UK insurer Aviva's profit jumps 25%, resumes 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Aviva