn down. This new facility was provided for the purpose of refinancing the £80 million revolving loan facility agreement which was due for repayment on 19 April 2015.

On 8 April 2015, UKCPT amended the £150 million investment term loan facility agreement, extending the repayment date to April 2020. As at 30 June 2015, the facility was fully drawn down. This facility accrues interest at LIBOR plus 1.50% per annum. The amendment includes the provision of a five year additional revolving credit facility of up to £50 million. As at 30 June 2015, the additional facility had not been drawn down.

On 30 June 2015, a £60 million repayment was made in respect of targeted and mandatory repayments due on the £450 million amortising term loan.

14. Financial instruments

14.1 Fair values

The table below sets out a comparison of the carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments as at 30 June 2015:

Financial assets


30 Jun 2015


30 Jun 2014


31 Dec 2014


Carrying

value

£m

Fair

value

£m


Carrying

value

£m

Fair

value

£m


Carrying

value

£m

Fair

value

£m

Loans and receivables at amortised cost

190

190


1,560

1,568


196

196

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss:









Held for trading - derivatives

1,660

1,660


1,349

1,349


2,558

2,558

Designated upon initial recognition:









Loans and receivables

273

273


-

-


-

-

Equities

12,830

12,830


13,869

13,869


13,168

13,168

Investment in joint ventures

138

138


118

118


133

133

Fixed and variable rate income securities

35,939

35,939


35,643

35,643


34,384

34,384

Collective investment schemes

3,703

3,703


2,475

2,475


3,583

3,583


54,733

54,733


55,014

55,022


54,022

54,022

Less amounts classified as held for sale (note 3.2)

(177)

(177)


(37)

(37)


-

-

Total financial assets

54,556

54,556


54,977

54,985


54,022

54,022

Financial liabilities


30 Jun 2015


30 Jun 2014


31 Dec 2014


Carrying

value

£m

Fair

value

£m


Carrying

value

£m

Fair

value

£m


Carrying

value

£m

Fair

value

£m

Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost:



 






Borrowings

1,935

2,046

 

2,100

2,147


1,578

1,698

Obligations for repayment of collateral received1

818

-

 

5,324

-


954

-

Deposits received from reinsurers

385

385

 

384

384


408

408

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss:



 






Held for trading - derivatives

1,700

1,700

 

1,616

1,616


2,192

2,192

Designated upon initial recognition:



 






Borrowings

173

173

 

185

185


184

184

Net asset value attributable to unitholders

5,218

5,218

 

5,431

5,431


4,659

4,659

Investment contract liabilities

8,250

8,250

 

8,508

8,508


8,451

8,451

Total financial liabilities

18,479

17,772

 

23,548

18,271


18,426

17,592

1  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 Company 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 2015


Level 1

£m

Level 2

£m

Level 3

£m

Total

fair value

£m

Financial assets 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 ventures

-

-

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 at fair value





Derivatives

4

1,696

-

1,700

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





Investment contract liabilities

-

8,250

-

8,250

Borrowings

-

-

173

173

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 30 June 2014


Level 1

£m

Level 2

£m

Level 3

£m

Total

fair value

£m

Financial assets at fair value





Derivatives

14

1,335

-

1,349

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





Equities

13,107

148

614

13,869

Investment in joint ventures

-

-

118

118

Fixed and variable rate income securities

25,119

9,586

938

35,643

Collective investment schemes

1,413

947

115

2,475


39,639

10,681

1,785

52,105

Less amounts classified as held for sale (note 3.2)

(1)

(36)

-

(37)

Total financial assets at fair value

39,652

11,980

1,785

53,417

 


Level 1

£m

Level 2

£m

Level 3

£m

Total

fair value

£m

Financial liabilities at fair value





Derivatives

6

1,605

5

1,616

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





Investment contract liabilities

-

8,508

-

8,508

Borrowings

-

-

185

185

Net asset value attributable to unitholders

5,431

-

-

5,431


5,431

8,508

185

14,124

Total financial liabilities at fair value

5,437

10,113

190

15,740

At 31 December 2014


Level 1

£m

Level 2

£m

Level 3

£m

Total

fair value

£m

Financial assets at fair value





Derivatives

18

2,540

-

2,558

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





Equities

12,315

149

704

13,168

Investment in joint ventures

-

-

133

133

Fixed and variable rate income securities

24,639

9,010

735

34,384

2,579

923

81

3,583

39,533

10,082

1,653

51,268

39,551

12,622

1,653

53,826

 


Level 1

£m

Level 2

£m

Level 3

£m

Total

fair value

£m

Financial liabilities at fair value





Derivatives

40

2,151

1

2,192

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





Investment contract liabilities

-

8,451

-

8,451

Borrowings

-

-

184

184

Net asset value attributable to unitholders

4,659

-

-

4,659


4,659

8,451

184

13,294

Total financial liabilities at fair value

4,699

10,602

185

15,486

14.2.3 Level 3 financial instrument sensitivities

Included in Level 3 investments is a property investment structure with a value of £138 million within investment in joint ventures (30 June 2014: £118 million; 31 December 2014: £133 million). This investment has been valued by taking the fair value of the property within the structure, which has been independently valued, less the fair value of the debt within the structure. The valuation is sensitive to movements in yields on the underlying property portfolio.

An increase in yields of 25bps would reduce the value of the investment by £22 million (30 June 2014: £21 million; 31 December 2014: £23 million). A reduction in yields of 25bps would increase the value of the investment by £23 million (30 June 2014: £25 million; 31 December 2014: £25 million).

Level 3 investments in fixed and variable income securities include a property investment structure with a value of £41 million (30 June 2014: £29 million; 31 December 2014: £59 million). This investment was restructured during the year and inputs to the valuation have changed.

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 due to redemption restrictions. The fair value of the debt in the structure is valued using a simple calculation model taking a comparable overseas bond issue and applying a credit spread to reflect reduced liquidity.

The valuation is most sensitive to a change in the credit spread on the debt investment, whereby an increase of 100bps would decrease the value by £3 million and a spread reduction of 100bps would increase the value by £4 million.

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.

Debt securities categorised as Level 3 investments, with the exception of 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.

Included within fixed and variable rate securities are investments in local authority loans. These investments are valued using a simple calculation model taking a comparable UK Treasury stock and applying 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 (30 June 2014: £1 million; 31 December 2014: £1 million) and a decrease of 25bps would increase the value by £1 million (30 June 2014: £1 million; 31 December 2014: £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 increases/(decreases) in the fair value of relevant residential property reversions which would result in a higher/(lower) fair value of property reversion loans.

Included within loans and receivables are investments in equity release mortgages with a value of £273 million, acquired in January 2015. 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 sale proceeds from the property.

The valuation is most sensitive to movements in gilt curves whereby an increase of 100bps would decrease the value by £21 million and a decrease of 100bps would increase the value by £25 million.

14.2.4 Transfers of financial instruments between Level 1 and Level 2

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 30 June 2014


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

86

539

Collective investment schemes

2

-

At 31 December 2014


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

167

372

Collective investment schemes

2

-

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 bid-ask spreads on fixed and variable rate income securities have resulted in an overall net movement of financial assets from Level 2 to Level 1 in the period.

14.2.5 Movement in Level 3 financial instruments measured at fair value

At 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 ventures

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

£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

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 Level 3 to Levels 1 and 2.

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

At 30 June 2014


At

1 January

2014

£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

2014

£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:









Equities

628

18

28

(61)

1

-

614

9

Investment in joint ventures

125

(7)

-

-

-

-

118

-

Fixed and variable rate income securities

935

29

193

(202)

34

(51)

938

25

Collective investment schemes

116

8

-

(16)

7

-

115

6

Total financial assets

1,804

48

221

(279)

42

(51)

1,785

40

 


At

1 January

2014

£m

Total 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

2014

£m

Unrealised gains on

liabilities

held at end

of period

£m

Financial liabilities









Derivatives

3

2

-

-

-

-

5

(1)

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









Borrowings

186

14

-

(15)

-

-

185

(1)

Total financial liabilities

189

16

-

(15)

-

-

190

(2)

At 31 December 2014


At

1 January

2014

£m

Total 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

2014

£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:









Equities

628

40

95

(59)

-

-

704

60

Investment in joint ventures

125

8

-

-

-

-

133

8

Fixed and variable rate income securities

935

57

427

(502)

8

(190)

735

19

Collective investment schemes

116

5

5

(45)

-

-

81

5

Total financial assets

1,804

110

527

(606)

8

(190)

1,653

92

 


At

1 January

2014

£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

31 December

2014

£m

Unrealised

losses on

liabilities held

at end of

period

£m

Financial liabilities









Derivatives

3

(2)

-

-

-

-

1

1

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









Borrowings

186

22

-

(24)

-

-

184

22

Net asset value attributable to unitholders

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total financial liabilities

189

20

-

(24)

-

-

185

23

15. Cash flows from operating activities


Half year

ended

30 Jun 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 Jun 2014

 £m

Year

 ended

31 Dec 2014

 £m

Profit for the period before tax from continuing operations

48

290

465

Loss for the period before tax from discontinued operations

-

(27)

(27)

Profit for the period before tax

48

263

438

Non-cash movements in profit for the period before tax




Fair value (gains)/losses on:




Investment property

(52)

(120)

(200)

Financial assets

744

(670)

(3,494)

Change in fair value of borrowings

7

20

19

Amortisation of intangible assets

52

60

113

Change in present value of future profits

4

8

9

Change in unallocated surplus

(40)

19

11

Share-based payment charge

2

3

7

Interest expense on borrowings

69

82

156

Net interest income on Group defined benefit pension scheme asset/liability

(8)

(6)

(4)

Pension scheme administration expenses

1

-

3

Gain on sale of BAGI

-

(4)

(4)

Gain on divestment of Ignis

-

-

(107)

(Increase)/decrease in investment assets

(1,125)

2,073

5,556

Decrease/(increase) in reinsurance assets

207

(4)

43

(Decrease)/increase in insurance contract and investment contract liabilities

(1,916)

(133)

37

(Decrease)/increase in deposits received from reinsurers

(23)

(1)

23

Decrease in obligation for repayment of collateral received

(136)

(1,961)

(6,330)

Net decrease in working capital

615

61

8

Cash utilised by operations

(1,551)

(310)

(3,716)

Cash flows from discontinued operations are disclosed in note 3.1.

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 2014.

There were no transactions with related parties during the six months ended 30 June 2015, 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 19 August 2015, the Board declared an interim dividend per share of 26.7p for the half year ended 30 June 2015 (30 June 2014: 26.7p). The cost of this dividend has not been recognised as a liability in the interim financial statements for the period to 30 June 2015 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; the assets held by the non-controlling interest in consolidated collective investment schemes and the UK Commercial Property Trust; 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 2015

Carrying value

 

Shareholder

and non-profit

funds1

£m

Participating

supported1

£m

Participating

non-supported2

£m

Unit-linked2

£m

Total3

£m

Cash and cash equivalents

1,941

726

3,430

1,185

7,282

Debt securities - gilts

1,544

2,430

8,413

665

13,052

Debt securities - bonds

5,832

1,648

6,223

713

14,416

Equity securities

281

58

5,454

7,656

13,449

Property investments

222

64

993

354

1,633

Other investments4

357

(65)

623

40

955

At 30 June 2015

10,177

4,861

25,136

10,613

50,787

Cash and cash equivalents in Group holding companies

 

 

 

 

916

Cash and financial assets in other Group companies

 

 

 

 

152

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

 

 

 

 

752

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

 

 

 

 

5,539

Total Group consolidated assets

 

 

 

 

58,146

Comprised of:

 

 

 

 

 

Investment property

 

 

 

 

1,817

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

54,556

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

3,245

Assets held for sale5

 

 

 

 

228

Derivative liabilities

 

 

 

 

(1,700)


 

 

 

 

58,146

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 £273 million, policy loans of £11 million, other loans of £108 million, net derivative liabilities of £(40) million and other investments of £603 million.

5  Comprises financial assets of £177 million and cash and cash equivalents of £51 million.

31 December 2014

Carrying value

 

Shareholder

and non-profit

funds

£m

Participating

supported

£m

Participating

non-supported

£m

Unit-linked

£m

Total

£m

Cash and cash equivalents

1,429

728

2,861

1,176

6,194

Debt securities - gilts

1,485

2,348

8,756

661

13,250

Debt securities - bonds

6,379

1,936

7,082

815

16,212

Equity securities

367

67

5,613

7,787

13,834

Property investments

191

67

997

346

1,601

Other investments1

402

(22)

806

-

1,186

At 31 December 2014

10,253

5,124

26,115

10,785

52,277

Cash and cash equivalents in Group holding companies





988

Cash and financial assets in other Group companies





116

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





736

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





4,652

Adjustments on consolidation





(14)

Total Group consolidated assets





58,755

Comprised of:

 

 

 

 

 

Investment property





1,858

Financial assets





54,022

Cash and cash equivalents





5,067

Derivative liabilities





(2,192)






58,755

1  Includes policy loans of £12 million, other loans of £24 million, net derivative assets of £362 million and other investments of £788 million.

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

30 June 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

1,544

2,430

8,413

665

13,052

Other government and supranational1

1,189

687

2,237

90

4,203

Corporate - financial institutions

1,877

362

1,718

106

4,063

Corporate - other

2,220

307

1,792

468

4,787

Asset backed securities ('ABS')

545

293

476

49

1,363

At 30 June 2015

7,375

4,079

14,636

1,378

27,468

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

31 December 2014

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

1,485

2,348

8,756

661

13,250

Other government and supranational

1,196

753

2,432

116

4,497

Corporate - financial institutions

2,185

506

2,192

196

5,079

Corporate - other

2,394

346

1,889

445

5,074

Asset backed securities ('ABS')

604

331

569

58

1,562

At 31 December 2014

7,864

4,284

15,838

1,476

29,462

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

30 June 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

1,706

2,513

8,755

673

13,647

Supranationals

566

275

698

18

1,557

USA

3

7

23

21

54

Germany

400

246

707

15

1,368

France

48

51

61

5

165

Netherlands

-

-

4

1

5

Italy

-

-

-

4

4

Spain

-

5

-

3

8

Other - non-Eurozone

8

9

367

15

399

Other - Eurozone

2

11

35

-

48

At 30 June 2015

2,733

3,117

10,650

755

17,255

31 December 2014

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

1,605

2,424

9,200

670

13,899

Supranationals

571

327

661

24

1,583

USA

3

7

119

26

155

Germany

425

263

787

22

1,497

France

49

50

59

5

163

Netherlands

-

-

4

2

6

Italy

-

-

-

4

4

Spain

-

5

-

3

8

Other - non-Eurozone

18

10

282

14

324

Other - Eurozone

10

15

76

7

108

At 31 December 2014

2,681

3,101

11,188

777

17,747

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

30 June 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

974

255

888

74

2,191

USA

412

68

400

16

896

Germany

31

2

44

1

78

France

86

-

66

3

155

Netherlands

156

20

147

7

330

Italy

1

-

6

-

7

Ireland

28

2

23

-

53

Spain

1

-

10

-

11

Other - non-Eurozone

141

13

89

3

246

Other - Eurozone

47

2

45

2

96

At 30 June 2015

1,877

362

1,718

106

4,063

 

31 December 2014

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

1,181

301

959

95

2,536

USA

397

84

420

14

915

Germany

46

3

44

-

93

France

126

10

115

10

261

Netherlands

218

50

272

31

571

Italy

3

-

13

-

16

Spain

2

-

20

-

22

Other - non-Eurozone

177

54

305

45

581

Other - Eurozone

35

4

44

1

84

At 31 December 2014

2,185

506

2,192

196

5,079

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

30 June 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

1,031

153

1,022

381

2,587

USA

409

66

195

16

686

Germany

168

36

118

18

340

France

191

27

164

22

404

Netherlands

45

2

38

4

89

Italy

39

1

50

2

92

Ireland

4

-

4

-

8

Greece

1

-

-

-

1

Spain

37

-

30

2

69

Other - non-Eurozone

197

20

119

14

350

Other - Eurozone

98

2

52

9

161

At 30 June 2015

2,220

307

1,792

468

4,787

31 December 2014

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

1,122

166

1,022

350

2,660

USA

436

71

233

16

756

Germany

191

51

151

21

414

France

227

32

197

23

479

Netherlands

51

2

35

5

93

Portugal

-

-

1

-

1

Italy

42

2

62

2

108

Greece

3

-

-

-

3

Spain

30

-

28

2

60

Other - non-Eurozone

188

21

96

14

319

Other - Eurozone

104

1

64

12

181

At 31 December 2014

2,394

346

1,889

445

5,074

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

30 June 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

458

290

398

47

1,193

USA

29

-

5

-

34

Germany

-

-

24

-

24

France

-

1

-

-

1

Netherlands

12

-

21

2

35

Italy

-

-

12

-

12

Spain

-

-

1

-

1

Luxembourg

6

-

-

-

6

Other - non-Eurozone

40

2

15

-

57

At 30 June 2015

545

293

476

49

1,363

31 December 2014

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

516

323

487

56

1,382

USA

43

-

5

-

48

Germany

-

2

23

-

25

France

-

2

-

-

2

Netherlands

19

-

28

2

49

Italy

-

-

5

-

5

Ireland

-

-

8

-

8

Spain

-

-

2

-

2

Other - non-Eurozone

26

4

11

-

41

At 31 December 2014

604

331

569

58

1,562

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

30 June 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

1,152

608

1,675

47

3,482

AA

2,253

2,966

9,303

705

15,227

A

1,508

342

1,138

98

3,086

BBB

1,817

141

1,906

187

4,051

BB

266

11

186

21

484

B and below

239

-

322

5

566

Non-rated

140

11

106

315

572

At 30 June 2015

7,375

4,079

14,636

1,378

27,468

31 December 2014

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

1,168

699

1,769

62

3,698

AA

2,257

2,981

10,130

775

16,143

A

1,549

438

1,392

137

3,516

BBB

2,154

140

2,043

207

4,544

BB

284

3

129

17

433

B and below

284

-

191

2

477

Non-rated

168

23

184

276

651

At 31 December 2014

7,864

4,284

15,838

1,476

29,462

 

MCEV SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

59

Statement of directors' responsibilities

60

Auditor's review report

61

MCEV interim financial statements and notes

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES IN

RESPECT OF THE MARKET CONSISTENT

EMBEDDED VALUE

 

When compliance with the CFO Forum MCEV principles published in June 2008 and amended in October 2009 is stated those principles require the Directors to prepare supplementary information in accordance with the MCEV principles and to disclose and provide reasons for any non-compliance with the principles.

The MCEV methodology adopted by the Group is in accordance with these MCEV principles with the exception of:

-   risk-free rates have been defined as the annually compounded UK Government bond nominal spot curve plus ten basis points rather than as the swap rate curve;

-   the value of the asset management (prior to its divestment on 1 July 2014) and the management service companies has been included on an IFRS basis; and

-   no allowance for the costs of residual non-hedgeable risk has been made.

Further detail on these exceptions is included in note 1, basis of preparation.

Specifically, the Directors have:

-   determined assumptions on a realistic basis, having regard to past, current and expected future experience and to relevant external data, and then applied them consistently;

-   made estimates that are reasonable and consistent; and

-   provided additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements of the MCEV principles is insufficient to enable users to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions and the Group's financial position and financial performance.

CLIVE BANNISTER                            JAMES MCCONVILLE

Group Chief Executive Officer   Group Finance Director
St Helier, Jersey
19 August 2015

 

AUDITOR'S review REPORT

 

INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO THE DIRECTORS OF PHOENIX GROUP HOLDINGS ON THE CONSOLIDATED PHOENIX GROUP MARKET CONSISTENT EMBEDDED VALUE ('MCEV')

We have been engaged by the Company to review the Consolidated Phoenix Group Holdings MCEV ('Phoenix Group Holdings MCEV') in the Interim Report for the half year ended 30 June 2015 which comprises the Summarised consolidated income statement - Group MCEV basis, MCEV earnings per ordinary share, Statement of consolidated comprehensive income - Group MCEV basis, Reconciliation of movement in equity - Group MCEV basis, Group MCEV analysis of earnings, Reconciliation of Group IFRS equity to MCEV net worth and the related notes on pages 66 to 73. We have read the other information contained in the Interim Report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the Phoenix Group Holdings MCEV.

Ernst & Young LLP have reported separately on the condensed consolidated financial statements of Phoenix Group Holdings prepared on an International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') basis for the half year ended 30 June 2015. The information contained in the Phoenix Group Holdings MCEV should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements prepared on an IFRS basis.

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with guidance contained in 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. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's Directors, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.

DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

The Phoenix Group Holdings MCEV in the interim report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the Phoenix Group MCEV in accordance with the basis of preparation set out on pages 66 to 68.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

Our responsibilities for the Phoenix Group Holdings MCEV are set out in our engagement letter with you dated 1 August 2014. We report to you our opinion as to whether the Phoenix Group Holdings MCEV in the Interim Report has been properly prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the basis of preparation set out on pages 66 to 68.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

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 Phoenix Group Holdings MCEV in the Interim Report for the half year ended 30 June 2015 has not been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the basis of preparation set out on pages 66 to 68.

Ernst & Young LLP
London
19 August 2015

 

SUMMARISED CONSOLIDATED INCOME

STATEMENT - GROUP MCEV BASIS

 

For the half year ended 30 June 2015


Half year

ended

30 June 2015

 £m

Half year ended

30 June 2014

 £m

Year ended

31 December 2014

 £m

Life MCEV operating earnings

89

181

341

Management services operating profit

15

16

36

Ignis operating profit - discontinued operations

-

17

17

Group costs

(13)

(10)

(28)

Group MCEV operating earnings before tax

91

204

366

Economic variances on life business

(13)

(28)

54

Economic variances on non-life business

(6)

(37)

(64)

Other non-operating variances on life business

15

(132)

(94)

Non-recurring items on non-life business

(23)

59

317

Finance costs attributable to owners

(56)

(62)

(90)

Group MCEV earnings before tax

8

4

489





Tax on operating earnings

(18)

(42)

(78)

Tax on non-operating earnings

-

20

-

Total tax

(18)

(22)

(78)

Group MCEV earnings after tax

(10)

(18)

411

Analysed between:




Group MCEV earnings after tax from continuing operations

(10)

-

429

Group MCEV earnings after tax from discontinued operations

-

(18)

(18)

Group MCEV earnings after tax

(10)

(18)

411

 

MCEV EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE

 

For the half year ended 30 June 2015


Half year

ended

30 June 2015

Half year

ended

30 June 2014

Year ended

31 December 2014

Group MCEV operating earnings after tax

 



Basic1

31.9p

72.3p

128.4p

Diluted2

31.8p

72.2p

128.2p

Group MCEV earnings after tax

 



Basic1

(3.8p)

(8.0p)

183.2p

Diluted2

(3.8p)

(8.0p)

182.8p

1  Based on 224 million shares (half year ended 30 June 2014: 225 million; year ended 31 December 2014: 225 million) as set out in note 7.1 of the IFRS condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

2  Based on 225 million shares (half year ended 30 June 2014: 225 million; year ended 31 December 2014: 225 million), allowing for share options in issue as set out in note 7.2 of the IFRS condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

The earnings on life business are calculated on a post-tax basis and are grossed up at the effective rate of shareholder tax for presentation in the income statement. The tax rate used is the UK corporate tax rate of 20.25% (half year ended 30 June 2014: 21.5%; year ended 31 December 2014: 21.5%).

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE

INCOME - GROUP MCEV BASIS

 

For the half year ended 30 June 2015

 


Half year

ended

30 June 2015
£m

Half year

ended

30 June 2014
£m

Year ended

31 December 2014
£m

Group MCEV earnings after tax

(10)

(18)

411

Other comprehensive income




Remeasurements and pension scheme contributions on defined benefit pension schemes (net of tax)

(6)

32

(27)

Total comprehensive income for the period

(16)

14

384

 

RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT IN EQUITY -

GROUP MCEV BASIS

 

For the half year ended 30 June 2015


Half year

ended

30 June 2015
£m

Half year

ended

30 June 2014
£m

Year ended

31 December 2014
£m

Opening Group MCEV equity

2,647

2,378

2,378





Total comprehensive income for the period

(16)

14

384

 




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

2

-

1

Dividends paid on ordinary shares

(60)

(60)

(120)

Dividends paid on shares held by the employee trust and Group entities

-

1

1

Shares sold by Group entities

-

-

4

Movement in equity for equity-settled share-based payments

2

3

7

Shares acquired by the employee benefit trust

-

(8)

(8)

Total capital and dividend flows - external

(56)

(64)

(115)





Closing Group MCEV equity

2,575

2,328

2,647

 

GROUP MCEV ANALYSIS OF EARNINGS

 

For the half year ended 30 June 2015



Non-covered business



Covered

business

MCEV

£m

Management

services

IFRS

£m

Other Group

companies1

IFRS

£m

Group

MCEV

£m

Group MCEV at 1 January 2015

2,856

142

(351)

2,647






Operating MCEV earnings (after tax)

71

12

(10)

73

Non-operating MCEV earnings (after tax)

1

2

(86)

(83)

Total MCEV earnings

72

14

(96)

(10)






Other comprehensive income

-

-

(6)

(6)

Capital and dividend flows - internal

(78)

2

76

-

Capital and dividend flows - external

-

-

(56)

(56)






Closing value at 30 June 2015

2,850

158

(433)

2,575

1  Comprises the Group holding companies that do not form part of the Phoenix Life division.

 

For the half year ended 30 June 2014



Non-covered business



Covered

business

MCEV

£m

Management services

IFRS

£m

Asset

Management1

IFRS

£m

Other Group

companies2

IFRS

£m

Group

MCEV

£m

Group MCEV at 1 January 2014

3,059

134

108

(923)

2,378







Operating MCEV earnings (after tax)

142

13

14

(7)

162

Non-operating MCEV earnings (after tax)

(126)

(6)

(2)

(46)

(180)

Total MCEV earnings

16

7

12

(53)

(18)







Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

32

32

Divested business

(18)

-

-

18

-

Capital and dividend flows - internal

(224)

2

(29)

251

-

Capital and dividend flows - external

-

-

-

(64)

(64)







Closing value at 30 June 2014

2,833

143

91

(739)

2,328

For the year ended 31 December 2014



Non-covered business



Covered

business

MCEV

£m

Management services

IFRS

£m

Asset

Management1

IFRS

£m

Other Group

companies2

IFRS

£m

Group

MCEV

£m

Group MCEV at 1 January 2014

3,059

134

108

(923)

2,378







Operating MCEV earnings (after tax)

268

28

14

(22)

288

Non-operating MCEV earnings (after tax)

(32)

(8)

(2)

165

123

Total MCEV earnings

236

20

12

143

411







Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

(27)

(27)

Divested businesses

(18)

-

(91)

109

-

Capital and dividend flows - internal

(421)

(12)

(29)

462

-

Capital and dividend flows - external

-

-

-

(115)

(115)







Closing value at 31 December 2014

2,856

142

-

(351)

2,647

1  Relates to the Ignis division disposed of on 1 July 2014, classified as discontinued operations. The asset management MCEV earnings after tax of £12 million includes intragroup income of £30 million.

2  Comprises the Group holding companies that do not form part of the Phoenix Life and Ignis divisions.

 

RECONCILIATION OF GROUP IFRS EQUITY

TO MCEV NET WORTH

 

For the half year ended 30 June 2015


30 June 2015

£m

30 June 2014

£m

31 December 2014

£m

Group net assets attributable to owners of the parent as reported under IFRS

2,296

2,060

2,365

Goodwill and other intangibles in accordance with IFRS removed (net of tax)

(207)

(383)

(217)

Value of in-force business in accordance with IFRS removed (net of tax)

(979)

(1,044)

(1,011)

Adjustments to IFRS reserving

(111)

(111)

(130)

Tax adjustments

29

27

33

Revalue listed debt to market value

(92)

(51)

(68)

Fair value adjustments1

-

(2)

-

Eliminate after tax pension scheme surpluses (including IFRIC 14 adjustments)2

 

(462)

(258)

(492)

Other adjustments3

(9)

5

(14)

MCEV net worth attributable to owners of the parent

465

243

466

MCEV value of in-force business included (net of tax) as set out in note 2

2,110

2,085

2,181

Closing Group MCEV

2,575

2,328

2,647

1  Investments carried at amortised cost under IFRS are revalued at market value.

2  Pension scheme surpluses valued on an IFRS basis are removed. This includes the IFRIC 14 adjustments as described in note 11 of the IFRS condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

3  Includes adjustments to revalue unlisted debt carried at amortised cost under IFRS at face value.

 

NOTES TO THE MCEV FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. BASIS OF PREPARATION

OVERVIEW

The supplementary information on pages 61 to 73 has been prepared on a Market Consistent Embedded Value ('MCEV') basis except for the items described further below.

The MCEV methodology adopted by the Group is in accordance with the MCEV principles and guidance published by the CFO Forum in June 2008 and amended in October 2009, except that:

-   risk-free rates have been defined as the annually compounded UK Government nominal spot curve plus 10 basis points rather than as the swap rate curve;

-   no allowance for the cost of residual non-hedgeable risk ('CNHR') has been made because, in the opinion of the Directors, the Group operates a robust outsourcer model in terms of operational risk, does not write new business, is focused entirely on the back book, and has succeeded in closing out significant legacy risks. The theoretical value of CNHR is disclosed separately in note 1(b); and

-   the asset management (prior to its divestment on 1 July 2014) and management service companies' values are calculated and presented on a basis consistent with IFRS. Under CFO Forum principles and guidance productivity gains should not be recognised until achieved. This treatment is inconsistent with the cost profile of a closed fund where continual cost reductions are expected to maintain unit costs as the business runs off. In the opinion of the Directors, if the MCEV principles and guidance were to be applied to the asset management and the management service companies, it would not provide a fair reflection of the Group's financial position. These companies are therefore reported alongside the Group's other holding companies at their IFRS net asset value.

In January 2015, the Group announced the successful exchange of 99% of the Group's Perpetual Reset Capital Securities ('Tier 1 notes') for £428 million of new listed subordinated notes issued by PGH Capital Limited and maturing in 2025. The terms of the new notes meet the requirement of Tier 2 capital under Solvency II and have a coupon of 6.625%. Upon exchange, new notes with a face value of £32 million were held by Group companies

On 29 June 2015, the Group and Life Company Consolidation Group ('LCCG') signed a disposal agreement under which LCCG agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital of Scottish Mutual International Limited ('SMI') in return for gross cash consideration of £14 million and a dividend payable by SMI prior to completion of the transaction. The disposal is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The Finance Act 2013 set the rate of corporation tax at 20% from April 2015. The Summer Budget 2015 introduced various changes that, when substantively enacted, would impact the valuation of deferred tax in these financial statements. Further reductions to the rate of corporation tax, to 19% in April 2017 and 18% from April 2020 have been announced and will be introduced by future legislation. In addition, changes have been proposed that would impact the valuation of deferred tax assets in relation to certain brought forward losses. The impact of these changes has not been reflected in the Group's MCEV.

COVERED BUSINESS

The MCEV calculations cover all long-term insurance business written by the Group, but exclude Ignis (prior to its divestment on 1 July 2014) and the management service companies.

Opal Re is included within covered business and is valued on a basis consistent with the annuity business within the UK life companies.

MCEV METHODOLOGY

The embedded value of covered business is based on a market-consistent methodology. Under this methodology, assets and liabilities are valued in line with market prices and consistently with each other.

The key components of MCEV are net worth plus the value of in-force covered business.

a) Net worth

For the Group's life companies, net worth is defined as the market value of shareholder funds plus the shareholders' interest in surplus assets held in long-term business funds less the market value of any outstanding debt of the life companies.

Loans from the life companies to holding companies have been consolidated out such that they do not appear as an asset in the life company or as a liability in the holding company. This presentation has no impact on the overall MCEV but does affect the allocation of net assets between covered and non-covered business.

b) Value of in-force business ('VIF')

The market consistent VIF represents the present value of profits attributable to shareholders arising from the in-force business, less an allowance for the time value of financial options and guarantees embedded within life insurance contracts and frictional costs of required capital.

The approach adopted to calculate VIF combines deterministic and stochastic techniques (each of which is discussed in more detail below):

-   deterministic techniques have been used to value cash flows whose values vary in a linear fashion with market movements. These cash flows are valued using discount rates that reflect the risk inherent in each cash flow. In practice, it is not necessary to discount each cash flow at a different discount rate, as the same result is achieved by projecting and discounting all cash flows at risk-free rates. This is known as the 'certainty equivalent approach'; and

-   stochastic techniques have been used to value cash flows that have an asymmetric effect on cash flows to shareholders. Here, the calculation involves the use of stochastic models developed for the purposes of realistic balance sheet reporting.

The VIF consists of the following components:

Present value of future profits ('PVFP')

The PVFP represents the present value of profits attributable to shareholders arising from the in-force business. The PVFP is calculated by projecting and discounting using risk-free rates, with an allowance for liquidity premiums where appropriate.

The projection is based on actively reviewed best estimate non-economic assumptions. Best estimate assumptions make appropriate allowance for expected future experience where there is sufficient evidence to justify; for example in allowing for future mortality improvements on annuity business.

Time value of financial options and guarantees ('TVFOGs')

The Group's embedded value includes an explicit allowance for the TVFOGs embedded within insurance contracts, including investment performance guarantees on participating business and guaranteed vesting annuity rates. The cost of these options and guarantees to shareholders is calculated using market-consistent stochastic models calibrated to the market prices of financial instruments as at the period end.

The TVFOGs allow for the impact of management actions, consistent with those permitted by the Principles and Practices of Financial Management. The modelling of management actions vary for each of the funds but typically include management of bonus rates and policy enhancements, charges to asset shares to cover increases to the cost of guarantees and alterations to investment strategy.

Frictional cost of capital ('COC')

COC is defined as the difference between the market value of shareholder-owned assets backing required capital and the present value of future releases of those assets allowing for future investment returns on that capital, investment expenses and taxes.

Required capital is defined as the minimum regulatory capital requirement, which is the greater of Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 capital requirements, plus the capital required under the Group's capital management policy. This equates to 144% of the Pillar 1 minimum regulatory capital requirement or 125% of the Pillar 2 minimum regulatory capital requirement (30 June 2014: 150% Pillar 1, 128% Pillar 2; 31 December 2014: 142% Pillar 1, 124% Pillar 2).

Solvency II introduces a new capital regime for insurers with effect from 1 January 2016. No allowance has been made within the Group's MCEV information for the impact of this developing regime.

Costs of residual non-hedgeable risks ('CNHR')

The CNHR should allow for risks that can have an asymmetric impact on shareholder value to the extent these risks have not already been reflected in the PVFP or TVFOGs. The majority of such risks within the Group are operational and tax risks.

No allowance for the CNHR has been made, as in the opinion of the Directors, the CNHR calculated in accordance with CFO Forum principles and guidance does not anticipate further risk management actions, and therefore does not provide a fair reflection of the Group's ongoing risk.

However, the CNHR calculated in accordance with the CFO Forum principles and guidance, and therefore without anticipating further risk management actions, has been disclosed below.

For with-profits business the CNHR would increase the TVFOGs by £20 million (30 June 2014: £21 million; 31 December 2014: £14 million).

For other business the cost would be £84 million (30 June 2014: £107 million; 31 December 2014: £105 million). This equates to an equivalent average cost of capital charge of 0.87% (30 June 2014: 1.1%; 31 December 2014: 0.95%). The level of capital assumed in this calculation is determined based on a 99.5% confidence level over a 1 year time horizon, consistent with the ICA methodology. Allowance is made for diversification benefits between non-hedgeable risks, but not between hedgeable and non-hedgeable risks.

c) Valuation of debt

Listed debt issued by the Group is valued at the market value quoted at the reporting date which is consistent with MCEV principles.

The National Provident Life Limited recourse bonds are backed by surpluses that are expected to emerge on blocks of its unit-linked and unitised with-profits business. This securitisation has been valued on a cash flow basis, allowing for payments expected to be due based on the projected level of securitised surpluses emerging. The full VIF of the securitised unit-linked and unitised with-profits business is expected to be payable to bondholders; therefore, no additional value accrues to the embedded value.

Unlisted debt owed by the holding companies is included at face value.

d) Taxation

Full allowance has been made for the value of tax that would become payable on the transfer of surplus assets out of non-profit funds. This allowance reflects the projected pace of releases of surplus from non-profit funds that is not required to support with-profit funds.

Allowance has also been made for the tax relief arising from interest payments made on the debt of the holding companies. The value of the tax relief is determined by offsetting the tax payable on profits emerging from covered business against the tax relief afforded by interest payments on the debt. Interest payments are projected assuming that current levels of debt are reduced and then refinanced to maintain a long-term level of debt that the Directors consider to be supported by the projected embedded value of the Group's businesses.

e) New business

The MCEV places a value on the profits expected to be earned on annuities arising from policies vesting with guaranteed annuity terms. The value is calculated based on management's assumptions as to long-term profit margins and projected take-up rates. As at 30 June 2015, the Group MCEV included £171 million in respect of these policies (30 June 2014: £133 million; 31 December 2014: £163 million). These policies are excluded from the definition of new business on the basis that the annuity being provided is an obligation under an existing policy and the life companies are already reserving for the cost of these guarantees. New business therefore excludes premiums of £164 million (30 June 2014: £201 million; 30 December 2014: £390 million) written in the period in respect of annuities with guaranteed terms.

Policies with guarantees are fully reserved for on an economic basis. To the extent fewer policyholders choose to take up their guaranteed rates than we expect, there is potential for positive experience variances to benefit the MCEV.

New business includes all other annuities written by the life insurance companies.

f) Participating business

Allowance is made for future bonus rates on a basis consistent with the projection assumptions and established company practice.

The time value of options and guarantees used in the calculation of MCEV also allows for expected management and policyholder responses to the varying external economic conditions simulated by the economic scenario generators. Policyholder response has been modelled based on historical experience. Management actions have been set in accordance with each life company's Principles and Practices of Financial Management.

g) Pension schemes

The MCEV allows for pension scheme deficits as calculated on an IFRS basis, but no benefit is taken for pension scheme surpluses.

Under IFRIC 14, an interpretation of IAS 19, pension funding contributions are considered to be a minimum funding requirement and, to the extent that the contributions payable would result in a surplus that would not be recoverable, a liability is recognised when the obligation arises. The IFRS IFRIC 14 adjustments are not reflected in the Group MCEV as the Group anticipates that its ultimate contributions into the pension schemes will not give rise to an unrecoverable surplus.

h) Events after the reporting period

On 19 August 2015, the Board declared an interim dividend of 26.7p per share (30 June 2014: 26.7p per share) for the half year ended 30 June 2015. The cost of this dividend has not been recognised as a liability in the interim financial statements for the period to 30 June 2015 and will be charged to the Reconciliation of Movement in Equity - Group MCEV basis when paid.

2. COMPONENTS OF THE MCEV OF COVERED BUSINESS


Half year

ended

30 June 2015

 £m

Half year

ended

30 June 2014

 £m

Year ended

31 December 2014

 £m

Net worth

740

748

675

PVFP

2,173

2,119

2,238

TVFOG

(54)

(27)

(38)

COC

(9)

(7)

(19)

Total VIF

2,110

2,085

2,181


2,850

2,833

2,856

The net worth of covered business of £740 million at 30 June 2015 (30 June 2014: £748 million; 31 December 2014: £675 million) consists of £315 million of free surplus in excess of required capital (30 June 2014: £379 million; 31 December 2014: £196 million).

3. ANALYSIS OF COVERED BUSINESS MCEV EARNINGS (AFTER TAX)


Half year ended 30 June 2015

 


Net worth

£m

 

VIF

£m

 

Total life

MCEV

£m

 

Life MCEV at 1 January 2015

675

2,181

2,856

New business value

1

1

2

Expected existing business contribution (reference rate)1

10

27

37

Expected existing business contribution (in excess of reference rate)2

-

20

20

Transfer from VIF to net worth

85

(85)

-

Experience variances

(2)

(2)

(4)

Assumption changes

(9)

(11)

(20)

Other operating variances

26

10

36

Life MCEV operating earnings

111

(40)

71

Economic variances

13

(23)

(10)

Other non-operating variances

8

3

11

Total Life MCEV earnings

132

(60)

72

Divested businesses

-

-

-

Capital and dividend flows

(67)

(11)

(78)

Life MCEV at 30 June 2015

740

2,110

2,850

1  Expected existing business contribution (reference rate) represents the expected return on the opening MCEV at the long-term risk-free rate at 2.29% (30 June 2014: 3.55%; 31 December 2014: 3.55%).

2  Expected existing business contribution (in excess of reference rate) represents the additional expected return above the risk-free rate arising from long-term risk premiums on equities, property and corporate bonds.


Half year ended 30 June 2014

 


Net worth

£m

VIF

£m

Total life

MCEV

£m

Life MCEV at 1 January 2014

802

2,257

3,059

New business value

4

3

7

Expected existing business contribution (reference rate)

15

44

59

Expected existing business contribution (in excess of reference rate)

(4)

17

13

Transfer from VIF to net worth

84

(84)

-

Experience variances

29

7

36

Assumption changes

13

(30)

(17)

Other operating variances

53

(9)

44

Life MCEV operating earnings

194

(52)

142

Economic variances

16

(38)

(22)

Other non-operating variances

(37)

(67)

(104)

Total Life MCEV earnings

173

(157)

16

Capital and dividend flows

(227)

(15)

(242)

Life MCEV at 30 June 2014

748

2,085

2,833

 


Year ended 31 December 2014

 


Net worth

£m

VIF

£m

Total life

MCEV

£m

Life MCEV at 1 January 2014

802

2,257

3,059

New business value

7

4

11

Expected existing business contribution (reference rate)

31

79

110

Expected existing business contribution (in excess of reference rate)

(8)

35

27

Transfer from VIF to net worth

179

(179)

-

Experience variances

45

8

53

Assumption changes

20

(35)

(15)

Other operating variances

71

11

82

Life MCEV operating earnings

345

(77)

268

Economic variances

(28)

70

42

Other non-operating variances

(34)

(40)

(74)

Total Life MCEV earnings

283

(47)

236

Divested business

(18)

-

(18)

Capital and dividend flows

(392)

(29)

(421)

Life MCEV at 31 December 2014

675

2,181

2,856

4. NEW BUSINESS

The value generated by new business written during the period is calculated as the present value of the projected stream of after-tax distributable profits from that business. This contribution has been valued using economic and non-economic assumptions at the point of sale. The value of new business is shown after the effect of frictional costs of holding required capital on the same basis as for the in-force covered business.

 

 

Premium

£m

MCEV

£m

MCEV/ Premium

%

Half year ended 30 June 2015

44

2

4%

Half year ended 30 June 2014

83

7

8%

Year ended 31 December 2014

154

11

7%

5. MATURITY PROFILE OF BUSINESS

This note sets out how the PVFP is expected to emerge into net worth over future years. Surpluses are projected on a certainty equivalent basis with allowance for liquidity premiums as appropriate and are discounted at risk-free rates.


Years

Present value of future profits (PVFP)

1-5

£m

6-10

£m

11-15

£m

16-20

£m

20+

£m

Total

£m

30 June 2015

831

550

378

241

173

2,173

30 June 2014

826

531

359

228

175

2,119

31 December 2014

859

556

387

250

186

2,238

6. ASSUMPTIONS

REFERENCE RATES

(a) Risk-free rates

Risk-free rates are based on the annually compounded UK Government bond nominal spot curve plus ten basis points, extrapolated as necessary to meet the term of the liabilities.

The risk-free rates assumed for a sample of terms were as follows:


30 June 2015


30 June 2014


31 December 2014

Term

Gilt yield

+10bps

Swap yield


Gilt yield

+10bps

Swap yield


Gilt yield

+10bps

Swap yield

1 year

0.59%

0.73%


0.74%

0.82%


0.43%

0.98%

5 years

1.57%

1.61%


2.09%

2.21%


1.31%

1.46%

10 years

2.29%

2.07%


2.97%

2.86%


1.97%

1.87%

15 years

2.67%

2.27%


3.40%

3.19%


2.38%

2.12%

20 years

2.87%

2.31%


3.62%

3.34%


2.62%

2.26%

Had the Group used the swap rate curve as set out in the CFO Forum principles, the MCEV would have been £274 million lower (30 June 2014: £118 million lower; 31 December 2014: £218 million lower).

(b) Liquidity premiums

In October 2009, the CFO Forum published an amendment to the MCEV principles to reflect the inclusion of a liquidity premium. The changes affirm that the reference rate may include a liquidity premium over and above the risk-free yield curve for liabilities which are not liquid, given that the matching assets are able to be held to maturity.

The liabilities to which a liquidity premium is applied include immediate annuities, pensions policies with benefits defined as an annuity or in-the-money guaranteed annuity options. The liquidity premium is determined by reference to the yield on the bond portfolios held after allowing for credit risk by deducting margins for best estimate defaults and unexpected default risk premiums. The additional yield above risk-free rates implied by the calculated liquidity premium is as follows:


30 June 2015

 

30 June 2014

 

31 December 2014

 

Additional yield over risk-free rates

0.53%

0.35%

0.46%

INFLATION

For purposes of the MCEV calculation, the rate of increase in the UK Retail Price Index ('RPI') as at 30 June 2015, was taken from the implied inflation curve at a term appropriate to the liabilities. The rate of increase in UK National Average Earnings inflation is assumed to be RPI plus 100 basis points as at 30 June 2015 (30 June 2014: RPI plus 100 basis points; 31 December 2014: RPI plus 100 basis points).

STOCHASTIC ECONOMIC ASSUMPTIONS

The time value of options and guarantees is calculated using an economic scenario generator. The model is calibrated to market conditions as at 30 June 2015. The scenario generator and calibration are consistent with that used for realistic balance sheet reporting.

A LIBOR Market Model with displaced diffusion and stochastic volatility (LMM-DDSV) is used to generate risk-free rates over a complete yield curve, calibrated to the UK nominal spot curve plus 10 basis points, consistent with the deterministic projections. Interest rate volatility is calibrated to swaption implied volatilities, as per the sample below.


Option term (years)

 

Interest rate volatility

 

5

 

10

 

15

 

20

 

25

 

30

 

30 June 2015 Swap term (years)







5

34.6%

30.6%

28.8%

27.9%

27.5%

27.2%

10

29.0%

27.0%

26.3%

26.0%

25.9%

25.6%

20

25.7%

25.3%

25.3%

25.3%

24.9%

24.3%

30

25.3%

25.3%

25.3%

24.8%

23.9%

23.0%

 


Option term (years)

 

Interest rate volatility

 

5

 

10

 

15

 

20

 

25

 

30

 

30 June 2014 Swap term (years)







5

23.3%

19.3%

17.0%

16.7%

16.3%

16.1%

10

20.7%

18.3%

16.7%

16.1%

15.6%

15.3%

20

18.2%

16.8%

15.2%

14.2%

13.5%

12.9%

30

17.1%

15.8%

14.1%

12.8%

11.8%

11.1%

 


Option term (years)

 

Interest rate volatility

 

5

 

10

 

15

 

20

 

25

 

30

 

31 December 2014 Swap term (years)







5

37.4%

32.1%

29.1%

27.4%

26.5%

25.7%

10

29.9%

27.0%

25.4%

24.6%

24.1%

23.2%

20

24.6%

23.8%

23.4%

22.9%

22.0%

21.0%

30

23.6%

23.3%

22.7%

21.9%

20.8%

19.8%

Real interest rates have been modelled using the two-factor Hull-White model, calibrated to index-linked gilts.

Equity volatility is calibrated to replicate the prices on a range of FTSE equity options with a range of terms and strikes. The equity volatility model used allows volatility to vary with both term and strike of the options.


Term (years)

 

Equity implied volatility (ATM)

 

5

 

10

 

15

 

20

 

25

 

30

 

30 June 2015

19.9%

21.6%

22.7%

23.4%

23.9%

24.3%

30 June 2014

20.5%

20.4%

20.8%

21.3%

21.8%

22.3%

31 December 2014

20.8%

22.2%

23.0%

23.4%

23.7%

23.9%

Best estimate levels of volatility are assumed for directly held property. The model implied volatility for 30 June 2015 is 16% (30 June 2014: 15%).

The modelling of corporate bonds allows for credit transitions and defaults, calibrated to historic data, derived from current markets.

OPERATING EARNINGS

The Group uses normalised investment returns in calculating the expected existing business contribution. The Group considers that an average return over the remaining term of its in-force business is more appropriate than using a short-term rate and is more consistent with the Group's expectation of longer-term rates of return. Therefore, the Group calculates the expected contribution on existing business using a 15-year gilt rate at the beginning of the reporting period plus 10 basis points and long-term expectations of excess investment returns.

The table below sets outs the asset risk premiums used:


Half year

ended

30 June 2015

Half year

ended

30 June 2014

Year ended

31 December 2014

Equities

3.0%

3.0%

3.0%

Property

2.0%

2.0%

2.0%

Gilts

0.0%

0.0%