Mixed Aegon figures generally positive

Its overall UK life business has grown 5% on an annual premium income basis in the first nine months of 2004, to £493m from £469m in the same period last year. Growth according to API speeded up in the third quarter, up 9% to £160m from £149m. Recurring premiums on an annualised basis were up to £291m from £282m. Net income from all UK business increased to £79m from £63m, despite slowness in sales of fixed income in the asset management space. The overall figures hide some trends that bear closer inspection, however, especially the divergence between growth in single premiums and ...