UK insurer aviva's annual profit jumps about 25%

UK insurer Aviva's profit jumps 25%, resumes share buyback

Aviva Reports Strong Financial Performance and Strategic Moves

Annual Profit Growth and Share Buyback

LONDON, March 5 (Reuters) - British insurer Aviva posted a 25% jump in annual profit and resumed its share buyback on Thursday, helped by its combination with rival Direct Line and growth in its insurance premiums and wealth business. 

Its operating profit for the 2025 full-year came in at 2.2 billion pounds ($2.9 billion), up from 1.8 billion pounds a year earlier and broadly in line with analyst forecasts compiled by the company.

Dividend Announcement and Buyback Details

The company, which offers car, home and life insurance in Britain, Ireland and Canada, also announced a 26.2 pence final dividend and a 350 million pound share buyback, after a hiatus due to the Direct Line takeover.

Premium and Wealth Business Growth

General insurance premiums rose 18% to 14.1 billion pounds, while net inflows into its wealth business grew 6% to 10.9 billion pounds.

Financial Targets and Cost Savings

It reiterated its financial targets set in November, including growing earnings per share by 11% a year to 2028 and nearly doubling cost savings from its combination with Direct Line.

Direct Line Acquisition

Aviva secured the largest takeover of CEO Amanda Blanc's tenure last year when it closed its acquisition of motor insurer Direct Line for 3.7 billion pounds.  

Additional Information

($1 = 0.7504 pounds)

(Reporting by Iain Withers in London and Prerna Bedi and Rishab Shaju in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Louise Heavens)