Aviva has reported a strong start to 2026, with operating profit climbing 24% to £1.3 billion for the first half of the year. The insurer, which provides cover to over 25 million customers globally, attributed the growth to its diversified business model and successful integration of the recently acquired Direct Line Insurance Group.

The company confirmed that the transition of all Direct Line employees to Aviva is complete, with £100 million in run-rate cost synergies achieved so far. The business remains on track to reach its £225 million cost synergy target and expects to deliver over £350 million in capital synergies by the end of the year.

Amanda Blanc, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “Aviva's results in the first half of 2026 were very strong, with operating profit up 24% to £1.3 billion. We have now achieved six consecutive years of excellent financial performance, with much more to come. We also continue to deliver for our shareholders and today we have increased the interim dividend by 7% to 14.0 pence per share.”

The group’s financial performance was bolstered by a 32% increase in Wealth net flows, which reached £7.6 billion, and a 29% rise in General Insurance premiums. In the UK, personal lines premiums grew by 98%, driven heavily by the Direct Line acquisition.

Aviva confirmed it remains on track to meet its three-year financial targets, which include an operating earnings per share compound annual growth rate of 11% through to 2028. The firm is also betting on artificial intelligence to drive efficiency, with plans to roll out a new virtual assistant and an AI-enabled claims agent later this year.

For the remainder of 2026, the company expects its solvency cover ratio to reach the high-180s, subject to market fluctuations.