Nomura has highlighted Legal & General (L&G) as its preference in the UK insurance sector, saying that it has higher cash yields than peers Aviva, Prudential and Standard Life."We estimate that L&G still has the highest cash yield of 10% in the sector, measured against our FY 2011 cash earnings forecasts," the broker said. It also forecasts an "attractive" 9% cash yield for Aviva, while Prudential and Standard Life have lower cash yields of 7% and 6%, respectively. "We also think that [L&G's] growth prospects are the strongest in the sector, as it is the best-positioned in its peer group to benefit from changes to product and distribution caused by the Retail Distribution Review," Nomura adds. L&G's full-year dividend is expected to rise by 26% to 6p per share when it reports results next month, reflecting strong cash generation. The broker maintains its buy rating and 180p target price on the stock.As for Prudential, the broker predicts that net book value (NBV) growth will fall by 13% in the fourth quarter as it goes ex-growth in the UK and US, despite strong Asian growth: "we believe that this will highlight the markets' exaggerated perception of Pru as an Asian growth stock". This slowdown is expected to cut NBV growth to just 5% for 2011 as a whole, compared with 25% in 2010 and 35% in 2009. Nomura reiterates its reduce recommendation and 700p target price.Meanwhile, the broker has cut its target price for Aviva from 650p to 630p to reflect a reduction in forecast earnings. Nevertheless, a buy rating is kept.As for Standard Life, Nomura has raised its target from 250p to 255p after increasing its operating profit forecasts, but a reduce rating is kept.BC