First-quarter sales up 27% at Prudential

INSURER Prudential has reported a 27 per cent rise in first-quarter sales, boosted by strong business in Asia.

The group is under pressure to show evidence of growth after it rejected a takeover bid from rival Aviva last month, saying the deal did not reflect its growth prospects.

Chief executive Mark Tucker said: "These results show the group has momentum."

New business sales for the first three months of the year totalled £637 million. Sales in Britain rose 17 per cent to £244m.