Aug 11 (Reuters) - British motor insurer Admiral
reported a 76% surge in first-half earnings and announced a 27.1
pence special dividend on Wednesday after it paid out fewer
claims during months of government lockdowns amid the COVID-19
pandemic.
The company's pretax profit from continuing operations rose
to 482.2 million pounds ($666.6 million) during the first half
of 2021, coming at the higher end of its previously-guided range
of 450-500 million pounds.
Admiral set its dividend of 115 pence per share - a half
year dividend of 87.9 pence and a special dividend of 27.1
pence.
($1 = 0.7234 pounds)
(Reporting by Muvija M in Bengaluru)