Financial services group Legal & General hiked its interim dividend by 22 per cent after a solid performance in the first half with double-digit growth in sales, cash generation and profits.The dividend was hiked to 2.4p per share, up from 1.96p per share in the first half of 2012.Chief Executive Nigel Wilson labelled the company's first-half performance as "very strong". He said: "We are successfully evolving our strategy from a post-financial crisis focus on cash, to one based on cash plus growth plus selective acquisitions."Pre-tax profits in the six months to June 30th increased 13% year-on-year to £592m, while net cash generation was up 23% at £500m.The company's Investment Management (LGIM) division saw net inflows double last year's at £8.0bn with gross flows up 66% to £29.4bn, helped by record net inflows of £7.5bn from international clients. Total LGIM assets under management (AuM) grew by 7.0% to £433bn. Savings AuM jumped 59% to £111bn, helped by the acquisition of digital savings platform Cofunds. Meanwhile Annuities AuM were flat at £32m.The stock was up 2.08% at 201.51p in early trading on Tuesday.BC